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.
Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre
Warmer weather is starting to arrive, and that means it's time to enjoy the outdoors — outdoor sports, outdoor concerts, outdoor festivals, and, yes, outdoor movies. The Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre is a fine place to take in the latter. Situated not far from the shores of Cape Cod, this theater dates back to 1957, and is open from late May through Labor Day. And while the 100' x 44' screen offers a giant picture, the audio is the real draw here, as the drive-in uses a state-of-the-art system to decode modern soundtracks and broacast them over FM. Oh, and don't worry if you forgot to eat — the Snack Bar offers a fill range of treats, from burgers, hot dogs, and fries to more traditional theater foods like popcorn and candy.
Georgetown Drive-In
Spring is here and warm weather is slowly starting to creep in — which means more opportunities to do things outdoors. Like watch movies, for instance. Opening May 2nd, the Georgetown Drive-In is a prime place to do it. This classic drive-in has been operating since the 1950s, and features two screens, each of which shows two films a night. Of course, it wouldn't be a drive-in without a concession stand, and this one offers a wide range of traditional treats, including hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, candy, soda, and, yes, popcorn.
Troubadour
Odds are you've already heard about the Troubadour, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to catch a show there. After all, this WeHo venue — which opened its doors in 1957 — has played host to a virtual who's who of the music world in the years since, serving as the spot for many a live album, memorable debut, or noteworthy anecdote — like John Lennon getting kicked out for heckling the Smothers Brothers. Just be sure to keep an eye on their calendar — while many shows sell out well in advance, the place is very well-booked, so there should be a show happening soon for you to slide your way into.
Doug Fir Lounge
We mentioned it briefly when we covered the adjacent Jupiter Hotel, but the Doug Fir Lounge is noteworthy enough that it warrants it's own spotlight. Boasting an incredible '50s-style modern interior with one-of-a-kind glassworks, original woodwork, and metal, its downstairs lounge is considered one of the best music venues in the Pacific Northwest. Under the same roof, you'll also find a combination restaurant and bar that's a perfect place to grab a cocktail and or bite, whether you're there to see a show or not.
Tipitina's
Named after a Professor Longhair song, Tipitina's isn't just a music venue — it might be the best music venue in one of the biggest music cities in the country. Housed in a building that dates back to 1912 and has served as a gym, brothel, and gambling house, tunes have been playing steadily since it opened as the 501 Club in 1977. Since then, its played host to a large number of notable acts, including Wilco, Pearl Jam, James Brown, and Willie Nelson, as well as local acts like Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. It hosts a Cajun Fais Do Do dance party every Sunday, and more importantly runs Tipitina's Foundation, which supports local music and musicians.
The Bluebird Cafe
It might sound like a place to find the elderly crowd chowing down on pie at 8 am, but it's actually nighttime when The Bluebird Cafe sings. Renowned for its in the round singer/songwriter jam sessions, the Bluebird has helped launch the career of many a country star, including Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and Taylor Swift. And don't let its humble location in a strip mall fool you — this place fills up quickly, so if you're looking to attend a show, you'd best make reservations.
Lincoln Hall
Generally speaking, there are two main types of music venues — those big enough to hold nearly everyone that wants to be there, and those that are so small as to barely hold anyone at all. Luckily, the Schuba brothers understood this when they bought and opened Lincoln Hall. Having run a legendary music-focused tavern for 20 years, they purchased the building to create a place for many music lovers to listen to live bands while keeping the intimacy that made their bar famous. While we'll let you be the judge of that, you can guarantee it'll sound better than the mega-concerts at the United Center.
Cain's Ballroom
When you're looking through the tour schedules of your favorite bands, we're betting you probably don't think of Oklahoma as an ideal spot to see a show. But maybe you should. Cain's Ballroom has been playing host to some of the biggest acts around since it made the switch from a dance academy to a music venue in the mid '70s. There's a framed piece of drywall that lost a bout with Sid Vicious when the Sex Pistols played here, paving the way for later acts like The Strokes, The Polyphonic Spree, Metallica, and Elvis Costello. While the history won't make the act you're watching any better, at least it's an improvement over watching a show at your local corporate sponsored megavenue.
Greystone Mansion and Park
Looking for somewhere memorable in SoCal to hold a wedding, party, or event? Greystone Mansion and Park should be near the top of your list. Available for events for up to 200 people, this amazing venue — built in 1927 — offers formal gardens, a swimming pool, and an impressive interior you might just recognize. Why? Because it's been featured in tons of movies, including The Big Lebowski, There Will Be Blood, The Muppets, Spider-Man, and Ghostbusters II. And what's good enough for the Dude is good enough for us. [via]
Twin Rivers Golf Course
Anytime a course is compared with Pebble Beach, we immediately a) laugh and then b) take notice. While its finishing hole can't really compare with 18th at Monterey's most esteemed course, Twin Rivers Golf Course does boast several ocean-side holes — they're just bordering the Atlantic, not the Pacific. Heading away from the water, the holes twist around and pass through the nearby rivers, giving nearly every hole a nautical feel while providing terrific views. Oh, and we hear the actual golf isn't so bad, either.
Film Forum
Looking to see a movie in NYC? Skip the usual megaplex and head over to Film Forum. This three-screen cinema is the only autonomous nonprofit cinema in the city, and offers a series of premieres of American independent and foreign art films on one screen, foreign and American classics one on screen, and extended runs of favorites from the other two on the third. Keep an eye out for their double- and triple-features to maximize the bang for your bucks.
