June 18, 2004 -- The 2000 U.S. Census indicated Americans spent about 1.6 times more on admissions to performing arts than on either admissions to movies or spectator sports. Even with these higher prices, there's plenty of support for art-lovers, as cities vie to create packages with them in mind.
One such metropolis is Chicago, last year the Number One Art Destination in a survey of the readers of an arts lifestyle magazine (see below). One supplier, United Vacations, has trips bookable through July 31, 2004, that include airfare and hotel lodging of three nights or more, and a bonus of 2500 miles on the United frequent flyer plan. Trips can take place up until December 31, 2004.
Sample vacations include roundtrip air on United, three nights at the Essex Inn, a Marshall Field's Loop location shopping voucher and more. Prices begin at $454 from Boston, New York City and Washington DC; $484 from Denver; and $494 from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle or Portland OR. These prices are per person (double occupancy), and reflect Monday departures for travel June 14 through Sept. 27, 2004. Airport taxes and fees not included. Use promotional code CHI 2500. For more information, contact www.unitedvacations.com or phone 888/328-6877.
The Top 25 Arts Destinations
According to American Style Magazine's August issue, its readers have voted for the 2004 Top 25 Arts Destinations in the USA, with the following results:
- *New York City (Number 2 last year)
- *Chicago (Number 1 last year)
- Washington DC (same last year)
- Buffalo NY (Number 8 last year)
- Cincinnati (new to Top 25)
- *Santa Fe NM (same last year)
- *San Francisco (Number 5 last year)
- *Seattle/Tacoma (24 last year)
- *Boston (Number 4 last year)
- *Asheville NC (Number 18 last year)
- Albuquerque (Number 20 last year)
- Berkeley Springs WV (new)
- Tucson AZ (Number 15 in 1999)
- Northampton MA (Number 13 in 2000)
- Milwaukee (Number 10 last year)
- Athens GA (Number 19 last year)
- *New Orleans (Number 9 last year)
- Los Angeles (Number 9 last year)
- *Philadelphia (Number 7 last year)
- Tampa/St. Petersburg FL (Number 17 last year)
- Sedona AZ (Number 21 last year)
- Saugatuck MI (Number 16 last year)
- Taos NM (Number 21 in 2000)
- Baltimore (Number 23 last year)
- Key West (same as 2001)
The asterisk * indicates a city that has been a Top 25 Arts Destination for the past seven consecutive years.
For the third year in a row, the magazine, which aims for readers among enthusiasts and collectors, has selected "Ten Arts Destinations to Watch." This year, those are (in alphabetical order) Alexandria VA, Ann Arbor MI, Boulder CO, Carmel CA, Corning NY, Cumberland MD, Eureka Springs AR, Kansas City MO, Naples FL and New Hope/Lahaska PA. The magazine's website is www.americanstyle.com.
