Erin Gifford

I am a Washington, DC-based travel & outdoor writer. My writing has appeared in USA Today's GoEscape, Outside, The Wall Street Journal, AARP.org, The Washington Post, Thrillist, LonelyPlanet.com, HGTV.com, Costco Connection, Travel + Leisure, Northern Virginia Magazine, Via and AAA World. I also write about hiking in Virginia at GoHikeVirginia.com and have written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides. In 2026, I completed a 13-year quest to run a half marathon in every state. 

Southern Living •

This New Virginia Beach Hotel Offers Front-Row Access To North America’s First Surf Lagoon

Virginia Beach just got a serious glow-up with the newest addition to Atlantic Park, the city’s 10.35-acre mixed-use district linked to hometown superstar Pharrell Williams. At its heart is Atlantic Park Surf, the first of its kind all-season surf lagoon in North America. Just steps away, The Sitio, a 20-room boutique hotel, welcomes guests with poolside cocktails, rotating playlists, and art that sparks conversation.
Bethesda Magazine •

Best of Easton

Easton delivers small-town charm with upscale style. It’s compact and walkable and a place where it’s easy to get your bearings. Historic streets, art galleries and restaurants are all within a few blocks. In recent years, entrepreneur Paul Prager has helped transform Easton into a culinary and cultural hub, opening a string of stylish restaurants, cafes and shops. The vibe still leans polished yet relaxed, drawing couples, families and art lovers, especially during Plein Air Easton, an outdoor art festival held each July.
via •

Spend a Summer Weekend in Missoula, Montana

Set along the winding Clark Fork River, Missoula’s charms include incredible mountain scenery and a laid-back culture built around outdoor activities. Summer months bring chances to paddle, raft, and float through town, or to stroll or pedal along riverfront paths. Year-round, you can enjoy mornings on nearby hiking trails and evenings lingering over pints of local ale. Life moves at an easy pace. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Missoula, Montana.
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Celebrate Virginia250 with 5 Limited-Edition Craft Beers at NoVA Breweries

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Virginians gathered in taverns drinking pints and debating the need for a revolution. And this summer, NoVA breweries are honoring Virginia250 with limited-edition ales, lagers, and IPAs. Here are five special pours that are worth a taste.    Inspired by early American traditions when brewers relied on locally available grains and sugars, this Colonial-style ale blends pale malt, malted wheat, and flaked maize. Molasses lends subtle dark fruit and treacle note...
Your AAA Network •

Road Trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Pennsylvania Dutch Country blends rolling farmland, small towns and centuries-old traditions into one of the country’s most memorable road trip destinations. Horse-drawn buggies travel quiet back roads, much as they have for nearly 300 years. Family farms operate as they have for generations and roadside markets overflow with baked goods, fresh produce and local specialties, like shoofly pie. Yet there’s more to discover in this region. Ride steam trains, tour potato chip factories, paddle ca...
Travel Weekly •

Biking through France's Normandy region with Backroads

Pedaling into Bayeux, a medieval town in France's Normandy region with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and an imposing Gothic cathedral, I could feel the emotional weight of the place. Bayeux was the first town in France liberated after D-Day in 1944. Today, the area is filled with morning markets, boulangerie shops and sidewalk cafes. Still, echoes of the town's past remain.As a fan of World War II historical fiction, I was drawn to a guided cycling trip through Normandy and Brittany with...
KOA •

10 Major Historical Stops Across North America

Is the open road calling? Go ahead and pick up! North America is full of places you’ll want to explore up close. Think ancient settlements, historic military forts, and storied battlegrounds, plus museums that dig deep into the past, into both tragedies and triumphs. These ten historical stops that span the U.S. and Canada can turn an ordinary road trip into something more memorable. Trust us, these will stick with you long after the gear is packed away. At Gettysburg National Military Park, yo...
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Take on the Exhilarating Rapids of Pennsylvania's Youghiogheny River

Brave your choice of calm or challenging waters with this whitewater rafting adventure. At Ohiopyle State Park, whitewater rafting isn’t just an activity — it’s the reason people return year after year. The 134-mile Youghiogheny River, known locally as “the Yough,” cuts through forested gorges and delivers some of the best rafting in the East. With sections ranging from calm floats to challenging rapids, there’s something for everyone — from families with young children to thrill-seeking adrenal...
Matador Network •

Disaster, Preserved: Inside Japan’s Living Volcanic Ruins at Mount Usu

On a cold winter day in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, a small group of us followed a narrow, snow-covered trail at the base of Mount Usu. Single file and moving on clunky snowshoes, we crossed a landscape that felt both raw and humbling. Beneath the snow was one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. One day, it will erupt again. Leading the way was Rie Egawa, founder of nature guiding service Sotoasobu and a
Northern Virginia Magazine •

West Virginia's Via Ferrata Climbs Make for a Thrill-Seeking Vacation

For a rugged West Virginia adventure, pair the vertical thrills of via ferrata at Nelson Rocks Preserve with the expansive wilds of the Dolly Sods Wilderness. These high-thrills destinations offer a perfect mix of guided adrenaline and high-elevation exploration. This story is part of our May Adventure Getaways issue. Check back as we explore weekend escapes that promise heart-stopping thrills and jaw-dropping scenery.  Drive Time from Dulles: Approximately 3 hours  Kick off your adventu...
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Find Four-Wheeling Fun at This Virginia Adventure Getaway

Grab your boots and make your way through Southwest Virginia’s wild mountain terrain. In Virginia’s far southwestern corner, you’ll find something rare: vast wilderness paired with the freedom to explore it on four wheels. Here, the Spearhead Trails open the door to more than 400 miles of bumpy, rugged exploring for off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The system is subdivided into seven smaller, thoughtfully organized trail systems. Each is able to accommodate different skill levels and connect riders...
AFAR.com •

Where to Go in Fort Myers with the Whole Family

The islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Fort Myers make it easy to plan a crowd-pleasing trip, from the grandparents to the kids. With inviting white-sand beaches, world-famous shelling, active wildlife, and rich local history, there are plenty of ways to explore and make memories.Numerous dining and accommodation options offer space, flexibility, and a laid-back pace that families need to relax and reconnect. Here’s how to make the most of a multi-generational vacation in the Fort Myers area...
Southern Living •

This Historic Ship Is Set To Become The World’s Largest Artificial Reef Off Florida’s Coast

She once carried Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and four sitting U.S. presidents across the Atlantic Ocean. As soon as May, the SS United States will be sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast, transformed into the world’s largest artificial reef. Once America’s fastest passenger ship, she’s poised for a next chapter that’s as remarkable as her first.  After 17 years at sea, the SS United States retired from service in 1969 and spent decades in limbo, docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. When res...
Your AAA Today •

Your Complete Cape Cod Road Trip Plan

Just two hours from Boston or Providence, Cape Cod is one of New England’s most accessible and scenic road trips. The sandy peninsula curls into the Atlantic Ocean like a bent arm, revealing classic seaside towns, windswept beaches and historic lighthouses. Drive slowly and the Cape unfolds region by region, from quiet villages on the Upper Cape to dramatic dunes at the tip in Provincetown. Along the way, stop for traditional Cape Cod activities like whale-watching cruises, strolling coastal trails, sampling local seafood and exploring the region’s maritime heritage.
Southern Living •

5 Short Cruises From Florida That Feel Like A Full Vacation

Not everyone can or wants to block off an entire week for a cruise. Sometimes, a few nights is all you need for a refresh. Cruise lines have taken note, and short Caribbean sailings are surging in popularity, fueled in part by the rise of splashy private islands and exclusive destinations, like Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, which opened in December 2025.  “Short cruises are a popular way for the new-to-cruise market segment to sample the cruise experience before...
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