Men's Journal

If the dog-days of summer are wearing you out, take a break for live music and yoga in Lake Tahoe, satisfy your thirst on a wine trail along the Missouri River, or witness a record-breaking motocross jump in Chicago’s Grant Park.

By Steven Kurtz, Karin Krisher, and Nate Storey

Wanderlust Festival, July 24-26
Squaw Valley USA, Lake Tahoe, California

Escape to Squaw Valley USA in Lake Tahoe, CA this weekend for the relaxing and environmentally friendly Wanderlust Festival. The impressive line-up, including Michael Franti and Spearhead, Spoon, Andrew Bird, Mates of State, and Broken Social Scene will play on three stages, with the main Gold Coast stage located at over 8,000 ft. and only accessible by funitel or cable car. Festival goers can also relax in Squaw’s Kula Village, where world-renowned yoga instructors John Friend and Shiva Rea (as well as many others) will be offering classes all weekend. If the festival ignites your own wanderlust, escape to one of the many Squaw Valley hiking trails, ranging from beginner to difficult.

To sweeten the deal, Wanderlust aims to be as close to “zero impact” environmentally as possible, using several methods including waste reduction, sustainable food offerings, and carbon offsets. Three-day passes range from $125 for the music only “Wanderer” ticket to the $1,250 “Mystic” VIP music and yoga package. Each ticket package is different, so make sure you get the right one for you.

Travel and Accommodation: Squaw Valley USA is 42 miles from Reno, 96 miles from Sacramento, and 196 from San Francisco via I-80. Fly into the Reno Tahoe International Airport and make the drive. Wanderlust has also encouraged travelers to carpool to the event, and their community message boards are a great place to find a ride. Once there, the four-diamond Resort at Squaw Creek is offering a Wanderlust package for only $95 dollars a night or camp at Granite Flats or Boca Rest only 5 miles away.

Berries and BarBQ Wine Trail, July 25-26
Hermann, MO

Satisfy your late summer appetite with a trip along the Berries and BarBQ Wine Trail this weekend in Hermann, MO. For $30 per ticket—which needs to be purchased in advance—you’ll visit six family-owned wineries tucked along the Missouri River, and sample savory combinations like Grilled Pork Medallions with Mixed Berry Chipolte Sauce and 2007 Vidal Blanc. You’ll be making your way to each winery on your own schedule, so when you’ve tired of cool wine cellars, get on your bike and into the sun on the 250-mile Katy Trail, the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project. If you want to squeeze some elevation into your ride, pedal onto the open road and climb through the hills of Wine Country. Top your weekend off with a round of golf at Loutre Shore Country Club, which stays open until dusk.

Travel and Accommodation:
Fly into Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and rent a car for the 90-minute drive to Hermann, or drive the entire way along I-70. Bed and Breakfasts in Hermann are so abundant, we couldn’t pick just one, so choose your favorite from this list, and call ahead for reservations. If you’re not into the B&B scene, take your chances with a first come, first serve policy and set up a tent at Hermann City Park.

Red Bull High Rise, July 25
Chicago, Illinois

If nothing gets your blood rushing like big-air then head to the Windy City this weekend where Ronnie Renner plans to test gravity’s limits by breaking his own world record in an atmospheric motocross jump at Grant Park. With Chicago’s skyline as his backdrop, Renner will launch off a 30-foot quarter-pipe and look to surpass his 59-foot, 2-inch record as part of the Venetian Night festivities on Saturday. During your downtime, take an opportunity to observe the exhibits, like Olafur Eliasson’s otherworldly Take Your Time, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood or catch a day game and a beer at iconic Wrigley Field where the Cubs will be in the midst of a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds. Finally, don’t skip down without checking out Chicago’s celebrated architecture on the popular river cruise led by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, where you’ll wind through the Loop (Chicago’s downtown) and glance at over 50 unique towers and structures.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into O’Hare or Midway International Airport and catch the train to the Loop. Stay at the Inn of Chicago in the heart of downtown for a reasonable $199 per night.