Taryn Shorr-Mckee

Every October, 100,000 visitors descend on Fayetteville, West Virginia, a small town of less than 3,000, for a single-day event unlike anything else. Bridge Day, held annually on the third Saturday in October since 1980, transforms the soaring New River Gorge Bridge into the stage for one of the largest extreme sport gatherings anywhere—and one of the world’s few legal opportunities for BASE jumping.

From extravagant rooftop bars and ice rinks to citywide festivals and hot tub boats, Chicago turns into a full-scale holiday playground come November. Yes, it’s chilly (okay, okay – it’s freezing), but this city knows how to make winter magical, with steaming mugs of cocoa and mulled wine, lights and trees in every direction and 70-some neighborhoods that each celebrate the season their own way.

Some destinations sit on your travel bucket list for literal years, waiting for everything to line up just right to visit finally. For me, riding the historic Skunk Train through the redwoods to Glen Blair Bar was one of those. Ever since the outdoor, accessible-by-train-only bar opened in late 2022, I’d been determined to experience it for myself — but my previous trips to Northern California never aligned with the schedule. So when my husband and I planned a road trip from San Francisco up ...

With unexpectedly vibrant late-season foliage, a flowing creek, and near-total solitude, Aravaipa Canyon proves the desert can do autumn, too.
In most parts of the U.S., fall foliage is gone by November. But in southern Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon, it’s just getting started. Around two hours from both Phoenix and Tucson, this towering, red-walled gorge, reminiscent of Zion National Park, hides one of the most spectacular—and least-known—leaf-peeping displays in the Southwest.

Each October, the rhythmic pulse of drums draws dancers and spectators from across the country to Rapid City, South Dakota, where the Black Hills Powwow celebrates and honors Lakota culture and community. At its heart is Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje, who has been part of the Wacipi (pronounced wah-chee-pee, it's the Lakota word for powwow and means “they dance”) for over two decades, starting as a volunteer and later serving 17 years on the board and 16 as vice president.

Walk into Dakota Drum Company in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, and you won’t be greeted by the usual hum of retail chatter. Instead, you might hear the rhythmic scrape of a buffalo h...

In Kansas City, barbecue isn’t just food—it’s a full-blown culture. So it feels only fitting that the city became home to the world’s first museum dedicated to it in spring 2025. In the heart of Crown Center near downtown KC, the quirky, one-of-a-kind Museum of BBQ dives into the ‘sizzling’ story of this beloved smoky food with a surprisingly playful, immersive twist.

In the eastern reaches of Tennessee, misty mountains rise and fall like waves, waterfalls tumble into pristine pools, black bears roam the valleys, and kitschy-in-a-pleasant-way tourist attractions line the parkway.
Welcome to “the Smokies,” where stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) attracts millions of visitors each year, and the towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville roll out the red carpet for them.

The best holiday getaway hotels don’t just decorate for the season—they fully embrace it. Whether they have European-style Christmas markets, over-the-top pop-up bars, ice-skating rinks, or elegant afternoon tea, these Midwest hotels elevate the holidays into something almost cinematic.

Although dude ranches have been around for centuries, they’re enjoying a serious renaissance — and for good reason. For families in particular, these all-inclusive escapes offer an unbeatable combination other types of getaways don’t: unplugged adventure in beautiful surroundings, fresh air, activities for every age group, and that distinctive, coveted, rustic luxury.

The topic of travel insurance can be overwhelming – and, frankly, unpleasant. Options abound, as does fine print – and the best choice isn’t always the most obvious one, but rather depends on your personal needs.
But there’s good news: once you know just what you want covered, navigating the process gets much simpler.

US national parks are known for stunning, mind-bogglingly diverse landscapes, and fall reveals a quieter, shier side. As summer crowds fade and cooler weather sets in, vibrant foliage transforms forests and mountains, wildlife becomes more active, and brisk pine-scented air encourages cozy campfires and serene hikes.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, almost to the day, passenger trains will once again travel the Gulf Coast between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans.

On August 18, Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service launches twice-daily departures between the two cities, with stops in four Coastal Mississippi communities: Bay Saint Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula. Despite the name, the service is available year-round (not just during carnival season).

For three days, we saw maybe three other people, one of whom was a park ranger. There were no planes overhead, no vehicles on the road, and no chatter from nearby campsites. It truly felt like just us and the wilderness, and was startling at first. Though my husband and I are both avid hikers and campers, after a lifetime of background noise, the silence felt almost loud, demanding our attention at all times.
As it turns out, this level of true quiet is rare in the United States.