Order tickets online and beat the crowds and busy signals. Whether your destination is the Paris Opera or the Arkansas Art Center, online ticketing can take the guesswork out of your entertainment plans. Finding a ticket to a play or entertainment event in New York, Paris or London isn't a challenge even for a novice traveler, but what if your next destination is Little Rock, Ark? It sounds more daunting, but with a few clicks of the mouse to a site such as Tickets.com, I learned that there were 39 cultural events, three basketball games, a concert and a family event all planned in the near future in Little Rock. Suddenly, Little Rock sounds like it could be a fun trip. Tickets for out-of-town events used to be a challenge, typically accomplished through a series of phone calls or huge tips passed discreetly to a hotel's concierge. But with the Web and the addition of several smaller, highly competitive ticketing sites, entertainment shopping has become more economical. In an attempt to find a niche against industry giant Ticketmaster, several smaller online sellers have begun offering tickets with lower transaction fees to events in smaller markets. You can buy tickets for the performing arts, sports events, and theme parks. Some Web sites also let you make travel arrangements. The mechanics of most ticketing sites are the same. You begin by reviewing your event choices and making a selection. Next, view the seating arrangements of the theater or venue. Not all, but many of the venues' seating diagrams are shown. If not, a brief description of which views are obstructed is usually offered. Before you make a purchase, check to see if there are any "discount counters" offered on the site. If none exist, click on the ordering page, which lists ticket prices, dates and seat locations. Pay via the site. Confirmation comes in less than five minutes (most sites say sooner, but be patient). Once you've made the purchase, it's difficult to get a refund. That may take a telephone call and you'll usually forfeit the fee, which ranges from $1.50-$5 depending on the site. Here's a quick review of some of the larger sites: Ticketmaster is the largest and most well-known ticketing service. It typically gets exclusive arrangements for the biggest concerts because it has close ties with many of the nation's largest seating venues. Ticketmaster also typically charges the highest fees for its services (which has resulted in complaints from both customers and performers) and focuses mainly on larger cities. But if it's a must-have ticket in a large city, chances are you'll find it at Ticketmaster. I like that they lead you to many other sites if they don't carry the goods. Started in 1995, Ticketweb is an elder statesman on the Web. They have a "client showcase" with dozens of specific venues including Second City in Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the San Diego Zoo. Click on the state of your choice and get the entire offering for the area. You'll find sales office numbers for the larger venues if you need to talk to a sales agent. While you won't find the smallest and most quirky clubs or theaters, you'll have most medium-sized to large venues covered. Notably, it's also the cheapest service, with a fee of $1.50 to $3. By contrast, Tickets.com expanded my horizons with travel packages. They also hold online ticket auctions. Lion King was going for $706 a ticket (you read that right). Before I went to Paris last month I passed up a chance to pick up four $125-tickets to the spectacle Notre Dame de Paris. Big mistake. I paid the concierge $160 per ticket, since they were "sold out" the next day when I arrived. Culture mavens take note; there's a new Web site just for you. At Culturefinder you can browse by state, category or date to find your desired cultural experience. The site covers 300,000 events in 1,000 cities. It also provides short reviews of the best arts offerings and provides quick history lessons on the music and the artist who will be performing. Every Friday, Culturefinder will send you special information about weekend events. The best feature for me is the date search tool. I use it to schedule out-of-town meetings at the same time an interesting event is scheduled. And I like how smaller companies can set up Web pages through Culturefinder. These groups often slash the prices of their unsold tickets, so don't forget to visit the online discount ticket center. Discount or not, the ticketing fee is $4.50. FunGuide tries to list every amusement, theme and water park on the planet. That's how I found the Fun World and Resort Water Park in Ajwa, India, although I could have gone to Fantasyland in Bombay. No tickets are sold over the site, but you can find hotels, restaurants, discount coupons, products and services. Worldwide ticket buying requires creativity As you venture outside the U.S., you'll find that sites are less well developed, but still worth visiting. My overall favorite was Worldmedia, where I found descriptions of 600 worldwide events in more than 50 countries. I'd like to be able to rely on the tourist board sites in each country, but their offerings are at best spotty. While you can start your search with them, you'll likely be disappointed. It is in this realm where you'll need to rely heavily on your travel agent and make your entertainment plans further in advance. |
LINKS - Where to go, what to see.... |
">
">
">
">
This page was last updated on: November 9, 2001
Click on the name of the city you want to travel to, and learn about these FABULOUS and SOPHISTICATED places. Buy some "gorgeous things " while you're there dahhhling.... |
Click here to fly the "Concorde" |
Click on the photo of the ship to learn more about the Queen Elizabeth 2 and make reservations for your next cruise on this legendary ship. |
For how to get theatre tickets, see bottom of this page |
Theatre Tickets |
Order tickets online and beat the crowds and busy signals. Whether your destination is the Paris Opera or the Arkansas Art Center, online ticketing can take the guesswork out of your entertainment plans. Finding a ticket to a play or entertainment event in New York, Paris or London isn't a challenge even for a novice traveler, but what if your next destination is Little Rock, Ark? It sounds more daunting, but with a few clicks of the mouse to a site such as Tickets.com, I learned that there were 39 cultural events, three basketball games, a concert and a family event all planned in the near future in Little Rock. Suddenly, Little Rock sounds like it could be a fun trip. Tickets for out-of-town events used to be a challenge, typically accomplished through a series of phone calls or huge tips passed discreetly to a hotel's concierge. But with the Web and the addition of several smaller, highly competitive ticketing sites, entertainment shopping has become more economical. In an attempt to find a niche against industry giant Ticketmaster, several smaller online sellers have begun offering tickets with lower transaction fees to events in smaller markets. You can buy tickets for the performing arts, sports events, and theme parks. Some Web sites also let you make travel arrangements. The mechanics of most ticketing sites are the same. You begin by reviewing your event choices and making a selection. Next, view the seating arrangements of the theater or venue. Not all, but many of the venues' seating diagrams are shown. If not, a brief description of which views are obstructed is usually offered. Before you make a purchase, check to see if there are any "discount counters" offered on the site. If none exist, click on the ordering page, which lists ticket prices, dates and seat locations. Pay via the site. Confirmation comes in less than five minutes (most sites say sooner, but be patient). Once you've made the purchase, it's difficult to get a refund. That may take a telephone call and you'll usually forfeit the fee, which ranges from $1.50-$5 depending on the site. Here's a quick review of some of the larger sites: Ticketmaster is the largest and most well-known ticketing service. It typically gets exclusive arrangements for the biggest concerts because it has close ties with many of the nation's largest seating venues. Ticketmaster also typically charges the highest fees for its services (which has resulted in complaints from both customers and performers) and focuses mainly on larger cities. But if it's a must-have ticket in a large city, chances are you'll find it at Ticketmaster. I like that they lead you to many other sites if they don't carry the goods. Started in 1995, Ticketweb is an elder statesman on the Web. They have a "client showcase" with dozens of specific venues including Second City in Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the San Diego Zoo. Click on the state of your choice and get the entire offering for the area. You'll find sales office numbers for the larger venues if you need to talk to a sales agent. While you won't find the smallest and most quirky clubs or theaters, you'll have most medium-sized to large venues covered. Notably, it's also the cheapest service, with a fee of $1.50 to $3. By contrast, Tickets.com expanded my horizons with travel packages. They also hold online ticket auctions. Lion King was going for $706 a ticket (you read that right). Before I went to Paris last month I passed up a chance to pick up four $125-tickets to the spectacle Notre Dame de Paris. Big mistake. I paid the concierge $160 per ticket, since they were "sold out" the next day when I arrived. Culture mavens take note; there's a new Web site just for you. At Culturefinder you can browse by state, category or date to find your desired cultural experience. The site covers 300,000 events in 1,000 cities. It also provides short reviews of the best arts offerings and provides quick history lessons on the music and the artist who will be performing. Every Friday, Culturefinder will send you special information about weekend events. The best feature for me is the date search tool. I use it to schedule out-of-town meetings at the same time an interesting event is scheduled. And I like how smaller companies can set up Web pages through Culturefinder. These groups often slash the prices of their unsold tickets, so don't forget to visit the online discount ticket center. Discount or not, the ticketing fee is $4.50. FunGuide tries to list every amusement, theme and water park on the planet. That's how I found the Fun World and Resort Water Park in Ajwa, India, although I could have gone to Fantasyland in Bombay. No tickets are sold over the site, but you can find hotels, restaurants, discount coupons, products and services. Worldwide ticket buying requires creativity As you venture outside the U.S., you'll find that sites are less well developed, but still worth visiting. My overall favorite was Worldmedia, where I found descriptions of 600 worldwide events in more than 50 countries. I'd like to be able to rely on the tourist board sites in each country, but their offerings are at best spotty. While you can start your search with them, you'll likely be disappointed. It is in this realm where you'll need to rely heavily on your travel agent and make your entertainment plans further in advance. |