United States
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Autumn Visit at the US National Arboretum
One of the silver linings of the pandemic for me has been that with so much downtime and very limited things to do, I discovered many local spots that I hadn’t explored much before! The US National Arboretum in Washington, DC is often mixed up for the US Botanic Garden. The botanic garden is right next to the Capitol while the National Arboretum is located in NE DC. While exploring lots of local parks and trails, the arboretum in DC was one of my favorite discoveries. The park was established in 1927 and is comprised of 446 acres! It is gorgeous to visit year-round, but fall time is especially astonishing…
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Luray Caverns in Virginia
I can’t tell you how many times I saw commercials for “Luray Caverns – What Will You Discover?” growing up in Virginia. I can still hear the ad when I think about it! However, up until this year – I had never been. This autumn, we visited the caverns while on a mini vacation in Shenandoah. Located just 11 miles from the Thornton Gap Entrance to Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns were discovered in 1878. These caverns are the largest in the eastern United States, and the most visited! After visiting myself, I understand why they are so popular. The caverns are filled with different types of speleothems. These formations are…
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Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, DC
The Washington, DC Downtown Holiday Market is an annual outdoor shopping “village” which supports local small businesses and entrepreneurs. The market is an especially great way to shop local while still remaining socially distant! Located on F street between 7th and 9th in NW DC, the Downtown Holiday Market is open from November 19 until Christmas Eve eve (December 23) from noon to 8pm. Previously the market was located along the sidewalk, but they have expanded the market the last two years by blocking off road traffic on F street to allow for wider aisles. Rather than walking between stalls, the layout is more of a loop around outward…
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Highlights of Savannah, GA
I spent a weekend in Savannah on a girls’ trip a few years ago and we had such a blast! Savannah is full of Southern charm and beautiful draping Spanish moss. This city is easy to explore by foot over a few days time, making it a perfect weekend destination. Historic District The Historic District is a great starting point for exploring the city. Savannah has 22 historic squares, each with its own charm and character. Take a stroll around the district and take in the Colonial style houses, old lampposts, trolleys, and horse-drawn carriages. Forsyth Park Spanning 30 acres, this park cannot be missed when visiting Savannah! This park…
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NOLA: What to Eat in New Orleans
New Orleans cuisine encompasses its diverse cultural history, with Creole, French, and Cajun influence. From beignets to crawfish, there are several traditional dishes that you cannot tour the city without trying! Beignets The top of my New Orleans bucket list was to eat beignets! They are powder-sugar covered fried doughnut-y goodness! This delicacy was actually introduced to the city in the 18th century by French-Creole colonists. Pro-tip: these are best to eat when they are hot! Café du Monde in the French Quarter was founded in 1862 and is one of the most well-known stands/restaurants to buy a beignet. Whether it’s there, or another Cafe around the city – a…
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NOLA: Best of New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its French and Creole influence, bustling nightlife, and being the birthplace of Jazz! “The Big Easy” is also known for the laid back culture. I recently visited New Orleans for my Bachelorette weekend and I had an absolute blast! These are my highlights of this unique city. French Quarter | Vieux Carré Laissez les bons temps rouler! The French Quarter is the historic center of New Orleans. This neighborhood is home to the infamous Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and French Market. The French Quarter features beautiful 18th century buildings with wrought-iron balconies. Jackson Square Jackson Square is a historic park just off of the Mississippi…
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Fall Foliage on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park
One of my favorite fall activities is to visit Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park! Skyline Drive is a scenic route atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching 105 miles long. This is the only public road through the park. Not only does Skyline Drive boast stunning views from Front Royal to Waynesboro, it also offers access to hiking trails, camp sites, picnic areas, and cabins. There are four entrances to Skyline Drive: Front Royal Entrance (off of 66 in Front Royal, VA) Thornton Gap Entrance (off of 211 near Sperryville, VA) Swift Run Gap Entrance (off of 33 near Harrisonburg, VA) Rockfish Gap Entrance (off of 64/250 near…
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Virginia Horseback Trail Ride
For my fiance’s birthday, I surprised him with a horseback trail ride in Front Royal, Virginia! There are a lot of stables in the DC area, but I decided to book with a stable in Front Royal so we could enjoy the mountain views without driving all the way to the Shenandoah area. I looked at several different places before deciding on Double H Stables. There are a lot of great options and each have pretty affordable prices for hour or 90 minute rides. I mainly chose Double H for the convenient location off the highway and I thought the trails would offer great views. I was nervous that the…
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Cherry Blossom Festival
It’s that time of year folks! It’s Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC! Every year around this time, people from all over come to DC to see the coveted cherry trees blooming around the tidal basin and other areas. This also sparks a festival with various events in the city. The trees were planted beginning in 1912, but new trees have been planted regularly since then. Peak bloom was Monday, April 1st! This was no April Fool’s joke, because I brought my puppy and walked around the basin on Monday and indeed the trees are blooming! Peak bloom is supposed to be when at least 70% of the trees are…
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Firefly Festival 2018
Firefly Music Festival was the first camping festival I attended, in 2016. I went with a handful of friends and we camped on a 30-person lot. I had so much fun at this festival, I’d been dying to go back! Last summer I was still broke from living in France, but this summer I was committed to going again! I paid for a 6-person camping site, because I thought some friends would be joining. Note to self, you probably should not spend money on a shared camping site unless your “fellow campers” actually buy their festival tickets as well. As we got closer and closer to the festival weekend, it…
