With holiday bars gaining popularity in Washington, D.C., I want to provide you with the ultimate guide for your visit — or even if you live here. These bars range from charming date spots with your partner or a girls' night out, to dive bars and everything in between! Note that there are two major Christmas sponsors: Miracle and Holly Jolly. Both change their bars annually, as explained below. For Holly Jolly, you'll need to purchase tickets online, while Miracle offers free entry. The other bars listed are not affiliated with these two brands.

Let’s go on a holiday bar crawl, shall we?

Planning a road trip from San Diego to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is an exciting adventure for fans of stunning landscapes and towering trees. This route highlights California's varied scenery, from coastal views to mountain forests. The opportunity to visit these famous parks makes the journey worthwhile. Both parks provide breathtaking vistas, unique geological features, and some of the world's tallest trees.

But is it worth the 7-hour drive?

Below, I’ll discuss the differences between the parks, each park, what to do, camping sites, share my tips and tricks, and discuss that long drive!

Ready for a National Park adventure?

California has eight national parks, with Channel Islands ranking fifth out of eight as the least visited, especially compared to popular parks like Yosemite.

I understand why it's less crowded; when I mentioned my trip to friends, they asked about its location and how to get there! In this post, I'll share my four-hour drive from San Diego, my early morning ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island, and the last-minute activities I chose on this enchanting island.

Have you ever wanted to swim with sharks but felt scared due to their bad reputation? I have the perfect way to get close to the gentlest sharks! Or if sharks aren’t your preference, perhaps seals are?

Experience the excitement of swimming with leopard sharks and playful seals at La Jolla Beach, a unique coastal destination in Southern California. This vibrant shoreline provides a fantastic chance to observe these gentle marine animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re wading or snorkeling, the clear waters and rich sea life create unforgettable memories for visitors, young and old. Dive into the magic beneath the surface, where adventure and tranquility meet. This guide will provide all the tips, tricks, and information for a fun adventure in La Jolla!

A good friend recommended that I visit three beaches during my work trip to San Diego. Curious, I asked, “Is there really a difference between these beaches?” He confidently replied, “Yes, and you’ll love Ocean Beach. It’s very hippie—like you. Now go find yourself,” before walking away from my desk. I thought to myself, challenge accepted, but I secretly knew I’d fall in love with San Diego. I didn’t realize just how much, though—or that I’d find my new future home! In this post, I’ll explore each beach, what to expect, and why I have a personal favorite!

Ready for a beach adventure?

Did you know that if you fly or drive to Fort Lauderdale (I drove since I was in Tampa for three weeks), you can catch a 3-hour ferry and end up in a different country for the day?

Yes, for a day!

I had NO idea you could go to the Grand Bahamas for a day until a coworker told me about this. If I must go to Florida for three weeks, I might as well explore a new country for a day, right?

Full disclosure: I am not the biggest Florida fan, but I will say I enjoyed this little adventure during my limited time in Fort Lauderdale.

But enough about that! Let’s go to the Bahamas and swim with pigs, shall we?

Many people told me I would love St. Augustine since I am not the biggest fan of Florida. And I must say, I was genuinely captivated by this historic city. Below are some of my favorite unexpected places and activities I enjoyed while exploring—bonus points because the locals picked out some of the things I did!

This lively Tampa neighborhood, once renowned as the world’s cigar capital, boasts a vibrant nightlife and a diverse selection of restaurants and bars. Whether you’re craving traditional Cuban dishes like those at Columbia or innovative craft cocktails at Copper Shaker, Ybor City offers options for every taste. Here are my top picks for your upcoming Tampa visit.

When I travel, I love discovering hidden gems or one-of-a-kind spots. I wasn’t initially excited about spending three weeks in Tampa, but it turned into a great opportunity to find some of my favorite places. The locations below offer something for every type of traveler—from upscale matcha martinis and cozy, bookish spots to laid-back beach vibes and stunning Tampa views. These places all showcase the best of Tampa's food and atmosphere.

St. Augustine, Florida, offers a rich mix of history and a lively food scene. Whether you’re looking for a cozy coffee shop, a busy gastropub, or a legendary restaurant, the city provides memorable experiences for all tastes. From casual snacks to fine dining, each spot has its own atmosphere and flavors, showcasing the city's lasting charm. Here are some top restaurants and bars to visit in St. Augustine.

Just as the last light faded, darkness fell; the only sources of light were headlamps and the Milky Way overhead. If you hadn’t already felt the vastness, you did now, surrounded by darkness with only the stars above and the risk of a misstep causing you to fall about 1,400 feet into the crater. We made sure to stay far from the edge. I’ve seen the Milky Way many times, but lying on the clay dirt, looking up at the sky, I couldn’t help but wonder,

How the hell am I on the Moon, looking at the Milky Way while still on Earth? How is this real?

If you've been following me for a while, you know this park is truly special to me. The picture on my homepage was taken at sunrise in October of 2020, while I stood on the edge of this park. Even parts of “Let’s Be Gray,” my short story in Blood Sweat Tears, feature it. It is, hands down, my favorite state park, and I’ll tell you why below!

When you think of Moab, you automatically think of Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Or, when you think of Utah in general, you immediately think of other iconic national parks like Zion and Bryce, or maybe of hiking through some slot canyons.

However, just before you reach Canyonlands, you’ll find Dead Horse State Park. It shares the same road that leads to the national park, and all you have to do is turn right. This park offers breathtaking views, a fascinating history, and abundant outdoor activities.

If you are not familiar with the term Utah Mighty 5, it refers to the very diverse collection of national parks within the state. These parks range from the stunning arched structures of Arches National Park to the landing only angels can alight in Zion National Park. The other three—Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Canyonlands—offer epic, dramatic hoodoos, and wildlife. Visiting these parks on one epic road trip is a real treat since you will explore landscapes shaped over years of rain, wind, and a little magic from Mother Nature!

This post will give you a visual taste of each park on this magical road trip!

This hidden gem, Hanksville, nestled in the beautiful but strange landscapes and rock formations of southern Utah, will transport you from Earth to Mars and then the Moon when you visit it. When I covered the Utah Mighty 5 (the five national parks in Utah) on my last road trip through Utah, I didn’t realize I was in Hanksville, and so I missed out on seeing the Moon!

Hanksville is the perfect place to jet off for all kinds of adventures—from national parks, secret slot canyons, hiking, biking, camping, and more. I highly recommend this area, and below I’ll cover the top 6 places you can visit within a three-hour drive!

Let’s go on a Utah adventure, shall we?

I chose this company because of its long history of working with the same people I look up to on Shark Week. They have been featured on numerous channels, including Shark Week, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, and NBC, which made me feel good about partnering with them. Another remarkable thing about them is that, if you are a film crew or a researcher, they provide so many services for your trip, such as:

• Stable & Seaworthy Boats

• Full Coast Guard Licensed Safety Equipment

• Professional Spotter Plane Assistance

• Experienced Shark Diver & Underwater Camera Assistant

• Professional and Experienced Crew

• USCG Licensed & Insured Captain and Crew

• Full Electronics GPS, Radar, Sonar

• Professionally Built Polycarb Shark Cage

• Extensive Marine Intel Network Surrounding South Florida

I took this trip more seriously than the others, as I had always wanted to be a marine biologist. I felt like I was on a research mission, asking my guide Alexis numerous questions. 

I belong to many solo traveler groups on Facebook, and this is the number one, if not the most, frequently asked question, right after "How do I solo travel?"

I will share my advice and debunk some of the other guidance I have encountered. One thing to keep in mind is that my advice may not suit everyone; people travel differently. However, consider approaching your travel in a new way.

Are you craving an epic road trip with unforgettable views? Then, this trip is for you! I've driven this route three times, and below, I will share what to expect, my favorite tips, and why you should do it!

Let's go on this larger-than-life road trip, shall we?

After three trips to Moab, I finally ventured beyond my usual campsite and tried something new. Though I was hesitant to leave my tried-and-true favorite, I’m glad I took the leap. Now, I’m excited to share my two favorite camping spots and what makes them truly special!

I have visited Moab three times now, and here are my favorite places I have checked out—they include parks worth exploring and local businesses to visit. However, if you plan to visit the national parks, you will need a National Park Pass.

I spent two days hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and will share my experiences on three trails, including their difficulty levels and my top recommendation for what to do if you have limited time in the park.