Things to Do in United States in July

This tour packages the stark drama of the Southwest into a single day. It transports you from the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip to the immense, silent expanse of the Grand Canyon. You will feel the dry, baking heat lift as you cross the Hoover Dam. Hear the deep hum of its generators. Then confront the canyon's layered bands of red and ochre stretching beyond sight. The optional Skywalk lets you stand on transparent glass. Nothing but air sits between your feet and the canyon floor a dizzying distance below.

This combination pairs the chilling, confined history of Alcatraz Island with the liberating flexibility of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour across San Francisco. On the island, you will hear the clang of heavy doors and the echoing narration of former inmates. Feel the cold Pacific fog seep through the prison walls. See the impressive, taunting view of the city across the bay. The bus tour then lets you chase the sun. Smell salty air as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Step off to taste sourdough bread in Fisherman's Wharf.

Held in a chapel adorned with shag carpeting and stained glass portraits of the King, this ceremony is a uniquely American cultural immersion. The constant soundtrack is his greatest hits. You will see the glint of rhinestones on a jumpsuit-clad officiant. Hear the opening chords of "Can't Help Falling in Love." Feel the playful, over-the-top celebration of an icon that defines Memphis. It is less a solemn vow and more a participatory performance in the lasting theater of Elvis Presley.

This guided tour navigates the otherworldly geothermal landscape of Yellowstone National Park. You will see sapphire hot springs steaming in the cool morning air. Hear the sudden roar of Old Faithful erupting. Smell the distinct sulfurous tang of the mud pots. In July, the park's meadows are lush and green. They are dotted with wildflowers and often grazed by herds of bison. Their massive, dark forms create a striking silhouette against the rolling hills.

This tour connects the sublime sculpted rock of two Utah national parks. It moves from the vast, sunlit canyon of Zion to the silent, crimson forest of hoodoos in Bryce. You will feel the cool shade of the Virgin River Narrows. See the impossible pink and orange spires of Bryce Canyon amphitheater. Taste the dust on the wind at panoramic overlooks. The included lunch is a welcome respite between landscapes of overwhelming scale and delicate detail.

This is a more complete version of the Southwest desert tour. This trip includes both breakfast and lunch. You are fueled for a day of gazing across the Grand Canyon's immense void and walking the arched crest of the Hoover Dam. You will feel the desert heat radiate from the concrete dam. Hear the guide's stories about its Depression-era construction. Later, see the deep shadows carve definition into the canyon's endless walls as the sun moves west.