By Mark Johanson, Men's Journal
The days are getting longer, signs of spring are on the horizon, and the
holiday season feels like a distant memory. March is a great month to
escape the lingering winter blues — with a trip to the beach, a
festival, or, for the Elvis-obsessed, to the new and improved
Graceland.
Explore Uruguay’s Wild Eastern Beaches
The insane crowds of January and February are gone and
Uruguay’s wild eastern frontier of Rocha is now back to its normal state
of slumber. Best of all, the temperatures are still warm enough for a
dip in the Atlantic Ocean at Rocha’s stunning beaches, including Punta
del Diablo (a favorite among backpackers) and La Esmeralda (an
undeveloped stretch of golden sands).
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number of tourists who flock to the nearby fishing hamlet of Cabo
Polonio to get even more off-the-grid. This windswept peninsula has no
roads or electricity, but plenty of sea lions and one lonely lighthouse.
Finish the trip at Uruguay’s newest wine region, Garzon, whose
vineyards line the western edge of Rocha Department and produce some
fantastic Tannat and Albariño wines.
Check out the New Elvis Complex in Memphis
The $45 million, 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex
known as Elvis Presley’s Memphis will have its grand opening in March
2017 near the home of the late icon, who died in his Graceland mansion
40 years ago this August. The largest expansion in Graceland’s history,
the complex lies across the street from Presley’s ostentatious mansion
(opened to the public in 1982) and will feature a massive new museum
tracking the King of Rock and Roll’s storied career.
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It will also have a
separate auto museum featuring 20 of Presley’s cars (including the
iconic Pink Cadillac), several pop culture exhibits, and a performance
soundstage, alongside retail and dining facilities. While in Memphis you
can also check out some more contemporary blues along Beale Street or
dig into some of the city’s award-winning smoked meats at joints like
Payne's Bar-B-Que.
Explore California’s Coachella Valley (Before It's Overrun)
Each April California’s Coachella Valley becomes the center of
attention for the entertainment industry during the Coachella Valley
Music and Arts Festival. It’s such a massive cultural event that the
name Coachella is virtually synonymous with the festival, but this
scenic valley east of L.A. has so much more to offer.
Of course, the
resort cities of Palm Springs and Palm Desert are rightfully celebrated
for their year-round poolside retreats, but there’s an adventurous side
to this famed valley that fewer visitors know about. You can go
off-roading along the San Andreas Fault, hike the Palm Desert cross
trail, and rock climb through nearby Joshua Tree National Park, or go on
a culinary adventure at farm-to-table restaurants like The Grove Artisan Kitchen at Miramonte Indian Wells.
Head to Austin for SXSW
South by Southwest (SXSW) will once again gobble up the streets
of Austin from March 10 to March 19 for the 31st iteration of this
massive event, which attracts upwards of 30,000 attendees and manages to
fit tech, film, and music under one big umbrella.
[post_ads]You can choose from thousands of panels throughout the city on anything from “brain wearables” to “designing tiny houses,” though the networking that happens outside the venues (and in the sponsored parties) is often the biggest draw. Confirmed keynote speakers in 2017 include filmmaker Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious), FBI Director James Comey, and mountaineer Cory Richards. They’ll rub shoulders with some of the world’s top performing artists (last year Sia, the Strokes, and Lil Wayne all had surprise performances).
[post_ads]You can choose from thousands of panels throughout the city on anything from “brain wearables” to “designing tiny houses,” though the networking that happens outside the venues (and in the sponsored parties) is often the biggest draw. Confirmed keynote speakers in 2017 include filmmaker Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious), FBI Director James Comey, and mountaineer Cory Richards. They’ll rub shoulders with some of the world’s top performing artists (last year Sia, the Strokes, and Lil Wayne all had surprise performances).
Kick back and relax along the Cambodian Coast
Perpetually under the radar, it’s truly remarkable that the
Cambodian Coast has managed to shield itself from mass development for
as long as it has. To the west, the Thai island of Ko Chang is among the
most-visited in the Gulf of Thailand. And to the east, Vietnam’s Phu
Quoc has transformed over the last decade from a sleepy backwater to a
luxurious escape for Western tourists. Now it’s Cambodia’s turn. A
number of major hotel projects are on the books as developers eagerly
snatch up property on islands like Koh Krabey and Koh Russey.
Yet, there
are still a number of untouched islands like Koh Thonsay (better known
as Rabbit Island) where the pace of life is slow and dirt-cheap
oceanfront cabins run by local fishing families dot the shore. You’ll
want to visit soon before rapid development reaches its crescendo, and
March is an ideal time as it’s at the heart of dry season
(November–May).
Get Cultured in Aarhus, Denmark
Denmark’s second city is stepping out from Copenhagen’s shadow
as an official European Capital of Culture with a year’s worth of
activities to mark the occasion. Festivities kick into full gear in
March as this northerly city thaws out from its frigid winter and stages
a lavish multimedia retelling of Denmark’s Viking past, as well as a
Festival of the Century looking at European history from 1950–2000.
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These are among dozens of other historical, musical, culinary and
theatrical events that will take place in March. You can also sign up
for Culture By Bike, a 280-mile bike trip from Aarhus into the Danish
countryside that will run from March 27–April 2.
Polynesian Art and Big Waves in Honolulu
This March Hawaii will host the newest — and most buzzed-about – arrival on the international art calendar: The Honolulu Biennial. This inaugural event (which runs from March 8–May 8) will highlight the works of Polynesian artists, as well as artists from either side of the vast Pacific Ocean, from Asia to the Americas. Beyond the festival grounds you can expect the largest swells of the year (up to 30 feet at times) on the North Shore of Oahu, making March prime surfing season. The milder temperatures also make it a great time of year to hike the trails to Waimano Falls or Kaena Point.
This March Hawaii will host the newest — and most buzzed-about – arrival on the international art calendar: The Honolulu Biennial. This inaugural event (which runs from March 8–May 8) will highlight the works of Polynesian artists, as well as artists from either side of the vast Pacific Ocean, from Asia to the Americas. Beyond the festival grounds you can expect the largest swells of the year (up to 30 feet at times) on the North Shore of Oahu, making March prime surfing season. The milder temperatures also make it a great time of year to hike the trails to Waimano Falls or Kaena Point.
