As the summer sun starts to grace the Northern hemisphere, travelers far and wide agree that there is never a better time for road trips.
Whether you're hoping to travel in style this summer or wander on a budget, Veronica Miracle has compiled a list of tips and ideas to seek out undiscovered treasures and execute the best road trip possible.
PLAN AHEAD
Even if you are planning to have a spontaneous “make plans as you go” adventure or a meticulous schedule-oriented road trip, it is important to have destination cities mapped out as check-points. Not only does this save money, it acts as a guide along the way to your final destination.
Start by researching local events and historical attractions of the area. A great resource is Wicked Good Travel Tips, which features unique vacation ideas around the United States. Stop for a ride in a wheelchair accessible hot air balloon in Sonoma, California or for a class at Stonewall Kitchen’s Cooking school in York, Maine. If you’re more of a fine wine connoisseur, Local Wine Events is the site for you. Type in your city of choice on the site and you'll find a list of all upcoming wine events in that area.
Not only is it important to plan a route, but packing and preparing for the long journey ahead is also imperative. Girls Getaway Guide offers advice to making the most of your girl’s weekend from staying healthy on the road to making your next getaway a “green” one.
STAY TECH SAVVY
We are in an age where there truly seems to be an application on your phone for everything. So, it's no surprise that there are apps for locating tour guides and national parks off of the GPS tracker in your phone.
Oh, Ranger! Park Finder, helps users find outdoor recreation destinations by searching for activities at more than 6,000 national parks, state parks and public lands nationwide. Use your current location or any city of your choice and the application will generate outdoor activity ideas within 250 miles.
iGottaGuide connects tourists to professional and amateur tour guides in New York City for an authentic local experience. For a reasonable price and a variety of guides to choose from, this application not only gets you around the city in an economical way, but is a great way to meet locals.
REMAIN ADVENTUROUS
A big part of getting out on the open road is making sure to stay safe in unfamiliar areas. However, there must be a balance between safety and adventure!
Typically associated with college students, the idea of couch surfing seems questionable to many travelers. But today that concept has been transformed by the non-profit organization CouchSurfing and has become an international network for travelers. By simply becoming a member on the website, you can host people in your home or travel to cities and request to stay on a couch. The site connects travelers in over 230 countries and nearly every city in the United States. Facilitating cultural exchange and immersion, this is an extremely cost-effective way to stay around the country.
MUST SEE HIDDEN TREASURES IN ST. LOUIS
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival - Fun and free, these outdoor performances are located at Shakespeare Glen and served over 56,000 people last year! Bring your own blanket and lawn chair and enjoy the acting from underneath the stars. Performances are scheduled nightly starting May 27 through June 19 at 8 p.m. (no performances on Tuesdays).
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