One thing I know for sure is that there is no shortage of things to do and see or places to eat in Los Angeles. From hiking Griffith Observatory to cheering the LA Rams on to shopping at Melrose Ave, The Grove, or Rodeo Drive, there’s something for in the city for everybody.

One of Miami Beach’s most iconic and Instagram-worthy attractions is its collection of colorful lifeguard towers. On my recent trip, I set out to walk the length of Miami Beach to see as many of these artistic structures as I could. I managed to visit nine of them, but with 36 of them scattered along the shoreline, there’s plenty left to explore.

When I first saw that Pharrell Williams was collaborating with David Grutman to open the Goodtime Hotel in 2021, I immediately added it to the list of places I wanted to stay—partly because Pharrell is a fellow Virginia native and partly because I fell in love with the aesthetic. It just seemed like, well, a good time.

After spending a week there, I thought I would clue you in—is it really the ultimate "good time" as the name suggests? Here's what I loved and then a few things that caught me off guard.

Something I never really considered about seeing art across the country is how much culture and geographic location can influence the collection of work shown at a museum. At Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), I was introduced to the work of several Latinx artists, a group whom I’ve not had the privilege of seeing much in museums before now.

Nestled in a relatively quiet area of downtown Miami, lies a quaint Vietnamese restaurant called Tâm Tâm. I had never knowingly had Vietnamese food, but one look at the menu and I knew it was a place I needed to be. If you could measure a restaurant's worth by entry, the line outside suggests an upcoming acclaimed experience. Modest in size, Tâm Tâm is the definition of a local treasure and the kind of place I prefer to find myself when it comes to food.

Chicago is full of food gems, and each time I visit the city, I make it a point to try new restaurants, preferably black-owned. Chicago is a city in which you’ll find many Southern restaurants because The Great Migration brought the food I’m so accustomed to in Virginia up north and then across the country. Dining at these restaurants always feels familiar in that way, but I also have come to expect and enjoy the surprises that evolution and a geographical change can bring to such classic and time-honored dishes.

Sampan is a modern Asian restaurant offering a unique experience through its small plates concept. Instead of ordering a single entree, it's infinitely better to try and even share several dishes mixed and matched from different sections of the menu. The Kim Chee Fried Rice and Crispy Shrimp are to die for among other delicious menu items.

All I needed to hear was furniture and art to know that I wanted to go to High Point Market in North Carolina this year. I was attending in support of my cousin Norman Wyatt Jr., an artist and designer who debuted his premier furniture collection of over 150 items with StyleCraft Home Collection. Unbeknownst to me, nearly 80,000 people gather every year at this event to admire and consume collections and pieces from artists and designers around the world.

Elegant Cuizines is a completely dairy-free restaurant that also caters to the vegan and gluten free communities. Chef Headen’s recipes are vegetable heavy and soy, salt, and sugar free. If you’re thinking no to all of that, rethink your presumptions. Immediately. This collection of dishes will outmatch some of your most coveted favorites from any other restaurant and, on top of that, will be infinitely healthier for you.

California is just golden for experiencing the best of what nature has to offer. I was absolutely smitten by the stunning landscapes in this coastal paradise, and I would easily recommend it for outdoor lovers who can appreciate any opportunity to see God’s artistic hand at work.

I wanted to step into thirty pushing the limits of courage and what better way to do that than to cross off a bucket list item with a thrilling skydiving adventure.

As I free fell through the sky for 45-55 seconds, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of liberation wash over me. The rush of adrenaline, the moment you leap, the wind in your face—it's an experience unlike any other.

Lula Cafe is a 2024 James Beard Award Nominee for outstanding hospitality and 2020 Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, given to restaurants with best value for money. Having now been, I can attest to both and have been super excited to write this review.

Let’s be very clear. I’ve not tried very many soul food restaurants in Chicago, but I don’t imagine the others being better than Soulé. Chat with me about my experience.

The Museum of Ice Cream is a series of installations packed with treats and interactive games that can make you forget you’re an adult with actual responsibilities. It’s a fun opportunity for photos and the perfect opportunity for play time. Does it get any better than this?

On a trip to Dallas and Denton, you might find yourself wowed at amazing sportsmanship showcased at the Cowtown Coliseum Stockyards Championship Rodeo, buying beautifully crafted fine leather goods at Wilkinson’s, or grabbing a delicious pastry at Ravelin’s Bakery. Wherever you go, you will always see a friendly face.

The city of New York is art itself, and it’s the kind of place you go to experience art as a lover of the craft, but also the kind of place you go to repeatedly discover all you don’t know about art. I don’t think I have ever been to New York and not gone to a museum, which is a statement.

Plan your dream NYC Christmas with these top 8 tips. Budget for holiday markets and entertainment, be mindful of the possibility of snow in the city, and wear your most comfortable layers for the best experience. Maximize your time by walking and build the perfect itinerary to make the most of the holiday season in the Big Apple!

Christmas in the Big Apple is nothing short of magical. Explore charming holiday markets in Central Park, Bryant Park, Union Square, Grand Central Terminal. Witness the glorious Rockefeller Center tree, stop by Radio City Music Hall, and be enchanted by Fifth Avenue holiday window displays. The most unforgettable Christmas in the city that never sleeps starts here.

Joshua Tree is on the map as the perfect getaway to do just that- get away. There’s nothing but desert and hiking trails, so essentially a trendy call of the wild. It sits between the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert and is named for the yucca tree that, in my mind, resembles something out of a Dr. Seuss book. There are a few things to know, but most important to note is that this is a place you go to explore and commune with nature.

Charleston is a historic South Carolina city marked by colorful antebellum homes and architectural design, cobblestone roads, extensive beach access, a rich culture of southern comfort food, and nightlife at King Street. From Folly Beach and Isle of Palms to Rainbow Row and The Battery to Angel Oak Tree and the Ravenel Bridge, it's a charmingly beautiful, slow-paced, tourist city to explore.