Chartered in 1856, Sioux Falls didn’t take very long to swell into the largest city in South Dakota. With a population growth over 10% every decade since 1910, the city started erecting fantastic buildings almost from its earliest days. Many of them, from municipal masterpieces to residential gems, still survive as some of the city’s defining structures. Read about the top five buildings in Sioux Falls, South Dakota >
Author Archives: stephentravels
Back to School
Classes are about to start again (cheers from parents, groans from their children). For travelers, it’s the perfect time to visit college campuses as they return to life. These academic oases can draw you in with special events, performances, and exhibitions that are open to the public, whether it’s at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University in Atlanta or at the Nitobe Memorial Garden at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. But even if nothing is going on, I’ve found that their inviting grounds and attractive buildings remain appealing all year long. Read about the top five college campuses >
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First-Rate Riverside Dining in Savannah
The oppressive early-summer sultriness of Savannah, Georgia, had been draining me—literally—all day. Fortunately, just as I began to hunt for a dinner spot, and just upon the verge of melting into a mound of putty-like flesh and liquified bones, I found myself along cobblestoned River Street, a strip of shops and restaurants facing the Savannah River. The excellent River House Seafood was my salvation. Read about it >
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A Historic B&B in America’s Oldest City
Just a block or two from the heart of the historic district in St. Augustine, Florida, four bed and breakfasts stand next to each other on the same quiet street. By chance, I selected Penny Farthing Inn, a Victorian inn built as a private home back in 1893. It’s a cheery, peaceful B&B with an accommodating host, some delicious breakfasts, and a wonderfully noise-free night to enhance your slumber. Read about it >
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Seeing Red
Red is an extreme color. For many, it’s all about love and passion. What would Valentine’s Day be without red roses or red heart-shaped boxes of candy, presented by the revered red-blooded American, perhaps, in some cases, to his red-hot mama? Those emotions, however, can lead to danger, another of the color’s associations—The Scarlet Letter, for instance, or stop signs and stoplights and code reds. You’ll see red if you’re angry and overheated, and if you’re a politician on the rise, you’ll need to don the requisite red power tie. But not everything red is so intense. Plenty of red things around the world have nothing to do with its common links, and they’ll make an equally strong impression on you. Read about the top five reds >
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In a Glass by Themselves
We rarely give much thought to the ordinary glass objects around our homes—our windows and mirrors, baking dishes and light bulbs, orange juice pitchers and cereal bowls. But once you start to consider its myriad uses, from the mundane to the extraordinary, you’ll develop a new appreciation for this versatile material that begins with melted sand and ends up as fantastic artwork. Read about the world’s best glassworks >
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Florida’s Latin Flavors at Casa Reina
In the blistering summer heat of St. Augustine, Florida, when your skin feels as if it’s about to spontaneously burst into flame, I was lured toward the restorative breeze coming off the Matanzas River at the edge of the city’s historic district. It’s a wonderful place to cool off and the perfect location to have dinner. Casa Reina takes advantage of the views of the water and the handsome Bridge of Lions and combines it with an outstanding Latin menu. Read about it >
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Big Treasures in a Tiny Capital
The compact downtown area of Montpelier, Vermont, tucks a lot into it: farm-to-table dining establishments, independently owned shops, history, natural beauty, cultural attractions. Strolling among them is delightful, especially if you appreciate architecture. The city has a surprising number of noteworthy buildings, belying its diminutive size. Read about the top five buildings in Montpelier, Vermont >
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Georgian Gentility at the Forsyth Park Inn
It was built in 1893 as a private residence. At some point, it became a boarding house, followed by an apartment house. In the 1980s, this wonderful Queen Anne Victorian was repurposed as the Forsyth Park Inn. And it was my home for a couple of days in the Savannah Historic District, one of the most beautiful historic districts in the United States. Read about it >
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O!
The marketing logo for Omaha’s tourism industry—a giant O with an exclamation point that you’ll see all around the largest city in Nebraska—captures the surprise that visitors experience in this city. More than a few times, I found myself saying, “O! Look at that,” whether it was the city’s outdoor sculptures, revitalized warehouse district, friendly giraffes at the zoo, or some especially impressive architecture. Read about the top five buildings in Omaha >
Stephen Travels 