Clara Hogan

Christmas lights are to Christmas what pumpkins are to Halloween or hearts are to Valentine’s Day: absolutely essential decor that helps create an air of festivity. Whether you’re the type that hangs up a simple string of lights or an enthusiast who maxes out your electricity voltage Clark Griswold-style, we can all stop and appreciate a really well-done Christmas light display.  Across the county, families bundle up for drives through stunning local light shows every year. And while most towns have one, there are only a few that really knock it out of the park and create awe-inspiring, illuminated worlds that will reignite your childlike wonder.  From brilliantly lit neighborhoods to charming towns that create dazzling journeys, these ultimate Christmas light extravaganzas will ignite the holiday spirit within even the grinchiest of grinches.  RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas towns in the U.S.

It’s that time again. Every year, we ask thousands of city-dwellers to tell us the coolest spots in their cities. What are the places locals love and visitors flock to? Where are the exciting new openings across food, drink and culture? Where are people going out, hanging out and having fun? For the sixth year running, the results are in. Over 12,000 people had their say in this year’s shortlist, naming the neighbourhoods in their hometowns where everyone wants to be right now. Then, we narrowed down the selection with the insight and expertise of city editors and local experts who know their cities better than anyone else. To create and rank the final list, we considered factors including community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life. In 2023, our neighbourhoods are more global than ever before. The rise and rise in post-pandemic digital nomadism has led to an explosion of brand-new community spaces, multi-purpose culture centres and more cafés than we can count on two hands. But while most of these neighbourhoods have experienced a transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local at heart. Slick new developments and cool cafés might bring in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts – from old pubs to family greengrocers – keep it real.  The world’s coolest neighbourhoods this year are, therefore, places with big personalities. Each area’s diversity is reflected in its food, culture and festivals. Community is key: local

Christmas can bring magic to your life no matter where you are. But there are certain places where holiday magic is taken to the next level. Picture snow-capped trees, twinkling lights charting a path down the main street, charmingly decorated vintage homes and inns, carriage rides, carolers—the whole works. The best Christmas towns in the U.S. feel like Hallmark Christmas movies in real life (and often, they are the real settings of these films.) If you're a die-hard Christmas enthusiast or simply appreciate a little Yuletide joy, grab your scarf and head to one of these holly, jolly towns. On our list of the merriest towns in America, you'll find cities with Christmas as their main claim to fame (like North Pole, Alaska and Santa Claus, Indiana), charming New England villages (like Essex, Connecticut and Stockbridge, Massachusetts) and European-style destinations like Solvang, California and Leavenworth, Washington. From coast to coast, take in stunning Christmas light displays, shop local holiday markets, and cozy up next to a fire. Ho, ho, let's go!

If you're looking to shop local over big box retail giants this year, look no further than the best Christmas markets in the U.S., where you're sure to get your crew unique gifts while getting into the holiday spirit.   Christmas markets began in Europe centuries ago to celebrate and prepare for the season, and the tradition later spread to America. Each market has its unique set-up and vendors who sell everything from handmade decorations and ornaments to artwork to seasonal food and drink (mulled wine is the go-to choice to keep you cozy while you shop!)  Bundle up and explore the expansive Christmas markets in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Meander through the sparkling lights and aisles of wooden stalls selling custom gifts while listening to live Christmas music and indulging in festive fare like bratwursts, glühwein (mulled wine) and hot cocoa. The best Christmas markets in the U.S. have a little something for everyone. 

Giant Santas, intricately made ornaments, tinsel and twine—these decorations and so much more await you at the best and biggest Christmas stores in the US. One things for sure, we’re not talking about the holiday decor section that pops up for a couple of months your local big box store. No, these stores take the holidays and put them on steroids. And we mean that in the best way possible.  Made for the Christmas-obsessed and those who believe it’s never too early to start preparing for the holiday season, these stores offer Christmas year-round: spring, summer, fall and winter. They range from the massive, 45-acre Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Michigan to a charming Christmas village in the Smoky Mountains in Tennesse. Others take center stage at the best Christmas towns in America, like Santa Claus, Indiana or the North Pole, Alaska.  Step inside these dazzling (and somewhat disorienting) wonderlands featuring awe-inspiring light displays, perfected model villages, and other novelties. 'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread the holiday cheer than by exploring the most magical, whimsical, and festive shops across the nation? 

Nearly half of Americans are planning to travel over the holidays this year—while most of us head to a family member’s house for festivites, others take advantage of the time off and use the chance to go on a vacation to a new place.  If that description fits your thinking this holiday season, hats off to you—and we've got you covered. We have rounded up the absolute best Christmas vacations in the U.S. to fulfill all motivations. Looking for snow? Hit up these beautiful cold-weather winter destinations. Want to leave the snow behind? Check out our favorite beaches in the US. If you still want to experience the magic of Christmas, just elsewhere, consider any of these quaint and quiet Christmas towns. Whether you want quality family time, a little romance with your boo or some solo to unwind out of office, the best Christmas vacations in the US will help you end your year on a high note.  

When Christmas time rolls around, some cities sparkle—and others downright shine. For the best Christmas cities in the USA, the holidays are more than just a season; they’re what they've been preparing for all years and often their claim to fame. Take North Pole, Alaska, where you can visit the world's largest Santa and walk down Kris Kringle Drive, outfitted with candy cane-striped street lights. Or Santa Claus, Indiana (yes, that's really the name) whose local "elves" volunteer at the local post office to answer buckets full of children's letters to Santa every year. Other cities put their own personal twists on celebrations, like a Colonial-style affair in Williamsburg, Virginia or the Charles Dickens-inspired festival in Franklin, Tennessee.  Sure, big cities like New York, Chicago and Boston are beautiful in December, but with their over-the-top celebrations, these smaller locales offer something even better. Whether you want to visit magical Christmas markets, check out impressive Christmas light displays or visit impressive Christmas light displays or visit some of the best Christmas stores, you won't be disappointed in these festive Christman cities in the U.S.

Thanksgiving is full of traditions: turkey, pie, gathering with friends and family. But for millions of Americans, the first tradition they enjoy when they wake up on the day is turning on the TV to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which has been attracting crowds by the thousands since it started in 1924. Today, tens of millions of viewers tune in yearly to watch performers entertain alongside giant helium-filled characters and dazzling floats as they roll down the streets of Manhattan.  While New York’s parade steals the national limelight, big cities and charming small towns hold their own Thanksgiving Day parades to celebrate the holiday, showcasing marching bands, giant balloons and local celebs. Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and New Orleans are a few major cities that put on quite the show with their own twist come Turkey Day.  This year, consider peeling yourself away from the TV and heading down to an in-person Thanksgiving parade that will get you in the festive spirit before you head back to your home-cooked feast. 

Whether you’re in it for the challenge, scenic beauty, or adrenaline rush, skiing offers those who partake all of those benefits and more. There’s nothing like the thrill of gliding down a mountain, the wind on your face, or the satisfaction of conquering a run. Plus, après-ski drinks in a cozy lodge after a day of shredding the slopes aren’t a bad perk, either.  From East to West Coasts, America boasts some of the world's most breathtaking ski resorts. Northeastern states like Vermont, New Hampshire and New York are big ski destinations, with classic resorts like historic Stowe Mountain in Vermont that offer New England charm and a rich history of winter sports. However, most of the heavy hitters go to ski towns in the West. Aspen, Colorado, is a picturesque winter wonderland known for its four distinct ski areas, luxurious accommodations and buzzy après-ski scene. In Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, skiers and snowboarders can take in stunning alpine views from a huge diversity of slopes. Whether you're a novice or black diamond pro, you'll find a good choice for your next ski trip at one of the best ski resorts in the US.  Looking for more winter travel inspiration? Check out the best winter vacations in the U.S..

From Halloween enthusiasts to thrill-seekers to history buffs, people of all kinds love visiting haunted places. For some, it's the draw of the adrenaline rush—that heart-pounding, hair-raising feeling when something spooky lay around the corner. For others, it’s the gripping backstory or the social aspect of braving a visit (after all, nothing bonds a group together quite like intrigue—or terror).  Lucky for adrenaline junkies and ghostbusters alike, America has no shortage of haunted places, from centuries-old cemeteries to abandoned Gold Rush towns to spooky, ghost-filled houses. While some let you wander through on your own, it’s often a good idea to book a ghost tour to get the full story—and an extra set of eyes (just in case).  So grab your EMF meter, a sack of salt and your crew—things are about to get ghastly at the most haunted places in America.  

Lights flickering, floorboards creaking, doors slamming shut, shadowy figures passing by—are all eerie and inexplicable occurrences people have claimed to witness within historic homes over the years. In these abodes, they believe spirits, ghosts or supernatural entities still linger within the walls. The idea of a haunted house spans cultures and centuries. In the tapestry of American folklore, certain homes have become famous for the tales of the restless spirits within their walls, and each has a spine-chilling story to tell. From the LaLaurie House in New Orleans, where real-life socialite and serial killer enslaved people, to the Joshua Ward House in Salem, MA, where a prominent figure in the Salem Witch Trials resided, to many spooky homes in between, America's most infamous haunted houses continue to intrigue and attract visitors. If you're looking for more spooky properties, try an overnight stay in a haunted Airbnb or haunted hotel.

Name a more iconic American dessert than pie—we’ll wait. Ever since pie-making customs were first brought over by Europeans by colonists, pies have served as a symbol of American culinary tradition.  Cake and cookies may be more of the standard go-to for parties these days, but pie remains a cherished part of American food culture as a feature on a holiday table or just because. Pies evolved over the years as regions came up with unique twists: Key Lime Pie in Florida, Shoofly Pie in Pennsylvania, haupia (coconut) pie from the island of Oahu. Today, you can pretty much find any variety you could imagine at the best bakeries in the USA. We still enjoy a classic apple or pecan pie, but we also like mixing it up. Indulge in old-fashioned sweet potato pie at Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta, try a yuzu-matcha meringue at Spinning J Bakery in Chicago, and don't miss any pie at cult-favorite Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Build these stops into your next trip, or if you won't be near one in the foreseeable future, lucky for you, most of these delicious treats can be shipped. Whether you're looking for the perfect sweet treat for your next celebration or just have a sweet tooth to fill any time of year, we've rounded up the absolute best pies in America.  

You can hear the Napa Valley Wine Train before you see it. Starting in Downtown Napa at the McKinstry Street Station, the train rumbles through towns like Yountville and iconic vineyards like V. Sattui on a 36-mile round trip journey to St. Helena and back. The cavalcade of railroad cars were built in 1951 by the Pullman Standard Company and  refurbished for the modern era with details nodding to the original time period such as plush booths and mahogany paneling. Passengers can choose from a variety of dining journeys, including the Gourmet Express (a multi-course meal), Romance on the Rails (dinner and wine in a private booth on the train's Vista Dome) and Murder Mystery (a murder-mystery– themed dinner). One of the most intimate option is the Champagne Vista Dome experience, which guarantees you a private table. This car features curved glass windows in the observation-style dining car that give even more expansive views of Napa's lush countryside.  The three-hour lunch and two-hour dinner rides generally stick to the rails, but if getting off and exploring the vineyards is more of your thing, opt for one of the winery tours; most go to a few wineries and include lunch or dinner on the train.

Since 1994, the old stone cottage in the heart of wine country that houses the French Laundry has stood among the holiest of holy grails not only for destination diners, but aspiring industry pros around the world. Chef Thomas Keller’s influence on the culinary world is inestimable; without him, there’d be no Noma, Alinea, Benu or Frasca Food and Wine, to name just a few iconic restaurants his mentees have gone on to open. The pilgrimage to this intimate, 17-table Napa Valley institution remains at the very top of foodies’ bucket lists. Reservations open a month in advance, with seatings occurring daily from 4pm to 8:15pm. Every meal begins with a crisp salmon tartare cornet paired with a glass of champagne. From there, diners select one of the two prix fixe menus (one for meat eaters and one for vegetarians) and are then promptly taken on a three-to-four hour culinary journey. Dishes consist of classic and refined, yet unstuffy, French cuisine that showcase California-fresh produce sourced from the culinary garden across the street. The French Laundry has served as the pinnacle of fine dining for 25 years, with hospitality as unwaveringly pristine as the food. The restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars every year since the first Michelin guide to the San Francisco Bay Area was issued in 2007, making Keller the only American chef to have two three-star restaurants at the same time (the other being Per Se in New York.)  The restaurant recently underwent a stunning $1

Think of San Francisco’s largest Halloween pub crawl as trick-or-treating for adults. Thousands of costumed revelers take over Polk Street for drinks, music and dancing, and costume contests. This year, whether you show up on foot or via the San Francisco Party Bus, you’re sure to be in spooktacular company at 20 haunted watering holes including Mayes, Nick's Crispy Tacos, Del Mar, and Wonder SF. It’s free to join the festivities.     

Napa Valley’s BottleRock festival is back this year for its first “normal” event since 2019. The festival was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and, in 2021, it was delayed until the fall and had pandemic precautions in place. This year, BottleRock is back in all its glory in its usual slot, Memorial Day weekend, with big-name headlining artists from Pink to Metallica and Luke Combs. Other performers include Twenty One Pilots, Kygo, Pitbull, Alessia Cara, Vance Joy, and Amos Lee. The event will also host a slew of other activities from famous chefs and celebrities on the culinary stage to an impressive food and drink line-up and a series of more intimate performances outside of the main event.  We’ve rounded up answers to all of your questions to give you everything you need to know about BottleRock 2022. We also have you covered on where to go, eat, and sleep in Napa Valley should you want to explore more.  What is BottleRock?BottleRock Napa Valley, presented by JaM Cellars, is a three-day music, wine, craft brew and culinary festival that started in 2013.  When is BottleRock? BottleRock 2022 will run Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29, in downtown Napa at the Napa Valley Expo fairgrounds. How do I buy BottleRock tickets? Three-day tickets are sold out, but one-day general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are still available through the BottleRock website. You can also still buy sold-out passes through the official ticket exchange Lyte. How much are BottleRock tickets?

The local coffee scene across American cities has exploded in recent years — but which city loves its coffee the most? That would be the City by the Bay, at least according to one recent report. San Francisco is the number one coffee city in America, ranked by a survey from the personal-finance website WalletHub. The calculation compared the 100 most populous cities across the US using 12 key metrics, including the average spending on coffee per household, the share of homes with coffee makers, the number of coffee shops and manufacturers per capita, and the number of coffee-centric events.  After San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, Honolulu, and Portland rounded out the top five coffee cities.  Source: WalletHub Coffee has played an important role in San Francisco's history: the first cup of restaurant coffee in the West was served there, large coffee brands such as Hills Brothers and Folgers started in the city, and the Italian espresso houses of North Beach were popular meeting spots for famous Beat poets. Today, the "third wave" of coffee shops has meant a coffee boom.  San Francisco's top coffee shops are independent, full of local personality, and spread throughout the city. Favorites include Ritual Coffee, Andytown Coffee Roasters, and Farley's. A few of the factors for SF's number one rating — it had both the highest number of affordable coffee shops and cafes rated 4.5 stars or above per capita, as well as the highest number of manufacturers. It also ranked number on

Add another must-do to your San Francisco bucket list: the Presidio Tunnel Tops, a project 30 years in the making. The new federal parkland is now officially open, offering 14 acres of space to play along the bay and take in stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Tunnel Tops, located within the Presidio, a national park formed out of a former military outpost, debuted on July 17 to an outpouring of crowds eager to see the city's newest national park destination. It is a creative solution to creating usable green space in a densely packed city, located on top of the busy Presidio Parkway highway tunnels and connecting the center of the Presidio to the park’s Crissy Field waterfront. The unique design feat was a perfect fit for James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York City's High Line, which also found ways to connect urban streets to more peaceful, nature-focused settings.  The park is already a hit with locals and visitors alike, featuring picnic sites, a campfire circle, trails, native plant gardens as well as the Outpost, a sprawling two-acre, nature-inspired play area for children.    Photograph Courtesy of the Trust for the PresidioTunnel Tops   Getting to the Tunnel Tops is easy from most places in the city. Several of the city’s MUNI lines stop at the nearby transit center and there's a free PresidiGo shuttle from downtown.  If you get hungry, you can count on a variety of food trucks and carts nearby, in addition to a slew of eateries offered with

イギリスの金融商品比較サイト、Money.co.ukは新しい分析調査を実施し、LGBTQ+コミュニティーに最も友好的な世界の都市ランキング『The most LGBTQ+ accepting cities』を発表した。 分析に使われたのは、さまざまなデータ。例えばSocial Progressから入手した各国の受容度に関する世界的な指標、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数を示すTripadvisorのデータといったもの。出生証明書や運転免許証の性別表示変更が州相当レベルでどれだけ容易か、成人におけるLGBTQ+自認の割合、子育てをしている25歳以上のLGBTQ+成人数なども含まれている。 その結果、世界で最もLGBTQ+の人々を受け入れていのは、アイスランドのレイキャビクとなった。同地のLGBTQ+受容度スコアは満点の10ポイント。LGBTQ+専用のバーやクラブが最も多くあり、それらの質も高いことが結果に反映されたようだ。 2位、3位はオランダのアムステルダム、ロッテルダムが続いた。アムステルダムは、惜しくもレイキャビックにトップの座を譲ったが、スコアの差はほとんどない。受容度も9.8ポイントと非常に高く、ナイトライフについても数、質ともに大差がなかった。ロッテルダムは、LGBTQ+向けの施設の数が上位2都市に比べると少ないため、この順位になったようだ。 4位に入ったのが、アメリカのサンフランシスコ（アメリカの都市として1位）。同地は、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数が全都市中2番目に多く、それらのTripadvisorの平均評価も星4.2つと高い。サンフランシスコが高順位になったことは、この都市がLGBTQ+コミュニティーにとってリベラルで進歩的な避難所であるという長年の評判や、LGBTQ+運動の歴史を考えると大きな驚きではないだろう。 このランキングのトップ20を見てみると、、アメリカからはボストン（11位）、シアトル（12位）、ロサンゼルス（16位）、シカゴ（17位）の5都市がランクインしている。 ただ、同時発表されたアメリカの州別ランキングで1位になったのは、カリフォルニア州ではなく、ハワイ州だった。同州では人口の4.6％がLGBTQ+を自認。労働安全や出生証明書の性別表記を変更する手続きなどでも高い評価を受け、LGBTQ+コミュニティーで子育てをしている割合が30％と、上位5州の中で最も多い。ハワイに続く2位にはメイン州、3位にはバーモント州がランクイン。カリフォルニア州は4位となった。 ランキングと分析内容は、Money.co.ukの公式サイトで確認できる。 原文はこちら 関連記事 『ブライダル大手が同性婚のためのウエディングプランを紹介』 『東京、学びのクィアスポット6選』 『日本のジェンダー観や婚姻制度のあれこれ、もう一度社会の前提を疑おう』 『ニューヨーク歴史協会がLGBTQ+博物館の設立を発表』 『6年で日本は「ジェンダー平等」に近づいたのか、公平な制度の実現へ』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

A new study shows which cities around the world are the most friendly toward the LGBTQ+ community, and we're not that surprised at the winners.  The study, conducted by Money.co.uk, analyzed cities based on a variety of criteria, including a worldwide indicator sourced from Social Progress on the level of acceptance in each country, Tripadvisor data showing the number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people, as well as how easy it is at the state level to change the gender marker on your birth certificate and driver's license, the percentage of adults who identify as LGBTQ+, and how many LGBTQ+ adults over 25 are raising children, among other factors.  In the United States, San Francisco came out on top as the number one most accepting city in America, and fourth in the world. The city has the second-highest number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people and has an average rating of 4.2 stars.  San Francisco coming in the first place isn't a huge surprise, given the city's long reputation as a liberal and progressive haven for the LGBTQ+ community and its history of LGBTQ+ activism. Out of the top 20 most accepting cities, five are based in the US: Boston ranked 11th; Seattle ranked 12th, Los Angeles placed 16th and Chicago came in at 17th. At the worldwide level, Reykjavik, Iceland was number one. That was followed by Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.  In terms of states in the US though, California wasn't number one. It came in fourth. Hawaii actually cam

Napa Valley is a bucket-list destination for every wine lover – the rolling vineyard hills, award-winning wineries, and gourmet California cuisine make it a foodie mecca that people around the world flock to. And one of the most magical ways to take in all that wine country has to offer is aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.  The wine train is an iconic piece of Napa that’s been operating for more than 30 years, running directly through the valley on a rail line originally built in 1864. It was on a long hiatus during Covid, but officially re-opened in May. And now it's bringing back its popular Murder Mystery rides starting this month through October. The themed rides include 'Crime and Punishment,' 'Death of a Gangster' and a 'Wizards and Witches' tour that sounds perfect for Harry Potter fans (wizarding robes and hats are highly encouraged).  Photograph: Courtesy Napa Valley Wine Train While aboard the refurbished 1951 Pullman coaches, guests will have two hours to solve a murder (all while being served a multi-course fine-dining experience). On the Wizards and Witches tour – which takes place October 2, 9, and 16 – feel free to dress up as your favorite Hogwarts character and imagine you're aboard the Hogwarts Express!  Not into dress-up? The train offers a variety of other tours. Choose from various experiences and times, including daytime and evening rides, an intimate meal in the Champagne Dome, as well as those that includes stops at wineries and special ones like j