Minneapolis MN

Wells Fargo Museum

Leave a comment

Looking for something off the beaten path in downtown Minneapolis? The Wells Fargo Center  on 6th street has a free museum with artifacts and hands on exhibits focused on banking, mining, and milling. Although it’s not very large, the exhibits are well worth a visit.

The centerpiece of the museum is an 1863 hand-crafted stagecoach, one of only a very few of its kind still around in this condition. When used back in its day, this coach could carry as many as eighteen people. That’s nine inside and nine hanging out on the top. Sounds crazy, but it’s true.

If you have 20 or 30 minutes and are in the downtown area, this is a great place to visit. And did I mention it’s Free?

SAS Score: 4

Kill Devil Hills NC

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Leave a comment

Kill Devil Hills? Yes, Although the town of Kitty Hawk is only about miles away, the first controlled, powered airplane flight occurred over the sands of what is now Kill Devil Hills. The city did not get exist at the time (becoming a municipality in 1953), and thus Kitty Hawk being the closest city to the site is popularly noted as the birthplace of flight. So what’s there now? Aside from being in the beautiful outer banks of North Carolina, the location of the first four flights by Orville and Wilbur Wright is overlooked by a large stone monument resting at the top of  one of the hills the brothers used for launching gliders and each landing spot of the first four powered flights are marked with a large stone engraved with time traveled. The site includes a very nice visitor center with artifacts and replicas relating to the invention of powered flight, including a full scale model of the brother’s 1902 glider which was built under the direction of Orville Wright. Other items of note in the park are a replica of the sheds used to house the aircraft and the brothers during their time in North Carolina. Also, a really nice sculpture based on the famous picture of the plane taking to the air in 1903.

So why is it called Kill Devil Hills?  The most popular theory is that in the colonial days, there were a large number of shipwrecks along the coast, many of which contained rum – which was called Kill Devil, because it was strong enough to do the same. Those who scavenged the Kill Devil from these ship wrecks, would often hide it in the sand dunes until they felt it was safe enough to retrieve. Thus these dunes became Kill Devil Hills.

Although the site is worthy of a 4 from a historical perspective, it’s very remote unless you happen to be doing business in Kitty Hawk or along the outer banks. Over an hour and a half from Norfolk, unless you get stuck over a weekend, it’s probably not something you could do in a late afternoon or early morning. Thus:

SAS Score: 2

Memphis TN

Graceland

Leave a comment

Any rock and roll fan visiting the Memphis area should not pass up an opportunity to visit the national shrine that is Graceland – Home and final resting place of Elvis Presley. Purchased in 1957, Elvis expanded the ‘farmhouse’ type property to over 17,000 square feet and a total of 23 rooms. His last recordings were done in what was termed ‘The Jungle Room’ living area of Graceland. Today the main property looks very much like it did in the 60s, with several of the additions holding movie memorabilia, clothes, and a trophy room with numerous gold records. His racquetball court now holds many of the famous jump suits the singer wore in his later years. Just behind the pool, in an area built by Elvis for meditation and solitude prior to his death, Elvis, his father, mother, and grandmother are buried. Across the street, there are a few other ‘museums’ with cars, toys, and two of the King’s airplanes to tour. Graceland is about 15 minutes south of downtown, very near the airport.

SAS Score: 3

Canada, Ottawa Ontario

Rideau Canal

Leave a comment

In the winter, the Rideau (French for ‘curtain’) Canal becomes officially the World’s Largest Skating Rink. At nearly 5 miles long and with the surface area of nearly 90 hockey rinks, skaters can travel from just above the Ottawa River, near Parliament, to Carleton University. And in season, it truly is a skating rink; being maintained and groomed 24 hours a day by the National Capital Commission. During the other seasons, the canal serves as a waterway and contains numerous locks, many of which are run by hand. Winter or Summer, the Canal is a great place to visit and within walking distance of most downtown hotels.

SAS Score: 3

Norfolk VA

Norfolk Botanical Gardens

Leave a comment

This spot has been a shouldaseen must for me over the past few years. It is just a short walk from the airport and is so large each visit is unique. This is a great place to unwind before catching a flight after a day or week of meetings. Depending on the season, the Gardens are open some evenings until 7pm. Inside the Gardens, there are large waterways you can travel by boat (for an extra charge) and paths through wooded areas that run for miles. The complex contains over 150 acres and includes over 50 segregated gardens to explore. I’ve never been disappointed with the flora and fauna and always seem to discover something new each time I visit. Admission is about $10 and you can usually find coupons online to help keep it cost effective.

SAS Score: 4

Rochester NY

George Eastman Home and Museum

Leave a comment

If you are a Millenial, there’s a good chance you might not even know the name George Eastman. He is considered the father of popular photography and film and was the inventor of the Kodak camera. During his lifetime, he donated millions to public parks, hospitals, clinics, the arts, and other charitable institutions. And tucked away just outside of downtown, New York, you can tour his massive 19th century home and estate, which also serves as the International Museum of Photography and Film. The museum’s holdings rival any in the U.S. when it comes to early photography. The home, built between 1901 and 1905, contains 50 rooms and covers ~35,000 square feet of space.

An interesting aside: Kodak is a word Eastman (with rumored assistance from his mother) created. He liked the letter K and wanted a short word that could not be associated with anything other than itself.

SAS Score: 4

San Diego CA

U.S.S. Midway

Leave a comment

Beginning service in 1945, just after the close of World War II, the U.S.S Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955. Seeing action in the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, she was operational for 47 years. Post decommission, the Midway moved to its current home along Navy Pier in San Diego and now serves as a fantastic museum. The ship itself would be worth the time to see, it’s massive. Self guided tours are complemented with audio devices and many docents along the way to enhance the experience. You can freely walk the ship to visit the flight deck, huge galley, engine room, hospital, barber shop, workshop, jail, laundry, sleeping quarters, post office, and the bridge. As if that wasn’t enough to make it worth the stop, the museum also includes numerous exhibits and restored historic aircraft covering multiple eras. There are also flight simulators, films, and several interactive items to take in. One could easily spend several hours wandering this very cool location, but for those with only an hour or so, it’s still worth a stop if you are close to downtown San Diego.

SAS Score: 3

Chicago IL

Tribune Building

Leave a comment

I found it amusing that several of my good friends from the Windy City didn’t even realize this little gem existed. Not the Tribune Building itself, but the artifacts that line the outside of the building from very famous locations throughout history. There are over 140 pieces ranging from The Vatican to a jagged piece of steel from the attack on the World Trade Center buildings in 2001. There are also fragments of the Alamo, Edinburgh Castle, Notre Dame Cathedral, Bunker Hill, The Forbidden City, The Berlin Wall, The Sydney Opera House, The Great Wall, and the beaches of Normandy. There is also a moon rock, not embedded, sitting in the window of the building. With so many more I won’t list, the ohhhh ahhhh factor is pretty high if you are into history. SAS Score: 4

Chicago IL

Chicago History Museum

Leave a comment

Chicago is a city with a lot to offer. You’ll find enough museums and attractions around the loop area too keep you busy for days. However, there is one museum, just off the beaten path, that I find worth a stop if you have a bit of time to spare after close of business or between meetings. The Chicago History Museum is located on the edge of Lincoln Park on North Clark Street and is just a couple of miles from the business center of Chicago. The permanent collection includes artifacts from the great Chicago fire, numerous items related to Abraham Lincoln, including his death bed, life mask, and articles from his funeral. There are also sections on Fort Dearborn, the Worlds Fair, and local culture. SAS Score: 3

Austin TX

Texas Capital Building

Leave a comment

Located at Congress and 11th Street, the Texas State Capital Building was considered the seventh largest building in the world when built in 1885. Tours of the building are free and when congress is not in session, you may roam around the house and senate floors. However, the rotunda area alone is worth the visit. A bit of hearsay, but I’m told the crack in the center of the Terrazzo mosaic in the center of the rotunda was made by a falling painter; others have said it’s simply settling that caused it.

I’m of the opinion they just don’t build things like they used to, and the details found in and around the Capital are amazing. From the etched glass to the door hinges that read “Texas Capital”, these details are incredible. The Capital is also filled with paintings and statues focused on Texas’ history.

Outside, within the 22 acres comprising the Capital grounds, there are many monuments to take in, including the first, “Heroes of the Alamo” and Terry’s Texas Rangers, Vietnam Veterans, Confederate Soldiers, among others. SAS Score: 4