Lives In
Pittsburgh, PA
Education
Penn State University
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Expertise
Trip researching, itinerary planning, been to almost all 50 states
Experience
Amanda started Scenic States as a resource for anyone looking to travel around the US, especially those ambitious enough to join her in visiting all 50 states. She’s been to 41 states so far, has driven across the country in a minivan, and gets out to travel as much as she possibly can.
Amanda’s friends and family all ask here “where should we go?” or “what should we do?” and thus the idea of Scenic States was born. She wanted to share with the world her experiences and recommendations from places that she has been and seen.
Amanda loves nothing more than to inspire others to get out and see the world and she hopes Scenic States will help people get out and explore more.
There are plenty of dolphins off the Hawaii coast, and if you get the chance to swim with dolphins in Kona, you should definitely take it. Most of them are Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. They are smaller than the better known bottle-nose dolphins which can make them more difficult to spot. That is, unless you find
Are you ready to get out and explore some of the East Coast National Parks? This list will show you exactly which ones you can’t miss.
You’re probably here because you’re looking for a trip that will break the clichéd cycle of city breaks – and what better way to do that than by whale watching in Alaska? Ah, whales. Ever since I was really young, I’ve always thought of whales as those ethereal creatures, with mind-boggling sizes and a sense
Exploring the unexplored and unmapped parts of the underworld has always been a source of allure for travelers, and this list of the best caves in the US should help you get started. Think lava tubes that extend for miles, astounding crystal formations, pigment-free animals, and gravity-defying formations. There are thousands of caves in the
Are you heading down to the Great Smokey Mountains? Or planning a road trip through North Carolina and looking for a stopping point to break up your trip? Both of these were true for me last October which is how I came to spend a day in Asheville, North Carolina. I hope you’ll find this
Fall Run Park has got to be one of Pittsburgh’s most “hidden gem” hikes. When you think about a day hike to a waterfall you are probably picturing yourself on an island vacation. Or at least somewhere more exotic than Pittsburgh. I know Hawaii is the first thing that comes to my mind when I
I recently answered a whole lot of questions about swimming with Hawaii’s manta rays. I hope those answers have helped to ease some of your fears and hesitations. There was one question though that I struggled with. After typing way too many paragraphs for a Q&A type post I realized that this question warranted a
Cover photo is a Scenic States photo from the Georgia Aquarium. The Manta Ray Night Dive/Snorkel off the coast of Kona, Hawaii is certainly a bucket-list attraction. It has made many lists such as CNN’s 50 Best Dive Sites, National Geographic’s Top 10 Things To Do In Hawaii, and PADI’s Top 5 Places To Scuba Dive With
If you have two days for sightseeing in Los Angeles then there is a lot you can see and do. The best part is that the vast majority of this itinerary is made up of completely free activities. Below is actually a 1 day itinerary and I suggest that you use it on your second day
What do you do if you only have one day (or less) in Los Angeles? There are many reasons you might find yourself with such a short time to explore such a major city. Maybe you are in LA for business, or maybe you are flying into LA one day and out of LA the