Travel

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,...

UNITE Here Local 1 workers from Cambria Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel picket outside of the hotel on Oct. 23, 2018. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Chicago hotel workers vote to strike

By Talia Soglin

September 21, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

Workers at dozens of downtown Chicago hotels could go on strike at any time, according...

A group of researchers and birders hike up Davis Gulch at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah on Monday, May 11, 2026. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Once underwater, Colorado River canyon country reemerges as drought-stricken Lake Powell’s levels drop

By Elise Schmelzer

June 8, 2026 at 11:44 a.m.

"Hiking the side canyons is like going through ecological time travel," said Eric Balken, executive...

People play Pokémon on their devices in Grant Park during Pokémon Go Fest, which drew people from all over the country on June 5, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Summer tourist season looks strong for local hotels, even without Taylor Swift and Beyoncé

By Brian J. Rogal

June 5, 2026 at 6:08 p.m.

Despite high gas prices and economic uncertainty, a densely packed calendar of events and concerts...

A United Airlines plane is seen in a still image taken from video after hitting a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike as it lands at Newark Liberty International Airport, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Patrick Oyulu)

Copilot of United jet that struck a light pole realized flight was low, but not in time: report

By Philip Marcelo

June 4, 2026 at 4:04 p.m.

The copilot of a United Airlines passenger jet that struck a light pole as it...

Travelers exit the CTA Blue Line train at O’Hare International Airport, May, 28, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Flying out of O’Hare this summer? Here’s what travelers can expect.

By Talia Soglin

June 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Despite a turbulent spring for the airline industry, O'Hare International Airport is expected to be...

The children of Bill and Corrine Borchers, both of whom died in the crash of American Airlines Flight 191, from left, Kim Jockl, Melody Smith and Jim Borchers, speak on May 12, 2026, in Des Plaines about their journey following their parents' death. A total of 273 people as a result of the plane crash. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Remembering American Airlines Flight 191

By Talia Soglin

May 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Today, the site is slated to become part of the new Interstate 490 tollway, a...

Travelers wait to board an Amtrak train at Union Station in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Higher fuel prices have some Americans scaling back their Memorial Day travel plans

By Rio Yamat

May 21, 2026 at 10:40 a.m.

Higher fuel prices resulting from the Iran war and other inflationary pressures are making most...

Air travelers eat at Gene’s Bistro during the unveiling of the new Central Market at Chicago's Midway Airport on Nov. 29, 2023. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Gene’s Bistro owner suing Midway Airport concessionaire for breach of contract

By Robert Channick

May 19, 2026 at 6:41 p.m.

The owner of Gene's Bistro, an offshoot of iconic Chicago steakhouse Gene & Georgetti, is...

A Frontier Airlines jetliner sits outside a repair hangar at Denver International Airport, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Summer travelers who relied on Spirit Airlines may struggle to find budget alternatives

By Rio Yamat

May 18, 2026 at 8:13 a.m.

Days after Spirit Airlines shut down in the middle of the night, a lawyer for...

FILE – Butterfly Conservation President Sir David Attenborough poses for a photo with a south east Asian Great Mormon Butterfly on his nose, as he launches the Big Butterfly count at London Zoo, July 11, 2012. (John Stillwell/PA via AP, File)

David Attenborough, the excited but hushed voice of nature programs, turns 100

By Danica Kirka

May 8, 2026 at 4:40 p.m.

The BBC is hosting a party for David Attenborough at the Royal Albert Hall. Cinemas...

This image provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows stamps featuring historic spots along Route 66 that are being released in May 2026 to mark the celebrated highway’s centennial. (U.S. Postal Service via AP)

USPS unveils Route 66 centennial stamps

By Associated Press

May 5, 2026 at 11:12 a.m.

The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday is releasing eight stamps marking significant parts of the...