Tour The Library of Congress

A vacation to Washington D.C. is filled with seeing the sites, visiting museums, and taking in some history.   The Smithsonian Museums are a must.   There’s nothing like taking your picture on the steps of the U.S. Capitol or posing next to Honest Abe at The Lincoln Memorial.    But, there are a few less touristy options you may want to consider too.    Here’s one of our favorites.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library and quite possible one of the greatest collections of knowledge known to mankind.   Now, you may be wondering how exciting touring a library could be?   We’re not talking about your local public library here.   The Library of Congress is packed full of history, literally.

Congress established the Library on April 24, 1800.  However, the entire collection of 740 volumes and 3 maps were destroyed during the War of 1812.   Thomas Jefferson came to the rescue and offered to sell Congress his collection of nearly 6,500 books.    Today, the Library has more than 650 miles of bookshelves filled with over 140+ million items.  

Guided and self-guided tours take visitors through the Library’s magnificent Thomas Jefferson Building.   The architecture alone is worth the visit – it’s the most stunning Federal Building ever built.  Stained glass ceilings, marble floors, mosaics, paintings, and sweeping staircases are a few of the highlights.     Visitors get the chance to see George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, drafts of the Declaration of Independence, The Gutenberg Bible, and the 1^st map bearing the name America.

To get the most out of your visit, we highly recommend the (free) Thomas Jefferson Building Tour.  It’s an hour-long walking tour, offered Monday thru Saturday.    Your guide will enthusiastically describe the history, architecture, and the collections available to view.   You’ll walk between the impressive marble columns while seeing some of the country’s most significant documents, look inside the famous Main Reading Room, and explore some of the Library’s special exhibits.   Then, you’ll be free to explore on your own!

 

For more details, visit www.loc.gov/visit/tours/

Looking for more vacation ideas?  Visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

One If By Land, Two If By Sea

Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride shaped the course of American history. On April 18, 1775, Revere, a silversmith, made a daring ride to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams “The British Are Coming.” That warning prompted America’s Minutemen to stand ready as the British Redcoats approached Lexington. The American Revolution began the next day.

Boston’s famed Freedom Trail is filled with historical buildings, halls, churches, and the U.S.S Constitution. But, one house stands out in particular – that of a true American patriot – The Paul Revere House. The house is the oldest building in downtown Boston, built in 1680. And it’s one of few early colony buildings still in existence. Paul Revere and his family lived here between 1770 and 1800. The two story wooden townhouse was comfortable and the perfect place for Paul and his wife Sara to raise their 5 children.

A visit to The Paul Revere House is a must for all patriots. About 90% of the structure is original. Many of the furnishings belonged to the Revere family at one time. All tours are self-guided, but docents are on hand to answer questions and test your Paul Revere trivia. There are 2 stories to explore, filled with colonial period pieces, fireplaces, and plenty of American history. In the courtyard, a 900 pound bell from the U.S.S. Constitution is displayed. The bell was just one of many pieces made by Revere and Sons.

There is a nominal charge (currently $3.50/person) to tour the home. It’s more than worth it to step inside the house of one of America’s finest patriots. For more information, hours of operations, and details on special events, visit www.paulreverehouse.org.

Looking for more vacation ideas? Visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

See Where the Civil War Began

April 12, 1861 – The Civil War began in Charleston, South Carolina. Union forces were stationed at Fort Sumter, just off the coast of Charleston. General P.G.T. Beauregard, a Confederate, was not going to allow the Union to have a stronghold in the South. At 4:30AM, Beauregard ordered his troops to let the batteries loose. More than 4,000 shells pounded the fort. The barrage was more than the Union could handle. They surrendered. It would be 4 years before the Union would reclaim the Fort.

Today’s Fort Sumter has become one of Charleston’s must-see attractions. Visitors are able to walk the grounds, explore, see 19th century artillery, and learn about Charleston’s role in the Civil War. Rangers are on hand to give guided talks about the Fort’s illustrious history. There’s an air-conditioned museum displaying Civil War artifacts and flags that have flown over the Fort.

However, the only way to reach Fort Sumter is by boat. The National Park Service does have a ferry service that takes visitors back and forth on guided tours. Not only do you get to explore the Fort, but you’ll have the opportunity to take some fantastic pictures too. The ferry passes by Charleston’s famed Battery area and the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriot’s Point. Harbor waters are generally calm, so there’s no fear of getting seasick!

The entire trip takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. You’ll get at least an hour to explore the Fort, which is plenty of time. (We recommend saving the museum for last.) The rest of the time is spent going to and from the Fort. Tours depart daily from Liberty Square at Aquarium Wharf and Patriot’s Point.

For more information and ferry schedules, visit www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm

Looking for more vacation ideas? Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

Waimea Canyon Overwhelms

Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is quite possibly the most beautiful. Kauai, the oldest of the populated island chain, is more secluded than her sister islands. The crowds tend towards Oahu and Maui, but that’s good news for you - Kauai’s scenery is absolutely spectacular. There are lush tropical valleys to explore. Waterfalls seem to cascade down each mountain side. The stunning cliffs on the Napali Coast are tailored made for photographers. Golden beaches are just waiting for sun worshippers.

Kauai’s most impressive attraction, courtesy of Mother Nature, is Waimea Canyon. Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, it’s more than 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3,000 (plus) feet deep. Formed over a period of 5 million years, volcanic activity and erosion helped create what visitors see today. And, oh what a sight it is! Lush, tropical foliage hug the reddish canyon walls. The Waimea River winds its way deep through the rugged canyon. And Waipo’o Falls thunders down a mountain side.

Visitors can explore Waimea Canyon by car, foot, or by helicopter. If you’re a huge waterfall fan, then a helicopter ride is the way to go. Otherwise, we recommend exploring by car and taking a few hikes along the 40 miles of trails.

•Waimea Canyon Drive: This is a must for every Kauai visitor. Drive this winding road to see stunning vistas and take pictures that are postcard perfect. Plenty of overlooks take you right to the canyon’s edge. Continue on the road to Koke’e State Park to see the famous Napali Coastline.

•Iliau Nature Loop: The Canyon’s easiest hike provides some of the most stunning views! A 0.3 mile easy loop will take hikers to the Western Edge of the Canyon for views of Waimea and Waialee Canyons.

•Kuikui Trail: For hikers, who want a challenge, try this 2.5 mile hike. More scenic vistas await hikers as they drop 2,000 feet down into the valley. The view from the valley floor is simply amazing. It’s easy going down, but quite challenging coming up. Make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes – the trail can get quite slippery.

Looking for more vacation ideas? Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country.

Car Lovers – It’s Time to Plan Your Dream Vacation

Car lovers – mark your calendars! It’s time to start planning that dream vacation around your passion for the automobile. Forget about visiting a car museum or watching a car race. Instead, head to a Barrett Jackson auction. You’ve seen it on SPEED Channel. You’ve probably dreamed about those shiny, restored, classic machines that cross the block.

Barrett Jackson is an auction, and so much more for the car enthusiast. The auction is great if you want to shell out thousands (or millions) for a classic ride. But, you never have to bring your checkbook to enjoy this car lover’s event. All you have to do is bring your enthusiasm for the automobile and enjoy.

The best part of this event is simple. All the cars that cross the auction block are on display for you to enjoy. Tent after tent and row after row of classic automobiles are waiting for you. There are the classics, the restored muscle cars, the one of a kind, and a few famous rides thrown in for good measure. You can walk right up to these machines, peer inside, pose for pictures, and dream about how that classic ’57 T Bird would look in your garage.

A general admission ticket gets you into the auction too. Now, you won’t be able to bid unless you register with Barrett Jackson. But, you can get swept up in all the excitement as cars roll across the block and bidders from across the world try to buy their dream car.

But, that’s not all! Ford and GM bring displays of their latest cars. We are a little biased here and absolutely love the Ford exhibit. Who wouldn’t want to slip between the wheel of a 2012 Ford Mustang GT convertible for a few moments? And there are plenty of auto product vendors selling the latest wax and wash product so you can fix up your ride.

Barrett Jackson auctions take place across the country in some of the most desirable vacation destinations. Mark your calendar and make your plans!

•Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach: April 5-7, 2012
•Barrett-Jackson Orange County: June 22-24, 2012
•Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas: September 20-22, 2012

For more details, visit www.barrett-jackson.com

Looking for more vacation ideas? Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com, for complete travel guides to destinations around the country.

The Gilded Era Lives on at Georgia’s Jekyll Island

Georgia’s Jekyll Island was once home to prominent billionaires like J.P Morgan, Frank Henry Goodyear, William Rockefeller, and Joseph Pulitzer. In 1886, these men decided to purchase the island for $125,000. For the next 50 years, Jekyll Island would serve as a winter escape for some of America’s most prominent families.

Today’s Jekyll Island is every bit as beautiful. The billionaires have moved out and on to other more exclusive areas. But, the allure of the Island remains. Stunning ocean vistas, endless miles of secluded beaches, hiking trails, and unspoiled beauty continue to beckon visitors to this barrier island.

To truly appreciate Jekyll Island, we recommend:

•Start your visit at The Jekyll Island Museum. Exhibits, photos, and collections tell the history of the Islands. Admission to the museum is free.

•Looking to take a guided tour of the island? Consider the Passport to Century Tour offered by the museum. This 90 minute tram tour takes visitors deep into the heart of the historic district. Learn about famous residents who once called the Island home and tour 2 historic cottages.

•Want to explore on your own? Head to the 260 acre Jekyll Island Historic District on Riverview Drive. You are free to walk around and explore restored homes, Indian ruins, and the famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel at your own pace.

•Stop by the Horton House. Built in 1743, it’s one of Georgia’s oldest buildings. All that remains today is ruins, but the history surrounding the house is impressive. We won’t spoil it for you – there are plenty of plaques to read and even a little walk to take.

•Head to the beach. Ten miles of unspoiled beach await sunbathers, swimmers, and nature lovers. Movie buffs enjoy strolling on Glory Beach, which was used in the 1999 film Glory. Photographers and nature lovers gather at Driftwood Beach to see Mother Nature deposit driftwood on shore.

Want more information about Jekyll Island? Visit www.jekyllisland.com/Home.aspx. You’ll find links to upcoming events, restaurants, hotels, and attractions.

Star Gazing on the Way to the Grand Canyon

Flagstaff, Arizona is a popular jumping off point to start your Grand Canyon adventure. It’s convenient to the Grand Canyon and other National Monuments. There are plenty of hotels to choose from and restaurants to enjoy. And Route 66 runs through the heart of downtown.

Armchair astronomers come for another reason – Lowell Observatory. On March 13, 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto here. Today, it’s still a working observatory. At 7,200 feet above sea level, the sky seems to come alive. Constellations are clearer and it seems as if stars are more plentiful.

Visitors to Lowell Observatory are given the chance to gaze through the Observatory’s telescopes in the hopes of finding that next celestial object. You’ll get the chance to see Jupiter, the Moon, constellations, star clusters, and (if you’re lucky) a passing comet in the night sky. Astronomers will be on hand to answer questions. And there’s a fantastic show featuring celestial images and the music of Mannheim Steamroller.

Admission tickets are good for both day and evening programs. We recommend you take advantage of it too. During the day, you’ll get to:

•View the Sun through a special Solar Telescope
•Take the Mars Tour and see the refractor Percival Lowell used to sketch the Planet Mars
•Tour research facilities, both new and old
•Visit the Pluto Discovery Telescope

Plus, there are plenty of special events scheduled throughout the year. It’s a great, entertaining way for both young and old to learn more about astronomy!

For more information, hours of operation, and admission prices, visit www.lowell.edu/visit.php