side trip to

Transport and sightseeing combined

• smaller towns
• picturesque villages
• countryside highlights

Popular routes Munich ➜ Prague , Budapest ➜ Prague , Prague ➜ Budapest

• Small groups
• Local tour leaders
• Transport & sightseeing combined
• Daily departures
• Great value

Transport and Sightseeing combined

The perfect way to visit smaller towns , villages and countryside highlights during your transit between bigger cities.

Excellent Private Tour - Tranfer from Prague to Budapest

We had a great time on our drive from Prague to Budapest with Sidetrip Tours. Our driver, Filip, was committed to great service and very friendly. The whole day was awesome and we loved all three stops we made along the way (Castle Lenice with wine tasting, lunch at local Slovakian Farm and Bratislava). HIghly recommend Sidetrip (and ask for Filiip).

Absolutely lovely trip

We booked a private tour for the four of us. Our guides, Levi and Alexandria, were knowledgeable, friendly and fun! Made several stops along the way from Prague to Budapest. Definitely the way to travel from city to city in Europe.

Thank you Stepan and Side Trip Tours

We were promptly picked up at our AirBnB by our driver Stepan. We had asked for a van for four. It was very clean inside and out. Along the drive from Prague to Budapest Stepan shared his knowledge of the history and cultures of the countries we travelled through. Throughout the whole ride we had pleasant conversations with Stepan and felt like we had made a new friend.

Don’t Miss This!!!

We had a fantastic tour with Sarka. She was very personable and informative about the locations we visited. Such a great way to see the part of the country so many people just fly over or train through. Highly recommended!

A visit to unique places that are not on the beaten path

Jan was a friendly tour guide that went out of his way to provide us with interesting information. He is competent in English and as a native tongue speaker he gave us insight into the history and culture which made it easy for us to navigate around the city on the one day we had left in the city. A most remarkable experience I would recommend to anybody who would like to visit Prague in a limited time slot.

Good way to go between Prague and Budapest

Martina was so helpful, informative and all around wonderful. The van was comfortable and clean. The stops were pretty

Definitely Worth it!!!

Martina was assigned as our tour guide/driver for the day. She's so sweet. She arrived on time to pick us up from our hotel. She accommodated our request to stop by Bratislava. She had given us enough time for lunch and shopping. Overall, this trip was worth it. Our first time to use sidetrip but will definitely use them again in the future.

Amazing Experience!

This is the BEST option to transfer from Salzburg to Prague, worth every cent! Our driver Filip was truly amazing!!! He is a great driver and tour guide. Very informative and patient, he goes at your pace and provides excellent recommendations! He went above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience! I definitely recommend him and would use this service again!

Popular routes

Prague to Berlin One-Way Transfer Tour

• Elbe Sandstone Mountains
• Dresden Old Town
• Moritzburg Palace

Budapest to Prague One-Way Transfer Tour

• Lednice Palace

Vienna to Prague One-Way Transfer Tour

Prague to budapest one-way transfer tour.

Prague to Munich One-Way Transfer Tour

• Karlštejn Castle

Berlin to Prague One-Way Transfer Tour

Our tours connect 15 european cities.

What are you waiting for?

Quick links.

Let us plan your trip for you

Roadtrippers Autopilot™ creates your itinerary based on what we’ve learned from over 38 million trips. You’re never more than a few clicks away from your next great adventure.

• Auto Travel

Let Autopilot take the wheel planning your next road trip, scenic drive, RV journey and everything in between. Then enjoy the ride while uncovering hidden gems along the way.

Get real-time traffic updates and access to wildfire smoke maps to stay informed and connected throughout your journey.

Collaborate

Share your itinerary with your copilots so they can help with the finishing touches.

Let Roadtrippers be your guide, navigating the twists and turns as you roam the open roads with confidence and ease.

Exclusive Access To Autopilot

Let us do the planning for you! Enter in a few key details and we’ll craft a custom tailored trip just for you.

Choose the right plan for you—and try it free for 7 days

Premium planning.

RV-Friendly Tools

Overnight RV Parking

Start free for 7 days

Then $35.99 (that's only $2.99/month), then $49.99 (that's only $4.17/month), then $59.99 (that's only $4.99/month).

† RV-Friendly routing features (including routing warnings for vehicle hazards and propane restrictions) are available in the U.S. only.

Free 7-day trial

Test drive the best features of Roadtrippers Premium for free! Eligible users will get exclusive access to all the tools needed to plan the perfect road trip.

Create a Roadtrippers account to start your 7-day free trial.

Already have a Roadtrippers account?

We need your email address

Before we can sign you up for Roadtrippers, we need your email address. Click the button below to go to your profile.

Plan your next adventure with a Roadtrippers Premium account

Due after 7-day free trial

Thank you for signing up for a Roadtrippers Subscription

Get started planning your next trip now!

Good news...you already have Roadtrippers!

Thanks for being one of our most dedicated users.

• Trip guides
• Trip Planner
• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out
• ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP
• RV RESOURCES

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

RoadsideAmerica.com

Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Attraction:

Find Attractions and Oddities

Quirky patterns.

Trunkations

Roadside America's Blog

• Conspiracy Thinking and Bathroom Convenience
• The Cave Doctor

Field Reports

• Sight of the Week , April 22, 2024: World's Largest Cat
• Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
• Bloodstained Tomb of Nina Craigmiles
• Roadside Sideshow Expo
• Easter Island Moai in America
• JFK's World Famous Twine Ball
• Gemini Giant: Space Age Muffler Man

More New Reports

Latest Visitor Tips

• Pockmarks from the Wall Street Bomb Blast , New York, New York
• Cowboy Ronald McDonald , Weatherford, Texas
• Pony Express Straddle Saddle , Gothenburg, Nebraska
• Henry the Pole-Vaulting Fish , Wakulla Springs, Florida
• Original Texas Chainsaw Massacre House: Eat Here , Kingsland, Texas
• Chainsaw Indians , Niwot, Colorado
• National Museum of Industrial History , Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• 17-foot High Matthew McConaughey , Uvalde, Texas
• Plastic-Eating Walleye , Port Clinton, Ohio

More Visitor Tips

April 24, 2024

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ... Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Report an Offbeat Sight

Tell us about a new attraction or updated classic.

• Submit a Tip

Roll the dice .

Roadside Videos

Punk Rock Museum , Las Vegas, NV. Hanging out in the Punk Rock Museum instruments room with Canadian musicians K.J. and Grant.

Ask an Expert: Tim O'Brien on Quirky Maine , Bangor, ME. Q and A about the state with photographer-writer Tim O'Brien, a widely traveled guy with an eye for whimsy.

Truckhenge , Topeka, KS. Outsider artist's quip-filled tour of his sculptures and Stonehenge protest directed at local bureaucrats.

Miscellaneous

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Trip Planning Caution : RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead!

Credits, Media/Business Inquiries © Copyright 1996-2024 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors.

11 of the Best Route 66 side trips to add to your road trip

Whether it’s your first road trip across the US or you’re looking to spice up a regular drive along Route 66, adding some side trips into your itinerary makes a lot of sense for some people.

When we first traveled the road we weren’t ever sure we’d return to this part of the world so it was important for us to tick off some of these amazing Route 66 side trips. Many of them are very special places and high up on lots of people’s bucket lists so I guess the question is ‘why not add them?’

This article probably contains affiliate links.   This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

A note from the writer: Hey! I’m Kirsty and I’m a Route 66 enthusiast – I first became obsessed almost 20 years ago and then first visited in 2014. I’ve recently just come back from my last trip too! Comment below if you have any questions about your road trip and I’ll get back to you ASAP – or join me in my free FB group here .

While these destinations do make wonderful side trips off Route 66, it can eat into your Mother Road time so do be aware of that – some are close by and others might take up a full day or two. Coming from the UK with smaller distances, many of these feel like a long way to me, but I know for those who are used to it they can be doable!

This list is in no particular order but you might notice that there are a LOT more towards the west side of the country. If I’m missing anything that you think should be on this list then please do comment below and share with any other readers! Thanks!

Monument Valley

Distance from Route 66: 165 miles approx

(You could feasibly explore Monument Valley from many jumping off points along New Mexico or Arizona . Mileage shown is from Chambers, just east of the Petrified Forest National Park , AZ to the border with Utah.)

While it’s not a simple day trip, requiring a decent amount of driving, Monument Valley is top of many visitors lists to explore.

Wide open spaces, classic movie backdrops that will send you back in a fit of nostalgia and endless photo opportunities here. This is Navajo Tribal land and permits must be purchased to explore the area. You can also go on guided tours like this one which can help with understanding the area.

Since Monument Valley requires a decent amount of driving to there and once there many people decide to stay overnight nearby. There isn’t a huge amount of choice but the iconic Gouldings Lodge has to be worth checking out if you can get a room.

Grand Canyon

Distance from Route 66: 60 miles (from Williams, AZ)

This is the classic side trip from the Route 66 road and it’s one that I definitely recommend since it’s actually not too far from the road and can be easily done in a day if you want to. We added it in to our first trip really easily.

Grand Canyon National Park doesn’t really need any explanation – amazing views as far as the eye can see and a real sense of wonder at the world.

You can take a hike, with many available for all abilities, or just explore the rim and visitor centers. Anyone with kids might like to get them to complete the Junior Ranger workbooks too which was a highlight for us! (yes, even me!)

The Grand Canyon and Route 66 is a perfect pairing for those who are exploring things to do along Route 66 in Arizona providing a perfect blend of stunning scenery and classic Route 66 stops! The South Rim is the easier part to access but you can feasibly explore any area around if you have some time.

You can find more about getting to Grand Canyon from Route 66 in this post here.

Horseshoe Bend

Distance from Route 66: 130 miles (from Flagstaff, AZ)

Another wonder of this area is Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ. You’ll have seen it on countless travel magazines, Instagram and social media pictures and it’s an instantly reconizable place.

A visit here could be incorporated into a Monument Valley trip or alternatively the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There’s a car park by the famous view but do be aware that it can get incredibly busy, especially at peak times such as sunset.

Distance from Route 66: 75 miles (from Kingman, AZ)

An absolute feat of modern engineering, Hoover Dam is an incredible day trip from the road and not too far either. It’s not a side trip that will take too much of your day either so it’s an easy one to add in and not miss too much of Route 66.

If you have more time you might like to check out some hikes around the area or take a guided tour of the dam. You don’t need to do tours to see it in all its glory though!

A side trip to Hoover Dam from Route 66 works really well with a Las Vegas visit too!

Distance from Route 66: 107 miles (from Kingman, AZ)

Looking for neon, exuberance and craziness? If the quirky, yet more serene, sights of Route 66 aren’t quite enough perhaps a trip to the city of Las Vegas is for you?

With shows, casinos and more neon than you can ever imagine – it’s somewhere that I personally had to see to believe! It’s not too far from Route 66 and if you want to stay overnight you can find plenty of deals from the big chain hotels.

You can see hotels in Las Vegas here

Palm Springs, CA

Distance from Route 66: 55 miles (from San Bernardino, CA)

If you’re not quite ready for your road trip to end, you’re not ready for the crazy LA scene or if you want to explore more of California then you might like to add Palm Springs to your list.

You have retro chic in many of the buildings here, mountains to hike around giving gorgeous views and Joshua Park NP on your doorstep. There’s plenty to explore nearby for sure!

It’s not too far from Route 66, you could get there from San Bernardino before hitting LA proper or you could go from Needles on the East side although you’d miss much of the California Route 66 sights doing it that way.

Roswell, NM

Distance from Route 66: 135 miles (from Santa Rosa, NM)

If you’re driving Route 66 for all the quirkiness then you might also love a trip to Roswell, home of UFO sightings, tales of aliens and more. Heading south from the road along New Mexico you’ll soon find yourself here.

There’s plenty to do in town with museums, natural spaces to walk round and history to learn about.

If you’re traveling this way you might want to consider the next item on the list too.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

Distance from Route 66: 235 miles (from Santa Rosa, NM)

Not a particularly short side trip and probably not one that can be done in a day, but if you’re looking to tick off National Parks this one might be worth adding to it. It could also be incoporated into a visit to Roswell too.

Explore the caverns and some wonderful hikes around the area too. If you’re around for the evening in the summer months you might also like to check out the bat flight program where you can watch as hundreds fly out each evening in search of food!

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX

Distance from Route 66: 30 miles (from Amarillo, TX)

Probably the shortest side trip on this page and one that is more than easily doable even for those who are exploring on a tight schedule or perhaps those who are just exploring Route 66 through Texas .

If you’ve already ticked off the Grand Canyon then maybe you’ll be interested to know that Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest in the country – definitely worth checking out! Lots of trails and hikes to cover in and a visitor center to learn more about the area.

Laura Ingalls Wilder home, MO

Distance from Route 66: 50 miles (from Springfield, MO)

Something a little bit different for those who, like me, are big fans of the Little House on the Prairie books. This isn’t one of the original locations that she wrote about, but is her last home and the place where she wrote her books and her auto-biography . Of course, the pioneers are a big part of the Route 66 story so if that part of its history interests you then this is a great place to visit.

You can tour the house here and see her writing desk and room where the legacy began to take shape. Check out their website here .

It’s not too far from Route 66 if you’re exploring around Missouri .

Wichita Mountains wildlife refuge, OK

Distance from Route 66: 70 miles (from Clinton, OK)

Just south or Route 66 as it drives through Oklahoma is another wonderful place to come if nature, walking and getting outdoors is one of the things you like to do on your road trips. It’s not too far and can be done in a day.

It’s home to lots of wildlife but most specifically it has bison herds which you may be able to see on some trails. The visitor center is a great place to start to get information on the trails and what to see when you’re there. Check their site out for more information here .

Still got questions? Join our FREE Route 66 community!

Come and join our FREE Facebook group where you can get help with planning your Route 66 road trip of a lifetime!

Links For Your Route 66 trip

Get your Route 66 guidebook on Amazon

Get your car rental quote at Discover Cars Book Motels at Booking.com or Hotels.com

Check Flights at Skyscanner

Kirsty Bartholomew

2 thoughts on “11 of the Best Route 66 side trips to add to your road trip”

Thanks, enjoyed the read. (Did Route 66 once in April 2018. It started my blogging journey.)

Thanks Stan!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the pacific ocean or a multiday adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the united states..

• Copy Link copied

Glacier National Park is one of many scenic places you can visit on an American road trip.

Photo by Zack Frank / Shutterstock

In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car . Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks , your options are as large and varied as the country itself.

Even if you don’t have the time to drive cross-country, there are plenty of road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries , New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.

No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.

Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.

Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.

1. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66

It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary trip (including an EV version —but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime: whiskey.

Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.

Plan your trip

The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this spot.

Photo from Shutterstock

2. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2

Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.

You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park ( reservations may be required ) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.

3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.

• The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
• The AFAR Guide to San Francisco

The seaside town of Monterey was the setting for John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row .

Photo by Denise Lett/Shutterstock

4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California

Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay make these trips in one or two days.

The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take

Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has far more natural wonders than just that one.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip

This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.

• The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
• Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
• Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona ; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona

The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park

Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock

6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest

If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but take at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.

• The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
• Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
• 10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
• The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Stop and admire the winding roads of the San Juan Skyway.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado

This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado , such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
• Five Classic Colorado Road Trips To Take This Year

In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.

Courtesy of the Surf Hotel

8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado

Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor , and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.

• The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
• The AFAR Guide to Denver

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but with a population of some 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the larger metropolitan area), it isn’t intimidatingly large.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland

9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers

If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.

• The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
• The AFAR Guide to Portland

The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).

Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock

10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

• The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

Asheville is one must-stop on a North Carolina road trip.

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
• Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
• 8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019

Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip

This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine ; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.

• The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment

Historic Fort Martin Scott is one of the places travelers can visit to learn about Fredericksburg’s history.

Photo by Mark König/Unsplash

13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country

This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and consider a stop in Fredericksburg, which is one of AFAR’s best places to go in 2024 ). Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.

• The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip

Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.

Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock

14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights

This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.

• The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
• Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?

More than geothermal pools, Kirkham Hot Springs features a piping-hot waterfall.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs , where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.

• The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
• Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band.

Photo by Shutterstock/QZ

16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler

Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.

• The AFAR Guide to Minnesota

Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire.

Photo by Shutterstock

17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive

Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year , but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 34.5-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

• Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map

Ogunquit is home to the small, postcard-perfect harbor of Perkins Cove.

Photo courtesy of QualityHD / Shutterstock

18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast

Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.

The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit , with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn , and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.

• 8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.

Photo by Peter Taylor Photography

19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths. Plan your trip

• A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

Scenic South Walton is part of the Emerald Coast of Florida.

20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida

Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.

The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach . Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.

Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park . (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)

• The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Stand-up paddleboarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.

Shutterstock

21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway

For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.

As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.

• The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys

Sun Studio in Memphis was the site of the famous Million Dollar recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Photo by f11photo on Shutterstock

22. Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee: A Music-Driven Adventure

If you have about a week to spare and a deep appreciation for music, take a road trip from one side of Tennessee to the other, starting in Memphis and ending in Bristol. The eastbound trip spans genres, including rock ( Graceland ), blues ( Beale Street) and, of course, country (did you really go to Tennessee if you didn’t go to Dollywood ?). Nashville serves as the halfway point on your journey—so consider penciling in an extra 48 hours to fully explore the state capital’s greatest hits.

• The full itinerary: 5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

The stunning coastline near Cueva del Indio has been the backdrop of star-studded films.

Photo by Alexsf.gr/Shutterstock

23. Arecibo to Condado, Puerto Rico: A Lesser-Known Side of a Well-Loved Island

In the minds of many, trips to Puerto Rico bring images of stunning beaches , delicious foods , and maybe a bioluminescent bay or two . But there’s plenty of history to be found here, too, as Puerto Rico was home to an Indigenous population known as the Taino, a heritage many Puerto Ricans embrace. That history can be explored via a road trip. Starting in the northern town of Arecibo, travel south to Ponce, then back north to Condado—along the way you’ll encounter petroglyphs, Indigenous sites, and breathtaking natural spots.

• The full itinerary: A Puerto Rico Road Trip That Puts Indigenous Culture First

Additional road trip planning resources Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:

• Best road trip snacks
• Road trip planning apps
• Podcasts and audiobooks to download
• What to pack for a road trip

This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 4, 2024, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.

Best Shanghai Itineraries from 1 to 5 Days with Side Trips

Are you planning a trip to Shanghai but not sure how much time you need to explore the city and its surroundings? Let us help guide you with our ultimate Shanghai itineraries.

Content Preview

How long to spend in shanghai.

• Shanghai in 1-3 Days

Side Trip Itineraries from Shanghai

Generally speaking, we recommend spending one to three days in Shanghai. For the city highlights in Shanghai, one day is enough.

Two or three days will give you a more varied and relaxed itinerary. Besides the must-see attractions, you could also have some unique experiences like food hunting or interacting with locals. Additionally, you could relax in a water town in the suburbs or have fun with kids in Disneyland.

If you have a more extended holiday (over three days), you could consider an extended trip from Shanghai. There are many options to explore, such as Hangzhou, Huangshan, Suzhou, Jingdezhen, and Hengdian.

Shanghai in 1‒3 Days

Here is a classic 3-day itinerary to experience various aspects of Shanghai, including historical buildings, skyscrapers, Disneyland, and a pleasant water town:

• Day 1: One-day city highlights tour (the Bund, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, food experience, etc).
• Day 2: Have fun in Disneyland.
• Day 3: Zhujiajiao Water Town (bridges, gardens, and a leisurely afternoon tea time).

On the city tour, you could walk around the Bund and embark on a Huangpu River Cruise to take a time travel trip from seeing the old buildings to the skyscrapers. It is like fast-forward from the 1920s Shanghai to the present Shanghai.

Walk through the alleys to hunt for Shanghai's most typical snack with a glimpse of the daily life of the local people.

Wander around the former French Concession where you could learn about the history of Shanghai's colonial past.

If you have a big interest in Shanghai's history, we recommend a visit to Shanghai's Former Jewish Settlement. Discover the memories of elderly Jews by visiting a Jewish ghetto and other old buildings.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

We can tailor-make your itinerary according to your interests. Check out some of our other popular Shanghai itineraries for inspiration:

• 2-Day Shanghai's Old and New Collision
• 2-Day A Journey to the Future
• 1-Day Shanghai Layover Tour

There are many worthwhile destinations around Shanghai that are easily accessible by high-speed trains. The tours range from 2 days to 1 week.

1. 5-Day Shanghai, Huangzhou, and Suzhou Itinerary

Hangzhou and Suzhou are the most classical choices for a trip from Shanghai. They are three of the most important cities in the Yangtze Delta region. They feature exquisite Chinese gardens, water towns, and tea experiences.

A trip combining Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou will take about 4 to 5 days: two days in Shanghai, one day in Hangzhou, and one day in Suzhou.

• Days 1‒2: Shanghai city exploration.
• Day 3: Hangzhou (West Lake and tea experience).
• Day 4: Suzhou (visiting gardens and a water town).
• Day 5: Back to Shanghai.

Don't miss West Lake in Hangzhou. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride and immerse yourself in its beauty. Visit a tea village and learn about the process of tea making while tasting China's most-adored tea.

In Suzhou, visit Lingering Garden, take a rickshaw through Suzhou's old town, and walk around Tongli Water Town to admire its ancient architecture.

2. A Trip to Huangshan from Shanghai

Huangshan is also a popular destination located about three hours from Shanghai by high-speed rail, especially if you are looking for a place to relax and get away from the busy city.

Spending three or four days in Huangshan is suitable:

• Day 1: Visit Bishan village.
• Day 2: Go up to the Yellow Mountain and stay a night.
• Day 3: Go down the mountain, enjoy a hot spring, and return to Shanghai.

Bishan village is a quiet and quaint village where you could enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the unspoiled natural beauty. Take a stroll through the village to see the Hui-style architecture and cycle around the field to breathe in the freshness of the air.

Go up to Yellow Mountain to see the stunning sunrise and sunset views. Experience the magnificence of the mountain amid the changing sea of clouds. Finally, enjoy a cozy hot spring to refresh yourself.

3. A Tour to Jingdezhen from Shanghai

If you are interested in China's porcelain and want to know the story behind this craft, Jingdezhen is the best choice. A journey of about 4 to 6 hours by high-speed trains will take you into the world of Chinese porcelain. You may need about three days in Jingdezhen:

• Day 1: Visit a museum and ceramic galleries for a basic understanding.
• Day 2: Visit the studios of reclusive artists and try to make your own ceramic.
• Day 3: Go to Yaoli Ancient Town, where you could find the secret ingredient of porcelain.

If you are looking for lovely and delicate porcelain, you could pay a visit to a local porcelain market. An afternoon tea in a cafe converted from a 40-year-old porcelain factory will also be an interesting experience.

4. A Hengdian Tour from Shanghai

If you love watching Chinese costume TV series or movies and want to walk into the scenes, Hengdian World Studios, China's largest movie and television base, is recommended. To tour the highlights of Hengdian World Studio, you may need about 2 days:

• Day 1: Visit 2 popular studios and enjoy a fun night at an amusement park.
• Day 2: Visit 3 popular studios with cycling experience.

The five studios we selected are the most common scenes in movies and TV shows. You could try on different ancient costumes and take wonderful photos. If you're lucky, you could watch filming in action and meet a Chinese superstar.

Tour China with Us

All our tours can be adjusted as much as you like. We aim to create an ideal itinerary based on your interests, group size, budget, and other requirements. Feel free to contact us for personalized travel consultation .

Related Articles

• How Long to Spend in China: Itineraries from 1 Week to 1 Month
• 2 Weeks in China: 3 Top Itinerary Ideas for Couples, Families, and More
• How Long to Spend in Beijing

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

6 Fabulous Reasons To Take A Side Trip To Croatia When You’re Visiting Italy

• Destinations

Croatians joke that Americans always say they want to visit Croatia — but then confess they don’t know where it is. Formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later Yugoslavia, Croatia emerged as a modern, independent nation in 1991, enduring a bitter civil war between the Croats and Serbs that lasted until 1995. While many Americans didn’t consider vacationing in Yugoslavia or in the war-torn country that first emerged from it, modern Croatia soon became a cheap alternative to nearby Italy. Now, three decades into its independence, Croatia is a destination all its own with many reasons for you to visit while in Europe.

Since it’s nestled along the Adriatic Coast across from Italy , a side trip to Croatia while on an Italian holiday is pretty easy. If traveling by car, it’s just 3 hours from Venice to Rijeka in northwest Croatia. From there, a trip along the Adriatic to the walled city of Dubrovnik in southernmost Croatia is another 6 hours or so. 

The popular Flixbus runs service from all parts of Italy to many regions in Croatia. The trips can run on the long side, but they’re cheap and comfortable. Ferries are another option, with one line running from Venice to Istria — an Italian-influenced county in northwest Croatia — taking about 3 and a half hours. If you’re a more dedicated sailor, a route from Ancona, east of Florence, to Split in southern Croatia takes a little less than 12 hours.

For those who prefer the speed of flying, it’s just 90 minutes from Rome to the Croatian capital Zagreb, with flights often under $100 round-trip. Similar, short, and cheap flights run from Rome to coastal destinations like Split.

Knowing how easy it is to get to Croatia, the next step is figuring out what to do there. The coast is the main attraction for most visitors, but there is a lot more to see and do away from Croatia’s famous beaches. Visitors have no problem finding sights and experiences to make a short (or long) side trip worth the effort. 

1. Plan A Trip To The Islands

While Italy has its own collection of must-visit islands like Capri and Ponza, Croatia boasts a line of islands down its entire Adriatic Coast. Hvar is probably the best known to international travelers. Summertime visitors flock there for its hot, sunny beaches and bright, turquoise water. But the island offers plenty to see on dry land, including historic settlements and scenic paths for biking and hiking.

Less well known is wooded Korčula , south of Split and north of Dubrovnik. Throughout history, the island changed hands from various empires, each leaving its mark on the villages and culture of the island. Korčula Old Town, on the eastern end of the island, is a walled city in the style of Dubrovnik — but without the pressing crowds. The town is quite small, which makes it possible to take in all of its history, food, and shopping in just a day. With all the battles over this territory, there’s a decidedly martial feeling to the place, including an annual sword dance festival in June. Like most Croatian islands, the hiking and biking are superb, with the island’s forests adding to the beauty here.

Another island gem is Lošinj in the northern Adriatic off the coast of Rijeka. Locals call it “the island of vitality” and have doubled down on promoting the many health spas and local wellness centers there. Most hotels and resorts here offer spa and other wellness services. Those who want to experience the island vitality on their own can put together a list of activities to take advantage of the island’s clean air and water, using a comprehensive scientific guide to the natural remedies found there. When you’re done healing and want some more typical tourist activities, the island boasts some of the best dolphin watching in the region, with numerous boat tours to view the sea mammals.

Pro Tip: One of the biggest challenges for island travel in Croatia is getting there. Most use ferry service from the main coastal cities. Be sure to check on ferry schedules for the time of year you plan to visit and factor the ferry costs into your travel budget. 

2. Visit The Best Roman Ruins Outside Italy

If history is your thing, Croatia offers a lot of options. Its location in one of the heavily-traveled crossroads in the Mediterranean leaves it with many relics of the past. 

Among the best attractions are the Roman ruins in Istria, the part of the country nearest to Italy. Top of the list to see here is the ancient Roman colosseum in Pula, near the tip of the Istrian Peninsula. Known as Pula Arena , it is the only remaining such structure in the world with all the outside tower walls intact, meaning it’s in better condition than the famous colosseum in Rome . Not only can you visit the site and tour the grounds, but it’s still in use as a concert and theater venue. You could see your favorite band play this 2,000-year-old stage. 

Up the coast a bit in Poreč, you can find the remains of two Roman temples , while east of Pula, near Valtura, the remains of Nesactium date back to before the Romans, who later took the city as their own. Hop over to the Brijuni Islands to experience the Roman ruins that litter this national park, covering 14 islands in all. The park has two Roman villas , the Byzantine castrum, and the Roman villa in Verige Bay. And if that’s not old enough for you, you can check out the Bronze Age fort and even some dinosaur footprints . 

Pro Tip: While everyone should see the Roman forum and colosseum at some point in life, the crowds at these famous sites can become overwhelming. Croatia’s Roman heritage offers a much less-crowded way to see these antiquities.

3. Tour A Castle — Or Spend The Night There

We tend to think of northern Europe when we think of castles, but Croatia has dozens of them spread across its regions — including some where you can rent a room to spend the night. Known as a dvorac in Croatian, these structures often contain excellent museums and are easy to reach by car. 

One castle many find to be the most beautiful in Croatia is Dvor Trakošćan , just an hour’s drive north of Zagreb along the Slovenian border. The castle is furnished in the style of a Croatian aristocrat from the 15th century, with side exhibits of hunting gear, tableware, and more from that period to the present. 

Also in the north is nearby Veliki Tabor Castle , whose name means “grand camp” in Croatian, thanks to its history as a military fort. Its museum focuses on that military heritage. Be advised that the castle is undergoing serious restoration and some areas may be covered or closed during your visit. 

Spending the night in a castle can run from modern luxury to something just south of rustic. If you prefer your castle stay to come with all the amenities, consider Valamar Isabella Castle in Poreč. This 19-century home of the Marquis Polesini has all the comforts of a modern hotel housed in a historic shell. But if you want something a little more authentic, turn to Airbnb to rent someplace like the Ruina di Molino a Vento

in the center of Hvar city on the island of the same name. This standalone turret dates to the 18th century when it was originally built as a windmill. The stone walls still give you the feeling of staying in a castle, but the modern conveniences are there to make your stay comfortable.

Pro Tip: Many castles here list themselves as “the most beautiful castle in Croatia.” Some live up to that label, but others can be a disappointment. As they often are miles from other tourist cities, research them thoroughly before making a long drive to see a place that might not live up to expectations.

4. See The Birthplace Of The Father Of Modern Electricity

When we hear the name “Tesla,” most of us think of the electric car company. The man whose name is on all of those electric cars is Nikola Tesla, inventor of alternating current power and winner of the current wars with Thomas Edison to electrify America and the world. 

Tesla was born in what is present-day Croatia (though he is of Serb descent) and the town of his birth has a museum and memorial center . The center is divided into two parts — one highlights Tesla’s country upbringing as the son of an Eastern Orthodox priest and the other features his professional accomplishments. 

Visitors can tour the house in which Tesla was born, participate in hands-on experiments, and watch a documentary about Tesla. The center is in Smiljan, which lies just off the main Zagreb to Split highway, about 2 hours from the capital. Admission prices run less than $10 to see all the exhibits.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have time to make the trip to Smiljan and sill want to see a little bit of Croatia’s love for Tesla, an impressive statue just off the main square in Zagreb pays tribute to the country’s favorite son. Located at the end of the street that bears his name — ulica Nikole Telse — the statue shows a seated Tesla with his chin resting on his fist in a thoughtful pose.

5. Relive Croatia’s Recent War History

Strolling the streets of the capital or dipping your toes in the Adriatic, it’s easy to forget Croatia was the site of a bloody civil war just a generation ago. While scars of war-like bullet holes and shrapnel are visible in many parts of Zagreb and points east, you can also choose from a number of formal war tours that put the conflict into perspective. 

In Zagreb, a 2-hour tour in English takes visitors back to World War II and then moves forward through the Yugoslavia years and the fight for independence in the ‘90s. The tour includes the underground tunnels and air-raid shelters used in the conflict. Tickets run around $30. 

In Karlovac, about 45 minutes southwest of Zagreb, a whole museum dedicated to the war welcomes visitors year-round. Located on the site of an old barracks and fort, the museum’s main feature is a detailed telling of the key role the city of Karlovac played in the war, told through the artifacts left behind, multimedia exhibits, and hands-on displays. For those traveling the coast, a similar museum in Dubrovnik highlights the war in the south.

Pro Tip: For another tragic piece of recent history, look around Zagreb for damage left behind by the major earthquake that shook the city in March 2020. Repairs are still underway to major structures like the city’s Roman Catholic cathedral, and cracks and other damage are visible in most of the city center’s older buildings. 

6. Pour A Glass Of Croatian Wine

A side trip from Italy and all its fantastic wine wouldn’t be complete without sampling the diverse and tasty offerings from Croatian winemakers. The country has four major wine regions: from Istria in the northwest, with its rich reds; Slavonia in the east, with its wide array of whites; Zagorje in the north, with its Germanic tastes; and Dalmatia in the southwest, with its heavy use of native grapes. 

Wineries across the regions have grown popular for wine tourists and come prepared to deliver a tasting experience that rivals what you would find in any busy wine country. Among the most popular wineries is Skaramuča Family Vineyard , located on the Pelješac Peninsula in Dalmatia. The winery boasts spectacular views of the Adriatic and the grape-laden slopes around the vineyard. It specializes in wines produced from local grapes grown only in that region. 

For a taste of several vineyards, travel the Štrigova Wine Road in the far north. Families here tend the grapes first planted by the Romans. Here, you’ll find nearly two dozen wineries and tasting houses, all featuring the region’s best wines.

Even if you can’t make it to a winery, Croatian wine will be on any menu when dining out. A few suggestions to sample are Plavac mali , a Dalmatian red with a strong, slightly bitter flavor; or Traminer wine, an Alpine white grown in Zagorje with its light, fruity flavors. Try Istrian Malvasia , a white with strong acid and fruity flavor; or Žlahtina , an island-grown white that carries the minerality of its origin.

Pro Tip: To go with your wine, Croatian food represents a delicious mix of Mediterranean, Turkish, Italian, and local flavors. Don’t miss the excellent street food found in Zagreb where meat is king, or the coastal offerings with its wide variety of seafood.

If Italy is your main destination and Croatia is your side trip, your Italian itinerary may set the schedule for your visit. Still, keep in mind that coastal Croatia is best visited in the warmer months to take advantage of beach time and other outdoor activities. Zagreb and central Croatia can be a destination any time of year, keeping in mind summer temperatures often reach the 90s there, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing and bring snow or ice.

For more bucket-list Croatian experiences , check out these articles:

• ​​ 6 Incredible Balkan Dishes To Try When Visiting Croatia
• I Chartered A Sailboat In Croatia For 2 Weeks — Here’s What I Learned
• 8 Can’t-Miss Ways To Experience Croatia On The Water

He has done just that over his more than 40 years as a journalist, visiting popular places such as Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as some lesser-visited locales such as Moldova and Niger. His favorite thing to do as a traveler is to try local food he’s never eaten before. Stacey also enjoys exploring a new city on foot, ducking down shaded streets and unassuming alleys to find something unexpected. While airplanes make it much quicker to get there, once in a new spot, Stacey wants to explore by bike, car, or train to see it all up close and from ground level.

Plan Your Trip to Side: Best of Side Tourism

Essential Side

Trending in the forums

Side Is Great For

• Acanthus & Cennet Barut Collection
• Oz Hotels Side Premium
• Port River Hotel & Spa
• Barut Hemera
• Voyage Sorgun
• Old Town Steakhouse
• Kamer Ocakbaşı Restaurant
• Serenade Restaurant & Bar
• Q Beach Restaurant & Lounge
• Sky Safran Restaurant Bar
• Apollon Temple
• Greek Amphitheater
• Side Museum
• Q Spa & Wellness
• Side Antik Kenti
• Land Of Legends Night Show from Side in Turkey
• Side Green Canyon Boat Trip With Unlimited Drinks And Lunch
• Green Canyon Boat Trip with Lunch and Beverages from Side
• Side Combo Tour 3 in 1 Adventure Rafting Quad Zipline Exprience
• Jeep Safari Adventure around Green Canyon

Where to Go After Mexico City: 8 Fabulous Side Trips

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Even though I like Mexico City, I’ve spent more time just outside the capital than actually in it. There’s so much to see and do in this part of the country that it’s worth extending your visit to add in some extra stops. If you need some inspiration on where to go after Mexico City, check out these side trips — with ideas whether you have a day, an overnight, or longer.

Day Trips from Mexico City

Teotihuacan.

I almost didn’t include the ancient city of Teotihuacan on this list because it’s so well-known that some people might not realize it’s outside of Mexico City itself. But these ruins are so fabulous it deserves a mention!

Climb to the top of the Temple of the Sun, check out the colors at the Palace of Quetzalcoatl, and walk down the Avenue of the Dead. If you’ve already been here on a previous trip, re-visit Teotihuacan at night !

Read My Complete Guide on How to Get to Teotihuacan (without a tour)

Best Tour to Teotihuacan: Early morning visit with guide

Valle de Bravo

Valle de Bravo sits in the mountains outside of Mexico City and is a great way to add a touch of nature to your trip. It’s a bit far from Mexico City, but it’s worth the trip — especially in winter when the monarch butterflies migrate here by the millions.

In a single day, I’d recommend spending half your time at the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Reserve (mid-November through mid-March) and the rest of your time exploring this “magic town” of Mexico. If you’re not here in butterfly season, you can try mountain biking or paragliding, both of which are also popular.

How to Get to Valle de Bravo: 2 hour bus from Mexico City’s Poniente station on Zina line

Best Tour of the Butterfly Sanctuary: Private Visit to Piedra Herrada and Valle de Bravo

Read More–> Piedra Herrada, the Monarch Butterfly Reserve You’ve Never Heard Of

The Twin Volcanoes of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl

Another great nature option, albeit a strenuous one, is hiking at Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park. If you make the strenuous hike from La Joya trailhead, you’ll (hopefully) be treated to views of Popocatepetl erupting on the other side of the pass. I’m a volcano junkie , and this one is fabulous.

It’s not easy to get here by public transport (I rented a car — also not easy!) and you’re trekking at high elevation, so this is one that’s best to do with an experienced guide. If you’re fit and looking for adventure, I highly recommend a day trip here.

How to Get to Izta-Popo National Park: 2 hours and 15 minutes by private car from Mexico City

Best Tour of Izta-Popo: Nomada Mexico has great mountaineering guides, but it’s not cheap.

Read More: Climbing Iztaccihuatl

My most recent trip to Mexico City included a side trip to the mystical town of Tepoztlán. This small city to the south is best known for being home to Tepozteco, a small temple on the top of a hill dedicated to the Aztec god of pulque.

In a day, you can climb up Tepozteco (it’ll take you ~3 hours, including touring the archaeological site), try pre-hispanic food at the market, steam yourself in a temazcal, and then make your way through the dozens of ice cream flavors at Tepoznieves.

How to Get to Tepoztlán: 75 minute bus from Mexico City’s Tasquena station

Cuernavaca wasn’t my cup of tea, but it’s popular with locals in Mexico City and other visitors for it’s picture-perfect weather. You can all but guarantee spring temperatures and blue skies year-round.

The downtown is kinda ugly but you can hire a taxi from the center to the Jardines de Mexico , a huge botanical garden with impeccable landscaping. There are also some great restaurants here, like Las Mañanitas where you can watch peacocks stroll the grounds during a leisurely lunch.

How to Get to Cuernavaca: 50 minute bus from Mexico City’s Tasquena station

Other Mexico City Day Trips

I haven’t been on these ones (yet), but they’re on my wishlist:

Mixquic: I almost went to Mixquic for their famous Day of the Dead celebrations on my first visit to Mexico City, but gave up because the logistics seemed complicated. Turns out, they still are …so this might be a time to find a group tour because it seems like a great side trip for November.

Nevado de Toluca: For my next Mexico City hike, I’d like to hike Nevado de Toluca, Mexico’s fourth-tallest mountain. The scenery along the trail looks stunning, especially under a dusting of snow.

Tlaxcala: I’ve never been in the Mexico City region in the summer, but if you are, book a tour to Tlaxcala and its firefly sanctuary . Hundreds of thousands of fireflies light the skies during mating season (June-August), and the government palace murals in Tlaxcala city look interesting, too.

Weekend Trips from Mexico City

No, these don’t have to be on weekends specifically, but the next few locations are really best if you can spend a minimum of 2 days/1 night.

Puebla and Cholula

The two cities of Puebla and Cholula are just 20 minutes from each other and have two different feels to them, so you’ll want to see both.

Start in Cholula and climb to the church on top of the hill for panoramic views of the city and volcano in the background. Then, tour the underground pyramid — yes, you read that right!

In Puebla, you’ll want to stop at the Museo Amparo (even if you don’t like art, trust me on this) and then lead yourself on a self-guided walking tour of the city sights, with plenty of food stops included.

I like to return back to Cholula for nightlife. There are options ranging from jazz clubs to dance clubs and everything in-between.

How to Get to Puebla: Take a 2 hour bus from Mexico City’s TAPO Station to Puebla CAPU (and then Uber to Cholula)

Where to Stay in Cholula: Estrella de Belem B&B

Read More –> A Step-by-Step Puebla Itinerary

Taxco is a photographer’s dream. The town sits on a hill with beautiful white buildings, cobblestone streets, and Volkswagen bugs driving all through town.

The town itself is typically Mexican, with a cathedral sitting on the main square, a maze-like market, and a lively atmosphere. There is tons of shopping and an additional silver market that sets up shop on Saturdays.

Not a shopper? It’s worth a visit to soak in the ambiance (especially in the evenings). I also loved touring the silver mine and day-tripping to Pozas Azules. You can also visit the Caves of Cacahuamilpa, although I chose to skip that.

Heads up: Taxco is in the Mexican state of Guerrero, which is currently under a Level 4 US Travel Advisory (“Do Not Travel”). I personally believe that the city of Taxco is safe, and most other foreign governments agree, but you should do your own research before making a decision. Either way, you’ll probably want to avoid the rest of the state at the moment.

How to Get to Taxco: It’s a 2.5 hour bus from Mexico City’s Tasquena station to Taxco on Costa Line or ADO .

Where to Stay in Taxco: I loved the Hotel Agua Escondida .

More Weekend Getaway Ideas from Mexico City

Unfortunately I haven’t been everywhere, so here are a few more ideas I unfortunately haven’t visited myself (yet!):

Grutas Tolantongo : I’ve seen day trips heading to these spring-fed pools, but at 3+ hours each way, that’s a long day. Spend the night and enjoy the area in the evening and early morning when it’s less crowded. That’ll give you plenty of time to enjoy the swimming pools, thermal pools, caves, river, tunnel, and trekking, too.

San Miguel de Allende : I’ve heard mixed reviews of San Miguel de Allende — some people think it’s too touristy, but it sure looks pretty. It’s the place I think I’d like to wander through for its history and architecture.

Ideas for Where to Go After Mexico City If You Have More Time

Mexico City is well connected to everywhere in the country by plane and/or bus, so in theory all of Mexico is at your doorstep if you have more time. There’s one place that stands out to me as a fabulous option that shouldn’t be missed: Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is both the name of a city and a state in Mexico, but here I’m referring to the city. If you love the food, art, and history of Mexico City, then Oaxaca is an obvious choice of where to go next. The trip takes about 7 hours by bus (or a 1 hour flight) and I’d recommend spending a minimum of 3 full days there.

Oaxaca is a walkable city, with an old town and a new town, both worth exploring. You can visit the Monte Alban ruins and Hierve el Agua travertines, both really cool and easily accomplished. And allow plenty of time for sampling mole and mezcal, both of which originated in the Oaxaca area. It’s one of my favorite places in Mexico.

How to Get to Oaxaca: Take a 7 hour bus from Mexico City’s TAPO station to Oaxaca on ADO .

Where to Stay in Oaxaca: Book early before the Hotel Parado de Alacala fills up.

Read More –> What You Need to Know Before Your First Visit to Oaxaca

So Where Are You Going First?

When you’re planning a day trip from Mexico City (or longer), you should always prioritize the destination that fits your interests best. There isn’t a single place on this list that will be best for everybody.

But if you’re still suffering from information overload, my favorite day trips are Teotihuacan (a must!) and climbing Iztaccihuatl (if you are up for a physical challenge). For an overnight stay, I’d choose Taxco — 1 or 2 nights is enough.

If you still have questions about where to go after Mexico City, let me know in the comments and I’d be happy to help you make a decision that’s right for you.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 Great Places to Visit From Thailand

If you have a few extra days to spare while you're in Thailand , or are living here and looking for an interesting place to go for 2–3 days, consider one of these great side trips from Thailand.

Each of these places is three or fewer hours by plane from Bangkok, and all are wonderful places to visit.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

Hands down, this is the most amazing cultural sight in the region, and even if you aren’t interested in archeology or ancient cultures, you’ll probably find it impressive.

The Angkor Wat temple complex is just one of many you’ll get a chance to visit in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. In fact, there are many must-see temples . You can travel overland (bus from Thailand) or take a short flight from Bangkok.

Siem Reap itself was once a very sleepy town, but in the past decade, has been developing at breakneck speed. The first Starbucks in Siem Reap opened in August 2017. There are scores and scores of guest houses and high-end hotels — and enough restaurants and bars to keep you fed and watered while you visit.

If you’re craving a calm, convenient, organized city after the chaos of Bangkok, head to this tiny city-state.

From the moment you land at Singapore’s Changi Airport, you’ll know why many Bangkok residents choose this destination for quick weekend getaways. It’s super clean, for one. And since English is one of the country’s official languages, you won’t have any problems communicating. While taxis are plentiful and safe, you can also use the city’s expansive, efficient public transportation system.

Singapore is a relatively new country; prior to 1819, it had few inhabitants other than the lions that roamed the island. Because of the city's Chinese, Malay, and Indian roots, it’s got a really interesting vibe you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Singapore also has plenty of fun stuff to do, great restaurants — again, thanks to its Chinese, Malay, and Indian roots — lots of big shopping malls, and a decent nightlife scene. The only drawback is that Singapore hotels can be very expensive compared to the rest of the region. In fact, everything in the city is expensive when compared to Bangkok — especially beer.

If the prospect of blowing lots of cash doesn’t scare you, check out one of Singapore’s casinos. Gambling has only been legal there for a relatively short time and is very high end. The Marina Bay Sands, right on the edge of the city’s financial district, is a casino, adult playground, shopping center, and upscale restaurant all rolled into one.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Somewhere between the frenzy of Bangkok and the organization of Singapore lies Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

KL, as it’s known throughout the region, has a good mix of tourist attractions and shopping. Like Singapore, its residents are a mix of ethnic Chinese, Indian, and Malay — along with many other nationalities — so the food is fantastic , as are the many cultural celebrations held almost weekly.

Kuala Lumpur is easy to navigate , with great public transportation.

Penang, Malaysia

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

This popular island off the northwest coast of Malaysia has a fascinating history, the most visible of which is its past as an English colony.

When you visit Penang, explore the architecture of Georgetown , which earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2008. Make sure to sample some famous Penang street food , too.

And if you’re looking for a place to stay, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, an old Chinese courtyard home that has been transformed into a gorgeous boutique hotel, is the best on the island.

Bali, Indonesia

Although Thai beaches can be spectacular, the island of Bali offers something a little different and is still definitely worth visiting if you’ve already explored Thailand’s coast and islands.

The beaches are beautiful, but one of the things that makes Bali special is that its interior is stunning . Lush, green rice terraces and mountains make the island worth visiting even if you don’t want to go for a swim. And of course, there’s Ubud, an artsy tourist town in central Bali filled with cafes, galleries, pretty villas, and museums. Ubud is about an hour away from Kuta, the island’s most popular beach, so it’s easy to visit for the day if you don’t want to spend a night.

And although Bali is getting more and more developed every day, it still feels far less frenetic than Phuket and Koh Samui, two of Thailand's most popular islands. Another reason Bali is nicer: the sex trade isn’t as "in your face" as it is in Thailand. That means you can actually take your children or parents out in the evening without having to walk by “massage” parlors and go-go bars as in some places in Thailand.

There’s a reason four James Bond films have had scenes in Hong Kong – it’s visually stunning, exotic, and sexy. There’s no city in the world like it.

This former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 but still retains a vibe (not to mention a culture and an economy) all its own. As one of the largest financial centers in the world, Hong Kong Island is filled with gleaming high-rise towers, bankers from all over the world, five-star hotels, and high-end shopping. Head to Kowloon, the peninsula facing Hong Kong Island, for street shopping and a slightly more "Asian" feel.

Hong Kong’s hotels are expensive — no surprise considering how expensive the city is overall. It can be tough to find a decent hotel for less than $100 per night.

Updated by Greg Rodgers

What $100 Can Get You in Southeast Asia

Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Asia

The 17 Best Islands in Thailand

Your Trip to Phuket: the Complete Guide

Singapore Guide: Planning Your Trip

Southeast Asia Countries to Travel

Top Ten Reasons to Visit Singapore

June in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

July in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

August in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

8 Southeast Asian Destinations You Shouldn't Miss

May in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

January in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

October in Asia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Traveling to Asia in November

Malaysia's Top 10 Destinations

Trip Turkey

Complete Side Turkey Guide in 2023

Turkey is a beautiful country that is becoming more and more popular each year. Antalya city is one of the most joyful hot spots with its amazing towns! In 2023, Side Turkey will be a top tourist destination, and we want to make sure you are prepared!

SEE OFFER 👉🏻 Antalya fridge magnet

In this Side Turkey guide blog post, we will provide a complete guide to Side Turkey travel in 2023. We will cover everything from the best time of year to visit Side Antalya to where to stay and what to do while you are there!

Moreover, in this complete Side Turkey guide, you will be able to see all the best things to do in Side Antalya which includes free ones! Also, you can enjoy the best restaurants in Side Turkey.

Table of Contents

Side tourist information, when is the best time to visit side turkey, side turkey weather, side antalya bus, what airport do you fly to for side turkey, how many days in side turkey is enough, side, turkey roman ruins, side ancient city, visit side museum (side archaeological museum), antalya side ancient city entrance fee, side ancient city opening hours, watersports in side, free things to do in side, turkey, boat trips from side, what to do in side (unique things), day trips from side turkey, best beaches turkey side, shopping in side antalya, best restaurants in side, side nightlife, is side in antalya, side turkey hotels on the beach, life in side turkey, faq about side turkey, side antalya map, what side is antalya like (side turkey tourist information).

Side is a lovely town in the Antalya Province of Turkey. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea and Side, Turkey population is about 18,000 people. You should visit Side Antalya because it is one of the nicest towns on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Also, Side is known for its beautiful beaches, archaeological ruins, and friendly locals! Let’s take a look at Side Turkey tourist information .

You can get more information and Side Turkey reviews from this center. Besides English, you will be able to find more language support there. It is also worth noting that there is a place where you can report your complaints.

Address:  Side, Side Cd. No:3, 07330 Manavgat/Antalya

Working Hours:  08:30 AM – 05:30 PM (Closes on Saturday and Sunday)

Phone:  (0242) 753 12 65

You can read Turkey area code blog post in order to make calls in Turkey.

Buy SIM Card for Tourists in Turkey

The best time to visit Side Turkey is from May to the end of Autumn. This is the summer season when everyone goes to Turkey for the best vacation ever. But like in Side town there are some Turkey country facts like every time can be the best time to visit. Apart from the season, Side almost has nice weather and always has a magnificent sunset view.

Side weather is quite sunny and hot in general. If you go to Side Turkey let’s say in winter, you can still swim because the climate is always smooth there. You can prefer indoor activities if it’s raining instead of outdoor attractions. You’ll be able to find many things to do Side Turkey.

How to get Side Turkey from Antalya?

There is no airport in Side. After landing at Antalya Airport, it is 65 km from Side by road and takes about 1 hour.

The most preferred method by tourists is to go to the hotel where they will stay in Side with private transfer services from Antalya airport .

If you do not prefer a private transfer service, you can take a taxi.

Some tourists complain about taxi drivers in Turkey and unfortunately, uber is not available in Turkey. There are global companies that you can use as an alternative to Uber. You can safely hire a taxi from here .

Public buses depart from Antalya bus station every hour. Public buses cost around 108 TL per person.

If you are in the city center, you must first go to the Antalya bus station. From the airport, you should ask for the bus stops.

Do not forget, the public bus will be slow and hotter. It wouldn’t be a nice experience for the first day of the holiday. But it is a cheaper option anyways.

As we mentioned above, there is no airport in Side. The nearest international airport is Antalya International (AYT) and from here it takes 1 hour to get to Side by road.

Gazipaşa Airport is located in Alanya and is a second alternative. But it is not an international airport and tickets are difficult to find. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes by road.

CHECK cheap flight tickets to Antalya airport .

How far is Side from Antalya airport? (Antalya to Side Transfer)

It takes 65 km from Antalya to Side and about 1 hour by road.

How long is the transfer from Antalya to Side?

If you prefer a taxi or transfer vehicle from the airport, it will take 40 minutes – 1 hour. If you want to go from Antalya bus station and Konyaaltı, the journey will take 1.30 hours.

3 days will be enough to visit Antalya Side. But if you are planning to visit around (such as Alanya , Antalya center , Kemer , Phaselis ancient city , Olympos ruins Turkey , Chimaera Eternal Flames and more) you should spare at least five days. 1 day is enough to explore ancient Side. If you are in love with rafting and other watersports, you should spare a full day for them. Manavgat Koprulu Canyon is very popular and you can find many attractions there. Make sure to read the best Koprulu Canyon Manavgat attractions .

Of course, many people prefer Side Turkey to relax at the hotel, and the duration of the Side holiday varies according to your expectations.

Side Antalya things to do (for limited time)

Turkey Side, you should definitely spend 1 day visiting the ancient ruins and museum, 1 day seeing the canyon, Manavgat waterfall, and its surroundings. Also one day for lovely beaches in town.

If you want to shop in Antalya, we have good news for you below! You may need more days to extend your vacation. Before talking about things to do in Side Turkey, we added here some useful posts you might be interested in deeply.

Shopping is one of the best things to do with kids in Antalya. You can explore Antalya shopping malls and enjoy tax-free shopping.

You can check our Things to do in Antalya post in order to be more organized and make your vacation plans in detail.

Things to do in Side Antalya

Now, let’s see an extension guide for what to do in Side Turkey. Side is the best place in Antalya Province, hands down. The archaeological ruins are fascinating, the beaches are sandy and clean. Amazing nature is a plus. You can find many things to do in Manavgat and Side Turkey. 

You can get more info from Side, Turkey tourist information when you get there but now you can explore Side Antalya with us. There are plenty of things to do in Side Turkey! Here are some of our favorites:

The Side Ruins are a must-see if you are visiting Side Turkey. They are an archaeological site that includes the ruins of a Roman theater (Side amphitheater) or Greek Amphitheater, agora, baths, Vespasianus Aniti, and temples (Tyche Tapinagi).

Side Ruins historical short info

The Side Ruins are located in the town of Side, Antalya Province, Turkey. They are an archaeological site which has many ruins like Hellenistic Theater Turkey. The Side Ruins and museum are a must-see if you are visiting Side Turkey!

You should see the Side theatre which is inside the Side Ancient City. Side Ancient City has a beautiful view from the top and important spots for photography lovers.

This museum is not as huge as the Antalya Archaeological Museum but it’s worth seeing with all those historical and magical precious pieces.

Museum hours vary according to the season. Working hours are 08:30 – 20:00. Ticket office closes at 19:30.

If you have a valid and available museum pass , admission is completely free. If you do not have a museum pass, Side Museum 130 TL, Antique Theater 300 TL with the increase made in August 2023 . You can visit the temple of Apollo, Athena and the rest of the ancient city free of charge.

Museum Pass is very affordable especially in Side Turkey. Otherwise you should pay entrance fees for each places separately.

Side Ancient Theater’s working hours are 08:30 – 20:00. Ticket office closes at 19:30. Side Museum works in same hours too.

Side Turkey beaches are also famous for boat tours and water activities as well as satisfying for swimming.

Moreover, Side Antalya beaches have some extreme water sports attractions too. Side is a great place for watersports! There are plenty of opportunities to go swimming, snorkeling, sailing, rafting, and more. Side also has several diving centers where you can get certified or take a beginner diving lesson.

Side Underwater Museum

There is a scuba diving underwater museum in Side which we added to our Side Turkey map. Side Underwater Museum is the first underwater museum in Turkey. Here is one of my favorite thing to do in Side Antalya which includes lunch and free transfer.

SEE OFFER 👇🏻

Underwater Museum in Side Turkey (Side scuba diving underwater tours)

Walking around the nearby Side old town is the most popular free thing to do in Side Antalya. You can see the famous Aspendos Bridge, and walk nearby Titreyengol (Lake) for cozy moments. Also, public beaches such as Side Beach Turkey are free too. There are more things but let’s highlight an amazing place now.

Must visit: Temple of Apollo Antalya

Apollon Temple has no admission fee. That means the entrance is free. You must visit there and see the Temple of Apollo architecture. Side is one of the best towns in Antalya because it has various ruins from several periods. You can come across many Side in Turkey reviews with this ancient building.

Well, you should see a stunning view from Apollon Temple Side. This place is one of the most popular instagrammable and historical spots in Antalya province.

Take the daily or hourly boat trips from Side. You will be able to find many of them all day long which go to plenty of places. You may find a place at the last minute but if you book before, it will be better for you and your plans. Otherwise, you may not find a place and then get disappointed.

Here are plenty of boat tours that offer you completely different experiences and places to see.

Green Canyon boat tour from Side

Side Altinbesik cave tours

Party boat Side Turkey (Side boat tour foam party tickets)

The traditional baths are very famous all around Turkey. Turkish bath Side Turkey offers you historical vibes with the healer’s hands. Get a good rest because you’ll need energy and a refreshed feel for your next trip. You can take a day trip either inside the town or to other nearby towns.

Read more about traditional Turkish hammams . Explore 👉🏻 Essentials of Turkish Bath

Side Turkey holidays are an excellent base for exploring the rest of Antalya Province. We recommend taking a day trip to the nearby Side to Alanya Guide or Manavgat.

One of the best things to do near Side Turkey is explore nature. You should definitely visit Koprulu Canyon and do rafting in Side Antalya. You can learn more by reading our Koprulu Canyon Turkey article.

Trips in Side Turkey need walking a lot. Do not forget to get your feet comfy with the best barefoot shoes for travel .

If you have time there are a few Side Pamukkale tour s that you may join. You can go on your own too for a more flexible exploration. If you go from Side to Pamukkale, we prepared all the essentials that you must know about Hierapolis Pamukkale including the Pamukkale entrance fee 2023 , too.

One of the famous Side trips in Cappadocia, Turkey. If you find your Cappadocia tour from Side we’ve got a present for you. Here is your Cappadocia itinerary and Cappadocia best restaurants guides.

If you don’t want to go far away, let’s close a bit to the Side of Antalya again.

What to do in Manavgat

Manavgat is another resort town in Antalya. Mostly Manavgat and Side are mentioned together because they are almost nested. But still, both have different things to do. So we highly recommend that you visit Manavgat, too. 

Aquajoy Su Parki (Waterpark) is a nice attraction for families with kids. You can visit Seleukia (Lybre) and Selge ancient cities.

As I mentioned above, Green Canyon Turkey boat trips are also amazing for nature lovers.

Manavgat Waterfall Facts

Manavgat Waterfall is definitely one of the best waterfalls in Turkey. If you are wondering about how to get to Manavgat waterfall it is easy to go there by car and the road takes 4km and about fifteen minutes.

At Manavgat waterfall, the stream coming from the Taurus Mountains spills from 4 meters. There is a balcony to watch the waterfall and you can take a walk around the river.

You can’t swim at Manavgat Waterfall but there are stunning beaches in Side Turkey. Let’s take a look closer at Side Beaches.

Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee

A Mediterranean Museum Pass is not available but the Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee is around 30 Turkish liras .

One of the nicest coastal towns, Side Antalya Turkey is known for its beautiful sandy beaches.

The best-known Side beaches and bays like this. Side’s beaches are beautiful and sandy, with plenty of sun loungers and parasols. Many of them are available for both families and couples. Discover the nicest beaches in Side Turkey now, leaving the enjoyment to your perfect vacation.

Best beaches in Side

Enjoying the clean and sandy beaches sounds dreamy. Here your all wishes come true with Antalya Side beaches. 

• Side public beach (Side Beach Antalya)
• Titreyengol Beach
• Sorgun public beach
• Kumkoy beach
• Kleopatra Beach (Cleopatra Side, Turkey) is actually in Alanya Turkey but you can go there from Side for sure. There is a Kleopatra Side Hotel in Side which has a beautiful beach too.

Either for love holidays and romantic moments or family times on the beach, you will be able to spend a smooth and cheerful time with your beloved ones.

Side Turkey things to do are not finished yet! Another attraction is shopping in Side, Turkey.

Side Turkey is a great place to shop, particularly for souvenirs! Here are some of the best places to Side shopping:

The Side Bazaar : The Side Bazaar is a covered market with stalls selling everything from souvenirs to clothing.

Antalya Night Market : The Antalya Night Market is open every night and sells fancy souvenirs.

You can find some fake shops while you are traveling around Ancient Side. Prices are affordable.

There are also several street markets that you can come across in Side Antalya reviews. The most famous one is on Saturdays.

Is Side Turkey Good for shopping?

If you are looking for something like significant brands, you may not find so many options in Side Turkey. Maybe Nova Shopping Mall or Mall of Side can help you.

Do you have any spare time for shopping in Antalya ? Because if you have, we will offer you some attractive options.

For cheap shopping in Antalya center, explore that guide for the best shopping malls in Antalya .

I can also suggest you to visit Land of Legends and Antalya Aquarium . You can find tickets and transportation offers from Side to Antalya via links above.

Shopping centers and souvenir decisions make people hungry. Let’s take a look at the most popular places to eat in Side Antalya.

You should try Ocakbaşı restaurant Side Turkey if you want to try more traditional cuisine. Here are some famous restaurants in Side:

• Conny’s Restaurant Side Turkey
• Gül restaurant, Side
• Orfoz restaurant Side
• Q Beach Restaurant & Lounge
• Antique Restaurant Side

In addition, you may find world cuisine there. There are plenty of Indian restaurants in Side Turkey, too. You can see more Side, Turkey restaurants on our Side Turkey map below.

You need relaxation and chilling on your vacation. You deserve that better than any time. Here you go some highlighted spots for Side Turkey things to do at night.

Antalya nightlife is one of the most alive and colorful attractions on the Mediterranean coast. But Side Town has nothing short of Antalya Center.  Here are some of the best bars in Side, Turkey .

• Kiss Bar Side
• The Royal Castle Pub
• Hello Bar & Pub
• Night Disco Cruise with Foam Party

You can also check the nearby beach clubs and hotel bars. If you want to go somewhere else you can enjoy the Lara beach nightlife or zippy Alanya nightlife too.

Read 👉🏻 Kemer nightlife & Is Antalya good for nightlife?

SEE OFFER 👉🏻 Fire of Anatolia Dance Show

Where to stay in Side Turkey? (Best Hotels in Side, Turkey)

Everybody can find a place in Side, Turkey hotels for their budget or needs. There are plenty of accommodation options in Side Turkey, from hotels to apartments and even camping! Here are some suggestions for your needs.

Side is a town that belongs to Antalya province. The distance is about 60 km. It is located east of the center of Antalya.

Most of the Side hotels on the beach have private beaches which are within walking distance but they still offer you a bus.

You should choose 5 star hotels in Side, Turkey all inclusive because this way you will prevent unexpected payments.

Instead of Side hotels all inclusive you can stay in boutique hotels too. It’s up to you. Side has various offers for anyone. If you are traveling with your family, you can choose a Side Turkey hotel with waterpark . Then you can spend more quality time at the hotel together or separately.

SEE OFFER for Side Turkey hotels .

Our Side Trip Tours

Antalya Side Turkey region mostly has all-inclusive holiday resorts. One of the best Side beach hotels in Antalya is LaBranda. 

SEE OFFER 👉🏻 Labranda excelsior hotel Side Turkey

We experienced La Branda Labranda Excelsior Side once and it was a very nice place with a private beach within walking distance. The room was very clean. The food wasn’t perfect but it was OK. The pools and common places are very clean and cozy.

I met a lot of German tourists. I encountered services such as hairdresser, market and Turkish bath (check my personal hammam products choice) in this hotel. Not to mention a variety of sports activities and night entertainment.

Well, those are from my Side Turkey traveler reviews. In 2023, I visit Side Antalya for a daily trip. It was also amazing day. Again.

What is the best Side hotels? (Turkey resort guide)

There are plenty of great Side hotels to choose from, but let’s highlight some of them:

Serenity Blue Resort and Spa . The Serenity Blue Resort and Spa is a five-star hotel that offers stunning views of the town.

The best All inclusive holiday resorts are Side Crown Serenity Hotel , and Diamond Premium Hotel & Spa .

Best Side hotels for couples are Seven Seas Hotel Blue and Side Royal Alhambra Palace .

Best Side hotels for families are Crystal Sunset Luxury Resort & Spa and Crystal Sunrise Queen Luxury Resort & Spa .

So there you have it, our complete guide to Side Turkey travel in 2023 but don’t forget this is just a basic guide for Side Turkey.

Side is a beautiful town with friendly locals, stunning beaches, and plenty of things to do! We hope you enjoy your time in Side Turkey!

Side is one of the places where foreigners can live most comfortably in Turkey. The weather is hot in summer and winter. There are many activities to do in Side with its sea, nature, and historical areas.

House rents in Side Turkey are more affordable than in Turkey, and if you only want to live in Turkey for a while, there are many hotel options available.

You can read more for simple information for foreigners in Turkey and liveable cities of Turkey .

If you are planning to visit Side Turkey, this guide and frequently asking questions about Side Turkey will be helpful for you.

How long does it take to transfer to Side Turkey?

Side Turkey does not have an airport. After arriving at Antalya Airport, it takes about 1 hour by road. You can choose a taxi and private transfer. See offer for transport Side Antalya airport .

Where is the best place for rafting in Side?

The best place for rafting in Side is the Koprulu Canyon National Park . Koprulu Canyon is about one hour from the center of Side.

Is there any bus from Antalya to Side?

Yes, there are Antalya to Manavgat bus es. Either you can take them from the bus station, airport or some special bus stops which are on the main road. (One of them is very close to the Mall of Antalya shopping mall.)

You can learn more info about Antalya to Side transfer time via Antalya Bus Terminal or Antalya Airport contact. Current ticket price is 108 Turkish Liras.

What are the beaches like in Side Turkey?

The beaches in Side Antalya are mostly sandy. You can able to find some nice public beaches inside the ancient city of Side. Ask Nar Beaches, there are several Nar Beaches in different location of the ancient city. Also you can visit other beaches and bays near this amazing location.

Which beach is the best in Turkey?

You should take a look at Best Beaches in Antalya area . Each beach have different qualities and many of them have their Blue Flags as well. For instance, many people likes Patara Beach but I don’t like there so much. Because it is full of sand and waves make me tired.

On the other hand, Kaputas Beach is worldwide famous and definitely one of the best beaches in Turkey. If you want to get there, you should go earlier because parking is a very big problem during the season.

Here is my favorite beaches in Antalya Turkey: Phaselis Beach , Olympos Beach , best Kas beaches and Konyaalti Beach .

What’s the best beach in Antalya?

Well, Kaputas Beach is one of the most popular ones. But you can read the post linked above, then you can decide on your own. Once you’ve get to the Kas Turkey, you should visit other Kas beaches as well. You can learn more about best Kas beaches from here.

Are beaches in Side sandy?

Yes. Generally, Side Antalya town has sandy beaches mostly. The sand is usually fine and of the type that children will want to play with. Therefore, when choosing swimsuits and bikinis, it is useful to choose products with a design that will not get sand in between. The same goes for any other beach products you’ll be using.

What is Side in Turkey known for?

Side Turkey is known for its historical landmarks, ancient ruins, Side theatre, Apollon Temple, 5 stars hotels, sandy beaches, watersports, Koprulu Canyon, and more.

Why do people come to Turkey?

People come to Turkey for its ancient heritage, traditional cuisine, turquoise coasts, etc. Explore more about Turkiye. Best Turkey destinations can be found here.

Which is better, Antalya or Side?

Antalya center is better than Side. Because Antalya offers more options for exploring, shopping and having gourmet experiences. Side has only one ancient ruins but you can find at least 5-6 ancient cities in the center of Antalya. For instance, you can visit Perge Ancient City , Phaselis Beach , Antalya Archeological Museum and more. Also you can find many options for shopping in Antalya .

Are you still in a dilemma? You can read our Complete Antalya Travel Guide from here, then you can make your own decision. Both have different pros and cons. Write me about your expectations, so maybe I can help you as well.

Does Side have good nightlife?

Yes, during the season, you’ll be satisfied in Side Turkey. Hotels, pubs and nightclubs offers many night entertainments. If you have time and looking for different places, you can also read about is Antalya good for nightlife , too.

Is Side Turkey lively?

Yeap. Side Turkey never sleeps during the season. However, the answer to this question may vary according to your expectations and wishes. While there are magnificent lively and entertaining activities in some hotels, others find the activities in the hotel insufficient and go out. I’m sure you can find something that appeals to you out there. If you are not satisfied, try Antalya city center. Kemer town is also a very popular location with its colorful nightlife. Read more about Kemer nightlife .

Which place is best for nightlife?

Antalya places are the best place for nightlife in general. Kemer, Side, and Alanya towns are very colorful.

What is the beach like in Side Turkey?

You can read our Best beaches for kids Antalya blog post.

Are there free things to do on Side?

In our opinion, the first free thing to do on the Side is to visit the Temple of Apollo and the ancient ruins on the beach. You can also visit the old town of Side for free and enjoy the sea at the free public beach.

What is Side Turkey area code?

The area code for Side Turkey and Antalya is 242. For mobile phone calls, you must add 90 to the beginning of the number. You can have a look at Turkey area codes for details.

What is Side like in Turkey?

Side Turkey is one of the rare holiday regions where you can visit historical sites while enjoying the sea and the beach. Side Antalya is 38-40 degrees during the summer. It has an ancient city dating back to Rome.

What to see in Side Turkey?

In Side Antalya, you should definitely see the Roman Ruins and the Roman Ancient City. Also, Manavgat waterfall is very close and we recommend you to see it. Also, do not forget to participate in sea sports.

Is Side worth visiting ?

If the activities and things to do you have read so far appeal to you, you should definitely see Side. Do not forget to visit Alanya as well. Every destination in Antalya will give you an unforgettable experience.

Now you can get your guide Side Turkey from TripAdvisor which includes things to do in Side Turkey .

Also, you can reach Side map on google from here.

Look at! Best Shopping Malls in Antalya 2023 Complete Alanya Turkey Guide in 2023 One Day in Antalya 2023 Best Beaches in Turkey for Families 2023 Pure Excellence: Turkish Bath a.k.a. “Hammam”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pair these L.A. road trips with a hike and a lunch

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

In April 2020 — only a month or so into the COVID-19 pandemic — my wife and I were running out of things to do. The novelty of Zoom calls with friends was wearing off. We’d watched lots of movies and TV. We were itching to get out of our apartment, but with the virus still raging, we couldn’t risk being around other people. Then we had an idea: Why not go for a drive?

You are reading The Wild newsletter

Sign up to get expert tips on the best of Southern California's beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains in your inbox every Thursday

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

For our first trip, we drove the length of Little Tujunga Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest. After that, we were hooked. In the ensuing months, we crisscrossed the Santa Monica Mountains and made trips into Los Padres National Forest and beyond.

My wife bought me a California road atlas, and it became part of our scenic drive ritual: We’d consult its pages for inspiration, looking for two-lane roads and state highways that squiggled through mountain ranges or meandered through deserts. After returning home, I’d highlight our route. Four years after our first drive, the atlas is full of highlights documenting our travels — and there’s still a lifetime’s worth of backroads we haven’t covered yet.

No matter where we go, each drive gives me a deeper appreciation for the incredible range of landscapes in Southern California. And these journeys have led to many rewarding discoveries, from out-of-the-way diners to new trailheads for hiking and biking.

If you’re tired of visiting the same places, it’s time to hit the road. These two trips — all within a three-hour drive of the city — will get you started.

Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument This route traverses winding mountain roads through Los Padres and spits you out near the southern entrance to Carrizo Plain — a vast preserve of native grassland and a hotspot for wildflowers (at least on some years ) and birdwatching . From Interstate 5, take Exit 205 and head west on Frazier Mountain Park Road. This two-lane road changes names several times as it ascends into the San Emigdio Mountains, passing forested slopes and epic canyon views along the way.

After about 42 miles, you’ll meet California 166. Take a right here and then a left on Soda Lake Road to enter Carrizo Plain National Monument. Drive northwest for 35 miles to the parking lot for the Soda Lake Trail, a short boardwalk that gets you up close to the park’s salt-crusted lake. If you plan ahead, you can also book a guided tour of Painted Rock, a sandstone outcrop with Native American rock art.

Hungry? Head back the way you came, take a right on California 166, and drive west 15 miles to the Cuyama Buckhorn , a renovated ’50s motel, restaurant and bar. The eatery’s Santa Maria-style tri-tip is superb, and if you grab a room, you can turn this scenic drive into a full weekend escape .

Volcan Mountain and Julian This route will take you to Julian , a mountain town famous for its apple orchards and delicious pies. From Interstate 15, take Exit 58 for California 79. Take a right on Pechanga Parkway and head south. The road becomes Pala Temecula Road and emerges into a wide canyon with mountains towering on either side. Take a left at Pala Mission Road and continue east on California 76, which hugs the San Luis Rey River before ascending more than 1,000 feet up a chaparral-covered ridgeline.

After some hairpin turns, the road levels off and skirts Lake Henshaw, a picturesque reservoir. Take a right on California 79, and after 10 miles, take a left on Wynola Road. Follow that road for about 3.5 miles, then take a left on Farmer Road to arrive at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve. Stretch your legs on the Five Oaks Trail , a 1.2-mile path that ascends the western flank of Volcan Mountain and offers sweeping views of the orchards below.

With your appetite revved up, head south on Farmer Road into Julian and make a stop at the Julian Pie Co . Grab a well-deserved slice of apple pie and some apple cider and rest your feet at a picnic table while you chow down.

3 things to do

1. Race plankton in Manhattan Beach In celebration of Earth Day, the Roundhouse Aquarium will hold a day full of educational activities inside and outside its facilities. Highlights include dolphin spotting, a fish feeding, crafts, games, a “shark shack” and, yes, plankton racing. The festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and go until 4 p.m. The event is free, but be sure to register ahead of time at roundhouseaquarium.org .

2. Go gardening in San Pedro Give back to the land by planting native species, removing weeds, mulching and watering the White Point Nature Preserve’s garden with the folks at Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. You’ll also have the chance to enter a raffle and take a guided nature walk. As a bonus, refreshments will be provided by Starbucks to keep you cool and hydrated. The three-hour event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. All volunteers under age 16 should be accompanied by an adult, and all volunteers under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver at the event. Register at pvplc.com .

3. Stretch your legs on Venice Boulevard CicLAvia is back. And this time it’s shutting down a 5.75-mile stretch of Venice Boulevard that connects Palms, Mar Vista and Venice Beach for walkers, joggers, bikers, roller skaters, unicyclers, penny-farthings, pogo sticks — anything as long as it’s completely powered by humans. There will be three local hubs along the route where you’ll be able to partake in family-friendly activities, pump air into your bike’s tires, refill your water bottle and use the restroom. Be sure to reference CicLAvia’s digital map so you can scope out the local businesses you’d like to visit along the way. It all takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information about the event and the area it covers, visit ciclavia.org .

The must-read

The Klamath River in Northern California has turned brown and muddy, but that’s a good thing. As Times writer Ian James reports , it’s a side effect of the largest dam removal project in history, which aims to restore the river to its natural state. Four dams are being removed along the Klamath, and the river is passing freely through tunnels in three of them, draining reservoirs and churning up an estimated 2.3 million tons of sediment that had settled along the bottom of those man-made lakes. Although the turbid water might look ugly, restoration advocates and tribal leaders see it as a sign of healing. The muck is passing out of the Klamath, and new life — everything from salmon heading upstream to native plant seedlings along the riverbanks — will soon take its place.

Happy adventuring,

Want to try birding but don’t have binoculars? Head to the Audubon Center in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and you can borrow a free pair of binoculars (as well as a birding guide, backpack and other gear) to help you spot the 140 species of birds that call the park home.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild . And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here .

Sign up for The Wild

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer covering gear and the outdoors, and he’ll be writing The Wild newsletter for the next few months. He has written for a variety of publications, including Men’s Journal, Runner’s World and InsideHook, and he lives in West L.A. When he’s not writing, he can be found running, hiking and biking around Los Angeles and its mountains.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Travel & Experiences

What to know about California’s new state park, a scenic green space where two rivers meet

April 23, 2024

This must be Topanga Canyon

April 19, 2024

You don’t ‘hike’ Fiery Furnace, Utah’s exclusive maze of slot canyons. You get lost in it

April 18, 2024

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

April 17, 2024

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Side

Day trips from side.

• Side to Alanya
• Side to Antalya
• Side to Ibradi
• Side to Pamukkale
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Side Green Canyon Boat Trip With Unlimited Drinks And Lunch

2. Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfalls Tour

3. Side Dolphin Island Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer

4. Side Altinbesik Cave And Ormana Village Tour With Boat Tour

5. Side Land of Legends Night Shows Tour With Boat Parade

6. Alanya Cable Car, Boat Trip and Dimcay Tour

7. Manavgat River Boat Trip

8. Side Jeep Safari Tour With Waterfall and Water Fights

9. Full Day Perge Aspendos Tour in Antalya

10. Side Eagle Canyon Tour With Rafting OR Selge Ancient City

11. Side Manavgat Boat Trip With Lunch And Unlimited Drinks

12. Perge,Aspendos,Side and Waterfall (sightseeng) excursion,trip,daily.

13. Full-Day Manavgat Waterfall and Canyon Tour with Pick Up

14. Cabrio Bus Safari and Green Lake Boat Trip from Side

15. Full Day Salda + Pamukkale Tour from Side/Manavgat

16. Jeep Safari Adventure from Side

17. Pirate Adventure Cruise from Side

18. Side: Manavgat River Cruise w/ Lunch & Waterfall & Bazaar Visit

19. Side:Buggy safari adventure

20. Ancient cities of Side and Aspendos and Manavgat Waterfall from Alanya

21. Side Pamukkale Day Trip & Sala Lake Visit w/Meals & Pickup

22. Jeep Safari Adventure around Green Canyon

23. Manavgat River Cruise & Waterfall & Bazaar Visit - Drinks inclusive onboard

24. Guided Antalya Waterfalls Tour from Side with Free Time

25. Side Lazy Day Boat Trip

26. Blau Laguna Boat Trip from Side

27. Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfall Full-Day Tour from Antalya

28. Side Express Pamukkale &Hierapolis Day Trip w/Meals & Pickup

29. Side:4x4 Off Road Jeep Safari Tour Among The Mountains With Lunch

30. Green Lake Jeep Safari and Boat Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfalls Tour
• Perge,Aspendos,Side and Waterfall (sightseeng) excursion,trip,daily.
• Side Green Canyon Boat Trip With Unlimited Drinks And Lunch
• Side Land of Legends Night Shows Tour With Boat Parade
• Alanya Cable Car, Boat Trip and Dimcay Tour
• Excursiongo Side
• ExcursionSide
• Jamal Alanya Tour
• Side Tours Antalya
• Golden Goat Travel Agency
• Justbooktours.com
• Side Hill Tours

Portland OR

Travel guide.

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Suggested Itineraries
• Organized Tours
• Planning a Trip
• Active Pursuits
• Spectator Sports

Side Trips in Portland OR

The wine country newberg: 25 miles sw of portland; dundee: 27 miles sw of portland; mcminnville: 38 miles sw of portland.

Exploring Around Timberline Lodge

Bonneville Dam & Eagle Creek

Rooster Rock State Park

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of side trip

Love words.

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features

Dictionary Entries Near side trip

Cite this entry.

“Side trip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side%20trip. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More commonly misspelled words, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 19, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, your favorite band is in the dictionary, games & quizzes.

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder

Word of the Day

• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Grammar Coach ™
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

Advertisement

• a brief excursion off the main route of an itinerary, as to visit a particular person or place.

Discover More

Other words from.

• side tripper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of side trip 1

Example Sentences

A side trip to a hot spring later refreshed his mind and body after long hours of driving.

Another side trip, just a short ride out of town, is the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, a 20-minute drive from Princeton.

When the feminists took the anti-Playboy, anti-sexuality route, I think it was sort of a side trip.

Ella Graham and her mother were buying pretty articles for their sea-side trip.

This side trip, had cost us much exertion and made us feel more thirsty than ever.

A short subsidiary road turns to the left to the foot of the fall, a brief side trip which should be taken by all visitors.

The canyon above abounds in glacial phenomena and will well repay a side trip for those interested in geology.

It was their intention to make the Springs the turning point of the trip, with a side trip by the cog railway to Pike's Peak.

[ ak -s uh -lot-l ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

South Carolina Dog Stays by Missing Man’s Side Till Rescue

On April 16, a South Carolina man went missing after heading out for a fishing trip with his beloved Chihuahua . The fisherman got trapped in barbed wire, and help didn’t come until two days later. However, his furry friend stayed by his side, keeping him company until he was rescued.

Missing fisherman found tangled in barbed wire, his dog kept him company

Billy Wayne Kearse went missing after he left his home last Tuesday. On Thursday, April 18, his friends came across his fishing tackle box while looking for him. They promptly called the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and deputies began their search for Kearse.

He was found on the same day, tangled in barbed wire and on the brink of dehydration. The fisherman needed to be transported via medical helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sheriff Steve Mueller told USA TODAY , “He got stuck trying to climb over the fence and got hung on the barbed wire as it wrapped around his ankle.”

Officers noted that the missing man’s Chihuahua kept him company the entire time. However, the canine refused to come with the authorities and ran away. Fortunately, when the authorities headed to Kearse’s home to inform his family of the rescue, they noticed the pup was back home safe and sound.

As of April 23, Billy Wayne Kearse is still in the hospital but recovering well. The Sheriff’s Office was thankful to his friends, who handled the situation appropriately. They continued their search for the fisherman and never lost hope, which led to the discovery of his fishing tackle box. Authorities recognized that without their help, the rescue mission would have taken longer, which could have been detrimental to Kearse’s health as he was already on the verge of dehydration.

The post South Carolina Dog Stays by Missing Man’s Side Till Rescue appeared first on DogTime .

Recommended Stories

College football playoff will not consider army-navy game in selection process.

The decision ends one of the more pressing issues for the CFP Management Committee this week in Dallas.

What’s going on with the Houston Astros? And can they turn it around before it's too late?

Injuries to the rotation, underperformance from the bullpen and bad offensive luck have sunk the Astros to last in the AL West.

Threads has 150 million monthly users

Meta’s Threads app now has more than 150 million monthly users, an increase of about 20 million new users since February

2024 NFL Draft Care/Don't Care: Minnesota's QB conundrum, the WR bonanza and more

Fantasy football analyst Matt Harmon reveals his final thoughts on the eve of the 2024 NFL Draft, including what the Vikings will do at the most important position.

What is credit mix, and how does it affect your credit score?

Understanding the factors that affect your credit, such as your credit mix, can help you develop a plan to improve and maintain your credit score.

This sophisticated beach cover-up doubles as a top you can wear to dinner, and it's down to $20

'My new favorite piece of clothing': This workhorse is a stunner by the water, on the boardwalk and everywhere in between.

'Baby Reindeer' is based on Richard Gadd's real life. He's asking internet sleuths to stop trying to expose the people behind the characters.

The Netflix limited series is about Gadd’s experience with a stalker and, separately, being a victim of sexual violence. He’s asking viewers not to “speculate on who any of the real life people [behind the characters] could be.”

Already facing rape charges, Washington RB Tybo Rogers charged with assault in alleged road rage incident

Rogers pleaded not guilty to two felony rape charges April 18 for sexual assaults that allegedly happened during the 2023 season. The alleged road rage incident happened in March.

Tesla stock surges as EV maker will 'accelerate' the launch of cheaper cars

Tesla said it would "accelerate" the launch of new models next year, including lower-cost cars, countering reports earlier this month it had scraped those plans.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have spread across college campuses. What exactly do protesters want?

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue to grow at a number of major U.S. universities. They have all made it clear that they are all against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, but what can they really do about the conflict in the Middle East from a college campus?Here's a look at what protesters are really demanding from their demonstrations.

Apple looks to Southeast Asia, India as hedge against China difficulties

Apple is looking to increase its manufacturing presence in Southeast Asia and its market share in India as China troubles loom.

Way Day 2024: Everything you need to know about Wayfair's savings blowout

Mark your calendar: Way Day kicks off on Saturday, May 4 and runs through Monday, May 6. Plus, deals to shop now!

The latest on bird flu: How it's spread, what it means for milk and eggs and more

Everything need to know about the spread of avian influenza, aka bird flu, in the U.S.

Trump Media CEO urges House GOP leaders to address 'potential manipulation' of DJT stock

The company recently attempted to fend off short sellers by advising investors on ways to prevent their shares from being loaned for short-interest positions.

Only Amazon Prime members can score these 9 secret deals — and they start at just $8

Hidden bargains include $200 off a Eufy robovac, and there's plenty more where that came from.

Bluey grows up in 'Surprise!' For some parents, seeing her change hits home.

The touching episode has parents feeling complicated emotions about the future of the show — and about their own kids growing up.

Stripe, doubling down on embedded finance, de-couples payments from the rest of its stack

Stripe continues to hold the title of being the biggest financial technology business still in private hands, with a current valuation of about $65 billion and a whopping $1 trillion in total processed payment volume last year alone. Today, Stripe announced that it will be de-coupling payments -- the jewel in its crown -- from the rest of its financial services stack. This is a big change, considering that in the past, even as Stripe grew its list of services, it required businesses to be payments customers in order to use any of the rest.

DUI at four times the legal limit — but he hadn't drunk a drop

How many glasses of beer need one driver consume before he can be accused of driving under the influence? In Belgium, none … if he’s suffering from "auto-brewery syndrome," in which the human body brews its own alcohol.

WhatsApp is enabling passkey support on iOS

WhatsApp users on iOS will soon have a more secure way to log in. Meta is rolling out passkey support for that version of the app, several months after it did so for Android.

Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: It might be time to sell low on Corbin Carroll

Fantasy baseball analyst Fred Zinkie offers up some big-picture trading tips before April wraps up, along with some key players to make moves on.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

'Conan O'Brien Must Go' is side-splitting evidence of life beyond late night TV

Eric Deggans

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway. Conaco/Max hide caption

Conan O'Brien dresses as a Viking in Norway.

To be honest, when I first heard Conan O'Brien was ending his TV talk show in 2021, I assumed news that he might turn to variety shows and online programs to continue his career was some combination of face-saving and wishful thinking.

But after watching the four episodes of his new Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , it's now obvious — even to a thickheaded critic like me — that leaving late night TV really was liberating for O'Brien. He's leveraged his unique sensibility into several different podcasts, a deal with Sirius XM , specials featuring other stand-up comics and now this travel series for Max — which resembles jokey specials he did for cable channel TBS back in the day.

And as the late night TV genre crumbles under sagging viewership and the decline of traditional media, O'Brien's renaissance also provides an example for the future — where fertile comedy minds and talented performers can spread their work over a much larger canvas.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Is conan o'brien the best 'hot ones' guest ever discuss., learning a lesson from 'hot ones'.

O'Brien already made a splash recently with his brilliantly maniacal appearance on the interview-while-eating-hot-wings show Hot Ones , slobbering over hot sauces while claiming, as he was checked over by a fake doctor, that "I'm fine! I'm perfectly f*****g fine!"

This is the place where O'Brien shines — he's called it "this strange phantom intersection between smart and stupid" — and it's on full, freakish, super silly display in every episode of Conan O'Brien Must Go .

The conceit of the show is pretty simple. O'Brien heads overseas to visit average folks in Norway, Argentina, Thailand and Ireland who had once Zoomed in to speak with him on the podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan . Sometimes the visits seem like a surprise — he catches one aspiring Norwegian rapper in shorts and Crocs after popping up on his doorstep — and others seem a bit more planned, including his visit to a radio show with about four listeners in Buenos Aires.

Each episode begins with a solemn monologue which sounds like it is delivered by the film world's most eccentric voice, German filmmaker and actor Werner Herzog (he's not credited in the show and when asked, a publicist at Max shared a quote from O'Brien: "I can neither confirm nor deny the voice in question.")

The torturous accent by "Herzog" makes every line sound absurdly hilarious, describing O'Brien as "the defiler ... with dull, tiny eyes ... the eyes of a crudely painted doll ... he scavenges in distant lands, uninvited, fueled by a bottomless hunger for recognition and the occasional selfie."

Now that's smart. And oh so stupid.

A funhouse mirror version of a travel show

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway Conaco/Max hide caption

O'Brien performs onstage with a fan in Norway

Fans of O'Brien's Conan Without Borders specials on TBS already know what his style is when he tackles a travel show — throwing himself into outrageous reactions and situations while working his quirky brand of improvised conversations with hapless bystanders.

In the Max series Conan O'Brien Must Go , that includes O'Brien offering screechy vocals onstage during a performance of a Norwegian emo/rap band. Or asking provocative questions of a couple therapist/sex expert. Or getting beat up in a "fight" with a 10-year-old boy in a bar.

It's all an excuse for O'Brien to unleash his energetic wit, taste for silly absurdity and skill at drawing laughs from sympathetic — if often befuddled — strangers. Whether you enjoy this special will depend on how you feel about O'Brien's style, which can feel a bit like the world's best class clown doing everything possible to make you crack a smile.

(Rent a family in Norway so they can say goodbye when he gets on a SeaCraft? Check. Get local artists to paint a mural of O'Brien, a soccer star and The Pope on the side of a building in Argentina? Double check.)

'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend' Is A Joke Name For A Podcast — Sort Of

But what amazes in a larger sense is how O'Brien has turned his sensibility into a comedy brand to fuel work on many different platforms. And, at age 60, with more than 30 years as a comedy star, he's been released from the shackles of any genre to shine wherever he chooses — whether it's an episode of Hot Ones or a streaming service which sometimes looks like a collision between True Detective and 90 Day Fiancé .

Leaving late night TV as late night left him

I'm old enough that I started covering TV not long after O'Brien made his first move from the shadows of life as a comedy writer – he worked on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons — to succeed David Letterman in 1993 as host of NBC's show Late Night (now hosted by Seth Meyers). Back then, NBC gave O'Brien years to figure out the show, honing his smartly serious comedy in a way that would inspire then-teenage fans like Seth Rogen and Bill Hader .

O'Brien left NBC after a disastrous deal where the network tried to make him host of its venerated late night program The Tonight Show and also keep its former host Jay Leno at the network. He moved to a late night show on TBS in 2010, but even then, there was a sense that his creativity was a bit hemmed in by the format.

After 28 Quirky Years, Conan O'Brien Is Leaving Late Night

By the time he left his TBS show Conan for good, it seemed O'Brien was already caught in a trend which would hobble other late night shows — as young viewers consumed his content online and ratings on cable dropped.

Now, with a podcast and digital media company worth many millions and growing status as a TV comedy legend still willing to do almost anything for a laugh, O'Brien is proving there is a successful life beyond late night.

Particularly, if you have the talent to play the fool while leaving little doubt you're also the smartest person in the room.

Alaska Airlines was named America's favorite airline for the 2nd year in a row — months after a hole blew in the side of one of its planes

• A major consumer survey found that Alaska Airlines is the most popular airline in the US for the second year running.
• The airline topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index, despite its infamous panel blowout in January.
• Overall, US air travel customers were happier than last year with their experiences.

Alaska Airlines is the most popular airline in the US for the second year running, according to a major consumer survey.

The airline comfortably topped the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 82, a one-point improvement compared to 2023.

American Airlines was second with 79 points, while low-cost carrier Allegiant Air beat better-known legacy names like United and Delta to take third place. Allegiant registered a four-point rise in overall customer satisfaction, making it one of the fastest climbers this year.

United Airlines was the only carrier to lose ground, sliding three points to a score of 75.

The index, which has been running since 1994, tracks customer satisfaction across five travel industries — airlines, car rentals, lodging, online travel agencies, and ridesharing platforms.

Related stories

To determine the rankings, 16,352 customers were asked to rate their experiences with companies based on nineteen different factors, such as ease of making a reservation, check-in process, cleanliness of cabin and lavatory, courtesy and helpfulness of flight crew, and timeliness of arrival. By collating this information, the American Customer Satisfaction Index says it provides a "definitive measure of passenger satisfaction."

Alaska Airline's top ranking comes despite the airline's nightmare safety incident in January 2024, during which a decommissioned door plug flew off during one of its flights at an altitude of 16,000 feet.

The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 9 made a safe landing back at Portland International Airport 35 minutes after takeoff, with all 177 people on board surviving.

14 passengers on the flight have since filed a class-action lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines, asking for monetary damages to cover injuries sustained during the incident and claims that some oxygen masks malfunctioned.

US airlines are getting better

Overall, the data found that customers were increasingly happy with airline travel, with ratings for all nineteen areas of customer satisfaction across airlines either improving or staying level with responses from 2023.

The polled customers were particularly happy with app services, the ease of making reservations, and airlines' websites, pointing to the importance of developing customer-friendly technology offerings.

As they become happier with travel experiences, customers are also travelling more. This February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 21.5% rise in global air passengers compared to the previous year.

Watch: Why Hooters Air, Pan Am, and the Concorde all disappeared from the skies

• Main content

71-year-old fisherman who disappeared found tangled in barbed wire with dog by his side

A 71-year-old's dog proved to truly be man's best friend this week when his faithful companion remained by his side after he got tangled in barbed wire and stayed trapped for more than two days.

South Carolina resident Billy Wayne Kearse disappeared from his home on April 16 after heading out for a fishing trip with his chihuahua, Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller told USA TODAY Tuesday.

Kearse is from the city of Gaffney in upstate South Carolina about 50 miles southwest of Charlotte.

On Thursday about 11 a.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office received a call from two friends saying they had been riding around searching for Kearse and found his fishing tackle box.

Missing California man: Man disappears hiking in El Salvador, family pleads for help finding him

Missing man found tangled in barbed wire with dog nearby

That same day, deputies responded to the area where the man's fishing gear was found and, after a search, discovered Kearse tangled in barbed wire with his dog nearby. 

"He got stuck trying to climb over the fence and got hung on the barbed wire as it wrapped around his ankle," Mueller explained.

After deputies freed him, Kearse was transported him by medical helicopter to a hospital to be treated for dehydration, officials reported.

"The dog would not come to the officers and ran away from them but was back at the home when officers arrived to notify the family we had located their loved one," Mueller said.

Missing California woman: 21-year-old 'at-risk' woman missing after weekend hike; search ongoing

Sheriff: Missing man still hospitalized but expected to recover

Mueller said Kearse remained in the hospital on Tuesday but was improving daily and his prognosis for recovery "looks very good."

"We are grateful for the two citizens who were aware of the search efforts last night to locate the missing person and who continued checking their property this morning and notified us after locating the fishing tackle box," Mueller wrote in a news release. "Their efforts put us in the right location and subsequently officers were successful in locating him. Now we all pray for his recovery!"

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Airlines will be forced to issue cash refunds for cancellations, "significant" delays under new DOT rule

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday airlines will be required to issue automatic cash refunds for cancelled flights.

“This is a big day for America’s flying public,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said at a press conference, in theory, airline customers are owed a refund for a cancelled or significantly delayed flight.

“In practice, it often doesn’t work that way. We here again and again from passengers who describe how hard they have to push, just to get the refunds that are owed to them.”

The new rule, is an airline must refund payment to the card that paid for the flight within 7 days, without requiring any action from the passenger.

The refund must be made to whatever payment was used and cannot be paid in miles or points unless the passenger requests that.

The rule applies to flights that are cancelled, domestic flights delayed at least three hours and international flights delayed at least six hours.

“The biggest expansion of passenger rights in the department’s history,” Buttigieg said.

The DOT believes the new rule will prevent some refunds from falling through the cracks, leading to a stronger financial incentive for airlines to avoid delays and cancellations.

The new rules also require price transparency, forcing airlines to disclose baggage, change and cancelation fees up front. Those fees must also be shared with third parties.

“Healthy competition requires that as a consumer, you comparison shop, which means knowing the real price of a trip before, and not after, you buy,” Buttigieg said.

The refund rule will take effect in six months. The fee transparency rules will begin being phased in in six months. Buttigieg said he is confident the new rules will hold up in court against any potential legal action from airlines.

Copyright 2024 Gray DC. All rights reserved.

Body found on I-24 in Nashville, police say

Hendersonville restaurant owner, two family members killed in head-on crash

Body of missing man found on side of I-24 after apparent hit-and-run crash

Crash damages I-24 overpass in Smyrna

Teen wanted in deadly shooting of rapper in Nashville

Latest news.

Firefighters help save 9-year-old boy pinned between 2 cars in crash

FTC refunds over $5 million to Ring doorbell camera users

Riley Strain’s family and friends support petition for ‘Riley’s Act’

Judge declines to dismiss lawsuits filed against rapper Travis Scott over deadly Astroworld concert

Overturned truck on I-65 S