Forecasters say the long July 4 holiday will be a record-setting bash

(CNN) 鈥� In news this week: CNN unveils 10 fantastic US cities to visit that aren鈥檛 overrun with tourists (yet) as the nation prepares for a record-setting July 4 holiday. Also, the latest transportation tangles and troubles plus a hurricane you鈥檒l actually like.

Americans on the go-go-go

Two of the biggest acronyms in travel 鈥� TSA and AAA 鈥� are sounding the alert: It鈥檚 gonna be busy for the loooooong July 4 holiday week. Like record-setting busy.

The Transportation Security Administration said it expected to screen more than 32 million folks at US airports from June 27 through July 8. That would be a 5.4% increase over the 2023 Independence Day holiday. 鈥淲e expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday,鈥� said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a news release this week. He vows the agency is ready for the security line onslaught.

Automotive agency AAA expects 70.9 million Americans to travel 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more from home. More than 85% will be going by auto. At least the Covid-19 pandemic is just a dusty blip in the rear-view mirror. 鈥淲e anticipate this July 4th聽week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019,鈥� said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. in Atlanta, Boston, Seattle and other major cities.

In other news from often-crowded places: Disney announced this week that its Genie + ride reservation service, used to help savvy planners avoid long lines, is being put back in the bottle. In its place at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney Word in Florida: Lightning Lanes. One of the main differences is visitors will be able to book up to three attractions seven days beforehand if staying at a park hotel. (And it鈥檚 three days in advance if staying off-site). .

If all these crowds milling around shoulder-to-shoulder in record summer heat feels off-putting, check out the for an escape hatch.

The heat is going to send plenty of others seaside this coming week. And you鈥檒l need something to put all your stuff in. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN,聽have you covered with the .

10 best US towns to visit in 2024

If you like the urban experience but feel like you鈥檝e had enough bites of the Big Apple and other crowded, expensive cities, this is for you. At CNN Travel, we tapped our network of contributors for nominations to come up with our inaugural list of聽.

They鈥檙e spread from New England and the South to the heartland and the West. They鈥檙e places where you鈥檒l often find small-town vibes and loads of personality as well as plenty to see and do. And they鈥檙e easier on the budget.

The list shows that the United States, which was recently selected as the , is filled with communities committed to making their towns better 鈥� for themselves and the people who come to visit.

Transportation mishaps and misdeeds

We鈥檝e seen another rough go of it lately as people tried to move from Point A to Point B.

A power cut led to at one of the United Kingdom鈥檚 busiest airports. Across the Atlantic in Naples, Florida, a former customs official pleaded guilty to . Over in South Korea, flights at Incheon International were disrupted because of balloons, launched by North Korea, .

In water woes, the world鈥檚 largest cruise ship while berthed in Mexico. And while it is admittedly a stretch to call a roller coaster 鈥渢ransportation,鈥� we thought you might want to of people having to climb off a classic ride in California after a mid-ride emergency.

Hurricane forecast: Delicious!

Now here鈥檚 a way to relax and add a rush to your Fourth of July holiday. Bar owner Neal Bodenheimer shows the right way to prepare a . Enjoy! (In moderation, of course.)