VacationistUSA

Chicago is one of my top cities, and Jen—a friend of mine who lives there—is always down to host. Even better, she lives in the center of a killer cityscape, surrounded by award-winning museums, creative restaurants, and idyllic beaches.

Wanting to give Emmett an authentic taste of the town, the creamery was just our first stop of a trip filled with delicious and eventful treats.

It seemed like the perfect time to take a weekend drive to Columbia, SC, and check out the South Carolina State Museum and their new planetarium and observatory.

Ahead of us lay a sugar-white beach and waves of sparkling water in a brilliant ombré from teal to sapphire, which met sky blue at the horizon.

In Rock Hill, SC, we found a great variety of activities within a short driving distance; Kings Mountain State Park was our first stop.

We were looking for a quick weekend getaway with our two boys, and we hadn’t been to Hampton since they were toddlers. It was perfect.

That intertwining of yesterday and tomorrow is typical of Hampton, where the past, present and future merge to form a fascinating military, academic, and tourism center.

Music fans who circle the globe to see arena bands and attend massive festivals know New Orleans.

Whether indoors or out, you're sure to reconnect and unwind with fun to be had for the entire family in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Snow-covered mountains, miles of deep untouched powder, six downhill ski areas and acres of backcountry terrain, plus winter festivals and warm, cozy lodging in charming small towns all make for the perfect winter getaway.

It’s near impossible to get my extended family together for Christmas, so a few years ago my cousin Christine and I instigated a tradition of getting everyone together a couple of weeks prior to the holiday.

Many travelers long to take the Pacific Coast Highway trip, but it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart.

Some of life’s best moments can happen over food and drink, and when it comes to dining experiences, the Outer Banks of North Carolina offer the most memorable.

Lexington, Kentucky, turned out to be the perfect cocktail of bourbon, beer, food, and all-out good times.

Wanting to give Emmett an authentic taste of the town, the creamery was just our first stop of a trip filled with delicious and eventful treats.

If you’re headed to the Northeastern part of the US but tired of the everyone’s-been-there-done-that tourist traps, don’t worry—this part of the country has its fair share of weird and wonderful places that are off the beaten path.

Weird America is wonderful America. So get off the beaten path and visit our endless variety of quirky takes on tourism.

This mountain getaway hosts scores of road-tripping families and outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with snow sports in the winter and renowned hiking, biking, and water sports throughout the summer.

“C’mon, Grandma!” she urged. “YOLO!” “What’s YOLO?” “You Only Live Once!” she said with a grin.

America’s Comeback City, Detroit, Michigan, boasts an impressive array of free and affordable attractions. You'll find several on Belle Isle.

I was trying to figure out how something could be new and old-fashioned at the same time, but Dad had that taken care of—he just needed help from us kids to plan “Operation Gatlinburg.”

As long as you’re ready to fill your life with as many enriching experiences as possible, at Rocky Mountain National Park, you’re in the right place.

Love my people as I do, I wanted an adventure all to myself. I decided on an overnight trip to St. Louis, Missouri.

There are few things better than spending a sunny summer day in small town USA, and there are few places that embody that Norman Rockwell ideal better than Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Upon our arrival, based on posters, guides, and restaurant signs, Alex happily pointed out that good food was going to be the focus of our trip.

Art, history, nature, food, science, beer—it’s hard to plan a trip when there are so many great options. Take this quiz to build a custom itinerary and find inspiration for your next visit to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Disney has put Anaheim on the map for many families, but there is so much more to the city than the theme park, and, as we were to discover, plenty to keep a young family engaged.

Take a road trip along the California coast, from Santa Barbara to Big Sur

I hadn’t come to eastern Wyoming’s Platte County for Hartville, or any of its other four towns, but it’s because of those towns that I stay longer than planned.

I’m normally all about the destination. But, in the case of beautiful stretches of open road in the US, I make an exception. Read on for four of my favorite road trips.