Best Viewing Spots for Space Shuttle Discovery’s Final Flight

Space shuttle Discovery is finally ready to take its final flight on February 24th.



If you haven’t snagged tickets by now, you will not be allowed into the Kennedy Space Center. Viewing at the actual space center is reserved for VIPS, workers, and people who won a lottery to purchase tickets. The rest of us have to watch from a distance, about 7 miles away. We thought that we would go into our blog vault and share with our readers some of the best spots to view the launch. Here’s an excerpt from our 11-2-10 blog.

There is nothing quite like a space shuttle launch. People from all walks of life line the banks of the Indian River waiting in anticipation for liftoff. The countdown is at T minus one and the first puffs of white smoke appear. Then you see the glow of the engines as the shuttle lifts off from her seaside launch pad. As the shuttle climbs higher and higher you hear the roar of the engines as she thunders off to space. You strain your eyes to see the booster rockets separate and fall back to Earth. All that remains is the trail of smoke in the sky.

Living in Florida most of my life, I have seen my share of launches. Titusville, Florida is my pick for the best viewing. This small city sits on the banks of the Indian River directly across from the space center. You will be able to stand here and see the entire launch. Cocoa Beach is another popular spot, but I feel you just see more when you view a launch in Titusville.

There are plenty of free viewing areas in Titusville. You can stake out a spot anywhere along the Indian River on US 1 and are sure to see quite a show. One area is not necessarily better than the other. The city has created the following parks along US 1 that offer great views.

• Space View Park
• Rotary Riverview Park
• Kennedy Point Park
• William J Manzo Park

Bring your patience for two reasons. One – the launch may be scrubbed due to technical reasons or weather. Two - traffic will be a mess. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on a relatively small town and everyone will be leaving at the same time!

If you can’t make it to Discovery’s final flight, you will have one or maybe two more chances. Endeavour is set to take her final flight in April 2011. Atlantis may get to fly one more time in June 2011.

The Lincoln Memorial

Americans consistently list Abraham Lincoln as one of their favorite presidents. With President’s Day approaching, we thought we would take an in-depth look at the monument built in his honor - The Lincoln Memorial.

In February 1915, the first cornerstone for the Lincoln Memorial was laid. Seven years later, it was dedicated and thousands, if not millions, of visitors continue to visit each year. What draws so many to this memorial? Yes, people want to remember the man and his contributions to the country. But, the structure itself is quite impressive.

Situated at the end of the famous Reflecting Pool, visitors will need to climb 98 broad stone steps to reach the memorial’s entrance. (It’s worth it!) The memorial has the feel of a Greek temple, complete with 36 Doric columns. Each column represents one of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s untimely death. Visitors are awed as they enter the memorial - a 19 foot tall 175 ton statue of a seated Lincoln greets them. Words from Lincoln’s most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, along with his 2nd inaugural address have been inscribed on the memorial’s walls.



The memorial is run by the National Park Service. Park rangers give daily interpretative tours at the top of each hour. The tours do not only provide basic information about the memorial and the man, but plenty of fun facts and interesting trivia. If you can’t make the tours, no need to worry. The Park Service has tapped into technology and offers three interpretative programs you can listen to on your cell phone!

There is no admission to visit The Lincoln Memorial, but parking is at a premium. Let’s restate that – parking is pretty much non-existent in this part of town for tourists. You can take one of the many guided bus or trolley tours that stop here. But, we prefer to walk from the Washington Monument all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. It is a little bit of a hike, but there are plenty of other places to visit along the way, including the World War II Memorial and the moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

For more information about guided tours and interpretive talks, visit the Lincoln Memorial’s official website: www.nps.gov/linc.

Mardi Gras Begins at Universal Studios Orlando

You don’t have to visit New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Just head to Universal Studios Orlando. Universal’s Mardi Gras offers concerts by well-known entertainers, a spectacular parade filled with glittering floats, and of course, beads. And the best part of this Mardi Gras celebration – it is all included in the price of your admission ticket. The celebration starts February 12th and runs through April 23rd.

In our opinion, the concerts, held on Saturday nights, are the best part of Mardi Gras. Now, you are probably wondering if you are going to see an actual concert. You know that most concerts cost as much if not more than the price of a theme park ticket. The artists playing here do not just play a couple of songs and walk off the stage. They give you an actual concert, lasting at least an hour long. Here is a quick look at a few of this year’s performers

2/12 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
2/19 The B52’s
2/20 KC & The Sunshine Band
3/5 Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/12 Foreigner
3/26 Blake Shelton
4/16 The Beach Boys

If you can’t make it on Saturday nights, no worries. You will still get to hear great music direct from New Orleans. The park has setup a French Courtyard to host some of New Orleans’s best blues musicians. Listening to all this Cajun music will make you hungry. So, vendors will be selling delicious Cajun treats like Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Beignets.

Parades are a big part of any Mardi Gras celebration, and this celebration has one of the most spectacular parades in the country. This year’s theme revolves around Earth, Wind, and Fire. There are 12 spectacular floats (our favorite is the Riverboat Float), plenty of glitter, dancers, street performers, and stilt walkers. Kids and adults need to keep their eyes open for flying beads!

For more information about hours, concert performers, and admission prices, visit www.universalorlando.com.

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon in Charleston, SC

Charleston is steeped in history. The city, then known as Charles Town, fell into British hands on May 12, 1780. The first shots of the Civil War rang out here. The South’s only major earthquake in modern times hit here. So, there are plenty of museums and attractions you can visit to learn more about these important events. But, there is one place in Charleston where you can truly immerse yourself in the city’s history.

Charleston’s Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is a must for history buffs. The building itself is worth the price of admission. Constructed between 1768 and 1771, the Exchange has played host to some of the city’s most important events. Standing three stories tall, guests are invited to visit The Great Hall, The Provost Dungeon, and the South Carolina State DAR Room.

The Great Hall has hosted some of the city’s most momentous occasions. In 1773, citizens gathered in the hall to protest the “Tea Act.” Just a year later, the room was used to elect South Carolina’s Continental Congress delegates. In 1778, South Carolina’s delegates used the hall to ratify the United States Constitution. South Carolina was the 8th state to sign the Constitution. But, perhaps, the most prestigious guest to ever pass through the Great Hall was President George Washington. The city hosted an elaborate celebration in this very hall to honor our nation’s first president. And what an event it was!! As you walk through the hall, imagine yourself trying to catch a glimpse of the President as he enters this magnificent room.



The Provost Dungeon is great fun for kids of all ages. One, it really is a dungeon. Two, this is the only guided tour of the building. Your guide, dressed in period clothing, is assisted with the help of some animatronic friends. You will get to see the original wall of the city, learn about some of the notorious pirates who called this area home, and hear about the important role town residents played during the American Revolution.

For more information about ticket prices and hours of operation, visit their website: www.oldexchange.com