Want to squeeze in one last summer trip before the kiddos go back to school? Look no further than America’s backyard for some of our country’s most stunning sites and attractions.

Travel and Leisure recently published a list of “America’s Most Beautiful Landmarks.” Some are spectacularly blessed by nature; others have been magnificently built by man – all are awesome, in the true sense of the word.

With Plastic Jungle’s discounted gift cards, you can stretch your travel dollars on flights, hotels, car rentals and gas. Check out these travel merchants for some great deals:

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Once you buy your discounted Plastic Jungle gift cards, it’s planes, trains and automobiles to one of these beautiful destinations!

Niagara Falls, New York

The oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls straddles the Canadian/United States border between Ontario and New York. As the most powerful waterfalls in North America, the sheer water flow is mind boggling – on average, almost 4 million cubic feet of water falls over the crest every second. In addition to their astounding beauty, Niagara Falls is also known for their huge source of hydroelectric power.

Mount Rushmore, National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota

Located 23 miles from Rapid City in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore Memorial is an epic tribute to four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum, along with 400 workers, spent over 14 years (1927 to 1941) carving granite into busts the size of 6-story buildings. During the summer months, you can take in the evening lighting ceremony held in the amphitheater at 9:00 PM nightly.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

As an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is an architectural wonder. Enjoy the 1.7 mile suspension bridge by car, double-decker bus, bicycle or your own two feet – it’s open to pedestrian traffic.

The Wave, Coyote Buttes, Arizona

Located on the Colorado Plateau near the Utah and Arizona border, these 190 million year old sandstone rock formations are an amazing blend of twisted color and texture. It’s slightly off the beaten path, but if you are up for a moderate 3-mile hike, you will be well rewarded.

The Giant Forest, Sequoia and Kings National Park, California

Where can you find the world’s tallest trees? In the Giant Forest, within California’s Sequoia and Kings National Park! While there, you can enjoy camping, biking, fishing, hiking or climbing. Be sure visit General Sherman Tree, the largest, single-trunked living tree on earth.

Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Located 45 minutes south of Hilo on the Hawaii’s Big Island, you can see five volcanoes, two of which are the world’s most active. Kilauea has been erupting since January 3, 1983. How long it lasts is up to Pele, the Volcano Goddess, so visit soon while you can still see the lava flow into the sea.

Taos Pueblo, Taos, New Mexico

See a piece of living history where Taos Indians have inhabited multi-storied adobe buildings for nearly 1000 years and counting. You can buy traditional mica-flecked pottery and silver jewelry from local artisans, along with moccasins, boots and drums. July is an especially fun time to visit, as the Taos Indians host a Pow Wow, bringing Indians from many tribes for a celebration of trade and social festivities.

Washington Monument, Washington D.C.

As the centerpiece of the National Mall in Washington D.C., this 555 foot structure was built in honor of our first president George Washington. Take a 70-second elevator up to the top for a spectacular view of our country’s capital city. Admission is free, but you do need a ticket.

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

One of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, Portland Head Light is home to rich history and some of the most beautiful scenery in Maine.

For the Travel and Leisure’s complete list, click here.

Which landmarks have you visited? Which ones are still on your bucket list?

References: niagarafallsstatepark.com, mountrushmoreinfo.com, gohawaii.com, nps.gov.

A Collection of Travel Blog Highlights, Airfare Sale Sites, and Insider Travel Tips that Will Get You Traveling Faster and Smarter.

Spring break travel, honeymoon travel, summer travel. There’s always time to get a good tip, score a fresh deal, or take down an insider restaurant recommendation.

Hip Travel

For the hyper-conscious urban millennial, travel tends to wax experiential, and the magazine ReadyMade is on the trend. You probably have no idea what I’m referring to. Regardless, any demographic can appreciate ReadyMade’s travel-related blog posts, from destination listings (hotels in Berlin, details on art traveling to you, Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Kansas City), to an actual worthwhile travel project. Check out the instructions for how to create a Multipurpose Picnic Blanket for about $26. Srsly! Right?!

For the ReadyMade crowd, I see a discounted Michael’s Gift Card getting you a deal on fabrics for your picnic blankets.

Travel Savings To-Go (without the Kayak windows)

Families love and share the website TravelZoo.com, but it’s a hot bargain-price aggregation site for just about anybody. Check out their Top 20 Deals, which at time of writing advertises a $60 nationwide airfare sale and a 4-star Scottsdale resort for $99 per night. Yowza.

Find a bargain link on TravelZoo for American Airlines, and use a discounted American Airlines Gift Card for purchase to sweeten the deal.

High-End Travel Guides

Perhaps you’re done with dusty road trips and bourgeois mid-scale hotels and it’s time to indulge in the niceties that a lot of cash can afford you. Whether it’s a one-time honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime getaway or even better, the way you’ve always meant to travel, find camaraderie and like-minded recommendations in Luxe City Guides, which cover the high-end luxury dining and accommodations. Book your room via Luxe Hotels & Villas online, which is an exclusive collection of elite hotels, villas, boutiques, and B&B’s around the world. Afraid it’s out of your budget? Check out the “More Dash Than Cash” page.

Pay $1,000 a night, but save on the Prada sunglasses you’ve got your eye on with a discounted Sunglass Hut Gift Card  >>>

Ready to Go, See, and Do

Have you heard about a destination, read about it, researched it, and still have questions that can only be answered by someone who’s just been there? Off-the-beaten path Lonely Planet travel guides maintain an online, ready-to-assemble army of travelers on their Thorn Tree who can answer travelers questions ranging from “Can I drink the water, really?” to “Must travel despite government warning. Any tips?”

Lonely Planeteers might not admit they love a chain restaurant, but between you and me, Cracker Barrel is a secret favorite. What you save on a discounted Cracker Barrel Gift Card you can use for gas on your LP Deep South road trip.

But Where Should We Go?

Need to do some quick research to plan a family vacation, or a weekend getaway, or a romantic night? Time to visit Uptake.com, where you can plan travel by genre, not destination.

Get a discounted Borders Gift Card, discounted Barnes & Noble Gift Card, or trade in a gift card on Plastic Jungle to get an Amazon.com Gift Card and purchase a travel guide to complete your destination research.

It Can and Will Be Done: Travel with Children

When they’re only eating chicken nuggets made in the shape of dinosaurs and no other variety will do, any regular mom resorts to thinking a vacation only offers more hassles than downtime. Check out the award-winning site WeJustGotBack.com, where advice abounds on avoiding having to choose your battles on the road. Start with their handy, printable Packing Lists, and read on from there and your anxiety will be soothed.

Moms and Dads: before you go, get discounted Loews Cineplex Gift Cards for rainy days at the beach, Cold Stone Creamery Gift Cards, Jamba Juice Gift Cards, and Starbucks Gift Cards and maybe you can send the older ones off with the younger ones and get some rest!

Let us know how these work for you. And, if you’ve got a travel tip you’re willing to share, let us know in your comment!