Jessica Fender on Muck Rack

Jessica Fender

Verified
(She/Her)
New Orleans
As seen in: Forbes, MarketWatch, Business 2 Community, The Denver Post, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, AAA Explorer, American Automobile Association (AAA), Westways, Law360, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) and
Covers:  Travel, food, culture and lifestyle. New Orleans, the Gulf South, domestic and international destinations.
Doesn't Cover: Entertainment, politics.
Freelance travel writer, blogger, copywriter, pen-for-hire in New Orleans. Former politics & criminal justice reporter.
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Articles by Jessica Fender

Why Prediction Platform Probes Merit Strategic Responses

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By Jessica Fender Verified, Jonathan Cogan, Michael Cinnamon
| Law360 Verified
By Jessica Fender, Jonathan Cogan and Michael Cinnamon ( April 22, 2026, 5:35 PM EDT) -- Prediction markets have become a veritable lightning rod for U.S. regulators — itself a predictable outcome, given the markets' attention-grabbing headlines and trading volumes, which exceeded $24 billion in March alone.[1]... Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence.
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Why Prediction Platform Probes Merit Strategic Responses

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By Jessica Fender Verified, Jonathan Cogan, Michael Cinnamon
| Law360 Verified
By Jessica Fender, Jonathan Cogan and Michael Cinnamon ( April 22, 2026, 5:35 PM EDT) -- Prediction markets have become a veritable lightning rod for U.S. regulators — itself a predictable outcome, given the markets' attention-grabbing headlines and trading volumes, which exceeded $24 billion in March alone.[1]... Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence.
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I Tried AlwaysMoney For “Instant” Crypto Swaps — What Surprised Me, What Didn’t, And Where I’d Be Careful

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| Bit News Bot
If you are looking for a list with the best cryptocurrency wallets, then you've landed on the right page. Cryptocurrency, as we all know,...
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Six hidden Gulf Coast beaches offer sun, sand and serenity away from the biggest crowds Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
For those who can relate to Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous line “hell is other people,” a day at the beach during peak season is, well, no day at the beach. As thousands flock to regional hot spots each summer weekend, boomboxes drown out seabirds and reveling crowds overpower the sound of crashing waves. But fear not, serenity seekers. While there’s no way to avoid the multitudes altogether, there are relatively empty strips of sugar-white sand waiting not too far from south Louisiana.
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As trails and mountain attractions return, North Carolina county hopes visitors follow suit Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
HAYWOOD COUNTRY, NORTH CAROLINA — Our foraging party nibbles lemony mountain sorrel and delicate violets as we hike past forested valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on our right, ranchland sloping away on our left. Our barefoot guide Lee "Natty" Trebotich points to a smattering of vibrant green shoots hidden among trailside ferns. They’re highly prized wild ramps, a delicious cross between garlic and leeks. Alas, they grow just out of bounds over the park’s border.
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8 places to see the stars on clear winter nights within driving distance around Louisiana Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
For stargazers who know where to go, winter months in the Gulf South offer the ideal conditions for contemplating the cosmos. Nights are longer. Skies tend to be clearer. And, according to one Baton Rouge-based astronomer, there’s another perk. “I also think winter is the best time, because you don’t deal with a lot of mosquitoes,” said Judah Santiago, a telescope operator at the Highland Road Park Observatory.
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Visit these haunted towns within driving distance of South La. for fresh frights... if you dare

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
‘Tis the season for spookiness. And while south Louisiana brims with the macabre, even tales of Madame LaLaurie and the Axeman killer lose their chill after a while. Intrepid souls seeking fresh terrors this October will find everything from paranormal specter hunts to a ghost town that spans hundreds of acres to a hotel haunted by America’s most famous gunslinger at these four drivable destinations.
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This lush New Orleans estate was a designer's masterpiece. The National Park Service noticed.

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
An eagle-eyed visitor to Longue Vue House and Gardens could peer 1,942 feet down an oak-lined drive, through the home’s grand entry hall and out a back window to the elegant lawn beyond. Within its walls, the observant may note how etched glass above a vanity perfectly mirrors the wallpaper around it or how the colors planted just outside the dining room window echo throughout the interior.
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This lush New Orleans estate was a designer's masterpiece. The National Park Service noticed.

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
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How Do I Make Sense of Travel Advisories?

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
I wrestled with this exact question while planning a group trip to Colombia, which gets an alarming risk assessment from the feds. My strategy? To do additional research. The U.S. Depart­ment of State ranks countries by their safety levels on a scale of 1 to 4. Anything from civil unrest to street crime to the ability to cope with potential medical emergencies and natural disasters can affect a nation’s rating.
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Is it Okay to Recline My Airplane Seat?

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
That’s a toughie. Ever since passenger altercations over personal space began going viral online, the “right to recline” debate has raged. The real question isn’t can you tilt back your seat—as a paying passenger, you have the right to do so—but should you. Tensions on planes have been high lately for many reasons. Not only are we, as a country, in a particularly divisive era, but many folks emerged from the pandemic with new anxieties about crowded spaces.
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In St. Tammany, secret beaches, fishing spots and splash pads invite cool getaways Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Growing up in St. Tammany Parish, Jeremy Torres was never more than 15 minutes away from the water. Friends had kayaks and fishing boats. Secluded shorelines, speckled trout and, when the water was calm, Lake Pontchartrain occupied their days. Today, whether the 35-year-old is exploring the northshore's oft-overlooked sandy-bottomed rivers or its all-but-untouched bayous, he runs into the same question from friends about his hometown’s picturesque diversity.
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How to spend 3 days in Fairhope, Alabama

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
An incandescent sun dropping toward the horizon turns the sky above Mobile Bay into a pastel gradient of pinks, oranges, and dusky blues. Couples and trios stroll the shoreline, settling along the pier and on benches under spreading mimosa trees. It’s the same show that plays here every evening, and it never fails to draw a crowd. The diminutive city of Fairhope has an outsize knack for drawing people together with its seaside charm, eclectic history, and meals around communal tables.
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Here are 4 Gulf Coast beach escapes that are so close they could be easy staycations

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
Who wouldn’t love an entire week lounging on the sand in the Bahamas? But sometimes our work schedules get in the way. Fret not. These four coastal towns offer quick seaside escapes that are so close, they might as well be staycations. And with a raft of recent debuts — everything from a historic hotel re-opening to a whole new pier-side theme park — each lets visitors make the most of their weekends with as much to do off the beach as on it.
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Here are 4 Gulf Coast beach escapes that are so close they could be easy staycations

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Who wouldn’t love an entire week lounging on the sand in the Bahamas? But sometimes our work schedules get in the way. Fret not. These four coastal towns offer quick seaside escapes that are so close, they might as well be staycations. And with a raft of recent debuts — everything from a historic hotel re-opening to a whole new pier-side theme park — each lets visitors make the most of their weekends with as much to do off the beach as on it.
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Sweet treats await at these 15 Gulf Coast spots

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| Westways Verified
AAA Magazines Alabama’s Gulf Coast has all the makings for an epic beach getaway. The icing on top? This region is known for its bounty of family-friendly destinations that specialize in all things confectionary, from flashy shakes to gigantic cinnamon rolls. Devour these must-try sweets from 15 haunts around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. When a mere milkshake just won’t do, turn to The Yard Milkshake Bar.
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6 family-friendly places to stay in Alabama

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
AAA Magazines Scrambling to plan a summer vacation with the kiddos? With robust activities calendars and easy access to attractions that the littles will love, these 6 properties might just be the family-friendliest stays in Alabama. 1.
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Visiting Mobile? New high-end restaurants and an Instagram-worthy bakery mean bring an appetite Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
MOBILE, ALABAMA — On a recent hardhat tour of the future Le Moyne’s Chophouse, the mocktails sipped by local dignitaries starred honey from the building’s rooftop beehives. Farther into the cavernous space, executive chef Jeremiah Dennis’ wagyu beef-fat-poached oysters — topped with Pernod pearls and caviar, no less — offered another taste of the menu that’s to come when the posh eatery debuts inside the Admiral Hotel later this spring.
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This boutique French Quarter hotel is an elegant getaway in the middle of all the action

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Beside a burbling fountain, a pair of friends parlent Français over rum cocktails. Nearby, an aficionado relaxes into a cigar, sunbeams catching his exhaled curlicues. Light orchestral music drifts in from a wedding next door. Clouds pass blithely across patch of blue overhead. A half block away, Bourbon Street carouses on with abandon.
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4 can’t-miss food and drink experiences in Alabama

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| Westways Verified
AAA Magazines Your favorite restaurant is a comforting place, where the satisfaction of knowing exactly what to order is right up there with savoring the dish itself. But once upon a time, what has become “the usual” for you was a mouthwatering discovery that required taking a chance. From high-end supper clubs to ghost kitchens and pop-ups in the unlikeliest of places, these 4 tantalizing food and drink experiences in Alabama might just inspire your next indulgence of choice.
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Best places to watch total solar eclipse are an easy drive from South Louisiana

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| Our Community Now
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Best places to watch total solar eclipse are an easy drive from South Louisiana Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
For several minutes the midday skies will darken. Fooled by the false dusk, birds will quiet and crickets will sing. Temperatures will drop as the sun disappears from the sky. Distant planets may become visible. No, it’s not a sci-fi movie. It’s the most highly anticipated solar event in recent memory, and it’s taking place right next door.
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These 9 New Orleans staycation spots have special deals for locals, close to home

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Who doesn’t love to travel? But sometimes, sticking close to home can be just as relaxing, especially when New Orleans’ top hotels put guests in the lap of luxury and the heart of the action. A spate of winter promotions, locals’ discounts and high toned renovations make a staycation in New Orleans more tempting than ever. So, pack a bag and ditch the passport; it’s almost time for check-in. Windsor Court: One of the state’s most celebrated luxury hotels toasts its big 4-0 this year.
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What to Do in Guntersville, Alabama

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
Whether you come for the water sports or just to unwind, there’s plenty to do and see on and around Alabama’s largest lake. At the rippling edge where water meets land, tidy boathouses stand on piers and stately lake houses peek out from between the pines. Pontoon boat captain and tour guide Mark Mills points out where prominent locals live and where out-of-towners are building million-dollar cabin compounds to house the anglers who flock to Alabama’s largest lake every year.
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Gifts for the traveler in your life — with a New Orleans flair

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
What does that traveler in your life want most this holiday? Plane tickets, obviously. But, airfare aside, this collection of tested and truly useful travel gifts is sure to delight their globe-trotting hearts, too. Spoiler alert! Some of the most stylish options on the list come from home-grown makers. Atop a mountain or in line at airport security, this handmade-in-New Orleans bag with a clever front pocket gives travelers easy access to their phone or travel docs.
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Gifts for the traveler in your life — with a New Orleans flair - NewsBreak

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| NewsBreak
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3 small-town Christmas destinations for Louisiana road-trippers

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| Our Community Now
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In Mobile, a slave ship's secret history and the criminal conspiracy that hid it for 159 years Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
MOBILE, ALABAMA — “Step into my office,” Darron Patterson, 71, said with a wry smile as he sweeps an arm toward a metal bench. The “office” is the sunny front porch of a new, one-of-a-kind museum that tells the story of the last 110 Africans trafficked into the United States. Patterson’s great-great-grandfather, Kupollee, was aboard the schooner Clotilda that brought them here in 1860, long after the international slave trade was outlawed.
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Camper Van Trip Through New Zealand

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
My cheery yellow camper van crests the rim of an ancient caldera, and I laugh in surprised delight as a living postcard appears before me. Lush farmland ripples gently downslope toward a sailboat-flecked bay that’s so surreally blue—a product of fine silt particles left by glacial erosion—that it almost glows from within. Somewhere in the distance is today’s destination, the garden-like township of Akaroa. For the first time in a while, giddiness sweeps over me.
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Tips for Renewing your Passport

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
First, kudos for keeping track of your passport’s expiry date. A surprising number of people don’t, or they forget that, for many countries, a passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned travel dates. And second, I feel for you. Under the best circumstances, dropping a passport into the mail can be nerve-racking. And these are certainly not the best circumstances.
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Ask the Traveler: Any advice for travelers with disabilities?

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
In an ideal world, this column would consist of 4 words: Go anywhere you like. In reality, the tourism industry has a long way to go toward welcoming travelers with disabilities. Thanks partly to a decade of advocacy work, though, we’re starting to see notable improvements and more inclusive options. More than 1 billion people live with some type of mobility, sensory, cognitive, or other challenge, according to the United Nations.
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Make handcrafted gifts with these 6 classes and kits

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
During the holidays, crafting together gives families and friends a chance to create memories and one-of-a-kind gifts together. Luckily, Alabama makers have plenty of talent to share. From glazed pottery to candles inspired by celebrities to pieces of musical Americana, ’tis the season to find your inner artist. Gather your favorite people to try these 6 at-home crafting kits and in-person workshops. 1.
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A Guide to the ABCs of Alabama Barbecue

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| American Automobile Association (AAA)
AAA Magazines Smoky, savory, and downright sacred—there’s not much the Yellowhammer State holds in higher regard than its pit-fired meats. “Barbecue is right up there with football,” says historian and associate lecturer at the University of Chattanooga Mark A. Johnson. He’d know. He literally wrote the book on the art form in Alabama. “Every small town, every neighborhood of every big city has its local place,” he says. “It’s where the community gets together.
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Ask the Traveler: How can I protect my data while traveling?

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
You’re smart to be concerned. When I came across the recent FBI warning that ne’er-do-wells could potentially steal personal data from travelers using USB charging stations in airports and other public locales, it was a bit of a wake-up call. I’m used to safeguarding my IRL possessions while on vacation: No camera of mine is going to sit unattended in a café. But protecting passwords and emails from invisible thieves? That easily falls into “out of sight, out of mind” territory.
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New direct flights from New Orleans to southwest Florida make it easier to go island-hopping

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
Treasure troves for beachcombers, fabled watering holes tucked away in mangrove forests and remote reaches that feel almost Caribbean — each of the many barrier islands off Fort Myers Beach, Florida, offer visitors something unique. And, it’s about to get easier for south Louisianians to go island-hopping.
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New direct flights from New Orleans to southwest Florida make it easier to go island-hopping

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Treasure troves for beachcombers, fabled watering holes tucked away in mangrove forests and remote reaches that feel almost Caribbean — each of the many barrier islands off Fort Myers Beach, Florida, offer visitors something unique. And, it’s about to get easier for south Louisianians to go island-hopping.
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3 Alabama cities where you should eat

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| American Automobile Association (AAA)
Some globe-trotters travel seeking natural wonders, a bustling art scene, or the chance to soak up some sun. For others, the path to their vagabond hearts lies straight through their stomachs. Looking for some of the best places to eat in Alabama? Whether it’s high-end dining, unique regional dishes, or learning about a town’s history one bite at a time, the Yellowhammer State has a smorgasbord of options. These 3 delicious destinations make for perfect foodie weekend getaways in Alabama.
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In Huntsville, the world-class space center is just one of many family-friendly attractions Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
The noon sun shines down on a vast outdoor plaza studded with life-size replicas of the shuttles, rockets and lunar landers that propelled U.S. astronauts into the cosmos. This park may be a small slice of Huntsville, Alabama’s massive U.S. Space & Rocket Center, but it’s a big hit with the kids here this afternoon. They dash by in little orange flight suits, wait to experience three times the force of gravity in an on-site simulator and dream up aliens on a community chalkboard.
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Photos: Blast off for Huntsville, Alabama, to see rockets, historic village, art and serene vistas

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Huntsville’s NASA-affiliated U.S. Space & Rocket Center campus – which includes a 1,500-artifact museum and recently revamped planetarium – has drawn families to north Alabama for generations, but it’s hardly the only reason the sub-16 set find so much fun here. This laid-back city in the Tennessee Valley, a 6.5-hour road trip or budget-friendly flight from New Orleans, boasts a bevy of STEM-related, outdoor and art activities to delight kids and their grown-up chauffers.
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Photos: Blast off for Huntsville, Alabama, to see rockets, historic village, art and serene vistas

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) Verified
Huntsville’s NASA-affiliated U.S. Space & Rocket Center campus – which includes a 1,500-artifact museum and recently revamped planetarium – has drawn families to north Alabama for generations, but it’s hardly the only reason the sub-16 set find so much fun here. This laid-back city in the Tennessee Valley, a 6.5-hour road trip or budget-friendly flight from New Orleans, boasts a bevy of STEM-related, outdoor and art activities to delight kids and their grown-up chauffers.
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Out & About in Alabama - Jul/Aug/Sep 2023

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By Jessica Fender Verified, Nicole Letts Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
By Nicole Letts Meet Ravello Ristorante, an upscale Italian eatery in the heart of Montgomery. Here, authentic Italian dishes are married with local Southern ingredients to create an unforgettable culinary experience. Vintage details such as tall ceilings and Greek key woodwork create a luxe dining environment. Montgomery native Jud Blount co-owns the restaurant with chef Eric Rivera.
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Paddlers go for gold at the Great Alabama 650

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
“At that point, I’m thinking, why am I doing this?” O’Donnell recalls with a rueful laugh. “But it’s hard to know which limits are self-imposed and which are real until you push them. That’s what got me into the military. That got me into distance running and a lot of the other trouble I’ve gotten myself into.” O’Donnell, who at 63 years old boasts the best time for any solo competitor (4 days, 22 hours, and 39 minutes), strapped in and took it stroke by stroke through the finish line.
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Along Florida's scenic Highway 30A, a string of ancient coastal lakes invites explorers Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
GRAYTON BEACH STATE PARK, FLA. — The kayak slips noiselessly into shallow water the color of tea. To the east lies a picturesque waterfront where the lake’s lily-spotted surface reflects iconic stands of longleaf pines and high-end vacation villages. Heading west, paddlers enter a narrow, reed-framed channel that snakes through rolling dunes to emerge at a white sand beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
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Jazz Fest is over. What next? Check out 5 regional music festivals worth traveling to Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Kick back in a hammock grotto before grabbing a frozen cocktail at the nearest beach club. Then, take a spin at the roller disco. Just be sure to leave time to snag a prime spot at the mainstage for blockbuster acts like Lil Nas X, Paramore and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The beachside blowout Hangout Fest kicks off in nearby Gulf Shores, Alabama, next week — just in time to appease south Louisianans jonesing for their next fest fix.
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6 Florida panhandle towns to host your perfect summer beach vacation Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
The Florida Panhandle stretches along the Gulf of Mexico for nearly 150 miles. In its beach towns, visitors will find sparkling white sand, crystalline waters that range somewhere between emerald and turquoise and an excellent chance that the sun will shine on their summer vacations. But that’s about where the similarities end. From Pensacola to Port St. Joe and beyond, this slice of coast offers sleepy fishing villages, party hot spots and upscale coastal communities.
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8 unique places to stay in Alabama

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
Spend the night in a former general store and wake up to a full menu of outdoor activities in the tiny all-but-ghost town of Veto in North Alabama. The building, once the center of town life, has been in the Coffman family since the 1800s. Today, guests enjoy a modernized space with a wood-burning stove, reading nook, reclaimed architectural details, and—the main attraction—a healthy dose of solitude. “Veto was once a bustling town,” says property host Mia Alvarez.
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Sleek new cruise ships ply the Mississippi River, with fine dining, pools and cultural programming Original

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Aboard the Viking Mississippi, guests can laze in the sun deck’s infinity plunge pool as the riverbank rolls serenely by. Or, at the heart of the brand-new American Serenade, they might lounge in a soaring, four-story atrium with panoramic views. Those who envision classic paddle-wheelers when they think of cruising the Mississippi River may be surprised by the options christened since river liners resumed operations in 2021.
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No tent? No problem. 'Glamping' sites have ready-made shelter for easy outdoor fun.

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Watch the distant lights of New Orleans twinkle across Lake Pontchartrain from a private beach. Or, catch a killer sunset on a west-facing bluff overlooking the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Seeking something more sylvan? Bask in morning birdsong outside a tiny cabin that’s set on the edge of a national forest. With camping weather upon the region, there’s no shortage of stunning spots to spend a few nights in the great outdoors.
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Dauphin Island, Alabama’s sunset capital offers fun for everyone

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| AAA Explorer Verified
Skirting the island’s northeast corner, vast stretches of sea-washed shallows shelter tiny creatures such as grass shrimp, snails, and scuttling baby crabs. “It kind of looks like a meadow, quiet and peaceful. But it’s teeming with life,” says Mendel Graeber, who oversees aquarium education at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and leads regular public tours of the salt marsh.
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Pro strategies for great, last-minute Mardi Gras costumes

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By Jessica Fender Verified
| The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate Verified
Mardi Gras looms mere days away. Soon, the nonstop party will start in earnest – which means there’s precious little time left to throw together a Fat Tuesday costume. But fear not, procrastinators. With a little improvisation and some pro strategies, you can still look great on the big day. Local maker Midge Howe of Mambo Midge has crafted award-winning headpieces for Muses crews and hosts costuming workshops across the city for DIYers.
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