The Mayor
Founder & Travel Writer | 25+ Years of Experience
The Mayor is the founder and editor of City Unknown, with more than 25 years of travel experience exploring hidden gems, road trips, independent restaurants, small towns, unusual attractions and overlooked destinations across America.
Meet The Mayor
Behind City Unknown is The Mayor, a travel writer with more than 25 years of experience discovering destinations, unusual attractions, local restaurants, scenic road trips, and places that deserve a little more attention.
The mission is simple: help travelers go beyond the obvious attractions and discover the character of each destination.
Our Travel Philosophy
City Unknown combines destination research, local resources, travel experience, and practical recommendations to help readers plan memorable adventures.
We favor independent businesses, overlooked destinations, authentic neighborhoods, and memorable experiences.
Articles by The Mayor
12 Haunted Places Around Seattle You Can Actually Visit
Seattle's rainy streets hide more than coffee shops and waterfront views. Explore 12 reportedly haunted places around Seattle that you can actually visit,...
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15 Weird & Unusual Places to Visit in Oregon
Oregon gets wonderfully strange once you leave the usual tourist trail. Discover 15 weird and unusual places across the state, including ghost forests,...
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12 Hidden Gems in Detroit Most Visitors Never Find
Detroit rewards travelers who wander beyond the usual stops. Discover 12 hidden gems around the Motor City, including unusual museums, historic neighborhoods, outdoor...
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15 Haunted Small Towns in America Worth Visiting This October
From mining towns and Victorian seaside communities to places where ghost stories are practically a local industry, these 15 haunted towns make wonderfully...
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Best Christmas Lights in Metro Phoenix: A 2026 Holiday Lights Guide
Discover the best Christmas lights in Metro Phoenix, including ZooLights, Las Noches de las Luminarias, World of Illumination, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert and hidden...
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Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Metro Detroit: A Local Holiday Lights Guide
Discover the best places to see Christmas lights in Metro Detroit, including Downtown Rochester, Campus Martius, Wayne County Lightfest, Wild Lights, Greenfield Village...
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Things to Do in Metro Detroit in December: Christmas Lights, Holiday Traditions & Winter Fun
Discover the best things to do in Metro Detroit in December, including Campus Martius, Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, Wild Lights, Christmas displays,...
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15 Seattle Hidden Gems That Feel Even Better in the Fall
Seattle gets even better when autumn arrives. Discover 15 hidden gems filled with colorful gardens, mossy forest trails, returning salmon, secret viewpoints, waterfront...
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