Category Adventure Travel

Switzerland might appear small on paper, but it’s a hell of a lot bigger when you look up. Welcome to one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, where the Alps ripple across 60% of its territory. With a whole lot of vertical, it’s all about peak performance here – the Swiss are practically born on skis and four-year-olds will often whizz rings around you on the slopes. And the rush is never greater than where the glacier-capped Alps are at their highest: Valais, a canton tucked away in the south of Switzerland and straddling the Italian border.

When the first flakes fall in winter, the land of mighty Matterhorn and the 4634m Dufourspitze, Switzerland’s highest peak, has skiers itching to hurtle down the pistes or make fresh tracks in the backcountry. And whether you’re a black-run thrill seeker, a lover of cruisy blues with big views, or an absolute beginner, there’s a run with your name on it. Read on for our seven absolute faves.

Zermatt

Best for riveting Matterhorn views and skiing into Italy

Let’s begin with the big one… You never forget the first time you clap eyes on 4478m Matterhorn: that perfect pyramid-shaped peak that says Switzerland (and Toblerone) like no other. Most likely it will be a fleeting glimpse from the little red train that chugs from Visp to Zermatt. Once you arrive, there are distractingly lovely vistas from the slopes, which are the country’s highest, topped off by the 3883m Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station, where you can swoon over views of 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks over 4000m.

Car-free Zermatt makes a terrific base for hitting the pistes, which amount to 360km when coupled with over-the-mountain Cervinia in Italy (much easier to reach since the 2023 launch of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing). The cruisy slopes around Rothorn, Stockhorn and Klein Matterhorn suit confident intermediates, while plenty of great off-piste areas will please powder hounds (though getting a guide is wise). Likewise, there is fine skiing for beginners and families at Wolli Park Sunnegga, and a snowpark with rails, boxes, jumps and kickers for boarders. A bonus for families is that kids under nine ski free.

Planning tip: One of the world’s most scenic train rides, the Glacier Express makes the 290km, eight-hour journey between Zermatt and St Moritz twice daily from mid-December to early May.

Arolla

Best for quiet, uncrowded slopes and heavenly off-piste

Huddled away in the deeply traditional Val d’Hérens, and with pop-up views of glacier-encrusted 4000m peaks, the sleepy hamlet of Arolla has a backdrop out of all proportion with its size (population 200). Sitting at a giddy 1998m, the endearingly Alpine village has an impeccable snow record, ravishing scenery and 47km of downhill slopes to whoosh down – mostly blues and reds geared toward beginners and intermediates respectively. By Swiss standards, it’s reasonably inexpensive, too.

Given its remoteness, there’s fine off-piste terrain for ski touring (best tackled with a guide who knows the slopes inside out). The village forms a leg of the famous high-level, week-long Haute Route from Zermatt to Chamonix, which threads through the Mont Blanc massif. One of Europe’s toughest and most memorable skis, it’s suitable for expert ski tourers only.

Planning tip: It’s not just about the downhill; there are 42km of cross-country ski tracks where you can glide to a glacier in quiet exhilaration, not to mention an extensive network of snowshoe trails, including the 5km stomp from La Gouille to shimmering, forest-ringed Lac Bleu.

Verbier

Best for challenging slopes and celeb spotting

The best way to stay connected.

Saily provides a hassle-free solution to travel data — just choose your data plan and prepare for your trip. When you get to your destination, you can go online right away.

Get your eSIM

Cradled in a south-facing bowl, glamorous, celebrity-magnet Verbier is the Swiss king of cool, with seriously hard-core skiing spread over elevations of 1500m (the village) to 3330m (Mont Fort). Its pulse-quickening black runs, glorious off-piste, narrow couloirs and mogul-spotted itinerary routes challenge even super-adventurous skiers – the toughest being the mythical freeride Tortin. Freeriders and boarders are in their element at the 2250m-high La Chaux snowpark. Right at the heart of Les 4 Vallées ski area, with soul-stirring views of the Mont Blanc and Combins massifs, the resort has a fabulous snow record and access to more than 400km of marked pistes, many of which target bold intermediates.

The skiers that flock here – royals, James Blunt (who has a lift named after him), Richard Branson (owner of ultra-luxe mountain hideaway The Lodge), the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ed Sheeran included – party just as hard as they pound the powder. The champagne-fuelled après-ski scene here is legendary.

Planning tip: If you want to find fresh powder in the backcountry, check out Les Guides de Verbier. Besides off-piste guiding, they also offer ski touring, ice climbing and snowshoeing.

Crans-Montana

Best for sun and sparkle

On a high plateau above the Rhône Valley is the ritzy ski resort of Crans-Montana, where 160km of largely south-facing slopes, linked by ultra-modern cable cars, are perfect for confident beginners and cruisy intermediates, especially around the Cry d’Er section. And the 360-degree views are phenomenal, taking in white giants like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

There are a few black runs in the mix, including the breathtakingly steep World Cup Piste Nationale, one of the longest downhill runs in the Alps. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: you’ll also find ski mountaineering trails, a snowpark with a superpipe for boarders and freestylers, Plaine Morte glacier for ski-high cross-country skiing, and a happening après-ski scene. The latter cranks up a notch during the end-of-the-winter-season Caprices music festival, which brings big-name acts to the slopes.

Planning tip: One of the hippest mountain hangouts in the Swiss Alps at 2112m, Chetzeron has gasp-eliciting views from its terrace, where you can snag a hammock or sheepskin-clad deckchair to sip chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) post-ski. Reach it by ski or snowboard from the top of Cry d’Er cable car.

Bettmeralp-Aletsch

Best for serene slopes and glacier gazing

Imagine the Swiss Alpine village of your dreams, times it by 10 and you’ll probably conjure up something like Bettmeralp: snowbound, mountain-rimmed, sprinkled with dark-timber chalets and perched high above the Upper Rhône Valley at 1970m. In winter it’s pure Christmas-card stuff. And with just 452 permanent residents, this family-friendly hamlet naturally has a far more chilled vibe than the bigger resorts.

On the often sunny, car-free plateau, there are 104km of pistes forming the Aletsch Arena to play on. At the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, these are largely geared toward intermediates, snowboarders and off-piste thrill-seekers, but there is also ample terrain for beginners and experts.

Planning tip: Skiing doesn’t get more ludicrously lovely than on the run from the 2627m Bettmerhorn cable car top station, shadowing the 23km Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the European Alps.

Champéry

Vast slopes and skiing to France

Nudging France in the northwest of Valais, Champéry forms part of Les Portes du Soleil (“Gates of the Sun”) ski area, comprising a whopping 600km of pistes spread across two countries and 12 resorts, making it one of the biggest in the world. A single pass covers the lot.

Dwarfed by the jagged, multi-summited Dents du Midi, Champéry’s wide slopes and long valley runs are well suited to intermediates (beginners will find them a little tough). Boarders head across to Avoriaz and Les Crosets for terrain parks. Black runs and some substantial off-piste ramp up the challenge for experts.

Planning tip: La Chavanette, otherwise known as the “Swiss Wall,” is a real thigh-burner of a ski – with a 37° slope and 76% gradient, it’s so breathtakingly sheer it’s like leaping into the void, and there are so many moguls that there is no respite from bumps along its entire length. It’s classed as an itinéraire (avalanche controlled but not patrolled).

Saas Fee

Best for freeriders and boarders

Hemmed in by an amphitheatre of 13 implacable peaks above 4000m, glacier-licked Saas Fee sits at the foot of the 4546m Dom – the second-highest mountain in Switzerland and the third-highest in the Alps. As you might expect, the scenery is out of this world. And with skiing between elevations of 1800m and 3550m, there’s always fantastic powder to find.

A happening resort today, Saas Fee was an isolated outpost only reachable by mule trail until 1951. Now the car-free resort is an architectural mix of traditional dark-wood granaries sidling up to modern chalets. The skiing on 145km of runs is overall fairly gentle: great for beginners and easy-going intermediates, though the 1700m top-to-bottom descent of the mountain ups the challenge. Experts can tackle the Weisse Perle black run and hook onto guided ski tours, while boarders find big air thrills at Morenia snowpark.

Planning tip: If you fancy a post-ski snack with a view, hop on the underground funicular to 3500m Allalin, home to the world’s highest revolving restaurant.

Make it happen

Geneva Airport (GVA) is the gateway to the Valais region, with fast, frequent and scenic SBB rail connections to all the major ski resorts. Taking the train, in fact, is often preferable to driving, as many resorts are car-free. Buses and cable cars fill in the gaps.

The ski season runs roughly from December to April. For better deals and more availability, avoid peak season (Christmas and Easter). You can often beat the queues and save money by purchasing ski passes and organising ski hire online with Intersport. For group tuition, check out Swiss Ski Schools.

Days are getting shorter and there’s a chill in the air, which can only mean one thing – peak hiking season is almost here. Sure, many would say spring and summer are top times for hitting the trails. But take a look below at the best hiking experiences in the US – including snow-covered forests, a candlelight stroll, and a canyon adventure without the crowds – and it’s clear that winter has plenty to offer.

Lace up your boots or grab a pair of snowshoes and poles and get moving. There’s no need for hikers to hibernate.

1. Apex Park Loop, Golden, Colorado

5.5 miles/ moderate

You don’t have to go too far outside of Denver to slip on a pair of snowshoes and experience an enchanted forest. Apex Park, which is about 30 minutes from the “Mile High City”, offers a year-round trail system that’s prime for snowshoeing and deer spotting. To create a 5.5-mile loop, start at the Argos trail, then follow the Magic Mountain, Enchanted Forest, and Apex trails. The Apex Trail is the one that loops back around and eventually connects with the Magic Mountain Trail to get you right back where you started from.

What you’ll need: Rent a pair of snowshoes and poles from the REI flagship store in downtown Denver or a locally owned outdoor shop, such as Feral in the Highlands neighborhood and Wilderness Exchange next to REI.

Where to stay: Life House, Lower Highlands will have you yearning to sleep in a bunk bed (seriously!) with their group-friendly rooms featuring bunks that are more like luxurious curtained coves than the furniture of your youth. 

Where to eat: While staying at Life House, don’t miss its botanically inspired bar and restaurant, Wildflower. Digging into wildflower focaccia and potato croquettes made with marigolds is the perfect way to end a nature-filled day.

2. Thompson County Park, West Saint Paul, Minnesota

1.7 miles/ easy

Dining by candlelight is nice, but hiking by candlelight is pure magic. Each January, Thompson County Park lines its paved trails with luminaries for an evening hike. They also offer free hot cocoa and access to warming bonfires strategically placed around the park for pre- or post-walk snuggling. Even when the Trails by Candlelight event isn’t happening, the paved trails, including a lakeside loop, make the park ideal for all-ages family strolls.

What you’ll need: Stick to the paved trails and you’ll just need warm shoes. Or, if there’s fresh powder, bring snow boots. The park also has 1.41 miles of snowshoeing trails, so pack your clawed footwear and poles if interested.

Where to stay: Warm up fireside in a premium room at Lora Hotel in Stillwater, built in a reimagined 19th-century brewery and set on the banks of the Saint Croix River.

Where to eat: Revival’s St. Paul location serves the kind of comfort food – hushpuppies, patty melts, and cheddar biscuits – that’ll fuel an evening hike, even on the chilliest nights.  

3. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

11.5 miles/ moderate

Yosemite is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the country, and in the summer, the Yosemite Valley Loop is crawling with adventurists scrambling to get a gander at Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, and the most grandiose granite formation of them all – El Capitan. But in the winter, it’s another story. Get an eyeful without the crowds (or anyone at all if you go in the morning). The full loop is just under 12 miles, but it’s possible to do a half loop that’s only 7.2 miles. 

What you’ll need: While most of the trail is flat and paved, you’re still likely to encounter ice and snow (especially on the south side). Wear snowshoes or throw a pair of ice cleats in your backpack to be safe. At the very least, go with snow boots with good traction. You’ll also want to bring plenty of water and snacks, as there aren’t places to stop along the way. 

Where to stay: The closest you can get to sleeping on the loop is staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, which has two restaurants and a lounge that serves brandy-spiked Mariposa Coffee – perfect for some aprés-hike action. 

Where to eat: Crampons and exquisite culinary experiences can go hand in hand if you head over to The Ahwahnee hotel for dinner (though you should change out of your snowshoes before you go). Take in the legendary dining room’s soaring ceilings, grand chandeliers, and live piano music while you feast on prime rib and housemade tarts.

4. Boynton Canyon and the Subway Cave, Sedona, Arizona

7.1 miles/ moderate

Red rocks, towering sandstone cliffs, and mind-boggling rock formations are a sure way to keep the winter blahs at bay. The Boynton Canyon portion of the hike is relatively easy, with mostly flat terrain. To get to the Subway Cave, however, you’ll have to keep an eye out for a distinctive alligator juniper tree (the bark looks like the skin of an alligator) around the two-mile mark – that’s your cue to veer off to the right on a more narrow trail. From there, it’s about a half mile to the cave, including scrambling up a sandstone incline, which is what makes this hike a moderate level. But once you get to the top and see the view – a red rock tunnel that looks like it’s separating to show off the lush canyon below – it’ll be worth it. 

What you’ll need: Wear sneakers with good support (even better if you have hiking boots) and multiple layers. Average highs are mid-50s to low-60s, but can be brisk if you’re heading out early. And don’t forget your water bottle or sunscreen.

Where to stay: Enchantment Resort is a wellness wonderland, with a 42,000-square-foot spa called Mi ammo, in addition to 218 casita-style rooms and suites. The resort also, conveniently, backs up to Boynton Canyon.

Where to eat after or before: Before your hike, head to Hummingbird – a restaurant inside Mi ammo – for a breakfast that’ll fuel your journey without making you feel lethargic. Avocado toast or a superfood cereal bowl are both solid choices.   

5. Sterling Pond and Long Trail, Stowe, Vermont

6 miles/ difficult

Spend an afternoon snowshoeing in solitude on this remote route where you’ll likely have the trails to yourself. The area, known as Smugglers’ Notch, got its name from the smugglers who used to move supplies along the rugged path through the mountains to and from Canada. Today, the narrow pass lined with 1,000 foot cliffs once is a bucket-list destination for snowshoers. It is steep at times, so some snowshoeing experience is recommended. 

What you’ll need: Here’s a trail where you’ll definitely want snowshoes. Rent them in Stowe at Ranch Camp, Umiak Outdoor Outfitters or Trapp Family Lodge.

Where to stay: If you’re aching for more snowshoeing action (or you’re just a fan of The Sound of Music), check in to the Trapp Family Lodge, built by the real von Trapp family. In addition to Austrian-inspired accommodations, the property has 40 miles of groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Where to eat: If you’ve ever wondered what Vermont would taste like in pizza form, find out at The Bench. Their “Vermonter pie” is covered in cheddar, blue cheese, apples and bacon, then drizzled with maple syrup.

6. San Antonio Hot Springs, Jemez Springs, New Mexico

1.4 or 11.4 miles out and back, depending on starting point/ easy to moderate

This hike includes a mid-route reward: a soothing soak in geothermal waters. The easiest option is to begin at the San Antonio Hot Springs Trailhead and hike about 0.7 miles to the springs. However, the last 5 miles leading to the trailhead is a dirt road that can make for a treacherous ride after the rain. A four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended. Otherwise, extend your hike (it’ll make you appreciate the soak even more) and add the 5-mile dirt road to your walk.

What you’ll need: Water (there’s nowhere to stop along the way), hiking shoes or boots, a bathing suit and a change of clothes. Winter temperatures can range from 20°F to 50°F.

Where to stay: Maintain your calming vibes at Cañon del Rio, an adobe-style bed and breakfast where you can listen to the Jemez River while you sip your morning coffee. 

Where to eat: Cowpokes, city folks, bikers and hikers alike pull up a stool at Los Ojos Restaurant & Saloon for classic northern New Mexican dishes like Frito pies and chile rellenos smothered in red and green sauce.

As a state largely defined by its verdant forests, much is made about Oregon’s famous lakes and rivers. But in southern Oregon, some 90 minutes north of the border with California, one body of water rules them all –  Crater Lake. This caldera on Mt Mazama is the deepest lake in the US, and it lends its name to the state’s only national park.

Beyond the statistics, Crater Lake National Park has several of the top things to do in Oregon, especially if you enjoy the great outdoors. At Crater Lake, you can keep busy with fishing, camping, glamping, cycling and swimming. So whether you’re looking for a scenic weekend getaway, an epic biking adventure, or a relaxing (and informative) boat tour, Crater Lake is a premier destination. Here’s everything you need to know.

History of Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake checks out as Oregon’s best national park. Sure, it’s in a field of one, and still relatively obscure compared with West Coast heavy-hitters like Yosemite, Olympic, Glacier, and Yellowstone, but it’s also the fifth-oldest national park in the US. 

Established in 1902 by William Gladstone Steel, a journalist and mountaineer who had campaigned for 17 years to have it designated as a national park, the eponymous lake is actually a caldera, formed some 7,700 years ago when the Mt Mazama volcano erupted and caved in on itself. This massive eruption is why Crater Lake is so deep. 

Reliant on snowmelt and rainwater to fill the basin, it took nearly 800 years for Crater Lake to reach capacity, but the results are utterly spectacular: The lake’s glacier-clear, berry-blue color comes from the purity of the water. With a depth of 1943ft (592m), it’s the deepest lake in the US and the ninth-deepest in the entire world.

How to get to Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park has three main entrances: 

• The west entrance: Drive northeast from Medford (the closest town) on Oregon 62 for 75 miles. 

• The south entrance: Drive north on US 97 from Klamath Falls, then northwest on Oregon 62.

• The north entrance: Drive east on Ore. 138 from Roseburg to Rim Drive. This entrance is only open in the summer. 

There are two main flight routes to get to Crater Lake. 

• Fly to Portland (PDX) and drive five hours south to the north entrance. 

• Fly to a regional airport – Redmond (RDM) or Medford (MFR) – and drive two hours to the south entrance.

If you are traveling in the winter, make sure to check the website or call the headquarters to scope out road conditions ahead of time.

The climate at Crater Lake

While Crater Lake is a wonderful national park for all four seasons, you may need to check the calendar and the weather forecast when planning your trip. The summer months are the best time to visit since the weather tends to stay dry and pleasantly warm during the day. Yet due to Crater Lake’s elevation (6,178ft, or 1,883m, at the surface), nighttime temperatures can drop to near freezing temps during the summer months, and the occasional dusting of summer snow can’t completely be ruled out. 

Meanwhile, the winter season at Crater Lake tends to be long and very snowy, with an average of 41 feet (or 12.5m) of snow per year. While it’s possible to get some mild and dry days during the spring and fall shoulder seasons, Crater Lake often starts to get major snowfall in October, and that snowfall stays heavy as late as June. 

If you like winter snow, you may love coming here from October all the way into May. However, if you prefer warm-weather hiking, a snow-free bike ride around the park, and a refreshing dip in the lake, July and August are your best bets for summer activities at Crater Lake.

Camping at Crater Lake 

There are two campgrounds within the park itself. Both are only open for the peak season (usually May-September/early October) due to the heavy snowfall throughout the winter season.

Mazama Campground

South of the lake, Mazama Campground is a breathtaking 6000ft-high (1829m) site with 214 pitches. Each one has a fire ring, a picnic table, and access to restrooms and showers. The campsite experiences beautiful weather in the summer with highs of 65-75°F (18-24°C). The nights are clear and cool, with a scattering of stars unobstructed from light pollution. 

Also, note that Mazama Campground is the only area at Crater Lake National Park where RVs and trailers are allowed to park overnight, and you can usually reserve a slot from mid–June through September. If no RV reservations are available when you’re planning to visit, there are some campgrounds outside the national park boundaries where RVs can stay overnight. 

Lost Creek Campground

This remote, tent-only campground has just 16 pitches for bold, outdoorsy types. Located around 12 miles (19km) from the park headquarters, Lost Creek doesn’t open until the snow and any debris have been cleared from the access road, usually in July. And if you’re traveling with any furry friends, note that pets are allowed at the Lost Creek and Mazama Campgrounds. 

Other accommodations at Crater Lake

Perched on the rim of the caldera, Crater Lake Lodge has the pick of the views. This 71-room lodge with a popular restaurant (freshly caught halibut, anyone?) has knockout vistas of both the lake and the surrounding wilderness. Built in 1915, the hotel rooms have been remodeled, but the public spaces retain a rugged, mountainside aesthetic.

Meanwhile, at Mazama Village, you’ll find a small collection of cabins in a Ponderosa pine forest that’s about 7 miles (or about 11km) south of Rim Village. Mazama Village also has the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop that’s open for lunch and dinner, as well as the Mazama Village Store that’s stocked with groceries, firewood and camping supplies. Keep in mind that if you want to stay in one of these cabins, they’re usually available from late May to late September. 

The 25 best hikes in Oregon

Hiking at Crater Lake

There are more than 90 miles (145km) of hiking trails through Crater Lake National Park, each varying in length and accessibility. For a difficult summit hike, try the 5-mile (8km) round trip to the top of 7976ft-high (2431m) Garfield Peak for the best panoramic views in the park.

On the easier side, the Castle Crest Wildflower Garden Trail provides a gentle 0.4-mile (0.6km) walk directly from the Steel Visitors Center through an array of flora. 

Oregon’s 7 best state parks

Cycling at Crater Lake

Topping out at just below 8000ft (2438m) above sea level with frequent hills, the 33-mile-long (53 km) rim road may only be suited to advanced cyclists, but the rewards are great: fresh mountain air, pristine wilderness, awe-inspiring angles of the lake, and regular stops for photo ops and water breaks.

Note that there are no bike lanes. For an easier, traffic-free ride, check out Grayback Drive, which has eight miles (12.8km) of vehicle-free, unpaved terrain.

Things to do at Crater Lake for families

There’s plenty to keep the family entertained at Crater Lake National Park. The visitor center is a good place to start with its interactive exhibits about the history and formation of the lake.

National Park Rangers lead Crater Lake boat cruises, providing insight into the caldera. To maintain water purity, the boat tours take place on purpose-built, low-emission watercraft. An extended version of this trip includes a stop at Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone that juts 750ft (229m) out of the lake, where visitors can hike, swim and fish. 

Crater Lake also provides spectacular views by car, including the 33-mile scenic Rim Drive. 

Other family-friendly things to do include trolley rides through the park, horse riding in the warmer months, and snowmobile trips in the winter.

Oregon’s best places to visit beyond Portland

Can I swim in Crater Lake?

Yes, visitors can swim in Crater Lake. If you’re in the mood for a dip, hike along the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a short, steep, partially shaded path from Rim Drive down to the shoreline. Cleetwood Cove is the only stretch of Crater Lake shoreline that you can legally access, so this is the only area of Crater Lake where you’re allowed to swim. 

Most lake water comes from snowmelt, so even in summer, the surface temperature can average just 57°F (14°C). Pack a towel and some dry clothes. And since the Cleetwood Cove Trail is usually open from mid-June to late October, this is the only time you can legally swim at Crater Lake. 

Only bathing suits and basic clothing can be worn in the water. Scuba and snorkeling gear, wet suits, goggles, inner tubes, kayaks, rafts and anything else that can potentially introduce invasive species into the lake are not allowed to protect the lake’s clarity.

Keep planning your trip to Oregon:

The best time to visit Oregon
12 free things to do in Oregon
The 5 best road trips in Oregon

Whether you want to gain a new perspective on American history, explore unusual art venues or eat your weight in cannolis, Massachusetts is ready for you. From the bustling energy of Boston to the quaint charm of its coastal and mountain towns, there’s no shortage of things to do and see. 

The Bay State is home to iconic landmarks like Fenway Park and the Freedom Trail, as well the stunning beaches of Cape Cod and the tree-blanketed Berkshires. Whether you’re looking to dive deep into history, enjoy the great outdoors or uncover the state’s whimsical side, here are 21 fun things to do in Massachusetts.

1. Dump tea into Boston Harbor

Boston, the most-visited city in Massachusetts, has no shortage of things to do. If you had to pick just one, though, how about reliving a famous moment in history? It’s a fun way to dive into the city’s rich past. The renowned Boston Tea Party helped pave the way to the American Revolutionary War – and nothing showcases this history quite like the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This in-person, interactive must-visit historical site allows visitors to adopt a historic persona, engage in heated debates and shout “Huzzah!” as they join the Sons of Liberty in storming ships and hoisting crates of tea overboard.

2. See amazing contemporary art at MASS MoCA

Set in 26 buildings on 19 acres, this extraordinary contemporary-art museum occupies the former site of the Sprague Electric Company in the Berkshires town of North Adams. The sprawling post-industrial campus has brick facades, football field-sized rooms, open-air courtyards, hidden passageways, covered viaducts and other nooks and crannies.

And every one of them is filled with art – bold, bizarre, eyebrow-raising, head-scratching, mind-boggling art, all frequently refreshed via rotating exhibitions. For a brilliant immersive experience, walk through Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing Retrospective, which occupies nearly one acre of wall space all by itself.

3. Treat yourself to cannoli in Boston’s North End

The North End is a little slice of the old country in the heart of Boston. Dining out in the North End is a delightful and delicious experience – only most restaurants don’t serve dessert.

That’s because they can’t top the sweets on offer at local bakeries. Light and crispy on the outside, sweet and creamy on the inside, cannolis are sheer perfection in a pastry – and a North End specialty.

Where’s the best place to go for cannoli in the North End? The famous Italian bakeries are on Hanover St, though Bova’s Bakery on Salem St serves equally scrumptious cannolis without the mile-long lines.

The best time to visit Massachusetts

4. Watch for whales at Stellwagen Bank

There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing a majestic whale launch its massive body out of the water or flip its tail as if saying hello. These types of sightings are (almost) guaranteed on a cruise to the offshore Stellwagen Bank, one of the world’s richest feeding grounds for marine mammals and birds.

Cruises depart from Gloucester, Plymouth, Provincetown and Boston. Common sightings include humpback, minke and fin whales, as well as dolphins, sharks and seals.

5. Ogle old-master paintings at the Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a 19th-century socialite, a patron of the arts and a lover of the Boston Red Sox. Today, the unrivaled collection of art she amassed is on display at a Venetian-style palazzo just off the Back Bay Fens.

From rare books to ancient Roman objects to Italian Renaissance paintings, over 7500 pieces of art dazzle visitors. Watching over it all is Gardner herself, via a captivating portrait by John Singer Sargent hanging in the Gothic Room. If you close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine the salons and soirées that took place here back in the day.

The interior courtyard – bursting with seasonal blooms, ancient Roman sculptures and mosaics – is worth the price of admission ($20) in itself. The museum was also the site of one of the world’s most brazen – and still unsolved – art heists, in 1990: look out for the empty frames that still hang in the missing paintings’ place.

The best state parks in Massachusetts

6. Summit the cliffs at Quincy Quarries

This former granite quarry is now a sort of unofficial, experiential outdoor art studio and rock-climbing center. Vibrant paintings cover every cliff – personal tags, political rants and murals wacky and whimsical, their colors exploding off the dull gray granite facades.

The place has an offbeat, unkempt beauty that may not appeal to everyone. Rock climbers in particular have mixed feelings about the graffiti (which makes the granite extra slick), though the quarry is still a popular spot to rope up, with dozens of climbing routes around the grounds. An epic view of the Boston skyline awaits if you make it to the summit.

7. Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park

The oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, Fenway has been the scene of countless triumphs and tragedies since 1912. It’s the home of the Boston Red Sox, a team that inspires unrivaled passion in their fan base. The scene isn’t always pretty – but it’s pure, unfiltered Boston. If you can’t get tickets to a game, the on-site Bleacher Bar (with a limited view onto center field) is the next best thing.

8. Eat fried clams on the North Shore

The fried clam is one of the state’s iconic foods, with crispy breading on the outside, tender bivalve on the inside – and tasty all around.

The North Shore is the place to sample this delicacy: it was invented here, and the clams harvested in Essex and Ipswich are consistently sweet and succulent. Sample them at Woodman’s of Essex (the original), at JT Farnham’s overlooking the salt marsh, or at the Clam Box, a restaurant that actually looks like…a clam box.

The best beaches in Massachusetts

9. Discover the street art in Salem

The Point (or El Punto) is a predominately Latinx neighborhood only a few blocks from Salem’s historic center. In recent years, the streets have transformed into a unique Salem attraction: the Punto Urban Museum, an open-air art exhibition with more than 75 murals on the neighborhood’s brick walls, painted by artists from around the world.

The paintings immortalize Latinx heroes, elevate cultural themes and comment on socioeconomic inequities. And they also enrich the neighborhood with their color, texture, detail and vibrancy.

Best things to do in Salem

10. Learn about Indigenous culture at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums

The town of Plymouth on the South Shore is typically known as the site of an early English settlement – but the native Wampanoag people have inhabited the region for over 12,000 years, with the Patuxet resident in the 17th century. The Plimoth Patuxet Museums, formerly called Plimoth Plantation, explore both these histories.

At Historic Patuxet, you can visit a wetu (Wampanoag house), study the craftsmanship of a dugout canoe and observe how food was grown and cooked before the English colonists arrived.

11. Cycle through the dunes along Cape Cod National Seashore

Stretching along the outer edge of the Outer Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore is 40 miles of utter paradise. Pristine beaches, sand dunes, pine forests and kettle ponds with a few lighthouses for effect make any trip here one you’ll remember forever. Some of the best beaches in Massachusetts, including Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, known for its dramatic cliffs, are located here.

It’s impossible to see it all in one visit, but the Province Lands bike trail offers an excellent sampler along a surprisingly rigorous 5.45-mile loop – one of Cape Cod’s top activities. On a hot day, end your ride at wild and wonderful Race Point Beach to cool off in the waves.

Best free things to do in Massachusetts

12. Spy on seals in Chatham

It’s not unusual to glimpse a sweet, whiskered face peeking out of the waters near Cape Cod, which is home to some 50,000 gray and harbor seals. If you want a guaranteed sighting, take a boat trip out to Monomoy Island, where you’ll see the creatures bobbing in the water or lounging on the beach.

During mating season (especially September and October), the sheer number of bodies astounds, with the long, narrow beach packed with hundreds of seals piled on top of each other like anchovies in a tin.

Alternatively, you can usually spot seals from the observation deck at the Chatham Pier Fish Market (which is also a fantastic place for a lobster roll lunch).

Tip: No matter how cute you think these seals are, remember they are wild animals. Always maintain a safe distance.

13. Get lost in the stacks at Montague Bookmill

On a wooded country road along the banks of the Sawmill River on the edge of the micro-town of Montague is a bibliophile’s bliss. The unexpectedly rich and locally beloved Montague Bookmill is a place to get lost for hours.

The c 1842 building retains the rustic atmosphere of the grist mill it was for nearly a century. Today, it contains tens of thousands of volumes in a maze of stacks and shelves, with plenty of comfy chairs and sunny corners to curl up with your treasures.

With coffee available next door at the Lady Killigrew Café, this place is pretty much perfect.

14. Behold the dramatic colors of the Aquinnah Cliffs

It’s hard to outdo the red-clay cliffs at the western end of Martha’s Vineyard, both for their sheer natural splendor and their geology, which is unique in Massachusetts.

Rising 150ft from the ocean, this dramatic glacial formation is a stunner, especially when it reflects rich jewel tones in the late-afternoon sun. Expect gorgeous views – and surprisingly few crowds – at Gay Head public beach.

15. Catch some of the world’s best artists at a Berkshire summer festival

Whether you’re into live music, theater or dance, you can get your cultural fix amid the Berkshires’ forest-covered hills and under star-filled skies. Massachusetts’ western mountain region has been an artistic hub ever since the Gilded Age elite came from New York and Boston to spend their summers amid the greenery.

No longer as exclusive, it’s now a lovely region for packing a picnic, spreading a blanket and listening to live music at Tanglewood–the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an essential stop for classical music lovers. The venue also hosts world-class performances of all kinds, including those by the Boston Pops Orchestra, and music festivals like the Jazz Festival in September and the Festival of Contemporary Music in early August. Bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy the live music in the open air during the summer season.

Planning tip: The Boston Pops spend July 4th in Boston playing a free outdoor performance on the Charles River at the Hatch Memorial Shell that wows, coordinating the “1812 Overture” to the fireworks finale. If you plan to brave the crowds, remember to plan ahead and choose your viewing spot wisely. Great seats at the concert don’t necessarily mean clear views of the fireworks, and vice versa.

The best places to hike in Massachusetts

16. Pick (and eat) your own apples amid the fall foliage

Apple picking is the perfect way to get your fix of eye-goggling fall foliage and crispy, local produce. In September and October, apple orchards around the state lure families with hay rides, hedge mazes and other farm animals.

Others forgo these extras: Bartlett’s Orchard in Richmond only has trees, yielding a dozen varieties of apples (the local favorite: tart, juicy McIntosh). But the surrounding Berkshire hills – dressed up in extravagant yellows, oranges and reds – make Bartlett’s one of the top places in Massachusetts to take in the splendor.

A word to the wise: no matter where you get your apples, do not pass on apple-cider donuts, an autumn rite of passage each year.

17. Raise a toast to freedom at Faneuil Hall

As one of Boston’s most historically significant buildings, Faneuil Hall has served as a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743. Today it’s part of the Boston National Historical Park. It played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, with prominent figures like Samuel Adams gathering here and using it as a platform to rally for Freedom. Visit the 2nd floor to hear about the building’s history from National Park Service (NPS) rangers.

On Faneuil Hall’s lower level, the Boston Slavery Exhibit confronts the city’s role in the slave economy, beginning in the 1620s when the English enslaved Native American people. In 1638, the first ship transporting enslaved Africans docked in Boston, and by the 1760s, more than 17,000 enslaved Black people had arrived in New England. The exhibits share stories of enslaved people and their lives in the Boston area.

In 1826, a new market was constructed behind Faneuil Hall, named for Mayor Josiah Quincy. The North Market and South Market buildings on either side of Quincy Market were completed the following year and together comprise the insanely popular complex of shops and food stalls known collectively since the 1970s as Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Though you may find better food elsewhere, you can grab a quick bite at the touristy eateries and food stands selling everything from chowder to tacos and ice cream.

18. Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

Located in the hometown of Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield is a whimsical, family-friendly attraction that brings the beloved works of the author to life. From “The Cat in the Hat” to “Green Eggs and Ham,” visitors of all ages can explore interactive displays, view original artwork and learn about the life and legacy of Dr. Seuss. It’s a fun, educational and colorful experience for kids, but also works for Seuss fans of all ages. 

Planning tip: You can enjoy free admission on the first Wednesday of the month. If you can’t make it that day, it will cost you $25 to visit. 

19. Walk in the footsteps of Revolutionaries at Minute Man National Historical Park

One of the best places to experience Revolutionary War history is Minute Man National Historical Park. Located in the towns of Lexington and Concord just outside Boston, this park preserves the sites where the first battles of the American Revolution unfolded on April 19, 1775. 

You can walk along the historic Battle Road Trail, a 5-mile trail that connects the historic sites related to the battles – from Meriam’s Corner, where gunfire erupted while British soldiers were retreating, to the Paul Revere capture site. The park is also home to the residence of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who penned classic works like The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.

20. Climb to new heights at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

For a sweeping view, visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum on Cape Cod. The monument, which stands 253ft tall, commemorates the Pilgrims’ first landing in 1620. Climb the 116 stairs to the top for panoramic views that are worth the effort. Note: There isn’t an elevator.

The adjacent museum offers exhibits on the Pilgrims, as well as Provincetown’s rich maritime history, and its role as a space for artists and the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, it’s where one of the largest and most celebrated gay pride events in the country takes place every June. In August, visit for the colorful Carnival Week, filled with parades, costumes, street performances and themed parties. It’s a party-like atmosphere drawing tens of thousands each year.

21. Set sail for adventure at Gloucester Harborwalk

If you ever watched the film The Perfect Storm, the based-on-true-events blockbuster starring George Clooney and Mark Walhberg, you already have had a glimpse at Gloucester’s maritime heritage. This fishing town located on Massachusetts’ other cape, Cape Ann, is one of the oldest fishing ports in the US. Take a stroll along the Gloucester Harborwalk, which will guide you through the town’s art installations and historical markers that tell its rich tale. Along the way, you can visit the Fishermen’s Memorial statue and wall which pays tribute to the thousands of fishermen lost at sea over the years, including the six crew of the Andrea Gail depicted in the movie.

From this perch, you can also watch fishing boats return with their daily catch. Just be sure to go to one of the local restaurants serving those local scores, such as the Seaport Grille, which is famous for its lobster pie and clam chowder.

Author of Lonely Planet’s new book Stargazing Around the World: A Tour of the Night Sky, Valerie Stimac, shares her favorite places for seeing the stars in all their glory.

Standing in the starlight under the swath of the Milky Way, the pristine night sky is one of the most incredible wonders many of us have not seen – and which is under threat due to the constant march of human progress and resultant light pollution. From April 21 to 28, the world will celebrate International Dark Sky Week, an event organized by Dark Sky to promote the preservation of dark skies around the world.

Of course, you can enjoy dark skies at any point of the year, and I am often asked about the best places to do that. Here is a selection of my favorite stargazing destinations around the world, but remember, there are countless others of similar quality and experience – use this list as inspiration to spark your own research and astrotourism adventure.

1. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

High in the mountains near the crest of the Bolivian Andes, several prehistoric lakes have come together to form the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flats. When the surface is dry, the salar is a pure white expanse of the greatest nothing imaginable – just blue sky and white ground. When there’s a little water, the surface perfectly reflects the clouds and the blue altiplano sky, and the horizon disappears.

Visiting Salar de Uyuni is a complex undertaking: while it’s possible to explore Salar de Uyuni on your own, it’s advisable to go with a tour provider due to the size of the flats and the logistics of booking accommodations and amenities. There are increasing opportunities to visit the Salar de Uyuni at night to take advantage of its dark starry nights and wide horizon. As the Salar de Uyuni is relatively undeveloped (except for intermittent tourism amenities throughout the flats), visitors can experience truly dark skies. Tour operator Ruta Verde runs special itineraries specifically focused on stargazing, though other providers also serve the area.

2. Utah and Arizona, Southwestern USA

If there’s one region in the world that comes to mind for the greatest density of incredible dark sky locations, it has to be Southern Utah and Arizona in the American Southwest. In fact, these two states continue to compete for which one has more International Dark Sky places.

Within this vast area, there are several great places to visit for stargazing. For inspiration, one could plan a trip to visit all five of Utah’s National Parks – Utah’s “Mighty 5” – which are all recognized dark sky parks. Or to Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, where the gigantic geologic formations rival the stars in their expansiveness.

3. Mont-Mégantic, Canada

Mont-Mégantic paved the way and became a model for dark-sky protection as the world’s first designated Dark Sky Reserve. Located in southern Québec near the US border with New Hampshire and Vermont, Mont-Mégantic Dark Sky Reserve encompasses some 3300 sq miles (8547 sq km), including the community of Sherbrooke, Mont-Mégantic National Park, and the observation facilities therein. Mont-Mégantic National Park is a popular hiking destination but also great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter months. Paragliders and hang gliders also love to catch a ride off Mont St Joseph, whereas mountain bikers and cyclists appreciate the challenge of navigating the mountains throughout the park, and birders enjoy spotting some of the avian species protected here.

Camping and other rustic accommodations are available in the park, where you can set up on your own for some stargazing. In addition to experiencing the national park by day, your main must-see stops are the Mont-Mégantic Observatory, the Popular Observatory, and a visitor center, ASTROlab. Mont-Mégantic Observatory operates the second-largest telescope in eastern Canada, 63in (1.6m) in diameter. The observatory is open to the public for daytime tours and night-time astronomy events.

4. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Some of the world’s best places to see the stars are far from the crowds — and their associated light pollution. Life is harsh in the world’s desert environments, and this reduces human development and light pollution. One such place is the NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia.

NamibRand Nature Reserve was established in 1984 by J.A. Brückner, a successful businessman who began acquiring farmland on the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Working with other farm owners, he successfully petitioned that the land be turned into a nature reserve. Today, over 215,000 hectares of Namibian desert and savannah are protected in one of the region’s largest private reserves.

In 2012, NamibRand Nature Reserve was recognized and certified as a Dark Sky Reserve; within the reserve, all tourism and business construction is required to comply with low-pollution lighting to help ensure the skies above NamibRand remain dark and species aren’t affected by light pollution.

5. Mt Bromo, Indonesia

Located in the fiery heart of East Java, Mt Bromo is considered one of the top attractions in Indonesia. Travelers come to climb near this active volcano to watch the sunrise, but Mt Bromo is quietly gaining renown as a great stargazing location in Indonesia, as astronomers observe and astrophotographers capture photos of the Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. Located less than 10 degrees south of the equator, Mt Bromo and the surrounding region are also a good destination for viewing the southern night sky and meteor showers like the Southern Taurids.

Unlike other dark-sky places that offer designated locations and planned astronomy activities, stargazing in Mt Bromo is a mostly independent affair. Consider planning an early morning stargazing session so you can also view the sunrise from Mt Penanjakan, a popular lookout with Mt Bromo in the foreground. Visitors can also plan their trip around the annual Yadnya Kasada ceremony, an offering from the Tenggerese people to the mountain in honor of a Majapahit kingdom legend.

6. Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

In the early days of human history, the night sky was a central character in cultural lore and belief systems. Before artificial light and electrical power, the stars were the primary show available to everyone each night, and the stories about stars, constellations and other astronomical phenomena seem almost as numerous as the stars themselves. This holds especially true for the Māori of New Zealand, who not only had a complex lore about the night sky, but used the stars for navigation around New Zealand’s islands.

Thanks to this origin, New Zealand has long been a haven for astronomers and increasingly for astrotourists. Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, located in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, is one of the best places in the country to view the night sky. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre and the Mackenzie Basin, the Dark Sky Reserve was certified in 2012 to continue protecting the dark skies in the area.

Stargazing enthusiasts should plan a visit to Mt John Observatory, which offers night sky tours and observation through one of the facilities’ many telescopes. Tours must be booked in advance through the exclusive tour operator Dark Sky Project and originate from the nearby town of Tekapo.

7. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Most visitors road trip Ireland’s western Wild Atlantic Way – a tourism route designated in 2014 to encourage visitors to explore beyond hot spots like Dublin and Cork. But the route is also fast becoming a great region for stargazing, thanks to the efforts of local communities along the Way who’ve worked to achieve dark sky designation.

Kerry Dark Sky Reserve, located on the Kerry peninsula in southwest Ireland, received its designation in 2014. The area is well protected from light pollution thanks to the Kerry mountains, and visitors can gaze out over the Atlantic Ocean at the vast expanse of sea and stars. Similarly, Wild Nephin National Park offers visitors incredible dark sky quality further up the western Irish coast in County Mayo. I was fortunate to visit Wild Nephin (also sometimes called the Mayo Dark Sky Park) in late 2019 and it was one of the darkest skies I’ve ever witnessed.

If planning a trip, keep in mind that Ireland does have wet months where overcast skies are more likely to interfere with your stargazing prospects.

8. Wadi Rum, Jordan

I’ll end by sharing one of my personal favorites, based on my experience traveling to Jordan several years ago. During my trip, I saw many of the country’s highlights: the Roman ruins of Jerash, the vast expanse of the Dead Sea, and the Rose City of Petra. I also spent one night at a camp in Wadi Rum, the desert region in southern Jordan.

Wadi Rum is also sometimes called the “Valley of the Moon,” though you’re more likely to compare it to Mars if you visit. Made famous for its otherworldly landscapes in movies like Prometheus, Star Wars: Rogue One and The Martian, Wadi Rum’s towering red rock formations are fascinating to explore by day – and offer protection from any distant light pollution once the sun sets.

Stargazing in Wadi Rum is a breathtaking experience, and like NamibRand Nature Reserve and Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, reminds us how our ancestors experienced the night sky for millennia before light pollution began to encroach on this wondrous natural resource.

Whether you’re cruising in a chrome-plated RV or sputtering along in a vintage VW, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the road in a camper van, where you’re beholden to no timetable and limited only by your ambitions.

Most travelers set their satnavs for the smooth highways of the old dependables – North America, Australia, New Zealand – and with good reason (not least the savings offered on pricey accommodation), but those willing to navigate the potholes of roads less traveled may find richer rewards elsewhere. These are the eight best destinations for an RV trip.

1. Scotland’s North Coast 500

Best camper van travel in Europe

It was billed as Scotland’s Route 66, but the North Coast 500 is, of course, nothing like its US counterpart. Cutting a course through sodden carpets of heather in the bleakly beautiful Highlands, the 516-mile route joins the dots between crumbling castles, weather-beaten fishing towns and middle-of-nowhere distilleries.

Lined with campsites, the road itself incorporates the meandering mountain pass of Bealach na Bà – the highest highway in Scotland – and swings by John o’ Groats, the most northerly point in mainland Britain. Bring your bathers in case the weather behaves: Scotland has some surprisingly beautiful beaches.

Most campers start and end their trip in Inverness – the largest city in the Highlands – to enjoy cozy pubs, a 19th-century cathedral and a lofty castle that bookend the journey nicely.

Where to rent: Highland Coastal Campers, Inverness Campervans
Rental costs: Campers from around £110/US$130 per day

2. Route 1 in California, USA

Best for beaches

Romanticized by beat writers and Hollywood film directors, the American road trip is practically a sub-genre of its own. From Grapes of Wrath to Vanishing Point, Thelma & Louise to Sideways, the nation’s highways are littered with great plots.

Given the profusion of road movies that have come out of Hollywood, California is an apt place to spin your own 4WD narrative. The Golden State offers a handful of iconic itineraries, from Highway 101 to the dirt tracks of Death Valley, but if you only drive one road, make Route 1, well, the one.

Lined with campsites, this feted highway hugs the rugged Californian coast for 143km between San Simeon and the Carmel Highlands. All plunging cliffs and wave-lashed beaches, it is the longest stretch of undeveloped shoreline in the US.

Where to rent: Escape Camper Vans, Outdoorsy, Jurnii
Rental costs: From around US$55/£45 per day

3. East Coast Australia

Best for partying

Like koala bears to eucalyptus trees, road-trippers have long been drawn to Australia’s East Coast, where hedonistic surf towns, colorful coral reefs and paradisiacal beaches provide the pretext for camper van capers.

Buckle up in Sydney, where the booming market in used camper vans should produce a reliable set of wheels for those looking to buy. As the Opera House disappears in the rear-view, the East Coast unfurls to reveal impressive national parks, offbeat islands and hard-partying cities like Brisbane, Cairns and Surfers Paradise. It’s not all boisterous beach jamborees, though. Quiet camping grounds can be found along the East Coast, including many free sites that often include public barbecues for the obligatory shrimp tossing.

There are all kinds of East Coast road trip routes to take depending on the amount of time you want to spend and which stunning Australian sites you most want to see. The only hard part will be narrowing it down – or deciding where to begin.

Where to rent: Hippie Camper, Travellers Autobarn
Rental costs: From around AU$79/US$52 per day

4. Overlanding in Namibia

Best for wildlife

You’ll need a 4WD to tackle the otherworldly landscapes of Namibia, where buzzing cities, stark desert scenes and wildlife-rich national parks are among the highlights.

Most self-drive trips begin in Windhoek, whose Bavarian-style boozers are the perfect place to pore over maps and finalize routes. Be sure to set the GPS for Etosha, a Belize-sized national park where self-drive safaris and in-park camping are permitted, offering early morning sightings of rhinos, elephants and lions before other tourists have finished funneling through the gates.

Wrap up your tour with spectacular drives through the shape-shifting sand dunes of the Namib Desert and a stop-off to eyeball the colossal rusting shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast. A word of caution: Namibia’s roads are mostly loose gravel and there are often large distances between towns, so pre-planning is essential, including camp-site bookings. If you enjoy the ride, however, you might find yourself hungry for more opportunities for overlanding in Africa.

Where to rent: Bobo Campers, Namibia 4×4 Rentals, Caprivi
Rental costs: From around NAD1650/US$90 per day

5. Japan

Best for culture

A road trip in Japan is nothing less than serene: aside from the odd racer, Japanese motorists are generally courteous, whilst modern satnavs mean there’s now no need to worry about translating signs. Having a mobile home here also saves on hotel costs – some of the most expensive in Asia.

Wending their way from snow-capped peaks to palm-fringed beaches – via limpid lakes and primeval forests – Japan’s highways offer a privileged perspective on parts of the country that many visitors don’t get to see. Fill up on culture in pulsating cities, middle-of-nowhere temples and traditional villages.

With views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko, the Hakone Skyline Course is one of Japan’s most scenic drives, and it’s conveniently lined with handy rest stops. No less stunning is the Mikuni Pass, which tiptoes above primeval forest in Tokachi Subprefecture.

Where to rent: Japan Campers, Camgo Campervan, Rental Camper
Rental costs: From around ¥5900/US$45 per day

6. New Zealand

Best for hikers

Travelers often proclaim New Zealand to be the best destination for a camper van holiday – and it’s hard to argue otherwise. From glistening glaciers to wave-lashed shores, its landscapes bring a certain grandeur to road trips, while its hiking trails and legion of campsites make the scenery eminently accessible.

If you like lofty peaks then chart a course through the North Island’s volcanic heartland, stopping off at the hiker’s paradise that is Tongariro National Park. For rugged seashores take the ferry to the South Island and drive the windswept West Coast, past Franz Josef Glacier to Milford Sound.

Buying a camper van is practically a rite of passage for travelers in New Zealand. Trusty steeds can be purchased at Auckland’s famous car fairs, though there are plenty of places to rent if you don’t want the hassle of haggling. Another plus is the 200 or so campsites run by the Department of Conservation; spread throughout the country, these spots offer low prices and excellent facilities amid some unbeatable rural settings.

Where to rent: Maui Rentals, Wilderness
Rental costs: From around NZ$48/US$30 per day

7. Chile’s Pan-American Highway

Best for adventure travel

It’s hard to lose your way on a camper van holiday in Chile, where the foolproof Pan-American Highway runs almost straight down the spine of the country, dispatching road trippers to colorful colonial cities, arid deserts and verdant national parks.

The sheer variety of landscapes is staggering. It seems hard to believe that the Atacama Desert – supposedly the driest place on Earth – is found in the same country as the vineyard-carpeted Elqui Valley and the ice-blue glaciers of Patagonia.

It’s not all about natural wonders. The 3364km-long Pan-American also serves up swaggering cities in the form of Iquique, La Serena and Valdivia, and, of course, the capital, Santiago, behind which loom the lofty peaks of the Andes.

Where to rent: Wicked South America, Condor Campers
Rental costs: From around CLP$40,000/US$50 per day

8. Alberta, Canada

Best for families

Icefields Parkway manages to distill almost everything that’s epic about the Canadian wilderness into a brisk 230km camper van route. From sparkling glaciers to wildflower meadows, snow-capped mountains to cascading waterfalls, this highway packs in some serious scenery.

Calling at Banff and Jasper National Parks, the route hits a sweet spot in May, when spring makes its presence felt in the flowery foothills, but skiing is still possible on higher ground for those who have packed their boots and poles. Come a little earlier – in April – and you can even skate on Lake Louise.

Before you return the RV, take a detour to the sandstone hoodoos of Alberta’s Badlands, an alien-looking landscape where some of the rarest dinosaur fossils known to humanity have been found. Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site has a brilliant family-friendly campsite alongside an excellent visitor center where children can learn about the area’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Where to rent: North Campervans, Wicked Campers Calgary
Rental costs: From around CA$200/US$145 per day

Dipping into the Caribbean Sea, the coastline of Jamaica is as diverse as it is stunning, drawing in everyone from sunseekers looking for a spot to bronze to adventurers looking for a vibrant escape. 

Though Jamaica’s culture often takes the spotlight, its beaches hold their own, with crystal-clear surf and some of the finest stretches of sand in the Caribbean. 

Most of the island’s renowned beaches can be found along the north and west coasts, especially around Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios, but the south coast offers secluded spots that are perfect for unwinding.

While some beaches belong to hotels, many are open to the public, sometimes with a small entry fee, so it’s easy to experience the island’s natural beauty without hassle.

Here’s a guide to the best beaches in Jamaica.

1. Seven Mile Beach

Best beach for sunset views and snorkeling

Seven Mile Beach, also known as Negril Beach, is one of Jamaica’s most popular stretches of sand. 

Famous for its clear turquoise waters and abundant marine life, this beach offers prime snorkeling, with coral reefs scattered along its length — particularly around the southern end and near the cliffs to the west. 

Despite the name, the beach actually spans just over four miles, running from Bloody Bay in the north to Long Bay in the south. Along the shoreline, you’ll find dozens of beachfront resorts, bars and restaurants.

For unbeatable sunset views, head to the beach’s western edge, where the clifftop provides an elevated perch for watching Negril’s breathtaking sunsets.

Local Tip: With so many resorts along the beach, it can be difficult to find free access points to the sand. There’s one between Drifter’s Bar and Merrils Beach Resorts and another across from the Sunrise Club. Look for the small yellow signs that read “Negril Beach Access Point” along Norman Manley Blvd.

2. Frenchman’s Cove

Best for photography enthusiasts

A true gem nestled in Port Antonio, Frenchman’s Cove is a small but picturesque beach where a freshwater river meets the sea. 

With its white sand surrounded by lush greenery, this secluded beach has quite a movie pedigree, featuring in films such as Lord of the Flies (1990) and Knight and Day (2010). 

The beach is framed by verdant greenery on both sides, creating a picturesque natural crescent that’s perfect for photos. Another popular Instagram spot is on the swing above the river section.

Planning Tip: As of December 2024, there’s an entry fee of JMD$2,500 (USD$25) for visitors who aren’t staying at the Frenchman’s Cove Resort. The beach is open from 9am to 5pm, and users are barred from bringing their own food or drinks.

3. Ocho Rios Bay Beach (Turtle Beach)

Best beach for activities and amenities

Ocho Rios Bay Beach, commonly known as Turtle Beach, is the main beach in Ocho Rios, stretching for some 500m along Jamaica’s north coast. 

It’s a popular spot for resort guests, day trippers and cruise passengers, thanks to its proximity to the Ocho Rios cruise port (just a five-minute walk away).

You can enjoy water sports in the bay, and the beach is well-equipped with amenities, including beach chairs and umbrella rentals.

Popular restaurants Ocho Rios restaurants such as Miss T’s Kitchen, Margaritaville and Ocho Rios Jerk Center are within walking distance, along with shopping malls and fast food joints.

Detour: For souvenirs and Jamaican craft items, visit the Ocho Rios Craft Market – about a 10-minute walk from the beach.

4. Mahogany Beach

Best beach to chill and grab a beer

An entry fee of around JMD$500 (US$10 for tourists) gives visitors access to changing areas, a beach chair, and a fine curve of sand at Mahogany Beach in Ocho Rios.

The beach is small compared to others in town, and fills up quickly with locals — many coming from out of town just to relax on the beach with friends. 

If you crave refreshment, the Mahagony Beach Bar & Grill restaurant is close at hand. In addition to the beach, there’s also a freshwater river where you can relax in a bamboo chair or go rafting to unwind.

5. Doctor’s Cave Beach

Best beach for swimming

Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay is famous for its calm, clear waters, making it a top choice for swimmers. Known for its gentle waves and smooth, soft sand, the beach is perfect for a leisurely dip. 

The beach’s location in a sheltered cove helps maintain the calm conditions, while the pristine water is often described as “healing” – a reputation dating back to the 1920s when British osteopath Sir Herbert Barker praised its therapeutic properties. 

Planning Tip: For an entry fee of around JMD$1,100 (US$8), you can access the beach, rent lounge chairs, and enjoy the beachside restaurants.

6. Maiden Cay

Best beach for weekend parties

Maiden Cay, located off the coast of Kingston, is the ultimate beach destination for those looking to party on the weekend. Every Sunday, Loose Cannon Tours hosts a widely popular all-inclusive Beach Day, where you can enjoy food, drinks, and music while soaking up the sun.

This uninhabited island is just a short 20-minute boat ride from the mainland near Port Royal, making it an ideal getaway for weekend revelers. 

Planning Tip: Book tickets ahead – early birds pay JMD$13,000 (US$85), compared to JMD$14,000 (US$95) at short notice.

7. Winnifred Beach

Best free beach

Winnifred Beach, located in Portland, is one of Jamaica’s last remaining free beaches, offering a charming and distinctly local atmosphere.

However, while there’s no official fee to visit, locals who maintain the beach may request a small donation to help preserve it. 

The beach features calm, shallow waters, and it’s a popular chill-out spot for residents of Portland. Visitors can enjoy delicious offerings from local vendors, including seafood, jerk chicken and cold drinks. The beach also has showers and changing rooms.

8. Boston Bay Beach

Best beach for surfing

While there isn’t a big surfing culture in Jamaica, Boston Bay Beach, located near Port Antonio, is the island’s premier surfing destination, attracting pro surfers who can be seen riding the consistent waves here throughout the day. 

There’s an entry fee of around JMD$500 (US$3), and visitors can rent surfboards and even take lessons from the pros on the beach.

The waves typically range from three to six feet, and the breaks are suitable for both beginner and advanced surfers.

Planning Tip: The best time to surf at Boston Bay Beach is during the winter months (November to April) when the waves are at their most consistent and powerful. Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal for catching the swell.

9. Puerto Seco Beach

Best beach for families 

Puerto Seco Beach in Saint Ann is the ultimate destination for a fun-filled family beach day. With an aquapark, swimming pool, and various water sports like beach volleyball and jet skis, there’s something for everyone. 

The beach also offers amenities such as beach chairs, VIP cabanas and free Wi-Fi, and families can stop for a meal at the restaurant and bar or shop for souvenirs at the gift shop.

Planning Tip: There’s a fee of around JMD$2,500 (US$20) for the amenities, so consider a full-day trip to make the most of it. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends, perfect for families.

10. Parottee Beach

Best secluded beach

Located several miles south of Black River, Parottee Beach features dark sand sprinkled with shells facing a pristine stretch of ocean.

The calm, clear waters make it ideal for swimming, and the beach isn’t close to any major tourist towns or attractions – with the exception of Floyd’s Pelican Bar which sits out in the bay.

The beach is mainly used by fishermen from local communities; residents occasionally visit to swim but there’s rarely a crowd.

11. Fisherman’s Beach

Best beach for fresh seafood

Fisherman’s Beach in Ocho Rios may not be the top spot for swimming, but it’s undoubtedly the best place in town for fresh seafood. 

Located just beyond the Ocho Rios Fishing Village, the beach is surrounded by some of the town’s best seafood eateries, including Lobster Dave and Whalers. 

Both restaurants serve up the freshest catches, sourced directly from the fishermen working right on the beach. 

While you eat, you can enjoy views of colorful fishing boats on the shore and fishermen heading out to sea. If you’re staying somewhere with cooking facilities, you can also purchase fresh seafood directly from the boats to take home.

Detour: After a beach day, take a short drive to nearby Dunn’s River Falls – a must-see natural attraction where you can climb and splash on the terraces of a scenic cascade.

12. Bamboo Beach Club

Best beach for a lively atmosphere

Located on the north coast in Falmouth, Bamboo Beach Club has a lively atmosphere that’s ideal for those seeking a vibrant beach day. 

For an entry fee of around JMD$2,000 (US$15), visitors can enjoy soft golden sand, a lively music scene and spontaneous dance parties hosted by energetic staff. 

The beach also hosts regular parties and events, and there’s a restaurant and bar, a souvenir shop, free Wi-Fi, cabanas for rent, an official photographer and beachside masseurs. If you want to explore the underwater world, rent some snorkeling gear.

Planning Tip: It’s easy to arrange transportation if you’re staying in Falmouth, and there’s a beach bus that transfers visitors from Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios.

13. Lime Cay

Best beach near Kingston

Many visitors are surprised to discover that Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, doesn’t have its own beach.

However, just a short boat ride away lies Lime Cay, a tiny, uninhabited island off the coast of Port Royal, circled by white sand and beautifully clear waters. 

During the week, Lime Cay doesn’t get many visitors – you’ll likely have the island all to yourself if you come to swim or sunbathe.

Y-Knot Bar & Grill in Port Royal offers boat trips to Lime Cay for JMD$2,500 (US$20), and local fishermen from Port Royal also offer transfers.

Planning Tip: While weekdays are peaceful at Lime Cay, weekends (especially Sundays) bring a livelier vibe, with popular boat parties attended by both locals and tourists.

14. Hellshire Beach

Best beach to mingle with locals

Hellshire Beach, located in Portmore, is the most-popular beach for Jamaicans in the Kingston area, thanks to its convenient location and lively vibe. It’s also known for its delicious seafood, including fish, lobster, shrimp, and oysters.

You won’t find tourists here too often. Hellshire is a snapshot of what authentic Jamaican beach life is really like — people eating, drinking, smoking, enjoying music, playing football on the sand or playing dominos at beachside restaurants.

On weekends, the beach is livelier, with families, music and lots of vendors.

Local Tip: Sharks are sometimes spotted offshore at night, so avoid night swimming. Stick to daytime visits and keep in mind that the beach is packed on local holidays.

15. Treasure Beach

Best off-the-beaten-path beach 

An off-the-beaten-path destination along Jamaica’s south coast, Treasure Beach is made up of five secluded coves, lined with dark sand. Calabash Bay, home to Jakes Hotel, sees the most visitors, and this is also where the biennial Calabash Literary Festival is held.

Frenchman’s Bay, Great Bay, Fort Charles Bay, and Billy’s Bay tend to stay quieter; local fishermen are often the only regulars. 

Frenchman’s Bay has a few small beachside restaurants, and Great Bay comes to life each year for the Jakes Triathlon.

All these coves are great for sunbathing and swimming, though the waters can occasionally get rough. Occasionally, you might spot locals biking along the shore.

Ask ten experienced hikers to nominate the best treks in the world and they’ll give you ten different answers.

Some treks are incredible because of the scenery. Some routes are epic because of the almost superhuman levels of effort and endurance required to reach the endpoint. For some trekkers, it’s all about the destination. For others, it’s the journey and the chance to build camaraderie along the trail.

But the world’s top treks all have one thing in common – a sense of mission that transforms the simple act of walking into a life-affirming expedition. And when winter weather looms in the northern hemisphere, it’s an ideal time for a trip to warmer temps south of the equator, where the sun is shining on some of the most awe-inspiring trails on Earth.

We’ve compiled our list of the world’s top treks, from jungle trails to breathless tracks through the mountains of Nepal. All require a sturdy pair of lungs and a fit pair of legs, but the trekking experience is a reward unto itself; decades later, you’ll still be talking about these hikes.

1. GR20, Corsica, France

Best trek for people who love challenges

Distance: 168km (104 miles) round trip
Duration: 15 days
Level: Difficult

This character-building slog through Corsica is legendary for the diversity of landscapes it traverses, and for the level of grit it requires from trekkers who brave its rugged trails. There are forests, granite moonscapes, windswept craters, glacial lakes, torrents, peat bogs, maquis, snow-capped peaks, plains and névés (stretches of ice formed from snow) to conquer, and the tough terrain weeds out all but the most dedicated hikers.

Created in 1972, the GR20 links the town of Calenzana, in the Balagne, with Conca, north of Porto Vecchio, but the thrills don’t come easy. The path is rocky, uneven and frequently steep, with crossings over rickety bridges and exposed scrambles over slippery rock faces and loose, skittering scree – all part of the fun! You’ll be drawing water from springs and sleeping in rustic mountain refuges, and two weeks later, you’ll be able to tell the world you conquered Europe’s toughest trail.

2. Inca Trail, Peru

Best hike for modern-day explorers

Distance: 33km (20 miles) round trip
Duration: 4–5 days
Level: Moderate

The 33km (20-mile) trail to the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was used for centuries before it was brought to global attention when explorer Hiram Bingham “discovered” the route in 1911. Today, the secret is definitely out – but there are some rules and restrictions in place to control visitor numbers. Book at least six months in advance for one of the 500 permits available each day. That figure includes support staff (porters, guides, etc.), so just 200 lucky tourist trekkers are issued one.

The trek to Peru’s most famous ruin has giddying views of high cloud forests and Machu Picchu waiting ahead like a beacon. The trail climbs to 2430m (7972ft) from the Sacred Valley, winding its way up, down and around mountains, and crossing three high passes en route.

For those just visiting the “lost city” for the day, authorities have introduced three new circuits each with sub-routes around the site.

3. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Best trek for snow in the tropics

Distance: 37–90km (23–56 miles)
Duration: 5–9 days
Level: Moderate

Okay, it’s the favorite trek of fundraisers everywhere, and an almost obligatory trip for visitors to East Africa, but the week-long ascent of Africa’s highest mountain is still an epic undertaking. From the moment you first spy its misty prominence rising above the dusty plains, you’ll know that Kilimanjaro simply has to be climbed. Lions and elephants may mill around at its base, but the summit is snow-capped and desolate, and lofty enough to bring a risk of altitude sickness at 5895m (19,340ft).

There are seven recognized routes to the top, and trekkers can complete the ascent in anything from 5 to 9 days, with longer treks being recommended to reduce the risk of AMS. The final stage usually starts before dawn, reaching the summit as the first light of morning erupts across a vast sweep of African savanna. In practice, nearly two-thirds of trekkers opt for the Marangu (6 days) or Machame (7 days) routes on the south side of the mountain.

4. Kalalau trail, Hawaii

Best coastal trek

Distance: 18km (11 miles) each way
Duration: 2 days
Level: Moderate

When asked to pick the best treks in the US, most reach for hikes along the rim of the Grand Canyon, or the mobbed trails that climb to the summits of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. However, we prefer to choose something a bit more off-piste. Linking Keʻe Beach and the Kalalau Valley on the north shore of Kauaʻi, the beautiful Kalalau trail follows a towering cliff wall dripping with tropical foliage to reach an overnight stop at a splendidly remote Hawaiian beach.

The route along the Nā Pali Coast starts out easy, but gets progressively more challenging on steep dirt paths; the reward comes in the form of elemental views over primordial valleys, thundering waterfalls, secluded beaches and the churning waters of the Pacific Ocean. There’s a definite Lost World feel, and a bit of caution is required, as people have fallen from the track or been washed away by sudden flash floods.

5. Markha Valley trek, Ladakh, India

Best trek for: spontaneous trekkers

Distance: 80km (50 miles)
Duration: 6–7 days
Level: Moderate

Fewer people trek on the Indian side of the world’s mightiest mountain range, but those that do are rewarded with views to rival anything in Nepal, Tibet or Pakistan. There are spectacular treks all over the Indian Himalaya, from the breathless Goecha La trek in Sikkim to pilgrimage treks to remote mountain temples in Uttarakhand and Kashmir, but for our rupee, the best trekking country of all is in lofty Ladakh, crossing high-altitude deserts in the rain-shadow of the high Himalaya.

The Markha Valley trek strains for a week across a wonderfully desolate moonscape, circling south from Leh through the jagged ridges that flank the south bank of the Indus River before emerging near the famous Buddhist gompa (monastery) at Hemis. Best of all, no complex planning is required; you can reach the trailhead by bus from Leh, crossing the river in a dangling basket and stopping at whitewashed teahouses in timeless Buddhist villages along the trail.

6. Routeburn Track, New Zealand

Best trek for fans of big landscapes

Distance: 32km (20 miles)
Duration: 3–4 days
Level: Moderate

New Zealand’s South Island is as alpine as you can get without actually being in the Alps, and the 3-day Routeburn Track is one of the best ways to cross this pristine natural wonderland. This is a trail for fans of big vistas and open skies, following glacier-carved fjords, truncated valleys and rugged ridges through the plunging landscapes of two stunning national parks: Fiordland and Mt Aspiring.

The preferred route runs from the Routeburn Shelter (north of Queenstown) to Milford Road, with overnight stops in spectacularly located campgrounds. Highlights include the views from Harris Saddle and Conical Hill, and chilly dips in spring-fed mountain tarns. The main challenge for this popular hike is securing a place among the limited numbers who are allowed at any one time – make bookings well ahead through the NZ Department of Conservation’s Great Walks booking site.

7. Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia

Best trek for early risers

Distance: 24km (15 miles)
Duration: 2 days
Level: Moderate

There simply has to be a Southeast Asian volcano hike on the list, and for our money, it’s Indonesia’s Gunung Rinjani. While Lombok’s blissful beaches simmer at sea level, the island climbs to a breathless height of 3726m (12,224ft) at the summit of this enormous lake-capped volcano, which still periodically rumbles into life, most recently in 2016.

Trekking to the summit of Gunung Rinjani is up there with hiking the Himalaya as one of Asia’s favorite adventures. To make the best of the views, the final push to the top starts in the dark, in order to gain the crater rim as first light pushes back the gloom, revealing the crater lake and its sinister cinder cones like a lost valley of the dinosaurs.

8. The Walkers’ Haute Route, France–Switzerland

Best trek for the summer months

Distance: 200km (125 miles)
Duration: 14 days
Level: Difficult

Leading from Chamonix in France through the southern Valais to Zermatt in Switzerland, the 2-week-long Walkers’ Haute Route trek traverses some of the highest and most eye-popping scenery accessible anywhere in the Alps. Hiking here is a summertime endeavour, tracing a different course to the famous winter Haute Route for ski-tourers. Every stage will test your endurance, with “pass hopping” that demands a high level of fitness on many sections of the walk.

So why put your body through all this exertion? The mountain views, obviously! Some days pass through yodel-worthy alpine meadows, while others struggle over glacier-carved outcrops guarded by mountain giants. And with this being northern Europe, the infrastructure along the way is excellent, with hotels, gites d’etape (rest shelters), auberges (inns) and mountain refuges dotted all along the route. You’ll appreciate a warm bed and a hot meal as you tackle over 14,000m (46,000ft) of elevation gain.

9. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Best trek for would-be mountaineers

Distance: 130km (80 miles) round trip
Duration: 2 weeks
Level: Moderate

Climbing to 5545m (18,193ft) at its highest point, the 2-week trek to Everest Base Camp is Nepal’s best-loved trek, with 8849m (29,032ft) Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) rising ahead like a petrified giant. Tracing winding river valleys and the creaking mass of the Khumbu glacier, this mighty mission visits mountain monasteries, soaring lookouts and precariously balanced Sherpa villages, with grueling days of altitude gain that will test your muscles and endurance to breaking point.

It’s not all hard work though. The trekking infrastructure is unparalleled: permits can be bought easily, porters and guides wait on arrival at Lukla’s tiny mountain airstrip, cozy teahouses provide warm beds and nourishing plates of dal bhat (lentils and rice) along the entire route, and side trails open up a mountain playground of summit ascents and high pass crossings for a taste of real mountaineering. Sure, the trails are mobbed in season, but the sense of camaraderie amongst trekkers is hard to beat.

The golden rule, however, is respect the altitude. Acute Mountain Sickness is a risk if you rush, so take it slow and steady and pause for the recommended rest days to let your body catch up with the elevation.

10. The Torres del Paine Circuit, Patagonia, Chile

Best trek for photographers

Distance: 136km (85 miles)
Duration: 9 days
Level: Difficult

Many visitors to Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park draw up short when they see the scale of the terrain and opt for the shorter “W Trek”, but we recommend following the full 9-day “O Trek” circuit, to soak up the sheer variety of landscapes in this magnificent wilderness reserve. As you follow the trail from Las Torres, you’ll pass some of the world’s most photogenic vistas: crystal-clear rivers, sculpted mountains, open grasslands, old-growth forests, deep and silent lakes and the icy tongue of Grey Glacier.

That’s a lot of variety per trekking mile, but you need to plan ahead as camping sites and refugios are in heavy demand. Make bookings with the companies operating the lodges and camping areas months in advance if you hope to secure a slot during the busy November to March trekking season.

Top tips for trekkers

Before you load up your backpack with trekking socks and Kendal mint cake, give some thought to the infrastructure on the route you plan to conquer. Some treks require total self-sufficiency, sleeping under canvas and purifying water as you go; other routes have refuges or rustic teahouses every step of the way. Here are some of the key considerations:

• Travel light: Every extra gram will weigh you down on the trails; if it isn’t essential, leave it behind.

• Respect your feet: Boots offer more support, but all-terrain trainers are lighter and dry more quickly after a soaking.

• Protect your knees: Trekking poles can help control the knee-crushing descents that are a feature of pretty much every trek.

• Climb slowly: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can kill, so ascend slowly and take rest days to acclimatize on any trek above 2500m (8202ft) in elevation.

• Check the weather: When treks go wrong, it’s normally because of the weather, so check the forecasts; if conditions look bad, stop somewhere safe and sit it out, rather than pushing on over the next pass.

• Be prepared: Don’t launch straight from the sofa to the summit – warm up with gentler walks, hikes and runs to get your body used to the exertion.

• Plan ahead: Many trekking routes require a permit and advance booking for lodges and campsites; for some routes, you need to book months ahead.

Bushwalking (Australian for “hiking”) is supremely popular in Australia, with thousands of kilometers of trails lacing its national parks and wilderness areas from the coast to the outback. These routes are great for hikers wanting to spot native wildlife. Many trails also traverse culturally and historically significant landscapes, with relics and interpretative trail markers offering fascinating insights into Australia’s unique ecology and 65,000 years of human history.

The best time to lace your boots in Australia varies between regions, with outback hikes suited to the cooler winter months (April to October), while hiking in Tasmania and the Australian Alps is a more popular summertime activity (November to March). The further north you go, the steamier the climate becomes, with hiking in northern Australia recommended during the May to October dry season.

From scenic day walks to epic treks that take several weeks, these are some of the best hiking routes in Australia.

1. Overland Track, Tasmania

Best multiday wilderness hike

65km (40 miles), 5–7 days, moderate

A five- to seven-day odyssey through the incredible World Heritage–listed mountainscapes of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania’s alpine Overland Track is Australia’s most famous multiday wilderness tramp.

The well-marked track threads between mountains rather than grinding over them, making the Overland an achievable independent adventure for experienced multiday hikers with a decent level of fitness. A limited number of dormitory beds at seven hiking huts en route are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with independent hikers required to carry a tent, cooking equipment and food for the entire journey. For more comfort, Tasmanian Walking Company offers guided walks, including all meals and lodging at the only private accommodations on the trail, discretely tucked off the main path.

Most hikers tackle the Overland Track during the warmer months from October to May, when daylight hours are longer, and you can work up enough heat for a dip in one of the frigid alpine tarns. A permit is required to hike during this period, and you can only walk the track in one direction: north to south. But with the permit system allowing just 35 independent hikers to depart on any given day (hint: book early), the trail never feels crowded. You can savor the solitude and icy beauty during a hike from either direction in winter, though freezing temperatures and snow make this an endeavor for expert hikers only.

The trail is extremely varied, negotiating high alpine moors, rocky scree, gorges and tall rainforest, with worthy side-trips including the summit of Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617m/5305ft) and some spectacular waterfalls. Wombats and pademelons tend to be the most commonly sighted wildlife; slow down to spot an incredible array of colorful fungi growing along the paths.

2. Kosciuszko Walk, New South Wales

Best day hike for active families

13km (8 miles), 4–5 hours, easy to moderate

With reasonable fitness, good weather and at least four hours to spare, just about anyone can summit Australia’s highest peak. Named after a Polish national hero by explorer Paweł Strzelecki, Mt Kosciuszko (2228m/7310ft) is the smallest of the world’s seven summits, and it’s relatively straightforward to climb, with raised walkways meandering up to a superb panorama of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains.

There are two routes to the top. The more family-friendly Kosciuszko Walk begins in the alpine village of Thredbo with a scenic Kosciuszko Express Chairlift ride, followed by an uncomplicated 13km (8-mile) hike to the summit and back. Aim to finish the walk in time to catch the last chairlift at 4:30pm or it’s a steep, 4km/2.5-mile walk down to the village. More challenging is the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, a 16.6km (10.3-mile) return hike from the tiny ski town of Charlotte Pass (allow 7 to 9 hours), which joins the Kosciuszko Walk at Rawson Pass for the final leg to the summit.

If you’re looking for a long-distance challenge, these walks are part of the new multiday Snowies Alpine Walk, a 56km (35-mile) route made up of four separate day walks. From the summit, experienced walkers with a high level of fitness can continue through the Perisher Valley and onwards to Bullocks Flat, turning a day walk into a four-day/three-night adventure. 

No matter which route you take, the alpine scenery is stunning. Aboriginal groups, including the local Ngarigo people, have had a spiritual connection to this wild landscape for more than 21,000 years. As you survey the wildflowers and glacial lakes en route to the roof of Australia, you’ll easily see why this land has long-inspired ceremony and awe.

Best hiked between late November and February to enjoy the wildflowers, both routes to the summit are snowbound from June to October.

3. Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

Best multiday outback hike

230km (143 miles), 14 days, moderate/difficult

The Northern Territory’s most famous long-distance walk, the Larapinta Trail extends along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park. The track is split into 12 stages of varying difficulty, stretching from Telegraph Station in Alice Springs to the craggy 1380m (4528ft) summit of Mt Sonder on the western fringe of the ranges.

Each section takes one to two days to navigate, and the trail passes many of the natural attractions in this awe-inspiring desert landscape, where you’re likely to encounter day trippers from Alice Springs. Among the most scenic (and popular) legs are section four (Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole; 17.7km/11 miles) and section five (Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge; 16km/10 miles). With some steep climbs and rocky surfaces, these hikes are also among the most challenging, but worth it for the views from Brinkley Bluff (section four) and between Linear Valley and Hugh Gorge (section five), as well as the opportunities to cool off in remote waterholes.

Most sections have vehicle access, so you can join or leave the trail at many of the trailheads. Water tanks at each trailhead allow you to fill up with all the water you’ll need for each leg (including for cooking). Independent hikers will need to carry everything else. There’s no public transport out to this area, but transfers can be arranged.

4. Three Capes Track, Tasmania

Best tent-free multiday hike

48km (29 miles), 4 days, moderate

Rivaling the Overland Track for popularity, the Three Capes Track traverses Tasman National Park’s lofty clifftops, culminating high on Cape Pillar on the aptly named Blade rock formation in the island state’s southeastern corner. While it’s possible to hike some sections of the trail as day hikes, the full one-way, three-night experience can only be booked as a package, including a boat from the Port Arthur Historic Site to the trailhead and a bus from the end of the trail back to Port Arthur, where you can catch a bus to Hobart if you didn’t drive.

The hiking fee also includes dormitory accommodation at three surprisingly comfortable, eco-sensitive hiking huts with cooking facilities. To ensure everyone gets one of their 48 beds each night, only 48 hiking permits are available per day, eliminating the need to carry a tent. A private operator, Tasmanian Walking Company, also offers a fully catered guided walk, overnighting only at its own separate lodges near the trail.

Opened in 2015, the undulating, meticulously maintained trail traverses ecosystems ranging from fragrant eucalypt woodland to coastal heathland blooming with rare flowers, an ancient moss-covered rainforest and windswept cliffs plunging hundreds of meters into the Southern Ocean below. Wildlife is plentiful (look out for echidnas), and the coastal views are as wild and raw as they come.

5. Great Ocean Walk, Victoria

Best coastal hike

104km (64 miles), 7–8 days, easy to moderate

You’ve probably heard of the Great Ocean Road, the 664km (413-mile) scenic drive that traces a spectacular stretch of Victoria’s coastline southwest of Melbourne. But did you know that a walking trail also hugs the most beautiful section of the coast between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles? Slow down and soak up the scenery on the relatively easy-to-navigate trail, which takes you through ever-changing landscapes – along spectacular clifftops, past deserted beaches and into the dense eucalypt forests of the Great Otway National Park.

Carry a tent and cooking equipment and sleep at dedicated campsites catering for registered walkers, or veer off the trail to stay at a range of accommodations (or eat at restaurants) located in coastal villages along the way. Designed to be walked from east to west, the trail can easily be broken up into short walks if you don’t have a week to spare. However you decide to tackle it, it’s best to pre-arrange pick-up if the local V/Line public bus service doesn’t align with your walking schedule, as other local transport options down here are scarce.

6. Border Track, Queensland

Best rainforest day hike

21.4km (13.3 miles), 7 hours, moderate

The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area protects the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, and you can enjoy one of its best bits on the Border Track in the lush hinterland region on the western fringe of Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Linking the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of Lamington National Park, the well-marked trail takes you through the ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed Volcano, with dramatic cliffs, thundering waterfalls and relics of Gondwana flora and fauna among its many highlights. On clear days, the short, steep side-track that leads to two lookouts – Beereenbano and Merino – is a detour you won’t regret. Listen for the mimicking call of the Albert’s lyrebird, and don’t forget to look up to spot snoozing koalas.

The trail – which also forms the first leg of the three-day Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk linking Lamington National Park with Springbrook National Park – can be hiked in either direction, with lodges at each trailhead (O’Reilly’s in the Green Mountains section and Binna Burra Lodge in the Binna Burra section) both offering transport and a range of accommodation options, including camping.

The cooler months (ideally April to October) generally proffer the most comfortable weather for this hike, but be mindful that the trail can get muddy after rain.

7. Heysen Trail, South Australia

Best long-distance hike

1200km (746 miles), 50–60 days, moderate

Stretching between Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula and Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia’s Heysen Trail is Australia’s longest walking trail after eastern Australia’s epic, multi-use 5330km/3312-mile Bicentennial National Trail.

Heading north from the coast, the Heysen Trail passes through some of the state’s most scenic landscapes, including national parks and key tourist destinations, such as Wilpena Pound, an enormous natural amphitheater in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and the verdant vineyards of the Barossa Valley wine region northeast of Adelaide.

Spread along the trail are numerous campsites and huts, with some requiring advance bookings. The trail also passes through and near towns where you can stock up on supplies, splurge on a warm bed for the night at a range of accommodations, or access shorter walks.

The trail’s less challenging southern section, from Cape Jervis to Spalding, just north of the Clare Valley wine region, is ideal for families. Hikers looking for more challenging terrain and solitude may prefer the more rugged and isolated northern section from Spalding to Parachilna Gorge. Due to fire restrictions, some sections are closed during the height of summer from December to April.

8. Thorsborne Trail, Queensland

Best multiday island hike

32km (19 miles), 3–5 days, difficult

Australia’s largest island national park, the 399-sq-km (154-sq-mile) Hinchinbrook Island is one of Australia’s most pristine wilderness areas, its granite mountains rising dramatically from the sea just off the northern Queensland coast between Townsville and Cairns. The mainland side of Hinchinbrook Island – known as Munamudanamy to the Bandjin and Girramay people, the island’s Traditional Custodians – is dense with lush tropical vegetation, while long sandy beaches and tangles of mangrove curve around the eastern shore. Tracing the latter is the Thorsborne Trail. An unhardened track that’s rough and difficult to traverse in parts, this is not a hike for the faint-hearted. But walkers who persevere will be rewarded with an incredible tropical wilderness experience taking in creek crossings, thick rainforest and lush waterfalls galore. The trail lies in Croc Country, so remember to be crocwise.

Commercial ferries transport hikers to both ends of the trail, with most hikers opting to walk from north to south to keep the sun on their backs. To help maintain the wilderness setting, camping permits are issued for a maximum of 40 people (in groups of no larger than six people) on the trail at any one time, and they can be difficult to secure during the peak walking season from April to September.

9. Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia

Best route for thru-hikers

963km (598 miles), 6–8 weeks, moderate

Stretching from Kalamunda, west of Perth, to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia, the Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia’s greatest long-distance hikes, often described as Australia’s answer to the eastern United States’ Appalachian Trail. Winding through the heart of the state’s South West region, the “Bibb” isn’t especially difficult, just long and at times remote, with nine sections connected by nine pleasant towns offering access points for shorter walks and an opportunity to restock food supplies.

Thru-hikers may find the bush landscape repetitive at times, particularly in bushfire-affected areas, but there are plenty of highlights to keep things interesting, from towering jarrah and marri forests to wild coastlines that come into close range between Northcliffe and Walpole (section seven). Another part of the Bibb’s charm lies in the regular interactions with fellow hikers on the trail and at campsites. With a whopping 49 simple sleeping shelters dotted along the trail (available on a first-come, first-served basis), you’ll rarely need to pitch your tent.

The best time to hit the trail is from September to November, when the wildflowers are blooming, and the weather is generally fine. Long hikes in December are not recommended due to the high bushfire risk.

10. Coast Track, New South Wales

Best easily accessible overnight hike

26km (16 miles), 2 days, moderate

The popular Coast Track traces the dramatic coastline of the Royal National Park between Bundeena and Otford, just south of Sydney, both of which are accessible by public transport. Usually tackled in two days with an overnight at the basic North Era Campground (pre-book via the NSW National Parks website, and bring your own cooking equipment), the moderately challenging trail (expect lots of steps) is typically hiked from north to south, which offers the best perspectives from the soaring sandstone cliffs along the coast and keeps the sun out of your eyes.

In the cooler months from May to November, you’re likely to spot migrating whales from clifftop lookout points, while summer hikers can reward themselves with a dip at one of the numerous beaches and rockpools the trail skirts – about 2.5 hours’ walk from Bundeena, Wattamolla Beach has a glorious lagoon. There’s a kiosk at Garie Beach (before North Era Campground) typically open on weekends, but there are no official water sources along the route, so carry plenty and pack some purification tablets if you need to top up with creek water. With minimal shade on this coastal bushwalk, adequate sun protection is also vital.

11. Great North Walk, New South Wales

Best urban hike

250km (160 miles), 12–18 days, moderate

Created as part of Australia’s bicentennial celebrations in 1988, the Great North Walk connects Sydney and Newcastle, linking many of the wonderful national parks, conservation areas and other green spaces surrounding both of these coastal New South Wales cities.

The inland trail (which includes a boat trip across the Hawkesbury River) can be walked in either direction at any time of the year (though it can be very hot in summer), with overnight stays at campsites or more luxurious accommodations along the way. The entire length of the trail can alternatively be hiked as a 30-day walk.

Despite the trail skirting suburbia for most of its length and including some walking along busy roads, it’s easy to feel like you’re far from civilization on many sections, with stretches including the Benowie Walking Track in Berowra Valley National Park taking you through a spectacular natural and cultural landscape. Spot Aboriginal rock engravings on the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park section, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the entire route, including powerful owls, swamp wallabies, laughing kookaburras and other critters.

12. Australian Alps Walking Track, Victoria, NSW and the ACT

Best alpine traverse

655km (407 miles), 5–8 weeks, difficult

Winding through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the Australian Alps Walking Track traverses some of Australia’s finest alpine national parks showcasing sweeping high-altitude scenery and sites rich in history, with more than 30 mountain summits (including Mt Kosciuszko) and dozens of historic huts along the way.

An extension of the Victorian Alpine Walking Track, developed in the 1970s, the rugged and remote thru-hike – combining 4WD tracks, fire trails, logging roads, old grazing paths and brumby trails (made by wild horses, which you’ll see plenty of) – is designed for experienced, self-reliant bushwalkers with good navigation skills, as the trail can be difficult to follow. The route passes some ski resorts but no towns, so you’ll need to arrange food drops in advance. Expect to hike for days, even weeks, without seeing another human being.

Set out after the spring snow thaws to enjoy the wildflower season on your journey. Many people choose to walk shorter sections of the trail found in the likes of Baw Baw National Park and Alpine National Park in Victoria, Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales and Namadgi National Park, near Canberra.

Tips for hiking in Australia

Before you hit Australia’s trails, make sure you’re walking in a region – and on tracks – within your realm of experience and preparation. Check with local authorities (including national park websites) for weather and track updates, and be aware that weather and seasonal changes can considerably alter the walking experience. Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

To help preserve the ecology and beauty of Australia that has been carefully managed for millennia by its Traditional Custodians, follow this advice:

• Carry out all your garbage. Never bury it: digging encourages erosion, and buried rubbish will likely be dug up by animals, who may be injured or poisoned by it.

• Where a toilet isn’t available, bury your waste (including biodegradable toilet paper, but not sanitary products). Dig a small hole 15cm (6in) deep and at least 100m (320ft) from any watercourse, and cover the waste with soil and a rock. In snow, dig right down to the soil.

• Don’t use detergents or toothpaste in or near watercourses. Spit toothpaste 50m (164ft) away from a river.

• For personal washing, use biodegradable soap and a water container away from watercourses. Disperse the wastewater widely to allow the soil to filter it naturally.

• Wash cooking utensils 50m (164ft) from watercourses using a scourer, sand or snow instead of detergent.

• Read up on local fire regulations. With campfires banned on most Australian walking trails for at least part of the year, carry a lightweight, portable stove on multiday hikes.

• Do not feed wildlife, as this can lead to unbalanced populations, animals becoming dependent on humans or the spread of diseases.

• Do not remove anything from the trail as a souvenir, including rocks and seed pods.

• Pay track fees and obtain permits, especially as these are often on an honesty system, to help maintain essential services and maintenance works.

• Pack enough food and water recommended for the hike, as well as the right gear (including first aid), and know how to use it. Wearing long, lightweight clothing is ideal for protecting yourself from Australia’s harsh sun and myriad creepy crawlies.

• Stick to existing tracks and avoid shortcuts. Walking around a muddy bog only makes it bigger – plow straight through.

• Make noise when you walk to deter snakes. If you see a snake, which is common on Australian bushwalks, try and stay still to assess what it is doing before moving away slowly.

Winter is NYC’s most underrated season, blamed for being cold, dark and dreary when it’s really bursting with activities for all types of travelers.

After the Times Square Ball drops on January 1, visitor numbers fall, making it easier to score coveted seats to shows, land restaurant reservations at the city’s hottest tables and snag deals on hotel rooms (check out Hotel Week – it lasts for a month). 

Sure, you might contend with frosty temps through March, but that’s when the city’s sprawling museums and steamy spas come in handy. So don’t let the naysayers keep you away. Here’s the ultimate list of must-do activities that make New York a winter wonderland.

1. Ice-skate in the shadow of city landmarks 

NYC is loaded with rinks beloved by everyone from figure-skating pros to rail-clutching novices. In Midtown, glide beneath the gold statue of Prometheus at Rockefeller Center ($38 and up, including skates), cruise below Billionaires’ Row at Central Park’s Wollman Rink ($22 and up, including skates) or zoom around Bryant Park (free, skate rental starts at $15).

For those who prefer views of Lower Manhattan, race around the Ice Rink at South Street Seaport for city panoramas ($13-$40, including skates) or head to Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park to zoom beneath its namesake bridge and ogle FiDi’s skyline from afar ($10, plus $17 for skates). Visit all these spots during weekday hours to avoid large crowds. 

2. Spend the day indoors at museums

When the weather outside is frightful, devote your time to the city’s 150-plus museums. You’ll never get bored at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in the Americas. Keep your visit on theme by searching for William James Glackens’s Central Park, Winter (Gallery 772) and Emanuel Leutze’s icy Washington Crossing the Delaware (Gallery 760). 

Skip a couple blocks north to pretend you’re in snow-covered Austria at the Neue Galerie – a collection of Austrian-German paintings from 1890–1940 filling a sumptuous 1914 Carrère and Hastings mansion. Vienna-style coffee house Cafe Sabarsky, located on the first floor, serves steamy dishes like goulash soup to ward off the cold.

If you’re fighting winter blues, stop by the Whitney Museum of American Art. Painter Ed Clark’s Winter Bitch (Floor 7) shares your sorrow – and a trip to the museum’s Frenchette Bakery outpost will cheer you right up. For those craving summer weather, visit the butterfly-packed vivarium at the American Museum of Natural History. The room is kept at a balmy 80°F – exactly how the winged wonders like it. 

3. Uncover NYC’s wild side in its parks and open spaces

Fight off cabin fever by exploring NYC’s public parks and waterways. When NYC gets 6 inches or more of snow cover (a rarity in recent years), Central Park lets New Yorkers sled down Cedar Hill (around East 76th and 79th Streets) and build snow people across the expanse of Sheep Meadow. Even when there isn’t enough snowfall, it’s worth wandering the park’s 843 manicured acres to spy local fauna. Circle the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and you’ll likely spot mallard ducks; trek through the North Woods’ barren-branch forest to hunt for red-tailed hawks and raccoons.

Detour: You’ll spot more wild winter residents on Classic Harbor Line’s Urban Naturalist Tour, a nearly 3-hour cruise led by a knowledgeable guide in a heated 1920s-style commuter yacht ($124/adult, $86/child). Tours embark from Chelsea Piers, sailing past iconic city landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and onto Swinburne and Hoffman Islands – two winter crash pads for harbor seals. 

4. Eat and drink heartily at hygge restaurants and bars 

Thanks to Restaurant Week (mid-January to mid-February), winter is a budget-friendly time to sample NYC’s food scene. You’ll find affordable prix-fixe menus at hundreds of participating restaurants across all five boroughs, with some three-course meals costing no more than $30 – an absolute steal by NYC standards. 

Great deals aside, a culinary winter quest should prioritize snuggly hot spots. Try French wine-and-diner Buvette, with its warm lighting and wood accents, or Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs, a candle-lit three-story townhouse. It’s all about warm soups at swivel-stool kosher king B&H Dairy – be it borscht or matzo ball. And if you’re in Brooklyn, head to low-lit Long Island Bar, where guests squish into 1950s-style booths for cheese curds and smoky cocktails (try the rye-based Erin).

5. Warm up inside a spa

When temperatures drop below freezing, warm up in one of the sweat boxes around town. It’s worth taking the frigid ferry ride from Lower Manhattan to Governors Island for QC NY – a sleek multifloor complex with saunas, steam rooms and heated outdoor pools overlooking Lower Manhattan (starting at $98). For something cheaper, try Bathhouse (from $45), with locations in Flatiron and Williamsburg – a flirty scene where young professionals mingle in swimsuits. The Russian and Turkish Baths ($60), established in 1892, is a soupçon of essential NYC: on any given day, you might find fresh-faced actors, Orthodox Jewish grandpas, adventurous couples and everyone in between hopping from sauna to cold plunge to the tiny restaurant-kitchen serving Eastern European comfort food. If you’re skittish about nudity, skip the women- and men-only hours when lots of folks strip down to their birthday suits. Come with a swimsuit or don a pair of provided cotton shorts during co-ed hours.

Planning tip: Most spas give out towels and sandals; come prepared with a swimsuit. Bring a water bottle and remember to hydrate.

6. Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Firecrackers, silly string, dancing dragons and roughly 500,000 attendees: you’ll see them all when NYC’s AAPI community celebrates the Lunar New Year, observing the second new moon after the winter solstice. The 15-day celestial celebration – often between late January and February – culminates in a boisterous parade through Manhattan’s Chinatown, with colorful paper from confetti cannons coating the streets. Another parade kicks off in Flushing, Queens (NYC’s largest Chinatown), with an equally buoyant display of dancers and floats. 

Continue the New Year festivities by chowing down traditional Chinese dishes, symbolizing good luck. Dumplings bring wealth – a good reason to stop inside Chinatown’s Deluxe Green Bo for dim sum (order a bamboo basket of pork-filled xiao long bao). If you’re hoping for prosperity, noodles do the trick; get your fill at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou on the Lower East Side. You could also ring in the holiday with something sweet, possibly a pumpkin bao bun from Golden Steamer or a cup of tofu pudding from Fong On, a Chinatown institution since 1933. 

7. Go on a hot cocoa crawl

Forget Swiss Miss, NYC is hot chocolate heaven, with oodles of bakeries and cafes concocting signature cups of cacao joy. Spend a few hours traipsing around town, trying some of the best hot chocolate around. Start in SoHo at Dominique Ansel Bakery, where each cup comes with a marshmallow flower that slowly opens as it melts. Next up is Mah-Ze-Dahr in the West Village, serving classic hot cocoa topped with a toasted vanilla marshmallow. Continue the sugar binge in Gramercy with a chocolate ganache-based drink at Daily Provisions – best coupled with a maple-glazed cruller.

Detour: For more sweet tooth satisfaction, take the train to Carroll Gardens, where Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain serves a decadent marshmallow-heaped hot chocolate that makes the trek worthwhile.

8. Snag discount theater tickets

NYC’s post-holiday travel slump – when most tourists hightail it home – is fantastic for finding cheap seats to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Lower demand means you can usually snag last-minute tickets – even to popular Tony Award-winners you might’ve missed last season. The semi-annual Broadway Week offers 2-for-1 deals, usually from mid-January to early February, and plenty of discounts are available on apps like TodayTix and at the TKTS booth in Times Sq.

Local tip: Theater nerds shouldn’t overlook the lineup for New York City Center Encores, a series that casts big-name stage vets in reimagined musicals (tickets start at $30). For those who prefer the avant-garde, consider traveling to Bushwick for Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge, a bawdy, blue answer to Lincoln Center’s annual Nutcracker ballet. Shows run until February.

9. Get cozy with a fireside cocktail 

Working fireplaces might be rare commodities in NYC, but there are still plenty of places to imbibe by bright flames. Go retro at McSorley’s Old Ale House (open since 1854) by sipping pints near the backroom’s blaze, or keep it contemporary at JIMMY, the ModernHaus Hotel’s panoramic rooftop bar with an indoor fireplace. Plush velvet seats inside the Bowery Hotel’s lobby lounge feel like a warm hug; order a glass of Glenfiddich to match the scent of the smoking wood. Cozier still is Black Mountain Wine House in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where you can sip rich reds as logs crackle and pop. 

10. Catch competitions at Madison Square Garden 

Madison Square Garden (MSG) is NYC’s go-to for drama-drenched team sports. The New York Knicks shoot hoops from autumn to spring, and if you attend a match, expect to spot notable New Yorkers. Getting courtside seats to a home NBA game is a rite of passage for celebrity basketball fans, be it director Spike Lee or musician Alicia Keys. The Rangers, NYC’s hometown hockey team, also draws MSG crowds throughout winter. If you can’t nab a ticket, consider going behind the scenes – a 60-minute walking tour visits backstage areas including locker rooms where NBA and NHL players prepare for matches. 

Detour: Winter’s sporting events aren’t all about humans. In February, prized pooches compete in the Westminster Dog Show, which returns to MSG and the Javits Center in 2025. Continue your canine-themed sojourn at AKC Museum of the Dog, a Midtown museum dedicated to man’s best friend.

11. See spectacles at the New York Botanical Garden

Seasonal programs at the NYBG make a solid argument for visiting the Bronx. Zip here by mid-January to catch the Holiday Train Show, a presentation with model locomotives chugging between plant-based replicas of NYC architecture. Plan your trip around Holiday Train Nights to enjoy the journey with light bites, cocktails and mocktails. 

By mid-February, it’s all about orchids at an annual show showcasing thousands of species in elegant displays. Both exhibits take place inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, an Italian Renaissance greenhouse that’s always warm and humid – a lovely reprieve from NYC’s cold streets.