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Top 10 Instagrammable Spots in Pittsburgh

Having never been to Pittsburgh before, we were instantly amazed at how beautiful, both architecturally and naturally, the city is. From towering bridges to green, rolling hills, Pittsburgh is a photographers (and Instagrammers) dream.

While it truly was hard to narrow down our list to only ten spots, we’ve compiled our ten favorite “most Instagrammable spots” in the “Burgh”!

10. MILLIE’S ICE CREAM

I mean, who doesn’t love to ‘gram’ a sweet treat?! Millie’s is a made-from-scratch, small-batch, all natural ice cream shop that’s as cute and Instagrammable as it is delicious. Just make sure to snap the picture before the ice cream melts!

9. PRIMANTI BROTHERS

Known for their signature sandwiches filled with grilled meat, melted cheese, coleslaw, tomatoes and french fries, the Primanti Brothers is #foodiegoals! With multiple locations throughout the city, you have ample chances to get the shot (and eat it, too)!

8. MARKET SQUARE

Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, Market Square is a hub for locals and tourists alike with many restaurants, bars, and shops. The towering, symmetrical reflective buildings glisten in the daylight, making it a picture-perfect photo opp. (If the weather is warm, we dare you to jump in the fountain!)

7. RANDYLAND

One of Pittsburgh’s most celebrated and beloved artists, Randy Gilson, opens his Randyland courtyard (nearly everyday between 10:00am and 7:00pm) for visitors to explore and photograph his creative, eccentric, and ever changing public art displays. It’s colorful and random and quintessential for your “Instagram Flow”. ;)

6. THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM

Not only is The Andy Warhol Museum absolutely fascinating (you’ll want to devote at least a couple of hours to explore), but it’s also extremely instagrammable. While you’re not allowed to use a flash, you’re more than welcome to take pictures… and you’ll be tempted to snap a pic (or two) in front of every wall.

5. POINT STATE PARK

This National Historic Landmark and park has absolutely stunning views of the city and the surrounding rivers. Point State Park is one of the most iconic places in downtown Pittsburgh, and it’s easy to see why. Snap a pic by the famous fountain, and stay for the sunset. It’s magical!

4. MATTRESS FACTORY

A contemporary art museum with whimsical, eccentric, and progressive art installations, there isn’t a room in The Mattress Factory that isn’t Instagrammable. Two of our favorite exhibitions for taking pictures are the Repetitive Vision Room and the Infinity Dots Mirrored Room, both by the celebrated artist Yayoi Kosama.

3. THE PENNSYLVANIAN (UNION STATION)

Originally constructed in 1900 for use as Pittsburgh’s Union Station, The Pennsylvanian is now one of the city’s most sought-after wedding destinations, and rightfully so. Its handcrafted, dome-shaped rotunda is as awe-inspiring in person as it is in photos.

2. THE BRIDGES

You can’t visit Pittsburgh without snapping a photo on a bridge (or two, or three!), because after all, there are 446 of them, and it is the “City of Bridges”! Some of the most iconic bridges are the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the Andy Warhol Bridge, and the Rachel Carson Bridge, known collectively as the Three Sisters, and happen to be the only trio of identical bridges in the US! Also not to be missed are the Fort Pitt Bridge, Smithfield Street Bridge, the Hot Metal Bridge, and the 16th Street Bridge. But no matter what bridge you choose, you’re bound to get an epic photo!

1. DUQUESNE INCLINE

Number one on our list is the 140-year-old Duquesne Incline, named by USA Today as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Views in America”! Take a ride on the picturesque funicular, then enjoy the extraordinary views of downtown Pittsburgh from their breathtaking overlook. It’s what we like to call, “Instagram gold”!

Did we miss any spots? Let us know if you have any favorite “Instagrammable” places in Pittsburgh that we should check out next time!

Looking For an Adventure? Check Out The Smokies Summer Giveaway!

What are your summer plans? Y'all know how we love a good road trip. The only thing that would elevate the trips we've been taking in our little Toyota Rav4 would be if we could hop in an RV. How much would Sally love that?!?

With that in mind, we recently learned that RVshare is doing an incredible giveaway, with a four-day, three-night trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. You can enter the giveaway here!

We drove through he Great Smoky Mountains last month, and were obsessed with the endless forests and panoramic views. The Great Smoky Mountains encompass over 187,000 acres of forest spread across 2 states. What you probably didn't know is that it is the most popular national park in the USA, ahead of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. Have you been? Hopefully you're starting to realize that you're missing out. 

For the giveaway, the grand prize winner will receive a free RV rental, a free campground stay, and a $1000 cash prize. To enter, you must live in the US, you must be over the age of 25, and you should probably love the RV lifestyle. The winner will be selected at random, and you can increase your entries by doing the following:

  • refer friend to enter by sharing the link with them

  • follow RVshare on social media

  • retweet the giveaway on Twitter

  • answer RVshare's bucket list question

  • and more!

You can enter to win the Smokies Summer Giveaway anytime between June 3rd, 2019 and July 1st, 2019, which gives you only two weeks to get as many bonus entries as you can – so act fast! We can’t wait to find out who wins and to share the thrill that RVing gives millions of families every year. Thanks for playing and good luck!

Nothing better than exploring National Parks!

Nothing better than exploring National Parks!

Road Tripping This Summer? Stop in Dubuque!

One of our favorite parts about roadtripping is the quaint small towns we stumble upon. Towns that take us by surprise, towns that have character and charm, towns that easily fall under the radar... We get almost giddy when we discover a new “hidden gem” of a spot - because we get to share it with you! That’s what we love about this big, beautiful country that we live in… there is still so much to discover.

Most recently we happened upon one of those places, Dubuque, Iowa.

Don’t let the fact that it’s Iowa’s oldest city sway you into thinking Dubuque is outdated - it’s an epic fusion of old and new, with plenty of activities, award-winning restaurants, breathtaking sites, and a revitalizing downtown. If you’re planning a roadtrip this summer (or any time of the year), make sure you spend at least a few days in Dubuque. Here’s why:

IT’S WHERE IOWA STARTED

Like we said, Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, and dates back to 1833 - 13 years before the state of Iowa even existed! French-Canadian fur trader Julien Dubuque first settled in the area and befriended the Mesquakie Tribe, and the rest is (literally) history!

Known as the “Gateway to the West”, Dubuque sits along the Mississippi River, and borders Illinois and Wisconsin. We think it’s pretty rad that when you’re standing in Dubuque, you can actually see all three states!

We were obsessed with the architecture!

Love these buildings!

IT’S  AN OUTDOOR LOVERS DREAM

From picking apples in the fall, to hitting the slopes in the winter, to hiking to the Mines of Spain in the springtime, Dubuque is an outdoor lovers dream, no matter the time of year.

Summertime however, is an exceptional time to pass through, as you’ll find locals and visitors alike soaking in the sunshine - whether they’re on a pontoon in the Mississippi River or enjoying a glass of wine by the waterfront! If you’re a hiker, Dubuque has numerous picturesque trails to explore, and if you’re an adventure-seeker, their zipline is a must! There’s also kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, road biking, camping, and so much more.

IT’S A FOODIE CITY

It may sound weird, but we’d roadtrip back to Dubuque just for the restaurants! This bustling city is home to some of the best restaurants in the Midwest, each one with a unique and distinctly ‘Dubuque’ style.

Brazen Open Kitchen serves farm fresh food that is literally from local farms, and their ever-changing menu is always fresh and always a crowd-pleaser.

For an elevated and authentic Thai food experience, Pete’s Thai Kitchen dishes up family recipes that were passed down from generation to generation, in a playful and contemporary setting. Don’t miss the Pad Thai!

Located in the Historic Millworks District, 7 Hills Brewing is a modern brewpub that specializes in craft beer, craft cocktails, and mouth-watering comfort food. Their happy hour is one of the best in town!

Stone Cliff Winery sits along the Mississippi River, and is the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch on a warm, summer day. This family owned and operated winery is not only known for their award-winning wine, but for their extensive (and delicious) lunch menu, too!

Catch the sunset at Smokestack Dubuque, a rooftop venue with unparalleled views of the Dubuque skyline! Pull up a chair, make some friends, and you’re bound to fall more in love with this lively and captivating city.

Afternoon drinks at 7 Hills Brewing

Brazen Kitchen had amazing cocktails too!

Pete’s Thai made us feel like we were in Southeast Asia!

Stone Cliff Winery is located in the old Dubuque Star Brewery building

Drinks and snacks at Stone Cliff Winery. Sally is thinking the snacks are for her…

Brazen Kitchen creations :)

IT’S ICONIC

One of Dubuque’s most well-known attractions is the famous Fenelon Place Elevator. Not only are the views extraordinary, but the historic elevator is the shortest and steepest scenic railway in the world! You’ll see panoramic views of the Historic Downtown, the Mississippi River, and three states! (Do you remember which three?) Plus, the elevator is dog friendly!! Which leads us to our last point...

About to head up the Fenelon Place Elevator

IT’S DOG FRIENDLY

Our Bernedoodle Sally loved exploring Dubuque, and the city really is set up well for pets. We stayed at the brand new ? that was walking distance to just about everything, even the Fenelon Place Elevator! We took Sally to the adorable River Lights Bookstore, where they not only welcome dogs inside - but they give them treats, too!

We had a blast walking along the Mississippi River Walk with Sally, and she was permitted to join us while we enjoyed a light lunch at the nearby Stone Cliff Winery.

Our last night in Dubuque we went for an early evening hike with Sally around The Mines of Spain, which ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. (If Sally could talk, she would agree!) And pizza at Magoo’s is a must - and their outdoor patio allows pets!

Sally LOVED the Mississippi River Walk

Story time at River Lights Bookstore

Delicious pizza at Magoo’s

While we’re only beginning to scratch the surface on all that Dubuque has to offer, we hope this sparks the desire to add it to your summer roadtrip! Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but it’s packed with adventure - and tasty treats. ;) If you do head to Dubuque, make sure you let us know where you went and what you did! See you on the road!



5 Reasons Everyone Should Love Boingo

Boingo.

Chances are you’ve seen that name before, most likely when you’re hunting for free Wi-Fi. But do you know what it is? Throughout our travels we’ve seen Boingo Wireless pop up almost everywhere, from international terminals to neighborhood coffee shops, but we’d never understood exactly what Boingo was - or how to use it - until now!

As we were planning our most recent trip to Kauai, we realized that finding fast, dependable Wi-Fi on the island was going to be a challenge. As we began researching our Wi-Fi options, we once again came across Boingo and were amazed at what we discovered. Boingo helps the world stay connected to the people and things they love, no matter where they are. But it’s so much more.

Here’s our 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Know [And Love!] Boingo:

1. IT’S FREE IN AIRPORTS

That’s right. There’s no hidden costs, no “sign up now, pay later” gimmicks, no confusing referral codes. Boingo is FREE in the airports it services. Whether at JFK, LAX, Kauai, or Dubai, Boingo has your connectivity needs covered.

Jumping for joy because of the super fast (and free) Wi-Fi at John Wayne Airport!

Jumping for joy because of the super fast (and free) Wi-Fi at John Wayne Airport!

Pre-flight Wi-Fi at SNA

Boingo Wi-Fi while waiting for our bags? Yes please!

2. IT’S EASY

There’s a reason why Boingo has won “Best Wi-Fi Service” in Global Traveler magazine’s GT Tested reader survey awards NINE times… it’s SO easy to use! Boingo keeps travelers connected with its amazing, next-gen Passpoint hotspots - a technology that automatically connects travelers to Wi-Fi with no login or passwords required. Let us say it again. IT AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTS YOU TO WI-FI WITH NO LOGIN OR PASSWORDS REQUIRED. Can you even?!? It’s genius!!

One of the biggest issues/frustrations/headaches we get when we’re flying is figuring out airport Wi-Fi logins, passwords, etc. Oftentimes the connection is fickle and the process to connect can be lengthy - those of you that travel frequently know what a hassle this can be! We flew out of our local airport  (John Wayne, or SNA) to Lihue (LIH) and with Boingo Passpoint we were automatically connected to Wi-Fi the moment we walked inside.

We can’t stress how amazing and life changing this is! Bravo, Boingo!

So sad to leave Hawaii. But so happy about the blazing fast Wi-Fi at Lihue Airport!

3. IT’S EVERYWHERE

There are more than 1 million Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots around the world. From airports, to stadiums, convention centers, multifamily communities, military bases, commercial properties, and beyond… Boingo is everywhere! You’ll find Boingo’s award-winning Wi-Fi across six continents, and chances are the airports, hotels, restaurants, and cafes you frequent have a Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot. The Boingo Wi-Finder app makes it easy to locate the hotspots through an interactive map, and even select flights offer the service!

While we were in Kauai, we were thrilled by how many Boingo hotspots we found throughout the island. Whether we were grabbing coffee or poke bowls, or checking out the nearby five-star resort, we found multiple hotspots nearly everywhere we went. We couldn’t believe how easy it was to stay connected - even in such a lush, tropical location!

We stayed connected all over Kauai thanks to Boingo!

Wi-Fi while having shave ice? Yes please!

Staying connected gave us flexibility to work in the morning and hike off all the Hawaiian pancakes we ate in the afternoon

4. IT’S FAST (AND SECURE)

With connection speeds of up to 100 Mbps, Boingo is blazing-fast. The company has made significant investments in its Wi-Fi networks to ensure a consistent user experience that not only delivers speed and ease of use, but security as well. Whether you’re using Boingo for work or for streaming your favorite show, Boingo helps keep your information safe.

Speaking of streaming, you know a Wi-Fi service is fast when it can download your favorite Netflix shows in about a minute, and the Boingo hotspot at John Wayne Airport passed the test with flying colors! We had multiple episodes of Parks & Rec cued up for our flight with time to spare!

5. IT’S GROWING!

As the leading provider of airport Wi-Fi, Boingo can be found in many airports around the world, and their reach continues to expand. Delivering first class amenities like free, unlimited Wi-Fi is part of Boingo’s commitment to bring more convenience to travelers and make their travel time more enjoyable.

From John Wayne Airport, to the several Boingo hotspots in Kauai, to flying out of Lihue Airport, we were connected nearly our entire trip, without a single hitch. Boingo has officially changed how we travel, and we know it will for you too.

Learn more about Boingo’s global Wi-Fi access passes and sign up here!

Staying connected while on vacation mode is the BEST

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Thank you to Boingo for sponsoring this post!

We See You, Knoxville

We’ve gotten a lot of questions this road trip, everything from “Why did you bring your dog along?” to “Do you two fight ALL the time?” but two of the most frequent questions we’ve gotten are “What’s your favorite stop so far?” and “Has anywhere surprised you?”

While it’s too hard to pick a favorite (every city has been SO different, you really can’t compare), we without a doubt can answer which city surprised us.

Knoxville, Tennessee.

Now, we could say the typical “It’s really up and coming!” and “It’s such a foodie city!” (which is all true), but Knoxville deserves more than that. It’s special. It has the charm and approachability that we would assume Nashville had before it really commercialized. It’s a small town, yet modern, and the people are all so incredibly kind and proud of their city. (And after having spent a couple of days there, we felt proud of Knoxville too!)

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Instead of trying to convince you on just how epic Knoxville is, we figure we’ll let our experience (and the pictures) do the talking. Here’s what we did:

ATE OUR WAY THROUGH KNOXVILLE

If we’re being honest, we’re probably still full from Knoxville. This city has more restaurants and cafes than it knows what to do with - and they’re good, too! From modern taco shops like Chivo Taqueria and Good Golly Tamale, to artisan pizzarias like A Dopo Sourdough Pizza, to mouthwatering bakeries like Wild Love Bakehouse and Paysan Bread, the Knoxville foodie scene has a little of everything. And if you don’t end the day with a dipped cone at Cruze Farm Ice Cream, you’re doing it wrong!

Morning bagel deliciousness at Paysan Bread (and Remedy Coffee right next door)

Good Golly Tamale has some golly good tamales

Sally wanted the tacos at Chivo Taqueria

Yassin’s Falafel House is a great quick dinner

A Dopo may have been our favorite meal!

Can you see the SPARKLES?!?!?! Cruze Farm is AMAZING!

DRANK OUR WAY THROUGH KNOXVILLE

If you love beer, you will have a serious love affair with Knoxville. There are 15 local craft breweries in town, and every brewery has a story and a theme. Schulz Brau Brewing Company serves German style beers in a castle, Pretentious Beer Co serves their ales in hand-blown glasses that are made on site, and Last Days of Autumn has the best taco tuesday in town! (Paired with a habanero IPA, of course!)

How do we know so much about these breweries, you ask? We took the famous Knox Brew Tour - and we highly recommend it! This 3-hour tour took us through four craft breweries, where we not only learned more about the beer-making process, but we enjoyed twelve tastings, and made some new friends along the way. (No joke - we all went out to dinner together after!) We can’t say enough about how fun the tour is, and how great the people are that run them. The next time we’re back in Knoxville, you better believe we’ll be doing another Knox Brew Tour.

And while beer was definitely a highlight, we would be remiss to leave out our daily fuel - coffee. Of course there are amazing coffee shops in Knoxville. Some of our favorites are Honeybee Coffee, Remedy Coffee, Wild Love Bakehouse, and Awaken Coffee (and there were more that we wanted to visit - next time!).

Hand blown glass can be found all over Pretenious Beer Co, and you can buy some amazing glasses!

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We learned something new at every stop!

Our guide Zack, aka Taco, is a beer guru that makes the tour so much fun!

We left with more knowledge of beer, but also some new pals!

Honeybee Coffee :)

Wild Love Bakehouse for coffee and treats!

Honeybee is bright, spacious, and has some yummy coffee

SWUNG, ZIPPED, & WALKED OUR WAY THROUGH KNOXVILLE

Thanks to the folks at Navitat Canopy Adventures, we were able to see Knoxville in a whole new way… from the trees! We spent an afternoon conquering their tree-based zipline and aerial course, and it was quite the thrill! USA Today has called their zipline course “One of the best in the nation”, and it definitely lives up to the hype. Adventure seekers, this is reason enough to put Knoxville on your radar!

Prefer walking on solid ground over balancing on ropes? You’re in luck too! Knoxville’s downtown is incredibly walkable. We rarely used our car while we were there, which we loved! We stayed at the Hilton Downtown, which was just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque Market Square, where there were plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. Oh, and we can’t forget about Strong Alley (just parallel to Market Square)! This colorful artist-designated alley has dozens of unique and expressive murals - our favorite was the painting of the iconic Dolly Parton!

Before we embarked on our adventure at Navitat Canopy Adventures

Bobby flying through one of the more challenging courses!

Beautiful night to explore Market Square

Dolly Parton is one of the first to greet you as you stroll into Strong Alley

SALLY PAWED HER WAY THROUGH KNOXVILLE

Knoxville is just about as dog friendly as they come. Not only do most restaurants have dog friendly patios, but many downtown shops allow dogs inside! We had the best time shopping with Sally in Mast General Store, where she got ample attention from friendly shoppers, and we were able to stock up on some needed roadtripping essentials.

Popular pet brand Pet Safe has their headquarters in Knoxville, and has outfitted the city with spacious dog parks and even a pet resort and spa! We frequented the Pet Safe Downtown Dog Park, where Sally was able to get her wiggles out and make some new friends.

Most breweries are dog friendly, including Alliance Brewing Company, Balter Beerworks, and Elkmont Exchange (see a full list here). Many of which will bring water bowls to your table and have puppy treats on hand, that’s true Southern hospitality right there!

Sally getting her wiggles out at the Pet Safe Downtown Dog Park

So many friends for Sally…

Mast General Store has treasures everywhere

Sally at Mast General :)

More treasures…

Yum!

So many great spots for Sally to get her photo taken!

Moral of the story? Knoxville is really cool. It surprised us, and we think it will surprise you too. We can’t wait to go back.