We've posted a new video of the Shuttle Launch Experience. The Shuttle Launch is part of your admission package at the Kennedy Space Center. "It's not a thrill ride," said Dan LeBlanc, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. "You won't be dodging asteroids or battling any aliens. We have worked hard to ensure that it is as close as you can be to simulating the reality of a Space Shuttle launch within the confines of Earth's gravity." See all Smart Destinations Video's on YouTube … [Read more...]
Woodinville is for Wine lovers
June 17, 2009 By 3 Comments
Woodinville has become a haven for fine winemakers. Their commitment to quality is quickly becoming legendary among serious wine enthusiasts, and their wineries have more than doubled in number. Many tasting rooms are open to the public and provide the opportunity to sample and purchase wines straight from the wineries. Three tasting rooms are open year round and 4 or 5 additional tasting rooms are open to the public on weekends. Visit and taste why Seattle is becoming one of the premier wine regions of the world. The Go Seattle Card includes a wonderful Woodinville Wine tour as one of 35 Seattle area attractions and tours included in the price of the card. Tours are run on Saturdays and include such wineries as Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery, Matthews Estate, and Efeste. The tour will pick you up right from your hotel in the morning and have you back in town in time … [Read more...]
First Friday Art Walk in Chinatown
June 17, 2009 By 1 Comment
Head to downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown every first Friday of the month and dive deep into Oahu’s vibrant art scene. At each “First Friday” you can interact with local artists and artisans sharing their work. From paintings to powerful cultural exhibits, you’ll get to see a diverse sampling of Hawaii’s artists. Art galleries open their doors with exhibits, free entertainment, and light refreshments. There are numerous restaurants and bars open offering great food and live music. Discover a buzz of activity in the streets of Chinatown where people from all over Oahu come to see what’s new on the local art scene. First Friday runs from 5pm to 9pm, so its a perfect way to wind up your day using a Go Oahu Card. See the First Friday website for all the latest on what's happening at the next First Friday. … [Read more...]
Harvard Farmer’s Market Ushers in Summer
June 17, 2009 By 1 Comment
Farmer's Market Poster Image ; Taken by Flickr user frankh Cambridge folks know that summer is officially on the horizon when the Farmers' Markets in Harvard Square finally open for the season. So with the 2009 grand opening of the first market having occurred just yesterday, residents are now ready to indulge in all the local food, music, and fun that they can while it lasts! The Market is located right next to the Harvard Science Center at Oxford and Kirkland Streets, about 100 yards away from the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Peabody Museum of Archaeology. It’s open every Tuesday until the end of October from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm and features regional farmers and vendors – in fact, none are from more than 50 miles away from Harvard Yard! There is so much variety that there is literally something for every palette. Vendors hock everything from standard organic … [Read more...]
New York’s Other Borough: Brooklyn
June 10, 2009 By 1 Comment
Say "New York" to many people, and the images that come to mind are entirely from a relatively tiny slice of this sprawling and diverse city. But there is a lot more to New York than Manhattan. One area that a growing number of visitors are discovering is Brooklyn. For sometime now native New Yorkers have been enjoying the continuing renaissance of this storied part of the city. Even Manhattanites are embracing what Brooklyn residents have known all along: Brooklyn has something for almost anyone. Increasingly out-of-town visitors are following along to experience the many wonderful sights (and tastes) of Manhattan's most accessiable neighbor. New York is nothing without its neighborhoods, and this is as true in Brooklyn as anywhere else. Featuring the picturesque row-houses of Brooklyn Heights, the vibrant DUMBO neighboorhood along the river with its fun and funky bars and … [Read more...]
MIT is Over the Moon!
June 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Draper Simulator Image; Courtesy of MIT Museum Starting tomorrow and running until Sunday, June 14th, the MIT Museum will host a five-day celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. Included are two special displays, and hands-on demonstrations (for middle school ages and up) by current students from the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro). The MIT Museum event is part of the public outreach associated with Giant Leaps, a major symposium at MIT that honors those who made the Apollo program a success and looks to the future of space research. Admission to MIT Museum is included with the Go Boston Card. Exhibition – MIT Goes to the Moon See rare Apollo-era artifacts that tell the story of the major contributions made by MIT to the American space program. The display features an extremely rare simulator of the Apollo Guidance, Navigation … [Read more...]
Pack the Pooch – Asheville is a Dog-Friendly Destination
June 8, 2009 By 6 Comments
Dogs of Asheville Image ; Taken by Flickr user anoldent There are some things that you just don’t leave home without when packing for vacation: Passport? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Swimsuit? Check. Fido? ...??? Well if you plan a visit to Asheville, North Carolina anytime soon, you’ll be able to check that one off of your list too. That’s because Asheville is positioning itself as a top dog-friendly destination and I had the chance to experience it firsthand this week with my dachshund pal, Moose. Here’s how our trip shook up – where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did – from my perspective, as well as Moose’s. Hotel: Quality Inn and Suites – 1 Skyland Drive, Arden, NC My take: I love how inexpensive the pet deposit is here – only $25 for the ENTIRE stay! When I saw that the hotel wasn’t in Asheville, I was dreading a long commute … [Read more...]
Cheap Eats in Boston
June 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Happy Hour; Photo taken by Flickr user aresauburn Everyone is looking to save a buck these days (or several bucks in my case), but why compromise your social life and sense of fun in order to do so? We can still plan a vacation and dine out with friends and family, we just have to be super savvy about how we do it. In that spirit, I’ve pinpointed a few of the hottest happy hour spots in Boston so that your appetite doesn’t feel the pinch of your purse strings! And if that’s not enough, I’ve also identified some nearby attractions, which are all included for free with the Go Boston Card. Area: Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Boston Top Spot: McCormick and Schmick’s – This popular eatery among tourists offers one of the best happy hour menus in the city. They have two happy hours – one from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm and the other from 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm. With each plate … [Read more...]
The Dance of the Fireflies
June 2, 2009 By 1 Comment
Elkmont Fireflies; Image provided by Judd Patterson Our friends over at Wildwater Rafting have given us all the details surrounding the annual synchronized firefly show in the Smoky Mountains. If you are interested in no-cost wholesome entertainment that most people in the world have not experienced, this is truly an event that should not be missed! There are only two places on earth where you can experience a synchronized firefly phenomenon - southeast Asia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The peak flashing for synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park occurs for only two weeks in mid-June. The Male's time is short since they live as adults for only about 21 days. So they have a limited amount of time to attract the Females and reproduce (think "Speed Dating" for insect-kind that immediately advances to fourth base). … [Read more...]
