Boasting a laid-back vibe full of urban amenities, Knoxville is truly eastern Tennessee’s hidden gem. Mild weather, great nightlife, a variety of outdoor activities and manageable traffic all combine to make Knoxville a city worth visiting or even calling home.
Local experts love talking about the little things that make Knoxville great. They were eager to share some of the special spots that really give the city a sense of individuality. Have you discovered any of these Knoxville hidden gems yet?
1. East Knoxville
Source: facebook.com/CruzeFarmGirl
You can define so many neighborhoods throughout Knoxville by their best places to eat or drink. If you’re in East Knoxville, you should start date night at Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus Cider or take the entire family out for a slice at Cruze Farm.
“We like to go to Barrelhouse by Gypsy Cider,” says Olivia Alfrey, Owner and Operator of June Bug Dog Supplies. “They have yummy food, beers, and ciders (including cider floats!) and to top it all off, your precious pup can join you outside on the patio.”
Cruze Farm is also dog-friendly, according to Alfrey. But the real draw is the salads, pizza and farm-fresh, soft-serve ice cream.
For Quinn, the Lead Photographer, at Winx Photo, Cruze Farm ice cream is also where it’s at when it comes to hidden gems in Knoxville. The best place to enjoy it though is, “at the JFG sign, overlooking the Tennessee River at sunset.” This is where you can get a, “perfect view of the Sunsphere and the way it sparkles with the last little bit of daylight!”
2. Sequoyah Hills Park
Situated in the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood, right alongside the Tennessee River, Sequoyah Hills Park opens up into over 84 acres. When you’re inside the park, you not only have fishing and access to water but there are also spots for picnicking, playing sports and hiking.
For the team at Rala, coming here means bringing Fido along for some pup-human play time.
3. Ijams Nature Center
Another popular outdoor spot is Ijams Nature Center. Ijams is an urban park in South Knoxville. It features ten miles of trails and bike and canoe rentals to aid your exploration of the wetlands and rock formations within the park.
For Summer Tannhauser of Waggy Tails Pet Sitting + Dog Walking, Ijams is the perfect place to spend the middle of the day, in conjunction with other South Knox favorites. After grabbing a donut and Cruze Farm coffee milk from The Donut Shop, she likes to, “enjoy a day of outdoor activities. Activities like stand-up paddle boarding at Ijams, mountain biking trails at Bakers Creek Preserve and maybe even a little geocaching in all the natural spaces and parks.”
She’ll wrap up the perfect day at South Coast Pizza and Hi-Wire Brewing.
4. Take advantage of what’s free
When it comes to Knoxville fun, Lisa Burnett of Nothing Too Fancy knows how to find those free hidden gems throughout the city. For her and her family, Ijams is a popular stop, along with Mead’s Quarry. Next stop would be the playground at Lakeshore Park before enjoying a home-packed picnic at Suttree’s Landing by the Tennessee River.
To round out a hot day she’d, “play in the fountains at World’s Fair Park or Market Square,” before finally spending a few bucks to kick off happy hour right.
5. Sutherland Avenue
Source: facebook.com/thegoldenroast
A special neighborhood within Knoxville, Sutherland Avenue has enough going on to keep you busy for an entire day.
“Grab a coffee at Golden Roast, and go for an easy run or bike ride on Third Creek Greenway,” suggests Julia Conner of The Long Run. It’s her favorite way to get started. Then, “head over to Gus’s Fried Chicken for a bite to eat. Do some shopping at Backroads Market and River Sports. Stop by Albright Grove Brewery for a great local beer or the Frog Juice Boochery right next door for some non-alcoholic local kombucha. Finish with dinner at Savelli’s Italian.”
You tired yet?
Seeking out the cool spots
Source: facebook.com/wildlovebakehouse
A variety of local experts were quick to list a few other “cool” spots throughout Knoxville in a variety of neighborhoods. They even showed enthusiasm for some that haven’t opened yet. For Kelsey Wood, of Wood Shutter Photography, she’s looking forward to the upcoming opening of Fable Hollow Coffee and Bookshoppe, a hidden gem in the making.
Other places to consider in some of the city’s favorite neighborhoods include the Wild Love Bakehouse in North Knoxville and Cultivate Coffee and Flowers in Fountain City.
If you’re looking for a list in West Knoxville:
If you’re traveling Downtown, and need some ideas:
The list could go on. It’s that easy to find a gem or two no matter where in Knoxville you find yourself.
Discovering Knoxville in every direction
Knoxville is not only a beautiful place aesthetically — thanks to the Smoky Mountains and Tennessee River — but a fun one as well. Even when you’re not hiking or boating, there are plenty of secrets to discover within The Marble City. Whether you’ve just moved in, or consider yourself a seasoned local, it’s time to get out and seek out those amazing hidden spots still waiting for you to find.
Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.
The bill is a way for legislators to limit these investors’ gains when buying and renting homes, which they claim has driven up local housing prices and rents. According to the legislators, the U.S. faces a shortage of 3.8 million homes, and potential homeowners are unable to find properties they can afford.
The effort is being led by Senate members Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. It also includes Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
The new bill would allow owners to continue taking deductions on properties financed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that are still in their affordability period, and on build-for-rent single-family housing.
The bill, an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, would not disallow deductions for single-family rental homes purchased before enactment.
One example given by the legislators to introduce the bill is Ohio. They say two big investors own more than 12,000 homes in just three Ohio markets. Meanwhile, other investors don’t report how many homes they own.
“In too many communities in Ohio, big investors funded by Wall Street buy up homes that could have gone to first-time homebuyers, then jack up the rent, neglect repairs, and threaten families with eviction,” said Senator Brown in a statement. “Our bill will help prevent corporate landlords from driving up local housing prices and put power back in the hands of working families, who need a safe, affordable place to live and raise their children.”
Housing trade groups, including the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA), supported the bill.
“This legislation represents a critical step in safeguarding the long-term affordability and stability of our communities, empowering local governments to protect single-family affordable housing stock, and preserve the well-being of low-income individuals and families,” Jonathan Paine, NALHFA executive director, said in a statement.
Groups supporting the bill recognize that small investors own a large number of rental homes. However, according to these groups, large institutional investors increased their purchases at the height of the pandemic and have continued to purchase a significant share of single-family homes.
Moreover, these big investors are under scrutiny by Congress, accused of gentrifying minority neighborhoods and allegedly displacing large numbers of people of color — Black residents in particular.
There is nothing quite like receiving a beautifully handwritten note in the mail, wouldn’t you agree? The rarity of a greeting sent “the old fashioned way” is especially endearing. Old-fashioned cards make the sender feel just as good as the recipient- there’s something so satisfying about actually dropping a note in a mailbox! So why don’t we send out more “thank you’s”, “thinking of you” notes or love letters anymore?? In a world of electronic everything, from emojis to emails, it’s almost as if we’ve forgotten how to express ourselves on pen and paper.
Now, we’re the first to admit we rarely send out cards in the mail ourselves. So, in an attempt to keep the handwritten note from becoming a dying art form, we decided it was time to brush up on expressing ourselves on paper- no laptop or keyboard required!
To help us out, we enlisted on local calligrapher, Kim from Bright Room Studio, to school us on fun writing treatments to jazz up our snail mail. We all gathered round the table on a Saturday morning (with much needed coffee in hand!) to learn some tricks of the trade – and of course we had to share it all with you!
our favorite card stock, envelopes & paper goods from Tiny Prints”>Tiny Prints
When it comes to a handwritten note, where to start is easy: cute stationary is a must we love this set and this set!! Then you just have to decide to whom you care to send a special note. We have a little pretty! notebook in the office to keep track of ideas. It doesn’t have to be a cousin who is celebrating an upcoming birthday or a friend who is expecting. In fact, we argue that it shouldn’t be. We love the idea of sending “just because” notes; they’re such an unexpected gesture that will no doubt turn any friend’s mid-week frown upside down!
But if you’re still feeling stumped on how to write something that’s actually longer than 140 characters, we’ve got your back!
Get Past Notecard-Writer’s Block With These “Just Because” Ideas:
> Send a loved one your favorite memory of them > Tell a person why they inspire you > Start a card with “thanks for” & express what you truly appreciate about the recipient > Share something that will make them laugh- something you’d normally text to them > Write out a favorite quote from the book you’re reading and send it off for someone else to enjoy
Once you’ve got your note ready to go, here’s where you can take some additional creative license: addressing the envelopes! There are a couple of different writing styles Kim showed us.
> Calligraphy is a classic way to put a sophisticated spin on your mail. It takes practice to perfect, but it’s so much fun. We urge you to pick up a nib and try it!
> Watercolor is so on trend right now. You can either write with a thin, rounded tip paintbrush or paint a watercolor background and print with a pen over it. We’re obsessed with this playful and free flowing style. Let the paint do its own thing- embrace its imperfections and runs.
> Combine fonts and sizes, spacing between characters and colors to instantly take your handwriting from drab to fab.
The key here is to simply let your creativity flow!
And for us creativity definitely starts after coffee! Since it was early and we needed to stay focused on our craft, we set up an ultimate coffee bar with three different roasts from our favorite Bay Area-based coffee roaster, Wrecking Ball you may remember them from here!. We felt a little like coffee aficionados while we sipped the different blends. Since you usually get whatever is being served at your local cafe that day, we certainly indulged by taste-testing a cup or two or three!
Don’t you just love that print Kim made for our coffee and calligraphy date? You can get your own in black or white, or both! here!
So one of these weekends, why not motivate a handful of your gal pals for a different kind of “girls day.” Set up a fun coffee bar; indulge in your local coffee shop’s beans and grind them yourself to really bring things back to basics. Dust off your cutest mugs that quickly get forgotten amidst the convenient thrill of to-go cups. Set out all your pretty paper and cards don’t forget the address labels either! with a couple of different writing tools, and you’re set to go for a really simple and super fun weekend activity. We’re here to attest that calligraphy and coffee is the most inspiring way to start off a Saturday!
original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // art direction + styling by Bianca Sotelo
This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints, where every choice is a stylish choice. Thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting our partnerships!
A 12% increase in the conforming loan limits for 2023 raised the baseline loan limit for a single unit to $726,200 in most counties in the United States.
The adjustment is a result of a change in the average price of a home nationwide from the third quarter of 2021 to the third quarter of 2022. Home prices increased an average of 12.21%, and the baseline conforming loan limit kept pace.
Conforming loans may be cheaper than nonconforming loans like jumbo mortgages, but jumbo loans have their place.
Conforming Loan Limits for 2023
The conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency can vary based on area and the number of units in the property.
In most counties, that number increased to $726,200 in 2023 for a one-unit property. In high-cost areas, the limit is $1,089,300 for a one-unit property.
In general, here’s how the baseline conforming loan limits break down for 2023.
Maximum baseline loan limit for 2023
Units
Many counties in the contiguous states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
1
$726,200
$1,089,300
2
$929,850
$1,394,775
3
$1,123,900
$1,685,850
4
$1,396,800
$2,095,200
Recommended: The Cost of Living by State
Why Care About Conforming Loan Limits?
Staying under a conforming loan limit means you’ll most likely obtain a lower-cost mortgage. Mortgages that “conform” to the limits can be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsored enterprises.
Because these mortgages can be bought by the agencies and then sold to investors on the secondary mortgage market, they represent a lower risk to the lender and a lower cost to the consumer.
If you need to finance more than the conforming limit, you’ll need to look at jumbo mortgage loans.
Getting a jumbo loan involves clearing more hurdles than a conforming loan. The rate will usually be similar to conforming loan rates, but sometimes it can be lower. How jumbo can a loan be for a primary residence, second home, or investment property? It’s up to each lender.
Government-backed mortgages are also nonconforming loans, and although they serve certain homebuyers, they also may be more expensive than conforming conventional loans because they usually come with additional fees.
Recommended: How to Get a Mortgage Loan
Notable Counties Above the Standard Loan Limits
Loan limits are higher in counties where the average home price is above 115% of the local median home value. The loan ceiling is 150% of the baseline value.
For 2023, the high-cost-area loan limit increased from $970,800 to $1,089,300 on a one-unit property. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have a baseline loan limit of $1,089,300.
The following is a chart of counties in high-cost areas with an increased baseline loan limit. The increased amount for high-cost areas is either maxed out at $1,089,300 or the average percentage of increase for the price of a home in the area.
State
County
2022 limit for a single unit
2023 limit for a single unit
% change year over year
Alaska
All
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
California
Los Angeles County, San Benito, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Orange, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz
$970,800
$1,089,300
18%
California
Napa
$897,000
$1,017,750
13%
California
Monterey
$854,400
$915,400
7%
California
San Diego
$879,950
$977,500
11%
California
Santa Barbara
$783,150
$805,000
3%
California
San Luis Obisbo
$805,000
$911,950
13%
California
Sonoma
$764,750
$861,350
13%
California
Ventura
$851,000
$948,750
11%
California
Yolo
$675,050
$763,600
13%
Colorado
Eagle
$862,500
$1,075,250
25%
Colorado
Garfield
$856,750
$948,750
11%
Colorado
Pitkin
$856,750
$948,750
11%
Colorado
San Miguel
$756,750
$862,500
14%
Colorado
Boulder
$747,500
$856,750
15%
Florida
Monroe
$710,700
$874,000
23%
Guam
All
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Hawaii
All
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Idaho
Teton
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Maryland
Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s County
Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
New York
Dutchess, Orange
$726,525
$726,525
0%
Pennsylvania
Pike
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Utah
Summit, Wasatch
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Utah
Box Elder, Davis, Morgan, Weber
$647,200
$744,050
15%
Virgin Islands
All
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Virginia
Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauguier, Loudon, Madison, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, Manassas Park City
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Washington
King, Pierce, Snohomish
$891,250
$977,500
10%
Washington D.C.
District of Columbia
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
West Virginia
Jefferson County
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Wyoming
Teton
$970,800
$1,089,300
12%
Will Conforming Loan Limits Rise or Fall?
The baseline conforming loan limit is adjusted each year to reflect the change in the average home value in the United States.
The conforming loan limit has increased in six of the past 10 years and has never declined. From 2006 to 2016, for example, the conforming loan limit remained at $417,000, despite declining home values across the country. If home values continue to rise, the conforming loan limit will also rise.
First-time homebuyers can prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan, with as little as 3% down.
Conforming Loan Limits Over the Past 10 Years
The 12% increase in loan limits for 2023 is lower than the 18% increase of 2022, which was the largest jump in the past 40 years. But it still represents an increase of $79,000 over the past year alone.
Conforming loan limit
Year
Amount
2023
$726,200
2022
$647,200
2021
$548,250
2020
$510,400
2019
$484,350
2018
$453,100
2017
$424,100
2016
$417,000
2015
$417,000
2014
$417,000
The Takeaway
Conforming loan limits are intended to keep costs low for homebuyers. This means competitive pricing on mortgages, no matter what the housing market looks like each year.
If you’re looking to apply for a home mortgage loan, check out how SoFi can help. SoFi offers fixed-rate mortgages, and qualifying first-time buyers can put as little as 3% down.
If a supersized loan is needed, SoFi offers jumbo loans with as little as 10% down and no private mortgage insurance.
Check out the full range of SoFi Mortgages today.
Photo credit: iStock/marchmeena29
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
SoFi Mortgages Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Welcome to Sarasota, Florida, a coastal paradise renowned for its breathtaking beaches, vibrant culture, and abundance of natural wonders. Whether you crave relaxation on sandy shores, immersion in arts and history, or indulgence in culinary delights, Sarasota has it all. To help you make the most of your time in this vibrant city, whether you’re a weathered local or looking at new houses in Sarasota, this Redfin article has a curated list of must-try experiences, along with local insights, that showcase the unique essence of Sarasota. Get ready to create unforgettable memories as you explore the untamed beauty of state parks, savor local delicacies, and uncover the magic of Sarasota.
1. Visit The Lido Key Tiki Bar
“If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Sarasota, head to The Lido Key Tiki Bar at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club,” recommends Rupert Diggins from Just One For The Road. “This famous beach bar, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, is a secret haunt for the Sarasota locals. Delicious cocktails are served by the friendliest of bartenders, with excellent food available too. This is the place to go for sunset in Sarasota and is an experience that will live long in your memory.”
2. Get the ultimate beach experience at Siesta Key
Siesta Key Beach is a slice of paradise nestled on the Gulf of Mexico. With its powdery white sands that feel like silk beneath your toes, it’s no wonder this beach consistently ranks among the best in the United States. Picture yourself basking in the warm Florida sun, listening to the gentle waves lapping the shore, and enjoying the breathtaking views. Take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the beach, savoring the tranquility of this idyllic setting. Whether you’re seeking solitude or a fun-filled day with friends and family, Siesta Key Beach offers the ultimate beach experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
3. Explore Myakka River State Park
“Don’t miss the chance to witness Florida’s vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and untethered wildlife that make up Myakka River State Park,” says CASTO, a X.”
“With an abundance of exploration options like hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, or a guided tour, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in ‘old Florida’ as you navigate the trails and river way that meander through the park. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of ospreys soaring through the air, alligators, and turtles sunning along the river, and the sounds of ancient oaks and beautiful palms rustling in the Florida breeze. The Park is open from eight in the morning to sunset, 365 days a year, and for only six dollars per vehicle, the value of the experience is one of the best around.”
4. Visit The Ringling Museum
The Ringling is a cultural treasure that captivates visitors with its grandeur and rich history. Step into a world of art and imagination as you explore the extensive collection of fine art at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Admire masterpieces by renowned artists and gain insights into different artistic movements. Delve into the captivating world of the circus at the Circus Museum, where you can marvel at vintage costumes, learn about the history of the circus, and even try your hand at circus skills. The beautifully landscaped gardens, with their vibrant blooms and tranquil pathways, provide a serene escape.
5. Relax at Lido Key Nature Park
“If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the raw beauty of Florida, Lido Key Nature Park is an absolute must-visit,” recommends travel blogger, Michelle Hartz from The Wandering Hartz. “A world away from the usual tourist traps, this hidden gem allows you to truly connect with the natural world. Explore the winding mangrove tunnels by kayak and be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the local wildlife, including playful dolphins, gentle manatees, and majestic sea turtles.”
6. Walk through Selby Gardens
Selby Gardens, or Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, is a captivating 15-acre botanical paradise in Sarasota, Florida. With vibrant displays of rare plants and orchids, it offers a serene and immersive experience. Highlights include the Orchid Display House, Banyan Grove, peaceful koi pond, and mangrove walkway overlooking Sarasota Bay. The gardens also host art exhibitions and educational programs. Whether you’re a horticulture enthusiast or seeking a tranquil escape, Selby Gardens is a must-visit destination.
7. Catch a show at the Sarasota Opera House
Catch a show at the Sarasota Opera House. This architectural gem has been enchanting audiences since 1926, transporting them to a bygone era of grand performances and lavish productions. From classic operas to contemporary works, each production showcases the depth of human emotion and the power of music. As you settle into the plush seats of this meticulously restored theater, you’ll feel the anticipation and excitement in the air. Prepare to be spellbound as the curtains rise, revealing a world where passion, drama, and sublime melodies collide.
8. Kayak Lido Key Beach
Lido Key offers a hidden paradise waiting to be explored. Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Lido Key Beach offers the perfect setting for exploring the area’s serene waters. Rent a kayak and paddle through the calm bay or venture out into the open ocean. As you glide along the crystal-clear waters, you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of marine life, such as dolphins, manatees, and an array of colorful fish. The coastline is dotted with mangrove tunnels and small islands, providing a picturesque backdrop for your kayak excursion…
9. Shop and dine at St. Armands Circle
St. Armands Circle is a vibrant and bustling destination that seamlessly combines gourmet delights, upscale shopping, and a lively atmosphere. Indulge your taste buds as you explore a culinary paradise filled with an array of restaurants, cafes, and eateries, offering diverse cuisines to satisfy every palate. From fresh seafood delicacies to international flavors, the dining options are as varied as they are enticing. After satisfying your culinary cravings, immerse yourself in a shopping spree at the upscale boutiques and specialty stores that line the streets. Discover unique fashion finds, exquisite jewelry, and one-of-a-kind treasures.
10. See marine life at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Through interactive exhibits, educational displays, and captivating presentations, Mote Marine Laboratory aims to educate and inspire visitors about the importance of marine conservation. Witness breathtaking dolphin and manatee shows that highlight the intelligence and grace of these magnificent creatures. Explore vibrant aquariums teeming with colorful fish, mesmerizing coral reefs, and captivating underwater ecosystems. Engage in hands-on activities and gain a deeper understanding of marine research and conservation efforts.
While Millennials are delaying or forgoing parenthood at higher rates than previous generations, they’re also leading the way when it comes to adopting pets. During the pandemic, this trend accelerated with 50% of Millennials considering fostering or adopting a pet.
I’m not exempt from the statistics: this past year, I headed down to my local animal shelter and returned home with two senior cats, Annie and Hailey. Annie likes long naps in the sun and Party Mix, and Hailey likes tuna fish and waking me up at six in the morning. At least in my case, there’s a simple reason behind pet ownership: pets can help to make our day to day lives a little bit happier, especially during uncertain times.
What’s Ahead:
Are Millennials adopting pets instead of having children?
Millennials trail behind previous generations when it comes to achieving traditionally “adult” milestones, including purchasing a home, getting married, and having children. According to data from the National Vital Statistics System, in 2019 the general fertility rate in the United States declined to 58.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. When Millennials do have children, they tend to be older than first-time parents of previous generations and have fewer children overall.
One statistic where Millenials do lead the way, however, is pet ownership. 27% of Millennials own a pet, and many more have plans to adopt a furry friend in the future. During a time when having children may seem risky or financially out of reach, pet ownership can be a way to approximate the experience of starting a family.
Are Millennials adopting pets at higher rates?
Millennials are adopting pets at a higher rate than previous generations, and they’re also less likely to have children of their own. The causal effects between parenthood and pet ownership aren’t so clear cut, however: many Millennials who adopt pets plan to have babies in the future, with some even considering pets as a trial run for potential children.
In most cases, adopting furry friends isn’t a zero-sum game. Millennials who might not be ready for the financial burden of parenthood may choose to adopt an animal in the meantime, whether they plan to have children in the future or not. They may also view pet ownership as more compatible with other short-term goals, like travel or career advancement.
Thinking about adopting a pet? Here’s what it will cost
Whereas other traditionally adult milestones, like purchasing a home, getting married, and starting a family, can seem frustratingly out of reach, pet ownership is a more affordable and accessible option for many Millennials.
That said, it still comes with a variety of costs and expenses, with an average of $681 for cats and $1,201 for dogs (CNBC) per year. If you’re thinking of adopting a furry friend, you should be sure that you’re in a good financial position to do so.
Are pets cheaper than children?
The short answer is that, yes, pets are much less expensive to raise than children. For young adults who may still be getting their footing financially, adopting a pet is a much lower-cost endeavor than choosing to have a child.
Raising a child can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year for a middle-class family, while caring for an animal may only cost a few hundred. Some of the most significant costs related to raising a child, like increased housing costs and food costs, won’t apply to a pet, since your furry friend doesn’t need their own bedroom and will be perfectly fine eating kibble.
Adoption fees
Adoption fees can vary widely depending on what type of animal you adopt, whether you get them from a breeder or a shelter, and where you live. Purebred dogs can cost hundreds of dollars, while adopting a senior cat from a shelter may cost as little as $25.
Supplies
You’ll need some basic supplies for your pet. If you’re adopting a dog, you’ll need:
Dog food and bowls.
A leash and harness.
A dog collar to start.
A dog crate (depending on the temperament of your new puppy).
Training supplies.
If you’re adopting a cat, you’ll need:
Cat food and bowls.
A litter box and cat litter.
Toys.
Cozy beds for them to sleep in.
Treats and snacks.
Make sure your pet is covered by pet insurance
Some of the most significant costs you’ll face as a pet owner include vet and health-related expenses. These can range from a few hundred dollars spent on vet visits and checkups each year, to thousands of dollars for emergency treatment.
Because pet health costs can be pricey for life-saving procedures, pet insurance is something you don’t want to skimp on when adopting a pet. This insurance helps to make sure that you’re covered if your pet has a medical emergency, and can save you money in the long run when it comes to expensive vet bills and related fees.
Lemonade pet insurance
Lemonade’s pet insurance covers diagnostics, procedures, medications, accidents, and illness. If you choose to add on additional wellness coverage, you’ll save on routine and preventative care like wellness exams, heartworm and fecal tests, bloodwork, and vaccines. So really, most treatments your pet requires should be covered through Lemonade!
Prices start at as low as $10 (yup, you heard that right!), and you can save an additional 10% if you also purchase home or renters insurance through Lemonade. The application process is super simple, and you can complete it online or through their mobile app, with no phone call or in-person visit required (perfect for phone-averse Millennials).
Another nice added bonus when it comes to Lemonade is that the company is a public benefit corporation. This means that they donate a portion of their profits to charities like the Progressive Animal Welfare Society and the Humane Society of the United States.
Embrace pet insurance
Embrace covers up to 90% back on vet costs, as well as coverage for accidents, illness, and preventative care.
One unique perk of Embrace, though, is that they reduce your deductible by $50 each year you don’t receive a claim payment. Unlike some other pet insurance providers, Embrace also automatically covers all your pet’s exam fees, which can be a nice benefit if you make frequent trips to the vet.
As for pre-existing conditions, Embrace does distinguish between curable and incurable conditions and will cover curable ones after your pet is symptom-free for 12 months (this is unique in the pet insurance industry).
Pumpkin pet insurance
Pumpkin offers pet insurance with perks like an optional preventative care package, up to 90% reimbursement, and no upper age limit. With Pumpkin, you’ll get coverage for everything from an annual wellness exam to lab tests and screenings for intestinal worms, heartworm, and tick diseases.
An insurance policy from Pumpkin also includes coverage for accidents and illnesses, diagnostics and treatment, prescription medicine, emergencies, surgeries, and specialized care. You can rest assured that your pet will receive all the care they need to stay healthy, without having to worry as much about the cost.
Speaking of cost – Pumpkin will offer big discounts for folks with large pet families who insure multiple pets.
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ), a Crum & Forster Company and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement.
Why Millennials may opt for pets over children
There’s no one-size-fits-all reason why anyone chooses to have children or adopt a pet. However, there are some widespread factors that may be contributing to the trend.
Financial instability
Thanks to the effects of the Great Recession, Millennials are likely to accumulate less wealth than previous generations, with real median household income increasing only slightly over the past several decades. Meanwhile, the costs of raising a child have skyrocketed. Middle-class families are projected to spend an average of $233,610 to raise a child born in 2015, with housing, food, and childcare making up a large portion of those costs.
For Millennials worried about affording basic expenses like rent and healthcare, adding a child to the mix can seem financially irresponsible, if not impossible. Many young people may prefer to wait to have kids until they’ve achieved enough financial stability to be able to provide for their children.
When compared with a price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, pet ownership can seem downright affordable. And while pet owners may splurge on accessories for their animals or have to foot the occasional vet bill, pets remain much, much less expensive than children.
An uncertain future
Even for Millennials who are able to make ends meet and save a little for the future, starting a family can seem like a risky move during an uncertain time. According to a recent study by Morning Consult, 17% of Millennials without children are delaying starting a family because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 15% indicated that they are reconsidering having children at all.
For Millennials worried about the current pandemic, as well as other looming concerns like climate change and growing economic inequality, parenthood can appear particularly fraught. In the same study, 18% of Millennials listed the political and economic climate as a major reason why they haven’t had children, while 13% listed climate change. A significant 38% cited cost as a major reason for not having children.
In contrast, pet parenthood is way up since the start of the pandemic, with 50% of Millennials considering adopting or fostering a pet. In a stressful world full of unprecedented challenges, a furry friend can provide comfort, companionship, and purpose. Especially for young people who have experienced increased isolation as a result of the pandemic, adopting a pet can be a way to cope with loneliness and stress.
Changing cultural expectations
While it’s certainly true that it’s more expensive for Millenials to have children than for past generations, economic and political uncertainties aren’t the only reasons young people may be delaying becoming parents. While marriage and children might have been expected for earlier generations, Millennials may feel less pressure to follow a set path and achieve particular milestones by a certain age.
Instead, they may be more inclined to advance their careers, travel, or pursue personal goals. Young people who might not be ready for the responsibility of raising a child may look at pet parenthood as a low-stakes way to reap many of the same benefits of fulfillment and companionship, while also preparing to have a child in the future.
Summary
With more Millennials delaying kids or opting out of parenthood altogether, pet ownership has emerged as an alternative way to enjoy many of the rewards that come with starting a family. Owning pets isn’t exactly like becoming a parent, but the process does share some similarities: animals can provide comfort and companionship regardless of how many children you might have.
Most people adopt pets simply because it makes them happy and improves their quality of life. That’s definitely true in my case. It brightens my day to have my two little companions follow me from room to room, taking long naps in the sun and never leaving my side for long. For many people, owning pets is one of the unmitigated joys in life, and that’s something to celebrate, even during challenging times.
Editors’ note: This post was updated with new information. Availability was good as of 2:45 p.m. ET on July 11.
I have a bad habit of losing things.
Often, I realize I’ve misplaced my phone or some other easy-to-lose item (like my Lululemon fanny pack that holds my wallet and car key) when I need them the most. However, now that I’ve started using Apple AirTags to track belongings, it happens less often.
I’ve always loved the Find My iPhone feature in iCloud because it lets you ping your phone from another device like a MacBook Air.
I have tried other Bluetooth trackers, such as Tile, in the past. I have used Tiles since 2016 and even gifted them as presents. Its app can be a bit clunky, though, and it can take a lot longer to find your missing item, given its limited network.
So, when Apple introduced AirTags at a virtual press event in 2021, I immediately ordered a four-pack of AirTags as soon as they went on sale. Since then, I’ve used them on many trips to track my luggage, fanny pack and wallet, and even my husband’s golf clubs. Few things are worse than arriving for a guy’s golf trip without your golf clubs.
Plus, Apple AirTags (four-pack) are currently on sale for Amazon Prime Day for $88.49 (usually $99).
Here’s what it’s actually like to use AirTags on the road.
Apple’s first tracking device
For some background, AirTag is Apple’s latest Bluetooth tracking device. You can attach the device to anything you own, and it will passively track the item’s location whenever it pings a nearby Apple device. This can happen with your iPhone or someone else’s iPhone or iPad — there’s no cellular or GPS chip in the AirTag itself.
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This works well because of the sheer number of iOS devices out there. So, if you lose your fanny pack at the airport or in a public place, chances are someone else with an iPhone will be nearby. If your keys are attached to an AirTag, it will ping their location off that iPhone and report the location back to you. No personal data is transmitted in the process.
You can view the location of your AirTags in the Find My app alongside your iOS devices. Each AirTag has a small internal speaker so you can use sound to locate your devices at home, just like using Find My iPhone to play a sound on your phone.
Also, when you’re close to one of your AirTags, there’s a “Find Nearby” feature you can use to guide you to your AirTag. This is helpful when looking for something lost at home or in a hotel room. It will show you approximately how close (or far) you are and in what direction you need to walk.
Other near-field communication-enabled devices can also scan your AirTags and see your contact information. Think of it as a digital luggage tag. If you lose something, you can mark it as lost in Apple’s Find My app. If someone finds your AirTag, they can hold it close to their NFC-enabled device and receive a copy of your contact information.
Marking an AirTag as lost also prevents someone from registering your AirTag with their Apple ID. You’ll get a notification when someone finds your AirTag and scans it with their mobile device.
Perhaps the best part about AirTags is the price: You can buy one for $29. Or, you can purchase a four-pack for $89 on Amazon (though it was $99 when it first launched). The four-pack is the best deal as it’s effectively a buy three, get one free bargain.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Apple AirTag 4-Pack
Keep track of your items in the Find My app on your iphone
Easy to setup with one tap.
Additionally, there’s no monthly data fee or data plan to worry about. Instead, you leverage the huge network of iOS devices already out in the world to find your lost items.
You also don’t need to charge your AirTags since a replaceable coin-cell battery powers them; it should last for roughly a year. You can replace these batteries with standard coin-cell batteries you can buy at your local convenience shop or hardware store.
That was one of my gripes with the original Tiles; they needed to be replaced after 12 to 18 months, and you could not change out a battery. That has been corrected in the newer models.
Related: What to do if you leave something on the plane
AirTag design and accessories
AirTags have a super simple design — like a sleek white button with the Apple logo on the other side. They are only about the size of a half-dollar coin. For scale, I’ve put it next to the Apple USB plug.
However, the main issue with the design is that there’s no keyring or lanyard attachment, so you’ll probably need accessories unless you want to zip it into a pocket in your luggage or backpack. Apple has its own line of AirTag accessories, including keychains (key rings) and luggage tags (called loops) you can buy from your local Apple Store or Amazon. Apple even partnered with Hermès to make ultra-luxurious holders.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Apple AirTag Leather Loop – Saddle Brown
Keep your AirTag handy with a stylish holder
Unfortunately, these accessories aren’t cheap. Silicone Apple Loops start at $29, and leather key rings start at $35. There are some third-party accessories out there as well, but you’ll want to stick with high-quality ones so you don’t lose an AirTag if it’s mounted to the side of your bag.
Related: 5 simple tech innovations that would revolutionize the travel experience
My experience using AirTags when traveling
I’ve taken a handful of trips with my AirTags. I always keep one zipped into my Lululemon fanny pack and one in each of my Away suitcases. I haven’t lost any of these items yet, but it’s great to have constant access to their location wherever I am.
I am usually #TeamCarryon at TPG, but for the times I do have to check a bag, putting an AirTag on my Away suitcase is a smart choice in case my bags get lost or delayed in transit. Chances are, they’ll ping off an iOS device at some point, so I can help the airline locate my bag if necessary.
I usually fly American Airlines and while they do have bag tracking built into their app, I like the peace of mind of being able to see where my bags are.
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AMERICAN AIRLINES APP
On a recent trip, my husband’s golf bag did not get unloaded upon arrival in Charlotte. Luckily, he was able to show the customer service agent at baggage claim where his AirTag was pinging the bag’s location, and they sent someone to find his clubs. Without that AirTag, his golf trip could have been ruined.
This instance confirmed that AirTags — and the massive network of iOS devices — can definitely help locate lost items.
Related: 6 travel-friendly features coming to Apple’s newest iPhone software
Bottom line
At $29 per AirTag, it’s easily one of Apple’s most affordable devices. It can save you a lot of money, too.
Plus, you can currently score a four-pack for just $88.49.
Apple’s competition — namely Tile — has had a similar product on the market for years now. However, it simply doesn’t have Apple’s huge network of iOS devices that can help find your lost items. The chance of your lost bag being next to an iPhone is much higher than a smartphone running the Tile app.
Also, the ability to ping your easy-to-lose items (keys, headphones, a small bag) and your luggage is a huge relief — especially since travel can be so unpredictable these days.
Efforts to loosen zoning laws that would allow factory-built homes in more jurisdictions outside the rural U.S. is also another primary focus for affordable housing advocates.
“It’s absolutely critical that we do more urban infill, suburban new construction, subdivision development, even replacement of older homes in our cities with affordable stock,” Epperson said.
Vacant infill sites, particularly, present opportunities in many communities, thanks to existing infrastructure.
“We love doing infill sites, lots where potentially there was a house previously because oftentimes that means that the utilities are right there in the ground,” Stott said. “Land is kind of the great scarce resource, certainly around city areas.”
But while such opportunities already exist in some states, including California, which has rules preventing local municipalities from zoning out single-family manufactured housing, regulations and local resistance elsewhere around the country still present barriers to increasing the number of homes.
“What’s really a problem is that where there’s most opposition to new housing — tends to be infill housing in existing cities, where infrastructure is already present,” Loftin said.
And while it has the potential to provide a lower price point in many communities, there still are constraints on the extent of affordability modular and other manufactured homes can bring on large-scale projects, like subdivisions, compared to on-site, or stick-built, construction, according to Loftin.
The primary driver of costs up in some markets is transportation, particularly when located a long distance from the factory. “You have to move that house and get to a site and site it,” which can offset the cost reduction of construction.
“When I looked at if manufactured housing made sense in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, it never competed with stick building.”
Still, economic development is driving more cities to evaluate the possibilities of manufactured homes to serve their needs, particularly if they see potential disruption ahead in their housing markets requiring a quick boost to inventory, according to Epperson.
“We’ve had interest from some of the Rust Belt cities for infill, especially when they get a new announcement in jobs,” she said.
Any progress in changing local regulations should also likely lead to interest among developers to adding manufactured homes that can boost housing inventory. “Where we get interest tends to be from smaller cities, where developers can make that zoning change,” Epperson said.
Modular builders like Connect Homes are already creating strategies to tap into developer interest as it grows.
“We’ve spent the last couple years taking everything that we’ve learned from our previous experience building for single-family homeowners in order to create a system that’s more scalable, that provides less site work on site,” Stott said. Plans also include the creation of models that “can start as small as an ADU but can quickly scale up to kind of a townhome development.”
Factory-built construction appears to have support from the federal government, with the Biden administration regularly highlighting the role it can play in his affordable housing goals. Among the president’s stated housing aims are new financing mechanisms for manufactured homes as well as the expansion of construction-to-permanent loan options to reduce the housing shortage.
Six years ago, a groundbreaking book on how the federal government succeeded in creating a racially segregated country hit the shelves. In “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America,” author Richard Rothstein painstakingly detailed how policies from the government, developers, and mortgage lenders over the past century carved up the country, dictating which race could live where.
The award-winning book changed the conversation about how housing discrimination continues today. People of color who were denied the opportunity to become homeowners decades ago are still suffering the consequences. Unlike their white peers, they were prohibited from building wealth through homeownership, which could have been passed down to future generations.
For his next book, Rothstein teamed up with daughter Leah Rothstein to write about what everyday people can do to combat the legacy of racial segregation. “Just Action: How To Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law” was released last month. Leah has a background in working as a community and union organizer and as a consultant to affordable-housing developers and local governments.
Realtor.com® spoke with Leah about how racial segregation persists today and the steps that readers can take to fight housing discrimination. Her responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
How are the effects of segregation and other forms of housing discrimination apparent in how we live today?
Every metropolitan area in every part of the country is segregated by race today with some neighborhoods that are all or almost all white and some that are all or almost all African American. And this isn’t just a benign separation of people. This is also a separation of resources.
White neighborhoods consistently are better-resourced than African American neighborhoods. They have better-resourced schools, less pollution and lead paint, more grocery stores selling fresh food, more bank branches, more open space, transportation options, and access to jobs.
Because of this segregation of people and resources, Black children who live in segregated neighborhoods grow up to have worse health, educational, and income outcomes than white [children]. They grow up to have higher rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer and shorter life expectancies than whites, in large part because of the neighborhoods in which they live.
Government policies subsidized white homeowners to buy homes in the mid-20th century when homes were affordable. [Government policies also] explicitly prohibited African Americans from doing the same. As a result, those white families were able to accumulate wealth through their homes’ appreciation in value that they could then pass down to their children. [However], African Americans were banned from building wealth in the same way.
As a result, today, while average African American household income is 60% of white household income, average African American household wealth is only 5% of white household wealth. This wealth disparity is due to government policy and continues to limit African Americans’ ability to buy homes and where they can live.
What has changed since ‘The Color of Law’ was published in 2017?
“The Color of Law” demolished the myth that our country is segregated “de facto” or by accident, because of private action or personal preference. Through example after example, my father, Richard Rothstein, demonstrated that segregation was created and maintained by explicit and intentional actions by government at all levels—local, state, and federal—to ensure that Blacks and whites don’t live near each other. Because so many people read that book, that de facto segregation myth has less currency than it once did.
We now better understand the true history of how our communities came to be segregated: through unconstitutional actions by our government. When we understand this, we understand that we have an obligation to do something about it—to challenge segregation and remedy the harms it has caused.
We wrote “Just Action” to provide examples of the dozens of policies and strategies we can pursue on the local level to begin to challenge and redress segregation.
Do you believe that the impact of segregation and housing discrimination can ever be overcome?
Where we live impacts many aspects of our lives, and living patterns are difficult to change. But changing them is not impossible. That’s why we wrote “Just Action,” to show that there is a lot that can be done to have an impact on segregation and housing discrimination. It’s not so overwhelming that we should throw up our hands and do nothing.
In fact, there are many strategies that communities across the country are successfully implementing. We very purposefully focus on what can be done on the local level. We are so polarized on the federal level that we don’t believe we have the federal political will to enact these changes nationally. But we can build that political will locally by talking to our neighbors, learning about the issues, and taking action to change policies and practices.
Furthermore, while the federal government had a large role to play in creating segregation, once segregation was established, it has been mainly local policies that continue to maintain and perpetuate it. Groups working on local issues can have a big impact in challenging segregation by focusing on these local policies.
What sorts of actions can everyday people do to fight housing discrimination and the effects of segregation?
There are many actions we can all take. First, we need to form biracial, multiethnic groups in our own communities. To do that, we need to take the extra steps necessary to overcome barriers to building cross-race relationships. [The groups] can campaign to enact inclusionary zoning policies to require that new housing developments include affordable units and advocate that African Americans have priority to buy or rent those units.
They can support community land trusts, which create permanently affordable homeownership opportunities and can prevent displacement in gentrifying neighborhoods. They can advocate for outlawing discrimination against those who receive federal rental subsidies and then support efforts to ensure that anti-discrimination laws are enforced. They can work with local banks to reform how they calculate credit scores to have a less discriminatory impact on African Americans and provide more opportunity for African Americans to buy homes. They can start or support down payment assistance funds for African American homebuyers.
They can pressure local government and institutions to support fair housing centers to monitor and enforce anti-discrimination laws. They can support legislation to protect renters from unjust evictions and start programs that provide legal counsel to low-income tenants facing evictions. They can advocate for changing zoning laws to allow more diverse and affordable housing options in exclusive communities.
These are just a few of the many examples we describe in “Just Action.” There are many more. Which action a local group starts with will depend on their community’s unique opportunities and challenges, but there isn’t a lack of options for strategies to pursue or support. We just need to get started.
Among North America‘s best-known national parks, Glacier Bay is a bit of an outlier.
Unlike Yellowstone or Yosemite, you can’t visit Glacier Bay on a road trip. There are no roads leading into the park, and the only way to reach it is by small plane, boat or ship.
There’s also little infrastructure within the park. It does have a visitor center and lodge, located at its very edge. But its biggest attractions — its giant tidewater glaciers — are viewable only from the deck of a vessel. At its essence, Glacier Bay is a giant, fjordlike body of water lined with snowcapped mountains, forests and glaciers, and it’s best seen from the water.
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It is for this reason that a large percentage of Glacier Bay’s nearly 700,000 visitors a year arrive on a cruise ship. Indeed, you could almost call Glacier Bay a cruise ship park.
Only by arriving by cruise vessel (or another boat, including the park tour boat) can you fully experience the park by traveling up the 65-mile-long waterway to a glacier and back.
Even so, you’ll only see a small portion of the park. Established as a national monument in 1925 and elevated to national park status in 1980, Glacier Bay covers more than 5,200 square miles — an area about the size of Connecticut. That makes it nearly as big as Yellowstone and Yosemite combined — though much of this area is relatively inaccessible.
As a longtime travel writer specializing in cruising, I’ve been to Glacier Bay many times, and it’s one of my favorite places in Alaska. Its glaciers are its star attractions, for sure. But it also offers spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife and — for those who make an effort to come for a multinight stay — wonderful hiking, kayaking and other outdoorsy pursuits.
Related: How to find the right Alaska cruise for you
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Getting to Glacier Bay
As noted above, most of Glacier Bay’s visitors arrive by cruise ship. The typical cruise that includes a visit to Glacier Bay is a seven-night Alaska voyage out of Vancouver, British Columbia, or Seattle that also includes stops at the Alaskan towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. The visit to Glacier Bay fills just one day of the seven-night trip.
Two major lines with historic ties to the park — Princess Cruises and Holland America — offer the most sailings with a visit to Glacier Bay. The National Park Service allows just two ships a day into the park, and arrivals are governed by a permitting system that gives preference to lines that operated in the park before the permitting system began.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Seabourn, Cunard Line and Viking also have ships that visit the park, as do small-ship operators UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and American Cruise Lines.
A trip on a cruise ship isn’t the only way to get into Glacier Bay. Would-be visitors can also fly or take a ferry to Gustavus, a tiny town (population 642) on the edge of the park near the access point for a tour boat that travels into the park daily. Dubbed Baranof Wind and operated by park concessionaire Aramark, the tour boat departs from Bartlett Cove, which is just inside the park boundary and the home to the park’s visitor center.
During the summer tourist season, Alaska Airlines offers daily service to Gustavus Airport (GST) from Juneau International Airport (JNU), 48 miles to the southeast. An air taxi company, Alaska Seaplanes, offers small-plane flights to Gustavus from Juneau year-round. Ferry service to Gustavus is through the Alaska Marine Highway System, which sends a ferry to the town regularly from Juneau.
The two main airlines that fly to Juneau are Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Park visitors also can arrive at the park by private or chartered boat.
Related: How to get to Alaska with points and miles
When to go
While Glacier Bay is open year-round, visitor services are extremely limited outside of the summer season, and nearly everybody who visits comes between May and September.
Most cruises that include a stop in Glacier Bay take place between April and September, and the Glacier Bay tour boat only runs in the summer months. The park’s visitor center and only lodge (Glacier Bay Lodge), which share a building, also are open only in the summer.
Summer is the most pleasant time to be in Glacier Bay, temperature-wise. But even at the height of summer, it can be chilly, with temperatures topping out between 50 and 60 degrees during daylight hours. Rain is also common, with the area around Gustavus getting around 70 inches a year.
April, May and June are often the driest months. September and October tend to be the wettest. The bottom line is that, even at midsummer, you should be prepared for any sort of weather. Pack good rain gear, waterproof boots, wool or fleece layers and a warm hat and gloves.
No matter when you go, there’s no fee to enter Glacier Bay, which is unusual for national parks. Nor are there fees for camping or boating permits. So you can leave your national park annual pass at home.
Related: Best time to cruise Alaska
What to see and do
As the name suggests, Glacier Bay is a park all about glaciers. It’s home to more than 1,000 of them, and seeing a glacier up close is the big draw for most visitors.
Specifically, tourists come to view one of the park’s seven-ish giant tidewater glaciers, which flow down from the mountains to the water. I say seven-ish as the park’s rangers in the past couple of years have noted that some of the tidewater glaciers have melted back so much that they may not be interacting with the ocean water anymore. That’s the definition of a tidewater glacier. The park rangers these days like to say there are “no more than seven” of the tidewater glaciers now, maybe fewer.
The reduction in the number of tidewater glaciers at the park is an ongoing trend. When I wrote an earlier version of this guide a few years ago, the number of tidewater glaciers at the park was nine.
Whatever the exact number, for those visiting Glacier Bay by cruise ship, the experience will revolve heavily around a stop at one of these glaciers to watch giant chunks of ice crash down from its face — a magnificent show.
Cruise ships arrive in the park for the better part of a day, and the experience goes beyond a stop at one of the park’s glaciers. Sightings of puffins, harbor seals, Steller sea lions and even the occasional humpback whale or brown bear are part of the allure — all while traveling by water through an immense, glacier-carved landscape.
If you come on a big cruise ship, you’ll be doing your Glacier Bay viewing from the deck of your vessel. Big cruise ships in Glacier Bay never dock, and nobody gets off them. Still, you’ll get the full National Park Service experience. Park rangers and often a local Huna Tlingit cultural guide will board the vessel for the day to offer presentations and shipwide commentary over loudspeakers, lead activities for kids and answer questions.
Some small cruise vessels that spend the night in Glacier Bay do allow passengers to disembark.
For those visitors who travel by plane or ferry to Gustavus, more options are available. In addition to taking the Glacier Bay Day Tour up the bay on the park tour boat ($262.44 per adult; $137.11 for children ages 3 to 12), visitors will find opportunities to hike, kayak and camp.
The day tour on the park tour boat includes stops at two glaciers — Margerie and Grand Pacific. Each towers nearly 250 feet above the ocean and stretches another 100 feet beneath the water. The ice that calves from their faces is, on average, 200 years old.
Hiking trails within the park near Gustavus range from the 1-mile Forest Trail, which offers a leisurely meander through a lush forest, to the 8-mile-long Bartlett Lake Trail, a rugged trek to a tranquil lake. Most visitors head down one of the trails on their own, but for those looking for interpretation, park rangers based at Bartlett Cove offer a daily guided forest loop walk (at 1:30 p.m., as of the publication of this story).
Kayak rentals are available at Bartlett Cove, where the park service visitor center is located, for both day trips around the area and multiday outings deep into the park. Kayakers can go off on their own or sign up for a guided tour.
Birdwatching also is a popular activity in Glacier Bay. The park’s diverse habitat allows for a wide variety of species (at last count, 281), including rainforest species such as the American three-toed woodpecker and neotropical migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds. There also are island and cliff seabird colonies of gulls, guillemots, puffins and cormorants.
In addition, daily cultural activities are available at Xunaa Shuka Hit (the tribal house) in Bartlett Cove. Unveiled in 2016, this is the first permanent Huna Tlingit clan house since the original Huna Tlingit villages of the area were destroyed by a glacier over 250 years ago. Located within a short walking distance of Glacier Bay Lodge, it offers the chance to learn firsthand about Huna Tlingit history, culture and life from tribal elders. Visitors can also experience dance performances and native foods and see historical photographs. Hand-carved totem poles tell the Huna Tlingit story.
A National Park Service visitor center is located on the second level of Glacier Bay Lodge. Park rangers are available much of the day to answer questions, and films on the park are available for watching in the visitor center’s auditorium. A ranger program is presented in the auditorium each evening.
Visitors also can get an overview of Glacier Bay’s mountains, ice and water from a flightseeing tour out of Gustavus or even the Alaskan towns of Yakutat or Haines.
Where to stay
If you’re arriving at Glacier Bay on a cruise, you don’t have to worry about a place to stay. You’ll be spending the night on your ship.
Those planning to visit the park by way of Gustavus will find several places to bed down. Many visitors stay at the 48-room Glacier Bay Lodge, which is within the park about 10 miles from the town (rooms from $270.40 a night). Cozy and rustic, the lodge is nestled among Sitka spruce on the shores of Bartlett Cove, which also is home to the park’s headquarters and the jumping-off point for daily tours on the park boat. Glacier Bay Lodge is the only lodging within the park.
Back in Gustavus, you’ll find a handful of small inns, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts. They include the 14-room Bear Track Inn (from $495 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation) and the five-room and five-cabin Glacier Bay Country Inn ($319 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation). Gustavus is not a big place; some venues here offer just a few rooms.
You also may face a bit of sticker shock when seeing the rates for lodging in Gustavus. In many cases, this is driven by the fact that the properties operate on a semi-all-inclusive basis, with all meals and transportation from the airport included in the base price.
Unfortunately for points and miles devotees, there are no points hotels in Gustavus. You can find a few points hotels back in Juneau, such as the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau (rooms in the summer start at $389, or 50,000 points) and a trio of Wyndham Rewards-affiliated properties (a Ramada, Travelodge and Super 8).
The park also maintains a free, walk-in campground in a rainforest setting at Bartlett Cove. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, it offers bear-proof food storage caches, composting toilets, a fire pit on the beach and a small warming shelter. Firewood is provided.
That said, most camping in Glacier Bay takes place in the wilderness. The park offers more than 700 linear miles of shorelines, beaches and islands open to camping. Campers can arrange for the park’s tour boat to drop them off at one of several designated locations within the park and pick them up days later.
Campers must register upon arrival at the Visitor Information Station near the Bartlett Cove dock. Campers can call 907-697-2627 prior to arrival to inquire about space availability at the campground at Bartlett Cove.
Related: How to use points and miles to stay near national parks
Where to eat
Again, if you’re arriving by cruise ship, you’ll be eating on board your vessel.
If you’re staying in the Gustavus area, you’ll probably be eating at the lodge or inn where you’re staying or at another one of the lodging properties in town. The town is so small that its dining establishments generally are tied to its lodging outlets. They’re also only open in the summer.
Many of the lodging options offer a “full board” plan that includes three meals each day. Be warned that a la carte pricing at eateries can be high in the Gustavus area, as is true in many places in Alaska. This partly has to do with the high cost of getting supplies to remote parts of the state.
For those staying at Glacier Bay Lodge, the in-house restaurant, the Fairweather Dining Room, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for both lodge guests and outsiders. The dinner menu includes local Alaska salmon and halibut. Lunch brings burgers and sandwiches (including a halibut sandwich).
Also open to guests and outsiders is the restaurant at Glacier Bay Country Inn. It serves Alaskan cuisine, such as salmon, typically offered en croute with a green peppercorn sauce.
Bottom line
A visit to Glacier Bay is one of the iconic experiences of a trip to Alaska, and something you should try to do at least once in your life — if only to see the giant calving glaciers. For most visitors, experiencing the park will involve a voyage on a cruise ship that brings just a day in the park. But for those who want to explore deeper in the park, there are ways to do that, too.
Planning a cruise to Alaska or elsewhere? Start with these stories: