There is a wide variety of soft adventure opportunities in the USA
Perhaps you are the type of person who relishes the opportunity to scale towering peaks, ride an off-road bicycle across treacherous terrain, or explore sea caverns that have tempted countless divers to their deaths.
Or maybe you’d rather take it easy and take a stroll through some beautiful landscape, ride your bike along some flat routes, or go snorkeling to see some fish.
There are people out there who enjoy extreme adventure trips and who wouldn’t have it any other way. Soft adventure, on the other hand, attracts a wider audience, including kids and people who have blown out dozens of birthday candles.
One of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism business is soft adventure travel. It covers a wide variety of pursuits that people of varying degrees of physical ability can participate in and enjoy. One of the most rapidly expanding demographics in the USA is the over-50 set.
Outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize relaxation over adrenaline will find a plethora of options.
IF YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN HIKE
If you can walk, you can trek, and there are usually plenty of pleasant walks within driving distance of your home, if not further.
The “High Line” is a park in Manhattan that runs along an old elevated train corridor. It’s decked out with plants and artwork and looks out over the Hudson River and the cityscape.
To the north, hikers of all ages and skill levels can reach breathtaking vistas of Niagara Falls. They can be easy strolls in flat terrain or difficult scrambles over rocky trails.
One hundred miles of Trinity Trails wind through Fort Worth, Texas, and provide access to a wide variety of scenic areas. One of these is a waterfall that the Monarch butterflies use as a resting place on their yearly journey north.
The historic Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys is a favorite of locals and tourists alike for its easy hiking terrain. It was erected (1909–1912) to serve as a railroad span, but since a companion overpass was completed, pedestrians and cyclists have increasingly preferred to use the old flyover. Many anglers congregate on the bridge, earning it the nickname “the longest fishing pier in the world.”
CATCHING YOUR DINNER AROUND THE COUNTRY
Good fishing spots are usually not far from where people reside. Those looking for the pinnacle of fishing experiences can pick from a variety of options.
California’s Lake Tahoe is the continent’s largest alpine lake. Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, and mackinaw can all be found in its depths during the warmer months.
Tidal creeks and salt marshes surround Charleston, South Carolina, which is located at the meeting point of three rivers. There are plenty of red drum, flounder, and speckled trout in the waters of the Lowcountry. Billfish, yellowfin tuna, and other fish of the deep congregate along the coast where the Gulf Stream flows.
SURPRISING PLACES FOR SUPER SAILING
The flat plains of Kansas provide plenty of prevailing breezes, making the state a surprise choice for sailors. In fact, the average wind speed is higher in Cheney Lake, which is located near Wichita. This makes it a top candidate for the title of “best sailing lake in the United States.”
If you’d rather just bob around on the surface of the water and occasionally take a peek at the marine life below, you’re in luck. You could be closer than you think to some excellent snorkeling and diving spots.
Coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and seagrass beds fill the 178 square miles that make up Florida’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are almost 600 different species of fish to see while you swim over or among the 50 different types of colorful coral.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a great place to go snorkeling if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary in the state of Mississippi. Tropical fish like pinfish, pipefish, seahorses, and more lurk in the seagrass, waiting to be seen by divers.
SOFT ADVENTURE CAN BE FOR THE BIRDS
Sightings aside, bird watching is a wonderful way to enjoy nature while also taking in the fascinating sights, sounds, and smells of our winged friends. All 50 states’ worth of National Parks provide superb possibilities for mingling with the clouds above. Forty of these have been designated by Birdlife International as GIBAs.
Some locations are like little continents packed with opportunities for gentle exploration. Myrtle Beach was blessed by Mother Nature with a bounty of breathtaking scenery.
Canoe and kayak excursions of spectacular marshes and cruises to observe animals like dolphins, alligators, and sea turtles are just a few of the many outdoor activities available in this coastal region of South Carolina.
When it comes to available activities, some resorts are like miniature versions of the country as a whole. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Mountain Lake Lodge offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, treetop adventures, archery, badminton, beach volleyball, and more.
As you can see, there is something for everyone on this list, as soft adventure encompasses a wide variety of pursuits. And you may get them from a variety of locations.
