Desert experiences vary from light to more active, depending on whether travelers want to dip their toes or immerse themselves in the wilderness. While it’s always possible to plan your own adventure, some outfitters make it easy to fit in a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Here are some of my favorites:

Hotel-and-tour combo:
Guests at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe can join hotel staff for a morning hike (Fridays through Sundays) on trails that wind through the Sangre de Cristo foothills. The resort overlooks the Rio Grande River Valley, the peaks of the Jemez Mountains, and the wilds of New Mexico in all directions, so you’re guaranteed to get quite a view. The resort also has a dedicated on-site adventure center for activities beyond the immediate property. Adventures include everything from mountain biking in the Sangre de Cristo mountains adjacent to the property and hiking in famed Georgia O’Keeffe country to fly fishing, snow shoeing, and day trips to Taos and beyond.

Rafting:
Despite the convenience of having your hotel set up your outdoor experience in the Santa Fe region, there are ample offerings by a wealth of other outfitters. If you’re yearning for some water in the desert, try a whitewater rafting trip on the nearby Rio Grande and Chama rivers with Santa Fe Rafting, Kokopelli Rafting Adventures, or New Wave Rafting. The season tends to run from April through September, with the wild/mild index leaning towards bigger rapids earlier in the season, due to snowmelt.

Fishing:
Or, maybe you want to catch your own dinner? Try your hand at fly fishing with guide services offered by High Desert Angler or The Reel Life. Both offer guide services for fly fishing the rivers and lakes of Northern New Mexico, on both public and private waters.

High-speed:
Back on land, you can go from slow to speedy with multiple programs covering hiking, geocaching trips, and sunset four-wheel-drive tours offered by Santa Fe Walkabouts, Outspire Hiking & Snowshoeing, and Santa Fe Mountain Adventures. YogiHiker combines walks into the mountains with yoga sessions.

Bike:
If your own two feet aren’t fast enough, switch to two wheels with a bike adventure. Mellow Velo has a rental fleet of high-end mountain bikes, road bikes, multi-use mountain bikes, and city cruisers. Their excellent collection of maps is a great help for visitors looking for that perfect mountain or road ride.

Climbing:
Get even closer to the awe-inspiring rocky landscape with a rock-climbing outing. There are plenty of places to climb in northern New Mexico between Santa Fe and Taos to suit a variety of skill levels. The Santa Fe Climbing Center not only has an excellent indoor climbing facility, but also leads a number of different guided trips.

When you’re done, there’s always time to round out your trip with gallery and museum visits, shopping, or a chile-infused meal with a crisp margarita. What are your favorite outdoor activities and companies in Santa Fe?

Kayak the Hudson (June 17, 19, and 21 at 12–1pm) Pier 66 at 12th Ave.
Take in the NYC skyline from a new angle – in a kayak on guided tour on the Hudson River! Dress to get wet and bring a waterproof camera. Trust us, you won’t want to miss any photo ops!

Storytelling: Adventures with Melanie Hamlett (June 17 from 7–8:30pm) St. Mark’s Theater, 94 St. Marks’ Pl.
Join NYC-based storyteller and travel writer, Melanie Hamlett, for a night of laughter around the “campfire.” Comedians who have appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart, Chapelle’s Show, and The Moth will share their adventures and shoot the breeze with you.

Daily Yoga (June 17–23 from 7–8am) Central Park’s Sheep Meadow, 72nd & Central Park West
What better way to start your morning in a busy city than with a calming hour of yoga in the Central Park? Take in the summer breeze and smell of fresh cut grass as you relax your mind and body.

Breakneck Ridge Solstice Hike (June 21 from 4–10pm) Grand Central, 87 East 42nd St.
How do you shorten the longest day of the year? With a quick five mile hike up Breakneck Ridge, of course. Toss some trail mix in your backpack and leave Manhattan behind for a beautiful sunset. If you choose to take the train up with the group, please note that the time of departure is 4:15pm and costs around $26 round trip.

Volunteer: Garden Day at Van Cortlandt Park (June 22 from 10am–1pm) Van Cortlandt Park Horse Stables, Van Cortlandt Park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave, Bronx
Spend the morning offering up your green thumb at the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park’s Compost Site and Garden houses. Volunteers will help weed, water, and maintain the site while learning how the garden operates and grows healthy, nutritious fruits and veggies. Closed toe shoes and long pants are recommended as is plenty of water, a snack, and sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring the kids! Children seven and up are encouraged to come, just list the ages of those under 18 when you sign up to register.

Where the Wild Things Grow: Drawing the Urban Wilderness Children’s Art Class (June 23 from 10–11:30am)
Prospect Park, Prospect Park 9th St. Entrance, Brooklyn
Painter and naturalist Grace Markman teaches children how to draw by observing the nature around them. Your little artists will be inspired by the colorful flowers, trees, and birds on a bright summer’s day. Children five and above are welcome and must be supervised throughout the activity. All art materials will be supplied.

Registration is easy! Simply choose the date and event you want to participate in and add it to your calendar. But, register soon because events sell out fast! Each event page provides a detailed description of the activity and displays a map of the area you’ll be exploring.

Are you signing up for anything? Tell us how it goes!

Bikes & Brews Packages: the Nines in Portland, Oregon and Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel

Now, travelers can tap into each city’s respective bikes-and-beer culture while exploring things on two wheels, thanks to partnerships with breweries and local bike companies. The Nines package, which starts at $269, includes accommodations in the landmark Meier & Frank Building, two rental bikes or a tandem bike to share, Portland walking and biking maps, two Fat Tire Beers from Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing, plus two local microbrews, house-made chips, and roasted nuts. Visitors will also snag a New Belgium gift bag with the brewery’s famous bike bell and bottle opener. Guests booking the package are entered into a drawing to win a New Belgium Cruiser bike, as well. The deal runs through September 2. To book visit the site or call (877) 229-9995 and mention booking code BNBPKG.

At the Renaissance, the package, which starts at $200, includes accommodations in the historic Beaux-Arts hotel, two welcome craft beers from local Goose Island Brewery, and two full-day bike rentals with a backpack lunch for two. (Side note for cycling in Chicago: The city has launched a new bike safety campaign, with newly proposed fines for motorists who “door” a cyclist.) To book, visit their site or call (312) 447-0955 and mention the “Bikes & Brews” package.

New York City Events:

The city’s boroughs are bursting with bike-centric events. For a good reason to visit Queens, plus a respectable 13-mile ride, pedal up to the Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing. Anyone who arrives on two wheels will get a 50 percent discount on admission (from $4 to $2) throughout May. Another must-do event for budget-minded bike enthusiasts: The May 11 Brooklyn Bike Jumble, an outdoor bike market in Washington Park that draws vendors from all over the Northeast to sell new and used adult and children’s bikes, accessories, and all sorts of memorabilia. During May, the City of New York Parks and Recreation also has planned other events, including various Learn to Ride programs at multiple locations throughout the city.

Bikes & Bytes, Boulder, Co.:

Calling all Boulder-area bike and tech geeks: On May 14, the first annual Bikes & Bytes event, a competition to develop bicycle-themed mobile or web applications in three hours or less, will kick into high gear. Those who ride their bike to the free event can snag some great swag, as well as enjoy contests, roller races, and an awards ceremony – categories include “Longest Bike Commute” and “Most Tricked Out Commuter Bike” – and, of course, beer, will entertain the non-coders in attendance.

Other National Bike Month Events:

• Global Women’s Cycling Day: Organized by grassroots group Cyclofemme, this annual event includes more than 200 women-centric rides (though “manbassadors” are encouraged to participate, too) across the globe for Mother’s Day on May 12.
• Bike to Work Week and Day: Devoted car-free commuters can participate the entire week of May 13–17, while newbies can join in the fun on May 17, when local bike groups are sponsoring various events.
• Ride of Silence: On Wednesday, May 15, bike organizations across the country will participate in a Ride of Silence to honor cyclists killed or injured.

1. Full Throttle, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

The tallest, fastest looping coaster in the world, Full Throttle begins with a 70-mile per hour launch into the record-holding 160-foot tall loop. Two more launches follow, including one backwards from a dark tunnel. If you’re looking for a white-knuckle ride that can make you scream like a six-year-old, this is it.

2. Outlaw Run, Silver Dollar City, Missouri

Western-themed Outlaw Run hurls you through both the world’s first double barrel roll inversion on a wooden coaster and the world’s first outside banked turn on a wooden coaster. It also boasts the world’s steepest drop, 81 degrees, and at 68 miles per hour, it’s the second fastest wooden coaster anywhere.

3. Transformers: The Ride 3-D, Universal Studios Orlando, Florida

I know. Transformers: The Ride 3-D isn’t exactly new – it opened last year at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore – but the Orlando version, which opens June 20, 2013, improves the already spectacular battle with new projectors and screens. Fight with a 30-foot Optimus Prime against Megatron and his Decepticons in a battle zone that spans two stories.

4. Gatekeeper, Cedar Point, Ohio

Faster, longer and taller than other “winged” coasters, the aptly named Gatekeeper dominates Cedar Point’s entrance. Riders race at speeds up to 64 miles per hour along a circuit that includes two dive loops, an Immelmann loop, a giant corkscrew, and two zero-g rolls.

5. Iron Rattler, Six Flags Fiesta, Texas

Originally built in 1992, the Rattler received a makeover and new name, Iron Rattler, just in time for this summer season. The rechristened ride stands 18 stories high and features the first zero-g barrel roll on a hybrid coaster plus four over-banked turns, the most of any roller coaster in the world.

6. Dinosaurs Alive!, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Missouri

The Dinosaurs Alive! parks feature life-size animatronic dinosaurs that thrash their tails, gnash their teeth and roar in themed settings. So far, there are seven parks in the United States and one in Canada. This summer the concept opens in Carowinds, NC, Minneapolis, MN, and Kansas City, MO.

7. Hades 360, Mt. Olympus, Wisconsin

Voted the Best New Ride by Amusement Today when it opened as Hades in 2005, Hades 360 adds a loop and a new over-banked turn for 2013. The revamped ride also extends its 800-foot underground tunnel to 1,400 feet but retains the 90-degree underground turn in complete darkness that makes you feel like you’ve truly entered the underworld.

8. Aquatica, Sea World San Diego, California

Let’s be clear: Aquatica isn’t a ride, it’s a waterpark. And, no, it isn’t the first of its kind either. Sea World introduced the concept in Orlando in 2008 and in San Antonio in 2012. But the new San Diego experience, which lets you zip down waterslides, lounge on a beach, and watch a flamingo parade, definitely deserves a mention.

9. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, Sea World Orlando, Florida

Another Sea World offering, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin replaces the park’s 24-year-old Penguin Encounter with an adventure from the penguin’s point of view. Bring a jacket. The interactive ride features 55-foot-tall glaciers and claims to be the world’s coldest theme park attraction.

10. Safari Off Road Adventure, Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari, New Jersey

More than 12,000 animals from six continents populate Safari Off Road Adventure, the 350-acre safari component of the world’s largest theme park. Board an open-air vehicle and let guides drive you to roaming park animals. It’s the closest thing to a safari you can experience without the expensive plane ticket to Africa.

What’s your favorite amusement park attraction? Are you planning on seeing any of these this summer?

Kentucky Derby at ’21′ (New York City)

The Big Apple has several Derby day parties worth note, but if you’re a racing enthusiast, ’21′ is the place to be. Outside this speakeasy-turned-restaurant, jockey statuettes wearing the silks of some of America’s most prominent stables greet you. Inside, sip Woodford Reserve mint juleps, nibble on Southern bar bites, and cheer on your pick to win. Don’t forget to dress up in Derby Day attire – the winner of the costume contest will get a dinner for two! (Tickets: $45)

Derby for the Derby (Chicago)

With a name like the Derby Bar & Grill, you’d expect an establishment to go all out for the Kentucky Derby, and this Lincoln Park bar doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy mint juleps and Kentucky Bourbon Ale on draft as you compete in the Best Dressed and Best Derby Hat competitions for cash prizes. Even better? A bugler and real ponies add to the ambiance. (Tickets: From $75)

Denver Derby Party (Denver)

The largest Kentucky Derby party outside of Churchill Downs is held in – of all places – Denver. Guests receive complimentary beverages, including mint juleps, champagne, and wine, and food catered by some of the city’s best restaurants. More than 25 HDTVs will broadcast live entertainment as well as the Run for the Roses. Feel good about going: Proceeds benefit the Sean “Ranch” Lough Memorial Scholarship. (Tickets: From $110)

Derby Day (Madison, Georgia)

Madison-Morgan Conservancy raises funds for its conservation programs with Derby Day. Held at Goose Creek Farm, a cattle ranch that has set aside hundreds of acres as a protected wildlife habitat, the charity event entertains Derby enthusiasts with bourbon tastings, traditional Southern fare, a live auction, and an actual horse race of its own. Of course, the Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live as well. (Tickets: $80)

Kentucky Derby Party at Commonwealth (Las Vegas)

You can head to any casino in Las Vegas if you just want to watch the race. But, for an authentic Southern-style party, make your way to Commonwealth, a two-story, roaring 20s-style bar on Freemont Street. Live music and hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 1pm. Attire is Derby wear: big hats, seersucker, and even bow ties. Benefits go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada. (Tickets: From $20)

Pat O’Brien’s Kentucky Derby Party (New Orleans)

Bourbon and the Kentucky Derby go hand-in-hand. So, why not celebrate on Bourbon Street in New Orleans? For no cover fee, Pat O’Brien’s will be serving up half-price mint juleps from noon until post time. After the race, the festivities continue. Order a Hurricane; the bar invented the fruity rum cocktail in 1943.

Hold Your Horses (Los Angeles)

Attendees of the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s annual event will listen to live grassroots music performed by the Bastards of Belleville, sample whiskey flights, and participate in equine-inspired activities while waiting for the call to the post. Want to jazz up your race day attire? Hat designer Pooka Queen will be on-site to sell one-of-a-kind creations. (Tickets: $42)

Relax by the palm-tree bordered lagoon, or adventure out into the desert. Surrounded by tall sand dunes, Huacachina is the perfect adventure junkie’s escape: Take an adrenaline-pumping dune buggy ride, go sandboarding, or just enjoy the spectacular scenery via horseback. And if you want to stay overnight, there are plenty of low–price options (as in $4-$9/night!).

EAT:
Webster House is situated next to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. There’s plenty more to do than just dining here (shopping and gawking at the artwork, to name two), but the food is truly exceptional. Webster House is on the National Register of Historic Places, so if you’re into atmosphere, you’ll find it in spades here. It’s the ideal location for a client dinner – or just a splurge for you and your colleagues.

Go to Jack Stack Barbecue. I really don’t need to say any more than this. With just four Kansas City-area locations, there’s perhaps no better BBQ joint in the known universe. Sure, that’s an embellishment, but every single item on the menu here is remarkable. From the beef cuts to the BBQ and the sides, you shouldn’t arrive without a massive appetite. The wise will deliberately select the venue in Overland Park just so they’ll have a great distance to walk back to their hotel. One other thing: Don’t bring your calorie counter!

DO:
In the mood for walking? Kansas City is actually quite a beautiful city to explore on foot, particularly during this part of the year. Just a few blocks from the convention hall sits a number of riverfront parks. Riverfront West and Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park are both nearby, and if you plan your route properly, you can slip by the Kansas City Hall en route – a striking building to photograph. While you’re there, climb up to the top of the Town of Kansas Observation Deck for a nice view over the Missouri River.

While many major cities in the U.S. offer Major League Baseball clubs, the fans in the heartland tend to have an unusually strong bond with their teams. The Kansas City Royals play in a fantastic park, and best of all, it’s reasonably easy to grab tickets on game day. Unless the Cardinals are in town – that STL/KC rivalry is pretty stout. Still, mid-spring is an outstanding time to take in a game in the city, and yes, they have some of the most reasonable ticket prices in the entire league (I’m talking $7).

DRINK:
Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen offers a relaxing atmosphere to wind down in after a hectic week. The wine list is unsurprisingly lengthy, but the food menu is strong enough to stand on its own. For those who love cheese, they have plenty of that to try as well.

This is a recurring feature exploring must-visit locales in a variety of cities. If you find yourself traveling to a place for business, why not venture out and enjoy your surroundings?

Wife Carrying World Championships, Finland

No one is quite sure how wife carrying became a sport, but Finland’s Wife Carrying World Championships, now in its 18th year, have proven to be so popular that similar competitions have popped up in the U.K. and the U.S. The concept seems straight-forward: The male competitor must carry his female teammate from one point to another. Sound easy? It’s not: the course is riddled with obstacles, from fences to water hazards. According to the official rules, the wife may be, “your own, the neighbor’s, or you may have found her further afield,” but most importantly, each contestant “must enjoy themselves.” There’s also plenty of music, brews, and activities to be enjoyed. If you and your partner feel like you need a stiff drink afterwards, you’re in luck. The grand prize is the winning wife’s weight in beer. July 5-6

The Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea

What originally began as a means to promote the small South Korean town’s mud cosmetics has evolved into a filthy, fun festival. Set along the mineral-rich Daecheon beach, the Boryeong Mud Festival lets guests swim, relax, and let loose. Now in its 16th year, the nine-day celebration draws as many as two million visitors, all of whom are eager to lather up in grey goop. Visitors have plenty of dirty activities to choose from, such as mud races, mud wrestling, mud facials, and the always-popular Mr. Mud competition. Those to wish to keep clean (or as clean as possible) can enjoy pop and hip-hop musical acts, pottery and soap making demonstrations, firework displays, and more. But don’t try too hard to stay spotless – you might get thrown into “mud prison.” July 19-28

World Bodypainting Festival, Austria

This isn’t your typical animal face and butterfly bodypainting you see at kid’s birthday parties. The World Bodypainting Festival gathers the best of the best. Artists from over 40 countries will compete for awards in body and face painting, special effects make-up, UV effects, and more. The competitors use faces and torsos as canvases to create their works of art. Art-lovers can get their fill at the various exhibitions, plus purchase pieces at the market, take part in over 50 workshops and demos, or attend the Body Circus – a party where guests dress in surreal costumes that combine body paint, masks, extreme make-up, and fantasy fashion. July 1-7

Haro Wine Festival, Spain

Unless you’re a Real Housewife, throwing wine at friends and family members is generally discouraged. But, not at the Haro Wine Festival, also known as the Wine Fight, where visitors follow a procession to the Cliffs of Bilibio, carrying jugs, bottles, water guns, and all types of containers filled with red wine – then proceed to douse each other. Tourists and locals wear white shirts, and return to town soaked purple. Though the actual fight lasts only a few hours, the Wine Festival is a three-day affair. Festivities begin as early as 7am and lasts through the night, when drenched visitors return to town to dance, celebrate, and watch bull fights in the local bullring. June 27-29

The Twins Day Festival, Twinsburg, Ohio

This festival has a specific requirement – attendees must be a twin, or a multiple. The largest gathering of twins and multiples in the world, The Twins Day Festival hosts twin contests, golf outings, a 5K and fun run, a talent show, and more. While most events are open to the public, certain ones are only open to twins, multiples, and their families, like the Welcome Wiener Roast. This year’s theme is “Twice Upon a Time.” While no promises are made, the festival has given some of its visitors their happy endings: A pair of identical brothers met a pair of identical sisters at the event, got married, and had twins of their own. August 2-4

The Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand

Over 3,000 macaque monkeys call the small village of Lopburi – which translates to “monkey town” – home, and once a year they are treated to a feast fit for King Kong. Locals fill the streets with huge platters of food, such as cakes, fruit, and candies, and the primates are given free reign to gorge themselves. The celebration began as a way to honor the animals, which are seen as blessed descendants of a great warrior monkey according to Hindu tradition. Today, the event lures plenty of tourists, but be warned: The macaques are not shy, and have been known to get a bit grabby when they see something they want. November 15.

Bay to Breakers, San Francisco

The first Bay to Breakers – a 12K footrace from the San Francisco Bay to the Great Highway along the Pacific coast – was created to boost city morale after a devastating earthquake. Today, the race embodies the city’s unique spirit. Runners dress in wacky, eye-catching costumes, such as pink gorillas, TV and movie characters, or nothing at all (some bold runners participate in the buff). Prizes are awarded to the most creative. If you’re not a runner, feel free to walk the length of the course, or cheer on those who do. May 19.

What do you love about spring skiing?
“It’s just one of my favorite times of year. My competitive season is over, so there’s a very relaxed feeling. It’s a lot less stressed and a lot more fun. And I associate that with the skiing as well.”

Let’s clear up some basic terminology of spring skiing: corn. Can you explain exactly this is for those who may not know?
“Corn happens through the constant melting and refreezing of snow crystals, and that makes the snow really round and forgiving. It makes it like skiing over a pillow because your skis just roll right over it.”

Why is spring such a good time for newbies to learn?
“One of the worst parts of our sport is the cold and the weather. In the spring, it’s very consistently warm weather, especially in California. It’s kind of like you’re on the beach…on a mountain, and that makes it fun. Even if you don’t like the skiing, you can’t help but enjoy the surroundings. Plus, a greater range of skis work on corn snow. It’s a surface that’s easy on everyone’s equipment.”

Do you have any specific tips on how, if at all, you should change your technique for spring skiing?
“It’s no different than wintertime, but because the snow is more forgiving, it’s a great time to push your limits. Go up onto the steeper slopes – the snow will be easier for you to handle. Experience the things you may be a little bit hesitant to do in the winter.”

Bikinis on the slopes – a spring skiing do or don’t?
“It’s a really, really bad idea. It sounds like a good one, until someone crashes in a bikini and has their entire upper body covered in raspberries. You just want to have one layer on. It doesn’t have to be much, just enough to cover the skin.”

Any other tips on how to properly dress for spring skiing?  
“There’s generally a big change in temperature between the bottom of the mountain and the top, so you have to dress for the coldest temperature on the mountain, not the warmest. In the spring, I generally break out a windbreaker or a soft shell jacket. You just need something that’s long-sleeved and will stay on your wrists. And don’t forget the sunblock, especially in the high elevations in California.”

Where’s your favorite spot for après ski?
“Anywhere your friends are, really. It’s your friends who make après.”

The cave is extremely hot and humid (around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 to 100 percent humidity), making the cave nearly impossible for humans to survive in for longer than a mere two hours. But these conditions made the caves so ideal for the crystals to grow to such large proportions. Once the caves were discovered and drained (allowing people in), the crystals stopped growing. It’s believed that if draining was stopped, the crystals would begin to grow again, and apparently there is no limit to the size they could become.

Multiple other crystal caves exist below the Naica mine, specifically Sword Cave, Candle Cave, and Queen’s Eye Cave. Back in 2006, the Naica Project was formed in an effort to further explore and promote the natural wonders.