Incredible Fall Foliage and Adventures Await at the Newest National Park
Take a weekend trip to West Virginia to visit New River Gorge, which offers hikes and stunning vistas.
Erin Gifford
I am a Washington, DC-based travel & outdoor writer. My writing has appeared in USA Today's GoEscape, Chicago Tribune, AFAR.com, CNN.com, The Washington Post, LonelyPlanet.com, Parents, Family Circle, HGTV.com, TravelChannel.com, AAA Traveler Worldwise, Northern Virginia Magazine, Brides.com and AAA World. I also write about hiking in Virginia at GoHikeVirginia.com and have written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides. When not seeking out new adventures, I'm crossing off the next state in my quest to run a half-marathon in all 50 states (so far, I've run in 31 states).
From Cartoon Characters to Farm Tours, Why Lancaster County, PA, Is the Perfect Fall Family Getaway
Sample a mix of modern and age-old experiences in this traditionally Amish area.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has long been known for its authentic Amish experiences — buggy rides, one-room schoolhouses, and shoofly pie. It’s a family destination, but now even more so thanks to the addition of the Cartoon Network Hotel and the expansion of the Lancaster Science Factory.
In early 2020, the first-ever Cartoon Network Hotel opened in Lancaster. The animation-themed hotel amuses children and ad
40 Big Dog Breeds We Love to Love
We love big dogs. They want to love us, protect us, play with us and make us happy. Many large dogs were bred as watch dogs, so our safety and security are their top priorities. They’ve got lots of energy but they’re also up for a good snuggle session, too.
On the Gulf of Mexico, Look to Gulf Shores, Ala., Over Destin, Fla.
Destin lures in sports fishermen, too. This seaside city has been dubbed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” thanks in part to its variety of fish species, such as snapper, grouper and mahi-mahi.
In peak season, public access beaches are packed with families eager for a swim or a snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Many book a week at one of the myriad high-rise condos, and family vacation rentals get snapped up quickly, too.
Okaloosa County, which is home to Destin and Fort Walton Beach, rep
The 20 Best Up-and-Coming Small Cities in America
Whether you’re looking for the next big city or you’re just eager for a change of pace, we’ve got you covered. The US Census Bureau recently revealed that the top growth cities and towns continue to be dominated by the South and West. All across the regions are towns that are tops for healthcare, jobs, incomes, outdoor recreation and affordable housing.
From Pine Vinegar to Dandelion Root Coffee, This Foraging Hike Lets You Sample Local Wild Edibles
Head to the Salamander Resort & Spa for a foraging walkabout in search of native weeds and wild edibles.
10 Design-Oriented American Small Towns
Small towns can be impeccably charming, easily winning over visitors with walkable historic districts, eclectic art galleries and chic boutiques.
10 Stops in Wacky and Wonderful Wytheville, Virginia
Wytheville offers small-town charm in the southwestern slice of Virginia, with West Virginia to the north and North Carolina to the south. This town of just 8,000 people, named for George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and mentor to Thomas Jefferson, is rich in American history. Located at the intersection of two major highways—I-77 and I-81—Wytheville also has plenty of interesting roadside attractions, including a 100-foot-tall lookout tower, a tiny church, and a “world fam
The 10 Healthiest Fast Food Meals for a Road Trip
Road trip season is upon us, and by many accounts, it looks like the roads are going to be busy. On the road, many travelers will order staples, like burgers and fries, but it is possible to exit the drive-thru line with a meal that's both healthy and tasty, especially when you don't upsize meals.
Yes, You Can Hike Off-Trail Without Wrecking the Environment
Whether you learned them in Scouts, from a mentor, or from us here at Backpacker, most backpackers spend years absorbing and practicing the principles of Leave No Trace (often called LNT). But when it comes to bushwhacking, it gets a lot more complicated.
Why RVers Love Virginia State Parks
Virginia’s state park system truly has something for everyone, thanks to its 41 state parks, including 23 with campgrounds that accommodate RVs of various sizes. With more than 1,800 campsites across all the parks, whether you’re looking for big mountain views, sandy beaches, swimming pools, or pristine lakes, you’ll find it in Virginia.
30 Most Charming Small-Town Downtowns in America
Nothing charms like a well-preserved downtown. It could be the historic architecture or the eclectic boutiques, maybe the bright and airy coffee shops.
10 Stunning Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to beat a glass of wine after a hike, especially at a bucolic vineyard with wide-open views at one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park.
10 Best Beaches in Texas
Enjoy warm Gulf waters and cool sea breezes at these beautiful sandy beaches along the pristine Gulf Coast of Texas.
Peak Picks: 7 Great Mountains to Hike and Where to Find Them
There are stunning eye-pleasing panoramas that can only be savored from high atop a rugged mountain. Lace up your hiking boots, friends. Here are seven peak hikes to love for sensational views, colorful wildflowers and sparkling lakes.
Spend Your Next Beach Vacation at Chincoteague Island
Wild ponies are the most famous draw of this pristine island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, but there’s much more to this rustic paradise.
20 Best Art Hotels in America
Look beyond ordinary hotel spaces with unremarkable design and ho-hum color palettes. Instead, check into a luxury art hotel for colorful, inspiring vibes.
Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Shenandoah National Park
There’s just something magical about gathering up your crew around a glowing campfire, getting tucked into sleeping bags under the stars and leaving your cares behind on a camping adventure in Virginia.
5 Off the Beaten Path Trails to Try
These local, less crowded trails are calling your name as spring gets ready to make its entrance.
A Road Trip on the Wilderness Road in Southwest Virginia
The pages of your history books will absolutely explode to life when you set your GPS for the Wilderness Road in Southwest Virginia. Also known as U.S. Route 58, this famed 100-mile stretch of highway follows the path once traveled by westward-bound settlers in the 1700’s.
Back then, frontiersman Daniel Boone led the way, bravely blazing the path into Kentucky by way of the Cumberland Gap. This rugged path would later be named the Wilderness Road and would come to be traveled by more than 200,0
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