Location
Marietta, Georgia
Expertise
Luxury cruises, Theme parks, Bars and nightlife
- Garrett was bit by the travel bug early in life, after family journeys to England and Australia, and annual trips to the North Carolina coast.
- He appreciates both the real and unreal, as fascinated by historical and cultural sites as he is entertained by theme parks, cruises, and immersive attractions.
- He believes that to really understand a place you need to experience its nightlife, so at the end of the day you'll most likely find him at a bar, theater, or nightclub.
Experience
Garrett is a veteran editor and writer with over a decade of travel writing experience. He started his career writing about music for various alt weeklies and websites before branching out into general pop culture. A lifelong love of theme parks brought him into travel writing, which has been his primary focus for over a decade. He's contributed to Paste, The A.V. Club, Salon, Kotaku, Polygon, and many more, and was an editor at Paste for 15 years.
Education
Garrett has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, where he majored in history.
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.
-
Georgia
By Garrett Martin
This quiet Georgia town offers a charming downtown with historic hotels and antique shops, along with restaurants serving up Southern comfort food.
Read More
-
Georgia
By Garrett Martin
This charming lakeside town in Georgia lures retirees with gorgeous nature, walking trails, world-class golf courses, antique shops, and heavenly southern food.
Read More
-
South Dakota
By Garrett Martin
This Midwestern state ranked highest in the Lower 48 for air quality, and it's a spectacular place to take in some fresh air and gorgeous scenery.
Read More
-
Wisconsin
By Garrett Martin
Within the Northwoods are lakes and trails with an abundance of scenic views. This lesser-known lake is an angler's dream but also offers boating.
Read More
-
This suburb is an ideal spot for golfers of all skill levels, and with scenic parks and trails, even non-golfers can appreciate the natural beauty of this town.
Read More
-
Georgia
By Garrett Martin
This growing gem midway between Atlanta and Athens puts people first, combining year-round events with interesting shops, tasty eats, and family fun all around.
Read More
-
North Carolina
By Garrett Martin
A newer outdoor destination offers anglers and paddlers a peaceful escape, with abundant wildlife, tranquil waters, and miles of wooded shoreline to explore.
Read More
-
Michigan
By Garrett Martin
This preserve on Lake Erie offers hundreds of acres of revitalized wetlands, a trail network, and the opportunity to spot diverse species of migratory birds.
Read More
-
Arkansas
By Garrett Martin
Once an amusement park based on a popular comic strip, this abandoned Arkansas attraction is being transformed into a scenic Ozark nature escape.
Read More
-
Pennsylvania
By Garrett Martin
This township in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley combines nearly 500 acres of parks with seasonal events, a historic restaurant, and a longtime local winery.
Read More
-
Michigan
By Garrett Martin
Home to Michigan's most famous college town, boutiques and independent shops, and outdoor recreation areas, this county ranks among the best in the state.
Read More
-
An easy day-trip from Columbus, this quaint Ohio town has a walkable Main Street with small-town vibes and historic buildings, plus local shops and eateries.
Read More
-
Massachusetts
By Garrett Martin
Year-round outdoor recreation, unique museums, and picturesque surrounding nature make this town near Boston a great retirement alternative to Florida.
Read More