Sure, you won’t have the place to yourself, but who cares? These are the sights you have to see during your lifetime. Besides, if you play your cards right—come early or late, don’t show up on a busy weekend, arrive through the sneaky back entrance that few people know about—you can get around some of the crowds. These are our picks for top spots worth visiting, despite the fact that everyone else will be theretoo.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The South Rim of Grand Canyon is notoriously jammed with shuttle busses, RVs, and hikers wearing CamelBaks. And for good reason—the views of the canyon from this side are stunning. If you’re entering the park from here, plan to lineup well before 9 a.m. or come at night. (Rangers lead on stars, bats, and geology at the McKee Amphitheater.) Otherwise, skip the bustling Grand Canyon Village and enter the park from, 25 miles to the east, or via the harder-to-reach.
While everyone else hikes down the Bright Angel Trail, opt for the more challenging but less traveled Hermit Trail, which you can reach via shuttle from Grand Canyon Village or by car if you have an.
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
In June, Brazil began allowingvisa-free entry into the country for travelers from the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia. That means it’s even easier to book a trip to visit the famous waterfalls at Foz do Iguaçu, which straddle the border between Brazil and Argentina.
Thousands of people visit the park each day, most of whom come from the Argentinian side, so accessing the falls from the Brazilian side is a good bet. Stay near the falls at the (from $441), and you can be on the trail out to the Devil’s Throat viewpoint before everyone else.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Colorado
ճ, which takes place in late June, brings some 12,000 people to the normally sleepy mountain town. In the 46 years of the festival, the lineup keeps getting more impressive. This year, headliners included Brandi Carlile, the Sam Bush Band, and Railroad Earth. Camping at the festival is a must-do experience, but it’s hardly a solitary one. If you want a little more room, pitch a tent in the forested, seven miles away, and hop the shuttle to the festival.
Don’t forget running shoes and a tarp. To claim a spot near the main stage, you’ll need to line up early for the mad dash that is the.
Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire
If you’re a budding backcountry skier on the East Coast, Tuckerman Ravine is your pilgrimage. It’s a classic route with some of the finest steep terrain in the country. Each spring, tens of thousands of people hike the 4.2-mile trail to ski the iconic bowl and chutes on the flanks of Mount Washington. To avoid the crowds, don’t show up on a busy weekend in April. Or you could hirea guide from the International Mountain Climbing School to take you toTuckerman Ravine and some lesser-known zones off Mount Washington with far fewer people.
Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix, France
No matter the season, the scenery from the top of the, which rises to 12,391 feet above the Chamonix valley and offers panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, is worth battling the crowds. Nearly half a million people visit this spot every year.
During the summer peak, the lift starts running at 6:30 a.m.—be on the first tram to reduce your exposure to crowds. This is a prime launching point for experienced backcountry skiers and climbers, but if you’re going that route.
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
On the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the Franz Josef Glacier is a true spectacle:a massive chunk of shifting ice that used to extend from the mountains to the sea.
Join a for a hike in the valley or a helicopter ride to walk on the glacier itself. Peak season is November to March, so come outside that window for less traffic. The nearby has treehouses (from $300), cottages (from $120), and places to park your van (from $31).
Montauk, New York
Summer crowds are a real thing in Montauk, where city dwellers escape to the eastern end of Long Island for weekend and summer holidays on the beach. Come in the fall for a quieter experience.
Things to do: Climb to the top of the, and join the Instagrammers on the patio snapping photos of the sunset from or Montauket, an old-schoolcliffside bar and restaurant with the best views of Fort Pond Bay. Stay at (from $229), a few minutes from town but far enough off the main drag to give you a feeling of serenity.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
As the closest national park to Los Angeles, is as accessible as it is beautiful, with thousands of established rock-climbing routes and endless hiking trails. Get this—90 percent of the park’s visitors come through a single entrance, the west gate near the town of Joshua Tree. If you want to avoid that backup, use the north entrance near Twentynine Palms or the southern entrance from Chiriaco Summit. Orshow up midwinter, when nobody else is around. Most campers head to; instead, try for a first-come, first-served spot at the smaller ($15).