The 15 Tastiest Ice Cream Shops In The U.S.

Heavy cream, granulated sugar, farm-fresh eggs, and sea salt — individually, these four ingredients can shape a variety of dishes. But blend them together and freeze, and you have something magical: ice cream! From East Coast to West Coast, in big cities and small towns, these are the tastiest ice cream shops in the United States.

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, Portland And Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine’s largest city is well known as an epicurean town. In fact, Portland was named Restaurant City of the Year in 2018 by Bon Appetit. And as with many phenomenal dishes fit for a foodie, it all starts with premium ingredients. That’s why the chocolate wasabi at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is made with real chocolate and not cocoa powder.

Explore Mount Desert Island’s unique, fearless flavors like butterbeer (inspired by the Harry Potter series) or fresh basil (leveraging the sweet, pungent herb). And if you’re visiting Maine with your favorite pooch, be sure to get a pint of Mount Desert Island canine ice cream, topped off with a housemade dog bone treat!

To enjoy the tastiest ice cream in the Pine Tree State at its original location, travel north on Highway 1, one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., to Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park. You can also score a scoop in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and in Matsumoto, Japan.

The Inside Scoop, North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Since the early 2000s, the Bucci family has been making Rhode Island a sweeter place from spring through summer at The Inside Scoop. About 30 minutes south of Providence, this family-owned store strives to recreate the ice cream parlor of yesteryear and has been recognized as one of the best ice cream shops in New England.

The Inside Scoop always features at least 60 flavors, from basic to decadent. Fruit lovers may be tempted to try the grapefruit or orange pineapple, and chocoholics will delight in the rich chocolate brownie, chocolate walnut, and chocolate peanut butter cup.

If you’re traveling with a food allergy or dietary restriction, The Inside Scoop offers at least four non-dairy/vegan flavors at all times. They also have no-sugar-added versions of their coffee, maple, pistachio, and vanilla ice cream.

Graeter’s Ice Cream, Cincinnati, Ohio

In the mid-1800s, Cincinnati swelled as European immigrants flocked to the Midwestern city along the north bank of the Ohio River, manning its pork-processing plants and creating one of the nation’s most prolific beer-brewing towns. But German immigrant Louis Charles Graeter focused on a different industry: making ice cream by hand in French pots and selling it from food carts. Though the company is now run by the fourth generation of Graeters, the ice cream is still handmade in French pots, producing just 2.5 gallons at a time.

Be sure to try Graeter’s signature black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream. Beginning with a creamy, cotton candy-colored black raspberry base, a stream of rich melted chocolate then adds the chocolate chips to the French pot. Other signature chocolate chip flavors created by the same method include black cherry, cookie dough, and salted caramel. And if you won’t take my word for it, how about Oprah’s? On her show, she declared Graeter’s to be “absolutely the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.”

After 150 years in business, Graeter’s has expanded beyond its Cincinnati locations. You can now score a scoop in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis in addition to several locations throughout Ohio and Kentucky.

The Yard Milkshake Bar, Gulf Shores, Alabama

With massive milkshakes mixed up in mason jars, The Yard Milkshake Bar is an over-the-top ice cream experience. And the names for its signature concoctions are just as memorable as the desserts themselves. There’s the Monkey Meets the Moose, which pairs Moose Tracks ice cream with a banana that looks like antlers in a jar encrusted with peanut butter and crushed peanuts. Or you can make your milkshake the most important meal of the day by digging into The Cereal Killer — vanilla ice cream paired with Fruity Pebbles and red marshmallow cream drizzle and topped with a massive serving of whipped cream.

After opening its doors in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in 2017, The Yard expanded to several additional locations throughout the Southeast, and its founders appeared on Shark Tank.

Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge, Lexington, Kentucky

From coconut ice cream churned in a 2-quart Cuisinart ice cream maker to a small ice cream cart, this delicious ice cream shop in the Horse Capital of the World grew from humble beginnings. Today, Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge crafts its ice cream from locally sourced dairy farms and makes everything it serves from scratch (with the exception of the sprinkles and gummy worms).

Be sure to enjoy the Kentucky bourbon and honey ice cream at Crank & Boom. Or kick things up a notch with a bourbon ball sundae, which tops the boozy scoops of bourbon ice cream with chocolate bombe sauce and candied pecans. If it’s other Kentucky flavors that you’re after, try the Kentucky blackberry and buttermilk ice cream.

Pro Tip: If you visit Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge at its Distillery District location on Manchester Street, order a spiked scoop. This extra-decadent dessert will add a shot of bourbon, bourbon cream, amaretto, or another essential cocktail ingredient to your scoop.

Clementine’s Naughty And Nice Creamery, Saint Louis, Missouri

Growing up with limited means, Tamara Keefe’s family had to opt out of their church’s weekly trip to the ice cream parlor, but the tight-knit Italian-American family created their own ritual. With a hand-crank ice cream maker purchased secondhand, they bonded by making ice cream at home. Now the self-proclaimed “flavor temptress” has four decadent ice cream shops sprinkled throughout Saint Louis.

If you’ve ever stared down an indulgent dessert with an angel on your right shoulder and a devil on your left, you’ll understand the idea behind Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery. For it’s Tamara’s secret process of freezing alcohol into ice cream that creates the fine line between naughty and nice.

For a G-rated dessert experience, go “nice” with a cup of gooey butter cake ice cream that celebrates the Gateway to the West’s iconic pastry. Or score a scoop of salted crack caramel. Please note that while the chocolate, caramel, and three types of crackers folded into salted caramel ice cream are truly addictive, this treat does not include actual crack.

If you succumb to the influence of the devil on your left shoulder, cross to the naughty side and order a boozy scoop. Bourbon always pairs well with sweet cream, so you can’t go wrong with the creation Tamara made for her dad, starring maple bourbon and salted candied pecans. And if you’re a wine lover, you already know that the chocolate cabernet is another delicious option.

A cone from Purple Door Ice Cream. — Sage Scott

Purple Door Ice Cream, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

As one of the top milk-producing states in the country, Wisconsin has its fair share of great ice cream shops, and Purple Door Ice Cream is a favorite in America’s Dairyland. As you explore Milwaukee’s historic Walker’s Point, stop in for a scoop and a glimpse of the ice cream team hard at work.

Purple Door Ice Cream goes above and beyond to incorporate the best locally sourced ingredients. Try Beer and Pretzels or Eastside Dark, both made with Lakefront Brewery’s Eastside Dark lager. Anodyne Coffee fans will love the espresso ice cream options, including espresso blackberry chip and espresso bourbon chocolate chip. Or check out Blackberry Quark, featuring Clock Shadow Creamery’s quark cheese — because you are in the land of cheeseheads, after all!

To treat your taste buds to an exotic adventure outside of the Brew City, try a scoop of blackberry cornbread, chai with pink peppercorn, fig and black tea, or juniper berry and lime ice cream.

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, Kansas City, Missouri

David Friesen and Mary Nguyen, the dynamic duo behind Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, met in college, where they scooped ice cream and co-created a lavender honey flavor at Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream. A few years later, the couple started their family and their ice cream shop at once by giving birth to a baby and their new business in the same week. They’ve been churning out some of the best ice cream in Kansas City ever since!

A must-try seasonal flavor is Joe’s KC Burnt Ends and Sauce. Betty Rae’s partnered with one of Kansas City’s most popular barbecue joints to create this unique flavor that mixes candied chunks of smoked beef brisket into sweet cream ice cream swirled with caramel sauce. But if you’re not interested in sampling Kansas City’s world-famous barbecue as a dessert, don’t worry. There are plenty of other delicious flavors to try, including goat cheese, apricot, and candied walnut, or a dish of Thou Mayest coffee ice cream.

Betty Rae’s robin’s-egg blue mobile ice cream truck is a staple at Dog-N-Jog, an annual run/walk benefiting The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. To cool off at the end of the race, both pups and humans queue up for a scoop of ice cream.

Ted & Wally’s, Omaha, Nebraska

Beginning with 20 percent butterfat cream (and not the usual 14 percent), and with plenty of local eggs, real sugar, and nothing artificial, Ted & Wally’s ice cream has been a can’t-miss treat in Omaha’s Historic Old Market since 1986 and is listed in 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die.

Because every ice creamery has the classic Neapolitan flavors, I usually skip over them as recommendations. But if you like chocolate, you’ll love Ted & Wally’s Dutch chocolate ice cream, either on its own or as a base for something even more glamorous.

Pro Tip: Feeling guilty after that scoop of full-fat ice cream? Burn off some calories by strolling across the nearby Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

Izzy’s Ice Cream, Twin Cities, Minnesota

Just as the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul unite across the Mississippi River, husband-and-wife team Jeff Sommers and Lara Hammel have been churning out some of the tastiest ice cream on both sides of the Mississippi for the past two decades. You’ll find Izzy’s Ice Cream in upscale markets and grocery stores across Minnesota. Or, just steps from sweeping views of the Mill City’s iconic stone arch bridge, you can visit their Minneapolis ice cream shop.

Enjoy the cool, fresh, mint taste of Izzy’s peppermint bon bon that includes house-made chocolate chips. Try a different kind of cookies and cream by ordering a scoop of Caramelia Cookie Crunch with Valrhona Caramelia chocolate, Oreo cookie pieces, and salted caramel mixed into Izzy’s vanilla ice cream. Or let the road rise to meet you with a scoop of Irish Moxie that combines coffee ice cream with pieces of Heath bar, chunks of Oreo cookies, and Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Amy's Ice Creams in Austin, Texas. — Alfie Photography / Shutterstock

Amy’s Ice Creams, Austin, Texas

Amy’s Ice Creams has been serving up some of the tastiest ice cream in Austin since 1984, and this Lone Star State favorite now has shops in Houston and San Antonio. With a focus on the most essential food groups — cream, vanilla, chocolate, and coffee — Amy’s does the standard flavors exceptionally well using Mexican vanilla, Belgian Callebaut chocolate, and El Marino espresso.

Take your palate on an exotic trip with All Thai’d Up, which blends ginger, fresh basil, and coconut flavors into a delicious dessert. Or stick close to home by enjoying some apple pie ice cream. If you like a little heat with your sweet, try the Hatch chile peach or honey habanero. And if you’d rather eat dessert for breakfast, grab a scoop of Big Boy Breakfast, which features maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and chunks of waffle cone swirled into a sweet cream base.

Little Man Ice Cream, Denver, Colorado

From a landmark two-story cylindrical milk jug in Denver’s Highland neighborhood, Little Man Ice Cream serves up delicious scoops of classic and unique seasonal flavors of ice cream. In addition to vanilla bean, chocolate, and strawberry, try the French toast, oatmeal cookie, or salted caramel peanut butter cup.

If you’re looking for a vegan or lower-calorie option, you’ll be delighted with Little Man’s sorbets and dairy- and egg-free selections. For an ice cream alternative, try the vegan horchata or vegan chocolate salted Oreo. If sorbet is more your style, choose from lemon lavender poppy, mango chile, and margarita flavors.

Through its Scoop for Scoop program, Little Man Ice Cream matches each purchased scoop of ice cream with a scoop of rice, beans, or other food essentials for needy communities around the world. The program has fed thousands of the world’s hungry, generating more than two million scoops of food since 2008.

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, Whitefish, Montana

In the shadow of Glacier National Park, the first Sweet Peaks Ice Cream shop opened in the town of Whitefish, Montana, a decade ago. From the rich cream produced at Montana dairies to the locally sourced ingredients, the flavors are inspired by the Rocky Mountains.

Montana is the land of everything huckleberry. So when you visit Sweet Peaks, you’ll absolutely want to try the huckleberry ice cream. Because huckleberries only grow wild (and are a favorite food of grizzly bears), these small purple berries can be pricey. While many huckleberry foods are cut with blueberries or another fruit, Sweet Peaks uses locally sourced huckleberries, and you can taste the difference!

Other locally inspired flavors to try include the Mountain Mint made with mint extract from Passmore Farms; the Bear Scat with mini chocolate chips and dried blueberries mixed into dark chocolate ice cream; and the Going to the Sun Road, with sponge toffee and caramel ice cream that will delight your taste buds as much as its namesake scenic drive will impress your eyes.

The STIL, Boise, Idaho

In Kentucky, you can pour a shot over your scoop of ice cream. In Saint Louis, you can be “naughty” by digging into a dessert with alcohol frozen inside. And in Boise, you can enjoy a pairing experience that matches select scoops of The STIL’s delicious ice cream with regional beers and wine.

Inspired by the creamery’s mountain location, you’ll find flavors like Fresh Powder (vanilla cream cheese), Idaho Wilderness (lavender and berries), and Summer Hike (strawberry sorbet). When you cross over to the alcohol-infused options, the creative names continue with Highway 1 (vanilla cream ale with toffee and butterscotch) and Parachuting Beavers (peanut butter stout with peanut butter and chocolate).

The STIL also makes frozen paw print and dog bone treats from peanut butter, pumpkin, and banana for your favorite furry travel companion.

Bi-Rite Creamery, San Francisco, California

After you’ve eaten your weight in Dungeness crab and scarfed down all the freshly baked sourdough you can stand, top off your time in the City by the Bay with a visit to Bi-Rite Creamery. In a building the color of mint chocolate chip ice cream, you’ll discover probably the only ice cream you’ll ever eat churned from water buffalo milk.

A San Francisco institution for eight decades, Bi-Rite has always focused on good, fresh food. Today, it continues to incorporate the best locally sourced seasonal flavors into its ice cream, making in house everything that goes into its frozen dessert. Enjoy Bi-Rite’s Ricanelas, homemade snickerdoodles mixed into cinnamon ice cream, or travel to Japan with a scoop of black sesame ice cream.

Vegan visitors will be delighted to see so many creative dairy-free options on Bi-Rite’s ice cream menu. Try the balsamic strawberry coconut or pina colada rum made with coconut milk. Or enjoy the chai latte and cinnamon maple oat crunch churned from oat milk.

Banff To Jasper: 11 Stops Along Canada’s Gorgeous Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway in the Rocky Mountains is one of Canada’s most famous scenic road trips.

I’ve extended the route here by starting in the town of Banff, taking the Trans-Canada Highway for 57 km (36 miles) to Lake Louise, and then turning north on Highway 93/Icefields Parkway to go a further 230 km (140 miles) to the town of Jasper.

The trip is inside two national parks, Banff and Jasper, and can be done in either direction. It can also be enjoyed as an extension of this scenic Alberta road trip: Calgary to Banff.

This is a land of raw geology. The glaciers on the mountaintops carve the rocks into great bowls, their meltwater feeding the mirror-like lakes below. Avalanche paths and thundering waterfalls show the force of nature. Even the air is sharp and crisp. It’s invigorating to be here.

Most people visit between May and mid-October, and July and August are especially popular. September mid-week offers smaller crowds and some fall colors.

From October through April, the few businesses between Lake Louise and Jasper, including the Icefields Discovery Centre, close. The exact opening and closing dates may vary slightly from year to year and from one business to another.

The highway is open year-round. Parks Canada provides winter driving advice. You need a park pass to travel the Icefields Parkway at any time of year.

The visitor information centers in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper are worth stopping into for advice about hikes, ski trails, animal sightings, accessibility, and anything else you’d like to know about travel in the parks.

The town of Banff, Canada. — Nick Fox / Shutterstock

1. Banff

The resort town of Banff is the main service center in Banff National Park. Stock up on gas and necessities here or in Lake Louise.

Spend at least a few days in Banff. Take in the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the calm water and marshland boardwalks of the Vermilion Lakes, and the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Not far from town, there are boat rides on Lake Minnewanka, a gondola to the alpine meadows of Sunshine Village, and easy, scenic hiking in Johnston Canyon.

Banff is a base for adventure travel and sports, like climbing, rafting, cycling, golf, and backpacking. The winter downhill skiing is world-famous.

The Upper Hot Springs is a naturally heated mineral water pool open daily till late in the evenings.

As far as wildlife viewing goes, elk sometimes wander in town. On the Trans-Canada Highway leaving Banff, bighorn sheep might cross your path.

Don’t stress the animals by feeding them or trying to get up close. If you see a bear, stay in your car with the windows up.

The speed limits in the national parks are meant to protect the animals. There are also a few special bridges to help them cross the highway.

Looking for more to do before driving out of Banff? Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is a great source of information on available activities, including Icefields Parkway tours.

Lake Louise in Canada's Banff National Park. — Sopotnicki / Shutterstock

2. Lake Louise

The famously photogenic lake and the world-class ski resort of the same name are on opposite sides of the Trans-Canada Highway at Lake Louise.

In the winter, you can skate, ski, or snowshoe on the lake, all while admiring the glacier at one end and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at the other. There’s an easy walking trail up the side of the lake in summer. For more of a challenge, put on your backpack and make it a full day of hiking.

Moraine Lake is especially popular in the fall when the needles of the larch trees turn gold.

From Lake Louise, head north on Highway 93/Icefields Parkway toward Jasper.

Bow Lake along the Icefields Parkway in Canada. — Michelle A Rusk Fine Art And Photography

3. Bow Lake

Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Bow Glacier Falls, and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge are about 30 minutes north of Lake Louise. Bow Summit, the highest point on the Parkway, is a popular spot for taking pictures. There’s an easy hike here.

Aerial view of the Saskatchewan River Crossing. — Ron Brittany via The Crossing Resort

4. Saskatchewan River Crossing

About 80 km (50 miles) from Lake Louise is the junction with Highway 11/David Thompson Highway. It runs parallel to the North Saskatchewan River, going east to beyond Red Deer.

The Crossing Resort has a gas station, the General Store and Gift Shop, a dining room, a cafeteria, a pub, and accommodation. This is a popular stopping place. (Remember: It’s closed in winter.)

Half an hour east is Abraham Lake, often photographed in winter when methane bubbles form tubes in the thick winter ice.

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is two hours east of The Crossing. This site features archaeology and stories of the fur trade.

Parker Ridge Summit in Canada. — Timothy Yue / Shutterstock

5. Parker Ridge

Parks Canada rates the Parker Ridge hike as easy, with a 2.5-hour round trip time. You may see small animals that look a bit like hamsters but are actually related to rabbits. These are pikas, and they only live at high elevations.

There are great photo opportunities, including a view of the Saskatchewan Glacier. The glacier’s meltwater feeds the North Saskatchewan River, eventually reaching Hudson Bay.

Sunwapta Pass in Jasper National Park. — Arlene Waller / Shutterstock

6. Sunwapta Pass

Sunwapta Pass, about 5 km (3.1 miles) south of the Icefields Discovery Centre, is the second-highest point on the Parkway. It’s a major watershed divide and the boundary between Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Athabasca Glacier in Canada. — Michelle A Rusk Fine Art And Photography

7. Columbia Icefield Centre And Athabasca Glacier

The big man-made tourist attraction on the Icefields Parkway is the Columbia Icefield Centre, with Parks Canada’s interpretive theater and displays.

The process of alpine glaciation is nicely described in this pamphlet about the Athabasca Glacier (PDF).

In addition to the free offerings, you can buy tickets for private motorized tours of the Athabasca Glacier and the 1-km- (0.62-mile-) long glass-floored Skywalk high above the ground. These are both accessible to people using wheelchairs, but please check with the operator ahead of time. The current advice is that you need to book at least 72 hours in advance.

To see the ice up close without paying, follow the trail to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Signs show how much the glacier has receded in recent years.

There’s a hotel and restaurant at the Icefield Centre. (Note that it’s closed in winter.)

People are surprised how cold it can be at the glacier, even in summer. This is a vast sheet of ice. Being near it is literally like standing in a freezer. To enjoy yourself longer and in comfort, wear sturdy, warm boots and winter clothes, even in July.

Sunwapta Falls in Canada's Jasper National Park. — Chill Chillz / Shutterstock

8. Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta Falls is about 50 km (30 miles) north of the Icefields Centre. People like the easy access to the Upper Falls from the parking lot and the short hike to the Lower Falls. Nearby Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge has accommodation and a restaurant.

Athabasca Falls in Canada. — Mike Trachtenberg / Shutterstock

9. Athabasca Falls

Another 20 minutes toward Jasper brings you to Athabasca Falls, another favorite spot for its natural beauty. Like Sunwapta Falls, there is reasonably easy access from the parking lot.

Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park, Canada. — Robert Bohrer / Shutterstock

10. Mount Edith Cavell

One of my friends loves this mountain so much he drives up from Calgary just to see it and walk up to the toe of the glacier. Not many mountains are named after women. Edith Cavell was a British nurse who helped around 200 British, French, and Belgian soldiers escape to safety from Belgium in the First World War. She was caught and executed by a firing squad.

The town of Jasper, Canada. — i viewfinder / Shutterstock

11. Jasper

The town of Jasper has about half the population of Banff. I agree with those who say it feels less commercial. Like Banff, it has a range of accommodations, dining, and activities in all seasons. You can easily spend a few days here, enjoying a range of outdoor activities in summer and skiing (both kinds) in winter.

The Jasper Sky Tram is an easy way to get up high for some alpine hiking, followed by a meal at the top or bottom station.

Jasper National Park is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, perfect for stargazing.

Maligne Lake, 45 minutes away, is stunningly scenic and popular for paddling.

Pro Tips

I asked my friends for their favorite places along this route. They were all different — something for everyone. They included geocaching (lots of places), the Fireside day-use area near Banff, combining a Parkway trip with a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer train, Pyramid Lake in Jasper, going from Jasper to Banff in an RV, and enjoying the view from the Big Bend. You can also combine this road trip with my recommendation for a scenic Alberta road trip: Calgary to Banff to enjoy more of what Alberta has to offer.

Writer Candy Harrington has described wheelchair accessibility in Banff and the Icefields here.

The websites for Parks Canada, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, The Icefields Parkway, the Banff-Jasper Collection, and Tourism Jasper are good information sources. And each of the two parks (Banff and Jasper) has specific information about its operations.

7 Best Bakeries In Paris According To A Former Baker

As a former baker in New York City, I have a special appreciation and love for French bread and pastries. My appreciation deepened when I moved to Paris in 2005 and started to learn the art of bread and pastry making following the strict rules the French government sets to control pastry quality.

Did you know that in order to be called an official boulangerie (bakery) in France, you have to bake your bread on the premises, and you can’t use premade or frozen dough? Baguettes have their own set of rules when it comes to ingredients and sizes. A baguette must be made with only the following four ingredients: wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast, and it must weigh between 8.8 and 10.8 ounces and measure between 8.8 and 10.6 inches long.

Bread and bakeries are such a fundamental part of French life, as is the summer holiday period, during which most French workers have five weeks of vacation to be taken in July and August. Many bakeries close for an entire month, but there’s a law that states that a bakery must be open in every neighborhood during the vacation period so Parisians are never without their daily bread.

On almost every street corner in Paris, you can smell the unmistakable scent of bread and croissants being freshly baked, and as you stroll into the bakery, your mouth will water as you encounter the sights and smells of tempting breads and pastries. Best of all, you may be lucky enough to be there in time for a warm baguette or crusty croissant straight from the oven.

Below is a list of the seven best bakeries in Paris. Warning: Don’t read this article on an empty stomach!

Pastries from Maison Landemaine in Paris. — Knott Putthajong / Shutterstock

1. Maison Landemaine

A small chain of bakeries, Maison Landemaine consistently produces some of the best breads and pastries in Paris. Each branch has its own baking facility on premise, preparing everything from baguettes to fruit tarts to pain au chocolat to buttery croissants.

Owner Rodolphe Landemaine took years to develop his craft of traditional French breadmaking, studying at two culinary schools and working with top bread makers, pastry chefs, and culinary chefs Pierre Herme, Lucas Carton, and Paul Bocuse. Maison Landemaine also makes quiches, fresh sandwiches, and pizzas.

Du Pain et des Idees in Paris, France. — Gorodisskij / Shutterstock

2. Du Pain Et Des Idees

Located near the trendy Canal Saint-Martin, Du Pain et des Idees is consistently rated one of the top bakeries in Paris in best bakery articles published around the world. Owner and baker Christophe Vasseur quit his corporate job to follow his passion to become a baker. He patiently waited almost two years to find the proper space and settled on a former bakery from 1875 that already had the equipment and ovens. Self-taught, he only uses the highest quality flour and other ingredients.

Most bakeries in France also make and sell pastries, but Du Pain et des Idees sets itself apart by concentrating on bread only. Special attention is given to their loaves of sourdough country bread. However, they do turn out their famous pistachio chocolate roll, apple turnover, and raisin escargots, too. The interior and exterior of the bakery still retain architectural and decorative remnants of the original bakery from 1875, including glass etchings of wheat, a hand-painted glass ceiling, and gilded gold moldings.

Du Pain et des Idees has won numerous and prestigious awards, including the best bakery in Paris according to the Pudlo and Gault Millau food guides.

Pro Tip: Du Pain et des Idees is closed on the weekends.

3. Pralus

In 1955, August Pralus invented a new brioche bread speckled with bits of crunchy praline and proudly put it in his showcase. It became an instant hit, and the rest is history, as they say. On Saturdays, the shops are known to sell over 800 loaves, and they are also shipped internationally to the U.S. and Japan. What makes the loaves so special is the secret blend of the praline bits, which incorporates hazelnuts from the Piedmont region of Italy and almonds from Valencia, Spain, which are then coated in rose-flavored sugar to give them that extra crunch.

Today, Pralus is owned by August’s son, Francois, who not only keeps up the tradition of his father’s culinary masterpiece but is also a serious chocolatier. Francois is one of the few chocolatiers in France who imports his own beans from his plantation in Madagascar and makes his own chocolate directly from the beans. He also imports beans from other countries, too, offering 15 varieties and flavors, including dark and milk chocolates with flavors of praline, nougat, pistachio, and coffee.

Besides six shops in Paris, Pralus has a shop in almost every major city in France.

Sourdough bread from Poilane in Paris. — Mark Green / Shutterstock

4. Poilane

Behind one of the most beloved bakeries in Paris, Poilane, is the fascinating and tragic story of a three-generation, family-owned business.

In 1932, Pierre Poilane opened his bakery in between the Saint Germain and Montparnasse areas of Paris, on the Left Bank. His specialty was a sourdough, a country loaf made with stone-ground flour and weighing almost five pounds, and he baked them in the original 18th-century ovens in the basement. Many struggling artists lived near the bakery, and to accommodate their meager or non-existent earnings, Pierre asked them to give him paintings of bread in exchange for loaves of his bread. The gallery with the bread paintings still stands in the original shop, along with a chandelier made of bread by Salvador Dali.

Pierre’s son Lionel took over the business in 1970, expanding its bread production by building a factory with 24 ovens, exact replicas from the shop, outside of Paris, which now produces 15,000 loaves per day and shipped worldwide. At the height of his career, Lionel, at the age of 57, and his wife, were killed in a helicopter accident. His daughter Apollonia, who had just started as a student at Harvard University, took over the bakery, and since then, has grown Poilane into an international brand.

The shop still sells its eponymous sourdough loaf, proudly embossed with the letter P, and you can purchase a full loaf (it freezes well), a half or quarter loaf, or even just two slices. Interestingly, Poilane does not sell baguettes. Their other specialties include raisin rolls, apple chaussons, and flan. Do not leave Poilane without buying a bag or gift box of their scrumptious and irresistible butter cookies, called punitions.

5. Arnaud Delmontel

Every year, there’s an award given out to the bakery with the best baguette in Paris. If you win first place, you receive a cash prize of 4,000 euros, but the real award is that the baker is then given an exclusive contract to supply their bread to the president’s palace for a year. Many times, small local bakeries become famous overnight from the publicity they receive.

In 2009, Arnaud Delmontel received that honor, which helped him expand his one bakery into three additional locations. In 2016, Delmontel switched to using organic flour in all of his products and went on to receive the prize for the best organic bakery in Paris in 2016 and 2018. To top his prize-winning creations, his millefeuille — paper-thin, pastry layers with pastry cream in between — was voted the best in Paris in 2010.

Even with all of the awards and accolades, the Arnaud Delmontel on Rue des Martyrs is still a neighborhood bakery, catering to local residents, although you will find tourists and other Parisians making a special trip for their baguettes and millefeuilles.

Pastries at Gontran Cherrier in Paris. — Edison Veiga / Shutterstock

6. Gontran Cherrier

Blessed with good looks and a great talent for baking, Gontran Cherrier is a star baker in France who frequently appears on television. He’s a fourth-generation baker, and his traditional training came from working and studying with his father at his bakery in Normandie. He later completed classes at two well-respected cooking and baking schools and, after finishing school, he worked at a number of Michelin-star restaurants in Paris as a pastry chef. His worldwide travels have also influenced his baking, and he infuses foreign flavors into his breads and pastries.

Cherrier opened his first bakery in the residential part of Montmartre in 2010, and it is one of the few bakeries on this list that also has a cafe. One of his specialties is his monochrome bun range, which comes in five colors and flavors including a black bun with squid ink and a red bun baked with paprika. Besides staples such as baguettes and peasant bread, Cherrier has added some surprising flavor pairings such as miso rye bread.

If you visit Gontran Cherrier at lunchtime, make sure to have one of their excellent sandwiches or other savory dishes followed by a sweet pastry.

Pro Tip: Gontran Cherrier makes a selection of gluten-free breads and pastries.

7. Gerard Mulot

One of the most popular bakeries in Saint Germain des Pres on the Left Bank, Gerard Mulot represents French baking at its best. In addition to the classics such as croissants, baguettes, fruit tarts, eclairs, creme brulee, Paris Brest, and Baba a Rhum, Gerard Mulot offers a full range of takeout foods such as quiches, mini-pizzas, open-faced sandwiches, salads, and three-course dinner plates. If that wasn’t enough, they also sell a line of fine chocolates.

Pro Tips

Boulangeries are required by law to close at least one day a week, so make sure you look on their website or shop window to see what day or days (some close two days a week) they are closed. Also, every bakery on this list has more than one location, except for Gerard Mulot.

How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Beautiful Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, the jewel of Rhode Island’s coastline, shines like a polished diamond. Newport’s history is rooted in sailing and the bygone Gilded Age. Once a playground for the rich and famous, it can now be enjoyed by everyone. The beauty of Narragansett Bay, with its sailing ships and yachts, will have you dreaming of seafaring stories of wealth and adventure.

What To Do In Newport

Newport is a treasured destination for the young and young at heart. Bands of bachelorettes mingle with boomer couples as each generation revels in Newport’s good life atmosphere. You will find rich history, amazing cuisine, and charming views that will captivate your attention no matter how old you are.

Here’s what to do when you’re in town.

A chartered yacht in Newport, Rhode Island. — Sandi Barrett

Sail An America’s Cup Yacht

Sailing is woven into the fiber of this city, and no trip to Newport would be complete without a sailing expedition. America’s Cup Charters offers sailing trips on lovingly restored America’s Cup yachts.

Step aboard one of these magnificent sailing ships for a relaxing Narragansett Bay cruise or a Sunday hands-on racing experience, or charter one of the yachts for a private, personally curated sailing adventure.

The Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. — Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

Tour The Mansions

The Preservation Society of Newport County has all the information you will need to plan a visit to one or all of Newport’s storied mansions. Sites supported by the Preservation Society include The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House, Rosecliff, and the Green Animals Topiary Garden.

Although The Breakers, once owned by the Vanderbilts, is the best known of the mansions, they all offer something unique. You can purchase tickets for a single mansion, but if you are planning on visiting more than one, you should purchase a combination ticket that will allow you to visit many or all of the mansions.

The opulence of these homes might leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you have time, take the Servant Life Tour at The Elms, which highlights the people who kept these behemoths operating smoothly.

Most of the mansions are handicap accessible, open on weekends, and offer audio tours through the Preservation Society’s app.

The Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. — Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

Hike The Cliff Walk

One of the most enjoyable ways to view the mansions is on the Cliff Walk. The 3.5-mile walk along the shoreline behind several mansions is mostly an easy trek. There is a section that can get a little rocky and requires some scrambling — sturdy shoes are a must.

You can, however, hop on and off at several points, affording you the luxury of making the out-and-back walk the perfect length for you.

Enjoy Neighborhood Flavors

One of the best ways to explore a neighborhood is by sampling its food. Rhode Island RED Food Tours offers the Newport Neighborhood Food Tour, which takes guests through the narrow, winding side streets of historic Newport. When you stop at a neighborhood establishment, you get to meet the local owners, who offer great stories, wonderful food, and insider tips for enjoying your stay.

Not only do you get to explore the small neighborhoods, but your guide will entertain you with stories of Newport’s history. Taking this tour is one of the best ways to figure out where you want to eat during your stay.

Doris Duke's estate at Rough Point. — Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

Discover Doris Duke’s Newport Hideaway

The Newport Restoration Foundation maintains several historic properties across the city. One of these is Rough Point, philanthropist Doris Duke’s East Coast home. Rough Point is full of fine and decorative artifacts purchased by Duke on her many travels. Her lifelong loves were Rough Point, her dogs, and her two camels.

The harbor at historic Jamestown in Rhode Island. — Sandi Barrett

Visit Historic Jamestown

Jamestown is located across the bay on Conanicut Island. This quaint island town is the perfect place for a drive. It offers picturesque vistas, stunning homes, and serene parks. While you are visiting, stop at the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, the third-oldest lighthouse in North America.

International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island — Joy Brown / Shutterstock.com

Stop By The International Tennis Hall Of Fame

In addition to being a museum, the International Tennis Hall of Fame houses 13 grass tennis courts, six hard courts, and one clay court. The courts are open to members of the public who have registered in advance.

If you are a fan of the game, you’ll love the museum, which highlights greats like Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, and many more. When a tournament match is not in session, you can walk around the grandstand on the main grass court. Imagine knocking out your best serve in front of a packed house to roaring applause.

Go Fishing

Fish’n Tales Adventures will take you out on an afternoon of angling fun, hunting black sea bass and other local fish. The experienced crew will guide and outfit even the newest anglers in the group. Spending a day on the water casting a line and reeling in your catch is a perfect way to spend some quality family time.

Make Time For Tea

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a proper afternoon tea? The Blithewold Mansion offers tea and scones every Thursday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from July through mid-September. Practice your perfect pinky-up as you sip from floral china and munch on fresh scones with clotted cream.

Tables for four are available to reserve. A reservation includes access to the Blithewold gardens and grounds, featuring an orchard, rose garden, and vegetable garden that are meticulously maintained for your strolling enjoyment.

Mussels from The Black Pearl in Newport, Rhode Island. — Sandi Barrett

Where To Eat In Newport

You will find a wide selection of dining establishments in Newport, from casual fine dining to gastropubs. Seafood is, of course, the main draw, but you will find culinary delights to satisfy even the most discerning landlubber.

Here are some of the city’s best restaurants.

The Black Pearl

The Black Pearl, located on Bannister’s Wharf, serves up classic Rhode Island seafood. If you can, reserve a table on their new outdoor patio across the walkway from their indoor dining room. Dine on mussels bathed in a house broth or a roll overflowing with delicately cooked lobster while watching the ships navigating in and out of the dock.

Reservations are strongly recommended.

Castle Hill

Your dining experience at Castle Hill Inn, a Newport tradition, will be a memory you’ll carry with you forever. Sit back and relax in a white Adirondack chair on a long green lawn with views of Narragansett Bay while listening to classic live jazz and sipping a refreshing summer cocktail. Perfection! Whether you dine on the terrace or indoors, the locally sourced cuisine will send your taste buds straight to heaven. Try the scallops with chowder sauce, the seared merlan, or the sublime sweet corn risotto.

Seating is by reservation only; reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance. You will be happy you planned ahead.

Flo’s Clam Shack

Flo’s Clam Shack is the quintessential New England gray-shingled fish shack, where the food is cooked to order. Of course, the fried clams are amazing, but they share the menu with fried calamari, fried oysters, and many other gifts from the sea.

Grab a seat to dine in, or order takeout and enjoy a drink and some appetizers at the raw bar. Flo’s is casual, come-as-you-are dining, but the flavors are just what you want when you are at the beach.

Where To Shop In Newport

In the center of town is the Brick Market Place, an outdoor mall filled with everything from an Army surplus store to souvenir shops.

The Shops at Long Wharf house high-end retailers like L’Occitane and White House Black Market.

Whether you are window shopping, people watching, or on a shopping mission, you will find plenty of unique and trendy shops tucked into inviting storefronts to pique your curiosity.

Where To Stay In Newport

Newport offers lots of overnight options, including well-known chain hotels and Airbnb rentals. For a true taste of Newport’s opulent history, consider staying in one of the city’s many bed and breakfasts. If you are searching for something a little more modern, try an exclusive luxury resort.

Castle Hill Inn

Magnificent oceans views and exemplary service meet Newport’s casual elegance at Castle Hill Inn. Gray shake-shingle cottages decorated with white beadboard interiors — just steps from private, soft-sand beaches — offer panoramic views and warm ocean breezes.

Bed And Breakfasts

Newport’s long history and commitment to preservation are evident in its thriving bed and breakfast industry. Discover Newport has cataloged more than 75 locally owned Newport accommodations for you to peruse. Each property reflects the personality of its past and present caretakers, taking you back to a different time while offering up-to-date amenities.

Gurney’s Newport Resort And Marina

Located on Goat Island, Gurney’s Newport offers unparalleled views of Newport Harbor. Separated only by the Goat Island connector bridge, Gurney’s is close enough to walk to all the central Newport action, but removed enough to feel wrapped in secluded luxury.

Swim in the saltwater pool overlooking Narragansett Bay, sip an expertly crafted cocktail on the water’s edge, or rejuvenate in the Seawater Spa. This luxurious resort will make you feel like royalty.

Newport has something for everyone: amazing seafood, history, boating, shopping, and people watching. Pack a good pair of walking or boat shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and your sense of adventure — Newport will dazzle your soul.

For more on Newport, see this piece.

14 Fantastic Things To Do In Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is one of those towns that many overlook, and I’m not quite sure why. The history, cowboy culture, art, parks, high adventure, and unique districts make it a fantastic place to visit. OKC is often referred to as The Modern Frontier. If you allow yourself, you will be able to take a step back in time during your visit to Oklahoma City. I fell in love with this city when I spent a couple days there during a 2017 press trip. Now, I find myself stopping in Oklahoma City during my annual winter road trip from Iowa to Texas.

With four interstate highways running through town, it’s easy to reach from any direction. Each time I go, I find something new to explore, and based on my time there, these are the 14 things that you need to experience when you set foot in Oklahoma City.

1. Oklahoma City National Memorial And Museum

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and residents of Oklahoma City who were impacted by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. On my first visit, I explored the grounds at sunset. It was here that I realized how powerful the impact was. There are 168 chairs in the Field of Empty Chairs. The nine rows represent the floors of the federal building that once stood in the field. You will notice that each chair has the name of someone who was killed on that floor. This memorial really hit home for me, as our youngest son was born that same spring, and 19 children were killed on that somber day.

If you go at sunset, make it a point to go back the next day to tour the inside of the building. Here is where you may meet someone who survived the bombing and learn how the people of Oklahoma City came together after this tragedy. If you only have time to do one thing in this city, this is what you need to do. There is handicap parking and an elevator in the building.

The Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

2. Conestoga Wagons And Teepees

For an unforgettable camping experience, book a stay at the Orr Family Farm, where you can glamp in a Conestoga wagon or teepee. These unique lodging experiences are an upgraded take on First American teepees and the wagons American settlers used as they made their way west across North America. This is a truly memorable experience in the suburb of Oklahoma City. Travelers of all ages will appreciate the detail that has gone into the wagons and teepees. Summer is hot in this area of the country, and guests will be delighted to know that these units offer temperature controls and deluxe mattresses.

The entrance to Stockyards City in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

3. Stockyards City

Stockyards City is where visitors to Oklahoma City can experience the Wild West. In the 1900s, this area was a boomtown with a public livestock market and a meatpacking plant, which encompassed the stockyards. The 1970s arrived and this area had grown to become the largest stock/feeder cattle market in the world. Today, visitors can experience the West through the history and shops that showcase Western wear. If your visit is timed correctly, you can experience a livestock auction. You will want to pull up your cowboy boots and spend a good portion of your day strolling the streets in this area.

A red panda at the Oklahoma City Zoo. — VisitOKC.com

4. Oklahoma City Zoo

The Oklahoma City Zoo offers beauty along with memorable animal experiences. The elephant and sea lion experiences were two that I will always remember. All participants get up close with the animals, who are cared for by an animal trainer who takes the lead. You will find yourself wanting to learn more about all of the animals in the zoo after you participate in one of these experiences. Each of these activities does have a fee that is not included in the general admission. There is plenty of shade at this zoo, but be prepared to do a lot of walking.

Riversport Adventure in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

5. Riversport Adventure

Riversport Adventure offers a variety of adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Zip lines, sky slides, climbing, kayaking, and white-water rafting are highlights of what is offered. Do not wear your flip flops, slides, or Crocs, as you will need to wear water shoes, tennis shoes, or sport sandals. If you have eyeglasses, put on a safety strap as soon as you enter the park. When you go prepared, your outdoor adventure day in Oklahoma City will be the best it can be.

The Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

6. Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center is where you will experience the history of the state. Oil and gas make up part of this history, and the Dust Bowl also played its part. When I hear the word Oklahoma mentioned, I do think of tornadoes. You can learn more about them at the history center, too. Oklahoma history comes to life once you step through its doors. People of all ages will appreciate the stories and the history that are showcased in the center. This facility is conveniently located near I-35 and I-40 and offers convenient drop-off and pick up. If you were not a history buff when you entered this center, you will be after your visit.

Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

7. Science Museum Oklahoma

Science Museum Oklahoma is where guests of all ages can experience science with their hands. If you enjoy science and an opportunity to explore with people of all ages, you will enjoy this museum. The best tip I can give you is to arrive after lunch — after most of the school groups have visited for the day. Keep in mind that every museum in Oklahoma City has enough to keep you busy for one full day. Depending on the length of your visit and who you’re traveling with, you might even want to return before you leave town.

Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

8. Lake Hefner

Lake Hefner is where you can experience nature while visiting Oklahoma City. Plan a visit at sunset near the lighthouse for a memorable evening by the lake. Or pack a picnic lunch and arrive earlier in the day if you want to take a stroll around the lake. If you need to burn a few calories, lace up your tennis shoes and hike the nine-mile walking path. If golfing is your game, you can spend some time on the greens at the Lake Hefner Golf Club. Oklahoma City does not have a bad meal in town, so this may be the best opportunity to burn off those extra calories.

9. National Cowboy And Western Heritage Museum

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is where you can meet the cowboys and cowgirls of the West. As you enter, be sure to take a selfie with the magnificent and iconic End of the Trail statue that greets you when you arrive. This is your first insight into the wow factor that this museum offers. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, so be sure to explore the grounds. I would recommend spending a minimum of four hours in this museum.

10. Bradford House

The Bradford House is a 36-room boutique hotel in the heart of Oklahoma City. This property is a rehabilitated historic residence that’s been turned in to a stunning boutique hotel. When you visit Oklahoma City, it will not take you long to learn that the town is serious about saving its buildings. They turn worn down properties into magical places for people to visit. If you want a night’s stay in a cozy setting surrounded by history, this is where you will want to be.

Bricktown in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

11. Bricktown

Bricktown is where you find OKC’s river walk, plus restaurants, bars, and even a baseball park. This particular district is my favorite of all the districts in Oklahoma City, as I’ve managed to really connect with the locals here. I enjoy meeting people when I travel, and the people here are very welcoming. Take the time to stroll through this area and see why the people of this city are so proud of it. I enjoy visiting Bricktown in the evening, as outdoor dining opportunities are ample, along with the river views. For a different view, board the water taxi for a relaxing experience on the water. If you are hankering for a steak, head on over to Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse. You will have a tasty meal and find yourself planning a return visit.

The Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

12. Paseo Arts District

The Paseo Arts District is where you will find street art, galleries, shopping experiences, and multiple restaurants. The arts are alive in Oklahoma City, and this district is where you can stroll for hours, taking it all in. With more than 20 art galleries in the district, artisans and aficionados will want to spend a full day in the area. As you stroll along, you will notice the architecture that is unique to this part of Oklahoma City, which includes stucco buildings and clay-tiled roofs.

TopGolf at Chisholm Creek in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

13. Chisholm Creek

Chisholm Creek is Oklahoma City’s first pedestrian-friendly mixed-use neighborhood. With 190 acres, this is a bustling area of the city. TopGolf, iFly, and Cabela’s can all be found here. The green spaces and miles of pedestrian trails make this a favorite area of Oklahoma City for many. Your chic shopping experience accompanied with contemporary entertainment options will make this a memorable stop on your visit to the capital city of Oklahoma.

A streetcar in Oklahoma City. — VisitOKC.com

14. Oklahoma City Streetcar

A fairly new addition to Oklahoma City is the Oklahoma City Streetcar. This project was completed in 2018 and is used by thousands of people today. It’s a terrific way to explore the city and all of the downtown tourist attractions. This makes it easy to navigate Oklahoma City. Street parking is mostly free throughout the downtown area, but pay attention to how long you can park in one space. You can also check into one of the numerous parking garages throughout the city and hop on the streetcar. If you have never been to Oklahoma City, it is a great way to get a feel of the land.

Oklahoma City is a bustling metro area, so you will find it easy to stay as busy as you like. For the perfect visit, I recommend going in the spring or fall. The weather is nice and it’s not too hot or too cold. Allow yourself to be immersed in the pioneer days and experience all that this town has to offer in the 21st century. Your visit will be one you want to share with friends and family, as Oklahoma City will surprise you in many good ways.

Ready to book your trip? Check out home rentals here:

10 Gorgeous Hikes In Western Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a vast outdoor playground. There are thousands of miles of hiking trails in the Keystone State, from easy flat trails to difficult mountainous terrain. So next time you visit, pack your hiking shoes and get outdoors for a hiking adventure. Not sure where to start? Let me introduce you to a few of my favorite trails.

I selected the following trails for their scenery, uniqueness, and accessibility.

1. Shawnee Lake Trail, Shawnee State Park

Schellsburg

This easy trail is scenic and circles around Shawnee Lake. The path is wide and level with a picturesque view of the lake, and in the fall, the changing leaves give a spectacular show. This trail is a very easy walk as it’s a level surface with an almost unnoticeable elevation gain. The trail is covered with fine gravel, so no big rocks or roots.

Allow a minimum of two hours to complete the entire loop, and be sure to take your camera because you are sure to see some small wildlife — maybe including a deer or two — and numerous eye-catching plants as you hike around the lake.

Kinzua Bridge State Park in western Pennsylvania. — Robin O’Neal Smith

2. Kinzua Bridge State Park

Mount Jewett

This is my pick for the best hike in Western Pennsylvania. Check out TravelAwaits’ picks for the best hikes in all 50 states here. The Kinzua Bridge State Park has both easy and more difficult trails, and it also provides epic panoramic views of mountains, valleys, historic landmarks, and even a railroad.

The easy trail to the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk ends with a walk on the 301-foot-tall skywalk. A broken railroad bridge turned into a pedestrian walkway in 2011, it features a glass-bottom end section. You can stroll 600 feet out onto the skywalk. Looking out over miles of forest and the gorge provides a spectacular view. I visited in the spring, but it would be absolutely gorgeous when the leaves change in fall.

Another easy trail takes you along the old railroad bed. It is flat and an easy, level hike.

The more difficult trail takes you down steep banks and rock steps to the bottom of the Bridge Skyway to view the remainder of the bridge wreckage as it was left after a tornado struck in 2003. This particular trail requires hiking shoes with excellent traction.

If only hiking the skywalk, an hour or two spent here would be fine. Plan for half a day if hiking the other trails, too.

3. Pennslyvania Turnpike Tunnel Hike

Breezewood

A portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was abandoned in the late 1960s when new roads were built in the area. The full hike is nearly eight miles in length and includes two tunnels. It’s paved, but broken in spots, so it is a mostly easy walk with some gentle climbs, but a bit long to do both tunnels. For a fun and more manageable experience, I recommend a shorter hike out and back to the first tunnel.

This hike takes you along the old roadway and tunnels, which were part of America’s first long-distance limited-access highway, which opened in the 1940s. Now the abandoned roadway and tunnels are accessible only by foot or bike.

If you take this interesting hike, be sure you stay on the roadway and do NOT go without a flashlight. It is very dark and damp inside the tunnels and, I will admit it, a bit scary if it is totally dark since neither end of the tunnel is visible from the center.

Coming from the east, the larger of the two tunnels, Sideling Hill Tunnel, is a short hike, and the tunnel is 1.3 miles long. If you continue for another 3.5 miles, you come to the half-mile long Rays Hill Tunnel. If starting on the west end, you will park in Breezewood.

Plan to spend two to four hours on this trail, depending on how far you want to hike.

Pro Tips: This is an abandoned tunnel area, and signs near the entrance let you know you are proceeding at your own risk. Take a jacket and a flashlight.

4. Cucumber Falls Trail, Ohiopyle State Park

Ohiopyle

Ohiopyle State Park is a large park with a half dozen waterfalls and fascinating trails. The payoff for this trail is the Cucumber Falls, a 30-foot cascade that drops into the Youghiogheny River.

Parking is available near the Cucumber Falls trailhead. There is an easy short trail to an overlook that will afford you an excellent view of the falls from above.

If you descend several dozen stairs, you will be at the base of the falls. You can even get closer by following the trail along the river. If you go closer to the falls, use caution because the rocks will be slippery. You can even go behind the Cucumber Falls if you desire.

Plan at least an hour for this trail. You could spend the day in the park seeing other falls, too.

5. Ridge Runner Trail, Presque Isle State Park

Erie

While Pennsylvania is not near the ocean, you can experience the next best thing at Presque Isle State Park. This 3,200-acre park has sandy beaches, trees, and even a lighthouse, so your hike will be full of impressive scenery.

The moderate to difficult Ridge Runner Trail is a two-mile hike. It includes a sand ridge not maintained by park staff, so sure footing and sturdy hiking boots are needed.

If you are not up to a difficult hike, you can view this scenic area by exploring the paved path near the Perry Monument. It is an easy 1.6-mile hike.

Balanced Rock Trail in Trough Creek State Park, Pennsylvania. — Bonnie Strickler Saboe

6. Balanced Rock Trail, Trough Creek State Park

Entriken

Trough Creek State Park is an area I have hiked many times. The Balanced Rock Trail is a steep hiking trail rated as difficult. But it is a short 0.12 miles, and if you have suitable hiking footwear with traction and good balance, you should be able to handle this hike. I was able to complete it even when I was very out of shape and didn’t have the proper footwear.

The end-of-trail reward is Balanced Rock, an unusual geological formation that looks like a rock hanging off the side of the mountain.

There are other less-strenuous hikes in the park. One of my favorites takes you to Rainbow Falls. Just be aware of trail conditions and have quality footwear with traction for this park. Some paths are narrow in spots and you will encounter roots, rocks, and cliffs.

7. Thousand Step Trail (Part Of Standing Stone Trail)

Mount Union

The Thousand Step Trail has a set of 1,000+ rock steps that form part of the half-mile hiking trail. Not for the faint of heart or out of shape hiker, it is considered difficult because of the many stone steps. While this hike is strenuous the entire time, there are places to stop and rest as you climb.

Built in the 1930s, the Thousand Step Trail was created for miners to use to make their way to a sandstone mine known as the Ledge Quarry. The steps are numbered by 100, so your progress can be measured as you climb. Even if you only make the first 100 steps, it feels like an accomplishment.

Once you arrive at the summit — that would be step 1,037 — plan to rest a bit, and enjoy the magnificent view.

On your leisurely walk down the steps, take time to enjoy the scenery.

Pro Tip: Be careful on the steps, especially when wet or in the winter when they could be covered in ice.

An abandoned bridge along the Ghost Town Trail in Pennsylvania. — Kathy D. Reasor / Shutterstock

8. Ghost Town Trail

Ebensburg To Blacklick

This unique hike features remnants of a railway with old mining towns lining the hiking trail. On the Ghost Town Trail, you will see coal-industry equipment, discarded rail cars, the Eliza Furnace, and informative signs along the way with historical information. You can’t wander around the ghost towns since they are mostly on private property, but the hike is fun and entertaining.

The trail is rated easy and is made of crushed limestone, and you will share the path with bikers. The entire trail is 36 miles in length. You can start in Ebensburg or Blacklick and hike as far as you are comfortable. I’d plan for at least two or three hours on this trail so you get to see some of the ghost towns.

9. Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Pittsburgh

Not everyone can go out to the rural areas to hike. But luckily, there are several urban trails near Pittsburgh to enjoy, and this is one of them. You can hike the 24-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail system without leaving the city. It’s an urban trail with views of the rivers and city sights. You’ll enjoy an easy, level paved path spanning the banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. It is excellent for walking, but be aware that inline skaters and bikers are permitted on this path, too. You can spend a half-hour to all day walking along the rivers and discover why Pittsburgh is a must-visit Pennsylvania destination along the way.

10. Highland Park Trails

Pittsburgh

An expansive hilltop park, Highland Park is home to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and hosts several walking trails. These easy trails have beautiful scenery, including Lake Carnegie. Plan to spend an hour or so on the park’s trails.

The next time you visit the Keystone State, I hope you will plan a hiking adventure. There are numerous Pennsylvania hiking trails and nature experiences just waiting for you. Get out and enjoy nature and the fresh air as you explore Pennsylvania on foot.

This article is presented by KEEN Footwear. I have been enjoying my KEEN Terradora II Waterproof hiking boots. I love the traction they provide even on slippery rocks and how they fit my narrow feet and provide arch support. Shop KEEN’s Terradora II and other hiking shoes here.