Yosemite National Park Travel Guide

Entertainment in Yosemite National Park has a different meaning than it does in a city. In fact, visitors come to Yosemite to get away from nightclubs, concerts and crowded bars. Here, you will most likely find yourself singing around a campfire, taking a moonlit hike or even going to bed early in order to get up after midnight to do some stargazing. Dawn is prime time here—some claim it's when the fish bite. In many ways, you will be entertaining yourself in the Park. This is not hard to do when surrounded by some of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring scenery on the planet.

Nature

Take time to wander the John Muir Vernal Falls Mist Trail Hike. Sure there are likely to be crowds, but when you watch the play of water, mist and light, you'll know that navigating through the throngs was worth it. The falls are good listening places as well, and if you watch carefully, you may see dragonflies flitting about.

Take advantage of at least one or two Ranger Programs. The trained guides that run the programs have been operating for years and have wonderful stories to tell. Their extensive knowledge of the park is unbelievable. Feel free to ask them questions; you never know what nugget of information you may uncover.

Stroll through the Indian Village of Ahwahnee to get a taste of what the Valley was like before Westerners arrived. You may even view a demonstration of an indigenous craft. The village is an interesting place at night, too. If you happen to be here when the moon is full, you will be stunned by its dramatic impact on the landscape.

Offering free art classes for adults and children, The Art Activity Center is another park hot spot. The daily sessions can be difficult to get into during the summer, so check in early to ensure your place.

The LeConte Memorial Lodge offers entertainment of the educational variety. There are classes for both children and adults during the day and on some evenings. This meeting place for many local clubs including the Yosemite Association. These meetings are usually open to the public, so check the schedule and find out what is happening on the local front.

Theater

Live theater is alive and well in Yosemite Village. You will find it at the Yosemite Theatre. Productions are offered at the Valley Visitor Center. Recognized by the National Park Service as one of the best interpretive programs in the park system, these plays are delightful and instructional. You might view a play about pioneers or even star in one exploring the political history of the park. Like all good theaters, this one changes its shows often, so check at the Valley Visitor Center or in the Yosemite News for details.

Music

Yosemite is not close to any major city, which is part of its charm. People go there to relax rather than kick up their heels. The towns around the Park are small, and entertainment is spontaneous. For instance, on some weekends, you may find live music at the Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company in Oakhurst. The musicians are usually locals, which adds to the fun.

You can enjoy a genuine Mystery Dinner starting on Friday nights at the Yosemite Trail Camp in Midpines on Highway 140. The dinner is a barbecue, and the mystery doesn't really end until breakfast the next morning—late night enthusiasts will delight in this, but you are not required to stay through the entire performance. The mysteries are usually based on early California themes.

The real trick to finding entertainment in Yosemite is to keep your eyes open. You may discover a festival, a banner stretched across the street telling of a street dance or a sign in a coffee shop promising live entertainment that evening. But most visitors to this incredible natural wonder will be so busy with outdoor activities—the hiking, biking, backpacking and simply gazing upon its majesty—that they wont want to do anything at night but turn in.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 601