Badlands National Park stretches across southwestern South Dakota, where layered rock formations and sharply eroded spires reveal nearly 75 million years of geological history. The park’s banded cliffs and pinnacles were shaped by wind and water, exposing ancient seabeds and fossil-rich layers that have made the area one of North America’s most important paleontological sites.
Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured.
Funafuti Atoll, the capital of Tuvalu, is a narrow strip of land wrapped around a brilliant turquoise lagoon that stretches over 20 kilometers across. Despite being just 600 meters at its widest point, Funafuti is the heartbeat of the country, where government buildings, homes, schools, and the island’s only airport all coexist along sandy roads lined with coconut trees.
Boulder, a beautiful 2,500 foot high oasis of green lawns and clean trees-shaded streets where the sun shines over 320 days a year, overlooks the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Recognized as truly a family oriented and community minded city, one only has to visit for a short time to confirm this reputation.
Photo Credit: Photo by Mark Raptapolus on Unsplash
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Harbor seals
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Fan Tan Alley
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British influences are quite evident in Victoria, from afternoon tea times to elegant Victorian architecture. This capital of British Columbia on Vancouver Island provides ample outdoor recreation, with its public parks and access to both the ocean and wilderness. Cyclists will be right at home here, as Victoria boasts a seemingly endless number of bike paths for exploring. Additional must-do's here include tours of Craigdarroch Castle and Fisherman's Wharf Park, a floating pier where tourists can eat and watch seals. Another excellent option is the Royal BC Museum, a natural and human history complex holding 7 million objects.
Other Popular Destinations in British Columbia
Vancouver
This vibrant, diverse British Columbia seaport is one of the jewels of Canada. Surrounded by ocean and mountains alike, Vancouver offers breathtaking vistas, not to mention world-class outdoor activities, culinary delights, fine art, and cultural events.
Kamloops
Kamloops, located in the interior of British Columbia, sits at the meeting point of the North and South Thompson Rivers. The name comes from the Secwépemc word “Tk’emlúps,” meaning "where the rivers meet," and the area has been a gathering place for Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Today, visitors can explore this rich cultural heritage at the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park, where trails lead through archaeological sites and reconstructed pit houses.