Most visitors to Virginia Beach visit over the summer for fun in the sun—lazy days on the beach listening to the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean or enjoying the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The end of the day is time to enjoy a seafood dinner, a drink by the ocean, or a stroll along the three miles of boardwalk. While summer is the most popular season for this family-friendly beach destination in Virginia, moderate temperatures make it a great place to visit year-round. And no matter the season, when you are ready for a dose of nature head to First Landing State Park or the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Between the two places, visitors will find wooded trails for hiking, seasonal camping options, and acres of preserve to connect with nature and wildlife. We had a chance to explore both First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a chilly weekend in February. Here are some things we learned to help plan your visit.
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One of my favorite things about the Mid-Atlantic area is the seemingly never-ending places to explore. And what better way to see them than from a bike trail. Besides the physical benefits of getting out on a bicycle, it’s the perfect way to view an area from a different perspective. One scenic bike trail that tops our list is the Mount Vernon Trail. You can’t beat the views of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial as you pedal along the trail on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Besides the popular DC bike trails, there are other wonderful places nearby well-suited for an active day or overnight trip from the DC area. These include Maryland’s Eastern Shore and bike-friendly Lewes, Delaware. Here you can combine fun cycling routes with delicious local food and drink. So if you live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and wonder Where are scenic bike trails near me? keep reading for our top picks throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Plus we include some favorite stops for coffee, a beautiful garden, and gelato!
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.
 When you visit Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll find more than just hiking, rock climbing, star gazing, and viewing the iconic Joshua trees. The park is home to Keys Ranch, a place where you feel like you have stepped back in time, surrounded by artifacts from an old movie set in the middle of the desert. In fact, since 1975, this spot in Joshua Tree National Park has been listed on the National Historic Register. The artifacts at Keys Ranch set the scene for a story of grit and determination of Bill Keys and his family. I wasn’t sure initially if this 90 minute ranger-led tour would fit in with our two day itinerary for Joshua Tree National Park, but it was actually a nice break after a few hikes in the morning and lunch. Here’s 3 reasons to book the Keys Ranch Tour on your visit to Joshua Tree National Park, plus a few favorite photos.
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