Mark Twain once said, “there is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable”. This definitely holds true for the seven deadly sins. Gluttony, greed, lust, wrath, envy, pride, and sloth. We are only human, so chances are we’ve all committed one of these sins at least once in our lives, to a certain extent. Most of them happen while we’re on vacation and indulging ourselves. Plus we also love the Mick Jagger quote: “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing” because rock & roll music definitely goes hand in hand with the seven sins.

With Halloween right around the corner, we’ve rounded up the top destinations where the seven deadly sins are undoubtedly lingering in the air. Though, many of these locations serve as a perfect location to get you ‘sin’ on during any time of the year.

1. New York City, NY

Gluttony: An inordinate desire to consume more than one requires

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Our first sinful destination leads us to take a bite at The Big Apple. New York City is well known for having a diverse range of delectable cuisines. With so many amazing options, foodies might end up consuming more meals a day than the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For breakfast, head to Russ & Daughters for a traditional, yet high quality bagel & lox. The cafe has been around for over 100 years and you’ll have to go there for yourself to see what the hype is all about. Another place you definitely have to try (which is right around the corner) is the iconic Katz’s Deli. This New York staple cooks up a killer pastrami on authentic Jewish Rye, as well as a phenomenal Reuben sandwich, among a huge menu of classic meats and sides. Once you get your fix of the homemade pastrami, nothing else will come close. Good thing you can order online and get the goods shipped right to your door!

One of the hottest restaurants right now in New York City is Lillia, located on Union Street in Brooklyn. The Italian inspired restaurant serves up hand crafted pastas in all kinds of combinations. This highly in-demand fine dining eatery is owned and operated by Missy Robbins who is a graduate of New York’s Institute of Culinary Education which is ranked the number one culinary school in the nation. Chef Missy has specialized in Italian cuisine over the last decade as the Executive Chef at the recently closed, A Voce, a Michelin rated restaurant located by Central Park in Columbus Circle.

If you’re on a mission to splurge, check out Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, where the culinary experts blend Japanese cuisine with French technique to deliver unbelievable courses like Hokkaido uni and black truffle on a brioche bun.

Favorite Sinful Activity: If you like circus-themed clubs, checking out the House of Yes is an absolute must! The club, which is located in the heart of hipster-filled Bushwick, BK, is known for its exciting parties which go all night! With fun and head turning themes, patrons can party in a safe and nonjudgmental place. While the general vibe is “sinful”, the establishment takes consent very seriously. As nightlife enthusiasts in the modern day, we certainly appreciate policies that protect patrons.

House of Yes: 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237, (646) 838-4937

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2. Atlantic City, NJ

Greed: the desire for material wealth or gain

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One of Atlantic City’s greatest attractions is its casinos. Everyday, hundreds of tourists come to this seaside destination to test their luck on the slots and tables, in hopes that they come home with a jackpot prize. Along the boardwalk, you’ll find the bright lights of each casino luring you in. The casinos are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We know that winning easy money sounds very tempting, but it can also come back to bite. If we could give you any gambling advice, the most important thing would be to start your vacation with a specific gambling budget. Be mindful of your spending habits. If you spend that entire budget, it’s time to step away from the casino, no matter how bad you want to keep playing. You’ll thank yourself for coming to your senses when you step back into reality after your vacation. It’s easy to avoid getting help, but if you need it, there is support available.

Favorite Sinful Activity: Waste away in Margaritaville by spending the day at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Resorts Atlantic City. The kind staff will keep you taken care of while you enjoy the exciting views that AC has to offer. Enjoy delicious food and crafty drinks all day long during your next visit to AC.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, (609) 431-4100

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3. Palm Springs, CA

Lust: an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body

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Pleasures of the body come in all shapes and forms, and no, it’s not what you’re thinking. Whether it’s treating yourself to a simple massage, or getting the feeling of an adrenaline rush coursing through your veins on an ATV or skydiving off a plane, Palm Springs has a lot to offer. With a wide range of spas and extreme sports to indulge in, this desert city represents lust in the most PG form, and we’re all for it.

Palm Springs has a great selection of luxurious spas to choose from when you need some time to unwind and de-stress. Among them is one of our favorites, the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa. Not only does the resort have spa specials, but they also have several pools to spend the day in, a golf course with marvelous views, a fitness center, and a monthly full moon yoga.

If you prefer adrenaline over getting pampered, we have a couple of options for you. First is an ATV experience, zooming through the desert-like you’re on the set of Mad Max. Or for the ultimate thrill-seeker, how does skydiving above California sound? Skydive West Coast offers tandem skydives less than 30 minutes out of Palm Springs. No matter what you decide to do, we’re sure it will be an extremely satisfying getaway.

Favorite Sinful Activity: Plan to visit Palm Springs during one of the two weekends that Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is in town. The major festival hosts approximately 100,000 people each year and features many nationally famous acts! Enjoy the madness of this 20 year festival by seeing your favorite act, camping, and participating in the classic debauchery any fun festival has to offer.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival: April 15-17 & April 22-24, 2022, buy tickets here.

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4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wrath: manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury, also known as anger

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For the record: choosing hate over love is never the way to go, especially in the City of Brotherly Love. But Philly, being known for its course setting and dark sense of humor  is one place to check out the more dominant side of life. One may come across an online video of Philly locals singing together: “We’re from Philly no one likes us we don’t care” in a happy setting.

If you’ve never been to a hockey game before or consider yourself a big hockey fan, head over to Philly’s Wells Fargo Center to catch a game between NHL in-state rivals: Philadelphia Flyers versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Don’t be shocked when a fight breaks out mid-play, those are common, and perfectly legal in professional hockey matches.

Additionally, you can wander into Tipsy Bistro to see if your favorite sports teams are going head to head, or for more wrath, grab a drink when they’re showing a boxing match or UFC fight. Not only is UFC the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but it’s also the ultimate example of wrath in a sport.

Favorite Sinful Activity: Head to a live boxing match or UFC event in Philadelphia! There are many venues that host highly anticipated matches. Grab some tickets, a beer, popcorn, and watch the fight! Feel the energy of the crowd in University City as two mixed martial arts fighters go against each other in the Octagon. It’s pretty much like watching modern-day gladiators at battle.

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5. Beverly Hills, CA

Envy: the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situation

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Indie rock band, Weezer hit the nail right on the head in their early 2000’s track Beverly Hills as they sang, “Beverly Hills, that’s where I want to be; living in Beverly Hills.” As you take a stroll down Rodeo Drive, it’s hard not to envy the lavish lifestyles of the 90210’s residents, and many aspire to obtain that status. Take the Beverly Hills Trolley Tour to catch a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous. This 40-minute tour takes you down Rodeo Drive, and stops by historic landmarks in the area, as well as celebrity homes.

You can also live like a millennial celebrity on Melrose Avenue by attending a Cycle House spin class. Then, snap a post-workout photo in front of Paul Smith’s Instagram famous pink walls, and grab a cup of coffee at Urth Caffe. Who knows, you may even stumble upon Kylie Jenner while you’re there, who is known to be a loyal green tea boba fan. Want to try to catch other celebrities out and about? Check out Spoon University’s list of the seven best coffee shops to spot celebrities in the area.

Favorite Sinful Activity: Grab a posh vacation rental for your stay in Beverly Hills. This area of Los Angeles is well known for its over-the-top luxury mansions. If it’s in the budget, try renting one for the weekend to feel the envy of the celebrities and high profiles of this renowned place.

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6. Portland, OR

Pride: excessive belief in one’s own abilities, and the sin from which all others arise, also known as vanity

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Portland radiates pride on so many levels, and that’s not a bad thing. Being recognized as the top U.S. city for LGBTQ+ Pride, along with the city’s constant need to “Keep Portland Weird,” and the passionate delight Portland has for craft beers and coffee, it’s hard to deny that pride bursts at the seams in this city.

Favorite ‘Sinful’ Activity: Visit this gorgeous PNW city during the annual Pride Parade. The pride festival is hosted in June every year and is well known as one of the best pride events in this region of the United States. This is a must for anyone involved in the LGBTQ+ community. VacationRenter is a huge supporter of the pride community.

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7. Your Very Own Hometown

Sloth: the avoidance of physical work

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Some days, all you want to do is lay around and do nothing. So when you’re in the mood to exert absolutely zero energy, why not plan a staycation in your home city? The only effort you need to make is to find a lovely vacation home you wish to spend the weekend in, and VacationRenter makes that search process incredibly simple.

Filter your results based on location, guests, and the type of amenities you want, then scroll through images to find your dream vacation home. The only body part you’ll have to move are your hands to do the typing and clicking. Your sloth staycation is just a click away!

Favorite Sinful Activity: Enjoy this staycation in your city, by grabbing an awesome rental, and ordering take out from your favorite restaurant! Then make sure to enjoy the tv show you can’t get enough of. They’ll call you the sloth after this one!


The Ultimate Sin City: Las Vegas, NV

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It would be a sin in itself to not mention Las Vegas somewhere in this article. It is “Sin City” after all, a place where all seven deadly sins are very much alive. Get the best of all seven sins by going to the place that was inspired by them. Instead of one favorite sinful activity, we felt it was only right to recommend 7 for this place.

  • Gluttony: Indulge in a wide selection of all you can eat restaurants such as Sakana Sushi, Biwon Korean BBQ, or Wicked Spoon.
  • Greed: Spend all day and night gambling at one of the many casinos along The Strip, or if you’re knowledgeable in the sports world, place a parlay bet at one of Sin City’s sportsbooks.
  • Lust: Treat yourself to what is classified as “a seductive retreat for your mind, body and soul” at the Waldorf Astoria Spa.
  • Wrath: Catch a live UFC fight at the MGM Grand, or witness people get riled up at the most lively sports bars in town.
  • Envy: Go window shopping at The Shops at Crystals and browse through all the things you wish you could take home with you, or even buy something that catches your eye.
  • Pride: Get ready to have your mind blown at one of seven different Cirque de Soleil shows, as performers proudly show off their insane acrobatic and choreographic skills.
  • Sloth: Arrange for bottle service to a private cabana at Marquee Day Club or Encore Beach Club so you can spend a whole afternoon lounging around under the sun, having your drinks served to you at your disposal.

Las Vegas is the quintessence of going all out vacation mode, and releasing your inhibitions. Small doses of this city are recommended, because in the end, everyone’s got to pay for their sins. After your trip to Vegas, make sure to put a couple days aside to decompress!