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 34 states).

20 Best Cities for Walking Your Dog

There are some cities that are just paws down better than others when you want to get your dog out for a mid-day stroll. They have more and better-rated hiking trails and walking paths, as well as more dog walkers. You know, when you can’t get your pup out on your own. LawnStarter gathered data for National Walk Your Dog Month (January), including accessibility to dog-friendly trails, quality of trails and dog parks, access to dog walkers and safety to come up with a ranking of the best US cit

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
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