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Scream-A-Geddon

Ready to hear just how loud your scream can get this Halloween? We bet you aren’t, but you should still give your vocal cords a workout at Scream-A-Geddon, a collection of haunted houses that’ll ruin sleep for the rest of your life (if you even manage to make it out).

There’s no trying to act tough here. Sure, you can pretend you’re not absolutely terrified when a chainsaw-wielding maniac is chasing you, but the never-before-heard, your-mum-will-wonder-what’s-wrong kind of screaming your mouth will emit is going to be a dead giveaway.

These haunted houses are fully immersive, interactive experiences – think mazes filled with abnormal creatures to assault your senses, demon-infested bayous, and an asylum bursting with deranged patients who can sniff out fresh meat (you) from miles away.

And even though you won’t feel like it, once you step into each experience, you finish it. The evil priestesses, manic monsters and mutated animals won’t let you out of their sight until you cross the threshold of sweet, sweet freedom or as other people call it, the end of the haunted house. Seriously, it’s enough to question whether you’re strong enough to hold onto your sanity. Spoiler alert: you’re not.

But blood-curdling horror aside, this place sounds pretty fun. Just don’t look directly at the creepy clown. Or stand up to the hoard of leg-dragging zombies. And if you need us, we’ll be drinking craft brew in Bonzo’s Beer Garden.

The Clown Motel

Coulrophobics, look away now. Your worst nightmare is coming true.

Welcome to the Clown Motel, the only place where you can check in with a smile and wake up having had the worst sleep of your life – if you even wake up, that is. Its location in the heart of Nowhere, Nevada (Tonopah) adds to the eerie atmosphere you’ll likely experience here, and so do the creepy clowns that litter every possible surface of this joint.

Seriously, they’re everywhere: waiting to greet you behind the concierge desk, smiling down at you from the ceiling of your room, hiding underneath the toilet seat, and popping out at you from the mini fridge to give you the biggest fright of your clown-hating life. Okay the last couple might not be true, but you get the gist.

But while the clowns themselves don’t actually seem all that terrifying, The Clown Motel isn’t for the weak (or the young and easily impressionable). There’s a lot of paranormal activity that goes down here, from dark silhouettes roaming the hallways to slamming doors and tingly sensations. You might even hear, ‘Wanna play a game, Georgie?’ as you’re drifting off to sleep*.

If that’s not enough to have you running and screaming in the opposite direction the second you pull into the Motel’s driveway, learning about the local cemetery and the ghosts that haunt it certainly will. And if you do stay, remember to take pics, you’re gonna want proof you survived the ultimate circus-themed sleepover. Say ‘cheese’!

*Highly unlikely.

Travel to outer space

Three, two, one…blast off! No, you’re not watching Buzz Lightyear propel himself off Andy’s chest of drawers. You’re on a real-life spaceship designed for, well, space. Except you’re not an astronaut, just a normal human being who wants to venture somewhere literally out of this world.

Let’s rewind. Vast is a privately owned aerospace company developed to get people like you out of Earth and into space. It’s been fully funded to design, manufacture and launch the world’s first-ever commercial space station. And it’s bloody close to succeeding.

Enter Haven. It’s no piece of IKEA flat-pack furniture. This thing is the real deal. It’s sleek, it’s futuristic, and it’s got plenty of room to lounge, sleep, and munch on zero-gravity snacks. It even has a large domed window perfect for looking at the Milky Way up close and making eyes at passing aliens.

The mind-blowing bit? You won’t just visit space. You’ll be living in it. For up to 30 days. That’s 30 days of taking insane photos your grandkids won’t be able to get over. 30 days of watching the most epic of sunsets, and 30 days of figuring out whether the moon might just be made up of cheese after all.

Now, we’re not going to pretend an adventure like this won’t set you back some serious coin (because it definitely will), but if you’ve ever dreamed of swapping your mundane routine for something a little more cosmic, you simply have to get onboard.

Alright, it’s time to watch Interstellar again.

*Images courtesy of Vast.

Watch for Aurora Borealis in Colorado

Move aside Finland and Norway, Colorado’s selling tickets to Mother Nature’s best show and securing tickets is easier than ever before. A recent peak in the solar cycle’s sunspot activity means the mile-high state has been promoted to the Northern Lights big leagues.

And Colorado already boasts massive bragging rights. The mountainous Rockies, dark star-studded skies and picturesque national parks all combine to make the state a premier destination for nature lovers. That’s not new information. But adding in frequent and consistent sightings of those legendary green and pink swirls just feels a little like showing off.

The state has also been blessed with 11 DarkSky International Parks free from light pollution including Black Canyon of the Gunnisen National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, and if you want to catch some serious natural phenomena those are the places to start. Although, some reports have even suggested the auroras will show their shiny faces as far south as Boulder and Fort Collins.

But searching for iconic twinkling lights isn’t the only nighttime adventure you can have in Colorado. From looking for UFOs in Hoover (a supposed hotspot for alien activity) and discovering DarkSky communities to watching a northern lights laser show for when the universe doesn’t deliver on the real thing, you’ll never be bored in this state when the sun goes down.

Or you could always settle in at Telluride Ski Resort for some serious ski and snowboard action and of course, a lot of Aurora Borealis watching.

*Images supplied by Telluride Ski Resort.

The Newsroom

Welcome to The Newsroom in New York, where gossip swirls around the space quicker than the bartenders can whip up their intoxicating cocktails. Located just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, this salacious bar is the perfect blend of classy, quirky, and chaotic—much like your favourite Daily Mail headline.

As you walk through a 1920’s newsstand (the entrance), you’re immediately transported into a world that feels like a cosy yet scandalous press conference. There’s vintage newspaper clippings strewn around, a neon-lit bar ready to serve up some piping hot tea (your new favourite cocktails) and aerialist performances starting from 7:20pm for those able to drag themselves away from the writing desk.

Try “The Front Page” where the vodka/matcha combo packs a punch strong enough to knock your socks off. Or how about a “Columnist Quencher”, a botanist gin and chambord concoction that’s way too easy to drink. Of course they have classic cocktails too but who wants a cosmopolitan when you can have an “Editors Punch”?

And we haven’t touched the snack menu yet. Straight from the brilliant culinary mind of celebrity Yankees chef Ricardo Cardona, these Latin-European fusion dishes could easily make the front page of your tastebuds— think filet mignon taquitos, chickpea dusted sautéed-shrimp and triple pork pizza.

Okay, we’ve flogged the news angle to death but this place is so cool. Which is really saying something given New York City is home to more cool bars than Times Square has LED lights.

So, whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day in the office or are just in the mood for some spirited banter, The Newsroom has got you covered.

Rock N Roll in West Hollywood’s Hotel Ziggy

I’ve stayed in my fair share of fancy hotels, but Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood? It’s like a rock ‘n’ roll fever dream that somehow serves cocktails with way too much swagger. You walk in and immediately think, “Am I cool enough to be here?” Spoiler alert: you’re not. But that’s part of the fun.

The lobby feels like you’ve just wandered into a Rolling Stones album cover. Vinyl records line the walls, and there’s more neon lighting than a dive bar at 3 a.m. It’s got that “I don’t care what time it is, let’s party” energy, which is exactly what I was going for. Except, you know, with a side of West Hollywood glam.

The rooms? Let’s just say I felt like I was crashing in Mick Jagger’s guest room – if Mick had Wi-Fi and a minibar stocked with artisanal gummy bears. There’s a vinyl player in the room (obviously), and they practically encourage you to blast it. I half-expected a roadie to knock on my door and hand me a setlist for the night’s gig.

But let’s be honest: you’re not staying at Ziggy for the thread count on the sheets. You’re here because this place bleeds personality. The rooftop pool is where it’s at – perched above the Sunset Strip, it’s got that laid-back, sun-drenched L.A. vibe, complete with inflatable unicorns. You’re up there sipping cocktails with names like “Hotel California” while pretending you don’t notice that actual celebrities might be tanning a few loungers away. No big deal.

Downstairs, B-Side Pizza is doing its thing, serving pizza so good it could convince you to give up all other food groups. You’ve got to appreciate a place that gives you pizza, booze, and vinyl – it’s a triple threat that just makes sense. It’s loud, unapologetic, and just the right amount of indulgent.

So yeah, if you’re in West Hollywood and looking to sleep where the vibe doesn’t quit, Hotel Ziggy is your backstage pass. Just don’t expect a peaceful retreat – this place is pure, amplified chaos.

Prince’s Purple Rain House

There’s nothing cooler than staying in a themed AirBnb. First it was Barbie’s Dreamhouse, then it was the Weasley’s quidditch world cup tent and now, guests can stay overnight in the two-storey, three-bedroom home iconic singer Prince used in his film Purple Rain.

That’s right, you can literally live like (a) Prince by sleeping in a remodelled room that looks exactly like The Kid’s basement bedroom. There’s purple lighting, shaggy carpet, Prince sheet music and even a mural of eyes over the bed to look at you while you sleep.

Click play to watch

But you don’t have to dream & dash. Included in the price of your stay is an exclusive tour of the rest of the Purple Rain House which is full of priceless Prince Memorabilia. You’ll even be treated to some never-heard-before tunes from the Purple Rain recording sessions, as well as a chance to speak with the ones hosting it all, Prince’s former Revolution bandmates, Wendy and Lisa.

Get in quick though. This unique stay is offered as part of the accommodation giant’s ‘icon’ experiences in line with the film’s 40th anniversary, but will only be available to rent for one year.

AirBnB’s other icon experiences also include livin’ it up in the VIP area with Kevin Hart, drifting off for a night in the ‘UP’ house and jamming with Doja Cat in an intimate living room session.

Go VIP with Kevin Hart

If you’ve ever fantasised about cracking a laugh or two with a few Hollywood heavyweights, then Airbnb’s just given you your best chance.

Forget hopping on a celebrity sightseeing bus because Kevin Hart has invited you into his private speakeasy for a night of tequila, dancing and performances by some of the best comedians in the biz—we’re talking dance battles, roaming cocktails and some epic names he refuses to drop.

Set in the uber-exclusive, members-only Coramino Live Lounge, this experience will not only make you feel like a VIP, it’ll have you acting like one. He’s really bringing out all the stops—think velvet ropes you don’t have to wait behind, fancy plant-based appetisers (that’s some real LA shit), free flowing Gran Caromino (his own tequila label), laser cut ice cubes and the best beat-bringing DJ Kevin Hart type money can buy.

This isn’t just a comedy show, it’s inner circle kinda stuff. And it’s fancy, like closed-toed shoes fancy.

But there’ll be photo ops (let us know if he’s taller in person), potential ACL-tearing dance moves and a whole lotta laughs, so we reckon this is one experience to dust off your nice shirt for.

EDM at The Sphere

Hold onto your glowsticks: history is about to take place in Las Vegas with the first ever EDM gig at The Sphere.

This feels like more than just any old electronic dance gig; more of a seismic shift in Vegas’ party scene.

The Sphere is the world’s hottest ticket. The $2.3 billion, 17,500-seat live entertainment venue being built just east of The Venetian Expo in Vegas is the largest sphere-shaped building in the world, standing 111 metres tall and 157 metres wide at its widest point.

A laser controlled, consistent and crystal-clear concert-grade audio sound system gives every single audience member the perfect listening experience – whether you’re front row or right at the back. The sphere wraps around to display the most extraordinary visuals ever seen on this planet – think giant eyeballs, life in outer space and immersive new worlds. The Sphere’s modus operandi is immersive experiences and mind-blowing visuals that’ll make you question if you’re even on Earth anymore.What a great place to do mushies.