Lil Yachty isn’t slowing down. Tonight (September 28), the multifaceted rapper and singer, who dropped his psychedelic rock-influenced album Let’s Start Here back in January, has shared a new single, “The Secret Recipe.”
On “The Secret Recipe,” Yachty reminds us of his rap prowess, which is what brought him to instant fame in the mid-2010s.
Over a jazzy, instrument-driven beat, Yachty treats us to clever wordplay, channeling a newfound confidence as he freestyles effortlessly.
“I don’t smoke weed, already blunt, all of my cars, I had to hunt / My doggy young as hell but still will step, we call him runt / Like window shoppers, I see through every front,” raps Yachty.
J. Cole then hops in, delivering a verse equally as structured, reaffirming his GOAT status. He also notable calls out industry folk using social activism for clout.
“I started saying less / I had to stop it / Peeped how they profit off of racial stress / Some activists got so rich, they probably wished we stayed oppressed.
In the song’s accompanying video, the two rappers are seen in an empty arena, rapping their asses off, while making it look so damn easy.
You can see the video for “The Secret Recipe” above.
Damian Lillard is now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks after a three-team blockbuster saw the Portland Trail Blazers finally move the star nearly three months after his July trade request, but they did not meet his demands to be sent to the Miami Heat.
By all accounts that have come out in the day since the trade got completed, Portland cut off dialogue with Miami after their initial conversations in July. On Thursday night, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, who is particularly close with Lillard, presented Dame’s side of the negotiation process and his frustrations with how Portland handled it. Much of it is similar to what others have reported about Portland not speaking with Miami and how Lillard eventually had his agent Aaron Goodwin speak with the Nets and Bucks quietly to inform them he would accept a trade there, but it does provide more specifics and details about the process.
The most interesting parts are the note about the league intervening with a meeting between Blazers GM Joe Cronin and Damian Lillard after things had grown so fractured behind the scenes the two sides weren’t speaking, as well as what came of the ensuing sitdown between the Blazers executive and Lillard. In that meeting, Cronin made it clear he’d ask of a lot from the Heat — there was a report recently they asked for one of Bam Adebayo or Jimmy Butler, at one point — and Lillard replied that if the Heat weren’t going to be an option, he’d rather just return to the Blazers.
Cronin’s response was no, which left Lillard “shocked.”
In the Sept. 5 meeting, Cronin conveyed that if he was forced to do a deal with Miami, he had every intention of going after every attractable asset. Lillard knew then he was unlikely to end up in Miami.
Lillard then said if a deal couldn’t be worked out with the Heat, he would prefer to rescind his trade request and return to the Trail Blazers.
Cronin’s response to the seven-time All-Star was that there was no coming back.
Lillard was shocked, sources said. He said it was discouraging to hear he couldn’t return, but added that he didn’t want to be somewhere he wasn’t wanted, and he ended the meeting.
It certainly feels like this was two sides attempting to exert as much leverage as they could on one another, with Cronin ultimately winning that battle as Lillard and Goodwin went back to the drawing board to identify teams beyond Miami he’d go to. Overall, once Lillard made his trade request, the team seemed pretty comfortable moving on, and I would venture to go as far as say the Blazers, once they made the decision to draft Scoot Henderson, were probably fairly happy Lillard was the one who issued the trade request so they could hit the reset button in full without being the ones making the decision to trade one of the franchise’s all-time greats against his wishes — they just also didn’t want to be boxed in to dealing with just one suitor.
As such, Cronin wasn’t willing to try and put the genie back in the bottle, and Lillard was either not willing to or didn’t feel he could make things so uncomfortable they’d be forced to trade him to Miami only. The result is the “sour taste” Lillard noted in his first comments to Haynes after the trade. Even so, you won’t find too many people that feel bad for Lillard, as he got dealt to a situation that is extremely good for him in terms of the basketball fit and chance to win a title. The Bucks are title favorites with Lillard and his fit with Giannis is, on paper, about as good as you could hope for (as it would’ve been with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo). That gives Cronin and the Blazers plenty of cover for making the deal they did, even if it was about more than just seeking out the best package and spite played a role.
Eventually, Lillard will get his due in Portland as a franchise legend and fences will be mended, but it’s extremely rare for a star to ask out and for it to end without hurt feelings on one side or the other. In this case, Lillard was the one who didn’t get everything he wanted and his last gasp push to just return to the Blazers was rejected as a plan.
Dr. Daniel Mansfield and his team at the University of New South Wales in Australia have just made an incredible discovery. While studying a 3,700-year-old tablet from the ancient civilization of Babylon, they found evidence that the Babylonians were doing something astounding: trigonometry!
Most historians have credited the Greeks with creating the study of triangles’ sides and angles, but this tablet presents indisputable evidence that the Babylonians were using the technique 1,500 years before the Greeks ever were.
Mansfield and his team are, understandably, incredibly proud. What they discovered is that the tablet is actually an ancient trigonometry table.
“The huge mystery, until now, was its purpose – why the ancient scribes carried out the complex task of generating and sorting the numbers on the tablet. Our research reveals that Plimpton 322 describes the shapes of right-angle triangles using a novel kind of trigonometry based on ratios, not angles and circles. It is a fascinating mathematical work that demonstrates undoubted genius.”
u201cAussie mathematician cracks code of famous 3,700-year-old Babylonian clay tablet https://t.co/f7h6oIfBDru201d
— China Xinhua News (@China Xinhua News) 1503639811
“The tablet not only contains the world’s oldest trigonometric table; it is also the only completely accurate trigonometric table, because of the very different Babylonian approach to arithmetic and geometry. This means it has great relevance for our modern world. Babylonian mathematics may have been out of fashion for more than 3,000 years, but it has possible practical applications in surveying, computer graphics and education. This is a rare example of the ancient world teaching us something new.”
The tablet predates Greek astronomer Hipparchus, who has long been regarded as the father of trigonometry. Mansfield’s colleague, Norman Widberger, added:
“Plimpton 322 predates Hipparchus by more than 1,000 years. It opens up new possibilities not just for modern mathematics research, but also for mathematics education. With Plimpton 322 we see a simpler, more accurate trigonometry that has clear advantages over our own.”
“A treasure trove of Babylonian tablets exists, but only a fraction of them have been studied yet. The mathematical world is only waking up to the fact that this ancient but very sophisticated mathematical culture has much to teach us.”
People were understandably excited by the news.
u201cA 3,700 year olf Babylonian tablet revealed as the world’s first trigonometry table https://t.co/AQlpsndM92u201d
But all in all, Twitter users were pretty impressed with the Babylonians’ skills.
And they figured it out 3,700 years ahead of me…and counting.— Marty (@Marty) 1503631905
u201c@prophiphop And we’re over here trying to figure out how to do trig with our TI-83s… man I love it when the ancients show what real intelligence is.u201d
Almost 100 years ago, nine newspapers joined forces to create a national spelling bee to help promote literacy. Now the Scripps National Spelling Bee has become so popular that was televised for 27 years on ESPN before moving to its own network in 2022.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a serious competition with students who have studied arduously to memorize root words, phonetic rules and unusual spellings in the hopes of being crowned the nation’s spelling champion. The honor also comes with a $50,000 cash prize, so the competition is fierce.
But that didn’t stop one competitor from bursting into giggles at being asked to spell the word “sardoodledom.”
During the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee, 11-year-old Kennyi Aouad approached the microphone with serious concentration when it was his turn to spell. But when the judges told him the word he was to spell and he repeated it, he burst out laughing.
“Sardoodledom” isn’t a word most of us have ever even heard, much less recognize. (It means “mechanically contrived plot structure and stereotyped or unrealistic characterization in drama”—basically “melodrama”—according to Merriam-Webster.) It does sound a bit funny saying it out loud, and even one of the judges started giggling at the young contestant’s reaction to it.
Watch Kennyi lose it repeatedly as he tries to make it through his turn:
Despite how serious the competition is, these kids are still just kids and people loved seeing his joyful reaction to a silly-sounding word.
“His laugh!! I love that in the seriousness of spelling bees, he was able to be himself. This made me smile!” wrote one person.
“So cute. Smart with a touch of sense of humour,” wrote another.
“Talk about breaking the tension!!” shared another. “I love it and he got it right!”
If you’re curious, Kennyi placed 34th in that year’s spelling bee. He would go on to compete again, however, and tied for 5th place in the 2009 bee.
There never seems to be any downtime when you’re the default parent. You know, the parent that the kids go to first when they want anything, especially food. They’re also the go-to person for school forms and bedtime stories, and the parents that the school reaches out to when a student is sick has to go home.
Some parents are the default because there’s an imbalance in the home, which forces them to assume most of the day-to-day child-rearing responsibilities. In other families, one parent is the default because the other is busy with work or other obligations.
Popular TikTokker Jordan Klein wondered why she becomes overwhelmed halfway through the day while watching her children. “I have three boys, ages 5, 3, and 1, and I continuously lose my sh*t. Sometimes it comes out. Sometimes,” she said in a recent post. “I lose my sh*t right around 2 or 3 p.m. every day without fail. My husband works from home. But he does not lose his sh*t consistently. So, what’s going on?”
To get to the bottom of her situation, she conducted a scientific study where she counted the number of requests she gets from her children on a given day, and the results were unbelievable.
This validates my burn out, right? #momtok #momsoftiktok #sahm #boymom #toddlermom #toddlersoftiktok #3under5
This validates my burn out, right? #momtok #momsoftiktok #sahm #boymom #toddlermom #toddlersoftiktok #3under5
“I downloaded one of those little counter clicker apps on my phone where I could just push the screen, and it ticks up one number, and I was just gonna hit it every time one of my children …made a request,” Jordan said in her TikTok video.
Just ten minutes after downloading the app, her kids made 86 requests of her. She even didn’t count repeats, and kids love to repeat themselves. “I guarantee you that if I were to ask my husband how many requests a day he gets at work… it’s in the single digits, for sure,” she added.
And they say being a stay-at-home mom isn’t a full-time job! “This validates my burnout, right?” Jordan captioned her post.
“I feel this completely, and point it out often to my husband. Like yall, Dad is RIGHT THERE. Ask him,” CrochetFeen wrote in the comments. “I have 3 kids too and ‘Mom’ is now a triggering word,” Sandra added.
The quasi-scientific experiment gives Jordan some excellent ammunition when talking to her husband about how they divide parenting duties. Even if it doesn’t mean he takes over the default role after work, it at least makes a great case that Jordan deserves more than a few lengthy breaks throughout the day and a few days off every month.
There is only so much stress and mental anguish that parents can take before they are no longer effective and cannot provide a happy and healthy home for their children. When evaluating domestic responsibilities, we often consider having a professional job more stressful than raising children. However, Jordan’s experiment proves that parenting can mean a lot more emotional labor, and families should take a second look at how default parents are valued.
When news broke on Wednesday afternoon that Damian Lillard had been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the overall reaction around the league was shock. There had been nothing linking the Bucks to a serious pursuit of Lillard, as the only rumblings about any talks happening had been linking the Raptors and, to a lesser degree, the Bulls to conversations about Dame — while Miami remained the preferred destination, but not one Portland would really engage with.
Ultimately, the three-team deal that emerged saw the Blazers choose a deal that brought Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, a future first, and a pair of pick swaps to Portland. Holiday is expected to be moved again to a contender, although the timetable on him ending up with a new team is still to be determined as it’s possible the Blazers could wait until closer to the trade deadline to see if any contenders become desperate for a high-level point guard. In any case, the trade represented a seismic shift leaguewide, but particularly in the East where the Bucks cemented their place as favorites and the Heat now must head back to the drawing board.
Still, losing Jrue Holiday is not an insignificant departure for the Bucks, as his presence was considerable in helping them win a title in 2021, authoring one of the great individual plays of that Finals with his Game 5 steal in the closing seconds, with a lob to Giannis Antetokounmpo on the other end. While many of us were thinking about the terrifying prospect of Lillard playing alongside Giannis and how that will stretch defenses to their limit, Giannis was torn about the trade. While excited to play with someone Lillard’s caliber, he also wanted to keep focus on losing Jrue and what that means on and off the court for Milwaukee in his first comments to Chris Haynes.
“Jrue is my f–king brother for life. I love his family. I love him. I appreciate him. I wish him nothing but the best. He blessed me with a f–king championship,” Antetokounmpo told B/R. “He’s the one who made that huge steal in Game 5 of the Finals. I went to battle with him multiple times. F–k basketball. F–k the media shit. This guy is my brother for life, and it’s always going to be like that. He’s going to thrive wherever he ends up.
“Now at the same time, I’m excited to have Dame. He gives us a chance to win a championship. I’m excited to play with the caliber of player that he is. He can score the ball in his sleep and shoot the lights out.
“It’s a bittersweet day for the city of Milwaukee. You get Dame, who is a great player, but you lose a great guy. Jrue took us to the promised land. I’m 10 years in now. I know it’s a business. At the end of the day, Jrue will alway be be my brother for life. He’s one of the best human beings I’ve been around. But we’ve got to focus on the goal to win the championship. Dame wants this. He’s hungry to win, and he’s going to push us. I’m very happy to have him on our team.”
The reality of trading for a superstar like Lillard is you don’t get to do that without giving up a very important piece of your team to do so. Giannis had made it clear to the Bucks this summer that he wanted them to do what they needed to in order to give them the best shot at winning titles long-term, or else he wouldn’t be considering an extension. Trading Lillard was the resounding response from the Bucks, but it came at the cost of Holiday which, as Giannis notes, is a considerable loss.
Holiday was their backcourt leader as a terrific passer and defender, his off-court impact is hard to quantify as he has long been known as one of the great people in the NBA and is a regular in voting for best teammate in the league from his peers. His leadership and presence on and off the court will be missed, and it’s not a surprise that Giannis would want to make that abundantly clear in his first public comments on the trade.
However, it’s hard to deny that the Bucks got an upgrade in Lillard overall, and particularly addressed their biggest postseason need by getting an elite scoring guard to space the floor and provide much more space for Giannis. The one knock on Holiday was his scoring efficiency in the postseason, which further cramped the spacing for Antetokounmpo and made the Bucks offense easier to slow down in the playoffs. Lillard will change that calculus considerably for defenses, and Lillard is, himself, well regarded as a teammate and locker room presence, even if he’s not exactly where he wanted to be after his trade request.
Age is not just a number, it’s a concept around which a network can expand its reality dating show universe. The Golden Bachelor’spremiere proves that. Sure, the show may spend an inordinate amount of time trying to convince audiences that the over-60 crowd isn’t just a bag of bones shuffling their walkers to an open grave, but when it’s not obsessed with overcorrecting TV’s ageist track record, it actually has mass appeal. There’s Gary, a tall, fit, salt-peppered hunk so in touch with his emotions that he’s not afraid to shed a tear with each pan to camera. There’s a gaggle of women – some whose Boomer status we seriously question – who are smart, funny, and unafraid to put it all on the line for love. And then there’s Jimmy Kimmel’s aunt.
That’s right, Aunt Chippy was so puzzled by the idea that TV audiences would tune in to watch a 73-year-old retiree woo dozens of women by laughing over their shared bedtimes and bad knees that she pulled some strings and got herself an invite. She doesn’t stay long, but man, what a show this would be if she did.
Instead, the same formula that’s come to define Bachelor Nation installments stays intact. There are the limo reveals, intimate sit-downs, a tense rose ceremony, and enough champagne (and now orange juice) to keep the night flowing. Hopefully, for these seniors, it doesn’t flow too long. And look, age jokes may be in bad taste, but this first episode seems hellbent on reminding us that these women aren’t dead yet – despite no one arguing the opposite. We get it: second chances are inspiring, these contestants have lived experiences that make them even more interesting than a 20-something marketing executive from Missouri, and that woman with the egg basket is just as horny as a 30-year-old LA native named Kimberly. Let’s quit congratulating ourselves on this diversity push and give these women a chance to write their own narratives.
To that end, we’ve rounded up our thoughts on who’s getting a rose, who isn’t, and if Gary’s pacemaker can handle all the flirting to come.
First Impressions
Gary Age: 73 Occupation: Grieving his late wife
Gary doesn’t get a limo, but his entrance is just as memorable – a James Bond-esque get-ready-with-me moment that ends not with golden cufflinks but with hearing aids. We learn that Gary’s wife of 40-something-odd years passed away suddenly due to a bacterial infection. They were high school sweethearts and, though six years have gone by, Gary doesn’t seem as emotionally ready to move on as we’d expect him to be to star in a show like this. Does he need a reality TV series and a couple of dozen strangers fawning over him, or would therapy and a hobby be a better coping mechanism? Time will tell.
Edith Age: 60 Occupation: Serving on these senior hoes
Edith did not come to play. She brought props, she brought personality, and she packaged it all in a bit of golden saran wrap that basically screamed, “I’m not like these other girls.” From here on, she will only be referred to as the Confetti Queen.
Ellen Age: 71 Occupation: Missing her friend, Roberta
Ellen’s a retired teacher from Florida who gave us our first mention of pickleball – the low-impact sport that’s basically tennis for old people – just eight minutes into the episode. But the most memorable thing about Ellen is her friend Roberta. The pair have watched every season of The Bachelortogether and the only reason Roberta isn’t here instead is because she’s busy fighting cancer. (Or, you know, she has a partner already. We don’t know Roberta’s life.) Either way, #ThisIsForRoberta
Sandra Age: 75 Occupation: Swearing like a sailor
Sandra’s idea of breaking the ice is inviting Gary to witness how she manages her anxiety attacks – with a bit of deep breathing and a whole lot of whispered, “Fuuuuucks.” It’s actually pretty therapeutic. You should try it.
Leslie Age: 64 Occupation: Inspiring that one song by Prince
Leslie came dressed as a bargain store granny just so she could reveal her smokin’ bod, and flowing locks, and tell Gary she absolutely doesn’t need him. That’s feminism. She also drops one of the coolest fun facts we’ve ever heard on this show: She’s the origin story of Prince’s “Sexy Dancer.” Gary cannot handle this woman.
Theresa Age: 69 Occupation: Making every day her birthday
When Theresa steps out of the limo in nothing but a black silk robe, she tells Gary it’s her birthday – which may be true, but it’s also the perfect set-up for her to flash a bit of her birthday suit off camera. She’s not really naked of course (she “has six grandsons!”) but boy does she squeeze every last drop of opportunity out of the bit, sharing birthday cupcakes and practically guilting Gary into giving her a rose. Game recognizes game, Theresa.
April Age: 65 Occupation: Chicken enthusiast
In case Gary couldn’t picture what growing up on a farm must be like, April from Florida brought a visual aid – a basket of fresh eggs that served as some kind of confusing sexual ice breaker. She followed it up with an ass-spanking chicken dance and some strange bird calls, all of which Gary seemed to eat up like, well, chicken feed. April feels poised to go far on this show simply because her level of weird is both entertaining and drama-flaming – she’s already got some haters in the group – but Gary should be on guard. She’s had three men desperately in love with her in her past. Where are they now? Fertilizer for her chicken coop?
Faith Age: 60 Occupation: Biker babe to beat
Faith is cool – like ride up on a Harley, strum an original folk tune kind of cool. The other girls are right to be wary, especially since she seems to have such an easy time of revving up Gary’s rusty old engine. She gets the first impression rose and a good tongue down before bed.
Kathy Age: 70 Occupation: Walking and sh*t talking
We couldn’t tell you a thing about Kathy except that she hates April, which is exactly why Kathy needs to stay in the Bachelor residence for as long as she possibly can. We need her candor, her no bullsh*t attitude, her willingness to forgo gimmicky first impressions in favor of a great dress, and a steady gait. Stand your ground, Kathy. We’re with you.
Marina Age: 60 Occupation: Finding ways of injecting the word “dope” into everyday conversation
Marina really wants to impress her granddaughter. That’s the only reason we can think of as to why she utters the word “dope” so many times in the show’s premiere. Eventually, she uses her ignorance of Gen Z slang to bond with Gary, the two having a laugh over made-up words like “rizz.” This is the kind of content we were hoping for when they told us the next Bachelor would be on social security.
There were a handful of women who also received roses (or were let go) over the course of the night, though they got less airtime. Nastascha, age 60, both excited and terrified Gary with her introductory laughing exercise. Renee, age 67, performed a cheer routine. Susan, age 66, came dressed as a pageant queen. And Slyvia, age 64, claimed to be Penelope Cruz’s doppelgänger. (Spoiler: she wasn’t). Some bland blondies were sprinkled throughout, but altogether, this premiere felt refreshingly diverse and certainly poised to deliver the kind of alcohol-fueled catfights and emotionally charged breakups fans have come to expect from the Bachelor universe.
But we stand by our earlier statement: It needs more of Jimmy Kimmel’s aunt.
The Rolling Stones have a big comeback underway. Over the course of the past few weeks, the British rock legends released two new singles — “Angry,” which is accompanied by a music video starring Sydney Sweeney, and “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven,” a collaboration with Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. Both of these songs will appear on the band’s upcoming 26th album, Hackney Diamonds.
As the band’s comeback has garnered much buzz, their album will likely produce a large payout. The Rolling Stones’ catalog proves to be illustrious with several hit songs and critically acclaimed albums in their repertoire. And the band owns all of the music they’ve recorded since 1971. In an interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, the band’s lead vocalist said he doesn’t plan to sell the band’s catalog. He suggested that he may donate parts of the Stones’ catalog earnings to charity.
He noted that he plans to leave some money to heirs, however, “the children don’t need $500 million to live well. Come on.” he said. He continued implying that he would like to make an impact with the band’s money. “You maybe do some good in the world.”
Hackney Diamonds is out 10/20 via Geffen. Find more information here.
Madame Tussauds‘ wax figures are a hit or miss. But the latest one is uncanny. Today (September 28), the famed wax museum’s Nashville location unveiled a figure of country music sensation Kacey Musgraves.
The replica of Musgraves is wearing a white lace jumpsuit, and is accessorised with a nose stud, gold rings, and hoop earrings, recreating her look from the 2019 Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo.
“What an honor, I never even knew I wanted this to be a bucket list moment.,” said Musgraves in a statement. “You all did an amazing job.”
As pictures of the wax figure have surfaced online, fans also can’t help but note its resemblance to the singer.
“If the mic wasn’t there, I would’ve struggled to find which one was the figure,” said one fan on Twitter.
If the mic wasn’t there, I would’ve struggled to find which one was the was figure https://t.co/sxq9Wc18Ab
According to a press release, the statue took six months to create with work of 20 London-based artists.
“As a country music icon, there is no better artist we’d like to welcome to the Madame Tussauds Nashville family than Kacey Musgraves,” said Marketing Manager for Madame Tussauds Monica Jackson in a statement. “She is one of country music’s most beloved stars and we’re honored for guests to welcome and sing with her at our attraction.”
Fans can visit Madam Tussauds Nashville beginning tomorrow (September 29) to see the wax figure.
Pursuing happiness is humanity’s universal aspirations and, many argue, a fundamental piece of a fulfilling life. While the very definition of happiness is, of course, subjective, one thing many of us (especially if you are reading this list) have in common is that travel plays a significant part in our pursuit. Because while we may not all be able to live in a place with incredible quality of life and recreation opportunities – we sure can visit them.
A destination that might not yet be on your radar for “happiness travel” is Utah, but according to WalletHub’s 2023 ranking of “Happiest States in America”, it’s number 1. Considering several factors such as economic, social, emotional, and physical health, this ranking might be surprising to those who haven’t spent much time in the Beehive State. But as a frequent traveler to Utah – I totally get it.
Emily Hart
The recreation opportunities alone are enough to put Utah at the top of any “top ____” list in my book. The large state is geographically diverse, with options for adventure and awe around every corner. Unsurprisingly, it has more national parks than almost any other state (save for California and Alaska), 43 state parks, over 15 ski resorts, and even a lake nicknamed the “Caribbean of the Rockies.”
If you aren’t yet convinced to book a flight to SLC and hit the road, here are my top 10 outdoor adventure destinations in Utah to change your mind:
Canyonlands National Park — Near Moab
Emily Hart
Canyonlands National Park, in my opinion, doesn’t get as much due as some of the other parks in Utah – and that’s part of what makes it so great. The massive National Park – with four distinct districts spread over 300-thousand acres – is rugged and unique. Most visitors experience Canyonlands via The Island In The Sky District, the most accessible just ten miles north of the outdoor mecca Moab. Here, you can hike the Shafer Trail and famous Mesa Arch, drive White Rim Road (with a 4×4 only), camp, head into the backcountry, or admire the massive panoramic views from the multiple viewing areas.
Where to stay nearby:
Head into Moab to stay at the newly opened Field Station Moab, a hotel centered around adventure stocked with outdoor equipment and professional outdoor guides.
Where to grab a drink nearby:
I love to grab a brew at Moab Brewery whenever I’m in town.
Arches National Park — Moab
Emily Hart
Just 5 miles north of Moab is one of the nation’s most unique and memorable National Parks – Arches. With over 2,000 documented natural stone arches (the largest concentration in the world) in just 119 square miles – there is something remarkable everywhere you turn here.
Hike the surprisingly challenging Delicate Arch trail or to the more mellow Double Arch before entering Devils Garden. The park road is stunning on its own – just be sure to secure a timed entry vehicle reservation before your visit. Reservations are released on a rolling basis three months in advance, with a limited number available the day before entry at 6 p.m. MDT on recreation.gov.
Where to stay nearby:
On my next visit, I’d love to stay at Red Cliffs Lodge on the gorgeous Highway 128 Colorado River Scenic Byway. The lodge offers suites and cabins with rustic Western decor framed by striking red cliffs and impressive amenities.
Less than 10 miles from Canyonlands, you’ll find another geological wonder (they are everywhere here y’all) – Dead Horse Point State Park. One of 43 state parks in Utah, Dead Horse Point is consistently one of the most visited. The Dead Horse Point overlook is legendary, with panoramic views of the Colorado River and nearby Canyonlands National Park — the kind of place that makes you feel small in all the right ways.
Renting a yurt in Dead Horse Point State Park is next on my Utah bucket list. With a two-night minimum stay, the yurts are spacious and convenient for all the action in the park.
I’ve had many conversations with fellow travelers and friends who said they took a trip to “all the Utah National Parks,” – but when I ask them what they thought of Capitol Reef, they realize they missed one. While not the “least visited Utah National Park” – that title goes to Canyonlands, it’s not as easy to get here; you likely won’t just “be in the area” – you have to want it. And I always do.
Home to part of the “Waterpocket Fold” – a geological feature described as a “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust that extends for 100 miles; enjoy scenic drives, hiking, and uniquely historic pick-your-own fruit orchards and famous fruit pies available at the Gifford Homestead during your visit.
Where to stay nearby:
Stay in Torrey for convenient access to the park at a short-term rental or one of the many standard hotels. I’d love to spend some nights at the elevated and modern Skyview Hotel on my next visit.
Where to grab a drink nearby:
Head south on the breathtaking Scenic byway 12 to Boulder and the only Utah restaurant ever selected as an outstanding restaurant finalist in the James Beard Awards – Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm.
Bryce Canyon National Park — Southern Utah
Emily Hart
Ask any seasoned National Park traveler what their favorite park in Utah is, and you’ll likely hear Bryce Canyon. It may not get as much fanfare as the enormously popular (and nearby) Zion National Park – but it is unique among any park in the NPS system. The vibrant geological formations and hoodoos – the park’s signature feature – are otherworldly and awe-inspiring to walk above, around, or below. And with elevations averaging between 8,000 and 9,000 ft, winter here might be even more spectacular with the juxtaposition of snow on the rocks.
Hike Rim Trail, Sunset to Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop, and Queens Garden or Mossy Cave to be transported into another dimension entirely.
Where to stay nearby:
Rent a vintage Airstream modern cabin, or bring your RV/van to the nearby Yonder Escalante. Enjoy nightly movies on the big screen in vintage cars, the pool and hot tub with a view, and the tasty food and drinks available onsite.
Zion National Park is one of the top-visited National Parks in the United States, and for good reason. The park in Southwestern Utah is home to the famed Angel’s Landing hike (don’t forget your permit), The Narrows, and Observation Point. Zion Canyon is one of the most awe-inducing places one can visit in the United States, hands down, stretching for 15 miles at depths up to 2,640 ft.
Where to stay nearby:
Snag a room at the only “in-park” lodging at Zion Lodge. The lodge offers cabins, hotel rooms, and suites.
This Utah State Park is close to the perennially crowded Bryce Canyon but with a fraction of the crowds and all of the beauty. Named after Kodak Kodachrome Film after a 1949 National Geographic Society expedition that photographed it using the film – this park is jaw-dropping. I felt like the only person left on earth hiking Angel’s Palace Trail, photographing the sandstone spires and chimneys, and watching for wildlife.
Where to stay nearby:
Rent a cottage, treehouse, or larger home – some with private hot tubs – at the luxurious Stone Canyon Inn in nearby Tropic.
Where to grab a drink nearby:
The Stone Hearth Grille at Stone Canyon Inn is a favorite, with fresh dishes, a great atmosphere, a lively crowd, and an extensive wine list.
Park City
Emily Hart
I have spent years traveling all around Utah, but until recently, I had never spent much time in Park City. Known for its world-class skiing and upscale vibes, I wasn’t sure what it would offer a non-skier like me. But after a recent trip during the shoulder season, I regret spending so much time not in Park City. The views are immaculate, the town is charming, the lodgings are upscale, and most importantly – the access to outdoor recreation is unparalleled. Hike, mountain bike, or stand-up paddleboard during the off-season, then head to Main St. for shopping and fine dining.
Where to stay:
I loved my stay at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City. The historic Norweigian-inspired luxury ski hotel has excellent restaurants, impeccable service, a sumptuous spa, and views from every vantage point.
Known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” the palatial Bear Lake, on the border of Utah and Idaho, is a year-round destination – but shines in the summer months. Spend days boating, beach lounging, hiking, and jet skiing on deep turquoise waters that will seem to transport you far out of Utah.
Where to stay nearby:
Glamp at the upscale Conestoga Ranch in luxury tents or wagons. All have plush mattresses, rustic elegant furnishing, ample amenities, and some with en suite bathrooms.
Where to grab a drink nearby:
Stay on property at Conestoga Ranch for drinks at The Campfire Grill. The timber-framed, open-air space offers lake views, and the beer and wine lists are carefully curated.
Bonneville Salt Flats — Western Utah
Emily Hart
You’ve undoubtedly seen photos of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Northwestern Utah. The otherworldly landscape created as a result of the evaporation of Lake Bonneville is a legendary image in the American West. The vast salt pan is the perfect backdrop for photography and stargazing, but what it’s really known for is speed.
The Bonneville Speedway, on the National Register of Historic Places, is an area of the salt flats predetermined for motorsports. Several land speed records have been made here, as the flat and smooth surface creates the perfect conditions.
Where to stay nearby:
There isn’t a ton nearby, as this is a remote area, often a stopping point between two other destinations or made as a day trip from Salt Lake City. The best nearby option is to head to Wendover in Nevada and try the KOA or Best Western.
Where to grab a drink nearby:
Your best bet is to bring your brews to enjoy while visiting this pristine landscape, likely unlike anything you have ever experienced before.
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