Islands

In many places throughout the United States, winter rains foster beautiful wildflowers in spring and summer. But it's less common to see a "superbloom" — a rare phenomenon in which a large quantity of dormant seeds explode into carpets of flowers all at once. There's one currently happening in Colorado's high-elevation meadows, drawing curious travelers from far and wide. The superbloom is occurring in the San Juan Mountains, according to a report from The Durango Herald, a local news outlet.

Florida boasts an extensive state park system, with nearly 200 parks spanning over 1,250 square miles of natural land. These parks not only protect native wildlife and vegetation, but they also provide limitless opportunities for visitors to engage with Florida's natural wonders up close and personal. Unlike Everglades National Park, these state parks typically see lower crowds that make it easier to feel immersed in their wilderness.

Packing for the airport can be stressful, particularly if you're trying to avoid checked baggage fees. You try to fit everything you need into your carry-on, and for many people, that means trying to get away with a bag that is slightly larger than the accepted maximum dimensions. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly made a major change that will likely affect how you pack.

Parks are plentiful in the city of Sacramento, though if you're a dedicated nature enthusiast, consider heading to nearby Carmichael. Located under a 30-minute drive away from California's State Capitol, this community was established in the early 20th century. While it's not technically a city, this doesn't make it any less of a gem. Niche ranks it as one of Sacramento's top 20 suburbs and World Population Review states that Carmichael has an annual growth rate of 1.56%.

Foreigners visiting the U.S. are often surprised as they go about their explorations. As you would expect, the main culprit is culture shock. While perfectly comfortable for us, common, everyday practices and our more extroverted behaviors can shock visitors from places with more reserved sensibilities. But culture is only part of the equation. From our geography to the design of our cities, other aspects of American life can be downright astounding.

As we deal with the everyday concerns of our lives, it's easy to feel out of touch with nature and forget that there are parts of our world that need protecting. That includes animals like the gray wolf, a species that once almost disappeared from the United States. While they've recovered somewhat, they're still listed as endangered by the National Wildlife Federation.

When you're considering a state or national park to visit, one of the first destinations that likely comes to mind is Yellowstone National Park. It's a great place to take a vacation, and it's known for its beauty — but if you choose to visit, you'll like have to deal with crowds. In 2025, Yellowstone welcomed nearly 4.8 million visitors, making it one of the United States' most visited national parks.

Add another name to the growing list of amusement parks shuttering for good in 2026. After more than five decades in operation, Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Colton, California, seven miles south of San Bernardino, is closing this summer. Dwindling ticket sales and rising operating costs are reportedly to blame. "The economics of the amusement park industry and what we're doing have changed dramatically," said Michelle O'Brien, one of the park's co-owners, in an interview with SFGATE.

In an age of limitless vacation choices, picking a cruise to go on is tough. From the outside, so many of them seem to offer the exact same experience: great food, parties, entertainment, visits to some of the coolest ports, and amenities galore. But in January of 2026, Consumer Reports conducted a survey to find out which of the top cruises were the best ... and the worst. Surprisingly, the well-known Norwegian Cruise Line was at the very bottom in terms of customer satisfaction.

Massive crowds at popular places like Niagara Falls can put a dent in the enjoyment of the experience. But just three hours east of that famous landmark is a waterfall with much fewer people, many fish to catch, and lovely views of the Salmon River. The Salmon River Falls are a quiet getaway, where you can enjoy rushing waters without the pressing throngs of people. These falls are free to visit and are a short 45-mile drive north of Syracuse.