Travel Archives : The Retro Network

How a Little Train Ride Became Dollywood

Dollywood rose from a simple Smoky Mountain train ride, growing through four identities before Dolly Parton transformed it into one of America’s most beloved family parks.

Duff’s Smorgasbord and the Golden Age of Buffets

Mickey Yarber

Duff’s Smorgasbord turned a simple rotating buffet into a beloved dining ritual, serving comfort food, value, and a little bit of spectacle to families across America.

SeaWorld: From Dream to Destination

Mickey Yarber

SeaWorld felt like stepping into another world, a place where dolphins danced, orcas soared, and childhood summers smelled like saltwater and sunscreen as the ocean came alive right in front of you.

Stuckey’s: The Roadside Oasis That Defined the American Highway

Mickey Yarber

Stuckey’s was the bright blue promise on the horizon, a roadside oasis where pecan logs, souvenirs, and pure Americana turned every family road trip into something a little more magical.

Howard Johnson’s: The Story of Orange Roofs and Open Roads

Mickey Yarber

Before fast food ruled the highways, Howard Johnson’s was the heart of the American road trip. Its orange roofs, fried clams, and friendly motor lodges became landmarks for families chasing summer miles.

Retro Entertainment in Hotels: How Nostalgia Keeps Guests Engaged

The Retro Network

Retro‑inspired hotels blend modern comfort with nostalgic charm, turning ordinary stays into immersive escapes filled with vintage décor, classic entertainment, and warm, memory‑rich atmospheres that today’s minimalist spaces simply can’t match.

TRN Round Table: Vacations and Road Trips

Mickey Yarber

The fine folks from all around the Network have come together to share stories of memorable vacations and road trips throughout the years. We’re combining them all into one long, omnibus-like post for you to

Take a WrestleMania Vacation

Kevin Decent

As I write this I am about to partake in the biggest vacation of my life, and it is all themed around WrestleMania. This will be my third trip to the grandest stage of them

Pitfall Harry and the Christmas Road Trip

Pitfall Gary

It was a green box with gold bars hiding behind trees, crocodiles swimming in a lake, underground tunnels and the best adventurer ever. That’s right Christmas 1982 I got the one present I wanted…PITFALL!

How to Entertain Yourself on a Road Trip: Fun Ideas for Passengers

The Retro Network

If you’re taking a road trip, it’s essential to be prepared for the inevitable boredom that will set in at some point. After all, if you’re driving straight down the highway hour after hour, it

Getting Ready For A Road Trip: 3 Key Steps

The Retro Network

Preparing for a road trip couldn’t be easier when you can take the time to follow the 3 excellent steps that have been carefully described below. There’s truly no time like the present to start

White Water Atlanta Memories

Karen Flieger

White Water is a seventy-acre amusement park in Marietta, Georgia. It opened in May of 1984 as White Water Atlanta and was owned by a company. In 1999, it was brought into the Six Flags