Lauren Gay

Solo Van Camping with Outdoorsy through Utah National and State Parks

Florida is known for amazing beaches, Disney World, and being an ideal place for vacation but there are so many unique adventures to experience in the Sunshine State.
I’ve curated this list of awesome things to do in Florida before you die. Welcome to the Outdoorsy Diva’s own personal Florida Bucket List.
Some of these Florida Bucket List adventures I have experienced and some of them are things I’m still looking forward to trying. They are not in any particular order.
1. Tree Canopy at Mayak...

Just a few short years ago, we seemed to be living in a golden age for travel. Flight deals were in no short supply and the globe was made smaller with so much access and resources for new travelers. The growth of Black Travel was front and center in popular culture, and it was a beautiful sight to see us taking up space in an industry that had overlooked us for so long.
However, the arrival of a devastating global pandemic changed everything and just like that we were all home on our couches...

2021 marked a major milestone event for me because it is the year I celebrate turning 40 years old. If I couldn’t have the big crazy jet-setting party I dreamed of, then I would have a simple but fabulous staycation at the brand new JW Marriott Tampa Water Street.
Transitioning into a new decade of life is definitely a moment deserving of celebration. However, we are still in a global “ponderosa” trying to get the virus under control, so I opted not to put my friends and family at risk by thr...

Though large group gatherings and big trips are still not recommended, it is vitally important to find ways to celebrate the important moments in life, like milestone birthdays or anniversaries. Here are some creative, socially distanced ways to celebrate a major milestone event in your life safely with a Tampa staycation.

Plan a luxury staycation and treat yourself

Parents have had a tough year, so what better way to reward yourself and celebrate that milestone than to book yourself an amazi...

Solo travel continues to trend upward as people look for ways to explore and satisfy their wanderlust safely.
When traveling alone, you can see exactly what you want, when you want, and truly have an adventure that is catered to your individual preferences. If you want to hike to see the sunrise or sleep in until noon, you can!
Mountain views, incredible food, wineries and plenty of space for solitude make Asheville, North Carolina a prime destination to take a vacation by yourself.
Where to ...

The parks are a national treasure that so many of us never get a chance to appreciate. In fact, I didn’t visit my first national park site until I was 28 years old when I visited Fort Matanzas with my son on a spring break trip to St. Augustine, Florida at the recommendation of a friend. Since then, it’s been an adventure goal for me to visit all of the National Parks in Florida.

We have all heard of the famous Big 62 National Parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Yosemite, etc. ...

The winter months in Florida are the perfect time to plan an easy road trip to one of the 11 officially recognized National Park Service units in Florida. With diverse offerings ranging from preserves and seashores to memorials and monuments, these parks are perfect for easy hikes and observing wildlife.
Here are five Florida National Parks within an easy day’s drive from Tampa.
The Everglades National Park is a World Heritage Site and home to the second-largest mangrove forest in the world! ...

Outdoorsy Diva, Lauren Gay, explores her favorite adventure spots and local cuisine.
I’m Lauren, also known as the ‘Outdoorsy Diva’, and I’ve lived in Tampa since the age of 12. However, it has only been in the last 10 years, while seeking places to explore while raising my son, that I have really come to know and appreciate how much this area has to offer for nature lovers.

Visit Florida partnership:
I can’t quite decide if it’s the twinkling lights, the shimmering water, or the sheer looming height of the buildings, but even though I’ve lived in Tampa Bay for the last 27 years, I am entranced by the view of the city skyline from my Harbor Island hotel room at the Westin Tampa Waterside. Through a partnership with Visit Florida, I left my life of suburban quarantine to get away for an exhilarating weekend in Tampa.

Like the rest of the world, I had to grapple with the inability to freely ...

Many Americans are deciding to hike or camp for the first time this summer.
As both social distancing and wanderlust continue to be in full effect, many Americans are deciding to hike and/or camp for the first time -- which is great! What isn't great: so many novice outdoorspeople are woefully unprepared with the knowledge and gear they need to have a safe and enjoyable experience with nature.
So, in this episode of Thrillist's Best Podcast, I'm tapping the advice of writer and podcaster Lauren Gay

Hotels.com partnership:
The volcanic activity that bubbles just below the surface of the Yellowstone Caldera produces so many amazing natural elements like the many dazzling Yellowstone hot springs. Yellowstone National Park is our nation’s first official national park and it is as unique as it is breathtaking.
When you explore Yellowstone on an early morning when the air is crisp and cool, it is evident that the land beneath you is alive as plumes of steam from boiling rivers, streams, and hot springs ascend into t...

We are so fortunate to call Tampa Bay home where the entire area is essentially a backyard to explore and play! From the beaches, to the rivers and treetops, travel blogger/influencer Lauren Gay of the OutdoorsyDiva.com is sharing her 8 picks to explore with the family this summer!
Ride Waterbikes on the Hillsborough River
This unique watercraft is part surfboard and part bicycle. providing amazing views of the Downtown Tampa waterfront.Rent waterbikes and biyaks at the marina from Tampa Bay ...

Thrillist Instagram Story Takeover with Outdoorsy Diva