All posts by Jackson

Seattle WA

Museum Of Flight

Leave a comment

There are quite a few museums focused on flight, but only a small handful of really great aircraft museums; the Museum of Flight falls into the category of magnificent. With over 150 aircraft in its collection, this museum has a little bit of everything. Their numerous collections include World War I era fighters, World War II era fighters, historically significant aircraft and artifacts, and a grand gallery that will leave you in awe.

Some of the other exhibit highlights allow you to climb into an F/A-18 Hornet or SR-71 Blackbird cockpits, or take an inside tour of a Concorde, a 787 Dreamliner, or walk in the footsteps of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon in the first ever presidential jet plane (Air Force One).

There is also an entire building devoted to space travel, which includes the 122 foot long Space Shuttle Trainer used for training every shuttle crew over three decades, the trainer is signed by the last group of space shuttle astronauts (STS-135), which used this simulator prior to the program being discontinued in 2011. While the shuttle bay area is open for viewing any time, you can also tour the cockpit and living areas for an extra fee during certain days of the week.

For a bit of extra history, the museum also showcases the original ‘Red Barn’, which was Boeing’s first manufacturing plant. Built in 1909, this section of the museum houses rare artifacts and a re-creation of the inner workings of the factory, highlighting the building of some of America’s first aircraft.

The museum sits on the grounds of King County Airport / Boeing Field, just 10 minutes South of Seattle or 10 minutes North of SEA/TAC and includes it’s own ‘control tower’ view of active aircraft flying in and out of the area. If you are going to be in Seattle for a few days, check out the museum website, they have free admission and extended hours on specific days.

If you love aircraft, are interested in the history of flight, or just like museums, this spot has an SAS Score of 5!

Nashville TN

Bluebird Cafe

Leave a comment

This iconic venue has launched many country singer and songwriting careers since it opened in the early 80s. Still popular with its songwriter ‘in the round’ performances and ‘open mic’ nights, the close and intimate setting is a great place to catch some of tomorrow’s stars in the making, along with many of Nashville’s finest songwriters. With two shows nightly, it’s easy to find the time to visit the Bluebird if you have an evening free. Not familiar with the setting? It’s regularly featured on the television show “Nashville”, was a key part of the movie “The Thing Called Love”, and again is where more than a few big names got their start. Garth Brooks has a great tale of being discovered there and through his fellow songwriters, found more than a few number one hits to record. More recently, now one of Forbes most powerful women in the world, Taylor Swift was getting her start on the bluebird stage. Located 15 minutes south of downtown Nashville, if you like country music or simply want to see some of the best songwriters in action, make it a point to get out to the Bluebird.

SAS: 4

Bay Lake FL, Orlando FL

Downtown Disney Orlando

Leave a comment

In Orlando and want to grab a bit of the Disney experience, but don’t have the time to take in a park? You might want to visit Downtown Disney, located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando. Yes, it is touristy, but there are a ton of things to see, do, and eat. From fast food to high end meals, all done in Disney style. If you have a free evening, you can grab a show at the Cirque du Soleil Theatre, listen to some music at the House of Blues, or grab a bite at Planet Hollywood, T-Rex, or Wolfgang Puck’s. There is also a bowling alley, a 24 screen movie theater, the Disney Quest Interactive Theme Park, and much more to take in. Along with numerous Disney specialty stores that offer candies, artwork, collectibles, and the usual array of standard souvenirs, there is also a Lego store with numerous giant Disney figures made from the bricks (now including Star Wars). The evenings are typically filled with multiple musical acts along the walkways, which along with entry and parking are free.

SAS Score: 4

Dearborn MI, Detroit MI

Henry Ford Museum

Leave a comment

Just outside Detroit sits one of my favorite museums in the U.S. – The Henry Ford Museum has a little bit of everything and I always find something new and exciting with every visit. So I would think it obvious, if you are into cars, you can find a few here. From an original Model-T to new concept vehicles. Race cars, record setting cars, luxury cars, family cars, military vehicles, and then some. More into planes? There are plenty of those too! Trains? A whole room full – and when I say room, I mean ROOM. Sized to fit a 600 ton Allegheny Steam Engine – one of the largest locomotives ever built, along with several other trains, coaches, cabooses, and trolleys. More into history? How about taking a seat on the bus that played an important role in the civil rights movement? In fact you can board and sit in the same spot where Rosa Parks helped changed history back in 1955. Want to see the rocking chair from Ford’s theatre on which Abraham Lincoln was seated when he was struck by the assassin’s bullet? It’s there. George Washington’s bed and camp chest from the Revolutionary War? It’s there too. And this is does not begin to touch on the many areas and items on display at the Henry Ford Museum. Agriculture, popular culture, industrial machines, electric power generation through the ages, numerous Presidential vehicles (including the infamous Lincoln in which President Kennedy was shot will riding through Dallas), and an entire ‘village’ of historical buildings (Wright Brother’s bicycle shop, Edison’s Menlo Park Labs, Noah Webster’s home) that have been moved and/or re-built on site. So, all that in hand – you’ll want to grab as much time here as you can. An hour is awesome, but a day is even better.

The museum is about 20 minutes outside downtown Detroit, 40 minutes from Ann Arbor.

SAS Score: 5

Norfolk VA, Virginia Beach

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Leave a comment

Just outside Virginia Beach sits the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. Government. This is also one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the United States. Completed in 1792, this original lighthouse provided guidance for ships navigating to ports on the Chesapeake Bay through the 1880s, at which time, because of some concerns about the age and settling of the lighthouse, a replacement was built just 350 away. Today a visit to the top of the first lighthouse is free of charge and provides a great view of passing ships, which on any given day may include aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and other military ships heading out from the Norfolk Navy Base (the world’s largest naval station). There is a nominal fee to climb the lighthouse, but not to visit the site.

Since you are there – Just down from the Cape Henry Lighthouse is the site of the first landing of the first permanent English settlers. Thirteen years before the pilgrims, these settlers set up the Jamestown colony. The site is now marked with a cross and stone monument.

Note: The lighthouses both sit on an active military base and require you to provide an ID (drivers license, passport) to enter. It’s 10 minutes from Virginia Beach and about 30 minutes from downtown Norfolk.

SAS: 3

Denver CO

Money Museum at the Federal Reserve

Leave a comment

Odds are, if you have spent any time in downtown Denver, you have strolled along the 16th avenue Mall. About midway down the 16th, you’ll find the Federal Reserve Bank, a branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve District. The primary focus is on history of money and although it’s called a museum, it’s really only a couple of rooms with an office building feel. There are a few interesting artifacts, including different denomination historical bills, including a $10,000 note, some counterfeit cash, a glass vault holding $30M in stacks of one hundred dollar bills, and some highlights of the security features being implemented in the latest currency. On your way out you even get a handful of shredded money to take with you as a souvenir. The museum is free and no reservation is required, but it is only open until 4:30, so if you are downtown on business, this is a good spot to check out over lunch or if your meetings wrap up early in the afternoon.

SAS Score: 3

Niagara Falls NY, Toronto Ontario

Niagara Falls Canada

Leave a comment

Much like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls cannot be truly understood until it’s witnessed firsthand. Before seeing the falls and literally feeling their power, I thought I had at least some idea of what the area had in store for me. Pictures, videos, even discussions with others, could not provide one-tenth of the overwhelming grandeur that is Niagara Falls.

Depending on where you are, and the documentation you are carrying (ie. Passport), you may only be able to see one side of the falls. Thus, I’ve broken Niagara Falls into separate U.S. and Canada entries. If you can see both sides, do so, they are completely different experiences.

Purely from a waterfall perspective, Canada has, in my opinion, a more scenic view of the falls. Looking across the Niagara River, the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls make a perfect backdrop for any picture. You can walk right up to the edge of Horseshoe Falls to get the sensation of exactly how much water (over 600,000 gallons per second in the summer) is rushing over the edge. Below the falls there is a platform to allow you to stand next to the falls and tunnels that will allow you to go behind the curtain of water (for a price), but this is a bit less ‘exciting’ than the American side.

From the Canadian side, you will also experience less nature based and more tourist type attractions. Perched along the cliffs are plenty of carnival type attractions – Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Wax museums, mystery houses, golf and games, haunted houses, movies, etc. There is a large Casino for adult fun and games and for some food with a view, the Skylon Tower sits almost 800 feet above the falls.

Both the U.S. and Canadian sides have the famous ‘Maids of the Mist’ boat tours. Although, the Canadian side does not offer the same viewing platform which provides a very nice view of the Horseshoe Falls. If you have time, do it!

From Toronto, it’s about 90 minutes to the Falls (but the good thing is, most of the attractions are open late and the falls are just as spectacular at night!). If you are doing business in Buffalo, you are only 30 minutes away – assuming you have a passport, which is required to cross into Canada.

And depending on the amount of time you have coming into Niagara Falls from Toronto, Hamilton, or Mississauga, you might consider taking the Niagara Parkway. It’s a bit slower than the QEW, but the scenery is well worth the side trip.

SAS Score: 5

 

Buffalo NY, Niagara Falls NY

Niagara Falls USA

Leave a comment

Much like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls cannot be truly understood until it’s witnessed firsthand. Before seeing the falls and literally feeling their power, I thought I had at least some idea of what the area had in store for me. Pictures, videos, even discussions with others, could not provide one-tenth of the overwhelming grandeur that is Niagara Falls.

Depending on where you are, and the documentation you are carrying (ie. Passport), you may only be able to see one side of the falls. Thus, I’ve broken Niagara Falls into separate U.S. and Canada entries. If you can see both sides, do so, they are completely different experiences.

Purely from a waterfall perspective, the U.S. side isn’t as picturesque, but offers several benefits that the Canadian side cannot. First, the U.S. side is a State Park, so there is a more natural feel to your visit. You can walk across bridges to several islands and right down to the river above the falls watching the cascading water heading towards each of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. Second, the Cave of the Winds, allows you to stroll along the river on wooden walkways and right up and under Bridal Veil Falls. Prepare to be soaked if you take on this little adventure (poncho and sandals are included in the price of admission, so you’ll be ok if you aren’t headed back to a meeting right afterwards). Lastly, in the many times I’ve been to both sides of the falls, the U.S. has been (or seemed) much less crowded. This might just be timing or luck or both, but it’s been my experience.

Both the U.S. and Canadian sides have the famous ‘Maids of the Mist’ boat tours. Although, the Canadian side does not offer the same viewing platform which provides a very nice view of the Horseshoe Falls. If you have time, do it!

From Buffalo, you are only about 30 minutes from downtown to the Falls; from Rochester, you are a little over 90 minutes (but the park stays open late during the summer – check the web for times). If you are doing business in Toronto, you are only 90 minutes away as well – assuming you have a passport, which is required to cross into the U.S.

SAS Score: 5

Cincinnati OH

Mount Adams

Leave a comment

Looking for a workout that comes with a great view of the city? Just outside of downtown Cincinnati you can climb Mount Adams, a scenic hilltop neighborhood with a bit of history to boot.

Named for President John Quincy Adams, the hill is now home to over 1,300 residents and contains several of the city’s parks, a playhouse, and the Cincinnati Museum of Art.

Now for a bit more history; this hill was once used as a vineyard for what is considered one of the first commercially successful winemakers in the U.S., Nicholas Longworth. It held an observatory that once contained the most powerful telescope of its kind back in the 1800s. Although moved, the observatory is still in operation on the hill today. This was also the site of the Mount Adams incline from 1872 to 1948. The incline was used to transport residents from the city below up to the entertainment venues built up top.

This hill was also the home to the world famous Rookwood Pottery between 1891 and 1964. Pieces from this company can be seen in museums around the globe, as well as purchased in shops and online. Today, you can grab a bite to eat in the old Rookwood factory– the building still stands and houses several businesses.

From 1873 to 1977, this hilltop was the home of the Holy Cross Monastery and Chapel, which still stands, but is now used as an office. However, to come full circle to the ‘workout’ portion of this topic, the Holy Cross Immaculata Church also sits atop Mount Adams. Built in 1859, this church was built on the city’s highest point because of an archbishop’s promise in prayer for survival during a severe storm at sea. He survived and the church was built. Beginning in about 1860, wooden steps were climbed every Good Friday to the doors of the church, these were replaced with Stone Steps in the early 1900s, and then additional steps and a pedestrian bridge were added as the Columbia Parkway was built. The tradition of Good Friday continues even today; however, you don’t have to wait to get in some exercise – if you have an hour or so, climb away.

One last note, once you are upon the hill you’ll find Ida Street, which is tribute to the hills original namesake. Before being renamed in honor of the President, it was originally called Mount Ida for the woman who lived in the hollow of a tree on the side of the steep hill.

SAS Score: 3

Hartford CT

Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk

Leave a comment

Built using a grant from Lincoln Financial in 2005, this public art display has 16 works by artist from around the country scattered along the Connecticut Riverfront near downtown. Each highlighting an aspect of the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, some are very detailed sculptures and some are abstract works. If you find yourself with an hour or so to spend while downtown, this provides a great way to relax, take in the river, and some very interesting art. In the summer there are also docent lead tours available.

SAS Score: 3