The city of New York is a beast. It’s easy to underestimate exactly how large the footprint of Manhattan is, let alone all five boroughs, and it’s easy to overestimate how much can be accomplished in one day. If you only have a few short days, that lack of awareness could leave you feeling as if you’ve barely seen the city. While we recommend mapping out any destination you visit, it’s essential in New York City. Not only will it save you time getting around, it’ll help plan days that pack in quite a bit, without draining every last drop of energy from you. There are infinite ways to spend two days in the Big Apple, but here’s one itinerary to start inspiring your next trip. 

While summer temperatures are still plaguing the better part of the northern hemisphere, it’s never too early to think about a fall getaway. Crisp weather leads to cozy adventures, no matter the destination. From the historic streets of Innsbruck and Mexico City to the peaceful quiet of the Oregon coast and waves of Maui, we’ve put together a list of places across the globe to look forward to visiting this coming season. But honestly, any of these spots make for a memorable trip regardless of the time of year. Start planning, and get ready to take off…

New York City is filled with historical landmarks, sites that have gained fame through pop culture, memorials, parks, and beyond. For new visitors, the never-ending list can be overwhelming. As long as you start somewhere, there will always be something to see that you haven’t made it to yet. From buildings with architectural significance to memorials, parks of every size and use, bridges, and more, we’ve put together a list of sites to consider on your next trip to New York City. 

New York City is a force of nature. It’s the city that never sleeps. The “Big Apple”. The “Center of the Universe”. The “Empire State”. It was the first stop many immigrants had when coming through Ellis Island for decades. For many, it became their home. For others, it was just a stop as they passed through with nothing but hope for a future achieving the “American Dream”. It’s a hub with nearly every culture, language, ethnicity, and religion represented. It’s a city that is constantly moving, never silent, with an energy that feels like a steady buzzing in your veins. New York has inspired art across every medium. It’s been immortalized in various ways from the romanticized version shown in Nora Ephron films to the gritty representation in Taxi Driver. It’s a city with many faces, many different personalities, and unique experiences that depend on when you visit and which part of the city you set foot in. This city is not for the weak, but it’s a city worthy of appreciation and respect. It’s also a place where you can visit a dozen times over and still have new things to experience. 

Who doesn’t love a good road trip? One of the best things about Chicago is its central location, which makes it easily accessible to many great destinations across the Midwest. With several states within a reasonable driving distance, there is an endless number of places to choose from for your next weekend retreat or extended getaway. From charming lakeside towns less than two hours away to natural marvels in every direction, while we love our hometown of Chicago, we love to get away from it once in a while, too. Whether you’re a local or visiting, consider one of these memorable road trips for your next adventure. 

Summertime in Chicago has an energy you can’t experience anywhere else. Because winters are long and can be brutal, Chicagoans go all out, from patio brunches to beach days. Even if it’s one hundred degrees and humid, rooftops will be packed and the beach will be buzzing. Whether you’re a local or visiting for a few days, we’ve got your guide to summer in Chicago, from where to eat to how to escape the heat when it becomes too much. Grab your sandals and let’s get going!

In the northwest corner of Michigan’s mitten, a small town called Charlevoix sits on an isthmus between two lakes, connected by a historic drawbridge. With fewer than 2,500 residents, Charlevoix is a tranquil and idyllic town with a genuine Midwestern spirit. Known as the home of the famous Mushroom Houses and surrounded by lakes, neighboring Petoskey often overshadows this charming Michigan town, but it is worth a visit on its own. From cozy coffee shops to ferry rides, Charlevoix might be slower paced, but there’s plenty to keep you busy during a long weekend getaway. We’d even go so far as to say it’s the perfect small town for an extended stay, encouraging slowing down and reconnecting with nature. 

Summer isn’t for everyone. We know, we know…it’s a small group of individuals. But they exist, nonetheless. So while many people in the northern hemisphere count down the minutes until they can clock out and head to the nearest beach for a straight shot of vitamin D, others count the days until the heat breaks and cooler temperatures blow in. With this in mind, July through September is perfect for those who favor cooler weather to go south…WAY south. The southern hemisphere is in the thick of winter, so destinations like Peru and Australia are much more temperate if the heat isn’t your speed. If staying north of the equator is more realistic, plenty of destinations have milder summers for a “coolcation,” especially in northern Europe and the upper reaches of North America. Regardless of the vibe you’re looking for, we’ve got several fantastic destinations to inspire a cooler getaway this summer. But if the heat is your speed, we’ve got you covered with our summer destination guide. Or perhaps you’re looking for destinations that are good for a digital detox to unplug fully from daily life. 

Summer is here for anyone living in the northern hemisphere! For many, that means it’s time to shut the laptop and head out for a long-anticipated vacation. Whether you’re looking for something that can be planned over a long weekend or a much lengthier adventure, we’ve compiled nine destinations to consider for your summer travels. From Turkey’s Turquoise Coast to the lesser-known Balkan city of Tirana, wildlife adventures in the Galapagos and Serengeti, a tropical escape in the Philippines, and one of the most famous destinations to catch the best DJs in the world, we’ve got a spot for whatever vibe you’re looking for this summer. Take yourself on a solo adventure and slow down to enjoy the sunshine. This time is for you, so make the most of it!  

Art has been inspiring bucket lists for centuries. From the Greek epics to Monet’s paintings of Provence, stories of adventures around the world and descriptions of faraway lands have shown up in every medium. Today, we’re inspired to travel through movies and film. Eat, Pray, Love is a perfect example, as is White Lotus. The impact of movies and film can be so significant that destinations will capitalize on the interest and create tours or experiences dedicated to the filming locations. Harry Potter has done this for the UK, Outlander for Scotland, and Game of Thrones for many places, including Croatia. All of these introductions are a great way to dive into new cultures, traditions, and people - go outside of our comfort zones and discover somewhere new that perhaps we weren’t aware existed before. 

We’ve put together a list of destinations perfect for a digital detox. Whether you’re planning your first trip of this kind or you’ve made a habit of taking these regularly, there’s a destination on here for everyone. Some of them are truly remote, meaning that disconnecting digitally due to lack of cell or internet service will be unavoidable. While for some, that can bring immense relief, others might find it too anxiety-inducing, and that’s ok. The purpose of a digital detox is to create space for relaxation and calm the mind and nervous system. If having service available to disconnect digitally on your terms is a better option, there are plenty of spots on this list that are perfect for that, too. 

Exploring museums isn’t just for bad weather days. They offer a glimpse into different corners of the world at different moments in time. They provide an opportunity to learn visually and interactively and preserve history, art, culture, and stories of the people who came before us. Museums often have educational, preservation, and research programs crucial for everything from civil rights to environmental science to art history. They inspire future pilots, archaeologists, painters, and doctors. They make learning fun and present information in digestible yet impactful ways.