Lauren Elyse Crossley
Travel writer and editor
Contributor at Nat Geo Adventure, Parents Magazine, Thrillist, Bicycling and Lonely Planet. Co-founder of offMetro.com. New York Times Travel Show host. Cosmopolitan's top female blogger. Triathlete.
PROJECTS
National Geographic
Go Inside the Empowering World of All-Women's Adventure Travel
The all-women's adventure travel movement is a force to be reckoned with. Join the party.
National Geographic
Awesome Adventure Lodges That Won't Break the Bank
We scoured the country in search of high-octane fun on a dime and discovered subterranean treks in California’s Land of Giants, bike rides through the Grand Canyon of the South, and under-the-radar rain forest hikes on the Olympic Peninsula. The low-budget lodges on this list (from $39 a night!) make it all possible without touching that dream-trip fund. Consider these wallet-friendly retreats offering stylish digs, adventure concierges, and up-close access to the wildest shows on earth.
offmetro.com
Why Woodstock, New York is Worth Revisiting Now
Best known for the famous 1969 counterculture music festival of the same name — an event that actually took place 50 miles away in a town called Bethel — Woodstock, New York is an easy getaway from NYC. With its unique culture, mountaintop Buddhist monastery, great food, and general relaxed vibe, the hippie town is the perfect place to cure your stress and screen addiction (at least for the weekend).
National Geographic
5 Off-Slope Adventures in America's Best Ski Towns
After long lift lines, repeats on favorite runs, and après-ski schmoozing, there may not be much time for off-slope adventures on a weekend ski trip. Still, these five towns make a strong case for mixing up your mountain game and reveling in some hidden pleasures of the season. Make the most of your next winter getaway by adding one of these non-ski adventures to your weekend on the mountain.
National Geographic
15 Skills Every Adventurer Needs
If you’re well prepared for adventure and can find the humor in things not going according to plan, you’ll never stop exploring. To understand just what will get you to that place, we spoke with endurance athletes, gear gurus, and elite climbers about how to physically and mentally ready yourself for your next great journey—whether it’s a multi-day trek, afternoon bike ride, or overnight camping trip.
National Geographic
7 Spectacular Adventures Along France's Western Coast
A road trip up the Atlantic coast, from Biarritz to Brittany, reveals France’s wild western edge, where water-sport opportunities abound and there are far fewer tourists than in the Mediterranean. Even if you’re not a lover of the sea, the dramatic coastal landscapes, delicious cuisine, and budget-friendly beach campgrounds are too good to miss.
thrillist
The Hamptons Bucket List: 28 Things You Must Do Out East | Thrillist
There’s far more to the Hamptons than just drinking rosé while lying on a giant swan-shaped pool float (though you’re absolutely welcome to do that if you so please). From a secret sculpture-dappled nature preserve to the best cocktail spots and the coolest place to spend the night (for just $35!), these are the things you absolutely must do in the Hamptons.
Parents
5 Under-the-Radar Island Escapes the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Consider a trip to one of these five unspoiled destinations that are redefining the family island getaway.
Travel + Leisure
The Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Every State | Travel + Leisure
We consulted with the country’s top food bloggers and experts (and did plenty of foraging ourselves) to uncover the best eco-friendly restaurant in every state, from the Sun Belt to the Gulf of Alaska to the shores of Hawaii's Big Island.
Parents
30 Totally Doable Ways to Be a Greener Parent | Parents Magazine
We get it. Some days you actually feel like you're Mother Earth and the weight of the world is on your shoulders. That's why we came up with 30 small changes you can make that will lighten your load and your carbon footprint.
bicycling.com
How to Ride Safely Through Your Pregnancy | Bicycling Magazine
Here are the five most important (and reasonable) tips to safely ride while pregnant.
Travel + Leisure
Responsible Travel in Cuba | Travel + Leisure
A seven-day journey through Havana in search of responsible travel opportunities yields inspiring discoveries beyond the government-regulated tourism industry.
thrillist
The Most Beautiful Day Trips for Architecture & Design Lovers | Thrillist
When the magic of living in the giant interactive art exhibit that is New York City gets so overwhelming you can’t shrug it off with coffee or punk rope, you know it’s time for a change of scenery. Instead of getting lost in the transcendent beauty of other people’s Instagram feeds, discover where to go on your own architecture- and sculpture-dappled adventure this fall with this list of 10 inspiring (and seriously photogenic) places worthy of a day trip.
Parents
How to Raise a Nature Lover
The following 10 nationwide organizations make it fun and totally feasible to plan an outdoor escape in your backyard and beyond.
thrillist
How to Escape NYC Without Ever Leaving
From subterranean sanctuaries to an Alexander Hamilton hideout, these 10 spots throughout Manhattan offer a little urban adventure and a momentary getaway when you need it most.