Travel in the Southwestern USA is fun for the whole family or for a solo hiking trip. We’ve spent many road trips and vacations exploring Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and California. Whether you’re looking to have an adventure in Yosemite National Park or if you want to take a couples trip to Las Vegas, we’ve got suggestions and tips.
One of the best road trips our family has done multiple time is the Utah National Parks road trip, starting in either Vegas or Salt Lake City. Trips from Joshua Tree NP to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are always a hit with our kids. We do lots of hiking and visit lots of museums, so have a ton of information to help you plan.
And yes, California does fall into the Southwest and that’s where you’ll find a few of our repeat destinations such as San Diego, the Central Coast and Disneyland! We have spent many happy days on California beaches and touring wine country. We love California.
Clearly the Southwest is one of our favorite regions in the US. If you have any questions, please let us know. Enjoy browsing and finding your perfect Southwestern USA itinerary!
The Westward Look Resort in Tucson, Arizona is a great place to go for either relaxing or to have a home base for exploring the desert. Near the city of Tucson and Saguaro National Park, this beautiful vintage Arizona stay is family friendly AND peaceful all at the same time.
Did you know that you can actually hike through lava beds in Arizona and it looks just like Hawaii? At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument you’ll find lava flows, forests and unique landscapes to explore. See what there is to do and how to add Sunset Crater Volcano to your Arizona road trip.
Toozigut National Monument is a small but really cool historic site in northern Arizona on the way to the Grand Canyon. Take a look at what you’ll find here at this Sinagua hilltop town, from the structures to the museum space and why it’s worth visiting.
Wupatki National Monument in Northern Arizona is amazing and one of the coolest places to explore with kids. From Anasazi ruins to wildlife watching, this is a great addition to any Arizona road trip.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona is different from any other ruins we’ve visited in the American Southwest. See what you’ll find at the archaeological site and museum, including amazing birdwatching in the Arizona desert.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is one of the icons of Arizona you need to visit. Easy to add to a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Montezuma Castle is a great spot to learn about ancient Sinagua culture, and it’s an amazing structure to behold.
Visiting Saguaro National Park is awesome if you’re prepared for the heat and the hikes. From wildlife watching to bringing dogs into Saguaro NP, here are all the tips and trick you need for a great visit.
The Yavapai Lodge at the Grand Canyon is one of the best options for staying in the park, having a central location and is one of the best budget places to stay, particularly in the off season. See what to expect and great things to do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The iconic places to visit in the Southwest stretch from California to Texas. We’ve picked our favorites for the most beautiful canyons, amazing desert landscapes, and best wildflower blooms in the American Southwest.
There are really fun, interesting things to do near Las Vegas that can be day trips or short overnight visits. From hiking in local conservation areas to visiting 6 different National Parks near Vegas, you can turn a Sin City trip into an amazing vacation.
If you’re like me, you need to know how to do Las Vegas for people who don’t like Vegas. Avoiding the casinos and smokey environments is easy, and there are many fun things to do in Las Vegas that aren’t gambling. You just need to know where to look, which we’ve got covered!
You will be stunned by how surprising an Arizona road trip can be. Yes, there are cactus and roadrunners, but there’s so much more. From Grand Canyon National Park to ruins and even hipster nightlife, we’ve got an awesome plan for a road trip around Arizona!
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at night for the Kīlauea lava glow is awesome. Everything you need to know to plan a nighttime trip into the park, including where to see flowing Hawaii lava, how to photograph lava glow and more.
Kayaking in San Diego County is a fun addition to visiting Southern California. Check out our recommendations for sea kayaking in La Jolla, estuaries and more.
Kauai is a beautiful island with so many things to do. We’ve picked our favorite activities and beaches on Kauai to make planning a trip to the Garden Island easy and enjoyable. See what we recommend, including great food and where to stay on Kauai.
Hiking at Palm Springs is one of the most unique things you can do in Southern California. Tips for the best trails and oases near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, when to visit, wildlife and more.
San Diego’s Balboa Park is the cultural and activity center of the city. From the San Diego Zoo to art museums and gardens, everything you need to know to enrich your San Diego trip with Balboa Park.
Hawaii podcast episodes are so helpful for understanding the Islands and planning an unforgettable visit. Listen to podcast episodes about the Big Island of Hawaii, exploring Kauai and more. Travel tips and easy planning ideas.
The Yosemite Valley Tram Tour is a great way to experience the highlights of Yosemite National Park if you’re short on time or energy. See what to expect, how to book it, and find our why it’s one of the best National Park tours available.
Oahu with kids is a great family vacation. While it’s one of the most expensive destinations to travel to with kids, it’s beautiful, has unique things to do and you’ll enjoy every minute. Tips for planning a stress-free trip to Oahu with kids and budget friendly ideas.
Kauai itinerary for five or more days on the Garden Island. From the most beautiful views and hikes to relaxing on perfect beaches, this plan for a trip to Kauai is ideal for every level of traveler.
Review of the Kauai Shores Hotel in Kapa’a on the East Shore of Kauai. See what we loved about staying here and what we wish was different. Plus, ideas for things to do on a trip to Kauai.
The Big Island of Hawaii has so much nature and unique things to do, it’s the perfect Hawaiian experience. From volcanoes to snorkeling or just watching sea turtles on the beach, these are the sights and activities not to miss from Kona to Hilo.
Top pick for an eco-conscious, community focused hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, the SCP Hilo Hotel is a wonderful retreat. Located on the waterfront and near the airport, this hotel is beautiful, peaceful and a thoughtful choice when visiting Hawaii.
There is no one destination on Earth that we’ve been to as many times as Disneyland. It’s actually shocking to start calculating how many hours we have spent in both …
These are the best beaches on Oahu that AREN’T Waikiki, perfect with kids. Recommendations for snorkeling and boat tours around Oahu. #hawaii #oahu #familytravel
The Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park is set in a beautiful location and has (surprisingly) spacious rooms. Find out about staying at the Wuksachi, things to do in Sequoia National Park and planning a trip to the Sierras of California.
Redwood National Park is a great family destination for getting into nature and learning about the giant coastal forest. Get ideas for things to do and parts of the park to visit on your California Coast road trip.
This three-day San Diego itinerary is awesome for enjoying the beaches, history, culture and nature of SD. Ideas for planning a long weekend trip to San Diego.
Disneyland vs Magic Kindom – what’s the similar, which has better attractions, food, and overall better experiences. We break down our favorite elements of the Disney Parks which are ALL OPEN NOW.