The Best Locations for Entertainment in The US

The Best Locations for Entertainment in The US

The USA is one of the greatest nations in the world in terms of entertainment of all kinds. From Hollywood blockbusters to Broadway theater, from jazz and classical music to rock and R&B, the US leads the way in so many contemporary art forms. It’s also home to some of the world’s most renowned theme parks. So whether you want thrills and spills, thought-provoking storylines or no-holds-barred spectacles, the US can deliver, via some of the most iconic locations in the entertainment universe.

The Best Locations for Entertainment in The US

Music venues

Popular music has long been at the heart of American culture, and the US has pioneered many of the most important genres in its history. Fans love to see their favorite artists live, and “breaking America” has become an essential part of global success for acts worldwide. It’s little wonder then that the US has some of the most spectacular music venues on the planet.

Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver, Colorado is a stunning, naturally formed arena that has been the venue for best-selling live albums by the likes of U2 and Neil Young. An attraction in its own right, this legendary venue is also part of a National Park where you can camp, hike and take part in numerous outdoor activities.

The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, is the former home of the Grand Ole Opry and is now a national historic landmark as the official home of country music. Today a wide range of acts can be seen performing at the theater, and backstage tours are also available.

The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is legendary for a reason: not only is it one of the most spectacular open-air venues in the world it also boasts great sound. Perhaps its only real competition in the legend stakes is Madison Square Gardens in New York. 

And although it’s less of a contemporary music venue, NYC also boasts Radio City Music Hall, the largest indoor theater in the world and part of the Rockefeller Center. Built in 1932 in the Art Deco style by architect Edward Durell Stone, and with an interior designed by Donald Deskey, Radio City is worth a visit just to marvel at the staging and to enjoy a taste of old-world glamour.

Broadway

Sticking to New York City, no list of the top entertainment destinations in the US would be complete without mentioning the home of American theater. Current highlights include The Great Society, produced by Louise Gund, a nuanced and engrossing portrayal of the latter years of Lyndon B Johnson’s presidency, from 1965 to 1968. 

With over 40 professional theaters, each with a capacity of 500+, there’s plenty to choose from on Broadway every night, from classic musicals to left-field dramas by new playwrights. Visit the TKTS booth at the 47th St end of Times Square for a chance to pick up heavily discounted tickets on the afternoon of a show.

Amusement parks

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, is the flagship (sorry) of the famous Six Flags amusement park chain. Opened in 1976, the park features over 15 roller coasters, including the Batman ride, the Demon double corkscrew, and the double-tracked American Eagle. With three specially themed children’s areas and the 20-acre Hurricane Harbor Water Park, Six Flags Great America attracts over 3m visitors every year.

Universal Studios in Hollywood is one of the biggest theme parks in the world and incorporates studio tours, stage shows and exhibitions alongside film-themed rides. And of course, we can’t leave out Disneyland in California, or the Magic Kingdom in Florida. Quite simply Disney sets the gold standard for theme parks worldwide, and visitors aren’t disappointed.

Concert halls

The US has an abundance of incredible concert halls and theaters that are worth visiting in their own right. Some are historic landmarks while others are more recently designed architectural marvels.

The Fox Theater in Detroit opened in 1928 as the second-largest theater in the world, a ten-story building that was capable of holding 5000 people. Designed by local architect Charles Howard Crane, the Fox in Detroit was also the first theater purpose-built to screen films. It’s now the largest surviving 1920s cinema and is a great representation of the once-omnipresent Fox theater chain.

At the other end of the historic scale, the New World Center in Miami opened in 2011 and is a contemporary wonder by the architect Frank Gehry. The 756-seat performance hall features giant “sails” that are acoustically reflective and can also be used as video screens. An attempt to reinvent the idea of the concert hall for the modern age, it is also home to the renowned New World Symphony orchestral academy.

These are just a few of the incredible entertainment destinations the US has to offer. Whatever your inclination, you’ll find memorable experiences and performances all over this country. Start planning. Your entertainment-themed road trip awaits.