Travel Tidbits: How to Spend Your Time in Bar Harbor, Syracuse, and Other Northeastern Cities

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was originally published on Travel Tidbits on April 7, 2016.

Hipmunk Hotels: How to Spend Your Time in Bar Harbor, Syracuse, and Other Northeastern Cities

Feeling the need for a getaway, but unsure of where to go? Hop in your car or book a flight to the northeastern United States, where you’ll find plenty of activities and adventures to keep you entertained. Cities like Bar Harbor, Syracuse, Long Island City, Roanoke, and Williamsburg are ideal destinations for just about anyone. Check out what each of these cities has to offer!

Bar Harbor, Maine

If you’re looking for a diverse range of activities to keep you entertained, look no further than Bar Harbor, Maine. This popular northeastern destination appeals to tourists from all over the world for its rich culture and picturesque natural scenery. One of the top spots here is Cadillac Mountain, a great place for hiking and other outdoor sports. If this sounds like your kind of place, you should also visit Sieur de Monts Spring Nature Center, Asticou Azalea Garden, and Wild Gardens of Acadia. Be sure to start planning by booking a room in one of Bar Harbor’s popular hotels.

Syracuse, New York

Looking to see all that New York has to offer? Head to Syracuse, where you’ll get the chance to experience trendy restaurants and bars, fashion-forward shopping, vibrant nightlife scene, and an overall electric atmosphere that will have you never wanting to leave. Some popular tourist attractions include Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Destiny USA shopping center, Erie Canal Museum, and Everson Museum of Art. If exploring city streets is what you’re interested in, Syracuse is perfect for you. Consider booking a room in one of the city’s most popular budget-friendly hotels.

Long Island City, New York

Another New York location that offers everything you might be looking for, Long Island City is an ideal destination for anyone. Immerse yourself in culture by heading to MoMA PS1 Art Museum, Noguchi Museum, Socrates Sculpture Park, or The Secret Theatre. For a relaxing day outdoors, visit Gantry Plaza State Park or Hunter’s Point South Park. In the mood to try some tasty local beers? Check out Rockaway Brewing Center or LIC Beer Project before heading back to one of these affordable Long Island City hotels for a comfortable night’s rest.

Roanoke, Virginia

If experiencing history and culture is your main priority for your trip to the northeast, be sure to visit Roanoke, Virginia. Here you’ll find popular tourist attractions including Mill Mountain Star and Park, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and O. Winston Link Museum. Roanoke is home to several famous breweries, so consider signing up for a brewery tour throughout the city. If you’re traveling as a family, bring the kids to Mill Mountain Zoo or Splish Splash Valley Water Park.  Start preparing by booking a room in one of the popular Roanoke hotels that won’t break the bank.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Last but not least, Williamsburg is a popular Virginia destination for so many reasons, including its rich cultural and historical significance. Founded in 1632, it makes sense that this town is filled with ancient landmarks, including Historic Jamestowne, Governor’s Palace, and the downtown Historic District. Looking for a place to stay near these popular sites? Consider booking a room in one of these affordable Williamsburg hotels.

Hipmunk Hotels: Historical sites in Lake Placid, Revere, Plymouth, Newport, and Hartford

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

My father is a history buff and a former history teacher. We both love historical novels and movies. A historically themed trip isn’t far-fetched in our family, and you can’t get more historical than a trip to the Northeast.

Lake Placid, New York

What’s the only US city to host two Olympics? Lake Placid, New York. It hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The small village has a lot of cool activities no matter what time of the year you visit. You can sail, swim, and fish in the summer time, or ice skate, play hockey, ski, and sled in the winter. You can’t stay in the Olympic Village; they have turned it into a museum. But luckily, there are plenty of hotels in the area to make a stay at Lake Placid a pleasure.

Revere, Massachusetts

A visit to Revere, Massachusetts fits the bill for the dual vacation spot. With Boston so close, you get the best of city and sea in a five miles radius. This small city is located on the Atlantic Ocean. Named after Paul Revere, the city captures the historical significance of the area with museums and historical architecture in the store fronts and the hotels. I have it on my list to stop at Revere Beach, the oldest in the United States.

Image provided by Annie Yao via Trover.com

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Founded in 1620, Plymouth was the first stop on the “discover the new world” tour. You can’t get any more historical in the U.S. This is where it all begin. The Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the original ship, has been restored and turned into a museum. Spend a few days in Plymouth and make sure you see all the other “first” sites, such as Plymouth Rock and the site of the first Thanksgiving. Hotels like the Mirbeau Inn & Spa will make your stay in Plymouth a treat.

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Image provided by Brianna Thome via Trover.com

Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a typical vacation resort. It has historical significance due to its location. Incorporated in 1639, it lagged behind Plymouth by 19 years. Most of the historical buildings, restaurants and hotels in Newport have been restored and look like they did back in the 1700s. Another of its beautiful historical sites, The Breakers Mansion, is on my list. This stunning estate looks like Downton Abbey. Built in 1893, the mansion was originally commissioned and owned by Anderson Cooper’s ancestors, the Vanderbilts.

Hartford, Connecticut

While discovered in 1637, Hartford Connecticut wasn’t incorporated until the late 1700s.  The literary significance of Hartford starts and stops with the awesome Mark Twain. You can visit the home where he wrote his greatest work. Mark Twain House is cool, but the Old State House is even more amazing. It is a great example of Eastlake architecture, an architectural style inspired by Victorian England. You can soak in the best of new and old at a Hartford hotel like the Oakwood At Hartford 21.

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Image provided by Stephanie Sutton via Trover.com 

What historical sites in the United States have you visited?

Hipmunk Hotels: Family Attractions in Schaumburg, Oklahoma City, Novi and Grand Rapids

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

My family looks to me to plan our vacations. I am more than happy to do it, but as an unattached person, my vacations seem to have a single ladies slant to them. I had to do my homework to come up with these family-friendly spots in the Midwest.

Schaumburg, Illinois

Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, is a small village located Northwest of the famed city and close to O’Hare International Airport. They call it a village because there are no more than 5,000 residences, but it has some big-time attractions. One of its main attractions is the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Tickets are reasonable, and include most interactive activities. Be sure you stay in one of the many local hotels. You need more than one day to see LEGOLAND and all it has to offer.

Kansas City, Missouri

The voracious reader in me loves visiting anything book related in a new city. The giant bookshelf at the Kansas City Public Library is a cool educational family attraction. Some of my favorites books make up the front façade of the parking garage of the library. They chose these particular books for their significance to Kansas and to American literary history. Located near many restaurants and hotels in Kansas City, the library is in the center of this beautiful Midwest town.

Image provided by Jerrah Biggerstaff via Trover.com

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City is a great Midwest city with southern flair. It has great hotels like Courtyard by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown, and a style all its own. While national tragedies may not be first on your list of family sites to see, I would disagree. I learn so much from spending time at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, and suspect I would have a similar experience here. The mangled foundation shows the destruction, while opposite the reflecting pool you see the representation of life.

Image provided by Eric Ianuzi via Trover.com

Novi, Michigan

Novi is a small city in southern Michigan. I found it fascinating that Novi has a large Japanese population relative to other cities in the United States.  The Japanese influence is apparent everywhere in the city. There are Japanese books in the public library, and schools offer enrollment forms in Japanese. The hospitals, public buildings and hotels in Novi all have Japanese materials. It has helped the economy by bringing several Japanese businesses to the area. You can find some of the best Japanese food in the Midwest here.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a beautiful oasis in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The grounds have beautiful trails with permanent and temporary exhibits for you to get up close and personal with. A beautiful replica of a traditional Japanese garden is a must see, and the kids will love the interactive exhibit in the Children’s Garden. I’m hoping to time my visit to catch a concert at the beautiful amphitheater. Choose from the many excellent hotels nearby to make your visit even more enjoyable.

 

Image provided by Kyle Herlein via Trover.com

Have you been to any of these Midwest cities? 

Traveler Magazine: A Trip to the South isn’t Complete without Visiting Lexington, Lafayette, or Norcross

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was originally published on Traveler Magazine 2 weeks ago. 5-Must-SeeCities-in-the-Midwest-1.png

Travelers that want to find a combination of beauty, history, hospitality, and sunshine need to consider visiting the South. The South has something for everyone. Whether you want a taste of bourbon in Kentucky or to relax by the water in Maryland, there is a southern city that matches your needs. Check out the 5 southern cities below that have something to offer its visitors.

Lexington, KY

Lexington is the “Horse Capital of the World” and is one of the most popular cities in Kentucky. One of the must-see’s in Lexington is the Kentucky Horse Park, where you can explore a 1,200 acre facility that features museums, art exhibits, and of course, a variety of horse breeds. If you like gambling, you can bet on horse races on grounds like the Keeneland Race Course. While a lot of the popular attractions involve horses, there are non-horse activities worth checking out if you visit Lexington.  One of my favorites is taking a tasting tour at a local distillery. For instance, you can try a taste of Kentucky at one of the bourbon distilleries, like the Wild Turkey  or Four Roses.

Lafayette, LA

If you are travelling through Louisiana, you need to stop by Cajun country and stay a few nights in Lafayette. Lafayette is a vibrant city that offers a nice combination of “country” with city-life. You can spend the day visiting Avery Island, where you can see the Tobasco factory, a bird sanctuary, and exotic animals in Jungle Gardens. After a busy day of exploring, go enjoy the local cuisine at one of the many Cajun and Creole restaurants. Want to enjoy the nightlife? Check out the bars and clubs on Jefferson Street. If you need to find a place to stay near the action, consider Studio 6 which is only a few blocks from the action.

Kissimmee, FL

The Sunshine State is a popular travel destination in the South. One of my favorite cities to visit is located in the heart of the state in Kissimmee, FL. For budget travelers, you have to check out the $20 million dollar local park project, the Kissimmee Lakefront Park. You can rent pavilions, go boating, fishing, BBQ, hiking, and other low-cost outdoor activities. The real reason most people stay in Kissimmee is because of its close proximity to Walt Disney World. In fact, you can stay at an affordable Kissimmee hotel like the Vacation Village that is only about 10 minutes away from Disney World.

Norcross, GA

For travelers that enjoy getting off-the-beaten path, Norcross will be worth considering. It’s cleverly tagged “a place to imagine” because of its blend of art, music, cuisine, and history. Take a stroll down the historic downtown and stop into the Crossing Steak House for a cocktail. The real benefit to staying in Norcross is that you can find an affordable hotel and still be just a few minutes from downtown Atlanta.

Salisbury, MD

Salisbury is a fun city in southeastern Maryland that offers its visitors a variety of activities. If you want a quiet place to relax, the 11 acre park on Schumaker Pondis just the spot. Grab a nice book, blanket, and a few snacks, and you can decompress in the serenity of the park. Another local favorite is the Salisbury Zoo. Admission to the zoo is free and they provide guided tours. If you are looking for a versatile city to spend a few days while traveling through Maryland, you should consider staying in Salisbury.

Disclaimer: TravelrMag is a collaborative partner with Hipmunk. Our views are always our own.

Tour Guides: Carry On with Bravo TV’s Tour Group Host Brandon Presser

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was originally published Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on March 4, 2016.
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As a travel expert, TV host, and writer, Brandon Presser is no stranger to life on the go. Presser, who has visited more than 100 countries, has penned over 50 travel books, and is a regular contributor for such publications as Afar, Travel + Leisure, The Daily Beast, and National Geographic Traveler. And while he may be well known in the travel industry, he’s about to experience a whole new level of recognition: Presser is the lead host of Bravo TV’s new travel-based reality show, “Tour Group“, which tags along as 11 travelers search for the ultimate vacation. (10 p.m. EST/PST on Bravo.)  We got Presser to stay in one place long enough to give us his best travel advice, his favorite places to go, and the items he can’t leave home without.  

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Hipmunk: So, tell us. What’s in your carry-on?

Brandon Presser: A dopp kit with some small essentials like eye drops, moisturizer, a travel toothbrush, Advil, and Ursa Major face towelettes; a small pouch with some lucky charms (a few pebbles I’ve collected from different beaches around the world–I’m a little superstitious!); a good book (that I never finish); an iPad fully loaded with some of my favorite movies; Bose headphones; and Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

H: Carry on bag of choice? 

BP: If I’m hauling some serious carry-on luggage and want the flexibility of bringing more things home, I go for the Dakine Over Under bag, which can grow and shrink in size. For quick trips I’m obsessed with Fjallraven’s safari duffle.

H: How often do you travel?

BP: I’ll travel through roughly 15 countries a year, which has me on one or two large trips a month. Last year’s highlights included everything from Tahiti to Portugal, and leading 11 strangers on a world tour through Africa and Asia while making “Tour Group.”

H: First, business class or coach?

BP: Each travel project I work on has different travel parameters–sometimes I’m in coach, other times I’m in first. I can tell you that it’s super hard to do a long-haul flight at the back of the plane after being treated to the flat beds up front.

H: Ok, now that we’re warmed up, let’s play a game of favorites. Favorite city to visit for work? Why?

BP: Tokyo is the best canvas for my work–whether it’s researching and writing articles and guidebooks or leading travelers through the incredible neighborhoods. The city is an endless well of oddities and curious fads. (Read Brendon’s articles on Tokyo’s oddities and fads here and here, respectively).

H: Favorite city for play? Why?

BP: Luckily, my work life and play life are closely intertwined. And Tokyo never stops inspiring me to get out there and explore with its thousands of cool restaurants, bars, shops and public spaces.

H: Favorite hotels?

BP: I’ve stayed in more than 2,500 hotels worldwide, so this is definitely a tricky one to answer. In the last 12 months some of my hotel highlights have included: Four Seasons Bora Bora, Twin Farms in Vermont, and Roch Castle in Wales.

H: Favorite airline? Airport? Airport Terminal?

BP: I’m really loving JetBlue’s newest aircrafts right now–the entertainment system is bigger and better than ever, the coach seats really aren’t bad, and there’s an endless supply of snacks. Portland’s PDX wins domestically for making a promise to its traveler to not price gauge on snacks and supplies. And Hong Kong wins internationally for Cathay Pacific’s awesome business class lounge with delicious food and state-of-the-art shower facilities.

H: Any travel tips before you take off?

BP: Change your place; change your luck.

Follow Brandon:

Website: brandonpresser.com

Twitter: @bpnomad

Instagram: brandpress