Dust off your boots and don your cowboy hat for a step back in time at Lone Mountain Ranch’s 11th annual authentic wild west PBR week. Taking place from July 17th – 23rd, 2023, the action-packed Touring Pro Division PBR week is Big Sky’s biggest week of the year, as the community events and fun winds up to a weekend of world-class bull riding.
Exclusively available to guests of Lone Mountain Ranch, this all-inclusive Rodeo Week Package offers guests authentic ranch lodging at this luxury historic Montana guest ranch with three meals a day at the farm-to-table Horn & Cantle restaurant, and special dinners around the ranch each night, including a barn party one night, and live Western music in the rustic saloon. Guests also receive tickets to the PBR events on Friday and Saturday nights, with VIP access to event seating, food, and drinks.
Lone Mountain Ranch guests who join the Rodeo Package enjoy a six-night ranch experience, and scheduled daytime activities including horseback rides, naturalist hikes, mountain biking, canoeing, paddleboarding, archery, fly-tying course, yoga, axe throwing, guided Yellowstone tours, high ropes course, history hikes, photography hikes, yoga, axe-throwing, and more. In addition to the scheduled activities, other exclusive events on property include an on-ranch professional Rodeo with PBR qualifiers, followed by an exciting concert.
Besides that, Lone Mountain makes it easy to get around the local Big Sky area with transfers to and from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, as well as in-person and text service from a personal Ranch Concierge for the optimum rustic experience during this year’s Rodeo Week.
2023 Rates:
July 17, 2023 – July 23, 2023: Adult, $1500* Child, $1200*
*Rates are per person per night, minimum occupancy applies per cabin
*All package rates are subject to a 6% tax and a 15% Resort Fee (resort fee is taxed by 12%)
Celebrating more than a century as a symbol of the American West, Lone Mountain Resort was around during the early days of Yellowstone Park, the formation of the town of Big Sky, the evolution of ranching and logging in the Northern Rockies and the preservation of this magnificent wilderness.
Ever since it was homesteaded in 1915, Lone Mountain Resort’s story practiced real Western-style hospitality, welcoming to all. This is truly the Old West and for those staying at Lone Mountain Resort, it’s like turning the clock back more than century.
We call it the Real Montana and you’ll see what we mean when you arrive.
Blockbuster Museum Show Breaks Attendance Records . . .
Ben Mankiewicz, the prime-time host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM), greeted hundreds of fans and kicked off a series of Holiday events at the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s nationally acclaimed exhibition “Art of the Hollywood Backdrop,” now in its final five weeks of a spectacular run (on view through Jan. 22).
“I am honored to have been invited by the Boca Raton Museum of Art to be part of the Art of the Hollywood Backdrop, before this stellar museum experience concludes its successful debut,” says Mankiewicz. “There are so many avid film lovers and TCM fans in South Florida who loved seeing this exhibition, a testament to the power of classic Hollywood films.”
Joining Mankiewicz at the Museum event was one of the exhibition’s co-curators, Thomas A. Walsh, the Emmy Award-winning Art Director from Hollywood who served as President of the Art Directors Guild of America for three consecutive terms (the union representing Hollywood’s art directors, set designers and illustrators).
The Boca Raton Museum of Art presents the world premiere of this larger-than-life show, the first dedicated museum exhibition of its kind honoring the unsung heroes of Hollywood’s artistic DNA, going back through time almost 100 years.
“Through this singular exhibition, art lovers and film fans of all ages are embracing this collection of Hollywood backdrops almost lost forever,” says Irvin Lippman, the Museum’s Executive Director. “The world premiere of Art of the Hollywood Backdrop has shined the global spotlight on South Florida. We have seen a significant increase in visitors from throughout the U.S. and abroad.”
Art of the Hollywood Backdrop: Cinema’s Creative Legacy is on view through January 22, 2023 and honors the unsung heroes who created these monumental canvases for the camera, going back almost 100 years.
These are literally some of the largest paintings ever created in the world, similar to cyclorama paintings. Aside from the original cast and crew working in the sound stages when these Hollywood classics were made, no one else has set eyes upon this collection.
The exhibition was originated by the Boca Raton Museum of Art and is co-curated by Thomas A. Walsh and Karen L. Maness, who played pivotal roles among a group of passionate Hollywood insiders to salvage these American treasures.
The result in the Museum’s galleries is a magical portal that takes the terms “large-scale,” “immersive,” and “virtual reality” to a whole new level.
Mankiewicz, an award-winning television personality, film critic, writer and producer, made his TCM debut in 2003 becoming only the second host hired in the network’s history.
During his career at TCM, Mankiewicz has introduced thousands of movies on the air and has become one of the most renowned interviewers in the business, leading thoughtful and entertaining conversations with more than two hundred of the movie industry’s top talents, including Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Sophia Loren, Martin Scorsese, Warren Beatty, Ava DuVernay, Annette Bening, Robert Redford, Quentin Tarantino, Jodie Foster, Brad Bird, Faye Dunaway, Lou Gossett, Jr., and Michael Douglas.
The Museum has created a series of events for film lovers throughout December and January, more details at bocamuseum.org/visit/events. This exhibition of 22 scenic backdrops, made for the movies between 1938 and 1968, celebrates an art form nearly forgotten.
This is a well-deserved moment in the spotlight for the dozens of unidentified studio artists. Their uncredited craftsmanship made scenes of Mount Rushmore, Ben Hur’s Rome, the Von Trapp Family’s Austrian Alps, and Gene Kelly’s Paris street dance possible.
Art Directors’ Guild Archive Backdrop Recovery Project
Twenty of these backdrops, including the famous Mount Rushmore, are being loaned by the Texas Performing Arts Hollywood Backdrop Collection at the University of Texas.
In addition, a 1952 backdrop for Singin’ in the Rain and the tapestry backdrop for Marie Antoinette (1938) are on loan from the Motion Picture Academy in Los Angeles.
These creations were painted for the camera lens itself, not for the human eye. It is a very impressionistic style of painting ― not really photo-realism, but it snaps together as photo-realistic when viewed from a distance.
Up close they look totally different. When visitors to the Museum take selfies with their phone cameras, the resulting image will look very different from what they see in person in the gallery.
This unique concept of “photo-realism for the camera” was spearheaded by George Gibson, he took scenic art to an entirely new level of artistry. In the hey-day of MGM, they had three shifts of scenic artists working day and night, non-stop.
Some of these artists who created the Hollywood Backdrops came from a family tradition of the craft, with lineages spanning three generations of painters through several decades. The craft stayed within the family.
Most were trained as professional artists, yet they remained uncredited, sometimes because of union agreements, and mainly because the studios wanted to keep a firm grip on the secret techniques that were handed down from master to apprentice on the backlots.
The show’s immersive components include interactive video reels created in Hollywood specifically for this exhibition, telling the stories behind each backdrop.
Soundscapes have been engineered to surround visitors in the museum, including atmospheric sound effects related to the original movies, and to the scenic vistas.
About the Museum
Founded by artists, Boca Raton Museum of Art was established in 1950 as the Art Guild of Boca Raton. The organization has grown, now in its eighth decade, to encompass a Museum, Art School, and Sculpture Garden. As one of South Florida’s leading cultural landmarks, the Museum provides educational programs and a robust exhibition schedule to the community, and to visitors from around the world.
Special guest blogger Michal Laszuk has done an amazing amount of research to put together this fantastic coop on film tourism. Take a look at his post and for more info on Michal, see below.
We’ve all fallen in love with a TV show or movie at least once.
Whether it’s Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, or Breaking Bad, there’s something about getting sucked into a good story that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
But—
Did you ever consider traveling to a place you saw on Netflix?
If so, you aren’t alone.
That’s because film tourism (also known as film-induced tourism, screen tourism, and set-jetting) has been all the rave lately, with more and more people planning vacations around their beloved shows and movies.
So at PhotoAiD, we’ve decided to reach out to 1,000+ Americans to unpack their experiences with this phenomenon, their attitudes toward it, and much more.
Let’s dive right in:
Key Takeaways
96% of Americans have visited places associated with their favorite television shows or movies at least once in their lifetime.
78% of travelers are likely or very likely to opt for TV- or movie-themed trips in 2023 and beyond.
The most common reason to engage in film tourism (35%) is to enjoy an immersive experience that lets you live out shows’ or movies’ storylines and follow in the footsteps of famous characters.
Lodging is the most frequently mentioned film tourism expense (60%), followed by transportation (53%) and sightseeing (50%).
Globally, the UK and Ireland are the most desirable screen tourism destinations owing to the success of Harry Potter.
Thanks to the Jurassic Park franchise, Hawaii was picked as the US’ most desirable film tourism destination, according to 31% of respondents.
68% of Americans have a negative or very negative attitude toward fellow travelers striking irreverent poses or otherwise misbehaving when visiting the sites of actual tragic events depicted in shows or movies.
Film Tourism Is Gaining Momentum
For starters, we wanted to gauge the popularity of film tourism in the US at the end of 2022.
It turns out 96% of Americans have visited places associated with their favorite television shows or movies. This includes locations and destinations, popular due to their appearance on TV or themed sites built upon the fictional world.
Wow.
Although we expected the number to be high, we had no idea it’d be THAT high.
It may be because we’re watching more TV than ever before, with the average person likely to stream 437 hours of content in 2023 (=18 full days).
Film Tourism is Gaining Momemtum
Here’s also a look at the extent to which respondents’ favorite movie or show was a reason to visit a particular spot:
For starters, we wanted to gauge the popularity of film tourism in the US at the end of 2022.
It turns out 96% of Americans have visited places associated with their favorite television shows or movies. This includes locations and destinations, popular due to their appearance on TV or themed sites built upon the fictional world.
Wow!
Although we expected the number to be high, we had no idea it’d be THAT high.
It may be because we’re watching more TV than ever before, with the average person likely to stream 437 hours of content in 2023 (=18 full days).
Here’s also a look at the extent to which respondents’ favorite movie or show was a reason to visit a particular spot:
It was the main reason
44%
It had some influence
39%
It had no influence
17%
At this point, we also decided to ask survey takers to rate their most recent screen tourism experience.
So—
About four in 10 Americans (42%) consider it positive, and 31% describe it as very positive. As a follow-up, we asked respondents how likely they are to pick one of their next vacation destinations based on their favorite TV show or movie in 2023 and beyond.
The results are in:
Likely
45%
Very likely
33%
Neutral
16%
Very unlikely
5%
Unlikely
2%
As you can see, 78% of Americans are likely or very likely to opt for TV- or movie-themed trips in the upcoming years.
Thus, it’s not surprising that companies like Airbnb and Netflix have already started to capitalize on the opportunity.
The former has launched thematic accommodation options based on Scooby Doo, Moulin Rouge, and Queer Eye. In turn, Netflix partnered with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to “help destinations realize the potential benefits of screen tourism.”
Even governmental bodies aren’t lagging.
In fact, the official “Visit Albuquerque” site makes it easy for Breaking Bad fans to plan location tours and visit popular spots, such as Los Pollos Hermanos, Walter White’s house, and the car wash.
That shows just how much the likes of HBO and Apple TV are changing the tourism industry and travelers’ habits.
Scroll on to see what’s fueling this trend.
Key Reasons to Engage in Screen Tourism
People travel for all sorts of reasons.
Some want to check off their travel bucket list. Others are looking to dive under the radar and escape it all.
Yet—
When it comes to film tourism, here are the TOP five motivators, according to our respondents (the text version is below, just in case):
To emotionally immerse oneself in a place where the TV show/movie was filmed
35%
To experience the city’s scenery shown in the movie or TV show
34.9%
To visit restaurants featured in the movie or TV show
34.4%
To discover a meaningful place with a story rather than visit a trendy destination
33.9%
To visit a location one’s admired celebrity has once been to
33.6%
The data shows that the most common reason to engage in film tourism (35%) is to enjoy an immersive experience that lets you live out your favorite shows’ or movies’ storylines and follow in the footsteps of famous characters.
It’s closely followed by the desire “to experience the city’s scenery shown in the movie or TV show” at 34.9% and to visit depicted restaurants, as 34.4% of respondents indicated.
These make sense, particularly if you consider TV shows.
Their slow-paced plot progression, long runtime, and character development often foster a deep connection between the viewer and the story.
So—
It’s no wonder many people want to go and see the spots on their own.
Top Film Tourism Destinations, Ranked
So far, so good.
Now that we’ve answered some of the why questions, let’s move on to the where part.
To uncover the most desirable film tourism destinations in North America, we gave respondents a list of places famous because of a movie or TV show and asked them to indicate which one was their favorite OR which they’d like to visit the most.
Below are the results:
Jurassic Park (Hawaii)
30.6%
Friends (NYC, New York)
30.5%
Joker [2019] (NYC, New York)
28.6%
Home Alone 2 (NYC, New York)
27.9%
Big Little Lies (Monterey, California)
25%
Thanks to the Jurassic Park franchise, Hawaii was picked as the most desirable film tourism destination in the US, according to 30.6% of respondents.
How does it translate into real numbers?
Consider this:
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom alone has given Hawaii’s economy a $31M boost and more than $6.9M in wages to 1,200+ Hawaii workers.
So you could say the movie has had a T-Rex-sized impact on the islands.
Now—
We also wanted to unveil the most desirable screen tourism destinations globally. Like last time, we gave respondents a hefty list of places and prompted them to make a pick.
See the TOP five results below:
Harry Potter (UK, Ireland)
20.2%
The Lord of the Rings (New Zealand)
18.1%
Game of Thrones (Northern Ireland, UK, Croatia)
17%
Squid Game (South Korea)
16.7%
Sherlock (UK)
15.9%
The UK and Ireland took the cake as the most desirable screen tourism destinations globally (20.2%), thanks to Harry Potter. It’s followed by New Zealand courtesy of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Northern Ireland, the UK, and Croatia close the top three owing to Game of Thrones’ success.
Needless to say, all the destinations saw a significant, lasting increase in demand after said movies and TV shows came out.
To this day, tourists take photos at London King’s Cross railway station, famous for featuring a fictional section known as platform 9¾ in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Biggest Expenses Associated with Screen Tourism
Travel isn’t exactly cheap these days.
A pilot shortage, COVID-19-induced demand for travel, and higher fuel prices have all contributed to the recent rise in tourism costs.
So much so that ~9 in 10 vacation-goers (88%) had to downgrade their vacation plans in 2022, according to one of our recent studies.
That’s why we wanted to ask the respondents about their biggest expenses regarding film tourism.
Below are the results:
Lodging
60%
Transportation
53%
Sightseeing
50%
As you can see, lodging was the most frequently mentioned expense (60%), followed by transportation (53%) and sightseeing (50%).
So—
If you plan to fly thousands of miles to get epic Instagram snaps from Squid Game in South Korea, be prepared to open your wallet a little wider.
The Dark Side of Film Tourism
It’s no secret:
Many popular movies and TV shows depict or are based on true events. As a result, some locations can grow popular among travelers.
BBC’s Poldark is a good case in point.
While the series boosted Cornwall’s economy, influencing 14% of all visitors to the county, it also gave rise to the so-called “Poldark effect.”
The phenomenon caused bumper-to-bumper traffic making some communities feel unsafe, and potentially affected the sense of the Cornish identity.
So—
Our study also wanted to see if Americans know that film tourism can cause over-tourism to some of the most in-vogue destinations.
A total of 95% of respondents do.
Although we were pleasantly surprised by such a high number, it’s important to remember that awareness doesn’t always translate into action (after all, the “Poldark effect” came about for a reason).
Now, as our last question, we asked the survey participants about their attitude toward fellow travelers striking irreverent poses or otherwise misbehaving when visiting the sites of actual tragic events featured in a movie or TV show (e.g., Chornobyl).
Below are the results:
Negative
41%
Very negative
27%
Neutral
24%
Positive
5%
Very positive
4%
The takeaway?
Always respect the site’s rules and only take pictures when allowed. Otherwise, you won’t only make others blow a fuse but also give film tourism a bad name.
Stacking It All Up
There you have it.
A comprehensive look at screen tourism to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Now—
Did you ever engage in film tourism? Which TV or movie universe would you want to travel to?
Let us know in the comments below.
Methodology
We conducted an online survey of 1,060 US respondents via a bespoke online polling tool in October 2022.
The respondents were 66.8% male and 33.2% female. 7.6% of respondents were 25 or younger, 70.01% were aged 26–38, 17.1% were aged 39–54, and 5.2% were 55 or older.
This survey has a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 3%. Given the gender and age makeup of our sample size, the study’s findings are statistically significant for the population at large.
This study was created through multiple research steps, crowdsourcing, and surveying. Data scientists reviewed all survey participants’ responses for quality control. The survey also had an attention-check question.
About Michal Laszuk
Michal Laszuk is a writer at PhotoAiD by day, an aspiring novelist and an avid traveler by night. Always eager to travel to the most underrated and less popular destinations, he now looks to the far east after seeing almost everything Europe has to offer.
“for the adventuresome home chef, Allahyari offers a world of flavors.”
In mortal danger for his beliefs, Hamed Allahyari and his pregnant girlfriend fled their homeland of Iran, first spending two months in Indonesia and then, after grueling hours long by truck over badly paved back roads and then days crammed aboard a boat another five months on Christmas Island before being granted asylum by the Australian government. Once there, life remained extremely difficult for the young couple who were now parents of two young children, and though Allahyari had been a chef and restauranteur in Iran, no one was interested—or so it seemed—in Persian cuisine.
Unable to find work Allahyari began volunteering at the Resource Center, an organization that provides support, legal advice, and other assistance including meals to refugees and people seeking asylum.
“Every day they feed 250 people a free lunch,” Allahyari writes in the introduction to his cookbook Salamati: Hamed’s Persian Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Iran to the Other Side of the World. “I started cooking there two days a week, making Persian food for people from all over the world: Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Miramar, Sierra Leone, all kinds of places, and most of them had never tried Persian food before. But when they tried it, they liked it. They talked to me about it, asked me about it, and it made me happy.”
Culinary Connections
At the recommendation of others, Allahyari also began teaching cooking classes, demonstrating how to make such dishes as Zeytoon Parvadrah (Olive and Walnuts Chunky Dip), Abdoogh Khiar, Yogurt and Cucumber soup, Sabzi Pofow Ba Mahi (Fish with Herb Pilaf), and Persian Love Cake. Over the years, Allahyari taught more than 2500 people how to make Persian food. Now, he caters and is chef/owner of SalamiTea, a restaurant located in Sunshine, an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Melbourne. The name is a play on “salamati,” the Persian word meaning both “health” and “cheers.”
Salamati is more than just a cookbook, it’s also a memoir and homage to the country he had to flee. The introduction to the featured recipes in his book might offer a personal connection to the dish, a description of a unique ingredient that helps define it and bring out its best flavors—though he also offers a substitute for such items as Persian dried limes, which might be difficult to locate outside of a major city, and/or puts the food in context with the scenes to Iran.
“This dish is traditionally served in Iranian shisha shops, the cafes where older men gather to smoke water pipes, drink tea and solve the problems of the world,” he writes about Ghahve Khunee Omelette (Street-Food Tomato Omelette). “Shisha shops don’t really serve food but inevitably people get hungry while they’re hanging around, so it’s become traditional for staff to whip up a quick tomato omelette for customers and serve it with bread, raw red onion, herbs and lemon. If you want one, all you ask for is ‘omelette.’ There’s no menu as such.”
Not all the recipes are easy but for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, there are enough simple ones to get started. Full-color photos of each recipe show what the finished product will look like. And for the adventuresome home chef, Allahyari offers a world of flavors.
“If it doesn’t have cheesecake in it, it should” is the baking motto that Jocelyn Brubaker lives by. Over the years, she has baked thousands of cheesecakes and challenged herself to work cheesecake into any and every dessert for the millions of readers who try and trust the recipes on her blog.
Now, in her debut cookbook, Jocelyn will show you all the wild and wonderful ways you can go beyond traditional cheesecake. You’ll find creative and mouthwatering cheesecake desserts like:
* Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Brownies * Cookies-and-Cream Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries * Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Cookie Bars * Marshmallow S’mores Cheesecake * Apple Crumb Cheesecake Pie
With over 75 delicious recipes, dozens of easy-to-use baking tips, gorgeous color photos, and Jocelyn’s warmth and bubbly personality on every page, this cookbook will become the go-to source for all things cheesecake, perfect for new and experienced bakers alike. With Jocelyn by your side in the kitchen, every dessert can become a blank canvas for a little cheesecake love.
About the Author
JOCELYN BRUBAKER is the baker, photographer, and writer behind the popular blog Inside BruCrew Life, which she started in 2008. Jocelyn’s recipes regularly appear on Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and Cosmopolitan.com, among other sites.
Orange Cream Cheese Cheesecake
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAKING THIS ORANGE CREAM CHEESECAKE RECIPE:
Make sure you set your cream cheese out ahead of time. It’s so much easier to beat it when it is softened.
Toast the macadamia nuts in a skillet for a few minutes, then let them cool before pulsing them in a food processor. Just do not over pulse the nuts, or you will end up with macadamia butter.
Place a large baking sheet on the very bottom rack in your oven. Fill it halfway with water and let it heat up. This creates a steam effect as the cheesecake bakes. No water baths ever happen in my kitchen!
Do not over mix the cheesecake batter because it will add air bubbles into the batter which could cause cracks as it bakes.
When the cheesecake comes out of the oven the second time, let it cool for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge. This loosens the cheesecake from the pan, so it doesn’t crack as it cools.
For the Crust:
1 ½ cups chopped macadamia nuts
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup melted butter
For the Cheesecake
1 – 10 ounce can mandarin oranges
3 – 8 ounce packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup flour
3 eggs, beaten slightly
Zest of 1 large navel orange
For the Topping
1 ½ cups sour cream
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed navel orange juice (from orange that was zested)
1 – 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
maraschino cherries with stems, patted dry
1 navel orange cut into small segments
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
Place the macadamia nuts in a skillet and toast over medium heat for a few minutes. Remove and dump the nuts onto a tray to cool completely. Once cool place the nuts in a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped. Do not over pulse and create butter.
Mix together the chopped nuts, crumbs, and butter. Press firmly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool.
Place a large baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven and fill it halfway with water. Let the oven reheat to 350 degrees.
Drain the can of mandarin oranges very well. Place the orange segments onto paper towels to drain even more. Cut each segment in half and press with a paper towel. Set aside.
Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the sour cream, orange juice concentrate, vanilla, and flour and beat again.
Add the eggs and beat again until mixed in. Do not over beat the mixture. Gently stir in the orange zest and mandarin orange pieces.
Pour the batter onto the prepared crust. Place the pan on the oven rack directly above the pan of water. Bake for 55 minutes.
While the cheesecake is baking, whisk together the sour cream, sugar, and orange juice. Place in refrigerator.
When the cheesecake is finished baking, remove from the oven and spread the sour cream mixture evenly on the top of the cheesecake. Bake another 5 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack.
Let the cheesecake cool 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake to loosen the sides from the pan. Let the cheesecake cool for 2 hours on the wire rack, then place it in the refrigerator to chill completely.
Loosen and remove the springform pan sides. Gently lift up the cheesecake and remove the parchment paper. Place the cheesecake on a serving plate.
Use a piping bag and icing tip 1M to swirl Cool Whip around the top of the cheesecake. Top each swirl with a maraschino cherry or orange piece.
Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
Crust
8 Oreo cookies with filling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate melted
2 large eggs
Mousse
1 8-ounce package cream cheese room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 8-ounce container Cool Whip thawed
20 mini Oreo Cookies with Filling
Instructions
Place a large rimmed baking sheet onto the bottom rack of the oven. Fill halfway with waterPreheat the oven to 350° F. and line a cupcake pan with paper liners. Line 8 wells of a second cupcake pan with paper liners as well.
Crust
Place the Oreo cookies into a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs.
In a medium bowl, mix together the butter and the cookie crumbs. Evenly distribute the crumb mixture into the cupcake liners. Press the crumbs down firmly.
Cheesecake
In a mixer, beat the cream cheese until creamy. Scrape down the sides and add the sugar. Beat again until smooth.
Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat again until well incorporated.
Pour in the melted chocolate and mix thoroughly.
Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Fully incorporate the eggs and be sure to not overbeat the batter.
Evenly distribute the batter over the cookie crusts. Place the cupcake pans on the oven right directly above the tray full of water. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Cool the cheesecakes in the pan for 10 minutes.
Gently remove the cheesecakes from the pan and place them on the wire rack. Cool for 1 hour and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until completely chilled.
Mousse
Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Scrape down the sides and add the sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
In a food processor, pulse the 7 regular size Oreos until they are crumbs.
With a rubber spatula, gently fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture. Then gently stir in the cookie crumbs.
Using a piping bag and a 1M icing tip, swirl the mousse onto the top of the cheesecakes. Top each one with a mini Oreo cookie.
Love, time, and wonderful ingredients are the heart of Southwest Germany’s Soul Food and Slow Food–a movement defined by local chefs creating traditional regional specialties It’s a way to honor the past as well as transport us from our hectic daily lives and into the sublime with meals made to be savored, slowly, of course.
Deutschland Baden Wuerttemberg Langenburg Hohenlohe – Langenburger Schafskaeserei Demeterhof von Norbert Fischer Slow Food Schafskaese
Norbert Fischer’s Demeter-Hof, nestled between meadows and fields in the Hohenlohe-Langenburg region, began in the early 1980s as a small, self-sufficient farm with a couple of sheep and now has grown into a substantial operation with a huge barn, a cheese dairy, farm shop and home. Everything is made from wood and glass accented with colorful flowering plants on the roof tops. Over 250 sheep live here under the care of Fischer, their shepherd. He uses their milk to hand produce fine sheep’s milk cheeses ranging from tangy Pecorino, to mouth-watering Camembert, and strong “Roque blue” cheese. Other products include organic ice cream and meat, sheepskins and the farm’s own picture book.
Lemon Ricotta Cake
3.2 cups (400 grams) flour
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 3/8 (340 grams butter), melted
1 cup (200 grams) of sugar
2 eggs
> Knead everything and spread the dough on a baking tray
Bake for 15 minutes at 170 degrees
3.3 cups (800g) ricotta
6.76 fluid ounces (200ml) cream
4 eggs
4 tbsp grated lemon zest
6.76 fluid ounces (200ml) lemon juice
Mix everything and pour over the dough
Bake for 30 minutes at 325°F.
Put in the fridge and before serving, sprinkle with fresh mint.
Deutschland Baden Wuerttemberg Langenburg Hohenlohe – Langenburger Schafskaeserei Demeterhof von Norbert Fischer Slow Food Schafskaese
Fragrant bubbly: Blütenzauber Manufaktur in Bächlingen
The Jagst is one of the Neckar River’s largest tributaries. It winds its way from the Eastern Alb, over the Hohenloher and Haller Plain into the Heilbronn district. On the way, it meanders through the little village of Bächlingen. This is where Bernulf Schlauch lives, the Slow Food regional coordinator for Hohenlohe and inventor of blossom champagne. He uses a laborious process to produce sparkling wines from elder, acacia, rose blossom, and meadowsweet – deliberately taking things slowly.
“These sparkling wines need time for their flavors to unfold”, says Schlauch. For him, Slow Food does not just mean allowing time for the products themselves, but also taking time for guests and delicious food.
Eight donkeys, a shop, the Mühlenstube restaurant, a garden bistro, and a wood oven where the Demeter bread is baked. Sounds like the good old days and real proper bread, luckily at the Eselsmühle this is all on offer right now. The mill’s history goes back over 600 years, when the local millers supplied surrounding villages with food.
In 1937, the mill was acquired by the Gmelin family, who are still working passionately to preserve it and have created a genuine feel-good location in the extensive grounds surrounding the site, a place where everyday stress is banished. All the products here are certified organic and most come from this beautiful bucolic region.
Located in the heart of the Swabian Alb biosphere is the world’s first Demeter & Bioland fine dining restaurant. The “1950” is a new addition to the Tress family’s gastronomic offerings and honours the legacy of Grandfather Johannes, with the name marking the year he laid the foundation for the sustainable company philosophy that is still upheld today. The key feature: for every course on the vegetarian “CO2 menu” served here, guests also get comprehensive information about the ingredients. From CO2 emissions, to the distance involved between the producer and restaurant. To avoid producing waste in the kitchen, Simon Tress and his team strictly follow the principles of “leaf to root” and “nose to tail”.
Holistic Gamekeeping: Schussental Game Products in Fronreute
“Once upon a time, there were three hunters …” – it sounds like the start of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but in fact this is how the success story began for the Schussentaler Wildmanufaktur game company in Fronreute near Ravensburg. Their mission: to convince the residents of Upper Swabia to eat game. Game lives in a natural habitat, it is sustainable and largely free from harmful influences, offering the finest quality meat with a favourable environmental impact. Nonetheless, many people have reservations about the taste and are unsure how to cook it. The Wildmanufaktur hunters are doing their bit to restore its image by selling local, freshly hunted game that is ready to cook as a roast or goulash, grilled sausage or meat loaf.
schussentaler-wildmanufaktur.de
Copper pan cherries: Faller jams from Utzenfeld
Whether it’s black cherries from Baden, forest blueberries or Bühler damsons: ever since the company was founded in 1913, Faller jams have been cooked in small quantities using traditional, open copper pans and stirred by hand to preserve the natural, original taste of the fruit for the finest possible results. Short transportation distances also contribute to the quality of these jams.
Following this tradition, Faller continues to source large quantities of fruit and berries from the nearby Kaiserstuhl and Markgräflerland regions. This family-run Slow Food business has links with farmers that often go back many years. Their produce can be sampled in the “Therese” jam café. Or order jars of these sweet temptations straight from the online shop to enjoy for breakfast at home.
Slow brewing amidst the pines: Rothaus Grafenhausen, Baden’s district brewery
Baden’s district brewery, Rothaus, demonstrates how you can capture the essence of the Black Forest in a bottle. All you need is tranquillity, care and time. The raw materials also come entirely from the surrounding area: the brewing water bubbles up from local springs in the nearby forest, native spring barley is used as the brewer’s malt, the aromatic hops are sourced from Tettnang and Hallertau, and the yeast comes from the company’s own pure culture. The “Slow Brewing” seal of approval confirms the exceptional quality and full-bodied, mature flavour of the Rothaus beers. This final feature is undoubtedly also owed to the brewery’s special location, up at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, between the Black Forest pines and spruce trees.
The “Golden Crown” has welcomed numerous guests over its centuries-long history. From 1753, it operated as a pilgrims’ refuge, later it became a grand hotel. Famous people called by here: from Heidegger to Adenauer. When the hotel was closed in 1990, a hush descended. A citizens’ action group halted the threatened demolition and, a good ten years later, went on to rescue this historically significant building and revive the village centre.
Tuniberg im Sommer 2008
Hugely successful, today the “Golden Crown” is once again a popular meeting place. This “countrywoman’s café” with a small shop is a fine example of social, economic and environmental sustainability. Instead of trained professionals, the shop and kitchen facilities is run by 20 committed local women, all adding their own special flavour to the regional dishes with their personal recipes.
Dream Yacht Worldwide began its first yacht charters in the Seychelles. And for good reason, as it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet, comprising 41 of the earth’s oldest granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands which embody the phrase ‘tropical paradise’. On a Seychelles yacht charter, travelers can snorkel among the treelike corals on Coco Island, or at stunning St. Pierre islet, where rugged granite rocks merge with lush tropical vegetation.
An unmissable highlight on any yacht charter in the Seychelles is a visit to the scented vanilla plantations at Union Estate on La Digue, one of the most beautiful islands in the region. While for nature lovers, there’s bird watching at Aride Island and the rare Aldabra tortoises at Curieuse, a protected island where you can observe these gentle giants.
There are also the larger islands of Mahé and Praslin to explore. Here, you’ll find stunning landscapes, relaxed island hopping and plenty of opportunities to swim in the reefs.
Instead of the French Riviera, explore New Caledonia
Dream Yacht Worldwide was the first company to offer sailing charters in this exciting cruising ground, and now have an extensive fleet operating from its base at Port Moselle in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia.
New Caledonia is home to the world’s largest lagoon, a beautiful and unique natural aquarium covering over 9000 square miles, and one of the most remarkable and beautiful sailing destinations. The archipelago is also home to one of the world’s most extensive reef systems, with a diverse range of healthy coral and marine life, including whales, turtles and tropical fish.
Nouméa is a cosmopolitan city which feels much like the French Riviera. Colorful waterfronts are lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs, and it’s an ideal place to stock up on superb French gourmet food and wine. The city is within easy reach of the south lagoon, where you can sail Îlot Maître, Île des Pins, Île Ouen, Îlot Brosse and Ilot Kuaré.
Instead of Sicily, check out Sardinia
The island of Sardinia is off Italy’s west coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sardinia sailing adventures begin from Dream Yacht Worldwide’s base in Olbia on the northeast coast. From there, it’s an easy sail to the Maddalena Archipelago and the glamorous Costa Smeralda – Sardinia’s most coveted sailing areas.
Well known for their miles of craggy coastline, the world-famous Emerald Coast and the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve are the places to find superb beaches and scenic coves. Travelers can swim, snorkel and take in stunning sunsets in the solitude of these largely uninhabited islands.
Many enjoy boutique shopping in the super-exclusive ports of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, where travelers can mix with the international jet set. With a wide choice of dining options, from local trattoria to fine dining, it is recommended to sample the local cuisine during a boat charter in Sardinia, especially the amazing fresh seafood found on the coast.
About Dream Yacht Worldwide
Dream Yacht Worldwide, one of the world’s leading ocean tourism companies and a pioneer in making sailing and sea travel accessible to all around the globe, is making it easier for all to explore lesser-known destinations by sea plus some of the world’s favorite ocean vacation spots.
Offering sailing vacations in over 50 destinations, and with a fleet of more than 900 monohulls and catamarans, Dream Yacht Worldwide has sailing experiences available in almost every corner of the world including popular destinations like the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, but also under-the-radar destinations to discover. No sailing experience? No problem – just add a skipper or book a cabin cruise and enjoy a private stateroom in one of the company’s modern catamarans.
Since 2018, the company’s catamaran charters with skippers to assist with sailing have more than doubled (+133%) in select destinations like the Mediterranean. Due to demand and industry research pointing to an increase in Marine tourism, Dream Yacht Worldwide will launch 150 news boats in the coming season of which 80% are catamarans. The company will continue to offer sea travelers the option of crew support including a variety of skipper and hostess offerings to support sailors and non-sailors of all skill levels.
Now one of the most popular retirement area for Americans and Canadians, the Lake Chapala Region, nestled in a valley almost a mile high in Mexico’s Volcanic Axis, has long been a draw for ex-pats and vacationers, lured by its almost perfect climate and beauty.
In his book If Walls Could Talk: Chapala’s historic buildings and their former occupants about Mexico‘s earliest international tourist destination (also available in Spanish), award-winning author Tony Burton shares his knowledge and interest in a region where he has spent more than two decades. Burton, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society who was born and educated in the United Kingdom, first visited Mexico in 1977. That visit was obviously a big success as he returned and for almost 18 years lived and worked full-time in Mexico as a writer, educator and ecotourism specialist.
He met his wife, Gwen Chan Burton who was a teacher of the deaf and then director at the Lakeside School for the Deaf in Jocotepec, one of the three main towns lining the shores of Lake Chapala. Though they now reside on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the Burtons continue to revisit Mexico regularly and he is currently editor-in-chief of MexConnect, Mexico’s top English-language online magazine. The other two towns, each with its own distinctive vibe, are Ajijic and Chapala, native villages resettled by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s. “This book looks at how Chapala, a small nondescript fishing village in Jalisco, suddenly shot to international prominence at the end of the nineteenth century as one of North America’s earliest tourist resorts,” writes Burton. “Within twenty years, Chapala, tucked up against the hills embracing the northern shore of Mexico’s largest natural lake, was attracting the cream of Mexican and foreign society. Thus began Lake Chapala’s astonishing transformation into the vibrant international community it is now, so beloved of authors, artists and retirees.”
The book, organized as a walking tour, covers not only existing buildings but also pinpoints the spots where significant early buildings no longer stand but their histories still weave a story of the town. It’s only a partial guide, explains Burton, noting that an inventory prepared by the National Institute of Anthropology and History identified more than eighty such buildings in Chapala including many not easily visible from the road but hidden behind high walls and better viewed from the lake.
Among the famous people who lived in Chapala at some point in their careers was author D.H. Lawrence, probably best remembered for his risqué (at the time) novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
In 1923, Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, rented Casa de las Cuentas (House of Rosary Beads), a house that dates back to the 1800s. At the time, a one-story abode with a half-moon entrance and heavy wooden gates, it was located at 307 Calle Zaragoza, a street formerly known as Calle de la Pesquería (“Fishing street”) so named as it was where the local fishermen repaired their nets and hung them out to dry. It was while living on Calle Zaragoza that Lawrence wrote the first draft of The Plumed Serpent, published in 1926. The novel is described as “the story of a European woman’s self-annihilating plunge into the intrigues, passions, and pagan rituals of Mexico.”
Over the decades, after the Lawrences moved out, subsequent changes were made to Casa de las Cuentas including the addition of a swimming pool in the mid-1950s when artist Roy MacNicol and his wife, Mary, owned the home.
While Lawrence’s writings were considered by some as scandalous, MacNicol’s life had its scandals as well. Burton describes him as “colorful” in that he was married multiple times and was involved in many escapades as well as lawsuits.
It wasn’t the work of a dilettante as reviews of her book such as this one on Amazon shows.
“Flower Cookery is recipes, but far more than recipes,” writes one reviewer. “The book is organized by the popular name of the flower in question. Each section is introduced with quotations from literature, philosophy, and poetry that feature the blossom. This is followed by the recipes, interwoven with mythology, stories, and aphorisms about the flower, the plant from which it grows, its symbolism, and the culture or society in which humans discovered the value of the plant or blossom. The recipes include original favorites as well as recipes collected from historical sources and contemporary sources around the world. Here is just the tiniest sampling of the riches in the book.”
Burton shares her Christmas Cheer recipe from when she lived at Casa de las Cuentas.
Christmas Cheer
10-12 squash blossoms with stems removed
2 eggs, beaten
2 to 3 tablespoons water
Flour, enough to thicken mixture about one tablespoon
Salt and pepper
1 cup neutral oil such as grapeseed, canola, or safflower
Wash and dry squash blossoms on paper towels, making sure to remove all the water. Mix remaining ingredients except oil to make a smooth batter. Place oil in a large, heavy skillet to 350-375°F. Dip blossoms in batter and fry in oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
As for the house, it was renovated again in the early 1980s and is now Quinta Quetzalcoatl, a lovely boutique hotel.
The above maps, both copyrighted, show Chapala 1915 [lower map] and 1951 [upper map].
In all, he’s planning on adding several more to what he currently calls the Lake Chapala Quartet, these focusing on the writers and artists associated with the area. I asked him to describe the region so readers who have never been there can get an idea of what it is like, but it turns out the Burton is NOT a traveler who meticulously plots every moment of a trip before he arrives. Instead, he tells me that part of the fun when traveling is to not know in advance what places are like and instead to see and experience them for yourself.
“That said,” he continues, “the various villages and towns on the shores of Lake Chapala are all quite different in character. The town of Chapala, specifically, is a pretty large and bustling town. It is growing quite rapidly and has added several small high end boutique hotels in recent years, as well as some fine dining options to complement the more traditional shoreline ‘fish’ restaurants. The many old–100 years plus–buildings in Chapala give the town a historic ‘air’ where it is relatively easy to conjure up images of what it was like decades ago. By comparison, Ajijic, now the center of the foreign community on Lake Chapala, has virtually no old buildings and more of a village and artsy feel to it, though it also has very high quality accommodations and more fine restaurants than you can count.”
Other structures still standing include the Villa Tlalocan, completed in 1896 and described by a contemporary journalist as “the largest, costliest and most complete in Chapala… a happy minglement of the Swiss chalet, the Southern verandahed house of a prosperous planter and withal having an Italian suggestion. It is tastefully planned and is set amid grounds cultivated and adorned with flowers so easily grown in this paradisiacal climate where Frost touches not with his withering finger…”
Also still part of the landscape is Villa Niza. One of many buildings designed by Guillermo de Alba, the house, according to Burton, was built in 1919 and looks more American than European in style. Located at Hidalgo 250, it takes advantage of its setting on Lake Chapala and has a mirador (look out) atop the central tower of the structure, which affords sweeping panoramic views over the gardens and lake. De Alba’s strong geometric design boasts only minimal exterior ornamentation.
Burton, who specializes in non-fiction about Mexico, related to geography, history, travel, economics, ecology and natural history, has written several fascinating books about the history of the Lake Chapala region.
In If Walls Could Talk, Burton invites you to walk with him through time as you explore the city.
From the drive-in to the drive-thru, America loves finger-lickin’ good fast food.
But which cities are best for satisfying on-the-go hunger (or on-the-couch cravings)?
LawnStarter compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities to rank 2023’s Best Cities for Fast Food Lovers.
We looked for cities with access to plenty of fast-food establishments. We also considered affordability and quality, including Thrillist’s Fasties Awards.
Have it your way on National Fast Food Day (Nov. 16) with the help of our ranking below, followed by some highlights, lowlights, and expert tips.
A Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant location on an early summer evening in West St. Paul, Minnesota.
See how each city fared in our ranking:
Search:
Overall Rank (1=Best)
City
Overall Score
Access Rank
Quality Rank
Affordability Rank
1
Orlando, FL
67.37
2
1
146
2
New York, NY
66.34
3
2
91
3
Miami, FL
61.16
1
93
147
4
San Francisco, CA
59.00
10
14
15
5
Chicago, IL
58.91
9
9
69
6
Philadelphia, PA
58.79
11
4
127
7
Huntington Beach, CA
56.99
33
6
32
8
Washington, DC
56.89
6
22
28
9
McAllen, TX
56.24
91
3
62
10
San Diego, CA
55.60
47
7
41
11
Los Angeles, CA
54.51
26
10
96
12
Las Vegas, NV
54.46
14
13
128
13
Scottsdale, AZ
54.09
142
11
6
14
Chandler, AZ
53.54
71
17
4
15
Killeen, TX
52.53
76
5
149
16
Boston, MA
52.32
4
48
76
17
Torrance, CA
51.95
24
23
42
18
Glendale, AZ
51.20
31
12
160
19
Atlanta, GA
50.89
20
43
20
20
Austin, TX
50.77
41
28
33
21
Palmdale, CA
50.61
152
8
75
22
Pasadena, CA
49.91
36
37
29
23
Seattle, WA
49.24
39
44
26
24
Long Beach, CA
49.01
28
25
124
25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
49.00
108
26
25
26
Tempe, AZ
48.20
25
42
85
27
Orange, CA
48.06
32
62
21
28
Tampa, FL
48.04
17
47
104
29
Phoenix, AZ
48.02
55
18
141
30
Mesa, AZ
47.84
82
33
43
31
Pomona, CA
47.75
87
24
82
32
Glendale, CA
47.64
106
46
12
33
Peoria, AZ
47.51
157
16
71
34
Escondido, CA
47.49
107
30
49
35
San Antonio, TX
47.23
61
20
143
36
Plano, TX
47.19
73
57
13
37
Anaheim, CA
47.01
37
50
68
38
Moreno Valley, CA
46.97
132
21
66
38
Corona, CA
46.97
84
45
27
40
Naperville, IL
46.91
65
75
3
41
McKinney, TX
46.14
102
65
11
42
Oceanside, CA
45.80
103
35
90
43
Louisville, KY
45.50
5
117
112
44
Dallas, TX
45.36
19
86
70
45
Charlotte, NC
45.24
150
29
81
46
Fontana, CA
45.20
79
59
44
47
Olathe, KS
45.19
171
32
38
48
Henderson, NV
45.04
170
34
39
49
Santa Ana, CA
44.74
21
95
45
50
Denver, CO
44.67
40
79
58
51
Fort Lauderdale, FL
44.64
12
131
51
52
Thornton, CO
44.61
100
58
57
53
Fullerton, CA
44.59
46
88
35
54
Salt Lake City, UT
44.59
90
53
72
55
Norfolk, VA
44.56
49
51
135
56
Lexington, KY
44.51
176
31
52
57
Portland, OR
44.48
121
60
34
58
St. Louis, MO
44.33
43
55
140
59
Sunnyvale, CA
43.40
29
157
2
60
Springfield, MO
43.20
159
15
181
61
Jersey City, NJ
43.16
8
160
50
62
Sacramento, CA
42.54
15
137
99
63
Frisco, TX
42.49
67
132
8
64
Riverside, CA
42.30
113
74
60
65
Waco, TX
42.07
93
68
105
66
Garden Grove, CA
42.03
80
63
137
67
Eugene, OR
41.98
173
38
117
68
Winston-Salem, NC
41.92
195
41
47
69
Hampton, VA
41.87
75
52
170
70
Fresno, CA
41.87
52
72
152
71
Chula Vista, CA
41.56
122
130
5
72
Overland Park, KS
41.48
174
76
16
73
Pittsburgh, PA
41.38
16
147
110
74
Columbus, OH
41.33
85
66
153
75
Raleigh, NC
41.31
168
80
24
76
Little Rock, AR
41.21
133
61
122
77
Houston, TX
41.14
35
103
121
78
Roseville, CA
41.09
57
138
23
79
Lincoln, NE
41.04
162
56
106
80
North Las Vegas, NV
41.02
196
27
134
81
Colorado Springs, CO
40.96
83
78
129
82
Modesto, CA
40.81
38
133
61
83
Knoxville, TN
40.69
45
87
163
84
Fremont, CA
40.58
148
124
7
85
Santa Clarita, CA
40.42
144
77
74
86
Richmond, VA
40.40
18
112
171
87
Nashville, TN
40.26
172
64
84
88
Baltimore, MD
40.25
27
104
162
89
Ontario, CA
40.23
86
106
73
90
Alexandria, VA
40.06
7
195
17
91
Tallahassee, FL
39.95
50
96
151
92
Tulsa, OK
39.87
136
70
133
93
Virginia Beach, VA
39.73
97
98
98
94
Kansas City, KS
39.73
192
19
184
95
San Jose, CA
39.63
62
164
9
96
Rockford, IL
39.58
164
40
177
97
Clarksville, TN
39.52
191
54
108
98
Amarillo, TX
39.32
58
122
100
99
Kansas City, MO
39.20
197
36
145
100
St. Paul, MN
39.20
98
148
22
101
Fort Worth, TX
39.19
101
119
65
102
Lubbock, TX
39.18
66
94
156
103
Salinas, CA
38.93
30
176
14
104
Tacoma, WA
38.88
64
110
136
105
Providence, RI
38.80
105
91
154
106
Elk Grove, CA
38.76
115
143
30
107
Columbus, GA
38.59
146
90
103
108
Irving, TX
38.26
77
161
18
109
Bellevue, WA
38.09
95
177
1
110
Laredo, TX
38.08
158
82
138
111
Jacksonville, FL
38.07
69
107
158
112
Oxnard, CA
38.00
81
154
46
113
Durham, NC
37.89
175
102
54
114
Madison, WI
37.76
178
89
92
115
Lakewood, CO
37.69
180
71
142
116
Greensboro, NC
37.66
161
101
93
117
Surprise, AZ
37.65
114
111
132
118
Rochester, NY
37.63
13
128
191
119
Fort Collins, CO
37.53
112
150
48
120
Murfreesboro, TN
37.51
120
156
31
121
Omaha, NE
37.51
149
100
109
122
Chesapeake, VA
37.24
183
114
36
123
Augusta, GA
37.17
165
84
157
124
Mobile, AL
37.13
194
49
172
125
Indianapolis, IN
37.07
140
109
119
126
Wichita, KS
37.03
124
120
107
127
Hialeah, FL
36.91
23
124
185
128
Milwaukee, WI
36.90
118
81
180
129
Baton Rouge, LA
36.80
111
108
168
130
Corpus Christi, TX
36.80
134
134
77
131
Anchorage, AK
36.78
199
85
67
132
Carrollton, TX
36.76
59
173
40
133
Cincinnati, OH
36.56
60
146
148
134
Buffalo, NY
36.55
44
73
196
135
Tucson, AZ
36.52
95
69
190
136
Hollywood, FL
36.41
34
183
37
137
Santa Rosa, CA
36.34
116
152
79
138
Lancaster, CA
36.20
154
129
95
139
Albuquerque, NM
36.17
143
121
115
140
Stockton, CA
36.08
94
118
169
141
Vancouver, WA
36.02
53
167
89
142
Bakersfield, CA
36.01
92
153
111
143
San Bernardino, CA
35.84
182
67
179
144
Denton, TX
35.82
188
105
97
145
Arlington, TX
35.70
74
159
102
146
Oklahoma City, OK
35.65
193
83
150
147
Warren, MI
35.64
160
163
19
148
Oakland, CA
35.59
63
174
53
149
Sioux Falls, SD
35.36
166
141
78
150
Boise, ID
35.34
137
158
64
151
Grand Rapids, MI
35.29
51
151
173
152
Shreveport, LA
35.23
134
92
182
153
El Paso, TX
35.20
117
144
144
154
Dayton, OH
35.16
70
97
188
155
Fort Wayne, IN
34.71
151
115
161
156
Irvine, CA
34.69
138
182
10
157
Aurora, CO
34.50
123
113
176
158
Huntsville, AL
34.50
190
142
59
159
Midland, TX
34.15
131
171
56
160
West Valley City, UT
34.14
189
123
113
161
Macon, GA
33.93
155
135
155
162
Minneapolis, MN
33.34
72
180
80
163
Grand Prairie, TX
33.29
127
170
86
164
Newport News, VA
33.27
99
139
183
165
Des Moines, IA
33.25
163
155
125
166
Akron, OH
33.17
167
39
200
167
Memphis, TN
33.16
156
140
167
168
Yonkers, NY
33.12
48
189
87
169
Fayetteville, NC
32.96
179
127
165
170
Garland, TX
32.83
78
184
83
171
Hayward, CA
32.76
89
175
130
172
New Orleans, LA
32.64
184
149
118
173
Birmingham, AL
32.04
147
116
187
174
Salem, OR
31.71
145
168
139
175
St. Petersburg, FL
31.24
68
194
101
176
Reno, NV
30.88
153
178
114
177
Savannah, GA
30.76
56
181
174
178
Toledo, OH
30.71
141
99
198
179
Springfield, MA
30.55
119
136
193
180
Spokane, WA
30.45
54
179
178
181
Mesquite, TX
30.41
130
185
116
182
Paterson, NJ
30.30
126
186
123
183
Pembroke Pines, FL
30.26
139
187
94
184
Pasadena, TX
30.14
169
165
164
185
Port St. Lucie, FL
30.13
110
191
126
186
Worcester, MA
29.92
109
193
131
187
Cleveland, OH
29.74
125
126
199
188
Chattanooga, TN
29.25
177
169
159
189
Cape Coral, FL
29.06
104
190
166
190
Montgomery, AL
28.58
181
166
175
191
Aurora, IL
28.45
129
199
63
192
Charleston, SC
27.68
198
188
55
193
Detroit, MI
27.29
185
145
194
194
Jackson, MS
27.14
187
162
186
195
Joliet, IL
27.06
128
172
192
196
Newark, NJ
26.62
42
197
189
197
Brownsville, TX
26.05
186
196
120
198
Syracuse, NY
24.94
22
198
195
199
Miramar, FL
24.59
200
192
88
200
Bridgeport, CT
20.43
88
200
197
Showing 1 to 200 of 200 entries
Behind the Ranking
For each of the 200 biggest U.S. cities, we gathered publicly available data on the factors listed in the table below.
We then grouped those factors into three categories: Access, Quality, and Affordability.
Next, we calculated weighted scores for each city in each category.
Finally, we averaged the scores for each city across all categories.
The city that earned the highest average score was ranked “Best” (No. 1), while the city with the lowest was ranked “Worst” (No. 200). (Note: The “Worst” among individual factors may not be 200 due to ties among cities.)
A Big Thank You!
To Lawnstarter and to writer/researcher Sav Maive
Sav Maive is a writer and director based in San Antonio. Sav is a graduate of the University of Virginia and is a loving cat and plant mom.
Now one of the most popular retirement area for Americans and Canadians, the Lake Chapala Region, nestled in a valley almost a mile high in Mexico’s Volcanic Axis, has long been a draw for ex-pats and vacationers, lured by its almost perfect climate and beauty.
In his book If Walls Could Talk: Chapala’s historic buildings and their former occupants about Mexico‘s earliest international tourist destination (also available in Spanish), award-winning author Tony Burton shares his knowledge and interest in a region where he has spent more than two decades. Burton, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society who was born and educated in the United Kingdom, first visited Mexico in 1977. That visit was obviously a big success as he returned and for almost 18 years lived and worked full-time in Mexico as a writer, educator and ecotourism specialist.
He met his wife, Gwen Chan Burton who was a teacher of the deaf and then director at the Lakeside School for the Deaf in Jocotepec, one of the three main towns lining the shores of Lake Chapala. Though they now reside on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the Burtons continue to revisit Mexico regularly and he is currently editor-in-chief of MexConnect, Mexico’s top English-language online magazine. The other two towns, each with its own distinctive vibe, are Ajijic and Chapala, native villages resettled by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s. “This book looks at how Chapala, a small nondescript fishing village in Jalisco, suddenly shot to international prominence at the end of the nineteenth century as one of North America’s earliest tourist resorts,” writes Burton. “Within twenty years, Chapala, tucked up against the hills embracing the northern shore of Mexico’s largest natural lake, was attracting the cream of Mexican and foreign society. Thus began Lake Chapala’s astonishing transformation into the vibrant international community it is now, so beloved of authors, artists and retirees.”
The book, organized as a walking tour, covers not only existing buildings but also pinpoints the spots where significant early buildings no longer stand but their histories still weave a story of the town. It’s only a partial guide, explains Burton, noting that an inventory prepared by the National Institute of Anthropology and History identified more than eighty such buildings in Chapala including many not easily visible from the road but hidden behind high walls and better viewed from the lake.
Among the famous people who lived in Chapala at some point in their careers was author D.H. Lawrence, probably best remembered for his risqué (at the time) novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
In 1923, Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, rented Casa de las Cuentas (House of Rosary Beads), a house that dates back to the 1800s. At the time, a one-story abode with a half-moon entrance and heavy wooden gates, it was located at 307 Calle Zaragoza, a street formerly known as Calle de la Pesquería (“Fishing street”) so named as it was where the local fishermen repaired their nets and hung them out to dry. It was while living on Calle Zaragoza that Lawrence wrote the first draft of The Plumed Serpent, published in 1926. The novel is described as “the story of a European woman’s self-annihilating plunge into the intrigues, passions, and pagan rituals of Mexico.”
Over the decades, after the Lawrences moved out, subsequent changes were made to Casa de las Cuentas including the addition of a swimming pool in the mid-1950s when artist Roy MacNicol and his wife, Mary, owned the home.
While Lawrence’s writings were considered by some as scandalous, MacNicol’s life had its scandals as well. Burton describes him as “colorful” in that he was married multiple times and was involved in many escapades as well as lawsuits.
It wasn’t the work of a dilettante as reviews of her book such as this one on Amazon shows.
“Flower Cookery is recipes, but far more than recipes,” writes one reviewer. “The book is organized by the popular name of the flower in question. Each section is introduced with quotations from literature, philosophy, and poetry that feature the blossom. This is followed by the recipes, interwoven with mythology, stories, and aphorisms about the flower, the plant from which it grows, its symbolism, and the culture or society in which humans discovered the value of the plant or blossom. The recipes include original favorites as well as recipes collected from historical sources and contemporary sources around the world. Here is just the tiniest sampling of the riches in the book.”
Burton shares her Christmas Cheer recipe from when she lived at Casa de las Cuentas.
Christmas Cheer
10-12 squash blossoms with stems removed
2 eggs, beaten
2 to 3 tablespoons water
Flour, enough to thicken mixture about one tablespoon
Salt and pepper
1 cup neutral oil such as grapeseed, canola, or safflower
Wash and dry squash blossoms on paper towels, making sure to remove all the water. Mix remaining ingredients except oil to make a smooth batter. Place oil in a large, heavy skillet to 350-375°F. Dip blossoms in batter and fry in oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
As for the house, it was renovated again in the early 1980s and is now Quinta Quetzalcoatl, a lovely boutique hotel.
The above maps, both copyrighted, show Chapala 1915 [lower map] and 1951 [upper map].
In all, he’s planning on adding several more to what he currently calls the Lake Chapala Quartet, these focusing on the writers and artists associated with the area. I asked him to describe the region so readers who have never been there can get an idea of what it is like, but it turns out the Burton is NOT a traveler who meticulously plots every moment of a trip before he arrives. Instead, he tells me that part of the fun when traveling is to not know in advance what places are like and instead to see and experience them for yourself.
“That said,” he continues, “the various villages and towns on the shores of Lake Chapala are all quite different in character. The town of Chapala, specifically, is a pretty large and bustling town. It is growing quite rapidly and has added several small high end boutique hotels in recent years, as well as some fine dining options to complement the more traditional shoreline ‘fish’ restaurants. The many old–100 years plus–buildings in Chapala give the town a historic ‘air’ where it is relatively easy to conjure up images of what it was like decades ago. By comparison, Ajijic, now the center of the foreign community on Lake Chapala, has virtually no old buildings and more of a village and artsy feel to it, though it also has very high quality accommodations and more fine restaurants than you can count.”
Other structures still standing include the Villa Tlalocan, completed in 1896 and described by a contemporary journalist as “the largest, costliest and most complete in Chapala… a happy minglement of the Swiss chalet, the Southern verandahed house of a prosperous planter and withal having an Italian suggestion. It is tastefully planned and is set amid grounds cultivated and adorned with flowers so easily grown in this paradisiacal climate where Frost touches not with his withering finger…”
Also still part of the landscape is Villa Niza. One of many buildings designed by Guillermo de Alba, the house, according to Burton, was built in 1919 and looks more American than European in style. Located at Hidalgo 250, it takes advantage of its setting on Lake Chapala and has a mirador (look out) atop the central tower of the structure, which affords sweeping panoramic views over the gardens and lake. De Alba’s strong geometric design boasts only minimal exterior ornamentation.
Burton, who specializes in non-fiction about Mexico, related to geography, history, travel, economics, ecology and natural history, has written several fascinating books about the history of the Lake Chapala region.
In If Walls Could Talk, Burton invites you to walk with him through time as you explore the city.
