Did you know that February and March are the peak months for whale watching in Hawaii? Although they call Hawaii home from December to early May, humpback whales are most visible around Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island during this time of year as they breed and give birth to new calves. Native Hawaiians, who call humpback whales “kohola,” consider the whales as native born, or kamaaina, guardians of their islands, making this an particularly special time to visit. Here’s how to best incorporate these friendly visitors into your Hawaii travel plans: See Them From the Open Sea The best way to see humpback whales in Hawaii is to get up close in their natural habitat – the ocean! Take the Makani Catamaran Sail Cruise along the Pacific shores of Oahu, and you’ll be as close as you can get to these magnificent creatures – a little over 100 yards away, to be exact. On the Makani … [Read more...]
Sights to See in New York City: CitySights Tours
CitySights offer a wealth of tours that all let you get to know New York City a little better, introducing you to some old favorites – Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden – and maybe some new ones, like the historic sites in Brooklyn or the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market. Here are the tours INCLUDED in the New York Explorer Pass: NY Brooklyn Tour CitySight’s Brooklyn Tourwill introduce you to arguably the trendiest of New York’s boroughs; America’s first suburb, Brooklyn is known for its popular neighborhoods, nightlife, and eateries as well as its history. On the tour, you’ll see: Neighborhoods: From DUMBO to Prospect Heights to Williamsburg , the CitySights tour will expose you to many of Brooklyn’s varied neighborhoods. Historic Sites: There’s the Frances Tavern, a reconstruction of prominent American Revolution establishment … [Read more...]
Have a Whale of Weekend at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
This February 18th and 19th, come celebrate the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale with a wide variety of whale-related activities at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. This event celebrates the annual migration - the longest migration, in fact, of any species - of the Pacific gray whale, which travels 10,000 to 14,000 miles round trip all the way from the arctic seas to the warm waters of California and Mexico. At this time of year, whales can be seen from the west end observation deck of the Santa Moncia Pier. Here's a quick look at how you can celebrate with the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium: * Get to know the whales - personally: You'll get the chance to feel the heft of a whale rib, run your fingers over some bristly baleen, and try on some whale blubber for warm - but don't worry, it's only simulated. * For the kids: Face painting and free whale visors! * For the … [Read more...]
Race Over to the Chicago Auto Show 2012
This February 10th welcomes the return of the Chicago Auto Show, the largest of its kind in the entire United States. You'd be surprised at how much the show has to offer; from concept cars to hockey shootouts to free car giveaways, there's a lot to see and do during this iconic Chicago event. What to See When you attend an auto show, you get the unique opportunity to preview new lines of cars and concept vehicles made by auto makers from all over the world. This is a great experience for car buffs and potential car buyers alike – you’ll be able to climb in and get to know most models on display, and get back real facts from the dealers presenting them. The show’s even offering four test tracks from Jeep, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, allowing you to get a real feel for how some of the these cars handle as a professional driver takes you through an adrenaline-charged obstacle … [Read more...]
Lace Up for Ice Skating in the Sky
At any time of year, there are plenty of things to see and do from the top of the John Hancock Observatory: you can take a free multimedia sky tour of Chicago, grab a coffee in Chicago’s highest café, and, of course, take in the 360 degree view of the Magnificent Mile and the expansive view of Lake Michigan. But this winter, the John Hancock Center is making a unique addition to their winter lineup of attractions: Skating in the Sky. Take a Spin Around the World's Highest Skating Rink! Skating in the Sky is comprised of a one-of-a-kind, 900 square foot synthetic ice rink located more than 1,000 feet above street level. There’s a lot to say about the synthetic ice used in the rink; without water, this “ice” requires no resurfacing, and has less impact (and therefore less injuries) than traditional ice. That means safer, warmer, and longer-lasting skate time for you and your … [Read more...]
The Best Tours in San Diego
If you’re planning to trip San Diego, you probably know there’s a lot more to do than visit the zoo or lay on the beach. Like any major city, San Diego has a breadth of neighborhoods, history, and attractions that are well worth finding. But what if you don’t exactly know your way around? Or you think you’ve seen it all already, and are looking for someone to show you something new? Taking a guided tour around San Diego is your solution. Whether it be by car, boat, or even kayak, there’s no better way to see all of a city. Full City Tours San Diego would not be described as entirely walkable – unlike Boston or New York City, the city’s sights are spread out over more than just a few blocks. Gray Line’s San Diego Tour lets you see all there is to see – the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Beach, Balboa Park, and even Old Town – without having to pay for the extra expense of … [Read more...]
What To See at San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay
On San Francisco’s PIER 39, tucked just under the shadow of the Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill on Fisherman’s Wharf, sits the official Aquarium of San Francisco Bay. Check out what’s going on in this 50,000 square foot aquarium – the sharks promise not to disappoint! Sailing Film Festival This year, the Aquarium of the Bay is kicking off the inaugural Aquarium of the Bay Film and Lecture Series, which will focus on topics such as the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and issues affecting the world’s fragile marine ecosystems. Starting Friday, February 24th, the Aquarium will be presenting the Sailing Film Festival in its newly renovated Bay Theater at Pier 39 – the series will feature sailing stories from Cape Horn to Nova Scotia, and will include guest appearances from select America’s Cup team members. Tickets are as low as $10, and they go on sale February … [Read more...]
7 Fun Free Things to do In L.A.
Did you spend too much on your flight to Los Angeles? Splurge on passes to Disneyland, or Madame Tussauds Hollywood? Believe it or not, there are plenty of things to do in the city that won’t cost you a dime. Here’s a quick look at seven options for free, family-friendly things to do in Los Angeles: Do Some Road-Tripping Los Angeles is home to some of the most famous streets in America: there’s Mulholland Drive (which always personally reminds me of Tom Perry’s Free Fallin), Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, and Sunset Boulevard, to name a few. There’s plenty to see, from great views of such Hollywood landmarks as the Hollywood Sign itself to celebrities shopping at their favorite designer stores. The best part of exploring L.A.’s famous streets is that most if not all are walkable, and you’ll have to figure out transportation to and from. See the Stars on Hollywood … [Read more...]
Day Trips to Boston
Making a day trip to Boston? Whether you’re more in the mood to mix and match, or you’re the ambitious traveler who wants to see them all, here are the top attractions in Boston: Museum of Fine Arts & Fenway Park Start your day off with two of Boston’s biggest attractions: The Museum of Fine Arts and Fenway Park. They’re only separated by a 15 minute walk, so it’s easy to visit both in the morning before continuing on with your sightseeing in the city. The Museum of Fine Arts almost needs no introduction. Over one million visitors come into the museum each year; they see over 450,000 works of art, and are able to take advantage of special exhibits, films, and over 4 different dining experiences, just to name a few. When you visit, make sure to walk around the newly renovated Art of the Americas Wing and the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art. Once you make your … [Read more...]
What’s New at Universal Studios Hollywood
From Hollywood parties to star-sightings, there’s always a lot going on in Los Angeles. Here’s what to expect at one of Hollywood’s hottest attractions – Universal Studios, Hollywood – in 2012 and beyond: Hogwarts is Coming to Hollywood! That’s right – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is making its way to California, complete with the Hogwarts castle at its center. The addition, announced through a partnership between Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts, promises to be just as authentic as its counterpart in Orlando, which features such straight out of the book attractions as Hogsmeade, the Three Broomsticks Inn, and such themed rides as the Flight of the Hippogriff. Expect to see the addition to Universal in sometime after 2015. Transformers: The Ride Coming a little sooner to Universal Studios Hollywood, Transformers: The Ride is set to open … [Read more...]
