{"id":2726,"date":"2016-03-04T18:31:25","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T18:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=2726"},"modified":"2016-03-06T16:35:30","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T16:35:30","slug":"active-travel-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/winter-2016\/active-travel-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Travel Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Emily Lagaza<\/em><\/p>\n

Wondering where to recharge this season? The perfect vacation spot for those that want action rather than just sitting around may be only a state away! Sure, you can sit by\u00a0the fireside or relax in a hammock, and here are six American cities that\u00a0offer that and more.<\/p>\n

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Lake Tahoe, Calif. ski country. Photo: North Lake Tahoe<\/a>.<\/p><\/p>\n

Lake Tahoe, California<\/h4>\n

Both the north and south portions of Lake Tahoe<\/a>, nestled between Nevada and California, are full of activities perfect for winter. Enjoy skiing, sleigh rides or dog sledding all while taking in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Afterwards, grab a baked good or brunch at one of the many caf\u00e9s in the area like Rosie\u2019s, which has been around for 27 years and serves everything from breakfasts to grilled entrees. Visiting options include hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts. Guests may rejuvenate themselves at one of the luxurious spas in the area. Services like hot-stone massages and hot tubs may be relished outdoors to immerse yourself in the serene environment while indulging in spa activities.<\/p>\n

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Ski powder or go cross country at Stowe, Vermont. Photos: Stowe Mountain Resort<\/a><\/p><\/p>\n

Stowe, Vermont<\/h4>\n

This ski town boasts the highest point in the state with Mount Mansfield peaking at 4,395 feet. The adrenaline rush from winter sports attracts visitors from across the globe to Stowe, Vermont<\/a>. Alpine racing and ski competitions are common. The hype stemming from the Stowe Derby, held February 28th, showcases the event as a test of endurance as well as an all-around fun event.<\/p>\n

Looking for a way to heat up after a day in the white stuff? Vermont is stocked with breweries and wineries and has more breweries per capita than any other state. The Stowe Craft Bev Trail self-guided tour is a great deal. Ten dollars and a quick stop at the Stowe Visitor\u2019s Information Center provides freebies like local chocolates and serious discounts at breweries. Enjoying more of a good thing is what being on a vacation is all about!<\/p>\n

Check out the link to plan your tour and more!<\/p>\n

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Nashville skyline, Keith Urban, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Arnold’s Country Kitchen specialty beef. Photos: Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Corporation<\/a>\u00a0<\/p><\/p>\n

Nashville, Tennessee<\/h4>\n

For a little Southern twang and a lot of heart, check out the Hollywood of country music. With a humid, subtropical climate, Nashville<\/a> doesn\u2019t require as many layers, but it is still a wintry haven for those in need of a change of scenery and a lot to do. The city has endless options to choose from with a rich, diverse community centered around music and art. Music lovers can visit The Bluebird Caf\u00e9 for an intimate performance and the chance to discover what makes this Nashville staple so special, whether it\u2019s a new artist or a pick from their rustic menu.<\/p>\n

Country crooners from past and present come alive at the Country Music Hall of Fame, located downtown. Currently, the organization has an exhibit for Australian singer, Keith Urban, called \u201cKeith Urban So Far \u2026\u201d as well as an homage to the greats in the \u201cDylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City.\u201d For a different type of entertainment, the city offers an artsy night out, Nashville\u2019s First Saturday Art Crawl.<\/a> The popular event is a free walk through of galleries among 40 of those participating, which often provide wine and cheese.<\/p>\n

Foodies will swoon at the classic southern staples like hot chicken and barbeque are perfectly roasted for any hungry traveler, and brunch menus and food trucks allow for easy access to munchies.<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0Martin\u2019s Bar-B-Que Joint<\/a>\u00a0for ribs, pulled pork, BBQ\u00a0sandwiches and more.<\/p>\n

With four locations, you have your pick of where to go for authentic Southern barbecue.<\/p>\n

No visit to Nashville would be complete without a stop at The James Beard award-winning,\u00a0Arnold\u2019s Country Kitchen<\/a>. This cozy, down home restaurant boasts its \u201cmeat-and-three\u201d fare: Choose one meat and three sides.<\/p>\n

Known for their delicious beef, vegetables are also a specialty. Try their long-simmered greens, perfectly crisp fried green tomatoes and don\u2019t forget the cooked-to-order cornbread.<\/p>\n

Nashville\u2014the perfect blend of country and class.<\/p>\n

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Windsurfing, luscious fruit, waterfalls of Maui, Hawaii.Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) Tor Johnson Island Maui, Dana Edmunds, Tor Johnson.<\/p><\/p>\n

Maui, Hawaii<\/h4>\n

Ah, Maui<\/a>. The blue Pacific Ocean and bursting island flowers are some of the most beautiful sights to see when getting away from the chilly winter temperatures. This tropical, American destination is the epitome of paradise. The active vacationer may take delight in one of the 14 golf courses available, some designed by pros like Arnold Palmer. Putting away an afternoon sounds like a golfer\u2019s dream when it involves blue skies and the crashing of waves.<\/p>\n

Other options include hiking, horseback riding on the beach or zip lining through the lush island greenery. As if that wasn\u2019t enough beauty and fun to coax the masses, guests can explore the Kula Botanical Garden after a day of surfing or whale watching. The gardens are full of hundreds of plant varieties and flowers that garnish waterfalls throughout eight acres of Maui. This American gem of a vacation spot is a dream for adventure seekers and sun chasers alike.<\/p>\n

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Sightseeing, paddleboats, walking or running, art shows in New Orleans. Photos:\u00a0NewOrleansOnline.com<\/a>\/Rebecca Ratliff<\/p><\/p>\n

New Orleans, Louisiana<\/h4>\n

It is no secret that this Mardi Gras staple is a mecca for people who love to celebrate during the festival. Fortunately, NOLA offers a (spicy) taste of the fun year round. Segway and bike tours as well as tours on foot are perfect ways to scout the city\u2019s sites in the mild climate, which stays comfortably warm during the winter.<\/p>\n

New Orleans is almost 288 years old and possesses some rich history. Known for its spooky psychics and haunted quarters, ride along on a ghost tour for a thrill or experience the same adrenaline rush by heading to Bourbon Street for some nightlife and entertainment. Music and food go hand in hand, and New Orleans can easily satisfy cravings for classic Southern treats like gumbo, crawfish or beignets at Caf\u00e9 Beignet located on both Bourbon Street and Royal Street.<\/p>\n

For some specialty foods like quail eggs, a variety of cheese or fresh produce, take a ride to the French or Crescent City Farmers Markets. Since 1718, the open markets have grown to boast a plethora of flowers and herbs, children\u2019s activities and art. Call (504) 522-2621 for a list of the French Market\u2019s daily vendors or (504) 861-4488 to reach Crescent City Farmer\u2019s Market.<\/p>\n

The official tourism site of the city of New Orleans<\/a> has plenty of information to get you started on your Cajun vacation!<\/p>\n

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St. Augustine: 42 miles of beaches, Freedom Schooner, beach pier sunrise, plein air artist. Photos:\u00a0FloridasHistoricCoast.com<\/a><\/p><\/p>\n

St. Augustine, Florida<\/h4>\n

St. Augustine<\/a> is another travel option that will entertain guests with a wide range of interests. The warm temperatures and sunny climate make the city\u2019s beaches an obvious attraction as this part of the Floridian coastline has beaches of various types. Anastasia Steele Park is loaded with endangered species, nature trails and offers camping by the coast. Classically picturesque beaches like the white sands of Vilano Beach or St. Augustine Beach provide sunny scenery and waterfront restaurants.<\/p>\n

While water activities like deep-sea fishing and diving are popular, this is a great city to explore for its historical value. The Spanish Admiral Don Pedro Menendez colonized St. Augustine and the Spanish Revival style architecture is breathtaking. Tour the city from the air, a carriage, a cruise or visit one of its many museums. Sightseeing in St. Augustine offers views of the ocean and landmarks like the city gates and Castillo de San Marcos, which can be reached at (904) 829-6506.<\/p>\n

From sea to shining sea, America is a beautiful country with so many treasures to be found. Check out of the winter slump and get some Vitamin Sea or fresh air on the trails.<\/p>\n

Escape to paradise!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Great vacation spots for the active traveler: Lake Tahoe, St. Augustine, New Orleans, Nashville, Stowe and Maui!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winter-2016","category-winter-2016-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2726"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3439,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2726\/revisions\/3439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}