 As the coronavirus pandemic continues here in the US and around the world, signs of normalcy are beginning to emerge and businesses are beginning to reopen. I believe the entire vacation ecosystem will evolve over time. However, if you are considering staying closer to home in NYC but still venturing out for a little fresh air (and change of scenery), then consider a destination from this list of 13 all within a three-hour drive of Manhattan (New York City). Of course, please remember to obey local health guidelines, practice social distancing and take necessary precautions to keep you and others around you safe as you hit the open road! (Drive times according to Google Maps - subject to traffic, weather, etc.)
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 After months of saving and planning, the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here. The suitcases are packed. The mail has been stopped. The neighbors are watching the cat. Everyone is excited and you are on your way out the door to… nowhere. Many Americans have experienced this very scenario lately. They went through the fun, yet often tedious task of planning and saving for a vacation, only to have it ruined by the coronavirus pandemic.
 Each week on Beyond Your Backyard NOW presents the “10-5-1” of each episode. We’ll detail “10 Places” that could be perfect for your next vacation, as well as “Five (5) Helpful Travel Tips” and “One (1) Parting Thought or idea” which we think underline’s that week’s show. Below is the “10-5-1” from our third episode which was originally presented on April 20, 2020.
 At the end of the day, I’m a travel nerd at heart. I’m also a pretty big movie buff, and I love watching movies with strong travel themes. As we’re all social distancing and self-quarantining during the COVID-19 outbreak, many of us are turning to Netflix and other streaming sources to help us pass the time. Instead of scrolling through titles for hours, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite travel films to hopefully help you decide what to watch.
 The Grand Canyon is one of the unofficial wonders of the world. It can be found on countless vacation bucket lists. At 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, the sheer size and depth of the canyon is awe-inspiring. While the National Park is currently closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it will eventually re-open and be ready to welcome visitors back again soon. There are many ways to see this amazing part of the country, no matter what your interest may be.
BROADWAY REVAMPS IT'S SONGBOOKS! Broadway. The Great White Way. The center of the performing arts universe. Broadway is many things - open is not one of them. That being said, there are ways for people under quarantine to enjoy some Broadway magic at home.
 A quality vacation doesn’t have to be expensive to be a great time. You don’t need to book a pricey flight to appreciate all that America offers. Road trips are a great way to see the country up close and personal. To help inspire you to hit the road, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite road trips in all corners of the country. For this first trip we’re loading up the car and heading north along Route 95 for a tour of Southern New England.
 Right now, many of us are self-quarantined. We're glued to our devices binge-watching Beyond Your Backyard on Amazon Prime (Did you watch Season Two yet?). While I still want to be informed, I’m limiting my intake of current events/news, and in its place I’ve tried finding more uplifting ways to spend my time. Which led me back to my number one passion… travel. To me, the joy of planning a vacation is almost as exciting as the trip itself. I find that researching new places to visit can be a really fun and rewarding way for families to spend time together. In time, we’ll be able to freely travel the states again. When that moment comes, where will you want to go? Researching and planning new trips is a great way to pass the time. Here are five tips on ways that you will be able to bring domestic travel BACK into your home, and get you excited about exploring Beyond Your Backyard again...
 The Coronavirus. It’s everywhere - literally and figuratively. It’s continuing to show up in more places worldwide. It’s on our televisions. It’s in our newspapers, on the radio and podcasts. It’s discussed at the office water cooler. The virus has now been detected in 56 different countries, and as the worldwide numbers continue to rise, the media continues to keep us in a mild panic with 24-hour coverage. Now, I am somewhat apprehensive writing about this particular subject and how it pertains to you and your travel plans. I, like most of you, am certainly concerned and somewhat fearful of the unknown. Like any virus of this kind, this too shall pass over time, but at what cost? My heart aches for anyone who has been directly impacted physically, emotionally or financially by this virus. That being said, we all have to continue living our day-to-day lives and for many of us, that includes traveling. Whether it’s for business or leisure, many of us continue to travel during this time of uncertainty concerning the virus. Hopefully, this article will provide some much-needed clarity and help you feel a little more at ease about any upcoming travel.
 Ahhh, Spring. One of my favorite seasons. Now, you may be saying, Erik, what are you talking about, it’s still the dead of winter! Well, to you I say, “correct.” HOWEVER! One of my favorite things about spring being just around the corner is the return of Major League Baseball! Which brings us to the real reason I'm mentioning spring… MLB SPRING TRAINING!! Pitchers and Catchers have all reported, and teams are in full swing (pun intended), gearing up for the first season of the new decade. What better way for a baseball fan to enjoy his or her spring than to travel to spring training to soak up a little sun and enjoy America’s Pastime.
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AuthorI am on a mission to get you traveling more often. As the host of the Emmy award- winning, nationally syndicated television television for PBS and the Create channel, "Beyond Your Backyard," I travel (on average) 25 weeks per year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet cool people, experience new places, eat delicious food and work with the best production crew in the world. Hopefully, through this blog, you will join me on my travels and be reminded just how exciting it is to be alive! Categories
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MEET ERIK THE TRAVEL GUY
Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy is an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to consumers who can't afford to "get their vacations wrong". He is the host and managing editor of the internationally syndicated television series "Beyond Your Backyard" for public broadcasting stations (PBS) and other networks/VOD platforms. Erik The Travel Guy is also host of the new podcast, Erik The Travel Guy - The Podcast. He leads an incredibly talented team of industry pros and is the editorial driving force of his platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, Erik believes travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, he has learned that travel brings cultures together and he eagerly shares that spirit with his viewers. Read Erik's Full Bio.
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