New Mexico's Highest-Rated Breweries

Above, the indoor beer bar and lobby of Sierra Blanca Brewing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Believe it or not, New Mexico has wineries. So far, I haven't been to any, but I plan to eventually.

New Mexico also has plenty of beer breweries. A lot of them are craft beers.

Since I discovered Alien Amber Ale at the brewpub at the Albuquerque Sunport, it has been my favorite beer. It is brewed in Moriarty, New Mexico by Sierra Blanca Brewing. I visited the brewery last year while en route to Fort Sumner.

Above, yours truly having an Alien Amber Ale last year at Sierra Blanca Brewing.

According to KRQE, TripAdvisor has a list of the highest-rated breweries in New Mexico. Sierra Blanca Brewing is number 13 on the list.

Above, the outdoor beer bar at Sierra Blanca Brewing. Photo by armand Vaquer.

KRQE begins with:

(STACKER) – Cold beer, anyone? American beer drinkers have their fair share of options no matter where they might live.

Indeed, a market once dominated by a handful of major brands has become far more diverse since the craft beer scene expanded sixfold between 2008 and 2016. Independent production cooled off just a little in 2023 but still accounted for a whopping 23.4 million barrels of beer and craft beer’s overall market share by volume rose to 13.3%, according to the Brewers Association. For context, in 2013, there were 3,108 craft breweries in the U.S.—and as of 2023, there are 9,761, representing a 214% increase in just a decade. Cheers to that!

Why the ongoing obsession? Putting aside the fact that people simply love their brew, beer has emerged as a wildly versatile beverage category. Craft breweries explore beer to its fullest potential and tend to rank highly as a result.

Another thing about beer is that every sip tells a story. It’s first and foremost the journey of the beer’s own production, namely one involving water, malted grains, botanical hops, and yeast. However, it’s also a chronicling of the area in which the beer was produced since every state has its own respective history, climate, geography, and resources. Then there’s the tale of the people who produced it, turning their love of carbonated alcohol into a passion project and hiring all kinds of local talent.

Combine America’s love of beer with endless flavor possibilities, and you arrive at a sensational pastime and a thriving national industry. With nearly 10,000 craft breweries bubbling up across the nation, each one offers its own unique qualities, some complete with guided tours and tasting rooms (and maybe some hearty gastropub fare).

Many of the nation’s highest-rated breweries are so small and independent that the only way to sample their suds is to visit them in person, while others distribute their products around the country—or even across the globe.

To find some top spots near you, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breweries in New Mexico using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a business with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 6, 2024. 

To see the list of highest-rated New Mexico breweries, go here. 

Highest-rated Breweries In New Mexico

Above, yours truly having an Alien Amber Ale at Sierra Blanca Brewing.

During my recent trip to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, I made a stop at Sierra Blanca Brewing in Moriarty.

While there, I had a glass of my favorite beer, Alien Amber Ale. For souvenirs, I picked up a glass growler and a t-shirt. I wandered around a bit.

Above, Sierra Blanca Brewing in Moriarty, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As it happens MSN.com has an article on the highest-rated breweries in New Mexico. Sierra Blanca Brewing (who brews Alien Amber Ale) made the list at number 13. 

They begin with:

(STACKER) – Cold beer, anyone? American beer drinkers have their fair share of options no matter where they might live.

Indeed, a market once dominated by a handful of major brands has become far more diverse since the craft beer scene expanded sixfold between 2008 and 2016. Independent production cooled off just a little in 2023 but still accounted for a whopping 23.4 million barrels of beer and craft beer’s overall market share by volume rose to 13.3%, according to the Brewers Association. For context, in 2013, there were 3,108 craft breweries in the U.S.—and as of 2023, there are 9,761, representing a 214% increase in just a decade. Cheers to that!

Why the ongoing obsession? Putting aside the fact that people simply love their brew, beer has emerged as a wildly versatile beverage category. Craft breweries explore beer to its fullest potential and tend to rank highly as a result.

In regard to New Mexico, they wrote:

To find some top spots near you, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breweries in New Mexico using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a business with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 6, 2024.

To see the list, go here. 

Travel To Cuba Much Easier Than You Think

Above, yours truly at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Following the cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Havana, Cuba I took in April 2019, the travel spigot for Americans wanting to travel there seemingly was shut off.

According to an article in The Cheyanne Post, that is not the case. Travel to Cuba for Americans is (according to the article) just as easy as before President Trump changed the regulations.

They wrote:

The desire to travel to Cuba is a classic case of wanting what you think you can't have. Cuba's "off-limits" feel has long made it a perpetually popular destination for intrepid travelers. 

Cuba has been named TripAdvisor's number-one trending destination worldwide and is one of the top 10 most desirable tropical destinations for American travelers. 

As an American citizen married to a Cuban, I've traveled to Cuba numerous times and know that travel to Cuba is far from off-limits. In fact, it's easier to travel from the United States to Cuba than it has been in decades. U.S. travelers don't even need family on the island or rigid group travel plans to do it. Your long-awaited vacation to Cuba might be closer than you think.

To read more, go here. 

Now Is The Time To Visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Above, the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right now is a good time to pay a visit to the famous Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles the border of Arizona and Utah.

Monument Valley was made famous by director John Ford and actor John Wayne beginning with Stagecoach (1939). 

From the Goulding's Lodge website:

When the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, the Navajo Reservation suffered immensely. Harry heard of a movie production company scouting out locations in the Southwest to use in films. He believed that bringing movie production to Monument Valley would help the local Navajos with much-needed income.

So Harry and Mike set out on a journey to Hollywood, California with their last $60. By luck and perseverance, Harry met the famous director John Ford. When Ford saw Harry’s photos of Monument Valley, he knew it was the perfect location for his next movie. The Gouldings received an advanced payment, and in a few days, John Ford and his crew began filming Stagecoach starring John Wayne.

Above, yours truly bundled up during the van tour.

The temperature during the day is in the 70s and the nighttime temperature is in the 40s. I went in November 2016 and the daytime temperature was rather brisk with nighttime temperatures dipping down into the 20s. 

Above, the Goulding's Tours tour van in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are numerous places to see in the tribal park and there are tours available to see them. Tripadvisor has posted a list of the ten best Monument Valley tours and excursions. I took a van tour from Goulding's Lodge (they do pick up passengers at the campground). To access their list, go here.

Above, my RV at Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with tours, there are several places to stay in the Monument Valley vicinity. They include hotels and campgrounds. I stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground in 2016. Tripadvisor lists them here.

Since the best time to visit Monument Valley is in September-October, I am going there next week.

Key West Makes Tripadvisor's Top Ten List

Above, author Ernest Hemingway's office in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tripadvisor has put out their top ten list of U.S. destinations.

Annually, Tripadvisor puts out their Travelers' Choice Awards. This is for 2022.

CBS Miami reported:

MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) – Congratulations to Miami Beach and Key West. They’ve made Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022 for two of the best destinations in the U.S.

Las Vegas came in at number one, followed by Hawaii’s Oahu and Maui.

Key West was listed as America’s fourth most favorite city to visit. Miami Beach came in eighth.

Other cities in the top 10 were New York City, New Orleans, Nashville, Savannah, and Sedona, Arizona.

To read more, go here.

Things To Do In 10 Most Popular National Parks

Above, a morning view of Half Dome at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Wondering what to do in our national parks?

TripAdvisor analyzed user reviews of the most popular things to do at the top ten national parks as reported by Forbes.

They begin with:

It’s no secret that America’s National Parks have garnered record interest during 2020’s year of outdoor recreation and social distancing, but which parks ranked highest among the scores of road trippers embracing the country’s natural treasures? Tripadvisor analyzed the quality and quantity of user reviews from December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020 to determine which of America’s parks were most favorably received during the pandemic surge of interest, and which activities within them were best rated. Here are the top ten favorite national parks in the United States along with a top-rated activity in each to give you a jumpstart on your own summer planning.

To see what they are, go here.

TripAdvisor: Top Ten Airlines

Above, a Korean Air plane being readied for a flight to Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like anything else, there are good airlines and bad airlines.

The TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are now posted and they have listed their users' choices for the 10 top airlines in the world.

Not surprisingly, none of the top ten airlines are U.S. carriers. They are all foreign airlines and I have flown on two of them on the list: Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Both were overseas flights to Japan.

My personal favorite is Korean Air. They've provided great service and, which made the flights fun, showed Astro Boy cartoons! Singapore Airlines is my second favorite. They, too, provided great service, but I was cramped in with poor leg room during my last flights (2015) with them aboard an Airbus A380. 

According to TripAdvisor:

Across oceans and continents, these are the best airlines in the world for 2020, according to travelers on Tripadvisor.

To see the top 10 airlines, go here.

TripAdvisor: 7 Top National Parks

Above, Grand Teton National Park came in at number one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's that time of year again.

TripAdvisor has posted the top national parks in the U.S. according to their users in their Travelers' Choice Awards for 2021. The San Bernardino County Sun posted seven of them.

They begin with:

The United States’ National Parks offer such varied and vibrant treasures, why would anyone rank them? They’re all magnificent.

But when TripAdvisor asked its users to choose their favorites, they were quick to comply, handing out Travelers Choice 2021 bragging honors to 10 National Parks from coast to coast. Here are the top seven. (Find all the Travelers Choice honorees, along with details, at tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.)

To read more, go here. 

Places To Celebrate National Space Day

Above, the space shuttle Endeavour being transported to the California Science
Center through the streets of Inglewood, California in 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been my contention over the years that the U.S. Space Program is the most worthwhile government program we have. So, if you are a fan of the Space Program like me, we're in luck!

The first Friday in May is National Space Day, where people can visit many venues celebrating the U.S. Space Program. One of them is the California Science Center in Exposition Park in Los Angeles where the space shuttle Endeavour is displayed.

Tripadvisor has a list of nine places in the U.S. where National Space Day celebrants can see actual artifacts from the Space Program.

They begin with:

You don’t have to hop in a spaceship to go intergalactic. Whether practicing your lunar landing on a flight simulator, gazing at a sky full of stars midday at the planetarium, or reliving the glory of NASA’s most important space explorations, you can reach outer space from every corner of the United States. In honor of National Space Day, here are 9 star attractions that promise out-of-this-world experiences.

To read more, go here. 

TripAdvisor: "The Budget Traveler's Guide To Tokyo"

Above, one of the Imperial Palace's moats. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not everyone has the cash to spend in Tokyo that someone like billionaire Bill Gates can, so how does one with limited resources plan a trip to Tokyo and still have a great time?

Fortunately, TripAdvisor has posted "The Budget Traveler's Guide To Tokyo".

They begin it with:

Japan’s capital may have a reputation for ultra-luxury hotels and expensive dinners, but there’s plenty of ways to make this notoriously pricey city easier on the wallet. Here’s how to get an authentic taste of Japanese culture, sample some mouth-watering cuisine, and get around Tokyo, all while saving a few yen.

To read more, go here. 

Getting The Most Out of Yosemite National Park

Above, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the summer vacation season is over, autumn is a good time to pay a visit to Yosemite National Park.

The crowds are greatly diminished and visitors now can see and do things in relative peace.

TripAdvisor has a list of suggestions on getting the most out of Yosemite National Park, especially for those who have little time.

They start with:

Topping out at more than 745,000 acres, planning a trip to Yosemite National Park can be a daunting experience. There’s so much to see; from massive sequoias and towering waterfalls, to unique museums and breathtaking canyon trails. Don’t feel overwhelmed! We consulted our traveler community for their top suggestions on what to see and do in Yosemite. Here are the sites and activities they say you absolutely can’t miss.

To see what they are, go here. 

TripAdvisor: Japan's Top Ten Theme Parks

Above, one of the top ten theme parks is located inside Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TripAdvisor, possibly the Internet's biggest travel website, has come up with their list of the top 10 theme parks in Japan.

According to an article in SoraNews 24:

There’s more to theme parks in Japan than just Disney Resort and Universal Studios; there’s also ninjas, go-karts and looking through your legs.

Think of theme parks and there’s a good chance that the the local versions of big American theme parks come to mind. However, travel site TripAdvisor’s list of the ten most popular theme parks in Japan shows that a) there are other theme parks worth a visit beyond Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka; and b) what constitutes a theme park is open to interpretation.

To see what they are, go here. 

Japan's 10 Best Cultural Experiences

Above, Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Japan have many things to see and do. There are some that may a bit on the unusual side, but fun nonetheless.

Japan Today has an article on ten best cultural experiences as chosen by travelers.

It begins with:

TOKYO - When you travel to Japan, it’s all well and good to see the country, but it’s even better if you can experience it. Thankfully, Japanese travel providers have a wealth of what’re called taiken (“experience”) tours and activities that let you actively participate in aspects of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. 

Of course, the downside to having a wealth of choices is that there simply isn’t time to do all of them. So to help travelers narrow down their selection, the users of TripAdvisor, hot off putting together a list of their favorite restaurants in Japan, have let their voices be heard in an annual ranking of the best activities and tours in Japan, and below are the top 10 (by the way, all of the organizations listed here have English-speaking staff and websites, and we’ll have links for you at the end of the article).

To see what they are, go here. 

TripAdvisor: Western Japan Dominate With 30 Tourist Draws

Above, Miyajima's famous "floating" torii gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like western Japan is dominating with 30 tourist attractions, according to travel website TripAdvisor.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

West is best for tourist attractions in Japan, according to international users of TripAdvisor, with eight of the top 10 sightseeing spots lying on the western side of the archipelago. 

TripAdvisor, one of the world's largest travel websites, on June 12 published its annual list of the top 30 tourist draws for foreign travelers based on visitor feedback posted in languages other than Japanese. 

Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto, renowned for a large number of vermilion “torii” gates in its grounds, tops the list for the fifth year in a row. 

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and the peace memorial museum, ranked second, followed by the Itsukushimajinja shrine, famous for its “floating” gate on the shore of the Miyajima district in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, completing a western Japan top three.

To read more, go here. 

TripAdvisor's Top 30 Tourist Sites In Japan

Above, number 29 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Each year, readers of TripAdvisor give their top choices of places and things to see in Japan.

The 2017 list of 30 top tourist sites in Japan has been completed and Japan Today has it.

They begin with:

TOKYO - Travel website TripAdvisor has just revealed this year’s annual list of the best places to visit in Japan, as chosen by overseas visitors to the country. Interestingly, the entries on the list change from year to year, and this time we have everything from magic bars to illuminations and stand-up comedy venues appearing in the top 30. Let’s take a look at this year’s list below.

I have been to several of them.

To see what made the list, go here. 

Top 20 Places To Visit In Tokyo

Above, Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Wondering what to see and do in Tokyo after you've gotten there?

Casey Baseel of RocketNews 24 has an article posted in Japan Today that has 20 suggestions of places to visit in Japan's capital city.

These places were chosen by travelers who use the travel website, TripAdvisor.

It begins with:

Tokyo - We recently took a look at 20 great places to eat in Tokyo, as picked by the users of travel website Trip Advisor. No matter how much of a foodie you are, though, you’ll still need something to do between meals, which is where today’s list comes into play. 

Along with restaurants, Trip Advisor allows users to evaluate sightseeing attractions, and below are their top 20 picks for sightseeing places to visit in Tokyo.

To see what they are, go here. 

Metropolis Attraction Reviews Posted At TripAdvisor

Above, the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The attractions (and one restaurant) I visited in Metropolis, Illinois last November have been approved and posted at TripAdvisor.

Above, the plaque at the base of the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They are:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Superman Statue in Metropolis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To access TripAdvisor, go here.

Reviews of Metropolis Attractions Submitted To Trip Advisor

Above, the Superman statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've finally reached Metropolis, Illinois in my reviews at TripAdvisor. I took a cross-country trip to Metropolis last year.

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following Metropolis places have been reviewed and are pending approval:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To reach TripAdvisor, go here.

2 More Reviews Posted At TripAdvisor

Above, inside the Eisenhower boyhood home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TripAdvisor has approved and posted the last two reviews of attractions visited during my cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois.

The attractions posted are:

• Monument Valley: Goulding's Lodge and Tours
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Above, the "Ear of the Wind" arch in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To go to TripAdvisor, go here.

Six Reviews Posted At TripAdvisor

Above, a photograph of Elvis on display at Sun Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TripAdvisor has approved and posted my first six review on attractions I visited during my recent cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois. They are now ready for viewing.

They are:

• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• Graceland
• Sun Studio
• Meteor Crater
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials

Above, the Meditation Garden at Graceland. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have since added two more attractions and they are now pending approval:

• Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum
• Monument Valley: Goulding's Lodge and Tours

To go to TripAdvisor, go here.