America’s diverse landscape means there is so much to explore within our own country. From sweeping green forests and majestic, snow-capped mountains to undulating sand dunes and rugged rock formations, much of it can be discovered within our National Parks. Although there are currently 63 official National Parks in America, our National Park System includes over 419 park sites spanning over 84-million acres across the states and in extended territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Last minute travel doesn’t mean you have to settle for a lesser trip. In fact, booking your summer travel last minute often means better deals, less crowds (if visiting a destination off-season), and seeing the beauty closer to home.

Looking for travel ideas to give your summer the last-minute boost it deserves? Here are some of our favorite destinations.

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Summer Fun in the City

As the golden days of summer wind down, it reminds us also that the brilliant, blazing crimsons and golds of autumn are not far off. Not surprisingly, “leaf peeping,” or fall foliage tourism, just keeps getting more and more popular across America, with drivers taking to the back roads and country lanes amid the classic landscapes of New England and the Northeast, the Southeast, along the Appalachian Mountains, and much of the Midwest and Southwest.

Big cities typically get more hype, more accolades, and more tourist dollars. But there is nothing quite like visiting a delightful, medium-sized town to really capture the American experience. Lodged between the skyscrapers and crowds in a metropolis and the rolling tumbleweeds of a one-gas-station town, these areas combine the best of both worlds. You get plenty of culture, history, dining, and activities, but a more quaint, picturesque point of view. There are so many enchanting American towns to choose from, but we gathered up eight that everyone should experience at least once.

Discover the vibrant appeal of America’s oldest, biggest, and most historic cities on your next weekend trip. Just hop in the car or catch a train to iconic and beloved New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, or DC.

This year, the United States celebrates its 243^rd birthday on July 4th. To join in the festivities, we’re taking a look at five of America’s oldest cities and revealing what makes each worth a visit. 

Autumn is the season for going back to school, raking leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything, and… football!

Football – the National Religion of America – is played all over the United States, from Maine to Hawaii, but some places surely stand out as meccas for fans. Or, at least, excellent destinations to catch pro and college teams in action. Here are five great cities where you can indulge your pigskin passion this fall.