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ADVENTURES AWAIT VIA ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Ontario International Airport
Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum
A GUIDE TO SOME OF THE QUICK TRIPS PROVIDED BY ONTARIO
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Summer fun needn’t stop at the California state lines. Ontario International Airport Southern California offers daily flights to a host of fun spots, including Phoenix, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas and Honolulu.
With seven daily flights, Phoenix is a quick jump from the airport. Fans can hang out at Chase Field when the Dodgers take on the Diamondbacks; hike Camelback Mountain (with plenty of water and early in the morning, naturally); imbibe in wine around Scottsdale; or take a day trip to the red rocks of Sedona with the Pink Jeep Tours.
There are a few secret spots as well, like the restaurant Durant’s (probably the best steakhouse ever); The Wigwam resort in Litchfield Park (a treat for the mind and body with an Aveda spa and tremendous golfing); the Desert Botanical Garden; the Queen Creek Olive Mill and Salt River Tubing. Dare we say more?
Sure, why not. The Musical Instrument Museum, or, if you’re cool, “The MIM,” should be atop everyone’s list. Developed by Target’s then-CEO Bob Ulrich, the Musical Instrument Museum has a performance hall with perfect sound, instruments from a wealth of countries by continent, and a few laughs. Check out the air guitar contest attraction.
Seattle is also seven daily flights from Ontario. The gorgeous Pacific Northwest region offers seafood cuisine, culture (more than grunge) and, of course, coffee.
With just a snap of the fingers, travelers can head to the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Puget Sound, Chihuly Garden or Pioneer Square, just a few of the must-see stops in Seattle.
Ontario International Airport recently saw welcoming news regarding Hawaii.
In April, Hawaii Gov. David Y. Ige said travelers from Ontario International Airport could bypass the Aloha State’s mandatory 10-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test performed by a “trusting” testing partner. Ontario was the first airport in Southern California to earn the designation from that state’s department of health.
Travelers can choose from two options — an expedited PCR test with next-day results or a rapid molecular NAAT test that provides results within an hour. The tests must be administered within 72 hours of departure from Ontario.
Ontario’s local testing partner is the COVID-19 clinic that offers drivethru testing in parking lot three daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The ONT site, open since November, offers tests by appointment and on a drive-up basis.
Recently, Hawaiian Airlines began nonstop service from Ontario to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport five times a week.
The majestic beauty of Salt Lake City is attainable through Ontario airport via five daily flights. According to Visit Salt Lake, the city’s highlights go beyond bar hopping, which is nonetheless fun.
In 2002, Salt Lake hosted the Olympic Winter Games, and sports fans can tour the attractions and facilities related to it. Only a 20-minute drive from SLC proper, Utah Olympic Park features training facilities for moguls and freestyle aerials, as well as a terrain park and boarder-cross course where visitors can watch everyone from young kids to next-generation Olympic athletes hone their skills.
Beyond that, check out the primo movie theaters, historic sites and, of course, the Great Salt Lake.
Dallas-Fort Worth is, well, worthy of a trip. With five daily flights, Dallas-Fort Worth is full of fun. According to Visit Fort Worth, travelers can see priceless masterpieces in the world-renowned Cultural District, Western heritage in the Stockyards National Historic District, shop and dine in the 35-block Sundance Square, chow down on barbecue and Tex-Mex, and check out more than 7,000 animals at the top-ranked Fort Worth Zoo.
Dallas is filled with hidden gems as well. Visit Dallas is here to help. The center can provide itineraries for family vacations, budget travelers and freebies. Then there’s America’s Team. Cheer on the Dallas Cowboys with special game packages.
Las Vegas isn’t last on anyone’s list, but here we go. The lights of Sin City have turned back on. Entertainers like the talented Usher, the alt-rock legend Morrissey, the upbeat yet seductive Bruno Mars and the delightful Katy Perry are among those who have scheduled residencies.
Debbie Gibson and Joey McIntyre recently booked gigs at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a limited run late this summer.
And restaurants go beyond buffets. World-class eateries took a gamble on Vegas, turning it into a foodie town.
So, pack your bags, head to Ontario International Airport Southern California and depart on a safe adventure.
