leisure
Seven Perfect Summer Spots for Tubing in the United States
From Hawaii to Michigan, these waterways offer slow floats with loads of nature and scenery to take in along the way
Picnics Are Back
Gen-Z is spurning restaurants to enjoy hot dates outdoors—echoing the picnic's racy beginnings
Looking at Leisure Through Early 20th-Century Trade Catalogs
How did people a 100 years ago spend their free time outside? The Trade Literature Collection offers a few clues to some very recognizable pastimes
How a Railroad Engineer From Nebraska Invented the World's First Ski Chairlift
The device was part of an elaborate plan on behalf of Union Pacific to boost passenger rail travel in the American West
The Failure of the Magnavox Odyssey Led the Way for the Future of Gaming
The first console reached homes 11 years before Nintendo, marking the beginning of a multibillion-dollar industry
How Do People Picnic Around the Globe?
Outdoor dining is having a moment. Let these traditions from eight different places help you put together the ultimate open-air meal
Taking a Road Trip During the Pandemic? Consider Camping (Legally) on Private Land
These five sites will help you find the perfect spot to avoid the summer crowds
The Accidental Invention of the Slip ‘N Slide
A young boy's summer antics 60 years ago inspired his father to create the timeless backyard water toy
The New Normal of Dining Out
Restaurants and bars worldwide are instituting unique safety measures against the spread of COVID-19. But will they be effective?
The Best Board Games of the Ancient World
Thousands of years before Monopoly, people were playing games like Senet, Patolli and Chaturanga
Americans Went to the Library More Often Than the Movies in 2019
A new Gallup poll suggests that even in the digital age, libraries remain an important fixture in communities across the country
Ten Inventive Attempts to Make Camping More Comfortable
Making a stay in the great outdoors more luxe isn’t new—even if glamping and #vanlife are
How the History of Merit Badges Is Also a Cultural History of the United States
Over the years, scouting has encouraged boys and girls to be prepared for the world around them
This Secret Corner of California Is a Paradise for Lovers of Great Food and Top-Notch Wines
Jody Rosen meets the free spirits giving shape to this flourishing wine region with a soon-to-be-legendary culinary scene, California’s Mendocino County
This Friday, You Can Visit More Than 150 of the Best Gardens in the U.S. for Free
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day May 11
Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Visit Bavaria
This corner of Germany is the ultimate cold-weather playground, a place where sledding down a mountain, or knocking back beers are equally worthy pursuits
The Minister Who Invented Camping in America
How William H.H. Murray accidental bestseller launched the country's first outdoor craze
Despite Road-Closing Landslides, You Can Still Take a Big Sur Road Trip This Year — Here’s How
This gorgeous stretch of coastline is harder to get to these days, but it's not impossible
If You Want to See Thousands of Fireflies Light Up at Once, Head to the Great Smoky Mountains
A firefly mating ritual turns into a synchronized light show
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