First when I moved to the US for my au pairs years I was sure that I want to visit the Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Park. I didn’t know that America has so much more to offer. After some research, my travel list was full with new places that I wanted to visit. My friends did not had time, so I though “If I don’t do it alone now, I will never see it”. That’s why, I booked a tour with tours4fun because I wasn’t old enough to rent a car by myself. You must know that in summer it is really hot on the west coast. I really recommend to use suncream, cover your shoulders (wear a T-Shirt), sun hat, sunglasses, a full drink bottle, sturdy footwear or visit the places early in the morning. 

1.Grand Canyon National Park 

The stunning nature is located in the state Arizona. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,093 feet or 1,857 meters). There are more than one viewpoints, the biggest 4 of them are North Rim, South Rim, West Rim and East Rim. Because of my tour, I visited the west side of the Grand Canyon. When I arrived, I took a bus which drove to the different stops, like Eagle point, the skywalk, Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch. It’s also possible to fly with the helicopter through the Grand Canyon. 

2. Zion National Park 

That was the only park on the list which I didn’t had expectations on. It located southwest in Utah. The Zion is a 229 square-mile (590 km²) national park with the Zion Canyon which is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 2,640 ft (800 m) deep. Unfortunately I didn’t have much time to go hiking and see much more of it. 

3. Bryce Canyon National Park 

The Bryce Canyon National Park is also located southwest of Utah. It is famous for his pointed to the top red rock formations, called hoodoos. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m). I arrived early in the morning with the tour group so it wasn’t really crowded. The weather was really great and I had an awesome view. I regret a little bit that I didn’t walk the way down because I though that I didn’t have enough time for that. 

4. Horseshoe bend

Like the name is telling you, it is horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located in Arizona and is with a 4,200 feet (1,300 m) above sea level a high viewpoint. From the parking area it is a hiking a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) round trip. Unhappily, the tour bus enter the place early afternoon. So it was really exhausting to go the path in the heat. I took quick a lot of picture because there was’t even one shadow place there. 

5. Antelope Canyon 

By another au pair instagram account, I discovered the beauty of the Antelope Canyon. It is located in Arizona and there are two separate sections, the Upper and the Lower. I personally find the lower one more interesting, so I chose that sections. My advice to you is, buy your ticket early because that place get more and more famous and you only can see the spot with a tour. The Antelope Canyon is one of my favorite nature places that I visit so far. The light beams that enter the Antelope Canyon creates a unique phenomenon which is breathtaking! 

Our planet has so much to offer that’s why I love travel so much! I can recommend you more stunning places in the US, like the Death Valley National Park or the Yellowstone. 

Best,

Saskia ❤