One of the best ways to get panoramic views of Lake Tahoe is from above, and the Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe is one of the easiest (and most popular) ways to do it. This scenic ride takes you 2.4 miles up the mountain , where you’ll find multiple observation points overlooking the lake, hiking trails, restaurants, and summer activities like zip lines, outdoor games, and the Heavenly Mountain Coaster . In the winter, it doubles as a gateway to a snow sports paradise.

Let’s Glow SF has become a new holiday tradition in San Francisco, with this year marking its fifth year in the city. Eight iconic buildings across downtown light up with animated projections, turning the area into a festive outdoor art walk. We’ve loved the energy it brings to the city over the years, and this time we wanted to make a full night out of it, walking between installations and stopping at nearby holiday-themed bars along the way. By mapping out the projection lo

The Nevada City Victorian Christmas Market is one of Northern California’s most charming small-town holiday events, transforming this historic Gold Rush town into a Dickens-style Christmas village. Hosted by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, the streets fill with artisans, vintage-costumed performers, carolers, mulled wine stands, and holiday lights, all creating a warm and nostalgic December atmosphere. This guide covers everything you need to know for 2025, including eve

The San Francisco Ferry Building  is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. Originally built in 1898 as a major transit hub for ferries crossing San Francisco Bay, the building has gone through decades of change, including a period where it was partially hidden beneath an elevated freeway. Today, thanks to major renovations in 2003 and again in 2023, the Ferry Building has been transformed into a food-focused marke

The City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour is one of Edinburgh’s most infamous ghost tours, offering exclusive nighttime access to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Covenanter’s Prison , a place long associated with the legend of the Mackenzie Poltergeist. Marketed as one of the city’s scariest experiences, this 90-minute walking tour promises chilling stories, dark history, and encounters that blur the line between folklore and fear. But does it actually live up to the hype? We j

When planning a trip to Scotland, two things often come to mind: world-class golf and stunning coastal towns. We found the perfect day tour that combines both! This St. Andrews & Fife Day trip from Edinburgh  gives you a taste of Scotland's historic east coast, from the iconic Old Course to charming fishing villages and royal landmarks. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into Scottish history, geography, and local life from a knowledgeable guide. Disclaimer: This post does co

Sphere is one of the most unique and talked-about attractions on the Las Vegas Strip. This modern engineering marvel blends centuries-old mathematics with cutting-edge technology to create a glowing dome that doubles as a next-generation entertainment venue. From the moment you spot its animated exterior from blocks away, it’s clear this isn’t a typical Vegas show. Inside, the Sphere offers immersive recorded experiences alongside rotating live concerts from world-famous arti

Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s most iconic destinations, but with over 30,000 lochs across the country and a long drive from Edinburgh, it raises an important question: is a Loch Ness day trip actually worth it? We joined a full-day Highlands and Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh to find out. This experience promised dramatic Highland scenery, historic stops, and time at the legendary loch itself, all without renting a car or planning a multi-day route. In this post, we’re sharin

If you’re searching for California’s Great America reviews or wondering whether this Bay Area theme park is still worth visiting, you’re not alone. With rising prices, limited recent park updates, and ongoing rumors about the park’s long-term future , many locals and visitors are questioning whether it’s still worth the time and money. We visited California’s Great America ourselves on a weekday to see how the park actually stacks up today. In this review, we’re breaking dow

On our first trip to Scotland, we wanted to see more than just Edinburgh, without renting a car or navigating narrow Highland roads ourselves. To do that, we booked a full-day castles and lochs tour from Edinburgh and spent the day exploring some of Scotland’s most scenic landscapes with a local guide. We joined a Lochs, Mountains, and Castles  day tour with Timberbush Tours , which took us through dramatic Highland scenery, historic castles, and peaceful lochs, all in a sing

One of the most unexpected free things to do in Los Angeles is joining a live TV audience, and yes, it’s completely legitimate. We signed up for audience tickets through On-Camera Audiences , showed up to a real studio taping, and ended up spending a day watching television get made from behind the scenes. If you’ve ever seen the phrase “This program films one day a week in front of a live studio audience”  and wondered how people actually get those seats, this post breaks it

Whale watching is one of the most unforgettable things to do in San Diego, especially during blue whale season. We went out on the water hoping to catch a glimpse of the largest animals on Earth , and quickly realized just how rare and special this experience really is. Each year from mid-June through September, blue whales migrate through the waters off San Diego’s coast to feed on krill. T hese giants can grow over 70 feet long and weigh more than 200,000 pounds , yet spot

The The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas  is often considered one of the best buffets in Las Vegas, especially for brunch. Known for its upscale offerings, from seafood and sushi to carved meats, a charcuterie station, and an extensive dessert bar, it promises a luxury buffet experience at a premium price. We visited the Wynn Buffet for brunch to see if it truly lives up to the hype and whether it’s actually worth your wallet . We booked pre-paid priority seating  about a day in adva

Visiting Alcatraz Island  is one of the most popular things to do in San Francisco, but choosing the right  tour can make a big difference in your experience. The former prison is now part of the National Park Service, and the only way to visit is by ferry operated by Alcatraz City Cruises , which must be booked in advance. When purchasing tickets, you’ll need to choose between an Alcatraz day tour  or an Alcatraz night tour , and while both include ferry transportation and a

If you’re looking to experience Louisiana’s wetlands beyond the French Quarter, a swamp tour is one of the most popular day trips from New Orleans. During our trip, we booked the Cajun Encounters Honey Island Swamp Tour , one of the most well-known swamp tour operators in the area. The tour takes place about 30 minutes outside of downtown New Orleans  and offers a guided boat ride through the Honey Island Swamp, home to alligators, raccoons, birds, and other native wildlife.

A sunset cruise on the Mississippi River is one of the most iconic experiences in New Orleans, especially when it includes live jazz and views of the city skyline. During our trip, we boarded the Riverboat Natchez  for their sunset jazz cruise , a two-hour steamboat ride along the Mississippi River. Tickets cost $47.50 per adult , and we paid $95 total for two people . The cruise features live jazz music, open-air decks, and views of New Orleans landmarks like Jackson Square

Kona coffee is known for its unique flavor and limited production, only coffee grown in the Kona region of Hawaii  can legally be sold as Kona coffee. With volcanic soil, steady sunshine, and ideal elevation, it’s one of the most sought-after coffee-growing regions in the world. While staying in Kona, we decided to visit Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm  to see what a Kona coffee farm tour is actually like. We had never tried Kona coffee before and figured the best place to

In the middle of the Las Vegas desert, we stepped into a bar made entirely of ice. On our trip, we visited Minus5 Ice Bar  to see if this frozen experience was actually worth the hype, and the price. Minus5 Ice Bar is kept at -5°C (23°F) , with everything inside made of ice, including the walls, seats, and even the drinkware. We booked the standard entry ticket for $24 per person , which included parkas, gloves, and access to the ice bar itself. In this post, we’re breaking d

Snorkeling in Maui is one of the most talked-about island experiences, but is Molokini Crater actually worth it? On a recent trip, a close friend and I booked a Molokini Crater and Turtle Town snorkel tour aboard the Calypso , departing early from Maʻalaea Harbor. This post is based entirely on our own experience. We paid for the tour ourselves, snorkeled both stops, and are sharing exactly what we saw, what it cost, what surprised us, and whether we’d recommend it. Molokini

Whale watching is one of our favorite things to do in Monterey, California , and it’s an experience we’ve now done multiple times. Every time family or friends visit, it’s the first activity we recommend, and we’ve seen whales on every single trip . Monterey Bay is one of the best places in California to spot whales in their natural habitat, making it a memorable experience for all ages. On this particular trip, Elijah’s parents were visiting from out of state, and we wanted