San Juan Island is one of 172 islands making up the San Juan Islands off the northern coast of Washington State. The second largest island in the archipelago is 20 miles long and 7 miles wide. With incredible ocean views, rolling hills, farms, and fields, San Juan is a delightful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The scenery is magnificent, but whale watching is the highlight of a trip to San Juan Island. Here are my tips for whale watching on scenic San Juan Island.

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, Friday Harbor House, and Lakedale sponsored my trip. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

1. Whales To Watch For

Killer Whales (Orcas) are the main attraction off San Juan Island. The characteristic black body and white markings are unique and allow for the identification of individuals. Three pods make the Salish Sea home. The pods are named J, K, and L pods. Orcas travel together in matrilineal groups led by the eldest female. Research shows that each pod has a distinctive vocal dialect. About 90 percent of their diet is salmon. The transient orcas also feast on sea lions.

2. Start Your Visit At The Whale Museum

The perfect place to start your visit is The Whale Museum at Friday Harbor. There are two floors to the museum. The first floor houses small exhibits, video presentations, and a gift shop. The second floor is a large exhibit room. View life-sized models and complete skeletons to appreciate the size of these mammals. Listen to the “whale songs” when you step into the phone book in the large exhibit hall. Take time to view the informative videos.

At the museum, you can also “adopt” an orca. See the photos of all the resident orcas and choose which one you want to support.

3. How To Watch For Whales From Land

Head to Lime Kiln Point State Park, also known as Whale Watch Park, on the island’s southwestern shore. Take the San Juan Scenic Byway from Friday Harbor, about 9 miles to the park entrance. As one of the locals explained, “If you are going to see whales from land, this is the place to do it!” Lime Kiln is the only park in the U.S. dedicated solely to whale watching and it overlooks Haro Strait, waters favored by the whales. The 41-acre park has a variety of viewpoints, picnic tables, bathrooms, a visitor center, and a 1919 lighthouse. At the lighthouse, enjoy listening to whales with the underwater hydrophone. Take time to read the interpretive displays along the pathway.

Pro Tips: You need to pay for parking or display your Discover Pass. You can purchase a day pass or a yearly pass online. Or there is a kiosk at the park. The day pass is $11.50 and an annual pass is $35. Remember park and beach etiquette: Take nothing and leave nothing behind. The Internet doesn’t always work along the west coast of the island, so I suggest you either bring a printed map or download one onto your phone.

4. How To Watch For Whales From A Sea Tour

Enjoy whale watching and wildlife sightings with San Juan Safaris. Voted #1 Echo Adventure Tour in the Pacific Northwest, San Juan Safaris proudly upholds the guidelines for respectful wildlife viewing. Local naturalists provide fascinating commentary on the area and wildlife.

Our 3.5-hour tour gave us plenty of opportunities to observe orcas as well as sea lions and bald eagles.

Packing Hints: Dress in layers; it can be chilly out on the water. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a hat and gloves. Also, bring a non-breakable water bottle and some snacks to enjoy. Remember your binoculars.

Pro Tip: The San Juan Safari Office is just steps from the ferry landing terminal at Friday Harbor. As such, parking can be tricky. The closest parking spots are limited to 2 hours. Plan to park your vehicle at least three blocks away, either on Spring Street or First Street by the Courthouse. Be sure to allow extra time for this so you can catch your sailing.

5. How To Watch For Whales While Kayaking

Kayaking is very popular around San Juan Island. If you are looking for whales, begin your journey off Roche Harbor on the island’s northern coast.

Several companies offer guided paddles of various lengths. One of the locals recommended always having a guide for the first kayak trip.

San Juan Safaris also offers kayaking tours, including a 3-hour Sanctuary Whale Watching Cruise out of Roche Harbor.

6. Learn How To Be “Whale Wise”

The ocean is a fragile environment and can be harmed by human activities. Help protect marine wildlife by learning the guidelines and laws at this site.

Stay 400 yards away from the whales at all times. 

Check that any guide or tour is a Pacific Whale Watch Association or San Juan Islands Kayak Association member. Members of these organizations are committed to education, conservation, and responsible wildlife viewing.

Visit the website www.ssamn.org to learn more about green practices, toxins, and how you can help at home. Also, be sure to choose a company that utilizes locally-certified naturalists.

Fun Fact: These are the home waters of Lolita, the orca captured in 1970. After 50 years of captivity, the Miami Seaquarium will be returning Lolita to the Salish Sea. Check the link for updates.

Where To Dine

Rocky Bay Cafe

From casual to elegant, San Juan Island has a dining experience to please all. Begin your day at Rocky Bay Cafe for a hearty, delicious breakfast. Rocky Bay is a local favorite located on Spring Street in Friday Harbor.

Harbor House Restaurant

Enjoy dining at the Harbor House Restaurant in Friday Harbor. While marveling at the harbor view, begin with an island-inspired cocktail like the PNW Martini. I enjoyed the Prawn & Pesto Pasta: house-made lemon trottole pasta, prawns, pine-nut pesto, and crumbled feta. Teamed with the Boston Bibb Salad, this was a lovely dinner.

Duck Soup

Another of my favorite dining spots is the seafood restaurant, Duck Soup, located a mere 5 miles north of Friday Harbor on Roche Harbor Road. A local favorite since 1978, the rustic setting and creative dishes make for a delightful evening. Begin your meal with house-baked warm sourdough bread, olive pate, and whipped butter. This has been a staple since 1978. For my entrée, I chose the scallops with curry beurre blanc, cilantro black rice, and chili crisp bok choy. What a delicious combination!

Where To Stay

Friday Harbor House sits atop a bluff about a block from the ferry terminal. The hotel offers unparalleled views of the ferry terminal, marina, and the San Juan Channel. You are only minutes away from shops and restaurants. Check into the Relax and Rejuvenate Package offering keepsake Boca Terry Friday Harbor spa robes, the Rose All-Day spa bundle, and two splits of rose prosecco. There is also a yoga mat in each room.

Looking for another unique San Juan Island experience? Head 4 miles north of Friday Harbor on Roche Harbor Road to Lakedale. The resort offers both lodging and glamping options throughout the 82 lakeside acres. This is the first time I have stayed in a deluxe yurt. What a treat! Spacious, with a full kitchen, hot tub, and private deck, I was won over by the upscale yurt experience.

How To Get To San Juan Island

Located approximately 100 miles north of Seattle, most folks arrive via ferry. From Seattle, drive north on Interstate 5 to milepost 230, and follow State Route 20 West to Anacortes and the ferry terminal. The Anacortes Ferry takes you to the scenic town of Friday Harbor.

Check for schedules and current ferry conditions from Anacortes to Friday Harbor.

Pro Tip: You can purchase tickets online and in advance. I strongly recommend also making reservations. Ferry travelers are charged only on the westbound trip. For shuttle service from Sea-Tac Airport to Anacortes Ferry Terminal, contact Airporter Shuttle Service.

San Juan Island is a destination that offers relaxation and nature. The “island life” is rejuvenation at its finest. Plan a visit soon; you will be glad you did!

Related Reading:

• 8 Reasons Winter Is The Perfect Time To Visit Gorgeous Orcas Island, Washington
• 6 Charming Small Towns Not To Miss In Southwest Washington State
• 3 Lesser-Known Islands To Visit In Washington State’s Beautiful San Juan Archipelago

Called “The World’s Aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortes is the location to experience the incredible diversity of marine life. With 900 species of fish, 170 species of seabirds, a third of the world’s whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and five species of sea turtles, the Sea of Cortes is nature at its finest, and many of the best destinations along the Sea of Cortes are accessible only by small ship.

I had the pleasure of cruising the Sea of Cortes with my niece, Cheryl, and recommend these fantastic ports along Mexico’s Baha California Sur, plus the best activities in each.

UnCruise Adventures sponsored our voyage. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pro Tip: Is It the Sea of Cortez or the Sea of Cortes? Both spellings are correct. Cortez is the Spanish spelling, and Cortes is the English spelling.

1. Baja Agua Verde

The gentle sway of the sea at Baja Agua Verde is a welcome relief to the strong El Norte winds we encountered upon leaving La Paz. 

Located on the peninsula just south of Loreto, the waters of secluded Agua Verde Bay are a beautiful green and amazingly clear and clean. There are few tourists here as the 40-mile drive is rough and unsuitable for cars and the area is best visited by small ship. We anchored just offshore and enjoyed the following activities:

Skiff Tour Of Baja Agua Verde

A skiff took us to explore the rugged shore of the peninsula and is a  great way to see the best of this area. Thanks to the calm waters, we could get close to and sight the many marine birds perched on the rocks.

Wildlife Sighting: Blue-Footed Boobies

The most unusual birds we saw were the blue-footed boobies. These are aquatic birds native to the tropical and subtropical areas of the Pacific. Do you know why their feet are blue? Scientists believe the blue color results from the carotenoid pigments in their diet. During mating season, the males entice females with fancy footwork during a dance ritual.

Burro Ride

Have you ever enjoyed a burro ride along high cliffs overlooking the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortes? Fellow cruisers, including my niece, raved about this experience with the Romero Family, who brought their burros over an 8-mile trek to provide this unique excursion. The Romeros are an authentic Mexican Ranchero Clan, rapidly disappearing as the younger generation moves away to seek educational and employment opportunities. The burro rides are an essential source of revenue for the clan and an activity unique to the area.

“Goat Walk”

The so-called goat walk up the cliff was the most strenuous of the activities at Baja Agua Verde, and it was perfect for folks like my niece. I asked her if there was a special meaning to the term “Goat Walk.” “No, I don’t think so,” she replied. “It was just a scramble up some rocks like a mountain goat would.” She loved it! The path they took meandered along some relatively narrow pathways along the mountain cliff.

Beach Walk

A beach walk and tasty refreshments at UnCruise Beach Stations topped off our afternoon at Baja Agua Verde before we reboarded the ship.

Pro Tip: Reminder that whenever and wherever you visit a beach, you should take nothing and leave nothing behind. 

2. Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay

We docked off Isla Carmen and traveled overland on Highway #1 across the peninsula to Puerto Lopez Mateos on the Pacific Side of Baja California Sur. The terrain is amazing: desolate with miles and miles of cacti. One friend observed, “This is just like the old Western movies!”

Wildlife Sighting: Gray Whales

After boarding a small boat, we set out to observe the gray whales in the lagoon of Magdalena Bay. This area is one of the three major Baja breeding and calving lagoons for gray whales and is recognized as one of the world’s best places to view them. The lagoon is ideal because of its warm, calm, nutrient-rich waters.

Excitement sparks in the air as we all watch for the first blowholes. Soon, a sighting — and close to our boats. 

What an absolute delight! Several mothers and calves were enjoying the warm waters of the bay. This is the closest I have ever been to gray whales and the first time I observed mothers and calves. We stayed for a good 45 minutes and witnessed these magnificent creatures throughout our time.

Pro Tip: The best time to view gray whales and calves here is mid-January to early March, when they begin their migration back to Alaska. Plan your trip accordingly.

3. Isla Carmen (Del Carmen Island)

Isla Carmen is the largest island in the Loreto National Marine Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We anchored just off the island and enjoyed these activities:

Snorkeling

Prepare to be greeted by colorful fish! The waters are cold here — it’s not like snorkeling in Hawaii or the Caribbean. The good news is that hot chocolate was waiting for us on our return!

Note that UnCruise requires folks to be good swimmers and able to get back on the boat using a ladder to participate in snorkeling. There is always the option to enjoy the views from the lounge on the ship, too.

Pro Tip: Uncruise offered Snorkel 101 for folks new to snorkeling, those who had not snorkeled for several years, and those who needed more confidence in snorkeling. This is a great option to help you get comfortable with snorkeling.

Wildlife Sighting: Dolphins And Blue Whales

Later in the afternoon, we heard the announcement: “Dolphins spotted off the bow!”

We rushed from the lounge to the bow of the ship to see the dolphins. In the distance, we also saw the spouts of blue whales. One of the crew identified them. I asked how she knew they were blue whales and not gray whales. Her response: “Gray whales don’t come up here.”

Fun Facts: Blue whales are the largest mammals on earth — they can reach up to 100 feet in length and can weigh up to 180 tonnes. Blue whales are found regularly in the “Blue Triangle” off Del Carmen Island. They are found greater distances from shore than the gray whales.

4. Isla Coronado

We anchored in a remote cove off Isla Coronado, another one of the five islands in UNESCO World Heritage Site Loreto Bay Marine Park. Isla Coronado is inhabited by 16 species of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and geckos, and is also known for its jackrabbits and mice.

Skiff Tour Of Isla Coronado

A skiff tour lets you get closer to Isla Coronado’s unique volcanic rock and shore formations, which are intricate and spell-binding.

Wildlife Sighting: Marine Birds And Nests

In addition to the impressive shoreline, during our skiff tour, we observed more blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and cormorants. We marveled at two huge cormorant nests along the rocks — one with a cormorant guarding it.

Native Vegetation, Fishermen’s Shrine, And Pearl Farm

Amazing also was the lone cacti trying to survive in the rocks. With less than one inch of rain annually, plants here have adapted to the harsh conditions to eke out a sustainable life.

As we rounded a bend, we came across a cross and shrine dedicated to the safety of the fishermen in the area. In another area, we got to see an abandoned pearl farm. 

Swim With Sea Lions

These clear turquoise waters are rich with life. One of the main attractions at Isla Coronado is the sea lions, frolicking in the waters and sunning on the rocks. If conditions are calm, folks can swim with the sea lions in one area.

Unfortunately, the winds had picked up, so we could not do this on our trip. (I always tell myself that I need to save some experiences for next time!) Flexibility is needed when small-boat cruising on the Sea of Cortes. Some experiences require good weather, and the captain always places safety first. So do be prepared for a change of plans.

Fun Fact: Loreto Bay Marine Park is also a Ramsar Site, meaning it’s internationally recognized for its wise use of waters and wetlands.

How To Get There

The Sea of Cortes lies between the Baja California Peninsula and the western coastline of Northern Mexico. Baja California Sur is the southern tip of the peninsula. We flew into San Jose del Cabo and met our UnCruise Expedition there.

Packing List

• Bring some flip-flops or water shoes for wet landings.
• I also recommend you bring a backpack to have your hands free when stepping into and out of the skiffs.
• To help preserve the delicate marine environment, I recommend reef-safe sunscreen.

More On Our Small Ship: The Safari Voyager

Our cruise was the Baja’s Bounty: Baja California’s Whales & Sealife Adventure. The Safari Voyager is a 66-passenger, 33-cabin small ship operated by UnCruise Adventures. Guest to crew ratio is 2:2.1. 

The ship has three decks. Deck 3 is the spacious lounge with 270-degree windows. The majority of the cabins are located on the second deck. All the cabins are outside, above the deck, and have lovely picture windows. The dining room is situated on the first deck. The vessel is decorated with beautiful handcrafted artwork in public areas and cabins.

Safari Voyager has an underwater camera and posts on Channel 2 in your cabin.

Three levels of activities are offered morning and afternoon: very active, active, and laid back. Between the two of us, my niece and I participated in all the activities.

Note that on this cruise, most landings are “wet landings,” meaning that you will step into shallow water to reach the beach. Additionally, there are no elevators on the ship.

Do plan a visit to Baja California Sur and the Sea of Cortes. Whether you enjoy sealife, birding, geography, or cruising, this is nature at its finest.

Tree-covered hills and the sea surround Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. With nature so close by, there are many opportunities to see New Zealand’s native wildlife. New Zealand is famous for rare flightless birds including the national icon, the kiwi, while more common species such as the tūi and kererū fly around the city. There’s other wildlife too — marine mammals, lizards, and even insects.

Many visitors take the ferry between the North Island and the South Island and pass through Wellington, so it’s worth allowing some time to explore. Some places where you can see wildlife are so close to the city that they are a short car or public transport trip away and don’t require serious hiking. Here are three places in Wellington that are great for spotting different species of wildlife and are easy to get to.

Zealandia

An Urban Ecosanctuary

When the only sounds are rustling leaves and bird calls, it’s hard to believe Zealandia is surrounded by suburbia. This ecosanctuary was created by building a predator-proof fence around a former water supply dam and gradually reintroducing native species of birds and plants. Today, Zealandia is home to more than 40 species of birds that have flourished and even spread beyond the sanctuary’s boundaries.

Kākā

It’s an easy walk along the main path from the entrance to the forested area where the distinctive orange feathers of the kākā swoop overhead. Kākā are an endangered species, but their numbers have increased in Zealandia, and they are sometimes even seen in city parks. When I visit Zealandia, I wait by the bird feeders at feeding time and always see kākā flying in to feed there.

Takahē

Down the hill, a pair of takahē forage in the grass in the wetland area. The flightless takahē was thought to be extinct until scientists rediscovered it in a remote mountain area in 1948. The population now totals about 440 because of conservation efforts in Zealandia and elsewhere.

Tuatara

As well as birds, Zealandia has various reptiles, including the tuatara, a rare species that is a surviving relic from the age of the dinosaurs. Tuatara live in burrows and emerge to bask in the sun, so they can be hard to spot. The area they inhabit is signposted and Zealandia volunteers will point out any tuatara that are visible. I often see skinks and geckos darting across the track or lurking under leaves at the side of the track where they are well-camouflaged.

Back at the entrance, an exhibit gives background on the wildlife in the sanctuary. I find the photos and sound recordings of bird calls help to identify any unfamiliar birds. There’s a café there too, although it’s nice to picnic outside by the lake on a fine day.

Getting to Zealandia is easy via shuttle or public bus. It’s a few minute’s drive from the central city and has parking for cars and campervans.

Pro Tip: Zealandia runs several guided tours that help visitors spot birds and learn to identify birds that you might see around the city. The best is the night tour where there is a high chance of seeing kiwi foraging in their natural nocturnal habitat. 

Matiu/Somes Island

A Scientific Reserve In Wellington Harbor

On board the ferry to Matiu/Somes Island, we were lucky to spot penguins swimming in the water. It’s worth keeping an eye on the water, as dolphins are fairly common in Wellington Harbor, and orcas are occasional visitors.

After a steep uphill walk from the wharf, I took the path to the lighthouse. This path overlooks cliffs, rocky islets, and gives the best view for birdwatchers. Seabirds flew around, searching for food and returning to their nests. I recognized southern black-backed gulls and variable oystercatchers, whose long orange beaks made them instantly visible.

Like Zealandia, Matiu/Somes Island has tuatara that were introduced as part of a national breeding program. It’s more difficult to spot them here than in Zealandia. However, I saw plenty of skinks and geckos along the paths, mostly basking in the sun.

Wētā

Another inhabitant of the island is the wētā. While these insects tend to be nocturnal, there is a “wētā hotel” near the lighthouse — a hollowed-out log with a shutter that I opened to see a rather large wētā inside.

Returning to the wharf, I walked along the small section of the shore open to visitors. It was nesting season and, taking care not to get too close, I spotted several birds sitting on their nests. Access to most of the shoreline is restricted to protect the birds.

The ferry leaves from Queens Wharf in central Wellington and takes half an hour to reach the island. How long to stay on the island depends on ferry timetables, with a minimum 2-hour visit. A longer visit allows time to explore the quarantine station and admire the view of Wellington from the top of the island.

Pro Tip: If you want to picnic while you’re on Matiu/Somes Island, bring food and water with you, as there are no shops or cafés there. It also has no garbage disposal facilities, so visitors are asked to take any garbage with them when they leave.

Red Rocks Coastal Walk

New Zealand Fur Seals

The Red Rocks Coastal Walk along Wellington’s rugged southern coast leads to a seal colony. Although it takes an hour to get to the colony, there are spectacular views of the South Island along the way. On a clear day, snow is visible on the peaks of the Kaikōura Ranges. The gravel road winds beneath high cliffs, past the rust-red rock formations the walk is named after. Finally seals start to appear, sunning themselves on rocks, and then around a bend, large numbers of seals are lying around.

These are New Zealand fur seals and while they tolerate their numerous visitors, it’s best to be careful around them. Signs at the reserve advise keeping 20 meters away and not getting between the seal and the sea. I’ve also found that seals are well-camouflaged and can look very much like a rock when they are asleep, so I watch where I step. Seals have a pungent smell, another reason not to get too close.

The seals spend a lot of time sleeping, and occasionally yawn, stretch, and rollover. When they wake up, they often head for the sea and dive in. The colony has seals of all ages, from very young to weatherbeaten old seals. Occasionally a fight breaks out between male seals over territory, but otherwise, they are fairly quiet.

It’s easy to spend an hour observing the seals and their behavior, so allow 3 hours overall to walk there and back to see the seals. After the walk, if you would like a coffee, the nearest cafés are at Island Bay. I like the Beach House and Kiosk. It has great coastal views and I often see divers exploring the marine reserve offshore or ferries sailing to the South Island. While taking water and snacks on the walk is recommended, there’s not really a good place to picnic along the way.

Driving is the easiest way to get there and there is a car park at the entrance. The road into the reserve is accessible to 4WD vehicles only. Although it is possible to get close to the entrance by public bus, this requires changing buses.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit Red Rocks is between April and September when the seals migrate north from sub-Antarctic islands in search of warmer weather. While the seals find the weather warm, it is autumn and winter in Wellington which can be cold, so wearing warm clothing is recommended. The walk is exposed to southerly winds and it’s worth checking the weather forecast before setting out.

Think aquariums are just for kids? Think again. Skeptics may see aquariums as a school field trip destination, and while they are a great place to bring the grandkids, adults find plenty about them to love, too. Connecting people of all ages with marine animals, aquariums are a window to sea life and the wonders of the otherworldly ocean. We compiled data from top travel publications (including our own) and put them in order of ratings on Google to bring you the top aquariums in the country. Get ready to be transported to the magical world of underwater life!

1. Suzanne And Walter Scott Aquarium

Omaha, Nebraska

Our readers voted Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium as one of the top three Best Zoos in the U.S. in 2021 and 2022. Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium is the largest aquarium in a zoo and is TravelAwaits writer SG Morgensen’s favorite part of the zoo. She especially enjoys watching the Antarctic penguins jump in the water as well as the 70-foot glass shark tunnel.

2. Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, California

Looking out over one of the most beautiful coastlines in California, the Monterey Bay Aquarium sits on the waterfront along Cannery Row in Monterey, California. Each year, over 2 million visitors come to view more than 200 exhibits and 35,000-plus creatures that represent more than 550 species. TravelAwaits writer Wendy Lee calls it “one of the best-known attractions in California” and says it is “among the most impressive aquariums in the world.”

Set aside at least half a day to see everything from scampering sea otters to pulsing jellyfish as you make your way through this former sardine cannery. In addition to the sea otter exhibit, other popular attractions include the African penguins and the giant Pacific octopus. Home to leopard sharks and wolf eels, the Kelp Forest is one of the tallest aquarium exhibits on the planet at 28 feet.

Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, TravelAwaits writer Sage Scott suggests exploring the shops along Cannery Row. “Grab a bite at Lalla Grill Oceanside or the Chart House,” she suggests, “and be sure to try the abalone if it’s available.”

3. Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Situated on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium features more than 10,000 animals as well as an IMAX theater. It is made up of two buildings. River Journey houses all freshwater animals, while Ocean Journey is home to saltwater animals. “It’s a guided journey through both buildings, so you’re not just looking at big tanks full of fish,” TravelAwaits writer Robert Rosenthal tells us, “You’re following a journey from creeks to streams to rivers to the ocean.” Visit the Alligator Bayou in the Delta Country exhibit to see American alligators and learn about species such as sea lions in 3D at the IMAX theater.

4. Adventure Aquarium

Camden, New Jersey

Located on The Camden Waterfront along the Delaware River, Adventure Aquarium used to be known as the Thomas H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium. Over 15,000 aquatic animals call Adventure Aquarium home, including the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast.

One-of-a-kind exhibits include the Shark Bridge, where visitors can bravely walk across the longest v-shaped suspension bridge made of rope in the world, just inches above sand tiger, sandbar, nurse sharks, and more. There’s also a 40-foot shark tunnel and a Touch A Shark exhibit, where you get to — you guessed it — touch a shark.

Adventure Aquarium also claims to be the only aquarium in the world with hippos on exhibit. Head to Hippo Haven to watch two 3,000-plus pound Nile hippos, Genny and Button, frolic underwater through the viewing window.

5. Aquarium Of The Pacific

Long Beach, California

Southern California’s largest aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific, takes up five acres on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. Focusing on the aquatic life of the Pacific Ocean, it features more than 12,000 animals and over 100 exhibits, including frogs, sea otters, sharks, and sea jellies. There are also galleries to explore that highlight major habitats. At the Northern Pacific Gallery, you can find adorable otters and the giant Pacific octopus, which is known for its color-changing abilities and intelligence.

Kids love the interactive exhibits, including touch pools where they can pet sharks and stingrays. In the Lorikeet Forest aviary, you can hold up a cup of nectar to see if any of the colorful birds will land on you. Housed in a stunning new glass building, Pacific Visions offers more interactive experiences via art installations, an immersive theater, and more.

A Harbor Breeze Cruise can be tacked on to admission, giving guests an opportunity to see marine animals such as sea birds, sea lions, and dolphins from the water.

6. Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, Georgia

With approximately 10 million gallons of water (both salt and fresh), the Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest in the world. Located in downtown Atlanta just north of Centennial Olympic Park, the aquarium is next to the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Seven major galleries offer a look at thousands of sea animals from beluga whales to manta rays.

Animal encounters are a big thing here. In addition to up-close-and-personal encounters with dolphins, sea lions, beluga whales, and penguins, visitors can also book a Shark Cage Dive. It’s also the only aquarium in the country that has whale sharks. As the largest fish in the world, it is only appropriate that the whale sharks are housed in the Ocean Voyager gallery, which is one of the largest single aquatic exhibits in the world. The exhibit features an acrylic tunnel that makes guests feel like they may be the ones in the tank!

7. National Aquarium

Baltimore, Maryland

The largest paid tourist attraction in Maryland, the National Aquarium, overlooks Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Thousands of animals — not just fish — reside in dozens of habitats. For example, the Australian river gorge houses birds, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles. Amazon River Forest is a unique exhibit that shows how the rise of the river creates a seasonal habitat for all sorts of creatures. National Aquarium’s Tropical Rain Forest is home to birds, reptiles, monkeys, and sloths. Located in the heart of the aquarium, Blacktip Reef is a colorful Indo-Pacific reef where you can spot species such as zebra sharks from the underwater viewing area.

At the aquarium’s largest exhibit, Dolphin Discovery, guests can view the resident colony of six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from the amphitheater or underwater viewing space. Interactive experiences are available here as well, including a chance to scuba dive in the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit!

8. North Carolina Aquarium At Fort Fisher

Kure Beach, North Carolina

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is by the beach just south of Wilmington. Exhibits include freshwater streams, coastline habitats, reefs, the open ocean, swamps, and even sea turtles. Habitats and animals are from North Carolina and around the world. TravelAwaits writer Peggy Cleveland tells us, “The highlight of my visit was seeing the Asian small-clawed otters in their expansive habitat in the aquarium’s conservatory. I could have watched these guys all day.” Cleveland says to make sure to tour the outdoor exhibits, which are a short hike on a boardwalk.

Visit during the holidays to catch Cape Fear’s Festival of Trees when “the aquarium transforms itself into a winter wonderland filled with glistening, glittering trees, decorated by local businesses and organizations, and art by local artists,” as TravelAwaits writer Betsi Hill describes.

9. Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg is full of family-friendly attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. More than 10,000 exotic sea creatures, including 12-foot sharks, giant sea turtles, colorful fish, and adorably playful penguins dwell in 10 galleries with different themes. Get an intimate look from the safety of a Glass Bottom Boat or collaborate with an African penguin on a painting.

10. Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, Illinois

Offering several educational experiences in one area, Chicago’s Museum Campus is a great place to visit and walk around. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium are all located in this lakefront oasis. TravelAwaits’ Senior Vice President Missy Glassmaker tells us that the oceanarium looks out onto Lake Michigan and is home to beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, and sea lions.

Shedd’s Great Lakes exhibit showcases species that are native to the region. Here, you can feel the leathery skin of a sturgeon, armored with bony plates, which have helped the “living fossils” dwell at the bottom of lakes for over 200 million years. Learn all about several species of seahorses and seadragons at various exhibits. For instance, did you know that these odd-looking, alien-like fish are one of the most effective predators of the sea?

Like some other museums and aquariums on this list, Shedd offers an overnight sleepover for kiddos. At Asleep with the Fishes, overnight guests can view exhibits after hours, participate in scavenger hunts, create crafts, and more!

11. Texas State Aquarium

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas State Aquarium is in what’s known as the Tropical Trail region of Texas, which includes Corpus Christi. TravelAwaits writer Janie Pace listed it as one of her favorite aquariums to visit in Texas. In addition to marine life, the aquarium’s 400 species also consist of jungle animals. Its recent Caribbean Journey expansion features a jungle aviary and a 400,000-gallon shark exhibit.

“Visit the Coral Reef exhibit to see a Mesoamerican barrier reef as you’d see off the coast of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, near Tulum, Mexico,” says Pace, “You’ll see the fragile ecosystem and its colorful fish, like angelfish, parrotfish, grunts, and butterflyfish. Then see lionfish, nurse sharks, tarpon, and other marine species in the Blue Hole exhibit, which simulates a deep underwater cavern.”

H-E-B Caribbean Sea features the longest acrylic window in North America at 68 feet long, which lets you explore a Spanish galleon shipwreck without getting wet. It also features predators such as reef sharks, barracudas, and stingrays. Islands of Steel is the Gulf of Mexico’s largest indoor exhibit. Decommissioned oil platforms serve as a habitat for loggerhead sea turtles, nurse sharks, snapper, and more.

H-E-B Splash Park and Owen’s Paleo Park are included with admission and offer a spot for pint-sized visitors to cool off and/or dig for fossils.

On Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2023, the Texas State Aquarium’s campus opens Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue, the largest coastal wildlife rescue facility in the state.

12. New England Aquarium

Boston, Massachusetts

More than 1.3 million folks visit the New England Aquarium annually, making it one of Boston’s premier attractions. Interact with sharks and rays at The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank, one of the largest on the East Coast. Speaking of large, the Giant Ocean Tank is four stories tall! This Caribbean coral reef exhibit holds 200,000 gallons of salt water and is home to Caribbean sea creatures such as Myrtle the green sea turtle. The Edge of the Sea Touch Tank invites visitors to pet a sea star and meet a lobster.

New England Aquarium also offers an opportunity to spot whales at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is a short drive from Boston. In addition to marine mammals such as acrobatic humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, pilot whales, and endangered right whales, the marine sanctuary is home to white-sided dolphins, sea birds, and more. Visitors are guaranteed to spot a whale on a Whale Watch or they receive a free ticket for future use.

Pro Tips

View From Home

Can’t make it in person? Many aquariums have live cams set up so you can see what the marine life is up to from the comfort of your couch. Just check the aquarium’s website.

Purchase Tickets In Advance

It goes without saying, but as these are some of the best aquariums in the country, they are quite popular. Therefore, you will want to purchase tickets in advance, which can also save you time in line. Arriving early during the day can help your chances of getting an up-close look at the exhibits, especially on weekends.

Shopping And Dining

Most aquariums have onsite dining in case you work up an appetite and gift shops so you can purchase a souvenir to remember your visit. Some even have online gift shops so you can just pretend you went, haha!

Strollers

Parents and grandparents with tiny tots in tow beware, some aquariums may not permit strollers in their exhibits. Review the aquarium’s Frequently Asked Question page to check for stroller policies.

CityPass

Most major cities offer CityPass, which includes admission to major tourist attractions such as aquariums. Check into this option if you plan on seeing more sights during your getaway!

Traveling to specific places at specific times of the year can yield stunning results, especially if you plan it right. Spring will be here before you know it, and with its arrival come some amazing opportunities to see and experience things that only happen for short periods of time. Here are five must-sees for this spring.

1. Sandhill Crane Migration

Nebraska

For some reason, some 10,000 years ago, a flock of sandhill cranes chose an area in central Nebraska as a rest stop as they continued their journey north after spending the winter in southern North America. The annual sandhill crane migration has become a historic event and lasts between six to eight weeks every spring.

About one million cranes descend on a 100-mile section of Nebraska called Central Flyway. It’s located between Grand Island, Kearney, and North Platte. It’s believed that the Platte River’s sandbars provide natural protection for the birds as they huddle together, recharging.

One recommended area for viewing is the Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. Here you’ll need a state-issued parking permit. It’s recommended that you visit around sunset, as this is when the sandhill cranes come in to roost each night. As the sun sets, the sky is filled with thousands of cranes. Keep your ears open for the bugle-like calls.

2. Blooming Wildflowers

Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee are home to some of the most spectacular sights in the country — waterfalls, lush mountain ridges, and a landscape that never ends. But in the springtime, the blooming wildflowers steal the show.

Each spring, lasting through fall, the first blooms begin to appear throughout the forests and along the trails of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The blooms grow upslope as the season proceeds and evolve as the elevation changes. Look for the little white or pink blossoms, the larger blooms of various trilliums, and the white petals and golden stamens of bloodroot.

Some of the best places to find the wildflowers include Little River Trail, Katani Fork Trail, Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Chestnut Top Trail, and Lead Cove Trail to Spence Field. Check online for dates and times for the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, which takes place near the end of April.

3. Gray Whale Migration

Oregon

There are two peak seasons to see grey whales off the coast of Oregon. The winter, between mid-December and mid-January, and the spring from late February through May. This is when as many as 20,000 gray whales begin to migrate between the cold seas off Alaska and their breeding lagoons down south near Baja, Mexico.

The grays can reach as long as 50 feet and weigh around 30 tons. The best way to see them is to scan the horizon with the naked eye, looking for spouts. Once you see one, have a pair of binoculars ready and zoom in.

Another great way to maximize your experience is to travel and attend the state’s Whale Watch Weeks. During these events, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department stations volunteer at 24 of the best viewing sites along the coast. The dates for this spring’s Oregon Whale Watch Week are Tuesday, March 28th to Sunday, April 2nd, 2023.

4. Shed Antlers

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

A new activity that is gaining popularity all across America is shed antler hunting. But if you’re looking for the premiere place to “hunt,” you need to be in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole valley.

In nature, male deers, caribou, elk, and moose grow new antlers each spring, after shedding last year’s antlers in the winter. The shedded antlers find new homes on the floors of forests and fields. That’s where the fun begins. In the spring, thousands of folks take to the woods in pursuit of finding the antlers.

In Wyoming, shed antler hunting season opens at midnight on May 1, when the winter wildlife closure ends. The Jackson Antler Opener kicks off at the National Elk Refuge, which is home to as many as 10,000 elk. Here, or at the neighboring 3.4-million-acre Bridger-Teton National Forest, is where you can find as many antlers as you can carry.

5. New Life In The Wetlands

Louisiana’s Barataria Preserve

They don’t call Louisiana a sportsman’s paradise for nothing. But even if you’re not into hunting or fishing, the hunt to see wildlife is a sport on its own. One of the premier places to find such sport is in the swamps of the Barataria Preserve, just outside of New Orleans.

Every spring, as the winter temperatures begin to rise, the park’s wildlife, including alligators, awakens along with the park’s plant life. In early April, the preserve’s Visitor Center Trail comes alive as spring blooms of spiderworts, dewberries, buttercups, and wild vetch erupt into a dazzling show of color.

Sadly, the springtime tradition of the blooming of giant blue irises, which filled the entire preserve, has been greatly reduced due to Hurricane Katrina in 2009. But, slowly, it appears the blue iris population is trying to make a comeback, so keep an eye open for these charmers.

There are plenty of other trails to explore and the park recommends staying on the trail because too many people have trampled the beautiful flowers that grow all around the park. Here’s a full list of what’s blooming at Barataria.

Related Reading:

1. 6 Fantastic Places To See California’s Gorgeous Wildflowers This Spring
2. My 5 Favorite Springtime Experiences In The Arizona Desert
3. 7 Best Towns In Texas To See Fields Of Bluebonnets

I love sea turtles and I love to snorkel. Yet somehow, these two things have never managed to collide with each other. I’ve been on numerous snorkeling trips, resulting in sea turtle sightings for others in the group. But for me? Nope.

So when I saw a brochure for Turtle Canyon on a recent trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, I jumped at the chance to once again try my hand at getting a glimpse of the elusive sea turtle in its natural habitat.

Situated on the island of Oahu’s south shore, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki is best known for its famous white sand beach, high-rise hotels, and designer shops that line Kalakaua Avenue. It’s also one of the best places for snorkeling with turtles in Oahu at the incredible Turtle Canyon. 

Turtle Canyon is a nature preserve and snorkeling site known for the large numbers of sea turtles that float above the reef while the reef fish swim around them and clean their shells. It’s basically a car wash for turtles! When the turtles come up to breathe, they can even be seen by spectators relaxing on the boat!

The Turtle Canyon reef formed thousands of years ago when volcanic activity was rife in and around Oahu — evidenced by the large lava-formed, rock-encrusted fingers rising from the shallow shores of Waikiki. Small boulders, coral heads, and plenty of sand between these rocky fingers make great homes for all kinds of marine life. While this site and its impressive geological formations attract aquatic life, it’s not full of colorful coral like Hanauma Bay, another popular snorkeling spot on Oahu. Here the turtles are the star.

At around 20 to 45 feet deep, Turtle Canyon is a little deep for snorkelers, but you won’t be disappointed. The crystal-clear water has excellent visibility, my husband and I had no trouble seeing the sandy bottom of the canyon, and turtles often come up to the shallows swimming among snorkelers seemingly without fear.

1. Hire A Tour Operator

There are numerous tour operators in Oahu running trips to Turtle Canyon and they all leave from Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor. I would recommend taking a cab or Uber to the marina. If you drive, parking is $1 per hour, and pay machines accept cash and credit cards. Please refer to the Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor Map for parking areas.

Pro Tip: Parking is incredibly limited, so if you decide to drive, allow yourself plenty of time to find parking and get to the boat. 

2. What To Bring

Sunscreen is a must and it needs to be reef-friendly to comply with Hawaii’s laws. Apply it liberally. The sun’s rays can penetrate the water when you’re snorkeling, leaving you with a nasty sunburn if you neglect this step.

Drinks and refreshments provided on tours vary widely from operator to operator. I always like having a water bottle and some light snacks with me, just in case. A towel is nice to dry off after snorkeling, and a coverup came in handy for the windy trip back to the harbor. If you have one, a dry bag is a great place to store these items and secure car keys if you’ve driven. A camera is nice to have — we used a GoPro to get some fun videos of the turtles swimming around us. 

3. Snorkeling Tips

Snorkeling is pretty easy to learn, even for a complete novice. Guides will review the basics and a few safety items, and you’ll be in the water in minutes. All of the necessary equipment, masks, fins, and flotation devices, will be provided by the tour operator.

Most tours offer in-water guides who can assist snorkelers with equipment or point out turtles and other marine life in the area. 

Pro Tip: To see as much marine life as possible, it’s best to swim to a spot away from others, then relax and float face down. Kicking and thrashing in the water will startle most marine life, and you’ll have a much better experience observing calmly and quietly.

4. Avoid Seasickness

Nothing will ruin your fun like a bout of seasickness. Generally, the ocean is calm near Waikiki. Still, if you are prone to seasickness or aren’t used to being aboard ocean-going boats, it may be a good idea to talk with the pharmacist about preventative measures.

As I’ve gotten older, I tend to feel dizzy while snorkeling. I generally take Dramamine about an hour or so beforehand to avoid any chance of feeling ill.

5. Turtle Etiquette

It’s important to remember that when you enter the water, you are entering the turtle’s home. 

As a guest, you should aim not to disturb, frighten, or harm the turtle. To ensure this, you must follow a few simple guidelines. Don’t pet or touch the animal in any way. It’s not only bad form; it’s illegal as sea turtles are protected under federal law. Touching the turtle can be stressful for the animal and can result in a very stiff fine in Hawaii. 

Don’t feed sea turtles. The food you offer the turtle could be harmful to the turtle and hurt the turtle’s short-term health. Also, if the turtle gets used to getting food from humans, it can lead to habituation, interfering with its ability to procure food.

Pro Tip: We booked the last tour of the day. Most of the other tour boats left the area before our snorkeling time was over, allowing us to enjoy the space with fewer people for the latter part of our tour.

After you’ve gotten your fill of snorkeling, you can climb back on the boat and get ready for a lovely ride back to the harbor, cruising along Waikiki’s gorgeous coastline. We enjoyed fantastic views of Diamond Head and even saw some spinner dolphins.

All told, we saw over ten different turtles. One swam toward me, peering at me with curiosity. The encounter made me wonder who was observing who. Turtle sightings are practically guaranteed at this spot, and many tour operators offer to reschedule customers for free if they don’t see one during their trip.

If you want to swim with sea turtles, I recommend visiting Turtle Canyon on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. My husband and I had an excellent afternoon and I can finally say I swam with sea turtles.

Australia is a fascinating island country at the bottom of the globe, the only inhabited continent located entirely south of the equator. While its intrigue captures the attention of travelers, the distance and time it takes to get there is one thing that can be off-putting to many. 

Buckle up for a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, or be prepared for over 21 hours of flying time from London. Then, just as you start recovering from jetlag, you have to fend off all those scary creatures that roam the country; hell-bent on killing you! Or are they?

Let’s take a look at the six scariest creatures to see if they are genuinely worthy of our fear.

1. Box Jellyfish

When the award for the most venomous creature in the world is up for grabs, the box jellyfish had better have an acceptance speech written. This creature, also known as a sea wasp, can cause death in as little as 2–4 minutes.

The bell (head) of the jellyfish grows to a foot across and each corner has 15 tentacles that can stretch as long as 10 feet. It is from the tentacles that potent venom is delivered. The nervous system is affected within 4 minutes of the fatal sting and the toxin locks the heart into a contracted state. Death comes quickly.

But the good news is that only 79 people have been killed by box jellyfish since record-keeping began in 1879. So, the odds are stacked in your favor. And, they’re only found in the warm waters of northern Australia, mainly from November–May. Draw a line halfway through the map of Australia and you should be fine to swim anywhere south of that line.

Pro Tip: The best defense is prevention. If visiting regions where they live, swim only within stinger enclosures. Always wear a stinger suit if you swim outside the enclosures. Locations such as Cairns and Airlie Beach in Queensland have protective lagoons with sandy beaches and grassy areas, so all family members can cool off safely away from ocean waters.

2. Taipan Snake

We can’t deny that the world’s most venomous snake, the taipan, is endemic to Australia. Their venom is so potent it can kill a human within hours if a sufficient amount is injected.

The average length of a taipan is 6–8 feet and they, too, are found in the warmer, wetter temperate-to-tropical coastal regions. Their habitat includes woodlands, grazing paddocks, hollow logs, piles of vegetation and litter, and sugar cane fields — anywhere there is an abundance of rats and mice.

Take comfort in knowing that rats, mice, and birds are their preferred diet. Humans aren’t featured on their menu, but they will strike quickly and repeatedly if under a surprise siege.

Pro Tip: While known to be highly nervous and alert, taipans prefer a quick vanishing act over engaging in a confrontation. Official estimates declare there are about 3,000 all-species snake bite cases annually in Australia; 300–500 require anti-venom with an average of two fatalities a year. 

3. Great White Shark

We’ve all read Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws, or seen Spielberg’s movie adaptation. I was 14 when my fingernails dug deeply into the cinema seating on my one and only viewing of the movie. I screamed and looked away; the spine-chilling scenes of a great white shark attacking humans and boats were too much. That movie kept people out of the water for years. For many, the vision remains in the depths of our brain, parcelled as “things to be scared of.”

These sharks inhabit Australian waters, but humans are also not on their usual menu. The chance of being a victim of a great white shark attack in Australia is well over 50 million to one.

Pro Tip: The International Shark Attack File lists the number of unprovoked and provoked attacks, with the latter almost doubled. Therein lies the first tip: as the saying goes, “don’t poke the bear!” Avoiding unprovoked attacks includes not swimming at dusk or in darkness, not wearing sparkling objects and swimming only in clear waters. If the beach is patrolled, swim between the flags, and leave the water quickly if schools of fish gather.

4. Saltwater Crocodile 

Steve Irwin, the late, great Aussie crocodile hunter, and the fictitious movie character Crocodile Dundee, gave the impression that crocodile wrestling is a daily pastime for Australians. The truth is that it is a big “nope!”

This fearsome animal is the largest living reptile in the world. In Australia, they can be found in coastal waters, estuaries, lakes, inland swamps, and marshes in the northern areas of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and upper regions of western Australia. Growing up to 7 meters in length (almost 23 feet) and living up to 80 years of age, the fascination around these creatures often counteracts the fear that surrounds them.

They are not fussy eaters; their diet consists mostly of birds and fish. Still, they’ll take an unsuspecting kangaroo, water buffalo, or foolhardy human who enters their space. However, you can take comfort in that they’re reported to kill less than one human annually on average.

Pro Tip: Don’t seek them out in the wild. Never swim or get near the water’s edge where signs indicate their presence. Several safe, up-close opportunities exist in which to view them. You can take a river cruise and watch in safety as wild crocodiles are fed. The Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin provides an intimate underwater viewing system where those game enough can enter the water and appreciate the size of these reptiles from the safety of a clear acrylic cylinder. 

5. Sydney Funnel Web Spider

As the name suggests, the Sydney Funnel-web spider is found only in New South Wales. This little guy grows to 1.5 inches and burrows into the ground, predominantly under logs and rocks in forested areas. They spin silk trip lines around their burrow and rush out when tasty beetles, cockroaches, small lizards, or snails herald their presence when brushing against the silk.

Contrary to popular belief, they don’t jump onto or chase people. While they may stumble into a swimming pool or take cover in a shoe left outside, they don’t live in houses. Although their fearsome reputation is often exaggerated, they deserve respect as their venom is the most toxic of any spider to humans and can result in death. The venom of the females and juvenile spiders is less harmful.

Pro Tip: First aid consisting of a pressure bandage and immobilization should be administered immediately after a bite is suspected. The victim should then be taken to a hospital where an anti-venom can be given. There have been no fatalities from Sydney Funnel-web spider bites since the anti-venom was developed in 1981.

6. Stonefish

Suppose you venture into shallow bays, estuaries, and reef flats in the coastal regions of northern Australia. In that case, you may encounter the estuarine stonefish. This experience won’t be pleasant. For a start, the stonefish is just plain ugly. However, it does hold the award for the most venomous fish and deserves respect on that merit. But to look at it, it is junkyard ugly.

Around 1 foot in length, the skin of the stonefish is devoid of scales, covered in warts and algae. Its beady eyes protrude from a raised bony structure on a grooved and pitted head. Their grotesque head and warty body allow them to be masters at camouflaging well against the rocky sea bottom.

It is pretty rare to actually see the stonefish; however, should you unwittingly step near or directly on one, you’ll be met with the venom from its 13 needle-sharp dorsal fin spines. The pain is immediately excruciating, may last for days, and can involve muscular paralysis, breathing difficulties, heart failure, and death.

Pro Tip: Wear sturdy footwear when walking on reef flats or adjacent rocky or weedy areas to avoid this unpleasant experience. It is important to note that stonefish can survive out of the water at low tide. If stung by a stonefish, seek medical attention quickly, as anti-venom is available. There have been no recorded stonefish-related deaths in Australia. One tough Aussie claims he navigated the pain simply by keeping his foot in a bucket of hot water while drinking a bottle of red wine! 

Noteworthy, unusual, or dramatic events like shark and crocodile attacks make headlines on global news sites and induce unwarranted fear. However, the animals that create the most risk to our lives are not featured in this list and are, in fact, much more commonplace.

Horses and donkeys cause the most deaths in Australia, mostly related to falls, followed by cattle, generally causing road accidents. Domestic dogs rank as the third biggest killer, predominantly in attacks on children under 4 years of age. Kangaroos causing road accidents and bees stinging allergic victims round out Australia’s top five risks to life from animals.

Clearly, these six featured creatures, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, and spiders, don’t warrant the fear surrounding them. With common sense, the chances of encountering these creatures are rare, leaving visitors to enjoy the scenery, weather, and laid-back culture Australia offers. And there’s plenty of red wine for medicinal purposes, too!

For almost 30 years, I’ve been driving past the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad on my way to San Diego. I’ve always noticed this small body of water flowing under the 5 Freeway but never gave it much thought. 

That all changed when I had the chance to take a guided kayak tour of the lagoon. It turns out that the seemingly calm waters are teeming with life and part of a much larger ecosystem. Over the course of 2 hours, I came to appreciate the importance of Agua Hedionda and other lagoons in the protection of coastal wetlands and the nearby waters of the Pacific Ocean.

What Is The VIP Eco Tour?

The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is committed to preserving this important watershed through education and engagement. And what better way to do this than by getting visitors out on the water through a VIP Eco Tour? These 2-hour guided kayaking experiences, led by an environmental educator, allow guests to get up close to see the plant, bird, and marine life that isn’t so easily spotted from land.

We started at California Watersports to grab our paddles, lifejackets, and kayaks. Then our guide led us into the water. My husband, Jason, and I love to kayak and have done so in many different places. At times, paddling can be hard work, but here we found it to be easy, which allowed us to watch for wildlife and pay attention to our guide. From a distance, it doesn’t look like anything is going on in the lagoon, but when you stop and pay attention, there’s plenty happening.

The lagoon extends 1.7 miles inland, is half a mile wide, and covers a total of 400 acres. We only covered a small part of this since some sections are restricted to commercial activity or conservation.

I was amazed to learn that there are 192 species of birds that either call the lagoon home or use these grounds for migrating and breeding. Without the protection of this sensitive ecosystem, many of these species would struggle to exist. A solo California brown pelican flew over us while a great blue heron watched the water carefully looking for its next meal. On the shore were dozens of sandpipers searching the sand for worms and clams.

Over 70 species of fish call the lagoon home, but these aren’t quite as easy to see as the birds. Fortunately, mullet fish occasionally jumped several inches out of the water so we could indeed see them. Our guide shared that flounder, sea bass, and even stingrays are found here as well.

While spotting the wildlife is a fun part of the tour, my greatest takeaway was the importance of how lagoons protect our oceans. The 135,000 acres of land in North San Diego County drain runoff water through lagoons like this one. During the process, the water is filtered and cleaned as it reaches the Pacific Ocean. From a distance, this collection of marshlands and mudflats that comprise the lagoon may not look like much, but they are indeed a critical part of our environment.

What Makes The VIP Eco Tour Unique?

After kayaking in many scenic locations, what Jason and I appreciated about the VIP Eco Tour was learning about the lagoon. Often we float along, spot something interesting, and wonder what it is. Having a guide to answer our questions and provide commentary was invaluable. 

I also value a tour given by a non-profit organization. All proceeds benefit the educational and advocacy work of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. I like knowing that my tourism dollars are making a difference.

Tips For Experiencing The VIP Eco Tour

A great way to round out your tour is to visit the nearby Discovery Center of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Filled with interesting exhibits about the history of the region and informative displays about the lagoon, the center is free to visit and appropriate for all ages. A highlight of our visit was the chance to meet a western screech owl named Tecolote, part of their Raptors collection.

VIP Eco Tours are not regularly scheduled but instead organized by request. If you’re planning to be in the Carlsbad area, get in touch with the foundation. Participants must be 16 years or older.

Any time I travel abroad, I scour the internet for unique tours and lesser-known experiences. And yet with cities near me, I eat at the same restaurants, visit the same attractions, and don’t take much time to go deeper. I’m so grateful for this recent opportunity to learn so much more about an essential ecosystem located in a city I’ve long enjoyed visiting. 

For more stories about kayaking adventures, check out these articles:

• I Went Kayaking For The First Time At 51 — Here’s What Happened
• The Amazing Antarctica Cruise Experience That Is Worth The Cost
• A Beginner’s Guide To Kayaking: From Learning To Paddle To Buying A Kayak

Nebraska is one of the least-visited states in the nation. And in an attempt to poke fun at common Midwestern stereotypes, the Cornhusker State recently unveiled its new state tourism slogan, “Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone.”

But Nebraska’s biggest city does have plenty of things to do and see, proving the tongue-in-cheek slogan wrong. Omaha is home to a world-renowned zoo, a unique pedestrian bridge, the NCAA Men’s College World Series, and more. Here are the best things to see and do in Omaha, Nebraska.

Note: Some of my experiences were hosted. All opinions are my own.

1. Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium

One of the largest and most highly-rated zoos in the world, it’s no wonder Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is the most-visited attraction in the state. From comedic penguins from Antarctica to majestic lions from the grasslands of Africa, observe and interact with creatures from every continent at this zoo in America’s heartland.

Like all zoos, the Omaha Zoo is most enjoyable on a pleasant day. You’ll have the greatest breadth of experiences visiting in the late spring, summer, or early fall. But don’t skip this Omaha attraction just because it’s raining, cold, or snowing. The zoo is designed so that five of its most popular attractions (all indoor exhibits) are near the main entrance. This includes the Lied Jungle, home to America’s largest indoor rainforest, the Scott Aquarium, which allows guests to wander through a 70-foot tunnel while sharks and sea turtles swim overhead, and the Desert Dome. Resembling a multi-faceted round diamond erupting from the plains, the Desert Dome includes the world’s largest exhibit of nocturnal animals and is one of the most famous landmarks in Omaha.

With 160 acres of exhibits and gardens, it’s easy to hit your daily step goal pretty quickly during a visit to the Omaha Zoo. Give your feet a rest by jumping on the train or tram that winds through the park. Or, better yet, fly from the aquarium to the lion exhibit by soaring above the zoo on the Skyfari chairlift.

Find zoo hours, ticket prices, and more information to plan your visit at the Omaha Zoo website.

Pro Tip: For additional animal encounters, visit the Wildlife Safari Park in nearby Ashland, roughly halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. Just 30 minutes southwest of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Omaha is a family-friendly, drive-through animal park featuring bison, elk, sandhill cranes, and other impressive wildlife.

2. The Botanical Center

Segueing from fauna to flora, a visit to the Lauritzen Gardens is another one of the best things to do in Omaha. Stroll past millions of tulips and daffodils in the spring, breathe in fragrant roses in the summer, and enjoy a final splash of fall color as winter starts to move in.

But even when the temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, thousands of poinsettias (accented with lights at night) fill the floral display hall during the spectacular holiday poinsettia show — Merry & Bright. And throughout the year, the garden offers a variety of special events, including basket weaving, photography workshops, and yoga.

Find out about all of the special events and more by visiting the Lauritzen Gardens website.

3. Omaha’s Union Station And The Durham Museum

When Omaha’s Union Station opened in January 1931, it bustled with activity. But as Americans increasingly opted to travel by plane or car, the trains stopped running and the building fell into disrepair.

Today, when you walk across the ornately patterned floor and under the soaring chandelier-lit ceilings of this national historic landmark, it’s thanks to local civil engineer Chuck Durham and his wife, Marge, who led the efforts to restore the Great Hall to its original glory. So, in addition to admiring the art deco architectural beauty of Union Station, be sure to visit the institution that bears its name.

The Durham Museum’s permanent exhibit focuses on the history of the city, from the Omaha Native American tribe who lived in the area for thousands of years to the role of the railroad as European Americans expanded westward. Walk through several train cars from the 1940s and 1950s including a Pullman Cornhusker Club car, lounge car, and caboose. There’s also a replica of the Buffett Grocery Store. Opened in Omaha in 1915 by Warren Buffet’s grandfather and uncle, the seventh richest person in the world earned his first nickel by working in the family store as a child.

Get information about special exhibits, hours of operation, and more at the Durham Museum website.

4. Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

Originally the Blackstone Hotel — a legendary hotel that achieved icon status during the Roaring Twenties and remained one of the country’s most successful small hotels through the 1970s — the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel pairs Omaha history with modern luxury. Local lore proclaims that both the Reuben sandwich and butter brickle ice cream were invented here, and historians can confirm that President John and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy spent their fifth wedding anniversary at the Blackstone. Whether it’s the history or convenient midtown location that draws you in, you’re sure to be impressed by the accommodations, amenities, and on-site dining options. 

5. The Old Market

With its paved brick streets, this historic district has an Old World feel. Enjoy the area by browsing the art galleries and boutiques, sipping a latte in one of the coffee shops, and indulging in a leisurely brunch, a fine Omaha steak, or a boozy beverage. Then cap it off with a scoop of ice cream at Ted & Wally’s, one of the best ice cream shops in the US.

6. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

If you need to work off the calories from your eggs Benedict, T-bone, craft beer, or sundae, Omaha provides a unique opportunity. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge — also known as “Bob” — stretches 3,000 feet over the Missouri River, allowing visitors to walk above the water between the two states. Take a comfortable stroll to Iowa and back or continue to explore the area, either by foot or on a bike, via the 150 miles of nature trails that connect to the bridge.

One of the best times to visit Bob is on a temperate evening. Hundreds of multi-colored bulbs light the way as you cross the modern S-shaped cable bridge from Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

7. The RiverFront

In the shadow of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, acres of greenspace butt up against the Missouri River like a lush T-bone. Connecting downtown Omaha to the river that runs through it, the Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront includes a performance pavilion, dog park, custom playground, sculpture garden, and interactive water features. The Mall is capped by Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront to the north and Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront to the south.

8. Charles Schwab Field Omaha

Nothing signifies summer in America quite like a baseball game. If you’re visiting Omaha in June, taking in at least one game in the best-of-three College World Series is definitely one of the best things to do in Omaha.

If your itinerary doesn’t align with the College World Series, then head out to the park between February and June to cheer on the home team. The Creighton Bluejays also use Charles Schwab Field Omaha as their home field.

Fun Fact: Football fans may wonder why retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning often shouted Omaha during games. Just like government missions and business projects have code names, the Denver Broncos used the Nebraska city to name one of their plays.

9. Joslyn Castle

Through the printing and publishing industry, George and Sarah Joslyn became Omaha’s first millionaires in the late 1800s. To firmly establish deep roots in the city in which they realized such success, the Joslyns completed a four-story, 35-room limestone mansion in 1903. Officially named Lynhurst, the Scottish Baronial Revival home is better known as the Joslyn Castle.

With a sweeping Spanish mahogany staircase, elaborate stained-glass windows, and fine details throughout, the elaborate home is impressive even by today’s standards. Built at a time when the majority of American households lacked indoor plumbing, each bedroom in the Joslyn Castle includes a full bathroom. The home was also outfitted with other modern conveniences of the time like telephones, central, and electricity.

For more information about touring this Omaha landmark (which is on the National Register of Historic Places), including how to request a tour with access to the elevator, visit the Joslyn Castle website.

10. Joslyn Art Museum

In addition to being Omaha’s first millionaires, the Joslyns were also some of the city’s first philanthropists. From child and animal welfare to education and the arts, many institutions benefited from the Joslyns’ generosity. And when George passed away in 1916, Sarah channeled her grief into creating a living memorial to her husband.

Focusing on their shared love of art and music, the Joslyn Art Museum opened to the public in 1931. With exhibits that wrap around a concert hall and a beautiful atrium, Nebraska’s biggest art museum is more than paintings and sculptures. When you visit one of America’s best examples of art deco architecture, enjoy a musical performance or tour the picturesque gardens surrounding the museum.

The permanent collection includes a wide variety of pieces, from Native American art to modern and contemporary. There are galleries dedicated to Asian and European art, and the atrium features one of American glass artist Dale Chihuly’s colorful sculptures.

There is no admission fee to visit the museum. Find hours of operation, information about special exhibits, and more at the Joslyn Art Museum website.

Note: The Joslyn Art Museum is closed until 2024 for a significant expansion and renovation.

11. St. Cecilia’s Cathedral

Built on one of the city’s highest points with rounded bell towers and a terracotta roof, the Spanish Renaissance style of St. Cecilia’s stands out in a region full of European Gothic-style cathedrals. And when it was completed in 1959, St. Cecilia’s was one of the 10 largest cathedrals in the United States.

People of all faiths are welcome to step into this Omaha landmark and gaze up at the elaborate plaster and mosaic ceiling, listen to the dual-temperament Pasi organ, and admire the detailed stained-glass windows.

The cathedral is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information about visiting the church, including the Mass schedule, visit the St. Cecilia Catholic Cathedral website.

Related Reading:

• 11 Entertaining Outdoor Activities In Beautiful Omaha, Nebraska
• 4 Reasons I Decided To Retire In Omaha
• 6 Fantastic Boutique Hotels To Stay At In Omaha

The communities and coastlines between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, are less populated than the larger urban areas, which creates amazing opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife living and thriving in the mountainous and coastal ecosystems. Some, like the free-range zebras or the Catalina Island bison, were brought to the area while others, like the sea otters, Northern elephant seals, and Tule elk, are native.

I was on a week-long hosted road trip along California’s Central Coast, also nicknamed Highway 1 Roadtrip to experience the wildlife that calls this part of the Pacific coastline home. Starting on Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles and ending in the charming little boutique town of Tiburon just across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, I saw a multitude of animals.

Here are seven amazing wildlife experiences not to miss along the California Central Coast.

1. Wild Bison And Little Foxes On Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a short hour-long ferry ride on the Catalina Express from Los Angeles and is the southernmost island of California’s Channel Islands. With only two towns, the incorporated city of Avalon on the east end and the unincorporated village Two Harbors on the west end, the island boasts mountainous beauty, majestic views, and rugged wilderness under the stewardship of the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Although the city of Avalon is a delightful little town to explore and shop (stay at the newly renovated Catalina Courtyard Suites hotel for easy access to everywhere), we were here to see the legendary wild places and wildlife of the island.

The best way to explore Catalina Island’s wild bison herd and native tiny little Catalina Fox is through an ecotour with the Catalina Island Conservancy. Although most of the island’s residents travel around in golf carts, finding a car on the island is damn near impossible. Instead, booking an eco-tour gives you unparalleled access to over 165 miles of paved and unpaved roads with a naturalist from the conservancy. You’ll get to areas on this unspoiled island that few visitors see, and learn from trained naturalists about the island’s history, plants, wildlife, and bison herd (which was brought to the island as part of a movie production).

Pro Tips

Be prepared to walk on Catalina Island; cars aren’t readily available, and it’s not really practical to try to take a rental car out to the island. You can rent golf carts pretty easily on the island too.

Also be aware that bad weather may affect the Catalina Express ferry schedule, though that’s more likely to happen in the winter months. Otherwise, the ferry is truly the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Catalina Island. Booking the Commodore Lounge package also gets you a free drink along the way!

2. The Great Monarch Migration

After leaving Catalina Island, we headed up Highway 1’s Discovery Route toward San Luis Obispo and the SLO Cal area to experience the magic that is the annual Monarch Butterfly Migration butterfly groves. Every year between October and February, hundreds of thousands of the orange and black monarch butterflies make their way to these butterfly groves of eucalyptus trees in Central California coastal areas near Los Osos, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, and W.R. Hearst Memorial State Beach near San Simeon.

In Los Osos, even a small neighborhood called Monarch Grove Homes has a small Monarch Grove Natural Area that hosts a good number of these jeweled winged creatures, though not when we visited.

The Central California grove sites are the winter homes for the western monarchs, which can travel over 1,000 miles to migrate up and down the West Coast. The mating season peaks in mid-February, and it’s not uncommon to see more than 200,000 monarchs just dripping off the trees at bigger sites like Pismo Beach.

3. The Zebras Of Hearst Ranch

For a study in Golden Era opulence and history, a stop and tour at Hearst Castle near San Simeon is a must. The sprawling castle atop a hill at the Hearst Ranch was the dream of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, who inherited thousands of acres around San Simeon in 1919.

Over the course of 28 years, he and famed architect Julia Morgan designed and built La Cuesta Encantada — Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” This castle includes 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways that all include Hearst’s legendary art collection.

It was also home to a zoo that boasted polar bears, grizzlies, jaguars, audads, elk, and zebras, to name a few. Although the polar bears and predators are gone, the Spanish audads, elk, and zebras still roam the 150,000 acres that make up Hearst Ranch, a still-active cattle ranch.

After our tour of Hearst Castle followed by an ocean-side wine tasting at the highly-recommended Hearst Ranch Winery in San Simeon, we glanced over toward Hearst Castle as we made our way back to Los Osos. There, nestled amongst the grazing cattle, the stripes of zebras caught our attention. With roughly 126 zebras roaming the land, drivers are almost guaranteed to see zebras! The next day, as we drove north along Highway 1, we also spotted the massive elk herd, which was visible right from the highway.

4. Otters And Sea Lions

Just offshore along SLO CAL (the nickname for San Luis Obispo County), funny, fuzzy, and playful southern sea otters are plentiful along this stretch of Highway 1. Native to the Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay, Big Sur, and nearly all of the Central Coast are hubs for these marine animals, making otter spotting particularly easy.

While kayaking Morro Bay, we saw several “floats” of otters, able to watch them roll around and dive into the kelp forests to search for food. Although they are found in greater numbers along the Central Coast, their populations are at risk thanks to overhunting in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. While considered threatened on the endangered species list and recognized as a depleted species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it’s easy to spot them when you know where to look.

Sea lions are also a common sight along the Central Coast Highway 1 Discovery Route. Los Lobos State Natural Reserve, Morro Bay, and San Simeon are all popular spots for sea lions.

5. Elephant Seal Rookery

Just a few miles north of Hearst Castle in San Simeon is the Piedras Blancas Rookery, the only elephant seal rookery in the world that is easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day of the year. Located 7 miles north of San Simeon on Highway 1, the rookery serves as a “home base” for up to 17,000 elephant seals during the peak times of their life cycles.

In September and October, juvenile seals flock to rest on the beaches during the fall haul-out, but in November, adult male elephant seals come to the beach to fight for dominance in order to earn mates. Weighing up to 5,000 pounds, these fights are pretty fierce, and watching the males bash each other while roaring their guttural roar was quite the spectacle.

December through March is a good time to spot pregnant females, and the births reach their peak in January. Starting in April, females and juvenile elephant seals return to Piedras to molt with the adult males joining them starting in June.

Pro Tip: Do not pass the rookery! There’s plenty of parking for vehicles of all sizes and the boardwalk is an easy, ADA-accessible stroll. No drones are allowed, but it’s a good idea to bring your binoculars. If you are traveling with a dog, you must keep it leashed at all times.

6. Birding Along The Coast

The California Central Coast is part of the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds, and Morro Bay is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The coastal mudflats surrounding Morro Bay and the small community of Baywood Park are an important stopover spot for thousands of migrating birds, which is why the Audubon Society considers the city an important bird area.

Near Baywood Park is the 24-acre Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, which hosts more than 350 bird species like American coots, bald eagles, snowy egrets, Anna’s hummingbirds, countless species of waterfowl and ducks, and more.

While many travelers navigate the stunning and winding Big Sur area of Highway 1’s Discovery Route to see the cliff views and fiery sunsets, they may miss seeing the California condor soaring above the cliffs.

Near the boutique pretty town of Tiburon in the San Francisco Bay Area, visitors to Angel Island State Park can also spot any number of resident bird species, including the California quail, double-crested cormorants, red-necked grebes, numerous types of hummingbirds, and much more.

7. Whales, Whales, And More Whales

California’s Central Coast is prime whale watching, and there are plenty of opportunities for spotting different types of whales and dolphins nearly year-round. The California Central Coast often sees gray whales, blue whales, and humpback whales, and killer whales (or orcas) have been seen in Monterey Bay and near Morro Bay.

Booking a whale-watching excursion presents your best bet for spotting these giants of the deep, but the Whale Trail has a list of the best whale-watching spots on the West Coast.

Again, San Luis Obispo County (SLO) is one of the best spots along Highway 1, boasting 10 viewpoints of the 100 Whale Trail sites. Shamel Park in Cambria, the San Simeon Bay Pier overlooking William Randolph Hearst State Beach, the Cayucos Pier, and Avila Beach Pier are also prime whale-watching spots that locals recommend. 

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars, and if you go on a whale-watching boat tour, be sure to dress in layers — even in the summer. Take sunscreen and motion sickness pills if you are prone to seasickness.

Along the southwest shores of Hudson Bay lies Churchill, Manitoba, which hosts the annual migration of the planet’s biggest land predators. At the top corners of Northern Canada, Churchill stands alone as the “polar bear capital of the world,” with more than 1,000 bears in this single geographical area. Churchill boasts more polar bears than people! In this frozen tundra, you’ll come face to face in the wild with these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat to watch the males “spar,” the females tend to their young, and all graze in search of food. 

I was hosted by Tourism Winnipeg, Travel Manitoba, and Heartland International Travel and Tours, but my opinions are my own. 

Here are some of the things I wished I knew before embarking on this incredible journey.

1. Layer Up

The wind is fierce. Bring clothes to layer like hoodies, t-shirts, a neck warmer, and extra socks. Pack two of everything, like two hats, two pairs of gloves, and an extra scarf. When I embarked on this bucket list experience, the temperature was mild, just over 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The next week the high was only going to be 14 degrees Fahrenheit. However, add in the wind, and the outdoor temperatures can be daunting when you go outside on the viewing platform to take pictures.

Pro Tip: I suggest wearing thin gloves under your mittens so you can manipulate your camera without exposing your skin.

The temperature in the tundra buggy changes. It’s quite warm and cozy, but once the windows are opened for viewing all the action, it quickly gets colder, and you find yourself adding extra layers of clothing. A few minutes later, the buggy warms up and then you find yourself taking the extra clothing off. Just be mindful that you’ll have to do this several times throughout the day.

2. Moisturize And Stay Hydrated

Bring lip balm, and moisturizer because the cooler air does tend to make you feel dry. Wear sunglasses as well as they protect against the wind. Drink lots of water during the day to keep up your fluid intake. Don’t worry — there’s a bathroom on board.

3. Pack Chargers 

Take extra battery chargers for your phone and memory cards for your cameras. The chilly air makes the batteries run down more quickly. There’s nothing worse than wanting to capture that perfect shot and then your battery goes dead.

4. Bring Binoculars 

Bring binoculars so you get a better view of the action as the bears “spar” in the wilderness. Things tend to move quickly in nature and your experience will be that much richer when you’re able to catch the smaller details. Although you’ll have a chance to go outside on the viewing deck, some of the best scenes will be enjoyed through the windows of the tundra buggy, too. 

5. Walk Through Churchill

Churchill is a small town but take the opportunity to experience the local culture. Make sure to see the beautiful and colorful murals. Named the “Sea Walls” project, 18 amazing artists from around the world came to Churchill and created massive murals on local buildings along the shores of Hudson Bay. The murals initially began with a focus on protecting the ocean but have been expanded to include all aspects of the environment. 

6. Buy Local

Support the locals by shopping in town. Buy some soapstone sculptures, Inuit carvings, stuffed polar bears, and other locally-made goods. Moccasins always make great gifts. Try the grocery store, North Mart, for unique souvenirs and candy.

There’s also a great gift shop in the airport called Polar Bear Wear that stays open until the last charter flight departs. If you haven’t found a tee shirt or hoodie you wanted in town, this is a great chance to buy a lasting memento of your trip.

7. Learn About the Polar Bears Before You Go

Polar bears are marine mammals. They remain on the sea ice where they hunt their main prey, the ringed seal, the most abundant seal in the Arctic. They eat one of these seals every three to four days to bulk up for the winter, and usually snack on berries, mushrooms, and red kelp in between. While polar bears hunt on the ice year-round, they are forced ashore until the ice freezes in the fall.

8. The Variety Of Terrains

In addition to the magnificent wildlife, what I also found incredible about this adventure is the number of different terrains you see while riding in the tundra buggy. One minute you pass by tree-dotted landscapes, the next minute the terrain is covered in a blanket of ice and snow. A few minutes later, you see a collection of large, jagged rocks and stones that are remnants from the Ice Age. 

9. Stop In Winnipeg Before Or After Your Journey

Many travelers combine a trip to Churchill with a stop in Winnipeg where indigenous culture, fascinating museums, gourmet dining, and a warm, friendly vibe are waiting for you. Located on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, this delightful metropolis is the capital city of the province of Manitoba. Winnipeg is a four-season destination with each season offering exciting recreational activities. There are even a few you’ve probably never heard of like riding ice cycles and kick sleds.

Canadian Museum of Human Rights

One of the highlights of the city is the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the only museum in the world dedicated to human rights issues. Founder Israel Asper wanted to build a family-friendly museum to educate people about the struggle for human rights around the world. Designed by architect Antoine Predock from Albuquerque, New Mexico, this unique structure opened in 2014 and serves as the icon of the city. It must be noted that the museum is located on ancestral lands, treaty one territory.

The museum offers interactive exhibits that teach about the various kinds of human rights violations from indigenous people, black Canadians, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and the Holocaust. It certainly gives one pause for thought for all marginalized people. At the top of the building, you can go out to Israel’s tower and gaze out at the magnificent Winnipeg skyline. 

Forks National Historic Site

Forks National Historic Site has been a meeting place for 6,000 years. Yes, you read that right. Forks is actually where Winnipeg started with the Aboriginal groups. This gave way to the railroads in the prairies, which contributed to the city’s vast growth, and Union Station, which still operates VIA passenger rail today. 

Forks Market

Inside Forks Market is a collection of restaurants from around the world, including Caribbean, Asian fusion, and my personal favorite, fish & chips. On the second floor, you’ll find Manitobah Mukluks filled with all kinds of indigenous goods from moccasins to boots to tapestries and more. Look for live music and other performances at the plaza. 

Thermea

One must-visit is Thermea — an outdoor Nordic spa just a few miles from downtown Winnipeg. Here you will find a unique relaxation and rejuvenation experience in nature using a series of hot, cold, and resting rituals. Starting at $77 for the day, this multisensory experience will help you connect to nature and creates the ultimate sense of well-being. 

Pro Tip: The Travel Manitoba Visitor Information Centre is located right outside the Forks Market. Check them out for expert trip-planning services around the province.

For more information about visiting Churchill, go to Travel Manitoba’s Everything Churchill page or Tourism Winnipeg.

Bonus Information On Churchill Polar Bears 

The only way to get there is by plane from Winnipeg or an exceptionally long train ride. The best way to experience the polar bears is with a licensed tour company to safely lead the group.

If you long for adventure but are short on time, check out the Heartland International inspiring, one-day journey to Churchill. Departing via a chartered jet in Winnipeg (October to November), you leave early in the morning, land in Churchill, and drive to the launch pad. You’ll spend the day in a comfortable, heated tundra buggy driving around the terrain looking for polar bears, foxes, and other wildlife. Wait, is that a silver fox? Everyone gathers around and someone with a camera and a very long lens snaps a picture. Yes indeed, it is a silver fox, all curled up, taking a nap. The group runs outside to take pictures. 

Pro Tip: There were people on the buggy that used crutches and had other mobility issues, but they were helped onboard and could enjoy the experience. 

Our knowledgeable guide, Trevor, told us that there are three kinds of bears in North America: black bears, brown bears, and polar bears. Only in Churchill can you spot all three. We also came across a red Artic fox that stood out against the landscape. In the warmer weather, Churchill draws explorers looking to spot beluga whales, bird watching, and eagles. 

Then the tundra buggy circles around to another area where two polar bears have been spotted, sparring in the snow, their way of playing. Trevor told us that only the males engage in this type of behavior, similar to roughhousing by teenage boys. 

When the buggy stops after a polar bear sighting, the riders head out to an outdoor viewing area to take pictures. Sometimes a polar bear will approach the buggy, curious as to what it is. Polar bears are not good climbers, so they can’t reach the viewing deck.

As the sun sets, you enjoy dinner in Churchill, shop for a few souvenirs in town, and fly back to Winnipeg the same day. All too soon, you’re on your flight back with visions of polar bears etched forever in your mind. It’s the easiest way to encounter all of Churchill’s wonders in a short amount of time.

According to the Northern Lights Aura application, it was prime time to see the aurora borealis or Northern Lights at night. We could see them as we were flying home.

If you have more time to spend exploring, Heartland International also offers multi-day packages that include dogsledding, coastal roads/hidden trail tours, and another day in the tundra buggy.

Looking back on my grand adventure to Churchill, I am filled with wonder about the natural phenomenon I witnessed in this fragile ecosystem. I can’t wait to return.

If you’re looking for a warm holiday glow during the chilly Seattle winter, the cuddling meerkats, dancing butterflies, and shimmering pink flowers at the Woodland Park Zoo’s WildLanterns event are a can’t-miss attraction.

Though you won’t find the traditional holiday Santa or candy canes at the WildLanterns event, rest assured that this immersive light show radiates a decidedly festive vibe. WildLanterns focuses on animals from around the world and the result is pure magic.

During my recent trip to Seattle, my family and I checked out Woodland Park Zoo’s unique nighttime event the evening before Thanksgiving. Our group was made up exclusively of adults, but we were no less enchanted by the adorable animal, insect, and plant lanterns than were the kids who were basking in the lights all around us.

I was amazed by the larger-than-life-size and the rich vibrance of the animal lanterns, as well as the scope of the display, which features more than 300 lanterns, several loop walkways, and numerous display areas. We were guests of WildLanterns, but my views are my own.

This year’s WildLanterns features new lanterns and a variety of themed zones, including All About Bugs, Garden Delights, A Walk Through Africa, Asian Safari, and Oceania Animal Odyssey. Each of the zones has highlights and it’s worth wandering through all of them. Expect to take at least two hours to walk the loops and stop for hot cocoa along the way.

The show runs through January 22, 2023, so there’s still plenty of time to plan a visit.

Here are nine reasons to take a wild winter walk at WildLanterns.

1. The Glowing Flower Tunnel

One of the first exhibits that we encountered upon entering WildLanterns at the zoo’s west entrance was the massive Wisteria Corridor tunnel that features radiant pink flowers hanging from above. It makes quite a statement! The tunnel was a very popular display. You’re likely to find crowds of people inside enjoying the soft glow and taking selfies.

2. Ferocious-Looking Tigers

When it comes to the exhibit’s Asian Safari, the kings of the forest appeared to be the stunning tigers, which are depicted stalking around one another and leaping over the lantern greenery, teeth bared. The tigers have a life-like quality, so don’t be surprised if you’re a little startled by their intense expressions.

3. Expressive Orangutans

Competing with the tigers for attention are the orangutans with their distinctive stances and expressive faces. The orangutan exhibit is large and features several animals in various poses among the whimsical trees and rocks.

4. Dancing Lights

Throughout the All About Bugs exhibit, the walkway is illuminated by dancing butterflies and flowers. The twirling images are accompanied by music, which encourages the kids (and adults) along the way to dance in the light. With dragonflies flitting through the trees and flowers lining the walkway, the All About Bugs is one of the most adorable sections of WildLanterns.

5. The Giant Ant Tunnel

Another great photo opportunity awaits in the All About Bugs loop at the Giant Ant Walkway, a massive tunnel that allows kids and adults to walk through the interior of the ant body and come out at the head, complete with bulging eyes and spiky antennae. With the insect’s spindly legs planted among rows of pretty flowers, the Ant Walkway is one of the highlights of the exhibit.

6. Adorable Meerkats

Anyone who ever watched the fascinating antics of meerkats on an episode of the popular Meerkat Manor television series will certainly enjoy the meerkat lanterns, which show a family of meerkats perched on rocks, embracing one another, and seemingly making eerie eye contact with the people in the crowd.

7. Acorns, Ants, And Armadillos

The standout lanterns are far too numerous to mention but suffice it to say that some of the hits among my group were the martes pennanti (fisher cats) lurking in the glowing acorn trees, the marching ants busy on their anthill, and the mom-and-baby armadillo duo with their long, pointing noses.

8. The Winter Ambience

Even though the nighttime temperatures were fairly mild and there was no rain when I visited, it was nice to be able to warm up at the fire rings in front of 1899 Grove, a concession area where you can order food and drinks, including hot cocoa. There are also stands located along the walkways that serve hot drinks and snacks.

9. Sensory-Friendly Nights

To become more accessible to people of all abilities, WildLanterns offers one night per month that is dedicated to making the entire exhibit sensory-friendly. The Sensory Friendly Nights feature low-sensory experiences and activities and other resources to provide a comfortable holiday adventure for all. More information on the dates and details of the Sensory Friendly Nights is available on the WildLanterns website.

Pro Tip: Separate tickets are required for the WildLanterns event and daytime zoo admission, and ticket prices for WildLanterns vary, depending on the day. Prices are available here.

I have to admit that Panama was never on my radar. Of course, I had heard of the Panama Canal, connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean, and the many big ships around the world that were and are listed in Panama, but as a travel destination, even though I love traveling in Latin America, it simply never registered. 

Then my husband had to go to Panama City — not to be confused with Panama City in Florida — for work and came back gushing with enthusiasm, saying that next time he was going to go there on business, I was to come with him. So, I started researching, finding out what there was to do, getting rather keen on hopefully spotting a sloth, and before long, I had landed at Tocumen International Airport on the eastern outskirts of the city, and shortly afterwards, found myself in Casco Viejo, the historic district, with a glass of champagne in hand. Looking out across an amazing skyline full of skyscrapers on one side, and the higgledy-piggledy assortment of rooftops of the old town Casco Viejo on the other, I was brimming with enthusiasm to explore this place. 

Panama lies right at the lower end of Central America, bordering South America, and is close enough to the U.S. for an easy vacation, but quite a long journey from Europe, where I had come from. While this country is so well-known for so many reasons, tourism seems only to be an afterthought. I suppose Panama has to compete with the Caribbean islands, and other popular Central American tourism hotspots such as Costa Rica, Belize, Colombia, and Mexico. Many would-be visitors probably think only of the Panama Canal and the modern city, without realizing that there are some truly amazing things to do in and around Panama City, with some great day trips to be enjoyed.

Here is a selection of the things I was up to during my relatively long stay there. And, as I did most of these things on my own, while my husband was working, it seems safe to say that it is a good destination for lone female travelers as well.

1. Have Champagne On A Rooftop

You cannot find a better spot for your first night in Panama, and this place on the rooftop of an old building in Casco Viejo really set the mood for me. Tantalo has simply the best views of new and old Panama City and a great atmosphere. It soon morphed into one of my favorite champagne bars in the world. Be prepared to spend a few hours in balmy weather, nibbling on some yummy snacks and sipping those bubbles. A perfect start on a visit to Panama.

If you’re a champagne lover, be sure to visit the world’s nine best champagne bars.

2. Find A Sloth

Getting my priorities right, the next thing on my list was tracking down a sloth. Just along the Amador Causeway, not far from Casco Viejo where I was staying, is the Punta Culebra Nature Center — an educational center with many rescued animals living in the wild there. Walking around the forested peninsula, jutting into Panama Bay, I came across iguanas, local frogs, and tanks full of marine life, all set up for groups of school children who visit the center to learn more about their local wildlife, but no sloth.

I eventually grabbed one of the local wildlife guides and asked him to help me find one, and would you believe it? There was one hanging quietly, quite literally above my head, and I never would have seen it without the guide’s help. Once I learned how to spot a sloth, I found a few more and came away happy. Not only had I finally scratched that itch, but I also had a much better idea of how diverse Panama’s wildlife is.

3. Visit The Bio Museum

To learn more, I visited the Bio Museum (or biomuseo) just a mile or so down the road. This museum had initially found its way onto my to-do list because it was built by Frank Gehry, and I love searching for good architecture. In this case, the construction really surprised me, because it is so unlike any other Gehry building. Instead of being shiny and hyper-modern — like the Guggenheim Bilbao, or the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris — this was a relatively small building, and while the roof structure was very obviously Gehry, the entire building is a pop of colors, with red, blue, green, and yellow walls and roofs.

Inside, there is an amazing amount of information on just what a hotbed of biodiversity Panama is. The entire natural history is laid out step-by-step, and I learned that there are nearly 10,500 different types of plant species, including 1,200 orchid varieties and 1,500 species of trees, plus 255 species of mammals and nearly 1,000 indigenous bird species — and, of course, sloths.

4. Buy A Hat

Back in town, I was planning to go for a walk the next day but wanted to be protected from the sun. So, when in Panama, a Panama hat had to be purchased. Alas, original Panama hats are actually from Ecuador, but that did not stop me. Finding a store with lots of choices, and more importantly good advice, I settled on a traditional design: off-white with a slightly rosé-colored band that fit my oversized head rather well. But be warned, they are beautiful hats. If you go for original and well-crafted ones, they cost a small fortune.

5. Walk The Cinta Costera

Sun hat in place, the next morning I set off to walk along the avenida Cinta Costera. Starting off on the far side of Casco Viejo, I first did the loop that encircles the old town with magnificent views along it. This is a spot where people jog and walk their dogs. Coffee stops are set along it, and while modern, it is a great walk with the old town on one side, complete with fortifications and the sea on the other.

The road then evolves into the main coastal road connecting Casco Viejo with modern Panama, which is bordered by parks, the Panama sign which is perfect for posing for a selfie, and plenty of cafes and hotels. This is also where the carnival holds court, and I was lucky enough to stumble upon it. Not at all planned, but such fun, I loved seeing the incredible mix of people Panama is home to. There was a huge range — from working Panamanians in suits to indigenous families decked out in feathers — all coming together for the party.

6. Go Boating In The Canal

After a few days, I could not ignore the Panama Canal anymore, and I am so glad that I didn’t. Compared to European canals, which tend to be straight, narrow, concreted waterways, this one is a revelation. It is more like a river and lake connecting two oceans, with a couple of locks (admittedly rather enormous locks) at either end. I decided to embark on a boat trip exploring the lake and the islands in the middle of the canal.

The islands are former mountains that turned into islands when the flow was cut off, and the wildlife was sadly cut off from the other mountain tops. On the islands, now national parks, live lots of monkeys, curious enough to hop on board and say hello when we got closer to the land. Again, this was a great way of ramming Panama’s incredible biodiversity home. Even in the middle of what is in effect a man-made waterway, the lush greenery and ever-present wildlife, including crocodiles, was just magical to see, especially when viewed against a backdrop of gigantic ships going through the canal.

7. Explore Some Pirate History

After crossing the entire country to the ocean on the other side, a mere 55-odd miles across through the rain forest – perfect for a day trip, spotting howler monkeys, toucans, and, yes, more sloths along the way, the Atlantic Coast of Panama is where there are plenty of pirate lore and old forts to explore.

San Lorenzo (and Portobelo) are sturdy forts dating to the 1500s, built to protect the waterways. Located along the legendary Spanish Trail, pirates such as Henry Moore and corsairs such as Francis Drake frequented the area, which is full of sunken ships and, reportedly, hidden treasure. Seeing the sites and hearing the old stories, you can nearly smell the gold.

8. Walk The Old Town

Walking around Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo, is simply lovely. There are plenty of cafes, superb restaurants covering Central, South, and North American cuisines and then some, plus great little shops for those souvenirs, and countless market stalls lining the outer border of the old town around Plaza de Francia.

There are churches, museums, and superb street art everywhere, plus art galleries and individual boutiques, and a decent nightlife as well. I spent hours just meandering through the streets, stopping for coffee, and watching the world go by. This is also a very photogenic part of town with usually a sleepy cat lying on a colorful windowsill, or a brightly dressed local walking past an even brighter painted house.

9. Visit The Really Old Town

There is the old town and then there is the really old town. While Casco Viejo is a colonial old town full of bright buildings, Panama Viejo holds the ruins of Old Panama, the original European settlement. This is in fact the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

The settlement, originally called Castillo del Oro, was nearly destroyed in 1671 by marauding pirate Henry Morgan. Today it is a lovely park area with remains of a convent, a church tower with great views, various other ruins, and a modern, very informative museum, with a lovely gift shop. So, plan for up to three hours of just walking the grounds and taking it all in.

Pro Tips

I did most of the things mentioned above on my own and felt safe as a lone female. One lesson I learned quickly, though, was to go by Uber rather than hailing a taxi, as I was quite literally taken for a ride with other people joining me in the taxi — and since Spanish is not my strongest language — I ended up paying for all of them. With Uber, you get the details of the driver, and prices up front, which made me feel a lot safer. You can get a cheap local SIM card with plenty of data at the airport on arrival, which makes using the internet painless.

For more information on Panama, check out our most recent articles covering this location:

• 8 Reasons To Fall In Love With Panama
• 7 Things You Need To Know About Healthcare In Panama
• 9 Reasons Panama Is Popular With Retirees Looking To Live Internationally

I have to admit that I am a sucker for animals — pretty much all animals, except for spiders. Be they in the ocean or on the land, fluffy or feathery, large or small, if there is a wildlife encounter to be had wherever I go, I’ll be there.

Having lived in Australia and traveled through the Rocky Mountains in Canada, scuba-dived in the Maldives and the Great Barrier Reef, I am somewhat spoiled, for sure. And there is absolutely no way that, when it comes to wildlife encounters, Europe cannot ever beat Canada or Australia, but that is not saying that there aren’t some great experiences to be found here.

Still one of my favorite places I ever visited is the seal sanctuary in Northern Germany (see below) for its sheer cuteness overload and the good work they do. Then there are puffins to see, even bears and wild horses to spot.

Why don’t you read on to find out what Europe has to offer when it comes to travel experiences of the animal kind? Here are my personal favorites, in no particular order.

1. Puffin Spotting

Farne Islands, Northumberland, England

I have been to Iceland and looked for puffins. It was too early in the year. I went to the islands of Guernsey and Jersey and looked for puffins. They had just left. Obviously, I did not do my research. In despair, my husband bought me a toy puffin on Jersey Island and a puffin mug in Iceland. I kept searching for puffins and trying to divine their obviously very busy schedule — until I got lucky on a staycation in Northumberland.

Finally, my travel schedule agreed with that of the puffins, and I got to see these cute little critters. A boat tour from Seahouses on the north-eastern English coast took me to the Farne Islands, a haven for seabirds and seals. So many birds, so much noise in the air, and quite a stench from the guano, but who cares? I finally got to get up close and personal with the elusive puffin. So adorable, and worth the wait.

Pro Tip: The tours take place between May and early October, otherwise the puffins will have headed off again.

2. Seal Sanctuary

Friedrichskoog, Germany

Being from the north of Germany, born and bred, I am forever singing the praises of the north, being so different to Bavaria and more clichéd south. And if you were not convinced to give the north a go over Bavaria, then this might just tip the scales: Just an hour’s drive from Hamburg lies the Seal Sanctuary Friedrichskoog. 

Here they look after orphaned, lost, or hurt seal pups, raising and nurturing them before releasing them back into the North Sea. Not a touristy, gimmicky experience, this is a proper charity. You can, however, attend feeding time and talks to learn more about the seals, and, by buying a ticket, help fund the work. This is probably one of the cutest animal encounters I have ever experienced, you just fall right into those black saucer-shaped eyes.

Pro Tip: While you are sadly not allowed to cuddle one of the pups, the gift shop sells plush ones; those you can cuddle all day long.

3. Bear Rehabilitation

Brasov, Romania

You never forget your first bear, isn’t that how the saying goes? My first wild bear was a grizzly bear, just outside of Banff, Alberta. I was thrilled to bits, and even the next few did not calm me down — seeing them up in trees was especially amazing. Bears used to be more common in Europe, but as with the rest of the world, we are destroying their natural habitat, so numbers are dwindling dramatically, with many countries not having any wild bears anymore.

In Romania, however, there is still dense forest, and good people dedicated to making a better life for the local bear population. And the Bear Rehabilitation Centre is always welcoming help from around the world. So, unless you are coming from a place where you have bears in the backyard, this might just be an opportunity for you to see bears and help look after them. And afterward, you can also get some vampire experience, with Count Dracula having his castle nearby.

Pro Tip: Make sure you spend some days in lovely Bucharest, and maybe head to the nearby Danube to catch a cruise upstream to Vienna, or one of the other lovely capitals along the Danube.

4. Wild Horses

Camargue, France

Is there anything better than seeing herds of wild horses enjoying life in the spectacular countryside — except for maybe riding along the beach while seeing them? The Camargue is a region in southern France, a mere 70 miles from bustling Marseille, and a million miles away from quaint Provence. Wild and beautiful, it is a wet, flat land, full of salt lagoons, endless beaches, and herds of wild, snow-white horses. Plus, countless flamingos and other birds either live in the wetlands or are migratory.

And what better way than exploring this area than on horseback? If you are an experienced horseback rider, you can book yourself into a 5-day or week-long experience, enjoying outings along the beaches and rides through the countryside alongside the wild horses. Or, if you are not a rider yourself, but still love looking at horses, you can visit on a day trip from pretty Avignon.

Pro Tip: This really is an excellent road trip country. Why not rent a car and take in Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Nimes, Montpellier, and more, while you are in the area?

5. Whale Watching

Vesteralen Coast, Norway

Far up on the map, way past the Arctic Circle and north of Iceland, Norway’s Vesteralen Coast is a formidable and breathtakingly beautiful natural place. Here, an archipelago of some 1,330 islands or so, far from civilization, offers year-round whale watching in stunning surroundings. If you come in summer, there are hiking trails and the midnight sun to celebrate; if you come in winter, you’ll have a chance to catch the northern lights.

While the location does offer whale-watching opportunities year-round, the best time to spot them is in winter. Orca and humpback whale season, for example, is between November to mid-January, with some flexibility either way, while in summer the sperm whales and porpoises pass by the coast. So, chances are you’ll spot something worthwhile whenever you come.

There are countless whale-watching trips on offer, from brief trips to longer cruises, all depending on the season and your personal preferences.

Pro Tip: The new Whale Centre will be opening in 2023, giving all the information on the whales, and also wowing visitors with its spectacular architecture.

6. Moose And Wolves

Central Sweden

Sweden is another country where the forest is mostly intact, resulting in a plethora of wild animals still calling it home. Think moose, wolves, and beavers, for a start. Having spent many summers and winters in Sweden, I can attest to both seasons offering wonderful experiences, with winter being usually snowy, while the summer can have a lot of midges around the lakes and forests, but also offers lovely bathing opportunities.

One wonderful way to combine a city trip to Stockholm is to take a few days to enjoy a side trip inland and stay at the magnificent Färna Manor house on Lake Storsjön, taking some selected tours from there. Beavers are pretty much all around, but for the wolves and moose, you’ll head deep into the forest to see them and learn more.

Pro Tip: Sweden is a wonderful place to explore by road trip, whether you rent a car and stay in local farms, bed and breakfasts, or hotels along the way or hire a camper van for more independence is up to you. Flying into Stockholm gives you access to not only the coast with its many islands, which are great to stay on in summer, but also the dense forests teeming with wildlife.

7. Highland Cattle

Throughout Scotland

I know, I know, cows are hardly wildlife. But have you seen the Scottish Highland cows, all shaggy and long-haired? They are worth a trip to Scotland just on their own, believe me. The hairy “coos,” as they are called by locals for obvious reasons, can most commonly be found in, well, the Highlands of Scotland.

You can approach a highland cow safari in various ways, either by driving through the countryside on your road trip through Scotland, stopping off at every occasion and sighting; or plan ahead. You could stay just outside of Aberdeen in a contemporary bed and breakfast on a highland cattle farm, for example. You’ll be just steps away from a hairy coo, waiting to be petted. Or you could combine your cow sightings with the other Scottish favorite: whisky. The Macallan Distillery has a field of cows right next door. Win-win.

Pro Tip: Calving season is from April through to early June. Seriously, there is nothing cuter than a hairy coo’s calf.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure while on a North Carolina beach vacation, then you need to experience a wild horse tour! This unique and exhilarating activity will have you exploring the beaches and dunes of North Carolina’s northernmost coast while enjoying the company of some of nature’s most beautiful creatures. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this must-do experience!

Where To Find The Wild Horses Of North Carolina

You can find wild horses in the Currituck Sound Area and along the beaches near Corolla and Carova Beach. The horses roam over 7,544 acres, which they share with approximately 700 homes, thousands of vehicles, and even more humans.

There are other wild horse herds in Okakroke and farther south along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

How To Get There

Corolla is at the northern point of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is a remote but busy area that can be reached by a small plane, shallow-draft boat, or car via a curvy, two-lane highway. With the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Currituck Sound on the west, the northern border serves as a gate to Virginia.

If you’re driving, once you reach Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, head north on Highway 12 through Duck into Currituck County. The road ends 10 miles before you reach Virginia. The entire Currituck Outer Banks is commonly referred to as Corolla.

The History Of The Wild Horses On The Beach Near Corolla

Wild horses in present-day Corolla carry the distinguishing features of Spanish-type horses. Like horses of Arabian ancestry, they have one less vertebra than most breeds. Their size, endurance, and temperament, along with their unbridled beauty, indicate they are remnants of Spanish stock.

The famous Corolla Wild Horses are thought to be descendants of a herd established by Spanish settlers in the 1500s. Some feel they came when settlers arrived and when their settlement failed, they left the area and the horses to fend for themselves.

Others believe that the horses were on-board a ship or several ships that wrecked off the coast, and they swam to shore and ran free along the sandy beaches.

There are also other theories, but these two are the most popular. The horses have roamed the upper Outer Banks for over 500 years, and while their population has dwindled, the herd is slowly growing again. Over the years, they have weathered many a storm, hurricane, and other mishaps, but they continue to call the Corolla area home.

The Best Way To See The Wild Mustangs Of North Carolina

There are several ways to see the wild mustangs of North Carolina, but the best is to take a guided tour. Guided tours offer visitors a glimpse of the Spanish Mustangs that have roamed the beaches of Currituck’s Outer Banks for years. It is the best way to get as close as possible to them. Eight different companies provide tours along the northern coast of North Carolina.

The tours take you on the beach in a four-wheel-drive vehicle made for sand travel. They can also take you to other places in the area where the horses often visit. Tour operators know where the horses usually congregate, and you have the best opportunity of seeing them when you book a tour. Tours run several times a day with each of the companies. Some companies run their tours year-round while others run them from May through September.

When Is The Best Time To See The Wild Spanish Horses Of North Carolina?

The mustangs are viewable throughout the year. The season or time of day does not seem to matter. They are not always on the beach but often on the sound. The weather usually determines where the horses will be hanging out.

What You Need To Know About The Wild Mustangs Of North Carolina

• While beautiful, the horses are “wild!” They are not domesticated or tamed. They are considered feral horses.
• Wild horses can kick and bite. The horses may seem friendly and docile, but they will always be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
• For your safety and the safety of the horses, you should not get closer than 50 feet from the horses. It is illegal to be closer than 50 feet to the horses. Petting them is not an option.
• A horse’s line of vision extends from its nose around its side and as far back as its hip.

They have a 350-degree field of vision.

• They eat sea oats, acorns, coarse grasses, persimmons, and other native vegetation. They find water by digging in the sand to release the freshwater below. Wild horses cannot eat apples or carrots; feeding them these items can cause severe sickness and even death. It is illegal to feed wild horses.
• If you observe an injured or sick horse, do not touch or try to help it; please call the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

How Are The Wild Horses Of North Carolina Protected?

The wild horses of Corolla are ancestors of the horses of kings and deserve to be protected. 

There were once thousands of horses roaming wild, and now the Corolla and the Currituck Sound herd is down to approximately 107 horses.

In May 2010, the colonial Spanish mustang — the type of wild horse you’ll see in the Outer Banks — became the North Carolina State Horse.

Here are some more guidelines on keeping the wild horses safe and protected:

• It is illegal to be within 50 feet of a wild horse. View their unbridled beauty from a respectable distance. The wild horses sometimes wander along the beach when visitors are out and about. You are responsible for keeping a distance of at least 50 feet from the horses at all times, even when the wild horses approach you. Please do your best to move away from the horses without disturbing them. The horses head to the beach in the summer to get cooled off and get away from biting insects. Please respect their needs and provide space for them. 
• It is also illegal to feed wild horses. Apples, carrots, and other such items can mean death to a wild horse. According to the Corolla Horse Fund, several horses have died from being fed by well-intentioned humans.

How Does The Corolla Horse Fund Care For The Wild Horses?

As the guardians of the wild herd, the Corolla Horse Fund responds 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies and other tasks involved with herd management. 

Each wild horse is identified by home territories, color, and markings that are documented and entered into a database. They are not microchipped or branded. Aerial counts are conducted and compared to field studies.

If a wild horse becomes critically injured or is seriously ill, the fund may have to capture and permanently remove them from the wild. They also remove and raise orphaned foals.

A wild horse cannot be returned to the wild once rehabilitated because they have been exposed to domestic horses where they received care. They could carry a disease back to the wild herd if they returned. They also will get used to human handling and may approach humans if returned to the wild. The horses are often available for adoption.

How You Can Help The Wild Horses

• One of the best ways you can help is to view them responsibly. And if you see something is wrong or someone is hurting or harassing the wild horses, report it to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
• Make donations to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
• Shop their Museum Store.
• Attend the Corolla Wild Horse Fund events and educational programs.
• Consider adopting one of the rehabilitated wild horses.

If you want to see some of the most beautiful horses in North America, then a trip to the Outer Banks should be on your travel list. The Wild Horse Tour will take you through areas where these majestic creatures roam free. You’ll learn about their history and how they are protected while getting as close as possible to look at these stunning animals. Plan your visit today, and if you want to help protect them, consider donating or adopting one of these majestic creatures.

Related Reading:

• 17 Fabulous Experiences In Beautiful Outer Banks, North Carolina
• My 11 Favorite Beaches To Visit In North Carolina

When life gets busy, it’s sometimes hard to notice what’s right in front of our faces (or in the trees and skies around us). Birding/birdwatching can help you slow down and see the beauty around you. Time spent in nature (including bird watching) has been linked to reduced levels of stress. That fact alone is reason enough to explore birding as a pastime! 

Besides lowering your stress levels, birdwatching can help you to get your daily requirement of vitamin D, and can be a big part of an active lifestyle! Hiking through the woods in search of an elusive species can add up to several thousand steps with little effort! Birding can be a solitary or a social pastime. It’s relaxing, even meditative, to hear the trills and tweets on your own, and can likewise be a fun activity to do with a spouse, friend, or grandchild.

Birding is a great hobby for young and old alike and doesn’t have to be expensive. Like so many things, you can spend whatever you like for the minimal supplies needed for birding. This is a pastime you can enjoy from your window, in your backyard, or anywhere in the world!

So, what are the essential supplies recommended by veteran bird watchers? Sure, you can spot plenty of different species of birds with the naked eye, and even take pretty decent photos with your smartphone, but leveling up just a bit will allow you to see more, learn more, and ultimately derive more enjoyment from your new hobby. Here is a list of some of the recommended basic bird watching supplies.

1. Binoculars

Buy Now $61.86

Binoculars are an essential piece of equipment for birders. First of all, many birds, such as finches, are very small and difficult to see with the naked eye. Secondly, we humans aren’t as sneaky as we think. It’s easy to spook a bird while trying for a closer look — save yourself some trouble and purchase a decent pair of binoculars.

What should one consider when choosing binoculars? If you really want to get in-depth regarding binoculars, check out this thorough article from Birds & Bliss, featuring information on magnification, lens size, weight, and more. Generally speaking, be prepared to spend at least $50, and look for a 8 times magnification for general birdwatching.

The binoculars I use are Adorrgon. I love these binoculars because they work so well with my smartphone. They’re also reasonably lightweight and have excellent acuity.

Do you need backpack binoculars with a special scope attachment? Absolutely not. On the other hand, if you start enjoying this hobby, why not put a scope on your gift list? Tech might not be necessary, but it can make things easier and also add to the fun!

2. Field Guide

Buy Now $22.49

There are hundreds of species of birds in the U.S. alone, so having a guide to aid in identification is important. Many choices of field guides are available, so what are the hallmarks of a good field guide?

A comprehensive field guide should be relatively lightweight, detailed, and well-organized for ease of use. Hardcore birders will argue for days about the benefits of photographs versus illustrations. Those in favor of illustrations maintain that the artists are experienced birders who draw the birds in positions frequently found in nature. A beginning birder will be just fine with a field guide full of photos, too. Ultimately, it’s up to your preference. Here are some excellent field guides to consider:

• The Sibley Guide to Birds is considered an industry standard and is filled with a detailed illustration of beaks, plumage, and more.
• The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America is a best-selling guide for all levels and includes unique subspecies maps, text updates on new species, and excellent readability.
• You can also find field guides written for specific areas, such as the National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England. Regional field guides like this one can be a less cumbersome and overwhelming option when you know you’ll be staying in one spot.

4. Field Notebook

Buy Now $19.80

Do you keep a journal? Many folks do keep journals, and enjoy looking over old volumes filled with memories. A field notebook can serve a similar purpose, with a bit of a scientific edge thrown in. Check out this example from 1960. Why keep a field notebook? This article speaks to reasons and gives a taste of the variety of note-taking styles out there.

As with other supplies, you can spend as much or as little as you like on a field notebook. Are you a practical person, no fuss, no muss? You could simply head over to your local Walmart and purchase a spiral notebook for a dollar or so. The challenge with such a notebook is that it may not be sturdy enough to be thrown in your backpack and carried through a humid forest without falling apart after a couple of months. Here are a few examples of good notebooks to bring with you on a birdwatching trip:

• A sturdier notebook, such as Rite In The Rain will last much longer than a typical spiral notebook. This model has a bright yellow, weather-proof cover, making it easy to spot and more difficult to lose. Rite In The Rain is mostly blank, waiting for your notes, save for a few labeled cells (date, weather, location). Great for a rainy or sunny day, this journal sells for $8.95.
• Sibley’s Bird Journal (my personal favorite) is another option, this one with a checklist for North American species. This journal includes artwork and lies flat, which makes it very easy to fill with notes and observations. When I saw my bird-watching aunt using it, I knew it was the one for me. The cost is $19.95.
• Of course, there is at least one high-tech option in field notebooks. Birdjournal, available on all platforms, has a free and paid version. With several search options (location, species, etc.), you can easily and conveniently access your birding history with a series of simple clicks.

5. Birdseed

Buy Now $12.98

You don’t need to leave home to find birds — you can bring them right to your door with the right kind of bird seed! Simply put the seed mixture in a birdfeeder and wait for the crowds! It might take a while, but they will come.

There are many types of birdseed available. Besides bird specialty stores, you can find bird seed at Walmart, hardware stores, and even some grocery stores. Is it worth the extra money to purchase from a bird specialty store? The answer is yes. The reason? Filler. Bird seed purchased at your local grocery store will typically include filler seeds that birds don’t like. This filler ends up on your lawn, sprouting into a mess you don’t want. Additionally, you’ll get more of what the birds want to eat if you buy your bird seed from a specialty store. Yes, it’s more expensive, but in the long run, you’ll see less mess and more birds.

I’ve tried a few different brands, and the one that keeps birds coming back to my yard is Wagner’s Gourmet Songbird Banquet. I live in Nebraska, and my family loves songbirds! We see plenty of chickadees and cardinals when we have this mix in the feeder!

When you begin exploring the world of bird watching, you’ll see that there are countless other items you might want to buy, but these products are the basics that will get you started. Birding offers an opportunity to commune with nature, get more exercise, learn about wildlife, and reduce stress. There’s no reason not to try it!

Red Eyed Tree Frog — Costa Rica

I’m not sure if it’s more fascinating how small the frog is, or how vibrant it is. Either way, I still cannot get enough of this photo. Costa Rica is full of beautiful (and often dangerous) frogs worth seeing.

Sloth — Costa Rica

I had wanted to see a sloth for years before going to Costa Rica and wasn’t disappointed when I finally did. They have a lovely smile and make you want to give them a hug, even though you shouldn’t.

Water Buffalo — Vietnam

If you’re not aware, I love bovines. I was therefore delighted to photograph water buffalo in Vietnam. Even though large, they have kind faces and seem to be — generally — peaceful animals. You’ll find them on rice fields or walking down the street among motorcycles. In my opinion, they’re one of the key features of Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes.

Elephants — Thailand

Thailand is a wonderful country. Though you do need to research where you frolic with elephants in captivity to make sure you’re in a reserve where they’re treated well, it’s wonderful to have a day to feed and take a mud bath with them. These were my first elephants and were very playful!

Dusky Langur — Thailand

Monkeys get a bad rap, so these were a lovely find. Their mannerisms are as kind and gentle as their faces. They take food delicately out of your hand with theirs, and the babies are very playful. I couldn’t get enough of them.

Guanaco — Argentina

Somewhere between deer and llama are the guanaco. I particularly enjoyed this photo; on the other side of the camera I was crouched down and talking to them, and even the tour guide had never seen them stop, as a family, to look at a human for so long! Argentina is full of gorgeous scenery and land for these wonderful animals to roam.

Penguins — Argentina

Argentina took me by surprise because it’s so large, north to south, that there are entire climate differences as well as landscape and animal varieties. I was extremely lucky to walk with the penguins in Ushuaia, but the real wonder was that a king penguin ventured onto Martillo island with us!

Hummingbirds — Argentina

Perhaps as fascinating as seeing the hummingbird is how difficult it is to photograph them. With hundreds of attempts, only a handful were in focus, capturing these magical birds.

Rhinoceros, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant — South Africa And Botswana

My first trip to Africa left me in complete awe. I’ve never felt like I was the zoo, and I loved how free the animals were. 

These are just a few of the many animals that left me captivated and wanting to see more of them. They are one of my favorite parts of the discovery process travel bestows on us.

I’ll never forget the first time I encountered beekeeping in my travel adventures. It was in 2013 at Montreal’s Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. I was there on a press tour to learn about one of the property’s most famous events, a “Bed-in For Peace” presented by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969. During my visit, the staff invited me to check out a different kind of activism currently taking place in the building. An ongoing environmental project was happening on their roof!

Apitourism

As I stood on the hotel’s roof, 22 floors up, I was surrounded by jewel-like heirloom tomatoes, fresh, leafy herbs … and bees! The hotel had transformed its rooftop into a garden and was producing its own honey. I learned that the honey was used in a variety of recipes — and that they were far from the only hotel undertaking such a project. Today, many of the Fairmont Hotels keep bees and they are very much on-trend. Apitourism is now all the rage.

What Is Apitourism?

Apitourism refers to tourism activities linked to beekeeping. You might assume that apitourism activities take place in rural areas but that isn’t always the case. Urban beekeeping, like the kind I saw at the Fairmont, is a huge part of the apitourism industry. 

Bees thrive in urban environments. They need as little as a 6-foot diameter to set up a home. In cities like Ljubljana, Slovenia, bees and humans live happily together. During my 2016 visit, I hiked a beekeeping trail and saw city-center vineyards pollinated by bees. Bees in Slovenia enjoy protected status and their hives are a big part of artistic culture. Traditional lore says that painting distinctive patterns on the side of the wooden hives helps the bees recognize their homes, something that modern science disputes but I personally like to err on the side of whimsy.

Apitourism Is More Than Just Hotels

You’ll find apitourism programs at many travel-focused destinations, not just hotels or cities with a long-established tradition of beekeeping like Ljubljana. Bees now reside at some of the world’s most exclusive addresses, including the Paris Opera and Musée d’Orsay! 

In Rubona, Uganda, the Bunyangabu Beekeeper’s Cooperative offers candle-making workshops. Just outside Thessaloniki, Greece, the Anel Honey Park is a comprehensive, kid-friendly learning center where you can sample honey and even partake in meditation and “apitherapy.” Many restaurants now keep their own hives, either on-site or in partnership with a nearby farm.

How Travelers Can Get Involved

Apitourism activities are as diverse as the organizations offering them. Many offer guided tours, tasting experiences, and workshops (like candle-making and toiletry-making) for guests. There are spas that keep hives and incorporate honey into their luxurious treatments and rustic farms that offer hiking routes through the bees’ territories. Even if there is no formal tour, it’s often possible to learn and see the bees if you get in touch with the concierge or director of programming in advance and explain your interest.

What It’s Like To Visit With The Bees

Each bee visit is unique, depending on the time of year, the bees’ activities, and the weather. At private farms, you often have an opportunity to meet the bees. Standing on the roof of a hotel, you shouldn’t expect to have the hives opened up. 

I enjoyed a private bee tour with Ottawa’s Gees Bees Honey Company as part of a press trip. At their farm outside the city center, I donned a beekeeper’s hat, participated in a tour of the pollinators’ garden, visited the hives, and saw the bees hard at work when the keeper removed a screen from the hive. I was even invited to try fresh honey directly from the hive! 

I was surprised by how incredibly peaceful I found the experience. There’s something about the low hum of the bees at work that I found extremely meditative. As the owners told me, the bees don’t know that there’s a pandemic. They keep on being bees! I’m not alone in my appreciation of the bees’ calm vibes. There are even nap programs and overnight stays in Slovenia that allow you to sleep with the bees (or, more accurately, in cabins where the exterior walls are beehives).

While in Montreal, I learned that John Lennon and Yoko Ono ordered a lot of healthy food up to their hotel suite. They favored brown rice, steamed veggies, fish, and orange juice — orange juice with honey whisked in! This was long before the days of the hotel having their own hives but I found it fascinating that two superstars were dining on such healthy, homey fare and seeking out sweet, soothing honey. I’d like to think they’d appreciate the trend of seeing bees around the world as much as I do.

Check out more of the hotel experiences our readers love:

• 8 Best All-Inclusive Resorts Perfect For A Relaxing Getaway
• 6 Best Family-Friendly Resorts In The U.S.
• My 10 Favorite Historic Hotels To Experience In The U.S.

If you want a family adventure, a fun date, or just want to see some cool animals, going to the zoo is a great way to spend the day. Zoos now offer creative trails that make you feel like you are traveling the globe, wandering through lush gardens and exploring natural exhibits. 

Our readers chose their favorites and they are all worth setting aside a day of your vacation to enjoy them. You can find all of your favorite animals and many new and unique ones that may just become your favorite. Join in on an animal feeding or brave a ropes course to add to the excitement. Run as quick as a cheetah and monkey around in these fabulous zoos.

1. San Diego Zoo

San Diego, California

If you have heard of one zoo in the United States, it is probably the San Diego Zoo. This year’s Best of Travel Award winner is a lush botanical garden housing over 4,000 interesting animals and 700,000 plants. You can usually count on pleasant weather as you stroll around the 100-acre park located in Balboa Park in the middle of San Diego.

View the spacious, naturalistic habitats as you walk along Treetops Way or through the Lost Forest. All of the favorites are represented, such as elephants, gorillas, koalas, and polar bears. The zoo also features many unique animals, like clouded leopards, bonobos, red pandas, and California condors. You can learn about conservation and see wildlife ambassadors close up in the encounters at the amphitheater. Dining options are diverse and sprinkled throughout the zoo.

Pro Tip: If you have limited time and still want to see the entire park, hop on the bus tour or brave the aerial tram.

2. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium

Omaha, Nebraska

In the center of the country sits a surprisingly captivating zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium spreads over 160 acres with 12 amazing exhibits. It boasts the world’s largest indoor desert, largest nocturnal exhibit, largest indoor rattlesnake exhibit, largest indoor swamp, and largest indoor rainforest.  Efforts to stimulate normal animal behavior include habitats with natural landscape elements to climb and explore, and behavioral training by zookeepers. Foggy Forest and other areas of the zoo provide play opportunities for human animals also.

Desert Dome highlights plants and animals from the Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest, the Namib Desert of southern Africa, and the Red Center of Australia. Asian Highlands brings visitors through a forest and past waterfalls. Unique species abound throughout the zoo including David’s deer, bongos, Amur tigers, and bush babies. Omaha ranges from snowy winter to humid summer and the zoo enables visitors to enjoy it in any weather.

3. Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, Missouri

The 14,000 animals representing almost 500 species at the St. Louis Zoo can all be seen at no charge. At one of the few free zoos in the United States, visitors can explore 90 acres at their leisure. Stroll through Rivers Edge to follow the riverbank of South America and see Andean Bears, cross the bridge onto the African savanna to watch rhinos, then continue on to watch the Asian elephants play in a waterfall.

The 1904 Flight Cage was created for the World’s Fair. It remained in St. Louis and became part of a new zoo. Another historic building, the Reptile House, dates back to 1927. It was renovated in 1977 and now houses 700 reptiles and amphibians in desert, temperate, and tropical sections. You can even go way back in history with the Emerson Dinoroarus animatronic creatures. Some more modern adventures include the Zooline Railroad, Conservation Carousel, and 4D theater.

4. Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, D.C.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has been caring for animals since 1889. It sits in the heart of Washington, D.C., and is easy to access by the metro subway. Their signature exhibit features the Giant Panda on the Asia Trail. The pandas can be seen munching on bamboo or playing in the snow in a large enclosure. The trail also includes two other beautiful species, the red panda and clouded leopard.

In the Small Mammal House, you can view 35 species of adorable animals like fennec foxes, naked mole rats, and sand cats. Some of the animals occupy mixed-species exhibits so you can see how they interact. Of course, our national zoo also has an American Trail, where you can observe and learn about animals such as the bald eagle, California sea lion, and the beaver. Then head to Amazonia to walk through a rainforest where the animals roam free.

5. Bronx Zoo

New York City

The Bronx Zoo is the Wildlife Conservation Society’s flagship park and it sits in the middle of New York City. Their conservation work benefits animals around the world. The zoo spreads over 265 acres and houses over 10,000 animals of more than 700 species.

At Tiger Mountain, you can watch Amur and Malayan tigers wander through foliage and play in the pool. In Jungleworld, you can find Malayan tapirs, Indian gharials, ebony langurs, and Matschie’s tree kangaroos. (If you don’t know what these are, you need to visit the zoo to see these amazing creatures.)

The kids will love the Children’s Zoo where they can pet some farmyard animals and become part of the prairie dog exhibit. Adults can join the fun at Treetop Adventures. You can don a harness and tackle the ropes course high in the trees and ride the zipline over the Bronx River.

6. Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, you can wander the park through interesting exhibits and engage in many fun activities. In the Oklahoma Trails exhibit, you can find over 100 native species, including grizzly bears, black bears, and mountain lions. The Herpetarium and Wetlands Walkway showcase more than 60 reptile and amphibian habitats. Head to the Great Escape rainforest to watch gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees climb rocks and play in waterfalls.

The OKC Zoo offers many ways to get a closer view and interact with the animals. For an extra fee, you can enjoy giraffe or rhino feedings, or a camel ride. You can also reach into Stingray Bay and feel the smooth skin of the stingrays or watch the antics of the sea lions at the Noble Aquatic Center. Wild Encounters also offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of six animal enclosures.

7. Cincinnati Zoo (Tie)

Cincinnati, Ohio

Personally, I believe Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden should be higher on the list, but I may be a bit biased. During my senior year of veterinary school, I spent 6 weeks at the zoo for an externship and worked alongside the finest veterinarians and keepers the animals could find. Now a National Historic Landmark, the second oldest zoo in the U.S. opened in 1875 with over 400 birds but only 26 non-avian animals.

While smaller in area than most city zoos, the Cincinnati Zoo’s well-planned space contains more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species. It recently welcomed a charismatic, and now very popular, baby hippo named Fiona. The Night Hunters exhibit includes some unique animals, such as the University of Cincinnati mascot, the bearcat. Another inhabitant, the black-footed cat, is one of five small cat species that is involved in research with the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW). I was lucky enough to witness the great work of CREW as a volunteer.

7. Brookfield Zoo (Tie)

Chicago, Illinois

The Brookfield Zoo covers over 200 acres with large exhibits in a wooded setting. Fortunately, its location in the western suburbs of Chicago means that it is on flat land and very easy to walk around. The Roosevelt Fountain centers grassy lanes and makes a good meeting spot. The many indoor and outdoor exhibits ensure a fun visit whatever the weather. As a certified arboretum, the zoo feels like a hike through a midwestern forest with wildlife easily on view.

With over 2,000 animals, you are sure to find all of your favorites. If you enjoy watching gorillas and many different types of monkeys, head to Tropic World. At Seven Seas, one of my favorite spots as a kid, the dolphins show off how intelligent and talented they are. You can even feed the parakeets and touch animal ambassadors at Hamill Family Wild Encounters.

9. Woodland Park Zoo

Seattle, Washington

Woodland Park Zoo cares for 250 species, including 46 endangered and 15 threatened or vulnerable species. The lush environment of over 90,000 plants and trees provides a wonderful environment for animals and visitors. The various exhibits transport you to the African savanna, temperate forest, tropical rainforest, and its native northwest forest.

The Living Northwest Trail features animals native to the area in order to educate visitors and promote conservation of the land and wildlife. You can marvel at grizzlies, gray wolves, elk, and river otters. Then you can travel to the other side of the world and underwater to see Humboldt penguins swim.

The zoo also offers fun events, such as Brew at the Zoo and Whiskey and Wildbites. You can also wander among 200 varieties of roses in the Rose Garden. The plants are cultivated without pesticides so that they can share some with the gorillas and other animals.

It’s imperative to feel comfortable and safe while traveling. Medjet provides premier air medical transport, travel security, and crisis response memberships, providing peace of mind for an affordable price.

For more of our Best of Travel Awards content:

• 7 Best Caribbean Cruise Lines Our Readers Love
• 5 Most Walkable Cities In The U.S.
• Our 12 Favorite International Cities To Visit

Our cabin is about 2 miles from Walnut Springs, a small town (population less than 750) 13 miles south of Glen Rose and about halfway between Waco and Fort Worth. The community is most known for its annual Rattlesnake Roundup, held the first weekend in March. We have 10 acres west of the town with a two-bedroom, two-bathroom log cabin. We added the complete wrap-around porch 3 feet off the ground so the grandkids could run, play, and be safe at our getaway.

Knowing that this is scorpion and rattlesnake country, one of the first things I purchased when we bought the property was a pair of women’s Chippewa 15-inch snake boots, leather with a thick 1,000-denier Cordura Viper cloth shaft from my ankle up to my knee. I feel safe wearing my snake boots.

Speaking of rattlesnakes, have you ever attended a rattlesnake roundup? We always stopped by every year, bought a t-shirt, scanned the vendors, and purchased a souvenir. This year, I attended my first rattlesnake roundup, where I paid for a $5 ticket and went inside the snake pit arena to learn about the snakes and support the youth in agriculture. It creeped me out! Let’s find out more.

What Is A Rattlesnake Roundup?

The first weekend in March, Walnut Springs held its 11^th Annual Rattlesnake Roundup, a fundraiser sponsored by the Walnut Springs Business for Youth in Agriculture. For years, the community hosted a Rattlesnake Roundup, first started by the Lions Club, then taken over by the Business for Youth in Agriculture in 2011.

This little town of under 750 people swells to several thousand over the 3-day weekend, raising funds for agriculture youth and providing a kick to the local economy. It seems to be a big draw for bikers.

Over 50 vendors sell barbecue, kettle corn, turkey legs, sausage on a stick, cotton candy, snacks, leather goods, knives, purses, and handmade crafts. A vendor sells snakeskin belts and wallets and shows a stuffed snake and snakeheads right at the entrance to the rattlesnake arena.

There is a barbecue cook-off, carnival, street dance, bands, cornhole contest, camping hookups, and a dealer selling the annual Walnut Springs Rattlesnake Roundup t-shirt, koozies, and caps.

And every hour, tickets are sold to see the Annual Rattlesnake Demonstration by dare-devil snake handlers who sit in the den and allow snakes to cover their legs, place them on their heads, and demo venom milking. An announcer tells the crowd about rattlesnakes, their role in nature, caution in the wild, recommended snake bite kits, and “don’t try this at home” demonstrations.

On the first day, prizes are awarded for the most snakes caught by weight, at 49 pounds, the largest snake, and the smallest snake. The snakes are bought and sold when the roundup is over, and the rest travel to the next roundup. These snake charmers make their rounds to eight roundups across Texas annually.

Reasons Texans Love A Rattlesnake Roundup

I think the reason Texans love a Rattlesnake Roundup is the intrigue. I’m afraid of snakes, but I want to see the captured snakes in a controlled environment where I know they can’t hurt me. My skin still crawled!

These roundups are historically significant events in small towns and attract larger crowds than a rodeo, fair, or carnival. They boost the economy and help raise funds for charity or a community cause.

How To Visit A Rattlesnake Roundup

Most rattlesnake roundups in Texas happen in the spring, in late February and early March. Watch for roundup promotions, plan a weekend, and go. Usually, there are events, cookoffs, vendors selling wares, carnivals, street dances, and the intriguing snake arena with a grandstand to accommodate the crowds. On average, you’ll pay $5 for an entry ticket.

Since 1958, the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup has reigned as the world’s largest and one of the oldest traditional festivals in central Texas. A parade, carnival, and Miss Snake Charmer Pageant kick off the weekend with awards for the most snakes brought in and the largest snake.

Here, you can enter a snake eating contest or watch a snake cookoff. Sweetwater is probably the most PETA-critical of the roundups, where they harvest about a thousand pounds of rattlers for the cookoff.

In mid-March, the Lone Star Expo and Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood promotes 3 days of food, vendor booths, and programs about rattlesnakes.

Oglesby Lions Club Rattlesnake Roundup is a March celebration that’s been around since 1969. Hunters compete for prizes for the longest snake and the most by weight. Learn about snakes, frequent the food and vendor booths, and enjoy the carnival rides.

Big Spring Rattlesnake Roundup, about 90 miles south of Lubbock, happens every spring, where snake handlers go ankle-deep in a snake pit with “can you top this” demonstrations.

Facts I Learned About Rattlesnakes

• Rattlesnakes live throughout North and South America, with the most significant population in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.
• Arizona is home to 13 species of rattlers, more than any other state.
• Rattlesnakes can range from 1 foot to 8 feet long, with a thick body and patterned dark diamonds or hexagons on a lighter background with a triangular head. 
• Rattlers have heat-sensing facial pits, hinged fangs, produce venom, and have vertical pupils like a cat’s eyes.
• Young rattlesnakes don’t have rattlers yet but can be as dangerous as adults.
• Their rattles are a very effective warning signal. They are segments of keratin that fit loosely inside one another at the end of a snake’s tail. When the snake holds its tail vertically and vibrates its rattle, you hear an alarming buzzing or rattling sound. Each time a snake sheds its skin, it adds another segment to the rattle.
• There have been 86 rattlesnake bites reported to the Texas Poison Center Network for the first half of 2021, compared to 75 in the first half of 2020.
• 28 percent of those bitten by a snake are intoxicated.
• In 2020, Texas poison centers had a 54 percent increase in snake calls, probably due to more people venturing outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On average, five Americans die from a snake bite every year.
• Honeybee stings and lightning strikes kill 20 times more people annually than all the rattlesnake bites combined.
• 57 percent of snake bites happened to people handling a snake.
• 85 percent of bites are to the hands and fingers.
• Only 13 percent of bites occur on the legs or feet. Also, it’s infrequent for a snake to bite above the ankle.
• The most poisonous snake in the U.S. is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, with a 30 percent mortality rate. It is a giant venomous snake in North America with one of the most dangerous bites.
• With veterinary care, up to 80 percent of bitten dogs will survive a snakebite.
• Ophidiophobia, or fear of snakes, is common. Between 1988 and 2001, people feared snakes the most.
• As of 2019, people fear spiders the most, with snakes remaining a close second.
• In colder climates, rattlesnakes hibernate during the winter in dens made in rocky crevices or holes in the ground. They may use the same shelter for years.
• Rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous; eggs incubate inside the mother’s body, and the babies are born alive, encased in a thin membrane that they puncture after birth.
• Rattlers mate during the spring and summer, and the mothers can store sperm for months before fertilizing the eggs. They carry their babies for about 3 months, giving birth to 10 baby rattlers every 2 years. Mothers don’t spend time with their young, who slither off soon after birth.
• Rattlers can live for 10 to 25 years.
• Rattlesnakes eat about every 2 weeks, small rodents and lizards that they paralyze with a speedy strike. They swallow the victim whole after the venom paralyzes the prey.
• The most significant ongoing debate continues to be the gassing method to collect rattlesnakes. Texas Parks and Wildlife works with snake collectors to promote safe and effective collection practices.
• Snakes provide a lot to ecosystems worldwide, and we need them.
• We need to do our part to help reduce our environmental impact and protect the reptile’s natural habitat.

What To Do If A Snake Bites You

• If possible, get a quick photo of the snake to help get the correct antivenom.
• Call 911, and while you wait, clean the wound with soapy water and cover it with a clean dressing. Remove jewelry.
• Keep calm, remain as still as possible, and keep the bite area below the level of your heart to keep the venom from spreading.
• Dying from a snake bite after getting the antivenom is very rare, but knowing what to do ahead of time is good.

How To Avoid A Snake Bite?

• I wear long pants and my snake boots and watch where I am stepping.
• Avoid tall grass and stay on the trail.
• We keep the area around the cabin mowed and trimmed, so there are no convenient hiding places for snakes.
• Never put your hand where you can’t see what’s near it when climbing.
• If you spot a snake, keep your distance.
• Never pick up a snake, even if you think it’s dead.

Fun Fact: The opossum is a lifesaver. It can withstand up to 80 rattlesnake bites. Thanks to the opossum, there is an antidote to poisonous snake venom. Also, they eat ticks and don’t get rabies.

After you visit a rattlesnake roundup, explore the rest of the Lone Star State:

• 8 Unique Spots To Visit In Historic Fort Stockton, Texas
• My 7 Favorite Stops On A Road Trip From Austin To El Paso
• My 12 Favorite Birding Sites In Texas

Join Texas and the country’s fastest-growing leisure sport, birding. Breaking down the state into its seven regions, you’ll see many zones home to bird species as varied as the territories in which they live. In the Lubbock-Amarillo area, in the Texas Panhandle, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to blue grosbeaks, golden-fronted woodpeckers, and ash-throated flycatchers, to name a few.

In West Texas, Trans Pecos Region hosts more than 300 varieties of birds annually in San Angelo State Park, the Concho Valley, or along the North Concho River. The Texas Hill Country is known for great wine, fantastic barbecue, scenic overlooks, and a plethora of birding hot spots, including Kickapoo Cavern State Park, Jacob’s Well Natural Area, and Honey Creek State Natural Area featuring black-capped vireo, varied bunting, and the zone-tailed hawk.

The Lower and Upper Gulf Coast Birding Trails make up three regions. Port Arthur to Port Isabel is home to the roseate spoonbill, green jay, plain chachalaca, and red-cockaded woodpecker. Goose Island State Park near Rockport boasts more than 20 species of warblers along with tanagers, buntings, and orioles. East Texas boasts the thick Piney Woods and lakes hosting yellow-throated songbirds, wood ducks, herons, and egrets.

In Texas, the World Birding Center is a network of nine different birding sites along a 120-mile river road, each sponsored by one of the valley’s nine partner communities, including Mission, Edinburg, Harlingen, and McAllen. These Rio Grande Valley locations coordinate more than 500 bird species between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rio Grande Valley Communities, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Download the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird app, where you can enter your bird sightings into a worldwide database.

In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day on the second Saturday of May, here is a look at a dozen of my favorite birding sites in Texas, which hosts more bird-watching festivals than any other state.

1. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Located north of Dallas, west of Denison, and south of the Red River that divides Texas and Oklahoma, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best inland locations in Texas with geese, pelicans, and ducks by the thousands. The refuge is only one of four inland hotspots to break 325 species in Texas, including mallards, northern pintails, and gadwall. A magnificent sight in the winter is seeing snow geese by the thousands take flight when a bald eagle flies low over the fields. In the woodlands, see a bald eagle, up to six woodpecker species, the brown thrasher, and brown creeper.

Pro Tip: Come early in the morning to see the most activity.

2. Lost Maples State Natural Area

Where the Uvalde big toothed maple trees turn brilliant colors in the fall, Lost Maples State Natural Area is 5 miles north of Vanderpool, southwest of Kerrville. You can see rare species of birds here, like the golden-cheeked warbler, green kingfisher, and black-capped vireo that nest and feed in the spring and summer. Download a Lost Maples bird checklist (PDF).

Pro Tip: Schedule visits during the week since there are only 250 spaces for parking.

3. Guadalupe River State Park

A paradise for bird watchers in the Hill Country with 240 documented bird species, Guadalupe River State Park is located 30 miles north of San Antonio at the north end of Park Road 31, northwest of Bulverde. You’ll find the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, the goldfinch of Texas, and the only bird species with a breeding range limited to Texas. Thirteen miles of hiking trails include the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail to spot one of these colorful birds.

Pro Tip: Reserve one of 85 hookup campsites here. Purchase an annual Texas State Park Pass for free entry to more than 80 state parks.

4. Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory

You’ll find over 352 bird species at Hornsby Bend in Travis County, northeast of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, near the Colorado River. The monthly Bird Survey has been happening since 1999, where you can meet up at 7 a.m. (coffee and donuts at 6:30 am) on the second Saturday of each month at the Hornsby Bend Center for Environmental Research for a morning survey. Experienced and novice birders match up, and different teams cover various areas to count the number of birds spotted. The rare cinnamon teal was spotted here, plus the blue-winged teal, green wing teal, and the black-bellied whistling duck.

5. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center

This southside San Antonio wetland habitat, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, is where 98.5 percent of long-distance migratory birds pass through or stop over before flying hours or days over the open ocean. Over 340 bird species frequent the 1,200-acre sanctuary annually, including four habitats: wetlands, woodlands, brushlands, and grasslands. There are 30 species on Mitchell’s watchlist for Bexar County, highlighting birds with the most significant conservation needs.

You’ll see the black-crested titmouse, white-eyed vireo, summer tanager, belted kingfisher, barn owl, Franklin’s gull, great blue heron, etc.

6. Big Bend National Park

Most birding hotspots in Big Bend National Park are close to a water source. Rio Grande Village hosts 305 species along the Nature Trail, mesquite thickets, cottonwood trees, the floodplain behind the store, and the silt ponds at Daniels Ranch. The Chisos Mountains host 312 species, including the colima warbler, one of the specialty birds. Cottonwood campground and the nearby river corridor are home to 248 species, including shorebirds, sparrows, and the ladder-backed woodpecker. Dugout Wells and Sam Nail Ranch near the benches boast sightings of the scaled quail, painted bunting, and green-tailed towhee.

7. Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary

Home to salt cedars, brackish marshes, beach dunes, and gulf frontage, Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary south of Brazosport hosts an observation tower and trails through one of the hottest birding spots on the Texas Gulf Coast. This central flyway is home to more than 300 species of native and migratory birds. See the black and white warbler, spotted towhee, indigo bunting, and the purple finch.

8. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge & Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

The canopy bridge at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge leads off a three-story hawk watchtower over 2,088-acres of subtropical woodland, open fields with small lakes, and a sheltered wetland. Its headquarters in Alamo’s Lower Rio Grande Valley features a bird blind viewable from inside. The refuge is one of the best hotspots in South Texas, with multiple bird blinds and feeding stations. You’ll see green jays, chachalacas, and the hooked-bill kite.

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is south of the city of Mission and is the headquarters of the World Birding Center. Walk the boardwalks and see up to 360 species of birds, butterflies, and wildlife galore. No cars are allowed in the park. Park at the headquarters and explore via tram, bike, or foot. Download the bird checklist here (PDF). See the Altamira oriole and the green jay.

9. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Known as the winter home of the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a 115,324-acre protected area northeast of Rockport on the Gulf Coast and the southwest side of San Antonio Bay. Established in 1937 for migratory waterfowl and local wildlife, you’ll find a variety of almost 400 species of birds here as you stroll the boardwalks and trails.

Pro Tip: The refuge is remote with no available food or drinking water. Bring your own

snacks and water.

10. High Island

High Island has a salt dome and mineral spring at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico and rises 32 feet above the surrounding marshes. High Island is a spectacular birding location in the spring when migrating birds pour in from across the gulf. Watch for a fast-moving cold front in the fall to see large numbers of birds invade the area. Four bird sanctuaries managed by the Houston Audubon Society are great for birding: Boy Scout Woods Bird Sanctuary, Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary, plus Eubanks and SE Gast Red Bay Sanctuary.

Pro Tip: Large cities in Texas are hosting “Lights Out!” turning off non-essential lights during the bird migration period in the spring and fall.

11. Bolivar Flats

The Houston Audubon Society’s Bolivar Flats is a shorebird sanctuary, an international site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve network. Take the ferry over from Galveston Island, follow Highway 87 for 3.7 miles to Rettilon Road, turn right, and drive to the beach. (Park at the barricade.) Here, you’ll see plovers, laughing gulls, and the ruddy turnstone. Over 10,000 American avocets and thousands of western sandpipers winter here.

Pro Tip: Parking permits ($10) purchased locally are required to park on the beach.

12. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The highland forests of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far west Texas support nesting birds only found in Texas: the spotted and northern saw-whet owls, Steller’s jay, and the pygmy nuthatch. You might see the migrating mourning warbler with a solid grey hood and bright yellow chest. You’ll also see the American robin, white-winged doves, lark sparrows, and scaled quail.

Make each of these destinations a fun weekend getaway and enjoy all that each place offers.

Pro Tip: Here are seven simple actions to help birds: make windows safer, make your backyard a bird sanctuary, avoid pesticides, protect our planet from plastic, drink shade-grown coffee, keep cats inside, place native plants in your backyard, and finally, watch the birds and share what you see.

Only a stone’s throw (if that far) from the major Gulf Coast city of Mobile, there is a true wilderness area that many people outside of Alabama do not know exists. It is one of the largest intact wetland wilderness areas in the country — the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

Author and journalist Ben Raines coined the name “America’s Amazon” for this unique wilderness wonderland.

He nailed it.

The delta encompasses 260,000 acres of breathtaking cypress and tupelo swamps and is the most diverse river system in the country where alligators — hundreds of them — lurk just below the surface. Hundreds of miles of marshes, wetlands, bayous, and sloughs vein their way to the Gulf of Mexico and play host to more species of fish, turtles, snails, crawfish, and mussels than any other river system in North America.

Countless species of birds find this wet, often humid climate much to their liking as do black bears and wild boar.

And then there is the history. Deep within the wilderness, in the absolute middle of nowhere, there are ancient Native American mounds where a civilization once thrived thousands of years ago, the area where the last major battle of the Civil War was fought, and the wreck of the last slave ship, the Clotilda, to arrive in America.

The delta is a fascinating area and despite the ominous sound of its moniker, it is a wondrous place that everyone can explore. Here are eight adventures where you can experience America’s Amazon for yourself. 

1. Five Rivers Delta Resource Center

To really appreciate the uniqueness of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, you need a little perspective before you start exploring. Begin your adventure by paying a visit to the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort.

Known as the “Gateway to the Delta,” this beautiful state-run facility offers panoramic views of the lower delta from the boardwalks that ring its three buildings. Inside, you will find exhibits that introduce you to the delta, its plants and wildlife, and the human history that fostered the growth of Alabama’s port city.

The center also features a comfortable theater where nature-related and historical documentaries run throughout the day, or you can select a title and they will play it for you.

Pro Tips: The center is open daily from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and admission is free. The third Sunday of each month, Five Rivers hosts the Animal Ambassadors program where you can meet live critters that live in the delta. Check their online schedule for dates and other upcoming events.

2. Mound Island

The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta has seen its share of human history over the centuries. One site is hidden away in the absolute middle of nowhere, an island that was once inhabited by humans over a thousand years ago — Mound Island. 

Native Americans arrived on the island around 1000 AD and built towering dirt mounds by hand, one basket of dirt at a time. Some were as tall as 45 feet tall, where the tribal chief would live, and shorter mounds like mound B, where religious leaders lived and held rituals. While the mound was shorter, it was still impressive. It was as long as a football field. In all, 18 mounds were built on the island.

Pro Tip: Visiting the mounds is a fascinating trip back in time with a mile-long walk through the Amazon-like environment. To get there, however, you have to either kayak or take a tour boat. I’ll talk more about these options in a moment, but your best bet is to take a tour boat where historians bring the story of the mounds alive and can better point out what you are seeing. 

3. Historic Blakeley State Park

A little south of Mound Island in Spanish Fort is Historic Blakeley State Park. At one time, Blakeley was a bustling port city that was actually bigger than its cross bay rival, Mobile. In the mid-1800s, the town was ravaged by a yellow fever epidemic and it was left to be reclaimed by nature. 

In 1865, this same area was the last bastion of hope for the Confederacy to retain their last remaining port city, Mobile, on the Gulf Coast during the Civil War. On April 9^th, as General Lee’s army was surrendering to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, the Battle of Blakeley was fought, making it the last major battle of the war.

Today, a myriad of hiking and biking trails weave their way through the battlefield and some of the best preserved breastworks and redoubts with interpretive signage describing the events of that day. Information for a self-guided tour is available online. 

Pro Tip: Admission is $4 for adults; $3 for children 6–12, veterans, and active duty military; and kids under 6 are free. 

4. The Last Slave Ship 

The story of the slave ship, Clotilda, sounds almost improbable. Even though importing slaves had been outlawed in the United States, in 1860, Thomas Meaher made a bet that he could bring new slaves into the country without being detected. He did so on the schooner Clotilda, the last slave ship to arrive in the country.

Meaher brought 110 captured Africans up the Mobile River into the delta at night where the slaves disembarked as he set the ship on fire in an attempt to destroy the evidence. 

Over a century later, the wreck of the Clotilda was discovered and efforts from local officials and descendants of those slaves are underway to protect and preserve this incredible piece of American history.

Pro Tips: Special trips to the wreck of the Clotilda are scheduled through Historic Blakeley State Park. Visit their event calendar regularly to catch the next scheduled trip.

5. A Birder’s Paradise 

With the vastness of undisturbed wetlands, marshes, and rivers, you could imagine that the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is a birder’s paradise — and you would be right. 

The Audubon Society rates the delta as one of the most productive wildlife habitats in the country. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in the delta 

The birding list is impressive. You may spot mottled duck, Baird’s sandpipers, and swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites. The list goes on and on. 

The Alabama Birding Trail has established several stops around the delta where you can check off a few species from your list. 

Pro Tip: Bird watchers and those interested in wildlife should set aside the last weekend of September to attend the annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest. The event is based at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center which hosts a number of birding and wildlife presentations as well as countless field trips into the delta.

6. Exploring By Tour Boat 

As mentioned earlier, most exploration of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is by boat. One of the best ways to experience it is by making a reservation aboard the Delta Explorer. 

The cruises are based out of Historic Blakeley State Park and offer a wide variety of excursions to suit everybody’s interests. Try the Delta Adventure Cruise where you may encounter black bear, bald eagles, osprey, and of course, alligators. There are also tours of historic Civil War sites along the delta’s banks, cruises to Mound Island, lunch cruises, and an evening cruise to experience an incredible sunset.

Pro Tips: Local historian and author John Sledge leads fascinating and informative trips into the delta each spring and fall. Visit the Delta Explorer website for his latest historic cruise.

7. Kayaking The Wilderness 

A true adventure awaits you as you paddle your kayak through the dark and mysterious bayous of the delta along the Bartram Canoe Trail.

The trail consists of 200 miles of marked routes through groves of Spanish moss-laden oaks and mysterious cypress and tupelo swamps all under the watchful eye of American alligators sunning themselves on logs and along the banks.

The canoe trail also features floating and land-based camp sites that you can reserve to spend a night under a brilliant starry sky with the sounds of the delta surrounding you. 

Pro Tips: Even though the canoe trail is well marked, it is still easy to get off track and lost in the endless bayous. If you are not an experienced paddler, it is best to sign up for a guided tour with one of the area’s reputable companies like Wild Native. 

8. Exploring By Air Boat 

Time to get your heart pumping as you zoom across the marshes aboard an air boat into coves that boats can’t get to. A ride in an air boat is plain fun and you can still see the many species of wildlife that call the delta home. 

Sign up for a boat ride with Air Boat Adventures or Airboat Express. 

Pro Tip: Make your reservations well in advance of your visit to assure the boats are running and there are seats available. 

9. Camping At Meaher State Park

A cozy state park is located on the Mobile Bay Causeway that bridges the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to the city — Meaher State Park. 

The park is located on the southernmost end of the delta and sports 61 RV and several camping sites, as well as four fully-outfitted cabins overlooking the bay. The park also offers incredible sunset views over Mobile Bay.

The great thing about Meaher is that it is centrally located, so it’s easy to not only explore the delta but the many attractions in downtown Mobile (including Mardi Gras) and along the eastern shore in the charming towns of Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope. 

Pro Tip: Make your reservations well, and I mean well, in advance of your trip. Campsites are scooped up as fast as they become available.

If you want to explore more of Alabama, check out these articles:

• 7 Moving Experiences Along The U.S. Civil Rights Trail In Alabama
• 9 Remarkable Experiences Travelers Shouldn’t Miss In Alabama
• 6 Beautiful Waterfalls To See Near Huntsville, Alabama

Monterey Bay, located in Monterey County, 2 hours south of San Francisco, is exceptionally fine for birding due to the diversity of habitats, including rocky and sandy beach shoreline, river mouth wetlands, oak woodlands, chaparral, closed-cone conifers, and the gem of all, Elkhorn Slough Estuary. Birding enthusiasts come to the Monterey area from all over the world. There have been a total of 489 species of birds recorded in the county, many from Monterey Bay.

The Monterey Bay is a designated marine sanctuary, rich in marine life largely because of the nutrient-rich cold waters generated by the deep submarine canyon running down the middle of the bay and the California Current that travels north to south along the coast from British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico. Mineral-rich sediments from the canyon dissolve in the seawater and support a vast variety of marine invertebrates that in turn provide food for a great number of dolphins, seals, squid, whales, fish, and birds. 

It is an especially prime area for both offshore (pelagic) and onshore birding because of the ocean’s productivity and high oxygen content and the diverse plant habitats. 

The Monterey Bay is so bountiful, that feeding “frenzies” can occur for many marine animals, including birds. The bay is a favorite spot for whale watching, fishing, and birding. The Monterey Audubon Society offers field trips to many areas in Monterey County, where it is possible to see many species of birds, including woodpeckers, shorebirds, owls, falcons, hawks, warblers, sparrows, and even California condors. There are ocean-boat tours available at Fisherman’s Wharf, accompanied by naturalists and guides, who are knowledgeable about a wide variety of marine animals, including birds. Here are five places I have frequented to view birds over the years. 

Pro Tip: I recommend binoculars that are 8 x 40 or 7 x 35 in power for most birding. Some birders of shore and water birds, like to bring a scope mounted on a tripod. A comprehensive and detailed book for the area is Monterey Birds by Don Roberson.

1. The Carmel River Mouth

The Carmel River Mouth is one of the prime birding areas on the Monterey Peninsula and has been a popular site for avid birders since the early 20^th century. In fact, the Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society organized field trips to the area in the 1930s that continue to this day. There have been a total of 350 species recorded within the Carmel River mouth area including terns, gulls, curlews, and sandpipers.

The mile-long beach features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon (just before the Carmel River empties into the sea) with a varied amount of waterfowl, plus incredible sweeping views of the bay.

This is because there is a diversity of habitats and feeding opportunities that attract birds. During fall bird migration, there are often some vagrant eastern warblers, but also a wide variety of ducks, shorebirds, and brown pelicans. The shores of the river are lined with willow and other riparian vegetation, which act as a green landmark for migrating birds. The Carmel Mission is close by, and the ornamental plantings around it also attract birds. There is a lovely trail starting at Bay School just south of the intersection of Highway 1 and Rio Road that leads to Carmel State Beach and the lagoon formed by the river flow. Visit the website to get specific directions to drive to the State Beach. 

Pro Tip: Dress in layers as the air coming from the bay is brisk and cool due to the cold water. After touring this site and working up an appetite, head for excellent restaurants in the city of Carmel or the mouth of the Carmel Valley at Rio Road. 

2. Pelagic Birding On Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is also an excellent location to do some incredible pelagic birding. Pelagic birding involves boarding a seaworthy boat and traveling offshore out into the Monterey Bay to observe birds who live most of their lives on or around water. Pelagic trips give you the opportunity to see other marine animals who feed within the protection of Monterey Bay, such as humpback, gray, and killer whales, seals, dolphins, and birds.

Birds travel to this rich source of food from as far away as the Arctic, the Antarctic, and New Zealand. They travel thousands of miles to find the bay, surrounding the Monterey Peninsula. Here is an excellent opportunity to see birds such as auklets, puffins, skuas, petrels, and albatross. Their names alone should motivate you to go! Although offshore birding is a year-round activity, the recommended months to venture on these guided tours are mid-August through October. Monterey Seabirds is a well-known company that leads tours with high recommendations from its customers.

Pro Tip: Dress warmly and wear a hat and even gloves, as you will be leaving in the morning. If you are prone to seasickness, make sure you take the appropriate medication before the trip, as Monterey Bay can have significant swells and choppiness due to wind.

3. Moss Landing State Beach

Moss Landing State Beach is a popular birding spot 15 miles north of Monterey. You will see the twin towers of the Duke Energy Power Plant in the distance just east of the highway. Just past the plant, cross a bridge that goes over the mouth of Elkhorn Slough, the largest estuary south of San Francisco. On your right is the parking area for the Moss Landing Wildlife Area. Here are boardwalks and trails that lead close to the water and depending on the tides, many kinds of shorebirds, including snowy plovers (who breed here), avocets, stilts, egrets, and sandpipers, and water birds like grebes and loons. The traditional birding area in Moss Landing is along Jetty Road, left (west) off Highway 1 a bit north of the wildlife area. The road skirts to the left along the harbor and ends at a rocky jetty. Large flocks of gulls and terns frequent the area as well as diving ducks and cormorants. 

If you prefer to travel on the slough to observe birds and marine life, I recommend the Elkhorn Slough Safari, a highly stable pontoon boat that motors a few miles up the slough. The boat carries 26 persons, including a pilot and a naturalist to inform and answer your questions.

4. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is an approximately 1400-acre reserve with amazing views of the slough and ocean. The estuary was once threatened by development, but due to the efforts of conservation groups and local people, the area is protected and part of the federal wetland reserve system.

At Elkhorn Slough, there is a small visitor center and 7 miles of trails that overlook the full extent of the curving slough. It’s an excellent place to see hawks, kites, swallows, western bluebirds, woodpeckers, and on the edge of the slough, egrets, herons, pelicans, and many shorebirds probing for clams and innkeeper worms in the mud. The reserve is an important stop along the Pacific Flyway for migrating birds. The Southern Pacific railway runs overland on the slough, so you may hear the wonderful sound of the train as it makes its way from north to south.

There are excellent tours led by docents on the weekends, knowledgeable about the plants, birds, local history, and origins of this amazing estuary habitat. Elkhorn Slough is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays.

Pro Tip: Call ahead for times of the tours. Make sure to bring binoculars. Dogs and food are not allowed on the trail as they interfere with wildlife, but there are picnic tables where you can enjoy lunch or a snack after your adventure.

5. Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park is popular with hikers and lovers of nature, and there is much to love. The Carmel River flows through the park and to the Pacific Ocean and along the willow-covered banks you are likely to see warblers, towhees, kinglets, and wrens and hear the cries of the California quail. You may even see a few wild turkeys and in the spring the males put on quite a display, fanning their tail feathers to attract females.

There are towering sycamore trees on the floodplain which offer shade as well as homes to woodpeckers such as the acorn woodpecker. There are amazing views if you choose to ascend one of the trails to an elevation of 2,000 feet atop the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Along the trail, there may be a Cooper’s or sharp-shinned hawk among the oak and maple trees, as well as chickadees and the oak titmouse. Before you hike and bird, pick up a species list of common birds at the visitor center. The Park is located 8.6 miles east of Highway 1 at 700 West Carmel Valley Road. It is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or morning.

Pro Tip: Consider visiting Kathy’s Little Kitchen at 13 W. Carmel Valley Road for a delicious breakfast or lunch.

Anna Maria Island is a breathtaking barrier island famous for its powder white sand and teal-blue water. The island beckons visitors to stretch out on the wide beaches along the Gulf of Mexico on its west side and take part in the various water excursions on the Intra-Coastal Waterway on the east side. If you drive north, you’ll reach a secluded spot known as Bean Point, where you can play in Tampa Bay.

Anna Maria Island is a boating paradise. Anglers enjoy the water for fishing, and nature lovers admire the dolphins frolicking in the water. But there are many ways to experience the area. If you fly into Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, you can get to the island by bus, taxi, or car. Since parking can be challenging, you can rent bicycles or a golf cart or use the free trolley to get around. There’s no shortage of things to see, and the following are nine suggestions from the southern end to the northern tip once you arrive in this slice of Florida heaven.

I was a guest of the Bradenton Area Visitors Bureau for this visit but all opinions are my own.

1. Collect Sea Shells On Coquina Beach

As you drive onto the island, the first beach is Coquina, the southern end of Bradenton Beach. Bradenton Beach is one of the longest shorelines on Anna Maria. It’s a natural setting with dunes, grasses, sea oats, and loggerhead sea turtles’ nests (May through October). It’s a gorgeous place to relax with calm water, which is excellent for swimming. There’s ample parking and rentals for beach chairs, umbrellas, and casual food available at the Coquina Beach Café. Or there’s a park with shady picnic areas if you packed a lunch. While there are many things to do on Coquina, shell collecting is incredible. It’s known as one of the best places to find beautiful specimens. If you tire of walking along the water, walk across the street to Leffis Key, a stunning nature park with panoramic views of Sarasota Bay.

2. Visit Historic Bridge Street

A wooden bridge was the only way to reach Anna Maria Island back in the day. Now, this beloved shopping street offers unique treasures in the eclectic shops, art galleries, restaurants, and activities on and off the water. Back Alley Treasures has funky, local artists’ works plus smoothies, coffee, wine, or beer for afternoon refreshment. Another stop, Fish Hole Mini Golf, has an 18-hole mini-green with misters to help you cool off and a 3,000-gallon koi pond. It’s fun to play around at this lush course. If you are looking for something relaxing, Sea-renity Spa and Eco Boutique will offer clients services inside their spa. Or, for a romantic experience, set up a massage for two on the beach. The street is walkable and has water views on either end, so find a perch to enjoy the scenery.

3. Book An Eco-Tour To Admire Wildlife

Paradise Boat Tours is on the pier at the end of Bridge Street. The company guarantees dolphin sightings in the Intra-Coastal Waterway and The Gulf of Mexico. If you don’t see them, you’ll get another free tour. The 90-minute narrated, small-group excursion brings you to open water to observe sea birds, dolphins, and occasionally, rays and manatees. It’s the perfect way to enjoy gazing at these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. The boat seats 28 passengers and offers covered and open viewing areas. Relax and enjoy the sun and the ocean breezes. The boat cruises into the Gulf of Mexico and glides past the fishing village of Cortez, where you’ll learn about the history of the area. You can bring refreshments on board for this tour, and water and sunscreen are recommended.

4. Hop On The Free Trolley To See The Island

A free trolley begins at the Anna Maria City Pier on the island’s north side. It runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has fourteen stops along the way ending at Coquina Beach. If you’re waiting for the trolley, you’ll have shade under the covered, well-designated stops located every two to four blocks. Some trolleys are air-conditioned, and some are open air. Dogs are allowed, plus they’re wheelchair accessible and have bike racks on the front. The nice thing about the trolley is you don’t have to worry about parking, and it gets you everywhere you want to go. Check the website for the map and enjoy the leisurely ride as it visits every stop. If you miss the trolley, you can expect the next one in about 20 minutes. I took it all around the island, and it was a fantastic way to travel.

Pro Tip: There’s a main stop at Manatee Public Beach where you’ll find Anna Maria Island Beach Café. The café is famous for all-you-can-eat pancakes from 8 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. You can enjoy an entire day from breakfast to dinner with live music in the evenings and a tiki bar open to serve drinks.

5. Take The Trolley And Shop Along Pine Avenue

Pine Avenue is a charming street to stroll and enjoy a little bit of history, art, and beach activities. One must stop The Shiny Fish Emporium. It’s a family-friendly retail store that’s “Classic 1950s Florida meets the artistic flair of Soho with a touch of beach glam.” It’s a great place to bring children (or your group of girlfriends) because you can decorate sand dollars with paint and afterward shop for gifts, candles, or trendy clothing. You’ll always find something unique. There’s also a sweet shop with haute couture cupcakes and treats and a spot to enjoy them on the front porch. 

For a cute selection of shoes, T-shirts, and clothing, visit Pink & Navy Boutique. It’s a great place to find gifts or take home a treasure for yourself.

Island Charms has a lovely selection of jewelry and fine home accessories. 

6. Rent A Bike, Kayak, Or Paddle Board

Beach Bums is favorite for rentals and souvenirs on AMI. It’s consistently voted Small Business Of The Year for its attentive staff and reasonable rates. You’ll find well-maintained bikes, surrey bikes, golf carts, chairs, umbrellas, other beach items, kayaks, and paddleboards. And they offer guided eco-kayaking tours. Rentals range from an hour to a week for their equipment — which they’ll deliver to your accommodations at no extra charge. A whole store of fun beach accessories or souvenirs is for sale inside the shop.

7. Fish Off Anna Maria City Pier

In the 1900s, the only way to reach Anna Maria Island was by boat. From 1911 to 1912, the town built the 678-foot Anna Maria City Pier to dock ships coming from the mainland. The structure suffered damage and destruction from age and Hurricane Irma in 2017. The famous attraction is newly refurbished with the original wharf building at the end. You’ll reach the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop if you walk the entire length and find breakfast and lunch items, ice cream, beer, and wine. Also, all your bait and tackle need to fish for Redfish, Snook, and Spanish Mackerel (among others) off the pier. And if you like to watch wildlife, dolphins and manatees are often spotted swimming nearby. 

8. Learn About The History Of AMI

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum Complex is a fascinating stop on Pine Avenue. The museum building was first constructed in 1920 as an icehouse; it took many forms until 1992, when the City of Anna Maria leased it to the Historical Society for use as a museum. The museum exhibits tell many island stories, beginning with the Native Americans and later with the first settlers. The island’s baseball, fishing, and WWII memorabilia are on display. Island archives are available for research.

9. Visit Belle Haven And The Old City Jail

Belle Haven, a historical cottage built initially on the City Pier, fell into the Bay in 1926. After its rescue, it became a family home on the island for 50 years. In 2001, it was restored and placed in the Historical Park. It’s furnished with heirlooms and antiques to represent early island life. 

Next door is the Old City Jail. The jail, circa 1927, held rowdy “drunks” who consumed a bit too much at the local dancehall. The prison had a door, bars on the windows, and no screens, so if you spent the night, you enjoyed the company of mosquitos until you were released the next day. A fire burned the wooden roof, but the structure remained and is now a popular photo opportunity. It’s one of the most photographed places on the island. 

Pro Tips: Bean Point is a must-see while you’re on AMI. It’s a quiet secluded beach on the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island. It’s named after the first permanent resident, George Emerson Bean. There are no facilities out there, but it’s gorgeous.

An excellent place to stop for lunch or drinks near Pine Avenue is the Sandbar Restaurant. The Sandbar offers “toes in the sand dining,” great seafood dishes, and incredible cocktails. There are no reservations, but the wait is worth it, especially if you grab a drink and watch a fantastic sunset off the back patio.

They’re born on beaches under a layer of sand, and instinct immediately kicks in. They start working their way to the sandy surface and embark on their journey to the ocean. So begins the sea turtles’ fight for survival and that of their species.

Florida is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles, three of which build their nests on the beaches along the Treasure Coast, of which Indian River County is a part. It was on a delightful visit to Vero Beach that my husband and I learned of the tragedy and triumph of these noble creatures. I asked why the lights along the beach at and around the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa where we were staying were red. The answer was fascinating — and inspired me to explore further.

So, what do the colored lights along the Florida coast have to do with the survival of the sea turtle? Read on as I do my best to explain and inspire you.

Disclosure: Our visit to Vero Beach was generously hosted by Visit Indian River County. However, all opinions are entirely my own.

The Decline Of The Sea Turtle

In the 1970s, the once prolific sea turtle made its formal appearance in the U.S. Endangered Species Act. I contacted Kendra Cop Founder and Executive Director of Coastal Connections, Inc (CCinc) to find out why. CCinc is an organization providing interactive and educational programs focused on protecting sea turtles and their fragile habitats. She answered my questions and provided valuable insights.

Each year, the three species, loggerheads, greens, and leatherbacks lay hundreds of thousands of eggs along Florida’s beaches. They also contribute to the balance within marine ecosystems.

“Sea Turtles don’t reproduce quickly,” Kendra explained. “It’s a very slow process. It takes from 15 to 20 years for them to build their first nest. And that’s if they can even make it to adulthood.”

Shedding Light On the Plight Of The Sea Turtle

Sea turtles are estimated to have a natural lifespan of over 80 years. Sadly, man is the greatest threat to sea turtles reaching that milestone, or even their reproduction age. Coastal development, human consumption, commercial fishing, beach litter, and light pollution are among the causes of the sea turtle’s predicament.

These issues are being addressed, and although not always perfect, solutions and compromises are giving the sea turtles along Florida’s coast a fighting chance.

Take light pollution for instance. And here comes the reason for the red lights along Vero Beach. “Sea turtles have this natural instinct to be attracted to light when they are hatchlings,” Kendra explained, “which comes from a need and desire to go to the brightest horizon. On a natural dark beach devoid of nearby roads and buildings, turtles are drawn to the reflection of moon and stars on the water.” Bright white lights from beachfront hotels, resorts, homes, and businesses are a natural draw for turtles to head away from the sea and into danger.

Lighting ordinances are in place along Florida’s coast because all the state’s sandy beaches are considered nesting spaces for sea turtles. The goal is for artificial lighting along Florida’s beaches to be red, orange, or amber to keep the sand darker than the natural reflections on the water. “Sea turtles don’t see these colors very well,” Kendra noted, “so they’re not attracted to them. We can give up bright white lights for red, orange, and amber to make our beaches sea turtle-friendly.”

Protecting The Nests

Between March and October, sea turtles come up on Florida’s beaches to build their nests. Vero Beach is one of the most important nesting grounds in the state. In 2021, approximately 8,000 sea turtles built nests in Indian River County. On average, loggerheads alone lay approximately 150 eggs every time they nest, and they nest four to six times a season.

The motherly instincts of mamma sea turtles may seem somewhat counterintuitive to human mamas. They expend all their maternal energy seeking out a safe area to nest, lay their eggs, and give their babies the best chance to hatch. Then they’re gone for good, leaving their hatchlings to fend for themselves. You could say it’s a sea turtle version of Home Alone.

The eggs take 50 to 60 days to hatch. This period is critical for the survival of baby sea turtles.

CCinc staff and volunteers step in to protect these nests as best they can. They tend designated nesting areas for scientific research. They also mark off nests in danger of being disturbed or destroyed.

Sea Turtle Tourism

Scientific research and lighting ordinances are helping in the sea turtle’s recovery, but what can visitors to Florida’s beaches do to make a difference? Once again, CCinc has answers. “There’s a lot more in terms of education: immersive experiences, bringing people on the beaches to teach them why it’s so important to protect sea turtles,” Kendra said. Based on our conversation, here are some suggestions for making your next Florida beach vacation sea turtle-friendly:

• When researching accommodations, look into staying at a certified sea turtle-friendly hotel. CCinc administers annual certification for hotels that meet sea turtle operating standards on nesting beaches: appropriate colored lighting, guest education, making sure beaches are prepared for nesting, reducing or eliminating single-use plastics and other waste that cause injury and death to sea turtles.
• Join a permitted nighttime turtle walk with a trained guide. Following a presentation, you will be led onto the beach to observe sea turtles nesting. You can also go on a scientific turtle dig to watch researchers extract information on hatched eggs and eggs that didn’t hatch. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has list of organizations that offer these activities.
• They may be cute, especially the little ones, but curb your desire to get physical. It’s a federal offense to interact with sea turtles, so no touching, picking them up, or taking their eggs as souvenirs.
• Don’t litter, and reduce use of single-use throw-away items. Not all waste makes it to landfills. Some lands in rivers and canals then ends up in the ocean
• Pick up some of the trash you encounter. It may not be yours, but removing it helps.
• Bring reusable shopping bags, and either carry your own reusable straw or don’t use one at all. Sea turtles manatees, dolphins, fish, and sea birds are all affected by plastics and other trash.

The Bottom Line

According to Kendra, “The sea turtle populations on the Atlantic side, and also in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are trending upward.” Unfortunately, the same is not true everywhere.

“It’s still a challenge,” she says, “but every year we seem to be doing a little bit better. We still have a lot of work to do moving forward in terms of keeping our beaches dark or replacing white lights with turtle-friendly colors. We sometimes have roads right beside our beaches, and there are recorded instances where hatchlings decided to cross the road, and not all of them made it. We collect hatchlings in stormwater drains, from people’s lawns, and people’s pools, because they went in the wrong direction.”

Rehabilitation facilities treat sick sea turtles and those injured with strike wounds from boat propellers, intestinal blockage from ingesting plastics, balloons, and styrofoam, as well as from shark bites. From colored beach lighting to medical care, it’s all about the sea turtles.

CCinc’s mission is to “protect coastal habitats for sea turtle survival by educating and connecting people to the environment.” Their vision is to “be a driving force for the recovery of sea turtles.” Since 2017, Kendra and her team have been steadfastly walking the talk, and with help and support from Florida lawmakers, residents, and visitors, the sea turtle population will continue to recover.

I simply prefer to be outside more than inside and am often labeled a “nature lover.” Vacationing in national or state parks for over 30 years, I occasionally met a few wild things but rarely veered off a maintained trail. Sadly, I missed many beautiful and fascinating aspects of our planet — the animals on the other side of my secure corridor.

It all changed when I retired. A courage vein tugged and I created a bucket list that eventually included exploring the Americas below Mexico and seeing as many adorable animals as possible. Would these creatures be as adorable closeup as they are on the screen in the nature documentaries I’d seen? I took a deep breath and followed my bird-watching buddies to a primeval rainforest in Panama for 10 days to find out. 

It was the vacation of a lifetime and the beginning of a passion for cruising, crawling, climbing creatures that thrive in a rainforest.

According to National Geographic’s Resource Library, “a rainforest is an area of tall trees and a high amount of rainfall.” The entry goes on to state that “rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years.” Thousands upon thousands of avian, insect, reptile, and mammal species are found under a rainforest canopy. 

Over 60 percent of Panama is covered in forest, resulting in the largest forest cover of any country in Central America. But that was not always the case. During the period when the United States built the Panama Canal, vast areas of the forest were destroyed, losing essential habitat for many animals whose diets are primarily insect-based. A measureless swamp after annual tropical rains resulted in creating the perfect habitat for malaria-carrying mosquitoes now without natural predators. Today, the forests have returned, along with reptiles, bats, and birds, greatly reducing the threat of malaria. 

To get the most out of a Panama rainforest excursion, join a tour group with professional guides (more on my recommendation below) who will explain the beauty and importance of each animal encountered, all at a safe distance. Panama is a beautiful country, full of nature adventures, great food, and charming villages. Venture outside the “city box” into the natural side of Panama and discover amazing creatures, stunning flowers, and soul-pampering peace. 

Let me share a few of my favorite wild animal encounters in Panama’s rainforest, plus a few just-plain-fun things to do, and where to stay, while visiting this unique Central American country.

1. Sleep In A Radar Station

Canopy Tower was originally built in 1963 as a U.S. military radar station during the Cuban Missile Crisis to defend the Panama Canal. Located in the middle of Soberania National Park, the facility has been transformed into a charming bed and breakfast, recently awarded the 2020 Terra Incognita’s Top Ethical Ecotour Providers. 

2. Wine And Dine On Top Of A Jungle

On the third floor of Canopy Tower is an elegant restaurant with 360-degree views of the forest canopy. Breakfast every morning included European and Panamanian specialties accompanied by fruit-eating toucans nearby. Delicious chef-cooked meals in the evenings were backdropped with amazing sunsets and squawking parrots flying to their roosting trees.

3. Hang Out With A Sloth

Just outside the restaurant is a wrap-around deck with an honored regular resident. One unique tree allowed to grow above the deck level is the favorite perch for a three-toed sloth. Seen almost every day, it is probably the most photographed sloth in history! 

4. Take A Hike With An Ant

Nearby Soberania National Park spans 55,000 acres across Panama. One of the many hiking trails deep into the park is the Camino de Cruces, built in 1527 to link Old Panama City to the port of Venta de Cruces. Parallel to the foot trail is a four-inch-wide leafcutter ant highway. Ecological engineers, they cut small pieces from leaves to carry back to their underground nest, not to eat, but to rot, creating fungus that feeds the colony. These little ants can carry up to 50 times their own weight, which is comparable to a human lifting two cars above their head.

5. Tangle With A Trogon

Once a petroleum pipeline thoroughfare during World War II, Pipeline Road now serves as the main access through Soberania National Park. Holding the record for the most bird species spotted within a 24-hour period, finding distinctive birds was our goal on this day. Soon, a black-tailed trogon posed for photos, daring us to get closer. There are eight species of trogons in Panama, all colorful and with an attitude. Look high in fruit trees for bright orange and red feathers. 

6. Spread Your Wings With An Anhinga

The Chagres River runs through the middle of the Soberania forest, giving visitors many opportunities to see creatures that live around water, including anhinga. As large as a wild turkey, these birds can be intimidating as they dry their wings after fishing, which is a must, or else they cannot fly. Look for them perched in trees or sitting on rocks.

7. Cross The Centennial Bridge

Built in 2004, the Centennial Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in South America. Designed to mimic the mountains and appear to float among the clouds, the bridge can be seen for many miles. 

8. Discover Sweet Flowers With A Honeycreeper

Flowers abound in a rainforest near the equator, where the climate allows a year-long growing season. There are over 1,200 species of orchids alone in Panama. Tour packages tailored to hunting orchids are common. The green honeycreeper, a small active bird the color of the forest, is often found circling flowers.

9. Crawl To Adventure With A Caterpillar

The silk moth caterpillar is a common rainforest resident, but do not touch. Not only do they blend in perfectly with their environment, but they also ensure their survival with an artsy hairdo. Each spiky bristle is filled with toxins that cause fiery stings — making the caterpillar unappetizing to predators. This caterpillar will turn into a colorful moth with large spots resembling eyes — another survival technique in their everyday adventure to stay alive.

10. Hum Along With A Hummingbird

Over 30 percent of hummingbird species in the world live in Central America, such as this violet-bellied hummingbird found at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center. Hundreds of hummingbirds greet visitors at the center loaded with hummingbird feeders along the deck. A 174-step spiral staircase with interpretive panels takes visitors through the growth levels of a rainforest, from seedling to the canopy.

11. Get A Suntan With An Iguana

Of all the animals encountered in a rainforest, amphibians and reptiles are often the most fascinating. But no one can deny that the showstopper is the magnificent green iguana. Able to grow as large as 6 feet from head to tail, this herbivore can surpass 20 pounds in a healthy rainforest. A cold-blooded reptile, iguanas are often spied sunbathing on top of rocks.

12. Blend In With A Butterfly

The survival of most rainforest creatures depends on camouflage, and the goatweed leafwing butterfly, resembling a dead leaf, is a perfect example. Because each butterfly relies heavily on its host plants, many of the 1,800 species of butterflies in Panama are seasonal.

Pro Tip: April through December is the best time to visit for butterfly enthusiasts.

13. Take A Selfie With An Elephant Tree

Panama has 3,043 tree species, but a favorite is the ceiba tree. Nicknamed the elephant tree because of their massive trunks, they make perfect resting spots after a long hike.

14. Howl With A Baby Monkey

Gatun Lake borders Soberania National Park and is a haven for monkeys with various monkey species protected by the park living on a group of islands. However, they roam freely among treetops and can be found throughout the forest. The largest and most prevalent is the howler monkey. Catching a group carrying their infants was an extraordinary experience. Extremely quiet slipping between trees, when humans intrude, they howl loudly in protests that can be heard for miles.

15. Go Fishing With A Kingfisher

Calamito Lake inside Soberania National Park has a marina with a pleasant deck and benches great for observing water wildlife such as graceful egrets and stocky herons. Watching green kingfishers suddenly swoop from a standstill and pose to catch fish — and cheering when they’re successful — is a favorite spectator activity. 

16. Do The Wave At The Canal

Completed in 1914, the Panama Canal continues to save ships almost 8,000 miles on their journeys, which would otherwise take them around the South American continent. Less than an hour’s drive from Panama City, the canal is a favorite family getaway destination on weekends, with groups timing their trips to when a cruise ship uses the 40-mile canal. Slipping by slowly from one level to another, the ship is within 10 yards of hundreds of spectators. Each side waves to each other, sometimes with cruisers waving flags from their home countries and those on land holding up Welcome To Panama signs.

Inspired and want more on Panama? Consider 9 Reasons I Decided To Spend My Retirement Years In Panama, The Best Things To Do In Panama, and The Reasons I Decided To Buy A Second Home In Panama.

As we shuffled our snowshoes through the thick snow around a lake trail near Talkeetna, Alaska, our guide Matt suddenly motioned us to hold still. Matt Worden, owner and founder of Go Hike Alaska, peered out through the snow-covered trees and whispered one word: “Moose.”

I perked up and looked to where he was pointing down a private driveway that weaved through these woods. There, standing next to a large SUV, was a grown moose with her calf. She was big enough to make the SUV look like a compact car.

“She’s got her young,” Matt said. “We aren’t going to get any closer. She’s already a little stressed out. See how her ears are perked up towards us?”

Although I was thrilled to see a moose in the wild, I was all about not getting too close. Moose, if you’ve never seen one, are huge creatures, reaching up to 1,500 pounds and standing at 6.5 feet at the shoulder. They can also run nimbly and quietly through the forest at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

I have a healthy respect for anything bigger than I am, so we didn’t approach the mother moose and her baby, and instead stood quietly for a moment before backing off of her.

“The chance to see moose out in the backcountry of Alaska is relatively high,” said Matt, whose Go Hike Alaska company leads hikes, flightseeing tours, backpacking and foraging trips, snowshoe adventures, and flora and fauna walks all year-round in Alaska’s Chugach Range and beyond.

“They can be dangerous if you surprise one.”

If you spend any time in Alaska, Canada, or the northern U.S., you’re likely to at the very least see a moose or its tracks. For those exploring Denali National Park, the Chugach State Park, and all the areas in between, the likelihood that you will come across a moose is pretty high, so it’s vital to know how to be safe around these massive creatures.

Half of the magic of being outdoors is seeing the native wildlife in its own natural habitat, so we spoke to our experts in Alaska about the important things you need to know for viewing these giants safely.

1. City Moose

When my photographer Lyle and I landed in Anchorage this past February, we didn’t have to wait more than 15 minutes before seeing our first moose. As our host, Teri Hendricks — Visit Anchorage communications operations manager — drove us to our hotel from the airport. While driving, she pointed out a moose grazing on a bush… in the middle of a residential area… in the middle of town.

“Moose are extremely common in Anchorage. We find them bedding down in backyards, grazing along major roads, occasionally strolling neighborhood streets, or roaming city parks. There are nearly 1,500 moose within the Municipality of Anchorage (an area spanning 1,961 square miles), so moose sightings are an extraordinarily ordinary part of daily life here,” she said.

“We love our resident moose. They’re so emblematic of life in Anchorage — wild, wonderful nature coexisting with our modern urban environment — and it never gets old. No matter how many moose we see around the city, we’ll probably still pull over to take pictures when we see that impressive bull browsing through the bushes alongside the airport fence, or new spring calves taking their first trembling steps beside one of our popular biking trails.”

For “lower-48ers” like myself and Lyle, it was an impactful sight to see and we marveled at the sight of a giant moose walking amongst the sidewalks and houses. Hendricks said the key to coexisting peacefully with the wild moose in town is to avoid confrontations and give them plenty of space.

Rule one is to enjoy the sighting, but never approach or feed a moose. Humans should keep a respectful distance, never get between a female moose and her calves, and remember that moose are wild animals. 

“If you want a closer view, zoom with your camera lens — not your feet — or check out one of the safe, supervised encounters at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center,” Hendricks said.

2. Seeing Moose Safely In Anchorage

Many moose-spotting sights are located all over the city, including Point Woronzof Park, Kincaid Park along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Potter Marsh (part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge), or in Chugach State Park around the Glen Alps trailhead.

If you’re on a tight timeline and want a guaranteed sighting, head over to the Alaska Zoo or the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Visit Anchorage.net to find a map and more information about planning a wildlife-watching safari around the city.

“Keep your eyes open and you’re bound to get lucky; remember to keep your distance and you can enjoy a safe, fun photo-op,” said Hendricks. 

“Late spring and early autumn offer two really unique opportunities to see moose in Anchorage. Look for knock-kneed, adorable newborn calves in the spring, then grab some binoculars and head up to Glen Alps in the fall for a chance to see bull moose during the rut (mating season). The bulls compete for the attention of cows, and when they butt heads, interlocking their massive antlers, the crash reverberates along the mountainsides.”

3. Moose In The Wild

Matt Worden says he sees plenty of wildlife on his guided hikes and excursions through Go Hike Alaska, but the scariest situation he ever found himself in was with a moose. As he was running a trail with his baby daughter in a stroller, a moose suddenly appeared on the trail in front of him.

“I was running with her and her stroller over on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and it was starting to get dark. I damn near almost ran into this moose,” he said. “I backed up as quickly as possible, and I was clapping and I was yelling at it, but I couldn’t do anything to deter this thing. It kept following me at a 10-foot distance for a good 2 minutes before it went off into the woods. Yeah, that was a hairy incident.”

Surprising a moose or being aggressed by them can lead to severe injury or death. The majority of violent encounters betwen moose and humans occurs when a person gets between a mother and her calf or during the rut when the male moose are combative and trying to win mates. Unpredictable and moody, moose give little warning before attacking a perceived threat.

According to Alaska.org, there are several things you should do if a moose approaches you or seems to be aggressive:

• Moose tend to bluff-charge, stopping short of you. Check out this video of a moose charging a dog outside a house.
• Get behind a tree, rock, fence, car, or anything to separate you from the moose.
• Moose often fight with their front hooves. If the moose hits you, play dead, curled up with your hands on your head or neck. Your backpack also makes a good shield.

“If you have bear repellent, you can use that as well,” said Worden. “The best thing to do is get behind a tree or car. Moose, especially if they have their antlers, aren’t that nimble in tight turns. I’ve seen a video of a person and a moose dancing around a tree for a good 10 minutes.”

4. Moose Facts You Should Know

Although they can be dangerous if they feel threatened, moose are also curious and fascinating creatures. They are an ungulate (Lyle’s favorite word), meaning they have hooves. Because of their size, adult moose have few predators, though calves and young moose are often prey for wolves, bears, and coyotes.

Moose can be found throughout Alaska, Canada, and the northern U.S. Their home range can be anywhere from 5–50 miles. A moose’s average lifespan is 8 years for a cow and 7 years for a bull, but some moose have been known to live up to 20 years. 

Bull moose “grow” antlers every year from April to August, and these massive racks can weigh up to 25 pounds before they shed them after the rut. In fact, most people consider it a treasure if they find a shed moose antler out in the woods.

Moose can move each ear and each eye independently of each other, and their stomachs can hold up to 100 pounds of food.

Female moose give birth to one or two calves a year, and within 5 days of being born, these little ungulates (for Lyle!) can already outrun a human. The young moose stay with their mothers until the following mating season when mama moose runs them off.

Moose can even swim quite well and often lounge in rivers to get relief from mosquitos.

So when you visit Alaska, Anchorage, or join Matt on a hike through the wild country, keep your eyes peeled for these gigantic land animals. As long as you don’t approach or surprise them, you’ll come away with amazing photos and unforgettable memories.

Check out these amazing Anchorage locations and indulge in some breathtaking experiences:

• 7 Best Places To See The Northern Lights In Or Around Anchorage
• The Best Alaska Day Trips From Anchorage
• 7 Fantastic Summer Outdoor Experiences in Anchorage, Alaska

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bird-watching is the second-fastest-growing hobby in the nation after gardening. Michigan features a wide range of habitats for birds, and as a result, birdwatchers have spotted over 450 species in the Great Lakes State. From shorebirds along the Great Lakes coastline to birding trails, state parks, and bird sanctuaries, Michigan is a paradise for birders, with over 2 million residents enjoying bird-watching.

This article will cover seven of the best bird-watching hot spots in Michigan, where they are, and which birds to look for while you’re there. Here are some of my favorite Michigan bird-watching spots that represent a variety of birds. I listed them from north to south.

Note: My visits to Copper Harbor and Kalamazoo were partially hosted trips. The opinions offered are based on my experience.

1. Brockway Mountain Hawk Watch, Copper Harbor

Located in the Keweenaw Peninsula, you’ll take Michigan 26 west from Copper Harbor, and Brockway Mountain Drive is the first road on the left. This seasonal road has a steep slope, but the effort is worth it for its stunning views of the water and woods below. The official Brockway Mountain Hawk Watch takes place between March 15 and June 15. While it depends on the weather, mid-May is generally the peak timing. Birds stop in Keweenaw to prepare for their flight over Lake Superior and on to Canada. During this time, counters have documented 15 types of hawks. Falcons, owls, turkey vultures, and eagles contribute to the thousands of birds found in this area during migration.

Other birds frequently spotted include the cedar waxwing, snow bunting, cackling goose, American pipit, and the rusty blackbird.

From the end of April through mid-May, the Annual International Migratory Bird Festival occurs. During the festival is the perfect time to learn more about birding through a series of birding activities, dinners, and programs.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a place for lunch or dinner, the seasonal Eagle Harbor Inn is a perfect choice while in the area. Stop by Jampot, a monk-run bakery that offers the ideal snacks to take on the trail for a sweet treat.

2. Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise

Situated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 11 miles north of Paradise, you’ll find the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory on the point of land that protrudes into Lake Superior. Before making the long journey across Lake Superior, thousands of birds will use Whitefish Point as a place to refuel and prepare. Hence, the region is a Globally Important Bird Area, where birdwatchers have identified about 340 species of spring and fall migratory birds in this corridor.

The Michigan Audubon runs a research project that counts waterbirds and raptors during migration. They also monitor piping plovers and band owls.

To discover more about the area’s maritime history, you’ll want to explore the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, where the Edmund Fitzgerald’s 200-pound bronze bell is on display.

Pro Tip: Tahquamenon Falls is a must-see while you’re in the area. Approximately 20 minutes from Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub, located in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, makes the perfect place for a meal after birding or exploring the falls.

3. Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Seney

Located about 12 miles north of U.S.-2, Seney National Wildlife Refuge offers the perfect place for birders to get back to nature for a day. First, stop by the visitor’s center, where the staff can orient you to the grounds. Then, check out the observation decks that offer spotting scopes to watch for osprey nesting.

Since I have difficulty hiking, I particularly enjoy the Marshland Wildlife Drive at Seney, where I could enjoy some of the best birding from my car. With a habitat for more than 200 bird species, you’re likely to see a variety of waterfowl and raptors — trumpeter swans, common loons, bald eagles, osprey, and sandhill cranes. The Pine Ridge Nature Trail is an excellent option if you prefer walking. Go to their website for a list of the dozens of birds you might see.

Other ways to enjoy the refuge’s outdoor activities include Northern Hardwoods Hiking, cross-country ski trails, and snowshoeing, with miles and miles of unpaved roads for hiking and biking through the backcountry.

While there’s no camping in the almost 96,000 acres of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, you can camp in the nearby Fox River State Forest Campground.

Pro Tip: For spring migratory birds, visit in May, but be sure to wear long sleeves and don some bug spray, as the area is prone to bugs during May. For fall migratory birds, September and October are the months to visit.

4. Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling

Located about 2 hours north of Michigan’s capital city Lansing, the area near Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling is home to one of the world’s rarest birds, the Kirtland’s warbler. They also call them jack pine warblers because they breed almost solely in the jack pine forests in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Unfortunately, the only way to see this conservation-dependent species is to take a guided tour of the nesting area.

The Michigan Audubon and Hartwick Pines State Park partner to provide guided tours between mid-May and early July. In nearby Roscommon, on the first Saturday in June, they also hold the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival.

The Michigan Audubon offers a variety of tours, and each has a difficulty rating listed on its events calendar. Check those listings for walking distance, terrain, and tour duration.

Pro Tip: At least once a summer, I pass through Grayling on my way up north, and I always stop by Dead Bear Brewing Company. One of my favorite sandwiches is the Aporkalyse Burger, a cheddar cheeseburger topped with in-house smoked pulled pork, bacon, ham, and barbecue sauce. 

5. Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary, Hastings

The Michigan Audubon owns and operates the 128-acre Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary. Located adjacent to the Barry State Game Area, it is a Globally Important Bird Area for giving cerulean warblers a breeding habitat. The Michigan Audubon offers cerulean warbler guided tours early through late May at 8 a.m. at the Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary. Note that when trying to find the tour location, GPS trackers may not be accurate. It is best to use the directions on their website to find the correct place.

Spring and summer are the best times to go bird-watching at Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary. In addition to warblers, you’ll likely find red-headed woodpeckers, osprey, sandhill cranes, and various sparrows. While you’re in the area, you can discover more nature by biking at Hammond Hill Trail.

Pro Tip: For lunch after your exploration, try San Marcos Mexican Bar & Grill. 

6. W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Augusta

Located in southwest Michigan, about 15 minutes from Kalamazoo in the town of Augusta, W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is a tranquil area to sit and observe waterfowl, like Canada geese, ducks, and trumpeter swans. In addition, their birds of prey enclosure features eastern screech owls and bald eagles.

At the center of the sanctuary, you’ll find Wintergreen Lake. Although this is a year-round location, and we visited in the winter, spring through fall is the best time to visit. Even in the winter, we saw various birds feeding at the bird feeders, including cardinals.

You’ll find about 3 miles of trails, so it’s a great place to get outdoors for a walk where you’ll see lots of other wildlife besides birds. Take a picnic lunch, as there are plenty of picnic tables to enjoy an alfresco meal. A small general entry fee applies.

Also in Augusta, the Fort Custer Recreation Area provides another opportunity to get out into nature with hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. I also enjoy the Gilmore Car Museum while I’m in the area. The museum is the largest car museum in North America.

Pro Tip: Stop by Player’s Grill and give their famous burgers a try.

7. Warren Dunes State Park, Sawyer

Situated about 15 miles south of St. Joseph in Sawyer, Warren Dunes State Park offers 1,952 acres, including open dunes and wooded birding habitats. With 3 miles of shoreline, you’ll find shorebirds, gulls, terns, and waterfowl along the beach. In addition to birds, you’ll have stunning views of Lake Michigan from the top of the 260-feet dunes.

Over 6 miles of hiking trails are home to raptors and songbirds. One of the best areas in the park for birding is the Organizational Youth Camping Area.

Warren Dunes State Park has two campgrounds and some rustic mini cabins if you enjoy camping. You’ll relax to the sounds of Lake Michigan’s waves in their lake-front camping. Whether you prefer modern with hot water, bathrooms, and electricity or a more rustic campsite, you can have it all in this park.

Pro Tip: Vehicle entry and parking in Michigan State Parks require a valid Recreation Passport.

To learn more about Michigan and birding, check out these articles:

• 7 Best Stops For Birders Along Michigan’s Sunrise Coast
• How To Spend A Perfect Day In Vibrant Kalamazoo, Michigan
• How To Spend A Long Weekend In Quaint Mackinaw City, Michigan

Perhaps it is the magical combination of biodiversity and Pura Vida, literally meaning “the good life,” that makes a trip to Costa Rica unforgettable. Costa Rica, a small country that contains 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, is a great destination for a holiday where you can take in its rugged coastlines, lush rainforests, and jungles. Pair that with the Costa Rican laid-back Pura Vida attitude and chances are you’re going to have an incredible getaway.

But, what about having a “hands-on” experience where you roll up your sleeves and work with endangered and threatened species in Costa Rica? With loss of habitat, orphaned animals, and illegal trafficking, there is a need to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles, monkeys, sloths, and birds in Costa Rica.

There are plenty of opportunities for animal lovers who want to make a difference on their travels and contribute to wildlife preservation while having a unique and inspirational experience.

There is a wide variety of volunteering opportunities to support wildlife in Costa Rica. Think carefully about what you are looking for. Research and read the reviews. Some organizations offer conservation projects for the duration of a week, while others require a much longer commitment. Some wildlife conservation projects in Costa Rica take place in remote locations with no electricity. Others have access to nearby towns.

Below are five volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica that you may just find yourself signing up for. Believe you me, a volunteer opportunity with Costa Rican wildlife is still on my bucket list.

1. Jaguar Rescue Centre, Puerto Viejo De Talamanca, Caribbean Coast

The Jaguar Rescue Centre is dear to my heart. I lived with my daughter on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica while she returned for a second time to volunteer at the Jaguar Rescue Centre. Her first volunteer experience had left a lasting impact and she knew she had to return. We lived in a jungle house, close to Puerto Viejo. She rode her bicycle to do her volunteer work. I, newly retired, rode my bike in the opposite direction to yoga classes that took place in the jungle. 

At the end of her volunteer period, I had an approved opportunity to go behind the scenes with her. Never in my life had I imagined what it would feel like to have a baby howler monkey clasp my leg and use me as a jungle gym! I couldn’t help wondering why I had not also taken part in the volunteer opportunity. As I already mentioned, it’s on my bucket list!

The Jaguar Rescue Centre rescues between 400 and 700 animals a year, giving them a temporary or permanent home, and releases about 40 percent back into the wild. Volunteering at the Jaguar Rescue Centre is a minimum 4-week commitment. Volunteers, ranging in age from 18 to 85, come from all over the world to support the rehabilitation of mistreated, injured, and orphaned animals that arrive at the centre. Animals typically found at the Jaguar Rescue Centre are monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. Most arrive because they are sick, abandoned, or have been electrocuted on poorly insulated power lines.

The type of volunteer work at the Jaguar Rescue Centre depends on what is needed. Doing dishes, cleaning enclosures, giving guided tours, or supervising monkey picnics in the jungle; these are a few of the many tasks required to keep the centre running.

Pro Tip: Accommodation is included, if you choose to stay on site. Meals are not included but there is a kitchen where you can keep your groceries and prepare meals.

2. Punta Banco On The Burica Peninsula, Southern Pacific Coast

The coastline of Costa Rica is home to dozens of nesting sites for four turtle species: leatherback, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles. Seeing sea turtles lay eggs or watching hatchlings run to the sea are rather spectacular wildlife experiences.

My experience with endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica took place at Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast. Watching sea turtles lay their eggs was a profound experience, made even more so by knowing that all remaining species of sea turtles are either threatened or endangered.

ConservationVIP, an organization that runs volunteer programs around the world, provides organized trips that are dedicated to sea turtle preservation in Costa Rica. 

If volunteering for sea turtle preservation excites you, these 10-day trips might be exactly what you are looking for! 

Traveling to the village of Punta Banco — on the Burica Peninsula on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica where sea turtles nest — volunteer work includes locating, excavating, and relocating sea turtle nests to a protected hatchery. One of the highlights of ConservationVIP’s trips to Costa Rica is the hands-on experience of releasing turtle hatchlings.

If you know anything about Costa Rica, it’s that the bird life is extraordinary. Although the majority of time is spent doing sea turtle preservation, this trip also includes an opportunity to support scarlet macaws by volunteering at an almond tree nursery; their main source of food.

One of the most beautiful birds in the world, the resplendent quetzal, which you can see in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, is also on the list for conservation work. Volunteers head to Cerro de la Muerte and build quetzal nests to be placed in a quetzal protection zone.

Pro Tip: Another highlight of these sea turtle preservation programs is that the villagers of Punta Banco are very welcoming to the volunteers. They show their appreciation for all the volunteer work that is done by hosting a village celebration on the last night.

3. The Sloth Institute, Manuel Antonio National Park

The Sloth Institute is found in the Tulemar Gardens at Manuel Antonio National Park and is dedicated to sloth research, education, and conservation. Their main goal is to rehabilitate and release as many sloths back into the wild as possible. 

Although sloths are not critically endangered, with the loss of habitat many sloths end up crossing power lines or roads to get where they are headed. The Sloth Institute has built 3,280-feet of sloth speedways or rope bridges to help sloths travel safely through the rainforest. 

As someone who found a sloth stopped in the middle of a road, I can vouch for the importance of the sloth speedways. 

There are many places to see sloths in the wild in Costa Rica but actually working with these adorable smiling mammals, one of the slowest-moving mammals on earth, would be a rare and memorable experience. 

Positions to volunteer at the Sloth Institute come up several times a year and are for 6-month periods. Daily field work and watching sloths in the jungle are all part of supporting the sloth release program. 

If this volunteer opportunity does not call to you, the Sloth Institute organizes guided nature walks through the Tulemar Gardens with a sloth expert. It’s one of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica. 

Pro Tip: The Sloth Institute states on their website that as a volunteer you will be hot, sweaty, sleepy, and eaten by mosquitoes, but so happy! This opportunity is for those animal lovers truly wanting to make a difference.

4. The Toucan Rescue Ranch, San Josecito, San Isidro, Heredia

The Toucan Rescue Ranch has an overriding mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife back to their natural habitat. This sanctuary specializes in toucans, sloths, and owls, but has a wide array of other wildlife as well.

Located just 25-minutes from the capital city of San José, the Toucan Rescue Ranch provides opportunities to get your hands dirty and support the daily care of its sanctuary animals. Volunteer responsibilities include duties such as food preparation, feeding sanctuary animals, and cleaning enclosures. The Toucan Rescue Ranch attracts volunteers from all over the world who must commit to a minimum of 4 weeks of volunteer work.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch is involved in exciting programs such as a captive breeding program of Costa Rican toucans, aviaries for toucans for a pre-release experience, and is in partnership with the Sloth Institute for rescuing orphaned sloths.

Pro Tip: The Toucan Rescue Ranch provides ethical and educational tours of its sanctuary animals.

5. Las Tortugas Research Station, North Caribbean Coast

Seeturtles is an organization that helps save sea turtles through conservation programs. One such planned trip in Costa Rica is the Leatherback Turtle Volunteer Vacation. 

According to WWF, leatherback turtles have survived for more than 100 million years. Their status is critically endangered and plenty of work still needs to be done to protect the largest marine turtle and largest living reptiile. It’s incredible to think of their average size, which is about 800 pounds and 6 feet long. 

Volunteers on this “volunteer vacation” spend four nights working at the rather remote Las Tortugas Research Station, located in the Tortuguero canals. Volunteers are involved in activities which directly protect leatherback turtles such as patrolling the beaches at night, helping to measure leatherback turtles, collecting data, and collecting and moving eggs to protected hatcheries.

Please note that the accommodation at Las Tortugas Research Station is very basic. The upside? You are living in the rainforest and sure to see howler monkeys, sloths, and fabulous Costa Rican birds.

Pro Tip: From mid-May to June, volunteer work involves working with hatchlings, measuring and weighing them, and releasing them into the water.

For all things on wildlife, animal conservation, and more:

• My Favorite Spot To Experience Wildlife When Visiting Gulf Shores
• 11 Best Places To Spot Florida’s Iconic Wildlife
• These 5 Books Have Raised $1,000,000 To Help Save Wildlife

Michigan’s Sunrise Coast begins in Mackinaw City, at the south end of the Straits of Mackinac, where the Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It continues 200 miles down the coast of Lake Huron following U.S. 23 to Standish. However, the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail covers only about 143 miles and stops at the Au Sable River in Oscoda, where the Saginaw Birding Trail picks up and continues through to Port Austin.

From the spring Raptor Watch at the Straits of Mackinac to Shoreline Park at the mouth of the Au Sable River, where you can see the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover along Lake Huron’s northern shores, the birding trail showcases hundreds of species.

With almost 30 stops officially on the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail and about half a dozen additional sites in Iosco County that may not have official signage, I found more great birding sites along Michigan’s Sunrise Coast than I can mention.

Here are some of my favorites that represent a variety of birds. I list them in order from north to south.

1. Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch, Mackinaw City

Twice a year, conservationists count and monitor migrating birds of prey at the Straits of Mackinac. In spring, large concentrations of raptors sit at the tip of the mitten, waiting for the right conditions to cross the straits on their journey north. In fall, to a lesser extent, Lakes Huron and Michigan guide birds flying south for the winter over the same area.

Depending on the weather, the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch spring counts run from March 5 to June 5. The counts occur at one of two sites about a mile apart in Mackinaw City. Wind speed, direction, and cloud cover all affect the bird’s migration and which place is the best for counting at any given time. In autumn, they count from August 20 through November 10. 

While conservationists report data on eagles, owls, kites, falcons, and hawks, it’s the top spring site in North America for red-tailed hawks.

Driving west on Central Avenue, look on the left for the Raptor Watch signs. The red-tailed hawk numbers peak in the first week of April, while the big broad-winged hawk numbers are highest in late April. As a result, you’ll most likely see golden eagles throughout April. Some years you’ll even see Swainson’s hawks and black vultures.

To fully enjoy the birds, wear warm wind-proof clothes. It’s typically windy and 20 to 30 degrees cooler at the straits. So put on some sunscreen and bring a lawn chair — regular-sized binoculars in 7, 8, or 10 Power, and a 20x plus spotting scope.

Pro Tip: Birdwatching requires patience, and if you’re in it for the long haul, you’ll need some sustenance. One of my favorite year-round restaurants in Mackinaw City is Audie’s Restaurant, where everything is scratch-made. Think house-made pie! Need I say more?

If you decide to go bird watching in Mackinaw City, check out this article on How To Spend A Long Weekend In Quaint Mackinaw City, Michigan.

2. Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, Mackinaw City

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, found 3 miles south of Mackinaw City, is the perfect spot for birdwatchers who want to include the whole family in their outing. The site, situated in a 625-acre northern hardwood forest, was integral to Michigan’s lumber industry during the 18^th century. Today, a replica of a steam-powered sawmill is part of the experience. Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is one of Michigan’s state landmark parks and combines nature, history, and adventure.

My family started at the visitor’s center, where bird feeders attract pileated woodpeckers, white-throated sparrows, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and red-breasted nuthatches. We enjoyed the close-up view of birds, and the visitors center offered the history buffs in our family a 15-minute movie, The Power of the Water: The Mill Creek Story.

While the 50-foot-tall observation tower took us to a spot high in the treetops, where we could observe Baltimore orioles, Blackburnian warblers, and scarlet tanagers, we also had a stunning view of the Mackinac Bridge. The tower is also an excellent spot to view other birds that love this part of the forest, like red-shouldered hawks, bald eagles, and northern goshawks. During the spring migration, you may even spot a golden eagle.

Take on the climbing wall challenge, where you can see cavity nesters like the pileated woodpecker and the northern saw-whet owl in the wall’s holes. Bird songs mark your climbing milestones as you go up the five-story wall. You’ll find so much to do with nature trails, ziplining, and interactive activities here — plan at least half a day for your visit.

Pro Tip: Mackinaw City is the best place to eat when visiting the park. If you want to sample one of Michigan’s iconic dishes, the pastie, Hunt’s Mackinaw Pastie and Cookie Company is open year-round.

3. Rockport State Recreation Area & Besser Natural Area

With over 4,200 acres to explore, the Rockport State Recreation Area & Besser Natural Area showcases a variety of bird habitats. The woods and lowlands in the area are nesting habitats for hermit and wood thrushes, winter wrens, and several types of warblers. In addition, since the site includes the Lake Huron coastline, we saw many migrating waterbirds.

Situated on the north side of the Rockport State Recreation Area, you can access the Besser Natural Area from Grand Lake Road. The pines here are a nesting area for American redstarts and pine warblers. While the Besser Natural Area isn’t open during the winter, the one-mile hiking loop takes you past various woodland habitats from spring through fall.

Pro Tip: Up North 23 Restaurant and Lounge, located on the Lake Huron shore, is the perfect place to see a stunning view while enjoying a meal on the deck. The chef sources ingredients from local farmers, including the components for the famous house-made barbecue chips. Since the restaurant’s owners are potato farmers, the chips couldn’t get much fresher.

4. Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, Alpena

Located in the north end of Alpena, Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary is a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary that features a birding site. The marshy area and the lazy Thunder Bay River provide nesting habitats for marsh birds, including least bitterns.

What I like most about this area is the variety of ways to bird-watch. The 17-acre Island Park features several nature trails and wooden observation platforms in various environments. You’ll see woodlands, dunes, meadows, and marshy areas. In the summer months, we kayak to get a closer look at the birds.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, located next to Northwestern Lake Huron, is one of the most dangerous water sections on the Great Lakes. They named this area “Shipwreck Alley” because fog and other unpredictable weather coupled with the rocky shoreline have claimed about 200 ships in the Thunder Bay area. Admission is free.

Pro Tip: All that hiking and kayaking will make you hungry, so try the Red Brick Tap and Barrel, where they offer everything from salmon tacos to veggie gyros and wagyu beef burgers. Specialty cocktails and an impressive whiskey collection complement the menu.

5. Sturgeon Point Lighthouse State Recreation Area, Harrisville

Situated 5 miles north of Harrisville, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse State Recreation Area is a 60-acre state park. I’m always excited when I spot a bald eagle, and here one often soars above the lighthouse.

Various species migrate through the area and use the 1.5-mile shoal that juts into Lake Huron as a gathering point. As a result, you’ll see nesting species, including yellow warblers, red-eyed vireo, American redstarts, and the widely popular northern cardinals. Lake Huron provides the perfect habitat for these birds, from lake grasses in wetlands to mature forests and dunes.

The lighthouse keeper’s quarters are now a maritime museum open from Memorial Day through mid-September. Admission to the museum is free.

Pro Tip: After birding, stop by Alcona Brew Haus for a burger and brew. If you prefer to sample a Michigan classic, try their walleye dinner.

6. Foote Site Park & Foote Tailwater Site, Oscoda

Located about 5 miles west of Oscoda, Foote Site Park & Foote Tailwater Site is a haven for aquatic birds. I especially enjoy the trumpeter swans that nest offshore. You might even catch a mom taking the babies out for a swimming lesson.

If you’re adventurous, you can boat or kayak on the Au Sable to get a closer look at the birds that populate the water. You’ll see geese, a variety of ducks, Caspian terns, belted kingfishers, blue herons, and loons.

Near the picnic area, you hear the red-headed woodpeckers. Around the Foote Tailwater Site, you might see bald eagles, a raven, or some turkey vultures.

Pro Tip: Tait’s Bill of Fare is a fine dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Check for their daily specials on their Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: Because Foote Site Park and Foote Tailwater Site are not Google Map locations, they are marked with their GPS coordinates (44.4317, -83.45138) on the map above.

7. Tawas Point State Park, East Tawas

While Tawas Point State Park is on Michigan’s Sunrise Coast, it’s technically on The Saginaw Bay Birding Trail. I mention this because, during the peak migrations, Tawas Point is known throughout the world for its large number of migrating warblers. You’ll also see raptors and shorebirds at Tawas Point. May is the prime time for viewing at this site.

You can also find more birding hotspots through eBird. The Explore Hotspots function will show you some great places in Michigan — the orange- to red-colored pins having the higher number of species observed there.

Pro Tip: Mangos Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar offer traditional Mexican cuisine accompanied by excellent margaritas. Pair the fajitas with your favorite flavor of frozen margarita.

If you want to explore more of east Michigan’s coast, check out these articles:

• Incredible State Parks To Visit On Michigan’s East Coast
• 7 Adorable Michigan Towns To Visit On Lake Huron

Koalas and Komodos. Camels and condors. Rhinos and reindeer. The list of animals at the San Diego Zoo is long, and for most people, it takes more than a day to see them all. From elephants to invertebrates, the zoo is home to more than 12,000 creatures spread across a 100-acre park. Miles of paved paths and roads criss-cross the zoo, wandering through areas representing habitats from tropical rainforests to the Arctic. 

That’s actually part of the fun. “If you go see the tigers, you feel like you’re walking through a trail in Africa,” said Zoo Ambassador Rick Schwartz. “If you go see the polar bears, you feel like you’re in the Arctic.”

With so much to see and ground to cover, how do you make the most of your visit? We talked with Schwartz to find out the answers. Here is his advice, plus other tips and tricks to make your trip to the San Diego Zoo a roaring success.

Note: The San Diego Zoo generously hosted my visit. All opinions are my own. 

1. Download The App

Before you visit the zoo, the first thing to do is download the San Diego Zoo app (found on the App Store and Google Play) to your smartphone, Schwartz advised. That’s where you’ll find the most up-to-date information on hours, admission prices, and special events, such as wildlife care specialist talks. You can also go to the zoo website.

The app has a bonus: You can find your favorite animals (just tap on the map in the background) and save them (tap the plus sign in the upper right) to your planner (the clipboard icon at the bottom of the screen). Each animal page will also alert you to wildlife care specialist talks, if there is one. Paper maps are available just inside the admission gate. 

2. Plan To See Your Favorite Animals

With so many exotic animals to see, it’s helpful to set priorities. Make a plan for visiting your favorite animals and new areas of the zoo, such as the immersive Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. The planner in the app can record your must-see animals and offer information about them. The app and the zoo map (found in printable PDF form) can show you where they are located. 

Check to see if there are any wildlife care specialist talks. Look out for for special talks and up-close experiences, which are available for an additional fee. 

“If you don’t have a favorite, take the bus tour and see what strikes your fancy,” Schwartz recommends. 

3. Strategize Your Route 

Now that you know what animals you don’t want to miss, it’s time to strategize your route to make the most of your time and minimize tiring uphill hikes. With the animals’ locations marked on the zoo map, you can plan your day to reduce the distances and uphills you’ll walk as you go from one section of the park to another. 

You can also use the map to spot stairs, the aerial tram route, the Kangaroo Bus stops, and the elevators that will be key to navigating the park. Unlimited use of these is included in the admission price. 

You’ll find the elevators at the Treetops complex, the end of the Bashor Bridge, and where the Monkey Trail and Tiger Trail meet. The double-decker Kangaroo bus stops are also marked on the map. It’s not easy to spot the hills on the map, but the tram, bus, and elevators allow you to avoid most uphill treks. For more help planning a route, stop by the information booth on Front Street. 

4. Wear Good Walking Shoes

Even with the aerial tram and the in-park shuttle bus, seeing the animals is still going to take some walking. “My number one tip is to wear comfortable shoes,” Schwartz said. “The biggest mistake is wearing beach sandals because you’re planning on going to the beach later.” 

5. Use Sun Protection

“The other [big mistake] is not putting on sunscreen,” Schwartz said. San Diego’s mild weather doesn’t feel too hot, but a day in the sun will nonetheless leave you red as a lobster. Shops along Front Street, just inside the gate, sell a variety of sunhats, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you don’t bring your own.

6. Rent Some Wheels

Wheelchairs, strollers, and motorized scooters are all available on Front Street, to the left of the entrance gate. They are available on a first come, first served basis. An ADA shuttle is also available for guests with mobility challenges. More information about San Diego Zoo services can be found at the website or the information booth (to the right of the entrance, near the bus tours sign). Guided cart tours are also available for a fee.

7. Lighten Your Load

You don’t have to haul your lunch, coats, luggage, and other items around with you all day. Lockers are on Front Street to the left of the entrance; if they are out of order, the stroller rental counter can store your items for a fee. Be aware that there aren’t any dog kennels, and the zoo has a strict no-dog policy. Only trained guide dogs are allowed in the park. 

8. Buy Tickets In Advance

The great advantage of buying tickets in advance is that you get to skip the line and go straight into the zoo. You can buy tickets online for a single day at the zoo, multiple days, or both the zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The zoo also offers the San Diego 3-for-1 Pass, which includes the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego. 

9. Save On Admission

The zoo’s San Diego 3-for-1 Pass isn’t the only pass that offers savings on admission by combining the zoo with other attractions. A few to check out: San Diego CityPASS, Go San Diego Pass, and the Go City All-Inclusive Pass. You must buy tickets at the gate and show appropriate identification to receive the veterans’ or AAA membership discount on admission. The San Diego Zoo does not offer reciprocity for members of other zoos.

10. Get There Early

Getting to the zoo as soon as it opens has several advantages: easier parking, shorter lines, and cooler temperatures. It also makes it easier to rent a wheelchair or motorized scooter. But the main reason to go early is that the animals are most active in the mornings and evenings. 

11. Remember Where You Parked Your Car

It’s a big parking lot. Take note (or a photo) of the row you parked in so when you’re tired after a long day exploring, you don’t have to work too hard to remember where you left the car — especially a rental car that you’re unlikely to recognize anyway. 

12. Take The Free Bus Tour

The free 30-minute bus tour (to the right of the entrance) is a great way to get an overall view of the park, to see what areas you might want to explore later. It’s not a hop-on-and-off bus; that’s the Kangaroo Bus, which is also free. Try to sit on the right side of the bus; the polar bears are on the left, but most other animals are on the right. 

13. Read The Menus

The zoo has 20 venues with food and drinks — including wine and beer — though they may not all be open when you visit. Read through the menus online before you go and decide on a few lunch options, so when hunger strikes you know where to go. If you want to enjoy fine dining at Albert’s, it never hurts to make reservations. 

14. Bring Your Own Lunch And Snacks

You can bring your own lunches, snacks, and drinks to the zoo. This can be especially helpful if you have allergies or special dietary needs. Lunch bags can be stored in lockers or checked at the stroller rental counter (for a fee) if you don’t want to carry them all day. Leave the large coolers at home.  

15. Reserve A Special Experience

For a truly memorable day, reserve one of the up-close or behind-the-scenes experiences at the zoo. Spend the morning with cheetahs, learn more about other cats, or get a unique view of the animals at the zoo with 90-minute Inside Look tours. Reserve these special experiences in advance. The cost of tours and experiences varies. 

16. Make A Day Of It

Schwartz’s final piece of advice? Bring the whole family, and take your time exploring the zoo. “It’s one of the things we can all do it together. That’s one of the great things about it,” he said. “Plan to spend a whole day to really enjoy it.”

Can’t get enough San Diego? Here’s more to make your visit to America’s Finest City a success:

• 12 Sensational San Diego Vacation Rentals For Your Next Stay In Sunny SoCal
• 6 Gorgeous Beach Hotels To Stay At In San Diego
• My 7 Favorite Breweries In The Craft Beer Capital Of The U.S.
• 9 Fantastic Restaurants To Try In San Diego

Kansas may be known as a flyover state, but it certainly isn’t for the birds who always visit. Cheyenne Bottoms in Kansas is a twice-yearly resting place for migratory birds as they journey, flying from as far south as Chile and Argentina to as far north as Alaska. At Cheyenne Bottoms, the peak spring migration starts the last 2 weeks in April and continues through the first 2 weeks in May.

At that time, you’ll find the most significant number of birds and the most incredible variety of species. For example, about 45 percent of all shorebirds in North America stop at Cheyenne Bottoms during spring migration. The fall migration has fewer birds over a longer time, so the impact isn’t as significant. However, when the area experiences a drought, the wetlands dry out, and fewer birds come to Cheyenne Bottoms. As a result, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands designated Cheyenne Bottoms as a Wetland of International Importance. In the United States, only Kansas and Florida have Ramsar-designated wetlands.

The migrating cranes and ducks generally peak in late March and early April. Migrating shorebird numbers are typically the greatest in late April to late May. I visited in early May, and the number and variety of birds were abundant.

The birds come to rest and fatten up to continue their migration. During their long flights, they need an abundance of fuel. Sandpipers come, fatten up, and leave almost twice their size from when they arrived. The bird’s fuel is an integral part of the area. They eat bloodworms, and the site has a high concentration of this incredible nutrition. The birds build enough energy at Cheyenne Bottoms to continue the trip.

The 6-inch-long sandpipers have the longest migration distance, going through the central flyway from Chile and Argentina to Alaska. They make this incredible journey twice a year, and it takes 2–3 months each time. So they can’t just stop anywhere; they need the right ecological environment.

Many believe Kansas is flat and dry, but the area’s rolling hills and Cheyenne Bottoms dispel these myths. Cheyenne Bottoms has the most extensive wetlands in the United States’ interior, with 41,000 acres to explore.

Note: My visit to Cheyenne Bottoms was a hosted trip by Great Bend, Kansas. The opinions offered are based on my experience.

Start The Day At The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC)

Be sure to start your day at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center because it provides an overview of the Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands. Commitment to conservation through education is the KWEC’s primary goal. It offers interactive exhibits on the ancient geological formation of Cheyenne Bottoms to the story of the central flyway.

A recent project added nine new exhibits and 14 of them are interactive. I enjoyed the wetland floor projection game and the augmented reality watershed simulator. You’ll also find shorebird and wetland plant adaptation magnetic boards, an aquatic invertebrate viewer, and wetland critter doors, just to name a few exhibits.

KWEC also features a classroom with live animals, like lizards, turtles, and bats. These animals are native to Cheyenne Bottoms and bring the wetlands to life for various educational programs.

KWEC has a fully-stocked gift shop to purchase birdwatching books and souvenirs. You don’t need a parking pass, and they don’t charge an admission fee at Cheyenne Bottoms.

Plan A Guided Tour

Cheyenne Bottoms offers three types of guided tours, all from the comfort of a vehicle. First, you can pick up a map and information booklet from the KWEC for a self-guided tour that you can take in your car. Second, KWEC offers a free audio tour that you can play in your vehicle as you discover the area. You can take as long as you would like for this tour and it’s free. Finally, get out of your car and explore. You can pick up a complete list of birds here before you go out and begin exploring.

Additionally, they offer guided van tours during regular business hours for about $5. Van tours can accommodate 11 people on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the weather and guide availability. The tours include the use of binoculars and bird field guides. You’ll definitely want to take your camera and remember your long lens. They also have a photo array of the top 20 birds of Cheyenne Bottoms that you can borrow as you take your tour.

They offer two types of guided tours. The Get to Know Cheyenne Bottoms Tour is a quick 30-minute tour that covers a brief history of Cheyenne Bottoms and a quick peek at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area pool system. The tour stops at the observation tower, where you can get an understanding of the expansive Cheyenne Bottoms landscape. Your guide will point out birds and wildlife along the way.

The second option is the Cheyenne Bottoms Deluxe Tour, which lasts about 90 minutes. This tour focuses on identifying birds and provides an interpretive view of the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Preserve. It includes a stop at the K-4 Cheyenne Bottoms overlook. To schedule a tour, it’s best to call the day before. The number to call is 1-877-243-9268.

Register For The Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek Tours

You can sign up for the greater prairie-chicken lek tours at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The communal mating grounds of the greater prairie-chicken is called a lek. The males put on quite a display to attract the attention and ultimately the affection of the females. The staff drives you to a greater prairie-chicken lek that they have equipped with a trailer blind. From inside the blind, you can observe the prairie-chicken’s mating dance. The guide will describe the fantastic event and provide more information about these birds. 

The Cheyenne Bottoms staff offers greater prairie chicken lek tours early in the morning from mid-March through April. You have to make reservations 2 days before the tour, and the cost is $40. Tours are limited to six participants per day.

Discover The Best Time For Watching Specific Birds 

At Cheyenne Bottoms, most species of birds vary depending on the season. You’ll find eagles in the winter, with a more significant number of birds when the winter is mild. Spring brings over half a million geese, ducks, and thousands of other species, such as sandhill and whooping cranes. In early summer, tens of thousands of shorebirds visit the marsh. A quarter million or more birds stop on their flight south in the fall. Over the year, Cheyenne Bottoms has more birds than anywhere else in Kansas.

Birdwatchers have seen hundreds of species at Cheyenne Bottoms — whooping cranes, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, least terns, and piping plovers. It’s also a sanctuary for grassland birds like the lark, grasshopper sparrows, northern harriers, upland sandpipers, and burrowing owls. Record the birds you’ve spotted with this handy checklist.

Explore The George Stumps Nature Trail

Next to the KWEC, you’ll find the George Stumps Nature Trail. Located at the western side of the KWEC’s parking lot, you’ll find a trailhead to the half-mile loop trail. The paved level trail is wheelchair accessible. They have some benches along the way where you can sit back and soak in nature.

This area provides an opportunity to view other bird species, like eastern bluebirds and tree swallows. In the summer, the space showcases nesting house wrens and orioles. In addition, this is a layover for migrating monarch butterflies on their trip to Mexico in the fall.

The wildlife found in the area is more than birds. For example, you can see white-tailed deer at Cheyenne Bottoms year-round. Raccoons, beavers, muskrats, mink, and reptiles are common sightings. However, beware of massasauga rattlesnakes, frequently found in spring and fall.

Cheyenne Bottoms, located between Great Bend and Ellinwood, Kansas, is the perfect bird watching destination. You’ll find it convenient to overnight in one of these nearby towns if you’re in the area.

We all know and love and head to, these days, U.S. national parks. Many don’t realize, however, that the 560-plus National Wildlife Refuge System is a totally separate entity from the U.S. Department of Interior, with a mission to put wildlife first.

Florida’s 30 refuges harbor some of the nation’s rarest, most valued, and critical creatures. Although wildlife comes first, most of the refuges also offer recreation to complement and facilitate wildlife watching. Listed with their iconic fauna, these 11 sites (listed in no particular order) take you directly to where the most charismatic critters live in the Sunshine State. Note that in some cases, the iconic creatures are nocturnal, protected, or reclusive and not all that easy to spot. You can, in any case, visit their habitat and often — if you’re observant — find signs of their presence such as scat, tracks, fur, and feathers.

1. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge: Manatees

I scratched the baby manatee with one hand (as is all that is allowed) under its chin as it hung vertically before me in the clear spring waters. Then the sweetest moment maybe in my whole life happened. It crossed its two fins over my forearm and squeezed me to its chest, to its heart.

They are the teddy bears of the marine world. These gentle giants are known as sea cows or manatees. The prehistoric, 3,000-pound creatures are actually more closely related to elephants and equally delightful. At Crystal River NWR, about 1.5 hours north of Tampa, you can see them from above along the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, but an immersive experience snorkeling with the manatees is the ultimate. Shuttle service to the springs runs during peak manatee season, mid-November through late March, when the marine mammals come in from the Gulf of Mexico to warm up in 72-degree-Fahrenheit spring waters.

Pro Tip: A number of local charters offer regulated snorkel tours during the season. I personally recommend Bird’s Underwater Dive Center.

2. National Key Deer Refuge: Key Deer

North of Key West on Big Pine Key, the National Key Deer Refuge was created specifically to protect its eponymous subspecies of endangered, diminutive deer (roughly the height of a golden retriever), whose population hunters had decimated in the 1940s. Get off the main roads to explore refuge backroads, which take you to a blue hole, where alligators and waterbirds gather, and the habitat of the Bambi-sized white-tailed deer, which is off-the-beaten-path. Mornings and evenings are the best time to see them out feeding.

Pro Tip: Truth be told, some of the best sightings are in local neighborhoods, where they munch on hibiscus and other garden delights. Be respectful, and do not trespass on private property if you spot one.

3. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Roseate Spoonbill

What bird is big and pink and eats with a spoon? Although they are often mistaken for flamingos, roseate spoonbills are more common in Florida, especially in the Everglades habitat like the one found at “Ding” Darling NWR on Sanibel Island — one of America’s hotspots for coastal bird species. Although they are more prevalent in the migratory months of fall to spring, the spoonbills hang out year-round in these parts, but tend to move out of the spotlight in summer. At “Ding” Darling, you can usually and easily spot them from Wildlife Drive, on hiking trails, and from a kayak tour.

Pro Tip: Ask at the free Visitor & Education Center, the Wildlife Drive fee booth, or from the rovers who volunteer along the drive. Word spreads fast about spoonbill sightings, and anyone in tune to the hotline can clue you in.

4. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: Monarch Butterflies

October brings a different blaze of orange and yellows to St. Marks NWR, near Tallahassee on Florida’s panhandle. Namely, monarch butterflies. They congregate in thick, winged, breathtaking flocks that make trees and even the refuge’s historic lighthouse seem to come alive as the butterflies cover them all aflutter. St. Marks, perched on the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, is also known for other varieties of butterflies plus the red-cockaded woodpecker it has helped save from extinction.

5. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge: Sea Turtles

One-fourth of the world’s population of loggerhead turtles and one-third of its green turtles nest at Archie Carr NWR near Melbourne, named for an early champion of endangered sea turtles.

Prime season runs June through October. During June and July, the turtles labor up the same beaches where they were born to dig nests and drop 100 or so ping-pong-ball-sized eggs. State-regulated sea turtle walks allow participants to responsibly watch the heartwarming nesting process.

During August and September comes my favorite part — hatching season — when the comic, adorable babies boil out of the nest and scurry down the beach to the sea. The refuge’s friends group conducts digs during those months to rescue any little ones that didn’t make it out and to educate program participants about turtle survival rates, lifestyles, and conservation.

6. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Alligators

This mammoth, 140,000-acre refuge is home to more than 500 species of animals, including a variety of rare Florida creatures such as manatees and the Florida scrub jay. You can find alligators in many areas of Merritt Island NWR, near Titusville and the Kennedy Space Center. Look along Wildlife Drive or any of its six hiking trails.

Pro Tip: Alligators stay submerged in cold temperatures, and are more likely to be seen basking in the sun during the spring and fall. It should go without saying: Keep your distance.

7. Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Crocodiles

Alligators may be plentiful in Florida, but Everglades territory is the only place to find the American crocodile, a saltwater species. They nest in Crocodile Lake NWR, headquartered in Key Largo. In adjacent local waters, you can spot their pointy snouts (which distinguish them from alligators with their more rounded front bumpers) floating like logs in the water, or perched on banks, mouths wide open to thermoregulate.

Pro Tip: For the protection of these endangered creatures, no public access is available except for a butterfly garden. A good, safe place for spotting crocs in the water is Alabama Jacks — a popular and funky waterfront restaurant north of Key Largo.

8. St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge: Red Wolves

An island on the panhandle accessible only by boat, St. Vincent NWR has been breeding red wolves since 1990 to help replenish endangered populations in the southeastern U.S. One breeding pair and no more than two subsequent annual litters roam freely on the island, fitted with radio telemetry collars to allow refuge staff to track them. Visitors more often hear than see the shy and reclusive wolves.

Pro Tip: Check with the Chamber of Commerce in nearby Apalachicola for vendors who will provide boating services for visitors to and from the island refuge for a fee.

9. Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge: Florida Panthers

Critically endangered and requiring a long range of territory, Florida panthers benefit from Florida Panther NWR for its wide and wild expanses (26,400 acres southeast of Naples connecting to other refuge lands), research, population recovery, and education. Sightings are rare because the cats, the most endangered mammals in the eastern U.S., are nocturnal. Two trails allow visitor access to the refuge. On the longer, 1.3-mile trail, you are more likely to find the tracks of panthers, as well as deer and black bears.

Pro Tip: Watch the refuge website for news of educational events on and offsite, including an open house in March and a panther festival in November.

10. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge: Brown Pelicans

America’s first national wildlife refuge came into existence in 1903 near Vero Beach under President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration. For its 100th anniversary, the government built the Centennial Trail with an observation tower overlooking the Indian River Lagoon and a boardwalk that commemorates each of the refuges in existence at the time. Pelican Island NWR gets its name from its signature flamboyant bird that the refuge was established to protect from hunters and egg poachers. More than 140 species of birds, however, use the 5.5-acre rookery island for roosting, nesting, and feeding.

11. Arthur R. Marshall-Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge: Snail Kite

In eastern Palm Beach County, Loxahatchee NWR’s snail kite population runs the risk of extinction as its main food source — the apple snail — disappears from its Everglades habitat. In the more than 145,000 acres of swamp and marsh, the endangered raptors find their ideal habitat. More than 250 species of birds join them in calling “Lox” home. Keep an eye peeled for buffing up your birder life list on nearly 50 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and paddling.

For more sunshine-filled adventures, check out all of our Florida coverage:

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• 12 Amazing Outdoor Experiences From Key Largo To Key West
• Miami To Vero Beach, Florida: 11 Best Stops On A Scenic Florida Road Trip

There’s another space in Merritt Island besides Kennedy Space Center worth visiting. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) is a slice of natural Florida. It’s ironic that some of the most pristine ecosystems in Florida surround one of the most secure, high-tech government facilities in the county.

There are over 500 species of animals and 1,000 plant varieties, 15 on the threatened or endangered list, in the refuge. Being on the Atlantic flyway, you’ll see wood stork, roseate tern, piping plover, herons, ibises, snowy egrets, reddish egrets, red-winged blackbirds, and Florida scrub jays. Besides birds, there are many other species of wildlife: green turtle, Kemps Ridley turtle, Atlantic hawksbill turtle, leatherback turtle, loggerhead turtle, southeastern beach mouse, Florida salt marsh snake, eastern indigo snake, American alligator, West Indian manatee, and gopher tortoise, bobcats, and too many more to list.

When it opened in 1963, MINWR faced a challenge. It needed to protect the delicate natural balance while creating a place for outdoor recreation. It also must consider the security of Kennedy Space Center (KSC). For this reason, the refuge is closed when a launch is scheduled.

Before the government took possession of this land, it was mostly orange groves, the remnants of which still produce wild oranges. Another reminder of its early farm culture is the presence of feral pigs found all over the refuge. Don’t get close to them. The tusks on the boars are sharp and deadly.

Pro Tip: As you drive along State Road (SR) 402 in the refuge, you cross SR 3, a Kennedy Space Center entrance for badged employees only. Here you will have a view of the Vertical Assembly Building.

1. The Visitor Center

Start at the visitor center off the main entrance road and view the exhibits about local wildlife. The center also has a bookstore, gift shop, and, most importantly, restrooms, which are few in the refuge. Ask for a free map here. There are also two videos you can ask to view.

Your real wildlife viewing pleasure starts on the boardwalk trail behind the center. The last time I visited with Martin, my partner, there were three baby ospreys in a nest being fed by the parents. The center has a telescope for close-up viewing. We spotted a red-winged blackbird near the butterfly garden, and an egret was fishing at the end of the lake. A bank of Martin houses stands behind the center. We saw a few ripples from an alligator lurking below the water’s surface with only his eyes protruding.

Pro Tip: Stinging nettle grows in the refuge. Don’t touch it; it lives up to its name.

2. The Oak And Palm Hammock Trails

These trails are in upland woods. When you pull into the parking lot, notice the bat house fronting the lot. There are a couple of benches if you want to rest. Vegetation and wildlife on both trails are similar. Palm Hammock Trail is longer and wetter. It loops for 2 miles around the half-mile Oak Hammock Trail, also a loop. Oak Hammock has boardwalks and interpretive signs which make it the choice for all but the most inveterate hikers.

3. Scrub Ridge Trail

On one visit, we set out to find the Florida scrub jay. Scrub Ridge Trail, a one-mile foot trail through Florida scrub maintained by prescribed burning, is the best place to find the rare Florida Eastern scrub jays. You will only find these birds in central Florida. One wonderful trick to lure them is to carry a small recorder with their bird calls. You can download the calls at several birding sites.

A short distance along the trail, we spotted our first flash of blue and gray fluttering in low-hanging branches of a scrub oak. Soon we were surrounded by adults, juveniles, and one baby bird. A unique thing about these birds is that a baby remains around until the parents have more chicks, and then acts as a watchdog for the nest. We saw between five and seven birds. It was hard to get an exact count, as they would flutter under bushes or into trees and then back into view. In fact, they did better than stay in view; they landed on us – on our hats, our shoulders, and even our outstretched hands. What a thrill!

4. Haulover Canal

Haulover Canal has been a passage between Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River since prehistoric times. Native Americans hauled their dugouts across here. Later, European settlers continued to use it as a crossover for small boats. The first man-made canal was built in 1854 and abandoned when the present canal was built in 1884.

Cross the bridge and turn right to the manatee observation deck, the best place to observe the gentle giants. We visited once near the middle of May, the peak of the manatee mating season. We were rewarded by a milling mating herd. These herds occur as many male manatees pursue a lone female. Not only are there manatees here, but this is a wonderful boating and fishing spot. There’s a porta-potty if you need it.

5. Bio Lab Road

Bio Lab Road is a two-way, unpaved road that winds for 5 miles between Indian River Lagoon on the east and scrub marsh on the west, then exits on SR 3. You’re in birder’s heaven.

Turn right on the road that loops for two-thirds of a mile to Indian River Lagoon and watch for alligators, otters, and possibly those elusive bobcats. We saw a beautiful great southern white butterfly. One volunteer told us there had been a sighting in 1999 or 2000 of a radio-collared, juvenile male panther.

A definite thrill is an osprey sighting. You see them perched in dead trees along the lagoon. We watched one swoop, catch a fish in his beak, and return to the nest to feed hatchlings.

You could see manatees and dolphins here. As you approach the end of Bio Lab Road, you’ll see a boat launch. You keep left and come out on SR 3 by an old yellow building.

Turn right on SR 3. You’ll pass Sendler Educational Facility to your left. In the 1800s, this was Dummett Groves. Douglas Dummett developed the Indian River Orange. There’s a parking lot, a pavilion, and a path to the Indian River.

Pro Tip: If you park along the road, don’t go too far onto the shoulder. You don’t want to get stuck.

6. Black Point Drive

Black Point Wildlife Drive is a 7-mile, one-way road with 12 stops. There’s a box where you can pick up a guide as you enter. The habitats differ at each stop. Stop 1 is a good place to look for an American bald eagle. Tall pine trees make perfect nesting places. The marsh provides fish and smaller birds for food.

You’ll see lots of birds and alligators here. They aren’t just at the designated stops, so park where you have room to pull over. Between stops 3 and 4, you can park and walk on the Wild Birds Trail.

Stop 5 is at mudflats where you’ll see shorebirds feeding on bog dwellers.

Stop 6 is a shallow water impoundment maintained at a depth of 6 to 18 inches, so sunlight nourishes the water plants that provide food for the birds that flock here.

Stop 8 offers an important necessity, a restroom. It is also the head of a 5-mile-loop hiking trail back into the swamp, Cruickshank Trail. If you choose to follow it, you will come to an observation tower a short distance from this trailhead.

If you’re watching for that elusive bobcat, your best chance is early morning or late evening.

Between stop 11 and 12 is another place to watch for eagles. As you exit, there’s a box to deposit your pamphlet.

Pro Tip: Check out Pine Flatwood Trail, the refuge’s newest trail to view more highland wildlife. If you’re lucky, you may spot a bobcat.

7. Wild Bird Trail

This’s a great quarter-mile walking trail between wetlands and tidal lagoon. There are two observation blinds. The combination of habitats attracts different kinds of birds. We found roseate spoonbills, herons, ibis, black neck stilts, and dozens more.

8. Canaveral National Seashore

Pay the toll and head for the white sandy beach. You’ll see small pull-offs called vistas where you can park and look for wildlife. The eight vistas are numbered. 1 and 2 on the left looking out over the water and marsh are still scrub terrain, so watch for Florida scrub jays.

Vistas 4 and 5 are on the right looking over water and marsh towards the Space Center with good views of the VAB and launchpad 39.

At parking lot 1, there’s a boardwalk with a handicapped access ramp and steps. A chemical toilet is located here and at most of the parking lots. From the top of the boardwalk, you have splendid views of Kennedy Space Center.

Note: You may see some nudity on Playalinda Beach near the end of Canaveral National Seashore. 

Whether you hike or just drive, the refuge is a treasure for all.

Iowa is home to many bald eagles, and during the winter months, they seem to be everywhere. Living in Iowa, I continue to see them daily when I am out and about in the thick of winter. Anytime you can find a stream or a lake, look up in the trees. It’s very common to see bald eagles hovering over the landscape below. Eagles are fascinating to watch. They soar high, swoop in fast to grab lunch out of the water, and they are beautiful to watch. 

It’s hard to imagine that only a few years ago, the bald eagle was an endangered species. Today, you can enjoy them in many parts of our country, including Iowa. States bordering Iowa, including Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota also offer incredible opportunities to view eagles. The Midwest is filled with birding experiences that include eagles that are not hard to find. Hop in your car and make the drive. If you enjoy birding, Iowa will not disappoint.

Eagles To Spot In Iowa

Bald and golden eagles are the two most popular species that live in Iowa. The bald eagle, America’s pride and joy, is the most common eagle. It is easily identified by its white head and tail, large yellow bill, and 70- to 90-inch wingspan. The nesting season begins in late February and March. If you see an eagle’s nest, let it be.

Golden eagles are common in Bluff Country in northeast Iowa. They frequent the Lansing area, as well as areas south along the river. Golden eagles are brown with a variable yellow to tawny brown wash over the back of the head and neck. Adult eagles have a faintly banded tail. Their wingspan varies a little from the bald eagle, as they are 80 to 88 inches wide.

Prepare For Eagle Viewing

Any time you are planning a day of eagle viewing in Iowa, you want to be sure you are dressed for the elements. Winter in Iowa is chilly. Dress in layers that include warm gloves and a winter coat. A hat and boots are also necessary in the thick of winter. Invest in a good pair of binoculars, which will make your eagle viewing much more enjoyable. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in your car or visit one of the local diners that are located in one of the towns you are visiting.

1. Lansing, Iowa

Lansing, Iowa, is in the northeast corner of Iowa, near Bluff Country. Make the drive up Mt. Hosmer and enjoy the view of the Mississippi River. It is quite common to see an eagle soar across the river below. Oftentimes, the eagles hover near the lookout area. Take in the view of the river and enjoy the sights. There is no fee to visit Mt. Hosmer, and the road is open (provided the snowplows have cleared it).

2. Effigy Mounds National Monument

Effigy Mounds National Monument is also in Allamakee County, along with Lansing. This national monument is the state of Iowa’s pride and joy. You can spend hours here hiking the trails that lead to more than 200 Indian mounds that date back hundreds of years.

This National Monument is located 3 miles north of Marquette, Iowa, on Highway 36 parallel to the Mississippi River, making it a great park for eagle watching in Iowa.

3. Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park is a favorite of many eagle enthusiasts all 12 months out of the year. You can walk out to the lookout that overlooks the Mississippi River. I have stood on this lookout for several different months throughout the course of the year. Each time I visit, I see an eagle. Sometimes they are close, and other times they are soaring high above the Mississippi River. The bald eagles stand out, as their white heads are noticeable from any distance. The winter months are prime viewing season because of the eagles’ migratory patterns. 

4. Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque is where Iowa started. It is situated along the Mississippi River in the heart of the eastern part of the state. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the area of Iowa’s Lock and Dam No. 11 is home to around 3,000 bald eagles during the winter months. As you drive this area from December through March, you will see several eagles soaring overhead along the Upper Mississippi River.

5. Clinton, Iowa 

Clinton, Iowa, is located on the Mississippi River. Lock and Dam No. 13 is a prime eagle viewing spot on both sides of the river. The Clinton Bald Eagle Watch is held annually on the first Saturday of January. During this time, you can expect to speak with a naturalist and the numerous volunteers that are on hand to answer any of your questions. Dress appropriately and enjoy the occasional views of eagles flying overhead. 

6. Muscatine, Iowa

Muscatine sits on the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa. This town is known for pearls and buttons, making it a popular place to view eagles. The downtown area offers parking that sits on the Mississippi River and is a perfect spot to view eagles. The water is open in places, making it a prime place for eagles to sit and grab an occasional fish. Sunrise and sunset are optimal viewing times for spotting eagles. I recently sat in the parking lot that overlooks the river and saw two golden eagles and several bald eagles.

The parking lot makes for an ideal spot for viewing, as you never have to leave your car to see eagles. Grab a pair of binoculars and be ready to enjoy your time in Muscatine. With several restaurants nearby, you can grab a meal in a local diner and enjoy a full day of eagle viewing. Each January, Eagles and Ivories Ragtime Weekend is held. View eagles and listen to internationally renowned musicians that play ragtime music. 

7. Quad Cities, Iowa

The Quad Cities sit on the Mississippi River, making it an ideal location for bald eagles to winter. You can view the eagles on the Illinois and Iowa side of the river. Lock and Dam No. 15 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island, Illinois, is one popular viewing place. Sunset Park in Rock Island, Illinois, is another fun place to view eagles. Sylvan Island is another place that eagle enthusiasts enjoy. Brown signs along the road indicate parks, often including a lock and dam. Follow the directions on the brown signs and there’s a good chance you will see a bald eagle or even a golden eagle. 

8. Des Moines, Iowa

The downtown Des Moines area is home to numerous bald eagles during the winter months. Bald eagles love fish and the Des Moines River. A prime viewing spot is between the Scott Street Bridge and SE 6th Street Bridge. You can walk the pedestrian lane to view the eagles or sit in your warm car and watch them. It’s not uncommon to see them swoop in and grab a fish from the river. Look up in the trees and you will most likely see one or several bald eagles. Many are passing through the area and some will nest. The white head of the bald eagle makes them fairly easy to spot when you look up. 

9. Keokuk, Iowa

Keokuk, Iowa, the southernmost city in Iowa, is an eagle enthusiast’s paradise. You can view bald eagles from Victory Park and the Southside Boat Club in Keokuk. Spotting scopes are available for eagle enthusiasts to view the beautiful birds in their natural habitat. Keokuk Bald Eagle Appreciation Days are held the third weekend in January. The special thing about this event is that bald eagles are celebrated and participants can enjoy woodcarving exhibits and demonstrations, environmental seminars, live bird shows, and pioneer activities for kids including an insect zoo. This is one of several incredible locations that offer other viewing places along the Mississippi River. Drive the Great River Road and you are sure to see several bald eagles soaring high across the skies.

10. Decorah, Iowa

Decorah, Iowa, is home to a world-famous bald eagle nest. The nest sits high in a tree near the Decorah Trout Hatchery in Decorah. There have been eagles at this site since 2002. I have viewed bald eagles in and near this nest at different times throughout the year. The most popular time of year to view the nest in person is once the eggs have hatched, usually at the end of March or the first part of April. You can view this nest, 24 hours, through the livestream camera.

Grab a pizza at Mabe’s in downtown Decorah before you leave town, or better yet, grab a pizza to take with you and sit in your car to view the famous nest. Your chances are pretty good that you will see one in person while you enjoy lunch.

The nearest I’ve been to a shark before this little adventure was watching them through glass at the aquarium. And while I like swimming, I’ve never even snorkeled before, so diving of any sort wasn’t exactly high up on my list of things to try, never mind diving with sharks. I like to be able to put my head above the water, and the nearest I’ve been to any kind of close-up interaction with sea life was feeding stingrays in Orlando and that was many years ago. Yet, here I was, facing the prospect of getting into a tank of sharks with an oxygen tank on my back. I’m all for trying new things! So, here’s how my first experience with sharks went.

My Partner Turned 40

The truth is, it wasn’t really my choice to do this. It was my partner’s birthday and he wanted to do something momentous to mark the occasion. He wanted to dive with sharks. So we got online and we looked for somewhere close by where we could do this. We found an option that was only a couple of hours away from where we live, which seemed perfect.

How We Approached The Trip

We would be taking my partner’s two daughters with us, so we made sure they understood what we would be doing and that they were comfortable with it, and then we watched some videos from visitors who had already done the shark dive before us. We saw mostly young people on the videos, which was a bit off-putting for me. Then we filled in the medical form, and I immediately hit a problem. The form states that if you tick yes to any of the questions, you need a doctor to sign the form to say you are fit to undertake the experience. One of the tick boxes posed the statement: You are over 45. I had to tick it. Forty-five seems pretty young to me, but what do I know about diving? There was a doctor connected to the experience who I was told I could email, but when I did, he promptly replied saying that he no longer worked for the adventure company. So I emailed the team directly, and they told me it was fine and that I didn’t need a doctor’s signature. It was confusing, but I put my trust in the team.

Sometimes Things Don’t Go The Way You Hoped

We made our way to the adventure experience on a windy day. From the moment we walked into the activity center, we realized that this place wasn’t what we’d expected it to be. There was an adventure playground with a couple of climbing walls, the advertised IFly experience was closed, and then there was the shark tank. It was quite small, and we peered inside, wondering what this was going to be like. We were shown through to a waiting area where our instructor collected us. We went into another room where our instructor began going through the safety procedure. It was evident very quickly that he was pushed for time and he kept emphasizing the need to rattle through the safety points as fast as possible. I mentioned I was over 45 and he wafted the point away. I can’t say I was feeling confident. From there he showed us the showers and the lockers and gave us our wetsuits. We got ready and prepared to enter the pool.

What Surprised Me In A Good Way

I liked wearing a wetsuit. I imagined it to be uncomfortable but it wasn’t. I was also happy with the oxygen tank and the breathing apparatus, which I found easy to use. We got into the pool and practiced going underwater. I actually quite liked this, which was a surprise to me as I expected to feel anxious. The sharks themselves were quite docile and not at all intimidating, and I didn’t feel any anxiety about being near them at all.

What Surprised Me In A Bad Way

Unfortunately, our instructor continued to seem stressed and rushed, and he lost patience when my partner’s children didn’t pick things up the first time around. I had expected a bit more time to get the hang of things, considering we’d never done this before. I also expected a more enjoyable atmosphere, but instead it was very tense, and I got the feeling our instructor was under a lot of pressure to hurry so they could get the next group in. Our time in the tank with the sharks was the mere blink of an eye. One of the sharks was sleeping, so we basically walked around the tank and then came back out again.

How I’d Do It Differently

I’d do a bit more research about the facility and perhaps read a few more reviews from people who have done whatever activity I’m considering before. When we checked reviews after, we found lots of people with similar experiences to us, saying it was far too rushed and not the experience they had expected or paid for. I’d also bring up my concerns right there and then. The rushed atmosphere put me off doing this, as I felt I’d be holding everyone up even more, but if I could do it again, I’d be more bold and I’d speak up.

Tips For Someone On The Fence About A New Experience Or Adventure

Do your research. If early indications, like my experience with the doctor, give you pause for thought and make you feel something isn’t quite right, explore that a little more. Make sure you understand what you’ll be doing and what the facility is really like. Don’t just rely on a few photos from their website and a few lines of uplifting text. Look for others to verify this and read the experiences of those people who have already done this. Go into your experience fully prepared and knowledgeable, and with an open mind to learning something new. If it doesn’t work out well, push for a refund. We did this and got most of our money back. Most of all, don’t let one bad experience put you off the activity entirely. If I ever set out to dive with sharks again, I’ll have some experience to take with me, and I’ll make sure the facility we pick is a good one.

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Come face to face with polka-dot stingrays, sharks, pot-bellied seahorses, spitting fish, and lionfish in the ultimate land-and-sea adventure with the family. Experience interactive exhibits where you touch the rays, anemones, starfish, and sea turtles. Get up close and personal with a largetooth sawfish, a spotted moray eel, jellies, or a Jack Dempsey cichlid. Appreciate the conservation superstars that protect endangered species, create marine ecosystems, and teach the importance of coral reefs. 

You can do all this, believe it or not, in the Lone Star State. Here are six aquariums in Texas that are well worth the visit. They’re listed in no particular order.

1. Texas State Aquarium In Corpus Christi

Designated as the number 5 aquarium in North America by USA Today, the Texas State Aquarium connects people with animals, fosters an appreciation for the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and supports wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation. A visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a must when considering things to do in Corpus Christi.

Visit the Coral Reef exhibit to see a Mesoamerican barrier reef as you’d see off the coast of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, near Tulum, Mexico. You’ll see the fragile ecosystem and its colorful fish, like angelfish, parrotfish, grunts, and butterflyfish. Then see lionfish, nurse sharks, tarpon, and other marine species in the Blue Hole exhibit, which simulates a deep underwater cavern.

The H-E-B Caribbean Sea showcases a 68-foot-long acrylic window, the longest in North America, to view a massive Spanish galleon shipwreck, with reef sharks, barracudas, stingrays, and a spotted garden eel that looks like a green stick stuck in the sandy bottom.

In February 2021, the aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Team and other partners admitted and rehabilitated over 1,000 cold-stunned sea turtles and released over 950 sea turtles back into their natural habitat.

And the Texas State Aquarium doesn’t just host sea dwellers. Two sister ocelots (spotted wild cats) named Milla and Leeloo from the Albuquerque BioPark arrived in late March 2021 as part of the Ocelot Species Survival Plan. Conservationists estimate that only 50 to 80 ocelots remain in the wild, pushed to tiny population pockets. The aquarium is working with Texas A&M University Kingsville’s range management team to coordinate the ocelot’s new home.

See the other exhibits to learn about dolphins, the jungle, saving sharks, jellyfish, and the largest exhibition built around a decommissioned oil platform, which blossomed into a home for sharks, barracudas, groupers, jackfish, snapper, and more marine life.

The Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the state aquarium is under construction. It will have state-of-the-art veterinary medical equipment, a multimedia theatre, and a wildlife center. Veterinary students and technologists will treat and rehabilitate thousands of shorebirds, birds of prey, marine animals, and sea turtles.

2. SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium

In Grapevine, take a stroll under the sea at Texas’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium. The tunnel is teeming with stingrays, sea turtles, sharks, jellies, flashlight fish, and more. The ocean display is 160,000 gallons of water and 15 feet deep. And you must visit the working sea turtle hospital, where Grapevine is the first Sea Life aquarium permitted to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and release them back into the wild.

Explore interactive rockpools where sea stars crawl along the ocean floor with hundreds of tube feet and anemones feast on plankton and other tiny creatures. Visit the Stingray Bay exhibit to see the rays bury in the sand, swim around with happy faces, and eat fish, crabs, and snails. Learn how sharks help balance the ecosystem, and you’ll see why many conservationists are calling for catch limits that help maintain oxygen levels from the seas. And explore the Amazon Rainforest exhibit, which includes barking piranha, an albino python, two dwarf caimans, and caimans Mulder and Scully.

I was particularly mesmerized by the jellies, a species that has been around for more than 650 million years, moving like ghosts underwater with no brain, heart, blood, or nerves.

Pro Tip: If you can’t get enough of SEA LIFE aquariums, visit SEA LIFE San Antonio, located at the Shops at Rivercenter.

3. The Dallas World Aquarium

I could spend hours at The Dallas World Aquarium perusing unique and rare species like the scorpionfish, harlequin shrimp, potbellied seahorse, leather coral, and giant clams. Clownfish, angelfish, spotted garden eel, cuttlefish, sea anemone, spider crab, triggerfish, and octopus are colorful, mystifying species you can find here.

The Mundo Maya area is home to the ocelot, hawk-eagle, the American flamingo, and a Central American agouti, an eight-pound rodent considered good eating and hunted throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. And you can’t miss the axolotl, a critically endangered Mexican tiger salamander that once occupied the area covered by Mexico City.

The Borneo display documents birds like the shoebill stork, a blue penguin standing 16 inches and weighing three pounds, and New Guinea’s Victoria crowned pigeon, palm cockatoo, and a tree kangaroo. 

The South African display boasts the red tomato frog, a giant day gecko, panther chameleon growing up to 20 inches, the Madagascar big-headed turtle, and the African green pigeon. 

The Orinoco display contains birds like the toucanet, hawk-headed parrot, barbet, Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, and the red-backed bearded saki. This rare monkey looks like an adorable stuffed animal.

Pro Tip: You’ll find three restaurants at the Dallas World Aquarium. Eighteen-O-One Restaurant serves international gourmet selections, like tuna steak sandwiches or wonton shrimp wraps, and is located on the first floor of the Aquarium. Café Maya offers traditional Tex Mex cuisine with views of the ocelot, flamingos, and the shark tunnel. On the third floor of the Orinoco, The Jungle Café serves deli sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and snacks.

4. Children’s Aquarium Dallas At Fair Park

Established in 1936, the Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park is the oldest aquarium in Texas. Enjoy its interactive, hands-on exhibits and aquatic animals from around the world.

Its Freshwater Zone has caiman lizards, blind cavefish, red-bellied piranha, and more. Visitors can discover beautiful sea urchins and sea stars in the Intertidal Zone.

The Shore Zone offers fascinating seahorses, rhinoceros iguana, batfish, and a fish that walks on the seafloor. See eels, clownfish, moray eels, the Queensland grouper, and zebra sharks.

Visit Stingray Bay and blacktip reef sharks in the enormous outdoor shark habitat. Feed the archerfish that spit water to knock food from above into the water for a tasty meal. Caution, you might get wet!

5. Downtown Aquarium, An Underwater Adventure — Houston

Two downtown Houston landmarks, Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building, were redeveloped into a six-acre entertainment and dining complex: the Downtown Aquarium.

It includes a 500,000-gallon tank featuring over 300 aquatic species from all over the world. You’ll enjoy a full-service restaurant, upscale bar, geographic exhibits, plus shopping and entertainment. You can purchase a full-day adventure pass, which includes the aquarium exhibit, stingray reef, and all the rides. Use your Houston CityPass for discounts.

Pro Tip: Eat on location at Landry’s Kitchen for seafood, steaks, chicken, salads, or pasta.

6. SeaQuest Fort Worth

At SeaQuest Fort Worth, build an ultimate land and sea Adventure Bundle with any three of four interactions: a 20-minute Animal Whisperer Tour where you learn food preparation, medical care, habitat maintenance, and plumbing and filtration of the living quarters. Meet the animal whisperers as you assist them in feeding the different animals behind the scenes.

On top of that, you can meet, feed, and pet Honey the kinkajou, a tropical rainforest mammal sometimes called a honey bear because they raid bees’ nests. They’re found in southern Mexico, across Central America, and through Brazil.

Interact with a two-toed sloth named Flash, where you learn about the sloth, pet and feed him healthy snacks, and take pictures. And meet Chip and Dale, two Asian small-clawed otters, as you feed them, learn about their habitat, and watch them play.

Sleep With the Sharks is a unique sleep-over experience for a group of 25 guests who spend the night, watch movies with popcorn, have an early morning breakfast, and help the staff with closing and opening routines.

The first zoos in America were established to care for abandoned pets, tend to orphaned wildlife, and prevent native species from going extinct. And whether they fit neatly into a small parcel of land or spread across hundreds of acres, modern zoos remain focused on rehabilitating injured animals and protecting endangered species. 

But zoos also play an important role in educating humans about the fascinating creatures that share our planet and the steps we can take to reduce or eliminate the threats they face in the wild.

Whether you want to watch a turtle sun himself on a log or observe a giant panda devour a bushel of bamboo, these fantastic U.S. zoos let you visit for free.

Note: So as not to suggest any favorites, this list of U.S. zoos with free admission is presented in a follow-the-sun order from the east to the west.

1. Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Located on a finger of New Jersey that points across the bay at Delaware, the Cape May County Zoo spreads across 200 acres within the Cape May County Park. When this zoo opened in 1978, it primarily housed barnyard animals and native wildlife. But over the past four decades, the Cape May County Zoo has expanded to include alpacas, giraffes, red pandas, zebras, and many other animals from outside the Garden State — including a flock of flamingos relocated from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

The Cape May County Zoo is open every day but Christmas from 7:00 am to dusk, and admission to and parking at the zoo are completely free (although donations are encouraged). For a fee, guests can enjoy unique experiences like guided tours and animal encounters with capybaras, giraffes, or camels.

Pro Tip: Regardless of the zoo you visit, you’ll enjoy the best views of the animals at the beginning and end of the day. 

2. Salisbury Zoo, Salisbury, Maryland

The Salisbury Zoo was created in the 1950s when unwanted wild animals were released into a 168-acre marshy area owned by the City of Salisbury. Located on the Delmarva peninsula, a strip of land along the Atlantic Ocean named for the three states that occupy it (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia), the little zoo quickly grew from a bottle-fed white-tailed deer fawn to its current state thanks to the support of the local community. 

Today, the 12-acre zoo is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including swans, owls, beavers, tamarins, alligators, and tortoises. It is open daily from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Both admission and parking are free, but the Salisbury Zoo is grateful for your tax-deductible cash donations, zoo membership, animal adoptions, and items purchased from their Amazon wish list.

3. Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Established in the late 1800s in an attempt to save several native North American species — like deer, foxes, beavers, and bison — from extinction, the National Zoo is now home to approximately 1,800 animals. Remaining true to its original mission, about 20 percent of the animals living at the 163-acre zoo are on the endangered or threatened species lists.

Attracting nearly 2 million visitors from around the world each year, the Smithsonian Zoo is a popular sight in the nation’s capital. One of its biggest draws are the giant pandas, and the National Zoo is just one of four in the U.S. featuring these adorable creatures.

While admission to the National Zoo is free, parking is limited (and pricey). Fortunately, there are Metrobus and Metrorail stops within walking distance of the zoo’s main pedestrian entrance. I recommend arriving via the Cleveland Park Metrorail station and leaving through Woodley Park. This makes the walk to and from the zoo entirely downhill!

Pro Tip: The Smithsonian is the largest museum complex in the world, with 19 world-class museums, galleries, gardens, and a zoo. These helpful tips will allow you to navigate it with ease! 

4. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois

With a pair of swans gifted from New York’s Central Park, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo was established more than 150 years ago. When you visit today, you can observe more than 200 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds at the only privately managed free zoo in the U.S. 

While many U.S. zoos with free admission are closed on major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year. There is no charge to observe the animals or participate in daily activities like seal training or ape care, but there is a fee to board the Lionel train, ride the endangered species carousel, or participate in the penguin encounter.

Pro Tip: In addition to being a zoo with free admission, the Lincoln Park Zoo also offers an amazing ZooLights experience during the holidays.

5. Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, Wisconsin

Named for Col. William and Anna Vilas’s son who died at a young age, the Henry Vilas Zoo is part of a larger public park that must remain free to the public per the terms of the Vilas family’s generous donation. Now home to 650 animals from five continents, the 28-acre zoo includes a tropical rainforest aviary, primate house, North American prairie exhibit, and more, including a polar bear.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and there is no fee to visit or park at the Henry Vilas Zoo, but donations are greatly appreciated. Visitors can get up close and personal to some of the animals through one of the zoo’s behind-the-scenes experiences, including special tours and animal feeding opportunities that begin at $25 per person. A portion of the proceeds from the behind-the-scenes tours benefits the Henry Vilas Zoo’s conservation partners like Polar Bears International and the Association of Aquariums and Zoos (AZA), which sponsors the Orangutan SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) project. 

6. Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri

Tucked into the southwest corner of Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo began with the World’s Fair Flight Cage when, in 1904, the city hosted both the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the first Olympics held in the US. The 90-acre zoo is now home to a wide variety of amphibians, fish, birds, mammals, and other animals that make it one of the best zoos in the Midwest. 

Although there is no admission fee to visit the Saint Louis Zoo, parking is currently $10 per vehicle (unless you’re lucky enough to score a spot along the curb). You’ll also need to pay to ride the carousel and to attend special events like the annual Wild Lights exhibit during the holidays.

7. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Saint Paul, Minnesota

In the Twin Cities, the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory was the first zoo established in Minnesota. For more than 100 years, it has been an outdoor haven, featuring a variety of animals and gardens. 

There is no fee to park at or visit either the zoo or conservatory, but visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary donation of $4 per adult and $2 per child to help care for the animals and plants on display. 

8. David Traylor Zoo, Emporia, Kansas

At just eight acres, the David Traylor Zoo is one of the smallest AZA-accredited zoos in the nation. It primarily features native animals like mule deer, red foxes, and prairie dogs, in addition to a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and birds. 

The zoo is open to the public 7 days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 

Pro Tip: Although most AZA-accredited zoos don’t offer free admission, you can stretch your travel budget with the AZA’s reciprocal admissions program that grants free or discounted admission to zoo members.

9. Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, Kansas

Four hours west of Emporia, the Lee Richardson Zoo is another free admission zoo in the Sunflower State. In addition to spacious habitats housing more than 300 animals, this 50-acre zoo also offers walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas. 

The Lee Richardson Zoo is open daily from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It offers additional hours seasonally, closing at 7 p.m. from April 1 through Labor Day. While the Lee Richardson Zoo is free to pedestrians, there is a $10 per vehicle fee to drive through. All guests can drive through the park for free on Wild Wednesdays, and vehicle access is always free to zoo members.

10. Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo And Gardens, Hilo, Hawaii

Located on 12 lush acres on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only free U.S. zoo in a natural tropical setting. When you visit, you can observe a giant anteater, tigers, alligators, many tropical birds, and several other creatures. But the most exotic resident might be the boa constrictor. Because snakes are not native to the Aloha State (and they could easily destroy the bird population) it’s illegal to possess a snake in Hawaii, this resident is an especially rare sight for locals. 

The Pana’ewa Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. unless otherwise posted. While there is no charge to visit the zoo, visitor donations help the zoo care for the animals, plants, and grounds. 

Pro Tip: While it’s an aquarium, rather than a zoo, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, California, operates as a free attraction with a suggested donation of $7 for adults and $3 for children.

For more information on zoos in the U.S. and around the world, visit these links:

• 9 Can’t-Miss Experiences At The Highly Rated Omaha Zoo
• Best Zoos In The U.S.
• Unforgettable Zoo Sleepovers In Australia

As a chill envelops the Midwest and snow starts to cover the ground, it’s eagle viewing season. Following the southerly migration of geese, ducks, and other waterfowl, bald eagles take up residence along the Mississippi River, offering outstanding views from St. Paul, Minnesota, to St. Louis, Missouri. While some eagles live in the area year-round, most travel through during the migration seasons in early winter and spring.

Once prevalent across the country, the bald eagle became nearly extinct during the 1970s, due in large part to wide-spread use of the now-banned pesticide, DDT. With their numbers dwindling to about 500 nesting pairs across the United States, the federal government went into action and protected the animal. Their numbers grew, and today, the population tops 300,000. With a wingspan stretching 6-8 feet, the large predators are often seen along rivers or throughout river valleys. While common in northern areas, such as Alaska and Canada, they’re also often found across the upper Midwest and Plains.

Interested in seeing eagles up-close? Here are a few areas along the Mississippi River to view eagles during winter months.

1. Winona, Minnesota

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge runs about 260 miles, from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Rock Island, Illinois. Divided into districts, the refuge covers four states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. At the Winona district, on the northern edge of the refuge, about 300 nests can be found. During the winter and spring migrations, you’ll find dozens of eagles perched high in trees, scouting for potential prey. Watching the majestic birds launch and patrol the sky, circling their prey is a special view. While you may feel bad for the prey, acknowledging the circle of life involved with eagle watching helps make for an enjoyable trip into nature.

2. Red Wing, Minnesota

In a 3-mile stretch between Bay Point Park and Colvill Park, you’ll find hundreds of bald eagles soaring in the sky or hanging out on tree branches as they scope out the area’s water for prey. Some stalk smaller birds, while others grab a fish from the river or nearby lakes for a meal. Seeing dozens, even hundreds, of eagles perched on branches is a magnificent sight. The white heads and black bodies stand out among the brown tree limbs and blue or gray skies. While there, keep an eye out for immature eagles, with brown, black, and white plumage. Eagles don’t attain their white head and tail until they’re about 5 years old. 

3. Wabasha, Minnesota

Rescuing injured eagles and providing a home for those unable to survive on their own in the wild, the National Eagle Center is located along the Mississippi River. Featuring community outreach programs, as well as in-house programs, visitors can see eagles up-close. Step outside the facility, and you’ll be able to take in amazing views of the eagles from the center’s plaza, complete with viewing scopes. The center also hosts weekend field trips for eagle viewing.

4. La Crosse, Wisconsin

You don’t need to travel far to view eagles in La Crosse. Located south of Interstate 90, Riverside Park is part of a larger trail that takes you through wetlands and marsh for outstanding hikes. However, during eagle viewing season, park in the nearby parking lot and stroll until you find an excellent viewing spot. You’ll likely see dozens to hundreds of bald eagles perching on tree branches or patrolling the sky as they search the open water for fish or other prey. The La Crosse District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge also offers excellent locations for eagle views, including Lake Onalaska.

5. Dubuque, Iowa

With a name like Eagle Point Park, you’d think it would be easy to see eagles during the season, and you’d be correct. With an observation area high above Lock and Dam No. 11, eagles gather for the annual winter migration. With hundreds of eagles calling the area home during winter, you’ll see them perched in trees around the city park, scanning the river for fish and other prey. You’ll also find them soaring above in the sky, as they take flight in search of their next meal or viewing spot. Bring a pair of binoculars or use the park’s viewing scopes for outstanding looks at the bird of prey.

6. Harpers Ferry, Iowa

Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry, north of Decorah, has a spiritual connection to regional Native American tribes. Located on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds is known for its burial and ceremonial mounds, many in the shape of animals, such as bears. The bluffs also offer outstanding views of eagles as they fly high above the river searching for fish and other prey. The area features a natural backdrop with its forests and wide-open water, with views of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Effigy Mounds is the site of Bald Eagle Appreciation Days during the last week of January.

7. Quad Cities, Iowa

LeClaire may be the childhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody and the original American Pickers store, but it’s also an excellent spot for eagle watching during winter months. Walk along the boardwalk at Lock and Dam Site No. 14 and you’ll have amazing views as bald eagles perch in the trees and fly overhead. The dam site offers easy pickings for meals, so you may get to see hundreds of the national symbols in the area. Another great spot for eagle watching in the area is Lock and Dam Site No. 15 at Rock Island Arsenal, about 14 miles to the south. Valid government IDs and vehicle registration are required to enter the installation for eagle viewing. Credit Island Park in Davenport is another spot for eagle viewing.

8. Keokuk, Iowa

With Lock and Dam Site No. 19 on the Mississippi River, Keokuk attracts up to 400 eagles during the winter, with some calling the southeast Iowa city home year-round. You’ll find the eagle flying several miles inland as they search for food. Along the river, you’ll find them perched in trees at Rand Park. At the dam site, walk along the old bridge to get excellent scenes of eagles perching on trees on the Illinois side of the river, or as they glide over the water, swooping down to grab fish out of the water. Keokuk hosts its annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days the third weekend in January.

9. Quincy, Illinois

Eagles have been wintering near Quincy for more than 80 years following the opening of Lock and Dam Site No. 21. With hundreds of the majestic birds perching on trees along the Mississippi River and searching the river from the sky, bird watchers love spending time in Quincy. The city hosts its annual Great River Eagle Days the fourth weekend in January. Besides eagle viewing, the festival features Native American dancers, blessings, and food.

10. Hannibal, Missouri

Missouri is home to about 2,000 bald eagles during the winter, and Hannibal gets its fair share. The hometown of legendary author Mark Twain, who based books on his childhood in Hannibal, you’ll find the best eagle viewing at the city’s Riverfront. The refurbished Riverfront features walking trails, benches, and areas to observe eagles along “Old Man River,” as Twain may have called it. As they look for excellent viewing options high atop trees lining the river, some eagles will take to the air, so you can see plenty of the beautiful birds during the season. As you watch the eagles swoop down on the water to grab fish near the surface or scour the shoreline for a quick meal, you’ll appreciate the massive size of the eagles and their speed.

11. West Alton, Missouri

As a sanctuary for birds, you’ll find eagles year-round at the Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton. With 8.5 miles of trails over 3,700 acres, the nature center is an outstanding location to see and learn the stories of birds common to the Midwest, as well as migratory raptors. Opened in 2011, the Missouri center is one of 41 Audubon locations across the country, each seeking to connect people with birds and nature. While the center is home to more than 300 species of birds, including swans and gulls, bald eagles are the natural attraction. The eagles, like other birds living at the Audubon Center at Riverlands, were injured or sick and can’t survive in the wild. Still, you can see wild eagles patrolling the river, and roosting in trees during winter. With the weather perfect for allowing eagles to fish and hunt, you’ll have opportunities to see dozens of eagles during your visit. Eagles and raptors are celebrated each weekend in January and February, with Saturday dedicated to raptors, such as owls, falcons, and hawks. Eagle Sunday offers programs starring bald eagles. Both days include walks along a paved trail, featuring views of eagles and Trumpeter swans in the wild.

Pro Tip: While bald eagle watching brings out different feelings in people, such as patriotism, spirituality, or just plain old awe, you’ll want to be prepared for the weather. Dress accordingly, often in layers, as well as wear comfortable and safe shoes or hiking boots. Bring binoculars or a viewing scope, as you’ll want to get the best views possible, and a camera with a nice lens to document your experience. A thermos of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea may be a good idea, as well as healthy snacks.

The Gulf Coast is a nature lover’s paradise. Not only does it boast some of the finest beaches in the country rimmed with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but just a short distance inland, you will find dark and mysterious swamps and bayous and maritime wetlands and forests. 

This unique combination of environments makes the Gulf Coast an incredible destination for birders, with a multitude of species either calling the area home or migrating there in spring and fall. To celebrate the birds that call the Gulf Coast home, many of the towns along the coast have created annual festivals that are sure to please not only the diehard bird watcher but outdoor lovers as well. 

Here are seven of the best festivals you should check out this year. 

1. Birdiest Festival in America — Corpus Christi, Texas 

We begin our trip around the crescent of the Gulf of Mexico in Corpus Christi, Texas, where the residents lay claim to having the Birdiest Festival in America. 

The festival begins the third Wednesday in April and runs a full five days. Each day is crammed with fun and informative presentations by professional ornithologists and is highlighted with demonstrations by the Raptor Project. They bring their flock of non-releasable hawks, falcons, and owls and put on a stupendous show. 

The main attraction to this festival are its many, and I mean many, outdoor adventures to nearby sites, where birders of all stripes can check a species or two off their list. In 2021, organizers said that attendees were able to view 314 species of birds, including the rare and endangered whooping crane. 

There are so many events and trips planned, it’s impossible to list them all here. Visit the festival’s schedule page for the lineup. 

Pro Tips

The home base for the festival is the South Texas Botanical Gardens. There is a registration fee to attend, then each field trip has a separate fee. It’s recommended that you purchase tickets and field trip reservations in advance online. 

If you can’t get enough of the festival, there are special pre and post-festival tours available. 

2. Whooping Crane Festival — Port Aransas, Texas 

A trumpet-like call that can be heard for several miles heralds the arrival of whooping cranes to Port Aransas, Texas. 

Whooping cranes, or whoopers, are an endangered species of bird. In fact, their numbers declined to only 15 in 1941, but strict laws protecting the bird have seen a gradual increase in numbers. There are now over 100. 

Whooping cranes spend their summers in Canada but migrate to Port Aransas to spend the winter and spring. To celebrate their return, the city holds the annual Whooping Crane Festival. The four-day event begins on the fourth Thursday of February with a schedule that is packed with presentations by authors and ornithologists, workshops, and plenty of opportunities to view these beautiful and rare birds in the wild. 

But the weekend isn’t only about the whoopers. Daily tours are offered to do a little birding and to watch dolphins at play in the Gulf. 

Pro Tips

Be sure to visit the festival’s Host Hotel webpage, where you can score some great deals on accommodations while you’re in Port Aransas for the fest. 

3. Galveston Feather Fest — Galveston, Texas 

Any time of year is a wonderful time to visit Galveston, Texas. The barrier island has been described as being “trapped in time.” Many of the streets are lined with row after row of beautifully restored historic homes. And, of course, there is that spectacular beach. 

In spring, the island welcomes birders for the annual Galveston Feather Fest. This four-day event begins the third Thursday of April, and again, it is packed wall-to-wall with birding and photography field trips, birding and photography workshops, and evening socials. 

Pro Tips

Field trips are priced individually and can be purchased online. Find the field trips you would like to attend, and register as soon as possible to secure a spot. You can elect to be placed on a waitlist so that if a trip is full, you will be notified when a spot opens. 

4. Eagle Expo — Morgan City, Louisiana 

The largest overflow swamp in America, Atchafalaya Basin in Morgan City, Louisiana, is the home of one of the most majestic birds in North America: the American bald eagle. For four days beginning the third Thursday in February, the town of Morgan City opens its doors to visitors to celebrate the eagle with their annual Eagle Expo. 

Several boat tours are scheduled to the basin and Bayou Long to view the eagle as it soars through the deep blue Cajun sky. In past years, attendees viewed over 60 eagles. 

Other field trips scattered throughout the weekend take you to the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and other properties in the area, where you will see an amazing array of species that includes white pelicans, great egrets, red-shouldered hawks. The list goes on and on. 

The weekend begins with a special presentation at the Patterson Civic Center Thursday night, then the kickoff Friday Night Social at the Lake End Park and Campground, where you can meet other like-minded birdwatchers while enjoying beverages and snacks. 

Tickets can be purchased online. 

Pro Tip

Morgan City has incredible restaurants you should visit while in town. Two favorites are the Atchafalaya Café, which serves up delicious Cajun seafood (try the Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits), and Rita Mae’s Kitchen, which has been cooking up warming Southern comfort food since 1957. 

5. Great Louisiana Birdfest — St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana 

Staying in Louisiana, we make our way two hours west of Morgan City, crossing Lake Pontchartrain to St. Tammany Parish and the annual Great Louisiana Birdfest. 

Birders will tell you that the parish is a hot spot for birding, with over 1 million birds migrating in each spring. It’s not unusual for attendees of the Birdfest to spot over 150 distinct species. 

The event takes place the last weekend of March and runs through the following Monday. The festival hosts two birding workshops the Saturday of the event and one on Sunday. The bulk of the weekend is filled with field trips to a variety of different habitats where you may catch loons, brown pelicans, several species of bitterns, ibis, and more. 

Tickets range from $5 to $45. You are encouraged to contact the festival host, the Northlake Nature Center, for ticket details and schedule. 

Pro Tips 

Unlike the other birding festivals mentioned that offer rides via tour bus or van to a field trip, the trips of this festival are self-drive. You will meet at a central location and caravan to the site. Contact the Northlake Nature Center for more information. 

Make sure to set aside some time to explore the nature center. The center has just over 3.5 miles of easy walking trails that lead to beautiful views of Bayou Castine and Savanna Lake. 

6. Alabama Coastal Birding Festival — Spanish Fort, Alabama 

One of the largest birding festivals on the Gulf is held the last weekend of September along the banks of Mobile Bay: the Alabama Coastal Birdfest. 

Each year, thousands of people flock (no pun intended) to the state-run 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, which acts as the home base for the 4-day event to experience the incredible number of species that either call the area their permanent home or migrate to it each year. 

Highlights of the event include a full schedule of workshops on basic birding, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your home garden, photography, and even how to choose and plan national and international birding adventures. 

Then there are the field trips that take you to the mudflats of Blakeley Island, the transitional maritime forest and snowy white beaches of the Gulf at the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, and a unique adventure into “America’s Amazon,” the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. 

A portion of the proceeds from the event helps preserve and protect this amazing, fertile environment. 

As of this writing, ticket information was not available, but as with all birding festivals, there will be a separate registration fee for each field trip. Contact the South Alabama Land Trust for the latest information on tickets and schedule.

Pro Tips 

While attending the festival, be sure to visit the many nearby historic attractions, including the battleship USS Alabama, the History Museum of Mobile, and the Mobile Carnival Museum that traces the history of Mardi Gras in America.

7. Festival of Birds — Naples, Florida 

While most birding festivals are only a few days long, the Festival of the Birds in Naples, Florida, takes up a full month.

The event is now a hybrid festival with both online presentations and workshops and in-person field trips to some of Florida’s amazing preserves, including Big Cypress, Bunche Beach, and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Pro Tips

Tickets to the event are around $45, but additional fees for the field trips may apply.

Further Reading:

• 11 Tips For Planning The Best Birding Trip
• 10 Fantastic Birding Trails In Alabama
• 7 Aquariums To Visit Along The Gulf Coast
• 9 Interesting Places to Experience Maritime History On The Gulf Coast

Lecompton, Kansas, was originally named Bald Eagle because so many bald eagles nested there each winter. By the 1950s and 1960s, pesticides harmed many eagles. The species became endangered, and eagles vanished from the state. In 1989, the first bald eagles returned to Kansas, building a nest at Clinton Lake southwest of Lawrence. Now, many places in Kansas have eagles and offer viewing opportunities. Visit Kansas in mid-January to mid-February for the best shot at seeing eagles. 

Before we get into the fantastic places to see bald eagles in Kansas, here are some things you need to know:

Early Risers See More Birds

Mornings are the best time for eagle watching. Arrive at your chosen eagle-watching spot from sunrise to about 10 a.m. During the afternoon, the birds are soaring high and good images are difficult to obtain. As daylight comes to a close, search again. The birds will be trying to grab one more meal before darkness falls.

To see eagles, look for large unfrozen bodies of water, including reservoirs where spillways prevent ice formation.

In the winter, the eagles will be hunting. Their diet is mainly fish, but also includes small mammals. They also scavenge for food, including stealing from other birds. They eat carrion and garbage.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Vs. Golden Eagle

The bald eagle does not receive its iconic plumage for 5 years. In a juvenile eagle’s first year, the bird looks much like a golden eagle. During the next few years, the bird plumage mottles and lightens and its eyes turn from dark to golden. Its beak lightens from grayish-black to bright yellow. With the eagle’s size, you might expect its voice to be like James Earl Jones’s. Instead, the bird has a high, weak sounding voice.

The birds perch on tall, mature trees that offer excellent lookout points.

If you cause an adult bird to fly away from its nest, you are too close. Stay at least 100 yards away from the birds.

Bald Eagle Photography Tips

The Audubon Society offers the following photography tips:

• Bald eagles’ white heads and dark bodies make exposure difficult. If using an adjustable camera, set your exposure for midtones. The best light is early morning, but cloudy days also work well.
• When tracking the bird across the sky, set your camera to continuous autofocus. Pay attention to your target bird’s behavior. For example, eagles are thieves. If the eagle is approaching another bird, perhaps to steal food, focus on the targeted bird before the eagle arrives.
• Maintain a 1/125th of a second minimum shutter speed. To catch a flying bird, use 1/3000th of a second. The closer the bird, the faster the speed required.
• Focus on the bird as it approaches you, but wait to start shooting until it starts filling your frame.

Got it? Great. Now pack your camera and let’s visit the following bald eagle viewing sites in Kansas.

Note: Some of the places listed have hosted me, but all opinions are my own.

1. Bald Eagle River View Park, Lecompton

Lecompton is mainly known as the Kansas Territorial Capital, and the best place to view the big birds is at the park behind the 1850s Kansas Democratic Headquarters. The political party no longer uses the Lecompton building, but the birds will make up for any lack of political intrigue. Park at the Democratic Headquarters lot and walk behind the building. 

Pro Tip: Explore early Kansas history on Lecompton’s walking trail, and stop for pie at Aunt Netter’s Café, one of the stops on our I-70 foodie road trip.

2. Clinton State Park, Lawrence

Celebrate the eagles’ return to Kansas at Clinton. Gather the most up-to-date information at the Corps of Engineers Information Center, then walk the Backwoods Nature Trail. Drive through the Clinton Wildlife Area. The area includes the reservoir’s Deer Creek Arm, where the 1989 eagles nested.

Pro Tips: Learn more about wildlife, including eagles, at Lawrence’s Prairie Park Nature Center. It’s one of the things to do on our weekend in Lawrence itinerary. For more eagle views, visit Riverfront Park. The waterfall created by Bowersock Dam below the park clears the Kansas River of ice. The eagles watch for fish that are stunned after their plunge over the dam. A steep boat ramp goes down to the river from the park. An interpretive sign by the boat ramp tells about the eagles.

3. Milford State Park, Milford

Eagle Ridge Trail at Milford Lake State Park lives up to its name. The 6.1-mile trail offers numerous opportunities to view the national bird. Watch for eagles soaring above the reservoir and the surrounding countryside.

To learn more, visit Milford Nature Center on its annual Eagle Day. The activities include live eagles, and bus rides to eagle viewing. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, plus free admission to Milford State Park. Eagle Day 2022 is scheduled for January 22. The nature center includes a large birds of prey exhibit. The exhibit features both a bald eagle and a golden eagle.

Pro Tip: The causeway on Milford Reservoir’s north end is a prime eagle viewing area. Leave your car in Clay County Park, on the causeway’s west end. 

4. Tuttle Creek State Park, Manhattan

Bring your spotting scope and long lens to River Pond below Tuttle Creek Lake’s dam. Watch for eagles fishing and resting on Eagle Island. Also look for the birds at the Kansas State University Range Research Unit 2 miles southwest of the dam and beside Prairie Parkway east of the lake.

Pro Tip: Explore great dining in nearby Manhattan.

5. Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve and Wildlife Area, Great Bend

Bald eagles spend the winter at Cheyenne Bottoms. They arrive in November and stay as late as March. Look for nesting pairs on the wildlife preserve’s southern edge. The raptors feed on fish and cull geese flocks. You may see them standing on the ice.

Before touring the bottoms, stop at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Book a guided tour or follow the self-guided tour.

Pro Tip: Great Bend is one of our seven incredibly charming Kansas towns.

6. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Stafford County

Bald eagles start arriving at Quivira in late October. Look for them in Big Salt Marsh and Little Salt Marsh. Their numbers increase until mid-December, then taper off until March. Some will stay throughout the year, but most will be gone by spring.

Pro Tips: Quivira offers a self-guided tour that includes Little Salt Marsh. An 8-foot tall accessible observation tower at the marsh enables panoramic views. The Migrants Mile Trail’s south end has a photo blind and a connector trail to the visitor center. Download a trail map (PDF). Telescopes are available on the Wildlife Drive. Download directions to the refuge (PDF).

7. Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, Kirwin

Many of Kirwin’s eagles are juveniles with brown plumage. Their numbers peak during mid-December and then taper until March. Look for nests on the north side of Kirwin Reservoir.

8. Chaplin Nature Center, Arkansas City

Chaplin Nature Center is nestled in a bend of the Arkansas River, where eagles feed near the shallow banks. The center offers a Winter River Hike in January and Bald Eagle Nest Viewing in March. The nest viewing event takes hikers to Arkansas City’s Veterans Memorial Lake.

Pro Tip: In Kansas, the Arkansas River is pronounced arr-KAN-zus, as is Arkansas City. However, most people shorten the city’s name to Ark City.

9. El Dorado State Park, El Dorado

Stands of flooded timber beckon eagles to El Dorado Lake, northeast of El Dorado. In some years, 150-plus raptors call the park home. Look for the eagles in the Walnut River Park area. 

Pro Tip: Both Ark City and El Dorado are easy day trips from Wichita. 

10. Wyandotte County Lake, Kansas City

Look for bald eagles atop the tallest trees at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City (KCK). The bare limbs attract the iconic birds, as do the abundant fish. After you watch the birds, explore the KCK Taco Trail.

Pro Tips: Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Public Library stands next to Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City. The library is one of only two public library environmental learning centers in the United States. Among other services, residents may check out binoculars for better wildlife viewing. 

11. Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, Hartford

Over 100 bald eagles may winter at Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge 8 miles south of Kansas Turnpike Exit 141. Watch for eagles at Eagle Point, a rocky outcropping on the Dove Roost Trail.

Pro Tip: Take a break from the eagles and visit nearby Emporia, one of the stops on our Prairie Road Trip.

12. Glen Elder State Park, Glen Elder

The centerpiece of Glen Elder State Park, Waconda Lake is the state’s third-largest reservoir. The trees along the lakeshore welcome eagles each winter. Look for them in the Glen Elder Wildlife Area that surrounds the park.

Pro Tips

If you find an eagle feather, you may photograph it, but you must leave it where you found it. This (PDF) will help determine whether the feather belongs to an eagle. Possessing eagle feathers or body parts is illegal. Tribal members are an exception to this rule. This site offers tips if you find a dead or injured eagle.

When you register your vehicle in Kansas, buy a state parks passport for only $15.50. It’s valid for the life of your registration. Otherwise, annual passes cost $25 and are $5 daily. State park camping fees are extra.

For more on winter travel, check out:

• 14 Essential Items You Should Always Have in Your Car This Winter
• 8 Winter Vacation Destinations Our Travel Experts Love
• 3 Beautiful Desert National Parks To Visit During Winter

I could never have predicted the richness of my experiences while living in Costa Rica for 4 months. Many of the most profound moments came from wildlife encounters and sightings. Perhaps it was the combination of that laid-back philosophy of life “Pura Vida” and the intense biodiversity that resulted in opportunities to marvel at the magic of our natural world.

This article is a mere teaser to the wonders of wildlife that Costa Rica holds! 

1. Monkeys In Costa Rica

I love hearing monkeys call to each other in the jungle. Often, you hear the call and if you’re quiet, then the swishing of the branches as the monkeys move through the canopy. Living near Puerto Viejo, I spent a lot of time observing howler families swinging on branches to gain momentum to leap from one tree to another, crossing electrical wires (not safe for them), and always admired the mothers leaping while carrying their young.

There are four species of monkeys in Costa Rica: the mantled howler monkey, the Central American spider monkey, the Central American squirrel monkey, and the white-faced capuchin. The first three species are endangered or threatened. Howler monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys can be seen in all parts of Costa Rica. 

Where To See Monkeys In Costa Rica: 

Howler monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys can be seen in all parts of Costa Rica. 

Spider monkeys are found on the Osa Peninsula in Corcovado National Park.

Squirrel monkeys are found in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Sirena Biological Station, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Penas Blancas Wildlife Refuge

2. Resplendent Quetzal

Travel to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to see the most beautiful bird, the resplendent quetzal. The gorgeous turquoise and red feathers of the resplendent quetzal make an impression that you’ll never forget. Read more about the resplendent quetzal here and about the other highlights of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Where To See The Resplendent Quetzal In Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Curi-Cancha Reserve

3. Baird’s Tapir

I had heard about Baird’s tapir before I went to Costa Rica, but never did I imagine that I would actually see one in the wild. On a day trip to Corcovado National Park, a Baird’s tapir came sauntering out of the jungle and headed to the beach. Normally they are sleeping at midday, but this tapir knew he would make our day! 

A large, slow-moving herbivore, the number of Baird’s tapirs in the wild is dwindling. Apparently, there are less than 6,000 today and they are listed as vulnerable to extinction. Said to be a mixture between a pig and a mule, (I think they look a little like an elephant with a very short trunk), the Baird’s tapir is related to a horse or a rhinoceros. 

Take a guided jungle tour and cross your fingers you’ll cross paths with a Baird’s tapir.

Where To See A Baird’s Tapir In Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Rincon de la Vieja National Park

4. Red-Eyed Tree Frog

My first introduction to the diverse wildlife in Costa Rica was the red-eyed tree frog. Its bulging red eyes and orange webbed feet with its neon-green body is a wild sight. But that’s not all. Their flanks are striped blue and yellow and there is a stripe of bright blue on their thighs. All these brilliant colors are in fact nature’s way of being strategic. Startle coloration is the effect these amphibians use to surprise their predators and give themselves an extra second to escape. During the day, red-eyed tree frogs sleep camouflaged on tree leaves, just the neon-green showing! Red-eyed tree frogs are not venomous.

Where To See A Red-Eyed Tree Frog In Costa Rica 

The best place to see red-eyed tree frogs is in their natural habitat. National Parks are a great place to see these amphibians. Keep your eyes open in Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuguero National Park, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

5. Sloths

There are six species of sloths, two of which are found in Costa Rica. Hoffman’s two-toed sloth and the brown-throated sloth, which is a three-toed sloth, both live high in the tree canopies of Costa Rica. Sloths seem to be smiling at you as they hang from branches and they are the slowest moving creatures! Perhaps they are a good reminder to slow down and enjoy life! Sloths have the slowest digestive system of any mammal. To save energy, they sleep up to 20 hours a day and move incredibly slowly. Seeing sloths in the wild is delightful. I once found one on the road and with my Costa Rican neighbors, we called the closest sanctuary, the Jaguar Rescue Centre, to come and move it. Never touch or pick up a sloth as their fur is virtually an ecosystem unto itself harboring mites, moths, and fungi. 

Where To See Sloths In Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Uvita, Dominical, the Osa Peninsula

There are several sloth sanctuaries where you can see sloths in Costa Rica. This Sloth Sanctuary is near Cahuita and the Jaguar Rescue Centre usually has orphaned sloths. 

6. Tropical Birds

There just can’t possibly be an article on wildlife in Costa Rica without mentioning birds. 

It was in Costa Rica that I became a “bird nerd” and discovered my passion for birding. Who knew there was more than one type of toucan or macaw? This of course involves lots of jungle time with a guide or solo, listening and watching for signs of birds. The rewards are immense. My only regret was not having a high-powered zoom lens. A variety of toucans, hummingbirds, macaws, trogons, parrots, and parakeets are just a few of the colorful birds found in Costa Rica. Some of my favorite encounters were watching toucans toss berries in the air, visiting the great green macaw sanctuary near Puerto Viejo, and spotting scarlet macaws just hanging out in trees! 

7. Turtles

Costa Rica has many important nesting sites, on both the Caribbean and the Pacific coast, for turtles. Turtle species found in Costa Rica include green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, hawksbill, and Olive Ridley. All species are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered due to loss of nesting habitat, bycatch in commercial fishing, and climate change. 

Maybe that’s what made standing silently in the dark of night in Tortuguero National Park watching green sea turtles lay their eggs such an unforgettable experience. 

Where To See Turtles In Costa Rica

There are many places and protected sites to see turtles nesting and/or baby sea turtle releases in Costa Rica. Some key places are Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado National Park, Ostional Wildlife Refuge, Las Tortugas research station, Las Baulas National Park. 

8. Snakes 

There are over 130 species of snakes in Costa Rica. Snakes sightings are quite rare and most visitors never see a snake. But they are there, in the jungle, and play an important role in the ecosystem. 

Costa Rica has venomous snakes such as the fer-de-lance and the Costa Rica coral snake and also non-venomous snakes such as the boa constrictor and the tropical milk snake. 

Stay on the paths in the national parks and don’t go wandering off into the jungle. Often a guide will spot a snake that a tourist would walk straight by.

I did find a boa constrictor in my garden near Puerto Viejo. My adopted cat was staring transfixed under a bush so I approached to see if it was our other adopted cat giving birth to her litter. I saw nothing. Looked again. Nothing. And then I saw it. Perfectly camouflaged. A boa. 

After a little shriek, my neighbor and I called the Jaguar Rescue Centre to come and move the snake deeper into the jungle. We watched the boa constrictor for over an hour. I learned to admire its beautiful markings. And eventually, it slid its way into the jungle, minutes before help arrived. Living in a fairly open-concept house, I checked for the boa under my bed every night!

Where To See Snakes In Costa Rica

With a guide in one of the National Parks, at the Jaguar Rescue Centre and at La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park which is a 45-minute drive from the San Jose airport. 

9. Whales 

Seeing humpback whales bursting forth from the sea is a marvelous sight. I did not witness humpback whales off the shores of Costa Rica but, if you happen to be in Costa Rica during the migration season, you might want to hop on a whale-watching expedition to observe these majestic and massive creatures. 

Costa Rica has humpback whales in residence for more months than anywhere else in the world as two different migrations overlap. The Alaska/ California migration arrives in December and leaves in April while the Antarctic migration arrives in the waters of Costa Rica in July and leaves in November. The whales breed and raise their young off the shores of Costa Rica. Situate yourself in Uvita for the best chance to see whales. 

Where To See Whales In Costa Rica

Marino Ballena (Whale Marine) National Park and Drake Bay.

Pro Tip

If wildlife sightings top your list of things to do in Costa Rica, pick a hotel or eco-lodge close to a national park. When I was traveling in Costa Rica, I researched towns near national parks and read the reviews. Often people will mention that there were monkeys, macaws, toucans, and other magnificent wildlife on the grounds of the hotel.

Margot Raggett gave up a career as CEO of a London PR company and went to Africa to follow her love of wildlife photography. But her path changed in 2014 when she was in Kenya and came across the carcass of a poached elephant. Margot was so deeply affected by this, that she was determined to do something about it. She spent months persuading some of the world’s best wildlife photographers to each donate a photograph that she could include in what she planned would be “the most beautiful book on a species ever seen,” the sale of which would raise funds for elephant conservation. The book, Remembering Elephants, was launched in 2016. Five years of “camera-derie” and five books later, the Remembering Wildlife fundraising photography book series, has raised over $1.1 million for conservation and has just released the sixth and latest book in the series, Remembering African Wild Dogs.

The series title was inspired by a remark by Sir David Attenborough, who asked, “Are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” Margot herself adds, “Five years ago, I wrote to Sir David and said I wanted to raise $1 million for conservation through books which would help protect those animals. I’m determined to hit that target and I can’t break a promise to my idol!”

Over the last 5 years, almost 200 photographers have donated images to the Remembering Wildlife collection: Remembering Elephants, Remembering Rhinos, Remembering Great Apes, Remembering Lions, Remembering Cheetahs, and now, hot off the press, Remembering African Wild Dogs. Profits from the books have gone to 55 conservation projects in 24 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Uganda. More than 32,000 copies have been sold and the series has some very famous fans across the globe, including Russell Crowe, Michelle Pfeiffer, Pierce Brosnan, and Kevin Pietersen.

The Books In The Series

Such was the success of Remembering Elephants, that Remembering Rhinos was quickly announced and launched in 2017, once again to critical acclaim. Remembering Great Apes, the third book in the series was published in 2018 and featured images donated by 72 photographers and a foreword by renowned ethnologist Dr. Jane Goodall. 2019 saw the launch of the fourth book in the series, Remembering Lions, followed by Remembering Cheetahs in 2020, which despite the challenges of 2020, was one of the fastest-selling books to date. Altogether, the series has now distributed over one million dollars to conservation projects across Africa and Asia. All profits are given directly to projects focussing on the species that each book is dedicated to. 

Remembering Elephants

With only 400,000 elephants left in the wild, this, the largest living land mammal, is classified as endangered and humans are to blame. Hunting and habitat loss are the main reason elephants are now endangered. Many African herds were hunted for their ivory tusks and their numbers were decimated as a result. Though the ivory trade is now illegal, poachers still kill for it.

The Tsavo Conservation Area is home to Kenya’s biggest elephant population, including most of the world’s last remaining “Super Tuskers.” A Super Tusker is a male bull elephant whose tusks weigh over 100 pounds each. Tusks this size are usually so long they scrape along the ground when the elephant walks. Protecting the last remaining Super Tuskers is a difficult task. They roam far and wide across the Tsavo Conservation Area and require constant protection from poaching. They are targeted by poachers constantly due to the astronomical value of their tusks. A single tusk from a Super Tusker, which could weigh over 50 kilograms, is worth around $25,000, even more, once it has been carved, so the aim of the game is to stay ahead of the poachers.

The Tsavo Trust which operates in the Tsavo Conservation Area relies on donations to function and protect the elephants. Most years, I take groups of climbers up Mount Kilimanjaro who are climbing to raise funds for Tsavo Trust. One of the many projects that received money from the sales of Remembering Elephants was the Tsavo Trust, specifically toward keeping their aerial patrol helicopters in the air. These aerial patrols are vital to spotting and apprehending poachers and protecting the elephants.

Remembering Rhinos

Rhinos are probably the most endangered animals in Africa, predominantly due to illegal poaching to satisfy the demand for their horns in Asia and the Middle East.

Saving the Survivors, in South Africa, is a team of wildlife vets whose primary mission is to save animals who have fallen victim to poaching. While they will attend to the needs of any injured animal, most of their efforts are directed towards rhinos, due to the vicious attacks that so many of these creatures fall victim to.

Nearly $50,000 from the sales of Remembering Rhinos was given to Saving the Survivors to assist in the treatment of Seha and Thembi, two white rhinos who suffered horrific facial wounds as a result of poaching. The donation enabled Saving the Survivors to provide long-term treatment to the pair, who both went on to successfully reproduce.

Remembering Great Apes

I fell in love with chimpanzees as a child, reading the books of renowned chimpanzee conservationist Jane Goodall. Many years later, I got the opportunity to visit the area, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania, where she had worked. To this day, seeing chimpanzees in the wild is one of my most memorable wildlife experiences. One of the photographs in this book was taken by a friend of mine, of a chimpanzee I saw when I was in Tanzania. The Jane Goodall Institute is one of the many recipients of funding raised by the sale of Remembering Great Apes.

Remembering Lions

With only 20,000 left in the wild, lions are officially classified as “vulnerable.” Illegal bushmeat hunting, the trade in body parts, conflicts with local people due to livestock depredation, habitat loss, and unsustainable trophy hunting, are all contributing to the decline of this, the “King of Beasts.”

One of the many lion conservation projects to receive money from the sale of Remembering Lions is Zambian Carnivore Programme, a not-for-profit organization based here in Zambia, where I live. It received around $15,000 to be used in its anti-snaring work in the Luangwa Valley, which is one of the 10 remaining lion strongholds on the continent and home to Zambia’s largest lion population.

Remembering Cheetahs

There are estimated to be only 7,000 cheetahs, the fastest land mammal in the world, left in the wild. They are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, but recent studies have revealed that their numbers are falling so fast that scientists feel they should now be classified as endangered. Their future looks uncertain.

Again, one of the many projects that was supported by the proceeds from the sales of Remembering Cheetahs, was the Zambian Carnivore Programme, which received funds for satellite collars and a motorcycle to be used for research and anti-snaring activities. 

Remembering African Wild Dogs

The African wild dog, also called the African painted wolf or the African hunting dog, is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with a mere 6,600 left on the planet. African wild dogs are listed as endangered due to a range of factors, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, getting caught in snares set by poachers hunting for bushmeat, and infectious diseases like canine distemper and rabies.

Remembering Wild Dogs is the sixth, and latest, book in the series and I was lucky to see an early release copy. The book is beautiful. Full of stunning photos, once again all donated by more than 80 of the world’s top wildlife photographers. The book aims to demystify wild dogs, raise awareness of their plight, and also raise funds to protect them. Indeed, the book made its first donation even before it was launched, giving $25,000 to support the successful reintroduction of African wild dogs into Malawi after decades of absence.

I know several of the photographers who have donated work to the various books in the Remembering series, and all tell me they are delighted with the project and with its success. Daryl Balfour, one of the contributing photographers, said “Margot has revolutionized wildlife coffee table books… is raising so much awareness and so much money. It’s an incredible series. I take my hat off to her.”

How Does It All Work?

Unlike many other fundraising organizations Remembering Wildlife runs as a business and not as a charity. So unlike most charities, it doesn’t ask for donations (though it will accept them if you offer!), instead, it sells you something beautiful, a book or a print, and promises that 100 percent of the profits will go to conservation projects.
To purchase copies of any of these beautiful books just go online. In addition, Remembering Wildlife, marked its fifth anniversary by launching an online print shop, where a selection of images from the whole collection can be purchased. These are images by some of the best wildlife photographers on the planet.

Watch out! Once you start seeing rare, vibrantly colored tropical birds in their natural environment in Costa Rica, birdwatching might become an obsession! From tiny, glittering hummingbirds to scarlet macaws, Costa Rica has over 600 resident species of birds. Add to this over 300 migrant species that fly to Costa Rica to spend the winter months.

When I arrived in Costa Rica, I had a fledgling interest in birds. I loved the soaring eagles and woodpeckers seen in Western Canada but was not well-versed in tropical birds. With sightings of a roseate spoonbill, different kinds of toucans, and colorful trogons, I expanded my avian repertoire and found myself scanning the trees, listening for birdsong, and traipsing through the rainforest on birding expeditions.

A friend of mine traveled to Costa Rica and remarked on her return, “I didn’t see any birds in Costa Rica.” Remember, the birds don’t just line up and reveal themselves to you. Be observant and listen for their calls. Stand by a fruit tree and see who flies in for a snack! Once you see a few toucans or motmots, you might just discover that you have a passion for birding too. 

This list of tropical birds, some of my favorites, is a mere introduction to the magnificent bird species found in Costa Rica.

1. The Resplendent Quetzal

The resplendent quetzal has been around for centuries and was sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec cultures. Today, the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendent quetzal, is endangered mainly due to loss of habitat. 

Setting your eyes on the resplendent quetzal is a sight you will never forget. Its turquoise back, emerald green feathers, and deep red chest create a splash of marvelous hues in the forest. The resplendent quetzal is quite a small bird but the male’s twin turquoise tail feathers can be up to 3 feet long. I love the resplendent quetzal’s head. The feathers appear a little ruffled and make the resplendent quetzal seem adorable! 

You may spot a resplendent quetzal on a branch in the cloud forest or peeking out from a tree hollow where they make their nests. I would recommend taking a guided tour. The local guides have quick eyes for spotting this unique bird and will also carry a scope to zoom right in for a close-up look. 

Where To See The Resplendent Quetzal

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Santa Elena Cloud Forest, and the Curi Cancha Reserve are the prime places to see the resplendent quetzal. Read more about Monteverde here. 

Pro Tip: In mentioning Guatemala’s national bird, it seems fitting to mention Costa Rica’s national bird. It is the commonly seen clay-colored thrush and is quite unremarkable in appearance. 

2. The Violaceous Trogon

Costa Rica has ten species of trogons, small birds easily distinguished by the color of their eye ring, vibrant chest feathers, and the pattern on their tail feathers. The male and female birds are very different in their coloring so a field guide to birds of Costa Rica may come in handy when trying to identify trogons.

The resplendent quetzal, mentioned above, is the most beautiful member of the trogon family but the other nine species are well worth looking for. The best luck I had spotting trogons was on the Osa Peninsula in Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park.

The violaceous trogon has a bright yellow and blue chest and a distinctive yellow eye ring. The underside of the tail feathers is a remarkable black and white striped pattern. 

Where To See Trogons

Trogons are found in many places in Costa Rica. I was happy to have a guide help me spot them as in the dense rainforest it takes an eagle eye to catch these vibrant birds.

Pro Tip: Keep your eyes on alert for the slaty-tailed trogon with its red breast offset by an orange eye ring and an orange beak. The color combinations of the trogon species are spellbinding.

3. The Keel-Billed Toucan 

I’ll never forget seeing the pair of keel-billed toucans arrive in the trees outside my blue jungle house near Puerto Viejo. They started picking berries with their large, rainbow-colored beaks and jumping from branch to branch with their blue feet. Keel-billed toucans have a bright yellow neck and chest, red feathers at the tip of their tail, and that unmistakable beak that can range in size from 4.5 — 6 inches long. Keel-billed toucans are social birds and live in small flocks. They are playful and love to toss a piece of fruit in the air, which a friend might just seize!

You might actually hear keel-billed toucans coming before you see them. Their distinctive call sounds like croaking frogs.

Where To See Keel-Billed Toucans

Three places you might spy keel-billed toucans in Costa Rica are on the Caribbean Coast, in Tortuguero National Park and its environs, and in the area around Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve.

Pro Tip: The Keel-billed toucan is not the only toucan in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has six species of toucans. Keep your eyes open for the chestnut-mandibled toucan with its glossy, bicolored bill — bright yellow on top and reddish-maroon on the bottom. 

4. The Blue-Crowned Motmot

I admit quite freely that I had never heard of a motmot before I lived in Costa Rica. But once you see the tail of a motmot, nicknamed “clock birds,” you’ll be scanning tree branches for this lovely, small bird. The blue-crowned motmot is the most commonly seen of the six species of motmots found in Costa Rica. It has a distinctive bright blue crown, a black eye mask, and beautiful blue and green feathers. 

What makes a motmot’s tail so unique? There are two long, skinny, featherless shafts that hang down and at the end of each is a racquet-shaped feather. When the motmot is perched and perceives predators, they swing their tails like a pendulum. Nature is magnificent!

Where To See The Blue-crowned Motmot In Costa Rica

Motmots are found in the dry forests of the Guanacaste region and the northern part of Puntarenas. The blue-crowned motmot I saw was at the Curi Cancha Reserve in Puntarenas (near Monteverde).

5. The Scarlet Macaw

You’ll hear the scarlet macaws long before you see them. Their loud raucous squawk is easily recognizable. When they fly into view, it’s a jaw-dropping sight. Fire-truck red bodies accented with vivid blue and golden wings and tails, and a large white eye patch. The scarlet macaw is indeed a riot of color. Scarlet macaws are highly social and live in family groupings. They mate for life and it is not unusual to see a pair canoodling high up in the trees. 

There are less than 2000 wild scarlet macaws left in Costa Rica due to loss of habitat and poaching for the illegal pet trade. 

Best Places To See Scarlet Macaws

The best places to see the scarlet macaw in Costa Rica are on the Osa Peninsula including Corcovado National Park and in Carara National Park just outside of Jaco. 

6. The Great Green Macaw

A piece on magnificent birds has to mention the critically endangered great green macaw. Found only on the Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica, these stunning birds can be visited at the Great Green Macaw Reintroduction Centre. It’s an unforgettable experience watching the great green macaws arrive for feeding time. Read more about this endangered tropical bird in this article.

Where To See Great Green Macaws

At the Reintroduction Centre near Puerto Viejo. I did find in my research that they are returning in the wild around Tortuguero National Park.

7. The Golden Hooded-Tanager

Are tanagers the most beautiful of all the birds in Costa Rica? Their vibrant names alone will spark your curiosity — emerald tanager, scarlet-rumped tanager and silver-throated tanager are a few of the gorgeous tanagers found in Costa Rica. 

The golden-hooded tanager, one of my favorites, is distinguished by its golden head, blue cheeks, and black eye mask. Its mostly black feathers are accented with stunning turquoise-blue feathers. For such a small bird (about 5 inches), it packs a vibrant punch! Golden-hooded tanagers often travel in pairs and love eating fruit. 

Where To See Golden Hooded-Tanagers

Golden hooded-tanagers are often found in gardens and will visit feeders. They are also found high in the forest canopy and in openings near the forest edge.

Pro Tip: The blue-grey tanager is the most commonly seen tanager in Costa Rica. As its name suggests, it is a light blue-grey in color and often seen in gardens. 

Pro Tips For Bird Watching In Costa Rica

• The best times to see birds are early in the morning and late afternoon (I’ve never regretted the effort to rise before I’d like to and go on an early morning birding expedition!)
• Go quietly and listen for them calling to one another
• Bring a lot of patience, try sitting in one spot and watching for forest activity 
• Bring binoculars 
• For the best photographs have a zoom lens and a tripod
• Bring a field guide to birds of Costa Rica to help identify the species
• You might consider purchasing the app Costa Rica Birds: A Field Guide
• Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
• Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear
• Hire a guide who brings along a scope that magnifies the birds — it’s an amazing way to see close up details of these unique birds 

Costa Rica is a biodiverse country. Check out:

• 4 Beautiful National Parks In Costa Rica Not To Miss
• Travels With Siegfried: Birding In Costa Rica
• 8 Tips For Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s Crown Jewel

While cold weather-loving critters — like snowy white polar bears, waddling penguins, and Santa’s reindeer — are most often associated with the holidays, you’ll find everything from a tree of flamingos to a pollinator’s paradise at these fantastic holiday zoo light experiences from coast to coast.  

Note: So as not to suggest any favorites, this list is presented in a follow-the-sun order from the east to the west.

1. Philadelphia Zoo

With 14 zones of displays and more than a million lights, LumiNature 2021 is the biggest event yet for the Philadelphia Zoo. Think pink in flamingo fancy, stalk through the jungle like a big cat, waddle through the Arctic Passage with penguins, and dive into the sea and “swim” among ultraviolet coral reefs. Keep warm with plenty of hot food and beverage options, including hot chocolate with a nip. LumiNature begins in mid-November and runs each evening through January 9.

Pro Tip: TravelAwaits readers voted these zoos the best in the US.

2. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden In Columbia, South Carolina

Lights Before Christmas is the longest-running holiday tradition in South Carolina’s capital city. Wind your way through paths illuminated by holiday lights and whimsical animals, watch lights dance across an enormous Christmas tree in time to seasonal music, and warm up by roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Lights Before Christmas begins the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs through December 30. 

3. Detroit Zoo

Up north, where Canada lies just across the Detroit River, the front half of the Detroit Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with millions of LED lights illuminating trees, buildings, and sculptures. But this holiday zoo light extravaganza is more than sparkling snowflakes and glittering giraffes. The Detroit Zoo’s Ford Education Center has once again been selected to kick off the North American leg of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Developed and produced by London’s Natural History Museum, your admission to Wild Lights includes this chance to view awe-inspiring photography from the world’s largest and most prestigious wildlife photography competition. WildLights at the Detroit Zoo begins November 20 and runs for 40 nights through January 9. 

4. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium In Toledo, Ohio

With more than one million lights adding their sparkle to the award-winning Big Tree and more than 200 animal sculptures, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium Lights Before Christmas is a holiday experience you won’t want to miss. You can also watch ice carving demonstrations, ride the Holly Jolly Express through the zoo’s Africa exhibit, and race down the ice slide. Lights Before Christmas runs from November 19 through December 31.

Pro Tip: Here are six other reasons to visit Toledo, Ohio.

5. Cincinnati Zoo

While many zoological parks end daytime visiting hours a little early to prepare for their zoo lights event that evening, Festival of Lights is included with a daytime ticket to the Cincinnati Zoo. So visit the animals in the afternoon and stay for the holiday lights once the sun goes down. And what an impressive light display it is! While many of the zoo light displays on this list include around one million lights, the Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights features a staggering 4 million LED lights. Saunter through the rainbow tunnel, enjoy seasonal music as lights dance across Swan Lake, and admire life-size animal sculptures and lanterns. Munch on freshly roasted nuts, sip hot chocolate, and roast marshmallows for s’mores at stations located throughout the zoo. Festival of Lights takes place from November 19 through January 9.

Fun Fact: 2021 marks the 39th year that the Cincinnati Zoo has celebrated the Festival of Lights, making it one of the longest-running zoo light displays on this list.

6. Lincoln Park Zoo In Chicago

The Windy City is home to one of the best Bavarian-style Christmas markets in the U.S., as well as one of the most impressive zoo light displays. Bundle up, grab an adult beverage from the holiday pop-up bar, and bask in the glow of more than a million brilliant lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo as festive music fills the air. This year’s light show is powered by the green, renewable power of energy-saving LEDs and wind energy. ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo begins just before Thanksgiving and runs through January 2. 

Pro Tip: In addition to gorgeous holiday lights, the Lincoln Park Zoo offers one of the best views of Downtown Chicago.

7. St. Louis Zoo

In America’s heartland, Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo includes a twinkling tunnel, candy crossing a frozen forest, a glowing garden, and many other dazzling displays. Keep warm by rubbing your gloved hands over a fire pit or roasting marshmallows from your s’mores kit. And pair illuminated penguins with the real deal by popping into the Penguin & Puffin Coast display when you visit. Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs through December 30. 

Pro Tip: While admission to the St. Louis Zoo is typically free, tickets are required to visit Wild Lights. But free event parking is available in the north and south lots.

8. Memphis Zoo

Take in thousands of festive lights at the Memphis Zoo — at eye level by strolling the paths, at a faster pace by riding the free tram, or with a bird’s-eye view from the Ferris wheel. Be serenaded by the singing Christmas tree, warm up with hot chocolate, or take a few spins around the ice skating rink. Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo begins in mid-November and runs through January 1. 

9. Lincoln Children’s Zoo In Lincoln, Nebraska

In the shadow of the top zoos in the world, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo shines during the holidays. Wander under an illuminated tree canopy, through a 60-foot-long light tunnel, and past more than 30 animal sculptures at one of the largest zoo light displays in the Midwest. Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo is open from the day after Thanksgiving through December 30, and all proceeds support the zoo and its animals during the winter months. 

10. Houston Zoo

While the zoo animals are tucked in for the night, enjoy a spectacular holiday light display that includes the 125-foot-long Infinity Tunnel of Light and a 33-foot, color-changing Christmas tree. Visitors can “swim” through a glowing underwater adventure, complete with illuminated jellyfish and other sea creatures, and stroll under a canopy of flickering flowers and brilliant butterflies in the hanging pollinator garden. And if that’s not impressive enough, you can even experience “snow” in South Texas! Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo is open from mid-November through January 9.

Pro Tip: Furthering its commitment to protecting wild animals, the Houston Zoo offers a holiday light recycling program. Since launching the program in 2016, the zoo has recycled more than 24,000 pounds of old and broken lights — the approximate weight of two adult male Asian elephants!

11. Denver Zoo

While some holiday zoo light displays are limited to just a small portion of the park, two million LED lights twinkle across more than 80 acres at the Denver Zoo. And while many zoo light experiences don’t include animal viewing, cold weather-loving critters (like the Amur tiger) are on display and the Tropical Discovery building (with fish, frogs, snakes, and sloths) is open during Zoo Lights. In addition to the Champagne Toast, Watering Hole, and Blue Lagoon light exhibits, don’t miss nightly ice carving demonstrations by local artists! Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo begins November 22 and runs through January 2.

Pro Tip: The Denver Zoo is offering a special low-sensory version of Zoo Lights on December 31 for visitors who might feel overwhelmed by the typical Zoo Lights experience.

12. Phoenix Zoo

Let millions of lights that dance across the main lake, illuminate impressive animal sculptures, and otherwise twinkle in the desert night dazzle you at the Phoenix Zoo. When you purchase your tickets, you can select a walk-through or cruise-through experience as the zoo alternates between pedestrian-only and drive-through options. ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo begins November 24 and runs through mid-January.

13. The Living Desert Zoo In Palm Desert, California

Located in the small Coachella Valley town of Palm Desert, The Living Desert Zoo was recognized by USA Today in 2019 as one of the best zoo light extravaganzas in the nation. For nearly 3 decades, the desert destination has been transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a herd of life-size animal lanterns, illuminated paths, and a tunnel of lights blinking in time to holiday music. WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo runs from November 23 through December 30. 

14. Oregon Zoo In Portland, Oregon

In a city known for its Winter Light Festival and Christmas Ships Parade, you can be sure that the zoological park joins the seasonal festivities. Under the glow of more than 1.5 million lights, walk through a rainbow tunnel, wander through the Glowing Grove, and admire more than 200 animated animals swinging through trees, grazing on the lawn, and diving into the sea. ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland is open daily from November 19 to January 9, with the exception of Christmas Day, and you can cruise past the exhibits in your car on select nights.

Pro Tip: If you opt for a drive-through Zoo Lights experience, preorder select snacks, including hot cocoa, kettle corn, elephant ears, and cotton candy, when you purchase your tickets.

15. Woodland Park Zoo In Seattle, Washington

While most of the holiday extravaganzas on this list are focused on light displays, the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle emphasizes lanterns. Gaze at a wide range of large-scale animal and natural-scape lanterns representing wild creatures and rugged places from around the world. You can still get your fill of Christmas lights by strolling through the Discovery Loop, where hundreds of thousands of lights add their glow to trees and other structures. WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is open from November 12 through January 30.

When I began traveling full time, animals were not the first thing on my list to see. As I traveled more and more, however, I realized that prior to quitting my job, my vacations acquainted me only with animals in zoos. After seeing animals in their natural habitat, I’ve become less enamored with seeing them in cages. If you love animals as much as I do, traveling to see them in their home is an entirely worthwhile experience. As I reflect on my travels over the past few years, here are the places where you can see some of my favorite animals.

1. Namibia And Botswana

If you’ve never been to Africa, it’s almost impossible to describe the safari experience where lions mate, rhinos fight, and leopards attack right in front of your safari truck. What I love about Africa is that locals feel the animals have as much of a right to the land as people do.

Highlights of Africa, for me, were Etosha National Park in Namibia and Chobe National Park in bordering Botswana. Etosha left me surprised and awed by its nighttime viewing areas. Floodlights are set up around a watering hole so you can sit quietly and watch elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and more come out at night for a drink. I wondered how many would survive the night when the lions came out.

I found my jaw dropping as we drove along vast empty plains in Namibia and Botswana and then found a herd of elephants underneath a giant tree by the side of the road. Another day, we stopped to watch a giraffe grazing nearby. He was so close I thought he might put his head through my window. 

While everyone wants to see “The Big 5” (lions, cape buffalo, leopards, rhinoceros, and elephants), there is other wildlife that will delight you. My first animal in Africa was the Oryx. To my eye, it looked like someone had painted its tribal markings and I couldn’t help but stare. The dassie, a bit like a giant gerbil, is adorable, and, surprisingly, related to the elephant. Cheetahs are beautiful, though you’re less likely to catch them outside of reserves these days.

Finally, if you’re a bird fan, you’ll get your fix in here. I had no interest in birds before I went. Then the lilac-breasted roller changed my opinion with its spectacular range of colors.

One of my next trips will be to Uganda to make up for my pandemic-canceled gorilla trek. I can only imagine how spectacular it is to see them and chimpanzees up close.

Pro Tip: Go see the rhinoceros as soon as possible. Due to the horrible poaching market, they may be extinct all too soon. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another one at risk of extinction. Though many efforts exist to stop poachers, it’s the market that needs to be stopped, in my opinion.

2. Thailand

You can only view elephants in captivity, but it’s still an amazing experience. I loved spending the day following a herd around, babies included, watching them frolic in dirt and pull down entire trees for something to eat.

Nothing quite describes the feeling of taking a mud bath with an elephant. I’m still amazed we could get so close. And feeding bananas to the babies who wrap their trunks around your hand is magical.

My other favorite animal in Thailand is the dusky langur monkey. Not only is it beautiful with its specific blend of black and white fur (babies are yellow), it’s also a kind and funny animal. My guide took us to a spot where we could feed them. Whether from the ground or from the comfort of your shoulder, they reach their hand out and gently remove the food from your palm. I got in the middle of some playful rough-housing between two young monkeys. One of them gently grabbed my leg, using me as a shield, looked up at me, and smiled. 

Perhaps the most special thing about this species is how the parents seem to have a loving relationship with each other and their babies. This is a species worth making a long trip to see!

Pro Tip: When planning your visit to see elephants, do your research to make sure you work with a company that treats them humanely.

3. Vietnam

I’ve mentioned in prior articles that I love cows. Vietnam offers water buffalo, and they stole my heart. They walk along roads in the middle of towns as if on an important business trip. You can get very close to them, and if you like, take a tour where you can walk with and ride them. They are kind, graceful animals, and one of my favorites in the world. 

Vietnam also has beautiful langur species monkeys throughout the country, including the red-shanked douc. I didn’t see them on my first trip, just one of many reasons I want to return to this wonderful country.

Pro Tip: You may have to be intentional about seeing animals in Vietnam. Though they’re in the wild, they’re often only in certain parts of the country. Do your research ahead of time.

4. Costa Rica

My full-time journey began in this country, rich with lush forests everywhere you look. This was the first time in my life I saw a monkey in a tree, over my head. Once you’ve heard the howler monkey, you’ll never forget it. They have a very distinct call, and you’ll want to imitate and hear it every day! My first sighting of them was in Guanacaste, and Manuel Antonio offers paths that feel magical when you hear a pack of howler monkeys screaming in the near distance.

Obviously, you can’t leave Costa Rica without seeing a sloth. If you’re lucky, you’ll see them happily hanging from a tree branch. Unfortunately, many of them end up in animal sanctuaries after near-death experiences like trying to swing onto an electrical line. They are very sweet-looking animals.

The other thing Costa Rica is amazing for is frogs. My favorites were the nighttime zoos where frogs of all colors came out. I was lucky to get a photo of one of the most famous red-tree frogs they’re known for. They’re much smaller than I realized and I treasure my photographic memories of them.

5. Seychelles

I spent my honeymoon in the Seychelles many years ago. Though the marriage didn’t work out, I’ll never forget those giant tortoises! I was only familiar with tortoises that could fit in my hand, so standing next to one who could extend his neck and be taller than me was fascinating. The other thing anyone who’s seen them will tell you is the sound of their shells scraping together while mating is a noise you won’t ever forget!

6. New Zealand

After almost 2 years living in New Zealand, I’ve fallen in love with a few of the birds here. In fact, even though some of them wake me up too early, I’ll miss them when I’m gone!

The kiwi bird, clearly, is one of the most fascinating in New Zealand, and perhaps the world. You won’t see one too easily outside of reserves. I was lucky to have a friend take me on a night walk where we saw several in the bushes. Their gait and speed are prehistoric-looking, and while I associate birds with feathers, the kiwi has what looks like spiky hair. They were on the verge of extinction, but the country has worked hard to save them.

The tūī has the most interesting call — with a dual voice box and multiple calls, you’ll know immediately when one is nearby.

The fantail is the most interactive. We’re part of its food chain, so it flies nearby, hoping your footsteps unearth a meal. If you’re lucky, they’ll fly right at you, and just when you think they might land on your arm or your head, they fly off in a way that will have you wondering if they might have recently had a drink. They’re charming, and I’ve loved hearing their gossip throughout the day.

The kererū, or wood pigeon, is the funniest. It’s a large bird that always chooses to land on a narrow branch or a bush that appears unable to sustain its weight. I’ve never seen one fall, so I guess they know what they’re doing.

7. Argentina

This is a huge country with multiple climates. Not surprisingly, there are some wonderful animals that live there as a result.

Guanaco

These llama-like animals are fun to see in the wild. If you travel around Argentina by bus, you’ll see a lot of them grazing in the near distance. You won’t be able to get up close, but you will get curious stares if you stand still.

Hummingbirds

While I loved the hummingbird park in Selvatura, Costa Rica, because they land on your hand to feed, Iguazu has a hummingbird park that is so wonderful I returned three times. It’s filled with many different varieties of hummingbirds and if you stay long enough, you can capture some magical photos. 

Pro Tip: Hummingbird wings move incredibly fast. You’ll need to use a very high shutter speed to capture them on camera. 

Penguins

If you’ve ever wanted to see penguins in their natural habitat, Argentina gives you the perfect experience. I went to Ushuaia and spent a day on the small island of Martillo. I highly recommend the option where you can get off the boat and walk on the island. A strict distance is maintained between you and the penguins, but even several feet away, you appreciate being with them. You’ll learn about their mating and migration rituals, and be smitten. I was lucky to see a King penguin on the island, which is highly unusual. 

Pro Tips

• Make sure you inquire where the Magellanic penguins will be when you arrive in Argentina. This breed migrates between Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia seasonally, so the colony size will be larger or smaller depending on when you visit. The gentoo penguin is in Ushuaia year-round.
• PiraTour is the only company that offers the experience of walking with the penguins. It’s likely to be sold out, so book as early as possible.

Located just west of Rantoul, Illinois, is Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch. There is a multitude of reasons to visit Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch. The ranch is a magical place where Christmas comes alive bringing that holiday spirit home! While most everyone has heard the movies or stories, Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer and The Night Before Christmas, many have not seen a reindeer, or caribou, as they are also called. 

Hardy’s ranch offers the opportunity to feed the reindeer, take a wagon ride, walk through a corn maze, play a round of paintball, sip hot cider, or, like we did, arrange a special dinner for a large group!

Believe it or not, reindeer’s hooves really do click, and you can hear it if you listen close enough.

For Special Events — Schedule Year-Round

Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch is open year-round for large groups and special events. As part of the Graham Bradley and Sears-Sold Tractor Club, a group that collects tractors sold through the Sears Catalog, our group was searching for a place to hold our banquet while attending the Half Century of Progress. This event, held every 2 years, is the premier vintage farm show in the U.S. Visit Champaign hooked us up with Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch as a place for a great meal, as well as an agriculture tourism experience. 

My husband Keith and I met with Mark Hardy before booking the event. Mark showed us the reindeer and five young ones that were new to the herd. He gave us a tour of the banquet hall and the family-friendly grounds.

Pro Tip: The local Holiday Inn (which is near a sports center) offered wonderful service when we stayed in Rantoul.

1. Feeding The Reindeer

At the end of August, when our event took place, we first fed the reindeer — kids and adults alike enjoyed this wonderful activity. The antlers on these beautiful Alaskan reindeer are amazing! Being up close next to the reindeer, you see how lovely (and big) they really are. The friendly reindeer push forward to get their treats without hesitation!

Interest in the reindeer traversed all ages. I thought the women and kids would be interested and was pleasantly surprised when many men willingly left the tractors behind at the Half Century of Progress to come and learn about these cool animals, and the farm they are raised on. 

2. Wagon Ride

The wagon ride was full as Mark shared the story of his family farm. The ranch was created in 1995 when he and his wife Julie purchased their first two reindeer to help sell Christmas trees on their farm. They have been in business for 10 years and now they have 21 reindeer. The reindeer were flown to Illinois from Alaska, so, as they say, “Reindeer really do fly!”

3. The Banquet Hall

Set on 5 acres flush with Christmas trees, there is a barn gift shop and a western-style banquet hall. The banquet hall is set up like an Old West canteen. Our meal consisted of brisket, beans, coleslaw, au gratin potatoes, and apple pie. Yum! Along with tea and lemonade, we had water to drink. There are various other choices you can select as well. Entertainment packages are also available. We had 50 in our group in the hall. There was plenty of room for our group to get together, meet, and talk.

Julie Hardy said they have bus groups year-round, but we were the first group to come and have a special meeting like this. This type of event is only for large groups. This is a unique venue that offers something special, and I loved that everything was included in one price.

4. Fall And Winter Seasonal Opening

Hardy’s is open fall and winter from September 1–December 28. With the ranch as a perfect backdrop, visitors like me enjoy the sheer beauty of the place. With 100-year-old barns and Christmas trees, this makes a lovely setting! 

5. The Gift Shop

The gift shop has fun items that make shopping fun. This offers a chance to find unique gifts in a fun environment!

In the fall and Christmas seasons, there are several special holiday things to see and do. We experienced several of them at our event, however, there are more that should be mentioned as well. 

Concessions like hot cider and cookies add fun treats to winter fun. After feeding the reindeer, this is something I would like to experience with the grandkids. If these treats are as good as the meal, then it will be a big hit for sure.

Pro Tip: Concession weekends in October, and Thanksgiving through Christmas, offer popular items like pulled pork parfait and Chicago dogs.

6. Corn Maze

The corn maze theme for this year is Day of the Dead. When we took our tour, Mark Hardy was telling us about the maze and was excited about it at that time. The corn mazes cover a full 10 acres and are designed like a large treasure hunt. Mark said during the wagon tour that the maze is very popular with high school kids and young adults. The older crowd may enjoy the “Moonlight Madness,” where they try the maze at night with only a flashlight and the light of the moon. He added that there had even been a couple of wedding proposals in the corn maze! I think this is something for those braver than me.

Another item the farm offers for those a bit braver than me and my husband is the paintball gallery!

7. Younger Fry Playground Fun

For the smaller kids, there is a nice playground for kids to play on as well. The younger ones in our group loved the reindeer and the playground.

8. Hollywood On The Ranch

Julie Hardy told me that one of their reindeer was used in an upcoming Hallmark movie. So, Hollywood came to the ranch, and one of the reindeer is an actual Hollywood star! 

The holidays are magical, and nothing brings them to life like October and the corn maze, or December and a wagon ride through the trees, or feeding reindeer and witnessing their amazing antlers firsthand!

Pro Tip: One of our favorite dining stops was ET’s in downtown Rantoul.

I’ve lived in the UK all my life, so you might think finding somewhere unique after all these years would be pretty difficult. But the UK has so many quirky and unusual places to visit, I’m constantly discovering more. My grandmother’s family was from Scotland, so as soon as I had the opportunity, I started traveling up to explore this other vast country. Uniqueness can come in many different forms and I love that you can turn a corner in Scotland and find something so unexpected it truly amazes. Here are my favorite unique places to visit in Scotland.

1. Haymarket, Edinburgh

Haymarket might not be the first area of the city most people would think of visiting, it’s a little way out of the center and away from the main attractions, but it has a certain charm to it that makes it one of my favorite places to be. Haymarket feels like a separate community from the rest of the city. It has a long row of shops, its own train station, restaurants and pubs, and even its own cathedral. You could miss St. Mary’s Cathedral if you didn’t know it was there. As you walk down the high street of busy shops and cafés, the cathedral rises up behind the roofs, on a side street. It’s worth seeking out if only to see the incredible Eduardo Paolozzi stained glass window.

Where To Stay

Dunstane House is an incredible Victorian villa, built in 1851 as a private residence, and now a luxury boutique hotel. This intimate hotel still has the feel of a family home, but has all the luxury of a five-star hotel. The owners also bought Hampton House across the road, only discovering afterward that the former owner of that house was the sister of the Dunstane House’s owner. The street feels a million miles away from the city, but it’s just around the corner from Haymarket train station.

2. Eilean Shona

The private island that inspired J.M. Barrie’s “Neverland,” Eilean Shona allows guests to escape to the wilderness while enjoying both cozy croft comfort and a touch of luxury at its nine luxury boutique holiday cottages. Only a short boat ride from the mainland, over the still waters of Loch Moidart, the 3-mile-long island boasts 2,000 acres of pristine moor, hills, and woodland crisscrossed by tempting trails. Here, guests can walk for hours without seeing another soul and instead disconnect from the outside world and turn back the clock to a slower, gentle pace of life. Smartphones, tablets, and TVs are substituted by the stunning natural environment and the former village hall is stocked with ping-pong, board games, and books. If you want something a bit more active, Shona’s coastline is ideal for wild swimming, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, and generally messing about on boats. All the properties are within walking distance of Shoe Bay, Eilean Shona’s own secluded silver sand beach which is lapped by an aquamarine sea. It was here, during summer holidays taken in the 1920s, that the author and playwright J.M. Barrie took inspiration from the magical surroundings, the enchanted moss-covered woods, wild open hills, and white sand beaches, to create Neverland in Peter Pan.

Pro Tip

Eilean Shona is also a wildlife spotter’s dream, and there is typically more animal than human life on the island. It boasts its own “Big Five,” with seals, sea eagles, sea otters, red squirrel, and pine martens commonly seen. In the summer, as the island’s waters warm up, there’s the chance, too, to spot dolphins, minke whales, and even basking sharks. The island was once owned by a seafaring captain who brought back rare trees and plants from his travels and, still today, Eilean Shona boasts one of the most diverse pinetum plantations in Europe.

3. Dornoch 

On the drive up to Dornoch, you cross water a fair few times and it’s soon clear that water forms a big part of the landscape up here. Dornoch is a town right by the sea, and the beach here is windswept and unspoiled, but what makes this place really unique is the collection of landscapes that are gathered together all in one place. Two steps over the sand dunes from the beach, the golf course rumbles out. You can walk across designated paths, as long as you listen out for the call of “fore,” which means a golf ball could be hurtling your way! If you like to play golf, you won’t find a more beautiful place for it. A 2-minute walk away is the town, where you can shop for handmade chocolates and whiskey, and see the old castle, which is now a hotel. And then there are the woodland walks that meander around the town and take you back towards the beach.

Where To Stay

Links House at Royal Dornoch has accommodation to suit varying needs, from hotel rooms to a stunning suite with its own balcony. Golfers love it here as it’s right next to the golf course, but it’s also the perfect place to have a wedding or celebrate a birthday, or for a quiet weekend away for two. The food is amazing — definitely try the taster menu with the wine flight.

4. Brucefield Estate

Brucefield Estate in Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, dates back 700 years to when it was part of the Barony of Schenbothy. The estate was first owned by the Stewarts of Rosyth. Brucefield Estate is now owned by Victoria Bruce-Winkler, a biologist who returned home to manage the Estate in 2012. The family has ancestry dating back to Robert the Bruce. The estate covers 420 hectares of semi-ancient birch, oak, and Scots pine woodland, pasture, and arable farmland, dotted with dry stone dyke walls. The 10-year wildlife plan monitors and manages the diverse habitats on the estate which include a wealth of wildlife including bats, barn and tawny owls, pine martens, red squirrels, rare wildflowers, butterflies, and plant species. The estate is located off the A907, a 40-minute drive from Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh. The Estate is a 30-minute cycle from Alloa train station along the almost traffic-free Inner Forth Route.

Pro Tip

This incredibly unique estate is something of a work in progress. Future plans include the launch of eco bothies on the estate and workshops for both residents and non-residents such as ancestry, wood turning, garden design, and badger watching.

5. Dundee

The city of Dundee has many attractions and, in some ways, it’s an underrated, lesser-visited Scottish city, but there’s one thing in particular that makes it unique: I can’t think of any other Scottish city with the kind of street art Dundee has. You have to be a certain age to remember the comic characters Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx, but stroll through the city center of Dundee and you can see them as large as life in their sculptured form. Caught mid-stride through the streets, Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx play out a section from the comic strip they once inhabited. There’s also now a sculpture of a polar bear chasing a man through the street, taken from a real life event that happened in Dundee in 1878, when a polar bear did indeed escape from a traveling show and made his bid for freedom.

6. Argaty Red Kites

Argaty Red Kites is situated on the Argaty Estate, a working farm owned by the Bowser family since 1916. The farm lies on the Braes of Doune in Stirlingshire, an area traditionally known as The Gateway to the Highlands. This is where the civilized Scottish Lowlands end and the wild Highlands begin. This area of Central Scotland is where the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have reintroduced the red kite, and the Argaty estate is home to a large number of these exciting birds and an abundance of rare red squirrels. In partnership with both the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage, Argaty Red Kites has provided Central Scotland’s only red kite feeding station for the last 20 years, making it totally unique. This allows guests to enjoy these exciting birds and their spectacular flying in comfort but without the risk of disturbing what is still a fragile population.

Pro Tip

The owners Tom and Sarah Bowser have just renovated the new Argaty Cottage to offer guests the chance to stay on the estate, explore further, and enjoy a relaxing break surrounded by stunning scenery. Tom and Sarah are the fifth generation of family members to live on the estate and run the conservation project. The cottage comfortably sleeps six guests, but is cozy enough as a getaway for two. From free Wi-Fi to a log-burning stove and gorgeous garden, Argaty Cottage offers all the amenities needed for a perfect country break. During their stay, guests can enjoy discounted rates for visits to see the kites, red squirrels, and ATV buggy tours of Argaty. In the spring and summer, guests can also enjoy dragonfly walks, pond dipping sessions, and bespoke wildlife tours.

Check out some more of our Scotland coverage:

• 7 Fantastic Walking Tours In Scotland
• 7 Unique Small Towns To Visit In Scotland
• 9 Best Beaches To Visit In Scotland

Australia’s geographical isolation has resulted in cute animals found nowhere else in the world. They can be shy and elusive in their natural environments, so it’s worth knowing about wildlife experiences where personal interactions are guaranteed. 

1. A Selfie With A Quokka 

The quokka may be the cutest animal you’ve never heard of. Dubbed the “happiest animal on earth” because of their cheeky smiles and willingness to join you in a selfie, the quokka is a rabbit-sized distant relative of the kangaroo that also carries their joeys in their pouches. Meet quokkas on Rottnest Island, a 30-minute ferry trip from Perth in Western Australia. The island is famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and cute quokkas. 

Quokkas are everywhere on “Rotto” — especially around the settlement where the ferry docks. Take the free walking tour called Meet the Quokkas. The cute little critters are naturally inquisitive. Get down to their level and wait for them to come to you. Both Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie have posted quokka selfies, but these creatures will happily hop into anyone’s shot.

Rottnest Island is car-free, and most people hire a bike, although there is a shuttle. Late afternoon is the best time to see quokkas when they are on the road in higher numbers. 

Please don’t touch or feed them. Human food doesn’t agree with quokkas. Here as elsewhere in Australia, there are stringent guidelines so that wildlife encounters are rewarding — for both you and our cute critters.

2. Cuddle A Koala 

Koalas look as cute as Teddy bears, but they are not bears. Instead, they are marsupials who carry their young in a pouch. Only Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia allow tourists to hold a koala. Even then, interactions are restricted. In Queensland, koalas are held 30 minutes a day for no more than three consecutive days in a row. Koalas spend their days snacking on eucalyptus leaves or snoozing. They sleep up to 20 hours a day, so they may fall asleep in your arms! 

Cradle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary outside Brisbane or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast. Similar cradling experiences are offered in Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and Cleland Wildlife Park in South Australia. In other states, only keepers handle koalas. But they are placed on low tree forks so visitors can easily see them. Have your photograph taken with a koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park near the Blue Mountains, Ballarat Wildlife Park in Victoria, or breakfast with the koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. At Koala Conservation Reserve on Phillip Island, come face-to-face with koalas in their natural habitat along the treetop boardwalks.

 Free places to see koalas in the wild include Kennett River, on the Great Ocean Road, and Raymond Island, in Gippsland. 

3. Watch Fairy Penguins Parade

Phillip Island, a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, is home to the world-famous Penguin Parade. What started in the 1920s with a few people gathering to watch penguins has become one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions. A $58.2 million dollar visitor’s center now surrounds this natural phenomenon. Phillip Island has a population of some 32,000 little penguins. The parents leave their chicks in their burrows by day and head out to the ocean to hunt fish. They only partially digest their food, so they can regurgitate the fish into the chicks’ mouths when they return at dusk. 

Onlookers have a sense of expectancy as the penguins surf the waves into shore. When they have safety in numbers, they begin a cute waddle up the beach to their burrows. Thousands of tourists watch on elevated timber boardwalks, tiered seating, or underground viewing platforms — the little penguins march on regardless of the excitement their cuteness creates. For a more up-close-and-personal experience, tickets are available for a small group, ranger-guided tour where you can walk among penguins on a secluded beach. Phillip Island is also worth visiting for its multitude of wildlife, the wild coastline, beaches, and dramatic rock formations. See a live stream of the Penguin Parade on YouTube. 

Pro Tip: The movie Oddball was based on a true story. Visit Warrnambool, the setting in a seaside town in Victoria. Foxes decimated the fairy penguins, and a local farmer suggested bringing in Maremma dogs to patrol their burrows. The island is off-limits, but there is a Meet the Marammas experience at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. 

4. Play With A Dingo 

The dingo is a threatened species, and conservation groups believe they deserve to be protected. Wild dingoes have a natural fear of people and generally shy away. But a couple of high-profile attacks have gripped the media. Because of their reputation, many people have an interest in knowing more about these wolf-like creatures. Various wildlife centers offer experiences where you can have your questions answered about the infamous dingo and interact with them in ways you could never do in the wild. 

At Symbio Wildlife Park, south of Sydney, go behind the scenes and play with the pups. Alice Springs Desert Park and Moonlit Sanctuary, near Melbourne, have experiences where you can walk with dingoes on leashes accompanied by one of their keepers. For wild sightings, head to the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island in Queensland, home to the purest dingo population in Australia. There are strict rules not to hike alone on the island and never to feed them—precautions people also take overseas in bear country. 

5. Pop In On A Tasmanian Devil 

The Tasmanian devil is a feisty little fellow and an inspiration for Taz, one of the Looney Tunes characters. Now only found in Tasmania, the creature plays an important part in the ecosystem by helping to control introduced animals such as feral cats and foxes. Watching one of their feeding sessions is unforgettable as they latch onto proffered meat with such tenacity. And their growl is like something out of The Exorcist. Head to Devils@Cradle in Cradle Mountain-ise St Clair National Park for all kinds of devilish experiences. Closer to Hobart is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, offering a 4WD Devil Tracker Tours and a plastic bubble experience where you pop your head up into their world. 

6. Cradle A Joey 

When it comes to Australia‘s wildlife, the first animals to spring to mind are our kangaroos. Australia is home to an estimated 50 million kangaroos, so they outnumber people two to one. You are bound to see them in the wild, either grazing in a paddock, bounding in the bush, or lazing on a grassy golf course. If you’d like to pat or hand-feed a kangaroo, visit one of our many sanctuaries. Pop into Australia Zoo of Steve Irwin fame on the Sunshine Coast to stroll the grasslands where kangaroos roam free. A similar experience exists in Healesville Sanctuary near Melbourne. For an outback encounter, try The Kangaroo Sanctuary’s afternoon tours in Alice Springs. 

Pro Tip: To protect wildlife, be wary when driving in rural areas at dusk when kangaroos can unexpectedly bound in front of you. Kangaroos can also cause serious accidents if they crash through a front windscreen. 

7. Wander With Wombats 

Wombats look like fluffy little boulders and live in cooler areas in southeastern Australia. Wander among them on Maria Island, a short ferry ride from Hobart, Tasmania. You don’t have to walk far before you see them grazing. Stay still and they likely will come to you. 

Weighing up to 66 pounds, they appear plodding but can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour if running from dogs or Tasmanian devils. Their tactic is to delve headfirst into their burrows, leaving their backside exposed to the confounded predator while they kick them away with their strong hind paws. Wombats poop in cubes. If they were into building, they could construct little pyramids. 

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley near Sydney is a luxury resort and another great place to see them. Take a wombat safari or spot them from horseback, 4WD, or when out mountain biking. Then 26-year-old Charles Darwin visited Australia in early 1836 on his round-the-world voyage in the HMS Beagle to study unusual species. Guests can visit the historic homestead on the property where he was a guest. Many wildlife parks offer opportunities to hold wombats, such as Ballarat Wildlife Park. I’ve held one in Tasmania, and it’s like cradling a baby. A big fur baby! 

8. Feed Wild Dolphins 

There are numerous places to swim with wild dolphins in Australia. But there are also places where wild dolphins reliably swim up to meet you. Monkey Mia is a famous stop on a road trip along Western Australia’s magnificent Coral Coast. The Department of Parks and Wildlife established Monkey Mia as a marine reserve in 1990 to help protect dolphins while allowing selected visitors to feed them. Today, it is one of the best and most reliable places in the world for dolphin interactions. Dolphins only receive 10 percent of their daily food requirement — to ensure they continue to hunt and remain wild. There is a small entry fee to the reserve, but the dolphin interaction is free. 

Tangalooma Island is advertised as “conveniently remote” as the island is only a short ferry ride from Brisbane. Watch or even experience hand-feeding the wild bottlenose dolphins that swim in at sunset. Dolphin feeding is included in Tangalooma Island Resort stays or in the day cruises from Brisbane.

9. Encounter A Echidna 

Echidnas have a beak, a long tongue like an anteater, hedgehog-like spines, a pouch like a kangaroo, and lay eggs. This strange mix is why echidnas are named after “Echidna,” a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman and half-snake. Most Australian zoos and wildlife parks offer encounters with these spiky little creatures. They will capture your heart as they come in for a cuddle — they might even sit on your lap. Enjoy echidna encounters at Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Taronga Zoo Sydney.

10. Swim With Sea Lions 

Sea lions are the “puppy dogs of the sea.” Swim with these playful creatures in Port Lincoln, South Australia, where they’ll entertain you with somersaults and backflips and expect you, their newfound playmate, to do the same. Calypso Star Charters takes you out by boat before you dive into the clear waters. You can also have amazing interactive seal experiences in Narooma, a small town in New South Wales on the far south coast. Book a tour with Montague Island Tours or Island Charters Narooma.

The Village of Chama, aka The Land Of Enchantment, is located in the Rocky Mountains at the most northern tip of New Mexico and is approximately 7 miles from the Colorado State Line. Chama, New Mexico, offers beautiful scenery, panoramic views, natural beauty, and everything you think a mountain village would, including many wildlife species such as elk, deer, bear, fox, bald eagle, and others. My family has visited Chama in the summer for five consecutive years. We’ve experienced sunshine in Chama and snow on the ground in the mountains of Colorado, all on the same day. It’s a true sight to see and experience.

I have flown into both Santa Fe and Albuquerque then taken the drive to Chama, but I’ve also driven from my home in Texas all the way up there. Either way, this is not some humdrum road trip. Once you enter New Mexico, the highways offer travelers a chance at a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. And it’s certainly possible to see wildlife on the route.

If you are a lover of nature, mountains, wildlife, scenic views, photography, and outdoor fun, you’re going to love spending time in the northern mountains of Chama, New Mexico. I’ve gathered some favorite attractions of ours and our friends who live there in this list below.

1. Climb Aboard The Friends Of The Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc.

Chama is home to the picturesque historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Sources say that it’s the longest and highest narrow-gauge railroad in the U.S. It’s one of the most well-preserved railroad museums while also holding a spot as a National and State Registered Historic Site; as well as a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

This is a spectacular bucket-list-worthy attraction, in my opinion. We rode it several years ago when our grandson was around 5 years old. He read a map, got to shake hands with the Cumbres & Toltec bear, and saw the amazing views as we did. We made lots of memories with our grandson! The train travels through the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico and the lower part of Colorado through the San Juan Mountains. Not only will you and your family enjoy a smooth ride, whistles, and laughter, but you’ll also get the chance to cast your eyes on the beautiful scenery that only wildlife gets to enjoy. And who knows, you may even see a black bear or two. We didn’t see anything on our ride a couple of years ago, but we know they’re out there.

If you want to explore more historic railroads, be sure to check out these 11 Beautiful Vintage Train Rides In The U.S.

2. Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area

Located just north of Chama in Rio Arriba County, extended into Colorado, is Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area — a wildlife area for hunters. But when it’s not hunting season, there are many outdoor activities you can do here, such as fishing, hiking, biking trails, camping, horseback riding (bring your own horse), and more. But what’s free are the incredible views you’ll see.

Elk and deer roam these grounds as well as other wildlife, so bring your binoculars. I’ve been told the above photo is a kit fox native to New Mexico, but the red fox and the swift fox also call this area home. Hunting is a huge recreation activity in these parts of New Mexico, so when it’s hunting season, certain areas are closed to wildlife viewing and other outdoor activities, so be sure to read ahead before you go. Fishing does require a license.

3. Visit Tierra Wools

For something different, perhaps take a morning or an afternoon to visit Tierra Wools for a peek at their weaving workshop, gallery, and gift shop. All the products are handmade and dyed. Surround yourself in the mountains and linger as long as you’d like. And, if you’re so inclined, you may want to sign up for one of their weaving classes or take one-on-one instructions in spinning, dyeing, and weaving for an hour or more.

4. Heron Lake State Park

Heron Lake State Park is located south of town and is an excellent lake for sailboats and all types of paddle craft because of its no-wake lake. It’s a great place for camping, fishing, hiking, and boating. The Visitor Center has maps of the hiking trails and the primitive campsites. Anywhere I can see a wild bear, I’m all in. I love watching wildlife, and seeing a black bear in the wild is my favorite. It’s not ever certain, but since black bears, elk, bald eagles, and other wildlife such as these roam this area, oftentimes visitors see them here.

5. El Vado Lake State Park

Quiet coves, Kokanee salmon, and birdwatching are just a few reasons why El Vado Lake State Park is so popular with the locals. And a 5.5-mile scenic trail along the Rio Chama that connects El Vado Lake to Heron Lake is another reason. It’s home to many bald eagles and osprey. And it’s a great lake for boating and water skiing. I hear the fishing ain’t bad either!

6. Echo Amphitheater

Abiquiu, New Mexico, is somewhat of a hidden gem located between Santa Fe and Chama. However, the small town has quite a bit of excitement going on. The Echo Amphitheater is located in the Carson National Forest in Abiquiu, right off the west side of U.S. 84, just 44 minutes from Chama. It’s a large natural amphitheater with concrete hiking trails leading up to Echo Canyon. The trail ascends at a moderately easy pace, but if I remember correctly, I was worn out by the time I got to the canyon. I think that’s because there are steep stairs before arriving at Echo Canyon. Wear good shoes and take your time. Snakes like rocks, so stay on the trail and off the rocks — restrooms are on-site. Locals who go here to hike and have picnics find it to be a favorite pastime. And, yes, by all means, let your kids yell as loud as they can! It’s the only place I let mine.

Pro Tip: The amphitheater is literally located right off the highway, and the sign is easy to miss. Be sure to watch for the sign.

7. Pick Your Own Lavender

About an hour’s drive south of Chama in the beautiful Chama River Valley of Abiquiu is the picturesque and charming Purple Adobe Lavender Farm. They have fields and fields of lavender where you can pick your own at certain times of the year. A charming lavender shop with homemade bath and body products and gifts is located on the property. On my last visit, I bought one of the owner’s books to make my own lavender products at home, and she was there to sign it. This is one place I try not to miss when I’m headed into Chama.

Pro Tip: Fields of lavender are in full bloom in June, July, and August, and would make the best time to go. Be sure to see when they offer pick-your-own-lavender.

8. Ghost Ranch Education And Retreat Center

Ghost Ranch lies in the heart of the lower Chama Valley, about 45 minutes from the town of Chama and 65 miles northwest of Santa Fe. It nourishes the mind, body, and soul through its historic, inspiring southwest landscape and the various retreats. Explore hiking trails, take up horseback riding, or rent a kayak or canoe — which are just a few of the outdoor activities available. The ranch welcomes tours, day visits, overnight stays, as well as extended stays. Plan on several hours here to take advantage of all that is offered. Nature doesn’t get any better than this.

Pro Tip: The Ghost Ranch is located 3 miles from the Echo Amphitheater. You could spend all day in Abiquiu visiting all three places.

9. Take A Day Trip To Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Just under an hour’s drive north of Chama into Colorado is a full day of bliss waiting for you in Pagosa Springs. If time allows, this will make a great little side trip to relax in the hot springs or tube down the San Juan River. If your travels take you here during the summer, check out How To Spend A Perfect Summer Day In Pagosa Springs.

Pro Tip: My friends who live there are from Texas. It took only one time for them to visit Chama to realize this is where they want to spend the rest of their life. They packed up and moved over 20 years ago. And the locals I’ve met say they don’t need to go anywhere else to experience the outdoors — it’s right in their backyard!

If you wish to see what the rest of New Mexico has to offer, head south and check out these 7 Charming Small Towns To Visit In Southern New Mexico.