Author: Emily Gautreaux

National Parks to Visit in 2026: Epic Landscapes Without the Fee

Exploring the United States often meant choosing between breathtaking landscapes and budget limitations, yet 2026 has proven that iconic scenery does not always come with an entrance fee. With 63 official national parks and more than 400 additional sites managed by the National Park Service, travelers have found countless opportunities to experience mountains, coastlines, caves, and forests without paying a daily admission cost, as per this travel blog article from Travel + Leisure. While many parks typically charged between $20 and $35 per vehicle, a significant number remained free year‑round, making them ideal anchors for cost‑conscious itineraries across the country.

Beyond well‑known federal fee‑free days such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the Independence Day weekend, roughly one‑third of national parks required no entrance fee at all. These destinations spanned nearly every region of the country, allowing travelers to design routes around landscapes that ranged from subtropical shorelines to Arctic tundra. In the Southeast, Great Smoky Mountains National Park continued to draw millions of visitors each year for its mist‑covered ridges, preserved cabins, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Nearby, Congaree National Park offered a dramatically different experience, protecting towering bald cypress trees and peaceful boardwalks that wound through one of the largest intact floodplain forests in North America.

Along Florida’s coast, Biscayne National Park highlighted a side of the national park system that existed largely underwater. Coral reefs, mangrove shorelines, and clear bays shaped an experience centered on marine ecosystems rather than mountain views. Inland, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas blended natural thermal springs with historic bathhouses, creating a rare overlap of preserved architecture and geology. Further north, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky invited visitors underground, where the world’s longest known cave system revealed vast chambers, winding tunnels, and ancient formations shaped over millions of years.

The Midwest and Appalachian regions expanded the list of free‑entry parks with surprising variety. Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserved waterfalls, wooded trails, and remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron, offering easy access to nature near urban centers. Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota centered on interconnected lakes and waterways, where water‑based exploration defined the landscape. In West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park showcased dramatic cliffs and one of the longest steel arch bridges in the Western Hemisphere, while Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota revealed intricate boxwork formations beneath rolling prairie terrain.

Alaska stood apart as the state with the highest concentration of free‑entry national parks. Glacier Bay National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park highlighted tidewater glaciers, fjords, and abundant marine wildlife, while Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve covered an area larger than several U.S. states combined. Even more remote destinations such as Gates of the Arctic National Park, Katmai National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Lake Clark National Park emphasized vast wilderness, often accessible only by small aircraft and rewarding travelers with unmatched solitude and scale.

Although these parks did not require entrance fees, planning ahead remained essential. Some locations enforced parking charges, timed‑entry systems, or recreation‑specific permits for activities such as camping, fishing, or boating. For travelers planning to visit multiple parks that did charge admission, the America the Beautiful Pass offered a cost‑effective option for yearlong access to federally managed lands.

With thoughtful planning, 2026 demonstrated that unforgettable travel experiences did not depend on ticket prices. From Appalachian ridgelines and Midwestern rivers to Pacific forests and Arctic expanses, these free‑entry national parks showed that some of the country’s most iconic landscapes were open to everyone, every day.

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National Awards Highlight South Louisiana’s Impact

Businesses and nonprofit organizations across South Louisiana were recently recognized with national awards for professional excellence, innovation, and community impact, with honors announced across New Orleans and Baton Rouge. As per this article from Nola.com, these recognitions reflected achievements in higher education, healthcare leadership, law, the arts, and civic development, highlighting the region’s growing influence at both the state and national levels. These honors, awarded by respected national organizations and industry publications, underscored how institutions and leaders in Louisiana continued to shape conversations far beyond the state’s borders.

In New Orleans, national attention turned toward Tulane University, where biomedical engineering professor J. Quincy Brown was named a 2025 fellow by the National Academy of Inventors. The recognition reflected Brown’s work developing MAGIC-SCAN, a technology designed to provide surgeons with immediate confirmation after cancer surgery that all malignant tissue had been successfully removed. Brown served as the inaugural Mark and Diana Tipton Endowed Professor in Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering and had
accumulated 27 patents over the course of his career. His work also extended beyond academia through the co-founding of Instapath Inc., a cancer imaging company focused on translating laboratory research into real-world medical applications.

Leadership in healthcare was also recognized with national awards when Modern Healthcare magazine named Pete November, president and chief executive officer of Ochsner Health, among the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2025. November assumed the CEO role in 2022 after holding several senior leadership positions within Ochsner, including executive vice president of digital
health, chief financial officer, and chief administrative officer. The recognition highlighted his role in guiding one of the region’s largest healthcare systems through a period of technological expansion, operational growth, and evolving patient care demands.

The New Orleans events and tourism sector earned additional accolades as the Eventex Awards named Elaine Williams, chief commercial officer for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, to its 2025 Eventex Powerlist of the 50 Most Influential Venue Professionals worldwide. The convention center also received recognition from ConventionSouth magazine, which named the facility among 35 Louisiana winners of its annual Reader’s Choice Awards.
Together, the honors reflected the convention center’s continued importance to Louisiana’s hospitality industry and its role in attracting large-scale events to the region.

Several national awards and professional distinctions were announced across healthcare and the legal field. The American College of Healthcare Executives named Jomel Whittington, president of the AVALA Physician Network, as a fellow, placing him among fewer than 8,700 healthcare executives nationwide to hold the designation. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Bar Foundation announced its 2025 distinguished honorees ahead of its 40th anniversary gala. Judge Dana Douglas of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was selected as distinguished jurist of the year, while Michael
Patterson of Long Law Firm was named distinguished attorney. Monica Hof Wallace of Loyola University New Orleans was recognized as distinguished professor, and retired Judge Freddie Pitcher received the Calogero Justice Award.

In Baton Rouge, recognition spanned education, healthcare, entertainment, and innovation. The Louisiana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators named Brittany Terrio, director of financial aid at River Parishes Community College, as its 2025 Woman of the Year. Terrio was honored during the organization’s conference in November and was also elected as its second
vice president, reflecting her leadership and service within Louisiana’s higher education community.

Community-focused initiatives were also highlighted when Louisiana Healthcare Connections awarded a total of $12,000 in grants to six organizations working to build healthier communities. Grant recipients included The Walls Project, Team Capables, WeHelpNOLA, The Highland Center, Hellfighters West Monroe LA Unit, and Gifted Smiles. The funding supported a range of projects aimed at improving access to services, promoting wellness, and strengthening neighborhoods across Louisiana.

Taken together, these honors reflected the depth and diversity of talent across South Louisiana.From medical research and healthcare leadership to legal service, higher education, and the arts, the recognitions demonstrated how institutions and professionals in the region continued to influence innovation, leadership, and community development on a national scale.

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Pasta Carbonara With Pancetta: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

There’s no debating pasta carbonara’s standing in the pantheon of Italian pasta recipes. A Roman classic, its glossy sauce is built from eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper—no cream required. This version of the pasta carbonara recipe from Epicurious relies on egg yolks, finely grated Parmesan cheese, rendered pancetta fat, and starchy pasta water—nothing more. As the pancetta cooks, its savory, aromatic drippings become the backbone of the dish, while a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper keeps the richness in check. The key is timing. The eggs and cheese are whisked together off heat, then gently tossed with hot pasta until silky and emulsified, never scrambled. Traditionalists can swap pancetta for guanciale or Parmesan for Pecorino Romano, but the result remains the same: a spare but luxurious, deeply satisfying pasta carbonara that’s ready in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • ● 12 oz. mezze rigatoni 
  • ● smashed 4 oz. pancetta (Italian bacon) cut into ½” pieces 
  • ● 3 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 2 cups) 
  • ● 6 large egg yolks 
  • ● 1 large egg 
  • ● 2 garlic cloves
  • ● Kosher salt 
  • ● 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook 2 garlic cloves, smashed, and 4 oz. pancetta (Italian bacon), cut into ½” pieces, in a dry large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until garlic is fragrant and browned in spots and pancetta is beginning to crisp, about 4 minutes. (It’s okay that the garlic will be cooking in a dry skillet before the fat renders from the pancetta.) Set a fine-mesh sieve over a small bowl and scrape pancetta mixture into sieve to drain. Pluck out and discard garlic. Transfer pancetta to a small bowl and let cool. Set fat from pancetta aside. 

2. Whisk together 6 large egg yolks and 1 large egg in a medium bowl. Add 3 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 2 cups), and whisk to combine.  Meanwhile, cook 12 oz. mezze rigatoni in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Reserve pot. 

4. Stir 1 Tbsp. reserved pancetta fat and ¼ cup warm pasta cooking liquid into egg mixture. Combine egg mixture, pancetta, pasta, and another ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid in reserved pot and place over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed (up to remaining ½ cup), until sauce thickens and coats pasta in a glossy sheen, about 3 minutes. Remove pasta from heat, add 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, and season with kosher salt. Divide pasta among shallow bowls to serve.

Notes:

Pasta carbonara was traditionally served on its own, but it paired well with simple accompaniments. A crisp green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil provided contrast to the richness of the pasta. Roasted vegetables, such as broccolini or asparagus, also worked well alongside the dish without overwhelming it.

For those looking to explore variations, pancetta could be replaced with guanciale for a more traditional Roman profile, while Pecorino Romano could stand in for Parmesan for a sharper, saltier finish. Mezze rigatoni worked especially well because its ridges held onto the sauce, but spaghetti or bucatini were equally suitable.

This pasta carbonara with pancetta demonstrated how restraint often led to the most memorable results. By focusing on technique and timing rather than extra ingredients, the dish delivered depth, richness, and balance in every bite. Ready in about 25 minutes, it was an ideal example of how classic Italian cooking turned simplicity into something luxurious. When prepared with care, carbonara remained one of the most satisfying pasta dishes ever created.

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The Future of Southern Travel Starts in These Cities

Travel experts looking ahead to 2026 continued to point to the Southern United States as one of the country’s most dynamic regions for travel in this article from Southern Living. Southern Travel highlights milestone celebrations, major sporting events, cultural revivals, and thoughtful new development, several Southern cities were expected to stand out in the year ahead. From art-forward mountain towns to refined coastal communities, these destinations offered variety, accessibility, and a strong sense of place that rewarded intentional travel planning.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville has increasingly positioned itself as a cultural and creative destination, and 2026 was expected to accelerate that momentum thanks to America 250, the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Rather than competing with heavy crowds in Washington, D.C., travelers were encouraged to explore this more approachable and affordable alternative. The city’s evolution has been driven in large part by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which blends American history with contemporary expression across thoughtfully designed galleries set amid walking trails and reflective ponds. Nearby, The Momentary added a forward-looking layer to the city’s appeal, transforming a former industrial space into a hub for performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. Bentonville’s growing culinary scene and the December 2025 opening of The Compton Hotel near the downtown square further reinforced its status as a polished yet welcoming arts destination.

Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach remained a strong contender for travelers seeking a refined coastal experience in 2026. Known for its pristine beaches, iconic architecture, and carefully curated shopping districts, the town offered a quieter and more polished alternative to nearby Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Longstanding institutions like Green’s Pharmacy connected visitors to the town’s history, while newer waterfront dining destinations reflected Palm Beach’s continued evolution. With warm weather throughout the year and a compact, scenic layout, Palm Beach appealed to travelers drawn to an effortless escape rooted in elegance, tradition, and a distinctly coastal aesthetic.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville was expected to draw increased attention in 2026 with the debut of the Biltmore Championship, a new PGA Tour event scheduled for early fall. Timed perfectly with apple harvests and the first hints of autumn color in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the tournament added to Asheville’s already strong seasonal appeal. Lodging options at the historic Biltmore Estate and nearby mountain resorts placed visitors close to both the action and the region’s natural beauty. Beyond golf, Asheville continued to stand out for its revitalized neighborhoods, live music venues, expanding culinary scene, and access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta was poised to welcome a global audience in 2026 as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup. Downtown accommodations within walking distance of the stadium made the city especially convenient for visitors attending matches, while luxury properties such as The St. Regis Atlanta offered a more tranquil retreat outside the city center. Travelers interested in balancing large-scale events with quieter experiences could venture north to Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, where restored cottages, outdoor recreation, and heritage-inspired design reflected one of the leading travel trends of the year.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston rounded out the list as a destination that continued to refine its balance of history, gastronomy, and coastal sophistication. In late 2025, the city’s restaurant scene earned its first Michelin stars, signaling growing national recognition for its culinary excellence. Looking ahead to 2026, travelers anticipated the opening of The Cooper hotel along the riverfront, the expansion of boutique properties such as The Pinch, and new art spaces emerging along King Street. Charleston’s ongoing investment in culture, design, and hospitality ensured its place as one of the South’s most compelling cities to visit in the coming year.

Together, these five destinations highlighted why the South remained an essential region for travelers seeking meaningful, memorable experiences in 2026—offering history, creativity, natural beauty, and thoughtful growth across a wide range of settings.

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Louisiana’s Reading Revival Gains National Recognition

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) was awarded $15 million to lead a multi-year national study focused on strengthening literacy outcomes through expanded high-dosage tutoring, as per this news release from LDOE. The competitive grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program, a federal initiative designed to support evidence-based solutions that improve student achievement. The award recognized Louisiana’s sustained leadership in literacy reform (reading revival) and reflected years of strategic investment by state lawmakers and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to improve early reading instruction.

According to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley, the grant represented national confidence in Louisiana’s approach to literacy improvement. He emphasized that state-led solutions, when paired with research and accountability, can accelerate student outcomes. The EIR award followed a period of steady progress in reading proficiency and positioned Louisiana as a testing ground for scalable, evidence-based tutoring models that could inform policy decisions nationwide.

The $15 million award funded a five-year research study designed to evaluate and expand high-dosage literacy tutoring for first- and second-grade students reading below grade level. Approximately 4,500 students were expected to participate across a diverse mix of rural, suburban, and urban elementary schools. Both traditional public schools and charter schools were included, with LDOE prioritizing campuses with low literacy proficiency rates. At least one-quarter of participating schools were designated as rural, ensuring the study reflected the geographic and demographic diversity of Louisiana’s education system.

LDOE was responsible for coordinating the initiative, selecting participating schools, managing partnerships, tracking student progress, and sharing results publicly. By placing the state education agency at the center of the research effort, the project reinforced Louisiana’s commitment to transparency, data-driven decision-making, and statewide capacity-building rather than isolated pilot programs.

Several key partners supported the implementation and evaluation of the initiative. Air Reading played a central role in delivering high-dosage tutoring and training tutors through its Teacher Academy. Studyville aligned Louisiana-based curriculum resources to ensure tutoring instruction matched classroom expectations and state standards. Johns Hopkins University served as the independent evaluator, providing rigorous research oversight and analysis. Louisiana higher education institutions also participated by recruiting and supporting college students as literacy tutors, strengthening the educator pipeline while expanding instructional capacity.

Leaders from partner organizations highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving lasting literacy gains with this reading revival. Air Reading CEO Xing Zhang reflected on the organization’s experience supporting tens of thousands of Louisiana students and expressed enthusiasm for expanding access while studying what worked across varied communities. Studyville CEO Amanda Martin emphasized that the partnership built on Louisiana’s recent reading gains and demonstrated how state-specific curriculum alignment could drive national impact. Johns Hopkins University Deputy Director of Evidence Research Amanda Neitzel underscored that aligned partnerships between state agencies, tutoring providers, and districts created conditions where students benefited most.

Louisiana’s selection for the EIR award built upon measurable progress in reading achievement. The state rose to 16th nationally in fourth-grade reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as The Nation’s Report Card, after ranking 50th in 2019. This improvement reflected a comprehensive literacy strategy grounded in policy alignment, educator training, and targeted student support.

The policy framework supporting these efforts included Acts 520 and 517 of 2022, which established a universal K–3 literacy screener and required high-quality, research-based instructional materials. Bulletin 741 further ensured students were screened three times per year to identify reading gaps early. Over the past two years, Louisiana lawmakers committed approximately $70 million to expand high-dosage tutoring during and beyond the school day, reinforcing the sustainability of the initiative.

As the five-year reading revival study progressed, Louisiana’s work was expected to provide valuable insights into how high-dosage tutoring could be scaled effectively across varied school settings. The initiative not only strengthened literacy instruction for thousands of students but also positioned Louisiana as a national model for state-led, research-driven education reform.

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A French Quarter Favorite Makes OpenTable’s Top 100 List-GW Fins

Louisiana has long been recognized for its rich culinary traditions, refined dining culture, and bold coastal flavors, with New Orleans consistently leading the way. In 2025, that reputation was further reinforced when GW Fins earned national recognition as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants according to this article from The Daily Advertise. The honor placed the French Quarter seafood destination among the most sought-after dining experiences in the United States, based on diner demand and verified guest reviews.

OpenTable’s annual Top 100 list was determined through insights collected directly from diners who booked and reviewed meals through the platform. As one of the country’s leading restaurant reservation and discovery services, OpenTable evaluated thousands of establishments using metrics tied to consistency, guest satisfaction, and overall dining experience. The inclusion of GW Fins reflected not only its popularity but also its continued ability to deliver high-quality seafood cuisine in a competitive national landscape.

Located in a stylishly updated warehouse space in the French Quarter, GW Fins built its reputation on a creative and constantly evolving menu centered on fresh seafood. The restaurant became widely regarded as a seafood authority in New Orleans, offering dishes that balanced classic Gulf Coast influences with modern culinary refinement. According to OpenTable, menu standouts included traditional barbecue shrimp alongside more elevated offerings such as lobster dumplings, allowing diners to experience both familiarity and innovation in a single meal.

Seasonality played a defining role in the GW Fins dining experience. Prior to the restaurant’s national recognition, the culinary team described its approach as one where seasonal seafood met precise technique. Each dish was prepared to enhance the natural flavor and texture of the day’s freshest catch, rather than overshadow it. This philosophy guided everything from ingredient selection to final presentation, ensuring that seafood remained the focal point of every plate.

Executive Chef Michael Nelson and Chef/Owner Tenney Flynn were central to maintaining that standard. According to OpenTable, the leadership team ensured exceptional quality by sourcing seafood from both local waters and international fisheries, flying in select products when necessary to meet exacting standards. Their commitment to freshness was reflected in the restaurant’s practice of printing its menu daily, a detail that underscored the constantly shifting nature of the offerings and the reliance on what was available at peak quality.

In addition to its culinary focus, GW Fins cultivated an atmosphere that aligned with its fine dining identity while remaining approachable. The restaurant maintained a dress code intended to preserve a polished dining environment without requiring formal attire. Coats and ties were not necessary, but guests were expected to wear slacks, dress jeans, or dress shorts, with collared shirts required for gentlemen. Athletic wear, t-shirts, cut-off shorts, and baseball caps were not permitted, a standard consistent with many high-end restaurants throughout downtown New Orleans.

The OpenTable recognition highlighted GW Fins’ role in shaping New Orleans’ contemporary dining scene and reaffirmed the city’s influence on American cuisine. By combining meticulous sourcing, seasonal creativity, and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant continued to attract diners seeking a standout seafood experience rooted in both tradition and innovation.

The national acknowledgment also underscored the broader strength of New Orleans’ culinary ecosystem, where tradition and innovation frequently operated side by side. In a city known for its historic foodways and competitive restaurant scene, continued recognition required more than reputation alone. Together, these factors solidified GW Fins’ standing as a place where craftsmanship, quality, and coastal flavor consistently converged.

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