The best bars in New York’s Financial District

When it comes to bars in New York’s Financial District, there’s no shortage of choices. But you only want the best, so we’ve put together a list of the top 18 bars in the area, based on Yelp reviews, a consensus from FiDi locals, and our own experiences. From Irish pubs to upscale restaurants where …

Hitler’s 3-mile-long abandoned Nazi resort is transforming into a luxury getaway

Three years before Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Adolf Hitler ordered the construction of the world’s largest tourist resort, located on a beachfront property on the island of Rügen. The Nazis called it Prora. Capable of holding more than 20,000 residents at a single time, Prora was meant to comfort the weary German worker who …

Raving about your vacation is obnoxious, but it’ll probably make you happier

Telling people about the vacation you just took is kind of like talking about a dream you had. You’ll never quite convey how real it felt, so at best you’ll come off boring, and at worst obnoxious. But there is some psychological research that suggests being selfish is worth it: Compared to just keeping quiet, …

A suspected drunk driver plowed into a ‘Fixer Upper’ home — and the owners say they feel ‘deceived’ by the show

The HGTV show “Fixer Upper” has transformed the town of Waco, Texas, into a full-fledged tourist destination with its renovation of dilapidated homes and opening of new design stores. But underneath the surface, trouble could be brewing. Some homeowners say that the show led them to purchase properties in an area they don’t feel is …

Don’t waste your money on a 2-week vacation — you’ll forget half of it

A two-week vacation might be twice as long as a one-week vacation, but don’t expect to have twice the memories once you get back. According to psychologist Daniel Kahneman, shorter vacations are typically just as good in hindsight as longer ones. There’s a surprising amount of behavioral science that suggests a vacation can be improved …

The 15 best small towns to visit in America

Big cities may have glitz and glam, but savvy travelers know that America’s small towns are the real prize. These often overlooked enclaves offer a variety of cultural, outdoor, and culinary delights, and usually offer accommodations at more affordable prices than urban centers. In June, US News & World Report published its annual list of …

These are the 25 dishes you must try in destinations around the world, according to OpenTable

Eating the best possible food is a major motivation for many travelers. In a recent survey of more than 3,400 diners, online restaurant reservation site OpenTable found that 66% of Americans would choose a particular destination because of the food offerings there. In light of this, OpenTable’s global teams put together a list of 25 …

Goldman Sachs president David Solomon is selling his ‘classy and comfortable’ Aspen property for $36 million

David Solomon is saying “so long” to Aspen. The Goldman Sachs president and co-COO is selling his large Colorado estate for $36 million, according to Mansion Global. Solomon built the home after he bought the property for $4 million in 2005. The 83-acre property comes with a guest house and incredible views of the Colorado …

The 16 coolest airline paint jobs in the world

As airlines and airplanes have evolved, so have their “liveries” — the exterior designs, including paint colors and logos, on the aircraft. As planes crisscross the globe, their exterior graphics not only represent the companies that operate them but in many instances also serve as visual ambassadors for their respective homelands. A great airline livery …

Foodies are flocking to Portland, Maine — here’s why

There’s a reason Maine is often called “Vacationland.” Though the winters are bitterly cold, during the summer and fall the state’s coastal cities buzz with tourists looking to make the most of the state’s beaches, harbors, and growing culinary scene. Portland, especially, has become a destination for food-loving travelers, with innovative local restaurants like Eventide, …

Etihad just got amazing news about Trump’s laptop ban — and scored a huge advantage over its rivals

On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it has lifted the large electronics ban on US-bound non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The removal of restrictions placed upon the airport in March is effective immediately. This move comes days after Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly announced …

11 fun, free places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in New York City

You can’t beat celebrating Independence Day in New York City. In fact, the annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks is the biggest fireworks in the US in the US, and this year it’s celebrating its 41st anniversary on the East River on Tuesday, July 4. The fun will start at about 9:20 p.m. and last …

The founder of the doomed Fyre Festival reportedly drives a $110,000 Maserati and rents a $21,000-a-month penthouse

Billy McFarland, cofounder of the Fyre Media startup and its disastrous Fyre Festival, was arrested by federal authorities on wire fraud charges June 30. He was released July 1 on $300,000 bail, but not before aspects of his lifestyle were revealed in a hearing. According to the New York Times, it was revealed that McFarland …

Stunning vintage photos show how Americans in every state spend their downtime

National Geographic photographers have been documenting human life since the early 1900s, capturing historic moments as well as more mundane routines. In the book “National Geographic: The United States of America,” 700 captivating images from the magazine’s archives have been pulled together in one place, highlighting each state in a range of dynamic images. This …

40 things Canadians say that Americans don’t understand

Happy Canada Day! July 1 is essentially the Canadian version of America’s Independence Day. It’s a celebration of our confederation as a country within the British Empire in 1867. Now, it’s not always easy to spot a Canadian in the US. For the most part, we sound pretty similar. We share a lot of values …

Fyre Festival organizer arrested, charged with wire fraud

Federal agents have arrested Fyre Festival pitchman Billy McFarland on suspicion of wire fraud on Friday, nearly three months after the failed music and lifestyle festival left hundreds of participants stranded in the Bahamas. Prosecutors said McFarland is accused of misleading investors who poured more than $1 million into Fyre Media, based on misrepresentations of …

This casual pub was just named the best restaurant in the UK — here’s what it’s like to eat there

It might not look like much from the outside, but the Sportsman Pub in Kent is considered the best place to eat in the UK right now. Earlier in June, this slightly gritty-looking, low-key pub was named the best restaurant in the UK by the National Restaurant Awards for the second year running. The pub …

The new king of New York power lunching has arrived — here’s what it’s like to eat there

New York City’s Four Seasons restaurant, famous for its power lunch and influential clientele, officially closed its doors last July. In early May, a new restaurant called The Grill opened in the space in the Seagram Building that was once home to the Four Seasons. The three men behind the reopening — Mario Carbone, Rich …

Here’s what it’s like inside St. Louis’ Gateway Arch — the tallest man-made monument in the US

We took a trip to St. Louis’ Gateway Arch — the tallest man-made monument in the US. The arch is 630 feet high and its foundations are about 60 feet deep. It’s made of 142 stainless steel sections, concrete, and structural steel.The monument honors Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase and St. Louis’ role in westward expansion …

15 breathtaking photos of the world’s most interesting cities

The judges for this year’s National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest are close to announcing its winners. All submissions are due by Friday, June 30. There are three categories for photographers to enter: Nature, Cities, and People. The lucky grand prize winner will get a 10-day journey for two in the Galápagos Islands. …

This glass box on top of the Willis tower lets you stand 1,353 feet above Chicago

The Ledge is a glass box on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, the eighth-tallest building in the world and the tallest building in the Western hemisphere. At an altitude of 1,353 feet you can see up to 50 miles and four states. The Ledge attracts more than 1.7 million visitors annually. Join the …

14 Pinterest features only power users know about

Pinterest is one of the most popular social networks in the world, with 175 million monthly active users and legions of diehard fans pinning their favorite outfits, recipes, housewares, and more. But most people are probably missing out on hidden features and cool tricks that enhance the Pinterest experience, or simply make life easier. We …

This abandoned Disney water park has been rotting for over 15 years

When Disney River Country opened in 1976, visitors flocked to Orange County, Florida, to ride the winding slides and traverse the wooden bridges. The park closed down 25 years later. After leaving the park empty and abandoned for 15 years, Disney finally drained and filled River Country’s 330,000-gallon pool in 2016. A Cleveland-based photographer who …

The Ritz-Carlton just debuted a luxury cruise line for the ‘1% of global travelers’ and it looks insane

This week the Ritz-Carlton Hotel revealed plans for its luxury cruise line, with three ships aimed to set sea starting in late 2019. Somewhere between a private superyacht and a small ocean liner, these ships will accommodate the “the 1% of global travelers,” according to Bloomberg. With larger rooms, more dining options, and common space …

Kayak is letting travelers search for travel deals using emojis

Planning to book your summer holiday? Just type in an emoji to kick off your flight or hotel search on Kayak. The travel search engine has rolled out an emoji-search functionality today, in which users can use emojis to look up flight or hotel deals for their destinations. Want to go to New York City …

I work in room service at a 5-star hotel — these are the biggest things I wish guests wouldn’t do

I’ve been working in the room-service department of a five-star hotel for six months. Actually, it’s a five-red-star hotel: The red part is a special distinction awarded by AA Hotel Services (an organization specific to the UK, which is where this hotel is located) that means we go above and beyond normal five-star hotel requirements. …