For first-timers in the Northeast, experiencing these three iconic cities—Boston, New York, and Washington, DC—feels like a rite of passage. The classic route hugs the coast, skimming past Rhode Island and Connecticut, with glimpses of harbors, marshes, and the Atlantic before the Big Apple skyline comes into view. However, the real magic of this journey lies in the cities themselves (all three of which are notorious for traffic and parking prices that border on the absurd!) So here’s our advice for this “road trip”: ditch the car and take the train. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela Express routes link all three, making this one of America’s rare corridors where train travel genuinely rivals Europe’s urban connectivity.

Where to stop: If time is tight, stick to the classics. In Boston, catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park or another seasonal sporting event. In New York, wander the Upper East Side with a visit to the Met, then cross into Central Park for a stroll. Begin the evening with a cocktail at Bemelmans Bar inside the Carlyle, followed by a rooftop bar crawl high above the city. Later, head downtown for live music at Silver Lining—a piano lounge that’s anything but cheesy. Expect expertly crafted cocktails, immersive covers of pop classics perfected (tip: request some Britney), and the kind of crowd that knows all the words to the chorus (but doesn’t shout). In DC, stroll the National Mall and visit the Air and Space Museum. These cities are worlds of their own, and this is just a starting point. For deeper exploration, see our Boston, New York, and Washington, DC travel guides.

Where to eat: In Boston, head to Neptune Oyster for a buttery lobster roll—winner of multiple best-of lists—and grab cannolis from Mike’s Pastry while you’re in the North End. In New York, let Chinatown be your compass: go casual with dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor or opt for something special like dinner at Hwa Yuan Szechuan. In DC, stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a landmark known for its half-smokes: a smoky, half-beef, half-pork sausage smothered in chili. For more ideas, check out our full dining guides to each city.

Where to stay: Start at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza, a storied hotel that has stood beside the Boston Public Library since 1912. It channels the elegance of old Boston while delivering the modern comforts today’s traveler expects. In New York, stay at The Ned NoMad, a hotel and members club where every corner brims with personality—from the sun-drenched atrium to the moody library lounge, rooftop bar, Cecconi’s restaurant, and speakeasy-style cocktail spot Little Ned. In DC, check into the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, housed inside the 1899 Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue. Its grand bones and thoughtful renovation make it one of the country’s most visually impressive stays (plus, we also love the hotel’s style-heavy outpost of The Bazaar by José Andrés, where the chef wows with his interpretations of Americana classics alongside plenty of jamón Ibérico.)

Highway 1 isn’t the fastest route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but it’s without a doubt the most enjoyable. The iconic journey down the Pacific Coast Highway serves as California’s veritable greatest hits with a spin through the Golden State’s legendary scenery and hot spots. There are plenty of big coastal views, quaint farm stands, and redwood groves from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula. Further south, enjoy the aptly named SLO county of San Luis Obispo, which offers a more relaxed vibe and a handful of under-the-radar finds. By the time you make your way down to Santa Barbara, you’ll be perfectly poised to relax on the palm tree-lined beaches from there through Santa Monica.

To make the most of your trip, there are a few potential detours to note. While Big Sur’s sky-high ocean vistas and wooded splendor are absolute highlights of the trip, frequent road closures along Highway 1 may prevent you from driving through its entirety (check highway conditions for the latest status). Also, consider popping over to Highway 101 for Paso Robles’ wine country, and again at Pismo Beach so as not to bypass the darling tiny towns of Los Alamos and Los Olivos.

Where to stop: You’ll get a good glimpse of Monterey Peninsula’s famously scenic coastline from the road, but nothing compares to the front-row views at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. In Morro Bay, comb for sand dollars at Morro Strand State Beach, an underrated gem with six miles of sandy shoreline adjoining the town’s 581-foot centerpiece, Morro Rock. Just save time to explore the stunning, over-the-top gardens of the late Ganna Walksa’s former estate at Lotusland in Santa Barbara (advance reservations required).

Where to eat: Steps from its namesake surf break in Santa Cruz, the take-away Steamer Lane Supply draws a line for fresh fish tacos, kimchi quesadillas, and freshly baked pastries. For dinner, score a table at Carmel’s Chez Noir whose glammed-out dining room hums with the energy of a buzzy dinner party. Plenty of Bell offers an excuse to pull over in Los Alamos with comfort food faves like bacon breakfast sammies and turkey Reubens. In Santa Barbara, the menu at La Paloma Cafe is a nod to early California—the oak-grilled tri-tip with horseradish cream is a must—served on a lush, palm tree-shrouded patio.

Where to stay: A giant neon “Motel” sign marks River Lodge, a reimagined mid-century property in Paso Robles with a happening, bar-equipped pool deck (heads up, it’s 21+) and exceedingly dog-friendly accommodations. Inn at Mattei’s Tavern offers cushy digs in Santa Ynez wine country hot spot, Los Olivos, while Waypoint Ventura has tricked-out vintage travel trailers that are walking distance from the beach.

Planning to only do half the drive? Consult this San Francisco to Paso Robles itinerary.

Her trip continued through the Atlantic-adjacent plains of Ghana and voodoo fetish markets in Togo and Benin, before she crossed the border into Nigeria, where she was shocked to receive the sort of homecoming normally reserved for a visiting head of state. An escort of 10 cars and government representatives greeted her. “They cleared the whole route as I made my way to the University of Lagos. People flew down to Lagos for it, it was insane. I broke down crying when I saw my dad, because I might not have made it after that crash. High school girls were grabbing me but I didn’t mind. I needed them to feel my presence, that a Black solo woman did this, and as a young black girl, anything is possible.”

Nubi is proud of her landmark first not just on a personal level, but also because she’s shown what’s possible for others—”I think a lot of people need … to see someone else doing it. And we’ve been told we couldn’t, for a long time.”

Pelumi Nubi/@Pelumi.Nubi

After television appearances in several countries, Nubi was appointed Lagos tourism ambassador. The whole experience has been a confidence booster. “I knew I was crazy but now I know I’m crazy crazy,” she laughs. “That sheer determination to finish, that grit, was there. On this type of expedition, people tend to have a team: a medic, a logistics person. I had to wear multiple hats and learn multiple skills.”

Nubi has also founded Oremi Travels, an experiential travel company. Psychologically, she’s come a long way from the PhD student cut adrift by the pandemic. “I went into a deep depression, because I fell into the trap of thinking the PhD was my identity, but now I think that was a blessing. God said, ‘This is your get-out card.’ Now I’m very conscious that travel is not my identity. It’s something I do, but it’s not my work.”

What does she think has held back other Black women from traveling in this way? “I think a lot of people need permission and to see someone else doing it. And we’ve been told we couldn’t, for a long time: subconsciously, by our older generation or whatever.”

Nubi knows she has the privilege of a British passport and no parental responsibilities, but believes people can do similar trips on a smaller scale. “Start small, a neighboring city, a neighboring country. Then, over time, you get the muscle to do bigger things.”

A version of this story originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller.

Discovering I could drive without the use of my legs was nothing short of a revelation. Before a car crash left me paralyzed from the chest down, I had no knowledge of the adaptations available to Disabled drivers until the moment the occupational therapist in spinal rehabilitation told me that it was, in fact, still possible for me to get behind the wheel.

A few days later, I transferred clumsily into a learner car, buckled my seatbelt, and placed one hand on a steering ball and the other around a “push-pull system.” I felt the vehicle edge forward as I pulled the hand controls gently towards me, even though my legs sat unresponsive in the footwell. My life, which had so far been unrecognizable in those early days of recovery, felt like it was back in my control.

As a Disabled traveler, I didn’t feel so paralyzed in the driver’s seat—and to those around me, I didn’t look it, either.

Courtesy of Sophie Morgan

Adjusting to living with paralysis means, in large part, coming to terms with accessing the world in a wheelchair, but the prospect of existing solely within the limits of four manual-powered wheels never sat well with me. From that first drive onwards, I realized I would need to somehow find alternative ways to navigate my surroundings—to reinvent the wheelchair, so to speak. After all, there is only so far a wheelchair can go.

Driving represented freedom and gave me agency at a time when my fate felt desperately uncertain. It also gave me some escapism from the confines of people’s perceptions of what life lived with a Disability could or could not be. I didn’t feel so paralyzed in the driver’s seat, and to those around me, I didn’t look it, either.

My whole world as a Disabled driver changed once again when I discovered the Can-Am Ryker. Although not designed for someone like me, with two wheels at the front and one behind, it is inherently stable enough to ride using your legs without core strength or balance. For my first ride, I decided to journey up to Scotland to revisit the place where I was paralyzed all those years ago. As I rode independently over the road scar that my then out-of-control car had carved into the tarmac, I felt as in control as I could have ever imagined being again. The experience became the title of my memoir, Driving Forwards, a mantra for life post-life-changing injury.

I was three weeks out from a 23-day travel itinerary with my toddler, Julian, when my dad died suddenly. The trip was something I had planned months earlier, determined to prove to all the face-palming naysayers (and myself) that you don’t have to give up traveling after having a baby; you just have to find new ways to move through the world. Due to grief, I considered canceling, but ultimately I decided against it. My father was a textbook agoraphobic who shut himself off from the world and at the end was leaving his house only once or twice a year. But travel was how I learned who I was and who I wanted to be. I’d been to more than 80 countries and spent four years traveling full-time with a 35-liter rucksack and a tiny hatchback. If I could bestow any qualities onto my child, I hoped they’d be my strongest ones: insatiable curiosity, relentless optimism, fiery resilience, and a willingness to bend to my environment rather than expecting my environment to bend to me.

Our journey took us from swish Dubai to the safari camps of Tanzania, but the stretch that most unpacked both my grief and my maternal ambitions was the week we spent in Oman navigating the beach, desert, cities, and mountains by eerily empty highways. On a sweltering afternoon in Muscat, the mellow seaside capital accented with looming minarets, I chased Julian across the glossy marble and stone promenades at the grand mosque of Sultan Qaboos, where fawning congregants greeted him with sweet dates. Children under 10 are not permitted in, but a female guard noticed me steaming in my hijab, sticky toddler glued to my hip, and discreetly ushered us through a side door to cool off under a large air-conditioning unit.

At sunset we strolled along the buzzing Mutrah Corniche and past the rainbow cordilleras of fragrant spices at Mutrah Souq, the city’s oldest bazaar. Julian’s eyes lit up when he sampled the slow-cooked lamb shuwa with spiced rice at Bait Al Luban, a restaurant where the only free seats were on the sun-blasted balcony. I laughed as Julian guided my fork to his mouth and announced, “Num!” Food was one of the few pleasures my dad allowed himself. If he were there, he’d have beamed with pride.

From Muscat, we drove through the rugged Al Hajar mountains toward the Gulf of Oman, passing the beige blur of cliffs and canyons to a soundtrack of khaliji music on Omani radio. I glimpsed my son in the rearview, babbling to himself as this new old world streamed by. Would he remember any of it? Did it matter? The point was we were out here doing it. We were living.

With its karst-flanked shoreline and tranquil water, the Jumeirah Muscat Bay beach resort looks like a screensaver. If Julian were older, we could have gone kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, but we settled for splashing in the surf and sipping freshly squeezed watermelon coolers by the pool. (Not that I minded.) The staff bent over backward for the “little sultan,” who in turn flirted shame­lessly with a comely Indonesian waitress. Later, we moved to the citadel-like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, atop a 6,500-foot massif, where the crisp mountain air felt great after so many 100-degree days. Julian toddled intrepidly along a glass-bottomed observation deck over the Jabal Al Akhdar canyon, gawking at the groundskeepers shaking meaty green olives from the trees.

Naturally, Oman’s punishing heat spawned some ferocious tantrums. Nowhere was my patience tested more than at Bimmah Sinkhole, a teal saltwater lake formed by the collapse of an underground cavern, which is accessible only via a steep staircase. Julian insisted on climbing back up himself before collapsing halfway in a fit of hot tears, forcing me to scoop up this sweaty 27-pound sack of potatoes and lug him a quarter mile back to the car. As the waterworks continued, a trio of teenage boys approached us with bottles of water, concern etched across their faces.

“In July 2021, two years before my twins were born, my husband, Philip, and I took a road trip through the American West. Road trips are my favorite kind of trip—between Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, I drove from Los Angeles through the South to New York using only highways and byways, never freeways, because then you just speed past everything. I always love the sense of discovery when you don’t plan ahead. This time around, we had no plan beyond keeping a route in mind. I’d also run out of motels that would let me stay with all of my dogs—Kai, Teddy, Sufi, Moon, and Dunton, plus whomever we picked up along the way, as there are so many homeless dogs—so we were in our Tiffin RV. We started in Colorado and ended in the Pacific Northwest, but one of my favorite days came when we were somewhere between Santa Fe and Taos, when we had all of this drastic weather, like having four seasons in one day. It was raining so hard—a crazy summer thunderstorm. And then all of a sudden, it cleared, first with intense wind but then stillness, and as we drove we watched the heat from the road, the condensation going up, the mirages in the distance, and this big beautiful blue sky. That led us into the night—we stopped and built a bonfire and just sat by it. Sometimes we chatted about something that crossed our minds, but it was really then that we found and welcomed the endless stillness, beneath the unpolluted night skies. A moment like that is why I keep doing this.” —as told to Charlie Hobbs and Matt Ortile

Hilary Swank stars in Ordinary Angels, which opens on February 23. She is also the founder of the activewear brand Mission Statement and the charitable organization Hilaroo.

This article appeared in the March 2024 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.

Science may advise against eating in the air, but on the road consumption is more than fair game. In fact, there’s no better way to break up the time on that long and often monotonous journey (Hello, the Midwest and its many cornfields!) than by eating to your heart’s content. While most rest stops proffer hot foods of various cuisines and qualities, the safest bet for consistency and familiarity amidst an ever-changing landscape is the pre-packaged snack and beverage available for purchase in the mart attached to any given gas station. Whether its crunch or cream, savory or sweet that you seek, there’s something wrapped up in plastic for you. Below, our editors round up some of their essential bites for you to stock up on before or during your next drive.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Megan Spurrell.

Health is wealth

I am not a traditional snacker. I generally care not for potato chips, nor do I understand the appeal of pretzels. I view eating on the road, when you’re cranky and bored and your body is stationary, as a utilitarian exercise—eating to live, you could say, rather than living to eat. It is for these reasons that I prefer a hearty bag of jerky with its powerful punch of protein. I skip the flavored bags, the smoke of the original supplying more than enough flavor for me, although one variation I’ve enjoyed recently is the BBQ chicken thigh jerky a roommate’s sister brought over to my apartment recently. Wash it down with an unsweetened green tea and I’m a happy camper. If pushed to go for some junk, I’d go for the pepperoni pizza combos my mother favored on the road trips of my childhood, although one bite of such a thing now would probably kill me. —Charlie Hobbs, editorial assistant

Crunch with a punch

As a kid, I unabashedly loved Cheetos Puffs. Sometime in the last few years, I discovered the grown-up version: its packaging leads you to believe that Simply White Cheddar Puffs are healthier than the original (who am I to argue?), and the white powder is less alarming on your fingers than the neon orange of yore. Most importantly, they are just as, if not more, delicious. I could go through an entire bag, depending on the length of the road trip. As a sour complement, I love Oh Snap! Pickling Co.’s spicy pickle pouches. They’re pretty easy to find in grocery stores and gas stations, and come in a fresh dill flavor if you don’t like heat.—Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Acid & heat

I want my mouth to be excoriated by the snacks I’m munching on, to lose a cluster of taste buds every mile, to be satisfied only when my mouth has essentially gone numb. My poisons of choice? Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, kettle-cooked salt and vinegar chips, and a hodgepodge of sour candy—Airheads Xtreme Bites are my favorite, but Sour Patch Kids do in a pinch. I could coddle my tongue with crisp fruit or soft snack cakes, but I like to use my time on the road as a no-holds-barred extreme snack wonderland, convincing myself that I won’t regret every bite in a mere hour and wishing I’d been kinder to my palate. But once I reach my destination, as the angry red Cheeto-dust stains fade from my fingers and feeling slowly returns to my mouth, I’ll be counting down the days until I can do it again. (Pro tip: Ask your backseat chef to add the Cheetos to the turkey-and-cheese sandwiches they’re whipping up for the car—you won’t want your road lunch any other way after.) —Taylor Eisenhauer, editorial operations manager

Ruffles & rollinos

The undeniable highlight of road trips is spilling out of the car at gas stations and loading up on junk food that you don’t normally eat at home. Among my family and oldest friends, it’s considered a fact that “orange chips” (aka Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream) are the very best on the planet, so those always end up getting passed around the car (Kettle Salt & Vinegar chips are a worthy back-up plan). If I’m feeling fancy, and the gas station has a cold fridge, I’ll splurge on a vacu-sealed pack of Rollinos—those tasty little prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella sticks (protein, right?). —Megan Spurrell, senior editor

Salty meets sweet

Terra vegetable chips have been a go-to snack of mine for years. They’re delicious, light, and just the right amount of salty. And while a chip is by no means the healthiest option out there, these feel like a better alternative to the classic potato chip (whether true or not!). And when it comes to road trips or long-haul flights, I love nothing more than to treat myself to a sweet snack—preferably, Brookside dark chocolate-covered pomegranates. I could eat an entire family-size bag of these bite-size, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates to myself. The ever-so-slightly bitter dark chocolate coating on the sweet and gummy pomegranates is heavenly. I keep my eyes peeled for these in every airport, gas station, or other pit stop along the way. —Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor

Indian-made biscuits and TJ’s crisps

The great thing about going on a road trip, plane ride, or train journey with my family is that someone always bring along a pack of Parle-G biscuits. The bad thing about it is that everyone devours them. If you’re not acquainted with the packaging on this Indian-made milk biscuit, the animated little girl on it is legendary. What’s on the inside is pretty darn great, too. When I’ve run out of supplies from my Indian grocery, I resort to my other favorite snack—cheese and crackers. In this case, a travel-friendly pack of Tillamook cheddar sticks and a box of Trader Joe’s fig & olive crisps—add some grapes and assorted nuts pried out of ziplock bags and it’s a road-trip version of a charcuterie board! —Arati Menon, global digital director

Crush-proof

Whether I’m road-tripping or packing snacks for the plane, I typically want crush-proof options that can withstand my overpacking. My favorite non-chip (if I’m being real there’s always a bag of Cape Cod chips in the car for road trips, too) snacks hit both sweet and salty. For sweet, Trader Joes’ Sweet and Juicy Mango are my favorite dried-fruit option, ideal for when you need a sugary pick-me-up. A more nutritious, whole-wheat treat I always find myself packing (and buying at truck stops when I spot them) for breakfast or on-the-go is Nature’s Bakery fig bars, preferably an original fig bar (but apple or raspberry will do if the OG ones are sold out). For salty, I love shelled pistachios, which are easy to snack on, healthier than the standard mixed-nuts fluff, and pack well in the bottom of a bag so you can finish them off whenever you get around to unpacking. —Shannon McMahon, destinations editor

Sweet & tangy twists

While home, I’m not the biggest snacker. My cabinets aren’t stocked with sweet treats or savory snacks, but while on the road a bag of Honey Barbecue Fritos is never too far from my reach. There is something about the crunch of a Frito that is just so addicting when paired with the honey barbecue spices. There are a ton of barbecue chips on the market, but they just don’t compare to what Fritos has crafted. It’s the perfect blend of sweetness, tanginess, and slight heat. While I love the sweetness from the chips, it won’t ever be able to curb my sweet tooth like a Butterfinger. I understand it’s a bit messy and crumbles after each bite, but every peanut butter flake I have to clean up afterward is worth it. —Paris Wilson, commerce producer

Nostalgic treats

Whether a long or short journey, the little things make all the difference when road tripping. You have to be prepared—and not ‘hangry,’ especially when traveling with a group. While that means different things to different travelers, I need options: the trifecta—sweet, salty, and some sort of chocolate. The sweet, for me, has always been Haribo Happy Cherries—a bundle of cherry shaped and flavored gummies that my grandmother got me hooked on early in my childhood. A perfect pair, the salty adjacent is either the red salsa or orange cheddar Sun Chips—depending on my mood. The bag could go on forever and I could never get sick of them. Of course, a crucial saving grace to crumbs and sticky fingers on the road is napkins or hand wipes. My chocolate pair of choice is more of a subtle delight: a jar of Pirouline’s wafer cookie sticks. Also nostalgic of my childhood, these were always in my house when I was growing up. I never buy them during my general food shopping, but there’s something about seeing them on a rest stop right before hitting the road. They’re almost like tasty good luck charms. These snacks have nothing to do with standard levels of ‘health’, yet everything to do with fulfillment—and a reminiscence of youthful searches for deliciousness. —Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant

Worldwide wonders

What makes a perfect road trip? The company, the music, and the snacks. I’m all about the flavors of the world. I don’t usually keep processed foods at home but all bets are off on a road trip. I’m partial to the umami and savory flavors. Korean Cosmos Hot Rice Tteokbokki Snacks? Sign me up. These are sweet, tangy and crunchy. For something with some heat I’m looking at Magic Masala Crisps or Trader Joe’s Jerk-Style Plantain Chips, with garlic, onion, all spice, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, red pepper, and thyme, they are spicy and satisfying. Perfect with a Limonata on a hot sunny drive. For something mildly sweet my go to are these Thai Chewy Milk Fruit candy. These candies always remind me of driving along the beaches in Phuket with friends. They are a bit of surprise—you expect them to be hard because they feel like a marble but they are in fact, little melty pillows and the taste is almost elegant in it’s lightness. Which means you can easily eat 10 and not feel sick. I’m partial to the mango flavor but the durian is a fun one to try! —Pallavi Mohan Kumar, associate visuals director

Swimming with the fishes

Double T

While I believe there’s nothing better than a hearty sandwich for a meal on the go (a prosciutto bocadillo or turkey-pickle-mustard on a roll, to be exact), road trip snacks are about indulging in those guilty gas station pleasures. For this, I gravitate toward the chewy and spicy, two qualities that exaggerate the act of eating into a proper activity. Loudly smacking gobs of Twizzlers is a bad car habit I picked up from my mom who, growing up, always had a bag in her purse—though, to be honest, I’m not even sure I like the taste. Their entertaining texture and bland faux-strawberry flavor is perfectly complemented by tastebud-destroying Takis, which force even spice lovers like me to slow down (meaning, sometimes, the bag will even last you the entire ride). As an honorable mention, I reliably reach for Cape Cod salt and vinegar chips or Fritos if I’m craving salt. —Heather Towey, associate news editor

Fun-to-eat treats

My road trip snack choices still reflect that which I developed in my childhood. My parents were relatively strict about eating healthy at home, but on the open road, we were allowed to indulge in whatever our hearts desired from the gas station aisles. The first item is something that I don’t think I have eaten outside the confines of a vehicle: Bugles, the cone shaped corn chips which function as both snack and entertainment, perfect for slipping on your fingers to poke at your siblings in the envied bucket seats. The other snack that lures me in with its neon colors are Trolli sour gummy worms. I used to only eat the blue and red ones, but I’m a grownup now, so my palate has thankfully expanded. If I splurge for a third choice, it’s always cheddar Chex mix, which contains an elite variety, in my opinion. —Mercedes Bleth, global associate director of social

Liquid diet

When to go: Winterfest kicks off on November 9 and has a whopping run through the middle of February. Check out their full calendar of events here.

What else to do: Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, which will also delight with more than 5 million twinkling lights, rides, and music as part of Winterfest. Cheer for your favorite elf at Dolly Parton’s Stampede or do any number of things suggested by the living legend herself.

Why you’ll love it: Looking for lights and libations? You’re in luck: After you drive or walk through the Festival of Light for free, you can hit up the food truck park and the festival’s ticketed activities, like a Ferris wheel, carousel, ice rink, and carriage rides.

When to go: Visit November 18 to December 31, 6–10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

What else to do: Stick around nearby Oklahoma City for a holiday cocktail at the Mary Eddy’s Dining Room inside the 21c Museum Hotel, built inside an old Ford assembly plant.

Why you’ll love it: A local favorite, Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights is a family-owned and operated light show in honor of the late Bando patriarch. Each year, the Alum Creek State Park Campground transforms into a 30-minute tour of winter wonderland. Organizers recommend tuning in to 88.3 FM to listen to Fantasy of Lights radio courtesy of local music students.

When to go: Fantasy in Lights is open from November 17 through January 1. Entry starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.

What else to do: If you don’t mind a few more hours in the car, head up to Cleveland to check out the home featured in the timeless holiday flick, A Christmas Story. Now known as the A Christmas Story House Museum, the fully-restored house is available for tours and features original props, costumes, and memorabilia from the film.

The Hersheypark’s Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Courtesy Hersheypark

Why you’ll love it: Only one of many sweet and merry Hersheypark attractions available this holiday season, the drive-through Hershey Sweet Lights promises to pair perfectly with a steaming mug of to-go hot chocolate. The illuminated drive spans two miles of wooded trail and boasts 600 animated displays.

After an astonishingly good dinner at the estate’s restaurant, Peter Ahlström, the company’s CEO, drives me past orchards and streams, worker cottages and handsome industrial buildings. As the fifth generation of his family to lead Noormarkku, he is the custodian of its history. Even with its business interests having shifted elsewhere, the extended Ahlström family continues to gather here. “The Finns are tied to where they grew up, to land and their ownership of it,” Ahlström explains. At the tipping edge of daylight, we spot a herd of roe deer and a single white-tailed one.

In the morning, fueled by a breakfast of savory Karelian pies, smoked salmon, and rye bread, I walk to Villa Mairea, designed in the 1930s by Aalto and his wife, Aino, for Maire Gullichsen, an art patron and the granddaughter of the ironworks’ founder. It appears around a bend in a forested path bathed in silence. Its façade in wood and stone is modest but still manages to make my heart skip a beat. The free-flowing interiors offer more stunners, from the site-specific furniture to Gullichsen’s trove of Picassos and Légers. I am particularly taken by the forest-inspired staircase and rattan-wrapped pillars, which make the home feel virtually inseparable from the surrounding woodland.

The living room in Villa Mairea, with its nods to the surrounding forest and collection of seminal art by Massimo Campigli, Juan Gris, and Edgar Degas

Andrew Taylor

Before leaving, I take a smoke sauna on the banks of the Noormarkunjoki River. Water laps rhythmically against the bulrush-lined shore. Birdsong fills the air. According to Ahlström, the family plans to make this the site of an ambitious design center and world-class arts pavilion. I have a hard time imagining a modern structure here, especially on a morning such as this, but it would be a fitting way to bring the family’s design legacy into the future.

Sustainable sensibility

“There’s a Finnish saying, punainen tupa ja perunamaa, meaning ‘a red house and a potato field,’” explains Kaari, the young driver taking me to the village of Fiskars, “indicating all you need to be content.” We’re talking about those distinctive farmhouses that we whoosh past as we head 150 miles south. I’m making a quick stop at the Finnish Design Shop, the first showroom for the world’s largest online Nordic design store, on the outskirts of Turku, the historic former capital.

A few years ago, says COO Reetta Noukka, the company picked this site abutting the Pomponrahka nature reserve to house its dream headquarters. In developing it, care was taken to preserve the natural forest undergrowth and excavated stones, allowing the warehouse, offices, showroom, and wild-food restaurant—helmed by award-winning forager-chef Sami Talberg—to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. The result is a unique prototype for a next-generation design hub. “Finnish design has always been inspired by nature,” Noukka says, “but sustainability will shape its future.”