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Honest travel stories, destination guides, and firsthand adventures from across all 50 U.S. states and beyond. Every post is written from real experience, never sponsored, and always rooted in the belief that meaningful travel doesn't have to be expensive.

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Welcome to the full collection of travel blog posts from It's How I Travel. Every travel blog post here is written from firsthand experience, never sponsored, and rooted in the belief that meaningful travel doesn't have to be expensive.

Whether you're searching for free things to do in major U.S. cities, mindful travel tips, or honest destination guides from across all 50 states and beyond, you'll find travel blog posts here that focus on real experiences over polished marketing. New travel blog posts are added regularly, so check back often or subscribe to the newsletter to get them straight to your inbox.

For travel inspiration between posts, you can also explore our Pinterest boards or follow along on Instagram.

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Golden sunset over a sandy Fiji beach with gentle waves, palm trees on the left, and distant mountains—perfect for a tranquil village homestay under a partly cloudy sky.
Mindful Travel

3 Days in Fiji: A Homestay, a Village, and a Lesson I Won’t Forget

What do you think about when you hear someone say they are going to Fiji? I used to imagine a small island with a few very exclusive resorts that cost thousands a night. What I didn’t realize is that Fiji is rich in culture, affordable, more accessible than one would think, and even more beautiful than any photograph. We spent three days there in a way most travelers never do: a homestay with a local family, a visit to a traditional village, a hike across a small island, and a race against the tide with a stray dog as our guide. No resort. No infinity pool. Just Fiji, the way it actually feels when you slow down and let it in.

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June 28, 2026 No Comments
An American flag waves at the back of a boat on a river in Wilmington NC, with a large steel drawbridge and clear blue sky in the background. The water shows the boat’s wake leading toward the bridge and local finds along nearby neighborhoods.
Mindful Travel

Hidden Gems of Wilmington, NC: Neighborhoods, Districts, and Local Finds

Wilmington, North Carolina is a hidden gem with hidden gems within it. If you have been following my series on the Port City, you know we have already covered a lot, but to wrap it up, I wanted to highlight some areas that even locals don’t realize how special some of these things are. That brings us full circle on something I believe in deeply, the need to travel locally and explore your own backyard.
What you will find below is not a list of tourist attractions. It is a guide to the places Amanda and I have come to love as residents: the creative energy of the Brooklyn Arts District with its food truck park, neighborhood pubs, and Saturday Social District; the eclectic antique shops and boutiques of Castle Street; the only shipping container neighborhood in North Carolina; and a 250-acre park that most visitors drive right past on their way to the beach.
It also covers where to shop like a local in two of downtown’s most historically interesting buildings, how to get around the five downtown districts for free, where to take your 4WD onto the beach at Fort Fisher, and where to find some of the best wine scenes this side of the Cape Fear River.
Wilmington is already underrated as a destination, and these spots are the hidden layer within it. This is the post I wish someone had handed me when I first moved here.

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June 21, 2026 No Comments
A crowded theater in Wilmington NC, known for its vibrant entertainment scene, features ornate golden columns and red curtains. From the balcony, the audience faces a stage set with benches and ladders, eagerly awaiting the performance.
Mindful Travel

More Than a Beach Town: Entertainment in Wilmington, NC

If you think Wilmington, NC is just a beach town, think again. As a newer resident who visited for over 15 years before moving here, I can tell you this city has an entertainment scene that runs deep, and it runs year-round. From collegiate sports at Brooks Field and Trask Coliseum to Broadway productions at the Wilson Center, from the 460-year-old Airlie Oak to the steel decks of the Battleship North Carolina, there is no shortage of ways to spend your time here. Whether you are into live music, history, comedy, festivals, or a summer baseball game under the lights, Wilmington delivers. This is my running list of the top entertainment the Port City has to offer, and I am still discovering new favorites.

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June 14, 2026 No Comments
Snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky, with a street in the foreground lined with snowbanks, street signs, and lamp posts capture the serene beauty of Alaska in January. Leafless trees stand between the road and the mountains.
Travel Stories

Alaska: The State That Keeps Calling Me Back

When people find out I have been to all 50 US states, the first question is always “what is your favorite?” I usually re-phrase it to “what state do I most want to return to?” and the answer is always Alaska. I have only been once, and it was in January for work, but we turned it into something much more. From a frozen rental truck and pulling a stranger out of a ditch on our first hour in Anchorage, to nearly disappearing into the snow at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska had a way of making every moment feel like an adventure. The short daylight hours, the vast wilderness, and the warmth of the local community made it a trip that is impossible to forget and hard not to repeat.

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June 7, 2026 No Comments
Travel with Pride
Mindful Travel

Travel with Pride

What does PRIDE really mean? The term originally stood for Personal Rights in Defense and Education, and the first Pride flag was introduced at the Gay Freedom Day Parade in 1978. But beyond the history, Pride means equality, acceptance, and the right to love, period. As a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, I believe in open-minded, educated conversations and treating everyone with kindness as we travel the world. Progress has been real, from legal recognition of same-sex couples in Denmark in 1989 to same-sex marriage legalization in Thailand in 2025. But there is still work to do. Traveling with Pride means educating yourself, understanding different perspectives, and leading with an open heart, no matter where in the world you go.

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May 31, 2026 No Comments
Wilmington North Carolina - Carolina Beach, NC
Suggestions & Tips

The Best Beaches Near Wilmington, NC: A Guide by County

Wilmington, NC sits at the heart of one of the most beach-rich regions on the East Coast. With eleven beaches spread across three coastal counties, the area offers something for every kind of traveler. New Hanover County is home to Wilmington’s signature beaches, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Just across the Cape Fear River, Brunswick County adds six more options, from car-free Bald Head Island to the quiet charm of Sunset Beach. Head north into Pender County and you’ll find Topsail Beach and Surf City, both packed with history and surf-friendly waves. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or building out a longer coastal itinerary, the beaches near Wilmington offer an incredible range of personalities, all within an easy drive of downtown. Here’s your complete guide to every beach in the greater Wilmington area.

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May 24, 2026 No Comments
Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC: A Local's Guide to Downtown, Wrightsville, and Leland
Suggestions & Tips

Best Restaurants in Wilmington, NC: A Local’s Guide to Downtown, Wrightsville, and Leland

Food is a big part of travel, or at least it should be. The food offered in a city can tell you a lot about it, and Wilmington, NC is no exception. With approximately 600 restaurants in the area and 200 downtown, Wilmington is a seriously underrated food city. From private wine lounges with skyline views to award winning speakeasies, waterfront seafood spots, and authentic Italian, there is something for every kind of traveler and every kind of night out. This local’s guide covers our go-to bars and restaurants across downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and nearby Leland, including True Blue Butcher and Barrel, Yosake, Blind Elephant, Flying Machine Oyster Bar, and many more. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or exploring your own hometown, this list will help you eat and drink your way through one of North Carolina’s most flavorful coastal cities.

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May 17, 2026 No Comments
Historic Wilmington NC
Mindful Travel

The History of Wilmington, NC: A Coastal City Worth Exploring

There are many beautiful cities along the east coast of the United States, but only three major coastal cities sit between North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia: Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington. Each has its own charm, but Wilmington stands apart with its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and award-winning Riverwalk. Named after Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, and incorporated in 1739, the city once served as the capital of North Carolina. Today, you can walk past repurposed federal buildings, gaze across the Cape Fear River at the legendary USS North Carolina battleship, and feel the unique blend of Northeastern charm and Southern hospitality. As someone who recently moved here, I have come to appreciate Wilmington in a way I never could as a visitor. This post dives into the history that makes Wilmington one of the most fascinating coastal cities in the South.

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May 10, 2026 No Comments