26th Annual International Blues Challenge Hits Memphis!
Known for blues and rock ‘n roll, Memphis hosts many music-themed festivals throughout the year. This year happens to be the 26th annual International Blues Challenge (IBC). If you’re thinking about visiting the Memphis area early in 2010, this would be the time. The IBC begins on January 20 and the finale will occur on the evening of January 23.
The International Blues Challenge is an event hosted by The Blues Foundation and has slowly grown to become the most respected showcase for blues musicians. This year’s entries represent 39 US states, the District of Columbia, and 13 foreign countries. Some of the countries represented include Australia, Denmark, India, and Italy.
It is a competition, mind you, and a winner is chosen for each of three categories. The ‘Blues Band’ category is the biggest, with 111 entries this year. The second competition category is ‘Solo/Duo Acts’ and boasts 83 competitors this year. The newest category is the ‘Youth Showcase’, which includes 32 entries all under the age of 21.
The festival kicks off with a Meet & Greet at the New Daisy Theater, followed by the international showcase. Days are filled with festival activities ranging from seminars and workshops to awards ceremonies. The competition semifinals take place at blues clubs along Beale Street with the final competition occurring at the famous Orpheum Theater.
To stay close to the action, we recommend hotels in the downtown area. There are several hotels within walking distance of Beale Street, which makes attending the competition events that much easier. The Marriott Downtown is just a short cab ride away from Beale Street and offers guests tons of amenities and a relaxing environment. The Holiday Inn Select Downtown is just a few blocks from Beale Street and definitely within walking distance. The Madison Hotel sits between the Marriott and the Holiday Inn Select, placing you just a few streets over from Beale Street. This hotel boasts first class amenities, on-site dining, and beautiful views.
Downtown Nashville Offers A Little Bit Of Everything
November 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN
If you’re traveling to Nashville there is no better place to be than downtown. This exciting area of Nashville offers everything from lodging to dining to entertainment. What more could you want?
There are many hotel options in the downtown area for you to choose from. You can find everything from an affordable standard room to 5-Star luxury accommodations. Finding a hotel with certain amenities is easy because you have so many to choose from the odds are on your side. The fabulous location of the downtown hotels also keeps you close to just about everything so you don’t miss a beat!
The beauty of the downtown area is it’s central location. If your hotel isn’t within walking distance of an attraction then it’s just a short cab ride away. From downtown Nashville you can easily get to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Gaylord Entertainment Center, the NFL Titans’ Coliseum, Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and so much more.
You can find a restaurant for any taste in downtown Nashville. Whether your savoring Quiche Lorraine at Sandy’s Downtown Grille or chowing down bacon cheeseburger at the Hard Rock Cafe, you’re sure to find at least one restaurant to appease your appetite!
Downtown Chattanooga Offers Great Attractions, Dining
When planning your next trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee, make plans to stay or spend an evening exploring all that the rejuvenated downtown area has to offer. With plenty of excellent dining options and sightseeing options, a trip downtown offers activities for both adults and children.
This park located in the downtown area is an attraction that everyone can enjoy. Children will love playing in the fountains, and children of all ages will be drawn to the large antique carousel for a ride. The carousel is over 100 years old and still operates. Coolidge Park also hosts community events from time to time. A perfect spot for a relaxing picnic or an afternoon enjoying the sun, Coolidge Park is well worth adding to your Chattanooga itinerary.
Occupying a prime spot on the riverfront, downtown Chattanooga has many restaurants and shops available. A number of art and jewelry galleries are located downtown, as well as many locally owned businesses. Dining options from vary from upscale local establishments to quaint cafes perfect for breakfast or lunch. A number of dessert shops are also available downtown for those with sweet tooths. Downtown Chattanooga is also the embarkation point for most Chattanooga riverboat tours, including the Chattanooga Riverboat. Downtown Chattanooga is also home to attractions like the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
We also offer many nice hotels that will let you stay in this beautiful part of the city, keeping you close to a variety of attractions, dining, and shopping options. The Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga Downtown is located in the Riverfront area and is just minutes away from a range of attractions. This hotel also has upscale amenities, including a fitness center and swimming pool. The Chattanoogan hotel is a classic establishment in downtown that offers upscale amenities and services, including an on-site restaurant and full-service spa. This hotel is close to a variety of Chattanooga attractions, including the Prime Outlets at Warehouse Row.
Take a Break in Nashville on Labor Day
August 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
Labor Day offers an excellent time to take a break from your hectic life and enjoy a relaxing long weekend in Nashville. After this end-of-summer break, you will be ready to take on the activities of the upcoming fall season.
An evening at the Grand Ole Opry is a classic Nashville activity that will add to your relaxing weekend enjoying the Nashville culture and nightlife. Although the Opry does not release its lineup until the Wednesday before the performance, you can expect to see big-name performers and classic acts. Tentatively scheduled performers for Labor Day weekend include Luke Bryan and Legacy Five. Regardless of who the headline performer is, the Grand Ole Opry is always an unforgettable way to spend an evening.
Another relaxing activity for the weekend is a lunch or dinner cruise on the General Jackson. These cruises provide a delicious meal and an entertaining show, all while cruising along the Cumberland River on an authentic paddlewheel boat. In addition to the meal, you can relax on the deck and watch the sights go by. Each cruise also features a show. Performances may vary, but past performances have included Country Music USA and Tim Watson’s Fiddlin’ Around.
A pleasant evening activity that is both romantic and fun is the Horse Drawn Carriage Tours of Downtown Nashville. Tours start from downtown Nashville and last approximately an hour. Sights on the carriage ride include the State Capitol, Civil War sites, and other historic spots in Downtown Nashville. In addition, your guide will provide historical facts and information about Nashville’s history. Carriage rides are also available for large groups.
Enjoy Labor Day and a Jazz Festival in Chicago
Labor Day weekend is a prime time to spend a leisurely weekend in Chicago. From doing some back to school shopping on Michigan Avenue to enjoying some final days in the summer sun on Lake Michigan, Chicago has many options for the upcoming holiday weekend, including one of the biggest Jazz events in the country. For this upcoming Labor Day weekend, you can join thousands of visitors to Chicago at the annual Chicago Jazz Festival. For the past thirty years, Chicago has attracted some of the best jazz musicians in the world to play at this festival, and this year boasts a fabulous lineup as well.
The Chicago Jazz Festival is set to take place September 4 to 6 at Grant Park. Admission to the festival is free, and all concerts are free. Concerts take place daily from 12 to 9:30 p.m. Four different stages are set up throughout the festival.
One stage is the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage, which will feature young jazz acts, including many high school groups from the area. The Petrillo Music Shell will be holding the evening concerts. Performers scheduled to perform include Dee Alexander, Dave Holland Big Band, the Amina Figarova Sextet, Fred Anderson, and Madeleine Peyroux. Other aspects of the festival include a tribute concert to Benny Goodman. There will also be food vendors available during the festival. For a taste of what has passed in Jazz and what is yet to come, the Chicago Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend is the place to be.
Lodging in Chicago is sure to go quickly during Labor Day weekend, so act now to reserve your room close to Grant Park and downtown Chicago. Hotels in downtown will place you close to a variety of attractions, including Grant Park, shopping on Michigan Mile, and the Theater District. To ensure that you have a room for the weekend, book online today!
Take a Break in Boston to Celebrate Labor Day
As summer days begin coming to a close and cooler temperatures start rolling in, Labor Day provides the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing weekend in Boston. Although Boston has great attractions to visit year round, Labor Day weekend features several great events, making it the perfect time to plan a trip to Boston.
The Gloucester Schooner Festival is an annual racing event that is celebrating its 25th year this year. The Schooner Festival will be taking place Sept. 4-7, and the ships begin arriving on Sept. 4, when they will be welcomed with a Mayor’s Reception. The weekend’s events include a festival crew party, Coast Guard demonstrations, a sailing Parade of Lights, and a fireworks show in Gloucester Harbor following the parade. The highlight of the weekend is the Mayor’s Race, which begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and is followed by an awards ceremony and reception later that night.
A sightseeing tour is a great addition to Labor Day weekend. A tour will provide a relaxing afternoon or morning exploring Boston and the surrounding area. With trolley tours and cruise tours available, Vacations Made Easy has the perfect tour option for you. If you wish to combine a trolley and cruise, the Beantown Trolley and Harbor Cruise is an excellent choice. This tour provides you the ability to hop on and off the trolley at 20 different Boston sites, including Bunker Hill Pavilion, Newbury Street, and Fanueil Hall. In addition to the trolley tour, you can also enjoy a 45-minute cruise in Boston Harbor. An uninterrupted trolley tour takes approximately two hours to complete.
Don’t forget to book your lodging of the weekend early! Rooms are bound to fill up quickly, so plan ahead and book online with us. We offer a great selection of hotels in Boston and the surrounding area. To make the most of your time in Boston, a downtown hotel is a great choice due to its proximity to a range of attractions and sightseeing options.
Visit Historic Tupelo, MS During Your Trip to Memphis, TN
Memphis is conveniently located on the Mississippi River, close to the borders of both Arkansas and Mississippi. Although Memphis has so many activities that you may not want to leave, venturing out in the surrounding area is an excellent idea for a day or afternoon trip. Tupelo, Mississippi is best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but it is also a great Southern town well worth visiting.
One popular site in Tupelo is the Elvis Presley Birthplace. The little two-room house saw the birth of one of the most important musical figures that America will ever know. The house is a part of the Elvis Presley Park, which houses a museum, a memorial chapel, and a life-size statue of Elvis at age 13. The museum houses clothing, personal items, artifacts, pictures and more of Elvis’ life. This museum pays homage to Elvis’ life without the glitz and glamour of Graceland.
An interesting non-Elvis related site in Tupelo is the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo. A businessman invested to create the largest buffalo herd east of the Mississippi River. In addition to the herd of buffalo, visitors will see exotic animals like kangaroos, tigers, lions, and giraffes, including an extremely rare white buffalo. Besides the animals, the zoo also contains an Indian dig site in the village of Etoukouma. Rides are available through the zoo, and small children will enjoy the Merry-Go-Round and the petting zoo. Camping is also available on site.
For a nice night out, spend the evening in historic downtown Tupelo. With a variety of authentic Southern restaurants, you can enjoy a relaxing dinner and then explore unique shops and sights downtown. Downtown contains various historical sights like the Lee County Courthouse and Lyric Theater. Visitors can also explore various Civil War sights. Depending on the night, you can catch live music in some of the downtown cafes and bars, or there might be a festival or special event going on.
Tupelo is just about an hour and a half from Memphis, but the drive through the scenic and green Mississippi countryside will be well worth it when you enjoy a day in this unique city.
Fireworks and Food: July 4th Celebrations in Chicago
Get ready to spend an awesome July 4th weekend in Chicago! If you have not already made plans, it is not too late to get in on the action in America’s third largest city. With special July 4th celebrations, you will be sure to have a great time celebrating America in one of its greatest cities.
One July 4th option is spending the day at Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. Year round the pier is a great destination with lots of restaurants, carnival-style games, an IMAX theater, and a Ferris Wheel, but July 4th turns this attraction into an exciting party. The July 4th Celebration at Navy Pier features a spectacular fireworks show and enough entertainment to keep you interested all night. Entertainment includes performances from a variety of local musicians. Located close to Michigan Avenue, you will be close to a variety of Chicago attractions as well.
The John Hancock Observatory offers the best views in the city, making it a perfect spot to watch the city’s fireworks displays on July 4th. The Observatory will be open on the 4th, and visitors will be able to watch the fireworks as well as see breathtaking views of Chicago. Located on Navy Pier, you will also be close to the action of the July 4th Celebration.
One of Chicago’s most popular events will also be occurring during July 4th weekend. The Taste of Chicago begins June 26 and lasts until July 5. Chicago is home to a lot of great food, from gourmet upscale establishments to authentic Chicago pizzerias, and you can sample the best of what the city has to offer at this great festival. Taking place in Grant Park, which is located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown, over 60 restaurants, cafes, and bars are participating in this event. Aside from the great food, the event includes a fireworks show on the evening of July 3rd, an appearance by renowned-chef Emeril Lagasse, book signings, and live musical performances. This event is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, and food tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Because of the holiday weekend, hotels are sure to fill up fast! Act quickly to reserve your room downtown to be close to all of the action!
Light Up Your July 4th in Orlando
Light up your summer vacation in Orlando, Florida by celebrating July 4th at these Orlando area events. Whether planning an exciting Disney vacation or you just want to spend some time on the beach, these events are great additions to any vacation. Perfect for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, these events are sure to provide Independence Day celebrations to remember.
On the evening of July 4th, you can catch the free Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, FL. This event features live musical entertainment, a variety of food vendors and options, and, of course, a spectacular fireworks show. Special guests at this event include the Orlando Concert Band and the mayor of Orlando, Florida. Lake Eola Park is a beautiful downtown Orlando destination that features fountains, playgrounds, and the Walt Disney Amphitheater. This event will be fun for the entire family, so add it to your vacation today!
The Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration in Kissimmee, Florida is the area’s largest event, with approximately 40,000 people attending each year. The celebration begins in the afternoon and lasts until the dazzling fireworks show that night. During the day, you can enjoy live musical entertainment from an array of bands and performers, Uncle Sam stilt walkers, street performers, games, activities, and arts and crafts. This event truly has something for everyone. A variety of food vendors will also be on hand. Admission to this great event is free, and it is taking place at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park, which is fairly close to Disney and other Orlando attractions, making it a great addition to your vacation.
Another option for a July 4th celebration is the Fire Up Your 4th of July at Universal City Walk in Orlando. Located by Universal Studios, this event features live music and games. When you get hungry, you can find something to eat at the outdoor cookout area. The evening ends with a fireworks show. The Universal City Walk is an Orlando entertainment destination and features a variety of restaurants and nightclubs, including the Hard Rock Cafe, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, and NBA City, making it a great destination for evening fun. This event combines a great location with a fantastic fireworks show that will not disappoint.
Whichever event you choose, you will be sure to have a fabulous evening celebrating America.
Music, History, and Ghosts: Memphis City Tours
Memphis is more than an homage to Elvis Presley; it is also a city filled with history. A city tour is a great way to spend time in the city and come away with a deeper understanding of the guiding forces that created this beautiful and unique city on the Mississippi River.
The Memphis City Tour is an encompassing tour that covers all of the highlights of the city. Your knowledgeable guide will be an abundant source of information about the history and culture of Memphis as he takes you to city sites including Beale Street, Downtown Memphis, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and Elvis Presley Boulevard. Other historic landmarks you will see include Sun Studio and the Lorraine Hotel, which is now a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. You will be able to tour the city in comfort and learn more than you ever expected with this extensive tour.
For the undiscovered side of Memphis, take the Memphis Ghost Tour. This tour is a fully-guided walking tour through some of the city’s spookiest sites. Your guide will take you to historic landmarks like the Orpheum Theater, W.C. Hendy Park on Beale Street, and Cotton Row. Your guide will fill you in on the sordid past of these city landmarks, providing you with a one-of-a-kind view of the dark past of Memphis.
If the musical side of Memphis interests you, the Memphis Mojo Tour is a great choice. Led by a Memphis musician, this tour is an interactive drive through the city with stops at musical and city landmarks include Sun Studio, Stax, the Lorraine Motel, and Cotton Row. You will not have to worry about being bored as your musician guide lets you join in the fun by making music with tambourines, shakers, and bongos. This tour combines the best of Memphis’ musical heritage as well as historical and cultural landmarks.
Whatever your interest in Memphis, any of these tours is sure to provide a memorable look at this unique city. Whether planning a family vacation or just a weekend getaway, these tours are great choices.
