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All of it is supported by Progressive Insurance.
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Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try it@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. WNYC Studios is supported by Odoo. When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out Odoo at o d o o.com that's o d o o.com.
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This is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart live from the WNYC Studios in soho. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. I'm really grateful that you're here on today's show. You know, laughter, it can make things better. Writer and podcast host Chris Duffy wanted to know why. He joins us to talk about his new book Humor Me how laughing can make you present creative, connected and happy. Musician Annie DeRusso's debut album is titled Super Pedestrian, but the sound is anything but. She joins us for a live performance. It's happening in Studio 5 and will mark the one year anniversary of the devastating fire in Southern California with Altadena residents Andi Timiner, the director of a documentary called all the Walls Came Down. And she'll be joined by neighborhood activist Heavenly Hughes. That's our plan. So let's get this started with some travel ideas. Thinking about travel is a lot easier than actually doing it. So let's start with something simple. Recently, Conde Nast Traveler published a list called the Best Places to go in the US in 2026 for retro road trips, outdoorsy getaways and citywide revival. In honor of America's 250th birthday, Conde Nast is looking at the best places to visit right here in the States. Think Indianapolis, Indiana, Portland, Oregon, Charleston, South Carolina. We're joined by Conde Nast Travelers Associate Director of Articles, Megan Sparel. I said your last name right?
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You did.
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I love it. Hi Megan. It's nice talking to you.
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Hi, thanks for having me.
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Listeners, we want to hear from you. What are your Travel plans for 2020 26? Where do you want to go this year? Are you still deciding what places in this country. Are you at the top of your lists and why, and tell us what you want to do when you get there. Are you going to take a road trip, taking the train or flying? Give us a call. 212-433-969-2212, wnyc. You can also call if you're looking for recommendations. Megan Spirel is here to be our guide today. 2124-339689-28922, 2433, wnyc. All right. You have 50 states to pick from. What what was your criteria for the list?
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So ahead of every year, we do a list of the best places to go. And we do look at the world. We do every region, but we always make time for a US list. And this year with the 250th, there were so many different places to choose from. I think there's a couple things. One is looking at places that have news, whether it's new things, opening museums, being renovated, airport upgrades, whatever. But also we want the final list to have a mix for different types of travelers. So some outdoorsy stuff, some cultural hotspots. You know, we always want a mix of city and wild open spaces. So this year, we we really did land on quite a mix. And with the 250th celebration, we were thinking, what stories do we want to focus on in this year? What history do we want to learn? What history do we want to relearn? And how do people want to experience this country at a time like this? So we have lots of thoughts.
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Yeah. In your, in this time, we're thinking about America's 250th anniversary. Your article pointed out this great line. It said America probably looks a bit different right now from what our forefathers could have predicted. What kind of landscapes and attractions that this nation has that we can offer to our listeners that they might not think about every day?
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Yeah, I mean, I think whenever we share a list like this, people do expect to see a lot of the classics. They expect to see New York, Los Angeles, Miami, you know, Hawaii. And I really liked I always like surprising people with what we choose. But especially this year, I mean, we talked about Arkansas. We talked about Buffalo, we talked about Route 66. And we can dive into all of these. But I think, you know, there are beautiful natural spaces that have been really well preserved by our amazing park system. So I think that's exciting because you can look at landscapes, you know, mountains and valleys that look the same way they did 250 years ago, which is unbelievable. You can also go to cities that have evolved so much during that time, that have stories of renovation and revitalization. And I think, you know, it really is just which parts of America's history are interesting you. Is it more human history? Is it landscape? Is it cities? And. And then choosing how you want to spend that time.
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Listeners, we want to hear your Travel plans for 2026. Where do you plan on going this year? Are you still deciding where to go? What places in the United States are at the top of your lists? And why? Is it a trip, a getaway with close friends, a family trip? Tell us what activities you plan to do once you get there. Our phone number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC we're going to talk about Route 66. This is such a great idea. Why did you decide to include Route 66?
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Well, I love a road trip. I think I, you know, some people are love or hate on it, but I think just to be able to take advantage of the massive size of this country is a pretty spectacular thing. Road trips are a great way to do it. I actually was just in a lift on Sunday night and my driver was telling me about out of nowhere, started telling me about this drive he did on Route 66 like a decade ago after divorce. And he was just talking about realizing all the nooks and crannies of this country. You know, random roadside motels that have the classic neon signs out front. But a lot of those have been revitalized and remade. And again, as we look at history and think about the stories we wanna tell in Spotlight now, it's an interesting time. I mean, along Route 66. So it's not one road anymore. It's kind of broken up. If you want to do it, you actually there's apps and we have links to them on sandtraveler.com that you can use to stitch it together. But you're really connecting different sections of the old road and new roads. But I mean there are going to be events all along it throughout the year, like in so 250th celebrations will start April 30th. So you know, in, in Missouri in April, there's going to be a Route 66 Centennial National Kickoff happening in May. Tulsa is going to do a world record attempt for the largest ever classic car par. That's gonna be great. Which I'm sure is gonna have a lot of characters and a lot of Fun cars. Amarillo, Texas is gonna do a 10 day long Texas Route 66 festival in June. So there's gonna be a lot happening besides the usual incredible kind of quirky museums and sights to see.
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And I Understand there are 25 tribal nations that lived along that route. Right?
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Yeah. And I think when we talk about how, you know, how do we want to tell the story differently than we of this country, than we might have 10 years ago, 50 years ago, 100 years ago. This is a great example. So yeah, I mean there are some amazing indigenous run institutions along this route. There's the Indian Pueblo Cultural center in Albuquerque, which is operated by the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico. It'll have its 50th year happening this year. So there's going to be a lot going on. And in Oklahoma City, there's also a First nations museum that tells the stories of Oklahoma's 39 nations. So I just think to look at, you know, the people who have actually been here the longest and their stories, those are a couple great places to start.
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Let's talk logistics for a second. Where do you start? When you're talking about Route 66, especially now that it's not one contiguous line, how do you start? What piece of it do you decide that you want to take part in?
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I think it depends on, you know, where you are in the country and how much time you have. Right. You could spend a month enjoying this route and there also are alternate ways across the country. So you could do part of Route 66 and then maybe you want to go somewhere that's not along it and you veer off. But technically it starts in Chicag Chicago, which is also one of our, you know, best places to visit in the US in 2026. And it ends in LA and I'm from LA and I always remember being on the Santa Monica Pier and there's some big sign that says like the end of Route 66. I don't know if that's actually the end or if it's maybe cyber. It's also somewhere more downtown. But basically you're kind of taking, you're going from Chicago down and then swinging west through the south.
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We got a text here. Just spent five nights in Key Largo. Loved it and will return. That's Jeanette who texted in this, says, I'm trying to decide where to go with my mom for vacation this year. We're big museum fans, art and natural history and would love to go somewhere unexpected. Any ideas?
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Absolutely. So speaking of unexpected, I'm really excited about. I mean this is really an outdoorsy destination. But we've been talking about Arkansas because there's a lot of new bike trails being open throughout the state. But there's also the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. I think Bentonville just seems super interesting to me when you think of kind of a smaller city, small town that has a lot of culture, and they have two new galleries showcasing five centuries of American art across like over a hundred thousand square feet of space. So I think if you want to have somewhere with maybe a different pace than New York City, but a lot going on and beautiful landscapes around, I would head to Arkansas, head to Bentonville.
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And you can also check out the natural part of the states. That's huge hiking in. In Arkansas.
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Exactly. And I mean, I feel like that's an all year destination. You know, if you go in spring, you're gonna get wildflowers. Summer obviously everyone, the Ozarks in different parts of the state during that time. Fall, you're gonna get the foliage. And then one other spot I might talk about is Portland, Oregon for culture.
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Oh, sure. Let's talk about Portland.
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Love Portland. I love Portland.
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Put a bird on it.
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Put a bird on it. It's funny, we actually talked about how Portland, you know, it had its big moment with Portlandia and everyone kind of thought of it as this very specific hipster city. And then, you know, over the past few years, I think it hasn't gotten. It's just gotten a little thornier by some accounts. But there's so much to love in Portland. And the Portland Art Museum, which is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, just completed a massive expansion. So I mean, I think we're also talking about like an added hundred thousand square feet of exhibits and also a lot of indigenous culture and history showcase. So I think that would be another great city to go to.
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Portland also is a very walkable downtown. Yeah, yeah.
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And I think, you know, it's known for its food. And just speaking of kind of accessible, walkable, they're opening this year the James Beard, like this indoor outdoor food complex, which is very highly anticipated. And so again, you could spend your time running around the city going to so many of these great restaurants, bars, but you can also just plop yourself into that spot and try a ton of amazing food from the city's producers.
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Let's talk to our listener. Sergio online too is calling in from Clifton, New Jersey. Hi, Sergio, thanks for taking the time to call, all of it. Hi, how are you?
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It's a pleasure to speak to you.
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Great I'm doing well. Where are you going?
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We are going to Baltimore. Baltimore, Maryland. We're gonna do a family trip, my wife and three kids and we're gonna celebrate my son's birthday. He's really big into aquariums and sharks. So we're gonna go to the National Aquarium and there's a nice children's museum over there.
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That sounds like a great trip for your family. Have a good time. We are talking about the best places to go in the US in 2026. We're discussing some budget friendly options. Maybe not so much budget friendly options. It's your choice. There's a lot of things to discuss. Discuss. Our guest is Conde Nast Travelers Associate Director of Articles, Megan Spurrell. Listeners, we want to hear your Travel plans for 2026. Where are you going in the Our Phone number is 2124-3396-9221-2433 wn did want to ask one question, one more logistics question. What's important to consider when you take a road trip versus flying to a place?
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I mean so much? Where do we begin? I think you're gonna wanna plan out your days. I when I've done road trips and I did a cross country road trip a couple years ago which was amazing and I used Google Maps to just really plot out like each day figure out how long it was going to take to drive from one place to another. Always add a couple hours. It will take you a lot longer to stop and get gas and have a great meal. And you know, you see buffalo on the side of the road and you want to pull over. All that takes time. So I think add a lot of buffer time. Don't do a ton of long days back to back. So really think about your itinerary but also pack the stuff that's going to make you comfortable when you're sitting in the car, have your playlist downloaded, have all your chargers, get some good snacks. It's always fun to stop, but also there will be some times where you're tired and you just want to get where you're sleeping that night and you want to have what you need to do.
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So one time I drove across South Dakota and it was a great trip and we ended at Mount Rushmore.
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Wow.
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It was a good, good trip. Corn palace, all of it.
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Oh my, the Corn Palace. Well, and I also think, I mean over in that part of the country there's Wall Drug. I've always wanted to pull over there and just go through all the aisles.
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Oh, we did all the Stuff, all of it. All the South Dakota stuff.
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It was really, really fun.
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It was a really good trip.
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That was so fun.
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Let's talk to Carol. She's calling from Rockaway. Hi, Carol. Thanks for calling, all of it. Hi.
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Yeah, we just got back. Can you hear me?
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Yeah, I hear you. Great.
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Okay, good. We just got back from a partial road trip. We flew to Arizona and drove all around the area around Sedona. And we went to a great city there called Jerome, which is just amazing, a cool find. But you were talking about Portland. And we flew then from Arizona to Portland because that's where my son lives. And we love Portland, and it's not a dangerous city. It's very, very walkable and very safe. And we went to the museum, and we've been to the museum many times, but it is amazing. The Mark Rothko is just incredible. And I really recommend that people fly out to, you know, or drive, depending on which way they're going. And the food is amazing. Everything is amazing about Portland. So I highly recommend it.
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Carol gave good recommendations. Portland and Jerome is another great place.
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I wrote Jerome down. I was like, that sounds great.
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It's a pretty great place. This says I'll be going to Madeline island, the largest of the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. Lovely and quaint. My wish list, Yellowstone national park for the out of the world prehistoric experience. And Banff Mountain views and the turquoise lakes. Thank you. Thank you for texting in as well. This says San Juan Islands. Amazing views for not a lot of hiking. That's a good tip. Whale watching, lovely local commerce.
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You can see orcas up there. It's gorgeous.
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Let's talk about the East Coast. Let's talk about a road trip from New York. You suggest Boston. Boston. Everybody thinks about Boston like 205th anniversary, but Boston's gonna have a really big year this year. What's happening in Boston?
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Yeah, Boston is gonna have a big year. Which already the first thing I think, as working on Travel magazine is you've got a plan soon. So in addition to the 250th anniversary, which is going to kind of bring a ton of different events, I mean, there's the return of sail, Boston in July, when historically ships from around the world will all arrive and you can actually walk on and see them. But there's also going to be the World cup this summer, and that is going to be a big one. So Boston is one of the host cities again. The World cup this year is going to be different because it's going to be spread throughout North America. So host cities in Canada, U.S. and Mexico, the bulk of them are in the U.S. boston's one of them. I think it's going to be exciting. I think also for people on the east coast, we're going to have the flexibility of, I mean, I love watching soccer, so I'm definitely wanting to go. And it's, you know, if you don't get a ticket here in for the games in Jersey, you have the chance to drive to Boston. So that's really nice, but it's gonna be busy. And I think it's just, you know, for such a historic city, Boston's really been evolving recently. Like the food scene, it's amazing. It's really special. And I think, you know, for people, Boston also has its, its love or hate it fans. And I think it's really evolving into a place that has a lot for a lot of different types of people. And I think that's going to be exciting to see. This year.
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We're talking to Conde Nast's Megan Sparrell. We're looking at the best places to go in the US in 2026. We want to hear where you want to go. What's on your bucket list. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. After the break, Megan is going to make the case for bu. You're listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Joining me in studio is Megan Sparell. She's from Conde Nast Traveler. She's associate director of articles. We're talking about the best places to go in the US in 2026. I shared with you during the break. I've been to all 50 states. So I'm starting again. I'm thinking, like, where haven't I been? What other parts of the United States haven't I been to? And I, I haven't spent a lot of time in Oakland. That's one of the places I want to go. And I want to go to Detroit and spend some time there. Where would you suggest, off the top of your head, where would you, would you suggest I go?
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Well, I did used to live in Oakland, so I can definitely vouch for it. And San Francisco is one of our best places to go this year because I just talk about, again, revitalization, newness. But I think I love both the cities you mentioned. I also, I think I'm ready to make the case for Buffalo.
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Make a case for Buffalo. Buffalo is right over, right near Toronto. A different Country. But yeah, make a case for Buffalo.
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Well, and I think Toronto is great. So if you're going to get in the car, I mean, keep going as well. But. So, okay, the hear me out on Buffalo is I know everyone thinks of it as a gateway to Niagara Falls. Obviously Buffalo's Bill fans are going to be heading up there. I love a Buffalo wing. And I think for most people that's kind of where the associations end if you're, if you haven't spent time there. But okay, there is a huge concentration of amazing architecture. So it's also home to Frank, Frank Lloyd Wright's Gray Cliff, which has a new visitor center coming in the summer. There is the Lipsey Architecture center, where you can kind of learn about this legacy. And it's moving to the Richard Olmsted campus. So the Olmsted brothers designed, you know, Central park, the town that I'm from in greater Los Angeles, like really prolific. So I don't think people realize you can go nerd out on like American architecture in Buffalo, but you can. And there's also a lot of restoration to the outdoor spaces coming. So huge openings on the Buffalo waterfront with hiking trails.
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Oh, that's nice.
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Kayak and bike rental.
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I like to do both of those.
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Yeah, go when it's warmer. For that, there's going to be a public beach. And there's also the start of the rollout of this hundred acre Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Park in 2026, which will also have a bridge linking the west side to the waterfront. So a little more walkable, if we can believe it.
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You made a case for Buffalo. I'm proud of you. Let's talk to Lee from Greenwich. Hey, Lee, thanks for calling, all of it.
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Hi, how are you doing?
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Okay.
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All right. My third grader is studying national parks this year at school. And so we decided we want to take advantage of next month for winter getaway for a long weekend. We're headed to Nashville and we want to use that at home base because a little touch of the south, some great southern food, but then also not far away, about an hour, I think an hour and a half is Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. So we'll get two new states in for her. The cave is open year round, too. It's the longest cave system, I think, known in the United States. So hoping to get to visit that Smoky Mountains and yeah, see what the food scene in Nashville looks like.
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Sounds good.
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Have a great trip.
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Let's talk to Abby calling from South Orange. Hi, Abby, you're on the air.
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Yes, hi, So I would like to recommend St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. It's so beautiful. Beautiful beaches, great shopping, and just really good weather all year round.
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Abby, thanks for the tip. Mihang is calling from Princeton. Hi, thanks for calling, all of it. You're on the air.
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Hi, thank you very much for picking up my call. My son and I just finished a 10 day road trip starting from Princeton. We went down to D.C. visit our family over there. And then we headed to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit a friend's couple over there. And then we went further down to Nashville. We spent three days, you know, doing all the things we supposed to do, soaking the vibes, et cetera, and get together with our friends again. And then we headed toward to Charleston. We stay over there three nights. It was amazing city. It's beautiful, rich with history. After that we went back, drove back to dc, Stayed with another friend, and then back to Princeton. On the way down, we visited Thomas Jefferson's estate at Monticello. On the way back, we visited George Washington's Mount Vernon. We thought that's a trip we want to take, especially at this time, 250 years anniversary, which is very meaningful, especially if the founding fathers. It's amazing.
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That's like a great trip.
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You hit so many spots on that.
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I'm amazed you spoke to me about Catalina Island. This was a place that, where you grew up. You saw and he was like, oh, that's Catalina Island. Tell me why you have think about Catalina island differently now.
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Well, I mean, I've always known it's, it's beautiful and you see it, you know, across the glittering Pacific from the south part of Los Angeles County. So I've never doubted that it's a beautiful place. But I think, you know, I went on Girl Scout trips growing up and people do family trips and I think being further from it, you know, this year Catalina is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a resort destination. And I think just reading about it as someone sitting in New York now, I'm like, this is a haven. I mean, so there's ferries from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, all out kind of between Los Angeles and San Diego. And you know, there's a faster ferry and a longer ferry, but either way it's just a matter of hours. And when you get there, it can look Caribbean. Like there is beautiful water, incredible wildlife. I mean, I think like 88% of the island is protected. So there are endemic species like the Catalina island fox. You know, you can go snorkeling and see sea lions and bright Orange garibaldi fish. And you can go kayaking as well. There's a trail 38.5 miles that goes across it, which I just was thinking, why am I not hiking that with my mom, who's a huge hiker? So I think, you know, there's, it's, it's this little oasis right off the coast of Southern California that I think this anniversary is making me think about differently.
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This text says people neglect the plain states, but I did a national park trip through North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Needle Highway, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. These are lovely states. Let's talk to Jonathan from Bayonne, New Jersey. Hi, Jonathan. Thanks for calling all of it.
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Hi. What a nice topic. So I grew up, I don't plug my. I was telling your screen, I don't plug my hometown very often. But something that's kind of people are into like the Roaring Twenties, Gatsby era. I grew up in this little town called Auburn, Indiana, which is very much like a Main street usa. And on Labor Day weekend, they have what's called the ACD Festival, which means Auburn Chords and Duesenbergs. This was the headquarters of the Auburn automobile company, which produced these classic cars. And when I was a kid, they used to actually have the world's largest classic car auction. They no longer really have the car auction. However, the town goes very, very much kind of Gatsby era out, I guess you could say. And you get, sometimes you get celebrities come in, Leno, a few others have been there in the past and they showcase all these old Duesenbergs, which are million dollar cars from this era. And it's really, really, it's something pretty cool to see on Labor Day weekends.
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That sounds like a great trip. Thanks. Thanks, Jonathan. Rebecca is calling in from Manhattan. Hi, Rebecca, thanks for calling all of it. You're on the air. Hey.
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C
Hey. So I love this topic so much because I've driven cross country with my family like 13 times. Wow. And we have hit every state in the union. And that was our goal. Our last state was North Dakota. Shout out to North Dakota. And it's absolute beauty. But you were talking about like planning your trips because we always took a different route. We took I10, we took I40, we took I80, we took I90 just to see different parts of the country. Went up to Canada one time and then dropped down by the Great Lakes. So but we would always try to get off the interstate because it only adds maybe like an hour to your day and to your day of travel, we get up early, travel all day, hit the hotel. But it would all we'd always find something really great off the beaten path, especially in the middle states, the flyover states. I have to just say that we have loved learning about this country and the beauty of this country. Even in like Oklahoma, flat, nothing Oklahoma. There's something so beautiful about the flatness and the expanse of it. All the clouds in Montana, we've been to a dozen or more national parks. What an absolutely beautiful country we have. And I just can't say that, you know, people that don't travel our country are really missing out because it's really a spectacular place.
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A
Thanks for the call. Kathy from Westport. Hi, Kathy. You want to put a pitch in for Vermont?
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Yeah, there's a place that we love in Vermont. It's spectacular. I don't know that many people from the mid Atlantic or New England states know about it, but Shelburne is just spectacular. I think it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. And it sits on Lake Champlain. There's a beautiful old inn that's been restored, Vanderbilt mansion, 501C3 with a farm. I mean, it's spectacular. And I'm surprised at how few people from the Northeast have been there. So that's my pitch. One of my favorite places in the world.
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A
Thank you for that pitch. I saw you writing that down.
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B
Sounds gorgeous.
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Let's talk to Aaron from Richmond Hill because he has a question. Hi, Aaron. You're on with Megan Spirill from Conde Nast.
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C
Hey there. Thank you so much for having me. I love this topic and so many of the people have had great advice. I totally second getting off the interstate if you're going cross country. But I need advice. Every year for my birthday, I have a rule that I have to go somewhere I've never been been before. And it's not just about the technicality. Like there are blocks in the Bronx I haven't been to, but the idea is to go somewhere. I am bewildered, surprised, confused. And I have been all over this country and this year, oh, I should mention my birthday is at the end of January, start of February. Don't want to say on on the air when my birthday is, but I'm looking for advice. I'm kind of planning at the last second this year, and so give me somewhere that's just gonna startle me and confuse me.
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What do you think?
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How's that for a description?
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B
Okay. I love this prompt. I wish I got questions like this more at work. So I'm gonna go off the list. If I wanted to just be bewildered, I would do a journey of ghost towns. I think the ghost towns in the Southwest or also in Nevada are just some of the weirdest places. Some are completely abandoned, but other ones, you know, they have reenactments at noon and I don't know if you've already done something like that, but I think I would go somewhere warm and dry, deserty, and I would sit in a saloon and have a sarsaparilla. That is something I did as a kid and I loved it.
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Megan's Burrell is from Conde Nast Traveler. They have put out the best places to go in the US and in 2026. Thank you so much for coming in and joining us. That was a lot of fun.
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B
It was so fun. Thanks for having me.
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A
And for our listeners, don't forget, in a few days we'll have transcripts of this conversation so you can figure out all the places you'll want to go.
- [30:08]
C
Before we had AT and T Business Wireless coverage, our delivery GPS wasn't the most reliable. Once our driver had to do a 14 point turn to get back on route. A 14 point turn and influencer even livestream the whole thing. Not good for business. Now with AT and T Business Wireless, routes are updating on the fly and deliveries are on time. And the influencer did get us 53.
- [30:31]
B
New followers though at&t business Wireless Connecting.
- [30:35]
A
Changes everything this is Ira Flato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, the science Friday team has been reporting high quality science and technology news, making science fun for curious people by covering everything from the outer reaches of space to the rapidly changing world of AI to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Audiences trust our show because they know we're driven by a mission to inform.
- [31:04]
C
And serve listeners first and foremost with.
- [31:07]
A
Important news they won't get anywhere else. And our sponsors benefit from that halo effect effect. For more information on becoming a sponsor, visit sponsorship wnyc. Org.