The travel industry is halted. When I came across a meme that said, “Check in on your friends whose entire personality revolves around travel,” I felt seen. This is a tough time for travel junkies as we’re trapped in the confines of our homes during the quarantine. But Coronavirus can’t keep us down forever and there are incredible trips to plan for a post-pandemic world.
The national parks are patiently waiting, spooky ghost towns are sitting tight, and hot springs are simmering. Take this time to plan the trip of a lifetime to celebrate the inevitable end of self-isolation. Whether you’re a tree hugger, an art lover, or a party animal, check out these dreamy trips to put on your travel bucket list once social distancing is a thing of the past.
FOR THE ADVENTURER: TAKE A TRIPPY ROAD TRIP ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Upon entering Coachella Valley, travelers strangely and surely feel a sense of calm, quiet, and culture come across the vast desert-scape. Look at it as the perfect trip to plan as you ease into life after self-isolation. Whether you’re venturing to Joshua Tree National Park to explore backcountry California or unplugging at one of the many epic Airbnbs around town (I see you: Desert Airstreams, UFO Futuro Home, Stargazer Cabin) Joshua Tree is a quirky desert destination that will fill you with wonder. From fascinating public art installations to old-timey historic saloons, Joshua Tree is full of curious places that feed the soul and quiet the mind.
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Once you've explored Joshua Tree in all of its wonder, head south towards the Salton Sea and hit some of the strangest US roadside destinations on the map. Bombay Beach will be first up. This 1950’s resort town has been since abandoned and turned into an eery, yet extraordinary travel destination packed with artistic touches around town. This is the perfect intro for what’s up next. A little further down the strip, you’ll come to Slab City and East Jesus. This land is currently inhabited by a bunch of (friendly) squatters and packed with fascinating experiences ranging from a huge dirt hill turned into a colorful religious shrine to an art park where all of the exhibits are created from trash. Get your total travel guide to Slab City and Bombay Beach here.
FOR THE PARTIER: RAGE FROM A DISTANCE BY FLOATING THE RIVER OUTSIDE AUSTIN
Planning a Texas float trip is like taking Vegas to the water. But, planning an Austin float trip after Coronavirus will only ensure the good vibes to be flowing faster and harder than ever. Here's the perfect Austin party weekend itinerary. Start with your stay. This quirky and quiet Austin Airbnb is an outdoorsy dream and sandwiched between Austin and the river which will be welcomed come float time. Looking for something a bit more central without sacrificing that strange Austin flare? Stay in this vintage trailer Airbnb just a stone's throw from downtown.
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Plan to party it up in Austin on Friday night, exploring everything the Texas capital has to offer. Start on Rainey Street hitting food truck after food truck for a dinner crawl. Then, grab a couple of drinks at the Container Bar: a perfectly Austin spot with an indoor/outdoor bar built entirely out of shipping containers. From there, head to The White Horse Saloon for a true taste of two-stepping. This stellar Austin country bar has incredible live music with plenty of partners to twist and twirl you to your heart's desire. Wrap up with a nightcap at Stay Gold, a groovy jazz bar, an Austin staple. Just remember, tomorrow is the real party prize so don't go too hard.
Saturday morning is go-time. Don't forget sunscreen, a speaker to pump the tunes, a waterproof phone bag, and water shoes. Head to Texas State Tubes by 11 am for an easy on, easy off float trip that isn't too far from Austin. Parking is free, just head to the tent to pay. Retro school busses will bring you to the river drop point. Then leave your responsibilities on land and hop into your tube, letting the river take you (and your inhibitions.) You should have plenty of time to float the river twice during a day, just hop back in line and pay for another ride. Trust me, you'll want it.
As for your hungover Sunday? Spend it forking down breakfast at the famed food truck Biscuits'n'Groovy and sunbathing at Barton Springs in Zilker Park, a free-swimming hole in Austin that's ease and beauty will be enormously fulfilling with no effort required.
FOR THE NATURE ENTHUSIAST: SELF-ISOLATION AT ITS FINEST IN ICELAND
Iceland is just about the perfect place to practice social distancing with a population well under a million, so you can only imagine that planning a trip to this stunning Nordic island is the ultimate post-quarantine travel destination. You can explore the breathtaking beauty of this country without taking all of your vacation days. All of these ventures require a vehicle. Rent a car or a sleeper van if camping is more your style. The cool thing about Iceland is that you can camp around the country in roadside parking areas for free.
The Ring Road (Route 1) is the key to the country as it appropriately wraps around the entire island. Take to the north after a day stay in Reykjavik to see the epic natural beauty right off the ring road, with the ultimate destination of Akureyri. On the way there stop at every and all waterfall sitings. Might I recommend Kolugljúfur Canyon?
Stay at the shockingly affordable Skjaldarvik Guest House for a taste of the Icelandic countryside. Hello, breakfast buffet and HOT SPRINGS FED hot tub on the bay.
Over the course of your stay, the ultimate northern Iceland outdoorsy ventures are as follows:
Hverir Mud Pits: a jaw-dropping natural phenomenon thanks to the geothermal activity on the island. Bubbling pools of mud forge unearthly colors on the Mars-like terrain.
Krafla Lava Fields: miles of scorched and blackened soil forged by flowing lava.
Dettifoss Waterfall: the second most powerful waterfall in Europe, with stunning views and incredible natural cubed stones along the river bed that look like they could only be man-made.
Myvatan Thermal Baths: epic, geothermal baths in a low-key, less commercialized outdoor spa. Spend hours soaking in different pools spanning across temperatures and sizes. And yes, they sell booze.
FOR THE FAMILY: BREAK FREE FROM CABIN FEVER IN SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota is an absolute American gem when it comes to family travel. Use your newfound opportunity to break free from your quarantine cabin fever and let the family roam free and blow off some steam in South Dakota. The state is chock-full of quirky natural phenomenons to stroke the entire family's curiosity.
We've got the crazy, historic cave systems of Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument, the latter of which named based on the sparkling calcite crystals cavern walls. Another fascinating South Dakota staple is The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, a live paleontological excavation site that is home to the largest concentration of Columbian mammoths in the world.
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Of course, you can't miss the history lesson at Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse National Monument, a quick trip from Custer. From here, head to Custer State Park to tap into the incredible wildlife interaction at the park on the wildlife loop as you can spot everything from herds of buffalo to wild horses to elk to prairie dogs. Speaking of prairie dogs, one can't miss is a stop at the Badlands Ranch Store to feeding their farm of the little critters after a day spent exploring the national park.