#folk-festival

#folk-festival

Milton is a picturesque location along the west side of the Hudson River, halfway between Albany and New York City, known for its pretty parks and river views.

Every town in the Southeast might be historic and charming, but there's something about Sylva's character and people that keeps visitors coming back. This is the kind of place where outdoor adventure is minutes from downtown and where names and stories are still known. We've long said Sylva is 'in the middle of the most,' and that still holds true today.

A lot of things come together for the perfect pour, including temperature and the cleanliness of lines. Bottom line? Yes, it's all better in Ireland. However, that's not to say there aren't some outstanding Irish pubs in the U.S., because there are.

Keepers of the Steps, the living archive and cultural program at the United Irish Cultural Center dedicated to preserving generations of Bay Area Irish dancers, teachers, and families. Through stories, images, and lived experience, we'll reflect on how dance carries lineage, identity, and community forward.

If you were getting pot in the late '70s or early '80s in this part of the country, there's a good chance it may have been coming from these guys. You've got these guys who served decades in prison for marijuana, and now they're getting out into a world where it's legal everywhere.

The expense, return on investment, and volume of investors needed to make it a reality did not make sense. I thought, 'maybe it's time to do something new.' The amount of money you need to run a restaurant in Brooklyn or Manhattan at this point is so crazy. If you fail, the loss is massive. Here, we were able to do a major renovation, we have a 100 bottle wine list, and we can use the ingredients we want and serve them at a decent price point because our overhead is not as bad.

For pork lover, there's nothing quite as irresistible as the salty, savory pull of Virginia country ham. Whether it's to elevate mouth-watering ham sandwich, for pea and ham soup, or a good old-fashioned honey-glazed roast recipe, there's no shortage of quality cured pork in the Old Dominion State.

Abingdon is easy to access just off Interstate 81. This little town has many charms-from its 20-block historic district to the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Add to that a thriving creative community, exceptional dining at The Tavern (the state's oldest bar), and homey accommodations, and you have a pretty darn close to perfect Blue Ridge Mountain getaway destination.

Vermont actually resembles California - not because of its beaches but due to its distinct regions. For example, Burlington correlates to the Bay Area. And in the Northeast Kingdom, where I grew up, we classified everything below White River Junction as 'Southern Vermont.' Down there, half the towns seem to channel Boston or New York City, kind of like Santa Barbara to L.A., which makes the Kingdom something like Humboldt County - rural and spectacular, with a recalcitrant outlaw streak.

The Irish government will give 2,000 artists unrestricted weekly stipends in a program officials described as a "recognition, at government level, of the important role of the arts in Irish society." After a successful three-year pilot, the Irish government made its basic income program for artists permanent. Similar pilots have been launched here in the United States, but they're supported primarily by the nonprofit sector.

Mount Airy isn't trying to be everywhere else-and that's exactly why it stands out. It offers a true sense of place, rooted in tradition but evolving with purpose, where the pace slows down just enough to remind you what travel is supposed to feel like.

Nashville may be known as the 'Music City,' but it was Knoxville where several artists, including a young Dolly Parton, actually cut their teeth. The city has a self-guided tour to give you important intel on the music industry and a lay of the land for your trip.

Letting our dogs lick the dishes before we put them in the dishwasher!

Depending on personal experience, travelers may associate Williamsburg, Virginia, with a few different things. For many, school field trips and family vacations brought them to the Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg. Some know Williamsburg for its theme parks, Busch Gardens and the Great Wolf Lodge water park. Others recognize the city as the home of William & Mary, the second-oldest college in the United States.

Billy Strings has announced that he's extending his 2026 headlining tour through this summer. The trek will stop in seven new cities, starting on July 14th in Roanoke, Virginia, and wrapping up on August 29th in Ionia, Michigan, just 40 minutes from his hometown of Lansing.

"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."

In many ways, western North Carolina destinations-like Asheville, Highlands, Hot Springs, and Waynesville, to name just a few-are quite similar. There's typically a genuine appreciation of art, music, food, and craft beer, and life tends to revolve around the great outdoors. And why shouldn't it? The Appalachian Mountains have created a lush, green paradise in this region, complete with stunning views, amazing hikes, and plenty of fresh air.