Matador Network's Blog, page 578
September 17, 2021
These 9 luxurious Houston Airbnbs are the best in the heart of the city
Houston Airbnbs are among the country’s most luxurious. Perhaps it’s Texans’ eye for blending seamless interior design with relaxing outdoor spaces. Or the fact that Houston is simply a classier city than most. Regardless, any stay here should involve experiencing the city’s global culinary scene, it’s booming nightlife and cultural prowess, and then a return to a well-trimmed estate ready to welcome you into the arms of luxury. These nine Houston Airbnbs do the trick just right.
We hope you love the spaces and stays 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. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
EaDo townhouse with rooftop bar, jacuzzi, and epic city views
Photo: Airbnb
Rooftop bars are more often associated with hotels and trendy nightlife districts than private residences. But this high-end townhome in the EaDo neighborhood bucks that trend. Craft a round of drinks for your crew and enjoy them while overlooking the skyline from this Houston Airbnb. Speaking of nightlife, you’ll be right by it here, as well to many of the city’s top restaurants and shops. EaDo is the heart of the action in Houston, nearby to Minute Maid Park, concert venues, and other sports arenas. And when you return, soak in the private jacuzzi before crashing out on the Tempurpedic mattress.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $356 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If flexibility is in order, this rooftoped shipping container is top amongst Houston Airbnbs. There are technically two units — an upper and a lower — though the general rental is for both. Your crew will lounge out with the best views of Houston’s skyline anywhere in the city. The inside is well-trimmed and luxurious with a nice spacious kitchen and living room. The entire design of the spot looks like something out of The Jetsons, and you’re sure to feel like George and Jane as you relax high up on the roof.
Eight guests, four bedrooms (also available for fewer guests at a reduced rate)
Price: $312 per night
Photo: Airbnb
The Disco Suite begs you to boogie. Its bright and airy interior is massive — 2,236 square feet of dance space located in a converted and modernized EaDo warehouse. Art Deco dominates the scene here, with ample space for 10 guests and a vibe that’s fit for pregaming before heading out on the town. This unit is also ideal for company retreats and other get-togethers as there is plenty of space to converse and break the ice. Outside, the light rail is a block away and the best of the city’s nightlife, dining, and shopping isn’t much further.
Ten guests, two bedrooms
Price: $498 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Whenever the word “terrace” comes into play, you know it’s about to get awesome. This four-level home is picture-perfect luxury in every sense, beginning with the bright and well-heeled kitchen and living spaces. It’s communal without sacrificing privacy. And then we get to the good part — the terrace itself — where conversation flows as freely as a bottle of wine. Everything in Houston is nearby, from downtown to shopping to the city’s iconic ethnic restaurants. If visiting with family, or celebrating an event such as a bachelorette party or reunion of long-time friends, there’s no better spot to do so that here.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $375 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This EaDo hideaway has the best hot tub in Houston, hands down. Not so much because of the hot tub itself, which is very nice, but because of the view you’ll have from it. The deck here is artsy and built for games while overlooking the Houston skyline. The interior is equally representative of the trendy neighborhood’s social vibes. Contrasting green wall with exposed brick and a large L-shaped couch on which to lounge while enjoying breakfast prepared in the chef’s kitchen. This unit sets the mood for a stay in Houston like only EaDo can.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $424 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Swim away your worries in this lux townhome in Houston’s Washington Avenue entertainment district. This home is perfect for the family, bachelor party, or discerning group of individuals who appreciate a heated pool as much as they do modern, simple interior design. The home is bright and clean, comfortable and perfectly modern — the type of spot that begs you to take off your shoes and kick up over a meal and a conversation. That said, the best of Houston is right out your door, making this home ideal for long-term stays and digital nomads.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $328 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Big cities and waterfalls don’t always go together. But that’s what makes Houston so unique among cities its size — the fact that you can enjoy a luxurious single-family home in the heart of the city with all the trimmings that come with it. In this case, those trimmings include a waterfall pool (the ultimate standout of the property) as well as a fire pit lounge area, private green space, and covered patio. You could be forgiven for thinking that you’d gone camping in the heart of the metropolis, save for the high-trimmed interior. The kitchen, bedrooms, and living room are the stuff of bougie legend.
Ten guests, three bedrooms
Price: $315 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If you could peer into the future of Texas-style residential design, it would look like this luxurious home. Few Houston Airbnbs are as well-heeled both inside and out. There’s a private pool with lounge chairs out back, a warm and welcoming neighborhood out front, and on the inside a perfectly modern kitchen and living space. Stainless steel appliances, ample counter space, and bedrooms that actually feel like home (including nice sheets and pillows) make this Houston home a win no matter your reason for visiting.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $725 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Right in the heart of Houston near the medical center, this large residential home is the perfect place to settle into. It has all the fixings of home — including a fireplace — yet is within easy reach of Houston’s urban vibrancy. It’s located in the Riverside Terrace area and was built in the 1930s, though it’s been totally redone and is as modern and welcoming as a home can be. It’s open with plenty of space for kids to range and adults to congregate or spread out as they choose. With the outdoor quarters and nice kitchen, you can feel good about a decision to hang around the pad for a bit — something that doesn’t always come easy when traveling.
Twelve guests, five bedrooms
Price: $317 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Part of any good trip with family, friends, or couples is the ability of your accommodations to immediately “wow” everyone. Such is the case in this lux home in the Heights. Prepare a romantic dinner to be enjoyed outside under the canopy lighting, followed by a glass of wine and game time in the living room or a night out on the town in the nearby dining and nightlife districts. The owners have a penchant for design, giving this home gray-hued character that is at once both modern and eternally chic. A solid pad from which to explore, and to return to at the end of the day. Also a solid couples retreat. 
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $107 per night
The post These 9 luxurious Houston Airbnbs are the best in the heart of the city appeared first on Matador Network.
Grab your crew and head to these lux properties to take in New York’s fall foliage
Fall foliage road trips are a right of Autumn in many parts of the country. But nowhere does the culture of leaf peepin’ exist like it does in the Northeast. New York embodies the best of this, with rolling hills and peaks covered in poplars, hickories, and beech emanating the brightest colors of the rainbow. These upstate New York Airbnbs put you right in the middle of it all — with great hiking, picturesque drives, and a cozy abode to return to.
We hope you love the spaces and stays 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. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.
Cabin retreat near Whiteface Mountain
Photo: Airbnb
The best fall foliage view in all of New York is looking down over Lake Placid from the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Put yourself a short drive away with equally inspiring views at this rural retreat outside the town of Wilmington. Staying in an old wooden cabin is the best way to experience the mountains any time of year, and that is amplified in Autumn when the leaves express themselves in the same rustic manner. This one is for the lovers, the dreamers, and the adventurers — the trees, the trails, and the romance of the hills are all right there.
Photo: Airbnb
Lake Eaton is a five-minute walk. This is an ideal warmup for the drive up to Whiteface and the greater Lake Placid area. The pubs and dining of Wilmington are right up the road. Onsite you have access to a kitchen and room for 10 at the base of the Adirondack High Peaks. There’s also a separate elevated deck to raise a toast to your good taste in the upsate.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $225 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Nowhere does fall foliage quite like Glasco Woodstock. This luxurious property near Saugerties, New York, is the ultimate family fall foliage Airbnb in New York because it’s literally surrounded by the main attraction. With room for 16 guests and a host of lux amenities including three fireplaces, skylights, and large window views to the hills. There are 16 acres to explore and easy access to Overlook Mountain and a host of nearby forested areas that light up with color each fall.
Photo: Airbnb
The property has a complete chef’s kitchen and a large dining area, so your crew can prep its own meals to take with you before heading out to take in the colors. But you don’t even need to leave the home to get great foliage views from Glasco Woodstock — the screened porch and every window onsite offer views worthy of a visit on their own. To get the most out of the onsite color show, we suggest mixing your favorite afternoon drink and enjoying it in the hot tub (the changing seasons feel so much better when you’re worries are soaked away).
Sixteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,445 per night
Photo: Airbnb
There’s no better place to base yourself for New York fall foliage expeditions than an 1830’s farmhouse. This home is rustic chic in all its glory — a taste of old country life with both antique and modern amenities. Explore the foliage from nearby hiking trails, drive the rolling country roads, maybe even make a day of it and head over to Glimmerglass State Park. Afterward, Cooperstown is just up the road, where you can stop by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and say what’s up to Derek Jeter and Larry Walker.
Photo: Airbnb
The home itself features comfortable bedrooms and living spaces, with a kitchen and an outdoor fire pit from which to post up and enjoy the views. This spot is the perfect place to unplug and actually get away from it all, without being surrounded by the hordes of peepers visiting the more common foliage destinations closer to the big city.
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $185 per night
The post Grab your crew and head to these lux properties to take in New York’s fall foliage appeared first on Matador Network.
September 16, 2021
This Miami museum is radically changing how people interact with art
Experiencing art has traditionally been a one-way transaction. Artists would toil away in their studios. Then hopefully they’d be able to place something in a gallery show. Patrons toting designer wallets and black cards would crane their necks while the pieces were explained. Most people could never afford to enjoy them, unless they went to a museum. And even then, really all they could do was look.
But in the same way science and history museums are using technology to become more interactive and accessible, one Miami museum is bringing modern art to the masses. And letting artists in on the action.
Superblue is an immersive, interactive art space set in Miami’s transitioning industrial neighborhood of Allapattah. Across the nearby Metrorail tracks you’ll find rows of warehouses distributing everything from fruit to auto parts. Across the street sits the Rubell Museum, Florida’s largest collection of private art on public display.
Superblue is a semi-permanent collection of art installations that allows people to touch, walk on, breathe and change the art they see by their presence. Visitors can walk through a room full of bath bubbles, experience all four seasons, get lost in a mirror maze, or stand in a stark white chamber and learn how color shapes their perception.
Photo: Oriol Tarridas Photography
It is, to say the least, a marked departure from the staid world of galleries and museums.
“We’re prioritizing shared experiences between artists and audience,” says Superblue’s Director of Experiential Art Centers Shantelle Rodriguez. “Rather than the traditional practice of artists creating in studios, then maybe seeing them at a show, our goal is to reach a broader audience.”
Visual artists making money like performers doReaching a large audience is wonderful for an artist. But monetizing a large-scale, experiential work is tricky — you can’t exactly hang a room of bath bubbles in your foyer. So Superblue is treating its artists like musicians, giving them a cut of the $39.95 ticket price.
“There’s a whole commercial engine needed to support (the artists),” Rodriguez says. “If they’re not making money, they’ll retreat back into their studios. Museum shows don’t pay a residual, so the ground breaking model is creating experiences that give revenue back to the artists.”
What to expect at Superblue Miami
Photo: Andrea Mora
The artist-as-revenue-collector model was appealing enough to draw an impressive crop of artists to Every Wall is a Door, Superblue’s opening exhibition. Most notable among them is James Turell, whose Ganzfeld work is the museum’s biggest name. It’s a stark white room where audiences stand for a few minutes and watch lights change color around them. The idea is to create a meditative space among optical illusions, though whispers of “I don’t get it” can be heard in nearly every group.
Every Wall is a Door has three other experiences for guests, all of which have become mainstays on South Florida Instagram feeds. Es Devlin’s Forest of Us is a two-story mirror maze, tailor-made for provocative pictures and confusing journeys. Its grand staircases and narrow hallways aren’t unlike a cruise ship’s main atrium, with a lot more purpose behind the design.
Photo: teamLab, courtesy Pace Gallery
The two exhibits mentioned above come after visitors experience teamLab’s series of immersive installations. One is designed to place visitors inside the changing seasons. With flower petals giving way to empty branches, which succumb to winter frost before the greens of spring seep in. As people walk through rooms, touching walls and stepping on floors, they affect how and when the weather shifts and the plants bloom. The parallel to human impact on climate isn’t subtle.
For an extra charge, visitors can don goggles and ponchos then stroll through a room of thick clouds titled Massless Clouds Between Sculpture and Life. The disorienting haze of the white bubbles makes for a sometimes-confusing journey. But also makes for some trippy, mad-scientist photo-ops.
Photo: teamLab, courtesy Pace Gallery
Because the way the installations present themselves is never the same twice, visitors can return multiple times and have totally different experiences. And whether you understand any of the art or not, it’s undeniably fun.
Superblue…coming to a city near you?Beyond the first hand experience, Gonzalez explained Superblue also wanted to create a way for everyone to become a patron of the arts, not just those who could plunk down 120K for a duct-taped banana.
“We want people who feel left out by the art world to have a way to feel included,” she says. “It’s not the only way to experience art, but it’s going to become more common.”
Superblue is opening in its second location this fall (September 29) as part of a collaboration with The Shed and Studio Drift in New York. Gonzalez says the NYC iteration won’t look anything like Miami’s — this one will be much more performing arts focused. They’re also planning a show in partnership with the Basquait family in the spring, though she wouldn’t divulge much more in the way of details.
The goal, however, is to make Superblue as common as traditional art museums. Miami is simply the beginning.
“We want to bring this accessible model of art to people all over the world,” Rodriguez says. “We want to open the gates of art to everyone. We want them to believe in the power of art, and that it shouldn’t just be accessible to a small percentage of people.”
Where: Superblue Miami, 1101 NW 23 Street, Miami, FL 33127, US
Hours of operation: Sunday to Wednesday from 10 AM to 7 PM; Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM.
The post This Miami museum is radically changing how people interact with art appeared first on Matador Network.
SpaceX launch is first to send civilian crew to orbit Earth
Space tourism is becoming more and more actualized in 2021. With billionaires like Richard Branson showing off his trip on the Virgin Galactic in July, shortly followed by Jeff Bezos’ flight in the Blue Origin’s capsule, has made 2021 historic. This week, another group of civilians made their way into space, as Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched its first mission — Inspiration4.
The SpaceX flight has broken another barrier for space tourists, sending four civilians further than any human has flown from Earth since NASA’s Apollo moon program ended in 1972. The group will orbit Earth in the Dragon capsule (dubbed Resilience) at an altitude of 357 miles (575km) for three days, traveling higher than the International Space Station and 22 times the speed of sound, according to Reuters.
Pics from liftoff of the @Inspiration4x mission pic.twitter.com/Vt8EACSLZK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 16, 2021
Jared Isaacman, 38, titled as “commander” for this flight and is now the third billionaire to make it to space. Isaacman is joined by Hayley Arceneaux, 29, “chief medical officer,” is a childhood cancer survivor who is now a physician assistant at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for which Isaacman has pledged $100 million and is now seeking to match the money in donations through the Inspiration4. She is now the youngest person ever to orbit Earth.
“Specialist” Chris Sembroski, 42, and retired astronaut candidate and “pilot” Sian Proctor, 51, were the winners of the SpaceX sweepstakes that promised to send two lucky winners to space in February of this year. But the truth is these titles don’t mean much since the Inspiration4 crew onboard is playing no part in flying the aircraft. The capsule is being operated on Earth with a grounds crew. Tickets for the entire crew were paid for by Issacman, which were estimated to be $55 million a head, according to Insider.
More pics from the @Inspiration4x crew walkout pic.twitter.com/OpRY6dj7oh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 15, 2021
For five months, the crew prepared, working on altitude fitness, centrifuge (G-force), microgravity and simulator training, emergency drills, classroom work, and medical exams. The crew will help conduct zero-gravity medical experiments, including taking blood samples, conducting ultrasound scans, and sampling their personal biomes. NASA, which was first hesitant about Space tourism, is now in full support.
“To me, the more people involved in it, whether private or government, the better,” said the Nasa astronaut Shane Kimbrough, who is currently staying at the International Space Station.
The post SpaceX launch is first to send civilian crew to orbit Earth appeared first on Matador Network.
Yellowstone National Park breaks visitor record in July and August
US national parks have always been very popular destinations, but since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, their visitation numbers have exploded. And it’s very obvious in Yellowstone National Park, where more than 920,000 tourist came this August, setting a new record.
National parks have been go-to destination for US travelers as many health experts have explained that outdoor activities presented little risk of infection.
Last month, Yellowstone set a new record with 921,844 recreation visits, making August 2021 the most visited August ever, the park says in a press release.
The previous busiest August was in 2017, the year of the solar eclipse. That month, the national park received 916,166 visitors.
In July, Yellowstone reached broke another record: The park exceed one million visitors in a single month for first time in its history.
June, July, and August are usually the park’s busiest months, but due to the increase in visitors, the parks have been more even more crowded.
Yellowstone National Park warns visitors to expect heavy traffic, crowded areas, and booked-up lodgings, and to plan ahead.
The park also urges visitors to follow park guidelines, no matter the crowds, and to not stray away from designated trails or boardwalks. In August, a Connecticut woman was sentenced to seven days in jail for walking on thermal grounds at Yellowstone National Park.
In 2020, Yellowstone National Park was the second-most visited national park, behind Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For a crow-free national park experience, check out the 10 least-visited national parks in the US, and why you should go.
The post Yellowstone National Park breaks visitor record in July and August appeared first on Matador Network.
Best book stores in the US
WHO DOES NOT LIKE walking the aisles of bookstores? I could spend hours in them, just browsing and enjoying the quiet atmosphere, and if the bookstore has a coffee shop, I’m likely to spend half the day getting buzzed on espressos and reading my new purchases or writing in my journal. Many a time while in a foreign city, I’d escape the street noise or the biting cold to seek refuge in a local bookstore. Once in Prague, I ducked into a bookshop that catered to expats and found myself in the middle of a heated trivia night competition at the attached bar/café. I was traveling alone but instantly felt at home in the joyous atmosphere.
If you’re like me and you think bookstores are local attractions always worth visiting, check out the 28 coolest independent bookstores in the US and start planning a literary road trip.
1. Strand Book Store, NYC, NY
Photo: Strand Book Store/Facebook
A New York City institution, The Strand has 18 miles of new, used, and rare books, as well as a large collection of tote bags, pins, mugs, and other fun gifts. You’ll find books categorized not just by genre but by theme or mood. And you’ll find an eclectic mix of NYU students, locals, and tourists browsing the stacks. The Strand now has multiple locations: the landmark store in the East Village, a second store in the Upper West Side, and a retail space in LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B.
Address: 828 Broadway St, New York, NY 10003
Hours: Daily 10 AM-8 PM
Address:450 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-7 PM, Fri-Satur 10 AM-8 PM, Sun 9 AM-6 PM
Address: LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B, Queens, NY 11371
Hours: Daily 3:30 AM-7 PM
Photo: ARTYOORAN/Shutterstock
Powell’s flagship location takes up an entire city block and claims to house over one million books. It’s easy to get lost amidst the stacks and stacks of books so just grab a seat and stay for a while. A true Portland staple with multiple storefronts to thumb through, Powell’s also hosts author events, as well as writing workshops and book clubs.
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Hours: Daily 10 AM-9 PM
Address: 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-9 PM, Sun 11 AM-7 PM
Address: 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Hours: Daily 10 AM-9 PM
Photo: City
Lights Booksellers & Publishers/Facebook
Known as a literary landmark for the counterculture, City Lights got its start in the 1950s during the anti-establishment Beatnik movement in San Francisco. Anti-authoritarianism is still a general theme in many of the books being sold and/or published here. And even though the bookstore is world-famous, City Lights still maintains an intimate and casual vibe.
Address: 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Hours: Daily noon-8 PM
Photo: Women & Children First Bookstore/Facebook
Women and Children First is one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country with over 30,000 titles by and about women. The bookstore holds events featuring women writers, discussions on feminist issues, and children’s book activities. Other events include book groups and children’s storytime.
Address: 5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Hours: Tues-Sat 11 AM-7 PM, Sun 11 AM-6 PM
Photo: Book Soup/Facebook
Located on the Sunset Strip, Book Soup hosts high-profile author readings and stocks limited edition books, vinyl record reissues, and autographed books.
Address: 8818 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Photo: Books & Books/Facebook
A place that’s helped to create a literary movement in Miami, Books & Books has a vast collection of books on art, architecture, and photography. The original location sits in a historic building where you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the cafe or attend one of the community events. Several other locations have also opened up in Florida.
Address: 265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 AM-8 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-9 PM, Sun 11 AM-7 PM
Address: 9700 Collins Av, Bal Harbour, FL 33154
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 AM-7 PM, Sun noon-6 PM
Address: 11297 South Dixie Hwy, Pinecrest, FL 33156
Hours: Daily 11 AM-6 PM
Address: 3409 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-7 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-9 PM, Sun 10 AM-7 PM
Address: Miami International Airport, Gate D25, Miami, FL 33126
Hours: Daily 5:30 AM-11 PM
Address: 533 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040
Hours: Daily 10 AM-6 PM
Photo: John King Used & Rare Books/Facebook
Michigan’s largest used and rare bookstore, John K. King Used & Rare Books has over a million books in stock — this is the place to find that unique book that you can’t get anywhere else.
Address: 901 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
Photo: Literati Bookstore/Facebook
With the belief that “People still enjoy reading real books where real people work in a real bookstore,” Literati provides an atmosphere for die-hard literary types. Opened by two Brooklynites who wanted to create a gathering place in downtown Ann Arbor for the literary community, the space hosts author readings, book clubs, and poetry nights.
Address: 124 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 AM-8 PM, Sun noon-5 PM
Photo: Left Bank Books/Facebook
The largest and oldest independent bookstore in St. Louis, Left Bank Books carries a diverse selection that represents communities historically underrepresented. Community involvement is a main goal for the bookstore and they’ve even created a foundation that brings author events and books to schoolchildren and disadvantaged populations.
Address: 399 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 AM-6 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-8 PM, Sun 11 AM-6 PM
Photo: Prairie Lights Bookstores/Facebook
Prairie Lights started off as a small bookstore in 1978 featuring only a few new authors who are now legendary, such as Raymond Carver and Alice Munro. In the decade that followed, it has grown to three and a half floors, including a cafe.
Address: 15 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-6 PM
Photo: Elliott Bay Book Company/Facebook
Located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, The Elliot Bay Book Company houses over 150,000 titles and is Seattle’s first bookstore cafe. It hosts author events and special appearances by influential figures such as presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Address: 1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Hours: Sun-Thurs 10 AM-8 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM-9 PM
A long-time Arizona indie bookstore, Antigone’s Books is a well-stocked and welcoming store for women and men alike. They host readings and writing workshops. Their commitment to the best in women’s, gender-based, and socially conscious literature has made them a star in the Tucson community. They hold book groups and will special order books.
Address: 411 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Hours: Tues-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 11 AM-4 PM
Photo: Green Apple Books and Music/Facebook
A neighborhood institution, Green Apple Books houses new and used titles, as well as music. You could easily spend hours browsing the eclectic selection of hard-to-find titles and vinyl. Green Apple Books also buys used books at its original location on Clement St.
Address: 506-520 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Hours: Daily 10 AM-9 PM
Address: 1231 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Hours: Daily 10 AM-9 PM
Book Culture started as an academic bookstore to help serve the Columbia University population in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights. It then expanded to three locations and has become a community gathering place. You can find interesting gifts such as tote bags, backpacks, tea kettles, scarves, and mugs here. It also houses a large children’s section with books, games, and toys.
Address: 536 W 12th St, New York, NY 10025
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM-9 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM-8 PM
Address: 2915 Broadway St, New York, NY 10025
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM-9 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM-8 PM
Address: 26-09 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Hours: Daily 10 AM-8 PM
Address: 28 S Main St, Pittsford, NY 14534
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-8 PM, Sun 10 AM-6 PM
Photo:
McNally Jackson Books/Facebook
With the flagship location situated in Manhattan’s SoHo district, known more for its trendy boutiques, bars, and restaurants, McNally Jackson beckons New Yorkers and visitors alike to browse the many stacks. A small cafe sits off to the side on the main floor with windows perfect for daydreaming and people watching.
Address: 52 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Daily 10 AM-8 PM
Address: 4 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
Hours: Daily 11:30 AM-7 PM
Address: 445 Albee Square, New York, NY 11201
Hours: Daily 10 AM-8 PM
Address: 76 N 4th St, New York, NY 11249
Hours: Daily 11:30 AM-7 PM
Photo:
Skylight Books/Facebook
Skylight Books serves an eclectic clientele that includes artists, musicians, writers, and scholars who come from hip Silver Lake and Echo Park or edgy Hollywood and downtown. The bookstore hosts regular author readings, and the staff is happy to recommend their favorite reads.
Address: 1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours: Daily 10 AM-10 PM
With the tagline “A sanctuary for fine literature,” it’s easy to tell that this is a serious bookstore. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Faulkner House Books houses rare editions and, of course, books by and about William Faulkner.
Address: 624 Pirates Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116
Hours: Daily 10 AM-5 PM
Photo: Off the Beaten Path Bookstore/Facebook
Off The Beaten Path carries a wide variety of books including a large children’s section in its kids’ book nook. A meeting place for “good books, good coffee and good friends,” the on-site cafe is the perfect place to grab a cuppa, pint, or glass of wine.
Address: 68 9th St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Hours: Daily 8 AM-6 PM
A neighborhood gathering place where you’ll find a large selection of used books, a well-stocked cafe, author readings and popular live storytelling events. Profits help to assist Housing Works, an organization that fights for the funding and legislation advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS. Located in the middle of SoHo, the space can be rented for special events like weddings.
Address: 126 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Mon-Fri noon-7 PM, Sat noon-3 PM, Sun noon-5 PM
Photo: Parnassus Books/Facebook
Co-owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books was opened in 2011. Despite the wave of bookstores closing their doors because of the emergence of online book shopping and digital books, the author believes in the importance bookstores have as a positive space for the community to gather.
Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #14, Nashville, TN 37215
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun noon-6 PM
Photo : Cassidy DuHon Photography via Politics and Prose Bookstore/Facebook
Politics & Prose is not just a bookstore but a gathering place for the community. There is a cafe and wine bar, and the bookstore hosts author events and open mic night. They also offer publishing packages for writers who wish to self-publish.
Address: 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM-8 PM, Sun 10 AM-8 PM
This old-timer has been around for decades under committed and savvy owners. Changing Hands sells new books, used books, journals, toys, candles … everything to make your reading spot cozy. It also hosts readings, writing workshops, and community events that are beloved by the community.
Address: 6428 South McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Address: 300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Next Chapter Booksellers, formerly Common Good Books, was originally housed below a coffee shop before it grew and moved into a larger, sunnier space where it hosts author readings and offers a large collection of books.
Address: 38 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55105
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 AM-5 PM
Photo : Title Wave Books/Facebook
Title Wave Books is the largest bookstore in Alaska. It carries nearly half a million used and bargain books including an impressive selection of books about Alaska. The bookstore hosts regular events such as Scrabble night and children’s storytime and donates books to children’s organizations, local arts organizations, and groups that promote literacy.
Address: 1360 W Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Voted the Best of Boston in 2016, Trident is located in the Back Bay area of the city, serving a mix of clientele including students, tourists, and locals. It has a wide selection of books to choose from and a cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Events at Trident include author readings, book swaps, and even a calligraphy class.
Address: 338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
Hours: Daily 8 AM-9 PM
Photo : Greenlight Bookstore/Facebook
Not just an independent bookstore but a community gathering place in Brooklyn, Greenlight hosts the Unbound Literary Series in partnership with Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and other unique events such as the Drag Queen Story Hour. It also launched a First Editions Club that offers members the chance to get autographed first edition hardcover books.
Address: 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Address: 632 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Hours: Daily 10 AM-7 PM
Located in downtown Portland, Longfellow sells new and used books in an inviting atmosphere. Drop by for an author event or to just browse staff picks. Animal lovers will be happy to know that the bookstore hosts cats for adoption through the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.
Address: 1 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM-7 PM, Sat 9 AM-6 PM, Sun 9:30 AM-5 PM
This tiny little anarchist bookstore in South Philadelphia is a must for anyone who leans to the left on the political spectrum. It has books on history, philosophy, economics, human rights, vegetarianism, pacifism, and pretty much everything else a lefty could want to read. There’s comics, music, children’s books, and even t-shirts. Wooden Shoe Books is run by a collective made up entirely of volunteers. Befitting its anarchism, it has no leaders, and decisions are made by consensus. Wooden Shoe also hosts events (Occupy Philadelphia kicked off here) and lectures. It’s an inspiring and electrifying place, and it’s absolutely worth dropping by if you find yourself in Philly.
Address: 704 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Hours: Daily noon-10 PM
A version of this article was previously published on September 25, 2017, and was updated on September 16, 2021, with more information.
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This European city was just voted the most beautiful city in the world
Everyone has their own opinion of where they believe the most beautiful city in the world. With Instagram at our fingertips, it can be hard to choose with billions of pictures uploaded of many different places.
And it can be daunting to choose from with many beautiful places all around the world, but according to Time Out, the city of Prague was voted the most beautiful city in the world.
The capital and the largest city in the Czech Republic was voted the most beautiful city in the world. Time Out asked 27,000 city dwellers worldwide what they believe their cities top qualities were, and Prague came out on top with 83 percent of voters praising the city.
Prague being voted the most beautiful city in the world is nothing new to this infamous city as it was ranked number seven on the 37 best cities in the world and is a popular destination for architecture lovers and history buffs. The city’s beautiful architectural landmarks like the Dancing House, Powder Tower, St Nicholas Church, and other monuments like the Charles Bridge and Astronomical Clock led the charge in Prague being named the most beautiful city in the world.
Prague also ranked second in Time Out’s index for relaxation. To see more on how and why this city ranked against more cities, check out Time Out’s website.
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Afghan women protest Taliban’s dress code by sharing photos of traditional outfits
Afghan women are on a mission to show the world that their country’s culture shouldn’t be equated with the Taliban’s oppressive interpretation of Sharia law.
The Taliban recently mandated Afghan women wear hijabs in school, including students, lecturers, and employees, CNN reports. In response, Afghan women from around the world shared photos of themselves wearing traditional outfits on social media using the hashtag #DoNotTouchMyClothes.
While many associate the burqa, a robe that covers women from head to toe, as the traditional outfit worn by Afghan women, it is far from the truth. Dr. Bahar Jalali, Historian, founder of the First Gender Studies Program in Afghanistan and the woman behind the #DoNotTouchMYCLothes movement, tweeted, “No woman has ever dressed like this in the history of Afghanistan. This is utterly foreign and alien to Afghan culture. I posted my pic in the traditional Afghan dress to inform, educate, and dispel the misinformation that is being propagated by Taliban.”
This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress. #AfghanistanCulture pic.twitter.com/DrRzgyXPvm
— Dr. Bahar Jalali (@RoxanaBahar1) September 12, 2021
Inspired by Dr. Bahar Jalali, many other Afghan women shared their own photographs to protest. The results is a collection of ornate, colorful, and beautiful traditional dresses that celebrate and educate the world about real Afghan culture.
“Proudly wearing in our traditional, colourful, vibrant Afghan clothes,” Dr. Fatima Kakkar, an Afghan pediatrician in Canada, tweeted.
Proudly wearing in our traditional, colourful, vibrant Afghan clothes #DoNotTouchMyClothes #AfghanWoman #AfghanistanCulture #AfganistanWomen pic.twitter.com/WfC0McjKFH
— Fatima Kakkar, MD,MPH (@DrFatimaKakkar) September 13, 2021
Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, Head of the Afghan Service at DW News, shared a photo of herself with the caption, “Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress.”
Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress. @RoxanaBahar1 pic.twitter.com/fUZSqy4rRK
— Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) September 12, 2021
Peymana Assad, The first UK elected official of Afghan origin, posted her own photo with the message “Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing.”
This is Afghan culture. My traditional dress #AfghanWomen
Thank you to Dr @RoxanaBahar1 for the inspiration.
Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing. pic.twitter.com/i9wFASfWR6
— Peymana Assad 🏔 (@Peymasad) September 12, 2021
Since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021, the fate of Afghan women has been a terrible concern. CNN reports that the last time the Taliban was in power between 1996 and 2001, women were banned from attending school and working, and were subject to violence and severe oppression.
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Curious about edible cacti? Here’s how to eat this Southwest staple
Have you ever wondered how to eat a cactus? The most obvious answer is very carefully, since most cacti are shrouded in sharp spines. Yet spines aside, you can enjoy certain edible cacti just about every which way imaginable – raw, grilled, fried, or stewed, as well as juiced, jellied and in cocktails.
Cacti show up on restaurant menus across the Southwest, and they can be shipped right to your door. Here’s what you need to know before trying this regional delicacy.
First things first: What are edible cacti and are all cacti edible?For the sake of clarity, the singular form is cactus, while two or more are called cacti. Cacti are succulent plants found around the world, but most notably in arid or semi-arid climates. They can be small, medium, sized, and some can even grow as tall as trees.
Culinary cacti aren’t the latest new food craze. Indigenous peoples living in arid regions have relied on cacti and other desert plants as medicine and food staples for thousands of years. The Tohono O’odham people, and before them the Hohokam, settled in the Sonoran Desert area now known as northern Mexico and the state of Arizona. The saguaro cactus in particular represented a sacred plant used for food and in important seasonal ceremonies.
Not all cacti are safe to eat, and some are harmful to humans. There are five main varieties of cacti that are sought after as culinary delights, either for the fruit, the plant itself, or both: dragon fruit, prickly pear, barrel, cholla, and saguaro. However, some cacti should be avoided because they contain alkaloids strong enough to cause severe vomiting, hallucinations, and other gastrointestinal distress. These include the Bolivian, peyote, and San Pedro cacti.
How to eat cactus pear and other parts of the plantIf you’re new to eating cacti, it’s probably best to stick to the fruit and vegetable section of your favorite specialty market. Here, you’ll often find a seasonal selection of cacti fruit and flesh, usually with the sharp spines already removed.
If you’re in a desert area where cacti commonly grow, consider signing up for a desert dining walk led by an experienced naturalist. If you’re out foraging on your own, stop. Some cacti, including the saguaro, are protected by federal or state laws that prohibits the general public from harvesting. Other cacti, like the prickly pear, might require a harvest permit if you’re on state or federal land.
Bring a field guide if you’re determined to do the harvesting on your own. In general, wild food foragers suggest you stay clear of any plant that excretes a milky or waxy sap. Even if it’s not toxic, the sap may irritate your skin. It’s also important to always harvest sustainably and only taking a few fruits from any one plant.
With the basics in your back pocket, here’s what you need to know about enjoying the five most common types of edible cacti.
The most common types of edible cactiPerhaps you’ve got the chutzpah to harvest fruit from a cholla cactus, or maybe you’re tall enough to snag saguaro fruit without a ladder. Even if you just shop your local specialty market for dragon fruit or order nopales tacos and a prickly pear margarita at a Southwest restaurant, consider giving cacti a try.
1. Dragon fruit
Photo: SOMCHAI DISSALUNG/Shutterstock
Dragon fruit can be considered your starter cactus because it’s both easy to find in stores and easy to handle. It’s commercially grown in tropical and subtropical areas across the globe, including Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The dragon fruit gets its name from its leathery skin and scaley-looking spikes. In Mexico and Central America, it’s also called pitaya or pitahaya, and in Asia it’s often referred to as strawberry pear. The red variety of dragon fruit is free of spikes or thorns, while the the yellow variety has thorns on the skin (though the yellow variety you get from the store is usually dethorned).
To eat dragon fruit, simply cut the fruit in half and scoop the flesh out with a spoon. When you cut into it, you’ll notice the flesh resembles kiwi with small and crunchy edible seeds distributed throughout. Depending on the type of dragon fruit you select, the taste can range from sweet to sour, and it’s often quite mild.
Dragon fruit is great in smoothies and looks appealing on a fruit tray or added to a tropical fruit salad. Whichever way you enjoy it, you’ll get the added benefit of antioxidant vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and magnesium in every serving.
2. Prickly pear cactus
Photo: Roberto Lo Savio/Shutterstock
The prickly pear is another variety commonly found in specialty markets. The fruit is called a tuna or fig, and the pads called nopales. Both the pads and ripe fruit can be consumed raw or cooked in a variety of ways. You can also check the canned goods aisle for cooked and ready-to-eat nopales.
Prickly pear pads are usually available year-round. They have a slightly tangy vegetal taste and are a bit slimy, like okra. Serve fresh pads raw in a chopped salad or add them to stew or soup. They’re tasted baked or charcoal grilled, as well. In Mexican cuisine, nopales are commonly cooked with scrambled eggs, served in tacos, or baked with cheese.
The ripe tunas are about the size of a large plum and range in color from golden orange to dark red. At peak ripeness, the fruit is a delightful flavor bomb of sweetness that tastes partly like watermelon and partly like strawberry. The fruit is also loaded with goodness in the form of beneficial vitamins and minerals. If you’re in the Tucson area, prickly pear margaritas are a seasonal specialty at the Tohono Chul Bistro in the awe-inspiring Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens.
3. Barrel cactus
Photo: vagabond54/Shutterstock
The cactus barrel is prized for its fruit, which resembles tiny pineapples. The fruit has a tangy, lemony flavor. While the body of the barrel cactus is covered in long, fishhook-like curved spines that you’ll want to avoid, the fruit itself is spine-free. The fruit is typically from November to March, and it’s typically a type of cactus that’s foraged versus served in a restaurant or sold in the store. Harvesting the fruit is easy: Just grasp the fruit and give it a twist. Cut the dried flower bud off and slice the fruit in half and you’ll find a center full of tiny black seeds. The raw seeds are edible but bland, though when they’re lightly toasted they have a lovely nutty taste. Use them in bread dough and muffin mix, blend into smoothies, or serve as garnish on salads. The fruit itself can also be dried and added to soups and stews.
The fruit is also okay to eat raw, although it might be too tart for some palates. Carolyn Neithammer’s book Cooking the Wild Southwest: Delicious Recipes for Desert Plants features recipes for dishes like barrel cactus and pineapple cake, barrel cactus and lemon marmalade, and crispy barrel cactus seed chips.
4. Cholla cactus
Photo: Ingrid Curry/Shutterstock
The cholla (pronounced choy-ah) is found all over the American Southwest. You can eat its fruit buds, which are harvested from March to early May. But be warned: the cholla will try to attack you first. The cholla is one crazy cactus. It has a woody central stalk from which thin arms covered with long, thin, sharp spines grow in every direction. One variety is nicknamed the “jumping cholla” because of how easily small parts of the plant detach and stick into the skin or clothing with just the slightest touch. This is one reason why you won’t find cholla on many restaurant menus.
For those intent on eating cholla, opt for buckhorn, staghorn, or pencil cholla. Next, don a suit of armor, a welder’s helmet, thick leather gloves and arm yourself with a long pair of tongs (or at least wear thick pants and a hardy long sleeve shirt). Grasp the bud with tongs and give it a twist. If you survive the harvest, you can use a small chef’s blow torch to easily dispatch the fruit’s spines, then follow a standard simple syrup recipe to boil the fruit down. Cool, strain, and use the cactus bud syrup in cocktails or pour it over pancakes or anything that can use a little sweetener.
If you need to eat cholla cactus buds to survive in the wild, you can eat them raw. Good luck.
5. Saguaro cactus
Photo: Aris Bell/Shutterstock
The fruit of the stately saguaro is similar to prickly pear fruit and is harvested from mid-May through July. In Arizona, the saguaro is protected by The Native Plant Protection Act, which was enacted to protect rare and culturally significant plant species. It’s unlawful to harvest any part of the cactus without a permit, although Saguaro National Park allows visitors to harvest a few pieces of fruit for immediate consumption (keep in mind that removing fruit from the park is prohibited, as is taking any other parts of the saguaro home with you).
Harvest is tricky because the fruit is often resting atop the saguaro like a flowery crown 20 or more feet from the ground. The Tohono O’odham used the ribs (skeleton) of dead saguaros to fashion a long, cross-shaped pole called a kuipad to harvest the fruit. The Tohono O’odham celebrate their new year at the start of the summer monsoon season with a saguaro fruit harvest called Ha:san Bak.
Fresh saguaro fruit is pulpy and loaded with tiny seeds. It’s very sweet and full of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. To eat it raw, slice in half and scoop out the pulp. You can also boil it down into a syrup, strain the seeds and use it for jams and jellies.
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Move over AmEx: Capital One and Chase are entering the airport lounge game
For many years now, American Express has dominated the airport lounge game. The Centurion Lounges are heralded as some of the best lounges around, with custom cocktails, chef-inspired cuisine and comfortable spaces for relaxing before your flight. Until now, no other credit card offered a dedicated lounge outside of Priority Pass or lounge collections through third parties. Chase and Capital One are finally joining the party, albeit a bit late. Here’s what we know about Capital One airport lounges and the Chase Sapphire lounge.
Chase airport loungesChase is launching the “Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club” collection managed by an operator of a number of airport lounges that you may be familiar with through Priority Pass: The Club. In general, The Club lounges are not the most remarkable out there, so it will be very interesting to see if Chase plans to compete with AmEx’s Centurion lounges.
The Chase Sapphire lounge locationsAs of today, there are three planned openings. Two are US-based and the other is international. You’ll soon find these new lounges in:
Boston Logan Airport (BOS) between Terminal B and Terminal CNew York Laguardia (LGA) Airport in Terminal BHong Kong (HKG) in Terminal 1At this time, there are limited details available as to what the lounge plans are and when they open, but we can expect to see them in late 2022 or 2023.
How to access the Chase Sapphire loungesHere’s where it gets interesting. From what we’ve read, access to the lounge will be through Priority Pass, meaning, anyone with a Priority Pass can access the lounge…including AmEx Priority Pass holders. That means, particularly for the US market, there will likely be some pretty big capacity issues. That also means that these new Chase lounges likely won’t be as premium or luxurious as AmEx’s owned and operated Centurion Lounges.
Capital One airport loungesIf you weren’t particularly aroused by the sound of the Chase’s managed by The Club airport lounges, you may be more excited to hear about the Capital One lounges that were announced this year. Capital One’s lounge announcement came with the promise of premium dining quality, a host of amenities and even Peloton bikes!
Unlike the Chase airport lounges, there is talk of unique features and amenities, like cold brew stations, local cuisine, craft cocktails and relaxation and yoga rooms.
The Capital One airport lounge locationsCapital One’s first airport lounge opening will be in Dallas at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW) in Terminal D. This lounge is set to open at the end of 2021 and will be just steps from the AmEx Centurion Lounge, putting it in direct competition with them. Boasting 10,000 square feet, this lounge is determined to take on a share of the premium travelers market.
Two additional US-based Capital One lounges are set to open in 2022 in Denver (DIA) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
How to access the Capital One loungesWhile there is no real information on access and cost yet, there are rumors of an entrance fee depending on your credit card. Most of the Capital One credit cards come with a pretty low annual fee when compared to the now $695 annual fee on the AmEx so there is no surprise that access will come at a cost. They are, however, guaranteeing lower entry fees for particular cardholders. My bet? They may just be launching a new premium card of their own in the future to compete with the likes of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum.
The bottom lineThe bottom line is that AmEx is no longer the only fish in the pond. Despite Chase’s somewhat disappointing sounding lounge network, there are now two additional competitors in the space competing for credit card business, particularly with the Capital One lounges. This may just push AmEx to increase their own locations to stay on top. Stay tuned for more details on opening dates and new locations.
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