Sliding into a bathtub after a long day is one of life’s little luxuries – but there’s nothing quite like the restorative high from a dip in a natural thermal pool.
From Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon to ancient sulfur streams in the Pyrenees, here’s a rundown of Europe’s best hot springs and thermal pools if you’re looking for a proper soak this winter (or year-round if you like).
1. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The vibe: See it to believe it
No list would be complete without it perhaps Europe’s most famous geothermal pool. Emerging from rugged lava fields 30 minutes from Reykjavík, this vivid turquoise pool could easily be mistaken an otherworldly Icelandic natural landscape – but it’s actually a man-made complex fed by mineral-rich water recycled by the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. Tubs of white, silica-rich geothermal mud are available for guests to apply their own face masks.
2. Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, England
The vibe: Romantic bathing in historic Bath
The healing waters of Britain’s only thermal spring have been enjoyed by everyone from the Celts to the Saxons since their discovery by legendary British Prince Bladud around 863 BCE. Tapping the spring that feeds the city’s historic Roman Baths museum, Thermae Bath Spa boasts herbal steam rooms and four thermal baths including an open-air rooftop pool with romantic views of Bath Abbey.
3. Hévíz Lake, Hévíz, Hungary
The vibe: Get back to nature
Dotted with water lilies and surrounded by manicured parks, pretty Hévíz boasts the world’s largest biologically active, naturally medicinal lake. Its on-site spa complex is convenient for wintertime visits, and since the lake’s natural water temperature never dips below 24°C (75°F) – getting up to 38°C (100°F) during summer – you can bathe outdoors year-round.
4. Bains de Dorres, Pyrenees, France
The vibe: Views for days
Offering a relaxing alternative to France’s more-serious medicinal bathhouses, this small sulfurous thermal spring, sitting pretty at 1450m (4757ft) in altitude, allows guests to soak at 37–40°C (99–104°F) with gorgeous views of the rolling valleys below. Just a stone’s throw from the Spanish border, Bains de Dorres dates back to Roman times.
Szechenyi Baths in Budapest are an iconic bathing spot. Izabela23 / Shutterstock
5. Széchenyi Baths, Budapest, Hungary
The vibe: Room for everyone
Budapest is known as the City of Spas, with many of its 16th- and 17th-century Turkish baths still in use today. With a whopping 18 different pools and a further 10 saunas and steam chambers, the grand, neo-baroque Széchenyi Baths complex in Budapest’s City Park is one of the capital’s top attractions.
6. 7132 Therme Vals, Switzerland
The vibe: Alpine architectural chic
This minimalist spa complex at 7132 Therme Vals is so trendy that devotees think nothing of the 200km (124-mile) journey from Zürich to bathe in its hydrotherapy pools. Night bathing is offered to guests who bed down at Therme Val’s adjoining hotel, which has been remodeled by the spa’s award-winning Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor.
7. Palia Kameni, Santorini, Greece
The vibe: Nature’s mud wrap
The copper-hued springs on this volcanic island in the Santorini caldera are known for their therapeutic sulphuric mud. “Old Burnt” in Greek, Palia Kameni is accessed by boat from Santorini, with visitors required to swim from a moored vessel to reach the main seaside spring. Avoid peak tourist season for the most authentic bathing session.
Head to Hammam Al Ándalus in Granada for an opulent experience. javi_indy / Shutterstock
8. Hammam Al Ándalus, Granada, Spain
The vibe: Ancient Arabic opulence
Thought to be the first traditional hammam reopened in Europe after Spain’s Christian rulers closed Andalucía’s Moorish bathhouses in the 16th century, the richly decorated Hammam Al Ándalus offers a truly opulent thermal bathing experience.
9. Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme, Wiesbaden, Germany
The vibe: Lavish country escape
Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013, the art nouveau Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme complex in Wiesbaden brims with old-world charm. Its aquatic healing heritage stretches back further still, with the spa built on the site of an old Roman sauna. Alongside its restorative thermal pools, the spa features a Russian steam bath and classic Finnish sauna, to boot.
10. Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), Czech Republic
The vibe: Soothing, from the inside out
Discovered by Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded this west Bohemia spa town in the 14th century, Karlovy Vary’s mineral waters are thought to have external and internal healing properties. Many hotels, such as the Grandhotel Pupp (reportedly the inspiration for Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel), operate traditional bathing spas, but it’s possible to drink from the springs at several of the town’s historic colonnade complexes.
11. Laugarvatn Fontana, Iceland
The vibe: Blissful countryside seclusion
Located 77km (48 miles) from Reykjavík, the bathing pools at Laugarvatn Fontana open onto the picturesque geothermal Lake Laugarvatn, the sands of which are thought to soothe arthritic joints. Built directly over a bubbling spring, the complex’s outdoor mineral pools are particularly alluring, especially when the aurora borealis streaks across the night sky overhead.
12. Pantelleria, Italy
The vibe: One for the fashion set
This tiny volcanic island in the Strait of Sicily (and not far from Tunisia) houses a series of natural, non-commercial pools. Among the most popular is the harbor at Gadir, where locals (notably Giorgio Armani, who owns a holiday home here) head to bathe in the restorative waters, said to soothe rheumatism and arthritis.
13. Pamukkale, Denizli Province, Turkey
The vibe: The ultimate natural phenomenon
Translating to “cotton castle” in Turkish, Pamukkale is a stunning natural pool complex that has been used for centuries to ease a range of physical maladies. Created by the build-up of carbonate minerals, the terraced hot springs fringe the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis.
People bathing at a natural spa with waterfalls in Saturnia. pointbreak / Shutterstock
14. Terme di Saturnia, Tuscany, Italy
The vibe: The stuff of Tuscan dreams
A truly idyllic Tuscan escape, Terme di Saturnia is one of Italy’s premier thermal spa resorts. Replenished every four hours by a volcanic spring, Terme’s main pool hovers at a balmy 37.5°C (99.5°F). Also available to non-guests, the resort offers special thermal mud treatments alongside a full med-spa menu.
15. Château des Thermes, Chaudfontaine, Belgium
The vibe: One-stop indulgence
Using Belgium’s hottest thermal spring, Château des Thermes near Liège in the Vesdre Valley houses an outdoor thermal pool, two Turkish baths, a caldarium and a salt cabin, the last used to soothe a range of skin conditions. Part of a hotel, this swish day spa also boasts an excellent French restaurant.
A pool with a view at Andorra’s Caldea spa. Luis Davilla / Getty Images
16. Caldea, Andorra
The vibe: For the après-ski crowd
With over 6000 sq m (64,500 sq ft) of pools, the Andorran capital’s cavernous Caldea spa, fed from a sulfur-rich spring, is the largest thermal spa complex in southern Europe. It’s a good choice for those who enjoy socializing while stewing, with the spa hosting popular cocktail nights. Those seeking a more intimate experience should try one of the city’s boutique thermal spa hotels, such as the Roc Blanc – perfect for easing post-ski aches (or sweating out hangovers).
17. Rogner Bad Blumau, Styria, Austria
The vibe: As if Middle Earth had a day spa
An artistic, aquatic Babylon, this ultra-quirky southeast Austrian spa bears the mark of eccentric Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Fed by two curative springs, Rogner Bad Blumau boasts a Dead Sea salt grotto alongside its pools, saunas and treatment rooms. Replete with rooftop meadows, its attached hotel resembles a futuristic Hobbiton.
18. Klevevška Toplica, Klevevž, Slovenia
The vibe: A dip in the Slovenian wilds
With the water temperature bubbling just below the 20°C (68°F) mark, the tiny outdoor spring in the Slovenian village of Klevevž attracts hardier types than the country’s glitzy spas. But bathers who make the pilgrimage here will be rewarded with a soak in a wonderfully serene forest setting, with medieval Klevevž Castle visible in the distance. For something a little more refined, Dolenjske Toplice, one of Slovenia’s oldest and prettiest spa towns, is a short drive away.
19. Aqua Dome, Tyrol, Austria
The vibe: Futuristic-style relaxation
Discovered in the 16th century, Längenfeld’s geothermal spring all but dried up in the 1960s. Redrilled in 1997, it now feeds this Tyrol town’s veritable alpine playground, which features three “levitating” outdoor pools. For romantics, there’s moonlight bathing at the Aqua Dome on Fridays.
20. Piestany, Slovakia
The vibe: Grand spa hotels a go-go
It’s all about the mud at Piestany, Slovakia’s largest spa town. Attached to various spa hotels, most of the thermal pools in this western Slovakian village, 86km (52 miles) from Bratislava, are contained in the lush surroundings of a wooded park known as “spa island.”
This isn’t an easy time for anyone. But for couples with different passports, things are a little bit trickier. The newly coined term “isolationship” should give you a hint about what couples from different countries are up against.
My partner and I have been together for almost six years, the first chapter of which was long-distance, New York to Melbourne. Now, we’re full-time digital nomads and have been traveling around Asia for about two years. We’ve spent the past three months exploring and are now quarantining in Vietnam.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started closing the borders of every country in our vicinity, we knew that separating was not the best option for us. We contemplated going back to my parents in the United States, but with no health insurance and rapidly rising infection numbers, we figured that wouldn’t be the right choice.
Then, we looked up flights from Vietnam to Australia, but no sooner than that, the borders for every non-citizen shut. So, we made the decision to stay together and hole up in Vietnam. But for other couples in similar situations, the decision wasn’t so simple.
Peter Maynard lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and his partner of one year lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. “I was just in Thailand to visit her for a month but had to return to the US because of the travel restrictions. She also has a small child (four years old), so it’s difficult for her to travel to the US,” says Maynard. “It’s tough because you can’t really help, other than emotionally and financially, but strangely, it’s not the same as when you’re not there.”
Sarah Perera moved from Cardiff, Wales to Auckland, New Zealand, at the beginning of March. Her boyfriend Fraser was meant to be moving with her a few weeks later. But the company he works for stopped approving overseas visas due to the virus, and now the borders are shut to non-citizens for an extended and unknown period of time. “We worry about each other and can’t physically help the other out in this difficult time. There was a lot of stress for me at the beginning of my move to Auckland, things about starting a new job, choosing an apartment, furnishing it, etc. all while worrying about COVID-19,” says Perera.
One of the many struggles of long-distance relationships is the time difference. As you’re waking up, they’re going to sleep and vice versa. “All the standard things that help in long-distance (regular contact, virtual dates, etc.) are difficult because we’re at such different times of the day,” says Perera.
Couples who were already in long-distance relationships before the virus spread are forced to cancel much-needed reunions that make long-distance bearable. Mellie, a student from Adelaide, Australia, and her boyfriend from Durban, South Africa, made plans to see each other again in July after six months of separation.
“When South Africa announced travel restrictions – no-one in, no-one out – I was devastated,” says Mellie. “I cried. I ruminated. I wondered what it would mean for our relationship. I asked a lot of questions. What defines a relationship? Are we kidding ourselves? How can you say you’re ‘seeing someone’ without physically seeing them? One of my main love languages is physical touch, and I wondered how long I could go without it from my partner.”
Soon after South Africa announced their restrictions, so did Australia. “If there’s nothing we can do about it, we just have to accept it. That’s it. Other people are going through the same thing. We have to laugh. We have to use humor to get through it. It’ll be a good story one day for the kids,” says Mellie.
So how are couples coping and working to stay together? “We use fantasy as a coping strategy; we get excited about the future. We’ve started planning our next adventure, we talk about all the things we’ll do when we are together,” says Mellie.
But when things get particularly hard, Mellie finds herself shutting down. “Another coping strategy I’ve noticed myself using, and I have found similarities with friends also doing LDR (long-distance relationship), is emotional distancing. It’s so heartbreaking loving someone so much all the time and having nowhere to really put that love – cycling through being wildly excited, and sorely disappointed over and over again. There’s only so much of that the human spirit will handle,” she divulges.
Some couples find the world’s unpredictability easier to handle. “It hasn’t affected our relationship in any way; it just makes me miss him. Like the old days. We met in Vietnam and were seeing each other long-distance off and on for a year and a half until we moved to New Zealand to be together and travel,” says Stephanie Kloppenburg.
She is spending isolation in British Columbia, Canada, with her parents, while her boyfriend Dave is with family in England. “Thankfully, with technology, we can talk and even see each other online, so no worries,” she says.
For Suhail in Singapore, he says this of his long-distance partner living in Lebanon, “Her wishes, her strength and her magic help me stay positive and optimistic. I keep myself busy at work and pray that all of this ends soon, and we meet again as soon as possible.”
With countries closed until further notice, these couples can only guess when they’ll be able to hug each other again. In fact, there’s only one thing they know to be true; distance really does make the heart grow fonder.
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From dramatic cliffs to pristine forests, our national parks celebrate and preserve the beautiful landscapes that constitute the United States, and fortunately, many venues in and around the parks put together special Thanksgiving celebrations.
Whether you’re already on the road or looking for somewhere special to chow down on turkey, here are a few national parks where you can celebrate Thanksgiving.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tennessee and North Carolina
The country’s most visited national park is the perfect place to celebrate one of the most beloved holidays – Thanksgiving.
In the heart of Southern Appalachia is the Fontana Village Resort, and their Mountainview Restaurant (which offers a vantage of the ancient Great Smoky Mountains) is serving up a veritable feast. For $59.99 ($29.99 for 5-12-year-olds), Thanksgiving guests will feast on roasted turkey, sweet potato gratin, blistered brussel sprouts, cornbread dressing and more. Other notable menu items include an assortment of classic Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin and pecan pies. Reservations should be made as soon as possible directly with the resort.
Sit down for Thanksgiving dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel after a day exploring Yosemite. Zeyu Wang/Getty Images
2. Yosemite National Park
California
Once known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, the Ahwahnee Hotel is upholding that same standard with a grand lobby sporting multiple massive fireplaces and a dining room decorated with lofty 34-ft beamed ceilings.
Celebrating Thanksgiving inside Yosemite National Park is an incredible experience made only more inviting by The Ahwahnee’s decadent buffet and festivities.
This year’s prix fixe menu ($150 per adult, $75 per child) includes roasted butternut squash soup, roasted turkey, prime rib, brown rice salad with fresh veggies, ratatouille, traditional stuffing with Italian sausage, and whipped mashed potatoes. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel by calling 1-888-413-8869.
Found yourself in Arches National Park this Thanksgiving? Head a short 20 miles east for your feast. Getty Images
3. Arches National Park
Utah
Less than 20 miles east of Arches National Park sits Sorrel River Ranch, an upscale resort surrounded by the dramatic red rocks for which the region is known.
Situated on 240 acres along the Colorado River, the serene hotel and spa will offer a Thanksgiving buffet with carved turkey and prime rib, classic sides like sage and mushroom stuffing and candied sweet potatoes, and an array of dessert options like caramel pecan pie and blackberry cheesecake. Tickets are $95 per adult and $35 per child.
Autumn colors on Aspen trees frame of view of Colorado is Longs Peak with Alpenglow in Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake
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4. Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Estes Park is the gateway city to Rocky Mountain National Park, and just 10 minutes from the park’s entrance is The Stanley Hotel, an iconic resort (it served as the inspiration for the hotel in The Shining) that hosts an annual Thanksgiving meal.
This year, patrons will order from an à la carte three-course menu filled with Thanksgiving fare like a candied walnut and goat cheese salad, a smokehouse turkey dinner with all the traditional fixings and an elevated pumpkin crème brûlée. Reservations can be made over the phone. Adult seats are $99 each, children 6-12 are $30, and children 5 and under eat for free.
Stop for your Thanksgiving dinner along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Shutterstock
5. Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Thanksgiving and fall colors go hand in hand, and some of the best autumn foliage is found in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.
At miles 41.7 & 42.5 on Skyline Drive inside the park itself is the Skyland restaurant, a full-service dining room with a Thanksgiving dinner that can’t be missed. In place of the standard buffet, there will be a special menu filled with roast turkey and classic sides, many with a Southern flair.
The USA packs spectacular biodiversity within its borders, boasting some of the most beautiful places in America.
Within the 50 states, you’ll encounter incredible natural landmarks, including hot desert playas and plateaus, skyscraping mountain ranges topped by glaciers, rolling grasslands where millions of bison once roamed, tropical rainforests, active volcanic zones and polar tundra.
Many of the USA’s most magnificent natural wonders are protected today by the National Park Service (NPS). These specially protected places also provide a safe haven for an astonishing array of wildlife, ranging from tiny eyeless fish living in the dark haunts of Mammoth Cave to the giant grizzly bears of wild Denali National Park. Scattered from coast to coast and beyond, here’s our pick of the most mind-blowing of the USA’s natural wonders.
1. Redwood National and State Parks, California
The world’s tallest trees grow on the fog-kissed Northern California coast. Redwoods can reach a height of 379ft, taller than the Statue of Liberty in NYC, and live for up to two millennia. Almost half of the remaining old-growth redwood trees that have never been logged are protected by the chain of Redwood National and State parks.
Planning tip: To hike the 4.5-mile Tall Trees Trail, you will need to apply for a reservation in advance online.
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Measuring a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide and more than 275 miles long, no other sight in the USA beats this giant hole in the ground for instilling stupefying awe. Peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon is enough of a thrill for some, but to really appreciate the canyon’s grandeur, hike all the way down inside it to the rushing Colorado River.
Planning tip: To escape the crowds, visit the canyon’s North Rim, which gets a fraction of the visitors at the South Rim. However, beware that the North Rim is seasonal – there are no visitor services and roads close to all vehicles from December 1 to May 14.
Famous conservationist and wilderness writer John Muir called Yosemite nature’s temple. Gazing up at towering granite monoliths such as El Capitan and at Yosemite Falls, North America’s highest waterfall, you’ll know exactly what he meant. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique geological features carved by glaciers, Yosemite also sustains a variety of rare wildlife inhabiting California’s craggy Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Planning tip: Yosemite Valley’s waterfalls peak in late spring, which is a less hectic time to visit the park than during summer.
4. Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is not just one, but three waterfalls that gush along the US-Canada boundary between New York and Ontario: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. They aren’t the USA’s tallest waterfalls, but these powerful cascades have a bigger water flow than any others on the planet. Get up close and feel the cool spray on a Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Planning tip: The Canadian side of the falls claims more natural beauty, so bring your passport for international border crossings.
Yellowstone is the USA’s oldest national park and is a wonderland of unique geology and wildlife. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, you’ll be amazed by the world’s largest collection of geysers and hydrothermal features, including hot springs, boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. Look for herds of bison roaming free alongside the park’s main roads.
Planning tip: Vacationing here during early fall avoids some of the biggest crowds, but be prepared for freezing overnight temperatures and, possibly, snowfall.
6. Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
On Hawaiʻi, the Big Island, Kilauea Volcano has been oozing red-hot lava since 1983, making this one of the world’s longest continuous volcano eruptions. Nowhere else in the country can you see geological forces birthing new land like here at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to Hawaiian tradition, the fiery lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu Carter is the home of Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes.
Planning tip: Check the park website for eruption updates and current lava viewing conditions.
In the indigenous Koyukon Athabaskan language, it means “the high one,” which is fitting because Denali is North America’s highest peak (20,310ft). Prominently poised above the surrounding wilderness, it’s in fact taller than Everest when measured from its base. Climbers first reached the south summit in 1913, a feat now attempted by more than a thousand people every year.
Planning tip: Flightseeing tours depart from Healy to the northeast of the park, and Talkeetna, a railroad town about 150 miles south of Denali National Park.
8. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
In America’s heartland, aptly named Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest cave system. Almost 400 miles of underground passageways have been explored (so far, that is) inside this limestone karst cave labyrinth sculpted by subterranean rivers. See oddly shaped stalactites, stalagmites and other impressive speleothems (cave formations) on a lantern-lit cave tour.
Planning tip: Bring a sweater or a jacket – temperatures inside the cave average 54°F (12°C).
Chances are that those epic landscapes you’ve seen in classic Hollywood Westerns were shot in Monument Valley, where startling sandstone buttes rise up to 1000ft above the sandy desert floor. Today, the valley is a Navajo tribal park. For a grand sense of perspective, sign up for a guided horseback tour.
Planning tip: The Navajo Nation is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), but unlike neighboring Arizona, it observes Daylight Saving Time (DST).
10. Acadia National Park, Maine
On the wind-blown, tide-splashed Atlantic coast, Acadia is a maritime treasure. Don’t miss hiking Cadillac Mountain (1530ft), the tallest peak on the Atlantic seaboard. Climb to the summit for sunrise, and you can claim to be one of the first people in the USA to see the sunrise that day. For equally stunning panoramas, show up for golden leaf peeping in autumn.
Planning tip: Rent bicycles in Bar Harbor, or bring your own bicycles to explore the park car-free.
Valencia has a sky that’s almost always bright blue: no wonder everyone would rather be outside. Life happens in the street in Spain’s third-largest city, whether that’s catching up with friends on sunny terraces over a caña or sipping mojitos with toes plunged into the golden sand.
Come to Valencia to marvel at modernist architecture and Gothic monuments and when it’s time to unplug, head to the secluded beach in a thriving natural park, wade a stand up paddleboard into the calm ocean, or roll out a yoga mat in one of the lush city parks. Further afield there are mountains to explore and leafy bicycle paths to whizz along.
Whether it’s elegant squares or natural beauty, Valencia’s outdoor spaces inspire people to enjoy the great outdoors.
Clockwise from top left: The Jardines del Turia, build on a diverted river’s former flood-prone bed, is now the largest urban park in Spain. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. Threaded through the plants are running routes and bike paths. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. A man-made pond surrounds’s the park’s science museum. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. The Daniel Horchataria serves up the quintessential Spanish refreshment, chilled horchata. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Jardin del Turia
Draped across the city like a winner’s sash, Jardin del Turia is a 5.6-mile-long green lung. It’s planted in the former riverbed of the Río Turia, which was diverted after a devastating flood in 1957. Today, it’s the largest urban park in Spain. It’s speckled with lemon trees, grassy meadows and cafés serving chilled horchata under rubber trees. Some roped-off areas might look overgrown; these are wild sections, left unkempt to encourage biodiversity. Threaded through the plants are running routes and bike paths, while yoga classes take place under the shade of palm trees. Walk along the paths to reach cultural hubs, like the grand music venue Palau de la Música and the otherworldly Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Playa de la Patacona, and the Cabanyal boardwalk on the Playa de las Arenas are perfect places for people-watching. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Valencia city beaches
Valencia’s most popular beach, Playa El Cabañal is a lively stretch of butter-yellow sand backed by the old fisherman’s quarter. Begin by exploring the barrio’s character-filled tiled houses and then pop into the local market, Mercat Municipal del Cabanyal for some field-fresh peaches before making tracks to the seaside. Not into sunbathing? Book one of the volleyball courts for free on Playa de la Malvarrosa for you and up to eight friends with the local school BeachBol.
A wealth of water activities await just offshore from all of Valencia’s beaches. From sunset cruises and catamaran sailing to jet skis, windsurfing and paddle boarding, there’s something for every kind of nautical adventurer.
Less than 7 miles from the city is Albufera, and El Saler Beach. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
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La Devesa
Away from the well-trodden path, this secluded beach just south of Valencia is a sustainability and rewilding success story. The coastline of La Devesa was nearly set to be redeveloped, but thankfully the project was scrapped in favor of keeping the beach natural. The shrub-covered dunes have been reinstated, and now the wild coastline is only accessible by foot. Take the number 25 bus from Porta de la Mar to Embarcador de l’Albufera, then it’s a pleasant 20-minute walk past pine trees and butterflies to reach the hidden sands dotted with shells. Pack a picnic: there are no beach bars shaking up cocktails here. It’s peaceful, undeveloped, and totally relaxing.
Finish with a visit to nearby La Albufera for the region’s famous paella – Bon Aire serves their house special (snails optional) on a terrace beside the rice paddies, or you can escape the elements in the bright and airy Restaurant El Redoli. For a great boat tour of l’Albufera, coupled with delicious paella, look for Nou Racó – it offers traditional flavors with avant garde presentation.
Clockwise from top left: The Jardin Botánico houses a wide variety of plants. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. Tropical and subtropical species, cacti, succulents, palms, orchids, and Mediterranean flora thrive in the garden. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. The botanical garden plays a crucial role in plant conservation, biodiversity research, and environmental education. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. Greenhouses, ponds, fountains, sculptures, and architectural elements enhance its beauty and tranquility. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Jardín Botánico
Hidden in a quiet corner of the city center, Jardín Botánico has a fascinating history with roots that stretch back to the 16th century; it was relocated to its current location in 1802. Throughout the 19th century botanical classes took place in this leafy oasis, before it sadly fell out of use. A ten-year recovery project, finished in 2000, restored the old features and added new sights, like the grand orchid and carnivorous plant glasshouse. Now it’s a restorative haven, ideal for morning walks or balmy evening strolls (it’s open until 8pm). Keep an eye on its website for dreamy activities among the flowers.
Left: The fountain in the Plaza de la Virgen represents the Río Turia and the region’s eight irrigation canals. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet Right: There has been a public square on this site for thousands of years. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Plaza de la Virgen
Graceful Plaza de la Virgen is one of Valencia’s most atmospheric squares, and it’s steeped in history. There has been a square of sorts here since Roman times, and thousands of years later people still gather here to socialize under the clear sky. In the center, a reclining figure in the fountain represents the Río Turia, and each woman surrounding him represents the eight irrigation canals that watered the surrounding farmland. For a better view, go to the rooftop of Hotel Palacio Vallier (there’s a €10 minimum spend per person). Up here, there’s an eagle-eye perspective over the shell-pink basilica and the cathedral.
Clockwise from top left: Valencia’s Bioparc and Oceanografic are a respite from the urban center. Krzysztof Dydynski for Lonely Planet. They are immersive places to learn about our planet’s biodiversity. Krzysztof Dydynski for Lonely Planet. Both promote conservation and education. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. Escape the heat among the well-designed enclosures. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Bioparc and Oceanográfic
Opened in 2008, Bioparc is an enormous zoo found at the western end of Jardin del Turia. This huge park has been cleverly designed to feel more immersive: traditional fences and cages are replaced with streams, rocks and lakes. Recreated habitats include the African savannah with rhinos and antelopes, and the Kenyan wetland with crocodiles and hippos. Even the café is set in a round hut-inspired building, with giraffes ambling past the terrace. Over in the Madagascar zone, lemurs with long, bouncy tails scuttle along fences and between the ankles of visitors. Keep an eye out for Makena, the first baby elephant ever born in Valencia.
Spain’s most famous aquarium, Oceanográfic, is the southernmost building of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The sharks, complete with tunnel, are an obvious favorite, while a series of beautiful tanks present species from temperate, Mediterranean, Red Sea and tropical zones. Out of the water, An aviary presents wetland birds, while polar regions feature penguins, and there are seals, sea lions and walruses, too.
Clockwise from top left: Parque Central, located in the Russafa neighborhood, is another urban oasis. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. The former railway yard has been converted to a 27-acre park full of native plants. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. It’s also perfect for picnics. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet. Peaceful water features and modern installations are ideal places to gather after sightseeing. Blake Horn for Lonely Planet
Parque Central
Russafa is one of Valencia’s most culture-packed barrios, and in 2019 a new park was designed to bring some greenery to this vibrant area. Parque Central is a multi-faceted leafy space with peaceful water features, native flora and modern installations; it’s perfect for picnics and taking a breather after action-packed sightseeing. In the height of summer, children love dashing and squealing through the interactive fountains called Estanque de la Panderola while families celebrate birthdays on picnic benches in the shade. In the center, a walkway shaded by a canopy of pink bougainvillea leads to a large grassy expanse and a flower garden interspersed with trickling pools. Pick up some seasonal fruit and other local delicacies from Ruzafa Market en route and spread out a blanket next to the roses for a blissfully unhurried afternoon.
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Lithuania is the unsung star of the Baltics. With a wealth of baroque and art deco architecture, sobering relics of a Soviet past, a thriving, ever-evolving dining scene and ample natural attractions, the country delivers something for every traveler.
Lithuania is one of the best countries to visit next year. See our full list of Best in Travel 2025 winners.
Its rich history goes back millennia – and in spite its ever-changing borders over the years, including by its forcible incorporation into the USSR, Lithuania has always managed to hold true to its language, culture and national character. Even today, traditional villages, where crops are still gathered by hand and artisans practice crafts honed over centuries, thrive alongside cosmopolitan cities. Lithuania’s dense forests attract numerous foragers, while the Baltic Sea draws sun worshippers to the amber-speckled coast.
The following advice from a veteran visitor will help you turn your trip to Lithuania into an unforgettable one.
On the Curonian Spit, massive dunes dazzle. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
1. Explore the bewitching Curonian Spit
Cloaked in pine forest and bumpy with giant sand dunes that have given it the nickname “Sahara of Lithuania,” the Curonian Spit – a sliver of land barely more than 1km (0.6 miles) across – juts out into the Baltic Sea. Its four fishing villages of Nida, Juodkrantė, Pervalka and Preila make for restful stays, with the cycling on trails between Nida and Juodkrantė a great way to take in the highlights. Don’t miss the giant Parnidis Dune or the state-of-the-art Mizgiris Amber Museum in Nida. Climb Vecekrugas Dune (67m / 220ft) en route to Preila, and Nagliu Dune near Pervalka for fantastic views of the so-called Dead Dunes, cooling off with refreshing dips in the Baltic Sea as you go. Finally, swing by Witches’ Hill in Juodkrantė to commune with wood carvings of devils, witches and other mythological figures along a woodland sculpture trail.
Practical tip: Rent a bicycle from one of several outlets in Nida or Juodkrantė. Local buses connecting the villages have bicycle racks. A wonderful alternative way to explore the spit is by walking the long-distance Baltic Coastal Trail, which spans its coastline.
2. Encounter traditional Lithuanian culture in Dzūkija National Park
Rural tradition runs strong through the very south of the country. In the villages amid Dzūkija’s woodlands, locals still harvest their crops with scythes, weave their own wool and linen, and practice elaborate wood carving and basket weaving. To delve into this traditional way of life, check in for a farm stay in Merkinė, Marcinkonys or other villages. Explore Dzūkija either by walking or cycling the designated hiking trails in the national park, and interacting with pottery masters along the 12km(7.5-mile)-long Secrets of the Black Clay trail that connects Merkinė to other villages that practice this ancient ceramic art.
Planning tip: Join locals in foraging for mushrooms between August and November, and attend the mushroom festival in Varėna in September.
The moving Hill of Crosses contains markers of all proportions and materials. Damien Tachoires/500px
3. Reflect atop the Hill of Crosses
A mesmerizing sight greets you 10km (6 miles) north of Šiauliai: a small hill covered in thousands of crosses of various styles and scales. Rosary beads adorn some; others are fine examples of ironwork, or carved wooden folk-art masterpieces, mingling with Lithuanian koplytstulpis (wooden sculptures of a figure topped with a little roof) and magnificent sculptures of the Sorrowful Christ (Rūpintojėlis). Crosses have been placed here since the 14th century – and began reappearing as symbols of hope and defiance in Soviet times, when planting a cross was an arrestable offense. Today, the devout come from all over Lithuania and beyond.
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Planning tip: Come here early in the morning for some quiet contemplation, and take your time wandering past the rows of crosses and around the hill’s base, drinking in the details. You may spot a memorial to 9/11 victims, recent tributes to those killed by COVID, blue-and-yellow ribbons in memory of civilians who have perished in Russia’s war on Ukraine and a cross fashioned from bicycle gears.
4. Admire Kaunas’ art deco buildings
During its two-decade stint as the country’s capital (when Vilnius was captured by Poland), Lithuania’s second city embodied inter-war optimism – a mood captured through a wealth of well-preserved art deco buildings from the era. To fully appreciate Kaunas, first take in its cobbled Old Town and its medieval castle, before taking the tree-lined Laisvės alėja to New Town, with its museums and fabulous 20th-century architecture, such as the Resurrection Church (1933) and the still-functioning Romuva Cinema (1940). Immersive visits to the Art Deco Museum and the Amsterdam School Museum are unmissable highlights. During these intimate tours of apartments that still boast their original period furnishings, you’ll sip sparkling wine while listening to the life stories of their former owners.
Practical tip: Visits to the private Art Deco Museum and Amsterdam School of Architecture museums must be booked in advance – and are worth planning your entire visit to Kanaus around.
Make like a Lithuanian by soaking up the pleasures of summer in Aukštaitija National Park. Shutterstock
5. Enjoy a quintessential Lithuanian summer in Aukštaitija National Park
Cloaked with pine and spruce forest and dotted with dozens of lakes, Lithuania’s oldest protected area is where city dwellers head every summer. You can join them in hiking or pedaling along the myriad woodland trails, summiting Ladakalnis Hill (a sacred pagan site in centuries past), foraging for bilberries and wild strawberries, swimming wild in the lakes, and canoeing or paddle boarding. In addition to outdoor pleasures, you can explore the ethnographic heritage of the tiny villages, from the Ancient Beekeeping Museum near Stripeikiai to Ginučiai’s still-working 19th-century watermill.
Practical tip: The town of Ignalina has the biggest range of accommodation and dining, while Palūšė is the main water-sports center. LitWild offers active, tailor-made guided tours of the national park.
6. Taste Biržai’s farmhouse beer
Northern Lithuania has been the land of barley-malt beer for over 1000 years, with villagers brewing unpasteurized, unfiltered kaimiškas alus (village beer) using locally grown hops. During Soviet times, the farmhouse brewing tradition was all but wiped out – but is now happily seeing a resurgence, particularly in and around Biržai, where ale-makers have resurrected ancient recipes. Rinkuškiai Brewery offers walk-through tours of the brewing facilities, where you get to witness the process from malting, milling and mashing up through to fermentation and bottling. The visit also includes a tasting of six types of unfiltered beer, from the black ale and porter to the pale ale, plus the smoky house gira (kvass).
Planning tip: Try to find yourself in Biržai during the exuberant two-day fiesta in August, when all of the town’s breweries offer their wares on the street.
Take in magnificent Trakai Casle on an easy day trip from Vilnius. Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock
7. Tour Vilnius, the country’s capital
Trying to decide how to spend your time in Lithuania’s capital city is a conundrum. You can’t go wrong with a stroll through the marvelously intact Old Town, where locals actually live, and where cobbled streets are lined with exceptional baroque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Take in its centuries-old university, Cathedral Square with its leaning bell tower and the views from Gediminas Hill. Then check out the offbeat, renegade-artists’ “republic” of Užupis, admire contemporary art at MO Museum, peruse the sobering Holocaust Museum and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, and see the scene at Lukiškės 2.0, a former Soviet prison turned funky arts venue.
Detour: Take a day trip by bus or train to scenic Trakai, home of Lithuania’s most impressive castle, which sits on an island in Lake Galvė. Paddle around it in rented watercraft and sample kybinai (meat-filled pastries) – the signature dish of the local Karaite ethnic minority – at lakeside restaurants.
8. Take the healing waters in Druskininkai
The pine-fringed riverside spa town of Druskininkai has been famous since the 18th century for the allegedly healing properties of the salty mineral water gushing from its springs. You can drink this healing elixir at the Health Resort Druskininkai, soak in it at the Grand Spa Lietuva, Spa Vilnius and Mineral Spa Draugyste, or stay in one of the spa-hotels and partake in treatments ranging from mud baths and salt-room sessions to deep-tissue massage and oxygen therapy.
Detour: Commune with Lenin and Stalin statues and other salvaged communist monuments and memorabilia at Grūto Parkas, 8km (5 miles) east of Druskininkai.
In the Nemunas Delta, keep an eye out for great crested grebes and other striking birds. Simonas Minkevicius/Shutterstock
9. Go bird watching in the Nemunas Delta
Where the Nemunas River spills into the Curonian Lagoon south of the port of Klaipėda, the land dissolves into a wetland delta that teems with birdlife: 270 out of the 294 bird species found in Lithuania, to be precise. The conditions here make bird watching almost absurdly easy. Storks stare down at you from their nests on top of electricity poles as you travel south to Ventės Cape, which extends far into the lagoon. Near the tip of the cape, stop by the Ventės Ragas Ornithological Station, a bird-ringing station on the path of a busy bird-migration route that stretches from the Arctic to East Africa, to see cranes, tits, finches, geese and other migratory birds passing overhead in early autumn and in spring.
Practical tip: Bring birding binoculars to spot great crested grebes and white-winged black terns paddling on the lagoon.
10. Descend into a nuclear bunker at Žemaitija National Park
Deep in the heart of the densely forested and lake-speckled Žemaitija National Park, the only Soviet nuclear missile base in the region once housed four medium-range ballistic SS-4 missiles, armed with two-megaton-power thermonuclear warheads – enough firepower to flatten all of Europe. Descend into one of the underground bunkers, explore the reconstructed headquarters of the bunker commander, interact with the multimedia displays – and marvel at how close the world came to nuclear Armageddon.
Practical tip/detour: To explore the rest of the national park, rent a bicycle in Plateliai, the region’s main town. While you’re there, swing by Plateliai Manor to check out an incredible collection of traditional Shrove Tuesday masks.
Every summer, beachside Palanga becomes a summer playground. Franz Marc Frei/Getty Images
11. Party it up in Palanga
One of Lithuania’s most popular seaside resorts since Soviet times, Palanga is a pounding party spot in summer. While pedestrianized Basanavičiaus gatvė becomes abuzz with arcade machines, merry-go-rounds, electric cars, buskers and late-night bars playing thumping music, much of tree-lined Palanga is incredibly tranquil. Take the coastal path through pine forest, detouring to the beach for sunbathing and swimming. Another highlight is the Amber Museum in the vast Botanical Park, with over 15,000 examples of Baltic gold on show inside a neoclassical palace. Expect everything from ancient insects trapped in a golden tomb to striking, contemporary jewelry by present-day amber masters.
The Ignalina Nuclera Power Plant provides of taste of Lithuania’s Soviet era. Alexander Welscher/picture alliance via Getty Images
12. Visit a nuclear power station in Ignalina
If you’ve seen the 2019 HBO miniseries Chernobyl, then you’ll recognize parts of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Visaginas. While it’s currently an epicenter of “nuclear tourism,” the plant has been decommissioned due to the similarity of its design to that of the ill-fated nuclear power station in Chernobyl in Ukraine, and its reactors are in the process of being dismantled. Complete the online application form weeks or months in advance to take an in-depth, 3-hour guided tour of the facility, including the turbine hall, the RBMK reactor hall and unit control room. You can also get an overview of the history of the plant and its challenges during an Information Center tour, complete with VR headset.
Detour: The LitWild team will bring you into a simulator INPP control room near Visaginas, where the plant staff used to receive training on how to handle emergencies.
Barbie-pink houses, plush beachside condos and glossy corporate buildings – stroll through capital George Town and you might see a hint of the Cayman Islands’ rep as a financial hub. But look beyond the glass and you’ll see the archipelago is just as rich in natural charms, with extraordinary wildlife, dramatic cave formations and world-class dive sites scattered among curaçao-colored waters and snow-white sands.
You could easily spend a week lazing on the beach at any one of its three very distinct isles – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman – but linger on the sand too long at your peril. From kayaking in bioluminescent waters to spotting cerulean iguanas, you’ll find a string of unique experiences spread across these rather one-of-a-kind siblings. We’ve rounded up some of the best for anyone wanting an alternative Caribbean escape.
1. Kayak in bioluminescence
Picture paddling through a sea of iridescent, blue-green stars glittering in the pitch-black water, and you have a glimpse into the rather magical phenomena that awaits at Grand Cayman’s Bioluminescent Bay.
Come nightfall, millions of light-emitting organisms illuminate the waters like fireflies, and the spectacle is impressively bright thanks to barely any light pollution. Cayman Kayaks take you out on nighttime paddling trips from Rum Point to experience the best of it – think clouds of whitish green darting around like spirits beneath your boat, and total silence except your paddles swishing gently through the ripples.
2. Explore the Crystal Caves
Peeping out from the lush, tropical rainforest is this cluster of 105 limestone caves, filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites that prod out like icicles from marble-swirled ceilings and damp, dewy floors. Guided tours take you round three of its most impressive chambers, including the aptly named bat cave (not for the faint-hearted) and the lake cave, where a still, jade-colored patch of water shimmers like a perfect mirror.
So named for their striking color (which gets even brighter during mating season) blue iguanas are Grand Cayman’s largest endemic species. They’re also seriously endangered; for the best chances of spotting them head to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, where they’ve been bred since 2001 as part of a recovery program. You can take tours to see them at the habitat area or, if you’re lucky, glimpse them roaming freely among the soaring palms, wild banana orchids and other exotic plant species that populate this tropical oasis.
Gliding through the sea on the back of a horse, water splashing up as you plod peacefully along, is the stuff of childhood dreams. Spirit of the West make it a reality, with guides taking you wading through the crystalline, turquoise waves beneath a pink-orange sunset. They also offer beach tours for those who’d rather admire the water from afar, with private or group options available (and pickups direct from your hotel).
5. Go on a submarine
Cayman has earned itself quite the rep in the diving world thanks to its ancient shipwrecks, dramatic drop-offs and vibrant coral formations, but if you want to experience its treasures without getting wet, try Atlantis Submarines’ underwater excursion from Seven Mile Beach or George Town. You’ll descend 100 feet in a glass-enclosed, 48-passenger boat, glimpsing the likes of barracudas, turtles, jelly fish and plenty more.
6. Dive one of the Caribbean’s most renowned drop-offs
If the submarine excursion doesn’t satisfy your undersea cravings, there’s only one thing for it – Bloody Bay Wall, a sheer, vertical drop-off on Little Cayman. One of the most sought-after dive spots in the Caribbean, it’s a mesmerizing display – all mustard-yellow tube sponges, deep red corals and mini, purple-veined trees swaying in the water – which falls off to reveal one huge, deep void that’s drastic enough to give you vertigo.
Southern Cross Club, made up of a few bungalows scattered across the beach, makes an excellent base for exploring the reef, with daily dive trips taking you out to the best spots. They include Mixing Bowl, where groupers, turtles, lobsters and a myriad of rainbow-colored fish glide around an undersea forest that looks like something from another planet.
Dive here and you’ll understand why Philippe Cousteau reputedly named it one of the three best dive sites in the world – it’s not one you’ll forget, a little like Cayman as a whole.
Laura French traveled to the Cayman Islands with support from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (www.caymanislands.ky). Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in return for positive coverage.
When writer Rosemary McCabe took a vacation to visit family in the USA, she had no idea how much her life was about to change.
There was a lot I didn’t know when I stepped on that plane in May 2019 to visit my sister and her family in Indiana.
I couldn’t have known that I would meet a man from Fort Wayne on a dating app. That we would embark on what was initially a long-distance relationship. That I would go through the process of getting a visa to live and work in the USA. That we would get engaged, then married. That just three years later, I would have a house with that man, and a family in the form of two stepsons and a baby born in October 2021.
Not only could I not have known what was coming. I would never have believed it.
For starters, I had never – not once, not ever in my entire life – given any serious thought to the idea of emigrating. I have always been a homebody – and I also felt as though my career tethered me to Dublin just as much as my love for the city itself.
I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else, I’d tell people when they asked – and they did. I graduated in the midst of a recession, with many of my friends moving abroad after college. I love vacationing, I would say. But I always love coming home.
The 2019 trip that started all of this was meant to be a vacation. I would fly to Fort Wayne, stay with my sister and her family for three weeks, then return home to my Dublin life.
I had only been in town a week when my sister suggested to me that I might look into moving over. “Why not?” she asked. “You can work from anywhere as a writer; why not work from here for a year or two?” It was a suggestion she’d made before – first when she was in New York, then in Dallas – but not one to which I had previously given much serious thought. Until now.
You’d think that I might have started researching visas, for starters, or arranged a consultation call with an immigration lawyer, and looked into options for freelance journalists looking to live and work in the US.
Instead, I joined Tinder – and immediately began looking for men to date in Fort Wayne.
Brandin was the second man I met. In his profile, he wore a kilt and described himself as a 6″6′ nerd. In my profile, I said I liked chicken wings and was looking for a man with all of his own teeth. “I fit the bill!” he told me, then asked me to lunch – to eat (you guessed it) chicken wings.
It was the first, um, taste of just how literal Midwesterners are, something that would eventually stop surprising me. (“You like chicken wings? I’ll take you for chicken wings!” It makes sense.)
The venue was Buffalo Wings & Ribs, which Brandin had told me had the city’s best wings. He was incredibly tall – and handsome – but also struck me as being very…American. His big smile showed straight, white teeth, and he had a booming voice that was friendly but also just a little bit…too loud.
We dug into the wings – which, I remembered too late, are terrible first-date food (the mess!) – and I drank my first ever Mountain Dew. He was friendly and funny and asked me questions, and seemed genuinely interested in the answers. And I loved his chocolate-brown eyes, expressive brows and dark hair that fell over his ears.
On our second date, he walked me around downtown and told about Fort Wayne’s history. On our third, I went to his house and we watched a movie and kissed on his couch like teenagers.
Yet too soon, I was headed home to Ireland, with a lot of research to do and plans to get the ball rolling on the small matter of a visa application.
I would come back to the US twice that year – in October, for six weeks, and again over Christmas – to get a better feel for Fort Wayne, to spend time with my sister and her kids and (of course) to see Brandin. Over that summer, we had made our relationship official.
I was in love – not just with Brandin, but with the idea of this move: with the idea of being in the same place as my sister for the first time in over a decade, with the possibility of getting to really know my nephews and witness them growing up, and with Indiana itself.
When it came to the question of moving abroad, one of my greatest fears was the difference, even among two countries without a language barrier. I had found New York chaotic and unfriendly; even the pace of life in London, a mere hour’s flight from Dublin, was much faster than what I knew.
In Fort Wayne, I found a certain familiarity that I hadn’t been expecting. Lush, green fields reminded me a lot of the Irish landscape, and the warmth and friendliness of Midwesterners felt like a hug. Fort Wayne is about the same physical size as Dublin, but with far fewer people – which means little to no traffic (except on those unfortunate occasions when you get stuck waiting for a freight train to cross in front of you).
Of course, the traffic isn’t the only differentiator – and some differences aren’t so welcome. The Midwestern winter, with heavy snowfall that doesn’t melt for weeks, has taken me a while to get used to. Rarely does an Irish snowman last the night; in Indiana, I could create an ice sculpture in my backyard in November that would watch over me until spring.
Nobody walks anywhere in Fort Wayne. I miss how you can stroll for hours around Dublin, from a residential area into the shops, passing by a theater and a gaggle of restaurants and myriad indie coffee shops along the way. Since there’s nowhere to walk in Fort Wayne that doesn’t meet a road too busy to cross or a path that disappears, we drive everywhere. Sometimes, it feels like I haven’t seen another human in days – at least not outside of a car, or a supermarket.
And those supermarkets! I didn’t know so many cereal varieties existed; I still don’t understand why they’re all necessary. Store sizes are just one symbol of all the space America has. In Ireland, I have learned, there are 186 people per square mile; in the US, it’s 90.
When my visa was finally granted, in February 2020, I felt fully committed to the move. I packed my things up in boxes, ready to be shipped. I said goodbye to friends and family – or rather “see you soon,” since I was planning a short return for a wedding that spring.
In a way, the pandemic made the move simpler for me. Without the choice of that quick visit back to Dublin – had I returned to Ireland, I would not have been allowed readmission to the US, thanks to Covid travel restrictions – I was forced to accept Fort Wayne as home.
And the longer I spent with my sister, the boys and Brandin, the more it began to feel like it.
In July 2020, I moved in with Brandin. Six months later, while I did a puzzle at our dining-room table, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It took me a few moments to register what was happening, because I thought he had found a missing puzzle piece that had been causing me great frustration. I said yes – but not without his having to push me for an answer.
Two weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant.
Weirdly, it wasn’t until we bought a house together – a $250,000, 2000-sq-ft, four-bedroom one 15 minutes from downtown, with a two-car garage and a back garden overlooking a big pond – that I realized I likely would never go back to Ireland. The marriage and the baby should have been enough of a hint, yet it took becoming a homeowner for it to truly sink in.
We know that none of it – life, love, friendship – is ever really predictable. And yet we trick ourselves into thinking we know what we’re getting ourselves into. We make plans as if we have some control over what the future will bring. We make definite statements; mine was, I’ll never move away from Ireland.
But every time we walk out our front doors – or drive out our garage doors – we offer the universe a chance to meddle, to throw a spanner in the works, to offer up a suggestion for an alternative future we hadn’t ever considered.
When I got on that plane in May 2019, I thought I knew where I was going. But I had no idea where I’d end up.
A Menmoir: This Is Not About You, by Rosemary McCabe is out now.
Sunseekers and beach hoppers have made Aruba one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. The island is ideal for a fun escape with friends, or for a soothing getaway to relax and recharge your batteries.
Beyond its stunning, picture-perfect, white-sand beaches, the island has much to offer – including the natural appeal of Arikok National Park, the vibrant murals of San Nicolas and some of the best scuba diving in the western hemisphere.
Intrigued yet? Read on as you plan your first trip to Aruba. It surely won’t be your last one.
Carnival festivities enliven Aruba’s streets every February or early March. Shutterstock
When should I go to Aruba?
Aruba’s weather is pleasant and warm to hot year-round, and there simply isn’t a bad-weather season. For unlike other Caribbean islands, Aruba (along with neighboring Bonaire and Curaçao) lies outside the hurricane belt, minimizing the risk of storms. Since it’s a tropical island, rain does fall in Aruba, and the wind can pick up – but the weather overall is enjoyable and sunny just about all the time.
December and January are the peak of the high season, and prices for hotels and rental cars skyrocket. If you do wish to spend the holidays on Aruba, then book everything as far ahead as possible, traveling before Christmas Eve and after New Year’s Day. February through April is also the high season, though with enough planning you can score deals on accommodation. If a colorful Caribbean carnival celebration is on your wish list, head to Aruba in February or early March. (The dates vary each year; Carnival Monday 2025 falls on March 3.)
Low(er) season usually starts after Easter and lasts through November. One of my favorite times to visit the island is in fact November: the weather isn’t as hot as in summer, and there are fewer people – allowing more freedom for spontaneous trips.
How much time should I spend in Aruba?
While you could just fly in for a weekend and have a great time on the beaches, I highly recommend staying longer. Cruise ships call on Aruba, with passengers cruises disembarking for half-day trips to the island; think about the adverse impact such visitors have on the environment and the local economy.
A week-long stay in Aruba is ideal. While 10 days or more will give you time to explore, wind down, hike and maybe even try out a new sport like scuba diving or windsurfing. If you’d like to take a PADI certification course, make sure to devote three to four days to just that – ideally more – so you can gain more experience.
Renting your own car will allow you to explore all of Aruba on your own schedule. Shutterstock
Is it easy to get to and around Aruba?
Several international airlines connect Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport with cities in the USA, Canada, the Dominican Republic and a handful of countries in Latin America, as well London and Amsterdam. Frequent short flights also depart for fellow Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
If you have enough time, it is possible to visit all three ABC islands on one trip. But I’d recommend devoting your time to just one, for a deeper visit (and less travel time).
Once you are on Aruba’s shores, you can rent a car directly at the airport and explore from there. Public transportation does reach much of the island, yet for the freedom and flexibility to get to those more challenging-to-reach places, a rental car is the way to go. Taxis can get very expensive, very fast.
Top things to do in Aruba
Many shipwrecks lie underwater off Aruba’s shores, waiting to be explored by scuba divers. Vito Palmisano/Getty Images
Scuba dive through a shipwrecks
Aruba is a fairly easy scuba destination, both for first-timers and seasoned divers. What its waters lack in spectacular coral reefs, Aruba makes up for with wrecks. Check out the SS Antilla, one of the Caribbean’s biggest sunken vessels, or the airplanes that were sunk to create an artificial reef.
Marvel at the sunset at California Lighthouse
As the day draws to a close, hop in your car and make your way to the north of the island to this lighthouse – and be sure to bring a beach chair so you can settle in to catch every last beam of light fade in the distance. Add a bit of sparkle by toasting to the spectacle with a cocktail or fresh coconut smoothie from the food truck in the parking lot.
The rugged landscapes and cacti at Arikok National Park are perhaps not what you’d expect on a tropical Caribbean island. iStock
Spend a day hiking and exploring Arikok National Park
Occupying almost a fifth of Aruba’s square mileage on the island’s eastern half, Arikok National Park is a great place to get active and your step count up. In Arikok’s rugged landscapes (bring sturdy shoes), you’ll see giant cactus and other scrubby vegetation – very different from typical visions of an idyllic Caribbean island.
Discover the island’s foodie side
Thanks to its proximity to South America and influences from the Netherlands, Africa, India, Venezuela and even China, Aruba’s cuisine is a unique – and uniquely tasty – mix. To get a full introduction to the island’s food, we recommend trying patacon (fried, crispy plantains), bolita di keshi (fried cheese balls), funchi (side dish similar to polenta) and kesio (Aruban-style flan). A hop across Oranjestad on the Aruba Food Tour will give you cultural context as you snack away.
Relax and wind down on Eagle Beach
If there’s one beach not to miss in Aruba, it’s this one – a truly magical part of the island. Besides its white sand, it’s particularly famous for the gnarled Fofoti trees that grow close to the water’s edge; they’re great for photo opps. If you get to Eagle Beach early, you might score one of the public palapas – and spend the whole day.
In the town of San Nicolas, many buildings are covered in vivid, large-scale murals. Yingna Cai/Shutterstock
My favorite thing to do in Aruba
No matter where I go in the world, my research begins by googling “street art in…” And while I enjoy all different types of public creativity, murals hold a special place in my heart. Lucky for me, the town of San Nicolas (just a half-hour from Oranjestad) is filled with gorgeous and color-drenched murals, in various styles. My favorite is one by Dutch artist Dopie.dsk: a surreal, giant lionfish in neon colors that stares down those walking by.
How much money do I need for Aruba?
Aruba presents more budget-friendly options than some other Caribbean destinations. If you are on a tighter budget, book flights well ahead, stay in a dorm or a simple accommodation, eat out only occasionally, take the public bus to get around and travel during low season.
Aruba offers many lovely apartments and smaller-scale hotels, such as Kamerlingh Villa, Pauline’s Apartments, Gray Door Apartments (for adults only) and Walt’s Aruba. While the beach never disappoints, why not stay inland and live more as Arubans do?
Although Aruba has ties to the Netherlands, bringing euros doesn’t really help much; the local currency is the Aruba Florin (Afl). US dollars are accepted throughout the island, so bring a few.
Hostel room: Afl 63 ($35) per person (10–20% more during high season)
Basic room or self-catering apartment for two: Afl 140 ($75) per night (up to 200% more during high season)
Public transport ticket: Afl 4.50 ($2.60) for a single trip, Afl 8.75 ($5) for a round trip or Afl 17.50 ($10) for a day pass
Coffee: Afl 7 ($4)
Mojito on the beach: Afl 25 ($14)
Beer: Afl 7 ($4)
Sandwich: Afl 20 ($11)
Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: Afl 240 ($135) for one starter, two mains and drinks including 15% tip
Rental of two chairs or sun beds and a parasol: $35–50
Rental car: $670 per week with full-coverage insurance; $330 per week without insurance
Sustainability fee: $20 (payable upon obtaining the mandatory ED card before your trip)
Do I need a visa for Aruba?
Technically speaking, the Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) card is not a visa. Yet all visitors must apply for the ED card by filling out an online form 7 days before their arrival in Aruba. In 2024, a sustainability fee of $20 took effect, payable when applying for the ED card. If you miss your flight or have to reschedule your plans, you’ll have to apply for the ED card and pay the fee again.
Which language(s) do I need to know in Aruba?
The official languages in Aruba are Papiamento (a creole language derived from Portuguese) and Dutch. Because of the island’s location and influences, most locals speak Spanish and English as well. You’ll find it easy to get around in English, but may find it helpful to learn a few key words in Papiamento, as well.
Danki: Thank you
Por fabor: Please
Bon dia: Good morning
Bon tardi: Good afternoon
Bon nochi: Good evening
Pasa un bon dia: Have a good day
Can I drink the tap water on Aruba?
Yes. Aruba is a BYOWB (bring your own water bottle) kind of island. Tap water is safe to drink, and it’s absolutely unnecessary to buy bottled water in a store. You might want to bring a bigger thermos and get some ice to keep your drink cool during long days on the beach.
How much should I tip in Aruba?
Though tipping is not mandatory in Aruba, staff at most restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and taxi companies will appreciate your tip. Some eat-in places add a service charge of 15% to the bill. Such charges don’t substitute for a tip: the service charge goes to everyone on the restaurant team, with your waiter usually getting the smallest share. If you were happy with your meal and the service, a tip of 10–15% is greatly appreciated.
Be sure to pack reef-safe sunscreen – and reapply it many times per day. Getty Images
Bring reef-safe sunscreen to Aruba
The sun is blazing hot on Aruba. Yet because of the constant and oh-so-refreshing winds, you might not notice how strong those rays truly are – so remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Research a good reef-safe sunscreen and bring plenty of it for your trip – preferably cream or lotion sunscreen as the winds blow sprays away. Also pack a hat with straps, so it doesn’t go flying, and a rash guard or Lycra shirt. Your skin will thank you.
Pack cotton and linen for Aruba
To beat the humidity on the island, pack smart and bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, preferably in cotton or linen. You’ll notice that you’ll sweat a lot less and feel refreshed when the wind blows through them. Such garments are also a great way to protect your skin from the sun.
The wide open spaces of Montana are famous for their bucolic beauty and classic “Old West” charm. As you make your way around the state to see and experience it all, you might have difficulty figuring out where exactly to go and spend some quality time (along with your hard-earned money).
From festive community events during the summer season to exhilarating places to get out and the great outdoors, here are 16 of the best places to visit in Montana.
The incredible views from the hiking trails in Glacier National Park are unmissable. Stefan Wille / Shutterstock
1. Glacier National Park
Best place to hit a hiking trail
The Crown of the Continent in northwest Montana, Glacier National Park, is a true choose-your-own-adventure for hiking trails. First established as a national park in 1910, Glacier National Park has the most extensive network of glaciers in the continental US, a total of 25 within park boundaries. You can also drive Going-to-the-Sun Road to catch stunning views of Jackson Glacier. If you’re up for a challenge, try hiking the Many Glacier trails to get marvelous views of Grinnell Glacier.
For those just getting introduced to Montana hiking trails, head for the Hidden Lake Trail departing from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Clements Mountain provides a scenic guidepost along this approximately 5-mile round-trip hike. It’s visible above the wildflower meadows of Hanging Gardens. For those ready for a bigger challenge, the park’s signature hiking trail, the Highline Trail, also departs from Logan Pass. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to see the park’s largest lake and densest stretch of temperate rainforest at Lake McDonald Valley.
Planning tip: Finding parking can be the most challenging aspect of visiting the famous Logan Pass – the highest point along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The park’s free summer shuttle system ensures you’ll never be turned away because of parking capacity.
Detour: About 26 miles (or 42km) from Glacier National Park Headquarters, one of the park’s main visitor centers, lies the gorgeous town of Whitefish. Located along the shores of Whitefish Lake, this town is excellent for hiking, biking, fishing and boating during the summer months, and it’s a fantastic spot for winter skiing and snowboarding. And if you want a good place to stay while exploring Glacier National Park, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake provides patrician decor and high levels of comfort.
2. Butte
Best place for Western history
Wild West history is on full display in Butte, Montana, near the western slopes of the Continental Divide. This mining town experienced its boom in the late 1800s with vast copper lodes contributing to its moniker: “the Richest Hill on Earth.”
Mining operations have ceased in Butte, leaving behind the infamous Berkeley Pit and over 6000 historic properties now part of the Butte-Anaconda Historic District, one of the largest in the country. This landmark status plunges visitors into the history that once made Butte the largest city between San Francisco and Chicago.
Copper King mansions, underground mines and sealed-away speakeasies are a few guided tour opportunities diving deeper into Butte’s history. The Pekin Noodle Parlor is also a current attraction of historical interest as one of the oldest family-run Chinese restaurants in the country.
Bridger Bowl is a top snow sports destination just a short drive from Bozeman. CharlieTurchetta / Getty Images
3. Bozeman
Best basecamp for a variety of activities
Depending on the specific itinerary you build for your Montana trip, you may land at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, the state’s busiest airport. As much as you might feel the urge to start driving to Yellowstone National Park, don’t ignore the numerous hidden gems of this lovely city.
Yes, Bozeman makes a centrally located base camp for exploring Yellowstone, Hyalite Canyon, and a treasure trove of regional hot springs such as Bozeman Hot Springs and Chico Hot Springs. But while you’re there, you’ll also want to explore Bozeman’s downtown area, peruse some local art at the Emerson Center, enjoy a night out at Opera Montana, visit the Gallatin History Museum or see what’s available at the farmers’ market.
The university city of Bozeman draws winter sports enthusiasts throughout its long, powdery winter season. From November to April, residents and visitors flock toward the cold smoke of two of Montana’s best ski and snowboard destinations, Bridger Bowl Ski Area and Big Sky Resort.
Bridger Bowl is at the backdoor of Bozeman, accessible with a 30-minute drive or a free shuttle ride. Its 2000 skiable acres attract a moderate crowd of students, community members, and tourists, though it only gets busy by Montana standards, with rarely more than a 20-minute chairlift wait. Lift tickets are cheaper if you buy online through Bridger Bowl’s website.
Planning tip: If you’re headed to Montana with your partner, Bozeman is ideal for a romantic trip. Chico Hot Springs is great for a relaxing date and when the weather permits, Palisade Falls in Hyalite Canyon is a beautiful place to hike. The Kimpton Armory Hotel is a perfect place to snuggle up.
4. Big Sky
Best spot for skiing
A scenic hour’s drive south of Bozeman, Big Sky offers over 300 ski runs across a series of connected mountains, including the summit at Lone Peak, which rises over 11,000ft above sea level. With over 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, Big Sky does have some runs that cater to beginners, but 60% of them are designed with advanced and expert skiers in mind.
While Big Sky is best known for skiing, it’s become a year-round destination. Not only is it about an hour’s drive (57mi, or 92km) from Yellowstone National Park (West Entrance), but Big Sky is also great to visit in the warmer months, with 18-hole Big Sky Golf Course, whitewater rafting, and a network of local hiking and mountain biking trails.
Planning tip: For a bargain, stay in Bozeman at Cinnamon Lodge, which has cabins right by the Gallatin River.
5. Yellowstone National Park
Best place for natural wonders
No trip to Montana feels complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park. Visitors come from around the world to witness the park’s natural geysers, hot springs and wildlife like bison, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears and gray wolves.
If this is your first time visiting Montana, give yourself ample time to savor Yellowstone’s incredible landscapes. And while you’ll probably want to see the world-renowned Old Faithful geyser (on the Wyoming side of the park), also make sure to catch the others in the Upper Geyser Basin, as well as hot springs like Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Planning tip: For warm weather, visit during Montana’s summer (June-August). Note, however, that summertime is peak season and the most expensive time to visit Yellowstone. For chilly fun and rock-bottom prices, aim for a winter visit (December-March) trip, though it’s important to note that most park roads will be closed and some planning (dress in layers, prepare for sub-zero temps) is necessary. For an affordable Yellowstone trip in comfortable weather, September is a good time to avoid crowds and catch the last days of summer warmth.
6. West Yellowstone
Best place for spotting wildlife
West Yellowstone is a gateway community for Yellowstone National Park, with the park’s entrance less than a mile from the center of this small tourist town. Wildlife abounds in the nation’s first national park, alongside hot springs, fumaroles, and geysers, with frequent sightings of American bison along the roadside.
Head to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone for guaranteed sightings of Greater Yellowstone wildlife. This non-profit, AZA-accredited wildlife park maintains a stimulating habitat for animals unfit to live in the wild.
Planning tip: Budget extra time to hang out in the Naturalist Cabin, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the resident wolf packs.
Montana is a popular destination for fly-fishers. Nature is Magical / Getty Images
7. Missoula
Best place to fly-fish blue-ribbon waterways
Missoula is a fly-fishing paradise at the junction of great trout rivers in western Montana. Local author Norman Maclean captured this ethos in his iconic 1976 collection of stories, A River Runs Through It, and Brad Pitt and Robert Redford revamped enthusiasm with the 1992 blockbuster movie.
Missoula has wonderful views year-round. During the summer season, you can hang around Caras Park on the Clark Fork River, and you might catch live music on Wednesday afternoons or Thursday evenings as part of the Out to Lunch or Downtown ToNight series. This beautiful community space is also home to the Saturday Farmers’ Market and ground central for First Friday celebrations every month.
The Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot are world-class rivers within bicycling distance of Missoula, including tributaries like Rock Creek. Outfitters, such as Missoulian Angler, offer guided fly-fishing trips for first-timers and experienced anglers alike. Fishing spots and hatch dates are often discussed at local fly stores like Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop.
During autumn, the Blue Mountain Recreation Area and the University of Montana campus are prime spots for colorful fall foliage. In winter, Missoula places you within easy reach of several ski resorts, including Discovery Ski Area, Blacktail Mountain and Lost Trail Powder Mountain. In spring, Blue Mountain is also great for spotting wildflowers.
Planning tip: A valid fishing license is required to cast a line in a Montana waterway. Many guiding companies require you to purchase your fishing license before a trip, which can be done online.
8. Flathead Lake
Best place for summer traditions
Flathead Lake is hard to miss when visiting northwest Montana. It’s the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River in the contiguous United States, requiring at least a 40-mile drive from end to end. And with state parks, campgrounds, boat ramps, and small towns lining the route, it’s often a central base for summer road trip traditions.
Looking for an adventure? Rent a kayak or book a charter to Wild Horse Island near the lake’s western shore, and keep your eyes peeled for the feral residents.
Planning tip: Flathead cherries are one summer tradition not to miss. Cherry season is short and sweet in the Flathead Valley, with farm stands popping up near the shoreline in July through early August. Plan a visit to coincide with the Flathead Cherry Festival, typically the last weekend of July, for the full taste of these regional treats.
Detour: Just 7 miles (or 11km) north of Flathead Lake lies the charming mountain town of Kalispell. During the summer, you’ll find several trails (including the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails and the Parkline Trail) suited for hiking, biking and horseback riding. During winter, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area offer prime slopes for skiing and snowboarding.
Drive the Beartooth Highway to the tourist-friendly town of Red Lodge, among the peaks of the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains. Daniel J. Rao / Shutterstock
9. Red Lodge
Best spot for a scenic drive
The Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains set the tone for the tourist-friendly town of Red Lodge in southern Montana, near the Wyoming border. These picturesque peaks, some of the tallest in the state, have unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. And the seasonal 68-mile Beartooth Highway offers parking lot access to all the wild terrain spanning from Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park.
The Beartooth Highway is one of Montana’s best road trips between late May and October 15. This All-American road tops out at nearly 11,000ft with prominent views of the glacier-caked Beartooth Mountains and tree-lined valleys. Hiking trails, viewpoints and summer skiing opportunities line the route, eventually connecting to the hydrothermal wonders of Yellowstone National Park via Cooke City.
10. Philipsburg
Best place to uncover gems of the Treasure State
Philipsburg is a picturesque mountain town on the Pintler Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Byway, approximately halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Silver and other underground resources built this early Montana town in the 1860s, and that era still resonates down Broadway St with antique storefronts housing modern shops and restaurants.
Montana Sapphires are still mined in Philipsburg, and visitors sift for their own at places like Gem Mountain and Montana Gems of Philipsburg. Here, buy a bag of gravel sourced from nearby sapphire mines and head to the washing station to uncover personal treasures. Shops will cut and polish anything you find, though nothing is guaranteed in sapphire mining.
You can also find a sweeter type of treasure in Philipsburg within hundreds of glass jars lining the walls of the Sweet Palace. This nostalgic candy store sells homemade confections like fudge and saltwater taffy – you’ll get a sugar high from the aroma alone.
11. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Best spot for history buffs
If you’re interested in American history, then you need to add Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument to your Montana itinerary. In June 1876, US Army General George Custer infamously made his “last stand” against the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Ultimately, Custer and some 267 additional US troops died, along with at least 31 Native American fighters. The Native American tribes claimed victory in this battle, though US forces ultimately annexed all their tribal lands spanning from Montana to Nebraska the following year.
At the monument, which is about 62 miles (or 100km) southeast of Billings, you can learn more of the real history behind the lore that’s come to define the battle fought on this land, and you can learn more about the Indigenous communities who continue to call this region their home.
12. Big Hole National Battlefield
Best place for learning about Native American culture
Little Bighorn may be the better known battle site, but Big Hole National Battlefield is another key place in Montana to learn about Native American history and culture. On August 9, 1877, a group of sleeping Nez Perce (or Nimíipuu) campers awoke to gunshots. Though these Native Americans had already fled their ancestral land in Idaho, US troops proceeded to attack their Montana encampment and kill at least 70 nimíipuu people. Though nimíipuu fighters mounted a fierce defense as they attempted a full escape into Canada, they ultimately surrendered to US forces in October of that year.
Detour: To learn even more about the nimíipuu people, their history, and their enduring cultural heritage, the Nez Perce National Historical Park has additional sites worth visiting across the traditional homeland of the nimíipuu people, spanning from Montana to Oregon.
13. Helena
Best place for a quick stop
Offering a convenient mid-point between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the state capital of Helena is a worthy destination to spend some time exploring. As a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community, you’re sure to find plenty of hike and bike trails to traverse: Highlights include Mount Helena City Park (which climbs up to 5,468ft above sea level) and the nearly 6-mile-long Mount Helena Ridge Trail.
If you prefer exploring in town, you’ll probably want to make time to tour the ornate and historic Montana State Capitol, the elegant Queen Anne-style Original Governor’s Mansion, catch a show at the Grandstreet Theatre and The Myrna Loy (which once served as the county jail), and hunt for vintage treasures at the Golden Girls Antiques Mall.
14. White Sulphur Springs
Best spot for relaxation
If you want a place for a relaxing getaway, it’s hard to beat the laid-back charm of White Sulphur Springs. From town, you can embark on the Meagher County Arts & Cultural Trail to discover loads of barn quilts, sculptures, murals, and views of five mountain ranges. The driving time of the trail loop is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
If you want to stay somewhere with easy access to the hot springs, Spa Hot Springs Motel has multiple spring-fed pools on the property. (Even if you’re not an overnight guest, day passes to use the pools start at just US$14 for adults.) If you want a place with more bells and whistles (and lovely mountain views), The Edith Hotel at Showdown Montana is wonderfully cozy.
Local tip: During the winter season, White Sulphur Springs is a great place for some solid skiing. Not only is Showdown Montana the state’s oldest and only woman-owned ski resort, but it also has 39 runs on 640 skiable acres and a full-service lodge and rental shop.
15. Garnet Ghost Town
Best place for ghost-hunting
About 40 miles (or 64km) east of Missoula, you’ll find one of Montana’s best-preserved ghost towns. At Garnet Ghost Town, you will encounter a mining town that sprang to life during the region’s 1890s gold rush. These days, you probably won’t find any gold in these hills, but you will find over 30 structures that have survived Garnet’s boom and bust. In addition, you can hike and bike the local trails. Hunting and fishing are allowed in the area.
While Garnet Ghost Town is open year-round, the area is often only accessible via snowmobiles, snowshoes and cross-country skis during winter. If you want to extend your stay in Garnet, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two rental cabins available December-April. Camping is allowed for up to 14 days on designated public lands outside Garnet.
16. Medicine Rocks State Park
Best park for geology nerds
Usually, visitors flock to Western Montana to explore the state’s most famous national parks and ski resorts. Yet in Eastern Montana, you’ll find some of the state’s most illustrious big skies and wide open spaces. Such is the case at Medicine Rocks State Park, located roughly between Devils Tower National Monument (in Wyoming) and Theodore Roosevelt National Park (in North Dakota).
The park’s namesake medicine rocks refer to the soft sandstone rock formations that rise about 60 to 80ft from the ground. Many have holes and undulations, and some even have natural tunnels. This park has fossils dating as far back as 63 million years, and this land has long been held sacred by many of the region’s Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Crow peoples. If you’re hoping to extend your stay at Medicine Rocks, the park does have RV and tent campsites available for reservation.
