Andrew Hirschfeld

You’ve got a day off? Maybe it’s time to take advantage of one of those last summer Fridays or take an early fall getaway. Labor Day is coming up, after all. Montauk sounds fun, the traffic will likely mean a good three-and-a-half hours on the road without stops. A trip down the Jersey Shore is not that much different … so, if it’s going to take a while, why not elevate your weekend away and try somewhere where you may not run into the neighbors? These are some easy getaways from the city that may not actually be as far away or take as long to get to as you might think. RECOMMENDED: The best road trips from NYC

If you have a long layover or (God forbid) a delay, it can put a damper on any travel experience. Fortunately, quite a few U.S. airports now empathize with that struggle and have ramped up amenities in recent years. Several large hubs are appeasing beleaguered travelers with perks, including pools in New York, restaurant concepts from James Beard Award-winning chefs in Houston, access to therapy animals in San Francisco and even a movie theater in Portland. None of it requires lounge access, either. We looked into the best ones at some of the nation's biggest airports, most known as hubs for connecting flights, to bring you the best options to consider when booking your next flight.

With New Year’s celebrations in the rear mirror, dry January is in the spotlight. The annual event encourages people to cut out alcohol for the month. Those taking part are joining a growing number of Americans putting the proverbial bottle down amid surging interest in the non-alcoholic beverage landscape. So, it’s no surprise that there are hot, trendy, sober bars popping up around the country catering to this growing demographic. If you want to bond with colleagues after a day at the office, or if you’re like me and looking for that special someone—opting not to grab a drink is easier said than done. Fortunately, the country has quite a few options for zero-proof bars. Below, find the best sober bars in America for your next booze-free night out. 

Imagine this: your bags are packed, getting in a car and headed to the airport for your vacation but the only thing you know is what airport you’re leaving from—not where you’re going, staying and what you’ll do on your vacation. You also have no idea who might be traveling with you. That’s the ethos behind the growing niche of the travel industry known as surprise travel. The blossoming set of companies behind the sector makes it super easy for those of us who think planning to get away is a job in itself. Ready to embark on this new way of seeing the world? Here are some options for the best surprise travel programs out there.

If you are a ski (snowboard) fiend like me, waiting until peak season to hit the slopes is just not an option. Some of America’s top resorts, including Keystone and Killington, have already opened for early-season skiing. It’s a great way to get outside during the late fall, while leaf peeping is on its last legs and get warmed up for more extensive ski trips later in the winter. Trail options are limited in the beginning, so it’s not the full experience you may get in a few months. But there are several world-class resorts you can get out to for a quick day trip or a fun weekend away before the holidays get into full gear. Here are some of the best options for early-season skiing in the U.S., from the West Coast to the East Coast. 

If you’re headed to an airport this summer or planning to get away in the fall, it’s frankly a gamble if you’d make it to your destination on time – if at all. (These are the airlines with the worst delays.) Amid staffing shortages, flights have been canceled left and right. So, if you are looking to get away (maybe you're finally headed to a bucket-list destination) you may want to consider on demand semi-private flights instead.  We know what you're thinking, but it’s actually more affordable than you might think. Some flights might even be cheaper than treating yourself to that upgraded seat on a commercial airline (or Virgin's sexy new seating for two). Intrigued? Here are our favorite options. 

Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC have many things in common and one of the most notable is that despite their sprawling, metropolis-like scale, they're all cities where you can comfortably survive in without a car. But what happens when you want to explore the cultural treasures and history that other cities up and down the Eastern Seaboard have to offer? Well, you're in luck. If you weren't already aware, the Acela is a reliable high-speed rail link run by Amtrak that offers affordable access to the biggest cities on the Atlantic coast. With summer just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to get out of the house and get on that weekend getaway. With more space and legroom than typical airline seating, it offers downtown to downtown service between all the major cities, plus free Wi-Fi, power outlets at your seat and amazing views as you speeds across the country at speeds of up to 150 mph. (And Amtrak often offers deal on tickets!)  With gas prices where they are, make this the summer you schedule a scenic train ride instead.