10 Great Western Attractions

Although each region of the US is home to its’ own share of beautiful places, I have to say the West’s monumental range of breathtaking natural wonders is pretty hard to top. The diverse geography, beautiful mountains, and abundance of natural wonders make it an easy choice for me. Beautiful desert landscapes, sandy beaches, towering redwood trees, bustling cities, charming rural mountain towns, historic national parks: let’s just say you will find a bit of everything.

Some of my favorite areas out West that I have lived in or traveled through include: Northern California, Northern Nevada, Southern Idaho, and Southern California. After living in both Nevada and Idaho, as well as many road trips, I have compiled my guide to some of my top recommended tourist destinations.

Note that I have yet to visit much of Oregon or Washington, hence, why you will not see any wonderful areas in this section of the country on the list. Mike & I love combining nature and fun, so you will find many hiking, biking, & other recreational activities on this list.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, America’s First National Park, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I really enjoyed the opportunity to see free roaming wildlife as opposed to a zoo. Although we never caught sight of any bears during our drives through the park, we were fortunate enough to see lots of bison and elk. We were able to catch amazing shots of bison crossing the road right in front of our car! It is such an amazing experience to watch wildlife freely roam around the park. We saw photographers capturing images of a bear in the distance, although it was much too far away for the naked eye to see.

One of the most popular sights within the park is Old Faithful, the most predictable geyser in the world, with eruptions occurring approximately every 91 minutes. In addition, you will find waterfalls, rivers, beautiful mountains, hot springs, geysers, and mud pots. You can view all these important sites on a lengthy drive known as the Grand Loop.

Admission normally costs $35 per car or $20 per adult by foot, bike, etc (good for 7 days). However, if you visit during National Park Week, you get in for free! During the winter months, various companies offer snowcoach tours through the park. I imagine a ride through the snow covered roads and forests would be so breathtaking. I’ve also heard you can see some rare wildlife this time of year. I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but this tour is definitely on my bucket list in the future.

Yellowstone is located primarily in Montana, with small sections in Idaho and Wyoming. I recommend staying in West Yellowstone, as there are plenty of hotel, dining, & entertainment options in the area. We stopped at this cute little cafe called Running Bear. The West Yellowstone Visitor Center gives out free park maps, and staff is more than willing to give their advice on the best wildlife viewing paths.

The West Entrance of Yellowstone is located on US 287.

Read my full guide to exploring the park including the best drives, wildlife viewing spots, lodging choices, and more.

Mesa Falls

Mesa Falls Scenic Highway is a spectacular Southern Idaho drive which takes you through mesmerizing forests and rivers until you finally reach the incredible Lower and Upper Falls. This 29 mile drive, which begins near Ashton, Idaho, is one of my favorite attractions in the state. I drove this incredible byway many times while living in nearby Idaho Falls, a gateway to exploring natural wonders in the region. There are plenty of breathtaking overlooks along the way for taking pictures. The drive is peaceful and uncrowded, with absolutely no feeling of being a tourist trap attraction.

Both the Upper and Lower Falls are spectacular, at 110 and 85 feet. These are the only Idaho water falls not used for irrigation purposes, which leads to a more peaceful, rustic setting. The Upper Falls, the more scenic of the 2, is easily viewable via a wooden pathway and observation deck. Despite the man made setting, as you stroll along, you will hear nothing but the soothing sound of the rushing water and river below. I really love the background – it’s so natural and far removed from any civilization.

If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some wildlife, either along the drive or near the waterfall. Unfortunately, cows on the road were the extent of wildlife viewing on either of our trips. Mike & I were both so impressed with the drive, that we came back for a second (and third) visit! Mesa Falls is well worth a trip in and of itself, but if you are heading out to Yellowstone & limited on time, it’s a great add on. The drive is generally open from Mid-May until October.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world, and for good reason. Driving across is an incredible experience, however, walking across it is a thrilling once-in-a- lifetime experience. Did you know that there is a 1.7 mile long pedestrian walkway along the bridge? I never knew this until Mike and I drove the PCH. What better way to experience the sights of San Francisco (which are fabulous, by the way) then by walking across this historic landmark?

Great views of the San Francisco skyline and surrounding hilly landscapes had me reaching for my camera the entire time. Yes, it is a little noisy and windy, but that is just part of the fun! Visit the bridge website for information on operating dates and parking. There is no charge to walk across the bridge, so you can add this to your list of freebies.

Redwood National Forest

I had seen pictures of Redwoods in print, but that didn’t prepare me for the majesty of these trees. These tall beauties are absolutely stunning and you really do not appreciate the massive size of these ancient trees until you view them for yourself. We learned that most of these trees are between 500-700 years old, with the oldest surviving up to 2000 years! Amazingly, these trees can reach over 300 feet tall!

What’s truly amazing is the diameter – standing next to one of these redwoods will make you feel incredibly small. Look at the width in the photo above! You can learn more about the redwoods on the NPS page.

Trees of Mystery (a quirky roadside redwoods attraction off of Hwy 101 in Klamath, CA) offers a fun, unique way to take in the beauty of the trees via a gondola ride which soars up over 1500 feet to a scenic overlook. This is a great experience for first timers to the area. I was mesmerized by the views going up and even more so with the breathtaking overlook scenery.

I also loved learning about the different types of trees via the interpretive trail. Also, on the fun side, you can stroll around a unique Redwood/Bigfoot themed museum. Although many have rated this attraction as too touristy, I have to say I completely disagree! It’s a great time that is both educational and fun, and the views are amazing! Also, if you are driving the PCH/101, it’s a nice break point.

Trees of Mystery is located at 15500 Hwy 101 N. Klamath, CA 95548.

Emerald Bay State Park

I would highly recommend a visit to beautiful Emerald Bay State Park on any spring or summer vacation to beautiful Lake Tahoe. When Mike and I lived in Nevada, we enjoyed many roadtrips to this breathtaking area which just happens to be one of my favorite places in the country. You will definitely want to pack your camera for this hike! A family friend told us about this state park and I was sure glad that I listened.

Mike and I complete lots of hiking trails across the country, and to this day, this is one that stands out the most in our memories. I recommend the short, steep hike to Vikingsholm Castle. There are a beautiful views of the lake on this one and you do not have to go all out.

If you wish, you can also take a tour of historic Vikingsholm Castle. Tours run daily from 10:00am-4:30pm. Other activities/attractions within the park include camping, beaches, biking, and more. Be aware that black bears frequent the area, so stay updated on what to do in the case of a bear encounter. I have seen news reports in recent years of ridiculous hikers attempting to take a selfie with a bear. This is truly pathetic, not to mention dangerous.

With all the pricey South Lake Tahoe attractions, hiking is a welcome change. Take the opportunity to visit this peaceful state park away from the crowded casinos and tourist attractions. Outstanding views, peace and quiet, and an awesome workout is what you will find at this state park – proving that the best things in life really are free!

Parking for Emerald Bay is located on Hwy 89.

Check out this Emerald hiking guide before planning your visit. There are a number of options for both beginners and more advanced hikers.