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To Experience Nashville’s Luxe Side, Check Into The Joseph

Although commonly linked with honky-tonk bars, fried foods, and bachelorette parties, a more luxurious side of Nashville is quickly picking up steam. Anchoring this shift is The Joseph Nashville, a 297-room hotel in the SoBro neighborhood.

The Joseph is only four blocks south of the nightlife scene on Broadway, but it feels like a world away with a spa; rooftop pool; world-class art collection; and high-end, Italian-inspired restaurant. The first sign this is a luxury hotel greets you at the porte-cochere where a London cab parked in front of a living greenery wall flaunts Burberry upholstery. Adjacent is an LED display with installations paired to the time of day.

We hope you love The Joseph Nashville. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

“We cater to people who want to experience Nashville but don’t necessarily want to be in the craze of it all,” says Nicky See, the hotel’s director of marketing.

However, owner Joel Pizzuti — a Vanderbilt University grad — didn’t shy away from Nashville’s music roots. In fact, he chose to subtly embrace them in the design. For example, a communal table in the lobby and guestroom headboards are crafted from burl wood, a popular material for guitar-making. And there are chained-embroidery rugs (the same technique used to make rhinestone-studded “nudie suits”) and the leather paneling on the check-in desk is by Lucchese, a famed bootmaker with musician clients.

The hotel is also an ode to Pizzuti’s family. He named the restaurant, Yolan, after his grandmother Yolanda (her nickname was Yolan); and woven into the interior design are 1,100 works of art, part of an impressive collection begun by his father Ron, an art collector.

Photo: The Joseph

“They’ve collected one of the top private art collections in the world,” says See. “Many pieces are by living artists. You might walk past a piece many times before you notice it, or you might see it right away. Joe loves that — it’s subconsciously filling your mind.”

For example, a painting by Jackie Saccoccio — the first piece you see upon entering — changes with the amount of light filtering in through the lobby’s wall of windows.

To further build out the interior design, the team at Miami-based Arquitectonica traveled to Italy for inspiration, which resulted in choices like Italian marble (throughout the lobby).

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

In each of the suites is a turntable with a curated collection of albums, another nod to Nashville’s music scene.

“All the guestrooms are inviting and luxurious in their design,” says Ricardo Lutchman, director of rooms at The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel. “Materials such as copper, oak, and brown leathers complete a palette and aesthetic that feels local, warm, and sophisticated.”

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Seven living greenery walls are on the property, including two at the rooftop saltwater pool where buttery, flaky croissants and other pastries are served in the mornings at Denim Bar and a full lunch and dinner menu later on.

Wellness abounds — and not just at the pool.

“Both travelers and our local community seek spaces dedicated to unwinding and escaping the everyday stressors and stimulation of urban life. High above the hum of downtown Nashville’s busy streets, The Joseph’s 21st floor offers amenities that provide a healing and rejuvenating environment,” says Ricardo Lutchman, director of rooms at The Joseph.

Photo: The Joseph

At the 21st-floor fitness studio — featuring the same unobstructed view found at the hotel’s Presidential Suite — are Peloton bikes, free weights, kettlebells, and more. Yoga al-fresco classes on the 8th-floor terrace (in summer) or at the spa (during winter) are in partnership with E+ROSE, a local plant-based wellness company, serving fresh-pressed juice and a healthy breakfast after.

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Then, at Rose Spa, there are six treatment rooms where each service begins with a signature foot bath in a copper bowl, featuring a salt scrub rinsed away with rose petals, hibiscus flowers, and Egyptian chamomile. Treatments end with a calming sound healing session using a Tibetan singing bowl.

“Our signature Rose Indulgence experience harnesses healing powers of rose quartz and pure Damascena rose oil,” says Jo Hyde, the director of the spa. “A chakra-balancing back treatment soothes the body into relaxation, followed by a scalp massage with revitalizing meridian tapping techniques to relieve body tension. Acupressure with hot poultices and rose-quartz crystals restores the skin’s naturally glowing appearance, while a garnet scrub protects and energizes, and a cooling jade mask helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.”

Another popular offering is the recently launched “Summer Traveler’s Relief” treatment, an anti-inflammatory service to improve circulation and reduce inflammation resulting from long periods of sitting during road trips or on long flights in the summer heat.

“Featuring calming elements such as CBD, menthol, camphor, aloe and a beet-cayenne extract,” says Hyde, “[there’s] a gentle exfoliation of the feet and lower legs while receiving a tension-relieving hand massage. Legs are treated with a CBD cream and masked with a stimulating Moor mud, and the treatment ends with a deep, soothing foot and leg massage to increase circulation and relieve soreness.”

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

At Yolan, the ground-floor restaurant, with James Beard Award winner and Michelin-starred chef Tony Mantuano at the helm, the menu cycles through regions of Italy, with Puglia being one recent example. Meals are served in the sunken dining room.

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

One-hundred-and-eighty-pound wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are on full display, a bread board with multiple selections replaces the traditional “bread basket,” and a custom olive-oil blend was crafted in Tuscany just for the hotel.

Photo: The Joseph

Photo: The Joseph

This attention to artisan quality extends to the drinks. Many liqueurs in The Joseph’s cocktail program are made in-house. For example, a whisky folding in hickory smoke and washed in lamb fat — exclusive to the hotel and produced by George Dickel Whisky in Normandy, Tennessee — is used in the bar’s “Palmer Farms Old Fashioned.”

Whether it’s a massage at the spa, waking up with croissants and a dip in the rooftop saltwater pool, or enjoying yoga on the 8th-floor terrace, this luxury hotel blends art with wellness in a very memorable way.

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This Airbnb in the South of France Is Straight Out of the Town in ‘beauty and the Beast’

In the south of France, away from the feeling of hyper-tourism, you’ll find the dreamy village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Set high in the hills, this town is sure to spark a sense of whimsy with lush greenery that meets the sea. And there, you’ll find an Airbnb that seems straight out of the small village in The Beauty and the Beast that’s perfect for four guests who want to live out their Belle fantasy.

@wheretofindme the most magical Airbnb in the South of France #provence #southoffrance #airbnbfinds #airbnb #francetiktok #francetravel ♬ Married Life – Michael Giacchino

We hope you love the stay 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.

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment was the home of the legendary French poet, writer, and screenwriter Jacques Prévert in the 1940s. The home is a restoration from the 12th century that has kept its charm.

A private entrance leads you inside, where you’ll find mesmerizing dark wood beams, natural lighting, and a gorgeous fireplace. The window sill seating is the perfect place to have your coffee in the morning.

A stained glass doorway will take you to the kitchen, where whites, muted greens, and more natural lighting warm up the quaint space. The dining table seats four.

Each bedroom is made up with “super king” beds with separate bedding that makes it easy to separate them into four smaller beds for guests who want their own space. Then, make your way to the bathroom to find a rainfall shower and an enormous soaking tub. The second bedroom has an adjoined bathroom with another soaking tub.

When you’re not enjoying the inside of your quaint temporary home, be sure to step outside and take in the lush scenery from the patio.

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This New Campground Site Helps You Find the Best Spot No Matter What You’re Looking For

It’s camping season, and whether you’re making your way to a forest, national park, or the beach, you’ll want to ensure that when you arrive, your campground will have everything you need. A new website, CampgroundViews.com, can help you narrow down the search for the best camping spots.

On the site, users can search 16,000 campgrounds throughout the United States. There are 360-degree virtual tours and a comprehensive searchable database to make the best choice for your next adventure. The database is also easy to use. First, input where you’re trying to visit. Then, narrow the search by how many miles you’re willing to travel to your destination. You can refine your search by whether pets are allowed, WiFi availability, electric availability, water hookups and more, making it a good choice for digital nomads looking to work on the go, travelers new to camping, or RV travel. The database is free, but users need member access to use the 360-degree virtual tour software. After using the site, users can seamlessly head to the booking website for the specific campground.

“Finding the right campsite, especially in popular areas near National Parks or other hotspots, can often be the most challenging part of the camping experience because you don’t know if you’ll be next to a dumpster or bathroom, or what the view might look like,” said Mark Koep, founder and CEO of CampgroundViews.com in a press release. “Campers love our virtual tours because they offer the unique ability to see the whole site before arriving so they can make informed decisions about where they want to stay and what to expect when they get there.”

Memberships are available in tiers. The Road Tripper for $3.99 gives you access to the site for a week, making it a good choice if you’re only going on one or two trips or like to plan in advance. The Journey Camper for $54.99 gives you access for six months, and the Annual Camper package is $99 for the year.

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The 9 Best Uncrowded State Parks in Arkansas

Arkansas has seven sites managed by the National Park Service. Hot Springs National Park is the only official national park, but there are three National Historic Sites (The Bill Clinton Birthplace, Central High School, and Fort Smith), plus Arkansas Post National Memorial, Pea Ridge National Military Park, and the well-known Buffalo National River.

These preserved sites showcase some of the most impressive scenery in the Natural State, but they also attract crowds as some of the top tourist destinations in the state. Fortunately, if you’re interested in getting off the beaten track and exploring some of the smaller protected areas, Arkansas has 52 state parks with a wide variety of terrain, activities, and cultural experiences to fill your days.

With free admission, Arkansas state parks have great recreational opportunities, well-maintained facilities, and acres of green spaces. Ideal for families or outdoor enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone from digging for diamonds to camping under the stars to hiking to waterfalls and mountain biking through forests. Each of Arkansas’ state parks has something unique to offer, but if you’re unsure where to start, check out the top Arkansas state parks below to help you plan your next visit to the Natural State.

Petit Jean State Park

Photo: M.Curtis/Shutterstock

The idea for creating the Arkansas State Parks system was sparked in 1907 atop Petit Jean Mountain, which became the state’s first park in 1923. It encompasses an abundance of unmarred woods, ravines, streams, springs, spectacular views, and interesting ecological formations. The park’s early development was primarily done by the Civilian Conservation Corp between 1933 and 1938.

Petit Jean has three national Historic Districts with more than 80 buildings, structures, trails, and bridges still in use. Today, the park offers modern and rustic accommodations, including 33 cabins, a 24-room lodge, and 125 campsites for tents and RVs. In addition to a full-service restaurant serving classic Southern cuisine, the park has amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, ball courts, and an amphitheater.

The view from the lodge and restaurant looks out over the stunning Cedar Creek Canyon, making it easy to understand why the land was the inspiration for the state’s park system.

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism

Just as its name implies, Crater of Diamonds State Park is the eroded surface of a volcanic crater. But more interesting to the average person, perhaps, is the fact that it’s full of diamonds and other rocks and minerals such as amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and quartz.

Visitors can search the 37-acre plowed field and keep any treasure they find. Since the park opened in 1972, more than 33,100 diamonds have been discovered. One of the latest diamonds in the US, a 40.23-carat nicknamed Uncle Sam, was found in 1924. The Diamond Discovery Center is an educational station in the park where visitors can learn more about how to search and the history of the area’s unique geology.

The park also has campsites, a lunchtime cafe, and Diamond Springs Water Park, perfect for cooling off after a day of digging.

Devil’s Den State Park

Photo: Gunnar Rathbun/Shutterstock

Devil’s Den State Park derives a great deal of its identity from the rustic design of its historic cabins, as well as the rugged and largely undeveloped terrain. In the Ozark Mountains, the Arkansas state park is on the highest and most severely eroded of the three plateaus that form the mountain system. Lee Creek, which runs through the park, cuts through layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone, exposing the geographic features to the public. You may also recognize it from the third season of HBO’s crime drama True Detective, much of which was filmed in the park.

Devil’s Den has hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and backpacking trails that lead to caves, crevices, and bluff overlooks. Unfortunately, the caves in the vast sandstone crevice area are now closed to help stop the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. That’s a good thing, as Arkansas caves are a habitat for numerous species, including the endangered Ozark big-eared bat.

Developed in the 1930s, the park is one of the most intact Civilian Conservation Corps parks in the US. Native stone and wood are prevalent in all the CCC-made structures in the park, especially trails, cabins, and scenic overlooks. It’s also one of the most popular Arkansas state parks for fishing and boating, and has 135 campsites that are usually easy to snag.

Village Creek State Park

Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism

In Arkansas’ upper Delta region, the unique element of Village Creek State Park is the Andy Dye-designed, 27-hole championship golf course set on the park’s forested hills. The nearly 7,000-acre preserved area, located about an hour from the Mississippi River, also has 33 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

The equestrian campground and stables have horse stalls with wash bays and other conveniences to help riders unwind after a day in the saddle. Guests can also stay in modern cabins with full kitchens and satellite television or campgrounds with bathhouses, and a small museum tells the history and geography of the park. It’s one of the best Arkansas State Parks if you’re with a mixed group of some outdoorsy folks who want to hike, and some folks who like to golf, relax on a patio chair, and otherwise have their outdoor experiences be a little more upscale.

Hobbs State Park

Photo: Alexander Lewandowski/Shutterstock

Hobbs State Park near Bentonville is the largest of the Arkansas State Parks at more than 12,000 acres. So there’s plenty to do regardless of what outdoor activity you prefer. But it’s perhaps best known for it’s 40 miles of mountain biking trails, particularly the trails considered part of the Monument Trail System. Most mountain bikers probably already know Arkansas is a top spot for singletrack in the US, and a major highlight is the eight-mile Karst Trail.

It’s an intermediate, mostly cross-country trail that goes past some of the park’s best scenery.  It’s an intermediate, mostly cross-country trail that goes past some of the parks best scenery. There are also bike-in campsites, and it’s pretty close to the more advanced Slaughter Pen Trails, in case you crush the blue/advanced blue trails at Hobbs without breaking a sweat.

Lake Catherine State Park

Photo: Kurtis Sutley/Shutterstock

Arkansas may not be the first state you think of when imagining lush forest, but visiting Catherine Lake State Park may change your mind. Lake Catherine is home to Falls Creek Falls, a super-popular swimming hole and series of falls along a river. The water is almost tropical-blue, and there are 20 rentable cabins tucked into the park’s acreage in case you want to do a little Arkansas state park camping for a quick getaway without roughing it too much.

This is one of the must-visit Arkansas State parks for equestrians (or casual horse fans) as the park offers daily tours through the forest and along the river. The trails are pretty shady, so it can be pleasant even when it feels a bit toasty outside.

Lake Catherine State Park is fairly close to Hot Springs National Park, so it makes a good add-on if the national park starts getting too crowded in the afternoon.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park

Photo: Arkansas State Parks

Located on the shores of DeGray Lake just minutes from the popular tourist town of Hot Springs, the lodging and amenities at DeGray Lake Resort State Park are definitely more resort-oriented than what you would typically expect from a state park. The park’s 94-room lodge and convention center has a large swimming pool and on-site restaurant, and the whole park is on an island accessed by a causeway from the mainland.

Visitors looking for sporting fun can take advantage of an 18-hole championship golf course, pro shop, disc golf course, and tennis courts. Outdoorsy folks can hit the hiking trails, take a guided horseback ride, go fishing, and camp at one of the 113 campsites, most of which are surrounded by shade trees. It’s more like a hotel than a park.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Photo: David7/Shutterstock

Minutes from Arkansas’ capital city of Little Rock is the iconic Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Hiking to the cone-shaped top of Pinnacle Mountain is a must-do for an incredible view (and bragging rights, too). Two trails lead to the summit. Both are strenuous but the east trail is somewhat more rugged, crossing several boulder fields. There are more than 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails for all experience levels.

Mount Magazine State Park

Photo: Arkansas State Parks

Mount Magazine State Park, which includes the state’s highest point at 2,753 feet above sea level, is all about the views. Every room in the park’s lodge, which includes a swimming pool, fitness center, and game room, looks out to the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake below. There are also 13 bookable cabins with the same view. Adventures here range from hiking and biking to rock climbing, hang gliding, and horseback riding.

Arkansas State Parks near Hot Springs National Park

Photo: All Stock Photos/Shutterstock

The closest state parks to Hot Springs National Park are Lake Catherine (13 miles), DeGray Lake Resort State Park (28 miles), Lake Ouachita (32 miles), and Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park (48 miles).

However, if it’s physical hot springs you’re after, rather than Hot Springs National Park, there are a few Arkansas state parks near hot springs, both natural and developed. There are developed hot springs bathhouses in the town of Hot Springs (not to be confused with the national park of the same name), and the town of Eureka Springs has nearly 60 natural springs. There are also a few natural springs around Bentonville.

Camping at Arkansas state parks

Photo: Warren Price Photography>/Shutterstock

Good news for campers interested in the state — camping at Arkansas state park is fairly easy to do and rarely crowded, unlike some state parks in more popular “outdoorsy” states. Arkansas has 52 state parks, and fortunately, there’s a helpful website to help you figure out your lodging plans. You can pitch a tent at these 33 state parks, or rent a cabin or yurt for a slightly less rustic Arkansas state park camping experience at these 12 state parks. Arkansas also has plenty of private campgrounds, including KOAs with pools and restaurants, plus two national forests (Ouachita National Forest and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest) where you can dispersed camp just about anywhere. 

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Best Bourbon Street bars in NOLA

New Orleans is, in every way, the city that most embraces that high-low bar life. Not just in Louisiana but in the whole United States. You can drink at a gilded cocktail haven where storied classic cocktails were invented, then stumble outside for a hurricane cocktail consumed right there on the street — yes, it’s legal to drink on the street here, which is obvious as soon as you arrive. While almost all New Orleans bars embrace the rowdy lifestyle, nothing quite exemplifies this dichotomy like Bourbon Street, which is smack in the middle New Orleans’ French Quarter.

This French Quarter is both the city’s most famous and its oldest neighborhood, while New Orleans Bourbon Street is the main draw for partiers. It’s lined with strip clubs, dives, and live music spots. Some are worth your time, many others are not, but the street itself is something to experience. Bourbon Street was first laid out in 1721 and is named after the royal French Bourbon family. It stretches the 13 blocks between Canal Street and Esplanade Avenue. Some choose to approach Bourbon Street with history in mind and dine and drink exclusively at centuries-old establishments. Others choose the bars with the loudest bands. Both have plenty of options to choose from.

Regardless of how you look at it, though, you’re doing Bourbon Street wrong if you’re only going to one bar. Bars on Bourbon Street are crowded close together, making it easy to bar hop all night long. Take advantage of being able to walk place to place with a drink in hand. These are the 14 bars on Bourbon Street that you must go to at least once.

Quick note on selection: Only bars physically located on Bourbon Street, not the broader French Quarter, were considered. Since this is a town with plenty drinking history and passion for beverages, there will surely be some strong opinions about what is left off. These are simply the most essential Bourbon Street bars to visit — feel free to argue with us, but only after we’ve had a Hand Grenade.

1. Tropical Isle

Photo: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Other than the Hurricane, NOLA’s most famous oversized and overly strong drink is the Hand Grenade. There’s only one chain of bars where you can legally get a true Hand Grenade (seriously, it’s trademarked and aggressively policed) and that’s Tropical Isle. The bar’s tagline is, “Where the fun begins and memories last forever,” but do yourself a favor and only have one Hand Grenade if you want to keep those memories. There’s a livestreaming webcam at the bar on the corner of Bourbon and Orleans, so you can show the world all of your great Bourbon Street decisions.

Locations: (Original) 600 Bourbon Street, (Bourbon) 721 Bourbon Street, (Bayou Club and Music Bar) 610 Bourbon Street, and (Little Tropical Isle) 435 Bourbon Street

2. Funky 544

Think New York’s famous disco club Studio 54, but with an extra “4” and a distinct NOLA clientele. There’s a raised stage for regular live music (rhythm and blues is proudly highlighted on the bar’s entryway sign), and the drinks are intended to keep you dancing. You’ve got to find something to do with all the energy from those sweet cocktails, after all.

Where: 544 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

3. The Beach on Bourbon

Photo: The Beach On Bourbon/Facebook

Not a literal beach, but New Orleans is one of those places where you can turn a place into whatever you want it to be. The Beach on Bourbon claims to have the largest dance floor out of all the bars on Bourbon Street. If you’re feeling like catching the vibe without dealing with the crowd of people dancing downstairs, head up to the VIP balcony section on the second floor. The Beach on Bourbon is also a place to catch a sports game on one of the multiple TVs. Come prepared on game days, because New Orleans is very much a sports town.

Where: 227 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

4. Bourbon Pub and Parade

Open 10 AM to 3 AM, Bourbon Pub and Parade is a gay bar that’s been open since 1974. Downstairs is the “pub” part while upstairs is the “parade.” There are events and themes every night, including karaoke, drag shows, and Throwback Tuesdays with hits from the 80s and 90s. Screens stream music videos all night long on Fridays and Saturdays.

Where: 801 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 7011

5. Bourbon O

Photo: Bourbon “O”/Facebook

Get away from the cheap beer and cocktails made with sweet mixers for a bit at Bourbon O. It started using fresh-squeezed citrus and house-made ingredients in 2013, and the quality shows to this day. There is an impressive whiskey list and a healthy list of classic cocktails. This means that you’ll likely be paying more for the drinks than you will at any other bars along Bourbon Street, but it’s worth it. Live jazz music starts every night at 8 PM.

Where: 730 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

6. Famous Door

Opened in the 1930s by a boxing promoter who wanted to copy a Manhattan nightclub, the Famous Door quickly became known as the spot to go for New Orleans jazz. Its musical reputation lives on with cover bands that regularly fill the playbill, proving it’s still a fun bar to hit for music, dancing, and drinks.

Where: 339 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

7. Saints and Sinners

Photo: Saints and Sinners/Facebook

Channing Tatum’s bar Saints and Sinners has a lot less of a Magic Mike atmosphere than you may be hoping for, but it’s still worth a visit. It’s part bar, part restaurant, and an all-around enjoyable experience. It’s styled after old red-light district prostitute houses and burlesque halls (complete with red velvet), and a portion of the profits are donated to charities around the world.

Where: 627 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

8. Maison Bourbon

Maison Bourbon offers live jazz shows, a rarity on Bourbon Street. In fact, it’s one of just two jazz bars on Bourbon, and calls itself the only “Dixieland Jazz Club” in the French Quarter. There’s no cover charge, and a cute courtyard in the rear of the club, where guests can drink and socialize in the open air. Refreshingly casual on the otherwise rowdy Bourbon Street, music lovers will find refuge at Maison Bourbon.

Where: 641 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Photo: Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is allegedly the oldest building to house a bar in the country. The name comes from Jean Lafitte, a privateer and slave trader who, according to legend, used the building as a storehouse in the early 1800s. Today, it’s a dim and dank drinking hole. Take a trip into the past and order a beer or a simple mixed drink in a plastic cup. Be ready to adjust your eyes, though, as you’ll be drinking by candlelight.

Where: 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

10. Oz

There’s no shortage of strip clubs on Bourbon Street and in New Orleans in general. The vast majority of those only have women on stage. Not so at Oz. Oz is a gay dance club with live strip shows, a balcony bar, and nightly events like drag shows and comedy shows. It’s also open 24/7.

Where: 800 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

11. Old Absinthe House

Photo: Atomazul/Shutterstock

The Old Absinthe House has been around since 1807. It, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, has a connection to privateer Jean Lafitte. According to legend, the bar is where Lafitte and Andrew Jackson negotiated a treaty to join forces against the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. There’s no record of what they drank, but the deal worked. The drink to get here is the signature Absinthe Frappe, which was invented in 1874 and quickly became a favorite among writers like Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain.

Location: 240 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70112

12. Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub

Since 1969, Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub has been inviting jazz players and jazz lovers from around the world. The food might not be anything to write home about and the drinks can be hit or miss, but you will stay for the live music. Just keep in mind it can get crowded during popular sets.

Where: 733 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

13. Cats Meow

Photo: Cats Meow/Facebook

The Cats Meow has been around since the 1990s, and it’s become a karaoke institution. You make the music here — or someone else can, and this includes famous stops from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Charles Barkley, Seal, Weird Al Yankovic, Stormy Daniels, and more. Go early for the three-for-one happy hour offered every day from noon to 8 PM, which is just enough to get you through any bad singers.

Where: 701 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

14. Bourbon Bandstand

Stop by to see the band B Street Benny. Bourbon Bandstand has live music or a DJ every night, as well as a regular happy hour and drink specials on the upper balcony bar. It’s rowdy both day and night, and the music is always set on “the hits.” Luckily, there’s plenty of room on the dance floor to show off all of your moves.

Where: 441 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Why is Bourbon Street so famous?

Bourbon Street is famous because it’s concerned the birth place of jazz music. Iconic musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton frequented the jazz clubs on Bourbon Street, and there are still many jazz clubs lining this street where the crowds are boisterous and the music is loud. Today, Bourbon Street is just as famous for raucous partying. Crowds from the bars spill out into the street, shops sells frozen drinks that you can sip while you walk, musicians play on the side walk, and groups of friends dance in the street. Drinking outdoors and while on the move is probably one of the main qualities that makes Bourbon Street such a popular and iconic destination.

Is Bourbon Street safe at night?

Yes, Bourbon Street is safe. However, it’s important to be aware that people on Bourbon Street are rowdy. The drinks are abundant and flowing, and people go there specifically to let loose and release their inhibitions. You might find yourself avoiding groups how looked too drunk, but those people are easy to spot. It’s probably also smart to keep your wallet in a secure place, like you would in any other crowded destination. People are also throwing beads from the balconies so just be sure you don’t get hit in the head.

What is the best part of Bourbon Street?

Upper Bourbon is widely considered the best part of Bourbon Street. This is area where bachelor and bachelorette parties congregate around a large concentration of bars and strip clubs. You’ll also find plenty of small bars dedicated to selling Hurricanes and Hand Grenades to thirsty party people to take away on their adventures. Karaoke is another popular activity in this section of Bourbon Street.

A version of this article about bars in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, was previously published on February 7, 2019, and was updated on February 13, 2020 and January 31, 2022.

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This Water Bottle Ensures You Always Have Clean Water, No Matter Where You Travel

According to alarming new research, humans buy one million plastic water bottles every minute. And less than one-third of those are recycled. Without diving too deep into the environmental concerns surrounding this statistic, it’s apparent that we as travelers need to find a better solution than popping open a plastic bottle whenever we’re thirsty while abroad.

Many travelers, myself included, carry a refillable water bottle. But even the most thermo-cooled and tightly sealed water bottle doesn’t solve the most pressing issue surrounding staying hydrated abroad: what to do when the tap water isn’t safe to drink. And finding potable water in public in some countries can be nearly impossible.

Enter the Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System, a new travel water bottle that dropped in 2022. At its core, the Sawyer bottle combines a standard water bottle with a backpacking water filter — the type that you’d bring along on a multi-day camping trip to make stream water safe and clean enough to drink. The long and short of it is that the bottle lets you fill up from any source and know the water is clean, filtered, and healthy.

We hope you love the Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy a bottle. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System specs

This bottle is basically a standard, BPA-free water bottle with the Sawyer Mini filter inside it. If you’ve filtered water from a stream while camping, you already have a basic understanding of how the filtration system works. The bottle’s inside filter will last for about 10,000 gallons and attaches to the suction straw connected to the lid. The filter’s pores are no larger than .1 micron, which the company claims is small enough to remove 99.99999 percent of bacteria and diseases in water, including salmonella and cholera. It also claims to remove 100 percent of microplastics, so you won’t be drinking any of the microscopic bits of plastics that crowd our oceans.

“The filter can make tap water safe to drink domestically and internationally,” Travis Avery, Sawyer’s Marketing Director, told me via email. “It is a very simple scoop-and-drink system that filters out all of the harmful pathogens and microplastics from the water as you draw through the straw.”

Since the filter is attached to the straw, the actual filtration happens when you suck through the attached straw, rather than having it filtered as soon as it enters the bottle. It’s great for functionality, but removing the lid can be awkward and you’ll have a strain of gadgets attached to it when you’re filling up. I felt the gaze of those behind me in line when I stopped to fill up at airport bottle fill stations.

Also included in the packages is a cleaning plunger to backwash the filter, which keeps it as fresh and functional as possible. It’s usable both as a travel bottle when touring internationally or in the backcountry as a means to filter stream and river water.

Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System field test: Mexico, Chicago, and Israel

The bottle with tap water in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Photo: Tim Wenger

The first place I took my Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System bottle was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tap water in Mexico is not drinkable in most places, and I admit I was nervous to fill the bottle in my hotel room and trust it to catch whatever might be lurking in the water. But I eased myself into it, filling half the bottle with tap water and half the bottle with bottled water for the first few days, thinking that if I at least cut down on the plastic bottles I was using, it was better than doing nothing.

Three days in I felt great, both physically and with a mental state buoyed by my seeming ability to take a calculated health risk in stride.

Still healthy, I upped the ante to a full bottle of tap water. I drank it, though I spaced it out over the course of several hours. I won’t claim that it tasted great, but I felt fine, and I decided to blame the slight indigestion I felt that night on the ceviche I had for dinner.

The next day, I drank two full bottles. I survived, thrived, and avoided dehydration and plastic waste throughout an afternoon of walking through town and an evening hanging by the pool at the hotel. I continued this practice for the remainder of my trip. Arriving home in Colorado after a week of filtering tap water through the Sawyer bottle, I appeared to be no worse for the wear.

A few weeks later I brought the bottle to Chicago. This test proved much easier to swallow from the moment I landed, and the Sawyer bottle passed with flying colors. I then spent a week in Israel with it, which sounds daring, but the tap water there is drinkable and I found myself at times wishing that I had a larger bottle without a filter that held enough water for a full day of touring. Still, I was glad I had the safety net of the filter.

Any downsides?

Filling up quickly is essential when moving through airports or going about a busy day on the road. The biggest issue with this Sawyer bottle mostly related to filling up, as the  screw-on lid needs to perfectly align with the threads so it doesn’t leak while drinking. I encountered this several times when I was in a hurry and hadn’t stopped to check if it was secure. The lid screws on even if it’s not perfect, so it can be confusing at first, but it just takes a bit of practice.

I also noticed that air pressure caused tiny drops of water to escape from the flow hole on the lid during takeoff on planes. A few times, I felt drops of water on my leg as the plane lifted off the ground, and then looked down and saw tiny bubbles coming from the lid of my water bottle. I never figured out exactly what caused this to happen, but with some experimenting, I did learn that it can be solved by gently loosening the lid before takeoff, relieving the air pressure on the water inside the bottle.

Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System: Yes or no?

After three weeks of travel with the Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System, I was quite satisfied with its performance. I had no issues with sickness and the bottle packs easily into the side cup holder on most travel backpacks. The bottle is not the most convenient to open and refill, and I hope that any future update to its design addresses the issue with the cap. It’s also worth remembering that you’ll need to refill the bottle once or twice over the course of a full day of activities, as it only holds 24 ounces of water (Sawyer does sell a 34 oz water bottle, as well).

That, though, is the beauty of the Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System – it eliminates the worry of having to stop and buy water halfway through the day, or carry around a backpack full of plastic bottles. For international travel to places with questionable water quality, the peace of mind (and fresh-filtered water) the Sawyer bottle provides is a welcome step forward for sustainability and convenience.

Buy Sawyer Bottle Water Filtration System

Buy just the Sawyer Mini filter for your own bottle

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Travelers on Reddit Share the Most Overrated National Parks, and They Have a Point

The United States has 63 official national parks, plus another 360 various national historic sites, national seashores, national monuments, and more managed by the US park service. They’re generally gorgeous places, showcasing some of the most beautiful parts of America. But hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some beholders aren’t a fan of everything they see.

A few similar threads from national park fans on Reddit asked travelers to name which they think are the most overrated national parks. For some, the parks are overrated because of how much they’re hyped. For others, their appearance on lists of overrated national parks is due more to size or crowds — or, in some cases, the huge amounts of mosquitos.

These are some of the most interesting thoughts on US national parks, though many of them are based on bad experiences with crowds in parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Zion, rather than anything negative about the park itself. Of course, for every negative comment below, there are hundreds of threads of fans touting how much they love the space. Don’t let one opinion (or one funny comment) deter you from visiting America’s shared protected spaces and wild lands.

Keep reading to the end to see which park appeared most frequently among travelers’ opinions on the  most overrated national parks in the system (though almost everyone still acknowledge the importance of protecting it).

Not a fan of Bryce Canyon’s uphill hikes…

Photo: Bryce Canyon National Park/Public Domain

“I’ve been to 34 National Parks… Bryce Canyon is by far the most overrated National Park with Capitol Reef a few hours East on Scenic Hwy 12 being the most underrated. I think it’s the nearly 9000 foot elevation of Bryce that makes visitors not think clearly… It is basically a small, eroded cliff face that you can see from the overlooks in less than an hour. Yes, hiking down among the hoodoos is amazing but hiking back up, at that altitude, is horrible.”  – Ramillerf1

Yosemite is a little too big….

Photo: lu sea/Shutterstock

“Yosemite!!! We just visited on Labor Day and man what a disappointment. The shuttles were not working, which I think contributed the most to our disappointment. We really wanted to do a hike, but due to parking issues, it would’ve taken us hours just to walk to the start of the trail. I am also not a fan of the one way direction loop in the valley: we missed our turn once and had to do a loop.”  – Chemical_cat18

Death Valley > Joshua Tree

Photo: Joshua Tree National ParkBrad Sutton/Public Domain

“There were a few that I was expecting to end up higher on my personal list than they did. For me the largest discrepancy between reputation/expectation and reality of my experience was Joshua Tree NP. It’s cool, and I enjoyed it. But a full day was sufficient to see it and I don’t feel the need to hit it up again unless I happen to be in the area. I thought it was like a cut-sized Death Valley.” – McMarmot1

Chopped-up wood chunks…

Photo: Petrified Forest National Park/Jacob Holgerson/Public Domain

“Petrified Forest National Park. Visited there this summer. I was very underwhelmed. In my mind the trees were petrified and standing. It was basically a bunch of chopped up petrified wood chunks in piles.”  – GhostMan74

Boring old bathhouses…

Photo: Zach Frank/Shutterstock

“Hot Springs was the most boring NP I’ve ever been to. National parks shouldn’t be centered around man made objects like those weird bathhouses.” – bundlemeup

Well, the rocks are nice…

Photo: Pinnacles National Park/Emily Novack/Public Domain

“Although I have had great experiences in all the national parks I’ve visited, a park that I found to be not as worth visiting as all the others was Pinnacles. There were some nice rock formations and a small cave to visit, but in comparison I thought some national monuments were more interesting (Craters of the Moon, Grand Staircase-Escalante).” – MrChamise

No cell service, but good fruit….

Photo: Quinn Calder/Shutterstock

“If I had to pick a “worst one” of the ones I’ve visited I guess I would go with Capitol Reef. I mean, it’s pretty and it has cool hieroglyphics but you can find those kinds of things at other parks. When you get into Capitol Reef – especially the camping area – you have absolutely no cell service. Not like I want to spend all my time on my phone when I’m camping in a beautiful place but not being able to contact anybody or be contacted by anybody is kind of challenging… I also didn’t feel like there was that much to see and do there like at any other park I have visited. I will, however say that being able to pick fruit from the orchards there was a pretty awesome (and very tasty) experience.” –

Take an art class, will ‘ya…

Photo: William Silver/Shutterstock

“Petroglyph National Monument is pretty underwhelming. There are a bunch of boulders with stick figures behind a subdivision at the edge of Albuquerque.

That being said, it’s hardly a hyped park.” –

Wind Cave is…a cave….

Photo: Cheri Alguire/Shutterstock

“Gateway Arch is the worst by a longshot. It should be a national historical park or monument, at best.

The most disappointing national park I’ve ever been to is Wind Cave. The caverns are nothing at all like Carlsbad or Mammoth. It’s just a cave. The above-ground prairie and forests aren’t bad, but aren’t all that special either.” –Ecoheretic

Another word for a big hole…

Photo: Pat Tr/Shutterstock

“I feel like I’ll get hate for this, but the Grand Canyon.

It is huge and all, and it makes you feel like an insignificant little speck, but in the end its just a giant crevice in the ground. It was really hyped up for me when I was a kid, for some reason, and seeing was just kind of like “oh?” –

But ultimately, it seems like Redditors think Florida may be home to one of the most overrated national parks

Photo: Anthony Ricci/Shutterstock

Damn those snakes….

“Everglades [National Park], no wildlife left, the snakes ate everything, well except mosquitos.”  – Link

Lacks aesthetic qualities…

“The Everglades are visually boring.” –

Can’t the Everglades catch a break?

“Everglades – flat expanse of swampland in all directions. Important to be a national park because of all the wildlife that depends on it, but you can skip visiting.” –

And one Redditor gets straight to the point…

Photo: Anders Riishede/Shutterstock

“Yellowstone, because it’s volcano and may kill us all.” – unknown736382

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This Small Backpack Is the Only Travel Pack an Efficient Packer Needs, and Its 26% Off

When I tell people I only travel with a backpack, and haven’t checked a bag in five years, they assume I’m either homeless or using one of those “backpacker backpacks.” You know, those 5-foot-tall behemoths with more straps and ties than a kink shop. When I clarify that my backpack isn’t designed for the Camino de Santiago, but instead for some high school kid carrying his books to school, reactions range from disbelief to incredulous laughter.

“You travel with a SCHOOL backpack? For a whole WEEK?”

That’s right. Sometimes three weeks. And I’ve learned more from this school backpack than I ever learned in actual school – at least, when it comes to packing efficiently. I’ve had my SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack since I started grad school in 2015, intending to use it solely for academic purposes. When cobblestones crippled the back wheel on my rollaway luggage during my first weekend away, the SwissGear rose to the occasion. A temporary solution while I browsed replacement rollaway bags. Or so I thought…

Much like Lou Gherig stepping in for Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp when Pipp injured his ankle, the SwissGear wound up being a permanent replacement – a generational talent, if you will. Its main features include a padded laptop compartment for a 16” laptop and tablet, a stabilizing platform to keep the bag upright, mesh side pockets perfect for water bottles and travel documents, airflow back padding to prevent the wearer from overheating, shock-absorbing shoulder straps, a soft-grip handle, and main compartment wide and deep enough to hold clothes for at least two weeks (if you’re me, anyway).

But let’s get into what really makes this backpack special, and how to maximize its use for travel.

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We hope you love the SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack! 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.

SwissGear backpack review: More than what meets the eye

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First, the laptop compartment. Not only is there enough space for your laptop, but for at least four laptops. Unless your work-life balance is totally out of whack, you probably don’t need four laptops. Repurpose this extra space for clothes. I always slide two folded button-down shirts in there, and more often than not, they emerge wrinkle-free.

The second benefit is the main compartment, which is slimmer at the top but widens toward the bottom. This makes it perfect for carrying shoes.

“Shoes in your backpack? Doesn’t that take up a ton of room?”

Not if you do it right. The space is wide enough to fit a pair (or even two pairs) of shoes side-by-side, and deep enough to throw some pants, six or seven shirts, a belt, socks, and underwear on top.

“What about your toiletries, though?”

Glad you asked. A generous front pocket has more than enough room for a small toiletry bag, a pair of sunglasses, some granola bars for inflight consumption, and a phone charger. And since we’re talking about the smaller pockets, we might as well dive into the side pockets – one mesh, one zipped on each side. The mesh pockets are great for travel docs, water bottles, and anything else you need readily accessible during the travel experience. The zippered pockets are ideal for more important docs like a passport or COVID-19 vaccine card.

You could probably make do with just the features mentioned, but we haven’t even gotten to the best part – the secret pockets.

Ok, maybe not secret, but to the naked eye, they don’t appear to be of much use. There’s a tiny zippered pocket in front of the laptop compartment that goes much deeper than you’d expect. This is my snack compartment. I regularly store at least one ziploc bag of trail mix, and one bag of cereal here for on-the-go snacking. Somehow, some way, the food never gets crushed, and always emerges perfectly intact.

It’d be easy to forget about Main Compartment 2.0, but we won’t. I’m not sure how else to describe this compartment, except to say that the designers outdid themselves, had more fabric to work with, and said “to hell with it, let’s give the people what they want.” This second, slightly smaller main compartment on the front is perfect for holding slimmer, flatter items like books or tablets. It’s ideal for those unexpected layovers when you need a conveniently accessible book without digging through the rest of your bag. 

In 5th grade I bought a goldfish for a science project, expecting it to live no longer than two weeks. It lasted six years. This backpack is like that goldfish. The thing is unspeakably durable. My SwissGear has been to over 35 countries over six years, endured some rough conditions, and still looks good as new. I’m sure there’s a technical explanation for this, involving sturdy, high-quality materials, but I prefer to believe it’s magic – like if a backpack drank from the fountain of youth.

The SwissGear Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack is on sale for 26 percent off. Grab it now for only $66.65.

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This Over-the-Top River Cruise Is the All-American Trip You Need To Take

Few things feel more like a Southern cliché than sitting on a rocking chair with a glass of ice-cold sweet tea while looking at the Mississippi River from the deck of a paddlewheel steamboat. And I, a French, along with my partner, a Canadian, embraced it wholeheartedly. To add another layer of Americana, it was July 5, and the vessel, the iconic American Queen, and most of its passengers were still festooned in red, white, and blue the day after the Fourth of July.

Photo: Jesse Adams

The American Queen, a picture-perfect 1995 recreation of a Mississippi River paddlewheel steamboat, took us from Memphis to Nashville. The full journey took nine days to cover less than 200 miles. Granted, we stopped along the way, but still, this is slow travel taken to the extreme. Obviously, nobody on board would have it any other way — we had nine days of great food, free drinks, river lectures, music, excursions, and brand-new (to us, at least) scenery to look forward to — all in a luxurious time capsule. The pilots could take it as slow as they needed.

The American Queen steamboat is not your average river cruise ship

Photo: Jesse Adams

A cruise on the Mississippi River is one thing, but a cruise on the emblematic American Queen is another deal entirely — it is undeniably the largest and fanciest steamboat ever built. Modeled after two luxurious steamboats from the 19th century (the Grand Republic for the elegant exterior, and the J.M. White for the opulent decorations and furnishings inside) the American Queen is very grand. Yet, despite the Tiffany lamps, the grand pianos, and the dress code in the main dining room, the crew and the passengers are relaxed and appreciative of the beauty of the vessel rather than stiff-necked and uncomfortable at the lavish displays.

The Mark Twain room is the most opulent room on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

The cruise company, American Queen Voyages, has three more steamboats in its fleet: the American Countess, the American Duchess, and the American Empress. And while the boats may all look the part from afar, they cannot hold a candle to the American Queen. Passengers who had journeyed on several of the company’s steamboats made clear to us that they would not cruise on any other vessel than the American Queen, and after we got a good look at the American Countess while we were anchored in the port of Paducah, Kentucky, we agreed. It looked nowhere near as dignified or as old-timey as our boat. And I must admit that our feeling of superiority and pride at sojourning on the most sumptuous vessel to ever travel on the Mississippi was certainly reinforced by the people who stood on the banks to take photographs and wave at us everywhere we went.

The rooms and amenities on the American Queen

With 222 cabins spread out over six decks, the American Queen can accommodate 417 passengers and 172 crew members. While we were on board, the vessel was filled to only a little more than 50 percent of its capacity, making for a lot of room to roam and an extremely attentive crew.

Photo: Jesse Adams

Beyond having crew members devoted to your every need and whims, the vessel itself makes passengers feel at ease all the time. The relentless heat and humidity of the South is soothed by the constant AC; the food is ever present whether you feel like having soft serve ice cream, popcorn, biscuits, tea, coffee, or cocktails throughout the day; the pool and cozy lounge chairs on deck six seem always empty, ready to welcome you; and the rooms are cleaned to perfection twice a day. If it’s a restful vacation you’re after, there are fewer better options.

On vacation aboard the American Queen, you can do lots or do very little

You’re onboard this amazing vessel to chill out, and if you wish you can do that and only that. You can sit by the pool with a cocktail all day long and book an appointment at the spa when you feel like being pampered. But if you want to get to know the region you’re traversing, there are excellent excursions just about every day.

Excursions from the American Queen are done via comfy, air-conditioned hop-on hop-off buses with knowledgeable tour guides. That said, if the vessel sets anchors close to where the excursion takes place, you’re under no obligation to ride the bus or visit the places selected, you can just walk off using the gangway and do your own thing — as long as you’re back before the deadline given to you.

Photo: Murals on the New Madrid Museum. Photo: Jesse Adams

During our trip, we stopped at Ashport Landing, Tennessee, home to Fort Pillow State Historic Park where Confederate and Union soldiers fought during the Civil War; In New Madrid, Missouri, a tiny town whose claim to fame is having suffered the biggest earthquakes in American history in the early 19th century; the fun and artsy town of Paducah, Kentucky; and the small town of Dover, Tennessee, located in Stewart County, the most armed county in the United States and home to fewer than 15,000 people (but there are 57 churches).

Not all excursions are exciting. The towns of New Madrid and Dover are small and don’t have an awful lot to offer to passing tourists, yet visiting them allows passengers to peek into how people live, which is exactly what travel is all about.

Entertainment in the Grand Saloon on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

In between excursions and tanning sessions by the pool, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had aboard the American Queen. For music, there are jazz and blues concerts in the Engine Room Bar (from where you can see the paddlewheel doing its job), piano and sing-along sessions at the Captain’s Bar, and Broadway music in the highly decorated Grand Saloon. There are also bingo games and trivia during which you can win a big wad of dollar bills or items from the gift shop.

What to eat aboard the American Queen

There’s plenty of barbecue, as to be expected on the cruise in the American South, but it’s certainly not the only appetizing offer. You can get amazing ribs and roast beef and all sorts of classic sides like mashed potatoes, grits, Coca-Cola green beans, etc. from the Front Porch Café on the third deck. Vegans and vegetarians don’t need to worry about getting their fair share of scrumptious foods: Every meal offers a vegan option, whether that be breakfast power bowls and quinoa porridge in the morning, or cauliflower steak and a creamy rich vegetable curry for dinner. Every espresso machine on board is also equipped with non-dairy milk alternatives.

Photo: Jesse Adams

And it’s the same when it comes to beverages. There’s nothing outdated about what’s on the menu. Cocktails of the day — think Americanos, Moscow mules, and bourbon punches — are announced the evening before on the daily schedule deposited on your bed at turn-down service, so you can go to sleep assured you won’t go thirsty the next day. But if you don’t feel like having the daily highlighted beverage, you can ask for whatever drinks you want and the bartender will take care of it. My partner enjoyed all the daily cocktails (and some), and I asked for virgin versions, all of which were very well executed. And remember, when you’re onboard, all the drinks are included.

All the things you don’t want to miss aboard the American Queen

The excursions, the entertainment, and the food and drinks should keep you very busy during your time aboard the American Queen. That said, there are some activities that are less flashy but that passengers would be remiss to pass on.

Try your hands at the Calliope

Photo: Jesse Adams

Every time the American Queen leaves a port, one of the on-board pianists makes his way to the River Grill bar on the fifth deck and plays the Calliope, a steam-whistle organ. It’s a very loud and unusual instrument, which you can try if you wish. Just ask the musician in charge that day and they’ll give you a couple of tips so you don’t burst anyone’s eardrums. If you’d rather just look, make sure to take a peek at the whistle pipes releasing the steam on the sixth deck.

When a lock is coming, get on the deck

Going through the Kentucky Lock aboard the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

A 418-foot-long vessel going through a lock is an impressive sight. It requires a lot of skills from the pilots and the crew for the American Queen to fit in the lock and be securely tied without any accidents. But not all locks are created equal — some are fun to witness, others are mind-blowing. Take Olmsted Lock on the Lower Ohio River, between New Madrid and Paducah. It has a chamber that’s 37 feet high and the water level increases by around 30 feet inside. It’s cool to see, but you won’t lose sleep over it. Going through the Kentucky Lock, however, is eerie and claustrophobic. At the confluence between the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River, the chamber is 94-feet-high and the boat is raised by about 90 feet in less than 30 minutes. It’s freakish and you should not miss it.

When a bridge is on the horizon, make your way to the prow

Photo: Jesse Adams

The American Queen is fitted with two 109-foot-tall smokestacks topped with a crown-like design. Those stacks, as charming and old-school as they look, are made with contemporary navigating in mind. When the vessel needs to pass below a bridge, the stacks are lowered, going from vertical to fully horizontal in the blink of an eye. Keep an eye on the horizon so you’ll know when to head to the prow and see the towering stacks being lowered.

Visit the engine room

While taking a tour of the pilot room is advertised daily, going down to see the engine room is lesser-known, yet just as insightful. Unlike the tours of the pilot room, you don’t need to pre-book your visit to the engine room — just go down the steps and have a little chat with the engineers running the ship. It’s fun to see how a paddlewheel steamboat works, especially one that still uses old-fashioned levers to control the speed.

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Frequent Travelers Are Sharing the One Product That Makes Travel Easier

When you start traveling often, you tend to develop a routine. You understand what suitcase works best, what you need and don’t need to pack, whether you’re a roller or a folder, and more. And it’s incredible when you discover a product that, once you start using it, you have no idea how you lived without it. A Redditor started a thread asking what favorite products makes travel easier, and you might find yourself on Amazon shortly.

Things that make packing easier

1. ”This packing list. It is so comprehensive and detailed. I travel a lot, and still use it every time to make sure I don’t forget anything.” – u/Boston_Jayhawk

2. “I’d add my spinner carry on bag. I use it for all trips and it’s commonly my only bag. It’s easy to carry up stairs and just as easy to push through an airport. It’s worth paying for decent quality luggage!” – u/SF-guy83

3. “Weekender bag with trolley sleeve to slip over my carryon, run through the airport or down a cobblestone street, and not lose it. I spent years googling ‘bag with strap to slip over carryon’ without luck until i learned the words TROLLEY SLEEVE. The carryon goes in the overhead bin, the weekender bag goes under the seat, has my electronics, headphones, water bottle, snacks.” — u/Previous-Atmosphere6

4. “Shampoo and conditioner bars. Being solids, there’s no limits on the amount you can bring on a plane and a fresh bar can last two months or more so you can be sure not to run out. Plus a solid can’t leak and get all over everything. Same thing with tubeless toothpaste. They come as tablets so there’s no limits and one small container is like 4 months worth of toothpaste so you won’t run out.” — u/Sir_Meliodas_92

Things that make flying better

5. “Good backpack, gadget bag, Bluetooth adapter for airplane tv screen.” — u/bluenose_droptop

6. “A good set of noise cancelling headphones. They completely change flights by cutting out the engine noise and the people noise.” — u/BeefBurritoed

7.” [TSA Precheck] is the best $85 I think I’ve ever spent on travel. Extra sleep for early flights, don’t have to take my shoes off, don’t have to take my laptop out. I think the longest I’ve ever taken in security since I got it is like 25 minutes in Atlanta during a holiday weekend.” – u/titanic_trash

8. “Laceless shoes for flying or anywhere else you need to take em off.” — u/SeaWolf24

Things to help you travel safely

9. “My wife uses a purse from pacsafe. It has stainless steel wire in the sling and a stainless steel mesh between the layers of the bag. It makes slashing your purse or strap near impossible. Nice for traveling where pick pockets and thieves are.” – u/Joeb_Lowe

10. “The VAULTZ accessories pouch with the steel tether. I put in my cell phone, cash and card when I go to beach locations and strap it to the umbrella or chair. This way, I don’t have to take my phone into the ocean in one of those plastic fanny packs or lanyards and a thief would have to literally steal the chair or umbrella unless they had steel cutters.” — u//Ednaelle

11. “My wife bought a ridesafer vest for a recent trip and it was soooo much better than carrying around a huge car seat. You’ll have to wait till your little one is at least 35lbs though. And it’s only certified in a few countries so far.” — u/chaos_m3thod

Technology that makes travel easier

12.” [An Amazon Fire Stick that] you attach to a TV so you can use streaming apps. We stayed at a couple of hotels/Airbnbs that didn’t have smart TVs rendering the TVs useless for us. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal cuz you’re traveling, why would you need TV? But winding down after a long day of sightseeing, we really wanted to be able to watch Netflix.” – u/YoDJPumpThisParty

13. “Preloading the local maps for use offline is key as is downloading the Google translate language pack.” –- u/stimilon

“Most big, international airports will have mobile / cellular stores or kiosks that sell local SIM cards. You can purchase a SIM card and cellular plan together… and the store clerk usually installs the SIM and activates the service for you. A SIM costs about 15-20 EUR/USD and most providers offer a pay-per-use or daily/weekly rates (costs vary). In more remote or smaller locations, I’ve looked up who the local cellular provider is and visited one of their stores. There’s also the eSIM (mobile app that acts as a SIM), but I haven’t tried it so cannot attest to its effectiveness.” — u/mft8

14. “A battery bank with a wireless charging side.” — u/UTDroo

15. “With this Bestek Travel Adapter, my girlfriend and I can charge 2 computers, 2 phones, and a camera.” — u/HaleyandZach

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