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
Things to Do in Seattle in December: Holiday Lights, Markets & Winter Adventures
Discover the best things to do in Seattle in December, including Christmas markets, holiday lights, Pike Place Market, winter ferry rides, snowy day...
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Things to Do in Washington in December: Christmas Lights, Snowy Mountains & Winter Adventures
Washington in December is filled with Christmas lights, snowy mountain escapes and cozy city adventures. Explore Leavenworth’s famous holiday lights, celebrate the season...
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15 Detroit-Area Fall Day Trips Worth Taking Before the Snow Flies
Fall doesn't last long around Detroit. Discover 15 easy autumn day trips featuring cider mills, colorful Metroparks, wooded trails, historic villages, Great Lakes...
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Things to Do in Michigan in December: A Winter & Holiday Getaway Guide
Discover the best things to do in Michigan in December, from festive Christmas towns and holiday markets to snowy trails, skiing, skating, and...
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10 Haunted Restaurants, Taverns & Bars With a Story to Tell
From pirate hangouts and colonial taverns to an Old West saloon with bullet holes still in the wall, these 10 haunted restaurants and...
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12 Birmingham Hidden Gems Locals Love
Think you know Birmingham? Look again. These 12 Birmingham hidden gems take you beyond the usual tourist stops to mountain trails, industrial ruins,...
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10 Haunted Hotels in America Where You Can Spend the Night
Would you spend the night in a haunted hotel? From The Stanley and the Queen Mary to historic hotels with ghost tours, paranormal...
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15 Strange & Unusual Places to Visit This Fall
Forget ordinary leaf-peeping. This fall, take the weird road instead. From giant trolls and mysterious mansions to stone goblins, buried cars, cryptids and...
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