Innovations

Art is born out of both inspiration and reflection. A specific geographic area can inspire the creation of some truly amazing art as well as reflect the attitudes and feelings of a particular point in time. Nowhere is that more obvious than at Long Beach's Museum of Latin American Art. These works seem to come alive with both a dimensionality and a spiciness that gives them a personality all their own. The facility was founded in 1996 and holds the distinction of being the only museum of its kind in the United States.

Get your groove back in a big way when you stop into Fingerprints, Long Beach's favorite record store. This unique establishment masterfully combines the vintage appeal of vinyl record albums, posters and even CDs and infuses them with thoroughly modern attitude. You can tell that the employees have an obvious passion for music in general and, more specifically, this highly appealing establishment. In addition to offering a deep inventory of hard-to-find titles, there are frequent in-store musical performances, so make sure to check their website and sign up for their newsletter to get the latest details on who's playing next at Fingerprints.

Get set to strike it up in the best possible way when you make plans to bowl a few frames at CalBowl. This state-of-the-art bowling facility is great family fun or a great way to hang out with your friends. There are various party packages, league nights and special events scheduled at various times, so make sure to check the website for all the details.

A spicy taste of New Orleans comes to the West Coast by way of the Long Beach Crawfish Festival. There's plenty of great live music, vendors and activities and of course, plenty of delicious food! This is one of Long Beach's biggest events, as it regularly draws approximately 15,000 people when it is held every July in the city's Rainbow Lagoon Park.