Erika Mailman

Waiting on the train platform is one of those deliciously anticipatory moments in traveling. You hear the train in the distance, and as it pulls up, you can’t believe your good fortune that you get to board and be whisked away for a true adventure. You’ll press your face to the glass (usually, a wide panoramic view window) and see all the sights that aren’t available any other way. Going through a dark tunnel for five minutes provides a thrill, as does seeing herds of elk scattered by a river (both experiences you can have on the California Zephyr) or other wildlife. Some trains offer specialty dining or wine tastings as you travel through beautiful landscapes—the Napa Valley Wine Train, for instance, is an iconic ride that takes you to three different wineries and serves a gourmet meal. Lucky riders may take a train traveling to or through a national park. You may have a musician on board or a storyteller sharing local lore. Spontaneous conversations will arise with your fellow passengers, especially if you’re parked in an observation car with expansive views, or perhaps you’ll sit quietly in awe of the landscape. Seating sometimes allows for groups, so you’ll want to get your besties to buy tickets with you. Riding a historic train provides a strong connection to our country’s history—like the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which takes you into the dense woods outside Yosemite National Park to see what turn-of-the-century loggers saw. Or maybe you prefer a luxury tr

America’s vast stretches make it possible for so many different kinds of landscapes to exist: dry deserts, lush green meadows, impressive mountain ranges, placid lakes and stormy seas. That means there is something for every traveler, whether that’s walking among the biggest trees on the planet, crunching across miles of salt flats, hiking to see the tallest waterfall on the continent or peering into the depths of the Grand Canyon, awestruck and exhilarated. Nature’s show is always the best performance, and if we plan ahead, we can get front row seats. It’s impossible to catalog all the incredible natural wonders of our country, but here is a tantalizing look at our favorite 16, based on repeated visits, the fact that you’ll reliably see what’s wonderful about this site and, in some cases, four-seasons availability (although for sure you’ll want to check weather and local reports before making the trip). Put your phone on “do not disturb,” bring water and prepare to spend time luxuriating in the natural beauty before you. Your itinerary can be loose when you’re inhaling the wonders of raw scenery; move slowly and appreciate the land’s ever-varied offerings which have existed for millennia.

Building an entire vacation around the central concept of wine seems like something we should all be doing. After all, besides the time-honored pleasure of tasting wines, these vacations usually involve beautiful vistas of rows of vines, rolling hillsides, quaint wineries: all things that please the eye. You’re likely to have a deep discussion or two with passionate vintners whose whole lives are caught up in the vines… much more meaningful than just opening a bottle at home. Wine lovers are often food lovers, too, and sitting with a carefully arranged charcuterie board and a row of tastings in front of you is surely one of the best and most relaxing things you can do on vacation. Many wineries offer events and experiences to deepen the fun (we’re looking at you, Santa Barbara County, with your DJs spinning tunes to accompany tastings), and depending on the time of year, you can watch—or even participate in—harvest and all its crush-worthy merriment. Finally, you don’t have to think too hard to conjure up souvenir ideas or to know what to bring home for your dog-sitter to supplement their payment! Check in advance with your airline to see if it lets you fly home a case of wine for free, like you can with Alaska Airlines in Willamette Valley or Yakima Valley.

We love a European vacation as much as the next person, but perhaps less so these days. Despite the innovations in air travel luring us abroad, there’s just too much to see and do right here in America. With plenty of accessible domestic tourism and stunning destinations for year-round travel, a weekend getaway in the U.S. is just the vacation we all need right now. Our picks bypass the obvious choices, say New York or L.A., in favor of smaller cities with booming art scenes, lesser-known towns with incredible restaurants and coastal spots with plenty of room to spread out on the sand. You’ll find fewer crowds and plenty of small-town charm at these unexpected destinations. Looking for someplace to go in 2026? These places should absolutely be on your travel radar this year. RECOMMENDED: The best cities to visit in the U.S.

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Attractions are the kind of things that show up etched on your state’s quarter—each is quirky or awe-inspiring, and utterly distinctive: the kind of thing you can instantly picture when someone mentions it. An example? The Space Needle in Seattle or Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. These destinations draw millions of visitors annually to stare, appreciate and get that bucket list photograph. Although you may find another Golden Gate Bridge in Lisbon and a (much) smaller Statue of Liberty in Paris, usually these attractions are linked to a particular American city, part of its lore and pride: the very thing for which postcards and tote bags were invented. Track these down all over the country and check them off your list; after all, you haven’t really traveled until you’ve seen Abe Lincoln’s statue sitting stoically on its plinth at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., or placed yourself on the brink of the Grand Canyon staring into the vastness. Here’s our list of the 26 best American attractions you need to put on your itinerary this year! RECOMMENDED: The coolest observation decks in America

Right now, it feels like a great time to celebrate our cities. What cities do best is bring people together – everything we love about urban life, from the galleries and bars to the neighbourhood parks, exists thanks to the communities that make it all happen.  That’s why, every year, we raise a toast to the city with our definitive annual ranking, created on the back of a comprehensive survey of city-dwellers worldwide. Our survey asks not only what people love about their cities – the food scene and nightlife, the shops and museums, the parks and people – but also how it feels to live there. We asked you about happiness, affordability and quality of life, among a variety of other criteria. And, in order to dig deeper into the everyday lives of locals, this year we expanded our survey to cover aspects like love, romance and community feel. Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel spotlights the destinations that offer the best of both worlds: an endlessly exciting catalogue of reasons to visit, as well as all the good stuff that makes a place feel like home. The 50 cities that made the list this year did so thanks to the insights of more than 24,000 people across 150 cities worldwide. To determine the final Best Cities ranking for 2026, we combined their thousands of responses with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts. Then we tapped up our network of local writers to tell us exactly what makes their city worth a visit right now. The result? A rundown of the m

A manicured garden with planned plantings can be an absolutely beautiful thing, tidy and symetrical. But for many people, a wildflower display is infinitely more pleasing: sprawling, reckless and with a mind of its own. Throughout the country, there are places where meadows and woods erupt seasonally in brief and vivid colors, drawing Instagrammers looking for the latest place to pop a hip and look just as wild and wind-tossed as the flowers behind them. But maybe you’re seeking out flowers for a more wholesome reason, to find calm and peace in a chaotic timeline. Study after study shows that connecting with nature elevates our mood. We can get a jolt of happiness seeing the beauty of wildflowers, and that’s even before we burrow our noses into the blooms to boost serotonin and light up the pleasure centers of our brains. So where can you find these springtime beauties? Kind of all over! Idaho, Colorado, even in places we don’t usually associate with flowers, like Death Valley. Check out our favorites here. And don’t forget to stay on designated pathways and leave the flowers intact for the next person’s gaze. RECOMMENDED: The 10 best flower festivals across the U.S.

San Jose is more than just a tech hub—it’s the nation’s 12th largest city, boasting a walkable downtown, a historic Japantown, Little Saigon neighborhood and a few deeply unique museums and attractions (we adore the Rosicrucian Museum as the best replica of Ancient Egypt you can get in the U.S., and the Winchester Mystery House is an eerie, gigantic mansion in which ghosts supposedly pursued an 1800s widow relentlessly). Add in a shopping district bustling with eateries and bespoke stores, plenty of historic spots to explore and a few fun places to drink and dance, and you’ve got a destination worth visiting. Driving up to San Franciso takes just a little under an hour, making this an easy back and forth day trip for your weekend, but why would you want to leave when there are 300 days of sunshine a year in San Jose, compared to San Francisco’s 265? San Jose’s hiking trails, lush parks and a lake attract those looking for a natural experience, too. Since our last update: The once-gorgeous, lush Japanese Friendship Garden built in 1965 has fallen on some hard times and thus we’ve decided to take it off our list until its water features sparkle once more. Several other former inclusions, too, have lost the fight to stay open, such as the Midtown Arts Mercantile and California’s Great America amusement park. Raging Waters has closed, and CaliBunga Waterpark is now in its place. 

Leaving San Francisco is hard—after all, it’s where we left our heart—but getting away for a weekend can be a fantastic choice. There are incredible destinations all around the city. Run north to see the beautiful cities on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge and penetrate into wine country, or head east for Lake Tahoe. Going south means visiting beach towns like Santa Cruz, Monterey and the ever-charming hamlet of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll find a profusion of national parks, giant redwood forests and a long, iconic coastline for an epic Highway 1 road trip. Some of these spots are just an hour away. The farthest spot we talk about is four hours away (but it’s so worth it to see Lake Tahoe in any season—and yes, many skiers and riders get up early and come back the same day). If you haven’t visited Yosemite National Park by now, this is your sign to go: 3.5 hours should get you to the Big Oak Flat gate (remember to check weather conditions before embarking, though: that stretch of road into the park can be terrifying in snowfall). The lesser-known Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is another stunner with fewer crowds. Although we don’t discuss it because it’s not a breezy getaway, Los Angeles is six hours down the road if you want to stretch things out! RECOMMENDED:🌮 The best restaurants in San Francisco🚗 The best day trips from San Francisco🏨 The best hotels in San Francisco

When you hear the words San Francisco, you can instantly envision a city surrounded by water on three sides, with a small but distinctive collection of skyscrapers, a park larger than Central Park, neighborhoods that have their own distinctive identities...and perhaps more than any other association, the Golden Gate Bridge with its incredible architecture, ruddy “International Orange” hue and beautiful connection between San Francisco’s hilly landscape and the rugged terrain on the other side. There’s plenty to do here: fantastic hiking trails, supreme dining (percentage wise, there’s roughly one Michelin starred restaurant per square mile), some fun nightlife, a great LGBTQ+ community, a performing arts scene that boasts everything from ballet to the symphony to jazz, the country’s oldest and largest Chinatown, a wonderful zoo out by the beach and some pretty famous architecture—particularly if you enjoy Victorian homes that require three to five different paint colors for touch-ups. Ride the cable cars, visit some of the museums, or plunk down on the sand at Ocean Beach and admire the squadrons of pelicans majestically flying low over the waves. Seasonally, atmospheric fog creeps through the streets; San Franciscans have dubbed it Karl. At other times, warm sun spreads across the grassy meadows of Crissy Field and puts picturesque light on iconic structures like the Palace of Fine Arts and Coit Tower. Wherever you ramble, you’ll see things that are memorable and quintessent

Forget riding coach: On these luxury train rides, you’ll feel spoiled in the best way. Someone else is in charge of the ride, and all you have to do is lean back and watch the gorgeous scenery go by. Perhaps someone will stop by with a glass of champagne, maybe your seat is ultra comfortable—and more than likely you’ll have huge windows or can even sit under a glass dome with the puffy clouds and majestic mountains looming right above you. While Amtrak is our main railroad purveyor in the U.S., there are other smaller railroads that offer luxury experiences all across the country. Booking a ride on one of them is the best way to see natural beauty and maybe even indulge in arguably the most upscaled experience of all: a great nap while you’re gently cushioned by the rocking of the train. Some of these rides offer a gourmet meal or a wine tasting as you move through the landscape, or live music played by on-board musicians. Some even dress their staff in vintage uniforms so you can feel like you’ve time traveled to the golden age of rail. Whatever the offerings, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience well worth the splurge. There have been two big changes since we last updated this article. The Hudson River Rail Excursions’ 20th Century Limited train is on an indefinite hiatus and has been removed from our list. And while the Rocky Mountaineer train previously incorporated an American Southwest route from Moab to Denver along with its Canadian Rockies destinations of Jasper,

The culinary offerings at Yank Sing are delectable, earning a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide—and the restaurant has the added benefit of being run by a third generation of the family. It began in 1958 on Powell Street and today has two locations: Spear Street and Stevenson Street (the latter has a heated outdoor patio). While the Spear Street interior at Rincon Center—a retail and dining complex inside a historic post office with an impressive atrium—isn’t especially elegant, just look down at the table and the profusion of expertly prepared dishes: chicken mushroom dumplings, turnip cake, crab claw, all served on simple white plateware. There are 100 rotating dishes on offer. George and Alice Chan founded the restaurant after fleeing China during the Communist Revolution, and it has passed through several hands and locations over the decades, today run by Vera Chan Waller and Nathan Waller. A painted portrait of Alice Chan graces the pale yellow walls and a few orchids add a pop of color.  Aware of being part of the fabric of San Francisco’s history, the restaurant’s website mentions the fun fact that the one-time Battery Street location operated for 20 years over the remains of an 1840 Gold Rush ship without knowing it; the General Harrison was rediscovered in 2001.  Michelin says, “Yank Sing is arguably the place in town for dim sum. The upscale setting boasts reasonable prices, and while peak hours entail a wait, one can be assured of quality and abundan

Although the Palette Tea House is found closer to Fisherman’s Wharf than to Chinatown, it’s still a fantastic dim sum house, and its colorful, busy interior ensures that you’ll have a memorable meal. Its placement in Ghirardelli Square (home to the iconic Gold Rush chocolatier Ghirardelli), halfway between Fisherman’s Wharf and Fort Mason, means you can enjoy other walking-distance attractions, whether you're a visitor or a San Franciscan “playing tourist.” Aesthetics rule the day here. The “palette” of the restaurant’s name refers to the plate you receive, shaped like an artist’s palette with five wells to hold differently colored sauces. It makes you feel like an artist preparing paints as you pour the sauces into your own palette. One of the standout dishes, a xiaolongbao sampler, also earns admiration for its five soup dumplings arranged in a rainbow array. The five dumplings have doughs colored red by beets, green by spinach, yellow by turmeric, black by squid ink and white. They each had different fillings and were absolutely delicious, served in a spoon-shaped vessel to catch the broth as you bite into them. We ordered the taro puff black swan with a delicate cracker neck that “floats” on an edible flower-strewn plate (though it is perhaps more beautiful to behold than to eat), and we found the hot and sour soup to be classically delicious.  I indulged on the dessert side with an espresso martini and Portuguese egg tart, while also stealing bites of my daughter’s mango

The lines are literally out the door at this fantastic spot tucked in the heart of Chinatown, and if you don’t have a reservation, you might get your heart broken. Here, a half-dozen ducks hang in the front window to let you know this is an authentic Peking Duck (not Peking-style duck) restaurant, where a 48-hour process keeps the duck meat succulent beneath its wildly crispy skin. The procedure involves air-pumping, blanching, drying and then roasting. This is a meticulous dish once prepared only for Chinese emperors, so how lucky are we to have it at our humble table? Fitting for its special status, it’s carved at a central station where you can watch and photograph, and it’s served as a half or full duck with pancakes, thinly sliced vegetables and sauce to create your own delicious roll.  As for dim sum, Z and Y Peking Duck boasts an impressive selection of Beijing-style dim sum, including duck bone and Napa cabbage soup, beef roll pancakes, and XLB dumplings like crab and pork or black truffle. The table next to us was raving about their grilled sea bass, and we loved the very simple yet complex hot and sour soup with cilantro. The tables’ proximity encourages discussion among strangers—it makes for a fun night. Don’t be confused, as we were, by the same-block proximity of Z & Y Restaurant, owned by the same kind family and also with lines out the door. Z & Y Restaurant dates to 2008 and has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction since 2012, serving Szechuan fare. Z & Y

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 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 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? 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? 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? 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 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.

Lake Tahoe is already known as a crave-worthy spot for skiers and riders, thanks to its steady level of snowfall each winter, terrain that supports athletes of all levels, sunny days and dramatic mountains ringing a picturesque alpine lake. The winters last long here (the projected closing date for wintertime activities at one resort is May 25, 2026), and the slope-side views of Lake Tahoe make for an exhilarating day. We love several resorts in the area, but have to hand it to the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe for being situated right on the mountain for ski-in, ski-out ease. This luxurious stay may make you hesitant to ever again stay somewhere you have to wrestle your gear onto a shuttle—a PITA when you just want to get your après-ski going—or drive back and forth to the mountain in traffic. Upon arrival, the Ritz valet parks your car and unloads your ski gear directly into the ski concierge’s area so you don’t have to think about it again. When you’re ready to ski, you just open a door to the outside and get underway. The ski concierge literally puts your snowboard on the ground for you so that all you have to do is step in (and at the end of your day, you hand over care of your equipment to be stored until the next use). Skiers immediately start down a gentle slope and within a minute find themselves at the bottom of one of Northstar California’s chairlifts. Snowboarders paddle the flats for about 35 yards and then are also effortlessly aimed downhill. When fully open, Norths

It may seem early to be thinking about Christmas but on the other hand, when you start looking at these photos of two viral pop-up bars, you will immediately want to be dusting silver glitter onto miniature evergreen trees, hoisting up holly and garlands and easing your body into sleek red velvet tops (or, conversely, ugly Christmas sweaters). Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, two incredibly festive pop-up bars, are returning in 2025 with more than 200 locations worldwide. Photograph: Michelle Hom Miracle offers Christmas drinks in a kitschy setting with the kind of décor you are used to seeing at Grandma’s (there’s also a Hanukkah area, yay!), with cocktails like the Christmapolitan, the Blitzen Barrel and the Run Run Reindeer. If you order the Naughty Shot or the Nice Shot, it comes in a keepsake Miracle glass you can take home. There are also nonalcoholic options including a Snow Day Sipper and a Silent Night. Miracle will open in November at close to 150 locations worldwide. Each location comes with the name of the address tacked on to sound like Miracle on 34th Street, such as Miami’s Miracle on 8th Street or Denver’s Miracle on Highway 16. Photograph: Randy Schmidt Sippin’ Santa carries a tropical theme into the holidays: think Santa meets tiki. The beverages trend towards coconut and pineapple, like the Coco Ho Ho Ho served in a porcelain coconut or the Nui Nui New Year, a multi-person drink with Santa and a friend lounging in a porcelain hot tub with a lime and orchid ga

Believe it or not, ski season is basically here. Time to tune up our skis and snowboards, find our cold weather gear and block out time on the calendar to head to the slopes. We’re all excited for it—but there’s one state whose residents are a little more active about Googling ski-related terms. We could even maybe call those people obsessed? Thanks to a study by KÜHL, which analyzed more than 450 ski-related keywords and over 500 resorts using Google Keyword Planner, we now know which states search for skiing the most. The state most obsessed with whizzing down the mountain is—surprise, surprise—Vermont. According to the report, the state is associated with 8,709 ski-related searches per 100,000 residents—that’s a lot! This year, Vermont residents got to enjoy the snow pretty early, with the first several feet falling during the first week of November. Resorts like Killington (the most searched resort in Vermont) and Stowe (which claims the number one spot on our list of best Christmas vacations) had to scramble to open early. The study says, “Vermont’s search interest far surpasses every other state, showing just how deeply skiing is woven into life in the Green Mountain State.” Second on the list is New Hampshire, with not even half as many searches as Vermont: 3,837 per 100,000 residents. But interest here peaked (ha!) when Black Mountain Ski Area announced it would open earlier than it has in . . . wait for it . . . 91 years. Only centenarians can remember that very earl

Looking for a holiday present for the traveler in your life? TSA PreCheck is an awesome gift... especially considering the limited-time buy one, get one $15 off promotion that's currently being offered. A few things to keep in mind: the promotion is only available for first-time customers and not those seeking to renew their membership. You'll need to enroll yourself as the paid primary customer before you can sign up the second person or find two people wanting to enroll in TSA PreCheck at the same time.    It definitely won’t be a surprise gift, since you and your BOGO friend will have to enroll together, at the same location on the same day, at the same time. If your group is larger than two, you can continue the “buy one, get one” promotion for the others, so a family of four would save $30. The BOGO $15 off deal ends December 31, so make sure you’re enrolled by then. Make your appointment here by entering your zip code and seeing which centers are closest to you. Often these are inside Staples, Office Max or Office Depot locations. You can also go straight to the website of one of the three main providers—Clear, Idemia or Telos—to preregister. Membership, which lasts five years, costs $77–85 depending on which provider you use. One last possible crinkle: some enrollment centers operated by Idemia will rebate the $15 discount five days after you pay the full amount. Shouldn’t be a huge deal but, if you’re unwilling, pay attention when you book your appointment since locat

Get in, losers, we’re going to Mother’s Ruin. Maybe we can’t make “fetch” happen, but we can down some beautiful specialty cocktails at “Jingle Bell Rock: A Mean Girls Christmas,” a Mean Girls-inspired holiday pop-up set to take over the beloved Nolita neighborhood bar nightly from December 11 through December 25, starting at 7pm through midnight.  Expect movie-themed décor, DJs spinning tunes, live music and the chance to snap Polaroid selfies that you'll be able to add to an interactive "burn book." Although not typically categorized as a holiday movie, Mean Girls certainly fits the bill—mostly because of the iconic talent show scene where the Plastics don sexy Santa outfits and perform “Jingle Bell Rock.” The 2004 cult classic, written by Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock's Tina Fey and starring Lindsay Lohan alongside Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried, among others, became a Broadway musical in 2018—and then, in true meta fashion, a movie based on the musical based on the movie. So yes, it’s pretty fetch. Mother’s Ruin has been around since 2011 in New York and now boasts locations in Austin, Chicago and Nashville. The bar’s name references an old nickname for gin—an 18th-century term born from its reputation for cheapness and chaos, though we’re quite certain Regina George’s mom would have handled it just fine. If you stop by during the pop-up, brush up on the rules: don’t wear sweats on Mondays, definitely wear pink on Wednesdays, avoid fast-moving buses and, for your o

Just in time for fun holiday gatherings, Rockefeller Center is hosting a pop-up playground of sorts, GE Vernova’s Innovators Toy Land. The activation will take over the plaza with a bustling playground aimed at kids and adults who are invited to play with hands-on STEM exhibits and meet scientists. It's all meant to inspire creativity, playfulness and innovation. The event takes place on December 8 between 9am and 10:30am and then again between 1pm and 4:30pm. Expect to play around with some time-honored toys like Slinky (the “walking” spring first sold in 1945), Lite-Bright (the light box with colored pegs that lets kids “draw” with light, first sold in 1967) and Rubik’s Cube (the 3-D box puzzle invented in Hungary and first sold in the U.S. in 1980). There will also be Snap Circuits, a toy first released in 2002, which helps kids understand circuits as they build them, teaching the science of electronics by making it fun. Families can visit the Snap Circuit toy grid station where they can connect circuits, activate switches and experiment with energy. Another source of energy at the plaza? The Christmas tree lights, which will be already turned on by that point (the official tree lighting ceremony is on December 3), so the pop-up toy land will be merry and sparkly.  While in the area, you might also want to spend some time inside the adorably cozy chalets, back at Rock Center for the season. The wood-trimmed, twinkly mini-lounges perched above the on-site ice skating rink r

This time of year, we’re all looking forward to exchanging our pumpkin spice latté for a steaming mug of hot chocolate as we gaze out the window at fast-falling snowflakes. Or, perhaps, we're enjoying milder temperatures and actually wishing we could have the hot cocoa in cold form. Is "cold cocoa" even a thing? At Jamba, yes. This year, for the first time, the smoothie palace is rolling out an all-new frozen hot chocolate, a “frozen twist on a classic fave,” in the company's own words. The new treat is made with milk, soy milk, chocolate powder, bananas (some extra potassium as we enter flu and cold season!), frozen yogurt and ice, blended and—here’s the best part—poured into a Nutella-rimmed cup and topped with coconut whip. Coconut and Nutella is the best combo since strings of electric lights met the holidays. So, maybe, instead of an ugly Santa sweater, you’ll be wearing an ugly Santa tank top, sipping on this traditional-takes-a-left-turn treat. The frozen hot chocolate is available now nationwide through January 12, 2026, and joins some of the other quirky menu items like the white gummi drink (a mixture of several sherbets and fruits) and the current “monthly mystery” drink, a banana cream pie smoothie.  In a culinary version of "who wore it best?," Starbucks is teaming up with Target to offer a different take on frozen hot chocolate: Starbucks' version is a frozen peppermint hot chocolate available only in Target stores through the holiday season. Happy cold cocoa dr

When booking a vacation, a destination's affordability can be top of mind—especially as costs of living rise all over the country. From flight prices to car rentals rates, restaurant and hotel room costs, there is a lot to keep track of—which is why we're paying particular attention to a new Forbes Advisor report titled "The U.S. Cities Becoming the Most Expensive to Visit in 2025." The new survey analyzes 75 major U.S. cities to figure out which are becoming the most expensive—the ones that, for whatever reason, are seeing a higher percentage of cost increases. The report is based on visitor costs and covers data from the last three years (post pandemic, which is helpful). If you’re planning to travel, it’s good to be armed with knowledge imparted by the report. Tied in first place are Detroit and Chicago. To be clear: these aren’t the most expensive cities overall (have you ever been to New York?) but they are the top two towns where prices are, overall, on the upswing. In third place is Atlanta, followed by Denver and then Charleston. None of these are cities we traditionally associate with high prices, but something’s happening, according to the report. Some other key facts to keep in mind: across all 75 cities, hotel costs have increased by an average of 3 percent, meal prices by an average of 24 percent and airfare by an average of 8 percent. That's rough to hear. Meal prices leapt the highest in Charleston, by a shocking 92 percent. On the other side of the coin, lucky

Boston has always been chock-full of enticing seafood restaurants reliant on the city's harbor and coastline and, now, serious foodies have an even more legitimate reason to descend on the land of baked beans: for the first time ever, a Boston eatery has received a Michelin star. Japanese destination 311 Omakase has officially earned one Michelin star, considered “worth a stop” by the guide.  For $250 per person, diners can enjoy an 18-course tasting menu helmed by founder and executive chef Wei Fa Chen, who crafts splendid nigiri at the intimate chef's counter using fish imported from Japan. "The chef's omakase features impressive nigiri showcasing high-quality product, much of it imported from Japan; and the range of fish could include fluke, striped beakfish and goldeneye snapper," reads the official Michelin write-up about the restaurant. "Cooked items precede the sushi and highlight a particular cooking method, such as delicately crunchy fried longtooth grouper with ponzu sauce or a simmered bowlful of amadai and abalone in dashi."  Clearly, chef Chen knows what he's doing, having honed his craft alongside Masa Takayama, the chef-owner of the first-ever Michelin-starred Japanese and sushi restaurants in the U.S., Masa in New York City (which recently lost one of its Michelin stars).  "My goal is to create exceptional traditional Japanese cuisine that reflects the artful use of ingredients and meticulous mastery of preparation techniques, while infusing classic dishes w

Grammy Award-winning artist NE-YO is making his Broadway debut in the wildly popular, also-Grammy-winning (and Tony-winning!) musical Hell’s Kitchen on December 4. He will play Davis, a father figure to the main character. Mounted at the Shubert Theatre, the jukebox musical, written and composed by Alicia Keys, tells the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Ali in 1990s New York. In keeping with that number, the show has already won 17 Grammy Awards. Although this will be NE-YO's first time on Broadway, the artist is clearly no stranger to the stage: he played the Tiin Man in NBC's The Wiz Live! back in 2015. “I’ve performed on a lot of stages in my life, but making my Broadway debut in Hell's Kitchen is something truly special,” NE-YO said on Instagram. “Alicia created a world that’s real, raw and full of soul, and stepping into the role of Davis lets me explore a whole new side of storytelling. I’m honored to join this incredible cast and creative team, and I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve got to the Shubert Theatre.” Keys—whose older hits like "Fallin'," "If I Ain't Got You," "No One" and "Empire State of Mind" feature in the show alongside new tracks—also expressed excitement in an official statement.  “[NE-YO's] special talent is going to bring even more magic to this powerful show,” she said. “Our story is about finding community, finding your place and we are excited to welcome him into the role of Davis. This is going to be unforgettable!” Keep in mind that, althou

Our nation’s parks—whether formed on the state or national level—are a source of joy, calm and connectedness to nature. While national parks tend to get all of the attention, state parks are absolutely worth a visit too. In New York, there are some gorgeous parks to choose from, especially now that fall foliage is hitting its late stages and the air is crisping up. Here are our favorite five (out of 180) most underrated state parks! First is Niagara Falls State Park. Yes, it may be crowded, but it’s an iconic American tradition to see the enormous spray from this gorgeous set of waterfalls. Back in 2022, a 1905 tunnel was reopened to let visitors experience the falls from a new, ground-level platform, giving more drama than seeing the falls from above. And now, a “Crow’s Nest” is underway, a set of stairs that let you walk halfway up the American side of the falls before returning back down into the gorge, relieving congestion and giving a new vantage point for visitors. It’s scheduled to open in 2026. In second place is Whetstone Gulf State Park in Lowville, in the Thousand Islands region. It’s built along a three-mile-long gorge and has impressive vistas, 56 beautifully wooded campsites, a swimming hole and, best of all, a hiking (and in winter, cross-country ski) trail that circles the gorge. A reservoir is stocked with fish for fishers, and non-fishers can canoe or kayak across it. According to Only in New York, “Camping here in the fall is a bit of a best-kept secret. Th

Are you ready for a brand-new holiday tradition that is going to hard-rock your world? The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood has just announced that it’s going to create an extraordinary 24-acre holiday village at the Guitar Hotel in its complex. For those unfamiliar, the Guitar Hotel is a 45-foot hotel in the shape of two upright back-to-back guitars with brightly lit strings. The 35-day event is called “Hard Rock the Holidays” and involves more than two million lights in a glowing wonderland with 20 different themed areas encircling the hotel’s pool. Rendering: Courtesy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Visitors can expect world-class seasonal food and drinks alongside live festive performances. Of course, Santa will also be on deck for photos in the light-filled, immersive environment (think forests of lit-up trees, colorful tunnels to walk through and even pool floats with giant candy canes).  Rendering: Courtesy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Guests will enter through the Gates of the Glowing Grove, flanked by two 13-foot illuminated deers, then walk through the North Pole Passage crafted of garland arches. Other standout scenes among the 20 displays are Frozen Flame, where ice sculptures shimmer' Santa's Celestial Ride, where Santa and his sleigh climb into the sky surrounded by glowing orbs; Starlight Boulevard, with a dozen illuminated star arches; Glowing Palm Paradise, where 28 palm trees—part of the traditional look of this Flor