Travel Muse Magazine
Stories, tips, & joy.
Category: US Travel
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Literary Travel Guide inspired by Emily St. John Mandel’s “The Glass Hotel” Novel
Even greater than the mystery of water is the mystery of the woman whose mother was taken by it. This sentiment is at the center of Emily St. John Mandel’s The Glass Hotel (2020). The intriguing title character of the novel is the (fictional) Caiette Hotel, made of glass walls that let the beauty of…
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Literary Travel Guide to The John Muir Trail inspired by Suzanne Roberts’ Almost Somewhere
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” This is one of the many quotes by naturalist John Muir that inspired Suzanne…
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Literary Travel Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Inspired by Jenn McKinlay’s “Summer Reading” Novel
It begins and ends on a ferry, surrounded by the hum of engines and the tang of ocean air, but everything that matters lives in between: in warm night breezes, the soft creak of porch swings, and home-cooked candlelit dinners. Set on the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, Summer Reading (2023) by Jenn McKinlay…
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Literary Travel Guide to Michigan’s UP inspired by Angeline Boulley’s “Firekeeper’s Daughter” Novel
After traveling to the winter wonderland of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada where frozen waterfalls and nordic ski trails pair with sticky, sweet maple syrup, I knew I had to read Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter. The novel, which takes place on the U.S. side of Sault Ste. Marie – and in my home state of Michigan…
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5 Chicago Foodie Spots That Represent the City
by Ana & Stella Chicago is the backdrop of many popular on-screen moments, from the classic films Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Home Alone to the modern, Emmy-winning show The Bear. But, as foodies, we have to ask, what restaurants and meals tell the story of the real Windy City? Here is a list of…
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Top 6 Essential Miami Food Spots for an Authentic Experience
by Claudia & Briana Miami isn’t just a place you visit, it’s a city you taste. Every corner hums with the clutter of coffee cups, sizzling croquetas, and the joyful chaos of cultures mixing under the potent sun. Shaped by Latin American, Caribbean, and coastal influences, Miami’s food scene doesn’t just feed you; it tells…
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5 Fun Ways to Get Around Car-Free Mackinac Island
by Barrett & Austin Mackinac Island has been saying no to cars since 1898 — before most people even owned one. The ban has held through two world wars, the interstate highway system, Apple CarPlay and electric cars — the list goes on. But the island tucked between Michigan’s two peninsulas has defended the ban…
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Kalamazoo Top 5
by Josephine & Payton Located at the heart of southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo is the perfect city to spend an inspiring and relaxing weekend. With multiple college campuses, a thriving music scene, famous beer, and a strong sense of community, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable time, especially if you take our advice as two locals,…
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Top 5 Best Sweet Treats in NYC in 2026
by Lindsey, Stella & Aida NYC has become the it spot for everything sweet, all thanks to major TikTok crazes. It feels like every day there’s a new frozen yogurt shop with long social-inspired waits opening all across the city. (And, yes, we are counting down the days until the beloved Spanish fro-yo spot Myka…
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Shinola Cafe’s Quiet Luxury in a Cup
The best cup of coffee in Ann Arbor is located in the basement of the quietly luxurious lifestyle brand Shinola. The Detroit-based company’s Main Street building is squat and black with glass doors and an orange-lit interior. It has a large black clock hanging outside a corner of the building. Inside, there are gold and…