10Best: Bike rides by the water

Travelers who love waterfronts and cycling can find both on a growing network of bike trails. “It’s the best recreational riding. The scenery is great, and there’s a dedicated bike path, so you don’t have to worry about traffic,” says Adam McDermott, founder ofLinus Bike, which makes vintage-style European city cycles. “It’s the best thing to do with your family.” He shares some favorite pathways with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Marvin Braude Bike Trail

Los Angeles

A Southern California favorite, this 22-mile path, also known as The Strand, connectsWill Rogers State Beach with Torrance Beach, passing through iconic sites like Santa Monica and Venice Beach. “The scenery changes dramatically as you bike down the coast. These are prime tourist destinations,” McDermott says. He and his staff are regulars on the trail, located just a few blocks from the Linus headquarters. 

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

Two Harbors, Minn.

The best way to experience the grandeur of Lake Superior is to pedal its shoreline. Cyclists also have the opportunity to see animal and bird life as the trail passes through forest. The path currently stretches more than 29 miles in multiple segments, the longest almost 15 miles. When complete, the 88-mile paved path will connect Two Harbors with Grand Marais, Minn. ggta.org

East Bay Bike Path

Providence, R.I.

Over its 13.8-mile length, this path connects eight parks on its route from Providence to Bristol. Built on an abandoned rail line, it offers cyclists views of the tidal Providence River. “The path allows people to easily escape the city and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as they pass through coves and marshes,” McDermott says. 401-253-7482;riparks.com/Locations/LocationEastBay.html

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Anchorage

Don’t expect to be cycling this 11-mile trail alone. While the trail begins in downtown Anchorage, it quickly heads into forest. Depending on the time of day or year, you may encounter moose, wolves and eagles, along with beluga whales cavorting offshore in Knik Arm, which connects to the Gulf of Alaska. anchoragecoastaltrail.com

Island Line Trail

Burlington, Vt.

One of New England’s top trails offers views of the Adirondack Mountains and massive Lake Champlain. The 14-mile converted rail line connects several shoreline parks, and at one point cyclists are surrounded by water when they cross an elevated causeway 20 feet above the lake’s surface. The path even has a bike ferry, bridging a 200-foot gap in the causeway. 

50 great restaurant gardens across the country

Chefs around the country are planting and maintaining their own gardens to promote sustainability, seasonality, local sourcing and freshness. It doesn't hurt that beds of flowers and herbs add to the ambiance at any table. These days, on-site crops come in the form of patio planters, rooftop farms and vertical decor on the walls. Guests often prefer dining in garden settings, whether indoors or outdoors, particularly for events. And nothing spices up a garden party like cocktails infused with freshly-picked rosemary or garnished with flowers. Chef and restaurateur Jose Garces sets a prime example in Philadelphia where his 18 restaurants source straight from his 40-acre, organic Luna Farm, while chef John Mooney has made a way for aeroponic rooftop gardens over his restaurants in D.C. and New York. Dine among or on the greens at these restaurants with gorgeous gardens to boot, from coast to coast.

D.C. by wheelchair: Putting ADA to the test

Twenty-five years ago this July, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The legislation represented a sea change for those with disabilities. Not only does ADA prohibit discrimination in terms of employment, housing and transportation, but it does the same for public accommodations, like restaurants, theaters and museums.

Anne Thomas, a storyteller and former civil rights lawyer, has been in a wheelchair since she was 18. In 1976, a car accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, and a doctor suggested she check herself into a nursing home for the rest of her life. Fortunately, she didn’t heed his advice. Instead, she went to law school, traveled the world, scuba dived and drove to Alaska.

But in her early disability days, handicapped bathrooms and wheelchair ramps were virtually non-existent. Now that cities are largely accessible to those who are disabled, she decided an ADA anniversary celebration was in order. And what better place thanWashington, D.C., where the law was enacted?

Mostly, she wanted to find out what it’s like today for someone in a wheelchair to visit the nation’s capital, where we both live. I joined her to assist and document. Before we began, she emailed: “Given the distance we’re covering, are you sure you’re up for this? You’ll have to push me.” I told her, “Of course” and thought, “How hard can it be?”

At the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, Anne wheeled herself easily over the smooth floors, zipping ahead of groups in matching t-shirts to see the Helen Keller statute. We joined a tour in front of a 1/20 model of the Capitol dome and made sure to test out the restroom, where Anne delighted in finding wide bathroom stalls and low drinking fountains.

Dollywood: A little bit country, a little bit rockin' rides

With its abundance of music and live entertainment, craft demonstrations, celebration of Appalachian culture, year-round festivals, world-class roller coasters and rides, and — of course — its spotlight on icon and namesake, Dolly Parton, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has long distinguished itself from typical regional theme parks. But with the summer 2015 opening of the 300-room DreamMore hotel, Dollywood has become a true destination resort.

The lovely hotel offers a place for visitors to stay while they explore the park. And there is plenty to explore at Dollywood.

Located amid the stunning Smoky Mountains, it offers spectacular views. Many of Dollywood's coasters are nestled in the woods and capitalize on the hilly topography. The steel coasterTennessee Tornado meanders far from the midway and soars through a forested trail.

Another coaster, Mystery Mine, includes a beyond-vertical drop and a detour into a spooky, abandoned mine. In addition to its stellar crop of coasters, Dollywood offers many other rides and attractions. For example, the swing ride, Barnstormer, sends passengers rushing headlong towards an old barn. River Battle outfits passengers aboard rafts with soaker guns and provides animated targets such as bears and skunks. Riders are also encouraged to soak each other.

As you might expect at a park featuring Dolly Parton, there are a lot of stage shows, and music fills every corner. There's country music, naturally. But there are also shows offering 50's rock and roll, southern gospel, contemporary pop, and more. Potters, blacksmiths, and other artisans can be seen at work and displaying their crafts.

There is plenty to do for younger children, including shows such as "The Little Engine Playhouse" and toned-down rides. Even the more thrilling attractions, like FireChaser Express, can accommodate a broad audience. The coaster features forward and backward launches but is tame enough for passengers as short as 39 inches to ride.

Yellowstone National Park: Dizzying diversity starts at doorstep

A sweeping mountain view, eagles floating over a meandering river, elk wandering through an old Army fort — each entry into Yellowstone National Park makes a different first impression.

There's no wrong way to enter the world's first national park, but the entry can shape the experience.

From Livingston, Mont., visitors follow the Yellowstone River through the Paradise Valley to the town of Gardiner and then Mammoth Hot Springs, known for its thermal terracing and resident elk herd. Visitors enter through a grand stone arch.

From West Yellowstone, Mont., south of Bozeman, visitors are immediately in the park, following the Madison River and arriving near the geyser basins and Old Faithful. This West Gate is by far the most popular.

From Red Lodge, Mont., south of Billings, visitors travel the Beartooth Highway, a spectacular winding road through high alpine landscapes, to Cooke City and then into the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone's northeastern corner.

What the Lamar Valley lacks in geyser features, it makes up for in wildlife. Known as the American Serengeti, the valley draws wildlife watchers from around the world, particularly those who want to see wolves.

The park's south entrance is at its border with Grand Teton National Park. Moose Falls is just inside Yellowstone and marked with a tiny sign. It's worth a stop and a popular (if chilly) swimming hole for those in the know.