With world-class collections spanning Asian treasures, Renaissance masterpieces, modern installations, and presidential portraits, Washington, DC offers one of the finest concentrations of art museums in the United States. This self-guided two-day itinerary takes you through eight outstanding museums on…
The National Mall is the heart of Washington, DC. Stretching between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, this iconic green space is home to many of America’s most important monuments, memorials, museums, and historic landmarks. While many visitors…
A National Mall bike tour is the perfect way to watch the sun rise over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The crowds have not yet arrived. The water mirrors the Washington Monument. Birds skim across the surface. The city…
As an architecture enthusiast, it has been my dream to visit Taliesin West for years. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as his winter home, studio, and architectural school, Taliesin West rises from the Sonoran Desert like a natural extension…
After retiring in 2025, I decided it was finally time to tackle a longtime bucket list dream: seeing America by train. My first journey was the legendary Coast Starlight from Portland to Los Angeles. From my sleeper cabin, I watched snow-capped…
Atlanta’s Cabbagetown feels like a neighborhood caught between two worlds. Historic mill cottages line narrow streets while giant murals stretch for blocks across warehouse walls. One moment, you are admiring wildflower gardens beside porches. Next, you are walking through a railroad…
Discover hidden gems near the Smithsonian in Washington DC in my guide to 10 overlooked stops on the National Mall. Most visitors move quickly between the Smithsonian museums, checking off highlights like the Natural History Museum and the Air…
Updated: April 16, 2026 (now includes behind-the-scenes insights from my weekly volunteer work at the stables) The U.S. Park Police Horse Stables & Education Center on the National Mall opened in 2023 as a rare behind-the-scenes look at the…