I hear you. Taking a green vacation sounds hard. And expensive! And isn’t worrying about the environment all the time pretty much the opposite of relaxation? Nah, not if you do it in small bites. Fact is, you can do little things to help reduce your footprint with almost zero…

For a real challenge, get outside and away from the concrete jungle — Skateboarding is an urban sport. Right? I mean, just look at any city’s downtown scene. Even if there’s nothing built specifically for skateboarders, you’ll see them flocking to stairs, handrails, curbs, and concrete art installations. Anything bolted down or built up, really. …

Why do we have such hard-to-pronounce names anyway? — I was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. That’s just south of Milwaukee, north of Chicago, and southeast of Waukesha — all of which I had no trouble pronouncing from a young age. That chewy, bouncy way of speaking came naturally. Or so I thought. On a recent road trip…

You’ve seen them before. They’re super colorful cone-shaped hats with big earflaps, long ties, and are adorned with intricate geometric knitted designs. They’re a favorite among indigenous Peruvians, tourists, and snowboarders alike. A must-have souvenir for almost every Machu Picchu tourist, chullos are much more than a fashion accessory. This…

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 5 — Colorado is one of my favorite states. It’s home to the Avalanche (who absolutely should’ve beaten VGK last week) and the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains, I was speechless. Literally. That has never happened to me ever again — just ask anyone. This state has some phenomenal restaurants…

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 5 — Gas in the DeLorean? Check. Pastport? Check. Barbarian repellent? Robot milk? Better head to The Time Travel Mart in LA. This tongue-in-cheek bodega has all the necessities for successful time travel — no matter which direction you’re headed. …

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 4 — You know that friend who has only one story? A story they tell over and over and made it their entire identity… But it’s one of those ‘had to be there’ kind of stories? That’s Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Walnut Ridge is a sleepy little town in Arkansas that has only…

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 3 — After the year we’ve all had, choosing a vacation destination can feel like an impossible task. Should you visit a desert, a rainforest, marsh, savanna, or an ocean climate? There’s so much we haven’t seen! So many options, so little time? Why not visit all of the above? At once? …

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 2 — At the precipice of an industrial boom born from copper mining, the young town of Kennicott, Alaska suddenly plummeted to picturesque ghost town status. Why? Today’s Kennicott is home to nobody, but there are about 40 standing structures including a massive mill, a power plant, several industrial structures, and a…

Hidden Gems Alternative Travel Guide — Part 1 — History buffs know that Alabama’s past is rich and complex. Home to outstanding civil rights museums alongside the Confederate White House, this state is full of must-see sites for any tourist who really wants to get in touch with America’s roots. And tucked away in the northwest corner of Alabama…

Join me on my tour of America’s most underrated sights — I love traveling. Of course I do. Who doesn’t? The world is bursting with art, culture, food, and must-see sights that top everyone’s bucket lists. Everyone’s. It’s impossible to live in the modern age and not be familiar with the biggest landmarks and tourist destinations around the world. I’ve never…

Ask any Midwesterner where they used to vacation as a child, and chances are they will immediately answer, Wisconsin Dells. Surrounded by miles of untouched natural beauty, The Dells is the ultimate thrill-seekers’ tourist trap and Wisconsinites’ default vacation destination. The self-described waterpark capital of the world, The Dells boasts…