Category: Visit It, Write It.

Altoona is a city the railroad built. In the mid-1800s, passenger and rail freight had a tough time traversing Pennsylvania’s mountainous middle. A connection from Philadelphia and Harrisburg to Pittsburgh was vital, but the Allegheny Mountains stood in the way. The Pennsylvania Railroad moved into the area in 1849 to begin working on the Horseshoe Curve (2400 Veterans Memorial Hwy); a semi-circular stretch of track riding on a manmade traverse of land between two mountains, which allowed safe and affordable travel across the state.

We’ve all heard it before, the verbal butchering of our city and county name, Lancaster. Emphases on the wrong syllables. Strangely hard consonants and irregular drawn-out vowels. Defense of our pronunciation is so ingrained in our communal psyche that we even have T-shirts and bumper stickers explaining how to say … Lank KISS stir. After some traveling, I realized a few neighboring states have their own Lancasters, all of which have their own pronunciations.

The Anna Maria Island Inn is a complex of seven properties, most located on a stretch of waterfront on the Gulf Coast of Florida from Bradenton Beach to Holmes Beach. The Seaside was completely renovated in 2022, and the result is a fresh, clean appearance with a kitschy and hip style. Rooms are stocked with unexpected conveniences, like extra sheets and blankets, beach/pool towels, deluxe versions of board games, and all the bar tools (including a blender) to prepare the perfect drink while relaxing in the sand.

In 2011, Joseph and Ellen Lettieri purchased the mansion home built by businessman Herbert Hills Hewitt, founder of American Brass Co. and patent creator. The Lettieris renovated the home, which now features 13 suites and spacious common areas—including a library, dining area, and a billiards room. Billed as “Victorian charm with contemporary conveniences,” InnBuffalo is much more. Contemporary artwork melds with Victorian and 20th century antiques. The Inn is part refined work in progress as Joe—as he is known around the city—uncovers details like gilded wallpaper and tracks down original mantels and millwork removed from the property by previous owners. Along with an onyx fireplace, wall tapestries and tile work, many of the original, Tiffany-leaded glass windows remain. The large, second-floor Hewitt Suite is adorned with the original quarter sawn cherry wood and features and ensuite bath with a rare Victorian-era needle-spray shower.

It’s all about location, location, location—whether for retail or for travel. When choosing a spot for a Las Vegas trip, location can make or break a special weekend. I always knew Westgate has some of the best resorts in Orlando, so I was excited to learn I was heading to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for a guys weekend.

The Westgate Las Vegas is in the perfect location. It is far enough away from The Strip to exude a feeling of safety. It is close enough to downtown Las Vegas to indulge in the nostalgia of the OG Vegas, visit museums, and check out the beer scene on Brewery Row. The Westgate Las Vegas is connected to The Strip via the Monorail, so getting anywhere in Sin City is easy. However, the Westgate has everything necessary for a memorable guys weekend in Vegas in one location!

A dynamic mix of modernity and 50s nostalgia pervades Bethesda, which has grown from humble beginnings as a rural way station to an unincorporated city of almost 70,000 residents. Part of the allure is Bethesda’s proximity to D.C. facilities such as the National Institutes of Health campus and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which have helped Bethesda expand over the years.

Fall travel is perfect for solo travelers and couples looking to avoid the peak tourism crowds, and the season also appeals to families looking to save on off-season rates before winter arrives. According to AAA, a quarter of all Americans regularly travel for leisure between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Smaller cities offer a specific charm sometimes lost in the major metropolis. Therefore, for this list, we consider the best cities with a population of under 100,000, limiting our selection to one city per southern state.

Destinations have started selling the idea of wellness travel to visitors. Over the last few years of traveling, I’ve spotted a concentrated emphasis on proactive health well beyond the attachment of a spa or the availability of a gym at a hotel or resort. With the fall travel season upon us, why not hit the road and enjoy a healthful getaway! 

The Chesapeake Bay is a natural wonder and even a way of life for residents of the massive six-state watershed. It is a haven for sports enthusiasts, water recreationists, and those who border the 4,479 sq. mile body of water on the eastern shore of the United States. The Bay, as it is colloquially known, is the largest estuary in the United States and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) Peninsula. Virginia claims the southernmost portion of the bay, from mainland to the Eastern Shore.

Whenever I travel with my family, we make sure to visit one or two museums. Whether it’s small, historic homes in colonial-era towns or grand testaments to architecture housing some of the finest art in the world, museums are as much part of how we travel as are dining, lodging or the weather.