Palm Springs has long served as a retreat, gaining popularity in the 1930s as Hollywood stars flocked to the desert oasis for sunshine, majestic mountain views and poolside play. It’s a tradition that continues today as a buzzy destination for creatives, artists and architecture aficionados.

But the original attraction here has always been the water. While that might seem to be a contradiction at first — this is the arid desert, after all — the natural spring is what sustained the ancestors of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians long before others arrived.

This is the original spring, the thing that gave Palm Springs its name. Known by the indigenous people as Séc-he, which means “the sound of boiling water” in Cahuilla, the Spanish, who arrived later, referred to it as Agua Caliente.

For generations, the Agua Caliente people served as stewards of this resource while sharing the water with visitors. Today, the spring still serves as one of the area’s most important cultural resources.

The first bathhouse was built on this site in 1886, so solace-seekers could soak in the mineral-rich water. As Palm Springs gained a reputation for wellness (many early travelers were tuberculosis patients), a succession of bathhouses were built around the spring. More recently, it was the Spa Hotel, constructed in the early 1960s, where Steve McQueen was a regular at the gym, Natalie Wood often popped into the salon, and Truman Capote got massaged. That structure was demolished in 2014 to build the current Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza.

This impressive site is a far cry from the two-room bathhouse of yore. It features a tribal museum, a desert trail that offers a glimpse of the tribe’s ancestral home in the nearby canyons, and a 73,000-square-foot spa complex, unveiled in April 2023.

Though the Spa at Séc-he has already drawn accolades, recently nabbing the No. 1 spot in the nation by Spas of America, it’s meant to be more than a place to get a massage. It’s the cornerstone of life in Palm Springs.

“The site of the Agua Caliente hot mineral spring is where it all began,” says Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich. “It is a place rooted in tradition, healing and tranquility.”

The facility

While the water remains the showstopper (and I’ll get back to that), the Spa at Séc-he is remarkable beyond the spring.

Here, you can enjoy every conceivable way to heat, cool, knead, immerse and indulge a body. With 15 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art cryotherapy chamber, invigorating cold plunge pools, serene float pods, and private spa suites, any desire for restoration or relaxation can be fulfilled. Most of these amenities are included with a day pass or any treatment over $200.

I opted for a therapeutic arnica treatment, one of the deep massages designed to relieve inflammation with a blend of stress-busting oils and the application of heated stones. The table is layered with light therapy, infrared heat and grounding earthing pads to maximize the therapeutic effects. Some of the other treatments, including the quartz and poultice massage, take place on tables lined with warmed quartz.

“We call it the Birkenstock of massage tables, because it forms to the contours of the body,” says spa director Daniel Spencer.

Between treatments, anti-gravity chairs invite moments of rest and reprieve, while grounded lounge areas beckon guests to sink into vibrational loungers with acoustic therapy or guided meditation. And, for those seeking an active escape, there’s also a boutique gym with an array of fitness equipment and free weights.

Inside two halotherapy rooms, generators disperse tiny, pharmaceutical-grade salt particles into the air. These salt caves offer a soothing, Mars-like orange glow, but they’re not just pretty; some studies have shown that halotherapy can have benefits for respiratory ailments, allergies and skin conditions.

“I think of it like putting salt on an icy road. It kind of does the same thing with the sinuses and lungs,” Spencer says. “It clears that pathway so you breathe better, sleep better and just feel more vibrant afterward.”

The spa’s full sensory experience includes the scentscape, which deliberately shifts throughout the facility. The outdoor garden, where guests wait for their treatments, smells like a verdant redwood forest. The steam room bursts with clouds of eucalyptus, while menthol crystals lend a hint of aroma to the dry sauna. Aromatherapy shower heads are infused with citrus.

“What usually happens is that you walk into a spa, and you’re like, ‘Oh, that smells so good.’ But then, once you’ve done that for a couple hours, you don’t really notice it anymore,” Spencer says. “So the trick was to change smells, so that throughout the day you’re always smelling something new and fresh. Keep your nose from getting bored.”

Outdoors, guests will find a tranquil oasis, with mineral pools, Jacuzzis and day beds nestled beneath swaying palms against a picturesque mountain backdrop. Once again, the elements here — the dramatic waterfall, rock formations, basket-like shapes of the cabanas and more — are nods to the ancient home and traditions of the Agua Caliente people.

When the urge to grab a bite strikes, guests can enjoy food from two on-site cafés. There’s the Málmal Café (also open to the public), which offers an array of wraps, salads, sandwiches and bowls. For those craving an al fresco experience, the outdoor Pál Bar echoes the offerings from the Málmal menu but with a few added entrées and enticing small bites.

Back to the source

The essential experience at the Spa at Séc-he is the Taking of the Waters ceremony, when guests spend 15 minutes in a private, clothing-optional bath, soaking in the 105-degree ancient spring water.

It’s a profoundly relaxing experience. I enjoy a good soak anyway, but the high mineral content gives this water a satiny texture, more of an embrace than a bath. As sand flows through the hourglass marking time on the wall, I feel an unspooling within my muscles. The minutes fly by.

But where did this special water come from? A 2011 United States Geological Survey study found that Séc-he comes from its own reservoir of rainwater and snowmelt about 8,000 feet below the San Jacinto Mountains. It emerges from the ground here for the first time after 12,000 years at a rate of approximately 25 gallons per minute.

“We’re not pumping the water out,” Spencer says. “It comes over here where the gathering plaza is (outside of the spa), and then as soon as it comes up, we’ll basically fill these big tanks underneath the parking structure, and that goes into some pumps to push them into the tubs. It’s not hitting the surface until it comes out in the baths during the Taking of the Waters.

“This is water in its purest form,” he continues. “When people say Palm Springs, well … here’s the spring.”

If you go

Ready to relax in the Palm Springs water? Enhance your stay with these ways to eat, stay and play.

Learn: The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is a fascinating trip back in time, where the local tribe shares their own stories in their own words. You’ll find ancient objects and artifacts, including some that were found on-site during the construction of the building, as well as exhibitions detailing modern milestones.

Eat: While Palm Springs restaurants have yet to nab a coveted Michelin star, eight local eateries have been recognized in the esteemed Michelin Guide. Among them: Bar Cecil is a lively option if you can score a reservation. Otherwise, The Colony Club and Tac/Quila are two faves, while Boozehounds is best for travelers with pups in tow.

Stay: Luxury boutique hotel group Kirkwood Collection recently acquired three historic hotel properties in downtown Palm Springs: La Serena Villas, a welcoming Spanish hacienda-style property, and two midcentury gems, the Del Marcos Hotel and The Three Fifty Hotel.

Just five hours north of Los Angeles sits a national park that should be on your outdoor bucket list.

It features a valley carved millions of years ago by glaciers, hulking mountains made of granite and other rock, countless waterfalls, massive ancient trees and a cool, clear river.

I know what you’re thinking: “That sounds like Yosemite.” Even better. It’s like Yosemite, but way more chill.

Kings Canyon National Park will give you the majestic outdoors respite you’re dreaming of without all the busy trails, swarming crowds and traffic jams at the park entrance gate that come with the Hollywood Boulevard of national parks. Just east of Fresno, this swath of paradise is the underrated local favorite, with welcoming campgrounds, easy-to-navigate day trails, plentiful backpacking opportunities and swimming holes galore.

As I was heading out to report this story, I steeled myself for the typical national park experience. As someone who once accidentally got into a spat with another grown adult at Yellowstone National Park while attempting to help my 5-year-old niece steal a peek at Old Faithful, I know all too well the way chaotic tourist crowds can get under my skin.

But those crowds never materialized. Kings Canyon gets a fraction of the foot traffic that Yosemite does. Last August, Yosemite saw almost 594,000 visitors, and Kings Canyon saw 81,000, according to federal data. At its busiest, in June of last year, Kings Canyon welcomed 126,000 visitors, which was just over a fourth of the visitors who went to Yosemite that month.

You might be wondering: Is Kings Canyon’s landscape as spellbindingly majestic? The short answer is yes, if a tad more rugged. Both parks feature massive granite mountains, gorgeous rivers and alpine meadows. But Yosemite’s natural wonders have the manicured sheen of a famous name. Kings Canyon is its untamed, serene cousin. When I asked a ranger the name of a nearby cliff, they quipped: “We don’t name everything like Yosemite.” During my three-day stay, I heard multiple guests say: “This is like a chill Yosemite.”

In fairness, many of the best experiences you can have at Kings Canyon are in the back country and require some level of backpacking knowledge. But even if you’re a camping novice, this guide outlines the many different ways you can experience the park, whether it’s from a cozy lodge or magnificent campground.

This guide focuses on the Cedar Grove area of the park. After being closed for more than a year because of major flooding, it reopened this summer. Its campgrounds are slowly but surely becoming available to book. (More on how to do that below.)

Please enjoy your stay in this slept-on paradise. And eat your heart out, Yosemite.

Getting there

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two parks managed as one. Kings Canyon is the northern half of the parks. They have several entrances. The most direct way to reach the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park from L.A. is to take Highway 180 near Fresno to the Big Stump entrance.

From here, you’ll follow this scenic seasonal roadway into Kings Canyon. It’s a beautiful drive, especially the beginning that passes through Sequoia National Forest. There you’ll be met with incredible vistas and waterfalls, including one you can take a short walk to visit. (More on that below.)

This route is not accessible year-round. Highway 180 from Grant Grove Village to Cedar Grove is open seasonally. It generally opens the fourth Friday in April and closes in mid-November. You can check the road conditions on the Kings Canyon website.

If you’d like to take the scenic way to reach Kings Canyon, you can drive through Sequoia National Park via Highway 198. You’ll pass through the idyllic town of Three Rivers before entering Sequoia National Park. A slow winding journey, you’ll drive about 46 miles north until you reach the Highway 180 junction. There are several great places to stop along the way. Honorable mention goes to the General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia that’s one of the largest and oldest trees in the world.

If you’re craving more giant trees, this route offers multiple spots to see them, although it will add about two hours to your trip. You can also take the first route mentioned and stop at the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon before you reach Cedar Grove, which doesn’t feature sequoias like the rest of the parks.

Take note that if you have the “avoid tolls” option selected on your mapping app, it might try to direct you to take an unpaved road to avoid paying the park entrance fee. In short: this is a bad idea. Also, beware that service is scant in these parts, so it’s best to download the area on your GPS app before you leave. While I’m ticking through lifesaving necessities, be sure to top off your gas tank in a nearby town before entering the park, since options are limited inside. At present, there are no electric car chargers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Best to enter the park with a full charge.

Where to stay

Sentinel Campground

Reopened in July, Sentinel Campground is the only campground open in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon as of late August. It offers 82 sites for tents, RVs and trailers that you can reserve on Recreation.gov. There are no first-come first-served sites in the campground.

The South Fork of the Kings River runs along the northern side of the campground, near a handful of coveted (read: quickly booked) sites. But you don’t have to be next to the river to enjoy yourself. No matter where you end up staking your tent, you will be treated to a dark sky full of twinkling stars, a concert of crickets, the calming sound of the nearby river rushing and the soothing whoosh of wind through the canyon. This is hopefully not all drowned out by the roar of your neighbor’s RV generator. Quiet hours are at 10 p.m. after all.

Steller’s jays and robins may appear when you start cooking your dinner, optimistic for a treat. Hopefully, you aren’t greeted by one of the park’s larger hungrier residents, the black bear. Throughout the campground, there are flush toilets, sinks to wash dishes and spigots with drinking water. Each site has a campfire ring, picnic table and bear-proof food storage box.

During the day, when you aren’t out adventuring, you can find a shady spot beneath a towering ponderosa pine or cedar tree. Some might even be small enough to hang a hammock.

The Cedar Grove Lodge

Location, location, location! The Cedar Grove Lodge is a rustic but charming throwback to simpler times. The Wi-Fi is iffy at best, and there aren’t televisions in the rooms. But you aren’t coming here to hang out in your room. The lodge is close to all the area’s main attractions. It’s situated next to the Kings River, where guests pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the serenity of the space. It offers standard and suite rooms with queen and king beds and a complimentary breakfast.

It also has a gift shop (with fairly priced souvenirs), a market and the Cedar Grove Diner, a counter-service snack bar, on its first floor. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the diner serves burgers, sandwiches and wraps. The menu includes beef, chicken and fish offerings as well as a plant-based veggie burger and hummus wrap. But sorry, no fries.

Meanwhile, its market is a good resource in case you forgot to pack something. It sells tent stakes and chairs, as well as food and ice.

The most luxurious part of the Cedar Grove Village area is the showers, available to anyone in the park. The lodge’s market sells shower tokens for $1.50 for three minutes. (You can use multiple tokens to extend your hygienic routine, but make sure to allow each token’s time to run out before inserting the next. Otherwise, it’s a wasted token.)

Other options

Outside Kings Canyon, nearby campgrounds include:

—Convict Flat Campground, a first-come first-served spot with five campsites in Sequoia National Forest. It’s free to use with the entry fee you pay to get into the park. Light on amenities, it has a vault toilet and no potable water. It’s about 11 miles from the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon.

—Princess Campground, an 88-site reservation-only site in Sequoia National Forest featuring giant Sequoia stumps, a Sequoia grove and a meadow with wildflowers. Amenities include drinking water, vault toilets and an amphitheater. It’s about 23 miles from the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon.

—Sunset Campground, a 158-site reservation-only campground in Sequoia National Forest, three miles from the Kings Canyon entrance. It boasts beautiful trees, cellphone reception, flush toilets and a camp store that sells ice, firewood and other necessities. It’s about 30 miles from the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon.

What to pack

If camping, you’ll want to pack the usuals, including: a tent, sleeping bags, an air mattress or other cushioning, extra blankets and pillows. Remember to pack a few light sources. I always like to have both a headlamp and a few solar-powered lanterns. And, just because I’ve forgotten each of these items on various trips, I will remind you: Don’t forget to bring a mallet for your tent stakes, your camping chairs and a shovel to dig out the campfire pit.

You will not have cellphone reception in the Cedar Grove area. For safety reasons, you should share your trip itinerary with a family member or friend, along with an estimated time of when you’ll be back. There is a pay phone at the Cedar Grove Lodge. For the zoomers reading, that’s a coin-operated phone you can use to make calls. Maybe put a roll of quarters in your car, just in case.

Bear safety

Kings Canyon is home to American black bears. Throughout the park, you’ll find signs reminding you to be “bear aware.” That includes ensuring that all food, beverages and scented items (like shampoo, toothpaste and lip balm) are stowed in a bear box when you aren’t using them. This applies to not only campgrounds but also trails. At trailheads, you will find bear-proof brown vaults where you should stow any snacks and scented items you aren’t taking on the hike. (I left half a bar of chocolate in one, and no one stole it. The honor system is alive and well in this park!)

The park advises that, if you see a bear, clap your hands and in a loud firm voice yell: “Get out of here, bear!” You should report all bear sightings to a ranger. Leave the bear spray at home, though. Bear spray is illegal in national parks where only black bears are present.

Where to day hike

The Kings Canyon Cedar Grove area has plenty of day hikes to choose from, all of which you can hike without a permit. Wilderness permits are required only for overnight trips. Here’s a three-day itinerary of the best spots to go to if you’re visiting for a quick weekend.

Roaring River Falls to Zumwalt Meadows

Day 1: After setting up your tent, hit the trails for an introductory stroll at the Roaring River Falls parking area. This short paved path leads you to a nice-sized waterfall noisy enough you’ll know how it earned its name. This is a nice spot to unwind and have a picnic. (Though swimming is not advised. Drowning is the most common way people die in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.)

Once you’re done at the waterfall, you can take the nearby dirt path about two miles to the backside of Zumwalt Meadows. Flooding in 2019 washed out its boardwalk, so this is no longer a loop trail. That said, it’s a pleasant walk between the canyon walls where you can appreciate your first taste of beauty before embarking on bigger adventures tomorrow. Plus, there are a few sandy spots where the current is manageable. Life jackets are advisable for younger kiddos or anyone who cannot swim.

Mist Falls trail

Day 2: This is when you’ll want to do your longest hike. For that I’d recommend heading to the Road’s End parking area to tackle the Mist Falls trail, an eight-mile out-and-back trail that will lead you through forest, wetlands, over boulders and up to a massive, humbling cascade of water. The last mile is where you gain the most elevation, so make sure you’re hydrated and sated with a power snack for that final push. After completing the trail, head over to Muir Rock for a swim. Be mindful of the current.

Hotel Creek trail

Day 3: Do you have one more hike in you? Great! This last one is a treat, especially as the sun rises. Head to the Hotel Creek trailhead, located about a half mile north of the Cedar Grove Lodge. You have two main options here. You can hike 4.4 miles out and back to the Cedar Grove overlook, where you will find panoramic views of the whole park. Or, you can do a 7.3-mile loop of Hotel and Lewis Creek. From the overlook, I watched the early morning light over the canyon, feeling like a little speck of stardust in our vast universe.

Bonus: I was alone until the final mile when I saw three hikers. Like I’m saying: a chill Yosemite!

Other activities

—Fishing is allowed in most areas of Kings Canyon. Those 16 and older must have a valid California fishing license. The park advises you should buy one before arriving, as they aren’t always available in its markets. You are allowed to keep some of what you catch, including rainbow trout. You must follow daily limits, and must take note of the areas of the park that are catch and release only.

—Horseback ridesare sold through the Cedar Grove Pack Station. They offer one- and two-hour rides for $70 and $110 respectively, and half ($180) and full-day ($230) trips. They also sell pack trips where mules and horses, led by a packer, carry your group and gear to a backcountry site.

—Head underground to the Boyden Cavern, a marble cavern that features stalactites, stalagmites and other geological delights. A walking tour, which takes about an hour, will cost between $8 and $23 depending on age, date and time. Staff also offers a flashlight tour at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. if at least four people buy tickets. That tour takes up to 75 minutes and is $35. The cavern is about 10 miles west of Cedar Grove off Highway 180.

—Picnic near Grizzly Falls, an 80-foot waterfall in Sequoia National Forest, just under five miles from Cedar Grove. It’s a short walk from your car to the picnic area where you can view the falls.

Regardless of whether you spend your days relaxing along the South Fork, or hit the back country for more rugged hiking, you will return home feeling refreshed and energized. In an era where escaping the bustle of the city often means swapping one type of crowd for another, Kings Canyon is an underpopulated gem that, for now, proves that nature can still be peaceful.

_______

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

My wife and I, along with a friend from Seattle, took a trip to the Alps in August, visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, Chamonix in France, and Zermatt in Switzerland. The weather cooperated, for the most part, with just one rain day interfering with our schedule. On our only day in Zermatt, the Matterhorn emerged from the clouds at midmorning. The photo is an early morning view from our hotel on the way out.

myswitzerland.com

___

Share your adventure Tell us about one favorite part — a restaurant, a hike, a monument, a hotel room — of one of your trips. Day trips, too. Submit a high resolution horizontal photo and a description of not more than 125 words to whatatrip@pilotonline.com. Include the city where you live.

When traveling, packing less makes it easier to experience more. When you’re not weighed down by bulky bags, you have more freedom to jump on public transit or walk long distances without tiring. You’ll have fewer worries about repacking or losing items. With carry-ons only, you’ll avoid checked bag fees, waiting at the luggage carousel and the risk of lost luggage.

If you travel backpack-only, you’ll be forced me to leave even more at home than you otherwise would with a full suitcase. It means sacrificing just-in-case items.

And that’s where my 10-$10 rule comes in.

What is the 10-$10 rule?

The 10-$10 rule is a packing strategy that helps you decide what to bring and what to leave behind. The premise is straightforward: If you can acquire a just-in-case item upon arrival for less than $10 and within 10 minutes, don’t pack it.

For cheap, small items that you’ll absolutely use — say a toothbrush, deodorant or underwear — pack them regardless. But for large or just-in-case items, buy them upon arrival, granted they cost less than about $10 and are easily purchasable within 10 minutes.

Under the 10-$10 rule, items you generally shouldn’t pack include:

• Books (perhaps pack one, but will you really read that second one?).
• First-aid kits.
• Over-the-counter medications that you only sometimes use (e.g. antacid tablets or ibuprofen).
• Weather-contingent items like ponchos and umbrellas (particularly if it’s not even rainy season).

Of course, the 10 minutes is key. There probably aren’t drugstores in the wilderness, in which case packing something like a first-aid kit for a camping trip can make sense.

I’ve come up with this rule over the years of traveling carry-on only, and then progressing to backpack-only. When all your possessions are on your back, overpacking is not just unnecessary weight, but it makes it especially tough to sift through the items you really need.

Make the 10-$10 rule your own

The 10-$10 is more of a guideline than a rigid, one-size-fits-all rule. Embrace its spirit, and adjust the timing and dollar figure to your liking. Factors you consider might include:

Group type

A single, able-bodied adult might easily pop into a store and make a quick purchase. Others who are less mobile, or families with kids, might find that a single convenience store run exceeds 10 minutes, in which case packing more from home makes sense.

Item size

I sometimes make exceptions for an item’s size depending on the likelihood of using it.

Antihistamine cream is small and easy to pack, but I’ll never know whether I need it for a bug bite until it happens. Though such an item might never get used, I’ll more likely use it on a lakefront vacation in Florida than a trip in downtown Denver, where high elevations make it relatively bug-free.

Meanwhile, bulky items like beach towels never make the cut.

Budget

For budget-conscious travelers who can’t afford inflated hotel gift shop prices, the $10 threshold might be too high. Adjust it according to the flexibility of your budget.

As my own savings account has grown, I’m more willing to push the $10 rule higher. But in my younger years, my $10 rule was more like a $3 rule. Back then, I was more likely to pack a just-in-case umbrella, because the thought of forking over cash amidst a downpour felt wasteful. These days, I’m usually willing to gamble that it won’t rain.

Your own flexibility

If you’re picky, realize that it might take more than 10 minutes to find the item you want, in which case the 10-$10 rule doesn’t apply. I’m generally okay using any sort of skincare products. But if you demand a specific brand, pack your own.

And in some situations, like traveling with babies, taking 10 minutes to track down something like diaper cream might not be worth it when you could have packed it from home. The 10-$10 rule isn’t for you.

Location

Items that make the 10-$10 cut on one trip might not on another. In New York City, where there’s no shortage of retailers, I’m more willing to underpack. That’s less often the case on trips to small towns or national parks where storefronts are limited.

Don’t overpack, but don’t overshop either

It’s usually okay to spend a little more than you would to buy the same things at home. I don’t mind paying the markup for sunscreen sold on the beach versus dealing with checked luggage to pack sunscreen from home.

On the other hand, watch out for wasteful spending. Once you’ve found a cheap souvenir stall, it can be tempting to buy anything under $10 — like fanny packs, sunglasses and hats. Don’t overlook the minimalist spirit of the 10-$10 rule, which is not only packing what you absolutely need — but also only buying what you absolutely need.

Benefits of the 10-$10 rule

Packing light taught me that I often don’t even need stuff I thought I did.

Hotels often supply items you might’ve packed anyway

Many hotels these days are tightening up on the free toiletries left on your bathroom counter, presumably to mitigate waste. But often, hotels still offer those freebies — you just have to ask.

On a recent stay at the Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, Calif., the lobby attendant gave me complimentary toiletries like toothpaste and razors. I was delighted by the complimentary sunscreen at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani in Honolulu.

Even at Disneyland, I’ve picked up free bandages for my blistered feet at a first aid station in the park.

Most hotels and vacation rentals provide irons, hairdryers and towels, so definitely don’t pack those bulky items. Some also offer items like robes and umbrellas.

You net a great souvenir

On a trip to Thailand, I intentionally under-packed. Buying a sundress, shirts, sandals and floppy hat from vendors who lined the beach was all part of the experience. Plus, they’re functional souvenirs that I truly love.

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

The article My Travel Secret For Not Overpacking? The 10-$10 Rule originally appeared on NerdWallet.

No matter what’s trending in fashion, the New York City uniform has remained constant — any cut, any style, but make it black. And the same has long been true of Manhattan hotels, with slick onyx, creamy white and neutral linens serving as reliable antidotes to the city’s sensory overload.

Not anymore.

“If you think about what the consumer wants today, they don’t want beige,” says Elizabeth Mullins, managing director of the Fifth Avenue Hotel and chief operating officer of its parent company, Flâneur Hospitality. “They want a hotel with soul.”

Mullins, a veteran of Ritz-Carlton and the Walt Disney Co., says this has been true ever since the pandemic left people wanting to reawaken their senses and “feel something” along their travels. Most commonly, they want to feel a sense of place. “But it’s hard to evoke much of anything when you’re beige.”

The good news is that with New York hotels suddenly awash in saturated hues, there’s no more room for a sleepy hotel stay. Here’s a look at the brightest, splashiest openings from Tribeca to Union Square and NoMad.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

This former Gilded Age mansion on 28th Street and Fifth Avenue is a shockingly rare example of low-rise opulence smack in the middle of the NoMad neighborhood, just down the street from the Ned, Ace and Ritz-Carlton hotels. But this is less the preserved home of a turn-of-the-century tycoon and more of a fun-filled portal into Manhattan’s modern wonderland.

If you don’t like judging a book by its cover, don’t judge this hotel by its traditionally styled lobby, with its elegantly draped double-height windows and crystal chandeliers. But if you must, form your opinion from the contents of two vintage hutches against the back wall: The cheeky curiosities include a single goldfish cracker in a “plastic baggie” made from crystal.

That sense of humor is a through line for this kaleidoscopic hotel, fashioned with all sorts of winks and nods by the ever-whimsical designer Martin Brudnizki. In one hallway is a gallery wall of framed eyes — some painted, some drawn, some googly. Its 153 rooms feature martini carts piled high with full-size spirits and fresh-baked lemon cookies, all from chef Andrew Carmellini, who runs the excellent Café Carmellini restaurant downstairs. Mercury glass panels behind the headboards create a brilliant optical illusion: they reflect the twinkle of star-shaped ceiling lights, making each room feel twice its actual size.

Don’t miss a nightcap at the ground-floor Portrait Bar. Now that the Library Bar at the former NoMad hotel is a members-only space for the Ned, this is the neighborhood’s “it” spot for throwback glamour, complete with coffered ceilings and white-tuxedoed barkeeps. Rooms from $709

The Warren Street Hotel

Designer Kit Kemp is the OG preacher of “anything but beige,” and her third New York City property for Firmdale Hotels is every bit as hypersaturated and pattern-happy as its predecessors, the Whitby and Crosby Street. The lobby can cure jet lag with its bursts of mustard yellow, kelly green and royal blue. Yet the double-paned, floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms — with spectacular downtown vantages toward One World Trade or Herzog & de Meuron’s “Jenga building” — make for pin-drop-quiet sleep when you need it.

For fans of the U.K.-based brand (and there are many), the overall look will be familiar: dramatically oversize headboards and upholstered dress forms in mix-and-match patterns are Kemp’s indispensable signatures. The same is growing true about other design tropes she’s adapted here, such as long displays of white porcelain pots adorned with mushrooms and fairies in glowing, red-painted nooks, or the color-block leather stools at the bar. If it’s slightly formulaic by now, there’s a reason for that: the effect is still mesmerizing.

But now, Kemp is adding her daughters’ stamps to the mix. The cheekiest rooms are the work of Minnie Kemp: They include throw pillows with a textile featuring strands of spaghetti threaded through the tines of a fork — a bright blue-and-yellow pattern with tiny red-sauce splotches. Tossed against a zany floral headboard, it’s as bold as design statements get. In true Firmdale fashion, it works spectacularly. Rooms from $745

Fouquet’s New York

Another Brudnizki special is this French-inflected 97-room gem on Greenwich Street, which has already earned two Michelin Keys and whose pink-and-green color palette was inspired by a dainty box of macarons. But that doesn’t mean the hotel is entirely demure. By one central staircase you’ll find a giant, bedazzled sculpture of a gorilla wearing a Team USA-inspired hat and holding the Eiffel Tower in its clenched fist. Custom toile wallpaper in the rooms sport New York street scenes interspersed with cheeky drawings of pigeons snatching croissants. (It’s a permanent installation by France-based contemporary sculptor Eddy Maniez.)

Thoughtful details abound, including green marble luggage benches built into little foyers. Ditto on the amenity side: The hotel has thought of all sorts of clever perks, such as a full cinema in the basement (with velvet chaise seats!) that can be used for kids’ movie screenings on rainy days.

Don’t miss a spritz on the frilly French rooftop space, Le Vaux, which is otherwise only accessible to locals who’ve joined Fouquet’s members club. And try to poke your head into the lobby speakeasy bar, which opens after 4 p.m. on days it’s not booked for private events. (Look between the gilded bookcases; the door looks like any of the other wooden wall panels at first glance.) Rooms from $900

Virgin Hotel NoMad

The most eye-catching space at the Virgin Hotel is hidden away on the third floor, around the corner from a coffee bar that feels almost as long as a football field. Do a little exploring, though, and you’ll wonder how Everdene restaurant has stayed a New York secret. The food is solid— mostly American classics with a twist, delicious if not exactly star-worthy — but the space itself feels like a rarefied haven. On one side, rainbowlike bookshelves dramatically arch from floor to ceiling, filled with tomes in bright corresponding colors; on the other are swooping blue banquettes that face walls of windows and two massive outdoor terraces. One floor up, in a separate oasis, is a rooftop pool decked out with black-and-white striped loungers, all with killer views of the Empire State Building.

That’s a lot of amenities for a hotel with shockingly well-priced rooms, though there are 460 of them — a big number by New York standards. Even the entry-level ones have separated, suitelike foyers, a brand standard designed to give solo female travelers extra privacy. (We love not having to say hi to room service staff while wearing a bathrobe.)

Also standard at all Virgin hotels are a handful of supersmart, space-saving design tricks. There’s always a very comfortable bed that includes a built-in cushion in one corner: You can sit against it if you want to work with your computer on your lap. In most rooms here the upholstered gray headboards stretch a few extra feet to one side, forming bench seating to go with a small round table — a functional dining space. Elsewhere, splashes of red abound; it’s the Richard Branson signature.

One more notable amenity: the Halo Salt Journey, which is a quick, 30-minute whirl in the Exhale spa’s Himalayan salt chamber. Staffers set you up with thigh-high Theragun compression boots and an LED face mask that stimulates collagen production while you recline in a zero-gravity chair; it’s a wellness boost that makes you feel like you’ve gone straight to outer space. Rooms from $305

W Union Square

Nothing stays cool for 20 years, not even the original downtown New York location of the world’s first hip hotel brand. But as W’s devotees have grown older and more sophisticated, so, too, have its properties. Nowhere will that be more visible than at this fully redesigned global flagship, slated to wrap its four-year-long renovation in November after numerous lengthy delays. (The hotel has been open continuously throughout construction.)

“We’ve really moved from being this original lifestyle hospitality disrupter to being firmly rooted in the luxury lifestyle portfolio for Marriott,” says George Fleck, senior vice president and global brand leader for W Hotels. “But we don’t want to lose the playfulness and sense of style that we’ve been known for,” he says. “It’s an evolution, not a revolution.”

Part of that is simply shifting the colors to richer and more saturated tones, such as the forest green carpeting and orange leather headboards that stretch all the way to the ceiling in many of the hotel’s 256 rooms. Downstairs, a sizable gym with a Peloton “studio space” is done in minty green-and-yellow checkerboard tile; on the second floor, a Beaux Arts “Living Room” replete with ornamental plaster work gets a dose of fun from a mod, ochre-toned fireplace shaped like a giant rainbow (similar to the Virgin Hotel bookshelves). It’s refined and smart but with a cheeky edge— a little like New York itself. Rooms from $550

_____

©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Casino appeal

Reno’s glitzy resorts offer more than slots. They’re home to some star-studded eateries, too. Over at The ROW, which includes hotels, casinos and restaurants, Gordon Ramsay has extended his Caesar’s Entertainment contract with two new eateries. Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips opened in May in a London pub-meets-fast-casual setting, while his fine-dining Ramsay Kitchen began welcoming guests in July.

Charlie Palmer has long been a staple at the Grand Sierra Resort, where his eponymous steakhouse offers a half-priced happy hour menu (4-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday) boasting prawn cocktails, wedge salads and lobster bisque. If you’re here for a steak or seafood dinner, don’t miss the Glazed Thick Slab Bacon appetizer ($24) with grilled peach and a pickled mustard seed gastrique.

Food and wine lovers will also want to check out the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, where the Atlantis Steakhouse and Bistro Napa have been on a Wine Enthusiast awards streak for the last two decades. Bistro Napa’s “social hour” — 4 to 6 p.m. daily — offers half-priced drinks and dishes, including $11 roasted bone marrow, $10 prime rib sliders and discounted oysters. And the more casual Asian-fusion Red Bloom, which opened in 2020 on the main casino floor, offers flavorful chow mein ($16), tender pork belly adobo ($22) and bao buns ($12).

Small surprises

Small business owners are at the heart of the Reno food scene, though, where newcomer Wings Korean Chicken arrived in neighboring Sparks in May. It’s a strip mall stop with a hip-hop attitude, and the second location for this casual Nevada-based spot that serves Korean chicken wings, Korean corn dogs and bibimbap. If you’ve never had a Korean corn dog ($4-$5) before, this is your chance to bite into a panko-crusted, cheese or sausage-filled “dog.”

If Asian fare is your fave, you should also check-out Ijji Noodle House, Ijji 4 Korean Bar-B-Que, Arario and Kwok’s Bistro, whose chef and owner, Kwok Chen, was a James Beard semi-finalist in 2022.

Lili’s Restaurant & Bar, which serves breakfast and lunch, offers a specialty island menu, as well as diner fare. Think chow fun noodles ($7.50) and deep-fried Crack Chicken ($15.75), Spam musubi ($4.25) and Maui-style hot dogs ($15.75).

Riverfront dining

The Truckee River runs through Reno’s downtown, creating a walkable hub dotted with riverfront restaurants and bars. Open since 2022, the upscale Smith and River offers a seasonal menu that showcases local ingredients and handcrafted cocktails, including a bourbon-centric Smoke on the River.

The modern American Wild River Grille is a longstanding favorite with outdoor seating, live music on select nights, and a Broadway-inspired menu that riffs off the lineup at the nearby Pioneer Center. Expect to dine on “Some Like It Hot” and “Book of Mormon” inspired prix fixe menus this season.

And The Shore, inside the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa, is a fine dining affair. Head for the terrace upstairs where you can enjoy the view as you dine on small plates — Spanish octopus ($18) with a lemon-garlic vinaigrette, perhaps — or Verlasso salmon ($34) served with squash, eggplant and a puttanesca sauce.

All-you-can-eat sushi

The all-you-can-eat buffet is a casino staple. But Reno is known for its extension of the AYCE concept to nearly every sushi restaurant in the city. The sushi bar ($30-$40) at Sky Terrace at the Atlantis is one option.

Other favorites — including Pisces Sushi, Hinoki Sushi and O’A Sushi — are tucked in local strip malls. Menus typically run about $25 to $30 per person and include not just rolls but appetizers, as well.

Italian inspiration

If grape stomping and ravioli consumption are more your taste, head for The ROW for The Great Italian Festival Oct. 12-13, when the 42nd annual celebration takes over several blocks. Taste through  the sauces — slathered over fresh pasta — competing for top prize. There’s even a grape stomping competition.

The festival is fun, but you can dine like a Roman, a Neapolitan or Florentine here year round. Everything at Pasta Fresca — my favorite — is made fresh by the Italian staff, with pasta, as you might imagine, taking the starring role. Whether you dine in or get the sauces and noodles to go, don’t miss the cannoli.

Now run by the fourth generation of the Casales family, Casale’s Halfway Club dates back to 1937. Dive into plates of saucy ravioli or try the beef or vegetarian lasagna. You’ll need reservations to score a table any night of the week, but the bar is first come first serve.

Drinks about town

Head for Calafuria, an Italian restaurant tucked inside a century-old house. But what’s really interesting is what’s behind it: a new speakeasy dubbed No. 731. Expect classic and Italian style cocktails  — the Rosemary Old Fashioned is hard to pass up, as is the refreshing Limoncello Spritz — plus Calafuria-prepped small bites including charcuterie and Roman supplì.

Midtown’s popular, speakeasy-style Death & Taxes specializes in rare whiskeys, as well as stylish craft cocktails, served amid moody decor. Think black-painted walls, candle-filled fireplaces, big leather couches — and vibrant sippers, made with egg whites for froth and dehydrated fruit garnishes. (Its sister bar, Amari, is right next door serving up spritzes and amaro flights.)

If you prefer your bubbles with a side of sweets, Champagne & Chocolate opened this summer with a confectionery pedigree — it’s owned by the folks behind Carson City’s Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. Selling their own branded chocolate goods and offering make-your-own chocolate bars, the brunch and bar concept flaunts more than drinks and dessert.

If You Go

The ROW: Restaurants at this trio of hotels include Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Ramsay Kitchen. Admission to the Great Italian Festival, Oct. 12-13, is free. 345 N. Virginia St. in Reno; www.caesars.com/the-row-reno.

Charlie Palmer Steak Reno: Open for dinner daily at 2500 E. Second St. in Reno; www.charliepalmersteak.com.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa: Find the Atlantis Steakhouse, Bistro Napa, Red Bloom and Sky Terrace at 3800 S. Virginia St. in Reno; www.atlantiscasino.com.

Wings Korean Chicken: Open for lunch and dinner daily, except Wednesdays, at 2134 Greenbrae Drive in Sparks.

Lili’s Restaurant & Bar: Open for breakfast and lunch daily at 2325 Kietzke Lane in Reno; www.lilisdining.com.

Smith and River: Open for brunch on weekends and dinner Wednesday-Sunday at 50 N. Sierra St. in Reno; www.smithandriver.com.

Wild River Grille: Open for lunch and dinner daily at 17 S. Virginia St. in Reno; www.wildrivergrille.com.

The Shore: Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 1 S. Lake St. in Reno; www.shoreroom.com.

Pasta Fresca: Open for lunch on weekdays and dinner Monday-Saturday at 6135 Lakeside Drive in Reno; www.pastafrescanv.com.

Casale’s Halfway Club: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday at 2501 E. Fourth St. in Reno; www.casaleshalfwayclub.com.

No. 731: Opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday at 725 S. Center St. in Reno; www.calafuriareno.com.

Death & Taxes: Opens at 2 p.m. daily at 26 Cheney St. in Reno; www.deathandtaxesreno.com.

Champagne & Chocolate: Opens at 10 a.m. daily offering bubbles, cocktails, sweets and weekend brunch at 550 W. Plumb Lane in Reno; www.champagnechocolate.shop.

USA Today’s 10Best recently asked readers to choose the nation’s top casino hotels — “top” being defined as “top-notch gaming and excellent amenities” — winnowing down a list of 20 possibilities nominated by travel experts to a top 10. Las Vegas accounted for two, and Atlantic City had three. The rest were spread across the country, from Connecticut to Mississippi and California.

An hour east of Los Angeles, Yaamava’ took the No. 2 spot with shout-outs for its 20 restaurants and bars, expansive pool deck and a diverse entertainment lineup that ranges from Ice Cube to Dan + Shay, Flogging Molly and Andrea Bocelli. Closer to home, Sonoma County’s Graton Resort & Casino came in at No. 9 for its upscale guest rooms, restaurants and entertainers — Billy Ocean and 98 Degrees will be appearing in October.

Here’s the list. Find more details at https://10best.usatoday.com.

10 best casino hotels in the U.S.

1 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut

2 Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, Highland, California

3 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

4 Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey

5 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi

6 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City

7 Mount Airy Casino Resort, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

8 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City

9 Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park, California

10 ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

“From New York City you drive north for about 175 miles, turn left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years,” wrote the late sports columnist Red Smith.

Smith was referring to Saratoga Springs, a bucolic community nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York.

I didn’t drive, opting instead for a four-hour train journey (mostly along scenic stretches of the Hudson River), but upon arrival I understood what Smith was talking about.

The Victorian houses on the tree-lined streets get a fresh coat of paint periodically. Some have been converted into apartments and condominiums, but you still expect a horse-drawn carriage to pull up in front of them, discharging a well-turned-out lady and gent.

The historic Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Saratoga Spa State Park is now officially the Gideon Putnam Spa & Resort, but it retains its air of gentility. (In case you’re wondering, Gideon Putnam was a 19th century entrepreneur and one of the founders of Saratoga Springs.)

Broadway is lined with chic boutiques and trendy shops, but neighboring Congress Park is a sprawling green space — dotted with weeping willows and duck ponds — in the midst of which is a beautifully painted carousel.

Here, past overtakes present. The red brick building overlooking the park — now the Saratoga Springs History Museum — originally wascthe Canfield Casino.

Opened in 1870 by Irishman John Morrissey, a one-time bare-knuckle boxing champion and associate of New York City’s infamous Boss Tweed, it became popular with high-stakes types. Its exclusivity was the result of Morrissey’s iron-clad rules: “no ladies, no locals, no credit.”

Morrissey’s past may have been checkered (he was implicated in the murder of Bill “the Butcher” Poole as chronicled in Martin Scorsese’s film “Gangs of New York”), but he successfully cloaked himself in respectability, even being elected to Congress twice.

Figuratively speaking, his knuckles may have been scarred, but they were encased in kid gloves.

Take a fascinating peek at life during the Gilded Age on a guided tour or book the ghost tour (the building has been featured on Ghost Hunters.)

The birthplace of thoroughbred racing

Saratoga is known for its racecourse, America’s oldest (1863) where during its heyday, patrons such as actress Lillian Russell and her paramour, gambler Diamond Jim Brady, could be spotted hobnobbing with assorted Whitneys, Vanderbilts and DuPonts.

The track’s crown jewel is the Travers Stakes, held the third Saturday in August and often referred to as “the Mid-Summer Derby.”

Saratoga’s 40-day racing season runs from mid-July to Labor Day, but horses are on the agenda year round at the National Museum of Racing across from the racetrack.

Walk through a replica of a starting gate and begin your journey. Among the well-curated exhibits: a statue of Secretariat in the courtyard; saddles belonging to iconic Thoroughbreds Phar Lap, Seabiscuit and Whirlaway, and an entire gallery devoted to the Travers, often referred to as “the graveyard of champions.”

That moniker comes from the fact that Secretariat, Man ‘o War and Affirmed were just a few of the giants who, after winning big everywhere else, came up short at Saratoga.

Before the track were the baths

Before Saratoga Springs was a mecca for those with (gambling) fever, it was a mecca for those suffering from gout. The 65-mile-long Saratoga Fault is broken by fissures that produce springs rich in minerals and salts. The water’s healing qualities were first discovered by the region’s Mohawk and Oneida tribes who named the area Saraghoga, “place of swift waters.”

Dutch and English settlers followed, and even before the Revolutionary War the Springs had gained a reputation for mineral baths, reaching its zenith during the mid- to late 1800s when Saratoga was known as “the Queen of the Spas.”

Today, visitors who want to indulge head to Saratoga Spa State Park, site of the Roosevelt Baths. Resembling a European-style bathhouse, the baths (named to honor President Franklin Roosevelt for his efforts to preserve the character of Saratoga) reek of atmosphere and Old World charm.

The signature treatment is the 40-minute soak in a private bath where hot, fresh water is added to the natural cold mineral water, leaving one with a sense of invigoration and rejuvenation.

Beyond horses and baths

Despite its air of wealth and privilege, it would be a mistake to dismiss Saratoga as a relic of the past. The town bustles with activity.

Skidmore College students turn Putnam Street into one big party on the weekends; galleries, artists’ studios and shops have found homes in spruced-up Victorian bungalows; and more than 60 restaurants, most espousing a farm-to-table philosophy, are sprinkled throughout the town.

Go to Sweet Mimi’s Café for breakfast and order their lemon ricotta pancakes, a winner on television’s Beat Bobby Flay.

If you have a hankering for ethically sourced caviar and a glass of bubbly, grab a seat in the intimate Bocage Champagne Bar, an adorable jewel box of a place just off the main drag.

For a meal with a view, opt for Lago by Druthers for the specialty pizzas and a table overlooking the shores of Lake Saratoga, or Prime for its premier steaks and a table overlooking the course at Saratoga National Golf Club.

However, if it’s culture you’re hungry for, you’ve come to the right place. Saratoga Performing Arts Center has an outdoor amphitheater in the middle of a nature preserve that serves as a summer venue for such prestigious companies as the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

I had a chance to hear the orchestra during a remarkable performance of Richard Strauss’ “An Alpine Symphony,” conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin.

An epic opus about a day of mountain climbing in the Alps, the music runs the gamut from tinkling cowbells to an electrifying thunderstorm.

The ambitious choice of musical program (almost an hour in length and requiring 125 instruments) combined with the gorgeous setting made for an unforgettable evening.

Unforgettable is a word that could describe Saratoga Springs in general. Destinations don’t always live up to their hype, but Saratoga’s motto “Easy to reach … always exceptional,” could be considered, in racing terms, right on the money.

______

(For more information, go to discoversaratoga.org.)

______

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

As the days turn shorter and much of the world cools down, travelers start to consider where they should visit next.

This year, we recommend saving some cash and visiting a “second city,” so called because they’re generally less popular to visit than destinations like Miami or New York City (though we think they deserve just as much love).

We chose the 10 second cities on this list based on their ability to offer amazing opportunities to enjoy the short-lived fall travel season, from leaf peeping in scenic areas to the incredible cultural and artistic events they host each year.

Yakima, Washington

While Seattle might get most of the buzz in Washington state, Yakima’s a great fall destination. Just two hours from Seattle, it’s home to some amazing agriculture that provides ample opportunities for fresh food and fun experiences.

Yakima is located near over 90 wineries, with six American Viticulture Areas located within 70 miles of the city. It was also recently named the #1 Best Wine Region in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! Beer lovers can also take part in beer tastings at local craft breweries, and wine lovers and beer lovers will unite at the region’s Fresh Hop Ale Fest or Crush Harvest Celebrations.

Travelers looking for a great road trip opportunity will enjoy coasting along the White Pass and the Chinook Pass Scenic Byway, which offers scenic views of the Cascade Mountain Range. Travelers can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities too, like apple and pumpkin picking, wine tours, Tieton white water river rafting or Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Did we mention it’s also affordable? Locally grown food, affordable lodgings and ample free or low-cost outdoor activities make it a great destination for travelers on a budget.

Beech Mountain, North Carolina

Experience the joys of autumn in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Located around some popular mountain towns, it’s a smaller, less touristy destination offering great seasonal activities. It’s located off the scenic Blue Ridge parkway.

Nature lovers can enjoy visiting the Buckeye Lake & Recreation Center for all sorts of fun outdoor activities, like hiking, kayaking and fishing. But bird lovers will have the most to enjoy: the area is recognized by the High-Country Audubon Society as a major hot spot for birds!

Besides the Buckeye Lake area, hikers and bikers can enjoy relaxing or more challenging trails along the Blue Ridge Mountains, including the Emerald Outback trail.

A more special annual event is held each year in Beech Mountain: the Autumn at Oz festival. Across the last three weekends in September, visitors with tickets to the event will be immersed in the land of Oz come to life, with their favorite characters, unique arts and crafts, themed food and beverages, along with live performances.

St. Augustine, Florida

History lovers, unite! This fall, head away from the more popular regions of Florida to visit a true historic gem: St. Augustine.

The town is the oldest European settlement in North America, home to the Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort dating back to the 1670s. Travelers heading to St. Augustine will love immersing themselves in pre-Columbian and Spanish history at the Fountain of Youth park, a living history museum that boasts being the site where Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon once searched for the famed fountain of youth, and visiting the other museums and historical sites in the town.

The town itself is home to Spanish Colonial and Victorian-style buildings, making it a charming destination for architecture lovers.

Road trippers will enjoy driving the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, while others will head to St. Augustine for one of the town’s annual events, like its St. Augustine Founder’s Day Celebration, the St. Augustine Greek Celebration or Halloween.

Lodi, California

Lodi, California is located in the Central Valley, south of Sacramento. It’s a great alternative for the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, and produces more grapes than either city combined. It’s home to over 85 wineries, 65 tasting rooms and holds the title of the Zinfandel Capital of the World.

The hospitable town offers plenty of other, less grapey experiences, too. Travelers can enjoy learning about olive oil production at local olive groves, hike through the scenic Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, wander through Micke Grove Park, cycle the Cosumnes River Preserve with Blossom Road Loop and much more.

Fall fests include the Lodi Grape Festival, the Lodi Comic Con, the 4th Annual San Joaquin County Tractor Fest and plenty of weekly live music, farmer’s markets and community events.

It’s also more affordable, so travelers on a budget can enjoy saving on accommodations, food and experiences. Amtrak’s San Joaquin line offers a stop in Lodi, making it convenient for local travelers or those who first visited some of the larger cities nearby.

Bangor, Maine

Located in what’s known as the Maine Highlands region, the city of Bangor is a perfect place to visit to enjoy all the autumn festivities, from the farm to the city’s events.

It’s located near two state parks, the highest peak in Maine and some gorgeous forests that turn all shades of red, yellow and orange in the fall, while the city itself features a scenic Bangor Waterfront Trail along the Penobscot River and the 680-acre Bangor City Forest.

It’s also home to one of the spookiest authors in the world: Stephen King. Follow the route of some of the attractions made famous by the author, including his eccentric mansion as a fun spooky season experience.

During a rainy day, travelers can head to the Zillman Art Museum, which was once a 1930s department store with some beautiful exhibitions from local artists and those from around the world.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

If autumn events and festivals are your go-to experiences to enjoy the season, Oklahoma City has got you covered! This surprisingly diverse city offers a plethora of awesome autumn festivals and events, like the Oklahoma State Fair, the Red Earth Festival, Frontier City’s Fright Fest, Myriad Gardens’ Pumpkinville, Fiesta de la Américas, Oklahoma Regatta Festival and the Asian Night Market Festival, to name just a few.

Outdoor lovers and sports enthusiasts should visit the Boathouse District, where travelers can canoe, row and kayak in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, or, a little further away from the city, animal lovers can take a hike at Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.

On rainy days, travelers should head inside to one or more of the city’s many museums. We especially recommend the First Americans Museum, which tells the stories of 39 First American Nations, a full-service restaurant serving Native cuisine and more.

Prescott, Arizona

Travelers should consider the less-touristy city of Prescott, Arizona, for their next autumn escape, instead of popular Sedona or Phoenix. Located north of Phoenix and west of Sedona, the brilliant natural landscape is what attracts people from across the state and beyond to visit this unique destination, which offers a stunning 277 sunny days to enjoy nature year-round.

Nature lovers will adore Prescott. It’s home to over 400 miles of hiking trails within the Prescott National Forest, the scenic Watson Lake, where travelers can kayak, the historic Whiskey Row, where travelers can wine and dine, and the sites of Tuzigoot and Montezuma’s Castle, where travelers can discover the region’s ancient human history, which extends for thousands of years.

In fact, history lovers will also find things to love in Prescott: it was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its “Dozen Distinctive Destinations,” in 2006 for its commitment to preservation.

Mountain bikers, be aware: the new Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trails, which opened last year, offer nearly 20 miles of trails made just for mountain biking, located near the White Spar Campground. It’s a first-of-its-kind in Arizona and a must-ride for any mountain biker.

This Sept. 21-22, Prescott’s Sharlot Hall Museum is hosting the Prescott Indian Art Market, featuring over 80 Native American artists and craftspeople showcasing their cultures’ art, from beading to weaving and more.

Richmond Region, Virginia

The Richmond Region in Virginia is a great place for travelers to enjoy this fall, especially if they’re heading to the region on a road trip. It’s home to excellent fall foliage and fall activities, such as the Richmond Region Beer Trail and the nation’s first Mimosa Trail, Maymont’s Garden Glow and more. October is also Virginia Wine Month, so wine lovers will find no lack of opportunities to try locally produced wines.

In Richmond, nature lovers will enjoy the only Class III and Class IV whitewater rapids located in an urban setting in the nation, thanks to the James River. Parks that are perfect for leaf peepers include Pocahontas State Park and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which offers themed events celebrating Dia de los Muertos, Diwali and HarvestFest.

Those who enjoy the darker side of spooky season can enjoy attractions like the Poe Museum, the Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion amusement park and the opportunity to enjoy a ghost tour or Halloween cruise in Richmond.

Buffalo, New York

While New York City might be most of the buzz, Buffalo is a great destination for travelers wanting to save some money while enjoying a fall city escape.

This year, travelers can enjoy all sorts of fun fall activities, from leaf-peeping at the scenic 42-acre Richardson Olmsted campus, which today is a National Historic Site, visiting the wondrous Niagara Falls and more. Or travelers can visit the charming Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens for a lovely autumn stroll.

On days when you want to stay inside, the newly opened Buffalo AKG Museum and the Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum are great places to expand your mind and learn a bit more about the city.

Throughout the season, travelers can enjoy visiting local farmers markets and attending as many music events and concert series as they can. Other fun events include the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games, the Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival and, ahead of the winter holidays, Buffalo’s European Holiday Market.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Our 10th city on this list deserves a lot of love: Grand Rapids, Michigan was rated eighth on CNN’s Inaugural List of America’s Best Towns this year, and fall is the perfect time to visit!

Home to more outdoor adventures than you can choose from, and more craft breweries than you knew existed, travelers heading there from Michigan and beyond will enjoy some awesome opportunities to enjoy fall, from apple picking to brewery tours. We recommend leaf-peepers to visit the Blandford Nature Center, Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve or the Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience & Environmental Education Center.

Yet, it’s a surprisingly artistic city, too.

Art lovers will enjoy visiting the 150-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which features large sculptures from masters like Auguste Rodin, all set within a charming botanical garden that is sure to astound in the fall. This October, travelers heading to the gardens can enjoy the special Chrysanthemums & More! Exhibit.

Additionally, this September is when the city will host the world’s largest free and public art festival: ArtPrize. Artwork from 800 global artists will be exhibited across the city, creating a living canvas for travelers and residents alike to enjoy. Block parties, live music and other fun events will be held throughout the event across the city.

As the weather turns colder, travelers should head into the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the historic Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum to learn more about the city.

_________

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Are you planning — or secretly hoping — to travel this fall?

Then pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, pull up a chair and dig in to the fall travel cheat sheet that Expedia has just released.

The data dive published by the travel booking platform covers everything from the top trending destinations this fall to the best times to score a deal over the coming months.

Let’s break it down.

Where is everyone going?

It seems international trips are top of mind for travelers over the coming months. Flight searches are up 15% year-over-year with destinations like Tulum, Mallorca and Tokyo trending.

Domestically, meanwhile, Indianapolis is experiencing something of a moment. Interest in the destination is up 120%, according to Expedia flight searches. New Orleans is also growing in popularity. Flight searches of that locale are up 40%.

At least some of the surge may be tied to Taylor Swift returning stateside with her Era’s tour this fall, an event that brings an economic and travel boom wherever it goes. The tour is slated to stop in Indianapolis in November.

Here are the top 5 trending fall destinations among flight searches domestically include:

• Indianapolis: (+120%)
• Cape May, New Jersey: (+60%)
• Ann Arbor, Michigan: (+55%)
• South Lake Tahoe (+50%)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin: (+50%)

Trending international destinations for fall:

• Tulum, Mexico: (70%)
• Mallorca, Spain: (70%)
• Curacao: (55%)
• Tokyo: (50%)
• Kyoto, Japan: (50%)

When and how to score a travel deal

While there are more people planning to travel this fall than in year’s past, the season is still a good one for scoring deals compared to summer months.

That’s because in many places, fall is considered “shoulder season.” Translation: it’s the time between the uber high tourist season of summer and the low tourist season of winter. And the bonus of fall travel is the weather is still lovely, if not even better than summer, because most places have cooled off somewhat.

Here’s a few tips for scoring the best deals prices on fall travel:

Domestic travelers targeted the week of Sept. 3, when average ticket prices (ATPs) were nearly $100 cheaper than during the peak of summer. While that has passed, international ATPs are nearly $260 lower the week of Oct. 20 in comparison to summer.

Honolulu, Seattle, London and Dublin are some of the destinations seeing a 15% or more drop in average ticket prices for fall compared to summer, offering travelers significant shoulder season savings.

You can save up to 15% on airfare by departing on a Monday for domestic flights and Saturdays for international flights.

The most expensive flights of the season ahead, on the other hand, are likely to be the week of Oct. 13 domestically, per Expedia. Internationally, you’ll want to avoid flying the week of Oct. 6 if you’re hoping to score a bargain of any sort.

“Regardless of the destination, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway. (The week of) Oct. 20 is the best for international trips,” Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations, said in a statement.

Best destinations for a fall travel deal

In addition to all of the helpful tips regarding when to travel, Expedia also provided the lowdown on where to travel if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly destination.

Here are a few of the destinations where average ticket prices are currently down 10% or more compared to summer.

Domestic: Seattle (down nearly 20%), Honolulu (down 15%), Houston (down 10%), Denver (down 10%), Los Angeles (down 10%)

International: Toronto (down more than 25%), Santo Domingo (down 25%), London (down nearly 15%), Oranjestad (down nearly 15%) and Calgary (down 15%)

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.