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Road Trip USA: 28 Amazing Photos to Inspire You

Often when we talk to our friends back home they ask us what our favorite countries are in the world. And they are generally surprised when the good ‘ol US of A makes our top 10 list. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hype of international travel we forget how incredible and diverse the scenery is in our own backyard.

That is why in the fall of 2016 we decided to pack up our lives and embark on a 6-month road trip from Portland, Oregon to Key West, Florida, and back again. With plenty of meandering along the way, we managed to rack up over 22,000 miles on our 1994 Ford Bronco. We spent ~150 nights camping under the stars in the spectacular National Parks and public lands of the United States.

During our road trip in the USA, we explored iconic US destinations like Havasu Falls , New Orleans , and Gatlinburg, TN . We soaked in secluded hot springs , hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains , and even won the lottery for The Wave in Northern Arizona (one of the most difficult places to visit in the USA).

Here are a few of our favorite pictures we took along the way. We hope they inspire you to take your own road trip across this beautiful country!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

28 Road Trip Photos from the USA

1. buckskin gulch, utah.

Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the US and is one of our favorite places in the country. While its colors are not as bright as Antelope Canyon and it doesn’t have the rushing water of The Narrows in Zion National Park, it does offer a very similar setting with almost complete solitude. Buckskin Gulch is located in a remote part of Southern Utah near the town of Kanab.

It is also located just a short distance from the famous ‘Wave’ in Northern Arizona . You can hike the entire 24-miles of the canyon or just journey in a short distance and return the way you came. Prepare to be awed by the towering sandstone walls of the narrow canyon!

2. Antelope Island, Utah

Antelope Island State Park , located just north of Salt Lake City, is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. There, you’ll have 42 square miles of protected land to explore. However, the most amazing part feature of this island is the free-roaming heard of over 500 American bison.

In Spring 2017, this state park was designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. They work to protect night skies and avoid light pollution. It makes Antelope Island State Park a great place to stargaze and do a little bit of astrophotography.

3. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the least visited parks in the United States National Park System. That’s likely because it is located 70 miles off the southern tip of Florida and is mostly open water with just seven small islands.

But there are plenty of reasons to visit this national park. In addition to beautiful coral reefs and crystal clear water, the largest island is home to the historic Fort Jefferson. This massive fortress was built during the 19th century to protect the shipping channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Today, you can wander freely through the long-abandoned fortress taking in the sweeping views of the turquoise ocean and white sand beaches. There are no accommodations in the park. Camping is allowed, but you’ll need to make reservations months in advance to secure one of the eight campsites for a night.

The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. There is a daily ferry that runs between Dry Tortugas National Park and Key West.

4. Havasu Falls, Arizona

When people ask us where our favorite place is in the USA, we enthusiastically respond with Havasu Falls! The setting of a lush valley in the middle of the desert with a turquoise river flowing through it over a series of increasingly beautiful waterfalls is just something out of a fairy tale.

Getting a permit for Havasu Falls requires a bit of planning and a bit of luck, but it’s absolutely worth it! If you’re thinking about visiting, make sure you check out our Havasu Falls Packing List !

5. Desert View Watchtower, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring sights during your road trip in the USA. Standing at its edge is on many a traveler’s bucket list.

If you just have one day at the Grand Canyon , then hike the South Kaibab Trail or the Rim Trail to check out all of the epic viewpoints. Desert View Watchtower, Hopi Point, and Mather Point are a few of the best viewpoints in Grand Canyon National Park .

If you have more time, there are lots of other cool ways to explore the Grand Canyon – hike the bright angel trail to the floor of the canyon, raft the Colorado River, or take a helicopter tour from Las Vegas!

While the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is more accessible, you’ll find that the North Rim is much quieter, yet equally as beautiful.

6. Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana

Oak Alley is one of the beautiful plantations along the River Road located on the outskirts of New Orleans . If you’re heading to the Big Easy, you should definitely take a day off drinking and go visit this well-preserved piece of Southen history.

Get there early in the morning to avoid the crowds so you can explore the massive landscape and the 28 live oak trees before you head inside the big house for a tour. Photos don’t do the place justice, but photographers from all levels can submit their photos, including landscape, architecture, still life, and photographic art, for the Oak Alley Photography Contest.

7. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Spanning the continental divide of North America and encompassing one of the most stunning portions of the Rocky Mountains, this national park can’t be missed if you’re driving across Colorado . It’s packed with visitors in the summer, but if you visit during the winter months, you’ll find it easy to find a bit of solitude among the epic snowy landscapes.

The Rocky Mountains National Park is located 90 minutes from Denver and it’s roughly 415 square miles boasting 77 peaks and 156 lakes. You can spend your days doing a little bit of camping, hiking, and fishing in the summer, or go skiing near Grand Lake in the winter!

8. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Located in the desert of southern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers some experiences that shouldn’t be missed! There are many trails open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and there are even opportunities for rock climbing. 

The park spans about 794,000 acres and has four visitor centers – Joshua Tree, Oasis, Cottonwood, and Black Rock. The park offers three entry points, including Yucca Valley in the west, Twentynine Palms in the north, and Cottonwood Springs in the south. 

We recommend visiting during the spring and the fall, as temperatures are more manageable. However, the park is open all year. Go and gaze at the rugged rock formations, the funky Joshua trees, and the stunning desert landscapes. Don’t forget your camera because you’ll want to take endless photos!

9. White Pocket, Arizona

White Pocket, Arizona is one of the most picturesque places in the United States. The marbled orange and white sandstone have been eroded into incredible formations that just don’t seem real until you see them with your own eyes.

White Pocket isn’t visited as much due to its remoteness – you’ll certainly need a 4WD vehicle to access the area! The drive itself is a great adventure. When you start exploring on your two feet, you’ll be astonished at all of the colors, shapes, and textures in the area. Just be cautious as it is a fragile environment, so tread lightly and enjoy the sights of the beautiful stones.

10. Racetrack Playa, California

Death Valley is one of the most barren and remote National Parks . It is full of unworldly landscapes, including huge sand dunes, expansive salt flats, and the mysterious Racetrack Playa.

The Racetrack is nestled between the Cottonwood and Last Chance Ranges. The roads leading to it are rough. Make sure you have good tires and spares since there’s no cellphone coverage in the area.

The best part of Racetrack Play was a mystery for many years. Large stones drift across the dried-up lake bed on thin sheets of ice that form when weather conditions align perfectly. You can see the trails of the dragged stones across the ground leaving trails showing their journey.

11. Christine Falls, Washington

Mount Ranier National Park is often overlooked by people during a road trip in the USA. But, if you’re planning a west coast road trip , then this national park should definitely be a part of it.

The park is full of stunning waterfalls that are easily accessible from the road – make sure you check out Myrtle Falls and Christine Falls. Christine Falls is framed by a historic arching bridge with a 60-foot waterfall. Visit in the summer as the skyline trail offers some of the most photogenic vistas in the entire USA!

12. Sequoia National Park, California

Sequoia National Park in California is home to the world’s largest trees. Wandering through a grove of giant sequoia trees is a surreal experience that should be on everyone’s USA bucket list .

The largest of these trees (and the largest living tree in the world) is the General Sherman Tree. It has a circumference of 102.6 feet at its base. The Sequoia trees are some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. They can live for over 3,000 years due to a chemical in the bark – it protects them against rot and fire!

The park also has over 800 miles of trails. If you’re there during the hiking season – July to September – hike by the trees, sheer cliffs, and river canyons to your heart’s content.

13. Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake has to be seen to be believed! At 1,949 feet, it is the deepest lake in the United States. It fills the massive caldera that was created when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed over 700 years ago.

You can visit in the summer if you want to swim in the crystal clear waters. You can also come in the winter to enjoy the spectacular scenery by snowshoe or cross country skis. It’s definitely a must-visit for any Pacific Northwest road trip ! Read more about visiting Crater Lake here.

14. Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah. Known for its desert landscape, it definitely deserves a place on your road trip in the USA bucket list! 

There are endless canyons, mesas, fins, arches, and spires to explore. It’s divided into four districts – Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the Green and Colorado rivers. Head to the Island in the Sky as it is more accessible and offers views along the paved scenic drive.

If it’s backcountry experiences that you’re searching for, then the Needles is the place. You can explore by hiking or driving a 4×4 around the area. You can also embark on some flatwater trips on the rivers, including canoeing or kayaking. 

There’s something for everyone to enjoy in Canyonlands National Park. Make sure you don’t miss it!

15. Monument Valley, Arizona

Monument Valley in Arizona houses some of the tallest (up to 1,000 feet!) and most impressive sandstone rock formations in the US. You may recognize them from Hollywood movies and TV shows – from Forrest Gump and 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld and The Man in the High Castle .

You can head to the visitor center to explore the museum and attend a guided tour by either car or horseback. There’s also a Navajo archaeology exhibit and a collection of arts and crafts to peruse. Another option is to do a self-guided drive to check out the unique rock formations. 

Make sure you don’t miss this natural wonder of the world!

16. Anza-Borrego Desert, California

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located within the Colorado Desert in southern California. Named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, it is the largest state park in California.

The parks span around 600,000 acres with 110 miles worth of hiking trails. It’s best to visit during the winter and spring to avoid the desert heat during your hiking trips. Plus, the spring season covers multiple areas with amazing wildflowers. 

Start your day at the underground visitor center to learn about the park and finish it laying on a blanket and gazing at the star-speckled sky!

17. Point Reyes, California

Just 30-miles Northwest of San Francisco, Point Reyes Peninsula is a wild and beautiful place to explore. You can explore miles of hiking trails and epic sea kayaking along the rugged coastline.

Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse built in the 1800s to help sea travel from San Francisco north. There’s also the Inverness Shipwreck located on a sandbar in Tomales Bay. Make sure you don’t miss walking through an incredibly photogenic tunnel of massive old cyprus trees!

18. Ramona Falls, Oregon

The hike to Ramona Falls is a 7.1-mile loop trail near Rhododendron, Oregon. With an elevation of over 1,000 feet, it might be a challenge for some and takes roughly three hours to complete. If you’re not up for the trek, you can also complete the trail on a fun horseback ride! 

Whether you opt to hike or go on horseback, it’s a worthy adventure to check out the 120-foot-tall waterfall. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to be in awe at this amazing waterfall!

19. Big Sur, California

The Bixby Bridge in Big Sur is one of the most iconic stops along a  Pacific Coast Highway road trip . It’s just 18 miles south of Monterey. The drive offers spectacular coastal views as the road winds its way along the sea cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean.

The bridge is made of reinforced concrete with an impressive arch. It’s also popular among photographers and one of the most photographed bridges in California!

20. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Miles of white gypsum sand dunes make White Sand National Monument in New Mexico one of the most strikingly beautiful places in the United States. It contains only 10 designated campsite and visitors without a camping permit must exit the park before 9 pm.

Camping under the stars in this vast white desert made White Sands was one of our favorite experiences on our road trip in the USA. It is also one of our top alternatives to the country’s busier National Parks .

21. Penny Hot Springs, Colorado

Penny Hot Springs is an inviting little off-the-beaten-path hot spring located just outside of Carbondale, Colorado on the banks of the Crystal River. The landscape is particularly stunning in the winter when the riverbanks are covered in snow!

If you visit during the winter, it’s the perfect place to relax after a day of hiking or skiing. The boiling water seeps up from the ground with a few pools sectioned off right alongside the river. The water gets hot! However, if the tide is right, cool water from the river can flow in making it the perfect temperature.

22. The Wave, Arizona

The Wave is famous for its orange and white swirls of sandstone that come together to form – you guessed it – a perfect wave.

We spent a week in Kanab, Utah attempting to obtain a permit for The Wave . It’s one of the most difficult pieces of public land in the USA to visit. It is also one of the most stunning.

If you want to try your luck at obtaining one of the daily permits to hike through Coyote Buttes North, make sure you check out our ultimate guide to visiting The Wave .

23. Druid Arch, Utah

The Druid Arch Trail is a challenging hiking trail. But rest assured, it is well worth it to take in the views of the 150-foot-tall arch! Located within the Needles District of the Canyonlands National Park, its Druid name comes from its resemblance to the Stonehenge monument.

You can start your hike to the arch at the Elephant Hill trailhead. It’s about a 10.8-mile distance, so it takes an average of 4-5 hours to complete. Keep going to enjoy epic vistas of the canyons and the towering “needles” until you reach Druid Arch.

This hike is so spectacular it will be the highlight of your road trip in the USA!

24. Temple of the Sun, Utah

The Temple of the Sun and The Temple of the Moon are stunning! You’ll find them in the remote Cathedral Valley section of Capitol Reef National Park. You’ll need some patience to get out there as it’s 15 miles down a rough dirt road. However, it’s definitely a worthy adventure!

The Temple is a large, freestanding rock formation composed of Entrada Sandstone formed by deposition of sand and slit. If you have time for some hiking, there are a few round-trip hiking routes you can take. There’s the Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock route, which roughly takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

If it’s a bird’s eye view of the Temples that you’re searching for, take the Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks route. The path is faint, so keep that in mind, but the hike roughly takes about 1-2 hours to complete. Make sure to add this location to your road trip in the USA bucket list!

PS. Capital Reef is one of the more underrated National Parks in the US . Y ou should absolutely visit if you can!

25. Angels Landing, Utah

Angels Landing is one of our favorite hikes we did during our road trip in the USA and a highlight of everyone’s Zion National Park itinerary . It offers sweeping views of Zion Canyon. However, it’s not a hiking trail for the faint of heart or for hikers with a fear of heights. 

You’ll begin the hike by ascending a set of 21 steep switchbacks (known as “Walter’s Wiggles”). It will test your endurance! You’ll end it by scrambling along rock ledges while holding onto metal chains 1,400′ above the canyon floor!

Angels Landing is one of the most popular  Zion National Park hikes . As such, it’s best to hike it early in the morning or midweek. On busy weekends, you’ll almost certainly have to wait in line for your turns using the chains at the end of the hike.

26. Goblin Valley, Utah

Goblin Valley is as close as you will get to visiting Mars (that is until it is actually possible to travel to Mars!). This state park is full of unique mushroom-shaped rock formations referred to as goblins. It was also featured in films like Galaxy Quest , City Slickers II , and The Tree of Life due to its otherworldly scenery.

Not for the faint of heart, adventure-seekers can rappel into Goblin’s Lair – a 70-foot sandstone cave on the east side of the valley. Backcountry permits are required for this adventure, and you can also rappel with a guide. For something a bit more mellow, there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and stargazing.

We recommend a visit during the spring and fall seasons as it can get very hot during the summer. Winter is a good time to visit too, but the nights get very cold (sometimes they reach 0°F!). Nothing a good cuddle won’t fix!

27. Zapata Falls, Colorado

Zapata Falls – a 25-foot secluded waterfall hidden by rocks – is a Colorado hidden gem worthy of a visit during your road trip in the USA!

Even from the parking lot, you can appreciate the views of the Great Sand Dunes and the San Juan Mountains. Make sure you arrive early, so you don’t miss the sunrise against the landscape. It is breathtaking!

The trip to Zapata Falls will make you work for it as you hike through chilly waters and slippery rocks. But don’t worry, it’s only about a half-mile from the parking lot, and it’s well worth the effort.

 28. Alvord Desert, Oregon

Located in Harney County in Oregon, the Alvord Desert is an 84-square-mile dry lake bed set in the shadows of Steens Mountain. It’s the perfect place to go driving around in your 4×4 during the day and stargazing at night.

You can hike up the dunes at the far end of the playa or pick out any spot of the desert to set up camp for the night. There’s also the privately owned Alvord Hot Springs. Head out there for a relaxing soak. You can also stock up on groceries and firewood if you’re camping out.

Preparing for a road trip in the USA? Check out our favorite resources!

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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2 thoughts on “road trip usa: 28 amazing photos to inspire you”.

Hey what a great list! I’ve spent years road tripping the USA and haven’t seen most of these. LOL – What the heck was I doing???

My amazing grands! My armchair travels through you!

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Love Exploring

Nostalgic Images of US Road Trips From Every Decade

Posted: April 26, 2023 | Last updated: November 30, 2023

The open road

1910s: a family poses by their car

Although the first car was invented in 1886 , it wasn’t until a couple of decades later that automobiles became more popular and widespread in America. This was thanks to a game-changing invention: Henry Ford’s Model T, which launched in 1908. It ran on gasoline, which made it cheaper and meant it could travel further distances than the electric vehicles that had previously been used. In this photograph from the 1910s, a family poses by their brand new Model T.

1910s: the first-ever RV

You might be surprised to learn that the world’s first recreational vehicle, or RV, was invented back in 1915. The 25-foot (7.6m) long automobile was created by Roland Conklin’s Gas-Electric Motor Bus Company and dubbed the Gypsy Van. It was kitted out with a kitchen, sleeping berths, folding tables, various small appliances, a generator and lighting. It was used by the Conklin family to travel from Huntington, New York to San Francisco, California on a journey that captured the attention of national media. 

Now discover the fascinating history of RV-ing in America

1910s: touring the national parks

Since the first national parks were signed into law in the late 1800s, Americans began to gain a greater appreciation for the natural beauty in their backyard. Then the arrival of cars made it easier to access them – although it was still a privilege available to the wealthy few who were lucky enough to own one. Pictured here is a group of visitors on a guided “Two National Parks in Two Weeks” tour that swept through Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more travel inspiration

1920s: birth of Tin Can Tourism

1920s: an unusual attraction in Yosemite

1920s: a legendary cross-country race

While road trips may have been a way to unwind for many, motorcyclist and car racer Erwin Baker turned these cross-country journeys up a notch – by driving as fast as he could. In fact, he even earned the name “Cannonball”, after a newspaper compared him to a Cannonball Express train during one of his famous cross-country races. Shown here in 1923, in his Oldsmobile 30A surrounded by fans, the racer had just completed a trip from New York to Los Angeles by motocycle in a record-breaking 12-and-a-half days. 

1930s: road trippers check their directions

1930s: boots allow people to pack luggage

1930s: the first Airstream arrives

1940s: car drives through Badlands National Park

The striated peaks of the Badlands, South Dakota are just as striking in this rudimentary colour photograph as they are today. The national park (then a national monument) was located close to US Highways 14 and 6, so when roads were built through it during the 1930s and 1940s there was a significant uptick in visitor numbers.

Next, check out these vintage photographs of world-famous destinations

1940s: automobile ownership on the rise

1940s: car drives through Yellowstone National Park

1950s: road-tripping increases in popularity

By the 1950s, the road trip had become an undeniable fixture of American culture. The postwar years saw a continued boom in car ownership across the country and road conditions had improved a great deal too. In 1959, an engineer at Volvo developed the three-point seatbelt (the kind we're familiar with today) which also made hitting the road a whole lot safer. Pictured here, a road-tripping couple check their map.

1950s: famous stars take to the road

Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel On The Road helped cement the dream of travelling through America’s highways and byways in the collective imagination. Celebrities also helped to give road-tripping a glamorous image. Pictured here is Marilyn Monroe and her husband at the time, playwright Arthur Miller (centre, with box), with their friend Milton Green (right), a photographer. Captured in New York in 1956, the trio are about to take a trip to Connecticut in a Thunderbird convertible.

1950s: motels and diners spring up everywhere

Now that more Americans were taking to the road during their vacation time, they needed a place to stay. So the neon signs of motels and diners became an increasingly common sight along the country’s highways. A classic “mom-and-pop” motel would offer affordable lodgings, a place to park up for the night, and often a diner serving home-style food.

Find out which is your state's best motel

1960s: Route 66 gains notoriety

The first all-weather road between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, Route 66 revolutionised the road trip. It shaved some 200 miles (322km) off the journey between Chicago and Los Angeles, making it easier for people in the rural west to get to cities in the midwest and northeast. In 1960, Route 66 , an American TV series that followed the escapades of a pair of young men travelling the route, aired on CBS. As the so-called Mother Road continued to crop up in popular culture, America's fascination with her grew.

1960s: Aristocrat is the top trailer maker

1960s: camper vans make waves

1970s: VWs dominate the hippie trail

1970s: more campsites spring up

1970s: trailers experience a fall from grace

1980s: motels shut their doors on Route 66

1980s: NASCAR fans gather at Daytona International Speedway

1980s: RVs become more advanced

After a lag in the 1970s due to the oil crisis, the RV industry boomed during the 1980s. Popular movies including National Lampoon's Vacation and The Blues Brothers, whose storylines heavily featured the motorhomes, helped to cement RVs’ place in popular culture. The iconic RV of the decade was the Fleetwood Bounder, released in 1985, which was the first of its kind to include basement storage – now a common fixture in these vehicles.

1990s: tourists take in Alaskan scenery

1990s: old-school trailers are back

1990s: Big Sur maintains its magic

Made popular by the Beat Generation in the 1950s and the hippies of the 1960s, central California’s Big Sur is one of the most popular road trips in the country. Highway 1 is the iconic route which takes travellers along this rugged coastline, with the most visited stretch running between Santa Barbara and Monterey. Here, a classic 1990s compact car drives alongside the sun-splashed cliffs. 

Now check out America's most scenic coastal drives

2000s: the most popular RV

2000s: drive-thru in Maryland

2000s: remnants of Route 66

By the 2000s, the historic Route 66 had become a tourist attraction in its own right, with plenty of motels, diners and even a museum profiting off its storied past. At this section near Prewitt, New Mexico, photographed in 2003, the road runs parallel to Interstate 40. It seems a fitting visual metaphor, given the road was ultimately surpassed by the high-speed interstate highway system.

2010s: navigation gets an upgrade

2010s: camper vans powered by solar

2010s: road tripping goes electric

Until very recently, long-distance travel in an electric vehicle has felt like a distant dream. But thanks to the rapid improvements in EVs themselves, which mean they can travel for longer distances, as well as the installation of new charging points across the States, electric-powered road trips look like an increasingly viable option. And  a new cross-country network of EV charging points , running from Los Angeles, California to Washington DC, is making it easier than ever to refuel. Pictured is a motorway sign for a charging point along southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

2020s: a pandemic causes problems

The start of the 2020s saw a curveball thrown at the travel industry: the COVID-19 pandemic. Popular destinations, such as Las Vegas (pictured), had their income from tourism almost completely slashed overnight, as lockdowns took hold and flights were cancelled. However, when Americans were allowed to travel within the USA again, road trips experienced a renaissance: a survey for Vacationer magazine estimated that 80% of Americans planned to take a road trip in 2022. Many were keen to avoid airports and flying for fear of contracting the virus, and the open road offered a safer way to satisfy the wanderlust.

2020s: remote working on the road

Another unexpected twist from the pandemic was the rise in remote working, which made long-term 'workations' a genuinely feasible option for many: one 2022 survey of RV owners revealed that over half had worked while on the road that year. Looking into the future, an increased awareness of the impact of flying on our planet means travellers will be looking for a different kind of trip, and driving through dramatic landscapes with the ability to stop anywhere certainly presents a more ecological and enriching alternative. It seems the freedom of the road will always beckon.

Next, discover the amazing experiences you can only have in the US

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Trip report - One day in Paris with children April 2024 - Paris Forum

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Trip report - One day in Paris with children April 2024

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After spending 2 nights in Innsbruck we took the train to Mannheim in Germany (5 hours). This was a very nice train, with clean toilets, excellent on board catering, and up to date information screens.

We then had a tight but in theory feasible connection in Mannheim to catch the TGV to Paris (14 minutes). The train from Innsbruck to Mannheim was running late, and we had just 3 minutes to run from one platform to the other at Mannheim. The other passengers kindly let us alight first and showed us which way to go. We sprinted the length of platform 8, through the tunnel, and up the flight of stairs to platform 3 - no mean feat with backpacks - and we made it with seconds to spare.

Seat reservations on the TGV were mandatory (£17 each). No one checked our tickets during this leg of our journey, and lots of people didn’t have seats and were stood or sat in the vestibules. So the ‘mandatory reservation’ requirement confused us and we felt like we could have travelled with just our Interrail passes rather than forking out nearly £70 for seat reservations.

Anyway, we made it to Paris (3 hours by TGV) and it was wonderful to get all the way from Austria to France by train so quickly, with very little hassle and no border checks.

In Paris we took the number 4 metro line to our hotel in Saint Germain. We knew we wouldn’t be using the metro much so we just purchased single one-way ‘t+ tickets’ (£1.85 each). For the rest of our time in Paris we walked to get around. On our departure day we took the metro to the Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar back to London .

Accommodation

We stayed for 2 nights at the Hotel La Perle at a cost of £475 per night for 2 connecting rooms and breakfast. This was much more than we’d normally spend on accommodation. Unfortunately when we were arranging our trip we hadn’t realised that our arrival date coincided with the Paris marathon, and that rates were therefore inflated across the city.

We chose this hotel as it came highly recommended, and the family sleeping arrangements were the best we could find in central Paris. The rooms were quite small but cosy, and each had small but luxurious en-suite bathrooms. We missed having a kettle to make our own tea, and a little more space to move around the rooms would have been nice.

The hotel was located in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighbourhood on the south bank. We have visited Paris before but this was our first time staying in this area. The location of the hotel was fantastic, just 2 minutes walk from the Metro. The area was a delightful mix of cafes and shops, in pretty narrow streets with hanging baskets. Yes, it was touristy, but it felt very Parisian and we loved it.

Saint Germain and the Latin Quarter

We hadn’t been very organised and failed to book time slot tickets for any museums or galleries. But because we’ve visited Paris before, and as we only had one full day this time, we decided it was ok not to visit any of the major museums but just to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

We started the day with a breakfast of boiled eggs, pastries and orange juice at the hotel. Then we spent the morning walking through Saint Germain and on to the Latin Quarter, stopping to take photos and pop into shops that looked interesting.

We walked first to Église Saint-Sulpice at the bottom of the road of our hotel, and then up to Rue de Buci, on to the Musee de Cluny and Samuel Paty Square, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, and back up to the river. We stopped en route for a rest in the small but peaceful Square André Lefevre.

During this walk we looked in lots of shops including Taschen Books, San Francisco Books, The Abbey Bookshop, Momie Mangas and Album Comics. Sadly we didn’t find a cheese shop, but it’s probably to the benefit of our waistlines.

Finally we reached Shakespeare and Co Books at the river. There was a long queue to get into the bookshop and as we’ve visited before we opted to skip the shop and rest our feet and enjoy some drinks at the cafe in the sunshine instead.

Saint Chapelle Flower Market

After our walk around the south bank we crossed the bridge to Ile de Cite and took a look at the ongoing restoration of Notre Dame before heading to Saint Chapelle. Here we visited the flower market which was full of gorgeous tulips, scented jasmine, and hydrangeas.

Seine Boat Tour

We pre-booked tickets for the Seine Boat Tour operated by Vedettes Du Pont Neuf. We booked open time tickets (£10 each) so we could just join the next tour departing when we reached Pont Neuf.

We like seeing cities from their waterways and we think a boat tour down the Seine is a great way to see some of the city’s major landmarks. There is, of course the Eiffel Tower , but the boat also goes past the Musee D’Orsay, Musee Du Louvre , Trocadero and the Statue of Liberty (a replica of the one in New York), among many other famous buildings.

After the boat tour we were all hungry so we walked across the river to the north bank where we had a really great late lunch at brasserie La Cafe Plume. The kids were delighted that their children’s meals of steak, salad ane french fries came with ice cream for dessert.

Jardin des Tuileries

We then walked to the Jardin des Tuileries which was stunning in the sunshine with beautiful blossoms and spring bulbs.

We didn’t make it to the playground as we were all tired by this point, so we walked back to Saint Germain.

Before calling it a day we popped into Crêperie des Canettes right next door to our hotel. Even though we’d had a big lunch and were still full, this was the last day of our holiday, and we couldn’t leave Paris without eating a crêpe. The kids had Nutella (heathens), and the adults classic sugar and butter. 10/10, absolutely scrumptious!

Final Thoughts

During past trips we’ve visited many of the museums and parks, and have stayed in different parts of the city including in a tiny hotel in Montmarte, and once in a generous friend’s stunning apartment near the Place D’Italie in the 13th Arrondissement. We loved Saint Germain and would definitely stay in this area again in future.

With just one full day in Paris we couldn’t do a lot, and we didn’t want to rush around trying to cram everything in. We visited on a Monday when many museums were closed, and those that were open, were fully booked. So we spent the day simply moseying around, moving slowly, chilling at cafes and taking it all in. It was a lovely end to a fabulous spring holiday in Europe .

This trip has inspired us to return to Paris in the near future. We’d love to revisit some of our favourite things in Paris that we didn’t manage this time like Monet’s waterlilies at Musée de l'Orangerie, and the view from the Sacré-Cœur.

During our two days in Paris we went way over our usual budget thanks to high accommodation costs and spent:

* Accommodation: £950

* Eating Out: £165

* Public transport: £15

* Activities and entry tickets: £40

Total: £1170 (£146 per person per day)

9 replies to this topic

Of course that’s an option :-) but with only one full day we wanted to be right in the centre from the get go, and we loved the area we stayed in.

Next time we will aim to stay for longer and stay somewhere less expensive.

@WRT, that’s how we have chosen locations for our accommodation when only having 2-3 nights. I love that you had two rooms, with two ensuites! When travelling en famille that is worth the extra €€,!

Pirate 🏴‍☠️

Those youngsters walked all of that... Bravo!

Nice family trip - thanks for your trip report.

Well done WRT!

I bet you made many wonderful memories with your kiddos!

It would be more helpful if you could quote prices in the currency of the country referred to since this forum is read by people the world over. Please use € for countries that use them, £ for the UK, $ for the USA, Canada, Australia etc.....

It sounds like a wonderful trip. I bet the kids thought the run to catch the train was a great adventure! 😁

Pirate, it was indeed a treat having two rooms! The kids are getting more independent and feel comfortable and secure provided they know where we are and we don’t go far away. As they get older we’ll probably need two rooms more often and of course that’ll be pricey but nice to have more space and privacy for both them and us.

Mini, thank you so much :)

Teacher, we did make some great memories thank you!

Kimc, it was indeed a wonderful trip. The kids were buzzing when we did catch the train, they keep talking about how it was stressful but fun. Quite an adrenaline hit!

Thank you everyone for the feedback :-)

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Jessica Alba's Daughters Honor and Haven Look All Grown Up as They Enjoy a 'Girls Trip' to London with Mom

The actress shares her daughters and son Hayes with husband Cash Warren

jessica alba/instagram

Jessica Alba's daughters enjoying a fun girl's trip across the pond.

On Thursday, April 11, the actress, 42, shared a series of photos on her Instagram from her trip to London with daughters Honor, 15, and Haven, 12. In the one sweet photo, the proud mom poses to the left of her older daughter, who stands taller than Alba.

Daughter Haven poses on the other side of her sister, only a few inches shorter than Honor. The mother and daughters can also be seen enjoying afternoon tea at Sketch, attending a play at the West End and posing in front of the iconic red phone booth.

"Girls trip 🇬🇧🫶🏽🤍☺️  #SpringBreak   #London ," Alba wrote in her caption.

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In addition to her daughters, Alba shares her son Hayes, 6, with husband Cash Warren .

In September, Alba shared with PEOPLE that she learns from her kids just as much as they learn from her.

"They're either teaching me something every day or I'm teaching them something," she said.

"We're learning from each other. It's definitely a back and forth," she said, adding that it's important to "not take the relationship for granted, knowing that I'm always going to be there for them, and for right now, they're always going to be in the house. We have a really healthy relationship and unconditional love for one another."

Later in the interview, Alba said that her daughters aren't raiding her closet for clothes to wear — yet.

"I mean, Haven can fit [into] my shoes, but she kind of thinks my shoes are dorky, so she doesn't really," Alba told PEOPLE. "Sometimes Honor will grab some tops or something, but yeah, not really. We have different styles."

"They always say I dress like a mom, which is really insulting. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, I could literally kill you.' And they're like, 'But you are a mom.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, but you don't have to say it like that. So rude.'"

The mom of three noted that while her daughters "love not having the same style as me," they do "really love all my style recommendations, saying they would never wear it."

"So that's just where they're at right now," Alba added. "And I'm like, 'It's fine. I promise I have good style. You'll figure it out one day.'"

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Did Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist Ever Go on Their Italian Honeymoon?

Did The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist ever make it on their honeymoon to Italy? It seems three months of marriage wasn’t enough time to fit in a trip to Europe.

It was reported that the couple planned to take the trip this upcoming May, but so it’s safe to speculate that the honeymoon was called off, along with the marriage.

During the Golden Bachelor wedding special on January 4, the couple was given a trip to their desired honeymoon destination, Italy, by ABC.

An Instagram post shared by Theresa, 70, later that same month was the last that Bachelor Nation heard about the vacation.

Related: Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's Relationship Timeline

“Having so much fun planning and dreaming about our honeymoon in May to Italy … flying into Rome, spending a few days in Tuscany and then heading down to Sorrento and the Amalfi coast,” she captioned the January 28 post . “I’ve been to Italy twice, once when I was 18, and again to visit my daughter when she studied abroad there. I can’t wait to experience it with Gerry!”

Gerry, 72, proposed to Theresa during the Golden Bachelor season finale in November 2023. They tied the knot in a live TV special earlier this year. After only three months as a married couple, the duo announced that they were getting a divorce .

“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations and we’ve looked closely at our situation — our living situation — and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s time for us to dissolve our marriage,” Gerry said during a Good Morning America appearance on Friday, April 12. “The things that strike me the most in our conversations it’s been how dedicated both of us are to our families.”

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Related: Celebrity Splits of 2024: Stars Who Have Called It Quits This Year

Because of the close-knit relationship they both have to their respective families , Gerry went on to say that “it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart.” (Gerry shares two daughters with late wife, Toni . Theresa also has two kids — a son and daughter — with her late husband, Billy .

Despite the breakup, there’s no love lost between Gerry and Theresa.

“I still love this person, there’s no doubt in my mind,” he said. “I root for her every day.”

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Charging elephant kills an American woman on 'bucket list trip' in Zambia

An American woman who was on what she had called her "last big trip" was killed when a charging elephant flipped over the car she was traveling in at a national park in Zambia .

The “aggressive” creature buffeted the vehicle carrying six tourists and a guide, tour operator Wilderness said in a statement Tuesday. It said the 79-year-old victim died after Saturday's incident on a game drive at the Kafue National Park in western Zambia.

The company did not name the victim but Rona Wells, her daughter, identified her as Gail Mattson in a post on Facebook. She said her mother died in a “tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

A video circulating on social media apparently showing the incident shows a large elephant running toward a car, which slows down as the animal approaches its left side. The elephant then flips the vehicle over and the passengers can be heard gasping as the car rolls over.

NBC News does not know the condition or identity of the person who filmed the video.

Photos shared online of the car, which is emblazoned with the logo of the tour operator, show it tipped onto its side after the incident, with a deep dent in two of its side doors.

Wilderness, which describes itself as a “leading conservation and hospitality company” operating in eight African countries, including Zambia, did not respond to NBC News when asked to confirm the authenticity of the video and the photos.

But the tour operator’s CEO, Keith Vincent, said in the statement that the company’s “guides are all extremely well trained and experienced.”

"Sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he added.

Another woman was also injured in the incident and taken to a medical facility in South Africa, the Wilderness statement said, adding that four others were treated for minor injuries.

“It’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate,” Marlon du Toit, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, told the “TODAY” show Thursday. “Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands of guests on safari on a daily basis with no negative consequences.”

The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” the statement added.

NBC News has reached out to Mattson's family for further comment.

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, according to its website, and spans an area of more than 8,000 square miles. Vast regions of the park remain unexplored and the website says it is home to a variety of untamed wildlife.

A 'bucket list trip'

Mattson spent her winters in Sun City West, Arizona, playing bridge and cards, but during the rest of the year, she "travels all over the world," her friend Brenda Biggs told NBC News. Biggs and her husband, John Longabauth, became friends with Mattson when they moved to the area 6 ½ years ago.

Longabauth said Mattson spoke to the couple about her upcoming safari trip about two weeks ago, and called it "one of her bucket list trips." He said she was very excited for the adventure.

Before she left, she gave the couple concert tickets for a show that would happen while she was traveling, telling them to enjoy the concert and "I'll see you when I get back," Longabauth recalled of the conversation.

Biggs said Mattson, who was almost 80 years old, told her that the African safari was her "my last big trip." She said Mattson was "super excited because it was like the culmination of all the trips that she had gone on."

An avid traveler, Mattson took to trips to Europe and Asia, Longabauth recalled, noting that she might have been to South America, too.

Biggs called her friend "flamboyant," "friendly" and "fabulous" and said she loved bright colors. Mattson had taken over Biggs’ job as the event planner for their 200-member bridge club, she said.

"Gail was one of the more up people you'd ever want to meet," Longabauth said. "She was always up. She was always optimistic. She was always seeing the good side of everybody."

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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