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The 10 Best Hyatt Luxury Hotels To Book With Points for Maximum Value

Michael McHugh

Former Content Contributor

63 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 15 U.S. States Visited: 32

Keri Stooksbury

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World of Hyatt Co-Branded Credit Cards

Hyatt award chart, 1. alila ventana big sur (big sur, california), 2. park hyatt new york (new york city, new york), 3. hyatt centric chicago magnificent mile (chicago, illinois), 4. hotel lincoln (chicago, illinois), 5. carmel valley ranch (carmel, california), 6. great scotland yard hotel (london, united kingdom), 7. park hyatt sydney (sydney, australia), 8. alila jabal akhdar (al khutaym, oman), 9. park hyatt paris-vendôme (paris, france), 10. park hyatt milan (milan, italy), other ways to earn hyatt points, final thoughts.

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With Hyatt luxury hotels, one thing is apparent: the value you get by booking expensive hotels with a relatively small number of points. That’s simply not the case with other luxury hotel brands.

Trust us, we know. This article is part of our series on the best ways to book luxury hotels. This time it’s Hyatt’s turn, but we’ve also evaluated the Hilton Honors , IHG Rewards , and Marriott Bonvoy programs.

We determined peak travel months for the city or area the hotel is in by looking up the busiest booking times on Google Travel. We noted the highest rate and lowest rates for a standard room for the hotel during that period.

The goal here is to evaluate the value a traveler would receive booking luxury Hyatt hotels. We value Hyatt points at 1.5 cents per point and used a floor of 2.4 cents per point in value for hotels to make this list.

Cash rates fluctuate throughout the year, so the value you receive will likely be different than what’s shown here. This guide is merely meant to provide ideas of hotels that could present value for your hard-earned Hyatt points.

With that out of the way, let’s start with one of the best ways to unlock value in the Hyatt program: by holding one of its co-branded credit cards. We’ll then dive into the luxury Hyatt hotels that made our list. From there, you’ll learn about how to earn Hyatt points via point transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Most major hotel chains offer credit cards that entice you to spend on their cards.

For travelers loyal to Hyatt, the great news is that Hyatt offers a fantastic duo of co-branded credit cards in The World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card . These cards allow you to spend your way to elite status and earn points on everyday purchases, whether they’re personal or business.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays: 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (Category 1 to 4)
• A second Free Night Award when you spend $15,000 on the card
• Hyatt Discoverist status
• 5 automatic elite night credits each year
• 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
• DoorDash DashPass subscription
• No foreign transaction fees
• Purchase protection
• Trip cancellation/interruption and luggage insurance
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
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World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Hyatt loyalists who do their fair share of business travel have been clamoring for the addition of a co-branded Hyatt business credit card for quite some time — and now it’s finally here.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is now available. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about it!

• 9x points per $1 spent total for Hyatt stays and experiences: Earn 4x points at Hyatt hotels, participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World, participating Exhale locations, and eligible Lindblad Expeditions. Plus, 5x points spent just for being a World of Hyatt member.
• 2x points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter. Eligible categories include: Dining, Shipping, Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, Local transit & Commuting, Social Media & Search Engine Advertising, Car Rental Agencies, Gas stations and Internet, Cable & Phone Services.
• 2x points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships.
• Automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• Gift World of Hyatt Discoverist status to up to 5 employees
• Up to $100 annual Hyatt credit — broken up into 2 $50 statement credits
• Access to the Hyatt Leverage program
• Earn 5 Elite Night Credits for every $10,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year
• 10% back on redeemed points after spending $50,000 in a calendar year (with a cap of 20,000 points back per year); this rebate is only valid on stays after spending $50,000 on the card, and any stays prior to meeting that threshold will not be retroactively credited
• Primary rental car insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• $199 annual fee
• Bonus categories and benefits are very similar to the personal card
• 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter.
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
• 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits - spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
• 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
• World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees
• Business Credit Cards
• How To Earn World of Hyatt Elite Status (and Is It Worth It?)

Those who have both cards earn 5x points as a World of Hyatt member and 4x points as a cardholder, resulting in up to 9x points at Hyatt .

Hyatt ranks its hotels (the ones that aren’t all-inclusive) from Category 1 to 8, with 1 being the least expensive properties and 8 the most (and most luxe). The personal card gives you a free night certificate for Categories 1 to 4 every anniversary year. Heavy spenders can earn additional benefits — with every $5,000 spent on the World of Hyatt card, you earn 2 elite night credits. When you spend $15,000 in a cardmember year, you receive a second free night certificate valid for properties in Categories 1 through 4.

Bottom Line: These Chase cards are subject to the Chase 5/24 rule . Factor that into your credit card strategy.

Note that there are also different rates for club rooms, standard suites, and premium suites. Check out our guide to the World of Hyatt loyalty program for more details.

The 10 Best Luxury Hyatt Hotels on Points

The California coast has some of the best ocean views in the world. When you have a minimally developed coastline that’s flanked by beautiful forests, you know you’ve landed in Big Sur.

Alila Ventana Big Sur  is south of San Francisco and  bookable through Hyatt . It’s an adults-only resort on Highway 1 in Big Sur that offers a perfect getaway for a quiet vacation.

Summer is peak travel time  for this area, with cash rates  exceeding $2,500 per night . Though this hotel requires  35,000 to 45,000 points per night , you still receive more than 5.5 cents per point in value.

Hot Tip:  The Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only property. For those with kids, we recommend using  bookable through Hyatt  to find kid-friendly options in the area. 

Category:  8

Points Required:  35,000 to 45,000 points per night

Peak Season and Rates: July-August, $1,932 to $2,346 per night

Points Value: Up to 5.6 cents per point

There are myriad hotel options from all major brands in New York City. Whether you’re looking for a luxury, boutique, or more affordable property, the  World of Hyatt program  has you covered for your stay in the city.

In Midtown, there’s the well-known  Park Hyatt New York . It’s a couple of blocks from  Central Park  and within walking distance of Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, the Great White Way, and many of the city’s usual tourist sights. Madison Square Garden is also fairly close if you want to catch a concert or a Knicks or Rangers game.

As you’d imagine, cash rates for a luxury hotel in New York aren’t cheap, especially during  peak travel time . The average cash rate can easily climb to  $1,000 or more per night,  with  35,000 to 45,000 points per night  required for an award night. That said,  3.5 cents per point  is a ton of value.

Peak Season and Rates:  August-September, $638 to $1,580 per night

Points Value:  Up to 3.51 cents per point

Hot Tip:  Park Hyatt New York is one of the  best hotels in the Park Hyatt brand to book with points .

Chicago is one of the best U.S. cities to visit during the summer. Not only can you find incredible food and drinks, but there’s  plenty to see and do . Places such as  Millennium Park  are always fun to walk around, and if you’re into sports, it’s hard to beat experiencing a professional game in the city.

As its name would suggest, the  Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile  is right on the Magnificent Mile and within walking distance of many top-notch restaurants.

Cash rates during peak travel time for this hotel can  exceed $1,000 per night , and with  only 12,000 to 18,000 points per night  required, you’re almost guaranteed a solid value.

Hot Tip:  What’s also great about Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile is that you can  use your Category 1 to 4 free night certificate  that comes with the World of Hyatt card.

Category:  4

Points Required:  12,000 to 18,000 points per night

Peak Season and Rates:  June-August, $309 to $1,040 per night

Points Value:  Up to 5.77 cents per point

There’s another Chicago property that you can book with points for a great value. While not as convenient to downtown Chicago as other hotels,  Hotel Lincoln  is just off Lincoln Park in the Old Town neighborhood.

Peak travel time for Chicago is over the summer when you’ll see prices here of more than  $200 per night . When you consider only needing  at most 15,000 points per night , you’re looking at almost up to  2.5 cents per point  in value during your stay in the Windy City.

Category:  3

Points Required:  9,000 to 15,000 points per night

Peak Season and Rates:  June-August, $258 to $374 per night

Points Value:  Up to 2.49 cents per point

Now we’re heading back to the West Coast, this time to the Carmel Valley in California. If you’ve wanted to see this area of the U.S., why not book  Carmel Valley Ranch  and Alila Ventana Big Sur on the same trip?

Carmel Valley Ranch is just east of Monterrey and about 45 minutes north of Big Sur. It’s located in central California’s wine country, and you can play championship golf, relax at the spa, and enjoy the on-site creamery.

Like Alila Ventana Big Sur, the cash rates during peak travel at Carmel Valley Ranch aren’t cheap. At  more than $1,000 per night on some dates , this property would set you back some serious cash. However, that’s where points come in;  35,000 to 45,000 points per night  are what you need to book this property, netting you more than  2.4 cents per point  in value.

Peak Season and Rates: August-September, $555 to 1,100 per night

Points Value: Up to 2.44 cents per point

London has a multitude of sights  and highly-rated restaurants to enjoy. It’s also home to some of the top cocktail bars in the world.

Located in the Westminster neighborhood, Great Scotland Yard , part of the Unbound Collection, is in a prime location for London. The hotel is within walking distance of the River Thames, St. James Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park. It’s also convenient if you want to catch an Arsenal or Chelsea match.

You’re looking at more than $500 per night during peak summer travel dates. Yes, that’s a lot of cash to pay, but the good news is that you can use 21,000 to 29,000 points per night to receive more than 2.5 cents per point in value.

Category:  6

Points Required:  21,000 to 29,000 points per night

Peak Season and Rates: August-September and December, £400 ($500) to £500 ($630)

Points Value: Up to 2.54 cents per point

Hot Tip:  Looking for an entire trip on points and miles? Couple a London hotel booked with points and a flight to London booked with points  and you have yourself a great vacation for minimal cash. 

One of the most popular Hyatt hotels to redeem points at is the  Park Hyatt Sydney . This hotel continually receives rave reviews, and when you look at pictures of the property, it makes sense.

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Park Hyatt Sydney gives guests the opportunity to book rooms with sweeping views of the harbor, including a view of the Sydney Opera House.

Guests need  35,000 to 45,000 points per night  to book the Park Hyatt Sydney. Cash rates can be well over  $1,000 per night before taxes and fees,  netting you over 3 cents per point in value.

Peak Season and Rates: December-January, AU$1,003 ($675) to AU$1,720 ($1,555)

Points Value: Up to 3.45 cents per point

Bottom Line:  If you want ultimate luxury in an incredible city, look no further than the Park Hyatt Sydney. 

Oman is a Middle Eastern country made popular in recent years in no small part by AvGeeks who have flown  Oman Air business class . The capital city of Muscat, deserts, and oases are common places to see for travelers who visit this country.

The  Alila Jabal Akhdar  is a recent addition to the Hyatt portfolio. This beautiful hotel is an Alila property in the Al Hajar Mountains with sweeping views of the surrounding mountain range.

The average peak cash rate starts at $620 per night,  and that jumps to over $1,000 on some nights. The good news is that  21,000 to 29,000 points per night  will get you a room at this hotel. When you take the cash rate and points per night required, you come out with over 4 cents per point in value.

Peak Season and Rates: November-January, 238 rials ($620) to 449 rials ($1,165) per night

Points Value: Up to 4.01 cents per point

Another international city that receives a ton of love is  Paris . Yes, Paris can be touristy, but it is also one of the top food, art, and sightseeing destinations in the world.

The  Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme  is one of the most popular Hyatt point redemption hotels in the world. This Park Hyatt is in the heart of Paris in the 2nd arrondissement and gives guests easy access to everything the city has to offer.

You need to shell out some serious cash to book this hotel, as it averages more than  $1,900 per night  during peak dates, including taxes and fees. Spending  35,000 to 45,000 points per night lands  you a room at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, netting you around 4.5 cents per point in value.

Peak Season and Rates: September-October, €1,750 ($1,910) to €1,970 ($2,150) per night

Points Value: Up to 4.48 cents per point

Bottom Line:  Luxury plus location is what to expect when you stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. 

One of the classiest ways to stay in the fashion capital of Europe is at the Park Hyatt Milan. This high-end property oozes pure elegance, with a fantastic location near the renowned attractions of the city.

Park Hyatt Milan is a 2-minute walk from the Metro station and a 5-minute walk from Duomo di Milano.

Considering the hotel’s average of around $1,200 per night during the peak season, using points is a surefire way to get superb value.

Peak Season and Rates: September-October and December, €940 ($1,025) to €1,596 ($1,740) per night

Points Value: Up to 3.87 cents per point

The  World of Hyatt card  offers one of the easiest  ways to earn Hyatt points . When you add in the fact that World of Hyatt members earn 5x points per dollar spent, that results in up to  9x points during your stays at Hyatt .

Hyatt is also one of the most valuable travel partners of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program , though it won’t deliver the enormous returns that are possible when transferring to airlines to book expensive business class flights.

However, Hyatt doesn’t require the gargantuan number of points that are required to book the same luxury properties offered by Hilton and Marriott. So while the cash rates are equivalent for luxury properties across Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, the number of Hyatt points required is significantly less, resulting in more value.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  are 2 of the best Chase credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Each offers high earning rates in select categories and comes with travel benefits that make it worth holding on to the cards.

Business owners may find value in the Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card , which is also a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card. Like the personal credit cards above, this card has high earning rates in select bonus categories that help you quickly earn Chase points that can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt.

Now that luxury properties from Hyatt’s more recent acquisitions are bookable online, the World of Hyatt program becomes even more valuable. When you add JdV by Hyatt, Alila, Destination by Hyatt, and Thompson to the Park Hyatt and Unbound Collection, World of Hyatt members have more options than ever before.

With all of these new properties and the overall value of Hyatt, we rank Hyatt No. 1 in our list of hotel programs. Marriott is a close second, followed by Hilton in third and IHG in fourth.

The big knock on Hyatt is its lack of a global footprint . While that’s still true when compared to Hilton and Marriott, the gap is closing. Hyatt is not only expanding its portfolio but is also adding unique luxury and boutique hotels around the world that make for interesting redemptions.

The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hyatt a luxury hotel.

Hyatt in and of itself is not a luxury hotel company. The hotel company has hotels across the spectrum from affordable hotels such as Hyatt Place to high-end hotels such as Park Hyatt.

What is the best Hyatt brand?

Hyatt has 18 hotel brands catering to different types of travelers. Alila, Andaz, Destination by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, Miraval, Park Hyatt, Thompson Hotels, and the Unbound Collection are brands in the luxury category.

Does Marriott own Hyatt?

Marriott does not own Hyatt. Marriott and Hyatt are 2 separate companies. Hyatt is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, while Marriott is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

What brand owns Hyatt?

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is the parent company that owns the hotels in the Hyatt portfolio. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Does Hyatt own Thompson Hotels?

It does. Hyatt acquired Thompson Hotels and continues to expand the Thompson hotel footprint, which is great news for travelers.

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About Michael McHugh

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.

Michael first caught wind of the points and miles game in 2014 while at a bar in Washington, DC where the conversation amongst friends was quickly derailed because of an alert on a friend’s phone about a mistake fare.  That’s where the love affair with points and miles began.

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10 amazing U.S. hotels you can book with points in 2024

Nov 15, 2023 • 10 min read

The picture-perfect pool deck of the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami, a great redemption option with IHG points © Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Miami

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

Advertiser Disclosure:  This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, t he World of Hyatt Credit Card, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and  Wyndham Rewards Cards has been collected independently by Lonely Planet. These cards are not available through Lonely Planet.

If you're looking for a luxurious getaway, you don’t have to travel abroad – there are plenty of amazing hotels in the United States that you can book with points. The US is home to some of the world's most luxurious hotels; from chic and modern urban escapes to luxurious resorts, there are many exceptional hotels that offer guests a unique experience. Most of these hotels come with a hefty price tag, making them unattainable for average travelers.

The good news is that travelers can save money by booking with points earned through loyalty programs and hotel card rewards . By doing so, travelers can enjoy all the luxuries of a five-star hotel without breaking the bank.

Whether you're looking for a romantic escape or want to treat yourself to some pampering, these hotels will make your vacation unforgettable. From beachfront resorts to cozy mountain cabins, here are 10 amazing US hotels you can book with points . 

Best travel credit cards for hotels

Alila Ventana Big Sur, Hyatt; California

Alila Ventana Big Sur is one of the few all-inclusive resorts in the US that is bookable with points. Perched alongside Big Sur’s picturesque cliffs, this property offers unparalleled views of the California coast and unique dining experiences. Room rates regularly top $2,500 per night, but an award stay will cost you just 35,000-45,000 Hyatt points per night. 

You can earn Hyatt points by transferring them 1:1 from the Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards program. Alternatively, you can apply for one of two co-branded credit cards:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

The best travel credit cards

Park Hyatt New York, New York City

The Park Hyatt New York is a distinguished hotel offering luxurious accommodations in the heart of Manhattan . This pet-friendly hotel is just a block from Central Park and steps from the popular 5th Avenue shopping district. Guests can enjoy the on-site spa and incredible indoor saltwater pool or revel in the comfort of the generously appointed standard rooms. At over 500 sqft, these rooms are spacious by Manhattan standards and feature bathrooms fitted with luxury Le Labo bath amenities, marble bath and rainfall showers. 

With stunning city views, top-notch amenities and an outstanding location, this is a great option for a luxury stay in Manhattan. While room rates at The Park Hyatt New York can exceed $1,000 per night, you can redeem points at a fairly reasonable rate of 35,000-45,000 points per night.

10 amazing hotels around the world you can book with points

Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C., Hilton

The Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. has an iconic castle-like facade with luxurious interiors. Inhabiting the Old Post Office in the heart of the nation’s capital , guests can easily access the city’s attractions while staying in one of its luxurious rooms or suites. 

The Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. is part of the Hilton hotel portfolio. You can redeem as few as 110,000 points per night for a free night at this iconic hotel. If you have Hilton Silver elite status (which you can get from one of the co-branded credit cards), you’ll get the fifth night free on consecutive award night bookings. While the rate is still pretty steep, it’s not a bad redemption since room rates can go over $1,000 per night.

Here’s a look at credit cards that will get you elite status and bonus points with Hilton Honors:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*: Earn 180,000 points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card *: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card*: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5/24.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card *: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection, Hilton; San Diego, California

Since opening in 1888, the four-diamond Hotel del Coronado in San Diego has hosted famous guests, including Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, Hollywood legends Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Dorris Day and others. Famous movies were filmed at the resort, which eventually became a National Historic Landmark and continues to be regarded as one of the best resorts in the US.

With breathtaking views, a prime beachfront location and spa services, this hotel is a great vacation spot for locals and out-of-towners alike. You can stay at the Hotel del Coronado using Hilton points. Standard rates start at 95,000 points per night for a room in the original Victorian building. 

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InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, IHG

The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta offers guests luxury accommodations with easy access to some of Atlanta's most popular attractions. From nearby shopping and dining options to world-class amenities inside the hotel, this is a great option for those looking for something special when redeeming their points.

Point rates vary depending on the travel season, but you can typically book a standard room from 41,000 points per night. If you have an IHG credit card, you’ll get the fourth night free when booking four consecutive nights at this hotel.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card :  Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card : Limited Time offer! Earn up to 175,000 Bonus Points. Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 Bonus Points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first 6 months from account opening.

The best credit cards with no international fees

Kimpton EPIC, IHG; Miami

The Kimpton EPIC provides guests with stunning views of downtown Miami and from its rooftop bar and pool, along with unbeatable service from its friendly staff members. With stylish decor and modern amenities throughout the property, this is one of the best places to use your points on a trip to Miami.

You can book a standard room with a city view for around 34,000 IHG points per night, though the rate increases to 40,000 points or more in the summer months. Once again, you can essentially score a 25% discount by booking four consecutive nights if you have an IHG credit card. 

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The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, Marriott; Honolulu, Hawaii

Known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki opened in 1927 and has since become part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection Resort portfolio. Guests at this resort enjoy spectacular beachfront access and multiple award-winning restaurants.

The hotel has hosted many celebrities throughout its illustrious history, including Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra. You can book a Garden room in the resort’s Historic Wing from just 54,000 Marriott points per night.

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card *: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card *: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 85,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.  

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The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, Marriott

Situated alongside a 400-acre nature reserve, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico boasts beautiful nature trails and access to a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach. Guests can book a Deluxe garden-view room from 74,000 Marriott points per night, which includes a spacious room with a lanai and St. Regis’ famous butler service. 

While point rates are steep, you can reduce the cost by staying during off-peak dates and utilizing Marriott’s fifth-night-free benefit on award stays.

Best credit cards for adventure travel

Cheyenne Mountain Resort, A Dolce by Wyndham

The Cheyenne Mountain Resort is ideal for adventure travelers who still want a refined experience in a stunning Rocky Mountain setting . The resort offers extensive amenities to satisfy even the most discerning travelers, including a championship golf course, tennis courts, aquatic center, spa and a 35-acre private lake. Award nights cost just 30,000 Wyndham points per night, which you can cover with the welcome bonus from the Wyndham credit cards.

• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. 
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days and 25,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 within the first 12 months.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.   

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Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area

The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs is an official Disney World Hotel that provides a shuttle service to the Disney World parks. In between park-hopping (hotel guests have 30-minute early entry into all Disney World parks) , guests can enjoy the resort’s Oasis Aquatic Pool Area, featuring two large pools, a jacuzzi, a kid’s playground and a pool. With multiple family-friendly restaurants, activities and on-site laundry, it’s an excellent choice for a Disney vacation. 

For 30,000 points per night, guests can book a spacious lake-view room with two queen beds, premium linens and pillow-top mattresses. If you’ve already used up your Wyndham credit card welcome bonus, you can transfer points from Citi ThankYou and Capital One to Wyndham at a 1:1 ratio.

Traveling to Hawaii with points and miles

*Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit  americanexpress.com  to learn more.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article was first published September 2023 and updated November 2023

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25 Top Things to Do in Vermont

Outdoor adventures are just one of the high points of the Green Mountain State.

Getty Images

Enchanting views of fall foliage, delicious creemees, tastings at sugarhouses and more await travelers to Vermont.

In 2019 – in an attempt to reverse the state's then-declining population – Vermont was paying people to move there, awarding up to $10,000 as part of a grant program aimed at would-be remote employees of out-of-state companies. Over the last two years, the state has experienced an influx of newcomers relocating there for reasons beyond just a cash incentive (though those grants were still available until recently). In fact, a report this year by a moving company ranked Vermont as the U.S. state with the highest inbound move rate in 2021.

Instead of money, the incentive to move to Vermont is Vermont itself – the same reason people have chosen to vacation here for decades. It's a peaceful, naturally beautiful place to escape, affording outdoor attractions that range from world-renowned ski resorts to the scenic Lake Champlain, which extends into New York and Quebec.

Vermont also touts its share of charismatic small towns, unique lodging choices such as farm stays and all-inclusive resorts , and distinctive food and drink. This destination is worth a visit for its nationally recognized craft beer, the rich offerings of the Vermont Cheese Trail, the maple syrup – since Vermont produces more than 50% of the country's supply – and the "creemees," which are a slightly richer (and arguably tastier) take on soft serve ice cream.

There's no such thing as a bad time to visit Vermont – even the spring mud season has its offbeat perks – but fall is exceptionally beautiful, with perhaps the most stunning foliage in all of New England . Ever seen an iconic photo of a white church amid trees in hues of red and orange? That's Vermont (more specifically, Stowe).

Curious to see the Green Mountain State for yourself? If you're looking for the best things to do in Vermont, these are the experiences that should be on your list.

(Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Lake Champlain

In 1998, Lake Champlain was briefly named one of the Great Lakes after then-President Bill Clinton signed into law a bill in which Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont quietly deemed it as such. Eighteen days – and a heavy dispute – later, the title was rescinded after a determination that, geographically, Lake Champlain doesn't quite measure up to lakes like Superior and Michigan. But residents and tourists today can still recognize it for the great – not to be confused with Great – lake that it is.

With or without the esteemed title, Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake that spans 435 square miles of surface water and wows visitors with views of the Green Mountains on one side and the Adirondacks on the other. Dozens of public beaches and boat launches line its shores, so you'll find no shortage of opportunities for recreation on the water, including boating, fishing, swimming and keeping an eye out for the mythological lake monster named Champ. The lake's popular island towns such as South Hero offer state parks, farms, orchards, vineyards, and even a few inns and campsites.

Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Factory Tour and Ice Cream Shop

Courtesy of Ben & Jerry's

Have you even been to Vermont if you don't take the factory tour at Ben & Jerry's ? At its flagship location in Waterbury (near Stowe), Ben & Jerry's offers 30-minute guided tours that include a short movie on the company's history, an overview of the production process, a look at the manufacturing area and an ice cream tasting. Of course, there's also an on-site ice cream shop and gift shop, and especially charming are the photo ops and Flavor Graveyard, where you can pay your respects to the "dearly de-pinted." Previous visitors confirm it's as touristy as it seems, but fun nonetheless.

Address: 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, state Route 100, Waterbury, VT 05676

One of the top things to do in Vermont is spend a day or two in Burlington , where Church Street Marketplace , the centerpiece of town, offers shopping, restaurants (many with outdoor dining) and lodging such as the boutique Hotel Vermont . Of course, this popular waterfront city also boasts a variety of local breweries. Other highlights in Burlington include ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain , a science and nature museum; the Ethan Allen Homestead , a historical farmhouse site; and, for those who enjoy quirky attractions, the World's Tallest File Cabinet. Whatever you do, don't bypass the Burlington Bike Path, a pleasant paved trail that runs along Lake Champlain and connects beaches, parks and neighborhoods.

[See more of Burlington: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Island Line Trail

Courtesy of Hello Burlington and Local Motion

The Island Line Trail, an extension of the Burlington Bike Path, crosses the middle of Lake Champlain via a 3-mile marble causeway, allowing you to practically touch the water with your feet in some areas; there's nothing quite like it. This rail trail begins in Burlington and follows the route of a railbed – the Island Line – built in 1899 by the Rutland-Canadian Railroad to connect New England to the Great Lakes, until moving freight by other means became cheaper around the 1950s. The railbed remained abandoned until it became a path for pedestrians and cyclists in the 1980s, and this rail trail has been one of the most unique things to do in Vermont ever since. To reach the end of the 14-mile stretch, you have to take a ferry, which bridges a 200-foot gap in the causeway, before continuing the short journey to South Hero Island.

To acquire a bike, check out Local Motion, a rental shop and advocacy organization in Burlington. This outpost offers conventional and hybrid bikes as well as e-bikes and kids bikes; trailers or tag-alongs are available for certain rentals. Local Motion also operates the bike ferry and provides an interactive map of the trail. Both bike rentals and ferry rides are available seasonally from May to October.

Experience the sugarhouses

As one of the largest producers of maple syrup, Vermont has thousands of sugarhouses, many of which host Maple Open House Weekends in March with tours and tastings. The events align with sugaring season (and mud season), when oscillating temperatures allow sap to loosen and flow through maple trees for sugar makers to collect. If you don't want to visit Vermont during mud season but still want to learn about syrup production and history, check out Baird Farm in Chittenden, which offers free tours and tastings year-round (reservations required). Previous guests rave about the staff's hospitality here.

[Read: The Top Romantic Getaways in Vermont .]

Try out a delicious creemee

Courtesy of Canteen Creemee Company

Creemees are essentially soft-serve ice cream, but there's no real consensus on where the name came from. Perhaps the moniker derives from the fact that Vermont used to make its soft serve higher in butterfat content and, hence, creamier. Either way, the creemee's most iconic flavor is maple, but you can't go wrong with any flavor at places such as Canteen Creemee Company in Waitsfield, The Village Scoop in Colchester and Al's French Frys in Burlington, all of which come recommended by locals and visitors alike. If you're looking for plant-based options, head to Offbeat Creemee in Winooski.

Breweries and beer trails

If you like craft beer, chances are Vermont is already on your list of places to visit . Featuring some of the top-rated breweries in the U.S., Vermont is home to The Alchemist in Stowe, whose Heady Topper IPA has a cult following, as well as Freak Folk Bier in Waterbury and Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro. If you really want to immerse yourself in the craft beer scene, follow one of the Vermont Brewers Association's beer trails (available online or on an app where you can take the Vermont Brewery Passport Challenge). Cyclists may want to check out the bike-friendly Burlington Trail, where you can imbibe highly rated beers at Foam Brewers. Pet owners can take advantage of the Dog Friendly Beer Trail to drink alongside furry friends, while the Tiny Trail will take beer enthusiasts exclusively to nano breweries.

Vermont Teddy Bear

What started as a Burlington street cart in 1981 has grown into a full-fledged store and experience in Shelburne, Vermont. At Vermont Teddy Bear, visitors can take a tour of the factory where the now-famous plush bears are made, including the Bear Hospital, where injured or sick teddy bears are lovingly repaired by the resident bear doctor. For an additional fee on top of the tour cost, visitors can make their own teddy bear to take home or gift to someone they love. It's the perfect way to commemorate a trip to Vermont for visitors of all ages. You can also check out the on-site Bear Shop to browse the selection of bears and Vermont-made products.

Address: 6655 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482

Simon Pearce Flagship

Courtesy of Simon Pearce

Another item to immortalize a trip to Vermont (albeit more expensive than a teddy bear) is a handcrafted piece of glassware or pottery from the Simon Pearce store in Quechee, the namesake studio of a legendary Irish-American entrepreneur and artist who resides in Vermont. Located in a renovated historic woolen mill that's hydroelectrically powered by the Ottauquechee River – an attraction in itself – the artist's flagship store includes a workshop where you can watch craftspeople blowing glass pieces that are sold on-site, in addition to fine dining at The Mill at Simon Pearce, which overlooks a waterfall and covered bridge.

Address: 1760 Quechee Main St., Quechee, VT 05059

Hit the ski slopes in Stowe and beyond

Courtesy of Stowe Mountain Resort

Vermont is a world-renowned destination for skiing, with more than two dozen public ski areas on offer. Among them is Stowe Mountain Resort , nicknamed the "Ski Capital of the East" and considered one of the best places to ski in the U.S. This resort touts 485 acres of skiable terrain that cover Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, the highest point in Vermont. Just as good as the skiing and snowboarding is the town of Stowe itself, where shops and restaurants line Main Street and hotels such as Topnotch Resort and The Lodge at Spruce Peak offer luxury accommodations and amenities.

Check out other notable ski resorts such as Killington, the largest ski area on the East Coast, and family-friendly Smugglers' Notch, where winter activities include ski lessons for kids as young as 3, snowshoe scavenger hunts and a winter carnival. On any summer voyage to Vermont, don't overlook resorts such as Okemo, where you can ride what's essentially a flying couch – skiers will know it as a bubble chairlift – and hike to a historic fire tower for 360-degree mountain views.

[See more of Stowe: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Trapp Family Lodge

One of the hotels that make Stowe a popular place to stay is the Trapp Family Lodge , owned by the von Trapp family (yes, that von Trapp family). After the Trapp Family Singers toured the U.S. in the early 1940s, they decided to settle on a farm in Stowe, which reminded them of their home country, Austria . In the summer of 1950, the family opened a 27-room lodge. Later destroyed by a fire, the Trapp Family Lodge was rebuilt with a variety of accommodations, activities and on-site dining, now including von Trapp Brewing, where you can drink in the resort's history, mountain views, and a craft beer or two.

Address: 700 Trapp Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Vermont Cheese Trail

All roads lead to cheese on the Vermont Cheese Trail, composed of more than 45 award-winning cheesemakers including Cabot Creamery. Some farms provide tastings and/or tours, while others simply sell their best products. Check out an online map of the Vermont Cheese Trail to see each cheesemaker's location and offerings.

Wondering where to begin your cheesy commute through Vermont? If you like aged cheddar, stop at Grafton Village Cheese or Shelburne Farms. For goat cheese, try the chevre varieties at Blue Ledge Farm. You also can't go wrong with the offerings at Consider Bardwell Cheese. No matter where you go, the products made by Jasper Hill Farm, whose cheeses rank among the best in the world, are more than worth a taste. While its location in the Northeast Kingdom region isn't open to the public, the farm's artisanal cheeses can be found at local grocery stores (and at select stores throughout the U.S.).

Liberty Hill Farm

Courtesy of Liberty Hill Farm

For a look at where the cheese process begins, Liberty Hill Farm offers tours and overnight accommodations. Guests of this dairy farm's cozy bed-and-breakfast enjoy a farm-fresh morning meal, afternoon cocoa and cookies, and a hardy dinner each day of their stay – with ingredients including Cabot Creamery cheeses. The biggest draw of a visit to Liberty Hill Farm, however, is the opportunity to feed and milk the resident cows. Even if you don't decide to stay at the inn, you can still book this activity through Airbnb Experiences . When you aren't doing kid-approved farm chores or meeting the animals, you will find plenty to do in the surrounding area. Previous guests, especially families with young children, say their farm experience was enriching, adding that the home-cooked meals are exceptionally good.

Address: 511 Liberty Hill, Rochester, VT 05767

General stores

For all things Americana and Vermont, take some time to browse a kitschy general store or two. The Vermont Country Store is the most famous, of course, with several locations throughout the state. Here you can buy everything from candy and gifts to clothing and kitchenware. But even more interesting is the F.H. Gillingham and Sons store in Woodstock: One of Vermont's oldest general stores still run by the same family, it's owned by descendants of Frank Henry Gillingham, who opened the general store in 1886, and Franklin Billings. Its original customer guarantee, "Your money's worth or your money back," is still honored today. Previous patrons love the vintage vibe of this store, with some calling F.H. Gillingham and Sons a mandatory stop in Woodstock.

Visit the former house and grave of Robert Frost

If you've ever enjoyed Robert Frost's poetry, head to the southwest corner of the state to learn more about the time he spent there. The first poet laureate of Vermont lived in a house in Shaftsbury in the 1920s that has since become the Robert Frost Stone House Museum; visitors can see the room where in 1922 Frost wrote his renowned poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Explore the poet's life through letters, writing drafts, notes and other documents at this house museum, which is open seasonally from May through October.

Less than 5 miles away, you can make a pit stop at a historic cemetery in Old Bennington, located next to the Old First Church, to visit his grave, which is etched with a line of his poetry: "I had a lover's quarrel with the world." This burial ground is near the also visit-worthy Bennington Battle Monument, a storied structure that happens to be the tallest in Vermont.

Grafton Inn

Hang your hat where Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and other well-known figures once hung theirs. You'll see those names and the names of other famous guests in the cozy lobby of this inn, a member of the Historic Hotels of America. Grafton Inn offers individually (and beautifully) furnished rooms, suites and guesthouses on top of top-notch dining. The 1801 Tavern also houses Pine Room Bar, and the Phelps Barn Pub offers live music on select evenings. On-site activities include hiking, mountain biking, disc golf and pond swimming in the summer months, as well as cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides in the winter. There may not be tons to do in the village of Grafton itself – it's a small town with a cheese shop and a mercantile or two – but that's the allure.

Address: 92 Main St., Grafton, VT 05146

Shelburne Museum

Courtesy of Shelburne Museum

The Shelburne Museum has a little bit of everything, with attractions and activities located both indoors and out: The 39 buildings housing its collections are scattered across 45 acres. One popular exhibition can be found in the Circus Building, where you can ogle the fantastical, miniature Arnold Circus Parade, a hand-carved display that nearly runs the length of the 518-foot building. This unconventional museum also features historic Vermont structures, including a rare two-lane covered bridge from 1845, a Lake Champlain lighthouse from 1871 and the 1906 Ticonderoga, a restored 220-foot steamboat and National Historic Landmark that visitors can freely explore. Reviewers say the admission cost may be a bit steep but assure you'll understand why once you see just how special this museum is. Note that the Shelburne Museum is open seasonally from May to October.

Address: 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482

Basin Harbor

If there's one place that captures the spirit of Vermont, it's Basin Harbor, a resort whose repeat guests span generations – a true testament to the vacation experience at this lakefront lodge. Tucked into the woods of Vergennes, this enchanting resort offers pet-friendly cottages on the water as well as hotel guest rooms, and a variety of on-site dining options that include al fresco cookouts and lobster dinners on the North Dock. Lake Champlain activities range from narrated cruises and shipwreck tours to tubing and paddleboating, while land-based fun includes hiking, biking, tennis, croquet and badminton. Families especially love knockerball, a game similar to soccer where players are encased in inflatable spheres, as well as the Kids Club, with age-specific groups and activities. Bonus: The resort offers a variety of meal plans, including a Full American Plan that includes three meals daily.

Address: 4800 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes, VT 05491

The Tyler Place Family Resort

Did you know there are all-inclusive resorts in Vermont? Perhaps the most well-known option is The Tyler Place Family Resort in Swanton. This classic resort offers a variety of cozy accommodations such as cottages with screened porches and kitchenettes – but not kitchens, since breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in nightly rates. Speaking of meals, The Tyler Place has a unique setup for dinner: Adults are encouraged to enjoy a quiet meal while children – who get to eat earlier – play with the newfound friends and counselors they meet via the resort's award-winning programs for kids. Together, families enjoy a seemingly endless array of activities, from banana boating and water skiing on Lake Champlain to biking around the property and exploring the gardens.

Note that The Tyler Place is open seasonally and, with the exception of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, requires a Saturday-to-Saturday reservation. Families rave about their stay at the resort, noting that it provides the perfect balance of alone time and family time.

Address: 175 Tyler Place, Swanton, VT 05488

Woodstock Inn & Resort

Courtesy of Woodstock Inn & Resort

The Woodstock Inn & Resort was purchased by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller in 1967, but its history traces back to a small tavern built in 1793. Today this inn is one of the best hotels in Vermont . The historic inn offers lovely guest rooms and suites (including pet-friendly options) that combine the Rockefellers' love of nature and historic preservation. Guests can also enjoy its distinct restaurants, including the award-winning Red Rooster, and a top-rated spa. The hotel also offers an activity center where you can arrange off-site excursions such as Orvis-endorsed fly fishing and mountain biking. Nearby, guests can visit the Billings Farm & Museum, enjoy winter sports at the Suicide Six ski area and stroll the quaint village of Woodstock.

Address: 14 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091

Northeast Kingdom

Referred to by locals as the Northeast Kingdom for its natural splendor, this region in the northeast corner of Vermont borders Canada and is more remote than most places in the state (if you can believe it). In addition to its beauty, this area boasts charming dining and lodging options alongside opportunities for agritourism and ecotourism.

Explore the many vacation destinations along the Northeast Kingdom Byway, a 51-mile corridor that makes for a scenic driving tour. In the town of Burke, you'll find Lake Willoughby, Mount Pisgah and Burke Mountain Resort. Animal lovers may want to check out Saint Johnsbury, which has a lively downtown area and the one-of-a-kind Dog Chapel. Newport, a small city with lots of water activities on Lake Memphremagog, is another potential stop in the Northeast Kingdom. Not quite along the byway but still worth a visit is the town of Jay, home to Jay Peak Resort and the Pump House indoor water park (the only one of its kind in Vermont).

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park is the only national park in Vermont as well as the nation's only national park dedicated to conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in the U.S. Both self- and ranger-guided tours of the park allow visitors to explore an on-site mansion featuring esteemed landscape artwork. You can traverse trails that lead to the Pogue, a 14-acre pond, and take in unparalleled views of the village of Woodstock and the surrounding countryside. It's the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. The park also offers Junior Ranger programming for kids.

Address: 54 Elm St., Woodstock, VT 05091

Courtesy of Twin Farms

If you're looking for a romantic getaway in Vermont, book a stay at Twin Farms , one of the best Vermont hotels. At this intimate, all-inclusive hotel tucked into the countryside, guests have a choice of guest rooms, suites, cottages and the Farmhouse (whose four suites can be booked individually or together for groups), all of which are equal parts luxurious and cozy. Select cottages allow up to two dogs, with beds, blankets, treats, bowls and waste cans included in the additional pet fee.

Unique activities include bee tours, ax throwing and archery when the weather is warm; in the colder months, guests can enjoy options like ice fishing and skating. Of course, the Bridge House Spa (complete with a glass-brick steam room) is perfect any time of year, as is the seasonally inspired food and wine program. In fact, Twins Farms places an emphasis on the dining experience, with premium meal options including gourmet picnic lunches and private dinners in the on-site wine cellar. Previous guests can't say enough good things about Twin Farms, noting the service is beyond compare.

Address: 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa

Courtesy of The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa

The Essex is a culinary resort, which means you'll not only get to eat some of the best food you've ever had, but you'll also get to prepare it. At the resort's Cook Academy, hands-on classes – designed for all skill levels – span cake decorating, curated dinners, brunch, sushi rolling, and Vermont beer and cheese pairings. Of course, The Essex also offers phenomenal dining options, notably Junction: an interactive, award-winning restaurant. Other highlights of the resort include a spa, pool and championship tennis courts. Reviewers say they enjoyed their stay at The Essex and also appreciated its close proximity – about 10 miles – to Burlington.

Address: 70 Essex Way, Essex, VT 05452

The Coffee Roost

Courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea

Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee beans at The Coffee Roost , an Airbnb located above a working coffee roaster. The modernly furnished apartment, which is accessible via a private entrance, features a cozy queen bed and a spacious, fully equipped kitchen with bar seating. Guests appreciate the uniqueness of this Airbnb, along with its close proximity to Stowe and Waterbury.

Address: 11 Cabin Lane, Waterbury Center, VT 05677

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in New Hampshire
• The Top Things to Do in Maine
• The Top Things to Do in Rhode Island
• The Top Things to Do in Brooklyn
• The Top Romantic Getaways in New Hampshire
• The Top Romantic Getaways in Maine
• The Top Boston Harbor Cruises
• Romantic Hotels Worth a Stay
• The Top Travel Backpacks

Tags: Travel , New England Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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How to Redeem Ultimate Rewards® Points from Chase

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Steps to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel

Other ways to redeem ultimate rewards® points, final thoughts on redeeming chase rewards.

You’ve banked the big welcome bonus and now you’re ready to get maximum value from your Ultimate Rewards® balance. If this is your first foray into the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program , you may wonder, “How do I even redeem points?”

We’ve got you covered with a step-by-step tutorial on how to redeem Ultimate Rewards® points from Chase.

It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to master redeeming Chase points. Shopping for a wise redemption may be the most time consuming part of the process!

Here's what to do:

Log in to your Chase account.

On the right sidebar, look for the Ultimate Rewards® box and click “Redeem rewards."

If you have multiple Chase cards, you’ll be prompted to choose which card's points you'd like to redeem.

Once you're redirected to your Ultimate Rewards® dashboard, you can choose how you want to redeem your points.

» Learn more: Chase Ultimate Rewards®: How to earn and use them

Gift cards and miscellaneous purchases

In addition to travel redemptions, Chase allows you to use Ultimate Rewards® points for gift cards, purchases at Amazon and Apple, cash-back credits, experiences (e.g., concerts and events) and gift cards.

All of these other options allow you to redeem points for around 1 cent each, except for Amazon, which offers around 0.8 cent per point. That’s not as good of a deal as using points for travel bookings or transferring them to partner airlines and hotels. This is especially true for gift cards, which you can often buy at substantial discounts through retails. In general, we wouldn’t advise redeeming your Ultimate Rewards® for gift cards when they can be so much for valuable for travel.

If you find yourself wanting to redeem your points for cash-back rewards or purchases with Amazon or Apple, you may want to consider switching to a 2% cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card . This card earns 2% on all purchases, 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off. If you like to redeem points this way, you’ll get a better value with this card than you would with a similar Ultimate Rewards® redemption.

Transfers to airline or hotel partners

If you want to maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards®, redeem them via a transfer to a specific airline or hotel partner. This maximized value can be particularly realized when redeeming points for high-end hotel stays or business and first class award flights. Because of this out-sized value, many deem transfers as the best way to redeem Chase points.

Chase has more than a dozen travel partners to choose from. If this is how you want to redeem your points, here’s how to transfer Ultimate Rewards® to airline and hotel partners:

Click on “Transfer to travel partners” in Chase's travel portal dashboard.

You’ll see one last confirmation page before the transaction is complete. Once points have been transferred, this cannot be undone. So only transfer Ultimate Rewards® points when you’re 100% sure of your intent to use them with that partner.

Pro tip: Cross reference prices on Chase before transferring

With frequent flyer programs implementing dynamic pricing and hotel loyalty programs like Marriott introducing peak/off-peak pricing , redeeming points can get expensive. Sometimes, you can get better deals using your Ultimate Rewards® points for direct travel bookings.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , your points will be worth 2.2 cents each. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get 2.2 cents of value out of each point.

» Learn more: Chase 5/24 rule explained

It’s always worth checking the Chase's travel portal before transferring points to a loyalty program.

Here’s how you can use your Ultimate Rewards® points for direct travel bookings:

In the example above, I searched for a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Los Angeles in October. The flight prices out at a reasonable $106.60, or 8,528 points.

The same ticket requires 13,000 miles and $11.20 when booked through United MileagePlus . Clearly, checking redemption rates on direct travel bookings can be worth the effort.

The great thing about booking travel through Chase's portal is that your bookings are eligible to earn points through the respective airline programs. Just be sure to enter your rewards number during the booking process.

» Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve review: A first-class premium travel card

Many travel hackers have at least one credit card from Chase. Redeem points for travel, gift cards or other miscellaneous online shopping, or opt to transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner to maximize value. These redemptions can be made quickly from your Chase account.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

How I Booked a Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton on Points

By Carly Helfand

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Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This summer is shaping up to be the busiest ever for the U.S. National Park Service, and travelers looking to book a trip to some of the most popular sites, like Yellowstone National Park, are seeing that demand reflected in sky-high travel costs.

Luckily, if you’d rather keep your money in your pocket instead of shelling out the thousands of dollars it could require to pull off a park trip, there’s another way to book—and that’s with credit card points.

In putting together a trip to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park for later this summer, I’ve found plenty of ways to use points to cover flights, hotels, and rental cars to take the sting out of what would otherwise be an extremely pricey trip. Even better news? You can replicate them yourself no matter which park you’re looking to visit.

Use airline partners for flights

Since I’m based in Portland, Oregon , I may drive at least one way out to my trip’s home bases of Jackson, Wyoming, and Bozeman, Montana. But I’m also still debating a nonstop from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport on Alaska Airlines.

Alaska’s miles are notoriously difficult to earn thanks to the airline’s dearth of transferable points partnerships, so for many people, the best way to book domestic Alaska awards is through fellow Oneworld carrier British Airways.

You can transfer points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards—earned with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred —or American Express Membership Rewards, earned with cards such as the Gold Card from American Express and the Platinum Card from American Express —to British Airways to book your Alaska Airlines flight.

The best part? Because British Airways uses a distance-based award chart, you’ll often find you can do it for fewer miles than you’d need to book the exact same flight on Alaska’s own website.

Of course, if your journey doesn’t involve a West Coast origin or destination, Alaska likely won’t be a great option. You can also book American Airlines awards through British Airways, and for flights on Delta, you can try searching though Virgin Atlantic, another transfer partner of both Chase and AmEx. Looking for a low-cost United award? Check out Avianca LifeMiles, a program to which you can transfer your Citi, AmEx, or CapitalOne points.

How to splurge on hotels

For some of my first hotel stays since the pandemic began, I haven't been willing to compromise on quality; lodging, therefore, would have been the costliest part of my trip if not for points.

For the first portion of the trip, I’ll be using 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night—earned with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express —to save me close to $1,000 per night at the just-opened Cloudveil , a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection located in downtown Jackson.

In Bozeman, meanwhile, I currently have a cash reservation for two nights at the Kimpton Armory Hotel , part of IHG’s portfolio. But I’m contemplating taking out the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card for a chance to earn a 125,000-point welcome bonus—enough to cover my stay and then some.

The card does bear an annual fee of $89, but it’s waived the first year, meaning I could offset close to $1,000 in room charges without paying a fee until 2022. It also comes with IHG Platinum Elite Status, which could help score me an upgrade if space is available.

Be strategic with your rental car

With many people still gravitating toward road trips rather than returning to air travel, U.S. rental cars have been in short supply lately. While I won’t need one for this trip if I wind up driving from Portland, if I did, I would look to the Chase travel portal to cover my costs.

With my Chase Sapphire Reserve , I can use points to book a rental car at a rate of 1.5 cents per point—meaning a car priced at $100 per day would set me back just over 6,600 points per day. And there’s no points transfer required: The Chase portal automatically uses your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to offset the price of whatever you’re booking.

One thing to note: When booking through the Chase portal, the value you’ll get from your Ultimate Rewards points depends on which credit card you have. When booking with the Chase Sapphire Preferred , for example—the Reserve’s more affordable sister card—you’ll get 1.25 cents per point.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

See rates and fees for the American Express cards listed: The Platinum Card ; The Gold Card ; Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express

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8 Reasons to Visit Moss Point and Pascagoula

The story behind the name of Moss Point and Pascagoula, less than five miles to the south, is steeped in history and intrigue.

Legend has it that two formerly peaceful Native American tribes clashed when the chief of Pascagoula and the princess of Biloxi fell in love. It is said that both of them, along with the rest of the Pascagoula people, joined hands and walked, singing, into the river rather than fall into the hands of the enemy. Since then, Pascagoula became known as the town of the “Singing River.”

From Gators to Guacamole in Moss Point and Pascagoula

These days, visitors are attracted to the area’s beautiful rivers, lakes and bayous. Local highlights include historic homes (Jimmy Buffett, incidentally, was born in Pascagoula), gorgeous parks and wildlife-watching.

Read on for a sampling of things to do in Moss Point and Pascagoula. To plan your trip, see gulfcoast.org .

1. Pascagoula River Audubon Center

Nature and environmental enthusiasts will fall in love with this site, which focuses on the unique Pascagoula River watershed. The Pascagoula River Audubon Center is home to more than 300 bird species with a botanical garden, art gallery and live exhibits showcasing native brown pelicans, bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites. Rent a kayak or pedal boat and explore part of the largest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, trek one of the on-site trails or maybe learn how to design a bird-friendly community to draw wildlife to your backyard.

See more: Visit the Mississippi Mound Trail

2. Round Island Lighthouse

The Round Island Lighthouse has been a critical beacon for mariners for 150 years after its construction in the 1850s. The red brick landmark underwent an extensive restoration and reopened in 2015 on a new site in mainland Pascagoula. Listen to tales of pirates, military battles and wily seafarers. Then brush up on the structure’s more recent history, including its near demise from the one-two punch of hurricanes Georges and Katrina in 1998 and 2005. The lighthouse is a must-see during your weekend visits since it is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

3. Pascagoula Parks

Pascagoula is home to numerous beautiful parks with playgrounds, walking trails and more. At the aptly named Beach Park, fish from the 1,000-foot pier, get wet in the splash pad or work out at one of the outdoor fitness stations. Named after the Round Island Lighthouse, Lighthouse Park harbors one of the oldest oak trees in Mississippi. The popular destination also features a covered entertainment area and a renowned boat launch. Take advantage of the ADA-accessible kayak launch, pavilion and picnic tables at River Park.

See more: Discover 8 Reasons to Visit New Albany, Mississippi

4. Magnolia Birding Pier

For a serene but easy-to-get-to nature experience, head to Magnolia Birding Pier at the intersection of Magnolia Street and DuPont Avenue. The pier is linked to the walkable Historic Pathway, the Historic Pascagoula Bike Route and the 10-mile-long Pascagoula River Blueway. On the pier, look onto a shallow tidal marsh and bayou, which offers excellent views of rails, ducks and wading birds that depend on the water.

5. Historic Downtown Pascagoula

Explore antique and gift shops in downtown Pascagoula while absorbing three centuries of rich history via the beautiful antebellum architecture. Check out Anchor Square, an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and studios in 16 cottages circling a town green. Stop at Scranton’s, a landmark eatery housed in a 1920s building that was originally home to the firehouse and city hall. Peek inside the old town vault and touch the bars of a former jail cell. Then sit down to savor shrimp gumbo, she-crab soup and other signature dishes.

See more: 10 Must-See Spots on the Mississippi Blues Trail

6. Gulf Coast Gator Ranch

Let the expert guides of Gulf Coast Gator Ranch , a family-owned attraction, show you around the swamplands. Ride in style in a high-speed airboat on 105 acres bordering the Grand Bay Estuary. During the tour, you’ll see shore birds, marine life and, of course, alligators. Meander the ranch’s protected walkways and hand-feed the gators yourself. Gulf Coast Gator Ranch is open seven days a week, with boat tours running every half hour except in inclement weather.

7. Riverfront Dine & Drive

At lunchtime on the first Friday of every month, downtown Moss Point turns into a mouthwatering hub of food trucks. Chow down on smashed potatoes, street corn or a delicious flatbread. But save room for the famous Heavenly Fruit dessert nachos from The Scratch Kitchen. Or treat yourself to a cool splurge from Frios Gourmet Pops, which offers flavors from gingerbread and banana pudding to pineapple mango. The year 2022 marks the third year of the popular and growing event.

See more: Why You Should Try Treats From Flathau’s Fine Foods

8. Hacienda San Miguel

Mirroring the striking architecture of San Miguel de Allende, a small colonial town near owner Armando Rodriguez’s home state in Mexico, Hacienda San Miguel is a must-go for authentic Mexican food. Relax on the family-friendly patio, which is a nod to the tradition of outdoor dining in Mexico. Start your meal with fresh guacamole or queso fundido with sausage before a main course of tilapia fajitas or a plate of street tacos.

If you go…

Gulf Coast Gator Ranch 10300 Highway 90, Moss Point (228) 475-6026 airboatswamptoursofmississippi.com Round Island Lighthouse 815 Cypress Ave., Pascagoula (228) 762-1020 cityofpascagoula.com Historic Downtown Pascagoula (228) 762-1020 cityofpascagoula.com Riverfront Dine & Drive First Friday of every month Downtown Moss Point (228) 475-0300 cityofmosspoint.org Pascagoula River Audubon Center 5107 Arthur St., Moss Point (228) 475-0825 pascagoula.audubon.org Hacienda San Miguel 4833 Amoco Drive, Moss Point (228) 474-6170 sanmiguelrestaurante.com Pascagoula Parks City of Pascagoula, 603 Watts Ave. (228) 762-1020 cityofpascagoula.com Magnolia Birding Pier 500 DuPont St., Pascagoula (228) 938-2356 gulfcoast.org

[…] ingredients shine on Mississippi menus, add ornamental peppers to spice up the landscape, discover eight reasons to visit Moss Point and Pascagoula and […]

In Pascagoula, the LaPointe Krebs House and Museum are not to be missed…the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley built in 1757

Moss Point has soo much to offer! Lover’s Lane – the trees limbs intertwine across the street (north end of Griffin Street) Griffin Cemetery – one of the oldest cemeteries in Moss Point with internments of a MS Lt. Governor, Marion Evans,;Woodsmen of the World headstone; Mississippi’s First Miss Mississippi – Dorothy Eley; Soldier from War of 1812 – Young Goleman; many others!! Century Homes – over 100 dating back to having been built over 100 years ago Natives and Residents: John Brock, CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises (graduated from Moss Point High School in 1967) Verlon Biggs, NFL football player, Hall of Famer, and former defensive end for the Washington Redskins from 1965-71 and the New York Jets 1971-80 Ray Costict, former linebacker for the New England Patriots from 1977-79 Don Hultz, NFL football player Robert C. Khayat, past Chancellor of the University of Mississippi George Wonsley, NFL football player Damarius Bilbo, NFL football player and sports agent graduated from MPHS in 2001 David Thomas, singer and founder of rock band, Pere Ubu Mississippi Export Railroad is celebrating their 100th anniversary in November 2022 – home based in Moss Point, MS so much more to offer!!!

[…] See more: 8 Reasons to Visit Moss Point and Pascagoula […]

Great share. I already bookmarked it for future use. Check this . It might also help you in your travel.

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Thunder take 2-0 lead into game 3 against the Pelicans

(AP) - Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25, first in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Thunder -1; over/under is 209.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder lead series 2-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last matchup 124-92 on April 25 led by 33 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 points for the Pelicans.

The Pelicans are 30-22 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans is ninth in the Western Conference scoring 115.1 points while shooting 48.6% from the field.

The Thunder are 36-16 in conference play. Oklahoma City is ninth in the Western Conference with 33.2 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 6.3.

The Pelicans score 115.1 points per game, 2.4 more points than the 112.7 the Thunder give up. The Thunder average 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.2 fewer makes per game than the Pelicans allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Ingram is averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum is averaging 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists over the past 10 games.

Jalen Williams is scoring 19.1 points per game and averaging 4.0 rebounds for the Thunder. Holmgren is averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 4-6, averaging 109.2 points, 40.4 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 8.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.1 points per game.

Thunder: 7-3, averaging 115.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 9.2 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.9 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Zion Williamson: out (hamstring).

Thunder: None listed.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

NBA Youngboy operated large-scale prescription drug fraud ring in Utah, court docs allege

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Latest news, gilgeous-alexander's 33 points lead thunder past pelicans 124-92; okc takes 2-0 lead.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 points as top-seeded Thunder edge Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1

Pelicans set to face top-seeded Thunder in Sunday night’s playoff opener without Zion

Pelicans top Sacramento, 105-98, to earn playoff berth against top-seeded Oklahoma City

Explore Utah's national parks with TPG's guide to the "Mighty Five"

Editor's Note

Renowned for its rugged, cinematic landscapes, Utah stirs a passion for adventure. It's no surprise that the state's Mormon pioneers found divine inspiration here in 1847 and declared "this is the place."

The Beehive State's "Mighty Five" national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands — preserve pine-covered peaks, surreal red-rock formations, hanging gardens, rushing rivers and cresting waves of stone that form a 240-million-year timeline of geological history.

Diverse activities ranging from hiking and biking to mountaineering and horseback riding beckon adventurous types. Wherever you go, you'll see SUVs and F-150s caked in red earth and fully loaded with mountain bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and all-terrain vehicles. But even marveling at this red-hued layer cake of buttes, mesas and deep canyons through the car window will take you to heaven and back.

So, how do you begin to plan your "Mighty Five" adventure? Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your time at Utah's national parks.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Planning a trip

Most visitors fly into either Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and rent a car.

If you have less than a week, it's a lot more rewarding to focus on just a couple of parks. Avid hikers can easily spend a few days exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon. Meanwhile, Arches' picture-perfect formations can be viewed in the space of a day, for those short on time.

With more than a week (ideally two), you can plan a Southwest national park road trip that takes in all of Utah's celebrated parks. The best way to go about a longer adventure is to fly into Las Vegas , rent a car and then fly out of Salt Lake City (or vice versa).

Post-pandemic, you can expect Utah's national parks to be pretty busy no matter what the season. If you have plenty of time to play with, it's worth bookending your visits with equally impressive (but much less-visited) state parks that lie east and west of Interstate 15.

Deciding when to visit depends on climate, personal interests and your aversion to crowds and heavy traffic. Each season has its charms.

During spring, wildflowers bloom in Zion's hanging gardens and Bryce erupts with magenta prickly pair cactuses and delicate sego lilies — Utah's state flower.

Spring snow melt brings dramatic waterfalls and lush landscapes. Summer is the most-crowded time of year and also monsoon season, so you'll need to be prepared for dramatic thunderstorms and intense temperatures that average 90 degrees. During the short fall season, cottonwoods glimmer in shades of amber and gold. And when winter snow dusts the red, wind-carved canyons at higher elevations, the contrast is breathtaking.

No matter when you visit, you'll have a chance to spot Utah's resident wildlife, including desert bighorns, tarantulas, condors and raccoon-like ringtails.

Related: 10 reasons to visit Utah this winter

Zion National Park

One of the nation's most-visited national parks, Zion has a powerful effect on all who visit. Breathtaking in scale and majesty, the heavenly names ascribed by the Mormons to the park's sandstone buttresses, sheer red-rock cliffs and slot canyons seem fitting even for non-believers. Witnessing the shifting light at sunrise or sunset is a highlight of any visit.

Zion's dramatic views and epic ascents belie the intricate biomes nurtured at ground level. There are meadows carpeted with wildflowers, tarantulas creeping around in their nocturnal burrows, mischievous chipmunks, enchanting grottoes and hanging gardens.

While many of Utah's red-rock parks can feel cinematic and untouchable, Zion invites interaction with the landscape. With its extensive trail network and glorious scenery, hikers will find lots to marvel at as they explore. There are trails suitable for both experienced hikers and beginners, including accessible options that provide wondrous snapshots of the topography while being easy to traverse with kids.

If you're short on time, go for a ride on the park's shuttle to see glorious display of rock formations — including the iconic Court of the Patriarchs, Temple of Sinawava and The Pulpit — from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The road, which is closed to private vehicles when the shuttle operates, also offers swift access to the most popular trailheads. Know, though, that the shuttle only runs daily from March through November and on select dates in February and December.

Don't forget to also save time for exploring the Greater Zion area just outside the park. Snow Canyon State Park is a Martian territory of petrified sandstone dunes, lava tubes and slot canyons, while Sand Hollow State Park beckons to active types keen on spending a morning paddleboarding on indigo blue reservoirs ringed with red sand.

The gateway town of Springdale forms the base for exploration and is dotted with hotels (including worthy points options ), restaurants and outfitters.

Related: A beginner's guide to visiting Zion National Park; everything you need to know, see and do

The magical Emerald Pools trail is everything you'd expect from its name. The lower, middle and upper pools the trail is named after have a dense concentration of algae that emit a rich emerald-green hue. The lower part of the trail (extending just 1.2 miles) leads to an enchanting hanging garden and a waterfall. It's another two miles to reach the upper pools, which are surrounded by a natural amphitheater of red-rock cliffs.

For a more challenging hike, there's the six-mile East Mesa Trail. It leads to Observation Point, where you'll catch a glimpse of the Great White Throne framed by Red Arch Mountain, the classic image of Zion Canyon.

Angels Landing is another iconic hike you won't want to miss. Due to increased popularity, as of April 1 hikers will need to enter a lottery in order to secure a permit. Depending on your fitness level (and congestion on the trail), it takes between three and five hours to ascend the canyon's east wall. You'll traverse 21 hair-raising switchbacks built into the rift, which weave their way to Scout Lookout, where you'll discover jaw-dropping panoramas of Zion Canyon. The final 500 feet to the summit is tricky, with steep drop-offs and some scrambling required. Footholds and heavy chains attached to the rock face are useful, but you'll often need to wait your turn. The 1,000-foot summit puts you at the heart of Zion Canyon's Big Bend, providing a sublime 360-degree, bird's-eye view of the area.

Should you crave another challenging experience, check out the Narrows , a 1,000-foot-deep slot canyon with water filling in on both sides from the Virgin River. Hiking the Narrows requires getting cold and wet and pushing against a strong current on the way back. Depending on how far you want to go (it stretches for 18 miles), it can be tackled in a few hours, a full day or overnight during a backpacking trip. Keep in mind, you can get away with sports gear and waterproof shoes in summer, but once it cools down it's advisable to rent a dry suit package that includes boots and pants from Zion Adventures.

Where to stay

For points travelers, Zion is one of the easier national parks to visit. The town of Springdale, which is steps from the park's main entrance, offers several moderately priced chain hotels.

Far and away, TPG's favorite place to stay near Zion is the SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park . It's not quite the points bargain — especially with Marriott's recent move to dynamic pricing — but it's still worth a stay for the modern feel, excellent location, poolside views and spacious rooms. A standard room here can be booked for 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night or a minimum of $273 a night.

Additionally, you can check into the Cliffrose Springdale. Just a five-minute drive from the canyon, it's part of Hilton's boutique Curio Collection. Modern, well-appointed rooms and suites can be booked for $240 per night or at least 27,000 Hilton Honors points a night. Plentiful amenities include two heated swimming pools, a spa and restaurant.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park is available as well. At this property, you'll be within walking distance of town and have access to an outdoor pool and fireplace, among other amenities. Rooms start at $118 or 31,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

If you want to stay inside the park, consider Zion Lodge. The only accommodation option in the park, the lodge sits in the middle of Zion Canyon, making it ideal for Angels Landing treks. Room rates start from $230 per night.

Related: Marriott's dynamic award pricing is live — here's what it means for travelers

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon's intricate rock pinnacles (known as hoodoos) have been shaped over millennia by wind and erosion. The otherworldly landscape shifts from geologic wonders that resemble psychedelic works of art to swaths of evergreen forest that cloak sandstone peaks.

The smallest of Utah's five national parks, Bryce Canyon was designated a national monument by former President Warren Harding in 1923 before ultimately becoming a national park. It sits about halfway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, marking the eastern perimeter of the Grand Staircase, a 100-mile expanse of sedimentary rock layers that preserves more geological history than any other place on Earth.

Stare down into the park's stunning natural amphitheater — the technical term used by geologists (rather than a canyon) — to discover fanciful windows, jutting daggers, chiseled spires and exquisite bracelet-thin archways seemingly erupting from the fantastical landscape.

Because of the park's smaller size, you can achieve a lot here in a day. Several novice trails (many of which are paved) by the park's main entrance offer a glimpse of the area's glorious mountain scenery and profusion of flora and fauna. In fact, there are creatures everywhere, from herds of deer, pronghorn, moose and elk in the park's outer recesses to Uinta chipmunks and golden-mantled ground squirrels that scurry brazenly on the trails.

Guided horseback riding tours are a popular way to experience the park at ground level while enjoying a classic Old West experience. You can traverse the park's 18-mile scenic drive by car or bike, too, taking in breathtaking views of the Paunsaugunt Plateau along the way. Note that in spring and summer the route can be heavily congested with cars and recreational vehicles, so start your excursion early. Be sure to visit Bryce Point, where you can stand on a rocky headland 1,000 feet above an amphitheater of hypnotic hoodoos.

Related: 8 national parks that are spectacular in spring

The easy 1.5-mile Queens Garden Trail is a mesmerizing introduction into Bryce Canyon's funky array of hoodoos, spires and sculpted rocks. The trail can be combined with the 3-mile Navajo Loop when hiking down into Bryce Canyon — a rite of passage for avid hikers — to see some of the park's photogenic and whimsical rock formations, including Queen Victoria, Thor's Hammer and the skyscrapers of Wall Street.

An even easier option is the 5.5-mile Rim Trail, which is more of a walk than a hike and rewards visitors with awe-inspiring views of the amphitheater from distinct vantage points. A short half-mile section between the Sunrise and Sunset overlooks is even wheelchair friendly. Take this trail at sunrise or sunset to see the shifting light reveal fantastical shapes and sculpted formations in different hues of red, gold and brown.

Round out your hiking adventure with the 5-mile Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail, which culminates with a front-row view of the Three Wisemen and Wall of Windows rock formations, or the one-mile Bristlecone Loop, which winds through coniferous forest at the park's highest elevation (9,000 feet).

The only place to stay inside the park is The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, a rustic option with cabins and easy access to the canyon rim. It's also the best place to stargaze in the Dark Sky Park. Rooms start at $183 per night, and reservations are now open for 2023.

Best Western Rewards members can choose from the kitschy Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn, which is a steal at 16,000 points (or $120 cash) per night, or the more mainstream Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, which you can book for as little as 20,000 points or $299 per night.

Related: 11 mistakes travelers make on their first camping trip

Capitol Reef National Park

Considered the "The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow" to the local Navajo Nation community because of its colorful geological formations framed by brilliant blue skies, lesser-known Capitol Reef National Park boasts the same dramatic scenery and abundance of outdoor pursuits of Utah's more popular parks without the throngs of tourists.

Its most recognizable feature is the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long monocline warp (or step-like dip) in the Earth's crust. These tilted sandstone layers eroded over time to form an extraordinary landscape of serrated peaks, surreal domes, deep-slot canyons and mesmerizing formations that straddle different elevations and ecosystems.

Along many trails, thousand-year-old pictographs and petroglyphs stand testimony to the ancient Fremont and ancestral Pueblo peoples who inhabited the canyons from A.D. 700 to around A.D. 1300. The remote canyons also were a favorite hideout for notorious 19th-century outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, plus Mormon pioneers who fled West to avoid government persecution.

If you're a fan of films, chances are you've seen Capitol Reef's hauntingly beautiful landscapes on the big screen. They've served as the backdrop for many Hollywood movies, including "127 Hours," which was filmed just southwest of the park's Horseshoe Canyon in the beautiful sheer-sided Bluejohn Canyon in 2010.

Related: The 20 national parks that every traveler should see once

Capitol Reef's trails traverse the park's wave-like rock formations, as well as verdant cottonwood groves and barren desert. The Fruita and Fremont River districts offer the most accessible, family-friendly day hikes, with trailheads located just off state Route 24 and the Scenic Drive. The most rewarding short hikes include Capitol Gorge, a one-mile hike through a beautiful deep canyon etched with inscriptions from pioneers and miners, and 2.2-mile Grand Wash, which leads hikers into a narrow slot canyon.

The 1.8-mile, round-trip walk to Hickman Bridge skirts the Fremont River and culminates with views of Capitol Dome, named for its resemblance to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. If you keep going along the Navajo Knobs trail, which is a nearly five-mile (round-trip) hike to the Rim Overlook, you can check out the angular rock ridges of the Waterpocket Fold.

For a more remote backcountry experience, head to the Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and the Halls Creek Narrows in the southern section of the park. The Cathedral Valley district is not as busy as the others, so it's not uncommon to walk for miles without seeing another soul. Take the Cathedrals Trail along the ridge line to come face to face with the soaring monoliths for which the trail is named. Note that you'll need a high-clearance vehicle to drive the scenic 580-mile Cathedral Valley Loop.

Right outside the park in the town of Torrey lies Capitol Reef Resort. Channeling a western theme, the property offers chic accommodations, stunning red-rock views and tasty comfort food at the Pioneer Kitchen. Rest your head for the night in a beautifully appointed cabin, teepee or Conestoga wagon when you're not taking a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or working out in the 24-hour fitness center overlooking the surrounding red-rock cliffs. Rates for standard rooms start at $229 per night.

Inside the park, you can camp at the Fruita Campground, surrounded by apricot orchards, from March 1–Oct. 31. The fee is $25 per night and reservations are essential.

Arches National Park

Comprising more than 2,000 fantastical formations that seem cast from an artist's mold, Arches National Park has the feel of an outdoor sculpture museum. Just a 26-mile drive from Canyonlands National Park, Arches can be comfortably combined with a visit to Canyonlands during a long weekend .

Lively Moab forms the regional base for adventure. Over the last 20 years, a string of hotels have linked the park entrance with the town's main strip five miles away. As the area's popularity has skyrocketed, the town's alternative vibe has faded and, for better or worse, Moab now has all the trappings and conveniences of a more mainstream gateway town. Along the pedestrian-friendly Main Street, you'll find a mix of eclectic restaurants and western-inspired bars and outfitters.

Once you make your way into Arches National Park, though, you'll quickly feel transported to another world. The park's 18-mile-long Scenic Drive showcases an array of delicate sandstone arches, deep gorges, rock catacombs and open valleys, among other natural wonders. The most recognizable red stone monoliths and monuments have official names and monikers, but sometimes it's best to skip the guide books and maps in favor of finding a trailhead and letting the awe-inspiring landscape stir your imagination.

If you crave an adrenaline rush, you're in luck: You'll find nearly every possible outdoor pursuit available to you here. And beyond the park's boundaries, you can embark on mountain bike treks or sign up for a guided canoe trip on the Colorado River, which skirts Arches' southeast boundary.

Related: A family road trip to the Southwest: reader success story

Most of Arches' trailheads start at parking lots located along the Scenic Drive. They tend to be short, flat, well maintained and very easy to navigate, though there's one notable exception. Delicate Arch, the emblem for "Life Elevated" (Utah's apt license plate slogan), is one of the more challenging sights to hike to, as the path offers little shade and a few steep ascents. Still, many adventure-seeking locals and visitors flock here annually.

The moderate Fiery Furnace, named for the fiery glow it emits at sunset, is another highly regarded option. The trail winds its way amid an astonishing labyrinth of canyons, crevasses, boulders and narrows.

Additionally, there's the 2-mile, out-and-back Park Avenue Trail, where you'll get an eyeful of soaring sandstone formations topped with gravity-defying boulders, such as the Tower of Babel, the Three Gossips and The Organ. You'll meander along a flat, dry wash flecked with native flora, including junipers and cactuses.

Most of the major hotel brands can be found in Moab, so there are plenty of opportunities to use your points. The town's Hyatt Place has a quiet location just off the main strip, as well as a pool with a splash pad for kids and rooms and rooms outfitted with essentials like coffee makers and TVs. Complimentary breakfast is provided, too. Expect to spend 15,000 World of Hyatt points or $250 per night for a standard room during off-peak dates. Or, redeem a World of Hyatt free night certificate to cover your stay at this Category 4 property.

For a place that's centrally located in town, check into the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn, which boasts proximity to a range of restaurants, bars and shops. Nightly rates start at $250 or 40,000 Best Western Rewards points.

If you're looking to splurge, consider Sorrel River Ranch. The rooms and suites feature rustic-chic decor inspired by the mesas around the property, offering relaxation-focused amenities like fireplaces and porches with rocking chairs or swings. Each will set you back at least $1,275 per night.

Canyonlands National Park

Spanning 527 square miles, Canyonlands National Park is the largest of Utah's parks. It boasts vertigo-inducing panoramas, gaping canyons, sheer cliffs, flat-topped mesas and towering red spires throughout its four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon.

The most popular of the four, the Island in the Sky beckons to adrenaline junkies, geologists and archaeologists. Its flat-topped mesa, which straddles a sandstone bench known as the White Rim, offers an overlook with some of the park's most awe-inspiring views from its perch 1,000-plus feet above the ground. Grab a mountain bike and ride along the 100-mile White Rim Road, a glorious loop tour that showcases Canyonlands' archetypal formations.

For a glimpse at the largest and most spectacular arch in the park, head to The Needles. A magnate for backcountry hikers, this district is known for its spectacular pinnacles and is home to the 150-foot-tall Angel Arch. It's also where you'll find lush meadows and cottonwood groves in the valleys along the Green and Colorado rivers.

Of the four districts, The Maze is perhaps the most rugged. To access it, you'll need a good GPS, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a permit from the Hans Flat Ranger Station and significant backcountry hiking experience. The 19,200-acre sandstone labyrinth of dead ends and baffling circuitous trails is notorious for all looking the same after a while.

And in Horseshoe Canyon, you'll find some of North America's most prized examples of dwelling sites and rock art fashioned by ancestral Pueblo peoples. To see them, embark on a 7.2-mile hike from the Horseshoe trailhead to the panel known as the Great Gallery, which is etched with intricate, remarkably preserved figures that date back to around A.D. 1200.

Related: 8 survival tips for wilderness hikes

In The Needles, the moderate Cave Spring Trail winds among elegant spires, columns and buttes featuring 1,000-year-old Fremont pictographs. It also sits alongside several historical points of interest, including a former cowboy camp. Parts of the trail have ladders to climb, making it better suited for agile adults rather than hikers with kids in tow.

An easier option in the Island in the Sky district is the Mesa Arch trail, a popular option for photographers. The 0.7-mile loop trail, which begins at the trailhead at Grand View Point, provides hikers with incredible views of a soaring arch that straddles a 500-foot cliff and frames Buck Canyon and the La Sal Mountains.

If you plan on visiting The Maze, know that there are no established trails here. Instead, routes to rock formations like the Dollhouse and the ones in the Land of Standing Rocks are identified by cairns (human-made stone piles).

Like Arches National Park, most Canyonlands visitors usually base themselves in Moab. If you prefer to skip the chain hotels in town, you can sleep beneath red rocks at Under Canvas Moab, a glamping site located just seven miles north of the park entrance. The chic tents have king-size beds dressed in luxurious linens, wood-burning stoves and en suite bathrooms with hot running water. The site is open from early March to late October and offers tents from $324 per night.

You can also drive about 30 minutes from Canyonlands to the Aarchway Inn, a 97-room hotel quietly nestled among leafy grounds on the outskirts of Moab. Accommodations come equipped with minifridges, microwaves and coffee makers (among other conveniences), while public guest spaces feature amenities like an outdoor pool and a general store. You can take advantage of the free shuttle to town and complimentary breakfast as well. Rates for standard king rooms start at $330 per night.

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Key Fed inflation measure rose 2.8% in March from a year ago, more than expected

Inflation showed little signs of letting up in March, with a key barometer the Federal Reserve watches closely showing that price pressures remain elevated.

The personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy increased 2.8% from a year ago in March, the same as in February, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That was above the 2.7% estimate from the Dow Jones consensus.

Including food and energy, the all-items PCE price gauge increased 2.7%, compared to the 2.6% estimate.

On a monthly basis, both measures increased 0.3%, as expected and equaling the increase from February.

Markets showed little reaction to the data, with Wall Street poised to open higher. Treasury yields fell, with the benchmark 10-year note at 4.67%, down about 0.4 percentage point on the session. Futures traders grew slightly more optimistic about two potential rate cuts this year, raising the probability to 44%, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch gauge.

Consumers showed they are still spending despite the elevated price level. Personal spending rose 0.8% on the month, a touch higher even than the 0.7% estimate. Personal income increased 0.5%, in line with expectations and higher than the 0.3% increase in February.

The personal saving rate fell to 3.2%, down 0.4 percentage point from February and 2 full percentage points from a year ago as households dipped into savings to keep spending afloat.

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The report follows  bad inflation news from Thursday  and likely locks the Fed into holding the line on interest rates likely through at least the summer unless there is some substantial change in the data. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that PCE in the first quarter accelerated at a 3.4% annualized rate while gross domestic product increased just 1.6%, well below Wall Street expectations.

With inflation still percolating two years after it began its initial ascent into the highest level in more than 40 years, central bank policymakers are watching the data even more intently as they contemplate the next moves for monetary policy.

The Fed targets 2% inflation, a level that core PCE has been above for the past three years.

The Fed watches the PCE in particular because it adjusts for changes in consumer behavior and places less weight on housing costs than the more widely circulated consumer price index from the Labor Department.

While they watch both headline and core measures, Fed officials believe the ex-food and energy figure provides a better look at longer-run trends as those two categories tend to be more volatile.

Services prices increased 0.4% on the month while goods were up 0.1%, reflecting a swing back in consumer prices as goods inflation dominated since the early days of the Covid pandemic. Food prices actually showed a 0.1% decline on the month while energy rose 1.2%.

On a 12-month basis, services prices are up 4% while goods have barely moved, increasing just 0.1%. Food is up 1.5% while energy has gained 2.6%.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Jeff Cox is a finance editor with CNBC.com where he covers all aspects of the markets and monitors coverage of the financial markets and Wall Street. His stories are routinely among the most-read items on the site each day as he interviews some of the smartest and most well-respected analysts and advisors in the financial world.

Over the course of a journalism career that began in 1987, Cox has covered everything from the collapse of the financial system to presidential politics to local government battles in his native Pennsylvania. 

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O-Lineman John Mills Previews Visit to Nebraska

2025 prospect from San Francisco will be in Lincoln for the Huskers' spring game

• Author: Caleb Sisk

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Although every recruit is unique, there are definitely a few guys you’d consider top priorities.

John Mills fits that description.

Mills is a class of 2025 prospect on the offensive line who recently released his top six schools: Nebraska, Washington, Texas, Florida, USC and California. He is a three-star prospect from St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School in San Francisco. He measures in at around 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds.

Mills announced recently that he plans to make an official visit to Nebraska for the Huskers' spring game this weekend. This will be his second visit this month, and he hopes to announce a decision in June.

“I’m excited to see how the fans interact with the players and excited to see how crazy it is because I’ve heard it’s one of the craziest and I’m curious to see exactly how many people are there especially with Dylan Raiola making his debut.”

Mills detailed which coaches he plans to speak to and why.

“I’d say I’ve spoken to all of the major coaches,” he said. “I’m excited to see coach Donovan Raiola (offensive line coach) and coach Matt Rhule (head coach). You know one is my position coach and the other is the head coach. You always got to talk to them for sure.”

Mills will be looking at some players in particular when the game kicks off on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the offensive line plays and how Ty Robinson and Dylan plays really. Especially Dylan. I want to see how good he really is. I’m excited to see him play for sure.”

He detailed why Nebraska is one of the six finalists in his recruitment.

“You know the history of the program. Coach Rhule is turning this program around, and I’m excited to see how he does this year and see that offensive line pride for Nebraska.”

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Hungary says Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit in May

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A British man has been charged over alleged hostile state activity intended to benefit Russia, including by allegedly recruiting others for an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in London.

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Gaza baby rescued from dead mother's womb dies

A baby girl who was delivered from her dying mother's womb in a Gaza hospital following an Israeli airstrike has herself died after just a few days of life, the doctor who was caring for her said on Friday.