When the hustle and bustle of Seattle, Washington, gets to be a bit much, drive east about 20 miles to the north end of Lake Sammamish. There you will find Washington’s little pot of perfectly brewed greatness, Redmond, Washington. Redmond is growing in popularity for its parks, shopping, and now, its coffee shops. Here are four places in Redmond that promise to bring out the coffee lover in you. Map out the ones you want to visit, and then select a hotel that’s walking distance from them so you can enjoy the stroll back to your room, cup in hand. 5 Stones Coffee Step into 5 Stones […]

As a first-time visitor to San Francisco, you’ll find a city filled with popular destinations, as well as a few off the beaten path. Of course, navigating the city as a tourist can have pitfalls, so we’ll highlight those must-sees every native recommends. While you missed out on the gold rush and dozens of art renaissances, there’s still plenty to see and do. Golden Gate Bridge When you hear “Golden Gate Bridge,” what comes to mind? San Francisco! If you decide to hike or bike across its 1.7 miles (while marveling at the two towers that stand 746 feet), make sure to wear comfortable shoes. […]

The city of Portland, Oregon, is steeped in history. Perched on the banks of the Willamette River, Portland began as a destination on the Oregon Trail and morphed into a modern city that hasn’t forgotten its roots. Dig into the city’s colorful history by checking out these four Portland attractions. Portland Art Museum The Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, and one of the oldest in the United States. The first public exhibition after its founding in 1892 was a showcase of watercolors from the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The museum’s current location at 1219 SW Park Ave. opened […]

The USA is such a huge country that finding the best national parks can be difficult, but a great challenge. These days, camping out and spending a few days vacation at each lake is the norm for modern families and travellers. To make things easier for you when you want to choose, check out this concise list of the top 5 US National Parks to visit in your lifetime. They include an eclectic mix and all of them have their own special features and strengths. 1.Grand Canyon National Park Let’s start with an obvious one, but one which really needs to be ticked off once […]

Not many people make visiting the largest city in the state of Kansas their top priority, but if you look close enough, Wichita offers a great shopping experience and the opportunity to visit Sedgwick County Zoo, the largest zoo in Kansas, amongst other fabulous activities. Stuck for ideas on that New Year Holiday you were looking forward to in 2018? Then look no further. With a modest population of just over 600,000, Wichita offers the quiet environment you have been dreaming of all year. Here’s your complete guide to this cool, underrated and industrial hub. Visit the local zoo Sedgwick County Zoo is the largest […]

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 28th December 2015. Big cities are big for a reason: Lots of people want to live in, work in, and visit them. But that popularity comes with a price—literally. Too often, would-be visitors who are traveling on a budget get shunted to cities’ outskirts instead of getting to experience the thrill of being in the thick of things. But such is not the case with these five hotels, which sit right in the heart of a variety of big cities and still manage to cost less than $250 a night. 1. Embassy Suites, Boca Raton, FL A […]

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 23rd November 2015. If you’re planning to fly after 2015, heads up: A driver’s license might not be sufficient identification for boarding an aircraft, even if you’re flying domestically. That’s because new restrictions on IDs used to board commercial aircraft are slated to take effect sometime in 2016. It’s the next and final phase of the REAL ID Act, which was enacted in 2005 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish federal security standards for government-issued IDs. Here’s what you need to know to be able to breeze through security even after the new regulations take effect. […]

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 18th November 2015. Since 1863, when President Lincoln proclaimed it a federal holiday, Thanksgiving has marked the official beginning of the holiday season. Many traditions have developed around the day over the decades from the standard turkey dinner with family, food drives to help the underserved, and of course, football. The day is also known for the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, held annually since 1924 and televised on NBC since 1952. While New York City’s parade may be the most famous, we rounded up five other favorites from across the United States! […]

This post was posted by TheHipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 11th August 2015. Sacramento, the capital of California, is about an hour-and-a-half drive from San Francisco, making it a perfect destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway. 9 AM – Start your day at Sacramento’s Certified Farmers Market Image via Trover by Alexandra Chang Out of the 40 Certified Farmers Markets in California, the Sacramento region is home to the largest. A visit to the Farmers Market in Sacramento is a great way to experience the flavors of the region, so head over to the market bright and early. If you are visiting on Saturday, […]