Travelers who prick up their ears at the phrase “home is the best place to be” may witness that there’s no lake like Pokegama (including the other lake of the same name in Minnesota). The 16,000-acre body of water is just a few miles from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, where the “Wizard of Oz” star spent her early years. Lindsay Vaughn, a travel advisor at Fora Travel and a Grand Rapids resident, wrote that the lake is “a serene setting, ideal for a peaceful retreat” and praised the “really clean” beaches. Explore some of Pokegama’s coves by kayak, boat or stand-up paddleboard. Or relax on the shores of Tioga Beach. Land-based activities include hiking, ATV tours and snowshoeing. The two-room Green Heron Bed and Breakfast promises lake views, bird watching and pets. In town, Vaughn likes the Hotel Rapids, a boutique property with a yurt that can be rented for private events or for cocktails and card games when it’s not fully booked.
Labor Day weekend can be a busy day on I-70 in Colorado. But nestled in the San Juan Mountains is Ouray, an often-overlooked gem for outdoor fun. Sure, the hiking and canyoneering are great here, but there aren’t many towns where you can stroll down Main Street and shop at a boutique, drink coffee at a cafe or soak in a hot spring. Sulfur-free—in other words, no rotten egg stench—Ouray Hot Springs Pool offers not just one pool, but several: The family-friendly pools feature waterslides, a volleyball net and a rolling log, while the temperature in the adults-only swimming area ranges from 39 to 41 degrees. Fly into Montrose Regional Airport, about an hour’s drive from Ouray.
Of the 8,537 travelers surveyed from 17 countries, 83% have flown to a sporting event, while 71% have flown to a concert in the past three years or plan to do so in the next 12 months. Collinson International used these findings to model how the sports and music tourism industry could continue to grow in the face of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour or the first Summer Olympics in eight years to allow spectators on site. “People care more about experiences than objects,” says Christopher Ross, President of Collinson International EMEA. “When you go to a sporting or music event, the experience doesn’t start when you enter the stadium. It’s about the planning, the journey itself and the excitement.”
The Transportation Security Administration announced that TSA PreCheck has surpassed 20 million members. “More travelers than ever are using TSA PreCheck because it is so valuable, easy and efficient,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “TSA PreCheck continues to be one of our most innovative risk-based security solutions, offering the benefit of reduced wait times of less than 10 minutes, increased efficiency at checkpoints and improved security.” Travelers can sign up for a five-year membership for less than $80 at tsa.gov/precheck.
