With its historical significance and message of freedom, a visit to see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia will be on most history buffs travel list. The Liberty Bell is one of the iconic symbols of the American Revolutions, and since then has served as a symbol of independence, freedom, and liberty. The bell was originally cast in London and designed to be used at the Pennsylvania State House. It cracked soon after its arrival in Philadelphia. Local craftsmen cast a new one and it was installed in the State House in 1753. Weighing a little over a ton, the bell rang many times as the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House. It tolled many public announcements, including the opening of the 1774 First Continental Congress and after the 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord. But perhaps the Liberty Bell’s […]
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Road Trip Ahead: Coastal & Central Oregon
I’m up early today because I’ll be heading out on a road trip. Yes, me, a road trip. It’s a 5-day road trip with some other writers from the Seattle area and is sponsored by some nice folks in Oregon. (A full list of sponsors will accompany subsequent posts.) Joining me will be: Andy Hayes (from Sharing Travel Experiences), Kelly Goodman (from Travellious), and Michelle Schusterman (from Unlikely Places) The group will be meeting later thing morning (still in the early hours for most of us) at EverGreen Escapes who will be providing our driver and transportation for the trip in one of the comfy, bio-fueled Mercedes touring vans. Not familiar with EverGreen Escapes? Well I love these folks – I’ve met them personally – and was taken with their love of the Pacific Northwest, their commitment to their eco-friendly […]
Read More6 Sports Museums in the South
The southern United States may be known for seceding from the Union and its checkered civil rights history, but with those issues long in the past (hopefully), the South is now carving out a name for itself with signature cuisine, tourism, and don’t forget those charming accents. Part of the culture of the South has always been its love of sports and all things sports related. It’s not surprising then, that sports museums have cropped up around the area, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world. Here are a few that you might not be familiar with: PGA Museum of Golf – Recently renamed (it was formerly known as the PGA Historical Center), this museum showcases the history of the PGA, with interactive exhibits, and a variety exhibits of golf artifacts and memorabilia. The PGA Museum of […]
Read MoreHow to Spend a Day at Woodland Park Zoo
As big of a fan as I am of seeing the world, I’m likewise a fan of seeing my own community. So it was with that in mind that I’m staying close to home this Labor Day Weekend. The Seattle weather forecast is sunny and warm (score!), there’s tons to do around the King-Pierce-Snohomish area, and it’s a chance to see some of the things that it is so easy to take for granted. So I headed off to Woodland Park Zoo for the day. Woodland Park Zoo is located in the Phinney Ridge area and has been serving as the city’s zoo for over 100 years. It is often cited as one of the best zoos in the U.S. Today, the zoo complex spreads out over 92 acres, and includes animals and exhibits, open space, a rose garden, many […]
Read MoreHollywood in Ohio with The Shawshank Trail
In 1982 Stephen King published a simple little novella titled Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It was part of a collection of stories and was hailed as a masterpiece. The novella was adapted for the big screen as The Shawshank Redemption and was a modest hit. . . at least until awards season rolled around when it received seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. and catapulted into the stratosphere of top-watched movies. Many people, myself included, had never heard of the novella until the movie came out, but in the years since it’s release in 1994 Shawshank has achieved nearly cult status. The plot is a simple one: Young banker (Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins) is convicted, perhaps wrongfully so, for the murder of his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two life sentences […]
Read MoreSmall Plates Delight at Julian Serrano at ARIA Las Vegas
Last fall I stayed at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and became a fan of the LEED certified property. While there, I saw the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis!, spent an afternoon at the spa, and had many fine meals, one of which was at Julian Serrano, a Spanish restaurant. Julian Serrano offers classic Spanish fare that includes hot and cold tapas, paella, and a variety of seafood dishes. My first visit was as part of a large group attending Blog World Expo. Since then, however, I’ve been back quite a few times – both with friends and as a solo diner. The restaurant has an open floor plan, and is vibrant and noisy as guest pass, share, and talk about their choices. If you’re looking for a fun and lively meal, this is the place. […]
Read MoreNorth Dakota Road Trip
Summer is the time of year for the classic road trip. Whether you pack up the family car, RV, or score a discount car rental, a road trip screams out to get away from the crowds and try something new. For me, a road trip would be to places that I haven’t been before, so let’s spin the map of the U.S. and see what we can come up with. How about North Dakota? It’s a state that I haven’t been to, somewhat obscure in the travel promotion department, and it just seems like the kind of place that would make for a good road trip or family vacation. Now, what’s there to do or see? According to North Dakota Tourism, I’ve been missing out on a lot, as the state is Legendary (their tourism slogan). Here are 10 reasons […]
Read MoreAlcatraz: The Rock in the San Francisco Bay
Channel your inner Al Capone or “Machine Gun” Kelly with a visit to Alcatraz Island on your next stay in San Francisco. Located in the San Francisco Bay, about a mile offshore, the island served as a lighthouse and military site before becoming a Federal prison in 1963. Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary for 29 years, and during that time housed prisoners who had been problems at other locations. Some of the most infamous criminals in history were housed there, and it is claimed that no prisoner ever successfully escaped. Both Capone and Kelly were imprisoned on The Rock, which today is a historic site under the auspices of the National Park Service, and just like then, there is only one way on and off the island. Alcatraz Cruises is the only company authorized by the National Parks Service […]
Read MoreArtfully Displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art
In a city filled with wonderful museums, New York’s MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) stands out as a real gem – and my personal favorite. From an initial gift of eight prints and one drawing, the collection has grown to include over 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects, along with over 22,000 films and over four million still photos, making it one of the most influential museums of modern art in the world. The exhibitions maintain a nice balance of subject, style, mediums, and time periods. It’s the kind of place you can spend a few hours or the entire day, depending on what your schedule will allow. It’s a great place to spend a cold wintry day, warming up with the art as well as a stop off in the cafe. With […]
Read MoreBeach Shopping at Ron Jon Surf Shop
Shopping is one of the top activities for travelers. That’s right, surveys show that millions of travelers want to spend a little time shopping on their holidays. Whether it’s a major shopping expedition, or just picking up a few souvenirs, I’m not certain, but there’s no doubt that a lot of money is spent shopping while enjoying a little holiday time. Being stuck inside shopping while traveling to a beautiful destination seems a real shame to me, but if the Orlando area is in your plans, I can recommend stopping off at one of my favorite spots, Ron Jon Surf Shop. Although there are several Ron Jon locations, my favorite is the one at Cocoa Beach, a short drive to the east of Orlando. This store is huge! It has over 52,000 square feet of shopping and displays, and a […]
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