A couple hour drive west of Boston, nearly to the New York state line in Stockbridge, is the Norman Rockwell Museum.  The site was Rockwell’s home for the last 25 years of his life, and was turned into a museum housing over 700 of his paintings, drawings and studies (the largest collection in the world), along with a huge collection of personal artifacts. Rockwell is perhaps best known for his 321 Saturday Evening Post covers, with his first in 1916, “Boy with Baby Carriage.”  His inspiring “Rosie the Riveter” and “Four Freedoms” series remain lasting visual tributes to World War II, and his holiday images take us back to a kinder, gentler era. Although many art critics and historians do not consider Rockwell a “serious” artist, there can be no doubt of his immense public popularity, and he is one […]

One morning I get up and I’m on the west coast, and when I go to bed that night I’m on the east coast.  And I think nothing of it.  So it’s easy to forget that at one time cross the country wasn’t quite so easy! The Theodore Judah Monument in Sacramento (Second & L Streets), celebrates a time when we crossed the country by railroad.  Judah was the engineer responsible for creating the plan that became the Transcontinental Railroad.  So set was he on seeing this plan come to fruition that he became single-minded in his focus on this seemingly impossible project that he became known as “Crazy Judah.” If your in downtown Sacramento, take a minute and look at this monument – before you head off on that transcontinental flight!     Photo credit:  flickr _____________________________________________

Crime may not pay, but visitors will have to if they want entry into The Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Hot Springs is known for it historic downtown area, and now with the addition of the recently opened Gangster Museum, it’s edgy history from the 1920-40’s is also showcased.  After all, back in “the day” Hot Springs was a popular vacation spot for many members of the mob, including Al Capone (in mug shot above) and Lucky Luciano.  It’s said that they came for the waters, the healing powers of the area’s hot mineral baths. Inside the museum are exhibits from the town’s history, including artifacts a slot machine and a roulette wheel from the Southern Club, and dice and poker chips from other local gambling clubs. There’s also a Tommy Gun (a Thompson submachine gun), a 1928 […]

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, is an impressive French gothic cathedral with intricate sculptures, bronze doors, and over 200 stained glass windows.  It’s about the size of London’s Westminster Abbey – only in Newark, New Jersey. Following nearly 95 of planning, building, planning some more, and changing plans, the cathedral was finished in 1954.  The Cathedral was elevated to the status of a Basilica by Pope John Paul II when he visited in 1995. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located at 89 Ridge Street, in Newark, New Jersey.  In addition to the Mass schedule, the cathedral is open to the public Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 1-3 pm.  Concerts and other musical performances are offered throughout the year. Sacred Heart is the […]

Bing, bing, bing. . . the bells, whistles, and bumpers of pinballs fill the air at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, while on display is the world’s largest pinball collection. Established as a non-for-profit corporation, the museum showcases games from the 60’s to the present.  It’s pure pinball, so deposit your coin and see if you can play well enough to rack up those additional games.  The museum is family-friendly (no violent games allowed), and prices for the games are 25 cents for the classic games  and 50 cents for the post-1990 games. The Hall of Fame has 4,500 square feet of wall to wall pinball machines that, unlike many slot machines, will have cheering and laughing.  Here you can have fun — whether you win or lose.  In fact, there is no focus on making a […]

I do a lot of reading about travel, and a lot of research and planning for future vacations.  From the practical to the silly, and from the certain-to-try to the it’s-never-going-to-happen, most of it captures my attention and imagination. While most of my travel blogging here at Flyaway Cafe involves personal experiences and recommendations, occasionally I read about something that I want to share with you — even if I haven’t yet experienced it myself. As I’m reading and researching about Italy for an upcoming trip, I heard about an usual, yet special dining experience. Jail. No bread and water here, and in this case getting into jail is nearly as difficult as getting out of jail. Fortezza Medicea in Volterra, Italy is a high-security prison restaurant.  In order to get a reservation you need to plan pretty far in […]

Boasting over 300 clear nights a year, Kitt Peak National Observatory, located about an hour outside of Tucson (Arizona), offers stunning view of the night sky. Kitt Peak has the world’s largest collection of optical telescopes, 21 in all, and offers a number of viewing programs sure to get you hooked on Astronomy.  Daily observatory tours begin at 10 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm, and last approximately one hour.   You’ll get to see the telescopes from a gallery, and tour guides will provide you with information about the work going on at the observatory.  It’s an informative tour, and the only downside is that there is no telescope observation during daylight hours.  Although there is no official charge to visit the observatory, a recommended donation is $2 for adults and $1 for children.  It’s worth it! The Nightly Observing […]