Amanda Mactas

A trip to Orlando's theme parks doesn’t have to just be about the kids. Sure, you can supply them with all the butterbeer and dinosaur eggs they can handle, but when it comes time to rest and relax, be a little selfish and book a hotel that will make the vacation worthwhile for both your kids and yourself. Whether you're interested in lounging by a big pool or resting your head in a super plush room, the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando have you covered. Remember, convenience, location, and amenities make all the difference when you’re on the go all day, so choose a hotel nearby that caters to your every need. RECOMMENDED: The best Disney World hotels to book right now Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities 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.

With summer on the horizon, most of us are consulting our calendars to plan the perfect last-minute summer getaway. While many people save this time of year for big bucket list trips and popular destinations, stifling crowds can certainly put a damper on that much-anticipated vacation. Instead, look to locales that are a bit off the beaten path and won’t draw in nearly as many visitors this season. Equally as charming and transportive yet a bit more unassuming, the best small towns in the USA bring the same appeal as any major city, with the added bonus of room to maneuver and not a line in sight. From the small town allure of the East Coast to the sprawling terrain of the Midwest and the adventurous activities out west, these are the best small towns in America worth visiting.

Want to learn a new skill? Take up a fun hobby? Get better at saving money? No matter what your goals for the coming year are, there’s an app for that! That’s right—setting and sticking to goals has never been easier, thanks to creative tech that helps users check off that daunting to-do list. Whether you want to take up meditation or finally dive into learning astrology, there are countless applications to download on that smartphone of yours to help you on your way. Here are some of the best apps on the market that will help you go from vision board to reality with the click of a button.

Everywhere you turn these days, there’s a news story about the busy travel season ahead—Airports are crowded! TSA is overwhelmed! Flights are canceled! We don’t mean to alarm you but your favorite summer destinations will be congested this year. The better travel option? Finding somewhere cool that’s somewhat undiscovered, such as our picks of the top underrated beach towns in the U.S. You’ll catch plenty of rays, splash around on some very pristine shorelines and avoid the crowds, which is all anybody really wants on vacation. Think no lines to get into places, no reservations required to dine and no wait should you decide to show up somewhere at the last minute because anything else would be a waste of your precious time off.

I don’t know a single person who isn’t down for a trip to Europe. Whether you want to stroll the cobblestoned streets of London, delight in a croissant from the cafes of Paris, or float down the canals of Amsterdam, there are endless cities that have American tourists coming in by the droves. But it’s no secret that overseas trips can cost a pretty penny, especially when you’re shelling out the big bucks for fancy hotels and Michelin-starred meals. The place I recommend cutting costs is on your flights. Hear me out. RECOMMENDED: Black Friday comes early with $129 flights to Europe I consider myself a passenger princess when it comes to flying, especially when it comes to long or overnight flights—business class is the only way to go. Unfortunately, my bank account disagrees, so I have to pick and choose when and where I splurge. When I read about Norse Atlantic Airways, my interest was piqued: the budget airline offers passengers cheap flights overseas, and I figured that if I were going to fly economy on a more well-established airline, I might as well try this out. So I found myself on a Norse Airways flight from New York City to Athens, Greece, during peak tourist season—the summer. Photograph: Amanda Mactas for Time OutPremium seating on Norse Atlantic, featuring wide, comfy seats that recline. The first thing I loved about flying on Norse was that the airline flew out of JFK’s Terminal 7, a relatively sleepy terminal where security was a breeze and there was plenty of

Admittedly, I’m not someone who opts to spend money on things I don’t need or experiences that just aren’t worth it. One of the reasons why cruising is so popular is because you get so much for your money. You often get to visit multiple countries, enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and enjoy a combination of cultural immersion and onboard relaxation. And when it comes to those at-sea days when you really want to live a life of leisure and soak up all of those sun rays, there’s only one spot on the ship where I want to be. RECOMMENDED: These are the four things I always pay extra for on a cruise I recently went on a cruise with my mom, and to get the most out of our experience, we went into go-go-go mode for the whole trip. Our Mediterranean trip aboard the Sun Princess stopped in a handful of European ports, including Corfu, Barcelona, Sorrento, and Sicily, and at each location, we hopped off the ship and tried to cram in as much activity as we possibly could. In the evenings, our schedule was packed with dinners (there are a whopping 30-plus restaurants and bars aboard the vessel), taking in a show, and hitting the hay early for our next day of adventure. Even our at-sea days had itineraries that had us hoofing it, from sampling high tea at Good Spirits to wine tastings with a virtual Gerard Bertrand. Fast forward to the final days of the cruise, and you can imagine how exhausted we became. While I am one to pack the most into any travel schedule to get the most out of the de

アメリカでどのファストフード店のフライドポテトが一番おいしいかを尋ねると、人によって答えはさまざまのはずだ。「バーガーキング」が絶対という人もいれば、「シェイクシャック」の波型に切ったクリンクルカットタイプのフライドポテトがたまらないという人もいるだろう。 そうした中で「ベスト・オブ・ベスト」を選ぶのは間違いなく難しいが、アメリカの全国紙であるUSAトゥデイが名物ランキング企画「10Best」で、究極のフライドポテト探しに挑戦した。 同企画では、まず編集者と専門家チームが全米のファストフード店が提供しているフライドポテトの中から推薦できるものをノミネーションとしてセレクト。その後、読者の投票によってランキングが決定した。 その結果、勝者となったのは、アメリカンスタイルのメキシコ料理などで有名なファストチェーン店「Del Taco」だ。この店のクリンクルカットタイプのフライドポテトは、そのままでも、チーズやチリ、カルネアサダをトッピングしても楽しめる。Del Tacoは名を冠した料理、つまりタコスを作るのが上手なだけではないといえるだろう。 2位に入ったのは、スパイスなどを独自ブレンドしたカーリーフライが人気の「Jack in the Box」。3位以降は「マクドナルド」「Golden Chick」「Five Guys」というように納得の店が続いた。 一方、「ウェンディーズ」「In-N-Out Burger」「バーガーキング」「Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers」といったチェーンは、ランクインしていない。これは読者の目、いや味覚が肥えていることの証明といえるのかもしれない。 ランキングは以下の通り。 ファストフードのフライドポテト トップ10（USAトゥデイ） 1. Del Taco2. Jack in the Box3. マクドナルド4. Golden Chick5. Five Guys6. Chick-fil-A7. A&W8. Whataburger9. Arby's10. Popeyes 関連記事 『These are the best fast-food french fries in the U.S.（原文）』 『東京、ベストハンバーガー19選』 『東京、チキンオーバーライス5選』 『アメリカのマクドナルドで賢く注文するためのヒント』 『今のアメリカのベスト都市はニューヨーク、2位以下は？』 『アメリカで最も歩きやすい都市は？』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

Ask any person in the United States who makes the best French fries, and you'll be sure to get a different answer every time. Some people swear by Burger King, while others can't get enough of Shake Shack's crinkle-cut fries. But when it comes to the best of the best, USA Today's 10Best awards put the spuds through the ultimate test. The brand's editors, along with a panel of experts, nominated their top selection for fast-food restaurant fries and readers were able to vote for their absolute favorite. The winner? Turns out it's Del Taco, the Mexican-inspired chain.  Apparently, Del Taco isn't just good at cooking up its namesake dish. Their crinkle-cut fries have earned them a coveted spot on the best-of list, and patrons can enjoy them as is or topped with queso, chili, or carne asada. Other chains that earned top spots in the ranking might come as less of a surprise. Jack in the Box's seasoned curly fries ranked second, followed by McDonald's, Golden Chick, and Five Guys, respectively. What chains didn't make the cut? You won't find popular spots like Wendy's (where you can score a free breakfast sandwich right now), In-N-Out, Burger King, or Raising Cane's on the list, proving that the voters have a discerning eye, or rather, tastebuds.  These are the top 10 fast-food french fries, according to USA Today's 10Best: 1. Del Taco 2. Jack in the Box 3. McDonald's 4. Golden Chick 5. Five Guys 6. Chick-fil-A 7. A & W 8. Whataburger 9. Arby's 10. Popeyes

Now available to all Philly locals, rideshare bike company Indego has introduced Indego365 Plus, a new pilot program featuring an upgraded annual pass for active users. The premium pass allows riders unlimited 60-minute classic bike rides, as well as two 30-minute rides on the company's electric bikes each day. This is a great option for the hot and sticky summer months, as well as for riders who frequently battle hills on their commutes. This new option is a step up from Indego365, which does not offer the additional two 30-minute e-bike rides each day. While Indego365 costs $156 each year, the new Indego365 Plus is available for $230 per year. This breaks down to an affordable $19.17 per month—slightly cheaper than the company's monthly $20 pass.  According to users, an electric-assisted ride is especially useful in the summer when it's too hot to ride a regular bicycle, plus the pass is shareable, making it convenient for couples or roommates who may not have a use for a single pass.  Additionally, riders who have a PA ACCESS card can enjoy the Plus pass for even cheaper at just $100 annually. With over 250 stations and more than 2,000 bikes across the city of Philadelphia, Indego provides a healthy and eco-friendly way to get from place to place each and every day. For those who are already Indego members and want to upgrade to the Plus pass, you will receive a pro-rated discount upon upgrading. Just make sure you've got your helmet ready to go.     

Budget Icelandic airline PLAY is offering travelers 25 percent off flights booked now through August 1. Although no one wants to think about the end of summer quite yet, it's the perfect time to start thinking about travel plans for the fall and winter. Shoulder season is a great time to explore more crowded European destinations. "Budget travelers know that researching and planning ahead pays off in savings, enabling them to get even more out of every trip," explains PLAY CEO Einar Örn Ólafsson. The generous 25 percent discount applies to flights from United States cities such as Boston and Washington, D.C., to destinations like Copenhagen, Iceland, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Dublin between September and December 2024.  Additionally, travelers can stack PLAY's stayover option on top of their discounted flights for an epic BOGO deal. This means that travelers can travel to more than one European destination for up to 10 days and enjoy two destinations for the price of one—okay, sign me up!  Best of all, booking your transport at a discount allows you to splurge on other experiences at your final destination. Scoop up those tickets to the Blue Lagoon or journey to the cliffs of Moher without batting an eye, knowing you're already saving on your flights. 

No one enjoys waiting in long lines or spending a lot of money just to be disappointed by unmanageable crowds and underwhelming attractions. Many of the country's famous tourist attractions are victim to just that, so instead of taking a chance on what you think might be a fun outing, turn to the pros to ensure a positive experience.  JPC, who analyzed over 50 popular tourist attractions across the U.S. using online review scores, revealed the most underrated tourist attractions in America, and perhaps surprisingly, a home in DeLand, Florida takes the top spot. The Stetson Mansion, which was built in the late 1800s for the man behind the famous eponymous hat brand, offers tours to the public throughout the year.  In second place is California's floating USS Midway Museum, depicting U.S. naval history, while third place is the surprising Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City. We wouldn't call the world-class MET underrated—it's perfectly rated and worth visiting—but we'll defer to JPC for the sake of this story. More than half of the top 10 underrated tourist attractions on JPC's list score a perfect five-star rating from visitors. Plus, among all of the reviews on these locales, less than one percent feature any negative words at all. So, if you're looking for a hotspot to visit on your next getaway, make sure to add these to your to-do list. The Most Underrated Tourist Attractions in the U.S. 1. Stetson Mansion - DeLand, FL 2. USS Midway Museum - San Diego, CA 3.

D.C. travelers with an Amex card in their wallet will be happy to officially welcome the opening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's (DCA) brand new Centurion Lounge on July 17th. Located in Terminal 2, the new 12,000-square-foot lounge is open Sunday through Friday from 5am until 9pm and on Saturday from 5am until 7pm. With design elements that pay homage to the city and its surrounding areas, the lounge displays artwork by local artists, as well as all of the brand's signature Centurion Lounge amenities. In addition to the complimentary Wi-Fi, dedicated workstations, shower suite, and premium restrooms, in a first for Centurion Lounges, guests here will be able to enjoy food from three distinct award-winning chefs: Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov. Innovative dishes range from tamari-honey glazed tofu and pineapple to creamy polenta and shabazi-spiced salmon with pomegranate BBQ sauce.  Photograph: Courtesy American Express Lounge-goers can pair their meal with specialty cocktails from the lounge's esteemed drink and wine list, curated by Centurion Lounge Mixologist Jim Meehan and Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio.  “The Centurion Lounge is one of our Card Members’ favorite travel benefits, and the new location at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport offers Card Members the premium amenities they love in an airport they frequently travel through,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. Waiting for your f

Although the famous Pan Am airline shuttered operations in the early '90s, wealthy travelers now have a way of going back in time to once again board a Pan Am-branded flight. In partnership with Criterion Travel and Bartelings Associates, Pan Am will host a 12-day trip retracing the airline's original transatlantic routes. Taking place from June 27, 2025, through July 9, the trip will begin in New York and make stops in Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes. Only 50 lucky guests will have the opportunity of a lifetime to board the luxury flight, which will be hosted by the CEO of Pan American World Airways, Craig Carter. Clocking in at a whopping $59,950 per person, the trip will pull out all the stops, from a privately chartered Boeing 757-200 aircraft with all lie-flat seats to an open bar in flight to luxury hotel stays when on the ground in places like the Four Seasons Ritz in Lisbon and the Rosewood Bermuda, and plenty of one-of-a-kind experiences, like the opportunity to step aboard a Pan Am Clipper replica.  But if you aren't one of the affluent few to book a seat on this trip, fret not. Carter stated that this is just the first of many new exclusive and themed flights the airline will roll out. 

Did you know that sunflowers reach their peak colors throughout the final weeks of summer? It's true! And if you're looking to capture that Insta-worthy, perfectly hued shot among the vibrant yellow flowers, North Dakota is the place to post up shop. To help visitors and locals take advantage of the photogenic posies, the state's tourism board launched the ND Sunflower Trail, which details coordinates and directions to the state's best spots for sunflower viewing. Updated weekly, the map identifies local growers and divulges when sunflowers in each field reach their peak colors.  North Dakota is no stranger to growing sunflowers, either. The state's abundance of the beautiful stalks can be traced back to the 19th century when Ukrainian immigrants settled in the area and brought with them the gardening skills to cultivate the golden perennials.  While the trail map offers visitors an easy and surefire way to get their sunflower fix this summer, the tourism board instructs visitors to make sure to be mindful of the diligent growers and landowners who work hard to maintain the state's sunflower bounty. Additionally, North Dakota Tourism has also strategically placed free edible sunflower seeds in mailboxes at a handful of the sunflower fields on the map. A tasty snack and a free photo opp all in one? Count us in. 

Welcoming to all ages and skill levels, Yoga on the Banks has been a mainstay in Philly for the better part of a decade. Sadly, the popular outdoor yoga program on the Schuylkill Banks is wrapping up its final season on Sunday, July 21st. Director and teacher Erin Gautsche posted a heartfelt message to the company's Instagram page, stating, "I come to you with difficult news about our program, and the continuation of our season. My partner and I have been planning to move to Michigan to be closer to family, and I will need to end my teaching in Philadelphia soon." The post goes on to detail that due to unforeseen circumstances, Yoga on the Banks will have to wrap up its season early, ending later this week.  Unfortunately, this means that those looking for some outdoor downward dogs will need to look elsewhere for their practice. Gautsche, sad to leave her well-built community, didn't want to leave her patrons in the lurch, saying, "If a time comes when I feel comfortable recommending another program and encouraging you to transition your practice there, I will share that information with you." Until that time, simply drag your mats outside and get your namaste on solo, or look to one of the many indoor studios around the city.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌷 Yoga on the Banks 🌷 (@yogaonthebanksphilly)

Are you a pop fan? Punk rock? Country? No matter what music genre gets you going, there are plenty of acts coming to the D.C. area this month that are primed to satisfy diehard fans and new crowds. From solo performers like Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Hunt to bands like DMB and The Aquabats, there are performances every weekend—and even during the week!—to get your body swaying.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in D.C. Make sure to mark your calendars for two big music festivals, too. Totally Tubular Fest brings together some of your ‘80s favorites like Wang Chung and Thomas Dolby, while Broccoli City Festival brings together top performers like Lil Yachty, Victoria Monet, and Issa Rae. While some concerts will take place right in the heart of the city at Capital One Arena, others might require a quick journey to nearby Alexandria or some of your favorite D.C clubs.  Here’s the hit list to get you started: Los Lobos, Wednesday, July 10 – The Birchmere Janet Jackson, Friday, July 12 – Capital One Arena, with special guest Nelly Sam Hunt, Friday, July 12 – Jiffy Lube Live, with Russell Dickerson and George Birge Patty Griffin, Friday & Saturday July 12 & 13 – The Birchmere Dave Matthews Band, Saturday, July 13 – Jiffy Lube Live Totally Tubular Fest, Sunday, July 14 – The Anthem The Aquabats, Monday, July 15 – The Fillmore Silver Springs The Early November, Wednesday, July 17 – Union Stage Brian McKnight, Thursday, July 18 – Warner Theatre Xscape & SWV, Friday, July 19 – Capital O