Top USA Day Trips - page 5

Venture beyond Denver, and discover what Colorado has to offer: on this small-group tour, visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Continental Divide, and the ski resort town of Breckenridge, all in one day. Depart in the morning via comfortable vehicle: you'll explore Red Rocks before taking Loveland Pass along the Continental Divide, and stopping for photos along the way. At Breckenridge, enjoy free time to wander, shop, and eat lunch (own expense).

Experience Kauai nature at its finest on this kayaking and waterfall hiking tour. Paddle the majestic Wailua River, original home of the first Hawaiians, as your guide shares stories about the flora and fauna of Kauai's most sacred area. Then, hike through the rainforest to Secret Falls where you can enjoy a refreshing dip before a delicious lunch. This challenging tour requires participants to meet health and age guidelines to ensure safety.

Take a tour to three backroads Sonoma wineries, and get more out of your trip to the Sonoma Valley than you would if you explored alone, on this small-group, half-day tour. Not only does your guide pick three impressive wineries to visit (tasting fees own expense), but they also set up a picnic lunch for your group to enjoy in a winery setting. Round-trip transport from your Sonoma hotel is also included, so you can focus on enjoyment and leave the driving to someone else.

Visit a former plantation and ride through the swamp during this two-in-one tour. Start with a visit to Oak Alley Plantation for a tour of the antebellum mansion. Follow the oak-shaded paths to the blacksmith shop during your free time. Lunch is available to purchase at the restaurant on-site. Next, head to the dock for your swamp tour. Search for alligators and other wildlife and stop for photo ops while aboard an airboat. Round-trip hotel transport provided from New Orleans.

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Columbia River Gorge on this full-day trip from Portland to Mount Hood! With your small group, take a guided tour of such iconic Oregon destinations as Multnomah Falls and the famous Timberline Lodge, and enjoy lunch in the charming city of Hood River. Your tour also includes pickup from over 60 hotels in Portland and a private or small-group option.

Escape the bustle of Las Vegas and experience the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon's South Rim in just one day on this bus tour. Stop along the way at Boulder City, Kingman, and Seligman, before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park, where you can take in the views from Mather Point, Hopi House, and the Bright Angel Lodge, among others.

Discover some of South Dakota’s top landmarks—including the iconic Mt. Rushmore—and leave the driving to someone else on this seamless, full-day bus tour. Meet in the morning in Rapid City, hop aboard your air-conditioned coach, and head to Mt. Rushmore to see the larger-than-life sculpture. Next, drive through the Black Hills, stop for lunch (own expense) in Custer State Park, thread the Needles Highway, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, and more.

Enjoy lunch along the Willamette River on a 2-hour cruise in Portland. Great for newcomers and locals alike, the leisurely cruise presents an expansive vista of Portland from the water. In addition to exceptional views and food, the afternoon tour also includes commentary from your captain and live entertainment. Prepared with local ingredients, your meal can be upgraded to include an appetizer and dessert.

Experience some of the Big Island’s top attractions during this day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo. Learn all about volcanoes as you marvel at Halema'uma'u crater and explore the massive Kilauea Volcano. Visit Rainbow Falls around the town of Hilo and stop to indulge in local chocolates and fresh island coffee. Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour.

Explore Colorado’s natural playgrounds, just a short drive from downtown Denver. Escape the city and head for the Rockies with a guide to handle the road, so you can focus on the stunning scenery of Mt. Evans, Bear Creek Canyon, and beyond. Get a taste of mountain culture in the charming town of Evergreen, check out the dramatic formations of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and hike around serene Echo Lake on this half-day mountain sampler.

Step back in time with a visit to enchanting St Augustine — one of America’s oldest towns — on this full-day tour from Orlando. This 10-hour excursion arrives in St Augustine by mid-morning, giving you hours to spend on your favorite activities. Stroll along cobbled pathways, admire Spanish Colonial architecture, indulge in delicious seafood at a waterside restaurant, see historic landmarks, and add on an optional sightseeing cruise or trolley tour.

Put New Orleans in context without the self-drive hassles on this enriching full-day tour. First, immerse in the city’s dark history on a self-guided tour of the Whitney Plantation, with time to explore the museum independently. Next, pass by the Evergreen Plantation, where Django Unchained was filmed, and board an airboat for a high-speed swamp adventure. Your package includes small-group transfers from most New Orleans hotels.

On this guided scenic day tour from Phoenix, you will not only take in the breathtaking landscapes of this desert playground with plenty of photo opportunities, but you will explore ancient Native American ruins. With plenty of free time in Sedona to explore on foot, you might check out some art galleries, do some souvenir shopping, or even get a psychic reading. Enjoy this small-group tour limited to just 13 people in a custom van with leather captain's chairs

If you have just one day to explore Oahu, the Circle Island Drive is a must—taking in all the island’s highlights in just one day. This full-day tour from Honolulu visits Nu’uanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, the Dole Plantation, and Waimea Valley. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Visit Washington, D.C. with a Spanish-speaking guide during this day trip from New York. Visit the memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., and the monument to Thomas Jefferson. Then take a tour of the monuments to the Korean War, President Lincoln, the Vietnam War, and President Washington. See the prestigious Georgetown University and stop at the White House, then have free time for lunch (own expense) and visit the Air and Space Museum. All entrance fees are included.

Experience Muir Woods National Monument and the quaint waterfront town of Sausalito on a half-day tour. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge on a guided day trip that includes pickup in a convenient location in downtown San Francisco, transportation, and National Park entrance fees. Enjoy free time among the ancient redwoods, then explore Sausalito at your own pace before returning to San Francisco by vehicle or by ferry (separate expense).

Make the most of your time on land with this shore excursion of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Go through White Pass to the Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and Caribou Crossing, visit a dog mushing camp, and look for wildlife such as bear, moose, and caribou. Includes lunch

Make the most of your time on Oahu by booking a tour that takes you all the way around the island. Discover all of Oahu's top attractions, including Diamond Head State Monument and the Halona Blow Hole, visit the famed Dole Plantation and Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet, and swim among Hawaiian sea turtles on the North Shore.

The lush riverside trails of the Lamar Valley are a wildlife-watching hotspot within the Yellowstone National Park. With this guided hike, explore the natural landscapes as you venture off-road and seek out little-known spots, increasing your chances of spotting wildlife. Look out for buffalo, wolves, eagles, and other animals along the way, and watch from a safe distance in their natural habitat.

Known for its steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, towering sequoia groves, and diversity of wildlife, Yosemite National Park is something you don’t want to miss. On this small group day trip, you can leave the logistics to a tour guide so all you have to do is enjoy the great outdoors. You have both guided sightseeing and free time, ensuring you see the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s major attractions, like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley, with the chance to explore more of the park however you wish.

Discover Area 51, without the self-drive stress, on a full-day guided tour from Las Vegas. Travel along the Extraterrestrial Highway through desolate desert landscapes to the infamous location. See top-secret Janet Airlines, the Black Mailbox, the absolute perimeter, and stop for lunch at the quirky, alien-themed, Little A'Le'Inn.

Book this Hana Highway (Road to Hana) Rainforest and Waterfall Tour from Kaanapali and avoid the stress of navigating the 21A highway in Hawaii. This small-group tour takes care of the main details like driving, lunch, and select attraction entry fees, so you can enjoy the beauty that is Hawaii. Some stops include Ke‘anae Point, Ho'okipa Beach Park, Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Explore the world’s most active volcano on this private eco-tour around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You'll experience the highlights of Kilauea’s summit area and hike to hidden and highlight areas of the park. This half- or full-day, education-based exploration focuses on the native flora and fauna, the area's geology, and the amazing Hawaiian culture that still thrives in the area today.