Episodes

Join us on Travel Is Back episode 215 as we wander through fog-swept Portland, Maine, where maritime charm meets world-class seafood. We share neighborhood strolls, casual lobster shacks, and landmark lighthouse views, plus practical travel tips for first-timers. Highlights include Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, the cobbled Old Port waterfront, iconic lobster shacks on Commercial Street and along the shore, Casco Bay ferries to nearby islands, and the Eastern Promenade for sunset views. ...

Discover Green Bay, Wisconsin, in this episode of Travel Is Back with Johnny Mac. Start along the Fox River and the waterfront, where the city's industrial history, public paths, parks, and downtown attractions make for an easy first look. Then get into the Green Bay Packers experience, including practical advice for visiting Lambeau Field and exploring Titletown on game day or during a quieter trip. The episode also covers the National Railroad Museum, local food stops, neighborhood wandering, ...

Join us for Travel Is Back episode 213 as we explore Detroit, Michigan — Motor City melodies, grit, and a modern renaissance. This warm, conversational guide covers things to do in Detroit, practical travel tips, and the flavors that make the city sing. Highlights include the Motown Museum for music history, the Detroit Institute of Arts for world-class galleries, Eastern Market for local food and farmers, Belle Isle for green space and skyline views, and the Detroit RiverWalk for peaceful water...

Travel Is Back visits Mackinac Island, Michigan, for a practical Great Lakes getaway built around the ferry ride, historic downtown, bicycles, Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, quiet island roads, trails, local food, and the famous fudge shops. Johnny Mac walks through how to plan the visit, how to get around without a car, when to go, what to pack, and how to balance the busy waterfront with the quieter interior of the island. This episode was prepared with the assistance of AI tools, giving us more ti...

Episode 211: Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan — Where cherries meet endless sand and sky. Join us for a warm, practical guide to this lakeshore jewel, from farm-to-table meals to wind-swept dune hikes. Highlights include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Old Mission Peninsula wineries, and the Traverse City Cherry Festival, giving you a mix of outdoor adventure and seasonal flavor. We share travel tips on timing your visit (late June–July fo...

Episode 211 of Travel Is Back takes you to Traverse City and the iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, where cherries, shoreline views, and small-town charm collide. We explore why Traverse City is called the Cherry Capital, savor local cherry pie and farm-to-table dining, and sip Rieslings at Old Mission Peninsula wineries. Highlights include cherry orchards and the annual Cherry Festival, the sweeping overlooks along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the climb and shoreline at Sleeping Bear Dune...

Episode 210: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana - Sunlit switchbacks over ancient glacier scars invites you on one of America’s most dramatic scenic drives through Glacier National Park. We walk you through planning the perfect day trip, with highlights that include Logan Pass at the high alpine crest, the cascading Weeping Wall on the east approach, the Hidden Lake Overlook trail, and the iconic Wild Goose Island on St. Mary Lake. Travel tips cover seasonal road openings, arriving early to secure p...

Join us on Travel Is Back episode 209 as we cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway, a legendary scenic drive where mists cradle the mountains and winding roads reveal waterfalls, overlooks and small-town charm. We highlight must-see stops including Mabry Mill’s postcard-perfect waterwheel, the rhododendron blooms at Craggy Gardens, the plunging cascades of Linville Falls, and the high-point views from Mount Mitchell. Along the way we share travel tips for timing your visit—prime fall foliage and spring b...

Join us for Travel Is Back episode 208, “Route 66 Part 3 - Arizona to Santa Monica - Sunbaked Highways to Oceanfront Dreams,” as we chase neon and desert sunsets from Winslow to the Pacific. This episode guides you through iconic Route 66 landmarks and local flavors, with highlights including Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman for burgers and shakes, the wild burros and staged gunfights of Oatman, the vintage Americana at Hackberry General Store, a...

Episode 207 of Travel Is Back, Route 66 Part 2 - Texas Panhandle to Albuquerque: From Dusty Panhandle to Neon Albuquerque, is a warm, road-trip guide through one of America’s most iconic stretches. We take you from the windblown quads of the Texas Panhandle into the neon glow of Central Avenue in Albuquerque, with practical travel tips, tasty food stops, and landmark detours to plan into your itinerary. Highlights include Cadillac Ranch and its spray-painted Cadillacs outside Amarillo, the Midpo...

206. Route 66 Part 1 - Chicago to Oklahoma City - From Chicago's Edge to Oklahoma's Dusty Dreams guides you along the first unforgettable stretch of America’s Main Street, blending history, food, and practical travel tips for road-trippers. We start at the iconic Route 66 Begin sign at Adams & Michigan in Chicago, cruise past the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, and dig into a Cozy Dog corn dog in Springfield before soaking up the Gateway Arch and the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis and snapping p...

Episode 205 of Travel Is Back drifts into Tybee Island, Georgia — Tybee tides, lighthouse echoes, coastal calm — a friendly guide to one of the Southeast’s most charming barrier islands. We walk you through highlights including the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum, sunrise from the Pier, dolphin-watching cruises, and a marsh-paddle at low tide. You’ll get practical travel tips on parking and peak-season timing, how to read tide charts for shelling and kayaking, and the best bike routes for an...

Episode 204 brings you to Newport, Rhode Island — where gilded mansions meet salt air and timeless sails. Join us for a warm, practical guide to this coastal classic, with highlights like The Breakers mansion, the Cliff Walk's ocean views, Fort Adams' historic harbor fortifications, Thames Street's lively restaurants and shops, and sailboats drifting in Newport Harbor. We share travel tips on timing your visit (late spring to fall for sailing and festivals), booking mansion tours in advance, par...

Episode 203: Moab, Utah - Where Red Arches Meet Endless Sky takes you straight into the heart of red rock country with practical tips, tasty stops, and landmark adventures. We walk you through Arches National Park and the iconic Delicate Arch sunset hike, pedal the legendary Slickrock Trail for mountain biking thrills, and point out panoramic overlooks at Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. Highlights include a Delicate Arch sunset, a Slickrock mountain bike run, a Colorado River rafting float, an...

Step into the heart of the Lowcountry with Johnny Mac as he explores Charleston, South Carolina — a city where cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and Southern hospitality create an unforgettable travel experience. From strolling the historic Battery and touring the Edmondston-Alston House to shopping on King Street and savoring shrimp and grits at a local favorite, this episode covers everything that makes Charleston special. Discover the Charleston City Market and its legendary sweet...

Step into the heart of American history with Johnny Mac as he guides you along the legendary Boston Freedom Trail in Massachusetts. This immersive episode of Travel Is Back takes you from the Boston Common to Bunker Hill, weaving through cobblestone streets, historic taverns, and iconic landmarks that shaped a nation. Stand where revolutionaries rallied at Faneuil Hall, walk the Charlestown Navy Yard, and discover hidden corners of Boston that most tourists never find. Johnny Mac shares practica...

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

Discover the birthplace of American independence in this captivating episode of Travel Is Back as Johnny Mac explores Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From the iconic Liberty Bell to the hallowed halls of Independence Hall, this episode dives deep into the city's revolutionary spirit. Wander through the historic cobblestone streets of Old City, savor an authentic Philly cheesesteak at a local favorite, and explore the treasures of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Johnny Mac shares insider travel tips ...

Discover the birthplace of American independence in this captivating episode of Travel Is Back as Johnny Mac explores Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From the iconic Liberty Bell to the hallowed halls of Independence Hall, this episode dives deep into the city's revolutionary spirit. Wander through the historic cobblestone streets of Old City, savor an authentic Philly cheesesteak at a local favorite, and explore the treasures of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Johnny Mac shares insider travel tips ...

Episode 200: Boston Freedom Trail, Massachusetts — Where Revolution Meets Everyday Boston Streets. Join us as we walk the red line through Boston history, tracing 16 iconic sites where revolution and daily life intersect. Highlights include the Massachusetts State House with its gold dome, the solemn Granary Burying Ground, the Old North Church where lanterns signaled a revolution, Paul Revere’s House in the North End, and lively Faneuil Hall. We share travel tips like starting at Boston Common,...

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.