Erin Gifford

I am a Washington, DC-based travel & outdoor writer. My writing has appeared in USA Today's GoEscape, Outside, The Wall Street Journal, AARP.org, The Washington Post, Thrillist, LonelyPlanet.com, HGTV.com, Costco Connection, Travel + Leisure, Northern Virginia Magazine, Via and AAA World. I also write about hiking in Virginia at GoHikeVirginia.com and have written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides. In 2026, I completed a 13-year quest to run a half marathon in every state. 

Washingtonian •

18 Great Wineries an Easy Drive From DC

Sip estate-grown wines amid rolling vineyards and postcard-worthy Blue Ridge views. Reservations are limited to groups of six to preserve the winery’s intimate, relaxed atmosphere, and private-room tastings can accommodate groups of up to ten. The terrain turns colorful in autumn—full-length windows and a breezy patio offer a great vantage point. Drive time from DC: One hour Bask in soaring Loudoun Valley panoramas from the terrace and covered deck. The modern-farmhouse tasting room is carved in...
AAA's The Extra Mile •

A Road Trip on California’s Route 1

California’s Pacific Coast Highway—officially State Highway 1—stretches roughly 650 miles south from Leggett in Mendocino County to Dana Point in Orange County, clinging to the coastline in long, cinematic curves. Arguably the most prized section runs 150 miles along the coastline between Monterey and Pismo Beach, including Big Sur, where every turnout feels like a postcard. After a spate of landslide closures, most notably Regent’s Slide, which shut a segment near Big Sur for nearly three years...
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Find College-Town Charm and Outdoor Adventure in Morgantown, West Virginia

Set along the Monongahela River, Morgantown — affectionately known as Motown — has all the hallmarks of a classic college town. Vibrant, sports-forward, and full of personality, it’s anchored by West Virginia University (WVU), where Mountaineer pride runs deep. On fall Saturdays, tailgates fill the parking lots, and as many as 60,000 fans pack the stadium. Before you go, brush up on the lyrics to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” You’ll likely be singing along after a home-game win...
Northern Virginia Magazine •

How to Plan an Adventurous Weekend Getaway at West Virginia's New River Gorge

Carved through southern West Virginia, New River Gorge feels both wild and welcoming. One of the world’s oldest rivers runs north through this rugged canyon, past forested rims, sandstone cliffs, and tumbling waterfalls.  Designated as a national park and preserve in 2020, New River Gorge has quickly become one of the mid-Atlantic’s top outdoor adventure destinations. Fayetteville, the park’s main gateway town, makes an easygoing home base, with outfitters, cafés, breweries, and plenty of pla...
AAA Explorer Tidewater •

9 Farm Experiences in Virginia to Celebrate Fall

This time of year, it’s easy to get outside. Rows of apple trees, roadside farm stands, and crisp air make warm cider and fresh-baked doughnuts feel like an autumn rite of passage. I love a good fall drive, especially one filled with scenic detours and farm stops that bring the season to life. Add in u-pick orchards, farm-to-table fare, and a rustic place to stay, and a simple day trip can easily turn into the perfect fall weekend.
Southern Living •

This New Virginia Beach Hotel Offers Front-Row Access To North America’s First Surf Lagoon

Virginia Beach just got a serious glow-up with the newest addition to Atlantic Park, the city’s 10.35-acre mixed-use district linked to hometown superstar Pharrell Williams. At its heart is Atlantic Park Surf, the first of its kind all-season surf lagoon in North America. Just steps away, The Sitio, a 20-room boutique hotel, welcomes guests with poolside cocktails, rotating playlists, and art that sparks conversation.
AAA's The Extra Mile •

Hotel Tipping: 5 Things Every Traveler Should Know

Tipping etiquette at hotels still confounds many travelers, but gratuities matter more than you may think. Housekeepers, bell staff, valets, and shuttle drivers often rely on tips as part of their income. This is especially true today, as the hotel experience has changed. Since the pandemic, daily housekeeping service is no longer standard practice at many budget and mid-range hotels, with some moving to every-third-day cleaning or requiring guests to opt in at check-in or by hanging a card on t...
Bethesda Magazine •

Best of Easton

Easton delivers small-town charm with upscale style. It’s compact and walkable and a place where it’s easy to get your bearings. Historic streets, art galleries and restaurants are all within a few blocks. In recent years, entrepreneur Paul Prager has helped transform Easton into a culinary and cultural hub, opening a string of stylish restaurants, cafes and shops. The vibe still leans polished yet relaxed, drawing couples, families and art lovers, especially during Plein Air Easton, an outdoor art festival held each July.
via •

Spend a Summer Weekend in Missoula, Montana

Set along the winding Clark Fork River, Missoula’s charms include incredible mountain scenery and a laid-back culture built around outdoor activities. Summer months bring chances to paddle, raft, and float through town, or to stroll or pedal along riverfront paths. Year-round, you can enjoy mornings on nearby hiking trails and evenings lingering over pints of local ale. Life moves at an easy pace. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Missoula, Montana.
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Celebrate Virginia250 with 5 Limited-Edition Craft Beers at NoVA Breweries

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Virginians gathered in taverns drinking pints and debating the need for a revolution. And this summer, NoVA breweries are honoring Virginia250 with limited-edition ales, lagers, and IPAs. Here are five special pours that are worth a taste.    Inspired by early American traditions when brewers relied on locally available grains and sugars, this Colonial-style ale blends pale malt, malted wheat, and flaked maize. Molasses lends subtle dark fruit and treacle note...
Your AAA Network •

Road Trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Pennsylvania Dutch Country blends rolling farmland, small towns and centuries-old traditions into one of the country’s most memorable road trip destinations. Horse-drawn buggies travel quiet back roads, much as they have for nearly 300 years. Family farms operate as they have for generations and roadside markets overflow with baked goods, fresh produce and local specialties, like shoofly pie. Yet there’s more to discover in this region. Ride steam trains, tour potato chip factories, paddle ca...
Travel Weekly •

Biking through France's Normandy region with Backroads

Pedaling into Bayeux, a medieval town in France's Normandy region with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and an imposing Gothic cathedral, I could feel the emotional weight of the place. Bayeux was the first town in France liberated after D-Day in 1944. Today, the area is filled with morning markets, boulangerie shops and sidewalk cafes. Still, echoes of the town's past remain.As a fan of World War II historical fiction, I was drawn to a guided cycling trip through Normandy and Brittany with...
KOA •

10 Major Historical Stops Across North America

Is the open road calling? Go ahead and pick up! North America is full of places you’ll want to explore up close. Think ancient settlements, historic military forts, and storied battlegrounds, plus museums that dig deep into the past, into both tragedies and triumphs. These ten historical stops that span the U.S. and Canada can turn an ordinary road trip into something more memorable. Trust us, these will stick with you long after the gear is packed away. At Gettysburg National Military Park, yo...
Northern Virginia Magazine •

Take on the Exhilarating Rapids of Pennsylvania's Youghiogheny River

Brave your choice of calm or challenging waters with this whitewater rafting adventure. At Ohiopyle State Park, whitewater rafting isn’t just an activity — it’s the reason people return year after year. The 134-mile Youghiogheny River, known locally as “the Yough,” cuts through forested gorges and delivers some of the best rafting in the East. With sections ranging from calm floats to challenging rapids, there’s something for everyone — from families with young children to thrill-seeking adrenal...
Matador Network •

Disaster, Preserved: Inside Japan’s Living Volcanic Ruins at Mount Usu

On a cold winter day in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, a small group of us followed a narrow, snow-covered trail at the base of Mount Usu. Single file and moving on clunky snowshoes, we crossed a landscape that felt both raw and humbling. Beneath the snow was one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. One day, it will erupt again. Leading the way was Rie Egawa, founder of nature guiding service Sotoasobu and a
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