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Passions and Places

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Exploring the 3 Incredible National Parks in Montana & Wyoming

April 5, 2017 By Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor 8 Comments

If you’re thinking about a road trip or other travel in the American West, chances are you’ve got some national parks on your radar. Montana and Wyoming alone are home to three of the most popular parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Here are our tips on the top things to do in each national park and the towns nearby. Highlights include Old Faithful, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Jenny Lake, and the towns of Bozeman, Whitefish, and Jackson.

Montana and Wyoming are home to three of the most popular national parks in the U.S. – and we were pretty lucky to grow up near them. Whether you want to visit Glacier, Yellowstone, or Grand Teton (or all three!), here’s how to make the most of your trip.

Filed Under: Hiking, Idaho, Montana, Nature and Outdoors, North America, U.S., Wyoming Tagged With: national parks

Ski Like a Local: 6 Lesser-Known Ski Areas in Montana

February 25, 2017 By Ryan Victor 7 Comments

Skiing and snowboarding can be pricey hobbies, especially at all-inclusive destination resorts like Big Sky or Park City. Fortunately, budget-friendly ski trips are completely doable, especially in Montana. Skip the exclusive resorts, and head to local ski areas instead. These six lesser-known ski resorts in Montana have great conditions, but they're also budget-friendly - and relatively uncrowded.

Skiing (and snowboarding) definitely isn’t a cheap hobby, but a ski trip doesn’t have to wipe out your savings. Skip the famed destination resorts, and head to one of Montana’s lesser-known ski areas instead. You’ll save a ton money but still get great ski conditions – plus a little more local charm.

Filed Under: Montana, Nature and Outdoors, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Skiing, U.S.

Hometown Tribute: A Travel Guide to Great Falls, Montana

February 14, 2017 By Ryan Victor 17 Comments

Our hometown of Great Falls, Montana, isn’t much of a tourism hub, but it attracts visitors for Western Art Week & the Charlie Russell Art Auction, the Montana State Fair, and occasional rodeos, as well as people on their way to visit Glacier National Park. We created a travel guide with tips for visiting Great Falls, including the top restaurants, coffee shops, things to do, and outdoor activities. If your will travels take you to Central Montana, use it to plan your trip!

It probably won’t surprise you that our hometown of Great Falls, Montana, doesn’t attract too many tourists. But with lots of new restaurants, tons of outdoors activities, and a handful of other things to do, the town has plenty to offer people who might be passing through.

Filed Under: Montana, North America, Off the Beaten Path, U.S.

Eat Global, Eat Local: International Cuisines in Missoula, Montana

February 4, 2017 By Ryan Victor 8 Comments

Montana may not be known for having diverse global cuisine, but a visit to the state’s hippie capital of Missoula says otherwise. With options like Indian, Brazilian, and Argentinian, try one of these restaurants for some of the tastiest and most interesting food around.

Filed Under: Foodie Travel, Montana, North America, U.S. Tagged With: restaurants

Ghosts of the Wild West: A Photo Essay from Montana

December 23, 2016 By Ryan Victor 17 Comments

Montana has a number of ghost towns, several of which are popular travel destinations. This photo essay tells the history of Elkhorn, one that’s further off the beaten path.

Why spend Black Friday shopping when you could spend it exploring an old ghost town in Montana? Ryan’s photo essay depicts what we found in Elkhorn and tells some of its history, from silver mining to town dances to a tragic diphtheria outbreak.

Filed Under: Montana, North America, Off the Beaten Path, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns, photo essay

5 Great New England Bike Trails (That Are Flat!)

December 19, 2016 By Ryan Victor 1 Comment

If you’re planning to travel to New England and you love the outdoors, you won’t want to miss the region’s best rail trails. They’re perfect cycling, walking, and running paths, and most have some history, too. Try one of our top bike rides in New England, and explore Boston, Cape Cod, Lake Champlain, and more.

New England is a haven of outdoors activities, and some of its most impressive options are the bike trails that have popped up to replace old railroad tracks. Here are our favorite rail trails for cycling throughout New England, and most can even be reached by public transportation from Boston.

Filed Under: Cycling, Maine, Massachusetts, Nature and Outdoors, North America, Rhode Island, U.S., Vermont Tagged With: Boston, Burlington, New England

Touring the Local Businesses of Vermont

December 10, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 6 Comments

Vermont is known for its locavore movement and commitment to sustainability. The state has a vibrant local business scene, and many of its companies offer public tours. Visit a company like Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Creamery, or Snow Farm Vineyard next time you travel to Vermont.

The commitment to sustainability and local production runs deep in Vermont, especially at the state’s small businesses. Witness it for yourself by visiting the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, the Cabot Creamery, or one of the many other Vermont businesses that make themselves open to the public.

Filed Under: Foodie Travel, North America, Road Trips, U.S., Vermont Tagged With: Burlington, New England, small businesses

Good Eats in a Crunchy Town: A Restaurant Guide to Burlington, Vermont

December 5, 2016 By Ryan Victor 22 Comments

Burlington, Vermont, is a hippie little college town and a foodie hotspot. With lots of vegetarian and vegan options, mostly local food and ingredients, and great coffee and beer, it won’t disappoint. Whether you travel to Burlington to go leaf-peeping, visit UVM, or run the Vermont City Marathon, make time to try one of these top restaurants and cafes.

Burlington is one of our favorite towns, in no small part because of its local food movement and great dining scene. Visit one of these restaurants or cafes to get the town’s best eats.

Filed Under: Foodie Travel, North America, U.S., Vermont Tagged With: Burlington, New England, restaurants

3 Amazing Spots for Sea Kayaking in New England

December 1, 2016 By Ryan Victor 16 Comments

If you’re planning to travel to New England and you love to kayak, try one of these day trips: the Casco Bay Islands in Maine, Portsmouth Harbor in New Hampshire, or the Thimble Islands in Connecticut. Sea kayaking in New England means scenery, lighthouses, and even urban exploration - just mind the currents!

Fortunately for an avid paddler like Ryan, New England has plenty of great options for kayaking. Here are three of his favorite spots, plus tips for planning your own trips.

Filed Under: Connecticut, Kayaking, Maine, Nature and Outdoors, New Hampshire, North America, Off the Beaten Path, U.S. Tagged With: New England

A Guide to the Best Yoga Studios in Boston

November 22, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 28 Comments

Boston is a city that’s conscious about health, wellness, and fitness, and there’s a yoga studio in nearly every neighborhood. Here’s our list of the best yoga studios in the Boston area (including options in the North End, Back Bay, Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, and Brighton), with classes in Vinyasa flow, Iyengar, Ashtanga, restorative yoga, meditation, and more.

Whether you’re an avid yogi visiting Boston or a Bostonian considering your first class, our guide to some of the city’s best yoga studios has everything you need to know.

Filed Under: Massachusetts, North America, U.S., Yoga Tagged With: Boston, meditation, New England

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Hi! We’re Jen and Ryan, an American couple on a journey to travel the world while working from the road. We’re passionate about outdoor adventure, responsible travel, and getting off the beaten path. Passions and Places is a space for us to share our stories and tips with you, but most importantly, we hope to inspire you to seek your own adventure.

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