Venetian Pool
Northerly neighbor Miami has no shortage of pools — but none like the Venetian Pool. Opened in 1924 as the Venetian Casino, this unique, 820,000-gallon public swimming hole is set in an old quarry pit and fed with spring water from an underground aquifer. The pool itself is surrounded by two Mediterranean-style lookout towers, two waterfalls, and several cave-like grottos, all of which help earned it a listing in the National Register of Historic Places — the only swimming pool to earn the designation. Of course, all this luxury comes with a (modest) cost, but for the blast of tranquil refreshment it provides on a hot summer day, it's well worth the price.
Walker on the Green
While we typically prefer real golf to the miniature version, there's little doubt that Walker on the Green is a round worth playing. Created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, this putt-putt attraction offers two eight-hole courses designed by local architects, artists, and engineers. Among the unique holes are a geodesic dome housing a scale-model of the Walker building, a gravity well, an ant farm, and a garden gnome foosball table. Open now through September 8. [via]
Nullarbor Links
We've played some lengthy golf courses before, but one that's nearly 850 miles long? That's new. Nullarbor Links holds the record for the world's longest golf course by spreading its 18 holes over 1,365 kilometers on the southern coast of the country. Seven of the holes are located on existing courses, while the other eleven are placed at various roadhouses and roadside stops along the way. When you finish your round, you'll be given a certificate for playing the course, which likely pales in comparison to the memories you'll make on your epic golfing journey.
World Street Food Congress
Whether it comes from a truck, a trailer, a cart, or just a makeshift hut, street food plays an important part in nearly every culture. The World Street Food Congress is set to celebrate this rich tradition. Running from May 31 to June 9, the event will feature a jamboree of street foods from countries around the world, an awards ceremony, and a two-day thought leadership, networking and ideas conference hosted by noted food industry types like Anthony Bourdain, James Oseland, and Johnny Chan. Top it off with keynotes from the likes of Jose Andrés and Thailand's Iron Chef Ian Kittichai, and you've got yourself an event. A very tasty event.
The Pendennis Club
Just like the Kentucky Derby that's held up the road, The Pendennis Club is a true classic. Named to the National Register of Historic places, this private, member's only club has been in operation since 1881, and moved into its current, 78,000 square-foot clubhouse in 1928. Inside, you'll find a historic ballroom on the third floor, two bars, a barber shop, library, athletic facilities, and plenty of marble, natural walnut, and red-carpeted and teak wood floors. Need more motivation? The Pendennis was also the birthplace of the Old Fashioned, making it quite possibly the birthplace of the modern cocktail itself.
The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow
You didn't think it was just a story, did you? The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow is indeed the same one featured in Washington Irving's classic story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Built in 1685, it's the oldest existing church in the state, has been deemed a National Historic Landmark and is still used for services during the summer, on Easter, and on Christmas Eve. If you happen to stop by, be sure to visit the Sleepy Hollow Cemetary next to the church, in which is buried Irving himself, as well as a number of folks who wound up being used in his stories. And, of course, keep your eyes out for headless horsemen.
Money Museum
For something that pretty much rules most of our lives, we actually know very little about money. You can learn more with a visit to the Money Museum. Run by the American Numismatic Association, the multi-level museum features over 250,000 monetary objects, a permanent exhibit on the history of money, an interactive gallery of American gold coins, experimental pattern coins, and paper money, a minting gallery, and a rotating gallery, currently exploring the money of the Civil War. As you might expect, you'll have to add to their collection with common currency in order to visit.
Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course
It's hard enough hitting a golf shot towards a stationary target. The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course ups the ante by putting one of its holes in motion. This immaculate course features lake views from all 18 holes, a contoured design that ensures you won't see other golfers during your round, custom-designed carts with built-in coolers, storage areas, trash cans, and ball and club washers, and a caddie provided with each foresome to rake sand traps, find balls, clean clubs, and provide distances for you. But the real surprise is the Par-3 14th hole, which boast a floating green. To reach it, you hop aboard an electric boat that shuttles you to and from the island, with a skipper that hands out Certificates of Achievement when you depart. Whether he records your score or not is totally up to you. We hope.
Dubspot DJ Weekend Workshops
Pretty much anybody with an interest music would like to be a DJ — but the fact of the matter is it's not the easiest thing to learn on your own. Which is why they hold these Dubspot DJ Weekend Workshops. Designed for beginners, these two-day classes will teach you how a DJ setup works, with overviews of the turntable, mixer, and headphones, proper vinyl playback and manipulation techniques, an intro to digital DJ software Serato Scratch Live, how to count beats, beatmatching methods, and how to perform basic mixes and blends. By the end, you'll perform your first live two-song mix for the class, hopefully giving you the confidence you need to continue on your way to thrilling club goers the world over. Or maybe just impressing your friends. Either way.
MOCA Cleveland
Think Cleveland is all run-down factories, urban decay, and legendarily-awful pro football? Think again. The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland — better known as MOCA — is a stunning piece of architecture sitting just outside downtown, designed by Farshid Moussavi of London and opened just recently. Inside the angular structure, you'll find multiple levels of installations by both world-renowned and up-and-coming artists, as well as various ongoing exhibition, education, and entertainment programs. Oh, and it's also home to a gift shop that's one of the city's best selections of modern objects and gifts, giving you yet another reason to make a visit.
Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest
There are few traditions better than a cold beer on a hot summer day — and you'll be sure to find plenty of the former at the Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest. Scheduled for June 22nd and 23rd, this annual festival will feature more than 60 of America's finest breweries, lots of tasty food — generally prepared with the beer-drinker in mind — entertainment from local and regional musicians, and the random array of artsy vendors and exhibitors. Tickets — including those for a round-trip bus pass or designated driver — are on sale now.
The Atlantic Road
It might not match the curvy chaos of other routes, but the views from The Atlantic Road rival the best you'll find anyway. This roughly five-mile stretch of road runs between the towns of Kårvåg and Vevang, across multiple small islands and patches of land. Connecting them all are a number of causeways, viaducts, and eight bridges, one of which — the Storseisundet Bridge — extends up into the air in a curve that makes it a perfect spot to snap a photo. It's since been joined between the two towns by an underwater tunnel, but staring at the inside of concrete isn't nearly as fun.
