Virginia Gil

This holiday season, we wish you health, happiness and a much-needed break from the kitchen. You’ll find that last part is easier than expected thanks to the many Miami restaurants swinging open their doors this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many of them (but not all) located inside swanky Miami hotels. On the list, Miami Cuban restaurants serving classic Noche Buena feasts, local favorites bringing back popular brunches and other holiday specials worth checking out. The best part about going out for a Christmas meal? You’re out the door and one step closer to Miami’s many Christmas events and holiday light displays. 'Tis the season, but it’s still early, so check back as we add even more festive meals to book in Miami. RECOMMENDED: Christmas in Miami

The great American road trip is a tradition celebrated across books, movies and popular culture—nothing feels quite as freeing as setting off on the open road (windows or top down for the full, thrilling cliché). Seeing this expansive country by automobile is a true privilege that takes you through all types of terrains, delivering landscapes and waterfront views that will take your breath away and make you wonder—is this real life? You’d be amazed at how different one country can be as you explore coast by coast, traveling north, south, east and west. The question at hand then becomes, where are you going? There are some obvious choices, like the iconic Route 66 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, both incredible in their own right. But you’ll also find lesser-known favorites in our guide to the best road trips in the U.S., including mountainside parkways and tunneled highways. These road trips will cover plenty of ground, checking off boxes on your bucket list of adventures.

If you’re itching to hit the road, look no further than one of America’s oldest highways, Route 66. This iconic 2,451 stretch of freeway, completed in the 1930s, connects the Midwest with the West Coast and passes through eight states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California). Slow-pacing it through prairies and deserts might not be the first choice for folks looking to explore the U.S. without depleting their PTO bank, but it makes for a delightful, classic American road trip experience if you can swing it. It helps that many of the points of interest you’ll pass on your way west have embraced the nostalgia—think big neon signs and old-timey gas stations with retro soda fountains. How quaint! For the ultimate Route 66 road trip itinerary, follow below.

Miami goes over the top with most things, so you better believe our tropical paradise gets down with some Christmas lights. Our lack of snow flurries works to our advantage, as there’s nothing we can’t illuminate in this town. Tropical jungle? We’ve got every palm tree covered. Bring the lights back to Dowtown after 50 years? 2023 is it, baby. Got a boat? We're gonna need more lights!  Que Santa with the Hawaiian shirt and Birkenstocks, because the holidays just hit different here. From whimsical Christmas events to extravagant Christmas dinners, celebrating the season in Miami is as magical as anywhere else – especially when you’re taking in our twinkling scenery by sea. So get that hot cocoa to go and ride out after the sunset. Here are the best places to see spectacular holiday lights in Miami. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Christma s in Miami

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Miami this week, you’re in luck because there is so much fun stuff ahead. There's no point in living for the weekend —Monday through Friday are a blast in the Magic City and we have a slew of Miami events and year-round activities to prove it. First, there's everyone's favorite sunny-day hang: Miami beach. Soggy afternoon? Spend it visiting a Miami museum, wandering a local mall, catching a show or checking out one of the many other things to do in Miami when it rains. And if you're hanging with little ones, we’ve got you with fun things to do with kids in Miami. But if you're looking for events, fairs, festivals and shows that are happening RIGHT NOW, scroll down to see this week’s best things to do in Miami. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in Miami Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.

Look, we’re not saying Tampa didn’t invent the Cuban sandwich. We’re not even saying that Tampa’s addition of salami is an abomination to the sandwich gods. But what we will insist is that Tampa—a.k.a, the capital of southern Alabama—misses an integral building block of a pressed Cuban: the Miami culture that made it a sandwich icon. That plays out every single day. It’s finding a Cubano at a cafe still open at dawn on Calle Ocho. It’s ordering one from a cafecito window on South Beach. It’s brushing crumbs off your person after devouring a Cuban scored at a drive-through in Hialeah. The Cuban sandwich is Miami culture, buttered and pressed. It’s a sandwich we love, and here, at these spots below, are the absolute best of them.

In Miami, the sandwich can serve many needs. It’s the smell of pressed medianoches ordered at a gas station window well after midnight. It’s a soggy Pub Sub when you forgot to buy stuff for a Dolphins tailgate. And it’s an extravagant lunch from a Michelin-starred restaurant that’s reinventing what can be put between two slices of bread. Sorry tacos and pizza, but the sandwich is the most versatile of foods, to be devoured at all hours, from a Little Havana greasy cafecito window to a clubrestaurant on the beach. But this city doesn’t have a sandwich row (we wish), meaning you’ll need to travel to find the city’s best bread-based treats. For that, we’ve got your sandwich-hunting plans spelled out, with this list of the city’s finest. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami

When your beach getaway turns into a jampacked vacation filled with tours and sightseeing at all the attractions, the only way to recuperate from an overbooked agenda is by booking a room at a plush spa hotel. Rates may be higher than the average boutique but that’s to be expected. These swish spots don't just give you a place to rest your tired head, but they also offer plenty of amenities and ways to treat yourself – get a massage, go for a soak in a thermal pool or break a sweat in the sauna without ever leaving the property. Ready to unwind? These amazing spa hotels in Miami will instantly melt the stress away.   Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Miami with hot tubs

November 2023: There's a fresh breeze in the air hinting at the arrival of autumn in Miami—at last! With the cooler weather comes a barrage of fun things to do around town this November, from music and food festivals to pumpkin patches, haunted houses and all manner of festive Halloween events. Below, check out all of our picks for the best things to do in Miami right now.  Locals and tourists can agree that the best things to do in Miami extend beyond lounging on the sand—though it goes without saying that spending some time on the best Miami beaches is fundamental to life in the 305. Aside from dabbling in our famous nightlife and exploring Miami's best bars, no trip to the Magic City would be complete without scoping out the booming culinary scene and our award-winning Miami restaurants. In between sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails, check off these essential Miami experiences, a mix of year-round attractions, seasonal events, cultural staples and exciting one-offs vetted by our expert editors. By the way, this list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn’t choose favorites.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without some spooks, scares and epic Halloween events in Miami. Lucky for Miamians, there are plenty of haunted places and hair-raising experiences to check out around South Florida this time of year. From fully decked-out haunted mansions to a heart-pounding carnival and an entire park overtaken by killer clowns, there's no shortage of frights to subject yourself to in the spirit of Halloween. These haunted houses are for the brave, so find your favorite costume, gather a group of friends and explore our curated guide to the top places around Miami to score your spooky season thrills and chills. RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Studios Orlando

November 2023: Fall in Miami has finally arrived, so get those hard-to-book Michelin restaurant reservations in while you can. Next thing you know, it'll be Art Basel in Miami and then full-on snowbird season, a truly chaotic time to dine out around here. For now, let's soak up these sweet autumnal vibes, explore the city's breezy waterfront restaurants and bib up for Miami's famous stone crabs (yes, it's that time of year).  While you're at it, check out our guide to eating out on Thanksgiving in Miami, including where to find the best Thanksgiving dinners in Miami—and a few great lunches and brunches, too. The best restaurants in Miami are our local treasures. These are the places we turn to for a delicious meal and a great time, no matter the reason. Our top places to eat in the city are a true mix of flavors and feels, from white tablecloth fine dining—like some of Miami’s best steakhouses—and trendy spots leading the way in culinary innovation to tried-and-tested cheap eats in Miami that never, ever disappoint. Don’t be surprised to run into some of Miami’s best bars on this list either. Where there’s a solid cocktail there’s likely to be an epic dish that follows. Now, who’s ready to dig in? Check back often as we update our roundup of best Miami restaurants with new discoveries and old favorites. Just as we've always done, Time Out’s local experts scour the city every day for great eats, great value and insider info. We emphasize fun, flavor and freshness at every pric

Yes, Miami is in the midst of a culinary renaissance (and the esteemed Michelin Guide finally deemed Florida worthy of its distinctions in 2022). But in tandem with all the best restaurants in Miami, the Magic City has also seen a rise in amazing options for imbibing in recent years. No matter the neighborhood or the mood, chances are there’s a fantastic watering hole (or five) nearby ready to serve up amazing cocktails and even better vibes. From trendy Miami wine bars in Downtown and hidden speakeasies in South Beach to relaxed waterfront gems in Edgewater and quintessential dives in South Miami, you really can’t go wrong at any of these spots. Keep reading for our expert-curated guide to the best bars in Miami right now. RECOMMENDED: The best clubs in Miami

Countdown to Christmas with a cocktail in hand at Miracle in Miami. The international holiday-themed pop-up bar makes a new home at Better Days in Brickell this yuletide season for a month of festive drinks and naughty fun. Expect the usual (fake) snow, holiday hits on repeat (these guys must be beating some kind of record for the most consecutive plays of Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas") and cheeky libations like the Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r!, made with a potent trio of rums, coconut orgeat and acid-adjusted pineapple juice.

Assemble along the 12-mile, 2.5-hour route to watch the "World's Most Watched Boat Parade," in which dazzling displays and illuminated vessels of all sizes travel down the Intracoastal Highway with the likes of Rudolph, Santa Claus and other Christmas favorites. The procession begins at 6pm with live bands, celebrities and radio personalities providing entertainment throughout the night. You could probably watch the parade anywhere along the route, however the parade viewing area brings you opportunities to pose with Santa and grab a hot chocolate or a cocktail. You can even enter your own boat for $35. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will stage on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the docks west of Stranahan House to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Cheers to the holidays! Raise your martini glass and nuzzle under the mistletoe at Deering Estate's festive annual gathering. Expect a celebration similar to what the original residents might've enjoyed during the Gilded Age, including music, strolls through the estate, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, plus a fanciful nod to Alice in Wonderland for this year. Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation so don't be afraid to lean into Christmas. 

Because eight nights of celebrations aren’t enough, the Society of Young Jewish Professionals is throwing the ultimate holiday singles event—think of it as an IRL JDate on steroids. Dance, drink and connect with old friends and new prospects at this annual rager, which celebrates 37 years! In 2023, the party returns to its old stomping grounds, LIV, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. 

Celebrity chefs (hundreds of them) and hungry people from around the U.S. descend on South Beach and across the city for Miami’s largest and most famous annual food festival, proceeds from which benefit Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management School. It's major. For its 23rd year, SOBEWFF offers even more big-ticket events, including another rendition of the uber-popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives LIVE! hosted by Guy Fieri, plus additional intimate dinners hosted by culinary luminaries. There will be burger battles, punch bowl socials, taco and tequila pairings, a new Noche Cubana and more food and drinks than you’ll know what to do with. Break out your stretchy pants, and buckle up, people. Various locations

This annual gathering of spooky four-legged friends is for a good cause. Even if the trick or treating, doggy costume contest, raffles and food aren’t enough to get you out the door, the fact that proceeds go to animal rescue organization Paws 4 You should. Your pets will have fun too, zipping around the doggie zone agility course and following the kids around the pumpkin patch.  

 The world’s largest holiday theme park (at least according to the website) returns for its 40th season of shimmering lights, carnival rides and only-in-Miami experiences and after 37 years in Tropical Park, it's moved to a larger space in Doral/Medley. The county-fair-meets-winter-wonderland is chock-full of roller coasters, amusement rides, carnival games, photo ops with Santa and his helpers, and an assortment of fair food—think fresh doughnuts, funnel cakes and more. And pro tip: if you hate waiting in lines, consider adding an express pass to your ticket. 7500 NW 87th Ave

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is probably Miami’s most well-known. Every Saturday, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transforms an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar featuring prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut mylks. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your bounty. Along its periphery, you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. And the setup and breakdown are so fascinating to watch! Much like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up just after sunset, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.

How's this for a reality check? The Miami Book Fair celebrates its 40th edition this year! Expect the regular mix of riveting author presentations, mind-expanding conversations and even more innovative ways to honor the written word. The annual street festival is slated to take place from November 12 through 19 along the Miami-Dade College downtown campus. Check back for a preview of the best-selling authors scheduled to be in attendance.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach flies under the radar, a high-end wellness facility for guests and in-the-know locals in search of a little Zen. The spa, located on the hotel’s third floor, is compact in size but brimming with amenities and cutting-edge treatments you won’t find elsewhere. For instance, the groundbreaking JetPeel facial—which is available only at one other South Florida location—is a non-invasive treatment that uses pressurized air to combine the benefits of hydro-dermabrasion, a chemical peel and automated (painless!) extractions. The spa also offers a range of massages, designed to target all types of concerns, from soreness to tension to pregnancy- and sports-related issues. There’s a steam room, a sauna and a place to lounge while you wait to get pampered. Rushing off to the beach or an event post-treatment? There’s a small shop stocked with swimsuits (including South Florida brand Montce), accessories and dresses to get you on your way quickly.

There are so many misconceptions about Mexican food. People think it should be cheap or that it’s heavy and pork-centric. These are likely the same people who have never been to PEZ, featuring a casual new look and a tight menu conceived by Tijuana-based chef Javier Plascencia. As one of the pioneers of the region’s Baja-Med cuisine, he’s crafted a seafood-heavy selection that peppers in unusual—but tasty—surf and turf options. Take the tacos de cochipulpo, which combines pork and octopus carnitas with refried beans. And we’re big fans of the tostadas, especially the tostada de atún made with yellowfin and topped with dried shredded beef. Like any good Mexican restaurant worth its worm salt, PEZ keeps its bar stocked with high-end tequilas and mezcals, plus an assortment of lesser-known wines from Baja. It all makes for an authentic and tantalizing proposition in Downtown Miami.

“Welcome to paradise!” This is a phrase I heard repeatedly during my three-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, and no fewer than four times from the moment I exited the plane to the instant the bellhop dropped off my bags in my oceanview suite. Was it overkill? Maybe. Was it accurate? If paradise is a beachfront resort where the sunsets look Photoshopped into the sky and champagne service is available from inside the pool, I died and went to vacation heaven. Your five-star experience at the Four Seasons Anguilla begins at check-in, where the receptionist will direct you to one of the couches in the lobby for a shooter of rum punch before handing over your room keys. Then it’s off to your accommodations, which include standard resort-facing rooms, ocean-view suites and what they call residences—from a penthouse with a wrap-around balcony to a full villa with a private pool, beach access and a complimentary golf cart to zip around. I had the pleasure of an ocean-view suite, complete with a plunge pool on my balcony. It overlooked the family pool, one of the resort’s waterfront restaurants and Mead’s Bay. As someone who’s never had the luxury of a private hotel pool (editing this piece was the closest I’d been until this point), staying in this room was one of the highlights of the trip. Photograph: Courtesy Four Seasons Anguilla/Christian Horan The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla was Kelly Werstler’s first international project—a fact I

For someone who lives by shortcuts, express lanes, Global Entry, TSA-pre check and anything else that can get me to my destination faster, I took a remarkably long time to travel from Colorado to Utah recently—about 30 hours, to be exact. It typically takes six hours by car, but this was a journey no vehicle could make.  I was headed west aboard Rocky Mountaineer, traveling from Denver to Moab on the luxury train’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route. Over the course of two days with an overnight in Glenwood Springs, I’d be among the 52 passengers enjoying the experience of a lifetime, riding alongside mountains, down valleys and through tunnels, admiring the scenery of the autumn-kissed American West. It was magical and would test my patience and reliance on technology in ways I didn’t expect.  The Canadian company, which operates luxury train experiences in Western Canada and the American West, launched the Colorado/Utah route in 2021, taking passengers through parts of the Rockies that are inaccessible by car. This was the train’s first full season, which runs April through October to maximize the daylight hours it can travel.  Photograph: Virginia Gil for Time OutCustom glass-dome coaches offer panoramic views The Rocky Mountaineer embodies every ubiquitous quote you’ve ever read about the journey being greater than the destination, and it makes good on its promise. You only travel while the sun’s out in order to get optimal views of your surroundings, which you’re guarantee

Imagine you’re flying over Las Vegas and down below you see a giant pepperoni pizza. Is it making you hungry? Well, that’s the idea behind next week’s Pie in the Sky, Pizza Hut’s latest publicity stunt in honor of the year’s busiest travel day, November 21. Next Tuesday, the company will transform the Vegas Exosphere (the exterior of the new Sphere venue) into a massive, cheesy, pepperoni pizza travelers can see from their airplane windows. The mouthwatering campaign also celebrates the launch of Pizza Hut’s new $7 Deal Lover’s Menu, which includes pizza melts, a medium one-topping pizza and donut bites, among other restaurant favorites. Because the company knows its cruel to taunt its customers with a delicious pizza they cannot eat, they’re using the Pie in the Sky moment to give away free medium pizzas—or anything else your heart desires from the $7 Deal Lover’s Menu. All you have to do is scan the QR code on the Sphere between 5:30 and 9:30pm PST and redeem the queued coupon at any participating Pizza Hut location in the U.S. This means, if you're passing through Vegas and scan the code, you could enjoy a free pizza at your final destination.  Photograph: Pizza Hut

All aboard, Swifties! There's a Taylor Swift-themed cruise hitting the high seas. Next fall, Allure of the Seas will become a floating tribute to the Grammy-winning singer as it sets sail on a four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. The cruise is scheduled to depart on October 21, the day after Taylor Swift's last performance in Miami. Travel agency Marvelous Mouse Travels is behind the special event they've dubbed "In My Cruise Era." While not associated with Swift herself, the experience will have Taylor's version written all over it. Onboard activities include a friendship bracelet exchange, Taylor Trivia night, themed dance parties (Eras-themed outfits are encouraged) and a Taylor-themed karaoke night.   Allure of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's largest ships and offers more things to do than your average cruise ship—think rock climbing walls, a wave simulator for surfing, waterslides and a zip line. To that end, you'll find plenty to keep you busy should you need a break from all the Swiftie mania. You'll also find respite offshore when the ship docks in Nassau (day three) and Royal Caribbean's private island, Cococay (day two).  Prices for a two-guest stateroom start at $1,573, including taxes and fees, which is a steal considering the price—and hassle—of getting actual concert tickets for the Eras Tour. Guests must be 21 years old or accompanied by someone who is over 21. Either way, everyone will be acting and feeling 22 on this thing, so plan accordingly. 

Travel is as enjoyable as it is precarious these days. Delays, snaking security lines and lost bags are an expected part of flying. Some of what we’re seeing is still pandemic-related and dregs from the years of so-called revenge travel that followed, while other pain points are simply a consequence of outdated infrastructure—decades-old constructions retrofitted to service a modern, booming industry. The latter is a focus of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [BIL], a five-year, $108-billion investment in public transportation—the largest in the nation’s history. The BIL, which celebrates two years on November 15, funds numerous things, including new Amtrak trains and the company’s goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, construction grants for highways and streets and transportation safety—from the roads to the rails to the skies. It’s also a significant driver of redevelopment happening at airports nationwide, most of which the public wasn’t even aware of until now. Nearly all federal funding went toward behind-the-scenes improvements, like radars, taxiway reconstruction and air traffic control towers, explains United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “What's exciting about the infrastructure package is that now we're able to do more of the passenger-facing improvements—from elevators and escalators to security checkpoints and better baggage claim facilities, and even just better bathrooms, which is actually a pretty important part of what the ai

Oceania Cruises bills itself as the “world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line,” but after sailing on several highly anticipated ships that served mediocre meals, I was not taking this tagline at face value. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to check out Oceania Cruises’ latest ship, Vista, during a brief press sailing of the cruise line’s initial Allura class ship, which launched this past May. It was a whirlwind two days of eating, drinking, lounging by the pool during the day and winding down with a show in the ship’s state-of-the-art theater at night. Somehow, we packed in two lunches, a sprawling buffet breakfast, in-room canapes and a couple of multi-course dinners. So, let us dig in. The weekend was all pretty pedestrian cruise stuff, albeit elevated to Oceania Cruises’ five-star standards (the in-room amenities are Acqua di Parma—can you even?), but what really struck me about the whole experience was the food. Vista’s godmother is none other than TV chef and food personality Giada De Laurentiis, which already bodes well. To that, add its 11 culinary venues, a mix of restaurants, cafés and buffets that spoil its passengers with choices—plus top-shelf spirits and an extensive wine collection. We boarded on Saturday afternoon and went straight to deck 12 for lunch at the outdoor section of the Terrace Café. We helped ourselves to a glass of Heidsieck Monopole champagne from the pop-up bar at the entrance and ordered a

Every year, Time Out surveys thousands of city-dwellers about the places they live, getting the scoop on nightlife, dining, arts and culture and what makes their cities tick. The annual Time Out Index results give us incredible insight into where people are going out, how often they’re hitting the town, what places are actually cool and the general livability in the world’s top areas. It’s also where we draw from to come up with our annual list of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world, which is out today. Nine North American cities made the cut this year, including two in Canada and several of the U.S.’s most-populated urban areas. The neighborhoods featured are incredible places to be right now. It’s where you’ll find excellent restaurants and top-notch nightlife, world-class museums and award-winning bars. The top neighborhood in North America is none other than Mid-City in New Orleans. An area not far from the famous French Quarter, Mid-City comes alive during the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival and is home to the city’s most well-known beignets at Cafe du Monde—a must-stop during any visit to New Orleans. Los Angeles’ impossibly cool Downtown Arts District also made the list with its booming food and drink scene—this is the place to go if you want excellent, top-rated meals in L.A. Speaking of dining, Miami’s Coral Gables neighborhood is brimming with restaurants by award-winning chefs, including Bouchon’s Thomas Keller, Beauty and the Butcher’s Jeremy Ford and Nive

Earth is experiencing two major eclipses in October, but not everyone in the U.S. will have a good view of the action. The first celestial occurrence takes place on October 14, when an annular solar eclipse will be visible from eight states in the southwestern U.S.  This type of solar eclipse is also called a "ring of fire," when the moon moves slightly away from Earth and creates a thin, glowing circle around the sun. The best place to see the "ring of fire" is Texas but seven other states will have a good view, including Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Sightings will begin in Oregon at approximately 9:20am PDT and continue until about noon CDT in southeastern Texas.  As with any solar eclipse, wearing the proper eyewear is paramount. Regular sunglasses won't cut it if you're trying to look directly into the sun. You'll need special eyewear for solar events, so be sure to procure a pair before next Saturday.  On October 28, a partial lunar eclipse—the second of 2023—will occur over most of Africa, Europe and Asia. Sadly, folks in the U.S. will not be able to see the moon enter into Earth's shadow. However, if seeing a partial lunar eclipse is on your bucket list, there's still time to book a last-minute trip abroad. 

Amtrak is slated to make several improvements to its railroad system in the coming years, including overhauling its overnight trains, resuming service in the Gulf Coast and turning up the speed on a popular Midwestern route. Unfortunately, updating its high-speed train service is seemingly not one of them for now. Amtrak’s $2.5 billion plan to replace its Acela fleet with 28 new trains along its busiest rail stations from Washington, D.C. and Boston is more than two years behind schedule and facing further delays, revealed a 38-page report by Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General. The audit cites complications in the federal approval process and escalating costs for the setbacks. French manufacturing company Alstom was hired to develop the fleet and, so far, the trains they’ve delivered have not passed muster. According to Amstrak’s inspector general, the new trains have design flaws, failed computer testing and did not meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements. The report says Amtrak has already spent $1.6 billion on the project, with improvements to its legacy rails (some nearly 200 years old) partly the reason for the rising costs. In a statement published by the Washington Post, Alstom spokesman Clifford Cole said the company is working with the FRA and Amtrak to get through the certification process and meet FRA requirements. Additionally, he notes that Amtrak authorized every train released despite the report highlighting their “defects.” The project was sl

Spanglish is still the dominant language, 15 minutes late is still on time and driving down I-95 is still one of the most harrowing experiences a person can have on four wheels. There are just some Miami truisms that will never change. But like the rest of the world, this city is constantly evolving—many would argue faster than average, especially as Florida’s population growth continues to explode. Lately, we’ve found ourselves asking: Do we still have to wear six-inch stilettos to the club? Is the BBL our new beauty standard? And is soccer finally having its moment here? In an effort to make sense of it all, we spent some time taking stock of the true essence of Miami as it stands right now and came up with these, the new rules of living in Miami. RECOMMENDED: How not to be a dick in Miami 1. OnlyFans is a legitimate career path. A recent study dubbed Miami the OnlyFans capital of the U.S., with the highest number of “models” residing right here in the Magic City (nearly 5,000 at the time the study was conducted). The 18+ subscription platform empowers creators to monetize their content, with some earning upwards of $9,000 a month.  2. Do not, under any circumstance, mention New York.  *TW: NYC* For reasons we’ll elaborate on below, just don’t. Don’t ask how us how the Miami Carbone compares to New York’s. Don’t tell us about the cool new bar you found that’s “just like that one in Brooklyn.” And definitely don’t ask us to recommend the best neighborhoods to buy in. Photog

There’s so much build-up surrounding a vacation. Where will you go, what meals are you most excited to eat and which magnificent sites will you see? Even if you’re not the attractions type, there’s no way to avoid specific tourist sites, no matter how off-the-beaten-path your trip might be, and you may not want to. Did you really go to Paris if you didn’t visit the Eiffel Tower? Not in our book. Though for every worthwhile Mona Lisa, there’s a Corn Palace you will absolutely want to skip. The people of Reddit have some strong opinions about tourist traps, specifically the ones you should absolutely avoid the next time you find yourself sightseeing in America. These are the spots you’ll want to leave off the itinerary, according to Reddit users. 1. South of the Border | Hamer, SC This over-the-top rest area in South Carolina sits just below the North Carolina border (hence the name) and marled the halfway point between Florida and New York back when people drove between these two cities. It’s still fun for kids who marvel at the massive sombrero and can sneak in a ride at the amusement park, but most adults grumble at the thought of stopping here for a photo underneath the giant Mexican hat or a souvenir. 2. The original Starbucks | Seattle, WA The first Starbucks store along the cobblestone street near Pike Place Market is a mecca for coffee lovers patient enough to wait in line for basically the same coffee they could have at any other Starbucks. In fairness, this one carrie

When was the last time you spent time in nature? Like, really got out there, went off the radar and connected with Earth? If it's been that long then it's time you took advantage of free entrance days in the U.S. national parks. This Saturday, September 23, happens to be one of those days when the National Park Service waives admission to all of its magnificent green spaces, including the major ones—Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Acadia and Zion, to name a few. There are 63 national parks in total, so you'll have plenty of reasons to get out in nature this weekend. The National Park Service offers free admission five times a year, and this Saturday is one of them. September 23 is also National Public Lands, established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. It's one of the country's largest volunteer efforts, encouraging connection between people and green spaces and inspiring environmental stewardship. With that said, visitors to the park this weekend—and every day—are urged to Leave No Trace, a shared outdoor phrase encompassing principles meant to inspire folks to leave nature as unchanged by their presence as possible.  Whether volunteering at a park or communing with nature, enjoy the free outdoor activity!  

The inaugural list of The World's 50 Best Hotels was just announced in a ceremony in London and the United States has reason to celebrate. Aman New York was ranked no. 25 in the world. Considered the most expensive hotel in New York, the extremely luxurious property opened within the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue last summer, bringing unprecedented opulence to the already high-end neighborhood. It boasts a total of 83 suites, a massive space sprawled over three floors with an indoor 20-meter pool, 10 treatment rooms, fitness facilities and two Spa Houses. Plus, hot and cold plunge pools and an outdoor terrace with a cabana, daybed and fireplace. There are two signature restaurants (Italian dining concept Arva and Japanese eatery Nama) and a jazz club hosting daily live performances. Should you want to make this lifestyle permanent, Aman New York offers 22 branded private residences.  The hotel is the third Aman property in the U.S., following Wyoming and Utah. The newest of the three certainly caught the attention of the World's 50 Best folks, who based their first-ever hotel list on outstanding hotel experiences worldwide. The ranking reflects the top travel experiences of 580 anonymous voters, including a mix of hoteliers, journalists and seasoned industry vets. Any hotel worldwide is eligible for votes and doesn't have to fit any criteria. Photograph: Robert Rieger Equinox Hotel New York in Hudson Yards was the second U.S. property to make the coveted ranking, coming in