Travel

The Chicago skyline backdrops the Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Conde Nast Traveler readers name Chicago ‘Best Big City’ for 10th year in a row

By Robert Channick

October 6, 2026 at 3:25 p.m.

Conde Nast Traveler received nearly 800,000 votes for this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, which cover...

Olivia Estrada, the on board manager, carries plates of food to the dome car for guests aboard a Patrick Henry Creative Promotions private rail car as it travels from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, on May 19, 2026. Private train cars may seem like a relic of the past, but for some rail fans, nothing beats having — or renting — your own sleeper car. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)

The quiet allure of private rail

By The New York Times News Service Syndicate

October 2, 2026 at 6:15 p.m.

Private rail cars traveled 429,000 miles on Amtrak in fiscal year 2025, according to the...

Cary Sabados shops for chocolate at Hotel Chocolat in Lakeview on Feb. 12, 2026. This Lakeview location, opened last April, was the first Chicago store. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Chicago-based Hotel Chocolat going nationwide with airport concessions, grocery stores and new retail markets

By Robert Channick

September 23, 2026 at 12:37 p.m.

This fall, Hotel Chocolat will pop up at 49 airports, hit the shelves at Wegmans,...

WAIT FOR A SPORTING EVENTS | <a href="https://www.theactivetimes.com/extreme-weather-pro-sports-athletes"target="_blank">Pro athletes have endured a lot</a> for the sake of the game, however this global health pandemic has upended the spring and summer sporting season. Currently, Major League Baseball has not announced a ticket refund policy, and the league intends to play as many games as possible when the season begins. The NHL and NBA have both been similarly mum on refund policies as they navigate the possibility of a season with empty stands and stadiums.

Ed Perkins on Travel: Department of Transportation consumer issues — What’s next

By Ed Perkins

November 12, 2020 at 1:52 p.m.

All of the consumer advocates I know predict that the incoming Biden Department of Transportation...

Merry Prairie: 19th century Christmas in Indiana gets a health and safety update for 2020

By Joanne Y. Cleaver

November 8, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Face masks aren't authentic to the 19th century, even if they are made of calico...

REBOOK RESERVATIONS FOR POPULAR TOURIST SPOTS | If you have made any time-specific bookings for tours or visits, check with your provider for rescheduling opportunities or refunds. For example, the Gateway Arch in Missouri will refund anyone who pre-purchased tram rides to the top of the Arch or other riverboat tickets. Tickets for tours of Elvis Presley's home in Graceland March 21 through April 30 will automatically be extended for use within one year of the original tour date. In the meantime, several famous travel destinations and museums are offering <a href="https://www.theactivetimes.com/virtual-tour-landmark">free virtual tours online</a>.

They love Paris in the quarantine

By The New York Times

November 8, 2020 at 7:03 a.m.

Four years ago, Jamie Beck was a photographer living on the Upper West Side of...

Seattle's scenic Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, soars 605 feet above the Emerald City. Its stylish, futuristic shape can be photographed beautifully from many neighborhoods and parks in the city. Visitors can ride a glass elevator to the top and dine at the Needle's revolving restaurant or just admire the 360-degree view of the mountains, city skyline and Puget Sound.

How to staycation in 6 American cities

By The New York Times

November 7, 2020 at 7:40 a.m.

The pandemic has decimated urban tourism as Americans, if they choose to travel, have fled...

Forget long weekends: During the pandemic it’s all about short weeks

By The New York Times

November 6, 2020 at 12:42 p.m.

Health declaration forms and virus tests. Quarantine-on-arrival (and on return) requirements. Infection rates that change...

The 2020 holiday festivities at Disney's Hollywood Studios include decorations, a Santa Claus motorcade, tasty treats, light projections on the Tower of Terror and more.

Universal’s holiday plan includes Macy’s balloons on display, new Tribute Store, Grinch interactions

By Dewayne Bevil

November 12, 2020 at 9:47 a.m.

Universal Orlando has unwrapped its plans for the holidays, including a selection of festivities that...

How to staycation in 6 American cities

By New York Times

November 5, 2020 at 3:36 p.m.

If you live near one of the following six cities and have decided against traveling...

Go away with … Linda Perry

By Jae-Ha Kim

November 5, 2020 at 12:17 p.m.

Known for her distinctive voice as the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry...

Rick Steves’ Europe: The Italian love of eating

By Rick Steves

November 5, 2020 at 10:55 a.m.

As we've had to postpone our travels because of the pandemic, I believe a weekly...

Various artifacts uncovered at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park are on display in St. Augustine on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020.

St. Augustine Fountain of Youth may be Florida’s oldest attraction

By Patrick Connolly

November 17, 2020 at 12:40 p.m.

This story is the second in a recurring series called "On The Road," which details...