Virginia Gil

Whether you’re visiting Miami for the holiday or a local looking to escape the chaos of cooking at home for a change, this city is filled with delicious options for celebrating Thanksgiving in style. For 2023, many of Miami’s best restaurants have gone all out for the food-centric kick-off to the holiday season, serving up a variety of prix-fixe meals, themed dishes and festive cocktails that require zero clean-up and little to no effort (aside from keeping your pants button from popping open). As much as we love grandma’s mashed potatoes or look forward to dad’s smoked turkey each year, let’s give the family chef something else to be thankful for: Thanksgiving dinner reservations. Here’s where to find the best Thanksgiving dinners in Miami—and a few great lunches and brunches, too. RECOMMENDED: The best bagels in Miami, from old-school delis to new classics

Thanks to all of the fantastic attractions, restaurants and bars, Miami will drain your bank account if you’re not careful. That’s why finding a good cheap hotel can make all the difference when you're embarking upon a budget vacation here. But we’re not talking about slumming it at moldy old motels with suspiciously stained mattresses. Instead, you can discover wallet-friendly lodgings all over the city that feature enchanting hidden cocktail bars and even gorgeous MiMo-style architecture. Some are within walking distance of the best beaches in the city and others will have you just around the corner from the best brunches. So of all the best cheap hotels in Miami, which is the best fit for your vacay? Let’s pick your perfect stay… RECOMMENDED: The best boutique hotels in Miami Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Vibra Urbana Miami, the largest reggaeton music festival in the United States, lights up Miami for another winter, this time shifting from December to February and bringing with it another all-star lineup of Latin heat. Though the artist roster for this year's event has yet to be released, fans of el perreo can expect more than 40 artists to hit the outdoor stage across two days, including award-winning acts from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba and beyond. Founded by Miami natives, the homegrown festival debuted in February 2020 and has since expanded to include Las Vegas and Orlando. From tickets to venue information and more, here’s what you can expect from Vibra Urbana Miami 2024. When is Vibra Urbana Miami 2024? The festival takes place on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18. How much are the tickets? A two-day general admission ticket ranges from $159 to $189 plus fees. A two-day general admission plus ticket, which includes private air-conditioned bathroom access and expedited entry, ranges from $249 to $269. Two-day VIP tickets range from $399 to $419 and include private bar access and a designated viewing area. Leyenda passes range from $899 to $999 and include extras like access to front-row and backstage viewing areas, a full open bar, an onsite concierge and more. Tickets can be purchased here. What’s the Vibra Urbana lineup? The initial artist lineup for the 2024 edition of the Vibra Urbana Music Festival just dropped, with Anuel AA slated to headline Saturd

When people in the rest of the country talk about the holidays, they’re usually referring to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year and the like. But here in Miami, we know the most magical time of year begins October 1 and doesn’t end until May 1. That’s when you’ll spot them on menus nearly everywhere in town: the sweet, tender, mustard-mayo-dipped little marvels we know as stone crabs in Miami.  They’re not cheap, but there are plenty of places across the city that’ll serve you delicious, fresh-caught claws ready for the cracking—you just have to know the right spots to look. Craving stone crabs in Miami? Bib up and head to these well-connected restaurants and dedicated local seafood markets to take advantage of the most magical time of year: stone crab season in Miami.  RECOMMENDED: The best waterfront restaurants in Miami

The vino movement has taken a minute to catch on in our party-loving city—most people immediately jump to Miami rooftop bars and South Beach clubs rather than a quiet night lingering over an excellent glass of Brunello. Yet here we are with a fresh spate of natural wine bars and cozy sommelier-led spots plus some great watering holes that have stepped up their game in the wine department. You'll also find plenty of spots doubling as retail wine shops, so you can stock up for later, or keep the festivities going back at home. Below, our picks of the best wine bars in Miami: inviting places to swirl and sip all kinds of wine, whether you’re an enthusiast, an aficionado or simply graduating from the boxed stuff. RECOMMENDED: The best wine shops in Miami

We call Coral Gables the “City Beautiful,” but we could easily call it the “City Delicious.” Along its manicured, terracotta-hued streets, you can enjoy croissants at Jazz Age-era cafes, close deals at a business power lunch, gather for a Miami happy hour at an independent bookshop or get cozy and catered to at a James Beard-nominated restaurant—all within minutes of each other. Seemingly out of nowhere, this historic neighborhood has become one of Miami's most exciting foodie destinations, home to numerous Michelin-recognized spots (with even more on the way, if our suspicions are correct). Here are the best restaurants to enjoy in Coral Gables right now, from neighborhood stalwarts to entirely fresh concepts. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Coral Gables

One of the greatest things about Cincinnati restaurants is the variety you’ll find across the small city. Its rich cultural history—including the German and Greek immigrants who’ve left an indelible mark on Cincy’s cuisine—Midwestern sensibility (read: comfort food capital) and proximity to the American South has led to quite a dining boom across the Queen of the West. You’ll find restaurants led by award-winning chefs and European-inspired menus pointing to Cincinnati’s deep Germanic roots, as well as dishes you won’t see anywhere else. Allspice-seasoned chili over spaghetti, anyone? Don’t knock it till you try it, along with the rest of the fantastic dishes you’ll find at the best restaurants in Cincinnati. RECOMMENDED: 🇺🇸 The best things to do in Cincinnati🏠 The best Airbnbs in Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio is a city of contradictions. The Queen City (or Queen of the West as it’s often called) has a unique spirit that matches Germanic Midwestern roots with Southern flair, small-town loyalty with cosmopolitan culture, and a river-view skyline with inland rent prices. With one proverbial foot in the industrial economy and another in the service industry, this Rust Belt-adjacent town is also one of the region’s most economically resilient. Looking for fun things to do at night? Just over the river, Newport, Kentucky is home to some of the best nightlife in the region, while the ultra-trendy Over-the-Rhine neighborhood brims with cool breweries, inviting music venues, hip wineries, and great restaurants. Add in a splash of bourbon, a backdrop of jazz, and several championship-winning sports teams, and that’s Cincy. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best things to do in Cincinnati for a taste of the eclectic Queen City. RECOMMENDED: 🍴 The best restaurants in Cincinnati🏠 The best Airbnbs in Cincinnati

November in Miami is really a sweet spot. The leaves don’t change (not like they do up north, anyway), nor do the daily temperatures really drop (read: we’re all still sunning our bums on Miami beaches), but the city does take on a decidedly more celebratory spirit as we sprint toward the holidays. By now, the city is embracing all things fall, making the obligatory pilgrimages to pumpkin patches across Miami and getting hyped for the festive season thanks to the many Christmas lights in Miami going up this month. We’ve only just skimmed the surface. Below, peruse our running list of November events in Miami that should absolutely be in your calendar. RECOMMENDED: Miami events calendar

Few neighborhoods in Miami can claim to attract both locals and tourists, balance the charm of tree-lined suburbs with the pulse and energy of a bustling city, and draw in all ages and walks of life—from University of Miami students to fashionable abuelas. Coconut Grove is simply in a league of its own. Whether you’re an O.G. Grove-goer who grew up playing beer pong at ‘Cudas or you’re new to the ’hood, it’s impossible not to appreciate all that this quintessential Miami enclave has to offer.  Coconut Grove continues to level up while staying true to its roots, mixing decades-long traditions like festivals and farmers’ markets with new spots where people can enjoy a standout meal, retail therapy or drinks with a view. So go ahead and discover your new favorite happy hour, bookstore or just a bit of Miami history in Coconut Grove. Below, find our expert-vetted guide to the best things to do in Coconut Grove right now.  RECOMMENDED: Guide to Coconut Grove, Miami

October 2023: Can you feel it? Between the daily rain showers, there's a new breeze in the air signaling the beginning of fall in Miami. With the change of season comes a barrage of fun things to do around town this October, from music and food festivals to pumpkin patches, haunted houses and all manner of festive Halloween events. Below, check out all of our picks for the best things to do in Miami right now.  Locals and tourists can agree that the best things to do in Miami extend beyond lounging on the sand—though it goes without saying that spending some time on the best Miami beaches is fundamental to life in the 305. Aside from dabbling in our famous nightlife and exploring Miami's best bars, no trip to the Magic City would be complete without scoping out the booming culinary scene and our award-winning Miami restaurants. In between sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails, check off these essential Miami experiences, a mix of year-round attractions, seasonal events, cultural staples and exciting one-offs vetted by our expert editors. By the way, this list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn’t choose favorites.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without some spooks, scares and epic Halloween events in Miami. Lucky for Miamians, there are plenty of haunted places and hair-raising experiences to check out around South Florida this time of year. From fully decked-out haunted mansions to a heart-pounding carnival and an entire park overtaken by killer clowns, there's no shortage of frights to subject yourself to in the spirit of Halloween. These haunted houses are for the brave, so find your favorite costume, gather a group of friends and explore our curated guide to the top places around Miami to score your spooky season thrills and chills. RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Studios Orlando

Celebrity chefs (hundreds of them) and hungry people from around the U.S. descend on South Beach and across the city for Miami’s largest and most famous annual food festival, proceeds from which benefit Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management School. It's major. For its 23rd year, SOBEWFF offers even more big-ticket events, including another rendition of the uber-popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives LIVE! hosted by Guy Fieri, plus additional intimate dinners hosted by culinary luminaries. There will be burger battles, punch bowl socials, taco and tequila pairings, a new Noche Cubana and more food and drinks than you’ll know what to do with. Break out your stretchy pants, and buckle up, people. Various locations

This annual gathering of spooky four-legged friends is for a good cause. Even if the trick or treating, doggy costume contest, raffles and food aren’t enough to get you out the door, the fact that proceeds go to animal rescue organization Paws 4 You should. Your pets will have fun too, zipping around the doggie zone agility course and following the kids around the pumpkin patch.  

The world’s largest holiday theme park (at least according to the website) returns for its 40th season with shimmering lights, over 100 carnival rides and plenty of only-in-Miami experiences. The county-fair-meets-winter-wonderland is chock-full of roller coasters, amusement rides, carnival games, photo ops with Santa and his helpers, and an assortment of fair food—think fresh doughnuts, funnel cakes and more. 7400 NW 87th Avenue  

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is probably Miami’s most well-known. Every Saturday, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transforms an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar featuring prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut mylks. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your bounty. Along its periphery, you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. And the setup and breakdown are so fascinating to watch! Much like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up just after sunset, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.

How's this for a reality check? The Miami Book Fair celebrates its 40th edition this year! Expect the regular mix of riveting author presentations, mind-expanding conversations and even more innovative ways to honor the written word. The annual street festival is slated to take place from November 12 through 19 along the Miami-Dade College downtown campus. Check back for a preview of the best-selling authors scheduled to be in attendance.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach flies under the radar, a high-end wellness facility for guests and in-the-know locals in search of a little Zen. The spa, located on the hotel’s third floor, is compact in size but brimming with amenities and cutting-edge treatments you won’t find elsewhere. For instance, the groundbreaking JetPeel facial—which is available only at one other South Florida location—is a non-invasive treatment that uses pressurized air to combine the benefits of hydro-dermabrasion, a chemical peel and automated (painless!) extractions. The spa also offers a range of massages, designed to target all types of concerns, from soreness to tension to pregnancy- and sports-related issues. There’s a steam room, a sauna and a place to lounge while you wait to get pampered. Rushing off to the beach or an event post-treatment? There’s a small shop stocked with swimsuits (including South Florida brand Montce), accessories and dresses to get you on your way quickly.

There are so many misconceptions about Mexican food. People think it should be cheap or that it’s heavy and pork-centric. These are likely the same people who have never been to PEZ, featuring a casual new look and a tight menu conceived by Tijuana-based chef Javier Plascencia. As one of the pioneers of the region’s Baja-Med cuisine, he’s crafted a seafood-heavy selection that peppers in unusual—but tasty—surf and turf options. Take the tacos de cochipulpo, which combines pork and octopus carnitas with refried beans. And we’re big fans of the tostadas, especially the tostada de atún made with yellowfin and topped with dried shredded beef. Like any good Mexican restaurant worth its worm salt, PEZ keeps its bar stocked with high-end tequilas and mezcals, plus an assortment of lesser-known wines from Baja. It all makes for an authentic and tantalizing proposition in Downtown Miami.

“Welcome to paradise!” This is a phrase I heard repeatedly during my three-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, and no fewer than four times from the moment I exited the plane to the instant the bellhop dropped off my bags in my oceanview suite. Was it overkill? Maybe. Was it accurate? If paradise is a beachfront resort where the sunsets look Photoshopped into the sky and champagne service is available from inside the pool, I died and went to vacation heaven. Your five-star experience at the Four Seasons Anguilla begins at check-in, where the receptionist will direct you to one of the couches in the lobby for a shooter of rum punch before handing over your room keys. Then it’s off to your accommodations, which include standard resort-facing rooms, ocean-view suites and what they call residences—from a penthouse with a wrap-around balcony to a full villa with a private pool, beach access and a complimentary golf cart to zip around. I had the pleasure of an ocean-view suite, complete with a plunge pool on my balcony. It overlooked the family pool, one of the resort’s waterfront restaurants and Mead’s Bay. As someone who’s never had the luxury of a private hotel pool (editing this piece was the closest I’d been until this point), staying in this room was one of the highlights of the trip. Photograph: Courtesy Four Seasons Anguilla/Christian Horan The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla was Kelly Werstler’s first international project—a fact I

Eventually, most cool things find their way to Miami—but not before succeeding in New York City and Los Angeles first. Such is the case for Smorgasburg, the famous outdoor food market that started in Williamsburg over a decade ago and has since expanded to downtown L.A., Jersey City and beyond. Opened in the spring of 2022, Smorgasburg Miami has joined the list of locations where folks can find the country’s largest weekly open-air food market. Gaston Becherano Cohen, owner of the hospitality group Omotenashi, is at the helm of Miami’s outpost. Becherano Cohen became acquainted with Smorgasburg while a vendor at the NYC location with his business Bonsai, a Japanese shaved-ice concept he eventually expanded to a brick-and-mortar in the Lower East Side. “At its core, Smorgasburg allows vendors to launch their own successful food concept without having to take the risk and undergo the headaches associated with opening up a brick and mortar,” he says. Initial homegrown vendors of Smorgasburg Miami, including Ted's Burgers, Drinking Pig BBQ and Eleventh Street Pizza, have since gone on to garner massive acclaim, landing on multiple lists of the city's best burgers, barbecue and pizza, respectively. Aside from incubating local culinary talent, Smorgasburg Miami also hosts themed events and street food festivals, like a giant Fourth of July cookout, a Chinese New Year lantern festival and after-dark Art Basel parties, among others.

Proximity is everything when it comes to booking a hotel. You want to be close to the sights, and preferably within walking distance of bars and restaurants. Parking should also be easy if we’re driving. It’d be nice if the property offered some kind of nighttime entertainment or had a place to hang out after a long day. Basic amenities should be available round-the-clock and it’d be nice if my dog could travel with me. Are we asking for too much? Maybe, but we did find a place that ticks off most of our boxes: The Benson. The historic hotel in downtown Portland is a commanding property with 287 guest rooms located in the center of it all. It’s several blocks from Powell’s City of Books, Portland’s famous bookstore and the country’s largest; the original Voodoo Doughnut location (you won’t miss it with its continuous line snaking around the block); and a handful of excellent coffee shops. Most of the aforementioned nice-to-haves are also available at the Benson (fitness center, 24-hour business center, two restaurants, and a lobby bar), which is popular for business travelers. There are boardrooms, meeting rooms and ballrooms—you’ll see groups, wedding parties, conventions and regular travelers like ourselves who wound up here over a long holiday weekend. The hotel was busy given the occasion but it never felt crowded. Even on a Friday night with the lobby brimming with guests watching the live piano performance, the room felt cozy rather than crammed. It’s the same for the p

Supper clubs and Cuban restaurants are aplenty in Miami but a combination of the two is, surprisingly, rare. Calle Dragones on Calle Ocho aims to fill that void with an entertainment-fueled dining experience that’ll have you dancing at the table in between bites of roasted lechón. Its name derives from an iconic street in Havana’s Chinatown and, as such, the menu is a mix of Asian-influenced Cuban cuisine and somewhat traditional dishes reimagined to chef/partner Luis Pous’ estimation of what the country’s culinary landscape might be had it evolved alongside the rest of the world's. His vision translates into crab fricasé with Thai sofrito, crispy wontons stuffed with lobster, lechón dumplings and a Chino Latino fried rice served with chunks of pork and maduros. The cocktail program here is performative but doesn’t lack substance: you’re paying $23 for a stiff, flavorful drink that also looks good set on the table and posted to your Instagram feed. For instance, the Ave Fenix, their take on a dirty martini, is made tableside—mad-scientist-style—in a coffee siphon and served with a medley of pickled garnishes on the side. The real show, however, is on stage. Calle Dragones welcomes new entertainers for a different theme each night: flamenco on Thursdays, Havana nights on Fridays, salsa disco on Saturdays and carnaval on Sundays when the entertainment runs all day long. 

Hotels designed around a particular setting are abundant, but not every property captures the nuances of a place as well as The Kimpton Palladian. The Belltown property is a reimagined downtown landmark from 1910 whose bold architecture, kitschy design and 97 well-appointed rooms serve as subtle reminders of Seattle’s past—shimmering accents to take you back to the gold rush, raw wood harkening to the timber industry days and a fantastic sound system, lest you forget you’re in the birthplace of grunge. It’s a few blocks from the busy Pike Place Market but don’t expect to see a swarm of tourists in this lobby. During our stay, we encountered a few return visitors, several families with dogs (it’s a pet-friendly hotel) and first-time guests like ourselves gathered for the free wine happy hour that takes place daily from 5 to 6pm. It’s a thing across all Kimpton properties (so take note), as well as complimentary umbrellas and bike rentals, and a plants pal program that allows guests to check out a plant to keep in their room during their stay. Traveling with an infant made it impossible to care for one more thing while on vacation but we did opt for another relevant perk: a playard with a changing table. Kimpton Palladian has a partnership with 4moms to provide guests with all kinds of baby gear free of charge, including an infant seat and a tub with a built-in thermometer. It’s a real treat when you’re already toting a stroller, a car seat, a diaper bag and a week’s worth of s

Every year, Time Out surveys thousands of city-dwellers about the places they live, getting the scoop on nightlife, dining, arts and culture and what makes their cities tick. The annual Time Out Index results give us incredible insight into where people are going out, how often they’re hitting the town, what places are actually cool and the general livability in the world’s top areas. It’s also where we draw from to come up with our annual list of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world, which is out today. Nine North American cities made the cut this year, including two in Canada and several of the U.S.’s most-populated urban areas. The neighborhoods featured are incredible places to be right now. It’s where you’ll find excellent restaurants and top-notch nightlife, world-class museums and award-winning bars. The top neighborhood in North America is none other than Mid-City in New Orleans. An area not far from the famous French Quarter, Mid-City comes alive during the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival and is home to the city’s most well-known beignets at Cafe du Monde—a must-stop during any visit to New Orleans. Los Angeles’ impossibly cool Downtown Arts District also made the list with its booming food and drink scene—this is the place to go if you want excellent, top-rated meals in L.A. Speaking of dining, Miami’s Coral Gables neighborhood is brimming with restaurants by award-winning chefs, including Bouchon’s Thomas Keller, Beauty and the Butcher’s Jeremy Ford and Nive

Earth is experiencing two major eclipses in October, but not everyone in the U.S. will have a good view of the action. The first celestial occurrence takes place on October 14, when an annular solar eclipse will be visible from eight states in the southwestern U.S.  This type of solar eclipse is also called a "ring of fire," when the moon moves slightly away from Earth and creates a thin, glowing circle around the sun. The best place to see the "ring of fire" is Texas but seven other states will have a good view, including Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Sightings will begin in Oregon at approximately 9:20am PDT and continue until about noon CDT in southeastern Texas.  As with any solar eclipse, wearing the proper eyewear is paramount. Regular sunglasses won't cut it if you're trying to look directly into the sun. You'll need special eyewear for solar events, so be sure to procure a pair before next Saturday.  On October 28, a partial lunar eclipse—the second of 2023—will occur over most of Africa, Europe and Asia. Sadly, folks in the U.S. will not be able to see the moon enter into Earth's shadow. However, if seeing a partial lunar eclipse is on your bucket list, there's still time to book a last-minute trip abroad. 

Amtrak is slated to make several improvements to its railroad system in the coming years, including overhauling its overnight trains, resuming service in the Gulf Coast and turning up the speed on a popular Midwestern route. Unfortunately, updating its high-speed train service is seemingly not one of them for now. Amtrak’s $2.5 billion plan to replace its Acela fleet with 28 new trains along its busiest rail stations from Washington, D.C. and Boston is more than two years behind schedule and facing further delays, revealed a 38-page report by Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General. The audit cites complications in the federal approval process and escalating costs for the setbacks. French manufacturing company Alstom was hired to develop the fleet and, so far, the trains they’ve delivered have not passed muster. According to Amstrak’s inspector general, the new trains have design flaws, failed computer testing and did not meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements. The report says Amtrak has already spent $1.6 billion on the project, with improvements to its legacy rails (some nearly 200 years old) partly the reason for the rising costs. In a statement published by the Washington Post, Alstom spokesman Clifford Cole said the company is working with the FRA and Amtrak to get through the certification process and meet FRA requirements. Additionally, he notes that Amtrak authorized every train released despite the report highlighting their “defects.” The project was sl

Spanglish is still the dominant language, 15 minutes late is still on time and driving down I-95 is still one of the most harrowing experiences a person can have on four wheels. There are just some Miami truisms that will never change. But like the rest of the world, this city is constantly evolving—many would argue faster than average, especially as Florida’s population growth continues to explode. Lately, we’ve found ourselves asking: Do we still have to wear six-inch stilettos to the club? Is the BBL our new beauty standard? And is soccer finally having its moment here? In an effort to make sense of it all, we spent some time taking stock of the true essence of Miami as it stands right now and came up with these, the new rules of living in Miami. RECOMMENDED: How not to be a dick in Miami 1. OnlyFans is a legitimate career path. A recent study dubbed Miami the OnlyFans capital of the U.S., with the highest number of “models” residing right here in the Magic City (nearly 5,000 at the time the study was conducted). The 18+ subscription platform empowers creators to monetize their content, with some earning upwards of $9,000 a month.  2. Do not, under any circumstance, mention New York.  *TW: NYC* For reasons we’ll elaborate on below, just don’t. Don’t ask how us how the Miami Carbone compares to New York’s. Don’t tell us about the cool new bar you found that’s “just like that one in Brooklyn.” And definitely don’t ask us to recommend the best neighborhoods to buy in. Photog

There’s so much build-up surrounding a vacation. Where will you go, what meals are you most excited to eat and which magnificent sites will you see? Even if you’re not the attractions type, there’s no way to avoid specific tourist sites, no matter how off-the-beaten-path your trip might be, and you may not want to. Did you really go to Paris if you didn’t visit the Eiffel Tower? Not in our book. Though for every worthwhile Mona Lisa, there’s a Corn Palace you will absolutely want to skip. The people of Reddit have some strong opinions about tourist traps, specifically the ones you should absolutely avoid the next time you find yourself sightseeing in America. These are the spots you’ll want to leave off the itinerary, according to Reddit users. 1. South of the Border | Hamer, SC This over-the-top rest area in South Carolina sits just below the North Carolina border (hence the name) and marled the halfway point between Florida and New York back when people drove between these two cities. It’s still fun for kids who marvel at the massive sombrero and can sneak in a ride at the amusement park, but most adults grumble at the thought of stopping here for a photo underneath the giant Mexican hat or a souvenir. 2. The original Starbucks | Seattle, WA The first Starbucks store along the cobblestone street near Pike Place Market is a mecca for coffee lovers patient enough to wait in line for basically the same coffee they could have at any other Starbucks. In fairness, this one carrie

When was the last time you spent time in nature? Like, really got out there, went off the radar and connected with Earth? If it's been that long then it's time you took advantage of free entrance days in the U.S. national parks. This Saturday, September 23, happens to be one of those days when the National Park Service waives admission to all of its magnificent green spaces, including the major ones—Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Acadia and Zion, to name a few. There are 63 national parks in total, so you'll have plenty of reasons to get out in nature this weekend. The National Park Service offers free admission five times a year, and this Saturday is one of them. September 23 is also National Public Lands, established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. It's one of the country's largest volunteer efforts, encouraging connection between people and green spaces and inspiring environmental stewardship. With that said, visitors to the park this weekend—and every day—are urged to Leave No Trace, a shared outdoor phrase encompassing principles meant to inspire folks to leave nature as unchanged by their presence as possible.  Whether volunteering at a park or communing with nature, enjoy the free outdoor activity!  

The inaugural list of The World's 50 Best Hotels was just announced in a ceremony in London and the United States has reason to celebrate. Aman New York was ranked no. 25 in the world. Considered the most expensive hotel in New York, the extremely luxurious property opened within the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue last summer, bringing unprecedented opulence to the already high-end neighborhood. It boasts a total of 83 suites, a massive space sprawled over three floors with an indoor 20-meter pool, 10 treatment rooms, fitness facilities and two Spa Houses. Plus, hot and cold plunge pools and an outdoor terrace with a cabana, daybed and fireplace. There are two signature restaurants (Italian dining concept Arva and Japanese eatery Nama) and a jazz club hosting daily live performances. Should you want to make this lifestyle permanent, Aman New York offers 22 branded private residences.  The hotel is the third Aman property in the U.S., following Wyoming and Utah. The newest of the three certainly caught the attention of the World's 50 Best folks, who based their first-ever hotel list on outstanding hotel experiences worldwide. The ranking reflects the top travel experiences of 580 anonymous voters, including a mix of hoteliers, journalists and seasoned industry vets. Any hotel worldwide is eligible for votes and doesn't have to fit any criteria. Photograph: Robert Rieger Equinox Hotel New York in Hudson Yards was the second U.S. property to make the coveted ranking, coming in

If your wallet is still reeling from the weekend, we have some good news: McDonald's cheeseburgers are only $.50 today. If your brain is also reeling from the weekend, let us do the math for you. That's more than 80% off the regular price of a cheeseburger, which runs about $2.80 on a normal day. The reason for the extremely generous discount? National Cheeseburger Day, September 18. Cheeseburgers will go back to their regular price tomorrow, bummer.  Those of a certain age might remember McDonald's weekly $.39 cheeseburger special in the early aughts. Basically, the best deal in town if you were a hungry teenager living off your parents' allowance, as this writer was. Considering the current inflation rates, 50-cent cheeseburgers is a very good deal. If you haven't had one in a while, the classic cheeseburger is one of the best menu items at McDonald's—its unique flavor combo of salty pickles and sweet ketchup offers a tasty burst of nostalgia.  While no purchase is necessary to receive the discount, customers must order via the McDonald's mobile app to snag the deal. The app is free, so you could be looking at lunch or dinner for less than a buck today. You're welcome. 

Are you tired of working 12-hour days? Is your six-day workweek cramping your style? Well, there’s a better way to live—though you might have to move halfway around the world to find it. Wellington, New Zealand, the nation’s capital, is among the world’s most walkable cities and offers a lower cost of living and better work-life balance than other metropolises. It's also looking to grow its population. ESC to Wellington is a new recruitment campaign by the Wellington Region’s Economic Development Agency that’s aimed at getting people from the U.S. and the UK to move to the New Zealand capital. Promos for the program tout all of the benefits of living in the progressive city, from excellent public transportation to a surplus of career opportunities—there are currently 3,000 openings in a range of fields, from tech to business to the medical field. Some jobs even qualify for resident visas, making the transition to NZ easier than moving to a different state. According to the campaign’s website, Wellington is a cultural hub with a flourishing restaurant scene and a packed calendar of events. It’s also a UNESCO City of Film with lots to do outdoors. If any of that convinces you to relocate to the southwestern tip of NZ’s North Island, the next step of your journey starts by signing up for more information on WellingtonNZ’s website. A move across the world might be the only antidote to the U.S. real estate market. Well played, New Zealand. Well played.

We all want to fly first class, sit back in the Ride Alto and sail through security and customs, but life doesn’t always pan out the way we want. Airfare is expensive and fancy car services will burn a hole in your wallet before you know it. Still, there are other ways to live the high life when we travel with the help of simple extras that elevate the airport and hotel experience without paying a fortune to upgrade. We found a whole Reddit thread dedicated to these tiny improvements, some of which are hacks, really, for people looking to level up their next trip with little to no effort. Here are our picks of the most useful tips shared. 1. Pack two toothbrushes, one to use while you’re at your destination and a second to keep in your bag should you forget to pack one for your next trip, which you probably will. 2. Keep your passport in the exact same place every time you travel and you will never lose it again. 3. Always keep your toiletry bag packed and you’ll never forget to pack it. 4. Bring a small case that fits into the seat pocket on planes and fill it with everything you might need during your flight: a phone charger, headphones, lip gloss, medication, and an eye mask. 5. Invest in packing cubes. There’s no better way to stay organized and you’ll easily find everything in your suitcase. 7. Drop a geotag in your luggage. You’ll be able to track it anywhere as long as you have a signal. This is especially useful for connecting flights. 8. Wear compression socks on a l

Airbnb is the place you look for unconventional accommodations. Celebrity guesthouses? You’ll find them. Rooms dangerously close to a bar? They’ve got those too. Now, for all of you wishing to take your coastal grandmother aesthetic one step further this summer, this historic lighthouse on Lake Superior in Michigan is just the place to break out your crisp linen outfits and cardigans. Eagle River Lighthouse was built in 1855 entirely of red stone and decommissioned in 1909. Since then, it’s been under private ownership and now accepting reservations. The restored three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home can accommodate up to six guests and it’s packed with all kinds of modern amenities. You’ll want to curl up with a book in the all-season sunroom, whip up something tasty in the large gourmet kitchen and spend time wandering around the grounds, which are just steps away from Lake Superior. Round out your romantic comedy stay with a walk along the beach, stargazing and a stroll through the charming historic village of Eagle River. Guests also rave about the sunsets here. According to the listing, “Everything is included for a comfortable stay. All you need are groceries and a relaxed state of mind…” and maybe a cardigan. National Lighthouse Day is August 7 but who says you can't celebrate the made-up holiday all summer long? Click here to book. Photograph: Airbnb

The proliferation of Omakase across the city continues with Shingo, a shiny new spot that opens in Coral Gables tonight. Chef Shingo Akikuni’s eponymous restaurant is located inside the iconic La Palma building, a historic property in the midst of a renaissance as it prepares to welcome Thomas Keller’s Bouchon at some point this year. First, though, is Shingo, and there’s a lot about it you’ve likely encountered before. The unassuming entrance, the restrained elegance of Japanese design, the intimate experience and perhaps even the chef, who some might recognize from Michelin-starred Hiden where he previously worked. There’s also quite a bit different and new about Shingo. For its apparent simplicity, Shingo’s aesthetic took years to conceive and come together—the 850-square-foot space was entirely designed and constructed by expert woodworkers in Kyto, who then deconstructed it and reassembled it in Miami. This includes building the Hinoki-wood, L-shaped counter, a striking reminder of Japanese culture. The material, which is considered sacred, only grows wild in Japan and Taiwan. The smaller bits are unique and memorable too, like the adorable chopstick holders fashioned in the shapes of various food (mine was an oyster) and the ceramic plates dotted with flamingos, palm leaves and other tropical motifs, which were specifically made for the Miami restaurant by Kyoto-based ceramicist Shin Murata. Photograph: Courtesy Shingo   None of it is meant to distract you from the fo