#local-culture

#local-culture

Lauren Breedlove is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Upstate New York, contributing to publications like Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Thrillist, AFAR, and Matador Network, as well as keeping it real on her blog, girlwanderlist.com.

The flower bar is both interactive and an instant gift. The family photo booth provides that 'proof of mom' moment since so many moms are often the ones behind the camera. The bead bar is a fun way to make matching jewelry. It's all about showing the people who make Brooklyn the greatest community on earth that we love them and celebrate them.

During this time, the city was practically empty of tourists, and I got to meet locals who had been here all their lives or had returned because of the pandemic.

The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort, opened this month on the shores of Banderas Bay along the country's Pacific Coast, featuring a breezy, beach-house feel that brings nature in at every turn.

In this part of Calabria, explained Montesanti, fishermen still scratch a cross-hatched pattern with their nails on the cheeks of the swordfish they catch. They do this to free the souls of Achilles's loyal warriors, the Myrmidons, who metamorphosed into these sleek, powerful silver-blue fish after the death of their commander.

Mosaico is a lively local haunt overlooking a church yard, where patrons can enjoy ouzo-meze and live Greek music while catching up on local gossip.

Ireland is an island where ridiculously beautiful sights pop up in the most unlikely of places, from gravity-defying sea stacks found at the end of a dirt road, to hiking trails that make you feel like you're walking on the moon.

Easter Monday in Lefkimmi was alive with families spilling from cafes, a marching band dazzling in the sun, and priests chanting beneath their hats. Men let off shotguns, filling the air with excitement.

"Storytelling has always been at the heart of the American West, and sharing a classic cowboy poem at turndown brings that heritage into the guest experience in a more personal way."

When Sophia Johnson and her husband, Tyler Troy, were expecting a third child, their friends suggested names like Grizzly and Third Street. Though the couple understood that such suggestions were a big joke among their friends, for them, naming their children after Berkeley streets was a tradition they took seriously. Berkeley has a wealth of lovely, old-fashioned names to be found on its street signs, said Johnson.

Robert remembers cold windy days in the Mission when many of its trees were little more than promising twigs in the ground!

The year was marked by pressure, pushback and community. SUNY Downstate, which faced closure in 2024, took steps toward the future this year after protest from doctors, patients and local elected officials saved it from the brink. Parents and educators fought back against the city's sudden announcement that it would close four early childhood education centers. When the feds quietly began using the Metropolitan Detention Center to house ICE detainees, local residents and politicians rallied in the streets and outside the prison, demanding transparency and

In moments of urgency, it can be challenging to keep a grip on the rhythm of ordinary life. That's one of the many reasons we publish Fogcutter, SFGATE's weekly column of events, shoutouts and slices of life. Every Sunday, we write about hyperlocal art shows, concerts and cafes. We hope to provide an oasis of quiet when the headlines get loud - not to offer an escape, but some grounding.

The TCS New York City Marathon returns Nov. 2, attracting the world's greatest runners and the Five Boroughs' quippiest spectators. Before over 55,000 runners hit the streets on Sunday, we'd like to shed light on the burden of their two million friends, family, and supporters: designing a clever sign. Based on last year's performances courtesy of our friends at @whatisnewyork they've got quite a tough act to follow.

GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)

Big skies, friendly vibes, and a housing market that moves at just the right speed - welcome to Oklahoma City.

The evening sun glints across the quiet marina, and the wooden gable ends of the houses lean gently into a street whose silence is broken only by the trundle of an occasional bicycle.

The emcee of the pickle brine drinking contest greeted attendees with, "Welcome to Pittsburgh, you jagoffs!" highlighting the playful, local atmosphere of Picklesburgh.

Healdsburg is truly a slice of small-town Americana. Visitors can experience that balance between rural charm and modern refinement everywhere, including the town's Tuesday Concerts in the Park, three-Michelin-starred dining at SingleThread, and visits to its best galleries.

Coven of Stitches stands out as a safe space for crafting, owned by Yelley Ellde, who fosters creativity and community through various DIY projects and workshops.

Oregon's police certification agency voted to strip Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp of his certification due to multiple instances of false testimony under oath.

Visitors should embrace the culture through our local restaurants and water fountains.

San Francisco's staycation guide recommends experiencing local highlights like the Beacon Grand hotel, House of Nanking's dumplings, and sunset cocktails at Charmaine's.

The cinema opened in 1934 as the Gaumont Palace, seating just over 2,500 people, featuring a theatre stage and a large organ.

The eighth edition of the SF Art Book Fair was a vibrant hub for local artistic spirit, featuring numerous vendors and engaging events throughout Dogpatch.

Audium, celebrating its 50th anniversary, revives founder Stan Shaff's first piece, offering an immersive audio experience with 176-speaker choreography for visitors.

In Ho Chi Minh City, one experiences a unique rhythm, walking through the heat while intermittently enjoying local bars and ice-cold beer for mere pennies.

Bernal Heights captured my heart in 2007 with its narrow streets, parks, playgrounds, and a historic library. It became home for my young family.