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.
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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,” with a history dating back over 400 years. 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.
Do you always stay in a hotel when you take a vacation? Certainly the ease of booking, liberal cancellation policies, full amenities, and on-site dining are all great reasons to go this route. Over the years traveling as a family, we’ve had wonderful experiences in hotels of all shapes and sizes, including the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside in Florida with its rooftop pool, the spacious suites at the Magic Castle Hotel in Los Angeles (who can forget all the free snacks and drinks!), and the quaint Motel Del Rogue perched on a river in Oregon. But with a family of five, as the kids got older we quickly outgrew most hotel suites. That’s when we began searching for vacation home rentals and condominiums, through sites like VRBO and Airbnb. I remember nervously booking a cabin in the mountains of Tennessee, worried that I was sending money to a random stranger and there would be no recourse. Fast forward to 2022, and we now have quite a few vacation rental experiences under our belt. So whether it’s a long weekend or long vacation, here’s a few reasons to consider a vacation home rental, plus some things to know before you book.
I don’t know about you, but as the weather turns cooler, I often feel this mad rush to get active outside! Now more than ever people are discovering the simple joy of spending time in nature. One easy way to get outdoors without traveling far from home is to head to your local state park. In Virginia, we are lucky to have 41 diverse parks scattered throughout the state. In the past year and a half alone, we have discovered natural wonders, waterfalls, bald eagles, and hidden places on the water. Plus we love that Virginia State Parks are both super family and dog-friendly, with many easy, accessible trails. Read on to discover 3 Virginia State Parks in particular that we think are worth exploring--Natural Bridge, Shenandoah River, and Mason Neck State Parks. Plus find ideas for other fun things to do near each park. And while you travel around the state keep a lookout for all the unique LOVEWorks, like the one above we found at Natural Bridge State Park.
Have you ever heard of the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia? Don’t let the name fool you, the New River is considered to be the second oldest river in the world. The area was recently redesignated, and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve became America’s 63rd national park. We recently spent a few days exploring this expansive, outdoor area and came away impressed by the scenic views and variety of activities. Like most of our national park visits, there was much to see and do, and not enough hours in the day. Besides the scenic mountains, the area offers multiple levels of hiking and mountain biking trails, white water rafting, rock climbing, fishing, and a thrilling opportunity on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. As a bonus, the park has no entrance fees! Keep reading to find things to do at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, plus a few tips to know before you go.
Have you taken a day trip recently? When life gets busy, sometimes a change of scenery that doesn't require much planning or packing is just what the doctor ordered. Luckily in the DC area, it's easy to plan a quick escape, with many options for day trips from DC just a short drive away. So whether you want to step into the great outdoors, enjoy local food favorites, explore a new museum, or browse in fun shops, here are 5 of the best day trips from the DC area, each with something unique to offer.
Spring is officially here, and this year more than ever most of us are ready to jump in the car for a short road trip or weekend adventure a few hours from home. Those of us with four-legged family members have another question to consider—should I take my dog on a road trip? While photos of smiling dogs in a car might be popular on Instagram, the reality can be quite different. So whether you are traveling cross country with a dog, or taking a pet-friendly day trip, here are some things we learned about how to road trip with dogs. Most importantly, preparation ahead of time is essential to make things less stressful when traveling with a dog. Plus we share some useful items that we have found helpful while traveling by car with our 70-pound rescue dog over the years. Since this post was originally published, our sweet dog Hallie (pictured throughout this blog and who always had an adventurous spirit) has crossed the rainbow bridge. But stay tuned as we start traveling more with our newest 55 pound rescue dog, also shown here, who isn't quite as comfortable in the car. It's going to be an adventure!
*This post was updated January, 2024. 
If you are a dog owner, you probably are familiar with that look—the sad eyes when your dog sees your suitcase and waits patiently to see if you are going to invite them to go along. Our 10 year old dog Hallie goes on many day trips and hiking adventures with us, so she’s always hopeful when she sees a suitcase. And once or twice a year her wish comes true when we take her with us on an overnight adventure. Recently, we decided to combine a visit to see family with a stay at the dog-friendly Lazy L at Willow Creek in Lewes, Delaware. Just a few hours from the DC area, the Lazy L at Willow Creek is truly a hidden gem near the popular beach towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. This was our third visit, and I’m already thinking about a return in the spring. If you are looking for a dog-friendly bed and breakfast not far from the DC area, or just a relaxing weekend getaway in Delaware, read on to see why we love the Lazy L at Willow Creek. Plus find a few things that we've learned from traveling with our dog.
*This post was updated August, 2022 
Fall is my favorite time of year, when nature paints a colorful picture in neighborhoods, parks, and forests. When I originally wrote this post in late 2020, many people were eager to take short road trips and day trips for a much-needed change of scenery. If you are like me, there is something soothing about taking a walk or a drive to enjoy the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellow of the season. But where to go to see the colorful fall leaves? Here are 5 ideas for interesting places to see fall foliage, some of which might be closer to home than you think.
*This post was updated August, 2024 
Are you thinking about your next outdoor getaway? With over 8,500 areas across the USA, state parks provide opportunities to get outside and connect with nature, often close to home. For a multi-day adventure, the America’s State Parks website shows that collectively the parks have over 200,000 campsites and almost 9,000 family cabins and cottages available for rent. Just be sure to book well in advance for an overnight stay or cabin rental. To kick off your planning, I’ve gathered a list of some favorite family-friendly state parks and tips from travel bloggers around the country. They share why these state parks from California to Vermont are great places for day trips or multi-day family adventures.
*This post was updated May, 2023 |
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