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12 Best Foods to Eat to Stay in Shape While Traveling

With flight schedules reforming and quarantines easing after about two years in the pandemic, the tourism industry is now showing signs of returning. But just because you want to have a good time traveling doesn’t mean your healthy lifestyle should go by the wayside.

Eating healthy foods to stay in shape while traveling doesn’t need to be complicated.With preparation and a little willpower, you can plan for nutrient-rich and delicious options so you can enjoy your vacation or business trip without worrying about packing on extra weight.

Here is my list of 12 top foods to eat to stay in shape while traveling:

Best Foods to Eat While Traveling

1. Steamed vegetables. You can prepare steamed vegetables before your adventure or buy them during your travels whenever possible. Choose vegetables, like celery, cherry tomato, cauliflower, blanched broccoli and carrots, because they are important sources of many nutrients. It’s a good thing, too, that most supermarkets now have packaged, pre-cut fruits and vegetables that you can buy and take with you if needed.

2. A staple food for many cultures around the world, brown rice is a good source of complex carbs and dietary fibre to fuel your body with glucose. Whether you’re dining out or cooking for yourself in an accommodation that includes a kitchen, don’t miss the health benefits of brown rice.

3. Persimmon is a versatile fruit full of beneficial plant compounds, fiber, minerals and vitamins. They are extremely good for you as they aid in the creation of red blood cells, reducing your risk of altitude or motion sickness.

4. A homemade egg salad or sandwich is a light and delicious food that can increase your protein while keeping unhealthy fats at bay. More so that an egg contains high levels of lutein, B vitamins, choline and lutein.

5. Tofu makes a great anti-inflammatory diet. It is a good source of complete protein, which means it has a well-balanced amino acid profile. It also contains potassium, manganese, copper, iron and fiber. Talk about an all-in-one travel food!

6. Yogurt. As you are trying a lot of foreign or new foods, indigestion is not far away. This is why probiotic yogurt is one of the best foods to eat while traveling as it helps combat an unhappy stomach. Yogurts also contain good bacteria that support a healthy digestive system.

7. Portable and nutritious, nuts make healthy grab-and-go snacks for travel. No wonder they are a travel staple. You can simply pack nuts in a reusable storage container so you can snack throughout your vacation.

8. Apples are a rich source of polyphenols – micronutrients that work with other dietary reducing agents to protect the body’s tissues against pathologies and oxidative stress.

9. Dark cherries are the ideal mid-flight snack for those having trouble falling asleep on planes or during travel. That’s because they are a wonderful source of melatonin, which helps ease your nervous system and help you fall asleep.

10. Tuna fish contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. It may help reduce the level of LDL cholesterol and omega-6 fatty acids that can accumulate in the arteries. Tuna also contains a good amount of vitamin C, manganese and zinc – all of which can help boost your immune system as you travel.

11. Beetroots, often referred to as beets, are a versatile type of vegetable. They boast a good nutritional profile, like being low in calories but high in minerals and valuable vitamins that your body needs to stay healthy. If you’ve never tried a beet salad, you don’t know what you’re missing.

12. A healthy food list for travel wouldn’t be complete without including bananas in the list. Bananas are a great source of energy and are also a muscle relaxant. They are rich in magnesium and potassium as well as help support the production of melatonin in the body. You can start your day with a banana, have it as a mid-day snack, or eat it before bed to help you sleep.

Of course, don’t forget to stay hydrated. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but just to emphasize its importance: proper hydration comes with plenty of health benefits so you can combat the negative effects of travel (jet lag, forced socialization, interruption of routines, lack of sleep, inconveniences, loss of familiar surroundings, different time zone, etc.). Always choose water over sodas or sugary fruit drinks.

Along with good nutrition, you can also be diligent about your workouts. You may want to perform a few basic workout moves while in small spaces using a portable suspension trainer. Even doing some stretches after a long day of adventure can help you stay in shape and fit while traveling.

Other Fitness Tips for Travelers

To help you feel and look your best during and after your travels, here are other tips you can do to stay in shape while traveling.

  • Carry a water bottle with you
  • Plan meals to prevent overeating
  • Choose a hotel with restaurant menus that cater to a variety of preferences
  • Get the reality check (read nutritional information)
  • To have more control of your caloric intake, ask for dressing and sauces on the side
  • Pack the right clothes and shoes – so you can still workout
  • Do bodyweight exercises: squats, jumping jacks, sit-ups and lunges
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travel

Top Ten Places to Go for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is the biggest party of the year. It’s a celebration that brings people together to celebrate all the potential that a new year offers. It’s a day of hope and celebration.

And it’s not too far away either!

Soon, people from around the world will be ringing in the new year soon with fireworks, festivals, friends, parties, and songs. It’s a fun holiday that knows no nationality.

If you’re ready to stay up past your bedtime and indulge in the revelry, here are my top ten best places to go for New Year’s Eve in 2022:

 

1. New York City

Times Square has been a focal point of New Year’s activity for more than a hundred years. Around one million people will crowd into the square to watch the famous ball drop. On top of that, around a BILLION more people will watch from home, making this one of the biggest events of the year — every year!

If you want to watch the ball drop in person, be sure to arrive early (people start gathering in the afternoon to get a good spot) and dress warmly! However, there are lots of parties throughout the city and most New Yorkers try to aim for some of the downtown clubs and bars or a house party!

2. Sydney

Australia is one of the first countries in the world to experience New Year’s Eve making Sydney the first major city in the world to greet a new year (sorry New Zealand, you aren’t as big!).  The city hosts one of the largest firework displays in the world. They last almost a full fifteen minutes and are best viewed from one of the boats in the harbor or surrounding hills. After the display, the celebrations usually last until dawn. Locals love enjoying this day as it’s also in the middle of their summer so the weather is always great! Unsurprisingly, accommodation disappears fast so be sure to book well in advance if you want to spend the New Year down under!

3. London

London rings in the new year with an astonishing fireworks display that’s launched from the London Eye. The fireworks can be seen from rooftops and balconies all across London, so you don’t need to leave your hotel to get a good view. If you want to get out there and really experience the display, the best views are from Westminster Bridge and the north embankment of the River Thames (opposite the London Eye).

4. Paris

Paris is the perfect destination for a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway. It has high class dining, clubbing, fantastic fireworks, and the chance to sip Champagne on the Champs-Elysees. Around midnight, you can watch the Eiffel Tower’s light show. Another great place to spend the evening is Montmartre, as it offers spectacular views of the entire Paris skyline.

While you won’t get the same level of epic fireworks as you would in Sydney, there are still great parties through the city and many people light off their own fireworks from the Champs-Elysees. The city stays open late!

5. Ko Phangan, Thailand

Over 20,000 young people cram on Haat Rin beach in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. Backpackers and travelers from around the world dance, paint themselves up, and drink buckets of alcohol from dusk until the first dawn of the new year. They fill the beach and it’s one of the wildest outdoor parties there is on New Year’s.

If you’re looking to start the new year on a beach and plan to be in Southeast Asia, this is one of the best and most fun places to be. I’ve spent three New Year’s here and loved every single one!

6. Kiribati

What better way to ring in the New Year than to be the first person to do it? This spot in the Pacific is officially the first place in the world to see the New Year. It’s like going into the future! Tourism here has picked up in recent years as the locals have tried to capitalize on that interesting fact but the island remains mostly an untouched getaway. There’s not much to do here and accommodation isn’t by any means luxurious but what better way to spend the new year than on an island in the South Pacific? Be sure to plan this well in advance as few flights go here and limited accommodation makes its difficult to find spots.

7. Tokyo

If a single night of partying isn’t enough for you, head to Tokyo. The capital city of Japan starts celebrating on the 29th of December, giving you a few extra days to let loose and give the year a proper send-off. Not only do they start early, but the party almost doesn’t stop. New Year’s celebrations here continue until January 4th. While most of the major tourist sites in the city are closed during this time, the streets of Tokyo (as well as all restaurants and clubs) are packed with locals and visitors alike. The city offers up numerous fireworks displays, dancing, and all the karaoke you can sing!

8. Las Vegas

The city that parties every night throughout the year certainly knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve bash to remember. There are so many clubs, hotels, bars, and casinos to choose from in Las Vegas, Nevada, that it’s almost impossible to not celebrate in style. Outdoors, “The Strip” is closed to traffic so everyone can watch the grand fireworks displays high above the city’s neon lights. If you want to wade through the crowds, make your way downtown to Fremont Street and join the massive block party, complete with confetti, a massive wine toast, concerts by big-name rockers, and a five-block-long illuminated canopy 90 feet overhead, on which state-of-the-art sound and light shows are shown.

9. San Juan Del Sur

This holiday hotspot in Central America is a surfing and beach mecca for travelers of all ages and styles. During New Years, the city is bursting with tourists and locals who come from the surrounding area to enjoy time on the beach, with their families, and party hard (Nicaraguans sure know how to have fun!). This is definitely a place to go if you’re looking to get bit crazy and then nurse your hangover on the beach the next day. There’s usually a giant beach party where locals and tourists mingle, dance, drink, and countdown a new year together!

10. Edinburgh

When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Edinburgh is one of those places that can’t be beat. Their Hogmanay is one of the most fun parties I’ve ever been too. Each year, over 100,000 people take part in the two-day celebration that involves a Viking procession, fireworks over the castle, bonfires, concerts, and a carnival. It’s out of this world fun. It gets super crowded and you’ll need tickets to the shows so be sure to book in advance. You can even walk the viking procession to the bonfire!

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travel

America’s Top 20 Favorite Holiday Destinations

Some of America’s favorite holiday spots can be found in cities and coastal towns from east to west. Families and friends spend summer vacation at the coasts or in some of the most popular destinations across the US map. Most Americans fly south for the winter, but others find the best holiday celebrations in the city during the cold winter months. Some of the top American holiday destinations can be found on our list:

 

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

One popular east coast beach vacation destination is none other than Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach is a spring break favorite for college students, and it also draws a family crowd during the summertime. Some people like to get together with family and friends to rent a beach house for the week with the sandy Atlantic shores right out the back door. The waters here are warm for swimming, and the sunrise is incredible!

 

2. Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a one-of-a-kind place to gamble all your worries away with slots machines and cards at the casinos. The boardwalk is just as famous as the town itself with street names and places found in the popular board game Monopoly. That’s because it’s based on Atlantic City with a real life Park Place to compliment the Boardwalk. Atlantic City is situated along the Jersey Shore with fabulous ocean views and late nights out on the town.

 

3. Orlando, Florida

Between Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld—what’s not to like about Orlando? Many Americans love to spend summer vacation with the family in the sunny weather with some of the most entertaining theme parks in the world. That is because these monumental parks draw an international crowd that come to see favorites such as the Hogwarts Castle at Universal Islands of Adventure or Disney’s Epcot Center and Animal Kingdom. Rides, shows and islands of fun can all be found in Orlando.

 

4. New York City, New York 

Many Americans cannot resist a chance to see the Big Apple lit up at night. The theater performances, comedy clubs and nightlife in NYC only scratches the surface of what this metropolis has to offer. Some like to see the stunning skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and Lady Liberty at the edge of bay. Others cannot resist the many art museums such as ‘the Met’ or the Museum of Modern Art. But Rockefeller Center at Christmas and Times Square on New Years Eve stun the crowds with vibrant lights and lively celebrations.

 

5. Napa Valley

For those of you who consider yourselves wine connoisseurs, taste your heart away in Napa Valley just outside of San Francisco! Napa Valley is California wine country—home to a range of vineyards and tours that offer wine tasting. Just outside of San Francisco, there are many ways to see the vineyards with the wine train, bus tours, and bicycling the trails, while you learn about what goes into each and every bottle.

 

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is the life of the party every year during Mardi Gras—also known as the Carnival season or ‘Fat Tuesday’. This city goes all out and throws the biggest celebration on the block throughout the bars and clubs of Bourbon Street. New Orleans is home to live jazz music, Cajun cuisine and stunning architecture all year round. The charm of New Orleans is in its delicious and fresh seafood, colorful streets and rich history that draw many visitors to its place along the Gulf of Mexico.

 

7. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Yellowstone National Park is the location of America’s first national park and the largest collection of geysers on the planet! Many Americans come to this park to see Old Faithful—a giant geyser with a timely eruption period. There is no better place to explore the great outdoors than with a little camping and hiking along the trails here at Yellowstone. A trek through the forest is also worth it with flourishing wildlife and cascading waterfalls throughout the park.

 

8. The Grand Canyon 

The most clique family vacation in American history has to be the Grand Canyon. We’ve seen it on National Lampoon’s Vacation and can’t help but wonder if or own vacation to the Grand Canyon can ever be that hilarious. It’s sure to be memorable either way with a close look at the colorful geologic layers etched into the earth from on the back of a donkey down the canyon. Just north of the Grand Canyon is the famous Horseshoe bend of the Colorado River that makes for a stunning sight!

 

9. Southern California

Southern California has it all—the gorgeous beaches, the amusement parks, and the nightlife and entertainment. From San Diego up to LA, Americans love to vacation in sunny SoCal. When it comes to San Diego, the endless stretch of sandy beaches meets rock cliff coves creates the most amazing sunset scenery. In Anaheim, families spend summer vacation at Disneyland and California Adventure. Los Angeles also has its fair share of beaches, museums and unique nightly entertainment at the clubs and theaters. The best part—fresh avocados and cheap authentic Mexican food!

 

10. The Hawaiian Islands

Who could resist the tropic breeze, the swaying palms and the lush flora that paints the volcanic islands of Hawaii? Americans escape to Hawaii to enjoy the island lifestyle and sunny weather all year round. The crystal clear waters are great for surfing or scuba diving, and by night the entertainment is hot. When in Hawaii, be sure to experience a luau with a feast of food and dancing island girls by the fire. Hawaii is a great place for exquisite chocolates, Hawaiian BBQ and fresh fish at dinnertime.

 

11. Seattle

Seattle is the sleepy city on the water with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound in the distance. This favorite destination of the Pacific Northwest paints a picture perfect skyline with the Space Needle and mount Rainier to the eastern horizon. Many like to visit popular city favorites such as the venders at Pike Place Market and art at Seattle Art Museum. Just outside of Seattle, families enjoy camping, hiking and kayaking in Washington’s many forested parks.

 

12. Alaskan Cruise 

Some Americans would rather flock to some place warm in the south while on vacation. But, there is something irresistible about the sights from a boat on the Pacific Ocean with an Alaskan Cruise. See the  ice-capped mountains and gorgeous Alaskan landscape along the coast. These cruises leave from Seattle and take you around Glacier Bay to witness magnificent snow and ice features, as you make your way up to Alaska.

 

13. Key West, Florida

Key West is the bottom of America, and the closest thing to the Bahamas in the US! You won’t get any nearer to that tropical island feel than when you are in Key West. This chain of land situated at the edge of the Caribbean is one of the most amazing beach destinations in Florida. Key West has it all, the white sand, the turquoise waters the palm trees and Sunset Festival—a unique celebration each night when the sun goes down.

 

14. Washington DC

A trip to Washington DC is filled with museum hopping, monument stopping and unique sightseeing  across streets of polished architecture. There’s so much to learn between the Smithsonian Museums, National Monuments and War Memorials that it would take days to see it all!  Some favorites are the Lincoln Memorial with reflecting pool and Washington Monument—a giant obelisk towering over the scenery. Of course, it’s difficult to resist a peek at the President’s home, so stop by the White House while in DC.

 

15. Las Vegas

Las Vegas remains one of America’s most treasured vacation destinations. That is because, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. This place is rightfully named ‘Sin City’ and has seen more shotgun weddings, than any other place in the US. The casinos, shows and nightlife are sure to keep you entertained for days on end. It’s also a great idea to choose wisely where you stay—there are so many themed hotels with attractions on-site. There need not be an occasion for any American to go to Vegas—only a reason to get out and enjoy the party!

 

16. Miami, Florida

Miami is the place to find all the beautiful sunbathers of Florida lying along the beaches. The famous Southbeach draws many Americans here for vacation, while the city itself heats up with bumping music in the clubs at night. Miami is home to an eclectic mix of Art Deco-stye architecture and sculptures along the city streets. The Little Havana district of Miami also offers visitors a look inside Florida’s Cuban influence with restaurants and specialized boutique shops.

 

17. The Outer Banks, North Carolina

Both the Outer Banks and Nag’s Head along the North Carolina coast make the perfect vacation destination for easterners. Americans love to get together with family and friends to rent out a beach house with stunning balcony views along these Atlantic shores. Here at the Outer Banks, there are opportunities for horseback riding and sightseeing at elegant estates at water’s edge.

 

18. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a Northern California favorite vacation destination for it’s unique activities and entertainment all year round. Here at Lake Tahoe you will find skiing, hiking the trails, swimming and snorkeling along the shore. One of the most unique things to do in Lake Tahoe is trek to the top of the hill to see the the elegant architecture of Vikingsholm. Lake Tahoe is a world class ski resort, and many Americans come here to enjoy a nice lodge vacation with plenty of time on the slopes.

 

19. Orlando, Florida

What would a Christmas be without spending at least on December 25th at the most magical place on earth.

 

20. Santa Claus, Indiana

Yes, really. There really is a town called Santa Claus and it happens to have one of the coolest and most inviting theme parks in all of America! Really, it does!

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The Most Beautiful Cities In The U.S. To Visit

From coast to coast, there are many great destinations proving that this country truly is America the Beautiful. The endless list of exciting things to do in the U.S. includes natural wonders, amazing restaurants and impressive buildings. Whether you’re a history buff drawn to a city’s unique architectural charms, an urban trend-seeker looking to check out next-gen coffee and record shops, or someone in need of a first-class getaway packed with cool adventures and sweet places to stay, consider the most beautiful cities in the U.S.

Why are these cities the best ones to visit in the U.S.? Heavy-hitters like New York and Los Angeles are obvious: a melting pot of cultures, unique architecture, world-renowned restaurants, top museums and cutting edge style. Colorful Las Vegas and Miami stimulate the senses with glitz, glamour, world-class restaurants and extreme experiences. In New Orleans, every day is a celebration of culture and music (and the architecture is fantastic). Other cities like Nashville and Charleston may not be on your list, but they offer history, entertainment, dining and more, all in a pretty package.

When planning your next domestic trip, check out this list: you can’t go wrong with these visually-stimulating cities that offer plenty of vacation-worthy options to explore.

1. Chicago

Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, deep-dish pizza and the Cubbies: just three of the wonderful things that put Chicago on the world’s radar. It’s a big city with a friendly vibe that’s got a whole street devoted to drinking and dancing. Hit Rush Street if you’re ready to party until 4am, but save some strength for the  festivals this city loves to put on, from Taste of Chicago and Pitchfork Music Fest in September to the big daddy of them all, Lollapalooza in July/August. This oh-so-cold city hunkers down in the winter, unless the Bears are playing football, in which case shirtless guys will brave subzero temps to cheer on their boys at Soldier Field.

2. New Orleans

After 300 years of existence, New Orleans is in the midst of a renaissance—except for the streets, which are the bumpiest you’ve ever encountered in a major metropolis. They love to dress up and party here, so put on a wig and mask, and hit the French Quarter and the Marigny for fabulous food at the best New Orleans restaurants, grab a to-go cup filled with craft cocktails from one of the city’s best bars, and indulge in the live music for which New Orleans is famous. Then dig deeper by visiting the Bywater neighborhood, home to an intoxicating mix of art and funk with incredible murals on every block, and stop at Bacchanal Wine for a munch, a sip and a song or two. One thing to remember while here: always look around at the architecture that makes up this one-in-a-million, music-loving city.

3. Nashville

Honky tonks and museums might not seem to go together, but their marriage in Nashville is a strong one indeed. For some drinking and dancing, head straight for Broadway, where Legend’s Corner, Nudie’s and Tootsie’s have been serving up country, blues and whiskey forever. You can start early (10am) and go late into the night (3am) in Music City—if you’ve got the fortitude, of course. Day drinking not your idea of vacation fun? Start with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and move onto the museums devoted to Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and George Jones; all are right downtown and terrific. See Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis made countless records, and drive out to the Bluebird Cafe and the Grand Ole Opry. Don’t forget that this is a party town so feel free to visit with a group, rent a barcycle (which is exactly what is sounds like) and roam among the best Nashville bars, singing as you go.

4. Los Angeles

Sun, sand and movies in which the city is often the star make Los Angeles a place the world wants to see in real life. Start at the Hotel Erwin’s rooftop in Venice for an expansive view of the whole city, then explore everything from ocean to mountains as you criss-cross L.A. County. Expect its famous traffic to slow you down as you head to Malibu for a surfing session, make a pit stop at the Getty museum, then step in the stars’ footprints at TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, blow your shopping budget on Rodeo Drive, then head south to Anaheim to pilot the Millenium Falcon at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge universe.

5. New York City

Needless to say: there is no place like New York City. An incredible melting pot of cultures, neighborhoods, languages and personal styles, a stroll down any street in Manhattan is always a fascinating experience. Classic old buildings exist shoulder-to-shoulder with new ultra-modern ones like Hudson Yards, constantly morphing the city’s identity into exciting new molds. When in town, indulge in more than one Broadway show, visit all the museums, stroll around Central Park, eat the best bagels in NYC and any drool-worthy haute cuisine you can manage, drink at a speakeasy, catch a Yankee game or a US Open match and start wondering why you haven’t moved here yet.

6. Las Vegas

Ah, Vegas. The place that every foreigner cannot wait to visit when seeing America. More lightbulbs in one place than anywhere, more ways to gamble than your wallet can bear, the glitter, glitz, and jangling slot machines are the city’s signature, but Vegas is more than just casinos rising out of the desert. Head off the famed Strip to downtown’s fascinating Mob Museum and find out who built this decadent mecca in the first place. Eat at a world-class chef’s world-renowned restaurant (Joël Robuchon, anyone?), drive supercars at 200mph with Exotics Racing and zip out to Red Rock Canyon for a mind-bending desert experience. Whatever you want, Vegas always has it.

7. St. Louis

For a small-town vibe in a big city, St. Louis is the place to be. Settled by Europeans in 1764, this “Gateway to the West” has been the center of America forever. A few musts while in town: a visit to the famous (and giant) Gateway Arch, a walk through the National Blues Museum and a stop at BB’s Jazz Blues and Soups. Clearly, blues and barbecue go hand-in-hand here, with classic BBQ joints like Pappy’s Smokehouse and Sugarfire doing slow cooking with style. Locals are so serious about the cuisine that The Q in the Lou cookoff in the fall is a hot ticket.

8. Washington, DC

One of America’s most beautiful cities, stately Washington, D.C. just keeps getting better. The National Mall is truly majestic, with the Capitol building glowing at one end, the Lincoln Memorial at the other and the various Smithsonian museums lining each side. See them all (take a look at our list of the best museums in DC for a start), but plan to spend extra time at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Beyond politics, monuments and museums, D.C. boats some cool, emerging neighborhoods like the Wharf (eat at Officina or Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi there) and Southeast, where the Nationals play baseball and craft beer rules at Bardo Brewing and Bluejacket nearby.

9. Miami

Things constantly sizzle in Miami, where Latin beats and eats swirl in an Art Deco dream. South Beach is the spot for sunning all day on the white sand and clubbing all night. For a really hot time, stop in at the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM), and don’t forget to visit our very own Time Out Market Miami too. For true art lovers, Art Basel Miami offers a swirl of creative installations, parties and intellectualism.

10. Boston

History and modernity are joined at the hip in Boston, one of America’s first big cities and still one of its best. It’s the place where federal architecture harkens back to the 1600s, juxtaposed with ultra-modern buildings by Frank Gehry, Walter Gropius and I.M. Pei. Speaking of architecture: be sure to see the Back Bay row houses, usual Instagram fodder that is actually eye-catching and a must-see. From chowder to lobster rolls, Boston also loves its seafood, so be sure to visit the city’s best raw bars and lobster shacks while you’re in town.

11. San Francisco

San Francisco, a beautiful city built on massive hills and surrounded by water, is a place that marches to the beat of its own drum. Novices are always shocked at how chilly it is here, so pack a heavy sweater at any time of year, and use it while riding a cable car (TEMPORARILY CLOSED), taking a day-tour to Alcatraz Island, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge or laughing at the chubby seals at Fisherman’s Wharf.

12. Charleston

Charleston is truly one of America’s great metropolises, steeped in the history of the nation while boasting a thoroughly modern attitude toward the arts, culture and cuisine—you just need one quick glance at our list of the best Charleston restaurants to see that. Since around 1670, the architecture—and particularly the churches on every corner—has been enough of a reason to head to South Carolina’s jewel, but the recent uptick in bachelor and bachelorette parties has turned the city into a food and drink haven as well. Water views and hipsters abound at the Pavilion Bar; City Market sells the city’s signature sweetgrass baskets; and dinner at chef Sean Brock’s Husk is a transcendental experience.

13. San Diego

It’s not a myth: San Diego boasts the very best weather across America, with 70-degrees-Fahrenheit temperatures, low humidity and sunny skies all year round. Add in the beautiful bay and beaches, its famous zoo and the endearing madness of Comic-Con International, the annual Godzilla of comic conventions that brings out cosplay aficionados in droves every July, and it’ll become impossible not to love this quintessential California city. Foodies adore the seafood and Mexican cuisine done to perfection here; gamblers flock to Pechanga and Viejas, the two posh Native American casinos nearby; kids dream of Legoland; and everyone hits KAABOO, the massive music, art, comedy and culinary festival come September.

14. Milwaukee

You probably didn’t know that Milwaukee holds the world’s largest music festival every year. Summerfest will be held from September 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18 in 2021, but is typically held in July. When the massive festival goes down, the pretty city by Lake Michigan goes more than a little crazy. With 11 stages, over 800 bands and close to a million fans rolling through, they’re taking advantage of the warm weather in a big way. During the rest of the year, think cheese curds, beer breweries, cornhole tournaments and Packers fanatics, juxtaposed with a gorgeous art museum and the annual Sculpture Milwaukee outdoor showcase all over town (June to October). It’s a vibrant, friendly city that Harley-Davidson calls home—don’t miss their massive museum here.

15. Orlando

With theme parks like Universal Studios Florida, Legoland and Walt Disney World, Orlando has been the place for families for generations. And now, with the arrival of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World, there will be plenty of adults with no kids descending on Orlando as well. The city is ready, with an impressive range of restaurants in Orlando anchored by DoveCote Brasserie and The Boheme, and an equally adult club scene that pays homage all sorts of tunes, from country to hip hip to rock and pop.

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