Are you planning a trip to Alaska? If so, you’ll want to spend at least a day or more visiting Denali National Park & Preserve. Ranked by landmass, Alaska holds claim to some of the largest national parks in the United States, with Denali coming in at number three at a whopping 6 million acres (with Wrangell-St. Elias and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve at one and two, respectively). It’s certainly the largest national park that I have ever visited, with its namesake Denali towering at 20,310 feet. But don’t let the massive size scare you. There are activities for everyone, including easy hikes, bus tours, and a visit with the famous sled dogs. Whether you are visiting Alaska on a land trip or on a cruise, here are some things to do with at least two full days to spend enjoying the spectacular landscape of Denali National Park.
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Now that the cold days of winter are here to stay, it’s a perfect time to daydream about spring weather and seeing the iconic Washington DC Cherry Blossoms. Any good DC bucket list should include a spring visit to see these beautiful trees in full bloom. You’ll find the majority of the trees, along with the largest crowds, near the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park. Here’s 5 tips and things that we have learned over the years to help make the most of viewing DC's Cherry Blossoms. Be sure to read our helpful Guide to Visiting Washington, DC for more resources and things to do while you are in town.
Have you been to Denver lately? It had been a while since we visited, and the Mile-High City did not disappoint! We spent five days exploring Denver and the surrounding area and discovered it’s the perfect base for city adventures and outdoor recreation. The weather in mid-October was mild with sunny skies and moderate temperatures. Besides all the great things to do in downtown Denver, you don’t have to travel far from the city to find scenic parks like Roxborough State Park for hiking and outdoor activities. Plus there are easy day trips, including a spectacular train ride through Royal Gorge. As you make your list of things to do around Denver, Colorado, check out these 8 fun ways to explore the area, including several free things to do.
 Do you ever need a bit of inspiration to get ready for the holidays? A holiday, weekend getaway with dazzling lights, an outdoor holiday market, and gorgeous plants and flowers in all their seasonal glory might be just the inspiration you need! That’s exactly what we found during a December getaway to Philadelphia and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. The city sparkles with the scenes of the season during the holidays. The festivities kick off with the arrival of Santa at the end of the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, then move into high gear with holiday light displays and seasonal outdoor shopping. Once you’ve taken it all in, leave the city behind for an afternoon/evening stroll at Longwood Gardens, home to the magical A Longwood Christmas. It’s a December weekend getaway sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
*Updated for 2024 
It’s been a few years since I wrote 5 Cities in the USA with Fascinating Street Art. Since then I’ve embraced the chance to search for interesting murals in cities all around the country, with 3 more cities standing out for their sheer volume of art—Philadelphia, Denver, and Long Beach. While searching for street art may not be the first thing you think of when visiting a place like Philadelphia or Denver, it’s worth planning time to see the amazing works of art scattered throughout these cities. And, year after year, week-long festivals have brought new murals to Long Beach, California. Artists are being commissioned in each of these cities as part of larger art initiatives to not only revitalize neighborhoods but to share messages of hope or detail the history of a community. Here are more details of what to expect when it comes to street art in these 3 cities. You can make your own decision about which city should be crowned the mural capital of the USA!
When I started researching our 10 day trip in Alaska, I realized that spending time in Seward was a must-do for many reasons. Among other things, it is home to Kenai Fjords National Park, glaciers, and abundant marine life. Seward is about two and a half hours from Anchorage by car, but you would want to make time for stops along the way. It’s also a busy cruise port during the summer season. Whether you travel to Seward by the Alaska Railroad, bus, or car, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. After arriving by train, our first view of Resurrection Bay and the snow-covered mountains gave us pause to stop and take it all in. We spent 3 days exploring Seward, which gave us a chance to enjoy activities like a wildlife cruise and kayaking during the day and the local restaurant scene at night. The jaw-dropping scenery on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise is one of the top reasons to plan a visit to Seward.
Alaska is a big place and certainly overwhelming when planning a first visit. When we started putting together our first, big empty-nester Alaska trip back in late 2019, I decided to reach out to Alaska Tour & Travel for assistance. It made sense to turn to a local company to put together our Alaska vacation package given the vast size of the state. The trip was all mapped out by January 2020, before travel came to a screeching halt. Fast forward to August 2022, and we finally got to take our Alaska trip. It was an amazing 10-day adventure that began and ended in Anchorage and included Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Talkeetna in Southcentral, Alaska, and Denali National Park in the Interior region. I am confident this trip will be the first of several to see more of Alaska.
Have you heard of the word “glamping?” It’s a term often used to describe camping with a few luxury amenities to go along with the traditional tent camping experience. While my husband would never turn down the opportunity to go backpacking in the wilderness, I’m more inclined to enjoy the great outdoors with a comfortable bed and pillow to lay down on at the end of the day. After reading about different glamping setups around the country, I’ve been eager to try it for myself. So when one of my lifelong friends rented an entire campground to celebrate a milestone birthday, I was excited! Gold River Camp in Marion, North Carolina, offered the chance for a unique stay while exploring the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, just about 40 miles from Asheville.
Are you looking for a laid back, small town destination with beaches, wild ponies, and an ice cream shop that is often ranked with some of the best in the country? Then head to Chincoteague Island, Virginia, the town where in 1947 Marguerite Henry wrote the popular book Misty of Chincoteague. This town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore offers enough to keep families entertained, with easy access to the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. Our first family visit was several years ago during spring break, and I recently returned for a mid-week summer getaway. It’s about a 3 1/2 drive from the DC area, so perfect for a long weekend or mid-week escape. Here’s a few things to do when you visit Chincoteague and what to know as you plan your getaway.
Travel just under three hours by car from the Washington DC area to find the quaint beach town of Lewes, Delaware. It’s often overshadowed by nearby Rehoboth Beach but don’t be mistaken, Lewes has a surprising number of fun things to do packed in its small footprint. It’s known as “The First Town in the First State,” and home to a museum showcasing nearly 400 years of history. Over the years, we have discovered that this beach town not only offers plenty of family-friendly fun, it makes for a great couples getaway, especially in late spring and early fall. Explore Cape Henlopen State Park by foot or bike, try a cruise to see dolphins or watch the sunset, grab pastries, ice cream or a local brew, or just hang out on the beach. Keep in mind that Lewes is busiest during the peak summer months, and some of the shops and restaurants may have limited hours or be closed during the middle of winter. Read on to explore our list of 10 things to do in Lewes, Delaware.
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