HANDSOME DEVIL
Rising more than 1,200 feet above the Wyoming plains, Devils Tower has long been one of the West’s most striking landmarks. In summer 2026, the iconic butte – famously showcased in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 blockbuster Close Encounters of the Third Kind – celebrates its 120th anniversary as America’s first officially designated national monument, making a hike on its paved Tower Trail even more meaningful. “Summer is an ideal time to visit Devils Tower, with opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and experiencing nearby small-town charm,” says Hailey Stevens, public relations manager for the Wyoming Office of Tourism. Though temperatures are typically moderate in early summer, visitors should plan ahead for weather and note that June often brings voluntary climbing closures, when many Indigenous tribes observe cultural and spiritual traditions connected to the butte. Nonetheless, May and June offer a favorable window for visitors looking to avoid peak summer crowds – and a chance to experience one of Wyoming’s most iconic landscapes at a special moment. travelwyoming.com
– Kasturi Tale
New Around Town: Lake Tahoe
Tired of the scorching Phoenix weather this summer? Head to Lake Tahoe for a long weekend. Take a swim in vibrant blue waters, experience a new fitness class or hike amid scenic mountain views.
Rancher Hat Bar
The Village at Northstar
Visitors can create fun, customizable hats at Rancher Hat Bar in The Village at Northstar in Northstar California resort. They can choose from a wide selection of cowboy and trucker hats, and tailor it to their unique tastes using accessories like ribbons, charms and beads. rancherhatbar.com
Lagree Tahoe Fitness Studio
Vacationers can fit in a workout at this Incline Pass studio, which offers daily classes. Lagree is a version of Pilates that prioritizes slow, controlled movements using a Megaformer machine. The center also offers high-intensity, low-impact fitness classes for every fitness level. lagreetahoe.com
D.L. Bliss State Park
After a time of closure due to infrastructure upgrades, D.L. Bliss State Park is set to reopen to the public for camping and day use starting on May 21. Visitors can hike the Rubicon Trail, Lighthouse Trail and Balancing Rock Trail before relaxing on Lester Beach or Calawee Cove. parks.ca.gov
– Abigail Wilt
JUST BACK FROM MILAN WITH TARA HITCHCOCK
When Tara Hitchcock learned that the sons of her friends Chantal and Keith Tkachuk (the latter a former Phoenix Coyotes captain) were playing for the U.S. National Men’s Hockey Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she booked a flight to Italy. The award-winning journalist and former host of Good Morning Arizona stayed for a week in February to spend time with the Tkachuks and “support the team and run around Milan eating pasta and exploring.” She also caught several of Team USA’s preliminary matches, rubbed elbows with athletes at the Olympic Village and scored tickets to view Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” She shares her must-visits in la città di Milano.
Bar Luce
Auteur Wes Anderson designed this cinematic café inside Fondazione Prada, a 19,000-square-mile collection of art, architecture and film venues in a converted gin distillery. Hitchcock extols its coffee and brioche with pistachio cream. “It was right around the corner from the Olympic Village, so I was able to… see if I could bump into any of the athletes,” she says. fondazioneprada.org/barluce
Grand Hotel et de Milan
Hitchcock stayed at this historical hotel in the tony Montenapoleone District, within walking distance of landmarks like La Scala Opera House and the Duomo di Milano Cathedral. The Verdi Suite, where Giuseppe Verdi lived from 1872 until his death in 1901, features the desk where he composed some of his operas. “It was built in 1863 and was Milan’s first hotel to offer electricity and telegraph services,” Hitchcock says. “I loved it. I’ll stay there every time I go.” grandhoteletdemilan.it
Navigli
Though the Navigli neighborhood is known for its vibrant nightlife, Hitchcock recommends visiting in the morning to see its normally bustling streets in a new light. She describes the bohemian neighborhood, flanked by canals and lined with bars, restaurants, art galleries and shops, as “Milan’s attempt at Venice. It’s a historic district that’s been revitalized… and it’s a beautiful little spot to walk around.”
Bacaro Montenapoleone
Hitchcock dined at this cozy ristorante a short walk from her hotel several times throughout her stay to indulge in “the best lemon pasta and tiramisu of my entire life,” she says. Also worth a mention: sharing the restaurant’s intimate courtyard with 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles and NHL MVP Connor McDavid. “Everything about it was perfect.” @bacaro_montenapoleone
– Madison Rutherford
