Montezuma Castle National Monument
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Camp Verde
National Monument featuring a well-preserved impressive cliff dwelling of the Sinagua tribe.
Miette Hot Springs
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Eastern area
Popular hot spring with pools of varying temperatures.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Natural thermal mineral spring which gave rise to Banff National Park, the first Canadian National Park.
Bendigo Ghost Town
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Cromwell area
Great reserve based around an extremely successful mining area with ruins of the boom towns, mining relics, and shafts.
Woolshed Creek Hut Loop ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
Colorado River Hot Springs Packrafting
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Excellent canyon with nice scenery, fun rappels, and an optional packraft exit.
Historic Railroad Trail
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Easy (and dog friendly) hike through historic tunnels along a portion of the old Hoover Dam Railroad.
Hoover Dam
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
The famous and historic dam – an easy stop offering impressive up-close views of the iconic structure.
Nelson Ghost Town
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Eldorado Mountains
Neat area with remnants from its mining past, lots of antiques, and old cars; offers tours of the famous Techatticup Gold Mine.
St. Thomas Ghost Town
Location: Nevada, North of Las Vegas, North Lake Mead
Remnants of a once-flourishing town abandoned and flooded by the creation of Lake Mead re-emerge during period of drought.
Tunnel Terrace Walk
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Hokitika area
Awesome little loop through neat historic mining tunnels.
Chasm Creek Walkway
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Short family friendly walk to a nice tunnel and a cool old bridge – added bonus of a train wreck just off the trail in the water.
SS Lawrence Shipwreck
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Short walk along the beach to the ruins of an 1880’s shipwreck.
Charming Creek Walkway
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Great hike with mining relics, tunnels, a swing bridge, a waterfall, and more!
Mt. Judah Track Scheelite Mine
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Great short hike to a pair of mine sites with beautiful views; trek can also be extended to a day-use hut or an overnight hut.
Kinloch
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Remote location with a historic inn and a variety of outdoor activity options – great for escaping hoards of tourists!
China Garden Spring
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Desert oasis with some mining-era ruins that’s home to a surprising population of koi.
Keane Wonder Springs and Cyty’s Mill
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Follow the pipeline from the Keane Wonder Mill to find the Keane Wonder Springs and ruins of Johnnie Cyty’s mill.
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Short-lived boom town from the Death Valley mining era, with remnants of extensive infrastructure and a nearby open-air art museum.
Silver City Ghost Town
Location: California, Eastern Sierras
Collection of historic buildings from mining camps and settlements through the area, restored in a picturesque state of arrested decay.
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Phoenix area
Historic site with rocks covered in vast numbers of remarkably clear petroglyphs.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Yuma
Walk in the footsteps of the Southwest’s most notorious criminals and see the inspiration for the popular film “3:10 to Yuma”.
Castle Dome Mine Museum & Ghost Town
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Yuma
Great ghost town and museum that’s highly interactive and full of artifacts from the original townsite and mines.
Glen Canyon Dam
Location: Arizona, Lake Powell Area, Page
Massive dam constructed from 1956 – 1966 which created the Lake Powell reservoir.
⊗ Catstair Canyon (Complete)
Location: Utah, Kanab area
Short and easy technical canyon with a neat stacked car feature (yes cars! flattened and stacked!), some nice sculpted rock, and a rock art panel.
Johnson Canyon Movie Set
Location: Utah, Kanab area
Former film set used for Westerns made in the 1930s to the 1960s.
Pipe Spring National Monument
Location: Arizona, Northern, Kaibab area
Interesting national park centered around a natural spring which was a major resource for both the native Paiute people and Mormon settlers.
Mill Ruins Park
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Picturesque park showcasing the 19th century water power features, canals, and tailraces of the milling operations that made Minneapolis into a thriving industrial powerhouse.
St. Anthony Falls
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Originally the only major waterfall on the Upper Mississippi, the site was converted to a concrete spillway along with a lock and dam as part of stabilization efforts at the turn of the 20th century.
Minnehaha Park
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Large state park most famous for its attractive 50 foot waterfall, but which includes numerous gardens, trails, and sites to explore and discover.
Eagle Cliff Miner’s Cabin
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Short back-country hike to a neat and well-preserved historic miner’s cabin
Keane Wonder Mine
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Hike to the ruins and (closed off) mine shafts from one of Death Valley’s most successful gold mines.
Charcoal Kilns
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Remarkably well-preserved large beehive shaped charcoal kilns built in 1877
⊗ Keane Canyon ♦
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Technical canyon descent through an area with lots of great mining ruins
Titus Canyon
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Backcountry road through some stunning scenery including colorful hills, a narrow canyon, a ghost town, and petroglyphs.
Leadfield Ghost Town
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Small, picturesque ghost town off a backcountry road with the intact remnants of a couple of buildings
Harmony Borax Works
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Furnace Creek area)
Ruins of the successful borax plant near Furnace Creek where 20-mule teams were used to haul the borax across the desert to the railroad
Ashford Mill Ruins
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Ashford Junction area)
Small collection of ruins from an early 1900’s mill and mining settlement
Keane Wonder Mill
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Easy to access ruins of the mill and tramway for the very successful Keane Wonder Mine.
Muang Khoun
Location: Laos, Northern, Xiangkhoang Plateau
Although the town was almost completely destroyed by US bombing raids during the 1960’s and 70’s, remnants of Muang Khoun’s rich ancient history shine through the ruins alongside evidence of their more recent history and role in the Second Indochina War.
Plain of Jars
Location: Laos, Northern, Xiangkhoang Plateau
Experience one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries by visiting the huge Iron Age stone jars clustered on hilltops and valleys throughout the Xiangkhoang Plateau.
Luang Prabang
Location: Laos, North Central
Former royal capital and current UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful and tourist friendly city is known for its rich religious and cultural heritage, notable and well-preserved architectural elements, and for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Old Highway 80
Location: California, San Diego area
Travel the once-thriving Route 80 to see historic road side attractions, abandoned buildings, railcars, and modern day ghost towns
Hagia Sophia ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Iconic Byzantine-era cathedral turned mosque and now a museum; characterized by spectacular architecture and decorative elements including numerous mosaics
Blue Mosque ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Breathtaking Classical Period mosque, particularly notable for its stained glass windows and decorative tiles
Basilica Cistern ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Impressive Byzantine-era cistern supported by marble columns, two of which are notable for having Medusa heads carved into the bases.
Topkapi Palace
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
15th century Ottoman royal palace with extensive grounds and courtyards, a harem, treasury, arms collection, and more.
Grand Bazaar ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
One of the oldest bazaars in the world and featuring over 4,000 shops – a wonderful combination of history, culture, and modern wares.
Great Palace Mosaic Museum
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Museum housing the excavated remains of spectacular mosaics from the 4th century imperial palace
Gülhane Park
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Former palace garden turned into a lovely public park with various historic features
Phaselis
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region, Kemer
Picturesque ruins of an important ancient harbor city sacked by pirates
Termessos ♦
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Well-preserved ruins of an ancient fortified city in the mountains including numerous impressive remaining structures
Chimaera
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Mountain used by ancient sailors as a lighthouse, due to flames burning there for centuries because of gas vents in the limestone rock
Machu Picchu
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
One of the wonders of the modern world, the beautifully located ruins of this Incan citadel feature outstanding ruins and nice trails to more remote sites in the complex
Cruzmoqo ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Checkpoint and outlook for the Incan city of Tipon, with beautiful views, ruins of the city walls, and ancient petroglyphs
Pikillacta
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Ruins of a large, pre-Inca cultural site
Saqsaywaman
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Ruins of an Incan fortified citadel complex overlooking Cusco featuring huge, precisely cut stone blocks
Cusco
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Former capital of the Inca Empire and general tourist Mecca; home to numerous Inca and Spanish colonial historic sites
Tipon ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Large, less visited Incan archaeological site characterized by huge terraces and an extensive canal system
Ollantaytambo
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Former royal Incan estate turned stronghold of the Inca Resistance
Choquequirao ♦
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, La Convención Province
Backpacking through spectacular Andean scenery to the ruins of a remote and extensive Incan city
Xunantunich
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Compact, significant Mayan sites with numerous ruins including the notable “El Castillo” with friezes on its upper walls
Pacbitun
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Site of largely unexcavated (and possibly significant) Maya ruins
Caracol
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Major Mayan archaeological site with numerous ruins and structures to explore, including Caana (the Sky Palace)
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) ♦
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Swim into a beautiful cave notable for its excellent cave formations in addition to remarkable Mayan artifacts
Tikal
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Tikal National Park
Famous Mayan archaeological site with numerous temples and complexes; site is also interlaced with trails and provides nice wildlife viewing opportunities
Yaxha
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
Less visited Mayan archaeological site picturesquely located on the banks of a lake
Fairmont Banff Springs
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Fabulous historic hotel that’s great for exploring and has great swimming pools
Love Valley
Location: California, San Diego, Palomar Mountain
Easy hike through pretty rolling hills with seasonal ponds and picturesque old barn
Julian
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Adorable historic mining town that offers apple picking in the fall and nice hikes
Eagle and High Peak Gold Mine
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Historic gold mine restored to its 1870’s appearance with old mining equipment and memorabilia
Daley Ranch
Location: California, San Diego area, Escondido
3,000 acre reserve of historic ranch land featuring numerous hiking trails and historic barns and buildings
The Huntington
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Pasadena
Historic large estate with numerous excellent gardens, an art collection, and library housing rare books and manuscripts
Millard Canyon/Dawn Mine Loop ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great abandoned mine at the end of a non-technical canyon which includes a nice waterfall
Mt. Lowe Railway
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike the route of the historic Mt. Lowe railway, exploring the ruins of the two major stops along the route
⊗ Rubio Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Canyoning through a historic area with multiple waterfalls and a few ruins
⊗ Little Santa Anita Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Nice beginner canyon with a straightforward approach, lots of rappels, and an occasional keeper pothole; optional extension on the approach through a historic area with a few ruins
⊗ Allison Mine Loop
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great set of abandoned mines and descend via a canyon; overnight option allows additional rappels and more time to explore the mines
Crystal Cove State Park
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
State Park with hiking and a historic seaside colony with cottages from the 1930’s
La Brea Tar Pits
Location: California, Los Angeles
Famous ice age fossil site with ongoing excavations and a museum
Zzyzx ♦
Location: California, South Central Desert, Northeast of Los Angeles
Abandoned buildings and infrastructure of a 1940’s era Health Resort on the edge of the Mojave Desert
Calico Ghost Town
Location: California, South Central Desert, Northeast of Los Angeles
Commercialized ghost town with some authentic buildings that’s a fun tourist stop between LA and Vegas
Tahquitz Canyon
Location: California, South Central Desert, East of Los Angeles
Quick hike through a canyon previously inhabited by the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians to a nice (largely seasonal) waterfall
Avalon
Location: California, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island
Resort community originally developed in the early 1900’s and retaining much of its historic charm
Mission San Antonia de Padua
Location: California, East of Big Sur
Mission founded in 1771 with a mission church, garden, museum, and extant ruins of equipment intended to support a community around the mission which never materialized
Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Wreckage of a US Navy plane that crashed here in 1973
Dyrhólaey
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Peninsula with a large natural arch, historic lighthouse, and beautiful coastal views
Stöng
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Excavated remains of a 12th century longhouse
Thingvellir
Location: Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Golden Circle
Interesting National Park with a storied history and set between tectonic plates creating a picturesque landscape above ground and the famous Silfra Fissure, which can be explored via either snorkeling or diving
Biltmore
Location: North Carolina, Asheville
Late 19th century country estate of the Vanderbilts, offering various options to tour the house and grounds, all of which are very nice
Judaculla Rock
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Large soapstone boulder covered in mysterious petroglyphs that pre-date the Cherokee
Ringling Museum
Location: Florida, Tampa Bay Area, Sarasota
The state art museum of Florida, the Ringing contains a museum of art, a circus museum, the estate home of John and Mable Ringling, and nice gardens
Hemingway Home
Location: Florida, Key West
The home of Ernest Hemingway and his family for ten years, and home to a large population of adorable six-toed cats descended from Hemingway’s favorite cat
Shipwreck Treasures Museum
Location: Florida, Key West
Museum highlighting the wreck salvage business that flourished in the 1800’s due to the large number of shipwrecks occurring in the area
Fort Jefferson ♦
Location: Florida, Key West area, Dry Tortugas National Park
Awesome historic island fort (complete with a large moat!) turned prison which held the Lincoln assassination conspirators
Fremont Petroglyphs
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Excellent set of petroglyphs with very easy access and viewing
Grafton Ghost Town
Location: Utah, Zion National Park area, Rockville
Lightly restored/preserved ghost town with an interesting old cemetery
Jubilee Mine ♦
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Nelson
Large abandoned mine with several shafts that can be explored without any technical equipment
Pioneer Saloon
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Goodsprings
Still operational saloon built during the boom period of the Goodsprings mining town in the early 1900’s
Salem
Location: Massachusetts, Salem
Historic town famous for the 1692 Witch Trials and home to The House of the Seven Gables