Salty air typically greets early morning visitors to Charleston. But get within sight of a local coffee shop and the savory smell of fresh brewed coffee permeates the air. With all the history, shopping, dining, and scenic beauty my favorite way to start the day is with a local coffee. There was a time before I drank coffee, but I don’t really remember that much about it. I now start each day with a coffee before I even greet the public. But once I’m out, I’m out to explore. Here is my coffee lover’s guide to my favorite coffee shops in Charleston, South Carolina. This list is in no particular ..read more

The most prominent features of Florida’s national park sites are coasts and seashores. Long beaches, crystal clear water, coastal wildlife, and endless opportunities for water activities. But that’s not all these eleven national park sites offer. You can explore America’s oldest fort, fly in a seaplane to the largest fort, and visit the site where De Soto’s expedition landed in the 1500s. Florida is known as the “Sunshine State,” a moniker that accurately describes the tropical climate. The national park sites capitalize on this attribute with beaches, coastal campgrounds, hiking trails, and w ..read more

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has one of the best problems: it’s too popular. In recent years, the park has become overcrowded with throngs of visitors parking for miles along the road’s shoulders, cramming onto narrow hiking paths, and clogging major intersections. So, when is the best time to visit and avoid the crowds? From late May until the end of October, the national park is visited by more than half a million people every month. As more and more people seek the most popular parts of the park, it becomes more and more difficult to get there. Fortunately, two shoulder seasons a ..read more

Gatlinburg is the best place to stay in Tennessee if you enjoy chasing waterfalls. Almost a dozen waterfalls are within a 30-minute drive of the mountain town. It’s more than enough to keep you busy for a week or more – or multiple trips. All the waterfalls near Gatlinburg are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This adds a layer of difficulty in visiting the waterfalls. You’ll need to purchase a parking tag, plan your trip around peak tourism times, and hunt for parking at the trailheads. It’s not mission impossible – but it’s not a cakewalk. Use this guide to the waterfalls in Gatlin ..read more

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse is the most spectacular natural event of the year – and Atlas Obscura’s Ecliptic Festival is one of the best places to experience it. The festival is a 4-day intriguing mix of science seminars, music festival, and day at the public park. But it’s also limited to 4,000 attendees, so you must buy your ticket fast. The festival is held at a municipal park in Hot Springs, Arizona. Weather in early April in Hot Springs is typically mild, with a good chance for clear skies. Read this guide to learn more about Atlas Obscura, the Ecliptic Festival, and see some tips on pla ..read more

After checking into my hotel in Portsmouth, I began searching for things to do in Columbus, Ohio. It was my next destination on a road trip along U.S. Highway 21 that started a week earlier in Asheville. I scrolled through the search results and then froze as solid as granite. Three words caught my attention, like the first lightning bolt from an approaching storm. Columbus Coffee Trail. Columbus is the gleaming capital of Ohio. It’s known for the German Village’s distinct architecture, The Book Loft’s endless shelves, the Scioto Mile’s spectacular scenery, and the adorable pair of polar bears ..read more

Read more articles in the New Orleans, LA series. How to Get to New Orleans | Flying, Driving, and Riding Amtrak Planes, trains, and automobiles. New Orleans is one of the easiest places to visit in the country because of the abundance of easy transportation. However, how you get to New Orleans entirely depends on how you like to travel. Flying into the New Orleans airport is easy, with over a dozen direct flight destinations and several major airlines servicing the airport. Riding Amtrak is easy with three routes leading to New Orleans from Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. This may ..read more

Virginia has one of the most diverse collections of national park sites of any state in the country. Go for a scenic drive, explore early American history, visit Civil War battlegrounds, or hit the trail for thrilling outdoor recreation. There are countless themes to explore in Virginia’s national park sites. And then there’s the longest name of any national park sites with 75 characters – but you’ll have to keep reading this travel guide to figure out which one. Explore this list of national park sites in Virginia, browse the interactive map to find one nearby, and find links to websites wher ..read more

Read more articles in the Explore Brevard, NC series. How to Visit Looking Glass Falls in North Carolina + Accessibility and Parking 22 Things to Do in Brevard, NC + Where to Eat and Stay Travel Guide to the Best Restaurants in Brevard, NC + Where to Get Dessert The 15 Best Waterfalls in Brevard, NC + Trail Info and Parking Explore the Country’s First Forestry School at the Cradle of Forestry in America in Brevard, NC Two Places to Find Outstanding Coffee in Brevard, North Carolina Looking Glass Falls is only 60 feet tall and 10 feet wide. But with a tremendous amount o ..read more

When the United States was founded, women were not granted equal rights – or even the right to vote. But during WWII, they were instrumental to the Allied victory by working in factories on the home front. Founding the American Red Cross, writing America’s most cherished poem, and supporting their presidential husbands are just a few of women’s achievements. Fifteen national park sites celebrate this history. These sites preserve historic homes where history happened to allow future generations to visit and learn. Interpretive programs and exhibits explore these significant women’s backstories ..read more