Location
Brooklyn, New York
Expertise
Solo travel, Arts and culture, European destinations
- Erika grew up in Michigan, attended college in Boston, and moved to New York at age 21, so she's a pro at suggesting Midwestern and Northeastern travel destinations.
- As a travel writer, she has visited countries including Egypt, Kenya, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Jamaica, and St. Lucia.
- As an experienced journalist, she has had her work recognized by the National Headliner Awards and New York Press Club Awards.
Experience
Erika is an experienced freelance writer, covering a variety of topics including travel, wellness, and sex & relationships. Her freelance bylines include Vogue, PopSugar, and VeryWellMind, and she previously held staff positions at Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, and BUST magazine. In 2021, she published her first book, Astrosex.
Education
Erika double majored in magazine journalism and English literature at Boston University. She spent a semester studying abroad in London.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Ohio has plenty to offer for nature lovers, and one stunning lakeside retreat is an outdoorsy paradise that sees tens of thousands of visitors a year.
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Chicago, Illinois
By Erika W. Smith
Stroll through the Fox River Forest Preserve, sip a craft beer at Wild Onion Brewery, or shop vintage finds in this lakeside Chicago suburb.
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Pennsylvania
By Erika W. Smith
A charming community in Pennsylvania has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Pitch your tent at a nearby campsite or get your bike ready for gorgeous trails.
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With American airports canceling 6% of flights, some stranded passengers are turning to this unconventional car rental hack amid price increases and shortages.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
Home to miles of Lake Superior shoreline, gorgeous nature, and a bakery run by Byzantine Catholic monks, this Michigan village is truly a fairytale escape.
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Years in the making, this Detroit, Michigan, riverfront park is a 22-acre gem with gorgeous views of the skyline, playground for children, and sports amenities.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
Explore a quiet Michigan park between Grand Rapids and Lansing for year-round outdoor activities like swimming, cross-country skiing, and scenic hiking trails.
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Virginia
By Erika W. Smith
This charming Virginia town, just a stone's throw from Washington D.C., beautifully blends towering mountain views with captivating historic treasures.
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New York
By Erika W. Smith
This forest has miles of trails that are perfect for hiking or winter snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, and it's less challenging than nearby mountains.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
It started as a winter wonderland, but now this locally famous slope is something the whole family can enjoy even in the warmer months.
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Arizona
By Erika W. Smith
Communities across the country are frequently rated as good or bad places to live. A town near Lake Havasu was rated the state's worst place.
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Pennsylvania
By Erika W. Smith
If you're looking for stunning views of Lake Erie while enjoying some small town charm, this affordable borough in northwest Pennsylvania has you covered.
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Be wary on the road if you're driving in one of these two Tennessee cities, as both have been deemed to have the worst drivers in the United States.
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Located in Hill County, this beautiful park by the lake in Texas offers visitors a place to have fun in the water, as well as enjoy on-land amenities.
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When visiting a state park, you'd hope not to come across a dirty diaper. But locals say these state parks are among the dirtiest.
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Tips and Hacks
By Erika W. Smith
Get ready to ace your vacation shopping by uncovering this wallet-saving secret price tag code at Costco.
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Once one of the most polluted rivers in America, this waterway winds through a national park and metropolitan area and is known for its water sports.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
Lake Michigan is home to many lakeside destinations and this little treat between Chicago and Grand Rapids has everything you want and then some.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
This 45-square-mile township in Antrim County is ideal for an outdoorsy getaway with opportunities for Lake Michigan water sports, bluffside picnics, and more.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
At the end of a hike through a forested wilderness area on the shore of this Michigan lake, you'll be rewarded with swimming surrounded by a stunning view.
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Check the cleanliness ratings at the eateries you explore in this state, as it’s recently made headlines for having the dirtiest restaurants in the U.S.
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New York
By Erika W. Smith
Nestled in the Hudson Valley, this laidback town has a hip downtown full of shops and eateries, while its trails take you through the gorgeous surroundings.
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Restaurants
By Erika W. Smith
According to a review of 882 Olive Garden restaurants across the U.S., one southern state emerged as the one with the most the highest-rated locations.
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Fresh seafood, craft breweries, international cuisine, and farm-to-table restaurants in one location? This street in Maine will give your taste buds a treat.
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Massachusetts
By Erika W. Smith
Massachusetts isn't as mountainous as some U.S. states, but one of its mountains is a beautiful hike surrounded by some quaint New England towns.
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Michigan
By Erika W. Smith
This small town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula sits on the shoreline of the state's largest inland lake, close to rugged mountains, forests, and Lake Superior.
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Illinois
By Erika W. Smith
From nature preserves and scenic lakes to vintage drive-ins and cozy pizza spots, this community not too far from Chicago offers family fun in every season.
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