I was pretty bummed out after being turned away from the Historic Lowe Hotel in nearby Point Pleasant (booked up for a weekend full of weddings and a class reunion), but the William Ann Motel was suggested to me by a local and I couldn't be happier with my stay.
The place is pretty no-frills, but the staff are pleasant, the rooms are clean, and best of all, they're dirt cheap. A single bed cost me $50 and some change, had a mini fridge, ice-cold AC, and even a microwave.
If you're planning on heading to Point Pleasant for the Mothman Festival and you need a nice, quiet place away from the circus downtown, it's well worth the few minute drive across the river. Highly recommended!
If you're hungry, be sure to try the Sea Monster Sandwich. It's the house special, and it's basically just a whole ton of seafood shoved into a bun. Be sure to get there early, because this place gets packed in the evening!
Just a heads up, this place is totally awesome, but it's only open for a few months a year. It's a nature preserve for the local bird populations, so between the months of March and October (nesting season), the park is totally off-limits to visitors. Outside of those months, you can apply for a permit to visit the island, but you have to provide your own boat. Happy hunting!
This is one the funniest/worst smelling points of interest in downtown Seattle. It's RIGHT at Pike Place Market, which you're going to go see anyway, so you have no excuse not to pop down the alley and smash your own piece of gum into the wall.
It's equally as impressive as it is gross. Take your parents to go check it out after they've seen "those nice men who throw the fish", and pretend to pick a piece off the wall and pop it in your mouth. Trust me.
If anything can be said about the Smoky Mountains, it's that they're beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. Some of the best blooms in the spring and a gorgeous, bright orange fall.
Head to Cade's Cove if you want to take in some wildlife in the forest, or for a really spectacular view, head to Clingman's Dome. At almost 7k feet up, it provides absolutely stunning scenery.
Loads of great hiking to get a workout and swimming holes to cool down. The best part? The park is FREE. Fun fact: The Smoky's are the most visited National Park in America. One visit and you'll understand why.
If you're always lamenting that camping in National Parks is too crowded and not "campy" enough, then Grasslands is the park you've been looking for. There's a lot less of the infrastructure that you see at other parks, but that's a welcome trade off for the desolate beauty you get to experience. No planes, no cars, no trains - the only noise you'll hear out here are the sounds of grazing buffalo and crickets.
There's tons of hiking/biking trails available (including driving tours - try the ecotrail tour for a fun learning experience), amazing stargazing opportunities, and even some great geocaching. One of the best ways to see the park is actually by horseback.
Few tips: if you have hay fever, you will be miserable here in the spring/summer. Also ready to make everyone miserable are the mosquitos, so bring bug spray.
A lot of the camps don't come equipped with showers, so if you start to find yourself getting ripe, head to the Val Marie camp where they do offer showers for $3.
Banff should definitely be at the top of anyone's National Park bucket list, because it's arguably the most beautiful park in North America. Spectacular views no matter where you look; lakes, glaciers, forests, rivers, and all the diverse wildlife that comes with it. The Icefields Parkway is a must visit, as are the Hot Springs.
If you're planning on spending a few days in the park, know that the Inns at Banff are much like your standard hotel, but don't let that fool you. If you're smart, you won't be spending much time in the hotel anyway - you're really paying a reasonable price to be so close to everything.
A few tips - the summer months can be pretty unpredictable, so *always* be prepared for rain. It can disappear just as quickly as it arrives, so just be ready for it - it won't ruin your trip.
If you're a skier, your best bet is to show up between Easter and June when the crowds (and prices) are low.
Good luck finding a more badass statue in the city. Definitely worth a stop and a photo op, particularly if you're headed down to to get a view of the water.
The best coffee in Chicago, without a doubt. These people take their coffee seriously, and as a result, take themselves a bit too seriously as well. If you're not a knowledgable coffee snob, you might get a few dirty looks from the baristas as you fumble around the menu (definitely, definitely, definitely do not say anything like "what I usually get at Starbucks is a...."), but if you enjoy coffee, this place is a godsend.
Heads up, they close early, so don't try swinging by for a late-night brew.
The Double Door is one of my favorite places in the city to see a show. The sound in this place is always fantastic, the bartenders are speedy, and they book some really great shows and produce them well.
Do yourself a favor and head upstairs after you grab your drinks, snag a spot on the balcony, and enjoy the best seat in the house.