Lauren Mack

If you're a fan of all things that go bump in the night, read on. These scarily good Airbnbs put the 'boo' in booking – admit it, you laughed. We've scoured Airbnb's most eclectic and eerie listings to find the most haunted Airbnbs in America, from creepy castles to spooky spare bedrooms and mysterious mansions. These rental haunted houses feature charming creaking floorboards, whimsical wainscoting, and vintage vibes along with chills, thrills, and frights from spirited ghost hosts that are straight out of the best Halloween movies of all time. Probably not for the faint-hearted. Prepare to be spooked. You might not rest in peace in these haunted homes, but you're bound to have a memorable night preparing for paranormal activity, seeking the supernatural, and greeting ghosts. Or if you're among the skeptical, these Airbnbs will have you make or break what you believe. But beware, bookings go as quickly as ghosts playing tag, so secure these haunted hotbeds ASAP. RECOMMENDED: The 10 most unique Airbnbs in the U.S. This guide was written by Time Out USA Contributor Lauren Mack. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This articl

Sometimes, we just need a different vantage point, like the kind that comes with a visit to the highest observation decks in the USA. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, North America started the phenomenon of building observation platforms to drive building revenue and allow visitors to see the surroundings from a new, sometimes vertigo-inducing, perspective. But it's not just skyscrapers that offer the most enviable views of America: Natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls have them, too. Whether atop a tall building or in nature, many of the most impressive observation decks you'll see today have also added unique features like glass ledges, revolving floors, and amusement rides to enhance an already exhilarating experience. Ready to face your fears? From glass floors and open-air skywalks to perches that look out into several states, soar to new heights at the coolest observation decks in America. RECOMMENDED: The coolest lighthouses in America

Nothing beats a classic road trip on Route 66, complete with a dog-eared map highlighting the route and notes of where to stop off along the way.  Nicknamed "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 offers drivers plenty of history, nostalgia and quirky curiosities to entertain and comfort drivers on their journey. Completed in the late 1930s, the iconic 2,451-mile stretch was the highway for folks wanting to travel from middle America to the West Coast in the 20th century. The eight-state journey along Route 66 begins in Chicago and meanders through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California. Driving from east to west, road trippers can admire the kitsch and neon that make this stretch of road so famous. From roadside architecture like Cadillac Ranch to superlative selfie spots like the world's second-largest rocking chair to landmarks like Wigwam Village Motel #6, these are the best Route 66 attractions worth the multi-week drive.

It’s no secret that there’s a hell of a lot of food to choose from in Orlando. In the past few decades, Orlando has risen to become a culinary center in Florida and a serious contender with the biggest cities in the food world.  And sure, it might be synonymous with Disney and theme parks, but Orlando knows how to do fine dining too. In 2024, a whole 48 Orlando restaurants now find themselves on the Michelin guide in some capacity. For those, head to our Orlando Michelin guide, but for everything from sandwiches to home-style classics, here are the best restaurants in Orlando right now.  RECOMMENDED:🎢 The best theme parks in Orlando🏖️ The best beaches near Orlando🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Orlando

The best things in life are, oftentimes, free, and travel is no exception. And who wouldn't want a free vacation? Especially when it costs 15 percent more to travel now than it did four years ago, according to NerdWallet's Travel Inflation Report. At a time when it seems nearly everything costs more, there are many legit, non-scammy ways to travel for free in the U.S. Get up and go—gratis —by getting creative, participating in the sharing economy and doing activities you already love. From pet sitting to couchsurfing to volunteering, here's how you can take the vacation of your dreams without spending a dollar. RECOMMENDED: The best cheap family vacations in the U.S.

Why is everyone vacationing in the same place? I often wonder this during travel spikes, scrolling social media to see people with nothing in common having the same experiences. Are we all spring skiers now? Is everyone actually having fun, or are we just yielding to a trend? It’s time we all dig a little deeper, skip the cookie-cutter trip and set off somewhere different. Forget what everyone else is doing! Let’s explore our own interests—and while we’re at it, do it where it’s not so crowded. To help you find the perfect underrated summer travel destination, we tapped our network of writers with plenty of experience discovering cool places. We’re showing new sides to cities and regions you already know and sharing choice spots that might be new to you. From wine tasting your way through Boise, Idaho, and encountering wildlife in Oakland, California, to ferry hopping in Southeast Alaska, these aren’t your typical summer escapes. A little less popular and still very exciting, these underrated U.S. destinations are calling your name this summer.

There are more than 35,000 museums in the United States, with exhibitions that range from art to history to science and everything in between. Some museums are traditional treasure troves with artifacts of times gone by, while others are downright weird and devoted to singular items, issues and topics—from potatoes and funeral history to, yes, mustard. From bottles to underwater diving to SPAM, we visit and admire the absolute weirdest museums in the U.S. that are sure to leave you intrigued and entertained. RECOMMENDED: The best weird and alternative museums around the world

Back in the "Roaring Twenties," people had to be quite stealthy to get their hands on some booze. As Prohibition ruled the land, creativity was needed to find a place to let loose and party. And so enter speakeasies. These underground drinking designations often had secret entrances and were only known through word-of-mouth.  After Prohibition lifted and people could drink freely once again, many speakeasies closed. However, a few from those days are still in operation, like the Back Room in New York City. There is also a large crop of modern, clandestine speakeasies that are hidden away in all sorts of places: behind a fake storefront, in a barbershop, behind bookcases, and more. These modern clandestine operations pay homage to the 1920s with creative takes on classic cocktails and moody interiors. From New York City to Los Angeles and many cities in between, here are the 25 best speakeasies in the US. RECOMMENDED: America's coolest secret restaurants

At Time Out, we’re all about helping you see the world on the cheap and leading you to the best travel deals whenever possible. But sometimes, even the thrifty seek a bit of luxury on vacation, a place to comfortably kick their feet up before it’s time to squeeze into that basic economy seat. I mean, who can turn down a $99 flight to Europe? Not us! For that, we love an airport lounge. These once exclusive domains for the most privileged passengers have dramatically changed since American Airlines opened the first in NY’s LaGuardia Airport in 1939. What started as an invitation-only club for folks to enjoy a pre-board cocktail has evolved into a massive network of areas for travelers to rest, work, refuel and idle before a flight. Today, there are more lounges than ever, offering all kinds of amenities (pickleball, anyone?) and greater access for all. Headed to the airport soon? We asked Time Out editors and frequent contributors to share their favorite lounges in the U.S. Whether you're lounge-curious or a pro looking for a new respite when you fly, you'll find helpful intel for your next trip below. 

Love may have no bounds, but there sure are many romantic places to remind us how much we adore our special someone. Indulge your love language of quality time by taking a trip to the most romantic places in the U.S. Whether you get starry-eyed among the stars in Alaska, take a long walk hand-in-hand on a sun-drenched secluded beach in Florida, or get carried away on an air balloon ride in Albuquerque, New Mexico, these 14 classic, romantic rendezvous in the great outdoors are the most romantic getaways for Valentine's Day, date nights, proposals and beyond. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic hotels in the U.S.

We love a European vacation as much as the next person, but perhaps less so these days. Despite the many flash sales luring us abroad, there’s just too much to see and do right here in America. The rise in low-cost airlines expanding their routes throughout the U.S. has also refocused our wanderlust, nudging us toward short escapes closer to home. And with limited time and budgets, 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 2024? These places should absolutely be on your travel radar this year. RECOMMENDED: The best cities to visit in the U.S.

Show us your beads! Mardi Gras, the carnival celebration synonymous with parades, king cakes, and purple, green, and gold beaded necklaces, is here. French for "Fat Tuesday," Mardi Gras was first celebrated in ancient Greece and Rome and then in Paris in the Middle Ages. Thanks to French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville, Mardi Gras arrived in the U.S. in 1699 and winter has never been the same. The pre-Lenten Christian celebration begins as early as the 12th night of Christmas (January 5). It continues until Fat Tuesday (this year, February 13), the day before the start of Lent, a period of 40 days of sacrifice and reflection observed by many Christians. Get your krewe together and get ready to party. From the epicenter of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the U.S.'s oldest Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile, Alabama, to one of the most extended celebrations in Orlando, Florida, these are the 13 best places to celebrate Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll)! RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in New Orleans