12 U.S. Roadside Attractions Worth Pulling Over For

Pulling off the highway to check out a random roadside attraction can add entertainment to any road trip. From unusual to quirky to downright weird, giant sculptures and other oddities make for great spots not only to stretch road-weary bodies but also to take fun photos. Most wacky attractions — which also include castles, caves, and collections — have gift shops so you can pick up a souvenir to remember your peculiar pit stop.

Thousands of roadside attractions dot the U.S., so it’s impossible to list them all (though Roadside America does a great job of cataloging many in both the U.S. and Canada). If your next vacation by car takes you nearby, consider these spots worth pulling over for.

1. Teapot Building

Zillah, Washington

The Teapot Dome scandal of 1921, which involved misconduct in transferring oil leases to a government entity under President Warren Harding’s administration, prompted a builder to create a whimsical 15-foot-tall teapot complete with a cement handle and a spout doubling as a stove chimney. Today, the Teapot Building houses a visitor center just off I-82 in Zillah, Washington.

Stop at Casa Grande’s Neon Sign Park at dusk to see the signs lit up.
Photo credit: Oscar Perez

2. Neon Sign Park

Casa Grande, Arizona

Detour off I-10 or I-8 between Phoenix and Tucson and dip into Casa Grande to visit the beautifully colored and vibrant lights in the outdoor Neon Sign Park on the town’s Main Street. Spend some time on the benches enjoying the 14 vintage mid-century neon signs or walk along the landscaped paths. Lights are typically turned on at dusk and off at 11 p.m.

Aliens take on dinosaurs at The Thing?
Photo credit: Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc

3. The Thing?

Benson, Arizona

For hundreds of miles in either direction from Phoenix to El Paso along I-10, giant billboards ask “What Is It?” and announce how far you are from “The Thing? — The Mystery of the Desert.” Originally a tourist stop with a collection of oddities created in 1965, today, The Thing? is owned and operated by Bowlin Travel Centers and features an additional gas station, Dairy Queen, and Aliens vs. Dinosaurs exhibit.

4. Gravity Hill

Bedford County, Pennsylvania

Two hours southeast of Pittsburgh, not too far from the junction of I-76 and I-99, is a mysterious road that defies gravity. When you get to the top of Gravity Hill in Bedford County, put your car in neutral and prepare to get spooked. Instead of your car rolling backward down the hill, your car will start to move forward up the hill.

5. Giant Paul Bunyan

Bangor, Maine

While there’s some controversy as to exactly where the folklore hero Paul Bunyan was born — Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also make claims — Bangor, Maine, celebrates the lumberjack icon with a larger-than-life statue in front of the Cross Insurance Center arena, just off I-395. The giant Paul Bunyan is 31 feet tall and weighs 3,700 pounds.

6. Bishop Castle

Rye, Colorado

Since 1969, just one man, Jim Bishop, has built with his own hands a three-story stone and iron castle in southwestern Colorado. It costs nothing to tour the magnificent site that includes turrets, bridges, and even a fire-breathing dragon. Find Bishop Castle along State Highway 165, about 24 miles from the Colorado City exit at I-25.

7. Rex, The Orange Dinosaur

Jacksonville, Florida

Rex, The Orange Dinosaur in Jacksonville, Florida, originally welcomed guests to a 1960s miniature golf course on busy Beach Boulevard. While the golf course was demolished to make room for a strip mall, Rex still stands tall.

8. Shark Girl At Canalside

Buffalo, New York

Canalside, at the junction of I-190 and the Buffalo Parkway, is a formerly deserted waterfront in Upstate New York that now buzzes with activity. The odd (to put it mildly) Shark Girl, who’s perched on rocks at the top of Immigrant Steps at the Replica Canals, is a popular photo opp.

9. The Salt And Pepper Shaker Museum

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Just off U.S. Route 321 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, stands The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum with more than 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world and a huge pepper mill collection. There’s a small fee to enter, but it can be applied to a gift shop purchase.

10. Bell Witch Cave

Adams, Tennessee

Swing off U.S. Highway 41 in Adams, Tennessee, and you’ll find Bell Witch Cave — thought to be haunted since the early 1800s. According to one legend, John Bell and his family lived in a nearby cabin. The Bell Witch, who tortured the family for years, was the spirit of an unfriendly neighbor who thought John cheated her in a land purchase. Today, visitors can tour the cave and the reconstructed cabin while listening to haunting tales.

11. World’s Largest Fork (By Mass)

Springfield, Missouri

For an unusual selfie, if you can fit it all in your frame, visit the world’s largest fork in southwest Missouri. The 35-foot, 11-ton structure was originally built to help promote a local restaurant. It later moved to its permanent spot not far from the junction of U.S. Route 60 and Highway 13 in Springfield — which is also home to a giant macaroni noodle and enormous golf club. Other “world’s largest forks” in the U.S. are taller, but this one weighs more.

12. Big Orange Moose

Black River Falls, Wisconsin

Veer from I-94 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to snap your photo of the big orange moose standing next to a pond in a grassy area that’s great for kids to run around and burn off energy. It’s also near the SureStay Plus by Best Western Black River Falls, which has a bar named (you guessed it) The Orange Moose Lounge. For a second fun photo, walk over to the giant sculpture of the moose with a big block of Swiss cheese.

The Bottom Line

Keep an eye out for signs advertising roadside attractions on your next U.S. road trip. A pit stop for an entertaining picture or random experience can be an ideal way to break up a long stretch of driving and add a little entertainment to your trip.

If you don’t want to miss any roadside oddities, consider downloading the fee-based Roadside America app for iPhones or iPads.

4 Thanksgiving Day Parades To Visit In The U.S.

While its beginnings aren’t necessarily agreed upon across the country, Thanksgiving has grown into one of the most commercialized and popular holidays in the U.S. Between spending time with family, feasting on our favorite foods, watching football, and most importantly, taking time off, there are more than a few reasons why Americans have gravitated towards the celebration of Thanksgiving.

But for the past 100 years, a new Thanksgiving tradition has taken center stage, with well-known companies cashing in, like Macy’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. Thanksgiving has transformed into a symbol of the start of Christmas time and these nationally broadcasted parades do a good job of getting the country excited about the holiday season.

But, at the heart of these parades — old and new — is tradition. Let’s take a look at some of the best Thanksgiving Day parades in America and how they came to be.

Macy's star balloon at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — Macy’s star balloon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photo credit: Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City

Although not America’s first celebrated Thanksgiving Day parade, the Macy’s Day Parade is touted as the most popular parade in the calendar year. Dating back to 1924, the first parade was organized by employees from Macy’s and the Central Park Zoo, according to I Love NY. Just 3 years later, the parade debuted its iconic floats.

For the next 90+ years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has owned the airwaves and the streets of New York City.

“Since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been the official kick-off to the holiday season,” says I Love NY. “Each year, more than 50 million TV viewers joined by 3.5 million people in New York City attend or tune in for this beloved event through Manhattan.”

2. America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Detroit

“It all began in 1924 when the display director of the J.L. Hudson Company department store, Charles Wendel, learned of the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade in Toronto and thought a similar parade would make a great addition to Detroit, which at the time was at the forefront of the auto industry boom,” according to Yesterday’s America.

Not unlike the inception of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in partnership with a department store, America’s Thanksgiving Parade began in 1924 along with the popular tradition of holiday shopping window displays. Wendel went even further with the parade’s traditions and gave life to papier-mâché heads, known as “Big Heads” — an idea borrowed from Italian puppeteers. People would wear these big heads and parade in the streets during the celebration.

Today, a nonprofit known as The Parade Company has taken over all operations and marketing for the event. And although its legend doesn’t quite match up to its peer parade in New York City, America’s Thanksgiving Parade was named USA TODAY’s Best Holiday Parade in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia — 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia
Photo credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images

3. 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia

Furthering the theme of local communities and brands coming together, the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrated on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. With Dunkin’ Donuts entering the picture years later, the parade was first presented in partnership with popular department store Gimbel Brothers and is the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade, dating back to 1920. Broadcasted by the community’s most well-known news station, the parade has become a staple of Thanksgiving Day in Philadelphia.

Today, it is a celebration of the local community. Hosted and broadcasted by the 6abc news team, the parade features appearances and acts from local and worldwide celebrities, as well as local schools, nonprofits, and several other organizations. From familiar faces like Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus to the showcasing of local talent like the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, the Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade has continued as a holiday favorite for longer than any other parade on this list.

4. H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, Houston

Since Thanksgiving parades are more easily adapted in cold-weather cities — the parade symbolizes the Christmas season and its correlation with snow and colder weather — Houston’s H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade may be an outlier on this list. And even with much less history compared to the other entries, the parade has taken over as one of the South’s greatest Thanksgiving Day celebrations.

Started in partnership with San Antonio-based supermarket chain, the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrating its 74th year in 2023. Last year, the parade’s grand marshal was Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and this year, the co-grand marshals will be Houston Rockets legends Rudy Tomjanovich and Calvin Murphy.

No matter what your Thanksgiving Day traditions are, you can always count on these nationwide phenomena to grow every year. Whether you tune in on your local television station or attend these parades in person, they continue to bring the holidays to families all across America.

These Are The 10 Busiest Airports In The World, And Only Two Are Outside Of The U.S.

The number of people traveling by air increased significantly last year, undoubtedly driven by relaxed COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions in the U.S.

Indeed, in 2021, the total number of global air passengers is estimated to have been around 4.5 billion, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World, the trade association of the world’s airports, which tracks global airport data. While that number showed a 25 percent increase from the number of people traveling by air in 2020, was still down about 50 percent from the number of global air travelers in the pre-pandemic year 2019.

This data comes from Airports Council International World’s annual ranking of the top 10 world’s busiest airports in the world. The numbers used in the tally represent total passengers enplaned and deplaned, with passengers in transit counted once. In other words, it’s the number of people moving through an airport’s terminals according to ACI World.

“The passenger traffic rankings tell the story of an encouraging trend of recovery, with most of the recurrent top-traficked airports pre-COVID-19 levels back at the top,” Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said in a statement. “Although we are cautious that recovery could face multiple headwinds, the momentum created by reopening plans by countries could lead to an uptick in travel in the second half of 2022.”

Interestingly, eight of the world’s top 10 in passenger traffic 2021 are in the U.S., while the other two are located in China. That’s a reversal from the 2020 ranking, where seven of the 10 in passengers were in China and only three were in the U.S.

It’s important to note that China’s international borders remained closed in 2021. The country also maintained a zero-COVID-19 policy, which meant that COVID-19 outbreaks led to strict local travel restrictions and further lowered domestic demand for air travel. Conversely, the demand for air travel in the U.S. in 2021 increased as pandemic-related travel restrictions were relaxed.

So, with that background in mind, here are the world’s 10 busiest airports.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Georgia

In 2020, for the first time in 22 years, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport wasn’t the busiest in the world. Instead, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in China had the most passenger traffic in 2020, but the airport has since returned to be the busiest in 2022 as it fields a number of domestic and international flights and saw air travel’s full recovery.

However, Hartsfield-Jackson airport was — once again — the world’s most busy airport in total passenger traffic. That’s because in 2021, 75,704,760 passengers moved through its terminals. That’s a 76.4 percent increase in passenger traffic from 2020.

2. Dallas Fort Worth International, Texas

In 2021, 62,465,756 passengers moved through Dallas Fort Worth’s terminals. That number is a 58.7 percent increase from 2020, when Dallas Fort Worth was #4 in airports with the most passengers.

3. Denver International Airport, Colorado

In 2021, 58,828,552 passengers moved through Denver International. Compared to 2020’s number of passengers, the Denver Airport saw a 74.4 percent increase.

4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois

In 2021, 54,020,399 passengers moved through O’Hare, which is a 75.1 percent increase in passengers from 2020.

5. Los Angeles International Airport, California

Just over 48 million passengers moved through Los Angeles International Airport LAX 2021. While that number was up 66.8 percent from 2020’s tally, it’s still down 45 percent compared to the number of passengers in 2019. That number jumped up to 66 million in 2022, representing almost a 50% increase compared to 2021’s 48 million.

6. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina

Charlotte Douglas International experienced a 59.2 percent increase in passengers in 2021 as 43,302,230 passengers moved through its terminals.

Here’s what’s interesting about Charlotte Douglas’s ranking for 2021: The airport was only the 34th busiest in 2019.

7. Orlando International Airport, Florida (MCO)

Somewhat surprisingly, Orlando International experienced a whopping 86.7 percent increase in passengers last year. In plain numbers, 40,351,068 air passengers used the airport in 2021.

Orlando International’s inclusion in the rankings this year is also noteworthy. Here’s why: This is the first time MCO has been on the list of the top 10 busiest airports, according to Reuters. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Orlando International was the 31^st busiest airport and one of the busiest international airports with plenty visitors visiting the theme parks. Last year the airport was the 27th busiest.

8. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China

In 2020, Guangzhou Baiyun was one of the world’s busiest airports because it had the most passenger traffic with 43,767,558 passengers passing through for international travel. Last year, however, that number dropped to 40,259,401 passengers, which was an 8 percent decrease but still remains a main international airport.

9. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, China

In 2020, Chengdu Shuangliu was third on the list of the top 10 busiest airports, logging 40,741,509 passengers. Like Guangzhou Baiyun, Chengdu Shuangliu also saw a drop in passengers last year but still had plenty of global passenger traffic.

In 2021, Chengdu Shuangliu had 40,117,496 passengers, which is a 1.5 percent decrease from 2020’s numbers.

10. Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada

Like Orlando International and Charlotte Douglas International, Harry Reid International, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, saw a dramatic increase in passengers last year.

In 2021, Harry Reid International had 39,754,366 passengers, which is a staggering 78.6 percent increase over 2020’s number. What also must be pointed out is that in 2019, the airport was the world’s 30th busiest airport, and in 2020, it was the 22nd busiest airport.

For related facts, figures, and stories, check out all our airports and flying content as well as

FAQs

What Is The World’s Busiest Airport Outside Of The United States?

Dubai International Airport is currently the world’s busiest airport outside of the U.S. Dubai International Airport had more than 66 million passengers in 2022, an increase of 127% year over year (y-o-y) of which primarily passenger traffic was international. In 2023, their projected number of passengers for the whole year rose to a staggering 85 million.

What Are The Two Busiest Airports In North America?

Currently, the Atlanta Airport and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Airport lead the pack for busiest in North America. In 2022, Atlanta had 94 million passengers, while Dallas Fort Worth International Airport had 73 million passengers.

While sometimes changing rankings throughout the year, these two are usually towards the higher end of filling airline seats. The latest stats show that Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport with 5.4 million seats sold in October 2023.

City Where ‘Stranger Things’ was Filmed Honors Show

The Georgia city where the hit show Stranger Things was filmed is planning festivities for the international day that celebrates the show.

According to the announcement, the city of Jackson, Georgia, is inviting fans of the show to visit on November 6, also known as International Stranger Things Day.

In a statement, Jackson Mayor Carlos Duffey called the city “not just a filming location” but also “part of the Stranger Things family.”

“This International Stranger Things Day, we invite everyone to experience the southern hospitality of Hawkins, Indiana, right here in Jackson,” Duffey said.

Located 45 minutes south of Atlanta, Jackson serves as the fictitious town of Hawkins, Indiana, where black ops scientific experiments accidentally opened a door to another dimension.

The show follows a group of teens in the mid-1980s who befriend a girl with psychokinetic and telepathic abilities. Together, they play Dungeons & Dragons, run from the government, and protect the world by battling interdimensional beings.

Visitors of Jackson can take Stranger Things tours, attend themed dining, buy exclusive merchandise, and more, according to the announcement.

Get more information about Jackson and International Stranger Things Day at Stranger Things TV.

Avoiding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) While Traveling

Travel is often a great way to improve your mental health. Getting out of the usual routine, exploring new sights and sounds, becoming familiar with different foods and cultures, and experiencing an added boost of relaxation or adventure can be the perfect recipe for getting yourself out of a rut and renewing your zest for life. But if you’re traveling to certain destinations in the late fall and winter, it’s important to guard yourself against developing seasonal affective disorder, better known as SAD.

What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SAD is a type of depression that typically occurs during the shorter daylight hours characteristic of the late fall and winter. It is believed to be related to a lack of sunlight, leading people to feel “down” or depressed. Symptoms often start to decrease or disappear as daylight increases in the spring.

Signs and symptoms of SAD

SAD is not a separate type of depression, but is instead defined by its seasonal pattern. Typically lasting four to five months, symptoms of SAD include:

Feeling depressed most of the day, almost every day
Losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
Having sleep difficulties
Feeling sluggish or agitated
Having low energy
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Having trouble concentrating
Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

For SAD that occurs in the fall and winter months (as opposed to the less-common spring and summer pattern), additional symptoms may include:

Oversleeping
Overeating, particularly carbohydrate foods
Weight gain
Social withdrawal or “hibernation”

(If you are in distress or thinking of hurting yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741), or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.)

In the northern hemisphere, late October through November is the most common time for a SAD episode to begin, and the prevalence of SAD is higher among people living further north (or south) of the equator, possibly due to the drastically shortened daylight hours during the winter months.

So, what can you do to decrease your chances of developing SAD if you’ll be spending time in the northern latitudes this fall and winter?

Tips to avoid SAD while traveling

Pretravel preparations

Before you’ve even booked your tickets, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of SAD while on the road. First off, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider or therapist. They can provide you with advice and, if needed, treatments specific to your situation. (Some people are prescribed medicines for the treatment of SAD and advised to start taking them before the onset of symptoms in the fall or winter.)

Light therapy

You can also discuss with your doctor whether the use of a portable light box might be helpful. This form of light therapy is designed to “deliver a therapeutic dose of bright light to treat symptoms of SAD,” says the Mayo Clinic. Important factors to consider when choosing a light box include:

Whether the device is designed specifically to treat SAD
How bright the light is
How much UV light it releases
Whether it has features in place to prevent eye damage
If it’s the style you need (for example, portability and packability are key to consider when traveling)
Whether you’ll be able to place the box at the right distance with the setup you’ll be using

Some people, such as those with bipolar disorder or certain types of eye conditions, may be advised against using light therapy or using it in specific ways, so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about the suitability of this approach for you before investing in a light box.

Medications

If you’ve been prescribed any treatments for managing SAD or other mood disorders, ensure you have a sufficient supply prior to traveling. Also make sure you understand how, how much, and when to take your medicine.

Destination selection

If possible, you may prefer to choose destinations closer to the equator, which will have more hours of daylight, or to travel to more northern locales in the spring or summer, when there is naturally more sunlight. (That said, nothing quite replaces the chance to see the northern lights in Scandinavia or attend a winter festival in Canada!)

Managing SAD symptoms while traveling

Your bags are packed and you’re on your way! To reduce your likelihood of developing SAD while you’re on the road, the following strategies can help.

Adopt and stick to a sleep routine

Travel has a tendency to throw the usual schedules out of whack. This is part of the excitement, but it’s also important to adopt and stick to a certain basic routine to ensure you feel your best. According to the University of Missouri (MU) Health Care, sticking to a sleep schedule can help set your internal clock. Varying sleep patterns can have an effect similar to jet lag. It’s best, according to Margaret Mike, MD, an MU Health Care neurologist specializing in sleep medicine, to stay within an hour in either direction of your established sleep and wake times.

Get natural morning light

Exposing yourself to natural morning sunlight can be energizing, increasing levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter and hormone that helps regulate sleep, healing, and digestion, among other important body functions). So, sit by a window while you have your breakfast, go for a morning walk, or schedule some outdoor sightseeing to start your day. Even 20 or 30 minutes a day can make a difference, said psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, MD, in an interview with The New York Times.

Get vitamin D

Also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D plays an important role in mental health. Along with natural sunlight, sources of the vitamin include foods such as salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms (that have been exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light), according to Crestwood Medical Center. (Speak with your healthcare provider before adding a vitamin D supplement to your routine.)

Get physical activity

Staying active is another important method for warding off the winter blues. Research has shown that exercise can lessen SAD symptoms and improve mood and energy. Being active releases endorphins, or feel-good chemicals in the brain, and can help distract from worrying thoughts. For an extra boost, get your exercise outside in the natural sunlight, and turn the opportunity into a social occasion by inviting your travel companions to join you.

From going on adventures with your trip mates to meeting new friends along the way, travel provides plenty of opportunities to be social. And for the purposes of staving off SAD (not to mention for the fun of it), it’s important to take advantage of these when they arise. Being social can help you feel supported and less alone and help provide a smoother path through any difficult emotions you may be feeling.

Limit alcohol and caffeine

Although vacation is often a time for indulging, it’s important to set limits when it comes to alcohol and caffeine. Although they may provide a short-term boost to mood or energy levels, they can interfere with sleep and increase anxiety or depression in the longer-term.

Practical considerations for managing SAD while traveling

Along with the strategies outlined above, there are a number of additional approaches to help you stay comfortable and in bright spirits throughout your trip. First off, ensure you pack appropriately, bringing adequate cold-weather clothing and gear for your destination. And to help ward off homesickness, bring a small taste of home — photos of loved ones or a beloved stuffed animal are a couple of possibilities.

Also be sure to choose your accommodations carefully. Selecting lodgings that have large windows to allow in ample sunlight is key, and spaces such as gyms or community rooms for exercising and socializing can also be helpful.

Lastly, do your research prior to your trip: Locate therapists, mental health clinics, and support groups near where you’ll be staying to help guide you through any rough patches during your visit.

Navigating new horizons

Above all, remember that traveling offers the opportunity to see the world through new eyes. Embrace the novelty, enjoy the new memories you’re creating, prioritize your mental health, and seek ways to stay uplifted during the shorter days.

Disclaimer of Medical Advice: This information does not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified healthcare professionals to meet your individual needs.

5 Unique Hotels On Malta With Outstanding Views

Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The EU island nation overflows with natural beauty, deep history, and exciting culture. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rugged coastline, Malta is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

The island’s sandstone architecture, ancient temples, and medieval fortresses testify to its diverse cultural heritage. The people of Malta are warm and welcoming, and their passion for life is infectious.

Whether you want to explore the island’s magnificent landscapes, dive into its abundant history, or relax and soak up the sun, Malta is a destination that has it all, with unique hotels that provide outstanding views of everything.

1. Phoenicia Malta

Your stay at Phoenicia Malta will be unforgettable. The Phoenicia is a five-star hotel with world-renowned elegance and sophistication. Located just outside the walls of Valletta, the hotel has magnificent views of the city, the Grand Harbor, the yacht basin, and the breathtaking landscapes of the hotel’s gardens.

Phoenicia’s rooms and suites are tastefully designed and equipped with modern amenities. The hotel has five restaurants and lounges that offer Mediterranean and European cuisine and drinks.

You can indulge in hotel activities like swimming, relaxing at the spa, or exploring Valletta’s wide boulevards and narrow streets. Phoenicia Malta is the perfect destination for those seeking exquisite service and luxurious surroundings.

2. Corinthia St George’s Bay

Corinthia St George’s Bay is a splendid hotel in one of Malta’s most sought-after locations. The hotel has outstanding views of the Mediterranean Sea and is just a stone’s throw from the vibrant town of St. Julian’s.

With its elegant and contemporary design, Corinthia St George’s Bay provides comfort, style, and sophistication. The hotel’s rooms and suites have modern amenities that will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

The hotel has various dining options, including an award-winning restaurant and a rooftop bar with bay views. Whether looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Corinthia St George’s Bay is the perfect destination for a treasured Mediterranean experience.

3. Seaview Hotel

Snuggled in the heart of the village of Sliema, the Seaview Hotel is a hidden gem with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel’s strategic location provides easy access to the beach, restaurants, and shopping areas. It is an ideal destination for your stay on Malta.

The Seaview Hotel features elegantly designed rooms and suites with up-to-date amenities. The hotel also has a rooftop lounge where you can relax and gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea. Seaview Hotel is a lovely choice for travelers to combine beauty and convenience during their trip to Malta.

4. Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is on Malta’s sister island, Gozo. It’s a luxurious retreat with a blend of comfort, style, and sophistication. Located above Mgarr Harbor, the hotel’s views of the busy ferry terminal and marina, with the islands of Camino and Malta, are outstanding. The Grand is minutes from the vibrant town of Victoria.

The hotel’s spacious rooms and suites have modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Some rooms have a terrace perfect for sunbathing or stargazing. The hotel offers dining options, including a rooftop restaurant with panoramic island and Mediterranean views.

The atmosphere of the Grand is perfect for those looking for Mediterranean hospitality on Gozo. The hotel’s strategic location provides easy access to beaches and historic and cultural landmarks.

5. Ta-Pinu Guesthouse

Ta-Pinu Guesthouse is a 500-year-old converted farmhouse located in the heart of Gozo in the village of Gharb. The guest house is in the bucolic countryside, surrounded by farms and country landscapes. The views of the Gozitan countryside are mesmerizing. It is a serene and rejuvenating atmosphere.

The rooms at Ta-Pinu are unique, with 500-year-old stone walls and steps, but thoroughly modern amenities and furnishings. The guesthouse also has a lovely outdoor pool and a terrace to relax and soak up the sun.

Ta-Pinu’s hospitality, unique rooms, and fabulous views make it ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in the countryside of Gozo.

Conclusion

Malta is a destination that everyone falls in love with. Whether you’re looking to relax on pristine beaches, explore historic landmarks, or indulge in delicious cuisine, Malta has it all.

Staying in one of the unique hotels on Malta with outstanding views is an excellent way to experience the island’s charm and beauty. From luxurious accommodations with harbor views to quaint guest houses in the countryside, Malta’s hotels offer options for every taste and budget. With warm hospitality and exceptional service, staying in a Malta hotel is an unmatched experience. It will make your trip to this jewel of the Mediterranean a bucket-list vacation.