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Among the small shops and restaurants that line Elmwood Avenue, Thin Man Brewery stands out in more ways than one. In a literal sense, its second-floor balcony extends over the street, offering guests the perfect place to sip pints in the sun. More figuratively, its beer selection is among the best in the city, with more than two dozen brews on tap, including the Prairie Paradise (a coconut-and-vanilla imperial stout from Prairie Artisan Ales in Oklahoma) and the Taras Boulba (a pale ale straight from Belgium). Thin Man also brews a few of its own beers on-site—if they have it, be sure to try the Pills Mafia pilsner. Since opening in 2016, the brewery has become so popular that there is now a second location in Black Rock, in a collaborative space with Tappo Pizza.

Feldman’s—modeled on the classic Jewish deli one would expect to find in New York City—has landed and is thriving on the east side of Salt Lake City. The deli’s hot half-pound sandwiches include multiple variations on the Reuben (sauerkraut or slaw, pastrami or turkey, corned beef and pastrami, etc.) as well as items like beef tongue, which are hard to find in Utah. At breakfast, order a plate of eggs and salami, try a bagel with a schmear or one of the sandwiches for lunch, and go for a bowl of matzo ball soup with some pierogis for dinner. If you know New York delis, the available-all-day dessert selection will make you happy: rugelach (rolled pastry filled with cinnamon and nuts) or blintzes with fruit compote, or maybe a nice slice of Black Forest cake? Feldman’s also regularly offers live entertainment in the evenings.

As fascinating for children as it is for rock hounds, this geologic reserve is named for its string of massive pink-granite boulders that resemble a train of circus elephants. Estimated to be around 1.5 billion years old, the rocks are prime for climbing, but also feature carvings by miners who worked in the area during the 19th century. The best way to tour the park is via the Braille Trail, which was specially designed for visitors with visual and physical disabilities. Equipped with Braille signage, it winds through the main area of rocks and leads back to the ruins of an old railroad engine house—a remnant of the area’s quarrying history. When you’re done walking around, locate one of the picnic tables scattered strategically under shady trees and treat yourself to a picnic lunch.

A key component to the mastery of a skill is knowing when to break the rules. As its name implies, Jovanina’s Broken Italian breaks away from the traditional rules and expectations of Italian cuisine with the measured confidence of a master. Owners Jennifer and Jake Linzinmeir bring years of restaurant experience, both in the kitchen and in management, to Jovanina’s, which allows them to find an approachable balance of new flavors and classic dishes to the menu. The airy ground-floor space feels festive, with whitewashed brick walls along one side and a bar running the length of the other; a downstairs wine-bar dining area has a quieter, more intimate vibe. Try any of the handmade pasta specials or go with the favorite: a brick-oven pizza topped with fennel sausage, smoked mozzarella, and caramelized onions.

Once the hip newcomer, this craft cocktail lounge is now a King Street veteran that attracts a more mature crowd than the line-up-outside adjacent clubs catering to the college set. Locals meet here for half-price happy hour (Wednesdays feature bourbon) and before shows at the Charleston Music Hall nearby. The stock of spirits is impressive, as are the intricate ways they’re mixed, like a “Macho Man Dandy Savage,” with house-infused dandelion gin, honey, and yellow Chartreuse. The mixologists here have a history of winning local bartender competitions. Complementing the flavors are the gorgeous environs in an historic building that features exposed beams, leather furniture, and a swanky rooftop garden that’s a welcome respite just off the buzz of King Street below. It all sits atop The Macintosh, chef Jeremiah Bacon’s stunning seasonal fare restaurant that shares a mutual owner.

Orlando is known for great Asian eats, and this sweet little Thai spot in Winter Park stands apart for its stylish vibe and rainbow range of iced and hot teas and desserts. KrungThep is the Thai name for Bangkok, but much of the menu skews fusion-style, with items like pesto chicken sandwiches and satay sandwiches and toast-style desserts topped with everything from condensed milk and homemade coconut ice cream to Nutella, matcha, and organic honey. Tea-lovers are in heaven here, with herbal, black, and white loose leaf varieties galore. The black and white decor scheme is both blatantly Instagram-able and cozy and inviting. For a quiet chat with a friend or a self-care moment alone, you can’t go wrong while taking a break to recharge here.

Right on Key West’s famous Sunset Pier and next to Mallory Square, Ocean Key is at the center of the action, proven by the flocks of tourists who descend on the pier every evening at sundown. Inside the resort, the contemporary rooms are decorated in tropical colors like bright lime and turquoise, and have bathrooms with rainfall showers and whirlpool tubs and private balconies with views of the Gulf of Mexico or buzzy Duval Street. The angular pool is surrounded by cabanas and day beds; grab a ringside seat for the daily fashion show at Liquid, the kicking poolside bar. Prefer a quieter experience? The spa has a full range of treatments and packages that lean heavily on Asian traditions and ingredients, from Balinese massage to a Javanese rice-and-turmeric body scrub.

Austin has established itself as a foodie destination on par with New York and Los Angeles. Now, it also has a hotel that’s worthy of its rebirth as a capital of cool. At The LINE, the setting is as pretty as the young things who stay there with their stylish pets. The midcentury building houses 428 rooms and suites inspired by the Lone Star landscape, with headboards that evoke desert canyons, blue linens and rugs that nod to Lady Bird Lake (which many of the rooms overlook through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows), and lighting that looks like fireflies in the night sky. The place to be seen is Arlo Grey, where Top Chef winner Kristen Kish serves a menu inspired by her childhood, travels, and Central Texas ingredients—that is until the rooftop bar debuts in fall 2018.

Set on almost four acres in the Catskill Mountains, a couple of hours outside of New York, The Villa at Saugerties is a tranquil four-room inn surrounded by stunning gardens, complete with weeping willows, streams, and a lily pond. All four rooms here are impeccably maintained, with gas fireplaces and lovely bathrooms complete with Moroccan tiling. While the Villa’s pleasant grounds and the 40-foot swimming pool are enough to keep guests from leaving the property, there’s also plenty to do in the sylvan surrounded, from hiking and mountain biking on local trails to touring the myriad quaint old towns for which the Hudson Valley is known. The gourmet breakfasts here cooked with local ingredients get rave reviews, as does the warm hospitality from the inn’s owner-operator couple, Amanda and Joe.

Although Troutbeck’s current incarnation only opened in 2017, the estate property has stood in the Upstate New York town of Amenia for considerably longer. It started in 1765 as an inn and tavern and, over the years, has hosted some of America’s most celebrated literary greats, from Mark Twain to Ralph Waldo Emerson. While the historic home now includes plenty of modern comforts, it also retains many of its old-fashioned features, from the wood paneling in the cozy living room to the enchanting Walled Garden, which was constructed over a century ago to house the then-owner’s collection of clematis. The property also has a lovely outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, an elegant ballroom that’s popular for weddings, and a range of stylish rooms and suites, many with big windows, four-poster beds, and deep soaking tubs.

Situated off the eastern shore of Long Island, The Chequit is old school in an elegant way. The hotel occupies a big white building, surrounded by grassy lawns, impeccably maintained hedgerows, and towering deciduous trees, and features bright, homey rooms, complete with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. While all the rooms have been refurbished, those in the main house retain much of their original architecture, lending them a certain vintage charm. The Chequit operates on a bed-and-breakfast model, and guests can either take their morning meal in the lobby or opt to have a lighter option sent straight to their room. While the target audience here is weekenders seeking an escape from New York City, the hotel is also a popular spot for weddings and retreats, with two meeting rooms and full catering services available from on-site Red Maple Restaurant.

Sitting on 40 acres in the quaint town of Stone Ridge, Hasbrouck House is a lovely boutique getaway, featuring 20 one-of-a-kind rooms spread out over three structures. Rooms are bright and homey, with wooden floors and plush beds. Some even feature vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces, and deep, freestanding bathtubs. Although it’s not a spa retreat, Hasbrouck House does offer a variety of massages that can be enjoyed either in a cozy treatment room or your very own suite. For many guests, however, the highlight of a weekend here is dinner at on-site restaurant Butterfield, which offers a seasonal menu inspired by fresh produce from the Hudson Valley. Come in the summer and you’ll also have access to the 55-foot-long swimming pool, nightly bonfires, and outdoor movie screenings and concerts.

A larger, more luxurious alternative to an inn-style getaway, the ocean-facing Gurney’s Montauk Resort offers gorgeous views, plush accommodations, and top-notch amenities, including a whopping 2,000 feet of private sandy beach. The spa is the star attraction and includes a Finnish sauna, steam room, Roman bath, and saltwater swimming pool, all of which are only open to guests to maintain a quiet, exclusive ambience. Other property highlights include a salon, fitness center, and selection of restaurants, ranging from Scarpetta Beach (which serves Italian cuisine) to Tillies (a more casual bistro with hearty American fare and brunch specialties on weekends). Not surprisingly, the guest rooms and cottages are especially luxe, with lovely wooden floors, walk-in rain showers, and big windows with sweeping sea views.

Though it doesn’t have the same rustic charm as the Bright Angel or El Tovar lodges—its neighbors on either side—the 1960s-era Thunderbird Lodge hasn’t lost that fun Mad Men vibe. Just yards away from the South Rim, it looks more like a college social sciences building from the outside, but the 55 updated rooms are comfortable and spacious, with geometric-patterned rugs and headboards, marble-topped furnishings, and stone-tiled bathrooms, plus creature comforts like satellite TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and in-room refrigerators. Many have decent views of the canyon—a steal at only $20 more. And while there’s no restaurant on site, dining options at El Tovar, Bright Angel, and the rest of the village are only steps away. Best of all, the Rim Trail is right outside your door.

Named 2016’s best new restaurant in America by Bon Appétit, Staplehouse is still Atlanta’s hardest reservation to score. Husband-and-wife team Ryan and Jen Hidinger dreamed up the restaurant after a series of successful supper clubs, which they hosted in their own home. Before they could open, however, Ryan was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer. Atlanta’s restaurant community rallied around the couple, raising money for Ryan’s treatments and eventually founding the Giving Kitchen charity. Eventually, the Hidingers leased a space and brought in Ryan’s sister Kara and her boyfriend, Ryan Smith, to run the restaurant. Ryan passed away in 2014 but his legacy lives on at Staplehouse, where Jen now serves as the business manager. While Ryan’s story is at the heart of the restaurant—a portion of the proceeds goes toward his charity—it’s Smith’s seasonally inspired menu that has kept Staplehouse on top.