Emilee Lindner

Ice skating is one of America’s favorite pastimes, but did you know that ice rinks weren’t always made of ice? Fun fact: Before the invention of refrigerated ice rinks, people used a mixture of hog lard and salt for a short period of time. Sounds… oily. Nevertheless, the artificially frozen ice rink came into fashion in the late 19th century and has stuck around ever since. So what is it about ice skating that makes us continue to lace up our skates decade after decade? Perhaps it’s the love of the challenge (a.k.a. trying to stay upright), or maybe it’s the soft swish of your blades gliding over the ice, or maybe it’s time spent with friends and family. Below, you’ll find the best options for skating when you have the hankering to flex your skills (or just wipe out a few dozen times in front of your besties). But hey—at least you’re not falling in a pool of lard anymore! Here are the best ice skating rinks in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in the U.S.

While some snowbirds like to migrate down South for the winter, real New Yorkers know where to have a good time once the snowflakes start to fall. New York State has the best holiday events, spanning Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and more! In fact, some might say that New York State brings the most cheer—even when we’re buried under two feet of snow. And listen, of course New York City has the best holiday traditions (the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree are just two examples). But upstaters know how to celebrate, too. We’re talking polar plunges, massive carolcades and major light shows. It’s worth noting that New York State has a number of traditions that have gone on to become favorite American pastimes, and even world-renowned. Did you know the Turkey Trot originated in Buffalo, New York? Learn more about that and more New York holiday events below, and stay North this winter!

The most haunted places in America are situated among us. In fact, many of the following spooky sites still operate as functioning hotels and vacation destinations. So, what ghoulishness awaits you in your neck of the woods? You might want to scan this list to see if your hometown ghosts pop up. For the hard-core ghost hunters out there, the U.S. is rife with hauntings. From 17th-century witch houses to gothic cemeteries to the woodlands of New Jersey, reported hauntings are not only local legend but they’ve spread their spine-tingling lore to the rest of the world, too. Thankfully for you, most of these places offer ghost tours. (Except for the White House—they’ve got more important things going on.) Are you ready for the next chapter in your ghost story? Grab your EMF reader and a sack of salt and try exploring one of the most haunted places in the U.S.

Visiting the biggest and best corn mazes in America has quickly become a fall tradition. Who doesn’t love trekking through miles and miles of corn fields with only the sun to guide you? Turns out, corn mazes in 2025 have a lot more to offer than just corn and the beaten path. The labyrinths we’ve researched have full-blown themes and technology components. GPS navigation? Check. Trivia contests? Check. Apple cannons, kettle corn, pumpkin picking, beer, train rides and more? Ch-ch-check-ity check check. Whether they’re carved out by farmers’ carefully mapped designs or organized by an advanced planting system, each maze is worth a gander. Spend hours adventuring through the husks and stalks with friends and family, or hey, just look at pictures of the intricate mazes online (they look a-maize-ing from an aerial view!) Are you ready to take on the challenge? It’s time to visit the best corn mazes in America.. RECOMMENDED: The best places to see fall foliage in the U.S.

This is it, folks. For Halloween, you either go big (we’re talking kooky costumes, planned excursions, giant pumpkins, full-size candy bars) or you sit home, wishing you had more than a bowlful of Smarties to celebrate. Halloween in America is not a low-effort drill. And no one knows this better than the volunteers, organizers, and attendees of these epic Halloween events. So let’s plan ahead this year, shall we? Book that trip to a haunted city, craft that scary costume or get to a pumpkin show before it sells out! Here are a few ideas for you: Get some friends together to build and race a coffin in Colorado (yes, that’s really a thing). Or learn the “Thriller” dance in time to make it out to the Lexington, Kentucky, or New York City Halloween parades. Go full camp and dress to impress at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. There are always lots of options when it comes to the best Halloween events in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The most haunted places in America

Whether you have two months, two weeks, or 24 hours to plan a gift (it happens!), lucky for you, there are some quick and cheap options out there for flower delivery. All you have to do is browse a website, choose from some absolutely stunning bouquets, and wait for your loved one to gush about their botanical beauties. Birthday, Valentine’s Day, anniversary—no matter the occasion, the following websites have pretty posies in totally affordable tiers. And you don’t even have to deliver them yourself. Happy flower shopping, friends! Here are the best cheap flower delivery services in the USA. RECOMMENDED: 🍫 Complete your gift with the best chocolate shops in the USA How do we know it's the best of the best? Our lists are expertly curated by our local experts far and wide to offer you the lowdown on the best delivery services. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Everyone has their own idea of what Chinese food is in America. Drive through any town in the country and you’ll be able to find the classic egg rolls, lo mein, beef and broccoli, General Tso’s, fortune cookies and so on. And trust—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! But if you know where to look, you can find authentic dishes from centuries-old recipes, modern takes on beloved treasures, and fresh produce and made-from-scratch sauces worthy of Michelin stars. Ready to expand your palate? Give your taste buds a treat by visiting the following restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a chef’s table experience, an upscale eatery, or an entirely veganized menu, there’s something for everyone. Now it’s up to you: Will you go for the noodles or the dumplings? Have your decision ready when you eat at the best Chinese restaurants in the United States.

Sometimes chocolates speak louder than words. Just make sure your chocolate delivery is saying the right thing. With these American chocolatiers, you’ve got options for a full slate of statements. For example: Want to say I love you? Go for a milky truffle.What to get sultry? Send a dark chocolate with some sort of fruity filling.Want to make friends? Try something nutty.Want to celebrate a milestone? Order a colorful batch of treats.Want to say thank you? Opt for a chocolate subscription box. Whatever your reason—hey, maybe you’re just ordering an assortment for yourself!—these chocolates give you a range of options. From cutesy to colorful to crazy, each chocolatier has a signature flair that gives their product its own personality. Now, it’s just time for you to play chocolate matchmaker. Ready? It’s time to discover the best chocolate shops in the USA. RECOMMENDED: 💐 The best cheap flower delivery services in the USA🎄 The best Christmas candy in the U.S. for sweet holiday treats🏩 The 12 most romantic hotels in the U.S. How do we know it's the best of the best? Our lists are curated by our expert writers to offer you the lowdown on the best delivery services in the USA. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

New Year’s Eve in the U.S. is more than watching balls drop. It’s also about seeing a 400-pound chick lower and other bizarre New Year’s Eve traditions. You see, America really lets its freak flag fly when it comes to ringing in the New Year. We lean into our superstitions and harness our oddball customs as part of our countdowns. If you’re loyal to the Times Square celebration, might we interest you in other special, kooky “drops” that feature absurdly large items lowered at midnight? As you’ll see below, these celebratory totems lean into the locale’s eccentric spirit and represent something about the town’s unique industry, traditions, or history. After all, it’s already strange enough to stay up past midnight just to watch time go by, so why not take it over the top? Dive into the weirdest New Year’s traditions in the USA and maybe you’ll have a few things to add to your bucket list. RECOMMENDED: 19 weird landmarks in the U.S. that are worth a visit

You’ve decided you want a winter getaway, but everyone’s kind of “meh” about driving. On these winter train rides across the USA, everyone in your group can relax, cozy up with a warm beverage, and watch the snowy landscape pass—nary a traffic care. Train travel not only takes away the responsibility of driving, but it allows riders to see more of the country, with all its snow-capped mountains, blanketed fields, and frosty trees glittering in the sunlight. In one trip, you can chug along from Seattle to Chicago, taking in the majesty of Glacier National Park, with many naps between. Or you can opt for a shorter trek, sitting back while you travel toward a weekend ski trip. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun, a romantic voyage with your partner, or a solo day of escaping reality, build your bucket list below with these best winter train rides in the USA. RECOMMENDED: The best train rides for seriously gorgeous views  

What’s the best Christmas candy to enjoy during the holidays? Well, quite simply, it’s chocolatey, shaped like an icon, and perfect for stuffing in that stocking of yours. But before we reveal that top spot of our very definitive, very official candy list, let’s first appreciate all the treats that make Christmas so wonderful. Eating bonbons for breakfast is a holiday tradition invented by Santa himself (why else would he sneak so many of those individually wrapped peppermint Kisses into your sock?). So whether you’re an old-school ribbon candy and candy cane kind of guy, or a modern-day gummy gal, honor the time-tested tradition by sugaring up. Whether you prefer classic Christmas confections or coal—yes, there’s coal-themed candy—there’s so much to choose from. So what are you going to snap when you jingle-jangle down that red, green, holly jolly candy aisle? Take it from us: you need to stock up on the best Christmas candy in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in the USAThe best Christmas stores in the U.S.The best Christmas towns in the USA

Restaurants in Niagara Falls, Canada, represent the breadth of everything Ontario has to offer—from farm-fresh produce to those crisp Niagara wine country beverages to romantic scenery and diverse cuisines. A tourist town once plagued with fast food has been revolutionized by local chefs committed to the quality of the region. While Niagara Falls serves as a tourists' playground, there are food options for anyone in your group. You’ve got your filet-mignon-fine-dining establishments, your burger-and-a-beer breweries, and, of course, the piece de resistance of Canadian culture: poutine. What will you choose? The contemporary Indian place, the seafood restaurant, or the revolving dining room of the Skylon? Your taste buds await your decision as you plan out your visit to the best restaurants in Niagara Falls. RECOMMENDED: The 13 natural wonders of the U.S. that are seriously stunningThe highest (and coolest!) observation decks in the USA At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.