In the 1990s patrons waiting in line at Seattle’s Market Theater began sticking their gum to the walls outside. One wad turned into two turned into thousands and today the “Gum Wall” looks more like art than a blemished alley. After several failed attempts by the theater to clean it up, they’ve decided to embrace the tradition.

Market Theater

Source: National Geographic Traveler

You may have dreamed of sleeping overnight at a museum but did you know that some of them actually allow it? The programs are popular so competition for reservations is fierce, but just imagine waking up under the giant blue whale at the Museum of Natural History in New York!

There is one catch…the programs are for children so you need to have one aged somewhere between 6 and 15 with you to participate. If you don’t have kids of your own, you could always be a “cool” aunt or uncle and borrow one from a friend or family member!

Below are some museums with sleepover nights. Click through to their websites for more information:

American Museum of Natural History in New York City

Field Museum in Chicago

Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland

International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.

Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland

Source: Travel and Leisure Family

iHome’s portable iPod case will protect your music while you travel and play it through built in speakers when you feel like rocking out on your vacation. It’s rugged, water resistant, lightweight and has a built in charger. Its strap makes it easy to carry and its built in remote allows you to control your iPod while it’s zipped safely inside.

$69.99 iHome

Source: Travel and Leisure

According to a recent poll by Expedia.com, 64 percent of American travelers think Europeans have a negative opinion of them. A survey of European hotel managers however, found they consider Americans the best tourists after the Japanese. They find Americans polite and generous and say they make an effort to sample the local culture.

Sadly, Americans were labelled the worst dressed tourists! Come on guys…we love fashion! Let’s leave the sweats and running shoes at home and change their minds!

Source: Sky

New York City’s only museum devoted entirely to contemporary art, the New Museum of Contemporary Art has a brand new home downtown. The much anticipated seven story complex is receiving its finishing touches after two years of construction and is set to open on December 1st. The New Museum’s location at 235 Bowery Street makes it the first art museum ever constructed in New York below 14th Street! Check the official website for visitor information as well as a calendar of grand opening events including free admission on the first two days.

New Museum of Contemporary Art

Although Christmas markets originated in Germany and Austria, you can find them today in many cities worldwide. With open air stalls selling gifts, food stands serving up hot drinks and festive music ringing through the air, there’s nothing quite like a Christmas market to get you into a holiday mood.

Wikipedia actually has a Christmas Market list which includes events in Europe as well as North America. Check it out to find a market near you or one you can plan a trip to visit! If you know of a one that isn’t on the list, make sure you add it.

Christmas Markets Worldwide

With flight delays at an all time high, what is a frustrated traveler to do? Head over to Avoiddelays.com for statistics on the worst airlines, airports, flying times and practical advice from air traffic controllers on how to avoid being stalled.

When delays do happen, be prepared by checking out the airport guides on Sidestep for ideas on what to do when you find yourself with some hours to kill.

Source: Travel and Leisure

I think these little soap sheets are a genius invention and one of the best travel products I’ve come across recently. They are tiny sheets of paper which fit 50 to a palm sized case. When you add water, they dissolve into sudsy antibacterial soap! They are liquid and gel free and much nicer to carry than a slimy bar if you switch hotels. They are also unscented and hypoallergenic so they’re safe for sensitive skin.

$9.95 for two cases of 50 sheets Magellan’s

Source: Sky

If you are looking for the best place to learn the meaning of Thanksgiving why not visit Plymouth, Massachusetts where it all began? At Plimoth Plantation you can climb aboard a replica of the Mayflower which carried pilgrims from England to the United States and visit a 17th century village complete with actors playing colonial settlers and native Americans. They will show you how the earliest Americans spent their days and answer any questions you might have about their lives.

For those who really want to get into the spirit of the holiday, there are events scheduled on Thanksgiving Day, including meals. Some are sold out at this late date, but others are first come first served.

Plimoth Plantation

Travelers have been riding the high speed Eurostar train to zip between London and Paris since 2003. This month, service was introduced between London’s new St. Pancras International Station and Brussels, Belgium. The ride takes under two hours so next time you are in London, you could actually take a day trip over to get some of Belgium’s famous frites and beer!

Eurostar