Carl Kessler, Author at Travel

Petrified Forest With a Dog: A Fall Road-Trip Stop That Works

Visitor walking a leashed dog beside petrified logs and colorful Arizona badlands.

Petrified Forest National Park is unusually welcoming to leashed dogs, including on trails. For a fall visit, choose a few manageable stops, carry water for everyone, and plan around the park’s gated operating hours. The official schedule currently lists 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Petrified Forest … Know the pet rules before arriving Pets may accompany visitors in outdoor areas where people are permitted, but ordinary pets cannot enter park buildings. Dogs must remain on a leash no longer than six feet, and owners must clean…

A Longwood Christmas 2026: Plan a Day-to-Night Garden Visit

Carl Kessler

Illuminated conservatory and star-shaped garden decorations reflected in a pool at dusk.

A Longwood Christmas runs November 20, 2026 through January 10, 2027 at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Reserve the correct admission product, check its entry conditions, and plan a manageable mix of indoor displays and outdoor lights. The announced 2026 theme draws inspiration from stars and the cosmos. Longwood Gardens Choose your ticket before building the itinerary A holiday garden visit works best when admission anchors the rest of the day. Start at Longwood’s official website and compare the available products instead of booking accommodation around an assumed evening…

Congaree in Fall: Plan a Forest Walk Around Water Levels

Carl Kessler

Two hikers following a wooden boardwalk through an autumn floodplain forest.

Congaree National Park makes a rewarding fall outing when you plan around water levels rather than a fixed trail itinerary. Start with the official conditions page, choose a confirmed-open route, and keep an alternative ready. Flooding can affect trails even when rain is not falling locally. nps.gov Check conditions before choosing a trail Congaree protects a floodplain forest near Hopkins, South Carolina. Water is part of the landscape’s natural rhythm, not simply an inconvenience that appears after a storm. The National Park Service reports periodic flooding that can make backcountry…

Chicago Christkindlmarket 2026: Choosing the Right Location

Carl Kessler

Bundled visitors browsing illuminated wooden holiday stalls in downtown Chicago

Direct answer: Christkindlmarket returns to three Chicago-area locations in 2026: Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville, and Aurora. All three are scheduled to open Friday, November 20, but travelers should confirm each location’s final dates and hours before planning a visit. Chicago Compare the three markets The locations offer different trip styles. Daley Plaza: The original downtown market celebrates its 30th year in 2026. It is the easiest option to combine with Loop architecture, museums, and downtown hotels. Wrigleyville: Located at Gallagher Way, this option works well for visitors staying on Chicago’s North…

Grand Canyon North Rim After October 15: What Is Actually Open?

Carl Kessler

Two fall visitors consulting a map at a forested Grand Canyon North Rim overlook

Direct answer: The Grand Canyon North Rim does not simply close in one step on October 15, 2026. The campground closes then, selected overlook roads close temporarily for construction, and the entrance gate is expected to close November 30—or earlier after the first major snowstorm. home.nps.gov Understand the October 15 transition The North Rim Campground is open through October 15, 2026. Travelers arriving after that date should not assume they can camp there simply because State Route 67 remains accessible. Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are scheduled to…

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend 2026: A Visitor and Spectator Plan

Carl Kessler

Spectators cheering runners on a Philadelphia boulevard surrounded by late-autumn trees.

Direct answer: Visitors should treat Philadelphia Marathon Weekend as three separate event days, select one spectator location, and postpone driving or moving a vehicle near the course until official 2026 road-closure details are released. The weekend runs November 20–22, 2026. The expo takes place Friday and Saturday, the half marathon and 8K are held Saturday, and the full Philadelphia Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, November 22. Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Confirm which race you are attending Do not refer to the entire weekend simply as “the marathon.” Participants and spectators may…

Zion National Park in Late Fall 2026: Understand the Shuttle Schedule

Carl Kessler

Hikers boarding a shuttle bus beneath red cliffs and golden cottonwood trees in Zion Canyon.

Direct answer: Zion Canyon shuttles continue operating through November 28, 2026, but evening departures become earlier starting October 25. Visitors should note the last outbound and return buses before beginning a hike. From October 25 through November 28, the first Zion Canyon shuttle leaves the visitor center at 7:00 a.m., the last shuttle into the canyon leaves at 5:00 p.m., and the final return bus leaves the Temple of Sinawava at 6:15 p.m. The Springdale Line operates from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. during the same period. National Park Service…

Head of the Charles Regatta 2026: A First-Time Spectator Guide

Carl Kessler

Rowing crews racing on the Charles River as spectators watch from a riverbank surrounded by fall foliage.

Direct answer: The simplest way to attend the 2026 Head of the Charles Regatta is to choose one riverbank viewing area, arrive by public transportation, and stay on the same side of the Charles River for most of the day. The regatta runs October 16–18, 2026, along the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge. Organizers describe it as the world’s largest regatta and encourage spectators to use public transportation because parking is limited and portions of Memorial Drive will be closed during race weekend. Head Of The Charles® Regatta Choose…

Saguaro National Park in Fall: A First-Time Two-District Plan

Carl Kessler

Two hikers carrying water on a Sonoran Desert trail surrounded by tall saguaro cacti.

Direct answer: First-time visitors to Saguaro National Park should choose either the east or west district for a short visit, carry their own water, begin with an easy trail or scenic drive, and avoid attempting to cover both districts in a rushed half-day. Saguaro National Park protects two areas on opposite sides of Tucson: the Tucson Mountain District to the west and Rincon Mountain District to the east. Both have a visitor center, maps, water fountains, hiking trails, and a driving loop, but traveling between them requires returning through the…

REAL ID for Holiday Flights: A 2026 Airport Checklist

Carl Kessler

raveler holding a passport and identification wallet beside a carry-on at an airport checkpoint.

Direct answer: US travelers age 18 or older should arrive at airport security with a REAL ID-compliant license or another identification accepted by TSA, such as a valid passport. Check the physical document before leaving home rather than assuming an ordinary driver’s license qualifies. TSA stopped accepting noncompliant state driver’s licenses and identification cards at airport checkpoints on May 7, 2025. Travelers without acceptable identification may face a separate verification process, additional screening, delays, or denial of checkpoint entry if their identity cannot be confirmed. Transportation Security Administration Inspect the…