Erin Gifford

Erin Gifford

Erin Gifford is a travel and outdoor writer based in Ashburn, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Economics and Communications. Her first job out of college was on Capitol Hill, answering every piece of constituent mail for a U.S. Congressman from California. She has been writing about travel for more than 10 years and her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Northern Virginia Magazine, AFAR.com, USA Today's GoEscape, and Parents. During the pandemic, Erin got into hiking and created a website to review hiking trails called GoHikeVirginia.com. She also wrote three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides, including Hiking with Kids Virginia, Hiking Coastal Trails of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, and Virginia Summits. She has checked off more than 300 hikes across Virginia. She has also completed an Ironman 70.3 and is working toward a goal of running a half marathon in every state. So far, she's run half marathons in 33 states, including Alaska, Utah, and Maine.

Most Recent Works

Where to Go for Thanksgiving 2014

Where to Go for Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving is still a couple of months away, but if you want to take a trip over the holiday, now’s the time to book.
Top 10 Thanksgiving Destinations for 2013

Top 10 Thanksgiving Destinations for 2013

From nearby adventures with the family (Disney World) or a romantic weekend away (San Francisco) to farther-flung escapes (jerk turkey in Jamaica, perhaps?), these are the top 10 places we recommend going to start a new Thanksgiving tradition.
7 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in the US

7 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in the US

As summer heats up, now is the time to indulge in a classic beach vacation filled with wave-jumping, ice cream, and boardwalks. Take your pick of our 7 favorites across the country.
6 Dream Travel Jobs that Actually Exist

6 Dream Travel Jobs that Actually Exist

Traveling for work sounds glamorous but in reality is just airport delays and cold breakfast buffets. Not these jobs—they are dream jobs where travel (the good kind) is a main component.
11 Things to Do With Kids in Vienna

11 Things to Do With Kids in Vienna

Despite what it may seem like, with its rich classical music and architectural roots, Vienna is an incredibly kid-friendly destination with tons of fun, interactive activities.