North America Directory of Tips, Stories, and Advice

Sea Pines Forest Preserve is Worth the Admission Fee

Hilton Head is comprised of just one island located off the coast of South Carolina. But if you take the time to explore all corners, it really feels like there are two Hilton Head Islands.

One is the public side of the island home to the main beach, a plethora of shops and restaurants, and more. The other is Sea Pines Plantation Resort- a semi-private community on the southern end of the island that is only accessible to members and those who pay the day rate to enter ($9 per car in early 2021).

These have a night-and-day difference between each other as the former is commercial and busy while the latter is quiet, nestled within the trees, and relatively devoid of commercial businesses outside of Harbor Town.

So while we could make the argument that the day rate to enter Sea Pines is worth it alone to simply take in the beauty of the island in a more peaceful environment, we would rather talk about a specific attraction you can see after entering- Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

The fee is worth it just to visit this one alone.

One place that has always been on our Pennsylvania bucket list is Kinzua Bridge State Park. This 339-acre park in northcentral PA is famous for one particular reason- it is home to a railway bridge that was once the tallest rail bridge in the world and it was almost completely destroyed by a tornado in 2003!

You don't see a sight like this one every day, and it was a spot we wanted to visit for years.

But there was one problem with why we never did. Kinzua Bridge State Park is remote. Thankfully, we added this one on as a detour from a recent weekend trip, and in this one we want to share a bit more why you really should check this one out sooner rather than later- if you can make the logistics work at least.

You've likely heard the expression Ithaca is Gorges before, and when you visit any park in the region it will likely be the first thing that pops into your head. The reason? It really is gorges!

We love hiking through the landscape in and around Ithaca whenever we visit the Finger Lakes, and on a recent trip we hit up a park we've been wanting to check out for quite some time- Robert Treman State Park just south of the city.

If we could sum this one up quickly it would simply be this- don't wait as long as we did to visit.

The Do and Don't list is something that I have always enjoyed watching on travel specials and am throwing my hand into the style!

While some of these features are often in the style of “you must do this” and “you might as well miss that,” this version is formatted in a different way and in no way tell you not to do something major, as my misfortune might be someone else's highlight.

Instead, the “Do” will feature a specific place or thing to do in the destination that is a great site and/or experience, and the “Don't” will spotlight things to keep in mind during that activity that is not well known and publicized when planning the trip.

This entry into the Do and Don't feature looks at a big one- sightseeing in Las Vegas, Nevada! While Las Vegas is known for the glitz and glamor, high rollers and whales, it can be done properly for the budget-conscious.

That is why this list highlights some of the top things to do in Las Vegas and how to do them properly on a budget!

Sea Pines Forest Preserve is Worth the Admission Fee

Kinzua Bridge State Park Should Be on a Pennsylvania Bucket List

Hiking at the Gorgeous Robert H. Treman State Park Near Ithaca

5 Do’s and Don’ts for the Best Sightseeing in Las Vegas