Malika Bowling

Say the word “cruise” and most people picture crowded buffets, overstuffed casinos, or jostling for a sun lounger by the pool. But Viking Polaris is here to smash that cliché to pieces—literally, with its ice-strengthened hull. This 378-passenger expedition ship is custom-built for Antarctica and the Arctic, but every summer it sneaks over to North America for a spin around the Great Lakes. The result? A domestic cruise that feels less like a floating theme park and more like an urbane field trip for grown-ups who like their cocktails shaken and their science real. A ship that acts like a university (but with better booze) Forget conga lines. On board, the action happens in The Aula, a lecture hall-meets-theater with wraparound windows that make TED Talks look drab. Here, scientists and naturalists give afternoon and evening talks on everything from harmful algae blooms to shipwreck archaeology. Think of it as Netflix’s Explained, only live, with a bar nearby to imbibe while you learn from the experts. RECOMMENDED: I swore I'd never go on a mega cruise ship—then a floating carousel and robot bartender proved me wrong Polaris also houses a fully functioning science lab where real researchers from institutions such as Cornell and NOAA study microplastics, track bird migration and analyze lake water. Passengers can step inside to see microscopes glowing, samples filtering and data pinging back to universities.   Adventure gear, but make it chic This isn’t all charts and petri di

Whenever I craved a little entertainment, I knew I could count on Agatha’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, the go-to spot for live theater and dining. But its closure during COVID left a gaping hole in the city’s entertainment scene. Nothing could pull me out of bed and into Atlanta traffic like Agatha’s used to, but fast forward a couple of decades, and now Petite Violette’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater—a thrilling interactive murder mystery dinner—has me jumping out of bed.  A unique introduction to the play The show I attended, Top Gunnerton: The Maverick Who Loved Me, was a fun mashup of Top Gun and Bridgeton. From the moment I walked in, it was clear I was about to be a part of something special. Upon entering, the hostess directed me to the private dining room, where I met the actors, including Darlene Gunnerton, who handed me a note with my role in the play. It listed my character and a few lines. Wait—am I a part of this? This was no passive dinner show. Here, the audience was part of the cast, and the dining room was our stage. Funny enough, only two actors were professionals—the rest of us were the cast.  Next, I found my name on the place card at my table. I made sure to reread my lines several times to be prepared. Your card tells you what part of the act and scene is yours, so you know exactly when to stand up and play your part. Though, I’ll be honest, I was still a bit nervous.  Unraveling the mystery Murder mystery dinner theater is like stepping into your fav

Binging-watching Emily in Paris and seeing her zip through Rome on a Vespa inspired me to tour new cities her way. There’s something rewarding about being a passenger—you get to take in the sights, sounds and little details you’d miss if you were the one driving. So, for my trip to San Antonio, I booked a Vespa sidecar tour with San Antonio Sidecars, the first and only tour of its kind in the city. Not only did it feel like a bucket-list moment, but it completely transformed the way I experienced the city. Here’s why you should add it to your list, too. My San Antonio Sidecar experience Before embarking on an hour-and-a-half Vespa tour, I was greeted with a warm welcome by company owners and husband-and-wife duo Liz and Kevin Mancha, who are San Antonio natives. Their passion shines through their knack for history, eye for hidden gems and mapped-out routes that weave together San Antonio’s rich culture and vibrant neighborhoods in a thoughtful way that goes beyond a traditional bus tour. As if the Vespas are not recognizable enough, Kevin and Liz personalize their rides with charming touches, from faux floral strings to butterfly stickers, making each Vespa feel as unique as the journey it takes.  Courtesy Malika BowlingSan Antonio Sidecars I hopped in the sidecar, with Liz behind the wheel, as we headed to one of the group’s first stops: a quiet side street. At first glance, the street seemed unassuming, until Kevin (riding with my husband, Glen), pointed out a colorful mu