The kids are back in school and work is in full swing, which means you’re already planning your next vacation. Are we wrong? Therefore, why not enjoy the splendor of North America’s greatest National Parks – without all the pesky crowds and blistering heat? Autumn is nature’s gift when the leaves change while their color pallets are spectacular, especially in these glorious National Parks.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
     There is no better place to see the wonderful fall foliage than along Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. A short two-hour drive from our nation’s capital, Shenandoah and Skyline drive are most popular between September and November for the breathtaking views of color-changing leaves as far as the eyes can see. Skyline Drive runs along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains with views of waterfalls and the occasional wildlife.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
     For people in the Pacific Northwest, you are already aware of the majesty of Mount airier. Just a short two-hour drive from Seattle, Mount Rainier looms large over the city’s skyline. This destination will be chilly but expectedly beautiful as you will have the hiking trails to yourself. There are over 250 miles of hiking trails that take you to the mountain’s impressive heights.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee
     Nine million people a year can’t be wrong – the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is a national treasure. Autumn here is simply divine – with an impressive array of fall foliage, you have to consider the experience a true joy when the weather is just perfect. The hiking is a pleasure with well-manicured trails and waterfalls all over the place.

Arches National Park, Utah
     Utah has some of the most diverse terrains and environments around and their National Parks are some of the best. Summers can be drainingly hot – avoid heatstroke and visit the Arches in the Fall. The arches are really incredible and the nighttime celestial display of stars and planets are like nowhere else. Horseback ride during the day and do some stargazing at night.

Acadia National Park, Maine
     If fall foliage is what you desire, there is nowhere else on Earth that offers these incredible views. It is about a three-hour drive from Portland, Maine but the drive is well worth it if you seek the leaf. You will see all the colors of the rainbow as the leaves slowly die and fall to the forest floor.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
     We all know about the geysers that erupt on a clock like a schedule but the crowds in the summer are terrible. Avoid the throngs of tourists and head to Yellowstone in the Autumn. The wildlife in Yellowstone at this time is very active, so expect to see elk, moose and even bears.

     If adventure is what you seek, there is no greater way to see your vacation destinations than by helicopter. Imagine yourself flying amongst the clouds as you glide through the sky in a helicopter – the mind blown by the incredible views. There is no better way to enjoy attractions then up a couple of thousand feet in a rotary-winged machine. They may be loud but a helicopter ride will easily be the most memorable experience from any vacation. Check out the best destinations to take a helicopter ride and see things from a truly unique vantage point. 

Las Vegas

     Las Vegas is one of the busiest helicopter tour destinations, with plenty to see in a short ride. From the Vegas strip to the Hoover Dam to the granddaddy of them all, the Grand Canyon. A helicopter is the only way to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory and majesty. The Grand Canyon is over 270 miles long and can be 15 miles across; something that grand needs a copter to see it fully.

Niagara Falls

     Most people will tell you the best view of Niagara Falls is from a boat in the water beneath the falls, but that’s not true, obviously, the best view is from a helicopter. Niagara Falls is just a massive sight to see and with all the tourists that jam the site, it can be difficult to have a perfect vantage point. If you really want an amazing view that is unforgettable, you must see the falls from a helicopter. Imagine the immense beauty of something so powerful as Niagara Falls seen from above in the peace of a smoothly flying helicopter.

Kauai, Hawaii

     If you have seen the beginning scene of Jurassic Park then you know that in Kauai there are waterfalls only accessible by helicopter. Kauai is known as the garden island because it’s so lush and only 20% of the island is accessible by car. The island has many amazing sights that have to be seen by helicopter to understand how massive they are. The Na Pali Coast is the Western side of the Island and is characterized by the huge, steep mountains covered in green ferns. The entire side of the island is unreachable by car and a helicopter is the only way to see it or you can traverse the 17 miles up and down over a two-day hike. The Waimea Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific as its massive and beautiful. Plus there are a dozen or so mega waterfalls you have to see from a helicopter.

New York City

     New York City is the mega-metropolis city that we all love and never have enough time to see it all when we visit. If you want to really understand how huge NYC is, you have to see it from a helicopter. Imagine flying between the skyscrapers, above the central park and around the Statue of Liberty. New York is such an expansive city it’s nearly impossible to catch it all in one trip, but a great way to check it out is a few hundred feet up, in a whirlybird.

     Drinking beer is always a great time, but doing it in a grungy bar can get old. Feel good about sipping your suds by drinking in a beautiful beer garden. You will have tons of room in a magnificent outdoor bar where you can stretch out and really take down a pint or two.
“But where are these gardens?” I hear you asking.

HOFBRAUHAUS, MUNICH, GERMANY

     This is the beer garden that started them all. The Hofbrauhaus has been in business since the 1500s which means they know what they’re doing when it comes to brewing the brew. That makes this the ideal place to get a humongous mug of brew and slurp it on down.

MOUNT TAKAO BEER MOUNT, TOKYO

     Head on over to a beer garden at one of the highest elevations in the world at the Mount Takao Beer Mount. This destination will give you fantastic views of the beautiful skyline of Tokyo which you can marvel at while chugging down a nice ale. The only way to get up there is either hike up or ride in a cable car.

BOHEMIAN HALL AND BEER GARDEN, ASTORIA, NEW YORK

     Head over to Queens and get your beer drinking on at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. You can play ping-pong here as well as listen to live music so you don’t have to talk to your friends that much. Now you can say “Hey! I’m drinkin’ here!”

KONIGLICHER HIRSCHGARTEN, MUNICH, GERMANY

     If you want to find the biggest beer garden you can then head to Koniglicher Hirschgarten. This place is smack dab in the middle of a 100-acre-park so you have beautiful sprawling views of Munich and some tasty brews to boot. Now that sounds too good to be…brew.

CAFE VLISSINGHE, BRUGES, BELGIUM

     Head to Bruges’s oldest bar at the Cafe Vlissinghe. If you need a place to wash all that chocolate down then grab a drink here. In one word, this bar is charming. Actually, in four words it’s charming to the max.

LETNA BEER GARDEN, PRAGUE

     This beer garden has one seriously awesome view. You can drink while strolling along the Vltava River. If you’ve ever done some drinking around a river then you know it is quite possibly the best place to suck down on some suds. This place is great because it gives you the option of hiking with your brew or just taking it easy and taking it all in.

BROUWERIJ ‘T IJ, AMSTERDAM

     This place used to be a bathhouse and now it’s still relaxing its patrons but this time with beers, not steam rooms. This place is beautiful mostly because it is directly next to a huge windmill making it for a real unique drinking experience. Now that is definitely too good to be brew.