If you live in Seattle, as I do, there’s only one answer to that question – they come from Boeing. As the saying around here goes, “If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going!” While some of the Boeing plants have relocated elsewhere, the plant at Paine Field (about 30 miles north of Seattle) is still home to The Future of Flight & Boeing Tour, This tour of the Boeing factory lets you see the flight line where the 747, 767, 777, and 787 are made. This tour takes you through one of the largest buildings in the world (by volume), as you learn how much room it takes to build a jumbo jet. There’s lot to see on the tour so don’t forget to look up (futuristic aircraft are flying), down (a painted runway on the floor), and around (the […]
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National Park Service: The American Presidents
With the Presidential inauguration just a couple weeks away, it’s a good time to think about our former Presidents and the place they occupy in history. Putting politics aside, that’s just what the National Park Service has done – put Presidential PLACES on display – with the new Discover Our Shared Heritage on-line travel itinerary site. The American Presidents itinerary explores the lives, contributions and historical sites of all 43 presidents. (President-elect Obama is not yet on the list.) Among the sites listed are birthplaces, home and memorials. There’s also a general presidential itinerary that includes the White House, Mount Rushmore, and other general sites. The list includes over 70 sites spanning the country, all listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and about half part of the National Park System. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find: Description […]
Read MorePhiladelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade
Oh to be a Mummer, now that New Year’s is almost here! This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun. I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds. (Kelly? Caroline? Anyone?) The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia. Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts. There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes and little gifts. Both events were filled with pageantry, enthusiasm, and more than a little bit of noise. Philadelphia got into the act in 1901 with the first official Mummers Parade. Unofficially large celebrations like this had been […]
Read MoreDenver Botanic Gardens are Even Greener
About ten minutes east of downtown Denver are 23 acres of gardens and plants that will make you feel like your much further away from the concrete of the city. The Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street, Denver) contain 45 gardens and over 32,000 plants. (I discovered the York Street gardens while on a shopping expedition; they are very near the Cherry Creek Mall.) The gardens represent a wide range of gardening styles and plant collections, covering diverse parts of the world. It’s an interesting blend or culture with flora and fauna. And, because this is the mile high city, there’s some focus on high altitude climate and how that can impact a garden. While it’s hard to believe that a botanical garden can be even “greener," Denver seems to have done it with the city’s first green roof. It’s […]
Read MoreKauai: The Garden Isle
Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaii Islands, and is the fourth largest of the islands, and is about a 100 miles from Oahu. Often referred to as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is one of the wettest spot in the world, with an annual rainfall of 460 inches. I’m most familiar with the town of Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai. Most visitors, however, may be more familiar with Waimea, once the capital of the island, and the first place in Hawaii visited by Captain James Cook. While there’s still beaches and sand, the lushness of Kauai lends itself to lots of other outdoor activities. To learn more about Kauai, and all the other Hawaiian Islands, head over to The Hawaii Traveler, and read what Jody has to say about one of the top vacation spots in the […]
Read MoreTake a Venetian Gondola Ride in Las Vegas
No, it’s not Venice. It’s the Gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Okay, it’s a little touristy, and it’s definitely NOT Venice, but it’s still a bit of romantic fun away from the flashing lights and noise of the casinos. You need to take a break from the fast paced action some time, and this isn’t a bad choice. The gondolas have been fashioned after authentic Venetian ones, each seating four, and operate rides both indoors and out. If your party doesn’t fill the gondola, you’ll likely be paired up with others. The indoor gondolas float their way through the Grand Canal Shoppes, beneath bridges, shops, and cafes that have been created to give the feel of Venice. The ride lasts about 15 minutes. The outdoor gondolas offer a more “authentic” feel (since you really are […]
Read More10 Tips for Saving on Your Vacation Food Budget
Meals are a big part of a vacation budget, but with a little planning and discipline, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Here are a few suggestions to help you eat well without breaking the bank: Avoid the mini-bar. No matter how hungry you are for a late night snack, there’s nothing worth the price in the mini-bar. Many hotels have in-room coffee makers and complimentary coffee. Enjoy a cup while you’re getting ready in the morning, and eliminate the money spent at a coffee shop. If you have a coffee maker, but the coffee packet isn’t complimentary, pick up a bag of coffee and filters at a nearby supermarket. Scads cheaper! Buy snacks at the supermarket and take them with you throughout the day. It’s much cheaper to pick up some fresh fruit, a bag of chips, […]
Read MoreView Classic Corvettes at the National Corvette Museum
Begin, or renew, your love of the Corvette at the National Corvette Museum, as you gaze longingly at these classic sports cars that are an important piece of Americana and automobile history. Introduced in 1953, the Corvette became a favorite, and eventually a classic, and the museum attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. Exhibits and displays change, but you can count on seeing: introductory film about the history of the Corvette, a look at retro displays outlining how the car became a classic, technical information relating to design and performance, racing, and a gift shop. You’ll be seeing lots and lots of cars! The National Corvette Museum is located at 350 Corvette Drive, in Bowling Green, Kentucky (map it), and is open daily , 8 am – 5 pm (except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New […]
Read MoreGondola Rides on Lake Merritt
While it may not be the Grand Canal in Venice, you can experience an authentic Venetian Gondola ride on Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Operating year round, Gondola Servizio offers private tours (meaning you are not thrown together with strangers) on a reservation only basis. Come as a couple for a romantic sunset rid, or put together a party of up to six for a more festive occasion. Available cruise packages include: Marco Polo: 30 minute tour, $45 for two people, additional guests $10 per person. Casanova: 55 minute tour, $75 for two people, additional guests $10 per person. Promessi Sposi: A photographers delight, and a popular choice for special occasions. Gondola Servizio will work with your photographer to create a photo-worthy event. This is a popular package for engagement and wedding photos, and family portraits. $225 for two people, […]
Read MoreBishop Museum Explain the History & Culture of Hawaii
Honolulu’s Bishop Museum offers the natural and cultural history of Hawaii’s indigenous people. Founded in 1889 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir to Kamehameha I, you’ll find artifacts and exhibits representative of all the Pacific Islands. A couple of my favorite highlights are the Science on a Sphere exhibit and the Science Adventure Center. Science on a Sphere is a 68 inch, 200 pound fiberglass sphere suspended from the ceiling. It serves as a sort of 3-D movie, displaying full color, satellite and animated images. You can watch a hurricane forming, a dust storm, violent solar storms, or any number of phenomenon occurring on our planet or in space. The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center is focused on helping visitors understand the environment of the islands. You’ll find exhibits and research on such diverse topics as volcanology, […]
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