8 Out-Of-The-Box Travel Adventures Across America To Undertake When Your Family From India Comes Visiting

Staying away from our family back in India leaves us with major pangs of homesickness and hours that are spent browsing through different sites to find them the cheapest flights for a really, nice long vacation. Yup, a vacation to bring our folks here (along with 2 suitcases full of Indian snacks, masalas and savouries). And when they do come down, it is our unsaid responsibility to turn tour guides and show them America in all its glory! Because one, America is AMAZING, and second, they want us to be their personal tour guides to do justice to their 'abroad' trip. So, here's a list of out-of-the-box travel spots across America you can head to the next time your family comes visiting you!

1. Go Rockhounding at Bend, Oregon

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Volcanoes aren't the most common thing that's found in India. And a picturesque one? Definitely, not. Here in Bend, the landscape is lined up with ancient volcanoes and unique geological features everywhere. You can get a taste of it when you go hiking up Pilot Butte, Lava Island Falls or hoof up along Deschutes River Trail. You can then try rockhounding and dig out some massive lava lumps and glassy obsidian for them to take home as mementos.

2. Spend a day picnicking at the Columbia River Gorge

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If your folks want to get immersed in the beauty of the American landscape, this uber-sustainable destination is perfect. From sampling veggies at the farmer¡¯s market to kite-surfing, hiking to the waterfalls and beer tasting at Hood River, there is so much to do here. The best part is, you have waterfalls at every bend till you reach the gorge (Multnomah Falls being the best), and ample opportunities to do rock-climbing and chill at the sandy beaches.

3. Deep sea fishing in Key West, Florida

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Accessible from the Overseas Highway, a trip to this island city is super fun. You can book a fishing charter with your folks and go fishing right in the middle of the sea! After bagging a heavy catch you can even get someone to cook your fish for you. Sounds cool, right? You can even go snorkelling and scuba-diving to spot the coral reefs or you can just drive around to click pictures in the pastel-hued beach city.

4. Get a refresher in North American history at the Smithsonian Museums and Research Centres in Washington D.C.

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So your mom and dad have a thousand questions about American history and culture. Take the easy route. Drive down to D.C. and head to the many galleries, museums and research centres that form part of the Smithsonian Institution. There are over 150 million items to explore and entry is free!

5. Take a hike on the Appalachian Trail at Gettysburg

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If your folks are up for an adventure, then a hike on the A.T, often regarded as the world¡¯s longest hiking trail, is a must do. Drive down to the Caledonia State Park, about 12 miles west of Downtown Gettysburg, and then hike up the trail through rock croppings, creeks and beautiful canopies of trees. Post lunch, a pleasant history tour around Gettysburg would be perfect.

6. Experience the NASA-life at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

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If you have kids or nerds on the trip, then you should definitely head there. It's just a day trip from Orlando or Florida and takes almost a full day to explore. KSC has amazing tour packages- from Lunch with an Astronaut, space films to even an Astronaut Training Experience (ATX). The half-day astronaut training includes riding simulators and building your own rockets. Your folks will definitely thank you for the experience.

7. Explore the gigantic glaciers of the Great Northern at Glacier National Park, Montana

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If you guys want to experience some snow-capes and glaciers, take a ride towards the Canadian-U.S border. It's lined up with picturesque glacier-carved peaks and valleys with more than 700 miles of hiking trails. You can even spot bears and mountain goats on the way here. Especially, for someone from the hot Indian suburbs, this place will be a cool, breathtaking treat in the literal sense.

8. Just soak in the sun at Big Sur, California

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If you guys just want to chill and do nothing, take off on a long drive on the West Coast towards Big Sur. This place being California's masterpiece is adorned with golden poppies lining up the highway and has the blue sky contrasting the turquoise ocean. This quaint place is perfect to just be still, soak in nature's bliss, and reminisce good old family moments. And later if you want to explore, there are various hiking trails, pretty cafes and treehouses out there too.

Most of the places mentioned in this story are easily accessible by road from any major city in the US. So go on, impress your family from back home in India with a vacation they will never forget. Meanwhile, make sure you have the best travel companion to keep your folks comfortable during the journey. The new Toyota RAV4 Adventure Grade is all you need to have some good times. Its 18-inch 5-spoke black alloy wheels run smoothly on the road, while it's plush leather interiors are spacious and comfy. You bring in more bags of luggage too (thanks to the unique Tow prep package). Your folks are bound to definitely have a trip to remember if you plan it out well.

Go on. Hit the road, and confidently go places you haven¡¯t gone before!