Among the many reasons to travel, fun and entertainment are surely at the top of the list. An eventful vacation can often be more relaxing than a week of lazing around a poolside. From sports events to cultural festivals to musical concerts to theater and dance performances, being entertained is in itself a vacation from the experiences of everyday life. Whether you prefer to spectate or participate or both, there's a fun destination out there for you. All over the country at any time of year, locales host a wide variety of charming attractions, each with characteristics unique to the region. Consider the following entertainment-oriented travel ideas from Hotwire and get inspired to plan your own engaging getaway.
What's better entertainment than going to a good old-fashioned baseball game? For sports fans, Boston claims its place as the hub of tradition. Red Sox fan or not, you'd have a hard argument that the historic Fenway Park isn't the hub of baseball lore. Travel to the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use. Baseball fans have gathered at Fenway since 1912 to live and relive some of the greatest moments in baseball history. Even if you're not able to catch a game, the franchise provides year-round, behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark so rich in tradition. Go on a vacation to Boston, and see for yourself the famous Green Monster, Lone Red Seat, and Pesky's Pole — just a few of the many storied architectural details, each representing its own mini-history at Fenway. Boston also proudly lays claim to the world's oldest annual marathon. Even if you're no runner, being a spectator is where the fun's at for most people, gathering at locations along the course to watch the runners go by. There are many celebrations and events for the visitor not interested in sports, including the Boston Harborfest, a week-long Independence Day festival that takes place during the first week of July. Revolutionary-period reenactments, a Chowderfest, and of course, a 4th of July fireworks extravaganza — with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular — comprise this entertaining festival.
For lively cultural zest and entertainment, New Orleans remains a vibrant and colorful city full of fun and excitement — taking a vacation there has never been better! Every year, the Carnival celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras draw throngs of revelers to New Orleans, and for good reason: there's no other party quite like it. While Mardi Gras is certainly the largest, by no means is it the only celebration in town. The Big Easy abounds with heritage, music, arts, and multicultural events. The Alla Gras Festival is a free, family-oriented celebration for children of all ages that takes place the week before Mardi Gras. But if Mardi Gras seems outsized, try a smaller, more regional festival, such as the New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival, held on November 18, featuring live music, art, libations, and an excess of po-boy sandwiches. Other special events include the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival in November, an event for the entire family, with a children's art competition and hands-on activities; the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, an annual five-day celebration held in late March; and the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience in May. And of course, the eminent New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival draws visitors from around the world every spring.
No other American city offers so much around-the-clock entertainment as New York, New York. Take an exhilarating vacation to the city that won't let you sleep. Among the limitless entertainment options are the plays and spectacular musicals and dance performances in the Theater District. Occupying a small section of Midtown Manhattan known as the Great White Way, the area offers a wealth of entertainment around which you can plan an entire vacation. From grand-scale, world famous productions on Broadway to the less mainstream stages of Off-Broadway, and even smaller but creatively ambitious Off-Off Broadway, there's an abundance of staged entertainment sure to amaze you. Travel out a little farther to find even more dance and experimental performance art. New York City is home to renowned dance companies like the American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, and the Dance Theater of Harlem. If you're in an avant-garde mood, check out performances at La Mama, an experimental theater club, or the Judson Church in Washington Square, which often plays host to dance, theater, poetry performances and more. Top the evenings off with unrivaled late-night dining, then retire to your hotel to sneak in just a little bit of sleep.