Banff is the most beautiful (and crowded) national park I have ever been to. It’s one of the few places that is actually as beautiful as it is in the pictures. Banff is both a national park and a townsite. It’s filled with plenty of free things to do like hiking, viewpoints, and window shopping, […]
The Oregon Coast is one of those places that hardly looks real. Jagged sea stacks rise from the water, forests run right to the edge of the cliffs, and lighthouses sit above beaches that seem to go on forever. Add gray whales, sea lions, tidepools, crabbing, dune buggies, and small coastal towns, and you have […]
In May of 2025, I finally hiked the Northgate Peaks Trail in Zion, and I was pleasantly surprised by this trail! It’s one of the few easy day hikes on the west side of Zion National Park, and it’s one I rarely hear people talk about. But I wondered whether it might be worth it […]
In April 2026, we visited Cathedral Gorge State Park in Nevada—and were delightfully surprised at what an interesting place it was! It was different from any other desert park we’ve experienced, and it was so fun exploring the small slot canyons. I’m Matt, and my wife, Cheryl, and I write travel guides to help people […]
Before visiting Royal Gorge, I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew there was a bridge and a train, but I hadn’t understood how different those two experiences would be. One takes you high above the canyon, and the other follows the Arkansas River through the bottom. Matt and I did both. We rode […]
Is the Cripple Creek train ride worth it? Our honest review covers the steam engine, best seats, mining views, ticket prices, accessibility, and tips from our ride.
Welcome to Colorado Springs! This is where you can walk among red-rock formations in the morning, eat lunch inside an airplane, and finish the day with a chuckwagon dinner in the mountains. There is a surprising amount to do here, and several of the places we visited were much better than I expected. Colorado Springs […]
Our family loved Taylor Creek’s stream crossings, historic cabins, shaded canyon scenery, and Double Arch Alcove. Here’s what to expect on this five-mile hike in Zion’s Kolob Canyons, including parking and planning tips.
Welcome to Leadville, Colorado! What was once a huge mining town with a population of over 60,000 people is now a small mountain town with more than enough fun activities, nature, and historic sites to fill a day. Plus, it’s the highest town in the United States, sitting at an elevation of 10,152 feet! Although […]
We love scenic train rides in Colorado, and after riding several of them, we finally made it onto the Leadville Railroad. The Leadville Railroad takes guests from historic Leadville into the mountains above the Arkansas River Valley. The standard scenic train ride lasts about 2 hours and travels out and back along the same route, […]
