A woman with a backpack pulling a roller carry-on bag walks into the sun at an airport

How To Bring Hiking Poles on a Plane: Tips + TSA Rules

Gearing up for an epic hiking and backpacking trip in one of America’s amazing national parks? You’re probably wondering what hiking gear you can take with you on the plane. Hiking boots are no problem, but bear spray is a definite no. What about something in between like your trekking poles? The Transportation Security Administration…

A woman with a backpack pulling a roller carry-on bag walks into the sun at an airport

Can I Bring Scissors in My Carry-on Luggage on a Plane?

In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulates what is and isn’t allowed to be brought onto airplanes. Generally, if it’s a weapon or can be used as a weapon, it’s not allowed in your carry-on luggage. But any object can be turned into a weapon and not everyone has malicious intent, and…

The mountainous green coastline of Maui
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Is There a Ferry from Honolulu to Maui? Not Anymore. Here’s What to Do Instead.

Is there a ferry from Honolulu to Maui? Well, there used to be, but that was almost 20 years ago. We ran into a lot of outdated info when we were planning our Hawaii trip, so let’s clear this up. Oahu and Maui are only 100 miles apart, but there is no ferry service linking…

One of the green and white WSDOT-run Mukilteo-Clinton ferry ships cruises along the water on a foggy morning
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9 Ways for Getting Around Seattle without a Car (Easier Than You Think!)

Getting around Seattle without a car is easier than you think! Traffic in this bustling corner of the Pacific Northwest is terrible. No getting around that. And with the rise of rental car prices in a post-pandemic world, every day you can avoid paying for a car is a good thing for your budget (and…

One of the green and white WSDOT-run Mukilteo-Clinton ferry ships cruises along the water on a foggy morning
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How to Get to Whidbey Island from Seattle: Quick + Easy!

Visiting Whidbey Island is an easy and fun day trip from Seattle, even better as a long weekend! But how do you get to Whidbey Island in the first place? It’s pretty straightforward when you know all of your options. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest, the most flexible, or the most convenient option, we’ve…

Sea turtle swimming over a rocky reef in blue water

Why I Love My Full-Face Snorkel Mask: Review Ocean Reef Aria QR+ Snorkel Mask

Snorkeling is a fun and easy way to experience the beautiful underwater world of the ocean. Colorful fish darting in and out of coral and waving sea grass. Crustaceans scuttling along the sandy sea floor. Maybe a surprise visit from a sea turtle or dolphin! Snorkeling opens up a whole new world to explore. But…

Travel items like a camera, airplane, sunglasses, euros, and a magnifying glass, scattered over a world map table

17 Best Travel Scratch Off Maps for Your 2025 Bucket List

Travel scratch off maps are my favorite way to keep track of my bucket list progress, and these maps are the PERFECT gift for the dedicated traveler in your life. But they’re also perfect for the travelers that don’t call themselves travelers! You know the ones. They’re visiting every ballpark or football stadium in the…

Woman standing in front of electronic arrivals board at an airport

10 Essential Travel Items Every First-Time Traveler Needs to Win at Traveling

Congratulations! You’re going on your very first trip! Woohoo! Traveling is a wonderful thing, but it can be stressful for the unprepared. Even more so if you’re on a budget and unprepared. Been there. Cheap luggage, a lost boarding pass, and a dead phone: good grief! Learn from our mistakes and avoid many of the…