National Parks in Idaho A Comprehensive Travel Guide 2025

BY  Nabamita Feb 23, 2024

With all limitations in life, we seek adventure. No matter how hard it is for us to deal with our daily lives, we always try to go out for outdoor activities.  Is it? Well, not all are the same. These days, people are mostly more into indoor activities than outdoors. With the emergence of the digital world, things are getting easier for people to communicate with.  Nowadays, we do not need to go out to meet people, but we can do that from any corner of our homes through calls or video conferences. When it comes to sports, people prefer to involve themselves in video games.  The craze of AI is making VR better than ever, allowing people to play video games more. This craze is the biggest enemy of outdoor sports activities. Nevertheless, there will always be a group of people who know how to deal with their life, and some people will realize the importance of outdoor activities after a certain point of time. The prominence of outdoor activities and sports helps people stay motivated and on track and engages them in something positive. If you do not go out, you will not be able to stay close to nature. This is a huge concern for modern people. However, considering the particular activity is also a growing dilemma among modern people.  Well, don’t worry! We have got you covered this time.  Outdoor Activities To Take Adventure To The Next Level Whether you want to go for an adventurous trip or are willing to cherish your bungee jumping dream, our outdoor activity tips will help you follow your dream. There is nothing wrong with taking risks. But it needs to be calculated. However, we have mostly seen people getting confused about what to consider and whatnot about their outdoor activities. Well, finding your preferred outdoor activity is not rocket science. All you need to do is to determine your conditions. If you are not confident about making it happen it will not happen. Making decisions on a particular activity is not the main concern. If you keep reading, you will get ideas, and that will also help you stay focused on cherishing the activity. But before that, you need to understand the importance of outdoor activities and why you need them. Well, with everyday workouts, the body and mind get exhausted. This is where you need a proper strategy to refresh your mind and work with an active body. We all think of a vacation. Well, a vacation is fine, but that will not work on your body. In fact, most vacations end up with overnight parties and luxuries. Rather, it’s better to select an outdoor activity from below and consider one this year. Before stepping forward, try to keep in mind that outdoor activities take bodily fitness, and if you are not fit, try to join a gym or work hard at home while focusing on fitness. 1. Climbing However, you do not need a perfectly fit body right at this moment. Fitness comes with practice and continuity. Don’t expect to be fit overnight. Instead, try to become prominent with problem-solving skills and ensure that you are headstrong. Climbing is a particular sport that allows your body to do great all-over work. It does not require the strength of your body but your determination to complete the climbing. However, proper planning and better preparation will help you stay on track throughout. For instance, if you take care of your safety gear, like quality ropes, from a reputable rope manufacturer, there will be no fear of injury. Are you up for that? Well, you need some essential mountaineering skills to have. Initially, focus on your stamina, endurance, flexibility, and muscle strength training. 2. Horse Riding The beauty of riding is unexplainable with a horse. If you know, you know how relaxing it is to interact with such a big animal and also work together.  However, horse riding can be challenging if you do not focus on your weight-bearing exercise from now on. Horse riding is a perfect outdoor activity as it will always help you to improve your confidence to deal with tough situations and maintain harmony.  This is something that you need to try at least once in your lifetime. Find a local horse riding area and try your training starting tomorrow. 3. Bungee Jumping This is a particular sport that involves falling from a height. It will also consider bunging up and down. With this activity, you will be able to experience the ultimate feeling of freedom.  If you are traveling to the mountains, never forget to try bungee jumping, as it is now available everywhere. This is the best activity to reduce your fear inside. If you do not experience the ultimate threat, you will not be able to overcome the fear inside you. However, take care of your safety concerns and go with a proper operator. 4. Fishing It is more like a therapeutic sport for middle-aged people. Not everyone will be comfortable with bungee jumping, horse riding, or climbing. After a certain age, we need to fill our void in different ways.  However, fishing can be an outdoor shooting activity that will help you work with your mind and stay refreshed. 5. Skiing Balance, coordination, and a proper stance are what you need to become a prominent skier.  Have you ever dreamed of cutting the snow off and heading past it? Well, who would ignore snowy mountains and the beauty it possesses?  However, to cherish the beauty to the fullest, you can try skiing once. It is a perfect outdoor activity that comes with a real view of the place and a better activity to cherish with confidence.  6. River Rafting River rafting is a tough outdoor activity with loads of fun to give. Combining water and nature, you will feel the fullest adrenaline rush! No doubt you have to stay on track with full attention, and body fitness is a must. It’s a dangerous sport, but with proper skills and love for the sport, you can deal with it all. 7. Paragliding It is the cheapest way to fly!  Now it’s time for you to cherish the freedom with beautiful bird-eye views over your favorite place. It’s a confident way to get close to nature. Are you considering it? Well, whatever you choose, ensure that you are prepared for it! We insist you try at least one from the list, as all are going to give you the feeling of living your life to the fullest. Read Also: 6 Outdoor Activities You Can Have In Arizona Unique Pigeon Forge Activities For The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush 9 Fun Activities You Should Add To Your Pigeon Forge Bucket List

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

Even if you don’t believe it, Canada has many locations and abandoned sites with ghostly stories and a dark history.  Haunted places like the Fort Edmonton Park and Princess Theatre in Edmonton or the Disaster-struck Alberta Frank Slide are a few examples of how dark tourism in Canada offers a vivid experience.  Further, sites like Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources) show how mining asbestos has caused long-term health hazards to Canadian people and victims beyond borders. Also, there is Halifax, where an explosion took the lives of around 2000 people in 1917. So, let’s explore the sites that are scary and unusual.  THESE Are The Best Sites For Dark Tourism In Canada  In 2020, the small town of Asbestos changed its name to Val-des-Sources or the Valley of the Springs. However, the name change could not wipe off the history of diseases and suffering as it once had the largest asbestos mine in the world.  So, like the nuclear plantations that pushed numerous human lives to death, Asbestos in Canada was also a town of breathing poison. Today, it is one of the most prominent destinations for dark tourism in Canada.  Regarding dark tourism, Canada has many sites that tell the tale of human tragedy or are infamous for spooky experiences. Let me share brief accounts on these sites If you want to walk into the shadows.  Asbestos  Asbestos, a town in southern Quebec, once epitomized health-hazard horrors. Asbestos mining is not done here today, but breathing problems and other hazards caused by that “magic or miracle mineral” persist in the town.  The town had an open-pit mine for mining chrysotile asbestos, and it boomed for a century. However, in 2011, the mine stopped its operations.   Unfortunately, the use of asbestos became huge by the mid-20th century. It was a chosen material for roofing, insulation, and fireproofing. Slowly, it was discovered to cause many health hazards for people working in the industry or residing near an asbestos plant or mine.  Despite the drop in global demand and many other countries banning the use, import, and export of asbestos, Canada kept at it until 2018. Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, banned the use, sale, import, and export of asbestos in 2016, and the ban came into effect in 2018.  Nevertheless, today, the town of Asbestos, or Val-des-Sources, is a popular dark tourism site with an abandoned mine. The mine now looks like a gigantic playground. Halifax  In June 2016, the Canadian Government designated the Halifax explosion as a “national historic event.” Halifax was a busy port for the loading and unloading of food, aid, relief, and other essentials during World War I. On an unfortunate day, 6 December 1917, the French ship SS Mont-Blanc and SS Imo, a Norwegian ship, collided. Both were carrying explosives, and the collision caused a major explosion. Almost 2000 people died, and many were injured, registering it as the biggest manmade explosion before the atomic bomb disaster.  This human tragedy, however, was a milestone in changing the medical scenario of Halifax. The improvement in pediatric surgeries and the establishment of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind were the two most prominent examples in this regard. Today, the Fort Needham Memorial Park is a prominent site for dark tourism in Canada. The commemorative plaque there gives you a brief account of the incident. Also, the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower here has an annual memorial service for the explosion on 6th December. Edmonton: The Hub Of Dark Tourism In Canada  Edmonton has many destinations for paranormal encounters, and Fort Edmonton Park is one of them. At the paranormal tours here, you can explore many paranormal equipment and encounter many experts for some otherworldly experience. You can also visit the haunted buildings of Edmonton. The stories of these buildings will scare you to the bit. Also, you never know when an unknown entity gets close to you, and you can feel the breath.  Princess Theater: The Most Haunted Place In Edmonton Another important haunted landmark here is the Princess Theater. In the 1920s, the theater was about to have an additional rental space. A bride-to-be rented that space, but her fiance left her on their wedding day.  So, she committed suicide by hanging by the neck. When the staff of the hotel found her, her body was swinging from the rope.  She was wearing a beautiful wedding gown. Legends have it that her ghostly figure is still seen at the theater. She is seen climbing down the stairs, wandering the theater halls, and moving around the projection room.  Historic Mackay Avenue School Archives & Museum: Meet The Restless Spirit Moreover, when in Edmonton to experience haunted activities,  Historic Mackay Avenue School Archives & Museum should be your destination. Many people have experienced a sense of choking, being grabbed, or disturbed at this place. It is said that a construction worker called Peter fell from a third-floor window during renovation work in 1912. His restless spirit still lives here, and many informal investigations have captured strange silhouettes and erratic electromagnetic fields recorded here, which also vouch for paranormal activities here.  The Museum of Fear and Wonder https://www.instagram.com/p/CxsrNX5L7Al/?hl=en&img_index=1 It is unusual to find a rural museum of horror in the Southern Alberta rural valleys. It is eerie to the bone with Ouija boards and ventriloquist dummies.  The little jack o’lantern dollhouse, Kiddo, leather doll, and the haunted doll, Robertina, are the most prominent collectibles here. Also, the artificial human body parts and life-like human bodywork made of wax are the creepiest things you will come across.  All the collectibles in the museum are carefully placed to create a sense of fear. The aim is to show how people emotionally react to certain things. Also, Brendan, one of the founders of the museum, does not believe that things can be haunted or they can be related to paranormal activities.  According to him, things, at the most, can cause a sense of uneasiness. Thus, all the items in the museum provoke discussion about the psychological impacts of different objects on different people. For example, an adorable doll can be an object of fear or discomfort for a person who has suffered childhood trauma.  Even dolls or toys can get old and develop an eerie appearance through wear and tear. They can look messy or dirty, creating repulsive feelings. Thus, the Museum of Fear and Wonder is not about paranormal experiences or activities. It is a place to understand the human psychology behind fear and wonder.  Saskatchewan Ghost Towns – Insinger As India has Kuldhara, Canada has Saskatchewan, where time stands still, and the deserted town lives in the shadow of the past. Unbearable winter in the Prairie region made the residents desert the place. In the 1800s, many European people came to Canada and got free land to set up a working farm within a year. Thus, this prairie became a bustling residence of farmers and their families. Visiting Saskatchewan And Its Many Wonders In Saskatchewan, you will notice a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The old church with a domed roof stands as a witness to the bygone era. Do you know that Saskatchewan has so many ghost towns (more than 30) that there is a “Ghost Town Trail” here? You can drive around the route to explore the towns individually. As you walk through the ghost towns of Saskatchewan, you will never feel alone. There is a constant feeling of someone following or walking with you. Even looking at the most dilapidated structure, you will feel like someone will come out of it any moment. I had plans to get inside some of the structures. However, a knotty feeling in my stomach stopped me. As hours passed, I started feeling anxious and left the place. The Ghost Towns of Alberta – Rowley If I were to decide, I would name Alberta the capital of dark tourism in Canada. If the haunted places of Edmonton are not enough, you can explore Rowley.   The small hamlet of Rowley in Alberta has deserted railway cars and buildings. However, it also tells some inspiring stories. Rowley used to be a town with 500 inhabitants in the 1920s. The Great Depression hit the place, making the residents leave. A lack of rain led to the drying up of the crops.Moreover, a fire destroyed many of the small buildings.However, only eight surviving residents of Rowley did a commendable job of transforming Rowley into a heritage site in the 1980s. They transformed some of the buildings.  Very few people know that movies like Bye Bye Blues or Legends of the Fall have some of these buildings as their locations. Visit Rowley in the summer, as it offers free tours in the season. Also, the pizza parties here on the last Saturday of every month are fun! These pizza parties are fundraisers for restoring the buildings and preserving history here.  THESE Are The Places You Can’t Miss At Rowley The historical buildings to visit in the ghost town of Rowley are: Rowley Trading Post (Built in the 1920s) A Printing Press A School Now Abandoned Former Hospital Abandoned Railway Tracks A Saloon with Swinging Doors (Dedicated to the memory of a previous owner) Municipality of Starland Office Canada National Telegraphs Building Along with these historical structures, you will also find a building labeled Funeral Home and Embalming. Going inside, you will find paraphernalia and historical artifacts used in Bye Bye Blues. The only thing I find creepy about Rowley is the mannequins. The residents have used mannequins in many places to recreate the scenarios of the 1920s.  So, if you have a faint heart, avoid peeping through the glass windows of the historical buildings. It is not very pleasant to find a mannequin looking back at you.  However, overall, the experience was like being at the location of a classic Western movie.  Alberta Frank Slide  Alberta Frank Slide is one of the most tragic spots for dark tourism in Canada. 121 years ago, this place witnessed the deadliest slide in Canada. The tragic incident took the lives of 100 people. What Happened At Alberta Frank Slide? It was 4:10 am on 29th April 1903. The 600 people in the mining community were still asleep as Mount Turtle crumbled down and released 110 million metric tonnes of rock. This incident took the lives of around 100 people.  Even today, if you pass through Highway 3 of Alberta or visit Frank Slide, you will find bodies and various belongings still buried under rocks.  “It was loud enough they could hear it up by the town of Cochrane, 200 kilometers away,” said Joey Ambrosi, the facility supervisor of the Alberta Frank Slide Interpretive Center. This interpretive center, built in 1985, tells the true stories of human tragedy and dismisses the myths around it.  However, the intrigue around this biggest slide does not end here. The mountain moves a few kilometers from each other, and scientists suspect it will come down again.  Having said that, there is still time for such an incident, and it will not be as deadly as the one that happened in 1903.  When at Alberta Frank Slide, don’t forget to visit The Crowsnest Pass. A landslide and a mine explosion in 1910 badly hit the area. Again, at a stone’s throw away is the Hillcrest town where 189 miners died of a coal-dust explosion on 19th June 1914.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024] Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.

BY  Sibashree Jan 17, 2025

The specific geographical location of New Orleans, especially the proximity to Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, blesses the city with a vast coastal landscape.  So, along with the local heritage and culture of the city, the beaches and beach activities on the Gulf Coast can be a prominent factor in boosting tourism here.  From Bay Saint Louis, the closest beach to New Orleans, to more beautiful options like the Biloxi Beaches, await you with a lot of excitement! No wonder people are opting for vacation rentals near the New Orleans beach locations and cruise trips in the Mississippi River.  Adventure Life is such a service, organizing a Lower Mississippi River Cruise. You can contact them at +1.800.344.6118 to know more about the cruise trip.  Along with these cruise trips, many other activities like fishing, nature strolls, hiking, and bird watching make the beautiful beaches in New Orleans a lot of fun!  Charmed and impressed with these beaches, we have created a beach tour guide at Tour and Travel. Let’s explore the places!  Closest Beach To New Orleans | Explore The Gulf Shores At Their Best  Summer days in New Orleans can be extra balmy. So, winter, especially January, is the ideal time to explore the beaches here. The average temperature in New Orleans ranges between 43-62 degrees F and rarely there is snowfall in the city. All these weather conditions add to beach fun and vibe in New Orleans, and these are places you need to be at for some beach fun.  1. Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi | The Closest Beach To New Orleans Distance from New Orleans: 58.7 Miles An hour's drive from New Orleans will take you to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. The water here is shallow, but the peaceful ambiance and stretches of white sand more than makeup for it.  Enjoy sunbathing and crabbing here on a sunny day, and let your kids build adorable sand castles.  2. White Sands Lake Day Beach  Distance from New Orleans: 74 Miles Franklinton, on the north of New Orleans, has White Sands Lake Day Beach. This is a man-made and spring-fed lake that has become a popular tourist destination near New Orleans.  The Aqua Park is the prime attraction here. Your little ones will love playing on the slides and with inflatable water toys here. You can even play beach volleyball, kayaking, and boating here.  For a relaxing experience, you can even try full-day cooking. The entry fee to the Aqua Park is $18 for adults and $12 for children. 3. Biloxi Beaches Distance from New Orleans (90.2 Miles) The City of Biloxi has been one of the forerunners in restoring the beaches after the rampage of Hurricane Katrina. On its southern border, Biloxi is surrounded by a beautiful white sand beach, the Harrison County Sand Beach. With a whopping 26 miles of shimmering white sand, the Harrison County Sand Beach is the largest man-made white sand beach in the world. You can take a stroll along the pedestrian pathway here and on your way, you will also find some magnificent sand dunes.  The beach is also known for hosting special events. You can contact the Harrison County Sand Beach Authority at (228) 896-0055.  Moreover, you can take a drive along Beach Boulevard to enjoy the sound of the Mississippi and meet the historic oak trees. You will even find the antebellum homes here.  4. Grand Isle State Park Distance from New Orleans (110 Miles) Grand Isle State Park is next on our list of closest beaches to New Orleans. If you want to experience the coastal wildlife of Louisiana, there can be no better place than your destination.  Nestled at the southeast corner of Louisiana, the Grand Isle State Park is accessible to visitors with an entry fee of just $3.  Here, you can be a part of the deep-water fishing excursions and wildlife viewing. If you are here for fishing, don’t miss the longest fishing pier in Louisiana. It is 400 feet in length.  Do you want to make the most of the Grand Isle State Park fishing experience? Why don’t you get in touch with the best fish charter services, like the Southern Angler Fishing Charters, and explore the options? You can reach out to them at +1 504-458-7328.  Furthermore, this state park has a lot of hiking trails that you can explore. You will even enjoy birdwatching here with varieties like seagulls and pelicans displaying their prowess.  5. Dauphin Island, Alabama Distance from New Orleans (148 Miles) Dauphin Island on the border of Alabama and Mississippi, is a great spot for family vacation near New Orleans. This will be your ideal destination if you especially want to relax and have a low-key holiday.  Like many other beaches in New Orleans or beyond, it does not experience a rush of visitors. However, if you want to know about the local history, you will love visiting  Fort Gaines here.  This historical site has an association with the American Civil War. You must pay $10 for adults and $5 for children to visit this historical fort.  Moreover, Dauphin Island is a wonderful location for avid birders. It is home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Covering a span of 165 acres, this bird sanctuary will allow you to walk through the trails and meet winged wonders. You will find osprey, gray catbirds, blue jays, and yellow-rumped warblers here.  No wonder that the American Bird Conservancy has termed Dauphin Island as the "Globally Import Bird Area.” Dauphin Island is also “America's Birdiest City." 6. Orange Beach, Alabama Distance from New Orleans: Around 200 Miles Orange Beach, Alabama, is not the closest beach to New Orleans. However, covering the 200-mile distance between the two is worth it because of the pristine shores. Looking at the stretches of white sand shores is an experience in itself.  Another major attraction on Orange Beach is the coastal cuisine. In fact, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism organized a specialized Foodie’s getaway for a gastronomic tour of the area.  Further, there are dedicated food trails like the “Oyster Trail,” “Burger Trail,” “Shrimp Trail,” etc. The Mardi Gras Food & Drink trail is another attraction for food lovers here. You can email Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism at Info@AlabamasBeaches.com to learn more about this food tour.  You can even get real-time updates about the city of Orange Beach, Alabama, from the government website or by contacting the authorities at 251-981-6979. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.