Summer may be coming to a close, but your vacation plans don’t need to end. Enjoy fewer crowds as families head back to school routines with a well-timed trip in September. Need inspiration? Here are four great places to visit this year.
Prepare to indulge your tastebuds with the return of Visit Lauderdale’s “Dine Out Lauderdale” restaurant months. This gastronomic extravaganza invites food enthusiasts to savor the best of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant dining scene with specially crafted menus at unbeatable prices. From August 1 to September 30, over 150 restaurants throughout the destination will feature menus at $35, $45, $55 or a luxe option for $75 to please every palate.
Visitors and tourists alike can explore trendy rooftop bars, hidden gems, and international delicacies from Greek and Italian to Lebanese and Mexican dishes. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, indulgent steaks, or innovative plant-based cuisines, Dine Out Lauderdale offers something to tantalize every taste bud.
With more participating restaurants than ever before, foodies can choose from old favorites such as Louie Bossi’s Ristorante, Jaxson’s Ice Cream and Parlor Restaurant, and Aruba Beach Cafe or explore some new options such as MAASS, Even Keel Fish & Oyster and Rock & Brews. Also new this year are creative classes and experiences, like Fort Lauderdale Craft Food Tours and a hands-on dumpling-making class at Temple Street Eatery.
And don’t forget about Greater Fort Lauderdale’s participating bustling food halls – Sistrunk Marketplace, Block40, and Baoshi – allowing attendees to savor many flavors under one roof.
“Dine Out Lauderdale is a fantastic opportunity to explore and enjoy the rich flavors that make our destination a food lover’s paradise,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “There’s a thriving culinary community in Greater Fort Lauderdale and we’re looking forward to welcoming food enthusiasts from across the world this summer.”
Dine Out Lauderdale also offers an opportunity to explore Greater Fort Lauderdale’s charming neighborhoods. This year’s restaurant partners are creating unique dishes in vibrant communities like Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Dania Beach, Lighthouse Point, Coconut Creek, Wilton Manors, Plantation, Weston, Oakland Park, Coral Springs, Davie and beyond. For a complete list of participating restaurants, click here.
Emerald forests, sparkling waters cascading down jagged cliffs, an alpine landscape offering sweeping vistas of snow-capped peaks and wildflower-strewn meadows, and quaint farms dotting the countryside are just a few of the sights beckoning visitors to Skagit Valley this summer. To best experience the region* located to the north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, BC, the Skagit Tourism Bureau (STB) has curated a list of summer tours and lodging options.
“Whether people are seeking outdoor thrills, nature encounters, or cultural exploration, we have a wide array of summer tours available throughout our region,” said Kristen Keltz, CEO of the Skagit Tourism Bureau. “From whale-watching excursions to scenic sea kayaking adventures to guided hikes in the breathtaking North Cascades National Forest and more, Skagit County offers summertime enjoyment for all! With so much to see and do, we have created a list of lodging options and encourage visitors to stay overnight to fully experience the beauty and excitement Skagit Valley has to offer.”
- Whale Watching Tours: Embark on a journey to the San Juan Islands, renowned for offering one of the best whale-watching opportunities worldwide. Departing from Anacortes and La Conner, these tours promise up-close encounters with majestic Orca whales and diverse wildlife.
- Deception Pass Jet Boat Tours: Experience the thrill of Deception Pass aboard the “Island Whaler” with an expert U.S. Coast Guard certified captain. Delight in the breathtaking scenery while learning about the area’s rich history, and keep an eye out for bald eagles, seals, and other fascinating wildlife.
- Kayaking and SUP Tours: Elevate summer adventures with sea kayaking tours from Anacortes. These tours offer a chance to explore picturesque shorelines and spot an array of marine life, from Porpoises and Seals to Eagles and Orca Whales.
- Tea and Bike Tours: Indulge in the picturesque countryside and historic charm of Skagit County with a Tea and Bike Tour. These tours combine the elegance of English Tea with delightful bicycle rides through the scenic landscape.
- Skagit Farm to Pint Passport: Celebrate the region’s rich agricultural legacy with the Skagit Farm to Pint Passport Tour, offering a delightful exploration of barley fields and a selection of Skagit Valley Breweries.
- Mt Baker Climbing Tours and North Cascades National Park Day Tours: For the adventurous at heart, these tours include thrilling climbing experiences on Mount Baker and immersive explorations of the awe-inspiring North Cascades National Park, where folks can witness pristine mountains, glaciers, and breathtaking landscapes.
As travelers look ahead to the upcoming fall season, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea invites Resort guests to immerse themselves in the magic of Maui with a variety of seasonal “Getaway” experiences from September 1 through November 22, 2024. The complimentary activities are thoughtfully curated for travelers seeking meaningful ways to connect with the extraordinary destination and its exceptional culture.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to experience all the extras we have planned this fall. The team has put together a thoughtful calendar that offers something for everyone,” says Four Seasons Resort Maui General Manager Ben Shank. “Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection to the culture, culinary or wine experiences, or a light-hearted game of pickleball, our Getaway experiences provide opportunities for our guests to create lifelong memories, all with the backdrop of world-class Wailea Beach.”
The robust Getaway schedule, which includes complimentary experiences from cultural to culinary to wellness to environmental, is offered in addition to the Resort’s always full calendar. Guests will enjoy signature experiences such as Maui Undersea Adventures Ocean activities, outrigger canoe paddling, complimentary cabanas and poolside amenities, oceanside yoga, and more—all with no Resort fee, allowing travelers of all interests a personalized island getaway at Maui’s premier luxury oceanfront resort.
Additionally, for guests seeking incredible wine experiences, the Resort announces two wine dinners this fall. The first one is on Monday, September 30, 2024, where the recently reopened Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar will welcome Champagne Laurent-Perrier for an enchanted evening, including a rare tasting of three consecutive releases of Grand Siècle, ending with the acclaimed Iteration #26.
Weekly complimentary experiences include:
- Sunrise Photo Walk: Join award-winning fine art landscape photographer Scott Reither for an interactive 90-minute photo workshop along the picturesque Wailea Beach path.
- Poke Pop-Up: Sample different variations of one of Hawaii’s most beloved dishes: poke. Paired with Maui Brewing Co.’s handcrafted beer, this not-to-be-missed pop-up features the Resort’s talented culinary team.
- Hawaiian Star Stories: “Talk story” with famed navigator Kala Babayan Tanaka as she recounts the history of Polynesian wayfinders who used the stars, wind, and currents to journey to the Hawaiian Islands.
- Art of Botanical Block Printing: Drawing inspiration from the island’s natural beauty, design a botanical stamp and print stationery with fine art block artist Susanna Cromwell.
- Coral Reefs 101: Learn how to restore and protect the delicate ocean ecosystem through an onshore class and a hands-on snorkel experience led by experts from Maui Undersea Adventures.
- Puka Perri Pop-Up Jewelry Bar: Meet one of Maui’s favorite jewelry designers, Puka Perri, who will handcraft a design that is uniquely for you with ocean treasures like Maui-picked puka shells and hand-selected pearls.
- Tropical Pickleball Showdown: Join a pickleball round-robin tournament on the Resort’s newly unveiled pickleball courts. Meet other guests and go head-to-head in this friendly and competition.
- Poi Pounders Workshop: Make and sample Hawaii’s famous staple food, poi, in an interactive poi pounding demonstration using kalo (taro), which was first brought to Hawaii by Polynesian wayfinders.
The new Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park location near Zion National Park is quickly becoming a favorite destination for families from Utah, Nevada and beyond. The expansive luxury camping, glamping and RV resort opened Memorial Day weekend and was completely sold out for the Fourth of July.
With more than 75 franchised locations in the U.S. and Canada, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts operates in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment.
Set against a stunning mountain backdrop in Hurricane, Utah, the Jellystone Park location is 30 minutes from Zion National Park, two hours north of Las Vegas and four hours south of Salt Lake City. The first resort of its type in Utah, Jellystone Park Zion welcomes both overnight and day-use guests.
A massive water zone, which features two large swimming pools, multiple giant water slides, a splashground with kiddie slides and a lazy river is the resort’s most popular attraction. The water fun doesn’t stop there, however. There is a man-made lake complete with a sandy beach and a floating obstacle course.
Kids also can take advantage of a jumping pillow, large playground, gem mining, and a number of sports courts and games. Scheduled activities, including interactions with Yogi Bear, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear keep the fun going all day. Foam parties, dance parties, wagon rides, arts and crafts, and theme celebrations round out the programming calendar.
“We are thrilled that so many families are already discovering our Jellystone Park,” said Scott Nielson, the local entrepreneur who developed and owns the resort. “As a dad, I just love seeing kids and their parents having so much fun together.” Nielson added that most out-of-town families are visiting from Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, however the park has attracted guests from across the country with some traveling from as far as New York.
The Camp-Resort features luxury glamping cabins that include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a loft, air-conditioning, a sky deck roof accessible via a spiral staircase, a kitchen, grill, fire ring, Wi-Fi and linens. The sky deck roofs provide breathtaking views of the surrounding sand dunes, canyons and mountains. RVers can take advantage of pull-through and back-in sites, all with full hook-ups and plenty of room as they’re built to accommodate today’s large rigs.
According to Jellystone Park, families are increasingly booking vacations on short notice, often 30 days or less. “As word about Jellystone Park Zion has spread on social media, reservations are really picking up,” Nielson said.
He also said that along with overnight guests, families who are vacationing in the Zion area are taking advantage of the resort’s “daycation” options. Daily passes to the location are available and they provide access to all of the property’s water attractions, dry attractions, and daily activities. Guests can enhance their stay by renting a poolside cabana or booking a daycation pod which is a mini cabin with air conditioning, a refrigerator, TV, and more so guests can recharge themselves and their devices when they need a break from the sun. Visit zionutahjellystonepark.com for additional information and to make reservations.
Source link