Three months into the new year and it’s about the time where people are joking about the inability to keep their New Year’s resolution. However, if traveling was your goal for 2017, you’ve still got nine more months to fulfill your wanderlust. Here are the best places to travel to each month for the rest of the year.
March: St. Patrick’s Day
While most people go somewhere tropical for spring break, consider hopping on a plane and going to Boston to join their Irish celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day. On Friday, March 17, the city will gather for a parade that attracts about one million spectators – it’s safe to say that it’s one of the most exciting events of the year. If parades aren’t for you, there are also bar crawls and “Sh*t-faced Shakespeare,” where plays are drunkenly performed by cast members with their beer, wine and whiskey on stage.
April: Easter Egg Hunt
Head on over to Copper Mountain in Colorado for one of the largest Easter Egg Hunts in the United States. Don’t be intimidated by the kids, there’s a separate egg hunt on the mountain for the older kids, including you. Have fun finding over 65,000 eggs across 2,500 acres. Have even more fun when you get chocolate for recycling your empty eggs – they save them for next year and save the planet at the same time. Check out their online schedule to find out when you can fuel your competitive side this Easter.
May: Cinco de Mayo
To really celebrate Cinco de Mayo, travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a day filled with so many events, you”ll have to prioritize which to see. The South Broadway Cultural Center celebrates this day with music, dance and a background on the history of the holiday. The city also hosts parades and battle reenactments to commemorate the day that Mexican troops defeated the French forces in Mexico City.
June: Yellowstone National Park
There might not be an official holiday in June but take advantage of the summertime and visit one of the top national parks in the country: Yellowstone National Park. You can camp out under the stars, avoid getting hit by hot springs and disconnect from technology due to a lack of cell phone service. Really get in touch with nature at Yellowstone and live to tell the tale.
July: Fourth of July
Why go anywhere else for the Fourth of July than the most patriotic city in the country: Washington, D.C. Attend the National Independence Day Parade, see the Declaration of Independence and visit The Capitol to catch a free concert. Don’t forget to pack all things red, white and blue and get ready to fall in love with America all over again.
August: International Beer Day
Pack your bags, don’t forget your ID, if you’re over 21 years of age, and go to Santa Cruz, California to celebrate International Beer Day. Started in 2007, the day celebrates the craft of brewing, those who make beer, and other bartenders and beer technicians. Head over to California and see how the West Coast celebrates beer – and don’t forget to tip your bartenders!
September: Oktoberfest
Can’t go all the way to Munich, Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest? No worries, Kentucky has one of the largest festivals in America to celebrate Oktoberfest due to its German population. The event attracts about 125,000 attendees to enjoy German food, music and arts and crafts in the historic MainStrasse Village in Covington, Kentucky.
October: Halloween
Although you might think of going to see where the Salem Witch Trials found its home in Boston, curve your road-trip to visit New Orleans, Louisiana. Whether it’s a Haunted Tour, voodoo shops or a scary parade, New Orleans isn’t just home to Mardi Gras. Get ready to get spooked and excited about returning again next year.
November: Thanksgiving
Want to change up your typical Thanksgiving dinner? Grab the family and go to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the chance to escape to the mountains and disconnect from the rest of the world. Want some Thanksgiving celebration? The tourist town also has The Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show for an array of holiday gifts to bring home. Want some thrilling adventure? Snowboard down Mt. Harrison and binge-drink hot chocolate to feel the grip of the holidays. Whether you’re cooped up in a cabin or picking which restaurant to eat, Gatlinburg will give you the picturesque views that will keep you wanting to come back.
December: Christmas
Forget the hectic life of New York during Christmas and become a tourist in Santa Claus, Indiana. If a Christmas movie just isn’t enough for you, visit this city to be in the thick of the holiday spirit. Visit Santa Claus’ Post Office, Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery and the Evergreen Boutique and Christmas Shop for a taste on what a world full of Christmas is really like.
Alina Zerpa is a senior majoring in journalism and psychology, a major Oreo enthusiast and spends way too much time on Tumblr.
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