United States Travel Stories & Tips

Home base is Wilmington, NC, but there's a whole country to explore. From coast to coast, national parks to city streets, road trips to weekend getaways, these are my American adventures. Sometimes the best travels happen in your own backyard, and the United States never stops surprising me with new places to discover. I have traveled to all 50 states and have a lot more stories to write about (and still more to see)!

Page Share Banner

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.

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

June 21, 2026

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.

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.

More Than a Beach Town: Entertainment in Wilmington, NC

June 14, 2026

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.

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.

Alaska: The State That Keeps Calling Me Back

June 7, 2026

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.

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

May 17, 2026

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.

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

May 10, 2026

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.

Why Exploring Your Hometown Is Real Travel

April 26, 2026

I was raised in greater Boston and spent most of my adult life in New Hampshire before making the move to Wilmington, NC. Now when someone asks where I am from, I say Wilmington. Not because I am hiding my roots, but because it is where I feel at home, and I want to share it.
Travel has always been about learning and growing for me. I have visited all 50 US states, most of Canada, and several countries across Europe and Australia. There is more world to see, but right now I am pausing to take a deeper look at my new home.
Exploring your hometown, regardless of its size, can be just as meaningful and enlightening as traveling to the other side of the world. This post kicks off a series on Wilmington, the Port City, and what makes North Carolina worth slowing down for.

The 5 Best MLB Parks for a Weekend Getaway (And the Cities That Make Them Worth It)

March 20, 2026

I love travel and I love baseball, and when those two things combine it makes for one of my favorite kinds of weekends. I have been to every city that hosts an MLB team and caught a game in over half of them. Not every great city has a great park, and not every great park sits in a city worth building a weekend around. This list is where both come together. From the iconic ivy walls of Wrigley Field in Chicago to the unmatched skyline views at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, these five ballparks earned their spots based on the full experience, the stadium, the neighborhood, and the city itself. Whether you are a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a great excuse to explore somewhere new, these are the MLB parks worth planning a weekend around.

A Weekend in Saint Augustine: The City, the History, and the Beach

March 16, 2026

Saint Augustine, Florida is somewhere we had always wanted to visit, and when the opportunity finally came, it did not disappoint. Founded in 1565, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States, and that history is felt everywhere you go.
We spent the weekend splitting our time between Saint Augustine Beach and the city itself. The beach is classic Florida, wide open and easy to enjoy. The city, on the other hand, feels like stepping into a completely different world, one that predates the United States entirely.
If you are looking for a destination that blends genuine history, great food, and a beach in one compact weekend trip, Saint Augustine belongs on your list.

Why Puerto Rico Should Be Your Go-To Caribbean Destination

January 16, 2026

Puerto Rico beats Aruba in every category that matters: no passport required, cheaper hotels, affordable dining, and authentic culture. Both are beautiful Caribbean destinations, but Puerto Rico offers vibrant history, stunning beaches, and significant savings, making it the smarter choice for your next island getaway.

Decorative Hawaii title graphic over a beach scene with black lava rocks, white sand, and turquoise water.

Hawaii | Worth the Flight?

October 11, 2025

Hawaii is absolutely worth visiting, but not for a typical beach vacation. After two trips to the Big Island, I’ve learned that Hawaii deserves to be experienced for what makes it unique: hiking to secluded Makalawena Beach, exploring active volcanoes, touring coffee farms with ocean views, and witnessing the breathtaking Waipi’o Valley. Save your 13-hour journey for authentic Hawaiian experiences you can’t find anywhere else.