63 Parks Traveler started with a simple goal: to visit every U.S. national park. Avid backpacker and public-lands nerd saved up, built out a tiny van to travel and live in, and hit the road, practicing COVID-19 best safety protocols along the way. The parks as we know them are rapidly changing, and she wanted to see them before it鈥檚 too late. Biscayne is her 55th park visit.

Tropical Storm Eta was closing in on southern Florida by the time I made it to Biscayne in November of 2020. A child of the Gulf Coast and no stranger to hurricanes, I gritted my teeth and laughed at my misfortune, emailing my guide, Jeremy, at the to make sure we were still a go. We were.

Amid warring wind gusts and choppy surf, the two of us set off by boat from the into the open water of Florida鈥檚 Biscayne Bay. 鈥淭his here鈥檚 the longest stretch of beach in southeast Florida that still has its natural mangrove trees,鈥� shouted Jeremy over the buzz of the motor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 usually a great place to spot manatees, but the water鈥檚 pretty nuts today.鈥�

I listened intently, fixing my gaze on the horizon and our first destination, Jones Lagoon. The boat sputtered as we came to a stop at the center of a maze of mangroves, their submerged roots like the bark-covered arms of some great octopus. Jeremy plopped a pair of stand-up paddleboards into the water of the cove.

This forest of trees between ocean and island provided a safe refuge for pelagic creatures, while the rest of the bay was getting pummeled by high winds. Small sharks wiggled below as I dipped the paddle into the water, my eyes hungry to learn what interesting animals chose this place for a home. At one point, Jeremy thrust the length of his arm into the shallows and pulled up a translucent, many-tendrilled jellyfish for me to hold. Its skin felt slimy and delicate against my palms, like a plastic bag filled with cool milk.

Next up was a stop for snorkeling. We gunned the engine toward a different stand of shoreline trees, and I ventured into the water alone, making Darth Vader noises into my mouthpiece as I kicked my way parallel to the roots of mangroves extending from Elliott Key, one of the park鈥檚 most visited islets. A school of tiny, bright yellow fish darted away in fear, and when I stayed as still as I could muster, bobbing up and down in the swell, a pod of enormous lobsters emerged and stared at me for what felt like hours. It sent shivers down my spine.

With the weather worsening and time running out, my guide steered our vessel toward the ornamental lighthouse at , a relic from early industrialist Mark Honeywell鈥檚 days of lavish parties there. 鈥淭he affairs got so wild that, one year, a guest brought his pet elephant aboard his ship!鈥� exclaimed Jeremy.

It was strange to explore this water-based national park on a day of deliriously dreadful weather. I felt like I鈥檇 missed out on so much鈥攊ts historic shipwrecks, colorful coral reefs, manatee sightings鈥攁nd yet, as we parted ways with the keys and took off for the mainland, I couldn鈥檛 help but feel that there was something true and raw and magical about experiencing a national park when a storm is afoot.

Staring ahead at the visitor center as its parade of mangroves grew ever closer, I realized I鈥檇 gotten what I鈥檇 come for: a park that was weird, wet, and wonderful.

63 Parks Traveler Biscayne Info

Size: 172,971 acres

Location: Southeastern Florida, off the coast of Miami

Created In: 1968 (national monument), 1980 (national park)

Best For: Boating, snorkeling, diving, paddling, island camping, wildlife viewing

When to Go: August through early October is considered peak Atlantic hurricane season, which means there鈥檚 a decent chance your summer or fall trip could be derailed by a nasty storm. December (64 to 76 degrees) through April (68 to 79 degrees) are the safest, coolest, and driest months for a visit.

Where to Stay: The National Park Service operates within Biscayne鈥檚 boundaries, one on Boca Chita Key and the other on Elliott Key. While Elliott Key鈥檚 sites provide more amenities (like cold showers and potable water), the immaculate ocean views and quirky annals of Boca Chita make it well worth an excursion.

Mini 国产吃瓜黑料: Go on a day trip with the . Whether you fancy stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling, birding, or learning about historic buildings, this nonprofit鈥檚 diverse array of tours offer a little something for everyone.

Mega 国产吃瓜黑料: Dive the Florida Reef, one of the largest in the world. Miami-based companies like offer half- and full-day trips (for certified divers) around the bay to marvel at colorful sponges, tropical fish, and underwater cathedrals.

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When returned to the skies in January, the newly revived brand didn鈥檛 know听that a global pandemic would soon halt nearly all air travel around the world. Yet while COVID-19 has grounded most flights from major airlines, Eastern has found a way to keep busy, working in partnership with the State Department to help bring听stranded U.S. citizens听home from听Central and South America.听

For those who remember, the name Eastern Air Lines (formerly spelled as such) sparks听memories of the golden age of air travel. A prominent player for most of the 20th century, the Miami-based airline听hit its peak in the 1950s before bankruptcy grounded its fleet in 1991. An initial听, in 2015, was short-lived, but in听January, Eastern returned with a flight from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to New York City, along with a whole new for the 21st century. The airline planned to introduce its next flight, from New York City听to Georgetown, Guyana, in mid-March, and another route to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, later this year.听

Then the pandemic hit, and Eastern had to re-strategize. As airports around the world began to close, thousands of American tourists became . The State Department reached out to Eastern to help get citizens home from Guyana after the airline successfully flew听charters听to return medical students based in Grenada and Panama City to the U.S. in early March.听The airline then started听a repatriation flight from Georgetown to Miami听on March 13. This came just as the State Department launched a on March 19, ordering a plan for听government-funded charter flights听to听be听conducted by commercial airlines. Repatriated passengers would听be expected to听eventually 听upon their return.

Eastern saw an opportunity. Unlike that are repatriation flights and determining fares based on an agreement听with听the federal听government, Eastern听sets its听own fares and only works with the听government to determine how many passengers to expect on each flight. Its repatriation flights cost up to $2,000 one-way, which CEO Steve Harfst听says is because the airline flies the planes from the U.S. empty, so passengers are essentially paying for a round-trip ticket. The cost is relatively comparable to听other airlines, with examples that include a $1,000 United from Lima, Peru, to Houston, and nearly $1,500 from Marrakech, Morocco, to any of ten听U.S. cities via various airlines, according to .听

Since Eastern鈥檚听inaugural flight, it has returned听17,013 passengers听on 102 flights from 15 countries across Central and South America, including Peru, Argentina, and Nicaragua. It has听also flown 3,412 non-American travelers from the U.S. to their home countries.听On average, repatriation flights have been 68 percent full, and the airline hasn鈥檛 turned a significant profit. 鈥淥n some of the flights, we鈥檝e lost money. Some of the flights, we haven鈥檛. On average听we鈥檙e probably just barely above breakeven,鈥� Harfst says. 鈥淲e make a commitment to fly the flight, so we鈥檙e somewhat taking a risk and believing that the U.S. embassy is being real with the numbers [of passengers] that they expect. But if 30 people showed up, we鈥檇 still fly the plane.鈥澨�

Coming from a fledgling airline with fewer than 200 employees, this initiative is surprising. Before the pandemic, Eastern was banking on business from a specific demographic: adventurous millennials. Calling itself the 鈥渆xplorer brand,鈥� it hoped that a combination of budget fares to underserved adventure locales, a liberal baggage policy (one bag of up to 70 pounds free of charge), and smart marketing would win over a generation that prides itself on spending money on experiences, not stuff. Eastern鈥檚 2018 internal study deemed Guayaquil, Georgetown, and Cabo San Lucas up-and-coming South American adventure destinations.

But some weren鈥檛 so convinced that the approach of tapping into such a specific market would work. 鈥淚t could be tough to sustain a business with such a narrow focus,鈥� says Lori Ranson, a senior analyst at the Sydney-based . She points to Air France鈥檚 attempt in 2017 to target younger travelers with its now defunct subsidiary,听,听through things like budget fares, colorful seats, and casual flight-attendant attire.听However, Harfst says these are 鈥渁irline frills鈥澨齮hat don鈥檛 add value to a traveler鈥檚 experience, adding that Eastern wants to provide 鈥渉assle-free service鈥澨齠or its passengers.

In February, before the pandemic hit, Harfst told 国产吃瓜黑料 that he anticipated Eastern鈥檚 flights would be 50 to 70 percent less expensive than other airlines, citing cost-cutting measures like operating wide-body aircraft that allow for more seating and luggage. (JetBlue does not have wide-body aircraft, though other airlines, like American and United, do.) The company also owns its fleet. (According to a 2018 听by the Centre for Aviation, half of the world鈥檚 commercial planes are leased.)听Ranson noted that the company鈥檚 spending costs would need to be 鈥渨ell below its competitors鈥� in order to meet its proposed fares.听But over the course of February and early March, Eastern鈥檚 fares were comparable with its听competition.听

When we contacted Harfst听again this month and asked if those听cheaper fares would still be possible following the pandemic, Harfst says he didn鈥檛 know, though he expects all airline fares to increase after a complete return to travel. While there may be initial deals to attract fliers back, airlines will eventually have to make up for lost revenue. 鈥淭he costs [of flying] don鈥檛 change,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚听fair to assume that, regardless of what does happen, fares are going to be more expensive.鈥澨�

As for the future, Harfst believes that Eastern could come out ahead of other airlines post-pandemic. As a small business, it received support from the CARES Act, but Harfst says its low-cost structure makes the company more resilient. He notes that as a startup company with fewer鈥攁nd newer鈥攅mployees, it doesn鈥檛 have to cover the higher compensation of tenured members (though he adds that Eastern pays its employees a competitive wage). In addition to lower labor costs and the fact that it owns its own planes, Harfst says听the shrinking travel industry will result in more underserved markets, allowing for Eastern to pursue its original business model. 鈥淲e think that there鈥檒l be domestic opportunities that will be open to us, as routes and markets are either abandoned or left with less capacity,鈥� he says, citing the airline鈥檚听recent application for a domestic nonstop flight from New York to San Diego. 鈥淭here are still people all around the world who will need to or want to travel that now won鈥檛听have that opportunity鈥攐r if they do, it鈥檚 a two- or three-stop flight. Those small markets are still very attractive to a company like Eastern.鈥�

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Last month, at a Martin Luther King Day event in Harlem hosted by the Reverend Al Sharpton, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representing New York鈥檚 13th district, about bike infrastructure: 鈥淎ffordability and gentrification are ripping our neighborhood apart,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd you see the stress of high rent. Now you got Starbucks. And bike lanes. And sushi. Where鈥檚 my rice and beans?!鈥�

The next day, on January 21,听rideshare company Lyft hosted an event at the Harlem YMCA to announce its , which will provide free one-year Citi Bike memberships to 16 to 20-year-olds in the YMCA network. Lyft, which听operates New York City鈥檚 bike share program as well as those in , is partnering with NBA great LeBron James, who showed up to the event to surprise 50 local teens who would be receiving free access to Citi Bikes.听I was at the听press conference, along with my nine year-old son (who鈥檚 really lucky to have such a cool dad). The kids receiving the memberships were absolutely electrified when LeBron James entered the room. So was I, and I don鈥檛 even follow basketball.听My hand shook as I recorded his short speech.

While he didn鈥檛 address the devastating effects of Starbucks or sushi, James did have a very different take on bikes and bike lanes. Once the screaming died down, he spoke to the kids about the role bikes played in his own childhood. 鈥�I was a kid, growing up in the inner city of Akron, Ohio, riding bikes,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat a bike did for me was to be able to travel across the city with my friends, get from my home to school or get to basketball practices or football practices and be able just to travel, breathe the fresh air, be able to clear your mind at times…a segue to be able to do so many things that can also carry you for the rest of your life.鈥澨�

Furthermore, James addressed the safety and the importance of bike lanes, which in lower-income neighborhoods can be .鈥淪afety is always first, and for the city to understand that bike lanes are very important for the kids鈥� safety,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or adults that want to ride, too. So this is very important.鈥�

When the kids all gathered for a group photo, James came sliding across the wood floor into the shot鈥攖he very antithesis of Espaillat鈥檚 pompous podium posturing. Sure, the cynic in me registered that all of this was essentially a photo op put together by a tech company with a $14 billion market cap, but so what? Bikes need more of this. When was the last time you saw anyone even remotely exciting鈥攍et alone one of the most talented and successful athletes on the planet鈥攕tand in front of a bunch of kids and articulate the sheer sense of freedom and exhilaration that comes from riding a bike? (I鈥檓 talking about America by the way, not Belgium or the Netherlands. And sorry, .) Here in New York City, when it comes to young people and bikes, the approach by local government seems to alternate between making corny entreaties to kids (think ), and confiscating their bikes as soon as they start actually having fun with them. So an introduction from pro BMX and YouTube sensation , followed by a , and finally a surprise appearance by King James himself, was all rather invigorating.

James exuded sincerity, and what鈥檚 more, his bike bona-fides are quite sound. He . He famously , even joining . He鈥檚 to kids in need. He even owned for a while, which says more about his love of bikes than anything else, because only someone completely besotted with cycling would be crazy enough to invest in a bike company.

Far more important, James is not just promoting bicycling, but the bicycle鈥檚 potential to serve as an inflection point in a young person鈥檚 life. His words resonate with anybody who grew up riding. Our bikes were our first taste of freedom, and exploring our neighborhoods was in part how we learned to chart a course through life. But as our roads become and ridership among children , fewer kids get to experience this sense of independence and agency. We owe it to our kids to return that joy and freedom to them.听

Teens I spoke to at the event said that they鈥檒l use their memberships to ride to school, practices, and the Y. One 16-year-old told me he hasn鈥檛 had a bike in two years, and that this would finally allow him to start riding again. Granted, we need听more听programs like this, times a million, but at least it鈥檚 a start.

Odds are LeBron James was unaware of Espaillat鈥檚 comments the day before, but either way James certainly dunked on him. The idea that bikes鈥攁rguably the healthiest, least expensive, and most accessible mode of transport on the planet鈥攁re somehow classist and elitist doesn鈥檛 hold up under any kind of scrutiny. Who better to send up this absurd notion than LeBron James? Bikes and bike lanes don鈥檛 hold people and neighborhoods back, they help move them forward. Give kids better access to both and there鈥檚 no telling what they鈥檒l accomplish.

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Let鈥檚 be honest:听unless you skipped out on the ugly-sweater parties and your Aunt Sue鈥檚 fruitcake and boarded a flight to somewhere far from everyone you know, the holidays aren鈥檛 a vacation. They are a beautiful mess of family, food, and festivities. Now that the craze is over, it鈥檚 time to detox, unplug, and reset for the new year. You can do that close to home or far from it.

In the Desert

Nothing says escape quite like the desert in the dead of winter.听听opened a new outpost (from $790) in the Texas Hill Country at Montesino Ranch, less than an hour from Austin and听San Antonio. You鈥檒l sleep in plush canvas tents and spend your days fly-fishing, riding bikes to local wineries, taking outdoor yoga classes, and dining on farm-to-table meals.

听in Sedona, Arizona, has a听 (from $555) that includes guided meditation in the property鈥檚 Vortex Treehouse, hiking on local trails, and a spa treatment. Or head south of the border to the wellness resort of听听in Tecate, Mexico, just an hour from San Diego, for a weeklong retreat (from $3,200) on its 4,000 acres, where green juice, hammock naps, singletrack runs, and aerial yoga are听itinerary musts.

In the City

Leave it to Colorado to have a hotel with a CBD wellness package. At听听located in downtown Denver, the听 (from $299) comes with CBD-blended cocktails, late checkout to encourage sleeping in, and an in-room healing package complete with tea, balm, lotion, and sparkling water, all infused with CBD.

San Francisco鈥檚 recently renovated 听(from $259), in the city鈥檚 hip Japantown, offers yoga and kickboxing classes in a revamped, spacious gym. You can even check out free meditation kits, available from the front desk and stocked with headphones, a floor pillow, face mist, and a tablet preloaded with guided exercises and soothing music. Take it to your room or to the outdoor meditation garden.

The听 properties in Brooklyn and Nashville, Tennessee, are not your typical hotels. They鈥檙e immaculately designed homes where you can show up, unplug, and meet new friends. In January,听 hoteliers听Lyon Porter听and Phil Hospod are opening the (from $199) on 68 acres in the Catskills, just outside New York City. The best part? Cell service is limited, making a digital detox part of your stay.

In the Mountains

Retreat to snow-covered mountains for a post-holiday recharge. Whether you ski or just sit in a hot tub under the stars is up to you. , in Whitefish, Montana, has a four-day cross-country ski and yoga retreat (from $1,119) from January 9 to 12, or show up anytime to ski Whitefish Mountain Resort and enjoy the town鈥檚 newly opened听, a spa offering dry salt therapy, a treatment known to detoxify the respiratory system.听听

听(from $169) opened in December in Breckenridge, Colorado, with 60 slopeside rooms, a听Japanese-like onsen (hot spring),听and a craft cocktail bar and on-site coffee roaster. The hotel鈥檚 three-night Zephyr Package comes with a guided backcountry ski tour and compression-therapy treatment鈥攖hink pulsing massages鈥攖o help you recover faster.

By the Ocean

The beach might be just the ticket to help you de-stress after a hectic holiday season. And winter is notoriously quiet at oceanfront destinations. At听听(from $349), in , you can take classes in yoga or meditation, book massages or wellness treatments, dine on farm-fresh meals, and stay in one of 24 well-appointed rooms. The retreat property is on 5.6 acres of lush gardens, with sweeping views of Maui鈥檚 north shore and Haleakala Crater.

, on the rocky cliffs of Big Sur, California, has weekend or longer workshops on dance, writing, nature, and sustainability. You鈥檒l sleep in shared or private rooms (from $420) and take seaside yoga classes and healing soaks in Esalen鈥檚 hot-springs baths.

For a splurge, check out the two-night听 (from $2,500) at the听听in Miami. It听comes with guided moonlit meditation, a personalized nutrition plan, daily fitness classes, and spa treatments. In January, the hotel is offering new wellness programs from Miami-based life coach听, who will help you create a three-month, six-month, or one-year plan to get your fitness and life goals on track.

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惭颈补尘颈鈥檚 is so well-known for murals that some worry its walls have become little more than Instagram backgrounds for tourists. But when people lift their phones to the scene wrapping around a former art gallery on NW 25th Street, it鈥檚 for entirely different reasons. Painted by local artist last December, shows several of South Florida鈥檚 most iconic creatures: a roseate spoonbill stretches its wings, a manatee floats near a sea turtle, and an alligator grins. But download , point the camera at the wall, and see plastic six-pack rings float near the manatee or watch the looming Burmese python give way to a video of the invasive species slithering in swampland.

Anthropocene Extinction is the most recent climate-focused work produced by the , the brainchild of 32-year-old activist Linda Cheung and her nonprofit . It鈥檚 also the latest to incorporate augmented-reality technology, which adds a digital layer to the artwork. The first to do so, , graphically spells Miami using symbols of the city鈥檚 party culture. (A Xanax pill stands in for the second I.) Water materializes when you view the mural through the app, and two buttons offer the choice between 鈥淢ake No Change鈥� and 鈥淏e the Change.鈥� Pick the former and the water rises, destroying the letters; the latter transforms them into an idyllic cityscape with tropical fish and wind turbines.

Cheung, who is originally from New York City, started exploring how art and technology could wake people up to the urgency of climate change while earning an MBA at MIT in 2017. She initially planned to work in the renewable-energy industry, but she says, 鈥淚 became convinced that the problem is social and political will, which come from our culture.鈥� So she moved to Miami, where the effects of climate change are already urgent, and got to work producing student films, launching design competitions, and, in her most popular project so far, creating murals.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just boiling a message into its simplest essence. It鈥檚 also instigating the right emotions,鈥� she says. 鈥淐ertain emotions aren鈥檛 useful鈥攖here鈥檚 no use guilting people.鈥� Instead, the dramatic images draw viewers in, and augmented reality brings concerning facts (the invasive lionfish can spawn as often as twice a week) and possible futures (goodbye, adorable manatee) to life. 鈥淣ever before has our species had a need for complete radical transformation of all our systems in a way that will require massive collaboration,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to unify people and give them creative juice.鈥�

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America鈥檚 biggest burgs have become thriving adventure hubs, home to a new breed of outdoor athletes who paddleboard before work, bike singletrack at lunch, and hit the climbing gym before dinner. Here鈥檚 where and how to join the fun.

Chicago, Illinois

The Not-So-颅Second City

Population: 2.7 million
Median Household Income: $55,295
Park Acreage: 13,547

Stereotypical Resident: The weekend warrior who鈥檚 quick to tell you how the cold doesn鈥檛 stop them from running, biking, or surfing all winter long.

What鈥檚 Happening: Chicago is undergoing a public-space renaissance with the development of new trails like the elevated 606 and the . This in a metro area that鈥檚 already loaded with recreation opportunities.

The Neighborhood: A community that attracts immigrants from all over the world, Pilsen is known for its 颅vibrant street art and international food scene, from high-end Vietnamese at 听to Mexican street fare at .

The Run: The Lakefront Trail parallels Lake Michigan for 18.5 miles and offers views of Chicago鈥檚 skyline. operates water and Gatorade stands along the path in summer, training season for the Chicago Marathon.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: SUP the lake from Montrose Beach or paddle the Chicago River through the heart of downtown. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so urban, paddling through this giant canyon of glass and steel, but there鈥檚 all kinds of wildlife, too,鈥� says Dave Olson, owner of , who鈥檚 been working with Urban Rivers to create floating gardens.

The Escape: Head 30 minutes south of downtown to the Palos Trail System, where around 24 miles of high-quality singletrack meanders through a Cook County forest preserve. 鈥淚t鈥檚 mostly cross-country, but there are several sections that are really rocky and technical,鈥� says Jerry Stoeckigt, executive director of Chicago Area Mountain Bikers.

鈥斅璆raham Averill

Tucson, Arizona

The Desert Rose

Population: 535,676
Median Household Income: $41,613
Park Acreage: 4,610

Stereotypical Resident: The burrito-fueled cyclist who鈥檚 unafraid of hill climbs, cactus needles, or riding singletrack at night to escape the summer heat.

What鈥檚 Happening: In 2015, Tucson was 颅designated a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy鈥攖he first American city to earn such an honor鈥攊n recognition of its unique blend of Native American, northern Sonoran, and colonial Spanish cuisines.

The Neighborhood: , close to open space on Tucson鈥檚 west side, is just minutes from the Loop, a newly completed 131-mile bike path that circles the city.

The Ride: The route that really put Tucson cycling on the map is the 29-mile, 6,600-foot climb up Mount Lemmon. You start among saguaros and end among ponderosas. Riders who get this far are rewarded with a gleeful descent.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: In summer, mountain bikers rendezvous after dark at the 36th Street 颅Trailhead to ride 9.3 miles by headlamp through the 20,000-acre, county-owned Tucson Mountain Park. Watch for wildlife: snakes, tarantulas, owls, and Gila monsters all come out at night.

The Crag: Mount Lemmon offers more than 3,000 climbing routes. Summer temperatures on the upper mountain can be 20 degrees lower than they are in town. In winter you can climb on sunny days in a T-shirt.

鈥擣rederick Reimers

Boston, Massachusetts

The Running Hub

Population: 683,015
Median Household Income: $66,758
Park Acreage: 5,089

Stereotypical Resident: The brewery worker with an advanced degree who wears a Red Sox hat while training to run a sub-three marathon.

What鈥檚 Happening: Boston is booming and getting more diverse. The population has grown by nearly 10 percent since 2010; these days nearly 30 percent of Bostonians are foreign born.

The Neighborhood: , once home to little more than the legendary ballpark and plenty of dive bars, is now one of the hottest culinary destinations in Boston. 鈥淔enway has always gotten a lot of foot traffic, but new condo investment has brought higher-end restaurants and bars,鈥� says Maggie Walsh Deaver, a yoga instructor who organizes pop-up fitness classes throughout the city. Grab a whiskey and a dozen oysters at before catching a game.

The Other Race: The Boston Marathon gets all the love, but Yulefest, a winter 5K in nearby Cambridge, is more fun. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one big party, from the top racers to the slower runners who are dressed in fun outfits,鈥� says Dave Spandorfer, cofounder of local running-apparel brand Janji.

The Workout: Running the stairs of Harvard Stadium is a Boston tradition. November Project organizes a weekly session on Wednesday mornings, but you can attempt a full tour of all 37 stair sections on your own.

The Watering Hole: Get your pre-run coffee and post-run beer in the same place. , a Cambridge brewery, features some of the best IPAs in town and shares its location with , a shop that sells to-go growlers full of delicious coffee.

The Hangout: Running brand Tracksmith听opened its first retail store, the Trackhouse, in the Back Bay neighborhood in 2017. Stop in for running gear, to sign up for training jaunts, or to watch live-streamed races at its lounge.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Reachable by a short ferry ride, the 34 islands and peninsulas that make up Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park are great for hiking and trail running, but they鈥檙e an even better paddling destination. Park rangers give kayaking lessons off Spectacle Island, or you can go it alone and camp on Bumpkin, Grape, Lovells, or Peddocks Islands.

The Escape: Spandorfer recommends New Hampshire鈥檚 White Mountains. Camp in Monadnock State Park, a two-hour drive away, then climb 3,165-foot Mount Monadnock for views stretching all the way to the Boston skyline.

鈥擥.础.

Miami, Florida

The Tropical Paradise

Population: 463,354
Median Household Income: $40,327
Park Acreage: 1,500

Stereotypical Resident: The tanned triathlete-yogi-marathoner-SUPer who does everything but surf.

What鈥檚 Happening: Sure, Miami has beaches, but public officials are also busily connecting hundreds of miles of urban trails, making it possible to explore oceanfront parks, cross Biscayne Bay, and then grab a delicious Cuban pastelito puff pastry鈥攁ll on multi-use paths.

The Neighborhood: You鈥檒l find bungalows, Spanish architecture, old-growth trees, and quirky parks in , 惭颈补尘颈鈥檚 oldest neighborhood, on the city鈥檚 southeastern shore. The Bohemian vibe comes with great recreation, including runs along the five-mile Commodore Trail and 20-mile out-and-back rides to Key Biscayne on the Rickenbacker Causeway. But you鈥檒l have to pony up. Coconut Grove is one of the city鈥檚 hottest housing markets; the average single-family home is priced in the low seven figures.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: , 30 minutes from downtown in North Miami, offers more than 1,000 acres of urban green space. BG Oleta River Outdoor Center will set you up with rentals for your chosen activity: riding the park鈥檚 15 miles of mountain-bike trails, paddling through its mangrove forests, or exploring North Biscayne Bay on a stand-up paddleboard. 听

The Glades: The Everglades, an hour from Miami, are the lifeblood of South Florida and the third-largest national park in the lower 48. Rent a kayak from , then paddle the 11-mile out-and-back Hell鈥檚 Bay Canoe Trail. Camp on a chickee, an open-air platform on the water, and you may see crocodiles and manatees from your sleeping bag.

鈥擡rin Berger

Little Rock, Arkansas

The Hidden Gem

Population: 198,594
Median Household Income: $57,534
Park Acreage: 6,300

Stereotypical Resident: The ruggedly hospitable southerner who packs their PFD alongside their trail-running shoes, hiking boots, and cycling cleats.

What鈥檚 Happening: While northwest Arkansas deserves its recent designation as America鈥檚 next mountain-biking paradise, Little Rock, smack-dab in the state鈥檚 geographic center, is an undiscovered multisport oasis.

The Neighborhoods: With plenty of interconnected trails splintering off their bungalow-lined drags, the city鈥檚 adjoining Heights and Hillcrest neighborhoods offer easy access to all manner of trail runs, hikes, and rides. Bonus: , a hybrid coffee and bike shop, serves single-颅origin coffee to fuel your morning training sessions and local beer for a post-ride come down.

The Race: Between the Big Dam Bridge 100 cycling tour, which saw 3,500 participants last year, and the , the city hosts many marquee events. But with 8- and 24-hour courses, December鈥檚 Raid the Rock adventure race, which has participants paddling hidden wetlands and rappelling off parking garages, guarantees the most comprehensive tour of the city.

The Mechanic: For 48 years, the has been a hub for gear and, more importantly, know-how. 鈥淭hey understand I鈥檓 going to roll in two days before a race and say, 鈥楬ey, can you check my brake pads and do all this? And by the way, I need it back tomorrow,鈥欌�夆�� says adventure racer Rachel Furman. 鈥淭hey kind of roll their eyes, but they always come through.鈥�

The Urban 国产吃瓜黑料: Travel just two miles south of downtown and you鈥檒l find one of America鈥檚 largest urban wetlands, 1,800-acre Fourche Creek. Put in at Interstate Park and you can paddle between the 300-year-old cypress trees that host some 188 species of birds, all within the heart of the city.

The Escape: A little over an hour west of town, you鈥檒l find the IMBA Epic-certified . The 40-odd miles of singletrack mirror the southern rim of 40,000-acre Lake Ouachita, a man-made wonderland that boasts around 200 islands鈥攁ll of which are ready for some paddle-in camping. Be sure to hit up 听in nearby Hot Springs; there鈥檚 no better pizza in the state.

鈥擩ordan P. Hickey

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Green Acres

Population: 422,326
Median Household Income: $60,789
Park Acreage: 5,070

Stereotypical Resident: The hardy midwestern striver who paddles in summer, nordic skis in winter, and cycles year-round in whatever conditions nature serves up.

What鈥檚 Happening: As part of the , city stakeholders are investing more than $1 billion in projects to improve local facilities and amenities, including plenty of new urban greenspace.

The Neighborhood: Sandwiched between a 740-acre park and downtown, Bryn Mawr is perfect for families who want out-the-door adventure without sacrificing their city fix. 鈥淚t鈥檚 got world-class nordic skiing and miles of singletrack mountain biking at Theodore Wirth Regional Park, along with a canoe launch that connects us to the city鈥檚 lakes,鈥� says Steve Yore, an analyst at . 鈥淲e can bike downtown on paved trail in under 20 minutes.鈥�

The Race: The centerpiece of February鈥檚 is the Loppet Classic, a 23-mile point-to-point nordic marathon that starts at Bde Maka Ska, the city鈥檚 largest urban lake, and winds around the frozen trails of south Minneapolis.

The Loop: In 2020, Theodore Wirth Park鈥攈ome to 15 miles of groomed ski trails鈥攚ill host the first FIS Cross-Country World Cup event held in the U.S. in nearly 20 years.

The Hub: , a new adventure center at Theodore Wirth Park, has a gear shop that will service your bike or skis, outfit you with new equipment, or rent you a fat bike, cross-country planks, and snowshoes.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Cycle the , a 51-mile road route and multi-use path that circles the city, taking you through nearly unbroken parkland. 鈥淵ou can recharge at any of more than 100 amazing restaurants, caf茅s, and brewpubs without leaving the trail,鈥� says Bruce Martens, director of Loppet Cycle Works.

The Weekend Trip: Twenty-five miles northeast of the city, you鈥檒l find the sleepy Saint Croix River town of Stillwater and the 40-room , a new boutique hotel built inside a 19th-century brewery. Paddle part of the 255-mile Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, or cycle dozens of miles of paved trails.

鈥擲tephanie Pearson

Atlanta, Georgia

The Multisport Metropolis

Population: 486,299
Median Household Income: $57,597
Park Acreage: 5,002

Stereotypical Resident: The millennial who cruises the BeltLine on a Bird scooter and refuses to travel OTP (国产吃瓜黑料 the Perimeter).

What鈥檚 Happening: Atlanta has always been the South鈥檚 business center, but the city鈥檚 culture and quality of life are catching up to its economic clout. 鈥淭he amount of street art is mind-blowing,鈥� says Robyn Elliott, owner of . 鈥淎rtists come from all over to create murals and graffiti here.鈥�

The Neighborhood: has emerged as the hottest district inside the Interstate 285 loop鈥攍ocally known as the Perimeter鈥攚ith former warehouses being converted into lofts and business spaces. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the most Atlanta of all our neighborhoods. Among other reasons, this is where Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and preached,鈥� says Tucker Berta Sarkisian, who works for the popular . The neighborhood is home to the rollicking Sister Louisa鈥檚 Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium bar, which is known for both drag shows and competitive table tennis.

The Race: The , which is held on the Fourth of July, is the country鈥檚 largest 10K, and it鈥檚 a rolling party. Thousands of spec颅tators line the course, and costumes are highly encouraged.

The Workout: The BeltLine is a rails-to-trails project that will form a 22-mile loop, connecting 45 different neighborhoods and many parks. Five of the eight sections are complete and already attract runners, cyclists, and gawkers. 鈥淎round here people talk about what section they run the way other people talk about their fitness classes,鈥� Sarkisian says.

The Fueling Station: , in Old Fourth Ward, offers a nine-course tasting menu designed by chef Ryan Smith, a James Beard Award finalist. Everything is local and all after-tax profit goes to support restaurant workers in need.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Southside Park is home to Atlanta鈥檚 only legal singletrack, with a 1.25-mile flow trail and a new three-mile intermediate loop that winds through a dense forest canopy just seven miles from the heart of downtown.

The Escape: Two hours to the north, 鈥檚 thousand-foot sandstone gorge hides waterfalls, caves, and 64 miles of hiking trails. The six-mile Sitton鈥檚 Gulch Trail will lead you into the heart of the ravine.

鈥擥.础.

Denver, Colorado

The Trailhead

Population: 704,621
Median Household Income: $65,224
Park Acreage: 6,238

Stereotypical Resident: The twentysomething transplant who works at a startup and Instagrams mountain vistas at least twice a month.

What鈥檚 Happening: Denver has gained more than 100,000 residents in the past eight years, and the city鈥攚hich is now home to the winter and summer editions of the trade show鈥攈as become the country鈥檚 most important hub for the gear industry.

The Neighborhood: A decade ago, Sloan鈥檚 Lake, in west Denver, was a middle-to-lower-income community. Today its median home price is nearly $600,000. The residential area has taken on new life, with trendy spots to sip craft beer and coffee, along with easy access to , one of Denver鈥檚 most popular spots for running, cycling, and paddleboarding.

The Race: , the longest commercial street in America, is an eclectic strip of motels and dive bars that runs straight through the heart of Denver. Experience it by lacing up for the , the city鈥檚 only 26.2-mile event. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e a runner here, the Colfax is something you absolutely have to do,鈥� says Holden Fitzgerald, a University of Denver student who鈥檚 run both the half and full marathons.

The Hot Spot: Food halls鈥攇athering spaces that feature a wide range of beverage and dining options鈥攁re popping up across the city, and they owe a lot to the success of in north Denver, where the concept first took off locally. Head to the rooftop bar and enjoy the skyline and a Black Manhattan, which uses Averna liqueur in place of vermouth.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Denver is a great multisport town. Josh Erickson, a shop manager at , recommends a classic cycling trip that covers 29 miles, starting at downtown鈥檚 Confluence Park and running to Chatfield Reservoir. You can fish along the way, then camp at . The next morning, rent a kayak and explore the lake before riding back into the city.

The Escape: Want to skip town? Head north. Hit Estes Park and the Twin Owls Steak House after a long day exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.

鈥擩ay Bouchard

Los Angeles, California

The Surf and Turf 听

Population: 4 million
Median Household Income: $60,197
Park Acreage: 37,021

Stereotypical Resident: The tan, Tesla-driving publicist with a spinning addiction.

What鈥檚 Happening: L.A. is speeding up major transit projects to reduce the city鈥檚 infamous traffic in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The Neighborhood: Venice is home to laid-back surfers and trendy eateries, but a tiny beach bungalow there will cost you $2 million. Instead, head 20 miles inland to up-and-coming , where you鈥檒l find taquerias, walkable streets, easy access to 282-acre , and ranch homes for around $500,000.

The Workout: 鈥淭he Santa Monica stairs are so popular for exercising that they have ,鈥� says Janel Holcomb, a former professional cyclist who works with . 鈥淎nyone and everyone is sprinting up them.鈥�

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Griffith Park鈥�4,210 acres of greenery inside the city limits鈥攊s famous for its hiking and biking trails. The star parties at are awesome.

The Escape: 鈥淭he Santa Monica Mountains are just an hour from L.A. but feel far away,鈥� says Holcomb. 鈥淵ou can camp in Sycamore Canyon, hike a section of the 67-mile Backbone Trail, go gravel or mountain biking, and surf or hang out on the beach, all in the same day.鈥�

鈥擬egan Michelson

Charleston, South Carolina

The Watery Wonderland

Population: 139,906
Median Household Income: $63,364
Park Acreage:1,809

Stereotypical Resident: The preppy cocktail connoisseur with a year-round tan who divides time between surfing, paddleboarding, and hunting waterfowl.

What鈥檚 Happening: The growth of Charleston鈥檚 shipping port and investments in the auto industry have bolstered the economy of this historic southern city.

The Neighborhood: Park Circle is a planned community in North Charleston created in the early 1900s. It鈥檚 boomed in recent years, with young families leaving downtown in search of a higher quality of life. Play a round of disc golf in its 30-acre park, sip a beer on the massive deck of , and then head to dinner on , home to some of the city鈥檚 best restaurants.

The Race: The is an 颅October paddleboard event on four- and nine-mile courses in Charleston Harbor.

The Hill Climb: The Ravenel Bridge rises 200 feet above the water and it鈥檚 the only 鈥渉ill鈥� in the city. Run the 2.5-mile pedestrian path for views of downtown, the harbor, and the Atlantic.

The Taqueria: 鈥� is super laid-back and looks simple, but the tacos are really good,鈥� says Peter Melhado, who owns Charleston鈥檚 . Try the smoked pork taco topped with spicy kimchi.

The Shopping Spree: has provided paddling gear and board shorts for more than 20 years. Watch for pint nights and the occasional live band at the West Ashley store, near downtown.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: There鈥檚 paddling in every direction, but Folly Creek, an undeveloped finger of saltwater estuary between Folly Island and Charleston proper, may be the most striking spot. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredibly wild experience full of oyster beds and dolphins,鈥� says Brittany Freeman, a reservations manager at , which has been running paddling trips around Charleston since 1992.

The Escape: Load your kayak with beer, brats, and bug spray, and launch from the Isle of Palms Marina for a 4.5-mile paddle to Capers Island, an undeveloped barrier isle. Capers is the city鈥檚 nearest legal beach-camping option. (Get a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.) Or skip the paddle and catch a ride with Barrier Island Eco Tours.

鈥擥.础.

Reno, Nevada

The Mountain-颅Adjacent Town

Population: 248,860
Median Household Income: $57,125
Park Acreage: 3,446

Stereotypical Resident: The tattooed thirtysomething with a fixed-gear bike and a bartending job, or the cowboy-hat-wearing rancher with a truck and a gun rack.

What鈥檚 Happening: A new Amazon fulfillment center and the Tesla Gigafactory have brought tech jobs and higher home prices, but the is still inexpensive, with two-bedrooms renting for just over a grand a month.

The Neighborhood: Once known for its strip clubs and seedy bars, Midtown Reno has been reinvented with maker spaces, coffee shops, apartment buildings, and great food. 鈥淚 love , a beer garden and community space with bocce ball and live music,鈥� says Zoe Richards, a ski patroller at nearby Mount Rose. 鈥淟ike everywhere in Reno, you can bring your dog.鈥�

The Event: takes place in August three hours from Reno, and the festival influences Reno鈥檚 culture year-round, from post-festival civilization-reentry parties to the , a stained-glass-and-steel sculpture that鈥檚 currently on display downtown.

The Trails: Just north of town, the Peavine trail network has over 40 miles of mountain-biking and running routes in the . Send it on the black-diamond downhill, or ride the eight miles of all-mountain and cross-country tracks.

The Workshop: At the nonprofit , you can buy new or upcycled rides, get a tune-up, or take a repair class.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a whitewater park on the Truckee River in the middle of downtown that brings a big crowd every May for the ,鈥� says Eddie Davis, a wholesale planner at Patagonia鈥檚 Reno office. 鈥淭he river is also great for tubing and cooling off when it gets hot.鈥�

The Escape: Skiing in Tahoe, climbing in Yosemite, and mountain biking in Downieville are all within a couple of hours. Locals head south on U.S. 395 to climb, ski, or hike in the eastern Sierra Nevada, then soak at just across the state line in Bridgeport, California.

鈥拟.惭.

New York, New York

The Carless Wonderland

Population: 8.6 million
Median Household Income: $60,879
Park Acreage: 40,016

Stereotypical Resident: The weekday micromanager who 鈥渞elaxes鈥� on weekends with boot camps and power yoga.

What鈥檚 Happening: New York has long been the U.S.鈥檚 financial and cultural center, and while that鈥檚 not changing, New Yorkers also know that the city can serve as an epic adventure playground.

The Neighborhood: 鈥� is the city鈥檚 one-stop shop for all things health and wellness,鈥� says Marc Daigle, an instructor at , a cycling gym in the area. Once you鈥檙e spun out, you鈥檙e within walking distance of meditation studios, spas, CrossFit and boxing gyms, and some of Manhattan鈥檚 best outdoor opportunities, like , the climbing gym at Chelsea Piers, and the , a 1.5-mile elevated greenspace.

The Climb: The annual has competitors tackle the 1,576 steps to the observation deck of the city鈥檚 most famous skyscraper.

The Crags: There are dozens of indoor climbing gyms and outdoor routes in the city, suited to all skill levels. In addition to Chelsea Piers, Manhattan has the 12,000-square-foot . Or get outside in Central Park, where more experienced climbers can test their skills at crags like Worthless Boulder, near 110th Street, which features 16 routes ranging from V1 to V10.

The Personal Shopper: in Union Square is a household name among New York鈥檚 adventure set. The Manhattan institution sells gear in three stories of space, and if you make a reservation, one of the store鈥檚 guides will outfit you for everything from ski trips to through-hikes to triathlons.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: New York has 1,240 miles of bike lanes, making it easy to explore all five boroughs on two wheels. 鈥淔rom riding along the Hudson to speeding past the Empire State Building, every day you ride is a new adventure,鈥� says Mike Espinosa, chief instructor at . Road bikers loop Prospect and Central Parks, while mountain bikers can get their singletrack fix in Washington Heights at Highbridge Park, which offers three miles of technical trails plus a dirt jump park and a pump track.

The Escape: It鈥檚 only an hour from Manhattan to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, home to some of the best hiking in the Hudson Valley, including Breakneck Ridge.

鈥擬eagan Drillinger

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One topic is going to feel a little more urgent than usual at in Miami: Climate change. That鈥檚 because there is听a massive wildfire raging just a few miles away from the venue in the Florida Everglades.听

It鈥檚 believed that the Sawgrass Fire was started by a lightning strike around 6:30 P.M. on Sunday evening. As of Tuesday afternoon, it鈥檚 spread to more than 31,500 acres in a state conservation area north of I-75. While it doesn鈥檛 currently threaten any structures, smoke from the fire is beginning to envelop that highway, which could lead to dangerous driving conditions. Local residents are being warned of the risks of inhaling its smoke.听

Contained within the 165,000-acre Water Conservation Area 3 by surrounding canals, Broward County officials are hoping the current mild wind conditions will remain stable and that the fire won鈥檛 jump I-75 into the bigger expanse of wetlands south of the highway. The fire does not currently threaten Everglades National Park. Forecasts predict a 40 to 60 percent chance of rain or thunderstorms in the region this evening, which could slow the fire鈥檚 spread听or extinguish it altogether.听

Fires are . The area that鈥檚 burning is essentially a low-lying sawgrass prairie, while other parts of the area include pine forest, swamp, and wetlands. But human activity has reduced water levels in the Everglades, even while climate change has created drier winters and hotter summers. All that combines to create more fire-prone conditions. The Sawgrass Fire has spread faster than usual and is already considered a large wildfire for the region.

Florida鈥檚 Everglades are particularly threatened by climate change. Even while fires grow more frequent and severe, sea level rise is already flooding the region with saltwater. And warming temperatures and saltwater are changing the kinds of plants and animals that are able to live there. While that鈥檚 going on, human development in the region has altered the way water flows into and through the Everglades. A听huge hurricane, , of non-native pythons into the ecosystem, which are now wreaking havoc on local wildlife. These threats are so bad that听.

If you are, for instance, a candidate for President hoping to put an exclamation point on the urgency of taking action to mitigate climate change, then this is the news event to talk about.听

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In my younger years, I frequented the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA), deep within Louisiana鈥檚 1 million鈥揳cre Atchafalaya River Basin, to hunt migrating waterfowl or whitetail deer in fall and winter. In summer, I always returned to hike and camp and was usually the only soul on the maze of trails or in the bayous, making the region a far cry from the crowded state parks nearby. The property became a place of solace, where I knew I could trek for miles in the backcountry, sharing it only with bears and alligators.

These WMAs exist in most states and are maintained for wildlife habitat. They make for fantastic hiking trails and pristine forests after hunters pack up for the season. With our national parks growing ever more crowded, we rounded up seven of the best WMAs around the country for those who want to avoid the masses.

Catoosa WMA, Tennessee

Perched on the Cumberland Plateau, just west of the Smoky Mountains, is known for its rugged mountains and wild rivers. The area is home to a section of the Cumberland Trail, and while the young footpath is still under construction, when completed it will stretch more than 300 miles northeast through Tennessee. Then there鈥檚 the , a 14.1-mile trail ending near a horizontal rock formation, the path鈥檚 namesake. For backpackers, there are designated camping spots scattered throughout the forest. Several free-flowing creeks with Class III and IV rapids run through the management area, including the Obed Wild and Scenic River, which boasts 500-foot-deep gorges and some of the best rafting in the region.

Snow Peak WMA, Idaho

There鈥檚 a short window to enjoy the steep canyons and mountains at between July, when snowpack melts, and when winter returns in September, says Laura Wolf, a wildlife biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. There are about 50 miles of trails, but nearly half are overgrown鈥攁lthough Wolf says staff is chipping away at that. The Snow Peak Trail is an easy nine-mile round-trip hike to an old fire tower with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the occasional mountain goat. 鈥淢ost higher-elevation ridgelines have ripening huckleberries in summer,鈥� Wolf says. An easier trek is the Scribner Falls Creek Trail, which is just eight miles over mostly flat ground.

Connecticut Hill WMA, New York

is only a short drive from Ithaca and is New York鈥檚 largest management area. As a part of the Appalachian Highlands, this area features 2,000-foot bluffs that offer views among mature maple, hemlock, and American beech forests. In warmer months, hikers can trek along a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, a 580-mile footpath that stretches across the state. In winter, the area is perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the property, so hikers can expect a feeling of seclusion even on a day hike. While state officials don鈥檛 allow camping on the WMA, there are a handful of nearby state forests that do.

Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA, Florida

Everglades National Park gets all the attention in southern Florida, but the adjacent has enough gators and swampland to go around. The interior of the property can be accessed only by boat. If you can reach it, you鈥檒l have access to the 鈥攏umerous canals and waterways that crisscross the swamp to offer glimpses of migrating birds. Hiking is restricted to levees, the only dry ground available, which snake around the exterior of the management area. The most popular paths are L-67 and L-35, including a 12-mile bike ride on a path through through sawgrass fields. Camping is allowed along the L-5 and , which offer spectacular bayou views. Both are currently closed due to hunting seasons and will reopen on November 16 (Friday through Sunday only).

Edward Sargent Wildlife Area, New Mexico

is tucked along New Mexico鈥檚 border with Colorado, consisting of high aspen meadows and ponderosa pine that provide habitat for elk and cougars. 鈥淭rails are currently not named or specifically marked,鈥� says Ryan Darr, a land manager with the state鈥檚 Department of Game and Fish, but you can follow creeks to access the interior of the management area鈥攍ike a 14-mile out-and-back on Chamita Creek. You can also explore old logging roads or horse paths to features like Nabor Lake, home to a healthy population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. There are established primitive camping areas near the property鈥檚 entrance. As for the crowds, elk easily outnumber humans in this part of the Rockies.

G. Richard Thompson WMA, Virginia

Situated on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has all the beauty of Shenandoah National Park but without the crowds. At its highest point of 2,200 feet, hikers can trek along seven miles of the Appalachian Trail. You鈥檒l get vistas of the pastoral Shenandoah Valley, along the way spotting wildflowers like trillium in summer. In October, you鈥檒l be surrounded by the brilliant colors of fall foliage. In any season, the 9.2-mile is a great way to take in the sights. Remember a map鈥攖here are no blazes marking the path.

Thief Lake WMA, Minnesota

, in Minnesota鈥檚 wild north country, has plenty of solitude. Wildlife manager Kyle Arola says the property is managed as a wildlife sanctuary, providing habitat for gray wolves, moose, elk, and thousands of waterfowl. 鈥湽怨虾诹� of hunting season, it feels like I have the place to myself,鈥� he says. Walking trails for hunters aren鈥檛 maintained during summer, but for intrepid hikers, the paths offer access to the interior of the property and outer banks of the lake. In early summer, the forest is overrun with chokecherries, juneberries and raspberries; in fall, stands of aspen glow bright yellow. Designated campgrounds south of Thief Lake offer primitive camping with boat ramp access. Whenever you go, be sure to pack a GPS.

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The inaugural in Miami, Florida, convened in mid-March inside the Ice Palace Film Studios, a 1923 fortresslike building surrounded by high hedges and palm trees. Its white walls seemed to glow under the sun. Inside, there was a darkened speaker area, a bazaar with vendors, and a lot of balloons鈥攇reen ones made up the trees in a massive indoor park, and white balloons hung from the ceiling to simulate cumulonimbus clouds. Giant block letters spelled out #WOHASU, the summit鈥檚 hashtag-friendly nickname. You could recline in the letter U, which sat slightly askew, and take a selfie.

The summit attracted 1,200 attendees, but one of them, a creative director told me, was the happiest of them all. I first met her as she walked toward a bank of brightlights and a video camera. As she stood in front of the lights and the camera, a live video selfie projected onto the screen. The video was being fed into a real-time facial recognition software that transformed any unsmiling faces into yellow orbs with two black zeros for eyes and a neutral, flat-line mouth. Anyone wearing a grin or a not-so-happy grimace was instantly transformed into a big green smiley face.

The live experiment was called , and the woman had yet to give it a try. 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 done it.鈥� Her voice squeaked. 鈥淐an I get into my subconscious thoughts, though? There鈥檚 some shit up in there.鈥�

鈥淕o for it,鈥� the creative director replied.

鈥淩eally, should I do it? How do you do it?鈥�

Her name was Ariana Gleckman, and like many attendees, she had been drawn to the summit because, as she put it, she鈥檇 鈥渂een trying figure out how to cultivate self-love and figure out her stuff.鈥� She鈥檇 surfed the scripture and verse of TED, the technology-conference-turned-viral-idea industry, and hoped to land somewhere with 鈥減ositive-ass vibes鈥� after graduating college. Ideally that meant working somewhere like , an applied research consulting firm in Lewisville, Texas, run by Shawn Achor, a positive psychologist and one of the morning鈥檚 speakers. Achor had previously spoken at the White House and mentioned something about how a new political regime, as well as things like climate change, were the types of circumstances outside our control as individuals. But, he said, you could still control your reaction.

Ariana kept what she called a 鈥渓ow-key blog鈥� on 鈥攕he called it 鈥淐onfessions of an Apprehensive Optimist鈥濃�攁nd, somehow, her impassioned plea on social media to attend this summit had reached the organizers鈥� attention, and they agreed to pay for her ticket. Which made her an atypical attendee and only partly explained her enthusiasm.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my spring break!鈥� she said. 鈥淚n Miami!鈥�

The happiness summit was open to anyone, with the exception of a few invite-only events. Tickets cost $169 for students and $1,699 for VIP access to speakers in the Gratitude Lounge. (Disclosure: I received complimentary media access to the WOHASU event, along with a tote bag and several coconut waters.) Many of the business owners, scientists, coaches, and individuals in attendance came in search of some scientific respectability鈥攐r, at the very least, a veneer of it.

Javier Hernandez, 33, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the MIT Mood Meter鈥檚 developers, said emotional recognition technology and affective computing was bound to become routine in market research鈥攆or example, to gauge whether an ad intended to be funny elicited the desired response from consumers. For now, however, the meter was simply designed to bring people joy. Hernandez said he often presented at scientific seminars. The mix of Zumba and yoga at the summit was a little outside his comfort zone, and he was intrigued by the range of scientific rigor. 鈥淢any of these studies say, 鈥極h, we can measure your stress levels. We can do these things.鈥� They usually oversell it,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淗appiness is difficult to quantify.鈥�

The pursuit of happiness has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Americans spend an estimated $11 billion a year in search of a blissful happy-ever-after, according to Ruth Whippman, the author of . In 1999, the Gallup Organization hosted the first Positive Psychology Summit. The WOHASU organizers cited a that described Miami as the happiest place to work, but a nagging misery hung about the travelers headed there on an overbooked plane from New York. When I told a flight attendant I was headed to a summit on happiness, she said, without hesitation, 鈥淵ou never would have guessed with this crowd.鈥�

The United States could certainly be a happier place. In a 2013 poll, that American businesses lost around $500 billion in revenue because of unhappy employees. The United States currently ranks 14th in global happiness, behind countries like Denmark and New Zealand, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network鈥檚 . In the past decade, private businesses and governments around the world have been combating what positive psychologists call an epidemic of depression by nudging employees and citizens toward things that clinical psychiatry had once overlooked: personal strength, hope, joy, compassion, love. Tal Ben-Shahar鈥攚ho spoke at the summit and whose Harvard class, Psychology 1504: Positive Psychology, is said to have broken attendance records鈥攌icked off barnstorming tours around the world. A stable of academic experts laymanized their scholarly work for mainstream audiences on the big-ideas lecture circuit鈥攁ll of them intent on convincing people that the bold, and mostly unproven, claims of positive psychology were not merely pseudoscience and wishful thinking. It seemed to be working.

The movement seemed to have reached its zenith with the World Happiness Summit, which convened more than 50 so-called thought leaders in one place. The first event was held in March, with the hope of creating, as one of its founders put it, 鈥渁 Davos for happiness.鈥� But unlike the World Economic Forum, WOHASU focused on people and 鈥渙n happiness as a life choice, as a human right, and as an enabler of human development and social innovation.鈥� Karen Guggenheim, CEO of WOHASU, said that after losing her husband of 21 years to the flu, she didn鈥檛 want to be pigeonholed, at 46, as a young widow. After working with the Miami Herald, she had gone back for an MBA at Georgetown University, and often told people she 鈥渃hose happiness.鈥� The phrase served as a kind of mission statement and a call to action. Near the entrance to the speaker area, Lululemon, one of the event鈥檚 sponsors, installed swings and a mural with large cursive letters that read, 鈥淐hoose Happiness.鈥� Everyone at the summit received a tote bag with the phrase 鈥淚 Choose Happiness鈥� in neon-pink lettering.

The program freely combined the statistical rigor of economists and psychologists with the business acumen of brand ambassadors and at least one Chief Happiness Officer, alongside those practicing a 鈥渟acred science鈥� with a New Age or magical bent. Late on Saturday morning, a loud whoop went up from the Keynote Area, the darkened room where attendees sat in folding chairs and reclined on plush cushions under white teepee-like structures, massaging each other鈥檚 necks and stretching. The speakers on the nearby stage led a panel discussion on the 鈥淧ractice of Happiness.鈥� They talked about 鈥渢he millions of people on your platform.鈥� Of 鈥渂uilding a movement.鈥� Of 鈥済etting into your tribes and broadcasting happiness.鈥�

Meanwhile, in the WOHASU Bazaar, a group sat, eyes closed, with brain-sensing wrapped around their temples. The device contained a compact electroencephalography (EEG) system and was designed to be a 鈥減ersonal meditation assistant.鈥� Two men from Spain touted a , which offered exposure therapy by way of VR goggles and software. Nearby, Gary Cook sat behind a table and sold books. 鈥淭his is not my type of event, let鈥檚 just put it that way,鈥� he told me. 鈥淔eel like I need some Zen tea鈥攖wo booths down.鈥� The day鈥檚 bestsellers, Gary said, included Before Happiness, the Happiness 国产吃瓜黑料, The How of Happiness, and Even Happier.

On Saturday afternoon, a woman named climbed on the keynote stage. Described in the program as a 鈥渃onsciousness lecturer鈥� and an 鈥渁ward-winning author of seven books,鈥� she presented results from an 鈥渋ntention experiment鈥� that had been performed on Friday afternoon. A Russian man, who she claimed was a physicist, had set up something called a gas discharge visualization machine that was allegedly capable of measuring the 鈥渆nergetic properties鈥� of water. Because human emotions affect the nervous system, which change the body鈥檚 overall electrical conductivity, Lynne claimed that a room full of people in Miami鈥攁ll focused on making water more alkaline, like a mountain stream鈥攈ad a perceptible influence on the physical properties of the world. She put up a graph depicting what she said was a decrease in the electrical charge of the entire room housing the physicist鈥檚 bottle of water in St. Petersburg, Russia. 鈥淵our beautiful spirit radiated over to an environment thousands and thousands of miles away,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou changed the world.鈥�

Most attendees seemed to be chasing a sort of inner change. I asked everyone I met, 鈥淲ho鈥檚 the happiest person here?鈥�

Many pointed to themselves and said, 鈥淢e.鈥�

If nothing else, the summit seemed to substantiate the idea that that happiness begets happiness. According to self-reported data collected from attendees by Plasticity, a platform that measures workplace morale and one of the summit鈥檚 sponsors, the average daily happiness rose from 86 percent (of the self-reporting participants) on Thursday to 91 percent on Saturday. There are many activities that make people happy, subjectively, and as difficult as it is to quantify objectively, governments and companies were nonetheless finding ways to measure happiness and increase it. Individuals, too.

国产吃瓜黑料, vendors sold bowls of pok茅, tempeh sandwiches, and green coconuts with long drinking straws. Vita Coca handed out complimentary coconut waters. Aisha Bin-Bishr, director general of the Smart Dubai Office鈥攚hich had recently installed 鈥渉appiness meters鈥� that allow people interacting with some government services to rate their experience鈥攈ad spoken about sharing best happiness practices globally. She admitted that she was unsure who was the happiest person in attendance. She then raised a pi帽a colada鈥揻lavored popsicle and said, 鈥淏ut when I鈥檓 eating ice cream, I鈥檓 so happy.鈥�

A couple hours before sundown on Saturday, as attendees gathered outside, Ariana鈥攓uite possibly the happiest girl in the crowd鈥攈eld her hands up as if she were dancing to deep house music. Then she saw Shawn Achor, CEO of GoodThink Inc., walking around and ran up to him. He admitted that he was ordinarily hired to speak to audiences unfamiliar with his line of research, but he felt recharged knowing he wasn鈥檛 a lone voice. Ariana told him she loved his talks and had written a letter to attend the summit.

鈥淚 love this stuff,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 love your passion. You鈥檙e like living proof of this research, right?鈥�

鈥淚 try.鈥�

鈥淚 think people around you would pick up from that. It鈥檚 contagious.鈥�

Their conversation turned to coaching. It was possible, Achor said, to be an amazing coach without feeling like you were all that amazing yourself. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned to be happy from people who were miserable,鈥� he said. I took their photo, and Ariana posted it on Instagram: GUYS I JUST MET MY FREAKIN鈥� INSPIRATION/HAPPINESS GURU/ROCKSTAR/ROLE MODEL

I鈥檒l admit, I was one of those people who left the summit happier than I arrived. This was almost certainly听in part because it was sunnier in Miami than whatever dregs of winter were being served up back home in Brooklyn. But mostly I think it had to do with asking other people, 鈥淲hat are you doing here?鈥� and genuinely wondering why. If I had set out to find the One True Thing That Will Make Everyone Happy Forever, I certainly would have left unsatisfied. There鈥檚 no surefire recipe for happiness. But what do I know is this: There are only so many factors within our control. Our government is not among them. Nor, unfortunately, are the effects of climate change. But just imagine a world where your intention mattered. Keep moving forward, the self-help gurus like to say. Keep moving forward in the face of adversity. Express gratitude.

Late on Saturday afternoon, dozens of people鈥攖heir posture erect, their movement purposeful鈥攆ormed a circle on the grass. Inside, attendees placed their heads down, palms pressed firmly into yoga mats. On Sunday morning, a man employed by GoogleX gave an engineer鈥檚 perspective about solving for happiness. There was dancing in a park downtown. Seventy miles north of Miami, the president of the United States of America played golf. Out on the white-sand beaches, which were all slowly washing away, the sun beat down and a Hitchcockian swarm of black insects stormed the shore. It was alarming. The first wave of insects , and they came to feast on dead foliage. The infestation felt like an omen鈥攁s if to say, 鈥淭he world is dying, and so are we.鈥� But this wasn鈥檛 the end-of-the-world summit; this was the happiness summit. Everyone here decided to call them 鈥渓ovebugs.鈥�

The post My Weekend at a Conference for the Super-Happy appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The city boasts more races than ever (from marathons to fat biking), thriving fitness communities, and as always, approximately 365 days of perfect conditions for playing.

Ride

Rickenbacker听Causeway听

A segregated bike path allows for 40-mile out-and-backs. Ride it alone, or join one of Bells Bicycles鈥� two weekend group rides.听

Train

Hobie Beach听

So many locals run, bike, and swim at this bayside spot on Virginia Key that it鈥檚 unofficially called Tri Beach. Bring your A game: four-time world champion trains here, too.

Go Multi-Sport

Oleta River State听Park听

The 1,043-acre park has 15 miles of trails, a stretch of river for canoeing, and a saltwater lagoon for swim颅ming. Rent canoes and mountain bikes at .听

Find Some Vert

鈥�

Vista View Park听

Miami is flat. But you can get a bit of hill training at nearby Vista View, a former landfill that now houses 272 acres of rolling terrain.听

Refuel

Juice and Java听

Great post-training .听

Fly-Fish听

Biscayne National Park

Trawl for giant bonefish鈥攑ound for pound, the hardest-fighting fish in the world. Steve Horowitz of can get you to the goods.听

Paddleboard

鈥�

South Pointe听

Good waves are rare in 颅Miami, which makes it a great place to flatwater SUP. Rent a board from .

Local Pro

Dave Hughes, Olympic Sailor

鈥淟okal serves up on-point burgers, veggie options, and local beers. It鈥檚 a nice treat after a hard week of training. Order the 50/50 fries.鈥�

Local Joe

Frankie Ruiz, Cofounder of the听Miami Marathon听

鈥淥ne of my favorite running spots is the . It takes you through a couple of different habitats in the Everglades and is about 45 minutes out of town.鈥�

The post The Athlete’s Guide to Miami appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.