America’s first lighthouse dates to the early 1700s in Boston, but lighthouses have been guiding ships since approximately 300 B.C. when Ptolemy built the first one in ancient Egypt. The purpose of these towering structures is to provide navigational aid to ships at sea, acting as a traffic light of sorts. The lights flash in … [Read more…]
A walking food tour sounds almost counterintuitive – exercise and food together? But maybe these unique tours are the best of both worlds as they combine both delicious nibbles and a little fresh air. Here are just a few to whet your appetite! Austin Eats (Austin, TX) Austin Eats is a variety of different foodie … [Read more…]
Virginia’s tourism slogan hasn’t changed in 40 years. In 1969, a Richmond-based advertising agency coined the phrase “Virginia is for Lovers” and it has been ever since. Lovers of history (considered the birthplace of our nation as well as the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents), lovers of the outdoors and scenic vistas (Shenandoah National Park … [Read more…]
See how the fun was had in Elizabethan times. Take in a Renaissance Faire and travel back in time.If you’ve ever attended a Renaissance faire or festival, you know that the purpose is to transport you back in time to the age of the Renaissance period (1300-1600 A.D.). Most often, these events bring to life … [Read more…]
Water, water everywhere and so much fun to be had. Stay at the lake with us this summer! If you’re a family who is divided when it comes to vacation choices – such as a lake vacation or a camping vacation, you’re in luck when it comes to choosing a location for a Thousand Trails … [Read more…]
They are functional works of art made of steel, stone and wood…check out some of America’s coolest bridges. There are more than 600,000 bridges in the U.S. Some were designed to allow travel over bodies of water, train yards or other roadways, large gorges, or other unnavigable terrain between two locations. There are bridges of … [Read more…]
How do we love thee, let us count the ways. There are a million reasons to love Los Angeles including the sunshine, the ocean, and the celebrity spottings that can occur on a daily basis. We could go on and on but for our purposes here, we’ll narrow it down a bit and provide just … [Read more…]
The Pacific Northwest Coast is one of the best places to “go fly a kite,” as they say, thanks to its wide open spaces and continuous strong winds off the Pacific. To that end, the Oregon Coast plays host to some of the most popular kite fests in the country. Two big kite events are … [Read more…]
Did you know waterfalls are classified into 10 different types based on the way the water descends? Those classifications include plunge, punchbowl, cascade, and tiered. And while Angel Falls in Venezuela may be the highest, uninterrupted waterfall in the world at 3,212 feet, our own Niagara Falls is the world’s most visited, drawing more than … [Read more…]
Don’t make the mistake of thinking a national forest is one and the same as a national park. In fact, the Forest Reserve Act, which allowed for the establishment of forest reserves, predates the creation of the National Park Service by about 25 years. Another major difference is that the national parks are about preservation, … [Read more…]