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November 18, 2022 by J Chickery Leave a Comment

How To Experience Florida Like a Local

For many of us seasoned travelers, experiencing a destination as much like a local as possible is the ultimate aim. While visitors can never truly feel what it’s like to live somewhere, they can make an effort to see any destination through the eyes of the local people. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the US is Florida. While it’s strongly associated with theme parks, there’s a lot more to explore outside of the large parks too. If you want to experience Florida like a local, there are many places to see and things to do.

Pick One City

Florida is 160 miles wide and 500 miles long, which means there are plenty of different places to visit around the state. It can be tempting to try and squeeze in as many destinations as possible, especially when you’re on a long-haul trip. However, this will mean you don’t really have time to take everything in. It can often be better to pick one place to stay and spend your time really getting to know it. If you want to see anything else, there’s still the option of taking day trips. Pick a town or city that looks right for you, whether it’s Miami, St. Augustine, or Tampa. If you’re having a hard time picking just one city, consider a region like the Nature coast where you can swim with manatees in crystal clear waters.

Choose the Right Accommodation

Two photos: One shows an Arctic Fox 5th wheel with its awning out, parked on grass. Blue sky and deep blue water in the background. The second photo shows a beautiful orange sunset over the water with palm trees in the foreground.

The first thing you can do if you want to experience Florida like a local is to choose the right accommodation. One option is to travel by recreational vehicle (RV) as we’ve often done. This gives you a wide range of affordable state parks, as well as high-end RV resorts. Here’s a list of our favorite campgrounds in Florida.

Other options for extended stays are rental homes. You can find great deals at Ocean Florida for villas, which provide more amenities like kitchens. You won’t feel like you’re isolated from the real world and you can even cook for yourself too.

Ask for Local Recommendations

Who can help you to experience Florida like a local better than the locals? Asking local people for recommendations can help you to find the best places to eat, drink, or have fun. There are several ways to do this and discover the best places to go. One option is to ask the concierge at your hotel if you decide to stay in one. They can offer advice on where to go and what to do. Alternatively, consider looking online (we like TripAdvisor) for the best tips. You can ask on online forums or look for websites recommending local attractions, events, and businesses.

Try Local Food

Enjoying local food and drink is often the best way to experience somewhere new like a local. Florida has some great food scenes in various places, from delicious Cuban food to beautiful seafood. Whether you’re trying a Cuban sandwich or tucking into a slice of key lime pie, you can explore the state through your taste buds. You can discover some great breweries in places like Tampa too, and you can also discover some wineries that produce great wines. Get recommendations for the best places to go from local people if you want to make sure you eat and drink the right things.

Attend Local Events

Local events can be one of the best ways to get to know somewhere new. It gives you a chance to see a destination at its best, often with the local community coming together. If you’re looking for fun events in Florida, you can find amazing options all year. There are events celebrating all kinds of things, from food and drink to music and history. We love the annual pirate invasion of Gasparilla in Tampa each January! Anywhere you visit in Florida is likely to have something happening, but what exactly is available will depend on the time of year.

Go to the Islands

Florida has some great cities and towns, but sometimes you want to get away from it all. Florida’s islands are a great place to get some peace and enjoy the slower pace of life that many local people experience. Some of the top-rated Florida islands include Anna Maria Island, Honeymoon Island State Park, and Sanibel Island. The islands can offer opportunities to spend hours on the beach, go kayaking, fish, and much more.

Get to Know the History

Your average Floridian might not know a huge amount of local history, but they may know more than you. Getting to know the history of the state is a way to get closer to the culture of Florida and how it has become what it is today. Visiting museums is a good way to explore the state’s rich history, and there are some great ones to choose from. You might like to visit the Museum of the Everglades, the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, or the Kennedy Space Center.

The options to experience Florida like a local really are unlimited. Choose what works best for your interests and you are bound to have a wonderful time!

September 3, 2021 by J Chickery Leave a Comment

Top 8 Free Must-see Places to Visit in the USA

Who says you have to break your bank to visit new places and attractions within the US?

While the world is still in a pandemic, most people want to delay their international travels, so what’s better than a little domestic vacation within the states, and better yet, full of free attractions and exciting adventures?

Here are the 8 top free places everyone should visit while traveling the United States.

1. Washington, DC

Washington DC is home to world class Smithsonian museums with free admission.

Among the Smithsonian Museums, you can visit The National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum, among the city’s most popular attractions. And don’t forget about all the monuments located around the city commemorating our founding fathers, war veterans, and more. Learn about some of our favorite attractions including great hikes that are easily accessible, yet outside the hustle and bustle of the city.

2. New York City, NY

Despite being America’s most expensive city, you can still find great free places to visit and enjoy. Ride the Staten Island Ferry free 24/7 to enjoy amazing views of the Statue of Liberty, downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. Another great attraction in NYC is the High Bridge, the oldest bridge in New York City. It originally opened as part of the Croton Aqueduct in 1848 and reopened as a pedestrian walkway in 2015 after being closed for over 45 years.

No visit to New York City would be complete without a visit to the National September 11 Memorial. Located at the former twin World Trade Centers, you can visit the September 11 memorial and pay your respects to everyone who died during the tragedies of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Keep in mind that admission is free, but you need to book an in-advance reservation.

3. Chicago, IL

No visit to Chicago would be complete without a visit to Millennium Park. Over 25 acres, the park boasts an outdoor collection of architecture, landscape design, and art. Of course, you have to take a selfie in front of Cloud Gate, the official name for the massive, stainless steel structure that’s become Chicago’s signature landmark. It is affectionately known as “the Bean.”

Cloud Gate, the official name for the massive, stainless steel structure that’s become Chicago’s signature landmark.

Another popular free attraction in Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo for everyone, including children and adults. From play days at the farm to the seal training event, you won’t be bored for a second.

4. Atlanta, GA

No visit to Atlanta would be complete without a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park. Tour the home of his birth and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. From there, you can walk or bike the trail that leads to the Carter Center. While there is an $8 fee for adult admission to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, you can always take a free stroll through the grounds to see the Circle of Flags from all 50 states, a rose garden, Japanese garden and koi pond.

Being married to a scientist, I think a visit to the David J. Sencer CDC Museum is a must-do when in Atlanta. You’ll learn about the history of the Centers for Disease Control and how scientists work to crack the cases of mystery diseases. Admission and parking are free on weekdays.

5. Birmingham, AL

Over 12,000 different plants, 25 themed gardens, and 30 outdoor sculptures are spread out over 67.5 acres at the , Birmingham Botanical Gardens. While your kids can enjoy the free science activities, you can visit the traditional Japanese teahouse and a vegetable garden where you can test your gardening knowledge a learn a thing or two along the way.

Be sure to walk the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. This is a free, self-guided tour through downtown Birmingham. Learn about significant locations along the Civil Rights march route which are marked with informative signs and maps. Top it off with a visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Admission is FREE from 1 PM to 5 PM every Sunday.

6. San Antonio, TX

A popular stroll in San Antonio is along the city’s famed River Walk. A 15-mile urban waterway, the River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is the largest urban ecosystem in the nation. Tucked quietly below street level and only steps from the Alamo, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city.

Another great outdoor activity is at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park where you can see the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America. Explore the Missions the eight-mile stretch of recreational trails, pedestrian bridges, pavilions, and portals to four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada.

7. Los Angles, CA

There are many free attractions to enjoy in Los Angeles beginning with one of our favorites, the Griffith Observatory. Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Of course, one of America’s most iconic attractions, and not to mention the hub of tourists, is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can’t really visit LA without strolling along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.

Finally, stop by the Getty Center to see an impressive European and American art collection, including Vincent van Gogh’s famous Irises. Among other exhibitions, you can also ride the tram from the main parking area to the top of the hill, and enjoy the amazing view.

8. San Fransisco, CA

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. Join one of the twice-weekly free walking tours or explore on your own. Be sure to wander through the Plaza just outside the Welcome Center and follow the pathway into an old bunker that houses some of the exhibits. This is where you can learn about the history, science, and engineering of the Bridge’s construction.

San Francisco’s Cable Car Museum teaches you all about this marvel of transportation. From its inception in 1873 until the present day, you can learn about the inventor, the technology, the builders, the quick expansion, the near-loss, and the ongoing efforts to save and repair San Francisco’s cable cars.

Bottom Line

To travel across states, you don’t have to save for years and tap into your money. Traveling by RV allows you to visit so many fabulous destinations that will satisfy your adventurous spirit while also saving you money.

Who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with the place so much that you’ll want to hire a moving truck and relocate to the city altogether. You can visit Mybekins.com to get answers to all your moving questions.

May 18, 2021 by Julie Chickery Leave a Comment

Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)

The Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA is my favorite KOA in the state! Located just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the James River, it has fabulous views all around the campground, not to mention all the recreational opportunities.

Watch the short video review below or continue reading for more details.

Sites

As you know, one of our favorite thing about KOA campgrounds is that they offer a range of campsites to allow everyone to pick the best one for their budget or preference. In addition to having several different site types, we loved how all the campsites in this campground were grouped together, away from the activity area. There was also plenty of space and trees between the sites.

Deluxe Patio Sites – These are full hook up pull through sites with a dining table, extra seating area with lounge chairs, patio swing, and fire ring. If these had not of been fully booked on our stay, we would have selected one.
Standard and Premium Sized Pull Thru Sites – We had a standard full hook-up pull thru sites that come with a picnic table and fire ring. As you can see, they were very spacious.

Large RV campsites at the Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

Back-In Sites – We really loved the back in sites that were around the outer edges of the campground. They all backed up to trees and made for a cozy area around the campfire.
No RV? No problem! They have tent sites and cabins to enjoy. The tents sites had power and water and were located down by the catch and release fishing pond. The cabins came in three types: Deluxe with a queen bed, sleeper sofa, and a sleeping loft for the kids. It also has a full bathroom with shower and a kitchenette with mini-fridge, stovetop, and microwave. The Studio Deluxe Cabin has a queen bed, bunk beds, full bathroom with shower, and a mini kitchenette. Finally, the rustic camping cabins have a full-sized bed, bunk beds, but no bathroom or kitchen. They do have fire pits with a grill and are located close to a bath house.

KOA has several different types of camping cabins.

Amenities

This campground has a lot of amenities to keep the whole family happy during your stay. They had a playground, foos ball and ping pong tables, basketball courts, and a jumping pad all located near a large open area for the kids to run around. There was also a swimming pool and a fair sized camp store. Located on one end of the campground was a dog park large enough for our dog to run around off leash.

Another great amenity was the huge catch & release fishing pond and several interconnected nature trails. It felt like a state park campground, but with KOA amenities!

Local Area

The Blue Ridge Parkway, known as America’s Drive is managed by the National Park Service. The Parkway’s 469 miles spans the southern and central Appalachians through Virginia and North Carolina. An access point near mile 60 of the Parkway is located only a mile from the campground. I went hiking to a fabulous waterfall at Apple Orchard Falls.

Blue Ridge Parkway overlook and hiking trails

Another nearby destination is the Lynchburg Riverwalk and Percival’s Island. The RiverWalk first travels through historic downtown Lynchburg. This section of downtown has become a truly unique area with a children’s museum, shops, bicycle rentals, and restaurants. The multi-use trail crosses onto Percival’s Island, a beautiful natural area with waterfront views.

The village of Appomattox Courthouse is only a 40-minute drive away. Managed by the National Park Service, this is the historic site of the surrender of General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. There are several historic buildings and a ranger-led tour of the McLean House where the actual surrender took place.

Book Your Stay

Whether you are looking for a quick get away or family vacation, you can’t go wrong with this amazing KOA campground! Click here to make reservations and don’t forget to sign up for the rewards program to get 10% off every KOA stay. We love the rewards program because you also earn points to use towards discounts on future stays. We were able to get $50 off our weekend here using accumulated rewards points.

Interested in learning more about what KOAs have to offer? Click here to listen to Sean & Kenny’s interview with the President and CEO of the company.

Learn About Other Great Campgrounds in Virginia

Virginia has a lot of great campgrounds for every type of camping style. From state and national parks to luxury RV resorts and everything in between, Virginia has got you covered. Here are a few that we have personally enjoyed:

Fort Belvoir Travel Camp – If you’re fortunate enough to have access to military bases, this campground is situated along the Potomac River. It is also close enough to Washington DC to serve as a base for your visit to the nation’s capitol.
Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA – We love this quiet, wooded campground with easy access to Shenandoah National Park.
Luray KOA – This immaculate KOA campground is nestled between the Massanutten range and Shenandoah National Park. It’s also a close to the renowned Luray Caverns.
Shenandoah River State Park – Fabulous state park with 5 miles of riverfront access. The river is only a 2-minute walk from the campground which boasts huge sites and water / power hook ups.

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