10 Adventurous Destinations You Should Visit

Credit: Emily Jo Sutcliffe

There are many reasons why you should start planning your next adventure right now. The most obvious reason would be the experience you stand to gain from all of your adventures. But the most important one should be your health.

Did you know that outdoor activity has remarkable benefits to your overall health? Not only that, but adventurous experiences help you forget about your everyday rut and let you experience an alternate life you never knew you wanted.

So, let’s embark on a journey across the world’s most adventurous destinations you should definitely visit.

1. The undeniable beauty of Niagara Falls

You might think that there’s nothing special about Niagara Falls, but you’d be wrong. Niagara Falls is one of the most adventure-packed places you can visit. You can explore the Niagara Falls State Park on the U.S. side, take a scenic tour and enjoy the glory of the falls from a helicopter, or sail into the mist of on the Hornblower, which is the Canadian version of the Maid of the Mist. You can zip line towards the falls, have dinner at the very edge, or even go behind the falls – the list of options is practically endless.

2. The unique landscape of Yellowstone National Park

Credit: Elijah Hiett

The extraordinary experience of Yellowstone National Park starts from the moment you drive into it. The park offers land and water adventures, numerous geologic features, and wildlife unlike any other. There are hundreds of geysers active throughout the year, at least a dozen hot springs and many lakes. But the most prominent feature of Yellowstone National Park is the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States – an experience definitely worth exploring.

3. Nature overload in Newfoundland & Labrador

How amazing would it be to witness the first sunrise in North America? Due to its unique position, Newfoundland & Labrador offers some of the most amazing adventures. You can go kayaking around stunningly beautiful geological formations, explore shipwrecks, visit Viking landing sites, watch 80,000-pound whales leap out the water… the list goes on and on.

4. The crown jewel of America’s National Park System

Credit: Claire Fischer

Whether you’re the type of person who likes to enjoy the serenity of nature or you’re just itching for the next adventure, Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park can quench your thirst. You can spend your days fly-fishing, walking and hiking, or you can take a flight-seeing tour across the park – we suggest the latter. Who wouldn’t want an aerial tour over one of the most majestic places on planet Earth?

5. Kauai, the Garden Island

If you’ve never been to Hawaii, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Not only is Kauai the lushest of all the islands in the archipelago, but it’s the oldest one as well. The island offers a unique opportunity to experience pristine beaches, lithified sand dunes and a system of underground caves unlike any other. Kauai is the perfect place to enjoy ocean rafting, sea kayaking, catamaran sailing, scuba diving, and horseback riding.

6. Da Nang, the marble of Vietnam

Credit: Jordan Opel

A large majority of travelers tends to miss out on Da Nang and go right for the more popular tourist locations such as Ha Long Bay or Ho Chi Minh City. If you truly want to experience Vietnam, you need to visit the Marble Mountains, explore the rainforest at the Son Tra Peninsula or rent out a motorbike and head out to Hai Van Pass. There are so many things to do on a motorbike in Danang that once you start exploring, you’re going to wish you had more time on your hands.

7. The eerie history of Skeleton Coast

Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is one of the best places for adventure-seekers. The country’s position allows for a unique clash of land and water with massive sand dunes spanning along the coast. Skeleton Coast offers a variety of safari adventures and ranks among the top locations in the world. So, if you want to explore ghost cities, visit the largest ship graveyard or tackle the near-vertical sand dunes with 4×4 Jeeps, the Skeleton Coast is the right place to start.

8. The Galápagos Islands, Mother Nature’s playground

One of the most beautiful volcanic archipelagos in the world is nested in the Eastern Pacific, close to a 1000km (605mi) from South America’s west coast. The Galápagos Islands are praised for the distinctive natural habitats that spark the most thrilling adventures. You can spend your days exploring the amazing wildlife, such as the Galápagos sea lions, giant tortoises, white-tipped reef sharks, etc., or go biking, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking… whatever you choose to do, you’ll be exploring a true adventurer’s paradise.

9. The Midgard adventure of Landmannalaugar

There are only a handful of surreal landscapes on planet Earth and Landmannalaugar is definitely one of them. The magnificent highlands feature lava fields, snow-capped mountain peaks, and hot baths that combine into a unique experience. You can also travel on foot with tour guides or rent 4×4 trucks and enjoy in the aesthetic appeal of Landmannalaugar from a whole other perspective.

10. The picturesque Great Ocean Road

Credit: Johan Mouchet

If your life goal is to visit breathtaking landscapes, then Australia’s Great Ocean Road should definitely be on your list. One of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet offers majestic rock formations, lush ranges, dramatic gorges, massive arches, and mesmerizing grottos. Do you want to go swimming with seals and dolphins? Do you want to explore eerie shipwrecks engulfed in colorful marine life? If you do, then you need to visit the Great Ocean Road.

So why wouldn’t you make your life an adventure? Why wouldn’t you take care of the alternate you, the one who’s seeking adventures and life-altering experiences? Start by making this your bucket list and we promise you won’t regret it.

About Peter Minkoff

Peter is a men's lifestyle writer at The Beard Mag (http://www.thebeardmag.com/) and Men-Ual magazine (http://www.men-ual.eu/) from the UK. Besides writing he worked as a men's grooming consultant for many fashion events. Follow Peter on Twitter (https://twitter.com/MinkoffPeter) for more tips.