Travel blog

It’s 85 degrees, the sun is shining, and the ocean breeze carries just a hint of coconut-scented sunscreen. It’s true that there’s never a bad day in paradise, but that doesn’t mean a slip up in etiquette or a misstep in planning can’t cloud what would otherwise be the perfect trip.

However, with these 10 dos and don’ts, you’ll be well on your way to understanding the local culture, and ensuring the Hawaiian vacation of a lifetime.

Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is most famous for its unique rock formations known as hoodoos. The park is home to the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos, which rise high up into the air like totem poles in vivid red, orange, and amber. The park also boasts spectacular natural amphitheaters and bowls, pine forests, high plateaus, and deep valleys. Anywhere youlook in Bryce Canyon is uniquely beautiful, and you can look forward a new jaw-dropping vista at every turn. People often spend just a day or two in Bryce Canyon as part of a trip to multiple national parks, if you plan out your stay—that’s plenty.

Deep in South Dakota’s Black Hills, surrounded by endless miles of nature, four great American leaders are carved into the broad granite side of a sun-baked mountain.

The four presidents on the striking Mount Rushmore National Monument are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These massive, silent beacons are visited by over 2 million guests annually.

The monument took a team of over 400 workers more 14 years to build, and is considered “an accomplishment born, planned, and created in the minds and by the hands of Americans for Americans.”

At the end of Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska there’s an old wooden staircase that snakes its way over the Tongass Narrows and through the surrounding forest. Known as “Married Man’s Trail,” this is what remains of a muddy path along the Ketchikan Creek that once provided discretion for men visiting the city’s numerous brothels.

The only thing better than traveling is reminiscing about an amazing trip. We can always flip through our own photo albums, but it’s fun to hear about the experiences others. Part of what makes travel so special is experiencing new places and cultures. Lucky for us, there are several incredible quotes highlighting the value of travel.

Smoky, savory, juicy, and delicious, barbecue is arguably Americas greatest culinary tradition. Unlike grilling, which involves quick, high heat cooking, proper barbecue must be done low and slow. Cooked over a wood fire whose flavorful smoke permeates the meat, the art of barbecue creates some of the tastiest food in the world. Barbecue regions have their own distinct styles with signature flavor profiles, sauces, cuts of meat, and iconic restaurants.

Running parallel to the Mississippi for nearly 1,400 miles from Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico, Highway 61 is one of America’s iconic roads. Particularly the final stretch from Memphis to New Orleans known as the Blues Highway. Countless blues musicians traveled the Blues Highway in the early and mid-20^th century. This is where the blues was born, and it is full of can’t-miss stops for blues lovers.  The land that gave us Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Robert Johnson is rich with culture and filled with music.  Visiting the historic sites of the Blues Highway that explore this musical past are an unforgettable experience.

As opening day approaches, Balloon Fiesta Park becomes a boomtown. It buzzes with the sound of trucks and people rushing to prepare the site of one of Albuquerque’s premiere events.

In this makeshift city, experienced workers and volunteers alike must come together to set up booths and facilities in anticipation of 900,000 guests. Since 1972, visitors have flocked to New Mexico each year to gaze upward and be awed by the magnificence of hundreds of hot air balloons.

The Rose Parade is the “granddaddy of them all,” a beloved institution known as America’s New Year Celebration. It is as closely tied to the New Year holiday as fireworks or optimistic resolutions. For many first-time visitors to this Pasadena, California event, there are a host of questions about the ins and outs of seeing it in person. If you’re considering a trip to Southern California for next year’s event, here are our tips for how to prepare for your first Rose Parade.

One of the most rewarding ways to look back and reflect on a trip is through the souvenirs, mementos, and keepsakes. It’s also fun to choose the right gifts for your friends and family back home. After collecting your gifts and souvenirs, you must then assess how to get them all home safely and in the most cost-effective way.

Did you leave room in your suitcase, and if so, what’s the best way to pack your items to keep them safe? Is shipping your items perhaps the wiser strategy? Follow our travel packing hacks, tips, and tricks to help you choose the best option to suit your needs.