Featured Places and Activities
Skip the Neon: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Real Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville is a neighborhood of storytellers, legendary songwriters, and incredibly deep, sometimes gritty, history. But to truly understand it, you need to step off the beaten path—even when you are standing right in the middle of the city. Here is your local guide to surviving, thriving, and uncovering the hidden gems of downtown Music City without looking like a tourist.
The Ultimate Guide to Shenandoah National Park: 6 Unmissable Sights Along Skyline Drive
To help you plan the ultimate independent road trip, Drives & Detours has compiled the absolute top sights and attractions in Shenandoah National Park. Bookmark these spots, start your engine, and get ready to discover the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains at your own pace.
The First-Timer's Guide to Portland, Maine: Exploring the Old Port at Your Own Pace
If you are planning your first trip to Maine’s most vibrant seaside city, pull up a chair. We’re sharing the insider tips, weather quirks, and hidden stories that will make your visit unforgettable.
How to Not Look Like a Tourist in the French Quarter: The 2027 Survival Guide
Welcome to the Drives & Detours 2027 Survival Guide to the French Quarter. If you want to blend in, respect the culture, and truly experience the magic of the Vieux Carré on your own terms, you need to know the unwritten rules. Here are the essential local tips every first-timer needs to know.
Where to Eat in New Orleans in 2027: The Independent Traveler's Dining Guide
Self-guided exploring is going to help you work up a serious appetite. To help you plan your 2027 itinerary, we have curated a list of five standout places to eat and drink in New Orleans. These aren’t national chains or obvious tourist hubs. These are the highly-rated, critically acclaimed, distinctive spots that will make your trip unforgettable.
The 2027 Insider’s Guide to the San Antonio River Walk: Culinary Gems Hiding in Plain Sight
Here are five standout, highly rated establishments near the River Walk that deliver incredible food, rich ambiance, and a genuine taste of San Antonio’s heritage.
More Than Deep Dish: The Best Places to Eat in Chicago / 2027 Edition
To help you craft the perfect, self-guided journey through Chicago in 2027, we have scoured the city’s vibrant neighborhoods to curate a list of standout restaurants and bars. These are the hidden gems and local favorites where Chicagoans actually eat, each boasting spectacular reviews, unique ambiance, and food that tells a story.
The 2027 Guide to Los Angeles Dining: 6 Must-Try Spots Beyond the Obvious
Forget the national chains and the overcrowded tourist traps. Here are six extraordinary, highly-rated spots around Hollywood, East Hollywood, and Beverly Hills that will give you a true taste of local Los Angeles.
How to Hike to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles: The Complete 2027 Guide
To help you kick off your ultimate LA day, we have created the ultimate insider guide for navigating the rugged terrain to the Hollywood Sign. Here is your comprehensive breakdown for choosing the right path, securing legal parking, and experiencing the magnificent views over the Los Angeles basin on your own terms.
The Best Places to Eat in La Jolla: A Local’s Guide to San Diego’s Coastal Culinary Gems
La Jolla is famous for its dramatic ocean bluffs, sun-bathing sea lions, and upscale boutiques. For the independent traveler looking to gain a deep knowledge of their destination, finding the authentic culinary heartbeat of La Jolla takes a little inside knowledge.
Why a Self-Guided Walking Tour Is the Best Way To See the Chicago Loop
A self-guided audio tour is the ultimate travel hack for the Chicago Loop. It delivers the deep, immersive storytelling and historical context of a premium guided tour, but it hands the control entirely back to you. It is the absolute best way to see the city on your own terms. Here is why downloading a tour to your phone will completely change the way you explore Chicago.
The Culinary Detour: 6 Unforgettable Places to Eat and Drink Near Shenandoah National Park
The Shenandoah Valley is rich with agricultural history, and the gateway towns bordering the park—Front Royal, Luray, Sperryville, and Afton—are teeming with culinary artisans who are capturing the terroir of the region. Here is your guide to eating and drinking brilliantly around Shenandoah National Park.
The Ultimate Nashville Walking Guide: 6 Must-See Sights on Your Own Schedule
The true soul of Nashville cannot be scheduled. It is found in the lingering notes of a street performer's guitar, the slow sip of a local bourbon, and the freedom to wander down a side street just because it looks interesting. To help you build the perfect independent itinerary, here are the top 6 must-see sights in Nashville, starting right in the walkable heart of the city.
Escape the Tourist Traps: The Independent Traveler’s Guide to Eating and Drinking in Portland, Maine
Drives & Detours have mapped out six incredible, critically acclaimed spots to eat and drink in Portland that are distinctive, highly atmospheric, and well worth the trip. These are the culinary experiences you do not want to miss.
Walking Through History: Uncovering the Architectural Wonders of the Chicago Loop
Few urban centers capture the spirit of ambition, resilience, and creative reinvention quite like downtown Chicago. Every street corner tells a story of visionary architects, pioneering engineers, and bold civic leaders who transformed a swampy frontier trading post into a towering metropolis of steel and glass.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Old Sacramento: Local Tips, Hidden Gems, and Gold Rush Secrets
To help you make the most of your visit, we have put together the ultimate locals’ guide to Old Sacramento. From weather quirks to the best off-the-beaten-path burgers, here is everything you need to know before you go.
Discovering Mendocino: 5 Can’t-Miss Attractions on California’s Rugged Coast
If you are planning a trip to the Northern California coast, you want to make sure your itinerary includes the absolute best the region has to offer. To help you plan your perfect, self-paced getaway, here are the top five most iconic and unmissable attractions in Mendocino.
How to Do Martha’s Vineyard Like a Local (And Avoid the First-Timer Traps)
Beneath the picture-perfect New England postcards of Martha’s Vineyard lies a complex, sprawling island with its own set of rules, microclimates, and hidden gems. We’ve put together the ultimate insider’s guide for first-time visitors to the island.
Where to Eat in the Smoky Mountains: A Guide to Authentic Local Dining
At Drives & Detours, we believe that discovering a destination’s culinary soul is just as important as learning its history. That is why we have put together this local guide to the best places to eat and drink in the Smoky Mountains. These are the standout spots—distinctive, highly rated, and full of character—that will make your mountain getaway truly unforgettable.
Uncovering Chicago’s Best Kept Secrets: 5 Hidden Gems Beyond The Bean
The real magic of Chicago lies hidden in plain sight. It is tucked away in its diverse neighborhoods, concealed within historical underground corridors, and blooming in quiet architectural marvels that most tourists completely miss. If you want to experience the Windy City like a true local, you need to step off the beaten path and look beyond the glossy tourist brochures.