We all have that one city we return again and again. For me, it’s Nashville. Over the last decade, I’ve found myself in this slice of Southern charm for many reasons, usually professional. But for this, my fifth visit, I came to visit a friend for pure, unadulterated leisure. Rather than heading to the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman Auditorium, tourist spots I’ve patronized ample times, I carved my trip around one specific neighborhood: East Nashv

Walker Hotel TribecaTribeca, NYCIndustrial Chic, $Like Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, its sister hotel a few neighborhoods to the north, Walker Hotel Tribeca does yesterday-meets-tomorrow with the right mix of style and substance. Originally a button and ribbon factory built in 1899, the building retains original details like iron window shutters and is surrounded by other Renaissance-revival structures evocative of the period when this ar

The VendueCharleston, SCAvant Garde, $$ (From $139)Although Charlestons French Quarter, located on the southeastern peninsula of the original walled-in city, is technically only a six-block radius, you could spend all day discovering its charm. Charleston likes to put its beauty on display, including its centuries-old warehouses, rainbow facades, and Greek revival architectural gems that are appropriately sunbaked from the humid subtropical

Gold-DiggersLos Angeles, CAGroovy, $ (From $190)Los Angeles is no stranger to the multi-hyphenate. Youre an actor-DJ-surfer-entrepreneur? Sure. Under the sunny skies of Tinseltown, you can be whoever, and whatever, you dream of. This is especially true with Gold-Diggers, a former bikini bar in East Hollywood that was recently transformed into a boutique hotel, bar, music venue, and recording studio. A self-proclaimed bed and beverage, the h

Add Spain to the list of countries that have opened their borders to American travelers again. Heres the fine print: Per the U.S. State Department website, American travelers do not need to present proof of vaccination but do need to have a QR code received through Spain Travel Health portal. Travelers from other countries should check the Spanish Embassy website. If youre going to Barcelona for the first time, youre in for a trea

I’d long wanted to travel to Japan. So when my good friends Jun and Kazuko, a Japanese couple who’ve lived in both Japan and the United States, offered to take a few friends for a visit, I immediately signed on.As a longtime Japanophile in love with Japanese fashion, food, and culture, I had certain expectations of Tokyo. So how did the real things measure up? I was often surprised, but never disappointed. Here’s what I learned when my drea

The Cliffside InnNewport, RIOld World, $$ (From $189)On the coast of Newport, reminders of the towns once-fantastical Gilded Age are hardly in short supply. This includes its most popular tourist attraction: gawking at the grandiose mansions of the wealthiest 19th-century families who built summertime playgrounds and lavish gardens atop breathtaking Atlantic Ocean cliffs. And while the historic seaside wharfs offer a taste of the luxury lif

Blind Tiger Portland, Maine$$ ($200)There are a lot of fun times to be had at Blind Tiger, a nine-room guest house between West End and Old Port in the charming city of Portland, Maine. And lots of fun has already been had, apparently: Back in the days of Prohibition, the Federal-style mansion was a lavish party place known in the neighborhood as Social Corners; the phrase blind tiger was local parlance for an illegal joint where

Black artists from London and Philadelphia are making waves in Miami Beach with Aṣẹ, a philosophical concept from Nigeria.MIAMI BEACH – More than a year has passed since the promise of a global racial reckoning, and it’s time for an update. Vince Fraser, a British digital artist with roots in the West Indies, and Ursula Rucker, a spoken-word poet from Philadelphia, are investigating this and other urgent questions in Aṣẹ

In our  new book, Travel North America (And Avoid Being a Tourist), the chapter called Bright Lights, Big Cities celebrates the cities we love and the people who love them. Like native Memphian Rachel Knox, Thriving Arts and Culture Program Officer for the Hyde Foundation, who provides grants to nonprofit cultural institutions and leadership organizations in the city, including those innovating in education, livable communiti

NEW YORK CITY — As a 15-year Brooklynite, I’ve made my way to Manhattans Upper East Side for the standard museum and park visits, but I’ve never spent extended time there — until the pandemic hit and I was searching for closer-to-home adventure and finally got into the grooves of the shops, eateries, and art spots beyond the standards. (Not that the “Museum Mile” will never get old.) The UES evokes image

Theres more to the notorious New England town of Salem than witchy history, though theres plenty of that to go around. Spend a few days there. Youll find it all, dare we say, bewitching. SALEM, Massachusetts – We had just seen The Witch, a horror movie set in 1630s New England. So when my boyfriend and I visited Salem, Massachusetts — a town that has transformed a historical injustice into a year-round mecca for Halloween tourists &md

The Magnolia, a quintessential Southern tree, is believed to symbolize longevity and perseverance. How fitting that Emily and Sean decided to pronounce their eternal love and devotion to one another amongst these beautiful evergreens. The couple hosted their friends and family at The Gadsden House, a historic downtown venue circa 1760 that features expansive courtyard gardens with lush landscaping and breathtaking ballrooms with crystal chandeliers. The timeless celebration focused on the n

To complement the acclaimed cuisine, warm hospitality, and pristine beaches, Charleston’s award-winning hotels provide unparalleled views of the Lowcountry. Retreat to Charleston and you’ll find plenty of ways to decompress, beginning with a sunrise or sunset sighting at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, The Beach Club, Cottages on Charleston Harbor, Wild Dunes Resort, Tides Folly Beach, Palms Oceanfront Hotel, The Vendue, Wentworth Mansion, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Harbourvie

Peace, beauty, and serenity. The perfect combination for a dreamy wedding- now a dream come true at the iconic Indigo Room & Rooftop at Wild Dunes Resort’s new Sweetgrass Inn. Unlike any other venue in the Lowcountry, the rooftop terrace provides the most picturesque scenery as you say “I do”, overlooking the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean horizon.  The Indigo Room accompanies the terrace, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows for uninterrupted horizon views, and making it the perfect pl

As a guest in one of Charleston’s many charming B&B’s, you may find yourself relaxing in the warmth of a 1870’s carriage house or sipping a glass of sweet tea on the piazza of a famous Federal style home. Scroll on for our round-up of quaint B&B’s that will make you want to extend your weekend retreat, including 1837 Bed & Breakfast, 20 South Battery, 21 East Battery Bed & Breakfast, Barksdale House Inn, Cottages on Charleston Harbor, Governor’s

Celebrate Independence Day in America’s No. 1 City, as voted by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler! Park it and picnic at one of Charleston’s 19 most beautiful parks, then enjoy a grand fireworks display via one of the following exciting events happening around the Lowcountry. Scroll on to check them out! North Charleston 4th of July Festival Location: Riverfront Park Start Time: 7 PM Patriots Point Fireworks Blast Location: Patriots Point Naval & Mariti

Ready to revel in the sweeping views of the Holy City with a specialty cocktail in hand? Scroll on to discover our favorite Charleston rooftop bars including Fiat Lux at Hotel Bennett, The Citrus Club at The Dewberry, The Cocktail Club, Elevé at Grand Bohemian Hotel, STARS, The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue, Uptown Social, Pavilion Bar, 45 Waterside, Charleston Harbor Bridge Bar, Charleston Marriott Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar and The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits. Head to the rooftop bar,

Fried chicken and Charleston go hand-in-hand. You won’t have to look far to spot this Southern delicacy on a Lowcountry menu. Make your way to Callie’s Charleston Biscuits to sample fried chicken sandwiched between a pillowy buttermilk biscuit or schedule reservations at Poogan’s Porch for a taste of the dish drizzled in warm maple syrup, served with waffles! More of our favorite spots to dine on this Southern staple include 5Church Charleston, Edmund’s Oast, Florenc

Your search is over for the most mouth-watering mac & cheese in Charleston. Add these spots to your foodie bucket list and you won’t regret it. Ready for some cheesy goodness? Scroll on to check out the top spots to dig in to one of the South’s most savory staples. Before you go, check out the 7 Best BBQ Joints in the Lowcountry! 1. SWIG & SWINE Creamy, velvety & made with loads of cheddar cheese 2. POOGAN’S SMOKEHOUSE Made with sharp cheddar & topped wit