America’s most thrilling theme parks beyond Disney

Slide 1 of 28: Disney's glittering theme parksÂ draw the crowds year-round â but there are plenty more besides its fairy tale offerings. From huge sites dotted with hair-raising roller coastersÂ to smaller family-owned affairs, the USA has no shortage of amusement parks. We've picked the best across the country to find out what's in store for the 2019 season.Â

Head-spinning attractions around the USA

Disney’s glittering theme parks draw the crowds year-round – but there are plenty more besides its fairy tale offerings. From huge sites dotted with hair-raising roller coasters to smaller family-owned affairs, the USA has no shortage of amusement parks. We’ve picked the best across the country to find out what’s in store for the 2019 season.

Slide 2 of 28: Spreading itself over 110 eye-popping acres, Islands of Adventures is one of three theme parks at Universal's Orlando Resort (Universal Studios and Volcano Bay water park deserve a mention too). It's made up of themed "islands". There's a great section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on one, including Hogwarts Castle, a chance to board the Hogwarts Express, and from 13 June 2019, a new roller coaster,Â Hagridâs Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.Â The Marvel Super Hero Island includes a stellar green roller coaster themed around the Incredible Hulk.Â

Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida

Spreading itself over 110 eye-popping acres, Islands of Adventures is one of three theme parks at Universal’s Orlando Resort (Universal Studios and Volcano Bay water park deserve a mention too). It’s made up of themed “islands”. There’s a great section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on one, including Hogwarts Castle, a chance to board the Hogwarts Express, and from 13 June 2019, a new roller coaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The Marvel Super Hero Island includes a stellar green roller coaster themed around the Incredible Hulk.

Slide 3 of 28: This park in Sandusky fancies itself as "the roller coaster capital of the world". It's not undeserving of its self-afforded moniker, either, with 18 tumbling roller coasters and 53 other rides. This year, the park gears up for the opening ofÂ Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island which promises to beÂ an interactive, live-action experience with mind-boggling challenges to test the whole family. There are plenty of spots to stay on site and nearby, including the cabins of Lighthouse Point campground.

Cedar Point, Ohio

This park in Sandusky fancies itself as “the roller coaster capital of the world”. It’s not undeserving of its self-afforded moniker, either, with 18 tumbling roller coasters and 53 other rides. This year, the park gears up for the opening of Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island which promises to be an interactive, live-action experience with mind-boggling challenges to test the whole family. There are plenty of spots to stay on site and nearby, including the cabins of Lighthouse Point campground.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

There are several stateside parks in the Six Flags portfolio, but this one edges above the rest for its sheer stock of hair-raising rides. There’s Viper, a spiraling coaster that rattles off at 70mph, and Twisted Colossus, a hybrid wood and steal coaster packed with twists and rolls. Those not possessed by the need for speed can take in one of the family-friendly shows. The park lies around an hour’s drive from downtown Los Angeles.

Slide 5 of 28: This park describes itself as âthe sweetest place on Earthâ. It began life as grounds for Hersheyâs Chocolate Factory workers, and has now grown into a mammoth family park with heady roller coasters, gushing water rides and spirited shows. Highlights include The Shore, a 378,000-gallon wave pool, and the wooden, double-tracked Lightning Racer coaster, the first of its kind in the USA. If you want to make a weekend of it, you can stay on site at Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey.

Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

This park describes itself as “the sweetest place on Earth”. It began life as grounds for Hershey’s Chocolate Factory workers, and has now grown into a mammoth family park with heady roller coasters, gushing water rides and spirited shows. Highlights include The Shore, a 378,000-gallon wave pool, and the wooden, double-tracked Lightning Racer coaster, the first of its kind in the USA. If you want to make a weekend of it, you can stay on site at Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey.

Slide 6 of 28: This loud, proud park in the foothills of Tennesseeâs Great Smoky Mountains is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton. It has been in operation since 1986 and covers 150 acres, each one crammed with all manner of colorful rides and amusements. The Wild Eagle coaster is a highlight. Riders are strapped to the âwingsâ of seven steel eagles, soaring above the park at more than 200 feet (60m). New for 2019 is Wildwood Grove, withÂ family-friendly rides and Hidden Hollow, an indoor playground. In true Parton style, the evening unfolds with musical shows and you can stay over in the Dollywood Resort.

Dollywood, Tennessee

This loud, proud park in the foothills of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton. It has been in operation since 1986 and covers 150 acres, each one crammed with all manner of colorful rides and amusements. The Wild Eagle coaster is a highlight. Riders are strapped to the “wings” of seven steel eagles, soaring above the park at more than 200 feet (60m). New for 2019 is Wildwood Grove, with family-friendly rides and Hidden Hollow, an indoor playground. In true Parton style, the evening unfolds with musical shows and you can stay over in the Dollywood Resort.

Slide 7 of 28: A slew of wiggling, looping roller coasters dot this bold site in Charlotte. Fury 325 is the jewel in the parkâs dizzying crown: the worldâs tallest, fastest giga coaster, it soars to 325 feet (99m). The big draw for 2019 is Copperhead Strike, a mile-long steel ride that hurtles you fromÂ 0 to 42 mph in 2.5 seconds. When you're ready to relaxÂ Camp Wilderness Lodge, made up of little wooden cabins, is on the parkâs doorstep.

Carowinds, North Carolina

A slew of wiggling, looping roller coasters dot this bold site in Charlotte. Fury 325 is the jewel in the park’s dizzying crown: the world’s tallest, fastest giga coaster, it soars to 325 feet (99m). The big draw for 2019 is Copperhead Strike, a mile-long steel ride that hurtles you from 0 to 42 mph in 2.5 seconds. When you’re ready to relax Camp Wilderness Lodge, made up of little wooden cabins, is on the park’s doorstep.

Slide 8 of 28: The whole clan is catered for at this park in Santa Claus, southwest Indiana. Those with a head for heights should brave the mighty arch of The Voyage, whose wooden track reaches 173 feet (52.7m) at its highest point. Visitors after a gentler ride can try HallowSwings, a "flying carousel" that circles passengers at 34 feet (10.3m) â this one's particularly pretty when lit up at night. The park recommends staying at Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort, less than a mile from the action.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Indiana

The whole clan is catered for at this park in Santa Claus, southwest Indiana. Those with a head for heights should brave the mighty arch of The Voyage, whose wooden track reaches 173 feet (52.7m) at its highest point. Visitors after a gentler ride can try HallowSwings, a “flying carousel” that circles passengers at 34 feet (10.3m) – this one’s particularly pretty when lit up at night. The park recommends staying at Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort, less than a mile from the action.

Slide 9 of 28: Another Six Flags offering, youâll find this park a 20-minute drive away from downtown Dallas â the highlight is a clutch of dramatic superhero-themed rides. BATMAN: The Ride beats a pulse-quickening path over 2,700 feet, while CATWOMAN Whip is a giant wheel that tips its riders upside down as it spins. El Diablo is the latest offering for 2019, a looping coaster that will leave you hanging 100 feet (30m) in the air. Live entertainment includes a daily Looney Tunes dance party and karaoke for kids.

Six Flags Over Texas

Another Six Flags offering, you’ll find this park a 20-minute drive away from downtown Dallas – the highlight is a clutch of dramatic superhero-themed rides. BATMAN: The Ride beats a pulse-quickening path over 2,700 feet, while CATWOMAN Whip is a giant wheel that tips its riders upside down as it spins. El Diablo is the latest offering for 2019, a looping coaster that will leave you hanging 100 feet (30m) in the air. Live entertainment includes a daily Looney Tunes dance party and karaoke for kids.

Slide 10 of 28: Open through the summer months, this Louisville park includes a motley assortment of thrill and family rides, plus a decent-sized water park. Brave Cyclos, a huge pendulum-style ride that rotates 360 degrees, then get your breath back on the watery slides and rapids of Hurricane Bay. The new Kentucky Flyer is a family-friendly wooden coaster,Â reaching speeds of 35 mph, that opens in spring 2019. All-American comfort food is dished up at various spots throughout the site â try the Bayside Grill for juicy burgers.Â

Kentucky Kingdom, Kentucky

Open through the summer months, this Louisville park includes a motley assortment of thrill and family rides, plus a decent-sized water park. Brave Cyclos, a huge pendulum-style ride that rotates 360 degrees, then get your breath back on the watery slides and rapids of Hurricane Bay. The new Kentucky Flyer is a family-friendly wooden coaster, reaching speeds of 35 mph, that opens in spring 2019. All-American comfort food is dished up at various spots throughout the site – try the Bayside Grill for juicy burgers.

Slide 11 of 28: This Colorado park serves up a hefty dose of adrenalin. Situated in the midst of the Rockies, the park makes the most of its mountaintop location. The Giant Canyon Swing dangles riders 1,300 feet (396m) over the Colorado River, while the Alpine Coaster sees individual cars clatter down a rocky slope. Once youâve had your fill of thrills, you can explore the vast Glenwood Caverns or clamber up the on-site climbing wall. There are plenty of cozy spots to overnight in Glenwood Springs. Discover 14 more reasons to visit the Centennial State.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Colorado

This Colorado park serves up a hefty dose of adrenalin. Situated in the midst of the Rockies, the park makes the most of its mountaintop location. The Giant Canyon Swing dangles riders 1,300 feet (396m) over the Colorado River, while the Alpine Coaster sees individual cars clatter down a rocky slope. Once you’ve had your fill of thrills, you can explore the vast Glenwood Caverns or clamber up the on-site climbing wall. There are plenty of cozy spots to overnight in Glenwood Springs. Discover 14 more reasons to visit the Centennial State.

Slide 12 of 28: This site dates back to 1975 and has been growing its selection of rip-roaring rides ever since. Intimidator 305, a startling red and yellow coaster, stands head and shoulders above the rest, warranting its fearsome name. Twisted Timbers, with its undulating steel and wood track, joined the ranks in 2018. Events include Taste of Virginia, bringing the state's best produce and local makers to the park, and if you stay at Kings Dominion KOA campground, you'll save on your admission fee too.

Kings Dominion, Virginia

This site dates back to 1975 and has been growing its selection of rip-roaring rides ever since. Intimidator 305, a startling red and yellow coaster, stands head and shoulders above the rest, warranting its fearsome name. Twisted Timbers, with its undulating steel and wood track, joined the ranks in 2018. Events include Taste of Virginia, bringing the state’s best produce and local makers to the park, and if you stay at Kings Dominion KOA campground, you’ll save on your admission fee too.

Slide 13 of 28: There are more than 70 rides at this park in northern Idaho, whose closest city is lakeside Coeur d'Alene. One of the most pulse-quickening coasters is Tremors, with dramatic drops and a winding wooden track. Another is Spincycle, a circular ride that dizzies passengers as it revolves them full circle, legs dangling, arms in the air. Towering water slides such as Rumble Falls and Velocity Peak are highlights too, and Silverwood's RV Park, open May through to October, is right by the park.

Silverwood Theme Park, Idaho

There are more than 70 rides at this park in northern Idaho, whose closest city is lakeside Coeur d’Alene. One of the most pulse-quickening coasters is Tremors, with dramatic drops and a winding wooden track. Another is Spincycle, a circular ride that dizzies passengers as it revolves them full circle, legs dangling, arms in the air. Towering water slides such as Rumble Falls and Velocity Peak are highlights too, and Silverwood’s RV Park, open May through to October, is right by the park.

Slide 14 of 28: Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun sit side by side at this Kansas City park. There are rides galore, like Cyclone Sam, meant to emulate a storm, and Detonator, which drops riders from 150 feet (47m). PlusÂ thereâs Oceans of Fun, with twirling waterslides and a vast wave pool too. The park offers more than just adrenalin:Â from 13 July to 4 August, you can join street performers and floatsÂ as the Grand Carnivale wends its way around the site at 5pm each evening.Â

Worlds of Fun, Missouri

Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun sit side by side at this Kansas City park. There are rides galore, like Cyclone Sam, meant to emulate a storm, and Detonator, which drops riders from 150 feet (47m). Plus there’s Oceans of Fun, with twirling waterslides and a vast wave pool too. The park offers more than just adrenalin: from 13 July to 4 August, you can join street performers and floats as the Grand Carnivale wends its way around the site at 5pm each evening.

Slide 15 of 28: The city of Green Bay is proud of Bay Beach, a pint-sized park close to Fox River, with 22 rides in total. The star is Zippin' Pippin', one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the USA, dating back to the early 1900s. It was once housed in Libertyland, Memphis and was purportedly the favorite ride of rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley. If you're not keen to reach Zippin' Pippin's dizzying heights, there's some old-fashioned fun to be had on the park's big wheel. There's no admission fee, you just pay per ride.Â

Bay Beach Amusement Park, Wisconsin

The city of Green Bay is proud of Bay Beach, a pint-sized park close to Fox River, with 22 rides in total. The star is Zippin’ Pippin’, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the USA, dating back to the early 1900s. It was once housed in Libertyland, Memphis and was purportedly the favorite ride of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley. If you’re not keen to reach Zippin’ Pippin’s dizzying heights, there’s some old-fashioned fun to be had on the park’s big wheel. There’s no admission fee, you just pay per ride.

Slide 16 of 28: The latest ride to be built here was the aptly-named Delirious â lit up in neon by night, it's a great big circle with a 24-seat train scooting around its center. An already-established favorite is lofty Power Tower: riders are inched upwards, before free-falling a stomach-churning 250 feet (76.2m) from the tower's summit. Soak City, the on-site water park that's free with park admission, is a hit in summer, and you can find a comfortable hotel in the city of Shakopee where the park is based.Â

Discover the most terrifying attraction in every USÂ state here.Â

Valleyfair, Minnesota

The latest ride to be built here was the aptly-named Delirious – lit up in neon by night, it’s a great big circle with a 24-seat train scooting around its center. An already-established favorite is lofty Power Tower: riders are inched upwards, before free-falling a stomach-churning 250 feet (76.2m) from the tower’s summit. Soak City, the on-site water park that’s free with park admission, is a hit in summer, and you can find a comfortable hotel in the city of Shakopee where the park is based.

Slide 17 of 28: Kids take center stage at this park in Rossville. Lovingly nicknamed "Lake Winnie", it has a long history, first opening back in the 1920s â but years of modern updates mean it's still a well-loved spot. The Tour Train, which chugs its way around the park, is a perennial favorite, while old-school attractions like the bumper cars and a Ferris wheel remain. The Cannonball Roller-coaster has been sating thrill-seekers since 1967, while 2013 saw the addition of a sizable water park.

Lake Winnepesaukah, Georgia

Kids take center stage at this park in Rossville. Lovingly nicknamed “Lake Winnie”, it has a long history, first opening back in the 1920s – but years of modern updates mean it’s still a well-loved spot. The Tour Train, which chugs its way around the park, is a perennial favorite, while old-school attractions like the bumper cars and a Ferris wheel remain. The Cannonball Roller-coaster has been sating thrill-seekers since 1967, while 2013 saw the addition of a sizable water park.

Slide 18 of 28: This laid-back park in Denver is one of the nationâs prettiest, with its pastel-colored rides and lily-padded pond. A historic swinging carousel is at the site's center: itâs called the Turn of the Century and was moved here from France.Â The usual heart-pumping juggernauts stud the park, too, from seven-story Brain Drain to the mighty loop that is Sidewinder, each affording fleeting views over the city. New this yearÂ isÂ dark rideÂ Meow Wolfâs Kaleidoscape, with an arty theme.Â

Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park, Colorado

This laid-back park in Denver is one of the nation’s prettiest, with its pastel-colored rides and lily-padded pond. A historic swinging carousel is at the site’s center: it’s called the Turn of the Century and was moved here from France. The usual heart-pumping juggernauts stud the park, too, from seven-story Brain Drain to the mighty loop that is Sidewinder, each affording fleeting views over the city. New this year is dark ride Meow Wolf’s Kaleidoscape, with an arty theme.

Slide 19 of 28: The vivid green tracks of The Monster dominate this Altoona park â it's the newest roller coaster here, whisking passengers along its course at more than 60mph. There's often a line for Dragon too, which rises in two massive loops. Once you've fueled your adrenalin, take refuge in the Alpine Games Area where there's a host of family-friendly activities. The resort includes a hotel and campground if you want to spend longer than an afternoon here.

Adventureland Resort, Iowa

The vivid green tracks of The Monster dominate this Altoona park – it’s the newest roller coaster here, whisking passengers along its course at more than 60mph. There’s often a line for Dragon too, which rises in two massive loops. Once you’ve fueled your adrenalin, take refuge in the Alpine Games Area where there’s a host of family-friendly activities. The resort includes a hotel and campground if you want to spend longer than an afternoon here.

Slide 20 of 28: This Wild-West themed park in Oklahoma City opened in 1958 and was a replica frontier town, with a saloon, a bank and some western stores. Today it's a colorful park rivaling the States' biggest players when it comes to thrills and amusements. The biggest ride of the bunch is Wildcat: a back-to-basics wooden roller coaster with plenty of stomach-dropping peaks and troughs.

Frontier City, Oklahoma

This Wild-West themed park in Oklahoma City opened in 1958 and was a replica frontier town, with a saloon, a bank and some western stores. Today it’s a colorful park rivaling the States’ biggest players when it comes to thrills and amusements. The biggest ride of the bunch is Wildcat: a back-to-basics wooden roller coaster with plenty of stomach-dropping peaks and troughs.

Slide 21 of 28: This pocket-sized park in Portland features over 20 rides, including Adrenaline Peak, the park's latest addition. The new roller coaster's pink and purple track includes a beyond-vertical drop and a head-spinning corkscrew. It joins Scream'n Eagle: a popular ride with a gigantic arm that swings back and forth. You'll also find one of the biggest roller-skating rinks in the USA and a riverside miniature golf course here.

Oaks Amusement Park, Oregon

This pocket-sized park in Portland features over 20 rides, including Adrenaline Peak, the park’s latest addition. The new roller coaster’s pink and purple track includes a beyond-vertical drop and a head-spinning corkscrew. It joins Scream’n Eagle: a popular ride with a gigantic arm that swings back and forth. You’ll also find one of the biggest roller-skating rinks in the USA and a riverside miniature golf course here.

Slide 22 of 28: This Hot Springs Park is a truly family-friendly affair, with initiatives such as "Cooler Sundays", encouraging visitors to bring a picnic to the park from May to September. Book ahead for the movie-themed events in July 2019 showcasing Captain Marvel and How to Train Your Dragon. And beyond the usual collection of thrill rides, there's a brilliant water park, home to large slides like the Rapid Falls Raceway and the Seven Falls Slide Tower.

Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, Arkansas

This Hot Springs Park is a truly family-friendly affair, with initiatives such as “Cooler Sundays”, encouraging visitors to bring a picnic to the park from May to September. Book ahead for the movie-themed events in July 2019 showcasing Captain Marvel and How to Train Your Dragon. And beyond the usual collection of thrill rides, there’s a brilliant water park, home to large slides like the Rapid Falls Raceway and the Seven Falls Slide Tower.

Slide 23 of 28: Entry to this family-owned park in Elysburg is completely free, so it's a great bet if you're on a budget. Impulse, with its bold blue and yellow track, is the most striking ride, while Scenic Skyway takes passengers up and over the park on a chairlift ride to a nearby mountaintop. The Crystal Pool (here before the rides built up around it) remains a favored place for a dip, while 18-hole Knoebels Golf Course is nearby too. Knoebels Campground is the ideal place to crash after a busy day.

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania

Entry to this family-owned park in Elysburg is completely free, so it’s a great bet if you’re on a budget. Impulse, with its bold blue and yellow track, is the most striking ride, while Scenic Skyway takes passengers up and over the park on a chairlift ride to a nearby mountaintop. The Crystal Pool (here before the rides built up around it) remains a favored place for a dip, while 18-hole Knoebels Golf Course is nearby too. Knoebels Campground is the ideal place to crash after a busy day.

Slide 24 of 28: Adventuredome is tucked inside the lavish Circus Circus hotel in Las Vegas. It's spread over five acres and daredevils can rock climb, bungee jump or hop onto one of the indoor roller coasters here. Canyon Blaster, which speeds off at more than 55 mph, includes the world's only indoor double loop. There are also hi-tech attractions such as the Ice Age 4D ride and a stimulating laser challenge â the latter involves breaking as few beams as possible in a quest to escape.

Adventuredome, Nevada

Adventuredome is tucked inside the lavish Circus Circus hotel in Las Vegas. It’s spread over five acres and daredevils can rock climb, bungee jump or hop onto one of the indoor roller coasters here. Canyon Blaster, which speeds off at more than 55 mph, includes the world’s only indoor double loop. There are also hi-tech attractions such as the Ice Age 4D ride and a stimulating laser challenge – the latter involves breaking as few beams as possible in a quest to escape.

Slide 25 of 28: Funtown visitors should make straight for Excalibur, an enormous wooden roller coaster that towers over this Saco park. Splashtown is worth exploring too: you can plunge down the colossal Corkscrew slide or slip through the winding green tubes of Triton's Twist. For younger family members, there's Cactus Canyon, on which kids can sail a lazy river in their own little boat. You could set up camp in Portland, Maine or even make the 90-minute trip fromÂ Boston.

Funtown Splashtown, Maine

Funtown visitors should make straight for Excalibur, an enormous wooden roller coaster that towers over this Saco park. Splashtown is worth exploring too: you can plunge down the colossal Corkscrew slide or slip through the winding green tubes of Triton’s Twist. For younger family members, there’s Cactus Canyon, on which kids can sail a lazy river in their own little boat. You could set up camp in Portland, Maine or even make the 90-minute trip from Boston.

Slide 26 of 28: Hangtime, the first dive coaster in California, opened last year, but we thinkÂ the curling course of Montezoomaâs Revenge remainsÂ this park's biggest thrill, reaching speeds of 50 mphÂ in less than three seconds.Â Visit during Knott's Boysenberry Festival in spring for live music, craft brews and a chance to sample the tasty berries that gave the park its name.Â The site is in Buena Park and you can lodge at Knott's Berry Farm Hotel, which has adorable Snoopy-themed rooms.Â

Now take a look at these eerie abandoned theme parks around the USA

Knott’s Berry Farm, California

Hangtime, the first dive coaster in California, opened last year, but we think the curling course of Montezooma’s Revenge remains this park’s biggest thrill, reaching speeds of 50 mph in less than three seconds. Visit during Knott’s Boysenberry Festival in spring for live music, craft brews and a chance to sample the tasty berries that gave the park its name. The site is in Buena Park and you can lodge at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, which has adorable Snoopy-themed rooms.

Slide 27 of 28: Nostalgic Pioneer Village is a unique attraction at this Farmington amusement park â it includes a replica schoolhouse, smokehouse and a town hall from the late 1800s. Lagoon A Beach is another top spot, brimming with rapids, lazy rivers and water slides twisting in every direction. Giant roller coasters Colossus: The Fire Dragon and Cannibal are both white-knuckle rides, the latter surpassing 200 feet (60m), and you can bed down at Lagoonâs RV Park and Campground.Â

Discover the world's most jaw-dropping roller coasters

Lagoon, Utah

Nostalgic Pioneer Village is a unique attraction at this Farmington amusement park – it includes a replica schoolhouse, smokehouse and a town hall from the late 1800s. Lagoon A Beach is another top spot, brimming with rapids, lazy rivers and water slides twisting in every direction. Giant roller coasters Colossus: The Fire Dragon and Cannibal are both white-knuckle rides, the latter surpassing 200 feet (60m), and you can bed down at Lagoon’s RV Park and Campground.

Slide 28 of 28: This Coney Island playground doesnât apologize for its kitschness. There are 29 rides here, from the legendary Coney Island Cyclone which hurtles passengers over 2,640 feet (804m) of track, to Luna 360, which offers sweeping views across the beach and boardwalk as it swings 360 degrees. New for 2019 is a zip-lining course with four routes for all ages and abilities. Beyond the rides, there are plenty of traditional fairground and arcade games ("Whac a mole" and "Grab a Duck" to name a few), plus some gloriously gaudy souvenir shops. Planning a visit to the Big Apple? Check out what else to see with our guide.Â

Luna Park, Coney Island, New York

This Coney Island playground doesn’t apologize for its kitschness. There are 29 rides here, from the legendary Coney Island Cyclone which hurtles passengers over 2,640 feet (804m) of track, to Luna 360, which offers sweeping views across the beach and boardwalk as it swings 360 degrees. New for 2019 is a zip-lining course with four routes for all ages and abilities. Beyond the rides, there are plenty of traditional fairground and arcade games (“Whac a mole” and “Grab a Duck” to name a few), plus some gloriously gaudy souvenir shops. Planning a visit to the Big Apple? Check out what else to see with our guide.

There’s a Better Way to Save $400 When You Travel

Don’t want to feel cheap when you’re tipping while traveling? Stop trying to tip less.

Who doesn’t love a good money saving trick? Especially when it comes to budgeting for a foodie-focused trip where you’ll be doing a lot of eating out? But a “simple” money-saving tip from CNBC that recently went viral on Twitter is causing massive controversy. Why? Because “This Simple Tipping Trick Could Save You Over $400 a Year,” involves tipping service people less.

CNBC’s video begins with a caption that reads, in bold letters, “How to save $400 without looking cheap.” The strategy, the video goes on to explain, is for you to tip on the pre-taxtotal (i.e. the lower total) instead of the total at the bottom of your bill that has tax included. By doing this, you’ll save anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars on each meal. And, because tips can add up, most people who follow this tipping method can save around $400 per year “without looking cheap.”

“I’ve saved thousands of dollars eating out by simply robbing my waiter after their shift ends.” —Twitter user @jmckee

Or at least that’s CNBC’s position. Twitter disagreed. The original Tweet received nearly 6 thousand replies and just 353 retweets, anointing it with the dreaded “Twitter ratio.” (As Deadspinput it, “If a tweet manages to get thousands of responses and a few dozen lonely co-signs, you can safely assume that the tweet in question sucks a lot.”) The replies that it did get were overwhelmingly negative:

“You managed to steal that unearned $0.57 from your server, congrats! Yeah… you look cheap,” wrote user @MovieSilently.

“I’ve saved thousands of dollars eating out by simply robbing my waiter after their shift ends,” quipped user @jmckee.

“Your social media team has never done service work. Cool,” wrote @thesarahrose.

Why Twitter Is So Upset

“Now that I’m thinking about it,” says one woman in the video, “it feels a little dirty. It just feels like you’re going out of your way to look at the number that’s clearly going to give a person less money.” It’s a moment that sums up why CNBC’s advice has inspired such widespread derision: If something makes you feel dirty you’ve probably lost the moral high-ground.

And it’s the math that’s making some people feel dirty. Tipping 20% on the pre-tax total by following the pre-tax total still means that you’ll tip between 15 and 18 percent of the total, which is within the bounds of what’s generally considered an acceptable tip for sit down restaurant service. If you simply tip 18 or 15 percent of the post-tax total, most people won’t look at you sideways. What does make people look sideways and feel “a little dirty” is the effort and mental gymnastics that go into finding a way to tip less without making it look like you’re tipping less.

A Note on Tipping in the United States

If you’re traveling to the United States from another country (or don’t know much about tipping in general) you should know that the United States isn’t the only country with a tipping culture. However, it does have the unfortunate distinction of being one of the few places that has positioned tipping as an inviolable part of the social contract. Tipped employees in most states depend on tips to make a living wage. That’s because, without tips, they make less than the basic minimum wage. For reference, the federal basic minimum wage for employees that don’t depend on tips is $7.25. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13. By the way, the Department of Labor defines a tipped employee as one who receives just $30 of tips per month.

dreamstime_xxl_119954265 — Mariusz Szczawinski – Dreamstime.com

If you find it frustrating that restaurant owners are counting on customers to subsidize the income of their employees, imagine how frustrating it must be for your livelihood to depend on the whims of customers. Customers that tell you to smile more; customers that feel as if it’s their sacred duty to grade your performance by an arbitrary rubric; customers that see you take their order and bring their food but don’t see the endless list of (untipped) side work you have on a given night; customers who you not only have no recourse against, but your ability to pay rent depends on them.

How to Save Money Without Disrespecting Your Server

Here’s a tried and true tip worth going by so you don’t have to worry about feeling cheap, or worry that your trick to save $400 a year is cutting into someone’s ability to earn a living wage. When your bill comes at the end of the meal, simply move the decimal one space to the left on the post-tax amount. Then double that number to get 20 percent. Not a math person? No worries! That Instagram and group text machine in your pocket can also be used as a calculator.

“You managed to steal that unearned $0.57 from your server, congrats! Yeah… you look cheap.” —Twitter user @MovieSilently

Still worried that meals are cutting into your budget? It’s understandable. When you’re traveling, eating out’s a big part of the experience. And when you’re in a town that’s known for its food, it’s easy for restaurants to eat up a large slice of your travel budget. But you don’t need to subject yourself to ethically ambiguous mental gymnastics to save a little here and there.

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You can save even more (and in a feel-good fashion) by following our own recommendations for traveling to the fullest without tanking your bank account: You can order appetizers, skip breakfast so you have more money for the dinner you really want, or go during lunch when prices are sometimes lower for similar dishes. Or, to expand your savings beyond the restaurant, check out our list of travel hacks for How to Be Bougie on a Budget. You’ll find plenty of ways to rearrange your travel budget so you’ll have plenty left over to feel good about your tip.

10 destinations around the globe all Game of Thrones fans should visit

Alcazar of Seville, Spain – Dorne

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered the oldest European palace still in use, this royal residence in Spain is one of the most stunning filming locations used in Game of Thrones. As one of the world’s finest examples of Moorish architecture, the palace is magnificent both on screen and in person. The beautiful green gardens and ornately decorated palace represents the Water Gardens of Dorne, the residence of House Martell in the series.

Slide 2 of 10: Various locations all over Northern Ireland were used as shooting locations in Game of Thrones, but the most famous and recognizable one is the Dark Hedges. This avenue of beech trees represents King's Road in the series and it has now become world famous, attracting thousands of visitors from all around the globe. This picturesque tree-lined avenue with large beech trees on both sides of the road creates a stunning natural tunnel. The 250-year-old trees were planted here by James Stuart to frame an avenue leading to his home with the goal to impress his visitors. Who would think that more than 200 years later they would become one of the most visited attractions in the country!

Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland – King’s Road

Various locations all over Northern Ireland were used as shooting locations in Game of Thrones, but the most famous and recognizable one is the Dark Hedges. This avenue of beech trees represents King’s Road in the series and it has now become world famous, attracting thousands of visitors from all around the globe. This picturesque tree-lined avenue with large beech trees on both sides of the road creates a stunning natural tunnel. The 250-year-old trees were planted here by James Stuart to frame an avenue leading to his home with the goal to impress his visitors. Who would think that more than 200 years later they would become one of the most visited attractions in the country!

Slide 3 of 10: The most famous Croatian city leads a double life as King's Landing, the Capital of Seven Kingdoms. This Adriatic gem is a true heaven on Earth and it's bound to amaze any visitor regardless of their television series of preference. With its narrow cobbled streets, medieval fortified city walls, forts and Renaissance squares, Dubrovnik is a fantasyland of your dreams! But all true GoT fans should pay a visit to Dubrovnik because every corner of this beautiful city will remind them of the famous TV show. Fort Lovrijenac was used to represent the Red Keep, the stairs of St. Domnika Street were used for Cersei's infamous walk of atonement and many more famous locations can be found all over the city. Also, don't miss visiting the nearby Island of Lokrum, located just a 15 minute boat ride from the city's port and tour the small museum featuring a giant Iron Throne.

Dubrovnik, Croatia – King’s Landing

The most famous Croatian city leads a double life as King’s Landing, the Capital of Seven Kingdoms. This Adriatic gem is a true heaven on Earth and it’s bound to amaze any visitor regardless of their television series of preference. With its narrow cobbled streets, medieval fortified city walls, forts and Renaissance squares, Dubrovnik is a fantasyland of your dreams!
But all true GoT fans should pay a visit to Dubrovnik because every corner of this beautiful city will remind them of the famous TV show. Fort Lovrijenac was used to represent the Red Keep, the stairs of St. Domnika Street were used for Cersei’s infamous walk of atonement and many more famous locations can be found all over the city. Also, don’t miss visiting the nearby Island of Lokrum, located just a 15 minute boat ride from the city’s port and tour the small museum featuring a giant Iron Throne.

Slide 4 of 10: With its unique and varied landscape featuring volcanos and glaciers, Iceland has always been a tried and true filming location and tourist hotspot. But after Game of Thrones, the island has become even more popular with visitors. The most iconic Icelandic destination used in the show is the Svinafellsjokull Glacier, located in Skaftafell National Park. This glacier is considered the largest in Europe and it has often been featured in Hollywood movies. Its ice age landscape and stunning natural beauty were used to represent the Free Folk settlement beyond the Wall.

Skaftafell National Park, Iceland – Beyond the Wall

With its unique and varied landscape featuring volcanos and glaciers, Iceland has always been a tried and true filming location and tourist hotspot. But after Game of Thrones, the island has become even more popular with visitors. The most iconic Icelandic destination used in the show is the Svinafellsjokull Glacier, located in Skaftafell National Park. This glacier is considered the largest in Europe and it has often been featured in Hollywood movies. Its ice age landscape and stunning natural beauty were used to represent the Free Folk settlement beyond the Wall.

Slide 5 of 10: This magical cone-shaped islet is a must-see for all visitors coming to the Basque coastline. Nestled between the coastal towns of Bakio and Bermeo, the tiny island can be reached via a man-made stone bridge and a 241-step staircase. The path to get there is not easy, but the breathtaking landscape is definitely worth the while. Once you've reached the top, you'll find a picturesque church and will be blown away by the amazing beauty of the vistas. The dazzling island doubles as Dragonstone in the series, where the Targaryen fortress is located and where Daenerys returns in Season 7.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain – Dragonstone

This magical cone-shaped islet is a must-see for all visitors coming to the Basque coastline. Nestled between the coastal towns of Bakio and Bermeo, the tiny island can be reached via a man-made stone bridge and a 241-step staircase. The path to get there is not easy, but the breathtaking landscape is definitely worth the while. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll find a picturesque church and will be blown away by the amazing beauty of the vistas. The dazzling island doubles as Dragonstone in the series, where the Targaryen fortress is located and where Daenerys returns in Season 7.

Slide 6 of 10: Astapor, the Unsullied's city in Slaver's Bay, can be found in real life on the Moroccan coast. The real-life Astapor is actually the seafront town of Essaouira, located two hours west of Marrakech. It's renowned for its mild climate, charming blue boats and wind conditions. Sometimes dubbed the Windy City of Africa, it's a paradise for surfers. Compared to other Moroccan cities, this fishing city boasts a more laid-back atmosphere, offering a refreshing retreat to its visitors.

Essaouira, Morocco – Astapor

Astapor, the Unsullied’s city in Slaver’s Bay, can be found in real life on the Moroccan coast. The real-life Astapor is actually the seafront town of Essaouira, located two hours west of Marrakech. It’s renowned for its mild climate, charming blue boats and wind conditions. Sometimes dubbed the Windy City of Africa, it’s a paradise for surfers. Compared to other Moroccan cities, this fishing city boasts a more laid-back atmosphere, offering a refreshing retreat to its visitors.

Slide 7 of 10: This spectacular 14th century castle was used as one of two locations to create Winterfell where the Stark family lives. True fans will instantly recognize its stone walls and courtyards, which were heavily featured in the series. Located in scenic central Scotland, the castle is a true gem, and it's not the first time its stunning medieval beauty has found itself in the spotlight. Doune was used as a movie set for cult classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Doune Castle, Scotland – Winterfell

This spectacular 14th century castle was used as one of two locations to create Winterfell where the Stark family lives. True fans will instantly recognize its stone walls and courtyards, which were heavily featured in the series. Located in scenic central Scotland, the castle is a true gem, and it’s not the first time its stunning medieval beauty has found itself in the spotlight. Doune was used as a movie set for cult classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Slide 8 of 10: This small lava cave can be found in north Iceland and it's a famous destination for spa retreats. Geothermal hot springs bubble up from its depths, known for their therapeutic benefits. The natural hot spring has been a popular bathing spot among locals for years, but after it was used as a Game of Thrones location its popularity skyrocketed. In the series it's featured as the romantic cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte finally spend the night together.

Grjotagja Cave, Iceland – Jon and Ygritte’s Cave

This small lava cave can be found in north Iceland and it’s a famous destination for spa retreats. Geothermal hot springs bubble up from its depths, known for their therapeutic benefits. The natural hot spring has been a popular bathing spot among locals for years, but after it was used as a Game of Thrones location its popularity skyrocketed. In the series it’s featured as the romantic cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte finally spend the night together.

Slide 9 of 10: Located just 25 miles from Dubrovnik, this beautiful oasis is considered one of the oldest arboretums in Europe. The botanical garden and Renaissance residence were used as a summer residence by an aristocratic family from Dubrovnik. Spanning over 70 acres and with more than 400 plant species, it's considered as one of the most important and beautiful arboretums in the region. It was used as the setting of the Red Keep palace gardens.

Arboretum Trsteno, Croatia – Red Keep Gardens

Located just 25 miles from Dubrovnik, this beautiful oasis is considered one of the oldest arboretums in Europe. The botanical garden and Renaissance residence were used as a summer residence by an aristocratic family from Dubrovnik. Spanning over 70 acres and with more than 400 plant species, it’s considered as one of the most important and beautiful arboretums in the region. It was used as the setting of the Red Keep palace gardens.

Slide 10 of 10: The star-shape fort is situated on Manoel Island and it's one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Malta. This architectural gem dates back to 18th century and for years it was used for military purposes. Game of Thrones fans will recognize this place as the exterior of the Sept of Baelor and the location where Ned Stark was executed in Season 1.

Fort Manoel, Malta – Sept of Baelor

The star-shape fort is situated on Manoel Island and it’s one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Malta. This architectural gem dates back to 18th century and for years it was used for military purposes. Game of Thrones fans will recognize this place as the exterior of the Sept of Baelor and the location where Ned Stark was executed in Season 1.

Florence Travel Tips From A Luxury Hotel Concierge

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Home to such masterpieces as Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Florence is a city of wonders. But tackling all of the city’s gems on a single trip can be daunting.

Luckily, a lifetime in this historic metropolis has equipped Hotel Brunelleschi chief concierge Sergio Iannotta with a wealth of knowledge about this Renaissance city. Forbes Travel Guide sat down with the local guide to get his tips on what to do, see and taste in Florence right now.

If we only have one day to spend in Florence, what should we do?

Most people who come to Florence for the very first time are attracted by the very high-level masterpieces here and the beautiful sceneries of the surrounding hills of rich vineyards and olive groves.

Most of them spend their first day in Florence exploring and shopping, or visiting the Uffizi [Gallery], Accademia and [Piazza del] Duomo that are “must see” [attractions] in town. In case of nice weather, they can decide for an excursion to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti.

As many [visitors] come back, they enjoy the special atmosphere of Florence just strolling or looking around, exploring the tiny streets with medieval towers, the elegant Renaissance buildings with huge 500-year-old wooden doors, paths with views, and at night, they can enjoy operas or small concerts in scenic churches.

Which museums should we visit?

A new museum recently opened in town is the Roberto Casamonti collection. It is a private collection now open to the public, located in one of the most peculiar buildings of the Renaissance: Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni built [by] Baccio d’Agnolo in the early 16th century. The part of the collection now on [display] includes paintings from de Chirico, Picasso and Warhol.

Hopefully, soon we’ll get Uffizi completely reorganized [editor’s note: the famed museum is undergoing renovations]. In the meantime, it is possible to admire the recently unveiled rooms devoted to Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

I would [also] suggest visiting the Marino Marini museum mainly to see a Renaissance masterpiece: the tiny scale copy of Christ’s Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem realized by Leon Battista Alberti in the 15th century that is a true example of passion and dedication.

Santa Elisabetta

HOTEL BRUNELLESCHI

Where’s the best place to grab a drink after a day of museum hopping?

We often suggest hotel rooftop bars or the classic musts: in the daytime, Rivoire with its beautiful view over Palazzo Vecchio and in the nighttime, Paszkowski, which has live music every evening.

What about dinner?

We are very lucky having in our house chef Rocco de Santis. He is giving satisfactory experiences in the intimate setting of our Santa Elisabetta restaurant.

In the touristy Signoria Square with the opening of the Gucci Garden, [Ristorante] Frescobaldi and Fëdor Bistro, now we [have] a high-level cuisine corner.

Located in a medieval building hidden in a tiny street, I like to suggest Locale. Beautifully decorated, it has a lively bar and a contemporary cuisine.

A casual trattoria specializing in original Chianina steak and truffles called Dall’Oste is also getting enthusiastic feedback.—Sarah Chanin

5 Of The World’s Top Private Member Club Hotels

Private member clubs are very much in fashion again, and recently there’s been an emergence of club-hotel hybrids that not only cater to the local elite but also offer chic guestrooms for in-the-know travelers. Here’s where to stay to get insider access to these in-demand private member clubs where exclusivity is better than luxury.

Located in Shoreditch, The Curtain is one of London’s buzziest private member club hotels

THE CURTAIN

London’s The Curtain

London is jam-packed with private members clubs and many have their own guestrooms. But there’s a new crop of younger, buzzier club-hotels like The Curtain, which have been disrupting the scene and infusing new life into London’s time-honored private club tradition. The Curtain is based in stylish Shoreditch and has 120 guest rooms—far more than most private clubs. It may not be the city’s most in-demand club yet, but it is one of the most creative and cool spots in the city.

The Battery has strict parameters in place to protect its members

THE BATTERY

San Francisco’s The Battery

The Battery is a handsomely dressed private members club that also doubles as a boutique hotel where guests are granted honorary club membership for the duration of their stay. (It’s a clever—albeit ephemeral—workaround to the club’s long waitlist.) Some of the benefits of club membership include discretion: This über hip private club bans the use of social media to protect the privacy of its members and guests. Can you think of a standard hotel ever having the same policy? (We can’t.) It’s this genuine care and regard for its patrons that makes The Battery the best place to stay in the Bay Area, and it no doubt plays a role in why private member club hotels are ascendant around the world.

When creative class travelers visit Budapest, they stay at BrodyLand

IMAGE COURTESY OF BRODYLAND

Budapest’s BrodyLand

Drawing in Budapest’s convivial creatives and entrepreneurs, “citizens” of Brodyland are granted private access to Budapest’s coolest side. BrodyLand is actually comprised of four venues throughout Budapest: Brody House (11-room boutique hotel); The Living Quarters & The Workshop (17 apartments plus a café/bar); The Writer’s Villa (16-person heritage property); and The Studios (a cool cultural events venue). If you book a room at one of the accommodation venues you immediately become a member and get to enjoy member benefits for the duration of your stay, such as entry into The Workshop, BrodyLand’s social club space, and access to musical and cultural events at The Studios.

The Carnegie Club is a favorite haunt of modern-day tycoons and celebrities

THE CARNEGIE CLUB

Scotland’s The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle

With an old-world air of mystery surrounding this castle club hideaway in the Scottish Highlands, The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle offers its prestigious members a place to rest their heads in the castle’s 21 guest rooms or the 11 estate lodges. The picture-perfect 8,000-acre grounds were the backdrop to Madonna’s wedding to Guy Richie, so don’t expect membership to this club to be easily attained or anywhere near affordable. Unfortunately for travelers, you need to be the guest of a member (or a member yourself) to stay.

SOHO HOUSE

Soho House MumbaiYou can’t talk about private member club hotels and not mention Soho House, the leader in the category. Rather than resting on their (very on-trend) laurels, Soho House is constantly expanding. A recent outpost has popped up in Mumbai, which is the brand first foray into Asia. You don’t have to be a club member to book a night at one of Soho House Mumbai’s 38 rooms—though if you are a member you do get a 20-percent discount.

7 Spots To Experience The Joy Of Missing Out

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Gorgeous photos and shareable moments are the hallmark of any modern vacation, but when is the last time you actually took a trip just for yourself?

Instead of trying to keep up with wanderlust-inducing Instagram feeds, opt for a more laid-back approach to your next getaway. Treat yourself to a digital detox at these Forbes Travel Guide-approved stays that excel in JOMO (the joy of missing out), the antithesis to FOMO (fear of missing out).

Four Seasons Hotel Amman

You won’t find Wi-Fi in the heart of Wadi Rum, the rose-hued desert four hours south of this spectacular stay in Jordan’s capital.

Head for the dunes for an overnight excursion to Bedouin Lifestyle Camp — a tented complex run by the region’s traditionally nomadic inhabitants — where you can hike through the otherworldly rock formations that surround the sands.

After sundown, gather around the fire for a family-style meal of roasted lamb. Be sure to gaze up at the stars — the celestial bodies shine bright without Amman’s light pollution.

The Westin Palace, Madrid

THE WESTIN PALACE, MADRID

Westin Hotels and Resorts

Across the map, Westin properties put self-care first with a host of health-focused offerings to keep you on top of your game during your travels — without the constant stimulation of digital devices.

At hotels like Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Westin Chosun Seoul, look out for rest-enhancing amenities, such as bedside Sleep Well Lavender Balm or the superfood-packed Sleep Well Menu for late-night room service.

More active pursuits can be found at stays like The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, where you can trade in your phone for the day in exchange for bike rentals, kayak tours or spa time, or Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Westin Palace, Madrid where you can follow the property’s running map for a 2.5-mile route around some of the city’s most popular sights.

Belmond Hotel Cipriani

BELMOND MANAGEMENT LIMITED

Belmond Hotel Cipriani

In the spirit of dolce far niente (“the sweet art of doing nothing”), this Five-Star Venetian gem recently debuted an early morning experience you need to see to believe.

Scala Del Bovolo Sunrise begins with a shuttle ride to St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll stroll through the deserted city streets before climbing the spiral staircase of the 15th-century Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

After conquering the 80-step ascent, you’ll be rewarded with sunrise views over Venice and a continental breakfast. Trust us when we say you’ll want to leave your phone behind — pictures won’t do these vistas justice.

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

AUBERGE RESORTS

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

A cliffside locale and VIP-approved amenities (past guests have included Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Aniston) are just a few of the reasons to unplug and soak in all that this Five-Star stunner has to offer.

Ditch your device for a bit of romance with the Cabo San Lucas property’s Sueños Spa Experience. Enjoy a steamy spin in the Five-Star spa’s grotto, where you and your partner will find a sauna-like cave and warm pools to luxuriate in.

An alfresco couple’s massage illuminated by starlight followed by post-indulgence finger foods and bubbles complete the enviable experience. You will want to keep the details of this romantic rendezvous all to yourselves.

Six Senses Spa

THE ALPINA GSTAAD

The Alpina Gstaad

Find your center among the scenic Swiss Alps with the Tibetan Healing Retreat offer from this Five-Star gem.

Available June 9 through September 22, the rejuvenating four-night escape begins with a personal consultation, pulse reading and questionnaire that will determine the course of your customized experience.

High stress levels? The spa’s Tibetan medicine amchi-naturopath practitioner might recommend a 60-minute singing bowl session. Need a pick-me-up? You’ll likely enjoy a 75-minute Ku Nye Massage.

No matter your treatments, you’ll be sure to enjoy gratis daily breakfast made especially memorable with a side of those breathtaking mountain views.

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort

KO’A KEA HOTEL & RESORT

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort

Perched in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat is a JOMO paradise. If the Poipu Beach property’s saltwater pool, white sands and fire-pit-dotted grounds aren’t enough to convince you to unplug, its Kauai Wanderlust offer might just do the trick.

Customize your perfect day with your choice of indulgent Hawaiian dinner for two, an oceanside couple’s massage or an adventurous afternoon (surf lessons and a private luau), before retiring on your room’s cozy lanai — a scenic spot to watch the sun set.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

THE RANCH AT LAGUNA BEACH

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Need a break from L.A.’s constant buzz? Head about an hour south to this rustic-chic Orange County retreat to recharge your batteries.

You’ll want to leave the devices at home at this tranquil spot. Tucked between two canyons on 87 verdant acres, the SoCal resort may as well be a world away from the bustle of Hollywood.

Home to Laguna Beach’s only golf course, the sprawling property begs for you to do absolutely nothing, whether by the gorgeous central pool, at nature-inspired Sycamore Spa or around the fire pit roasting s’mores after nightfall.—Sarah Chanin

Small Is The Big New Thing In Cruising

If your perception is cruise vacations are limited to big ships with laser tag, bumper cars, ice skating rinks and Broadway shows, you’re missing the fastest growing segment of the industry. Luxury yacht and expedition vessels offer those of you with wanderlust easy access to remote places that are hard to reach by road or air. Your obstacle course today might be navigating your kayak around icebergs or for evening entertainment, watch and listen to dolphins frolicking right in front of you – from a window under the surface of the ocean.

During Seatrade Cruise Global this week in Miami, of the nine scheduled press conferences, six were either about small luxury yachts or expedition cruising. In an industry that expects to welcome over 28 million ocean cruise passengers next year, there are over 40 new niche vessels set to launch by 2022.

Ponant announced that it had taken delivery of its third new explorer ship since last June, Le Bougainville with just 92 staterooms and Blue Eye, an underwater observatory that enables viewing sea life as it swims right by your ship. In two months she will be joined by Le Dumont D’Urville, its ninth ship. Owned by France’s Pinault family (they also own Gucci, Brioni, Saint Laurent, and other luxury fashion brands), its fleet will grow to a dozen ships, the last in the current plan, the world’s first electric hybrid polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas due in May 2021.

Ponant will launch the world’s first electric hybrid polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas, Le Commandant Charcot, in May 2021

PONANT

Seabourn, a unit of Carnival Corporation & Plc, used the event to reveal interiors of its first of three expedition vessels, Seabourn Venture, coming in June 2021. Legendary designer Adam Tihany previewed the Expedition Lounge, Discovery Center and Landing Zone. The areas are each linked together to provide both an easy flow on and off the vessel.

Design legend Adam Tihany is personally designing the interiors for Seabourn’s first expedition vessel, the Seabourn Venture.

SEABOURN

The Expedition Lounge allows guests to have a warm drink before they head into Arctic waters or gather for a cocktail and share photos after another epic venture. The Discovery Center will have enough seating to accommodate every guest and will be where the ship’s 26-person expedition team of wilderness experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists will lecture and lead discussions.

The Expedition Lounge is connected to Discovery Center (above) to provide a better flow for guests as the depart and arrive back for the day’s adventure.

SEABOURN

Tihany told the media he personally is leading and involved in all elements of the design, including the custom furniture. He said he was particularly proud of detailed, luxury touches and materials in Landing Zone, the ship’s version of a mudroom where guests will change into or out of exploration equipment.

Tihany said attention to detail, including using high-quality materials in the ship’s mud room, reflect Seabourn’s philosophy that adventure travel can be luxurious.

SEABOURN

The next day, Silversea gave the press its first glimpse of the Silver Origin, which adds a high luxury offering to the Galapagos starting in the summer of 2020. Roberto Martinoli said it’s the company’s first vessel to utilize new owner Royal Caribbean’s cutting edge virtual reality design studio. He said the high-tech approach enabled his team to better understand how to best utilize the ship’s space.

Silver Origin will provide a new luxury option to visit the Galapagos Islands.

SILVERSEA

Like Seabourn, Silversea is trying to enhance the experience of experiential travel with floor to ceiling high-definition, interactive digital walls enabling its experts to provide more dynamic briefings. Basecamp will be an elegant lounge in which guests can socialize before and after excursions.

Guests on Silversea Origin will find lounge areas designed so they can socialize and discuss tales of that day’s adventures.

SILVERSEA

Earlier this year, Silversea announced for the first time in its history it will have two world cruises in the same year, including the first-ever luxury expedition world voyage. Sailing aboard Silver Cloud, guests will spend 165 days starting from Ushuaia on the tip of South America west, ending in Tromso, Norway. While there will be stops in world capitals such as Singapore and London, its 107 ports in 30 countries will include calls in Antarctica, tiny Pacific atolls, remotes islands of the Indonesia archipelago and a myriad of off-the-beaten-track Greek isles.

Silver Cloud will offer the industry’s first luxury world expedition cruises visiting 107 ports in 165 days next year.

SILVERSEA

Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, whose Azora will make her inaugural voyage in February 2020 told journalists his only problem is not having enough ships. He said the company is already discussing what’s next after its first three.

For the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Club, as it gets ready to launch its first vessel, its CEO says his only problem is demand is outstripping supply.

RITZ-CARLTON YACHT CLUB

Victory Cruise Lines, which was acquired by the same holding company that owns American Queen Steamboat Company in January, announced it will expand itineraries beyond the Great Lakes along the eastern seaboard, including New England and the South as well as seven-day journeys from Cancun exploring the Mayan peninsula. Its president and CEO John Waggoner said in 2021 its new Ocean Victory, hosting 200 passengers with 20 zodiacs, will offer its first cruises to Alaska.

Windstar Cruises is adding more capacity by stretching three of its ship as part of a $250 million renovation program.

WINDSTAR

Meanwhile, Windstar Cruises showed off details of a $250 million renovation across its three small ships, which includes adding 50 suites on each via stretching the hull, a process that entails splitting the ships and then adding a new section in the middle.

Alchemy’s New Short-Travel 29er – Sea Otter 2019

Alchemy

Alchemy has added another member to the Arktos family, with the 29ST being, you guessed it, a short-travel version of their Arktos 29 platform. The Colorado brand says that the 120mm-travel 29ST is designed to be ”Shorter, quicker and more playful than its elder,” and that it’s intended to run a 140mm-travel fork.

You can still get a US-made frame from Alchemy (the Arktos Custom and their road frames are manufactured in-house) but it’s not going to be the 29ST as it’s born in Asia. That’s also why a frame and Fox Float DPX2 shock will sell for $2,999 USD when they’re available in three weeks time, which is much less than what it’d cost if they were made in Colorado.

Interestingly, they are planning to eventually offer a custom paint program where the Asian-made frames will be done up to the customer’s desires at Alchemy’s HQ. One past custom job saw them paint to match a well-heeled owner’s Singer-fied Porsche 911; as you can imagine, this won’t be an inexpensive option.

Arktos 29ST Details

• Intended use: trail / all-mountain
• Rear wheel travel: 120mm
• Fork travel: 140mm
• Wheel size: 29”
• Tire clearance: 2.5”
• 157mm hub spacing
• Frame MSRP: $2,999 USD
• Bike MSRP: starting at $4,899 USD
• More info: www.alchemybicycles.com

By changing the links and running a shorter-stroke shock, the 29ST gets 120mm of travel versus the standard bike’s 140mm.

If you’re thinking that the Arktos 29ST looks a helluva lot like the Arktos 29, it’s because they share the same front and rear triangles. Think of the ST as a variant of the standard Arktos 29 rather than a completely new bike. What is new, though, are the 29ST’s aluminum links and its shorter-stroke shock that delete 20mm of suspension travel compared to its older brother.

Alchemy calls it Sine Suspension, and just like on the other Arktos models, the 29ST is said to have a suspension curve that’s regressive up to the sag point to combat the inherent seal friction of air shocks and to help with traction. From there, it’s progressive until you get to the last 15-percent of the stroke where it turns regressive again to play nice with said air shocks. As you might guess, this makes the bike a no-go for you coil lovers.

Remember how the 29ST has 20mm less rear-wheel travel than the standard version? The normal 29 gets a 160mm-travel fork, but Alchemy puts a 140mm on the front of the 29ST, and the result is geometry that’s pretty dang similar.

They’re both nearly hidden, but Sine Suspension is a dual-link design.

The 29ST sits closer to the ground (41mm of drop VS 34mm) and is also a touch steeper (66.1 head angle VS 65.5), but the reach and seat tube lengths are essentially identical across the board. At 5′ 10”-ish, I’d be on a large with a 454mm front and a long-for-2019 483mm seat tube. The extra-large sees another 31mm up front.

The ARK Ti is a burly hardtail with a $3,499 USD price tag. For the frame.

It’s funny how the riders who drool over titanium hardtails the most usually also have a carbon bike or three in their garage.

And now for something completely different. Alchemy has been doing titanium for ages, but the ARK Ti is an all-new model that’s meant to be a rough-and-tumble hardtail, and run either 29” or 27.5-plus wheels. The US-made frame goes for $3,499 USD and completes start at $7,199 USD.

The bike’s geometry is designed around a 120mm or 130mm-travel fork, with the former delivering a 68-degree head angle and 74.5-degree seat angle. It has all the things you’d expect to see on a fancy carbon frame, including 148mm hub spacing, internal dropper routing, and the fact that you’ll never get a front derailleur to work on it. The bottom bracket is threaded, too.

Weight? It probably weighs some. Angles? I bet it has those, too… I can’t say that I’d spend a ton of time riding it (or any?), but that doesn’t change the fact that I want one.

Denver travel mess: 750 flight cancellations and counting

Airlines canceled more than 750 flights into and out of Denver Wednesday ahead of aspring blizzard, and the travel pain is expected to spread to other cities as the potentially historic storm moves into the upper Midwest.

Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, which have major operations at Denver International Airport, each canceled about 200 flights to and from Denver, according to flight tracker FlightAware. That’s about half of their scheduled Wednesday flights. Regional airline SkyWest, a feeder carrier for United, canceled 158 flights, about half of its scheduled flights. Frontier, which is based in Denver, has canceled 39 Denver flights.

The Denver cancellations are already spilling into Thursday, with 175 flights to and from the airport canceled as of 6:45 p.m. EDT, according to FlightAware. That number is expected to grow as the storm develops.

You don’t have to be flying to or from Denver to be affected. Southwest and United connect a lot of passengers through Denver, so travelers are urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Airlines have been allowing travelers to change their flights to avoid the storm, dubbed Winter Storm Wesley.

Policies vary by airline, but in general the waivers allowed affected travelers to change their flights without penalty.

Passengers whose flights are canceled are eligible for a refund even if they bought a nonrefundable ticket.

Airline travel waivers for spring blizzard

Southwest Airlines: Covers Denver flights scheduled for April 10 and 11 and Minneapolis flights April 10-12. Milwaukee flights on April 10 also included.

United Airlines: Covers Colorado flights and flights in Minneapolis and cities in the Great Plains from April 10-11.

American Airlines: Covers Colorado and Upper Midwest flights from April 10-11.

Frontier Airlines: Covers Colorado, Minneapolis, Wisconsin and other Upper Midwest flights from April 10-11.

Delta Air Lines: Covers flights to and from Colorado and Upper Midwest cities from April 10-11.

12 Places Around the World That Are Weirdly Popular on TripAdvisor

a group of people in a field: Carhenge, a replica of England's Stonehenge located near the city of Alliance, Nebraska

We’re talking about places that make you look at their high ratings and think, “Really? There?”

For example, one of the highest rated tourist attractions in Cornwall, England is a tunnel leading to a supermarket. Another highly rated attraction, this time in California, is an alley were people have stuck used gum over the years. Or, there’s the Prada store that’s literally in the middle of nowhere. Even better, there’s a room full of dirt in New York City that people apparently really enjoy.

These places may not have obvious appeal to the casual TripAdvisor user. But for those who’ve gone to these places, it’s easy to see why they’re so special. Just take a look at the reviews and you’ll see that there are people in the world who go gaga for the seemingly everyday, mundane, or just plain odd attractions that you may not even have bothered to stop for.

They may not be world renowned restaurants, important, historical landmarks, or prestigious museums filled with fine art, but these places might be good to put on your travel bucket list. Especially if you’d like to go off the beaten path once in a while.

Don’t take our word for it, check out the reviews.

Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world — Dunedin, New Zealand: 4 stars

Move over, San Francisco. You’ve got nothing on Baldwin Street. This road actually still holds the Guinness World Record title for the steepest street in the world. So, if you’re a world record enthusiast, it’s easy to see why this place has four stars on TripAdvisor. One reviewer who rated it five stars, said, “It is what it says. It’s steep!”

Bude Tunnel — Cornwall, England: 5 stars

With over 480 five-star reviews, this tunnel is the highest rated attraction in Cornwall. It’s not a special tunnel at first glance; It just connects a supermarket parking lot to a main road. But occasionally (especially at Christmas) it is decorated in colorful lights. Reviewers have called it the “8th wonder of the world” and an “amazing, magical experience.” Plus, it’s free to experience.

The Gnome Reserve and Flower Garden — West Putford, England: 4.5 stars

Nature lovers can easily enjoy this beautiful garden that’s perfect for walking around on a nice, spring day. But what makes it special (maybe even a little strange) is that it’s also a gnome “sanctuary,” where dozens of little gnomes populate the grounds. It’s quirky, to say the least. “I defy anyone to come here and not to smile. It is a little oasis of happiness and innocent joy,” said one reviewer. It also has a TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence.”

Carhenge — Alliance, Nebraska: 4.5 stars

Anyone who has driven through Nebraska knows there isn’t too much to see. But, there is Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge, only made with cars. While it seems like a typical roadside attraction, it’s actually a pretty impressive sight to behold. Carhenge is actually created with old, vintage automobiles, and looks like a fascinating piece of art in the middle of the Plains. “Carhenge is a wonderful take on Stonehenge. Sure, it is a tongue-in-cheek take, but it is kind of impressive,” said one reviewer.

Bubblegum Alley — San Luis Obispo, California: 3.5 stars

This one is just what it sounds like: an alley filled with gum. But it’s not exactly a candy store. Bubblegum Alley (rated 3.5 stars, so it’s very good but not for everyone) is famous in San Luis Obispo for being a place where people have been sticking their used gum for years. But the result is actually pretty fascinating (and colorful). “Yes it’s an alley with gum. That’s it. Would be interesting to know history. That being said I found it colorful, interesting and strange. Of course I took some gum and stuck it on the wall,” one reviewer said.

Hole N’ The Rock — Moab, Utah: 4 stars

Hole N’ The Rock looks like it might be a natural wonder (aside from the big, painted sign) when you’re driving past, but it’s actually a unique home that was carved into the rock in Utah’s Canyonlands Country. Now, it’s a nice little gift shop, petting zoo, and trading post where you can take tours all year. One positive reviewer called it “ultimate hokiness,” which we’re going to assume is a good thing.

The Thing — Benson, Arizona: 3.5 stars

What is The Thing? Well, you’ll probably have to stop there for yourself. This decades-old attraction has apparently been renewed and improved over the years, according to reviews, so it’s been getting some higher reviews recently. Even if you don’t figure out what The Thing is, you can still shop in the massive gift shop for something unique. One very recent reviewer called it a “mandatory” stop for them on their trip.

Prada Marfa — Valentine, Texas: 4 stars

You probably didn’t expect to see high end fashion in the middle of the Texas desert. Well, you’re not alone there. Plenty of other TripAdvisor users were surprised by this highly-rated Prada “store” about an hour from Marfa, Texas. You sadly can’t buy any shoes or handbags there, though — it’s just an art installation. Those who visit can leave a memento like a lock on a fence nearby. “It’s simply a storefront in the middle of nowhere but that’s what makes it so unique. I love random things and this fits the bill,” one reviewer said.

a row of houses in a garden: Chris LaBasco / Alamy Stock Photo © Chris LaBasco / Alamy Stock Photo Chris LaBasco / Alamy Stock Photo

16 Avenue Tiled Steps — San Francisco, California: 4.5 stars

Who thought a staircase could be such an attraction? It helps when it’s covered in a beautiful mosaic. Even though this attraction in San Francisco is just a set of steps in a residential neighborhood, they are completely Instagram-worthy. One reviewer said, “Maybe this is too far away from the wharf for your typical tourist, but these fun, arty steps open up to one of the best views in SF.”

Fremont Troll — Seattle, Washington: 4 stars

You’ve probably heard the tale of the troll under the bridge. Well, Seattle actually has one. This 18-foot tall stone carving looks like a troll under the Aurora Avenue Bridge, and it’s a pretty popular tourist site. The sculpture is considered a good spot for “selfies” according to one reviewer. Another reviewer said, “Leave it to Seattle to place a sculpture of a massive troll that looks like it’s emerging from the ground with a real VW bug in one of its hands.” Not bad for a sculpted piece of rock.

The New York Earth Room — New York City, New York: 4 Stars

Out of the dozens upon dozens of well-reviewed attractions in New York City, here is one that is a solid four stars: a room full of dirt. But it’s an important room full of dirt, because it’s a quiet and peaceful place in the city (one of few), and it is actually an indoor art installation by Walter De Maria, created in 1977. Reviewers have noted the smell of the soil in particular. And despite it having four stars, the reviews are diverse and remarkably complicated. “I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this, but honestly…it was amazing,” said one reviewer. “I think if I lived in NYC in this concrete jungle, the smell, the quiet and the energy of this installation would appeal. For me however, I live in a beautiful, wild, nature-filled place, so to me it was just a room full of dirt,” said another.

World’s Largest Chest of Drawers — High Point, North Carolina: 3.5 stars

With furniture like this, you’ll probably never have to worry about storage again. American roadside attractions seem to have a fascination with overly large things (big balls of twine, giant bricks, large dog statues, etc.), and one of these attractions has got to be one of the most ordinary of them all: a chest of drawers. While one reviewer was disappointed by the “what you see is what you get” aspect of this attraction, another described it as “furniture galore!”