Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

NYC currently is, and we’re confident always will be, one of the best cities in the world for clubbing and nightlife. While trends and tastes have changed over the decades, the best clubs in NYC are always in-demand. Maybe you’re needing to blow off some serious steam with an all-night party, or wanting to impress someone special with a venue that’s a little more discreet and sophisticated. Either way, if you’re looking to dance the night away, check out one of the lively music venues, dance halls, and raucous haunts that populate this list. Back in the day, the majority of the most popular clubs were concentrated in just a few neighborhoods, but now the best clubs can be found from Ridgewood to the Financial District. For more places to get down in venues other than clubs, check out the best places to dance in NYC. If you’re concerned about cover charges and bottle service, remember to pre-party at one of the best dive bars in NYC. So get out there and bust a move, and if you do it right, you can keep the party going by heading straight to one of the best brunch spots in NYC. RECOMMENDED: The best places to dance in NYC

The iconic NYC skyline is ever-changing, with fabulous new buildings rising up next to historic beauties like the Empire State, Chrysler and Flatiron buildings. The best views in NYC are from above, atop said buildings and others. These breathtaking panoramas are attractions on their own, and many viewpoints are among the best free things to do in the city. If you’re visiting NYC, or just in the mood for a staycation, why not choose a hotel that also happens to have one of these gorgeous views? These hotels offer views of the city that can’t be beaten. These are top-notch hotels with luxurious, lavish interiors as well as prime views of Central Park, the skyline, the Hudson River and more. After tackling the best museums, galleries, restaurants, neighborhoods and other things to do in NYC, you can kick back, relax and absorb all you’ve seen on your city adventures. Need some extra relaxation? Some of these hotels have hot tubs and some are home to the best spas in the city. We’ve checked these out ourselves to make sure these views really do take the cake! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

According to TikTok, grocery stores are the new “it” destinations for travelers, and why shouldn’t they be? Supermarkets are both a practical and enjoyable stop on any trip. Think—free entry, air-conditioned and stocked with accessibly priced souvenirs, snacks and snippets of local culture. Consider us convinced. We're not talking about ho-hum, run-of-the-mill stores here, either. The United States is full of excellent, completely unique and trip-worthy grocery stores that offer plenty of local character and hours of entertainment—and plenty of food, of course. Here are nine of the nation’s most intriguing grocery stores to seek out. RECOMMENDED: Here are the 15 best convenience stores in the U.S.The top tourist attractions in America

New York is a shopper’s dream because it has a treasure trove of trendy boutiques, iconic department stores, must-shop vintage haunts and quirky thrift shops. People come from all over the world to browse the aisles and showrooms of NYC’s very best. But for locals, shopping can be a pain, not to mention expensive. As an alternative, look to the best outlets near New York. From New Jersey to Connecticut, these outlets have everything you need—clothes, shoes, accessories, home goods and more. You’ll find great deals, all kinds of shops in one mega location, decent food options and even entertainment like comedy shows or ice skating. Since you’re heading outside the city (or state, depending), why not plan an entire weekend getaway around your shopping excursion? Shopping, entertainment and more await at these NYC-area outlets. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in New York

New York City has a trove of tattoo talent (just, um, look at the skin of someone nearby?), and finding a good place to get a tattoo isn't difficult. Finding a great place takes a little more descretion. And great is, well, subjective. Maybe you want a longtime artist who has seen and tattooed it all, or you're open to an apprentice who's crazy talented, but a little lower in price. One thing's for sure: You want to be clean, comfortable and wholly satisfied with your new body art. We've got you.  Whether you want a custom design or are picking your favorite New York City skyscraper off a flash sheet, here's where to get inked across New York City. 

New York is, not arguably, the best place to eat in the world. The five boroughs contain some of the most restaurants per capita of any U.S. city, and the cuisines include tastes from nations, cultures, and traditions worldwide.  Want a family-style Filipino feast on a weeknight? Hard-to-find Czech delicacies for brunch? A Malaysian coffee and breakfast? A never-before-seen mash-up combo of two foods you love but never thought you'd enjoy in the same bite? You've got it. New York's local restaurants range from historic delis, to new, independent projects that creative New Yorkers put their all into to share their passion with diners across the city. Here are some solid spots to dine in New York, whether you're craving pastrami or poke. 

Sure, NYC has world-class parks, museums, stadiums, stores and restaurants, but escaping the chaos offers a nice respite (even if you only stay at one of the best upstate New York resorts for one or two nights). The best part is, you don’t even have to leave the state to have some incredible experiences on weekend getaways if you’re tight for time. Beyond Hudson Valley, here are some of the best places to visit in New York State for everything from wine tasting to admiring fall foliage. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the CatskillsThe best resorts in upstate New York

Manhattan’s magic is that within a tiny island, dozens of micro-communities welcome the hordes of people and cultures that make the city unique—from downtown’s Chinatown, with its pulled noodles and dumpling shops, to uptown’s Little Dominican Republic filled with restaurants serving up island cuisine. Manhattan is also home to Little Italy, Little Brazil, Little Tokyo, Ukrainian Village, Koreatown, El Barrio, and many more.  But until recently, French culture didn’t have a concentrated spot on the map. The founders of the local French language school Coucou, Léa and Marianne Perret, are working to change that. They’ve christened their nook of Nolita with a handpainted sign reading “Little Paris" and are working to officially rename the neighborhood. Even moreso, they're striving to bring together a community of French businesses, Francophiles, and Francophones in Lower Manhattan. Find Little Paris on Centre Street, between Broome and Grand Street. Even the stars of Emily in Paris have hung out in this neighborhood, and if it's Chef Gabriel-endorsed, you know it's legit. Interestingly, the lack of a specified space for Francophiles in Manhattan wasn't always the case. In the late 19th Century, Soho had its own French Quarter, as chronicled in an 1879 issue of Scribner's Monthly: "The people are nearly all French. French too is the language of the signs over the doors and in the windows." Photograph: Courtesy Robert Lester/Coucou Today, more than 60,000 French citizens and o

New York is a city of neighborhoods, and each neighborhood has its specific charms and destination-worthy outings. Whether you're looking for an artistic outlet, an escape into nature, an adreneline-increasing activity, cultural immersion or more, local spaces are waiting for you. And so many of these things to do are only in New York. Wild indoor mini golf for adults? Check. A vegan jazz club? Of course! Custom lingerie, improv while drinking, open podcast studios, ninja training and more are just a Metrocard swipe away.  If New York has one problem, it's too much to do everyday. We've you helped narrow it down.

Going out in New York can be as easy as stopping at the nearest corner for happy hour, and staying all night. The city is lush with incredible bars, specializing in everything from award-winning craft cocktails to natural wines to cheap drinks that keep the party going. And while there are tons of critically acclaimed spots to drink across the boroughs, there's nothing quite like a local bar with friendly bartenders, cold drinks, and a convivial ambiance that, well, makes it hard to say no to the next round. There's nothing quite like a New York neighborhood bar, even if you're not in your own neighborhood. Here's where to drink to feel like a local. 

It's summer in the city, but you just want to GTFO. However, you're not looking for some quaint camping trip upstate or a family-friendly weekend getaway—you want city-level raging with the beach breeze in your hair. And accessibility by train. Montauk, the surfer-fishermen town set in the farthest point out east in the Hamptons, is known for an "it" scene during the summer thanks to its high-low mix of elitist clubs, gritty dives, local hangouts and a constant influx of new bars and restaurants. We’ve rounded up the best Montauk bars for partying in the Hamptons’ rowdiest hamlet. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the Hamptons, NY

Searching for great things to do near the High Line? The beautiful, one-of-a-kind park attracts locals and tourists with its scenic views and greenery. Now running a span of 22 blocks (about 1.5 miles), the High Line is located near plenty of fun-having spots. Grab lunch at Chelsea Market, peruse some of the best Chelsea art galleries, or stroll over to one of the other best NYC Parks—Hudson River Park. You're also close enough to discover Hudson Yards and Manhattan West. There are many options to choose from, but here are our top suggestions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the High Line in NYC

New to Montauk as of May 2024, Shark Bar has quickly become a staple for locals, summer people, and weekenders alike. Run by the same team as last summer’s new hyper-buzzy steakhouse, Maverick’s, Shark Bar attracts off-duty seasonal workers and industry folks, rowdy partiers, and hungry revelers eager to snack on fried oysters and Cajun fries while sipping frozen tiki drinks. Open only until dinnertime, Shark Bar is more of a spot for a day party, happy hour, or pre-game, but is certainly a fun time.

The music from Bounce’s rooftop lures in visitors from downtown Montauk for clubby parties that appeal to bachelorette and bachelor parties, group trips and curious tourists alike. Nearly every night and most afternoons bring out a DJ, with VIP tables bookable for those eager to go all out just a block from the Atlantic Ocean (in the former Sloppy Tuna spot). Brunch and dinner are also served here, making it an easy one-stop shop for a group who need to fuel up on truffle fries and $43 lobster rolls before dancing the night away.  

Equinox is pretty much ubiquitous with upscale wellness, and the well-known brand’s first foray into the hospitality space aligns. First opened in July 2019, Equinox has seen a post-shutdown resurgence of luxury travelers, for both leisure and business (and also staycationing) in its 14 stories of a 92-story skyscraper.  Along with regular gym members, hotel guests have access to Equinox Hudson Yards’ 60,000 square feet of club space, plus indoor and outdoor pools, plunge pools, group fitness classes, training, locker rooms and more. An on-site spa also offers premium relaxation and rejuvenation through signature inner and outer body treatments.  Following the wellness theme, Equinox’s guest rooms are meticulously designed for a better night’s sleep, which, well, depends on the sleeper. During my stay, soundproof walls and light-blocking curtains created such a dark sleep chamber that I didn’t notice how close I was to the West Side Highway. The all-natural fibers on the bed are designed for the perfect shut-eye once tucked in, but they weren’t my favorite to sleep with. And if you’re more used to a foam mattress, the hard sleep surface might not suffice (though a “PM Rituals” program on the in-room TV may help you settle). The sky lobby is a small living room space on the 25th floor with cozy seating and counters to get some work done or meet with visitors. Below, the 24th floor houses Electric Lemon, a stunning health-focused fine dining restaurant with a gorgeous terrace a

Located on The Hamptons’ largest marina, Montauk Yacht Club is a full-service resort just minutes from downtown Montauk. The most expensive property sale in Hamptons history, the renovated resort opened in 2023 with 107 modern yet nautical guest rooms, plus 22 standalone villas. Showfish, the property’s signature restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Il Forno offers Neapolitan-style pizzas to enjoy by the pool. A second more quiet pool, plus an indoor pool are also onsite, as is a quiet swimming beach on Lake Montauk.  The entire waterfront property is dog- and family-friendly, with attentive service and amenities including paddleboards and kayaks, free cruises on the property’s electric yacht, and more – all with no resort fee. Outdoor sofas, dock chairs and loungers are ample across the hotel, so there are plenty of spaces to lounge, relax with a book (or smartphone, WiFi is strong), order a spritz and unwind. The crowd ranges from city and suburban weekenders to local folks who park their boats (yachts) on-site, with notorious late-night parties raging when Showfish transitions to club mode with a DJ. Don’t worry: the guest rooms are far enough away if you want a quiet, good night’s sleep, or if you just want to conveniently roll into bed at 4am. Neighborhood Located on Star Island on Lake Montauk, Montauk Yacht Club is at the edge of the East End hamlet, and a resort neighborhood within itself. That is, you don’t have to leave once you check in, and if you a

Brand new construction that opened in 2023, Moxy Williamsburg is a sharp, artistically inclined space, with 10 floors of guest rooms, plus a rooftop bar, LilliStar, and a basement gym. On the ground level, a cozy lobby opens directly onto bustling Bedford Avenue, with Bar Bedford offering guests coffee and breakfast, plus refreshments throughout the day. It’s a casual spot to get some work done (free Wifi is available to all), people watch or plan to meet with friends before venturing out into Brooklyn. Yes, it feels like a hotel lobby, but the decor is sleek, the volume is minimal, and locals can also pop in for a cocktail or Zoom meeting. A covered backyard also offers coworking space, where you can relax on a picnic bench with your laptop or take a cornhole break when you need an email recess. In a city full of events, the Moxy makes sure to keep guests intrigued and entertained as well. Happy hours, drag brunches and more take place on-site, and a WNBA partnership offers guests discount tickets to New York Liberty games at nearby Barclays Center.  The property’s in-house restaurant, Mesiba, is popular for its Tel Aviv cuisine, including homemade breads, dips and heartier entrees served in a sleek, plant-filled space. In the back, a Dolly Parton- inspired nightclub, Jolene, hosts DJs and dance parties of up to 140 guests.   Like most city hotel rooms, guest rooms are cozy, and styled like efficient Brooklyn studios.  Space-maximizing features include under-bed storage, fol

It’s prom season, and you don’t have to be a teen to enjoy the annual festival ball. Queer Prom is coming to Crystal Lake, an event space in Williamsburg, on Thursday, May 11 at 9pm. The party will go until 3am with entertainment, drag performances, dancing, drinking (peanut butter espresso martini, anyone?) and much more. Tickets are sliding scale in price, to be inclusive of all budgets. Groups are welcome, as are singles, couples and throuples. Those who want to meet a plus one on-site can also head to the event early when @dykefembot will host a speed dating event.  Prom outfits are encouraged, and a competition for prom royalty will offer a coronation to the crowned queer. The winners will also receive a goody bag from Babetown, and a binder from For Them.  Photographer Dev Baby will be available to capture all the prom ‘fits and let you strike the perfect prom pose, and three local DJs—DJ Petal, DJ Crystal Queer, and DJ Jay Essex—will play all night. If you want a permanent souvenir from prom night, Tattoos by Priya will offer ink on-site. Less permanent accessories, like jewelry, will also be for purchase, at a pop-up shop from queer Korean-American-owned misomomo. Consumable treats from The Lost Canna Club will be sold all night, and guests will also be treated to a free pre-roll, if desired. 

Think your favorite family-run Italian deli—but 100% plant based! This charming deli counter offers a full menu of hot and cold sandwiches, all vegan, with options ranging from the classic smoked deli meats with faux cheese to hot bites like crispy calamari fashioned from hearts of palm. Pasta and deli case salads are offered as well. 

Lodged between Herald Square and Penn Station, a new destination-worthy Thai restaurant can feel, well, random. And that's exactly the point of Random Access, a cozy, bilevel comfort food restaurant at 138 W. 32 St. Run by Hand Hospitality—the restaurant group behind local hits like Her Name is Han, Hakata Tonton, LittleMad and several more Manhattan eateries—Random Access offers a laid-back vibe and extensive menu.  Central to the menu are Thai-American crossover dishes, also known as "Random Classics." Crab curry mac and cheese is baked with crab meat, macaroni, mozzarella and topped with a crisp layer of shallot chips and fresh cilantro. Chicken and waffles are created from fried chicken thighs and coconut milk waffle served with somtum pickle, cilantro, thai chili and a lime wedge. The spicy Thai ragu spaghetti is like a pad kee mao meets marinara, topped with green peppercorns, Thai basil and grated parmesan.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Random Access (@randomaccess.nyc) The fusion menu is enough to fill up on, but Random Access also offers a full noodle bar (think spicy curry chicken ramen, beef noodle soup and more) and a somtum bar to create your own papaya salad. Small bites, raw dishes and stir-fries are also on the menu, as well as larger, shareable dishes to add to the delicious culinary chaos of the extensive menu. Kub Khao, the shareables, are worth bringing a crew for, especially to dig into crispy pork belly and the photogeni

The school cafeteria has nothing on this tapas restaurant.  Oliva, a new Spanish restaurant by chef Franklin Becker, is adjacent to Manhattanville Market, which is within Columbia University’s Jerome L. Greene Science Center, but the offerings are far from university fare.  The lively, fun West Harlem spot serves premium products sourced directly from Spain, showcasing shareable dishes with modern interpretations to whisk you across the Atlantic in just a few small bites.  Oliva’s menu, developed with Chef de Cuisine Chris Strelnick, highlights cured meats, Embutidos, along with a variety of queso, a frio y ambiente section and finishes with a selection of calida y caliente. For non-hispanohablantes, that’s cold and hot dishes. Standout dishes from the Fall 2021 opening menu include a mackerel and blood orange crudo, Serrano ham croquetas, crab fideos and a Soccarat, or seafood rice, for two. For dessert, a crema Catalana presents a creamy Barcelonian twist on more familiar creme brulee.  The beverage menu, designed by mixologist Eamon Rockey, offers beverages from regions around Spain, local New York beers, ciders and spirits, plus cocktails designed to emulate the easygoing European lifestyle. There is, of course, sangria, as well as Spanish-style gin and tonics, with fresh and dried botanicals, and plenty of fortified wines, like sherry and vermouth.   Live music nights help fill the floor-to-ceiling glass space with joy and celebration, and the restaurant serves as a nice

A beachy vacation may not be in reach (or in season), but Jibs’ New England style seafood shack transports you to sandier, breezier vibes where summer is totally a verb.  Situated on the Hudson River at Hudson Yards, with spacious outdoor seating, Jibs is a collaborative, luxe lobster shack created by Cobi Levy and Will Makris (ACT2 Hospitality: Lola Taverna, Baby Luc's), Thatcher Shultz (Kind Regards, Make Believe), Chef David Ladner (Rhode Island's acclaimed Spiced Pear; Rialto in Cambridge), and General Manager Trisha Hitko. The menu melds traditional, nostalgic seafood shack delights with seasonal specials. Think: Lobster makes, Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls and fried seafood basket with cod, calamari or crab cakes. Grilled and steamed seafood is also available, including whole lobster, black sea bass, and more, as well as a raw bar featuring a variety of oysters, clams and shrimp. On the side, opt for crispy crinkle French fries,  corn on the cob or seasonal veggies.  Jibs’ bar features a combination of classic cocktails, cold beer, and wines, all to be paired with the food and the nautical experience.    Designed by Levy and styled by Mate Gallery’s Matt Albiani, Jibs’ 6,500-square-foot space evokes a simpler, more colorful time, particularly on Cape Cod or the coast of Maine.  Blue-and-white striped private cabanas with 180-degree views of the Hudson River, a “Grass Lounge” area featuring nautical-themed covered seating, a hammock, sandpit, and assorted gre

Dinner, drinks and dancing may not be what it was in New York’s pre-digital everything heyday, but Bacall’s Family Steakhouse throws it back. Inspired by New Yorker and Hollywood star Lauren Bacall, and her Jewish-Romanian upbringing in The Bronx, Bacall’s merges 1940s era Hollywood charm (Chandeliers! Vintage decor!) with once again trendy Eastern European dishes.  Appetizer’s riff on a bubbe’s standards: deep-fried beef kreplach, chopped chicken liver with challah, latkes with applesauce and gefilte fish topped caesar salad all kick off the menu. Sweet and sour meatballs and matzo ball soup are also served, before shareable meat-centric feasts like slow-cooked brisket, dill-and-basil salmon and a steak and fries platter that could serve a small family. Quick, pre-theater meals like rotisserie chicken with a side of kugel, pasta and a wagyu burger are also available, but Bacall’s is a place to luxuriate. Along with the updated nostalgic menu, Bacall’s has an in-house musician, Dani Luv, famed troubadour of the Lower East Side’s Famous Sammy’s Roumanian for over 20 years, who performs nightly. Come with cash for tips and ideas for song requests, the cheesier the better.  Dancing the hora around the restaurant (yes, that happens) is of course more fun after indulging at Bacall’s in-house vodka bar. The “Vodcã Blast” program offers top-shelf vodka encased in an ice block, served tableside with a choice of mixers or shot glasses, and upon special request, with cucumber cups or a

Rockefeller Center is looking little more like a charming European piazza, thanks to Lodi, an all-day restaurant, bakery, and bar inspired by Italian caffè culture now open at 1 Rockefeller Plaza.  Chef Ignacio Mattos, of Manhattan favorites estela and Altro Paradiso, is behind the new spot, which is part of a revitalization of Rockefeller Center, breathing some twenty-first century life into the historic, tourist-frequented location. That is, you're likely to see the pastries and stylized pastries on your FYP.  “Lodi is a reminder of how much restaurants, caffès, and bakeries bring to our communities,” says Mattos. “As we enter this new stage in New York City, we’re returning to our roots with an appreciation for the most essential crafts, such as milling, baking, and distilling. Lodi is a celebration of what we love to do.” Head Baker and Pastry Chef Louis Volle, who cut his teeth at Dean & Deluca (RIP), Blue Hill Stone Barns and Tartine, created an bread and pastry program celebrating the craft of milling and baking. A large stone mill, the first of its kind in Manhattan, will freshly grind single variety grains into flours for the specialty baked goods, which will rotate through Lodi's ovens all day long.   Mornings feature a selection of Pasticcini (small pastries) such as cornetto, cioccolato, maritozzo and bombolone. Prima Colazione (breakfast) includes soft eggs with smoked salmon and oats with fruit and honey.  The Pane (bread menu) showcases natural fermentation an

Train travel through the South is looking better than ever, especially thanks to the recent revival of a long-discontinued route. On August 6, Amtrak announced that the route between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, will come back in 2025, following a 20-year hiatus on that line. The passenger route, which hasn't been in effect since Hurricane Katrina damaged the line in 2005, will run twice daily and include stops in four cities in Mississippi: Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. The reopening of the 130-mile route is only possible due to a $178.4 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as $3 million funded by the Alabama Port Authority, the State of Alabama, and the Mobile City Council, following Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's opposition to funding the Gulf Rail project.  The years-long effort to restore this route is great news for regional commuters, as well as travelers through the south who will now have yet another way to visit major cities and enjoy impressive gulf views along the way.  “This is an incredible outcome and we have worked so very hard with our partners to finally get to this point. With the funding in place, this train can roll soon, and it will have a great return on investment and a tremendous impact in connecting people with jobs and education opportunities, boosting our local economies, and supporting our growing tourism industry in our coastal cities,” said Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross in

Now's the time to book a fall getaway! Or another, if your schedule is filling up. JetBlue just announced the kickoff of the airline's annual Big Fall Sale with a week of major deals dropping from Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 23.  And booking a JetBlue flight for the autumnal months may even be cheaper than getting to the airport with this sale. Deals include one-way fares from $39 and JetBlue Vacations packages, which include flights and two hotel nights, from $152.  All travel included in the sale takes place between September 10 through November 20, 2024 and excludes Thursday, Friday, and Sunday travel. Still, if you're willing to be a bit flexible with your dates (and maybe get creative with your vacation days and JetBlue's high-speed in-flight WiFi), there are some major deals out there.  From New York City, travelers can book travel to Europe for under $300, including one-way fares to Amsterdam (AMS) starting at $249, Paris (CDG) starting at $249, London (LHR, LGW) starting at $249, and Dublin (DUB) starting at $199. Domestically, travelers can depart from New York to Miami (MIA) for $49 or West Palm Beach (PBI) for the same price. Fares to Atlanta (ATL) start at $59 and flights to Saint Vincent (SVD) are $99.   Those booking with TrueBlue points can also find fares as low as 4,400 points, including trips between Boston (BOS) and New York City, or Atlanta (ATL), Nashville (BNA), Portland (PMW), Savannah (SAV), and New York.  Already, JetBlue has poised itsel

Demure is the word of the week across the Internet, and of course, the travel industry is catching on. Inspired by a series of videos by TikTok creator Jools Lebron, demureness is having a moment. It's giving cutesy. It's giving mindful. It's giving getaway with demurity. Here's where to book a delightfully humble but aesthetic getaway.  Countryside Farm Treehouse  Located in Willington, Connecticut, this treehouse in the woods (don't worry, it has Wi-Fi) is truly mindful. Get away from it all in this lofted one-bedroom, where animals, including goats, cats, and dogs, roam in the backyard connected to Bluebird Farm. Rates start at $235 per night before cleaning and fees.   Mid-century A-frame Escape to Hamlin, Pennsylvania, to a chic cabin that sleeps six. The stylish A-frame has been featured in Condé Nast Traveler and GQ, so it may not be the demurest of the demure, but you can still use it for a demure friends or couples getaway.  A-Frame Tiny Cabin  Is there anything more demure than a tiny home? Sneak into Southampton, Massachusetts, for a retreat in the Pioneer Valley with just you and the trees for company. AirbnbTiny A-Frame cabin in Southampton, Massachusetts Romantic Treehouse  An opulent treehouse whisper-screams demure with the best intentions and this listing in Bloomington Springs, Tennessee, is certainly one for the books. This guest favorite also features an outdoor barrel sauna, cold plunge, outdoor kitchen, and more, all an hour from Nashville.  Secluded P

Summer is in full swing, but Labor Day is just around the corner. Labor Day weekend kicks off on Friday, August 30 (so early!) and with it, the last official bout of seasonal travel. Whether you're planning a road trip or just driving to the airport, a little advance scheduling may help you skip traffic on this infamously chaotic long weekend. According to data from AAA, if you're taking an extra long weekend and departing on Thursday, August 29, the worst time to travel by car is between 1pm to 7pm, but leaving before 11am is the best time. Friday travelers will see the worst times on the road at 2pm through 6pm and leaving before noon is the suggested best time. Those procrastinating a bit and leaving on Saturday, August 31 can sleep in, as the worst time is said to be between 8am and 11am, with the best times after 12pm.  Coming back from vacation is never fun, sitting in traffic can make it so much worse.  Those returning on Sunday, September 1, should go before noon, which AAA says is the best time, followed by the worst time between 2pm and 8pm. Those traveling on Monday, September 2, will have to wake up early or stay up late to optimize road travel: the worst time is said to be from 11am to 8pm, with the best time before 10am. Taking an extra vacation day on Tuesday, September 3, may be wisest, with the best travel times suggested after 1pm.  Of course, where you're driving may also affect road conditions. Washington, D.C., is expected to have the worst traffic increa

  The Olympics season has come to a close. We cheered on the USA at the Paris Olympics, saw Simone Biles and the U.S. gymnastics team dominate their routines, witnessed records breaking, and so much more. The USA exceeded its performance in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Here's how the U.S. is performed:  Every U.S. medal winner at the Paris Olympics 2024  The list of U.S. medal winners includes:  Date Athlete/Team Medal Event Sport 27 July Sarah Bacon/Kassidy Cook Silver Women's springboard 3m synchronized Diving 27 July Chloe Dygert Bronze Bronze Women's individual time trial 27 July Katie Ledecky Bronze 400m freestyle Swimming 27 July Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh. Torri Huske, Simone Manuel, Erika Connolly, Abbey Weitzel Silver Women, 4x100m freestyle, Swimming 27 July Jack Alexj, Chris Guiliano, Hunter Armstrong, Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Held, Matt King Gold Men, 4x100m freestyle Swimming 28 July Haley Batten Silver Women, cross country Mountain Bike 28 July Torri Huske Gold Women, 100m butterfly Swimming 28 July Gretchen Walsh Silver Women, 100m butterfly Swimming 28 July Carson Foster Bronze Men, 400m IM Swimming 28 July Lee Kiefer Gold Women, individual foil Fencing 28 July Lauren Scruggs Silver Women, individual foil Fencing 28 July Nic Fink Silver 100m breaststroke Swimming 29 July Jagger Eaton Silver Men's street Skateboarding 29 July Nyjah Huston Bronze Men's street Skateboarding 29 July Luke Hobson Bronze Men, 200m freestyle Swimming 2

There's a lot of fun Olympics trivia out there. And then there's this: The USA women's basketball team hasn't lost an Olympic game since 1992. That is, they're on a winning streak of 57 games and counting. All eyes are on Team USA basketball, with major superstars on the men's and women's team for both the 5x5 games and the 3x3 games. All four basketball teams have advanced to the quarterfinals and are very likely poised to see the medal podium following a series of more wins.  Watch as LeBron James, Steph Curry, Breanna Stewart, Aja Wilson, Britney Griner and so many other hoops stars play on the courts at the Paris Olympics this weekend.  When does Team USA basketball play next? The men's 5x5 team plays against Serbia on Thursday, August 8 at 3pm ET.  The women's 5x5 team plays against Australia on Friday, August 9 at 11:30am ET. Following each of these games, the next competitions and schedules will be announced, depending on the outcome.  Which teams will be competing for gold against USA basketball? The seven teams competing with Team USA for gold in the men's 5x5 quarterfinals are Canada, Germany, France, Serbia, Australia, Greece and Brazil. The semi-finalists are currently USA, Serbia, Germany and France. The women's 5x5 team competes with Serbia, Australia, Spain, Belgium, Germany, France, and Nigeria. The women's 3x3 semifinals pit the USA against Spain, Germany and Canada. USA has won bronze in this category.   How to watch Team USA Tuning into the Paris Olympics 2

It may be peak summer, but Christmas is coming.  And the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, is gifting fans super early this year, thanks to a surprise announcement about her 2024 holiday tour, an epic production slated to travel from coast to coast, with plenty of stops in between.  ”It’s not time yet, but I have exciting news‼️ Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time, my biggest holiday tour to date, is coming to 20 cities starting November 6, 2024!” The singer shared on X and Instagram on August 2, over a million likes. Fans are ready!  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) Tickets for the Mariah Carey Christmas Time Tour will go on sale next Friday, August 9 on Livenation/Ticketmaster at 10am ET. The tour kicks off at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, November 8. From there, Carey will head to Palm Springs, Phoenix, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Nashville. The midwestern leg of the tour includes Chicago and St. Louis before Carey heads back east to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Raleigh, Pittsburgh, and to the Prudential Center in Newark, UBS Arena in Belmont Park on Long Island, before a grand finale at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  Those who can't wait to see Carey until the holiday season can also still get tickets for her ongoing residency in Las Vegas at the Dolby Live. Tickets start at just $65 for Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas, which will run until she leaves on tour

You've seen her smiling with her goat necklace, taking the podium with her teammates and receiving her hold medals, all while solidifying her status as the Greatest Gymnast of All Time, but you still want more Simone Biles. Lucky for fans, the elite athlete will be back in the arena for several more days during the Paris Olympics and viewers can once again watch her fly through the air through the finals on Monday, August 5. When is Simone Biles competing in Paris next? Team USA artistic gymnastics schedule  Tune in on Saturday, August 3, starting at  10:20am ET, for the first day of event finals, the women's vault competition, at which Simone Biles will compete. The women's uneven bars final begins at 8am on Sunday, August 4, and Suni Lee is slated to compete for Team USA. The last day of artistic gymnastics is Monday, August 5, with Biles competing in the women's balance beam finals at 5:36am ET and the women's floor exercise final starting at 7:20am ET. All competitions will air on NBC and Peacock, along with live replays during the prime time broadcast at 7:30pm each night. When is Simon Biles competing? Biles is slated to compete in the finals for women's vault, balance beam and floor exercise.  How many medals has Simon Biles won? So far, Biles has won two gold medals at Paris 2024. She and Team USA won gold for the Women's Artistic Team All-Around and Biles won another gold medal with the Women's Artistic Individual All-Around event. What other Team USA gymnastics shou

Now's the time to book your next train trip.  Amtrak just announced its Fall Travel Flash Sale, offering major savings nationwide for travel booked by Wednesday, August 7 for travel between Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, October 31, 2024. Discounts start with at least 30 percent off Flex Fare prices on routes nationwide, no promo  The reduced fares apply to trips booked between Thursday, August 1 through Wednesday, August 7 for travel between 2024, with no blackout dates and no promo code necessary. Amtrak outes across the country are included in the sale. Deals in Coach class include one-way fares as low as $55 between New York and Washington D.C., as low as $70 between Chicago and New York, and as low as $25 from Portland to Seattle. In Acela business class, deals start at $79 between Philadelphia and Washington D.C., as low as $109 from New York to Washington D.C., and from Boston to New Haven for as low as $86 each way. Acela includes the opportunity to select your seat, which is equipped with extra-large tray tables, plus onboard access to a new Cafe Acela menu featuring more gourmet and artisan products from sustainably sourced, health-conscious, and local brands. Amtrak is positioning itself as the most eco-friendly way to travel between two cities. Travelers on Amtrak trains decrease their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 83 percent compared to driving and 72 percent compared to flying. Plus, no airport or TSA screening is required to travel.  Visit Amtrak.

Panera is leaning into millennial cravings for their latest meal deal.  The most educated and most child-free generation is getting a treat, a Millennial Meal pairing an avocado toast and an iced coffee.  Inspired by National Avocado Day on Wednesday, July 31, Panera's using the tagline “Toast, Don’t Roast, Millennials" with a one-day special. On July 31, customers of all generations can order via PaneraBread.com/MillennialMeal and get a free avocado toast with any purchase using the code “AVOTOAST.” If you haven't yet joined Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club, it's also free throughout the summer. Sip Club members can order an included beverage—iced coffee, iced tea, soda, etc.—from Panera all day, every two hours, until August 31.  Avocado toast is new to Panera's menu, and available in two renditions, the Classic Avo and Garden Avo. The Classic is made with chunky avocado spread and everything bagel seasoning on thin-sliced Country Rustic Sourdough and priced at $3.49. The Garden Avo also uses chunky avocado spread, sliced tomatoes, everything bagel seasoning and garlic aioli on thin-sliced Country Rustic Sourdough and goes for $4.49. Both are included as a free promo on the July 31 special.  Those who want to save money in August can also take advantage of the much-anticipated return of Panera's sesame and blueberry bagels starting this week. And a special "Bagels are Back Sandwich Hack” lets you order full bagel at half the sandwich cost by ordering any whole-sized sandwich an

As the world gets warmer, travelers are looking to chill out. That is, find spots that offer a relief from the heat, an opportunity to wear layers in the summer months, and maybe sleep with the windows open instead of blasting the A/C. Coolcations, that is, cool-weather destination vacations, are trending worldwide, offering escapes from heatwaves near and far. The paradox, however, is that many of the unsustainable weather conditions caused by climate change are only worsened by the massive impact and carbon output of travel, so making your coolcation as eco-friendly as possible—taking public transit, slow traveling, limiting food waste, etc.—may be the best way to ensure that coolcationing is sustainable for years to come. And you don't have to leave the country for a coolcation any time of the year! Though Europe is indeed a hotspot for luxurious coolcations, North America has its own summer chilly zones.  Alaska, of course, is a popular destination in the summer months, when the sun rarely sets and average temperatures in Anchorage hover around 60 degrees. Thrillist did a bit of research to find the best low-cost coolcation spots, based on low flight fares and average low temperatures during the summer. The findings are mostly on the coasts, with San Diego (average high summer temp of 75) and San Francisco (average high around 66) offering nice spots too cool down while the rest of the country swelters. The Bay Area also cools down significantly at night, so you can break

A beloved British restaurant chain is finally making its way to the nation's capital.  Wagamama, the Japanese noodle joint popular across the UK and in several U.S. cities, including New York and Boston, is about to open its first restaurant in the DMV at 2950 Clarendon Blvd in Arlington.  The brand new eatery in Clarendon (one block from the Metro stop) will open on Thursday, August 1, with a $40 ticketed grand opening party that includes a welcome drink, food tastings, happy hour specials and a DJ.  The 5,100 square foot space itself is substantial, with 131 seats at communal tables and booths, plus 47 seats outdoors. The menu offers Wagamama's standards melding Japanese, Korean and Chinese fare—sharable dumplings and salads, teppanyaki stir-fried noodles, ramen, rice dishes, curries and more. A kids' menu is also available, as are plant-based options. Lunch and dinner will be offered daily, along with a happy hour. Cocktails, Asian beers, sake and juices are on the beverage menu.  Wagamama Clarendon will take reservations via OpenTable and also offer takeout and delivery via online orders.  Wagamama fodder has been a long time coming for the D.C. area. In 2009, the brand signed a lease in Penn Quarter, exciting locals the London-based chain was finally opening. By 2012, the plans were officially called off, with no promise of a future Wagamama in the region.  Now the Wagamama watch can wind down, as D.C. residents can finally get their own taste of the international sensa