Erika Mailman

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

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 28 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, 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. April 2025: Time Out has reformatted its food and beverage features, so we’re starting our once-lengthy San Francisco list over afresh with 11 spots. We’re now also assigning star ratings to every venue: three stars corresponds to “good,” four to “great” and five to “amazing.” For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we re

San Francisco’s museums reward people who like to spend time looking at art or historical objects. We have several world-class art museums and some fun collections that show how life used to be in the area before the Gold Rush brought the population up explosively. But if you’re willing to do a deep dive, you’ll find even more museums that pinpoint 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 Cartoon Art Museum, the Beat Museum and the Wells Fargo Museum each provide an insider’s look at a microtopic. 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. Here’s our list of the very best museums in San Francisco. Prices given below are for general admission; special exhibitions usually involve a separate upcharge. 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 best things to do in San Francisco🍽️ The

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).

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.

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

A romantic restaurant isn’t a tall order. We just need some flattering lighting, a space quiet enough to hear each other and food that feels special in some way, either because it’s beautifully plated or because it tastes so good it’s a great precursor. A restaurant doesn’t have to be expensive to be romantic—it just has to have a certain warm, intimate vibe that mirror how the diners are feeling. Here are our 16 picks for the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in San Francisco🏛️ The best museums in San Francisco🍽️ The best restaurants in San Francisco🏨 The best hotels in San Francisco  

Breakfast: It all starts with coffee, but after that it can go a number of different directions, all of them delicious if it’s San Francisco. You might be after a tower of pancakes or a full plate of shakshuka, dashing in for a bagel or luxuriating over some perfectly plated French confection. Whatever it takes to get us going in the morning—eggs, bacon, mimomas—we’re grateful for the chance to sit down with family and friends with a bite to sustain us. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in San Francisco

Time spent in nature is always healing, but you can also find equal pleasure in traversing city streets. Whatever your favorite type of hike—on a sinuous path above oceanside cliffs, through a historic part of town, over the span of a very particular bridge or in rustic meadows where you can almost forget you’re in a city—you’ll find it here. And while San Francisco is famous for being steep in certain parts, you’ll always be able to find a relatively flat hike if that’s more your style. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San Francisco

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.

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? 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? 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 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.

Despite wild rumors that the chain was closing earlier this year, Chipotle is doing fantastic—and is even launching a new promotion that rewards fans of the Mexican grill restaurant during the men’s 2025 NBA championships. RECOMMENDED: The definitive ranking of America’s best fast-food restaurants It’s a playful response to the lengthy replays that pause play during the basketball games when everyone just wants to move the action forward. During any Coach’s Challenge (a review of the game footage to protest an official’s call of a foul, violation or interference), Chipotle will in turn challenge fans to find a hidden keyword on X (formerly, Twitter) for the chance to win a free entrée. The promotion is called "Chipotle Instant Replays". How do people check X for the keyword? Look at the @chipotletweets account to see the most recent post whenever live broadcast NBA play is paused. How do you find the keyword? It’ll be hidden somewhere in the post, so you’ll have to use your best detective skills! So you found it—what now? Text the keyword to 888222, and if you’re one of the first 5,000 to do so, you’ll win a free Chipotle entrée. If you win, how do you get your entrée? You will receive a text code for the free entrée, which is valid for five days, so clear room in your schedule for your Chipotle visit. You do have to be at least 13 years old to participate, and standard text and data rates may apply. More fine print stuff can be found here: chipotle.com/free-play. How many ch

We’ll freely admit it: part of the allure of a long layover at Dallas Forth Worth has always been that second story Shake Shack at the top of the escalators. And now we and our fellow passengers can also board a flight—on Delta Airlines—and get a second Shackburger, but this time airborne. That’s thanks to a partnership between the airline and the beloved burger chain, which has now deliciously rolled out to seven new U.S. markets this week. The only catch? You have to be a first-class passenger. RECOMMENDED: The definitive ranking of America’s best fast-food restaurants, for burgers, tacos and more From Tuesday, June 3, first-class Delta customers flying out of certain airports on flights that go more than 900 miles can order a Shake Shack cheeseburger onboard. The sandwich is made with 100-percent Angus beef and melted American cheese on a toasted potato bun; you can also add whatever condiments or toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion and the like) that you desire to have or to hold. The in-flight offering will also include crinkle-cut potato chips—as a nod to the crinkle cut fries you ordinarily get when you’re not at cruising altitude—and a dark-chocolate brownie. Which airports can take advantage of this deliciousness right now? Travelers out of Miami International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Orlando International Airport, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, San Francisco Internatio

Announced this week from the fancy folks at Prix Versailles, the 2025 "World’s Most Beautiful Hotels" list looks at newly opened or reopened hotels with an eye towards design and architecture. And on this very curated list of only 16 hotels throughout the world—spanning international stunners like the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel in Mexico, the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai, UAE and the Hotel du Couvent in Nice, France—only one picturesque U.S. property made the rankings. RECOMMENDED: These are the best hotels in America for a vacation or staycation Meet: The Manner hotel in New York City wins. The Manner opened in September 2024 in SoHo, a neighborhood with a history of housing artists in an area with distinctive cast iron architecture. Inside the property, artsy furnishings and color choices dazzle the eye. Milan-based architecture Hannes Peer designed the rooms to pay homage to Italy, with tones of ochre, blue and sand contrasting with dark wood, blood red and navy. Photograph: Chris MottaliniThe Manner, New York The furniture is handmade and the artwork on display was crafted by Nicholas Shurey, Giovanni de Francesco and Alex Proba. Murals commissioned from Elvira Solana were painted by her on canvas at her studio in Madrid and then rolled up and shipped to New York for installation in the hotel’s Otter Restaurant. They are beautiful muted-palette evocations of New York history, such as one panel that shows the face of the Statue of Liberty being prepared. The murals c

McDonald’s fans have been very busy in the past ten years—ever since the beloved Snack Wrap was discontinued in 2016, diners have been asking the world-famous fast-food chain to bring back the treat. McD's devotees have desperately taken to social media and even created a Change.org petition that garnered almost 19,000 signatures in an effort to see the wrap on the menu again. And now those Snack Wrap dreams are coming true: the fan-favorite menu item is officially returning to participating McDonald's restaurants on Thursday, July 10. RECOMMENDED: This U.S. state eats the most fast food—and yes, even we were surprised For those who aren’t familiar, the Snack Wrap is a soft flour tortilla holding McCrispy strips—all-white-meat chicken strips that are breaded and fried—topped with lettuce, a mix of cheddar jack and Monterey Jack cheeses and your choice of sauce (ranch, honey mustard or salsa roja). The roll-up comes in two flavors: The spicy version has a touch of habanero pepper, a flavor aficionados might recognize from the Spicy McCrispy sandwich already on the menu, while the ranch option has those classic hints of garlic and onion. The Snack Wrap was phased out nationally in 2016, and now as we hit summer 2025 and its blistering temperatures, we have a chance to eat the chain's sole menu item that isn’t hot (other than the desserts and beverages). It’s a healthier option than many on the menu, coming in at less than 300 calories. And, as folks who created the petition poi

Springtime in San Francisco’s Union Square means you’ll see flowers everywhere as part of the plaza’s annual “in bloom” celebration. It’s an upbeat, joyful time—and while the neighboring Westin St. Francis decorates its lobby with flowers to the degree that it’s worth stepping into for an Instagrammable moment, this year the venerated hotel rolled out something even more intense. It’s an over-the-top, extravagant beyond belief, frothy confection of a springtime suite. Photograph: Erika MailmanThe lobby decorated for spring. The “Suite in Bloom” is billed as a “luxurious floral escape,” and that captures it exactly. It’s a dream come true for anyone who ever wanted to retreat to the woods and live with nature’s bountiful color—but without, you know, the actual nature part. The two-bedroom suite is utterly bedecked in “cherry blossoms” and holds three life-sized “trees” (all faux foliage in this case). Ivy twines everywhere, and even the bathroom shower is festooned. I visited with my daughter and her friend, and we all fangirled over the idea that we had always wanted a tree in our childhood bedrooms. We also loved the discreet machine that periodically emitted a floral fragrance into the suite. We walked back and forth between the rooms in a daze. We had never seen a hotel space that was so devoted to fantasy, to surprising and pleasing the guests. Photograph: Erika MailmanEven the shower has flowers!   Photograph: Erika MailmanThe friends investigate the fragrance dispe

It was a policy too beautiful and too fragile to live for long: Southwest’s beloved “two checked bags free” policy ended today, as reported by ABC 10. We can expect to see suddenly emptied baggage carousels and a tougher seating situation when boarding, because now the stakes are higher for passengers. They’ll not only be scouting for the best seats they can (Southwest doesn’t assign seating but only releases passengers into the aircraft by boarding group to grab their preferred seats) but now also vying for overhead bin space. Wait! I already booked a flight. If you booked a flight before today, May 28, don’t worry. You’ll still get to check your two bags for free. What is the new cost for checking bags? It’s $35 for the first bag and $45 for a second. Does everyone have to pay the new rates? No. If you’re a Rapid Rewards A-List preferred member or are traveling on a Business Select ticket, you can still get two free checked bags. If you’re an A-List member, you can get one free checked bag. If you hold a Rapid Rewards credit card, you’ll get a credit for one checked bag. Are there any other ways Southwest is changing how things work? Yep, unfortunately. The way it organizes fares is changing. There’s a new "Basic" tier, and the existing ticket tiers of "Wanna Get Away Plus," "Anytime," and "Business Select" will be renamed "Choice," "Choice Preferred," and "Choice Extra.” Ugh. Can’t they come up with more fun names? This is supposed to be the wacky, edgy airline! When do th

Although the U.S. is phasing out its penny coin, you can still use one to get a cheeseburger at Wendy’s today through June 2, as reported by People. It’s hard to believe, but one single cent is enough to get a Jr. bacon cheeseburger, so long as you also purchase something else—maybe the drink to accompany it. It’s in honor of National Hamburger Day (today! Who knew?) and the fast food purveyor stretching the holiday out for nearly a week. Here’s how it works: you must place your order through the Wendy’s app online to be able to see the deal and take advantage of the free burger. People points out that Burger King is also celebrating National Hamburger Day. Today only, you can get a free Burger King hamburger with a purchase of 70 cents or more through their rewards program. For a seven-day stretch, a different menu item (such as a croissant breakfast sandwich or a medium soda) will be free with that 70-cent purchase. Why 70 cents? It’s Burger King’s 70th birthday. What about other fast food chains? According to its official Instagram, Jack in the Box is giving away a free Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger with the purchase of a large fountain drink. A Facebook post from Carl’s Jr. indicates that for the holiday today, you can get a BOGO 1-cent Famous Star burger by ordering in the app. We’re not sure if McDonald’s is “observing” the holiday in a similar fashion with freebies. Their corporate page celebrates the Big Mac on National Hamburger Day but doesn’t mention how you can get one

When asked to name a favorite amusement park, most people will name chains set in California and Florida: Disney parks, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and Legoland. But a survey by the National Amusement Park Historical Association yields a surprise winner: Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. This park in a densely wooded area boasts a wooden roller coaster, a dark ride through a haunted coal mine, bumper cars, a swinging pirate ship, a Ferris wheel, a giant flume ride, motor boats through a canal, and around 50 other thrills. Admission to the park is free (free parking and free in-park entertainment, too), and you buy tickets for each ride. The rides cost $2-$5, so depending on how you pace yourself, you could have a thrifty day or an expensive one. An all-day pass for an adult runs $43–58, depending on the date. The park began in 1926 as a swimming hole (which has transformed into the 900,000-gallon Crystal Pool) and continues to be run by descendants of the original founding family. Guests who wish to extend their stay can choose to stay at one of two campgrounds or book a cottage. It all sounds charming as all get-out, and no wonder it won this award! There are even two trains on the property for train enthusiasts: a miniature coal-fired locomotive and a smaller gas-powered one. The survey also called out some other parks. For instance, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, won the award for favorite theme park, while Busch Gardens Williamsburg in

Thrifty Ice Cream, a historic ice cream brand out of Los Angeles, will be closing 500 stores, as reported by The Street. The company launched in 1940 out of a West Hollywood factory, and then started serving it to patrons out of a Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Los Angeles. Over its 85 years of serving small batch ice cream, it’s earned many accolades, countless prestigious awards and even shoutouts from Hollywood celebrities. Thrifty is known for being served out of a square-topped scooper, so the cone you are presented isn’t the traditional round shape but instead hockey puck shaped (but still with the frill like the flounce of a skirt at the bottom). While waiting for your prescription at more than 500 West Coast Rite Aid pharmacies, you could get a scoop. Better yet, you could bring a container home or buy a branded cake cup from more than 2,300 grocery stores and chain stores across the U.S. But that may be about to change. Why is Thrifty closing down 500 stores? Like many retailers, Rite Aid (where the scoop shops are) is facing bankruptcy. Many drugstore chains have been underperforming and closing locations, including CVS and Walgreens, in the wake of the pandemic. When a Rite Aid with a Thrifty counter closes, the ice cream service goes down as well. Is there any hope? It’s possible that the ice cream brand could be purchased along with Rite Aid assets and be revived. What are some of the unusual flavors Thrifty makes? In late October 2024, Thrifty launched a Chuck E

It’s an idea whose time has come: Dunkin’ Donuts is moving out of the airport and onto the runway. That special pink and orange branding will now be splashed onto special Jet Blue planes—A320 Airbuses—named “Brewing Altitude,” as reported by USA Today. Cute, right? And there will be a half donut, pink with white jimmies, painted on one side of the tail and a cup of coffee on the other. The geese that fly by are going to get the munchies. Along the flank of the aircraft is DUNKIN’ in all caps, the silhouette of a plane, and then the interestingly capitalized jetBlue. The plane is altogether eye-catching with its bold colors and the promise of sweet donut times on board. The aircraft first appeared at Boston’s Logan Airport last week—and where else could it be unveiled? In 2020, the Boston Guardian unveiled its Dunkin’ Density Index, tracking locations throughout the city, revealing that in downtown Boston, there are a stunning 12.6 locations per square mile. That inaugural Brewing Altitude flight was boarded by passengers to Fort Myers, Florida, who were given free coffee, donuts and a donut neck pillow to celebrate the launch. If you want to fly on this special aircraft, just book a JetBlue flight on Brewing Altitude any Monday from May 19 through September 1 (but not June 30 or July 7). You can learn which flight routes will be flown by the donut behemoth by checking the routes here each Friday before you want to fly. If you want to use that flight to bump yourself up to mos

The last few times I’ve flown, I’ve been prompted to stand in front of a camera and have my photo taken while at the TSA checkpoint. There’s a seemingly permanent machine there to do it, and it’s now the expected protocol. I don’t love it—what if I am fleeing a murderous Silicon Valley creep who knows how to hack TSA data and find out where I’m flying? What if I’m in the Witness Protection Program and trying to be as careful as possible about my image being captured? Or worse...what if it’s a bad hair day? Whelp, facial recognition technology is here to stay at at least 84 U.S. airports through the Credential Authorization Technology, as reported by USA Today. And soon, you’ll find it at more than 400 “federalized” airports, a term which simply means an airport where TSA helms the security checkpoints. While your photo is being taken, a TSA officer also scans your identification card or passport. So long as there’s a match between your image on the documentation and the face you present the camera, all is well. According to TSA’s website, “Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology.” If you’re a little wiggy over this idea and don’t want to participate, you can decline the camera, “without recourse,” TSA says, to instead use an alternative method to verify your identity. This is not supposed to take any longer than just being photographed, and you won’t l

Memorial Day is meant to be a day when we honor the men and women who died while serving their country in the U.S. military. Somehow, though, it has morphed into a celebratory three-day weekend. Sometimes I think those who passed would just smile ruefully—enjoy life to the hilt while you can—and other times I think they would be outraged. Here at Time Out we honor their ultimate sacrifice… and we also are thankful for the three-day weekend to spend with friends and family. Studies show that three-day weekends make workers even more productive with less time, and the sentiment that work and play go hand in hand is an important one. With that in mind—and being grateful for this month’s three-day weekend—what are the other three-day weekends left in 2025? We have two—and for some people, three—more to look forward to. One is the July 4 weekend. The Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year, so we can continue the celebrations throughout the long weekend. Another is Labor Day weekend. This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1, so the weekend of August 30 and 31 stretches out an extra day. In October, many, but not all, workplaces—including the federal government—consider Columbus Day a paid holiday: a fixed holiday always observed on the second Monday of October. Other places, such as the states of Maine, South Dakota, New Mexico, Vermont and the District of Columbia (according to the Pew Research Center in 2023), consider it Indigenous Peoples Day and still give the day