Resources

To better help our visitors experience the world around them in them in the best way possible, we have created a series of resource guides on popular travel and activity-related topics. We hope you enjoy them – please let us know if there are any other topics you’d like us to cover!

 

Travel Smarter

Money-Saving Travel Tips – You don’t have to bust your budget to travel in style. Check out these helpful tips for getting the most bang for your buck on your next excursion.

7 Tips for Packing Light – It’s possible to pack everything you need for a trip into a carry-on (and still have room for souvenirs!). Use these tips to make it happen.

Credit Card Rewards Program Red Flags – Sometimes credit card rewards programs aren’t as great as they seem. Here are six things to look out for.

Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide – Using a wheelchair is not an impediment to travel, though it does require a bit more forethought and planning to make sure things go smoothly. And that’s why we created this wheelchair accessible travel guide. Inside you’ll find links to 20 individual resources, including air travel resources and resources for wheelchair compatible attractions and accommodations.

Pet-Friendly Travel Guide – For many, pets are more than mere companions – they are members of the family. As such, taking pets on trips is becoming more and more common. If you’re planning on traveling with a pet, this guide is for you. Check out 20 individual pet travel resources. Sections include pet-friendly hotel finders, advice for traveling with pets and more.

Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel – This guide is packed with more than a dozen resources for people who like to go it alone when traveling. Find resources about solo traveling safety, solo travel blogs and many more.

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Photography – Are you looking to take the quality of your vacation photos up a notch? You’re in the right place. This guide has links to more than 15 individual travel photography resources. Sections include equipment and tools, tips and advice, travel photography sites and contests and grants for travel photographers.

Ultimate Guide to Road Safety – For many in the U.S., driving is a daily activity. And with the sheer number of people on the road at any given time, the possibility of getting into an accident or facing some other driving-related danger is very real. That is why it’s so important to be well-versed in road safety. And that’s what this guide is all about. Inside, you’ll find more than 40 road safety resources, including resources about impaired drivers, driving in bad weather, driving long distances and many others.

 

Bucket List-Worthy Attractions

Travel like a Kardashian – Whatever your opinion of the Kardashians, there’s not denying that they know how to travel in style. Here are some of their favorite luxury resorts.

Amazing (and Free) Home Swaps – Home exchange programs offer the opportunity to temporarily trade houses with someone looking to stay in your locale. We found 10 of the coolest participating properties from around the globe.

Unbelievable Overnights – Tired of ordinary hotels? From a “human nest” to a giant dog, we’ve rounded up eleven of the most outrageous places that you can spend the night. Pack your bags for a unique experience.

Majestic Alaskan Wildlife – Alaska is one of the last untamed areas on the U.S., making it a great place to watch wildlife in its natural surroundings. Check out these seven Alaska animal adventures.

11 Must-See Airbnb’s – An igloo, a castle, and a hobbit hole, to name just a few. Check out some of the most unique and unusual properties available on Airbnb.

15 Far-From-Ordinary Museums – Fans of the weird and wacky will get a kick out of these museums that are dedicated to everything from bad art to mustard.

Must-Ride Roller Coasters – Are you an adrenaline junkie? We have your fix. Check out these 15 roller coasters to add to your bucket list.

Bizarre Roadside Attractions – Add some weirdness to your road trip with the World’s Largest Baseball Bat, a replica of Stonehenge crafted from foam and much more.

Weird Amusement Parks – If you’re looking for some fun that is far from ordinary, here are 11 amusement parks that you need to check out.

See-to-Believe Cruise Ship Attractions – From strolling through a mini Central Park to taking part in an American Idol-style reality show at sea, here are 11 unbelievable cruise ship offerings.

 

Destination Ideas

Lake Erie Shipwrecks – Some 6,000 ships have sunk to the bottom of Lake Erie, according to estimates. These dive operators that can help you get a closer look.

Pools With a View – Check out these nine amazing rooftop hotel pools from around the world. These pools offer relaxation and stunning views of New York, Miami, Barcelona, Hong Kong and other popular destinations.

Beer on the Beach –Turquoise surf, powdery sand, and some grade-A suds – The beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island are home to several fantastic craft breweries. Be sure to check out these five.

PDX Brewery Tour –Portland, Oregon, is home to some the country’s finest craft brews. Whether you’re a casual sipper of suds or a beer aficionado, you need to check out these nine breweries in PDX that serve up everything from hoppy IPAs to refreshing ciders.

Great OBX Bungalows – North Carolina’s Outer Banks boasts 100 miles of shoreline. And what better way to enjoy it all than to spend a night – or a week! – just steps from the ocean. These five rental properties are great options.

Bridges of Madison County – Check out the covered bridges that were made famous in the novel and, later, film “The Bridges of Madison County.” See these six bridges before they disappear forever.

Indianapolis Attractions – The Indy 500 is great, but the capital of the Hoosier State has so much more to offer. Here are 10 must-do Indianapolis attractions.

Best Gulf Shore Beaches – The next time you’re on a family vacation at Alabama’s Gulf Shore, be sure to check out these five family-friendly stretches of sand.

Celebrity Spas – Pamper yourself and take in celebrity sightings at the same time at these luxury spas around the U.S. that are known hot spots for A-listers.

Mississippi Blues Trail – Before becoming the father of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters honed his craft in Mississippi, the place of his birth. Learn more about Muddy Waters and other blues icons by taking a trip along the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Shrimp to Savor in Alabama – Grilled, steamed, fried, on noodles, or in a Po’boy – however you like your shrimp, these 10 Gulf Shores eateries have you covered. So sit back, grab the beverage of your choice; and prepare to gorge on the bounty of the Gulf.

Kid-Friendly Vegas – When planning your family vacation, Las Vegas may not come instantly to mind. But, there are plenty of attractions geared toward kids. Here are 10 suggestions to get you started.

Connecticut Wine Trail – Spend a weekend visiting some of Connecticut’s wonderful wineries. We offer three three readymade itineraries to help you plan your wine tour of the Constitution State.

Alaska Adventures – Hop aboard one of these small ships to get a closer look at Alaskan channels and bays that larger ships can’t access. These “uncruise” adventures bring you to remote areas perfect for spotting whales and bears, and taking part in unique excursions.

Gulf Coast Golf – Mississippi’s gorgeous Gulf Coast is home to some world-class golf courses. Here are eight see-to-believe courses that should be on any golf enthusiast’s roster.

Texas Historical Resource Guide – The U.S. state of Texas – previously the Republic of Texas and, before that, part of Mexico – has a fascinating history. And this guide is packed with resources all about it. Inside, you’ll find history resources about key cities in the Lonestar State, resources about Texas landmarks and missions, and teaching resources.

California History Resource Guide – California, the most populous state in the union, has a rich history. And this guide is packed with resources for learning about it. Inside, you’ll find 40 resources that cover various periods in the history of the Golden State. You’ll also find history resources for notable regions in California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

 

Tips for Travel Enthusiasts

Travel Guide for BBQ Lovers – From the Deep South to the Pacific Coast, great barbecue can be found all across the nation. And if you’re a lover of travel and barbecue, this guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find more than 40 resources that will help plan delicious trips to some of the United State’s greatest barbecue regions.

Travel Guide for Jazz Lovers – With its roots in blues and ragtime, jazz is a distinctly American art form that has come to international prominence. As such, there are jazz destinations throughout the U.S. and beyond. This guide is packed with 40 resources covering prominent jazz destinations both in the U.S. and abroad, as well as other jazz resources, such as podcasts and history resources.

Travel Guide for Blues Lovers – The blues is a state of mind, a mythology and a physical destination – or, more correctly, a multitude of destinations. And if you’re a blues lover who likes to travel, this guide is for you. It’s packed with information about blues destinations inside and outside of the U.S., as well as other blues resources, such as blues history resources and blues podcasts.

Ultimate Guide to Geocaching – Are you among the millions of geocaching enthusiasts worldwide? Then this guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find nearly 20 links to helpful geocaching resources. Sections include geocaching 101, geocaching equipment, geocaching communities and geocaching blogs and specialty sites.

 

Make the Most of the Great Outdoors

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Resource Guide – This guide is filled with more than 20 resources about fly fishing. Sections include general fly fishing websites, fly fishing education, fly fishing for kids and others.

Ultimate Kayaking Resource Guide – Humans have been using kayaks for thousands of years. In more recent times, kayaks become increasingly popular for recreation. This guide is filled with 40 kayak-related resources, including kayaking destination resources, tutorials, gear reviews and more.

Ultimate Skiing and Snowboarding Resource Guide – Whether you’re a new to the slopes or you take on black diamond runs with ease, this guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find 40 individual resources geared toward skiing and snowboarding, including links to tutorials, destinations, podcasts and many more.

Guide to Mountaineering and Mountain Climbing Resources – If your idea of a good time is scaling a craggy mountainside or trudging up steep switchbacks to reach a peak, this guide is for you. Inside you’ll find 40 mountain climbing and mountaineering resources, including links to a glossary of relevant terms, resources for beginners, mountain climbing blogs and podcasts, and many others.

Ultimate Surfing Resource Guide – After being around for thousands of years, surfing is about to hit a new milestone: It will debut as an Olympic event in the 2020 Tokyo games. Whether you’re a surfer yourself or just interested in the sport, this guide is for you. Inside you’ll find 40 individual surfing resources – from practical resources like surfing tutorials to links to surfing trivia and history, and a whole lot more.

The Ultimate Guide to Birdwatching – Whether you’re a backyard birdwatcher or you would travel to the ends of the earth to catch a glimpse of a rare species, you will find something of value in this guide. Inside you’ll find some 20 links to resources aimed at helping you learn to better identify birds, enjoy birdwatching as a family, find birdwatching spots near you and much more.

The Ultimate RVing Resource Guide – A RV offers a great way to take some of the comforts of home on the open road. And we created this guide to help you make the most of your RV experience. Inside you’ll find more than a dozen helpful links to RV resources, including resources for RV buyers, information about RV laws and regulations, resources about RV etiquette and much more.

Ultimate Boating Safety Guide – Recreational boating is a hugely popular pastime – and a potentially dangerous one. That’s why we put together this boating safety resource guide. Inside, you’ll find 20 individual resources on topics like boating safety for kids, safely towing boats and pulling skiers, and boat safety checklists, among many others.

The Ultimate Sailing Resource Guide – Check out 17 individual resources for sailors of all skill levels. Sections include sailing 101, sailing safety, sailing schools, clubs and foundations, and others.

Ultimate Guide to Camping and Backpacking – Whether you’re a car camper or a seasoned backpacker, this guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find 40 links to helpful resources, including resources for finding camping and backpacking destinations, camping and backpacking tips, blogs, apps and many more.

The Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Safety – There’s nothing like hitting the open road on a motorcycle. But riding a motorcycle does come with risks. That’s why we created this guide. Inside, you’ll find more than 15 links to motorcycle safety resources, including rider safety groups and organizations, information about gear and laws, and many others.

Avalanche Safety Resource Guide – It’s always good to be prepared. So if you plan on doing some backcountry snow activities, it’s in your interest to know all you can about avalanche safety. And that’s where this guide comes in. Inside, you’ll find links to 16 resources that will help you learn about how avalanches work, how to prevent setting off an avalanche and much more.

 

Sports & Fitness on the Road

Hot New Spa Treatments – We all love massages, facials and pedicures, but if you’re looking for some non-traditional luxuriating check out these spa treatments that range from beer baths to salt rooms.

Ultimate Yoga Resource Guide – Yoga has proven benefits for the body and the soul. And if you practice yoga, this guide has 40 beneficial resources for you – whatever your level of experience. Inside, you’ll find yoga teaching resources, yoga style resources, yoga blogs and much more.

The Ultimate Bowling Resource Guide – Bowling continues to be a popular pastime. And whether you’re a strike king or you spend most of the time in the gutter, this guide packed with 17 links to bowling resources is for you. Among the many sections, you’ll find resources for beginning bowlers, bowling quizzes and trivia and more.

The Ultimate Paintball Resource Guide – Over the past 20 years, paintball has gone from a fringe activity to a massively popular sport. Inside this guide, you’ll find links to paintball resources for beginners, equipment resources, links to local field finders and many more.

The Ultimate Swimming Safety Guide – If you’re around a body of water – whether a pool or an ocean – understanding swimming safety is paramount, even if you don’t plan on getting wet. After all, accidents happen. This guide has more than 20 links to swimming safety resources, including water safety for kids resources and many others.

The Ultimate Bike Safety Guide – Whether you ride a bicycle to commute or compete – or just for fun and exercise – this bike safety guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find more than a dozen bike safety resources, including bike safety resources for kids, bicycle law and many more.

Beginner’s Guide to Golf – Would you like to try your hand at golf, but find the game intimidating? This guide is for you. Inside, you’ll discover links to 20 informative resources, such as golf basics, golf etiquette, and golf course directories, among many others.

Ultimate Running Resource Guide – In addition to being a competitive sport, running is great for exercise and stress relief. No matter why you run, this guide is for you. It’s packed with 40 resources for runners of all experience levels, including resources for plotting routes, gear resources, running prep resources and links to cool apps, blogs and podcasts.

Ultimate Tennis Resource Guide – From its origins in 13th century France, Tennis has grown to become a popular sport worldwide. And whether you’re new to the court or Wimbledon material, this guide is for you. Inside, you’ll find 40 resources all about the sport of tennis, including tennis tips, tutorials, handy tennis apps and many more.