February 23, 2012

King Cake: Louisiana Mardi Gras Tradition

King Cake from Julie Anne's

One of the rich traditions of the Mardi Gras season is the King Cake, and with only a couple day left until Fat Tuesday, bakeries are madly trying to fill the last orders before the Lenten season begins. The history of the King Cake dates back to the celebrations of Epiphany, the 12 days after [...]

Bruce Springsteen Exhibit Hits Philadelphia

Born in the USA Bruce Springsteen

How did I miss this? I keep up on the latest in museums and exhibitions around the country, and somehow managed to miss that a Bruce Springsteen exhibition opens tomorrow, February 17th – but this somehow passed me by until just now. Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, a preeminent history museum, is hosting (and is the [...]

History & a View From the Top of the St. Louis Arch

St. Louis Arch at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Presiding proudly over the city of St. Louis, the Gateway Arch is the most recognizable building in the city’s skyline.  It’s that iconic symbol, often photographed, that helps identify the city to millions of people who have never, and perhaps will never, visit. The Gateway Arch is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, near [...]

Weekend Getaway: Spokane, Washington

exterior of Davenport Hotel, Spokane

Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, is about 275 miles east of Seattle.  But to many of us, it might as well be a million miles away, another country even.  Those of us on the west side of the Cascades tend to forget that Spokane is coming into its own, creating a vibrant food, [...]

Las Vegas: New for 2012

neon signs from las vegas neon museum

While new hotel construction is at a painful standstill in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of new attractions hoping to grab a piece of the city’s tourism spending.  Here’s what 2012 has in store for visitors to Las Vegas. Attractions The Mob Museum – Okay, officially the name is the Las Vegas Museum of Organized [...]

Tourist at Home: Visiting the Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium

One of my favorite ways to spend a day in Seattle is to pretend I’m a tourist, giving all the attractions and sights that I usually take for granted a new lease on life.  Rather than dismiss things as for tourists only, I plunge headfirst into the adventure, trying to see my city as others [...]

Visiting the 8 Ivy League Campuses

Butler Library at Columbia University

The Ivies.  What started out as eight private colleges and universities forming an athletic conference, is now a term used to represent eight of the most elite, prestigious, and expensive schools in the world.  With the exception of one, all of the schools were founded during the Colonial era.  The eight Ivy League schools are: [...]

Florida’s Best Beaches

sunbathers on Daytona Beach

While Florida has become particularly well known for its theme parks, there is so much more to this diverse, vibrant and beautiful region than roller coasters and dancing seals. Boasting a year round tropical to sub-tropical climate, Florida is the warmest state in the U.S. and an extremely popular destination for tourists the world over. [...]

Tu Tu Tango Offers Food & Art for Weary Orlando Travelers

Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando

Orlando is a city of theme parks, tourists, and is frequently plastic and sterile. One year it was named the angriest city in America – I guess that fake smile starts to grate after awhile.  When you’re ready to take a break from the theme parks and angry mobs, chances are you’ll be looking for [...]

Free Wine Tasting & Baggage Fee Waiver for Walla Walla

barrels of wine

What happens when an airline combines two of my favorite things – wine and travel?  Why, save money, of course! Alaska Airlines and Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance are offering a promotion to encourage wine lovers to visit Walla Walla wineries with a Taste and Tote promotion.  Here’s how it works: Alaska Airline passengers traveling [...]