This Arizona lake was named among best in the US. Here's why it a top travel spot
The lake on Arizona's western edge received several kudos from USA Today's 10Best. It was named the 10th best lake overall in the June 11 ranking. It also ranked as the sixth best lake for water sports, and its Windsor Beach was named the sixth best lakeside beach.
Lake Havasu was the only Arizona lake to make any of the USA Today lists, highlighting the area's spectacular outdoors options and its beautiful scenery.
Visitors can enjoy boating, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing. Plus, with 400 miles of beaches in Lake Havasu City, there are many opportunities for relaxing with your feet in the sand.
"While Arizona's Lake Havasu is best known for its excellent fishing and boating opportunities, this scenic body of water is no slouch when it comes to its beaches," the ranking stated.
In addition to its namesake water feature, Lake Havasu City is home to the London Bridge, which chainsaw tycoon Robert McCulloch had shipped to Arizona in the 1960s. Visitors can walk the famous bridge and explore the English Village that surrounds it.
These are the 10 best lakes in the United States, according to USA Today's 10Best.
Big Bear Lake in California
Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin
Lake George in New York
Marion Lake in Minnesota
Lake Michigan
Lake Erie
Lake Superior
Lake Cumberland in Tennessee
Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont
Lake Havasu in Arizona
USA TODAY 10BEST says a panel of experts nominates events in each award category, with the final nominees selected via editorial review by its editors. Once the nominees in an award category are announced, the public has four weeks to vote online for their favorites. People can vote for one nominee in each category each calendar day.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lake Havasu named 10th best lake in the US
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
She took all 16 grandkids on individual trips. They just surprised her with her own.
Traveling with your loved ones can make for some of the most treasured memories – and Britney Lindgren's family knows this firsthand. For the past 24 years, Lindgren's grandmother has taken all 16 grandchildren on a dedicated one-on-one trip. This year, they returned the favor with a surprise trip to their Grandma Noreen's own dream destination. Since 2000, Grandma Noreen has planned a trip for each grandchild when they finish eighth grade. Along the way, they've made lifelong memories, from getting lost in Florida attempting to follow MapQuest directions to swimming with dolphins in California. At 87 years old, Grandma Noreen often calls herself blessed. The roles reversed this past July when eight of the 16 grandchildren took her on a trip to Hawaii, a place she's always wanted to visit. In a now-viral TikTok posted by Lindgren last week, the family is seen onboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Oahu when a flight attendant makes an unexpected announcement over the intercom of a "shout out from a very grateful group of grandkids" to a "true VIP" onboard – their grandmother. The grandchildren secretly planned this public declaration as a way to express their appreciation, the goal of making her feel special from the moment the trip began. "She's got a million stories, she loves to share them and it's so lovely," Lindgren told USA TODAY. "We were like, well, we're all gonna be sitting together. She might not be able to share her stories with people, so let's make sure her story is told." In the TikTok, the flight attendant reads a script written by Lindgren: "We're still not sure how she did it but somehow she made every single trip unforgettable and never met a stranger along the way. So now it's her turn. They're taking her on her dream trip and doing their best to stop her from organizing the whole thing." "Grandma Noreen, thank you for your love, your courage, and your endless curiosity, for being our biggest fan, our favorite travel buddy, and the queen of making memories," the crew member continued as the grandmother wipes tears from her eyes. Curious about a family trip? What it's like to cruise Disney with your whole family A longstanding family tradition The tradition started in 2000 with Lindgren, the eldest grandchild, when she was 14 years old. Lindgren's grandfather had suddenly passed in 1996, leaving Grandma Noreen wondering what to do during retirement – the idea of a grandmother-granddaughter trip struck. The two went to New York City, where they waved signs in the crowd for the "Today Show" and watched a river dance performance since Lindgren was a dancer growing up. Since then, Grandma Noreen has repeated the trip with each of her 16 grandchildren. (They propose several destination options, but the final choice is grandma-approved.) With one of them in tow, she's visited the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida; NASCAR race shops in North Carolina; and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Boston. She also took an Amtrak trip with another grandchild to Washington, D.C. – a journey that granddaughter hopes to recreate with her own children. Last year, Grandma Noreen went on her final trip with the youngest grandchild, so now was the time for her own travel dreams to come true. Story continues below. For years, the grandchildren had been discussing an all-cousin trip as a sort of reunion, but wanted to include their grandmother. They asked her where she's always wanted to go, and she answered with Hawaii. It was where her husband was stationed during the Korean War, and a place the couple never made it to together. "In my head, I was like, I can't hear my grandma say she wished she did something and not try and make it happen for her," Katie Sypniewski, one of the grandchildren, told USA TODAY. "So, I just shared the idea with my parents and then some of my cousins, and we just started kind of seeing how we could make it work." This past Christmas, the family surprised her with a trip to Hawaii by placing a lei, or flower necklace, around her neck. Although all 16 grandchildren tried to make the trip, only eight were able to go. Significant others weren't invited – it was just family time. Quality time in Hawaii Lindgren's family is quick to smile when thinking about their weeklong trip to Hawaii with their grandmother, from visiting Pearl Harbor to playing in the waves on the North Shore and becoming addicted to Dole Whip, the famous pineapple-flavored soft serve from the Dole Food Company. The eight grandchildren had been to Hawaii before, and wrote their own island-wide tour to take their grandmother on – each contributing something to show her. A moment that stood out to the family was touring Schofield Barracks, where their grandfather was stationed during the 50s. It was a must-do for Grandma Noreen. "We all have busy lives and we're all in our 20s and 30s, so it was just fun to be able to just slow down," Lindgren said. "I don't even know the last time we've spent six days together if we ever have consecutively, like all as cousins." The trip gave Lindgren and her family rare time with just each other, no outside distractions or obligations. "Even then (at family reunions), our partners, our kids, our parents, our everybody is in one house together, so it's not as much quality time, just the specific people," she added. In a little over a week, Lindgren's TikTok received over 4.5 million views. "It's been pretty cool to hear people's stories, how they wanna take my grandma's legacy and pass it on to their families, or sharing stories of their own family experiences," Lindgren said. "It's pretty cool to see that the impact she has on us, she now has on a lot of other people."
USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
Proposed 72-hour train route between LA, NY aims to debut in 2026
A rail company is proposing a new privately funded train route that can begin transporting people between Los Angeles and New York City in less than 72 hours as soon as next year. Delaware-based group AmeriStarRail unveiled its coast-to-coast route called the Transcontinental Chief with hopes of it being operational by May 10, 2026, ahead of the United States' 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The goal date, which lands on National Train Day, is subject to operating agreements with various host railroads, the company clarified. The project has been presented to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, also known as Amtrak. AmeriStarRail argues that a partnership between the two companies would be mutually beneficial, emphasizing that the route would be more profitable than Amtrak's existing long-distance trains. AmeriStarRail CEO Scott Spencer said Amtrak is seeking more information on the planning and coordination of the proposed system. "This is a way to confront the challenges Amtrak faces and create opportunities for them to succeed," Spencer told USA TODAY. "We're hopeful that all the parties that are involved including the host railroads recognize what a great opportunity this is for our nation." Amtrak did not respond to multiple USA TODAY requests for comment. Transcontinental Chief to replace existing bicoastal routes AmeriStarRail said the Transcontinental Chief train would replace the Southwest Chief and the Pennsylvanian Amtrak routes that currently help transport people between Southern California and New York via stops in Chicago or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. New Yorkers will board the train from the Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey, a three-mile ride to Lower Manhattan across the Hudson River through the Holland Tunnel. AmeriStarRail clarified that it's unable to directly stop in the Big Apple due to New York Penn Station tunnel restrictions for the passenger cars Amtrak uses, known as Superliners. However, there are no boarding restrictions in Los Angeles. The route would also include a single-level train section from Harrisburg to serve people in Washington, D.C., via Philadelphia, according to AmeriStarRail. "In discussion with various interests along the route, whether that be Victorville, California; Newton, Kanas; Lebanon, Pennsylvania, they recognize the economic engine that the Transcontinental Chief will be for their communities," Spencer said. Spencer added that the Transcontinental Chief would also offer travelers on Route 66 an alternative way back from their nearly 2,500-mile drive. Bicoastal route to be 'rolling rest stop for truckers' In addition to transporting passengers, the Transcontinental Chief would also transport truck drivers and their tractor trailers between the West and East coasts within the three-day span, according to AmeriStarRail. Through a roll-on, roll-off loading system, the route would serve as a "rolling rest stop for truckers" while offering a safe alternative to parking shortages, the company states. "At RailPorts along the route, truckers will be able to drive their entire tractor trailer trucks onto railroad flatcars and then rest and relax onboard Amtrak Coach, Sleeper and Dining cars as they travel 200 - 500 miles during their federally mandated 10 hour rest period," an AmeriStarRail news release states. Intending to debut next May, Spencer said the route would start with intermediate ports available in LA and New York City, with plans to incorporate more in the future. The company aims to transport cars, vans, motorcycles, RVs and charter motorcoaches, eventually also serving the Grand Canyon and Chicago.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- USA Today
The US reissued a travel warning for the most remote continent. Are you going?
The U.S. issues travel advisories for a wide range of destinations – including the most remote continent on Earth. The State Department reissued its routine travel advisory for Antarctica on July 28. The icy landmass has a Level 2 designation, urging travelers to exercise increased caution because of 'environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather.' The advisory also warned of limited emergency services. Antarctica has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years. During the 2024-2025 season, 80,455 people visited the ice, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Fewer than 56,000 did so during the 2019-2020 than 56,000 did so during the 2019-2020 season. Cruise operators visiting the region prepare for the unexpected, and passengers can take steps to stay safe, too. How to stay safe on Antarctica cruises Antarctica's weather is unpredictable, and visitors may get a taste of that before they even get there. Most travelers will need to cross the infamous Drake Passage. During the roughly two-day journey, passengers could get a smooth 'Drake Lake" or a rough 'Drake Shake,' so it doesn't hurt to bring seasickness medication just in case. (Cruise line medical facilities typically have some on hand, as well.) Cruise operators arrive ready. After video footage of 35-to-40-foot waves during a Quark Expeditions crossing went viral earlier this year, for instance, the company provided a statement to USA TODAY noting that it 'has over 30 years of experience navigating polar waters with a purpose-built, ice-class fleet and expert crew.' Passengers completed the voyage safely. Some operators also offer flights over the Drake Passage. However, those itineraries are 'exponentially more expensive' and may be more vulnerable to delays in bad weather than ships, Kristin Winkaffe, a luxury travel designer and founder of Winkaffe Global Travel, told USA TODAY last year. Cheapest Arctic, Antarctica cruises: How to book an epic voyage without overspending Once ships arrive, they must remain vigilant about changes. During an Antarctica cruise with Aurora Expeditions in December 2023, the onboard team assessed conditions at each intended stop, altering plans as needed (exploring by Zodiac boat instead of going on land, for example, or moving the ship to another area). Cruise ships carrying more than 500 guests are also not permitted to disembark guests in Antarctica and operate cruise-only sailings there, according to IAATO. The State Department 'highly' recommends purchasing travel insurance before visiting (cruise operators may also require it), and warned that there are no U.S. consular services in the region. 'The closest U.S Embassies/Consulates are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa,' its website reads. Travelers should also consider visiting with a professional guide or organization like an IAATO member, among other precautions. A list of members can be found on IAATO's website. 'Antarctica is a totally different beast in that you basically just have to accept that you're going on a tour to Antarctica and not get attached to any specific place,' Winkaffe said previously.
