Eating a black-owned restaurants whenever I travel feels particularly important to me, because it’s an experience that makes me feel at home and reminds me of my culture. We may all be in different places, but food connects us by the continuation of traditions that define Southern cooking, and I’ll always be grateful to places like Virtue for that.

Chicago is really a vibe and somewhere you can go many times and never have the same experience. Like every city, there are just some things you absolutely must do while visiting. Here are the top seven I recommend based on what I enjoyed most.

One of the best things to happen in terms of entry, is the mandate for clear, security-approved stadium bags. They are not my first fashion choice when it comes to bags, but they are practical and affordable for the occasion. Let me show you how I pack my festival bag.

As you well know from this blog, when I travel, I am all in for excursions, walking tours, beach days and whatever else keeps me out and about and moving. Effective sweat and odor protection is mandatory because I must smell good at all times. SheaMoisture has introduced its first-ever antiperspirant deodorant collection specifically designed for rich melanin skin, ensuring you stay fresh all day, every day.

Sampan is a modern Asian restaurant offering a unique experience through its small plates concept. Instead of ordering a single entree, it's infinitely better to try and even share several dishes mixed and matched from different sections of the menu. The Kim Chee Fried Rice and Crispy Shrimp are to die for among other delicious menu items.

Philadelphia is one of the first places I traveled solo as a young adult. This time, years later, I was going to The Roots Picnic for the first time to experience artists like Jill Scott, Fantasia, Lil Wayne, and of course The Roots live. I hadn’t been to the City of Brotherly Love in a bit, so I had a chance to visit new spots like Sampan and old favorites like Reading Terminal Market.

Just the thought of flowers makes me happy, but imagine 55 acres of nothing but exquisite blooms. I was in heaven. For $23 per person, it’s a stunning place to grab great photos and enjoy a beautiful day of fresh air and flowers with family and friends.

All I needed to hear was furniture and art to know that I wanted to go to High Point Market in North Carolina this year. I was attending in support of my cousin Norman Wyatt Jr., an artist and designer who debuted his premier furniture collection of over 150 items with StyleCraft Home Collection. Unbeknownst to me, nearly 80,000 people gather every year at this event to admire and consume collections and pieces from artists and designers around the world.

As daunting as the idea of solo travel may seem, this post is your compass for crafting the perfect itinerary for your next adventure. Embarking on solo trips is an opportunity to explore the world on your own terms and make the most of the time you have.

Elegant Cuizines is a completely dairy-free restaurant that also caters to the vegan and gluten free communities. Chef Headen’s recipes are vegetable heavy and soy, salt, and sugar free. If you’re thinking no to all of that, rethink your presumptions. Immediately. This collection of dishes will outmatch some of your most coveted favorites from any other restaurant and, on top of that, will be infinitely healthier for you.

California is just golden for experiencing the best of what nature has to offer. I was absolutely smitten by the stunning landscapes in this coastal paradise, and I would easily recommend it for outdoor lovers who can appreciate any opportunity to see God’s artistic hand at work.

I wanted to step into thirty pushing the limits of courage and what better way to do that than to cross off a bucket list item with a thrilling skydiving adventure.

As I free fell through the sky for 45-55 seconds, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of liberation wash over me. The rush of adrenaline, the moment you leap, the wind in your face—it's an experience unlike any other.

Lula Cafe is a 2024 James Beard Award Nominee for outstanding hospitality and 2020 Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, given to restaurants with best value for money. Having now been, I can attest to both and have been super excited to write this review.

Let’s be very clear. I’ve not tried very many soul food restaurants in Chicago, but I don’t imagine the others being better than Soulé. Chat with me about my experience.

The Museum of Ice Cream is a series of installations packed with treats and interactive games that can make you forget you’re an adult with actual responsibilities. It’s a fun opportunity for photos and the perfect opportunity for play time. Does it get any better than this?

On a trip to Dallas and Denton, you might find yourself wowed at amazing sportsmanship showcased at the Cowtown Coliseum Stockyards Championship Rodeo, buying beautifully crafted fine leather goods at Wilkinson’s, or grabbing a delicious pastry at Ravelin’s Bakery. Wherever you go, you will always see a friendly face.

Málà Project has the vibes of your favorite, most trusted neighborhood Chinese spot, but the feel of a spacious, new-age restaurant. At this unique dining experience, you choose any number of ingredients to personalize your dish. The málà sauce is a blend of 24 herbs and spices cooked over six hours and is the ingredient that unifies the dry pot for one of the most dynamic dishes you’ve ever had.

I heard that Sant Ambroeus had the best hot chocolate in New York City, so I had to see (or taste) for myself. Sant Ambroeus is a Milanese cafe chain known for its pasta and pastries with several locations across the city. This cozy, family-first dining experience on Madison Avenue was the perfect way to end my Christmastime trip to NYC.

The city of New York is art itself, and it’s the kind of place you go to experience art as a lover of the craft, but also the kind of place you go to repeatedly discover all you don’t know about art. I don’t think I have ever been to New York and not gone to a museum, which is a statement.

Tagged as “Sophisticated Design Meets Historic Culture,” the 4-star St. Gregory Hotel is an incredibly chic stay perfectly situated between Dupont Circle, the West End, and Georgetown. With convenient access to local restaurants and shops, a gorgeous restaurant and bar space inside the hotel, full fitness center and more, the St. Gregory is one of the best stays you'll find in Washington D.C.