Energized Escapes: Phoenicia Named New York's Adventure Capital in Survey

PHOENICIA — Forget flip-flops and frozen cocktails – 2025 is shaping up to be the year Americans trade passive sunbathing for pulse-pounding adventure. According to a new survey by BetterNurse.org, a nursing career and education platform, more travelers are ditching the poolside snooze for getaways that challenge both the body and brain - think biking down volcanoes, hiking mist-covered ridgelines, or paddling straight into the unknown. These trips don’t just give you sore calves - they give you stories.

The survey polled 3,021 people, asking them to name the active destinations they most want to experience this year. From alpine peaks to lava flows, these are the top 10 spots:

#1. Yosemite National Park - Yosemite Valley, California

#2. Haleakalā National Park - Maui, Hawaii

#3. Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

#4. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park - Hilo, Hawaii

#5. Big Sur Coastline - Big Sur, California

#6. Napali Coast - Hanalei, Hawaii

#7. Big Sky, Montana

#8. Sedona Red Rock Trails - Sedona, Arizona

#9. Fernandina Beach - Amelia Island, Florida

#10. Mammoth Lakes, California

New York had 2 spots among the most coveted for an active getaway:

#12. Phoenicia, Catskill Mountains

The Catskills have been calling people into motion for generations. These forested hills are home to rugged hikes like Slide Mountain and Devil’s Path, plus hidden waterfalls and icy swimming holes that reward the brave. Stay in Phoenicia, a small town with a big adventure spirit, or bunk in a creekside cabin nearby. Whether you’re trail running or just walking long and slow, the Catskills give you room to stretch out and move through something bigger than yourself.

#31. Castile, Letchworth State Park

Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth offers more than just a view. Hike along the gorge rim, past three roaring waterfalls and into hemlock forest that feels worlds away from city life. Adventure seekers can go white-water rafting on the Genesee River or explore over 60 miles of trails. Stay in Castile or at the Glen Iris Inn, right inside the park—where you can sip coffee overlooking the falls and plan the next leg of your journey.