Tag: US Travel

Must Do List When Visiting Portland

Whether it’s for an outdoor adventure or to experience a vibrantly unique culture that’s all its own, it’s always rewarding to make a trip to the Pacific Northwest haven that is Portland, Oregon. Luckily, this detailed travel guide from Travel + Leisure outlines everything you need to know whenever you’re considering venturing out to the sustainable, cultured, and community-driven city.

When planning a trip to Portland, the time of year in which you travel should be at the forefront of your mind, as the city of Portland has many can’t miss events and festivities year-round. For instance, you should consider checking out the Waterfront Blues Festival, the city’s largest and longest-running music celebration every summer. Additionally, one of the biggest draws to the city is an event known as the Big Float, a massive undertaking by the city to popularize the local river. Each year, approximately 70,000 people make it out to Portland’s waterfront for a city-wide flotilla and beach party.

In general, the best time to visit the city of Portland is in the summer months, specifically from June to August, as the weather is vastly more consistent than it is at other times of the year, making it more “in tune” with the city’s outdoors-based culture. After all, you don’t want your vacation to be hampered by a weather advisory on the morning of your trip to Mount Hood or the city’s International Rose Garden, especially because the roses are in full bloom in the summer months.

If you’re making your way out to Portland, you might find that you need to book your accommodations a little bit in advance, but the city has many traditional and unique options for you to consider. One such location is the Black Elephant Hostel, which is Portland’s first hostel. Complete with sleek and decadent rooms, this rentable accommodation is ideal for those solo-travelers and those looking for an especially social atmosphere. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood to stay somewhere with an unforgettable view, you should consider the beachside escape known as the Inn by the Sea, which not only gives you a stunning view of the coast, but the rooms are warmly decorated with soft lighting, colors, and comforts.

If you want to stay in a building full of history and style, then look no further than the grand turn-of-the-century building known as The Society Hotel. This hotel was first known as The Mariners Building, a boarding home dedicated to keeping Portland’s sailors “on the straight and narrow,” but it was later renovated in 2013 while keeping its upper floors untouched, resulting in the unearthing of a Portland time capsule. Book a stay at The Society Hotel today, and see why so many cost-conscious travelers, history buffs, high-end hostelers, and young adventurers  cite this as their favorite spot in the city.

Once in Portland, you might find yourself overstimulated by the offerings of “must-try” experiences to be found around the city. Though a lot of these are valid and truthful in offering you wild adventure and unforgettable experiences, none shine a light on making a trip out to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. These gardens stand to offer you the unique chance to find respite in an often bustling city while also giving you the opportunity to celebrate Chinese culture at a Suzhou-style garden that’s found right in the heart of Portland. Stop by this garden to peruse the tea gardens that are filled with plants native to Asia, magnificently decorated patagonia, or simply a chance to breathe and find clarity on your trip.

As always, before you purchase roundtrip airline tickets or hit the open highway on your way to the Pacific Northwest, you should double-check the latest CDC and local travel recommendations to ensure safety above all.

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Pet Friendly Beaches for the Summer Ahead

When you have some time off and you want to hit the road with your family on that vacation you’ve been thinking about for months, you want to take the entire family, dog included. Oftentimes, finding a beach that allows your dog to run freely can be hard to find, but that’s just where Southern Living’s rundown of the best pet-friendly beaches in the south will save you stress allowing you to enjoy your beach trip with the whole family.

While the point of a vacation is to relax care-free, no one wants to feel that sudden pang of guilt when you imagine your pet in a boarding facility or doggy daycare while you’re out having the time of your life in crystal blue waters beneath a radiant sun. So, if you intend to bring our four-footed best friend along with you on your next beach trip, it’s proactive to do your part and research which beaches allow dogs on their sandy shores ahead of time.

Brunswick Islands, North Carolina

Standing proudly as an absolute stunning jewel of the south, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands are often heralded for the sheer amount of experiences and pristine beaches that are located off-the-beaten path meaning that they’re less crowded and more enjoyable. The Brunswick Islands region is located in the southern corner of North Carolina, and it’s the last of the Tar Heel State’s coastal treasures before you get to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach.

The total region of the Brunswick Islands is made up of five barrier islands that encompass richly lush maritime forests, freshly-caught local seafood, expanding saltwater marshlands, and the federally-protectedIntracoastal Waterway that connects them all.

A well-known resource for all vacationers who travel with pets is Tripswithpets.com, and this reliable authority on which destinations are the best for pet-lovers has named North Carolina’s Oak Island and Caswell Beachesspecifically among the “Top Five Dog-Friendly Beaches in North Carolina.”

Many of the coastal beaches throughout the Brunswick Islands allow (and even encourage) dogs to run across their sandy shores; this includes the popular, well-reviewed beaches of Oak Island, Freeman Park, Emerald Isle, Kitty Hawk, and Bald Head Island. Check out which of your preferred beaches in North Carolina allow for dogs at this well-researched resource and ensure that you and your family pet can enjoy the natural beauty of the Brunswick Islands on your next adventure!

Ocean City Beach, Maryland

This location has not only been named one of TripAdvisor’s top ten beaches in the country, but its three-mile boardwalk featuring amusement activities, arcades, and waterside shopping looks well-placed when you take in the jaw-dropping sights of the Atlantic Ocean behind it. At the right time of day, it becomes no wonder why this fantastically versatile beach is located alongside the appropriately named Ocean City, Maryland, especially with its offerings of surfing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing along its shores and waters. Though, one of the highlights of this beach is that throughout the months of October-April, you’re allowed to bring your leashed companion along the boardwalk and throughout Ocean City.

The finer details indicate that all dogs must be leashed when walking in Ocean City at all times, and while leashed pets are allowed onto the Assateague National Park Beach year-round, they are not allowed on the Assateague State Park Beaches, which is an important distinction.

So, begin planning your trip out to Ocean City and the greater Assateague Island today to enjoy its unforgettable offerings of sandy, picturesque beaches, coastal bays, maritime forests, and salt marshes that will surely make you think you’re seeing the inspiration of many postcards you’ve been sent over the years.

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The Best Sunset Hikes in the Country

A proper hike can be a lot of things: challenging, exciting, exhausting, rewarding, and even encouraging, but time and time again no matter how many obstacles you overcome along the trail on your excursion, nothing beats experiencing the golden hour of a memorable sunset hike as a reward for your hard work. Luckily, this article from Travel + Leisure outlines over a dozen hiking trails across the United States that are both rewarding as an individual hiking experience and a perfect vantage point to witness a one-of-a-kind sunset.

Although there are new reports coming down the wire each week about more and more states scaling back in their Covid-19 restrictions, it’s still a proactive and well-advised idea to research the individual pandemic policies of the national and state parks listed on this list to see if there are any closed-off areas, experiences, or operating hours due to the pandemic. Furthermore, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, andstate mandates that may have been implemented as well. Be sure to travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines. Read on for the best sunset hikes in the U.S.

The Guadalupe Peak Hike

Located at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Culberson County, Texas, the is both a highly rewarding and very strenuous 8.5-mile round trip hike with a 3,000-foot elevation gain. The vantage point that hikers experience at the summit of Guadalupe Peak is a sight to be sought-after and never taken for granted because you’ll find yourself atop the highest point in the state of Texas at an impressive 8,751 feet of elevation. The peak is so optimal that it’s been nicknamed the “Top of Texas,” and given the statistics, that’s not at all hyperbole.

Not only at this peak will you find an excellent view of several of the ecosystems of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, such as the park’s high desert and high elevation forests, but you’ll find that the “Top of Texas” offers a tremendous view that is framed by surrounding mountains and desert, all of which work together to paint the expected sunset as perfectly as a canvas painting. It’s been said that “the sun’s shimmering lavender, peach, and golden hues lavish over the mountains, canyons, desert, and dunes” collaborate to make up a landscape that is “otherworldly,” and as it’s found on the highest point in the largest state in the country, that’s an accurate description. There’s just no other sunset hike quite like it.

Rubicon Trail

While a challenging hike that tests your endurance but then rewards you with an unforgettable glimpse of a perfect sunset is perfect for some, sometimes you don’t necessarily need an exhausting trial only to be rewarded with the best views. If you’re looking for a memorable experience that won’t test your physical limits, then there’s no better blend of culture, architecture, and beauty than the Rubicon Trail, which is found in the Tahoe Basin National Forest in Zephyr Cove, Nevada.

This moderate 16.4-mile trail located near South Lake Tahoe, California has its most popular trailhead at both D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park, but if your begin at the trailhead located in the Tahoe Basin National Forest, you’ll be treated by passing by one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States,the Vikingsholm Castle, also called “Tahoe’s Hidden Castle.” This 38-room mansion located on the shores of Emerald Bay is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and it literally stands out as a fixture taken out of time. Furthermore, once you’ve passed the wooded enclosures, and granite-laden scenery, you’ll find yourself at a minor incline in the trail that rests just above Emerald Bay, making it the prime location to see not only one sunset but a second in the reflected waters beneath it.

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Experiencing Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to one of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet, and with this informative travel guide from the experts over at Touropia, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of Cape Cod, MA in no time at all.

Cape Cod is a northeastern haven brimming with nautical charm in the form of a hook-shaped peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Also known as “the cape,” this area is home to several charming towns, each with its own perspective on Cape Cod’s idyllic beaches, culture-rich artistic escapes, and maritime cuisine.

Undoubtedly, the towns along Cape Cod can vary from sophisticatedly suave centers of arts and culture, such as Provincetown, to the relaxed, laid-back aesthetic and vibes associated with towns in the north like Wellfleet and Truro. No matter where you travel to, they’ll be something special to experience and enjoy.

If you wish to escape to Cape Cod to enjoy the peace and quiet often associated with the idyllic vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts associated with New England’s maritime environment, then look no further than the town of Brewster, which is situated on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. Brewster is located in close proximity to Nickerson State Park, the Massachusetts-owned park with 2,000 acres offering over 400 campsites.

One excellent way to see a portion of the park is by riding along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is a popular bike path that follows a former railroad for 22 miles through the towns of Brewster, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, and Wellfleet. The Rail Trail is the ideal way to survey as much of the Cape Cod maritime landscape as it also accommodates walkers, runners, and horseback riders.

Inside the town itself, you’ll find that in addition to its expansive beaches, Brewster is also home to several old sea captains’ homes and fishermen’s cottages that have been converted into inns and bed-and-breakfasts, making for an ideal way to both stay on the cape and learn about the surrounding history and culture of the area. Though, another way to go this would be to visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which is also a nature education center and steward of conservation land that displays local artifacts, hosts traveling exhibits, and offers educational programs for children and adults across its 17,000 square-foot campus.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History also features some 400 acres of natural habitat, including 400-plus acres of natural habitat, salt marshes, Wing’s Island, and a lovely beach area that’s located between Quivett and Paine’s creeks. Simply stated, a full day could be spent touring the museum’s many offerings and extensive art collections like the whale exhibits, nature trails, wildflower garden, and nearby beaches.

Speaking of beaches, there’s no surprise that there is always an ideal beach to be explored and enjoyed “just around the corner” once you find yourself “on Cape Cod.” One of the most rewarding ways to truly experience the landscape is by heading out to the Outer Cape Peninsula and surveying the sandy expanses of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, this stretch that is seemingly untouched by time offers its visitors a comprehensive overview of the Cape Cod area while also connecting to several hiking trails such as the Great Island Trail, which is a nearly seven-mile hike along the National Seashore in Wellfleet, MA.

Wellfleet itself is a charming reminder that Cape Cod is filled to the brim with artistry in the form of nature, cuisine, and artwork. Wellfleet contains several art galleries and restaurants that give an accurate taste of what makes Cape Cod s special, but it’s also home to a true marvel of industry in the work of Wellfleet Harbor that allows you to survey the fleets of fishing boats setting off from and returning to a dock, all set against the backdrop of the one-of-a-kind Cape Cod Bay.

Though COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to scale back, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, and state mandates that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

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Explore the Nature of Smyth County, Virginia

One of the most memorable and beautiful areas of the country lies in the curving mountain roads of Southwest Virginia. The destination that allows you to quite literally reach new heights and visit destinations straight out of a painting is Smyth County, Virginia, and with this guide to exploring the county from Southern Living, you’ll be set for an unforgettable return to nature.

As a reminder, no matter where you’re traveling to in these uncertain times, it’s always a responsible move and a good idea to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, and state mandates that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

Smyth County is filled to the brim with natural wonders around every corner due to it being in such close proximity to State Parks and National Recreation Areas. So, if you’d like to experience the most of these beautiful environments along with someone knowledgeable of how to safely navigate the area, you should consider booking a local guide for the weekend. For instance, if you reserve a hike with White Blaze Outdoors, not only will your hike be all the more elevated because you get to explore the expansive views and tumbling creeks of the Appalachian Trail, but you’ll be shown literal off-the-beaten paths by your knowledgeable nature guide.

Two of the most popular tourist destinations in Smyth County are the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Hungry Mother State Park, and Grayson Highlands State Park. When travelers find themselves in Smyth County, they’re typically drawn to the centermost valley located within the boundaries of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, as it’s the meeting spot of three converging forks of the Holston River. Once inside Mount Rogers NRA, you’ll be able to walk a portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail, a rail-to-recreation trail that runs between Abingdon and Whitetop, Virginia.

On the other hand, if you find yourself at Hungry Mother State Park, you’ll find yourself within a seemingly boundless enclosure of over 100 acres begging to be explored. Known locally as being one of the crown jewels of the Virginia park system, Hungry Mother State Park is filled with activities for families of all ages, offering plenty of fishing, boating, swimming, and more. Similarly, Grayson Highlands State Park, which is located near Virginia’s highest peaks: Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, is a celebrated State Park that offers hiking trails, scenic views of alpine-like mountain peaks of over 5,000 feet, and waterfalls and overlooks that allow you to see Virginia in all its natural splendor.

Survey a wide array of unique experiences and a rich tapestry of historical events at Smyth County’s Museum of the Middle Appalachians in Saltville, VA. Stop in for an afternoon and discover what types of one-of-a-kind geology had attracted the earliest human settlers and wildlife. Oh, and that includes the single most complete Mastodon remains on display in the United States of America. Afterward, feel free to check out the natural salt marsh that made Saltville such an attraction during the Civil War or simply look over the expansive, beautiful city at the Lilypad, a casual picnic overlook.

The best part about all of the nature sites, parks, and experiences to be had in Smyth County, is that there are plenty of accommodation options that allow you to be mere steps away from the forests, trails, and mountainsides that will surely tire you out. Consider reserving a stay at a historic Inn such as the refined, redbrick General Francis Marion Hotel or the charming Collins House Bed and Breakfast Though, you might prefer to literally “bunk in nature” by booking a stay in one of the unforgettably cozy log cabins inside of Hungry Mother State Park. No matter where you stay, you’ll be sure to return ever ytime you hear the Virginia air beckon you back to the mountains.

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Travel Tip: Do What the Locals Do

Vacationers and worldly travelers have many different ways of experiencing a new, unfamiliar city. Sometimes they go to restaurants and shops based only on the recommendations given to them by their close friends and family, but they still miss out on some experiences unique to that city. Other times, travelers will book a stay at a hotel and only venture within a certain mile radius of the lobby and make a judgment of the city that doesn’t take a lot of its offerings into account. But if you really want a fool-proof guide filled with travel tips to see this unfamiliar town through the eyes of a local resident, then you’re all set thanks to this list of handy tips and tricks to experience a new city as though you are a local from Trip Adviser, the true authority on the subject.

Whenever you find yourself out in a new city after weeks or months spent anticipating this escape from your own town, you’ll often want to avoid the touristy neighborhoods, and see just how the locals live their lives. The following suggestions from Trip Adviser travelers that were compiled by Wendy Perrin demonstrate how you can get an authentic reading of how it feels to live in your new city on a day-to-day basis.

As a reminder, no matter where you’re traveling to in these uncertain times, it’s always a responsible move and a good idea to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, and state mandates that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

One of the best ways to measure just how different your travel destination is compared to your home city is to pursue an unfamiliar supermarket’s shelves. Not only will locals be around, but you’ll also be able to stock up on groceries for your stay. Plus, grocery stores sell some of the more affordable, edible souvenirs to bring home to loved ones expecting a gift. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to strike up a conversation with your cashier or fellow shopper who might recommend a must-try restaurant that’s right around the corner.

One traveler from GreenSpot.travel gave a unique suggestion that’s guaranteed to be the perfect fit for some people: to get a haircut mid-vacation. Not only will you have some lengthy face-time with your barber who will likely strike up a conversation on where you have to visit, but the barbershop’s group of customers likely consists of people who have lived in the city for years and want to have a say in where you go to next.

Most cities and towns of a certain size will organize a community event such as a farmer’s market that sets up shop every weekend. Oftentimes these Saturday morning markets are located either within or nearby a lively neighborhood that gives you an idea of just how involved the local community is in their produce-growing and craft-selling. Not only will the farmer’s market be a melting pot of citizens, foods, arts, and more, but you’ll be able to assess for yourself just how passionate these locals are about their region in a new and exciting way that also gives you a chance to bring home some unique finds.

If you’re finding yourself in a major metropolitan area, there’s a fine chance that it has an efficient public transportation system. Whether it’s by bus, subway, or train, you’ll likely be able to purchase something like an Oyster Card, which will allow you to travel by bus or train for ‘free’ once you reach a minimum daily amount, or some cities offer an unlimited day or weekend pass. Either way, you’re bound to see the same sites that your average tourist bus would take you to, or at least you’ll be closer to a new area of town that you’d otherwise not see. Just be sure to read up on your city’s public transit system so as to find the best and most efficient way of navigating it.

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