Glamping in NYC – It’s Easier Than You Think

Glamping is one of the edgiest new trends in travel—one that I don’t think gets enough attention.

Glamping bridges the worlds of outdoor living with refined tastes. And while few people think about nature when they imagine New York City, the magic of glamping knows no bounds.

All you need is a fancy tent, water hookup, and a little bit of outback no-know to put together a glamorous campsite just about anywhere.

Yes, even in New York City.

Glamping… in NYC?

Let me give you a crash course in NYC geography. The island of Manhattan is the most famous of its five boroughs. It’s called the ‘city’ by locals and is what just about everyone imagines when someone brings up the Big Apple: skyscrapers, Central Park, and hordes of yellow taxis.

(Fun fact: Manhattan is named after the Mannahatta tribe that occupied the island. The more you know.)

Manhattan is also an island. The East River separates Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens—it’s the same river that the Brooklyn Bridge crosses. The East River is home to two notable islands: Governor’s Island and Randall’s Island.

Governor’s Island is one of the greenest places in the city. During my stint in the city, I visited Governor’s Island for a few massive music festivals back in the mid-2010s. The space is managed like a park, which often throws events. It’s also easy to get to thanks to NYC’s new ferry routes.

But there’s a new Cool Thing happening on Governor’s Island: glamping, baby.

Collective Governor’s Island—meet the new face

Collective Governor’s Island runs the only camping spot in New York City. Dubbed ‘A New York City Retreat’, it’s designed for city-slickers who want a new view of their hometown and visitors who want to see a lesser-known side of the city.

The glampsite is located on a massive stretch of sprawling green, offering views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor. That view of Lower Manhattan is the best in the city, in my opinion—so don’t write this off if you’re a fan of larger-than-life vistas.

While you’re glamping at Collective Governor’s Island, you can also explore the island’s 173 public acres, which includes historic houses. There are also programs that guests can join, from morning yoga to slow bike rides to sunset cocktails.

Who would enjoy this type of glamping experience?

Here’s the catch, my friends: New York City is noisy, and you might not have as much fun if you go into this experience imagining a pure camping vibe.

While Governor’s Island is highly accessible (the ferry ride from Lower Manhattan is only around ten minutes), it’s proximity to the US’s noisiest streets can’t be underestimated.

You will not get peace and quiet. That being said, I’d still book this experience in a heartbeat—and I’m usually all about silence. That’s because there aren’t too many experiences like this available—in the US or beyond.

Glamping smack in the center of a highly urbanized and congested city isn’t usually possible. In this case, it’s only feasible thanks to Governor’s Island. And with that promise of historic explorations, it’s even more unique and appealing.

So, here’s my verdict: Tack on a few nights at this glamping site if you’ll be in the city and want something unique to do.

While you might not have a purely rejuvenating experience, I promise you’ll be treated to unforgettable views and what might be the most unique way to experience the Big Apple. For now, at least.

Seat Size Rankings: Which US Airlines Have the Biggest Economy Seats?

Every inch matters in modern air travel.

Whether you want to know exactly what to expect from your economy-tier ticket or have a plan to nab extra legroom, space is a major consideration for most flyers. The more space you have, the more comfortable your flight is.

While that probably seems like a simple idea, the reality is that airlines don’t usually advertise their seat width or seat pitch. Travelers might pay more for a premium economy seat that’s a bit larger or even buck up for a business class seat to avoid spending hours crammed into their seats.

But that’s not really the end-all of finding a comfortable, wide seat.

Here’s the catch: every airline has a different seat width and seat pitch. From basic economy to first-class, seat size and the amount of legroom offered aren’t uniform.

That means a premium economy seat with one airline might cost the same as a basic economy ticket with another—all for the same price.

Want to know which airlines skimp when it comes to seat size? Here are the airlines with the largest economy seats.

Seat size: width vs. pitch

First up, let me differentiate between seat width and pitch. Width covers the actual seat’s size from armrest to armrest. Seat pitch, by contrast, is the amount of space from one seat to the next row. Seat pitch is concerned with legroom.

Depending on your concerns as a flyer, you might be fine with sacrificing one for the other. If you’re flying with kids, for example, you might want more width. If you’re over six foot, you’re probably more concerned with pitch.

If you want to dig into the details of seat width and pitch airline by airline, there are a few resources. I usually use SeatGuru, but it’s no longer being updated consistently. The same for AeroLopa. It looks like Flyertalk has a few active forums on the topic, but keep your finger on the pulse if you want the latest updates.

The rankings: JetBlue has the biggest economy seats

Below you can find rankings for basic economy seats, including both width and pitch. Please keep in mind that these metrics might vary based on plane type. For the purposes of this ranking, I’m listing out the measurements for their most used aircraft.

Here’s the short of it: JetBlue has the largest basic economy seats, but American Airlines and Delta aren’t too far behind in terms of both width and pitch.

Seat sizes and seat pitch from the most popular US airlines in alphabetical order:

American Airlines

Pitch: 30-32’
Width: 17-18’

Delta

Pitch: 30-32’
Width: 17.2-18.6’

JetBlue

Pitch: 32-34’
Width: 17.8-18.25’

Southwest

Pitch: 31’
Width: 17.5’

United

Pitch: 31-32’
Width: 17.3’

Meet the US’s Most Surprisingly Spiritual Cities

Are you thinking of Sedona and its reddish rocks?

You aren’t far off the mark if you are.

Sedona, Arizona is widely regarded as the US’s mecca for spiritual adventures. From energetic vortexes to top-notch yoga classes to clean food, it’s a perfect place for people of all faiths to get back in touch with their favorite deity—or deities. No judgment here.

That brings me to my next point… what makes a place spiritual?

Sedona is on the map thanks to its overriding focus on New Age metaphysical concepts. That’s a pretty good foundation for spiritual and wellness retreats of all stripes; with a hefty belief in equality and unity, people of all religions are welcomed into the fold in Sedona without a second glance. (Or am I being idealistic?)

Beyond the veil of New Ageisms, I think there are three very basic, across-the-board ingredients for a spiritual escape. First, peace and quiet. I don’t care if you’re a Buddhist or a Christian, you’re going to struggle to stay calm and evolve if there’s a lot of noise pollution.

Second, natural splendor also bodes well for a spiritual journey—regardless of your faith, you probably like sunsets, trickling streams, and birds of paradise.

Third, a great spiritual escape should also put you close to like-minded people. After all, it might be a little difficult to turn your lens inward and reflect if you’re surrounded by travelers who want to spend the day boutique shopping before partying at night. (I am that traveler.) Neither is better than the other—but they’re different experiences.

So, keeping these three ingredients in mind (silence, nature, and community), which US locations are ideal for a little spiritual wellness retreat—regardless of your beliefs? Let’s explore.

First up: Gainesville. Yes, I said Gainesville.

Spiritual cities great for a wellness getaway

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville, Florida is home to the University of Florida and, by extension, hosts a massive college crowd. Higher education is great, but throngs of college kids don’t exactly conjure up images of enlightenment.

But let’s not judge a book by its cover.

Back in the 1970s, Gainesville was a hub for hippies. Similar to their West Coast counterparts, they sought to provide places for people of all faiths to join in diversity, while also protecting their local environment and fostering opportunities for personal growth.

Today, their legacy can be felt in the town’s spiritual and retreat centers, which are largely non-denominational and open to believers of all stripes. You can stop in at the Tempe of The Universe or the Tu Viện A Nan Buddhist Temple and Statue Park.

Find a place to stay in Gainesville.

Missoula, Montana

Studying Zen Buddhism in Taiwan was one of my collegiate highlights. Me and my classmates attended Dharma Drum retreat where we were taught about mindfulness in its most mundane forms. One meditative exercise saw us chasing around an elder nun to get the body moving joyfully and enter into a relaxed flow state.

So, how did Buddhism end up in Montana? A billionaire heiress named Linda Pritzker. Her interested in Tibetan Buddhism led her to learn the language, dive into the religion, and become one of the few American Lamas—which is like a minister.

With her background and bank account, Lama Tsomo (Linda’s Tibetan title) has rolled out retreat centers, foundations, and other Buddhism-focused efforts.

The goal is to allow residents to develop mindfulness—not convert them to Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to Lama Tsomo’s efforts, Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche has also established the Garden of 1,000 Buddhas in Arlee, Montana.

Find a place to stay in Missoula.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Nestled inside the gorgeous Ozark Hills, Eureka Springs is yet another hidden spiritual gem. Just like Sedona, it’s regarded for its spiritual vortexes—and it has a community that seeks to create spaces for people of all faiths to join together.

Thorncrown Chapel is a fantastic ode to this approach, which celebrates the area’s Christian history and its stunning forests.

Though Eureka Springs is much smaller than Gainesville or Missoula, spiritual adventurers have many ways to enjoy their retreat.

There’s the Eureka Center for Spiritual Living, if you want to take a more general approach. There’s also a weekly showing of the Passion Play, which explores the last week of Jesus Christ’s life.

Regardless of the type of healing, meditation, or insights you want, Eureka Springs is one of the most accessible for travelers—both in terms of affordability and small-town friendliness.

Find a place to stay in Eureka Springs.

Sun, Sand, & Savings: Affordable Caribbean Escapes

Want to sink into a beach chair with an ice-cold piña colada in your hand… without worrying about how you’re going to pay off your credit card?

Welcome to travel in 2025. While more Americans are hitting the road than ever before, and while most Americans are more interested in experiences versus material goods, travel is expensive.

Luckily, as prices climb so do the number of tools that are designed to help you save while booking. Dollar Flight Club is one of those well-known tools. The platform lets you input your home airport along with your dream destinations and then sends you alerts when prices drop to your preferred range.

It’s a solid solution for those with tight budgets, and especially those who are dreaming of tropical destinations like the Caribbean Islands.

As one of the top spots for winter birds from America, the Caribbean is one of the most accessible and familiar places to escape the cold weather. But given its popularity, this region has some of the priciest resorts and hotels in the world.

Want to plan an affordable Caribbean getaway? Here’s where you need to go.

7 affordable Caribbean destinations

These selections are based on the cheapest flights and hotels in the area, along with the average price of highly rated tours, excursions, and cultural activities. All hotel rates are listed for mid-range options—meaning you can save even more at budget stays.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Flights from Atlanta and Los Angeles are around $150
Mid-range hotels average around $150-200/night

Aruba

Flights from NYC are around $280
Mid-range hotels and resorts around $200-250

Cancun, Mexico

Flights from Denver are around $200
Mid-range hotels average around $100-150/night

The Bahamas

Flights from Miami are around $250
Mid-range hotels average around $150/night

Jamaica

Flights from Louisville are around $300
Mid-range hotels average around $210/night

St. Lucia

Flights from NYC are around $250
Mid-range hotels and resorts average around $200/night

Last affordable Caribbean destination: Dominican Republic

Flights from Miami are around $215
Mid-range hotels average around $160/night

What To Do If You Get Stranded at the Airport

Ah, being stranded at an airport—a perennial travel experience.

No matter how carefully we plan air travel, no matter how frequently we fly, and no matter how patient we are, hiccups happen. From missed connections to getting food poisoning, we’ve all been through a few unexpected surprises.

My most unexpected stranding happened when on a trip from Barcelona to Saint Louis, Missouri. I had a layover flight in Iceland, at which point the customs agent let me know that I had overstayed my Schengen visa.

That minor infraction delayed my time at the customs counter—causing me to miss my flight.

The catch? I had my chihuahua with me, and Iceland doesn’t allow pets to leave the airport to use the bathroom.

So, I had a nine-hour layover with a dog who was only allowed to pee in a concrete room in the basement airport. Also, I had to find an attendant to take us there every time my little bruiser needed to boo-boo.

Ultimately, that terrible experience was due to my own mistake in overstaying my welcome in Schengen. But many airport-based disasters are driven by bad luck, chance mistakes, and even karmic retribution… if you believe in that kind of thing.

Don’t worry—I’ve got solutions for you based on my own nine-hour hellscape of a layover and other expert tips. Want to know what to do if you get stranded in an airport? Here’s the rub.

What to do if you get stranded in an airport

Step 1: Give up hope (for a quick solution, at least)

Don’t hate me for this, but if you’re facing hours of delays, then your best bet at staying sane might be to give up hope.

Here’s what I mean: Many Americans are accustomed to finding a quick solution. We might even be willing to pay a lot of money for that solution, which is doubly true for those stranded at an airport with no way to make a connecting flight.

But all your worrying and fussing won’t sway the Airline Gods. Or the TSA. Or the ATC.

Why give up hope? Because these obstacles are far beyond your control. While you should advocate for yourself in the airport, I’ve found that relaxing is a more lasting and satisfying solution.

If you’re already feeling stressed out and exhausted, I suggest buckling in for the long haul instead of calling an airline, posting a bad review on social media, or even complaining at the airline counter. (Actually, your best bet at finding a solution is to use the airline’s app!)

Remember—you will get where you’re going, and keeping your head on straight can pay off in other ways.

Step 2: Get familiar with your rights

Every country and region has a different outlook on what an airline owes you.

Remember, while you aren’t in control, the delay probably wasn’t your fault. Knowing your rights helps you understand which actions to take—and when. (Most appeals are made much later on.)

In the US, we’re benefitting from a new era in flying thanks to the Fly Rights program. The concept is new and hit the ground running in 2024, meaning it needs a bit more time to mature in practice.

In Europe, by contrast, airlines owe passengers refunds when domestic flights are delayed by more than three hours and international flights by six. I’ve taken advantage of my rights in the EU multiple times thanks to FlightHelp, a company that charges a low fee to file your delayed flight to receive reimbursement.

Seriously—I’ve probably received close to $1,000 in reimbursements over the years.

If you’re stranded at the airport, you have time to look up your rights. Maybe making a plan of action will soothe your wearied soul.

Step 3: Make allies

If you’ve received a catastrophic delay at the airport, you’re probably not alone. Almost every time I’ve faced a hefty delay, I’ve chatted with other passengers to get the down-low.

Inevitably, we start sharing insights, ideas, and more.

For example, my flight from Milan to Barcelona was delayed back in August. I noticed another Spanish-speaking group closely watching the updates. I struck up a conversation and, later on when the new gate was posted, let my new friends know as I took off. They had powered down to rest and were grateful for my notification.

The same has happened in vice versa over the years. Remember—you aren’t alone, and you can always find help at the airport.

Step 4: Use lounges, hotel day rates, and prayer rooms

I’ve saved the best advice for last, my friends.

If you’re stranded at an airport all day, you can easily buy a day pass to a large airline lounge or even pay for a room for the day at a nearby hotel. The latter is known as a day rate—and dozens of hotel brands around the world are launching straightforward programs for their airport-adjacent hotels.

If you’re facing an overnighter at the airport, use sites like SleepingInAirports to find suitable spots to sleep. Some airports might even offer rentable sleeping chambers and similar experiences.

Lastly, the prayer room is the place to find ultimate peace. I had once assumed these rooms were for Muslims to use for Salah prayers, which are done five times a day. In reality, they’re multi-use.

While these rooms are geared toward quiet religious activities, let’s not forget that you don’t need to show a religious badge to get in. If praying isn’t your thing, a little meditation might do you right, too.

Winter Glamping Done Right: Best Cold-Weather Sites in the US

Glamping is on the map for travelers—even during winter.

In case you’ve missed out on the hype of glamorous camping, it’s slowly slid into the American purview for three main reasons. First, it gets exhausted city-slickers out into nature. Second, glamping removes the onus of buying equipment… and figuring out what you need to begin with. Third, it’s (usually) affordable.

That being said, the vast majority of glamping offers are summer and spring-centric. Many glamping grounds offer a range of amenities, from kayaks to restaurants to pools. Travelers get more out of their glamping experience during the warmer months, from April to October.

Or do they?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best winter glamping grounds across the US that offer a quality, comfortable visit during the coldest months of the year.

Best winter glamping in the US

What makes a good glamping location during winter? Heating is (obviously) a major factor. I’m also prioritizing glamping grounds that offer indoor options for dining and hanging out, plus outdoor activities that showcase the region’s wintry wonders.

The last factor I’m focusing on is pure, beige canvas. It’s not a glamping site if there are cottages, tiny homes, and other lodgings made of wood. In my humble opinion, at least.

Under Canvas Grand Canyon AZ

Under Canvas is one of the largest US glamping enterprises. Its lodging and dining tents are massive, high-quality, and decorated with a charming rustic touch. At Under Canvas’s Grand Canyon location, you can soak up the southwestern views any time of year. There’s even a seasonal menu at the on-site restaurant that lets you sample seasonal winter ingredients.

Mendocino Grove CA

The small-and-chic Mendocino Grove glamping setup takes you to the coastal forests outside Mendocino. Every unit includes a fireplace and a shower with heated water—plenty to keep you warm in winter. There’s even Wi-Fi available.

Willow-Witt Ranch OR

This historic, off-the-grid ranch takes you into a fairytale-like forest. From friendly goats and ducks to roaming livestock, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped outside of time. The Willow-Witt Ranch offers multiple lodging options, including canvas tents and other unique choices like the Farm Stay Studio.

The Roost TN

Part treehouse, part glamping site, The Roost is ideal for anyone who wants to disappear rather than rub elbows with fellow glampers. With an outdoor fire pit and an electric fireplace inside the tent, you’ll be able to pass the time in comfort even when the temperatures drop. The only drawback might be the forest’s bare canopy once those leaves drop in autumn.

Terramor Outdoor Resort ME

This ultra-lux option is billed as an outdoor resort—and it doesn’t disappoint. From its gorgeously appointed suites to its unspoiled forest views, Terramor lets you escape the hustle without losing out on the finer things in life. From king beds to private fireplaces, its pure glamping extravagance.

*Given its location in Maine, Terramor is open from May through October instead of the whole winter. However, an October visit should still give you the chance to soak up those gorgeous, brisk fall days.

Klarhet MN

A regenerative food forest? Lakeside views? And eco-conscious domes? I might have failed on the canvas element here, but this bespoke and intentional glamping experience is too unique not to mention.

The owners at Klarhet are dedicated to restorative natural practices, letting you get wild without worrying about your carbon footprint. Also, every dome has a fireplace—nature is wonderful, but it gets cold in Minnesota.

Camp Long Creek MO

Want a more elevated glamping experience without the luxury tax? Camp Long Creek is part of the Big Cedar Lodge, a gold resort that’s well-known around the state. That means these large glamping tents are closer to five-star amenities than most others.

ULUM Moab UT

Similar to Under Canvas (mentioned above), ULUM is one of the US’s premier glamping brands—one that takes glamping luxury to new heights. Its Moab location is perfect for a visit any time of year thanks to its balance of pools and fire pit areas.

Clark Farm Silos MT

I’m offering an olive branch to anyone who is allergic to canvas. My last winter glamping recommendation is Clark Farm Silos in Montana. As the name suggests, these unique little homes are built into silos that offer mountain views. Sounds rustic, but these bad boys are absolutely gorgeous and larger than you think.