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 […]
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Visiting 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! […]
Read MorePhiladelphia Freedom: Visiting the Liberty Bell Center
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 […]
Read MoreRoad 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 […]
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