Men's Journal

The interior of The Exploratorium in San Francisco Photo credit: Amy Snyder

Explore the best America has to offer this weekend during National Public Lands and Museum Days, during which you’ll find free access to the many national parks and museums across the country. If you happen to be near Boulder, stop by the Moondance International Film Festival to catch a flick. If you find yourself in southern California, get out to Catalina for a weekend of island blues.

By Nate Storey and Steven Kurtz

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Museum Day and National Public Lands Day, September 26
All over the country

Over 1,200 museums, zoos, national parks, and arts and cultural attractions will be free of charge on Saturday for a dual celebration of Museum Day and Public Lands Day. If you’re into cars, drop in on the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. If you fancy history and politics, go see the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, which investigates the assassination of JFK. Another great option is The Exploratorium in San Francisco, which gives visitors unique access to the natural wonders of our world with interactive exhibits on unique subjects like the science of skateboarding and the development of an earthquake. If you’d rather be outdoors, check out your nearest national park or monument such as the Statue of Liberty, which will be open for the first time at night. As part of Georgia’s Free Day in the Parks, anglers can cast lines all day long without purchasing a fishing license.

Catalina Island Blues Festival, September 25-27
Catalina Island, California

The seasonal change in southern California means a drop from 80 degrees to a frosty 75 so take advantage of the still-gorgeous weather on Catalina Island where blues music will be emanating from the shores all weekend long. Catch a ferry from Long Beach in the morning on Friday in order to make it in time for the Blues Walk through Avalon. Stop by The Lobster Trap and jam to the Bayou Blues Band while you strip a buttery lobster tail. Live bands will be playing all weekend in the center of town and at local restaurants but make sure not to head back to the mainland without enjoying the diverse nature on the island. On the other side of the island in Two Harbors, load up for a buffalo safari ($99) for a four-hour tour, which is the minimum amount of time it will take you to figure out how these bison got to the island in the first place. If you’d rather explore the ocean, then try out a guided kayak and snorkel tour ($69) around Catalina’s coastline where you’re likely to see a frolicking dolphin or a beefy harbor seal.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly in Los Angeles and catch a ferry from the port in Long Beach to Catalina Island. The Catalina Island Inn has rates starting at $119 a night and boasts magnificent views of Avalon Bay.

Moondance International Film Festival, September 25-27
Boulder, Colorado

Make sure you don’t miss the 10th annual Moondance International Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado this weekend. Taking place in Chautauqua Park, the festival offers independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and playwrights the opportunity to screen their work in front of the international film community and entertainment industry. The weekend offers a chance to see some of the best independent films in the world. And of course, Boulder offers much more. The Boulder History Museum is offering free admission on Saturday in conjunction with the Smithsonian Museum Day as long as you print a ticket at home first. If you want to escape to the outdoors, take a scenic car trip down to Eldorado Canyon State Park where there are over 500 routes of technical rock-climbing, as well as hiking and biking trails. Or if you want to give back to the community, volunteer at Carnage Canyon in Roosevelt National Forest, where you will help transplant native trees for National Public Lands Day.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Denver International Airport and either rent a car or take the shuttle into Boulder. Moondance suggests several lodging options, with some offering discounts for festival-goers. If you want to camp, try Boulder Mountain Lodge, a small campground and lodge close to the festival.

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