Month: September 2025

• I never had a desire to see the Midwest until I saw photos of Door County, Wisconsin, in the fall.
• On my visit to Door County, I found amazing fall foliage, exciting traditions, and friendly locals.
• I’m now open to visiting many more places in the world instead of just the big-name tourist spots.

I love traveling up and down the East Coast, and I’ve always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest — but I can’t say I ever dreamed of visiting the states that fill out the center of the United States.

But I changed my mind once I saw pictures online of Door County, Wisconsin, during the fall. I was awestruck by images of lush trees that seemed to go on forever in vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, and green.

Growing up in Virginia, I was no stranger to fall foliage, but I had never seen anything like this.

I felt an immediate pull to the area and within a few weeks, my flight was booked for a late October trip.

Door County looked like something out of a Hallmark movie

On my first day in Door County, I woke up to views of Lake Michigan from my balcony at The Water Street Inn, a circa 1896 hotel that looked like it was right out of a Hallmark movie.

I kicked off the day with a ride aboard the Door County Trolley to get a closer look at the leaves I had been dreaming of for weeks. It’s one thing to see that kind of beauty in a picture, but seeing it in person was surreal.

It had rained that morning, so the wet streets reflected the colors of the maple trees towering over them, with brightly colored leaves covering many of the roads in blankets of gold and orange.

In the days that followed, I spent my time strolling through diverse nature preserves and parks like The Ridges Sanctuary and Whitefish Dunes State Park.

I climbed to the top of the Cana Island Lighthouse, which is over 150 years old. I explored the picturesque downtown areas of Fish Creek and Egg Harbor, and took part in Door County’s most time-honored tradition: the fish boil.

What began as an efficient way to feed hungry fishermen a century ago has turned into an incredible way to bring the town together on a regular basis for an unpretentious, delicious meal by the fire.

The Midwestern peninsula was made special by more than quaint towns and mesmerizing scenery

During my time in Door County, I discovered more than just once-in-a-lifetime fall foliage, epic waterfronts, and charming towns.

There was a deep sense of pride among the people who lived there. I met locals who were eager to tell me they’d lived on the peninsula for their entire lives. Some had left for college or moved away as adults to see what else was out there, but came back when they didn’t find a place more special than the one they grew up in.

The locals who have painstakingly preserved the area’s heritage while adding to its story are the ones who’ve made Door County flourish, and their love is evident in every square mile from Sturgeon Bay to Fish Creek.

This trip taught me that, although there’s nothing wrong with visiting top tourist destinations, the United States is teeming with beautiful towns I’ve not yet heard of — and many of those are worth exploring too.

I plan trips with a more open mind now because I know that no matter where I go, whether it’s Bucharest or the Midwest, I’ll find something worth experiencing.

This story was originally published on August 20, 2024, and most recently updated on September 8, 2025.

• I usually keep to myself on flights, but recently spent hours talking to my 95-year-old seatmate.
• I learned about her life and how much she values making friends through solo travel.
• Now we’re pen pals, and she’s inspired me to travel more and connect with the people around me.

When I boarded a flight in Paris earlier this summer, I had no idea that I would step off the plane in Boston with a new pen pal and friend — especially someone with nearly three times my life experience.

I live in Bulgaria, and recently took a trip to the US with a connecting flight at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. I typically enjoy spending a transatlantic flight watching a couple of movies, listening to music, and catching some sleep (if I’m lucky).

This trip was different from the moment I sat down.

Instead of keeping to myself, I became engrossed in conversation with my seatmate, Anne, a 95-year-old woman returning from a three-month stay in Paris. I was immediately captivated by her positive energy, boundless curiosity, and enthusiasm for life.

What started as a simple question (“Where are you flying from?”) turned into a conversation that took up nearly the entire flight, interrupted only by a couple of cat naps and glasses of prosecco.

Anne and I instantly connected over our love of travel

As a frequent solo traveler, I quickly learned I was in good company with Anne, who’s said she’s been traveling alone to Paris every year since 2015. She doesn’t go on group tours, rents a single room in the city, and prefers exploring by herself.

Still, she connects with people wherever she goes — over the past 10 years, Anne has built a vibrant community of friends in Paris.

Anne told me about how she even started teaching herself French because locals appreciate visitors who make an effort to speak their language. Hearing about her relationships inspired me to make more of an effort to form friendships while traveling, too.

After all, if I hadn’t struck up a conversation on that flight, I would’ve missed out on getting to know a really special person.

We spent almost the entire plane ride swapping stories, and I learned about her family and interests. Anne told me how she’s an ardent tanguera who, until recently, danced with the Tango Society of Boston. She’s even traveled to Buenos Aires to study the Argentine tango, her favorite style of the dance.

On the flight, I even saw firsthand how she takes any opportunity to practice her French. At one point, I helped her navigate her seatback touchscreen as she insisted on listening to a movie in French in order to keep her language skills sharp.

Now, she’s my pen pal — and she continues to give me valuable advice on living a full life

Aside from brief pauses here and there, our conversation flowed seamlessly as one question ran into the next. When we touched down in Boston, Anne and I snapped a selfie and exchanged emails so we could stay connected.

She’s also shared advice for young travelers: “Go young, go often, and go long.” Anne’s visits to Paris have given her a lifetime of memories and friendships, and I feel lucky to now be a part of her story.

Something else I learned, though, is the importance of connection. Meeting Anne has reinvigorated my desire to embark on more solo travel, and also to meet new people along the way.

Anne hopes to return to Paris in the spring, good health willing. I truly hope she will be able to take another trip to her favorite city, and perhaps one day I’ll be able to meet her there.