Thirteen half-hour episodes focusing on sustainable travels share USA and Canadian places, people and stories, helping viewers to discover hidden gems. Darley dives into food, culture, history, art, and a continuation of the “Revolutionary Road Trip” themed episodes.
Enlisting the help of local experts along the way, Darley Newman is bringing you her expert travel tips for your next adventure… with a focus on sustainable travel adventures. Season 12 of the long-running TRAVELS WITH DARLEY series debuts on PBS stations starting in January. Thirteen half hours take viewers to destinations across North American blending historic architecture, culture, history, and cuisine.
“This season emphasizes sustainability, reflecting travelers’ growing commitment to making environmentally conscious choices in their destination and activity selections. The episodes feature ecological stewardship, the preservation of natural habitats and architecture, and the intergenerational sharing of history, art, culture, and cuisine, all aimed at ensuring a vibrant planet for future generations of travelers to explore and enjoy,” said Darley.
TRAVELS WITH DARLEY invites viewers to discover destinations close to home and further afield with locals as the guides as Darley shares enriching experiences. With Season 12, the Emmy Award-nominated series reaches 85 half hour episodes, filmed in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe.
Season 12 Series Description
History, travel and sustainability combine in Season 12 of Travels with Darley as Darley Newman explores diverse locations across the USA and Canada, enlisting the help of locals to find hidden gems along the way. Take a deep dive into the Santa Fe Indian Market, Motown Museum, Chicago architecture, travel sites with ties to the American Revolution and Michigan Central Station. Darley learns firsthand about agritourism in Georgia and Québec, including unique farm stays. Destinations in Season 12 include North Carolina, Michigan, New Mexico, Delaware, New Jersey, North Dakota, Illinois, Georgia and Québec.
Season 12 Episodes: Travels with Darley
1201 Detroit Rhythms, Tastes & Trails
1202 Detroit Art, Architecture & Innovation
1203 Santa Fe Indian Market
1204 North Dakota: Fargo & Beyond
1205 Delaware Revolutionary Road Trip
1206 North Carolina Revolutionary Road Trip
1207 New Jersey Revolutionary Road Trip Part IV
1208 New Jersey’s Silk City & Baseball
1209 Ellijay, Georgia
1210 New Mexico: Albuquerque to Ruidoso
1211 Illinois Great River Road
1212 Chicago Architecture & The Magnificent Mile
1213 Québec Eco-Adventures
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
1201 Detroit Rhythms, Tastes & Trails
Explore the Motor City’s legacy of Motown music, surprising natural beauty and diverse cuisine. Discover Detroit’s top spots and lesser-known gems, from The Motown Museum and historic West Village to the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit River. Darley tastes Dearborn’s Middle Eastern culinary delights and delicious Detroit-style pizza. Travel back in time with Darley as she visits an iconic jazz club and sets sail for an adventurous episode that blends Detroit’s rich culture with unexpected natural escapes.
1202 Detroit Art, Architecture & Innovation
Uncover Detroit’s dynamic blend of history, culture, and innovation through the city’s community-driven art scene and architectural gems. Witness Detroit’s creative and architectural renaissance, including an exclusive tour of historic Michigan Central Station. Enjoy Detroit’s landmarks, including the restored Book Tower, iconic Guardian Building and The Apparatus Room, a restaurant in a former firehouse. Check out murals with artist Ndubisi Okoye and learn about community-driven art initiatives at Rebel Nell. Cycle through the city with Wheelhouse Detroit and explore the bustling Eastern Market. From historic renovations to contemporary art and local flavor, see how Detroit blends its interesting past with a dynamic future.
1203 Santa Fe Indian Market
Immerse yourself in Santa Fe’s rich cultural heritage by exploring indigenous art, cuisine, and traditions at the world-renowned Santa Fe Indian Market. From acclaimed fashion designers like Patricia Michaels to Best in Show with artist George Rivera and electrifying hoop dancing with his Lightening Boy Foundation, dive into indigenous arts, culture, history and its impact in New Mexico and beyond. Indulge in Santa Fe cuisine at James Beard Award-winning Saźon. Try savory Indian tacos. Visit the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Institute of American Indian Arts and learn the art of flamenco dancing.
1204 North Dakota: Fargo & Beyond
Explore the best of Fargo and beyond in North Dakota, diving into vibrant public art, history, unique safaris and culture. In Fargo, take a street art tour and visit the Plains Art Museum. Dine at historical hotels and restaurants with German and Scandinavian influences. Toast with a beer and shop local at Brewhalla, Fargo’s bustling food hall. In Jamestown, head out on a unique bison safari and marvel at World’s Largest Buffalo Monument, before tasting farm-fresh cheese and gelato at Carrington’s Cows and Co Creamery.
1205 Delaware Revolutionary Road Trip
Embark on a “Revolutionary Road Trip” through Delaware to uncover the state’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, historical landmarks, and hidden gems. Explore Delaware’s captivating heritage, from the historic New Castle Courthouse and Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site to the vibrant city of Wilmington with its revolutionary landmarks. Visit the John Dickinson Plantation and the Zwaanandael Museum in Lewes for insights into colonial life and enjoy bird watching at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. This episode reveals the unique stories that shaped Delaware’s legacy.
1206 North Carolina Revolutionary Road Trip
Join Darley on a Revolutionary Road Trip through North Carolina for Colonial and Revolutionary War history, as well as Civil War stories, and regional cuisines. Experience history at every turn, from Greensboro’s transformed Revolution Mill and its denim legacy to Dolley Madison and the Regulators. Learn about this state’s presidential connections, famous movie stars, and more. Discover the Battle of Alamance, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and Bentonville Battlefield. Savor local flavors at Broadslab Distillery and The Redneck BBQ Lab.
1207 New Jersey Revolutionary Road Trip Part IV
Uncover New Jersey’s Revolutionary War heritage and storied traditions, including historic sites, baseball legends, and scenic attractions just outside New York City. Explore Alexander Hamilton’s connections at Paterson Great Falls and Hinchliffe Stadium. Dive into baseball history with Larry Doby Jr., and follow General George Washington’s footsteps at Dey Mansion. Enjoy horseback riding at Garrett Mountain and uncover more historical ties in Clifton and at Ringwood Manor, and end with a stroll through the New Jersey Botanical Gardens and a visit to a local diner. History and cuisine blend seamlessly in this episode.
1208 New Jersey’s Silk City & Baseball
Explore northern New Jersey’s rich history and hidden treasures from Paterson’s industrial past. From the Great Falls National Historical Park to the American Labor Museum’s look at the 1913 Silk Strike, Darley uncovers the area’s storied heritage. The episode also features Lambert Castle’s grandeur, a stroll through Little Peru and Little Falls, and visits to the Yogi Berra Museum and local dining spots. Join Darley to experience New Jersey’s diverse cultural and historical landscape.
1209 Ellijay, Georgia
Visit the Apple Capital of Georgia with Darley on her Ellijay, Georgia getaway complete with apple picking, hiking, and local food and drinks. Join Darley as she experiences life on family farms at places like Red Apple Barn and Cress Creeks Farm. Darley learns why wine grows well in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Roo Mountain Vineyards and hits the trails for mountain biking. She visits Expedition Bigfoot and tries local BBQ and Brunswick Stew at The Pink Pig, before embarking on a downtown walking tour with Chef Abbey Prieto.
1210 New Mexico: Albuquerque to Ruidoso
Dive into the rich tapestry of New Mexico, starting in Albuquerque and ending in Ruidoso on a New Mexico road trip, featuring cultural centers, outdoor adventures, and regional flavors. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center for art and indigenous cuisine. Explore historic Old Town Plaza and soar up high in a hot air balloon, before a farm to table dining experience at Los Poblanos. Venture outside the city to Ruidoso for outdoor adventures in the Lincoln National Forest, including a visit to the Smokey Bear Historical Park and insight into the history of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. This episode highlights New Mexico’s blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
1211 Illinois Great River Road
Join Darley for a scenic road trip along Illinois’ Great River Road, uncovering fascinating history, stunning natural landscapes, local wildlife, and quaint small towns. From goat treks in Galena and exhilarating zipline rides over the Mississippi River to ghost tours on historic Galena’s Main Street, this journey is packed with thrills and hidden gems. Find out why there’s a Dutch windmill in Fulton. Stay in an off-the-grid treehouse, and hike and cycle before savoring local flavors at breweries, distilleries, and family-owned ice cream shops and restaurants.
1212 Chicago Architecture & The Magnificent Mile
Darley explores architecture, history, culture and cuisine by water and on foot along The Magnificent Mile in Chicago. She highlights landmarks like the Tribune Tower, The Drake and 360 Chicago Observation Deck. Art and nature combine on the Butterfly Trail and at culinary stops. The adventure culminates in a nighttime parade and holiday extravaganza.
1213 Québec Eco-Adventures
Experience Québec’s natural beauty through sustainable travel adventures, from scenic flights and cycling to wildlife encounters and gourmet foraging, across the Lanaudière and Mauricie regions. Darley explores these regions between Québec City and Montréal via seaplanes, cycling, hiking and paddling rivers. She takes viewers bear watching, tastes local spirits, takes a gourmet hike to forage for mushrooms and edible flowers and stays in eco-friendly accommodations. Local experts share history in Trois-Rivières and Vallée Bras-du-Nord.
These episodes will be released weekly through NETA starting January 2, 2025. Viewers can check their local listings to find the series on their PBS TV station and watch Darley’s previous seasons on Tubi, Amazon Prime, Great Courses and other popular streaming platforms.
For more expert travel tips from Darley Newman, listen and subscribe to the “Travels with Darley” podcast on iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, Podchaser, Podcast Addict, Jiosavvn, Castbox, Audible, and watch the tv series on your local PBS station, Create TV, and for free on Go Traveler!
