Matador Network's Blog, page 384
November 3, 2022
Western, Wild, Swanky, and Scenic: 15 Perfect Nashville Bars for a Bachelorette Party
Nashville is usually known as Music City. But it also has a new moniker: NashVegas. Of all the things the two party cities have in common, a rotating mob of bachelorette parties is high on the list, especially around Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. All that BBE — big bachelorette energy — is part of what makes NashVegas the perfect place to celebrate your bride to be. But first the bride (and her party) need to figure out which Nashville bachelorette bars to visit on their trip/
Second to finding the perfect Airbnb for your bachelorette getaway, scoping out the bar scene is the most essential agenda item when it comes time to plan the ultimate girls trip. From honky tonks to party buses, these are the best Nashville bars for a bachelorette party.
The best honky tonks in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe best rooftop bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe best karaoke bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe best late-night bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe best mobile bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe best honky tonks in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe StageView this post on InstagramA post shared by The Stage on Broadway (@stageonbroadway)
Bars soundtracked by live country music are squeezed together like sardines on Broadway Street downtown, which explains why you see so many bachelorettes honky-tonk-hopping along Nashville’s very own strip. The Stage is one venue you should be sure to hit. Country superstars including Blake Shelton and Toby Keith have been known to take the stage here. The venue has two floors and a rooftop patio, and they all host musicians.
Where: 412 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Tootsies Orchid LoungeLocated across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, Tootsies Orchid Lounge on Broadway is just as much of an institution. The likes of Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and Waylon Jennings have all graced halls of the legendary honky-tonk — just take a peek out the Wall of Fame for proof. Tootsies is so iconic that there’s even an outpost in the Nashville airport nowadays, in case your group needs one last hoorah before you go home.
Where: 422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Legends CornerView this post on InstagramA post shared by Legends Corner (@legendscorner)
A stone’s throw from The Stage and Tootsies, Legends Corner is another giant on the Honky Tonk Highway. The no-frills establishment has maintained a dive-y vibe despite becoming one of the most famous bars in Nashville. But the beer’s cold, the music’s unforgettable, and you can arrange VIP rooms if your bachelorette party wants a private slice of the honky-tonk scene.
Where: 428 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Miranda Lambert’s Casa RosaMiranda Lambert made history when she opened Casa Rosa, becoming the first female country artist to start a honky tonk on Lower Broadway. It’s like she designed it with the stereotypical bachelorette party in mind, from the plush pink booths in the Tex-Mex dining area, to the flashing lights that beckon you inside, to the decorative wall of yellow roses. If you’re a fan, you’ll get a kick out of all the Miranda Lambert insignia decorating the space. And if you’re not, who can complain about a tacos-and-tequila-themed bar?
Where: 308 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
The best rooftop bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyWhite Limozeen
Photo: Digital Love Photography
Dazzling from the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel in Midtown Nashville, this all-pink indoor-outdoor bar looks like a Barbie Dreamhouse come to life. But with a giant bubblegum pink bust of Dolly Parton by the pool and the same name as her 29th studio album, it’s really more of a tribute to the Queen of Country than Mattel’s most iconic doll. Optimal for daytime drinks, the patio is exclusive to walk-ins while the pool and dining tables require reservations. White Limozeen stays open until midnight and becomes a 21+ venue starting at 7 PM.
Where: 101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
L.A. JacksonThis swanky bar crowning the Thompson Hotel epitomizes the stylishness of The Gulch neighborhood where it’s located. Far enough from downtown Nashville to escape the roar of Broadway Street if you’re in the mood for an elegant ladies night, but close enough to walk there if you change your mind after a few drinks, L.A. Jackson is a no-brainer for sipping craft cocktails, nibbling on small plates, and staging photoshoots before you really let your hair down.
Where: 401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Famous NashvilleView this post on InstagramA post shared by Famous (@famous_nashville)
Famous Nashville could have made this list as an upscale honky tonk you’d be remiss to skip, but it’s most famous for its rooftop bar. With misters and frozen drinks for sweltering days and heaters and a partial roof covering for chillier nights, the sky-high drinking venue atop Famous Nashville is a no-brainer no matter when you’re having your bachelorette party. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are also served alfresco, so you can plan your visit for any time of day.
Where: 110 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
L27 RooftopIf you haven’t caught on by now, hotels are the way to go if you’re looking for Nashville’s best rooftop bars. L27 sits atop the Westin Nashville, taking its name from its location on the building’s 27th floor. It’s considered fancy as Nashville bars go, with a glamorous interior space as well as an Insta-perfect infinity pool. Work your way through the long list of craft cocktail while browsing the Southern-leaning menu, and reserve roped-off seating to feel like a true VIP.
Where: 807 Clark Pl, Nashville, TN 37203
The best karaoke bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyCross-Eyed Critters
Photo: Steve Freihon Photography
A somewhat hard-to-find venue inside Graduate Nashville, Cross-Eyed Critters represents everything weird and wonderful about Music City. It’s what you might call a karaoke dive, with a house band made up of animatronic puppets. The trio of humanoid critters that occupy the stage may not actually be playing the music you hear — that’ll depend on the songs you and the rest of your bachelorette party request to belt along to — but they certainly help to set the vibe. Cross-Eyed Critters is open Thursday through Saturday from 8 PM to 2 AM.
Where: 101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
Wanna B’s Karaoke BarKaraoke’s serious stuff in Nashville. From aspiring singers to Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, you never know who’s going to grace the stage at a place as illustrious as Wanna B’s. Expect all-out performances here, complete with a raised stage, professional lighting, more than 200,000 songs to choose from, and slick karaoke jockeys to emcee in between.
Where: 305 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
The best late-night bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyThe ValentineView this post on InstagramA post shared by The Valentine Nashville (@thevalentinenashville)
The Valentine is made up of four floors, including a rooftop patio that overlooks Lower Broadway. All that space means there’s most likely something your bride will love: a rollicking honky tonk on the main floor, a Dollywood-inspired mezzanine on the second floor, a relatively quiet space on the third floor, and an open-air bar with its very own DJ platform up top. No stranger to private parties, the venue even has three Broadway Bach packages you can book: the Hot Mess Express, the Nash Bash, and the Final Rodeo.
Where: 312 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Whiskey RowWhere many of the best Nashville bars for a bachelorette party shutter between midnight and 2 AM, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row keeps the party going until 3 AM. The venue describes itself as an “American gastropub like no other” because Southern-style food and signature cocktails are only a fraction of what it serves. A floor up from the main restobar is a dance floor where DJs spin, and above that sits the tallest rooftop bar in Nashville. Crowded and rowdy, Whiskey Row offers VIP table service for bachelorette parties.
Where: 400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
The Big Bang BarView this post on InstagramA post shared by Big Bang Nashville (@bangnashville)
Nashville’s lone dueling piano bar, The Big Bang is only open Thursday through Saturday from 8 PM to 2 AM. The show is a mix of live entertainment, comedy, and audience participation, including all-night song requests and stage cameos. Located inside of The Whiskey Shot — a restaurant, bar, music venue, and indoor laser gun range — The Big Bang is a popular spot for bachelorette parties, with private tables available upon request.
Where: 209 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201
The best mobile bars in Nashville for a bachelorette partyHonky Tonk Party ExpressIn Nashville, bars aren’t contained to four stationary walls; they also come on four wheels. Honky Tonk Party Express is the premier party bus operator in Music City with a dedicated bachelorette party service. Every bus is custom-built and open-air with room for up to 30 people to cruise the streets in style. You’ll have to bring your own booze, but the bartender is provided, along with ample seating, 40-plus high fidelity speakers, and an LED-lit dance floor.
Where: 1343 Lewis Street, Nashville TN 37210
Cruisin’ Tikis NashvilleView this post on InstagramA post shared by Cruisin' Tikis Nashville (@cruisintikisnashville)
Cruisin’ Tikis Nashville’s motto is “Why go bar hopping when you hop on the bar!” It’s a particularly great question for a built-in group like a bachelorette party. Each floating tiki bar can ferry six people, with the option of booking two tandem tiki bars to accommodate up to 12. Private groups can book three-hour Party Cove Excursion cruises that float around Old Hickory Lake, BYO-drinks-and-snacks-style. Swimming is allowed, and fun is mandatory.
Where: 727 Marina Pvt Dr, Gallatin, TN 37066
Why Anyone Who Loves Art, History, and Nature Needs To Head To Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota, is the launching point into the Black Hills with easy access to both Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. It also has a thriving art scene of its own, as well as lively restaurants and bars, plenty of local businesses to shop from, and a thriving geological history with dinosaur fossils and meteorites. It’s also a town where you can learn about the region’s Native American culture and history — if you make it in the second week of October, you can experience Indigenous Peoples Day (Native Americans’ Day in South Dakota), which is one of the largest of such celebrations in the country with a parade, arts expo, dances, and games.
With all of the things to do in Rapid City, it’s become a regional destination for people looking to explore what South Dakota has to offer. The walkable town has a robust public transportation system, and it’s also easy to get to from the Midwest and western half of the United States. Rapid City Regional Airport has direct flights from Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and Charlotte. Though making Rapid City a stop on a road trip through the Black Hills is the more scenic way to get there.
When you go, here’s where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink.
Things to do in Rapid City
Photo: Pierre Jean Durieu/Shutterstock
Explore local art in downtown Rapid CityDowntown Rapid City has many things to explore, and one of the things that you’ll notice as you walk Main Street and St. Joseph Street are the numerous presidential statues. They’re part of the City of Presidents Walking Tour, which includes 43 life-sized bronze statues of past United States presidents, from Barack Obama to James Buchanan to Ronald Reagan. It might not be as famous as South Dakota’s other presidential monument (hello, Mount Rushmore), but you can get up close and personal with these sculptures.
While on St. Joseph Street, stop by the Suzie Cappa Art Center, which was founded in 2001 to support artists of all abilities. The beautiful space houses more than 20 full-time and part-time artists who take and teach classes, make art, and sell their creations at the gallery.
For insight into Native American music and culture, stop into nearby Dakota Drum Company on Main Street. Owner Sonja Holy Eagle has curated a shop filled with locally made buffalo hide, drums, and other Native American art over 30 years of business, with 20 years at the downtown location. Close by is Prairie Edge Trading Company & Galleries. The company started in the 1980s and calls a two-story, half-a-block-long building home. Here, you can learn about preserving the culture of the Northern Plains Native American tribes as well as buy work from Northern Plain artists at a fair price.
Photo: Nagel Photography/Shutterstock
A walk down Art Alley, which has been around since 2003, is a great way to wrap up a tour of downtown Rapid City in a bright and colorful way. Here, residents can secure a permit to spraypaint the walls of the alley, creating an ever-evolving portrait of important cultural, political, global, and community issues.
See dinosaur fossils and meteorites at the Museum of GeologyLocated inside the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the Museum of Geology has collected and displayed fossils since 1885. Dinosaurs, mammals, marine reptiles, and fish are classified and mounted. Life-sized dioramas of rare fossils from the White River Badlands are on full display. Besides skeletons and fossils, the museum also has a huge collection of South Dakota minerals, meteorites, and a fluorescent mineral room. Admission is free, with donations accepted.
Visit South Dakota’s landmark statuesWhat is a visit to Rapid City without venturing into the Black Hills to see statues that tower many times over the life-sized presidents in town? Mount Rushmore National Memorial is about a 30-minute drive from Rapid City. The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt took 14 years to carve into the mountain, and were completed in 1941.
Photo: Glenn Perreira/Shutterstock
About 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore is Crazy Horse Memorial, a privately owned monument — the world’s largest mountain carving — that was started in 1948 and is still under construction. It depicts Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, riding his horse and pointing out toward the land. The monument started with a collaboration between Chief Henry Standing Bear and sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. Ziolkowski made the monument his life’s work, along with his wife and 10 children. No trip to Rapid City is complete without a stop at this breathtaking site.
Visit South Dakota’s largest state parkCuster State Park is South Dakota’s first state park, and it’s also the largest with 71,000 acres of preserved area. There are areas for hiking, camping, mountain biking, and rock climbing. The park is home to four lakes, including the picturesque Sylvan Lake, making it the perfect place for swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. It’s not just a warm-weather destination, either. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available. With four scenic drives, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the terrain. Needles Highway is one stand out. The 14-mile loop includes a tunnel that’s only eight feet wide and under 10 feet tall. The park also includes nine campgrounds, each one equipped with free hot showers. Keep your eyes out on the drives through the park: Custer State Park is known for its abundance of bison.
Where to eat and drink in Rapid CityFireouse Brewing Co.
Photo: Katie Oelker
This brewery gets its name because it’s housed in an historic building built in 1915 that was the original Rapid City firehouse. Firehouse Brewing itself is also historic — it opened in 1991 as South Dakota’s first brewpub. The food menu includes brewpub staples such as soup, sandwiches, and barbecue, as well as local buffalo in both its lasagna and burgers.
Prairie Berry WineryPrairie Berry Winery is known for its award-winning Red Ass Rhubarb. Rather than traditional grape wines, this winery incorporates local produce to create delicious fruit wines. The fifth-generation winemaker, Sandi Vojta, also handcrafts traditional wines based off of her great-great-grandmother’s recipes. For food, there are soups, salads, and sandwiches that wash down well with a glass of vino.
Windsor Block Bar
Photo: Katie Oelker
This is an exceptionally chic place to grab a drink. Located in the historic Windsor block of downtown Rapid City, the Windsor Block Bar specializes in craft cocktails and fine spirits. With a seemingly endless number of spirits to choose from, as well as wine, beer, and a non-alcoholic cocktail list, there’s something for everyone. Warm lighting, historic photographs, and dark walls make the Winsor Block Bar the perfect place to cozy up in on a cool fall or winter day.
Black Hills BagelsBlack Hills Bagels is located just outside downtown Rapid City and has been open since 1977. It now puts out about 2,000 bagels each day. Order an egg and bacon sandwich on a sourdough bagel, which is quite possibly the best bagel sandwich I’ve ever had.
Harriet & Oak Coffee Shop
Photo: Katie Oelker
Harrier and Oak in downtown Rapid City makes quality coffee and tea drinks that are the perfect accompaniment to strolling the city streets.
Colonial House Restaurant & BarColonial House is known for its Colonial Bake Shop, which serves up caramel, cinnamon rolls, pies, bread puddings, cookies, and bars. On the restaurant side, Colonial House is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves classic diner food with a contemporary twist.
Tally’s Silver SpoonThis upscale restaurant downtown highlights local ingredients. On a recent visit to Tally’s Silver Spoon, I sampled both pheasant and bison, and both were phenomenal. This modern restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it’s the perfect spot for date night or a night out with friends.
Where to stay in Rapid CityThe Rushmore HotelThe Rushmore Hotel & Suites, a Best Western Premier Collection hotel, in downtown Rapid City is known for its themed rooms and eco-friendliness. The beds are comfy, the woodsy themed rooms eclectic, and the lobby area is filled with beautiful art such as an intricate marble inlay of Mount Rushmore. The hotel also includes an outdoor patio area with fires that are perfect for cozying up to during the cooler fall temps.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Hotel Alex Johnson (@hotelalexjohnson)
The Alex Johnson
The historic Hotel Alex Johnson has been open since 1928, and today it’s a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton. This Germanic Tudor-inspired architecture hotel has a Starbucks, Irish pub, and rooftop restaurant.
Matador Network Names Laurie Jo Miller Farr as Public Relations Strategist
Laurie Jo Miller Farr has joined Matador Network as Public Relations Strategist. She will help promote editorial packages and support Matador Network’s relationships with tourism partners.
“Laurie has an impressive body of work in travel media and PR, and she brings a wealth of experience to Matador Network,” said Matador Network’s Managing Editor, Nickolaus Hines. “We’re thrilled for Laurie to join us and help our award-winning editorial team grow and connect deeper with destinations and the people behind them.”
Based in San Francisco, Laurie joins Matador Network from Connect Travel, where she was a consultant for the eTourism Summit digital marketing conference for nine years. Since 2015, Laurie has been editor of The Travel Vertical, a weekly industry newsletter for the DMO community, and more recently, also co-host of The Travel Vertical
Podcast.
Her past roles include Tourism Director at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and VP of Tourism Development at the NY Convention & Visitors Bureau (now NYC & Company). During her 20-plus years based in London, Laurie was Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation, Exclusive Hotels by Forte, and CIGA Hotels S.p.A.
As a freelance travel writer, Laurie is an active member of the Society of Travel Writers (SATW) and recently received the 2022 Gold Award for Travel Industry Writing from the Western Chapter of SATW.
“Matador Network has an extraordinary story and is today a leading media brand and production company that works with some of the most compelling destinations,” Laurie said. “I’m keen on this opportunity to connect destinations with our talented teams.”
November 2, 2022
11 Airbnbs in Branson, Missouri, To Experience the Best of the Area
Ensconced within the Ozark Mountains in Southwest Missouri, Branson stuns with pristine nature and exciting attractions for all types of traveler. Spend days exploring Table Rock State Park and clinging on for dear life at the Silver Dollar City amusements before catching the equestrian spectacle at Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Here are the best Airbnbs Branson, MO, that place you near the Landing and right on the cusp of Table Rock Lake.
Matador’s guides to the best of Airbnb Categories:10 Remote, Off-The-Grid Airbnbs Where You Can Get Away From It AllThe 11 Most Beautiful Converted Churches You Can Stay in Around the World on AirbnbAirbnb Just Made Windmills a Category, and These 9 Have Us Planning a TripAirbnb Now Has a Towers Category. These 9 Will Climb Your Bucket ListAirbnb Launched a Tiny Homes Category, and We’re Already Planning Trips Around These 1111 Properties in Airbnb’s New OMG! Category You Won’t Believe Are Real
We hope you love the Airbnbs in Branson, MO, we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Airbnbs in Branson on the lakeAirbnbs in Branson with a private poolBranson Landing AirbnbsBranson Airbnbs with a hot tubAirbnbs in Branson on the lakeNew treehouse at Indian Point with an amazing lake view
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This custom-built treehouse in Branson, MO, Airbnb on the lake is camouflaged among the pine trees with anti-reflective glass providing an “invisible” effect. High ceilings and double-story windows provide a phenomenal view of Table Rock Lake from the lounge while the patio puts you closer to nature. Spend evenings around the fire pit or the external wood burner before hunkering down for a peaceful night in the loft bedroom.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $279 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Steps from the water, this pet-friendly Airbnb in Branson, MO, is in a prime location for exploring Indian Point and the Landing. The handsome A-frame chalet features a rear porch with a grill and lake views while you’ll have access to a fire pit in the backyard. The billiards table is a pleasing touch for a light-hearted competition in the evenings.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $283 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Fusing traditional chalet elements with all the trappings of a luxury villa, this Airbnb in Branson, MO, on the lake caters to all requirements. The open-concept living space is divided into a palatial lounge with a separate dining zone and a gourmet kitchen with two coffee pots. The principal deck grants a peek at the lake and is equipped with seating aplenty. During your residency, you’ll have access to two shared pools and immediate access to a community nature trail.
Sixteen guests, nine bedrooms
Price: $1,070 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This premium Branson, MO, Airbnb with a pool and hot tub goes above and beyond in terms of comfort, recreation, and luxury. The indoor private pool means that swimming is on the table whatever the season, while the facility offers two shared swim spaces. A colossal deck at the top of the property provides panoramic views of the lake. Last but not least, two games rooms are packed to the rafters with games.
Sixteen guests, twelve bedrooms
Price: $1,086 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Get your daily laps at this Branson, MO, Airbnb with a private pool – heating is available at a surcharge – and shoot hoops at the indoor basketball court. Bedrooms are generously proportioned with space to play, work out, or sprawl with a book. The master en suite comes with a divine jetted tub and a woodland view. Additional perks include the foosball table, chef-standard kitchen, and multiple balconies.
Fourteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $589 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This family-friendly vacation Airbnb in Branson Landing features a yard with a lawn and a porch with rockers. Even winter travelers can get their fill of the outdoor space, courtesy of the fireplace on the deck. Interiors are furnished with antique moveables and a scattering of books and musical instruments to keep the boredom at bay. Continental breakfast items are provided.
Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Price: $650 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Handy for Branson Landing, this attractive property is fronted with a spacious porch overlooking an expansive lawn and a shared swimming pool. Lounges and bedrooms are beautifully adorned with plump couches and cozy bedding for a restful night’s sleep. All the downtown amusements are within walking distance, with little need to drive. Check into this Branson, MO, Airbnb with a pool in the summer to make use of the swim space.
Thirteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $451 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Perfect for a couple, this Branson Landing Airbnb cabin brings the mountains to downtown. Buried among the greenery, a storybook bridge paves the way to the porch over the trickling brook trickling. Modeled on traditional chalet design, the open-plan lounge and kitchen are decked out in rustic wood with a snug window nook providing an awesome spot to read or birdwatch.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $195 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Assemble in the lounge of this pet-friendly Airbnb in Branson, MO, complete with a cocoon chair, gas fireplace, and stack of board games. The vacation rental is splendidly presented with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a deep soaking tub in the boutique bathroom. Drink up views of the lake from the elevated verandah and meander down the path for a stroll along the shoreline.
Sixteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $563 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Entertainment is limitless at this Airbnb in Branson, MO, with a hot tub, games room, and fenced-in backyard. Not forgetting that the property is within walking distance of the city’s top tourist attractions. Bedrooms are neatly turned out with king and queen-sized beds plus there’s a crib for those traveling with infants.
Nine guests, three bedrooms
Price: $371 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This contemporary Branson, MO, Airbnb with a hot tub on the wraparound deck also permits access to a shared heated pool. Interiors are sleekly appointed with top-end furniture, a fireplace, and ambient lighting throughout. In addition to the foosball table, you’ll find a supply of family games and a wood-burning fire pit begging for a night of s’mores and stories.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $679 per night
This Resort Is Perfect for Watching the Famous Leonids Meteor Shower This November
Upon the arrival of November is the yearly return of the Leonids meteor shower, where astronomy enthusiasts can get epic views of meteors streaking across the sky. From Thursday, November 3, through Friday, December 2 and peaking on November 18, viewers can expect to see about 15 bright meteors per hour, traveling at 44 miles per second. To get a good view of this yearly phenomenon, you’ll need to get away from the light pollution to get some incredible sights of the stars. Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley has the perfect viewing spot for anyone wanting to make a weekend trip of it.
This 28-acre luxury resort offers the perfect unique getaway to catch a glimpse of the colorful glimmering meteors. Guests can stay in one of the resort’s cottages with private backyards, cozy fire pits, outdoor soaking tubs, and of course, on-demand wine dispensers in the spirit of wine country. Guests who book the Cozy Cottage Nights package will receive a fireside s’mores kit and telescope to enjoy unobstructed sky views. If you want to improve the experience, the resort will hire expert astronomers for a private on-site experience with local stargazing company Wine Country Star Party.
Photo: Carneros Resort and Spa
And to celebrate the peak of the season, on November 18, the resort will hold its first Celestial Celebration, where expert astronomers will use professional reflector telescopes to get rare views of the meteor shower, Jupiter, Saturn and other constellations. Guests can live music, hot cocoa and other hor dourves and beverages while enjoying FARM Pavilion’s al fresco lounge and culinary gardens.
Be sure to take advantage of Leonids meteor shower season, as it’s one of the last astronomical events of 2022.
The Best Old School Italian Restaurants in Pittsburgh
The City of Bridges has plenty of delicious Italian fare for any occasion— planning a special night out with a partner, family, or friends, or if you just have an intense craving for house-made bread and seasonally curated pasta dishes. Just like the best Italian restaurants in New York City, these old school restaurants offer a mix of traditional Italian dishes and contemporary takes on the classics. However, the best Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh stand out from Italian restaurants in other cities because of eccentric decor paired with rustic and cozy atmospheres.
The best Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh can cure your cravings, whether you’re just passing through or the Steel City is your home base.
The best Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh everyone should try1. DiAnoia’s
Photo: DiAnoias
Voted Best Italian Restaurant by locals in Pittsburgh City Paper in 2020, DiAnoia’s in the Strip District is notable for its friendly and knowledgeable staff as much as its flavorful food. Waitstaff describes each dish in detail and makes great recommendations. The menu also offers delicious seasonal offerings dreamed up and executed brilliantly by chef (and owner) Dave Anoia, who also makes the bread in-house. The restaurant has vibrant and lively indoor seating as well as quieter seating on mint colored cafe chairs outside, shaded by a pergola. Anoia and his wife, Aimee DiAndrea, also own Pizzeria Davide next door and Pane è Pronto down the street. Reservations recommended.
Where: 2549 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
2. Pleasure BarKnown just as Pleasure Bar, this gem is one of the last Italian restaurants remaining in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s Little Italy (increasingly in name and history alone). Pleasure Bar has been family run since its inception in 1941. This bastion of Italian cuisine on Liberty Avenue may not update its website frequently, but it’s part of their old school charm. Reservations not necessary.
Where: 4729 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
3. Alla Famiglia
Photo: Alla Famiglia
A beacon of classic Italian food in the hip neighborhood of Allentown, Alla Famiglia is a Godfather fantasy come true with slightly Lynchian vibes (read: ornate sculptures, red velvet drapes, a really long hall that leads to the bathroom). The staff is very attentive and will go the extra mile if you’re there celebrating a special occasion.
The menu features steaks and veal prepared in a variety of ways, with different toppings and sauces drizzled over them. All entrees come with both a salad and pasta course, except for pasta entrees. Their must-try dish is the Fallen Angel, a campanelle pasta dish featuring bone marrow and black Périgord truffles. Reservations highly recommended.
Where: 804 E. Warrington Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15210
4. Dish OsteriaIn a historic building that has stood in the South Side since 1885, Dish Osteria is the spot for Sicillian and Mediterranean flavors, as well as a long list of amari for both novices and connoisseurs. Dish Osteria prides itself on its history as well as being a “tv free environment,” as the restaurant phrases it on its website. Reservations not necessary.
Where: 128 S 17th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
5. Lucca Ristorante
Photo: Lucca Ristorante
In Oakland, the beating heart of Pittsburgh collegiate life, Lucca Ristorante is perfect for dinner while visiting with friends and family, especially if one of your loved ones attends Pitt or CMU. Sit inside, where a burbling fountain will greet you right as you walk in, or sit on the terrace under their cheery blue awning and do some people-watching. The food is fresh and comes out of the kitchen hot. The gnocchi is pillowy, the scallops melt in your mouth, and the delicious selection of refreshing signature cocktails will be tempting too. Reservations highly recommended. Take your guests to the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History for some art and fossil gazing before dinner.
Where: 317 S Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
6. GirasoleAs the sunflower follows the sun, Girasole’s menu follows, and changes with, the seasons. Girasole prides itself on its contemporary takes on traditional Italian recipes, as well as its cheery staff juxtaposed with stone walls that lend to its rustic atmosphere. Girasole features several daily specials, an all-Italian wine list, and sometimes even live music. No reservations accepted.
Where: 733 Copeland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
7. Zarra’sPhoto: Zarra’s
Zarra’s in North Oakland has a zany vintage flare with a quiet atmosphere. It feels both somehow impossible and fitting that the space’s previous life was lived as a nightclub called the Electric Banana. While you eat, you and your friends can entertain each other by playing I-Spy with the kitschy ephemera covering the walls. The space feels like an eccentric aunt’s living room, though the bar at the front of the restaurant has a much more sophisticated atmosphere.
The restaurant is famous for its Tirami-Suzy, so make sure you give it a try. Zarra’s gets bonus points for an excellent selection of perfumes and lotions in the women’s restroom. Reservations not necessary.
Where: 3887 Bigelow Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
BONUS: SPiLLThough not a restaurant, this cozy wine bar called SPiLL features only Italian wines from small vineyards. The staff is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. The restaurant offers generous wine tastings so you can make sure you will enjoy the glass you settle on. SPiLL doesn’t serve food, but guests can bring their own snacks to pair with the wine list. Stopping by on trivia night is highly recommended.
Where: 4800 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Where to eat a Garbage Plate in NY
People don’t normally associate the word “garbage” with food, but in Rochester, New York it’s right there in the name of the city’s most popular meal: the garbage plate. This revered mash-up for meat, pasta, and salad — all drizzled in savory sauces — is a staple dish in usptate New York, and one every visitor to the state needs to try.
What is garbage plate?Where did the garbage plate originate?Where to find the best garbage plate in RochesterWhy is it called garbage plate?How do you make a New York garbage plate?What is a garbage plate?
Photo: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Traditionally, this dish is two servings of meat, two sides, and a slathering of meat-based sauce and onions. It’s sort of a choose-your-own-adventure type of dish. You can customize it to fit your dietary preferences, with meat options that normally include hot dogs, burgers, sausage, chicken, or steak. For the sides, the three most common are fries, macaroni salad, and baked beans. Regardless of your choices, the iconic secret sauce is layered on top of it all.
Put together, it all sounds like a normal plate of food. But what makes this dish what it is the haphazard way in which all of the foods are piled together so they not only touch, but they mingle and mix to create entirely new flavors and textures. It’s not neat and it’s not healthy, but it sure is fun and its been popular in New York for decades.
“I get one at least once a week,” Tom Marin, a 56-year-old Rochester resident, told Matador Network. He said he’s been eating garbage plates for decades. “It gets to the point sometimes where I’m at work thinking about the plate I’ll have later.”
This dish is part of the local culture, and it drives regional conversation and pride. It’s so popular that the Rochester Red Wings, the city’s minor league baseball team, play as the Rochester Plates every Thursday home game.
“There is nothing more Rochester than the Garbage Plate,” General Manager Dan Mason said at the time of the first name changing in 2017. “There isn’t another food item that Rochesterians are more proud of or that is more celebrated in our city than the Garbage Plate and we can’t wait to take the field as the Plates!”
His feelings haven’t changed much to this day.
“There are many places around the globe where you can get a cheesesteak, a pizza, a taco, or barbecue, but there’s only ONE place you can get a Plate: Rochester, NY,” Mason told Matador Network. “We thought the concept would be popular, but the popularity of our alter ego has exceeded our expectations and become a focal point of civic pride.”
Photo: Rochester Red Wings/Facebook
Case in point: The garbage plate has dominated political races for the state attorney general and made basically all of Rochester turn against the New Yorker for crediting Buffalo with its creation.
But the it’s not just some regional fascination. It’s made headlines across the nation as chefs, tourists, and foodies realize that not only is it fun, it’s really good. And like any delicious, regionally beloved food, it has an inspired origin story.
Where did the garbage plate originate?The first garbage plate is tied directly to Rochester’s large college population. There are 20 colleges and universities within 25 miles of Rochester, and if there’s one thing college students know, it’s drunk food.
It all started with a late night diner called Nick Tahou Hots. The diner opened in 1918, and has always had a menu option called Hots and Potatoes that was similar to the modern garbage plate of today. In the ‘80s, college kids started coming in and asking for “a plate with all that garbage on it,” Alex Tahou, the owner of Nick Tahou Hots, .
As time went on, the name stuck, and today most regional restaurants offer some variation of the meal. It has officially become the face of Rochester. Below are the three best places to try one for yourself.
Where to find the best garbage plate in Rochester
Photo: Dogtown/Facebook
DogtownThis restaurant won best hot dog several years in a row, proving a great Plate is only as good as the ingredients on it. It offers the same ingredients as most diners, but if you can’t stomach a full Garbage Plate, Dogtown is your best bet. Chefs there offer a half version where you can order just one burger or hot dog to go with your mountain of fries or mac salad. A little cheaper, Dogtown has cemented itself as one of the new school favorites for a Plate.
Nick Tahou HotsTahou’s is the home of the original Garbage Plate and chefs here have been making the meal for decades. Just outside of downtown Rochester, it has an old-school diner feeling, which only adds to the meal’s authenticity and highlights the Plate’s humble beginnings. You won’t find any trendy Garbage Plate additions here, just the original sides and meats to pick from.
The Red FernIf you’re not big on meat, you can still enjoy all the fun of a Garbage Plate. Rochester has a large vegetarian and vegan scene, and several restaurants have healthier versions. Red Fern makes the city’s favorite non-meat version that’s a little lighter but doesn’t skip on the fun of a messy meal.
Why is it called garbage plate?This dish is called garbage plate thanks to local legends which claim that its inventor, Nick Tahou, created at the behest of a few college students. The college students came into this restaurant asking for a meal with all “the garbage on it,” and Tahou happily obliged, serving up a platter with two hamburger patties, beans, home fries, and macaroni salad. But even before Nick took over the restaurant, his father, Alexander, served a dish heaped with meat and potatoes that could have been a precursor to the garbage plate.
How do you make a New York garbage plate?To make a New York garbage plate, you’ll probably need your biggest plate and all the ingredients in your pantry. First, you need a heaping helping of macaroni salad and home fries. On top of that, you’ll need to place two hamburger patties covered in melted American cheese. On the side, locals like to serve this dish with slices of buttered bread. Don’t forget to top of the platter with chopped onions and hot sauce.
The Best Time To Visit Italy for Beaches, Sightseeing, Fresh Olives and More
If you’re starting to think about a trip to Italy and wondering when you should go, you’ll get lots of advice. Don’t go near this place in the summertime. It rains all spring in that town. This city is glorious in October. But the truth is, almost anytime is a good time to visit Italy, depending on where you go and what you plan to do.
But to take some of the mystery out of your trip planning, use the guide below to figure out the best time to visit Italy based on the experiences you’re hoping to have.
For city sightseeing: winter and early spring
Photo: MattiaATH/Shutterstock
If you’re anything like the average traveler, the combination of stifling heat and elbow-to-elbow crowds can be a sightseeing buzzkill. So if Rome and Florence are on your agenda, the best time to visit Italy will be January, February, and March, when the crowds are much more manageable — so long as you’re there after New Year’s and before Easter. In both cities, the weather during that time can vary from bright, chilly, and sunny to cold and rainy, though snow and truly brutal weather are unlikely in either place. In Rome, especially, the absence of crowds makes the winter months a fine time to explore the city.
In the northern cities of Venice and Milan, the weather will be less cooperative and could be foggy, rainy, and bone-chillingly cold thanks to the humidity. But you’ll likely find the iffy weather a fair trade-off in exchange for the elbow room, especially at top-tier attractions like the Colosseum, the Uffizi Gallery, or in Venice’s narrow passageways.
The downside to city sightseeing in the winter is that it gets dark early — by 5 PM or so on the shortest days — and outdoor attractions will adjust their hours accordingly. But that’s just an excuse to start aperitivo hour a little sooner.
For beaches: June and September
Visit at the wrong time, and you won’t have much room to yourself at Italy’s most popular beaches. Photo: iacomino FRiMAGES/Shutterstock
Now here’s a tricky one. July and August see the most reliably hot, sunny days, which means you’re virtually guaranteed some quality time with UV rays and warm (okay, warmish) ocean water for swimming.
But the best time to visit Italy for beach-goers is also the worst time of year for going to the beach in Italy. That’s because all Italians (and a good percentage of Europeans) converge on beaches up, down, and around the boot. Even harder-to-reach destinations, like the remote beaches of Sardinia’s Golfo di Orosei (Gulf of Orosei), are packed. Hotel and vacation rental prices are at a premium, and it’s hard to find a room or apartment without a one-week minimum reservation. Car traffic in beach towns is at a standstill, restaurants are overwhelmed, and beaches have only matchbook-sized sections of free sand. In a word: ugh.
Head further south and you can plan a beach trip (usually) into October. Photo: jackbolla/Shutterstock
The solution? Book an Italian beach vacation for June or September. There’s still enough of a beachy vibe in these months, minus the masses and high-season price tags. The further south you go, the better your chances of warm weather and seas tolerable for swimming into the fall. In Sicily and on the southern Pelagie Islands of Pantelleria, Lampedusa, and Linosa, it’s possible to swim into October.
For mountains: Late spring, June, and October
Photo: biletskiyevgeniy.com/Shutterstock
If you’re not sensing a theme here yet, it’s this: shoulder season. As with Italy’s beaches, the country’s mountain destinations are best enjoyed when everyone and their brother aren’t there. There are two peak seasons in Italy’s Alps and Dolomite ranges: summer and winter. Planning your trip to avoid the busiest periods (July through September for summer sports and December through mid-March for winter pursuits) means you’ll sacrifice a little in terms of weather and trail (or snow) conditions in exchange for lower prices and fewer crowds.
In these northern ranges, you can likely engage in some winter sports into early April, depending on that year’s snowfall and temperatures. This writer lives in Italy and snowshoed at Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomites well into April last year.
If you visit the mountains in June instead of later in the summer, you’ll find crispier weather but still plenty of that heart-soaring summer beauty — meadows blooming, brooks a’babbling, and hiking trails shaded with new foliage. It’s the best time to visit Italy if you can plan your trip around outdoor adventure rather than beaches and cities.
View from the Apennine Range, Italy. Photo: Ruth Swan/Shutterstock
In the fall, there’s a shorter window of shoulder-season opportunity, largely because many accommodations and gondolas close from mid-to-late-October through early December. But if you can squeeze in a trip at the end of September or the beginning of October, you’ll have dodged the school-age crowds and be able to enjoy the more relaxed last hurrahs before seasonal closures. (Note that many of the same businesses that close for a few weeks in the fall also close from May through early June.)
If you set your sights farther south to the Apennine Range as it runs through Abruzzo and points further south, take heart: it’s never as crowded there, though winter snow and snowsports are no longer a given.
For seasonal cuisine: October and November
Photo: Theo Nozdrin/Shutterstock
One of the great pleasures of a vacation to Italy is dining on seasonal, regional cuisine. And there’s absolutely no better time to do this than autumn, when Italy positively bursts with fresh-picked and foraged delights that are either unavailable or just not quite the same as any other time of year.
The best time to visit Italy for olive-oil aficionados is surely fall, when connoisseurs can rejoice at bright green EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), which, in its freshly pressed form, has a spicy bite to it. Sink your teeth into a piece of bruschetta con olio nuovo (with new oil) and prepare to be transformed. Harvests start in late October, and most olive groves are from Tuscany south through Puglia and Calabria, or on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. If you buy oil to take home, be sure it’s from the current year’s harvest.
If fungi are more your fancy, fall is also the best time to visit Italy. Autumn’s frequent rainy days, interspersed with sunny ones, create the right environment on the forest floor for Boletus edulis, better known as porcini mushrooms, to spring forth in abundance.
Photo: New Africa/Shutterstock
If you’re not in the mood to traipse through the woods in search of your next meal, you’ll find these prized mushrooms in plates of pasta and risottos, as hearty soups, fried as appetizers, or topping meat dishes on menus everywhere throughout the country.
The last of the culinary big three of the Italian autumn are truffles. These underground fungi are known for their pungency and persnicketiness — they’ll only grow in certain types of soil, under certain trees, and in certain seasons and regions of Italy. From September to December, expect to find delicate white truffles from Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, and Le Marche being shaved over plates of pasta, eggs, and meat. They’re more aromatic and flavorful and harder to find than summer’s black truffles. And for many foodies bound for Italy, they’re reason enough to make the trip.
November 1, 2022
How To Best Experience Iceland’s Northern Lights, According To Tour Experts
In Iceland, the northern lights set the sky ablaze in a kaleidoscopic set of colors. This natural phenomenon, the aurora borealis, is a result of solar wind interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. On a recent trip, viewing those famous greenish-blue hues involved a bit of luck and timing, both of which I hoped would be on my side as I boarded my nonstop flight from New York City to Reykjavík.
Like an eager child, I asked the flight attendant what he thought my chances were of viewing the lights. “You never know,” was his calculated response. And he was right. Though I did get to briefly see the lights during my 5-day stay with Reykjavik Sightseeing, there are quite a few tips I wish I had known before my trip. Here, experts share their insight on how travelers can best see the northern lights in Iceland.
What to pack
Photo: NotYourAverageBear/Shutterstock
Because of its northern location and dark winter nights, Iceland has long been a place that people travel to view the northern lights, particularly between September and mid-April. These colder temps call for proper planning in the packing department.
“Proper clothing is a must since you will most likely be outside enjoying the northern lights when and if they reveal themselves,” says Auður Jónsdóttir, General Manager of Aurora Basecamp. “We recommend three layers of clothing: Wool, fleece, and windproof jacket, and trousers along with sturdy shoes, hat. and gloves.”
Ahead of my trip, my suitcase was filled with an insulated windproof parka from REI that quite a few friends recommended, and an incredible weighted vest that kept me warm and toasty the entire trip – particularly when the temperature dropped to levels foreign to a California native like myself.
Jónsdóttir also suggests bringing a tripod for your camera to stabilize your shots, and learning ahead of time how to adjust the camera to capture photographs at night. A headlamp and wide lenses will also come in handy. His company offers tours to a northern lights Observatory that’s about a 35 minute drive from Reykjavik — just far enough to avoid the light pollution, but also close enough to have good roads and easy access. Guests take a 15 minute guided tour through an exhibition where the goal is to inform and teach them about the northern lights, as well as to train guests to identify the northern lights from the very first stage of the aurora borealis. The guides on site also give tips on how to adjust phones and cameras to get good photos of the phenomenon.
When to go to Iceland to see the northern lights
Photo: Guitar photographer/Shutterstock
“To see northern lights, two things must go hand in hand: The sky has to be at least partially clear and the sun has to be throwing fast moving solar wind towards Earth,” says astronomy educator and author Sævar Helgi Bragason. “If Earth is inside a stream of solar wind, northern lights can be seen from all over Iceland. On average, they’re most frequently seen in September and October, and March and April and around 11 PM.”
Bragason recommends visiting Auroraforecast.is for the best cloud cover forecast and space weather information. The site shows two meters: one for the current solar wind speed and the other for the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field.
“We want both meters to point to orange or red,” Bragason says. “The faster the solar wind is blowing, the more dynamic and colorful the northern lights become. As long as the interplanetary magnetic field is negative, fast moving particles are moving in and we’re in for a show.”
Where to see the northern lights in Iceland
Photo: basiczto/Shutterstock
“If you are staying in Reykjavík and have a rental car, then it’s all about getting out of the light pollution in the city and it doesn’t have to be a long drive,” Heimir Berg of Aurora Experts tells me. “I would recommend Þingvellir National Park, Garður Lighthouse, Vogar Vatnsleysuströnd, Lava Tunnel, and Akranes Lighthouse. These are all located 20 to 45 minutes outside of the city.”
Others suggest going to one of Iceland’s famous lagoons.
“My favorite place by far is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in the south east of Iceland,” says Ryan Connolly of Hidden Iceland. “To have the northern lights flowing over the top of an iceberg-filled lagoon with Iceland’s highest mountain in the distance is as incredible a sight as you’ll ever see in your life.”
For those looking for budget friendly options to view the lights, Berg suggests renting a scooter in Reykjavik. “Take a ride out to the Grótta Lighthouse and try your luck,” he says. “We see hundreds of travelers every evening going down to the Sun Voyager or Harpa Concert Hall to try their luck there, too. You’re looking to the north over the ocean where it’s pitch black, so a lot of times people can see a little bit of northern lights from there.”
How to choose a northern lights tour in Iceland
Photo: muratart/Shutterstock
There are a number of tours to join, from overnight stays to evening trips close to the city center — or even in the city itself. What you decide is ultimately up to your budget and the amount of time you’d like to spend chasing lights.
“If you are opting to go it alone (and you don’t have your own vehicle), then Reykjavík, despite all its unnatural light, still has good spots to try and catch them,” Connolly says. “The harbor area in Grandagarður (Grandi), just a short walk from the city center, overlooks the ocean with incredible 360 views from certain spots. Or if you are happy for a longer walk, the Grótta Lighthouse on the outskirts of town is far enough away from congested areas to really take in the view. Alternatively, the Perlan Exhibition and Museum sits on top of a nearby hill that boasts a 360-degree dome that overlooks the entire city. There’ll be plenty of lights below you but from that high up you should get unspoiled Aurora above,”
Hidden Iceland offers an overnight small group tour that’s great for solo travelers. It allows you to keep costs low but still get a chance to stay out of the city overnight.
Aurora Expert’s Ultimate Northern Lights Tour caps the number of guests at 15. It also offers winter jumpsuits for every guest.
“We have extra tripods that guests can borrow and we offer unlimited amounts of hi-res photos from the tour taken by a professional photographer and delivered in three-to-five days,” Berg says. “We put so much effort into our Icelandic traditional snacks, pastries, chocolate, snaps and hot cocoa on the tour that it almost feels like you are on a food tour under the dancing lights.”
Regardless of which tour or location you choose to view the northern lights in Iceland, being present is the most rewarding choice you can make.
“Don’t forget to enjoy the show, so focus on the sky instead of your mobile phone or camera,” Bragason says. “And remember, a dark, clear sky also contains beautiful stars, bright planets, shooting stars and of course our home galaxy in the universe, our Milky Way. So be curious and look out for other things while you wait for auroras to appear.”
How to get to Iceland and where to stayPLAY airlines offers nonstop flights from New York, Baltimore, and Boston, with new routes to be announced in 2023. The budget friendly airline has competitive rates, sometimes as low as $100 dollars one way, even during the height of northern lights season.
Shuttle buses are the best way to get from Keflavik airport to Reykjavík’s city center. Taxis can run up to a whopping $400 for the 45-minute trip.
For a centrally located hotel with reasonable prices that’s just steps away from Reykjavik’s nightlife, restaurants, and transportation for tours, check into Canopy Hilton Reykjavík. You may even catch a few northern lights from their outdoor terrace if you’re lucky.
When hunger strikes after hunting lights all day, don’t miss Grillmarkaðurinn or Matarkjallarinn, which offer a lively dinner atmosphere and incredible plates of Icelandic food, from seafood soup to tender lamb on rye bread.
LGBTQ Travelers Flock To Key West. Here Are 5 Reasons Why.
An island appendage off land-bound Miami, Key West might be the southernmost point of the continental US, but it’s really a nation apart — a Conch Republic where rainbow flags fly, queer businesses thrive, and no one bats an eye as LGBTQ couples walk hand in hand.
“One Human Family,” Key West’s motto, says it all. Colorful, eccentric, and bohemian — locals don’t just tolerate difference, they celebrate it. Join a ragtag mix of Conchs (the nickname for locals) by staking your claim to a stretch of sugar-sand beach, flying whatever flag suits you best.
Here are five reasons why over 250,000 LGBTQ travelers visit this 8-square-mile paradise in the Florida Keys annually.
1. Queer culture is a part of the island’s cultural fabric.
Photo: Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
In the mid-20th century, Key West’s come-as-you-are attitude became an LGBTQ magnet, attracting a who’s who of queer American artists. Theater legends Jerry Herman, Terrence McNally, and Leonard Bernstein all found inspiration in the salty sea breezes. Lesbian writer Elizabeth Bishop, a US Poet Laureate, penned verses on the island from 1938 to 1946, and gay playwright Tennessee Williams was a local fixture from 1941 until his death in 1983. It’s believed Williams wrote the final draft of A Streetcar Named Desire while staying at La Concha Hotel in 1947.
By the late 1970s, locals capitalized on Key West’s queer cachet by becoming the first American city to recruit pink tourism. Since then, all facets of local life have been decidedly LGBTQ. Locals made headlines in 1983 by electing Richard A. Heyman, one of America’s first openly gay mayors. In 2018, Teri Johnston made waves by becoming the first openly lesbian mayor in a major Florida city. There’s been a gay chief of police and a gay superintendent of schools; even the fire department counts LGBTQ folks among its ranks.
Today, LGBTQ life is cemented on the island with four permanent rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of Duval and Petronia streets. Unlike some spots in Florida, saying “gay” here is more than okay — it’s par for the course.
2. LGBTQ-owned restaurants serve delicious Conch Republic cuisine.
Photo: The Flaming Buoy
Key West’s food scene reflects local life: American classics sizzle with Caribbean style, fresh-caught fish is almost always on the menu, and LGBTQ owners serve some of the tastiest meals in town.
On your drive down to Key West, stop by queer-friendly Bongos Botanical Beer Garden and Cafe on Grassy Key to get into the laissez-faire state of mind. Choose from one of over 20 craft beers on tap, tuck into a Hawaiian-style poke bowl, and relax in a palm-shaded hammock while listening to live music on weekends.
At The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. on Key West, gay owners Fred Isch and Richard Scot Forste season their Cincinnati roots with Conch flavor on a menu with everything from hot dogs smothered in chili and cheese to yellowtail snapper dressed in banana salsa. Star Wars fans: Peep the tchotchkes above the bar and in the bathroom for an intergalactic surprise.
Azur, a gay-owned restaurant with Mediterranean chops, is a sure bet for button-down dining. For brunch, don’t miss the key lime French toast, a tangy-sweet treat with wild berry compote. For dinner, start with salt-cod croquettes bathed in harissa-mint aioli, then tuck into the seafood risotto with mussels, scallops, shrimp, and white fish.
3. There’s always a party on Duval Street.
Photo: Larry Blackburn Photography/The Florida Keys & Keywest
When it’s time to paint the town pink, head to Duval Street’s rum-soaked rainbow crosswalks. Whether you’re looking for an up-all-night dance den or a high-octane drag show, the surrounding strip of juice joints will deliver.
Aqua, part of the multi-bar-and-restaurant Aquaplex, is famous for its nightly drag shows, performed by a trio of wig-tastic Aquanettes. Those interested in encountering drag royalty should head to La Te Da, a hotel with an adjoining restaurant and piano bar. Here, you’ll find local legends like Randy Roberts, a Duval Street sensation thanks to his campy impersonations of Bette Midler and Cher.
801 Bourbon Bar bumps and grinds until 4am, while Bourbon St. Pub — a drink den kitty-corner to 801 — calls to hordes of boys with New Orleans-level frivolity. For something more carnal, hit up Saloon 1, where leather lads show off their gear at parties packed with hedonist chutzpah.
Not all nightlife is about dudes and drag, though. 22&Co, a lesbian-owned cocktail lounge, welcomes all stripes into a flamingo-pink fantasy fit for unicorns and those who love them. Bobby’s Monkey Bar is another quirky LGBTQ-friendly dive with toy monkeys hanging from the ceiling and a serious karaoke scene beloved by fearless belters.
4. Sunny adventures suit all travel styles.
Photo: Captain Tim Curtis/Venus Charters
Beach bums, sea dogs, and history buffs are spoiled for choice on sun-kissed Key West — and all the activities sport LGBTQ-friendly options.
For Speedo-clad sun worshiping, get yourself to Higgs Beach — a 16.5-acre stretch along the Atlantic Ocean. The shallow water and gentle surf are ideal for wading, but remember to shuffle your feet. Friendly stingrays like to glide along the sand, and it’s best not to surprise them.
On the island’s Gulf side, there’s the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park — which LGBTQ Conchs call Fort Liz Taylor Beach, after the silver-screen icon who once frequented the area. The 54-acre park extends from a 19th-century military outpost to a rocky shore, where snorkelers dive down to spot sea life.
For open-water adventures, consider a boat tour with lesbian-owned, all-are-welcome Venus Charters. Captain Karen Luknis lets guests customize their trip with activities like fishing, snorkeling, and dolphin watching. Lazy Dog Adventures, another lesbian-owned outfit, leads kayak, paddleboard, and snorkel tours through mangrove creeks filled with tropical fish and aquatic birds. If you prefer a clothing-optional, all-male encounter, look to Blue Q. Its 42-foot catamaran ferries seafaring men to remote reefs and mangrove islands.
Daytime entertainment can be found indoors, too. Spend an afternoon diving into the life and work of Key West’s most legendary gay literary icon at the Tennessee Williams Museum, or flit among 50 species of winged wonders at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. The glass-dome conservatory, run by Sam Trophia and George Fernandez, features hundreds of butterflies, tropical birds, and two very friendly flamingos.
5. LGBTQ resorts offer ultimate relaxation.
Island House. Photo: The Florida Keys & Keywest
Key West rolls out the ROY-G-BIV carpet with adults-only guesthouses — think clothing-optional sundecks, libidinous pool parties, and happy hours galore.
Men-only Island House Resort is decidedly cruise-happy, with birthday-suit pool parties and a 24-hour gym and spa. The daily happy hour — when guests get three drinks gratis — is a prime time to meet fellow Conch vacationers.
For a “straight-friendly” stay where you can let your hair down, choose Alexander’s Guesthouse — a bed-and-breakfast in a refurbished complex from 1902. Cool off in the pool, unwind in the hot tub, or work on your tan from the clothing-optional decks. Sitting on one of the pool-side loungers makes it easy to slip into island time.
Ready to celebrate Key West with the rest of your “One Human Family”? Key West is ready for you. Learn more at Florida Keys & Key West.
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