Category: New York

Destinations, New York, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Buffalo, New York (in a backpack!)

Alyssa stands on the steps of the Buffalo AKG Museum

I recently spent a summer weekend in Buffalo, New York, and it was glorious. No, not in the typical sunshiny way (in fact, the sun rarely made an appearance), but because summers in Buffalo are comfortable affairs with highs only occasionally crossing the 80°F mark. Coming from muggy, sticky Charlotte (and having recently visited other …

Destinations, New York, Travel, USA

From One Queen City to Another: The Complete Weekend Travel Guide to Buffalo, New York

Alyssa waves her arms in front of the Keep Buffalo a Secret Mural

With bare-bones service and high add-on fees, most people wouldn’t be as thrilled about the launch of a new budget airline route as I am—but because I live in Charlotte, where American Airlines controls 90% of flights and charges significantly higher fares as a result of their monopoly, I relish every alternative we get. Back …

Canada, Destinations, New York, Travel, USA

Niagara Falls Day Trip Guide (Beyond the Tourist Traps!)

Alyssa looks out at Horseshoe Falls

Picture this: breathtaking, roaring waterfalls surrounded by nature’s lush greenery… …and right next to it, a dinosaur-themed mini-golf course, a wax museum, and a haunted house. This somewhat jarring combination is the reality in Niagara Falls, Canada. Over the decades, this iconic natural wonder has been overshadowed by chain restaurants, kitschy shops, and cheesy attractions. …

Destinations, Food, New York, Restaurant Roundups and Reviews, Travel, USA

10 Essential Restaurants in Buffalo, New York

Alyssa walks in front of the Duffs sign in Buffalo

“Are you going to eat some wings?” I’m usually a pretty patient person, but even I grew tired of hearing this question repeatedly before a recent trip to Buffalo, New York (I can’t imagine how locals must feel!). Yes, of course I was planning on eating some wings in Buffalo, but my food itinerary (the …

Destinations, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Texas, Travel, USA

2024 Eclipse Expedition: 6 Must-Visit U.S. Cities Along the Path of Totality

Round out your solar expedition with these six travel guides.

Destinations, New York, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Packing List for a Weekend in Rochester, New York

Alyssa wears a black dress in front of a black wall in Rochester, NY

Sharing my ultra-light packing list for a summer weekend getaway in Rochester, New York This might just be my smallest pack ever (not just in the history of the blog, but ever) with four days/three nights in a tote bag. Until a recent weekend in Rochester, New York, there was a tie for my lightest …

Destinations, New York, Travel, USA

The Complete Weekend Travel Guide to Rochester, New York

Alyssa in front of the Frederick Douglass–Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge in Rochester

Something I found fascinating when telling friends and family we were heading to Rochester for the weekend was that everyone had a different immediate response: “Eastman Kodak!” “Wineries!” “Garbage Plates!” “Susan B. Anthony!” “Video Games!” It will never get old to me that people’s first reaction to simply hearing the name of a destination is …

Destinations, Food, New York, Restaurant Roundups and Reviews, Travel, USA

8 Essential Restaurants in Rochester, New York

Exterior of Vern's in Rochester

Look, I love an iconic meal as much as anyone else – bagels in NYC, pasta in Italy, tacos in Austin, stroopwafels in Amsterdam, far too much fish in Denmark, barbecue in Memphis… Those meals are popular for a reason and they wind up being a large part of the visitor experience. I’m happy to …

Destinations, New York, Travel, USA

From Scrabble to Suffrage: Four Rochester Museums You Just Can’t Miss

Alyssa peers at photos in an exhibit at the George Eastman Museum

Welcome to Rochester, New York: a city steeped in culture and history. There’s no better way to discover the elements that have shaped the city’s identity than by exploring its captivating museums. From the world’s oldest photography museum to the largest collection of play artifacts, Rochester offers an eclectic array of experiences for visitors of …

Destinations, New York, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: New York City Winter Packing List

Alyssa stands on a street in SoHo in a Swiss dot top, black pants, and black boots

This is the second NYC packing list in the history of this blog – the first was way back in the fall of 2017 when skinny jeans were de rigueur and my Vejas were brand new (wow, look how bright and clean they were!). While my style has shifted some over the years, my love …