Why sources matter
Many trip details change: hours, fares, routes, event dates, road closures, rules and conditions. Articles, social posts, review sites and guidebooks, including this one, can be outdated the moment they are published. This site is an independent editorial guide and not an official source for anything. For anything you will act on, use the organization that is responsible for the information, and look at the date.
Match the question to the source
Different questions have different best sources.
Venues and attractions
For hours, admission, reservations, accessibility features, bag policies and photography rules, use the venue’s own website or its official contact details. Many venues post temporary notices on their home page or on their official social media accounts. If the information is unclear, call or email. This is also the place to confirm opening times, which can differ by day and season.
Transit agencies
For routes, schedules, fares, station features and service changes, use the operators of the services you plan to use. Rail, light rail and bus operators typically publish maps, timetables and alerts. Service notices matter for weekends, evenings and special events. Public transportation information is best taken from the operator itself, and transit maps are best read in their current versions, not copies found elsewhere.
Roads, parking and bridges
For road closures, construction, tolls and bridge conditions, look to the relevant transportation authorities. Parking operators and venues set their own rules and rates, and these can change, so check them directly. Parking basics are easier to follow when you rely on the operator’s current notices.
City and county government
For municipal notices, street closures for events, permits and public meetings, use the city and county websites and notices. Local government sites also list public services and contact information. Remember that offices have their own hours and holiday schedules.
Weather and emergency information
For forecasts and weather warnings, use the national weather service and other recognized forecasters. For emergencies, flooding, evacuations or public safety alerts, follow emergency management agencies and local authorities. Check the time of the forecast, since weather can change rapidly. Severe weather can affect the seasons and weather plans for a river trip.
Event organizers
For concerts, festivals, games and other events, rely on the organizer or the venue hosting it. Aggregators and calendars can help you find what is going on, but they may have outdated or incomplete entries. Confirm start times, tickets, entry rules and cancellations with the organizer.
Health and safety guidance
For health advisories, use public health agencies, and follow any current guidance at the venues you visit. This site offers no medical or safety advice beyond common sense.
How to tell if a source is reliable
- Is it run by the organization in question? Official websites typically list the organization’s name and contact details.
- Is it dated? Look for a “last updated” date, and be wary of pages with none.
- Is it consistent? If two sources disagree, trust the one closer to the organization, and ask directly if you can.
- Is it a copy? Directories, reposts and old guides often repeat stale information.
- Is it asking for money or personal details? Be cautious. Look for the secure connection indicator in your browser and be careful with unfamiliar sites that imitate official ones. Type addresses yourself instead of following unexpected links when something seems off.
Check more than once
Check a week out, a day or two before and on the morning of your trip. Bookmark the pages you will need and save key confirmation messages. Keep a note of phone numbers from official sites for use if plans go wrong.
When sources conflict or are silent
If you cannot find an answer, contact the organization directly and be polite and specific. If no response arrives in time, choose a flexible plan, and have an alternate. It is better to adapt than to rely on a half-remembered detail.
Keep perspective on historical and background information
Official sources are especially important for time-sensitive facts. For history and background, the best sources are archives, libraries and well-documented historical works. When something seems too good, too dramatic or too precise to be true, look for a second source. The same caution applies to claims about a city’s reputation, whether positive or negative: check where the numbers come from and when they were published.