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Things to Do in North America

Things to do in North America Featured Image

Over the past 8+ years as a full-time travel blogger, I’ve explored 47 U.S. states, visited 30+ national parks, and traveled through countless regions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

I’ve walked the streets of major cities like New York, Vancouver, Montreal, Mexico City, Chicago, and LA, and also road-tripped through lesser-known towns, stayed in cabins deep in the woods, soaked in natural hot springs, and surfed remote coastal breaks. This category is where all those adventures come together.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, cultural city breaks, beach escapes, or unique places to stay, this is where you’ll find the best of North America…backed by real experience.

What You’ll Find in This Section…

🏞️ National Parks & Nature Escapes

From Yosemite to Banff, Zion to Yellowstone, I’ve explored many of the top parks across the U.S. and Canada, along with lesser-known gems like Lassen, Great Basin, and Fundy. My guides go beyond the obvious and help you plan smarter: where to hike, stay, avoid crowds, and catch those jaw-dropping views.

🏙️ Iconic Cities & Hidden Urban Gems

I’ve spent time in nearly every major metro on the continent, including Boston, Toronto, Austin, Oaxaca, Quebec City, Seattle, and beyond. But I also shine a light on cities people overlook: think Halifax, San Miguel de Allende, or Milwaukee. Expect curated recs, great food spots, cool neighborhoods, and where to stay for the best vibe.

🏕️ Unique Places to Stay

From A-frames in Vermont to design-forward cabins in British Columbia and beachfront boutique hotels in Tulum, I’ve reviewed or handpicked dozens of epic places to stay that turn a good trip into a great one.

🚗 Scenic Drives & Regional Road Trips

Whether it’s the Pacific Coast Highway, a fall foliage route through New England, a desert loop through the American Southwest, or a Mexico road trip from Tulum to Valladolid, you’ll find multi-day itineraries with Google Maps, travel tips, and all the stops that make it special.

🌴 Coastal Escapes, Mountains, Forests & Beyond

The beauty of North America is its wild diversity. In this section, you’ll find:

  • Cold plunge retreats in Icelandic-feeling corners of Canada

  • Winter getaways in Colorado ski towns

  • Warm-weather escapes across Florida, California, Baja, and the Yucatán

  • Cultural deep dives, hiking hubs, food-focused trips, and more

Top Experiences in North America

Here are more of my top picks for bucket list experiences and things to do across this vast continent:

  • Hike in Glacier National Park
  • Go stargazing in Death Valley National Park
  • Road trip down Highway 1 in California
  • Polar bear and puffin watching in Canada
  • Fall foliage road trip in New England
  • Chase geysers in Yellowstone National Park
  • Food tours in Toronto, NYC, and Mexico City
  • Learn how to surf in Hawaii
  • Explore ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico
  • Go wine tasting in Napa Valley
  • Catch the Aurora Borealis in Canada or Alaska
  • Stay at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico
  • Chase the biggest waterfalls in North America: Niagara Falls
  • Road trip around the National Parks in Arizona and Utah

Here are my travel guides, itineraries, and other articles of North America:

  • 14 EPIC Airbnbs in Georgia (Treehouses, Cabins + More)

    by Jon Miksis July 28, 2025
  • 30 Unique Airbnbs in Florida: Beach Houses + Vacation Rentals

    by Jon Miksis August 11, 2025
  • 21 UNIQUE Airbnbs in Rhode Island: Beach Houses + Cottages

    by Jon Miksis July 30, 2025
  • 26 Coolest Airbnbs in Southern California: Villas, Glamping Domes, A-Frames

    by Jon Miksis July 23, 2025
  • 23 Top-Rated Airbnbs in Puerto Rico: Beach Houses, Pool Houses + Villas

    by Jon Miksis July 23, 2025
  • 20 Unique Airbnbs in New York State: Cabins, Treehouses + More!

    by Jon Miksis July 24, 2025
  • 18 BEST Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (2025 Availability!)

    by Jon Miksis August 1, 2025
  • 19 AMAZING Airbnbs in the Florida Keys (Key West & Key Largo)

    by Jon Miksis August 6, 2025
  • 27 Unique Airbnbs in Vermont: Treehouses + Vacation Rentals

    by Jon Miksis July 24, 2025
  • 25 Best Airbnbs in the White Mountains (NH): Cabins + Treehouses

    by Jon Miksis July 24, 2025
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Hey, I'm Jon! Founder of Global Viewpoint

I’m an award-winning travel blogger, and I’m here to help you discover your inner explorer.

For 8 years, I’ve been a travel writer, content creator, and adventure junkie who’s visited 69 countries and 30 national parks (and counting). I travel for 3–6 months per year and my home base is Boston, MA!

I specialize in curated travel itineraries, epic bucket-list experiences, and off-the-beaten-path adventures...from chasing waterfalls in Iceland to hiking the Alps, trekking Patagonia, and road-tripping across New England. I’ve been featured in major publications including Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo Travel, The Boston Globe, and more.

Together with my team, we provide expert reviews and curated guides on hotels, restaurants, airlines, retreats, and more.

Over the past 8+ years, I’ve helped over 10 million readers plan smarter, more meaningful trips through my site. I focus on places that spark awe...whether it’s a remote alpine lake, a hidden glamping dome, or a culturally immersive retreat.

Want to travel like a local, not a tourist? You’re in the right place. Sign up below for expert travel tips, itineraries, and bucket list ideas that will inspire your next adventure.

READ MORE ABOUT ME

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    Transformational Travel ✈️
    Adventure 🗺️ • Growth 🌱 • Wellness 🧘‍♂️
    Helping you plan your next life-changing trip ⬇️

    There’s something ancient about the bond between There’s something ancient about the bond between man and horse 🐎🔥

For three days, Kara-Boz carried me across the mountains of Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬…through valleys, rivers, and high passes on the way to Song Kul Lake. It felt primal, raw, and deeply human…like tapping into a connection our ancestors relied on for survival.

This was easily one of the highlights of my Central Asia trip. Nothing compares to feeling that rhythm of hooves beneath you, hour after hour, surrounded by endless sky. Hours in the saddle blur into something deeper. You stop thinking, and start feeling…the breath of the animal, the mountain air, the pulse of the earth beneath you. And of course, a sore butt and legs 🤣

Kyrgyzstan is an absolute gem, and I can’t wait to go back someday! 🇰🇬
    Dreaming back to Georgia, where I kicked off my Eu Dreaming back to Georgia, where I kicked off my Eurasia trip a few weeks back 🇬🇪

From wandering the streets of Tbilisi to soaking in the fresh mountain air of Kazbegi, this country blew my mind! Visiting a food festival in Borjomi and a local winery were the icing on the cake. 🍷🍲 

Georgia is the birthplace of wine (8,000 years of winemaking), and I was super impressed with the amber wines…they’re unlike anything I’ve tried before. And I must say…Georgian cuisine is incredibly underrated, blending influences from Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Khachapuri, khinkali, churchkhela…I could live off these. 🤤

What made my trip to Georgia even more special were the people. 🤝 Georgian hospitality is a thing! The Supra (feast) culture is such a great tradition that brings Georgian people together around food and wine. I’ve never seen such devotion to family and friendship anywhere else in Europe. Huge thanks to my college roommate Zura for hosting me and introducing me to such an amazing circle of friends. Hospitality runs deep here, and it’s something I’ll never forget. 🙏 

Some other highlights:
⚽️ Catching a Georgia football match
🍷 Wine tasting at Kiketi Farm
🏔️ Overnight in Juta, a mountain village near Kazbegi
⛪ Exploring ancient Orthodox churches (some dating back to the 14th century)
🗿 Standing at the Chronicles of Georgia Monument, with massive statues telling the country’s Christian history

Now the adventure continues. After Georgia I dipped into Kazakhstan 🇰🇿, then Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬, and now Uzbekistan 🇺🇿. Central Asia is proving to be wild and full of surprises. More highlights and blog posts coming soon! 🇬🇪
    So inspired walking through Samarkand, a city that So inspired walking through Samarkand, a city that once rivaled Rome and Babylon in the ancient world 🌍✨ This was a key stop on the legendary Silk Road, where East met West and ideas, culture, and goods flowed for centuries.

Standing here, it’s wild to think Alexander the Great once conquered this land, Genghis Khan swept through centuries later, and then Timur rebuilt it into the crown jewel of his empire. He brought in the best artisans from Persia and beyond, leaving behind the turquoise domes and mosaics that still define Samarkand’s skyline.

What makes Registan Square so special is the Islamic architecture…massive turquoise domes, intricate mosaics, and endless geometric patterns that symbolize infinity and divine order. They’re designed to pull your gaze upward and remind you of something greater.

Uzbekistan only really opened up for tourism around 2019, which makes it feel fresh and undiscovered. And September is the perfect time to visit…the summer heat is fading, and evenings are ideal for wandering the plazas.

Today, Samarkand is more well-known than most places in Central Asia, but it’s still underrated and overlooked, especially among travelers from the US.

If you’re chasing history and wonder, this city definitely deserves a spot on your list. 🇺🇿

#Samarkand #AncientWorld #Registan #Madrasa #IslamicArchitecture #SilkRoad #Uzbekistan #CentralAsia #BeautifulDestinations #uzbekistantravel
    Did you know the yurt is so important in Kyrgyz cu Did you know the yurt is so important in Kyrgyz culture that it’s literally on the country’s flag? 🇰🇬

I just spent 3 days on horseback riding to Song Kol Lake 🐎⛰️ Each night, I stayed in a traditional yurt, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of the trip. Quite different than the glamping we have back in the States!

From the outside they look simple, but yurts are brilliantly practical. Nomadic families can take them down and reassemble them in just a few hours, moving with their herds across the mountains. Inside, they’re well-insulated and full of colorful patterns that make them feel alive. 🎨✨ 

It reminded me a bit of the tipis used by Native American tribes - both designs born from necessity & built to withstand the elements while staying portable. But here in Central Asia, yurts are still very much part of everyday nomadic life, not just a cultural symbol.

After long days of riding through valleys and high passes, falling asleep in one of these under a sky filled with stars felt timeless 🌌

What’s the most unique place you’ve ever spent the night? 🛖
    Just wrapped up a 3-day horseback adventure in Kyr Just wrapped up a 3-day horseback adventure in Kyrgyzstan 🐎⛰️ with @songkol_travel, starting from the tiny village of Kyzart, about 4 hours from the capital, Bishkek. 🇰🇬

Kyrgyzstan is 90% mountains, and riding through its valleys and high passes honestly feels like stepping into another world. We rode 4–5 hours each day, crossing sweeping alpine meadows and mountain ridges that seemed to stretch forever. Each night, we stayed with nomadic families in yurts, warmed by endless cups of tea and stories (and singing) by the fire. Sleeping under skies so bright with stars they looked painted on the heavens was unreal. ✨ 

Fun fact: horses are so central to Kyrgyz culture that there are more horses here than cars in some regions. They’re part of daily life, woven into the culture and traditions. Song Kol Lake, our destination, sits over 3,000 meters high, making it one of the most breathtaking alpine lakes in Central Asia. 🌍

Kyrgyzstan is such a hidden gem. Few places let you disconnect this deeply while immersing yourself in raw landscapes and timeless nomadic traditions. For me, this was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve ever had. Check out my stories for more highlights from the adventure 🤠🐎 

#kyrgyzstan #kyrgyz #songkul #kyrgyzstan🇰🇬
    Gamarjoba from Georgia! 🇬🇪 One of the last t Gamarjoba from Georgia! 🇬🇪 One of the last true hidden gems of adventure travel. Five days in, and this country keeps hitting me with new reasons to love it.

Up in the Caucasus Mountains, just a few hours north of Tbilisi, sits Kazbegi - one of the most pristine nature areas of the country. 

Today I hiked past the famous Gergeti Trinity Church and up toward the glacier overlook, where horses wandered freely and wild dogs followed along like loyal guides. The air was crisp, the peaks dramatic, and it felt like the mountains themselves were alive. 🏔️

Early September is the sweet spot here: crisp alpine air, decent weather, and trails that you don’t have to share with the crowds. It’s just you, the mountains, and silence broken only by the wind.

I’ve barely scratched the surface, and I’m hooked. From wandering the old streets of Tbilisi to drinking the world’s oldest wine and hitting a food festival in Borjomi, there’s so much more I’ll be sharing soon. I’m a few days behind, but trust me, it’ll be worth the wait. Stay tuned! 🇬🇪

#georgiatravel #kazbegi #hiddengems
    History has always been my greatest inspiration. F History has always been my greatest inspiration. From the pyramids of Giza to the ruins of Tikal, the streets of Ancient Rome and Greece, and the old city walls of China, I’ve never stopped chasing the wisdom of the ancients. 🏛️⛩️

Their castles, temples, and traditions remind me how much we can learn from those who came before us…and it’s one of the reasons I started Global Viewpoint over 8 years ago. 🏰🌍 

I’ve got a new journey coming up soon…one that will take me deep into the crossroads of civilizations, where so much ancient knowledge and culture still lives on. Not many travelers make it there today, but it’s been calling me for years. Any guesses where I’m headed next? 👀
    Finding freedom in the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴✨ Finding freedom in the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴✨

Two years ago, I explored the Faroe Islands - surrounded by foggy cliffs, crashing waves, and crisp air.

Not exactly what summer looks like in most places… but this wild, moody place lit something up in me.

No crowds. No noise. Just cliffs, wind, and freedom.

It reminded me: it’s not just about chasing epic moments…it’s about the quiet ones.
Laying barefoot on the damp earth. Breathing in the cold. Watching puffins fly through misty cliffs. Feeling alive.

Send this to someone who’d pick this over city lights ⛰️🌊 

#FaroeIslands #Wanderlust #ChasingViews #NatureTherapy #RemotePlaces #MinimalTravel #bucketlist #SimpleFreedom #OffTheGrid #ChaseStillness #VisitFaroeIslands #FaroeIslandsNature #FaroeIslandsTravel #HikingAdventures  #MindfulTravel #SlowTravel #FindYourCalm #GroundedInNature
    Summer in Europe looks like this… Aperol Spritz Summer in Europe looks like this…

Aperol Spritz and pizza in a sunny piazza. 
Salt in your hair after a boat day off the Croatian coast. 
Linen shirts, scooters, and stone alleyways.
Espresso on a quiet balcony as the city wakes up.
Gelato for lunch…because why not?
Golden hour wine in Paris.
Twilight that never ends in the fjords.
Wildflowers in bloom above the Alps.

Late dinners, slow mornings, and sunsets that last forever. 🌅

This is what it feels like to chase summer across Europe 🏍️✨

👉 Send this to that group chat who always says “we should go.” 🌍

#EuropeTravel #SummerInEurope #Wanderlust #TravelInspo #MediterraneanVibes #EuropeanSummer #BucketListAdventures #TravelGoals #CoastalViews #OldTownCharm #SunsetLovers #AperolSpritzSeason #ScenicViews #DreamTrip #HiddenGems #SlowTravel #PostcardPlaces #jetsetlife #TravelMore #ExploreEurope
    May is prime time for Yosemite 🌄 Towering gran May is prime time for Yosemite 🌄

Towering granite cliffs. Roaring waterfalls. Lush green meadows. Giant sequoias. Its nature turned up to 11…and it’s one of my favorite national parks for a reason 🇺🇸

Right now, everything’s alive. The waterfalls are insane from all the snowmelt (Yosemite Falls is next level), and wildflowers are starting to pop. Mornings are crisp, afternoons are sunny, and best of all…no summer crowds yet 🙌 

May is that sweet spot: perfect weather, peak waterfall season, and fewer people. If you’ve never been, this is the time of year to go. You’ll feel small in the best way.

Swipe to see the wildlife I saw on the trail!! 🐻🦌 

#YosemiteNationalPark #YosemiteInMay #WaterfallSeason #NationalParksUSA #NatureLovers #HikingAdventures #SpringTravel #GetOutside #WanderlustCalifornia #ExploreMore #FindYourPark #BucketListTravel #yosemite #yosemitevalley
    D O M I N I C A 🏝️🇩🇲 Just wrapped up D O M I N I C A 🏝️🇩🇲 

Just wrapped up 6 days in Dominica - and wow, this island is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. Wild hikes, hidden waterfalls, volcanic hot springs… if you’re craving raw, untouched nature, this is the place. No resorts, just rainforest. 🙌
    Imagine an island where rainforest waterfalls outn Imagine an island where rainforest waterfalls outnumber hotels & beaches…Welcome to Dominica! 🇩🇲

Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” this wild, volcanic gem is dripping in waterfalls, hot springs, and untouched rainforest. No mega-resorts. No crowds. Just raw, untamed beauty. It’s a place where the earth still breathes, and you can feel it under your feet.

I stayed in Roseau, the small capital city on the coast, and it turned out to be the perfect launch pad for adventure. Just 15 minutes from two of Dominica’s most iconic waterfalls, this laid-back town made exploring the island incredibly easy. And unlike other Caribbean hotspots, Dominica isn’t swarmed with cruise ships every day…so you get quiet pockets of time when it feels like you have the island to yourself.

If you’re chasing real adventure, untouched beauty, and the feeling of discovering something sacred, Dominica is it! 🇩🇲🏝️⛰️ 

#Dominica #NatureIsland #HiddenGems #travelvlog #caribbeanvibes #caribbeanvacation #discoverdominica
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    Global Viewpoint
    • Home
    • Guides
    • Destinations
      • North America
      • Europe
      • Asia
      • South America
      • Africa
      • Oceania
    • Travel Tips
      • How I Plan My Trips in 2025
      • My Favorite Travel Websites
      • How to Start a Travel Blog
      • Travel Hacks for Flying
      • Most Essential Travel Apps
      • Travel Photography Tips
      • Tips To Save Money on Travel
      • Why Buy Travel Insurance?
      • My Best Travel Blogging Tips in 2025
    • About Me
      • Who is Jon?
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      • Contact Me
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