From laid back to luxury, Isle of Palms near Charleston, S.C., offers the best of both worlds. It's home to seven miles of public beaches and the private, low country luxury of Wild Dunes Resort. Pack your swimsuit and grab your sunscreen! This comprehensive visitor's guide to Isle of Palms has everything you need for planning the perfect vacation. A Little Bit of Background Isle of Palms, IOP for short, offers visitors a true “beach town” feel. IOP is a barrier island just o

If you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, look no further than downtown Tampa, Fla. This mid-sized city offers the perfect combination of sunshine, culture, history and water recreation. While staying in downtown, everything you need for a full and fun weekend is all within a short walk or ride via a charming streetcar or water taxi. Top Things to Do in Downtown Tampa 1. Stroll the Riverwalk Tampa is a waterside city and its downtown is hugged by the Hillsborough River,

Road trips are woven into the fabric of America’s history and directly tied to the creation of roadside attractions from the unusual to the breathtaking. At 2,559 miles, I-40 is one of the longest and most popular interstates in the country and connects the East and West coasts. I-40's history is also connected to the legendary Route 66, the one time mecca of roadside attractions that turns 100 in 2026. With centennial celebrations planned across the country (more on that be

San Sebastián, a unique jewel of Spain’s Northern coast, boasts stunning natural beauty, exceptional gastronomy and a dynamic cultural scene. San Sebastián is a smaller city (population under 200,000) in the Basque region of Spain. From the flying of the Basque flag to culinary traditions, this heritage is a source of pride and ever-present culturally providing unique experiences for all who visit. Palms trees, manicured plazas, topiaries overflowing with flowers and beautif

Long Beach, Calif., just 25 miles south of Los Angeles, is the perfect place to spend a relaxing, hassle-free, day along the Pacific Coast. With almost 500,000 residents, Long Beach is big and thriving, yet still feels warm and comfortable when spending a waterside day in and around the city’s Rainbow Harbor. Here are Take Note & Go’s favorite 7 ways to spend the day in Long Beach. 1. Tour Queen Mary The proud grand dame of Long Beach is the Queen Mary . This former luxury l

Sullivan’s Island, S.C., is a tranquil escape overflowing with history and charm. Just 20 minutes from Charleston, this barrier island is the perfect destination for a relaxing day along the Atlantic coast. Sullivan's Island's iconic lighthouse, also called the "Charleston Light" Sullivan’s Island Background Sullivan’s, as it's typically referred to, was settled in the late 17th century by its namesake Captain Florence O’Sullivan, according town information. Sullivan’s is a b

Springtime in Key West is a tropical delight. Mild temperatures mean warm days and comfortable nights — perfect weather to see the sights, eat the delights and explore the city. Key West is a tiny, tropical island, just four miles long and two miles wide, and the last in the chain of the Florida Keys. Don’t let its small size fool you, Key West is big on things to do. Historic museums, water and outdoor activities, cultural events, live music, delicious food and drink, and t

Santa Fe, N.M, dubbed “The City Different,” lives up to its nickname. From historic sites and deep rooted traditions to a vibrant arts...

Fifty thousand years ago, a meteorite hurtled through space heading straight for Earth and what is now Northern Arizona just outside Winslow. Traveling 26,000 miles per hour and weighing 300,000 tons, the iron-nickel meteorite crashed with a force 150 times greater than an atomic bomb. The resulting impact crater is as deep as the Washington Monument is tall, almost a mile wide and available for viewing everyday at Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum. Considered the best

There is a special carnivore that only lives in an area stretching out from Wilmington, N.C., and nowhere else in the world. It’s a...

“Thank you, thank you very much.” This oft-spoken phrase by Elvis Presley ran through my head after touring Graceland Mansion. Even as a fan, I wasn’t sure a visit to Elvis’ Memphis, Tenn., home would be worth the hype, but it was. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. A visit to Graceland is actually a home tour combined with an entertainment complex featuring museum-quality, curated exhibits. Together they perfectly capture American culture during Elvis' reign as the King o

Williams is a small Northern Arizona town that’s big on nostalgia and Americana. As soon as we drove into town, it didn’t take long to figure out that's what Williams is all about. We were greeted by a large arc proclaiming “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” Children were playing baseball adjacent to a large American flag. Families were eating ice cream as they walked along the sidewalk. Vintage train cars were parked on nearby tracks. There were numerous markers, signs and mura

You don’t have to be a plant lover to appreciate the serene beauty of the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, N.C. Spread across 10 acres, Raulston is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of life, see new and different plant life, and meet up with friends and family for a nice afternoon. The arboretum began in the 1970s as a living laboratory for horticultural students at N.C. State University and is named for the renowned professor who spearheaded the project and

In 1952, the Scottish people were so outraged over a monogram they tarred public mailboxes and planted fake bombs in protest. That seems an extreme reaction over some silly letters, but in fact, those letters carry deep meaning and are steeped in history. The focus of their ire was the royal cipher (or cypher in British English) of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, which they saw as an affront because it disregarded their beloved Mary, Queen of Scots. Tower of London gate

Jack Smith Park in Cary, N.C., is the perfect microcosm of what I look for in a “little adventure” outdoors – entertainment, creativity and natural beauty. The park has all the typical parts you’d expect like brightly-colored playground equipment and nicely landscaped green spaces, but what’s not typical are the art installations. The towering whirligig sculptures of Vollis Simpson, a farmer/machinist turned folk artist, comprise the park's delightful centerpiece. If you've e

It’s hard not to love Edinburgh, Scotland. The people are friendly, it's easy to get around and the blend of old and new is fascinating. This bustling capital city is divided between Old Town with its medieval history and New Town with its evolution from the 18th century to now. Plus, there’s a long coastline and green hills and expanses. Edinburgh sits on the remains of a 350-million-year-old volcanic island. And, with glacial erosion and time, the ancient volcanic formation

When we drove up to Ponce City Market in Atlanta my expectations were lukewarm. I thought we’d have a nice brunch, walk around a little...

Nestled inside Winston-Salem, N.C., is the beautiful, historic area of Reynolda. It’s the perfect day-trip destination offering...

Fall in North Carolina is like sweet tea with a slice of lemon. When light hits a glass of iced tea just right, the drink's colors of tan, yellow and orangey-red illuminate in a way that's reminiscent of changing leaves in sunlight. And, a sip of that chilled goodness is refreshing like a warm, breezy fall day. Maybe that comparison is a little over the top, but you get the point. Fall in North Carolina is lovely and the perfect time for Great Trails State Day on Saturday, Oc

Mount Pleasant, S.C., a bedroom community of Charleston, is anything but “sleepy.” Great views, great drinks and great adventures are ever present and easy to find. Although a large area with typical suburban sprawl, the community still offers plenty of historic sites, waterfront views, places to convene with nature, and lively spots for food and drink. Follow these tips to curate your perfect day in Mount Pleasant from sunrise to sundown. Vicious Biscuits Get up and get out