Airplane cabins are abnormally dry environments, which is why it’s so important to stay hydrated during flights. But given the TSA’s strict liquid limits, bringing full water bottles through airport security isn’t as simple as many travelers would hope. There is, however, one clever work-around that allows you to get past these restrictions and bring a full, standard-size water bottle with you into the terminal. Let’s take a look at this ingenious, yet simple hack below.

An Ice-Cold Solution

When passing through airport security, all liquids — water included — must be in containers that measure 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. Standard water bottles, which typically measure 12 ounces or greater, are prohibited under these rules. But there’s an important distinction — the rule only applies if the water is in liquid form, and frozen water bottles are 100% permitted.

A TSA spokesperson confirmed to CNN, “Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.” The logic behind this decision is that dangerous liquids are very difficult to freeze without an extra refrigerant to keep them cool, so a frozen water bottle on its own is likely safe.

You’ll want to time this carefully, or bring a cooler in the car so the water bottle doesn’t melt on your way to the airport, which would invalidate this hack. The TSA’s website says, “If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.” So if you notice your frozen water bottle has begun to melt while waiting in a long line, you’ll either have to drink it or toss it.

Technically, this hack applies to more than just water. You can also freeze bottles of soda or even skin care products — as long as the liquid stays frozen, it’s permitted. However, don’t freeze anything you’d be sad to throw in the trash, just in case it melts or the TSA agent prohibits it at their discretion.

Also consider that regulations may differ in other countries. For example, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority requires frozen liquids to still adhere to the 3.4-ounce/100-milliliter limit, so be sure to read up on local rules before attempting this hack abroad.

Why Bother?

Let’s be honest:  You may be wondering if this hack is really worth the trouble. Fair. There are plenty of alternatives — you can always bring an empty reusable water bottle to the airport and fill it up at a filling station in the airport, or just purchase a bottle of water at one of the many shops in the terminal after you go through security.

But there are instances when this hack can come in handy. Airport shops charge a premium for their products, which are often priced 10% to 15% higher than street prices, so if you don’t have a portable travel water bottle handy, you can save money by bringing a cheaper bottle of water from home. 

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Whether you bring your own frozen water bottle or not, the most important thing is to remain hydrated whenever you travel. The humidity in a typical airline cabin is much lower than what we’re used to on the ground (around 10% to 20%, compared with 40% to 50%). That often results in eye irritation, dry skin, and other general discomfort. The more water you drink during the journey, the more likely you are to arrive feeling refreshed and jet lag-free.

To prevent dehydration, the Aerospace Medical Association suggests consuming 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air. At the same time, they also recommend avoiding alcohol, coffee, and sugary drinks, all of which are likely to dehydrate you more quickly.

We all hope for an on-time departure, but for many travelers, a flight delay is unfortunately a common occurrence. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), just 75.3% of all flights operated by the 14 biggest U.S. airlines in May 2025 arrived at their destinations on time. Therefore, it’s likely that, if you fly a lot, at some point you’ll find yourself cooling your heels in the airport terminal when you expected to be in the air. If that’s the case, you may be wondering if you’re due some form of compensation. So, when do airlines pay you if your flight is delayed? Find out below.

What Causes Flight Delays?

With so many factors influencing an on-time departure, flight delays are often unavoidable. According to the BTS, the biggest causes of tardy arrivals in general were knock-on delays caused by late arriving inbound aircraft, national aviation system delays (including the impact of heavy traffic volumes), and circumstances within the airline’s control, such as technical or crew-related issues.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says travelers should understand that sometimes delays are unpredictable, and passengers should be aware of “creeping delays” — when a flight’s departure time is pushed back again and again. For example, a maintenance issue that was initially believed to be easily fixable might not be as straightforward once the maintenance team takes a look. In such instances, it pays to know your rights and act decisively to ensure you remain ahead of the pack if rebooking becomes necessary.

When Can You Expect Compensation?

In 2024, the Biden-Harris administration proposed new legislation that gave U.S. passengers impacted by delays the right to compensation. However, this proposed ruling has since been rolled back. While individual airlines have their own procedures and policies regarding delayed flights, there remains no federal requirement to offer compensation or assistance, and the DOT stresses that schedules aren’t guaranteed. 

So, what can you expect if your flight is delayed? The DOT has put together a helpful delay and cancellation dashboard, which clearly lays out the commitments the 10 major U.S. airlines make for “controllable delays.” These types of delays are deemed within an airline’s control, such as crew scheduling issues or cabin cleaning delays, versus uncontrollable events such as weather or air traffic control staffing shortages. The airlines listed on the dashboard are Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

Domestic Flights

In the event of a controllable delay, all 10 major U.S. airlines will endeavor to rebook affected passengers on one of their later flights at no additional cost. Six airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United) will also look for availability on alternative airlines (at no extra cost), which may help you get to your destination sooner. 

If the delay lasts more than three hours, every major U.S. airline will also provide something to eat or give out a meal voucher that can be used in the airport. Nine of the ten (Frontier being the lone exception) will try to arrange complimentary overnight accommodation once they know the flight won’t depart until the following day — and provide the ground transportation to get you there free of charge.

It’s worth noting that, according to the DOT, none of these airlines offers financial compensation to passengers experiencing a delay of three hours or more. Four of them — Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and Southwest — promise credit or a travel voucher to passengers who are delayed three or more hours from their scheduled departure time. 

However, thanks to new rules implemented in 2024, even if passengers won’t get any additional compensation on top of the price they paid for their ticket, all passengers are entitled to a refund should they wish. This applies if their flight is delayed by three or more hours, regardless if the reason for the delay was within the airline’s control or not.

International Flights

The U.S. is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and as a result, is a signatory to the Montreal Convention. This agreement, made in 1999, gives passengers certain rights when traveling internationally by air to and from any countries that are signatories of the treaty. One aspect of it, Article 19, governs delays. Put simply, you may be eligible for financial compensation unless the airline can prove that it “took all measures that could reasonably be required… or that it was impossible for it or them to take such measures.”

However, the Montreal Convention doesn’t specify a particular compensation amount airlines must pay. Instead, passengers have to prove financial loss or out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the delay (such as being required to pay for an extra hotel night), and there is a cap for delays of about $6,200. 

Flights To and From Europe

If you fly to one of the 27 EU countries on an EU airline, or from an EU country to anywhere on any airline, the path to compensation becomes more clear. 

If your flight is delayed for more than three hours, as defined by the arrival time at your destination, you are due compensation if the delay is deemed within the carrier’s control. This may be a factor in your choice of airline if traveling on transatlantic routes.

The amount of compensation varies and is determined by the distance you’re flying. This is set at €250 (about $290 USD) for up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), €400 (about $470) for journeys of between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and €600 (about $705) for long-haul flights of greater than 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles). These amounts do not apply in the event a delay is deemed due to extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather. 

For these purposes, the EU encompasses its 27 member states, plus Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This geographical region also includes dependent territories, including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint-Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. The U.K. operates its own scheme with broadly similar benefits for eligible delayed passengers.

How To Minimize the Impact of Flight Delays

Whether you are owed compensation or some other form of assistance, at the end of the day most travelers simply want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. If there’s a choice of departure times, flying in the morning is often a wise choice — flights are less likely to be delayed due to late inbound arrivals, and that will most likely leave you with more rebooking options than if you plan to depart later in the day. 

Opting to fly direct where possible minimizes the risk of one of your flights affecting another. If you can’t avoid a connection, give yourself plenty of time between each leg and factor in the time it might take you to transfer between gates, particularly if you’re connecting at a major airport or between domestic and international flights. 

At certain times of year, some airports might be more prone to delays than others. Weather is often to blame — for example, storms hit Florida in late summer and early fall, and snow affects places farther north during the winter. Should you have a choice, it may be pertinent to weigh the risk of such adverse conditions and the probability of delays before settling on your route.

The first bans on in-flight smoking in the U.S. popped up in 1987, and by 2000, smoking was fully banned on all U.S. commercial flights. But back in the day, travelers commonly lit up during flights, and “no smoking” signs were essential for letting those flyers know when it was permitted to do so. Given that smoking has been banned on airplanes in the U.S. for over two decades, you might wonder why these illuminated warning signs still exist. But “no smoking” signs on airplanes continue to serve a practical purpose in various ways — here’s a closer look.

A Helpful Reminder

It may be hard to believe that people try to smoke on airplanes today. But in a 2024 interview with The New York Times, retired flight attendant Patty Young confirmed that “people still try to smoke on the airplane,” despite the fact that it’s a safety risk and subjects other people to secondhand smoke. In addition to smoke-producing products, there has been a rise in the use of e-cigarettes and vapes, which have been banned aboard planes since 2016. 

Whatever the reason may be for a passenger attempting to light up on a plane, the “no smoking” signs exist to remind everyone of the rules, just as they’ve done since day one. In a 2024 statement, the Department of Transportation said that these signs “continue to be an effective reminder for the traveling public” — so don’t expect to see them disappear from planes anytime soon.

FAA Regulations

But perhaps the simplest explanation for the continued existence of “no smoking” signs is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — like other international aviation regulatory bodies — requires them for safety reasons. 

Interestingly, the agency made a subtle tweak to its regulations in late 2024, following an incident earlier that year involving United Airlines temporarily grounding its newly delivered Airbus A321neo planes because the “no smoking” signs couldn’t be switched on or off. Previous FAA rules, enacted in 1990, required that flight crews must be able to manually adjust these signs in order for an aircraft to be airworthy, unless the agency approves an exemption (which United hadn’t requested for that specific aircraft). In response, the FAA updated the obsolete requirement; now, “no smoking” signs on aircraft can stay permanently illuminated.

Protection Against Legal Issues

In a 2024 interview with Thrillist, travel expert Maddi Bourgerie stated that “no smoking” signs also protect airlines against potential legal issues. Theoretically, if the signs didn’t exist, an unruly passenger could light up a cigarette and point to the lack of a “no smoking” sign as a reason why they felt they could. By having signs that are clearly visible and illuminated, the airlines can cover their bases legally if a smoking-related incident occurs on the aircraft.

What About Lavatory Ashtrays?

Given the long-standing ban on in-flight smoking, you may also be wondering why airplane lavatories are still equipped with ashtrays. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that flights have an ashtray in the bathroom for safety reasons. It’s essentially a backup plan in case a passenger decides to smoke anyway — which often happens in the lavatories to avoid being caught. 

If these receptacles didn’t exist, that person would be forced to throw the cigarette butt into the garbage, which is filled with flammable materials that could easily start a fire in the airplane cabin. According to the official regulation, ashtrays in lavatories “must be fully enclosed, constructed of at least fire-resistant materials, and must contain fires likely to occur in it under normal use.”

Exceptions and Penalties

Outside of the world of commercial aviation, certain private jet operators allow passengers to smoke. In these instances, the “no smoking” sign will be turned on and off by the crew. Typically, smoking is prohibited during riskier parts of the trip such as takeoff, landing, and when there’s turbulence. This allows the crew to focus on proper safety procedures instead of any potential risks associated with in-flight smoking.

On commercial flights, U.S. Congress has authorized the FAA to levy a fine of up to $25,000 for unruly passenger incidents or disobeying crewmember instructions, which includes smoking on planes. However, according to findings from USA Today, the fines that are actually levied are typically far lower than the maximum, from as little as $50 to around $500 per violation.

As if America’s airports weren’t already crowded enough, an influx of travelers is expected in 2026 thanks to major international events such as the FIFA World Cup, as well as America’s 250th birthday celebration. In an effort to get ahead of the crowds and to streamline the airport security process in general, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has partnered with the identity verification technology company CLEAR to introduce new biometric “eGates,” and their rollout has already begun. Here’s where you can find them (so far) and what you should expect when encountering an eGate for the first time.

What Are eGates?

Electronic gates (eGates) are biometric security checkpoints designed to expedite the identity verification process. They eliminate the need for staff to physically inspect a person’s travel documents to make sure they match up against their ID, which can be a time-consuming step that leads to long lines and frustrated travelers. Instead of physically handing over their ID and boarding pass, travelers can walk right through eGates in mere seconds.

In an August 2025 press release, the TSA further explained that eGates “allow TSA to automatically compare traveler biometrics with their identity document and boarding pass without the need for a human operator, enhancing efficiency and security.” The technology is operated and managed by CLEAR, which is funding the integration of these eGates at no additional cost to taxpayers. 

While the TSA plans to adopt the technology at other airport checkpoints in the future, eGates are currently available only as an opt-in feature for CLEAR+ members, who pay for access to quicker ID verification lines that are separate from standard TSA screening and TSA PreCheck lines. As of late 2025, the service currently costs individuals $209 annually.

Where Can You Use eGates?

According to the CLEAR website, eGates involve a simple three-step process. Once you’ve enrolled in CLEAR+, enter the dedicated lane and scan your boarding pass. Then, walk up to the eGate, which uses built-in cameras and scanners to verify that your face matches your travel documents. Once verified, the eGate will automatically open and you can proceed to the TSA X-ray bag screening.

As far as privacy concerns, CLEAR says that eGates transmit limited data. The technology simply compares a live photo to the ID you used when enrolling, along with your boarding pass and other basic identity information. CLEAR says it has no access to any sensitive info compiled by TSA (e.g., watchlists), and its employees cannot manually open the gates or override TSA decisions, a measure designed to ensure a thorough and safe screening process.

The statistics during this initial run of testing have been promising. In an interview with Axios, CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker claimed that “the total transaction time should be between three and six seconds.” However, eGates have been deployed at only three major U.S. airports at the time of writing in September 2025: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Seidman-Becker said that the “expectation is to roll this out nationwide” by around next summer in preparation for July’s World Cup.

The Expansion of Biometrics

The new eGates are just one example of a larger effort to expand the use of biometrics nationwide. The TSA currently deploys facial recognition technology at some 238 airports, with the goal of expanding this technology to more than 400 airports in the future. But that’s not all: In an interview with Fox News Digital, TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl stated the eventual aim is to oversee a “fully frictionless process, one that’s fully automated, that’s tech-enabled, that is as seamless as possible.” 

That means passengers can likely expect to see other airport security steps streamlined and automated in the future, such as bag screening. However, passengers who feel uncomfortable or have privacy concerns can currently opt out of biometric scans and request a standard physical security inspection instead.

Other Airport Security Changes

The deployment of eGates comes amid a flurry of changes by the TSA to make the screening process more efficient. In July, the Department of Homeland Security ended its long-standing policy requiring travelers to take off their shoes at TSA checkpoints. The agency also unveiled TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which allows eligible travelers who have enrolled in TSA PreCheck to simply scan their face rather than present physical travel documents. Lastly, you may notice dedicated family screening lanes at select airports, which are designed to make the checkpoint process easier for those traveling with young children. 

Ever visited a new state and dreamed of buying a vacation home or even relocating there? Of course, before you actually consider making the move, it’s important to check out local property taxes. These taxes are essential for funding schools, roads, and other public projects, though the exact rates differ from state to state (and from county to county within each state). To find the states with the highest property taxes, we’re taking a look at the effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing in each state, based on a 2025 report from the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit research organization specializing in tax policy. (This figure is calculated by dividing total real taxes paid over the total home value.) Here are the 10 U.S. states with the highest effective property tax rates in 2025.

10. Wisconsin

Effective property tax rate: 1.25%

Wisconsin’s property tax rate of 1.25% is the 10th-highest in the nation. And while that may be the average rate throughout the state, some counties levy a significantly higher tax rate. The county with the highest rate is Menominee County — the quaint jurisdiction has a population of only 4,255 residents, but they pay a 3.64% effective rate. After that, there’s a considerable drop-off to No. 2, Milwaukee County (2.04%), followed by Dane County (home to the capital city of Madison) at 1.71%. According to additional estimates from the Tax Foundation, Wisconsinites pay $5,953 in annual property taxes per capita.

9. New York

Effective property tax rate: 1.26%

In terms of real dollars, New Yorkers pay the highest average property taxes per capita of any state, shelling out $12,685 each year. In fact, the state has six counties where the median property tax payments exceed $10,000: Nassau, New York, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. Despite these high figures, on a statewide basis the Empire State ranks ninth in the nation when it comes to the average effective property tax rate. The New York county with the highest tax rates is Orleans County (3%), located in the Finger Lakes region of western New York.

8. Ohio

Effective property tax rate: 1.31%

Ohio’s effective property tax rate recently rose from 1.23% to 1.31%, landing the Buckeye State in the eighth spot on this list. In real dollars, Ohioans fork up about $5,741 in property taxes per person each year. Residents of Cuyahoga County — the home of major cities such as Cleveland, Parma, and Lakewood — are taxed at a 2.08% rate, which is the highest countywide rate in the state.

7. Texas

Effective property tax rate: 1.36%

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes the 1.36% effective property tax rate that ranks as the seventh-highest in the U.S. This comes entirely in the form of tax rates set by local governments, as there’s no statewide property tax in Texas. The highest tax rate belongs to El Paso County, where the effective property tax rate is 2.09%. On a statewide average basis, Texans typically pay around $5,459 in property taxes each year.

6. New Hampshire

Effective property tax rate: 1.41%

With no income tax nor sales tax, New Hampshire relies quite heavily on property taxes to generate revenue, which helps explain why its effective tax rate is the sixth-highest in the country. The highest county rates can be found in Sullivan (2.38%), Cheshire (2.32%), Coos (2.07%), and Merrimack (2%). New Hampshire’s most populous county, Hillsborough, has an effective tax rate of 1.76%, the seventh-highest in the Granite State.

5. Vermont

Effective property tax rate: 1.42%

Despite Vermont’s small size, its residents end up paying an average of $8,158 per capita in annual property taxes, which is the eighth-highest total in the country in terms of real dollars. The highest tax rate in Vermont by individual county belongs to Windsor County — which is located in the eastern part of the state and includes the town of Woodstock — at 1.98%.

4. Nebraska

Effective property tax rate: 1.43%

Nebraska jumped from sixth place in the Tax Foundation’s 2024 rankings to the fourth-highest property taxes in 2025. The Cornhusker State’s effective rate increased from 1.32% to 1.43% year over year. Unlike other states on this list where there’s at least one individual county with a tax rate exceeding 2%, that’s not the case in Nebraska. The highest countywide tax rate is 1.79% in Sarpy County — a county that shares a border to the south with Douglas County, which is home to Omaha.

3. Connecticut

Effective property tax rate: 1.48%

Nutmeggers pony up $9,718 per person in property taxes per year — the third-highest figure in the country, behind New York and California. On a statewide level, the effective property tax rate of 1.48% for Connecticut also ranks third in the nation. These rates are particularly high in places such as the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, which levies a 2.15% property tax on residents. The Capitol Planning Region (home to the city of Hartford) imposes a 2.14% effective property tax rate.

2. New Jersey

Effective property tax rate: 1.77%

Much like in neighboring New York, there are a whopping eight counties in the Garden State where median annual property tax payments exceed $10,000: Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union. New Jersey is also home to two counties — Camden County and Salem County — where the effective property tax rate is above 3%.

1. Illinois

Effective property tax rate: 1.83%

Illinois residents have the highest property tax rates in the U.S. This is especially true in Lake County — home to the Chicago suburbs of Highland Park, Lake Forest, and others — where the tax rate is 2.68%. Despite the high property tax rate in Illinois, in terms of real dollars, residents pay about $8,148 per capita each year, which ranks ninth in the nation.

Summary of States With the Highest Property Taxes

Staying at a luxury hotel is like stepping into your own personal castle, a world where everything works perfectly and you’re treated like royalty from the minute a uniformed attendant whisks open the doors. This magic, naturally, comes at a price. Often, the nightly rate for five-star hotels can range into the high five figures (or even more), depending on location, amenities, and many other factors. But some truly outstanding properties might cost less than you think. Here are five of our favorite luxury hotels in the U.S. that offer five-star experiences for around $500 per night or less.

The Jefferson Hotel – Richmond, Virginia

The Jefferson is Richmond’s crown jewel and a Beaux Arts masterpiece that’s been hosting presidents and dignitaries since 1895. A living piece of American history where every corner tells a story, the hotel makes guests feel as if they’re staying in a friend’s private mansion. Make sure to get a picture with the life-sized sculpture of Old Pompey, an alligator who used to hang out in the hotel’s Palm Court lobby (yes, really). 

The grand staircase was inspired by the one at the Paris Opera House, and the rooms — many with working fireplaces — blend classically influenced elegance and up-to-date luxury. At the Jefferson, guests will find Southern hospitality elevated to an art form. The on-site restaurant, Lemaire, consistently ranks among the state’s finest eateries, serving contemporary cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and Virginia wines.

Depending on season and room category, rates typically range from $300 to $500 per night. The hotel’s amenities include a spa, fitness center, and concierge service that will arrange everything from private museum tours to wine tastings in the countryside. The Jefferson is particularly magical during the holidays, when the lower rotunda lobby is transformed into a winter wonderland that’s dominated by a majestic 30-foot Christmas tree.

Sonnenalp Hotel – Vail, Colorado

Family-owned for five generations, this European-style luxury resort in Vail Village brings Bavarian charm to the Colorado Rockies. Among the first Michelin Guide-recommended hotels in America, the Sonnenalp feels like a cozy alpine retreat where you can (almost) ski right to your door — the hotel is just a five-minute walk from the gondola.

The hotel features numerous restaurants (don’t miss the fondue at Swiss Chalet), a full-service spa, a cocktail bar, and rooms that feature fireplaces and mountain views. The spa is particularly special, offering treatments that help you recover after long days on the slopes, while the restaurants serve everything from fondue to refined contemporary cuisine.

Rates typically start around $350 per night in spring and fall — reasonable for Vail’s luxury market, especially considering the Sonnenalp’s intimate, family-owned feel. The Gore Creek views are unforgettable, and, especially during winter, the heated outdoor pool surrounded by snow-covered peaks is pure Rocky Mountain magic.

Lotte Hotel – Seattle, Washington

Bringing modern Korean luxury to downtown Seattle, this Philippe Starck-designed hotel has 189 elegantly appointed rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing views of Elliott Bay. The design blends rustic Pacific Northwest nature with sleek contemporary aesthetics, starting with the front desk, which is crafted from a 3,000-year-old sequoia tree.

The hotel offers a full-service spa and multiple dining venues, and is perfectly positioned near Seattle’s waterfront and Pike Place Market. Charlotte Restaurant and Lounge, with panoramic city views from the top floor, is a showstopper.

Room rates start around $230 per night, making it surprisingly accessible for a luxury property in a major metropolitan area. Sleek accommodations, an enviable location, and sophisticated Korean hospitality make the Lotte especially appealing for travelers who want to experience the city from a stylish home base.

Hotel Bardo – Savannah, Georgia

Occupying a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of the city’s Victorian district, Hotel Bardo represents Savannah’s newest entry into luxury hospitality. The boutique property captures Savannah’s mystical spirit, while the design of the intimate yet sophisticated spaces celebrates the city’s artistic heritage.

Designed with custom furnishings, each room features locally sourced bath products, and many have private balconies overlooking the city’s historic squares. Bardo’s restaurant focuses on contemporary Southern cuisine with a creative twist, while the rooftop bar offers stunning views of the city’s church spires and moss-draped oaks.

Pricing typically runs at an accessible $250 to $400 per night, but the real value lies in the personalized service and the hotel’s ability to connect guests with Savannah’s hidden gems, from private ghost tours to exclusive access to local artists’ studios.

Grand America Hotel – Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City’s answer to European grand hotels, the Grand America wouldn’t feel out of place in Paris or Vienna. This massive hotel features more than 775 rooms and suites appointed with English wool rugs, Italian marble, and French fabrics. The lobby is a castle-worthy space with crystal chandeliers, hand-painted ceilings, and live music in the afternoon and evenings. Meanwhile, downtown Salt Lake’s walkable attractions are easily accessible by foot, and the hotel is just one block away from a TRAX train stop that services three of the major lines that travel throughout the city.

The property spans an entire city block and includes multiple restaurants, a world-class spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and extensive meeting facilities. The Garden Cafe serves contemporary American cuisine, while the spa offers treatments inspired by both European and local wellness traditions. The hotel’s proximity to world-class skiing, national parks, and downtown attractions also makes it an ideal base for exploring Utah.

Rates typically range from $200 to $350 per night, a true value for a property of this caliber. The Grand America delivers big-hotel amenities with attention to detail that rivals smaller boutique properties, and the helpful concierge team is happy to arrange outdoor adventures that showcase Utah’s incredible natural beauty.

Museums are some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions. In order to educate and inspire millions of visitors each year, it takes a team of thoughtful professionals working together to protect and display artifacts and artwork, making visitors’ experiences meaningful from the moment they walk through the front door. But even the best-curated museum can’t do its job if visitors aren’t also doing their part. Whether it’s ignoring signs, touching fragile objects, or rushing through an exhibit, guests often make any number of minor missteps that can undermine the experience. So, what do museum staff really wish you knew before your next visit? Here are six important museum tips you should keep in mind.

There’s One Simple Tip To Improve Your Experience

This is advice many visitors overlook, even though it can significantly enhance the experience: Take a moment to stop and read the placards. I’ve fallen victim to this museum faux pas myself. I remember walking into the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time and feeling overwhelmed by its enormity, which led me to skip many placards. As a result, I didn’t fully understand what I was looking at — I walked through a sea of statues without any real context, and it was entirely my fault.

But I’m not alone. As one staff member who works at a small museum explained on Reddit, “Everyone walks past the signs and texts that’ll give an overall introduction to what you’ll see coming in.” This staffer went on to say that guests often leave feeling confused and say there wasn’t much to see. A staff member at another museum also chimed in on Reddit, adding that while guests don’t have to read every panel, at the very least, reading the introductory panel can help orient them.

Touching Artifacts Is Worse Than You Think

“Do not touch” is one of the most important pieces of guidance in museums, according to staff. Museum artifacts are often fragile and can be severely damaged by environmental changes such as humidity, temperature, and light. Human touch does even more damage because oils and dirt from our hands can harm delicate surfaces. On the rare occasions when museum professionals handle these objects, they do so with care, using gloved hands.

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, set out to illustrate how harmful human touch can be by introducing a “touchometer” to track the number of individuals who touched an object made from various materials. After nearly 8 million touches, the part of the object that was touched showed severe damage compared to the protected section. The stone developed a patina, the metal became shiny, and the cloth wore away.

While 8 million touches might seem like a lot, consider that the Met in New York City sees more than 5 million visitors annually. With those numbers, it would take less than two years for an artifact to experience that same wear and tear if everyone were allowed to touch it.

In addition to artwork and artifacts, visitors should also avoid touching frames, platforms, labels, display cases, or other items used to protect the objects on display. Here’s a simple tip: Unless it is explicitly stated that touching is safe, assume it is not.

Photography Is a Tricky Topic

Typically, museum staff encourage visitors to take personal photos whenever allowed, but if there are restrictions, it’s for a good reason. For instance, flash photography is typically banned because it might damage artifacts and artwork. Some pigments break down faster when exposed to intense flashes or overhead lighting, which is why museum lighting is carefully controlled to minimize harm. For particularly delicate objects, protective glass cases are used.

Professional photography might also be restricted due to copyright reasons, especially when an exhibit is on loan from another institution. Other times, as one museum staff member pointed out on Reddit, restrictions arise out of respect. For example, Sanchita Balachandran, associate director and conservator at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum in Baltimore, has expressed concern about patrons taking selfies with the museum’s famous Goucher mummy and has encouraged them to refrain from doing so out of respect. If you are ever unsure about whether you can photograph something, look for guidance on signs or ask a staff member for clarification.

Timing Is Everything

For a better museum experience, time your visit thoughtfully. You can usually expect larger crowds on weekends, so for a quieter visit, try going during off-peak hours, such as early mornings. For example, one guest asked a staff member at the Met about the best time to visit. They noted that the busiest time of day is typically from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when most tourists are out and about. The quietest times are in the early morning hours, right after opening, and during the evenings, about two hours before closing.

If you do visit later in the day, make sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy the museum before it closes so you don’t feel rushed. For instance, although the last entry to the British Museum in London is at 4:45 p.m., to fully appreciate the collection, you should expect to spend at least three to four hours there to see the highlights, such as the Rosetta Stone. Museum staff suggest following a three-hour “museum trail” to enjoy all the major galleries.

Please Show Respect to All Employees

Museums require extensive planning, and it takes a large team to keep the show running behind the scenes. Curators, archivists, researchers, tour guides, marketers, security guards, and many others work together to create a memorable and safe experience. This is why it’s so important to listen to and respect all museum employees, regardless of their title.

One common issue that many museum employees face is visitors ignoring guidelines, such as barriers, ropes, and no-entry signs. These measures are in place to optimize crowd flow and ensure safety, but museum staff often experience backlash when enforcing these rules.

For example, in a Reddit thread, a mechanic at an aviation museum recalled seeing guests walk straight into private maintenance facilities and duck under “do not enter” signs. They have also witnessed guests attempting to enter aircraft on display, vandalizing aircraft, and climbing on installations. Remember that ignoring the rules of staff can lead to the closure of exhibits and your removal from the museum.

Museum staff spend months, if not years, planning installations and exhibits. From the height at which paintings are hung to the placement of benches in front of particular statues, everything inside a museum is an intentional choice to enhance the guest experience, so it’s important to respect their hard work by following guidelines.

Pace Yourself

Lastly, remember that you don’t need to see everything in a museum. Some visitors try to see every exhibit in a short amount of time, which can lead to “museum fatigue.” A curator at the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum recommends slowing down and taking a break to prevent sensory overload.

Find a comfortable bench where you can sit and relax, taking in the surroundings. Above all else, museum staff want you to have an enjoyable visit, and this begins with setting realistic expectations about how much you can actually see. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask a museum staff member for guidance on which exhibits to check out.