All posts by Mimi McFadden

Mimi founded The Atlas Heart to create a community of travelers inspired to see the world. The Atlas Heart is a space where you'll find anecdotes on slow travel, craft beer, outdoor adventures, and all the eccentric bits in between that this world has to offer.

If You Don’t Like Something in Your Life, Change It

July 13, 2019 Mimi McFadden

I’m writing this post because if I didn’t it would be all too easy to go back on my goals and keep living a life that doesn’t make me completely happy. It’s much easier to keep with the status quo, the hamster wheel I’ve been on for the past six years.

If you live a fairly comfortable life, it’s easy to forget to check in with where you’re at and if it’s actually a life that you’re satisfied with.

This has happened to me. A lot.

I get into my routines, my comfort zone, and I forget to keep working at what I imagined my life to be by 30. Or, when I’m not in the best mindset, I think that it’s too late to change things up because I already made so many wrong decisions in my 20s to make that life possible.

But that kind of thinking is just wrong. With the risk of sounding cheesy AF, it’s never too late to be who you want to be or to build a life that makes you inspired, proactive, and grinning from ear to ear on a daily basis.

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Where to Stay in Dublin: Best Hotels, Neighborhoods & Travel Tips

July 10, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Where to stay in Dublin! A guide to the best neighborhoods, things to do, and the best accommodation options no matter what your budget is.

It's hard not to be stunned by Dublin. Craggy cliffs, wildflowers, and rolling green hills perfectly set the backdrop for Ireland's gorgeous capital. Dublin's rich history and majestic landscapes make the city a must-visit if you're planning a trip to Europe.

As for where to stay in Dublin, the city has plenty of accommodation options suited for any travel style, whether that is traveling solo, with friends, or with family. From staying local in the suburbs, to central B&Bs and grand hotels, there's a little something for everyone in this Irish city.

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The Best Things to do in San Francisco at Night (From a Local)

July 9, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best things to do in San Francisco at night, whether you’re looking for nightlife, romantic activities, or family-friendly options.

San Francisco is an interesting city at night. Depending on which neighborhood you’re in once the sun sets, you might think of the city as completely dead or a great place to party.

San Francisco isn’t like New York where you can go anywhere and find nightlife options or events going on in the majority of the city, no matter what day of the week it is. Sometimes you have to know where to look for fun things to do in San Francisco at night.

That’s one of the great things about the city though, there’s a little something for everyone around San Francisco.

With locals who are as equally into outdoor activities as they are with going out to trendy new bars on the weekends, there’s a good mix of options for things to do around the city.

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100+ Things to do in LA | The Ultimate Bucket List

July 1, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best things to do in LA! From the top attractions to favorite local experiences, best beaches, festivals, and recommendations for where to stay and eat.

There's no doubt that Los Angeles gets a bad rap, mostly from people who have spent a weekend in the city and spent the majority of their time in Hollywood.

Don't get me wrong, LA isn't perfect, but it has a lot more going on than what you might see on the surface (read: smog and traffic).

The city can be a headache to get around due to its lacks of efficient public transit and notorious traffic jams, but the City of Stars is magical in its own right. And not just because of the famous people.

You just have to know where to look for that magic.

Luckily, there are endless things to do in LA. It's a city where you would find it hard to be bored, there's a ton to do no matter what you're into.

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The Best Time to Visit Greece (And Where to Go By Season)

June 21, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The Acropolis - weather in Athens Greece

The best time to visit Greece depends on what type of trip you're looking for. In this post, I break down the best time to visit based on weather, price, and things to do!

Whether you're more interested in sightseeing, beaches, island hopping, or local experiences, there's an optimal season for you.

You might think that the best time to visit Greece is anytime of the year. And that's true, to an extent. But that's probably because you think of Greece as an ‘endless summer’ destination.

It makes sense.

The country is known to have some of the best beaches in the world, and most of photos you’ll find in travel guides and on Instagram show off blue skies and glistening aquamarine waters around the islands.

Greece is blessed to have beautiful weather, long summers, and a temperate climate year around, but there are still plenty of rainy days in spring and cooler weather in the winter that brings snow to a few select areas around the country.

The weather might not be quite as diverse as the 6,000 islands and islets you’ll find in Greece, and you usually won't find distinct changes in the seasons like you do in other parts of the world, but you should still be prepared for different weather depending on the season and area you’re traveling to.

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101 Things to Do in Montreal | The Ultimate Bucket List

June 20, 2019 Mimi McFadden

101 things to do in Montreal | The Atlas Heart

The best things to do in Montreal! These are the places to eat, visit, and local experiences to have around my favorite city in Canada.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Montreal? Is it poutine? Francophone culture? Maybe cold weather? The aspect that I love about Montreal is that it doesn't fit into one box.

Yes, the poutine is wonderful, but you can find authentic cuisine from all over the world throughout the city. Yes, it is very Francophone compared to other parts of Canada (outside of Quebec), but it's also a multilingual and multicultural cosmopolitan city.

Yes, the winters are freezing and the city goes into hibernation for a good part of the year, but as soon as spring and summer hit, it's one of the most vibrant cities in Canada. There's always something going on.

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Where to Stay in Los Angeles: Best Hotels, Neighborhoods & Travel Tips

June 4, 2019 Mimi McFadden

Planning a visit to the City of Stars? This quick guide on where to stay in Los Angeles will have you falling in love with Southern California and its endless summer.

Movies, music, books, newspapers, and all forms of media paint Los Angeles as the go-to destination where people can turn their dreams into reality. But more importantly, as the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is home to a diverse array of vibrant communities, resulting in an eclectic fusion of traditions and inspiration.

In this post, I'll take you through not only the best places to stay in LA, but also the top attractions, places to eat in each neighborhood, and how to best get around the city.

If you want to soak up the sun and revel in the waves, L.A. is as close to the movies as you're going to get. So, let's start planning your vacation by deciding where to stay in Los Angeles!

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Where to Stay in Seattle: Best Hotels, Neighborhoods & Travel Tips

June 3, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The ultimate guide to where to stay in Seattle! Learn about the best Seattle neighborhoods to explore, depending on your budget and travel style.

One of the largest cities on the West Coast, Seattle is home to a lively arts scene, at least a hundred festivals, and a booming tech industry.

You'll never have to worry about what attractions are around you when deciding where to stay in Seattle – they're everywhere! Not only are you able to enjoy the many dazzling parks and museums dotting the city, there are also various opportunities to venture out into the wilderness and partake in any number of outdoor activities.

Seattle might get a bad rap for being dreary and rainy most of the year, but that just motivates residents and visitors to take advantage of great weather when summer does arrive. Because when it does, Seattle is truly unmatched.

Read on to learn more about the best neighborhoods in Seattle, the best hotels in Seattle, and all the travel tips you should know before you go in terms of what to see and how to get around the city.

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101 Things to Do in Santa Cruz (From a Local)

May 2, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best things to do in Santa Cruz from someone who grew up in the city! These are my favorite places to eat, visit, and local experiences to have around my hometown.

Having grown up in the city, my list for things to do in Santa Cruz could go on and on (especially in terms of places to eat!), but I tried my best to consolidate my recommendations to 101 things to experience in my hometown.

This list covers not just the city of Santa Cruz but the county as well, including places like Capitola, Aptos, and Felton. With around 276,000 residents these days, Santa Cruz County is becoming a bustling medium-sized hotspot in California. This also means that the city has gone through a ton of changes in the past decade or two.

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16 Best Maui Hikes: From the Road to Hana to Haleakala Volcano

April 27, 2019 Mimi McFadden

The best Maui hikes! From sunset ascents to the highest peak on the island and lush rainforests on the coast.

Out of the two islands I've been to in Hawaii, Maui is my favorite for its wild nature and less developed feel than Oahu. Some of these hikes might not be as popular as the ones you'll find on Oahu, but what they lack in people they make up for in pure natural beauty. Plus, hiking without a ton of people on the trail can be magical.

Although my favorite experience during my trip to Maui was my unique hike to the top of Haleakala Crater, where I was able to watch the sun set from above the clouds, I had plenty of unforgettable adventures on the Road to Hana and other parts of the island too. There are times you'll probably have to pinch yourself during a hike because the views all over Maui are that stunning.

These are my 16 favorite Maui hikes as well as a few practical tips for your trip and a look at the best spots to stay around the island. I'm sure you'll fall in love with Maui's nature as much as I did!

Happy adventuring!

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