PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Family trips become far more memorable when they balance simple relaxation with a hint of adventure. Many families enjoy vacations that offer room to explore, try new activities, and share moments that feel different from ordinary routines. Some destinations make that easier through their playful energy and variety of attractions.
Pigeon Forge shows how a place can naturally inspire families to step into a lively, curious state of mind. The atmosphere feels welcoming and upbeat, and the mix of interactive experiences encourages parents and kids to dive into activities together.
Add Surprise Moments to the Itinerary
Families often focus on major attractions, yet many of the most enjoyable memories come from smaller, unexpected moments. A surprise treat, a quick stop to explore something intriguing, or a short activity revealed at the right time can lift the mood and spark curiosity. Kids love the sense of mystery that comes with a quiet clue or a playful hint.
Parents appreciate how these small twists shift the rhythm of the day without adding stress. Surprises also help everyone stay engaged because each person looks forward to what might happen next. The trip begins to feel like a shared adventure instead of a strict schedule.
Explore Playful Challenges Together
Families often bond fastest when they take part in lighthearted challenges together. Simple competitions or shared tasks create a sense of focus, spark laughter, and bring out an easy spirit of teamwork. Activities like a puzzle hunt, a themed game at an attraction, or small goals tied to different stops keep everyone engaged throughout the day. Kids love contributing their ideas, while adults get to jump in and enjoy the challenge alongside them.
These moments add…
CURRENT EDITION
WEATHER
TODAY
RH
WASHINGTON BUREAU
Export Heavy States Face Higher Risk as US Tariffs Reshape Global Trade
Several U.S. states are at risk of disproportionate effects from rising global trade tensions, as
FLEOA Urges Congress to Act as Shutdown Threat Looms Over Federal Law Enforcement
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is urging Congress to immediately pass the remaining
Outdoor Living Rooms: How to Style Your Garden as a Luxury Interior Extension
Transforming your garden into a luxurious outdoor living room is one of the best ways to enhance your home’s style and functionality. Instead of treating your outdoor space as an afterthought, why not make it feel like a natural extension of your interior? With the right design choices, you…
Exhibitions Reflect the Art Institute of Chicago’s Curatorial Range Under James Rondeau
Since James Rondeau became president and director in 2016, the Art Institute of Chicago has presented exhibitions spanning centuries and continents. From Indigenous basketry to Pan-African art, from Georgia O’Keeffe’s urban experiments to portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama, the museum’s recent programming reveals both deep art-historical scholarship…
How to Cut Travel Stress When You’re Constantly on the Move
Are you someone who is constantly on the move? Whether you travel regularly for work or your personal life, constant movement can disrupt routines, drain energy, and make it hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can quickly take its toll, which is why it is helpful to understand…
David Lipan: The Secret Sauce Behind High-Touch Guest Service
Delivering high-touch guest service is about more than just meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them in ways that feel sincere and memorable. In an era of rapidly transforming service landscapes, businesses that focus on meaningful human interaction stand out. As David Lipan notes, high-touch service emphasizes personal attention, emotional…
New York is far more than one district or some famous locations. Once you accept the local diversity, city exploration gets more impressive – yet, more demanding in terms of safety and preparation.
To explore New York this way, you need freedom of movement and a bit of planning. When your bags are left at Luggage Storage Times Square, you can move easily between districts and notice details. See practical tips that help you experience the city beyond Instagram pics.
Keep Your Baggage Safe and Far from Tourist Spots
Moving through New York with luggage feels uncomfortable almost immediately:
- Subway stations have long staircases;
- Sidewalks get crowded;
- Small cafés rarely have space for bags – rather another table to attract more people;
- People hurry up constantly, forming long queues.
While carrying all the stuff with you, even short distances feel tiring. Many travelers prefer to leave their bags at Radical Storage before hotel check-ins. This approach makes it easier to walk through busy districts like Midtown or switch lines without rushing.
Use the Subway Like a Local
Locals say New York rewards curiosity and tests patience. The first thing you think of in terms of transportation is taxis, which is a great way to…
Unveiling the Shadows: How the Founder of KMYUL STUDIO is Redefining Cross-Cultural Storytelling and Digital Journalism in the Creator Economy
In the sprawling digital landscape of the twenty-first century, few creators navigate the intersection of journalism and new media with the precision of Minyoung (Megan) Lee. Based in the hyper-modern metropolis of Seoul, South Korea, Megan Lee has carved a unique niche that serves as a bridge between Asian realities and a global Western audience. She is not merely a content creator but a journalist who has successfully transposed the rigors of the newsroom into the agile world of independent digital production. As the founder of KMYUL STUDIO and the creative force behind the widely acclaimed platforms Dark Asia with Megan and Beauty and the Beasts, Lee commands an audience of over 1.2 million subscribers, yet her approach remains grounded in the ethical tenets of traditional reporting.
Megan Lee’s career trajectory is the evolving nature of storytelling. Before capturing the attention of millions online, she established her credentials within the high-pressure environment of legacy media. She served as the Chief Producer and Video Team Leader at The Korea Times, where she directed nationally impactful projects including the landmark digital sex-crime exposé on the “Nth Room” case. Her work in that capacity, in collaboration with international outlets like the South China…
Manhattan Book Awards: A Top Book Awards Option for Self-Published Authors
In the world of self-publishing, credibility and visibility are often the hardest milestones to achieve. With thousands of new titles released each day, independent authors must find ways to stand out beyond strong writing alone. This is why book awards continue to play an important role—and why the Manhattan…
The Met Restores Ancient Treasures to Turkey in Historic Repatriation
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has transferred ownership of two significant ancient sculptures to Turkey, marking a noteworthy development in international cultural heritage stewardship and museum practice.
The works returned include a Byzantine marble capital featuring the Archangel Michael and a marble head of the ancient Greek orator Demosthenes, both…
The Concrete Jungle Requires a Concrete Plan: How Ring Fan Conquered New York Strategy
There is a specific frequency to New York City. You can feel it the moment you step out of JFK or LaGuardia. It is a low hum of ambition mixed with the high-pitched screech of necessity. To the tourist, it is exciting. To the professional trying to carve out…
RUNWAY MAGAZINE – What the Devil Got Wrong
The idea of Runway has long been shaped by fiction. A particular kind of fiction — polished, cynical, and mostly authored by outsiders looking in. One film in particular, immortalized by a pair of stilettos and a scathing one-liner about cerulean, turned “Runway Magazine” into a shorthand for dusty…
Exploring the intersection of global traditions, philosophical pedagogy, and the enduring power of human connection
By D’Arcy Sardone / Culture EditorIn the vast and evolving landscape of contemporary arts, there are figures who manage to navigate the delicate balance between rigorous academic research and the raw emotional power of performance. This week, we interview an artist who does just that: Jiayi Wang. We seek artists who don’t just perform, but also teach, conduct research, and facilitate understanding across cultural boundaries. Jiayi Wang embodies exactly this caliber of artist. A technically skilled singer, a committed music educator, and a researcher committed to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, she represents the vanguard of musical leadership that considers human connection as the ultimate goal of artistic expression.
The Ritz Herald is pleased to present this comprehensive conversation with Jiayi Wang. Her journey spans geography and history, from the folk traditions of her childhood in China to the academic classrooms of the United States, where she currently helps nurture the minds of the next generation. With a background that fuses Western classical repertoire, Chinese operatic traditions, and contemporary intercultural experimentation, Jiayi Wang Wang refuses to be pigeonholed. She is equally at home in a solo vocal recital as she is designing a culturally inclusive curriculum for middle school students in the Tucson Unified School District.
Her recent presentations at conferences, including the Society for Ethnomusicology and the Teaching World Music Symposium, have attracted attention for their insightful analysis of how folk traditions can survive and thrive in modern contexts. We explore her early influences, her academic triumphs, her poignant classroom experiences, and her vision of a world where music…
MORE ARTICLES
From Warehouse to the World: Five Emerging Artists Debut Bold Visions at TERRADA ART AWARD 2025
Why Sketching Is Becoming the New Digital Detox
Seeing the Soul: Photographer Melissa Ring Redefines Portraiture as Personal Transformation
Known for her evocative and luminous portraits, photographer Melissa Ring is reshaping how portraiture is understood by transforming it from a simple likeness into a profound encounter with self. Her latest work, highlighted in a press announcement this week, positions photography not as performance but as a collaborative…
8 Ways Social Workers Use Their Voice to Drive Change
Social workers play a vital role in shaping stronger, healthier communities. Their work reaches far beyond individual support, since many situations require a clear, confident voice that brings attention to challenges people face every day. Social workers guide conversations that highlight gaps in services, encourage fair treatment, and push…
What You Need When Traveling to Rainy Destinations
Traveling to rainy destinations can be a unique and enjoyable experience, as long as you come prepared with the right essentials. Rainy weather often brings its own kind of beauty, where vibrant colors of nature are accentuated by raindrops, and cozy cafes become even more inviting.
Without proper preparation, these…
In the canal-side district of Tennoz, Tokyo, a new generation of creative talent is taking center stage. The TERRADA ART AWARD 2025 Finalist Exhibition, hosted by Warehouse TERRADA, has officially opened, showcasing five artists whose works push the boundaries of sculpture, performance, and interdisciplinary research.
The exhibition, held in the industrial-chic G3-6F event space of a renovated warehouse, runs from January 16 through February 1, 2026. Admission is free, reflecting the award’s mission to make cutting-edge contemporary art accessible to the public.
A Platform for Global Ambition
Now in its fifth edition, the TERRADA ART AWARD has established itself as one of Asia’s premier launchpads for emerging artists. Unlike many traditional competitions, this award emphasizes long-term support; each finalist receives a ¥3,000,000 creation grant, along with professional development opportunities and logistical support.
Selected by an international jury for their conceptual depth and technical excellence, this year’s finalists represent a diverse cross-section of the contemporary scene:
- Daisuke Kuroda (Yuki Terase Award): Kuroda explores the “spectral traces” of urban history. His installation uses video and sculpture to re-examine the legacy of postwar abstraction, specifically imagining dialogues between sculptors regarding Constantin Brancusi’s Bird in Space.
- Yuki Kobayashi (Meruro Washida Award): In The Wing Chun Project,…
EDITOR'S
CHOICE
Why Sketching Is Becoming the New Digital Detox
The New Tour: A Sophisticated Odyssey Through Southeast Asia’s Changing Landscapes
There was a time when traversing Southeast Asia was an exercise in endurance—a romantic but often rugged procession of overnight buses, erratic schedules, and compromised comforts. That era has passed. Today, the region has matured into one of the world’s most sophisticated travel corridors, a place where high-speed rail…
Ian Schenkel of Newport Beach on Strengthening Business Through Community Partnerships
Building strong relationships with local communities has become an increasingly important part of modern business strategy. Beyond profits and transactions, companies are recognizing the value of genuine connection, shared purpose, and mutual growth.
When businesses engage with their neighborhoods, they not only contribute to the well-being of the people around…
Jeb Kratzig Explains the Mindset Shift That Changes Teams
In high-performing teams, mindsets actively shape how people engage, collaborate, and respond to challenges. Whether tackling a new project or handling unexpected setbacks, the way a team thinks determines how it adapts, learns, and grows. A culture rooted in learning rather than perfection allows people to take risks, share…