Lauren Elyse Crossley
Travel writer and editor
Contributor at National Geographic, Parents, Bicycling and Lonely Planet. Co-founder of offMetro.com. New York Times Travel Show host. Cosmopolitan's top female blogger. Environmentalist. Triathlete.
PROJECTS
Shape
5 Lessons I Learned from Riding 500 Miles Across France
All photos: Vincent Crossley
Sometimes it takes a very long (and very hilly) road to finally feel happy in your own skin. When I started planning a bikepacking trip across France—a 12-day, coast-to-coast journey from the North to South, averaging 60 miles a day—I simply wanted to raise money for World Bicycle Relief and have a romantic adventure with my husband and lots of rosé. (Our own Tour de France, if you will—just about a week shorter, and about a quarter of the distance.) But there I w...
National Geographic
Wild U.S. Hiking Trails That Cannot Be Missed
When you’re immersed in nature, there’s no such thing as a boring hike. But if you’re looking to discover some unfamiliar terrain, head to one of these five spectacular trails. Each one represents a different version of the word "wild"—like scaling a well-known granite wall or exploring an uninhabited, Martian-like landscape—yet they all offer challenging journeys across America’s craziest geological wonders. These epic routes celebrate taking it slow in heart-racing places.
bicycling.com
The Gear I Used to Ride My Own Tour de France
This summer, my husband and I bikepacked more than 500 miles across France. Starting at the English Channel, we rolled down to the Mediterranean, carrying everything we needed on our bikes. The intoxicating landscapes, legendary climbs, and ancient chateaus—everything we’d seen in Tour de France coverage—combined to dazzling effect with France’s spirit of fraternité. Drivers slowed to yell, “Bon courage!” like we were breakaway hero Thomas Voeckler.
While we realized our Tour dreams, we also ...
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.