White Sands Nat'l Monument and other North America Things to Do Tips

If you find yourself on the southwestern region of the US, take time to visit the White Sands National Monument, just outside of Alamogordo, New Mexico. This is the worlds largest gypsum dune. Plan your activities at this park (a picnic, hike, etc) ... Bring a light jacket, things tend to cool down quite a bit come night fall! Bring your little blue PassPort book for a Nat'l Park stamp!

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Phone: (505) 479-6124
Directions: Located on US Hwy 70/82, 15 mls (24.15km) s/w of Alamogordo & 52 mls east of Las Cruces. From Carlsbad Caverns to southern AZ follow US 82 thru scenic Sacramento Mountains to White Sands Nat'l Mon't
Website: http://www.nps.gov/whsa/home.htm

Another fantastic sight to see while in the states (Hawaii is part of North America) is to visit the Kilauea Volcano on the big island of Hawaii. At time of writing, it is our only active volcano, but word has it that Mauna Loa is soon to erupt! Learn valuable facts about the volcano before you visit to make your visit more efffective. Be prepared for rain or drizzle when you visit, but don't let it stop you! Check the website for the various hiking trails ... the park fee ranges from $5 daily to $10 weekly.

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Address: Volcano National Park, Hawaii
Directions: Just off of Hwy 11, about 30 - 40 minutes from the Hilo Airport.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/visit.htm

For those who love to drive along the country, my recommendation is to take a drive along the Appalachians! We travelled along the BlueRidge Parkway and the Shenandoah Skyline, and loved every mile of it! We went in the fall, just in time to see the leaves beginning to change their colors, and there were more than enough deer, squirrel and other wildlife out in the protection of the woods. There are parkway entrance fees, but none that would empty your wallet! Pick up a good guide book so you know what to stop and see along the way.

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Directions: Our trip took us along from North Carolina through Virginia

You cannot say "North America" and not think of Niagara Falls! The falls will not disappoint you, but don't plan on a whole week here. You can pretty much tackle all the main attractions in two days. Spend the extra buck and go on a guided tour (we booked with "Bedore Tours"; Alberto was a great guide!), the history is awesome. Don't be afraid to get wet, be sure to go on Maiden of the Mist ride, and if you bother to go to Cave of the Winds, don't miss out on the Thunder Deck! Don't be distracted by all the Tourist Traps in town, see the falls first then feel free to be entertained by all the money sucking attractions later. Plan your stay around the weekend and you can see the fireworks on Friday nights as well as the falls illuminated nightly.

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Address: Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, USA
Directions: Niagara Falls can be accessed from either Niagara Falls, New York, USA OR Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada ... my recommendation is to enter via Canada. The WEBSITE listed below contains ALL the info you could possibly need for a vacation at Niagara Falls.
Website: http://www.niagarafallslive.com/

No trip is complete out in the wild west without first stopping by to see Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA! You won't exert much energy hunting for wildlife ... it's usually quite visible, much to everyone's delight! Take time to read all the informative placards placed around each lookout and attraction ... a wide variety and wealth of information located right in this National Park alone! Have camera fully loaded, lots of drinking water, a good hat and walking shoes, binoculars and go at it all day long! Children will especially be in awe at all the animals on the grounds.

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Address: Yellowstone, Wyoming
Directions: Yellowstone, Wyoming, USA. Park fees: US$25.00 7-day pass per carload. Certain gates are opened "seasonally", so plan accordingly if travelling by private vehicle. Only one gate is open year round to motor vehicles (North gate near Gardiner)
Website: http://www.nps.gov/yell/