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.
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If you are looking for a delicious getaway, look no further than Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a fabulous place for food lovers to explore and learn about the global influences on many popular dishes. The city checks all the boxes for a girls’ trip, with Southern cuisine, history, colorful buildings, shopping, and relaxing spots to grab a drink and catch up with friends! For these reasons, Charleston ranks high on lists of prettiest and best U.S. cities to visit. Dozens of nonstop flights make it convenient to reach from around the country. On a recent getaway with friends, we had the chance to enjoy a few of the popular restaurants. After they left, I ventured out solo on a Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour for even more food! Keep reading to take a glimpse into Charleston’s exciting culinary scene.
When you think of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, you probably imagine it's all about the well-known Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address. And rightly so, as Gettysburg National Military Park sees over one million visitors a year. Tours have blossomed in the area, expanding access to historical sites by car, foot, bike, segway, and horseback. But in addition to all the history, this vibrant small town is home to a growing food scene. Farm-to-table menus and historic restaurants give visitors plenty of dining choices. A favorite way to explore the local restaurant scene is via a food tour. Recently, we discovered that Savor Gettysburg Food Tours offers the perfect way to enjoy tasty foods, dished with a side of history, and something sweet for dessert!
 Have you ever considered taking a cooking class while on vacation? While making a meal with the locals in a picturesque town in Italy is still on my bucket list, I hadn’t really thought about it when we were planning our November trip to New Orleans. It was hard enough trying to decide where to eat, with so many amazing restaurants to choose from. In a place where the local cuisine has made a name for itself, taking a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking was the perfect way to learn the history behind some of the city’s iconic dishes. Each class combines the hospitality and history of New Orleans cuisine in a fun and engaging way. Chef instructors guide you through the steps for classic dishes like Crawfish Étouffée, Jambalaya, and Bread Pudding, weaving in the layers of global influence to the local cuisine and culture. So as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans, don’t miss adding a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Have you ever planned a road trip just for food? I just did and it was so much fun! After reading stories about the legendary white clam pizza at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, I knew I wanted to try it for myself. So when an opportunity to take a short road trip presented itself, I decided it was time to see what the buzz was all about! Plus I had been daydreaming about spending a summer day eating fried clams and lobster rolls at a waterfront New England clam shack. Since food was the primary focus of the trip, I convinced my adult son to join me for this last-minute mother/son adventure. We made the most of our short visit, even with torrential rains and delays due to a tropical storm that barreled through the area. In the end, we discovered 5 stops you won’t want to miss as you eat your way through coastal Connecticut.
Is it just me, or does February often feel like the longest month of the year? No matter the month, a day trip is a great way to take a break from the daily routine. Recently we decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm winter weather and make the drive to Richmond, Virginia. It’s just over 100 miles from the DC area—roughly a two hour drive on a weekend. The city is a funky combination of history, art, and a thriving food and beer scene. Then top if off with miles of hiking and biking trails, the 100 acre family-friendly Maymont, and seasonal water activities on the James River. With that in mind, my husband and I had simple goals for our recent day trip to Richmond—try a few new restaurants, find unique street art, and take advantage of a sunny, winter day to connect to nature. To make the most of our day trip to Richmond, we started with breakfast, strolled the nearby neighborhood for street art, explored the grounds at Maymont, took a 3 hour food tour in Carytown, and found more street art. By the time we left the city around 6:30 p.m., our stomachs were full and we managed to log around 18,000 steps!
I recently got back from a fall girls trip to the Seattle area. It had been quite a few years since our Pacific Northwest family road trip, so I was excited when my friend invited me to tag along on her visit to see family in the area. We stayed in a house on the water in Bremerton, with amazing views of Mount Rainier. Given what I knew about Seattle weather, I was prepared for cold, rainy weather. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to have sunshine the entire time! Our plans included my friend sharing a few of her favorite places around Seattle and Bainbridge Island, along with a food tour at Pike Place market. We took advantage of both the Bremerton and Bainbridge Island ferries to get back and forth to Seattle on foot. Read on to learn about 4 fun things to do in the Seattle area and bookmark this page for your next visit to Seattle.
Head east, less than 40 miles from DC, and you will find the charming town of Annapolis, Maryland. On warm, sunny days, locals and tourists alike fill the streets of this capital city, relaxing by City Dock and enjoying the small town ambiance. Filled with history, boats of every shape and size, and some of the best seafood in the area, there are plenty of things to do during a visit to Annapolis. But there is no easier way to get to know the city than to take a tour with a local guide. Keep reading to learn more about the Original Annapolis Seafood Crawl before you plan a visit to Annapolis.
As the new year begins and the coldest winter months set in, many of us will start daydreaming about a warm weekend escape. I don’t know about you, but a winter getaway to a destination like Arizona or Florida when it’s not 100 degrees in the shade sounds pretty appealing to me. So whether you need a short break from frigid temperatures, or just a quick recharge from everyday life, here’s 5 suggestions of places known for mild winter weather along with some ideas for things to do during a long weekend getaway.
*This post was updated November, 2024 
When my daughter and I arrived in New Orleans for a 4 day mother-daughter adventure, I wasn’t really sure that we would have enough activities to fill our time. Neither of us had ever been to New Orleans, and we weren’t really sure what to expect beyond the craziness of Bourbon Street. We had a few things on our list (mostly food related), but since we had family that lived locally, we were relying on them to show us around. Seeing the city through the eyes of a local helped us explore New Orleans beyond the boundaries of the French Quarter, discovering delicious food, history and many fun activities along the way. Here’s our list of 8 fun things to do in New Orleans that will take you beyond Bourbon Street.
*This post was updated August 2024. |
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