There are so many great places in the world that it can take time to decide where a person should go on vacation. With everyone’s busy schedule and many travel websites, picking a destination can be challenging. In this blog article, we have gone through our trip-planning process and compiled a list of five of our favourite global parks.
The Show Near Me website is a great resource for finding parks near you. The website allows you to search by address, zip code, or keyword. You can filter the results by type of park (city, state, national) or recreational activity (fishing, hiking, biking). The website also includes information about each park, including its hours of operation and amenities.
Our Top 5 Parks
Central Park in New York City
This iconic park occupies over 843 acres of land. It is home to various attractions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Central Park Zoo, and Alice In Wonderland Memorial Walks. It’s also a popular spot for joggers, walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders.
Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew Gardens
This charming garden is home to over 20 million plants and over 2,000 acres of gardens. Visitors can enjoy walking trails and floral displays from their homes or take a guided tour.
The British Museum in London
This massive museum contains an extensive collection of worldwide artefacts dating back over two millennia. Highlights include art history, archaeology, natural history, and civil engineering exhibits. Entry to the museum is free for all visitors every day (with some exceptions).
The National Gallery in London
Featuring works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt van Rijn, and this renowned gallery is one of London’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (until 9:45 pm during the summer season), making it easy to explore at your leisure.
Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles
With its amusement park rides and themed attractions such as SeaWorld and Universal Studios Hollywood, this beachfront boardwalk is a popular place to spend a day. It’s open from 10 am to 11 pm every day, and admission is free for all visitors.
The Best Parks in Europe
If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, head to one of these European parks. From towering mountain ranges to lush rainforests, each park offers unique sights and experiences that are sure to please nature lovers of all ages.
Alps National Park –
This national park offers stunning views of the towering peaks and pristine valleys in the foothills of the Alps. The park is also home to many glacier lakes and towering snow-capped peaks. Activities include hiking, skiing, biking, and camping.
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern –
Nestled in the heart of Austria’s mountains, this national park offers hikers access to some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, including towering cliffs, rushing rivers, and ice-covered peaks. Hiking trails meander through forests and up high into the mountains, while horseback riding is also popular among visitors.
Plitvice Lakes National Park –
Lying in Croatia’s mountainous interior, these lakes offer stunning views from atop rocky cliffsides or below crystal-clear waters. Swimming, boating, fishing, rappelling (down waterfalls), and hiking trails abound throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an ideal destination for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Cinque Terre National Park –
Located on Italy’s Mediterranean coast near La Spezia, this national park encompasses five ruggedly beautiful villages with breathtaking coastal views. Activities include hiking, climbing, swimming, and kayaking.
The Greek Isles –
With more than 100 islands scattered across the Aegean Sea, there’s plenty to explore in Greece’s national parks. Highlights include the stunningly beautiful Peloponnese peninsula and the rugged island of Mykonos. Activities include hiking, swimming, biking, and rafting.
The Best Parks in Asia
Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful parks, and these natural havens offer peace and tranquillity. From lush rain forests to towering peaks, each park has unique features that make it a favourite destination for nature lovers. Here are our picks for the best parks in Asia:
Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Gardens, London
This venerable garden is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exotic plants and impressive gardens filled with botanical specimens from all over the world. The gardens are also home to several working horticultural facilities, making them an interesting place to visit even if you aren’t interested in plants.
Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most iconic parks in Southeast Asia and one of Malaysia’s top tourist attractions. The park encompasses an area of over 1,000 square kilometres and features stunningly rugged terrain made up of soaring mountains and deep valleys. It’s easy to see why this park is so popular with photographers and hikers alike.
Victoria Falls National Park, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s most famous natural wonders, and this national park is located nearby, where the waterfalls pour into the Zambezi River. The park features many landscapes, including misty rainforests and dramatic cliffs, and is a popular spot for hiking, birdwatching, and rafting.
Elephant Nature Park, Bhutan
This park is home to more than 2,000 elephants, making it one of the continent’s largest elephant sanctuaries. The park is also home to several other large mammals, including lions, leopards, warthogs, and hundreds of birds. It’s an awesome place to go if you’re interested in wildlife conservation.
Huangshan National Park, China
Huangshan is a popular destination for nature lovers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Best Parks in North America
The best parks in North America vary drastically depending on what you’re looking for. If you want a stunning natural setting, head to Yellowstone National Park. For a more urban experience, check out New York City’s Central Park or Boston Common. Whether you’re looking for an activity-filled day or just some peace, there’s a park perfect for you. Here are our top picks:
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is one of the world’s most iconic nature destinations with its astounding geysers, bubbling mud pots, and towering mountains. The park is home to some of the world’s largest mammals (like grizzly bears and elk) and vast landscapes filled with gardens of wildflowers. It’s also a great place to hike, bike, or relax in the company of nature.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is another must-see park if you’re interested in natural beauty at its finest. With soaring peaks, rushing waterfalls, and miles of picturesque hiking trails, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring this fantastical landscape. There are plenty of opportunities for camping and hiking here, too – so be prepared for some rugged terrain!
Rocky Mountain National Park
If hiking isn’t your thing, head to Rocky Mountain National Park instead! This sprawling wilderness encompasses dozens of mountain ranges and lakeside meadows, making it an ideal destination for hiking, biking, skiing, and more. Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and swimming in the summertime.
Acadia National Park
There are plenty of opportunities for camping and picnicking here, too – so make sure to pack your favourite snacks!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are another iconic American park perfect for nature lovers of all experience levels. With miles of hiking trails, crystal-clear rivers, and towering peaks, this park has something for everyone. It’s also a great place to explore by bike or car – so you can pick your routes.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a place to spend an afternoon or a full day, there are plenty of great parks. And if you’re looking for ones that offer amazing scenery, interesting attractions, and activities for all ages, then we’ve got just the list for you. From busy urban areas to sprawling countryside parks, these five destinations will have you returning time and time.