Sherman's Travel

The pretty people have to eat too, right? The beautiful city of Los Angeles is full of (surprising) foodie favorites. Turns out, it’s not all tofu and veggie burgers, my friends. On a recent trip, I found a few must-dine at spots in the city of angels. Here’s where to eat (and drink) in LA. Read more

Charleston is not all about fancy plantation homes and spooky ghost tours, y’all. This city is serious when it comes to food and has earned cult status as a culinary destination for foodies. It would take weeks to chow your way though this charming destination, but here are three must-stops to get you started. Read more

Traveling is exhausting. There’s a reason that people come home complaining that they need a vacation after their vacation. The airport is mentally taxing, sightseeing is physically draining, and all the overeating leaves us feeling lethargic. The last thing anyone wants to do while traveling is work. If only there was a device that could eliminate some of the everyday tasks that waste our time and energy while on the road. Without a doubt, stirring things is the biggest time burglar of all. Think about all of the hours you’ve spent on vacations stirring your coffee, tea, baby formula, mixed drinks, and protein shakes. You could have used all of that time to go sightseeing, explore ancient ruins, or watch television. You’ll never get that time back! It’s one thing for me to sit around stirring things at SkyMall Tuesday headquarters; but I can’t be bothered to waste that time (and risk injury to my wrist) when I’m away from home. Thankfully, SkyMall saw the problem and found a solution. The next time you need to mix solid into liquid (or combine any number of liquids, for that matter), be sure to use the Auto-Mixing Travel Mug.

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With Memorial Day already in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to turn our focus to backyard grilling. Barbecues are a summer staple (if not a completely suitable replacement for real BBQ). While you might think that you can just grab some hot dogs, hamburgers, and lighter fluid and create a memorable event, it’s important to realize that preparation is the key to a successful barbecue. We don’t grill much at SkyMall Tuesday headquarters because the New York City government frowns upon using charcoal inside of apartment building. That said, we’re well-versed in the tools of the trade and know what it takes to put together a backyard feast worth its weight in flank steak. If you’re going to man (or woman, as it is 2012) the grill for your friends and family, turn to SkyMall and don the Grill Sergeant BBQ Apron.

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My father moved to Memphis while I was in college. An upstate New York native, I was a bit of a stranger to this brave new world below the Mason-Dixon line. Of course, one of the first things that I had to learn about was Memphis barbecue. They take it very seriously there, arguing about which place is supreme. I’m a fan of Payne’s, simply for the down home feel, but you’ll find advocates for Neely’s, the Rendezvous, Cozy Corner, and Central BBQ in different parts of the city. What was impressed upon me most was that I was having Memphis barbecue. The fact it was theirs, a product of the history and the people that lived there, and that they had opinions about it — very strong opinions, in fact — was an essential component.

As I traveled more and more across the United States, I learned that each and every city with a vibrant ‘cue culture is very proud of each and every one of their regional differences. America is homogenized in most things; most of these cities with lots of ‘cue also have exurbs with big box stores and the like that are the same in each and every city. Barbecue is where these cities get to cut loose and show off what their respective culinary traditions have to offer.   Read more

The Dilemma: You’ve spent the day admiring the bright lights, soaring billboards, and glittery marquees of Times Square. After spending most of your budget on a Broadway show, you emerge from the dark theater only to be surrounded by a throng of hungry tourists. There is nothing but lackluster restaurants and overpriced bars in sight. Where do you go to get away from the herd and enjoy a soothing drink or delicious meal without breaking the bank?

The Solution: Wander west to nearby Hell’s Kitchen, where you’ll find a lively young neighborhood with unpretentious nightlife and hundreds of affordable, quality restaurants. Here’s our shortlist of the Hell’s Kitchen hotspots where you’ll get the best bang for your buck. Read more

The days of complimentary meals on flights have gone the way of the dodo. While you will still get fed on international flights and offered food for purchase on domestic jaunts, it has become significantly more daunting to ensure that you don’t arrive at your destination feeling famished. Not all airplane snacks are created equal. What you eat on the plane says a lot about who you are and what you think of the people around you.

In order to help you select your travel snacks, we’ve created this handy guide. Keep it in mind the next time you’re preparing for a flight.

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While it’s easy to justify spending more on meals and gifts when on vacation, I still attempt to be responsible with my money. No matter how many times I convince myself that “I’ll probably never be back here again,” the rational half of my brain tries to keep me from investing all of my discretionary income in things like Panama hats and silk rugs. That said, I do like to treat myself to some luxuries when I travel. I just try to keep my priorities in order and stay within my budget. This is how I choose when to make a splurge. Read more

In case you missed it, Austin just wrapped up the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) music, film, and interactive festival. Hundreds of thousands of industry insiders and fans descended upon the city of about 800,000 residents for five nights and four days packed full of music showcases, parties, film screenings, panels, food, and fun. But Austin is more than just this festival. There are always going to be new places to discover great music, food, and enjoyment in this southern city.

Let’s start with the music: Austin became known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” because it has so many musicians and live music venues in the area. Throughout the year, musicians are hustling to get all their gear downtown to play to the thousands of listeners on street corners and in bars. Check out the Parish for up-and-coming bands, or head to Stubb’s for barbeque, beer, and music ranging from Yonder Mountain String Band to Evanescence. During SXSW, Mohawk played host to DJ acts like Skrillex, drawing a massive and young crowd, but during the rest of the year, this open-air venue hosts DJ acts as well as indie bands like The Hold Steady and Real Estate.

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Beaver Creek’s slopes may be the star attraction at this sister resort to Vail in Colorado, but they have some competition from an increasingly delectable culinary scene. The latest manifestation of this new foodie fervor is the first annual Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend, held January 26-28.

Events range from casual après-ski noshes to semi-formal multi-course dinners with wine pairings. You’ll also find cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, and a meet-and-greet with the chefs. Throughout the three days, event-goers will sample exquisite culinary creations from visiting celebrity chefs – like Tim Love, John Besh, and Stephanie Izard – as well as local talent from area restaurants.

You’ll have to act fast to score tickets, as some programs are already sold out. Tickets start at $75, and all events are for ages 21 and up.

Planning to make a weekend of it? Beaver Creek has lodging packages on offer starting from $425 per person, per night that bundle accommodations, multi-day lift passes, and select event tickets. Click here for more information.

For general trip-planning information, see our Vail and Beaver Creek Travel Guide.