If gambling and/or cocktailing is not your thing, there are plenty of ways to get dopamine hits from vast array of art and tech experiences in Las Vegas. Sure, there are Dale Chihuly glass sculptures canvasing the ceiling at the Bellagio and blue chip paintings dispersed throughout the city in its grand casinos, but Vegas seems to be on the cutting edge of combining art and tech, only second to Dubai.

Until 2024, I had not experienced a New England summer — its clear blue, massive skies, rocky coastline, and bustling waters — but had seen many paintings of the area, particularly Maine, by admired regional artists as Adele Lemm and internationally acclaimed artists as Edward Hopper. I grew up in the Mississippi Delta and attended Ole Miss. It wasn’t until my mid twenties while living in New York City that I heard the term, “summering.” In Manhattan that term, among my peers, meant shared summer house in the Hamptons. When I moved to Charleston “summering” reemerged and meant long week stays in the North Carolina mountains or in a quaint port town along the New England coastline, most easily accessible by sailboats from the Charleston harbor.

A short road trip connects two very different California deserts. Palm Springs, a chic mid-century architectural haven and retro playground for movie stars, such as Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. The other, Joshua Tree, a hippy and mystic, stripped down piece of earth known as the backdrop and incubator for music projects by icons, such as Graham Parsons and U2.

Growing up in the small down of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Memphis, Tennessee was our closest city, only sixty miles “up” Highway 61. And in time, I would come to know it not as just a city but also as a living, breathing testament to American culture. From the hallowed halls of Graceland to world-class art museums and unforgettable cultural experiences, Memphis offers visitors a journey through the heart and soul of the South. Whether you're a music lover, art enthusiast, or cultural explorer, this vibrant city on the Mississippi River delivers experiences that will stay with you long after you leave.