Jackson, TN, USA

Nashville, TN, USA

Memphis, TN, USA

İstanbul, Türkiye

Chattanooga, TN, USA

Katie Howerton

In 2014 as a junior in college, I was roped into a two-month summer trip to Istanbul, Turkey. Growing up loving travel but struggling with history, I had no clue what I was getting into—I couldn’t even show you Turkey on a map. So it came as a complete surprise that 60 days in this city would make me more familiar with it than my own hometown and grow a love I didn’t know was possible.

I could never up all I learned and love about Istanbul, but for cities like this that I know well it’s pretty easy to identify the places I would revisit today if I could, and that’s why I’m starting my #khowdozen Lists. Consider this a starting place for how to engage with Istanbul as a first-time visitor; perhaps you could even squeeze these twelve experiences into a long layover! This isn’t a list of the top sites or best fine dining; it’s the honest opinion of a girl who spent two months in the simple Kadikoy neighborhood and grew to love the Turkish people and the ways they connect, eat, and explore their beloved city.

All photography by Katie Howerton. 

Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Kızıl Adalar/İstanbul, Türkiye

#khowdozen | Istanbul

2022 was the year of a lot of travel redemption for most of us, but it was also the year I had to turn down trips to Portugal, Spain, and Paris, as well as have a trip to New Orleans cancelled due to Covid. But thankfully that didn’t stop me from a spring road trip to Texas, a few summer days in DC, two trips to Disney World, and lots of Tennessee day trips in between. Enjoy this travel journal of 350 (!!!) places, including:
🖼️ 42 Museums, Gardens, and Attractions
☕️ 50 Coffee Shops
🍽️ 99 Restaurants, Bakeries, and Food Trucks
🛏️ 38 Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, and Airbnbs
✨ and a whole bunch more!
Scroll to the bottom for my favorites of the year!

Austin, TX, USA

Orlando, FL, USA

Nacogdoches, TX, USA

Guntersville, AL, USA

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Paducah, KY, USA

Washington D.C., DC, USA

College Station, TX, USA

Franklin, TN, USA

Spencer, TN, USA

2022 Travel Journal

Memphis is on the western-most corner of Tennessee, and while it may be known for its incredible BBQ and  rich music history, it's also a great spot for families, which is why I'm eager to share with you the best Memphis day trips for you and your little ones.

In this guide you'll receive itineraries for four themed day trips to Memphis: Arts & Beauty, Play, History, and Science & Nature. Each of these day trips will include morning and afternoon activities, as well as suggestions for nearby coffee shops and restaurants that are family-friendly. You'll also be able to access important info like price of admission, hours, etc.

Worried this info is out-of-date? Fear not! I'll be updating this guide every six months for accuracy, as well as to add new favorites I find along the way.

Bartlett, TN, USA

Germantown, TN, USA

Best Memphis Day Trips for Families

Finding a place to grab coffee, eat lunch, or enjoy a nice dinner while traveling is hard enough as is, but when you’re in a big city, the options are truly overwhelming.

While my guides are full of one-of-a-kind restaurants for certain neighborhoods, this Essential Eateries map includes the top few Boston-specific chains that will help you eat like a local on the go. Not only that, but I include a backstory of each chain, my top menu suggestion, and what I consider to be the best location to visit.

This guide can also serve as a “What NOT to Eat” if you’re the kind of person who only wants to try single-location restaurants and want to determine if the place you’re interested in dining is a chain. Just pull up this map when you’re out and about to see where the nearest spots are when your tummy starts rumbling!

Get access to ALL the Boston area locations of 14 regional chains, including:
☕️ 2 Coffee Shops
🥐 5 Bakeries
🥡 5 Fast-Casual Restaurants
🍽️ 1 Table Service Restaurant
🍦 1 Dessert Spot

Worried this info is out-of-date? Fear not! I'll be updating this guide every six months for accuracy, as well as to add new favorites I find along the way.

Boston, MA, USA

Cambridge, MA, USA

Essential Boston Eateries & Where to Find Them

Finding a place to grab coffee, eat lunch, or enjoy a nice dinner while traveling is hard enough as is, but when you’re in a big city, the options are truly overwhelming.

While my guides are full of one-of-a-kind restaurants for certain neighborhoods, this Essential Eateries map includes the top few LA-specific chains that will help you eat like a local on the go. Not only that, but I include a backstory of each chain, my top menu suggestion, and what I consider to be the best location to visit.

This guide can also serve as a “What NOT to Eat” if you’re the kind of person who only wants to try single-location restaurants and want to determine if the place you’re interested in dining is a chain. Just pull up this map when you’re out and about to see where the nearest spots are when your tummy starts rumbling!

Get access to ALL the Los Angeles area locations of 34 regional chains, including:
☕️ 7 Coffee/Tea/Boba Shops
🥐 2 Bakeries
🥡 15 Fast-Casual Restaurants
🍽️ 5 Table Service Restaurants
🍦 5 Dessert Spots

Worried this info is out-of-date? Fear not! I'll be updating this guide every six months for accuracy, as well as to add new favorites I find along the way.

Malibu, CA, USA

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

Burbank, CA, USA

Long Beach, CA, USA

West Hollywood, CA, USA

Culver City, CA, USA

Pasadena, CA, USA

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Beverly Hills, CA, USA

Essential Los Angeles Eateries & Where to Find Them

Finding a place to grab coffee, eat lunch, or enjoy a nice dinner while traveling is hard enough as is, but when you’re in a big city, the options are truly overwhelming.

While my guides are full of one-of-a-kind restaurants for certain neighborhoods, this Essential Eateries map includes the top few Orange County-specific chains that will help you eat like a local on the go. Not only that, but I include a backstory of each chain, my top menu suggestion, and what I consider to be the best location to visit.

This guide can also serve as a “What NOT to Eat” if you’re the kind of person who only wants to try single-location restaurants and want to determine if the place you’re interested in dining is a chain. Just pull up this map when you’re out and about to see where the nearest spots are when your tummy starts rumbling!

Get access to ALL the OC locations of 12 regional chains, including:
☕️ 1 Coffee Shop
🥐 1 Bakery
🥡 7 Fast-Casual Restaurants
🍽️ 2 Table Service Restaurants
🍦 1 Dessert Spot

Newport Beach, CA, USA

Orange County, CA, USA

Anaheim, CA, USA

Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Laguna Beach, CA, USA

Santa Ana, CA, USA

Huntington Beach, CA, USA

Irvine, CA, USA

Orange, CA, USA

Essential Orange County Eateries & Where to Find Them

Finding a place to grab coffee, eat lunch, or enjoy a nice dinner while traveling is hard enough as is, but when you’re in a big city, the options are truly overwhelming.

While my guides are full of one-of-a-kind restaurants for certain neighborhoods, this Essential Eateries map includes the top few San Diego-specific chains that will help you eat like a local on the go. Not only that, but I include a backstory of each chain, my top menu suggestion, and what I consider to be the best location to visit.

This guide can also serve as a “What NOT to Eat” if you’re the kind of person who only wants to try single-location restaurants and want to determine if the place you’re interested in dining is a chain. Just pull up this map when you’re out and about to see where the nearest spots are when your tummy starts rumbling!

Get access to ALL the San Diego area locations of 9 regional chains, including:
☕️ 2 Coffee Shops
🥐 1 Bakery
🥡 5 Fast-Casual Restaurants
🍦 1 Dessert Spot

Worried this info is out-of-date? Fear not! I'll be updating this guide every six months for accuracy, as well as to add new favorites I find along the way.

San Diego, CA, USA

Chula Vista, CA, USA

Carlsbad, CA, USA

Escondido, CA, USA

Encinitas, CA, USA

Essential San Diego Eateries & Where to Find Them

There’s no more luxurious feeling than relaxing in the lobby of a high-end hotel, but if you’re not a guest, you’re likely to get kicked out. In this free guide, find out the best ways to step inside Nashville’s five most expensive hotels without spending the night or breaking the bank, usually through a dining or spa experience. I’ve also included the nearest attractions to each hotel so you can find the perfect activity to pair with your meal or treatment. And if you do feel like budgeting for a getaway, just click the “Reserve” button to book directly through Booking.com.

Nashville’s 5 Most Expensive Hotels & How to Visit Them as a Non-Guest