The Explorer’s Guide to Banff National Park

Sharp stone peaks, hulking glaciers, and iridescent blue lakes have long made Canada's first national park its most visited. Nearly the entire Rocky Mountain range in Canada is covered by a string of national parks smooshed together, so the wilderness here feels as vast as the northern country itself. That raw ruggedness is exactly what's been attracting people for hundreds of years, so the land is pocketed with nuggets of history. Many people are familiar with the icefields, hot springs, skiing, and hiking in Banff. But not as many are aware of the mummified merman, rare translucent cave creatures, a sunken ghost town that requires scuba diving to the bottom of a lake, or the old swinger restaurant that keeps the area colorful with quirky stories. From the town of Banff to the point where the road seamlessly passes into next-door Jasper National Park, here are the attention-grabbing sites and legendary tales of Banff National Park in Canada’s wild west.

10 Wild Places That Define West Virginia’s Landscape

Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism

From the high reaches of the Appalachians to expansive underground caverns, West Virginia’s rich and varied natural landscape is full of surprises. Climb the observation tower at West Virginia’s highest peak and take in sweeping views of the vast landscape, or explore the many below-ground caves, packed with fanciful formations. In between, hike the most significant botanical area in the Appalachian region—a rare find that offers striking similarities to the arctic tundra, stand in a spot that struck awe in a U.S. President, or stay overnight in a historic fire tower as you take in the star-studded night sky. Nature lovers, set your sights on West Virginia.

The Ultimate Guide to Hidden Red Rocks: 10 Secret Passageways, Artifacts, and Ghost Stories

Sponsored by Visit Denver

There’s the version of Red Rocks most people know: the iconic open-air concert venue flanked by soaring sandstone fins. And then, there’s the version that even the amphitheater’s biggest fans sometimes overlook. Behind its impressive facade, you’ll find that the Denver-area venue has a hidden side—a quirky streak that it just might reveal to you if you know where to look. To see Red Rocks at its most pensive, go at first light. Mule deer and lynx sometimes roam the trails surrounding the amphitheater, and the sun’s first rays gild the rock until it seems to glow. Book a sunrise yoga session on the steps, or join the runners on dawn patrol: jogging the stone bleachers is a local rite of passage (and a serious workout). History buffs would be remiss not to stop into the Red Rocks Hall of Fame—a curving corridor lined with guitars and other rare artifacts—or visit the nearby Civilian Conservation Corps building that housed Red Rocks’ creators. Want to go even deeper? Singletrack trails wind through the ancient sandstone passages, unfurling a 300-million-year geology lesson one stratum at a time. That’s just a taste of what Red Rocks has in store for those willing to ferret out its secrets. Here are ten ways to uncover the whimsical, gritty, spooky, and mysterious sides of Colorado’s most iconic stage.

The Explorer’s Guide to Williamsburg, Virginia

Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Virginia played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the early development of the nation, serving as a center of strong ideas and innovative thinking. Today, this legacy is firmly rooted in the past and extremely relevant to the present. From a beach brimming with the fossilized remains of extinct sea creatures to a tavern once frequented by the nation’s Founding Fathers, Virginia’s “Historic Triangle” is full of unusual finds for every type of traveler. Use this guide to inspire your next trip.

The Explorer’s Guide to the British Virgin Islands

Sponsored by The British Virgin Islands

With their sprawling beaches and sunny skies, the British Virgin Islands are one of the greatest destinations for those looking for an island getaway. But the fun shouldn’t stop at relaxation: across this archipelago of roughly 60 islands, adventure awaits for those intrepid enough to seek it. The pirates—who used these islands as a refuge in the 17th century—have gone, but their dauntless spirit remains. Here you can walk through an otherworldly maze of seaside boulders, or dip in a natural jacuzzi made frothy by crashing waves. Head out to sea to have a drink on a pirate ship, or get on your scuba gear to explore an underwater art exhibit. Whether your own personal treasure map leads you to food, nature, or the sea, you’re sure to strike gold on these islands. Here are the ten most exciting spots to explore.

Gastro Obscura’s 10 Essential Places to Eat, Drink, and Shop in Hong Kong

Think Hong Kong and the mind flits to dim sum, sweet roasted meats, and noodles. While you’ll still find all of those in abundance here, Hong Kong’s status as a port city and a former British colony have led to dishes that exist outside of the Cantonese genre—indeed, also to entirely new cross-cultural genres. With this in mind, we wanted to put together a list that touches on the classics: a stuck-in-time dim sum hall, a streetside dai pai dong where nearly every dish is cooked in a wok, and an artisanal soy sauce maker. You’ll also find a few lesser-known places that are nonetheless important to Hong Kong’s food scene: the local equivalent of the diner, restaurants that serve Western dishes as perceived through a Chinese lens, Hong Kong’s unique bakeries, as well as things tangential to the territory’s food culture such as kitchen supplies and the neon signs that used to decorate nearly every restaurant in the city.

A Denver Guide for National Park Lovers

Sponsored by Visit Denver

If you want to explore Colorado’s wildest corners, you’ll first need to pass through Denver. Often called the gateway to the Mountain West, Denver is a portal to the rugged peaks, rolling sand dunes, and rippling aspen forests that lie beyond its doorstep. But this city isn’t just a stepping stone to adventure; it’s a worthwhile stopover in its own right. No Colorado visit is complete without a weekend in the Mile High City. Before Colorado’s national parks existed, these landscapes played host to explorers, naturalists, fur trappers, and thriving Native American nations. All these people and cultures converged in Denver, bringing maps, plant and animal specimens, and profound environmental insights with them. Over the last 175 years, that rich knowledge transfer has turned Denver into a city that is deeply connected to the natural world. Today, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science contains some of the state’s earliest animal specimens, as well as fossils from the Colorado Rockies. Botany enthusiasts will want to tour Populus, the head-turning hotel that looks like an aspen tree, or visit the Denver Botanic Gardens to learn how researchers are preserving the nation’s rarest alpine flowers. More interested in the cultural history of our national parklands? Sample traditional recipes at Tocabe, a Native American restaurant that highlights Indigenous-grown food; or grab a drink at Buckhorn Exchange, a 19th-century bar once frequented by miners, fur traders, and presidents alike. A city built by and for outdoorspeople, Denver is one of the best places on the planet to spark your curiosity before your adventure west. Here are eight of the best spots to prepare you for the outdoor experience of a lifetime.

Gastro Obscura’s 10 Essential Places to Eat and Drink in Oaxaca

Oaxaca, the mountainous state in Mexico’s south, is celebrated as the country’s “cradle of diversity.” Home to 16 Indigenous ethnic groups from Mixtecs to Triques to Zapotecs, it also boasts the country’s greatest biodiversity, counting 522 edible herbs, over 30 native agave varieties distilled by some 600 mezcal-producing facilities, 35 landraces (unique cultivars) of corn, and some two-dozen native species of chiles and beans. Oaxaca de Juárez, the state’s colonial capital, is drawing record numbers of visitors these days for its cobblestoned streets and the arty graffiti. But the main draw is Oaxaca’s status as the culinary epicenter of Mexico for its dozens of mole varieties, an encyclopedia of corn masa-based antojitos—memelas, tetelas, totopos, tlayudas, tamales—and a baroque layering of colonial-Spanish and pre-Hispanic Indigenous foodways. Local chefs understand that to be culinary authority here one must be part botanist and part anthropologist—roles which they embrace with great relish. Among the welcome recent developments to the restaurant scene has been the great rise of female chefs, as well as a new interest in cooking from the state’s different regions in addition to the complex colonial flavors of the Valles Centrales surrounding the capital. Whether you’re after unusual moles from the rugged Mixteca region, breads made exclusively from Oaxacan wheat, or a country lunch featuring edible insects, our guide has you covered. From a cult street taco stand to a Michelin-starred chef resurrecting forgotten dishes, here are the culinary highs to hit.

A Gastro Obscura Guide to Family-Friendly Dining in San Diego

Sponsored by San Diego Tourism

In San Diego, a city on the sea just over the border from the coastal state of Baja California, the freshness of the food leaps off the plate, thanks to chefs who are constantly finding new ways to turn local produce and seafood into something delectable. The city’s history, heritage, and proximity to Mexico—combined with the fresh, simple flavors of California cuisine—create a cross-border culinary identity known as Cali-Baja. It’s not just a fusion, but a lifestyle rooted in variety and simplicity. While San Diego has a long and celebrated tradition of excellent Mexican food—from street tacos to aguachile—that’s just the beginning. The city’s diverse neighborhoods each bring something unique to the table: hand-pulled noodles in Convoy District, beachside burgers in Ocean Beach, artisan pasta in Little Italy, and seafood-forward small plates in La Jolla. The commitment to bold flavor and local ingredients is unmistakable. And thanks to year-round sunshine and a laid-back beach culture, great food is easy to find and even easier to enjoy. This diversity of cuisine, paired with an adventurous, open-hearted spirit, makes America’s Finest City a standout destination for curious eaters and families alike.

The Explorer’s Guide to Outdoor Wonders In Maryland

Sponsored by Visit Maryland

With wild horses, a small elk called a “sika,” a massive population of bald eagles, and the once-endangered fox squirrel, the state of Maryland is home to a thrilling variety of wildlife. Across diverse ecosystems like swamps, cliffs, mountains, and sandy beaches, the state springs alive during spring and summer with the sounds of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that the state has been careful to protect. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, these parks, preserves, and protected areas across Maryland offer visitors a chance to encounter fauna they may have never even known existed.

The Secret Lives of Cities: Ljubljana

How many times can a city be called a “hidden gem” before it stops being hidden? Judging by the enthusiastic throngs wandering its cobbled Baroque streets in summer, Slovenia’s capital has certainly been discovered, but perhaps by the wiser tourists. Though it is popular it is never overcrowded, and each visitor who falls for its charms (and they inevitably do) feels as though they’ve stumbled upon a secret treasure. Perhaps this lingering sense of discovery comes from its tricky-to-pronounce name (Loo-blee-ah-nah) or the fact that Slovenia only gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, making it feel newly accessible to many travelers. But this very quality is part of its appeal—Ljubljana is a city full of surprises. It’s unexpectedly elegant and prosperous (historically the most developed of the former Yugoslav capitals), remarkably easy to visit , impressively green (a former European Green Capital with the highest percentage of pedestrianized streets in Europe), surprisingly well-connected, and effortlessly cool. With a quarter of its 300,000-odd inhabitants being students, Ljubljana has a vibrant, youthful energy combined with refined Central European charm. Though often grouped with “Eastern Europe,” all of Slovenia actually lies west of Vienna, which was historically its greatest influence, having been part of the Habsburg Empire for centuries. The city center is compact, highly walkable, and photogenic, with minimal Socialist-era architecture disrupting its Old World atmosphere—unlike sister cities such as Belgrade. And then there’s its stunning backdrop: a 30-minute drive north, the snow-capped Alps rise majestically above the skyline. Spend just a few hours in Ljubljana, and it will come as no surprise that its name translates to “beloved.”

From Cigar Boom to Culinary Gem: 10 Essential Spots in Ybor City

Sponsored by VISIT TAMPA BAY

In Ybor City, the past and present blend like the perfect café Cubano—rich, bold, and impossible to resist. Situated just northeast of downtown Tampa, Florida, the enclave was founded when Cuban cigar entrepreneur Vincente Martinez-Ybor opened a factory here in the 1880s. That one business move created a boom for cigars (at its height, Ybor City had more than 200 cigar factories), prompting an explosion of lodging, restaurants, shops and nightclubs. Today, it’s still a haven for vibrant cultural touchpoints that blend its Cuban roots with Floridian, Spanish, Italian and global influences from farther-flung locations. On its charming streets, guests will find Cuban eateries ranging from traditional to creative, and cigar shops (and even a working factory) that retains the spirit of its past. From picadillo to hand-rolled cigars, Ybor City has plenty of treasures to offer. A word to the wise: Come hungry for discovery.

The Explorer’s Guide to Wyoming’s Captivating History

Sponsored by Travel Wyoming

From legendary outlaw hideouts and prehistoric fossil beds, to a centuries-old Native American rock formation and a critical landmark along the Oregon Trail, Wyoming is packed with storied sites worth seeing. Here’s 10 fascinating stops to get you started.

A Nature Lover’s Guide to Sarasota: 9 Wild & Tranquil Spots

Sponsored by Visit Sarasota County

With its endangered Florida scrub jays, athletic bobcats, fields of colorful wildflowers, and eerie mangrove tunnels, southwest Florida’s Sarasota County is far from one note. While it offers the requisite Sunshine State landscapes of pristine beaches and lapping waves, there’s so much more for nature lovers to see and experience. With 725 square miles—including 35 miles of beachfront overlooking the glittering Gulf of Mexico—Sarasota County has varied landscapes that support all manner of wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a low-key stroll beneath moss-draped trees, the rush of seeing hundreds of alligators converging in one place, or an exploratory horseback ride, this extraordinary area has you covered. Here, we’ve rounded up nine can’t-miss Sarasota stops, so get ready for the ultimate outdoor lovers’ excursion. Trust us: Sarasota County hits all of the high notes.

California’s Unbelievable Landscapes: A Guide to Nature’s Masterpieces

Sponsored by Visit California

California is a land of dramatic landscapes. It has mountains, volcanoes, sweeping deserts and seashore galore; its natural splendor even extends below the surface of the earth, to cavernous caves and man-made underground gardens. Many of its geological and biological wonders will make you feel like you’re on another planet, or like you’ve been transported to a storybook where trees speak, shrink, or live forever. Whether you’re eager to explore volcanic history, surround yourself with walls of glistening ferns, or summit mountains to see twisting trees and desert views, in California, the most unbelievable landscapes are just around the corner.

The Ultimate California Guide to Tide Pools and Coastal Marine Life

Sponsored by Visit California

California’s long coast is beloved by surfers, sure, but it’s also a hotbed for another sort of sunny activity: tide pool exploration. At low tide along California’s shoreline, pools of tiny living wonders appear – home to sea stars, urchins, spiny lobsters, slugs, shells and flowing bits of algae. We’ve rounded up some of the best tide pools in the state, to inspire the budding marine biologist in all of us. Know Before You Go Before you begin your tide pool adventure, there are a few things you should know. 1. First, check the tide schedule before you set off for the beach, as most of these tide pools are only visible at low tide. (Fall and Winter are usually the best seasons for this sort of exploration, as the tides are lower.) 2. In order to preserve the wild world of nature that exists inside each tide pool, you should never remove any animals from their habitats; some state parks even forbid touching the animals inside the tide pools, so follow the local rules at every stop along the way.

Explore California on Foot: Nature’s Year-Round Playground

Sponsored by Visit California

For those of us who live in colder climates, California can seem a legitimate dream: sunny beaches, temperate mountain vistas, and awe-inspiring desert landscape. In every season, the Golden State is rife with opportunities for strolling, hiking, and rambling through its diverse climates and thrilling geographies. You can walk breezy beaches and see a waterfall that crashes directly into the sea, climb the country’s highest sand dunes, explore a glistening green canyon, or even go subterranean. Whatever you choose, we’ve collected 10 great ways to see the state on foot.

Mardi Gras 9 Ways: Parades, Cajun Music, And Courirs Across Louisiana

Sponsored by Explore Louisiana

There’s more to Mardi Gras than the raucous parade on Bourbon Street. Travel outside New Orleans and you’ll find a diverse array of celebrations ranging from the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras to a sustainable parade with no plastic (and no barriers). Each is unique, and most are more family-friendly than NOLA’s well-known Bacchanal. We’ve compiled some ideas for celebrating the holiday while dancing, while supporting a good cause -- and even while getting up close to some swamp creatures. Get ready to see what Louisiana has to offer.