Posts in Top Three
Hoboken, New Jersey

Full disclosure, we are former Hoboken residents and think it is quite possibly the best place in the world.

  • Whether you are there for an hour or a week, visit Carpe Diem. This is your neighborhood Irish Pub with the best wings in the world. Seriously, they have won awards.

  • There is a great waterfront walkway with stunning views of Manhattan and if you get thirsty along the way stop by Pier 13 which features a beer garden and local food trucks.

  • Washington Street is the heart of Hoboken and lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants. It is also home to the original Cake Boss location, if you are into that sort of thing.

Read More
Portland, Maine
  • Lobster, lobster, lobster. Sorry if you have an allergy.

  • You MUST visit the Holy Donut. There will be a line and they do close for the day when they sell out. These donuts are made from scratch and include Maine potatoes. They have vegan and gluten free too!

  • Hubs and I were looking for a little seclusion, and what is better than a private island? The Inn at Diamond Cove. This island was once the site of Fort McKinley and provides a peaceful escape. Leave your car in Portland (they don't allow cars on the island) and take the Casco Bay ferry to Diamond Cove.

*Travel Tip: Make a reservation at The Diamond's Edge Restaurant. It is the only restaurant on the island outside of the hotel offerings and it is very popular with island residence. The food is delicious!  

Read More
Boston, Massachusetts 
  • Walking the The Freedom Trail is a must when visiting Boston and there is an app for that. Download "Freedom Trail Walking Tour" for free and walk the trail at your own pace. Maps can be picked up at the State House.

  • Samuel Adams Oktoberfest happens to be one of my favorite beers, so when in Massachusetts a visit to the Samuel Adams Brewery should be on your list. I strongly encourage reserving a spot online as these tours are popular. Take the T-train Orange line to the Stony Brook stop and the brewery is two blocks away. Like all good brewery tours there is a tasting at the end but one of my favorite features of this tasting is they test flavors at this location so some of the beer you will find is not sold in stores. Cheers.

  • Take a stroll through the Beacon Hill neighborhood to see beautiful old colonial homes, cobblestone streets, and do a little boutique shopping.

Read More
Chicago, Illinois 
  • Chicago natives may disagree (or agree) but for an amazing Chicago deep dish pizza experience go to Lou Malnati's. I also appreciate that while it is a chain, you will only find it in IL. You're welcome.

  • Visit the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the Willis Tower. You will be able to see all the way to Iowa (not really), but the views are amazing and the drinks are even better.

  • Baseball fan or not, anyone and everyone can appreciate Wrigley Field. This iconic field was built in 1914 and has an addictive atmosphere that will turn you into a cubs fan, if only for 24 hours. The field is also surrounded by great bars and restaurants. If it is baseball season get tickets in the cheap seats and enjoy. Wrigley hosts concerts and other events throughout the year.

Read More
Miami, Florida
  • One of the hottest bars in the city can be found at The Delano. (The bar was recently in Taylor Swift’s Big Reputation music video.) Be sure to dress to impress as many of the hotel bars and restaurants have a dress code.

  • Miami has one of the best beaches to lay back and soak up the sun. We bought a cooler and filled it with beer and snacks for the day. Many of the hotels will rent out beach chairs or you can stop in one of the many beach supply stores that litter the main strip to pick up your own.

Read More
Washington, District of Columbia 
  • Off the Record Bar at the Hay Adams hotel is where power plays are made and the martini glasses are the size of a fishbowl. Please drink responsibly.

  • Monuments by Moonlight is one of my favorite "tourist" activities. This narrated tour takes you to all the major monuments and since it is done at night there is less of a crowd.

  • Eastern Market on Capitol Hill is a favorite among D.C. residence. Grab a bite at Belga Cafe and then spend the morning shopping local D.C. vendors. Note: The outside market is not open in the winter.

Read More
Phoenix, Arizona
  • Hike Camelback Mountain. Parking is located at 6131 E Cholla Ln, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. It is best to arrive early in the morning due to the heat. This hike is classified as difficult (including a rock scramble at the end), but the views of the Phoenix Valley are worth it.

  • Dinner at any Fox Concept restaurant will not disappoint. My personal favorite is Steak 44.

  • The best martini's in the city can be found at MercBar.

Read More
Quebec City, Quebec
  • A cannot miss Happy Hour is at Bistro Le Sam at the stunning Le Château Frontenac. After drinks you can take an evening stroll along the Rue de Ramparts and watch the sunset over the St. Lawrence River.

  • Venture out of the city to an authentic sugar shack, Le Relais de Pins, Cabane à sucre. Here you can experience traditional cuisine and a presentation on how maple sap becomes the famous Canadian Maple Syrup.

  • For those who want to dance the night away head down to Dagobert, a nightclub in a castle. This multi-level club cannot be missed, seriously... you can't miss it, there is a giant disco ball out front.

Read More
Victoria, British Columbia
  • Book high tea at the Fairmont Empress hotel. This hotel has beautiful nooks and cranny's so leave time to explore.

  • Visit Craigdarroch Castle. This beautifully preserved mansion was built in 1887 and has stunning views of the Victoria harbor.

  • If you visit in the summer the inner harbor will be bustling with vendors and entertainers. Once you are done exploring have a picnic in front of the Parliament Building.

* Travel Tip: While you can opt to take the Port Angeles Ferry to Victoria, I recommend the Victoria Clipper which gets you there in 2 hours. You don't need a car to experience Victoria. 

Read More
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • The Armani Hotel in Dubai offers a five star experience. Nestled on floors 3-8 of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, this hotel has an attention to detail and service that I have never experienced anywhere else in the world.

  • True story, I never left the radius of the Burj Khalifa, the mall on the lower level has every high end store you can dream of along with beautiful art installations. There are several restaurant offerings and the nightly fountain show is not to be missed.

  • Don't pay the extra money to go to the 148th floor. A ticket to all three levels costs $95 USD. You can buy a ticket to the 124th and 125th floor for $34 USD and the views are the same. The patio on the 125th floor has the best views. (I paid the $95, trust me -- not worth the cost. I ended up spending the most time on 125).

*Travel Tip: Try to go at sunset. The colors are radiant and the sun turns blood orange over the Persian Gulf.

Read More