Author: Michael C. Upton

It’s all about location, location, location—whether for retail or for travel. When choosing a spot for a Las Vegas trip, location can make or break a special weekend. I always knew Westgate has some of the best resorts in Orlando, so I was excited to learn I was heading to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for a guys weekend.

The Westgate Las Vegas is in the perfect location. It is far enough away from The Strip to exude a feeling of safety. It is close enough to downtown Las Vegas to indulge in the nostalgia of the OG Vegas, visit museums, and check out the beer scene on Brewery Row. The Westgate Las Vegas is connected to The Strip via the Monorail, so getting anywhere in Sin City is easy. However, the Westgate has everything necessary for a memorable guys weekend in Vegas in one location!

A dynamic mix of modernity and 50s nostalgia pervades Bethesda, which has grown from humble beginnings as a rural way station to an unincorporated city of almost 70,000 residents. Part of the allure is Bethesda’s proximity to D.C. facilities such as the National Institutes of Health campus and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which have helped Bethesda expand over the years.

Fall travel is perfect for solo travelers and couples looking to avoid the peak tourism crowds, and the season also appeals to families looking to save on off-season rates before winter arrives. According to AAA, a quarter of all Americans regularly travel for leisure between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Smaller cities offer a specific charm sometimes lost in the major metropolis. Therefore, for this list, we consider the best cities with a population of under 100,000, limiting our selection to one city per southern state.

Destinations have started selling the idea of wellness travel to visitors. Over the last few years of traveling, I’ve spotted a concentrated emphasis on proactive health well beyond the attachment of a spa or the availability of a gym at a hotel or resort. With the fall travel season upon us, why not hit the road and enjoy a healthful getaway! 

The Chesapeake Bay is a natural wonder and even a way of life for residents of the massive six-state watershed. It is a haven for sports enthusiasts, water recreationists, and those who border the 4,479 sq. mile body of water on the eastern shore of the United States. The Bay, as it is colloquially known, is the largest estuary in the United States and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) Peninsula. Virginia claims the southernmost portion of the bay, from mainland to the Eastern Shore.