I've traveled on many Amtrak trains in coach and also spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains between Miami and NYC in bedroom and roomette accommodations, which cost hundreds more than my Acela ticket.

Acela is an express option for regional trips around the Northeast with 14 stops in 12 cities, according to the train line's website.

This particular ride was 20 minutes faster on Acela than it would have been on a typical Amtrak. 

Every Amtrak I'd been on before had coach seating, but Amtrak Acela trains only have business and first-class seating.

My ticket cost $273 because I booked a standard ticket (which on an Acela is actually business class) for $121 and then spent an extra $152 to upgrade to first class.

The fare I booked was about $100 cheaper than the same tickets in the coming weeks, according to a quick Amtrak search.

The cost of upgrading to first class — $152 — was more expensive than the standard business-class ticket — $121.

"Much like our airline peers, Amtrak pricing strategy is influenced by several factors — demand, departure, seasonality, route, city pair, class of service, and other market conditions," a representative for Amtrak told Business Insider.

As a New Yorker, part of the allure of a first-class ticket was having access to Penn Station's Metropolitan Lounge, a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers with comfortable seats and free snacks. 

First-class passengers get in for free on the day of their trip, while business-class passengers can pay $50 to access the club.

I thought the lounge was the best perk of my first-class ticket, so I was shocked to find that it is only available at some stations on the Amtrak Acela line.

Outside New York, anyone traveling from Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Boston's South Station has access to a lounge, according to Amtrak. But there are many other stops on the Amtrak Acela that don't offer this perk.

Amtrak didn't respond to a request for comment from BI about this perk only being available at a few stations. 

When I approached the snack counter in the lounge, I was overwhelmed with choices. There were Kind bars, cookies, popcorn, candy, chips, and hummus.

I also spotted free beverages like coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.

I ordered water, an iced coffee, and a Kind bar, and the server gave me an extra one.

Looking back on it, I wish I had asked for a few more treats to enjoy on my trip.

Amtrak Acela automatically assigned my seat when I reserved a ticket. However, I later learned that it may be changed on the website anytime before departure.

Seat maps are available on Amtrak's website. They specify which direction each seat faces, as not all seats are forward-facing.

Luckily, I ended up in a seat positioned in the direction the train was headed.

On most trains I've been on, each row had the same number of seats on either side of the aisle. In the Acela first-class car, however, there were two seats on one side and one seat on the other. The seats faced both directions.

I was lucky to find that my automatically assigned seat was a single one, which I thought gave me a bit more space since I was traveling alone.

In my opinion, the seats in first class were not as comfortable as they initially appeared to be based on their size. 

I also didn't find them to be much more comfortable than the business-class seats I also experienced, which were slightly smaller and closer together. 

Amtrak didn't respond to a request for comment from BI about the seats.

At the beginning of the ride, I received a complimentary drink and could select from sodas, juices, teas, coffee drinks, and alcoholic beverages, ranging from beer and wine to liquor and cocktails. It came as part of the fare.

As soon as I poured my orange juice into the accompanying glass, I regretted it.

I was disappointed to see that there was no cup holder on my tray table and once we were moving, the ride was pretty bumpy.

I worried that the glass would fall off the table. Looking back on it, I should have just left the juice in the bottle. 

I traveled during breakfast and had four options to choose from. However, for the cost of my ticket, the food choices were limited. 

Amtrak didn't respond to a request for comment from BI about the menu.

Three minutes after ordering, my meal came out, and I was surprised to find that it included a croissant, too, because it was not listed on the menu.

The fruit tasted cold and fresh. Every piece was just as juicy and flavorful as the last, which I didn't expect since I was on a train. The croissant tasted a little less fresh to me, but it was still warm and tasty.

In my experience, the bathroom seemed to be quite typical of a train bathroom in other classes. I didn't notice any special, luxurious touches that would make it feel more akin to traveling in first class. 

Overall, my ride was pleasant, but with what I thought was a limited menu and stiff seats, my first-class ticket wasn't worth $273 to me.

Next time, I'll save my money and book a standard ticket for a short ride.

One of my favorite park areas was the Dolly Parton Experience, where I learned all about Parton and her life through a range of exhibits and displays.

In the park, I was also able to step onto one of Parton's old tour buses and view many of her glamorous outfits and jewelry pieces.

As many theme-park foodies know, Dollywood and cinnamon bread are synonymous.

Since the treat is so popular, I worried I might have to wait in long lines to order it or get up early to track it down before it sold out. Fortunately, it was even easier to find than I expected.

Plenty of it was available at Grist Mill and Spotlight Bakery inside the park. Plus, the bread could be purchased at Dollywood resorts DreamMore and HeartSong — or even ordered using room service.

Throughout the park, I found all kinds of impressive entertainment, including performances from a country string band and a Southern gospel singing group.

The park even had an educational show featuring birds of prey.

One show I especially loved was "Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends," where Parton's niece, Heidi, and a crew of talented performers sang songs across a range of genres.

The rides at the park are quite varied, from attractions for preschool-aged kids to high-speed roller coasters that thrill seekers would love.

One area that surprised me was the Country Fair, where kid-friendly attractions are all clustered together. This setup makes it easy for families with little kids to hang out in one spot and enjoy multiple attractions.

Country Fair also features carnival games, a picnic pavilion that looks like a classic red barn, and a splash pad.

The park hosts five different festivals throughout the year, and each has a different theme. Similar to Disney parks, Dollywood has exclusive entertainment and special foods during each of its festivals.

I visited during the park's first festival of the season, the I Will Always Love You music festival, which runs through mid-April.

Other festivals at Dollywood include the Flower and Food Festival in spring, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration through the summer, the Harvest Festival in fall, and Smoky Mountain Christmas during the holiday season.

Parking at any theme park can be pricey. At Dollywood, standard parking costs $25, and preferred is $50.

Much to my surprise, I'd recommend paying more for the latter. It was a surprisingly good value. With preferred parking, I got to keep my car in the closest lot to the park and access an exclusive security line and entrance.

When I arrived, the park's main entrance had a big line out front and a wait time of about 45 minutes to get inside. At the preferred-parking entrance, I only waited about 10 minutes.

I love that my upgrade allowed me to spend more time in the park instead of waiting in line outside of it.

I love just how many photo opportunities I found at Dollywood, especially in its Showstreet area.

The main entry area of the park features a giant Dollywood sign that's a perfect backdrop for family photos. Plus, I found tons of cute art installations that are swapped out throughout the year.

While I was at Dollywood, big shimmering sequins hung over part of Showstreet, and a fun "LOVE" sign was displayed at the end of the road — both nodding to the current festival theme.

When I moved to Japan and learned I'd have to sort all my trash into nine categories before properly disposing of it, I was overwhelmed. 

Some of these categories include combustibles, plastic water bottles, plastic containers, aluminum, cardboard, and newspapers.

This system was a huge change coming from the US, where recycling mostly includes separating cans and plastic bottles from the rest of my garbage. 

Before recycling a plastic water bottle in Japan, I wash it first, rinse the inside, recycle the cap separately, and tear off the logo before placing the bottle in a color-coded bag.

It might seem tedious, but it's efficient — and people seem to follow the recycling rules here closely.

Interestingly, I haven't found a lot of public trash cans in Japan. People tend to hold onto their trash and throw it away when they get home, where they can properly categorize it. Honestly, it's refreshing not to see much litter on the streets here.

Driving in Japan gave me a huge — albeit fun — dose of culture shock.

The country is home to Kei vehicles, which are tiny (no longer than 11 feet and no wider than 4.9 feet) with a limited engine capacity. 

I love my lightweight Kei car, a 2017 Suzuki Spacia. It has heated seats, automatic sliding doors, lane assistance, and a camera.

Japan has many narrow streets and parking lots, so having a small car makes it easier to navigate traffic and pull into compact parking spots. Plus, it's relatively fuel-efficient.

People also drive average-size vans and cars in Japan, but I haven't seen pickup trucks or large SUVs, which are common in the US.

Reverse parking also seems to be an unwritten rule in Japan. I've noticed that drivers here tend to back into their parking spots rather than pull in.

Inemuri, a term that means sleeping on duty, has been a part of Japanese culture for over 1,000 years.

It's not uncommon to see someone taking a nap at work, at the subway station, or on the train home. 

Getting shut-eye isn't frowned upon here like it sometimes is in the US, where it's rare to see someone dozing in public.

When you do see someone sleeping on the job or in public, some people in the US may perceive it as laziness. In Japan, many see it as a sign that someone is working hard and putting in long hours.

Vending machines are one of my favorite things in Japan, and they're everywhere. I can barely make it a block or two without running into one.

Most of them only serve beverages, from electrolyte water to canned hot coffee. I've also seen ones that dispense ice cream, hot canned soup, warm and cold drinks, and even warm curry and ramen. 

I've never been tempted to have a meal from a vending machine in the US, but I think I could happily survive off the food and drinks inside the ones in Japan.

When I was living in North Carolina in 2022, I didn't often see people wearing masks in public. So when I moved from there to Japan, I was surprised to find seemingly everyone donning face coverings, both when they were inside and outside.

Even though Japan dropped its mask requirements in March 2023, face coverings have remained a fixture of life here. To be fair, people in many Asian countries have worn masks long before the coronavirus pandemic for environmental and cultural reasons.

It's been really interesting to see the difference between people's reactions to masks in the US versus in Japan.

Face coverings were a highly divisive political issue in the US at the peak of the pandemic, but in Japan, they seem to be widely accepted.

Unlike the US, which is known for its individualistic culture, Japan has more of a collectivistic society, which prioritizes the group's needs rather than personal needs.

Plus, cleanliness is a big part of Japanese culture, so it makes sense that people would want to protect themselves from germs.

One of my favorite things about living in Japan has been the family-friendly accommodations, specifically ones for small children. 

In the US, some malls and amusement parks have strollers, but most of the ones I came across when I was living there weren't free to use.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I went to the grocery store in Okinawa for the first time and saw sanitized strollers available to use for free. I later found more of them in malls, stores, and even the airport. 

Baby rooms in Japan are usually equipped with comfortable changing tables that are way better than the foldable plastic ones I often saw in the US.

They also tend to have benches, a private nursing room, sinks, and even a hot-water dispenser to fill or heat baby bottles. These amenities have been lifesavers.

When I was living in the US, I could rarely find a dedicated place in public where I could feed my baby. If I was lucky, I'd find a bathroom in the back of a department store with a lounge for mothers.

Still, it was nothing like what I've seen in malls, airports, and department stores in Japan. 

I've even come across child-size restrooms — with small toilets, urinals, and sinks — making things easier for kids and giving them some independence.

I can always count on the public restrooms in Japan to be extremely clean and well-maintained. For starters, many public toilets have bidets, heated seats, and deodorizers to mask unpleasant smells.

I've also seen some with a button that turns on a white-noise machine to drown out bathroom sounds.

And those unnecessarily large cracks between many bathroom stalls in the US? They're not a thing here. 

These small details help lessen my bathroom anxiety when I'm out and about.

Bathing is a big part of Japanese culture. Some take to the country's natural hot springs or public baths, but many have special space in their home with full-size tubs.

In a traditional Japanese home, the bathrooms consist of three different areas. One is a space for undressing, with a sink and vanity. There's also typically a separate room for the toilet and another with a full-size bathtub and shower.

In the US, it's common to get into a bath right away, but in Japan, people tend to rinse off in the shower first and then soak in the tub. After relaxing in the water, they shower again with soap.

Because people wash themselves before and after getting in the tub, it's not uncommon for everyone in a household to use the same bath water. 

Unfortunately, my house in Okinawa doesn't have the traditional Japanese setup (it's on a US military base, where our accommodations are Americanized), but I love enjoying the combination of bathtubs and showers in local hotels and Airbnbs.

I can find familiar American fast-food chains in Japan, and I like the locations here a lot better than the ones in the US.

For example, Starbucks and McDonald's locations in Japan both release seasonal menus, and it's fun to try new items.

When the cherry blossoms bloom here, Starbucks releases sakura-inspired Frappuccinos, lattes, and sweets with seasonal cups and packaging.

At McDonald's, I've tried a lot of menu items I'd never find back home, from french fries seasoned with nori (seaweed) to special Teritama hamburgers with ginger, egg, apples, and pork patties coated in teriyaki sauce.

I've been to McDonald's locations in five different countries, and the ones in Japan have served my favorite items. The top-notch customer service is also unlike anything I've experienced anywhere else.

In my experience, the clothes in Japan aren't the most size-inclusive.

Most stores I've stopped into only carry sizes between small and extra large. Even though I wear a small or a medium in the US, I fit into garments that are large or extra large here.

I've found the pants and sleeve lengths to be shorter than what I'm used to as well.

This story was originally published on July 13, 2023, and most recently updated on March 21, 2025.

Many of the architecture and landmarks in Scotland are older than the United States.

The US wasn't founded until 1776. Meanwhile, The University of Glasgow, where I pursued my degree, was founded in 1451 — and it's still only the fourth oldest university in the UK.

The campus and city are beautiful, and I get to walk through and past centuries-old buildings, cathedrals, and clock towers daily. I'm still in awe of being surrounded by so much history.

Shortly after moving to the UK, I realized just how important it was to find a "local" — basically, a pub that feels like home that you can visit for any occasion.

Fortunately, I was quickly able to find mine by sticking to a routine. Every Monday, my friends and I would pile into a pub near our university for weekly trivia to share pints and (usually) finish in fifth place.

Eventually, it became a go-to shared space for us, where we'd drag extra stools around the big wooden tables to toast birthdays, celebrate graduations, and host going-away parties.

Many years ago, Scotland established the "right to roam," which allows visitors recreational access to most land, as long as it's done so responsibly.

This is quite different from what I'm used to in the US, where a gate in a field feels like a sure sign to turn around, and I'd be hesitant to wander off any labeled trail.

However, in some parts of Scotland, there aren't even labeled paths to follow — especially when it comes to munros (mountains over 3,000 feet).

After many months of hiking, I got used to making my own trails through farmers' fields and learned to wayfind with maps and compasses.

Now, instead of relying on marked paths, I'm accustomed to making my own decisions about where to go while ascending and descending peaks.

It took me a while to adjust to Scotland's rainy weather, but I no longer let some water stop me from going outside or running on trails.

I've also gotten used to how talking about the weather never seems to get old here. Oftentimes, it feels deeper than even small talk — locals seem genuinely interested in discussing why or how much it's raining.

However, I still get excited when I check the weather app on my phone and see even one day that doesn't have a raindrop.

Although I don't drive, I've been able to get anywhere I've wanted to go without a car in Scotland.

Despite some delays and cancellations, the public-transportation options I've had access to have really impressed me. For example, I've been able to explore Scotland's highlands and islands by train, bus, and ferry.

Last April, my partner and I were even able to take our bikes to the scenic Isle of Mull for a long weekend just by toting them on a train and ferry.

When I first moved to the UK, I quickly learned vocabulary I'm not used to at home, like using "wee" to mean "little" or calling "eggplant" an "aubergine."

It no longer rains, it "pisses down," and I don't "go to the store," I simply "head to the shops."

However, even two and a half years later, I'm still picking up new phrases and spellings and jumbling them into ones I grew up with.

I've had an especially rough time adjusting to the subtle spelling differences. My writing is now a blend of American and British English spellings, sometimes interchanging "s" and "z" in words like "organise" and "analyze."

I'm never sure how I'll spell "colour," but I still spell "favorite" like an American.

The weather in Beaver Creek can be harsh (I'm talking minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit), and the winters are long and dark. Plus, we're a 10-hour round trip from the nearest hospital.

Neighbors check in with one another. They offer to pick up groceries when they go five hours into town, help if you have vehicle trouble, and give you the cup of sugar you're missing.

My own experience was a flat tire at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The Alaska Highway was even quieter than usual. I had the jack under the car, and I was desperately trying to remove the tire, which was stuck.

The first car that came by stopped to help, and so did the second. A local Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer came out to help me, and when he couldn't, he drove an hour and a half to ask a neighbor for assistance.

Up here, that's just what you do. 

Before I moved, loading up at the Whole Foods salad bar was as close as I got to cooking. A friend once stayed at our apartment while we were on holiday and lamented that we didn't own a single pot or pan.

I was in for a shock when I suddenly had to learn how to cook and stock a pantry with food that lasts six to eight weeks in between shopping trips.

The drive to and from the nearest grocery store is incredibly beautiful. On the Alaska Highway, the views are out of this world, and it's not uncommon to see bears, moose, lynx, coyotes, and even wolves. But it's also 10 hours round trip. 

I was surprised to find that I like cooking — love it, even. I also love planning our meals, organizing the freezer and pantry, and thinking ahead.

I've learned to make preserves, yogurt, and kombucha. I bake our own bread and bagels. And, if we have a hankering for a sweet, I make that, too: pies, kettle corn, candied fruits.

In Vancouver, I had easy access to restaurants, shops, parks, beaches, and mountains, and I didn't ever really think about it.

When I learned we'd be moving, I was horrified.

How would I live without all of this? Surprise: Remote Northern Canada has made me appreciate everything about the outdoors.

I hike and cross-country ski, and I marvel every single day at how lucky I am. My friends and family cannot believe that urban Hilary has embraced Beaver Creek.

"Aren't you lonely?" is a frequent refrain I hear when people find out about my living situation.

And I was really lonely during those first dark, cold months. My husband was working 12-hour shifts, sometimes during the day, sometimes overnight.

Time dragged. I'd go for walks with our new puppy, but in the dead of winter it's easy to walk in Beaver Creek without seeing a soul. Days went by without any real human interaction aside from my husband.

I tried to learn how to cook. I did my home workouts. I kept up with remote work. I called my friends and family back in Vancouver. And still, the days were long and the loneliness felt overwhelming. 

It wasn't long before I learned to embrace my time alone, especially in nature. Beaver Creek is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains, trees, rivers, and streams.

Compared with green spaces in the city, the land here is untouched, and experiencing all that alone has been transformational. 

Now, alone time outside is the most restorative part of my day. I can't live without it, no matter the weather.

In the winter, the nights are long, and the days bring half-light, nothing more. I arrived in the Yukon shortly after the winter solstice, when the sun came up at about noon and was gone again mere hours later.

I found it exhausting. I'm an early riser, and that didn't change, but by 4 p.m. I wanted to go to bed.

Eventually, I learned to turn on more lights and get outside regardless of the dark. I even learned to love the nuances of darkness, especially the moon and stars.

The dark winters were definitely an adjustment, but what really surprised me was the light in the summers. The midnight sun, as it's affectionately called, comes gradually but with a force.

I recall telling a friend, a lifelong Northerner, that I had no problem falling asleep, so I was confident the midnight sun wouldn't affect me. I was so wrong.

In the summer, I find myself working away at something, unaware that it's midnight or 1 a.m. That first summer, I lay awake in bed, trying to relax, my whole body yearning to do a workout, tackle a deep clean, or complete a 1,000-piece puzzle.

We quickly learned that blackout curtains and a rigid evening routine were essential at this time of year.

I don't like change, so the move was petrifying.

But all the things I feared were things I ended up embracing: I'm much stronger than I thought I was, I can cook, I can change a tire, I'm comfortable walking in the wilderness alone with a knife and bear spray, I can garden. 

Had someone told me over five years ago that I'd be the person I am today, I would've laughed. Now, here I am, feeling so happy.

This story was originally published on April 24, 2022, and was most recently updated on March 17, 2025.

While I expected to find McSorley's on a quaint cobblestone street given its history, it's located in a built-up section of the East Village on East 7th Street, by Astor Place.

I actually lived around the corner for a semester in college. This part of the East Village has very little old-world charm, thanks to its high-rise buildings, businesses, and chain restaurants, despite being just a stone's throw away from one of the city's most historic establishments. 

However, when Irish immigrant John McSorley founded the ale house in the 1850s, it was in a prime location close to a transportation hub for horse carriages and a busy market.

It's pretty standard at any cash-only bar or restaurant in New York City to find an ATM either inside or just outside the door.

I was pleased that they had an ATM available so close by, but I couldn't spy any signs inside that made it immediately apparent it was cash-only — I didn't suss it out until I saw everyone else paying in cash.

The menu at McSorley's is limited, but they have quite a few fan-favorite menu items, from burgers and a fried chicken sandwich to more traditional items like corned beef hash and chili. 

I was also surprised by how low the prices were at McSorley's compared to what I usually pay in New York City. I ordered a hamburger and fries for $10, and two beers for $8. 

When I visited McSorley's, the bar was teeming with people and there were very few places to sit. I'm always a little hesitant about ordering bar food — you just never know what you're going to get, especially from places popular with tourists — but I was surprised by how much I liked the burger. 

The beef patty was juicy and large, while the onions and tomatoes tasted very fresh. The fries were also piping hot when I received them and deliciously crispy. The only downside, in my opinion, was that the cheese on the cheeseburger wasn't melted on the patty. 

However, for $10, I was pleased with my dinner. 

I paid $8 for two beers, a light and a dark ale, which I was surprised by. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but even that seemed pretty inexpensive to me.

The beer prices have crept up over the years, of course.

When Business Insider's Sarah Jacobs visited in 2017, the beer cost $5.50. She noted that it cost only a dime per mug in 1940 and 35 cents for two half-pints in 1966.

Other guests also appeared to be surprised by their orders. When one guest ordered a light and a dark beer for himself and someone else, they seemed surprised when they were each handed two beers. The bartender explained they always give people two beers each.

The beers are much smaller than your average pint. Eater reported that each mug holds roughly 6 ounces per glass — a US pint holds 16 ounces — which makes each drink easier to finish and carry around the bar.

I enjoyed both the light and the dark ale, though I preferred the light. They went down smoothly, and I could see why someone would want two at a time. 

In addition to the low prices and historic feel, part of McSorley's charm is the lack of choice. In a city like New York, I'm accustomed to lengthy drink menus with steep prices. I actually enjoyed the lack of choice, which made ordering fast and simple.

Almost every inch of the walls was adorned with old photos, newspaper clippings, pictures of Irish American presidents, and festive St. Patrick's Day decorations.

The bar also houses a few other historical mementos, like Houdini's handcuffs and World War I-era wishbones dangling from a gas lamp above it.

I could have spent hours looking at every piece of art and history, and it made me feel proud of my Irish heritage. It felt as if I were in a living time capsule, surrounded by people who were there for a great time in one of the city's most historic spots.

Despite how busy the bar was, I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly and fast service I received from the bar staff and bouncer.

If you're looking for an immersive experience, you can't feel much closer to Ireland anywhere other than McSorley's. 

I wasn't surprised that when I visited a few days before St. Patrick's Day in 2023, finding a spot to sit inside the restaurant at prime time was a little difficult. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that as the night went on and it turned 8 p.m., tables started to open up. 

There was also a large outdoor dining area set up on the street outside, so finding a place to sit on busy days like St. Patrick's Day shouldn't be completely out of the question. 

Before going to McSorley's myself, I half-expected to find a rowdy group of drunk people dressed up for St. Patrick's Day and drinking overpriced beer. What I experienced couldn't have been more different than my expectations.

There was a strong sense of pride and camaraderie in the bar, with customers happy to let others through to the bar, introduce themselves, or tip their Irish bartenders. I felt more connected to my own Irish heritage than I have in years, and proud of the role Irish people have played throughout history in this country and in New York City. 

As I made my way home, I thought to myself that I hoped McSorley's would be open for another 170 years. All I know is that they've made a returning customer out of me. 

This story was originally published in March 2023, and most recently updated on March 13, 2025.

When I walked into the restaurant, I was shocked by how familiar the main dining area looked. I felt as though I had stumbled onto the set of the show.

According to the restaurant's website, emulating the show was intentional. The kitchen, which was visible from the dining area, even had chefs broken up into red and blue "teams" — just like on the show.

My husband and I ate at Hell's Kitchen as part of our anniversary celebration, so we were surprised with complimentary glasses of sparkling wine.

The glasses were topped with strawberries pierced with toothpicks shaped like pitchforks, a nod to the show's logo. The theming didn't stop there — the lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling were also shaped like pitchforks.

My favorite details were the bathroom doors marked with pitchforks resembling a "W" for women and an "M" for men.

It's no secret that a lot of screaming happens on the set of "Hell's Kitchen."

At the restaurant of the same name, however, I was pleased to see the chefs laughing and chatting with each other as they prepared our meals.

As fun as it is to see Ramsay shout on TV, I was happy not to hear yelling during our dinner.

When I think of "Hell's Kitchen," I immediately think of dishes like beef Wellington, scallops, and risotto. They're cooked often on the show and are some of Ramsay's signatures.

I was pleasantly surprised to find all these items and more on the restaurant's menu. And, yes, the risotto certainly lived up to the hype.

When we first made a reservation at Hell's Kitchen, I expected our meal would be quite expensive.

After all, my husband and I can easily spend $50 on dinner at our local diner, and this is a TV-famous restaurant serving some high-class dishes.

However, we got three appetizers, an entrée, and a dessert cocktail for $216, including tax and tip. Considering the quality of our meal and the immersive atmosphere, I thought this price was surprisingly fair.

According to the TSA, snow globes are allowed through if they are approximately tennis-ball size or less, and appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid. However, if you're bringing back a travel memento from a trip, it's usually a safe idea to pack it in your checked bag. 

When it comes to Magic 8 Balls, the future is clear: Leave them at home, or put them in your checked bag. 

"For carry-on bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball  and it told us… Outlook not so good," TSA wrote on its official website. "For checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us… It is certain!"

If you're traveling to or from the UK around the holidays, you might want to avoid packing this traditional British Christmas item. TSA guidelines state that "English Christmas crackers" are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. 

Made from a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper, crackers contain small gifts that come out when pulled on either end. When both ends of the cracker are pulled, there is a bang.

That's because, inside, there are two strips of card, attached to each end of the cracker. The two pieces of card have a slight overlap that is treated with gunpowder. When each end of the cracker is pulled, friction is generated where the card overlaps, creating a small explosion on the part containing gunpowder.

A US Transportation Security Administration spokesman told Airport Parking and Hotels that these items are prohibited from flying in checked or carry-on bags.

"They are flammable and should not be brought on airplanes. They fall in the same category as sparklers and fireworks," they said.

Soup is allowed on flights if you are carrying less than or equal to 3.4 fluid ounces, but any amount larger than that is prohibited in carry-on bags, the TSA reported.

Cast-iron cookware, such as skillets and pans, are not allowed in carry-on luggage. While the TSA website does not expand on why these items are prohibited, heavy cast-iron items could cause serious injuries or damage if used as a weapon.

Other types of pots and pans are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol, or over 140 proof, are also prohibited from both carry-on and checked bags.

Some high-percentage alcohols that would be affected by this ban include Hapsburg Absinthe XC, Sunset Very Strong Rum, Devil's Springs Vodka 160, and Golden Grain 190, which contains 95% alcohol by volume.

Alcoholic beverages that contain more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to no more than 5 liters and no more than 3.4 liquid ounces in carry-on bags.

The TSA prohibits foam toy swords from being brought on planes in carry-on bags, but they can be packed in checked bags.

That being said, lightsabers are allowed to be brought on board, per TSA guidelines. 

The TSA recommends that you pack these items in your checked bags, instead. The agency also notes that "replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage."

Water guns packed in a carry-on should be emptied of all liquid, or contain less than the 3.4 ounces allowed through security. 

TSA officers also have the option to prohibit or confiscate any item that goes through the security screening checkpoint "if they believe it poses a security threat," TSA guidelines state.

Anything that could be used as a weapon is usually banned from carry-on bags, and full-sized scissors are no exception.

TSA's website states that scissors are allowed in your carry-on, but must be less than 4 inches in length from the pivot point and wrapped or sheathed securely "to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors."

TSA guidelines explain that fertilizer is not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. The Street reported that this is because fertilizer is deemed a hazardous material, as it can be flammable and could be a risk for explosion. 

TSA guidelines state that gel-filled heating pads are not permitted in carry-on bags but can be checked. Electric heating pads that do not contain gel or liquid are not restricted in any way.

After a series of dangerous incidents in which the phones overheated, Samsung recalled the devices on September 15, 2016, and again on October 13, 2016. The Department of Transportation issued a 2016 statement banning both recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones and refurbished versions.

"We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in 2016. "We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

"The fire hazard with the original Note 7 and with the replacement Note 7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall," said US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) chairman Elliot F. Kaye. "I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It's the right thing to do and the safest thing to do."

In a December 2016 statement, Samsung said 93% of recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones had been returned, but that the company was rolling out a software update that month that would render the phones unusable.

"Consumer safety remains our highest priority," it said in the statement.