Local

There’s nowhere quite like Chicago to spend the holidays. The second city is absolutely buzzing with events, must-sees and must-dos when the season rolls around. Whether you’re spending the winter holidays with family or a significant other, Chicago has no shortage of sights, smells and ways to make this magical time of year even more magical. Pay attention and take notes from our Essential Holiday Guide to Chicago to make the most of your holiday in the windy city.

Ice Skating in Millennium Park

Millennium Park, home of the famous Cloud Gate (“The bean” to locals), transforms into a winter wonderland as the temperatures plunge. In the midst of a myriad of lights lies the famous Millennium Park skating rink, which is set up and torn down at the beginning and end of every winter. Strap on a pair of skates and take a few laps with family, friends or that special someone before warming up with some cocoa or coffee from a nearby cafe.

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If your dreams do not include a white Christmas, Dallas is the place for you to be this holiday season. For the brightest, most extraordinary Christmas you can imagine—from visits to Santa, to gigantic gingerbread houses, to star-studded lighting displays and more—Dallas is the place to find your holiday wishes coming true.

Alliance Française de Dallas – French-Style Christmas Market

Before you head out to enjoy all the breathtaking sights and sounds of the holidays, get your shopping done so you can relax and enjoy the season. Instead of running all over town, head on down to the fourth annual Marché de Noël, an outdoor French-style Christmas market based on the tradition of Strasbourg, France. Local artisans and businesses fill their booths with all kinds of holiday goods and invite you to enjoy a cultural, intellectual and artistic experience sans égal. This multicultural, family-oriented event happens for one day only, but that’s all you’ll need to finish your jolly gifting!

December 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Dallas International School. Free and open to the public (activity fees may apply).

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Whether you’re a native Angeleno, or transplant from elsewhere, celebrating the winter holidays in Los Angeles—among palm trees and warm weather—may seem a bit hollow. How do you get into the holiday spirit when there’s no possibility of a white Christmas? Surprisingly, holiday events in Los Angeles are plentiful, presenting many festive opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. As you prep for the holiday havoc in the next few weeks, gathering ideas for things to do around Christmas and New Year’s, take a minute to refer to our Holiday City Guide in Los Angeles.

Do All Your Christmas Shopping at a Local Holiday Market

If you have eclectic taste—or just want to give unique, one of a kind presents this year—consider shopping at one of the many holiday markets in Los Angeles. With shows in both New York and Los Angeles, the Renegade Craft Fair is one of the most popular artisan markets around. If you don’t mind paying for entry, the Unique LA Holiday Market gives you access to over four hundred independent designers and artists for only $15. Aside from checking off everyone on your list, you’ll enjoy festive music, seasonal food and drinks, family portraits, and even DIY workshops.

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It’s that magical time of year when Houston is transformed into a holiday light extravaganza! Take a break from baking and decorating, reschedule shopping and wrapping, and treat yourself to some Texas-sized holiday cheer in Houston. It’s the season when the Sugar Plum Fairy takes centerstage and dances to celestial music, and Elves and gingerbread villages almost seem real. The holiday tradition stirs up civic pride in Houstonians who are ready to be dazzled again with a sleigh full of events, sights and sounds. The City blends art and high tech with tradition to create a winter wonderland – but with a southern twist. Snow is a rarity this far south, but what Houston lacks in snow it makes up for in gestures of goodwill.

Create a Romantic Date Night

A timeless hallmark of the holiday season is a date night consisting of dinner, theater and a surprise Christmas bouquet. Begin your enchanted evening dining at Artista, located on the second floor of The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. A centerpiece in the heart of the Theater District, Artista sets the scene for a magical romantic evening with classic poinsettias and a towering Christmas tree. Floor to ceiling windows offer stunning views of downtown Houston’s glittering display of holiday lights. Savor your favorite wine, sample their trademark plantains chips and dips, and get ready to see her astonished reaction when a breathtaking bouquet of flowers is hand delivered.

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Walk around New York City any day of the year and you’ll find something amazing to do. But it’s during the winter holidays that “the city that never sleeps” truly earns its reputation. With lights on every building and decorations in every window, New York City transforms into a Winter Wonderland straight out of the movies.

Whether you’ll be flying in to experience your first Christmas in the Big Apple or you just need a little reminding of how magical your home city really is, these are a few places, shops, and shows you shouldn’t miss.

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Whether you live in Washington, D.C. or are just visiting, there are plenty of romantic things to do in the nations capital.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie or sunset admirer or music lover, Washington, D.C., offers a bounty of idyllic dates on Valentine’s Day. We’ve rounded up just a few of the best things to do in D.C. on Valentine’s Day so that you can plan an unforgettable date for your special someone!

Be Dazzled By the Monuments

The most classic Washington, D.C., date, of course, is to take a slow evening spin around the National Mall’s famous monuments. Built in white marble, they glow from within, contrasting with the black, star-pricked sky above. And nothing is more romantic than sitting hand-in-hand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, admiring the view all the way to the U.S. Capitol. End the evening with a fireside nightcap at Quadrant in the Ritz-Carlton.

Another way to enjoy the monuments is by taking a romantic Potomac River cruise. Odyssey and Spirit of Washington both offer an evening of dining, dancing and live entertainment, all the while cruising past the most iconic sparkling views of our nation’s capital.

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re looking to celebrate your love in Dallas this year, you are in luck, because there is TONS to do! From gallery exhibits, to picturesque tea times, and even cabaret shows, the list of romantic things to do in Dallas this Valentine’s Day is so diverse that there is something perfect for every couple. “Dallas: Big things happen here” is one of the city’s taglines, so make big things happen this Valentine’s Day in proper Dallas fashion with these Dallas date ideas straight from a city local.

Take a Mexican Foodie Tour

Much of Texas has great Mexican food, and Dallas is no exception! Walking distance from the famous geometrical feat of architecture that is the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, are three merged but separate Mexican restaurants in three very different styles. Start at the casual, outdoor Taqueria La Ventana with the famous Dallas invention that is the frozen margarita and a light appetizer from the selection of Mexican street foods. Once you’ve finished, take a right and enter the critically acclaimed Meso Maya led by chef Nico Sanchez for a specialty cocktail, like the avocado margarita, and your choice of the entrees that are absolutely to die for. Wrap things up at El Fenix, the third in the trio, with a traditional Mexican dessert from flan to tres leches. Walk off all that delicious food (and drinks) as you head towards the nearby Klyde Warren Park for a romantic stroll through a beautiful green space in the center of the city.

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One of the best parts about metro-Atlanta is how neighborhood focused it is. Looking for ritz? Head to Buckhead. Want to enjoy a huge range of ethnic foods? Try Buford Highway. Looking for a hip neighborhood? Check out East Atlanta Village. Want more of a small-town vibe? Head to Decatur or Marietta. Then there’s the Virginia Highlands, midtown, downtown, leafy Grant Park, soul food on the west side, on and on the list goes.

The many different neighborhoods and their unique vibes also makes Atlanta a great place for romantic nights out on the town. Flowers, candle-lit dinners, strolls through the park, there are so many options. If anything, there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re going to dig into some of the best date options in Atlanta!

Head To Brazil For A High Class Dinner

If you’re looking to really wow your date with a place that’s both chic and high-class, the Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse should be at the top of your list.  However, be prepared to spend big because class comes at a cost!

Brazilian steakhouses are basically like high-end all-you-can-eat buffets. When you sit down, you’re given a card that’s green on one side, red on the other. Green means “go.” Red means “no thanks.” Once you flip the card green, chefs will start showing up at your table with skewers of meat, and you’ll be able to pick and choose what you’d like including steak, lamb, pork, & chicken. If you’re vegetarian, check out the “Market Table”, which features a huge range of salads, cheeses, and other delicacies.

Can’t get a reservation at Fogo de Chão? Try another top-notch Brazilian steakhouses in Atlanta such as Chama Gaucha. If you’re on a tighter budget but still want to enjoy some Brazilian fare, consider Minas Grill or Porto Brasil Restaurant, both of which offer Brazilian food in more traditional buffet settings. Continue Reading…

Seattle winters often sport grey skies and a chilly drizzle just heavy enough to require a raincoat. Though tempting to just stay inside, cuddle up and watch Netflix, this Valentine’s Day bust out of your routine and find adventure with your favorite person. If your lover is a thrill seeker, try one of these adrenaline-inducing date night ideas. No yawning here!

Be a Seattle Tourist at Top Seattle Landmarks

Whether you’ve been to none or have seen ’em all, Seattle has a wide array of city landmarks that are super awesome! Who better to explore the city with than with your sweetie? Here’s a list of the top ones to check out, or check out again.  Continue Reading…