Top USA Outdoor Activities

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

See Arizona from a perspective that few visitors experience aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad. Glide through the beautiful wilderness of the American Southwest near Sedona. Ride in a vintage train car or open-air viewing car to get a great perspective on the region’s natural and cultural treasures. See ancient cliff dwellings, historic mining sites, and more as your train cruises along a route that follows the Verde River.

Less than a 2-hour drive from Portland, the Oregon Coast is celebrated for its natural beauty. This tour gives you the chance to experience some of the best of what the coast has to offer, without having to do any driving. You'll visit the coastal town of Cannon Beach, spend time among the trees of Ecola State Park, and learn about local wildlife from your naturalist guide.

Explore Bridger-Teton National Forest on a horseback-riding tour from Moran, about 35 miles (56 km) from Jackson. Take in views of the Teton Range and Grand Teton National Park as you ride up into groves of Aspen trees. Choose from 2- or 4-hour rides, or enjoy dinner rides through the picturesque forest led by experienced guides.

Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness on a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and try your luck spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries.

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas behind and get up close to the Colorado River on this half-day kayaking tour. Board your shuttle at Mandalay Bay Resort (if option selected) and travel to Willow Beach. Embark on a relaxing 5-mile (8-kilometer) journey through Black Canyon, including a visit to the picturesque Emerald Cave. Enjoy included snacks and water as you take in the natural beauty around you.

Stunning scenery, wildlife sightings, and a different side of the Yellowstone ecosystem await you on this scenic floating tour down the Snake River from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Join a professional river guide who will provide all steering and propulsion for your 13-mile rafting trip so you can sit back and enjoy the views. This tour is ideal for those who have never been rafting or who prefer to avoid the rigor of other rafting trips, including families and senior citizens.

Experience up-close views of glaciers and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park on this cruise. Enjoy 100 miles (round-trip) of jaw-dropping scenery as the captain and crew explain the surrounding geology and wildlife. Sail past the majestic Holgate Glacier and witness chunks of glaciers break off and crash into the water. Get your camera out near Chiswell Islands, home to thousands of nesting seabirds. In addition to the sights, enjoy a complimentary brunch or deli lunch.

Spend 2 hours out on the Auke Bay Harbor's waters searching for humpback whales during this boat tour from Juneau. Listen to commentary from your guide and keep a lookout for other marine animals such as orca, bald eagles, and sea lions. Cap off the cruise with a 5-minute stop to snap photos of Mendenhall Glacier. Snacks, refreshments, and round-trip transportation from the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau provided.

Experience the thrill of meeting sharks face-to-face in the pristine waters of Oahu on this cage-diving adventure. See Hawaii's majestic hunters — Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment — surrounded by the deep blue of Oahu’s North Shore. Observe from the safety of a floating cage. Stay on the surface, then using a mask and snorkel, look through large polyglass windows to watch the sharks as they gracefully glide by.

Grand Teton National Park offers some of America’s most spectacular wildlife, including grizzlies, wolves, elk, moose, bison, antelope, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. Beat the crowds and enjoy 360-degree viewing on this small-group tour with a naturalist wildlife guide in a custom vehicle with a roof hatch and a window for everyone. Swarovski scopes and binoculars ensure great visibility, with iPads to help you learn more about what you’re viewing.

This small-group tour takes you from downtown San Francisco to Muir Woods and Sausalito—two of Marin's top attractions—in a single day. Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge in a tour van leaves you free to take in the epic views instead of focusing on the driving. You'll have free time to explore both sites, making this organized option a great choice for independent travelers.

Discover the best of Ketchikan on this full-day tour, featuring stunning wildlife and cultural highlights. Visit the salmon-filled Ketchikan Creek, explore Rotary Beach for sea creatures and potential whale sightings, and spot seals, eagles, and bears at Herring Cove. Conclude with a visit to Saxman Native Village to admire one of Alaska's largest totem pole collections and learn about indigenous traditions.

Fly through the treetops on a zipline course through the jungle environment of Haiku with this thrilling tour. Cross eight ziplines, three tree platforms, two swinging bridges, and a suspension bridge all in a couple of hours. This is a great activity to enjoy if you're taking a day trip on Maui's Hana Highway or visiting area waterfalls.

Experience the lush beauty of East Maui on this guided rainforest hike. Cruise the scenic Hana Highway then embark on your trek with a local guide. Learn about the Maui’s ecosystems, marvel at magical waterfalls, climb basalt rock formations, and leap into the freshwater pools below for a refreshing swim. Enjoy a delicious, healthy lunch along the way—it’s included in the tour price.

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. This tour is designed for snorkelers; Ride Alongs stay on the boat and may or may not see manta rays. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them during this approximately 1.5-hour experience.

Get a new perspective on Kauai as you soar through lush forests and over the Waita Reservoir on the island’s longest ziplines. While cruising across the 8-track course near Koloa, hang on to the handlebars or try some more daring acrobatic stunts with the hands-free ‘Flyin' Kauai'an’ harness. It's an intimate, small-group experience capped at 12 people.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this tour. Take a short cruise out to the snorkeling site before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks. If you don't see manta rays on this excursion, book again for another night, free of charge.

Visit the site where the American Civil War began without the hassle of arranging transportation or waiting in line for tickets. This Fort Sumter package includes admission skip-the-line tickets as well as round-trip ferry transport. Take in views of Rainbow Row and the Battery as you cruise through Charleston Harbor. Then, enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, before the return ferry ride.

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

Explore the famous monuments and memorials of Washington DC by night on this small-group (or private) sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an open-air, electric vehicle and enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of the nation’s capital. Travel by the wealth of famous attractions, with views of the Washington Monument, the White House, and many other landmarks lit up after dark, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture this magical time of day.

Explore Washington DC's iconic landmarks and monuments on a full-day coach tour. Stop at the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and more. Depending on the season, you'll be invited to enjoy a Potomac River cruise or extra memorial stops and Pentagon Mall lunch. Upgrade options include admission to the Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum, African American Museum, or a guided Capitol Hill walk with U.S. Capitol entry.