Sherman's Travel

Low hotel rates over a holiday weekend? Now that’s something to scream about. Late October is still shoulder season for a lot of U.S. cities, meaning low prices during Halloween weekend at some major destinations. Many of the below cities are purportedly haunted themselves, meaning you’ll have plenty of scary sights to seek out this Halloween without spending too much on your hotel.

Philadelphia is said to be haunted by scores of Revolutionary-era ghosts, and you can stay at a brand-new, 4-star hotel in the center of all the history. The 4-star Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, a Kimpton Hotel is steps from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Ben Franklin National Memorial. Rates start from only $169 per night throughout the fall, and $199 per night over Halloween weekend.  Enjoy the stylish modern décor and upscale onsite dining, then venture out for a good scare at some of America’s scariest haunted houses, like the Fright Factory in a century-old South Philadelphia Warehouse, and Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house set up in the Eastern State Penitentiary, a 19th-century prison that was transformed into one of Philly’s coolest performance spaces. Read more

Pride is upon us. Wherever you hope to travel this summer, chances are you’ll be crossing paths with (or joining) a rowdy parade of L, G, B, and Ts flaunting what they got. So why not save some money while you’re at it? Or make Pride the reason for a trip in the first place?

With that reasoning, Marriott International (long a leader in equality for its LGBT employees) gets in on the action with a new campaign targeted to gays and their allies entitled “Be You, With Us.” Spanning its brands, from the super-luxe JW Marriott to the wallet-friendly SpringHill Suites, the crux rests on a global Pride calendar that denotes celebrations from now – Los Angeles and Boston Pride this weekend, Portland next, NYC and Paris later in the month – and into September when Las Vegas Pride and Key West PrideFest both take a bow. Properties in each city are handily noted, and 22 related LGBT packages both Pride-specific and year-long are called out with amenities such as free Red Bull in the room and glasses of wine or spa credits. For example: Read more

Explore the “Big Easy” without the crowds this summer and take advantage of low rates, starting at just $119 a night, at the New Orleans Marriott. Book a summer escape by June 18 and you can save as much as 50 percent off rates later in the season. Travel is valid now through September 28. If you book a premium room, you’ll also get 20 percent off food and drinks during your stay.

Besides the must-see sights, such as Royal Street and Jackson Square (which are within walking distance of the hotel), New Orleans is also playing host to a range of festivals and events this summer. From culinary to music events, there’s plenty to do in this vibrant city.

Located on Canal Street in the famed French Quarter, the New Orleans Marriott is just steps from Bourbon Street and the riverfront. The hotel’s recently updated guestrooms reflect the distinct flavor of the Big Easy with bold and stylish décor and spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Want to cool down after a day of sightseeing? Jump into one of the two outdoor pools or have a drink at the hotel’s popular restaurant, 5 Fifty 5, which features local sustainable food inspired by New Orleans, Cajun, French, American, and Creole cuisine.

To book this offer, visit the Marriott New Orleans website and use promo code WBZ.

See our New Orleans destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

We’ve all read the doom and gloom surveys: Americans are less likely to travel this summer because of the high price of gas, the state of the economy, or maybe because Venus is in retrograde (can’t be too careful with your horoscope). It seems hotels have read these surveys, too, and have devised ways to entice you to stay by footing part of your gas bill or even doling out cold hard cash.

Perhaps the most generous offer comes from InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), which will give you a $75 prepaid MasterCard for every stay of two consecutive weekend nights (Friday-Sunday) through September 3. You will have to wait 6-8 weeks to receive the gift card, but the deal applies to all IHG brands, from InterContinental to Holiday Inn.

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When it comes to summertime fun, not every town is satisfied with state fairs and carnivals. These intrepid communities celebrate quirky bits of history and time-honored traditions that make simple petting zoos seem boring. While some of these festivals might look bizarre at first glance, they serve the same purpose as the more run-of-the-mill gatherings: Get a bunch of people together to have fun. Read more

When we asked readers to recommend restaurants so delectable they’re worth a plane trip for our Mohegan Sun SunWine Fest giveaway last month, we received dozens of mouth-watering responses. The winner, Kevin OMaley, suggested two restaurants: Blue Ginger in Massachusetts and Morimoto Napa in California. Below are some additional restaurants, from the shores of New England down to the Gulf Shores. Check out our readers’ comments on the restaurants and let us know if you’d travel to any of these! Read more

New Orleans’ historic Hotel Monteleone – celebrating 125 years in 2011 – saw the reopening of its famous revolving Carousel Bar on December 1, just in time for the holiday season. The 25-seat rotating novelty is the only bar of its kind in the city, with a history that dates back to 1949. It owes its revolving capabilities to a system of motor-pulled chains and rollers, with the ride only further enhanced by a couple of well-crafted cocktails.

For some merrymaking on the merry-go-round, the hotel is serving up special holiday-themed cocktails with jolly names like the Joyous Noel, a blend of Absolut Mandarin, orange juice, and Grand Marnier; or Papa’s Nightcap, a dark roast coffee spiked with Bailey’s and Frangelico. Or pop in for some of the planned festive events, like on December 17, when Monte the Lion – the hotel mascot – will be hosting a Children’s Holiday Tea (at 10am or 2pm). Read more

The Monday after Thanksgiving – also known at Cyber Monday – is the biggest online shopping day of the year. This year, hotels and resorts are joining in on the shopping spree with one-day only online discounts. On November 28, 2011 only, book the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street and pay only $79 per night – an incredible savings of 33% on the hotel’s seasonal rates.

This one-day sale is available for travel on select dates from December 8, 2011 through September 20, 2012.

The New Orleans Marriott sits at the center of the action, located in the middle of the historic French Quarter and overlooking lively Bourbon Street. Explore NoLa’s jazz culture, Cajun cuisine, and exciting mix of French sophistication and African-American energy. Take a riverboat down the Mississippi, or visit some of the sights only blocks from your hotel, including the Aquarium of the Americas and the boutiques and restaurants of Riverwalk Marketplace.

THE VALUE: Save up to 33% on stays through September of next year.

THE CATCH: Mark your calendars! This one-day sale is only live on November 28, 2011.

THE DETAILS: To book this deal, visit www.neworleansmarriott.com on November 28 only. No promotional code is required.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to New Orleans. Then, check out our New Orleans Travel Guide to help plan your trip.

Costume ready? Party planned? What, you don’t have plans yet for Halloween? With just six days left until the gayest holiday of the year, time is ticking to get your ghoul on – especially as its being on a Monday brings a whole weekend of frights beforehand. Let us be your guide with this crib sheet of the coolest gay events from coast to coast. As for costumes, just try to avoid one of these.

CHICAGO: The city’s biggest bash is in Boystown with a parade from Belmont to Bradley on Halsted Street with plenty of boozing, main stage entertainment (Musical of the Living Dead, Chicago Fire Tribe, and more) and after-hours action in the bars and clubs. Visit NorthHalsted.com for more info.

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Held early, on Friday the 28th, The Short North Highball Halloween combines both a public costume contest and a couture contest fashion show with plenty of queer creativity, pulling in crowds of over 20,000 from throughout the Midwest; from 5pm to 1am outdoors, under and around the area’s iconic arches. Read more

When Labor Day passes, those of us with school-age kids observe a moment of silence to mourn the end of family vacationing until the winter holidays roll around. For those of us who don’t yet have or no longer have children in school, the passing of Labor Day means the time for a family vacation is now.

“Fall’s most reliable and notable trend is the drop in prices post Labor Day,” says Genevieve Shaw Brown, editorial director at Travelocity. “It’s a more affordable time for a family to take a vacation than the summer months.” For families and other bargain-hunting travelers, it’s a shoulder season “when prices are lower, crowds are fewer, and the weather is still agreeable,” she says.

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