Erika Mailman

Every good vacation should include a trip to an art museum. Contemporary art grabs our attention with groundbreaking ideas and new uses of materials, and there’s true pleasure to be had in contemplating the old masters and mistresses, particularly if it’s a work we recognize from popular culture or the cover of our art history textbook. Most art museums today offer immersive exhibits that engage you more than a two-dimensional painting: soundgardens, digital art that responds to your touch or presence, VR worlds you don goggles to enter. And while we don’t have the Mona Lisa, the U.S. has incredible world-class institutions that pull visitors from all over the world. Here are our top 43 art museums in the country. Note: prices listed are for adults; most institutions offer discounts for seniors, students, children, visitors with disabilities and residents of the city/state, and many add a surcharge for visiting temporary exhibitions—check each museum’s website for details. RECOMMENDED: The weirdest museums in the U.S.10 immersive experiences in the U.S.

All across San Francisco, amazing restaurants beckon. In every neighborhood, small eateries abound, while larger places dotted over the city expertly handle crowds. Because of California’s orchards, farms and seacoast, a variety of ultrafresh ingredients find their way to menus and to your plate. Besides the restaurants that have earned Michelin stars, a larger number do their magic of making diners appreciate the three times a day that we pause to fuel our bodies and delight our senses. Dishes can be plated so beautifully that “the camera eats first,” or they can be served no-nonsense–style to diners who ply their forks immediately. This list includes restaurants we’ve tried all across the city and of varied cuisines: American, Japanese, Mexican, Mediterranean, vegetarian, Italian, Indian, seafood, French, Argentinian and Chinese, among others. As for your culinary journey across San Francisco: Try new places, continue to patronize your favorites and incorporate restaurant visits into your weekly routine, if you can. By supporting our hardworking chefs and servers, we’ll ensure that they continue to thrive and keep making San Francisco a foodie’s paradise. July 2025: Time Out has reformatted its food and beverage features, so back in April we started our once-lengthy San Francisco list over afresh with 11 spots—and now we’re adding five more. Unfortunately, one restaurant fell off our list: Luce, inside the InterContinental Hotel, has closed after 17 years. We’re now also as

Few water features strike the perfect balance between thrill and chill like a lazy river. What's more, cruising down one is among the most satisfying ways to unwind—no agenda, no hurry, just a slow drift through calm waters, often paired with spectacular scenery like waterfalls or lush landscaping.  From rooftop rivers in bustling cities to winding streams tucked into mountain resorts, lazy rivers have become beloved centerpieces at hotels, resorts and water parks across the U.S. Some are designed for pure chill; others throw in fun twists like wave sections or swim-up bars. Ahead, our favorite lazy rivers in the USA that are worth the ride. RECOMMENDED: The best indoor water parks in the U.S. to slide all year long

This vibrant neighborhood is full of busy shopkeepers, produce markets, bustling restaurants and plenty of visitors aiming cameras at beautifully Instagrammable architectural features—the most iconic being the green-roofed Dragon’s Gate. You’ll also find red lanterns and flags draped across streets, and dramatic paint colors used for signs and structures. San Franciso’s Chinatown is the nation’s oldest and largest Chinatown, settled by immigrants lured by the Gold Rush’s siren call. Although much of it burned during the 1906 earthquake and fire, the neighborhood was rebuilt. Today its 30 blocks draw locals and visitors alike to enjoy this spirited Chinese culture. RECOMMENDED:🥟 The best dim sum in San Francisco🍽️ The best restaurants in San Francisco👗 The best thrift stores in San Francisco📍 The best things to do in San Francisco🍳 The best brunch in San Francisco

Rainy day or not, a visit to one of San Francisco’s museums yields happy results because the places where you find art and artifacts can be zany or serious, depending on your mood. San Francisco has several world-class art museums as well as some smaller collections that do a deep dive on fascinating and specific topics. For instance, we have one of only two museums devoted to Walt Disney the man (the other is in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri). Our Cable Car Museum lets you actually see the huge circulating mechanisms that drive the cable cars. Right by the waterfront, the Musée Mécanique has a warehouse full of turn of the century dioramas, which you can animate by feeding them a quarter, while the Beat Museum provides an insider’s look at a literary movement. Want to get hands-on and feel your way through some science? There are several places to do that, including the Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park and the Exploratorium along the Embarcadero. Now that most kids are out of school, some of these museums offer summer camps for kids—we especially have our eye on the Cartoon Art Museum’s selections. Here’s our list of the finest museums in San Francisco. Prices given below are for general admission; special exhibitions usually involve a separate charge. Many are free or discounted for San Francisco residents, and many have monthly free days or pay-what-you-can days. We totally recommend looking into NARM membership; some of these sites belong. RECOMMENDED:📍 The

A city unlike any other and immediately recognizable in photographs, San Francisco reigns supreme as a fun metropolis with offbeat choices of how to spend your time. If you’re an outdoor person, you have scads of hiking trails and water activities to pick from—and just walking our famously steep streets is an adventure in itself. If you trend towards quieter times indoors, you’ll love a contemplative afternoon exploring the many museums we offer. If a tipsy ramble through the city appeals, we have tons of great bars, including ones perched on rooftops for those exquisite city views. When you get hungry, there are a ridiculous amount of incredible restaurants (we picked out our 11 favorites last month, and there are 28 Michelin starred ones as well). There’s a fantastic zoo, some wild architecture, a park far larger than New York’s Central Park packed with tons of great things to do, iconic hotels and neighborhoods like Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Haight that each convey their own personality. Wherever your explorations take you, you're bound to have a memorable time with these things to do in San Francisco. June 2025: This month we’ve added a symphonic production of David Bowie’s album Blackstar, two hilarious dating shows and an immersive yoga experience. Plus: We hardly have to say it, but this month is Pride in our beautiful city with all the epic celebrations you expect and a magnificent, gigantic parade! And don’t miss the free drag shows every Friday this month with the

Zoos provide an amazing chance to connect with wildlife and develop empathy. Who can’t be moved to protect wildlife after watching newborn lemurs energetically play with each other? Or after seeing the placid stare of a tiger or pop-up nature of the prairie dogs? Zoos let us see animals that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to see without traveling across the world, and most zoos do their best to provide habitats that give animals humane treatment and a safe place to roam with as much space as possible. Often, the funds raised by zoos can pay for captive breeding programs that protect endangered species. There are even some species that are extinct in the wild but still living within zoos, such as the Przewalski's horse (can be found in the San Francisco Zoo, among others), Père David's deer (can be found in the Bronx Zoo and others) and the Guam kingfisher (can be found in the St. Louis Zoo and others). Here are the best zoos in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: ⛰️ The best outdoor adventures in the U.S.🌍 The best camping in the U.S.

Often, a train takes you where the freeway doesn’t, giving you spectacular views you can’t see otherwise. You roll through the countryside where herds of elk graze or go through back regions of national parks with a vantage point all your own. While the train lets you doze off, read a book or scroll your phone (so long as Wi-Fi works) because someone else is at the wheel, odds are you’ll instead be glued to the window, unwilling to miss a single picturesque thing that floats by. But not all trains are created equal. While some traverse uninteresting corridors, others earn the title of a “scenic” railway. We’re most interested in those, and the chance to make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination...or maybe the train ride really is the destination. That’s especially the case with trains that focus on luxury. Here’s our list of the most scenic train rides across the United States. (Unless otherwise stated, prices below are for one-way travel).

San Francisco’s got a lot to offer families. Besides the usual fun things you’d expect in a city of a certain size (a wonderful municipal zoo, great science museums), San Francisco has some things you can only do here: ride the bright red cable cars, visit a pirate supply store, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and watch 1800s animated dioramas spring to life. There are plenty of vantage points to show your kids the incredible beauty of the bay, including the Presidio Tunnel Tops with 14 acres of playspace with the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge for every cartwheel and Frisbee toss. And while at the end of the day mom or dad might want to slide into a chair for a Michelin-starred restaurant experience, here is our list of best cheap eats to make this family vacation more affordable. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco  

There’s a reason people travel here from all over the world. We have incredible views, world-class dining, diverse neighborhoods, a park in walking distance from every home, hiking trails overlooking bay and ocean waters, spectacular museums and stunning architecture. A bridge or underground BART train leads you to the fabulous towns of Oakland and Berkeley, or you can take a ferry or the Golden Gate Bridge north to beautiful Sausalito and the wine country cities of Napa and Sonoma. Heading south, you’ll find San Jose and other tech cities. The entire Bay Area welcomes you with memorable experiences like kayaking, visiting brewpubs, tasting your way through Michelin-starred restaurants and perching on a rooftop bar to fondly regard the picture postcard vista below you. Here are a few of our don’t-miss activities to make sure you really get the best of the Bay Area. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San Francisco

Here in the City by the Bay, there’s always something cooking, whether it’s a jaunt across the elevated playspace of the 14-acre Presidio Tunnel Tops, taking an urban hike across the Golden Gate Bridge, celebrating gay culture in the Castro neighborhood, dancing yourself into a frenzy or chilling to incredible music. There’s always a festival of some sort unfolding, and one of the best things is that many of these events are free. We’ve put together our picks for the best things to do in San Francisco this weekend (you can check the website for each event for further details). Now: Grab that weekend by the horns! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco

A train is already a luxurious thing as we sit back and let someone else whisk us past beautiful landscapes and drift into a lulled sleep. But some trains make the experience even more extraordinary by offering little touches to upscale the ride. That may be special food delivered to your seat, a glass of champagne to sip, velvet upholstery, huge windows that open up the view or service that adds that extra level of indulgence. Here is our list of the best luxury train rides in the U.S., plus some extra information about what to expect for travel time and pricing. RECOMMENDED: 13 weird and funky train rides to experience across America

What is it: A hotel brand so iconic it even has a song in its honor—"Puttin’ on the Ritz," if you remember the 1980s hit. Why we love it: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, provides a stay that feels like you’ve checked something off your bucket list. From the moment you enter, you’re aware of the history and elegance of this Forbes five star and AAA five diamond hotel, starting with its brick facade stretching 22 stories high and the entry with a formal vintage canopy. Inside, the hallways are a bright gloss white with coffered ceilings holding glass chandeliers and marble tables with bright orchids. It even looks a bit like the interior of the first class passageways on the Titanic...and in fact, I had been so excited to stay here thinking that this is where Margaret “Molly” Brown stayed upon landing in New York after the ship sank. However, that turned out to be another Ritz-Carlton located on Madison and 46th, opened in 1911 as the first Ritz-Carlton in the U.S. It was demolished in 1951 to build an office building, so I’ll never have the chance! This hotel dates to 1929 and became a Ritz-Carlton in 1999. One of its best aspects is the fact that Central Park is across the street. With my sister, I stayed in a Park View Room that overlooked the park, and we had fun sitting on the generously sized windowsills for people-watching out the window. There’s also a telescope in each room. With such a fantastic home base, we took several rambles through the park, entering by

What is it? A seafood restaurant on the second story of Pier 39. Why we love it: You can count on 100 percent sustainable seafood at this busy waterfront spot with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the bay. The clam chowder literally has “award-winning” in its name, and you can order it (as one does here) in a fresh house-baked sourdough bowl. We tried the dual lobster tails (oven roasted with seasonal vegetables), the Petrale sole (pan seared with a pesto cream sauce) and fried scallops, served with roasted jalapeno aioli. The cocktail game is wonderful here with drinks named for local landmarks, like the Alcatraz Escape and the Spicy Mission Margarita. For land-favoring folks just “along for the ride,” there are also sandwiches, steaks and pasta. Time Out tip: Try to sit at the farthest end of the restaurant, where you’ll be able to catch the best view of the sea lions pushing each other off the docks. And if you love flowers, TulipMania is at Pier 39 throughout April with 20,000 tulips in bloom. Address: Pier 39, San Francisco, 94133 Opening hours: Daily 11am–9pm Expect to pay: Seafood mains run $29 to $56, while the clam chowder in sourdough is $16. House specialties include cioppino at $42 and a whole Dungeness crab for $64. Cocktails are $14 to $17.

What is it? An Argentinian steakhouse in the heart of the Mission. Why we love it: The ojo de bife Argentino rib eye (100 percent grass-fed) was supremely buttery in texture, and the wild mushroom sherry sauce had us trying to soak up more with each forkful like a sponge. The pollo skewer with perfectly blackened corn and aji amarillo almost surpassed the steak for me, but we also loved the yuca fries with rocoto aioli—and we had fun moderating our evening with the “sin licor” mocktails, an agridulce citrus beverage and a tutti frutti sweet one. Though I didn’t have room for the empanada options, I’d certainly try them next time. The décor is atmospherically dim and dominated by some fearsome underlit bull head statues, while beautiful chandeliers and metal fixtures that mimic wagon wheels adorn the ceilings. Time Out tip: Arrive before your reservation and head to El Techo, the bar perched on Lolinda’s rooftop, for excellent city views. Also, as much as we love the colorful vibe of the Mission, the homelessness crisis may make visitors feel uncomfortable after dark, so consider that when planning your reservation and parking or transit plans. Address: 2518 Mission St, San Francisco, 94110 Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm; Sun 5:30–10pm Expect to pay: For a few pequeños (littles), a 12oz rib eye, a beverage and a dessert, you’ll pay around $85.

What is it? A Mediterranean restaurant housed in a former army barracks in the Presidio. Why we love it: Billed as “modern Eastern” rather than “Middle Eastern,” Dalida comes from husband-and-wife chef team Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz. The flavors here stretched our palates and made our eyebrows rise—even the hummus had some extra zing sitting under the Cypriot lamb chops wrapped in ground lamb and caul fat. Our family’s favorite was the Breaking Bread dish with round tins of spreads accompanied by chubby pita (baked in-house every five minutes). The cocktails were a highlight, served in fun vessels like a miniature silver tankard or with tall, glass-height ice cubes ordered by mail. Stay for dessert and you may catch some Top Chef magic with pistachio three-ways baklava and the sour cherry Maraş ice cream that chef Laura made for one of the show’s challenges. The interior’s muted lighting comes from rice paper chandeliers, and there’s a beautiful mural of trees in bloom. The historic building’s high ceilings really open up the interior, but that does mean the acoustics are rough for conversation.  Time Out tip: If you want to make a night of it, book a room at the Lodge at the Presidio, just a four-minute walk away. Address: 101 Montgomery St, San Francisco, 94129 Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11:30am–2pm, 5–9pm; Sat, Sun 11am–2:30pm, 5–9pm Expect to pay: The chef’s menu is $85. Otherwise, you can expect to pay about $100 per person for appetizers, entrée, a vegetable dish and a few c

What is it? A two Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in the Fillmore, helmed by chef Srijith Gopinathan. Why we love it: The food here is exquisite with many moments that’ll leave you closing your eyes to exult. Among every beautiful thing we ate, our favorite was the rasam poori with passionfruit, mint, sprouted chickpea and radish: It’s a delicate fried puri sphere into which you spoon a bit of soup and eat in one frisson-filled mouthful. For cocktails, the winner was the turmeric spritz with marigold amaro that was so light and fruity it provided perfect accompaniment. As far as a bit of refreshment, don’t fear that the dishes will be too spicy; everything was perfectly spiced to make lips tingle but not overwhelm the tongue. Plus, the interior is insanely pretty with macrame lighting features, two rooms delineated by changes in flooring (blonde wood to button tile) and an indoor gazebo marked by twining ivy. Muted brick, a two-story wall of cubbies holding amphoras and wicker furnishings lend an air of museum-like elegance. Time Out tip: Ask your server to identify which menu items are unique to Copra (or at least the most innovative) and order those. Address: 1700 Fillmore St, San Francisco, 94115 Opening hours: Mon–Sun 5–10pm; brunch Sat, Sun 11:30am–2pm Expect to pay: Brunch is surprisingly affordable for a spot carrying two Michelin stars. If you order several “littles” and a main with a few cocktails, you’ll walk out paying around $90.

What is it? A Chinese dim sum house in Ghirardelli Square, halfway between Fisherman’s Wharf and Fort Mason. Why we love it: Aesthetics rule the day here. The “palette” of the name refers to the plate you receive, shaped like an artist’s palette with five wells to hold differently colored sauces. One of the standout dishes, a xiaolongbao sampler, also evokes admiration with five soup dumplings arranged beautifully with their dough colored red (beets), green (spinach), yellow (turmeric), black (squid ink) and white, with various fillings. The taro puff black swan with a delicate cracker neck “floats” on an edible flower strewn plate, while the hot and sour soup is classically delicious. I indulged in an espresso martini and the Portuguese egg tart, while also stealing bites of my daughter’s mango pudding supreme with popping boba, coconut and fresh mango. Above you, large red lanterns glow with Chinese characters for the names of the food, including BBQ pork bao and pork soup dumpling. General manager and part owner Dennis Leung has created a beautiful space, where large red lanterns above you glow with Chinese characters that correspond to the names of the dishes. Make sure to make a pit stop at the bathroom, too, so you don’t miss the beautiful mosaic tiles in the hallway. Time Out tip: It’s housed in the same square as the iconic Gold Rush chocolatier Ghirardelli, and we’d also recommend a pre- or post-meal walk down the hill to the free, ship-shaped Maritime National Histo

What is it? A contemporary American restaurant carrying one Michelin star in the Fillmore. Why we love it: On a quiet street near the edge of Japantown, 7 Adams bustles with attentive waitstaff, crazy-skilled chefs and blissed out diners. Behind the chef’s counter, there’s gorgeous backlit mod-shaped embedded wall compartments holding plants, stemware, candles and a miniature statue of the Michelin man petting a dog. Chef owners Serena Chow Fisher and David Fisher have created a space where the vibe is relaxed and down to earth, even though the exquisite food could easily deserve a snooty air. We especially loved the starter of hokkaido scallop crudo with koji kosho, pepita and pixie mandarin and all the mains, and lost our minds over the winter citrus dessert (pistachio cake, lemon curd and blood orange ice cream—intensely succulent and vibrant) and the salted malted s’more with chicory pastry cream. Time Out tip: A 20 percent service charge is automatically added to the bill, so you can relax about tipping. Address: 1963 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115 Opening hours: Mon–Thur 5:30–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm Expect to pay: The five-course tasting menu is $87 per person, while the chef’s counter (six people only) is 8 to 10 courses for $157 per person.

What is it? A French bistro with bright vibes at the Embarcadero. Why we love it: Everything’s at bar level here, so you feel elevated and light while you indulge in French favorites “from Paris with love,” as the menu says—a nod to charming owner Kais Bouzidi’s Parisian roots. Plants are embedded in the mesh liquor cabinet that hovers above the bar, which itself is a beautiful wooden statement piece with carved out embeds for your knees. The croque monsieur was a fantastic confection of layers of thin ham, pickle and béchamel sauce: It was a “fondue with bread” in one gooey unit. We also loved the madeleines plate with anglaise and chocolate sauce. For a refreshing drink that’s adorably photogenic, try the citron pressé: fresh lemon juice and a separate cute vessel of housemade lemon cordial. Time Out tip: Absolutely make reservations in advance; the walk-in party ahead of us was turned away. Address: Pier 3, the Embarcadero, San Francisco, 94105 Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–2pm, 3–10pm; Sat 11:30am–3:30pm, 5–10pm; Sun 11:30am–3pm Expect to pay: If your brunch includes an hors d’oeuvre, a main, a beverage and dessert, it will run about $60.

What is it? An Italian eatery in the Russian Hill neighborhood with a parklet out front Why we love it: The menu is so full of great options I had pasta twice (and I’m glad I did, because the agnolotti was a true standout, and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the fettuccine blackened by squid ink and accompanied by generous lumps of Dungeness crab). Even though we were stuffed, the delightful server—chef Anthony Florian has assembled an amazing team with great wine guidance—wouldn’t let us go without trying the chocolate budino served in a mason jar: We’re glad we relented to the peer pressure. Time Out tip: Request a seat in the back dining area if you would like a quieter space for conversation. Address: 1896 Hyde St, San Francisco, 94109 Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–9:30pm Expect to pay: About $140 per person if you indulge in antipasti, salad, pasta and secondi with a few glasses of wine.

What is it? An American restaurant inside the Beacon Grand hotel in Union Square Why we love it: Want bountiful proof of why the food scene in San Francisco is so great? Look no further than the California market salad, with mixed greens in a citrus vinaigrette we adored, along with Point Reyes blue cheese, candied pecans and tender slivers of tangerine. Other dishes we loved were the wild king salmon with thinly shaved fennel, radish and cucumber in a dill vinaigrette, as well as the hand-rolled spinach and mushroom canelloni dotted with morels. Make your lunch truly inspiring by pairing it with the Spring Sour mocktail—bright and fresh enough to power through the day. Here for business? The prix-fixe “executive lunch” is only $28 Monday through Friday. Time Out tip: Venture into the side chamber and look up: The painted ceiling and ornate grillwork on either side of the pedimented door are impressive. Want to fully appreciate the opulent architecture and décor of this 1928 beauty? Elect to spend the night (you should). Address: 450 Powell St, San Francisco, 94102 Opening hours: Daily breakfast 7–11am, lunch 11:30am–1:30pm, dinner 4–10pm Expect to pay: For brunch with a salad, salmon and mocktail, close to $70.

What is it? A contemporary Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in the SoMa neighborhood, housed in the Intercontinental Hotel. Why we love it: Everything on chef Dennis Efthymiou’s spring tasting menu was geared to surprise visually and tastewise. Each course arrives in a unique vessel: a duck foot stand for the quail Scotch egg amuse bouche, or a “meteorite” (as the server termed it) that held beautifully plated dessert components. Our favorite dish was startlingly realistic-looking strawberry sculpted out of white chocolate and stuffed with truffle mousse, served with elderflower and basil ice cream and a Kalamata olive shortcake. I started with a passionfruit margarita and switched to a suggested Riesling to pair with the Spring Awakening course, which was a literal miniature garden with tiny spears of white and green asparagus “planted” alongside tendrils of pea appearing like plants meeting the sun. Time Out tip: The tasting menu consists of 11 courses, many of which have multiple components. Come with an appetite—like “I haven’t eaten in months” levels of hunger. If you book a room at the Intercontinental, you’ll have an easy elevator ride up to a spectacular panoramic city view as your digestive system works on the issue at hand. Address: 888 Howard St, San Francisco, 94103 Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5:30–9pm Expect to pay: The spring tasting menu is $175 per person with a $115 wine pairing.

What is it? A vegan eatery in Cow Hollow with a parklet on Union Street. Why we love it: In a world trying to adopt more sustainable practices, a vegan restaurant so great that omnivores won’t miss meat deserves notice. The interior at Wildseed has bright white walls adorned with modern art. When you open the completely plant-based menu, the first thing you’ll see is a list of what fruits and vegetables are in season that month. That’s not just something worth appreciating on paper: The chilaquiles with vegan “just egg” and coconut queso were gobble-quality, and the Wildseed burger made with a mushroom and spinach patty, vegan chipotle aioli and tomato chutney (and added-on tempeh bacon) was a fortifying delight. Time Out tip: The grapefruit mimosa comes in a pretty vessel and makes brunch happier. Address: 2000 Union St, San Francisco, 94123 Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–9:30pm, Fri 11:30am–10:30pm, Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9:30pm Expect to pay: About $70 per person if you have a small salad, brunch item, dessert and a few mimosas.

All you vegetarians out there, scroll to another story. Because this one is about that first bite into a succulent piece of chicken, piping hot, embedded in its perfectly spiced, crispy golden coating. Your fingers will get greasy, you’ll run through a dozen napkins, you’ll get crumbs everywhere, but it’s worth it, because a piece of fried chicken—if it’s done right—can be a form of prayer to the barnyard gods. The best experience is in your own or someone else’s kitchen, but if you have to find your chicken via fast food, the best place to go is Jollibee, according to USA Today 10 Best. The top 10 list of best fast food chicken spots was first selected by the paper's editors and dining experts, then put to readers to vote. It is giving us a literal understanding of the phrase winner, winner, chicken dinner. Jollibee, a fast food chain that started in the Philippines and now has 100 U.S. locations. The first one opened in Daly City, California, in 1998. Jollibee serves a lot of items off its menu and the standout is Chickenjoy, a marinated and hand-breaded fried chicken that comes with savory gravy on the side. As with most places, you can order it regular or spicy. For Filipinos, it’s nostalgic food with much more juicy chicken than you find in other fast food places in the U.S. In second place is Pollo Campero, a Guatemalan company which began in 1971 and came to the U.S in 2002 with a location in Los Angeles. It’s now grown to about 140 restaurants. Their fried chicken com

It’s a mild joy, but an important one: cruising through the aisles at Trader Joe’s and looking for the “new!” signs. We love the constantly updating foods and the packaging that really tries to be beautiful (for instance, the sparkling black tea box literally has gold embossed lettering). And while the food options are inventive, we also like to choose a bouquet, a greeting card or two (cool designs and only 99 cents), and some household items like candles or shampoo—but not toothpaste; we don’t recommend the TJs brand. Here are our six choices for summer 2025. 1. Sparkling black tea with peach juice beverage The title is oddly redundant with the words tea, juice and beverage—is this Trader Joe’s answer to SNL’s Business Garden Inn & Suites & Hotel Room Inn? But the packaging lets us forget our quibbles: the dramatic black box with orange and yellow sides is eye-catching, plus the illustration of peaches is gorgeous, and there are even gold accents in the lettering of “sparkling” and “beverage.” This upscaled packaging holds four narrow cans inside, and the cans, too, are beautifully designed. As for the taste, we didn’t really get a tea feeling for this; it’s more of a sparkling water with hints of fruit. Photograph: Erika Mailman 2. Deli sandwich-style potato chips Given how much we adored the Thanksgiving stuffing seasoned kettle chips last year (thanks for giving us a free bag last year when we weren’t sure we were ready to commit and even bolting to the back wall to fe

Picture “It’s a Small World”: its distinctive, zany design with different-sized block panels, evocations of monuments from all over the globe, a happy-faced clock, doors that open to show childlike figures, exuberant golden flags that fly in all directions regardless of the actual wind—and that’s just the outside of the iconic Disneyland ride. Inside, animated dolls represent different countries (in a way that may not always ring as respectful today, but is dead-on reminiscent of the 1960s) in fantastical environments of busy design, bright color and enthusiasm. That look? It’s thanks to one of Walt Disney’s favorite artists, Mary Blair—and an exhibition of her work is currently on display in San Francisco’s Walt Disney Family Museum.   Photograph: Courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, © DisneyMary Blair shows Walt Disney a model of it’s a small world, 1964. For those unfamiliar, that’s “Disney family” museum, not Disney “family museum”—Walt’s daughter Diane lived in nearby Napa Valley and donated her family’s photographs and materials to create the collection. The museum’s in the Presidio, a former military outpost that dates back to the Civil War, and provides a fascinating look into Disney’s personal life. As for the exhibit, “Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic” runs through September 7 and contains nearly 150 artworks—watercolors, drawings, collages and ceramics—and historical photographs. Blair was also the guiding influence behind the look of the early animated feature fi

Uh oh… if you haven't booked your flight for your late summer trip and are just coasting along waiting for the time to feel right, be aware that the flight you're eyeing might get canceled on you. That’s because American Airlines is canceling hundreds of flights this summer, as reported by AZ Central. RECOMMENDED: This is the best U.S. airline, according to the Points Guy The affected flights are coming out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. According to AZ Central, Cirium, an on-time-performance innovator powered by generative AI for airlines and airports, found that more than 80 routes out of O’Hare will be operating with fewer flights or fewer seats starting in August, representing about 800 flights and the loss of around 76,000 seats for passengers. Flying between the two airports in particular is troubling, with 30 fewer flights. However, American Airlines told Men’s Journal that it had not made any adjustments to its August schedule. A spokesperson told Time Out in an email, "American has not made any recent [emphasis added] adjustments to its flight schedules for August. We are proud to offer up to 6,700 daily flights, more than any other airline, to help connect travelers to their next vacation before the summer season starts to wind down." American Airlines did cut 70 weekly departures from its August schedule back in May, according to The Street. Using industry standards, American publishes a placeholder schedule 33

In general, beaches are known for being happy places to build sandcastles, play volleyball, jump in the waves and go surfing or kayaking. But some things can make that glorious place turn dangerous: violent crime, property crime, out of control temperatures and a shortage of urgent care clinics to address that reef abrasion, sunburn, shark bite or twisted ankle. To make sure you feel safe venturing off your beach blanket, security company Vivint has just released a study that ranks 72 beach towns across the U.S. to find the safest ones. RECOMMENDED: This is the number one beach in the U.S. for 2025, says Dr. Beach The safest? It’s Bandon, Oregon, where there are—wait for it—zero violent crimes per 1,000 residents. What makes Bandon such a dreamboat of a beach town? Perhaps its small population (3,304 people in 2023), which means that people keep an eye out on each other and pull them back in line when they’re drifting. It’s also got a cool, mild summer temperature that makes it warm enough to swim, but cool enough to avoid sunstroke and other heat-related health risks. Bandon has the 14th ranking on the list for property crime—not great, but still decent enough to keep it on the top overall. It’s ranked 38th for having urgent care clinics at the ready. And Bandon’s beaches are said to be unspoiled, with views of isolated columns of rock in the water called sea stacks. In second place for safest beach town is Bristol, Rhode Island. It’s second only to Bandon on the metric of a

Bench pressing 250 pounds? Kissing your biceps and talking about the “gun show?” Sure, but you’re never going to be as powerful as a passport. While you may have never thought about a passport’s strength, it’s measured by the Henley Passport Index each year: Its power is in how many destinations the holder can enter without getting a visa in advance. Once upon a time, the U.S. passport was the most powerful one in the world—back in 2014—but today, those global muscles have weakened considerably. On this year's ranking, the American passport has slipped to No. 10 worldwide, a drop from last year's ninth-place ranking. That tenth-place slot is due to the U.S. currently having visa-free access to 182 nations, out of a possible 227. RECOMMENDED: Here’s how the U.S. ranked on the 2025 Global Peace Index The nation with the most powerful passport? It’s Singapore—Singaporeans can visit a whopping 193 destinations on their passport. Tying for second place is Japan and Korea, which both allow their passport holders access to 190 nations without a prior visa. Third place is a tie between seven countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain, all with access to 189 destinations. The fourth spot is also a tie between seven nations: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, all with access to 188 destinations. After that, it’s New Zealand, Greece and Switzerland, traveling with their happy passports to 187 countries; the U.K. crossing t

It seems an almost impossible endeavor: a trail that is only for pedestrians and bikers, stretching all the way from Washington, D.C. to Washington State. How could that even be possible, given our intertwining network of highways, cities, wide rivers and impassable mountains? Yet, it’s underway…and currently, 2,000 miles of the intended 3,700-mile trail are already open, as reported by Travel + Leisure. It’s the Great American Rail-Trail, and no cars are allowed! RECOMMENDED: Two of the world’s best places to hike are in the U.S. The trail will eventually wend its way through 12 states, leading outdoor enthusiasts through abandoned railway lines, historic pathways, greenbelts and already-existing multi-use trails. Besides all the healthy exercise for users (imagine telling your friends and family you’re going to walk across country!), the plan will also boost local economies because, after all, you’ll need to pause for meals, hotel stays and supplies. In fact, it’s thought that this could create more than $229 million in annual visitor spending, more than $100 million in labor income, and nearly $23 million in new tax revenue. And in our world where we are increasingly on our screens, this trail provides a way to experience the bounty and incredible healing peace of nature: trees, wildlife, vistas of clouds floating across that enormous stretch of blue. The nonprofit group Rails to Trails Conservancy oversees the Great American Rail-Trail. Since 1986, the group has helped cr

It’s a tall order, to cool a city down—like, literally, to shave a few degrees off the temperature. But we’ve all noticed how much more tolerable a hot day is when the sun goes behind a cloud, or when we step into the shade of anything other than a palm tree. Shade really does help, and a new initiative in Los Angeles called ShadeLA wants to apply these principles so that by the time the Olympics are here in three years, the city is a relatively cooler and more refreshing oasis for everyone, including the athletes and spectators. The group behind this innovative thinking is spearheaded by the University of Southern California and involves collaboration between a bunch of different schools, agencies and community organizations aiming to not just cool down for the Olympic and Paralympic Games but also for the World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2027 and, even more importantly, to leave a lasting legacy for Angelenos in a rapidly warming climate. So how does one go about cooling an entire city? For one thing, you add more shade. That means trees and built structures like canopies and awnings that help protect schoolyards, sidewalks, parks and spaces where people tend to gather that would otherwise be exposed to hot sun. And you make sure that existing shade gets to stay. ShadeLA (primarily a collaboration between the USC Dornsife Public Exchange and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) works with caretakers and public agencies to make sure everyone’s on the same page about up

Traveling solo on a cruise? Congrats: You're adventurous and now you don't have to share that stateroom with anyone else! You can choose the shore expeditions that most appeal to you, meet others socially if and when you want to, and enjoy the high seas on your own terms. But given that cruise lines usually charge a "single supplement" for people traveling alone—since that the same stateroom would ordinarily have a second person ordering food and drinks—you may be wondering which cruise line offers the best value for a solo passenger. A study by Croatia Cruises has done the math for you, outlining the best value for not just the cabin price, but also the passenger-to-staff member ratio and the array of shore excursions offered. RECOMMENDED: Booking an upgraded cruise ship is better than sailing on a new ship The winner? It's P&O Cruises, where a solo cruise runs about $245 a day. At that price point, you'll have three staff members per passenger making sure everything sails smoothly, and you'll have a choice of 1,133 excursions to pick from. In second place is Princess Cruises, where the daily price rises to about $300. You'll still have that same number of dedicated crew members, but the shore excursions drop to 820. And in third place is Cunard lines. There, you'll pay $317 per day, experience the ratio of two crew members per passenger (still quite generous!) and actually have the choice of more excursions than with Princess: 882. Many of these lines have dedicated singles

For many people, a huge part of traveling is seeing creatures they can't see at home. Think about the thrill of seeing bison in Yellowstone National Park, alligators in Florida and moose in Maine. Getting to see these animals IRL helps us feel closer to nature and that's good for us and for them. But unfortunately, in some places, wildlife is in danger and may even face extinction. And a new study from Lake.com has evaluated all 50 states in terms of extinction danger for animals, fish, plants and even insects, places where we most need to pay attention to protecting wildlife. RECOMMENDED: The best places to see wildlife in the USAThe study relies on data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Environmental Conservation Online System and biodiversity data collector NatureServe. And with the World Wildlife Federation recently saying that wildlife populations have decreased a stunning 73-percent since the 1970s, we all need to pay attention. The state with the most likelihood of wildlife extinction is Hawaii, which is home to 489 endangered species including but certainly not limited to: the Hawaiian monk seal, Hawaiian green sea turtle, Hawaiian hoary bat, Nene (Hawaiian goose) and Oahu tree snail. (The Pono Pledge helps visitors do a better job of protecting wildlife.) After that, California follows with 293 endangered species, such as the California red-legged frog, the northern spotted owl, and the giant kangaroo rat. And finally, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida each have a

As people realize summer is halfway gone and it’s time to buy tickets somewhere, the airlines are seeing an increase in flight searches online. In fact, there are 7-percent more flight searches for summer travel than there were last year, according to a new study by Emirates. If your social media feed is filled with images of your friends traveling and you’re wishing you were the one posting, you’ll probably make that 7-percent number rise—so, where is everyone looking to go? Well, it looks like Vietnam is the No. 1 country of Americans' wanderlust dreams—there’s been a 61-percent increase in interest over last year. Flights can be inexpensive, and people want to see the incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, eat that delicious cuisine (whether it’s sizzling food from street vendors or preciously prepared meals in sedate Michelin-starred settings) and exult in more than 1,800 miles of coastline. Cities like Hanoi, Hoi An and Da Nang draw visitors. RECOMMENDED: The best underrated summer travel destinations in the U.S. In second place is Mauritius, with a 41-percent increase in searches on the Emirates network this summer. The east African island nation is known for turquoise waters great for snorkeling, coral reefs, sparkling beaches and natural beauty with ebony and eucalyptus forests. There’s also incredible cultural diversity there. Coming in third is Sri Lanka, with a-32 percent increase in searches. It’s also rich in culture with white sand beaches and affordable luxury

A train ride checks all the boxes: sustainable, lets you relax without having to drive, provides incredible scenery out the window, offers a chance to sleep/work/chat/drink—the list goes on and on.  And if it’s a luxury train ride, all to the better, as you sit on a plush seat and take advantage of the amenities coming your way. That may include a gourmet meal with real linens and silverware, a glass of champagne and personalized service from a steward, plus elegant surroundings in your train car. This year’s list of the best luxury trains puts an American train in the top spot, according to Travel + Leisure. RECOMMENDED: This new high-speed train could get you from NYC to L.A. in 72 hours The best luxury train in the world is our own Rocky Mountaineer. It climbs through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Utah. It also offers Canadian routes in British Columbia and Alberta, and it’s in fact their portion of the Rocky Mountains that give the train its name. The large-scale glass dome windows give spectacular views of mountains, canyons and sky. The train only travels when the sun is out, so you don’t miss any panoramas (other than when you’re in the tunnels, one of which lasts 13 minutes), and so you’ll book a hotel when the sun sets. Cute component: the station team lines up outside to wave goodbye to you as you embark. Photograph: Courtesy The Rocky MountaineerThe Rocky Mountaineer Another American train made the list, too. At No. 3 is the Napa Valley Wine Train. This tak