Caroline Eubanks

Around this time of year in the Midwest, a visit to a steamy sauna can be a perfect way to counter gray skies and chilly temps. But instead of heading to the gym or a spa, you may want to consider a visit to Minnesota.
Long before saunas became an essential part of those hotel gyms, fitness clubs and day spas, the original versions in Minnesota were built by the thousands of Scandinavian people who settled there in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The wooden structures were erected on farmland...

THE SHORT VERSION
A former rail depot is transformed into a modern hotel with retro vibes
Scene
There’s a lot of history built into the newly-renovated Hotel Chalet. Before it was home to a hotel, the building was Chattanooga’s passenger terminal, which opened in 1909. After the last Southern Railway train passed through in 1970, the complex became home to restaurants, shops and a hotel, first a Hilton. (It would get its name, Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station, after a later renovation, ...

As a former battleground during the Civil War and cradle for the Civil Rights Movement, it's hard to separate Georgia from its loaded past.
But look closer and you'll see a kaleidoscope of historical landmarks, contemporary communities and natural treasures skirting the cityscapes; each offering a variety of experiences for a range of travelers.
Here’s our list of the best places to visit in Georgia.
Go shopping in Helen
The town of Helen is brimming with revelry during the fall Oktoberfest, ...

For travelers to the newly minted national park, the New River Gorge, Fayetteville, West Virginia is one of several gateway towns to base yourself. Not only is it easily accessible, around two hours’ drive from the Charleston airport in the capital city, but it’s also a destination in its own right, populated with outdoors lovers and creatives.
Where to Stay
As you might imagine, most of the accommodations options are on the rustic side, and even the chain hotels are scarce. Instead, try a ca...

Explore more than 12,000 years of Indigenous history in this Georgia park, poised to be named the newest U.S. National Park.
October 8, 2024
Fast Facts
Location: Georgia
Established: December 23, 1936 (awaits full national park and preserve status)
Size: currently 700 acres
Annual Visitors: Over 150,000
Visitors center: Located at park entrance on Emery Highway
Entrance fees: Free
Why you should go to Ocmulgee
Inhabited by indigenous people for 12,000 years, the Ocmulgee National Historical P...

Chefs and Restaurants
Irish pubs are a dime a dozen stateside, but few have connections to the Emerald Isle itself. In August 2024, Wexford opened in Savannah, Ga.’s City Market, bringing with it contributions from the namesake sister city and honoring the coastal city’s Irish roots. The first Irish immigrants arrived in Savannah in 1734 and their community grew during the Irish Potato Famine. Today, the city boasts one of America’s largest St. Patrick’s Day...
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For your next trip across the pond, consider bypassing the most crowded destinations and spending time in these buzzworthy spots brimming with fascinating histories, compelling sights, and award-winning gastronomy.
1. Leipzig, Germany
Gewandhaus concert hall opened in 1981 in Leipzig, Germany, and is home to the oldest civic symphony orchestra in the world. Photo courtesy Philipp Kirschner/Leipzig Travel
The city where Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Richard Wagner,...

As the multibillion-dollar industry surrounding the Southern spirit continues to boom, local aficionados share in their search for coveted bottles
Written by CAROLINE EUBANKS
Photography by MIKE SCHALK
YOU DON’T HAVE TO HEAD TO THE BLUEGRASS STATE to find some of the best bourbon. Savannah is home to several gathering places for brown water lovers, whether you’re looking to try a new cocktail, mingle with fellow fans or pick up a rare bottle for your collection.
Bonded by Bourbon
In addition ...

One of America’s oldest mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch between Georgia and Virginia. Home to incredible vistas and unparalleled wildlife, the area is a subset of the larger Appalachian Mountains and includes great swathes of protected acreage in western North Carolina.
Originally the ancestral home of the Cherokee people, the mountains are an important part of the region’s history. The highest point is Mount Mitchell, at over 6,000 feet in elevation, with breathtaking views...

Sip your way around this hidden-gem vinicultural paradise
By Caroline Eubanks
September 4, 2024
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Niagara Falls is known for the incredible series of waterfalls that divide upstate New York from Canada. However, the region is also a boon for agriculture, especially for wine grapes grown on both sides of the border. Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, ries...

My family of five traveled often as I was growing up, usually with all of us piled into a single hotel room. My two siblings and I would argue over who slept where and who had to suffer through a night on the floor or on the lumpy pull-out couch.
The three of us have had our ups and downs as we grew up and our personalities developed in different ways. But now that we’re (almost) all in our 30s, things have shifted, especially as the pandemic separated us on opposite coasts.
When the world op...

For much of American history, the term “moonshine” has not only been misappropriated but viewed with disgust. Technically, moonshine is not just illegally distilled whiskey, but any spirit that is distilled without taxation from the government. But these days, we tend to use the word to describe unaged white whiskey.

The concept isn’t so different from other spirits, but for some reason, moonshine doesn’t have the same level of respect as some of its international counterparts. There’s some v...

Georgia’s oldest city, not to mention the first capital, was established on the Savannah River in 1733, and for nearly 300 years, it's beckoned visitors to the Spanish moss-lined trees. It’s one of the nation’s biggest ports, and its hospitable locals helped earn the nickname the “Hostess City.”
Savannah is best explored on foot and is warm throughout much of the year. There’s a packed calendar of annual events, including the wild St Patrick’s Day festivities (one of the largest celebrations ...

As the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—the official route that includes dozens of distillers of America’s Spirit (the corn whiskey distilled in oak barrels that’s only made here)—celebrates its 25th anniversary, there’s never been a better time to experience it. With a quarter-century under its belt, the trail of makers has seen smaller bourbon networks spring up nearby—like the Kentucky Craft Trail—for a smaller feel. And for something more urban, there’s now Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail, and Nor...

The shopping scene in Savannah, Georgia, is as eclectic as the city itself, with equal doses of vintage charm, pops of color, and the recognized national brands you’d expect from any major city.
Savannah's history influences its stores, as seen by the range of fine antiques on offer, but there's also a dose of new creativity that comes from the local art college’s students. You could spend a whole weekend shopping your way through the city. There are items for sale here that you won’t find ba...