Top Techy Spring Break Destinations
By Brandon Butler,
Network World |
Mar 6, 2012 7:00 PM
PT
If you’re in college, or just want to relive your college days, here are a dozen destinations that techies at heart can check out this spring.
This spring, treat yourself to a vacation. But not just any vacation, a tech-themed getaway to satisfy your inner geek. There are a variety of conferences and shows to check out, plus a long list of must-see places for technology enthusiasts. Whether you’re in college and are looking for a spring break destination, or you’re looking for a spot for some tech-related fun, this list of locales is your guide to spring vacations.
Related: 15 summer vacation ideas for geeks
Looking to make it big in the movie, music, entertainment or interactive media industry? If so, the place to be this spring is the South by SouthWest conference in Austin from March 9 through 18. The event is actually three conferences in one, including seminars, how-to classes, concerts and networking events for the music, film and interactive media industries. More information.
For any computer enthusiast, the Computer History Museum is a destination spot. Explore exhibits including the timeline of the computer, the history of computer chess and the hall of fellows. With a rich collection of computer hardware, software, photos, videos and occasional speakers, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View is the place to be for computer die-hards. More information.
If you like steam-powered widgets, then you’ll love the Steampunk’s World Fair, being held this year from May 18-20 in New Jersey. All you have to do is bring something that runs on steam, or at least looks like it could. More information.
The Art of Video Games is one of the first museum exhibits to explore the 40-year history of video games. From Atari VCS to PlayStation 3, the exhibit spans the spectrum of video game development, according to the exhibit’s website. It opens on March 16 in Washington D.C. and runs through Sept. 30.
If you’re into anime, the place to be this spring is the Anime Boston Convention, from April 4-6. Enter an anime music video you’ve created into a competition, display your anime works of art or view other pieces, and participate in live gaming at the event. The culmination of the conference is the Phoenix Ball, the Anime Boston formal ball. More information.
For any Lord of The Rings fans, a must-go-to place is New Zealand’s hobbit houses. While there you can even stay in the Hobbit Hotel, which fit up to six people in each unit, and even more hobbits.
Looking for a fun spot? Look no further than FunSpot, which claims to be the largest arcade in the world, featuring 500 games, a 20-lane 10 pin & candlepin bowling center, cash bingo, outdoor & indoor mini-golf, a restaurant, a tavern and more. All you have to do is get to Lanconia, N.H. More information.
If you’re a gamer, the place to be this spring is PAX East, a three-day conference April 6-8 in Boston with panel discussions, game demos, tournaments and freeplay areas. More information.
This New York City museum stretches across multiple genres including: animation, anime, cartoons, comic books, comic strips, gag cartoons, humorous illustration, illustration, political illustration, editorial cartoons, caricature, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and computer-generated art. More information.
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a lego person? Find out for yourself by visiting LegoLand, which has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions geared for families and the ultimate lego fans, according to its website.
If you’d rather act out video games instead of play them, then a LARP Meeting is for you. Live Action Role Play meetings occur across the country, but there are upcoming events as part of the LARP Meetup Groups in Washington D.C., Atlanta and Southern California.
Whether you go there, went there, or have never been there, MIT has a variety of things for techies to do. Visit the MIT Museum and learn about current MIT research, the history of artificial intelligence, and holography. While you’re there you can also check out the Stata Center and its crazy architecture. More information.
Share your ideas for great techie spring break getaways via our comments.
Related: 15 summer vacation ideas for geeks
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