Road Trip Hacks for Kids: Snacks, Screens and Stops for Calm Drives
Road trip hacks for kids come down to a stop about every 2 hours, safe snacks and screens in short blocks. Tips on seating, timing and holiday drives.
Every Single Place — America's parks, places and trips, planned right.
Floods Lift Lake Powell 20 Feet; 15 of 17 Boat Launches Still Unusable
Lake Powell rose more than 20 feet after Southwest floods, yet 15 of its 17 boat launches stayed unusable. What the water means for lakes, towns and drought.
Page, Arizona on a Budget: 9 Free and Low-Cost Stops
Page, Arizona on a budget means Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam overlooks and free rim trails. Costs, timing and money-saving tips beyond Antelope Canyon.
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Yellowstone in Winter: The Open Road, Snowcoaches and Gateway Towns
In winter, Yellowstone's only road open to cars runs from Gardiner to Cooke City. How snowcoach and snowmobile trips work and how to reach both gateways.
Utah National Parks Over Christmas Break: Weather, Crowds, Roads
Utah's five national parks stay open over Christmas break, with cold nights, short days and snow at Bryce. Weather, crowds and roads park by park.
Denali National Park Guide: Buses, Pretty Rocks and Talkeetna
How to see Denali when only one road enters it: the bus system, what changed with the new Pretty Rocks bridge, Talkeetna flightseeing with glacier landings, and the short summer season.
Itineraries
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Potash Road Near Moab: Petroglyphs, Dinosaur Tracks and Corona Arch
Potash Road (Utah 279) near Moab passes rock art, dinosaur tracks and the Corona Arch trail. Mile markers, timing, parking and safety tips for the drive.
Is Coney Island Worth Visiting? Season, Rides, Beach and Getting There
Coney Island is worth a half-day visit from late spring to early fall, when rides and the beach are open. When to go, how to get there and what it costs.
West Coast Road Trip in 14 Days: Seattle to San Diego Day by Day
About 1,800 miles of coast, rain forest and redwoods in two weeks. Here is where to sleep each night, how long each drive takes and why the one-way car rental fee belongs in your budget from day one.
US News
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Legend of the Seas, World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Sails From Florida
Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, a 248,633-ton ship for up to 7,600 passengers, begins sailing from Port Everglades. Routes, dates and starting fares.
Two Skydivers Die After Midair Collision Over Lake Elsinore
Two skydivers died after colliding about 150 feet above the ground near Skydive Elsinore in California. What happened and what is known about the event.
1,000-Year Flood Swamps McCaysville and Copperhill Rail Towns
A 1,000-year flood hit McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, home to two scenic railroads. What closed, the curfew and the storm's path north.
Natural Wonders
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Is Point Lobos Worth It? Entry Fee, Parking and the Best Short Trails
Point Lobos is worth a stop: short, flat coastal trails, sea lions and cypress groves. Fees, parking, the best walks and how early to arrive on weekends.
Grand Canyon North Rim After the Dragon Bravo Fire: How to Plan
The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim in July 2025. What burned, what to check before you go and how to plan a visit.
20 Best State Parks in the US: Fees, Seasons and What to Book
Twenty state parks that hold their own against national parks, with fee types, seasons and the few that require a reservation to get in.
Plan & Budget
All Plan & Budget
AWD or 4WD for Zion and Bryce in Winter: Roads, Snow and Chains
Most winter visitors reach Zion and Bryce on plowed roads with 2WD and good tires. AWD helps on snow days. See closures, chain rules and storm tips.
Is the America the Beautiful Pass Worth It? Break-Even Math
Three fee-charging parks in a year is the usual tipping point. Here is the math for residents and nonresidents, plus who qualifies for a free or $20 pass.
When to Book a National Park Trip: Lodges, Camping, Entry
Each piece of a park trip opens on its own schedule. Here is the timeline from lodges to last-minute tickets, using the rules parks published for 2026.
Seasons
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Best Holiday Light Displays in the US by Region, With Ticket Tips
The best US holiday light displays run from mid-November to early January. See drive-through and walk-through shows by region, plus dates and ticket tips.
Thanksgiving Road Trips: Worst Traffic Days, Drive Times and Where to Go
The worst Thanksgiving traffic is Wednesday afternoon and the Sunday after. See the best times to leave, sensible drive times and long-weekend destinations.
Best Spring Wildflower Destinations in the US and When They Peak
Wildflower season starts in the Southern California desert in late winter and ends in the high meadows of the Cascades in August. Here is the calendar, the best places and the rules that protect the blooms.