Table of Contents<\/p>
- 10. Washington D.C. – Smithsonian Museums<\/a><\/li>
- 9. The Pennsic War \u2013 For the Medieval Nerd<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Seattle, WA or Boston, MA – PAX Prime and PAX East<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Seattle, WA \u2013 EMP Museum<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Pembroke, VA – Ice & Fire Con<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Orlando, FL \u2013 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure<\/a><\/li>
- 4. United Kingdom Nerd Tour – Harry Potter, Torchwood and Dr. Who!<\/a><\/li>
- 3. New Zeland \u2013 Lord of the Rings<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Galapagos Islands \u2013 The Science Nerd\u2019s Happy Place<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Atlanta, GA – DragonCon<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
10. Washington D.C. – Smithsonian Museums<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Smithsonian_american_art_night_gstreet\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Smithsonian_american_art_night_gstreet.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThere are 19 Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. and they are all free!<\/em> Eleven of them are conveniently located at the National Mall \u2013 and even if they weren\u2019t, Washington D.C. is absurdly easy to get around in without a car. The Metro system that runs under D.C. might look like it\u2019s still in the 70s, but it\u2019s efficient, cheap, and beats D.C. traffic! If you have your heart on visiting more than a few of D.C.\u2019s free museums, be sure to book at least a week or two \u2013 each facility is enormous with countless national treasures.<\/p>\n
The Air and Space museum features life-sized space stations you can walk through, along with fighter pilot simulators that have full rotation. That\u2019s right, you can trick one of your friends or loved ones into getting in there with you and then take them on the \u2018dryer cycle\u2019 experience as you barrel roll to your virtual deaths. Fun, right?<\/p>\n
The American Heritage museum has an insane amount of pop-culture items from Archie Bunker\u2019s chair to R2D2. Let your history nerd relish in seeing Andrew Jackson\u2019s finest suit up close and in person!<\/p>\n
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9. The Pennsic War \u2013 For the Medieval Nerd<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Pennsic\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Pennsic-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI know what you\u2019re thinking\u2026 most nerds generally prefer to avoid conflict, but you won\u2019t want to avoid this annual late summer medieval event held by the Society for Creative Anachronism<\/a>! Located in Pennsylvania, it combines history with competitiveness, actual hitting each other with sticks and drinking mead in excess. And \u2013 get this<\/em> \u2013 its 17 days long! Battles won rack up sweet war points and offer an opportunity to let out some aggression after weeks and weeks of trying to find the bug in your code or a year of herding cats\u2026 aka, Project Management.<\/p>\n
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8. Seattle, WA or Boston, MA – PAX Prime and PAX East<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"PAX\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAX.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAs if you even need an excuse to go to Seattle. There\u2019s coffee, and\u2026 more coffee! Well, if you need even MORE reasons to check out this happening place; check out PAX Prime<\/a> (or PAX East<\/a> if you\u2019re stuck on the East coast) in late August each year. PAX originally began as a gaming convention, but as most conventions tend to do, it\u2019s grown over the years. Enjoy gaming, panels, live music, table top games and more with you and thousands of others who love the same stuff you do<\/em>! It\u2019s like nerd heaven!<\/p>\n
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7. Seattle, WA \u2013 EMP Museum<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"EMP-2\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/EMP-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhile we\u2019re in Seattle, there\u2019s the EMP Museum<\/a>, which recently opened Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction. EMP is a Music, Sci Fi and Pop Culture museum that has the potential to capture every one of your nerdy interests. If you\u2019re in Seattle, are a nerd, and DON\u2019T check this place out, we\u2019re gonna have to ask for you r membership card back. Founded by Microsoft\u2019s co-founder Paul Allen in 2000 and located near the Space Needle, it\u2019s kind of what Seattle is all about. Treat yoself!<\/p>\n
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6. Pembroke, VA – Ice & Fire Con<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"IceandFire\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IceandFire.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAre you a HUGE Game of Thrones nerd? If so, get yourself to Ice & Fire Con<\/a> this April! This is a place where the heartiest of GoT fans come together and live it up! Or, you know, try to kill each other. Figuratively. Definitely figuratively. This convention is 18 years or older, so you know it\u2019s got to be fun. Events include discussion panels, board game competitions, costume contents and Champions tournaments!<\/p>\n
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5. Orlando, FL \u2013 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"The_Wizarding_World_of_Harry_Potter\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/The_Wizarding_World_of_Harry_Potter-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFlorida residents struck Gold when Universal decided to commit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in their parks. It is not an understatement to say that the authenticity of WWHP is second only to the actual sets for filming. Walking into the town of Hogsmead is a pleasant shock to say the least \u2013 with authentic-looking snow adorning the rooftops, guests are transported into the Wizarding World that J.K. Rowling gifted us so many years ago.<\/p>\n
To ride the title attraction, guests navigate the Hogwarts Castle, complete with moving and talking paintings, classrooms, Professor\u2019s offices and more! Many, like me, I\u2019m sure, would have been happy to wander around \u2018in line\u2019 some more rather than board the ride, which in itself is pretty amazing.<\/p>\n
Harry Potter nerds MUST take the time to treat themselves to this slice of Harry Potter paradise \u2013 drop some gold and indulge in a delicious, if not diabetic-shock endusingly sweet \u2013 Butter Beer.<\/p>\n
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4. United Kingdom Nerd Tour – Harry Potter, Torchwood and Dr. Who!<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"DrWho\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DrWho.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSpeaking of Harry Potter, enthusiasts can drop some more gold to get themselves to the UK and enjoy a whole host of British-in-origin nerd attractions. Visit the sets of Harry Potter<\/a> and pose with the half-trolley at Platform 9\u00be . While you\u2019re in the UK, check out Cardiff, Wales for Torchwood and Dr. Who destinations<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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3. New Zeland \u2013 Lord of the Rings<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"HobbitHouse\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/HobbitHouse.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI have to imagine most Lord of the Rings nerds have \u2018visit New Zealand\u2019 on their bucket lists, if nothing else than to check out Bilbo Baggin\u2019s sweet hobbit house. Tourism in New Zealand has seen a huge boom because of the Lord of the Rings films \u2013 and fans will not be disappointed. Not only are the official tours<\/a> varied, they are so inclusive, that many of them include a second breakfast. <\/em>And let\u2019s face it, there are way worse uses of time than leveraging your love for Lord of the Rings to crisscross the gorgeous landscape of New Zealand. You know you want to do it. Splurge now, you won\u2019t regret it!<\/p>\n
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2. Galapagos Islands \u2013 The Science Nerd\u2019s Happy Place<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Galapagos\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Galapagos-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHave you ever longed to get so far away from people and evolution that all the wildlife is uniquely strange? Well, the Galapagos are the place for you! Check out one of the most isolated locations on the planet and revel in your exclusivity as you experience Darwin\u2019s curiosities and observations. The Galapagos are number two on this list, almost exclusively due to how difficult it is to travel there \u2013 you have to really <\/em>want it to go so far out of your way. We\u2019ll just say, it\u2019s not exactly anyone\u2019s stop to anywhere else. You\u2019re going there to check out all the cool, unique things. And that makes this rank pretty high on the nerdy vacation destination list.<\/p>\n
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1. Atlanta, GA – DragonCon<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"DragonCon\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DragonCon-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFinally, we arrive at DragonCon<\/a> in Atlanta, Georgia. This convention, in this writer\u2019s opinion, is Mecca for nerds. Every nerd should undergo a pilgrimage to this magical event at least once in their lifetime. Consisting of 5 major Downtown Atlanta Hotels, DragonCon is celebrating their 29th<\/sup> year in 2016 \u2013 starting in 1987 as a simple fantasy convention, it has since ballooned to cater to every single nerd facet you could imagine. Cosplay? Got it. Table top coming? Gaming-gaming? Celebrity panels? Raves? Parties? Parades? Dealer\u2019s rooms? Collectables? Workshops? Magic shows? Check, check, and more check.<\/p>\n
Every Labor Day Weekend, somewhere between 50 and 70 THOUSAND nerds descend upon Atlanta \u2013much to the amusement or chagrin of the locals \u2013 and as a community celebrate the wonder that is being enthusiastic about\u2026. Something, anything\u2026 everything! Being a nerd myself, I can tell you it is not always the most popular designation \u2013 though we\u2019re currently in a Golden Age, if you will \u2013 and with my first few shuffling footsteps into the Marriott Atrium I knew I was with my people. There is always someone to talk to about something you both love. There is always something fun to look at, always someone to dance with, play quarters with, share a laugh with.<\/p>\n
DragonCon is, hands down, the number one Nerdy Vacation Destination.<\/p>\n
\n![\"eve2\"](\"http:\/\/www.quicktoptens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/eve2.png\")
<\/a>Eve<\/a><\/strong> is the founder of Some Nerd Girl<\/a> and the author of urban fantasy novel Children of the Fallen<\/a> and science fiction novel Colony One<\/a>. She has been writing since the age of 13 and has been flying her nerd flag for the past 16 years. Fandoms include Star Wars, Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. Basically if it has \u2018star\u2019 in it, she\u2019ll give it a shot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Are you a nerd in need of a vacation destination this year? Look no further than these Top 10 intensely nerdy vacation destinations! Bonus points if you can fit them all into one year (nerds have a lot of disposable income, right??). Table of Contents10. Washington D.C. – Smithsonian Museums9. The Pennsic War \u2013 For […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":600,"featured_media":1730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,16,11],"tags":[69,61,58,56,57,55,68,67,59,66,62,60,63,65,64],"class_list":{"0":"post-1718","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"category-top-tens","9":"category-travel","10":"tag-community","11":"tag-conventions","12":"tag-harry-potter","13":"tag-history","14":"tag-lord-of-the-rings","15":"tag-museums","16":"tag-nerd-community","17":"tag-pax","18":"tag-r2d2","19":"tag-sca","20":"tag-seattle","21":"tag-star-wars","22":"tag-travel","23":"tag-vacation-destinations","24":"tag-world-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/600"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1718"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1718\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wp68.hostgator.com\/~wadobs0ab4ty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- 9. The Pennsic War \u2013 For the Medieval Nerd<\/a><\/li>