Lauren Mack

laurenmack

48 countries (and counting!) on five continents. I've called Beijing, Taipei, Miami, and now New York home. Countries at the beginning of the alphabet (Argentina, Australia, and Andorra) are on top of my bucket list.

  • The 9 Best Cherry Blossom Festivals in the US 2023

    One of the prettiest indicators that spring has sprung is when the blooms of sakura (cherry blossoms) burst into color. And luckily, you don’t have to fly all the way to Japan to enjoy what this cherry blossom festival season has to offer. From coast to coast, cities across America have planted the ornamental trees […]

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  • 18 of the Craziest New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Events in the US

    Three, two, one…happy new year! Cities around the globe are ushering in the new year with coordinated countdowns and wacky, wild ball drops. Arguably, the most epic New Year’s Eve event is the ball drop in Times Square in New York, but smaller spots host equally exciting countdowns that include dropping quirky objects, like a […]

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  • 13 Unbelievable Urban Hiking Trails Around the World

    When hiking mountains simply won’t do, grab your hiking boots and hit the city streets for an urban hike. There are tons of easy urban hikes for city slickers around the world. Whether you conquer your acrophobia (fear of heights) at the world’s most epic urban climbs, like NYC’s City Climb —the highest open-air building […]

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  • 16 Underrated US Cities Worth Visiting

    Sometimes the best cities in the US aren’t household names…or even home to major airports. Beyond capital cities and near major metropolises are lesser-known cities, town and villages waiting to be explored. Beauty, history, and charm make many of the most underrated US cities worth a visit in 2023. From soothing soaks in the hot […]

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  • The Most Unique Travel Destinations Around the World

    From rainbow lakes and trees to glowing waters around the world, our planet is filled with so many unique and wacky wonders. When an overcrowded museum or park simply won’t do, add a unique travel destination to your itinerary. Here are a few of our favorite weird, wacky, and wonderfully unique travel destinations around the […]

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  • 15 Best Places to Celebrate Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

    One of the most magical fall festivals in the world is Día de los Muertos: a traditional Mexican holiday where families honor death and celebrate life. Held on November 2, it’s believed that deceased relatives reunite with their families on Day of the Dead. The night is filled with music, processions, and candlelit ofrendas (altars) […]

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  • The Best Places to Celebrate Halloween Worldwide

    Darkness falls across the world on October 31st, ushering in a night of Halloween thrills and chills. The pagan festival of Halloween was first celebrated in Ireland 3,000 years ago. Today, the Gaelic festival is celebrated with freaky fun that includes wild halloween events, carved pumpkins, trick-or-treating, ghost tours, parades, and more. While there are […]

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  • The 18 Best Oktoberfest Events in the US for 2023

    As autumn approaches, it’s time to don lederhosen and dirndls and raise a beer stein in honor of Oktoberfest. While the Bavarian festival is rooted in 19th-century Germany, the popularity of the fall festival is prevalent throughout the US. The original Oktoberfest event was celebrated in 1810 on the wedding day of Crown Prince Ludwig […]

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  • The Best Fall Festivals in the US for 2023

    After a summer of fun in the sun, you autumn know (get it?) about these cozy fall events and festivals. Stretching from the autumnal equinox in late September to the Winter Solstice at the end of December, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors by apple picking, leaf peeping, and festival-going. From stargazing to […]

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  • Top Places to See Fall Foliage in the US 2023

    In hues of amber, crimson, and ochre, fall conjures up cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and fabulous fall foliage Predicting the best time to see the leaves change is tricky, but many states offer foliage trackers to help travelers time their trips. Looking at past peak periods can also help predict the best time to take […]

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  • 50 of the Most Romantic Places in the US by State

    Love is in the air, around the corner, and all over the map. Whether you prefer long walks on the beach at sunset, wining and dining until the wee hours of the morning, or soaring to new heights – literally, we have 50 shades of ways to spark love, rekindle romance, and induce wanderlust. Let’s […]

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  • 16 Cozy Christmas Markets in Europe

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Since the Middle Ages, Christmas street markets have delighted locals and visitors with food, ornaments, gifts, and entertainment. The start of the Christian Advent season in late November ushers in the opening of festive Christmas markets across Europe, which help revelers prepare for the holidays.  Lasting a […]

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  • 15 Creative Date Ideas in Chicago For Any Budget

    The Midwest’s largest city, Chicago, is the ideal place to turn your ordinary date night into an extraordinary excursion everyone will envy. With 26 miles of lakefront, 25 beaches, 600 parks, 200 music venues, and more than 7,000 cocktail bars and restaurants, there are countless places to take a date in the Windy City. But […]

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  • 27 of the Most Remote Restaurants in the World

    How far would you travel for the perfect pint, celebrity chef meal, or creatively-crafted cocktail? Some of the most exemplary epicurean endeavors are a long plane, train, or car ride from civilization. Or, in some cases…. multiple modes of transport until you’re literally in the middle of nowhere. From the middle of the ocean to […]

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  • 17 of the Most Haunted Places in America

    Mysterious and spooky, ghosts have captivated the world for centuries. From ghost stories and seances to haunted tours of the most mysterious places on earth, the fascination with spirits and connecting with the departed skyrockets during autumn with cooler weather, long nights, and, of course, Halloween. The most haunted places in the U.S. are not […]

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  • 8 Amazing Glass Bridges for Thrill Seekers

    Glass bridges— elevated paths perched hundreds of feet above rushing waters and deep canyons—have grown in popularity in the last two decades. These glass-bottom marvels offer crystal-clear vantage points to admire amazing landscapes, take picture-perfect panoramas, and capture enviable selfies while amping up the fear factor. Acrophobics, beware. From the Grand Canyon to the Canadian […]

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  • 17 Delicious Food Factory Tours Across the US

    Ever wonder how PEZ is made? Thanks to food factory tours, hungry travelers can satisfy their curiosities…and cravings. Whether you’re road tripping across the US or exploring your own hometown, take a delicious detour at some of the country’s most beloved snack factories. From learning how ice cream is made at Ben & Jerry’s in […]

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  • 38 of the Most Unique Hotels in the World

    When it comes to sleeping around the world, we have no reservations. Fancy resorts? Cheap hostels? Quirky hotels? Been there, done that. From planes and trains to a decommissioned oil rig to ice hotels and igloos, we get around, booking unique hotels that come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and surroundings. We’ve traveled to […]

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  • The Best 4th of July Events for 2023

    As Americans begin to emerge from quarantine, cities from sea to shining sea are ready to celebrate the Fourth of July. Made a federal holiday in 1941, the US celebrates Independence Day on July 4th commemorating when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.  From patriotic parades and fireworks to battle reenactments and readings of the […]

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  • 19 of the World’s Best Swim-up Bars

    Departing the deep end for a refreshing cocktail isn’t necessary at some of the world’s most popular resorts, thanks to swanky swim-up bars. Swim-up bars offer classic cocktails, tasty nibbles, and enviable views without leaving the water.  Swim-up bars are the perfect respite from the sizzling sun. Often perched poolside, they feature a collection of […]

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  • 11 Illuminated Landmarks Around the World

    The lights are bright on Broadway….and so many other places in the world. From neon-lit ice castles to public squares with glowing trees, the world’s illuminated landmarks are so bright that you may have to wear shades— even at night. A century ago, colorful, chromatic neon started crowding the night sky, creatively persuading passersby to […]

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  • 33 of the Luckiest Places in the World

    It’s time to get lucky. Travelers in search of health, wealth, and happiness have dozens of destinations to choose from in their quest for good luck. From statues and fountains to temples and natural wonders, luck comes in all shapes and sizes. As luck would have it, we traveled to 33 of the luckiest places in […]

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  • 35 Essential Things to Do in Beijing

    Beijing is a city of contrasts and a metropolis in constant flux. The Chinese capital’s wide boulevards and modern skyscrapers have been rapidly eclipsing the charming hútòngs (alleyways) and sìhéyuàn (courtyard homes) for decades, but there is still plenty of history and culture in the ‘Jing. From exploring the Forbidden City and riding bicycles through […]

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  • 41 of the Best Things to Do in Taiwan

    There’s no place quite like Taiwan. Located 100 miles off the coast of China, Taiwan is home to enviable amenities that are a feast for the senses: misty and soothing hot springs, majestic mountains populated with tea plantations, bustling neon-lit night markets open until the wee hours, and remarkable points of interest like the massive […]

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