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 Christmas. Epiphany is more widely celebrated in Europe than in the United States, but Louisiana adopted the King Cake and made it a part of its Mardi Gras traditions. The King Cake is served throughout the Carnival season – Epiphany, or 12th night, until Fat Tuesday, this year February 21st, 2011 – and is a part of this time of celebration, feasting and partying. During the Mardi Gras season, king cake parties are popular, and date back to the 18th century, but increasingly King Cakes […]
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History & a View From the Top of the St. Louis Arch
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 the location where the Lewis & Clark expedition started, giving rise to its moniker Gateway to the West. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, the renowned Finnish architect, and completed in 1965. It wasn’t opened to the public, however, until June 1967. At its tallest point, the arch stands 630 feet tall, the same dimension as its base from leg-to-leg. That’s the equivalent of 63 stories. At the bottom of the arch is a visitor center and a Museum of Westward Expansion. Visitors are required […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Spokane, Washington
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, theater and arts scene, promoting area wineries, and taking advantage of the four distinct seasons its location offers to visitors. I’ve visited Spokane several times over the past couple of years, and each visit I’ve discovered something new, interesting, and often tasty. Here’s a look at some things that I think make Spokane a great location for a Pacific Northwest getaway weekend. Where to Stay Offering accommodations at all points in the value luxury spectrum, Spokane has plenty of options – whether you’re looking for […]
Read MoreTourist at Home: Visiting the 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 might see it. I try to take a few days over the New Year’s holiday to do that – it’s a perfect post-holiday stress break and the city still has a bit of holiday glow about it. This year, as is often, the Seattle Aquarium was high on my list of places to visit. The aquarium opened in 1977, with a major expansion in 2007, and is the 7th largest aquarium in the U.S. (based on attendance). In addition to its popularity with visitors, it […]
Read MoreVisiting the 8 Ivy League Campuses
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: Brown University Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College Harvard University Princeton University University of Pennsylvania Yale University With college visits right around the corner for many families, let’s take a look at what you can expect in a visit to the ivy league schools – besides the expected academics. Brown – Providence, Rhode Island. A small university in a small town-feel city, Brown offers guided and self-guided tours of its campus. Downtown Providence is full of architecture dating back to the 19th century, along with […]
Read MoreFlorida’s Best Beaches
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 is an extremely popular destination for tourists the world over. After all, they don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing! Check out our list of some of Florida’s best beaches: Daytona Beach Situated on the east coast, Daytona Beach is home to a 23 mile stretch of soft white sands lapped by the turquoise waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a family-friendly area, however, during Spring Break hundreds of American university students descend on Daytona Beach to take a break from their studies and to party by the beach. Throughout the rest […]
Read MoreTu Tu Tango Offers Food & Art for Weary Orlando Travelers
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 a restaurant that is nearby everything, has good food that’s fairly priced, and has an enjoyable atmosphere. And if you’re traveling with the family, you want something that’s kid friendly but offers up more than hot dogs and fries. In Orlando, one of the restaurants that may just fit this description is Tu Tu Tango, a concept chain restaurant with locations in several states and in Canada. The restaurants are all themed around Spain’s bohemian artist culture – it’s like being in an artist’s loft. […]
Read MoreIn Photos: California State Capitol Building, Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city of California and home to its Capitol Building, a classical revival style patterned after the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The Capitol Building and its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the center of the building is the rotunda, which divides the State Senate and Assembly into north and south wings. The rotunda is 128 feet tall, from the basement of the building to the height of its inner dome. The Rotunda serves as a ceremonial space, but also as the starting point for most visitors to the Capitol. In this area you can sign up for a tour, enjoy a look at some of the decorative murals and interior décor, or look up at the beautifully detailed ceiling. At the center of the rotund is Columbus’ […]
Read MoreAirport Calm: Chicago O’Hare in the Early Morning
I spend an inordinate amount of times in airports. Some weeks it’s near daily. I have my favorites (Portland, San Jose, Vancouver BC) and those that I’d just as soon avoid (Atlanta, LAX, San Francisco). For most travelers, airports are a hot mess of crowds, frustration, and stress. I see it as an office environment. Much like the elevator that the office worker must be navigated to get to the cubicle, I see the airport as a means to an end, the route to my office – the airplane. During the day time, and the busy morning and evening bank of flights, the airport is a crazy place. But other times of day, the afternoon lull, the very early and late hours, and the middle of the night, you may find that you have it all to yourself. And that’s […]
Read MoreCheese & More at Tillamook Cheese Factory
The month of October has been designated American Cheese Month, a celebration of North America’s delicious and diverse cheeses, and the farmers, cheese makers, retails, cheesemongers, and chefs who bring them to our tables. And last month I had a little preview of how to celebrate cheese month with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the Oregon Coast. The climate in Tillamook is well suited for dairy farming, with a history dating back to the mid-1800s. By the end of that century, cheese maker Peter McIntosh created a cheddar cheese recipe that is still used today. Over the years, dairy-related production boomed, and in 1909 a farming co-op was established that became Tillamook. It’s still a co-op today, owned by the dairy farmers and families who start the whole process. Well, there are the cows to credit, too! […]
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