Emilee Lindner writes from her beautifully chaotic home in Elmira, NY. Half of her heart is in Brooklyn and half lies in gorgeous upstate New York, where she gardens, explores, and lives with her husband and two young daughters. Curious about culture, social justice, and the environment, her writing has spanned several topics in Vice, MTV, The Buffalo News and The New York Times.

Emilee Lindner

Emilee Lindner

USA contributor

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Articles (33)

The best Chinese restaurants in America

The best Chinese restaurants in America

Everyone has their own idea of what Chinese food is in America. Drive through any town in the country and you’ll be able to find the classic egg rolls, lo mein, beef and broccoli, General Tso’s, fortune cookies and so on. And trust—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! But if you know where to look, you can find authentic dishes from centuries-old recipes, modern takes on beloved treasures, and fresh produce and made-from-scratch sauces worthy of Michelin stars. Ready to expand your palate? Give your taste buds a treat by visiting the following restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a chef’s table experience, an upscale eatery, or an entirely veganized menu, there’s something for everyone. Now it’s up to you: Will you go for the noodles or the dumplings? Have your decision ready when you eat at the best Chinese restaurants in the United States.
The 16 best gourmet chocolate gift box deliveries in the USA

The 16 best gourmet chocolate gift box deliveries in the USA

Sometimes chocolates speak louder than words. Just make sure your chocolate delivery is saying the right thing. With these American chocolatiers, you’ve got options for a full slate of statements. For example: Want to say I love you? Go for a milky truffle.What to get sultry? Send a dark chocolate with some sort of fruity filling.Want to make friends? Try something nutty.Want to celebrate a milestone? Order a colorful batch of treats.Want to say thank you? Opt for a chocolate subscription box. Whatever your reason—hey, maybe you’re just ordering an assortment for yourself!—these chocolates give you a range of options. From cutesy to colorful to crazy, each chocolatier has a signature flair that gives their product its own personality. Now, it’s just time for you to play chocolate matchmaker. Ready? It’s time to discover the best chocolate shops in the USA. RECOMMENDED: 💐 The best cheap flower delivery services in the USA🎄 The best Christmas candy in the U.S. for sweet holiday treats🏩 The 12 most romantic hotels in the U.S. How do we know it's the best of the best? Our lists are curated by our expert writers to offer you the lowdown on the best delivery services in the USA. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.
The 10 best cheap flower delivery services in the USA

The 10 best cheap flower delivery services in the USA

Whether you have two months, two weeks, or 24 hours to plan a gift (it happens!), lucky for you, there are some quick, cheap options out there for flower delivery. All you have to do is browse a website, choose from some absolutely stunning bouquets, and wait for your loved one to gush about their botanical beauties. Birthday, Valentine’s Day, anniversary—no matter the occasion, the following websites have pretty posies in totally affordable tiers. And you don’t even have to deliver them yourself. Happy flower shopping, friends! Here are the best, cheap flower delivery services in the USA. RECOMMENDED: 🍫Complete your gift with the best chocolate shops in the USA How do we know it's the best of the best? Our lists are expertly curated by our local experts far and wide to offer you the lowdown on the best delivery services. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.
9 weird but wonderful New Year’s Eve events in the USA

9 weird but wonderful New Year’s Eve events in the USA

New Year’s Eve in the U.S. is more than watching balls drop. It’s also about seeing a 400-pound chick lower and other bizarre New Year’s Eve traditions. You see, America really lets its freak flag fly when it comes to ringing in the New Year. We lean into our superstitions and harness our oddball customs as part of our countdowns. If you’re loyal to the Times Square celebration, might we interest you in other special, kooky “drops” that feature absurdly large items lowered at midnight? As you’ll see below, these celebratory totems lean into the locale’s eccentric spirit and represent something about the town’s unique industry, traditions, or history. After all, it’s already strange enough to stay up past midnight just to watch time go by, so why not take it over the top? Dive into the weirdest New Year’s traditions in the USA and maybe you’ll have a few things to add to your bucket list. RECOMMENDED: 19 weird landmarks in the U.S. that are worth a visit
The best winter train rides in the USA

The best winter train rides in the USA

You’ve decided you want a winter getaway, but everyone’s kind of “meh” about driving. On these winter train rides across the USA, everyone in your group can relax, cozy up with a warm beverage, and watch the snowy landscape pass—nary a traffic care. Train travel not only takes away the responsibility of driving, but it allows riders to see more of the country, with all its snow-capped mountains, blanketed fields, and frosty trees glittering in the sunlight. In one trip, you can chug along from Seattle to Chicago, taking in the majesty of Glacier National Park, with many naps between. Or you can opt for a shorter trek, sitting back while you travel toward a weekend ski trip. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun, a romantic voyage with your partner, or a solo day of escaping reality, build your bucket list below with these best winter train rides in the USA. RECOMMENDED: The best train rides for seriously gorgeous views  
The best Christmas candy in the U.S. for sweet holiday treats

The best Christmas candy in the U.S. for sweet holiday treats

What’s the best Christmas candy to enjoy during the holidays? Well, quite simply, it’s chocolatey, shaped like an icon, and perfect for stuffing in that stocking of yours. But before we reveal that top spot of our very definitive, very official candy list, let’s first appreciate all the treats that make Christmas so wonderful. Eating bonbons for breakfast is a holiday tradition invented by Santa himself (why else would he sneak so many of those individually wrapped peppermint Kisses into your sock?). So whether you’re an old-school ribbon candy and candy cane kind of guy, or a modern-day gummy gal, honor the time-tested tradition by sugaring up. Whether you prefer classic Christmas confections or coal—yes, there’s coal-themed candy—there’s so much to choose from. So what are you going to snap when you jingle-jangle down that red, green, holly jolly candy aisle? Take it from us: you need to stock up on the best Christmas candy in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in the USAThe best Christmas stores in the U.S.The best Christmas towns in the USA
The best ice skating rinks in the USA

The best ice skating rinks in the USA

Strap on your skates and let’s go to the best ice skating rinks in the USA! There’s nothing better than a holiday date with family, friends, and kiddos to fill your cup with joy. Whether bundling up to skate loops around a glittering tree or hitting up an indoor mall rink, lacing up and hitting the ice is a long-standing tradition for a reason. In America, you can find an ice rink in about any town you pass through. But few reach the ranks of “must-visit” status. Rockefeller Center may be the most iconic destination for gliding gracefully (or, if you’re like the majority of the country, not-so gracefully), but there are so many other beautiful locations to explore. Below, you’ll find quaint ski villages, mountain views, and a skating experience like no other. So, if you’re an expert figure-eighter or someone who doesn’t mind falling on their bum a few times, these best ice skating rinks in the United States will have you falling for this happy tradition again. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in the U.S.
The best restaurants in Niagara Falls

The best restaurants in Niagara Falls

Restaurants in Niagara Falls, Canada, represent the breadth of everything Ontario has to offer—from farm-fresh produce to those crisp Niagara wine country beverages to romantic scenery and diverse cuisines. A tourist town once plagued with fast food has been revolutionized by local chefs committed to the quality of the region. While Niagara Falls serves as a tourists' playground, there are food options for anyone in your group. You’ve got your filet-mignon-fine-dining establishments, your burger-and-a-beer breweries, and, of course, the piece de resistance of Canadian culture: poutine. What will you choose? The contemporary Indian place, the seafood restaurant, or the revolving dining room of the Skylon? Your taste buds await your decision as you plan out your visit to the best restaurants in Niagara Falls. RECOMMENDED: The 13 natural wonders of the U.S. that are seriously stunningThe highest (and coolest!) observation decks in the USA At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
The best holiday traditions in New York State

The best holiday traditions in New York State

When it comes to celebrating post-spooky season, New York State is sort of the king of holiday traditions. Think about it: We’ve got the North Pole (in a sense). We’ve got the Rockefeller Christmas tree. We’ve got the largest menorah in the world. And those icy waters are perfect for New Year’s Day plunges. New York exudes holiday spirit and serves as a leader for the rest of America in the Christmas realm (we are called the Empire State, after all). Whether you’re up north in the High Peaks, nestled between the Finger Lakes, hailing from Western New York, or living big in New York City, you’ve got a few holiday tricks in your back pocket to impress those out-of-towners.Thanksgiving? We’ve got the trots. Christmas? We’ve got the trees. Hanukkah? We’ve got the treats. And there’s everything in between. Need more proof? Read below to discover why New York State holiday traditions have every other state beat.
21 haunted places in New York State that are truly scary

21 haunted places in New York State that are truly scary

Colonial nooks, Native grounds, murder sites, turn-of-the-century history—New York State’s got enough spooky happenings to fill volumes of ghost stories. While New York City is packed with sinister secrets, trapped souls, and macabre stories, some of the most haunted places in New York lie within the rest of the Empire State (what city folk call “upstate”). But be careful when seeking out a ghosty thrill. The following places are guaranteed to stand hairs on end and keep visitors awake for the foreseeable future. There are no fairy tales here—only ghost hunts and real-life stories of murder, greed, and insanity. Ready to venture through New York’s most haunted sites? Grab a mirror, your evil eye, and maybe a brave buddy, and check out these haunted places. RECOMMENDED: The most haunted places in NYCThe most haunted places in AmericaThe 11 most haunted Airbnbs in the U.S.
The biggest and best corn mazes in America

The biggest and best corn mazes in America

The biggest and best corn mazes in America aren’t your ordinary corn fields. No, these challenging trails can take up multiple football fields' worth of farm. After all, the States surely know how to do the fall season! So, if you’re the "go big or go home" type, you’re going to want to check out these gargantuan—and super creative—mazes in September, October and November. Whether they’re created with GPS by the professionals or mowed into the earth, these paths are designed to get you just lost enough to connect with nature, spend time with family and friends, and then find your way back to home base for some kettle corn or a frosty beverage. The following corn mazes take the autumnal season to the extreme as you participate in a host of other pastoral activities. Apple cannons, pig races, pumpkin picking and the main attraction, corn, round out the American fall tradition as you seek out the best corn mazes in America. RECOMMENDED: The best places to see fall foliage in the U.S.
The most haunted places in America for a creepy ghost hunt

The most haunted places in America for a creepy ghost hunt

If you crave a ghostly rendezvous, grab your EMF reader and a sack of salt and try exploring one of the most haunted places in America. From 17th-century witch houses to gothic cemeteries, some places exude a ghastly air. Other reportedly haunted places fly under the radar with their hauntings—much less obvious. Thrill-seekers, history buffs, and soul speakers alike comb these areas for paranormal activity, hoping to get a glimpse of the beyond. Book a ghost tour to get the full experience. The United States has no shortage of hauntings. And whether you witness something spooky or not, ghost hunting at the following places can provide a heart-pounding adrenaline rush. From cemeteries to abandoned Gold Rush towns to spooky, ghost-filled houses, visit these places to collect your own spine-chilling story of the local lore. Who knows—your adventure to the most haunted places in the U.S. might just be the next chapter in the ghost story…