Massachusetts

• The Benjamin - We used Hotwire for this, and it worked out well. It's in a great location, and The National restaurant is outstanding. The walls are a little thin if you don't have the A/C running--but we did, so it wasn't an issue.

1. The Loeb Boathouse Central Park - Go for brunch, and get the French toast. It was the best French toast I've ever had in life, and I consider myself a French toast connoisseur.
2. The National - Every bite we ate was so flavorful and unusual. Now I understand the reason for Geoffrey Zakarian's smug grin every time I see him on Food Network--his food is that good. The atmosphere was so classy, too, but not too fancy. It just seemed like classic, old school New York. The best part: it was connected to our hotel.
3. Don Antonio by Starita - They're known for the Montanara Starita fried pizza, and there's a reason for it. The smoked mozzarella will blow you away. Pair that with the Veneto Cabernet, and you're all set.
4. John's of Bleecker Street
5. Grand Central Oyster Bar

1. Times Square at night - Because nothing can prepare you for how bright and alive it is no matter what time of night. If you think you're tired, go here, and you won't be.
2. Comedy Cellar - Yes, I put this above ALL the museums, because I had that much fun. I've seen a lot of comedians, but nothing like this. It's so New York! Super low ceilings, close to 200 people crammed in a tiny room, and about 90 minutes of six different comedians with totally different styles. We laughed the whole time.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art
4. Top of the Rock - Sooo much easier to do than the Empire State Building! Plus, I think the views are better here, because you can see the Empire State Building and everything else. Nothing quite compares to being on the top (3rd) level.
5. Museum of Modern Art
6. Statue of Liberty - You're all excited to see the Statue of Liberty, until you step off the boat and see the atrociously long line to get back on the boat. The heat wave made the line even worse, because there was nowhere to go while the sun was burning your flesh. That being said, it's a massive statue that can only be appreciated by going to the island.
7. Empire State Building - If you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait well over an hour in line, no matter what time you go. We went at 11PM and didn't get to the top until close to 1AM. There are so many different lines that even when you get to the front of one, you turn the corner, and there's another line. Even when you get into the elevator, you find out it only takes you to the 80th floor, where there's another line and another elevator. At one point I actually bribed an employee with a stick of gum in order to bypass one of the lines. It's like Robert Redford says in Spy Game: "All you need is a stick of gum ...and a smile."
8. Central Park - You'll get lost. Don't even think that you won't. Keep in mind that I have an extraordinary sense of direction, but with the heat and the pressures of time, even I was turned around. We were attempting to walk from The Met to The Loeb Boathouse for lunch, and then the American Museum of Natural History. If not for the GPS on my phone, it probably would've taken us a lot longer to find our destinations. The paper maps they have of Central Park do not help.

•  Omni William Penn Hotel - Pittsburgh

1. Primanti Bros. - Pittsburgh
2. Morimoto - Philadelphia
3. Monk's Café - Philadelphia
4. Positano Coast - Philadelphia
5. Kamal's Middle Eastern - Philadelphia

1. Independence Hall - Philadelphia
2. National Constitution Center - Philadelphia
3. Mütter Museum - Philadelphia
4. Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia
5. Reading Terminal Market - Philadelphia
6. Carnegie Museum of Natural History - Pittsburgh 

Let’s just say the hotels we’ve stayed at in the past seem to have changed over the years. When in doubt, splurge on the Peabody.

1. King's Palace Cafe - My absolute favorite barbeque is at King's Palace! The decor is reason enough to pop in--it feels like an old saloon. The food, though, is the reason to stay. We have always indulged in the King's Feast for Two, which has the meatiest ribs in Memphis and the smokiest, most tender pork shoulder. In all the times we've eaten here, it never disappoints, and it rightfully keeps its place in my list of favorite restaurants!
2. Charles Vergos' Rendezvous - This is "the" place for barbeque, according to most people. For me, it's a great #2. I love the location in the alleyway, and that you can smell the smoker a block away. It's a cool, old place, and you spend a lot of time just checking out the memorabilia on the walls--just be sure you know what you want when they come to take your order. They like to be expedient.
3. Pig on Beale - Pig has great barbeque pork shoulder, and is my pick for a casual lunch. The old movie posters on the wall will keep your eyes busy while you wait for your food.
4. Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar - This place is fancy! If you're tired of barbeque (impossible, I know), this is a great place for an upscale meal. They do small plates and regular entrees. You can combine three small plates to make a "flight" of food. They do the same with desserts. The Memphis Belle Pie, a chocolate pecan pie with vanilla gelato, was so good, we went back for it the next night.
5. Local Gastropub - We liked the green chili mac and cheese. They also have good beers.

1. Beale Street
2. National Civil Rights Museum
3. Graceland Mansion
4. Ugly Juanita's - From the outside, it's an unassuming little dump, but it was the single best moment we had in Memphis. This was a tiny place, lit only with red lights strung across the ceiling. Half the room was taken up by the band, whose members sometimes roamed into the crowd to really work the sax or trumpet. The other half was jam-packed with people. At one point, I swear, everyone in the crowd started singing along to one of the songs. We really felt like we found a hidden gem at that point.
5. Alfred's on Beale - We listened to the Memphis Jazz Orchestra here. It's big enough that everyone can find a place to sit.
6. B.B. King's Blues Club - Definitely listen outside before you pay the cover to go in, because not all bands are worthwhile. We went on a Sunday when it was free. The music was good, but the nicest part is that it was non-smoking.