Visiting a national park next summer? Better plan ahead

It’s no secret that New Orleans, the 300-plus-year Louisiana port town situated along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River is known for it’s spirited revelry, jazz music, butter-rich food, buzzy cocktails (the Sazerac was born here) and annual Mardi Gras celebration — commencing this February. For leisure and business travelers looking for a quiet respite, you’re in luck. Below, the best of Crescent City’s outdoor spaces, leafy parks, natural beauty boutiques, healthy eats, spas and hotel offerings.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival. It’s a big milestone for the festival, which takes place January 18-28 in Park City, Utah. The years following COVID have been muted, with parts of the festival taking place virtually. This, of course, impacted party attendance and the overall festival vibe, which traditionally does a full takeover of Park City’s historic Main Street corridor. The sense is that 2024 will restore Sundance to its full capacity, which also means Hollywood will truly bring the party to Park City this year.

Nevada is getting a brand-new state park this month. It’s one every would-be Indiana Jones (or maybe more like the Ross Gellers among us) will love, and as a bonus, it’s within a quick driving distance to The Strip. 

There’s nothing in skiing quite like the Sundance Film Festival, which takes over Utah’s Park City in a way even the Christmas and New Years holidays cannot, with lodging sold out, restaurants, bars and sidewalks jammed, and roads closed to traffic.

Are you, like 300 million Americans and international visitors, thinking about visiting the US National Parks this year? Do you like to plan your summer vacation several months ahead?

Move over South Beach, Palm Beach and other chic South Florida enclaves: when it comes to the next big luxury destination, Hobe Sound is where it’s at.

Obsessed with visiting national parks in the US?

When hearing the term national park, many think of places like Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia, and Grand Canyon.

Orlando, the Theme Park Capital of the World and No. 1 Travel Destination in the U.S., continues to embrace new and returning visitors in 2024 with more than two dozen new experiences. The destination — where winter doesn’t exist — is brimming with new possibilities for dream vacations, from movie-inspired attractions and a launch coaster with snowmobile-style cars to a cabaret-style music venue tucked inside a stunning performing arts center and a luxury beach-like resort with an 8-acre crystal lagoon.

Scoring free entry into America's national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon might just be one of the best deals in travel—after all, America’s great outdoors are home to some of the country’s most stunning scenery and significant historical and cultural sites. Entrance fees, ranging from $10 per person to $35 per vehicle, are typically charged at 109 of the nation's 400 national parks to help fund the government's maintenance of the spaces for millions of annual visitors. But in an effort to ensure accessibility for everyone, there are a number of programs that allow visitors free entry to national parks, and state-run sites too.

Chicago is well known for its reputation as a city of neighborhoods. Vibrant as ever, Little Italy, sometimes pooled with University Village, is one of the best communities in Chicago. While this area was once predominately home to Italian immigrants, it is now made up of diverse residents in no small part due to urban renewal and the proximity to University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Rush University Medical Center, UI Health, United Center, and Cinespace Studios.

Completely Clear Structure Thrums with People Watching, Food, Libations and Music!