Look no further for the perfect destination for great nightlife, cultural attractions, and diverse dining experiences. San Francisco, California is bursting with new experiences, attractions, and more. Plan a jam-packed weekend getaway, or even a longer trip full of entertainment and flavorful culinary delights.Stay at these reimagined hotels Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in San Francisco hotels in the last few years. Newly built properties such as the LINE SF, LUMA Hotel, and CitizenM Union Square are neighbors with dozens of renovated and rebranded hotels, including The Jay, Beacon Grand, 1 Hotel SF, and Kimpton Alton Hotel. While other properties such as The Clift Sonesta, St. Regis San Francisco, and Hyatt Regency San Francisco have completed major renovations. The most recent to undergo renovation include Inn at the Presidio and Hotel Drisco. Meanwhile, The Westin St. Francis, which celebrated its 120th anniversary in March, will unveil a new lobby, restaurant, bar and terrace later this year. In March, the historic property unveiled the St. Francis Museum, which showcases iconic artifacts, including the world's only coin cleaning operation (introduced in 1939 to preserve the cleanliness of guests' white gloves.) The museum opening followed the unveiling of six renovated luxury suites in fall 2023.Enjoy endless seafood Recently opened seafood restaurants include Popi's Oysterette in the Marina. Popi's serves items like the Dungeness Crab Roll firebrand brioche and other seasonal seafood sourced from some of California's top purveyors. Broad Street Oyster Co. debuted its first Northern California outpost in Ghirardelli Square last month, dishing up seafood towers and lobster rolls in a décor drenched in color. Fisch & Flore took over the space of former longtime Castro favorite Café Flore with the goal of keeping the former restaurant's neighborhood hangout vibe. It serves fresh seafood and zesty drinks. In Pacific Heights, the bright, light-filled Little Shucker has become a chic destination for oysters, wine, and more since its opening last year. See a new perspective at these attractions The Golden Gate Bridge by Ragnar Vorel - Unsplash The 150-foot-high SkyStar Wheel offers never-before-seen perspectives of San Francisco from its new location in Fisherman's Wharf. Moved from Golden Gate Park to the Wharf, the SkyStar Wheel's views span from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge, taking in the San Francisco Bay, Presidio of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, North Beach, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, and the downtown skyline. Visitors can climb “halfway to the stars” on a cable car recently dedicated to Tony Bennett. The newly refurbished cable car 53 carries special plaques and unique markings to commemorate Bennett, who passed away in 2023. The legendary singer premiered “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1961 in the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room, and the hotel's lobby recently became the permanent home of a hand-painted heart sculpture by Bennett. Visit the sculpture and more on a self-guided tour of Tony Bennett's San Francisco via Local Getaways' free guide. A new Behind-the-Scenes Tour explores restricted, non-public areas of the 175-year-old Grace Cathedral. Led by trained docents, the Behind-the-Scenes Tour includes the opportunity to climb nearly 100 stairs to the South Tower's observation level and scale across a catwalk for a vertical view and an insider's perspective. The French-inspired neo-Gothic church features 90-foot-high vaulted ceilings and sixty-eight intricate stained-glass windows covering over 7,200 square feet. Visitors on the tour will enjoy interior vistas of the massive cathedral and its arches from the Gallery overlooking the labyrinth; step through secret doors and glimpse hidden passageways of the Ambulatory and historic rooms, which store some of the cathedral's oldest treasures; and gain access to the restricted Chapel of Grace that houses historic furnishings, circa 1400s and 1500s. Visit revitalized parks The revitalization of San Francisco's southern waterfront continues with the April opening of the five-acre China Basin Park, part of San Francisco's newest neighborhood, Mission Rock. The park is located just across from Oracle Park (home of the San Francisco Giants) and McCovey Cove and features extensive recreational areas, including a one-acre Great Lawn, a Gathering Grove, and the Shoreline Sands – a stretch of sand along the shoreline designed to bring visitors closer to the water. China Basin Park also extends the 350-mile Bay Trail, now connecting downtown and SoMa to the revived southeastern waterfront. An array of new parks and public spaces is taking shaping in the middle of San Francisco Bay on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. These include new picnic spots in the protected seal colony area of Clipper Cove, which boasts spectacular views of San Francisco, Alcatraz, and the East Bay, and “the world's most beautiful dog park.” Opening in May is Panorama Park, which features dramatic 360-degree views radiating from the 69-foot-tall Point of Infinity sculpture by Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. Point of Infinity is the renowned artist's first large-scale permanent installation in the U.S. The islands are now reachable by a new, 10-minute ferry ride from downtown San Francisco. In the city's Financial District, an expanded Transamerica Redwood Park will partially reopen in May before its grand opening in September as part of a revitalization of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. Plan for playtime Skateboarders can experience the city's new 13,000-square-foot urban skate plaza—the first of its kind in the U.S. Located in U.N. Plaza within sight of City Hall, the skate plaza was designed by local professional skateboarders and skate park advocates. It features street curbs, concrete benches, and brick walkways for urban skateboarding. America's first destination municipal short course, the nine-hole, par-3 Golden Gate Park Golf Course, completed a redesign and renovated its clubhouse earlier this year. Also in Golden Gate Park, visitors can now rent in-line or roller skates on weekends and join roller-skaters at Golden Gate Park's Skatin' Place, which is located on the park's car-free JFK Promenade near 6th Avenue. With the rise of pickleball, San Francisco's Recreation and Parks department increased the number of places to play pickleball to over 90 courts. Among the new locations are pickleball courts at the historic Palace of Fine Arts. Last year, San Francisco also debuted the first padel courts in Northern California in the Embarcadero and on Treasure Island. The game combines tennis and squash into a sport played by 10 million people around the world. Don't miss outdoor concert season SF Live, a new free outdoor concert series kicks off in May, bringing arts and culture into the city's parks and plaza. The series will feature live music curated by entertainment venues and showcase local, national, and international talent. Each concert offers a diverse lineup of artists, ranging from rising indie bands to well-established jazz ensembles and high-energy pop acts. Over the next six months, SF Live concerts will be held at iconic open spaces and locations such as the Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, Union Square Plaza, Civic Center Plaza, Crane Cove Park, Fulton Plaza, and Eagle Plaza. A who's who of San Francisco entertainment and music venues is curating the entertainment lineup, including Mr. Tipple's, The Great Northern, Monarch, Madrone Art Bar, Bottom of the Hill, El Rio, Neck of the Woods, Great American Music Hall, Rickshaw Stop, The EndUp, Pandora Karaoke, Kilowatt, Cafe Du Nord, The Chapel, and The SF Eagle. The SF Live music series in Union Square will encompasses four free happy hour concerts every second Thursday starting from June 13, plus three free large concerts on June 15, Sept. 21, and Oct. 12. The Illuminate Live series in Golden Gate Park at the historic Golden Gate Bandshell runs through mid-November. The free concert series, held every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, features over 125 diverse concerts and genres. Fisherman's Wharf will host a Pier Party at the Wharf with free performances every Saturday from May 25 and through the end of October. A monthly Downtown First Thursdays (DFT) all-ages dance party in SoMa with seven entertainment zones will launch May 2 and run every first Thursday through April 2, 2025. DFT boasts an outdoor discoteca; an “Art Car Stage” with drag, DJs and more, a dance hall; bands and live music on Jessie; two outdoor bar areas, food trucks, retail vendors, and free kid's activities. DFT takes place on Second Street between Market and Howard streets. The new Chinatown Night Market on Grant Street takes place every second Friday evening of the month through November. The Chinatown Night Market features traditional foods along with music, performances, and activities for all ages. Back for a second year, the popular Bhangra & Beats Night Market brings South Asian Bhangra and popular Bay Area music, street food, cocktails, and local artisans to downtown. The night market will take over three city blocks on May 10, July 12, Sept. 13, and Nov. 15. Hip Hop on the Plaza, a series of free, all-ages events celebrating the rich history and diverse artistry of hip hop dance in San Francisco, returns this year. Running through September 2024 on UN Plaza, the series' dynamic lineup of programming includes weekly dance workshops and bi-monthly dance battles. Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series between the San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum, brings diverse performances every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons throughout the summer. The Golden Gate Park Band, San Francisco's oldest musical organization, returns to the park for its 142nd season with free weekly performances showcasing San Francisco Bay Area cultural organizations and heritages every Sunday through Oct. 6. Visitors will also find permitted buskers playing in Golden Gate Park and on Market Street in the Mid-Market district. The nation's longest-running free music festival, Stern Grove Festival, is a free ticketed concert series taking place on Sundays in June, July, and August. In early October, the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returns to Golden Gate Park with a lineup of country, soul, folk, and more performers across stages. Listen to live jazz music A number of jazz and jazz-inspired venues have opened recently, including Stookey's Club Moderne's sister venue The Blue Room—a new bar and cabaret venue with a post-Prohibition theme featuring live music; The Dawn Club, which evokes a historic 1930s jazz club; Keys Jazz Bistro in North Beach, and GeeLou in the Marina. These complement classic jazz spots like Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio and the Black Cat supper club. SFJAZZ, the largest non-profit jazz presenter in the world, will feature over 100 concerts across the 41st Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival (June 11 to 23), and the SFJazz Summer Sessions series. The San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Festival—the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast—will take place from July 6 to 7. In the 1950s, San Francisco's Fillmore District was known as the “Harlem of the West” and was home to over 70 jazz clubs along with record stores and other Black-owned businesses. The Fillmore Eclipse, a new immersive theater production, aims to transport audiences to the height of the '50s Bebop Jazz era and explores the Fillmore's history of Black art and entrepreneurship and the enormous disenfranchisement the community went through during Urban Renewal. Held at the intimate Honey Art Studio, the production is modeled after Bop City, an after-hours jazz joint and a confluence point for San Francisco's thriving African American community and Japanese Americans rebuilding their lives after internment. The family friendly experience features a house band, a range of actors, cocktails, and hidden artifacts to explore. Thirteen performances are scheduled from April 26 to May 12. Boxcar Theatre relaunched its hit immersive theater experience set in a Prohibition-era nightclub: The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws (playing through June 23). The show transports audiences back to the Roaring 1920s inside an intricately designed space complete with a two-story cabaret, three bars, a casino, secret passageways, and disguised entrances. Enjoy glam libations The long-awaited rebirth of the former Harry Denton's Starlight Room was realized with the opening of the Starlite in February. Beacon Grand's glamorous revisioning of the iconic venue was inspired by the city's icons—gold, fog, cable cars, and a celebration of the city's flavors. Boasting 360-degree views from the 21st floor, Starlite is decked out in a deep emerald and golden jewel tone palette reminiscent of the Art Deco Era. Velvet upholstered banquettes with fringes and opulent print as well as Venini glass chandeliers elevate the design. Also opened in February, the Dark Bar in the LINE SF celebrates the rich Asian culture and history of San Francisco with a spirit list sourced from Asia and Southeast Asia. Service features a table-side highball cart, and a cocktail menu spotlighting fresh seasonal elements as well as preserved and fermented ingredients. Designed like a chic friend's city apartment, RTB Wine Lounge on Fillmore Street brings together exquisite wines, Champagnes, and sakes with a menu designed by Chef Rodney Wages, whose resume includes The French Laundry, Benu, Atelier Crenn, and Saison. The Harlequin opened in the historic Mosser Building last year, with a design all decadent 1920s glamour. The Harlequin features an opulent copper-clad Gold Bar and a great room lit by a flowing gingko leaf chandelier. The intimate Left Door began welcoming guests to its bedecked Cow Hollow setting in 2023. The chic hideaway cocktail lounge serves classics in a lush setting decorated with bold floral wallpaper and plush velvet and leather chairs. Try sweet treats and artisanal coffees A proliferation of bakeries and cafes is catering to crowds with creative, mouthwatering treats, joining stalwarts like Arsicault, Breadbelly and Tartine. In Union Square, Miller & Luxe Provisions' soft-serve croissant cone has gone viral while Butter & Crumble in North Beach is channeling a flaky, buttery heaven with its pistachio cardamom sugar and mortadella pistachio pesto croissants. Magic Donuts & Coffee in Potrero Hill uses sourdough yeast and serves such creations as crème brûlée, taro cheesecake, and blood orange donuts. And opening this summer in West Portal is George's Donuts & Merriment, an elevated and whimsical donut café. Menu highlights will include a flight of fried-fresh donut holes with dips and 'drunken' donuts. For those who prefer dessert before dinner, Bellaria Dessert Studio serves an all-dessert tasting menu from noon to 4 pm on Sunday. The sit-down menu includes cakes, cookies, parfaits, and desserts created by virtuoso pastry chef Luis Villavelazquez. Even mixologists are paying homage to the sweet trend. Causewells' debuted the '30-minute Soufflé' cocktail this year made of 'skrewball peanut butter whiskey, oloroso sherry, banana, oat milk, nilla wafer'). San Francisco's coffee scene is second to none, with numerous artisanal coffee roasters, cafes, and baristas dedicated to perfecting the craft of brewing. The scene's next iteration is third-wave coffee culture. Hot drinks and spots include Yemeni coffee at Delah, Indonesia coffee at Kopiku, Vietnamese coffee at Telescope, and Ethiopian coffee at Sextant Coffee. Shops like Pixlcat give a creative hat-tip to Asia (think ube or black sesame dopo panna lattes), as does Outset, which claims to venture where no barista has gone before, with fruit-flavored coffee drinks like Thai durian and toasted banana lattes on the menu. Take in the stars from dazzling rooftop patios Night in San Francisco by Aniket Deole - Unsplash San Francisco could be counted among the “coolcation” destinations, but its rooftop bar scene is sizzling. New venues include the Chotto Matte, a rooftop restaurant with a wraparound terrace in Union Square, and The Jay Hotel's The Third Floor. Other elevated spots include Latin American bar Cavaña atop the LUMA hotel in Mission Bay (recently named the “Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar” in the U.S. West category by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation), Shelby's Rooftop at the Canopy by Hilton in SoMa, and Rise Over Run, a bar and restaurant solarium at the LINE SF featuring cocktails and southeast Asian-inspired street fare. Hidden away at the Sunset location of Fiorella is the intimate Bar Nonnina, a rooftop patio with a small, curated list of drinks. Near Oracle Park, Kaiyo Rooftop atop Hyatt Place Hotel in SoMa is contemporary Peruvian Nikkei bar designed as an “Amazonian” oasis. And the rooftop destination that launched the trend in 2017, the Kelly Wearstler-designed Charmaine's at San Francisco's Proper, is still going strong with curated events frequently taking place. Additional rooftop bars can be found here. Experience urban foraging One of the best ways to explore San Francisco is through its diverse foods and neighborhoods, and there are food tours to suit all flavors. Dylan's Tours recently introduced the Dylan's Infamous Tour, a culinary journey through the city's vibrant streets and neighborhoods featuring food tastings and a cocktail pairing.Flora & Fungi Wild Food Adventures' Urban Foraging: Wild Food & Medicinals tour in Golden Gate Park educates attendees about the park's trees, flowers, history, and urban foraging ethics and how to identify seasonal edibles, like springtime's miner's lettuce, chickweed, and magnolia blossoms. It finishes with a tasting of wild foods.Edible Excursions offers tours of Japantown, the Ferry Building and Farmer's Market, and a Mission District tours.Avital Food Tours features North Beach and Mission District food tours as well as Michelin a Food tour.Local Tastes of the City Tours offers Chinatown, North Beach, or a combination of the two neighborhoods tours.Sidewalk Food Tours combined the unique tastes of San Francisco with cultural context, historical architecture features and more, with tours of the Mission District, Chinatown, and North Beach neighborhoods. Enjoy art and culture showcasing life in the Bay Area Fashioning San Francisco at the de Young chronicles how style in the Bay Area has evolved over generations and spans a century of high fashion and haute couture. The exhibit presents the work of over 50 fashion designers, from Balmain to Miyake, Valentino to McQueen, with the majority of the over 90 ensembles on view for the first time. On view through Aug. 11, the exhibit also features an interactive augmented reality installation enabling visitors to “try-on” three fashions. San Francisco On Stage explores the city's long and colorful tradition of performing arts, which date to the Gold Rush. The exhibit features historical artifacts from the worlds of dance, music, and theater, including costumes, programs, videos of performances, and other unique memorabilia. Presented by the San Francisco Historical Society in collaboration with San Francisco's Museum of Performance + Design, the exhibit is on view until Aug. 15. The massive Art of Noise exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (from May 4 to Aug. 18) covers over 100 years of music's visual aesthetics. It features an immersive floor-to-ceiling installation of 700 works of graphic design including concert posters (mainly drawn from the 1960s and '70s), album covers, music advertising, and fliers for shows, many highlighting Bay Area concerts, and performances. The exhibition also has an interactive seating environment designed by Stockholm-based studio teenage engineering with custom-designed devices for audio playback embedded. Beyond that are nine tables displaying industrial designs for listening to music dating from the early 1900s to 2023. Cutting-edge listening experiences are featured in two dedicated galleries, including teenage engineering's Choir, a set of sonic sculptures programmed to sing as a choral group, and the immersive “HiFi Pursuit Listening Room Dream No. 2” audio installation by Devon Turnbull (OJAS). His functional sculpture facilitates super high-fidelity music playback and will be activated through a series of performances with renowned record collectors, musicians, and music labels, drawing heavily on the Bay Area's robust music culture and history. Arborhythm by Yuri Suzuki is also part of the new exhibition. The commissioned project can be experienced on the publicly accessible Floor 2 terrace and on the Floor 7 terrace. Composed of tree-like sculptures of yellow, orange, and green metal tubes, Arborhythm is a seating structure and sonic landscape, remixing sounds of San Francisco's natural and urban surroundings together into an ambient soundtrack. RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped showcases Bay Area artist Jay Blakesberg's photographs of legendary musicians. It captures San Francisco's music scene, evolution, and widespread impact. The exhibition, on view at the Contemporary Jewish Museum through July 28, includes images of artists like the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Soundgarden, and others. A new permanent exhibit at Fort Point National Historic Site provides an immersive experience of the fort's unique history, featuring Civil War era artifacts and weaponry, contemporary and archival images and projections, and interactive elements. The exhibit highlights individuals from all backgrounds who contributed to Fort Point's construction and operation. Built in the 1850s as a coastal defense point by the US Army, Fort Point never fired its guns during wartime. Get a taste of new and diverse dining Chinatown in San Francisco by Kae Ng - Unsplash San Francisco's dining scene continues to welcome new restaurants to the scene, adding to the city's vibrant diversity of culinary options. Chef Lijun Han, owner of Chinatown's premier Szechuan dining destination Z&Y Restaurant, debuted a sister restaurant, Z&Y Peking Duck, in early 2024. Chef Han's menu focuses on authentic Peking Duck along with a selection of contemporary Beijing-inspired dim sum small plates in a recently renovated building on Jackson Street near the original restaurant.Il Parco, an Italian-inspired cafe and pizzeria, opened in the Presidio of San Francisco this year with a fresh take on Italian classics reimagined with California's seasonal bounty. Guests can enjoy salads, focaccia pizzas and more at nearby public picnicking locations. Il Parco is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner.Featuring a Cantopop soundtrack, Four Kings opened to fanfare in Chinatown, serving elevated and reimaged dishes inspired by the cafes and street food of Hong Kong and Guangzhou and the Cantonese food the two chefs, alums of Mister Jiu's, grew up eating.Husband-and-wife chef duo David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher, formerly at Marlena, opened 7 Adams in the Fillmore. The restaurant features a 5-course tasting menu ($87) celebrating the nuanced seasonal moments of California. The restaurant steps away from the traditional tasting menu format and creates an experience with a distinctive cadence. Some courses are set while others are chosen, and some are served individually while others are shared. In a matter of months after opening, the restaurant was added to Michelin's California Guide.The Post Room, a Mediterranean-inspired bar and lounge, opened inside the historic Beacon Grand. The restaurant takes guests through a coastal culinary journey from the northern Italian city of Genoa, through southern France and on to Barcelona in northern Spain and features a robust cocktail program. The Post Room serves breakfast through supper daily. Its name was inspired by the property's original glass-front mail chute, which stretches from the 20th floor to the basement.Early to Rise in NoPa (north of the Panhandle) marks Chef Andrew McCormack's first full-service restaurant and brunch haven. The restaurant celebrates high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and simple homestyle meals made from scratch. After operating as a successful pop-up for six years, the new dedicated space provides a bright and inviting modern diner atmosphere.KAIYŌ Restaurant & Bar opened on the ground floor of the Hyatt Place Hotel, where acclaimed cocktail bar KAIYŌ Rooftop is perched. The restaurant features an all-new elevated menu of Nikkei dishes by Chef Alex Reccio, KAIYŌRestaurant Group's Executive Chef, and some guest favorites from their Cow Hollow location.Saluhall, a plant-forward incubator for enticing takes on more sustainable and good eating opened in April as part of Ingka Centres' the Meeting Place. (Ingka Centres is the real estate sister company to IKEA, and the centre is home to San Francisco's first IKEA store.) The 450-seat food hall highlights local and independent traders and includes a beer bar, cocktail bar, the Burgare Bar, Snöberg soft serve, Smörgåsland (a bakery/eatery), Curry Up Now, Puerto Rican Casa Borinqueñ, MOMO Noodle, vegan Mexican La Venganza, and Skola, a cooking school.

There are so many ways to spend summer vacation, but nothing beats an outdoor adventure this time of year. If you're looking for inspiration on where to go this year, here are four great vacation ideas to get the whole family outside and active. Adventure in the Rockies Bear Lake Trailhead in Estes Park, Colorado by Peter Pryharski - Unsplash Two of Colorado’s most treasured family vacation destinations – YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center and YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby – recently announced summer season details including a new Aerial Challenge Course experiences and a Summer Olympics Passport program. Both the Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch rest on either side of Rocky Mountain National Park and feature numerous daily activities including pickleball, archery lessons, craft centers, miniature golf, roller skating, swimming, rock climbing with skilled instructors, hikes to waterfalls, the guest-favorite summer tubing hill at Snow Mountain Ranch and much more. Most on-site activities are included with a stay at the resort, in either a cozy cabin or an affordable hotel-style lodge room. Guests can challenge themselves by navigating the brand-new Aerial Challenge Courses at both Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch. The new adventure courses, towering 35 feet above the ground in the canopy of a Ponderosa Forest, feature a suspended aerial experience with swaying bridges, tightropes and more. The roughly 1.75-hour experience includes 30 minutes of instruction with a guide and is great for groups of up to 15 people. The course was created by Bonsai Design, a Colorado-based, woman-owned company which has designed courses all over the world. The Estes Park Center course opened for its first full season on April 15; and the Snow Mountain Ranch course is slated to open in June. To celebrate the upcoming Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024, YMCA of the Rockies has created a Summer Olympics Passport to Fun Program. Both properties offer a robust list of activities included with a stay – many of which are also Olympic sports – so guests can try their hand at a number of sports they will see during the Paris games. From June 15 – August 15, guests can pick up an Olympic passport from the Programs Building, travel around each property and collect stamps for all of the Olympic-themed activities, including archery, basketball, climbing, (mini-)golf, table tennis, swimming, tennis, volleyball, roller skating and more. Rocky Mountain National Park is part of the National Park Service’s “pilot reservation system,” requiring timed entry permits for visitors. However, because of YMCA of the Rockies’ prime location and exclusive access, guests at the Estes Park Center have access to dozens of hike-in, hike-out trails – and even guided hikes – accessible with a park entrance pass. Additionally, in a nod to nostalgic summer camp-like experiences, both properties offer a variety of summer activities such as daily educational sessions; naturalist workshops focused on birding, geology, plants, wildflowers, and the history of Rocky Mountain National Park; as well as a weekly schedule of organized classic games and activities for guests including kickball, capture the flag, human Hungry Hungry Hippo, dodgeball and much more. Accommodations range from affordable hotel-style lodge rooms with common areas perfect for groups traveling together, to pet-friendly, multi-bedroom private cabins featuring wrap-around porches, full kitchens, and a variety of sleeping options. Snow Mountain Ranch is also home to a “Yurt Village” and campground in the summer months. Most lodge rooms and cabins do not have televisions, providing a truly unplugged experience. Day Camps will be available at both properties for children ages 3 -17, Monday through Friday from early June through mid-August. Guests may register for one day, several days or a week at a time. Day camp rates start at $50/day at Estes Park Center and $140/week at Snow Mountain Ranch. For a full list of activities, reservations, events and more, go to www.ymcarockies.org. Bike across Tennessee A bike on a path in Nashville by Christin Hume - Unsplash The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is inviting cyclists to experience Tennessee on 52 new curated road cycling routes that wind their way through the state's picturesque landscapes. The new program, Bike Tennessee, launched today at BikeTN.com and allows cyclists to engage with the routes using the app Ride with GPS. “From our music to our makers, Tennessee is a state full of storytellers and our beauty is unmatched,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD. “As travelers increasingly seek sustainable and authentic experiences, we invite them to explore our scenic routes and discover the charm of our small towns. We are pleased to partner with Ride with GPS and showcase the hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes that define our state.” Tennessee has been named an Ambassador for popular cycling app Ride with GPS, making all 52 routes easily accessible across the platform. Each Bike Tennessee route was meticulously mapped, ensuring cyclists have access to detailed navigation and route information. Ride descriptions provide valuable information about the terrain, waypoints and hidden gems along the way, as well as modifications to tailor each ride to the individual. The routes were created in collaboration with professional cycling guide Shannon Burke of Velo View Bike Tours, who brings more than a decade of experience leading cycling tours. Routes were selected with safety and scenery in mind, with 1,739 miles of routes mapped and 53 Tennessee counties included in the Bike Tennessee program. They offer seasoned cyclists mostly rural, low-traffic experiences in some of Tennessee's most scenic and historic landscapes, including 14 routes in Tennessee State Parks. “Tennessee has all the right ingredients to be one of the premier cycling destinations in the country—low-traffic backroads, welcoming communities and stunning scenery,” said Shannon Burke. “It's an amazing place to ride!” The outdoor recreation economy generates $11.9 billion for Tennessee, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. Bike Tennessee aims to leverage the growing cycling community to increase visitation and economic impact throughout Tennessee. Cyclists can learn more about Bike Tennessee and explore the available road cycling routes by visiting www.BikeTN.com. Join the conversation on social media using hashtag #BikeTN. Hike—and help sustain—trails in Wisconsin Volunteers clean a trail - courtesy of Destination Madison As travelers look for more meaningful ways to engage with the places they travel to, Destination Madison unveiled a new “voluntourism” portal to connect visitors with volunteer opportunities in Madison and Dane County. The portal especially highlights the sustainability and outdoor offerings Madison is known for. Instead of simply hiking one of Madison many trails, visitors can volunteer to help maintain them. They can enjoy shopping at the Dane County Farmers Market, as seen on this season of Bravo's “Top Chef”, and can also give back to the community by volunteering at a food pantry. After kayaking in the shadow of the Wisconsin State Capitol, they can join a shoreline cleaning crew to ensure the beauty of Madison's lakes. Sustainability has long been both a local value and tradition, with Madison being home to the founder of America's National Parks, John Muir, environmental pioneer Aldo Leopold, and conservation icon Gaylord Nelson, who founded Earth Day. The area features five lakes (which transform into frozen playgrounds in the winter), 200+ miles of bike paths and 299 public parks with many programs in place to preserve and protect these vital natural resources and spaces. Destination Madison emphasizes our community's sustainable efforts and is excited to share these opportunities with visitors. For more information, visit visitmadison.com. Explore history in St. Augustine, Florida Explore history in St. Augustine, Florida - courtesy of Florida's Historic Coast With 42 miles of pristine beaches, fathoms of deep blue water, and trails for days, Florida's Historic Coast makes it easy to enjoy nature's bounty. Get wild at Marineland Dolphin Adventure, explore the GTM Research Reserve, and get outside with these exciting adventures. Enjoy a long weekend at the beach at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, or get some fish on at the St. Augustine Kingfish Mayhem tournament, May 30-June 1. With a city that's 459 years old, Florida's Historic Coast has got it going on when it comes to history. Visitors can live it each day by walking the battlements at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument or seeing a real blacksmith in action at the Colonial Quarter. Experience a live musket firing demonstration at Fort Mose Historic State Park on the first Saturday on each month. Traveling to Florida's Historic Coast in May is more affordable, thanks to exclusive lodging offers for summer 2024, from three-star resorts to romantic bungalow escapes. Use the convenient trip planner to create your perfect itinerary.

It's the quintessential way to travel across the States in the summertime: the RV. Pack up the kids and pets and plot out your roadtrip for the 2024 season. The campgrounds below are the perfect spot to park and explore for a few days (or longer) with new amenities, family-friendly activities, and beautiful scenery. Spacious Skies Minute Man (Littleton, Massachusetts) Spacious Skies Minute Man in Littleton has been named one of the top 10 campgrounds in the U.S. by USA Today in a Reader’s Choice contest. Located 33 miles from the heart of Boston, Spacious Skies Minute Man is the only campground on the list on the East Coast. Others top campgrounds are in Indiana, California, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Texas. Nominations for the contest were made by a panel of top travel journalists with an expertise in RV travel. “Spacious Skies Minute Man is a destination where guests can experience the very best of RV adventures, and our staff there works incredibly hard to make sure that everyone who stays here feels welcome,” said Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds. “This campground is a terrific choice for vacationers who want a mix of adventures, from peaceful play in the countryside to metropolitan fun in downtown Boston. You truly can do it all here.” Situated among tall shade trees, the campground features 93 RV sites with full hookups, seven rustic cabins, a camp store, accessible sites and facilities, swimming pool, dog park, WiFi, sport courts and a recreation hall. Public transportation to Boston is a short drive away. Attractions close to the campground include Kimbal Farm, an 85-year-old attraction known for its ice cream and confections; Nashoba Paddler, providing canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards; Doe Orchards with pick-your-own apples as well as various fruits and Christmas trees and Metro Rock Littleton featuring rock climbing for all ages and abilities. Members of the Spacious Skies Loyalty Program, called “Cosmic Campers” can save up to 12 percent on all RV sites, cabins and other accommodations. The cost to join the Loyalty Program is $31.90, a reflection of the company’s founding date of March 19, 2021. Registration for the loyalty program can be completed online. Some restrictions apply. While the Loyalty Program discount cannot be combined with other discounts, the discount with the greatest savings is rewarded, providing campers with the best possible deal on their stay. Jellystone Park (Warrens, Wisconsin) A retro camper parked in a field by Lance Anderson - Unsplash Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Warrens, one of Wisconsin’s most beloved family camping and RV resorts, has been given an extreme makeover just in time for summer vacations. Owner Great Escapes RV Resorts began revamping the destination after buying it in 2021. The popular Camp-Resort is less than three hours from nearby cities including Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Madison. “Anyone who hasn’t been to the Warrens Jellystone Park in a few years will hardly recognize it,” said General Manager Travis Walsh. “We’re about to open two new large, resort-style pools, including one that is zero entry, luxury glamping cabins and new amenities. We also have updated the RV sites.” Over the winter 66 new glamping cabins were installed to replace older ones. A Wibit floating obstacle course was recently added, as were AquaBanas that float in the lake and feature canopies, comfortable seating, tables, coolers and even Bluetooth speakers. The new amenities complement the resort’s lazy river, six lane water slide, splash pad and wave pool. The bath houses, café, activities center and camp store have been remodeled. The dog park has been renovated, and pickleball has been added, as well as a new playground area. “This really is the next generation of family outdoor vacations,” Walsh said. “The focus is on fun and entertainment with all the comforts of home, whether you are staying in your own RV or one of our new, fully equipped glamping cabins.” Of course, Jellystone Park’s namesake, Yogi Bear, is still in residence, entertaining kids and stealing pic-a-nic baskets. All the activities that have made the Warrens Jellystone Park such a popular destination are still available, including character interactions, hayrides, outdoor movies, train rides, sports, arts and crafts, mini golf, themed celebrations and more. Visit www.jellystonewarrens.com for information on special events, to check availability and make reservations. Jellystone Park Warrens is offering a number of special promotions, making camping, glamping and RVing an even more affordable alternative to other types of vacations. Visit https://www.jellystonewarrens.com/deals for details. Day passes are available for local residents and visitors to the area. Great Escapes RV Resort (Bryan-College Station, Texas) Heading west in an RV by Megan Barber - Unsplash Less than a three-hour drive from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, Great Escapes RV Resorts Bryan-College Station is offering families even more exciting ways to vacation this summer. The Brazos Valley’s newest luxury camping, glamping and RV destination opened in 2022. It now boasts more than 80 acres of family oriented attractions, activities and accommodations. A second resort-style pool was recently completed. Other amenities include a fitness center, a private events center, a sand volleyball court and a sports court with basketball, pickleball and tennis. More glamping cabins, premium pull-through RV sites, laundry facilities and bath houses also were added. Along with the two pools, Great Escapes Bryan-College Station features a lake with a Wibit floating water obstacle course, making it the perfect outdoors destination for families wanting a respite from life, school and, of course, the Texas heat. When it is time to take a break from the sun, kids can head to the Hangout for games, including pool, table shuffleboard and ping pong. Early this summer the resort will debut a new food truck court and a live entertainment pavilion that will host professional music acts and guests eager to show off their karaoke talents. Gem mining and a new dog park also will be completed soon. “Great Escapes has created an all-new resort from the ground up with everything families have been wanting in an outdoor vacation,” said General Manager Craig Sanford. “The focus is on fun and entertainment with all the comforts of home, whether you are staying in your own RV or one of our new, spacious, fully equipped glamping cabins. This really is the next generation of family travel.” The resort’s luxury cabins boast private bathrooms, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens and Wi-Fi. Each sleeps at least four people, with larger ones comfortable for eight guests. Linens are provided. Memory making is non-stop with popular activities including Wet’N’ Wild Hayrides, interactions with Biscuit, the resort’s costumed canine mascot, and themed celebrations, such as Christmas in July. Later this year families will enjoy a second jumping pillow, human foosball, gaga ball, horseshoes and movies. Visit www.greatescapesbcs.com for information on special events, to check availability and make reservations. Great Escapes Bryan-College Station is offering a number of special promotions, making camping, glamping and RVing an even more affordable alternative to other types of vacations. Day passes are available for Brazos Valley residents and visitors to the area. Rio Guadalupe RV Resort (New Braunfels, Texas) Rio Guadalupe Resort, a premier RV park and campground nestled along the Guadalupe River in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is thrilled to announce a series of significant improvements and additions to enhance the guest experience. Over the past 12 months, the resort has undergone extensive renovations and introduced new amenities to solidify the new braunfels rv park as a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking a memorable getaway. As part of its exciting upgrade, the resort has added six new premier RV sites which will accommodate monthly stay guests year round. Each site offers a picnic table and grill along with plenty of ample land to enhance the guest’s longer stay. These spacious sites provide the perfect setting for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surrounding area while enjoying the comfort and convenience of modern amenities. Rio Guadalupe Resort has also constructed a new entrance and exit to streamline traffic flow for resort guests along with the tubing and fishing customers. This improvement ensures a smooth and efficient check-in process, allowing guests to begin their vacation without any unnecessary delays. To further help guests relax, the pool area has undergone an extensive renovation, featuring fresh furnishings and a large TV with a comfortable sitting area. Guests can now unwind by the pool while enjoying their favorite shows or simply soaking up the sun. The resort has also made significant improvements to its dog park, ensuring that four-legged family members have a safe and enjoyable space to play and socialize. The front office and store have been revamped to provide a more welcoming and efficient experience for guests. Whether checking in, purchasing essentials, or seeking information about local attractions, the friendly staff is ready to assist. Additionally, to enhance accessibility for guests staying in the cabins, a new road has been constructed. This allows cabin guests to easily navigate the resort and access all the amenities without any inconvenience. Several cabins have also undergone renovations to provide an even more comfortable and memorable stay. To ensure that guests of all ages have a fantastic time, Rio Guadalupe Resort has appointed a new Activities Director. This dedicated team member is focused on organizing weekly events, activities, such as Guadalupe River tubing and live music, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere throughout the resort. Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted to learn about the opening of Rio Anglers, the resort’s new full-service fly fishing business. Guests can now enjoy an all-inclusive experience of nightly stays, meals, drinks, guided fishing trips and wader rentals, all a few steps from the front door of your cabin or RV site. This new service makes it easier than ever to catch rainbow trout in the Guadalupe River without ever having to get in the car during your stay. . Last but not least, the resort has welcomed two new office pets, Theo and Gus, who have quickly become beloved members of the Rio Guadalupe Resort family. These friendly companions are always ready to greet guests with a wagging tail and a warm smile, adding an extra touch of warmth and personality to the resort experience. Mission Bay RV Resort (San Diego, California) An RV sits along the coastline by Kojiro Inui - Unsplash Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort, the iconic resort campgrounds nestled in San Diego’s Mission Bay, are thrilled to announce the summer return of family-friendly activities and the Campland Rocks live entertainment series beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2024. The 147 newly added campsites at Mission Bay RV Resort offer beachfront RV and tent accommodations on Mission Bay, along with resort-style amenities. “With our two beautiful waterfront locations in Mission Bay, we offer unique experiences tailored to different kinds of camping preferences," said Jacob Gelfand, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Terra Vista Management. “Campland provides vibrant and family-friendly entertainment, while Mission Bay RV Resort offers peaceful surroundings and spacious, new campsites. Camp overnight to enjoy all of our activities and amenities or just come for a day to enjoy the public beaches, the Campland Cantina and our watercraft rentals.” Guests can dive into the Campland Activities & Events calendar, offering a diverse range of entertaining activities for guests of all ages. Kids will love the arts and crafts sessions, bubble soccer, pickleball, dodgeball and ping pong tournaments, capture the flag and other games. Adults will enjoy bingo, bean bag and horseshoe tournaments. For those looking to relax and stay centered, Campland offers complimentary yoga classes held on the Central Park lawn every Monday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. For the full calendar of events, visit Campland.com/activities-events. The Campland Rocks live entertainment series returns this summer to the Central Park Stage every weekend at 7 p.m. through the end of September. Starting May 24, sway to smooth yacht rock tunes with Band Overboard. On May 25, enjoy country music by Branded, followed by electrifying rock music with Black Rock Candy on May 26. Bring your blankets and camping chairs to the Central Park Stage for exclusive performances under the stars, only for Campland and Mission Bay RV Resort guests. For more information, visit Campland.com/campland-rocks-schedule/. Located just steps away from the Central Park Stage, the Campland Cantina offers delicious daily specials guaranteed to please the whole family, including pizza, tacos, burgers and fresh salads. Adult beverages including craft cocktails, beer and wine are also available. Every morning, guests can enjoy made-to-order breakfast burritos, pancakes and delicious breakfast sides. Dine on the patio while enjoying views of the bay or take your meal to-go. Then, after a day of fun in the sun, cool off with a trip to the Ice Cream Parlor and enjoy a variety of ice cream flavors, toppings, shakes and sundaes. Additionally, Campland Cantina’s happy hour promotion runs Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m., featuring $2 off lite bites and $1 off cocktails, draft beers and wine. Indulge in Taco Tuesday through May 28 every Tuesday starting at 4 p.m. until sold out, where you can savor TJ Street Style Tacos with your choice of carne asada, pollo asada, carnitas or pescado frito, available at two for $7. Make the most of the premium bayfront location with watersports rentals at Campland Marina. Choose from pedal boats, kayaks and pontoon boats for a leisurely excursion, or opt for more thrilling experiences on ski boats, wave runners and stand-up paddleboards from Adventure Water Sports. Guests can also explore the beauty of Mission Bay on two wheels with beach cruiser rentals from Campland Marina. Cruise along 12 miles of scenic trails on bikes, or navigate the parks in style with golf cart and surrey cart rentals. For more information, visit campland.com/bike-cart-rentals. Additional Campland amenities include a convenience market, coffee counter, fitness center, sports court, dog park, playground, game room, skate park, two heated pools and spas for ultimate relaxation. For those seeking a tranquil and peaceful camping experience, Mission Bay RV Resort offers 147 spacious, new campsites nestled in the serene Northeast corner of De Anza Cove. With full hookups, restrooms and showers available, along with the newly renovated pool and clubhouse, guests can indulge in a relaxing camping getaway surrounded by stunning views of Mission Bay. Positioned steps away from the sports court, which offers basketball and pickleball, as well as the pool and spa, these spacious sites are ideal for campers seeking the perfect balance of relaxation and recreation. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to the Mission Bay Public Golf Course and Practice Center just across the street. Additionally, all of Campland’s activities and amenities are accessible to guests at Mission Bay RV Resort, just a short stroll or bike ride away over the Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge. Lakeside Casino & RV Park (Pahrump, Nevada) Situated at the gateway to Death Valley National Park and just an hour outside of Las Vegas, the smalltown of Pahrump is packed with big outdoor thrills, casino gaming and luxury RV resorts to chill and recharge between adventures. Roadtrippers can take a break from the road at Pahrump’s premier RV resort, Lakeside Casino & RV Park featuring top notch amenities such as a swimming pool, hot tub and a seven-acre lake for lazy days of kayaking, pedal boating or fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill which are all stocked. A Good Sam 10/10*/10 rated RV Park, Lakeside has 159 large sites all including full-service hook-ups with 30 and 50-amp electrical service and a concrete patio. 24-hour gaming fun can be found just steps away at the resort’s casino offers 170 slots and video poker machines, in addition to a bingo room and multiple dining options. For those looking for a little less chill and more adrenaline-fueled thrills, the Pahrump Valley is a dream for hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers and off-roaders of all skill levels. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Pahrump is Nevada’s number one destination for RV adventuring.

HomeToGo, the SaaS-enabled marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, recently released its 2024 Summer Travel Forecast, revealing the vacation preferences and plans of U.S. travelers for the warmer months. According to HomeToGo’s 2024 Summer Travel survey, 76% of Americans have summer trips planned, and 50% indicate that they will go on more vacations in comparison to last year. With summer 2024 shaping up to be a bumper season, discover where, why and how Americans will be traveling in the full report. Beach retreats are the top priority for the majority of U.S. travelers, with 70% of Americans planning to visit coastal locations this summer. This is followed by city breaks (58%), national park and wilderness area retreats (56%), mountain escapes (50%), and visits to rural towns and communities (42%). HomeToGo’s traveler demand data reflects these preferences: beach destinations rank as eight of the 10 most in-demand U.S. locations for summer 2024, with major cities taking all 10 spots in the list of the top-searched international destinations. Cost remains the key element in the location selection process for American travelers, with almost one-third (32%) stating that price is the most important factor in their choice of vacation destination, overtaking activities and experiences (25%) and weather (19%). Using exclusive search and accommodation price insights, HomeToGo has pinpointed a selection of up-and-coming U.S. destinations in which travelers can still find great value during summer 2024. #10 Allatoona Lake, Georgia Median price per night: $175. This lakeside destination is a mere 45 minutes from Atlanta. Head to Allatoona Lake to enjoy outdoor adventure. Explore Georgia suggests camping at the McCaskey Creek Campground, hiking through Red Top Mountain State Park, fishing small and large mount bass at the Stamp Creek area, and swimming at the secluded Bartow Beach in Gatewood Park. #9 Grayling, Michigan Grayling, Michigan - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $120. This scenic getaway in the heart of Michigan offers an abundance of outdoor recreational activities and more. Try kayaking on the AuSable River, spend the day golfing at Forest Dunes or The Patriot golf courses, or go fly fishing on world-famous trout streams. At the end of the day, relax and unwind at one of several craft breweries in the area. #8 Roanoke, Virginia Median price per night: $166. Ronoake is located in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, with easy access to several hiking trails, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and Smith Mountain Lake, which offers a variety of boating, paddling, and other activities. Most notably, this destination is the "Mountain Biking Capital" of the US East Coast. Both downtown Roanoke and nearby Salem also feature a variety of great antique stores and farmers markets. #7 Port Washington, Wisconsin Port Washington, Wisconsin - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $183. Visitors will find a "touch of New England" in this Wisconsin town along the shores of Lake Michigan. This charming town is filled with historic storefronts and features a lovely art deco lighthouse at the end of its half mile-long pier. History lovers will appreciate the tours at the 1860 Light Station Museum and the Pebble House Visitor Center for more info about the area. #6 Johnson City, Tennessee Johnson City, Tennessee - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $197. Explore the mountains and Appalachian history with a trip to this eastern Tennessee town. Nearby is the state's oldest town, Jonesborough, where visitors can browse historic sites, as well as the general store and antique store. #5 Lake Worth, Florida Lake Worth, Florida - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $177. This Florida beach town features a new fishing pier, art galleries, antique stores, and more unique shopping and fun events. For a scenic game of golf, head to the Lake Worth Municipal Gold Course on the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Worth Lagoon. #4 Bay City, Michigan Median price per night: $186. This waterfront getaway has easy access to Lake Huron. Enjoy sailing trips and shopping at Bay City Antiques, as well as visiting brewpubs, boutiques, restaurants, and the downtown riverwalk. #3 Mountain View, Arkansas Mountain View, Arkansas - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $193. Music lovers will appreciate this Arkansas town, home to the Arkansas Folk Festival (founded in the early 1960s) and the Ozark Folk Center State Park (established in 1973). Musicians join locals and play music late into the night hours outside around the town square, generally from mid-April through late November. In addition to outdoor recreation, visitors won't want to miss out on visiting the state's largest craft cooperative, the Arkansas Craft Guild, which has a gallery in the downtown area. #2 North Cascades National Park, Washington North Cascades National Park - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $173. Less than three hours from Seattle, North Cascades is a breathtaking alpine landscape with jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Enjoy camping, hiking, and boating in the beautiful wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. #1 Maumee Bay State Park, Ohio Maumee Bay State Park, Ohio - courtesy of Hemsworth / HomeToGo.com Median price per night: $135. Maumee Bay State Park's landscape is a unique environment created by the convergence of the land and Lake Erie; it is a particularly excellent place to bird watch, as more than 300 bird species have been observed here. The park features a resort lodge, cabins, and campground for a variety of options when choosing accommodations. As for activities, families will love the inland lake, boardwalk trail, Storybrook Trail, golf course, archery range, nature center, and two sand beaches.