6 Places to Find Dinner and a Show
From Orlando to Anaheim, these live dinner show performances include a great meal—and sometimes audience participation
Get the royal treatment at Medieval Times, where the entertainment features swordfights, jousting and plenty of fanfare.
Food and entertainment typically sit at the top of travelers’ to-do lists when planning a vacation. So when the stars align and you can lock in a meal and a few hours’ worth of amusement, why resist? A themed dinner show is a chance to maximize your budget, and these outings are perfect for travelers with kids or even kids-at-heart looking to spice up dinner plans. Check out these six options for dinner and a show.
Jazz up your evening meal at Blues Alley (Washington, D.C.)
At Blues Alley, the nation’s oldest jazz supper club, an upscale menu complements classic tunes.
The classic jazz and supper club Blues Alley has found a combination that has stood the test of time: traditional and modern jazz from top-notch entertainers plus an extensive menu. The dishes are all performer-themed—there’s Terence Blanchard’s Fried Shrimp and Dizzy Gillespie’s Jambalaya, among others—adding a playful touch to the spot’s dressed-up vibe.
Saddle up for Love & War in Texas (Plano, Texas)
The Love & War in Texas restaurant is a true love song to the Lone Star State. Diners order from a Southwestern menu stacked with Texas-grown produce, meats and Gulf seafood; plus, dishes like the Texas “1015” Tumbleweeds (onion rings with a cayenne ranch sauce) and Wild Boar Quesadillas. And each night, dinner is served to the tune of live performances from local musicians, singers and songwriters—all delivered with a hefty side of Texas pride.
Feast like royalty at Medieval Times (Multiple locations, including Atlanta, Chicago and Myrtle Beach)
Medieval Times’ feast is fit for a king and includes four filling courses, from tomato bisque soup to the castle’s signature pastry.
While dining on a meal fit for a king, guests of Medieval Times watch the Middle Ages come to life right in front of their dinner table. Valiant knights ride on horseback, battle in fierce jousting matches and go head-to-head in thrilling swordfights. You’ll also get to learn about falconry with a live flight, and horsemanship, through a performance of dressage (a series of choreographed moves on horseback).
Swing to the music of the big band era at the Stage Door Canteen (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Before (or after) browsing the incredible collections at The National WWII Museum, spend some time at the Stage Door Canteen. Here, you’ll find WWII-era entertainment in the spirit of musical revues like Ain’t Misbehavin’ and full swing orchestras, plus The Vic-Tones and The Victory Belles, all-male and all-female vocal trios that croon selections from the biggest hits of the 1940s. Brunch, matinee and dinner shows offer a menu with selections from the museum’s restaurant and bar, The American Sector.
Uncover your inner Sherlock at The Dinner Detective (Multiple locations, including Indianapolis, Denver and Portland, Oregon)
Who doesn’t love dinner and a murder mystery? At The Dinner Detective, guests attempt to solve a captivating but comical crime while performers blend into the crowd to add to the ambiance. The guest who correctly solves the mystery is named top sleuth of the evening and is rewarded with a prize. Whether or not you solve the case, you’ll enjoy a three-course meal and assorted appetizers.
Sail the seven seas at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure (Orlando and Anaheim)
If the pirate-themed rides at nearby amusement parks didn’t satisfy your thirst for swashbuckling scallywags, you’re in luck at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Guests climb aboard one of six ships and are seated facing a 300,000-gallon indoor lagoon where an 18th-century replica of a Spanish galleon is anchored. Cheer on your ship’s pirate mascot as you embark on an action-filled adventure. For guests, that adventure includes a three-course dinner aboard their ship, complimentary soft drinks and coffee, and two rounds of beer served during the main show.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in D.C., Plano, Atlanta, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Denver, Portland, Orlando, Anaheim.
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