Business Travel Let Loose: Affordable Attractions For Your Next Business Trip
The big destinations – Las Vegas, New York, D.C., Los Angeles – they swarm with leisure travel pretty much year-round. Even when New York hits the brutal low-30s come December, you can bet that eager tourists will be piled up in Times Square for the day’s taping of Good Morning America.
As a result, these places are bursting with entertainment options. From world-class restaurants and theme parks to city tours and fascinating museums, there’s no trouble finding something to do in a place like Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, as a business traveler you’re probably not in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. Chances are good you’ve been shipped off to Milwaukee for a weeklong conference, maybe an impromptu board meeting in Detroit. And let’s face it: business destinations aren’t throwing the entertainment at you.
So here are five common business destinations, with hotel recommendations, and some local, affordable attractions you may want to consider.
Charlotte, North Carolina
If you’re traveling to Charlotte (and in fact much of North Carolina) you do have at least one thing to look forward too: the food. Carolina barbeque, legendary in stature, is all about chopped pork with sweet and smoky regional sauces. Barbeque sandwiches topped with coleslaw are an area staple, and you won’t find the flavor anywhere else. If you have a little downtime, here are some other things to look forward to:
Carolinas Aviation Museum – At this intriguing museum conveniently located at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, aviation fans will discover a wealth of invaluable air travel artifacts including a collection of over 45 beautifully-maintained major aircraft. If your timing’s right, you can actually watch the experts as they restore these priceless pieces of history. If you have an afternoon to spare, the museum occasionally hosts flight shows.
Charlotte Sports – Charlotte has a lot of great sports entertainment including baseball, soccer, and stock car racing, but the big stories in town are the Charlotte Panthers and Charlotte Bobcats. Panthers games, played at Bank of America Stadium, often sell out in late season so planning ahead is required, but you’ll be rewarded with an uproarious experience amongst some of the most diehard fans you’ll ever meet. Bobcats tickets are usually available at the box office on game day. Upper level tickets start at just $10.
Recommended Charlotte Airport hotel: Doubletree Charlotte Airport.
Deerfield, Illinois
Part of Chicago’s beautiful North Shore, Deerfield is a robust business community in itself, with several financial and pharmaceutical companies headquartered in town. Best yet, it’s a cheap destination that will get you close enough for a quick diversion in Chicago. Here are some quick and affordable ideas:
Chicago-Style Pizza – Even up in Deerfield the mystifying scent of true Chicago-style deep dish pizza will have your taste buds trembling. A thick, buttery crust is piled high with bubbling cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and a full layer of sausage just to start. While Chicago’s Pizzeria Uno is world-famous for inventing the decadent preparation, Gino’s East Pizzeria might actually plate up a better pie.
Architecture Cruises – If you have an afternoon to spare after a morning conference, Chicago’s refreshing riverboat architecture tours give an excellent overview of the city at a reasonable price and duration. Running anywhere from $14-$30 for about a 90-minute cruise, you’ll load up on a spacious ferry and cruise the Chicago River while an informed docent regales you with the history of Chicago’s renowned architecture.
Recommended Chicago North Shore hotel: Embassy Suites Deerfield, or if you prefer to stay in Chicago, the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago is a fine downtown Magnificent Mile hotel.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“The City of Festivals”, not to mention a tasty microbrew or two, Milwaukee knows how to have a good time. The town is fairly inexpensive, and the selection of first rate German restaurants is hard to match. Check out Old World Third Street for excellent dining and evening destinations. Here are some more ideas:
Beer! – The planet’s oldest alcoholic beverage is a genuine part of Milwaukee culture, and the town is eager to share more than just a drink. Beer brewing and tasting tours are a prime city attraction offering an hour or more of educational entertainment for just a few dollars. Several microbreweries offer guided tours, but the most popular tour in town is at the Miller Brewery. The tour guides you through the brewing process, gives a history lesson on the company’s past advertisements, and then finishes in a tasting pub.
The City of Festivals – Milwaukee hosts a festival of some sort almost every week of the year, and if your trip will run over the weekend, you should consider checking one out. The majority of Milwaukee’s festivals take place at Henry Maier Festival Park, including Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world. Exciting ethnic festivals include the Milwaukee Irish Festival, Festa Italiana, and German Fest. Check local grocery stores for discount specials.
Phoenix is a sort of golfing Mecca where even the municipal courses offer first-rate grounds and challenges. Understandably, though, it’s hard to make it out with your clubs on that business trip, so here are some other options:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field –You wouldn’t guess going to see a baseball game as one of the best ways to keep cool during the hot Phoenix summer, but then there aren’t a lot of ballparks like Chase Field. Three hours before the game, the retractable dome is closed and a massive HVAC system cools the entire stadium a staggering 30 degrees, making for a comfortable game-watching atmosphere even as the outdoor temperatures soar into the high nineties.
Phoenix Mountains Park – Phoenix Mountains Park houses Piestewa Peak, standing just over 3,000 ft. above sea level. Along with astounding scenery, the park offers hiking trails and even mountain climbing excursions, almost all of which are completely free. Who says a business trip can’t have a little adventure?
It’s odd that a city with so much history and American significance would never develop as a tourist attraction, but fortunately this has kept the prices down as compared to other major business cities. If price is less of an issue, Detroit is actually home to several casinos, including the 2007-opened MGM Grand Detroit Casino. Even if your business trip doesn’t take you to Vegas, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little taste of it. Here are some more cost-conscious options:
The Henry Ford – Comparable to one of D.C.’s Smithsonian Museums, The Henry Ford is an enormous complex that preserves and educates on the history of the American Industrial Revolution through shows, rides, and galleries. You can ride a Model T, watch a modern automobile factory in action, and even see historic artifacts like Thomas Edison’s laboratory and the Rosa Parks bus.
Music – From garage rock to hip hop, swing jazz to sensational Motown, Detroit is one of North America’s most musical cities, and even if you’re only in town for a one night layover you can find a show for you. Check record stores for details on the latest shows and venue advice. The bulk of Detroit’s live music takes place downtown, so be cautious and travel in a group whenever possible.
