Best Things to Do in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. Is Magical I grew up on Long Island and Washington D.C. is just over a four-hour drive from my hometown. Because of that, I was able to visit Washington many times over the years for weekend trips with friends, school trips, business trips, and visiting my cousin who has lived there for the past fifteen years. I love spending time in Washington, there’s something magical about the history and energy of this city. I love walking around the capitol and the monuments, spending an afternoon in a Smithsonian museum, and finding a new spot to have lunch. With more than 175 embassies, ambassador’s residencies, and international cultural centers,…
Cozy Winter Getaway to Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater is Such a Quaint Town Stillwater is an adorable, quaint town nestled along the St. Croix River. The downtown area has a huge selection of restaurants, bars, bakeries, and boutiques. During the warmer months, there are a lot of great places to have a picnic, take a guided trolley ride around town, and even a gondola on the river! And there is no shortage of things to do during the colder months. From free holiday LED light shows, to horse-drawn wagonette rides, ice palace maze and luxury hotels, Stillwater is a cozy and welcoming place in the winter. This post is sponsored by Discover Stillwater. All thoughts and opinions are my…
9 Reasons to Visit Crosby, Minnesota During Winter
Crosby is a Town Reborn Cuyuna Country is one of Minnesota’s three iron ranges and it includes the towns of Crosby, Ironton, Cuyuna, and a handful of small neighboring towns within a few miles from each other. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this region was booming, but eventually, that industry came to an end, and the Cuyuna iron mines went dormant in the late 1950s. Half a century later, locals and community leaders began reimagining what this area could be. What were once functioning mine pits are now beautiful lakes. Some mine lakes in this region are 400 or 550 feet deep, making the water clean and crystal…
Awesome Things to Do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the Midwest’s Cultural Hub Over the years, the Twin Cities have gained national attention for being the midwest center for arts, music, theater, culture, incredible cuisine, and nearly 20 Fortune 500 companies, making it a great place to live and work. Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and Minneapolis is known as the City by Nature with one of the top park systems in the country. Minneapolis boasts some of the best biking and walking trails, connecting lakes, beaches, and popular neighborhoods for miles. Plus, Minneapolis has a 53-foot waterfall at the Minnehaha Regional Park (details below). Minneapolis also has several fantastic colleges, including the University of…
20 Must-See Places Along Minnesota’s North Shore
Minnesota’s North Shore Is Breathtaking Lake Superior’s North Shore is a truly magical place. Parts of the North Shore remind me of Ireland and Vancouver and I can’t seem to get enough of it. Every time I go, I discover another great hike, coffee shop, or lunch spot. Here’s the full summary of the absolute must-see spots along Minnesota’s North Shore. 1. Canal Park Canal Park is a bustling section of Duluth with tons of restaurants, a brewery, and distillery, and many shops. We love Canal Park Brewery for burgers and beer, or Vikre Distillery for fancy cocktails. For excellent seafood, stop by Northern Water Smokehous, or Vitta Pizza for Neapolitan-style…
2021 Holiday Gift Guide with Discount Codes
Happy Holidays The holiday season is here and I’ve put together a really fun gift guide for the adventurer in your life! This gift guide is filled with products and companies I love and fully support. Additionally, as a special thank you for supporting Expedition Kristen, I’ve worked with many of these awesome local businesses to pull together exclusive discount codes just for you. Most discount codes are good from November 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted below. Please note, this blog post contains affiliate links and if you click on an affiliate link and complete a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This does not…
Top 5 Minnesota Winter Destinations
The Best Minnesota Towns to Visit During Winter Just because the weather is getting cold and the days are getting short doesn’t mean our fun has to stop. One of the things I appreciate most about Minnesotans is their hardiness when it comes to the cold. With some warm boots and a great hat, Minnesotans will be outside all winter. Although I grew up on Long Island where winters are much milder, my family would go to Vermont every winter to downhill ski. With the right clothing and attitude, nothing is too cold! Read on for the top five places to visit during winter in Minnesota. 1. Northfield, Minnesota I…
14 Awesome Things to Do in Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a Great Place for a Getaway I absolutely love spending time in Duluth, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer visit when possible. I’ve visited Duluth many times over the years for vacation, as a lunch stop on the way up to the North Shore and even a wedding. My brother-in-law lived there for three years as well, and that gave us a great excuse to drive up from the Twin Cities and visit him often. After a number of trips to Duluth, this is a roundup of my favorite things to do, see and eat in Duluth! Where We Stayed Duluth has a ton of options…
