There are cities filled with so much history that they might as well be walking time machines, like Boston. Other cities, like Washington D.C., certainly have history but memorialize it more than anything. In fact, the nation’s capitol has over 160 memorials. So, while Boston has the past oozing out of every brick and cobblestone, D.C. is more of a testament to days gone by. That’s not to say D.C. doesn’t have sites with historical impact. Most cities have stories to be told if you know where to look, and in the Capitol, that’s in old, iconic buildings. 

Visiting Paris for the first time is exhilarating. There’s so much to do that it’s easy to overestimate how much time you have to explore. The first thing to remember is to be realistic while planning. For example, the Louvre is enormous. If you think you’ll cover it in a day, think again because not even a week is enough time to see everything. Second, manage your expectations. Most people don’t realize the Mona Lisa is about the size of a large textbook rather than a giant canvas. Just like any other city, do some research before leaving. While spontaneity makes for grand adventures, having a reasonably sketched-out plan never hurts, especially if you have a laundry list of things you want to fit in and a budget to keep to.

Cities take on a certain magical quality during the holidays. The lights and decorations transform the urban landscape into a glittering space that brings joy to even the Scroogiest of hearts. An air of nostalgia tickles the brain in just the right way so that not even the gloomiest days can ruin the experience. Chicago is no stranger to the magic of the holiday season. While the city is known for soaking up every minute of summer, locals also love to embrace every moment that celebrates this festive time of year. 

January is an underrated time of year to plan a trip. Holiday travel is over, and much of the northern hemisphere is experiencing cold weather. Many people are inclined to stay home, whether that’s to avoid the risk of travel delays or blowing through precious PTO so early in the year. Whatever the reason, tourism crowds ease up after the holiday rush, and time seems to slow down. For those who choose to embrace the heart of winter, there’s something about exploring while the air is crisp and meeting people in warm, cozy restaurants. If you’re looking to get away, you might consider one of these destinations for January travel. 

Any history lovers out there? Boston is your city. It has buildings that date back to pre-revolutionary times and many of them have seen some pretty incredible moments in history. Most of these locations can be found on the Freedom Trail, but we’ve highlighted a few that are notable on their own. Boston is full of incredible history and historical sites so please do not stop at this list while you’re planning a visit. There’s so much it’s impossible to include everything in one go.

Quick trips can feel limited but if planned well, you can pack quite a bit into two days. If you only have a few days in Boston for an upcoming trip, this guide is going to be a great friend.

Being a local to Chicago makes me one of the luckiest people when it comes to a staycation. Instead of airfare, I pay a round-trip price of $16 to get to and from the city and can plan a trip around hotel prices. Plus, the location can’t be beat. Even New Yorkers get out of their city when they take a staycation. I mean, that’s why the Hamptons exist, right? When I’m desperate to get away but don’t have the time or bandwidth to plan an actual trip, I’ll open Hotel Tonight or check a few of my favorite hotels in the city to see where I can find the best price…

If you aren’t thinking about where to go for spring break yet, you should be. It’s almost time to embark on a little post-winter, pre-spring getaway. Even I’m going somewhere this year! My trip will be a drive down to Missouri to visit family but it will still be a nice little escape from everyday life. Being someone who doesn’t particularly like crowds, I can understand why most people avoid spring break. There are drunk, obnoxious, college kids everywhere and what you’re looking for is much more relaxing. With that in mind, I’ve put together a couple of destinations so that you can get in a memorable spring break without the insanity of...well...spring break!

Five days is the perfect amount of time to soak up Washington DC. Museums alone could fill that but having a longer visit leaves room for day trips and taking your time. DC has plenty to offer from historical sites and buildings to restaurants and shopping. Regardless of your interests, there's something for everyone. Having spent quite some time in DC, I've put together an itinerary for a 5-day trip that includes everything from sightseeing to day trips. Grab a pen for notes, and keep reading…