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A snow-covered mountain reflected in a clear lake, surrounded by evergreen trees

10 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular U.S. National Parks

With crowds overrunning the U.S.’s most popular national parks, head to these alternative parks, forests, and natural wonders instead.

April 23, 2025 03:04 AM

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Maggie Fuller

Natural Wonders

Stargazers Rejoice: United States Gets 3 New International Dark Sky Parks

Since late April, parks in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah have been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as exceptional stargazing locations.

May 14, 2019 06:56 PM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Winter 2022

Writer Louise Erdrich on the Unique Soul of the Twin Cities

The Pulitzer Prize–winning author opens up about haunted bookstores, wild rice, and the future of Minneapolis, her home city.

October 8, 2021 12:12 PM

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Aislyn Greene

Tierra Bomba is a 15-minute boat ride from Cartagena, one of the largest cities on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

Longreads

How Cartagena’s “Forgotten Island” Kick-Started a Recycling Movement

The tourism industry abandoned Colombia’s Tierra Bomba island decades ago. Today, locals and hospitality pioneers are rebuilding from scratch.

May 30, 2023 01:15 PM

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Alexandra Marvar

Books

How Working in the French Quarter Showed Me a Different Side of New Orleans

In an excerpt from her debut memoir “The Yellow House,” NOLA native Sarah M. Broom reflects on a summer job she took in the heavily touristed French Quarter while home from college.

June 7, 2019 08:29 PM

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Sarah M. Broom

National Parks

Why Now Is the Time to Visit Chile’s New National Parks

Philanthropist and conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins has long championed protected land in Patagonia; now, with her gift, Chile has entered a historic age of conservation.

May 1, 2019 03:38 PM

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Cristina Slattery

Cities We Love

How to Visit Asheville in Style—and Protect and Preserve It Too

In Asheville, nature fans can escape to one of the country’s most stunning destinations packed with unearthly natural beauty, with all the comforts of a true vacation.

Sponsored by Explore Asheville

Chateau des Charmes Estate Winery, Niagara-On-The-Lake

Weekend Getaways

Heading to Niagara Falls? Don’t Miss This Charming Town Nearby.

Take a detour from the world famous falls for a weekend trip to its artsy sister.

June 29, 2023 06:02 PM

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Heather Greenwood Davis

Air Travel News

A New Airplane Seat Design Promises to End Middle-Seat Misery

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved an economy class seat that affords more room to that oh-so-sad spot sandwiched between the aisle and the window.

July 19, 2019 06:43 PM

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Michelle Baran

Destination Spotlight

The Best Places to Eat, Stay, and Hike in Joshua Tree, California

There’s a lot more to Joshua Tree than the “trees.”

December 5, 2022 07:15 PM

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Mae Hamilton

Travel for Good

How to Enjoy Switzerland’s Beauty—and Help Keep It That Way

As our horizons broaden postpandemic, many of us are looking for low-impact ways to travel. Switzerland is uniquely set up for a sustainable trip.

March 16, 2022 05:37 PM

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Jonny Bierman

Style + Design

The Case for the $88 Travel T-Shirt

These companies are about not only about buying less but also buying better.

August 22, 2022 09:30 AM

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Katherine LaGrave

Food + Drink

In Grand Junction, Wine, Tacos, and Trails Await

Canyons and mesas surround western Colorado’s biggest city, where an influx of outdoorsy transplants is creating a thriving creative scene.

April 15, 2022 12:57 PM

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Kelly Bastone

Cruise

Cruising 2020: Helicopters, Submarines, and Five-Star Dining

Travel advisor Jonny Drubel talks about cruise trends for 2020.

November 7, 2019 04:01 AM

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Annie Fitzsimmons

Tips + News

This Pacific Island Just Became the World’s First Dark Sky Nation

Niue has a population of 1,500 and is 1,491 miles off the coast of New Zealand.

March 10, 2020 05:42 PM

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Lyndsey Matthews

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