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This Florida Spot Was Just Named the Best U.S. Beach Town by Vrbo—Thanks to Its Turquoise Waters, White Sand, and Charming Coastal Communities
Few things capture the spirit of summer quite like a day—or an entire week—spent in a beach town. These are places where the salty air has softened the edges of buildings, the ocean is never more than a short walk away, and quaint shops overflow with seashell souvenirs. Depending on where you live, a particular beach town might already come to mind.
But some destinations are more quintessential than others. Vrbo released its selection of the Top Beach Towns for Summer Vacations for 2025 including a selection of five can't miss domestic locations. In the top spot is 30A, Florida.
This is technically a collection of beach towns, not just one. Known as one of the best scenic highways in the state, 30A features a handful of picturesque towns on the Florida Panhandle. Situated directly on the gulf, each town offers the same white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
But while each beach might be similarly perfect, part of the appeal of 30A is that each town offers its own distinct personality. At no more than five to 20 minute drives apart from each other, you'll find everything from sleepy windswept towns with a dive bar to planned luxury communities boasting boutiques stocked with glass sculptures.
'Notable towns include Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Alys Beach, and Water Color,' Vrbo's report states. 'These towns feature charming accommodations, local food options, diverse shopping and family-friendly activities.'
You can find a vacation rental in Seaside, and spend the evening wandering through Water Color. The next morning, you could bike over to Rosemary Beach for breakfast before spending the day at the beach or one of the area's trails or nature preserves. It feels like a place where you can have cinematic summer experience, rife with fresh seafood, trips to beachy record shops, and days lounging in the Florida sun.
'The region has grown in popularity among Northern travelers and remains a hot spot with Southern travelers looking for a quick getaway from nearby cities like Atlanta,' Vrbo reports.
If you're looking for even more travel inspiration for other parts of the country, don't worry. Vrbo's top beach towns to visit in 2025 can be found below.
1. 30A, Florida
2. Wilmington, North Carolina
3. The Hamptons, New York,
4. Hilton Head, South Carolina
5. San Diego, California
6. Gulf Shores, Alabama

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Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
12 Bucket-List Waterpark Resorts Every Family Should Visit in the U.S.
No matter your family's speed, these parks provide the ultimate aquatic enjoyment. One of my fondest childhood memories is spending Florida summers at the waterparks. Whether it's the serenity of floating down a lazy river, the adrenaline rush of torpedoing down a water slide, or the communal joy of a wave pool, waterparks continue to be a family staple during the summer months because they offer something for everyone. While some of the most well-known waterparks are attached to the larger theme parks, there are plenty others across the country that deserve not only your attention, but your vacation time. Here are 12 waterpark resorts you should add to your list. Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Great for: Luxury and fun Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark beautifully combines the waterpark and beach resort experiences. From an indoor park geared toward high-energy fun, to outdoor resort-style amenities designed for luxury and relaxation, this one has it all. Stand-outs include Okana Beach, The Spa at Okana, and the arcade at Okanarama! And for families who love a little culture while on vacation, Okana Resort & Waterpark is near the First Americans Museum. Aquatica Location: Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas Great for: Teens and young adults Aquatica was recently voted the #1 water park by USA Today–and one could assume a lot of its appeal has to do with how it caters to the young folks. For the littles, there's 'Walkabout Waters,' which is specifically designed for smaller children, and 'The Ultimate Playdate', where select Mondays throughout the summer are reserved for younger kids. For tween and teen thrill-seekers, Aquatica offers water rides like 'Reef Plunge', 'Tassie's Underwater Twist', and 'Riptide Dance." For others who want to kick back and just chill, there are relaxing water experiences like 'Loggerhead Lane' Lazy River and the wave pool. For young adults, there's also an after-hours water party, AquaGlow, from 8 pm to 11 pm, where guests can enjoy as the park is lit up with neon lights. Camelback Resort Location: The Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania Great for: Families who like to choose their own adventure While the Camelback Resort is highly popular for winter sports, its waterpark resort is top-notch for adventurous families. Offering both an indoor (Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark) and (Outdoor Camelbeach Waterpark) park option, you shouldn't need to worry about space or weather. Guests can choose from a 'Flowrider Session' and surf like a pro, get splashed in a splash zone, or sleep in a cabana. And if you want to skip the water rides but still have fun, there's also 'Mountain Adventures' available with over 13 rides and activities for a wide age range. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania Great for: Families with tweens who love chocolate The Boardwalk Waterpark at Hersheypark has 16 water attractions. From thrilling water slides like the 'Whitecap Racer'–one of the longest mat slides in the world, to jumping waves in 'The Shore'–a massive wave pool, this park is full of fun tradition. Waterpark access is included with admission to the theme park, so it's an economical option. Parents will also be pleased to know there are fun-filled water spaces set aside for the little ones, such as 'Shoreline Playground' and Sand Castle Cove. At the nearby Hershey Story Museum, kids can learn about the history of chocolate and how to make it. You can also see animals at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. Discovery Cove Location: Orlando, Florida Great for: Independent explorers who love marine life Discovery Cove offers a truly unique waterpark experience that aquatic life enthusiasts will adore. Guests can purchase day passes to swim with dolphins, feed stingrays, and interact with otters and marmosets. Or, for an even closer look at aquatic life, there's SeaVenture, an underwater walking tour that takes place at The Grand Reef. Though these experiences are for "confident swimmers" ages 10 and up. Due to the immersive nature of most of the activities, parents and guardians will have to sign a waiver on behalf of their kids. While Discovery Cove is best for attendees who can roam freely about the park, there is Animal Trek, Flamingo Mingle, and the Dolphin Swim, which are for ages 6 and up. Raging Waves Location: Yorkville, Illinois Great for: Big family groups As the largest waterpark in Illinois, Raging Waves boasts a variety of unique, family-friendly attractions for different age groups. The Kangaroo Falls play area is filled with kid-friendly slides and other shallow water play. 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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Location: Valencia, California Great for: A waterslides and roller coasters double feature Fresh off of its 30th anniversary, Hurricane Harbor underwent a massive renovation, which made the most ascetically-pleasing waterpark in the state even prettier. With its SoCal location and proximity to Six Flags Magic Mountain, it's a popular destination for locals and visitors seeking a full day of action for families. With the exception of having to wait in long lines for the more popular rides, families should enjoy the diverse selection of experiences. The "Tornado' and 'Wahoo Racer' waterslides should appeal to older kids, and 'Splashwater Island' should please the littles. A family favorite is 'Hurricane Bay,' the massive 7,000-foot wave pool. Safety and Other Waterpark Tips Brian Szydlosk, manager of the Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark, spoke to the importance of water safety as families plan to attend waterparks this summer. 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Flight passenger makes easy money in unexpected seat swap deal, sparking big debate
As airplane seat-swapping stories continue to spread across social media platforms, one traveler who fell victim to the situation was able to make some money from the practice. Writing in the "r/delta" forum, a flight passenger shared how he or she (gender wasn't specified) was offered $100 to switch to a middle row seat on a flight from Tampa, Florida, to New York City. "So I normally select an aisle seat," the person wrote. "This guy who was 2 rows ahead of me had a middle seat. His girlfriend was assigned the middle seat next to me. He said he tried to get a different seat at check in, but was unable to." The flyer added, "He then offered me $100 (all $20 dollar bills) to switch seats with him. For a flight that is normally two-and-a-half hours and to sit in a middle seat for $100.00 — I said sure, I will take it." The person concluded, "If someone got cash money, depending on the flight, I can take it." Redditors took to the comments section to discuss if they would take the money — and wound up sharing their own seat-squatter encounters. "This is the way to seat swap," said one user. Another person commented, "At least he offered you something instead of the usual guilt trip." Yet another user said, "Since the airlines value all seats differently, no reason passengers should be any different. A willing buyer and seller completed a transaction that benefited both." One Redditor wrote, "Same thing happened to me. Some lady offered me $100 so she could sit next to her husband. But he had already paid me $150 not to move." "I likely would [have] told him to keep the cash and still would have swapped because that's such a bro move and how it should be done," said one person. Another user commented, "I would never, ever book a middle seat to save $100, but I would gladly sit in the middle seat for two hours or under if someone gave me cash in hand." Said one person, "I would never do this, but I'm tall and not slim, so middle seats are torture for me." A Redditor wrote, "This is the way to ask someone to swap seats. Cash in hand." Said still another person, "This is the acceptable way of making such a request. Negotiating with such a person is reasonable as well. Offering zero value like most people do is disgusting." Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital that for passengers looking to trade seats, it's best to offer something and have a good reason. "Don't try to trade your middle seat in the back for someone's extra legroom aisle," he said. "And if you offer a reason why you're asking (it doesn't even have to be a good reason), other flyers will be more likely to oblige." Added Leff, "If you don't have something compelling to offer, why not offer cash, a gift card, or something else that the other passenger might value? It's especially nice to show your appreciation when they're giving up something for you." He added, "The airline charges for seat assignments. Why shouldn't other passengers?" Leff said that from his point of view, travelers who want to swap a seat would be less disappointed in their requests if they gave passengers something in return.

Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Associated Press
Delicious, home-cooked meals can still be on the menu even in a wonky vacation rental
We are officially in the thick of summer. If we're lucky, we might get a break from the routine and head for the beach, the mountains or maybe discover a new city. For many, that means renting a vacation home — with an unfamiliar kitchen. At home, you probably have a variety of cooking utensils, a meaningful collection of herbs and spices, and the ability to select just the right pan for your dish. But as you step into your Airbnb or Vrbo, you're suddenly left wondering where to even put your groceries. There's a weird pleasure (at least for nerds like me) in pulling together a meal in a sparse, funky rental-house kitchen. It's like a reality cooking show challenge. Can you make an omelet in a saucepan? Perhaps you don't have fresh oregano … maybe those parsley stems will work? Can you stretch that small bottle of olive oil through the last two days of your trip? I'll call that conundrum, and I'll raise you a half a jar of gherkins. During rental home vacations, it's kind of fun to be untethered from the normal cooking routine. Believe you me, I'm racing out for fried clams at the local seafood joint as many nights as my budget and waistband allow. But for the meals I'm cooking, I'm relinquishing notions of perfection in favor of scrappiness. Picked up a whole lot of cherry tomatoes at a farmstand? You're making cherry tomato antipasti salad with some canned artichoke hearts, olives, onions and a quick vinaigrette. Maybe throw in some cubed provolone or diced salami. Peaches getting a bit too soft? Time for a smoothie. There's something liberating — and a little bit ridiculous — about cooking in a vacation rental kitchen. Bring some essentials of your ownBefore you go, consider packing a minimalist 'kitchen survival kit.' It doesn't have to be much: A sharp knife, a cutting board, salt and pepper, and whatever pantry staples you know you'll need to get started. For me, I might pack olive oil, vinegar, lemons, Dijon mustard and a couple of my favorite herbs and spices. I also always bring zipper-top bags and some small containers for leftovers or taking food on the go. Use the rental's features (and lack thereof) to your advantage Think about dishes that can stretch ingredients, and about welcome substitutions. A big grain salad — made with rice, quinoa or couscous — is endlessly customizable and can be served cold or at room temperature (think lakeside lunch or a backyard meal). I would also start with things that don't require an oven — you never know if it heats unevenly, or at all (it might be a glorified bread box). A stovetop pasta tossed with sauteed garlic and olive oil is always a win. Add red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan if you have it. Grills are often available and can be a vacation cook's best friend — as long as you've got an ample supply of the right fuel for it. Grill up simply seasoned chicken breasts or New York Strip steaks for dinner and very intentionally make extra — those leftovers will be perfect sliced and used for sandwiches, quesadillas, salads or wraps. Extra grilled corn might become a corn soup or chowder, a corn salad or something to add to a stir-fry. Think about brushing some slices of country bread with olive oil, sprinkling with flaky salt and toasting them lightly on the grill. Top with fresh sliced or chopped tomatoes with some basil, or turn them into whatever type of bruschetta you can whip up from your farmstand haul. Think caponata, sauteed chard or maybe a heap of sliced grilled peppers with some fresh goat cheese. Salads are always on the docket. Again, easy to improvise with farmers market ingredients. But this is your vacation, and you should feel free to play. Try a melon and cucumber salad with a bit of feta and a squeeze of lime juice, or a chopped vegetable salad bolstered with protein-packed chickpeas. Think creatively and accept imperfection As you come to the end of your trip and you need to use things up, get creative. That half jar of pickles will add a briny punch to a potato salad. That nub of leftover cheese and that last bunch of spinach will be great chopped up and added to scrambled eggs or a frittata. Cook what feels manageable, what makes use of local ingredients and what gives you more time outside with your people. Yes, you might be chopping vegetables with a serrated steak knife. Yes, there might be a little sand in the pasta salad as you serve it up on the beach. That's OK. Some of the best vacation meals come from embracing the fact that you're cooking without your usual tools and supplies. That's half the fun. I once made a great dinner from fresh scallops, a box of pasta, olive oil and a jug of margarita mix. That was 20 years ago, and we all still remember it. Peach and plum yogurt smoothie For their versatility and simplicity, smoothies can make for a vacation staple. This is your smoothie template. Swap around fruits, yogurt flavors, sweeteners and see if you can find a NutriBullet in the back of the cabinet. Also, if you plan ahead, you might freeze your fruit for a thicker smoothie, or just add some ice. If you've got some fresh mint, toss that in, too. Ingredients: 1 cup (8 ounces) vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup (8 ounces) peach yogurt 1 tablespoon honey or agave, or to taste 2 cups cubed peeled peaches 2 cups cubed peeled plums Instructions: 1. Place the vanilla yogurt, peach yogurt, honey, peaches and plums in a blender. Blend well. 2. Pour into glasses and serve.