Matt Kirouac

Read the latest articles by Matt Kirouac at Thrillist

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Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

Quintessential mountain towns tend to conjure sweeping imagery of snow-capped peaks and shimmering lakes, Black Diamond slopes and high-desert hikes, and rustic saloons or après-ski happy hours by a crackling fireplace.

The Best Mountain Towns in the U.S. for a Winter Adventure 

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Not long ago, tourists considered Tulum to be one of the best-kept secrets in Mexico, the antithesis of the all-inclusive revelry often found on the crowded beaches of Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta.

In Tulum, Skip the Tourist Traps and Lean Into These Adventures Instead

Napa Wine Train

Thanks to Chris Van Allsburg’s iconic The Polar Express, a classic children’s story as inescapably omnipresent as Mariah Carey come November, vintage trains have become inextricably linked with the magic of Christmas.

All Aboard the Most Festive Holiday Train Rides in the U.S.

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Whether you’re looking to slowly drive past a bison herd, scale colossal mountain peaks, traverse craggy desert expanses, or just straight-up take a great bath, our great national parks have something for everyone.

The Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.

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Living in a region known for winters so cold that they sometimes out-freeze Mars, the Midwest engenders a certain sense of resilience and camaraderie for those hearty enough to endure it.

The Best Midwest Cities to Visit in the Winter

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In terms of cinematic settings, Hawaii is a classic backdrop for honeymoons, and the high desert is frequent fodder for Westerns.

9 Places that Prove Appalachia Is the Most Haunted Region in the U.S.

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Any state known for shipwrecks and Rust Belt roots is bound to have its share of ghostly lore.

The 12 Creepiest Abandoned Places in Michigan

West Virginia Department of Tourism

Between the abandoned asylums, winged cryptids, and omnipresent mist billowing over its dark hills, West Virginia may very well be the ultimate state for ghost-hunters and horror enthusiasts.

A New Paranormal Trail Highlights West Virginia’s Creepiest and Most Haunted Places

Chicago

Two Days Away

Thrillist shares itineraries to some of the best towns and small cities across the United States. Everything you need to know to make the most of your weekend away.

Two Days Away: Small Town Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

 Photo by Julie Kahlbaugh

To the untrained eye, or casual passerby, Pittsburgh has largely been regarded for its French fry sandwiches, its bridge-strewn rivers, its swing-state influence, and its ironclad Steelers fans (and, ya know, the industry that earned Pittsburgh the nickname “Steel City”).

The Midwest City that Boasts Some of the Quirkiest Museums in the U.S.

New Orleans

Photo courtesy of Walking with the Gay Ghosts of New Orleans

Notorious for voodoo lore, above-ground tombs, and timeworn taverns, New Orleans is often regarded as a mystical destination with no shortage of allegedly haunted places.

Behind the Scenes of the Most Scandalous Ghost Tour in New Orleans

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Iowa, in many ways, typifies the idea of “flyover country.”

Let’s All Stop Underestimating Iowa

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Second only to Alaska in terms of shoreline, Michigan boasts a mighty 3,200 miles of waterfront across two peninsulas and three Great Lakes, complete with 129 lighthouses, hundreds of beaches, and countless adorable towns.

Matt Kirouac

Latest Posts From Matt

The Best Mountain Towns in the U.S. for a Winter Adventure

Time to embrace the high life.

In Tulum, Skip the Tourist Traps and Lean Into These Adventures Instead

Dive into secluded cenotes, party at rooftop bars, and explore ancient ruins by the beach.

All Aboard the Most Festive Holiday Train Rides in the U.S.

Live out your Polar Express dreams on these holiday train rides across the country.

The Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.

Stunning vistas, awe-inspiring nature, and a ton of tourists.

The Best Midwest Cities to Visit in the Winter

Want to make the most of your winter vacation? These Midwest cities don’t let snow stop them from having a good time.

9 Places that Prove Appalachia Is the Most Haunted Region in the U.S.

Unexplained lights, urban legends, and an underground inferno.

The 12 Creepiest Abandoned Places in Michigan

Learn the fascinating histories behind The Great Lake State’s strangest relics of the past.

A New Paranormal Trail Highlights West Virginia’s Creepiest and Most Haunted Places

It features 14 of the state’s most morbidly fascinating settings.

The Midwest City that Boasts Some of the Quirkiest Museums in the U.S.

Head to these altars dedicated to the Big Mac and Heinz Ketchup.

Behind the Scenes of the Most Scandalous Ghost Tour in New Orleans

The gay ghosts of New Orleans spill some serious tea.

Let’s All Stop Underestimating Iowa

This Midwest state is so much more than corn, caucuses, and flyover country.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Is Home to America's Most Surreal Waterfront

Hike, drive, or kayak through one of the most scenic areas in the States.