Author Archive

Wild Fun at Ft. Lauderdale’s Billie Swamp Safari

August 9th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations family

Most people who book a Florida vacation in the south end of the Sunshine State head for the beach, strolling in the stylish sands of South Beach, cruising the Ft. Lauderdale strip, or taking in popular attractions on Biscayne Bay involving killer whales, dolphins and birds.

But to get a different glimpse of South Florida–the original view visitors had when first setting foot in the tropics–take a short drive from those beachside Ft. Lauderdale hotels and head west; past the waterways, outlet shops, and single family neighborhoods until the expansive suburbia comes to a screeching halt. You’ll find yourself in what seems like the middle of nowhere. But to its first residents, this area known as the Florida Everglades was home, and that culture is well preserved at Billie Swamp Safari, a wet and very wild adventure you won’t soon forget.
(more…)

No Comments »

St. Augustine’s Historic Kenwood Inn

August 7th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations

While vacationing in the nation’s oldest city, you don’t want to stay in just any St. Augustine hotel. To immerse yourself in the history of Florida’s First Coast, you need a place that serves the best of yesterday along with modern amenities and a big heart for hospitality. And with the first steps you take into the Kenwood Inn, St. Augustine’s oldest bed and breakfast, you’ll immediately know that this is the place to rest your head.

Sitting within the historic district, the Kenwood Inn offers an ideal location to fully experience all there is to see and do in St. Augustine. A short walk from the bay and its harbor of boat and pirate ship tours; the coquina-constructed Castillo de San Marcos; and the Old Town shops, sites, and restaurants; it’s also far enough away from the traffic of the busy Avenida Menendez and the sounds of live music from many historic area bars and night clubs.
(more…)

No Comments »

Boogie Boarding on a Beach Vacation

July 12th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
beaches

As a parent, you often delight in passing on things to your kids that meant a lot in your own youth, such as your love for baseball and showing him how to throw a curve ball, teaching him to ride a bike for the first time, and introducing the world of Star Wars (though I never thought they would be as insanely crazy about it as they are now). On a recent Florida vacation, I was able to pass along one of those other simple pleasures: boogie boarding.

On the East and Gulf Coasts, with smaller, calmer waves (unless of course there’s a hurricane involved), the most popular method to enjoy a ride atop a wave is via a body board—any time you’re walking out from your beachside Virginia Beach hotel, you’re likely to see kids pulling a board along the sand by way of a string Velcroed to their wrist out to the water.

Sure, it’s not surfing like you might have seen on that 80’s classic forgettable film North Shore or what you might experience while on a Hawaii vacation, but riding the crest of a wave on your belly while kicking your feet, and being hurtled towards the shore sure is a lot of fun. In fact, I was even guilty of snagging the board a couple of times myself to relive a few exciting moments from my childhood.
(more…)

No Comments »

A Tale of Two Turner Field Trips in Atlanta

July 11th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations

One of the most popular places that fills up Atlanta hotels during visits to the Peach State capital is a building named after one of the city’s most (in)famous residents. Sure, the Georgia Aquarium makes a splash with visitors, as do the King Center or Stone Mountain, but more than anything, visitors say, “Take me out to the ballgame” with Braves Country stretching all across the Southeast.

I recently had two very unique, very different visits to Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves, with my two sons. As a local resident, it didn’t involve any Atlanta vacation plans; more like short drives that took up the bulk of an evening and an afternoon. My first trip with a child took place prior to this season, and was one of those magical father/son shared experiences that neither of us would forget. This time around, it was his younger brother’s turn, and it was unforgettable for completely different reasons.
(more…)

No Comments »

Feasting at Lady & Sons in Savannah

July 7th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations food

On a Hawaii vacation, you’ll hear, “Aloha.” In Texas, you might expect, “Howdy.” Out West, perhaps “Dude…” And outside any New York hotel the greeting you might get is “Whatta you looking at?”

But down south, it’s “Hey ya’ll.”

It’s the familiar welcome you hear when tuning into Paula Deen’s show on the Food Network. It’s also what you hear from the hostess when you walk into her Savannah-based restaurant, the one she started before reaching global recognition.

It began humbly, but it’s hard to keep food this good a secret, and soon Lady & Sons became one of the most popular places to eat in town, followed by becoming an attraction for out-of-towners. In fact, if you want a reservation, you’d better wake up bright and early and head straight from your Savannah hotel to the restaurant and get in line with the other hungry vacationers to book a time for later in the day. The window is 6:30am EST to 9am and trust me, it’s well worth the early start to your day as lunches and dinners fill up quickly—don’t worry about breakfast, as there’s plenty to fill you up at lunch.
(more…)

No Comments »

Celebrate the Fourth 1776 Style in New England

July 3rd
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Northeast destinations

I just finished reading 1776, the book written by Pulitzer-winning author David McCullough that digs deeply into the events of the American Revolution on both sides of the ocean, but focuses primarily on the struggles and triumphs of George Washington and his closest generals. 1776 paints of vivid picture of that most monumental year in our nation’s beginnings, and while history books aren’t always page-turners, it actually reads like a novel. It’s a great book to pack for the beach–especially during this Independence Day weekend if you’re planning a New York vacation or traveling to any of the other Revolutionary War settings mentioned within its pages.

History was always one of my favorite subjects in school, but like many people, my knowledge of the American Revolution consisted primarily of Washington crossing the Delaware, Paul Revere and his famous ride, red and blue coats, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and that Patriot movie starring Mel Gibson. 1776 captured my imagination with everyday soldier life, how they fought, insights into Washington’s thinking, and the details of how he won and lost three of the most important battles of the War. It has me longing to make a Boston hotel reservation, enjoy the Freedom Trail, and explore the other significant sites referenced in 1776.

If you’ve read it or are just a history buff, here are four places described at length in the book that will make you appreciate the sacrifice and heroism of Washington and his soldiers.

(more…)

No Comments »

Revving up the Fourth of July in Daytona Beach with the Coke Zero 400

July 2nd
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations events and festivals

The combination of oil, surf, and sand have been of great concern for many vacationers lately. But there is one beach, a prime Florida vacation spot, where that combination is not considered tragic or devastating. It’s expected–even desired–as it attracts hundreds of thousands individuals to its shores several times each year. These people are not environmentalists seeking to clean up the mess, politicians and Big Oil executives scrambling for solutions and talking points, or media members getting footage of every impacted detail. They are motorheads and race fans in town for the checkered flag.

It’s an ironic siutation that many vacationers are steering away from Florida’s Gulf Coast because of this horrible oil spill, yet just across the state on its Atlantic side, an event fueled by that same substance will pack out Daytona Beach hotels beyond capacity. That event is the Coke Zero 400, an Independence Day tradition on the Florida Space Coast and one of NASCAR’s biggest races.
(more…)

No Comments »

Falling for Niagara Falls in the U.S. and Canada

June 24th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Northeast destinations

There’s a lot of friendly competition that goes on between the United States and its neighbor to the north, Canada (unless it’s on the frozen pond—then it’s not so friendly.)

We have the Blues Brothers, they have the McKenzie Brothers (advantage: Canada, especially considering that Dan Ackroyd is Canadian). The Great White North unleashed Justin Bieber onto the world (curse them!), while the Red, White, and Blue lays claim to Miley Cyrus (advantage: U.S.A.—not that I’m a fan of hers… no really, I’m serious.). Canada offers national healthcare while the U.S. still can’t really figure that one out  (advantage: Canada). The Canadian Goose flies through their skies while the American Bald Eagle soars through ours (advantage: U.S.A.). Their greatest athlete is the Great One, while ours is His Airness (advantage: even). They say, “eh?” and we say “hey” (advantage: also even).

But when it comes to the most scenic and majestic of natural water wonder vacation destinations, the two nations that share the longest common border in the world also have the same place in mind: Niagara Falls.
(more…)

1 Comment »

Show Me the Money! (And the Washington, D.C. Monuments on the Green Back Backs)

May 31st
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic destinations

This Memorial Day weekend, there will be many people booking Washington, D.C. hotels to visit federal monuments and pay their respects at national events honoring the many U.S. soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom and democracy.

If you’re not on a Washington vacation, no worries—it’s also a time many people celebrate by spending money at the countless Memorial Day sales at retailers across the country (I for one plan on cooking out—the other great tradition—with some friends and family).

In honor of the day, vacations, D.C., and spending money, we’re flipping the dollar bills over to take a look at the different monuments represented on the reverse sides. Many don’t even know firsthand what’s on the back of each bill, so take a guess before reading. If you get them all right, reward yourself with one of each bill.
(more…)

No Comments »

Set Sail for Savannah’s Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum and Gardens

May 22nd
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations family

The city of Savannah is a museum all by itself. Its famous squares are each beautifully landscaped with stately oaks, Spanish moss, fountains, and numerous flora. The unique architecture of historic Savannah hotels, homes, churches, and other buildings showcases a unique style dating back hundreds of years. And then there’s its history—being one of the earliest cities formed in the colonies, the city limits are packed full of so many different aspects that shaped our nation’s heritage: colonial life, the Civil War, and maritime culture.

One Savannah attraction that encapsulates each of these attributes is the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Located on the north side of the historic district, just past the City Market, sits the former home of William Scarborough. Its unique architecture, both inside and out, lush garden courtyard, and large-scale models of ships that have sailed the seas surrounding Savannah makes it a must-see for people of all ages enjoying a Savannah vacation.
(more…)

No Comments »
« Older Entries