Kelsy Chauvin

You had to stay home, Now you want to travel. When you're ready, We're ready. (Sponsored by Orbitz)
by Kelsy Chauvin
Summer 2020 is a road-trip kind of season. Across America, travelers are taking to the beaches, mountains, lakes, and forests to catch up on fresh air and nature. To help you refresh and decompress the gay way, we've compiled this tip sheet for your very own LGBTQ mini-break from five major U.S. cities. Gas up the car, pack up your travel cooler, and let's roll...

Travelers thirsting for faraway discoveries may delight in channeling their cravings directly into cocktail glasses. In my home, we've practiced the "art of the pour" to conjure sunny beaches of the Caribbean (Pina Colada), the agave farms of Mexico (Margarita), the salty harbor of Oakland (Mai Tai), and the rosy side of Minneapolis (Cosmopolitan).
Alas, no beverage tastes quite as good at home as in the actual destination. But it sure is fun to try! Here's a shortlist of classic drinks to...

Marijuana plants are finicky. They need the perfect amount of sun and water, plus mild temperatures. Their soil must be balanced with the right nutrients, and there shouldn’t be too much humidity. Then, even once the plants grow several feet tall, they may turn out to be male, which is helpful for plant reproduction, but not for bearing buds rich in THC and CBD cannabinoids. This sort of knowledge is the foundation of Erich Pearson’s work. Pearson, 43, is founder and CEO of SPARC, a cannabis ...

Let’s start with a little geography. Jackson is a city, and it’s located at the south end of Jackson Hole valley in northwest Wyoming. The valley marks the southern end of spectacular Grand Teton National Park, which begins at the southern end of Yellowstone National Park—America’s first national park, covering 3,500 square miles in three states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho).

For today’s travelers, Jackson is a dreamy destination to nestle yourself in nature. By day, discover all manner of adventure and recreation. By night, stroll around the rustic-chic town square, dance to live music...

(by Kelsy Chauvin)
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, can seem almost miraculous. It can ease general aches and chronic pain. It can help relieve symptoms of common health problems like inflammation, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For many, it's also a welcome, natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Unfortunately, many CBD manufacturers don't always deliver quality, traceable products.

Enter Cristina Madruga, EVO3's executive vice president and master cannabinologer. Madruga ensures that Houston-based EVO3 produces reliable CBD oils and topicals from hemp seed to consumer use...

You might be tempted to compare Kansas City to other towns, but the truth is, it’s one of a kind. KCMO—that is, Kansas City, Missouri—is locked right in the middle of America. (And shouldn’t be confused with smaller “KCK,” or Kansas City, Kansas, across the Kansas river.)

Just as the city’s central coordinates suggest, Kansas City is a hub for everything from agriculture and transportation, to gastronomy, arts, and culture. It’s surprisingly diverse and progressive, yet it’s proud to be a heartland city sprung from old-west traditions.

The Gilded Age left its mark on Newport like nowhere else in America. There are mansions, yachts, and a polo club, not to mention St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where Jacqueline Bouvier married then Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953.

Yet, this coastal Rhode Island city has the everyday charm of a quintessential New England hamlet. Natural scenery is picture-perfect even in winter, though summer sun makes the shoreline sparkle as it summons weekend visitors for seafood and local brews.

Across the Sakonnet River (really a tidal strait), Newport gives way to more nature in historic Little Compton...

Omaha’s story goes back more than 250 years, beginning with the Omaha and Ponca Native American tribes, through the region’s 1804 explorations of Lewis and Clark, and on through the industrial booms of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Through it all, this heartland city has been a hub of invention and commerce. Omaha was built on railroads and breweries, stockyards and agriculture, and iconic American products—from boxed cake mix, TV dinners, and Raisin Bran; to the classic pink hair curler and “top 40” radio. That business zeal is still going strong in Nebraska’s biggest city. These days...

In Charleston, the history is as deep and rich as a serving of homemade perlou. And just like the famous Lowcountry rice dish, the city’s flavors get more interesting with every bite.

Charleston has long drawn travelers to its balmy terrain along the mid-Atlantic coast. In fact, it drew some of the very first cross-Atlantic travelers—English colonists, who established “Charles Town” back in 1670. The roots of their influences remain, as do traditions of African Americans, whose Gullah culture is distinct in the region and infused into local food, farming, crafts, and music.

They call Oklahoma City “the modern frontier.” It’s a nice concept, inviting travelers to summon the homesteading spirit of the Great Plains as they savor 21st-century culture. And it’s remarkable how the contemporary part of OKC keeps its cowboy roots kicking. A weekend getaway allows enough time for a snapshot of the Oklahoma state capital, featuring Americana like chicken-fried steak and Route 66, plus surprises like incredible Vietnamese restaurants and a world-class arts collective.

It may be the year of social distancing, but for travelers, it's a time to bring destinations home. For fans of big flavor, Chicago restaurants are just the ticket. Americans hankering for Chicago's iconic dishes, classic seasonings and sweet treats can opt for long-distance delivery to reconnect with the Windy City's best bites. Here's a rundown of our favorite eateries ready to ship their legendary creations to your front door...

One word: Soup.
(by Kelsy Chauvin)
Comfort comes in many forms, but at Katz’s Delicatessen, it’s liquid. And the deli has served it up with love since 1888.
The beloved Lower East Side deli is where New Yorkers and travelers flock for arguably the world’s best matzoh-ball soup. Not to mention a menu that’s basically the Jewish-deli-essentials gold standard.
Plus salami, of course—a driving force for Katz’s fame thanks to its unforgettable WWII-era near-rhyme (best spoken with a New York accent): “Send a salami to your boy in the Army.”

Great architecture is resilient, and with vision, it can be transformative. At the Riggs Washington DC, resilience is proving to be essential.

The new Penn Quarter downtown hotel opened on Feb. 6 with fanfare, only to have to dim its lights six weeks later, temporarily, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a project that was 2.5 years in the making…Six weeks later, the world could not look any more different,” said General Manager Dieter Schmitz, CHA, in a March statement...

(by Kelsy Chauvin)

In hard times, the tough get thirsty. And few indulgences offer such glamour, flavor, and solace as a well-made cocktail. EDGE turned to the city where cocktails were born to collect five top bartenders' beloved drink recipes. With their freshly shaken and stirred concoctions and home bar tips, here's what you need to know to summon a taste of classic New Orleans to your house.

Night Tripper, Chris Hannah, Jewel of the South:

Dr. John, aka the "Nite Tripper," created his own style of iconic...

(by Kelsy Chauvin)
Mexico City is among the great world capitals. It’s home to incredible culture, astounding art, unforgettable cuisine, and a proud LGBTQ community. The city draws millions of international tourists yearly, mingling with its nine million residents. So, in this booming metropolis, we turn to a true local expert for guidance about the best places go, things to do, and one of kind experiences not to be missed.

At the W Mexico City, the charming and knowledgeable Carlos Amaral serves as our W Insider, an elevated guest-experience and urban ambassador. In his unique role...