North America has a funny way of convincing people they’ve “seen it all.” They spend a weekend in New York, snap a selfie at the Grand Canyon, maybe eat an overpriced taco in Los Angeles, and call the continent conquered. They’re wrong. This is a land where abandoned ghost towns bake in desert heat, volcanoes reshape entire landscapes, ancient Indigenous cultures predate most of recorded European history, and forgotten Cold War relics slowly rust beneath dense forests. If you’re looking for sanitized vacations and matching family T-shirts, you’re probably in the wrong place.
At DESTINATIONS UNKNOWN, I’m far more interested in the places that make you ask, “Wait… people can actually go there?” That means wandering through eerie dark tourism destinations like Centralia’s underground mine fire, standing at the edge of active volcanoes, hiking into UNESCO World Heritage Sites that deserve far more attention than the gift shop, exploring forgotten forts, chasing wildlife through some of the continent’s last truly wild landscapes, and getting gloriously lost in cities where history, culture, food, and chaos collide. North America isn’t just beaches and theme parks. It’s one giant collection of incredible stories, many of which most tourists drive right past without ever realizing.
Whether you’re searching for epic national parks, hidden cultural treasures, abandoned places with disturbing histories, volcanic landscapes, unforgettable road trips, or cities that are actually worth putting up with traffic for, you’ll find them here. No sugar-coated brochures. No influencer fantasy. Just honest travel, ridiculous adventures, and the occasional reminder that the best destinations are usually the hardest ones to reach.
Popular Places to Visit in North America
Map of North America
Destinations to Explore in North America
Latest Destinations in North America
Hunting the Northern Lights: Chasing the Aurora
Some travel experiences aren’t just about the destination; they’re about the moments that make you stop in awe, overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of the world. Chasing the northern lights, nature’s most jaw-dropping light show, is one of those experiences that has failed me spectacularly over the past decade. Multiple trips to Iceland and Alaska …
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Everglades Jetport: Alligator Alcatraz Wasn’t Even Its Worst Idea
Before Alligator Alcatraz made headlines, the Everglades Jetport was already one of Florida’s greatest WTF moments: a massive runway built for Concordes, surrounded by swamp, alligators and absolutely nothing else.
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ValuJet 592: The Flight the Everglades Swallowed
On May 11, 1996, ValuJet Flight 592 departed Miami International Airport for what should have been an entirely forgettable flight to Atlanta. Eleven minutes later, the aircraft was on fire. Minutes after that, all 110 people aboard were dead. Flight 592 crashed into the Florida Everglades northwest of Miami, disappearing into a landscape so remote …
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TWA Hotel: Proof Air Travel Wasn’t Always This Shitty
After two million miles of boarding groups, shrinking seats and overpriced airport bullshit, the TWA Hotel at JFK is proof that flying wasn’t always this shitty. Step back into the Jet Age, when airports had personality, airplanes were sexy and passengers were apparently treated like actual human beings.
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Buckner Building: Alaska’s Soviet-Proof Shithole
Visit a 14-story decaying building from the World War II era that sits vacant in Whittier, Alaska
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Pinal Airpark: Because You Can’t Park a 747 at Walmart
When COVID absolutely wrecked global air travel, airlines suddenly had thousands of airplanes and nowhere to fly them. The solution? Park the damn things in the Arizona desert.
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Unveiling the Magnificence of Natural Bridges in Brookings, Oregon
Discover the mesmerizing beauty of Natural Bridges in Brookings, Oregon, where majestic rock formations and scenic coastal views converge, creating a haven for nature lovers and a must-visit destination for those seeking serenity and awe-inspiring landscapes.
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Gold Hill Dam: Oregon’s Accidental Graffiti Gallery
Hiding behind some bushes near an Oregon highway is an abandoned piece of Gold Hill Dam covered in graffiti, decay and questionable access. It’s basically Centralia’s Penis Highway with concrete walls, fewer tourists and a much better chance you’ll drive right past without ever knowing it exists.
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Adapting to COVID-19: How Travel Has Changed
COVID-19 changed the world change in March 2020 with its rapid global spread. Almost overnight, the world closed for business. Entire countries retreated into isolationism and closed their borders to control the spread of an opportunistic virus too small to see with the human eye. Wanderlusters replaced long-haul trips to exotic locations with short-haul day …
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