click HERE to jump to my 2.5 DAY NYC ITINERARY!

AHHHH NEW YORK CITYYYY !!! I've been dreaming of visiting this city since I was a child, probably due to all the movies and shows I watched that always highlighted New York as an iconic city. I always knew I wanted to visit, but never felt the time or age was right. I remember saying as a teen that I wanted to wait until I was 21 to visit, and that passed YEARS ago and yet I still haven't checked New York off my list. I knew I needed to make it happen and it would happen when the time was right. Summer 2026. The stars aligned and I was able to make it happen.

Since it was my first time visiting the city, I wanted to see all of the touristy things. It felt like I had a few things I needed to see while I was there to truly solidify that I visited New York. I only had 2.5 days to squeeze everything in and I made it happen. I built out my trip itinerary in order of priority and then by area, which allowed me to see so many different parts of New York all throughout the weekend.​

​Where I Stayed: Moxy NYC Times Square - right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. I loved this hotel. Great location, walking distance to Broadway and the famous "red stairs". The rooftop bar was beautiful, stunning view of the Empire State Building. Only flaw is that yes, you're basically staying in Times Square so it is a busy area and can be overwhelming if you're not used to big cities. Would I stay here again? Maybe if I was visiting with first-timers or if the price was right. Throughout my trip I visited a few different areas that I would try to stay in next time, a little slower-paced and a more diverse neighborhood/community would be ideal.

What I Ate: ​New York is a city where the food (& drink) options feel literally endless. I suggest taking a walk around wherever you stay, see what stands out to you, and explore it.
​
A few of the standouts for me, in no particular order:
CLASSIC HOT DOG (preferably all-beef from Nathan's)
CHARLES PAN-FRIED CHICKEN (yes. yes x10000. my mouth is watering rn.)
SKINNY LOUIE (SMASHBURGER, FRIES, & SHAKES. had this both nights after the clubs)
BLEECKER STREET PIZZA (well, pizza in general, but this place was great)
MAGNOLIA BAKERY (BANANA PUDDING & COOKIES)
CAFE D'AVIGNON (ICED COFFEE + PASTRIES)
MAMAN (COFFEE)

Where I drank, danced, & played:

ROOM 207 (speakeasy-ish bar with craft cocktails)
MAGIC HOUR ROOFTOP (city views & great drinks!)
ANIMAL (just gay guys doing gay things)
OBERON (just gay guys doing gay things)
THE COCK (just gay guys doing gay things)

Things to see/explore:
BRYANT PARK
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
5TH AVENUE
PALEY PARK
CENTRAL PARK
TIMES SQUARE
DUMBO
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
CHINATOWN
STATUE OF LIBERTY
9/11 MEMORIAL
OCULUS
BROADWAY
TOP OF THE ROCK OBSERVATION DECK
FLATIRON BUILDING
WASHINGTON ARCH
WEST VILLAGE
LITTLE ISLAND
THE HIGH LINE

​CTXYZ New York City — 2.5 Day Itinerary

Day 1
Times Square
Bryant Park
SNFL New York Public Library Rooftop
Grand Central Station
Tudor City Bridge
Walk up 5th Avenue
Paley Park
Central Park

Day 2
DUMBO
Brooklyn Bridge
Chinatown
Statue of Liberty Boat Tour
Oculus
9/11 Memorial
Broadway Show
Observation Deck
Times Square (at night)

Day 3 [Half-Day]
Flatiron Building
Washington Square Arch
West Village
Little Island
High Line

Welcome to Nashville, Tennessee—Music City  where legendary tunes meet Southern charm! Known for its lively honky-tonks, rich musical history, and delicious cuisine; Nashville offers a vibrant experience that captures the essence of Southern culture. Dive into the heart of the city with me as we explore where to stay, eat, drink, and things to do/see!

WHERE TO STAY: For those seeking a vibrant, immersive experience in Music City, Downtown Nashville stands out as the ideal location! It’s in the heart of the city, making it incredibly convenient & places you within walking distance of many major attractions.

My hotels of choice:
Moxy Downtown Nashville
Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville​

WHERE TO EAT: Nashville’s food scene is as dynamic as its music! The city offers a diverse array of dining options, from classic Southern comfort food to innovative culinary creations.

My must-try spots to eat:
Hattie B’s (best fried chicken sandwich)
Pancake Pantry (best pancakes, biscuit & gravy, & chicken fried steak!!! yes i’ve done my research )
Jack’s BBQ (quick bbq eatery on Broadway)
RISE Biscuits (great breakfast sandwiches)
Martin’s BBQ Joint (excellent bbq food & sauces)
Assembly Food Hall (a food court on Broadway with 30+ eateries to choose from!)

WHERE TO DRINK: If you’re looking to start early, most of the honky-tonks (a bar that features live music, cold drinks, and a party atmosphere) open and have bands playing around 10 AM every morning! When the sun goes down, Downtown Nashville transforms into a lively nightlife hub. From rooftop bars with stunning city views to speakeasies with crafted cocktails, the options are endless.

My favorite places to get a good cocktail:
Literally any of the bars on Broadway 
Tootsies (a classic must-do, great rooftop view in one of Nashville’s most famous honky-tonks)
Twelve Thirty Club (the best espresso martini and great appetizers)
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row (great rooftop view)
ACME (multi-level building with a different vibe on each floor)
Friends In Low Places (newly opened, best A/C system )
Coyote Ugly (yes, like the movies -- lots of fun!)

THINGS TO DO/SEE:
Attend a festival: Nashville hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year.
From the Nashville Film Festival, CMA Fest, the annual Pride Festival & more, it feels like the city always has something going on!

Listen to the music: Known as "Music City," Nashville’s music scene is legendary. Broadway Street is lined with iconic bars and live music venues where you can experience the best of Nashville’s honky-tonk culture. Whether you're interested in up-and-coming country artists or legendary performers, Downtown offers a range of musical experiences to suit every taste.

Learn about Nashville’s history: From the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame to the historic Ryman Auditorium. Explore the Johnny Cash Museum for a dose of musical history, stroll through the scenic Centennial Park to see the replica Parthenon.

No matter what brings you to Music City, Nashville’s blend of rich history, vibrant music scene, and warm Southern hospitality ensures that every visit is a memorable adventure. (& why I keep going back!)

San Francisco, California photographed by C Torres

The name says it all, but they have so much more to offer than just beignets. Cafe Beignet is known for there sweets, but they also serve huge club sandwiches, breakfast plates, & NOLA specialties like jambalaya and red beans. No matter what time you go there’ll most likely be a line, but it is so worth it!​

Take in the views of St. Louis Cathedral from Washington Artillery Park! Head down the stairs and enter the gates towards the cathedral. Tons of grass & shaded areas to relax in, and conveniently located right next to Cafe Du Monde!​

A farmers market & flea market hybrid filled with local food vendors & businesses! Stop by to pick up some souvenirs, try some good food, & listen to live music! 🎺

There's so many more places I could mention and also wish I could have visited, so I'm positive I'll be back in New Orleans soon to check everything of my list! Have you been to NOLA or plan on going? I hope some of these spots make it onto your list for a future trip to New Orleans!

Welcome to Borrego Springs, CA! 🌌
What I like to call the perfect getaway-- hidden away in the mountains and less than 3 hours from LA! Borrego Springs is a little village in San Diego that’s unique for multiple reasons. For one, it happens to be recognized as a designated International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association, the only one in California! Meaning they have no stop lights in Borrego Springs and nighttime lighting is kept to a minimum to protect the views of the night sky. ✨ I can guarantee that if you live in the city, you’ve never seen the night sky like this. You can literally see thousands of stars & planets with the naked eye! 🌟🪐

Borrego Springs is a village completely surrounded by the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California! It happens to be the only California town completely surrounded by a state park. ⛰ Stargazing here is a popular thing to do, which is why the city attracts tons of astronomers and photographers year-round. 🔭 If you’re planning on visiting, I definitely don’t recommend making the drive at night! Please drive with caution, always! ⚠️

The main spot I wanted to check out during my trip were the metal sculptures installed by artist Ricardo Breceda. 🎨 There are over 100 large statues of animals spread throughout the Galleta Meadows Estate in Borrego Springs, so choose wisely and hit up your favorites! Most are off the main roads, so you’ll be able to see them just by driving by! One of the most popular sculptures is the Sand Dragon, stretching over 350 feet long and snaking across the main road in Borrego. 🐉 We visited right before sunset, mainly to avoid the day heat, but still have enough light to get home before it got completely dark (which it does)!

Check out some of the photos we captured below during our trip to Borrego Springs! 📸

A few weeks ago I took a bloggers trip to Kansas City and got to experience a cold winter weekend in the Midwest! I first visited KCMO back in 2017 and it quickly become my favorite city for a weekend trip. Kansas City has a small town feel that I love, especially compared to LA. Even in the downtown area, you still pick up on that quintessential vibe. This time around I stayed in an Air BnB located in downtown. I think Air BnB is a great option if you're trying to stay near downtown. They have a ton of lofts and apartments! If traveling during the winter, be sure to book a place with a hot tub! You'll definitely want to put it to use!

This time around I finally got to visit the National WW1 Museum and Memorial! The Liberty Tower memorial is a huge 265 foot structure that can be seen from all around Kansas City! (PHOTOGRAPHED BELOW) After observing the monument, I got to go inside the museum and take a self-guided tour through the exhibits. They had this really awesome projection show, giving the history on the World War with great visuals and effects. Must see!

The last (and probably most important) part of the trip: the FOOD! KCMO never disappoints when it comes to chowing down. When I travel, I like stay away from chain restaurants and stick to local eateries. One of my favorite Missouri staples is the Drunken Fish! It's a Japanese restaurant, with some of the best sushi and chicken wings EVER! Yes, a big claim, I know -- but I mean it. They have these glazed teriyaki chicken wings that are seriously some of the best pieces of chicken I've ever had. I make sure to stop by every time I'm in KCMO! Even twice if I have the time. For dessert, Insomnia Cookies is the go-to spot! Open AND delivering fresh baked cookies until 3 AM every day! My favorite is the Snickerdoodle. I'm patiently waiting for them to open an LA location already! Overall, every time I visit Kansas City it's like making new memories in another hometown. I'm already planning my next trip to KCMO. With so much to see and do, it's truly an amazing city to explore.

Thank you Visit KC for the gifts + tickets!

there’s nothing like hopping off the plane and instantly breathing in some fresh air, & when i landed in denver that’s exactly what happened! ✈️💙 from the wildlife to the red rocks, the entire city is a gem and i’m so glad i decided to visit! 🌲🦌

i entered the city with hopes of experiencing and seeing something new. i’ve always heard about denver, but i had no idea what to expect! the city was very diverse, with tons of restaurants offering options for everyone! during my stay in the city, my fav place to eat at was torchy’s taco (SUPER good tacos, try the queso too!) 🌮🧡 i also stopped by the new whole foods market that opened up near union station and snagged a piece of carrot cake! 😻🍰

while in denver, i got the opportunity to shoot some photos of a gorgeous new hostel that just opened up! 📸 it was seriously some of the best interior design work i’ve ever seen! 👌🏾 from 12 person jacuzzi, to the outdoor fire pit, this hostel is the perfect place to stay when visiting! check the photos out in the gallery below!

thank you @emberhosteldenver for hosting me during my stay in denver! 🏡

All opinions are my own!

foggy skies and mild temperatures, being in the bay area during this time of year is my personal favorite. san francisco will forever be my getaway city, and during this past trip i got to get an even closer look at the beautiful city. i hopped on a City SightSeeing SF Hop-On-Hop-Off bus and got to ride all around the city! i saw new parts of the bay that i didn’t even know existed! i got to ride the Official City Tour path, and i specifically chose this one because it allowed me to see a lot of the monuments and tourist locations that i’ve never visited before! the double-decker bus was full of energy thanks to the hilarious host we had! i decided to ride on the top of the bus to fully take in what the city had to show!
​take a look at some shots i grabbed while riding around SF!

thank you City Sightseeing San Francisco for sponsoring this ride! 

All opinions are my own!