If you are not familiar with the term Utah Mighty 5, it refers to the very diverse collection of national parks within the state. These parks range from the stunning arched structures of Arches National Park to the landing only angels can alight in Zion National Park. The other three—Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Canyonlands—offer epic, dramatic hoodoos, and wildlife. Visiting these parks on one epic road trip is a real treat since you will explore landscapes shaped over years of rain, wind, and a little magic from Mother Nature!

This post will give you a visual taste of each park on this magical road trip!

This hidden gem, Hanksville, nestled in the beautiful but strange landscapes and rock formations of southern Utah, will transport you from Earth to Mars and then the Moon when you visit it. When I covered the Utah Mighty 5 (the five national parks in Utah) on my last road trip through Utah, I didn’t realize I was in Hanksville, and so I missed out on seeing the Moon!

Hanksville is the perfect place to jet off for all kinds of adventures—from national parks, secret slot canyons, hiking, biking, camping, and more. I highly recommend this area, and below I’ll cover the top 6 places you can visit within a three-hour drive!

Let’s go on a Utah adventure, shall we?

I chose this company because of its long history of working with the same people I look up to on Shark Week. They have been featured on numerous channels, including Shark Week, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, and NBC, which made me feel good about partnering with them. Another remarkable thing about them is that, if you are a film crew or a researcher, they provide so many services for your trip, such as:

• Stable & Seaworthy Boats

• Full Coast Guard Licensed Safety Equipment

• Professional Spotter Plane Assistance

• Experienced Shark Diver & Underwater Camera Assistant

• Professional and Experienced Crew

• USCG Licensed & Insured Captain and Crew

• Full Electronics GPS, Radar, Sonar

• Professionally Built Polycarb Shark Cage

• Extensive Marine Intel Network Surrounding South Florida

I took this trip more seriously than the others, as I had always wanted to be a marine biologist. I felt like I was on a research mission, asking my guide Alexis numerous questions. 

I belong to many solo traveler groups on Facebook, and this is the number one, if not the most, frequently asked question, right after "How do I solo travel?"

I will share my advice and debunk some of the other guidance I have encountered. One thing to keep in mind is that my advice may not suit everyone; people travel differently. However, consider approaching your travel in a new way.

Are you craving an epic road trip with unforgettable views? Then, this trip is for you! I've driven this route three times, and below, I will share what to expect, my favorite tips, and why you should do it!

Let's go on this larger-than-life road trip, shall we?

After three trips to Moab, I finally ventured beyond my usual campsite and tried something new. Though I was hesitant to leave my tried-and-true favorite, I’m glad I took the leap. Now, I’m excited to share my two favorite camping spots and what makes them truly special!

I have visited Moab three times now, and here are my favorite places I have checked out—they include parks worth exploring and local businesses to visit. However, if you plan to visit the national parks, you will need a National Park Pass.

I spent two days hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and will share my experiences on three trails, including their difficulty levels and my top recommendation for what to do if you have limited time in the park.

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I usually write about things I love or recommend places to visit. This post, however, is not one of those. I really disliked my time in Pigeon Forge, and while Gatlinburg was slightly better, it wasn't great either.

Cades Cove is the number one place to see black bears. During my three days there, I saw over 12 bears, including many baby bears and a male bear trying to go after a mom and her cubs to kill the cubs! If you don’t know, male bears will try to kill the cubs to force the female bear back into heat.

Boston is just a two-hour flight from Washington, D.C., making it a must-visit destination. I traveled there over President's Day weekend. The only downsides to my trip were that it wasn't long enough, and the weather was freezing. However, I managed to pack a lot into my visit! If you're planning a trip to Boston, here are my top recommendations to make your experience memorable and enjoyable!

San Francisco is a charming and electrifying city that really weaves old and new as you walk down its sidewalks. From its historic buildings to the artsy Victorian architecture to its multiple exhibits, you can really feel its history and culture. In this blog post, I will share my favorite places I went to and why you should allow the streets to help you wander!

Salem, Massachusetts, is a city rich in history, mystery, and a touch of magic for those willing to believe. Famous for its infamous witch trials of 1692, Salem today combines historical landmarks with enchanting experiences for adventurous visitors. Let's explore my favorite places from my day trip away from Boston!

The cable car experience was, without a doubt, my favorite tourist activity in San Francisco, aside from my solo visit to Pier 39, where I saw so many seals! In this blog post, I'll provide a brief history of the cable car and share essential information to help make your tour truly unforgettable. I’ll also tell you why I deemed this my favorite tourist activity!

Planning my January trip to San Francisco was such an exciting adventure, and my top priority was visiting the stunning Yosemite National Park nearby! I set off at 7 a.m. and returned at nearly 7 p.m., and the experience was absolutely unforgettable! I can’t wait to share some valuable tips for your trip and discuss whether the drive was truly worthwhile.

When exploring San Francisco, there are two hidden gems that you simply cannot miss. The first is a charming spot known for its handmade pasta. The second is said to have the world's best pizza—and no, I'm not exaggerating!

Additionally, I've included a third place as an honorary mention, which is recognized as the best Thai restaurant in San Francisco.

To be honest, you really need more than two days to fully explore Tucson, but my cousin and I were short on time because we had to head to California the next day, and I didn't get to see enough since I wasn't alone. However, if you only have one night and two days to explore, here’s the perfect itinerary for you.

I had a mission to visit and eat at In-N-Out. I blame this desire on seeing shows and movies where people sit in their cars with the famous sign behind them, enjoying a burger after a long night or a fight. I felt it was essential to experience In-N-Out for a complete California experience. Yes, I realize it may seem silly to romanticize a fast-food chain, but I feel the same way about another chain—Jack in the Box. After all, I’m from Arizona, and it's just so good.

Before my trip to Arizona, my cousin told me about this self-driving Uber-like car called Waymo. Trying a Waymo became my top priority in Phoenix.  If you have followed me for a while, you know I LOVE new experiences.  Self-driving car? This takes a whole different meaning of legit traveling solo!

Below, I will discuss Waymo, locations where you can try it, how to request a Waymo and my experience with it in Arizona and California. Waymo will be in D.C.!

If you follow my adventures on Wandering Bel, you know I am a hostel type of gal. But on this trip to Tucson with my cousin, we booked a stay at Graduate Hotel. This blog post will explain our one-night stay and why this is your number one place to stay in Tucson.