national park

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woman painting at an easel in a field

Explore Weir Farm: A National Park for Art

You’ve probably heard of Yellowstone and Yosemite, but did you know Weir Farm is a national park for art? Most people are familiar with the popular scenic parks, but the National Park Service manages more than 400 sites dedicated to history, people, and events. Weir National Park in Connecticut is the only national park for art dedicated to American Impressionism. It was once the home of American Impressionist J. Alden Weir. I visited the park during my two-year road trip...

a large silver arch with the full moon in the dark blue sky

Unveiling the Hidden Features of Gateway Arch National Park

Imagine standing at the foot of a monument so colossal it could swallow the Statue of Liberty whole. It’s so big it’s considered the gateway to the west. Envision its sleek, stainless-steel skin reflecting the sun like a mirror, its legs striding confidently across the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. This is Gateway Arch National Park, a place where engineering marvels whisper tales of westward expansion and American dreams. But there’s more to this park than meets the eye....

low rock wall surrounded by trees with grave markets in the background

Discovering the Secret Cemeteries in Shenandoah National Park

After three weeks of searching for cemeteries in Shenandoah National Park, I was still stunned by how much the trails could change in mere days. When I first arrived, most of the trees and bushes were nearly bare, and it was easy to find old ruins and gravestones. Now, the foliage is denser, and the forest is overtaking everything. As I hiked alongside the babbling brook in the dying light of day, parts of the path were thick with tall...

blue and multicolored stained glass ceiling in a marble room with a circle fountain and statues in the middle

Experience a Traditional Romanesque Bathhouse

The bathhouses at Hot Springs National Park are the perfect, maybe only, place in North America where you can still experience a Romanesque Bathhouse. Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and therapeutic geothermal waters you won’t find many places. It’s a great destination for a relaxing weekend getaway or a girl’s trip. There are 47 natural hot springs in Hot Springs National Park that filter into historic 19th and 20th-century bathhouses. Today, two bathhouses on...

A natural hot spring

Recharge in the Healing Waters of Hot Springs National Park

If you’re looking for a rare and restorative national park experience, Hot Springs National Park should be on your shortlist. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and therapeutic geothermal waters you won’t find anywhere else in North America. It’s the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend getaway. I traveled solo to the park because I needed a long, hot soak and lacked an excellent bathtub or natural...

A dark red steel bridge surrounded by green trees

New River Gorge National Park: Explore the Beauty of West Virginia

The New River Gorge in West Virginia is the newest national park in the United States. This little-known location wasn’t on my radar for a long time, but I’m glad I found it. This park is worth visiting if you like outdoor recreation, history and spectacular views. I’ve been to 29 national parks and there are the types that are closed off like a theme park and those that are part of the community that you might drive through on...

5 Activities to Try in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a park like no other with abundant wildlife and frequent bear sightings. It’s been on my list too long, but I finally made my way to it for a three-day trip I won’t soon forget. Three Reasons Great Smoky Mountain National Park is Famous Great Smoky Mountain National Park is famous for its “smoky” vistas, extensive hiking trails, and density of wild black bears and synchronous fireflies. It’s one of the most popular...

A large waterfall cascades over a brown and green granite cliff. Green trees surround

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden gem in the Midwest

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden gem in Ohio worth visiting. Located 30 minutes south of Cleveland and Akron, this park has a diverse landscape of forests, meadows, wetlands, and rivers and a rich history and culture. Being an urban park, it’s not entirely like other big national parks because it’s intersected by small towns and somewhat disbursed. However, that means cell service is plentiful, roads are paved, and locations are easier to navigate. Visitors find waterfalls, a spectacular...

Aerial view of the Cabot Trail road snaking through green trees alongside the ocean

6 Amazing Places to See in Nova Scotia

These six places in Nova Scotia, Canada, are a must-see if you’re considering visiting the country or living in the area and are down for a few day trips. I traveled in Nova Scotia on a 1.5-year solo road trip through the United States, Mexico and Canada. It’s one of the most scenic, spectacular places of the many I’ve visited. 1. Bay of Fundy The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia is the only place on Earth where the tides...