Pride month may be over, but that’s no reason to stop celebrating the stories of LGBTQ+ people all year-round! We’re just past the halfway point for the year, making it a great time for reflection on the year so far. While this year hasn’t been great for LGBTQ folks (what year is?), there have been a lot of great movies and television shows by and for queer people. Some of it has felt truly groundbreaking, like Ncuti Gatwa’s gay Black hero on Doctor Who and Vera Drew’s bonkers, punk rock fair-use Batman parody The People’s Joker, giving audiences of all kinds new ways to see themselves represented. Let’s take a look at some of the best LGBTQ+ TV shows, movies, and performances of 2024 so far, and here’s to six more months of amazing queer entertainment!
The People’s Joker
Haunted Gay Rides Productions
It’s impossible to overstate the audacious inventiveness of The People’s Joker, the feature debut of writer/director/star Vera Drew. The film, in theaters on a road tour now, is an autobiographical story about Vera’s own transition, told through the colorful, twisted lens of Gotham City. As Joker the Harlequin, she tries to marry her desire to be a comedian, which is only for men, with her desire to live authentically as a woman, all while dating a super toxic trans man, Mistah J (Kane Distler). The People’s Joker mixes live action, a variety of different animation techniques, and a whole lot of low-budget creativity to bring Drew’s unique, hilarious, passionate vision to life. It rarely matches and is sometimes really strange to look at, but that only adds to the charm. Movies as fearless as The People’s Joker are truly rare, and it’s something every film fan should check out as soon as they can.
Drive Away Dolls
Focus Features
Ethan Coen’s Drive Away Dolls is a raunchy lesbian road trip crime comedy that harkens back to some of his earliest work. While unrefined, Drive Away Dolls is a tremendous amount of fun in particular because of stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, who are comedic perfection as Jamie and Marian, a pair of friends who do a drive-away in order to get Marian to her aunt’s place in Florida. (A drive-away is when someone transports a vehicle from one place to another as a kind of trade for the vehicle’s usage, like a rental car without the rental!) The two very Queer but very different women end up in way over their heads when they discover illicit cargo in their trunk, roping them into more adventure than they really wanted. Drive Away Dolls is super funny with some great performances, and it’s explicitly, hilariously gay. It may not be what fans of Coen’s work with his brother might have expected, but Drive Away Dolls is a lovely little lesbian lark.
I Saw The TV Glow
Jane Schoenbrun’s debut feature, We’re All Going To The World’s Fair, was a brilliantly crafted look into the dangers of being online as a teenage girl, invoking digital horrors alongside a kind of eerie nostalgia. Their sophomore effort, I Saw The TV Glow, is a heartbreaking, eerie look at how fandom and nostalgia can be both lifesaving and potentially dangerous. There isn’t just a “trans allegory” here but a full-on narrative about a character first grappling with her transness through the safety of fandom and fiction. The central characters (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine) are young queer people who find solace in a sci-fi show called The Pink Opaque, but in time the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur, leading to the film’s creepiest moments. I Saw The TV Glow is best appreciated going in blind, hence my vagueness here, but it’s a truly devastating work of art that will leave its mark on you.
Interview with the Vampire
AMC
Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles books are definitely homoerotic, but the AMC television series takes things up several notches and makes the story as deliciously Queer as fans have always wanted it to be. The second season of the series, out now, follows the vampire Louis (Jacob Anderson) as he relates his history to dying journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), showing us his memories of early 20th century New Orleans and post-war Paris. More than Louis’ inhumanity, the show is focused on his extremely messy romances, first with his maker Lestat (Sam Reid) and then with the vampire Armand (Assad Zaman). These complicated and toxic love affairs are the stuff of romantic legend, the ships that launched a thousand fanfics, and the show fully commits. Fans of the novels and newcomers alike will find lots to love, because Interview with the Vampire is doing its own thing and deviates in its adaptation in ways that make it timelier and more compelling than the source material. It’s bloody, it’s sexy, and it’s very, very gay, just as it should be.
Love Lies Bleeding
A24
English director Rose Glass really knows how to create a mood with her films, and Love Lies Bleeding is a sweaty, steroid-soaked lesbian crime thriller. It might be closer to what some fans imagined Drive Away Dolls might be, like the Coens’ later films, particularly No Country for Old Men. Kristen Stewart stars as Lou, who falls in love with Katy O’Brian’s Jackie, a bodybuilder who starts working out at Lou’s gym. Unfortunately, Lou has some complicated connections to organized crime and a need for revenge, and Jackie has a whole lot of anger, leading to a very bloody problem. Love Lies Bleeding is a surreal sapphic story that feels right at home among trailer park neo-noirs like Blue Ruin and Killer Joe, and it’s not just one of the best Queer movies this year, but one of the best movies, period.
On the television front, the Peacock series We Are Lady Parts premiered its second season, following an all-female Muslim punk rock band in the U.K. as they try to make it on the local music scene and balance tradition with their dreams. Created by Nida Manzoor, the series is heartfelt and hilarious with some truly killer music, and it’s especially refreshing because each of the women in the band Lady Parts is so different. There are no bad stereotypes here, just authentic portrayals of incredible young women. In season 2, the band’s drummer Ayesha (Juliette Motamed) found herself with a new girlfriend, even meeting her parents, only to be confronted with the fact that she wasn’t out to her own family. Instead of being relegated to a single special episode, her arc goes throughout the season and isn’t brushed away with any simple slogans or “born this way” positivity. It’s great to see different kinds of Queer perspectives being presented on TV, especially when they come from communities that haven’t been well represented on screen. We Are Lady Parts freaking rocks, and in a just world we’ll get at least a half-dozen seasons.
We’re Here
We’re Here
The Max documentary/reality series We’re Here returned for its fourth season with a brand new team of drag queens, and this time they’re facing some of their biggest challenges yet. The first three episodes follow Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, and Sasha Velour as they try to put on a drag show in Murfreesboro, TN, the town that famously banned drag and lost a lawsuit to the ACLU for that discrimination. The second trio of episodes follows Priyanka, Sasha, and Latrice Royale as they try to put on a drag show in rural Oklahoma, where they face similar challenges to Tennessee. In each town, the queens help people from all walks of life become their drag daughters and perform, and some of these performances are heartwarming tearjerkers. Watching a Christian father learn to relate to his Queer children and seeing a trans woman see her true self for the first time through the power of drag are just two of the highlights. We’re Here is the perfect watch for pride month, highlighting the creativity, beauty, resilience, and spirit of the whole LGBTQ community. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll definitely end up lip syncing along.
Quick Mentions
The Emmy-winning Hacks is back for season 3 and several characters on the series are gay or bisexual, though their romantic and sexual relationships weren’t heavily featured this season and we didn’t get another lesbian cruise episode, so it wasn’t as gay as previous seasons. Then again, one could argue that the season finale’s final scene was one of the queerest things the show’s ever done.
Ncuti Gatwa is the latest iteration of the doctor on Doctor Who, and since he’s a gay Black man, that’s riling some folks even more than when the doctor was a straight white woman. I’m not sure why people can wrap their minds around things like the dynamic proportions of the TARDIS or the idea of shapeshifting transdimensional beings but they can’t handle their heroes not looking like them, but here we are.
Last but not least, there’s the delightful coming-out romantic dramedy Am I OK?, which stars Dakota Johnson as a young woman awkwardly taking her first steps out of the closet and embracing her sexuality. Written by Lauren Pomerantz and directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, it’s a refreshingly authentic sapphic story that never feels forced.
There are, essentially, two things that propelled Skip Bayless to his current position. One is the fact that no human on earth was more willing to tie their professional fortunes to Tim Tebow’s NFL career, which you can argue was the single most important thing for propelling ESPN into its Embrace Debate era of programming.
And then there is LeBron James, who Bayless has long made a career out of criticizing for one reason or another. One of his frequent critiques involves James’ “clutch gene,” which has long been a vibes-based argument. Still, Bayless has jumped at any opportunity to make it, which includes this from the most recent episode of his podcast:
— The Skip Bayless Show (@SkipBaylessShow) July 4, 2024
“I am a Bronny fan,” Bayless said. “In fact, I think Bronny is built even tougher than his father is, because Bronny’s been through a lot in his life in the harshest spotlight any kid can be thrust into as LeBron James Jr. I love how Bronny’s handled this, I get a good feeling every time I watch him, not only play basketball, but just handle himself, carry himself. Kid’s got a backbone, kid’s got guts, kid’s got principle and character — his parents did a good job raising him. I think he’ll be more calm, cool, and collected in the eye of next year’s storm than even his father will be.”
There’s some more talk about how well he’ll play and how weird the vibe could be with the Los Angeles Lakers — both between his own role on the team and JJ Redick taking over as a first-time head coach — before we got this absolute doozy of a take.
“I think he’ll become a clutch three-point shooter,” Bayless said. “I’ve always gotten the feeling that Bronny had a bigger clutch gene than his father does. McDonald’s [All American] Game, he was in the spotlight, they went to him late two or three times, he just nailed threes. He did not shoot the three well at USC, but I’m giving him a complete and utter break, cause I’m knocking on wood for him — he had a serious heart condition that delayed him to start his first year of college basketball at USC, and it just never quite got going, and I get it, and that team never quite got going around Isaiah Collier.”
I don’t know if this is a better or worse example of Bayless using anything and everything to prod LeBron than the time he thought about his special flavor of Ruffles during a Celtics and Bucks game, but it sure is something.
Some fans think a line from Eminem’s new Detroit posse cut contained a veiled slight for one of his fellow rap legends. In his verse from “Tobey” with Big Sean and BabyTron, Eminem raps, “Ain’t feelin’ your top five favorite rappers/ So I know they ’bout to be pissed at me/ But this, to me, is a mystery/ How rappers I’ve already ripped could be/ Higher up on a list than me.”
The line, which refers to a Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list published by Billboard last year, has been interpreted by some fans as a shot at Jay-Z, who came in at No. 1. Eminem is notoriously … let’s say “sensitive” … about being taken seriously as the best rapper, so it’s pretty clear that he’s not happy about not being higher up on the list. The Jay-Z connection from fans likely stems from their 2001 collaboration “Renegade,” which has proven to be controversial among fans for which rapper’s performance was the best. As Nas said in his diss song “Ether,” “Eminem murdered you on your own sh*t.” (More contemporary readings have proven to be kinder to Jay’s verses from the song, but the consensus still seems to be that Eminem outrapped him, considering how “Renegade” entered the lexicon as a verb used to describe the phenomenon of being outshone by a featured artist.)
Eminem has poked fun at the idea that Jay-Z is better than him for a long time… he did it on “Seduction” in 2010 too.. he used Jay-Z’s favorite “ah” adlib from the Blueprint 3 while doing it too. Eminem always knew he was a better rapper than Jay-Z.. and so did anyone with sense
However, one of Eminem’s closest associates and frequent collaborator, Royce Da 5’9, shut down the speculation on Instagram, responding to the question directly in a comment. “Of course not,” he wrote. Not exactly straight from the horse’s mouth, but close enough to say fans still beef-hungry after the combative energy that carried 2024 through winter and spring are probably reaching, just hoping to make something shake. It doesn’t seem likely — Jay hasn’t released a new song or verse since “God Did” in 2022 — but let’s face it; we probably don’t need that in an election year.
You know those moments in nature that leave you wondering, “how is this even real life?” Those time-stopping experiences where you’re just utterly present to the miracle of being alive? Yeah, that’s the sensation travelers live for. It’s not that you can’t feel that in your hometown, it’s just that it’s a feeling that is a lot easier to come by when you’re out of your comfort zone.
And in our experience, those “pinch me” moments happen even more frequently during solo travel abroad. If you’ve never ventured out of the U.S. alone and are itching to embark on your first solo-travel adventure, especially one that’s budget friendly, consider traveling to Uproxx’s favorite Central America destination for solo travel beginners: Belize!
Belize is the northernmost country of Central America, anywhere from only two, to a quick six hours by plane from the U.S. Truly, it’s a cinch to get to Belize. In fact, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Jet Blue, and Frontier Airlines all fly direct to Belize’s International Airport (Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport). And land borders connecting to Guatemala and Mexico make Belize the “gateway country” for the Central America backpacking route.
But you might want to stay a while before heading elsewhere. Here’s why.
Activities and Culture
Melanie Gordon
Belize is high key an adventure traveler’s dream, and one of Central America’s most culturally and ethnically diverse countries. Despite being really small, like the size of Vermont, there’s so much to do here.
Stay on Caye Caulker or in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye’s party town) to snorkel and scuba dive Belize’s Great Barrier Reef one day, then climb moss-covered Mayan ruins and spelunk caves around the jungle town of San Ignacio the next (don’t miss the ATM cave tour!). Try a Mayan chocolate-making tour in San Ignacio and learn Garifuna traditional drum and dance in Hopkins.
There are many hostels around the country, so you won’t have trouble making friends to have fun with! If you’re into waterfall hikes, I recommend Mayflower Bocawina National Park, and if you’re going to rent a car in San Ignacio with friends (worth it!) stop at Rio on Pools for the afternoon.
Belize was the first country I visited on my solo backpacking journey that began two years ago (it hasn’t really stopped, I just have suitcases now). One of the main reasons I chose Belize to start my travels in is because the official language is actually English!
It wasn’t until I was traveling in Spanish-speaking countries that I realized how hard it is to organize basic travel and lodging and connect with others without speaking the language. Just sayin’, this is a major plus if you don’t speak Spanish.
Easy Currency Conversion Rate
Melanie Gordon
Belize’s national currency is the Belizean Dollar (BZD), which is honored at $.50 to $1USD. You don’t need to change all your dollars to BZD, either, since all around the country food vendors, hotels, hostels, national parks, and transportation services will happily take your USD.
You might have heard that Belize is expensive, which I ~sort of~ disagree with, considering the prices of Costa Rica and even Nicaragua right now. You can backpack Belize cheap staying in hostels and traveling by chicken bus, or you can stay in decent hotels for $45 a night for privacy if you’re more comfortable with that. I did a mix of both!
Bomb Food
Melanie Gordon
The classic Belizean street food are fry jacks, which are sort of like a fried pancake you can get plain or stuffed with meat or veggies. My favorite was a breakfast fry jack stuffed with eggs, beans, and cheese.
Don’t sleep on Garifuna food, like Hudut (pictured above) which you can find easily in Hopkins. That coco-nutty fish stew had me in a chokehold! Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are full of BBQ stands with fresh grilled fish and lobster for decent prices ($12~). But there’s also a number of “western” type health-food spots where you can get your smoothie bowls and other granola-people food.
Reliable Infrastructure
Melanie Gordon
One of the most important factors that make a country perfect for beginner solo travel is the infrastructure. But Belize has decades of tourism experience under its belt, with tourism being a major part of its GDP.
Belize has a reliable energy grid, airports, ferries, paved roads, organized ground transportation, and comfortable accommodation and dining options. Basically, with some planning and organization, you won’t have a hard time traveling comfortably in Belize all on your own!
Fans have been waiting nearly two years for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things and… they will have to keep waiting, as Netflix has yet to drop a release date. Don’t worry, season 5 is coming sometime in 2025. Still, we’re getting antsy waiting for it, so instead of rewatching the whole series in anticipation, we decided to do something a bit more delicious — we’re tasting and ranking the entire Stranger Things Scoops Ahoy ice cream line.
Scoops Ahoy is the fictional ice cream shop from season 3 that Joe Keery’s Steve Harrington (shout out Djo) worked at that also introduced us to Stranger Things MVP Robin (played by Maya Hawke), and the most cynical among us knew even back then that it was only a matter of time before Scoops Ahoy became a real thing.
While there is no physical Scoops Ahoy location — Scoops Ahoy is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart — there are seven distinct flavors. The full line-up consists of the U.S.S. Butterscotch, Triple Decker Extravaganza, Cinnamon Bun Bytes, Chocolate Pudding, The Void, Mint Flare, and Pineapple Upside Down. That’s a solid lineup and even the most hardcore of Stranger Things fans would be forgiven for not scooping up each pint. So to help save you some cash, we’ve tried all seven and ranked them from least essential to most delicious.
7. Pineapple Upside Down
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
The Pineapple Upside Down features a pineapple ice cream base with chunks of pound cake and a thin salted caramel swirl. The base is incredibly sweet but goes a bit too light on the pineapple flavor, making the dominant flavor here milk, which I find a bit off-putting.
The pound cake chunks are soggy and too chewy, and the caramel swirl does serve as an interesting combination with the base but it’s not spread abundantly throughout the base. You’re going to get some spoonfuls that have no caramel, and I think that’s this ice cream’s biggest weakness.
To be totally fair to this flavor, I generally don’t like pineapple ice cream, so if you do, this might rank a bit higher for you. All biases aside, I still think it’s the weakest flavor of the seven.
The Bottom Line:
Not nearly as delicious as its description might suggest. This ice cream goes too light on the pineapple flavor.
6. Cinnamon Bun Bytes
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
Based on the title and description alone, the Cinnamon Bun Bytes was the ice cream I was most excited to try, imagine my disappointment when I realized that this flavor wasn’t giving me what I wanted from it.
The Cinnamon Bun Bytes features a cinnamon ice cream base with a swirl of cinnamon cream cheese and cinnamon roll dough bites. The base leans heavily on sweet sugar flavors with just a hint of cinnamon, while the cream cheese brings in some light tangy notes.
The base and cream cheese swirl are great but it’s important to point out that the dough bites in this are cinnamon roll dough, not cookie dough. Cookie dough is thick with a hard chew, these dough bites are incredibly soft by comparison, and easily get stuck in your teeth.
The Bottom Line:
Fails to deliver on the cinnamon with dough bites that are way too chewy for their own good.
5. Triple Decker Extravaganza
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
The Triple Decker Extravaganza mixed maple ribbons, chocolate peanut butter candies, and waffle bites with a vanilla and butter ice cream base. I love the mix here, the buttercream base dominates the flavor while the maple swirl brings in some deep woody richness.
The peanut butter candies and waffle bites are sparely spread throughout the base, offering the occasional burst of roasted caramel flavor. I think a higher concentration of the mix-ins would bump this flavor up a few spots in this ranking.
The Bottom Line:
Not quite an “extravaganza,” but there is a nice balance of sweet, buttery, and roasted flavors.
4. The Void
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
It’s hard to make black ice cream appetizing, but Scoops Ahoy is really trying with The Void. The flavor consists of vanilla infused with black food coloring, a thick gelatinous strawberry ribbon, and vanilla cream cookie pieces.
It doesn’t taste all that different from your stock vanilla ice cream, it’s creamy and rich but what really work is the strawberry ribbon which adds some fruity brightness to every spoonful.
Like all the mix-ins in this ice cream line, there aren’t nearly enough vanilla cream cookie pieces, but the one-two punch of vanilla and strawberry is enough for us to overlook that.
The Bottom Line:
If you can get passed the color, this is a pretty great vanilla ice cream with a nice bright infusion of strawberry.
3. U.S.S. Butterscotch
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
The U.S.S. Butterscotch is kind of an elevated version of chocolate chip ice cream. The ice cream features a butterscotch base with ribbons of caramel and chocolate. There is a nice balance of rich and creamy flavors with notes of toasted butter, earthy caramel, and semi-sweet chocolate.
There are no actual chocolate chips, but the chocolate ribbon serves as an effective substitute.
The Bottom Line:
Well-balanced with a rich earthy, toasty, and chocolatey flavor in every spoonful.
2. Mint Flare
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
I’m not usually a fan of birthday cake ice cream so my expectations for Mint Flare were very low considering the ice cream looks like cupcake frosting. The flavor features a mint ice cream base with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate chunks. I was very close to giving this flavor the top spot, it’s that good.
The minty ice cream is refreshing, with a cooling flavor that is counterbalanced by the sweet flavor of candy sprinkles and shards of chocolate chip. Mint Flare really takes you on a journey, beginning with a bright sweet candy flavor that quickly turns rich as the chocolate chips begin to melt in your mouth.
It’s one of the few flavors in the Scoops Ahoy lineup that I would describe as “evolving.”
The Bottom Line:
Minty and refreshing with an addicting rich chocolate aftertaste.
1. Chocolate Pudding
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
As much as I love the journey of flavors Mint Flare offers, Chocolate Pudding is our pick for the top flavor. This flavor doubles down on the chocolate with a chocolate pudding base infused with a chocolate fudge swirl and the occasional vanilla wafer.
The wafers add a nice sense of texture to the ice cream with a gentle hint of floral vanilla, but it’s the double dose of rich chocolate that’ll win you over. It’s rich, with lots of depth, a hint of toasted cocoa, and the smooth yet indulgent flavor of fudge dominating the aftertaste.
All lovers of chocolate ice cream will fall for this flavor.
The Bottom Line:
This is it, the essential Scoops Ahoy ice cream flavor that you need stocked in your freezer come Stranger Things season 5 time.
July is ON. That means there are going to be a bunch of occasions where you ask yourself, “What’s the best-tasting bottle of tequila I can buy on the cheap?” Fourth of July weekend, pool parties, house parties, those hot summer days when the only satisfying respite is an icy margarita. To get through the summer, you’re going to need some tequila.
And if you’re going to drink tequila you might as well be drinking the best, right?
Luckily for you, you don’t have to break the bank to drink great tequila. Yes, there are expensive bottles out there, and I won’t lie to you, they’re great, but there are also a whole bunch of bottles out there between $20 and $40 that punch way above their price point. To help guide you to the best bottles of tequila in that price range, we’ve rounded up all our favorites and ranked them from good to great.
Don’t get us wrong here, we like every bottle on this list, so if you see one for a deal, pick it up, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re after the absolute best your money could buy, you’re going to want to pay special focus on the top five.
For this list, we won’t be focusing on one particular expression, but since we’re operating in a narrow price range a lot of these bottles are going to be blanco or reposado tequilas. If you’re after the aged stuff, be sure to check out the most affordable sip-worthy bottles here.
You’ve probably seen Milagro on store shelves and been charmed by the bottle. It’s a cool design, but sometimes when you have a cool bottle design, it’s covering up a sub-par tequila. That’s not the case here, this stuff is pretty good even though it’s ranking last on our list.
The brand’s best expression is without a doubt the reposado. Produced at Nom 1559, Tequila Milagro, the agave here is cooked in stone ovens, juiced via a roller mill, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. To reach the repo state, Milagro ages this tequila for 2-4 months in American white oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Agave and oak dominate, rich confection-like notes pull you in and a hint of cinnamon lurks underneath the layers.
Palate: Unfortunately that sweetness doesn’t completely translate to the flavor, you get the roasted agave flavor and an overpowering bit of oak, but there is an ethanol-like body that weighs the whole thing down.
Finish: It ends with a burn and a small vanilla lift with a hint of zesty citrus.
If you’re curious about Kendal Jenner’s tequila 818 but don’t want to pay a premium price, go ahead and pick up Astral. It’s produced at NOM 1607, Grupo Solave, the same distillery as 818, and as such shares the brand’s ease of drinkability and smooth and bright flavor.
Once roasted, the agave is tahona extracted, fermented, and twice distilled in a copper pot.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A bit like nail polish remover. A heavy sniff will bring out the slightest hint of green pepper
Palate: Roasted agave and chocolate dominate the palate with the slightest spearmint coolness.
Finish: That mint takes over on the finish. The mouthfeel here is a bit sticky and the flavors linger very strongly on the tongue.
The Bottom Line:
Don’t let the off-putting nose fool you, this tequila is silky, minty, and smooth.
I first tried this brand a year ago and since then it’s had a regular appearance on my bar cart, being one of the go-to bottles I reach for when I’m entertaining bigger parties.
The tequila is produced at Nom 1137, La Cofradia, and cooks its agave in stone brick ovens before being screw mill extracted, open-air fermented among local citrus trees, and finished in oak wine casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Very sweet, dominated by floral vanilla and rich deep cocoa notes.
Palate: Oak forward, there are some earthy pepper notes, but without bright citrus tones to balance it out, it comes across as a bit harsh. But there is a nice spicy kick to it that piques the curiosity and inspires repeat sips.
Finish: Oily on the finish with a nice vanilla kiss.
The Bottom Line:
This affordable bottle packs a journey of flavors. With rich cocoa tones, earthy pepper notes, and that sweet vanilla finish, there is a lot to latch onto.
Stadium tequila! If you’ve frequented baseball or football games this year, you’ve probably come across this stuff, and considering it’s served in a stadium, it’s surprisingly good.
The tequila is produced at the famed NOM 1614, Tequilera Tap, and is made using agave harvested at six years maturity that is cooked in an autoclave for a full 24 hours before being roller mill extracted and fermented in a stainless steel pot.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Raw agave on the nose, a bit of cracked black pepper, and a wet grassy earthiness. There is a juiciness to the nose that I’m loving.
Palate: All of that interest on the nose is missing from the palate. I get some gentle agave flavor, but what I’m tasting here is mostly neutral with a bit of an alcohol burn.
Finish: That grassiness returns on the finish, but I’m not tasting a whole lot here. So far this is our bottom.
The Bottom Line:
Grassy and agave forward. By all accounts a good bottle of tequila despite its admittedly garish branding.
Corazón produces some great bottles of tequila, but its premium line is much pricier. If you’re interested in the brand then the single estate series is a great place to start. The tequila is produced at NOM 1103, Tequila San Matias de Jalisco, and is made from agave cooked low and slow in stone ovens before being roller mill extracted, and open-air fermented in stainless steel tanks.
If you like this, I strongly suggest you explore some of the higher end bottles this brand offers.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There is a distinct fruity character here, I’m getting juicy pineapple and a mix of citrus.
Palate: That tropical fruit quality translates nicely to the palate with a hint of fresh green pepper, chilies, and a light hint of jasmine.
Finish: A mild spice that mingles nicely with roasted agave and orange zest.
Lunazul is one of the best-value tequilas you’re going to find. This bottle is produced at NOM 1513, Tierra De Agaves, using agave hand-harvested by jimadores, cooked in an autoclave, and fermented with a proprietary yeast before being twice distilled in copper pots.
It’s not a premium sipping tequila but it makes a fine base for any cocktail.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dry cracked black pepper softened by vanilla with a hint of roasted agave.
Palate: A balance between vegetal and sweet characteristics. I’m tasking vanilla, black pepper, and sour apple skins.
Finish: Dry and peppery with a lingering minty quality.
The Bottom Line:
Mildly harsh but refreshingly agave forward with a nice dry kick at the finish.
Tres Agaves looks like a budget bottle, but don’t let that dissuade you, this is a solid option especially if you plan on using it as a base for a cocktail. The tequila is produced at NOM 1614, the famed Tequilera Tap, using high-pressure autoclave cooked agave that is roller mill extracted and bottled right after distillation. There are no additives here, which is always a treat at this price point.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Citrus zest and roasted agave with a hint of alcohol.
Palate: Bright and sweet with crisp pear flavors and some agave sweetness.
Finish: A bit harsh but not enough to cause you to wince or burn your throat. But it definitely hits back.
The Bottom Line:
An affordable additive-free tequila that serves as a great cocktail base.
Think of Cabo Wabo as the base for a margarita or other cocktail rather than something you’d drink straight. The flavor is very alcohol-forward with a pronounced burn that isn’t for people who like their tequila smoothed out. The tequila is produced at NOM 1440, Campari Mexico, where it is one of three brands produced.
The agave is harvested and cooked in a low-pressure autoclave before being roller mill extracted and twice distilled through a stainless pot with a copper coil.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Ethanol on the nose with some burnt agave, and a hint of lime.
Palate: This stuff burns, instantly, but under the harsh tones are some delicate notes of mint, key limes, and green bell pepper.
Finish: Weirdly smokey for a tequila, almost mezcal-like. There is a sense of vanilla on the finish that would’ve been nice to experience on the palate. It’s a trick to get you to drink more!
The Bottom Line:
Reserve this one as a go-to tequila for batched mixed drinks. On its own it’s a bit harsh and spikey, but that fades away once mixed with ingredients that emphasize its juicy green flavors.
Affordable, agave-forward, and juicy is how I’d describe Olmeca Altos’ blanco tequila. If you’ve had Espolòn blanco, this covers a lot of the same ground flavor-wise but is way less harsh and more pleasing to the palate.
The tequila is produced at NOM 1111, Pernod Richard Mexico, using traditional practices. That means slow cooked agave in brick ovens, tahona crushed, and distilled in copper pots. The tequila is produced using deep well water which supplies a nice earthy minerality to the flavor.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Warm roasted agave wafts from the glass. It’s shockingly pleasant and inviting for a tequila in this price range.
Palate: Heavy on the citrus zest mixed with fresh green peppers.
Finish: Initially herbal and smooth but after a while the heat starts to build.
The Bottom Line:
Earthy, zesty, and agave forward. One of our favorite bottles on the market.
For the price, Suerte is remarkably smooth. The tequila is produced at NOM 1530, Tequilera Simbolo, from single estate agave that is cooked low and slow in stone ovens, tahona extracted, fermented in open-air stainless steel tanks, and aged for seven months in American ex-bourbon barrels.
It leans a bit sweet and juicy, so if you like your tequila with a bite you might want to look elsewhere.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The oak character wafts from the glass backed with caramelized agave and butterscotch candies.
Palate: A strong emphasis on the caramel here backed with agave, some citrus, cinnamon, and a hint of earthy cracked black pepper.
Finish: Agave and oak, it echoes the nose surprisingly well with a slightly syrupy mouthfeel.
The Bottom Line:
Sweet, dessert-like and syrupy. That’s not a bad thing if that’s what you’re after, but if you’re a more seasoned tequila drinker this might lean a bit too sweet for you.
Granted, El Tequileño’s blanco would not be my first choice from the brand, but at this price point it fits this list and while not my favorite, I can’t deny that this punches way above its price. The tequila is produced at NOM 1108, Jorge Salles Cuervo y Sucesores, where it is the only brand in production.
The agave is cooked in a high-pressure autoclave, roller mill extracted, and fermented in a cement tank. Its biggest selling point is that it is completely additive-free, which is always appreciated.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A whiff of ethanol with roasted agave and some citrus.
Palate: Juicy orange with brown sugar, agave, and a mix of all-spice and vanilla.
Finish: I’m strangely getting a slight oakiness here, with a lot of bright agave character and a smooth vanilla aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
A bright natural-tasting agave forward tequila with a surprisingly smooth finish.
You’ve probably seen Cimarron for a deal and thought to yourself, “there is no way this tequila is any good.” Well, you’re wrong. Don’t let the affordable price fool you, this is some quality tequila through and through.
Using single-estate agave, this additive-free tequila is slow-cooked in an autoclave, roller mill extracted, and rested for three to six months in American white oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Spicy cinnamon, roasted agave, and just a bit of oak. There is a very mellow and pleasing quality to this inviting tequila.
Palate: The smell translates directly to the palate. Agave and cinnamon dominate with some caramel notes, a bit of brown sugar molasses, and some of that barrel.
Finish: Floral with a mix of vanilla and dry oak.
The Bottom Line:
Mellow and smooth with a natural spicy cinnamon flavor.
I’ve never seen an affordable tequila list that didn’t have Espolòn on it and for good reason. This is a value buy, and if you’re looking for the best expression by the brand look no further than the reposado.
Produced at NOM 1440, Campari Mexico, Espolòn uses autoclave cooked agave that is roller mill extracted, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and twice distilled in a stainless pot with a copper coil. The repo hits American white oak barrels for three months, which mellows out some of its harshest characteristics.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mellow and warm with a rich caramelized agave character.
Palate: Juicy pineapple and crushed black pepper. The more natural notes are backed by a rich caramel character.
Finish: Butter and oak, with a very pleasing finish.
The Bottom Line:
Tropical and juicy with a wonderful kiss of oak on the finish.
Another affordable bottle that is a steal. Arette is additive-free, made at a distillery that bears its name (which is often a good sign), and has a delicately balanced flavor that would suggest to the palate a more expensive bottle.
Arette is produced at NOM 1109, Tequila Arette de Jalisco, using agave cooked in a high-pressure autoclave that is roller mill extracted, fermented in open-air stainless steel tanks, and twice distilled in a stainless pot with a copper coil.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A rich blend of caramelized agave and vanilla contrasted by a bit of ethanol burn.
Palate: That burn is absent on the palate, instead what we have here is a bouquet of vanilla and black pepper, a hit of floral honey, and a grassy vegetal character.
Finish: The oak comes out on the finish, which is smooth and supple. Very easy to drink.
The Bottom Line:
Balanced between dessert tones like caramel and vanilla, and bright grassy agave character.
Surprisingly smooth and easy to drink for a blanco tequila, Herradura’s Tequila Silver is probably one of the smoothest tequilas in this price range.
The tequila is produced at NOM 1119, Brown Forman, where it is home to seven brands. The agave used here is cooked in brick ovens, roller mill extracted, fermented in stainless steel open-air tanks, and distilled twice through a stainless pot with a copper coil. The tequila is made using natural spring water, which gives it a palpable sense of minerality.
It’s smoothness is due to being one of the few blanco tequilas on this list that is aged as it rests for 45 days in American White Oak barrels. That results in a faint straw color to the liquid.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet vanilla bean dominates the nose with a zesty mix of orange rind and cracked black pepper.
Palate: The vanilla isn’t quite as prominent as you’d expect given the smell, instead of you have here is an earthy minerality backed by dried apricot and juicy citrus. It’s very fruit-forward.
Finish: The end is a bit harsh but a buttery oiliness sticks to the lips with a sweet agave aftertaste. You get the faintest hint of oak if you really strain for it.
The Bottom Line:
Smooth, juicy, and agave forward. A real people-pleaser.
It has been crazy to watch LALO’s rise in real-time. What was, just a few years ago, a relatively obscure tequila that most people had never come across is now sold at Target. LALO used to cost around $50, but every year it gets a bit more affordable without a drop in quality.
It is additive-free and made low and slow using agave sourced from the highlands of Jalisco. The agave is cooked in stone steam ovens for 20-32 hours and rested for an additional 18 before being roller mill extracted and fermented in open-air stainless steel tanks with Champagne yeast.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Bright and zesty citrus on the nose.
Palate: Buttery with hints of cooked agave and caramel.
Finish: Fruity, bright, vegetal, there is a very pure quality to this tequila.
The Bottom Line:
As pure as it gets. It’s bright, vegetal, and agave-forward. If you like that natural agave flavor, LALO has got it in spades.
Simply put, Tapatio’s reposado is one of the best bottles of tequila you’ll drink in any price range. This might just be your favorite.
The tequila is additive-free and traditionally made at NOM 1139, where the agave is cooked slow in stone brick ovens, extracted via a roller mill and aged in bourbon barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Roasted agave, some warmth from oak, rich vanilla and a gentle hint of banana peel.
Palate: Agave and earth, with some caramel, cinnamon, and creamy butter. There is a confection quality to the flavor here.
Finish: Mellow and soft with a bit of citrus.
The Bottom Line:
It’s sweet and mellow but still has some of that bite characteristic of agave.
Another affordable bottle that is additive-free and, like Tapatio, could very well be your favorite. Recently Ocho was named the TAG Spirit Awards coveted “Best In Show” designation. Ocho is made from hand-harvested agave that is between 7-10 years maturity, slow cooked in brick ovens for 48 hours, rested for 24, and roller mill crushed.
The juice is fermented in wood vats and twice distilled, resulting in a silky and luxurious tequila that suggests a much higher price point.
Our Tasting Notes:
Nose: Fresh-peeled orange rind and roasted agave dance on the nose in equal parts.
Palate: Zesty and earthy, I’m getting cracked black pepper and a rush of fresh herbal flavors. It’s almost cilantro-like, which is something to consider if you find the herb off-putting.
Finish: Mint and pepper with a gentle spice that builds on the aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
You’re going to get a lot of bang for your buck here. Move fast, because surely the brand is catching onto how beloved this bottle is and I wouldn’t be surprised if the price starts hiking up a bit.
Be warned, sometimes this bottle will cost you just over $40, I’m only including it becuase right now in my area, I can find it for $39.99
I had a hard time choosing between Siete Leguas and Tequila Ocho for the number two spot, but ultimately I’m going with Siete Leguas because I prefer its minerality and earthy flavor over the minty herbaceousness of Ocho.
The tequila is produced at NOM 1120, Tequila Siete Leguas, using agave slow-cooked in stone brick ovens that is tahona extracted, made with natural spring water, and fermented in stainless steel tanks before being twice distilled in copper pots.
Like the rest of the top five here, this tequila is 100% additive-free.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Warm inviting agave notes with a noticeable wet rock and soil character.
Palate: Earthy and highly vegetal with a strong green grass flavor and some cracked pepper spice.
Finish: Citrusy with a hint of vanilla and some cool mint on the backend.
The Bottom Line:
Grassy, vegetal, and bright. Siete Leguas is earthy and natural-tasting, making it one of the finest tequilas in production right now.
It was never even a question for me what would be number 1 on this list. Once I saw that bottles of blanco G4 were selling for $40, I knew this would top the list. Straight up, this bottle should cost more so if you ever see it at this price, pick it up immediately.
G4 is produced at NOM 1579. Destileria El Pandillo, and is cooked in stone brick ovens, tahona extracted, and made with natural spring and rainwater.
G4 comes from fourth-generation master distiller Felipe Camarena and is produced at NOM 1579, Destileria El Pandillo. The agave is cooked in stone brick ovens, tahona extracted, and made with natural spring and rainwater.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A warm and inviting agave aroma swirls above this pour with some sinus-tickling black pepper and citrus notes.
Palate: That smell perfectly translates to the palate, I’m getting a lot of black pepper and citrus, with lush green grass notes to balance it out.
Finish: Warm and slightly nutty with a silky luxurious mouthfeel.
The Bottom Line:
Warm and agave rich with a luxurious finish. This is the best-tasting tequila that you can pick up without breaking the bank. If any bottle on this list deserves a permanent spot on your bar cart, it’s G4.
It’s not easy being a guitar-slinging, heart-on-your-sleeve stadium rocker in 2024. For one thing, it’s a lonely job. There aren’t many left of you on the planet. For role models, you must therefore consult ancient history. For Zach Bryan — whose meteoric rise from Oklahoman Navy veteran to Americana figurehead has made him one of the biggest young superstars of the decade — that means studying the sacred texts of one Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen.
On his latest album The Great American Bar Scene, references to The Boss abound. One album in particular looms large for Bryan — 1982’s Nebraska, the home-recorded masterpiece that Springsteen put out between two of his biggest-sounding rock records, 1980’s The River and 1984’s Born In The U.S.A. On the title track, Bryan spins a familiar tale about a down-on-his-luck loser who’s out some money from a bookie “way up in Philly.” Does this guy also have a poultry related nickname? Bryan doesn’t say. But he does underline the Bruce connection by having his protagonist “put ‘State Trooper’ on the record machine” as he’s escorted away by police, after which I assume he will be sent to face the infamous judge, Mean John Brown.
The Bruce allusions don’t end there. On the stormy rocker “Oak Island,” the best song on the record and one of the better tunes in Bryan’s entire catalog, the song’s main character gets tied up with “some boys out in Jersey” who have him on the wrong end of a shady deal. The frisky “American Nights” is yet another “Atlantic City” homage featuring “Delco Danny” and “the Point Breeze boys,” plus an opening line about a cinematically positioned screen door a la “Thunder Road.” And then there’s the song where Springsteen himself materializes as a very special guest star. (We’ll talk more about that in a moment.)
It makes sense that of all Springsteen records Bryan would be enamored with Nebraska. His unlikely rise has been even more extraordinary given his preference for modest, quasi-lo-fi recordings. Bryan’s brand is making hits that don’t sound like they’re trying to be hits. Like countless other listeners, I have found this approach to be mostly refreshing, especially when it is paired with a knack for vivid storytelling ornamented with rich literary detail. The depth of his narratives is considerable when compared with someone like Noah Kahan, the Bryan Adams to Zach’s Bruce Springsteen, and you can hear him further developing his craft on a song like “The Way Back,” which has the verisimilitude of a faded Polaroid taped to a refrigerator in an abandoned trailer:
Tokin’ poison to some Killers song
Your old man’s Trans-Am in Kodachrome
Bumper sticker to the back right
State champs ’83 through ’85
She’s smokin’ cigarettes in the kitchen
Tom and Jerry’s on the front room television
She always sat under the oak tree
Sayin’, “God, I miss the old me”
I am a Zach Bryan fan. But my admiration for his talent and prodigious output comes with some serious reservations. His ability to zero in on precise specifics with his words typically isn’t matched by an ability to create equally arresting melodies. For all his flair as a lyrical stylist, his music can be monotonous and flat sounding. So, while Bryan impressively composes a lot of songs, a lot of those songs are hard to distinguish from one another. At some point, his albums always get bogged down in a series of downbeat, mid-tempo dirges in which Zach pines after long-lost girls that he had to leave but can’t ever forget.
Am I suggesting that Zach Bryan hire Bob Clearmountain and make an album as clear and mountainous as Born In The U.S.A.? Not exactly. Though it might be worth considering that doing something arrangement or production-wise might make his songs as fun to hear as they are to read. Failing that, Bryan should consider following Springsteen’s example when it comes to quality control. In his prime, Bruce was famous for writing five songs for every one that he put on a record. Now, I understand that’s not the world we live in during the streaming era, where artists are emboldened to empty their coffers on albums that feel more like data dumps than coherent statements. But The Great American Bar Scene is at least six songs too long, and pretty much all of those superfluous tunes — I refer to nice but nondescript tracks like “Boons,” “Like Ida,” and “Towers” — feel interchangeable and inessential.
At the very least, can we please get more drums, Mighty Max-style? My favorite Zach Bryan album by far remains his 2022 breakthrough American Heartbreak, which happens to be his hardest rocking. And yes, it’s also his longest, but it doesn’t feel like it because Bryan varies up his attack more, with more blasts of scrappy country rock interspersed with all the barstool ballads. When Bryan revives that part of his musical persona on The Great American Scene, the album similarly teems with life and vigor. You hear it on the ragged shuffle “28” and on the Bruce tributes “American Nights” and the guitar solo-heavy “Oak Island,” which will no doubt bring down the house at Bryan’s riotous concerts.
And then there’s the aforementioned cameo by Zach Bryan’s venerable forefather. On “Sandpaper,” Bruce Springsteen arrives sounding even more weathered than usual, as if he is trying to embody the very property to which the song title refers. It’s poignant to realize that Bruce is to Zach Bryan what Johnny Cash was to a previous generation of artists — a voice-of-God type standing in for principles now regarded in the modern world with skepticism and incredulity, like “realness” and “America.”
But “Sandpaper” thankfully isn’t another downbeat dirge. It is, in fact, a rather bald-faced rip-off of “I’m On Fire,” the sultry sex jam that became the fourth (out of seven) Top 10 hit from Born In The U.S.A. Is it possible that Bruce — even as he stares down his 75th birthday later this year — has arrived to help Zach Bryan loosen up a bit? Maybe the kid has his own Born In The U.S.A. in him after all.
The NBA’s free agent period began earlier this week, and after the initial frenzy, we have a sense of what rosters are going to look across the league. That makes it a little easier to turn our attention from the free agent market to the trade market, as there are a number of players who are reportedly available for moves.
At the top of the list is Lauri Markkanen, who has turned into an All-Star with the Utah Jazz. A good player whose size and shooting could help a number of teams, Markkanen is about to enter the final year of his contract at a very reasonably $18 million, making him an affordable addition for a year before he gets what should be a big money extension. While his current value contract makes it easier to match money to trade for him, any team dealing for him would likely want some assurance that he’d be willing to sign an extension as soon as allowed, because Utah will be asking for a huge return.
Dealing with Utah can be tricky, as Danny Ainge has a reputation for driving a hard bargain. Still, with Utah being one of the teams that looks primed to enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, we wanted to identify which teams should, for one reason or another, try to swing for the fences and bring Markkanen on board.
Golden State Warriors
If any team should probably be desperate to bring Markkanen on board, it’s the Warriors, which just lost Klay Thompson and don’t seem to have much of an answer for how they’ll handle Steph Curry’s twilight other than hope their young guys can lift the collective (which isn’t a terrible bet). They did pursue Paul George, which reportedly fell apart because they couldn’t figure out a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Markkanen would be an unbelievable fit alongside Curry and Draymond Green, and he’s young enough that the team could stomach giving him a long-term deal. They have all of their future firsts outside of the top-20 protected 2030 pick they attached to Jordan Poole to salary dump him to the Wizards for Chris Paul (who is no longer on the team), and have effectively two packages they can offer. One is with Jonathan Kuminga as the centerpiece along with some picks and salary filler, but given they were reportedly not willing to include him in Paul George talks, it’s hard to imagine they part with him in a Markkanen trade. The other option is to attach picks and another young player to Andrew Wiggins’ salary. The Wiggins aspect of this makes me wonder if the Jazz could squeeze a little extra out of the Warriors, but regardless, Golden State has to position itself to compete before Curry’s career comes to an end. Markkanen would help.
The Trade: Golden State gets: Lauri Markkanen Utah gets: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, unprotected first-round picks in 2025 and 2027, first-round pick swaps in 2029 and 2031
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs do seem happy to slow play the first year or two of the Victor Wembanyama era, particularly as they continue to develop and find out what they have in the young guys around him — they’re also positioned pretty nicely to take one more big swing in the NBA Draft next year, whether that’s Cooper Flagg or someone else. Still, while Wembanyama is the kind of guy who can fit next to anyone, a 1-2 frontcourt punch of himself and Markkanen would be a nightmare for opposing teams to deal with, and I think you can make the case that San Antonio would both take a step forward and still be far enough away in a loaded Western Conference that they’d be able to add a major player in the 2025 Draft.
Keldon Johnson (a solid player in his own right) could be the salary here, while San Antonio has an absolutely hilarious war chest of future draft picks that they can use to blow Utah away. If the Jazz would want to use a Markkanen deal as a way to get a pick-heavy package a la the Mikal Bridges trade to the Knicks, this is one of the few teams where they could get it.
The Trade: San Antonio gets: Lauri Markkanen Utah gets: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio’s 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, Chicago’s top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick, Boston’s 2029 first-round pick, Minnesota’s 2031 first-round pick
Oklahoma City Thunder
This is easily the most unnecessary team on this list, because the Thunder don’t really need Markkanen, especially after they signed Isaiah Hartenstein and made themselves the pretty clear-cut favorites to win the Western Conference this year. But boy, that’s another serious weapon to put alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. Would Sam Presti, who is notoriously calculated and has usually taken the long view throughout his career, want to go that all-in? It’s fair to question that, but Markkanen would be one hell of an addition and an incredible fit as another player who can stretch the floor.
The interesting thing here is that the Thunder could make something work with Lu Dort as the salary going out due to the Alex Caruso trade, and if they need to sweeten the pot with young players, a guy like Jaylin Williams or 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic could pique Utah’s interest. And of course, Oklahoma City has been hoarding draft picks forever, which means they, like the Spurs, can throw a ton of picks into a deal and keep
The Trade: Oklahoma City gets: Lauri Markkanen Utah gets: Lu Dort, Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City’s 2025 and 2027 first-round picks, Denver’s top-5 protected 2027 first-round pick, Dallas’ 2028 first-round pick, any three second-round picks Oklahoma City currently has.
New Orleans Pelicans
This is the hardest one to figure out, but as New Orleans is trying to figure out what to do with Brandon Ingram and how to best build a roster around Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray, seeing if there’s something that could be done with the Pelicans and Markkanen would be sensible. It’s clear that the Ingram and Williamson pairing does not work, and after adding Murray in a trade, the Pelicans could really use to add some more shooting. Someone like Markkanen — who is more of a catch-and-shoot threat and wouldn’t always want to operate in similar parts of the floor as Williamson, but could also be the top option if he misses time — is a much more natural fit, and is only 3.5 months older than Ingram. New Orleans would have to pay him, like, right away, but he’d make sense as a guy who gets a bag from them.
The big question here: Would Utah want Ingram? I don’t think they would, unless the team views him as a guy whose reputation they could rehab before they flip him. So, what if we pulled in a third team that could use a guy with Ingram’s ability to score on the wing. The Kings have been connected to every wing on the trade market, including Ingram and Markkanen, and if they didn’t have the draft assets to land Lauri, they might be able to pull in Ingram by sending out a first and Portland’s unprotected second (which figures to end up somewhere from 31-35) next year along with the Harrison Barnes/Kevin Huerter package that’s been floating around for some time and could net Utah some more picks in future deals.
The Trade: New Orleans gets: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson Sacramento gets: Brandon Ingram Utah gets: Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, a 2025, 2027, and 2029 first-round pick from New Orleans, a 2028 first round pick from the Kings, and Portland’s 2025 second round pick from the Kings
July is in full swing. Summer is really and fully here, and in many parts of the United States, that means heat—extreme heat, even dangerous heat waves. And National Park road trips. While I love a trip to a desert park in Utah or the otherworldly landscapes of Badlands or the Grand Canyon, they’re generally best left for shoulder seasons when the sun is less intense.
So where can you travel to beat the heat while still enjoying some of the world’s most iconic landscapes? I’ve got you covered. After traveling to 59 of the current 63 major US National Parks, there are some parks that I always recommend for summer travel.
Here is where to go, where to stay, and what to do.
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK – MICHIGAN
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 74° / 55°
For a true wilderness experience, with hiking trails, historic sites, wildlife—and lower temperatures—head to Isle Royale National Park. The remote island archipelago is surrounded by Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake. The park is accessible only by boat or seaplane, making for a true adventure.
What To Do:
Hike around Rock Harbor or Windigo Bay – be sure to trek to Suzy’s Cave and Grace Creek Overlook. Fish in Lake Superior, scuba dive to some of Isle Royale’s nearby shipwrecks, canoe, or kayak on the inland lakes of Lake Superior, or join a guided ranger or boat tour for the day.
Where To Stay:
You can camp on the island at one of the 36 campsites with a permit or stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge and Windigo Camper Cabins – the only lodging on the island. Otherwise, plenty of lodging is near the ferries in Houghton and Cooper Harbor, Michigan, or Grand Portage, Minnesota.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – WASHINGTON
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 62° / 44°
One of – if not the most – diverse National Parks is settled within a day’s drive from Seattle. Olympic National Park in Washington state is truly dramatic and iconic, encompassing glacier-capped mountains, lush rainforests, and a wild coastline stretching along the Pacific Ocean.
What To Do:
Visit the Hoh Rainforest – home to what some claim is the “quietest place on earth” –hike at Hurricane Ridge, visit Lake Crescent, and catch the sunset on Ruby Beach.
Where To Stay:
If you’re a Twilight fan, be sure to stay in Forks (the town the movie is based on), otherwise, you can camp at one of the 15 developed campgrounds or stay in one of the historic lodges – Lake Quinault Lodge is a favorite of mine.
DENALI NATIONAL PARK – ALASKA
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 59° / 39°
For a bucket list adventure, head to Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska—home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali. Boasting a vast, intact ecosystem with mountains, glaciers, and diverse wildlife, visitors come to see Denali’s majesty, hike the tundra, and spot grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou—in generally lower temperatures than in the continental 48 to the South.
What To Do:
The 92-mile park road is restricted to mile 15 for visitors in private vehicles, so nearly everyone who visits will do so on a bus tour, with narrated and non-narrated options, varying from 17 miles to 43 miles of the road with several stops. Transit buses are available for hikers and campers until mile 43 due to a recent landslide.
Where To Stay:
Many people who visit Alaska in the summer do so in an RV or a van, as boondocking is legal in much of the state (unlike others). I recommend renting a van or RV on RVshare for easy access and flexibility for your Alaskan adventure. If you’d like something more solid, several options exist outside the park and nearby Talkeetna.
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK – MINNESOTA
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 76° / 55°
Head to Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota for a wild and water-filled adventure. Named after the French-Canadian fur traders who explored the region, the park is an impressive 40% water, with four major lakes, 26 smaller lakes, and over 500 islands.
What To Do:
Get out on the water! A private boat, houseboat, or guided tour is the best way to see Voyageurs. Paddling a kayak or canoe is another excellent way to get around and enjoy the park’s peacefulness.
Where To Stay:
Stay on a houseboat or camp on one of the park’s primitive, front or backcountry campsites (all require a boat to reach). I loved staying at Kettle Falls Hotel, the only public lodging within the park. The historic hotel is fascinating, with a restaurant, bar, hiking trails, and canoes on site. Arrange a boat transfer to the hotel for a true adventure without the hassle of renting your own.
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK – ALASKA
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 50° / 35°
For a coastal Alaskan glacier-filled adventure, head to Kenai Fjords National Park. The land is sculpted by glaciers, including the Harding Icefield, which feeds massive rivers of ice that carve fjords, valleys, and a rugged coastline teeming with wildlife.
What To Do:
Most visitors experience the park on a boat tour departing from Seward. Tours typically last from a half-day to a full day and cruise through the park’s fjords, past glaciers, and into wildlife hotspots to some of the most magical locations imaginable. Some tours offer half-day kayaking and half-day boat tours, which I recommend. You’ll also want to hike some of the Harding Icefield Trail, a 33-mile trail that leads through rainforests and up to the Harding Icefield, the largest piedmont glacier in the United States, and Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by car.
Where To Stay:
The park is right in Seward, which is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parts of Alaska. I camped right on the coastline for just $20 a night in a developed site (with showers!) in a van, but there are many hotel options and short-term rentals here.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – MAINE
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 76° / 55°
Acadia National Park, one of the crown jewels of the National Park system, is known for its fall colors, but I’d argue the summer is just as – if not more – beautiful. Tucked along Maine’s rocky coast, the smaller park still manages to encompass mountains, forests, lakes, and islands. Home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic coast, it’s the perfect place to escape the heat.
What To Do:
Watch sunrise or sunset atop Cadillac Mountain – with a reservation – before (or after) hiking the Beehive Loop, Jordan Pond, or the Ocean Path. Grab popovers and prosecco at the famed Jordan Pond House before heading to the Schoodic Peninsula area of the park for some solitude.
Where To Stay:
There are lots of options in Bar Harbor, where Acadia is located. I recommend a bed and breakfast to complete the East Coast vibe or the Acadia outpost of the popular Under Canvas glamping spot.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK – WASHINGTON
Emily Hart
Average July Temperatures High / Low(°F): 53° / 29°
Just a few hours from Seattle lies one of the generally “least visited” National Parks in the system. North Cascades National Park, a vast wilderness in Washington state, is incredibly dramatic, with jagged peaks, blue lakes, and over 300 glaciers – the most of any US area outside Alaska.
What To Do:
North Cascades is definitely a “hiking-forward” park. With over 400 miles of absolutely incredible trails, many heading high into the alpine, you have to get out onto the trail — having a subscription to AllTrails+ here will be key. Take a dip or kayak on the unbelievably turquoise blue Diablo Lake, or just drive on the jaw-droppingly beautiful North Cascades Highway.
Where To Stay:
I prefer to camp in one of North Cascades’ six drive-in campgrounds (there are also boat-in-only campgrounds available!) to truly immerse myself in the park’s beauty. Other options are the bucket list-worthy Ross Lake Resort, with its infamous floating cabins along the lake, or North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin.
Chappell Roan recently credited “this random twink that works at Google” for making her the search engine’s result “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” Is this same person also a Swiftie? As noted by Taylor Swift fan account @tswifterastour, “Hits Different,” a deep cut from her 2022 album Midnights, shows up if you type “best lyrics of all time” into Google.
“Hits Different” — a breakup song written by Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Aaron Dessner — originally appeared on the CD-exclusive Lavender Edition of Midnights before it was added to streaming as part of the Til Dawn Edition (also featuring “more Lana Del Rey”). It’s one of Swift’s best songs, with a bridge that’s impossible to not sing-scream along to: “You were the one that I loved / Don’t need another metaphor, it’s simple enough / A wrinkle in time like the crease by your eyes / This is why they shouldn’t kill off the main guy.”
Swift has played “Hits Different” as a surprise song on The Eras Tour only once, but maybe this will be an incentive to add it to the main set.
You can listen to the best lyrics of all time below.
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