I recently turned 30 and when we were in search of someplace warm and sunny to celebrate - Key West was calling our names! Key West is part of the Florida Keys archipelago and is also Florida's southernmost point located roughly 90 miles north of Cuba which means lots of sunshine (it was in the 80s when we went in March). We flew direct from Chicago to Key West but many people also access the island from the mainland via the Overseas Highway. We didn't rent a car during our stay and found everything to be very walkable (aside from our Uber to and from the airport). Scooters, golf carts, and bike rentals can also be found on nearly every street corner. Keep reading to find out how we spent five days in the Conch Republic! 

Disclaimer: We were hosted for our stay at Best Western and on several of our activity tours. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you've ever been to Hawaii you know how amazing the food scene is. If you haven't, you may have a hard time resisting the urge to Google flights by the end of this post. This was our third time visiting Maui and each time we visit we always like to try a variety of new places and also seek out the food and drinks we've been dreaming about ever since we left. Click here to read my other Maui posts.

The best part about being on an island is a majority of the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. I have to admit I am not cut out to be a food blogger -- mainly because by the time the food comes I'm so excited to eat it that I forget to document it. But I did my best to capture some of our favorites from our trip. Let's dig in! 

While the town of Bar Harbor is full of shopping, restaurants, and charm all on its own, you can't visit this area without venturing into Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island. Acadia's landscape is marked with woodland, rocky beaches, and glacier-scoured granite peaks including many unique rock formations. We spent two full days exploring the National Park which seemed like a good amount of time to cover a lot of ground and check several hikes off our bucket list. 

There is a shuttle that runs through the park and allows you to hop on and off. However, we rented a car and drove into the park both days to give ourselves a bit more freedom and we and didn't run into any issues with parking or traffic. Park Loop Road is actually very parking friendly and if you can't find a spot in one of the main lots, the road is one way with two-lanes and cars are allowed to park along the right side of the road. The only lot that filled up quick was Jordan Pond House so I recommend getting there early if you can. You'll also need to purchase a recreational pass for Acadia ($30 and good for seven days) and have it displayed on your dash at all times to avoid being ticketed. All the trails we hiked were marked well with signage and blue markers on rocks which was super helpful in keeping us on the right trails. I also had enough cell service on most trails (with T Mobile) to access the All Trails app. So lace up your hiking boots and keep reading to discover my top picks for trails in Acadia National Park. 

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A trip to the east coast has been on my bucket list for so long. The rocky coastline, harbor views, and all the seafood you can eat seemed like the perfect adventure. Add in fall colors (we were a bit early at the end of September) and I'm sold. We planned to spend the majority of our trip in Bar Harbor, Maine but had some time to explore in Portland before and after our flight and you can bet we made the most of our time. If you only have a day or two in Portland I highly suggest checking these stops off your list. 

Disclaimer: We were hosted by Best Western for one night of our stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own

I'll admit I don't take many true "vacations." Typically I go on trips which are planned out and full of adventure. But after planning a long weekend getaway with my best friend from college I couldn't wait to just lay on the beach or by the pool with a drink in hand. We decided on Virginia Beach as it was an easy flight for us and a short drive from where our friends live in northern Virginia. It ended up being a great choice and we had a sunny, relaxing time together.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! 

Historic homes, rich history, unique architecture, and trees dripping in Spanish moss..Savannah, Georgia is truly the definition of southern charm. Add in the open container laws and location to nearby Tybee Island, it made the perfect destination for our annual sister trip. We were there in mid-April and heard from a few locals that it was the perfect time to visit before the hot, humid temperatures and bugs arrived. For being a major city, it certainly had kept its small town charm and it never felt crowded or stressful to navigate. 

Keep reading to discover how we spent our 4-day getaway living the low country life. 

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When planning my birthday trip this year I was in search of a destination that would make for a short weekend getaway and offer great hiking and lots to see and do. After some research I landed on Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee. Known as the Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it would also allow us the opportunity to check another national park off our bucket list. While this is a great road trip destination from many major cities, since we were limited on time we decided to fly into Knoxville and make the short hour drive to Gatlinburg.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! 

Known for mild winters and receiving over 300 days of sunshine, Scottsdale makes the perfect destination to escape to no matter the time of year. We recently visited for three days in January and enjoyed 70 degree temps, fewer crowds, and a vibrant and colorful city waiting for us to explore. Scottsdale is also well known for it's pristine golf courses, so if you have a hubby who likes to golf like I do, it should be easy to sell them on this city. 

Located only a short drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale is easily accessible by air and many major airports offer affordable direct flights allowing you to make the most of that precious time off. If you're looking to extend you're trip a bit, a short two hour drive takes you to the red rock country of Sedona with breathtaking views and unforgettable hikes. We split our trip between the two cities and it worked out perfectly. Click here to read more about our time in Sedona. 

​Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! ​

If you're all hiked out or simply looking for a different way to experience Sedona's beautiful red rock landscape, climb aboard an iconic Pink Jeep Tour for the ride of your life with scenic views at every turn. Choose from several different tour options depending on how adventurous you're looking to be. Keep reading for all the details from our experience on the Broken Arrow tour and everything you need to know to book your own including current safety precautions and more. 

It's pretty easy to see how Sedona earned its name as red rock country. Even just driving around the area you'll be blown away by the stunning red rock formations and spectacular landscape views. However, the best way to experience all Sedona has to offer is by hitting the trails. We recently visited for three days in January and were able to complete four different hikes - each one more jaw dropping than the next. Keep reading to discover my picks for can't miss hikes.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you!