1

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

Image: Aman

Los Angeles’ hellish traffic is world-famous and every experienced driver in this city has her or his own shortcuts to save time. But this one is a universal one for sure.

When driving through Hollywood, never take Hollywood Boulevard . Take, instead, Franklin or Fountain to get around the tourist mayhem. And, if you want to avoid the awful traffic of a Hollywood Bowl show, try Mulholland Drive.

2

Getting to the airport in Los Angeles, California

Image: Lukas Souza

Nobody likes missing a flight. Or, at least, most of us don’t care for that particular situation. And, when driving in the terrible Los Angeles traffic, that possibility is always looming in the background.

A sound advice from frequent flyers is to avoid the freeway altogether and take Crescent Heights until it dead-ends. Then, drive through La Cienaga to La Tijera all the way to the symbols that point to the airport.

3

Leaving New York is never easy, New York City, New York

Image: Matteo Catanese

Caught at the right time, New York City traffic can be as bad as LA traffic. And, as it usually happens, commute hours are the worst. The endless crowds and vehicles getting in and out of Manhattan through the different bridges and tunnels can create some serious delays.

Brooklyn Bridge, George Washington Bridge, and the Lincoln Tunnel are some of the most congested routes during rush hours. So, if you have no other options, make sure to schedule extra time just in case the traffic is as bad as it can be.

4

I-95, Miami, Florida

Image: Baron Alloway

Another city with legendary traffic is, without a doubt, Miami. And, as usual, commute hours can be a nightmare. I-95 is a major Interstate Highway on the East Coast and the Miami section is usually very congested . If you are trying to go south from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or north from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., you have to expect delays, since those are the peak times for commuters who work downtown.

The High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes run from north of Miami to north Dade. You can only enter these lanes before 112/I-95 and you can only get off at the Golden Glades exit. Don’t take these lanes if you are trying to go anywhere between downtown and Northwest 183rd Street as there are no exits. Also, HOT lanes only accept SunPass as payment.

5

Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Image: Neal Kharawala

Continuing with another one of the monster-traffic cities of America, we can’t avoid the Windy City. Locals say that the city has two seasons: winter and construction , as the number of blocked streets, avenues, and roads can be nerve-wracking.

A shortcut locals use when driving through Lake Shore Drive to get off on Michigan Ave, heading southbound with a final destination past Illinois Ave, is to take Inner Lake Shore Drive and avoid the heavy congestion on Michigan Ave, as well as the occasional standstills on southbound Lake Shore Drive.

6

San Felipe instead of Westheimer, Houston, Texas

Image: Kevin Hernandez

Houston locals are familiar with busy Westheimer Avenue and know better than to fall into its trap during rush hour. They’d get stuck between multiple METRO bus routes, potholes, and never-ending construction sites.

The savvy drivers instead use San Felipe to get downtown or to the Galleria in a much shorter time.

7

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, Phoenix, Arizona

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Even the widest highway will become congested once everyone finds out about it. We are looking at you, Los Angeles. But, for a while at least, new roads offer a smooth and quiet ride to the lucky few who discover them first.

This is the case with Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. The 22-mile-long portion of the Valley beltway from 59th Avenue on the west side to Ahwatukee , which opened in late 2019, is a smooth drive. Rolling through a part of the Valley unspoiled by development, this freeway has light traffic and no, or very few, holes –for now.

8

San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California

Image: Justin Wolff

It may seem calmer compared to neighboring Los Angeles, but San Diego can have its traffic congestion, like any big city. Getting to the airport on time is always paramount and locals have tricks up their sleeves for this ride.

Drivers can take Washington Street to Pacific Highway and get to the airport that way, or they can also take Pacific Highway north to Barnett, then Lytton, then Rosecrans, then Nimitz, which can be better than going through Sassafras if there’s traffic.

9

LBJ interchange, Dallas, Texas

Image: Zack Brame

Dallas, Texas, is a major city with major traffic jams during rush hours. Trying to get to the LBJ interchange can be a recipe for disaster if you are in a hurry but there is a shortcut that can save quite some time.

If you are on the Central Expressway, you can get off at Coit Road , which will allow you to bypass the interchange. Instead, you'll wind around a corner and find yourself right back at the entrance ramps for LBJ. From there, you just wait for a light and merge back onto LBJ, having skipped over the whole mess.

10

I-35 alternatives, Austin, Texas

Image: MJ Tangonan

Texas’ hippest city, Austin has some major highways, including the I-35, Mopac Expressway (Loop 1), and Highway 183. These big highways can cause big delays if taken from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

But the city provides alternatives. Lamar Boulevard and Burnet Road provide time-saving options for I-35 . During rush hour and special events, knowing these lesser-used routes can save time.

1

Vanderbilt Mansion

Image: Michael Denning

The Vanderbilt Mansion was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Holmes Anthony. Built between 1896 and 1899, this 54-room marvel is an excellent example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style , characterized by its grandeur and ornate detailing. In addition, the mansion's interiors are representative of the American Renaissance.

Historically known as Hyde Park, the estate includes 211 acres and is built on a hilltop overlooking the Hudson River. It includes well-groomed flowerbeds, formal gardens, woodlands, and ancillary buildings. In 1940 the Vanderbilt Mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today it’s a historic house museum operated by the National Park Service.

2

Hildene Mansion

Image: sarahlawrence603

Hildene Mansion was built in 1905 by Robert Todd Lincoln, eldest son of President Abraham Lincoln. This Georgian Revival-style mansion is set on a 200-foot promontory, which offers a panoramic view of the Battenkill Valley. The name "Hildene" comes from Old English words meaning "hill" and "valley with stream".

Hildene Mansion remained in the possession of the Lincoln family until 1975. Then, in 1978, the property was acquired by a non-profit organization that restored it, preserving its historic integrity. Today this former summer home is one of Vermont's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can wander around the large estate and contemplate its opulence: from the grand entry staircase to the original furnishings.

3

Swan House

Image: Michael Starkie

Swan House, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a historic mansion built in 1928 by Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton fortune. The mansion's eclectic design combines neo-Renaissance styles with a classical approach. The 28-acre estate features terraced gardens and a cascading fountain on the hillside. Carved or painted swans are a recurring motif throughout the house and gardens.

In 1966, the Atlanta Historical Society acquired the house and grounds. Today, Swan House is part of the Atlanta History Center and operates as a museum documenting 1920s American history. Many of the Inmans' original furniture pieces are still on display, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

4

Hearst Castle

Image: Mike Hsieh

On the west coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, there’s a magnificent mansion, a combination of a medieval castle , a Spanish cathedral , and a Roman temple. Hearst Castle is the result of the feverish dreams of one of the greatest tycoons of the 20th century: William Randolph Hearst.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, this four-building palace has 175 rooms, 40 bathrooms, and gigantic extensions of gardens. An immense semicircular outdoor swimming pool, a private zoo, tennis courts, a huge Gothic-style library, a movie theater, and an airfield are also part of this estate that took almost thirty years to build. Once visited by the most prominent Hollywood stars and politicians of the time, today Hearst Castle is registered as a National Historic Landmark and functions as a museum.

5

Ca d’Zan

Image: Tessa Edmiston

This estate located on the shores of Sarasota Bay was once the exquisite winter residence of American circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable. The majestic Ca' d'Zan —Venetian for "John's House"— is an incredible Mediterranean-style architectural beauty built in 1926 to resemble a palace on the Grand Canal in Venice.

The extravagant 5-story building is adorned with stained glass, stucco, and terra cotta details. It features 56 rooms, an 82-foot observation tower, and an impressive marble terrace overlooking the ocean. This residence, an icon of the Florida Boom Years of the 1920s, was restored by the state and opened to the public in 2002.

6

Old Westbury Gardens

Image: Jialin Hu

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in Nassau County on New York's Long Island peninsula. The 23-room estate was once the home of businessman John S. Phipps, his wife Margarita Grace, and their four children.

Completed in 1906 by English designer George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is set amid 160 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. This former private estate is now a museum that can be visited from April through October. It is also regularly used for cultural events, private parties, and as a film set for Hollywood productions.

7

Oheka Castle

Image: Peter Oswald

Believed to have inspired "The Great Gatsby," Oheka Castle is the largest private home in New York and the third largest in the United States. Although now it’s a hotel, this estate was once the country home of financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. In fact, the name "Oheka" is an abbreviation derived from the first letters of his name.

The mansion, located on the North Shore of Long Island in West Hills, New York, was built between 1914 and 1919. In recent years Oheka Castle has gained popularity as a wedding venue for socialites and celebrities and was used for photo shoots , films , and television series. The castle also houses a bar and a restaurant and offers guided tours for regular visitors.

8

Lyndhurst Mansion

Image: Pixabay

Designed in 1838 by the famous American architect Alexander Jackson Davis, Lyndhurst Mansion is a remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture. This country house is located in Tarrytown, New York, along the Hudson River, and was owned by New York Mayor William Paulding Jr, merchant George Merritt, and railroad magnate Jay Gould.

In 1961, Gould's daughter, Anna Gould, donated it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1966, Lyndhurst was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a testament to its historical and architectural significance. Today, the house is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its unique features and learn about its rich history.

9

Villa Vizcaya

Image: Zoshua Colah

Between 1914 and 1923 philanthropist and conservationist James Deering built this sumptuous mansion as his winter home. Born in South Paris, Maine, Deering suffered from anemia, so his doctors recommended that he seek refuge in a sunny, warm climate. South Florida was the perfect place to recuperate. He lived in Miami until his death in 1925.

In the mid-20th century, the county took possession of the complex and its extensive Italian Renaissance gardens and began operating as a museum. Over the years Villa Vizcaya has hosted countless historic events, such as the meeting between Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, and the first Summit of the Americas. In 1994 it was designated a National Historic Landmark and today is open to the public for tours.

10

The Biltmore Estate

Image: Stephanie Klepacki

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina stands a true architectural marvel: the Biltmore Estate. At more than 178,926 square feet, this legendary residence with 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces is the largest privately owned house in the country . Biltmore Estate is also a monument that reflects the grandeur and luxury of the American Gilded Age.

Inspired by the landscape, George Washington Vanderbilt, grandson of industrial titan Cornelius Vanderbilt, set out to build an estate that would combine European elegance with American nature. Designed in the Châteauesque style, the mansion —which reportedly cost $5 million (equivalent to about $183 million today)— was finally inaugurated on Christmas Eve of 1895. Today, the Biltmore Estate attracts millions of visitors every year who are amazed by its architectural splendor and history.

1

Potato chips

Back in 1853, a cranky diner in Saratoga Springs, New York, complained that his fries were too thick . Irritated, Chef George Crum sliced them paper-thin and fried them crisp to prove a point . To everyone’s surprise, the customer loved them.

What began as a moment of frustration turned into America’s favorite salty snack, inspiring an entire industry of chips and flavors.

2

Popsicles

In 1905, 11-year-old San Francisco native Frank Epperson accidentally left a cup of soda powder and water outside overnight, with a stick still in it. The next morning, it had frozen solid in the chilly air .

Epperson dubbed it the "Epsicle," which was later renamed the Popsicle. That childhood experiment became one of the most enduring summer treats.

3

Chocolate chip cookies

Ruth Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate when she was making traditional chocolate cookies at her Massachusetts inn, the Toll House, in the 1930s. She chopped up Nestlé chocolate snack bars instead . She expected them to melt evenly into the dough, but they stayed in chunks.

The warm, gooey results became an instant hit with her guests. Nestlé soon partnered with her to print the recipe on chocolate bar wrappers, and the rest is history!

4

Corn flakes

In 1898, the Kellogg brothers accidentally left cooked wheat, unprocessed wheat kernels simmered until tender, sitting out overnight at their Michigan sanitarium, where they promoted a healthy living based on vegetarianism, exercise, sunlight, and strict hygiene. By morning, it had gone stale, but when they rolled and baked it, the flakes came out crisp and tasty .

That happy mistake inspired a new breakfast idea: simple, wholesome, and ready to pour.

5

Coca-Cola

In one of the most profitable blunders of all time, Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton was mixing a headache tonic in 1886 when he mistakenly blended his syrup with carbonated water instead of plain water .

Finding the result quite tasty, Pemberton opened a local soda fountain and found immediate success.

6

Cheeseburgers

In the 1920s, a teenage cook in Pasadena accidentally dropped a slice of cheese onto a sizzling hamburger . Instead of tossing it out, he served it to the customer.

The melted topping added a rich, savory twist that caught on fast. Soon, diners across America began adding cheese to burgers, helping to spread this classic.

7

Hard pretzels

One Pennsylvania baker in the 1800s left his soft pretzels in the oven too long, burning them to a deep brown . Expecting a disaster, he tried one and loved the unexpected crunch.

That overbaked batch became the first hard pretzel. The crispy, salty snack soon gained fans nationwide.

8

Slurpees

In the 1950s, a Kansas soda shop’s cooler broke down, freezing its drinks halfway . Instead of throwing them out, the owner sold the icy concoctions to curious customers.

They loved the slushy texture so much that he built a machine to reproduce it. The Icee — and later the Slurpee — turned an equipment failure into an omnipresent machine at every 7-Eleven.

9

Tortilla chips

In 1940s Los Angeles, a tortilla factory ended up with piles of leftover tortillas. Rather than waste them, workers cut them into triangles and fried them up .

The crunchy bites were a surprise hit. What started as a practical way to use scraps soon became a nationwide snack.

10

Tootsie Rolls

Crafty candy maker Leo Hirschfeld wanted to stretch his chocolate supply in 1896, so he experimented by blending in other ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and condensed skim milk . The texture turned chewy instead of smooth, but the flavor was rich and lasting.

He named it after his daughter’s nickname, "Tootsie." His thrift-born invention became a candy classic.

11

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Back in 1928, a former Hershey employee, H.B. Reese, was tinkering with leftover chocolate at home when he combined it with sweetened peanut butter . The unexpected pairing turned out to be a great-tasting treat.

His homemade experiment evolved into a small business, and later became a candy legend when Hershey acquired the brand.

12

Fudge

According to the popular story, a batch of caramel didn’t heat properly one night , and the cook sighed that it had been "fudged." The softer texture, however, turned out wonderfully creamy.

That tasty error spread quickly through American kitchens and college towns, becoming the classic dessert that it is today.