From snow sports to white water rafting, fly fishing to kite surfing, the US has it all. Whether it is a cold weather adventure that you are looking for or a sun filled excursion that you may have in mind for your next vacation experience. We present to you the top US cities for adventure lovers to quench their desire for fun.
Ouray, Colorado
Locals have dubbed Ouray “the Switzerland of America” and for good reason, it is just that gorgeous. Situated at an elevation of 7,792 feet Ouray offers surprises throughout its high valley walls that are dotted with abandoned mines and tall pines. The Uncompahgre River flows next to the charming old town of Ouray complete with a riverwalk, cabin rentals, and many wonderful fly-fishing spots along the way. If ice climbing sounds cool to you, then consider a visit to the Ouray Ice Park within walking distance from Ouray in the Uncompahgre Gorge. The park is world famous and heavily visited in the winter months and the frozen waterfalls are truly remarkable just to gaze upon, even if ice sports aren’t your thing. The drive along the Uncompahgre River has earned its nickname “the Million Dollar Highway” and the waypoints along the river are worth checking out such as Silverton and Ridgway.
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii – Top US Cities for Adventure Lovers
Hanalei Bay, Kauai is all about adventure. Afterall, many parts of the area were used in the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Hanalei Bay presents a wide variety of open-air activities, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and hiking. The bay also hosts a gorgeous coral reef, which makes it an outstanding location for snorkeling and scuba diving. In Hanalei Town, adventure travelers will discover amenities that include shopping, restaurants, kayak, and catamaran rentals. If you’re venturing to surf in Hanalei Bay, the adjacent Wai’oli Beach Park is a cherished surf spot. We cannot leave out the nearby Na Pali coast in this review as another Kauai experience. You can only access Na Pali by boat, on foot or by helicopter. The breathtaking Na Pali Coast of Kauai, in our opinion, is best explored by boat or kayak. This way you can explore the coast’s many sea caves and waterfalls, as well as some of the best snorkeling or scuba diving in the world.
San Diego, California
Aquatic adventures abound in San Diego. Below the ocean, shark cage diving is an option for those who are fearless. Above the ocean you can soar to new heights on a flyboard, hoverboard or water jetpack in the iconic San Diego Bay. If museums are of interest to you then look no further than Balboa Park. The park stands out as the nation’s premiere urban park and a true gem of San Diego’s eye. The park covers 1,200 acres and includes recreational and passive park space, gardens, trails, and of course top-notch museums.
Flagstaff, Arizona – Top US Cities for Adventure Lovers
Looking for adventure? Flagstaff has it, after all many parts of the ultimate road trip film Easy Rider were filmed there. Start out on old Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff where you can explore the red-brick buildings that consist of local artists, breweries, as well as boutique dining spots that all have great evening vibes. The view from downtown Flagstaff is perfectly framed out with the snowcapped San Francisco mountains, and yes, there is a ski resort up there. Leaving town there are so many fantastic spots to explore. From spelunking to cross country skiing and of course exploring the nearby Grand Canyon; Flagstaff is a wonderful jumping off point that leads to true Southwestern adventure.
Moab, Utah
If hiking is your thing, Moab has so many opportunities and we begin with an excellent hike above the Colorado River Canyon that leads to three arches. One of the largest natural sandstone arches is known as the Corona Arch which offers an outstanding hike for those who want to enjoy arches farther from the often-crowded Arches National Park. How about hiking along dinosaur riddled trails? Then check out one the boldest Jurassic era bone trails in the world known as the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail. Hiking the Mill Canyon trail, you can expect to see fossilized footprints and bones of four different types of dinosaurs.
Valdez, Alaska – Top US Cities for Adventure Lovers
Just a short flight from Anchorage, Valdez will welcome you with 360 degrees of beauty. Known for “flightseeing”, Valdez can be explored by helicopter, seaplane, bush plane, and so on. Take in aerial views of glaciers, waterfalls, radiant blue glacial pools, wildlife and more. A helicopter excursion can offer you a flyover of the surface of Columbia Glacier, an over-the-top view of Valdez Glacier’s iceberg lake, or even land atop Shoup Glacier if you are so inclined. Be sure to visit Valdez in May and look up to the sky to watch some wild aerobatic stunts at the annual Valdez Fly-In and Airshow. At the show exciting events include beach landings, balloon pop, flour bombing, aerobatics shows, pilot round tables, and of course, the world-famous short takeoff and landing competition.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Nationally known as The City of Presidents, Rapid City has earned that designation both by its proximity to Mount Rushmore and the public art project consisting of 43 life-size bronze presidential statues dotted along roadway corners throughout downtown Rapid City. Also, checkout Keystone on the way to Mount Rushmore; in Keystone the family can play on mini-golf courses, explore adventure parks, and fly down zip-line tours all set in the backdrop of the beautiful Black Hills. Not only is Rapid City famous for its location to Mount Rushmore, but also Badlands National Park. At Badlands the stunning buttes, canyons, and flats provide so many photo enthusiasts with a viable place for their craft. The quiet grasslands are a birder’s delight with meadowlarks, golden eagles, and prairie falcons viewable throughout the year soaring over the Badlands as they search for food.