When my best friend and I took a road trip across eight states on the West Coast, we visited classic spots like the Golden Gate Bridge, Yellowstone National Park, Caesar's Palace in Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Though these popular sites were stunning, some of the best places we visited I'd never heard of before. Here's a list of places no one talks about but everyone should see.
1. Zion National Park, South Western Utah
Zion National Park features steep red cliffs and crystal clear turquoise rivers. The contrast of these colors and mass of the cliffs is mind boggling. The colors are especially noticeable at sunset. Temperatures reach over 100 degrees inside the park during the day. I suggest exploring the cliffs in the early morning, swimming in the beautiful river during the day and heading back to the cliffs around sunset. The sunset makes the bright colors of the cliffs stand out even better than they do during the day.
Some must-see spots in Zion are the hanging gardens which are natural springs that pour from the cliff sides and support lush, green vegetation despite the desert setting. Another must-see is the Emerald Pool Trail which features three levels of natural, green pools and several waterfalls and streams. On a side note, Zion is covered with adorable, overly friendly squirrels. Thanks to generous tourists, many of them look more like fuzzy bowling balls than squirrels. They're also known to mistake fingers for food so be sure not to feed them! Overall, Zion National Park's towering cliffs and hidden waters to beat the summer heat will blow you away.
2. Craters of the Moon, Central Idaho
Craters of the Moon looks more like Mars to me, but no matter how you see it, walking there is an out-of- this-world experience. Craters of the Moon is about 400 square miles of lava-covered land. Though it’s hot under the sun, there’s a constant strong breeze (by that I mean the strongest winds I've ever experienced). The ground is all black and stocked with rocks that look like they’re from another planet.
When you’re there, you should check out the underground caves. They’re a great way to cool off, but make sure you bring a flashlight and a friend because they’re a bit spooky! Overall, if you want to visit an alien planet without being stuck in a space ship for years, Craters of the Moon is the perfect place for you!
3. McCall, Northern Idaho
This is not a one day destination, it’s an entire town. McCall, Idaho is quite possibly the cutest town I’ve ever visited. The town centers many of its activities around Payette Lake. The bay at Payette Lake is stocked with sparkling blue water, boats, beaches and water trampolines! The lake is surrounded by beautiful woods, hiking trails, mountains and waterfalls.
McCall's architecture has a homey cabin and ski lodge feel. In town, there are dozens of well decorated pubs, clothing stores, candy and souvenir shops and restaurants including a sushi spot with a balcony view of the lake. If you're looking for a place to stay, the area is home to several beautiful inns, my personal favorite being the Shore Lodge. While in McCall, be sure to try something huckleberry flavored because these berries are a local specialty. Also, talk to the locals! They're extremely hospitable and warm-hearted. Even if your stay is brief, McCall will make you feel right at home.
4. Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Park, Eastern Oregon
I cannot believe I’ve never heard of this place! Out of all the sites my travel buddy and I visited on our trip, the Painted Hills were unlike anything we had ever seen. The hills are covered in beautiful stripes of red, gold, grey and black that change with the seasons. The hills are made up of rock and clay deposits that formed over 35 million years ago as a result of several volcanic eruptions and climate changes.
The best time of day to visit Painted Hills is in the late afternoon because this is the time of day that the sunshine reveals their color best. However, don't be discouraged if the weather is bad, when my best friend and I visited, the rain only made the hues on the stones and clay more vibrant!
5. Hearst Castle, Central California
The ride up the several mile long driveway to the Hearst Castle alone is incredible. The actual castle at the top of the hill is like something out of a fairy tale. Hearst Castle is decked out with indoor and outdoor Roman sized swimming pools, gardens fit for Alice in Wonderland, massive dining halls, perfectly chiseled statues and golden trim.
Construction of the Hearst Castle began the late 1910s and lasted until the late 1940s for renowned newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst. During Hearst's lifetime, he hosted many lavish parties for famous movie stars and well-known politicians. Hearst's land was also covered with zoo animals including the zebras that still roam the area today. Taking a bus to the Castle is $25 per person, but well worth it! If you've ever dreamed of visiting a real, royal castle, this is the perfect opportunity.
After visiting these five destinations, I cannot believe they're not top tourist sites for every traveler. Fortunately, their secrecy makes them even better because it means they're not overcrowded. If you're heading West, make sure to check out as many of these sites as possible!
