25 days in United States Itinerary

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Explore Denver's surroundings by going to Garden of the Gods (in Colorado Springs), Pikes Peak - America's Mountain (in Cascade) and Hidee Gold Mine (in Central City). Next up on the itinerary: let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and pause for some serene contemplation at The International Church of Cannabis.

To see where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Denver trip planner.

Chicago to Denver is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST) is minus 1 hour. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Chicago in May: high temperatures in Denver hover around 22°C and lows are around 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.

The Gunnison River has been hard at work over the past two million years, carving out the sheer cliffs and towering spires that today make up Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Sat): hike along Rim Rock Trail, then take a memorable drive along South Rim Road, and then take some stellar pictures from Warner Point. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in breathtaking views at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

To find maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park trip maker site.

You can drive from Denver to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in 5.5 hours. In May, daily temperatures in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Moab.

The gateway to Utah's popular canyon country, Moab sits engulfed in the middle of desert wilderness.

On the 17th (Wed), spend a relaxing day on the river with a rafting and tubing tour. There's much more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Arches National Park, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, get outside with Outdoor Activities, and stroll through Bike Fiend.

To see reviews, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Moab trip app.

Traveling by car from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park to Moab takes 3.5 hours. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Moab when traveling from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in May, with lows around 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can drive to Zion National Park.

Towering cliffs of red, white, and pink Navajo sandstone, stream-carved slot canyons, and big blue sky all characterize Zion National Park.

On the 18th (Thu), explore the striking landscape of Zion National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get great views at Observation Point, tour the pleasant surroundings at Angel's Landing, and then admire all the interesting features of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

For where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Zion National Park driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Moab to Zion National Park in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and bus; or do a combination of car and flight. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Moab in May since evenings lows in Zion National Park dip to 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can travel to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

On the 21st (Sun), hike the day away at Bright Angel Trail. There's lots more to do: take in breathtaking views at Grand Canyon South Rim, trek along Widforss Trail, get great views at Grandview Point, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Rim Trail.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Grand Canyon National Park trip builder website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Zion National Park in May: high temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park hover around 23°C and lows are around 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can travel to Mesa Verde National Park.

Whereas most national parks are primarily devoted to showcasing unique and special landscapes, Mesa Verde National Park focuses on ancient human habitation.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Wed): make a trip to Park Point, then steep yourself in history at Balcony House, and then delve into the distant past at Cliff Palace.

For ratings, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Mesa Verde National Park holiday planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Grand Canyon National Park to Mesa Verde National Park. In May, daily temperatures in Mesa Verde National Park can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Tucson.

One of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, Tucson is a city on a cultural crossroads, with European, Native American, Mexican, and Asian residents blending and sometimes conflicting with one another.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Thu): awaken your taste buds at Arizona Winery Tours, view the masterpieces at Madaras Gallery, and then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms. On the 26th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about all things military at Titan Missile Museum, then learn more about the world around you at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and then view the masterpieces at Etherton Gallery.

To see maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Tucson vacation builder site.

Getting from Mesa Verde National Park to Tucson by combination of flight and bus takes about 6 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Mesa Verde National Park in May: highs in Tucson hover around 36°C, while lows dip to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) early enough to drive to Las Cruces.

Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. Start off your visit on the 27th (Sat): admire the local landmark of Plaza de Las Cruces, look for gifts at Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wine, don't miss a visit to Mesilla Plaza, then walk around Dripping Springs Natural Area, and finally walk around Veterans Memorial Park.

For traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Las Cruces route maker.

Getting from Tucson to Las Cruces by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Tucson in May, things will get little chillier in Las Cruces: highs are around 33°C and lows about 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Salt Flat.

Salt Flat is a ghost town in northeastern Hudspeth County, Texas, United States. Kick off your visit on the 28th (Sun): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

For other places to visit, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read Salt Flat trip planner.

Getting from Las Cruces to Salt Flat by car takes about 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 31°C in May, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

The canyons, cacti, and thorny bushes of the southern New Mexico desert hide one of the U.S.'s great subterranean geological wonders, Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

On the 29th (Mon), head outdoors with Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour, then take in the dramatic natural features at Hall of The White Giant, then Head underground at King's Palace, and finally Head underground at Big Room. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the dramatic natural features at Giant Dome and then contemplate the waterfront views at Green Lake.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park trip planner.

Drive from Salt Flat to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2.5 hours. When traveling from Salt Flat in May, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Carlsbad Caverns National Park: temperatures range from 36°C by day to 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Saint Louis.

Test the local claim that Saint Louis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of free activities available by spending your holiday exploring the city's central neighborhoods, famous for their restored century-old red-brick buildings.

Saint Louis is known for sightseeing, museums, and zoos & aquariums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: enjoy breathtaking views from The Gateway Arch, identify plant and animal life at The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, examine the collection at City Museum, and take in nature's colorful creations at Missouri Botanical Garden.

To find other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Saint Louis road trip planning app.

Getting from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to Saint Louis by flight takes about 8 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to Saint Louis. When traveling from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in May, plan for little chillier days in Saint Louis, with highs around 29°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.