We've Been There

Posted by Petra, Staff Writer

In our July/August issue, we offer 100 good reasons for you to hit the road. To help you pick your next destination, here are some photos from our own trips to places on the list.

#13: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (it includes 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail)

#17: Acadia National Park, Maine (tidepools, granite peaks, lighthouses, and unforgettable ocean views)

#18: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (a wonderland for mountaineers and backcountry campers)

#19: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (try Paintbrush Canyon for spectacular lakes and sightings of moose, elk, and bison)

#40: The Hotel San José in Austin, Texas (a stylish-but-cozy favorite among Blueprint's editors)

(bento box breakfasts!)

#73: Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia (a 105-mile stretch of road overlooking the Blue Mountains)

#83: Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, New Orleans, Louisiana (the ancient dive bar where Tennessee Williams used to tipple)

Be sure to check out the rest of the destinations -- are there any that you would add to our list? We'll post more snapshots as the summer goes on.

Comments

[jenny]

oh my word - skyline drive is where my husband of eight years proposed to me! so nice to see it recommended, it's so romantic as the sun sets...

[Xander]

Wow! It's actually one of my stranger life dreams to see moose in the wild... so I'm quite jealous! -X

[KERRI]

i *heart* the hotel san jose!!!! i live in the wonderful city of austin, texas, and i'm so happy to read that you enjoyed your stay there!

[brooke (nc)]

i was really excited that you guys included tortuga's lie on your list! i'm from the outer banks, and that restaurant really is amazing. kinda cool to see the hometown folks getting the recognition they deserve!

[Heather]

i loved this section of the issue, especially since the great smoky mountains was one of your destinations! did you guys visit the smokies as well? if so, what hikes did you do? i used to live there and the smokies are probably my favorite place in the world to be.

[Amy T.]

My brother just got married in front of a great view of Massanutten moutain, which runs parallel to the Blue Ridge mountains, near the Skyline Drive and Shenandoah Valley. It was absolutely lovely.