Some of us might only know of Fort Worth because it’s attached to Dallas via their shared airport, but the smaller city, living somewhat in the shadow of Dallas, actually has a lot going on for itself, especially when it comes to family travel. Being that it’s relatively next door to Dallas, it’s worth checking out next time you are in the area and are searching for something different, and or a break from the big city. Don’t get us wrong, Fort Worth is not a tiny town by any means, and it’s transformed over the last decade, making it a go to destination for Texans and neighboring states, but now more than ever it’s ready to welcome visitors from all over, especially those coming with young ones.

There’s a reason why many New Yorkers flee the city on weekends during the summer. It’s hot, congested, and at times, let’s be honest, kind of smelly. Whereas other big cities around the world offer respite in the form of lakes or beaches, unless you’re in Southern Brooklyn you’re not exactly close to any swim spots. However what NYC lacks in places to take a dip it makes up for in places to drink on the water. Here are four boat bars, docked and freestanding where you can have a waterfront cocktail or two.

France often emits dreams of Eiffel Tower admiring, baguette eating and strolling along the River Seine. If travelers only limit their adventures to Paris though, they miss a whole beautiful country offering incredible landscapes, cuisine and history that would otherwise be missed. From snowy mountain peaks and rolling green hills to charming cobblestone villages and miles of sandy beaches, tons of French hotspots lie only a few hours outside the capital city, waiting to be discovered.

Think a long weekend is too short to travel to Central America? Not so. Even from the East Coast you can be in Costa Rica in just four to five hours. Even better since you’re flying west you’re also going back in time — a morning flight can have you poolside by early afternoon.

Pittsburgh is no longer the place where all that’s available is your vast array of fried, greasy foods and of course the ubiquitous Primanti sandwich. No, in recent times Pittsburgh has become the city that’s being heralded by countless national publications including Bon Appetit which named Pittsburgh as the “next big food town” in 2014. Not to mention, numerous chefs in the Steel City are James Beard nominees making it quite the epicurean destination. Here’s how to spend the perfect foodie weekend in one of America’s most revitalized cities.

Thinking of traveling to India? Or maybe you’re already planning an escape? If so, whatever the case is, you’ll need to know a few ‘do not dos’ during your travel adventure. India is filled with culture, history, amazing food, and let’s not forget beauty. It’s also known as a third world country and it isn’t exactly the cleanest or the safest.

For some people the adventure of traveling the world simply isn’t enough. So for those ultimate daredevils, finding the most breathtaking challenges to get their blood pumping is just another part of the travel adventure. So if you’re one of those thrill-seeking travelers, these are some of the most breathtaking experiences that you can find around the world.

During a recent trip to Chicago, travel writer David Duran stayed at the brand new LondonHouse Chicago. Here’s his take on the experience.