Detroit is a mashup of elements, including a cityscape full of art-deco skyscrapers, plus old warehouses filled with condos and restaurants. But amongst its more hurried city pace, there are parks and green oases perfect for strolling, biking, picnicking, and kicking back.

Some are family-friendly and attraction-packed, with free concerts and museums to boot. Others are diminutive green spaces with a few benches and flower beds. Whatever your taste, these are the top parks to visit in Detriot.

Belle Isle

Belle Isle is the Motor City’s most beloved park. An island idyll in the Detroit River, it packs an impressive amount of attractions into its 987 acres, from the kid-friendly Belle Isle Aquarium to maritime exhibits at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.  The fern-filled Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is another highlight.

Come summer, families will love paddling at sandy Belle Isle Beach, with its views of Detroit’s soaring skyline, or spotting critters from turtles to toads at the Belle Isle Nature Center. Beyond that, trails wiggle through 150 acres of woodland and you can rent bikes just across the water at Wheelhouse Detroit.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor spool out along the waterfront, with the paved and popular Detroit Riverwalk running through it. Its centerpiece is the Milliken State Park Lighthouse, a 63-foot beacon that overlooks the Detroit River.

Take a bike ride through the park’s wetlands, and look out for public art – including a curious sculpture of a steel man with pipes protruding from his body. Benches are perfectly placed to take in views across the water of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

Palmer Park

Palmer Park is a green retreat from the sea of skyscrapers downtown. Located in the northern part of the city,  it’s a patchwork of woodland and open lawns that include hiking and biking trails, plus tree-flanked Lake Frances.

There are some nuggets for history buffs, too. Go out in search of the Merrill Fountain, an ornate marble monument. It dates back to 1901 and once stood in front of the Detroit Opera House. You’ll also find a rustic and ramshackle log cabin that was built in the 1880s for philanthropist Lizzie Merrill Palmer (after whom the park is named, along with her husband Thomas W. Palmer).

Lafayette Greens

You’ll find this  urban park just west of Campus Martius. It’s dominated by row-upon-row of raised beds filled with organic vegetables, plus seasonal blooms planted to attract bees and butterflies. If you’re into contemporary art, there’s also a particularly striking sculpture of a sundial.

Best of all, though, the park is right next to Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, rival vendors of Detroit’s famous, chili-sauce-smothered beef hot dog. Grab yours to go and eat it on one of the long wooden benches that are scattered about the garden.

Eliza Howell Park

Taking over about 250 acres of northwest Detroit and spreading out alongside the wiggling Rouge River, Eliza Howell Park feels worlds away from downtown. You might entirely forget that you’re in Motor City as you wander trails winding through hardwood forest and fields bright with wildflowers.

Nature lovers will feel right at home here. The park provides a habitat for more than 100 bird species, from the red-tailed hawk to swallows to blue jays. You might also glimpse a coy white-tailed deer or red fox amid the trees.

Beacon Park

One of Detroit’s newest green pockets, Beacon Park, opened back in 2017 and sits somewhere between an al-fresco events space and community hub. Well-kept and compact, it comprises an open lawn that hosts free concerts, exercise classes, and eclectic food trucks, plus a restaurant with a rooftop and patio. It particularly shines in the winter months, when it’s bright with creative light installations.

Dequindre Cut

A favorite with cyclists, the Dequindre Cut is an urban greenway that follows an old railroad line for two miles. It begins down by the river, eventually spilling into Detroit’s buzzing Eastern Market. Saddle up and take to the paved pathway, keeping your eyes peeled for colorful murals emblazoned on walls under bridges. Grassy patches open up on either side of the concrete – perfect if you’ve packed a picnic – and metal benches stud the route, too.

Campus Martius Park

Right in the middle of downtown Detroit sits Campus Martius Park, which has earned itself the moniker of Detroit’s Gathering Place – and for good reason. From families to lunching workers, the neat little park attracts all kinds of Detroiters with its giant fountain, food trucks, and tree-shaded benches.

Its landscape shifts with the season, too. In winter, the place is decorated with twinkling lights and home to a large skating rink. In the summertime, the ice is swapped for sand, and the area is transformed into an urban beach – complete with umbrellas, palms, and Adirondack chairs.

Grand Circus Park

Four-legged companions aren’t forgotten in Detroit’s park system either. Grand Circus is home to the city’s top-rated dog park that plays host to everything from canine ice-cream socials to doggy pool parties.

For human park-dwellers, this half-moon-shaped space has a large fountain, a slew of memorial statues, and plenty of tables and chairs arranged under a leafy canopy. It’s located right next to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

You might also like:
The best free things to do in Detroit from art deco architecture to edgy street art
Best day trips from Detroit: 5 quick getaways for beer, birdlife and Bavarian architecture
Experience the Great Lakes on one epic road trip

The 9 best parks in Detroit: Find birds, biking and blooms in the Motor City’s green spaces

Though Vail is best known for its expertly groomed ski terrain and its snow-covered Bavarian-style alpine villages, this mountain town along Gore Creek in the Colorado Rockies is also home to some incredible hiking trails.

Vail’s hiking trails give travelers a chance to stretch their legs, breathe the fresh mountain air and reconnect with nature. Plus, the Vail Valley’s varied routes are a feast for the senses no matter the season. They’re dotted with colorful wildflower blooms in summer, golden yellow aspens in fall and glittering snow and icicles in winter. Below, some of our favorite hikes in the Vail Valley for every traveler.

Booth Falls

Best hike with waterfalls

9 miles (14.5 km) round trip, 5-6 hours, difficult

This popular out-and-back trail follows Booth Creek to Booth Lake, with a stop at the picturesque Booth Falls along the way. The trail begins just off I-70 in East Vail and climbs steeply for the first mile or so, then eases into a more gradual climb for the remainder of the hike. Meandering along Booth Creek, the route travels through aspen groves, conifer forests and meadows that are dotted with wildflowers in July and August.

The route reaches the waterfall about two miles in, then continues on for roughly three miles to Booth Lake, which is surrounded by the craggy gray peaks of the Gore Range. All told, the trail climbs more than 3000ft in elevation to 11,480ft, where there’s likely to be patches of snow and wildlife like mountain goats and marmots.

This is a challenging hike, particularly for travelers who are not yet acclimated to Vail’s altitude, so be sure to bring lots of water, take frequent breaks and invest in a pair of hiking poles (or grab a stick along the trail!) to help with navigating the steep sections.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Gore Valley Trail

Best hike for accessibility

12 miles (19 km) one way, variable, easy

This easy-going paved trail meanders along Gore Creek through Vail’s core village areas. It’s a popular, accessible path for walking, riding a bike, jogging, rollerblading, pushing a stroller and other leisurely activities, right in the heart of town.

Many people pick up the trail from behind their hotel, then walk to dinner, drinks or other activities in Vail Village or Lionshead Village. It’s a convenient connector path for getting around Vail or working up a sweat, all while soaking up the views of Vail’s idyllic European-inspired architecture and the tree-lined creek.

Lost Lake Trail

Best for families

7.5 miles (12 km) round trip, 3-4 hours, easy

This mellow trail is great for beginners and families, thanks to its gradual climb and stunning scenery. The route has an east and a west trailhead, but most hikers start on the west side and work their way east toward Lost Lake. The road to the trailhead is unpaved and bumpy, so a 4x4 vehicle is helpful, but not totally necessary as long as you go slowly.

From the west, the trail passes through aspen groves and lodgepole pines along a ridgeline, then gradually gains 600ft of elevation before dropping down slightly to the lake. Stop for a picnic and views of the snow-dusted mountains reflected in the serene water, or keep hiking for less than a mile to the east trailhead and the end of the route. Lost Lake Trail is a great family hike or an introduction to backpacking for little ones, since it’s short and easy – camping is allowed as long as you set up your tent at least 200ft from the lake and the trail.

Bighorn Creek Trail

Best for fall hiking

7 miles (11 km) round trip, 3-4 hours, difficult

For spectacular views of the fall foliage, head to Bighorn Creek Trail, which is nestled among the golden yellow aspens and dark green fir and spruce trees of the Eagles Nest Wilderness area east of Vail. The route gains more than 2000ft of elevation, which makes it challenging, but it also offers lots of scenery to ogle as you huff and puff – you’ll pass beaver ponds, old mining buildings, Bighorn Creek and the Bighorn Falls waterfall.

The trail, which ends at a picturesque cabin, is dotted with wildflowers in summer and offers views of the Grand Traverse, an impressive 13,000ft tall ridge that’s part of the Gore Range. Hiking poles – and your camera – are a must for this route, which has some steep, slippery sections.

Shrine Ridge

Best for scenic views

4 miles (6.4 km) round trip, 2-3 hours, easy/intermediate

For some of the best views in the region, lace up your hiking boots and hit the Shrine Ridge Trail. The route climbs gently through scenic pine trees before climbing sharply to a ridgeline. At the summit of Shrine Mountain, you’ll have 360-degree views that include Copper Mountain ski area, Mount of the Holy Cross, Uneva Peak, Ptarmigan Hill and Ptarmigan Pass, the Flat Top mountains and the Gore Range.

As you ascend to the top of the mountain, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the Ute Native Americans and silver miners who used this route throughout history. This is a short, sweet hike with a great payoff at the end, and it’s a great fit for families who want to stretch their legs or get acclimated.

Upper Piney River Falls

Best for beginners

6 miles (9.6 km) roundtrip, 3-4 hours, easy/intermediate

This popular out-and-back trail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness is a great way to get acclimated after arriving in Vail. The route starts at Piney Lake, then climbs gently through a meadow and some aspen groves before reaching a beautiful waterfall.

The road to the trailhead can be rough, so be prepared to go slowly or consider renting an SUV. It’s a high-traffic hiking trail, too, so this route may not be ideal if you were hoping for some alone time in nature; it’s also open to horseback riders.

Berry Picker Trail

Best for ski area hiking

6.4 miles (10 km) round trip, 3-4 hours, intermediate/difficult

After ski season ends and the snow finally melts, Vail Ski Resort opens for hiking, mountain biking, tubing and riding the mountain coaster. The Berry Picker Trail is a fun, intermediate hike that climbs 2200ft up the mountain, traversing across grassy open ski runs and through aspens and evergreen trees. Though the steep hike is a hard workout, the route is not overly technical – and fatigued hikers have the option of riding the Eagle Bahn Gondola back down during the summer.

At the top, there’s Bistro 14 Bar and Talon’s Deck Outdoor Grill for grabbing a drink or a bite to eat, plus activities for the whole family, including a zip line and a climbing wall.

You might also like:
Connect to nature, no matter the season in Vail
Vail is a melting pot of international cuisine
This luxury train lets you see the Rocky Mountains in a whole new way

The best hikes in Vail to convince you to hang up your skis

Tanzania offers wild safari experiences, grasslands, rainforests, woodlands and savannah plains in abundance. And perhaps the best way to take it all in is by car.

Driving around this expansive country, you’ll encounter not just natural beauty but human diversity, too. Hundreds of ethnic groups call this East African country home, from the Sandawe in northern Tanzania, the Hehe in the southern highlands, the kiChagga people who live on Mount Kilimanjaro’s slopes and the Zanaki close to Lake Victoria – and they all love welcoming visitors from afar.

Be warned that journeys by road in Tanzania can be lengthy and arduous, with stretches on paved roads in better-traveled areas followed by hours on dirt roads – but by taking your time, you’ll get more out of your journey. A slow, long drive is just the way to take in the vast range of history, culture and wild allure Tanzania offers.

For a classic safari take the Northern Circuit

Arusha to Serengeti National Park, then back to Arusha; distance 190 miles (306km) each way

Arusha town – the starting point for some of Africa’s most memorable safaris – is where the best road trips in Tanzania begin. This itinerary takes you to Serengeti National Park, so you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can handle off-road detours; such sturdy rides are easily available from various car-rental outfits in town. The road from Arusha to Tarangire National Park is smooth asphalt, but once you’re in the park be prepared to deal with unpaved roads that are often bumpy and spew dust everywhere.

On the way to Lake Manyara National Park, Mto wa Mbu is one of the first stops. This fun tropical town is a great place to meet local people and fellow travelers, buy souvenirs and fill up on snacks. The town is famously convivial – reputed to be the only place in Tanzania where all 120 of the country’s ethnic groups live harmoniously together.

One of the last hunter-gatherer peoples in the world, the Hadza or Hadzabe live in the Lake Eyasi region. As the day dawns in this part of the world, Hadzabe men make their way through thick bush to gather honey or hunt game – an experience in which visitors can participate by asking around in town. Make time to spend a few days at the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area on your way Serengeti National Park. At 102 sq miles, the UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s largest caldera, with an astonishing concentration of wildlife in the valley below.

For unexpected landscapes try the wild southeast

Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park, then back to Dar es Salaam; 160mi (256km) each way

The country’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam offers a lively and quick introduction to Tanzanian life. There are ample car-rental agencies in town that offer cars for hire, with or without drivers. Unless you’re truly ambitious, we would recommend hiring a local expert to drive, one who knows the country’s roads and driving culture, and who can help with any mechanical issues.

Setting out from the city, you’ll join the Tanzam Highway, which connects Dar es Salaam in the east to Mbeya in the west. The highway’s smooth surface takes you through Mikumi National Park and Iringa and on to Ruaha National Park. Though not as well known as Serengeti or the Ngorongoro, this remote rural park has striking landscapes: wild rocky outcrops, baobabs, mountains and seasonal rivers. Wildlife includes large elephant and hippo populations, as well as a huge array of birds.

From Ruaha, it’s a five-hour drive to the wild Udzungwa Mountains. At an altitude of over 8000 ft (remember to take deep, slow breaths), these forested landscapes offer a huge array of endemic plant species, as well as endemic animals like the Udzungwa red colobus monkey. The mountains are a veritable playground for hiking, worth spending a few days exploring.

Nyerere National Park (carved off for preservation from the massive Selous Game Reserve) is your final stop before you make the five-hour road trip journey back to Dar es Salaam. Roads in Nyerere are rough, but the incredible wildlife sightings of antelope, buffalo and lion make the tough doing worth it.

Drive the Southern Highlands and Western Tanzania if you have a month

Dar Es Salaam to Arusha; 403 miles (648km)

It will take a few weeks, even a full month, to fully take in this amazing journey across the Southern Highlands and western Tanzania. From Dar es Salaam, you’ll head to Morogoro, a small town at the base of the Uluguru Mountains where you can spend an afternoon hiking and taking in the birds, insects and plants. If you’re up for some culture, spend the day with the Luguru people.

Next, you’ll drive through the Udzungwa Mountains en route to Iringa, home of the waHehe people. Famous for defeating the Germans in 1891, this proud group bears a name said to come from their war cry, “ hee twahumite, hee twahumite, he he he heeeeee ” (“hey, we have come out”).

It’s a moderate drive from Iringa to Ruaha National Park, then along the Tanzam Highway to Mbeya. The journey onward from Mbeya offers plenty excursions en route – including canoeing on Lake Nyasa or hiking on the hills of Tukuyu – though you should look forward to arriving in Kitulo National Park, well known for its sunflowers and gorgeous views.

If you’d like to explore this region of the country further, consider skipping Kitulo and going from Mbeya to Katavi National Park, one of the country’s most remote wilderness areas. It takes some effort to get here – and is absolutely worth it. The large Katisunga Plain grabs your attention as do the striking roan and sable antelope, absent in other parts of the African continent.

As you continue to Arusha, stop at Gombe National Park, a sanctuary for habituated chimpanzees first made famous by Jane Goodall. Within the lush forest, you’ll hear shrieks and whoops as the chimps pant-hoot to each other in cacophonous songs of affection.

Northeastern Tanzania is the best road trip for variety

Kilimanjaro Airport to Dar es Salaam; 372 miles (598km)

A road trip through Northeastern Tanzania caters to both economy and high-end travelers, with accommodations, food, culture, history and adrenaline-fueled activities for all budgets and tastes.

From Kilimanjaro Airport, you’ll make your way to Moshi town, a well known trading post with lively, colorful markets. Visit a coffee plantation for a tour to learn how the ubiquitous beans are grown and harvested. If you’re keen, let your guide know you’d like to arrange a home visit with one of the kiChagga families in the area. The livelihood of these keen agriculturists depends on growing banana, yams, maize and beans.

Next come the stark Usambara Mountains, which rise from the plain to the high heavens. Hikers, botanists and avid birders will feel at home here among the deep lavish valleys and rainforests, whose overlapping trees create verdant canopies. A few more days will allow you to venture even farther off the beaten track and explore the Pare Mountains – a detour not for the faint of heart. As this region is still opening to tourists, you’ll certainly need a knowledgable guide.

As you approach the coast (and consider a jaunt onward to Zanzibar), you’ll come across the small town of Pangani. This once-vital port for the slave trade played host to Asian, Arab, German and British merchants – a diversity that leaves traces in the faded architecture and delicious food still available in the town. Also timeless are the vocal calls of fishermen as they head out for the evening, casting nets into the sea using old wisdom.

You might also like:
Serengeti's Great Migration: the world's ultimate wildlife spectacle
When is the best time to go to Tanzania?
See the incredible photos of remote African tribes captured by a COVID frontline nurse

Tanzania’s best road trips offer wildlife and culture aplenty

Naples is a busy city that demands stamina in buckets. Springboard for day trips to blockbuster Pompeii and volcanic Mt Vesuvius, this is a gloriously chaotic, high-energy destination.

Pack nerves of steel to navigate skinny streets on foot and a generous dose of Herculean endurance to take in the smorgasbord of sights littering Naples’ Unesco-listed historic center.

No wonder then that Naples’ hidden gardens, royal parks and salt-kissed seaside strips are a much-needed breath of fresh air for tourists and locals alike. When a retreat from the manic buzz of Neapolitan street life beckons, gravitate to one of these urban green spaces.

Villa Communale: best for a summer-evening passeggiata

The end-of-day passeggiata (stroll) is as sacrosanct in Naples as anywhere else in Italy and this long leafy park backing onto the Lungomare seafront is as fine a spot as any in downtown Napoli to promenade leisurely with locals, gelato or bag of freshly baked taralli rings in hand. Elegant stone fountains pepper the historical French-style gardens, laid out in the 18th century for the Bourbons to take some sea air in a style befitting of their regal status: until 1869 the private royal park or Passagio Reale (Royal Walkway) was open to the public just one day a year.

Views from the park of Castel dell’Ovo, Mt Vesuvius, the bay and outlying islands are particularly fine at sunset when Naples’ infamous volcano burns orange, pink and flame-red. Tennis courts, Europe’s oldest aquarium, bandstands and a generous peppering of open-air ‘chalet’ cafes and kiosks in the park provide other entertainment.

Orto Botanico di Napoli: best for bookworms and botanists

Story-book enchantment oozes out of every last vintage greenhouse and floral alley in Naples’ botanical gardens, gloriously green next-door neighbor to the city’s former royal almshouse where the ill and destitute sought food and shelter in the 18th century. If you’re dreaming of flopping on a bench in the shade and chilling with My Brilliant Friend or another Elena Ferrante Neapolitan novel for an hour or so, peaceful Orto Botanic di Napoli is the place to do it.

Founded in the early 19th century, the gardens squirrel away thousands of plant species – indigenous to beaches, deserts, peat bogs, rock gardens and wild lands all over the world. Exploring the ancient fern gully, citrus and palm groves are old-school adventurer highlights.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Real Bosco di Capodimonte: best for jogging, cycling and dog-walking

Its centerpiece palace commands an admission fee, but promenading like a king through the swathe of manicured green framing 18th-century Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte is free. Graceful fountains and period statues pepper the 134-hectare estate (331 acres), designed as a hunting reserve for Charles VII of Bourbon in 1742.

Local families with dogs on leads and bambini in pushchairs flock to the park at weekends to stroll its serpentine footpaths shaded by centurion palm and eucalyptus trees, cypresses, camellias and magnolias. Year-round, picnic tables here are prime real estate.

Some footpaths are off-limits to bicycles and a well-marked percorso vita (‘Life path’) looping around the park’s lake is reserved for speedier joggers and fitness enthusiasts.

Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara: best for instant escape and meditation

When Neapolitan street life in the loud, pounding centro storico threatens to overwhelm, make a hasty retreat to the historic center’s landmark Basilica di Santa Chiara and cloister garden where fragrant citrus trees mingle with lilac lavender blooms. Plop yourself down on a bench and lose yourself in a bewitching kaleidoscope of whimsical 17th-century wall frescos and exquisite majolica tiling. Hand-painted flowers, grapes, twirling vines and soothing rural scenes decorating 72 ceramic-tiled columns in the cloister guarantee instant escape from daily life.

If monastery gardens are your thing, the cloisters and hanging gardens at Certosa e Museo di San Martino with bay panorama in hilltop Vomero are also sublime.

Parco Virgiliano: best for spectacular sea views

When a break from the urban crowd beckons, gravitate to this terraced hillside park in the bourgeois neighborhood of Posillipo. The reward: spectacular coastal panoramas.

Allow ample time for gawping, gorging and swooning over the exhilarating big-blue seascape that unfolds from Parco Virgiliano : cliff-fringed Capri with its celebrity villas dripping in perfumed wisteria and bougainvillea to the south; and the islands of Nisida, Procida and Ischia polka-dotting the magnificent blue sweep of the Gulf of Naples southwest. Cast your eye west to admire the Bay of Pozzuoli and Sorrento Peninsula.

Top tip: don’t miss Naples’ poshest street market that springs into life by the park entrance on Viale Virgilio every Thursday morning.

Parco Vergiliano: best for romantics and poetry nerds

It is a tad crumbling and unkempt, but this is all part of the romantic charm of Parco Vergiliano, a small eclectic park in the off-the-beaten-track ‘hood of Piedigrotta (metro line 2 to the Mergellina stop) which holds the curious claim to fame of ‘home to the world’s longest Roman tunnel’. Stagger up endless steep steps to peer in the 700m-long gallery (2296ft) that once linked Naples and Pozzuoli.

Roman poet Virgil (70–19 BCE) lived much of his life in Naples. Niches in a dovecot-shaped stone vault in the park, empty following the transfer of his ashes to a neighboring church (since destroyed), once cradled decorative busts and cinerary urns. Lyric poetry lovers can pay their respects to Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi (1798–1837), another resident of Parco Vergiliano who died in Naples from cholera.

Parco Sommerso di Gaiola: best for biodiversity and aquatic action

Submerged Roman ruins and abundant sea life are the inspiring USP of this underwater park – a protected marine reserve best explored with snorkel and mask along marked itineraries or afloat a glass-bottomed boat. Tours organized by the park set sail along the coast to Baia di Trentaremi from the village of Marechiaro.

On dry land, enjoy exhilarating views of this precious strip of coastline from the clifftop perch of Parco Archeologico del Pausilypon, an archeological park safeguarding the 1st-century BCE ruins of a Roman villa complex. Catching a summertime performance beneath the stars in the Roman theatre here is pure magic.

You may also like:
Everything you need to know before your trip to Naples
The best things to do in Naples: livin' la dolce vita
Getting around Naples is easy with these top tips

The best parks in Naples: from royal gardens to underwater Romans

Rollicking turquoise waves, swaying palms and some of the finest rum on the planet – the Dominican Republic is just as famous for its natural beauty as it is for the abundant all-inclusive resorts that call the island home.

While there’s no shortage of places with swim-up bars built for serene weeks of lounging by the water, getting off hotel property is one of the best ways to truly take in the Dominican experience.

Spending some time in major cities – like Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros – is ideal for sampling the island culture, while getting off the beaten path and exploring less developed natural enclaves will reward you with waterfalls, whale watching and flora-filled rainforest hikes.

Traveling from region to region is fairly common – you’ll find Dominicans commuting for business, going to visit family in the country or navigating their way to school. Taxis can be found just about everywhere, and ride-sharing services are available in the three major cities: Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Public transportation in the form of bus service is both an affordable and memorable way to experience island life.

If you aren't sure where to begin exploring everything the Dominican Republic has to offer, here's a list of eight can't-miss sites.

Punta Cana is best for casinos and resort life

When most people think of the Dominican Republic, it’s Punta Cana they have in mind. It’s the resort capital of the island, with an avalanche of all-inclusives catering to the bottomless-bar set.

But beyond the tourist-focused, theme park–level accommodations, Punta Cana plays host to beaches that rival some of the Caribbean 's best. Punta Cana’s 97km (60 miles) of coastline face both Atlantic and Caribbean waters, inviting you to hop on a catamaran, go deep-sea fishing or get lost in a book while baking under the warm sun.

The area also has a vibrant party scene that pulsates late into the night, thanks to the various resorts’ casinos and clubs.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Santo Domingo is best for culture buffs

The gritty hustle and bustle of city life collide with vibrant Dominican culture in the island’s capital (“El Capital”), Santo Domingo. It’s one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities, making it ideal for history aficionados looking to explore colonial-era architecture and take a deep dive into the country’s past.

You'll find the Zona Colonial in the city's center, which the island's oldest church, European fortress, monastery, university and hospital all call home. But step outside the cobblestone streets of the Zona and a metropolitan joyride awaits, with elegant restaurants, raucous nightclubs and plenty of cultural institutions to add to your itinerary.

Reserve a table at the elegant El Mesón de la Cava for dinner in an ancient Taino cave, and afterward hit the edgy, strobe-lit club Jet Set; Onno’s, a local bar chain, is also a popular spot for a casual night of beer and cocktails.

Do I need a visa to visit the Dominican Republic?

Samaná is best for whale watching

The Samaná Peninsula is where the unspoiled natural beauty of the Dominican Republic mingles with friendly small-town sensibilities – a stark contrast to the glitzy resorts of Punta Cana and the bustling grind of Santo Domingo.

The capital of this peninsular province is the eponymous Samaná, located in northern Samaná Bay. Eco-tourism is popular here, with one major star attraction: whales. The best time to go is between January and March, when thousands of humpback whales descend upon the bay to give birth to their calves.

El Museo de las Ballenas (Whale Museum) in the neighboring town of Salinas is an attraction in its own right, with guided tours of marine mammal exhibits, handcrafted souvenirs and a full 12m (40-ft) skeleton of a humpback whale, found along the rocky coastline between Las Galeras and Santa Bárbara de Samaná in 1993.

Sosúa is best for late-night partying

By day, Sosúa is your typical sleepy beach town – large swaths of sandy shores gently lapped by the Atlantic’s cerulean waves. It’s also the island’s dairy and cheese capital, courtesy of a 1938 presidential decree that allowed 100,000 Jewish refugees to settle in the area.

Some 800 people took the offer and launched a dairy and cheese factory, many of whose products you can purchase today.

While this all seems quite bucolic and mellow, Sosúa by night is an entirely different beast. After dark the main strip (Calle Pedro Clisante) closes off to traffic, and revelers spill out onto the streets from the resident bars, lounges and nightclubs,  many of which feature local live music, including the Blue Ice Piano Bar and the popular Jolly Roger.

But a word of caution: the area is also known for sex tourism. Dominican and Haitian sex workers are known to approach and proposition tourists in the area, so practice a fair amount of caution.

The 12 best beaches in the Dominican Republic

Cabarete is best for thrill seekers

Sure, sipping cocktails by the beach is nice. But there’s only so much relaxing you can do, right? When you’re ready to shift your vacation into high gear, set your coordinates for Cabarete, a beach town located on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic.

Founded in 1835 by a British merchant and former slave owner, Cabarete is now an adrenaline junkie’s dream, a haven for kayakers, snorkelers and wind and kite surfers (several international competitions are hosted here). It’s also a popular spot for avid surfers, thanks to some of the best winds and tides in the Caribbean.

El Limón waterfall is the perfect adventurous hike

Tighten your shoelaces and summon your balance – the 2.4km (1.5-mile) trail to get to Cascada El Limón is mostly wet and rocky terrain that visitors traverse on horseback. But it can also be accessed by foot – you’ll cross rivers and hop over muddy rocks to make it to your destination, so be sure to pack some rubber footwear.

After a 30 to 60 minute walk or horseback ride from the small town of El Limón, you’ll arrive at your destination – a spectacular 46m (150-ft) waterfall that flows into the cool waters of an expansive swimming hole. You can book a tour with one of the companies in Las Terrenas, a 30-minute drive from El Limón; the excursion typically includes a guide, horse and lunch.

Bayahibe best for scuba diving

Situated on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe is a former fishing village turned quiet resort town with access to some of the island’s most lively (and spectacular) beaches.

Just a few miles from town, you’ll find Bayahibe Beach, Dominicus Beach and boat launches that ferry you to Isla Saona, a national park that’s more booze-cruise layover than uninhabited sanctuary. Your best bet: staying in Bayahibe and taking advantage of one of some 20 different dive sites in the area – it’s one of the most active areas for scuba divers in the country. If scuba diving isn’t in the cards, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or snorkeling the reefs instead.

Jarabacoa offers mountainous hikes and whitewater river rafting

Jarabacoa is the antithesis of the Dominican Republic’s oceanside towns. So when you’ve had your fill of lounging on the beach, head to Jarabacoa’s soaring peaks for verdant hikes, whitewater rafting on a roaring river and warm mugs of irresistible Dominican coffee on cool, misty mountain mornings.

Known as the City of Everlasting Spring, Jarabacoa has no shortage of activities: waterfall hikes, rope-bridge crossings over the Jimenoa River, plentiful rounds of golf and visits to the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria del Evangelio.

The area is also home to the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve, where more than 600 species of flora and fauna populate one of the most humid areas on the island (you can arrange a tour of the reserve before you visit). Jarabacao is also known for its Carnaval festivities in February – one of the most famous celebrations in the Dominican Republic.

You might also like:
Caribbean travel during COVID-19: What I learned from an easy-going trip to the Dominican Republic
These 5 islands are the Caribbean's best-kept secret
5 bucket list sporting events to see live in Latin America

Best places in the Dominican Republic for lounging, hiking and partying 

At first sight, Gyeongju seems so vast as to require a guided tour. Yet the many sights in this historic, gracious city are remarkably easy to navigate on your own.

A visitor-friendly bus provides a ready-made hop-on, hop-off itinerary. And most attractions are clustered together, allowing you to stroll, cycle and meander around traffic-free zones in this “museum without walls.” Here are our tips for how to get around Gyeongju.

Take it easy with room to discover by taking a loop bus

Two buses ply one circular route that connects the major sights in central Gyeongju, making this a fuss-free way to see everything without the burden of too much planning. It also leaves room for spontaneity: hop off when something grabs your attention – say, a particularly picturesque group of tumuli burial mounds, or autumn maples in an appealing shade of red.

Both buses 10 (the clockwise loop) and 11 (counterclockwise) run from Gyeongju’s adjacent bus terminals (Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal and Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal) and Gyeongju train station to the lofty stone temple Bulguk-sa. Rides cost ₩1650 ($1.38) regardless of distance; sadly, there are no transfer discounts for the same route. Each stop (with its adjacent sights) is announced in Korean and English, although the route map on board is only in Korean. Buses run every 20 minutes from 6am to 9:40pm.

Bus 10 provides the most direct route to the astronomical observatory Cheomseongdae and Lake Bomun Resort. Bus 11 is the faster choice for getting to Donggung and Wolji Pond (also known as Anapji Pond), Gyeongju National Museum and northeastern Namsan. From Bulguk-sa, the fastest bus to the sights will be vice versa, so bus 11 will pass through Lake Bolmun Resort, and so on.

From Bulguk-sa bus 12 takes you up to Seokguram. If you want to see it all, plan the timing of your itinerary based on the route taken by bus 10 or 11. Keep in mind that routes 10 and 11 can be standing-room-only on busy weekends, so it might be useful to seek alternate local bus routes if this is your preferred mode of transit.

Tailor your visit using local buses

You can take a local bus to most of Gyeongju’s other sights without a guide or tour. From the center of town, local buses 61 and 60 can get you to nearby Tumuli Gongwon; buses 500 and 506 head west toward Namsan; and tourist bus 100 departs toward the east. Bus 203 takes you to Yangdong Folk Village from Gyeongju station (and, infrequently, Singyeongju station) in 45 minutes. Bus 700 runs directly between the bullet-train station at Singyeongju (with KTX trains from Seoul) and Bulguk-sa in 55 minutes, stopping along the way at sights like Wolji Pond and Lake Bomun Resort. A map on board lists each stop in English. One bus ride costs ₩1250 to ₩1650 ($1.05-$1.38), regardless of distance.

In South Korea, Naver and Kakao Maps are the best for digital-routing options. Kakao shows the best bus to catch and can be navigated using English names; familiar icons make route options legible to non-Korean speakers. Internet access is required.

Get a transport pass

You can pay your fare on Gyeongju buses throughout the network using either of two rechargeable IC e-cards. The more popular option is T-money (also used in Seoul and across South Korea); Mybi (from Busan; it also works in Seoul) is also accepted. Though you can recharge the cards at convenience stores like the CU store at Gyeongju Station, we recommend topping up the card before you arrive so you can hop right on the bus.

While the cards only offer slight discounts on travel for most visitors (paper tickets cost ₩50 on top of the prices listed here), they make travel more convenient by avoiding the hassle of having to buy paper tickets. The cards are also useful for buying food and drinks from the same convenience stores that offer preloaded credit.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Maximize your time with a taxi by the ride or the half-day

Taxis in Gyeongju are metered, affordable and easy to hail from the street. They are useful for short trips when you just want to get there, as well as for groups. A taxi ride also works well if you want to see places not covered by buses 10 and 11.

The 5-minute ride between Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju National Museum will cost about ₩3500 ($2.93, only a little more than two tickets on bus 11). A one-way ride between Lake Bomun Resort and the city center runs about ₩10,000 ($8.38). You will see taxis outside train and bus stations touting their services for half a day – you can consider this a private tour, though one without a guide. You can haggle with a smile, but still expect to pay about ₩150,000/200,000 ($125.71/$167.61) for 5/7 hours.

Walk through an open-air museum

It should be no surprise that strolling in the open air is one of the best things to do in a “museum without walls.” Indeed, the Tumuli Gongwon historic area that covers 23 burial mounds, former royal gardens and an ancient astronomical observatory is simply a joy to discover on foot. High-rises are banned here, so if you are coming from a city, you’ll find it refreshing to be able to gaze into the distance. If you stay in the center of town, you can really burn some calories by walking to this nearby area, and then to the hip cafes of Hwangridan-gil afterward, without having to set foot in a vehicle.

Since the Lake Bomun Resort is geared towards domestic visitors, and since Koreans like to walk, you’ll find plenty of fellow strollers around the lake, in the theme park and shopping areas, and under the cherry blossoms.

A network of trails trace the mountainsides of Namsan and the pagodas, Buddha statues and more make this walk a delightful scavenger hunt set in nature.

The incline between Bulguk-sa and the Buddha at Seokguram takes only 20 minutes on a (frequently late) bus – but it’s an invigorating 1.5-hour hike in the fresh air, with smells of pines and blossoming flowers. Bulguk-sa was designed to incorporate terraces made for walking, and it was believed that you could enter the world of Buddha by passing through its wooden gates. At the end of a forested path, a giant Buddha effigy is sheltered in the cave of Seokguram. Perhaps counterintuitively, we recommend walking uphill to let your excitement build, followed by a bus ride down.

Explore Gyeongju by bicycle

Gyeongju is ideal for exploring on two wheels. The historic area around the royal tombs of Tumuli Gongwon is especially pleasant and easy to get around. The distances are fairly significant, but they’re not strenuous and there is little traffic. You can rent bikes almost anywhere, especially outside bus and train terminals; expect to pay about  ₩4000/15,000 ($3.35/$12.57) per hour/day for a regular bicycle. In South Korea, electric-assisted bicycles have been allowed to use bike paths from mid-2018, and they are starting to trickle into Gyeongju alongside electric scooters.

The Kakao Maps app shows you what percentage of a route is on cycle paths, how many intersections and bridges must be crossed, and how steep the route is. The cycling estimate for the 14.8km (9 miles) from the city center to Bulguk-sa is about 1 hour across 11 intersections.

Why cycling is my favorite way to travel in Gyeongju

Freedom. A bus and taxi might get me to the historic areas, but as a cyclist, I can spot a patch of pink muhly grass in the distance then head straight there with some vigorous pedaling. More than mere transport, a bike ride is part of the experience of exploring the wide spaces of Gyeongju – and an especially easy one, if you choose central accommodation that includes free bike hire.

Gyeongju has plenty of flat cycling paths through blossoming fields and village rice paddies that can make one feel like a local wheeling between errands. One day I might even get to live out my K-drama fantasies of pedaling between the rolling green tumuli on a tandem bicycle with my sweetheart and a giant map. In the meantime, I’m convinced that one afternoon of cycling around Gyeongju makes up for snacking on a dozen servings of sweet red-bean Gyeongju bread along the way. It’s what the Silla royalty would have wanted.

Drive around by car

Even if you arrive in Gyeongju in a rental car, you’ll likely find that it’s more convenient to walk between the main sights in the center of town. (Note that rental cars might have GPS only in Korean, and there is no need to rent a car once you’ve arrived.) There are public parking lots around Namsan and the major sights.

A similar and more economical option is to hire a taxi for the day. If you do want to hire a car, ask at your hotel or around the bus and train terminals.

Accessible transportation in Gyeongju

Though Gyeongju may sprawl, most clusters of sights are relatively wheelchair accessible. The biggest challenge will likely be getting there: local buses do not “kneel” or have space for a wheelchair, while wheelchair-accessible taxis cater mostly to residents. That limits options to tours geared toward accessibility, such as Korea Wheelchair Tour.

Once at the major sights, you’ll find paths for wheelchairs and baby strollers; the historic area around Tumuli Gongwon an especially lovely network of paths. Even Bolguk-sa is wheelchair- and baby-stroller-accessible (with free rentals, too), though you will be restricted to the lower level.

Regrettably, Gyeongju offers few facilities for visitors with vision impairment.

Find out more on Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resource page.

You may also like:
16 top things to do in Gyeongju, from tombs to tasty treats
The endangered royal dogs of Gyeongju
How Gyeongju has become South Korea's city of cool

How to explore Gyeongju by foot, bicycle, car and bus

Elena Nikolova converted to Islam in 2009. Four years later, she channeled her wanderlust into a new endeavor: helping other Muslims travel the world.

On one of Elena Nikolova’s first trips as a Muslim, she realized travel for her had changed forever. Visiting Bulgaria from the United Kingdom, she saw how her new halal diet was at odds with her pork-heavy, Bulgarian-Greek upbringing. It wasn’t long before Nikolova also noticed she was getting extra checks at the airport and more attention once she landed because of her hijab.

“I realized that whether we wanted it or not, there is prejudice against those who wear a hijab,” Nikolova said. “I realized that kind of puts Muslims off traveling.”

Since she converted to Islam in 2009, Nikolova has worked to make travel more accessible and comfortable for Muslims. A lover of deals, she began to share cheap fares and travel hacks on social media to encourage others in her new community to travel too. As a student in the UK, she often booked the longest layovers possible on her way back home to Greece just so she could explore new places.

An online forum for advocating Muslim travel

Upon the urging of a friend, Nikolova transformed her expertise into the blog Muslim Travel Girl in 2013, with the goal of helping Muslims travel while being confident in their identities and without breaking the bank. Right away, she started receiving questions related to airport security and whether certain countries were welcoming to Muslims. Her readers, mostly based in North America and Europe, were apprehensive. One of Muslim Travel Girl’s most popular videos, for example, is on navigating airports as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Building a comfort zone

“Throughout the past seven years, we've gone through [issues with] the media and Muslims, and the hijab and problems with women traveling,” she said. “The whole point of a Muslim travel blog is to help and encourage those people, to give them the resources to actually find destination information.”

While other resources exist, Nikolova says it was especially hard to find information that spoke directly to the experience of traveling as a Muslim when she started the blog. “Even though travel [for Muslims] in general is not so different, we have some differences, like [needing] places to pray or [specific] food to eat,” she said. “Not every Muslim needs these, but it should be there.”

A recent survey found the availability of halal food and prayer facilities among the most cited faith-based needs of Muslim travelers. Since 9/11, many Muslim travelers say they’ve faced discrimination at airports and on airplanes, ranging from extra security searches and intense questioning by airport staff to unexplainable visa troubles and hostility from fellow passengers.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter .

The 'halal tourism' boom

At the same time, the Muslim-friendly travel market, or “halal tourism” as some call it, has been booming. The industry caters to Muslim travelers looking for destinations that meet their faith-based needs, be it a place to pray, alcohol-free hotels or women-only pools and spas. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was estimated that by 2026, 230 million Muslim tourists would travel, locally and abroad, up from 98 million in 2010. By that time, Muslim travelers were expected to inject $300 billion into the global economy. With COVID-19, it’s now estimated it will take until 2023 to return to the same levels of Muslim tourists seen in 2019.

Nikolova attributes this increase in Muslim travelers to the global aspirations of younger Muslims, more disposable income and the persuasive power of social media. With more travelers, she says, has also come more blogs on Muslim-friendly travel, more interest from big brands and companies, conferences on the topic, and travel agencies like Halalbooking.com .

From credit card rewards to dinner recommendations

As the demographic makeup of Muslim travelers has changed, so has what Nikolova’s readers want. While initially some of Muslim Travel Girl’s most popular and requested posts were on the practicalities of traveling as a Muslim, she says now that more Muslims are traveling, the interest has shifted to what destinations to visit, insider travel tips and halal food recommendations in those places. One of their most popular topics is advice on DIY Umrah, so travelers can take the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca without using a travel agent or expensive tour package.

Bassam Ansari, who is based in Saudi Arabia, first discovered Muslim Travel Girl in 2013 through a friend. He says he often visits the site for its hotel and flight deals and has saved significant money through the site’s advice, which he finds to be personable and genuine.

“Using her reviews and travel advice I have found the best possible hotel options in quite a few different destinations,” he said. For example, Ansari says he saved 70 percent on the cost of a standard hotel room in Mecca during Ramadan, finding a room for $300 instead of the usual $1,000, because of Nikolova’s advice on how to effectively buy and use hotel reward points.

Small changes that make a big difference

Nikolova, who splits her time between Saudi Arabia and the UK, says Muslim Travel Girl is now one of the largest Muslim-friendly blogs in the West. She works on it full-time and also offers consultancy services to hotels and resorts on how to be more accommodating to Muslim guests. Even simple changes like providing soft drinks, non-alcoholic wine or fresh fruit in a welcome package, instead of wine, which is customary in places like Greece, can make a big difference in making someone feel more comfortable, she says.

“It's important to feel safe when you travel and that your needs as a Muslim traveler are taken care of. This is why I'm passionate about…working with hotels in the industry to provide more facilities and more knowledge for Muslims,” she said. “Every destination should be Muslim friendly.”

Having converted to Islam as an adult, Nikolova says she is able to identify with both non-Muslims and Muslims, and that sense of empathy helped in the initial stages of writing Muslim Travel Girl. She says her expertise hasn’t been questioned because she converted to the religion, instead of being born into it, though she can understand that point of view.

“When you are writing about something that is on a specific inclusivity, whether it's halal travel or whether it is accessibility travel, you have to have a basic understanding and principles in order to be accurate in your writing,” she said. “For me, I'm a Muslim, I'm a travel expert, and I have that knowledge because I've worked and lived that life for the past 10 years.”

Travel opens your mindset

Part of why travel is so important, Nikolova says, is because it can counter misconceptions and prejudice. When she converted to Islam, for instance, her Greek Orthodox parents were not happy about it. But after she and her mother traveled to numerous countries together, including her mother spending a year in Doha, Qatar when Nikolova’s daughter was born, things changed.

“It's one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about traveling and encouraging Muslims to travel, because you open your mindset,” Nikolova said. “Traveling brings us closer. You wouldn't know your neighbor if you didn’t talk to them. It's the same thing with going and exploring a different city; you wouldn't meet locals and talk to them if you didn't visit.”

You might also like:
Hajj Diaries: returning home
How Muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan during the pandemic
Hajj Diaries: performing the Hajj

Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before traveling during Covid-19 .

From DIY pilgrimages to halal restaurant tips: how this travel blogger built a community of Muslim travelers

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is famously known as a destination for nature lovers looking to hike, bike, climb and ski in the nearby mountains. Despite its well-earned reputation as a hub for outdoor adventures, Boulder also has a lively downtown center with dazzling shopping and dining options, a famed microbrewery scene, and several popular galleries, museums, and theaters for appreciating local arts and culture.

You might be looking to fill your Boulder itinerary with activities in the mountains, concerts and outdoor events, food and drink tours, nights on the town, or a little bit of everything – here are some of the best things to do in Boulder.

Take a stroll down Pearl Street

Pearl Street is the heart of downtown Boulder and home to some of the best shopping and dining options in town. The colorful, brick-lined pedestrian thoroughfare stretches on for six blocks and is lined with historic buildings that have been converted to coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and more. Street performers and food carts line the street daily, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll, a bite to eat, and prime people watching.

See Pearl Street at its liveliest at the street festivals and events held here throughout the year, including local favorites like Bands on the Bricks and Boulder Fall Fest.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Hike to the Flatirons from Chautauqua

Chautauqua Park is the starting point for the most popular hikes that get you up close and personal with The Flatirons. These slanting slabs of sandstone have become Boulder’s most recognizable landmark and a symbol of the town, and they are a sight to behold in every season.

Hiking trails at Chautauqua range from easy to steep and strenuous. Consider the Enchanted Mesa or the Chautauqua Loop Trail for a quick, easy outing, or Royal Arch Trail for a tough but rewarding trek to a massive stone arch. Pack a picnic to eat back in the park once you’re finished or enjoy the views during lunch at the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall.

Have afternoon tea at the Dushanbe Teahouse

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is one of the most unique tourist destinations in town. Presented to the city in 1987 as a gift from the mayor of Dushanbe, Tajikistan to celebrate the establishment of sister city ties, the tea house was shipped to Boulder piece-by-piece and assembled next to the city’s central park and the Boulder Creek Path.

The tea house is a great spot to spend a peaceful afternoon and recharge after a morning of outdoor activities or exploring town. Enjoy any of the dozens of types of teas available and a bite to eat while marveling at the intricately painted ceiling or taking in the views from the lush patio.

Traverse the Boulder Creek Path

The Boulder Creek Path is a multi-use scenic trail that winds through the heart of Boulder for approximately 5.5 miles, connecting many of the city’s main attractions. Accessible by bikers, walkers, runners, and skaters year-round, the path is one of the best ways to experience a variety of picturesque Boulder landscapes – like the iconic Flatirons and beautiful Boulder Creek. It also connects many of the city’s main parks, such as Scott Carpenter Park and Eben G Fine Park, making it a great afternoon activity before a picnic lunch.

Looking to explore the path by bike? Check out nearby bike shops like University Cycles for a rental or look out for the B-cycle bikeshare stations situated along the creek path. After downloading the B-cycle App, you can rent a bikeshare for as little as $2 for a half hour, or $8 for an entire day.

Try some tricks at Valmont Bike Park

Colorado is a major hub for mountain biking, and Boulder is no exception. While there are several mountain biking trails around town, one of the best spots to ride for beginners and families with kids is Valmont Bike Park. Located less than 10 minutes away from downtown by car, this 42-acre park features several well-maintained mountain biking courses of varying difficulties. There are easier options for younger children and beginners, as well as several courses where you can pick up speed around turns or practice jumps and other tricks. After you’ve finished on the trails, rest and refuel with lunch in the park’s beautiful picnic area while watching other bikers out on the course.

Sample the season’s bounty at Boulder County Farmers Market

A trip to Boulder simply wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Boulder County Farmers Market – one of the best ways to experience the city like a local. Every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon from April through November, local foodies and tourists alike flock to 13th Street (just a few blocks from Pearl Street) to buy seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, and more from the farmers who grew them just a few miles away.

The market also features a food court and several booths for local organic and natural food brands – an industry for which Boulder is the hub. Take your time perusing the market and sampling the seasonal offerings, but try to get there early to avoid long lines and larger crowds.

Quench your thirst at Avery Brewing Company

Avery Brewing Company is a local favorite craft brewery with a massive outdoor patio, upbeat atmosphere, and a stellar brewpub menu. For passionate beer enthusiasts, one of the best parts of the Avery experience is that you can tour the on-site tap room to get a closer look at how your beer was made. Avery also offers tours of its entire brewery, where you can witness the beer-making process from production to bottle – all while sampling several products along the way. It’s a great place for a tasty and interactive happy hour to kick off your evening in town!

Spend a day outside at Eldorado Canyon State Park

Many tourists visiting Boulder opt to group their trip with a visit to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, located a short 45-minute drive north of town. However, the popularity of the national park has skyrocketed in recent years, and reservations are now required (and highly competitive) for summer visitation. Luckily, a fantastic alternative to the national park is located just 20 minutes south of downtown Boulder: Eldorado Canyon State Park. This unsung gem is a hiking, biking, climbing, and trail running paradise. Check out trails like Doudy Draw, Marshall Mesa, or the Continental Divide Overlook for incredible views of the Flatirons and the Continental Divide in any season.

See local art at NoBo First Fridays

The North Boulder neighborhood has recently been developed and rebranded into NoBo, a trendy area clustered around modern apartment complexes and artists’ galleries. On the first Friday of every month, NoBo puts on its First Fridays art walk from 6-9pm, where visitors can explore the studios, galleries, and creative businesses of the art district on a self-guided tour. The event features live music, demos, food trucks, and special activities at several locations. This is a great place for art lovers to experience the local creative scene, and it’s also a stellar option for a date night or a warmer winter evening.

Beat the summer heat by tubing down Boulder Creek

Another popular way to enjoy Boulder Creek during the summer months is to tube your way down with friends and a cool drink in tow. It can get up to 100ºF (38ºC) at this time of year and while the lack of humidity helps, the high-altitude sun can be brutal in the afternoons. The creek is the perfect place to cool off, with ample shade from the trees that line the path. You can hop in at any point along the Boulder Creek Path, but locals typically recommend starting from the grassy park areas near the Boulder Public Library.

Enjoy winter fun at nearby Eldora Mountain Ski Resort

One of the best things to do during a winter visit to Boulder is to head up to nearby Eldora Mountain Ski Resort for a day of skiing and fun in the snow. The mountain is only a 35-minute drive from downtown Boulder, so it’s easy to spend just a half day at the resort and still have time to explore town or do another activity later in the afternoon. And while Eldora is primarily a downhill skiing mountain, there's also cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing at Eldora’s Nordic Center.

Visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is a climate research center and science museum with a variety of interactive exhibits, lectures, and programs that all visitors can access for free. It’s a great place for families with kids to learn about our galaxy, the atmosphere, weather, and the local environment. NCAR is situated atop a beautiful mesa that offers incredible views of town and the surrounding mountain peaks, so it has also been made into a trailhead for some of the most popular hikes in town, like Bear Peak and Mesa Trail. Pop into the museum on your way back from a hiking excursion, or stop by before your start your trek to learn about the environment you’re about to be immersed in.

Experience the excellent local food scene

Boulder’s food scene is top-notch and well-known for restaurants that champion local and organic ingredients sourced from nearby farmers. Experiencing a meal out is a must, and Pearl Street is home to several award-winning options. Try Pizzeria Locale for artisanal wood-fired pies, The Kitchen for farm-to-table bistro-style eats, Bartaco for upscale street tacos, and Leaf Vegetarian for delicious and diverse vegetarian fare. Off Pearl Street, Zoe Ma Ma Chinese restaurant and Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage are two hot spots that have each been featured on Food Network – both great options for evening take out.

Join backyard happy hour at The Rayback Collective

The Rayback Collective is the local hangout spot of choice year-round. It’s essentially a beer garden, food truck lot, live music venue, and cafe all in one concept – the perfect place to unwind with friends to kick off an evening in town. Food truck options rotate regularly and Rayback even puts on a Vegan Night once a month. Check the website or social media account in advance if you’re curious about what’s being served. The brews and cocktails are also outstanding, and there is a variety of non-alcoholic options too. It’s a spot you won’t want to miss for an authentically Boulder experience.

Watch a Shakespeare performance under the stars

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is a prominent annual event that’s hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder, drawing thousands of visitors to the city every summer. On an open-air stage with views of the mountains in the background, actors will perform several of Shakespeare’s most famous shows under the stars. This is one of the best and most unique things to do in town if you are visiting during the summer. You can enjoy a tasty dinner before your show at the Shakespeare Garden or pack a picnic basket for munching during the show.

You might also like:

boulder -on-a-budget-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/boulder-on-a-budget">Getting the best out of Boulder on a budget

boulder -link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-outdoor-experiences-in-boulder">Best ways to get outdoors in Boulder
The best day trips from Boulder promise Rocky Mountain adventure

15 things to do in Boulder, Colorado, for the best local experience

Moving forward with its phased plan to welcome tourists to its crystal beaches, the Cayman Islands government announced it will now allow unvaccinated children under the age of 11 to assume the vaccination status of the adult with whom they are traveling.

The tourism sector has been looking forward to this phase of reopening as a major step to lure vacationing families back to the Caymans. The country's cautious return to tourism started in late November when it started allowing vaccinated tourists from countries with vaccination rates of greater than 60% or higher for the first dose to skip quarantine.

Countries currently allowed to bypass quarantine requirements include the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

Applying to travel to the Cayman Islands

Along with registering with the Travel Cayman portal, those traveling to the country must upload proof of vaccination and apply for a travel declaration to travel to the country. The travel declaration can take up to 5 working days to process.

Unvaccinated children under age 11 will assume the vaccination status of the adult with whom they are traveling. In addition, travelers over the age of 5 must also provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before departure. To meet this requirement, along with PCR tests, the Cayman Islands will now also accept certified rapid tests.

After arriving, travelers over the age of 5 must also take a COVID-19 test on day 2, 5 and 7 of their visit.

Travelers also need to have travel and medical insurance where COVID-19 is not an exclusion to coverage.

Read more: What you need to know about finding and paying for healthcare abroad

Vaccinated travelers who arrive from countries where the vaccination rate is less than 60% must quarantine for 10 days before they can explore the island.

Who is not allowed to travel to the Cayman Islands

Unvaccinated travelers—unless they are children under age 11 traveling with a vaccinated adult—are not  permitted to travel to the Cayman Islands unless they have a “close tie to the island.”

According to the Cayman Island tourism website, those individuals include:

Those with a business or property in the Cayman Islands
A spouse, civil partner, sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent, grandchild, child or stepchild who is Caymanian or a resident.

If permitted to come to the island, unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 14-days upon arrival.

Meanwhile, cruise ships are not currently allowed to visit the island. The Cayman Compass reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory against cruise travel stalled the return of that sector to the country but that tourism officials plan to meet with the industry in the coming weeks to chart a path forward.

You might also like:
US Travel Advisories: Americans urged "do not travel" to Italy in latest update
Need to self-isolate on arrival? Here’s what you need to know
PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

All Stories

The 9 best parks in Detroit: Find birds, biking and blooms in the Motor City’s green spaces

The best hikes in Vail to convince you to hang up your skis

Tanzania’s best road trips offer wildlife and culture aplenty

The best parks in Naples: from royal gardens to underwater Romans

Best places in the Dominican Republic for lounging, hiking and partying

How to explore Gyeongju by foot, bicycle, car and bus

From DIY pilgrimages to halal restaurant tips: how this travel blogger built a community of Muslim travelers

15 things to do in Boulder, Colorado, for the best local experience

Cayman Islands revises travel requirements to allow unvaccinated children

Featured in Best in Travel 2022

Nepal

Asia

Country

Malawi

Africa

Country

Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Cyprus

City

Vancouver Island

Canada

Region