Matador Network's Blog, page 1152

Passenger tossed coins in jet

As it turns out, some superstitious rituals can ultimately bring you bad fortune. To bring good luck to himself and his fellow travelers, a passenger on Chinese low-cost airline Lucky Air tossed some coins into the engine ahead of his flight from Anqing to Kunming, China, on February 17. “Lu,” as the passenger is being identified, is now paying the price for his behavior.

The South China Morning Post reports that officials discovered a couple of coins on the tarmac near the aircraft’s left engine before departure, which triggered a more thorough search of the mechanism where they found more coins.

(Un)Lucky Air flight 8L9960 cancelled as passenger throws “good fortune” coins into aircraft’s engine https://t.co/JpynmjOX1e pic.twitter.com/W6W7E1toTC

— Aviation24.be (@aviation24_be) February 25, 2019

Lu didn’t invent this good luck charm. Coin tossing is a common, though unfounded and polluting, good luck ritual just about everywhere in the world. In this case, it was extremely dangerous. Tossing a tiny coin into a jet engine can cause serious damage and even total engine failure. According to Lucky Air, Lu’s coins caused over $20,000 in damages to the plane, in addition to the flight’s delay until the following day for over 160 passengers.

In a statement to Travel Pulse, Lucky Air said, “Not only does tossing coins not give you good luck it will endanger aviation safety and land you in detention. You could be fined and prosecuted.”

Indeed, Lucky Air has allegedly pressed charges against Lu, who has reportedly spent seven days in police custody.

H/T: Thrillist

More like this: Experts weigh in: What to eat before, during, and after a flight

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Southwest Airlines now going Hawaii

The wait is finally over. After receiving official certification from the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday that it will soon begin operating flights to Hawaii.

Over the past few months, Southwest has been working closely with the FAA to earn its Extended Range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) verification, which is required for airlines wishing to fly over oceans. The process involved several test flights designed to ensure Southwest could handle long-haul operation from the West Coast to Hawaii.

In a statement provided to The Points Guy, Southwest said, “Today, the FAA officially granted ETOPS authorization to Southwest Airlines. Now that we have the authorization, Southwest teams will finalize our plans for offering service to Hawaii, and we’ll publicly announce our timing for selling tickets and inaugurating flights to the Hawaiian Islands in the coming days.”

Ticket prices and booking options should become available very soon on Southwest’s Hawaii booking page. Southwest will provide nonstop service from Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, and Sacramento to Honolulu (on Oahu), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Island of Hawaii), and Lihue (Kauai). The airline also intends to provide interisland service.

H/T: The Points Guy

More like this: The 12 coolest things to do in Kauai

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Things people from Wisconsin hate

It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love beer, cheese, and football with nearly religious devotion. As much as we passionately love everything about our state, we also hate anything we deem anti-Wisconsin. From Vikings fans to those who only eat vegan or gluten-free, here are 10 things Wisconsinites love to hate.

1. Budweiser

First of all, it’s gross. Secondly, it’s now technically a European beer. When it comes to mass-produced American lager, we go Miller, every time.

2. The Vikings

It’s not just because Brett Favre committed the treasonous act of abandoning the NFL’s greatest team to play for the Vikings. Vikings fans are arrogant, rude, and let’s be honest, the Vikings aren’t even that good at football. They think we’re their biggest rival, but we’ve got bigger fish to fry.

3. Pretentiousness

We pride ourselves on being humble and down-to-earth, and dislike anyone who looks down on us for it. If you’re kind and genuine, you’ll impress us much more than if you mention your Ivy League degree or designer clothing.

4. Foreign trucks

If you’re in a truck, it’s Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. You won’t find us driving a VW or Nissan, and we’ll crack a good-natured joke at anyone who does.

5. Vegan and/or gluten-free preferences

It’s not that we think there is something wrong with you if you’re vegan or gluten-free. It’s just that we don’t know how to cook for you, and this stresses us out tremendously.

6. Cold weather

Honestly, our cold winters are something we love to pretend to hate. “Is it cold enough for ya?” is our favorite winter greeting, and complaining about the snow and how much we miss summer is a much-loved winter pastime.

7. The Cowboys

Mostly, we’re just offended that they’ve knocked us out of the playoffs more than a few times.

8. Store-bought fish

Any fish we eat had better be fresh from the lake, especially if it’s Friday fish fry. We hate to have to buy fish at the store, which is why we freeze our butts for hours ice fishing in the winter.

9. The big city

We don’t mind visiting Chicago, but when it comes to cities, Madison and Milwaukee are as big as we ever want to get. We’ll take quaint towns nobody else can pronounce, like Manitowoc or Oconomowoc, with a main street lined with ma-and-pa shops over the city any day.

10. Hot dogs

Nothing is more disappointing to a Wisconsinite as ordering a brat in another state and getting a hot dog instead. Those are not the same things.


More like this: 12 things that make Wisconsin so unique

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Cheap spring break vacation ideas

Spring break vacation is an opportunity to get away with friends and let go, but it doesn’t necessarily mean wild drunken parties all night and recovering on a beach all day. You’re young and adventurous, so why not try a more unusual spring break vacation? Here are some underrated spring break ideas ranging from outdoor adventuring to blues festivals, none of which scrimp on the key requirement of having fun.

1. Great Dunes National Park — Colorado

Photo: Margaret.W/Shutterstock

With the tallest sand dunes in the US, Great Dunes National Park is the perfect place to release the adventurer in you. Get stuck into extreme activities like sandboarding and sand sledding down the dunes. It’s a thrill ride, and if your friends can snap a picture of you mastering the slopes, it’s a winner on social media. There are also lots of hiking routes to explore and several different camping grounds ranging from basic necessities to one with a geothermal swimming pool. Be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions in spring. You may be hiking through snowy landscapes, or it may be warm enough to cool off after your exertions and splash around in Medano Creek.

2. Road trip — Interstate 40

Photo: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Almost synonymous with the idea of freedom, a long road trip across the southern states of America is the ideal hiatus between studies. The Interstate 40 runs right across the country from east to west, and it has some perfect stopping points along the way. One iconic roadside attraction is Texas’s Cadillac Ranch, a public art installation of Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground. Adding to the graffiti is actively encouraged, and it makes a pretty good Instagram post.

Several cities along the route are well worth a stop. Amarillo in Texas offers kitsch ranch architecture and classic Texan BBQ, while in Memphis you can make a pilgrimage to the King of Rock and Roll. Natural wonders aren’t in short supply either, such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park with hiking trails for you to stretch your legs or the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa for a dip in the clear water.

3. Harry Potter-themed beer festivals — Phoenix, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Louisville

Photo: Rock Star Beer Festivals/Facebook

If you’re not keen on a full-blown vacation but still want some spring break madness, why not visit one of Rock Star Beer’s Harry Potter-inspired beer festivals, taking place throughout March. In a setting of Hogwarts Great Hall, the Leaky Cauldron, and Diagon Alley, you will be able to taste over 20 different Potter-themed beers, including Adult Butter Beer. Snap a photo with Hagrid, dance to music by the Slytherin Sisters and DJ Dumbledore, and visit Snape’s Lair to sample some Secret Cider Potions.

4. Tampa Bay Blues Festival — Florida

Photo: Tampa Bay Blues Festival

A few universities schedule their spring breaks out with the usual March period, and if your vacation falls in mid-April, then count yourself lucky. Head to Tampa Bay Blues Festival, which is one of the most respected blues events on the calendar. Great acts are complemented by food trucks and barbeques, as well as sunset over the bay. If you want to keep partying well into the night, you can join the After Shows at Ringside Café, which is considered one of St Petersburg’s best live music clubs. The Festival is taking place on April 12-14 this year.

5. Yoga retreat — Maui, Hawaii

Photo: Tom Tietz/Shutterstock

If boozy and wild are not words you want to sum up your spring break vacation, then think about finding inner peace at a yoga retreat. This four-day retreat in tropical coastal Hawaii offers pretty much everything you could want from a yoga experience. As well as vinyasa and hatha yoga, it also lets you try out aerial yoga in suspended silk fabrics. There are sound-healing ceremonies, intention-setting ceremonies, and special events like moon and cacao ceremonies.

What’s more, there is a nature sanctuary, possible excursions to beaches and waterfalls, and gourmet vegetarian meals. Groups are a maximum of six people and group rates are offered, so find a few like-minded friends and enjoy a non-traditional spring break together.

6. Tayrona National Park — Colombia

Photo: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Heading a bit further afield, Colombia’s Tayrona National Park offers an exciting combination of jungle and beach to spice up the traditional spring break beach vacation. In fact, you have to hike through the jungle in order to reach the sandy coastal lagoons, giving you plenty of opportunities to spot exotic wildlife on the way. If you are a big group, you can stay the night in hammocks in a communal room or in tents (bring your own or rent). There are cafés at the campsites serving food and alcohol. As an added bonus, the park does a discounted entry for students. For those wanted to shoehorn a bit of culture into the vacation, there is also an archeological site with ruins of structures built by the ancient Tayrona civilization.


More like this: The best places to travel this April

The post 6 underrated spring break vacations you can actually afford appeared first on Matador Network.

Boston bars for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most popular bar holidays in the US, even if we celebrate it a bit differently than how they do in Ireland. The biggest question most revelers have to ask themselves is where to go. Between pub crawls, drink discounts, and the virtual guarantee that anywhere you go will be a party, there are plenty of upsides to going out on St. Patrick’s Day. The problem is that nothing kills your celebratory buzz like waiting in line.

In Boston, which is known worldwide for its March 17 bar scene, you could be waiting in line for quite some time. Boston’s famous Irish culture and heritage make it one of the most exciting places in the US to celebrate, but that also makes it among the most hectic. If you don’t plan ahead, you could find yourself spending the holiday waiting outside a bar in the unpredictable March weather instead of sipping on whiskey and Guinness at the bar. While escaping the line entirely on St. Patrick’s Day might be nearly impossible — unless you go to the bar at 9:00 AM, which, more power to you — these are some of the best bars in Boston for the minimum amount of wait time.

1. The Point

Located in Boston’s Faneuil Hall area, right next to the popular (and always slammed) Bell In Hand Tavern, The Point is a solid option for any night that you’re hoping to skip the hassle of a long line. Although smaller and less-trafficked than Bell In Hand, The Point mirrors its neighbor’s fun, spacious layout with a downstairs bar and live-music stage, as well as an upstairs dance floor with a DJ. Drinks are reasonably priced, the cover charge is only $5, and lines are rarely longer than a few minutes. The Point is a stop on the Lucked Up! St. Paddy’s Crawl. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the bar crawl’s official site.

2. Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar

Photo: Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar Back Bay/Facebook

Lolita might sound like a more appropriate destination for a certain May holiday, but that’s exactly what makes it such a great option for skipping the overwhelming crowds on St. Patrick’s Day. With two locations, in Back Bay and Fort Point, Lolita has an extensive single-floor plan, dark interior with an edgy vibe, and, most importantly, free green-apple flavored cotton candy for every table. Lolita isn’t on any pub crawl itineraries (unless you’re making your own), and there’s no planned St. Patrick’s Day event, which makes it the ideal place to visit if you’re trying to avoid the green beer drinking crowds. Lolita is always busy with young professionals, there’s no cover charge, and there are rarely any lines to enter.

3. Society on High

It feels like everyone in Boston is heading to the many Irish pubs on St. Patrick’s Day. For a more hassle-free night out, go to Society on High in the Financial District. It offers a wide selection of cocktails, an intimate environment with good DJ music, no cover charge, and no line provided you arrive reasonably early. SoHi is also located right between the Seaport and Faneuil Hall, making it a convenient stop on a bar crawl or a great first-drink option.

4. Saloon

Photo: Saloon/Facebook

Also in Davis Square, and right down the street from The Foundry, Saloon might be the closest you can get to a rustic Irish aesthetic on St. Patrick’s Day without waiting in line. With a pre-Prohibition vibe and an extensive selection of draught beer, Saloon is the perfect place to escape the holiday craziness and relax with a pint. Immediately upon entering you’ll descend a flight of stairs into a dim, cellar-like barroom. There’s plenty of space for both intimate groups and large gatherings, and a real speakeasy feel. It might not be a hot pub crawl stop, or have hundreds of 20-somethings dressed in glittering green hats, but that’s what makes it special.

5. The Foundry

One tactic many use to avoid the Boston lines is avoiding Boston completely and instead venturing to Somerville, just a 15-minute Uber north of the city. Somerville’s Davis Square has a variety of nightlife options, including The Burren, which is the resident Irish pub-style bar with a rustic interior and live bands every weekend. If you have time to wait in an hour-long line, go to The Burren. It’s a blast. For a more manageable Somerville experience, where you’ll almost never have to wait in line, go right next door to The Foundry. This bar has a unique, upscale interior; massive bar area; and spacious restaurant section where you can casually enjoy drinks at a table. Although it’s not shoulder-to-shoulder like The Burren, it does attract a large crowd and has a lively energy.

6. Brass Union

Photo: Brass Union/Facebook

Also located in Somerville, Brass Union is a quirky option in the somewhat quieter Union Square. You might not expect to go out on St. Patrick’s Day and find yourself embroiled in a heated game of shuffleboard, but that’s exactly how your night at Brass Union could turn out. It also has Jenga, Connect-Four, and other classic board games to help you pass the night. That’s not to say Brass Union needs a gimmick to be fun. The bar regularly hosts live music and DJs, and between the bar/game room and the dedicated restaurant area, there’s plenty of space to socialize.

7. The Broadway

Most bars in South Boston close at 1:00 AM rather than 2:00 AM, so everyone generally arrives earlier to squeeze every ounce out of the night that they possibly can. One of Southie’s newest bars, however, is worth the wait, especially if you can beat the rush. Not quite as packed as other popular Southie bars, The Broadway is still one of the most lively options for a night out in Boston. The place is huge, always busy, and there’s no charge to get in. To be sure you won’t wait in line, get there early for appetizers with friends (try the avocado and smoked bacon egg rolls). The Broadway also serves late-night wood-fired pizza, which is reason enough to check this place out.


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Map of city-states in the US

State boundaries don’t always accurately encapsulate the cultures that reside within the borders. Cities, however, and the metropolitan areas that orbit them, operate far more cohesively as political and economic units. Although city-states aren’t as prevalent today as they were several hundred years ago, analyzing geographic “city-states” in the US today can help us understand larger trends and power dynamics within states. States are undoubtedly the dominant political entities in modern America, but this map imagines what the country would look like if that wasn’t true. It paints a picture of the US with city-state boundaries, rather than just state borders, in an effort to show a more accurate political, cultural, and economic reality.

Photo: Nolan Gray/Medium

City Planner Nolan Gray created this map of 100 city-states. He started by listing the top 150 metropolitan statistical areas in the US, then cutting that list to the top 100 units by population. Then he used census data to create “city-state cores” and assigned each county to a broader city-state core. While an actual city-state restructuring of the US is unlikely, the visual does lead to some pretty interesting takeaways.

East of the Mississippi River, the city-states look rather chaotic. They are generally small, densely populated areas with economies that often depend upon one another, and therefore boundary lines aren’t quite as clean as they are out West. Compared to the East Coast, the rest of the country appears strikingly underpopulated, with city-states growing much larger and encompassing a broader geographic area. This is mainly illustrated by the neighboring Denver-Aurora and Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem city-states, which together seem to comprise nearly half the country.

Some states would even be completely erased by their new city-state identities. The upper Mountain West, for example, as well as New Hampshire and Vermont, lack any major cities and would become simply become enveloped in city-states. As populations in both rural and urban areas continue to grow, however, new city-states are emerging all the time, meaning this map could look entirely different in just a few years.

H/T: Medium

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The post This map imagines the US broken into ‘city-states’ rather than states appeared first on Matador Network.

Dorm-room-inspired hotels

If your college years were the best of your life and you’d love to relive those fond memories, there’s a way to do that without having to sign up for another four years of school — some hotel lines are mimicking the uber-cool feel of college dorm rooms for your nostalgic pleasure. But these are no hostels or college-kid bunking situations, and there’s no cafeteria food, inconsiderate roommates, or communal showers — they are luxurious and cool. If you’re ready to bring back your glory days in a high-end setting, check out these seven dorm-room-inspired hotels.

1. Graduate Hotels — locations across the US

Photo: Graduate Hotels/Facebook

Graduate Hotels is a line of hotels with locations in bustling university towns. As the hotel chain’s website explains, “Every site and property celebrates and commemorates the youthful optimism of school days and cultivates the spirit of each community in a bright new way.” Rooms often feature dorm-style bunks (but don’t worry, this time you get to choose your own roommate) and super-schoolish decor.

Photo: Graduate Hotels/Facebook

Currently, there are Graduate Hotel locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Athens, Georgia; Berkeley, California; Bloomington, Indiana; Charlottesville, Virginia; Iowa City, Iowa; Lincoln, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Oxford, Mississippi; Richmond, Virginia; Seattle, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona — and with 12 new locations on the way, it’s clear there’s something to this upgraded-college-life thing.

2. The Freehand New York — New York City

Photo: Freehand New York/Facebook

Freehand is a collection of hotels that seeks to combine the communal feel of a hostel with innovative design, award-winning food and beverage, and a social atmosphere — in other words, your warm memories of gap-year hosteling don’t have to die; they just finally got a serious upgrade. While Freehand hotels as a whole are aimed at travelers, the Bunk rooms at the Freehand New York have a distinctly collegiate flair.

Photo: Freehand New York/Facebook

Just one of the room layouts available, the Bunk-style bookings are outfitted with four twin-size bunk beds, ideal for families or groups of friends. Located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, Freehand New York also features custom-commissioned artwork by Bard College students and alumni throughout the hotel.

3. The Kinney SLO — San Luis Obispo, California

Photo: The Kinney SLO

Conveniently located near an actual university — Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — The Kinney SLO is the perfect way to turn the clock back to your college days.

The hotel’s 100 rooms and suites were purposefully designed to mimic the feel of a fancy dorm room, and the entire vibe of the hotel truly feels like checking into an upscale college campus. There are mismatched posters on the walls, tons of lounge space, sports memorabilia, an outdoor green space with fire pits, and — of course — accent pillows emblazoned with motivational quotes.

Photo: The Kinney SLO

At Leroy’s, the on-site bar and restaurant, you’ll find pub fare, arcade games, and even classic games like Skee-Ball. Other amenities — the kinds of things you only wish your dorm hall offered — include a year-round heated pool with a sundeck, a cardio-only fitness center, ADA-accessible rooms (meaning they’re accessible to people with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act), free parking, and free WiFi.

4. Zoku Hotel — Amsterdam

Photo: Zoku Hotel

Landing somewhere between an apartment-hotel and a college suite, Zoku Hotel in Amsterdam is targeted as the ideal base for traveling professionals — in other words, college kids who grew up and got big-kid jobs.

Photo: Zoku Hotel

The communal feel of the Zoku Hotel gives off a distinct “university” feel with its loft-style layouts and engineered social spaces, such as the living room and kitchen where freshly prepared meals are served in a shared space. Think of it as a graduated version of your university campus but all combined into one apartment building. There’s even a Fika coffee break every day at 3:30 PM, so you can feel just as social as you were back in the good ol’ days.

5. Hobo Hotel — Stockholm

Photo: Hobo Stockholm/Facebook

Hobo Hotel in central Stockholm bids itself as a boutique hotel, but the community-focused morale of the place feels much more like a campus you can rally around. There are 201 hotel rooms; a bar, restaurant, and café; a stage; a peg-wall with items that are free to borrow; and SPACEby, a pop-up showroom area meant for collaborations between local creators, guests, and the hotel itself — so, just like your college campus, you never really have to leave.

Photo: Hobo Stockholm

However, unlike your dorm, rooms at the Hobo Hotel come with plush king-size beds, extra-roomy showers, in-room speakers, a curated guide to Stockholm, and even a helpful reception desk that’s only a text — not a call — away. Plus, all rooms are equipped with a Google Chrome setup that allows you to stream your own content from your phone or laptop to the in-room TV.

6. Yotel — various locations worldwide

Photo: Yotel

While not specifically designed after dorm rooms, the Yotel brand’s modular, pod-style setup feels just as efficient at space-saving as dorms tend to do. Checking into any location of the ultra-modern hotel chain — whether you’re in New York, Singapore, Istanbul, Mammoth, Miami, or any of the other Yotel-ed cities — is a bit like stepping into a space-age rocketship destined for the moon; there are beds that recline or morph into couches at your bidding, groovy mood lighting, and even a branded scent that was specially engineered to make you feel pleased and at ease.

Yotel has expanded into three distinct brands in recent years: YotelAir, rooms that are located in airports and other transportation hubs and intended for four- to 24-hour stays; YotelPad, located in city centers and resort destinations, intended for longer stays; and plain old Yotel, located in urban environments and city centers, intended for typical short hotel stays.

7. Lord & Moris Times Square Hotel — New York City

Photo: Lord & Moris Times Square Hotel

If you wanted to attend college in New York City but couldn’t quite make the Columbia cut, there’s Lord & Moris Times Square Hotel to the rescue, complete with bunk rooms to let you live out your New York co-ed dreams. But that’s about where the similarities end. Sure, there are bunk beds, but there are also flat-screen TVs, plush linens, a business center, and stylish decor — and, oh yeah, you’re located smack dab in the heart of it all mere steps from Times Square.

The hotel is ideal for group travel, but if you’re not in the mood to share, Lord & Moris Times Square Hotel also has private king-bed rooms and family suites.


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Cadbury is hiring Chocolate Tasters

As Easter approaches, Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury, Oreo, and Milka, is looking to bolster its staff in Wokingham, England, with a few chocolate tasters. Mondelez International is hiring four professional chocolate tasters to test new products before they hit the shelves. If you’re lucky enough to be hired, you will be able to spend your workday sampling sweet treats, and getting paid for it, too.

According to the official job posting on the Mondelez International website, tasters will “work alongside approximately 11 Chocolate Tasters and a panel leader; sharing opinions and collaborating with others to reach agreement on taste. No experience is required as full training will be provided to develop taste buds and the specific vocabulary required to communicate your opinions.”

Mainly, your day will consist of tasting chocolate products, working with a team of panelists to share opinions and give feedback, use a clearly defined vocabulary to describe chocolate products, and raise questions and concerns where appropriate. You must simply have a deep passion for confectionary products, show honesty and integrity in your feedback, and be eager to try new inventive products. You should also have a firm grasp on the English language.

Be aware, however, that the position is only part-time, paying $14.32 per hour for around eight hours of work a week. It should come as no surprise that competition for the jobs will be fierce, so if you don’t hear back from Mondelez within 14 days of submitting your application, assume your application was unsuccessful.

H/T: Insider

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The post Cadbury is looking for four Chocolate Tasters and you could be one of them appeared first on Matador Network.

Disney’s Epcot new changes

Disney World’s iconic Epcot park is getting a huge makeover. In 2021, just in time for 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, a brand new play pavillion will open under the dome of the previous Wonders of Life. The pavilion will feature an immersive and interactive city where you’ll find Disney characters, hands-on activities, and engaging entertainment.

Photo: Disney

Epcot’s main entrance is also being transformed. The green spaces, pathways, and the fountain will be redesigned. The large metal walls of the “Leave a Legacy” photos will be moved outside the front gates; the area between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase is also scheduled to be redeveloped.

Photo: Disney

Other new experiences also set for 2021 include the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride coming to the France pavilion and a Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster. According to the Disney Parks blog, a new evening show celebrating “how Disney music inspires people around the world,” and featuring “massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers” will also be replacing IllumiNations, which had been the longest-running nighttime show at Disney, in 2020.

H/T: Travel & Leisure

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The post Big changes are coming to Disney’s Epcot and we can’t wait appeared first on Matador Network.

Northern lights visible over the US

The northern lights will be visible tonight above parts of the US. According to the the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a minor geomagnetic storm watch is in effect for February 27 (tonight) and February 28.

The SWPC provided a map that shows where the celestial phenomenon is most likely to occur (see below). According to the map, the northern lights will appear in the vicinity of the green line. That means if you’re in parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine, you should be able to see the lights. Those living in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia could also be in luck.

Photo: Space Weather Prediction Center

Check out the SWPC’s 30-minute aurora forecast to know when the best time to get outside and look up is, and as always, you should try to view them from a location with no light pollution.

H/T: Thrillist

More like this: The 5 most epic, unique ways to see the northern lights

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