Catherine Parker

Located on the Mighty Mississippi River, St. Louis is a hub of culture in Missouri. With a handful of free museums, the culture is easy on the wallet, too. Ideal for a Midwest road trip, add St. Louis to your getaway plans. From the Gateway Arch National Park to paddling on the Mississippi to birding from its shore, this waterway is vital to the area. However, animal and nature lovers (like myself) are delighted to find several reserves and refuges to visit to learn more about the conservatio...

Upstate New York’s Niagara Falls is one of the top waterfalls in the world. You will hear it before you see it. The first glance is amazing as the power of water is the show. Best of all, you can enjoy Niagara from the side or up close from a Maid of Mist boat. You can also enjoy it at night. Here are the top things to do at Niagara Falls..
Table of Contents
9 Top Things to Do at Niagara Falls
Visit Niagara Falls State Park
Learn about Niagara Falls at Ralph C Wilson Jr. Welcome Center
Take t...

It’s time to cool down and enjoy a super fun day on the river, so head to the best waterpark in Texas that uses real river water. Schlitterbahn Waterpark is a family favorite for many reasons. Centered around the clear, cool water of the Comal River, this waterpark is what other waterparks aspire to be. Located between San Antonio and Austin, Schlitterbahn Waterpark has been the top water park in the U.S. for over 20 years. During my latest trip, my family, including my 80-year-old dad, splas...

While some lists include parks that never crossed your mind, this list is about alternatives to the popular parks. National Parks have seen record attendance over the last few years, so some require reservations to drive into the park. Fear not; there are options to those top parks, like other nearby locations and alternative entrances. From Maine to California, here are the least visited National Parks.
11 Least Visited National Parks to Visit This Summer
Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peni...

This property was originally the downtown St. Louis YMCA location, opening in 1926 as a 10-story Renaissance Revival-style building. In 2018, it started a multi-year renovation and opened as the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis in 2023.

The 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis offers 173 rooms, from bunk rooms outfitted with bunk beds to king suites. In addition to lodging, the property offers a contemporary art museum, two restaurants and an athletic and swim club, which utilizes the original pool in the basement.

California is a top vacation destination for families; travelers flock for a wide array of activities, both outdoor and indoor. Families can see world-class museums and then splash at the beach in the afternoon. They can visit a national park to stand under the towering redwood trees. Kids can learn to surf, hike through a mountain meadow or stare at dinosaurs. There’s lots to see in California. Here are the best California Vacation Spots for Families.
Table of Contents
Why Visit California
B...

Nashville is Music City, U.S.A., and for music fans of all genres, it’s a must. Travelers can dive deep into their interests and see artist’s original instruments, costumes and memorabilia. Best of all, live music plays all day and night long. Here is the perfect Nashville Weekend Itinerary that pairs legendary music and down-home cooking with a bit of culture thrown in.
Table of Contents
The Best Nashville Weekend Itinerary
Gray Line Of Tennessee Nashville City Tour
Ryman’s Auditorium
Robert...

Acadia National Park is a popular summertime destination and one of the most visited national parks on the East Coast. With rocky shores and evergreen forests along with the highest peak on the eastern seaboard (Mount Cadillac), visitors can explore on foot, on the shuttle bus and even by water. Or visitors can explore Acadia as the national park travelers did nearly a hundred years ago and take a horse-drawn carriage down its carriage roads. Afterward, travelers can enjoy a popover and a cup...

Gateway Arch National Park
In the 19th century, St. Louis was the last stop before heading to the sparsely populated west. As thousands headed west hoping for free land and more opportunity, St. Louis was the gateway to the feeling and the West. Designed by Eero Saarinen, this monument represents the inspirational and transcendent vision of Thomas Jefferson as he built a unified continental nation. Here are the top things to do at the Gateway Arch National Park.
Table of Contents
Top Things t...

At the tip of the U.S. in Maine, the Saint Croix International Historic Site is where French explorers spent a long, hard winter on an island between Maine and Canada’s New Brunswick. From 1604 to 1605, the first French colony in North America dug in; by spring, about half of the men had died. Now, an International Peace Park, it features two sides in two countries to tell the story of the colony. The U.S. park offers a hiking trail along with a seasonal visitor center. Here are the top thing...

Maine shines with its maritime history, lighthouses and abundant lobsters at the tip of the eastern U.S. Then there is its wicked everything, from its whoopie pies to its slippers to its winters. Maine’s largest city offers an urban place to explore, shop and sample. With lighthouses leading the way, visitors will also find a place to enjoy lobsters, chowders and wicked baked goods. Here are the top things to do in Portland, Maine.
Top 6 Things to Do in Portland Maine
Portland Head Light
Port...

Acadia National Park offers a sublime landscape to explore along the rugged coastline of Maine. With the Atlantic’s deep azure waters crashing against the tumbled granite beaches edged with evergreens, it is a popular place to escape. The main portion of Acadia National Park at Mount Desert is busy from late Spring until the leaves call in the fall. However, Acadia’s uncovered gem offers all the scenery with far fewer crowds. Across Frenchman’s Bay, Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula i...

This Baja California Sur resort sits on 1.2 miles of pristine Pacific Ocean beach. Guests can meander through the Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes Resort Golf and Spa’s extensive grounds, which include a saltwater lagoon, four pools, six jacuzzis and a mini waterpark with two slides and a rope swing. Is this resort right for your next getaway? Here is my Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes Resort Review for a recent stay.
This luxurious resort is conveniently located less than 30 minutes north of Cabo San L...

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the U.S. With halves in Tennessee and North Carolina, it features over 520,000 acres to wander. Changing with the seasons, wildflowers pop, painting the forest floor in the spring. During the summer, the synchronous fireflies dazzle with a light show. As the weather cools, fall foliage attracts leaf peepers from all corners. Finally, the winter offers a snow-draped landscape to explore. Like any national park visit, ...

The Black Hills of South Dakota packs in the family fun with family-sized adventure with national parks, premier wildlife viewing and Western history. With five National Park sites all about an hour from each other, each is a top destination in the Black Hills. Travelers should watch for wildlife and opportunities to get out and explore. Here are the top things to do in the Black Hills with Kids.
Table of Contents
Top Things to Do in the Black Hills with Kids
Mount Rushmore National Memorial