The Best Parks in Northern Virginia

***Please note that this The Best Parks in Northern Virginia Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of April 2026.***

Northern Virginia offers a vast array of unique things to do. One of the most cost-effective ways to have a fun adventure is to go on a stroll at one of its many parks. Parks in Northern Virginia are so diverse yet unique in their own way. There is truly something so distinct and unique about each park. Growing up in Northern Virginia, it is so easy to forget how lucky I am to have lived in a place that offers several unique parks. This guide will outline some of the best parks Northern Virginia has to offer.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

The Best Parks In Northern Virginia

It is worth noting that some of these parks are federally run, state run, regionally run, and county run. All of these parks, at the end of the day, are lovely and perfect for visiting to take a nice stroll. In the case that you’re visiting the best parks Northern Virginia has at its fingertips, then look no further than some of the many rental car options in the area.

1 – Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)

In addition to a miniature train, carousel, mini and disc golf courses, and an ice cream parlor, Burke Lake Park has a 4.7-mile long trail going around its beautiful lake and perfect for strolling. Personally, I’ve grown up going to Burke Lake Park as a kid, riding the miniature train and carousel and taking part in the park’s additional Halloween, Easter, and Christmas festivities – ahhhh the nostalgia! As I’ve grown up, Burke Lake Park remains a favorite of mine for wandering its vast trail around the lake, whether for a quick stroll or all around the lake. While there, be sure to snap some photos of the local wildlife and take a walk and enjoy the breeze on the onsite dock at its harbor!

See more information on visiting Burke Lake Park here.

2 – Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna)

A lovely oasis filled with lush greenery, vibrant blooms, ducks, coy fish, a greenhouse, and an outdoor gazebo, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is truly a heavenly spot to enjoy a lovely stroll! Specifically in the warmer months, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens lights up with blooming flowers in its lively gardens and is perfect for snapping photos and taking in the moments on a lovely stroll. While there, be sure to make way for ducks crossing!

See more information on visiting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens here.

3 – Great Falls Park (9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean)

Situated alongside the banks of the Potomac River, Great Falls Park is a tiny National Park Service site offering plenty of scenic viewpoints and strolling opportunities. Although disconnected from the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Great Falls Park remains an integral park of it and attracts visitors from across the United States and world. It is important to note that Great Falls Park offers stunning scenic viewpoints that involve walking on unpaved trails that can be less accessible for some visitors, however, the park is extremely accessible and offers several viewpoints that are wheelchair accessible and offer ramps in addition to stairs so everyone can have a great time. One of the neatest parks about visiting Great Falls Park is that at many of the viewpoints, visitors can spot kayakers on the rapids – HOW COOL!

See more information on visiting Great Falls Park here.

4 – Fountainhead Regional Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station)

Covering approximately 2,000 acres, Fountainhead Regional Park borders a tributary of the Potomac River and has something for everyone. Whether it be hiking or mountain biking or strolling, Fountainhead Regional Park has it ALL! It is worth noting that the walking can be a bit uphill/downhill, depending on where you park. However, the scenic waterfront views are totally worth the walk!!

See more information on visiting Fountainhead Regional Park here.

5 – Huntley Meadows Park (3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria)

The largest Fairfax County Park Authority-operated park, Huntley Meadows Park has a variety of trails and a boardwalk for visitors looking to admire some local wildlife while enjoying a lovely stroll. The boardwalk at Huntley Meadows Park reaches over the local wetlands, offering opportunities for visitors to view frogs, birds, turtles, and more. It is important to note that there are no bikes and jogging allowed on the boardwalk. That all being said, Huntley Meadows Park is indeed made for those looking to simply stroll!

See more information on visiting Huntley Meadows Park here.

6 – Occoquan Regional Park (9571 Ox Road, Lorton)

With an onsite pavilion and Brickmaker’s Cafe, batting cage, and historic site on Women’s Suffrage, Occoquan Regional Park is located alongside the Potomac River and truly has something for everyone looking for a nice stroll. Grab lunch and a glass of wine/beer at the delicious Brickmaker’s Cafe while you take in the heavenly Potomac River views. Continue savoring those lovely riverfront views via a waterfront stroll and perhaps learn some history at the adjacent historic site on Women’s Suffrage and express your gratitude for those who fought for women’s suffrage 100+ years ago. If you LOVE to kayak or boating, Occoquan Regional Park has plenty of onsite kayak rentals and a boat ramp. Parking is plentiful throughout this riverside park, too.

See more information on visiting Occoquan Regional Park here.

7 – Bull Run Regional Park (7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville)

Alongside having an onsite waterpark in the Summer months and a Festival of Lights in the Winter months and MORE, Bull Run Regional Park has plenty of trails for visitors looking for a lovely stroll. Encompassing 1,568-acres, Bull Run Regional Park truly has it all! Around April each year, the notable 1.5-mile long Bluebell Trail has beautiful bluebell flowers blooming alongside it, making for the perfect Springtime stroll.

See more information on visiting Bull Run Regional Park here.

8 – Lake Mercer (7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield)

A 154-acre park home to a lake, Lake Mercer is a well-known spot for hiking, fishing, biking, and strolling. Visitors can easily stroll around the entirety of Lake Mercer and take in scenic views of it from all angles. It is important to note that Lake Mercer does not have a public road to the water’s edge or boat ramp, and visitors must walk about 5 minutes to/from the parking lot to the lake.

See more information on visiting Lake Mercer here.

9 – Mount Vernon Trail (Starting Point: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon & Ending Point: Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington DC)

Starting at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and extending ALLLL the way to Washington, DC’s Theodore Roosevelt Island, the Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved multi-use trail welcoming bikers, hikers, and walkers. This beautiful trail offers stunning views of the Potomac River, Washington, DC’s skyline, and the Woodrow Wilson bridge. This multi-use trail also connects with regional trails such as the Potomac Heritage, Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trails, and Four Mile Run. Parking is available at almost every site along this magnificent trail, too.

See more specific information on visiting Mount Vernon Trail here.

10 – Mason Neck State Park (7301 High Point Road, Lorton)

Offering bird watching specifically for American bald eagles and migrating swans (Fall/Winter months only), hiking, kayaking, and *of course* strolling, Mason Neck State Park truly has it all. Mason Neck State Park is known for its wetlands, forests, open water and fields, and ponds. That all being said, this Fairfax County park is the perfect spot to learn something new, especially within the realm of wildlife observation and environmental study.

See more specific information on visiting Mason Neck State Park here.

11 – Shenandoah National Park (21073 Skyline Drive, Front Royal)

Nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains stretching 105 miles across Virginia, Shenandoah National Park’s northernmost entrance is in the heart of Northern Virginia in Front Royal. Shenandoah National Park offers several incredible hiking trails and scenic views, including Old Rag and White oak Canyon, via its main road throughout it: Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is an excellent spot for people of all ages and ability levels to be able to catch some stunning mountain views (see here for the latest Fall Foliage prediction!).

See more specific information on visiting Shenandoah National Park here.

12 – Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia (400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce)

Operated by the University of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia is a field station that homes 700+ acres of local flora and fauna. With its beautiful location in Northern Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in Clarke County, Virginia, it provides visitors with an active representation of Virginia’s local habitats (specifically within the Shenandoah Valley). Visitors have opportunities to enjoy bird watching, admire local and native plants (including embarking on the Virginia Native Plant Trail which is lovely in the Spring/Summer timeframe!), and *even* learn more and see local bee hives in action. One of the best ways to truly immerse yourself within the local Virginia flora and enjoy is to hike the 2.6-mile Wilkins Lane Loop Drive. The common denominator of this beautiful Northern Virginia spot is the gorgeous Shenandoah Mountains as a backdrop!

See more information on visiting the Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia here.

Wrap-Up:

Northern Virginia’s parks have several opportunities for visitors and locals, alike, to enjoy a lovely stroll. I feel so fortunate to have grown up in Fairfax County, Virginia and having so many incredible parks to enjoy a stroll right in my own backyard. Whether you’re looking for some riverfront views, a unique opportunity to interact and view some local wildlife, or admire local gardens, parks in Northern Virginia truly have an opportunity for everyone to take in a nice stroll!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 31, 2025April 21, 2026

thepinkchickadee5 Comments

Barcelona, Spain Travel Guide

Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing ALLLL about my adventures with my best friend Shivani via our 2-week long trip throughout Spain and Portugal via Porto and Lisbon. Our first leg of our adventures in the Iberian Peninsula started off in Madrid, Spain (read all about our time there here!) and continued onto 3 days in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona, Spain is a cosmopolitan city and capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. Notably known for its art and architecture, including La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Barcelona Cathedral, Barcelona truly has something for everybody! In fact, while there, Shivani and I both agreed that you could easily spend weeks in Barcelona before getting to do/see everything on your list!!

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Barcelona, Spain Travel Guide

Getting There (From Madrid):

Barcelona was our second stop on our European adventure throughout Spain and Portugal. We happened to travel by train to Barcelona Sants from Madrid Atocha. Shivani graciously booked our train tickets on the Iryo train line through Omio’s website. Our train ride was a direct ride from Madrid to Barcelona with assigned seats together (I highly recommend booking train tickets together in order to be seated together throughout Europe) as well as a checked bag. Here are my tips for taking the train within Spain:

It is recommended to get to the train stations within Spain about 30 minutes (we played it safe and arrived about an hour before) beforehand.
You WILL go through security and put your luggage on a conveyer scanner of sorts like in the airport. It is quick and easy and less stressful than at the airport, though!
At least at Madrid Atocha train station, gates for trains are announced once the train arrives at the station for boarding.
Madrid Atocha train station has connivence and tech shops and cafes, alongside seating as passengers must carry on all of their luggage on/off the train. There is a place to store your checked luggage in each train car alongside overhead compartments for smaller carry-on luggage.
As for most of Spain, it is highly recommended that you take a taxi instead of Ubering, as it is cheaper and more cost-effective. We called a taxi 10 minutes beforehand at our hotel in Madrid. As for Barcelona, we waited in the taxi pick-up line outside of the train station (which is standard in Spain and Portugal) to retrieve our taxi. Taxis do accept credit cards and Apple Pay is commonly used.

As for our experience on the train, I napped (LOLLLLL!!!!) for most of the ride. However, when I did look out the window, I was truly IN AWE at the unique landscapes that I saw which Spain has to offer. Truly, it is like nothing I have ever seen before!!

Where To Stay:

Hotel 1898 was our lovely home in Barcelona! Located on La Rambla aka central Barcelona’s most well-known street with close proximity to the city’s historic Gothic Quarter, Hotel 1898 is a 4-star hotel with an onsite Spa Siargo and restaurant Cuisine H1898. Hotel 1898 was a lovely home for us during our time in Barcelona. We spent LOTS of time at Hotel 1898 enjoying some of the many offerings available to us as well as interacting with fellow hotel guests! Offerings include:

Live music on select nights
Complimentary group wine tasting offering Spanish-made wines for all hotel guests on Wednesdays at 6pm
Complimentary cocktail making class for all hotel guests on Thursdays at 6pm
Access to Spa Siargo at an additional cost
Breakfast buffet either included within reservation or at an additional cost per day at Cuisine H1898 for all hotel guests. Note: free coffee is available to all hotel guests, regardless of if they choose to indulge in the breakfast buffet.
Access to the rooftop Terrace La Isabela in the warmer months for all hotel guests
The opportunity to enjoy Catalan cuisine at Cuisine H1898 at an additional cost for dinner
Enjoy a drink at the onsite Bar H1898
Complimentary tea + snacks around 4pm daily

Throughout our stay, Shivani and I LOVED our experience at Hotel 1898!! We both enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting and LOVED getting to meet fellow hotel guests from England that we befriended throughout our stay. We also befriended the hotel staff who were lovely and helped make our wine tasting one for the books. We, indeed, happened to stay at the wine tasting an hour after it ended just chatting with our new friends and enjoying some local Spanish and more specifically Catalan wines! The same goes for the cocktail making class which Shivani attended solo while I was at Casa Batlló however I did not miss the after party of meeting *even* more new friends from Canada and *of course* England! It is also worth mentioning that alongside our fellow hotel guest friends, the staff at the hotel were also ultra-kind and fun to chat with, too! Truly, the people made our experience at Hotel 1898 one for the books!! Needless to say, I highly recommend staying at Hotel 1898 and will only stay there when in Barcelona.

What To Do:

Guided tour of La Sagrada Familia with The Tour Guy – La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic church under construction in downtown Barcelona. One of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces, it is currently the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world, with its construction beginning on March 19, 1882 and having yet to be completed. My Mom visited Barcelona in 2022 and could not stop recommending to me that I book a guided tour of La Sagrada Familia. I knew that I wanted to visit La Sagrada Familia while in Barcelona. Though, I was on the fence initially about booking a guided tour, as I usually prefer to simply wander places of my own. However, I *finally* caved in and did so. I booked my guided tour of La Sagrada Familia through GetYourGuide in English with The Tour Guy. ANDDDD, let me just say, that it was SOOOOO worth it!! Our tour guide was AMAZING and did an incredible job highlighting the story of La Sagrada Familia throughout our tour as well as the life and story of the famous architect behind this magnificent cathedral Gaudi. Today, La Sagrada Familia is still under construction with buildings being constructed around where the church is to have additional construction take place. The construction of La Sagrada Familia runs on donations including ticketed entry and tours (even through third-party vendors such as The Tour Guy!). Although not fully completed yet, La Sagrada Familia is magnificent and one of my favorite places I have ever been to. Book the same tour I booked here!

Visit + order a glass of Cava at Casa Batlló – I visited Casa Batlló – a building designed by Antoni Gaudi (who also designed La Sagrada Familia!) and consider to also be one of his masterpieces that is currently a museum. Casa Batlló was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudi, himself, and has since been refurbished. Upon entry into the museum, all guests are given an iPad and headset to walk through the museum and reimagine it as if it were 1904. One of the most admirable things about Casa Batlló is its commitment to Autism awareness and being an Autism acceptance and friendly museum and is the first international cultural organization to do so. They also hire people who are neurodiverse! After 7pm, guests can go up to the rooftop terrace and order a glass of Cava amongst other drinks to enjoy while admiring the city of Barcelona from up above!! It is important to note that Casa Batlló offers timed-entry tickets and is suggested that you book them in advance. Book them here!

Soak in the Mediterranean at Barceloneta Beach – A special thanks to Shivani for routing us to see the Mediterranean! Barceloneta Beach is a popular beachfront spot alongside the Mediterranean in Barcelona. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby and it was in easy walking distance (about 25 minutes each way!) from our hotel on La Ramblas. We mainly walked to the beach, took in the Mediterranean views and simply soaked it ALLLL in. At the same time, it was lovely to see downtown Barcelona at a distance from the beach, especially the Gothic Quarter!

Get lost in the streets – Alongside taking in the views of Barcelona from afar via walking to Barceloneta Beach, I also enjoyed getting lost in the streets! I CANNOT attest enough that getting lost in the streets is such a GREAT way to get to know a city and its charm in a less stressful manner. Through getting lost in the streets of Barcelona, specifically within the Gothic Quarter nearby our hotel and by walking to/from La Sagrada Familia, I truly got to know and see Barcelona and many of its neighborhoods. I stumbled upon several unique local shops, cafes, bars, and beautiful buildings!

Visit the Barcelona Cathedral – Located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, this Barcelona Cathedral is home to the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. It was constructed between the 13th-15th centuries. Alongside admiring the interior gothic architecture, visitors can climb to the top of the cathedral to take in the scenic skyline views. At the same time, I highly recommend checking out the outdoor courtyard in the center of the cathedral to see … ducks!!! Tickets can be reserved onsite or in-advance via GetYourGuide.

Wonder around Park Güell – Built and designed by Antoni Gaudi just like La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló, Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its captivating architecture and stunning skyline views. Shivani and I LOVED strolling throughout Park Güell and taking in the city of Barcelona from up above as well as admiring the unique architecture and local flora, whether it be palm trees of beautiful blooming flowers. While a bit of a hike (about a 30 minute taxi ride from our hotel in La Rambla) from the rest of the city, Park Güell overlooks the beautiful Barcelona from mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. Truly, Park Güell was worth a visit!

Note: Tickets are to be purchased in order to visit and walk throughout Park Güell. We purchased ours via GetYourGuide. A security checkpoint is required for all admitted visitors upon entrance to the park. There is also a designated taxi pick-up/drop-off point, given its location within Barcelona.

Shop at the local boutiques – Right by Hotel 1898 aka our home in Barcelona nearby the Gothic Quarter, we had the opportunity to check out several local boutiques. My favorite of those boutiques was Bolsos Bella – a Barcelona-based handbag boutique selling beautiful Italian handbags that currently ships internationally! I bought TWO handbags from Bolsos Bella and the ladies who work there are LOVELY. I also shopped and/or browsed at Soruka aka a sustainable leather handbags and goods shop, Charly Therapy aka an adorable sunglasses boutique, and Kathe Wohlfahrt aka the CUTEST and MERRIEST Christmas shop. Needless to say, while in Barcelona, I LOVED getting to shop and support local!!

Where To Eat:

Buenas Migas – A bakery located a block away from my hotel in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, I popped into Buenas Migas for a coffee and delicious tomatoes + toast. I opted to sit outside in the courtyard that this lovely cafe calls its home and had a wonderful time. Needless to say, not only did my breakfast hit the spot, but the scenic views and people watching opportunities did as well!

Bilbao Berria – Serving great cocktails and Catalonian meat and fish delights, I enjoyed one of THE BEST meals that I’ve had throughout my 2 week European adventure at Bilbao Berria! I had a swordfish and potatoes and it was AMAZING! To this *very* day, I fondly dream about eating that meal again.

Bar Centric Raval – Upon getting lost in the Gothic Quarter streets as I did practically daily while in Barcelona, I came across Bar Centric Raval and decided to pop in for some local Catalonian wine! With some help from the ultra-kind bartender, I opted for one of the house red wines and it did not disappoint (alongside the bar’s intimate yet opulent setting!).

Restaurant Nuria – Early on in our in time Barcelona, Shivani solo dined at Restaurant Nuria and had an excellent experience. SO, we decided to be ladies who lunch at Restaurant Nuria after our morning strolls at Park Güell. We ended up having the same wonderful waitress that Shivani initially had and enjoyed a delicious wine and lunch together!

Bristol Cafe – During my walk from La Sagrada Familia back to the hotel, I stopped by Bristol Cafe for a delicious quick lunch and glass of wine. What caught my eye about Bristol Cafe was the ADORABLE Tiffany Blue exterior and interiors as well as the bistro chairs. Definitely worth a stop and pick-me-up!!

Wrap-Up:

Barcelona is a very distinct city when compared to Madrid, despite them both being cities within Spain. Like Madrid, I learned SO much culturally about Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain as a whole. Barcelona is such a unique city that has something much for all of its visitors to learn about and grow from learning. I LOVED the people that we met, both from near and far, via coming together during our 3 days in Barcelona, Spain. Truly, I feel oh so grateful for our time in Barcelona and hop to visit again someday!!

And, as always, if you have any questions/concerns about planning your own 3 days2 in Barcelona, Spain, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at Katefrancesthompson@gmail.com.

XOXO – Katie <3

March 26, 2025January 27, 2026

thepinkchickadee3 Comments

Old Farm Winery at Hartland Review

It has been a year in the works of making a visit to this magnificent winery happen! Recently, as shared over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I *finally* made it to visit Old Farm Winery at Hartland with my dear friends Stephanie and Ashley. While at Old Farm Winery at Hartland, I had an incredible time tasting some of their many great wines, learning more about the winery’s history and heritage, and getting to know the lovely people who work there.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

While there, we had the opportunity to use my Reserve Pass – a Wine Pass app that gives pass holders varying discounts at participating wineries across the state of Virginia and *even* beyond. It’s geographical interface allows wine lovers to locate wineries near them and get the best deals *literally* at their fingertips. At Old Farm Winery, we were able to enjoy BOGO on glasses of wine! If you’re like me and you LOVE visiting local wineries, then you must check out Reserve Pass and get your own today, which I write about more in-depth about the specifics of here. If you’re interested in purchasing a Reserve Pass to save on your winery and vineyard visits, then use my discount code “ktloveswine” for 50% off your Reserve Pass today! Purchase here!!

Getting There:

Located in Aldie, Virginia on Fleetwood Road off of Little River Turnpike, Old Farm Winery at Hartland is within less than an hour’s reach by car from Washington, DC as well as nearby Arlington, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia. Old Farm Winery at Hartland is right on the Fairfax County-Loudoun County borders, making it easily accessible from parts of both counties. From my home basis in Fairfax County, it took me about 30 minutes of driving to get there! If coming from Metro, Ashburn Metro Station on the Silver Line is about a 15 minute drive away and an easy Uber ride.

Address: 23583 Fleetwood Rd, Aldie, VA 20105

About Old Farm Winery at Hartland + Plan Your Visit:

Old Farm Winery at Hartland opened its doors to the public on November 6, 2021. It is the sister winery to the Centreville, Virginia’s The Winery at Bull Run (read my experiences there here). This winery’s home is on 35 acres of 18th century farmland in the heart of hunting country in what used to be the Fairfax Hunting Club (from ~1960s-1990s/early 2000s) where fox hunting took place. When talking with Aurora who works at Old Farm Winery, she told us that one of the winery’s fellow staff members used to hunt at Fairfax Hunting Club and rode horses with former President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy! HOW COOL is that?!?! Currently, Old Farm Winery has operates in a resorted 19th century farmhouse and barn and also has an outdoor bar and vast outdoor seating area.

Old Farm Winery has PLENTY of offerings for you to enjoy upon planning your visit! These offerings include:

Self-Guided and Guided Tastings for $18/person, including 6 unique wines (see more below on each wine below!), as well as Private Tastings for $25/person. See more here!
Glasses and bottles of wine (price varies/wine)
A food menu
An Events Calendar filled with fun events, ranging from live music to ticketed events such as food and wine pairings to comedy shows. See more here!
Tour of the Grounds & Tasting which happens rain or shine. Reserve your tour here!

It is worth noting that Old Farm Winery accepts both reservations and walk-in’s. Reservations for wine tastings are not required for groups of 8 or less people. For groups of 9 or more people, reservations are suggested for wine tastings via a Private Group Tasting (see more above!). It is also worth noting that dogs are allowed on-leash outside. Crowds are hit or miss, depending on the day and time that you visit, as the staff say that it can be unpredictable given the day’s weather conditions. Be sure to check Old Farm’s hours as you plan your visit, too, as well as their social media channels for any exciting events going on. We opted to walk-in and it was worked out beautifully!!

Plan YOUR visit today!!

Note: While there, don’t forget to snap a photo and check out the iconic Old Farm Winery at Hartland red truck!!

My Experience:

Immediately upon entering the refurbished 19th century farmhouse where we happened to spend most of our time on a windy Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by the incredible people who work there. We enjoyed a lovely tasting and history lesson from Aurora (who also graciously snapped some photos of us that are in this blog post!!) as well as learned some fun facts about Old Farm Winery from Scott. While Ashley and I waited for Stephanie, we each enjoyed a glass of wine and snapped some photos (thanks again, Aurora!) and admired the beautiful winery’s grounds. Once Stephanie arrived, the tasting began!! Aurora graciously guided us through our tasting where we got to try 6 of Old Farm’s unique wines, including:

2020 Chardonnay – 100% Chardonnay
2021 Viognier – 100% Viognier
2021 Tally-Ho – 67% Vidal Blanc, 18% Traminette, 12% Seyval Blanc, 2% Riesling, 1% Chardonnay
2020 Cabernet-Franc – 100% Cabernet Franc
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Heritage – 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc

**For more information beyond each wine’s varietal, including residual sugar, aging, tasting notes, pairing recommendations, and tasting notes, then plan your visit at Old Farm Winery at Hartland and earn discounts via purchasing your Reserve Pass for 50% off with discount code “ktloveswine” today!

During our guided tasting, a few fun facts were learned! We learned that the Viognier is a unique white wine to Virginia with grapes brought over and re-homed to the Old Dominion State from France when their environment was going through tough environmental times centuries ago. Anddd, the 2021 Tally-Ho is Old Farm Winery at Hartland’s unique signature white wine, playing homage to its heritage as a fox hunting club. Whenever somebody would catch a fox, they would use the command “Tally-Ho”. And, hence the Tally-Ho wine was uniquely blended and made to honor the grounds’ fox hunting history and legacy. Last but not least, we learned that how a glass of wine tastes year after year is determined by the weather conditions and how it in return affects the vineyards’ grapes. HOW COOL!

Wrap-Up:

Through it all, I LOVED our experience at Old Farm Winery at Hartland! From learning about the roots of the Viognier wine as a unique Virginia wine to how the local climate affects how our wine tastes to the winery’s heritage as a fox hunting club, I truly left Old Farm Winery feeling so much gratitude and excited to go back. I plan to book a tour and tasting of the grounds and bring my Papa who’s a deer (and fox!) hunter and has been since the 1960s in Northern Virginia as well as my dog Rosie. Old Farm Winery truly has a special meaning and serves as a historical place for us all to enjoy today.

A special thank you to Reserve Pass and Old Farm Winery at Hartland for coordinating my visit and sponsoring today’s blog post. Without their support, The Pink Chickadee wouldn’t be where it is today!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 25, 2025April 14, 2025

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

My Return to Church!

Today’s blog post is going to be a bit different in that I will be sharing something very meaningful and personal to me: my journey with the church. While I don’t intend to use this platform to share my religious, political, personal, etc. beliefs moving forward, I do intend to share my journey with the church with YOU in hopes of inspiring and making an impact on someone else. I will pre-phase that the church has become a meaningful part of my life over the course of my lifetime, as it’s a beautiful outlet for community, and, whatever somebody’s beliefs are, I fully support and respect them, as I do the same for myself.

Growing up, I always went to church. I remember sitting in the pews with my parents and brother on a Sunday morning as a young kid and going to Sunday school with my peers as well in the trailers of my local church. I remember performing in church plays surrounding the birth of baby Jesus around Christmas time. I remember the many many many weekdays spent in a jam-packed church worship center getting all hyped up for Vacation Bible School. I remember the countless Wednesday Night Dinners at my local church with my church community and then attending Bible Studies and small groups with my peers afterwards. Many of my best childhood memories happened in the church. Growing up, church was a HUGE part of my childhood.

I was *even* a church kid in high school! I began to get extremely involved in the church throughout my high school years. I went to church services every Sunday, attended 3 summer mission trips in North Carolina and Maryland, and attended Wednesday Night Dinners and small groups at church every Wednesday. I also attended Fall church retreats with my church’s Youth group and made TONS of friends through attending church. I truly loved the community that the church offered to me during my high school years.

However, as I approached adulthood, I began to think differently about the church. When my grandmother whom I was super close to throughout my entire life passed away during my Senior year of high school, I began to lose faith in the church around me. I began to feel angry at everything that was being taught to me by the church and I began to lose faith in everything around me pertaining to the church. Needless to say, I lost my faith during this time. Instead, I grew angry at the church and the community that I learned to love and it continued into my postgraduate years. At the same time, the community around me in college and my mandatory religious studies classes made me question a lot of what the church world was teaching me and whether or not having a church community was something that I wanted moving forward in my life. I also tried several different church groups within college, but not many of them stood out to me as good fits for me (I did have some GREAT connections through church communities in college, though, and I’m grateful to them!) Through those times though, my anger towards the church continued and manifested into my postgraduate years.

When my grandmother passed, my Papa (her husband whom y’all have probably seen on my blog and across my social media channels) started attending our church as I was pulling away from it. Papa began to get plugged into the church, volunteering his time at Sunday services and during the week working on landscaping and painting curbs out in the parking lot. As the church became less of a home for me while I was away at college, the church became more of a home for my Papa.

When I moved back to the Washington, DC area, Papa started attending Wednesday Night Dinners and joined into small groups at our local church which I grew up going to throughout my childhood. Papa’s investment into our church led me to join him on occasions to services and Wednesday Night Dinners. Initially, I was still pretty angry at the church. I was angry at sermons and much more. Yet, over time, that anger diminished. That anger was replaced with gratitude for the people and the community that Papa has created for himself through our church. That same community of his has always welcomed me into their arms as their own. And, I am excited to continue to grow in my Christian faith and get to know the beautiful and welcoming church community that is surrounding me at this very moment. Truly, church has become such a beautiful gift!

While the church community that I knew in high school looks very different almost 10 years later (with many familiar faces still present though!), the one thing that rings true is how welcoming everyone around me is. It means the world to me to see how much people care to come together to serve a greater purpose and most importantly have faith in a greater purpose and in our God.

I would like to thank my Mom, Papa, and best friends Hannah, Alanna, Holly, Lindsay, Haley, and Shivani for helping me to grow in my faith and take this leap in my journey with the church. I love you all!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 24, 2025December 29, 2025

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Madrid, Spain Travel Guide

After years of trying to plan a bestie trip, my college best friend Shivani and I *finally* made it happen!!! My most recent European trip was an 8-day getaway to Dublin, Ireland (here), and I am SO glad I got to do a trip across the Atlantic with one of my favorite people. We ended up doing a 2 week long European adventure throughout Spain and Portugal via Barcelona, Porto, and Lisbon, spending approximately 3 days (or 72 hours!) in each city that we went to (see what I wore over those 2 weeks here!). Over the next month, I will be sharing my itinerary and recap from each city that we went to in Spain and Portugal. The first stop on our journey that I’m sharing about with y’all today is … 3 days in Madrid, Spain!

Upon landing for our 3 days in Madrid, Spain, I was *in awe* at the unique and gorgeous landscapes from the sky to touchdown. Madrid and Spain as a whole, indeed, has a distinct landscape that I hadn’t seen until visiting! And, that gorgeous landing into Spain made me SOOOO excited for our time in Madrid! While short-lived, it was one for the books and I am grateful to have visited.

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Madrid, Spain Travel Guide

Getting There:

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the biggest flight hub in all of Spain. From my home base of Washington, DC, I had two airline options out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) around the same cost round-trip: take a connecting flight on United Airlines or a direct flight on Iberian Airlines. Given my ongoing loyalty with United Airlines and MileagePlus membership status and Mom’s and Step Dad’s horror stories flying Iberian Airlines on their Spain trip in Winter 2022, I opted to use my United Airlines loyalty and gain more miles and take a connecting flight to Madrid. My choice to fly United was NOT a regret of mine either, as I had peace of mind the entire trip that my luggage would successfully make it to Madrid as well as myself, unlike some of the stories I’ve heard on Instagram and TikTok regarding Iberian Airlines alongside my own family members’ stories. At the end of the day, I am glad I flew United and was able to gain more Miles as a MileagePlus member, too!

As for my connecting flight to Madrid from Washington, DC, I flew first to Brussels Airport (BRU) and went through customs upon arrival and transferring terminals my next flight’s gate. My next flight was on Brussels Airlines, which is apart of the Star Alliance alongside United Airlines. Funny enough, I didn’t realize that I had to check in for my connecting flight to Madrid on Brussels Airlines NOT on the United Airlines app, although I booked my trip through that, until I landed in Brussels – WHOOPS! Immediately upon landing in Brussels, I downloaded the Brussels Airlines app, checked into my flight, and was on my merry way to Madrid upon boarding my flight.

Where To Stay:

We LOVED our home away from home for 72 hours in Madrid, Spain!! We stayed at Motel One Plaza de España (C. del Tutor, 1, Moncloa – Aravaca) – a design hotel in the heart of Madrid. I book ALL of my hotel stays through *none other than* Booking.com! Honestly, upon a search on Booking.com in Madrid on my dates there, I look at the hotels whose vibes *yes, vibes!* I like the best within my budget and book accordingly. For Madrid, I ended up LOVING Motel One Plaza de España‘s vibes THE BEST online and I loved them EVEN MORE once I arrived! Upon arrival, check-in was at the hotel bar, which is already a win in my book (!!!!) and my room was ready a few hours early, which was AMAZING for my exhausted and 12+ hours of traveling-self. The rooms are beautiful and we had a nice street-view room to overlook the gorgeous narrow streets of Madrid. Shivani and I ended up enjoying daily breakfast and evening drinks at the hotel lobby (by way of the front desk bar!!) and chatted with the ultra-kind staff each morning and evening. The staff are ultra-kind and made our stay at Motel One Plaza de España one for the books! I also write a whole hotel review + guide here.

What To Do:

For many activities and things to do for 72 hours in Madrid, Spain, I highly recommend checking out and downloading GetYourGuide for booking and reserving activities. It is suggested that you reserve most activities in advance, especially when traveling during peak season and busy times during the day to guarantee that you get to go.

Shop, stroll, and sightsee at Plaza de España – Marking the end of Gran Via (Madrid’s iconic shopping street), Plaza de España is a popular square with a statue of Don Quixote and beautiful Spanish architecture. Shivani and I would shop and browse at the Zara and Mango located on Plaza de España and stroll here many times during our time in Madrid, given its close proximity to our hotel. Plaza de España is also conveniently located in the heart of downtown Madrid, Spain and a lovely place to visit when in Spain’s capital city!

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid – The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in the city of Madrid, even though it’s currently now only used for state ceremonies. In Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace with over 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms. Shivani and I were in AWE at how magnificent and beautiful the Royal Palace of Madrid is! From the gorgeously opulent state rooms to the elegant hallways and staircases, the Royal Palace of Madrid is totally worth a visit!! Check out my full guide on visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid here.

Note: It takes about 1.5-2 hours to tour the Royal Palace of Madrid on a self-guided tour which we opted to do. It is also worth noting that tickets must be purchased to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid either via walk-in or in advance (which I recommend doing!). Advanced reservation tickets can be purchased on GetYourGuide for under $20/person!

See a Live Flamenco show – Shivani ended up booking us a Live Flamenco Show with food/drink options via GetYourGuide. We opted for tickets with a complimentary drink: Sangria! The Flamenco show was hosted on the lower level of Tablao Torres Bermejas in a BEAUTIFULLY tile-lined lounge. The sangria was amazing alongside the talent of the Flamenco dancers and live musicians. And, we *also* made friends in line and while waiting for the performance to start!

Visit the Cerralbo Museum – One of the National Museums of Spain that is also attached to the Ministry of Culture, the Cerralbo Museum is an art museum in the heart of Madrid that was a former 19th century mansion. It houses the vast artworks and antiques of Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, Marquis of Cerrablo. Today, people from all across the world flock to see these beautiful collections, from the magnificent artworks and hallways to the vast staircase of sheer elegance.

Note: The Cerralbo Museum offers free admission 5-8pm on Thursdays and all day Sundays. Free admission is on a first come, first served basis and visitors line up early. Shivani and I opted to do the free admission on Sundays and got in line around 10am on Sunday and waited for 2+ hours, as the museum is crowd-controlled (which I love and respect so much!!). It was definitely worth the wait, but be prepared to wait for a couple of hours, if you opt to do the free admission. However, if you choose to visit beyond free admission hours, admission is, I believe, around 3 Euros/person.

Climb to the top of the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena – The Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena was recommended to us by a fellow Washington, DC area-based visitor we met while watching the Flamenco Show and it was SOOO worth it!! Located adjacent to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena is a less crowded with tourists (well compared to the Royal Palace!) place to visit, learn about the Catholic diocese in Spain and specifically in Madrid via an exhibit, and climb to the top of to take in ALL of the Madrid skyline views! It is a Catholic cathedral in Madrid home to the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid. Admission at the door was around 8 Euros/person and well worth it *even* for the skyline views alone!

Shop on La Gran Via – As previously mentioned up above, La Gran Via is the main shopping street in Madrid. To me, La Gran Via also gives off the vibes of Times Square Spain edition in a much more elegant and less chaotic way! Shivani and I spent a few afternoons and evenings shopping and dining on La Gran Via. Shops that we checked out included H&M, Zara (besides the location we frequented on Plaza de España), and Primark. We also checked out a bookstore whose name I forget that carries primarily books in Spanish, which was SUCH A UNIQUE experience (!!!).

Explore the colorful streets – Madrid, Spain is home to several beautiful and magical colorful streets! One of my biggest pieces of advice for traveling is just to find the opportunity to get lost in the streets. And, Madrid has NO shortage of unique colorful streets to enjoy. Don’t forget to bring your camera/phone to snap some photos!

Next Time: Visit the Prado Museum – Although we didn’t make it to the Prado Museum this time around, it remained (and still does) high on my Madrid bucket list! Situated in the heart of Madrid, the Prado Museum is the National Art Museum of Spain, housing intricate masterpieces from Spanish and European artists.

Where To Dine:

Before I get into where to dine in Madrid, I wanted to share *just* a few observations about dining in Madrid! 1 – dining in Madrid overall is much cheaper than dining in the United States. For the two of us, dinner (including drinks, appetizers, and entrees) costed us under $50. As for the ingredients within the food, it is MUCH fresher than in the United States due to stricter food and drug regulations. Needless to say, a win, win!!

La Tasca de Ventura (C. de Ventura Rodríguez, 9, Moncloa – Aravaca) – Just a block away from my home away from home in Madrid aka Motel One Plaza de España, La Tasca de Ventura is a delicious tapas and wine bar. I ended up going here twice – once solo and once with Shivani. Both times, I ordered the lovely house wine and a variation of octopus and each time was PHENOMENAL!

La Toscana (Gran Vía, 59, Centro) – Located on La Gran Via, Shivani and I stopped into La Toscana for dinner as we were tired from the crowds on the streets – LOLLL! We were, indeed, in for a treat!! La Toscana is an Italian restaurant ANDDD the pastas and garlic bread (which we ordered both by the way!) were delicious.

La Carmen Cerveceria-Taperia (C. Mayor, 88, Centro) – Just across the street from the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, La Carmen Cerveceria-Taperia was a much-needed and devoured spot for lunch! I ended up ordering lamb shoulder + fries and a glass of red wine and would come back again for more!!

Tapa Tapa (multiple locations) – A tapas restaurant with multiple locations around Madrid, Tapa Tapa blew us AWAY and kept us coming back not once but twice! The tapas at Tapa Tapa are easily shareable or small enough for a light meal on your own.

Espresso Americano (C. de Preciados, 33, Centro) – We ended up stopping at Espresso Americano via getting lost in the streets off of La Gran Via for coffee and it was a lovely pick-me-up on a Monday afternoon filled with walking!!

Wrap-Up:

Truly, I had an incredible time getting to spend 72 hours in Madrid, Spain and hope to go back someday and spend more time museum hopping and getting lost in the city’s beautiful streets. Shivani and I had an incredible time and hope to visit again *very soon*. But for now, if you have any questions/concerns about visiting Madrid, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at Katefrancesthompson@gmail.com. Cheers!!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 19, 2025March 14, 2026

thepinkchickadee3 Comments

5 Stylish + Comfortable Flats For Travel

It is Summer 2018 and you are about to board a plane to spend the next two months studying abroad in Europe ANDDDD you packed the WRONG shoes. Yep, that was ME for TWO WHOLE MONTHS in Europe. I had the WRONG shoes with me for walking 10,000+ steps a day across Europe. I remember during those long walking days feeling a lot of pain and annoyance and discomfort within my feet. At that time, I wasn’t aware of any stylish and comfortable flats for travel. However, flash forward to 2025, and I am in a VERY different place when it comes to traveling and the shoes that I wear! These days, I feel LOTS of comfort and a LOT less complaining when it comes to my feet. I am *very much* grateful to have found the right stylish and comfortable flats for travel for ME!

Me in Italy in Summer 2018 wearing the WRONG shoes!

From Ireland to Manhattan to Hawaii to Toronto to make own backyard in the Washington, DC area and everywhere in between, I ALWAYS want to dress stylishly when I travel! I have found myself opting for stylish flats on my travel days, but also wanting the comfort that I find and value in my Sherpa-lined slippers that I wear around the house. Over the years, I have found myself very fortunate to both collaborate with and discover some incredible footwear brands that focus on stylish and comfortable flats for travel – many of which also focus on ethical and sustainability within their craftsmanship. Here, I will be sharing my *very* favorite stylish and comfortable flats for travel (and also long work days, nights on the town, concerts, walks, and more!).

For more preppy style & grand millennial home content, check out my Preppy Fashion & Grand Millennial Home page.

5 Stylish + Comfortable Flats For Travel

1 – All Birds

Out of ALL of the places that I found a pair of All Birds ballet flats, it was at the thrift store!!! And, to my surprise, the pair of All Birds ballet flats that I thrifted felt brand-new and immediately as if I was wearing slippers out in public when in reality they’re a pair of stylish flats. All Birds prides itself on making beautifully comfortable, stylish, and sustainable ballet flats aka a win in ALL avenues!

Shop All Birds flats here!

2 – Sketchers

As a kid, I remember wearing the Velcro strap-on sneakers from Sketchers in a rainbow of colors – LOLLL! These days, Sketchers truly has it all. From ballet flats to slip on’s to sneakers and everything else in between, Sketchers is truly a brand that sells a stylish and comfortable flat shoe for everybody. On my recent trip to Spain and Portugal, I regularly styled my hot pink slip on’s and am grateful that I did! I got SEVERAL compliments on my Sketchers shoes and felt oh so great (and comfortable!) wearing them, too.

Shop Sketchers flats here!

3 – VIVAIA

From long work days on your feet to dancing at the club and in the streets, VIVAIA flats are truly the shoe to do it ALL in! In 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with VIVAIA (here) and to this very day still LOVE and regularly wear my ballet flats from that collaboration! VIVAIA takes a sustainable and ethical approach to the craftsmanship for all of their gorgeous and comfortable shoes. Truly, these ballet flats will be a staple in your closet for years to come!

Shop VIVAIA flats here!

4 – New Bella

An emerging footwear brand, New Bella is a stylish and comfortable premium shoe brand. Like with VIVAIA, I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with New Bella over on Instagram (see my first blog post styling them here!) and still regularly style and wear my New Bella ballet flats to this *very* day! From the cobblestone streets of Dublin to the several blocks’ walks on the streets of Manhattan to the uphill trails in Portugal, my New Bella flats have truly seen it all in comfort and style!

Shop New Bella flats here!

5 – Puma

Before a trip to Winners (aka TJ Maxx/Marshalls in Canada!) while in Toronto last November for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, I learned that Puma *yes, the sportswear brand* sells ballet flats! I ended up picking up a pair of Puma ballet flats while out and shopping in Toronto and did not regret doing so! My precious pair of Puma ballet flats allowed my comfort to persist throughout the entire concert!! These flats are also super stylish and comfortable and lightweight, too – perfect for work, happy hours, concerts, and more!

Shop Puma flats here!

Wrap-Up

Wherever you may be on your stylish and comfortable flats for travel journey, just know that you WILL get to a point where you will feel less pain and more comfort. It takes time to find the right shoes for YOU. Even if that means enduring and surviving an entire Summer of painful feet in the wrong shoes in Europe, you WILL get there. I encourage you to check out the 5 stylish and comfortable flats for travel mentioned in this blog post. And, always, please feel free to reach out to me Katefrancesthompson@gmail.com with any questions or concerns you may have!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 18, 2025January 27, 2026

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

Planning A Day Trip From Honoulu to Maui?! Read This First!

***Please note that this Planning A Day Trip From Honoulu to Maui?! Read This First! guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This guide was most recently updated as of May 2026.***

As we were planning our Hawaii trip in 2024, Bryn and I knew that we wanted to see a volcano. Most of our time was spent at our home base at our incredible friend and host Maxwell’s apartment in Honolulu (here) and all around the island of Oahu (here). However, there are no volcanos on the island of Oahu. SO, with Maxwell’s amazing guidance and advice that we island hop while in the Aloha State, we decided to take a day trip to Maui to see 1 of the 2 volcanos that call it home without having to pay the hefty costs of staying at a hotel. And while 1 day may not be a long time to truly get to know and fully explore the island of Maui, it truly was a good amount of time to visit and have some memorable adventures!

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Planning A Day Trip From Honoulu to Maui?! Read This First!

You may be wondering is a day trip from Honolulu to Maui enough time to visit the island?!?! Within the 1 day that we had in Maui, we were able to do a variety of different activities, including: visiting a lavender farm on the side of a volcano, the adorable downtown of Paia, a portion of the Road to Hana, the stunning Maui beaches, and *of course* a volcano. So, needless to say, I think that 1 day in Maui is a great and more cost-effective option to island hop from Honolulu or another Hawaiian island if you want to visit a few points of interest without committing to staying for long (or to a potentially hefty hotel stay). Over on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been following a fellow Washington, DC-based content creator that I adore named Maddie (go support her @onthemovewithmad) who does day trips to/from Washington, DC all the time. And, needless to say, I am SO happy to have done my own and have her in mind as a reference of how to do so!

Getting There (To/From Honolulu)

Getting Around Maui

What To Do

Getting There (To/From Honolulu)

The only way to really island hop is to fly. Hawaii used to have a ferry service between the islands, however, the ferry service is no longer in use. Both Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer flights to/from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye Airport (HNL) and Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) multiple times a day for under $200 round trip depending on the time and season that you book. If I recall, I paid ~$150 for my round trip flight ticket about 2-3 weeks out. However, the sooner you book your ticket, the cheaper your flight will be! It is also worth mentioning that if you are a loyal Delta or United member, you can redeem your miles to book your flight on Hawaiian Airlines if you choose to. The one-way flight was approximately 30-45 minutes from boarding to leaving the plane. By far, the flight to/from Honolulu and Maui is the quickest flight I’ve ever been on!!

I will also note that both Daniel K. Inouye and Kahului Airports are extremely unique and add to the utter Hawaiian charm and culture. Daniel K. Inouye Airport has a … garden with coy fish ponds as well as a hallway lined with children’s artwork from local Hawaiian schools. Kahului Airport has a beautiful old school trolley train system to take travelers to different parts of the airport, all while surrounded by palm trees and beautiful farmlands. Never in the mainland United States have I EVER been in awe of how neat and unique airports are than in Hawaii!

Getting Around Maui

The best way to get around for 12 hours in Maui is to rent a car. However, I would suggest having somebody with you (thanks to Maxwell on this one!) who is comfortable driving the unique Hawaiian roads, as they are very different than the roads on the mainland United States. Maui’s roads are pretty windy and unlike any I’ve ever seen before. We opted to rent a car upon arrival at the airport and I decided to go with the cheapest service that I found at the airport and split the cost between the three of us. Enterprise ended up being the cheapest option, so we went with that. My biggest piece of advice is to do your research on the best value options that make the most sense for you and your crew rental car-wise and to budget accordingly for gas, as it’s not cheap in Hawaii.

If you aren’t open to the idea of driving around Maui, I would look into tour groups across the island or day resort passes to a nearby resort and Uber to/from there.

What To Do

Drive to the top of Haleakala Volcano (at Haleakala National Park) – As for our MAIN reason besides *of course* visiting the island of Maui to see another island beyond Oahu was to see a volcano. Haleakala Volcano is currently a dormant volcano with beautiful outlooks along the way up Crater Road to get to the top of it. Crater Road is a steep road and the ecosystems around the further we drove up it changed as the altitude did. One of the most important and biggest draws of Haleakala National Park is the preservation of its volcanic landscapes and protection of unique ecosystems. While I was a bit nervous going up the volcano via Crater Road, I am SO glad I did and got out of my comfort zone to see such a beautiful and unique place in our world!

Grab a locally brewed beer and delicious eats at Paia Fish Market Restaurant in downtown Paia – Paia is a census-designated place in the northern part of Maui, While we didn’t spend a ton of time in downtown Paia, I fondly remember my time there briefly strolling the adorable local shops, charming art galleries, and colorful streets. Honestly, our biggest draw to Paia was getting lunch – LOLLL! We ended up going to Paia Fish Market which was a HIGH for me, as I got to try locally Hawaiian brewed beer and delicious locally sourced fish (specifically what I ordered I cannot remember though – whoops!). Paia Fish Market is a popular spot in downtown Paia, as the line was out the door when we arrived (it went by quick, though!) and was well worth the wait!! If I had more time in Maui, Paia would be on my list to spend more time in.

Admire the mystical gardens at Ali’i Kula Lavender – Located on the foothills of the Haleakala Volcano, Ali’i Kula Lavender is a mystical sprawling property with stunning gardens and scenic views and a lavender market selling over 45 varieties of lavender. Admission is $5/person (free for kids 12 and under and additional discounts for those eligible) with additional items for purchase within the market. From hydrangeas to palm trees to stunning sculptures and everything in between, the stunning gardens are nothing short of magical and gush-worthy. Truly, the gardens showcase and preserve the unique beauty and diversity of flora in Maui’s ecosystem. At the same time, the lavender market is AMAZING and has ultra-kind staff, too! Be sure to try some of the complimentary lavender lemonade and sweet treats while there!!

Drive and sightsee along the Road to Hana – While our 12 hours in Maui was a mega high for me as a whole, the biggest high for me was getting to do some sightseeing on the Road to Hana. Known for its one lane bridges (a unique experience in itself to drive through – thanks Maxwell!!), waterfalls, rainforests, and beautiful ocean views, the Road to Hana connects Maui’s Kahului to Hana via Highways 36 and 360. While it typically takes an entire day for the drive to Hana which we didn’t do this time around, I am extremely grateful that we did part of the Road to Hana! Our experience on the Road to Hana gave me a peak into what Hawaiian life specifically in Maui was like, especially before Hawaii became apart of the United States. Hawaiian life and culture is a beautiful and unique culture and each island has its own distinct lifestyle and culture, too. The Road to Hana gave me a peak into what Hawaiian life is like in Maui and I am SOOO grateful for that experience! Some of our highlights on the Road to Hana included: visiting a black sand beach, driving through the rainforest, and seeing the sea turtles at a distance.

Note: While you can (we did!) see sea turtles swimming around at the beaches alongside Turtle Bay, it is important to keep your 10 feet distance from them at all times, according to federal guidelines as stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (here). Please note that all photos were shot and taken with federal guidelines in mind.

Seeing the Sea Turtles:

Black Sand Beach:

Grab local Hawaiian specialties + snacks at Target – Immediately after landing in Kahului, we headed to Target to grab some local Hawaiian specialties and snacks for the day. The Target in Kahului just about a mile or two from the Kahului Airport making it an easy place to grab some necessities for the day. While at Target we grabbed local Hawaiian specialties, including gummy candy and locally made coffee grounds. Such a cool experience and I highly recommend before or after your sightseeing in Maui hitting up this Target for a cool experience and opportunity to grab some local delights to bring back home.

Wrap-Up

Each Hawaiian island has its own special flair and I am grateful, thankful, and blessed to have visited Maui, *even* if it was for 12 hours! Maui is an amazing island with a unique history, culture, and ecosystem. Maui truly taught me and showed me the true Hawaiian lifestyle, which was such a privilege to even get a peak into seeing. Indeed, our 12 hours in Maui, Hawaii were unforgettable and so special!

Mahalo, Maui!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 17, 2025May 6, 2026

thepinkchickadee2 Comments

Yes, We Need to Party More in 2025!

Freshly baked cookies on platters, beautifully made table settings with name cards at every seat for every guest, and an array of cocktails and beautiful food displays were my holiday norms. My family and friends all came together, sometimes 25+ people for one holiday or gathering all sitting around laughing, eating, drinking, and just being together. Truly, it was a magical time for me! Growing up, I always felt the magic of a house party thanks to my Mom and late Grandma. Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee) during the December/January timeframe, I came across an Instagram Story that essentially had a headline saying “Americans need to party more.” And, simply put, I think we do too.

And, before I get into the meat of this post, I want to share my thoughts on the definition of the word “party”. To me, a party or house party is a get together at someone’s house, whatever it may look like.

Many of us over the years are less likely to be invited to a house party or social gathering of any kind at someone’s house in 2024 and into 2025. Less and less people are hosting house parties and gatherings of any kinds at their homes. Over on YouTube, I have found myself coming across several video essays on my feed about how lonely Gen Z is and how Gen Z prefers to spend more of their spare time resting at home than past generations. At the same time, the so-called “third place” is gone, e.g. the cafes, hangout spots, etc. where people would frequent and regularly interact with others beyond the home and school/the workplace. In our current state of the world, a lot of chaos is happening and we are also in the post-COVID years where the world essentially shut down and went fully remote. Nevertheless, a lot of what we are experiencing is a result of the rapid adaptation of technology, current state of our world, and the post-effects of the pandemic. Anddddd, ALL of us are feeling the effects of loneliness into the early months of 2025.

2025 has been a year of chaos and change in the world of current events. I feel like EVERY time I turn on the news, something new and pretty chaotic is happening in our world and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. The same concept goes for social media platforms, too. There’s a lot of change and stress and uncertainty during this time for many people. Given ALL the chaos and stress and uncertainty in our world right now, a lot of us need that time to be alone to just process it all mentally. A lot of people simply want that time that they have after work to be peaceful and quiet. And guess what?!?! I truly understand the need to simply decompress and be chaos-free in a world currently full of lots of chaos. There’s SO MUCH going on in our world right now which can leave people feeling extremely overwhelmed and less likely to want to put themselves in situations where their peacefulness which can be rather limited is in jeopardy.

Humans are social beings at the end of the day. And, while we need the time to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge, we also need time with others (no matter HOW introverted you may be!). While a pretty chaotic year 2025 has been so far, I think that we need to come together now more than ever before. I am SO excited and honored to be invited to a social gathering at a friend’s house on the upcoming weekend – something that feels far and few in between since my childhood days but does happen on occasion. I think planning more house parties and social gatherings is truly a way that we can make a positive change in 2025. Not only do house parties bring people together and facilitate community, but they also bring a positive boast to our mental and physical wellbeing. And, at the end of the day, it reduces loneliness, depression, anxiety, and so much more. We need to be together more often than not, and put on a good party.

Truly, I miss the days when social gatherings that my late Grandma put on were the norm. I feel very fortunate that my Mom and Step Dad still host lovely dinners and social gatherings for our family from time to time. There is something truly so magical about a lovely table display full of delicious food and drinks to enjoy together. The time together is truly special and makes it the party of a lifetime that we can have again and again and again!

Nevertheless, I am excited to be apart of the change in bringing parties back, alongside some of my dear friends who have hosted me in the past and will continue to. It only takes one person to make a difference in somebody’s life and in these days that difference can be an invitation to a house party to meet others. The magical moments that my Mom and late Grandma gave me during my childhood are things that I am looking forward to bringing to others in my life and to the future generations. I thank them everyday for the love and magic that they showed me through their house parties and I’m excited to bring them back in 2025 (and beyond!).

XOXO – Katie <3

March 10, 2025December 29, 2025

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What I Wore to Spain & Portugal – February 2025

The final two weeks of LOVE month for me were spent exploring Spain and Portugal (by way of Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, and Lisbon!) and I had the opportunity to not only immerse myself in in two brand new-to-me countries but also have some fun fashion-wise! I have ALWAYS loved sharing my work outfits of the day and have recently sharing my outfits that I wear out of office, too. Nevertheless, I figured why not share what I wore in Spain and Portugal too?!?! And, never fear my friends! I WILL be sharing several snippets of my Spain and Portugal adventure as well as some upcoming posts on my travels with you over the next few months. But for now, I’m going to be sharing several snippets of my outfits while abroad!

My trip to Spain and Portugal started out in Madrid, Spain and ended in Lisbon, Portugal. And, while I *did* forget a few days to snap a photo of my travel outfits, most of my looks are here for your own enjoyment and travel outfits inspiration. I will say that one of my biggest pieces of advice when traveling is to wear clothing that is comfortable, stylish, true to you, and that blends into some extent with the destination(s) in which you are visiting.

For more preppy style & grand millennial home content, check out my Preppy Fashion & Grand Millennial Home page.

Blouse: Talbots; Trench Coat: Lands End; Earrings: Etsy; Bag: Longchamp; Leggings: Shapermint; Flats: New Bella

Blouse: Anthropologie; Earrings: Etsy; Leggings: Shapermint; Flats: New Bella; Tote: Longchamp; Necklace: Amazon

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: Etsy; Tights: Shapermint; Flats: Vivaia

Scarf: J Crew Factory; Dress: Nanette Lepore; Tote: Longchamp; Tights: Shapermint; Flats: Vivaia

Dress: Zara; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer; Necklace: Thrifted; Tote: Longchamp; Flats: New Bella

Blouse: Talbots; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Earrings: All She Wrote Notes; Shoes: Sketchers

Sweater: Sail to Sable; Necklace: Lilly Pulitzer; Dress: H&M; Tote: Longchamp

Trench Coat: Lands End; Dress: Hill House; Bag: Italian Leather; Necklace: Lilly Pulitzer

Jacket & Blouse: J Crew Factory; Pants: Smith & Quinn; Earrings: All She Wrote Notes; Bag: Longchamp; Shoes: Sketchers

Dress: J Crew Factory; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Longchamp; Flats: New Bella

Dress: Hill House; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Longchamp; Flats: New Bella

Blouse: Madison Mathews; Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer; Pants: Isaac Mizrahi

Blouse & Skirt: J Crew Factory; Bag: Italian Leather; Flats: Vivaia

Dress: J Crew Factory; Trench Coat: Lands End; Bag: Italian Leather; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Flats: Puma

Dress: J Crew Factory; Sunglasses: Tuckernuck; Tote: Longchamp; Flats: New Bella

Stay tuned for much more Spain and Portugal content *very soon*!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

March 6, 2025January 27, 2026

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What I Wore Out Of Office – February 2025

With my out of office outfits *well* worn locally, my February 2025 Out of Office outfits were short and sweet before jetting off to Europe. I kicked off February 2025 locally by making some new panda friends at the Washington National Zoo (see my guide on visiting them here!), happy hours in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, and a museum visit in Washington, DC. Truly, I love where I live and getting to explore and do ALLLL the things that there are to do in the Washington, DC area!

My biggest inspiration for my February Out of Office outfits has been Valentine’s Day. February is beautifully known as LOVE month and I LOVE getting to style ALLL the pinks and reds during the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. February is a lovely time to be able to find time to love ourselves, our communities, our families, our friends, and everything around us. LOVE month is a reminder to us to choose love first and to love and embrace ourselves (and those around us!) for who and where they are right now today and everyday. February may only be one month out of the year, but it is a true testament to choose love first year-round.

For more preppy style & grand millennial home content, check out my Preppy Fashion & Grand Millennial Home page.