Weekend Wanderings: Experience The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on Your Next Visit to Boston5/2/2025 
Have you been to Boston lately? Over the years, I have had the chance to visit this vibrant city on numerous occasions. When the kids were younger, we did all the fun activities like riding the Duck Boats, visiting the New England Aquarium, and following the red bricks on the Freedom Trail. We have eaten arancini and cannoli, lobster rolls, and even a Fenway Frank at the ballpark. On two occasions, we timed our trip with the Saint Anthony’s Feast, an event that has been happening in Boston’s North End for over 100 years. In anticipation of another long weekend visit, I was looking for something new to do and realized we had never been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Unfortunately, after purchasing tickets a few weeks in advance, I had to cancel my Boston trip at the last minute. My husband and daughter were still able to go, and had a wonderful visit to the museum and contributed their insight and photos for this blog.
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 Next time you visit Washington, DC, and want a break from the city, consider a ride to Great Falls Park. This national park unit, known for its dramatic views of the Potomac River tumbling over and through the rocks, is tucked away in a Northern Virginia suburb less than 15 miles from the National Mall. The views are ever-changing based on water levels—just after a heavy rain, you might find a muddy, raging river, other times, when the water level is low, the jagged rocks are more prominent. It’s not a big park to explore, and there are hiking options that allow you to spend more time in nature. The park also has a visitor center, but as of this writing, it is closed for construction.
In 2024, my husband took-off on his dream adventure—traveling around the US for six months in his Class B sprinter-type vehicle. This self-contained camper van allowed him to experience America up close and personal. The trip had been a dream for years, and during the planning process the list of places to visit grew longer and longer. When all was said and done, one thing was clear to him, the U.S. is filled with many unique, amazing, & beautiful places to explore. You will miss out on the “hidden” public lands if you restrict yourself to the big-name national parks. These 7 state parks are perfect examples, with activities that span from mountain biking and hiking, to seeing massive trees and searching for banana-slugs. Keep reading to learn what each state park offers and why you should add them to your travel list.
 Who doesn’t love to eat when they travel to a new city? Over the years, we have had the opportunity to try numerous food tours around the country. Since the last blog I wrote on the subject in 2017, the tours we have been on have upped their game. It’s not an understatement when they warn you to come hungry! So pack your bags and head out for a culinary adventure in one of these cities up and down the East Coast of the USA. Find additional details about these 5 food tours in each linked blog.
 A trip to New York City during the holidays is a bucket-list item for many people. Seeing the massive tree sparkling in Rockefeller Center, skating in Central Park, catching a show on Broadway, and visiting Macy’s Herald Square top the list for many visitors. Our family finally did a holiday trip, spending two days enjoying the festive sites that make New York City so popular. Keep reading to see what we learned during our two-day action packed visit and suggestions to help build your future holiday trip to New York City. It's never too early to start planning!
 Have you ever considered an e-bike tour? When I saw a social media post for the Shenandoah Valley Winery Tour with Burg E-Bike Tours, I knew it would be a fun place to take my first e-bike ride. I had never ridden an electric bike, so what better place to start than Shenandoah County on a warm October day? It might even get me closer to my dream of going on an e-bike tour in Europe, lazily pedaling through the beautiful countryside. We hit the road for our Sunday afternoon tour, driving 80 miles from Northern Virginia to Edinburg, Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come along for the ride as we take you on a Shenandoah Valley Winery Tour!
Sometimes, a short getaway is just what the doctor ordered, and Southern California has a lot to offer, with its beaches, outdoor activities, and moderate temperatures. The San Diego International Airport boasts non-stop flights to dozens of cities in the U.S., and it’s a popular destination for visitors, especially in the spring (before the foggy months of May and June), late summer, and fall. My daughter, who loves to travel out west, put together this beachy, 3-day itinerary based in San Diego’s Little Italy after her trip in April. You will explore by car, train, bike, and foot on this active getaway.
 Visiting Glacier National Park has been on my national park bucket list for as long as I can remember. It was exciting to finally get to the park on our latest family vacation. The location, tucked away in the northwest corner of Montana, provided the opportunity to combine the trip with a visit to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. We spent 3 full days in Glacier, with a good mix of touring by car, hikes, a boat tour, and a few longer hikes thrown in. The park is huge, at over 1 million acres, and advanced planning was time well spent. Keep reading to hear more about our 3-day itinerary in beautiful Glacier National Park.
Some of my favorite memories of Boston are from time spent in the North End visiting my Italian great aunt and uncle. Their house, built in the 1800s, was steps from the Freedom Trail leading to historic Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and down the street from the Old North Church. I remember every nook and cranny of that house filled with Italian art and knick-knacks. The busiest place in the house was the narrow kitchen, where my uncle would make his famous stuffed calamari and sausage and peppers. Everyday dinners at their house were always festive! During a 3-day weekend getaway to Boston, we had a chance to revisit the North End. The spirit of Italy and all those who contributed to the neighborhood culture lives on, with lively feasts, classic meals, traditional Italian desserts, and a welcoming ambiance.
 If you have visited Washington, DC during the spring, you know that the city comes alive as colorful pink blooms are front and center everywhere you look. But in addition to these iconic blooms, the city is home to gardens worth a peek all year. These garden spaces provide visitors and locals alike a chance to step into nature and take a break from the city noise. Several, like the Enid A. Haupt Garden and the United States Botanic Garden, are just steps away from popular DC attractions. Others, like the U.S. National Arboretum, are home to treasures like the National Capitol Columns and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. As a bonus, I’ve included Meadowlark Botanic Garden in Northern Virginia, home to the unique Korean Bell Garden.
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