26 days in Carlsbad Caverns National Park & St. Augustine Itinerary

The canyons, cacti, and thorny bushes of the southern New Mexico desert hide one of the U.S.'s great subterranean geological wonders, Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Venture out of the city with trips to Street Sculptures (in Artesia), Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Guadalupe Peak, Devil's Hall Trail, & more) and Carlsbad (Sitting Bull Falls, Brantley Lake State Park, & more). Next up on the itinerary: surround yourself with nature on Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour, Head underground at Big Room, take in the dramatic natural features at Giant Dome, and contemplate the waterfront views at Rattlesnake Springs.

To find other places to visit, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Carlsbad Caverns National Park online trip maker .

Ottawa, Canada to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. You can also drive. Traveling from Ottawa to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Ottawa in May, things will get somewhat warmer in Carlsbad Caverns National Park: highs are around 36°C and lows about 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Tue) so you can travel to St. Augustine.

SAINT AUGUSTINE | PONTE VEDRA on Florida's Historic Coast The Nation's oldest city (est. Your inner history buff will appreciate Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum and St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Get a sense of the local culture at Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monument. Venture out of the city with trips to Jacksonville Beach (in Jacksonville Beach), Stetson Mansion (in DeLand) and Butterfly Rainforest (in Gainesville). Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, do a tasting at San Sebastian Winery, make a trip to St. George Street, and brush up on your knowledge of spirits at St. Augustine Distillery.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the St. Augustine holiday planner .

Getting from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to St. Augustine by combination of car, flight, and bus takes about 11 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi, flight, and bus; or drive. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to St. Augustine due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in May, plan for somewhat warmer nights in St. Augustine, with lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.