Miami, Florida is one of the most expensive cities to visit, especially when it comes to finding a place to stay. But it was the first location of Freehand, a chain of luxury hostels now with locations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago, which opened in 2012. The decor feels very much like what you'd expect from a hotel, mostly because it was built in the former … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: The Freehand Miami
Small Town Saturday: Manchester, TN
It may not look like much, but for four days out of the year, the small town of Manchester, Tennessee is flooded with some 100,000 music fans for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The farm becomes its own little town, with tents and RVs set up around food stalls and booths. Located between Chattanooga and Nashville, Manchester's other claim to fame is being near the … [Read more...] about Small Town Saturday: Manchester, TN
Film Friday: Dirty Dancing
Naive Frances "Baby" Houseman travels with her family to a small-town Catskills Mountain resort for the summer. She has always done what is expected of her and is a privileged daddy's girl to the core. She soon becomes infatuated with Johnny, the resort's dance instructor, who shows her a different way of dancing, as well as living. The film stars Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, … [Read more...] about Film Friday: Dirty Dancing
Classic Eats: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Ben's Chili Bowl has been a Washington DC landmark since its opening in 1958 by newlyweds Ben and Virginia Ali. It has been honored with an America's Classics award from the James Beard Foundation. Located in the U Street Corridor, this neighborhood was the city's version of New York's Harlem during the 1960s race riots. The restaurant has all its original interiors, … [Read more...] about Classic Eats: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Southern Stays: Charleston’s Not So Hostel
Charleston, South Carolina may be a college town, but it's catering more and more to the upscale luxury crowd these days, specifically with five-star hotels and James Beard award-winning restaurants with long waiting lists. But in 2002, owner Claire Cunningham decided to take her experiences staying in hostels in Europe to open the city's first budget-friendly … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: Charleston’s Not So Hostel