Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Puzzle #819). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "We'll be there"
What It Really Means
The theme is about travel destinations and the places tourists flock to when exploring a new city or country. Every word on today's board is a landmark, venue, or attraction you'd visit on vacation.
Think About...
- Iconic stops on a sightseeing itinerary
- Places you book tickets or reservations for in advance
- Landmarks that define a city's character and draw crowds
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Vertical (down from the second row, then across)
Letter Count: 7 letters
Starting Zone: Begins at the first letter of the second row, working downward before turning across the grid
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is the industry that brings travelers to every corner of the globe.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's what happens when people pack their bags, book hotels, and visit famous landmarks for leisure or business.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is M
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TOURISM
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A place where history, art, or science is preserved and displayed.
Closer: Think of a large building with exhibits behind glass cases and guided tours.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MUSEUM
Word 2
Vague: A public space where vendors sell goods and shoppers browse.
Closer: You'll find fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local specialties here.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MARKET
Word 3
Vague: A natural shoreline destination for relaxation and recreation.
Closer: Sand, waves, sunscreen, and umbrellas define this coastal hotspot.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BEACH
Word 4
Vague: A large fortified structure from medieval times.
Closer: Think stone walls, turrets, moats, and royal history.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CASTLE
Word 5
Vague: A place where meals are prepared and served to paying customers.
Closer: You book a table, order from a menu, and enjoy a dining experience.
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 10 letters total
Answer
RESTAURANT
Word 6
Vague: A structure built to commemorate a person, event, or cultural significance.
Closer: Statues, obelisks, memorials, and landmark towers all fall into this category.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 8 letters total
Answer
MONUMENT
Full Answers
Spangram: TOURISM
Theme Words:
- MUSEUM
- MARKET
- BEACH
- CASTLE
- RESTAURANT
- MONUMENT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: RESTAURANT (At 10 letters, it's the longest word on the board and can be tricky to track through the grid since the letters snake around. Plus, it's a common word that solvers may overthink.)
Our Take: A straightforward Sunday puzzle with a clean theme. "We'll be there" is a clever nod to tourism as both an industry and a promise travelers make to destinations. The word set is classic -- every item on the list is a staple of travel guides and vacation itineraries, making this a satisfying solve for beginners and veterans alike.
