| Written in cooperation with Hipmunk. Originally published by Way of Wanderers on April 18, 2016
A bed and breakfast is an appealing accommodation option for travelers visiting just about any city in the world. Offering intimate ambiance, plenty of local charm, and homey guest rooms, bed and breakfasts generally offer a more personalized experience than the average hotel. Here are a few B&Bs to consider for your next trip to the western United States.
Missoula, Montana
Photo by Adventurous Amber via Trover.com Missoula is a beautiful city set in a valley along the Clark Fork River, that offers a mild climate and a small downtown filled with interesting historic buildings. Home to the University of Montana, as well as a number of well-known Western writers, the city exudes a cultured ambiance. Like much of Montana, outdoor pursuits are a highlight here with excellent hiking in the Selway-Bitterroot and great skiing at Snowbowl. Goldsmith’s Bed and Breakfast Inn is a wonderful option for travelers visiting Missoula. The B&B is set in a handsome red brick building that was constructed in 1911 for the first president of the University of Montana. The B&B’s wraparound porch offers picturesque views over the Clark Fork River, and several guest rooms feature gas fireplaces. Rapid City, South DakotaRapid City is nicknamed the “City of Presidents” for the life-sized statues of U.S. presidents found on many of its downtown street corners. Often thought of as a jumping-off point for exploring South Dakota’s national parks, Rapid City’s grand brick buildings, excellent restaurants, and interesting shops make it worth exploring. Visitors to Rapid City should consider the Sweetgrass Inn B&B. Loft Suites at this charming B&B have vaulted ceilings and balconies, while Deluxe Suites have jetted spa tubs. Breakfast is served at the on-site restaurant, Shipwreck Lee’s, which is also an inviting spot to enjoy an evning meal or drinks. Moab, Utah
Photo by Brendan Caffrey via Trover.com Moab is a popular base camp for hikers, mountain bikers, rafters, and other outdoor enthusiasts venturing into the surrounding red-rock canyon country. It’s a small town with only around 5,000 permanent residents, but it’s one of the only places in the region where travelers can enjoy a warm meal or stock up on supplies. Set in a valley fringed by eye-catching red sandstone cliffs, Moab is a favorite setting for films and commercials. Consider staying at Cali Cochitta Bed & Breakfast, a quaint B&B set in a 19th-century residence. Guest rooms and cottages are furnished with beautiful antiques and offer features such as French doors or views of the La Sal Mountains. The B&B also provides free bike rentals for guests to explore Moab. Bellingham, WashingtonBellingham offers an engaging mix of natural scenery and urban culture. Home to Western Washington University, the city’s downtown area offers galleries, microbreweries, independent food co-ops, and cafes in addition to the elegant Fairhaven historic district. Bellingham is also home to a number of parks with connecting trails, as well as a bay front and several scenic lakes. Axton Road Bed & Breakfast is one of the loveliest B&Bs in Bellingham. The property is set on 20 acres of land, comprised of a tree nursey, vineyard, orchard, goat pasture, and veggie garden. Rooms are decorated with warm woods, and offer striking views of the American Cascades, the Canadian Cascades, and the Coastal Range of British Columbia. |
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Seeking Central Salt Lake City
Written in cooperation with Hipmunks boutique hotels 2016 campaign.
Utah’s high-elevation capital beckons visitors from around the world. Whether you seek hitting the slopes of the nearby Wasatch Mountains, or sailing on the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City has enough diverse activities to suit any tastes. To truly appreciate this lovely city, a central location is key, and Hipmunk has much to offer in terms of lodging choices for any taste and budget.
Whats Next?
Our time in Puerto Vallarta is quickly coming to an end. As ever, I am a bit in awe of just how quickly time can pass us by. Three months. It sounds like such a long time to spend in a city that we have only granted one week stays in the past. Time flys by in a heartbeat. The big question now is … Whats Next?
Seeing the Sites in Albuquerque
Written in cooperation with Hipmunk Boutique hotel campaign.
New Mexico’s largest city sits at little over 5,000 feet in elevation, offering sweeping views of the majestic Southwestern landscapes surrounding it. Albuquerque, this intriguing city of a half million or so, owes much of its charm to the vibrant American Indian culture that shaped this region into the city it has become. This charming high desert city, founded in 1706 as a Spanish colony, features the old and the new, depending upon where you look in the city.
Finding Diversity in New York State
Written in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique hotel campaign.
When many people hear “New York,” their mind immediately veers toward New York, the city. While, this is one of the world’s great destinations, there is more to New York. For those interested in seeing New York, the city and the state, and all that it has to offer, look no further than the Hipmunk offerings.
The Insider’s Guide to Conquering Comic Con
Written in cooperation with Hipmunk. Originally published on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on April 13, 2016 by TheHipmunk
Another year, another multitude of Comic Cons to attend. Whether you’re hitting up the mother of all Cons in San Diego, cosplaying in NYC, or attending a smaller Comic Con in Grand Rapids or Amarillo, the following strategies will help ensure that you have a truly delightful time.
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Airlines Are (Finally) Offering High-End Food
Written in cooperation with Hipmunk and originally published on January 21, 2016 at Tailwind by The Hipmunk
While some airlines have distinguished themselves with awesome in-flight entertainment options or stellar amenities in first, business, and economy class, for the most part airline food has failed to keep up with these new high-end innovations. Until now.
Eating Puerto Vallarta on a Budget
Eating well has never been a problem for us in Mexico. The indescribable combination of flavors has drawn us to her shores for decades. That said, one reason we chose to drive the PanAmerican highway is so we would have access to our own kitchen, which has done well by us over the last six months, party to save money and partly because I simply love to cook. However, eating inexpensively in Mexico does not mean never eating out. In fact, eating well in PV runs the gamut of prices.
Get out and Get Grilling
We love to BBQ. The tantalizing smells aside, who doesn’t love the perfectly cooked steak, shrimp kebobs, or delicious grilled vegetables? For variety, throw on a pizza, flip some burgers, or grill a whole fish. Whatever you are craving, now is the season to get out and get grilling!
Experiencing Vidanta
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll be honest right up front. I dislike big resorts. Actually, I can’t stand them. Certainly, I can admit I do appreciate a flushing toilet or a shower a few times a week, but when I travel I want to actually experience the culture and meet the locals; and by that I don’t mean just exchanging pleasantries with those bringing me my latest poolside cocktail or cleaning my room. Jim’s parents actually prefer a more “cultured” lodging option as well, however years ago got sucked into the world of timeshares and hence… next thing I knew we were leaving the airport with them to experience Vidanta.
