Visiting Mackinac Island has been on my USA travel list for as long as I can remember. This popular, car-free oasis is tucked away in Michigan, reached via a passenger ferry either from St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula (UP) or Mackinaw City. Based on everything I had heard, it was a priority to fit…
Are you ready to celebrate? It’s been over 10 years since this post was originally published back when the National Park Service was celebrating 100 years! Since that time, new parks have been added, like scenic New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, and we have checked off a few more parks from our bucket…
Each time I step foot into a new city, I realize how much my high school history lessons have faded into the dark recesses of my memory. I noticed this recently while in St. Augustine, Florida, reading the informational signs at the historic Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The fort was one of several…
New Orleans is the kind of place that does everything big—and one thing is for sure; you won’t leave the Big Easy hungry! Where do you even begin in a city that boasts 1,800+ restaurants? With a cuisine influenced by French, African, Native American and other cultures, the dishes are as unique as they are…
Southern California always surprises me with something new to discover each time I visit. Most recently, I learned about other California wine regions besides Napa and Sonoma, with the Temecula Valley home to 40+ wineries. With travel time from the San Diego airport just over an hour, and a similar drive from other cities and…
The year 2026 is a big one for America, with a 250th anniversary celebration and special events around the country. And now more than ever, places like Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown—will serve to educate visitors on the tumultuous early days of America. Our family has visited Williamsburg several times over the years, including…
Have you ever taken a vacation focused on visiting one or more of America’s beautiful national parks? The photos from our family road trips to iconic parks like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion will always have a special place in my heart. It started with a road trip to explore the Four Corners region…
Our family has visited dozens of national parks over the years, and one thing we have come to expect is the “wow” moment upon first entering a park. Whether it’s seeing the brilliant blue water at Crater Lake or coming around a bend in the road as a gigantic sandstone arch comes into view at…
Imagine being surrounded by hundreds of massive hot air balloons of all shapes and colors, waiting with anticipation for the balloons to take off into the morning sky. It’s no surprise that the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico is a bucket list item for many, myself included, and I can now say…
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure mixed with small-town charm? Then make plans to enjoy a scenic train ride & biking adventure in charming Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. It tops the list when doing a quick internet search for charming places to visit in Pennsylvania, especially when the vibrant colors of the fall season stand…