Matador Network's Blog, page 678
March 30, 2021
How to explore New Haven’s surprisingly epic outdoor scene
New Haven, Connecticut, may be best known as the home of Yale University — even if locals point out it’s the birthplace of the hamburger (first served in 1895). And while the university is packed with cultural offerings like museums and architectural gems, and the city offers up plenty of cafes and dining options, New Haven isn’t necessarily thought of as an outdoors destination.
In fact, the city is located right on the Long Island Sound in a state that’s packed with woodlands. The West River, Mill River, and Quinnipiac River meander their way through Connecticut’s forests of beech, maple, hickory, and oak before converging on New Haven and emptying into the New Haven Harbor. With so much greenery and water, as well as small but prominent rock mountains, New Haven has plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors — and we suggest you give them a try.
Hike next to a cliff
Photo: yosef g/Shutterstock
The closest hiking in New Haven is pretty impressive. West Rock Ridge State Park, just a five-minute drive or 45-minute walk from the center of town, has a peak of only 318 feet, but it’s high enough to offer up some lovely views. The Regicides Trail is its most famous path — so named because it’s here that two people involved in the assassination of England’s King Charles II hid out in the 1660s, in the Judges Cave. It’s a moderately challenging seven-mile loop that has you skimming West Rock’s imposing cliff of basalt rock and taking in views of the forest and Lake Wintergreen. There are also plenty of other simpler hikes, like a 1.5-mile loop of Lake Wintergreen, or a 6-mile out and back to the Konolds Pond Overlook.
West Rock Ridge park also has mountain biking trails — as does East Rock and parks just a few minutes further afield. Trails with inventive names like the Red Trail and White Trail tend to be in the intermediate range, with very few particularly demanding single-track options here. Still, the lake and forest views are worth it, and pretty much all the trails are open to bikes except the Regicides Trail. In winter, bring your fat bike here.
Catch the sunrise from East Rock
Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
If getting up in the dark can actually be called “popular,” then a popular thing to do for college kids in this town — maybe only once, for some — is to celebrate a birthday or other occasion with a pre-sunrise hike at East Rock. At 366 feet, East Rock is the taller of the city’s two peaks and gives you a bird’s-eye view. If you do make it to the top in the dark, you can look out as the Long Island Sound and the city come into focus with the pre-dawn light and then become tinted with the blazing orange hues of sunrise. Just note that, technically, the park is closed from sunset to sunrise. Also, signage around here is poor, so go with someone who’s familiar with the area.
Sail to the Thimble Islands
Photo: Metro1/Shutterstock
You’d think that being so close to New York, the Long Island Sound wouldn’t be packed with so many unexpected treasures. But you’d be thinking incorrectly. The teeny tiny Thimble Islands are among such gems. The little pieces of granite, some wooded, are not thus called for their small size, but named after a raspberry-like fruit called a thimbleberry. There’s plenty more to explore on the Sound, and the easiest way to do so is to let someone who knows the area — and has a boat! — do the work for you. Sail-Works offers several options, the easiest of which is a 2.5-hour sail that costs $500 for up to four people on weekdays, and $600 on weekends, with each additional person costing $100. Located 15 minutes from downtown in Branford, Sail-Works will take you to explore the nearby Thimble Islands, or on longer half- or full-day trips to the Hamptons.
Rock climb at Sleeping Giant State Park
Photo: Chuck Hayden/Shutterstock
A 15-minute drive from downtown New Haven takes you to Sleeping Giant State Park, the best place to rock climb in the area. The park’s name refers to Mount Carmel, which looks like a napping giant when viewed from north or south. Like West Rock and East Rock, Mount Carmel is a traprock mountain, with exposed basalt walls that are full of cracks and grooves that are great for climbing. In the first half of the 20th century, Mount Carmel was a well-known climbing destination — until an accident killed a climber from the Princeton Mountaineering Club in 1953.
Sleeping Giant closed to climbing for the next 62 years, only reopening in 2015 — so just beware the climbing hardware that’s in place there, as some of the pitons and holds may date back over seven decades. Some of the routes are named for the parts of the giant the mountain resembles — “The Chin” being a popular route. Sleeping Giant looks right over Quinnipiac University, so it’s pretty much their home hiking and climbing mountain. If you see a Quinnipiac student on the trail, ask them for their recs on good climbing routes.
If Connecticut’s cold winter weather or spring rains make outdoor climbing impossible, you can get into climbing shape at City Climb Gym. Adults are only $16 per day and for another $8 you can rent the full package of equipment, including climbing shoes, harness, belay device, and so on. You could also register for a one-hour climbing class for $30.
Bike the Canal Trail
Photo: Mikro Depot/Facebook
When completed, the Farmington Canal Greenway will stretch over 80 miles from New Haven northward into Massachusetts. Right now you can go over 25 miles from downtown New Haven. The paved path was created where once railway lines lay, so it will take you past towns, over historic bridges, and through thick forests. The best part may well be the abundance of places to stop for lunch or a cold microbrew along the way. Or you could bike to the Mikro Depot in Hamden, fuel up on lunch and a pint of Doppelbock from the nearby Counterweight Brewing Co., and then make your way back to New Haven.
Swim at Lighthouse Point Park
Photo: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
At the south end of the city is Lighthouse Point Park, an 82-acre escape that lies at the southeastern edge of the New Haven Harbor, pointing westward into it. The park is named after the 1847 New Haven Harbor Lighthouse, which is also called the Five Mile Point Light, since it’s five miles from the New Haven Green, a park in the center of town right next to Yale’s Old Campus. While the waters of the Long Island Sound can be quite warm in summer, if it’s not the time of year for a dip in its salty waters, then go for a shoreside walk. After your walk, head on over to the Lobster Shack for a rich and tasty lobster roll.
Ski at Mount Southington
Photo: Mount Southington Ski Area/Facebook
Astonishingly, the closest ski area to New Haven is Mount Southington, just over 20 miles from downtown. Don’t expect Stowe-style slopes here. The pistes at Southington are pretty flat, but the independent ski area does have a terrain park and night skiing for $35, as well as $40 weekday tickets. Even adult full-day on weekends are $62. So if it’s been snowing hard and you just want to get some turns in on one of its 14 trails, or slide the rails in the terrain park, Southington is close by and inexpensive. 
The post How to explore New Haven’s surprisingly epic outdoor scene appeared first on Matador Network.
Funny Google Street View captures
The ultimate expression of boredom might be sitting at your computer browning Google Street View. That doesn’t mean it’s a fruitless endeavor, however. We can’t travel as freely as we used to these days, but we can still explore some of the world’s most absurd sights from the comfort of our living rooms. Jon Rafman did just that. Jon dedicated an impressive amount of time to browsing Google Street View and finding all kinds of bizarre things the Google Street View car probably didn’t mean to photograph. From a herd of sheep causing a traffic jam to a dolphin leaping majestically out of the water and a dangerously low-flying plane, these are some of his funniest finds
Photo: Jon Rafman
Bears might be woodland creatures, but when it’s salmon season, there’s no stopping them hanging out in the water.
Photo: Jon Rafman
This isn’t your typical traffic jam.
Photo: Jon Rafman
This bus took a wrong turn somewhere.
Photo: Jon Rafman
Just a few penguins running around in the middle of nowhere.
Photo: Jon Rafman
How long do you think the Google car sat there waiting for this exact moment?
Photo: Jon Rafman
Something tells me this was premeditated.
Photo: Jon Rafman
It’s a little too close for comfort.
Photo: Jon Rafman
No, this is not a deleted scene from The Dark Knight.
Photo: Jon Rafman
“Uhhh can I make a ship-to-shore call to Santa Claus?”
The post The coolest and funniest Google Street View captures from around the world appeared first on Matador Network.
Ireland's Midlands cycling route
Ireland has never been starved for outdoor adventure experiences, but now there’s a new way to explore the Emerald Isle. The Royal Canal Greenway, an 80-mile walking and cycling route that follows a 225-year-old canal, just opened, passing through the counties of Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, and Longford. Along the way you’ll find picnic areas, cafes, and scenery both bucolic and industrial, including rolling fields and waterfront villages.
Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said, “This is a greenway that has a remarkable past. From its tragic connection with the famine to its heyday in the mid-1880s when it was the motorway of its time, the Royal Canal Greenway is an amenity that is continually reimagining and reinventing itself. It is fantastic to see it become a significant outdoor tourism and leisure amenity for Ireland — a 225-year-old engineering marvel that is now a respite for the modern age.”
The Royal Canal Greenway is a former towpath for barges, with 90 bridges, 17 harbors and four aqueducts. Visitors can complete the entire route in one trip or explore shorter routes between 14 connecting access points.
Photo: Waterways Ireland
The greenway opened on March 24 and is ideal for walkers, runners, and cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Beginning in Maynooth, the greenway follows the canal through Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in Longford. The trail allows you to cycle between any of the main towns and easily return to your starting point.
The post There’s a new 80-mile cycling trail through Ireland’s stunning Midlands appeared first on Matador Network.
California condor reintroduced PNW
The California condor is the largest land bird in North America, with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet. Now, the endangered bird is being reintroduced to Redwood National Park and Yurok Ancestral Territory in California. It’s the first time in 100 years the bird will return to the region.
This return has significant ecological and cultural implications. A press release from the US Fish & Wildlife Service explains, “These massive vultures are essential members of their ecosystems and play a significant role in the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the Yurok Tribe, as well as many other Tribes, throughout northern California and the Pacific Northwest.”
While California condors used to be present everywhere from California to Florida (prehistory), and later from Western Canada to Northern Mexico, by the mid-20th century their population had dramatically declined due to poaching and poisoning. In 1967, they were officially listed as endangered, with only 23 condors surviving worldwide in 1982. By the late 1980s, all remaining wild condors were placed in a captive breeding program, which proved highly successful. Now there are over 300 California condors in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California.
Joseph L. James, Chairman of the Yurok Tribe, said, “For the last 20 years, the Yurok Tribe has been actively engaged in the restoration of the rivers, forests and prairies in our ancestral territory. The reintroduction of the condor is one component of this effort to reconstruct the diverse environmental conditions that once existed in our region. We are extremely proud of the fact that our future generations will not know a world without prey-go-neesh.”
The California condor remains listed as endangered. The US Fish & Wildlife Service explains that the bird’s primary threat is lead poisoning caused by eating lead shots when feeding on carcasses.
The new California condor release facility for the reintroduction of condors to Yurok Ancestral Territory and Redwood National Park is scheduled to be in operation in fall 2021 or spring 2022.
The post The endangered California condor is being reintroduced to Redwood National Park appeared first on Matador Network.
Delta's flight routes to Iceland
Earlier this month Iceland announced that it would be welcoming all international travelers, as long as they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — no quarantine or testing required. In response to that announcement, Delta is launching new routes from several major US cities to Iceland to satisfy the demand that will undoubtedly exist once a broader segment of the population gets their shots.
The new routes will start in May and include flights to Reykjavik from Boston Logan International Airport, New York City’s John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The JFK flights will begin May 1, the Boston flights will begin May 20, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport flights will begin May 27, with one flight daily in each direction for all three US airports. All flights will arrive at Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport just outside the capital of Reykjavik.
To enter Iceland, travelers must prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That means both doses (if two doses are required) of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Those who can prove they were previously infected with COVID-19 and have since recovered will also be allowed to enter the country without quarantine or testing. It’s important to note, however, that upon returning to the US travelers will be required to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their departure.
The post Delta is launching new flights to Iceland from these major US cities appeared first on Matador Network.
New superyacht feature to carry passengers underwater in minutes
A new superyacht design feature promises to transport passengers safely and quickly under the sea for a thrilling submerged experience.
The innovative tech development is called “The Hydrosphere” and will be able to accommodate up to seven people at once. The project is being led by Gresham Yacht Design, a UK-based company that offers personalized services to those who want to upgrade their yacht.
The Hydrosphere from Gresham Yacht Design on Vimeo.
“There is a large demand for personal submersibles, which require hangar space and specialist operations to deploy, which takes time,” Steve Gresham, Gresham Yacht Design founder, told CNN Travel. Gresham went on to explain that this new technology will take a matter of minutes
utilize, offering yacht owners and their guests the freedom to go on a spontaneous underwater adventure and view marine life at the drop of a hat.
“The best thing about the Hydrosphere is that it can be operated very quickly and easily. Unless you happen to be under the water when The Hydrosphere is deployed, you wouldn’t know it was there,” he said.
The concept can be replicated and added to existing vessels measuring over 295 feet or integrated into the design of new builds. So far, the project is still in the design stage. Gresham Yacht Design hopes that enough interest will be generated for it to come to fruition.
“Anyone who loves the sea and wants to immerse themselves in their environment will be attracted to this idea,” Gresham said, noting that the technology already exists and the feature would not be too difficult to construct.
The post New superyacht feature to carry passengers underwater in minutes appeared first on Matador Network.
March 29, 2021
Royal Caribbean vaccinated cruises
As destinations around the world reopen to international travelers with vaccine requirements, so too are cruises. Royal Caribbean just announced a series of Mediterranean cruises that will require passengers to be fully vaccinated.
The seven-night cruises, running from July 10 to October on the Jewel of the Seas ship, will bring guests from Limassol, Cyprus, to various destinations around Cyprus and Greece. Among other locations, the ship will dock at Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.
Savvas Perdios, Cyprus’ deputy minister of tourism, said in a press release, “We are delighted that Royal Caribbean will call Limassol its home port for the first time ever. This has been an ambition of ours for many years, and we are thrilled that, finally, this dream has come to fruition.”
Before boarding, all adult passengers will have to prove that they are vaccinated against COVID-19, while all passengers under 18 must test negative.
Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said, “The vaccines are clearly a game-changer for all of us, and with the number of vaccinations and their impact growing rapidly, we believe starting with cruises for vaccinated adult guests and crew is the right choice. As we move forward, we expect this requirement and other measures will inevitably evolve over time.”
The Mediterranean cruise isn’t the first fully vaccinated voyage Royal Caribbean has announced. Earlier this month, the cruise line unveiled fully vaccinated cruises from Israel, the Bahamas, and Bermuda — all of which are scheduled to set sail this year.
The post Royal Caribbean is bringing back Mediterranean cruises for vaccinated travelers this summer appeared first on Matador Network.
Airbnbs in Big Sur
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, and listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Working from home can be isolating. Especially in busy SoCal and the Bay Area, where it often seems as though the world is moving all around you while you’re glued to your computer screen in that tiny apartment slash home office. We feel you, and we have a suggestion — book an Airbnb in Big Sur, get away for a few days or a few weeks, and jolt your productivity with frequent breaks to surf uncrowded waves, explore new hiking or biking trails, and switch up your usual lunch routine on the Pacific Coast Highway. You have plenty of spaces to choose from, and these are the best Airbnbs in Big Sur for both productivity and recreation.
Luxurious Suite at Hyatt Highlands Inn
Photo: Airbnb
The Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel Highlands offers both the privacy of an Airbnb home with the amenities of a hotel resort. The internet is fast, you can post up next to the wood-burning fireplace overlooking the cliffs, or set up poolside surrounded by nature. This is as close as California gets to working remotely in Bali, with the bonus of onsite dining and coffee. In room, you also have a desk, a balcony, and a jacuzzi.
Price: $325 per night
Beautiful Guesthouse in Carmel
Photo: Airbnb
This guesthouse in Carmel is ideal for spending several days removed from the metros. The dedicated workspace looks out into the jungle just north of Big Sur, and as it’s the bottom level of a large house, you’ll enjoy plenty of space and easy access to Carmel. The space is bright, the WiFi is strong, and the home is affordable for longer-term stays of a week or more. No matter how long you book for, the panoramic views from the living room are sure to have you pining for an extra week.
Price: $104 per night
Spectacular Horizon/Ocean View Guesthouse
Photo: Airbnb
Ten minutes south of Carmel Highlands is this secluded retreat designed to accomplish everything a remote worker needs — fueling productivity with fast internet, expansive views of hills and sea, and easy access to cafes and dining. Not only is this spot moments from the water, but it’s also right near hiking and biking trails, Point Lobos Park, and multiple wineries. The host encourages longer stays and offers a dedicated workspace for guests, though you may find yourself tempted to set up shop on the balcony overlooking the ocean.
Price: $361 per night
Big Sur Goat Farm w/ Ocean Views
Photo: Airbnb
Few things are as relaxing as a live animal farm. Work from this cabin in the woods surrounded by chickens, goats, horses, cows, and sheep. Views stretch from the rocky coastline to the surrounding mountains, with easy access to surfing and hiking, though we wouldn’t blame you if you spend most of your non-work time relaxing with the animals. The host lists a bakery, taphouse, and deli all within walking distance.
Price: $650 per night
Spectacular Carmel Coast House
Photo: Airbnb
Listen to the waves crash into the rocks as you work in this two-bedroom house right on the coast. This is a great stay for a small team looking to hunker down and complete a project — the 30-night minimum in place means you’ll have plenty of time for productive work while also being able to enjoy the surf, wine, and trails of nearby Garrapata State Park and the greater Big Sur coast. The house itself features large windows facing the ocean, outdoor seating areas and garden, and space for four guests to sleep in separate beds.
Price: $525 per night
MorningLite Cabin
Photo: Airbnb
An affordable getaway for one or up to four remote workers, this cabin is built high in the hills outside of Palo Colorado Canyon north of Big Sur village. The most unique feature of this cabin is the outdoor bathtub, a great way to relax after a day’s work or post-outdoor exploration. Watch the stars from the deck (or the tub) in the evenings and get to work in the mornings with little to distract you but the trees.
Price: $155 per night
Big Sur Dream HomePhoto: Airbnb
Redwood trees serve as the backdrop to your workspace at this full-home rental south of Carmel. A mountain-view hot tub complements the views, while the interior falls somewhere between a treehouse and a luxury mountain cabin. Take lunch out on the deck among the flowers, though the entire home feels outdoors with its perch above the trees and large, unobstructed windows offering views in all directions. The WiFi is fast, and you won’t find a dedicated workspace with a better view.
$374 per night
The post Work from Big Sur: The best long-stay Airbnbs to work from home appeared first on Matador Network.
10 iconic boardwalk foods you have to try at the Jersey Shore
There comes a time every summer when my family stuffs their swimsuits and sunscreen in an overnight bag, hops in the car, and drives three hours to Wildwood, on the Jersey Shore. So deeply treasured is this tradition that even all three of my cats have been to Wildwood.
While we spend most of our time lounging on the sand or splashing around in the ocean, what I really look forward to on our annual trips is the boardwalk. This bustling hive of activity is a rainbow of T-shirt stands and blinking neon signs advertising funnel cakes, roller coasters, and ski-ball, the occasional ding ding ding of an arcade game signaling a win, and kids whizzing past the crowds on bikes. Amid this mess of color and sound is some of the most legendary food in the country — the notoriously greasy, fried, and utterly delicious boardwalk snacks.
With so many options advertising the “world’s best” hot dogs, ice cream, fries, and so much more, trying to determine where to stop and what to eat on the boardwalk can feel overwhelming. But if you’re planning a trip to New Jersey and the Jersey Shore this summer, it’s essential that you spend some time snacking and sipping on the boardwalk’s many nostalgia-inducing offerings.
1. Kohr Brothers frozen custardPhoto: Michelangelo DeSantis/Shutterstock
If you’re walking by a blue sign with white letters that reads Kohr Brothers, stop what you’re doing and get in line. For me, Kohr Brothers frozen custard embodies the spirit of the shore. A treat in every sense of the word, this creamy, dreamy delight epitomizes everything that makes the shore great. It makes you feel like a kid again, and it’s the perfect antidote to hot weather. But I shouldn’t have to explain why ice cream is great! Just try it.
Where to find it: Wildwood, Ocean City, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights
2. Curley’s fries
Photo: Curley’s Fries/Facebook
In keeping with the boardwalk’s long tradition of boastful and totally unprovable claims about its (admittedly very good) food, Curley’s claims that it offers the “best fries in the world.” These crispy, salty crinkle cut fries are tasty — but standard — boardwalk fare. What really sets Curley’s apart is its dipping sauce offerings: ‘Jersey Girl’ is sour cream mixed with Thai chili sauce, while ‘Green Goddess,’ is a blend of chives, garlic, mustard, and mayo, to name just two of the many options. But no matter what shore town you’re in, there will be no shortage of booths hawking paper plates piled high with golden brown fries. The classic toppings in my opinion? Good old ketchup and gooey cheese sauce — best enjoyed while meandering between arcade games and cotton candy stalls.
Where to find it: Wildwood
3. Bob’s Fresh Lemonade
Photo: Bob’s Fresh Lemonade/Facebook
Summer on the beach means most of your time will be spent under unobstructed sunshine. You can cool off with a quick dip in the ocean, or head up to the boardwalk for a sip of a cool beverage. In the summer, the go-to is of course lemonade, the lip puckering, super refreshing drink that immediately brings release from the sun. The perfect cup of lemonade should be equal parts sweet and tart, and for that most people agree that Bob’s Fresh Lemonade is the best on the boardwalk. This old-fashioned classic is best paired with the stand’s other classic boardwalk treats, like funnel cake and fried Oreos.
Where to find it: Ocean City
4. Fudge and salt water taffy
Photo: Alan Budman/Shutterstock
Whether you prefer Shirver’s or Fralinger’s “original” salt water taffy, a handful of this iconic chewy candy is a shore vacation must. Shriver’s claims it has been making taffy since 1898, and calls itself a “taste of summer”; Fralinger’s opened its first shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk around the same time. Since then, salt water taffy has become a Jersey Shore institution, and sweet shops selling their own version dot nearly every block on the boardwalk. Alongside buckets of salt water taffy, these shops will also invariably produce slabs of fudge, delightful squares of soft and melty chocolate in flavors like creamsicle and sea salt caramel — a gift to bring home for yourself (or your family) so you can have a taste of the shore even when you’re miles away.
Where to find it: Atlantic City, Ocean City, everywhere else
5. Fried shrimp
Photo: Brendan Lekan/Shutterstock
Shore towns are known for their abundant seafood — from oysters to crab cakes — but on the Jersey Shore specifically, fried and breaded shrimp reign supreme. These crispy, bite-sized shrimps are easy to munch while you peruse the arcade games and t-shirt stands that populate the rest of the boardwalk. Fried shrimp have more substance than an ice cream cone or a bucket of fries, but aren’t too much. They’ll leave you with enough room to indulge in some fudge or a platter of funnel cake later in the day without being so filling that you feel uncomfortable in your bathing suit when it’s time to return to the beach. No, it’s not exactly a full meal, but remember the boardwalk is all about snacking anyway.
Where to find it: Point Pleasant Beach, Wildwood, Seaside, Asbury Park, everywhere else
6. TLC’s Polish water ice
Photo: adamf612/Shutterstock
Water ice is a super creamy frozen treat without a hint of dairy — just blended ice and juice flavoring. Dispensed from a soft serve machine to give it that smooth ice cream-like texture, water ice is the kind of refreshing sweet treat perfectly suited to a hot beach day. The most famous hawker of water ice is inarguably TLC’s Polish Water Ice; the brand’s watermelon flavor is a particular favorite. Water ice will certainly help you cool down, but that’s not the only reason it makes the list. No matter what flavor you land on,TLC’s Polish Water Ice comes in satisfying pops of color that fit right in with the boardwalk’s rainbow aesthetic.
Where to find it: Ocean City, Wildwood, Seaside Heights
7. Hot dogs
Photo: James Kirkikis/Shutterstock
Boardwalk trawlers can get a hot dog pretty much anywhere on the Jersey Shore boardwalk. It’s a summertime classic that never goes out of style and always manages to taste good no matter where you get it from. Even though it’s a chain, my personal preference is Stewarts in Wildwood for the cheese fries, chili dogs, and root beer floats. There is a wealth of options though: Maui’s Dog House (in North Wildwood) offers toppings like horseradish, Wisconsin cheddar cheese, spicy mustard, and bacon. In Long Branch, institutions like Max’s Hot Dogs (now a diner, though it started off as a stand on the boardwalk) and Windmill are the go-to options. But if you’re simply cruising the boardwalk anywhere on the shore and your tummy starts rumbling, there are quick-stop spots up and down the boardwalk that offer this portable snack on the cheap.
Where to find it: Long Branch, Wildwood, everywhere else
8. Caramel corn
Photo: NC_1/Shutterstock
Caramel corn epitomizes those summer afternoons at the ballpark or the carnival — or the boardwalk. It’s the sort of snack that makes plenty of people nostalgic for childhood, and the stuck-in-your-teeth goodness is the flavor and texture of summer. Buckets of caramel popcorn are a staple down the shore, where sweet indulgences are pretty much the norm no matter the time of day. Johnson’s Popcorn in Ocean City is a favorite, but most shops that sell fudge and other treats will sell paper cups overflowing with caramel popcorn.
Where to find it: Ocean City, everywhere else
9. Funnel cake
Photo: Emily Ranquist/Shutterstock
Any list of classic boardwalk foods isn’t complete without a nod to the (arguable) king of the boardwalk: funnel cake. Ribbons of puffy cake batter are fried, covered in powdered sugar, and then plopped on a paper plate. It’s impressively simple, and enduringly beloved. If you think that you can skip the funnel cake on your shore trip because you know what it tastes like, you’re wrong. Eating funnel cake heaped on a paper plate as the summer sun beats down on you, while surrounded by the cacophony of boardwalk noises, engenders a joyful, childlike feeling that only this boardwalk dessert has the power to conjure.
Where to find it: Anywhere there’s a boardwalk down the shore
10. Tornado potato
Photo: gu min/Shutterstock
You’ll see it advertised on awnings up and down the boardwalk: the famous tornado potato. For the uninitiated this moniker might sound strange, even intimidating. But so much about what makes boardwalk food so good is that it reinvents new ways to eat classic foods (please see: funnel cake, creamsicle fudge, and chili cheese dogs) — and the tornado potato is no different. Essentially it’s a fried, spiralized potato that, like everything else worth eating on the shore, you can enjoy while walking.
Where to find it: Anywhere there’s a boardwalk down the shore
The post 10 iconic boardwalk foods you have to try at the Jersey Shore appeared first on Matador Network.
Cheapest Michelin-star restaurants
Michelin-starred restaurants tend to conjure an image of white tablecloths and a bill topping $200, but that’s not always true. Some Michelin-starred restaurants are serving up world-class meals for under $50. You just have to know where to look. Top Dollar, a financial insights hub, created a helpful map of the most affordable Michelin-recognized restaurants in every country.
To zoom in on the map, click here.
Photo: Top Dollar
Top Dollar reviewed over 500 one-, two-, and three-Michelin-starred restaurants and noted their cheapest menu options. The final list has 25 one-starred restaurants where the menu comes in at under $50 and another 75 entries with restaurants costing under $100. Unfortunately, you won’t find any three-star restaurants under $100 on the list.
The cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant is Hostellerie la Montagne in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, France, where the menu is set at an incredibly affordable $24.52. In the US, the cheapest restaurant is State Bird Provisions in San Francisco, with a three-course meal for $45.
If you have more to spend, the cheapest three-star meal you’ll find is at Le Palais in Taiwan, with a meal for $138.63. In the US, the cheapest three-star meal can be found at Le Bernardin in NYC for $175.
To see the full list of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the US, check out Top Dollar’s report.
The post This map shows the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants around the world appeared first on Matador Network.
Matador Network's Blog
- Matador Network's profile
- 6 followers
