2017 Highlights to Look Forward to (and Help You Forget 2016 Ever Happened)
January 6, 2017
To be honest, we’re feeling particularly pumped about 2017. Not just because we’re happy to leave 2016 behind, but because there are a lot of 2017 highlights to look forward to. From once-in-a-generation astronomical events to pop culture releases that have us tingling in anticipation, we’re counting down to the best of 2017 in 10…9…8…
1. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: The first reason to get psyched about 2017 is some seriously cool cosmic activity. The upcoming total solar eclipse (that's when the moon covers the sun entirely, making it look like twilight in the middle of the day) will fall on August 21st, and will be the U.S.'s first visible one of the 21at century. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until 2024 for the next one, so...maybe set an alert?
Image courtesy of PTW/iStock
Image courtesy of PTW/iStock
2. EXO-PLANET MISSIONS: Speaking of celestial events: 2017 is also the year that we start expanding human colonization beyond the solar system. Well, kinda: NASA is projected to launch their TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) project on December 20, 2017. The satellite will be heading beyond the solar system with the goal of "discovering new Earths and Super-Earths in the solar neighborhood." See you guys on Super-Earth, then?
Image courtesy of NASA
Image courtesy of NASA
3. EXPO 2017: Next summer, all the cool kids will be heading to Astana, Kazakhstan. Why? For EXPO-2017: a colossal world's fair that will host more than 110 countries (and an estimated several million visitors). The theme of the fair is "future energy" and across the Expo's many pavilions, you'll find exhibits and interactive activities all about the future of green energy. Sounds like our kind of festival.
Image courtesy of cosmopol/iStock
Image courtesy of cosmopol/iStock
4. GO GREEN: Speaking of green, we're already a fan of 2017's taste. For that, we've gotta thank the color maestros at Pantone, who've just nominated their shade for the year. Greenery, a vibrant green-yellow hue, seeks to "revive, restore, and renew," and "symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose," according to the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Considering 2016's Pantone Color was actually two divisive shades, we're thinking this bodes well. Not that we're biased or anything...
Image courtesy of ooyoo/iStock
Image courtesy of ooyoo/iStock
5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA: Want to get a head start on that whole getting-outside-more-often resolution? Whether you live in Canadian Zipcar hubs like Toronto or Vancouver—or have been meaning to greet our friendly North American neighbors—this year is the perfect time to head north of the border. After all, Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2017—and to celebrate, they're making entry to their stunning national parks totally free. For the entire year. O Canada!
Image courtesy of Onfokus/iStock
Image courtesy of Onfokus/iStock
6. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: In other travel news, the UN has just named 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development—big-upping travel's ability to foster peace, understanding, and social consciousness in one fell declaration. What better reason to plan that vacay of a lifetime? But even if you plan on staying closer to home, there's never been a better time to pack those bags. Lonely Planet and Travel + Leisure have both recently named their top 2017 travel destinations, and a number of U.S. cities have made the cut. From Philly and LA to Indianapolis, Nashville, and Portland, we smell a road trip of epic proportions.
Image courtesy of DC_Colombia/iStock
Image courtesy of DC_Colombia/iStock
7. POP CULTURE POWER: We can't be the only ones who've got a list of pop culture releases in our list of 2017 highlights. After all, the year is shaping up to be a killer one for TV, films, and music. On the small screen, we've got Broad City's fourth season, the return of Stranger Things, and the revival of Twin Peaks to look forward to. On the silver screen, we can barely wait for Star Wars Episode VIII and Wonder Woman. And on our playlists? We'll be spinning new albums by Run the Jewels, The Flaming Lips, and LCD Soundsystem (fingers crossed) on repeat.
Image courtesy of Comedy Central/Walter Thompson
Image courtesy of Comedy Central/Walter Thompson
1. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: The first reason to get psyched about 2017 is some seriously cool cosmic activity. The upcoming total solar eclipse (that's when the moon covers the sun entirely, making it look like twilight in the middle of the day) will fall on August 21st, and will be the U.S.'s first visible one of the 21at century. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until 2024 for the next one, so...maybe set an alert?
Image courtesy of PTW/iStock
Image courtesy of PTW/iStock
2. EXO-PLANET MISSIONS: Speaking of celestial events: 2017 is also the year that we start expanding human colonization beyond the solar system. Well, kinda: NASA is projected to launch their TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) project on December 20, 2017. The satellite will be heading beyond the solar system with the goal of "discovering new Earths and Super-Earths in the solar neighborhood." See you guys on Super-Earth, then?
Image courtesy of NASA
Image courtesy of NASA
3. EXPO 2017: Next summer, all the cool kids will be heading to Astana, Kazakhstan. Why? For EXPO-2017: a colossal world's fair that will host more than 110 countries (and an estimated several million visitors). The theme of the fair is "future energy" and across the Expo's many pavilions, you'll find exhibits and interactive activities all about the future of green energy. Sounds like our kind of festival.
Image courtesy of cosmopol/iStock
Image courtesy of cosmopol/iStock
4. GO GREEN: Speaking of green, we're already a fan of 2017's taste. For that, we've gotta thank the color maestros at Pantone, who've just nominated their shade for the year. Greenery, a vibrant green-yellow hue, seeks to "revive, restore, and renew," and "symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose," according to the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Considering 2016's Pantone Color was actually two divisive shades, we're thinking this bodes well. Not that we're biased or anything...
Image courtesy of ooyoo/iStock
Image courtesy of ooyoo/iStock
5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA: Want to get a head start on that whole getting-outside-more-often resolution? Whether you live in Canadian Zipcar hubs like Toronto or Vancouver—or have been meaning to greet our friendly North American neighbors—this year is the perfect time to head north of the border. After all, Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2017—and to celebrate, they're making entry to their stunning national parks totally free. For the entire year. O Canada!
Image courtesy of Onfokus/iStock
Image courtesy of Onfokus/iStock
6. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: In other travel news, the UN has just named 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development—big-upping travel's ability to foster peace, understanding, and social consciousness in one fell declaration. What better reason to plan that vacay of a lifetime? But even if you plan on staying closer to home, there's never been a better time to pack those bags. Lonely Planet and Travel + Leisure have both recently named their top 2017 travel destinations, and a number of U.S. cities have made the cut. From Philly and LA to Indianapolis, Nashville, and Portland, we smell a road trip of epic proportions.
Image courtesy of DC_Colombia/iStock
Image courtesy of DC_Colombia/iStock
7. POP CULTURE POWER: We can't be the only ones who've got a list of pop culture releases in our list of 2017 highlights. After all, the year is shaping up to be a killer one for TV, films, and music. On the small screen, we've got Broad City's fourth season, the return of Stranger Things, and the revival of Twin Peaks to look forward to. On the silver screen, we can barely wait for Star Wars Episode VIII and Wonder Woman. And on our playlists? We'll be spinning new albums by Run the Jewels, The Flaming Lips, and LCD Soundsystem (fingers crossed) on repeat.
Image courtesy of Comedy Central/Walter Thompson
Image courtesy of Comedy Central/Walter Thompson
