Lauren Matison Crossley

In America, few modes of transit combine a childlike sense of joy with a valid fear of death quite like the bicycle. Urban bike commuters and child-hauling suburbanites can both see that America’s roadways were designed with cars in mind, not pedestrians or cyclists. We’ve known since the early 1950’s that air pollution is linked to cars and transportation—the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States—and can’t help but wonder: what will it take to finally release us from our toxic car-based identity?

On an epic road trip from California to Connecticut with our two kids last August, my husband and I found ourselves totally winging it after a mudslide on I-70 in Colorado wiped out our plans to mountain bike near the town of Carbondale. It wasn't the first snag we encountered in the past year, during which we made three major road trips in our Ford Transit camper van.

Now that you’ve given cherry blossoms and tulips their due, the next best way to celebrate the season is to get out of town and see what else is blooming.

From a Victorian mansion-turned-modernist knockout on the Jersey Shore to riverside vintage campers in the Catskills and a beachside resort on Long Island that we really wanted to keep secret, these 10 new and improved retreats have something for everyone—plus, no driver’s license required.

Whether you want to simply relax and eat at a culinary farm retreat in Connecticut or go off the grid on a sensory snowshoe hike through the Adirondacks, there’s an excursion on this mid-winter survival list for you. Here are 12 unique and exciting weekend getaways within five hours of NYC for every type of traveler.

A powerful space will examine a city’s past and honor the African American legacy.

Across America, youth-centered nonprofits are reshaping the face of the environmental movement

For those of us who have benefited from an outdoor upbringing, it can be easy to forget that taking a family walk in the woods is an immense privilege. Many marginalized groups have limited access to the natural world, and in some families...

There are certain mountain hikes that stay with you forever. There's just something about mountain hiking, with the rush of adrenaline required to climb up—and, sometimes, serious altitude thrown into the mix. But whether you choose to explore the underappreciated peaks of the East Coast, the very top of Texas, or a hidden paradise in Hawaii, the best mountains hikes will reward your efforts with memorable views.

With more than 3,000 charging stations across the state, including 100 new high-speed chargers, New York’s EV boom is officially in overdrive. And everywhere from glamorous boutique hotels to major cultural sites, like Storm King Sculpture Park and the Corning Glass Museum, have joined the EV movement—which feels like being on the right side of climate history. (Also saving money on gas is nice.)
A boost in EV inventory at car rental agencies such as Hertz and car-sharing marketplaces like Tu...

It's hard to forget your first time hiking with kids. When my son could hold his head up at around six months old, I plopped him into a child carrier backpack and took off on our first hike through Manhattan’s Central Park. I felt like super mom as I trekked across New York’s urban paradise towards North Woods Loch Waterfall with sweet “oohs” and “ahhs” in my ear. Mostly, he slept. But it was such an exhilarating experience that I started a local hiking meetup for new parents, who rejoiced in...

A new homeowner digs deep into the world of native gardening after learning her yard is an environmental sin.

During a crash course in sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, one writer throws caution to the wind and rekindles her faith in new adventures.

In this golden age of RV travel, with ownership at an all-time high and myriad new ways to book a getaway, exploring RV campgrounds is as exciting as embarking on the journey itself.

For one pandemic-worn parent, the key to staying close to her family is getting some distance.

One of life’s guaranteed adventures, besides having kids, is a family camping trip. Because when we’re talking about that trusted recipe for fun—dirt, fire, stars, and wild places—it’s nearly impossible for kids not to have a good time. But if you're intimidated by the idea of planning your first family camping adventure, we have good news: there’s no one right way to do it.

My family and I bought a Ford Transit last spring, and it felt like a dirty secret. Despite being a relatively svelte RV, the typical Class B camper gets 16 to 20 miles per gallon and emits far more greenhouse-gas emissions than my Prius or bike, both my long-preferred modes of transit.