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9 boardless, cardless games to play anywhere

Sometimes, fun-loving groups of people find themselves in places where fun resources are scarce. Especially when traveling — you and your friends might be hankering for some playful competition in places where board games and card games aren’t an option.

So, if you’re all in a hot tub, a hut in the jungle, a turbulent five-hour bus ride, hiking, or waiting in the coils of a very long line and are looking for much-needed entertainment, here are a few games that require absolutely no materials — no table, no boards, no cards, and sometimes, not even a pen and paper.

1. How’s Yours?

In this game, a group of people teams up against one guesser to give clues that strike a balance between too easy and too hard. It’s a little bit like 20 questions, but the only question the guesser can ask is, “How’s yours?”

1. The guesser leaves the room (or just covers their ears and hums if you’re all stuck in a small space together).

2. The rest of the group comes up with something that everyone in the group owns or has. A few examples: a passport, a refrigerator, or a tattoo.

3. Once decided, the guesser approaches a person with the question, “How’s yours?” The questioned person gives a truthful clue that will eventually help the guesser figure it out, but nothing too vague or too obvious.

4. The guesser is only allowed one guess per clue given, and the guesser can either go around asking in a fair circle or pick on people indiscriminately for clues.

5. Vague clues like, “Mine’s made of matter” or “mine’s pretty good” are pointless because the guesser will never get any closer.

6. If your clue is too obvious and the guesser guesses the object on your clue, then you lose and you’re the next guesser. If the item is a passport, for example, you probably don’t want to say, “Mine is full of stamps.” Better clues for passport: “Mine might be worth something on the black market” or “mine has an expiration date.”

2. I Went To Market

This may seem like a pure memory game at first, but there’s actually more to it than that. It’s also about using mental associations and mnemonics to think of things that only you are likely to remember. Optimum group size is two to five people.

1. The first person starts, “I went to market and bought a _____.” Say it’s a magazine.

2. The next person lists what has been said before, then adds something. “I went to market and bought a magazine and a pocket knife.”

3. Person three: “I went to market and bought a magazine, a pocket knife, and a margarita.”

4. Whoever errs is eliminated until one winner is left.

3. Fishbowl

This game goes by many names (you may have played it as Bip Bop Boop). It’s called Fishbowl because you’ll need a fishbowl, hat, vase or something to draw paper slips from. You’ll also need a phone to use as a timer. The game is played with two teams and in three rounds. It’s like a combination of Taboo and Charades. Number of players can range between four and 12.

To start: Cut or tear three strips of paper for each player. Each person must think of a proper noun (a specific person place or thing), such as “Homer Simpson,” “The Continental Divide,” and “FOX News.” Write each item on a strip of paper, fold in half, and place in the fishbowl. If eight people are playing, there will be 24 strips of paper in the fishbowl. Divide yourselves into two teams and name your teams.

Round 1: Let’s call this the “Taboo” round. Team 1 picks a performer who will try to get her own team members to guess as many items as possible in two minutes. They can say anything BUT the words on the strip of paper. Suppose they pick “The Continental Divide.” They’ll say something like, “This is a line along a mountain range that separates the water that goes east and the water that goes west.” Once their team guesses correctly, they throw the strip of paper down and quickly moves to the next. Remember — speed is key. The clock is ticking! If the team gets stuck, the performer can return the strip of paper to the fishbowl and forfeit the point. After two minutes, Team 1 keeps all the strips on the floor as “points,” and Team 2 gets two minutes to win the remainder of the strips. Repeat until all strips have been guessed and awarded as points.

Round 2: Let’s call this the “One Word Only” round. All strips are returned to the fishbowl and shaken up. Team with the most points from the last round goes first (or, alternately, continue turn-taking). Repeat the process of Round 1. This time, however, the performer can only say ONE word as a clue. Let’s say they pick “The Continental Divide.” They can say “mountains” or “line.” That’s it. Their team guesses it, he throws the slip down, draws the next one from the fishbowl, etc. Quick — clock is ticking!

Round 3: Let’s call this the “Charades” round. All strips are returned to the fishbowl and shaken up. This time, the performer can’t say anything or make noises. They must act out the item. If they pick “The Continental Divide,” they must act out a mountain range somehow.

Once all points have been scored on all three rounds, tally up the points and see who won. Note that the total number of points will equal strips of paper times three. So, in a game with eight players and 24 strips of paper, the sum of each team’s total points should be 72.

4. Would You Rather

More a rhetorical exercise than a game, this one’s about thinking up scenarios that are equally weighty. Creativity is key. The best part of the game is to see where the subjects wander. It can get heavy and philosophical, but it’s most fun to shoot for levity and laughs. A few to get you started:

1. Would you rather have a leg that has fallen asleep for a week, or a funny bone tingle in your elbow for a week?

2. Would you rather live in a hunter gatherer society or 12,000 years in the future?

3. Would you rather have a permanent boogie hanging from your nose or a permanent piece of parsley stuck in your teeth?

5. Two Truths and a Lie

A getting-to-know-you game, but still a little spicier than obligatory ice-breakers.

1. Each person comes up three “facts” about themselves, two of which are true and one that is not.

2. Then everyone else guesses which two are true and which is the lie.

3. If you manage to stump everyone, you get a point.

Tip: There can be a lot of lag time between turns since it takes a lot of thinking up. Make the three “facts” similar in format. For example, 1) I have this tic where I rub my fingernails underneath each other, 2) I have this tic where I bite my lower lip when I’m trying to recall something, and 3) I have this tic where I smell new food before eating it. Or, “I have this cousin who… / when I was a kid I wanted to be… / I used to have this nickname… / Every morning I… / I once won this contest… etc. If you have at least two truths of a kind, then making up a lie is easier.

6. Fortunately Unfortunately

This is a storytelling game that works well in bad luck circumstances. It will get you thinking about how much worse (and better) things could possibly be.

1. The first person comes up with the premise. “Once there were two identical twins who could always hear each other’s thoughts.”

2. Person two adds with a turn-for-the-worse plot twist. “Unfortunately, one day, one of them got the Price is Right theme song stuck in his head.”

3. Person three takes the story on a turn for the better. “Fortunately, this gave the other a great idea: a road trip to Los Angeles to be in the live studio audience.” Take the story as far as it will go, and see how badly (or happily) it can end.

7. Trace Messages

This is a sweet and cozy game for two. No winners, no losers, just good tactile fun with language.

1. Person one thinks of a message of several words for person two.

2. Person one then chooses and area of person two’s skin that person two cannot see. The upper back works well, or the forearm as long as person two doesn’t peek.

3. If the message has more than one word, decide together what ‘spacebar’ will be.

4. Letter by letter, person one writes her message on person two’s skin. Person two cannot guess until either a full word or the full message is complete.

8. The Category Game

This is a bit like Scattergories, minus the time limit and board. Each person is a team of one.

1. The group decides on a category, such as “breakfast cereals” or “countries” or “kinds of birds.” Tip: The best categories will have at least several hundred possible common-knowledge items in that category.

2. Each person takes turns contributing an item in that category. If you repeat something that someone has already said, or if you fail to come up with something in a reasonable amount of time, you’re eliminated.

3. Play until only one person is left. That person wins the round and gets to choose the category for the next round.

9. Marry, F*ck, Kill

This one is similar to “Would You Rather” but has a darker tone. It’s more for cruel laughs than for points.

1. Someone comes up with a group of three similar items. They can be famous people, foods, places, etc. Everything is fair game. For example: a pet chimpanzee, a pet lion, and a pet snake. Or, more innocently, pie, cake, and donuts.

2. Everyone else has to choose one of these items to marry, one to f*ck, and one to kill. Explain your answers if you feel like it. Cast judgment if you want. It’s just a game.


More like this: How group travel can actually be good for your mental health

The post 9 boardless, cardless games to play anywhere appeared first on Matador Network.

Best candy not sold in the US

People in the United States love candy. According to the US Census Bureau, each American eats 22 pounds of candy a year. Compare that to around 25 pounds per year of apples, the most consumed fruit in the US, of which nearly 14 pounds comes from apple juice. This is, by almost every measure, a nation of sweet tooths.

Yet for all of the love we lavish on our sugary treats, we’re missing out on so many more. But that’s part of what makes traveling to another country and perusing their grocery stores so exciting. From British classics to Brazilian bonbons, these are the Matador staff’s favorite candies that aren’t regularly sold in the US.

1. Sugus

Photo: SUGUS Schweiz Suisse/Facebook

Sugus are a chewy candy that were first made in Switzerland in 1931. Today, the brand is owned by Wrigley’s international division and is popular across Europe, South America, and Asia — but isn’t available in the USA. Popular fruit flavors include strawberry, grape, apple, and orange.

2. Carambar

Photo: Carambar/Facebook

Invented in France in 1954, Carambar are long, individually wrapped chewy candies. The original is caramel, but today you can find a whole range of sweet and sour flavors. In 1969, the brand started putting jokes on the inside of the wrapper — a practice that has grown to define the brand.

3. Brigadeiros

Photo: D1 Photography/Shutterstock

A Brazilian candy that’s a staple for all types of celebrations. The fudge-like treat is made with condensed milk, chocolate powder, sugar, and butter. It’s believed to have originated in 1945 when supporters of presidential candidate and air force brigadier Eduardo Gomes passed them out (hence the name). Brigadeiros are commonly made at home, while gourmet versions can be found throughout Brazil.

4. Sonho de Valsa

Photo: lidiasilva/Shutterstock

These bonbon candies, also from Brazil, have a hard chocolate outside and a soft cashew filling inside. Sonho de Valsa translates to “Waltz Dream,” and the bright-pink wrapper has the image of a couple dancing. The romantic name makes sense, as the chocolates are often given to loved ones. The candies were first made in 1938 by the company Lacta, though it’s now owned by Kraft.

5. Violettes

Photo: MisterStock/Shutterstock

There are many candies that are shaped to look like flowers, but few actually use flowers as a main ingredient. That’s the case with violettes, a popular candy from Toulouse, France, made by brands like Candiflor. The flowers are dipped in syrup, coated in sugar, and then dried for a floral, sweet treat. Other places reshape the candies to look more aesthetic than the basic petal shape. Toulouse used to be the epicenter of all things violet, with liqueurs, perfumes, and more made in the city. Production had faded enough by the 1980s that the New York Times lamented the passing of the violet heydays in a story titled, “Candied Violets: How Very French.”

6. All of the Japanese KitKats

Photo: gnoparus/Shutterstock

It’s well known that Japan has the best (and most exclusive) KitKat flavors. Strawberry, green tea, matcha, soy sauce, red bean — the list of hundreds of limited release and regional flavors goes on. New KitKats inspire people to rush to stores and stock up, and for good reason: Japan is the only place in the world where KitKat hype controls the candy conversation. We’re not alone in wishing this kind of candy innovation would make its way stateside.

7. Mozartkugeln

Photo: kasakphoto/Shutterstock

Famed musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756. In 1890, a candy was invented in Salzburg that celebrated Mozart and his hometown: the Mozart-Bonbon. It had a nougat center, layer of marzipan, and hard outer shell of Austrian-roasted chocolate. Today, it’s called the Mozartkugeln, but not much else has changed — including its availability in the US candy stores.

8. Curly Wurly

Photo: urbanbuzz/Shutterstock

Up there among the most fun candy names to say is the Curly Wurly, which is made by Cadbury in the UK. The concept is simple enough: a caramel center covered in milk chocolate. It’s the shape that gets you. The caramel and chocolate are braided together like a ladder. The economical people out there may be thinking this just means less actual candy in the same bar shape, but don’t be a Scrooge and enjoy the whimsy.

9. Refreshers

Photo: chrisdorney/Shutterstock

Imagine if you combined the flavor of SweeTarts with the effervescence of an Alka-Seltzer tablet. Refreshers are little round candies that are fruity and lightly fizzy, making for the best of both worlds. The traditional packaging is a roll of varying flavors, but there’s also a chewy version.


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The post The 9 best candies that aren’t sold in the United States appeared first on Matador Network.

Ethical Airbnb animal experiences

Animal tourism is… dicey, to say the least. While getting out in nature and appreciating wild animals in their natural habitat is all well and good, other practices like elephant rides, tiger encounters, and even zoos have come under fire in recent years, causing many to shun the practice of using animals as a tourist attraction. Just last week, Trip Advisor announced it would no longer sell tickets to attractions that breed animals in captivity, affecting places that offer dolphin riding and even SeaWorld. Which makes it an interesting time for Airbnb to come out and announce they are launching Animal Experiences.

Thankfully, ethics are at the forefront of the new offering, which encourages people to spend time with animals in a sustainable, cruelty-free way. All of the experiences were reviewed by the World Animal Protection organization, and either actively help or do not disrupt the animals in any way. The majority of the interactive experiences are with domesticated animals, like dogs or horses, and the more exotic wildlife involves appreciating them from afar. To celebrate the opening, Airbnb will have eight lucky guests attend an underwater KISS concert for sharks, who apparently love rock music. You can enter to win it here, but if you can’t snag a ticket, here are 13 other animal experiences on Airbnb worth checking out.

1. Paddleboard with a Corgi

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Cost: $38

Photo: Airbnb

The opulent mansions and over-the-top yachts of Ft. Lauderdale’s canals are some of the city’s best sites. And they’re best viewed not from a motorized tour boat but from a tranquil stand-up paddleboard helmed by Mr. Beaches, an adorable Welsh Corgi. Lacking arms or the ability to speak, Mr. Beaches will delegate tour-guiding duty to Natasha Baker, who’ll take you through the waterways and keep on the lookout for manatees and dolphins, which sometimes swim through.

2. Help abandoned dogs in Chernobyl

Chernihiv, Ukraine

Cost: $380

Photo: Airbnb

As television shows tend to do, Chernobyl has turned this onetime nuclear wasteland into a bona fide tourist destination. And though there’s been some controversy about this sort of disaster tourism, one way to see the site and contribute in a positive way is spending the day with Dogs of Chernobyl. This organization helps the descendants of the dogs who were left in the 30-mile Exclusion Zone after the disaster, giving them food and shelter in the tough Ukrainian winters. After assisting the dogs, you’ll then tour Pripyat, a city of 40,000 that was left completely empty after the meltdown in 1986.

3. Kayak with penguins

Cape Town, South Africa

Cost: $41

Photo: Airbnb

The famous African Penguins at Boulder Beach can sometimes turn into the sort of over-touristed attraction that makes you say, “Gosh, this looked so much nicer on Instagram.” Avoid the crowded boardwalk and see the penguins from the water, paddling by in a sea kayak instead. Your guides Terry and Jon are “qualified Marine Conservationists” who’ll teach you all about the penguins before heading to Windmill Beach for some sun time. Then it’s off to Ark rock to observe fur seals frolicking in the water before heading back and learning a lesson about sharks. Hopefully not first hand.

4. Learn beekeeping from urban beekeepers

Hamilton, Ontario

Cost: $38

Photo: Airbnb

We all know the importance of bees in our ecosystem and the massive threat they’re currently facing, correct? Well, so do these Hamilton beekeepers, who’ve cultivated a rooftop hive to help keep pollination healthy in Ontario. Luc will give you a tour of his hive (which also happens to have sweeping views of the city) and explain how bees work together, as well as delve deep into their importance for human existence. At the end, you’ll leave with a jar of fresh honey, and yes, you will get protective clothing.

5. Practice downward dog with kittens

Kanab, Utah

Cost: $15

Photo: Airbnb

Goat yoga sounds like a novel idea until your realize it involves spending an hour listening to and smelling goats. You know what’s, like, 10 million times cuter? Kitten yoga. Yep, that’s right, after a brief 20-minute intro you’ll head into a full-on yoga class with Jessica and Wendy, who lead you through an hour of poses while the kittens roam free. After, you can grab yourself a tea, coffee, or new feline friend, as the Best Friends Animal Society will be on hand to help you with adoptions.

6. Picnic with a pig

Danville, California

Cost: $150

Photo: Airbnb

Initially, a pig might not seem like the ideal picnic mate, given their reputation for, ya know, being pigs. But you have not met Pickles, an adorable farm rescue who lives with Dill the Dog, animal rescuer Maddie, and some rescued chickens. Sounds a little like the first page of a children’s book, but it is in fact reality, one you’ll experience both at Maddie’s rescue home near Oakland and in a nearby dog park. At the park, you’ll watch pickles play gleefully with local dogs while you enjoy a gourmet picnic. And ultimately learn how smart and friendly pigs truly are.

7. Chill out with alpacas

Denver, Colorado

Cost: $35

Photo: Airbnb

No need to travel all the way to Peru for some winter fun with alpacas! Joseph will take you on a tour of his farm near Denver, where you’ll meet Picasso, Lawrence, Alan, Red Rocks, Gus, and Woody, and have ample time to pet, play, and take pictures with all of them. The farm also has a herd of goats, who you’ll get to play with, as well as several scenic walking trails perfect for enjoying the snow-capped winter scenery.

8. Cuddle with cows

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Cost: $75

Photo: Airbnb

Most people don’t associate cows with Hawaii, but on the most naturally diverse island in America you’ll find the Krishna Cow Sanctuary, where James will teach you about cows and how they are beneficial for the environment. After grooming, feeding, and milking the cows, you’ll get a chance to try cow cuddling therapy, where as the name might imply you nuzzle up to a cow and let its soothing breath relax you. Perhaps not the way you’d imagined de-stressing on your Hawaiian vacation, but a truly unique experience nonetheless.

9. Discover Arctic foxes

Isafjordur, Iceland

Cost: $180

Photo: Airbnb

Though it won’t be an easy day, necessarily, you will enjoy a full day hiking about 10 miles through the Arctic wilderness with Stephanie and Randolphe. The nine-hour trip splits guests into two groups — observers and photographers — with the former looking out for the majestic Arctic foxes and the latter hiding so they can take the perfect shot. During the excursion, you may also have the opportunity to see other Arctic wildlife like seals, eagles, whales, and Gyrfalcons.

10. Have tea with naughty sheep

Loch Lamond, UK

Cost: $41

Photo: Airbnb

On its surface, “stroking naughty sheep” sounds like a movie buried deep on the internet you probably don’t want to watch. But this activity is far more wholesome, where you’ll relax for high tea on an English farm, enjoying fine cakes while sheep hover around like dogs waiting for you to drop your dinner. The “naughty” part comes when the sheep try and eat your tea snacks right off the table. You’re welcome to tell them no, since at the end of the experience you walk them back to their barn, feed them tea, and pet them goodbye. After, take the hour-long optional walk through thick forest and on to a pub.

11. Save gibbons as a jungle research assistant

Phuket, Thailand

Cost: $95

Photo: Airbnb

Gibbons, the fluffy little primates nearly hunted to extinction 40 years ago, have made a mildly impressive comeback in the jungles of Thailand. You’ll spend the day with the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand helping gibbons recover further, making a special nutritional supplement wrap in a banana leaf, and sending it to them via long-distance tube. After feeding time, you’ll become a full-fledged research assistant, helping your host as he tracks gibbons through the jungle, telling stories along the way. In addition to seeing gibbons, you also may encounter flying lemurs, Oriental pied hornbills, and golden orb-weaver spiders.

12. Rehabilitate some Spanish donkeys

Seville, Spain

Cost: $22

Photo: Airbnb

A far cry from carrying Sancho Panza across the Spanish countryside, these rescue mules spend their days enjoying the sunshine in El Refugio del Burrito near Sevilla. For half a day, you’ll visit with them, beginning with a traditional Andalusian breakfast of coffee and mollete, then join the staff for morning feeding. Later, you’ll participate in what’s described as a “positive training session to rehab scared or traumatized donkeys,” which we assume means lots of petting and love.

13. Go on a wild parrot safari… in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, New York

Cost: $10

Photo: Airbnb

Did you know there are actual wild parrots that live in New York City? Not that it should really surprise anyone, but a flock of wild monk parakeets — also known as Quaker parrots — calls Brooklyn home, and guide Stephen Carl takes you to their nest, telling the story of how they ended up here (not surprisingly, that origin may involve organized crime). The hour-long tour takes you to the nest then further out into Brooklyn if the nest is empty. If nothing else, this might be one of the most cost-effective ways to spend a morning in New York City.


More like this: 11 hotels where you can ethically play with animals

The post From playing with Chernobyl dogs to cuddling with cows, these are the coolest new animal experiences on Airbnb appeared first on Matador Network.

Alec Baldwin scammed by NYC tour

Sometimes it just takes one notable incident for authorities to finally crack down on long-time criminals. In this case, it was the victimization of Alec Baldwin. For many years, scammers in Lower Manhattan have been selling unauthorized “Statue of Liberty cruises” and then sending them off on a bus to New Jersey to view it from afar. Nothing has been done about this until this weekend when Alec Baldwin and his family were scammed (celebrities, they’re just like us!). Now the city is ordering these companies to cease and desist.

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So, we head to South Ferry. Me and @hilariabaldwin Two sharp, savvy NYers. Kids in tow. We buy the tickets for the “boat tour” of the Statue of Liberty. We are escorted to a shuttle bus. To New Jersey! I kid you not. We paid. Then we read the tickets. NO ON EVER MENTIONED NEW F***ING JERSEY!!! This is a scam. Take the SI Ferry. It’s the best ride in NY.

A post shared by Alec Baldwin (@alecbaldwininsta) on Oct 6, 2019 at 12:10pm PDT

Baldwin said he spent $40 per ticket for himself, his wife, and three children to visit the Statue of Liberty by boat before learning they had actually paid for a long shuttle bus trip to New Jersey.

Anyone can tell that the crackdown isn’t exactly a coincidence, especially if you listen to Alec Baldwin himself. “I think if it’s someone who’s well known, who has a lot of followers in the media…” he said, “I doubt my recommendation is going to move de Blasio’s office in any direction. But if you see someone write something and many, many other people chime in and say, ‘I’ve had the same experience,’ I think that’s what it was.”

In a statement, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Tourists and visitors have been taken for a ride, and it’s unacceptable. We won’t let up until illegal and deceitful practices are a thing of the past.”

While a spokesperson for the mayor did not admit a direct correlation between Baldwin and the crackdown, they did say, “Mr. Baldwin brought increased attention to the issue tourists and visitors face every day, and our agency partners are continuing to work together until this problem is a thing of the past.”


More like this: These scenic ferry rides are the best way to see Europe

The post NYC cracks down on fake Statue of Liberty boat tours after Alec Baldwin was scammed appeared first on Matador Network.

The best surfing in Guatemala

When surfers think of Central America, Guatemala is often not even on the list. The focus of most travelers to Guatemala is on the colorful villages and stunning landscapes of the country’s mountainous interior. That is about to change as surfers recognize the incredible, consistent swell that graces Guatemala’s Pacific coastline, and as travelers of all stripes discover the simple charms of the tiny fishing village of El Paredon.

It’s off the beaten path of surf travel.

Photo: Robin Izaguirre/Shutterstock

A two-hour drive down a winding mountain road will lead you away from the quaint colonial city and backpacker’s hub of Antigua, westward towards the Pacific coast. After an hour and a half, the highway ends and a loose sand road traces the coastline, funneling into Sipacate Naranjo National Park. There, where the mountains halt and give way to dense mangrove forests, black volcanic sands, and merciless tropical sun, you will find the diminutive fishing village of El Paredon, Guatemala.

Central America has attracted surfers to its Pacific coast for decades. Every summer — when it’s actually winter in the Southern Hemisphere and storms created abundant south swells — surfers from all over the world flock to Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and El Salvador in search of perfect, uncorrupted surf.

Guatemala, however, has managed to fly under the radar as a surf destination until recently. The country has existed as a vagabond’s paradise for years, but the lack of a coastal highway and the absence of point-break-friendly topography has created the inaccurate impression that Guatemala is a subpar surf destination. The reality is that Guatemala’s south-facing coastlines receive reliable swell year-round, often in the form of powerful, barreling waves.

It’s akin to traveling in a different time — for now.

Photo: Morgan Bernand

El Paredon has long been a local hotspot for holiday weekends and beach getaways for residents of Guatemala’s more populous interior. But its budding reputation as a backpacker’s town with a high-octane beach break is beginning to attract visitors from outside the country. El Paredon exists in a state of flux, stuck between what it was and what it may soon become. Those lucky enough to have visited the black sand shores know it as a charming coastal community that makes up for what it lacks in modern comforts with a welcoming spirit, invigorating surf, and a simple way of life.

While there is one hotel and one hostel with air-conditioned rooms, plus a small community of villas to rent further down the beach, most of the town’s lodging options exist in the open air under thatched roofs. WiFi is a scarce commodity in this part of Guatemala, which adds to the town’s charm since you’ll actually be able to unplug. Within the dusty, sand-packed streets of the town, a mere 150 feet past the women kneading dough to churn out freshly made tortillas by the dozen, travelers will find an internet café housed in a concrete shell guarded by a garage door. Located next to the town’s bakery, tourists savor the aroma of sweet breads as they desperately attempt to stay connected with the outside world. If you’re in El Paredon for long enough, you may find yourself enjoying life unplugged.

It’s not a far detour from popular backpacking routes.

Photo: Morgan Bernand

Guatemalan sites like the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the cobblestone streets of Antigua, and the sundry lakeside villages along the mountainous shores of Lake Atitlan attract backpackers in droves. Some of these travelers find the country so enthralling they never leave. These attractions are in the country’s interior — where the stunning Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain range dominates the landscape and makes Guatemala a wonderland for outdoors enthusiasts.

The coast, however, has not received as much attention from travelers and lacks the tourism infrastructure of the interior. Despite the lack of a coastal highway or paved roads, El Paredon is a mere two-hour drive from Antigua and roughly three hours from Lake Atitlan. With the recent recognition of El Paredon as a serious surf destination, daily shuttles now run between the coast and the popular interior sites.

It’s growing.

Photo: Cocorí Lodge El Paredon/Facebook

To find out more about the surf scene in El Paredon and throughout Guatemala, I tracked down the guys behind surfinguatemala.com for a post-surf conversation on the beach in Paredon. Diego, Ito, and Walid — the founders of surfinguatemala.com and Cocorí Lodge — are part of a small and growing community of native Guatemalan surfers.

The founders hail from Guatemala City but grew up exploring the powerful Pacific coastline of their home country in search of waves. The trio first founded surfinguatemala.com to chronicle the various breaks that exist in the country, but the site has since evolved into a business with the sole purpose of getting the word out on the growing Guatemalan surf scene.

At the time of the site’s inception over 15 years ago, there were perhaps 50-100 surfers total in Guatemala. El Paredon had recently come to the attention of local surfers and foreign business owners when a road was built through Sipacate Naranjo National Park, accompanying the construction of a nearby new marina. Previously, the town was accessible only by boat.

Today, surfers can choose from a handful of different surfer-focused hostels/hotels that vary in price and quality. There are a small number of Airbnb options, where travelers can stay under mosquito nets and thatched roofs. Each hotel has an accompanying restaurant, and there are a few local fondas, or local eateries, which are no more than outdoor kitchens with dirt floors that serve delectable fresh, local flavors.

With the government’s plans to pave the road through the national park to make the marina and El Paredon more easily accessible, travelers can expect to see new lodging and dining options in the coming years. While growth is always a delicate situation with surf destinations, the founders at surfinguatemala.com and Cocorí Lodge are confident that the growth will remain sustainable with a focus on maintaining the pristine beach break.

There are serious waves.

Photo: surfinguatemala.com/Facebook

When I arrived for my first surf in El Paredon, the surf forecast for the next few days looked mediocre at best — not typically a welcome sight on a surf trip. The groundswell was small at just two feet, and the period was relatively short for Central America at nine seconds. (Short period waves follow each other back-to-back, usually carrying less energy in each one than those that have condensed the swell’s energy into fewer, more spaced-apart waves). When I stepped onto the beach, however, I was met with pumping, head-high surf that packed a serious punch.

I was surprised to find how much power I felt in the ocean during such a mediocre run of swell. And with the morning offshore winds, it turned out to be a remarkable session. This happened a few days in a row until the forecast switched to objectively good surf, which it was as well.

I brought up the forecast anomaly with guys at surfinguatemala.com to try to understand what was happening in the water. It turns out, El Paredon is entirely south facing and completely out of the shadow of the Galapagos Islands. This means that any south swell that creeps up out of the Antarctic will hit El Paredon in full force, without bending or yielding in any way. The result, as Diego puts it, is that “there’s always a wave to surf,” either in El Paredon or somewhere else on Guatemala’s unsullied coastline.

The power of uninhibited swell can be felt in the water at all times in El Paredon. It should be noted that it is not a beach where beginners can simply wade into the water at any time without instruction or guidance. The rip currents there are some of the strongest I’ve felt in nearly a decade of surfing up and down Central America. That being said, at the right tide and under proper guidance, surf lessons ensue each day at El Paredon with great success.

It’s environmentally aware.

Photo: noga f/Shutterstock

Sipacate Naranjo National Park, a government protected nature reserve, is home to a vast and ever-changing ecology of coastal plants and animals. The park is also home to a sea turtle conservatory that plays a vital role in the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. The residents of El Paredon do their part to preserve their corner of paradise. While the town is small and rural, recycling is a vital part of everyday life.

Wandering through the sandy streets of Paredon, it’s easy to see the importance that the community places on their natural environment. Elaborate murals of sea life decorate the few blocks that make up the town of El Paredon. Every morning at 5:45 AM, juvenile sea turtles are released into the wild from the beach by the conservatory, an event not to be missed by travelers. To combat damages of poaching, the Driftwood Surfer Hostel raises money to buy eggs off the poachers and donates them to the conservatory.

There’s more than just surf.

Photo: The Driftwood Surfer/Facebook

El Paredon’s cavernous barrels and empty line-ups may draw surfers from all over the world, but many of the travelers who set foot on the black sand beach in El Paredon don’t surf. El Paredon’s development as a surf town has coincided with its evolution as a must-see beach town for backpackers traveling through Central America. If you’re not spending hours on end in the water in El Paredon, your days are most likely filled with morning yoga sessions at Cocorí Lodge, ample pool time, tours through the mangroves by kayak or paddleboard, visits to the sea turtle hatchery, sand volleyball games, and plenty of Gallo beer.

Nights in El Paredon can be relaxing, but when the weekend comes around, the town comes to life with beach bonfires, live music at Cocorí Lodge, and drinking games at the Driftwood Surfer. The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. So, in addition to backpackers from the States, Australia, Europe, and Israel, travelers will find themselves mingling with locals from El Paredon, weekenders from the city, and aid workers from Antigua.

While it may not be listed in any guidebooks or surf magazines as a premier Central American surf and beach destination, that may soon change. For now, El Paredon stands as one of the few destinations that beckon to the origins of surf travel, existing isolated out of the reach of mainstream tourism, internet, and crowds. Get there soon.


More like this: After the protests, surfers are saving Nicaraguan tourism

The post El Paredon, Guatemala, will be Central America’s next coveted surf destination appeared first on Matador Network.

Breaking Bad pop-up in Los Angeles

Ok, yeah, it’s cool there’s a Breaking Bad movie coming out next week and all. It’s no trip to Albuquerque, but it’ll be nice to get your Jesse Pinkman fix for the first time in six years. And though El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie will immerse us back into the sinister world we fell in love with in the late-2000s, it won’t put us smack in the middle of the show the way, say, a themed pop-up bar might.

Oh, wait… here come the guys from Saved by the Max, who just in time for the Breaking Bad movie’s release are bringing us The Breaking Bad Experience, opening October 16 on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. The perfectly timed pop up will offer us all 90-minute increments to come as close as ever to living like Walter White (assuming you make good life choices, that is).

Photo: Floyd Davis

According to Derek Berry, one of the partners behind the pop up, the Breaking Bad Experience will include “an assortment of Insta-worthy set recreations from all five seasons of the show.” These include a mock-up of Los Pollos Hermanos and the iconic 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV.

“When the timing aligned for this to become our next concept, we saw an opportunity to cook up our most immersive experience yet,” he said via a press release.

Ahh… cook. We get it.

Though they won’t be “cooking” in the way Walter and Jesse were, they will have even more pun-tastic stuff on the menu like the Loaded SAULsa nachos and the full-measure grilled cheese (a half sando is a half-measure). There’ll also be themed drinks, including the new Schraderbraü beer, Hank’s homebrew that was actually made by actor Dean Norris, which is being released in select stores in conjunction with El Camino. Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston’s mezcal brand makes an appearance on the bar menu too.

Photo: AMC

Tickets will run $30 for 90 minutes inside, and that’ll include one food item and one drink. Berry and his partners worked in conjunction with Sony Pictures to bring this to life, and it comes with the full stamp of approval from Breaking Bad’s creator.

“It’s exciting to be able to give the folks who supported the show for all these years the chance to experience Walt’s world firsthand,” Vince Gilligan said via a press release.

Unlike a superlab, the Breaking Bad Experience will be open during normal business hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. You can buy advance tickets here, and if the massive popularity of Saved by the Max — which sold out an entire three-month run in less than an hour — is any indication, they won’t last long. Though longer, hopefully, than a fresh bag of baby blue.


More like this: Beyond blue meth: Albuquerque worth visiting for more than ‘Breaking Bad’

The post A Breaking Bad pop up is headed to LA, right in time for the opening of ‘El Camino’ appeared first on Matador Network.

Is cannabis kosher?

The Fiddler on the Roof’s Anatevka, it turns out, didn’t really have traditions for everything. How to eat, how to sleep, how to dress, sure. But how to take marijuana? Somehow that got left out of the Talmud.

Though Tevye, Yetne, and Motel the Tailor may never have considered the Jewish dietary implications of cannabis, it’s a real issue in 2019. With medicinal marijuana now legal in a majority of states in the US – as well as Israel – and recreational legalization on the rise, finding cannabis that’s certified as kosher is a real concern for observant Jews. And even goyim are looking for the big K symbol on their cannabis like they might on a pack of hot dogs, a clear indication of a quality product.

But how is a plant that was until very recently illegal getting certified as kosher? And who, exactly, are the rabbis cool enough to be doing it?

Is cannabis kosher?

The casual observer might think a vegetarian product like cannabis would automatically be considered kosher as it’s never touched milk, meat, or pork — especially if it’s been properly blessed. But it’s not that simple.

“Becoming kosher does not mean just blessed by a rabbi,” says Rabbi Yakov Cohen, a leading rabbi in certifying kosher cannabis. “It means ‘fit for consumption’ based on a body of laws covering a huge spectrum from meat to dairy, bugs, wine, and fish. And there’s a lot of details that go into those laws.”

This is why the famous Kosher Kush strain – which won a slew of High Times Cannabis Cup awards earlier this decade – isn’t actually kosher. Anecdotally, it was the first strain ever blessed by a rabbi. But it never went through the process of certification, and is therefore no more kosher than your standard eighth of Chemdawg.

In order to be certified kosher, every raw material a cannabis producer uses must be certified as kosher, as must all of the equipment it uses. This means the raw materials cannot have come from non-kosher sources, and the equipment can never have been used for non-kosher materials.

Photo: Fruit Slabs/Facebook

“We used a THC distillate, and we had to go back and make sure the ethanol used in that distillate was kosher,” explains Roxanne Dennant, CEO of Fruit Slabs, which makes a certified Kosher cannabis fruit roll up. “We have to have all the certificates of analysis for our materials, and make sure we have the kosher sticker on the box. It’s a process.”

A rabbi like Cohen must inspect all of this, then sign off on a facility and give it their blessing. But the rabbi can still stop by to make sure everything there is, literally, still kosher. Meaning companies like Fruit Slabs must constantly negotiate with suppliers to ensure they comply with Jewish dietary law.

But does Judaism allow cannabis consumption?

Just because something is legal does not always mean it is right. So rabbis walk a tricky line when handling certification of a product that was deemed illegal not so long ago.

“It’s a controversial subject among rabbis,” Rabbi Cohen says. “All the rabbis hold that because a decision was made… everybody’s understanding is that recreational marijuana is forbidden. So no rabbis will give a kosher certification for recreational. But medicinally, some rabbis agree they will give it.”

Cohen’s role in the cannabis community stems from his personal struggle. Six years ago his son was diagnosed with brain cancer, and after going through chemotherapy and radiation in his home state of Texas, Cohen’s son relapsed again. After reading some of the groundbreaking cannabis research coming from Israel, Cohen took his family to California to get his son a medical prescription. The therapy worked, and his son improved.

But the family had to return to Texas, and when an illegal shipment of medicinal cannabis was held up at the post office, his son was out of options. His son declined, slipped into a coma, and ultimately passed away.

“I feel like we’re doing this, in a sense, so our son didn’t die in vain,” Cohen’s wife Devorah says. “If we can make someone’s life better, help someone have a better quality of life, I believe his life had a real purpose.”

While Texas law didn’t allow for medicinal marijuana, because of its medical properties, Jewish law now does. While this doesn’t mean all rabbis will grant kosher certifications, it did lead one of Israel’s leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis to declare marijuana kosher for Passover. That means it’s now more acceptable during that time of year than beer.

Israel is a holy place for cannabis too.

Photo: ElRoi/Shutterstock

If one looks at the history of marijuana research, it’s almost surprising it took this long for kosher cannabis to become a thing. Israel, after all, is not only the cradle of the world’s three major religions, but it’s also the cradle of cannabis.

It was here that Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, first isolated the THC and CBD molecules in the 1960s. His work ultimately led to the Israeli government backing more medicinal marijuana research than anyone in the world in the 1990s, with CNN’s ubiquitous Sanjay Gupta dubbing it the “medical marijuana research capital of the world.”

“We’re number two in the world for investment outside Silicon Valley,” says Saul Kaye, CEO of ICan Israeli Cannabis, which, among other things, puts on the annual CannaTech conference. “We’re second in the world behind China for cannabis patents. And we’re incredibly entrepreneurial.”

Though Israel has yet to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, the business and financial infrastructure is ready to go once that happens — regardless of whether more rabbis begin kosher certification or not.

Destigmatizing cannabis through the kosher symbol of quality

“We’re not giving the K symbol for a pothead lifestyle,” says Devorah Cohen. “But there is a stigma that needs to be removed. When you get something that has the kosher symbol on it, they know that product is high quality. It has a certain level of purity.”

That quality assurance is a huge part of why commercial cannabis suppliers are striving for kosher certification.

“It opens access for observant Jews, yes,” says Jeff Maser, founder and CEO of Tinley Beverage, which produces a line of cannabis drinks. “But kosher is a mark of quality to the market at large. So when we found a way to make our product kosher certified, we jumped on it.”

Maser’s line of drinks was certified by Rabbi Cohen and is now available at recreational dispensaries in California. Customers can even pay for them in advance and have them delivered on Friday night or Saturday, like a Sabbath elevator for cannabis.

Edibles, Cohen says, are a rabbinical grey area, since they can be viewed as recreational or medicinal. And while he only advocates for medicinal use, he’s not blind to its other uses either.

“I’m only here to make (cannabis) available for people who want it medicinally,” he explains. “What people do with it recreationally? That’s none of my business.”

Still, the rabbi believes his work, if nothing else, will help destigmatize cannabis in the Jewish community and help people who can benefit from its properties. He tells the story of a couple in his community who had a baby daughter suffering from over 300 seizures a day, to whom the rabbi suggested using CBD. The couple balked because of the cannabis stigma, and the daughter now suffers from neurological damage.

“Even though it’s useful, people won’t touch it,” he says. “So that’s why we work on giving cannabis kosher certification. To help people, and destigmatize it so it can be more available and have more people willing to try. In a life-threatening situation you do whatever you have to to save a life. But if there’s kosher options available, and it makes the person feel better, why not?”


More like this: Everything to know before going to a state with recreational marijuana

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Mt. Kilauea hiking trail reopened

A year after the devastating eruption of Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii, triggering over 60,000 quakes around the volcano’s summit, the popular Kilauea Iki Trail has finally reopened. The quakes had damaged much of the park, but visitors will be able to once again walk the four-mile loop from the rim of the crater to its floor — and now, they’ll be able to see the massive boulders that resulted from the quake.

Although part of the trail reopened in April, the complete trail hasn’t fully reopened until now, thanks to the efforts of work crews from nonprofit organizations like Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Despite their efforts, however, the park will never quite be the same. The lava lake in Halemaumau Crater near the summit has vanished, and the crater doubled in size, with the Jaggar Museum, containing geologic and cultural artifacts, now sitting dangerously close to the edge. The building was damaged so seriously, however, there are doubts about whether it will reopen at all.

Hikers on the trail can expect to begin their journey in a lush forest before passing into the floor of the crater. Here they will walk across hardened lava — the remains of a lava lake that existed as recently as 1959.


More like this: Sustainable travel guide: Kauai, Hawaii

The post One year after volcanic eruption, the popular Mt. Kilauea hiking trail is open again appeared first on Matador Network.

Best towns for LGBTQ road trip

For the queer traveler, despite the appeal of the open road, traversing the United States eventually means that they’ll be stuck in some states that are less than accepting of their lifestyles. Contrary to popular belief, however, there are safe havens for queer travelers that exist all over the country, including in places that you wouldn’t ordinarily think of — like Arkansas and Kansas. So, to ensure that the open road remains just as friendly to the LGBTQ traveler, we’ve discovered the best places to go on your queer-friendly US road trip.

1. Taos, New Mexico

Photo: Nick Fox/Shutterstock

Although New Mexico’s larger cities, like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, are welcoming destinations for the LGBTQ traveler, it’s Taos, with its decades-old art community, that proves to be the most compelling stop on your queer-friendly US road trip. At its core, Taos is a historic arts colony propelled by the progressive-thinking bohemians who have dwelled within its city limits for years. Whether you’re snapping pictures of the centuries-old Taos Pueblo or venturing through the historic architecture and shops downtown, a detour to Taos is a great addition to a New Mexico driving itinerary.

Where to stay: Taos Inn

2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Photo: Sue Stokes/Shutterstock

Compared to other states, Arkansas is not one that has a history of LGBTQ equality. Despite this inequality present at the state level, Eureka Springs, a getaway in the heart of the Ozarks, is a beautiful and queer-friendly destination. If what you’re seeking is an idyllic and quiet stop on your trip, then Eureka Springs has this in spades, with dozens of shops, restaurants, and establishments that also double as queer-friendly establishments, like the 1905 Basin Park Hotel and Ermilio’s. While you’re there, be sure to dig into some barbecue and revel in the small-town charm.

Where to stay: Lesbian-owned Pond Mountain Lodge & Resort

3. Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan

Photo: Kenneth Sponsler/Shutterstock

If you’re traveling across the Midwest, be sure to make a pitstop in the queer-friendly twin cities of Saugatuck and Douglas. Just two hours away from Chicago, these neighboring towns are laid-back resort destinations that offer a plethora of lakeside restaurants and funky boutiques. If you want to unwind after a long day spent in the car, head to the gay-owned Dunes Resort, which has an on-site restaurant and gay nightclub.

Where to stay: Gay-owned Pines Motor Lodge or Dunes Resort

4. Guerneville, California

Photo: Kara Jade Quan-Montgomery/Shutterstock

Unlike the typical vacation experience expected to be had in California, the one in Guerneville is far from pretentious. Located just 70 miles from San Francisco, this small town surrounded by idyllic hiking and camping locales is home to several gay bars, stylish shops, restaurants, and queer-owned hotels and resorts. While you’re there, be sure to head to Johnson’s Beach for a swim among the redwoods. After you’re done swimming and lounging in the sun, head on a wine-tasting tour to end the night on the right note.

Where to stay: Gay-owned R3 Hotel

5. Ogunquit, Maine

Photo: Firefly_NewEngland/Shutterstock

If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly alternative to Cape Cod and Provincetown, queer travelers should head to the equally scenic Ogunquit, Maine. Less than 30 minutes away from queer-friendly Portland, Ogunquit is also friendly to the LGBTQ traveler, known to many as the “New England gay resort town.” Aside from being incredibly gay-friendly, the town of Ogunquit offers many queer-owned nightclubs and bars, as well as a number of seaside restaurants and shops that can make any weary traveler feel right at home — in a tranquil and idyllic paradise. Pro tip: Be sure to check out the festive lobster shacks in town that can provide you with a unique taste of the local culture.

Where to stay: 2 Village Square Inn

6. Asheville, North Carolina

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Though the southern portion of the US is not exactly known for being queer-friendly, Asheville, North Carolina, has established itself as one of the best and brightest LGBTQ-friendly destinations in America. Aside from its stunning natural beauty and artistic community, Asheville is also known for its extensive array of independent shops, quirky queer bars, and inexpensive entertainment. During your stay in Asheville, be sure to go dancing at Scandals, the most popular gay bar in Asheville, and then, the next morning, head to the Biltmore Estate for a great Instagrammable experience.

Where to stay: Gay-owned North Lodge on Oakland Bed & Breakfast

7. Astoria, Oregon

Photo: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Instead of heading to the popular queer haven of Portland, drive instead to Astoria, Oregon, a city located on Oregon’s northern coast. Aside from its beautiful coastal scenery, the town of Astoria has a lively LGBTQ community and a generally welcoming and friendly atmosphere. While you’re passing through Astoria, make sure to pay a visit to one of its many local breweries and coffee shops, including gay-owned Astoria Coffee House & Bistro. Then, after a heavy dose of caffeine, you’ll be ready to hit the road again or just take in the stunning views of the rugged coastline.

Where to stay: Commodore Hotel

8. Blue Ridge, Georgia

Photo: Serge Skiba/Shutterstock

While in the middle of the South, find some safety and relaxation within the arms of the welcoming and queer-friendly town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Located in the Appalachian foothills, this mountain town is nearly chock full of quaint charm. Whether you’re hiking the nearby Appalachian Trail, dining at one of the many upscale and inventive restaurants in the downtown area, or you’re hitching a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, the charm of Blue Ridge is sure to captivate well beyond the time you leave its city limits.

Where to stay: 3 Bears Cabin

9. Sedona, Arizona

Photo: Nikolas_jkd/Shutterstock

Any road trip out West would be incomplete without a stop in Sedona, Arizona — a destination replete with natural beauty. Not only that, but many are quick to point out how welcoming Sedona is to all visitors. To see this natural beauty for yourself, schedule a guided tour of the red rocks either on foot or on a bicycle. Then, after your adventures outside among the rocks, pay a visit to the town’s main drag, where a number of art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants paint a unique picture of this Arizona town.

Where to stay: Junipine Resort

10. Wichita, Kansas

Photo: KSwinicki/Shutterstock

To get to the places on your road trip bucket list, it’s likely that you’ll at least have to trek through a portion of the conservative Midwest. Thankfully, there is a queer haven that exists in the most conservative portion of the region — Wichita, Kansas. And, aside from simply being a safe space to rest after a long day spent in the car, Wichita has a number of queer-owned bars and nightclubs. However, if you’re not looking to dance the night away, indulge in one of the many unique restaurants, boutiques, or art galleries to be found in the historic Delano District.

Where to stay: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview

11. Morehead, Kentucky

Photo: ScottymanPhoto/Shutterstock

Despite the fact that liberal Louisville has long established itself as one of the prime queer-friendly destinations in the US, the town of Morehead, Kentucky, has recently become a vacation favorite of the LGBTQ community. If you make it the city early enough in the day, you can go tubing on Cave Run Lake or hike through the area-famous Daniel Boone National Forest. Then, settle in for the night with a walk through the downtown area, complete with unique shops and restaurants.

Where to stay: Poppy Mountain Campground

12. Short Mountain Sanctuary, Tennessee

For those on the more artistic side, a visit to Short Mountain Sanctuary in Woodbury, Tennessee is a must on your queer road trip. This queer sanctuary and accommodation is a 200-acre faerie sanctuary and safe queer space just 50 miles away from Nashville. If you have more time to dedicate to this destination, you’ll have plenty of time to participate in group activities and events that are meant to strengthen your ties to the LGBTQ community, like craft-making and faerie celebrations. On-site camping is available.

13. Huntington, West Virginia

Photo: Dee Browning/Shutterstock

Along with finding a new appreciation for the Appalachian Mountains, visitors to Huntington, West Virginia, will also find a welcoming and queer-friendly environment with which to relax in during a long road trip. During your stay, get a true taste of Huntington’s hospitality by taking a walk around the Heritage Station, a covered train depot that has a plethora of local boutiques, bakeries, and artisan shops. From there, you can spend more time walking around the city’s award-winning rose garden, the Ritter Park Rose Garden. Then, after you traverse the dramatic scenery of the land, head to one of the many gay bars and nightclubs.

Where to stay: Trainmaster’s House


More like this: The 10 best LGBTQ-friendly small towns in the US

The post The best places to stop on your LGBTQ-friendly US road trip appeared first on Matador Network.

The best state parks

When US President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service into existence in 1916, he committed our country to protect some of our most beautiful and naturally unique settings. The idea was actually born some 44 years earlier with the designation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, which put the geysers, mountains, and natural wildlife habitats of northwestern Wyoming under protection for generations to come. And come they have. According to official statistics from the National Park Service, over 318 million people visited national parks in the US in 2018.

However, being stuck behind a line of RVs and camper vans crawling over Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park at a timid 12 mph is no more fun than being stuck in a torrential downpour during a mountain hike. Crowded highways, parking lots, and overlooks are increasingly common at many of the most visited national parks, which is an unfortunately unavoidable result of positive appreciation. The thing about crowded parks, though, is that they’re likely right near a state park that isn’t getting nearly as much attention.

Far from the local stepchild of national parks, state parks can make a viable addition to — or even an alternative to — your next national parks road trip. State parks are more affordable, often less than $10 per day for as many people as you can cram into one vehicle. Because access permits aren’t required at most state parks, expect trails, river put-ins, and fishing spots aplenty, with fewer people jostling for that perfect selfie at a scenic overlook and less competition at campsites. And, state parks tend to have far less stringent regulations surrounding dogs — while Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow dogs on any hiking trails, for instance, nearby State Forest State Park has no such restrictions.

Here are the best state parks near the five busiest national parks.

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Annual visitors: 11.5 million
Panther Creek State Park, Tennessee

Distance from national park: 1.5 hours

Photo: Melinda Fawver/Shutterstock

With over 30 miles of trail access within park grounds and more nearby, Panther Creek State Park offers Appalachia’s rolling green hills and the bonus of on-water activities at Cherokee Reservoir. There’s even a disc golf course for when leisurely competition calls and some of Tennessee’s best fishing. Campsites can be booked in advance, and the park has Wi-Fi for routing the next stage of your adventure. Get the family out on the Old Wagon Trail, or hit the Hunt Knob Trail for more of a challenge.

Gorges State Park, North Carolina

Distance from national park: 1.5 hours

Photo: Jill Lang/Shutterstock

As the name suggests, Gorges State Park is ringed with river gorges that feature some of the most striking waterfalls in the southern US, and is home to one of the region’s most diverse collections of rare plants and wildlife. The gorges’ towering rock walls and expansive views give it a sort of Yosemite-in-the-southeast feel, and the hiking is on par with Appalachia’s best. For a light jaunt, hit Bearwallow Valley Trail, or try the Foothills Trail if you’re looking to make a day of it.

Near Grand Canyon National Park

Annual visitors: 6.4 million
Homolovi State Park, Arizona

Distance from national park: 2.5 hours

Photo: Traveller70/Shutterstock

Homolovi State Park is an entirely different feel from the Grand Canyon, home to native Hopi ruins and hiking trails that run across the high prairie grasslands. The park is home to more than 300 archaeological sites including 14th-century Hopi pueblos and artifacts from prehistoric residents of the area. This park is equal parts outdoor experience and cultural wonder, so expect to learn a thing or two about how the southwest has changed over the past 600 years.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah

Distance from national park: Just over three hours to Grand Canyon, 30 minutes to Bryce Canyon

Photo: Angela Dukich/Shutterstock

Expect to stop every few minutes to take photos of the towering, spiral-shaped rock monoliths at Kodachrome Basin State Park. They’re known as sedimentary pipes, and they make this park quite similar to Arches National Park. The Sentinel Trail is the must-do hike here, though its most famous site, Shakespeare Arch, actually collapsed earlier this year. You can easily turn this into a parks road trip for ages by taking advantage of a plethora of parks in the southwest. Start with Canyonlands or Arches national parks, visit Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks, and then dip a bit further south to unwind in the party scene surrounding Lake Havasu State Park.

Near Zion National Park

Annual visitors: 4.3 million
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah

Distance from national park: 40 minutes

Photo: bjul/Shutterstock

In the same region of the country as the Grand Canyon is Zion National Park. The Spectrum reported that Zion National Park saw over four million visitors this summer — more than double the number of visitors the park saw just a decade ago. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park sounds like a place you might find closer to the tropics rather than in southern Utah. It nearly resembles the image too, save for the lack of an ocean. This is perhaps the best place in the country for sandboarding, and ATV riding is accessible as well. If you’ve been to Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park, Coral Pink is a similar experience without the RVs. The sand appears pink because it is actually eroded Navajo sandstone, another factor separating these dunes from others.

Near Rocky Mountain National Park

Annual visitors: 4.6 million
State Forest State Park

Distance from national park: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Photo: Colorado Parks & Wildlife

State Forest State Park takes the title for the dumbest park name, but spend a few days backpacking through the park and summiting the 12,900-foot Clark Peak and you won’t be thinking about the name at all. If summiting a peak isn’t your bag, try the Gould Loop Trail or American Lakes Trail, both doable in a morning if you get an early start.

Lory State Park

Distance from national park: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Photo: marekuliasz/Shutterstock

If you’re on the Denver side of Rocky Mountain National Park, head to Lory State Park for backpacking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Trails wind up above Horsetooth Reservoir, climbing up peaks and overlooking the city of Fort Collins in the distance. Put the East Valley and West Valley trails together for a 5.5-mile loop that is perfect for a moderately challenging hike or a quick morning bike ride.

Near Yellowstone National Park

Annual visitors: 4.1 million
Sinks Canyon State Park

Distance from national park: 3.5 hours

Photo: Sinks Canyon State Park

Sinks Canyon State Park brings the defining characteristics of the Wyoming outdoors together in one place. Mountains to the west, groves of aspens and forested hillsides, and the canyon itself, so named because the Popo Agie River actually dips underground in the canyon like a stream of water flowing into a sink. The mountains are anchored by wide-open rock faces, and hiking the Falls Trail and Canyon Trail along the water as it cuts through the park is about as tranquil an experience as you can expect to have. There’s a high probability that there won’t be anyone else around — except for the birds, which makes this one of the best places for birding in all of the west.


More like this: The least crowded national parks you can visit this summer

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