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Welcome to My WORLD of organized Chaos!

I’m Jillian – traveler, fangirl of every nerdy thing you can imagine (seriously, it’s ridiculous,) bookworm, hiker, animal lover, part-time writer, and full-time mentally ill couch potato. A wanderlust geek here to give you all my tips, tricks, and detailed itineraries to meet all your manic and anxious needs!

learn more about me

Latest on the Blog

Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure Orlando.

The Complete Wizarding World of Harry Potter Guide and Two-Day Itinerary

Top of hiking trail in New Jersey.

How to Avoid and Cope With Post-Vacation Depression

Cruise ship in the Virgin Islands.

The Best Caribbean Cruise Packing List

Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.

A Self-Guided Twilight Tour in Forks, WA

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Welcome, to Diagon Alley! I can't believe it's b

Welcome, to Diagon Alley!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my trip to the Wizarding World, but I'm happy to share that my guide and itinerary is now live on the blog! (link on bio)

📌 Save this post for your next Wizarding World Aventure!

Quick tips for a trip to Universal Orlando:

🪄 Download the Universal Orlando App -
Use for mobile food ordering, park hours, ride wait times, and more!
🪄 Purchase park-to-park tickets -
The Hogwarts Express is only accessible with the purchase of park-to-park tickets!
🪄 Understand the Ride Lockers System -
For thrill rides and for some 3D/4D rides you need to put your bags in a park locker. The lockers are on the smaller side, so consider this when deciding which bag or backpack to bring!

The best things to do in Diagon Alley:

🔥 See the Gringotts Bank dragon spire fire!
🏦 Ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
🍽️ Eat at the Leaky Cauldron
🍦 Get ice cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
🚌 Meet the Knight Bus driver
👀 Spot Kreacher at 12 Grimmauld Place

What would you want to see and do in Diagon Alley?
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#diagonalley #universalstudiosorlando #visitorlando #wizardingworldofharrypotter #wizardingworldorlando #harrypotterworld #harrypotterfan #harrypotterforever #floridavacation #travelblogging #travelbloggerlife #visitflorida #gryffindorpride

Washington Street in Dumbo is New York’s most fa

Washington Street in Dumbo is New York’s most famous street, with an iconic view of the Manhattan bridge. It has actually been named one of the most beautiful streets in the world.

But if you swipe to the next picture you can see a bit of Instagram vs reality. It becomes extremely crowded, so much so that it can be difficult to walk through, let alone get a decent picture.

The difference in these two shots is as simple as time! The first was taken at 8am and the second was taken at 2pm.

📌 My number one tip when visiting Dumbo is to come early or late to avoid the large crowds!

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#dumbobrooklyn #traveltips #traveltiptuesday #newyorkphoto #explorenewyork #travelblogger #lifeinnyc #thisisnewyorkcity #mysecretnyc #incrediblenewyork #instagramvsreality #picturesofnewyork #nyclove #bestcityintheworld #manhattanbridge #nyctravel

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." 🪄

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." 🪄

Back to muggle life now but missing these views and all the Butterbeer. All. The. Butterbeer!

It was a blast hanging out in the parks for an extra long weekend, and taking advantage of everything Universal Orlando has to offer! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter made all my magical dreams come true and filled my Gryffindor heart with pride. ✨🦁

Tell me your house and if you’d want to take a trip here!

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#wizardingworldofharrypotter #wizardingworldorlando #universalorlando #butterbeer #hogwartsismyhome #hogwartshouses #gryffindorpride #harrypotterforever #harrypotterfans #longweekendgetaway #floridagetaway #travelmoments #travelblogging

I’m only happy when it rains 🎶 Rainy days in

I’m only happy when it rains 🎶

Rainy days in the spring never fail to make me happy. It always feels like a new beginning and the Earth coming back to life.

Plus I have my waterproof @vessi to keep my feet dry while I walk along the streets of NYC!

📍Squibb Park Bridge, Brooklyn

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#vessi #vessiambassador #nomorewetsocks #springintovessi #springinnyc #springrenewal #springrain #happyrainyday #lifeinnyc #brooklynheights #explorenewyork #nycstyle #getoutside #wanderingaround

You didn’t think I could forget National Park we

You didn’t think I could forget National Park week did you? Wandering through each of America’s National Park’s is one of my life’s goals so I have to pay tribute to the week dedicated to them!

📌 Save this post for later!

Rocky Mountain National Park is our 9th National Park and one of the most visited parks in the country. As you can see, Rocky is known for its beautiful mountains and lakes. You’ll find plenty of great hikes, as well as the trail ridge road which spans 48 miles between each side of the park!

Hike 🥾- Emerald Lake Trail: Moderate, 3 miles out and back. You’ll see three beautiful alpine lakes: Nymph, Dream (pictured here,) and Emerald Lake.

Tips for visiting Rocky Mountain NP:

⛰️ Reservations are required between May 26th and October 22nd

⛰️ Accommodations book up quickly so make them as early as possible.

⛰️For any of the more popular trails try to go for sunrise or sunset to avoid crowds. Avoid weekends and holidays if you can.

Which National Park is next on your list to visit?
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#nationalparkweek #nationalparklife #nationalparkstraveler #rockymountainnationalpark #mountainview #adventureiscalling #hikingvibes #happyhiker #coloradolove #visitcolorado #adventurenthusiasts #travelwithme #traveleverywhere

Happy Earth Day! 🌎 The world is wide and full

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

The world is wide and full of wonder, it’s important to take care of it every day so we can continue to enjoy its beauty!

When we explore and wander let’s remember to leave no trace!

📍Diablo Lake, North Cascades NP
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#earthdayeveryday #earthday2023 #leavenotrace #northcascades #nationalparkstraveler #exploreresponsibly #explorewashington #hikingtheglobe #hikersofinstagram #hikingaddict

The Cherry Blossoms have officially peaked in Cent

The Cherry Blossoms have officially peaked in Central Park!

They’re a lovely pale pink shade this year and absolutely stunning, so go see them while you can! The Magnolia’s are also peak right now too!

You can find them here:
🌸 Great Lawn
🌸 Sheep Meadow
🌸 Cherry Hill
🌸 Pilgrim Hill
🌸 East side of the reservoir (west is still pre-peak)
💐 Magnolia’s found between Cherry and Pilgrim Hill

Have you gone to see the Cherry Blossoms this year?
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#centralparknyc #cherryblossomseason #cherryblossoms #springishere #springinnyc #thisisnewyorkcity #picturesofnewyork #incrediblenewyork #nyclove #travelblogger #beautifulplaces #letsgoeverywhere #cityadventures #nycliving

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most beautiful a

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most beautiful areas of Olympic National Park, and feels like a scene right out of Twilight.

Last summer I did a self-guided Twilight tour in Washington and started with the rain forest, before continuing on to one of the rainiest places in America: Forks. As a lifelong twihard fan, visiting all the places in the series that had brought me so much joy for years was a dream come true.

📌 In a self-guided Twilight tour you’ll visit:

✨ Welcome to Forks Sign and Bella's Truck
✨ Forever Twilight in Forks Collection
✨ La Push Beaches
✨ The Swan House
✨ Jacob Black's House
✨ The Cullen House
✨ The Treaty Line
✨ Rialto Beach
✨ Dr. Cullen's Parking Spot
✨ Forks High School
✨ Port Angeles

While you won’t visit any filming locations (those were filmed in Oregon and British Columbia.) You will visit the real-life places described in the books and named in the movies. It's an amazing experience for fans, and this area of Washington is stunning!

Check the link in bio for the full article of my Twilight tour and follow @themanicwanderer for more travel inspo! ✨
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#olympicnationalpark #nationalparkgeek #wanderwashington #washingtonexplored #washingtonadventures #pnwonderland #pnwisbeautiful #twihard #forkswashington #twilightsaga #twilightforever #twilightfan #twilightrenaissance #twilightlove #travelblogger #instatravel #travelobsessed

Bed head on the Brooklyn bridge 🌅 Sunrise is n

Bed head on the Brooklyn bridge 🌅

Sunrise is not only a beautiful time to walk the iconic bridge, it’s also when there are the least amount of crowds especially on weekends.

Sunset is gorgeous as well, but can be equally crowded on weekends, so better left for weekdays if possible.

Would you rather see these views at sunrise or sunset?

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#brooklynbridge #brooklynlife #nyclandmarks #seeyourcity #thisisnewyorkcity #travelbloggers #touristinmyowncity #travelwithme #sunriselover #sunrisephotography #sunriseview #mysecretnyc #picturesofnewyork #incrediblenewyork #beautifulviews

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is one of the city'

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is one of the city's most unique and treasured attractions. They’re also time and time again my favorite spot in all of Philly! PMG is an immersive art gallery and a mosaic wonderland.

If you decide to come for a day trip here are just some of the weird and fun things you can visit!

📌 The Franklin Institute - a rad science museum that always has special exhibitions happening. Right now you can check out Disney100: The Exhibition.

📌 Eastern State Penitentiary- Regarded as one of the most famous prisons in the world. Some of the penitentiary’s former notorious inmates include Al Capone and bank robber Slick Willie.

📌 Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site - Edgar Allen Poe spent six years in Philadelphia, where he wrote “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” He lived at the site for a year, and you’re able to see the original unfurnished home.

📌 The Mütter Museum- The Mütter Museum is a medical history museum that displays over 25,000 artifacts, such as anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments. Check out their staggering collection of 139 human skulls!

📌 Cave of Kelpius - Widely regarded as America's first Doomsday cult, the Cave of Kelpius held a group of 40 monks who awaited the apocalypse here in 1694.

Follow @themanicwanderer for more unique (and weird) travel inspo!
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#phillyart #phillylove #cityofbrotherlylove #visitphilly #mosaicart #easternstatepenitentiary #travelblogger #travelbucketlist #uniquetravel #uniqueplaces #wandermore #hiddengems #funideas #travelwithme #cityadventures

Puerto Plata in the DR has a gorgeous coast, histo

Puerto Plata in the DR has a gorgeous coast, historic colonial buildings, and the ever-impressive Mount Isabel de Torres. There are endless photo opportunities in the city, and these are the best Instagram spots.

📸 The Pink Street
📸 The Umbrella Street
📸 Paso Peatonal de Melosa
📸 Puerto Plata Beach
📸 Puerto PSign
📸 Fort San Felipe
📸 La Puntilla Park
📸 Independence Square

I also want to add because I think it’s important to always be transparent and honest about my travel experiences that I had a terrible time in Puerto Plata. I found it beautiful and I’m sure you all will too, and love these pictures, but I had a man try to grab me and it soured my time there. Luckily my husband got me to safety in time. This isn’t to deter anyone but it’s also a good reminder to always be vigilant of our surroundings especially while we travel no matter where we go!
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#honestreview #puertoplata #dominicanrepublictravel #instagramspot #safetravels #streetmural #beautifulplaces #travelblogger #travellife #travelmore #letsgoeverywhere #honestyisthebestpolicy #instagood #bloggersofinstagram #mytravelexperience

The Virgin Gorda Baths is a phenomenal destination

The Virgin Gorda Baths is a phenomenal destination. Pristine beaches with crystalline water are framed by remarkable granite boulders known as the Baths.

Here’s what you need to know before visiting!
📌 Save this post for later!

🌊 The entrance fee is $3 per adult and $2 per child.
🌊 The Baths are open from 8 am -4:30 pm.
🌊 To beat the crowds, plan to arrive as early as possible and try to come on a weekday rather than a weekend.

Getting there -
⛴️ Ferry from Tortola and then taxi to the Baths.
✈️ Fly into the small Virgin Gorda airport.
🛥️ Hire a private boat charter.

What to do -
🥾 Hike down to Devil’s Bay.
🥾 Scramble through the wondrous cave trail.
🏝️ Experience Devil’s Bay and The Baths National Park’s.

Where to eat and drink -
🍽️ Top of the Baths
🍽️ Mad Dog Bar and Restaurant
🍹Poor Man’s Bar

Follow themanicwanderer for more travel tips!
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#virgingorda #britishvirginislands #adventuretravel #travelmore #travelblogger #instatravel #beachhike #hikingtheglobe #beachlife #nationalparkgeek #beautifulplaces #beachviews #traveladdict #wanderlusting #oceanlover

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