One of the best things about moving away from your hometown is that you get to delight in the experience of being a tourist whenever you return.
The Here Mag team is fortunate enough to be from some stellar locales—from the sleeper underdog city that is St. Louis, Missouri, to a small Texas town that rivals the culinary scene and country kitsch of Austin.
This holiday season, as we battle snowstorm-related flight delays and awkward small talk with our extended families, we’re celebrating the beloved home cities we’re headed back to with comprehensive, year-round long weekend guides—a gift from us to you!
See below for our editorial team’s hometown guides, and the reasons we hold these places so dear to our hearts.
St. Louis, Missouri
“I’m happy to see my hometown picking itself up and dusting off. Though growth stagnated during much of the late 21st century, much of the city is currently undergoing a renaissance, as businesses such as Microsoft open offices, and tech incubators like the Cortex Innovation Community attract young entrepreneurs. St. Louis has always been a good place for families; now, there are more opportunities for young people too.” —Ally Betker, Editorial Director
Austin & San Marcos, Texas
“As a born-and-raised San Martian, I lived for Austin on the weekends. Growing up just 35 minutes south of one of Texas’s most popular destinations, I do claim Austin by proxy. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate my hometown of San Marcos in a whole new way and think it’s a very worthy side trip, especially if you’re looking for the best Tex-Mex in Central Texas. So I’ve got guides for both places—you’re welcome.” —Annie Werner; Managing Editor, Digital
San Diego, California
“I will say upfront that all the clichés are true: San Diego is best described with adjectives like “super chill” and “laid back.” The weather is sunny and basically comfortable year-round. It’s one of the few places in the country, if not the world, where you can be standing with your feet in the ocean while looking out at snow-capped mountains… But at 4,500 square miles, there’s a lot of ground to cover in greater San Diego County, and a surprising amount of variety—if you know where to look.” —Emma Glassman-Hughes; Senior Associate Editor, Print
Atlanta, Georgia
“Even though I no longer live down South, it’s been magical to see the city grow so much over the past few years: Hotlanta, the Hollywood of the South, the City Too Busy to Hate… I’ve never been prouder of where I come from and all the good music, good eats, and good times we get to show off to the world today.” —Tiana Attride, Editorial Assistant