Trip Types
Guides organized by the kind of trip you are taking: beach vacations, national parks, road trips, cruises and family travel, each planned hour by hour and dollar by dollar.
Best Hiking Trails in the Smokies
A ranked, opinionated guide to the eight best hiking trails in the Smokies, with NPS distances, elevation gain, and honest parking advice.
Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome)
Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) is the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet. Here’s the hike, parking, road closure dates, and whether it’s worth the…
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove Loop Road hours, the 2026 vehicle-free Wednesday schedule, drive time, wildlife, and the historic cabins worth stopping for on the 11-mile loop.
Great Smoky Mountains Parking Tag
The Great Smoky Mountains parking tag costs $5 a day, $15 a week, or $40 a year. Here’s where to buy one, the display rules,…
How to Plan a Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains
How many days to plan, whether you need a parking tag, which side to stay on, and the must-see stops for a first Great Smoky…
Budget Road Trip: How to Save Money on a Road Trip
A budget road trip comes down to three line items: gas, a hotel room, and food. Regular gas averaged $4.48 a gallon nationally as of…
Chicago With Kids: Best Chicago Itinerary With Kids
Chicago with kids works best around two or three anchor stops. Skydeck Chicago runs $32 for an adult and $24 for a child ages 3…
Disney World With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to Disney World
A Disney World kids trip starts with cost. A one-day ticket runs $119 for a guest age 10 and up, per Walt Disney World’s own…
Offline Maps for Road Trip: How to Download Offline Maps
Staying connected on a road trip comes down to three habits: download offline maps before you leave home, carry enough charging capacity, and plan for…
National Park Road Trip Cost
A national parks road trip budget comes down to three real costs: entrance fees, camping or lodging, and gas. The $80 America the Beautiful annual…
National Park Camping Checklist
A national park camping checklist breaks cleanly into six groups: shelter, sleep system, cooking, lighting, safety and food storage. First-time campers get the most value…
Oconee State Park Camping
Oconee State Park camping and cabins: two lakes, winter trout, the Foothills Trail. Fees, hours, minimum-stay rules and what to book, from the park’s own…
