Hodge Podge

California Tourist Attractions

2013-03-22T23:53:00.000-04:00

The state of California is referred to as the “Golden State.” It is the most populous state. It is the third biggest in area next only to Alaska and Texas respectively. The capital city is Sacramento.

A. Tourist Attractions

There are a number of memorable tourist attractions found in California. Being a huge state, the choices of must-see destinations are endless. These include the following popular spots:

1. San Diego Zoo – this is one of the best, if not the best, zoos in the country. It houses some 4,000 different species of animals, some of which are rare and exotic. The area is divided into 10 bioclimatic zones.

2. Disneyland – sister company of Florida’s Disney World, it is a place where you can see all your favourite cartoon characters from Cinderella to Snow White to Mickey Mouse and so many others.

3. Hollywood – of course, the state of California is synonymous with celebrities from Hollywood. All movie and tv personalities have worked at Hollywood at one time.

4. Golden Gate Bridge is the biggest suspension bridge in the country. It was constructed in 1937. The bridge is a testament of astounding engineering feat.

5. La Brea Tar Pits is an important archaeological site located in Los Angeles. This is where a number of prehistoric animals are found. The asphalt of the soil helps fossilized these long-deceased animals. Paleontologists conduct their research and digging in the site.

6. Napa Valley is the biggest wine producing area of US. It is just 50 miles from San Francisco. Guests would love its wine tasting session where you can taste the wine for free.

7. Yosemite National Park is a natural beauty which is famous among rock climbers. The Yosemite Falls is one of the main attractions of the site. It is one of the very first wilderness parks in the US. Its area is around 1,200 sq. miles.

8. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular food destination in San Francisco due to its fresh seafood served by some of the best restaurants.

9. Alcatraz Island - This used to be a high-security prison on an island. You can visit the cells where some of the most dreaded criminals in America used to reside.

10. Monterey Bay Aquarium – this shows a collection of huge variety of marine life.

11. Sea World San Diego – also features a huge collection of marine life. Shamu, a killer whale, is its star performer that gives performances often. They also have a number of exciting rides.

12. Balboa Park in San Diego is the biggest urban park of US. It has 15 major museums, performing arts venues, amazing landscapes and gardens and a zoo. Balboa Park houses the famous Children’s Museum, Botanical Building, El Prado and the Fleet Science Center.

San Jose Travel - California

2013-01-30T11:20:00.001-05:00

The city of San Jose is the 3rd biggest city in the state of California. It ranks 10th biggest city in the entire US. San Jose California is known as the central hub of Silicon Valley.

The popular tourist attractions in San Jose are the following:

a. Museums

1. The San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) - SJMA offers free admission to the public. It displays excellent works of art particularly modern artworks. It is situated in the Silicon Valley. This museum has displays of artistic excellence.

2. San Jose Museum of Quilt & Textile - a museum established in 1977 by Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association. in 1977. The goal of the museum is to advance the use of quilts and textiles in arts and crafts.

3. Tech Museum of Innovation - the museum supports technological creations by ordinary people. It stresses the importance of technology in man's life. It features the internet and the human body. It holds an annual competition for student innovative designs called the Tech Challenge. They also hand out the Tech Museum Awards which recognize people who advances the cause of technology to benefit humans.

4. Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose - the museum focuses on children and families. They provide educational programs for children. They intend to develop the child's latent talent and skills.

5. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum - This has the biggest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America.

b. Winchester Mystery House - The Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian-inspired house known for its grandeur and oddity. The mystery as to why the house is eerily odd remains unsolved. You can see staircase leading to nowhere. Or, a staircase that descends for 7 steps and then rises for 11.
A number of people surmised that Mrs. Winchester wanted to befriend the “good spirits” and lose the “bad” ones. The house at one had 500 to 600 rooms but the constant renovations made to it reduced the number to 160 rooms.

c. Raging Waters - this is the largest waterpark in Northern California. It has an area of 23 acres with various family rides and recreational facilities fit for families.

d. Happy Hallow Park and Zoo - this is a park that provides recreational fun in an eco friendly atmosphere.

e. Mexican Heritage Plaza - this is a cultural arts facility that provides gardens, theaters, art gallery and as a venue for art performances.

In the city of San Jose, being the hub of Silicon Valley, you will experience how technology interacts with tradition. The various technological marvels you will see at this place is tempered by its preservation of tradition. The city is a place like no other.

Attractions in Costa Rica

2013-01-30T11:20:00.000-05:00

From pristine beaches to wonderful national parks, there are plenty of tourist attractions in Costa Rica. Every year, over two million visitors from different parts of the world come here for vacationing, which makes it the best tourist stop in the Central America. Eco-tourism is one of the major attractions in this country.

Canopy Tours All over the place, there is a rich diversity of stunning natural life, which the tourists can explore from a bridge, tower, tram, or a zip-line. The Canopy is home to a wide array of plants, monkeys, and birds. In particular, the panoramic postcard views of volcanoes, mountains, and beaches are simply exhilarating to watch from bridges or towers. If you want to fly over the landscape like superheroes, you can consider zip-line canopy tours.

Museums Museums are also some top tourist attractions. Besides historical museums, there are numerous art and nature museums across the country. Located in an old Civil War fort, the National museum features contemporary exhibits, Spanish religious artworks, and other ancient artifacts from the native cultures.

Likewise, you can also explore a large collection of American jade in the Jade Museum, which is located in San José. Besides that, the museum houses exhibitions of artworks made of gold, stone, and bone from Mayan and pre-Columbian cultures.

Volcanoes Millions of visitors come to Costa Rica every year just to experience the exhilarating view of volcanoes. The country is home to over 100 volcanic structures. One of the most active volcanoes is located in the Arenal National Park. That is why it is also commonly referred to as Arenal Volcano. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Costa Rica. The park is located in the north of San Juan. Other popular volcanoes include Miravalles, Tenorio, and Cacao.

Beaches During your visit, you just cannot afford to miss exploring the countless beaches. There are several fun beaches, such as Playa Grande, Playa Tamarindo, Corcovado, and many others. The dark sands of the Corcovado beach make it highly exotic. The Corcovado beach is also popular for boating trips. At Playa Grande, it is great fun to see leatherback turtles making their way to the water after laying their eggs. November and December are the best months for surfing at Jaco and Playa Tamarindo. You can catch the biggest waves on these beaches during these two months. Montezuma on the Nicoya peninsula is also one of the popular tourist attractions in Costa Rica.

Other attractions include Cano Island and Biological Reserve and national parks. There are several national parks in Costa Rica that include Corcovado National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuguero National Park, and Arenal National Park.

Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest but the most popular park. Fishing, hiking, rafting, canopy tours, scuba diving, and surfing are some of the best vacationing activities, which you can enjoy during your trips to the various tourist attractions.

Fairbanks Alaska

2013-01-30T11:19:00.001-05:00

Fairbanks AK is the biggest city in Interior Alaska. This is the second biggest state next only to Anchorage. The city is only 125 miles south from the Arctic Circle. Of the 97,970 population in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, a fifth or 20 percent of the population is made up of military personnel.

A. Tourist Attractions

Every summer around 325,000 tourists flock to Fairbanks AK. The sled dog racing is one of the biggest tourist draws to the place. The old frontier charm of Fairbanks is another. You can still see gold mining camps in the area.

1. Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge – is one the landmarks in Fairbanks. It is a 1,800 acre bird sanctuary. It has forests, wetlands, fields and a farm which used to be owned by Charlie Creamer hence the name. Creamer was a dairy farmer who feed migrating birds with waste grains. After he died, the farm became a sanctuary by the state.

2. El Dorado Gold Mine – is a gold mine that draws tourists to Fox near Fairbanks. It was a functioning mine in the early 1900s, the El Dorado was later transformed into an informational mine and a tour place with train tours a number of times everyday from May to September. It is owned and operated by Alaska Riverways Inc.

3. Fairbanks Curling Club - is a non-profit organization run by volunteers that offers recreational facilities for curlers. Curling is a sport where players slide stones on a sheet of ice to a targeted place. The club helps promote the sport and offer fun to families in the Fairbanks Community.

4. Georgeson Botanical Garden – is a botanical garden inside the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The garden is utilized for research and display. Public viewing is allowed during the day from May to September. It houses more than a 1,000 of trees, shrubs and perennials every year such as Alaska native plants and plants from Russia, China and Iceland. The garden was named after Charles Christian Georgeson, a USDA Special Agent in Charge of Alaska Investigations in 1899.

5. Gold Dredge No. 8 or Goldstream Dredge No. 8 - is a ladder dredge that is declared in 1986 as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It has a 4.5 miles track that produced 7.5 million ounces of gold. In summer, the dredge is open for tours and gold panning.

6. Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station – this is a facility used for research. The main subjects are colonies of muskoxen, reindeer, and caribou. The researchers study the nutritional, physiological and behavioral aspects of the animals. Visitors can join a summer tour and talk to the guides.

7. Pioneer Park – is a 44-acre (109-ha) city park in Fairbanks. Its former name was Alaskaland. The park houses several museums and recreational facilities. It is open the entire year.

8. Sternwheel Riverboats – the Riverboat Discovery operates these boats. They can provide a tour on the Chena and Tanana Rivers on these boats.

9. University of Alaska Museum of the North – located in Fairbanks campus. The museum aims to acquire and analyze specimens that relate to Alaska’s heritage and the Circumpolar North. They do research and public exhibits.
July's Golden Days Parade – this is a multi-day festival that honors the history of the city of Fairbank. The overriding themes for the parade are "goldrush", "Alaskan pioneers", and "early Fairbanks history" (founded in 1901).

City of Fresno Travel - California

2013-01-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

The city of Fresno is located in San Joaquin Valley California. This was the agricultural hub of California due to its fertile soil ideal for vegetables and fruits. The tourism industry is a growing sector of the city. Its superb attractions and yearly festivities offer tourists great reasons to come back over and over again.

Fresno, with its temperate climate, provides a number of fun outdoor activities for the guests. It has a number of parks, museums and other recreational facilities.

A. Tourist Attractions

1. The Woodward Park – this is located in Northern Fresno. It provides a 10 acre park for biking.

2. The Sierra Nevada Mountains – this is another outdoor destination that is excellent for trekking and hiking.
Sequoia National Forest, Wonder Valley Ranch and Resort, and Huntington Lake – these three destinations have one thing in common which is horseback riding. Enjoy touring those places while riding a horse.

3. Kings River and San Joaquin River Parkway – do not only provide scenic views but they are also great venues for kayaking and white water rafting.

4. The Brighton Crest and Copper River Country have golf courses that provide perfect view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

5. Blackbeard's Family Fun Center – this has 3 miniature golf courses for little children. Kids can also indulge in water slides and a game of basketball.

6. Wild Water Adventure Park – is a 52 acre water park that provides thrilling rides. The park also has facilities for little children such as the Rotary Storyland and Playland.

7. Millerton Lake State Recreation area and Pine Flat Lake – these are great venues for boating and having family picnics.

8. Hume Lake and Woodward Park/Jensen Sports Complex – are great places to do some hunting and fishing.

The African American Cultural and Historical Museum and the American Historical Society of Germans are all found in the city of Fresno, California. They display various artworks and artifacts about the history of early settlers in Fresno.

San Jose Costa Rica Travel

2013-01-29T21:01:00.001-05:00

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. It serves political, commercial and cultural center of the country. San Jose Costa Rica is where the guests will make a short stop before proceeding to the rest of the countryside.

A. Tourists Attractions

Touring the city before you visit the other places is a great idea. This will allow you to make maximum use of your time. Traveling from San Jose and visiting its various attractions on your way to your desired destination will make full use of your travel time.

The place has various types of accommodations that can fit any budget. It is known for its amazing cuisine, affordable and upscale restaurants, exciting nightlife, shopping destinations and unbeatable recreational facilities such as parks, theaters, art galleries and museums.

The city is known for various beautiful spots that the guests should see:

1. Instituto Nacional de Seguros houses the famous Jade Museum or Museo de Jade which boasts of the biggest collection of jade in Americas. It also displays archaeological findings particularly ceramics and stonework during the pre-Columbian era.

2. Museo Oro Precolombino (Gold Museum) has some 1,600 gold artifacts dating to as early as 500 AD to 1500 AD.

3. National Museum or Museo Nacional is located in the old Bellavista Army Barracks. The bullet holes that bore a hole through the south wall serves as a grim remembrance when the country was embroiled in an internal civil strife in 1948.

The museum has an excellent division reserve for archaeology. In the history section you will find a vivid account of the total eradication of indigenous people.

4. National Theater is the most fascinating building in the entire city. The architectural design is simply impressive. Marble combined with glasswork, frescoes and murals make it a truly stunning structure. Performances are held in this theater frequently which will further enthrall the visitors.

5. Other popular theaters in the city are : The Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theater of Costa Rica), the Cathedral and the Melico Salazar Theatre. These theaters provide various cultural presentations such as concerts, stage drama, operas that show the old and new cultures of Costa Rica.

6. Central Market – this is a popular shopping destination in the city. The marketplace provides a glimpse of the daily life of the people in Costa Rica. All kinds of goods and even live animals such as turkeys are peddled here.

7. Poas Volcano which is an active volcano with a dense forest in the middle crater is one of the most sought after tourist destination in the country.

8. The Insect Museum located in the Universidad de Costa Rica houses some of the biggest collections of rare and exotic insects.

9. Lankester Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden that houses different varieties of plants and flowers.

10. Pueblo Antigo is a theme park that is perfect for family fun.

San Jose Costa Rica is an exciting destination that offers the best of Costa Rica - amazing museums, fine dining, great recreational facilities. Its temperate climate all year round makes the place even more enticing.

Long Beach Travel

2012-08-06T22:13:00.000-04:00

The city of Long Beach is located between two popular cities in California – Los Angeles and Orange County. It has a population of almost 500,000 residents. It is the sixth largest city in California and ranks 39th in the US. It is the maritime center in US. The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port of the country.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions in the city of Long Beach:

1. Aquarium of the Pacific – this aquarium is devoted to the preservation of the biggest ocean - Pacific Ocean. It houses more than 11,000 animals. It has three galleries that showcase the different regions of the pacific. It also has a Shark Lagoon and an Explorer's Cove. You can arrange special animal interaction and behind the scene tours for an additional fee.

2. Shoreline Village - this is a village on the waterfront. All kinds of shops operate in this place. You can eat at your favorite ice cream parlor. Shop to your heart's content in this unique village by the sea.

3. Belmont Store - another popular shopping center where you will see various local shops in this place. You can go there by bus.

4. Retro Row - is another shopping destination in the city of Long Beach. As the name implies, vintage stuffs are sold here such as furnishings.

5. Long Beach Antique and Collectible Market - more than 800 dealers offer a broad choice of antiques, collectible items every third Sunday of the month. This is awarded as one of the Top Ten Flea Markets in US.

6. Rubber Duck Tours - this provides tour to the city in an amphibious tour vehicle that can travel on land and on water.

7. The Queen Mary - this is a restored World War II troopship. It took its final voyage in 1967. Soldiers used to live on this historical ship. For those who are curious of the supernatural, some people reported of ghost sightings inside the ship.

8. Blair Field - your children can indulge in a game of baseball in this field. The Long Beach Armada which is a semi-professional baseball team holds coaching lessons there. They also provide exciting games and entertainment between the games.

9. The East Village Arts District - this is a popular cultural district that provides art walks, First Fridays street fair and art galleries.

10. Museum of Latin American Art - this displays contemporary artworks and cultural pieces from Latin America.

11. Naples Gondola Ride - you can have a romantic gondola ride with your loved one here. Beautiful houses along hidden canals provide the perfect view. You can cruise from mid-day to midnight. Most men who intend to propose choose the time when the sun is about to set. The stunning view provides a fitting backdrop for marriage proposals. Women are inclined to accept the proposal with an acceptance rate at almost 100%.

The waterfront community of the city of Long Beach provides tourists with a great opportunity to unwind at the same time enjoy the romance in the scenery. If you are looking for romantic venues coupled with fun and adventure then this is the place to be.

San Francisco Travel

2012-07-25T11:50:00.000-04:00

The city of San Francisco is the fourth biggest in terms of population in the state of California. It has around 815,358 residents.

A. Tourist Attractions

San Francisco offers a plethora of tourist spots to its guests. These include the following:

1. The Golden Gate – this bridge is known for its engineering feat. This is the first suspension bridge ever made. It links the Marin County and San Francisco city.

2. The San Francisco cable car system - is the only transportation listed on the National Register of Historic Places for being the world's last manually manually operated cable car system. This is an iconic structure in the city of San Francisco.

3. Fisherman's Wharf: another icon in San Francisco. It has several restaurants, shops and museums such as Treasure Island Museum, City of San Francisco Museum and 'Ripley's Believe It or Not' museum. The Underwater World is another attraction in the Fisherman’s wharf with 700, 000 gallons of water.

4. Chinatown: shops of all varieties are located in this town. This is a known shopping destination of the city. Some of the sites you will see include Kong Chow Temple and the Fortune Cookie Factory.

5. Alcatraz Island: this is another historical landmark of the city of San Francisco. It used to be a maximum security prison but is converted into part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Tours are provided to this place. You have to ride a ferry to get to the island.

6. The Gold Rush Trail – is an outdoor museum that is filled with historical artifacts.

7. The Society of California Pioneers – is another attraction. It is a public library. It provide exhibits of the history of San Francisco and entire state of California.

8. The Museum of the City of San Francisco - is a place that offers exhibits on the history of San Francisco such as the Gold Rush, the massive earthquake of 1906, and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

9. Lombard Street – referred to as 'The Crookedest Street in the World.' It has a natural incline of 27 degrees which make it too steep for cars to drive on. But in the 1920s eight curves were added to the incline to make more manageable for cars. Cars are allowed to drive here at 8km/h speed only. Pedestrians are only allowed to walk on the steps.

10. California Academy of Sciences – this is a cultural venue that houses the Morrison Planetarium and Steinhart Aquarium. It has African Hall that contains realistic copies of animals in Africa.

11. Nob Hill – considered as the most elite place in the city of San Francisco. It provides a superb view of the entire city. The Cable Car Museum which exhibits the 121 years of cable cars history is near the Nob Hill.

12. Lafayette Park – perhaps the most stunning garden in the entire city. It is filled with eucaplyptus trees.

The city of San Francisco is a famous international destination known for its Victorian and modern architecture and its popular landmarks.

City of Oakland Travel - California

2012-07-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

City of Oakland is situated in the state of California. It is eight biggest city in California and the 41st biggest city in terms of population in the entire US. It has a total of 446,901 residents in the place. It is the hub city of the East Bay area.

Tourist Attractions

These are the various tourist attractions you can find in Oakland:

1. Chabot Space and Science Center - is a science center with interactive exhibits, a full dome digital planetarium, a 70-foot large screen theatre with several shows being shown, hands-on simulated space mission activities and three powerful telescopes.

2. Children's Fairyland - this was the very first theme park in the United States. It was built in 1950 by the Oakland Lake Merritt Breakfast Club. It has an area of 10 acres. It houses the Open Storybook Puppet Theater, which holds the distinction of the oldest theater with continuous operations theater in the United States.

3. Chinatown - this is a multicultural neighborhood featuring the Asian culture. The Chinese were the first Asians to migrate to Oakland back in the 1850s.

4. Dunsmuir House - is a well-known recreational facility in the city of Oakland. It sits on a 50-acre land. It is on the list of US National Register of Historic Places.

5. Fox Oakland Theatre - this is a 2,800-seat movie theater. It is included in the list of US National Register of Historic Places. It reopened to the public on February 5, 2009.

6. Jack London Square - this is a famous tourist site which is named after author Jack Landon. The square contains restaurants, stores, hotels, ferry dock, historic places, train station and other recreational facilities.

7. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - home of baseball’s Oakland Athletics, and the Oakland Raiders of the NFL.

8. Lake Merritt, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oldest wildlife/bird sanctuary in North America, Lake Merritt Garden Center, Bonsai Garden

9. Oakland Aviation Museum
10. Oakland Museum of California
11. Oracle Arena, directly adjacent to the Oakland Coliseum, home to the Golden State Warriors of the NBA
12. Paramount Theatre
13. Pardee Home
14. Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Museum of History and Culture
15. Preservation Park
16. USS Potomac, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht
17. Oakland Zoo

Chandler Travel

2012-06-10T18:02:00.001-04:00

Chandler is a city situated in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. This place is a prominent suburb of Phoenix Arizona. It has an estimated population of 240,595 residents.

Chandler’s central location makes it very accessible for East Valley exploration and to the neighboring city of Phoenix. A number of attractions are located in Chandler while others are a short distance away.

There are 300 sunny days in Chandler each year which means longer time for the outdoors. The days are warm and comfortable especially at nights.

A. Tourist Attractions

Grand Canyon – Chandler travel will not be complete if you do not visit the famed Grand Canyon. This is a landmark destination in the entire state of Arizona. Chandler is only a few miles from it.

Historic Downtown Chandler – this area is filled with various shops and recreational activities.

The Arizona Railway Museum – this museum exhibits restored train cars from various time periods in the country’s rail history. It displays original rail company china and glass, rail cars used in movie sets, rail cars and others.

Ostrich Festival – Chandler has an ongoing age-old tradition of farming, breeding and raising ostrich. This is a festival held at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler in keeping with the tradition. It features everything about Ostrich such as Ostrich races, interactive games, parade, entertainment, food, and arts and crafts. The festival is held every year during March.

Chandler Jazz Festival - This is a yearly Jazz festival in Downtown Chandler that features different famous jazz performers. There is no fee for admission.

The Chandler Center for the Arts – this is the main advocate of the arts in greater Chandler area. The facility is shared with the Chandler School District. The Chandler Center for the Arts offers local, national and international performances.

Chandler Fashion Center Mall – this mall is just a few feet from Historic Downtown Chandler. It has more than 180 shops and restaurants. It houses the Dancing Waters which is the biggest water fountain in a U.S. shopping center.

Firebird International Raceway - Firebird has an area of 440 acres. The place focuses totally on motor sports. The facility holds the NHRA Winston Drag Racing national event, IHBA Drag Boat Racing, and four test courses including a CART-certified East Course, home of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and ProFormance Driving Events.

The Vision Gallery - a nonprofit for fine arts located in Chandler’s Historic Downtown displaying artworks created by more than 300 local and national artists. It also offers Vision Kids, an arts educational program for children in the East Valley.

USA Skateland Chandler has solid wood skate floors, state of the art lighting and sound systems, areas for concession and birthday celebrations, rental skates and roller blades, huge game rooms and various novelty shops.
Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western and Native American Art – this gallery houses more than 1,500 pieces of art in different mediums such as watercolors, oil paintings, wood-turned bowls, basketry, pottery, Kachinas and jewelry.

B. Things to Do

Since Chandler is close to the mountains, you can camp, hike, rock climb, sail and even ski regularly.

Shopping is one activity that you can indulge in. You can also sample the local’s sumptuous cuisine.

Every first Wednesday of the month, local artists would have art exhibits for viewing and selling purposes. This weekly activity is called Chandler Art Walk and it features all kinds of arts and crafts from jewelries to paintings.
Golf is another activity you can do. The Bear Creek Course designed by Jack Nicklaus is a good place to unwind. Another one that has a good golf course is the Hotel San Marcos.

A skate park is also provided. Most teens hang out in this place. It has an area of 35,000 feet. You can do skateboarding or line skating here.

The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving teaches student racers how to drive like a professional race car driver.

Atlanta Travel – Enjoying the Sights

2012-06-10T18:01:00.001-04:00

Atlanta travel requires that you visit the capital city of Georgia, United States. This is also the most populous city of Georgia with a population pegged at 540,922 in 2009. Atlanta is a business hub.

Popular Destinations

Atlanta is considered as one of the ‘Places of a Lifetime’ in 2009. The city is filled with trees of all kinds from Southern pines to oaks to dogwoods. Its splendid architecture and high rise buildings will surely enthrall you.

Atlanta ranks fifth in the most number of foreign visitors in the entire United States. Its main attractions include the world’s biggest indoor aquarium, Georgia Aquarium. It was opened to the public in November 23, 2005. If you want to visit the Georgia Aquarium, you need to purchase the tickets online.

Another popular tourist destination in Atlanta is the new World of Coca-Cola which opened to the public in May 2007. This tourist attraction features the history of Coca Cola and you can also taste the various Coca-Cola products distributed worldwide.

Another popular tourist destination is the Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta is a historic shopping district which is found under the streets.

Atlantic Station is an urban renewal project located on Midtown Atlanta. It was opened to the public in October 2005.

George Dome offers a unique guided tour to various places in the complex. You can view exclusive places reserve to the elite. Tickets only cost $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for the kids.

Atlanta History Center caters to various exhibits. The themes are diverse and broad. They have visiting, temporary exhibits as well as permanent ones. The permanent exhibits include American Civil War, Bobby Jones which features the golf history and many others.

Another interesting place to visit is the CNN Atlanta Tour. This is the main headquarter of the famous news site. The guided tour lasts for 50 minutes only. You will actually get to see a live news broadcast. This is a fun place for children to visit.

Boston Travel

2012-06-05T15:00:00.001-04:00

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England. This melting pot is famed for its stunning, historic sites and great cuisine.

A. Weather

The best time to visit Boston will be from late May to September each year when the weather is cool and sunny. If it becomes too hot, you can always head to the nearest beach.

B. Accommodations

There are a number of beautiful and affordable accommodations in Boston depending on your budgets.

If you like comfort and convenience you can go to the upper boutique hotels found in various spots. If you are on a tight budget, there are inexpensive hostels and bed and breakfasts all over the place.

C. Tourist Attractions
1. West of Boston Downtown – the Back Bay

The Back Bay is located in the West of downtown Boston. This place is famous for its boutique hotels. In Newbury Street which is south of tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue boulevard is where you can indulge in al fresco wining and dining. The galleries and shopping are very enticing to tourist. A walking distance from Newbury is the Copley Square where you will see the Trinity Church filled with fresco and Boston Public Library. You can see the entire Boston if you climb its highest structure – John Hancock Tower. On the southwest of Back Bay you can visit Fenway Park, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Museum of Fine Arts.
2. Boston Common and Downtown

Boston Common is located right in the middle of downtown Boston and Back Bay. It is 50-acre Park reputed to be the oldest park in the entire United States. , It serves as the entrance to the historic Boston’s

3. Freedom Trail.

The Frog Pond is where ice skaters troop to during winter. The Public Garden and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace are must-see places. You will find some of the freshest and most sumptuous clam chowder, lobster rolls and Boston cream pie in Boston. On the north part you can find the State House and the wealthy neighbourhood known as Beacon Hill. On the south part is located the Chinatown and Theater.

4. North End

Located in the North of downtown you will find the North End, the oldest neighborhoods of Boston. Situated in this historic site is the waterfront, café culture and preRevolutionary spots. Its numerous Italian residents, cafes and restaurants earned it the moniker ”Little Italy.” Hanover and Salem streets are particularly known for their homemade ravioli and sweet cannoli pastries. The Freedom Trail in the North End of the Freedom Trail is where you can find Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. In the Charles River is where you will see the oldest commissioned warship afloat, theUSS Constitution.

5. Financial District and Waterfront

On the Eastern part of downtown Boston is the Financial District. Boston hotels lined up in the Inner Harbor give you a great view of the Boston Harbor Walk. This is where you can find the famous New England Aquarium, known for its marine life, research and conservation, and the Boston Children’s Museum. Boston Harbour Islands National Park is also within walking distance where you will see the wildlife and a number of plant life. You can take a ride to Boston Logan International Airport through the airport water shuttle.

6. Cambridge

In Cambridge, across the Charles River, is where you will see the oldest university in the country- Harvard University. Another famous institution is the MIT or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Luxury boutique hotels lined the streets of Harvard Square. Street performers occupy the Harvard Square every night to offer you free entertainment.

D. Things to Do

1. Duck Tour

You tour the city by land and water. The guide will drive you through town and offer insightful information about the place.

2. Whale Watching

Most operators assure you that you will see whales in the waters of Boston. If not, you will get a free ticket so you can come back.

3. Stroll in the Faneuil Hall

The old, historic marketplace which was the place where politicians and colonists gathered back in the old days now serves as a great background for shopping and a taste of the local’s food and for buying souvenir items.

4. Ride the Swan Boats

You can ride the boats in the waters in Boston Public Garden considered as the first botanical garden in the US. The garden is located in Boston Common. These swan-shaped vessels take you to the Public Garden Lagoon where you can view flowering scenery and open-air sculptures.

5. Shopping in Newbury Street

This is the best shopping district in Boston. If you love shopping or just browsing through the latest in fashion, this is the place to be.
6. Ice-skating on the Frog Pond Skating Rink

During winter the Frog Pond is a popular destination for skaters. The venue is available every mid-November to mid-March.

7. Sea kayaking in the Harbor

Take ecofriendly kayaking tour from Grape Island around the Boston Harbor Islands with experienced park rangers.

8. City cycle tours

You can do an urban cycle tour. They have bikes@night tour with Boston sunset and harbor views from Black Falcon Pier, ending in the lively North End, just in time for a post-cycle cocktail.

9. Basketball at TD Garden

Watch Boston Celtics basketball team play against rivals at the TD Garden arena, in downtown Boston near the North End.

10. Freedom Trail Walk

Walk the two-and-a-half mile Freedom Trail of the historic Boston’s Revolutionary War. The tour starts at Boston Common then to the Bunker Hill Monument, then on to the U.S. Navy’s oldest warship, the USS Constitution, in Charlestown's Navy Yard.

E. Dining at the North End

If you want to experience sumptuous Italian cuisine then you should visit the north end of Boston where the biggest Italian neighbourhood is situated. This place boasts a number of restaurants that provide great dining experience.

Costa Rica Travel

2012-06-02T21:27:00.001-04:00

Costa Rica literally means “Rich Coast”. With Costa Rica travel expect to see diverse topography, marine and animal life. The place is mostly sunny the year round so you have plenty of opportunities to visit and explore the country.
A. Weather

The best time to travel to Costa Rica is from December to April when the weather is perfect and sunny all day. Rainy days are from May to November. The downside with sunny days is most hotels are fully booked. It will be best to book ahead of time.

B. Tourist Attractions

Costa Rica has three natural divisions. These are the Pacific Coast, Central Valley and Caribbean Coast. Each of these places offers something unique and wonderful to the discerning traveller. No wonder Costa Rica is considered one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. It is best to start at the Caribbean side then proceed to see the volcano in the Central Valley and finally, tour the Pacific Coast.

In the Caribbean Coast you will see huge banana plantations. A short distance from the international harbour in Limon is the quaint little village in Caribbean called Puerto Viejo. This place is known for its Coral Reel where you can take snorkelling tours to see its abundant marine life. You will also get to visit the Indians Bri-Bri tribes and get a taste of their artisanal chocolate. You can then proceed to another village called Cahuita where the famous National Parks are situated.

Another place to visit is the beaches in Manzanillo. You can then proceed to Tortuguero, an island in the northern part of the coast where you can turtle watching is a famous activity.
After seeing the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, you travel to the middle part which is the Central Valley. This part is known for its active, picturesque volcanoes. Volcano Poas, Irazu and Arenal are just a few of the volcanoes in the area.

There are a number of hotels located in this area. If you go to the village of El Castillo in the National Park, you will have the perfect view of the volcanoes. You can hire agencies in the town of La Fortuna that can help you arrange tours near the volcano. You can trek on the side of National Park and see the diverse wildlife thriving in the place. If you want to rejuvenate, a dip in the hot springs or thermal waters would help. For the adventurous souls, river rafting is one activity you can indulge in the Central Valley.

Of course, your Costa Rica travel will not be complete if you do not visit the Pacific side of the country. From La Fortuna, you can proceed to the province of Guanacaste where the Peninsula of Nicoya is situated. This is the best place to indulge in various water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing or just simply watch the sunset by the beach.

You can visit another National Park in Marino Ballena which is known for its whale watching activity. The best place to visit in the Pacific Coast is the National Park of Corcovado which is at the south part of the country. This is a “must-see” place in Costa Rica. You will be able to do arranged tours to the park and see the numerous and various preserved wildlife there.

C. Things to Do

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica. These include the following:

Trekking: You can trek the side of volcanoes in National Parks to see its abundant wildlife.

Canopy Tours: Strap yourself on a zip line and go over tree tops in Monteverde.

Surfing: The most famous place to surf is in Salsa Brave near the Caribbean.

White water rafting: Another famous activity for the adventurous soul. You can do this at Turrialba. You can enter this spot through Ríos Reventazón and Pacuare.

River kayaking: This is another great activity for the thrill-seekers. The best place to do this is in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

Snorkelling: The Nicoya peninsula offers one of the best places to do this.

Scuba diving: Visit the popular dive spots in the northern part of Nicoya peninsula to get a great view of the rich marine life of the area.

Anchorage Travel

2012-06-02T21:26:00.001-04:00

Anchorage Alaska is one travel destination that you should see. Anchorage has four seasons. Summer months of June, July and August are the warm and best months for Anchorage travel.

A. Tourist Attractions

Alaska Native Heritage Center – the center provides five permanent outdoor village exhibit featuring Anchorage tradition. Inside the center, a short film about Native cultures is shown. Performances are also held daily such as singing, dancing and others.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art- this is located adjacent to the heritage center. It houses more than 20,000 pieces of artifacts during the Archaic period.

Alaska Zoo- this is another great and famous attraction in Anchorage. The zoo features a number of animals that inhabit Alaska such as the popular polar bear, Arctic fox, musk ox, bison, lynx and reindeer.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation – is another place that features wildlife.

Chugach National Park – this place is great for hiking. You may come across some unexpected visitors at times though such as the wolves and bears.

Prince William Sound - This place allows you ample view of Alaskan fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. You can kayak, sail, or cruise through the water so you can get a good view of various wildlife such as seals and whales.
Other places to see during your Anchorage travel include:

Elmendorf State Hatchery, Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, H20asis Water Park in the southeast of Anchorage

B. Things to Do

Anchorage travel offers a number of unique, enjoyable activities including Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, sled dog tours and snowmobile. Other outdoors activities that do not require snow include fishing, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sail boarding, sailing and other motorized water sports. You can also do camping. If sports is your thing, you can indulge in a play of baseball, basketball and hockey.

For the adventurous soul, you can glide up on the air with a float plane. You can see the entirety of Anchorage and the glaciers with a plane ride. Annual festivities and activities held in Anchorage include the following:

Annual Anchorage Folk Festival is held every January.

Ski for Women – is held every February.

The Great Alaska Shootout - an NCAA Division I tournament that features participants from various colleges and universities from all over US.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – this dog race begins at Anchorage. Guests can join the pre-race festivities and watch the dogs journey through across the frozen tundra.

Ice Carving competition – participants create the most original ice sculpture in front of a live audience.

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous festival is another activity that is unique to Alaska. It is held every February.

Sitka Summer Music Festival- is an annual music festival every September held at Alaska Pacific University campus.

Anchorage travel enables you to see the beautiful outdoors and enviable wildlife in their natural setting. You can travel even with a tight budget because Anchorage offers a number of accommodations that will surely suit your budget.

State of Alabama Travel

2012-06-01T06:16:00.001-04:00

The state of Alabama is also referred to as "The Heart of Dixie." This is because the state is an important part of southern heritage. Tradition co-exists seamlessly with the state-of-the-art technology in the place.

A. Tourist Attractions in Alabama

1. Ave Maria Grotto located in Cullman- this 4 acre park is also called "Jerusalem in Miniature." This was built by a Benedictine monk named Brother Joseph Zoetti. It houses 125 miniature reproductions of famous shrines and historical structures all over the world.

2. The “Peanut city” of Dothan. Most of the state’s peanuts are grown here. They have a yearly Peanut Festival in November.

3. Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile – this is where the battleship USS Alabama and USS Drum are displayed. It also exhibits various tanks and airplanes.

4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home – this is a 65-acre garden estate that provides tours and river cruises. They are famous for its rose garden.

5. Birmingham Museum of Art – the biggest museum in the entire state with an art collection of more than 21,000 pieces.

6. Old Alabama Town in Montgomery has 40 restored buildings including a tavern and a drug store. The structures are all from the 1800s. There are some restored residences also. Most of the restored homes have slave's quarters and kitchens outside the house.

7. DeSoto Caverns Park – the biggest cave found in the state of Alabama. It stands 12 stories high and as large as a football field. Several recreational facilities are provided outside the cave. Oprah included the cavern in her list of Wacky Family Attraction.

8. Russell Cave in Bridgeport is where a prehistoric man more than 10,000 years old was discovered.

9. Early Works Museum Complex - This is a complex of three history museums.

10. International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum – it contains various pieces pertaining to motorsports. One display is the Budweiser rocket car which was the first automobile to ever break the speed of sound. The Talladega Super Speedway, a venue for motorsport racing, is located here.

11. Noccalulua Falls Park – this is a 250-acre public park with various recreational facilities.

12. Dauphin Island – another must see place in Alabama. It has pristine beaches and a Dauphin Island Sea Lab that showcases marine life.

13. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – this is the biggest golf course ever made with 400 holes all over the state of Alabama.

14. US Space & Rocket Center – it has the biggest collection of pieces from space and various rockets.
The state of Alabama plays a key role in the South. Its amazing tourist attractions and the numerous recreational facilities along with its historical significance makes this state truly distinctive and unique.

Birmingham Travel

2012-05-31T18:25:00.002-04:00

Birmingham is the biggest city in the state of Alabama. The Birmingham Metropolitan Area has a population of 1,212,848 in 2009 Census.

The city is popular not just because of its enviable weather but due to the low cost of living too. It ranked eighth in the most affordable housing market in the entire US.

The weather of the city is very conducive to travelling as it is mostly sunny. The temperature is not prone to extremes. This helps ensure that you will surely enjoy your stay.

A. Tourist Attractions

1. Birmingham Museum of Art – is the largest museum in the city of Birmingham. It houses 21,000 pieces of art.

2. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – which contains a narrative about Birmingham’s history in the US Civil Rights Movement.

Other museums that talk about the place’s history are: museums include the Southern Museum of Flight, Bessemer Hall of History, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Alabama Museum of Health Sciences, and the Arlington Home.

3. Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame – is another landmark in the city of Birmingham that houses exhibits pertaining to the various jazz musicians from Alabama.

4. The McWane Science Center is a museum that provides science exhibits.

5. Vulcan Park has the world’s biggest cast iron of Vulcan.

6. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens has an area of 67 acres (270,000 m²) showing various plant varieties.

7. The Birmingham Zoo is a huge zoo that houses over 700 animals and an interactive zoo for kids.
DeSoto Caverns Park situated at Southeast of Birmingham. It provides guided tours on the biggest cave of entire Alabama as high as 12 stories and as wide as a football field. The park has various recreational facilities for family outside the cave.

8. Alabama Adventure Theme Park (used to be Visionland) is a popular amusement park with two sections: Splash Beach Water Park and Magic Adventure Theme Park,. The theme park provides 25 distinctive thrill rides.

9. The Summit is a high end lifestyle facility that houses different stores and restaurants located in Southeast Birmingham.

10. Aldridge Botanical Gardens provides a good place to hike and stroll for the tourists.

B. Things to Do

1. Cultural Festivals – various cultural festivals are held in the city of Birmingham each year. The festivals feature several themes such as music festival, films, books and publishers and regional heritage.

2. Some festivals in the city include: Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a musical festival called Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival, an arts festival known as Southern Heritage Festival and an annual music festival called The Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil.

3. Motorsports are very famous in the city of Birmingham and the entire state. Recreational fishing is another favourite activity among tourists and locals alike. The place is dubbed as the "Bass Capital of the World." A number of fishing tournaments are held in the city.

4. Cycling is another popular sport in the area. They have an annual cycling race event in Oak Mountain State Park.

The city of Birmingham is steeped in culture and history. It boasts a number of amenities that locals and tourists get to enjoy. Its temperate climate and affordable living standards make it one of the best places to live in the US.

Goodyear Travel

2012-05-31T17:06:00.002-04:00

Goodyear is located in the county of Maricopa, Arizona. The name Goodyear is derived from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company that made a 16,000 acre tract of land in 1917. The purpose of the land purchase was to grow cotton to be used for tire threads. Goodyear was made into a town in November 1946 and become a city in 1985.

A. Tourist Attractions

Luke Air Force Base Air show – Every two years, Luke Air Force Base will provide a number of aerial presentations, aircraft displays and attractions. They will do the air show this 2011.

Country Parks

Estrella Mountain Regional Park has an approximate 20,000 acres mostly desert. It has 8 mixed use 33 mile trails for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking purposes. It has the only grassy picnic area in the country. It also provides a 9.5 mile track for competition, two baseball fields, campgrounds and a huge are for horse staging. It has a golf course and a professional rodeo arena.

Another country park situated in Goodyear Arizona is the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. It has an area of 30,000 acres. It contains huge campgrounds, eleven trails and a competitive track that is 10 mile wide. The trail that attracts the most visitors is the one-mile Waterfall Trail.

The Bible Museum is another must-see place in Goodyear travel. It has the biggest collection of antique bibles dating as far back as the 16th and 17 centuries. One of the oldest bibles is the 900 year old Hebrew scroll on a giant sheepskin.

The West Valley Arts Council provides various performances in all Arts disciplines presented at different venues in the West Valley.

Aesthetics

For aesthetics tours, you can avail of massages from two spa services – Lavender’s Day Spa and Red Door Spa. They provide other services too aside from massage such as laser, hydrotherapy, facials and hair care.

Aquarium and Zoo

The Wildlife World Zoo is north of Goodyear. It houses the biggest collection of animals in entire Arizona boasting a total of 2,400 different animals; 400 of which are endangered species.

The first aquarium in Arizona is also found in the zoo.

An unused harness racing/trotting track 40-year old building is located south of Interstate near Cotton Lane. This structure is owned by RV Park and is not available to the public.

B. Things to Do

Watch movies at the park, family concerts, dry heat comedy nights, Performing Arts presentations and Pops Symphony Concert.

For sports lovers, a spring training in baseball is one activity you should not miss. You can also join Heart and Sole which is an annual run or walk competition for fun. They also feature Star-Spangled Fourth which commemorates the birth of America. Halloween brings you the Field of Screams which require family participation.

Skateboarding events are also available. Shopping is another activity you can do with the various arts and crafts produced by the locals and the fresh fruits and vegetables they sell.

Goodyear travel is one must-do activity that will surely bring warm feelings to you and family.

Avondale Travel

2012-05-31T15:35:00.001-04:00

Avondale is located in the Maricopa County, Arizona. It has around 81,299 residents in 2008 Census. Avondale’s total land area is 41.3 square miles or 107 sq. km. It is just 15 minutes commute to metro Phoenix.

Avondale Arizona has 8 inches of rain each year. Avondale enjoys 291 sunny days each year, making it the perfect place for travel. It does not snow in the place. The highest temperature usually occurs in July at 107 F and the lowest during January at 36 F.

A. Tourist Destinations

Avondale is most popular for its auto racing facility called the Phoenix International Raceway. This is where the Bashas' Supermarkets, the Checker Auto Parts, and the Subway Fresh 500 races are all held. This is most certainly a NASCAR racing destination. The famous races bring in a lot of tourists and race enthusiasts each year to Avondale.

The Cotton Fields Quilt and Knit is one great place for crafts and arts. Various quilts and knitted products are produced here.

Avondale Community Center is another interesting place to visit. It is the place for recreation of the community. Various activities for children are held there to keep them busy after school. They also hold the annual Christmas pageants in this center.

Avondale Waterfront provides a great view of the rivers. The Agua Fria and Gila Rivers meet at the Avondale. You can take a luxurious walk along the streets to watch the gleaming waters below.

Avondale also features the biggest indoor sports complex in US – American Sports Center which hosts various events such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and others.

Tres Rios Recreation Corridor and Maricopa County's Estrella Mountain Regional Park are great places for nature lovers where they can do hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and trail running activities.

Other notable structures in the place include the Westview High School, La Joya Community High School, and Agua Fria High School. A number of famous people have graduated from the local schools. Randall McDaniel, for instance, is a great NFL player who went to Agua Fria High School.

B. Things to Do

Avondale travel will not be complete if you do not watch the two NASCAR races held each year. Education and arts are two of the most important facets of life in Avondale. If you are not into studying or doing art works you can enjoy the sumptuous cuisine offered in the place.

Wildlife watching is another activity that you can do. Avondale after all is nestled at the base of Estrella Mountains.

Avondale has annual festivals also. Visitors often flock to this place to witness these festivals. Recreation facilities are also provided so you can indulge in your favourite sport such as basketball court and baseball fields.

Avondale is just five miles away from the Arizona Cardinals' University of Phoenix Stadium. There are baseball facilities for local spring training provided for those who want to participate in the training.

Soccer fanatics would love the local and regional soccer tournaments at Friendship and Festival Fields Parks.

You can play golf to your heart’s content at Coldwater Golf Club.

Avondale travel offers a relaxing and rejuvenating place that welcomes the weary soul. For the adventurous, the annual races are a welcome distraction from the daily hassles. Or, you can just indulge in nature trips to melt all stresses away.

North Pole Travel

2012-05-31T15:30:00.001-04:00

North Pole is the famed residence of Santa Claus. The actual North Pole travel may prove to be a real challenge for humans to visit (most travel operators offer ship cruises only) but there is another North Pole address that you can go to. It is in North Pole, Alaska which is just 1700 miles south of the actual North Pole.

The distinctively named small town is located just 12 miles south of Fairbanks. To continue the Christmas theme which is closely associated to the place’s name, the city government ask shop owners to adorn Christmas decors and maintain the Christmas ambiance.

A. Tourist Attractions

North Pole travel in Alaska offers, as expected, Christmas all year-round. This place housed the World’s biggest Santa Claus. The structure towers above its 48 feet height and 33 feet width. The Kris Kringle is located right next to the Santa Clause House. These are the most famous attractions of the place.

The Santa Claus House resembles Santa’s toy factory. You can also see a replica of the North Pole on the left side of Santa’s house. You can see murals on the outer part of the building. Prancer, one of Santa’s reindeer, is one of the attractions of the place. During Christmas, you can order a letter made by Santa at the Santa Claus House.

Another tourist spot that you can include in North Pole travel is the Christian TV and Radio Station called KJNP which is short for King Jesus North Pole. They provide tours within the station.

Another place to see is the Chena River Flood Control Project by the Corps of Engineers. This spot is located two miles south of North Pole. They also provide tours to tourists during summer time.

B. Things to Do

Outdoor sports abound during your North Pole travel. Dog sled ride is a popular activity in North Pole. Depending on the season when you visit, you can fish, sail, kayak or canoe. You can ski in the Chena Lakes during winter or ride in snowmobile. In summertime, the place is used for swimming or sailing. They charged a very small entrance fee to guests.

Accommodations

North Pole, Alaska has a hotel with 71 rooms called North Pole Hotel. Other accommodation options include Beaver Lake Resort and Jolly Acres Motel. There are also some bed and breakfasts operating in the place.

You can avail of Christmas package for North Pole travel where you can stay in the place for a day or two alone or with a group.
North Pole travel certainly does not disappoint the thousands of Christmas fanatics worldwide.

Phoenix Travel

2012-05-31T14:12:00.004-04:00

The majestic city of Phoenix is aptly called “The Valley of the Sun.” It is the largest city in the state of Arizona and the ninth largest throughout the entire US. Phoenix travel is largely influenced by the Sonoran Desert near-perfect weather which consists of an average 300 sunny days each year. This is one of the reasons why Phoenix is one of the premier destinations in Arizona.

A. Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do in Phoenix. You can shop, hike, climb, eat at fine dining restaurants, golf, play baseball or just simply laze under the sun.

There are a plethora of tours and excursions available. You can ride in a hot-air balloon. Or, go horseback riding or go touring by boat or jeep. You can also do rock climbing, canyoneering and tubing down the Salt River. Tubing is when you rent tubes and float in the river.

B. Tourist Attractions

Phoenix major attractions include museums, amusement parks, water parks, architecture and malls. Phoenix attractions include its numerous parks and more than 200 golf courses. The must-see destinations in Phoenix include:

1. Arizona Capitol Museum – This museum was finished in 1901. The Capitol has a copper dome given by the copper industry operating in the state at that time. The capitol no longer functions as a statehouse. It has been turned into a museum. The antique building is preserved in the process.

2. Historic Heritage Square - this square has eight restored houses as old as the time of Phoenix’s first settlement. The Victorian "Rosson House" was built in the 1800s. The "Duplex" is how the usual house in Arizona houses look like. The "Bouvier-Teeter House" represents the bungalow design of Midwestern.

3. Pueblo Grande Museum – the museum is situated in the actual place where the Hohokam village once stood. The Hohokam people lived in central and southern Arizona from 100 to 1450 AD. The museum houses various artifacts that represent the Hohokams. The museum sits on a 102-acre park.

4. The Hall of Flame Fire Museum and National Firefighting Hall of Heroes – the museum exhibits various collections pertaining to firefighting. It contains the biggest collection of firefighting equipment from as early as 1725. The Hall of Flame honors firefighters who have shown exemplary actions.

5. The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular landmarks in the US. Tours are available daily. You will be able to visit it even if you have not made reservations ahead.

6. Arizona Science Center – is one exciting place for kids. It provides various helpful information to children visitors. Kids can view the Titanic, the human body and science exhibits. Kids can also take part in different scientific experiments.

7. The Phoenix Zoo – the zoo is a privately operated zoo and supports a number of wildlife.

Phoenix travel provides a traveler a number of fun options. True to its name, the city of Phoenix continues to reinvent itself and defies odds. When you go to Phoenix there is no shortage of excitement and thrill.

Juneau Travel

2012-05-30T15:19:00.003-04:00

Juneau is the capital city of Alaska. It has a population of 30,000 residents. The city is bigger than Rhode Island or Delaware. Juneau travel means you visit the two different sections of the city - the "Downtown", and "The Valley". The Valley is where you can find the Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Mall, a skate park and most residences. The two divisions are only 15 minutes from each other.

This place is both the wettest and warmest part of Alaska. During winter the temperatures are milder compared to the rest of Alaska. Precipitation is also very high during the year. Juneau has an average of more than 50 inches (1,270 mm) of precipitation per year.

A. Tourist Attractions for Juneau Travel

1. Alaska State Museum - provides exhibits on the history and culture of the state.

2. Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church – a unique small octagonal church which was built in 1893 by the Tlingits. This is southeast Alaska’s oldest church. It is still operating to this day.

3. Alaska State Capitol – the state’s capitol which was opened to the public in 1931. It houses the State Legislature, the Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor. They have a 30-minute tour everyday from mid-May to mid-September.

4. Mendenhall Glacier – this is a huge glacier about 1.5 mile wide glacier situated 13 miles north of downtown Juneau. There is a visitor’s center near the place that provides helpful information.If you hike in the East Glacier trail, you will see a forest. From August to September, black bears with their cubs will visit Steep Creek to catch some red salmon. Some areas will be closed to allow the bears to roam freely and to protect the visitors. However, they do provide a viewing platform that enables you to watch the bears.

5. Mendenhall Glacier West Glacier Trail - if you want real adventure, then visit the West Glacier trail which brings you to the glacier. Stay away from crevasses. Guides usually walk people there so just follow their leads.

6. Mount Roberts Tramway – this is a tram that travels from the docks in downtown Juneau up to Mount Roberts. This mountain peak provides a great view of the entire city. Once you reach the top, the Mount Roberts Nature Center will greet you. It has hiking trails and a captive eagle.

7. Alaskan Brewing Company Brewery Tour - you can do a tour to the place and have free tasting of the beer too.
Shrine of St Therese – is a Catholic retreat center run by the Diocese of Juneau. The retreat has a small stone chapel on a small island linked by a causeway to the mainland. This is a very beautiful spot. Weddings are often held here.

8. Chapel By The Lake- this log cabin chapel is more than 60 year old. What makes it truly interesting is the unhampered view of Auke Lake and Mendenhall Glacier through its window.

B. What to Do

Helicopter rides from the city to Mendenhall Glacier is one popular activity during Juneau travel. This will provide you a great view of the entire city and the glaciers. Floatplane tours are also available. If you travel with a group, you can charter a small plane tour.

Other popular activities in Juneau include charter fishing, hiking, shopping, skating, kayaking, whale watching and flight seeing. There are more than 90 hiking trails in Juneau. Most of them are very steep so great care needs to be exercised at all times. You can indulge in skiing and snowmobiling too. The wonderful environment, scenic nature and great wildlife truly makes Juneau travel one amazing and thrilling experience for visitors.

United States Travel

2012-05-30T14:06:00.005-04:00

United States travel is definitely one experience you should not miss. The United States has 50 different states. This means 50 distinctive travel destinations to choose from.

US is probably the most popular tourist destination in the world - and for good reason. The sheer size of the country provides you with plenty of opportunities to visit exciting and unique destinations. It also means a myriad of fun and adventurous activities awaiting just for you.

So where to begin?

That is probably the most difficult question to address. With the US being the third largest country in the world in terms of land area pegged at 3.79 million square miles and population at 308 million people, it will really be hard to decide which state to visit first.

Basically, the choice will depend to a large extent on which state you are most curious about or interested in. For instance, most people would answer Florida's Disneyworld, Californa's Holloywood or New York City. But then, it will be hard to ignore the rest of the country as each state offers various fabulous and amazing attractions that would surely entice any traveler.

If you are clueless where to go, perhaps a great way to start United States travel is to visit its most popular destinations.

Top Tourist Attractions in the United States

These are the top tourist destinations in the United States in 2010 according to Forbes.com. The list is according to popularity with No. 1 spot being the most popular and most visited place for tourists:

1. Times Square, New York City, NY - an approximate 2,000 tourists flock to this street every 15 minutes, making it at the top of 'must-see' list in United States travel.

2. The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada - the Strip attracted 31 million visitors in 2010.

3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. - enticed more than 20 million visitors.

4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA - 20 million visitors trooped to this historic marketplace that used to be the meeting place of politicians in the past.

5. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL - 17.1 million people visited the place in 2010.

6. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA - it garnered 15 million visitors in 2010 upping the total number of visitors since it opened to 515 million people.

7. Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA - the Golden Gate sees 14.3 million visitors per year.

8. Niagara Falls, N. Y. - this tourist spot draws at least 12 million people each year to the area.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn./N.C. - the protected trails of this national park attracts 10 million hikers, bird watchers and drivers every year.

10. Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - this used to be a campus and a military training facility in the past. Now this landmark entices 8.6 million visitors each year to the shores of Lake Michigan.
Other notable tourist destinations in Forbes Top 25 destinations in United States travel include the following:

11. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Ariz./Nev.
12. Universal Studios Orlando/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, FL
13. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, FL
14. San Antonio River Walk, Texas
15. Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT
16. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn./N.J.
17. Universal Studios,Hollywood, CA
18. Metropolitan Museum, New York, N.Y.
19. Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
20. Grand Canyon, AZ
21. Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Bay, FL
22. Cape Cod National Seashore, MA
23. SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, CA
24. American Museum of Natural History, NY
25. Atlantic City Boardwalk, New Jersey

The list of attractive sites and destinations in USA is endless. If you are keen on getting to know the different attractions offered in each state please browse the rest of the entries in this site. United States travel is one guaranteed unforgettable experience in a lifetime!

New York City Travel

2012-05-30T14:01:00.005-04:00

New York City, the Big Apple, is perhaps the most popular city in the world. It is also considered a prime tourist destination. New York City travel is truly an exciting adventure for travelers.

A. Weather

New York City experiences four seasons each year. It is usually hot and humid during summer from June to September. In autumn from September to December, the climate is cool and dry. Winter from December to March can be icy cold and comes the rainy season in spring from March to June each year.

B. Tourist Attractions

New York City travel will not be complete if you will not visit its numerous enticing destinations:

1. Central Park – is probably the most famous park in the world. This park is the location for some of Hollywood’s films and tv series. It is located in the center of Manhattan. It opened to the public in 1857. It has an area of 843 acres or 341 hectares. This is the most visited urban park in the entire US accounting for 25 million visitors each year. This is one of the tourists’ must-see places in New York.

2. The Statue of Liberty - This iconic statue was a gift from the country of France to US as a reminder for their alliance during the American Revolution. Its towering height of 305 feet makes the structure stand out as you near Ellis Island. This was opened to the public on October 28, 1886. You can take a guided tour inside the statue. Or, you can climb its 354 steps. You can take a ferry to the statue. The ferry boat leaves every half hour.

3. Ground Zero – The historic significance of Ground Zero cannot be questioned. This is where the downed Twin Towers or World Trade Center used to stand. In the aftermath of 9/11 attack, Ground Zero was created to commemorate that tragic event. It has a memorial and tribute center which serve as a chilling reminder of the numerous lives that perished that day.

4. The Empire State Building - This is probably the most iconic skyscraper in the world. The building towers at 436 feet. This structure was made famous in the blockbuster movie King Kong. The building was designed in the 1930’s. Tourists are provided observation decks in the 86th and 102nd floors.

5. Rockefeller Center is located in Midtown Manhattan. It provides a number of attractions particularly the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios. Tourists can use the observatory on the 70th floor aptly called Top of the Rock. The observatory is 850 feet above the ground and allows you an unobstructed panoramic view of New York city.

6. Brooklyn Bridge – This is an engineering feat that connects the New York City boroughs and Brooklyn. This is a National Historic Landmark. It spans 1,595.5 feet or 486.3 miles. It was opened to the public in 1883. This is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US and the first steel-wire suspension bridge ever created.

7. Times Square – This major intersection serves as the venue for the famous annual ball drop every New Year’s Eve in New York. Broadway theatres dominate the place as well as large animated neon and LED signs along the streets. In Times Square, the building owners are required by zoning ordinances to put up illuminated signs.

8. The Grand Central Terminal – this building located in midtown Manhattan provides more than just train tracks. It also houses a number of shops and restaurants.

Other notable destinations in New York City:

Ellis Island, The Museum of Modern Art, the United Nations Building and the Guggenheim Museum.
New York City travel provides tourists a number of beautiful spots and iconic structures. New York has zoos, museums, zoos, gardens, theaters, shopping districts and gastronomically satisfying cuisines.

Jacksonville Travel

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Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city in the state of Florida when it comes to land area and population. It has the highest population in Florida with more than 1,313,228 residents.

A. Weather

Jacksonville Florida has 226 sunny days each year. During winter, the temperature is still quite mild. Winter temperature is similar to the spring or autumn weather in colder places. Jacksonville is colder though compared to other parts of Florida.
Hurricanes that come to Jacksonville might scare some people but it is not something to be alarmed of. There is always a weather advisory issued a day or two before hurricanes strike.

B. Tourist Attraction

Jacksonville has many faces. It is not just a progressive city complete with buildings and other structures. Its natural beauty is also incomparable. It is a city surrounded by lush semi-tropical forest, pine forest, mineral springs and beaches.

1. Jacksonville Landing - The Landing is dining and shopping destination by the riverfront. You can visit the place by riding a River Taxi in the Southbank Riverwalk.

2. Jacksonville Riverwalks – This is comprised of The Northbank Riverwalk and the Southbank Riverwalk. Northbank Riverwalk is 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long starting from Berkman Plaza to St. Johns to I-95 at the Fuller Warren Bridge while the Southbank Riverwalk is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) starting in the Radisson Hotel to Museum Circle.

3. Museum of Science & History or MOSH – This is located in Jacksonville's Southbank Riverwalk. This is the only planetarium in Jacksonville. Its main exhibit changes every quarter. It features a comprehensive exhibit on the Northeast Florida history. It houses three floors of nature and local history exhibits, a science area and the Alexander Brest Planetarium.

4. St. Johns River Park or Friendship Park – Right next to the Museum Circle is St. Johns River Park, also called the Friendship Park. It is where the famed landmark Friendship Fountain is situated. The fountain was made in 1965 and was considered as the “World’s Tallest and Largest” fountain at that time.

5. Jacksonville Maritime Museum - This museum is on the east side of the Friendship Fountain. The museum houses ship models, artifacts dated 1562, paintings and photographs.

6. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - This facility is now known as Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA Jacksonville). This was opened in 2003 next to the Main Library. It has an area of 60,000 square foot or 6,000 sq. miles. The museum provides various permanent and traveling exhibits of arts created after the modernist period.

7. Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens – This museum showcases a huge collection of European and American paintings, and a collection of early Meissen porcelain. It has 3 acres of picturesque English and Italian style gardens.

8. The Karpeles Manuscript Library has the world’s biggest private collection of original manuscripts & documents.

9. The Catherine Street Fire Station building is part of the National Register of Historic Places. It features the Jacksonville Fire Museum and exhibits more than 500 artifacts such as an 1806 hand pumper.

10. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has the second biggest animal collection in the state. It features a huge variety of animals such as reptiles.

11. Shipwreck Island is a waterpark located in Duval County. It was opened in 1995. It provides different rides every few years so passholders will come back.

12. Adventure Landing is an amusement park situated in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach in Duval County.

C. Things to Do

The continuous sunny days and great climate allow you to enjoy various sports and recreational activities such as biking, hiking, surfing, kayaking, fishing, or swimming. You can do outdoors activities for most part of the year. This is what is so great with Jacksonville travel.Jacksonville has various beaches that allow you to do water sports such as scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing, sailing and snorkelling.

Golfing is a popular activity in Jacksonville. It boasts of several golf courses. The city has a number of state parks and city parks which make it truly an enticing and distinctive place. Tourists can also frequent the shopping malls which are conveniently situated along the beach. You can indulge in your favorite activities such as shopping and swimming.

Orlando Florida Travel

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Orlando is perhaps one of the best known places to travel in the world. Orlando travel is synonymous with fun, excitement and, of course, magic. Its most popular destination is Disney World but there is more to Orlando than the theme parks and rides.

A. Weather

Weather in Orlando is, fortunately, mild and balmy. You can visit Orlando any time of the year and still enjoy its numerous, beautiful spots. Rain may pour at times and goes on for days but it cannot dampen the excitement that will await you at Orlando. Most parkts however provide indoor and outdoor activities for the guests.

The mild winters make the place great for retirement. It can be hot during summer time. Rain can provide a necessary relief. Do watch out for the hurricane season which is from June 1 through November 30.

B. Major Tourist Destinations

1. The Walt Disney World Resort also known as Disney World

As expected, Orlando travel will not be complete if you do not visit this ‘place to be’. Disney World is the world’s largest recreational resort. It has an area of 30,080-acre or 47.00 sq mi; 121.7 sq. km. It has four theme parks, two water parks, 23 hotels, one campground, two health spas and numerous other entertainment venues. Famous destinations within Disney World are Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios.

2. Sea World

This is located in downtown Orlando. It housed diverse and abundant marine life and other animals. It has restaurants and other entertainment activities too.

This marine adventure park has an area of 200 acres. You can walk through a shark tunnel and see the various marine lives inhabiting the place. They also have water rides and roller coasters. You can even arrange special packages where you can swim with dolphins and other marine lives or have dinner with the whales.

3. Universal Studios

Watch real tv and movie sets in this place. It features various Hollywood blockbuster films and tv shows. Ride in roller coasters and other rides are also provided here. You can shop and watch movies inside this movie complex. If you want some adventure you can visit The Islands of Adventures where you can enjoy coaster riders, Spiderman simulator and other similar activities.

4. Other Interesting Places to Visit

Orlando Science Center, Orlando Magic Basketball games (between November and April), Aquatica Water Park, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, Wet 'n Wild, Cypress Gardens, Central Florida Zoo, Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island, Fun Spot Action Park, Busch Gardens, Silver Springs, Orange Tree Golf Club, Wonderworks and Lake Eola Park.

If you want to buy souvenir items or just love to shop, you can head on to Orlando’s known shopping areas. The Florida Mall which is located near International Drive is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the place. It houses at least 150 shops. It also offers a number of great restaurants.

C. Where to Stay

There is no shortage of places to stay in Orlando. Due to its millions of visitors each year, a number of hotels are found in the area. You can stay in the hotels inside Disney World or choose those outside the recreational resort.

Hotels in all price ranges are available. If you have the budget, you can stay in luxury hotels. Expensive hotels are usually located in the premier districts such as in the downtown and near the attractions. If money is tight, you can avail of budget hotels too during your Orlando travel.