Great Places to #OptOutside this Thanksgiving Week

Running along the Minnesota River, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a natural escape from the nearby Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The refuge provides valuable habitat for a diversity of waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish and resident wildlife. Sometimes it’s so beautiful, even the deer have to stop and admire the scenery. #OptOutside and join them!

#OptOutside for Great Falls Park. Just a few miles from Washington, D.C., this national park provides stunning views of the Potomac River as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and rushes through a narrow gorge. Enjoy impressive views of the river or challenge yourself with a rock scramble on some of the best hiking trails in the area. Anything to escape your family sitting around talking about politics, right?

Whether you're in Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona, you won't regret taking a little time to visit Saguaro National Park. The nation's largest cacti, the giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants are found only in a small portion of the United States. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. It's a sight you won't forget.

Need a break from Chicago? #OptOutside and head for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Indiana. Just an hour away, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national lakeshore's 15,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.

There's no better place to walk off your Thanksgiving meal than Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. A little more than an hour drive southwest of Seattle, it's easy to #OptOutside to this natural wonderland. Miles of trails, stunning meadows and serene lakes encourage you to keep moving, looking for the next incredible view of the snow capped peak of Mount Rainier. Be sure to check the weather conditions before heading out.

Going to Miami for Thanksgiving? Check out Everglades National Park while you're there. A short drive from downtown will put you in one of our nation's most important and beautiful wetlands. Famous for its spectacular birds and amazing alligators, Everglades is an adventure everyone should experience.

Named after the famous conservationist, Muir Woods National Monument in California is just north of San Francisco. Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Protected as a national monument since 1908, this primeval forest is both refuge and laboratory, revealing our relationship with the living landscape. What will you discover in Muir Woods when you #OptOutside?

After a few days of visiting friends in the concrete jungle of NYC, you might need a breath of fresh air. #OptOutside for Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in New York. Along the two main trails, you can see a wide variety of wildlife in the air, on the land and in the water. Ospreys and diamondback turtles are some of the most visible residents.

Sure, you’re happy to see your family in Los Angeles, but can you really visit California and not go to the beach? #OptOutside to marvel at the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Explore the shoreline or take it all in from the hills above. You might enjoy it almost as much as grandma’s casserole.

There’s something else in Cleveland that rocks -- Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. It’s a quick drive from both Cleveland and Akron, so there’s no excuse not to #OptOutside. Take a hike, ride the scenic railroad or bike the towpath trail. Blue Hen Falls is a popular destination, too. It’s an easy hike, so feel free to bring the family.

It’s Thanksgiving week and for many of us, that means spending time with our families. Sometimes you’re happy, sometimes it’s awkward. If you’re ever deep in a food coma and your family starts to show the personalities of a group of burrowing owls, it’s time to #OptOutside. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is just outside of Denver, Colorado, and is a great excuse to get out of the house and enjoy someone else’s family drama.

How much longer is Uncle Mike going to talk about the Patriots? Sometimes, you’ve just got to get away and #OptOutside. Not far from Boston, Massachusetts, is Parker River National Wildlife Refuge -- 4700 acres of salt marsh, shrubland and sandy beach. Find some peace and quiet here while you enjoy watching over 300 species of resident and migratory birds. You’re be very thankful you visited.

Thanksgiving in Texas can be wild and wonderful. With so much to see and do, why not #OptOutside? Trade the cowboy boots for hiking shoes, and check out one of the wildlife refuges just outside of Houston. With gorgeous wetland habitats for a wide variety of birds, public lands like Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge are great places to relax and reflect on what you’re thankful for this year.

Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is visited by more than two million people each year. In contrast to nearby Sin City, Red Rock Canyon offers enticements of a different nature including miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking and some incredible desert views. When you see the grey limestone of the La Madre Peaks contrasting beautifully with the red sandstone in the Rainbow Mountains, you'll know you made the right decision to #OptOutside.

Nestled near the foot of Mount Adams in Washington's Cascades Range, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a scenic gem. Conboy Lake's lush seasonal marshes and vibrant forests beckon to both visitors and wildlife. Located within an easy drive of Portland, Oregon, the refuge is a great escape for those seeking diverse scenery, idyllic recreational opportunities and a link to the history of the Northwest.