Men's Journal

Monterey Jazz Festival Photo credit: Cole Thompson

Embrace the changing season by guzzling cold ones in Telluride, hustling to jazz music in California, or taking advantage of the salmon migration at a fishy festival in Michigan.

By Steven Kurtz and Nate Storey

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, September 18-20
Telluride, Colorado

Anytime you can catch blues legends Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, and Bonnie Raitt all on the same ticket, it’s an opportunity that cannot be missed. So head out to the 16th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in the picturesque town of Telluride, Colorado. On Saturday afternoon, walk over to the Grand Tasting on the festival grounds with 53 microbreweries participating and over 150 beers to try. After the festival officially ends at night, be sure to hit up one of the so-called “juke joints” in the town where after-hours shows hosted by the festival allow you to rock into the wee hours of the night—because everyone knows the after-party is where it’s at.

Travel and Accommodation
There is an airport in Telluride, however most festival-goers choose to fly into the Montrose Regional Airport (68 miles away). Rent a car and drive down to the festival. Camping passes are available for the campground adjacent to the festival, but don’t expect any quiet, secluded camping—it’s going to get crowded.

Monterey Jazz Festival, September 18-20
Monterey, California

Head to Monterey, California this weekend to witness new and old jazz heroes play at the longest running jazz festival in the world. The 52^nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place at the same site since the festival began in 1958, the Monterey Fairgrounds. Listen to over 500 jazz musicians demonstrate their craft at nine different stages over the course of the weekend. Highlights include performances by Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Pete Seeger, and Susan Tedeschi. Don’t miss the 50th anniversary celebration of Time Out with the Dave Brubeck Quartet on Sunday night—it may be your last chance to see the time signature genius perform.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Monterey Peninsula Airport. Camping is available at one of three locations listed on the festival sight. Lodging options are also available through the Monterey County website.

Grand Haven Salmon Festival, September 18-20
Grand Haven, Michigan

It’s easy to tell when fall has arrived: the leaves turn, football begins, and the salmon run. Nowhere is this more true than in western Michigan where the Grand Haven Salmon Festival goes down this weekend celebrating the annual salmon migration. The Fresh Catch Fish Broil ($9) will get things going Friday night with delectable fillets, cold micro-brews and live tunes. Saturday presents a chance to cast your own line and attempt to catch a big boy in the Big King Fishing Contest ($100 entry, biggest fish wins). Take a moment in the afternoon to stroll through the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and gander at the current exhibit exploring the lives of U.S. presidents before sipping the best Michigan’s vintners have to offer at the wine tasting and salmon cook-off ($20). When you’re done sampling the diverse salmon dishes, throw on some boots and see if you pass muster in the grape stomping competition. Wind the weekend down on Sunday by exploring the Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes Preserve. With slithering hognose snakes and soaring eagles above, the trails wind through three zones of dune succession and offer a glimpse into a rare ecosystem.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids and make the 40-mile drive to Grand Haven. Blue Water Inn & Suites is across from the the beach on Lake Michigan, close to the festival, and offers discounted fall rates starting at $59.

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