Planning to turn over a new leaf this year? You’re not alone. On average, more than 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, according to the Statistic Brain Research Institute. But if you’re heading down that bumpy road to self-improvement, consider a detour—or eight. These destinations are guaranteed to compromise even your best intentions.
Resolution: Get more sleep
Break it in Los Angeles!
When the sun goes down in Los Angeles, you may spot a star or two.
So, this year you vowed to unpack those bags under your eyes and get more z’s. Nothing wrong with that—unless you book your hotel in Los Angeles, a city where star power is more about celebrity than constellations in the sky. Late-night comedy shows, 24/7 eateries, midnight film screenings, all-night DJ clubs, people-watching and celebrity star-sightings on Sunset Boulevard, 1 a.m. happy hours—the City of Angels has it all. Consider taking a nap.
Resolution: Give up sweets
Break it in Louisville!
Decadent derby pie is associated with the world-famous horse race in Kentucky every May.
Taming your sweet tooth is downright impossible when you stay in Louisville, Kentucky. Laced with walnuts and chocolate chips, Derby pie is a signature dessert in the region. Kern’s Kitchen has been baking these beloved pies since 1954 when they created it. Another regional favorite, bourbon balls, are worth the calories. Muth’s Candies makes theirs with 100 proof Very Old Barton bourbon for a creamy kick. Every Southerner has a banana pudding recipe handed down through the generations. Mom's Hot Banana Pudding Meringue at the Village Anchor is a luscious indulgence; order it with your entree, as it takes a bit of time to prepare.
Resolution: Stick to a budget
Break it in San Francisco!
San Francisco teems with expensive, one-of-a-kind restaurants and other splurge-worthy experiences.
You’ll leave more than your heart in San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the country. The City by the Bay has no shortage of splurges if you’re ready to swipe your credit card and postpone your savings plan. Rent out the plush Embarcadero Center Cinema for a private screening of your favorite flick for friends and family. Foodies drool at the mention of ultra-swanky Saison, which holds two Michelin stars. Their ever-changing tasting menu runs upwards of $300 per person and features exclusive, seasonal ingredients sourced from a tight circle of local purveyors.
Resolution: Be more social
Break it in Austin!
Head to the 307-foot tower on the University of Texas campus for a panoramic view of always-approachable Austin.
The friendly Texas capital city is a perfect place to socialize, but it also offers attractions ideal for a fun, energizing solo trip. Start with the sweeping 360-degree view from the top of The UT Tower. The gorgeous Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center showcases native Texas flora and fauna on its expansive grounds, while Uncommon Objects describes itself as “an eccentric’s attic” of antiques and oddities. Austin’s 6th Street is a magnet for music buffs with its singles-friendly bars.
Resolution: Manage time better
Break it in Las Vegas!
Day or night, Las Vegas pulses with activities, from gaming and entertainment to dining and shopping.
Sin City is famously known for its lack of clocks, suspending time for opulent pleasures. Not only do day and night blend in Vegas, but time is also preserved in curious ways here. Three heyday attractions that recall the dapper Rat Pack-era are the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum and the Liberace Museum. The Forbes-ranked Sinatra restaurant pays homage to ‘Ol Blue Eyes himself with Old School Italian classics and ice-cold martinis.
Resolution: Get more organized
Break it in Orlando!
Rare albino gators with milky blue eyes are otherworldly residents at Orlando’s perennially popular Gatorland.
With a riotous mix of theme parks and outlet malls, Orlando is crazy chaotic in the best way. Surrender to the offbeat at Icebar Orlando. You’re in Florida, but 70 tons of ice, including dozens of carved sculptures, might convince you otherwise in this topsy-turvy, below-freezing otherworld. Thermal gloves and coasts are provided to keep you warm. On the other end of the temperature range, kitschy Gatorland is home to rare white alligators, a breeding marsh, night tours and ziplining.
Resolution: Eat healthier food
Break it in New Orleans!
Kick off your New Orleans feast with fresh beignets in the morning.
Yes, it’s important to eat your vegetables and stay away from fried foods and cream sauces, as a rule. But when visiting New Orleans, rules are meant to be broken. This is the city that elevates fried seafood to an art form and is home to a dizzying array of culinary festivals celebrating everything from beignets and gumbo to fried chicken and Gulf seafood. Here, the place where oysters Rockefeller, bananas Foster and countless cocktails were invented, overindulging is required. Have a boozy Friday lunch at Galatoire’s, eat salmon with fried oysters with Brie cream sauce at K-Pauls, munch souffle potatoes at Arnaud’s and devour a muffuletta at Cochon Butcher. And that’s just your first day. Start your next with beignets from Cafe du Monde, and let the feasting begin again.
Resolution: Cut back on the retail therapy
Break it in Philadelphia!
It’ll be hard to refuse a little retail therapy in Philly, where there’s no tax on clothing and shoes.
Is shopping that BFF who doesn’t really have your best interests at heart? Wait, don’t break up just yet. Stay in Philadelphia instead, a vibrant city teeming with indie makers, ethnic markets and neighborhood shopping streets. Benefiting from a statewide law that keeps clothing and shoes tax-free, Philly has it all: the swank designer cachet of the retailers around Rittenhouse Square; the edgy vibe of 13th street and Midtown Village, with its collection of gift and houseware shops and restaurants; Jeweler’s Row, a concentrated few blocks of gold and gems for bedazzling; and South Street meets East Passyunk Avenue, a slice of South Philly that irresistibly marries Italian old school with hipster brand new.