Before You Visit the United States, Explore DiscoverAmerica.com

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. March 31, 2009

MARCH 31, 2009 - Welcome to News from DiscoverAmerica.com, provided by the Washington, D.C.-based Travel Industry Association (TIA). Throughout the year, we will highlight select events staged in the USA, along with unique functions of the new official travel and tourism website of the United States.

USA Events (April 2009 - July 2009)

Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000

Tempe, Arizona

April 4-8

More than 70 of the finest vintage motorcars cruise through 1,000 miles of Arizona's red desert terrain. The nostalgia of old-fashioned days on Route 66 is all around.

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

San Francisco, California

April 11-19

San Francisco welcomes springtime and Cherry Blossom season with a celebration of the area's Japanese heritage through singing, dancing, martial arts and a spectacular parade.

Fiesta San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas

April 16-26

More than 100 events set the stage for a Texas-sized celebration of San Antonio's diverse culture, history and heritage. Festivities mark the 118th anniversary of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

Iowa Wine Trail Wine & Food Weekend

Upper Mississippi Valley Region, Iowa

April 25-26

Travel the rolling hills of northeast Iowa and sample award-winning wines with unique food pairings.

Kinetic Sculpture Race

Baltimore, Maryland

May 2

A race of wacky, imaginative and completely human-powered works of art designed to travel on land, through mud and over deep harbor waters makes for an exciting way to spend the day.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival

Atlanta, Georgia

May 1-31

The 31-day schedule of events brings more than 100 of the best jazz performers to Atlanta. The Festival features local and national jazz greats, a neighborhood jazz series and a youth jazz band competition.

BMW Charity Pro-Am

Greer, South Carolina

May 11-17

With a $700,000 purse, the golfing at this charity tournament is top-notch.

Beach Music Weekend

Virginia Beach, Virginia

May 14-17

Kick off your shoes and dance the weekend away as Virginia Beach boasts free, live entertainment and a 20-foot jukebox in the sand. The classic beach tunes are irresistible.

The Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing Opening

Chicago, Illinois

May 16

This world-class art museum, home to paintings from Claude Monet to Edward Hopper, opens the doors to its largest expansion in history, adding 16,000 square feet (1,780 square meters) of gallery space.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair

Devon, Pennsylvania

May 21-30

The country's oldest and largest event of its kind features equestrian contests, exhibitions and an old-fashioned fair.

Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

June 5-July 7

American Indian artists from across the nation showcase jewelry, rugs, pottery and more. Find the story behind each artist's work and watch dance competitions and unique cultural demonstrations.

Portland Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade,

Portland, Oregon

June 6

The spectacle of the Grand Floral Parade highlights the best of Portland's Rose Festival, showcasing high-stepping marching bands and numerous floats decorated with 100 percent floral and organic materials.

31st Annual Museum Mile

New York City, New York

June 9

Visit nine of New York City's finest cultural institutions open free to the public. In addition, several of the participating museums will offer outdoor art activities for children.

2009 Parade the Circle

Cleveland, Ohio

June 13

International and national artists join in a spectacular display of bright costumes, giant puppets, stilt dancers, handmade masks and colorful floats. Activities, entertainment and food are included.

Laconia Motorcycle Week

Laconia, New Hampshire

June 13-21

Thousands of biker enthusiasts are revving up for the 86th Laconia Motorcycle Week, the nation's oldest motorcycle rally.

9th Annual "Vertical Challenge" Helicopter Air Show

San Carlos, California

June 20

Watch the impressive skills and tricks of helicopter pilots and admire their mastery of the skies. Helicopter tours are also available.

Butch Cassidy Days

Laramie, Wyoming

June 26-28

Come experience the old west and see where Butch Cassidy, the outlaw who inspired the legendary western film, was imprisoned. There will be food, games, entertainment and music!

13th Annual Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival

Fort Smith, Arkansas

June 26-27

Butterflies of all kinds flock to Mount Magazine, lured by its unique climate and habitat. The prime butterfly season inspires local entertainment, an arts and craft fair, a photo contest and lots of great food!

Cranberry Blossom Bog Tour

Wareham, Massachusetts

June 27

Tour the largest cranberry operation in the world during the height of blossom season! An experienced cranberry grower will teach you all you need to know about growing top-notch cranberries.

7th Annual United Caribbean Heritage Festival of Palm Coast

Flagler County, Florida

June 27-28

Enjoy the best of Caribbean-American rhythms and dances, arts and crafts, painters, exhibits, kiddy rides and the flavors and aromas of international cuisine.

Seafair 2009

Seattle, Washington

June 27-August 2

Seattle's largest summer festival offers hydroplane races, the popular Blue Angels air show, parades, boating, milk carton races and much more!

Music City 4th of July Spectacular

Nashville, Tennessee

July 4

If there's one thing Nashville knows how to do, it's to throw a good party. Prepare for a day filled with entertainment and an evening of incredible fireworks accompanied by the Nashville Symphony.

North American Indian Days

Browning, Montana

July 8-12

Visit one of the largest tribal gatherings in North America for an intriguing way to see authentic American Indian tradition. Watch traditional drumming and dancing contests, a parade, games and a fun run.

Cats Incredible Catfish Days

Grand Forks, North Dakota

July 31-August 2

Viewed as one of the best catfishing tournaments in the country, contestants from all over will compete for the top trophy. There is also a chili cook-off, games for kids and live entertainment.

Things To Do: Activity Finder

DiscoverAmerica.com's Activity Finder allows you to browse destinations by 24 popular trip activity categories. This filter produces hundreds of attractions and activities in cities nationwide based on what you are looking for in your next trip. It can also break down activities by time of year and geographic region.

Here are just two of the 24 trip activities that you can sort by:

Gardens and Arboretums

The Gardens and Arboretums function on the Activity Finder identifies more than 100 ways to find idyllic locations for green thumbs and nature lovers. From exquisite topiaries in Florida to sweet-smelling orchid gardens in Hawaii, the flora of the United States can attract city and country folk alike.

Water Sports

Adventurists and outdoorsy types will be spoiled for choice in the Water Sports section of the Activity Finder. Get information on rafting in the Grand Canyon, jet skiing in the Florida Keys or sailing in the Chesapeake Bay. No matter your style, you can find great ideas here.

News from DiscoverAmerica.com is produced by the U.S. Travel Association. An overview of the website (PDF) and images for reproduction are available for your use. Look for the next issue in May. Please contact Greg Staley or Rebecca Pearson for additional media assistance.

About DiscoverAmerica.com

DiscoverAmerica.com is the first-ever official source of travel information for the USA and is designed specifically for international travelers. The website houses detailed trip-planning resources on all 50 states, popular American cities and attractions, procedures on entering the U.S., booking options, and activity and mapping tools, among other features. DiscoverAmerica.com is a product of the U.S. Travel Association in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce.