Well, we haven’t gotten to Mexico yet (super hoping that happens soon, eyeing Tulum a lot lately) but we HAVE been lucky enough to visit 43 states and much of Eastern Canada. We are a big fan of the All-American Road Trip, whether that’s across the whole of the country, along one of the coasts, or else. We will share our favorite North American destinations and tips here!
Some of our favorite big roadtrips-
The Great American: 9,700 miles around the country with a friend and her two year old. Traveling with kids can be amazing and I highly recommend.
The Spontaneous Flight to Florida: Connecticut to Charleston to Key West. Key West is still one of the greatest drives ever.
The Southern Fried: Connecticut to New Orleans via Charleston, Savannah, St Augustine, and Mobile
Where would you guess the best Japanese Garden outside of the world is? Would you guess San Francisco? New York? Vancouver?
I have a thing for Japanese Gardens (and Japanese culture, honestly, since I’ve been speaking the language for ten years or so now) and I always swing by them in my travels. I’ve been to ones as far as Monaco and San Francisco, as far North as Boston and as far South as Florida, and by far my favorite of all is this one in:
A little canopy of stars at the Japanese Garden of Portland, Oregon
Portland Oregon.
Are you surprised? Portland is known for its food culture scene, but not for its gardens which is a shame because right next to this perfect zen garden is my second favorite garden in the world: the International Rose Test Garden. You wouldn’t believe in June and July the size, the breadth, the varietals this place has to offer!
Look at the ruffled edges on these!
The Portland Japanese Garden is one of the best places on the planet for a quiet, meditative wander. The place is perfect to get slightly lost in. Not only does it feature endless bamboo walks and stone pathways, dappled pools and tinkling brooks, but it also offers classes on Japanese flower arrangements, mediation, and other Japanese cultural activities.
Perfect sunny roses at the International Rose Test Garden
So any time of year, go to the Japanese Garden. And if you’re in the area in the Summer, you must go to the rose garden next door. Pre-purchased tickets to the Japanese garden are $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors, $11.95 for students, and $10.45 for ages 10-17. The International Rose Test Garden is free and open 7am to 9pm in the Summer, but does get quite busy evenings and weekends!
One last picture because I just can’t help it!
What do you think? Do you visit a lot of gardens when you travel? Have you liked any in particular? Tell me in the comments.
“What?” you reply with indignation. “You don’t know me! I have the best New Year’s Eve every year on the planet! I party with my closest friends on a raft and sing Kumbayah at midnight when we dance naked in the moonlight!”
If that’s the case, go you, man, you live your life. Also, try not to catch cold. But let me tell you about what my New Year’s Eve used to look like and see if it’s at all familiar:
“New Year’s Eve is coming! I hope I do something special and get invited to a cool party!”
“Oh, gee, no one has planned anything. Hope I don’t end up at home alone this year.”
“Hey, I got sort-of invited to this acquaintance’s party, but I’m sure something better will come up.”
“Okay, acquaintance party it is.”
(Cut to me, in a stranger’s basement, drinking vodka-cranberry and pretending to have fun watching the ball drop on tv. If I’m lucky, I have a date to kiss at midnight.)
Let’s be real, this is a weak way to start a brand new, glorious year!Don’t passively wait and hope, create for yourself an active life that guarantees a good time. New Year’s Eve is a world-wide holiday- unlike Thanksgiving, you can be pretty much anywhere on earth to celebrate. In that case, might I make a suggestion?
MONTREAL
Montreal, my darlings! If you live in New England, Montreal is less than a six-hour drive away and it is glorious. It is the best parts of North America and Europe in a gravy-infused and reasonably-priced smoked meat platter of goodness. It is a snow-globe of gentle holiday festiveness. And, as a surprise bonus, nowhere parties like Montreal.
What is even happening here? Oh, a lizard man is fire juggling in a drained swimming pool at the New Year’s bash, obvs. Cirque De Boudoir: Carnavalesque New Year’s Eve 2013 // Photo courtesy of Cirque and by Jo Gorsky. For upcoming events visit http://www.cirquedeboudoir.com
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday or a rock-n-rock party-all-night, Montreal has what you’re looking for. That’s why I’ve been there every New Years six years running.
Our first year was also my first time in Montreal, although I had visited it’s frostier cousin, Quebec. Fed up with boring plans, I had looked up New Year’s Eve parties to find the most interesting and stumbled onto Cirque De Boudoir. I’m not into the S&M scene, but I know a good party when I see one and “Venetian themed New Year’s bash in a former YMCA with an open bar, cage dancers, and burlesque” sounded right up our alley.
Cage dancer hanging from the ceiling over the pool. No, really. Cirque De Boudoir: Carnavalesque New Year’s Eve 2013 // Photo by: Jo Gorsky. For upcoming events visit http://www.cirquedeboudoir.com
The city was beautiful- sparkling with fairy lights and chinese lanterns, warm with holiday cheer, stuffed with hearty food. Notre Dame is one of the most lovely cathedrals on the planet. The party was wild- airbrush artists doing full body makeup, a dance floor in the former pool, and great performers all night. Awesome. We’d be back.
The following year, we dragged a good friend with us and rented an entire apartment for $20 a night. Instead of buying party tickets this time, we explored the city and discovered The Greatest Cocktail Bar in the World, Le Lab.
There’s going to be an entire article about how amazing this place is in the future, but suffice to say, we have been all over the US and much of Europe sniffing out speakeasies and cocktails and this is still our favorite cocktail bar (sorry, New York.) And at midnight on New Year’s, they have a wild fire show.
Ever since then, we grab a van full of friends, rent an entire apartment, and explore the city. We always are at Le Lab for midnight. Prices are very reasonable, even for a fancy dinner, and the food is excellent. Splitting the costs with friends lowers our overhead even further. We have yet to have a bad time. How can you have a bad time in such a beautiful place?
Yeah, okay, you could go watch the ball drop, if you want to stand in 10 degree temperatures for nine hours. I’ve heard it’s a thing everyone should do at least once. Image courtesy Anthony Quintano.
But it’s cold!
Yes, my friends, but Canada is used to cold and has many fantastic warm drinks to keep the frostbite away! Dress well (another article on that will be forthcoming) and feel free to bar-hop your way down the street. Wear good shoes and toast yourself at the fireplaces in the central areas. You’ll have a wonderful time despite the cold!
But I don’t speak French!
Although Montreal is 100% French-speaking, pretty much everyone can speak English as well. Remember, half of Canada doesn’t speak French very well either. As long as you are polite and learn a simple “Bonjour!” and “Merci” for when you enter shops, you shouldn’t have much trouble. They will appreciate it if you at least try.
But I don’t have a passport!
….Seriously? Go to your post office. It’s time.
Have you been to Montreal yet? Do you have any specific recommendations you’re looking for? Hit me up here!
Okay, you’re heading to the city. And you’re thinking of driving?? All your friends think you’re nuts. Why would you drive willingly into a crazy place like New York when it’s one of the few American cities with perfectly good public transport?
I used to only take the train in, but now that I work in the city often, I drive more. I find it gives me more freedom to explore and gets me home faster when I’m working late at night. Plus, if I have a car full of people, it saves us all cash.
Good reasons to take a car
Mobility: New York is not the best city on the planet for people who have trouble walking and having a car gives you the freedom to drop people off before you go park.
Freedom: If you’re getting out super late, it may be faster to drive out than waiting for the subway and then train. It also allows you to explore a bit further afield- if you want to go from Manhattan to Williamsburg to Flushing (for the real Chinatown, obvs) it’s going to be easier to hop around with a car.
Downsides
Stress: Okay, New Yorkers are (justifiably) known for being high strung. There will be lots of honking, people weaving in and out of traffic, people right on your tail, oblivious pedestrians, and slightly confusing on and off ramps, though once you get into the city streets are very logical. If you’re an anxious person, it may not be worth the added stress. However, if you can take a deep breath and go slow at intersections you’ll be ok. A honk is not going to damage your car but getting t-boned at an intersection will.
Cost: Both tolls and parking are not cheap. If you’re bringing a car-full of people down, you may save money from train fare. If you listen to my tips, you’re not going to lose an arm and a leg to parking but you still need to be wary of costs. It might make sense to find a cheap garage, leave your car, and take the subway to other spots.
Timing: Any time you want to go into the city, you need to give yourself lots of extra time to get around, in a car or otherwise. If there’s anywhere you need to go around morning rush hour, save yourself the madness and take the train in. Or take your car to city limits and hop on a train there. Traffic is no joke- I had a French proficiency exam at 10 am and left at 6am (should be an hour drive) and it was going to take 4 hours by car to get in because of accidents. We ended up parking and taking the train. Google maps or Waze will help you stay updated.
Before you go:
Download an NYC parking app like Spothero:
This step is key. If you take exactly one thing to heart from this article, get yourself a parking app. This app will show you the cheapest parking in your area for the time you put in and then give you a discount as well! Last time I had a convention to go to, parking nearby was $50 for the day (damn you, “event pricing”.) Using Spothero, I found another garage a few blocks down for $15 for 12 hours! Hell yeah.
Designate a Navigator:
As Maverick needed Goose, you should have a co-pilot if possible your first time navigating in New York. They can let you focus on traffic instead of not getting lost. And be patient. If you miss a turn, you can just go around again. Because you gave yourself plenty of extra time, you’re not going to stress right?
Know where you’re going (at least at first):
“Where is it?” “Somewhere in Manhattan.”
Look, pal, Manhattan is a big place. Take a look at the map and familiarize yourself with where on the island you’re headed. Is it far south? Along the right side or left? Midtown? Bonus if you take a look at the New York neighborhoods and familiarize yourself with such magical places as TriBeCa and St. Mark’s Place.
If you take these basic precautions, practice your Zen breathing, and take a buddy, you’re going to have a fine, safe, and hopefully, inexpensive time driving in the city. The more you do it, the easier and less intimidating it becomes!
Oh, and avoid driving anywhere near Times Square! You’ll thank me later.
It’s a rainy, wet, dreary day today, the perfect kind of morning to curl up on the couch with some Earl Grey and Jane Austin or “Seven Years in Tibet“. Or, alternatively, we can cast our minds to beautiful places far away, whether to daydream, plan, or remember. We can visit tropical wonderlands like Key West.
Today I’m going to tell you a secret, a traveler’s secret. You know my favorite kind of secret? When you go somewhere you’ve never been in your whole life and you can still show someone something amazing your first time there, something totally unexpected and marvelous?
This was a something passed on to me and now I can share it with you. But let’s keep it special, shall we?
The island of Key West is at the end of one of the most gorgeous road trips in the whole world. If you’ve never been to a tropical paradise, you may be unprepared for the turquoise blue of the water or the impeccable visibility, falsely attributing it to some kind of Instagram filter. You may be surprised by the colorful birds and fish, the treacherous humidity, the lazily hanging mosses.
Personally, I was most surprised when I ran over a crocodile with my rented bike.
My first trip to Key West was supposed to be a weekend in Maine. It was my birthday and I was excited to return to Acadia National Park… but then rain happened. When my traveling companion glanced at the radar and delivered the bad news, I asked how far the green splotch on the map went – Vermont? Wet. Cincinnati? Soaking. Virginia Beach? Damp, at best. Well, then, where did the giant green splotch end?
“Charleston,” he replied.
“Charleston,” I said, tasting the distant city on my tongue. “So we drive to Charleston,” I said, “and we see how far we get.”
Well, we made it to Charleston in time for a delicious cup of morning coffee and doughnuts, and, with the wanderer’s creed of “just a bit farther” we continued to Savannah, St Augustine, Miami … and Key West. A mere spur-of-the-moment 1,500 miles.
Accommodations:
Miami itself is further from Key West than one might think, 3.5 hours drive without traffic. If there is any traffic, you’re done for, because there is exactly one main road that goes through the islands (route 1, of course). It’s also two hours between the first key (Key Largo) and the final one (Key West) so plan accordingly, especially if you have a flight out of MIA to worry about. Now, for cheaper accommodations, I recommend staying off the final island if possible. Key West is the busiest, most popular, and most expensive of the chain. Do visit but you may not want to stay there. As for options, AirBNB is a good bet and there is at least one hostel in Key West though I have not been there. Many hotels and B&Bs will include bonuses like free fishing pole and tackle, kayaks, and bikes with stay. Drink more water than you think you’ll need, wear bug spray, and beware the heat.
Things not to miss:
Snorkle and scuba dive – If you come to this island paradise with any interest in diving, DON’T MISS IT. If you’ve never been snorkling and you can swim, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s some of the most exciting diving on the planet. You put your face in the water and it’s like watching National Geographic. For around $40 per person, you can join a diving group for maybe four hours out on the water. It’s fantastic. One other pro tip- don’t forget to reapply your reef-friendly sunscreen every few hours. The water can act like a magnifying lens, frying your back as you paddle merrily along, which you won’t be feeling for several hours (and oh boy, then you’re going to feel it for sure!)
Look at those sad faces! Don’t be like us- Reapply your sunscreen regularly!
If you’re not hitting the reef and you still need sun care, check out “Sun Bum” sunscreen. It’s in many beach shops there and California and if you don’t mind spending a little extra, you, too, can smell like a very expensive banana (and you’re going to need their cooling lotion if you missed that last tip about reapplying sunscreen!) Overpriced? Almost definitely, but like the scent of “Sex Wax”, it instantly transports me to warm beaches and endless sun, which in February is much cheaper than a ticket to Orlando!
The Hemmingway House is absolutely worth a visit if you’re a book nerd, manly man, or cat fanatic and The Green Parrot exists for those who still need more of a “Papa” fix. My own favorite hobby is walking through town, admiring the stately colonial architecture, and peaking into the lush pocket gardens full of mangroves and tropical flowers.Naturally, you also need to spend time on the beach. Walking (or biking) over Seven-Mile Bridge if you’re hardy enough is unforgettable because visibility allows you to see every fish scooting along the sand beneath you. Chartered water sports in Key west (parasailing, paragliding, boat charters and rentals) are also cheaper than almost anywhere else in the US.
Lastly, a quirky piece of Americana in the restaurant Better than Sex. Like Madame Puddifoot’s in the Harry Potter movies, Better than Sexis designed as a date spot. If you found a hot date on your trip (or imported one with you) bring them here to this dessert-based placed for naughty-themed cocktails and the best chocolate grilled cheese of your life. Now, just because it’s a date place doesn’t mean this can’t just be a giggle-worthy time with a good friend or a very special moment between you and your cheesecake. No one will judge in this candle-lit atmosphere so thick you can barely see your delicious meal. Each time we go, the ambiance gets darker- this last time they gave up entirely and swapped the paper menus for Ipads.
“Melanie? You look lovely by iPad light.” (“Better than Sex” image courtesy “The Daily City”)
Eat some conch fritters and key lime pie, have a good margarita, listen to live music, do some water sports, check out the crazy sunset parties on the beach, and…
Oh, did you think I forgot the secret I said I’d tell you?
Here it is: when you get to Key West itself, Duval street is the main area and “party town”. There are all kinds of art galleries and tchotchke stores on Duval. There is also a Starbucks.
Near sunset time, go into this Starbucks, sneak out the back door into the Hotel, and go straight into the elevator on the other side. Head to the top floor. Stay sneaky. Hum “Mission Impossible” if that helps.
Wah-la. You are in one of the best and highest places in town to grab a drink and watch the sunset over the whole city. They frequently have live bands playing and they fix a mean cocktail.
Have you been to Key West lately? Did I miss anything important? What’s the farthest you’ve gone on a spontaneous road trip? Tell me in the comments.
Really is just another day in paradise. So why not head to the Keys? If you’re American, you don’t even need a passport. Photo credit: bmward_2000.
