7 Totally Free Walking Tours In Seoul

Nothing beats walking to find the soul of a city. So, when I visited Seoul, South Korea, in December 2019 while I was housesitting, I signed up for several walking tours — all of which were offered free of charge!

Some tours of the more traditional tourist sites are organized by the Seoul tourism offices, while some off-the-beaten-path tours are guided by Korean university students who want to practice their English, show off their favorite “hidden gems,” and earn a few won in tips.

There are actually about 60 free walking tours offered (29 are offered by the city of Seoul alone!), but here are seven to get you started. So, break out your sneakers and get ready to walk, stroll, climb, and savor Seoul!

Here are my favorite free walking tours:

The writer on the Sky Park walking tour. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

1. Sky Park, Seafood Market, And Street Food Tour

Guided by 24-year-old art major Rim Jeonghye, this tour found me and fellow tourist Pierre, an American vacationing from teaching English in China, panting up 292 steps to Haneul Sky Park and its fabulous views of the Han River and Seoul’s towering skyline. A reclaimed landfill, the park is best known for its silver grass, which is celebrated during a festival every fall.

After working up an appetite, we headed to the extensive Mapo Agricultural and Marine Market. Pierre had heard that eating live octopus (called sannakji) is a special Korean delicacy, so Rim led us to an octopus vendor who chopped up a small octopus and doused it with sesame oil. Since the dismembered tentacles were still wiggling on the plate, I passed.

Next up was a stroll through Mangwon Market, a local, non-touristy food market with raw and prepared foods. Rim knew every stall that offered free samples, so we had our own private — and free — street food tour!

Tip: Wear layers to shed as you hike up the stairs. And come hungry!

Additional Tour Info

Other free tours offered by TodaysFriend include guided walks around Dongdaemun Culture Park, the Ikseon-dong neighborhood, and Deoksu Palace and Seoul’s City Hall.

TodaysFriend.com | Sky Park Tour | admin@todaysfriend.com

A chocolate cafe in the neighborhood of Seochon. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

2. Seochon Tour: Where Old Alleys Meet New Galleries

The City of Seoul offers 29 free walking tours conducted by trained volunteer guides featuring subjects from the healing arts to architecture. Visit palaces, gardens, traditional villages, royal tombs and more during these free two-hours tours.

I walked around Seochon, one of Seoul’s art-oriented neighborhoods, on a City of Seoul walking tour. Dotted with art galleries and trendy coffee shops, this hilly area features the Sangchonjae Hanok House, a refurbished traditional home with 19-century underfloor heating (called ondol, a feature still used today). My guide and I took a break at the base of the Suseongdong Valley before window-shopping along a boutique-lined alley.

Tip: Since these volunteer guides do not accept tips, treat them at a coffee shop. We stopped at an en-route cafe for the most sumptuous dark hot chocolate drinks!

Additional Tour Info

Reservations must be made online at least three days in advance.

VisitSeoul.net | Seochon Tour | walkingtours@sto.or.kr

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

3. Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour

Built in 1395, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, whose name means “The Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven,” is nestled between Mount Bugaksan and Mount Namsan. Today, surrounded by high-rise office buildings, it stands as a monument to fortitude: The Palace has been destroyed and rebuilt three times.

There are many local tour companies that charge for their guided tours, but free English tours are offered at the palace three times each day at 11 a.m, 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. No reservations are necessary.

Tip: Deck yourself in hanbok (traditional Korean attire) from one of the nearby clothing rental shops and enter the palace grounds for free. Otherwise, the cost is 3,000 won (about $2.50).

Additional Tour Info

See the Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office’s official site.

A narrow street in Bukchon. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

4. Bukchon Tour: Where History Lives

Bukchon is a well-preserved neighborhood of hanok — traditional Korean homes — that are now a network of private residences, traditional craft workshops, guesthouses, cafes, tea houses, and boutiques. The Soul Free Walking Tour starts at the Bukchon Traditional Cultural Center, which is an actual hanok with rice paper doors and underfloor heating.

As we wandered the narrow streets, my three guides stopped for a street food treat and for photo ops at spectacular views over the gracefully up-turned arched roofs. We went on to Chung-Ang University, a former kindergarten that served as a secret meeting spot for Korean dissidents during the Japanese occupation.

Finally, we stopped at the Dong-Lim Knot Workshop, where I had the option for 7,000 won ($6) to create my own bracelet using traditional garakji knots. (It’s a lot harder than it looks!)

My guides — three smart, personable students studying microbiology, international relations, and fashion design — and I were having so much fun, we lunched at a traditional Korean restaurant.

Tip: Bukchon is hilly, so be prepared to climb. Also, these guides do not accept tips, so a coffee or street treat is appreciated!

Additional Tour Info

Other free tours offered by Seoul Free Walking Tours include a political tour of the Gwanghwamun area to explore Korea under the Japanese occupation and a tour of Bongeunsa Temple to explore Korean Buddhism.

SeoulFreeWalkingTour.wixsite.com | Bukchon Tour | seoulfreewalkingtour@gmail.com

The Blue House in Seoul, South Korea. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

5. President’s Garden Tour

With at least three weeks’ notice, foreigners can schedule a tour of the Republic of South Korea’s President’s gardens outside Cheong Wa Dae, the official residency and administrative compound of the president and first lady.

Colloquially called the Blue House because of the shiny blue tiles that make up its roof, this is where cabinet meetings, receptions for state guests and diplomatic events take place. The one-hour tour covers Nokjiwon (the Green Grass Garden, which features a 170-year-old pine tree and is where public events are held), the site of the original Cheong Wa Dae building, and Yeong Bin Gwan (the State Guest House).

You must apply online and provide your passport information. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email and code.

Tips: Remember to take your passport; you will be asked for it several times. But leave behind large bags and political leaflets. Also, read up on the Blue House before you go, as there are no live bilingual guides, although a brief English-language recorded audio guide is provided (free). I recommend listening to the audio guide before your tour (there are several minutes waiting in an auditorium before the tour starts).

Additional Tour Info

Cheong Wa Dae, President’s Residence Official Web Page | foreign@president.go.kr

The Seodaemun Prison in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

6. Seodaemun Prison Tour

During a sobering tour offered by the university students volunteering with Seoul-Mate Tours, you can visit Seodaemun Prison. The prison was built by the Japanese during their occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945 and was where 3,000 Korean freedom activists were tortured, imprisoned, and executed.

Four students led my tour, each explaining one section of the prison — and of Korea’s dark history under the occupation. Korean men were conscripted to serve in the Japanese Army and Korea’s women were conscripted to serve as sex slaves (or what the Japanese called “comfort women”). One of the students spoke about the experiences of her grandmother, who was forbidden from speaking Korean during the occupation and was forced to adopt a Japanese name.

Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was outlawed, and highly educated Koreans wrote in Chinese; some of the prisoners’ Chinese-language correspondence is on display. In fact, some of the prisoners were poets who were arrested for writing in hangeul.

The tour is extensive, allowing visitors to go into isolation cells, to stand in coffin-like sensory deprivation boxes, and to enter into an execution chamber where prisoners were hung. The prison grounds also included factories where prisoners made their own uniforms and, later, supplies to support the Japanese war efforts.

Seoul-Mate offers 14 other walking tours — all less intense than this one — including walks through and around the National Hangeul Museum and the Seoul City Wall.

Tip: Again, these students do not accept tips, so treating them to coffee is not only appreciated, but a further opportunity for them to practice speaking English and for you to interact with these smart, well-traveled students.

Additional Tour Info

Seoul-Mate.com | seoulmate.rsvt@gmail.com

Gwangmyeong Cave Tour in Seoul. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

7. Gwangmyeong Cave Tour

Go underground at the Gwangmyeong Cave, a former gold mine, during one of Korean Transit Tours six walking tours for short-term visitors passing through Seoul. With a layover of up to 24 hours, you could walk off jet lag at Jeondeungsa Temple, the hip area of Insa-dong, the Triple Shopping Street, the World Cup Stadium, or one of Seoul’s food markets.

Tip: Be sure to be on time at your meeting spot, or risk paying a hefty fee for a taxi back to the airport to catch your flight!

Additional Tour Info

Airport.kr | transittour@airport.kr

Treating the tour guide to a street food snack. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

General Tips To Enhance Your Seoul Walking Tour

Be on time. Other visitors may be taking the tour, too, and the guide might not be able to wait.
Check your travel time on Rome2Rio. Seoul is deceptively huge and it can take an hour or longer to reach a meeting point, which is usually the specific exit of a metro stop. Be sure to head to the correct exit number, or risk being several blocks out of your way.
Get the guide’s What’s App number ahead of time so you can text if you get lost — or to contact them the morning of if the weather looks dicey.
Tip the guide at the end … or at least treat them to coffee or a street food treat.
Be patient. Some of the guides are not professionally trained; they are students practicing their English. Help them out! Chat them up!
Plan ahead. Some tours require two or three days’ notice, others a few weeks. Some tours run only on certain weekends.
Contact the tour group if you need to cancel so the volunteer guide isn’t stuck waiting for a no-show.
Be sure to respond if you are sent a reconfirmation email, or your reservation might get canceled.
Finally, these tours really are walking tours, so limit your carrying load and wear comfy shoes and weather-appropriate clothes.

What a way to walk off all that fabulous Korean barbecue and street food!

Visiting South Korea? Read up on 7 beautiful places in Seoul, plus 13 things I wish I knew before visiting the city.

Paris: The Best Things To See And Do In Every Season

Having lived in Paris for more than five years now, I have finally graduated from being a quite knowledgeable regular visitor to someone who intimately knows the city’s seasons, its highs and lows, its scents, lights, and moods. And, believe me, Paris truly is special in every season, even during the dreaded grisaille, the gray that hangs over the city in winter with its lack of color and its cold dampness.

Be it spring, summer, fall, or winter, there is always something unique to do in Paris, with special events, activities, and treats in store. I have chosen some of my personal favorites, all tried and found fun to do and experience. I look forward to these activities each year, as they are season-specific and allow you to celebrate in style. The only difficult part is picking a favorite season!

The ice skating rink in front of the Hotel de Ville. — Mariontxa / Shutterstock

Winter

Winter in Paris has the distinct advantage of drawing fewer crowds. Yes, the Christmas markets and the January sales attract people to the city, but overall, you’ll have more space, and you can admire the architecture without any foliage in the way. Bundle up, enjoy the fresh air, pop into a cafe, and be sure to try one of the following activities.

Take To The Ice

In winter, ice rinks pop up in the most wonderful places: on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, on the roof of the modern Grande Arche de la Defense, under the majestic roof of the Grand Palais, and in front of the Hotel de Ville. But you don’t have to skate if it’s not your thing — each location offers a cafe, a hot chocolate stand, or even a champagne bar, so you can enjoy the location, watch the skaters, and have just as good a time as they.

Go Window-Shopping

Every Christmas season, the grand department stores Printemps and Galeries Lafayette decorate their windows to tell a themed story, with little walkways provided for children so that they can see better, but just as lovely for adults. Galeries Lafayette goes one step further and puts up a gigantic Christmas tree, reaching several stories high to the top of the dome. Each year, the tree is different. There is a glass walkway above it for scary selfies, but the view from the small champagne bar on the first floor is also fabulous — especially with a flute of bubbles in your hand.

Visit A Magical Museum

Every Christmas, the Musee des Arts Forains, normally only accessible via organized tours, opens its doors to visitors. In winter, you are free to roam by yourself and admire all things fairgrounds and magic, from old carousels to secret gardens. This is a magical place that enchants the old and young alike.

Pro Tip: If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then go for a meal at Auteuil Brasserie. This is a former train station that served the old Petite Ceinture, and the entire brasserie is transformed every winter into a snowy wonderland complete with snowmen, reindeer, twinkling lights, and a menu that will warm you up.

Cherry blossom trees in Paris. — Vlasyuk Inna / Shutterstock

Spring

Ah, springtime in Paris — it sounds like a movie. And it truly is glorious, with the city’s 420+ parks all bursting into bloom. With the warm sunshine on your face, you won’t have a care in the world.

Marvel At The Cherry Blossoms

In April, Paris explodes into numerous shades of pink, with many parks showing off cherry trees in full bloom. The best places to go to marvel at the cherry blossoms are the tiny Square Marie Trintignant near the Marais, the even tinier Square Gabriel Pierne by the Institut Francais, the amazing Jardin de Reuilly Paul Pernin along the Coulee Verte, and the Jardin des Plantes.

Walk The Coulee Verte

To appreciate the beauty of fresh, young green leaves and spring flowers, walk the aforementioned Coulee Verte from the Bastille all the way to the Chateau de Vincennes. It’s about an hour and a half’s walk, gentle and bucolic, along another former railway line, the forerunner of New York City’s High Line. You’ll enjoy great views of Paris along the way.

Enjoy An Easter Concert At Sainte Chapelle

One of the most enchanting places in Paris, Sainte Chapelle, with its stunning stained glass windows, hosts a series of concerts over the Easter period. With music filling the chapel and the sun setting behind the windows, you can be certain of a wonderful evening in a special setting.

Pro Tip: Whether you are interested in horses or not, the spring show-jumping event Saut Hermes at the Grand Palais is a sight to behold.

Summer

Summer in Paris can be frustrating. It gets hot, most places do not have air-conditioning, and the city is crammed with tourists. In August, the city is also devoid of Parisians, which many people consider a bonus. Residents leave Paris en masse, and many restaurants and shops off the beaten track are closed for the month. So, if you walk in the more residential areas, you’ll get some peace and quiet.

Go Swimming In The Open Air

The city is aware that it can get hot, and it offers its people various ways of cooling down. Piscine Josephine Baker is a fabulous open-air pool on a boat in the Seine where you can swim, relax in the sun, and enjoy the views. The Bassin de la Villette cordons off a part of its canal, and you’ll find a sandy beach and plenty of sun loungers alongside it. Other beaches open near the Hotel de Ville. These are perfect for a taste of the Caribbean in the city.

Dine On An Island

Summer is the best time to head to the Bois de Boulogne and have lunch on a terrace that feels a million miles away from the city. The restaurant Le Chalet des Iles has its own island in the large lake in the Paris forest; you get across on a small ferry boat, and then you can roam the island and enjoy lunch in a bucolic setting, with many trees offering shade.

Parc Montsouris in Paris. — bellena / Shutterstock.com

Picnic In The Park

Paris has more than 420 parks, and the vast majority of them are lovely. But one of my favorites is the Parc Montsouris in the south of the city. Unknown to most visitors, it has it all: a lake, a pavilion, hills and valleys, plenty of art to explore, a cafe or two, and many secluded places to find some shade and enjoy a picnic. Either buy a fresh baguette and some cheese nearby, or have a picnic delivered to you in the park via a service such as Casual Picnic.

Pro Tip: Summer is the time for music festivals in Paris, and whatever gets your foot tapping — be it jazz or hip-hop, pop, or rock — there is a festival for you. The majority of the festivals take place in August. Check out the full list here.

Fall

This is the season when the city’s trees are most beautiful. An explosion of color can be found along every street, and while the weather can be damp, walking in Paris with its lights reflected in puddles is magical.

Celebrate The Wine Harvest In Montmartre

Did you know that there are several vineyards in the city of Paris? The city hosts an entire festival celebrating the grape harvest each autumn, the Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre. All around Sacre Coeur huts spring up, each selling either wine, champagne, or food, ranging from tapas to tartiflette, sandwiches to mushroom pans. It gets quite crowded later at night, so aim to go in the early evening.

Catch An Opera Al Fresco

Each year Les Invalides, home to Napoleon’s tomb, hosts the Opera en Plein Air in its courtyard. A stage and seating are set up, champagne tents offer sustenance, and the atmosphere is fantastic. It is usually scheduled to start just before dark, so you get the sunset as well as a musical performance. It’s a really special treat.

Appreciate Contemporary Art

FIAC, the annual international contemporary arts fair, takes over Paris’s boulevards, parks, and squares each fall. Tents filled with representatives of international galleries line the Champs Elysees, the Grand Palais hosts special exhibitions, and you’ll find free art installations across the city.

Pro Tip: Every year, Paris hosts Nuit Blanche, a Saturday night when museums stay open all night. The streets are filled with art installations, food stalls, and special events, and everybody stays up until the early morning hours.

Want to enjoy more of Paris off the beaten path? Check out these hidden gems, delightful shops, surprising things to do, and lesser-known churches in the city.

7 Truly Underrated U.S. Wineries Outside Of California

California produces about 80 percent of America’s wine, so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular destination for wine lovers who want to swirl interesting reds and savor dessert wines. But sprinkled throughout the 45 contiguous states east of the West Coast are many other phenomenal wineries.

Before you set out for your next wine getaway, check out one of these truly underrated U.S. wineries outside the Golden State.

1. Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Swisher, Iowa

Located about 15 minutes south of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Ridge in Swisher, Iowa, was the first licensed distillery to open in the Hawkeye State after the repeal of Prohibition. In addition to expertly converting Iowa corn into award-winning bourbon, Cedar Ridge was named the best winery in Iowa by Taste of Home in 2018.

Produced from grapes grown at the estate, Cedar Ridge wines range from fruit-flavored semisweet whites to plummy medium-bodied dry reds. Its premier wines blend Iowa grapes with California varietals to produce sparkling whites, reserve reds, and currant ports.

Pair your wine with a gourmet wood-fired pizza like the Margherita, with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and torn basil piled onto a housemade vodka marinara sauce. Or try the Three Little Pigs (because it is Iowa, after all), featuring pulled pork, diced ham, and smoked bacon bits.

2. Crossing Vineyards And Winery, Newtown, Pennsylvania

Just across the Delaware River from Trenton, New Jersey, Crossing Vineyards and Winery is named for the historic point where George Washington famously crossed the Delaware during the Revolutionary War. But more recently, the winery has been making history by bringing home Best of Bucks County awards for nearly a decade.

Crossing is led by Pennsylvania’s youngest vintner, Tom Carroll Jr., who dreamed of turning his family’s property into a winery since he was a 10-year-old boy. From a dozen varietals grown on-site, Crossing produces white, red, and specialty wines that have won medals at wine competitions from coast to coast.

3. Landon Winery, Texas

From humble beginnings in his basement in Kansas City, Bob Landon has parlayed his family’s German winemaking traditions into one of the largest wineries in Texas. Most recently, Landon Winery was recognized with several best-in-category awards at the 2019 Lone Star International Wine Competition.

Today, Landon Winery fills wine glasses with crisp pinot grigio, buttery chardonnay, luscious merlot, and velvety chocolate dessert wine at four locations in North Texas. The wines are sourced from the high Texas plains south of Lubbock (and in some cases blended with out-of-state varietals).

4. Luna Rossa Winery, New Mexico

Born and raised in Italy’s Friuli region, Paolo D’Andrea is a fourth-generation wine grower with a degree in viticulture. After proving that the New Mexico desert could produce quality wine grapes, he and his wife established Luna Rossa Winery in 2001.

Enjoy a variety of white, red, and dessert wines made from grapes grown in the family’s vineyards at one of two Luna Rossa tasting rooms, one in Deming and one in Las Cruces. At the Las Cruces tasting room just north of historic Mesilla, Luna Rossa wines are paired with authentic Italian dishes like antipasti platters, wood-fired pizzas, and saucy pasta dishes.

5. Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, Ronda, North Carolina

In the rolling foothills of the Yadkin Valley about an hour north of Charlotte, North Carolina, Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery focuses exclusively on dry Italian wines, earning it the nickname “the Chianti of the Carolinas.”

Using estate-grown vermentino, Montepulciano, and other grapes, Raffaldini embraces the medieval Italian winemaking technique known as appassimento. Rather than stomping freshly harvested fruit, Raffaldini dries its grapes, resulting in a unique complexity and higher alcohol content.

Stone Pillar Vineyard in Kansas. — Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery

6. Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery, Olathe, Kansas

Long before California wines stunned the world by winning the Judgment of Paris, Kansas led the nation in wine production. But state-specific restrictions against alcohol consumption followed by the 18th Amendment all but ended Kansas’s wine production for more than a century.

Today, winemakers like Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe are once again planting grapes and producing quality wines across the Sunflower State. With an emphasis on semisweet wines like Hofftoberfest, Redneck Rose, and moscato, this family-owned winery makes its vineyard a summer destination with Friday-night concerts and food trucks.

Yellowstone Cellars and Winery in Montana. — Sage Scott

7. Yellowstone Cellars & Winery, Billings, Montana

Using grapes grown in small family-owned vineyards in Washington’s Yakima Valley, Montana winemaker Clint Peck produces a selection of about 3,700 cases of French oak barrel-aged wines in Billings with Montana-inspired names like 406 (the local area code) and Rimrock Red (the sandstone formations that rise up from the farmland in parts of Billings). Yellowstone Cellars was recently recognized as the best winery in Montana by House Beautiful.

While California’s delicious dominance of American wine production is well earned, don’t overlook a chance to swirl, sniff, and sip wines from one of these underrated wineries elsewhere in the nation.

8 Reasons To Put Hampton, Virginia On Your Bucket List

Hampton, Virginia, with its lively waterfront downtown area, live music, air and space museum, activities on the bay, and delicious seafood, is located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. You’ll find the Chesapeake Bay to the north and east and the Hampton Roads Harbor to the south, so it’s no surprise that Hampton offers plenty of water activities and beaches.

Last spring, I spent two weeks traveling Virginia by train. My first stop was Hampton, where the city of Hampton hosted my visit.

Here are eight reasons to put this city on your bucket list.

The Emancipation Oak in Hampton. — Jill Dutton

1. It’s Steeped In History

The city of Hampton was founded in 1610 and is a true city of firsts. It was America’s first English-speaking settlement, the first place in the United States to offer free public education, and the location where NASA’s first astronauts trained.

The Hampton History Museum traces the long history of the city, from its English roots to its Native American connection to its role in the U.S. space program. After your visit, step out the back door of the museum to see Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the oldest English-founded parish in the U.S.

You can also visit Hampton University, opened in 1868 under General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, which educated freedmen and later Native Americans. Now one of the top private universities in the nation, it’s home to the Hampton University Museum and the Emancipation Oak.

The museum is the oldest museum dedicated to African-American culture and one of the oldest museums in the state of Virginia. It features traditional African, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian art; there are more than 9,000 objects. The museum’s fine arts collection houses the largest existing collection of works by artists John T. Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Richmond Barthe, and Samella Lewis.

Near the entrance to the campus you’ll find the Emancipation Oak, which, in 1863, was the site of the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, which accelerated the demand for African-American education.

The Virginia Air and Space Center. — Jill Dutton

2. It’s Home To The Virginia Air & Space Center

The Virginia Air & Space Center is the official visitor center of the NASA Langley Research Center. Visitors can explore more than 100 hands-on exhibits, including the Be An Astronaut exhibit, with its space mission simulations, and the Inflatable Lunar Habitat exhibit, where you can imagine life in a futuristic space colony. Also at the center are suspended, full-size aircraft and a 3-D IMAX theater.

Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. — JoMo333 / Shutterstock

3. Its Old Fort Is Free To Visit

Fort Monroe — named for James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States — took 15 years to build, starting in 1819. It was an active fort until 2011, when it was decommissioned after 188 years and opened to the public. Now it’s a vibrant public area that’s free to visit, with an abundance of history, walking paths with stunning views, restaurants, fishing opportunities, and even its own Segway tour.

Head to the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe for a look at life in the 1600s. Originally called Fort Algernoune, it was built in 1609 and served as a lookout point and defensive system for the Jamestown Settlement and the Hampton Roads Harbor. Fort Monroe was constructed from 1819 to 1834 and served as a Union bastion in the Confederate South during the Civil War. The museum houses the cell in which the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, was imprisoned. It’s also home to the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. The museum is self-guided and free to enter. For a fee you can arrange a guided tour.

The writer on a segway tour of Fort Monroe. — Jill Dutton

After visiting the museum, take a Segway tour of Fort Monroe with Patriot Tours and Provisions. During the hour-long tour, you’ll ride through the inner fort and down to the waterfront as your guide points out sites of historic significance. If Segways aren’t your preferred method of transportation, Patriot Tours and Provisions also rents bicycles, kayaks, and paddleboards, plus a selection of kites and beach supplies.

I was a little nervous trying a Segway for the first time, but the lessons I received beforehand and the assistance of the guide put me at ease. It was an exhilarating way to view the beautiful setting of the fort. Be sure to put on sunscreen before heading out.

4. Its Phoebus Neighborhood Is Charming

In Hampton, you can experience the charming neighborhood of Phoebus, known for its architecture, art, shopping, and unique dining options.

The owners of Mango Mangeaux, a vibrant mango-themed restaurant, started out making their own preserves to sell at farmers markets. Their preserves were featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. While they didn’t partner with a Shark, the Sharks loved the mango preserves, and they received 15,000 orders in 48 hours, equalling nearly 100,000 jars of preserves. Now the owners sell their preserves at their French, Creole, and neo-soul bistro in Phoebus.

Hampton’s premier farm-to-table restaurant, The Point, serves seafood and Southern favorites. The locally sourced foods are made from scratch in-house. My favorite is the fried chicken. If you like sweet and savory foods, try Rosemary’s Chicken & Waffles, or for a traditional chicken dinner, try the Chicken-Fried Goodness with buttermilk-fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, and collard greens.

Phoebus is a National Historic District with 400 years of history. Stop by Benders Books and Cards, a comic book and collectibles shop; Robert’s Antiques, which has been selling quality antiques since 1969; and the American Theatre adjoining the Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center.

5. You Can Take A Tour Of The Harbor And Chesapeake Bay

At the Hampton Maritime Center, you can check in for a cruise on the Miss Hampton II. This double-decker boat offers daily narrated cruises of the Hampton Roads Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. On the tour, you’ll see fishing boats and commercial cargo ships, plus sites like Blackbeard’s Point, the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, and the world’s largest naval installation, the Naval Station Norfolk.

6. It’s Got A Vibrant Downtown Area

Take a ride on the Hampton Carousel, one of only 70 antique wooden merry-go-rounds still operating in the U.S. The carousel, open year-round, is completely restored and safe from the elements inside a protected pavilion.

Head to Queens Way downtown for lunch or dinner at Brown Chicken Brown Cow, a hip spot for grass-fed and finished burgers and barbecue. Order one of the premium floats made from local antibiotic- and hormone-free milk; you can get them either “wholesome” — with strawberry or chocolate milk, root beer, or soda — or “boozy” — with a hard soda or mixed up as a Mudslide, Creamsicle, or Cinnamon Toast. There’s live music on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Another great spot is The Grey Goose. Start with Southern pulled-pork nachos, and then move on to hearty comfort dishes like Yankee pot roast or fried Rappahannock River catfish. The restaurant is known for its baked goods and popular dinner shows.

If you visit during the summer months, you can enjoy the Downtown Hampton Block Party, Hampton’s signature summer Saturday-night event series.

7. You Can Sample Fresh Seafood

Considering Hampton’s location, it’s no surprise that the coastal city’s seafood restaurants don’t disappoint.

Deadrise at Old Point Comfort Marina serves up fresh catches with unrivaled views. Dinner at sunset on the deck is simply divine.

At Graham & Rollins, a family-owned company since 1942, you can buy a fresh catch at the market or step next door to the restaurant. Enjoy she-crab soup for a starter, and then choose your type of fish, crab, or shellfish served with hush puppies and two sides.

8. There Are Festivals All Year Long

Hampton hosts festivals all year long. The Hampton Jazz Festival in June and the Coastal Virginia Bluegrass & Brew Festival in January draw big crowds, but there’s nothing quite as unique and fun as the Blackbeard Pirate Festival, when Hampton is overtaken by pirates. Pirate reenactors in full costume take you back in time to the busy port of times past. Blackbeard himself is there, as well as other legends of 1718 Hampton.

5 Unique Hotel Stays In Denver

Break away from the ordinary on your next trip to Denver. How does a “bath butler” sound? Or a room inspired by Jimmy Buffet or the Ghostbusters? The Mile High City has several unique hotels to make your trip that much more memorable.

Inside the Hotel Teatro in Denver. — HotelTeatro.com

1. Hotel Teatro

Unique amenities make the Hotel Teatro a one-of-a-kind experience in Denver. Perhaps the best is the “bath butler” — a package that gets you everything you need for a relaxing bubble bath, along with a bottle of champagne right in your room! It’s a perfect way to unwind from a long day of traveling or sightseeing. Hotel Teatro is pet-friendly too with no pet fees or weight limits (a rarity!), so your furry family member can also tag along on your adventures.

Other amenities include free cruiser bikes (but get them early — they are first-come, first-serve), free shuttle service within a 2.5-mile radius (which covers most tourist attractions downtown), plus a fitness center and free daily newspapers.

Staying at Hotel Teatro is a walk into Denver’s history. The hotel’s building was once home to the Denver Tramway Company. It even operated as a fortress during the Tramway strike in 1920. The building’s rich history earned it a spot on the National Register of Landmarks. It was transformed into a hotel in the mid-90s, and the hotel’s restaurant, The Nickel, is even a throwback to the time when people would pay a nickel to ride the streetcars. The restaurant’s weekend brunch highlights its history by featuring a bar car with Bloody Marys, mimosas, and White Russians complete with cereal-infused milk.

A room at Hotel Monaco in Denver. — Monaco-Denver.com

2. Hotel Monaco

Relaxation is key at the Hotel Monaco. Start your morning off with coffee and tea in the lobby and end the day with the hotel wine hour — all free! Even better: The wine hour involves short chair massages! During the day, the hotel’s close proximity to all downtown attractions — including the Denver Mint and 16th Street Mall — will make your vacation easier. You can walk or grab one of the hotel’s free cruiser bikes to get around. If you need a little more pampering, head to the VEDA Spa and Salon near the lobby or unwind with your (free) yoga mat in your room.

Hotel Monaco is a family-friendly and pet-friendly place, welcoming pets with in-room beds and bowls. Don’t have a four-legged friend to bring with you? You’re not out of luck. For the second year in a row, Hotel Monaco will offer its Puppies and Prosecco package on International Dog Day (Wednesday, August 26, 2020), meaning you can book your very own puppy party, complete with pup guests from a local rescue — plus a bottle of bubbly. Book this hotel online if you can. You’ll be able to unlock special deals, including a daily breakfast for just $1.

Food from Panzano at Hotel Monaco. — Monaco-Denver.com

Hotel Monaco is also home to one of the best Italian restaurants in the city: Panzano. The Zagat-rated restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though the happy hour is the best — and most economical — way to experience all Panzano has to offer.

Welcome package in a room at the Crawford Hotel. — TheCrawfordHotel.com

3. Crawford Hotel

If you’re headed to Denver strictly to experience downtown, the Crawford Hotel is a great choice. It’s a relatively new hotel — part of the massive renovation of Denver’s Union Station, the transportation hub of the city. You can take the A-Line directly from the airport to the hotel, eliminating the rental-car hassle. Many of Denver’s light rail lines either start or go through Union Station, making most of the city and its outlying areas very accessible from the Crawford.

Staying at the Crawford puts local restaurants and shops right at your doorstep. Inside Union Station, there’s Terminal Bar, where you can grab a cocktail and sit in the old train lobby dubbed the Great Hall. Look up and you’ll find what the hotel calls its “best kept secret,” the Cooper Lounge. It’s a more intimate lounge overlooking all the hustle and bustle below. Inside Union Station, there’s also Snooze, an AM Eatery — a local favorite brunch spot — plus a popular local bookstore, and an ice cream shop, and a variety of cuisines for dinner. Even better — your daily resort fee at the hotel gives you free items, discounts, and potentially even priority seating at some of these eateries — making you feel like a true VIP.

The Crawford Hotel's free Tesla. — TheCrawfordHotel.com

Once you’re fueled up, take in the city’s sights by foot. Places like Coors Field and LoDo are mere blocks away. The hotel’s free Tesla will take you anywhere within a two-mile radius or grab one of the hotel’s free e-bikes to explore other attractions.

Inside the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. — BrownPalace.com

4. Brown Palace Hotel

Having opened in 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel is the oldest hotel on this list. Located in Denver’s financial district, the hotel is decadent and charming starting with its exquisite lobby, where you can listen to live music weekly. The Brown Palace has hosted the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, among other famous musicians.

Start your stay with a tour of the hotel to learn about its intricate history. Then fuel up at one of its restaurants or bars, which includes the pub-style The Ship Tavern, upscale dining at the Palace Arms, and The Churchill Bar, a full-service cigar bar. Look closely and you may be able to spot a local politician.

Afternoon tea at the Brown Palace Hotel. — BrownPalace.com

A popular attraction for visitors (staying at the hotel or not) is Afternoon Tea at The Brown. It’s a proper tea with scones, tea, and imported butter. The tea during the holidays is a real treat, as the lobby is exquisitely decorated with lights, garland, and a large tree in the middle.

The Brown Palace Hotel is within walking distance of area attractions including the Denver Art Museum and the 16th Street Mall, but it does also offer a free car service within a five-mile radius.

A themed room at The Curtis in Denver. — TheCurtis.com

5. The Curtis, A Doubletree By Hilton

It’s all fun and games at this boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Denver. The 13-floor Curtis, a Doubletree by Hilton boasts several over-the-top themed rooms. Stay in the Ghostbusters room, the Chick Flick room, or the room inspired by Jimmy Buffet. The hotel’s retro lobby is just as fun, with board games, an extensive art collection, and even a five and dime with old fashioned treats.

Food from the Curtis Hotel restaurant. — TheCurtis.com

The hotel is steps away from many of Denver’s attractions and has a restaurant frequented by locals before a show at the Denver Center for Performing Arts next door. And here’s an insider tip: If you want to try for a free room upgrade, grab a nearby hula hoop and show them your skills or ask for a friendly game of rock paper scissors!

Headed to the Mile High City? Don’t miss these eight wonderful hidden gems in Denver.

Yosemite National Park: Best Places To Stay

I don’t know why I waited until I was in my late 40s to visit Yosemite National Park. I guess you hear the stories about the crowds and the traffic, and you start to think that it’s not worth it. You tell yourself you’ll visit during off-peak times, and then you never get around to it.

Well, let this article be your encouragement to visit Yosemite if you’ve never been. The Central Valley is truly one of the most amazing sights in the United States. Yes, there’s traffic on the weekends, but my wife and I almost didn’t mind. The views are just that amazing.

I’ll give you an example. We pulled off the road at one point and snapped this picture. It doesn’t look real, and this was just one of those random “pull off here — I want to get a picture of this” photos.

If you’re visiting Yosemite, you’ll need a place to stay. Here are some of the best options.

The Ahwahnee Hotel

I should start with some clarification here. If you’ve planned a trip to Yosemite in the past and then tried to plan one in the last few years, the names of the hotels were probably quite confusing to you. Due to a trademark dispute, the names of the hotels had to be changed in 2016 while the lawsuit was going on. What had been The Ahwahnee Hotel for decades was changed to The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, and the historic Camp Curry became Half Dome Village. People who had booked there for decades had to learn the new names of the hotels and campgrounds.

That dispute was finally settled in the summer of 2019, and all of the hotels returned to their original names, including perhaps the most historic hotel at Yosemite: The Ahwahnee.

A room at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. — Travel Yosemite

Built in the 1920s, The Ahwahnee is the true gem of Yosemite National Park. Of all the historic lodges in all of the national parks, The Ahwahnee stands out; there’s a reason it appears on so many top-five lists. It’s not easy to combine luxury with lodge living, but The Ahwahnee does so with ease, and it has the additional advantage of offering incredible views of Yosemite Valley.

Please note that The Ahwahnee is very pricey, but that seems to be a function of demand. For peak-season trips, despite very high room rates, you have to book weeks or months in advance. But the luxurious accommodations are worth it. The dining room alone — with its massive vaulted ceiling that makes you feel like you’re in a grand ballroom — is worth the expense.

Like I said, The Ahwahnee is truly the gem of Yosemite.

Yosemite Valley Lodge

The other main hotel on the north side of Yosemite Valley is the Yosemite Valley Lodge. This is perhaps the most centrally located lodge for those visiting the Central Valley. It is located near Yosemite Falls, so close that visitors staying at the lodge can walk there. (The best time to view Yosemite Falls, by the way, is late spring, when the snowmelt is in full force. Consider planning a trip for late April.)

The cost for a room varies based on time of year, but generally it’s less than half of the cost of a room at The Ahwahnee. While you’re not getting the luxury of The Ahwahnee, you still get a classic “staying at a fancy lodge in the mountains” experience.

A room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. — Travel Yosemite

The rooms are comfortable, the dining area is very nice, and the views in nearly every direction are spectacular.

If you’re traveling in a group, this should definitely be your choice. The Yosemite Valley Lodge has no problem accommodating large groups. Many families will rent a bunk room near the river with beds for the parents and bunk beds for the kids (or grandkids).

Wawona Hotel

This was where my wife and I stayed when we visited Yosemite last spring during peak waterfall season. We knew it would be busy, and while we wanted to see the waterfalls, we also wanted to explore other areas of the park, so we chose to stay 30 miles away from Yosemite Valley (but still within the park) at the Wawona Hotel (known as Big Trees Lodge during the trademark dispute).

My wife and I enjoy staying at places that take us back in time, and the Wawona Hotel did that and more. When you walk up the wooden steps of this Victorian hotel and onto the massive porch, you’re transported back to, say, the 1890s, when families retreated to this relaxing place in the mountains. The original building dates to 1856, and the additions were built in the early 1900s. Our building was constructed in 1903.

A room at the Wawanoa Hotel in Yosemite. — Travel Yosemite

Our room was simple, yet perfectly elegant. You can get a room with an ensuite bathroom or a room with a communal restroom down the hall. The dining area is nearly perfect if you’re looking for a Victorian lodge dining experience, with windows that open to the cool mountain breezes outside. After dinner each night we were there, my wife and I sat on the massive porch and enjoyed a cocktail.

The absolute best part of the stay was the evening presentation by Yosemite historian Tom Bopp. He played the piano in the lobby and showed a video on the long history of Yosemite, singing the songs of Yosemite’s history. I cannot recommend this presentation enough. If you plan to stay at the Wawona Hotel, call ahead to see if Tom will be presenting on one of the evenings.

Curry Village

If it’s a camping vibe you’re after, then you should consider staying at Curry Village. A stay there includes a hotel room in a massive tent. You’re not really camping — this is a tent with a wooden frame, wooden floors, a bed on a bed frame, and lighting — but you get the camping experience of sleeping “outdoors” in a canvas tent.

This experience is not for everyone. There are no televisions, no electrical outlets, and no phones. But that’s part of the appeal, and the reason it’s often difficult to book one of the tents. For many people — specifically those whose families took them to Camp Curry when they were children — staying at Yosemite means staying in one of the tents in Curry Village. You get the best of a campground and a hotel room at the same time.

Rush Creek Lodge

The four options above are all within Yosemite National Park and are operated by concessionaires chosen by the National Park Service. But those are not the only places to stay at Yosemite. There are also many lodges just outside the park limits that provide a comfortable, even luxurious stay minutes away from the park entrance.

Perhaps the best option outside the park is Rush Creek Lodge. This lodge is located only half a mile from the west entrance to Yosemite National Park. The drive from Rush Creek Lodge to Yosemite Valley is approximately 30 minutes, which, it’s worth noting, is the same length as the drive from the Wawona Hotel to the Central Valley, though the Wawona Hotel is located within the park.

A room at Rush Creek Lodge near Yosemite. — Rush Creek Lodge

Rush Creek Lodge has several lodging options. You can stay in the lodge itself in a mini-suite with a kitchenette. Or, if your party is larger than two or four people, you can stay in one of the hillside villas, with bedrooms that can hold up to six guests.

Wherever you stay, make sure to spend at least one day in the Central Valley. It’s truly one of the most spectacular places in the country.

Looking for more lodging options near Yosemite? Consider one of these gorgeous glamping spots.

As of June 11, 2020, visitors need a day-use reservation in order to enter Yosemite. For more information about park guidelines, check out our full list of national parks requiring changes for visitors.