Top 10 Must-See Places in North America For Nature-Lovers

Being a nature freak myself and stuck indoors now, I thought my next blog should be one on nature. I decided to start with the North American continent with its diverse landscape - from the frigid Arctic wilderness to the warm, sandy beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean. North America is a vast land filled with fascinating places, friendly people, and amazing adventures. With so many destinations to choose from, here is my compilation of the 10 best places of scenic beauty to visit (in no particular order) to help any confused traveler out there. So let's begin!

Canada is a vast and rugged land, featuring blue lakes, numerous rivers, thunderous cascading waterfalls, majestic western mountains, rolling central plains, and forested eastern valleys. Canada's far north lies in the frozen grip of the Arctic, where ice, snow, and glaciers dominate the landscape. Its cold, bare tundra region, is where the colors of Aurora Borealis light up the night sky and where herds of caribou, musk ox, and polar bears call home. Its extensive evergreen forests are home to wildlife, from bears, moose, wolves, beavers, deer, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep to smaller animals like raccoons, otters, and rabbits. The country's lakes and rivers are full of fish such as trout and salmon. The Canadian prairies are home to bison and pronghorn antelope. Canada’s vast diversity in its landscapes demands to be admired and her natural wonders are truly unparalleled. Definitely, a country to visit!

1. Niagara Falls, Ontario

Located an hour away from Toronto, Niagara Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls on the planet. The waterfall itself is a combination of three different waterfalls (The Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls) along the Canadian-American border. Whether you’re viewing it from below on a boat tour, zip-lining across the falls, from a helicopter, or from the revolving decks of Skylon Tower, there is no wrong way to witness the beauty of this iconic waterfall. The crashing waters are simply awe-inspiring. Its beauty is especially displayed at night when lights illuminate the free-falling waters into a colorful spectrum with displays of fireworks above it!

2. Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada and showcases some of Canada’s most picturesque scenery. Home to the majestic Rocky Mountains, the blue lakes of Louise and Moraine, glaciers, waterfalls, snow-covered mountain peaks, and abundant wildlife (from elk to bighorn sheep to grizzly bears), visitors are surrounded by its beauty in all four seasons. There are many ways one can enjoy the spectacular view of Banff - from gondola rides to hiking the numerous trails. Outdoor activities vary according to the season. In the summer, activities include hiking, fishing, canoeing, biking and soaking up in the hot springs in the area. In the winter, activities include skiing, snow-tubing, dogsled tours, and ice-fishing.

3. Churchill, Manitoba

Next to Hudsons Bay, this snowy tundra town is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World!” Here, visitors can catch a glimpse of some truly unique wildlife - from witnessing the migration of polar bears to kayaking & snorkeling with the migrating beluga whales- making it an unforgettable experience! The biodiversity and cultural history of the land contribute greatly to its uniqueness. Local tour companies offer foot, air, and boat tours- where you will encounter many forms of wildlife. You could also witness the beautiful, unique Northern Lights ('Aurora borealis') at night- a once in a lifetime opportunity.

4. Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

There’s nothing quite like the Bay of Fundy. Its unique shape allows it to have the highest tides on earth, about the height of a 5-story building. The rising and falling of tides chisel away at the shore’s coast to create some of the greatest natural rock formations and arches around. Its shores hold fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life forms, semi-precious gems, and minerals. Tourists could explore the ocean floors and the beautiful Hopewell rocks during low tide. The bay booms with marine wildlife, and is a fantastic destination for whale and dolphin watchers.

The United States of America's landscape varies across the large country from tropical beaches in Florida to peaks in the Rocky Mountains, rolling prairie lands and barren deserts in the West to dense wilderness areas in the Northeast and Northwest. The Southwest is a beautiful landscape of prairie and desert and home to some of the world's great natural marvels, including the Grand Canyon. The West is diverse, ranging from endless wilderness to barren desert, coral reefs to Arctic tundra, Hollywood to Yellowstone. In between are the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the majestic Yosemite Valley, and the mighty Mississippi River. The wildlife is as diverse as the landscape from bison to black bears, grizzlies, and polar bears.

5. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon, located in northern Arizona, is one of the biggest canyons in the world, formed millions of years ago as erosion from the Colorado River cut a deep channel through layers of rock. To see the Grand Canyon for the first time is an experience few people will forget. The canyon vista — with its incomprehensible size, deep color, and a rich display of rock layers — is unmatched by any natural display on Earth. While it may seem arid and lifeless, it is home to an astounding variety of creatures. The terrain ranges from conifer forest to desert with the river in between - environments of the most extreme nature. Both the North and the South Rim are accessible by paved roads, with the South Rim having a more stunning view. Scenic drives, hiking trails, mule pack trips down into the canyon, rides down the river in rafts, helicopter and small-plane flights or a scenic railway ride from Williams to the South Rim are some of the ways to explore, view, and experience the vast beauty of the canyon.

6. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Being the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is mostly in the state of Wyoming with small sections in Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone’s five entrance gates make it accessible from all directions. Yellowstone has the largest active geyser field in the world and is home to the most famous geyser, Old Faithful and also hundreds of colorful hot springs and pools. It is home to more wild animals than almost anywhere else in the U.S. and visitors get to see animals freely roaming the landscape in their natural habitat, such as grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves, the world's largest wild bison herd, bald and golden eagles, swans, moose and sometimes even herds of wild horses. Experience the canyons, giant waterfalls, hike the trails, explore on horseback and ride past wildlife, valleys, and rivers, fish for trout, take a paddling trip along the shores of Yellowstone Lake or raft down one of the nearby rivers. One of the best ways to experience the Yellowstone region is by spending a night or more under the stars at one of the many park campsites.

7. Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Lake Tahoe, the clear, cobalt blue lake, tucked inside the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range, welcomes athletes, adventurers, and casual travelers to its easygoing and pine-scented atmosphere. Lake Tahoe is the nation’s second deepest lake. Hike the mountain trails, bask on sunny beaches, enjoy the snow-covered slopes of world-class alpine resorts, engage in parasail or helicopter adventures for panoramic views, or simply watch the setting sun seemingly sink into the lake. Summer brings out the water toys—sailboats, paddleboards, kayaks, etc. Fall paints the hills with golden aspen leaves. But no matter what the season, this is the kind of place that makes you plan the next trip back before you even leave.

8. Cannon Beach, Oregon

Just a short drive from Portland, the popularity of Cannon Beach is also its small-town charm, seemingly endless stretches of sand, inspiring ocean views, Haystack Rock towers on the shoreline, cascading waterfalls onto the sand, and marine life peeking out at low tide. Nine miles of beach make a perfect setting for strolling along the seaside, watching diverse wildlife in its natural habitat such as nesting puffins, colorful sea stars decorating the rocks along the shoreline, and building sandcastles. The Oregon Coast sunset is also spectacular, and you could stand for an eternity, just taking in the views, or go on the Oregon Coast Trail to see the Tillamook Lighthouse. All this makes Cannon Beach the ultimate Oregon Coast experience.

9. Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii

Along Kauai’s North Shore, the Napali Coast is defined by extraordinary natural beauty. The huge cliffs tower above the Pacific Ocean, revealing beautiful beaches and waterfalls that drop down to the lush valley floor. The rugged terrain appears much as it did centuries ago when Hawaiian settlements flourished in these deep, narrow valleys. There are many ways to explore the Napali Coast, but the safest access and best views are found by sea or by air. Boat tours that stop for snorkeling or look for whales, guided kayaking trips that bring you up-close to cathedral-like cliffs, raft tours to hidden sea caves and remote beaches, a small plane or helicopter tours are some of the ways to enjoy the incredible views.

Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rainforests in the south and east. It is the home of the ancient Mayan Civilization. It is a refuge for animals fleeing extreme cold in the north and intense heat in the south. The deserts are full of plant and animal species that have found ways to survive the harsh environment. Gray whales swim thousands of miles each year from Alaska to breed in the waters off Baja California. The rain forests and coastal wetlands of eastern Mexico are home to thousands of tropical plant species and elusive animals like jaguars and quetzal birds.

10. Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya stretches over nearly 100 miles of coastline with beautiful white, sandy beaches, and brilliant turquoise-colored water just south of Cancun. This paradise is home to mangroves, lagoons, ancient Mayan cities, ecological reserves, adventure parks, and the world's second-largest coral reef. You can enjoy exciting and entertaining activities such as snorkeling in unique natural places such as cenotes, underwater caverns, lagoons, and the incredible Caribbean Sea. It is also a paradise of abundant nature, diversity of flora and fauna, and lush jungles, making it perfect to enjoy many eco-tourist activities.

Stay tuned for more blogs on other mindblowing travel destinations! Even though we cannot be traveling to new places now, we can certainly use this time to plan ahead for our next adventure (and of course, save up some cash for the same)!