On a road trip in the Florida Keys, it's definitely worth the time to bike or walk on The Seven Mile Bridge. Great views and plenty of history here.
Don't be fooled by the kitschy shopping or the bar and restaurant. Feeding the tarpon is the event of the day at Robbies.
When Captain Lance stokes the African Queen's steam engines, you'll be channeling your inner Katherine Hepburn or Humphrey Bogart. Relive movie history as the African Queen chugs down Key Largo's canals. I did.
To avoid Old Faithful crowds, visit in the spring or fall. If your travel plans require a summer trip, view Old Faithful in the early morning or early evening. And once you've seen Old Faithful spout off, take the time to walk the boardwalk in the Upper Geyser Basin to see a variety of geysers.
The views from the end of the road at Dead Horse Point State Park are astounding. And don't miss the stops and turnouts along the way. I spent hours standing on the rim identifying dirt roads to be explored on another trip.
Canyonlands National Park is vast and rugged so don't expect to see all of the park on your visit. There are three districts to the Park: Island in the Sky, Needles and the Maze. Most folks see Islands in the Sky and maybe a little of Needles. I visited Canyonlands for the photography opportunities. There are so many! Create your own Canyonlands photography tour using my advice.
If you're a fan of the Western U.S., a drive through Monument Valley is a must. Start by arriving early enough to take a sunrise photo from the parking lot. Walk over to The View Restaurant for breakfast, then pay your money to begin the drive into the park. Take your time. Stop for photos. Listen to the wind. Imagine life here as the Navajos live it.
Although the Grinnell Glacier Trail offers a birds-eye view, you can still get your steps in by hiking to Grinnell Lake on a mostly level trail. Yes, you can take the boat, but that's cheating :-). The round-trip hike is about 6.8 miles and worth every step.
Montana is filled with ghost towns and Bannack State Park is definitely the best preserved. Although it's off-the-beaten-path, Bannack is not that far from Interstate 15. I visited on a fall day when there was a touch of color left on the trees. Less crowds, too. The interpretive staff brings Montana gold mining history to life.
Glacier National Park is truly a gem in the National Park System. But the popular trails, as well as Going to the Sun Road, can be crowded during prime summertime travel. Winter is a quieter time to visit. Although most of the concessions are closed, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on Going to the Sun road is a surreal experience. And the only sounds you'll hear is feet crunching on snow or wind blowing through the trees. Read my tips for a winter visit: