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Bike Trails in Gunnison and Crested Butte, CO: From Singletrack to Gravel Rides

Despite being just half an hour apart, the communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte are very different. The former is a high desert college town with a river running through it, popular among anglers. The latter is a one-time mining city deep in the mountains, now famous for the challenging ski runs at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. One thing that links them: some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in Colorado.

You could easily make a case for Gunnison County being the birthplace of mountain biking. In the 1970s, Crested Butte locals began fixing up one-speed “klunkers,” driving them up mountain passes in pick-up trucks, and bombing down the trails. From there came the legendary Pearl Pass ride, a lofty 40-mile trip to nearby Aspen over the mountains (more on that later). Organized races and trail-building eventually brought Crested Butte national attention as one of the best destinations for mountain biking in the country.

Biking infrastructure in Gunnison developed more recently, but the town has quickly made its mark with several trail networks within riding distance. More recently, the 1,000-plus miles of dirt roads that crisscross the surrounding landscape have attracted eager gravel bikers (and serve as part of the 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route). With first-rate terrain waiting outside any front door in Gunnison and Crested Butte, riders have countless reasons to come — and stay for a while to pedal and explore. Here’s where to point your tires when you visit.

CRUISING FROM CRESTED BUTTE

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

If you decide to set up camp in Crested Butte, a typical ride day might look like this: Wake up at the centrally located Old Town Inn, Elk Mountain Lodge, or Crested Butte Hostel. Hop on your bike, ride to Camp 4 Coffee for a caffeine fix, and then head straight to the trails. Don’t stop pedaling until you’re back in Crested Butte for aprés at Kochevars Saloon & Gaming Hall, Talk of the Town, or Montanya Distillers. It’s that easy to access epic trails — just note that many of the higher elevation bike routes in the area don’t open until June, depending on snow conditions.

Snodgrass Trail | Mountain biking

For a low-elevation option, this 7-mile out-and-back trip makes for a mellow ride, but the scenery is anything but subdued. The Snodgrass Trail swaddles you in beautiful aspen groves and flower meadows before revealing a wide-open view of Crested Butte and the surrounding lands. Be sure to check if it’s open before you head out — the trail, which intersects with private land, sometimes closes for seasonal cattle grazing.

Lily Lake | Gravel biking

A beginner-intermediate route, this 20-mile round-trip takes you around a lake and back to town. The convenient start and end point means you can grab breakfast at Butte Bagels, start your ride from nearby Whiterock Avenue, and then brake for a beer at The Eldo or a slice at Secret Stash later on — all in one fell swoop (well, loop).

Lupine Trail | Mountain biking

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

Crested Butte is famous for its meadow-ringed trails, and this route (in season) is a perfect example. It’s fairly easygoing, totaling 7 miles from the trailhead or a bit longer from your doorstep, the perfect length for a shorter morning or afternoon tour. There’s no parking at the east end of the trail, where you’ll want to start your ride, so plan to make a loop from town — head up the rec path, west over to Lupine 1 and 2, and then back via Slate River Road or Lower Loop. Expect magnificent views of flowers as you climb and descend about 900 feet.

Kebler Pass | Gravel biking

This 30-mile gravel route connects Crested Butte and the town of Paonia. It’s less rugged and lower in elevation than some of the other famous dirt routes in the region. Kebler Pass is also a great place to see the aspens change color in the fall, and it can be fat-biked in winter.

401 Trail | Mountain biking

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

This classic 14-mile mountain bike loop starts just outside of town, whisking you to incredible views, summer wildflowers, tight singletrack, and a 1,500-foot descent to round things off. If you only have time for one trail in Crested Butte, make it this one. You won’t find a better floral show in the valley — expect brilliant yellow mule’s ear blooms in the first half of summer and blankets of purple fireweed later on.

Pearl Pass | Gravel biking

Where it all started: the classic spartan route to Aspen. First, ride to the 12,710-foot pass and back, a climb of more than 3,000 feet. Then head over the top to nearby Ashcroft or join the weekend Pearl Pass Tour in September to ride the full 38 miles (and more on Sunday). Wider tires are recommended; though this is a dirt road, it’s very rocky and demanding.

Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman’s Gulch | Mountain biking

A rollercoaster of a ride, this three-climb linkup loop (19 miles all told) offers the toughest ascent in town and some ripping downhills. Note that segments of the trail can get rutted from dirt-bike use, but you’ll love riding it regardless.

GETTING FLOWY FROM GUNNISON

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

Hilly, rocky Gunnison is an epicenter of staggering views, thanks to the encompassing public lands and the soaring Collegiate, Sawatch, San Juan, and West Elk ranges farther afield. For gravel riders, one benefit of basing here is that you can build your own adventure tour on hundreds of miles of national forest trails that connect Gunnison to the historic towns of Tincup, Pitkin, and Ohio City. For lodging, try locally owned inns like the golf-oriented Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios and The Inn at Tomichi Village, overnight at the Mesa Campground, or get a cheap bunk at The Wanderlust Hostel. You won’t find a huge party scene in Gunnison, but many of the half-dozen eateries at the center of town celebrate its bike culture with cheeky, trail-named menu items. Together with local-roast coffee shops like Tributary and Double Shot — where, conveniently, you can also get your bike serviced — you’re bound to stay fueled and ready to ride.

Frontside Loop | Mountain biking

Located just outside of town, Hartman Rocks offers endless riding, with 45 miles of technical singletrack. The 12-mile Frontside Loop gives a more intermediate introduction to the region. One major highlight is Rattlesnake, a cross-country ride that’ll have you winding through Gunnison’s characteristic sagebrush and tracing a rollicking granite ridge while admiring peak views (literally). If you feel competitive, come for the Original Growler race over Memorial Day weekend and choose between a 20-, 32-, and 40-mile ride.

Hartman Rocks | Gravel biking

Beyond its mountain biking trails, Hartman Rocks is a 14,000-acre Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcel that’s chock-full of dirt roads for gravel enthusiasts, plus lots of dispersed camping options for those looking for an overnight. It’s basically a choose your own adventure when it comes to gravel biking.

Signal Peak | Mountain biking

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

East of Gunnison, the Signal Peak trail system has upwards of a dozen cross-country routes that showcase the area’s rolling hills. Locals love the 1.6-mile fast and curvy Chicken Wing descent, which is pleasantly rideable for cyclists of all levels. To make a loop out of it, take Contour to Rasta Gulch and then Ridgeline — you’ll be rewarded with grand views of the Sawatch and San Juan ranges at the top before zipping down Chicken Wing.

Maggie Pass | Gravel biking

Just outside of Gunnison, this 37-mile loop is a full-day gravel adventure, but it never gets too technical. There are also opportunities to shorten or lengthen your ride here, depending on your legs and appetite for challenge.

Doctor Park | Mountain biking

Photo: Gunnison Crested Butte

Can’t decide between Gunnison and Crested Butte? Doctor Park splits the difference, located between the two towns in Taylor Canyon. Expect a grind of a climb and a fast, flowy downhill on this 20-mile expert loop. Bonus points if you come during fall to admire the aspens (and rip through a large grove when you get to Jedi Woods). This area is no stranger to gravel riders either, with some excellent options around Almont, Taylor Park, Taylor Reservoir, and Spring Creek Road. Spend a couple of nights at Campfire Ranch if you’re not ready to leave Taylor Canyon after just one ride.

Gunni Grinder | Gravel biking

If you’re curious to see how your skills and endurance stack up against other riders, the Gunni Grinder is a gravel bike race that takes place in September. Starting and ending in downtown Gunnison, the full loop spans a whopping 120 miles, but there are 30- and 60-mile out-and-back options as well. Yes, it’s as intense as it sounds.

Across Gunnison and Crested Butte, riders are spoiled for choice: mountain trails or gravel routes, epic ascents or meandering flow trails, personal bests or proper competitions. But deciding to make Gunnison and Crested Butte your next biking destination? That’s a no-brainer.

Maybe Not Every Corner of the World Needs to Be Immediately Accessible

A couple of weeks back, as I was doing research for an article about Antarctica cruises, I realized that the seventh continent is a very busy place. There are well over a dozen cruise lines traveling to Antarctica, some making up to 40 sailings per season. Not only that, but there are also private first-class flights to Antarctica available for those who want to take a day trip to the end of the Earth. Somehow, it all feels wrong.

I love traveling and, as a travel writer, my job is to encourage people to get out there and see more of the world, but these days it all feels too much to me. We can go anywhere, whenever we want: Greenland, Svalbard, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), the Galapagos Islands, and more in just a couple of flights. There’s no challenge any longer, all we have to do is type in the numbers on our credit card and we’re off. I wonder if without the pain of getting to a hard-to-reach place, we don’t really enjoy it like we should. I wonder if the ease with which we access every corner of the world is making us a little entitled and jaded.

One thing for sure, the ease of travel is partly to blame for how similar places around the world are starting to look. The more people who travel to one area, the more that business owners feel the pressure to adhere to a certain aesthetic that has mass appeal versus the distinct attributes that make a place unique. The most popular Airbnbs, hotels, and cafés all have the same phoney, Instagram-friendly vibe whether you’re in London, Mexico City, Prague, or Hanoi. There’s a potted fiddle-leaf fig and a macrame wall-hanging piece in wish-listed apartment rentals in remote jungles and mountain towns alike. Don’t get me started on the number of signs that say “Live, laugh, love” or “But first, coffee” that I’ve encountered — even in locations where people barely speak English.

But interior decor, no matter how pathetic, and our senses, no matter how dulled, are likely the least-problematic consequences of ever-growing accessibility. Making every corner of the world reachable has huge environmental impacts, sometimes even destroying the very thing we’re looking for by traveling.

Take the Tren Maya for example. The massive new rail project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula makes it easy for tourists to go from popular areas like Cancún to rural areas along a five-state route. However, to build the 966-mile long train tracks that will connect cities, archeological sites, protected natural sites, tourist attractions, and smaller towns, large swathes of the lush Yucatán jungle, home to Indigenous communities and wildlife, had to be cleared. Inevitably, locals were displaced, and cenotes — underground water-filled caverns so loved by visitors to the regions — were polluted and paved over. All of that in the name of accessibility and the expectation that if you build it the tourists will come, and bring their money with them.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed all borders and restricted travel to a minimum, I remember thinking that maybe that was some sort of warning to all travelers: “It’s been a little too easy and abundant lately, let’s just reset.” But now, four year later, long after the era of “revenge travel” when we were seemingly so vacation-starved that we went on a booking frenzy, it seems that we are exactly where we were back in 2019 and no lesson has been learned.

I understand the appeal to go and see the beauty of remote and previously mysterious places — places yet unspoiled by the bulldozer that is the always-expanding tourism industry. To see majestic wild animals in their natural habitats. But I also wish that some places could remain sacred, known but left alone. Inaccessible. Mostly for the good of our planet and its wildlife, and for the benefit of the traditional inhabitants of the those places whose pockets might be fuller but whose peace is forever shattered. But also for our imagination. If every corner of the world’s been visited, photographed, and written about in details ad nauseam, there’s very little for us to dream and feel curious about.

Tourists taking a polar bear watching tour in Manitoba, Canada. Photo: aceshot1/Shutterstock

Some places understand the benefit of restricting access to visitors. Antarctica does that to a certain extent; only cruise ships with 500 guests or fewer can make land on the white continent. So do the Faroe Islands which, having experienced a huge boom in visitors in the past few years, “closes for maintenance” once per year, only allowing voluntourists in the country. Other places are hitting us where it hurts most: our wallets. For example, the Galapagos Islands are hoping that doubling the entrance fee to the park will deter some tourists (the ones who can’t afford it) from visiting while still bringing in much-needed revenue that’s used to fund conservation. But is it enough?

With my over two decades of traveling, I realize it’s very difficult to explore the world while fully protecting and respecting it at the same time. I’m not sure it’s a balance we can even strike. Those who love to travel, including me, don’t really want to rein themselves in. They want to enjoy what the world offers to the fullest, and that’s understandable. But until there are answers to problems like over tourism, cultural preservation, and more, perhaps the places that will best keep their sense of individuality are the ones that find a sustainable way to welcome travelers — even if that means becoming more inaccessible.

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This Hip Phoenix Hotel Showcases the City’s Rising Uptown Neighborhood

Rise Uptown Hotel is a cool place to be in a neighborhood that’s on its way up – the type of hotel that guests – and even locals – actually want to hang out at. The hotel occupies two recently remodeled buildings 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The property is a three-level bastion of mid-mod sublimity, part Palm Springs pool bar and part 1960s Hollywood, a vibe that encapsulates the rise of its area as the new “place to be” in Phoenix. A row of perfectly manicured palms shade the patios of garden- and second-level rooms. I arrived from the airport in a Waymo autonomous car, and stepping out of the most modern of technologies into the hotel’s throwback vibe had me feeling like Brad Pitt in “Once Upon A Time . . . in Hollywood.” Not a bad way to kick off a work trip.

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We hope you love Rise Uptown Hotel! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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What the rooms are like at Rise Uptown HotelPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger

Though located on the bustling, six-lane West Camelback Road hotel, Rise Uptown Hotel is noticeable from a couple blocks away. Its right angle-dominated architecture is complemented by bright colors – the orange star on the sign for Don Woods’ Say When rooftop bar, the endless Phoenix sunshine reflecting off the cacti in the lobby garden. Rooms at the hotel are cement-floored and minimally decorated, seemingly to optimize airflow and keep the room cool even on the hottest summer days. I stayed in a Balcony room overlooking the pool, a work desk topped with a single small cactus to my right and a king bed to the left with a single reading chair between it and the room-sized window and balcony. The room’s minimalist aesthetic doesn’t make it warmly welcoming, but warm isn’t what you want in Phoenix, especially in late May. I felt comfortable and immediately relaxed.

The bed linens are airy and light, perfect for the climate, and I slept comfortably without having to freeze myself out with air con. The pool bar played music until 10 PM right outside, though it became quiet right after the top of the hour and even when the bar was open, the vibe was more relaxed than rowdy. I found it soothing as I capped the night with a writing session on the balcony. If you’re particularly sensitive to noise and go to bed early, however, request a room in the other building.

The shower is large and the showerhead rains water down with ample pressure. All bathroom accessories from shampoo to soap are bulk, meaning no trash on your part. There’s plenty of space to lounge, work, or even unfurl a yoga mat in the room without feeling cramped. Natural sunlight beams through floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty enough to read by. My only knock on the room is that there is nowhere to plug in a USB or mini-USB charger. I forgot my standard plug for my phone charger, and upon realizing I wouldn’t be able to charge felt that a clock or light with a USB port could be a nice – and modern – touch.

On-site dining at Rise Uptown HotelPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger

An experiential hotel needs experiential dining, and Lylo Swim Club is Rise Uptown Hotel’s take. The menu is Mexican-inspired coastal cuisine and ideal for the restaurant’s poolside setting. I’ve never been able to pinpoint the reason, but lounging by the water seems to send calorie concerns away with the tide, a positive when you’re trying to get a true taste for a restaurant.
We started with Carne Asada Fries, a massive plate of crinkle fries loaded nacho-style with toppings. Two of us barely made a dent. We also shared a chips and guac, which came in handy during the main course.

I then moved on to a plate of chicken tinga tacos, a lighter option that complemented both the increasing temperature and my fruity cocktail of choice, the Lazy Daze, made of mezcal, tropical fruits, and a bit of grapefruit soda. I love tinga and make a point to overindulge on the tomato-sauce-simmered chicken recipe each time I’m in Mexico. Lylo’s hit the spot – soft meat that, were there to be a bone, would have fallen right off it. A bit heavy on the crema sauce, but that’s easily remedied with the quick swipe of a tortilla chip over the top of each. I flew down to Phoenix that morning and skipped breakfast, and was therefore quite hungry by lunch. This meal hit the spot – a solid place to end a bout of intermittent fasting.

Beyond Lylo, the hotel offers popsicles, including of the boozy variety, at the front desk, which more than a dozen types to choose from. Each room receives two coupons for a free popsicle, and I cashed in one of mine for a late-night (9:30 PM, because I’m a dad) paloma pop after returning to the hotel after dinner. It tasted just like the cocktail should and made for a perfect nightcap on my room’s patio. Atop one of the hotel’s buildings is Don Wood’s Say When rooftop bar, which overlooks the downtown Phoenix skyline, possible to do here even from only a few floors up. The bar is open Thursday to Monday evenings.

Open each morning at 7 AM, Cartel Roasting Co. occupies a standalone space on the Rise campus adjacent to Lylo Swim Club. I spent an early morning working on an article in the shop while sipping a drip coffee. The coffeeshop makes for an excellent amenity not least given that there is no coffee in the rooms (props to Rise for not stocking Keurig Krap Drippers, or seemingly any single-use plastic products at all). Cartel is legit – the barista explained to me in details that soared over my head the intricacies of the Colombia Buesaco in my mug, and while my contribution to the conversation was minimal, my level of productivity while sipping was quite high. As a remote worker who’s frequently on the road, I spend a lot of time in coffeeshops, and will seek out a Cartel location next time I’m in Phoenix.

The scene at Lylo Swim ClubPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger

I arrived to Rise Uptown Hotel at about 10 AM and had requested early check-in. After dropping my stuff in the room, I headed down to the pool at Lylo Swim Club, where I had a lounger reserved. I brought my laptop hoping to get some work done, but only got through about 20 minutes before the pool tempted me in for a swim. Even at this somewhat early hour, about a dozen others hung around the pool deck, hopping into the water intermittently to cool off and otherwise socializing on the loungers over cocktails. A trendy hotel’s mid-mod-themed pool club in an increasingly hip part of Phoenix is undeniably a cool place to be – and the crowd here fits that bill. It’s a friendly atmosphere, quite inclusive gauging by the nature of those around me, and gives the hotel a “destination” vibe. The bartender told me that many who visit the swim club are locals.

When I arrived back at the hotel in the evening at about 9 PM, the pool scene had the vibe of a trendy lounge. Cocktails were flowing, laughs were aplenty, and the hot tub was filled with six or seven people who all seemed to know each other. Aside from the pool itself, Lylo encompasses the restaurant which offers seating and a bar separate from the pool deck.

What else to know about Rise Uptown Hotel

Photo courtesy Rise Uptown Hotel

Among the best things about Rise Uptown Hotel is its location right along the Phoenix Valley Metro light rail. There’s a station right across the street, making this an ideal place to base yourself if visiting Phoenix without a car. It’s part of a growing trend of businesses working to make Phoenix easier to get around by transit, and I took full advantage – I took the train downtown and back again during my stay and found the experience to be easy and very convenient.

Note that there is no gym onsite, but there’s an LA Fitness just a couple blocks up the road. I walked over there in the morning for a quick workout. Rooms at Rise Uptown Hotel start at around $121 per night for a basic room without a balcony, and proceed upward from there. If you know you’ll be dining or drinking on-site, there’s an option to add a $25 food and beverage credit onto your room at a steep discount. The nicest rooms at the hotel are located poolside and have a private fire pit, and there are plenty of balcony rooms overlooking the pool as well, including the one I stayed in. It’s a great place for a work trip to Phoenix because there’s no semblance of corporate overlords or cookie-cutter mundanity – even a short time on the property is enough to inspire one’s creative juices. I work (and sleep) better in such a state, and plan to return to Rise the next time around.

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Airbnb Is Hosting an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Party on the Seine With the 2024 Game Torch Creator

On the evening of Friday, July 26, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris will unveil its rooftop terrace transformed into a secret garden for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration to mark the beginning of the 2024 Olympic Games. This exclusive event, hosted by the visionary designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the creator of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch, promises 30 lucky attendees — 15 Airbnb experience guests and their plus ones — an extraordinary evening fusing the spirit of the Olympics and the beauty of art, all set against the backdrop of the Parisian skyline.

Photo: Airbnb/Wendy Huynh

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The Airbnb experience begins with a private guided tour through the Musée d’Orsay’s collection of Impressionist art — the largest in the world.

Photo: Airbnb/Wendy Huynh

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After admiring masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, and Degas, you’ll be whisked up to the terrace over the Seine to view this year’s Olympic torch and for cocktails by acclaimed mixologist Margot LeCarpentier. Not only is this one of the most spectacular views in Paris, but you’ll be able to watch the Opening Ceremony.

Photo: Airbnb/Wendy Huynh

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This is the first time in the Olympic and Paralympic Games history that the Opening Ceremony will be held outside a traditional stadium setting. Beginning at 7.30 PM (UTC), around 10,500 athletes will parade down the river on over 150 boats. As the parade passes, Kirou, founder of the Parisian music collective 99GINGER, will be on the decks with a live DJ set so you can dance and celebrate with your friends under the Parisian sky.

Photo: Airbnb/Wendy Huynh

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Booking for this once-in-a-lifetime event is free and opens on June 13 at 9:00 AM ET on Airbnb. Interested parties must read the Host rules on the listing before entering. You will need the Airbnb mobile app, a completed profile, and be a legal resident of an eligible country or region. All guests must have a digital pass (Pass Jeux) to enter the Musée d’Orsay, which is located within the security perimeter of the Games. Information on how to obtain a pass will be provided to those selected. Guests must be over 18+.

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This Motor Lodge Is the Best Place to Crash Along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Think a motel is a place to back into under the cloak of darkness and slink out of before first light? The recently revived Bardstown Motor Lodge in Kentucky makes you think again. Located downtown in the “Bourbon Capital of the World”, this roadside tourist court is more boutique inn with summer camp energy than anonymous pit stop.

The first venture from the Common Bond Hotel Collection, Bardstown Motor Lodge is a buzzing destination with glossy accommodations and communal space aplenty. A stay revolves around having a criminally good time at the Bardstown Swim Club and clinking mint juleps at the on-property restaurant and bar, Toogie’s Table.

Pitched at bachelor parties, whiskey fanciers, and road trippers with a love of nostalgia, this is a motel you want to be seen in.

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We hope you love the Bardstown Motor Lodge! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Bardstown Motor Lodge provides hyper-hip lodging on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

The Bardstown Motor Lodge comprises 30 comfortable guest rooms and five spacious suites. While the freshened-up exterior still rings true to the classic two-story motel of the last century, there’s nothing shady about the rooms. Brightly lit units are accented with electric blue wooden wall panels and modern mid-century furnishings.

Tucked behind sliding stable doors, bathrooms are turned out with upcycled materials. Signature beds are topped with mega-thick mattresses and crisp linens that’ll bear the brunt of one too many chasers. All rooms and suites have a coffee maker, posh toiletries, and hotel-standard bath robes.

Get the party off to a flying start with a king suite. Accommodating groups of four, all five first-floor suites come with a personal wet bar and direct access to the poolside.

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Bardstown Swim Club: a “glampground” for grown-upsPhoto: BookingPhoto: BookingPhoto: BookingPhoto: Booking

Designed to be a hang-out, not a hide-out, the pool deck is the life and soul of the Bardstown Motor Lodge 2:0. The sun-soaked pool is bounded by cabanas, loungers, and Adirondacks where you can guzzle bourbon slushies between laps.

Under the Bardstown Swim Club umbrella, there’s a vintage rec room complete with bar games and a fire-pit zone stocked with all the essentials for a rollicking s’mores party. This is a pet-friendly motel which only adds to the “paw-some” vibe.

Lodge guests have complimentary access to the pool club daily between 11:00 AM and 10:00 pm. Non-residents may snap up a pass for a bargain of $20 per person.

Good food, good booze, good people at Toogie’s Table

There’s no need to roam Third Street with a growling stomach. The chef-led Toogie’s Table is the best restaurant in Bardstown for wholesome farm-to-table Kentucky fare. It’s an easygoing tavern with a private dining salon for hire at Upstairs at Toogie’s.

The kitchen collaborates with regional farmers to showcase local and seasonal ingredients wherever possible. Traditional recipes earn a modern Americana twist: fried chicken comes marinated in apple sauce slathered in hot honey while cast iron salmon is served in a pool of kimchi brodo bone broth.

Stomach responsibly lined, grab a pew at the tasting bar on the second floor where mixologists demonstrate how to turn Kentucky bourbons and top-shelf liquors into next-level cocktails. The bar hosts ad hoc masterclasses and tastings; it’s worth dropping them a line before check-in about bespoke events.

One too many sips of juice last night? The “hangover hash” brunch will put you back on track.

Fun group activities around Bardstown

Bardstown Motor Lodge overlooks the sprawling My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Museum tours led by “singing” guides reveal scandalous tales and intriguing tidbits from this 19th-century mansion. Special events include murder mystery dinners, cocktail workshops, and Barton 1792 bourbon tastings.

Over 6,350 yards of the estate grounds are occupied by the PGA Professional 18-hole golf course. Public green fees are $35 on weekdays and $40 on weekends and holidays. Booking a tee time is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially as part of a bachelor getaway. Tally up and settle any bets over a whiskey tasting at the Heaven Hill distillery, conveniently placed on the course perimeter.

A medley of biking, boating, and fishing activities is available at Taylorsville Lake, a 30-minute drive from the motor lodge in Bourbon Country. The legendary 3rd Street Tap House which stocks dozens of craft ales and close to a hundred bourbons and hosts regular music gigs is two minutes away by Uber.

Getting to Bardstown Motor LodgePhoto: BookingPhoto: BookingPhoto: BookingPhoto: Booking

Sitting right off the Route 150 highway in downtown Bardstown, this boutique motel is 34 miles from Louisville International Airport and 59 miles from Lexington. And, in homage to the golden era of motels, all units come with a free parking spot.

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Alaska Airlines Has More Summer Flights Than Ever This Year to Mexico, Guatemala, The Bahamas, and More

Alaska Airlines is celebrating summer with almost one million additional seats on flights compared to 2023. In the peak months of June, July, and August, new international routes to Guatemala City, the Bahamas, and Toronto will join the schedule, along with an increase in daily flights in its network to popular destinations such as Mexico.

Alaska Airlines has more flights to Mexico from the West Coast than any other US airline. Photo: Frederick Millett/Shutterstock

If you’re a West Coast resident, you’re in luck. Alaska Airlines is increasing its flights to popular destinations like Cancun, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, surpassing any other US-based airline. Schedules at hubs such as Portland have increased by 16 percent, Seattle by 10 percent, San Diego by 23 percent, and Los Angeles by 33 percent, giving passengers more flexibility than ever before.

The increase in summer routes is in response to passenger feedback and demand.

“As best-in-class operators, our top priority is consistently delivering on our promise to guests to take them where they’re going safely and on time — all while showing them the care for which we’re known,” says Andrew Harrison, chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines. “This summer, we’re prepared to do more flying and welcome more guests to experience not only a safe operation but also a premium experience. We’ve been hard at work on elevating all aspects of the travel journey for our guests from start to finish.”

Alaska is also making changes to improve the customer experience. Major hubs, including Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, and San Francisco, are receiving modernization with more seating in lounges, expanded menus, and upgrades to gates. The airline has also upgraded the options for hot meals for Premium and Main Cabin tickets on flights 1,100 miles or more.

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Made a Tight Connection on United Recently? You Have AI to Thank.

Flying has its share of stressors, but even the calmest of travelers can get worried when they see a tight connection getting smaller and smaller due to flight delays. When that happens, travelers have only a few choices, like asking the people seated around them if they can get up first, running through the airport, or asking gate agents to call ahead to let the next plane know they’re coming. And who knows if your checked luggage will make it, either?

But if you’re flying United Airlines, there’s a new course of action you can take if it looks like you may miss your connecting flight: absolutely nothing.

That’s because United Airlines introduced new AI (artificial intelligence) technology a few years ago, and has been refining it ever since. Fittingly, United calls the technology “Connection Saver.” It works by analyzing thousands of pieces of data in real time to answer questions like which planes to hold, where to send cabin crew, and whether planes need to switch gates. The goal is to minimize the impact of delays to passengers, crew, and airlines, for current and future travel.

It was introduced in 2019, but it’s continually being refined. It was updated to automatically rebook passengers who have missed connections (usually via the United app) and, recently, was updated to send alerts to customers worried about making their connections.

“We had a lot of debate, like, ‘Should you tell people that you’re holding the plane? Like, would that make it worse or better,'” said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer, at a recent AI summit in NYC hosted by Skift data. “And so we let people know that we’re trying to get you to the plane so they don’t stop at Starbucks.”

Missed connections can stress even the calmest of passengers. Photo: DimaBerlin/Shutterstock

Connection Saver is likely to eliminate some headaches for travelers, but the airline may be replacing it with others. It recently announced new “personalized, real-time advertising, content, experiences and offers from leading brands,” on its mobile app and in-flight entertainment screens. Essentially, it means travelers will need to watch more ads. United says the “personalized” part of the ads are based on generalized traveler trends, rather than individual data about each traveler.

“Advertisers cannot access the personally identifiable information of United customers,” says the release. “Instead, Kinective Media leverages the insights of U.S. customers aged 18 and over to create aggregated and anonymized audience segments that it offers to Kinective Media advertisers.” Travelers who live in most states can opt-out immediately, though a few states only allow travelers to request to opt out. Either way, you can start the process online via the United website.

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This Airline Is Offering Free Wine, Beer, and Snacks on Flights to Canada and the US

While some airlines are working hard to make the experience of flying in economy as wretched as possible, others are trying to elevate it.

On Tuesday, Canadian airline WestJet announced its new fare: UltraBasic. The UltraBasic fare is as simple and offensive as a slap in the face: no carry-on, no earning points, sit in the back of the plane, and no changes, cancellations, or refunds possible for your flight.

On Wednesday, the other big airline in Canada, the country’s flag carrier, Air Canada, announced something entirely different. All Air Canada passengers, including those in economy, will now get free wine, beer, and what the airline calls “premium snacks” on domestics flights and on flights to the US. Not only that but all passengers will also get the option to purchase a variety of spirits for just $3.65 (5 CAD).

It’s not often that economy passengers get some good news, so this one is worth celebrating — with a drink, of course.

The premium snacks on offer consist of two Canadian products: TWIGZ, which are buttery herb and garlic pretzels made in Alberta, and Leclerc Célébration Cookie, which are made with milk chocolate in Quebec.

To wash down these treats, passengers can opt for beer from a selection of four brands and varieties — Hop Valley, Creemore Springs Premium Lager, Molson Canadian, or Coors Light — or two French wines from Paul Mas: a red and a white.

Photo: CNW Group/Air Canada

If neither beer nor wine work for you, you can choose to purchase spirits for as little as $3.65, including Baileys Original Irish Cream, Canadian Club rye, Bacardi Superior rum, Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Tromba Tequila Blanco, or Campari.

With such a large variety of alcohol on board, Air Canada now has the largest bar offering of any airline in North America. And that should weigh in the balance when booking a flight, surely.

Now imagine sipping on a glass of Baileys with a Célébration chocolate cookie on the side; doesn’t that sound like the perfect combo? A glass of French red wine with some Canadian-made buttery pretzels isn’t a bad idea either. That said, no matter what you choose, it’ll be free or cheap, and tasty.

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After 6 Years, You Can Again Fly to the ‘Adventure Capital’ of Peru

Thanks to an investment of more than $15 million into a rural Peruvian airport, the country’s “Adventure Capital” is once again available to tourists.

The town of Huaraz sits in the country’s Áncash Region, in western Peru. It’s just west of the country’s Cordillera Blanca Mountains, part of the Peruvian Andes, topping out at more than 22,000 feet above sea level. The city itself is more than 10,000 feet above sea level, and its airport, Comandante FAP German Arias Graziani Airport, has just one runway. Unfortunately, for the last six years, the airport has been unable to accept commercial flights due to aging facilities and much-needed updates. That meant the only way to get there was to charter a private jet, or take a connecting flight to Chimbote, Peru, then drive five hours east.

But with the new infrastructure improvements, the airport is ready to start welcoming travelers again. And LATAM Airlines, the largest air carrier in South America, announced that it will begin commercial flights to Huaraz on July 1, 2024. It’ll be the only airline making the trip, running four times a week. The flight will be about an hour from take-off to touch-down, with tickets priced around $50 each way.

That makes it now far easier for visitors to add a few days in Huaraz to a longer trip to the country, opening the high-elevation outdoor adventures of the region to international travelers. LATAM is not part of Sky Alliance, but it does partner with Delta Airlines to run codeshare flights and offer Delta loyalty flyers the ability to earn and redeem miles on LATAM flights.

About Huaraz, Peru

Photo: Steven Kruzeniski/Shutterstock

Tucked into Peru’s Callejón de Huaylas valley, Huaraz, Peru, is cradled by the twin titans of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges. It’s an adventure hot-spot within the country, with most slopes traversed by hiking trails, lots of lagoons with impossibly blue water, and lots of climbing and bouldering routes.

It’s where you’ll find Huarascán National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. That includes spectacled bears, pumas, vicuñas, and Andean condors, the largest flying bird in the world by wingspan. In the park alone, there are more than 100 hiking and backpacking trails. The most famous (and photographed) is probably Laguna 69, or Lake 69.

Around Huaraz, lots of companies run guided backpacking, climbing, and backcountry ski trips through the region’s various peaks, and mountaineering is also an option for experienced alpinists. Huaraz is also home to some of the country’s longest and most impressive mountain biking trails, as well as road cycling. But because of the sheer number of lakes, trails, viewpints, and activity operators, it’s easy to find appealing activities across all ability levels, from short hikes to the Pastoruri Glacier to guided birdwatching, wildlife photography tours, and multi-day treks between the region’s most impressive peaks.

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A Top Airline Alliance Will Make It Easier to Fly Across Multiple Carriers

Global airline alliance OneWorld, which includes American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and 11 other airlines, announced a forthcoming policy change to make it easier for travelers to book multi-leg flights. The change, announced by OneWorld CEO Nat Pieper and first reported in Bloomberg, will streamline the process of flying with multiple OneWorld carriers on a single itinerary, with the aim of making it closer to booking a multi-stop itinerary with a single airline.

This includes a new technology platform that will allow travelers to check in and add checked bags only once for the entire journey. The goal is to make it simpler for the traveler and for the airlines when international itineraries are booked to hard-to-reach places.

“We want a multi-carrier travel experience to be the same as a connecting experience for if you’re flying on the same airline,” Piper said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

The airline hopes this improvement will reduce the stresses of long-haul international travel while simultaneously cutting costs for the airlines. No word yet on if other major alliances such as Star Alliance plan to follow suit, but if the recent spate of baggage fee increases is any indication, this move by OneWorld could cause a ripple effect throughout the industry.

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