Coldson, Author at Holidaydons.com

A Guide to Navigating 6 Small Towns in Nevada (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

A Guide to Navigating 6 Small Towns in Nevada Nevada is so much more than just Las Vegas. Explore Nevada like you’ve never seen it before, from ghost villages to cowboy country. Before departing the Silver State, travelers should make time to visit these six little communities. Virginia City (Storey County) In 1859, the fortunes of Virginia City changed overnight when miners struck silver in the nearby desert hills of Storey County. The Comstock Lode silver deposit attracted miners from all over the country. With the boom also came bar brawls and … Read more

Guide to 5 National Parks in Alaska (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

Guide to 5 National Parks in Alaska More national parks are found in Alaska than in all the states along the Eastern Seaboard put together You may be familiar with Glacier Bay as well as Denali. But the remainder are less well-known, underappreciated, and thus crowd-free. Denali National Park Claim to fame: The tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley is more commonly known as Denali. Around the park, it’s generally referred to simply as “the mountain”—as in, “Can you see the mountain today?” (Hint: You probably can’t.) Good to know: Denali is … Read more

An Insider’s Guide to Assateague Island (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

An Insider’s Guide to Assateague Island The primary attraction of Assateague Island National Seashore is its wild horses, despite its sandy beaches, maritime woods, and salt marshes. It’s among the few locations in the country where visitors may witness horses living in freedom. Maryland and Virginia share a barrier island located 227 kilometers east of Washington, D.C. You can go to Assateague and make the most of your stay there with the aid of this insider’s guide. Getting to the Island Renting a car from Washington, D.C., is the easiest way to get to Assateague. The most direct route is to head east through Maryland over the 7-kilometer Chesapeake Bay Bridge into Delaware, then south back into Maryland. While it’s an easy and … Read more

Washington – Diverse terrain with hip city attractions (updated 2025)

by Coldson

A varied landscape with trendy city attractions When the untamed and untamed landscape of the Pacific Northwest appears before you and you have only recently left the large metropolis of Seattle, you will know you are in Washington. (In addition, every block has at least one espresso bar.) The only state in the “lower 48″ that offers the opportunity to stroll trails at a National Volcanic Monument in the afternoon, tour a national park in a temperate rainforest in the morning, and take in the scent of desert sage as the sun sets is Washington. Striking Landscapes Abound Shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity, Washington’s incredible geography is something you have to see to believe. Visit Mount Saint Helens, located just outside the city of Vancouver, to experience the unique thrill of hiking and climbing a dormant volcano. While the state has a … Read more

Road Trip: Salt Lake City, Utah, to Yellowstone National Park (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

When you combine a visit to Yellowstone National Park with a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, you’ll be treated to breathtaking landscapes, cutting-edge restaurants, and outdoor adventures. Wyoming and portions of Montana and Idaho are home to the magnificent Yellowstone, the first national park in the United States. Between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone, it’s a simple road trip that gives travelers plenty of time to thoroughly explore the area’s historical and natural monuments. Enjoy the Great Outdoors & Local Culture in Salt Lake City Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, is backed by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. You’ll find historic and cultural attractions with a focus on outdoor recreation, plus a vibrant nightlife and flourishing dining scene. You won’t lack for things to do, with some nine … Read more

Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation: Florida Everglades Exploring (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

Discover the native culture of South Florida while having fun in the Everglades. The Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, located deep within the Everglades and only an hour’s drive from the airports in Naples, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, offers visitors the chance to experience the indigenous culture and way of life of the Seminole Tribe, while also engaging in a wealth of adventure and leisure. Big Cypress RV Resort Head into the middle of the Everglades to find the Big Cypress RV Resort and campground. There are multiple lodging options, including RV sites, tent sites and a variety of cabins, as well as amenities like a swimming pool, mini golf and shuffleboard. Located right in the reservation, the resort is … Read more

Olympia – Explore the outdoors, and more (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

Discover the great outdoors and more in this state capital in the Pacific Northwest. Olympia Blessed with temperate winters, pleasant summers, evergreen forests, mountain ranges, and sandy beaches, the coastal state capital of Washington is an ideal place for days full of discovery, especially for those who love the great outdoors. Both in the downtown area and the surrounding countryside, this laid-back, unassuming town has lots to offer tourists seeking historical sites, artisanal cuisine, or cultural activities. History, Architecture and Museums The stunning State Capitol building, the No. 1 tourist attraction in Olympia, provides a striking focal point to this small, vibrant town. Designed in 1911 as part of an architectural competition, it is open daily for free tours. Olympia also has an Old Capitol Building, which was … Read more

The Bloomington – A mecca for shoppers and outdoor enthusiasts (updated 2025)

by Coldson

A shopping and outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise Bloomington Over 42 million tourists from close and far visit Bloomington each year. They travel to Mall of America because it is an incredible shopping destination with 520 stores, 50 restaurants, and more attractions than some theme parks. You have to see it to believe it. Additionally, making the pilgrimage is simple: You can get there with a short metro ride from the airport in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. But if you walk outside of this retail haven, you’ll find parks, gardens, trails, and preserves that provide outdoor entertainment all year long. Mall of America The USA’s largest retail and entertainment complex is anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom and offers the full spectrum of stores, from designer labels like kate spade new york, Burberry and Michael Kors to top tech stops Apple and Microsoft. Find culinary shops, toy stores, beauty … Read more

Frankenmuth – Frankenmuth, German heritage with small-town appeal (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

Frankenmuth: a charming tiny town with a German background To enjoy the finest of small-town living visit this charming village With a rich history, excellent shopping, and a plethora of cultural activities, Frankenmuth welcomes millions of tourists each year. This small city has rich Bavarian origins and resembles a German town. It has all the amenities you would expect from a German town, including cultural events and Bavarian restaurants, stores, and buildings. It is home to two of the biggest independently-owned restaurants in the United States, both of which serve delicious fried chicken meals, in addition to the largest Christmas store in the world. Experience the warmth and charm of Frankenmuth for yourself by taking a stroll through the flower-filled public gardens, riding a carriage through the town, or gliding down the Cass River in a passenger paddleboat. One-of-a-Kind Adventure & Food The name “Zehnder” is a big one in this city. Built in the Bavarian style, Zehnders of Frankenmuth includes Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark, a famed restaurant, a marketplace and a championship golf course within its expansive borders. Avoid the cold by hitting the … Read more

Albuquerque – Southwestern culture and outdoor adventures (Updated 2025)

by Coldson

Albuquerque Adventures outdoors and Southwestern culture in a city at a high altitude Situated in the shadow of the pink-hued Sandia Mountains and bisected by the powerful Rio Grande River, this high-altitude metropolis of over 500,000 inhabitants is the largest in New Mexico. Its past as the ancestry of Native American tribes for thousands of years and then as a Spanish colony in the eighteenth century is responsible for the unique Southwestern cultural flare and culinary scene. With 310 sunny days annually and breathtaking views of the mountains and desert, it serves as an outdoor playground all year round. Albuquerque’s Historic Center Founded in 1706, Old Town is the historical and cultural heart of Albuquerque. Take a seat in the middle of the square and admire the Pueblo-style buildings with their contoured adobe walls, flat roofs, beams and small arches. Marvel at the architecture of the San Felipe de … Read more