It wouldn’t be Christmas in New York City without its holiday markets! The largest NYC holiday market is at Union Square, boasting over 150 vendors selling unique items created by local artists. Here you can shop for all sorts of interesting items, enjoy delicious food, and take in the holiday spirit. This market is charming […]
January in Charleston features cool afternoons with mostly cold nights. In my roles as a tour guide and retired meteorologist, I provide you with accurate weather forecasts for this month. Temperatures Daytime high temperatures during January tend to be around 56-60 F (13-16 C) with a few of the warmer afternoons reaching up near 72 […]
Every holiday season in New York City, Christmas markets pop up where you can shop for seasonal arts and local crafts, enjoy delicious foods, and celebrate the holiday spirit. My fellow local tour guides and I have been to all of them, and most of us agree that the market at Bryant Park’s Winter Village […]
Every holiday season, locals, like me and my fellow tour guides, and tourists enjoy the traditional festive lights around New York City. There’s the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the magical department store Christmas window displays. But of all the Christmas lights I have seen over the years in NYC, the spectacular annual Saks […]
In this post, we share everything you need to know about visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. There are several plantations in the Charleston area, but few are as historic and notable as Magnolia. Updated for 2025. Hours and Directions Open 364 days a year, including all major holidays EXCEPT Christmas Day. Magnolia is located at 3550 Ashley […]
There are many equestrian (horse) statues in DC. Some have one hoof raised up, others have both and some of none. Does this have any significance to how the rider died or was injured in battle? Check us out on YouTube - Top Things To Do DC - for our weekly series, Should Have Asked […]
Have you ever heard that the layout of DC was designed to confuse invaders? Find out if that is true or not on this week's Should Have Asked A Tour Guide. Other Episodes Can you Explain the Layout of DC? Speaker 1: Hey, can you explain the layout of DC? Canden: So.... street layout. […]
Have you ever heard that the layout of DC was designed to confuse invaders? Find out if that is true or not on this week's Should Have Asked A Tour Guide. Check us out on YouTube - Top Things To Do DC - for our weekly series, Should Have Asked A Tour Guide, every Tuesday […]
In this episode of Should Have Asked a Tour Guide, we clear up the common misconception that the US Capitol is the tallest building in DC. Check us out on YouTube - Top Things To Do DC - for our weekly series, Should Have Asked A Tour Guide, every Tuesday at 230pm. OTHER EPISODES Is […]
This post is a guide to tickets and exhibits at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC., one of the most popular privately-owned museums in the city. We show you what type of tickets (and discounts) are available, and what you will see, including an awesome gift shop, to help you decide if a visit […]
In this post, we will try to help you find the best option for where to store luggage in DC, including a new trend in Airbnb-inspired luggage storage. As local tour guides, we are often asked where someone could store luggage, which firstly should be their hotel. But not everyone stays at a hotel, and […]
In this post, I cover the weather in Charleston, SC in December, including average temperatures and precipitation. December in Charleston provides cool afternoon weather with mostly cold nights. As a retired meteorologist turned tour guide, I didn't expect that I would use my experience as a forecaster in my new career in tourism. But here […]
This post covers the weather in Philadelphia in February, including average temperatures, average rain and snow, as well as tips on what to wear. In addition to being your tour guide, my background as a retired meteorologist allows me to provide you with accurate and thorough weather forecasts for this month, ensuring that you have […]
As local experts, we hear a lot of incorrect information about Washington DC and American history. Some of it is just ... well, wrong. There are also common myths that aren't true but are so widely told that most everyone believes them. We, the historians, travel experts, and all around history nerds at Top Things […]
This post is about the weather in DC in October, including what to expect with temperatures and rain, and tips on what to wear and things to do. While guiding your tour, I also utilize my extensive experience as a retired meteorologist to provide comprehensive and reliable weather updates for this month, adding value to […]
As a tour guide, I am often asked my opinions on the best way to travel into London from Heathrow airport. Because I travel a lot, I am in a good position to offer advice on the three most popular ways: the Elizabeth Line, the Piccadilly Line, and the Heathrow Express. In this post, I […]
