AFAR Search

Books

28 Independent Bookstores in the U.S. You Should Visit

From a shipping container in Portland, Maine, to the world’s largest indie bookstore in Portland, Oregon, these are Afar staffers’ favorite bookshops.

November 19, 2025 03:21 AM

·

Aislyn Greene

LGBTQ Travel

6 Safety Tips My Husband and I Learned Road-Tripping Across the U.S. as a Gay Couple

Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, know what to prepare and who to reach out to before you go.

June 3, 2025 11:59 AM

·

Matt Kirouac

Aerial view of country roads in South Dakota

Road Trips

The Best Road Trips in the Midwest

These 12 road trips across the American Midwest highlight the region’s best drives, from Ohio’s Lake Erie coast to Wisconsin’s Driftless Area and Nebraska’s wide-open plains.

March 18, 2026 09:11 AM

·

Ashlea Halpern

National Parks

A First-Timer’s Guide to Banff National Park

Banff National Park is full of rugged mountain peaks, emerald lakes, and vast glaciers. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your time there.

May 13, 2024 06:49 PM

·

Juliette Recompsat

A Hotel Has Opened at Versailles—and It’s Everything You Could Hope For

Hotels

There’s a Luxury Hotel on the Grounds of Versailles—and There Are Still Rooms Available During the Olympics

Live out your Marie Antoinette dreams with an overnight stay in the ornate 17th-century palace.

April 25, 2024 03:05 PM

·

Michelle Baran

Mardi Gras parade float rolls down St. Charles Avenue, with trees and crowds of people lining street

Festivals + Events

I’m a New Orleans Local—Here’s How to Plan the Perfect Mardi Gras Trip in 2026

Mardi Gras is more than a day, it’s a season. Here’s how to dive into the spirit of the celebrations and make the most of carnival in New Orleans.

December 30, 2025 07:34 PM

·

Jenny Adams

Outdoor Adventure

5 Stunning Caves You Can Visit in the U.S.—No Spelunking Skills Required

Go beyond busy national parks at these show caves across the USA.

April 4, 2025 05:02 PM

·

Pat Tompkins

Woman in orange shirt touches large incense burner and other hands also touch the object

Art + Culture

The Quest to Create the Most Accessible Museum in the World

The refreshed museum of the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky, is slated to open in 2026 with a novel invitation to visitors: please touch.

January 3, 2025 10:32 AM

·

M. Leona Godin

Chicago, Illinois - United States - December 24th, 2024: Downtown mural “Muddy Waters Mural” by artist Eduardo Kobra in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

History + Culture

The Movie Sinners Is a Love Letter to Chicago Blues—Here Are 6 Places to Experience It Yourself

Blues music came from Mississippi to Chicago during the Great Migration, as praised in the new Michael B. Jordan film and throughout the city today.

July 10, 2025 02:34 PM

·

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Time Travel Through Old New Orleans During Its Spectacular Tricentennial Celebration

Festivals + Events

A History Lover’s Guide to New Orleans

Celebrate 300 years of Big Easy history with a little bit of voodoo, a few meals in classic establishments, and a whole lot of jazz.

July 9, 2024 09:40 AM

·

Julia Eskins

Reception at the Twenty Two New York with dark wood features

Stay Here Next

This Fashion Crowd-Favorite British Members Club Just Opened a Hotel in NYC—and Anyone Can Book a Stay

A new outpost of a London-based members’ club, the Twenty Two New York offers a mix of British charm, intimate dining, and elevated exclusivity, all with a dash of whimsy.

May 28, 2025 10:04 AM

·

Tiana Attride

Cruise News

On the Longest-Ever U.S. River Cruise, Visit 20 States in 60 Days

The grandiose river journey combines sailings along the Columbia River in the West, the Mississippi River through the heart of the country, and the Eastern Seaboard.

April 7, 2023 11:29 AM

·

Bailey Berg

Four young Black men playing trombone and several middle aged Black people in colorful suits dancing down the street

4 Days In

4 Days in New Orleans: Zip Lines Over Alligators, Raised Mausoleums, and Cajun Sausage Croissants

Find locally recommended haunts during a long weekend in a city both ancient and young, silly and sacred, polite and profane.

October 24, 2025 09:10 AM

·

Jenny Adams

Cities We Love

6 New Orleans Neighborhoods for All-Night Parties, Live Music, and Memorable Food

From the lively French Quarter to the culture-packed Tremé, get your Crescent City bearings.

July 23, 2025 05:12 AM

·

Kristin Braswell

An Indigenous American dishes on a table made fresh vegetables and toppings, saserved at Owamni restaurant in Minnesota.

Food + Drink

This State’s Food Scene Is Gaining National Attention

Minnesota’s food scene is thriving, with award-winning restaurants and diverse culinary influences from all around the world.

Search results for