Pitch Me for National Geographic & Hilton

I'm seeking hiking, wildflower, and NYC nightlife info!

Jan 30, 2025

Hi friends,

Did you catch yesterday’s newsletter about The Best and Worst Destination Dinners I attended around IMM? I got a TON of feedback from journalists like “Yes! All of this!” and from publicists who were happy to learn they were doing things well, or were grateful to get some insight on improving their press events. The takeaway? Just because there’s a free meal doesn’t mean it’s a good use of our time. I’d rather buy my own dinner and read a book than suffer through 3 hours of small talk at a disappointing dinner. Intrigued? Read more here.

In other news, I just landed my FOURTH National Geographic article this month, so boy, oh boy, am I gonna be busy before heading to Asia in March. I also have a Hilton article I’d like recs for. Read on for that.

Cassandra

P.S. The pic above is from Milwaukee, where I took my mom and niece to see the Nutcracker last month.

1. National Geographic - Wildflower Hiking Destinations

This article is about the best places to find wildflower hikes in the US of various levels of difficulty and featuring different types of flowers. Note that this piece is about proper hiking, so u-pick flower fields with a 2-mile trail around them aren't a good fit. It's fine if the trail is just a two-mile trail because it could be a good fit for families, seniors, or beginner hikers, but it has to be a proper hiking trail with wildflowers, not a loop by/near a u-pick flower field. I’m also seeking epic multi-day hikes.

To be considered, please send the following:

1. The name of the trail and destination

2. Details like length, level of difficulty, technicality of hike

3. What types of flowers will be found along the trail, and when they bloom

4. Any other relevant information that shows why the trail is unique/special

5. Ideally, include a link to the specific trail, such as on AllTrails or to a page on a tourism board or parks website dedicated to the trail.

I expect to get a LOT of pitches, so following those details will increase the odds of me seeing and considering your pitch. Here's a sample of what a good pitch will look like (this info is totally made-up):

The 4-mile wildflower walk in Buck Springs State Park is a family-friendly hike that is just two hours outside of Denver, Colorado. There are several options and hikers can shorten or lengthen their route based on which trails they take. The trail is mostly dirt and it's flat, so it's on the easier side and the park also provides trackchairs (all-terrain wheelchairs) that you can reserve for free. Black-eyed susans typically begin blooming in mid-May and the bloom season lasts about 3 weeks. Come June, you'll see a lot of common milkweed, which attracts many butterflies. This is a very popular trail so it's best to come during the week to avoid crowds (or, this is a less-popular trail so you can enjoy it without the crowds). Insert link to Alltrails or another trail description.

Requirements: See above
Subject line: NatGeo Wildflowers
Email: cassandra@escapingny.com
Pitch by: EOD Monday, Feb 10

2. Hilton Hotels - NYC Nightlife

I'm seeking recommendations about New York City nightlife options for a new piece for Hilton Hotels. Please only send options that are easy to get to from Midtown, Times Square, and Chelsea since the piece will feature hotels in those neighborhoods.

The piece will specifically call out jazz clubs, wine/cigar/cocktail/mocktail bars, cultural activities, speakeasies, live music, and riverboat/dinner cruises. I’ll be in NYC another few weeks so I may be open to visiting some of these attractions.

Requirements: Because this is for Hilton, none of the options can be located within another hotel chain.
Subject line: Hilton NYC
Email: cassandra@escapingny.com
Pitch by: EOD Thursday, Feb 7

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VARIOUS RECENT ARTICLES

Recent Articles

Thanks to those of you who helped me source products and quotes for these pieces. I’ve had a lot of roundups and reviews published recently and I don’t have the capacity to send personal updates but your brand or destination may be included below:

Thrillist: Spilling the Tea on This Indian Ocean Paradise

CNN: The Best Bike Lights of 2024, Tried and Tested

Range Best (gorgeous print mag): Scotland Slowly - Why the Best Way to Explore this Rugged Country is by Water

Yahoo: FeatherSnap Scout Smart Bird Feeder Camera Review: An Intelligent, Addictive Addition to Your Backyard

Midwest Living: 11 Must-Visit State Parks According to Locals and Pros

AFAR: This Canadian Island is a Dream Destination Best Explored By Sea

Yahoo: 8 of Canada’s Best National Parks (which got 185,000 views!)

Hilton: Embrace the Season in These Worldwide Winter Wonderlands

Hilton: Paradise is Calling: Elevated Experiences in Waikiki

AARP: Four Pumpkin Patches to Celebrate Fall

AARP: Adaptive Equipment to Make Mealtime Easier for Caregivers

Sierra Club: Leaf-Peeping for Hikers