Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Cultural travel, Museums and Exhibits, New York City travel

Up for a Staycation? No Reason to Venture Far When the World’s Cultural Riches, America’s 250th Events are in New York City

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You don’t have to travel to Amsterdam to see Dutch Masters. At New York Historical’s “Old Masters, New Amsterdam,” Jan Steen’s “Peasants Merrymaking Outside an Inn” gives a perspective to what life in New Amsterdam was like 400 years ago © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

No need to travel to the Vatican Museums in Rome to see Raphael, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to see the Dutch Masters, or the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris to see Paul Klee, because you can see these artists’ works right here in New York City this summer. Good news for the many who are opting for a staycation this year because we have an abundance of cultural riches, world-class attractions and institutions on our doorstep. And some of the best events and exhibits marking America’s 250th are here too. Here’s what’s on view this season in New York City:

Cultural Exhibitions, Festivals and Performances

Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History Manhattan: Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs takes visitors back 66 million years to the Cretaceous Period, exploring life before and after the asteroid strike that caused mass extinction. Featuring life-size models, fossils, touchable exhibits and immersive media, the exhibition reveals how dinosaurs, marine reptiles and other species vanished, as well as how the event set the stage for the rise of mammals and, eventually, humans.

Unrolling Eternity: The Brooklyn Books of the Dead at The Brooklyn Museum | Prospect Heights, Brooklyn: For the first time, visitors can see one of the only complete and gilded Books of the Dead, carefully restored over three years by the Brooklyn Museum’s conservation team. The 21-foot papyrus, displayed with early Books of the Dead and related artifacts, reveals ancient Egyptian burial practices, artistic mastery, and the story of its original owner, Ankhmerwer.

The Museum of the City of New York, Manhattan has two major exhibits underway:

Marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Museum of the City of New York is featuring “The Occupied City: New York and the American Revolution”© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Occupied City: New York and the American Revolution (through 2026): Marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this major exhibition—developed in partnership with the Gotham Center for New York City History—transforms the Museum’s entire third floor into a 7,000-square-foot immersive journey through Revolutionary-era New York. Framing the Revolution as a story of civic choice and consequence, the exhibition underscores how decisions made by New Yorkers 250 years ago continue to reverberate across the city and the nation today. Trace New York’s pivotal role in the conflict, from the first sparks of rebellion in 1763 to its emergence as the new nation’s first capital in 1790. A crucial strategic site for both the Patriots and the British, New York’s revolutionary experience comes vividly to life through historical objects, multimedia installations, and interactive environments. The Occupied City tells the powerful and complex stories of revolutionaries and loyalists, enslaved and free Black New Yorkers, women, Native peoples, and others who shaped and were shaped by this turbulent time. The exhibition highlights the resilience of New Yorkers, who endured seven years of British occupation, devastating fires, and violent battles, only to emerge as residents of the nation’s new capital. Dee the Revolution not as a distant myth, but as a lived—and deeply contested—urban experience (https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/occupied-city).

He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model(through August 2026):This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary handmade vision of Queens-born artist Joe Macken through a monumental 50-by-27-foot model of New York City crafted over 21 years. Presented for the first time in New York, the installation offers a richly detailed, artistic interpretation of the city’s skyline, neighborhoods and built environment (https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/he-built-city)

Frida and Diego: The Last Dream at The Museum of Modern Art, Midtown Manhattan (through Sept. 12, 2026):MoMA will present a focused exhibition of key works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from its collection in a gallery design inspired by the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego. Featuring paintings, drawings and iconic portraits, the show explores their artistic partnership and lasting influence as a dialogue between visual art and performance.

See Raphael: Sublime Poetry at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (through June 28, 2026) © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Raphael: Sublime Poetry at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan (through June 28, 2026) is the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition of the Italian Renaissance master, showcasing over 200 paintings, drawings and tapestries that highlight his unmatched creativity and poetic sensibility. Spanning his career from Urbino to Florence and Rome, the show reveals his innovations in portraiture, religious imagery and the portrayal of women, offering a singular look at works rarely seen together.

The Jewish Museum is presenting two major exhibitions this summer:

“Portrait of Solomon Isaacs,” by John Wesley Jarvis, c. 1813, among the portraiture, artifacts, and documents on view at The Jewish Museum’s “Circa 1776: Jews in Colonial America” exhibit (The Jewish Museum)

Circa 1776: Jews in Colonial America, presented in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, explores themes of Jewish life throughout colonial and post-colonial America. This installation, located in a focus gallery on the Museum’s third floor, highlights a selection of works in the Museum’s collection and is displayed as a complement to Identity, Culture, and Community: Stories from the Collection of the Jewish Museum. (Through Aug. 9, 2026)

Paul Klee: Other Possible Worlds marks the first American museum show to focus on the artist’s powerful late work, produced during his last, unsettling decade of life until his death in 1940. The exhibition features some 100 paintings and drawings, among them select works from Klee’s earlier practice, including his rarely exhibited and iconic Angelus Novus (1920), called the “Angel of History” by German philosopher Walter Benjamin.

Big things are happening at the New York Historical this summer:

A Rembrandt self-portrait is on view at the New York Historical as part of its “Old Masters, New Amsterdam” exhibit © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Old Masters, New Amsterdam: Four hundred years ago, the Dutch founded New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island, a moment brought vividly to life in this unique exhibition. Featuring works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan Steen, many never before seen in New York, the show uses Old Master paintings to immerse viewers in the world of the city’s earliest settlers (though Aug. 30).

Opening in the Joyce B. Cowin Women’s History Gallery on Friday, May 29 and running through October25, 2026, New York Historical’s new exhibition Revolutionary Women dives deep into the stories of the women who left indelible marks on the fight for—and even against—independence and who helped create the foundations of a new government. Liberty, equality, and independence were key bywords for that emerging nation. But who did these concepts apply to? Revolutionary Women attempts to provide answers and deepen the history we all think we know with letters, poems, petitions, archeological objects, paintings, household objects, and more from our Patricia D. Klingenstein Library collection. 

Its Tang Wing for American Democracy at The New York Historical opens June 18, a 71,000-square-foot expansion of its exhibitions and education and public programs. Dedicated to the nation’s founding principles, the new wing will increase student participation, add major galleries and research facilities and serve as the future home of the American LGBTQ+ Museum.

About Us: The American Imaginary at Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, (through December 6, 2026):This exhibition explores three perspectives on what it means to be “American” through photographs curated by three Terra Foundation fellows from the local community. Spanning the mid-19th century to 1979, it presents intimate and poetic interpretations of family, migration, fame and identity to highlight how American art reflects both personal experience and shifting cultural contexts.

See the Carol Bove exhibit at the Guggenheim New York © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Carol Bove at Guggenheim New York (through August 2, 2026):This exhibition is the first major museum survey of American artist Carol Bove, spanning 25 years of work from early drawings to her colossal “collage sculptures” in scrap metal and steel tubing. Through her innovative use of material, scale, color and space enhanced by design interventions in the museum’s Frank Lloyd Wright-designed rotunda, Bove creates immersive experiences that engage both cultural histories and the viewer’s imagination.

Whitney Biennial 2026 at The Whitney Museum of American Art, Meatpacking District, Manhattan:The 82nd edition of the Whitney Biennial brings together work by 56 artists, duos and collectives exploring contemporary life through themes of relationality, from family and technology to ecology and geopolitics. Shaped by a moment of profound transition, the exhibition emphasizes mood and atmosphere, offering immersive environments that reflect the complexity and contradictions of the present.

A “Cats” display at The Broadway Museum © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Museum of Broadway: Walk through Broadway’s history, starting in 1732 with the first documented performance in NYC, and go backstage with your favorite Broadway stars to learn how a show is made. As you walk the timeline, you’ll come upon exhibits dedicated to groundbreaking moments in Broadway’s history – those that pushed creative boundaries, challenged social norms, and paved the way for those who would follow. The Museum of Broadway was designed by internationally renowned artists, designers, and theatre historians. The special exhibit on view “So in Love…on Broadway,”   (145 W. 45 St., https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/)

The National Museum of the American Indian, housed in the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, has some 700 important artifacts on view © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The National Museum of the American Indian, located in the historic Alexander Hamilton US Custom House at One Bowling Green in lower Manhattan, is a Smithsonian Institution museum affiliated with the Washington DC museum. The ongoing exhibition, Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian consists of 700 works of Native art from throughout North, Central, and South America demonstrating the breadth of the museum’s renowned collection and highlighting the historic importance of these iconic objects (free admission).

See the world’s first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world’s fastest commercial airliner at the Intrepid Air & Space Museum © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Intrepid Air & Space Museum: Experience the world’s first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world’s fastest commercial airliner displayed in, around and aboard the legendary aircraft carrier, Intrepid, anchored on the Hudson River, along the Hudson River Greenway (https://intrepidmuseum.org/).

The original stuffed animals that inspired A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories—including Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger—are on permanent view in The New York Public Library’s Treasures collection © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

One of my favorite places for summer respite in the city is the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street in the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (the main branch of the NYPL). It is a renowned Beaux-Arts landmark guarded by the famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude, housing world-class research collections and the magnificent Rose Main Reading Room and always has fascinating exhibitions, including its ongoing Treasures. If you are lucky, you can hook up to a docent tour. Free one-hour guided building tours are offered Monday-Saturday (reserve Schwarzman Building Tours online) (free admission, nypl.org).

New Museums Opening

National Urban League’s Urban Civil Rights Museum,Harlem, Manhattan, is opening in June:The museum, which will be housed in National Urban League’s new Harlem headquarters, the Urban League Empowerment Center, will be the first in the northern U.S. dedicated to the American Civil Rights Movement.

The Ellis Island Museum is reopening after a $100 million revitalization © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Ellis Island Museum is reopening mid-2026 after undergoing a $100 million revitalization that includes reimagined exhibitions, new theaters and major technological upgrades. Construction is underway on the Family History Center, which will be renamed the Records Discovery Center and feature a mini-theater, interactive discovery stations, temporary displays and 50% more public research stations. The project will also expand the Records Discovery Center, increasing the searchable records in its database from 65 million to 154 million.

The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante,  Inwood, Manhattan, opening later this year, will spotlight NYC’s immigrant communities through theater, music, dance and community events. A partnership with NYPL for the Performing Arts will provide programming throughout the season connected to its productions.

The Hip Hop Museum, South Bronx, is opening this year:Located just south of Yankee Stadium, this space will pay homage to the South Bronx’s rich culture and history as the birthplace of hip-hop.

Staycation on Governor’s Island

For an extraordinary staycation, take the 15-minute ferry ride to Governor’s Island. Just 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan, the 172-acre island is a world away. (Insider’s tip: Governor’s Island affords front-row views of America’s 250th, July 3-8,as tall ships and vessels sail through New York Harbor.

A staycation on Governor’s Island feels like you are far away, yet just off the tip of Manhattan © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

You can rent bikes, pedal coaches, visit the 200-year old Castle Williams, a 22-acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service and learn its history (it helped save New York from British Invasion during the War of 1812 and was used as a prison during the Civil War and Fort Jay. The island had been a military base – my father was based there during World War II, and now is a Coast Guard headquarters).  Biking around the island, you have the best view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. A key area is The Hills, rising 70 feet above sea-level, offering breathtaking – and never-before-seen – views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

Collective Retreats offers glamping on Governors Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Collective Retreats, based in Colorado, operates a luxury glamping retreat with tents and tiny-home-style accommodations, enhanced with morning yoga; spa offerings at QC NY (located adjacent to Retreat); live music every evening; cocktail hour on the sunset terrace; chef-driven farm-to-table dining; and Historic Governor’s island adventuring by bike. (https://www.collectiveretreats.com/governors-island/

QC New York, the Italian spa on Governors Island, is presenting new sunset DJ series, Friday and Saturday nights through September 5; pop-up poolside beauty bar, June 17-July 15 (complimentary self-care treats such as soothing eye patches, tan-boost gummy bears, and vitamin-rich orange juice. Its on-site Casa QC Bistrolaunches full-service dining, daily 6–9 pm, sunset aperitivo offering a complimentary tray of seasonal Italian snacks with the purchase of two drinks (qcny.com).

Governors Island is open to the public daily year-round (pay attention to the ferry schedule). From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, the Island is open from 7am-10pm Sunday through Thursday and 7am-11pm Friday and Saturday, with the South Island Park (including Picnic Point, the Hills, Hammock Grove, and the Play Lawns) closing at 6pm. All other times, the Island is open daily from 7am-6pm.

From Manhattan, ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Click here for schedules and tickets. Evening ferries are available for Governors Island tenants and guests, which includes visitors to QC NY, Island Oyster, Taco Vista, and Gitano. Tickets to evening ferries can only be purchased in person at the Battery Maritime Building (https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry).

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Arts, Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Cultural travel, Entertainment, Festivals and Events, Museums and Exhibits, New York City travel

Summer is Festival Season in New York City

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By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a centerpiece of the Museum Mile Festival, but you can visit the Raphael: Sublime Poetry exhibit, first in U.S., until June 28 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The 48th Annual Museum Mile Festival returns to New York City on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 6–9 PM. This free event offers complimentary admission to 8 major museums along Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 110th Street, with 12 neighborhood partners adding to the outdoor, rain-or-shine festivities, performances, and art-making activities for all ages. Neighborhood partners include the New York Academy of Medicine, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Asia Society, 92NY, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, NYC Kids Project, The People’s Bus, and AKC Museum of the Dog, and Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education (https://www.mcny.org/event/museum-mile-festival-2026).

Participating Museums & Highlights

Museum Mile Festival neighborhood partners offer arts activities © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 5th Avenue at 82nd St., featuring Raphael: Sublime Poetry, the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition of the Italian Renaissance master.

The Egyptian Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Neue Galerie New York: 1048 Fifth Ave. (Closed inside; hosting a pop-up table for their 25th anniversary).

Guggenheim Museum: 1071 5th Avenue at 89th St. Featured: Carol Bove, the first major museum survey of the American artist, through Aug. 2

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: 2 East 91st St. Featured: Made in America, 70 large-format photographs captured by Christopher Payne about industrial and artisanal making. 

Enjoying the street entertainment outside The Jewish Museum during the Museum Mile Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Jewish Museum: 1109 5th Avenue at 92nd St. Featured: Circa 1776: Jews in Colonial America, through Aug. 9; and “Paul Klee: Other Possible Worlds,” through July 26.

Museum of the City of New York: 1220 5th Ave. at 103rd St. Featured: The Occupied City and Another Wonderland and He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model celebrates the extraordinary vision and dedication behind one of the most ambitious handmade representations of New York City ever created (timed tickets required).

El Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street.

The Africa Center: 1280 5th Avenue at 110th Street

Visiting the Cooper Hewitt during the Museum Mile Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Public Theater’s “Shakespeare for the City” 2026 summer season features the return of Free Shakespeare in the Park to the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park (Romeo and Juliet, May 22 June 28 and The Winter’s Tale, July 25–August 23. In addition, the Mobile Unit Tour is presenting a traveling production of As You Like It (June 4-28) in parks and community venues in all five boroughs. Information and to request tickets: publictheater.org.

The Public Theater’s “Shakespeare for the City” summer season is featuring “Romeo and Juliet” May 22-June 28 and “The Winter’s Tale” July 25-Aug. 23 at the revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The New York Philharmonic’s 2026 Free Concerts in the Parks series, presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, is scheduled June 9, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx; June 10, The Great Lawn, Central Park, Manhattan; June 11, Cunningham Park, Queens; and June 12, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, plus a free indoor concert at the St. George Theatre on Staten Island on June 14 at 4 pm (free tickets required).

The New York Philharmonic’s 2026 Free Concerts in the Parks series is taking place from June 9-14, with the concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park on June 10 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The 2026 program features:

  • Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
  • Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 1
  • Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 (featuring Principal Cello Carter Brey in his final NYC solo appearances before retiring)
  • Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
  • Ravel: Boléro [1, 2]

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2026 Summer Recital Series offers free, borough-hopping performances June 8-17 featuring young Met stars performing favorite arias, with major outdoor concerts at Central Park SummerStage and in all five boroughs. The concerts highlight American opera and art song as part of the “United in Sound: America at 250”, featuring artists such as Emily Pogorelc, Joshua Blue, and Edward Nelson. Additionally, the Met’s Summer HD Festival is scheduled for Aug. 22–Sept. 1, on Lincoln Center Plaza, featuring free outdoor screenings of past performances.

2026 Free Summer Recital Schedule

  • June 8, 7 PM: Williamsbridge Oval (Bronx)
  • June 10, 7 PM: Socrates Sculpture Park (Queens)
  • June 12, 7 PM: Jackie Robinson Park (Manhattan)
  • June 14, 7 PM: Location TBD (Staten Island)
  • June 15, 8 PM: Central Park SummerStage (Manhattan)
  • June 17, 7 PM: Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn)
The Jazz Age Lawn Party is taking place on June 13 and 14 on Governor’s Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com.

Jazz Age Lawn Party, now celebrating its 21st anniversary in New York City, is taking place June 13 & 14, 2026, 11 am-5 pm on Governor’s Island (there is no August weekend this year). Hop the ferry and be transported in time and place to the Gatsby era, with 1920s hot-jazz, flappers and sporting gents. Headlined by festival host and founder Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, with a score of entertainers, dance lessons and contests.  Tickets at https://jazzagelawnparty.com.

The Jazz Age Lawn Party is taking place on June 13 and 14 on Governor’s Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com.

Bryant Park Summer Concerts series, known as Picnic Performances, takes place May 28 through Sept. 11 (most shows start at 7 pm), featuring free live music, dance, circus and theater from jazz, blues and Louisiana Zydeco to fiery Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion to North Indian-inspired vocals, a variety of global talent and culture, with influences from six continents and countless countries. Among the highlights: New York-based orchestra group, The Knights, will perform classical music inspired by American history in celebration of the America’s 250th; three-time Grammy Award-winning soprano, Latonia Moore, celebrates 111 years of Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless music with the New York City Opera, Aug. 7. The season closes with a 25th anniversary commemoration of September 11, with a moving program of classical music and reflections (https://bryantpark.org/activities/picnic-performances).

Little Island is a wonder on the Manhattan’s Hudson River Greenway and the setting for a summer concert series © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Little Island‘s2026 summer season at The Amphitheater at Pier 55 in Hudson River Park features an ambitious, eclectic lineup of some 110 performances featuring over 300 artists, spanning music, theater, and dance. Highlights include new musical works, opera, and a marathon tribute night. The 2026 season includes a mix of ticketed and free, walk-up events (check website, littleisland.org).Tickets available through TodayTix (https://www.todaytix.com/nyc/category/little-island).

Key 2026 Season Performances (The Amph):

  • May 29 – June 15: The Counterfeit Opera: A Beggar’s Opera for a Grifter’s City, a world premiere adaptation.
  • June 26: The Case of the Stranger by Whitney White, a new song cycle.
  • July 30 – Aug 3: The Tune Up, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks.
  • Aug 2 – 3: The Lights, a new song cycle by Matthew Aucoin.
  • Aug 6 – 7: Live radio show and park takeover by Radiolab.
  • Aug 10: A massive tribute night to composer Arthur Russell, featuring Laurie Anderson and Martha Wainwright.
  • Aug 22 – 28: Seven Scenes, a new work by choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith with live music by Ringdown. [1]

ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS, BIG EVENTS & ANNIVERSARIES

Noguchi’s New York at The Noguchi Museum, Astoria, Queens, through September 13, 2026: To mark its 40th anniversary, The Noguchi Museum will present Noguchi’s New York, a landmark exhibition exploring how New York shaped Isamu Noguchi’s artistic vision and how he sought to reshape the city in return. The anniversary celebration includes a sweeping survey of Noguchi’s public works and proposals alongside first-ever animated recreations of his unrealized playgrounds and civic projects, bringing his radical ideas for urban space vividly to life.

SailGP 2026, Manhattan, May 30-31, 2026: SailGP is making its return to NYC, marking its sixth stop on the global championship tour. Thirteen national teams will go head-to-head on 50-foot foiling catamarans, soaring across the Hudson River at speeds topping 60 miles per hour. With the skyline as the backdrop, fans can catch every high-speed turn from Governors Island, where the weekend will also feature food, drinks and live entertainment.

FIFA World Cup 26TM New York City and New Jersey, June/July 2026: New York and New Jersey are hosting eight 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, including group stage matches on June 13, 16, 22, 25 and 27; a Round of 32 match on June 30; a Round of 16 match on July 5; and the World Cup Final on July 19. Visitor information including tournament details, trip planning tools and a spotlight on NYC’s vibrant soccer culture can be found at nyctourism.com/worldcup26.

Free Official NYNJ Fan Events Across the Five Boroughs

A free FIFA World Cup 2026 fan event is taking place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Queens, June 11-27.© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Queens: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, June 11-27, Daily programming and match viewings

Manhattan: Rockefeller Center, July 6-19, Daily programming; extended hours during Finals Week

Bronx Terminal Market, June 13-14, Matchday programming and local cultural programming

Brooklyn Bridge Park, June 13-July 19, Daily programming and match viewings

Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, June 29-July 2, Daily programming and evening match viewings

In addition, Empire State Development, together with regional partners, is supporting two free public viewing events tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, on June 12 at Stony Brook University on Long Island and July 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County. Both locations will be transformed into outdoor community viewing experiences featuring live broadcasts of select tournament matches, interactive soccer programming, family-friendly activities, giveaways, food and beverage offerings, and entertainment.

U.S. Open Golf Championship, New York City Metropolitan Area, June 18-21, 2026: One of golf’s four major championships, the U.S. Open is known for its challenging courses and rigorous competition among the world’s top players. This year’s tournament will be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton (www.usopen.com)

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be featured in the International Aerial Review as part of NYC’s spectacular July4th celebration © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Sail4th 250, New York City and New Jersey, July 3-9, 2026: NYC and New Jersey is hosting the capstone events to kick off the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence. From July 3 to 9, the largest-ever international flotilla of ships and vessels will sail into New York Harbor. The celebration will also host many festivities including firework displays by Macy’s, an International Aerial Review with a special performance from the Blue Angels, food festivals, a special Fleet Week (https://sail4th.org/)

The 9/11 Memorial will be the site of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

25th Anniversary with 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Financial District, Manhattan, September 11, 2026: The 25th anniversary of 9/11 will be commemorated citywide, including the annual Tribute in Light, a public art installation honoring those lost and the enduring spirit of New York. Illuminated from dusk to dawn on September 11, the twin beams echo the former Twin Towers and are visible up to 60 miles from lower Manhattan. (https://www.911memorial.org/)

During the free fan week at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, getting to watch Aryna Sabalenka practicing before going on to win the 2025 U.S. Open tennis championships © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

One of the most fun festivals of the New York City Summer is Fan Week at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, running from Sunday, Aug. 23-Saturday, Aug. 29 during the U.S. Open Qualifying Matches, when you can watch matches, enjoy festive activities, and most fun of all, watch the greatest tennis players practicing, for free. The Qualifying Matches, thrilling to watch in person, take place Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27 (https://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/eventschedule.html).

Attractions, Tours & Recreation

“Third Thursday” Museum Tours at the Jackie Robinson Museum, Soho, Manhattan: Join the museum’s guided Third Thursday tours, offered monthly at 1 p.m. and included with admission, to explore highlight artifacts, hear their stories and connect with staff and fellow visitors. The 30-minute tours welcome up to 20 guests, allow walk-ins and encourage packing a lunch to enjoy afterward in the Portrait Gallery. (https://www.jackierobinsonmuseum.org/visit/programs-events/detail/third-thursday-museum-tours/)

One Times Square is now a year-round destination © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

One Times Square, Times Square, Manhattan: One Times Square, home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball, opened in December as a year-round destination for immersive entertainment and celebrations. A highlight is Times Travel, a multilevel experience that guides visitors through the history of the building, Times Square and the Ball Drop tradition — culminating in panoramic views from a dedicated viewing deck. Additional attractions include the Crystal VIP Experience, Ever for intimate ceremonies and NextGen’s interactive fandom space: all part of a $500 million transformation in the heart of New York City. (https://onetimessquare.com/)

West Village’s Trendiest Bites Tour with NYC Bagel Tours, West Village, Manhattan: Explore the West Village on a bagel-themed walking tour that highlights New York City’s most buzzed-about spots, including PopUp Bagels, Edith’s Sandwich Counter and Apollo Bagels. Along the way, enjoy unique bites like tahini coffee slushies and sourdough bagels while learning the fascinating history of the iconic New York bagel. (https://www.bagelup.com/west-villages-trendiest-bites)

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Attractions, Family Travel, luxury travel, themeparks and attractions, Tips for Travel, YOLO Travel Experiences

Themeparks, Attractions, Cultural Institutions Roll Out YOLO Luxury Travel Experiences

Discovery Cove’s Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers valet arrival, private cabana, personalized concierge service and up-close animal encounters © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

With many travelers deciding to travel shorter distances, many will explore nearer-by attractions. But rather than seem ordinary or mundane, you can still turn these visits to theme parks and attractions into very special YOLO (You Only Live Once) travel experiences, in essence bringing the same appeal, adventure and sense of discovery that comes from traveling far away, to exotic locales.

We asked Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), who represents attractions worldwide with a focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, how to make visits special.

What would a YOLO luxury travel experience look like at a themepark or attraction?

Skip the lines and get more rides in using themeparks’ VIP upgraded passes, such as offered by Universal Orlando © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Luxury travel in today’s attractions landscape is increasingly defined by personalization, exclusivity and seamless experiences. It goes far beyond traditional VIP line access to include private, behind-the-scenes tours, dedicated guides, curated itineraries and premium amenities such as private transportation, elevated dining and exclusive access to attractions outside of normal operating hours. Guests are looking for unique, once-in-a-lifetime moments that feel tailored specifically to them, whether that’s an intimate animal encounter, a private cultural experience, or a fully customized, multi-day journey.

Are you seeing people with the means to travel anywhere opting to stay closer to home?

We are seeing a mix of both trends. While there is still strong demand for international, bucket-list travel, many high-value travelers are also placing greater emphasis on convenience and flexibility, which can lead to more regional or closer-to-home experiences. What’s most notable is that regardless of distance, guests are prioritizing quality over quantity—seeking fewer but more meaningful, elevated experiences. This is driving growth in premium offerings across both local and global destinations. They want something unique and highly immersive.

Who is offering these experiences?

While major operators like The Walt Disney Company and Universal Destinations & Experiences have long offered premium experiences, we’re now seeing a much broader range of providers entering this space. This includes regional theme parks, destination resorts, cultural institutions, tour operators, and even conservation-focused experiences. From boutique luxury hotels and immersive attractions to expedition-style travel companies and live entertainment producers, many organizations are creating high-end, highly curated offerings that cater to travelers seeking exclusivity and deeper engagement.

Examples of some of the VIP standouts within the attractions industry?

Cedar Point, Ohio: For travelers seeking to elevate their theme park experience, a growing number of attractions are offering ultra-premium, VIP upgrades that go far beyond front-of-the-line access. At Six Flags Cedar Point, the Sunrise Thrills VIP Tour gives guests exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to some of the park’s most iconic coasters—including a rare trip to the top of Valravn’s lift hill for panoramic views—paired with immediate ride access, dining perks, and premium amenities. Info: Private Tour | Sunrise Thrills VIP Tour | Cedar Point | Ride | Cedar Point

Discovery Cove’s Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers up-close animal encounters © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL:  In Discovery Cove, the Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers a more relaxed but indulgent escape, complete with valet arrival, a private cabana, personalized concierge service, and up-close animal encounters guided by dedicated zoological experts. From curated dining to private photography, these high-end add-ons cater to guests looking for a seamless, all-inclusive luxury experience.
Info: Discovery Cove Orlando Vacation Package Upgrades | Discovery Cove

Graceland, Memphis, TN: At Graceland, the exclusive “Presley for a Day” experience offers an ultra-premium, behind-the-scenes look at Elvis Presley’s iconic estate. Limited to just eight guests per day, the experience includes a personal concierge, private guide, golf cart access, rare behind-the-scenes entry, and a high-end dinner, along with an after-hours mansion tour and white-glove artifact access. Info: Presley for a Day

SeaWorld Ultimate VIP Tours (Various Locations): At SeaWorld parks, Ultimate VIP Tours provide exclusive, guided access to rides and animal encounters, including behind-the-scenes experiences, front-of-line privileges, and personalized itineraries tailored to each group. Info: SeaWorld VIP Tour

Cirque du Soleil VIP Experiences (Global): Cirque du Soleil offers premium VIP packages across many of its shows, including exclusive seating, private lounges, behind-the-scenes access, and elevated dining—enhancing the theatrical experience with added luxury and exclusivity. Info: Cirque du Soleil VIP Experiences

Have your wishes come true at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom with the Disney Private VIP Tour © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Disney Private VIP Tour: See and do all of the things on your list with the help of the Disney Private VIP Tour service, which let’s you customize your day to match your tastes. Some of the personalized VIP services include: pickup by private vehicle from your Walt Disney World Resort hotel or other select hotel; pre-arrival planning; flexible start time; visits to multiple Disney parks; behind-the-scenes insight from a knowledgeable Disney Private VIP Tour Guide. This special guided service is billed at an hourly rate on top of the VIP admission to each of the parks visited: prices range from $450 to $950 per hour (minimum of 7 hours, maximum of 10 hours) for up to 10 guests (including infants). Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 60 days in advance. (Call 407-560-4033 to book, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/private-vip-tours/)

“The VIP tour was phenomenal – my clients went through back entrances, used tunnels that employees use. They covered whole park in half day,” remarked Virtuoso travel advisor Stephanie Durst, of Pro Travel, Westbury, who regularly sends clients on African safaris, Bhutan wellness retreats and private yachts.

Skip the lines and get behind-the-scenes access with Universal Orlando Resort’s VIP Experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Universal’s VIP Experience: Universal Orlando Resort’s VIP Experience tour immerses you in one or more of Universal’s parks—Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and the newest, Universal Epic Universe—with a knowledgeable guide, exclusive perks like reserved seating at select shows and valet parking, behind-the-scenes visits and priority (front-of-line) access to attractions. TheVIP Experience fee is on top of theme park admission for the same calendar day(s) and to the same theme park(s) as the VIP Experience ticket. (To book, 866-346-9350, https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/vip-experience.)

Busch Gardens Tampa, which has one of the best zoos anywhere, offers an Elite VIP Tour, a fully guided, personalized experience with priority access to rides, animal encounters designed around your preferences, and Serengeti Safari tour with up close views of free-roaming animals ($500 pp, https://buschgardens.com/tampa/tours/elite-adventure/)

La Casa de la Playa, Riviera Maya, Mexico: For an adults-only, ultra-luxury escape, La Casa de la Playa offers an all-inclusive boutique experience with personalized service, private transfers, and exclusive access to Xcaret’s portfolio of parks and attractions. Info: Xcaret VIP

Jungala Aqua Experience, Mexico: Jungala Aqua Experience offers a high-end water park experience with luxury cabanas, private concierge service and upscale dining—redefining the traditional water park with a focus on comfort and exclusivity. Info: Jungala Aqua

VidantaWorld BON Luxury Theme Park, Mexico: The upcoming BON Luxury Theme Park is designed to blend immersive storytelling with high-end hospitality, positioning itself as a next-generation luxury theme park experience. Info: Vidantaworld

Hotel das Cataratas, Iguazu National Park, Brazil: Located within Iguazu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas offers an exclusive, ultra-luxury stay with privileged access to Iguazu Falls before and after public hours. Operated by Belmond, the property combines refined accommodations with unmatched proximity to one of the world’s iconic natural wonders. Info: Hotel Das Cataratas

Puy du Fou – Le Grand Tour, France: Puy du Fou offers an immersive luxury rail journey, “Le Grand Tour,” a multi-day experience aboard a vintage-style train traveling across France. Guests enjoy theatrical storytelling, fine dining, and curated excursions inspired by the destination’s history and culture.Info: Le Grand Tour

Tomorrowland VIP Mansions, Belgium: At Tomorrowland, VIP Mansions packages offer luxury accommodations, private transportation, exclusive viewing areas, and premium hospitality—transforming the world-renowned music festival into a high-end, all-inclusive experience. Info: Tomorrowland VIP

Rulantica VIP Cabanas, Germany: At Rulantica, guests can reserve ultra-premium 2-story private cabanas featuring dedicated service, upscale amenities and secluded relaxation spaces—offering a more exclusive way to enjoy one of Europe’s leading indoor water parks.
Info: Rulantica VIP Suite

Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark: Located within Tivoli Gardens, Nimb Hotel offers a boutique luxury stay with exclusive park access, fine dining, and personalized service—blending historic charm with modern indulgence. Info: Nimb

Sydney Harbour Bridge Private Climb, Sydney, Australia: For an unforgettable, bucket-list experience, Sydney Harbour Bridge offers a private BridgeClimb experience with exclusive, guided access to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Guests enjoy a personalized climb with a dedicated guide, flexible pacing, and unparalleled panoramic views of Sydney Harbour—delivering a truly unique and elevated adventure.
Info: Private BridgeClimb | Exclusive personal tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Platinum Heritage Desert Safari, Dubai, UAE: For travelers seeking elevated, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Platinum Heritage offers a highly curated, ultra-luxury desert safari. Guests explore the Dubai desert with a private conservation guide, enjoy sunset falconry with canapés, and indulge in a five-course, Michelin-curated dining experience in a serene desert setting ) https://www.belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/iguassu-falls/belmond-hotel-das-cataratas/.

Cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City are offering private, expert-led VIP tours © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Cultural institutions are also offering special experiences. As one example,The Metropolitan Museum of Art VIP Tour (Art Smart), New York, offers private, expert-led VIP tours through Art Smart. Guests enjoy skip-the-line access, personalized itineraries tailored to their interests, and in-depth insights from knowledgeable guides—transforming a traditional museum visit into a curated, high-touch cultural journey.
(VIP Tour at The Met | ART SMART, https://www.artsmart.com/nyc-museum-tours/met-tours/vip-night-at-the-met-museum-with-wine-tour/)

Cruises, Too

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Global): For those seeking the ultimate in luxury travel, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers a highly curated, all-suite yachting experience across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Central America. Guests enjoy spacious suites with private terraces, personalized service, elevated dining, and immersive shore excursions with overnight port stays—all within an intimate, small-ship setting. (www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com)

Disney Cruise Line, a floating entertainment and attraction destination, is one of the cruiseline members of IAAPA © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Ritz Carlton is one of the cruise members of IAAPA. Others include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, MSC Cruises and SeaTrade Cruise. It may surprise people that cruiselines consider themselves attractions. Here’s why they qualify, Wahl explained:

A Shared Focus on the Guest Experience: Cruise ships are essentially floating destinations, bringing together entertainment, dining, attractions, and immersive environments in one place. At their core, they’re focused on delivering seamless, memorable experiences, just like IAAPA members. 

Norwegian Breakaway, with a rooftop themepark, is one of the cruiseline members of IAAPA © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Growth of Onboard Attractions: Today’s cruise ships are offering more and more theme park–style experiences—from water parks and simulators to live entertainment and even dark rides. Companies like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line are continuing to push the envelope, making them a natural fit within IAAPA’s community of innovators and creators. 

New Opportunities for Members: Bringing the cruise industry into the fold opens the door for new partnerships and business opportunities—especially for IAAPA members who design, build, and supply attractions and technology. There’s a growing demand for creative, ship-based entertainment solutions.

Family fun on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

A Strong Exchange of Ideas: There’s a lot both industries can learn from each other. Cruise operators bring deep expertise in areas like guest flow, personalization, and large-scale hospitality, while IAAPA members lead in safety, storytelling, and attraction design. Together, that creates a powerful opportunity for shared innovation. 

A Truly Global Audience: Cruise lines reach a broad, international audience—very much in line with IAAPA’s global membership. That shared reach helps strengthen IAAPA’s role as the voice of the worldwide attractions industry. 

A More Connected Experience Ecosystem: As the lines between destinations continue to blur, cruises are often part of a bigger journey that includes theme parks, water parks, and other attractions. Welcoming cruise lines into IAAPA reflects how interconnected and experience-driven the industry has become.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

America's 250th, Attractions, Family Travel, Summer Vacations, themeparks and attractions, Uncategorized

Themeparks, Attractions Are Go-To Destinations for Families Adapting Vacation Plans to Pressures

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California, offers a marvelous alternative to a long-haul trip to Africa. Make it a multi-day vacation by staying over in their authentic glamping tents. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

With rising gas prices and air fares exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the desire to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.

We asked Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), to address questions about trends and forces affecting the attractions industry, and tips for travelers to enhance their visits.

How is economic uncertainty impacting the industry? 

“The Joker” coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ. In uncertain times, themeparks can offer provide escapism © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Economic uncertainty is certainly influencing how people plan, but it hasn’t diminished the desire to travel. Instead, we’re seeing consumers prioritize value and intentionality. Guests may take fewer trips, but they are choosing higher-quality, experience-driven visits. 

At the same time, attractions play an important role in providing a sense of escapism. In moments of uncertainty, people are seeking opportunities to disconnect, recharge, and spend meaningful time with family and friends. Attractions offer that emotional release—creating spaces where guests can step away from day-to-day pressures and simply enjoy the moment. 

In response, attractions are offering more flexible pricing, bundled packages, and added-value experiences to ensure guests feel they are getting the most for their time and money, while still delivering the memorable, uplifting experiences they’re looking for. 

Tips for getting tickets, saving time, and arranging special experiences?

Universal Orlando. Premium and fast passes may well be worth the extra cost © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Planning ahead is key. Many attractions now offer timed entry, mobile apps for real-time updates, and bundled ticket options that can save both time and money. 

Most major parks—and even many smaller attractions—offer premium or VIP-style experiences. These can include front-of-line access, guided tours, exclusive viewing areas for shows, and even behind-the-scenes experiences.

An important shift in the industry is how much technology enhances the guest experience—from mobile ordering to virtual queues—making visits smoother and more personalized than ever before. A few simple strategies can make a big difference: 

Visit during off-peak days or seasons when possible 

Purchase tickets in advance online 

Use park apps to plan your day and minimize wait times 

Consider bundled packages or multi-day tickets for better value 

Arrive early or stay late—those first and last hours are often the least crowded 

What are new trends among themeparks and attractions? 

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California, is among the attractions becoming multi-day vacation places with authentic glamping tents © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

One of the biggest misconceptions is how much attractions have evolved beyond rides. Today’s parks are full-day—and often multi-day—destinations offering culinary experiences, festivals, live performances, expanded nighttime experiences, and even wellness-focused spaces (like shade and cooling) and environmentally responsible operations. 

While new rides and expansions continue to be important, one of the biggest stories right now is how parks are evolving into full-scale, seasonal destinations anchored by major events. 

For instance, Kennywood is introducing “Celebrate Kennywood Weekends,” adding new energy and programming to its 2026 season. 

Six Flags has introduced a new Hotel Partner Program, enabling visitors to participating Six Flags parks to book their park admission and overnight accommodations at the same time. The new Hotel Partner Program complements the company’s growing collection of owned and operated resort hotels and campgrounds, like the glamping experience at its Savannah Sunset Resort within its Six Flags Great Adventure safari park in Jackson, NJ (SixfFags.com) 

What trends are you seeing with this year’s celebration of, America’s 250th? 

Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Themeparks will be creating special programs to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We are seeing a clear surge in travel interest tied to meaningful national moments, and the 250th anniversary of the United States is a major catalyst. Attractions across the country are leaning into this milestone with larger-than-ever celebrations and deeply immersive experiences. 

Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park will debut Soarin’ Across America this summer, a new film experience celebrating the 250th anniversary with breathtaking scenes of landscapes and iconic cityscapes—offering an immersive way to experience the country’s beauty and spirit. 

Cedar Point is hosting its Star-Spangled Celebration with skydivers, live entertainment and a spectacular July 4 fireworks finale. 

Worlds of Fun is running an extended Americana celebration throughout the summer. 

Silver Dollar City is honoring active-duty military with free season passes and hosting season-long patriotic programming, including concerts, drone shows, and themed culinary offerings. 

Wild Adventures Theme Park is launching its Celebrate America Festival with live entertainment and patriotic experiences starting in early summer. 

Overall, travelers are seeking experiences that are both celebratory and meaningful—something that brings people together and creates lasting memories. 

Dollywood is a standout example of how regional parks can deliver world-class experiences rooted in authenticity. What makes Dollywood special is its deep connection to place—the Smoky Mountains—and its emphasis on hospitality, craftsmanship, and storytelling. For America’s 250th, Dollywood is embracing a full seasonal transformation with red, white, and blue décor, and its beloved Sweet Summer Nights Drone Show will feature a patriotic tribute. The park is also debuting its largest investment to date—Nightly Expedition—further enhancing the evening experience for guests. 

Discover New York State’s crucial role in the Revolutionary War at Fort Stanwix in Rome © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We’re also seeing strong participation from museums and cultural institutions. Organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Henry Ford are creating exhibitions and programming that invite visitors to reflect on the nation’s history and future. 

With Families Seeking Out MicroVacations, Themeparks & Attractions Do Their Part to Promote Responsible, Sustainable Travel

Go on safari, even stay in a glamping tent at Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari in Jackson, NJ, a less than half-a-tank option for many © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Themeparks and attractions are doing their part in maximizing the benefits of travel and tourism while mitigating the negative impacts. These days, with the cost and availability of gas, diesel and jet fuel exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the need to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.

Nearly 75% of travelers are now opting for trips of four days or less, underscoring the rapid rise of “micro-cations” and a broader shift toward shorter, more frequent travel.

Are these frequent short trips better or worse for the planet? And what are themeparks and attractions doing to enhance responsible, sustainable travel?

IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Director of Sustainability Ylva Linder offered these responses to our questions:

How do transportation choices, especially flying, shape travel’s carbon footprint?

Philadelphia is ideal for a sustainable vacation with so many major attractions within walking distance or by public transportation. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to travel’s carbon footprint, particularly air travel. The distance traveled and frequency of trips often matter more than the length of the stay. One long trip where a traveler stays in a destination for a week or more can sometimes have a lower overall footprint than several shorter trips that require multiple flights.

That said, transportation choices within a destination also play an important role. Choosing destinations where visitors can rely on public transportation, rail, walking, or shared transit instead of renting a car can significantly reduce the overall impact of a trip. Responsible travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how you get there and how you move around once you arrive..

Might micro-cations help redistribute tourism or risk increasing emissions?

Micro-cations can be a positive trend if they encourage travelers to explore destinations closer to home, travel during off-peak periods, and discover places that may not traditionally see heavy tourism. This can help spread economic benefits to more communities and reduce overcrowding in major destinations.

However, micro-cations can also increase emissions if they lead to people taking more frequent flights or additional trips that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. From a sustainability standpoint, the goal isn’t just shorter trips — it’s smarter trips. Traveling less often, staying longer, choosing closer destinations, and being thoughtful about transportation choices all make a meaningful difference.

Ausable Chasm in the New York State’s Adirondack Mountains offers an excellent driveable outdoor adventure attraction where you explore on foot © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

How can destinations and operators design more sustainable short-stay experiences?

Design plays a major role in sustainable tourism. Destinations and attractions can make responsible travel easier by investing in public transportation access, shuttle systems, walkable environments, and infrastructure that reduces the need for individual car use.

On the operations side, many attractions are focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and sourcing food and materials locally. Capacity management and timed entry systems are also becoming more common, helping reduce overcrowding and improving the guest experience at the same time.

When sustainability is built into how a destination operates, responsible choices become the easiest and most natural option for visitors, enhancing rather than compromising the overall experience.

What does responsible, sustainable travel look like as habits shift globally?

Visiting Betsy Ross at her house in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is ideal for a sustainable vacation with so many major attractions within walking distance or by public transportation. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Responsible travel today is less about telling people not to travel and more about helping people travel better. We’re seeing travelers become more intentional — choosing destinations where they can spend more time in one place, support local businesses, and have meaningful experiences rather than just checking locations off a list.

It also means being mindful of when and how we travel, for example avoiding peak times where possible, respecting local communities, minimizing waste, being conscious of energy and water use, and supporting local businesses, as well as choosing businesses and attractions that are investing in sustainable practices. Responsible travel is about making a thoughtful contribution to the destination while keeping a low overall footprint.

How are attractions driving sustainability at scale across global tourism?

Attractions are in a unique position to drive sustainability because they operate at scale and serve millions of visitors each year. Many attractions are investing in renewable energy, water recycling systems, and sustainable food sourcing.

But just as importantly, attractions can help guide visitor behavior by making more responsible choices easier, such as offering refill stations, reducing single-use materials, or providing shared transport options. These are small steps, but at scale they can help reduce impact.

Because attractions combine entertainment, education, and large-scale operations, they can play a meaningful role in moving the entire tourism industry toward more sustainable practices.

What are theme parks/attractions doing to cut down on auto travel (and the expense of on-site parking!)? For example, are they setting up free shuttles from hotel areas (like ski resorts do in Lake Placid NY, and Banff BC)?

Many attractions and destinations have partnered with hotels that offer free shuttles to and from their neighboring attractions and theme parks. Some attractions have dedicated bus routes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure so visitors can move between hotels, attractions, dining, and entertainment without needing a car.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Attractions, Driveable destinations, Family Travel, themeparks and attractions

Six Flags Great Adventure: Half a Tank Gets You Where Thrills Abound

The Joker coaster. For those for whom riding coasters is more sport than entertainment and are forever seeking out the latest, greatest, newest, biggest, bad-est thrill ride to stop your heart and defy gravity, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, is your ultimate destination © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin & Laurie Millman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

For those for whom riding coasters is more sport than entertainment and are forever seeking out the latest, greatest, newest, biggest, bad-est thrill ride to stop your heart and defy gravity, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, is your ultimate destination.

Packed into a relatively compact space considering the 3-dimensional thrills, are 14 coasters. And like ski areas, the coasters have a progression of development – from little ones in kid-friendly areas like the skiing learning area (that gets them conditioned and hooked early!), up to coasters rated a 5 for thrills (equivalent to skiing’s double black) that pull enough Gs to rival what a fighter pilot, aerobatic flyer and even an astronaut might experience. You progress from small turns and tilts and drops up to the dramatic, thrilling, heart-pulsing, screaming twists, turns, topsy turvy rolls and gravity-defying plunges.

The Joker coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, where you dangle independently © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

When we watched how people dangle on The Joker coaster ride, we basically said, “Are they kidding?!!

On a recent visit just after Great Adventure opened for the season, we get to see construction underway for the newest mega-coaster (much of it is still so secret, they refer to it as the “Purple Project”), which is expected to be open in 2027. It is going up in the newly expanded Shoreline Pier section, where visitors will get to ride five new attractions opening later this season, and a revamped Boardwalk made to evoke the Jersey Shore.

“Project Purple”, which promises to be the first or best in six coaster categories, is under construction at Six Flags Great Adventure and expected to open in 2027 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We watch as workmen in their orange suits are suspended as they piece track together.

During a press preview, we learn that the new, massive roller coaster – a successor to Kingda Ka – will be a first or biggest in six coaster categories but little else is disclosed.

“Project Purple”, which promises to be the first or best in six coaster categories, is under construction at Six Flags Great Adventure and expected to open in 2027 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

It will be uniquely different, unique to this park, was all Ryan Patrick, the park’s communications manager, teased. Does it use some new technology like magnets? Won’t say. Who is inventing/designing/engineering it? Ryan will only say it is a top global coaster company.

We get more from Colin, who publishes @coliwood and videos at www.youtube.com/@ColiwoodStudios/videos, and is a veritable expert on Six Flags Great Adventure. He tells us it will be the world’s first coaster that launches from a still position and go up to 375 feet high – so high, the FAA had to be consulted. It will be intense (though not quite 5G of force).

Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk is where there will be five attractions opening this season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk is a new rides area that channels the vibe, electricity, nostalgia and charm of New Jersey’s iconic oceanside amusement piers. While the new coaster is expected to be open by 2027, this season it will offer five attractions – four new to Great Adventure – along with classic boardwalk treats, fresh theming, and entertainment.

• Barrels O’ Fun: This spinning family coaster in wooden barrel-inspired cars that dip and twist like bobbing buoys on the surf, designed for young thrill seekers.

• Flying Scooters: A nostalgic favorite found on piers up and down the Shore puts you in control of your own flight around the boardwalk. Riders soar on winged scooters, using the sails to swing, dip, and glide—choosing between a gentle breeze or a more thrilling ride with each push and pull.

• Wave Swinger is a breezy seaside swing ride that lifts you into the air, spinning  above the midway with sweeping Boardwalk views and a weightless, soaring sensation. It evokes the nostalgia of the Flying Wave, which thrilled generations at Great Adventure from 1974 to 2007.

• Hypno Twister is a dazzling, light-drenched spinning ride that whirls you through swirling colors and hypnotic rotations. Four interlocking, rotating arms perform a mesmerizing dance that delivers pops of weightlessness.

• Super Roundup is a high-energy crowd pleaser that sends standing riders spinning in fast, accelerating circles as its platform tilts 80 degrees – with centrifugal force holding everyone to the wall. A classic that’s been delighting Great Adventure guests since 1974, Super Roundup reclaims its original name in a new location after a complete mechanical makeover, having previously twirled under the names Fantasy Fling, The Tornado and Swashbuckler.

The Shoreline Pier will feature entertainment from day into night. On select dates and times, guests can enjoy: stilt walkers, live musicians and roaming acts and performance artists.

When the sun goes down, Boardwalk Nights, will feature stage performances feature vocalists, dancers and gravity-defying acrobats.

Wild Safari Park

The Safari Off-Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

One of the iconic highlights of Six Flags Great Adventure is Wild Safari, one of the largest safaris outside of Africa, and home to more than 1,200 animals representing six continents. It offers guests up-close look at wildlife across expansive, naturalistic habitats via safari vehicles (no longer self-drive). The tour can now can be accessed from within the main park (Safari Off-Road Adventure, a 35-minute tour), as well as a separate tour from the Wild Safari Base Camp (a 45-minute tour).

Animal Encounter with a snake at Wild Safari, at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Wild Safari Base Camp is a standalone wildlife experience at the main safari entrance. The area features animal encounters, educational presentations and interactive experiences aimed at deepening guests’ connection to wildlife.

You may well spot its newest arrival, a brown bear cub named JJ, born to mother Hollywood who are spending time together in their own dedicated habitat space among the park’s brown bears.

The Safari Off-Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We do the Safari Off-Road Adventure from Frontier Station inside the theme park – no longer a self-drive, but you pack into a large open safari truck.

It is amazing for me that the last time I visited the Safari Park it was a self-drive experience and the same elephants we saw when my sons were boys (now fathers themselves) are still there and have been since 1974. 

The elephant, we learn, is a “keystone animal” which means if they are removed from their environment, it would cause the eco-system to collapse. Elephants clear trees that open up pathways for migratory animals and vistas to see predators.

The Safari Off-Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We see giraffes, lions, elands, antelope, zebra, red kangaroos (we see baby roos), bears to list just a few of the 1,200 animals that inhabit the Safari Park (each time you visit, you would have a different experience – it is especially exciting to glimpse a newborn bear, J.J.). We come upon a herd of Barbary sheep where two are engaged in a headbutting joust.

When you go through Wild Safari, be on the lookout for baby J.J. and mother bear, Hollywood © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Safari Park is also dedicated to conservation and our tour guide highlights the fact that 40% of the population of lions in the wild and a similar percentage of giraffes are lost every 15 years.

Wild Safari, one of the largest safaris outside of Africa, is home to more than 1,200 from around the world, including these kangaroo © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The safari park is a conservation area – the 350 acres were acquired in the 1970s and 52 acres of it are kept pristine, attracting migratory birds, beaver, possum, turtles, eagles. (you can buy a $5 pin that helps fund the conservancy).

Our guide tells us that the wetlands are “nature’s air conditioner” – the flowers suck the humidity out of the air, keeping the air cool and dry.

Overnight in luxurious glamping tents inside the safari park at Savannah Sunset Resort © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

You can actually overnight in luxurious glamping tents within the Safari Park, at its Savannah Sunset Resort – even feed giraffes that come right up to the porch which is raised up on stilts to eye level, and listen to the lions roaring at night (their enclosure is just a little beyond where the tents are). Glamping guests are driven in and out of the tent area by the resort (which is completely encircled by the safari park/habitat), and are given a tour of the safari park in those special vans instead of the big safari truck vehicles.

Motion is the Common Denominator

After our Safari Park tour, we venture throughout the park – seeing all manners of rides that have as a common denominator motion.

(If you ae prone to motion sickness we recommend taking Bonine or Dramamine 30-60 minutes before so you can enjoy the rides. Also, many of the rides require you to place absolutely everything that might fall or choke, like backpack, cell phone, etc. into lockers that are located right by the entrance to the specific ride – usually a clue as to the intensity of the experience.)

Among the heralded and noteworthy coasters:

The Joker coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, where you dangle independently © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

THE JOKER™ has a unique track that runs in between the seats, so you are free flying through the ride. After strapping into your “4-D” wing vehicle, you shoot up 12 stories, zooming over hills and pivoting forward with only the sky to catch you. These seats were designed with a one-of-a-kind magnetic technology which allows you to swivel and free-fly with weightless effort.You plummet into a beyond-90° drop before shooting back up into the pandemonium for a series of sudden direction changes and flips as you tumble up and down the coaster’s levels. As if that weren’t enough, The JOKER sends you down a second ultra-steep drop before finally letting you go.

BATMAN-Inspired Experience (rated a 5 in thrill level) – reopening this spring – is an intense, 50-mph juggernaut. Climb aboard the BATMOBILE and prepare to sweep through the city suspended from an overhead track, your feet dangling in the air. With five inversions and enough G-force to plaster you to your seat, this ride is not for the timid. Following a 10-story lift to the top of the world, brace for a full 360-degree loop right from the start, then a fully inverted roll and a second loop about ten seconds later, a double set of wingover loops and corkscrew descents.  As you soar above the park, you briefly experience 4 G-force, pressing you to your seat with four-times the amount of normal gravity; all while taking on the gravity-defying twists and turns.

El Toro harkens back to a wooden coaster with high-tech improvements to provide a smoother ride experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

El Toro (rated 5) , an award-winning coaster, has been improved to provide a smoother ride experience. The coaster combines the aesthetics of a classic wooden ride with ultra-modern technology making it one of the best wooden roller coasters in the country. Ride up nearly 19 stories and brace for the first drop of 176 feet at a 76° angle—the steepest of any wooden roller coaster in the country. Fly through the tracks at a jaw-dropping 70 mph over a series of hills specifically designed to give you maximum airtime, meaning you’ll lift off your seat and defy gravity- a total of nine opportunities to experience zero gravity.

El Toro harkens back to a wooden coaster with high-tech improvements to provide a smoother ride experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

SUPERMAN™: Ultimate Flight (rated a 5 in thrill level)- The first coaster in which passengers ride parallel with the track, you flyface down, head first. The ascent begins by climbing 106 feet high, only to plunge down into a 50° angle drop, pressed into place by the strong G-force. Flying at 50 mph, you go headfirst into a pretzel-shaped loop, swooping up 78 feet high before diving back to the ground only to come right back up again. Then, take on a high-speed horseshoe curve, an insane helix and, finally, a 360° inversion which lands you back where you took off.

Superman , Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Skull Mountain (ranked 3 thrill level): With no light to guide you and plenty of twists and turns, this all-indoor roller coaster combines heart-pounding speed with the fear of the unknown. With only lanterns to guide you, you’ll take a seat in what looks like an old mine cart before the lights go out and you go full speed ahead. Suspended in darkness, you are sent down what feels like a 100-foot drop, but is really only 37 feet. You continue to twist and turn, completing horizontal helixes and drops that feel record breaking in the dark. Then, when you least expect it, you blast into daylight.

The Flash, the first boomerang coaster in North America © Laurie Millman/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

THE FLASH™: Vertical Velocity is the first boomerang coaster in North America, Once you strap in, you launch forward reaching speeds up to 59 mph. You travel through a 180° twisted drop, and zoom through the zero-g roll. Then,  right when you reach the vertical tower, you launch backward and do the whole course all over again.

Nitro (rated 5)- This over-the-top, intense “hypercoaster” goes all out in speed, height and airtime. You take off toward a 233-foot hill. At the top, you fly down a 215-foot drop at 80 mph as you zoom into the second hill, up another 181 feet high over the treetops, and down so fast you lift right out of your seat in pure weightlessness. Then you are blasted into the totally original hammerhead U-turn, a paralyzing swift reversal, into impossible horizontal loops, a 540° helix spiral and finish off with a series of camelback hills – traveling a whole mile of track.

Medusa, the world’s first floorless coaster © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Medusa (rated 5): Strap into the world’s first floorless coaster and prepare to climb 142 feet before you’re sent reeling down a twisting 132-foot drop at a 55° angle. You take flight through a 114-foot vertical loop, followed by a 96-foot dive loop. Then, a zero-gravity roll where you feel weightless as you move through the cobra-like track.

Runaway Mine Train (rated 4) appears tame but once you strap in, you haul up a 60-foot hill and drop 39 feet, your mine car losing all brake functions as you reach 38 mph. The train chugs through a series of twisty helixes and curves and a pulse-quickening drop across a shimmering lake

Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The starter coasters:

Lil’ Devil Coaster (still rated 3 for thrill): This small, mild thrill coaster is just the thing for Junior Thrillseekers to build courage (and height!) up for the max-thrill rides. This beginner thrill ride for kids has a top speed of 15 mph, a 13-foot drop and plenty of gentle twists and turns, so “even the most timid of riders can conquer this adventure.”

HARLEY QUINN™ Crazy Train is a family-friendly junior coaster. Take a seat in the crazy train and go 26 feet high, then take off on a figure-eight trail of small hills and crazy twists and turns at a max speed of 22 mph (“perfect for little villains as they train for the big coasters”).

Daffy Duck Hot Air Balloons, in the family friendly section at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Other family-friendly (non-coaster) rides: Air Jumbo; Air Safari; Barnstormer; Bugaboo (or thrill seeker), Bugs Bunny Camp Carousel; Bugs Bunny Ranger Pilots; Carousel; Daffy Duck Hot Air Balloons; Enchanted Teacups; Fender Benders; Giant Wheel; Jolly Roger spinning ride; Porky Pig Camp Wagons; Raja’s Rickshaws.

Justice League: Battle for Metropolis was a fun, non-coaster ride at Six Flags Great Adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There aren’t many rides that do not involve thrilling coasters or heart-stopping, head-spinning motion. But for those (us) who are not coasties looking for the next thrill, we loved JUSTICE LEAGUE™: Battle for METROPOLIS (rated a 2) ride in MovieTown, where you sit in a car and get to shoot The Joker and Lex Luthor using your handy laser gun as you cruise through the streets of Metropolis. The visual effects are fun and the cars do twist and jerk (they can revolve 360 degrees), but just to the point where you might feel uncomfortable, so total fun.  At the end, you get to know your score (how many bad guys you shot) and you can purchase a photo of yourselves in the ride.

Houdini’s Great Escape is a haunted mansion ride © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Another is Houdini’s Great Escape, a haunted mansion ride featuring an “ultimate” séance to bring the legendary magician back from beyond (it wasn’t open for our visit)

In addition, there are a score of water attractions like the Saw Mill Log Flume (a 4), and a whole separate Hurricane Harbor water park, one of the Northeast’s largest waterparks with more than 25 attractions.

To see descriptions of all the coasters: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/attractions?ride-category=coaster

To see descriptions of all the attractions: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/attractions

Even non-coaster rides at Six Flags Great Adventure involve motion © Laurie Millman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Motion-oriented rides dominate the experience at Six Flags. To prevent nausea, take over-the-counter motion sickness medication (like Dramamine or Bonine) 30-60 minutes before riding, eat a light, bland meal, and stay hydrated. On the ride, keep your head straight, look forward and avoid closing your eyes. Afterward, sit in the shade, sip water, and use ginger candy to settle your stomach. 

To get the most out of your visit, upgrade to the Fast Pass which lets you go through a much, much faster line.

For those who want to travel near to feel like you are going far, Six Flags Great Adventure is a great destination – just three gallons of gas each way to be transported into a fantasy land.

Six Flags Great Adventure boasts four attractions: Six Flags Great Adventure, Hurricane Harbor, Wild Safari and Savanah Sunset Resort and Spa.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is one of North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operators with 26 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 16 states in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Company also manages an amusement park in Saudi Arabia.

Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ 08527, 732-928-2000, www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Cultural travel, Ecotourism, Experiential Travel, Hotels & Resorts, Nature and Wildlife, Nature, Wildlife, Outdoors Adventures, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, Travel Trends

Cruises, Hospitality, Destinations Implement Responsible, Sustainable Tourism Practices

In Dominica, known as “the Nature Island of the Caribbean”, visitors can join rare, responsibly guided encounters with resident sperm whales through Secret Bay’s Swimming with the Whales & Marine Safari (photo: Dominica)

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Travelers are increasingly mindful of their responsibility in preserving and protecting the people, the environment, and the ecosystems of the places they visit and are actively seeking out travel entities – transportation, hospitality, dining, attractions, and destinations – that incorporate sustainable, responsible practices.

Here’s a sampling of how cruises and resorts are not just implementing but also modeling conservation, preservation and regenerative practices, while the revenue from tourism helps fund and sustain these programs.

Cruising

Havila Voyages, the Norwegian coastal operator, recently completed a historic 12-day voyage aboard its Havila Polaris, powered by biogas, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 90%. Combined with the fleet’s advanced battery systems which enable ships to sail for up to four hours with zero emissions, Havila is demonstrating that cleaner, quieter travel at sea is ready to scale for the future. Silent, low-emission cruising allows access to fragile areas like the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord without environmental harm, while journeys along Norway’s 34-port coastal route connect travelers to authentic communities through more than 70 immersive excursions, from dogsledding to Sámi cultural experiences. Its “Havila Food Stories” program partners with local producers and serves seasonal, à la carte menus that have reduced food waste to just 69 grams per guest per day, cutting more than 60 tons annually. With ships designed for future hydrogen conversion and a goal of fully climate-neutral operations by 2028, Havila Voyages offers a compelling example of how responsible travel and bucket-list experiences, from Northern Lights viewing to the Midnight Sun, can go hand in hand.

The Boat Company donates proceeds from its Alaska expeditionary cruises toward conservation initiatives.

While sustainable tourism focuses on minimizing the impacts travelers have on a community or ecosystem, regenerative tourism goes a step further with a focus on making destinations better than they were. That has been the mission of The Boat Company– one of the world’s only non-profit cruise companies – since its founding 46 years ago. All of The Boat Company’s proceeds (beyond operating expenses) from its week-long expeditionary cruises between Sitka and Juneau through Alaska’s Inside Passage are reinvested back into conservation initiatives (theboatcompany.org, 360-697-4242).

Boating and Biking Egypt: The Nile’s Hidden Banks: This tour blends slow, low-impact travel with active exploration, exploring by e-bike small villages and immense monuments rarely seen and sailing aboard an all-suite ship: https://www.boatbiketours.com/tours/egypt-the-nile-a-journey-to-ancient-wonders/]

Hospitality

At Finolhu in the Maldives, guests can join the Coral Reef Propagation Project, ocean clean-ups, Citizen Science programs and megafauna dives (photo: Finolhu)

Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll in the Maldives, Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort is committed to safeguarding one of the world’s most delicate and vibrant marine ecosystems. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 2011, Baa Atoll is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on earth – home to over 250 coral species, more than 1,200 fish species, and the world’s largest known aggregation of manta rays at nearby Hanifaru Bay. Its location above a deep ocean channel creates nutrient-rich currents that attract whale sharks, dolphins and sea turtles year-round, making it one of the few places on the planet with this level of protected aquatic abundance. As part of a UNESCO-protected biosphere, Finolhu is largely self-sufficient. Guests can do their part in making a difference by joining the Coral Reef Propagation Project, led by the resort’s resident marine biologist, which aims to rebuild the resort’s reef; ocean clean-ups conducted in partnership with Parley for the Oceans; and Citizen Science programs and megafauna dives, which help track individual animals and contribute to ongoing marine research. 

Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort plays an active role in conservation through its on-site turtle sanctuary (photo: Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan)

The first Hyatt-branded property in Mazatlán, Mexico, Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort, has earned the prestigious Platinum Beach Certification for its sustainably maintained shoreline and partnership with local, environmentally responsible suppliers. The resort has also implemented water-saving technologies including aerators and automatic flushers, energy-efficient systems like heat recovery equipment and LED lighting, reduced plastic use, and landscaping with endemic plants to support local biodiversity. The resort plays an active role in conservation through its on-site turtle sanctuary, where guests can participate in the protection and preservation of these remarkable animals. 

Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Rivera Nayarit, Mexico, is an eco-conscious, adults-only, all-suite all-inclusive resort.

Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, Rivera Nayarit, Mexico, is an eco-conscious, adults-only, all-suite all-inclusive resort. Nestled between the golden sands and surf-friendly beaches of Banderas Bay and the lush Sierra Madre Mountains, it offers an unplugged, nature-focused getaway. On property, an organic garden and farm supply fresh herbs, produce, and eggs to the resort’s restaurants, reinforcing its sustainable ethos. The resort also supports the local community through its “World of Care” program, donating food and supplies to Wet Nose Rescue and caring for rescued animals, among them, Joker, the resort’s adopted dog and mascot. In addition, the hotel sponsors a local primary school, with team members supporting students through gifts, monthly visits, and meaningful activities. 

El Cielo Resort & Winery pairs luxurious vineyard accommodations with a commitment to sustainable hospitality (photo: El Cielo Resort)

Located in the heart of Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., El Cielo Resort & Winery pairs luxurious vineyard accommodations with a commitment to sustainable hospitality. Guests stay in Tuscany-inspired villas, enjoy farm-to-table dining, and explore the property’s organic vineyards while supporting eco-conscious practices woven throughout the resort experience. Sustainability initiatives include pioneering solar energy as one of the first wineries in the region to install solar panels, cultivating grapes without synthetic pesticides to preserve soil health and biodiversity, and utilizing trained Harris’ Hawks as a natural, chemical-free vineyard protection. The resort also captures rainwater in custom-built reservoirs to support sustainable irrigation and create habitats for migratory birds, alongside additional environmentally mindful touches such as lightweight wine bottles, natural corks, water treatment systems, and LED lighting designed to reduce light pollution. 

Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica, known as “the Nature Island of the Caribbean” (photo: Dominica)

Dominica, the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” continues to lead the way in eco-conscious travel, integrating sustainability into everyday life. Offering a balance of preservation and experience, Dominica is a model for sustainable tourism in action. Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park, engage in conservation efforts and discover the island’s rich cultural heritage. Through a blend of community-led conservation, innovative eco-luxury and immersive nature experiences, the island offers travelers meaningful ways to connect with and support the environment. Visitors can take part in hands-on conservation experiences like sea turtle nesting season at Rosalie Bay and join rare, responsibly guided encounters with resident sperm whales through Secret Bay’s Swimming with the Whales & Marine Safari, supported by the world’s first marine protected area dedicated to the species. Across the island, eco-forward properties like Coulibri Ridge and Secret Bay continue to redefine sustainable luxury, complemented by low-impact activities such as guided e-bike tours and cultural experiences like the Roseau History Tour; Sea Cliff Eco Cottages’ offers “garden-to-glass” Cocoa Martini, crafted using upcycled cacao husks in partnership with a local chocolate producer. Dominica also has one of the Caribbean’s most diverse and untouched trail systems. Its annual Hike Fest invites travelers to explore iconic landscapes, from Boeri Lake and Chemin Létang to the legendary Boiling Lake, through guided hikes taking place on Saturdays in May.

Hotel Belmar in Costa Rica’s cloud forest (photo: Hotel Belmar)

High in Costa Rica’s cloud forest where regeneration is visible and measurable, Hotel Belmar is a family-owned icon. Finca Madre Tierra, recognized as Costa Rica’s first carbon-neutral farm, supplies eggs, dairy, shade-grown coffee, sugarcane, and seasonal produce to the hotel. Guests can visit milk cows, learn cheese-making, pick coffee, and press sugarcane, deepening their connection with Monteverde’s agricultural traditions. On property, Belmar closes the loop through composting and a biodigester that turns organics into clean gas, making farm‑to‑table‑to‑farm a daily practice. Sustainability in practice: Belmar’s bio-intensive garden plots feed regenerative dining, garden-to-glass mixology that replaces bottled inputs, a plastic-free bar program, environmentally preferable products, and an air‑dry laundry solarium that reduces energy consumption. Rooms and shared spaces rely on beautifully crafted furnishings, supporting regional makers while celebrating Monteverde’s woodworking heritage and its long tradition of forest-based craft. In the forest, SAVIA employs local forest mobility experts, uses tree-friendly anchoring with high-tension ropes and cables rather than bolts, and offers themed expeditions from dawn birding to nightfall canopy study, creating paid interpretive work while keeping impact light in a rare ecosystem known for exceptional biodiversity.

Guests can also participate in programming like Monteverde Exploration with local guides and farm-to-table experience which generate income to farmers, educators, and naturalists and sends guests home with transferable skills in composting, pickling and planning. Every stay helps to underwrite a year-round economy tied to food, music, ecology, and science, supporting both the local community and the surrounding forest. Multigenerational ties to local farmers, craftspeople, guides, and musicians help sustain the region’s distinctive culture, creating a shared ecosystem of livelihoods that strengthens the surrounding community while helping to protect the cloud forest’s special environment. The hotel’s Artist Residency Program further expands this cultural exchange, inviting artists to spend time on the property and develop new work inspired by the cloud forest (hotelbelmar.net).

Calabash Cove Resort & Spa integrates regenerative, low-impact operations into its boutique, adults‑only experience on Saint Lucia’s coast (photo: Calabash Cove Resort)

Set on a secluded hillside overlooking Bonaire Bay along Saint Lucia’s biodiverse northwestern coast, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa integrates regenerative, low-impact operations into its boutique, adults‑only experience. The resort maintains a strict plastic-free policy, eliminating disposable containers and using recycled-material lunch boxes and biodegradable straws. All hot water is solar‑heated, lighting relies on LEDs, and an on-site water‑treatment plant recycles water for irrigation. Guests receive a free reusable aluminum bottle on arrival, with free still or sparkling water refills throughout their stay to eliminate disposable bottles. Local farms supply produce and seasonal vegetarian and vegan menus highlight Saint Lucia’s ingredients while reducing the footprint of higher‑impact foods. Kitchen oils are collected and repurposed to heat laundry water, further reducing external energy demand.

Sustainability in practice:  Closed‑loop practices underpin daily operations. Grass cuttings are mulched and composted, kitchen scraps are sent to a local pig farmer, and rainwater is collected for property use. Timers on pool pumps help reduce energy demand and mosquito fogging has been discontinued to allow local birdlife to flourish. Marine stewardship includes reef and turtle‑protection training led by Saint Lucia’s Fisheries Department, where staff learn to identify nesting periods, safely relocate eggs, and tag previously untracked turtles to support long‑term conservation monitoring. Landscaping is maintained by on‑staff gardeners who prioritize native vegetation and habitats, supporting wildlife that thrives along the cove’s protected shoreline. The resort’s intimate 26‑room scale keeps impact low while enabling meaningful guest participation through beach cleanups, nature-positive activities, and plant-forward dining (calabashcove.com).

Alaia Belize guests can explore the ancient Maya site of Xunantunich on curated, conservation-minded excursions (photo: Alaia Belize)

Set on 20 oceanfront acres on Ambergris Caye, Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection  offers an upscale base for exploring one of the Caribbean’s most ecologically diverse destinations. Guests can snorkel the protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve, visit Caye Caulker, and explore the ancient Maya site of Xunantunich, all through curated, conservation-minded excursions.

Sustainable forestry practices at Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand (photo: Banyan Tree Phuket)

Sustainability and community-driven practices are woven throughout Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand, nestled between white sandy beaches and coconut groves. Guests can participate in the resort’s sustainable initiatives, such as a visit to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, sustainable beach cleaning and cooking classes that promote sustainability and community engagement. 

Six Senses Laamu is celebrating the impact of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning marine education and conservation center (photo: Six Senses Laamu)

Six Senses Laamu is celebrating the impact of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu, the “SHELL.” This2,336-square-foot marine education and conservation center offers guests and local communitiesimmersive experiences with the local marine environment, including coral regeneration, seagrass conservation, and sea turtle research. Through the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), the SHELL hosts a dedicated team of marine biologists working with partner NGOs including Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and Olive Ridley Project. Together they have grown over 10,000 baby corals across five species, released more than 12 million coral larvae onto the resort’s house reef, and conducted genetic studies of sea turtles.The team has also cataloged over1,000 turtles and 140 manta rays in Laamu Atoll, contributing to scientific research and publications.

Six Senses Kanuhura launched Kanuhura Coral Census (photo: Six Senses Kanuhura)

Six Senses Kanuhura launched Kanuhura Coral Census, thefirst long-term 3D reef monitoring program implemented by a resort globally. It usesadvanced imaging and AI to create living digital replicas of coral reefs, offering a deeper understanding of reef health, biodiversity, and resilience. These insights help guide a more mindful, long-term approach to reef restoration, ensuring that the surrounding ecosystems continue to thrive for generations to come.

Imperial Hotel Kyoto aligns heritage with sustainability (photo: Imperial Hotels)

Imperial Hotels across Japan’s heritage cities – Tokyo, Kamikochi, Osaka, Kyoto – align heritage with sustainability. Imperial Hotel Tokyo has reduced plastics by 87.7 percent versus 2019, reducing 13.9 tons by shifting amenities to bamboo, wood, and biomass and replacing PET with paper cartons; it operates on 100 percent CO2-free electricity and advances circularity through recycling loops that turn coffee grounds into cattle feed and repurchase the resulting milk, while used cooking oil becomes Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The Osaka hotel reinforces circularity by turning kitchen waste into fertilizer and buying back vegetables grown with it and supports EV drivers with charging stations.

Imperial Hotel Kyoto, which opened March 5, 2026 inside the restored Yasaka Kaikan in Gion, preserves its cultural fabric through adaptive repurposing and reusing more than 16,000 tiles to reduce construction impact while sustaining local craftsmanship. The property supports living culture through performances. Craft atelier visits, including an imperial doll workshop, ensure fees reach local artisans. Community engagement includes food education in schools, cleanup activities in Osaka and Kamikochi; disaster support agreements in Tokyo and Osaka provide shelter for stranded residents and travelers. Imperial Hotel Kamikochi runs on net zero CO2 energy using regional hydropower and offsets, encourages refills with a lobby spring water fountain, and has reduced plastics by roughly 90 percent through amenity changes. Conservation work with the Kamikochi Beautification Association supports stewardship of the national park.

The Lake House on Canandaigua is the only hotel in New York State to receive Beyond Green certification (photo: The Lake House)

The Lake House on Canandaigua, a luxury hotel in the Finger Lakes, has earned a Beyond Green certification – the only hotel in New York State to receive the recognition – joining a global portfolio of hotels recognized for advancing sustainability, environmental stewardship and meaningful community connection. Operated by Preferred Travel Group, Beyond Green is a curated collection of hotels and resorts committed to responsible travel worldwide. Member properties are vetted against more than 50 sustainability indicators aligned with the best global practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing places where sustainability is deeply embedded in both philosophy and practice (lakehousecanandaigua.com).

See also:

Mindful Travelers Seek Out Responsible, Sustainable Travel Providers

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Ecotourism, Experiential Travel, Sustainable Travel

Mindful Travelers Seek Out Responsible, Sustainable Travel Providers

Destinations are protecting their cultural and natural resources by imposing strict regulations and limits on guided safaris through its animal preserves, such as the Kahna Tiger Sanctuary in India © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Travel “opens our minds, connects us, and makes the world a smaller place,” notes Sustainable Travel International. “Done well, tourism is a force for good that lifts communities out of poverty, improves living standards in developing countries and safeguards the world’s natural and cultural treasures.”  

On the other hand, “Tourism also accounts for 8% of global emissions, litters the planet with plastic, threatens species, and overburdens communities.” 

A growing cadre of travelers are mindful of their own responsibility and seek out travel companies, hotels, transportation and destinations that make responsible, sustainable practices their mission, infused into their operation and their mindset. 

Tour operators who practice sustainable, responsible travel in their operations and their policies are careful to limit their carbon footprint, avoid plastics and pollutants, hire locals and buy local, are respectful of local culture, heritage and environment, and often give back a portion of the tour price to the community or assist and support community projects like schools, water, and health clinics. Wildlife, nature and safari companies show great care in how they interface with animals and the ecosystem, limiting interactions, and often sponsor conservation projects. And some are designed to engage the travelers actively in the projects or research. 

Galapagos is the poster child for the necessity for responsible, sustainable eco-tourism and a model for how to practice it, limiting the number of permits available to be on the Inca Trail or access Machu Picchu © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Destinations are also making sure their desire for economic development and progress does not kill the golden goose that make their places so desirable to visit, so take action to regulate and limit tourism.

Responsible travelers can make more informed choices of tour companies, hotels, cruiseships, transport modes and service providers. They gain first-hand understanding of the pressures on communities and ecosystems, and become ambassadors to advocate for environmental protection at home. An added benefit is that they also bring these ideas and practices to their own home and community and become advocates for the lawmakers and policy makers.

Concerned about the ill-effects of overtourism, Peru strictly limits the number of people who can be on the Inca Trail or access Machu Picchu on any day © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Here is a list of widely respected sustainable, responsible travel companies: 

IntrepidTravel.com specializes in environmentally, culturally and socially responsible tours for small groups in destinations worldwide.

G Adventures, based in Canada, is renowned for trekking, safaris, ecotourism, cultural tours around the world and for small group tours that prioritize local economic benefits and community-based projects.

Natural Habitat Adventures partners with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to offer specialized, eco-conscious wildlife tours, including polar bear and Galápagos trips.

And Beyond specializes in luxury, conservation-focused tourism in Africa, Asia and South America.

Much Better Adventures focuses on adventure travel that supports local communities and contributes to habitat conservation, with 5% of revenue going to conservation funds.

Exodus Adventure Travels offers trips that often include “citizen science” opportunities, such as collecting water samples for research. 

Global Exchange offers socially responsible Reality Tours to 30 developing countries worldwide.

Journeys International is a US-based family-owned global adventure travel company specializing in guided cross-cultural explorations, nature safaris, treks and eco-tours in remote corners of the globe.

Tribes Travel is a UK-based travel company offering holidays and safaris that operate on fair trade and responsible travel principles.

World Expeditions, based in the UK (with offices in USA), offers trekking and small group adventure holidays, based on responsible and sustainable travel principles

Much Better Adventures focuses on adventure travel that supports local communities and contributes to habitat conservation, with 5% of revenue going to conservation funds.

European Safari Company operates in partnership with Rewilding Europe to fund conservation through tourism.

White Desert provides luxury travel to Antarctica using sustainable aviation fuel.

Slow Travel 

Parks & Trail NY highlights its advocacy for repurposing obsolete rail lines and canalways for multi-use recreation with an annual 8-day, 400-mile Cycle the Erie biking/camping trip, from Buffalo to Albany © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Bike tours are not only friendly to the environment, but are stimulating to mind and body and bring you to places you would otherwise never see and interactions you would never otherwise have. Among our favorites: BikeTours.com; Discovery Bicycle Tours; Wilderness Voyageurs; BoatBikeTours; Backroads; Trek Travel; Exodus Adventure Travels; Duvine; and Butterfield & Robinson.

Advocates such as Parks & Trails NY (ptny.org), which operates the annual 8-day, 400-mile Cycle the Erie biking/camping trip (this year taking place July 11-16, https://cycle.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal/annual-bike-tour) but you can bike the 356-mile Erie Canalway between Albany and Buffalo anytime (https://eriecanalway.org/explore/cycling), and several tour operators offer an inn-to-inn program) and Rails to Trails Conservancy (railtotrails.org), help promote recreational multi-use trails.

Rails to Trails Conservancy can help you plan your next outing with detailed trail guides. RTC’s Hall of Fame guidebook features 39 trails from all across the country; you can also reserve a copy of the NEW Great American Rail-Trail® guidebook featuring 50 trails along the route of the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, which, when completed, will span 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C. and Washington State. A hike, bike, ride or roll along the Great American Rail-Trail—or any of our nation’s incredible trails—is a perfect way to experience trails during America’s 250th year.

Rails to Trails Conservancy promotes the use of multi-use trails like its award-winning Great Allegheny Passage trail, and is presently working to link 3,700 miles of trails into the Great American Rail-Trail © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Each guidebook includes all you need to plan your next trail adventure, including maps, detailed trail descriptions, photos, and trail use notes, whether you want a forest path, a rugged mountain trail, an urban exploration, or a trek along a coastline. Nationwide, over 40,000 miles of trails exist for walking, biking, rolling, running (railstotrails.org)

RTC is promoting Celebrate Trails Day, April 25, 2026, and invites everyone to be a part of this annual springtime celebration by joining an event or simply spending the day your way on a trail near you. RTC is also celebrating 40 years and decades of progress made for America’s trails. Need celebration inspiration?

While Rails to Trails and Parks & Trails NY advocate for re-purposing abandoned and obsolete rail lines, rail travel is very much a treasured experience that exemplifies sustainable travel.

Rail travel: Consider a vacation by rail – Europe is easy to get around (RailEurope, Eurail and Vacations by Rail); Canada (VIA Rail, canadiantreainvacations.com), Great Rail Journeys (greatrail.com) and Japan is famous for its scenic rail routes, Bullet train and excellent train system (https://www.japan.travel/en/see-and-do/scenic-railways/).

Japan’s rail network is legendary (photo: Japan Rail)

Iconic rail journeys include Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe) famous as a top luxury train, it features 1920s-vintage Art Deco cars and travels between cities like London, Paris, and Venice); Rocky Mountaineer(Canada); Glacier Express(Switzerland) known as the “slowest express train in the world,” it crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels between Zermatt and St. Moritz; Rovos Rail(Africa)  luxury travel, particularly the Pretoria to Victoria Falls route); Maharajas’ Express(India); Belmond Royal Scotsman(Scotland);Trans-Siberian Railway(Russia/Asia) classic route spans from Moscow to Vladivostok); Andean Explorer(Peru), South America’s first luxury sleeper train, traveling from Cusco to Arequipa, offering high-altitude views. 

The Belmond Royal Scotsman (photo: Belmond)

Also: Bernina Express(Switzerland/Italy), picturesque, known for traversing steep grades and dramatic, icy mountain landscapes); Eastern & Oriental Express(Southeast Asia),travels through Malaysia and Thailand; Seven Stars in Kyushu(Japan), a luxury train traversing the Kyushu region. 

Amtrak Vacations (amtrakvacations.com) offers packages along its famous routes:

California Zephyr: Travels between Chicago and San Francisco, widely considered one of the most beautiful trips in North America.

Coast Starlight: A scenic route connecting Seattle and Los Angeles along the Pacific coast.

Empire Builder: Follows the path of Lewis and Clark from Chicago through the Pacific Northwest.

Grand Canyon Railway: A historic railway bringing travelers from Arizona to the edge of the Grand Canyon, operated by Xanterra Travel Collection (Xanterra.com)

America has our share of historic and scenic train routes, like the Grand Canyon Railway, operated by Xanterra Travel Collection © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Voluntourism

Earthwatch connects people with scientists worldwide to participate, collaborate and contribute in  environmental research, while empowering them with knowledge they can apply to conserve the planet (earthwatch.org/expeditions/browse). Examples:

Amazon Riverboat Exploration: Help conserve wildlife within the Amazon Basin as you search for pink river dolphins, macaws, and other iconic species, on the Yarapa River, Peru (8-11 days, from $4,795)

Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge: Join scientists studying the effects of climate change in the polar bear capital of the world in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada (11 days, from $4995)

Conserving Wild Bees and Other Pollinators of Costa Rica:  Help study bees, hummingbirds, and pollinators critical to ecological health. 7 days (from $3995), San Luis de Monteverde, Costa Rica

Discovering Ancient Societies in Portugal: an archaeological adventure in Muge, Salvaterra de Magos, Santarém, Portugal (7+ days, from $4495)

Browse 2026 Earthwatch expeditions (click “View Dates and Join”to find a departure that works for you. Contact inquiries@earthwatchexpeditions.com to book;2026 booking inquiries are being handled by Natural Habitat Adventures (https://www.nathab.com/).

Biosphere Expeditions is an award-winning, non-profit organization that makes it possible for ordinary people to join scientists in the field doing hands-on research in marine, mountain, and tropical ecosystems. Examples of 2026 expedition opportunities: Azores: Whales, dolphins, and turtles; Sweden: Brown bear monitoring; Maldives/Oman: Coral reef and marine conservation; Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan): Snow leopard research; South Africa: Leopard and biodiversity monitoring. The expeditions are open to everyone, regardless of age, background, or prior experience and range from a weekend to several weeks. Two-thirds of the fee goes to the conservation project. (https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/)

More sources to find responsible, sustainable travel and ecotourism experiences:

Transitions Abroad (www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/responsible/ecowebsites.shtml)

Responsible Travel International, sustainabletravel.org

Planeta.com features news, articles, an eco-travel directory, and recommended reads.

Seven Tips for Responsible Hiking In Moab’s Fragile Backcountry 

Hiking in Arches National Park. Moab Adventure Center advises hikers on their own responsibility to preserve the fragile landscape © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

MOAB, UT— Hiking the vast wilderness of multicolored rock and sand surrounding Moab, Utah, is the most accessible and popular activity for visitors to the region. Thanks to the stewardship of local agencies, associations and responsible tour operators such as the Moab Adventure Center, over 1,000 miles of diverse trails are available, most leading to unparalleled vistas, iconic arches and overlooks.

While scanning the horizon for yet another breathtaking geological masterpiece, hikers are urged to respect where they stand – on trails lacing through a fragile environment of cryptobiotic soil. It is the foundation for most all desert plant life.

“Off-trail footsteps can damage the crust’s living organisms for many decades,” stressed Kam Wixom, former guide and current Marketing Director for Moab Adventure Center.

To help secure this fragile eco system, Wixom offers seven eco-friendly tips to protect the environment when exploring afoot. 

Avoid campfires in the wild that can quickly escalate into wildfires that result in devastating consequences for the area’s fauna and flora. Instead, make your campfire in areas specifically designated for them.

Plan your routes carefully, stay on established trails and let others know of your backcountry plans and destinations.

Wear natural sunscreen. If you plan to take a dip in a stream or waterhole along the way, remember, some commercial sunscreen ingredients can be very damaging to the fauna and flora. Consider sun-protective clothing so you don’t need sunscreen at all.

Leave no trace. Trash is out-of-place and unsightly plus animals may mistake it for food. As certain items decay, they may pollute the surrounding soil or water, creating a catastrophic knock-on effect for the entire ecosystem.

Choose eco-friendly gear. As Charlotte Cross, a lifestyle writer at Essay Roo and Lia Help tells us: “choosing to purchase sustainable and eco-friendly hiking gear supports and encourages sustainability within the field.” Utilizing clothing and gear made from recycled materials further reduces your environmental impact.

Save on energy by using solar chargers and solar-powered items such as flashlights and lamps.

Ditch the bottled water that correlates to millions of tons of single-use plastic. Instead, buy reusable water bottles that will keep everything cooler and fresher for longer periods than plastic bottles. 

People with pets visiting the Moab region are invited to use Moab’s pet-friendly trails and remember to use a leash and carry out pet excrement.

Moab Adventure Center’s Tours into Arches National Park include guided hikes suitable for all ages:

Arches National Park Guided Morning Tour: A four-hour adventure including VIP park pass with timed entry reservation, replete with expertise of professional guide.

Arches National Park Guided Sunset Tour: Arches at its most magical in golden hour light and with fewer crowds. In this four-hour adventure guides bring the landscape to life with their fascinating stories.

Private guided hiking in Arches National Park and surrounding region can be also arranged.

Follow this link to the Top Hikes in Moab as handpicked by local guides.

To learn more about trail hiking, visit MoabAdventureCenter.com and sign up for a free Insider’s Guide. To explore trip options and book a hiking adventure, visit www.moabadventurecenter.com or call 435-259-7019, 866-904-1163.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Beach Holidays, Caribbean Travel, Family Travel, Villa Vacations

The Secret to the Perfect Family Beach Vacation in Mexico’s Quintana Roo

This troupe of Mayan dancers performs a sunset ritual up and down Puerto Morelos beach. We were excited to see them again during this second visit, right in front of our villa, Casa Brisa y Mar, in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Laini Miranda & Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

We figured out the secret to the perfect family beach vacation in Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

We visited Puerto Morelos about six years ago, well before we were a family of three and found it to be such a beautiful, relaxing, easy and affordable vacation that we decided to return with our two-year-old daughter. We convinced our brother and sister-in-law to join us with their 18-month old. 

Puerto Morelos, in the region of Quintana Roo, is ideally located just a 20-minute drive from the airport. Once in the beach zone of P.M., you’ll find the palm trees, clear blue water and soft sandy beaches you picture of the Caribbean. 

For our first trip, we rented a car and stayed in an Airbnb on a gorgeous white sand beach about a 10-minute drive from town. This time, with toddlers in tow, we opted for a car-free vacation, staying as close to town as possible. We split our week between four days at the villa in town and three days at an all-inclusive resort. There was one obvious winner. 

The back patio of the Casa Brisa y Mar villa features an 8-person dining table, lounge chairs, beds, hammock, and a pristine lounge pool cleaned regularly by the grounds crew © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The villa we found, Casa Brisa y Mar, was so perfect that we’re honestly hesitant to write about it out of fear it will get too popular for us to rent in the future. But it was such a dream, we can’t keep it to ourselves. 

Casa Brisa y Mar is a beachfront property just a few minutes’ walk from the center of town. The large building is split into four units: a four-bedroom villa on the ground floor, and a two-bedroom apartment and two one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. The upstairs apartments all have balconies facing the ocean and the same access to beach chairs, umbrellas, and rental bikes available at the building’s entryway. It is also possible to rent out the full property for an extra large group. 

Your private unobstructed beach at the villa. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The main beach section of Puerto Morelos occupies a fairly short stretch of sandy shore between the Fives Oceanfront Resort to the north and the pier just beyond the town square to the south. It takes about 20 minutes to walk. If you’re looking at a map, the zones passed either of these edges would definitely be considered “off the beaten path” of P.M. and warrant a car, especially if traveling with kids. Casa Brisa y Mar is ideally located right in the middle of the best beach bars and about a five-minute walk from the town square. The property sits on the part of the beach that boasts the deepest expanse of soft white sand and a close beach walk to the town square, yet far enough from it and the moored boats that the ocean is clear.

Six years after our first visit, Puerto Morelos retains its peaceful fishing village charms © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We walked the full 20-minute stretch and decided Casa Brisa y Mar was not only in the best location, but also the nicest looking villa on the beach with the most ideal beachfront setup (most of the other beachfront villas are set back further from the public beach, behind shrubbery). Note that if you are looking at any all-inclusive beach resorts supposedly “in” Puerto Morelos, these are on a stretch of ocean that does not have much of a beach and tends to have murky water.

Casa Brisa y Mar is set on some of the best section of Puerto Moreles beach ideal for a family vacation © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Villa

The four-bedroom villa at Casa Brisa y Mar occupies the full ground floor, with two-bedroom and one-bedroom units on the upper 2 floors, each with private oceanfront balconies. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Upon entering the big wooden doors on the street, you first pass a small courtyard with beach chairs, umbrellas, a few bikes available to rent, and a tiny office where the manager works during business hours, available to answer any questions. Passed this door is the entrance to the four-bedroom villa. A large open plan kitchen, living and dining area with direct views to the ocean connects the three main bedrooms: two ocean-view king rooms with sliding glass doors to the oceanfront patio and one room with two double beds.

Casa Brisa y Mar provides comfortable space to accommodate our multi-family getaway. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The largest bedroom on the left features a king bed, sofa bed and kitchenette area, and large bathroom. The king ensuite bedroom on the opposite side has a similar layout, but without the kitchenette and sitting area. The double bedroom is perfect for up to four friends or kids. This is the only room with windows that face the interior courtyard as opposed to the beach, a plus for our scenario since it also stayed darkest during the day for toddler naps. A large separate bathroom is opposite this room in the shared hallway, so each bedroom essentially has its own bathroom. 

Casa Brisa y Mar has plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including pack n play (with its own mosquito net, that we luckily didn’t need), baby bath, and beach toys. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There is a fourth large king oceanfront bedroom that is accessible through its own door in the inner courtyard, as well as its own patio door connecting it to the villa from the outside. This layout worked out perfectly for our friends (without kids) who joined us, as they could have a private space detached from the shared living room and kitchen, but still share access to the full patio/outdoor areas. They, of course, also have a key to the front door of the villa. 

Three of the four bedrooms in the villa look out to the beach © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The kitchen is well-stocked to prepare meals at home, including plasticware to take drinks to the outdoor patio area, and a blender that we appreciated for making our own piña coladas. The living room features a huge comfy couch, large dining table, big bluetooth Bose speaker, yoga mats, and many board games inside the living room furniture.

The outdoor area is perfectly appointed with enough variety of lounge furniture to appease everyone in your large group. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Patio

All three King ensuite bedrooms have sliding glass doors that open to the patio (exclusive to the villa), which has a large outdoor dining table under an awning (perfect for the few days it rained mid-day), a small pool, multiple queen beach beds and chaise lounges. There was also a large covered bin full of beach toys that kept our toddlers happy while at the beach. 

The day bed and hammock were perfect for storytimes.© Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There’s an additional area right on the beach with a few more chaise lounges and umbrellas, just set back enough from the public beach to feel like a VIP area, but still within steps of the ocean. The pool in the middle of the patio is the perfect size to cool off on a hot day, and even has a little tiled area surrounding the perimeter where our kids liked to walk. Of course this feature requires adult supervision, but it actually served as an amazing giant water table for our toddlers when they didn’t want to go all the way in. Everything about the outdoor area is perfectly thought-out and we especially appreciated this area during the kids’ naps. 

The Casa Brisa y Mar hosts even provide yoga mats. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The team at the villa was kind enough to provide a pack ‘n play, a high chair, and a baby bath (there are only showers in the bathrooms). We really appreciated the huge outdoor bin of beach toys on the patio, as well as the pool noodles. Plenty of plastic cups and plates can be found in the kitchen and living room credenza. They even left family-friendly bug-spray by the door.

Casa Brisa y Mar’s own section of the sandy beach lets you feel like you’re part of the energy of the public beachfront with your own shade and privacy, and was especially nice for those toddler nap times! © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Coconut vendors carry bags of fresh coconuts up and down the beach; they’ll even cut them up for you to eat the flesh once you finish its water. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Puerto Morelos with Kids

The very family-friendly Puerto Morelos town square. © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

We love Puerto Morelos because it is so easy to stroll with toddlers and there’s a wonderful playground right in the town square. There’s also an excellent small bookstore across the street from the playground that has an amazing collection of children’s books in both English and Spanish, as well as tons of affordable gifts. Most afternoons and evenings, the town square fills with an artisan market and performances in the center. Our toddlers loved watching the circus acts on the nights we wandered into town after dinner. 

Enjoying the entertainment in Puerto Morelos town square © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Some of our favorite restaurants

Punta Corcho – Right off the town square in a beautifully designed upstairs open-air restaurant with views overlooking the ocean. Recently awarded a Michelin star, it isn’t cheap, but well worth it for a special dinner. Go without kids if you can so you can more leisurely savor their creative menu and incredible cocktails.

El Dorado – If you don’t want to leave the beach, walk a few feet south of Casa Brisa y Mar for excellent fish, tacos and other Mexican classics at reasonable prices. 

Paradise Beach Club – Just north of the villa, you can take advantage of this beachfront bar’s chaise lounges and umbrellas if you want beach service and great food and drinks. They serve surprisingly good cheeseburgers (as well as fresh coconuts and all the classic beach cocktails you could want). They also have a covered bar area with porch swings that keep kids entertained. We enjoyed waiting out a thunderstorm here, while still feeling like we were on the beach. To us, this had the most laid-back vibe of all the beach bars. 

Muelle Once – We liked this spot so much we ate here three times in one week. Walk just a few feet beyond the town square on the street or beach and you’ll find this beautiful venue with multiple dining areas: a big indoor restaurant and bar, a large covered patio with views to the ocean, and beach beds on the sand below. We found this small stretch of beach to have some of the clearest water in Puerto Morelos. 

Local Coffee + Shop – In the heart of the town, just two blocks from the beach, this vegan friendly spot has some of the freshest healthy food in P.M., some of the best coffee drinks we’ve ever had (which is saying a lot for people from NYC and SF) and amazing veggie-forward brunches. If you’re looking for an antidote to tacos and fried seafood, this is your spot. Don’t miss the Golden Dirty Latte with espresso, turmeric, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and honey.

Ordering in from Taqueria El Poblano Puerto Morelos The patio was perfect for evening meals and post toddler bedtime hangs. © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Taqueria El Poblano Puerto Morelos – This excellent restaurant is actually located in the less touristic city zone on the other side of the highway, and only accessible by car. BUT, from the invaluable tip of the guys at the Dive shop next door to the villa, we learned that they do delivery! Perhaps our best meals of the week were the two we ordered the Parillada (assorted grill dinner) for 6 that they delivered right to our door. The second night we added a whole grilled fish to this order, which we highly recommend. We were able to take advantage of the large outdoor dining table on the patio to enjoy the view of the ocean at sunset while feasting on amazing grilled meats (served with guacamole, beans, queso, and a huge stack of fresh tortillas). All 6 adults and 2 toddlers ate until we were stuffed and we still had leftovers, all for the same price as 2 entrees at one of the more touristy spots in the beach zone. 

Running and Salsa

Running in Puerto Morelos! © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

These are two activities we highly recommend during your stay in Puerto Morelos. For the former, we found a lovely run on the quiet road that runs out of town to the north. Aside from a bike tour and occasional car, it’s mostly just you, the road and the trees. 

If you’re looking for some fun nightlife just steps from the villa, check out the awesome salsa trio at Los Molcajetes that we stumbled upon on our last night. It’s a party there on the weekends. We found the crowd to be a cool mix of locals, expats, and tourists. Great place to dance and have some mezcal and late-night food. We think we’ll kick off our next Puerto Morelos vacation here.

Excursions

We opted for an extra relaxed trip for this visit, but there’s a lot to do in Puerto Morelos and the surrounding towns if you want to venture out. The hosts at Casa Brisa y Mar will help you arrange any excursion.

Playing in the cenotes, from our first visit to Puerto Morelos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Cenotes – La Ruta de Los Cenotes is right in greater Puerto Morelos. Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes that the ancient Maya civilization considered sacred. Drive your rental car, call an Uber, or arrange a tour and check out as many cenotes as you have time for. You can easily visit 4 or 5 in a day, or spend the afternoon exploring one larger complex. Swimming, rope-swinging and zip-lining into these crystal-clear jungle pools make for an adventurous and memorable day that feels totally magical for kids and adults alike.

Akumal – About an hour south of Puerto Morelos you’ll find this public beach and small eco-park famous for its sea turtles. Pay the small fee to swim in the protected area with the turtles right off the beach.

Mayan dancers at Xcaret, an archaeological theme park. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Xcaret Park – We haven’t been to Xcaret ourselves, but you’ll see signs for this popular cultural eco-themepark all over Riviera Maya. It’s about 35 minutes drive from Puerto Morelos and can easily be visited as a day trip if your kids are hankering for an eco theme park with rides, swimming, wildlife, and shows.

Travel Tips

In addition to helping make tour arrangements, Casa Brisa y Mar can arrange a car service to pick you up at the airport, which was the best deal we found since Uber drivers are not allowed to make pickups at the airport.

Learn more about Casa Brisa y Mar and book directly at their website: https://www.casabrisaymar.com/.

You can also find them on all the standard booking platforms, including Airbnb, and Booking.com. 

For more travel planning information, visit mexicancaribbean.travel.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

International Travel, Tips for Travel

Urgent Passport & Visa Service Requests Spike Due to Current Global Conflicts – Must-Know Tips

India is one of the destinations where demand for visas is increasing the most © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Edited by Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Middle East airspace closures and reroutings have disrupted thousands of flights and triggered emergency consular guidance for travelers in the region due to the current Iran war, which has correlated to ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services experiencing a significant increase in urgent traveler support requests, especially for last-minute visa checks, emergency passport renewals, and itinerary-related document reviews.

Antoinette Leon, COO & SVP of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, elaborates on this increase, while explaining how the current global conflict has spurred delays in travel document issuance and made global routing more fragile. She also details the specific consequences of self-filing for travel documents right now and her 3 top tips for travelers navigating international trips during these conflicts.

On spikes in specific ItsEasy.com service requests due to the conflicts:

Since the latest Middle East escalation and resulting reroutings, we have seen a large increase in urgent travel document requests, especially for last-minute visa checks, emergency passport renewals, and itinerary-related travel document reviews. That increase is supported by the broader reality that Middle East airspace closures and reroutings have disrupted thousands of flights and triggered emergency consular guidance for travelers in the region.

We have seen a surge in urgent requests from U.S.-based travelers whose itineraries included Gulf, South Asia, and Europe-Asia connections, especially when airline changes suddenly altered stopovers, entry timing, or document requirements.

As many flights between Europe, Asia, and the Gulf are being rerouted via Egypt, travelers are dealing with cancellations and limited options instead of normal schedules.

People are getting stuck and suddenly needing a transit visa. We are seeing more travelers ask us to review whether a rerouted connection changes their visa exposure, if they can still transit cleanly, and if they need to shift quickly from self-service to expert support. 

How multiple conflicts have made global routing more fragile:

The most immediate travel shock right now is clearly the current March 2026 Iran war and resulting disruption across Gulf airspace, which has directly affected airports, flight paths, advisories, and commercial operations. The attacks affected Dubai and broader Gulf aviation, while governments including the U.S. and UK have updated warnings and consular guidance for travelers in the Middle East.

That said, multiple worldwide conflicts have already made global routing more fragile, so each new escalation creates problems for visas, transit assumptions, and schedule reliability. The current disruption is intensified because airlines had already been avoiding other conflict zones, making Iranian and Iraqi overflight routes more important before this latest escalation.

How global conflicts have spurred delays in travel document issuance:

The conflict has resulted in delays in travel document issuance, even when the visa rules themselves have not formally changed. The biggest drivers are flight disruptions, changes in embassy or consular operations, traveler backlogs, and the need for emergency guidance as governments respond to evolving security conditions.

Visa demand is rising most in:

  • Europe (Schengen)
    • Asia (Thailand, Japan, Vietnam)
    • India
    • China
    • Brazil

The consequences of self-filing for travel documents right now:

1. Travelers often submit for travel documents based on the trip they originally booked, not the trip they are actually taking after cancellations, route changes, or emergency rebookings.

In a normal season, this can be inconvenient, but during a conflict-driven disruption cycle, it can lead to missed flights, denied boarding, incorrect visa type selection, invalid timing, or failure to prepare for revised transit or entry requirements. Governments are actively warning that conditions are changing quickly, and flights through the Middle East are not operating as they would under normal planning assumptions.

2. Self-filers may miss the insurance, advisory, and overstay implications of staying longer than planned or traveling against updated guidance. UK guidance for Oman notes overstay fines, and broader travel advice reporting warns that insurance coverage may be affected when travelers go against government advisories.

Leon’s 3 top tips for travelers navigating international trips during these conflicts:

1. Treat your itinerary as provisional until departure. Travelers should repeatedly re-check airline status, transit points, and official advisories in the days before flying because routes through the Gulf and between Europe and Asia have been changing quickly, with cancellations, resumptions, and detours all happening in short succession.

2. Review your document position against your backup routing, not just your original ticket.If your carrier diverts you through a different hub or forces an overnight connection, the key question becomes whether your passport validity, visa status, or entry eligibility still work for the revised trip. That is where professional review matters most, because conflict-driven rerouting can create a document problem even when the traveler did everything right for the original booking.

3. Avoid leaving document fixes until you reach the airport counter. In the current environment, the gap between “I think I’m fine” and “I am not boardable” can be very small, especially when advisories, airline rules, and immigration expectations are shifting. Travelers should verify requirements in advance and use expert help for urgent passport renewals, visa corrections, and application review when timing is tight.

Why using a passport, visa service like ItsEasy.com is important today:

As international travel becomes more complex, travelers often need assistance navigating visa requirements, passport renewals, and urgent travel documentation.  ItsEasy.com streamlines the process by offering services such as expedited passport processing, visa assistance for numerous countries, and expert guidance on evolving travel requirements.

With constantly changing regulations and entry policies, having professional support can save travelers crucial time and prevent frustration and stress. Whether preparing for an unexpected trip, renewing an expiring passport, or securing the correct visa, services ItsEasy.com offers help ensure travelers are fully prepared before they depart. In a world where global events can quickly reshape travel plans, having reliable passport and visa support is becoming more valuable than ever.

Is the increase in passport applications related to concern over needing to prove citizenship to vote?

So far, the increase in passport applications is  not related to fear of needing one to vote. The surge is mainly driven by travel demand, visa requirements, global uncertainty and proof of citizenship if stopped by ICE. Having Passport Card on you at all times is highly recommended.

Adventure Travel, Cultural travel, International Travel, Solo Travel, Women Travel

Women Power the Surge of Solo-But-Not-Alone Travel

Agra, India. Several tour companies – G Adventures, Goway and Road Scholar among them – cater to travelers wanting to explore India solo but not alone © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

One of my favorite things about travel is how you stumble upon revelations – “eureka moments”. One of these came on my Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Coastal Maine trip in which I joined the swelling trend of women traveling solo (bike tours are ideal for this). We stopped at the Seal Cove Auto Museum where the exhibit, “Engines of Change: A Suffrage Centennial.” honored the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. What was so fascinating was learning that the bicycle, and later the car, were instrumental in the movement’s ultimate victory in winning the right to vote because it gave women the freedom and mobility to travel outside their own cocoons and spread the word. (Mobility is inherent in the very word “movement”.)

The Seal Cove Museum, visited on Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Coastal Maine trip, pays homage to the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, noting that bicycles and cars were “Engines of Change.”© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Another interesting fact: it was Bertha Benz, inventor, business partner and wife of Karl Benz, who, fed up with her husband’s endless tinkering and reticence to take his invention on the road, on August 5, 1888, grabbed her children and became the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance (65 miles) – an astonishing break with social norms of the time.

Indeed, women are powering a growing movement toward solo travel, and travel companies are adapting – not only creating women-only tours and departures, but suspending single supplements on certain departures, or facilitating a shared room (with same-sex person) to avoid paying the single supplement.

Solo travel – dominated by women travelers – continues to surge in popularity, with more travelers jetting off on journeys alone.  In the United States, the  Solo Travel market, valued at $95 billion in 2024, is expected to reach $192 billion by 2030 according to Research and Markets.

While women-only travel companies developed early on, when women were uncomfortable traveling alone on a trip that likely would have couples or catered to men, as the culture has accepted that women are independent and as women have come to be independent and confident travelers, they have been seeking out the active, immersive, experiential and adventure travel programs that span the world. Now the active and adventure travel companies (hiking, biking and the like) are catering to solo travelers without distinction, though most of solo travelers are women (and women of a certain age).

No place is beyond the reach of solo travelers with adventure and active travel operators facilitating travel, like the four-day hiking/camping trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

These programs open up the world to women, who might like to travel alone, but not actually on their own, and immerse in exotic locales and cultures, get as physical as they like or go at a comfortable pace. Places as far flung as Bhutan, Uzbekistan, the Serengeti, Antarctica are no longer out of reach.

“Solo travel doesn’t have to mean traveling alone,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of United States Tour Operators Association. “Rather than navigating a destination entirely on their own, solo travelers can join guided tours that let them connect not only with the places they visit, but also with like-minded explorers.” 

Many members of The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) cater to solo travelers with dedicated itineraries, programming, and waived solo supplements that remove some of the traditional barriers of traveling on one’s own.  Here is a sampling of tours tailored to solo travelers by USTOA tour operator members: 

Angkor Wat rises out of the jungle. G Adventures has introduced a “Solo-ish” tour to Cambodia © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

G Adventures’ Solo-ish Adventures have reimagined solo group travel by placing community at the core with front-loaded itineraries to encourage quick connection. All of G Adventures’ Solo-ish Adventures are led by female guides and include a “Me Day” for independent exploration. The trips are designed exclusively for solo travelers aged 18 and up – 68 percent of whom are female. “No more worrying about being the odd one out — you’ll be travelling with a community of people stepping out on their own to welcome whatever the world brings their way.” There is an emphasis on providing security and safety to alleviate the main concern about traveling solo – such as complimentary arrival transfer to your first hotel. The tours also offer a discounted My Own Room option. For example, on the 10-day Solo-ish Cambodia tour, travelers trek through the lush jungles of the Cardamom Mountains, dive into the turquoise waters of Koh Rong, and indulge in local cuisine (from $1,349 pp). Other new tours: Solo-ish Sicily (8-days, $1784); Solo-ish Ecuador (7 days, $1049) as well as programs in Bali, Morocco, India, Belize, Morocco, Costa Rica, Mexico, Vietnam, Jordan, Guatemala, Egypt, Turkey, Nepal, Uzbekistan. “Where’s your heart calling you?’ (https://www.gadventures.com/solo-travel-tours/, 877 982 6201 (24/7), https://www.gadventures.com/)

Visiting the colorful souks of Marrakech, Morocco © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Goway recently launched a line of itineraries designed specifically for women traveling solo. All trips are tailored for female travelers and the price includes a private room. The 12-day Secrets of India: A Women’s Journey traces northern India’s heritage from Delhi to Agra. Travelers are immersed in Indian culture with small group touring, enriching museum and temple visits, a majestic boat ride in Lake Pichola where white marble palaces frame the shore, and a dining experience at Molecule Air Bar which combines gastronomy with theater. Departures are available in October and November 2026 and January and March 2027, priced from $6,785 pp (goway.com).

Agra, India. Several tour companies – G Adventures, Goway and Road Scholar among them – cater to travelers wanting to explore India solo but not alone © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

EF Go Ahead Tours offers curated trips for solo travelers that include a private room at no added cost, plenty of time to explore independently, as well as group activities designed to maximize bonding between travelers. The Ireland for Solo Travelers tour is a whirlwind cultural immersion with visits to Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and of course plenty of stops at pubs for pints of Guinness. Each activity is designed to maximize bonding between travelers.  Departures available through 2028, starting at $3,409 (goaheadtours.com) 

For solo travelers seeking value and fewer crowds, Globus offers Escapes itineraries with off-season savings and no single supplement on most of its departure dates. The eight-day Swiss Escape begins with sightseeing in Zurich and Neuchâtel with its medieval cathedrals and castles. Next up, spend a few days soaking in the grandeur of Lake Geneva before heading to Lucerne. The tour concludes in Lugano, the city famous for its blend of Swiss and Italian culture. 2026 departure dates are available in October, November, and December with prices starting at $1,799 (globusjourneys.com)

Abercombie & Kent offers 50% on single supplements for select 2026 journeys.  The company’s nine-day Glorious Gardens of England and Chelsea Flower Show journey centers on the world-renowned five-day extravaganza of brilliant blooms and expertly designed gardens. Guests will visit English castles and estates known for their immaculately designed grounds including an exclusive tour of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, where you’ll tour areas typically closed to the public.  Departs on May 13, 2026, price starts at $19,193 with single supplement savings (abercrombiekent.com) 

More tour operators offering tours for solo travelers can be found at ustoa.com/blog/national-plan-a-solo-vacation-day.  

Travel Companies Respond to Rise in Solo Travel

Wild Frontiers’ Rajasthan: Taj, Temples & Tigers offers a safari through India’s tiger reserve © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

More than 70 percent of passengers on Wild Frontiers’ small group tours are solo adventurers. Not only will Wild Frontiers match a solo traveler to share a room (to avoid paying a supplement), periodically the company will reduce or waive the supplement if there is no one to match, and, periodically, waives the supplement on select tours booked (a discount up to 100% of the supplement is presently running through March). Examples: Guatemala: Tikal & Beyond,16 days from $4,478; Mongolia: Nomads Of The Steppe,10 days, from $3954;Tanzania: Safari, Serengeti & Maasai Heartlands,10 days from $5499; Oman Desert Adventure: Wahiba Sands & Empty Quarter, 12 days from $5,451; Viva Colombia, 12 days from $5,375. Also:  Georgia and Armenia, experience the Silk Road in China, or go to the other end of the trade route to Turkey.

Update: Wild Frontiers is extending this solo travel deal on new bookings until April 14  to save 100%, 75%, 50% or 25% on single supplement costs for your own private room on a selection of group tours (https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_US/solo-offers)

“Traveling solo rarely means traveling alone. On our small-group tours, you’ll share extraordinary moments with like-minded travelers — then retreat to your own space when you need to reflect and recharge. You can travel as a single traveler on any of our vacations, from our escorted tours to our walking vacations.”(wildfrontierstravel.com, info@wildfrontiers.co.uk)

As it happens, because of demographics, the ardent traveling seniors who join Road Scholars (formerly known as Elderhostel) educational and experiential tours are often traveling solo and of these, a majority are women.

Petra, one of Jordan’s archaeological wonders. Road Scholars has introduced a new Exploration of Egypt & Jordan tour for solo travelers © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

In response, Road Scholar has created a special collection of learning adventures for solo travelers. Many of the programs are dedicated to solo travelers, while others have specific dates for solos. Road Scholar’s Go Solo programs include: Explore Delhi, Agra & More Highlights of India, 12 days, from $3,899; The Splendor of Nepal, a new eight-day program, priced from $2,299; Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence, a new 13-day trip priced from $6,999; The Best of Central Europe, a new 18-day program, from $8,799; A Taste of Costa Rica, a new 9-day program, from $2,849;Go Solo: Independent Buenos Aires, a new 10-day program, from$ 2,499; The Best of Bhutan, a new 17-day program, from $7,199; An Exploration of Egypt & Jordan, a new 15-day tour, from $8,399; Peru’s Sacred Valley, Lima & Machu Picchu, a new 9-day program, from $3,349 (https://www.roadscholar.org/collections/solo-only/). Road Scholar, roadscholar.org, 800-454-5768).

Bike Tours, River Cruises Are Ideal for Women Traveling Solo

Bruges to Amsterdam bike tour by boat: BoatBikeTours offers solo travelers the best of all worlds: biking and sailing on small barge hotels and sailing vessels © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

I have loved traveling solo on bike tours, where inevitably I am welcomed into the group, which tend to be small and caring (it could also be something self-selective about bike tour people). Also the ready availability of e-bikes level the playing field in physical ability to tackle hills or distance. Among the companies: Discovery Bicycle Tours (discoverybicycletours.com), BoatBikeTours (boatbiketours.com), Wilderness Voyageurs (wilderness-voyageurs.com). In addition, special experiences like the annual eight-day biking/camping Cycle the Erie trip organized by Parks and Trails NY (ptny.org) afford a phenomenal solo-but-part-of-group experience.

For a similar reason, river and canal cruises aboard small ships and barge hotels are also ideal for solo travelers..

For 2026, Tauck is removing the biggest obstacle to solo travel – the dreaded “single supplement”. Tauck is removing the single supplement on all Category 1 cabins for all its European river cruises (250+ departures in 2026), and offering up to $1,000 off single supplements on higher category cabins. This includes its new Bordeaux, Paris, & The Seine, sailing aboard the newly launched ms Serene.  In addition, Tauck is offering single supplement savings up to $600 across more than 100 land journeys spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America trips including the new A Week In… Nova Scotia (tauck.com).

5 Safest Cities for Solo Female Travelers in 2026

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum. Taipei is considered one of the safest cities in the world for women traveling alone © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Women are embracing solo travel in a big way. Google searches for “solo female travel” jumped 44% in 2025 compared to the year before. 

But while more women are eager to explore on their own, safety is still the top priority when choosing where to go especially as global events continue to shape traveler confidence. 

InsureMyTrip took a closer look at the safest cities for women traveling solo. Using data from the Numbeo Crime & Safety Index, researchers focused on what matters most to women traveling alone: how safe it feels to walk alone (day and night), and lower risks of mugging, robbery, or physical attack. 

The 5 Safest Cities for Solo Female Travelers in 2026

  • Taipei, Taiwan
  • Tampere, Finland
  • Tartu, Estonia
  • Lugano, Switzerland
  • Hong Kong 

(While Muscat, Oman ranked #2 overall in the data, it has been excluded from this ranking due to the evolving situation in the Middle East. The data was collected prior to the current conflict.)

“Women traveling solo aren’t just looking at things like attractions and affordability, they’re asking, ‘Will I feel safe walking back to my hotel at night?’” said InsureMyTrip CEO Suzanne Morrow. “This ranking really zeroes in on the everyday safety factors that shape how comfortable women feel while traveling solo.”  

For full rankings and methodology, visit: https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-advice/travel-inspiration/best-cities-solo-female-travel/ 

See also: Women-Only Tours Surge in Popularity

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