Top Nerdcation Destinations For The Geek In All Of Us

When I had the chance to take an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, I was more than a little peeved that my travel buddies didn’t want to “waste” any of the vacation by taking the one-day bus trip to Lake Meade, the Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon. They declared it the nerdiest use of Las Vegas time ever, then happily sauntered off to the casino. (The joke’s on them, at that time there was a casino in the Las Vegas Holiday Inn that was Star Trek-themed, complete with memorabilia museum…guess where we spent the day when it was my turn to pick!)

But for those of you who choose to travel based on your own interests or at least with more accommodating friends, I present to you the so-geeky-it’s-cool guide to planning your next out of town nerdcation, with everything from underground exploration to outer space imagination. Just be warned, these might not be everyone’s cup of Earl Grey (hot), so be sure to factor in activities for the less-than-thrilled-to-see-a-fungus members of your party.

Central Park Bolt

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You have to admit, the Central Park Bolt is one of those wonders that most people probably don't even know about, and it's really cool in a "little known historical facts" kind of way. Just promise us you're going to go to a taping of a Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show while you're in the Big Apple. Do not--I repeat, DO NOT--go see the bolt and come home.