Sometimes, you wake up in the morning and start your normal routine, and you need something … more. Your usual day-to-day starts to feel a little stale. You look around at your house and your job and realize you might be bored. You start to feel like doing something unusual. Something daring. Something adventurous.
Fortunately for you, once you get the time off work and book your plane ticket, there are hotels and resorts in the United States that serve as a one-stop shop for your adrenaline rush. Check out these insanely cool adventure hotels right here in the U.S.
Echo Canyon River Expeditions
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions in Colorado, the adventure starts in your room. It’s not your traditional 25-story hotel, but a collection of beautiful cabins and luxurious tents for the glamping experience of your dreams. Seriously, these tents MIGHT be nicer than my apartment, and they start at $180 a night. They include lots of outlets and even free wifi, but no running water. But maybe communal showers are part of your adventure? The cabins are nicer, of course, and more expensive, but either way the appeal of Echo Canyon isn’t in the rooms. It’s the white water rafting.
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, get ready to float your days away in the Royal Gorge. Expert-led and starting at $70 a person, the trips are unforgettable. And if you’re more experienced, set out on your own for a private excursion. Nearby, find bike trails and ATV tours, caves and waterfalls, and theme parks. Basically, you won’t have a minute to catch your breath if you don’t want to.
Angel Fire Resort
This switch-hitter in New Mexico gives you two different adventure options, depending on the time of year you visit. In the winter months, Angel Fire Resort boasts the “best snow in New Mexico” and has skiing and snowboard options for all skill levels and plenty of runs to keep you busy. Try night skiing, in case you’re interested in being extra freezing.
But in the summer, the resort takes advantage of all that snow-free terrain with a myriad activities to keep you busy. Most notably, those ski runs you enjoyed in the winter turn into miles and miles of mountain biking trails. Use the ski lift to get to the top, and then ride all the way down on the uneven, exciting terrain. And if competition is what gets you going, there are multiple downhill races each year with big cash prizes.
Riversong Lodge
This Alaska hotel is a different kind of adventure — one where you unplug, and slow down rather than speed up. The 10 cabins are only accessible by airplane, there are no locks on the doors and no phones in the rooms. You don’t really need them, do you? Electricity is shut off between midnight and 6 a.m. every night so you can truly find serenity. The main attraction here is the incredible fishing, but you’re also likely to get up close and personal with lots of wildlife, including grizzly bears. If all that doesn’t get your heart pumping, I’m not sure what will.
Terranea
If you still want adventure without having to "rough it", L.A.’s oceanside resort is perfect. This resort is kind of like a small city unto itself and is perfect for people who can’t choose what kind of adventure they want — this hotel has it all. Choose from a room, suite or private bungalow, but don't worry, you won't spend too much time indoors. On land, there’s hiking, horseback riding and beach biking. In the ocean, there’s kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing and more. Don't forget the out-of-the-box adventures, like a falconry meet and greet and Lexus test drives.
What’s good about this cliffside property is that they’ll basically do all the planning for you — just tell them what you want to do and they'll make it happen.