Annika Hipple

Across the United States, 63 national parks preserve some of the continent’s wildest places and most spectacular landscapes, from soaring mountains and fantastically sculpted canyons to rugged coastlines, vast grasslands and towering forests – all of which provide habitat for an equally varied array of wildlife. With so much beauty and diversity, choosing the very best national parks in the United States is a subjective and nearly impossible task, but here are 12 national parks in the contiguous 48 states that should definitely be high on your list.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, several small farming communities rose up against the British and helped form a new nation. Now, the towns are gearing up to party like it's 1775.

On 19 April 2025, Lexington, Concord and two other neighbouring towns north-west of Boston will mark the 250th anniversary of the chilly spring day in 1775 when Massachusetts militiamen faced off against British forces in a clash that launched the US on a path to independence.

As At 6 feet, 5 inches, Lou Whittaker was a towering presence in any circumstances, but he loomed especially large as a mountaineer, right up until his death on March 24, 2024, at the age of 95. Born in Seattle on February 10, 1929, Lou was a veteran of several high-profile Himalayan expeditions but found his true calling closer to home on Washington’s highest peak, 14,411-foot Mount Rainier, which he summited 250 times while guiding thousands of clients to the top.

In a scenic Japanese village, a former high school chemistry teacher from Los Angeles has found a new calling as a craft beer brewer.

The birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston is one of the most historic cities in the United States. It's home to the country's oldest public park, university, public library and many other firsts that have given it a unique place in the nation's cultural and political identity. I grew up in the nearby suburbs, and every time I visit the city, there are new things to discover, different cultural influences and evolving neighborhoods to explore, even as the city’s identity remains firmly and uniquely Bostonian.

Entry about Torres del Paine National Park in Lonely Planet's book The Joy of Birdwatching: 60 travel experiences to uplift and inspire

A magical meeting place of land and sea, Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of Maine and one of the most scenic coastal spots along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States.

Bat Conservation International's India Program Manager, Rohit Chakravarty, shares his work and goals.

Designed to promote long-term protection for bats and ecosystems by building capacity in key geographic regions, the exciting new MENTOR-Bat program, a partnership between Bat Conservation International (BCI) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, brings together established and emerging bat conservationists from Colombia, Cameroon, and Indonesia to engage in virtual and in-person meetings, training opportunities, and workshops related to bat conservation.

The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is one of the world’s largest bat species, with a wingspan reaching more than five feet. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most endangered, having disappeared from much of its historic range at an alarming rate in recent decades. Malaysian conservation ecologist Sheema Abdul Aziz, Ph.D. has been studying the large flying fox on the Malay Peninsula and working to protect it ever since she realized it had become increasingly scarce.

One of the most inspiring wartime volunteer efforts in United States history began with a mix-up. On December 17, 1941—just ten days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor—the citizens of North Platte, Nebraska, received word that a troop train would be passing through, carrying soldiers from Company D of the Nebraska National Guard. Some 500 people, many of them family members and friends of the new recruits, hurried to the local Union Pacific Railroad station, carrying baskets of food an...

Simply put, Norway is spectacular. Along the west coast, shimmering blue fjords carve deep into the interior, with picture-perfect villages hugging the shores and gravity-defying farms clinging to the steep slopes above. Elsewhere, the coastline is less dramatic but still stunning with white-painted towns and countless islands, while interior Norway has some of Europe’s wildest, most beautiful mountains, interspersed with green agricultural valleys and stretches of deep forest. Almost anywhere you go in Norway you’ll find scenery to take your breath away and abundant activities to inspire you.

Boston’s influence on the history and culture of the United States is undisputed. It was here that the American Revolution began nearly two and a half centuries ago, a legacy the city will celebrate over the next few years, beginning with commemorative events marking the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party later in 2023.

City guide to Stockholm covering sights, outdoor activities, hotels, shopping, dining, and more.

Let’s not beat around the bush: Norway is expensive. However, the historically weak krone has made it a bit less so recently, and even if exchange rates change, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget without missing out on the fantastic experiences the country has to offer. All it takes is a bit of strategic planning and adaptability.