BRIEF:
GO
CLOCKWISEFROMLEFT:DAVIDMADISON/GETTY IMAGES; CLIFFLIPSON/CBS; COURTESYJOE’SSTONECRAB;
SPENCERPLATT/GETTY IMAGES; COURTESYGOLDENGATEHOTEL&CASINO
S
OMEPLACESHAVE the ability to stand the test of time, seemingly impervious to style shifts,
neighborhood trends and economic hiccups. But despite these institutions’ ability to go the
distance, we know nothing lasts forever (see: CBGB,
MatchGame
and Tavern on the Green).
The following five iconicexperienceshaven’tgone thewayofComiskeyParkyet, but it’sagood idea to
cross themoff your bucket list before theydo.
SPORTS
FENWAYPARK
Boston
MajorLeagueBaseball’soldestoperatingstadium
hasbrokenconsecutive-sellout records,overcome
World Series curses and narrowly dodged the
wreckingball that tookout ComiskeyPark, Tiger
Stadiumandother“immortal” fields.For fanswho
haven’tyetpaidavisit to thehallowedhomeof the
Boston Red Sox, this is the season to do it: Built
in 1912 (forawhopping$650,000), Fenway turns
100 this year— its official birthdaymarkedApril
20with a game against the New York Yankees.
FOOD
JOE’SSTONECRAB
Miami Beach, Fla.
Ninety-nine years ago it was amakeshift lunch
stand serving the best fish sandwich and Hun-
garian slawon the far sideof somenewlynamed,
mangrove-infested, South Florida backwater
calledMiami Beach. Today, South Beach’s most
venerable seafood institution still reels in digni-
taries, celebs, athletes and regular Joes desiring
thesignaturestonecrabs, crispyhashbrownsand
homemadekey limepie.As reservationsaren’tac-
cepted, avoid longdinner linesbyopting forJoe’s
TakeAwaynext door. Get herebefore stone crab
seasonendsonMay 15.
DRINK
McSORLEY’SOLDALEHOUSE
NewYork
Back in the 1940s,when
Life
magazinemade this
East Village saloon famous with a photo essay,
theplacewasalreadypushing90.Now 158years
young, thegranddaddyof Irishpubs (aka theold-
est continuously operated bar in New York City,
having survived evenProhibition) doesn’t look a
day over 150. The beer selection consists of two
house-brandalesandnothingmore. Theevolving
guest list has includedAbeLincoln, JohnLennon
andgenerationsof Irishworkingmen. Thewebsite
isunofficial,with thewrongphonenumber listed.
And the rightnumber— (212)473-9148— isapay
phone that,withany luck, acustomerwill answer.
ENTERTAINMENT
THEPRICE ISRIGHT
LosAngeles
Now in its40thseason,
ThePrice IsRight
isn’t just
the nation’s longest-runninggame show, it’s also
itsmost iconic andbeloved. Sure, the retirement
of legendary host BobBarker five years ago had
usworried, but theBigWheel, Plinko and theYo-
delingGuy fromCliffhangersarestillgoingstrong
with current headman Drew Carey. Shows tape
year-round (twoepisodesaday,Monday through
Wednesday, threeweeksoutof four)atCBSTelevi-
sionCity,andcontestanthopefulscanbook tickets
online up to 10weeks in advance. What’s your
chanceofbeingpicked from the300-personaudi-
ence?One in33. Sobrushuponyour actual retail
prices, bedazzle a T-shirt and “Come on down!”
LODGING
GOLDENGATEHOTEL&CASINO
LasVegas
Vegas sold its first 50-cent shrimp cocktail at
this relic at One Fremont St. (the address pretty
much says it all), which dates back to 1906. Mil-
lions of tangy crustaceans later, theGoldenGate
Hotel&Casinodefiantlystands—nosmall feat in
the hotel-implosion capital of the world— hav-
ing evolvedwith the times while preserving its
centenarian-ishvibe.Ahundredyearsago, a room
herewould’ve set you back a buck. Prices have
adjusted, but not all that much for shrimp cock-
tail, whichwill run you just a cool $1.99 now and,
hopefully, forever.
World’sBest:
IconicExperiences
Catcha foulballatFenwayParkandtakepart ina
showcaseshowdownon
ThePrice IsRight
—before it’stoo late.
28
APRIL 15, 2012
AA.COM/AMERICANWAY
