American Beauty Tours

It's decision time! Which park road-trip would you be packing your bags for?

No matter where you go, remember that many national parks are especially busy in 2021. A little trip planning can ensure that your only surprises are happy ones. To help everyone have a great experience, rangers have shared their top 10 insider tips to . Learn more at:
https://home.nps.gov/aboutus/news/plan-like-a-park-ranger.htm

Graphic: "Pick your road trip."

Trip 1

Acadia
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller
Cape Cod
Weir Farm
Sagamore Hill
Fire Island

Trip 2

Arches
Dinosaur
Rocky Mountain
Florissant Fossil Beds
Great Sand Dunes
Mesa Verde

Trip 3

Jewel Cave
Wind Cave
Minuteman Missile
Mount Rushmore
Badlands
Devils Tower

Trip 4

Tallgrass Prairie
Chickasaw
Waco Mammoth
San Antonio Missions
Padre Island
Palo Alto

Trip 5

Fort Pulaski
Cumberland Island
Castillo De San Marcos
Gulf Islands
Everglades
Dry Tortugas

Trip 6

Zion
Grand Canyon
Wupatki
Petrified Forest
Montezuma Castle
Saguaro

Trip 7

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
Mammoth Cave
Big South Fork
Great Smoky Mountains
Blue Ridge Parkway
New River Gorge

Trip 8

Golden Gate
Muir Woods
Rosie The Riveter WWII
Pinnacles
Devils Postpile
Yosemite

Trip 9

Voyageurs
Isle Royale
Apostle Islands
Keweenaw
Pictured Rocks
Sleeping Bear Dunes

Trip 10

Katmai
Kenai Fjords
Lake Clark
Denali
Glacier Bay
Sitka

Trip 11

Haleakalā
Hawai'i Volcanoes
Kaloko-Honokōhau
Pearl Harbor
Pu`ukoholā Heiau
Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau

Trip 12

San Juan
Virgin Islands
Buck Island Reef
Christiansted
Salt River Bay
Virgin Islands Coral Reef

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, our nation’s second independence day, is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American tradition of music, food and freedom.

Juneteenth Juneteenth, our nation’s second independence day, is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American tradition of music, food and freedom.  Virtual Programs Porch Stories EXPLORE Community Soundstage EXPLORE Juneteenth EX...

U.S. Passports

With travel sales surging that means passports are getting backlogged. If you are thinking about traveling in the next year internationally--make sure to get the passport renewal process started early to avoid travel delay. Renew Now!

U.S. Passports If you need your passport in less than 10-12 weeks due to international travel plans, you can pay an additional $60 fee to expedite your passport. If you plan to expedite your application, send your application using USPS’ Priority Mail Express. Expect to receive a passport in 4-6 weeks when apply...

Where Can I Travel With a Vaccine? - Centrav Resources

Where vaccinated American travelers can travel to now and in the near future!

Where Can I Travel With a Vaccine? - Centrav Resources Where Can I Travel With a Vaccine? A list of six countries that are currently open to travelers with a vaccine. Are you ready to go?

Feast on These Recipes From America's National Parks

As our country opens up to travel and tourism, how appropriate to celebrate National Parks Week! Even if you can’t get away for National Parks Week, you can still taste the flavors of these natural wonders at home. From popovers to campfire beans, here are six recipes for the culinary delights within national parks!

Feast on These Recipes From America's National Parks Bring the outdoors to your kitchen with recipes from across the parks system.

Experience the original stage production as it comes to life like never before. Tune in Easter weekend for this special live broadcast event - only on Sight & Sound TV.
https://www.sight-sound.tv/jesus-live

With Mardi Gras Parades Canceled, New Orleans Residents Are Turning Their Houses Into Floats

laissez le bon temps rouler!

With Mardi Gras Parades Canceled, New Orleans Residents Are Turning Their Houses Into Floats Louisiana locals have come up with a range of socially distanced alternatives to the city's traditional festivities

The time is always right to do what is right... -Dr. Martin Luther King

Parks across the country are hosting special events, like virtual musical performances, solstice observances, craft-making, caroling, resolution hikes, and more. Be sure to review safety requirements before attending any event in person. Come to an event or create your own holiday traditions of visiting a national park. Find more tips to recreate responsibly for a fun, safe visit at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/holiday-happenings.htm

Image: 12 things to see in a park with text:
“On my twelfth trip to a park
my best friend showed to me:
12 wolves A-Howlin’
Eleven pointy Sea Stars
Ten dolphins jumping
Nine happy trees
Eight eagles soaring
Seven cacti waving
Six moose A-Grunting
Five ranger hats
Four hikers hiking
Three stoic bison
Two hungry bears
And a selfie going very badly.”

A Look Back On Shirley Chisholm's Historic 1968 House Victory

in 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress, where she served for seven terms. The Brooklyn, New York native represented New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. Chisholm was the daughter of immigrants from Barbados and Guyana and had a significant impact on anti-poverty policy and educational reform.

A Look Back On Shirley Chisholm's Historic 1968 House Victory Fifty years ago, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman elected to Congress. As part of our series on significant events from 1968, we examine Chisholm's life and work.

7 Spectacular Libraries You Can Explore From Your Living Room

Bibliophiles unite! Libraries! Who misses the library? I know I do- Check out this virtual tour of Libraries around the world and think about planning your next trip to include one of them! https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/7-libraries-you-can-visit-from-home?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d1a31b1898-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-d1a31b1898-70571525&mc_cid=d1a31b1898&mc_eid=0e314c6107

7 Spectacular Libraries You Can Explore From Your Living Room You can almost smell the old books.

John Lewis, Congressman and Civil Rights Icon, Dead at 80

An icon, a leader and a legend... RIP John Lewis...

John Lewis, Congressman and Civil Rights Icon, Dead at 80 Lewis, who served 17 terms in congress and was one of the organizers of the March on Washington, had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

On this day in 1865

Traveling and attending Pride may be cancelled this year, but the celebrations will go on. Organizers around the world are planning new ways to commemorate this important event that helps the LGBTQIA+ community come together as one while championing progress and acceptance. The world is seeking out new ways to attend and commemorate Pride in a socially-distanced way. Here are some of the ways you can show your Pride this month.

Global Pride
The biggest way Pride is being celebrated is on a global scale—literally. As a way to let the celebration live on in a new way, while providing some much-needed cheer and hope, InterPride, a global federation of Pride organizations teamed up with the European Pride Organisers Association to create Global Pride 2020. According to Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organisers Association and Chair of Baltic Pride in Riga, Latvia, “For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. It’s essential this year that as Pride organizers, we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home.” https://www.interpride.org/

As of now, about 350 Prides from around the world may be participating in this 24-hour livestream event. So no matter where you live, you’ll be able to experience Pride in some of the biggest event hot spots in the world, such as Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Rio de Janeiro. From celebrity cameos and musical performances to political speakers and local stories, Global Pride will be an event unlike any other.

June 27th from 12AM – 11:59PM UTC

New York Pride
Unsurprisingly the city that never sleeps is planning something spectacular when it comes to its virtual events. Although New York can’t celebrate its 50th pride parade as usual, there will be plenty to experience online. Kicking off Pride will be Pride 2020 DragFest, a three-day digital festival with more than 100 scheduled performers. Days later New York’s main Pride event will be broadcasted on the local WABC station and livestreamed on abc7ny.com. In addition to Grand Marshal Dan Levy from Schitt’s Creek, performances will be featured by Janelle Monae, Billy Porter, and Deborah Cox.

Event details: https://www.nycpride.org/

Pride 2020 DragFest
June 19-21
6:30-8PM ET

NYC Pride Live Special
June 28th
12-3PM ET

San Francisco Pride
Also celebrating its 50th anniversary, San Francisco will be taking part in Global Pride as well as hosting its own online event. Hoping to reproduce the essence of Pride in a virtual way, there will be live and pre-recorded performances, plenty of community spirit, and tons of entertainment.

Event details: http://www.sfpride.org/
June 27th between 1-9PM PT
June 28th between 2-7PM PT

Denver Pride
The Rocky Mountain region’s largest Pride festival can’t be stopped in 2020. With two days of online events, there will be a virtual parade, a socially-distanced 5K, Pride decorating contest, dance party, and much more.

Event details: https://denverpride.org/

Denver Pride 2020 Festival
June 27-28 throughout the day

Virtual Pride Parade
June 21st at 9:30AM MT

Traveling and attending Pride may be cancelled this year, but the celebrations will go on. Organizers around the world are planning new ways to commemorate this important event that helps the LGBTQIA+ community come together as one while championing progress and acceptance. The world is seeking out new ways to attend and commemorate Pride in a socially-distanced way. Here are some of the ways you can show your Pride this month.

Global Pride
The biggest way Pride is being celebrated is on a global scale—literally. As a way to let the celebration live on in a new way, while providing some much-needed cheer and hope, InterPride, a global federation of Pride organizations teamed up with the European Pride Organisers Association to create Global Pride 2020. According to Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organisers Association and Chair of Baltic Pride in Riga, Latvia, “For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. It’s essential this year that as Pride organizers, we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home.” https://www.interpride.org/

As of now, about 350 Prides from around the world may be participating in this 24-hour livestream event. So no matter where you live, you’ll be able to experience Pride in some of the biggest event hot spots in the world, such as Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Rio de Janeiro. From celebrity cameos and musical performances to political speakers and local stories, Global Pride will be an event unlike any other.

June 27th from 12AM – 11:59PM UTC

New York Pride
Unsurprisingly the city that never sleeps is planning something spectacular when it comes to its virtual events. Although New York can’t celebrate its 50th pride parade as usual, there will be plenty to experience online. Kicking off Pride will be Pride 2020 DragFest, a three-day digital festival with more than 100 scheduled performers. Days later New York’s main Pride event will be broadcasted on the local WABC station and livestreamed on abc7ny.com. In addition to Grand Marshal Dan Levy from Schitt’s Creek, performances will be featured by Janelle Monae, Billy Porter, and Deborah Cox.

Event details: https://www.nycpride.org/

Pride 2020 DragFest
June 19-21
6:30-8PM ET

NYC Pride Live Special
June 28th
12-3PM ET

San Francisco Pride
Also celebrating its 50th anniversary, San Francisco will be taking part in Global Pride as well as hosting its own online event. Hoping to reproduce the essence of Pride in a virtual way, there will be live and pre-recorded performances, plenty of community spirit, and tons of entertainment.

Event details: http://www.sfpride.org/
June 27th between 1-9PM PT
June 28th between 2-7PM PT

Denver Pride
The Rocky Mountain region’s largest Pride festival can’t be stopped in 2020. With two days of online events, there will be a virtual parade, a socially-distanced 5K, Pride decorating contest, dance party, and much more.

Event details: https://denverpride.org/

Denver Pride 2020 Festival
June 27-28 throughout the day

Virtual Pride Parade
June 21st at 9:30AM MT