US travel

  • New Hampshire: The Best State?

    ByJay M

    I started writing this from the couch of a rented lake house in central New Hampshire, looking out at the water on a perfect July afternoon. This place used to be home just shy of a year ago, and while I could talk about living there, I would rather talk about visiting. Having been to all 50 states, I can tell you New Hampshire ranks near the top of my list. It is beautiful in all four seasons, with fall foliage in the White Mountains, hundreds of lakes in the Lakes Region, and coastal charm in Portsmouth. There is no income tax, no sales tax, and some of the cleanest air in the country. Add in walkable downtowns like Nashua and easy access from Boston, and you have a state that belongs high on your travel list. Here is why New Hampshire should be the next place you book.

  • |

    More Than a Beach Town: Entertainment in Wilmington, NC

    ByJay M

    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.

  • | |

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

    ByJay M

    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.

  • Spirit to End Operations

    ByJay M

    Spirit Airlines is shutting down. After a $500 million rescue deal with the Trump administration fell apart, the ultra-low-cost carrier that reshaped budget travel in America is preparing to ground its fleet for good. Years of mounting losses, fierce competition, pandemic struggles, engine defects, and rising fuel costs finally caught up with the airline that built its name on rock-bottom fares and add-on fees for everything else.
    So what does this mean for travelers? Fewer affordable options, thousands of jobs lost, and a major shift in how budget travel works in the United States. Even if Spirit was far from perfect, its absence leaves a real gap for price-conscious flyers. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, why the bailout failed, and what the shutdown means for the future of cheap air travel and the travelers who relied on it.