We drove cross-country, and these were the 16 coolest places we stopped along the way, plus 3 spots we'd skip next time

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A man, woman, and a dog in a car.
We drove a total of 6,036 miles cross-country from New York to my hometown of San Diego and back during the pandemic

Michelle Gross

The coldest temperature ever recorded in every state

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Snow-covered mountains in New Mexico.
Snow-covered mountains in New Mexico.

Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

We skipped the crowds of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Instead, we had the best vacation in a small town on Florida's coast.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Nearly empty street of shops at Rosemary Beach
Downtown shopping

Morgan Flaherty

No REAL ID? That'll cost you $45 under a new TSA rule

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Technology
TSA agent holding a real ID.
The TSA wants to charge flyers who don't have acceptable ID $18 to use biometric kiosks to verify their identity.

Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

I'm a New Yorker who went to Naples, Florida, for the first time, and 6 things surprised me

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A body of water with palm trees and mansions surrounding it
The author spent two nights in Naples, Florida, for the first time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm a New Yorker who went to Canada for the first time. I found 9 things so impressive that I'm certain I'll be back.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Two photos of the author in Canada
The reporter went to Quebec and Niagara Falls during her first trip to Canada in 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I upgraded to United's Premium Plus on a long flight. Most perks were useless to me, but I'd happily do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Author Jamie Davis Smith smiling on plane
I enjoyed flying in United's Premium Plus for a long-haul flight across time zones, even though I couldn't use a lot of the upgrade's perks.

Jamie Davis Smith

I paid $1,963 for a 43-hour Amtrak train to avoid Thanksgiving travel chaos. It felt like stepping back in time.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A selfie from the train.
I worked from our sleeper car and the community observation car during the 43-hour train ride.

Kelsey Vlamis

Hilton's CEO says problem-solving — not perfect service — keeps guests coming back

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Christopher Nassetta speaks at an event in Las Vegas.
Christopher Nassetta said solving problems for guests is the key to customer loyalty.

Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Resorts World Las Vegas

Hundreds of flights were canceled after a snowstorm struck on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint in Terminal 3 at O'Hare International airport on November 30, 2025 in Chicago,
A big snowstorm stranded travelers in Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend.

Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

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