The Experiences Gift Guide

Our experts sought out epic adventures in every landscape, from new desert outposts to off-the-grid wellness retreats, with plenty of trails, beaches, and base camps—all perfect to give or get

It’s possible to visit the stunning Hawaiian island even if you’re on a budget, especially if you’re willing to get adventurous

Our editors know how to get off the grid. Here are the trips they chose to take this year—from Hawaii to Massachusetts—along with their intel and gear recommendations. Give one of these experiences and you can be sure it’s editor-approved.

The best way to catch aurora borealis in all its lit-up beauty: go to the darkest places on earth, at just the right time, and hope for the best

From a baobab-filled outcropping in the middle of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi salt pans to an adventure hot spot in Iraqi Kurdistan, plan a trip to these bold destinations to earn some major adventure travel cred

Looking to progress in your sport? From deepwater soloing in Majorca to mountain biking in New Zealand, these trips will take you to the next level.

How to prepare, what to learn, and where to drive in Utah’s greatest four-wheeling playground

Thanks to the rise of engineered parks, it’s now easier than ever to learn to surf a wave in a kayak

Don’t be afraid of ice climbing. It’s a fun winter skill to pick up, and we’ve got all the intel on how to get started.

Turns out you can carve fresh snow in August. Put these Southern Hemisphere resorts on your bucket list.

When travel resumed in early 2021, Americans in droves headed south of the border, with most opting for popular tourist meccas. But why follow the masses when you can explore wild corners of the country few others visit? We rounded up 18 ways to do just that—and to support local economies while you’re at it.

From Arkansas to Wyoming, these abandoned towns are packed with history and located on stunning public land. For some of them, it’s an adventure just to reach them.

On these expert-led trips, you’ll spot the National Park System’s wildest residents, from mysterious wolves to fat bears. Pro tip: the bioluminescent fireflies are pretty cool, too.

Wildlife adventures can do wonders for conservation—but the wrong tours put animals at risk. Here’s how to find a responsible outfitter so your trip can help protect the creatures you’ve come to see.

Eight places to (safely) spy on bears—and other big game—in their natural habitat

From a trail in Isle Royale National Park with spectacular views to a hike that hits four 6,000-foot peaks in 30 miles, these are our favorite classic routes in the U.S.

How to tackle Chilean Patagonia’s Dientes de Navarino, the most unpredictable trek in the world

From a scenic path that extends the entire length of New York to a new route connecting Yellowstone to Grand Teton, here are the most scenic ways to experience America’s wilderness by bike

Western national parks like Yellowstone, Zion, and Joshua Tree are among our most iconic, but it’s the journeys road-tripping in between them that provide the greatest opportunities for adventure. From Montana to Southern California, here’s how to make the most of this itinerary and avoid the crowds.

The 440-mile route goes from the third-deepest lake in the U.S. to the jagged peaks of the North Cascades and the tulip-filled Skagit Valley

This cliff-hugging stretch of U.S Highway 550 is dotted with scenic mountain towns filled with hiking trails, brewpubs, and hot springs

This amazing 1,453-mile trip starts in Salt Lake City

From Acadia in Maine to the Everglades in Florida, this road trip hits seven national parks, covers 1,800 miles, and guides you away from the crowds 

Tim Neville has been around the world and back again, and as good travelers do, he’s made sure to try the local cuisine at every stop. So we asked him to write about his favorite meals—and how you can try them, too.

From kimchis in South Korea to falafels in Egypt, our author says these meals refueled him after adventures on the road

We’ve rounded up 11 restaurants where ‘Vegetarian Times’ writers and editors want to eat at again and again

Joshua Skenes ran one of the most expensive restaurants in San Francisco, with industry accolades and three Michelin stars. Still, he felt unfulfilled. Enter a top ­secret new venture where, if you’re lucky, you can have the best meal of your life for free.