MoPOP | Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington

From Nirvana to Hendrix to random pieces of pop culture, MoPOP (formerly the Experience Music Project / EMP Museum) in Seattle, Washington is a pretty dynamic place to explore. The building itself, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, is also stunning - particularly with reflections of the Space Needle on it. Here are a few visuals from Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. 

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California

A standout along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is chock-full of history, charm, and an upscale dose of vintage Tinseltown glamour. Opened in 1927, the Hollywood Roosevelt has hosted guests, parties, and movie shoots including everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Marilyn Monroe to Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Roosevelt Hotel is prime real estate if you're looking to make the most of your time in Hollywood. With so many watered down attractions screaming for your attention, the historic authenticity of the hotel provides some unique opportunities to explore.

For instance, the Oscars currently call the Dolby Theatre across the street home, but the very first Academy Awards actually took place right here in the Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. On May 16, 1929 it only took 15 minutes to hand out the awards.

Marilyn Monroe did a photo shoot for her first ever advertisement by the pool here. Supposedly during prohibition, actor Errol Flynn brewed up some bathtub gin in the backroom of the hotel's barbershop. Child star Shirley Temple took tap dancing lessons on one of the hotel's tiled stairways. And, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had a "scandalous" affair in the penthouse. Not surprisingly, the Gable Lombard Penthouse now goes for thousands of dollars a night.

History like this makes you feel like you're rubbing elbows with the ghosts of legends. The Hollywood Roosevelt is trendy, modern, and as I found, a pretty photogenic hangout.