Topper’s, Photo Credit: Nantucket Island Resorts
Summer is practically here, which means it’s time for some fun in the sun, be it food fests, racetrack revelry or jazz jam sessions smack-dab in the middle of the city. If any of that sounds good to you, pack your bags and hit the road this June for these five fantastic stops.
Montreal
Get revved up for the 38th running of the Formula 1 Canada Grand Prix in Montreal. The city will be buzzing June 9 through 11 with not only the race, but also a series of parties, dinners and exciting events to mark the occasion.
Exclusive packages like three-day Legend tickets — these passes includes access to the Formula One Paddock Club, daily pit lane walks, behind-the-scenes tours and an invite to a VIP party with F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve — are sure to make it a weekend to remember.
The best place to stay is The Ritz-Carlton Montreal. Not only does the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel provide elegant, modern accommodations, but it throws the hottest Grand Prix party in town that’s attended by celebrities, athletes and more.
This year, the June 9 bash will include an open bar, DJ YO-C spinning, flowing bubbly from the Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar, a bevy of food stations and live performances all night long.
Loews Atlanta Hotel, Photo Credit: Loews Hotels
Atlanta
Southern food lovers can’t wait for the annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (June 1 through 4) and we see why: the epicurean extravaganza features more than 250 restaurants, artisans and chefs serving up delicious regional cuisine and beverages, plus a slew of classes, workshops and other activities.
Festivalgoers can purchase tickets to individual events, general day passes or go all out with a full weekend pass, which includes a combination of events, courses and the all-inclusive Tasting Tent. (Locals are so hungry for what chefs like Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Atlas’ Christopher Grossman have cooked up that June 3’s Tasting Tent is already sold out.)
The Four-Star Loews Atlanta Hotel is the official host property, offering the perfect Midtown locale from which to enjoy all the festivities.
Nantucket
The tiny island located off the coast of Massachusetts always offers a luxurious retreat, with its stunning beaches, upscale accommodations and exclusive eateries.
Twice a year, many of the island’s top restaurants participate in Nantucket Restaurant Week (once in spring and again in the fall) and deliver special three- to five-course dinners for people to try.
During this year’s fun (June 5 to 11), two participating dining spots not to miss are Four-Star Topper’s, located at Four-Star The Wauwinet, and Brant Point Grill, located at island favorite Four-Star The White Elephant hotel.
Sandy Lane Watersports, Photo Credit: Sandy Lane
Barbados
Family beach vacations are wonderful, but even the most active parents might want to enjoy some downtime while their kids keep on playing. A perfect solution is the summer sports camp at the Five-Star Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados.
During the summer (through June 3, July 22 to 29 and August 19 to 26), the complimentary camp for kids ages seven to 16 will present an action-packed roster of rotating activities, including golf, waterskiing, soccer, tennis and complimentary daily swimming lessons.
Additionally, dinner is provided for children ages three to 12. Teens can enjoy a movie night and a mocktail party. Everyone leaves the Caribbean resort with a T-shirt and a tan.
St. Paul
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival, in its 19th year, is an amazing annual event that draws more than 90,000 people to St. Paul to celebrate sweet-sounding syncopation.
Held this year from June 22 through 24, the free gathering will feature headliners such as jazz greats like McCoy Tyner and Terence Blanchard. Scores of other well-known musicians will also perform in venues across the city, ranging from theaters to bars.
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Saint Paul Hotel is one such destination. But in truth, the property celebrates live music all year long with weekly “Jazz in the Lobby Bar with JoAnn Funk.” Guests can experience her vocals and piano playing while Jeff Brueske grooves on the upright bass. The duo plays a roster of tunes by greats like Blossom Dearie, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett.
Certainly, the hotel has a melodic history: In the late 1930s, Lawrence Welk conducted his famous champagne music here for guests.
