National Parks
Wind Cave Without a Cave Tour: What Can You Still See?
You can still visit Wind Cave National Park without a cave tour, and for many travelers it is worth stopping. You will not be…
Author: melmen
National Parks
Petrified Forest: Should You Drive North to South or South to North?
If you are deciding whether to drive Petrified Forest north to south or south to north, choose based primarily on where you are coming…
Cultural Experiences
Your First Cajun Dance Night in Louisiana: What to Expect as a Beginner
If it is your first time at a Cajun dance in Louisiana, you do not need to arrive knowing the steps. Beginner-friendly events may…
Cultural Experiences
Visiting an Open Studio Art Tour: Etiquette for First-Time Visitors
If you are visiting an open studio art tour for the first time, the basic etiquette is straightforward: enter only participating studios during their…
Cultural Experiences
Can You Attend a Bluegrass Jam Just to Listen? A Visitor’s Guide
Yes, you can often attend a bluegrass jam as a spectator, especially when it is advertised as an open or public jam at a…
Cultural Experiences
Your First Contra Dance: What to Wear, When to Arrive, and Whether You Need a Partner
If you are going to your first contra dance and wondering what to expect, the essentials are simple: you usually do not need to…
Travel Smarter
Why Hotel Ratings Don’t Tell the Whole Story
A hotel can have five stars and still give you a disappointing night. Another may be officially rated three stars yet offer a quieter…
Blog
What Makes a Great Hotel Stay?
I have stayed in hotels that looked impressive in photographs but felt disappointing within the first hour. I have also stayed in modest properties…
Blog
I’ve Lived in London for Years. Here’s How to Visit Without Looking Like a Tourist
So you finally booked London. Amazing. Now let me save you from the thing every American does on their first trip: spending the whole…