Abandoned buildings are eerie enough on their own. But abandoned prisons where inmates were held in solitary confinement, tortured, and even executed feel particularly chilling.

For true crime fans or horror junkies, many former jails are open to the public and offer ghost tours. 

Here are 8 eerie, abandoned prisons around the US and the stories behind them.

Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Built in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was one of the most well-known prisons in the world. It housed big-name criminals like Al Capone and bank robber "Slick Willie."

Prisoners were kept in complete solitude at all times until overcrowding became a problem in 1913. Even when prisoners left their cells, guards would cover their heads so they couldn't see anyone, and no one could see them.

The prison closed in 1971 and remained abandoned until 1994 when it reopened to the public as a museum. Shadowy figures, laughter, and footsteps have all been reported as paranormal activity within the prison walls.

Ohio State Reformatory — Mansfield, Ohio

The Ohio State Reformatory opened in 1896 and operated for 94 years before its closure in 1990 due to a federal court order citing "brutalizing and inhumane conditions."

One of the most violent incidents that occurred at the prison was the kidnapping and killing of an employee's wife and daughter, which was carried out by two parolees in 1948. Two years later, the warden's wife was shot dead by a gun that fell on the floor as she was picking up a jewelry case. Years later, the warden himself died of a heart attack in his office. One inmate reportedly killed his cellmate and then stuffed his body under a bunk. The prison now offers tours, and tour guides and visitors alike say they can still hear the warden and his wife having conversations.

Parts of the 1993 movie "The Shawshank Redemption" were filmed on site.

Fort Delaware — Delaware City, Delaware

Fort Delaware was built in 1859 as a Union Fortress during the Civil War, but was used as a prison for captured Confederate soldiers. It held as many as 12,595 prisoners at one time.

The fortress was abandoned in 1944 and became a state park in 1951. Ghost tours are available on the isolated island, which is only accessible by ferry.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Walmart-owned e-commerce site Jet is now selling popular menswear startup Bonobos— a brand the retail giant acquired last year for $310 million.
• The move to sell Bonobos on Jet comes as Walmart continues to compete with Amazon. 
• Just in time for the holiday, fans of Bonobos can shop a selection of fall classics and brand favorites like chinos, sweaters, bomber jackets, and more.

Back in June 2017, retail giant Walmart acquired popular menswear company Bonobos for a staggering $310 million. When news of the purchase first surfaced, fans of the brand worried that the high-end, startup nature of Bonobos would be dissolved by the big corporation status of Walmart. While the acquisition ultimately didn't affect the quality of clothing or the shopping experience for consumers in any way, Walmart has made a notable change in how its brands sell to customers that'll only make it more convenient.

The Walmart-owned site Jet.com is now selling Bonobos on its site. While Walmart has seemingly mastered the in-store shopping business model, the new addition to Jet, which is strictly an e-commerce operation, comes as Walmart attempts to make strides in the online shopping space that has been dominated by Amazon.

Just in time for the holidays, fans of the menswear brand no longer have to go directly to the Bonobos site or a brick-and-mortar location. Instead, they can now buy the high-end apparel Bonobos has been praised for, along with tech, home goods, toys, groceries, and the many other offerings at Jet for a much more convenient shopping experience.

And with free two-day shipping on orders over $35, shelling out extra money to get items quickly isn't necessary. 

Bonobos' entire catalog won't be available on Jet, but the assortment includes fall classics and brand favorites like chinos, button downs, bomber jackets, and topcoats. Below, you'll find our picks for the best styles.

Shop Bonobos on Jet.com here.

Check out some of the best items available on Jet.com, below: 

Bonobos Men's Slim Fit Italian Topcoat

Slim Fit Italian Topcoat, $598

Bonobos Men's Merino V-Neck Sweater

Merino V-Neck Sweater, $98

Bonobos Men's Slim Fit Washed Button Down Shirt

Slim Fit Washed Button Down Shirt, available in four colors, $88

• Singapore Airlines recently relaunched its non-stop service between New York and Singapore. 
• The 10,000-mile flight that can last as long as 19 hours is the longest in the world.
• Singapore Airlines is using a fleet of brand new Airbus A350-900 ULR airliner to make the flight.
• The new fleet is fitted out with 161 seats in business class and premium economy. There are no economy sections on these aircraft.
• Business Insider recently had the chance to experience the trip in both business class and premium economy to see how they compare.

In October, Singapore Airlines re-launched its non-stop service between New York and its homeland of Singapore. The 10,000-mile journey can last as long as 19 hours, making it the longest scheduled passenger flight in the world.

Singapore Airlines previously operated the route from 2004 to 2013 using the Airbus A340-500. While it has exceptional range and capability, the A340-500 was a relic of the 1990s, and the thirst of its four engines proved too uneconomical to sustain. Even a shift to an all-business-class layout couldn't generate enough income to save the route.

To operate the ultra-long-distance flight, the airline ordered a fleet seven Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range or ULR.

The flight marked the operation debut of the ULR variant which one Singapore Airlines executive called the only aircraft capable of making the flight in an economically viable fashion.

The biggest difference between the standard A350-900 and the ULR is its range. Airbus managed to cram an additional 6,300 gallons of fuel into the plane's tanks. The result is an increase in range from 9,300 miles to as much as 11,100 miles.

Each of the ULR aircraft is equipped with 161 seats divided in business and premium economy class. It's one of the few scheduled commercial airline flights without an economy class cabin. 

In addition to New York/Newark, Singapore is also using its fleet of ULRs to launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles as well as San Franciso.

Business Insider recently had the chance to experience the flight both in business and premium economy. Here's how the two stack up. 

SEE ALSO: Check out the secret compartment where flight attendants sleep on the longest flight in the world

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The new Airbus A350-900 ULR awaits.

Here's a better view of the jet.

Let's get on the plane.

When watching your favorite shows, there are few things more satisfying than seeing a couple you’ve been rooting for finally get together. Especially when their chemistry is just as strong as you'd hoped. 

Many couples have made TV history with their love stories— here are some of the couples that have had the most onscreen chemistry. 

Ross and Rachel are the epitome of a '90s couple.

The quintessential '90s sitcom couple, no list would be complete without Ross and Rachel from "Friends."

After Ross pined for her since his high school days, it was so gratifying to finally see them together ... only for them to be ripped apart during the "we were on a break" debacle. Were they on a break or not?

But ultimately, they just couldn’t stay apart forever, and the iconic series finale drew them right back to each other when Rachel got off the plane.

Derek and Meredith will always share an epic love for each other.

Sure, they got off to a rocky start in the first season of "Grey’s Anatomy"— after all, Derek was still technically married to Addison when they first got together.

But their chemistry was undeniable, and fans got to see them fall in love, get married, and have children, even when Meredith was told that would be impossible. Through several near-death experiences, their love never died.

Their chemistry was also what made it so absolutely devastating when Derek died at the hand of incompetent surgeons. If anyone deserved a happy ending, it would have been these two.

Jess was the best of Rory’s boyfriends on "Gilmore Girls."

There will be an eternal debate between"Gilmore Girls" fans: Jess, Logan, or Dean? But when you’re talking about chemistry, the only answer to that question is Jess.

They had a passion that Rory didn’t have with any of her other boyfriends.

A lot goes into planning a wedding, from picking out a dress to selecting a venue. When it comes to choosing a cake for the cutting ceremony, brides and grooms shouldn't feel confined to a traditional white tiered confection.

Keep reading for 20 wedding cake alternatives, from crepe cakes to s'mores bars.

Ice cream cakes are a crowd-pleaser.

Everyone loves ice cream. While some couples might opt for a sundae bar or rent an ice cream cart, you can go all out with this cold, sweet treat by making it the centerpiece of the cutting ceremony.

Crepe cakes can make a playful addition to your wedding.

Lady M Confections, a New York City-based chain of cafes or "boutiques" specializing in Japanese-style desserts, popularized the mille crêpe cake ("mille" is French for "a thousand").

This layered treat comprising a stack of 20 thin, French pancakes can make a playful addition to any wedding.

Brunch-lovers will go wild for waffle "cakes."

Leslie Knope would approve of the waffle "cake." This brunch-inspired dessert, made by stacking waffle upon waffle, is often bedecked with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

• Picking the right wine to bring to a holiday party can be tricky — you want it to complement the food being served and you want everyone to like it.
• We talked to a sommelier and beverage expert for her picks on the best bottles of wine to bring to seven different types of holiday parties.
• Our expert gave bottle suggestions at three different price points: under $20, $20 to $50, and $50 and up.

'Tis the season for parties — and unlimited trips to the wine store.

From Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas, it's not surprising that wine consumption spikes in October, November, and December, according to The Beverage Spot.

Bringing the right bottle to any holiday party or dinner can be tricky — there's a lot of pressure to pick a bottle that complements the food you'll be eating and guests' palates, especially if you're on a budget. 

We talked to Gretchen Thomas, sommelier and vice president at Del Frisco's Grille and Barcelona Wine Bar, to get her picks on the best wines to bring for eight different holiday occasions. The holidays can get expensive, so we included three different price points: under $20, $20 to $50, and $50 and up.

From Friendsgiving to your best friend's Secret Santa party, here are the best wines to bring to your next holiday party.

SEE ALSO: The 3 most important things to look for on a wine label, according to an expert

DON'T MISS: 12 secrets to enjoying the perfect bottle of wine, according to wine experts

Family Thanksgiving reunion: Pinot noir

Under $20: Montinore Estate, Willamette Valley

$20 to $50: Anthill Farms, Anderson Valley

$50 and up: Domaine de la Cote, Santa Rita Hills

According to Thomas, Thanksgiving needs a wine that can bridge different flavors and textures since sweet sides and sauces are often served with the meal.

"The wine also needs to please many palates and work as a complement (not a scene stealer) to what is the most important dinner of the year for many American families," she said. "A fruity, medium to full-bodied west coast Pinot Noir works great for this."

Friendsgiving feast: Sparkling wine

Under $20: Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia Brut Nature

$20 to $50: Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut

$50 and up: Billecart-Salmon Blanc des Blancs

"Friendsgiving is my favorite annual holiday, and it's all about eating fall-inspired foods often more adventurous than what might be served at the traditional family Thanksgiving and celebrating life with your best friends," Thomas said. "Nothing works better for this than a great bottle of bubbles."

A Hanukkah dinner: Sparkling wine, rosé, or a full-bodied red

Kosher options/non-Kosher options:

Under $20: LaMarca Prosecco / Gramona La Cuvee Gran Reserva Cava

$20 to $50: Celler Capcanes Peraj Petita Rosat / Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir

$50 and up: Celler de Capcanes Peraj Ha'abib / Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Pinot Noir

Traditional Hanukkah dishes offer an array of flavors, Thomas said, adding that some, like the sweetness of noodle kugel, are difficult for wine pairing, while others, like potato latkes and matzo ball soup, pair easily. 

"Rather than suggesting one type of wine to cover the entire dinner, the kosher suggestions offer the perfect pairings for the dinner — beginning with a sparkling, [continuing] with a soft and fruit rosé, and finishing the dinner (brisket time!) with a full-bodied and rich red wine," she said.

"Clueless" the beloved '90s classic might be the most well known for its iconic outfits. Cher and Dionne's matching plaid ensemble has even become a go-to Halloween costume but that's not the only memorable outfit from the movie. 

Here are 22 of the best looks in "Clueless."

Amber's black feather headband is unforgettable.

Amber is a character with a lot of sass and that is always replicated in her outfits. Why she felt like wearing an outfit covered in feathers to her 9 a.m. homeroom? I'm not sure. But she's owning the look.

Amber's dance outfit is something only she could pull off.

Once again, Amber pulled off something that seems like only she could pull off. The square-neck camisole top is a '90s given, but the ultra-short pink frilly skirt, the feather choker, and the tiny tiara are really what make this an Amber only look.

Amber's pigtails and shearling jacket were a winning look.

Amber's fantastic hair accessories are truly enviable. Her pigtails paired with an on-trend shearling jacket make the look entirely her own. 

• You might want to know how to get hired after your internship. 
• It all starts with picking a company that values their interns.
• Career intelligence site Vault found the best internships for employment prospects.

When it comes to the best internship programs, it's a given that you won't just be fetching coffee. Hopefully, the program ends with a job offer.

Career intelligence site Vault, in its annual ranking of internships, took a look at which companies are most likely to hire their interns.

To find the companies that rate highest for employment prospects, Vault surveyed 13,000 current and former interns from 120 internship programs. Vault asked interns to rate on a scale of one to 10 the "opportunity to obtain a full-time job with this organization."

Take a look below to see the 13 internships that ranked the highest. We also included the median pay for interns, according to their Glassdoor page, and what each company is looking for, according to their websites.

SEE ALSO: The 17 most prestigious internships anyone would be lucky to get

NOW READ: RANKED: The 25 internships with the best pay, perks, and office space

13. James G. Davis Construction

Location: Rockville, Maryland

Pay:$17.50 an hour 

Ideal for: Students studying construction management, architectural engineering, or a related field.

What the company says:"Throughout the 12-week internship, in addition to working full-time, we provided a jam-packed social calendar which enabled our interns to connect outside of the office."

12. Plante Moran

Locations: Across Michigan, Ohio, and Chicago

Median pay: $24 an hour 

Ideal for: Students studying accounting, finance, consulting, and other fields.

What the company says:"We treat interns like first-year staff. Although each internship is slightly different, most interns work on actual client projects, getting a real feel for the profession, the firm, and our clientele."

11. Northwestern Mutual

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Median pay:$14 an hour 

Ideal for: Students interested in finance, insurance, or sales.

What the company says:"Lay the foundation for a client base and a successful practice, with support from your office colleagues and the company. At Northwestern Mutual, you'll work for yourself but never by yourself."

Although many of Europe's monarchies no longer exist, there are several that are still going strong today — even if it is for purely symbolic reasons. Within those monarchies are a number of queens and queen consorts who serve as prominent social and cultural figures for the nations they represent.

Currently, the continent is home to seven queens who reign over a combined total of more than 20 countries. 

Of course, it's important to remember this list only includes queens who are currently reigning over their country or countries. It's worth noting that there are many royal figures, like Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, who are no longer reigning due to their country's rejection of the monarchy. 

Here are all of the currently reigning queens throughout the European continent and how they ascended to the throne. 

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is somewhat of a renaissance woman.

Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine d'Udekem d'Acoz is the daughter of a count and countess, which means she's no stranger to Belgian nobility.

In 1999, she married Belgium's Prince Phillipe and simultaneously became a princess and Duchess of the Netherlands. When her husband later ascended to the throne in July 2013, she became Belgian's first queen consort of Belgian descent.

Queen Mathilde is committed to participating in public events that serve the betterment of her country. Currently, she is the honorary president for UNICEF Belgium and the Council for Sustainable Development.

In addition to having her drive to help others, she can play piano and has a deep love for music and the arts. She also holds a degree in speech therapy from the Institut Libre Marie Haps in Brussels, which allowed her to work as a speech pathologist for several years. She also fluently speaks four languages.

The official website for the Belgian monarchy also notes that the queen participates in several sports, including swimming, cycling, and tennis. 

Current reign: Five years

Queen Letizia Ortiz of Spain was a successful journalist who turned into a royal icon.

Prior to the marrying into Spain's royal family, Queen Letizia held a successful journalism career. Throughout her time working in news, she served as an editor, anchor, and reporter for a variety of media outlets.

The current queen met her royal spouse, Prince Felipe VI, while on a journalism assignment in 2002. They kept their relationship a secret and surprised the entire country with their engagement a year later. When they married in Madrid on June 19, 2014, Letizia became the princess consort of Spain.

When her father-in-law, Juan Carlos I, abdicated his throne, her husband became the King of Spain, which effectively made her Spain's first commoner queen.

The couple also has two daughters, Leonor and Sofia. 

Current reign: Four years

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history for her country by ascending to the throne.

In 1972, Margrethe II became the first sovereign queen of Denmark, after succeeding her father, King Frederik IX.

This was a massive departure from the previous Danish traditions that stated only men could ascend to the throne. Her ascension officially marked the change in succession laws for the country, as well as a move toward a more modern view of the monarchy.

In 1967, she married Prince Henrik, a French diplomat, and together they had two sons: Prince Frederik and Prince Joaquim. Henrik died earlier this year due to health complications.

Beyond her royal duties, Queen Margrethe II is an avid painter and some of her works are available for viewing in Danish museums.

Like many other queens, she has an impeccable command of multiple languages. In fact, she utilized this skill by helping to translate the Danish version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings,"which she also contributed illustrations to. 

Current reign: 46 years

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves, so if it's cold where you live, work, or play, slip a pair on and keep the chill out.

• The Marmot Expedition Mitts are our top pick because these high performance mittens were designed to meet the needs of mountaineers at high altitudes in the depths of winter, so they'll serve you just as well as you ski, sled, or shovel off the driveway.
  

As the winter chill sets in, don't hide out indoors and wait for the warmer weather — Get yourself some great cold weather gear and get outside for some exercise and enjoyment. With a good hat, parka, snowpants, and boots, you'll be almost set to face the freeze.

Now you just have to worry about those hands of yours. While gloves are great, if you want the warmest hands possible during the coldest depths of winter, you'll need to get yourself a pair of mittens.

Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves by allowing your fingers to share their warmth, creating an insulated, cozy pocket for each hand. With a well-made pair of mittens, you can handle many cold weather activities just as well as with gloves. You can wear mittens while skiing or snowboarding, shoveling snow, or even swiping through windows on your phone thanks to the touchscreen compatible materials used on many pairs.

Yes, you will lose a measure of dexterity when choosing mittens versus gloves. But you won't risk losing a finger to frostbite, or simple suffering from frigid digits, to be a bit less dramatic. Today we've lined up some of the best mittens on the market, including mittens for babies, kids, adults, and some specialty pairs, too.

Here are the best mittens you can buy:

• Best mittens overall: Marmot Expedition Mitts
• Best mittens for women: Columbia Whirlibird Mitten
• Best mittens for men: REI Co-Op Gauntlet GTX Mittens
• Best mittens for babies: Stonz Infant/Baby Mittz
• Best mittens for kids: N'Ice Caps Kids Thinsulate Waterproof Reflector Mittens
• Best mittens for parents: 7 A.M. Enfant Polar Warmmuffs Stroller Hand Muffs
• Best convertible mittens: Hot Headz Polarex Glommitts Gloves

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best mittens overall

Why you'll love them: The Marmot Expedition Mitts feature plentiful Primaloft synthetic insulation, keeping your hands warm even in temperatures well below zero.

The water repellent patented Marmot MemBrain nylon exterior of the Marmot Expedition Mitts keeps your hand dry even as you romp about in the snow or rain, while the DriClime moisture wicking liner helps draw away sweat from the inside. A long sleeve, wrist strap, and gauntlet draw cord help keep the cold and the precipitation out of the mittens.

But it's the insulation that truly sets these mittens apart. The mitts are filled with layers of Primaloft One insulation, a synthetic fill that provides unmatched heat retention yet weighs almost nothing.

Allow me a quick anecdote: Last year, I visited Primaloft's headquarters and got to test out the insulation in their main lab. At one point, an employee had me and several other writers line up, hold our hands out palm up, and close our eyes. He then laid a square of Primaloft in one hand of each of us, only telling us the stuff was there after a pause. Not one of us had felt it placed on our palms. But after another moment, he asked if either hand was starting to feel warmer. Every one of us raised the palm with the all but weightless square of insulation resting atop it.

In other words, this stuff is good. Which helps explain the price tag of the Expedition Mitt.

One Amazon customer spoke for many when he said: "I found [my Expedition Mitts] perfect," reporting that they were "fabulous when I summited Mt. Rainier." OK, one more personal digression: having summited that mountain myself, I can vouch for the necessity of topnotch gear up there!

A writer from GearJunkie called the Marmot Expedition Mitts "wonderfully warm," though he noted that "the abundant insulation creates a mitt that lacks dexterity."

Pros: Fabulously warm, reliably waterproof, sweat wicking liner

Cons: Rather expensive, limit dexterity

Buy a pair of Marmot Expedition Mitts on Amazon for $115

The best mittens for women

Why you'll love them: The Columbia Whirlibird Mittens are sized perfectly for a woman's hand and were made for the woman who is headed far out into the backwoods in the depths of a cold winter.

Sometimes, it's the little things. Like the fact that the Columbia Women's Whirlibird Mittens has a shock cord on the hem that you can easily tighten with one hand. Or the nose wipe stitched onto the back of the thumb. Or the excellent grip of the synthetic leather palm. Or the Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining that radiates your body's heat right back at your skin.

OK, taken together, those things aren't all that little. In fact, they're the makings of an excellent women's mitten, and one suitable for use shoveling snow, trudging across town, or trekking up a high alpine peak. The mittens are available in four women's sizes and in four colors. The mittens feature a three-point pre-curved articulated shape that allows for more comfort and better dexterity as you grip a ski pole, snow shovel, or ice axe.

Of course the exterior of the Whirlibird Mitten is waterproof yet breathable, as you'd expect of any fine winter gear.

Around 90% of the customers who have used these mittens say they would recommend them to other people. One lady reported how well the "technology traps in the heat" while another called them "toasty warm." Just consider sizing up, as many users did report them a bit narrow and snug.

Pros: Thermal reflective lining, articulated design, nose wipe on thumb

Cons: Sizing runs small

Buy a pair of Women's Whirlibird Mittens from Columbia for $55

The best mittens for men

Why you'll love them: With a pair of REI Co-Op Gauntlet GTX Mittens on, a man will be ready for wind, rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. 

The REI Co-OP Gauntlet GTX Mittens are ideal for the man headed out into the cold for an extended period of time. The Gore-Tex shell is completely waterproof and blocks the chill of the wind, yet still lets excess heat and built up moisture out and away from your hands.

A synthetic leather palm resists abrasion and provides an excellent grip, ideal for holding trekking poles, an axe, a shovel, and so on. The touchscreen compatible thumb allows for use of more sensitive hardware, too.

The Gauntlet GTX Mittens have a long cuff with wrist straps and a drawcord hem, so keeping out the snow and the chill is easy, while a fleece lining and plenty of synthetic insulation keep your hands good and warm. And if you care about the environment note that these mittens meet Bluesign criteria for sustainable production.

REI customers have given these mittens a four-star overall rating. One gentleman calls them "warm and very easy to keep on," while another loved that they were warm but "not too bulky." Many men noted an acute lack of dexterity while wearing them, however.

Pros: Reliable wind- and waterproofing, touchscreen compatible, sustainably produced

Cons: Limit dexterity

Buy a pair of Gauntlet GTX Mittens at REI for $70

• One of the largest pyramids in the world is in Memphis, Tennessee, and is owned by Bass Pro Shops. 
• The "Great American Pyramid" is taller than the Statue of Liberty and houses a super-sized Bass Pro Shops, a hunting lodge-themed hotel, an indoor swamp, a bowling alley, and two restaurants. 
• We visited the pyramid and discovered a place that is like nothing else on the planet. 

An ancient pyramid looms over the city of Memphis. 

Well, maybe not ancient. But, since 1991, the "Great American Pyramid" has welcomed travelers as they journey over the Mississippi River on I-40. And, the pyramid boasts a strange history, with a past life as a sports arena, events space, and even an abandoned structure nicknamed the "Tomb of Doom" due to rumors of a curse incurred by the founder of the Hard Rock Café.

Inside the mighty pyramid, the scene grows even more bizarre. The pyramid is now owned by Bass Pro Shops, and the chain has taken it upon itself to transform it into a sort of theme park for the American outdoorsman: a 32-story building with an indoor swamp, gun range, and bowling alley. 

Once you enter the "Tomb of Doom," you can never leave. Well, you can, but with a luxury hotel and two restaurants, there isn't much reason to do so. 

We decided to visit the pyramid ourselves. Here's what it's like to stay in a Bass Pro Shops that's taller than the Statue of Liberty and almost the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza:

SEE ALSO: We visited the regional chain that Southerners say is better than In-N-Out and Shake Shack — here's the verdict

The pyramid sits on the Mississippi River. It's the first thing you see when you enter Memphis from the west.

Since Memphis' namesake is the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, the Tennessean city thought it only right to build a pyramid of their own in the '80s.

It cost a whopping $68 million, the equivalent of more than $124 million today. One of the original funders was arrested for failing to foot his portion of the bill, but the city managed to complete construction in 1991.

Source: The New York Times

A number of active-duty US troops, the first of thousands, have arrived at the US-Mexico border.

US military personnel deployed to the border ahead of the anticipated arrival of migrant caravans have started constructing bases of operations and running razor wire to prevent illegal crossings.

These photos show some of what troops are doing at the border:

Soldiers from the the 89th Military Police Brigade, and 41st Engineering Company, 19th Engineering Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, arrive in Harlingen, TX on Nov. 1.

The active-duty troops which have been or will be deployed to parts of Texas, Arizona, and California are among a group of more than 7,000 troops expected to be sent to the border in support of Operation Faithful Patriot.

Many of the engineering teams are expected to be involved in activities such as barrier construction and the hardening of key border facilities.

Active-duty military personnel are heading to the border to support the Customs and Border Protection mission.

The troops deploying to the border, according to the US military, will provide planning assistance and engineering support, as well as equipment and resources, to assist the DHS as it attempts to secure the southern border against migrant caravans from Latin America.

The number of troops slated for deployment to the US-Mexico border has risen three times in the past week, surging from several hundred into the thousands, and the number could rise again in response to operational demands.

Read More: Trump is sending thousands of troops to the border with Mexico — here's everything we know so far

• Five Below is a discount-store chain that sells everything from books to clothes for under $5.
• It has opened 67 new stores so far in 2018. It plans to open an additional 50 stores this quarter, CEO Joel Anderson said in an earnings call in September.
• Five Below opened its flagship store in one of Manhattan's most iconic shopping districts on Friday. Here's what it's like to visit. 

SEE ALSO: These are the best stores to shop for toys now that Toys R Us has died

The Five Below flagship store was on Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks away from stores like Brooks Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Versace.

There were greeters standing outside of the building and at the top of the escalator.

At the bottom of the escalator was a small section of New York City souvenirs and a ton of Christmas decor. Christmas music was playing over the speakers.

• There are fun things to do for free in every US state.
• GoBankingRates found the best free thing to do in every state and Washington DC.
• They include bizarre roadside art, free beer tastings, and beautiful hikes through national parks and forests.

There's plenty of excitement to be had across these 50 beautiful states before the year officially ends. From sampling brewery beer in Delaware to testing your hula skills in Hawaii, you don’t have to leave the US — or break your budget — to have an amazing vacation adventure.

Click through and check out these fun activities you can enjoy in every state for free.

Alabama — Browse the 40,000-square-foot Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro

If you’re looking to hit a fun, bucket-list-worthy site, visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro to browse the 40,000-square-foot store for free. If you do want to spend a few bucks on souvenirs, you can often pick up lost treasures here for a fraction of their value.

When you’re done, head over to the Museum of Alabama in Montgomery to take a journey through pre-history, the Civil War and more as you examine hundreds of artifacts. Admission to the museum is free.

Alaska — Stroll through Klondike Gold Rush National Park in Skagway

Visiting a national park is one of the coolest and cheapest activities for the family. So relive Alaska’s gold mining days at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway. Not only is admission free, but you can also take a complimentary ranger-led tour to visit the historic district that houses more than 20 boom town buildings.

Feel like you’re away from it all without ever leaving Anchorage at Kincaid Park, featuring more than 37 miles of trails, a sandy beach and critters ranging from moose to porcupines.

Arizona — Marvel at monuments at the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix

Facebook on Tuesday reported revenue that missed Wall Street estimates and stalling user trends during the third quarter. Shares were up in premarket trading Wednesday, however, as investors had apparently prepared for the worst.

The social-media giant earned $1.76 a share, beating the $1.47 that was expected by analysts. Its revenue grew 33% year-on-year to $13.73 billion but missed the $13.8 billion that was anticipated.

Facebook said it had 2.27 billion worldwide monthly active users in the third quarter, including 1.49 billion daily active users, up from 2.23 billion and 1.47 billion in the previous quarter. Its average daily users in the US and Canada, however, have flatlined since the the first quarter at 185 million.

The company also said it would invest more aggressively and called for operating-expense growth of 40% to 50% in its 2019 guidance.

Analysts across Wall Street were relieved that users didn't flee the social network in droves after a string of scandals. But they have mixed opinions about Facebook's long-term outlook.

Here's what Wall Street is saying about the quarter:

Goldman Sachs — 'Better than feared'

Price target: $195 (from $205)

Rating: Buy

RBC Capital Markets — 'Facebook still has many growth levers left to pull'

Price target: $190 (from $225) 

Rating: Outperform

Jefferies — 'Not as spooky as feared, but ghosts remain'

Price target: $200 

Rating: Buy

• Tesla is heading into 2019 in better shape than it ever has been in the past.
• But that doesn't mean it's time to let Tesla bullishness run free.
• Many of Tesla's ambitious supporters are making big mistakes about the company.

Tesla turned an important corner a few weeks back when it reported its first quarterly profit since 2016. Coming after easily the most surreal and strange summer in the company's 15-year history, this was good news — and a fulfillment of CEO Elon Musk's prediction that the carmaker would swing from red to black by the end of 2018.

Don't be fooled: Tesla's balance sheet remains debt-laden, and its future cash needs are likely to be a drag on future profits.

But don't overlook the most salient aspect of the company's finances — its revenue. Tesla topline was almost $7 billion for the Q3. Tack on another $3 billion, not a stretch given Tesla's growth in vehicle deliveries, and you have a quarter to one-third of what GM or Ford does every three months, with a global manufacturing footprint and dozens of cars and trucks sold.

All the money that Tesla has coming in the front door is an inconvenient truth for the company's naysayers, who would rather fixate on quality control, Musk's shenanigans, or on the competition that is set to arrive — even though the global electric-vehicle market is currently so small that nobody really wants to compete yet.

That doesn't mean Tesla's latest results should overly embolden its boosters. We're not talking about Toyota here; Tesla is a small carmaker that captures an outsized share of media attention, and that can often mask its  shortcomings.

The inconvenient truth for this group is that Tesla's isn't actually going to take over the world and become the Apple of cars — or match GM's prodigious achievement, over 50 years ago, of capturing half the US auto market. As with most things when it come to Tesla's biggest fans, that hasn't stopped them from making huge mistakes. Here's a rundown of the five worst.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk needs to stop lecturing everybody about how hard it is for Tesla to build cars

The electric-vehicle market will see massive growth in the next decade, and Tesla will dominate.

Years ago, this unsupportable argument came largely from the more emotional regions of the pro-Tesla camp. Those who made it were justifiably disgusted with the traditional auto industry for its many sins of the past, hated the idea that they had to buy a car from it, and saw Tesla as a sort of savior company. 

As Tesla has grown and experienced all the pain that car companies deal with all the time, this view has retreated. People still love Teslas. But because a lot more of them own an actual vehicle, they understand that Tesla is making something that has four wheels and windows. 

Impractical expectation have migrated out of the early adopter space and into the finance realms, where it's always been important to promote investment stories about Tesla that are mega-bullish.

Loup Ventures' Gene Munster, for example, argued last year that Tesla's addressable US market could be 11-million vehicles annually (Munster offered this prior to Tesla's summer of discontent in 2018, and even before the carmaker's Model 3 sedan hit serious production delays, since resolved). 

As I noted at the time, Munster's number is borderline nonsense. If Tesla were to sell 11 million vehicles annually in the US, it would control 65% of the 2018-level market, which should come in at over 17 million. And bear in mind that at its peak in the 1950s — when it had only two major domestic competitors in Ford and Chrysler — General Motors captured just over 50% of the market; it now leads all US sales with less than 20%.

Equally egregious is Ark Invest, whose CEO, Cathie Wood, thinks Tesla will in five years will transform itself from being primarily a carmaker to being a mobility service-provider, minting a share price of as much as $4,000. Tesla has nothing that even vaguely resembles even an incipient mobility business. Waymo, which has been testing self-driving vehicles for close to a decade, has just started to roll one out. 

It doesn't strain credibility to propose this as an investment thesis — it insults it. (Ark was among Tesla investors who argued against Musk's failed effort to take the company private, and to Wood and her team's credit, seems to have delivered admirable returns to investors through its stakes in "disruptive" technologies.)

It gets worse. Ark also thinks that 17 million EVs will be selling annually by 2022. Forgetting for a moment that there's something of an unrealized contradiction between Tesla plugging EVs into a service, rather than the ownership model, the math here is challenged by reality. 

We would be much, much better off as residents of planet Earth if the EV were to grow rapidly over the next three years. Five-to-seven million in annual sales would be wonderful. If you go to 17 million, however, you have to figure out how the globe's automakers are going to either convert existing factories now assembling gas-powered cars to build EVs; or locate the capacity expansion worldwide that would support manufacturing EVs at a level equal to the entire yearly US market for passenger vehicles, in a boom state.

Disagreeing with these Tesla ultra-bulls doesn't mean that you're anti-Tesla, by the way. It just means that you'd prefer for Tesla to be part of a reality-based scenario — one in which Tesla doesn't dominate, but participates, in a robust market for EVs.

Teslas will be able to drive themselves.

Maybe someday. But not any day soon. The first highly automated vehicles are just beginning to appear, operated by Waymo and GM's Cruise unit. This is an extremely high-cost undertaking that GM President Dan Ammann has called the biggest engineering challenge of our generation. 

Tesla's vehicles have the hardware and software to provide what experts call "Level 2" autonomy. The Autopilot system is extremely good. Cadillac Super Cruise — also a Level 2 system — is better at hands-free highway driving, but Tesla's Autopilot can handle most other situations a bit better.

That's not good enough for some Tesla boosters, who grasp that although Tesla has for over a decade been famous as an electric-car company, self-driving doesn't require electric propulsion. There are good reasons to use electric batteries and motors for autonomous vehicles, but they aren't dealbreakers.

Autonomy has captured the tech world's imagination, and so a hard pivot has been made in that direction. If you don't attach full autonomy to the Tesla story, well, then Tesla could become just another electric-car company among many manufacturers, slogging it out for market share while Waymo and Cruise capture all the new, rapid, lucrative self-driving growth.

Can't have that. So Teslas must drive themselves. Even if it's currently unlikely they will.

Tesla is the next Apple.

The analogy-or-bust crowd loves this one. Apple had a charismatic oddball as a leader — and so does Tesla! Apple almost went bankrupt before a gargantuan resurgence — and so did Tesla! Apple links hardware and software in a gorgeously designed and cultishly valued ecosystem — and so does Tesla! 

I could go on, but you get the point. 

The core concept here is that Tesla is making the automobile into a software platform, just as Apple made the iPhone into one. This implies the software-driven hypervalue creation that Silicon Valley prizes.

True, iPhones aren't cheap. But even if you pay $1,000 for one and don't have it subsidized through your wireless carrier, you can own it more or less free an clear in a year or two. At which point it has depreciated a terrifying amount. Apple iPhones are worth essentially nothing in a very short period of time. They don't even make attractive paperweights.

Luckily for Apple, iPhone owners tend to commit to lifetime participation in the device, upgrading to new ones at regular intervals. 

This can be compared to what people do when they lease cars. But it gets tricky when you look at car ownership. Cars and houses are the two things that people are willing to go into pretty significant debt to buy. For houses, you usually wind up with an appreciating asset. For cars, you don't. 

Folks are willing to borrow quite large amounts of money to buy Teslas. Over time, if you're shelling out $1,000 a month for your vehicle, you expect it to do what it's supposed to do. An iPhone, by contrast, can be a less-good hunk of hardware than an Android device and still win because it's part of Apple's ecosystem. It can be good enough.

Tesla has kind of gotten away with being incredibly good at some stuff and not very good at all at other stuff. And the most part, its vehicles have been superb. But they need to remain stupendous, especially at lower price point, if Tesla is to prosper.

First lady Melania Trump has evolved from a background character in her husband's raucous presidential campaign to the increasingly vocal center of her own controversies.

Through Melania has been an active part of official duties including youth programs, diplomacy events, and crisis outreach, most of the media and public attention on her has been about her outfits.

Here are some of the clothing choices that have caused the biggest stirs.

SEE ALSO: Melania Trump's spokeswoman got into an argument with an 'Ellen Degeneres Show' producer on Twitter

DON'T MISS: 15 of Melania Trump's most expensive outfits

Melania first formally appeared on the national stage as a political spouse alongside then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

1. After months in the background of the Trump family image, she set off a firestorm in October 2016 in a Gucci "pussy-bow" shirt days after audio was leaked of her husband saying that since he was famous, he could "grab" women "by the p---y."

Source: Business Insider

A campaign spokeswoman said the similarity was not intentional.

Source: Business Insider

• A Silicon Valley startup called Carbon Health has been quietly rolling out medical clinics across the Bay Area after merging with a Berkeley-based urgent care provider over the summer.
• Carbon Health offers same-day appointments, easy-to-read lab results, travel vaccines and even some in-house medications.
• The new network is quickly shaping up to be a competitor to larger health startups like One Medical and Forward— only it doesn't charge a yearly fee.
• Eren Bali, one of Carbon's co-founders, also created online education platform Udemy and previously made Business Insider’s list of Top 100 Innovators.

When entrepreneur Eren Bali would tell his friends about his dream of building a physical healthcare clinic to complement the medical software app he'd created, they'd always brush it off as a joke.

But starting last year, 34-year-old Bali began making his dream a reality. He began working with Caesar Djavaherian, an emergency medicine doctor who founded a network of urgent care clinics.

This week, he's lifting the curtain on the project they created together: a network of seven medical clinics across California's Bay Area where patients can get checkups as well as treatments for everything from broken bones to colds and UTIs.

Called Carbon Health, the new company was born from the merger of Bali's tech startup — a comprehensive medical app called Carbon that lets you do everything from text with your clinician to order prescriptions and view lab results — and Djavaherian's clinics, formerly known as Direct Urgent Care.

Carbon isn't the only clinic startup on the block. One Medical, Forward, and several urgent care chains are all competing for similar patients. The private equity firm Carlyle Group invested $350 million in One Medical this summer, in a bet that consumers and companies will gravitate toward friendlier and more convenient ways of seeing a doctor.

Unlike its competitors, Carbon doesn't charge subscription fees and accepts most forms of insurance — meaning that it's often cheaper.

Since Bali and Djavaherian began collaborating last year, more than 100,000 patients have walked through their doors, they told Business Insider.

They're currently working with NorthBay Healthcare and El Camino Hospital, as well as three other health systems they're not yet ready to name. One of them is outside the state, the founders say.

"We want to become the preeminent health care provider in the country,"Bali, who previously founded the online education platform Udemy, said.

SEE ALSO: A controversial startup that charges $8,000 to fill your veins with young blood is opening its first clinic

DON'T MISS: 'This test is garbage': Experts and former employees allege that a Silicon Valley startup gives bogus 'cellular ages' based on a flawed blood test

With Carbon, you can do everything from booking a doctor's appointment to viewing your lab results to scheduling a live video session with a provider — all via a single app.

Carbon Health has $9.5 million in venture funding from backers including Javelin Venture Partners, Two Sigma Ventures, and Elad Gil, the co-founder of personal DNA-testing startup Color Genomics and the former vice president of corporate strategy at Twitter.

But Carbon isn't the only tech-savvy medical startup on the block. Two other Silicon Valley firms — One Medical and Forward — offer a similar range of services and apps to complement them.

Yet they differ in some key ways: both charge a yearly subscription fee of $150-$200 (Carbon charges no fees), and Forward doesn't accept insurance (Carbon accepts almost all the major providers except Kaiser).

When I tried out Carbon's app and visited one of its clinics in Oakland and another in San Francisco's FiDi neighborhood, I was blown away by how seamless the experience felt.

In New York, a city where the average apartment rent is $3,600 a month, many residents don't mind living in a tiny space to save extra cash. There's just one problem: Microapartments are technically illegal under the city's 1987 zoning laws, which require dwellings to have an area of at least 400 square feet.

That leaves two options for people who want a small space: find an apartment built before 1987, or turn to one of the newer developments that have secured a special waiver from the city.

Even as the city's regulations make microliving somewhat difficult, the trend has taken off in neighborhoods across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Despite their minimal square footage, these newer apartments offer innovative design features like hidden drawers and closets, along with luxury amenities like butler services and rentable ice-cream makers.

But for the thousands of residents who live in older microapartments, the lifestyle can be somewhat dismal. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: 32 crazy photos of micro-apartments from around the world

READ MORE: Manhattan’s first micro-apartments just won a prestigious design award — here’s what it’s like to spend a night in one

If space isn't an issue, microapartments can lend a more glamorous lifestyle at a lower price.

This loft on the Upper West Side features multi-level platforms with a small bathroom hidden beneath the stairs.

The loft is at the top of a six-story brownstone, with access to a rooftop garden.

• Black Friday falls on November 23 this year.
• The day is becoming increasingly less important to the retail industry, thanks to the rise of e-commerce and frequent discounting.
• In-store shoppers can still take advantage of certain deals.

Black Friday is swiftly approaching.

The holiday season in the United States spans from the day after Thanksgiving through December. That kick-off day is known as Black Friday, and it's traditionally marked by massive crowds rushing into stores in order to take advantage of slashed prices on high-ticket items. However, in the retail sphere, the rise of e-commerce and discounts are steadily eclipsing Black Friday.

Whether you're planning on venturing out into the fray or surfing the web for the best deals, it helps to arm yourself with information about this year's discounts.

Here's what you need to know about Black Friday this year:

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday falls on November 23. Cyber Monday will take place on November 26.

That being said, some stores will likely seek to court early-bird deal-seekers. Chains haven't yet announced any early deals, but keep your eyes peeled.

Is everything open on Black Friday?

Some retailers prefer to keep their doors shut on Black Friday.

REI is one of those brands. Black Friday just doesn't fit in with its mission. REI CEO Jerry Stritzke told Business Insider's Kate Taylor, "You don't win in the long-term by pushing ... what I call rampant consumerism."

Other employers give their whole workforce the day off on Thanksgiving.

According to BestBlackFriday.com, Costco, H&M, The Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe's, Nordstrom, Publix, REI, and Sam's Club will not open on Thanksgiving this year.

Do any retailers open up early?

JCPenney isn't waiting for Black Friday to get started on its sales. On Thanksgiving at 2 p.m., the retailer will usher in shoppers. The stores will stay open until 10 p.m. on Black Friday.

Kohl's will open on Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. local time. The deals will run until 1 p.m. on Black Friday.

Macy's will reportedly welcome in shoppers at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and close up shop at 2 a.m. on Black Friday. It will then reopen at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Black Friday. 

Meanwhile, Costco will be closed on Turkey Day. But the warehouse club is still hosting a number of online sales on Thanksgiving.