Vacation Ideas – The News Desk

3Apr

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Travel

14 Top Memorial Day Weekend Getaways

May is a great time to travel to many places in the U.S. and around world thanks to sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Memorial Day weekend might just be the opportunity you have been waiting for to take that much-needed vacation – and you should take advantage of your time off to plan a getaway.Whether you're looking to spend this Memorial Day unwinding on a white sand beach, reflecting on the past year in the mountains or honoring fallen soldiers at big-city war memorials, these destinations offer the chance to enjoy the three-day weekend outside of your own four walls.Top Memorial Day Weekend Getaways Annapolis, Maryland St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Charleston, South Carolina Big Bear Lake, California Cape May, New Jersey San Juan, Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. Jackson Ho...

32 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

4Dec

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32 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

1/34Plan an affordable getaway to one of these stunning stretches of sand.Many of the world's best places to visit are beach destinations – and for good reason. Nearly twice as many people prefer relaxing vacations to active ones, according to travelers in 17 countries surveyed by market research company GfK. To help you find the beach vacation that best suits your needs, U.S. News selected several cost-effective locales around the world known for their gorgeous scenery, budget-friendly amenities and ample activities. (Note: Room rates and activity costs may vary depending on season and availability.)Next:Clearwater Beach, Florida2/34Clearwater Beach, FloridaAn incredibly popular shoreline among locals and visitors alike, Clearwater Beach overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Bay fr...

43 Surprisingly Cheap Tropical Vacations

11Nov

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43 Surprisingly Cheap Tropical Vacations

1/45Stretch your dollars further on your next trip.While it's easy to see the word "tropical" and think "expensive," there are plenty of must-visit vacation destinations with stunning palm-fringed beaches and warm weather year-round that won't break the bank. From the idyllic Caribbean and Mexico to Asia and South America, these tropical spots offer an affordable and fun place to relax for those willing to go off the beaten track. Many beach vacations on this list compiled by U.S. News also offer a range of lodging options, including cozy bed-and-breakfasts, luxurious hotels and even all-inclusive resorts.Ready for a tropical vacation you can afford? Dive into some of the best and most affordable cheap tropical vacations to add to your travel list this year.Next:Los Cabos, Mexico2/45Los C...

The 24 Best Girls Weekend Getaways for 2024

8Nov

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The 24 Best Girls Weekend Getaways for 2024

Whether you want to party it up, get adventurous with some scuba diving or pamper yourselves at a deluxe spa, these fantastic girls trip destinations offer something for every woman in your group. However you choose to spend your vacation, these girls weekend getaways are bound to help you and your best gal pals create lifelong memories.Phoenix(Getty Images)This city, located in the scenic Sonoran Desert, is a wonderful destination for a memorable girls trip with plenty of options for wellness, art and adventure. Start your day together in Phoenix with a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions, for a bird's-eye view of the sprawling landscape below. Next, explore art and culture at a local museum. The Heard Museum focuses on Indigenous art, and the Phoenix Art Museum display...

The 11 Best Dude Ranch Vacations in the U.S.

31Oct

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The 11 Best Dude Ranch Vacations in the U.S.

The origin of the dude ranch vacation is a fascinating story. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, "dude" was the name given to "big-shot city slickers" by Western cattle ranchers (or cowboys). When these "dudes" left their big eastern cities to head out West, ranchers would host them on a complimentary basis at their guest or dude ranches. In fact, offering to pay a rancher for their hospitality was considered an insult. The first known dude ranch, Custer Trail Ranch, was started by several brothers in the 1880s in the Dakota Badlands. After President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Eaton brothers' property, the word spread about this Western cowboy life with horseback riding, hunting and fishing. Roosevelt even purchased a ranch nearby, known as the Maltese Cross Ranch. Eventually, ra...

11Sep

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18 Fall Family Vacation Ideas

The Pocono Mountains remain one of the best places for a family-friendly escape, particularly in the fall when the trees burst with hues of red, orange and yellow. Go for a hike at Bushkill Falls, get out on one of the region's many lakes, or take in the views from the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe. Horseback riding, whitewater rafting, adventure parks (think: zip lining and rock climbing) and family fun centers (with go-karts, mini-golf and the like) also make for a fun day in the Poconos. When it's time to slow down, go for a scenic drive, perhaps stopping off at a local brewery like Wallenpaupack Brewing Company or Barley Creek.Where to stay: You'll find vacation rentals aplenty, including secluded lakeside retreats. But for the ultimate escape, book a stay at the all-inclu...

25 Top Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

24Aug

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25 Top Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

From shores to slopes, many top waterfront, mountaintop and urban destinations welcome families with special experiences, affordable lodging, and sophisticated dining and entertainment. These 25 top weekend getaways across the country guarantee enriching activities for all ages and will inspire your family to enjoy some quality time together.Sleep in a Pullman train car in Indianapolis(Courtesy of Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station)All ages will be wowed by the vintage trains inside the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis – Downtown Union Station. This Indianapolis hotel was built around 13 restored Pullman cars parked in the steel-girded rail shed, and those carriages have been converted into 26 guest rooms you can book for a unique weekend away in the Midwest.Rest up before heading ...

12Aug

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The 26 Best Zoos in the U.S.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcome more than 6 million people per year – and for good reason. The two facilities make up the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which is focused on the health and care of wildlife, education and science, in conjunction with sustainable conservation programs. Visitors to both parks will see these initiatives in action, while supporting the programs financially. Zoogoers can catch glimpses of koalas, lions, pygmy hippopotamuses and Tasmanian devils, while Safari Park guests can view greater one-horned rhinos, elephants, gorillas, platypuses and Matschie's tree kangaroos all in habitats inspired by the animals' native environments."We celebrate that guests today are seeking a greater understanding of the role of leading zoos...

27 Top Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S. [2023]

17Jul

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27 Top Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S. [2023]

There's no other time of year quite like fall. Brisk, cool mornings give way to sun-warmed afternoons, and the dropping temperatures create a kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves change before winter sets in. The displays of color are different across the U.S., but they're all brilliant when leaf-peeping season is at its peak.In the West, the reds, oranges and bright golden hues of the quaking aspens are dramatic against the backdrop of the mountains and the verdant pine, spruce and fir trees. In the Northeast – such as New England – and other parts of the country where species like maple and birch are prominent, the trees are radiant with bold displays of yellows, deep reds, coppers and oranges.Peak leaf season varies by region and by year, depending on the weather, so it's best to check...

8Jul

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How to See Them in 2024

Read on to learn more about the variety of options for viewing the northern lights in Alaska, as well as the best time to visit.The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska(Courtesy of Travel Alaska)According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is from Aug. 21 to April 21, also known as the Aurora Season. While the aurora can appear at any time of night, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. are the prime viewing hours.The winter solstice – which is the shortest day of the year, typically falling between Dec. 20 and 23 – is a particularly good time to be in Alaska for the northern lights. This day affords less daylight and more time to spot the aurora. In parts of Alaska, the amount of daylight during the winter solstice can range from around six hours in...