Places.Travel

Winter is not the season to suffer. It’s the season to soak, steam, stretch, and soft-launch a better version of yourself. From snow-covered hot pools to tropical wellness escapes, these spa retreats turn cold weather into the ultimate excuse to log off and reset. This award-winning all-inclusive resort lets you design your own reset with things like paddleboard yoga on Lake Austin or an AquaStretch massage that actually improves flexibility and relieves stiffness.

From the neon glow of Chicago’s diners to the quirky roadside giants of Livingston and Collinsville, Illinois, sets the stage for America’s greatest road trip. Kick off Route 66 the right way, with a pancake smile! Lou Mitchell’s has been fueling travelers since 1923 with hearty breakfasts and nostalgic charm. Kids (and kids at heart) can order the famous Mitchell Mouse pancake, while women and little ones score free donut holes and Milk Duds—sorry, fellas.

Craving comfort with a cheesy twist? This gooey guide maps out the best mac and cheese spots across the U.S., from skillet-served classics to wild, flavor-packed mashups you didn’t know you needed. Welcome to NYC’s OG mac and cheese shrine. S’MAC (aka Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese) is all about bubbling, golden mac served in cast-iron skillets. Go classic with the All-American, rich with nostalgia, or opt for the Parisienne—a French-inspired twist with herbs and gourmet cheeses.

You’re on the flight home from a long-anticipated trip. And you can’t shake the feeling that you missed something. You stayed busy from morning to night, hitting all the major sights and eating at the top-rated restaurants. So why do you just feel exhausted, rather than fulfilled? The problem isn’t travel itself. It’s that we’ve normalized checking boxes when we go somewhere new, instead of seeking out a truly personalized, meaningful experience.

Georgia O’Keeffe drove the same 60-mile stretch between Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch for decades and never seemed to tire of it. She painted that flat-topped mesa again and again, right up until she died at 98. People called it an obsession. More likely, she just understood the value of staying put long enough to really see a place.

Sure, the Ark Encounter in Grant County grabs headlines—it’s a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark, after all. But if you’re only stopping for the Ark, you’re missing out.

Ah, I-95. The asphalt artery of the East Coast. From lobster rolls in Maine to gator tours in Florida, it’s the kind of road trip that smells like gasoline, sea spray, and questionable convenience store hot dogs. But if you dare to veer off the exit ramp — even just slightly — you’ll find yourself eyeball-deep in the delightfully absurd, the proudly peculiar, and the “Wait, is that a giant termite?” end of the travel spectrum. Buckle up, weirdos.

Along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope blends coastal beauty with plenty of small-town charm. Whether your ideal trip includes waterfront strolls, museum hopping, or shrimp po’ boys and craft brews, here are five ways to spend a weekend in Fairhope, Alabama. Bask in sweeping views of Mobile Bay at the Fairhope Municipal Pier, the unofficial “town square” where locals and visitors alike gather daily.

Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a city of contrasts — wild and rugged in one moment, slow and soulful the next. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls and adrenaline highs or craving biscuits, books, and a crackling fireplace, Asheville knows how to deliver. So why not do both? Here’s how to spend two perfect days exploring Asheville: one for the outdoor thrill-seeker, and one for the culture-loving cozy-core traveler. Vibe Check: Hiking boots on, wind in your hair, tacos in hand.

If retro diners and burger joints are your thing, it’s time to head to New Jersey. Neon signs? Check! Polished stools and late-night orders? You betcha! Whether you’re road-tripping the state or just craving a taste of old-school Americana, we’ve got the list of burger joints that are worth pulling over for. Blink, and you might miss it, but skipping White Manna would be a mistake.