USA is one of the largest and most diverse countries on the planet, full of breath-taking natural views. The country has some of the most iconic places in the world. One hand, it has charming cities; while on the other, it is home to many incredible natural sites. Yourquest to see and admire mother nature’s beauty can never be completed without visiting hill stations.The vast landscapes and beautiful mountains attract thousands of tourists every year. Our list of top three hill stations in the country will help you.
Aspen Colorado
Aspen is considered the most picturesque hill station in the United States, best known as winter wonderland due to its incredible ski slopes that host winter sports and draw in a fair number of tourists. Aspen is enclosed by the most stunning sceneries in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and offers many outdoor activities both for both summers and winters. Aspenhas something to offer for every tourist including high end shopping malls, museums, theatres, galleries, concert halls, restaurant and iconic resorts. Every season has its own exquisiteness in Aspen, mountains look peaceful with bright colours of wildflowers in summer and yellow leaves spread a yellow beauty all-over in the fall. Aspen exhibitsits beautiful architecture with its fine shops, restaurants and lodges. It is one of the few towns in Colorado that offers swanky and sporty fun activities. Surrounded by most beautiful mountains, Aspen is truly an outdoor heaven.
Some must-see places in Aspen include:
Roaring Fork River: This raging which river runs through downtown Aspen provides cliff jumping, rafting, and fishing opportunities at Devil’s Punchbowl, historical sites, and many different local arts attractions.
Aspen Art Museum: is most the popular cultural stop in the town which frequently hosts unique exhibitions.
Aspen/Snowmass Ski Resorts: Aspen offers four exceptional mountains for skiing and snowboarding: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk. During summer,skin resorts offer a range of alpine recreational activities.
Maroon Bells Scenic Area: It is perhaps the most shot spot in Colorado. Camping, fishing, and hiking are some popular recreational activities here.
Silver Circle: Aspen’s Silver Circle Ice Rink is a wonderful place to skate in winter; whereas in summers, the place transforms into a miniature golf course.
In addition to world-class ski slopes, other winter activities include cross country skiing, dog sledging, ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and snow tubing. During summers, hiking and horse riding are common activities around Aspen. The perfect end to your Aspen trip will be a rejuvenating health spa. The town has a range of health spas to offer.
Park City, Utah
Park City in Salt LakeTown of Utah can claim being the perfect and mostpopular mountain town in theState. Park city is popularly known for snowboarding, skiing, and chiefly for its annual tradition of Sundance Film Festival. The city shows a deep admiration for athletics, and arts communities. All sorts of accommodations, ranging from budget to luxury,are available to suit every traveller.
Park City’s historic Main Street boastsmany fine dinerestaurants all through down the line with plenty of shopping options. Should youwish to relax after a long day, crafted whiskeys and vodkas at the High West Distillery and Saloon will be a pure bliss. There are plenty of outdoor recreations as well. The winter slopes are quite famous; but,during summers, the mountains and nearby state parks & reservoirs transform into a hiking, mountain biking, fishing and camping place. There are close to 400 miles of maintained trails for mountain biking and hiking. Park City resorts open for all year-round activities. You will find a range of other family activities as well. The city offers activities all year round, from the Sundance Film Festival in January, the Utah Symphony/Deer Valley Music Festival throughout the summer months, to the ever-popular Kimball Arts Festival every August. Summers are full of adventurous and fun activities such as fly-fishing, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, river rafting, and golf; to name a few. Time flies by at Park City, plan your trip carefully to make the most out of it.
Girdwood, Alaska
Girdwood is one of the most beautiful towns in Alaska if you’d like to Kayak through a valley of glaciers or eat some fresh Alaskan seafood in a fine dine restaurant. Glacier Valley offers biking, skiing, rafting, fishing, hiking, gold panning and sightseeing in a beautiful northern rainforest setting. The town has a number picturesque locations, including mountains, glaciers, glacier valleys, rivers, and rainforests. Due to this, it attracts a large number of tourists who come to Alaska for sightseeing and relaxation.
Alyeska Resort is the only major ski resort in the valley. It is an excellent base camp for all your activities in South Central Alaska, situated less than 10 miles from Prince William Sound and just 60 miles away from the famous Kenai River.
Girdwood is a dreamland in winters with amazing things to do for both skiers as well as non-skiers. From slipping down Alyeska mountain on a ski or snowboard, to gliding along on Moose Meadows, winter activities are ample here. Hiking or snowshoeing the Lower Winner Creek Trail brings the awe of frozen waterfalls with crisp snow-capped mountains.
There is perhaps no better place in summers than Girdwood. Whether you come for the hiking trails to land for world-class fishing, or to stroke a glacier; Girdwood is the doorway for it all.
Some must to do activities in Girdwood include:
Ride the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway: Just seven minutes and you will reach high up to take in a stunning vista of mountains, hanging glaciers and much more. These seven minutes will give you the most awe-inspiring aerial view of Girdwood.
Pan for Gold: Pan for gold is a great family activity. Who wouldn’t want to dig gold at Crow Creek Mine. The Mine lets you pan for gold; and, the best part is, you get to keep it if you find the precious yellow metal! You will also get to seesome historic buildings with amazing views.
Hike Girdwood’s Great Trails: Take the Winner Creek Trail through lush forest and try the unique hand tram that crosses over Glacier Creek or ascent the North Face Trail.
Explore Portage Valley: Portage valley features a number of hanging glaciers. Take a one-hour boat trip out on Portage Lake, or walk the 5-mile trail of blue ice for panoramic views of mountains and hanging glaciers.
Take a Day Trip to see Glaciers: Take the Glacier Discovery Train to Whittier; from where, you can hop on a glacier and wildlife cruise into Prince William Sound.You’ll find the planet’s densest concentration of tidewater glaciers, and see them split and shed dramatically into the ocean, while watching out for wildlife like bald eagles, otters, and Dall’s porpoises.Take a Kayak on the calm waters for a personal experience.
Go Flight seeing & Glacier Dog Sledging: Flight seeing in Girdwood is stunning.Choose Alpine Air or take a scenic helicopter ride. You can even opt to land on a glacier with a 360-degree view of mountains and glaciers. They also offer glacier dog sledding. You can also ride a wheeled cart through gorgeous mountain trails on the Girdwood Summer Dog Sled Adventure.
Take Ascenic Bike Ride: Rent a bike to ride on biking trails, whether you want to pedal on a well-built trail or do some off-roading.You can bike through the lush forest and past gorges, or along trails with water and mountain views. So much is being offered to your eyes at Girdwood!
Ride the Train to Spencer Glacier: Spencer Glacier is a dramatic river of blue ice in an area with towering mountains, waterfalls, braided rivers, and many more scenic areas that make for amazing exploration. Therearepublic use cabinsthat you can rent and stay the night. Enjoy some family-group activities in the area such as rafting, nature walks, and camping. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre to see wildlife closely.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre: This centre showcases the State’s animals. See all kinds of unique creatures that make their homes here, like coyotes, bald eagles, bison, and bears.
Fusion of flavours: Explore and enjoy local restaurants &breweries in Girdwood town. Dining choicesin Girdwood are diverse. Food here seems to be inspired by many cuisines. This fusion has added an explosion of flavours. From worldly inspired cuisines, down-home cooking, to Alaskan Seafood creations and plenty of locally brewed craft beer,wine and cocktails; Girdwood has got it all. You can choose to eat in a high-end elegant restaurant, sit by a cosy fire, enjoy the sun on a terrace or grab a beer at the bar. Some places offer food with a view. Don’t miss to visit the bake shop and ice-cream shop.
Girdwood has many festivals being held year-round. So, plan your vacation to witness at least one of these great festivals in the mountains. Long story short, your trip is surely going to be an unforgettable experience!
