Featured Places and Activities
Navigating the USS Midway & San Diego Embarcadero: A First-Timer’s Guide to Avoiding Tourist Traps
At Drives & Detours, we believe travel should happen on your own time. If you want to gain a deep, authentic knowledge of San Diego’s naval history and waterfront culture at your own pace, you need the inside scoop.
The Southern Gothic Crown Jewel: 6 Unmissable Sights & Attractions in Savannah, Georgia
To help you plan your perfect, self-guided adventure, Drives & Detours has compiled the definitive list of the top six sights and attractions in Savannah. These are the iconic landmarks that make this coastal Georgian city entirely unforgettable.
Looking Past the Windmills: A First-Timer’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Solvang
You don’t need to follow a flag to experience the magic of Solvang. You just need a bit of local know-how, a healthy appetite for carbohydrates, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Where to Eat in St. Augustine: A Local’s Food Guide
We’ve combed through the historic district and the quiet side streets to curate a list of five exceptional, highly-rated, and deeply beloved local spots. From fresh-caught Atlantic seafood to immersive Peruvian fine dining, here are the standout places to eat and drink in St. Augustine.
Savannah for First-Timers: The Squares, The Secrets, and The Sand Gnats
Savannah, Georgia, is a city that practically demands you slow down. With its canopy of Spanish moss, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old architecture, it feels like stepping onto a beautifully preserved movie set
Discover the Magic of the San Diego Embarcadero: 5 Must-See Waterfront Attractions
The best way to experience the Embarcadero is on your own time, with a deep dive into the history that surrounds you. Here are the top five can't-miss attractions along the San Diego Embarcadero, curated for the independent traveler who wants to soak in every detail.
Unlocking Solvang: The 6 Best Sights in Solvang, California’s Little Denmark
Trade the crowded buses and rigid schedules for buttery pastries, hidden histories, and the freedom to explore the Danish Capital of America at your own pace
The Insider’s Guide: 6 Standout Places to Eat and Drink in Scottsdale
To help you fuel your self-guided adventures, we have curated a local’s list of the six best places to eat and drink in Scottsdale. These aren’t the obvious, flashy spots you’ll find on every mass-market brochure. These are the award-winning, chef-driven, uniquely local establishments that define Scottsdale’s true culinary identity.
Uncovering St. Augustine: 6 Must-See Historic Attractions
As the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement within the borders of the continental United States, every cobblestone, coquina wall, and ocean breeze in St. Augustine feels heavy with centuries of history.
USS Midway: The Secrets of San Diego’s Floating City & The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is a place where historic tall ships rub shoulders with modern yachts, and where military history is woven into the very fabric of the city
Escape the Theme Parks: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Real Tampa
Often overshadowed by the neon lights of Miami or the sprawling theme parks of Orlando, Tampa has quietly cultivated a deeply rich culture, a phenomenal food scene, and a history that is entirely its own.
Ditch the Crowd: 6 Top Attractions in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona, is practically built for the independent traveler. From its rugged mountain preserves to its sophisticated arts districts, this city rewards those who wander at their own pace.
Chasing Flavor Beyond the Beach: The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Miami
Miami is a sprawling, beautiful patchwork of distinct neighborhoods, each holding its own culinary secrets. From the deep, rich aromas floating through Little Havana to the quiet, leafy enclaves of Little River, the real culinary magic happens when you take the wheel yourself.
Eat Like a Local Near the USS Midway: A Foodie's Guide to the San Diego Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking areas in Southern California. But with great views come great crowds—and an abundance of overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps.
How to Hike to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles: The Complete 2026 Guide
Every year, thousands of travelers head into the Santa Monica Mountains with visions of that perfect Instagram shot. But the Hollywood Sign sits behind a high-tech fence on the steep slopes of Mount Lee, guarded by cameras, motion sensors, and the LAPD
How to Walk NYC Like You Live Here: Central Park and The High Line
The best way to see New York is at your own pace, with the right information in your ear and the freedom to pull over whenever a hidden garden or a local bagel shop catches your eye.
Taste the History: The Best Places to Eat in Tampa, Florida
Tampa isn't just a city of theme parks and sparkling bays. It’s a culinary mosaic stitched together by Cuban immigrants, Sicilian heritage, and a new wave of experimental chefs.
Beyond the Neon: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Real Miami
Drives & Detours has compiled the essential local knowledge you need to navigate Miami at your own pace, skip the overpriced tourist traps, and uncover the vibrant, beating heart of South Florida.
The Local’s Guide to Scottsdale: How to Navigate Old Town Like You Own the Place
Scottsdale is a sophisticated desert metropolis with a thriving culinary and arts scene that somehow still feels like a small town if you know exactly which corners to turn.
NYC Dining Beyond the Tourist Traps: 5 Essential Tables to Book Right Now
These five establishments represent the current vanguard of New York City's food and beverage scene. They are highly acclaimed, fiercely independent, and distinctly reflective of the diverse neighborhoods they call home.