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Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: 12 Ways To Gift Quality Time Together
A father and his two boys fishing at Abbott Lake. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Universal Images Group via Getty Images When it comes to Father's Day, the most valuable gift you can give might not come in a box—it's time. Time to unwind. Time to connect. Time to create new stories together. For busy dads, carving out space for memorable experiences is more meaningful than any material thing. These gifts go beyond socks and scotch. They are built around doing, not just giving—offering everything from hands-on workshops and hiking adventures to luxury retreats and customizable global tours. Whether you're planning a day with just the kids, a weekend getaway with extended family, or a bold bucket-list bonding moment, each idea here is designed to inspire connection, laughter, learning and exploration. Turn an ordinary day into a luxury getaway with ResortPass, which lets families enjoy high-end hotel amenities without booking an overnight stay. Dad can spend the day poolside at a five-star resort, unwind in a cabana, or recharge with spa access—all at properties he's always wanted to visit. It's an ideal option for families who want a mini-escape without the full vacation commitment. With hundreds of participating hotels across the U.S., the only hard part is choosing where to go next. Price: Varies by location and amenities. Ready to upgrade family game night? Activate is the world's first active gaming facility, combining high-energy physical challenges with immersive digital gameplay. With over 40 locations across North America, this screen-meets-sweat experience is like an escape room crossed with a laser maze—perfect for dads who want to move, laugh and compete with their crew. It's bonding with a heart rate boost. Price: Varies by location; typically around $25 per person. For a gift that's as entertaining as it is unexpected, take Dad back in time—chainmail and all. Medieval Times' dinner and tournament show combines jousting, feasting and cheering in a full theatrical setting, available at 10 castles across the U.S. For Father's Day 2025, upgrade to the Beer Package, which includes a 25 oz. drinking horn filled with his favorite brew. Expect laughs, competition and family bonding with a healthy dose of spectacle. Price: Varies by location; available for shows June 2 to 15, 2025. Can't decide on just one experience? Giftory makes it easy to let Dad choose his own adventure—whether it's a hot air balloon ride, dinner cruise, stock car thrill ride or wine tasting tour. The site offers flexible, book-now-or-later options that don't expire, so he can schedule when it fits his calendar. Whether he's craving adrenaline or relaxation, Giftory covers it all with one seamless gift. Price: Varies by experience; gift cards available. If Dad dreams of hitting the open road in style, RV Overnights offers the ultimate access pass. With a network of over 1,000 host locations—including wineries, golf courses, farms and historic sites—it's a curated way to experience the U.S. in a luxury RV or camper. The $49.99 annual membership unlocks exclusive locations, zero campsite fees and over $3,500 in partner discounts. It's road-tripping with none of the guesswork and all the perks. Price: $49.99/year. Give Dad a break from the screen and a reason to lace up his hiking boots with the whole family with a premium AllTrails subscription. The app makes it easy to find and navigate beautiful trails across the U.S.—whether it's a beach stroll, forest escape or desert adventure. AllTrails+ offers offline maps and real-time alerts, while the new AllTrails Peak tier adds even more features for hardcore hikers. Price: AllTrails+: $35.99/year; AllTrails Peak: $80/year. Swap another tie for a toast with one of Total Wine & More's in-store classes, offered at 270+ locations nationwide. Whether Dad prefers a bourbon deep-dive, a wine tasting tour through South America or a spirits-with-a-twist session, these guided experiences make for an affordable and enriching night out. Classes are approachable and expertly led. Price: Typically $20 per class; varies by location. For the dad who's impossible to shop for, let Tinggly do the heavy lifting. This curated experience gift box includes access to over 14,000 adventures in 100+ countries, from shark cage diving to exotic car racing. He can redeem it anytime, anywhere—and choose what kind of memory he wants to make. It's the most personalized gift you can give without picking an actual item. Price: Varies by gift box. Few things are more meaningful than building something with your own hands—and Rockler's woodworking classes let Dad do just that. With more than 40 stores nationwide, Rockler offers in-person experiences where families can make cribbage boards, beer mugs, charcuterie boards and more. It's a great multi-generational activity that results in a tangible keepsake. Price: In-store classes typically $80–$250+. For the dad who wants deep connection without the logistics headache, Wanderwild delivers luxury family retreats designed to include everyone—yes, even the kids. These multigenerational escapes place wellness, nature and quality time at the center. It's a rare combination of upscale hospitality and family inclusiveness that's as thoughtful as it is restorative. Price: Varies by retreat type and location. Boatsetter makes it easy to gift a nautical escape—whether it's sailing past city skylines, reeling in trophy catches or wakeboarding with the kids. With thousands of rental options across the U.S., Boatsetter offers everything from laid-back cruises to adrenaline-packed days on the lake. Booking is instant, captains are optional and the memories? Guaranteed. Price: Varies by location and vessel type. For world-traveling dads—or those planning their next big trip—ToursByLocals offers curated, private tours led by hand-picked guides in 176 countries. These aren't group excursions or cookie-cutter itineraries. Each experience is built around what Dad wants to see, taste and learn, whether it's a street food crawl in Tokyo or sailing the Aegean with his crew. It's cultural immersion with concierge-level care. Price: Varies by destination and tour customization.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Low-cost, less stress and nobody asking, 'Are we there yet?': Why a staycation might be your summer travel solution
Sometimes the best vacation is just staying home (or at least pretty darn nearby). Take it from me, a travel journalist who has been all over the world but found that there's nothing quite as relaxing as leaving my dishes and laundry (and children) behind and posting up at my favorite neighborhood pool or spending the night in a chic hotel just a few miles from my house. The term 'staycation' was first used in 1944, and it may have originated as a wartime effort to save gas. And while it may lack the glamour or wanderlust of today's overachieving travel culture, in which travel influencers are ticking off visited countries by the dozen, staycationing is a great opportunity to take advantage of what your surroundings have to offer. What's more, planning a staycation somewhere within the cozy confines of your own hometown can reduce travel stress and cut costs. Bonus: It also comes with stealth health benefits. And it couldn't be easier to pull off: ResortPass conducted a survey last year that found 85% of employed Americans said they felt recharged after taking only one day off work, no matter where they went or how they spent it. The survey also found that 'staycations' or 'daycations' are seeing rapid growth — about 50% each year. Airbnb's recent summer travel trends report backs this up, finding that U.S. travelers are prioritizing spontaneous staycations this summer. The vacation rental booking platform is seeing a significant increase in searches for trips within 300 miles of guests' homes. Still not convinced on why — and how — a staycation is worth pulling off? Ahead, experts break down the benefits, while a few professional globetrotters share their tips on making the most of your time off. Perhaps the most compelling reason to plan a staycation is just how much less planning it requires than travel. 'Staying closer to home can help reduce the stress of planning a trip, including deciding on a destination, figuring out transportation and managing expenses,' says Lisa Pittman, who has unique expertise in this area: She is both a licensed psychologist and a certified travel coach. Pittman knows that while traveling can be enjoyable, it comes with its own set of challenges. 'Even positive stress is still stress,' she says. In fact, there's a commonly used stress rating scale (the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory) that includes both positive and negative life stressors, 'and vacation is one of them,' says psychologist Hannah Holmes. 'Typical vacations usually require extensive planning and significant cost, not to mention disruption to your day-to-day routine,' Holmes tells Yahoo Life. Staying close by, meanwhile, allows you to recharge with all the comforts of home while cutting down on costs and travel time. It also 'provides a sense of control over one's environment, which is a key factor in managing anxiety,' Pittman adds. And staycationing can remove the pressures of a jam-packed itinerary typical of travel: If you were jetting off somewhere far-flung (and paying a premium for it), you may feel obligated to load your schedule with activities in order to get your money's worth. 'Without the urgency to explore everything at once, a staycation allows for a more relaxed and flexible approach to leisure — free from the expectation of maximizing every moment,' says Pittman. A staycation can also give you the same type of mental health benefits that a vacation would. 'You give your brain some time off,' explains Dr. Jessica Reddy, a psychiatrist. 'The excitement from the change in routine can also release those feel-good chemicals in the brain, called dopamine. A staycation essentially gives your brain the opportunity and space to fully relax and reset.' Opting for a staycation doesn't mean you're skipping out on the unique experiences aspect of a vacation. With a little imagination, a staycation can help you appreciate what's on offer close to home — and can even be awe-inspiring. 'Awe is about breaking routine and seeing the world with fresh eyes, so even a sunrise hike or stargazing night can light up your brain in the same way as international travel,' says Reddy. 'Prioritize novelty, nature and a little bit of wonder,' she advises. To spark awe without leaving town, try doing something you've never done in your own city — like visiting a new garden, museum or rooftop view. Or 'consider taking a day trip to a nearby destination,' recommends Pittman. 'If you have a list of places you've been meaning to visit, now is the perfect time to check one off.' Do a search for the top attractions in your state, or ask friends and neighbors for their favorite spots nearby. Here's a hack from Reddy that can make your staycation really special, inspired by a question she asks her patients: What was an activity you loved as a child? Tap into that past joy by seeking out outings with a similar spirit, whether it's grabbing tickets for a local sandlot baseball game, signing up for a painting class you wouldn't normally make time for or visiting a picturesque park on the other side of town. Don't overplan. Since most people take a week or less off from work, 'it's important not to overwhelm yourself with too many options,' says Pittman. Instead, 'focus on experiences that genuinely bring joy and relaxation, ensuring your staycation remains fulfilling rather than exhausting." Stay active. When you travel, chances are you hit some serious steps — through airports, exploring a new city, or even hitting up hiking trails. Don't let your staycation, on the other hand, turn you into a couch potato. 'Connect with friends or family at an outdoor location — perhaps a scenic spot where you can hike or take a leisurely walk,' says Pittman. Reddy agrees. 'Plan an itinerary with movement built in, such as biking to a farmer's market, hiking a local trail or taking a walking food tour of your city," she suggests. "Physical activity boosts mood and energy, and pairing it with something new can rewire your brain for joy.' Get off screens. And that doesn't just mean your work computer! 'Staycations offer a chance to be unplugged, as screen time/social media/news can detrimentally impact mental health and sleep,' says Reddy. 'This is a time for intentionality, to have the freedom to play outside of the bounds of regular life.' So shut that laptop, turn off text notifications and please, no doomscrolling. Do something creative. Staycations are an opportunity to dig into what inspires you, outside of the daily grind. Reddy advises staycationers to 'make progress on any personal projects or ideas,' like doing some creative writing, reading for pleasure or other hobbies. This, she says, can reinvigorate your creative spark. Check in with your sense of purpose. When you're stuck in the routine of work-kids-cooking-cleaning and the like, it's 'easy to get caught up in the 'doing' and the 'what' in our lives,' says Reddy. In this cycle, 'eventually the 'why' becomes less clear. Having some time to reflect on one's life purpose ... can be beneficial in evaluating and resetting priorities.' Who knew your staycation would turn out to be so life-affirming? Remember: It doesn't have to be epic. Alas, even the humble staycation can become a victim of social media-fueled lifestyle creep. But you do not need to shell out serious cash or spend all your PTO to curate the perfect peaceful staycation. If you don't have time or money for some souped-up, week-long staycation that involves a stint at the fanciest boutique hotel in town, 'even setting aside a few hours to relax at home — listening to music, reading a book or soaking up the sun — can offer meaningful mental health benefits,' says Holmes. But make sure you're 'prioritizing rest and relaxation,' she adds, 'rather than filling your free time with chores. Recreate the same calm and joy you'd find on a traditional vacation.' Is this the nudge you needed to put up a hammock in the backyard?
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Best hotel water parks and pools in metro Phoenix: 8 places to slide and splash
Staycationers and travelers who come to metro Phoenix during the summer almost always crave a hotel water park or swimming pool as part of their survival strategies. Hotels and resorts throughout the greater Phoenix area are famous for their pools and water parks, offering a refreshing escape from triple-digit temperatures. Some are designed for family fun and include theme park-style thrills like wave pools or an eight-story water slide. Others are adults-only oases where people can relax and enjoy a drink. Whether travelers are seeking thrills or tranquility, they can enjoy Arizona's hotel pools or water parks by staying at the hotels or purchasing a day pass through ResortPass. Here are the best hotel water parks and pools in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa's Oasis Water Park has 7 acres of family fun. It boasts eight-story-tall water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, hot tub and Wild Cat Springs, an area specifically for smaller 8000 Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix. 877-800-4888, Great Wolf Lodge Arizona offers an indoor water park where the temperature is climate-controlled to 84 degrees year-round. The 85,000‐square‐foot attraction includes a lazy river, wave pool, water slides, raft slides and an activity area for smaller visitors. Details: 7333 N. Pima Road, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. 888-962-9653, The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers a collection of five pools, all heated to 82 degrees year-round. The resort opened the AquaRidge Waterpark in 2023, featuring three water slides, an enhanced lazy river and an adults-only lounge area. Details: 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. 480-293-5000, This former Hyatt Regency hotel, which was elevated to a Grand Hyatt in November 2024, has a 2.5-acre water playground with nine pools, fountains and a three-story, high-speed water slide. Before the hotel became Grand Hyatt, the pool area was renovated with upgrades including new lounge chairs, cabanas, a kiosk where bathers can get towels and rent pool floats, and changes to the poolside restaurants that included new menus curated by celebrity chef Richard Blais. Details: 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale. 480-444-1234, The Adventure Water Park at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix has a lazy river and 110-foot water slide as well as a FlowRider surf simulator. Those looking to make their stay a little more special can reserve the Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef for their own private island in the lazy river. Details: 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix. 480-624-1000, The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak in north Phoenix is an all-suite resort offering the River Ranch water park, a lush pool area complete with lazy river and water slide as well as a baby pool. Details: 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-997-2626, Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers six pool areas for guests to enjoy. The Sonoran Splash pool caters to families with two 200-foot twisting water slides, one for riders 42 inches and taller and one for littler kids. If you have very small kiddos, Sonoran Splash offers a zero-entry pool deck, sandbox play area and beach toys. Sunset Beach, the newest and largest pool at the Princess, has white sand beaches and a splash pad. The Privado Villas, the Princess's exclusive hotel within a hotel, has its own relaxation pool with views of the TPC Scottsdale stadium golf course and the McDowell Mountains. Details: 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848, Arizona Biltmore, the historic resort distinguished by its Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, has seven pools. Its variety appeals to different sets of travelers, including the Saguaro Pool for adults-only relaxation and the Paradise Pool for family fun. The Paradise Pool is where guests can ride the Twist triple waterslide. The variety of pools was a significant factor in USA TODAY readers naming Arizona Biltmore as one of the resorts with the best hotel pools in the U.S. Details: 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 602-955-6600, Mountain Modern, Remi and VAI: Biggest new hotels and renos in Arizona in 2025 Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best hotel water parks and pools in Phoenix for summer 2025
CNBC
09-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
The keyword for American's summer travel is local, local, local, says ResortPass CEO Michael Wolf
Michael Wolf, Resort Pass CEO, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss state of the consumer spending and summer travel trends he's seeing.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mother's Day 2025: The best experiences to gift Mom this year
We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals . A bathrobe? Been there. A bouquet of flowers? Done that. This year, go for the unexpected with these picks from ResortPass, Tinggly and Uncommon Goods. (Getty) You know as well as I do that all your mom wants for Mother's Day is quality time with her nearest and dearest (ahem, you). And while, yes, I love tracking down clever, one-of-a-kind gifts, I also know that best present isn't always something you wrap — it's something you do together. That's where this list of unforgettable Mother's Day gift experiences comes in. While a handful of these gift experiences can be done solo (Mom needs a minute, OK?!), most of them are intended to be a bonding moment for you two. There's a pottery kit that you can order right off Amazon, a virtual flower arranging class and an at-home chocolate tasting, among others. In some cases, it's better if Mom calls the shots, which is why I've sprinkled in a few gift cards that she can redeem for cooking classes, spa days and photoshoots with the family. Given that a lot of these picks are digital, you can snag 'em at the last minute. But since you still have a little time to spare, go ahead and make your pick now, so you can rest easy until Mother's Day. Update, May 6, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Amazon Sculpd Pottery Starter Kit Creative, crafty moms can stretch their skills with this at-home pottery kit. It comes with enough clay, varnish and paint to make two pots or planters — one for Mom, one for her favorite kid (you!). Need a few pottery pointers? Follow Sculpd's step-by-step guide and video tutorials. $65 at Amazon Alice's Table Alice's Table Flower-Arranging Fundamentals Workshop Fresh flowers and Mother's Day go together like, well, you and your mom. Instead of sending her yet another bouquet, sign her up for a flower-arranging workshop that she can attend anytime, anywhere. She'll get a box of pretty blooms from 1-800-Flowers and a vase shipped right to her door, then she can follow the step-by-step video to arrange it to her liking. $65 at Alice's Table Storyworth Storyworth Subscription Memories are priceless, and Storyworth is a simple way to ensure that they live on forever. They'll send her a year's worth of emails with prompts to guide her story (like "What is the furthest you've ever traveled?"). When the year's up, they'll compile all of her writing into a hardbound book — the fact that you care enough to ask is the greatest gift you can give your mom, and the final product is a gift for you and the generations to follow. $89 at Storyworth Uncommon Goods Pet Portrait-Painting Class Her fur baby will become her muse in this online painting class led by artist Addie Stunkard. Everyone starts with a black-and-white printed photo of their pet, which they'll trace onto watercolor paper and bring to life with paint. Make sure she has all the materials at home before it's time for class, or play it safe by picking up the watercolor set for an extra $30 so she's set and ready to go. $35 at Uncommon Goods SpaFinder SpaFinder Gift Card You can buy her all the lotions and potions in the world, but that doesn't mean she'll use 'em. A trip to the spa, however, is something she can — and will — squeeze into her schedule. A SpaFinder gift card is your best bet because she can use it at thousands of spas around the country for whatever, whenever — a facial, manicure, massage, full-body treatment, you name it. $25 at SpaFinder MasterClass MasterClass Annual Membership Give the gift of learning this Mother's Day. For just $5 a month, she can take unlimited online classes taught by experts in their craft. You know what that means, don't you? In no time, she'll be cooking up a storm like Gordon Ramsay or redecorating the house à la Joanna Gaines. $5/month at MasterClass REI America the Beautiful Pass The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass The mountains are calling you and your mom! This pass gives her and the rest of the fam year-long access to parks and sites across the country. It'll cover the entrance fee for the entire vehicle (or an additional three adults at sites that charge per person), so she just has to worry about getting to the destination. $80 at REI Driftaway Coffee Driftaway Coffee-Tasting Kit She appreciates a good cup of coffee as much as the next person, but this class takes things to the next level. Driftaway Coffee will send her a box with five pre-measured whole bean or ground coffees, five glasses and additional info about the tasting, which can she do solo or on Zoom with other budding brewmasters. But that's not all: She'll also get the brand's Coffee Explorer Box, which includes five two-ounce bags of coffee to keep the caffeine buzz going after the tasting. $52 at Driftaway Coffee Tinggly Tinggly Thank You, Mom Gift Experience Show, don't tell with a Mother's Day gift that takes you two out of your element. Redeem this voucher for a two-person activity in cities worldwide, from a line dancing class in Nashville to beer tasting in Belgium. Let this be the catalyst for a trip to remember — or at the very least, a weekend away from home. $93 at Tinggly ResortPass ResortPass Gift Card A daycation is just what she needs. Use ResortPass to send her off to a hotel or spa for a day of pampering and pool time. While you can always call the shots for her by booking a specific date and time, a gift card lets her take matters into her own hands. Just be sure to check out the pricing in your area to ensure the gift card covers the whole experience. $50 at ResortPass Olfactory NYC Olfactory At-Home Customization Experience Perfume is personal, and Olfactory knows this all too well. They specialize in custom scents — you can visit one of their brick-and-mortar stores to make your own or order a box for an at-home experience. The latter comes with nine samples of their core scents along with a $20 credit to redeem a Tinkerer Box, which comes with six custom variations of her favorite scent from the original sampling. Once she settles on her overall favorite from the bunch, she can use the credit on the Tinkerer Box sleeve to order a full-size fragrance. $85 at Olfactory NYC Cozymeal Cozymeal Gift Card You love your mom's cooking and I'm not looking to get you in trouble here, so be sure to make that clear before you hand her this gift card. Think of Cozymeal as a way to broaden her horizons in the kitchen. All classes, whether virtual or in-person, are taught by the same caliber of chef, so she's guaranteed to learn from culinary's best. Give her enough money to cover the cost of a class (virtual classes start at $39), so she can pick from cuisines, themes and experience levels. $39 at Cozymeal Dandelion Chocolate Dandelion Chocolate Virtual Chocolate Tasting Eating chocolate is an experience as it is, but why don't you go ahead and make a game out of it? Dandelion Chocolate will take her tastebuds on a journey in their virtual tasting, where she'll learn about flavor notes and pairing suggestions. First things first: She'll receive a box with five chocolate bars, a tasting sheet to jot down notes and instructions on how to sign up for her class. All you have to do is buy the tasting set, then she handles the rest! $75 at Dandelion Chocolate Goldbelly Goldbelly Monthly Cookie Subscription Your mom appreciates the finer things in life — and by that, I mean sweet treats and lots of 'em. With this Goldbelly subscription, she'll get enough cookies from top bakeries to feed six to eight people each month (if sharing's even on the table, of course). The assortment is ever-changing — she'll get traditional Italian cookies one month and New York's famous black-and-white cookies the next. Take it month by month or spring for a three-month subscription, at $150. $50 at Goldbelly Flytographer Flytographer Gift Card She has a zillion photos of her kids, but with them? That's a different story. Flytographer will help get Mom in the picture — give her a gift card and she can redeem it for a family photo sesh in one of 350 cities worldwide, whether it's close to home or on the next family vacation. A $325 gift card will cover a 30-minute session, but spring for the next level to get 35 photos in one or two locations ($425). $325 at Flytographer The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it. Shop Mother's Day gifts: Best Mother's Day gifts for 2025 | Mother's Day gifts under $50 | Unique Mother's Day gifts | Last-minute Mother's Day gifts | Best Mother Day gift experiences | Best Mother's Day flowers
