Destination information for Houston, New York/Newark & Cleveland

New York/Newark
Cleveland
Houston

New York/Newark

Holy Sizzling Shrimp, Batman!

When the weather warms up, the food comes out. Manhattan is famous for its street cuisine fairs, and one of the best is the Ninth Avenue Food Festival, this year taking place the weekend of May 17–18. Hell’s Kitchen’s annual international celebration shuts down Ninth Avenue from 37th to 57th streets, as Cajun vendors serve alongside Senegalese, with Thai down the street and Peruvian across the way. 212.581.7029; hellskitchen.bz

What’s it like to watch high-end art dealers and private collectors circle each other warily, bidding for the best of the art world? Find out at the International Fine Art Fair, at the Park Avenue Armory, May 9–14. Stars like Oprah Winfrey and Steve Martin have been spotted here in years past along with curators from the world’s great museums, all vying for the paintings, drawings, and sculptures on hand. And there’s always a chance that no one else will spot that Winslow Homer you had your eye on. haughton.com

You might think George Clooney would want to forget Batman & Robin, but the star is one of the honorary chairs of Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Giorgio Armani and Julia Roberts are also co-chairs of the exhibit, which explores the ties between mythological heroes and fashion. Wonder Woman’s patriotic garb, Batman’s slightly S&M outfit, and the iconic Spider-Man costume are all part of the show, on display from May 7 through September 1. 212.535.7710; metmuseum.org

— David McDonough

Cleveland

Grand Openings

It’s hard to resist the timeless appeal of carnival rides, a frog-kissing booth, a pie-eating contest, a hot-air balloon race, and a parade. Get all that plus live music and a chance to sample great food from local restaurants during the Blossom Time Festival, in the Village of Chagrin Falls, about 20 miles from Cleveland, May 22–25. The annual festival is an all-American hometown celebration and salute to veterans that’s been delivering old-fashioned, family-friendly fun for 52 years. The postcard-pretty community, with a quaint main street, ice cream shop, and waterfall, is a nice stop for a summer outing any day. 440.823.2199; cvcc.org

New this year at Cedar Point amusement park is Planet Snoopy. The Peanuts-themed playground is filled with attractions for the littlest funsters. Bigger folks in search of more extreme thrills can head for the park’s roller coasters — there are 17 all together. The season opens May 10. 419.627.2350; cedarpoint.com

One of the longest-running alternative art galleries in the country, SPACES, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. A show of recent works by artists who have been featured at the gallery over the past 10 years marks the occasion. The show, titled Living in Your Imagination and curated by Cleveland cultural historian William Busta, includes paintings, film, photography, and multimedia installations. It’s on exhibit through July 6. 216.621.2314; spacesgallery.org

— Laura Taxel

Houston

The Artful Dodge

On May 10, about 200,000 spectators will line Allen Parkway to watch the 21st annual Art Car Parade. Cadillacs, unicycles, lawnmowers — pretty much anything on wheels — will be transformed into mind-blowing mobile mechanisms. Who knows what will win among wheeled wonders like a giant toaster, a moving disco, and a dancing lobster. orangeshow.org/artcar.html; artcarmuseum.com

At Houston Food Bank’s fundraising lunch on May 17, local ceramicists, glassmakers, and other craftspeople provide a parting gift for each diner: a handmade bowl. And through their $25 donation, guests help others fill their plates. 713.547.8670; emptybowlshouston.org

— Michele Meyer

Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your vacation, contact Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.

Photographs: courtesy of First View (Superheroes); courtesy of Spaces Gallery; courtesy of Tom Lafaver (Art Car)