Sherman's Travel

No matter how cold it gets in Minnesota, it’s always 72 degrees in the Mall of America. The Bloomington behemoth maintains its internal temperature not with a heating system, but with solar energy flowing through its eight acres of skylights, the light from its more than 520 stores and 50 restaurants, and the body heat radiating from the 40 million people who visit those stores and restaurants every year.

Iron-fisted shopping amid many heated bodies may not be a draw for all families, but seen through a different lens, Mall of America (MOA) may pack appeal as an off-the-beaten-path theme park destination. MOA’s centerpiece, Nickelodeon Universe, is the biggest indoor amusement park in the United States. As a bonus, the mall is only about 10 miles south of the best city you’re not visiting, Minneapolis.

Read more

The first few weeks of May, before Memorial Day kicks off the summer travel season, present a sweet spot for domestic travel. You’ll find pleasant spring weather in most of the country, without the crowds and heat that can plague July and August vacations. Take advantage with Frontier’s nationwide fare sale, which is slashing rates on routes between popular destinations, including New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and San Antonio. Tickets drop to as little as $44 each way, including most taxes and fees.

Sample Fares (O/W):

Albuquerque – Denver: $ 44+
Denver – Tucson: $ 49+
Denver – Phoenix: $54+
Des Moines – Milwaukee: $59+
Spokane – Denver: $69+
Los Angeles – Denver: $74+
New York (LGA) – Milwaukee: $84+
Madison – Denver:  $99+
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Kansas City: $109+
San Antonio – Milwaukee: $114+

THE VALUE: One week after the sale, fares on the Albuquerque to Denver route jump to $99 each way – more than double the current price.

THE CATCH: You’ll have to act fast: Tickets must be booked by May 18 for travel through May 25.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels and other travel deals.