Catch a Show - Las Vegas

One of the best shows, in my opinion, on the Vegas Strip is Cher. On my most recent trip to Vegas, my husband and I saw Cher at the Colliseum at Caesar's Palace, and we were not disappointed!! You might be asking yourself why two 25-year-olds would go see Cher in Vegas when there are many other more "hip" show opportunities to see. Well, I'll tell you why we went to see Cher.

On my first date with my husband, we were driving back from a restaurant, and I had Cher's song, "If I Could Turn Back Time" blasting from a mixed CD in my car, and I was just bopping right along with the song so much that I didn't realize the stoplight above me was red, and I ran it. Luckily it was late in the night and no one else was on the road with us (cops especially). My husband said that the combination of my singing and looking so happy made him fall for me even harder that night.

So, when we decided Vegas would be our pre-honeymoon destination, it was a perfect fit that Cher was there, and there was no denying the fact of seeing her.

Cher may be in her mid 60's but she doesn't look (and DEFINITELY doesn't sing) like a a day over 35! She can still belt out a tune the same, if not better, as she did in her prime! Her show was set up as a "through the life of Cher" theme, so she sang songs starting at the beginning of her career, straight through the end of it. And the costumes she wore went right along with the decade she released the song. Brilliant!!!

Cher has always, and will always hold a special place in the hearts of myself and my husband, and we were greatful that we got to see her!

Every casino/hotel on the strip has a headliner show that is always playing. Your night will never be dull with this list, and who knows, you may be able to find great deals on others! Here are some major headliners!

Luxor - Criss Angel (Illusionist)
New York New York - Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity"
Venetian - Blue Man Group
Planet Hollywood - V-The Ultimate Variety Show
Flamingo - Donnie and Marie
Wynn - Le Reve, Garth Brooks
Mandalay Bay - The Lion King
Palazzo - Jersey Boys
Bally's - The Price Is Right
Bellagio - Cirque du Soleil's "O"

There are many opportunities to find discounted show tickets all over the Vegas strip. I know of a place just outside of Excalibur, and I'm sure there are many more, maybe even within a particular hotel. From experience, there is no other way to spend a Vegas evening!

Other Hotels on the Strip - Las Vegas

There are many other hotels on the strip, and I will brief you on them, and their theme, in hopes one or more spark your interest.

Mandalay Bay - Southeast Asia
Excalibur - Camelot
Tropicana - Tropical
New York New York - New York City
MGM Grand - Hollywood
Planet Hollywood - Hollywood
Hard Rock - Rock and Roll
Bally's - FUN
Rio - Brazilian/Mardi Gras
Caeser's Palace - Roman Empire
Harrah's - Carnival
Palms - Fantasy
Venetian - Venice
Palazzo - European
Circus Circus - Circus
Riviera - Modern
Sahara - Moroccan

Favorite Casinos - Las Vegas

Although I hilighted the Stratosphere, Bellagio and T.I., a bunch more casinos really struck my fancy. I'll try and go down the strip, from south to north, naming some of my favorites!

First is the Luxor. This casino/hotel is Egyptian style, and the best thing about it is its pyramid shape. The interior follows suit, with the rooms slanted, and the elevator even goes up at a diagonal incline! The rooms are around the perimeter of the hotel, with a huge lobby area on the middle. Another hilight about this hotel is the skyway that connects Mandalay Bay, the Luxor, and Excalibur. This makes these hotels easily accessible right from within!

 The Monte Carlo is such a classy hotel, it's hard not to go in! When we visited the Monte Carlo, we mostly went in there to play at the tables. The service is great, the dealers are nice, and the fellow table-mates are friendly. We seemed to have a lot of luck there, too!

The second time in Vegas, we stayed at the Flamingo. This hotel/casino is the oldest standing hotel on the strip, and I like it for several reasons. The Flamigo is right in the heart of the strip, known as one of the casinos on the 4 corners. Even though it's right in the thick of things, it is very reasonably priced. The casino also has a walk-out entrance/exit to the strip.

One of my favorite places to play table games is the Mirage. I liked their casino War, and it seems they are the only casino to have it. I like those low-risk card games! I also liked the Mirage's asthetics. You walk in the casino and it felt like you were walking into a jungle! Very tropical!

The Wynn and Encore, 2 very modern hotels, are the last of the favorites. These hotels are as one, connected through a skyway and built with the same design in mind. This casino had different options for blackjack, like Blackjack Switch. The Wynn and Encore had a very Aisan feel, and I really liked it!

Sirens of T.I. - Las Vegas

The Sirens of T.I. is a free pirate show at the strip entrance of Treasure Island hotel and casino. Treasure Island has their own river for their very big ship to float down! It is quite the spectacle of singing, acting, and dancing! A lot of people show up for each performance, being the shows are in 90 minute incriments. You have to show up at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time if you want a good spot, but the best areas to view the show are reserved for Treasure Island hotel guests. It is kind of hard to hear the actor, even though they are mic'ed up, but even still, the singing and dancing is great. Parental guidance is suggested, as there are explosions, scantally clad women, and over PG-13 language.

The casino itself we didn't spend too much time in; only enough to walk through and get a jist of it all. The casino/hotel is on the curve of the strip, so from there the heart of the strip is easily accessible.

Tips of T.I.-
-After the show is over, we found ourselves being herded along because everyone seemed to be going in the same direction. If you want to wait out the crowd, it wouldn't be a bad idea to head into the casino for a bit.

Paris - Las Vegas

On my first trip to Vegas I knew I had to go in and see the Paris hotel and casino. The real Paris holds a big place in my heart as I spent 8 days there, so I had to see what Vegas's version was all about!

The first thing you will probably notice about the Paris hotel is the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower in Vegas is exactly half the size of the one in France, and they wanted to make it the same size, but because on the airport right across the freeway, they had to scale it back. The Eiffel Tower in Vegas even has a restaurant in it, just like the one in France! The south end of the hotel has its own version of the Arc de Triomphe, too!

A really cool aspect of the Paris hotel is one in the casino. One of the legs on the Eiffel Tower comes down through the roof and to the floor of the casino! The casino itself was alright. It had a different aroma, but it was still inviting.


Tips on Paris:
- Don't go to the top of the Eiffel Tower if you are afraid of heights. It is a bit unstable up there at times.

Bellagio - Las Vegas

The Bellagio is one of the more famous hotel and casinos in Las Vegas, and arguably the most luxurious. The Bellagio is most known for its Fountain Show facing the Vegas strip.

The first time I was in Las Vegas, we were in a taxi driving by the Bellagio and the Fountain Show happened to be going. That was the best way to start off my trip! The Fountain Show is done to music, once every half hour in the afternoon, and every 15 minutes from 8pm to 12am. And the best thing about it is it's completely free! Just walk up from the strip to one of the great vantage points, enjoy the romance, and get ready to be blown away! I've seen the show a few time, and even once from the Eiffel Tower across the street! It was amazing!

The shops inide the Bellagio are magnificent! If you go in a particular entrance, I swear you walk through a mile of up-scale shops. Before I went to Las Vegas, I watched the movie "21" and a scene in it was when they were in the middle of a shopping spree. I remember thinking to myself, "where the heck do they have a mall on the strip?" Haha! Once you make it to the casino, it is extravvagant! When just standing and looking around, everything looks plush! The only downfall about the Bellagio casino is that they have automatic card shufflers, so if you know how to count cards (from the movie "21"), the Blackjack tables at the Bellagio aren't going to be for you.

The Bellagio Buffet is a spectacle on its own. This buffet has seen world-renowned chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay. The buffet prides itself on their selection of seafood, among other gourmet food! You will not want to miss it!


Tips on the Bellagio:
-If you aren't a big seafood fan, you might want to try a different buffet.
-The Bellagio has one of the highest room rates on the strip, so if you are in Vegas on any kind of budget, I would suggest staying at another hotel.

The Metro - Washington DC

The Washington DC Metro System should be commended for the fantastic job they do at getting countless people from Point A to Point B in a timely fashion!

The Metro system is by far the easiest way to get around the city. It would not be in your best interest to rent a car in DC because it is one of the busiest city's in the country, and a taxi can cost you an arm and a leg. The ticketing process is very easy, with many ticket options to choose from (single day passes, weekly passes, and monthly passes). I am usually apprehensive about metro systems because I never know which direction I want to go/what my final destination will be, but the Metro system in DC is very navigable.

It seems that there is a Metro stop on every corner in the city, keeping walking to a minimum, and each stop is named clearly. For example, if you want to get off the Metro and see the Pentagon, the stop will be called "Pentagon." There are several Metro lines that run, but they are clearly color-coated and run in their particular direction. The conductor also tells their passengers what the next stop will be. Anyone can easily navigate around DC on the Metro.

Nationals Park - Washington DC

By now many of you have realized that most of my trips include a baseball game. Well, our trip to DC was no exception. The week we were out there, the Milwaukee Brewers happened to be out in DC playing the Washington Nationals, so we were first in line to see a game, literally!

The Washington Nationals are a fairly new franchise, so Nationals Park is one of the newer ballparks in the league. I was disappointed, however, at the lack of asthetics throughout the park. To each their own I guess. Many of you may have forgotten about the Washington Senators of the 1900's, which shares the name of the current National Park.

We like to get to games early to heckle the outfielders during batting practice, and at this particular practice, heckling paid off as one of the Brewers pitchers tossed me up a souviner ball! As the game progressed, there were 2 rain delays, and as a result, people were leaving the park. So what did we do? Walked down to sit right behind the Brewers dugout for the rest of the game! Never done THAT before! What a great experience it all was!

Ford's Theater - Washington DC

Everyone learns in 4th grade the story of how Lincoln was assasinated, but you won't truly know exactly what happened until you have walked in Lincoln's final steps!

Ford's Theater is located just off of Pennsylvania Ave, and believe it or not, it still produces performances! With a free same-day ticket, you will be in for a real treat. When you first eneter, you are guided to a small museum to wait for your tour to begin. The first stop of the tour is in the actual theater where Lincoln was assisinated. While there, you will hear the story about what happened that night, and how the audience thought the assasination was all part of the play. We got to see the box seats where where Lincoln was viewing the play from, and the route Booth took to get to the box seats, and where he went after that. The lady who told us that story while we were all sitting in the theater made it all seem so real.

We then went across the street to where Lincoln was taken to be tended to, the Peterson House. Our tour group had the opportunity to walk through the house and see where Lincoln took his last breath. I am a very visual person, so this display was a very cool thing to see. I will recommend this tour for anyone of any age to see.

Holocaust Museum - Washington DC

The United States Holocaust Museum is a self-guided museum, presenting a narrative tour of over 900 artifacts, 70 video monitors, and 4 theaters including historic film footage and eyewitness testimonials. This museum is seperated into 3 areas, the Nazi Assault, the Final Solution, and the Last Chapter.

Ever since reading the book "Night" by Elie Weisel, I have been enthralled in learning everything there is to know about the Holocaust, so when I noticed that this museum was in DC, I knew I had to go. When we got into the Museum, we were given a real Camp Auschwitz I.D., and that's who we were supposed to portray during our visit there. I was a woman named Dora Eiger, and on her I.D. was her story, telling if she survived or not, and what she went through while at the camp. That alone sent chills up my spine. Going through the museum, we read about the history of Hitler, saw pictures of death and destruction, and read testimonials of survivors years after the Holocaust.

This experience, much like the one at Arlington National Cemetery, was humbling, and while going through this museum, it was almost all quiet. If anyone is a fan of autobiographies, or history of any sort, you won't want to miss the United States Holocaust Museum.


Tips on the Holocaust Museum:
-The Holocaust Museum is not recommended for young children. They said that first-time guests spend about 2-3 hours in the museum, so young children might get ancy.

Smithsonian - Washington DC

Most of the Smithsonian Museums are along the National Mall, in between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. There are many Smithsonian Museums in DC, and you would need about 3 days to get through them all. Before we left for DC, we decided we would go to the one that appealed to us both, which was the Air and Space Museum.

When we walked in, my gaze was immediately brought to the ceiling. All throughout the museum, airplanes both designed from the past and present were hanging from the ceiling, as if they were flying through the air. There were many rooms throughout the museum with different air and space subjects contained in them. We went into rooms dedicated to Amelia Earhart, the Wright Bros., the Solar System, the Space Shuttle launches, meteorology, and WWI and WWI aircraft. There was so much cool stuff to see, but my favorite exhibit was probably the simulated weather board.

The Air and Space Museum was very educational, and they had many hand-on exhibits for children, too! I can't speak for other Smithsonians, though, because the Air and Space Museum was the only one we made time to visit.

Whether it's the Air and Space Museum, or any other Smithsonian along the National Mall, I think any of these museums are worth a visit!

Tips on the Smithsonians:
-Take your time when visiting. There is a lot to see!
-Make a choice of one or two Smithsonians to see when you are there. If you try and see all of them, you might not have enough time to see the other sights DC has to offer.

Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, VA

How do I even begin to describe to you my humbling visit to Arlington National Cemetery? This visit will forever be etched in my mind as one of the most memorable places I have been.

It was raining the day we decided to visit Arlington National Cemetery, which made our visit even more sombering. Being it was raining, we took a tour bus through the 200 acres cemetery. The tour bus stopped by General Lee's House, and the Kennedy gravesites close by, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the Changing of the Guards take place every half hour, and a final stop where the name is slipping my mind at the moment. As we continued along the pathways, the guide told of who was resting where, what sites were new, and who got the privilege of being burried here.

We stopped off the bus at the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the Changing of the Guards. The Changing of the Guards occur just beyond the Memorial Amphitheater where many services occur throughout the year to honor all service men and women who keep our country free. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24/7, 365 days a year, regardless of weather, and the Changing of the Guard occurs every half hour. This process is just surreal. A guard is standing at the Tomb, when another soldier walks down a path to the edge of the area where the Tomb is. He is met by the current guard, and they march side by side to the front of the Tomb. They do some choreographed steps and gun movements, and the retired guard walks off, leaving the Tomb to the new guard.

I can write it all I want, but it is nothing like being there, nothing at all! Although we were soaking to the bone, I wouldn't have missed it for the world! The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier's Changing of the Guards is an event you will not want to miss!

Tips on Arlington National Cemetery:
-The cemetery is about a 15-20 minute walk from the nearest metro station, so be prepared to walk a little ways.
-When you get to the cemetery, go to the visitor's center and decide if you want to walk the grounds, or take a bus tour.
-I personally would recommend the bus tour. It goes quicker than if you walk, the guides are very informative, and they don't let you miss anything important.

Lafayette Park - Washington DC

Lafayette Park is just north of the White House. Walking back to our metro station, we walked through Lafayette Park, taking in the beauty of its many water fountains, paths, and viewing benches. We were probably the only one's in the park! If we were dropped in the middle of it, we would have no idea that we were in the Nation's capitol city.

The first night my fiance and I were there, we were too exhausted to sit in the park for long, but we decided to come back another night and take a romantic stroll through the park with ice cream. So after a Saturday night eating at the Capital Grille on PA Ave. right inbetween the Capitol Building and White House, we tried finding an ice cream parlor near the park, but to our dismay, there was no ice cream. We didn't let that damper our spirits, so we walked through the park anyway. As we came to the fountain we had sat in front of the first night, my fiance proposed! There was no other place more romantic than in a gorgeous park in the heart of DC! Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!

The White House - Washington DC

The White House has been the home to every U.S. President since John Adams. Built in 1800, the White House stood for 12 years before being set ablaze during the war of 1812. President James Monroe moved in while reconstruction began almost immediately. New porticos were added on the Northern and Southern sides, making the House distict, and eventually a world-wide icon. The White House is where all the action happens on Capitol Hill. This is where every bill is signed, all the Presidential Addresses are held, and not to mention the countless televised interviews. This is one of the most famous homes on the planet!

The White House really is a sight to see. Even though you can't get very close, the opportunity to see the White House in its grand stature is still worth a visit. I really wanted to see the White House at night, so that's what we did on our first night there. About 100 other tourists had the same idea. Just standing there looking at it made me feel important. Somewhere in there was the First Family. What a lucky bunch!

If you plan ahead, you can get a tour of the White House. You have to call your Congressional Representatives at least 2 months in advance to ask permission, and you have to pass a background check. If you make it through, you're in! I wanted so badly to take a tour of the White House, but I hadn't planned ahead. It would have been great to write about that, but when I go to DC a second time, I will arrange a White House Tour!

Lincoln Memorial - Washington DC

To get to the Lincoln Memorial on foot, there is a path between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial that I would recommend. While you are walking towards the Memorial, the gigantic Reflection Pool is on the right, and ballfienlds are on your left. If you are lucky, you may see a baseball game or soccer match in progress. The path is a fantastic way to shade yourself from the summer sun for a while, and you can really catch a glimpse of the DC citizens going about their routine by running, biking, and playing.

The Lincoln Memorial is just plain huge! This monument appears as a Greek Doric temple, and situated inside in the middle of the 36 pillars is a seated statue of President Lincoln. The statue of Lincoln is 170 tons and stands 30 feet high. On both sides of the wall are 2 of Lincoln's most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address, and Lincoln's second inaugural address. Lincoln sits forward, with his gaze facing straight toward the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument.  

There have been many events at the Memorial, including Martin Luther King Jr's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Other events at the Memorial include the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (part of the American Civil Rights Movement), Nixon's march against the Vietnam War, and the Rockettes kicked their legs down the Memorial's steps after President Bush was inaugurated in 2001.

Old Post Office Pavillion - Washington DC

The Old Post Office Pavillion is located on Pennsylvania Ave. and has been refurbished to fit today's modern era. Inside you can cure your appetite at many different restaurants, stop in and browse its unique shops, and head to the top of the clock tower for the best sights of DC!

This Clock Tower Tour is free and it has easier access than the Washington Monument. And, from experience, I think it has the best views of DC, better than the monument because you can SEE the monument from the Old Post Office Pavillion! You can also see the White House, the Capitol Building, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorial, and even the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery! When you get to the top, like other observation decks, there are plaques describing what you see when you are looking in a specific direction.

The DC sights look much different from the top, and I would suggest anyone to take the time to head up! The views will not disappoint!

Tips on the Old Post Office Pavillion:

-The Clock Tower is a tight squeeze and there are a lot of tourists up there at once, so be patient.

-The elevator to the top is an open, indoor elevator, so if you are afraid of heights, turn the other way, because you won't want to miss what's at the top!

Washington Monument - Washington DC

When I turned my back on the Capitol Building, there it was at the end of the National Mall, the Washington Monument! Standing taller than any other structure in DC, the monument was so regal looking, playing the guard to the city! In fact the Monument is the world's tallest stone structure, and tallest obleisk, standing at over 555 feet! Although there are taller monuments, they are neither all stone or true obleisks.

As we walked up to the Monument, the sight kept getting better and better! Looks can be deceiving because it got more massive than I expected as we got closer! It was beautiful! Some of you many not know that the color changed about half way up the monument. This was due to a lack of money, and also the Civil War. When they resumed construction, they couldn't find the original stones, so they had to settle with a slight change. Personally, I think it adds character, and it will give visitors a story to tell.

If you are looking for a great vantage point of the city, you can go up to the top of the Washington Monument! Tickets are available for purchase only the day you are planning on going to the top, but you want to be sure to buy your tickets early in the morning because when they reach capacity for the day, they stop selling tickets. Though these tickets are free they are usually sold out by late morning. There is another high vantage point of the city in the Old Post Office Pavillion, and these tickets are easier to come by.

Tips on the Wasington Monument:
-The Washington Monument isn't ever too crowded with tourists. Being this structure is outdoors, it is a "come as you will" structure, so people are scattered.

Capitol Building - Washington D.C.

The first place we went to in DC was the Capitol Building, being out hotel was just 2 blocks away! I was completely blown away at the enormity of it! Regal, humongous, historic, stunning. Those were a few words that came to mind when standing in front of the Capitol. It's very hard to walk away from the Capitol Building and not look back. There are so many memorable angles to look at the building from, and I just couldn't get enough!

The Capitol Building also offers tours , so we were all over signing up for that!  It may not seem like much, but when I knew I was taking a tour of a building the President wasn't even allowed into without permission, it was something! The tour was amazing. We got to see the Rotunda, a room with a cool secret talking passageway in it, and some very original documents of the US, such as the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the original copy of the Constitution! It was unreal! We even ate lunch in the Capitol and got to sit in House of Representatives!!!

Almost anywhere you are in DC you can see the Capitol Building. The building is the epitome of history, and I guarantee your visit will be nothing but the best!

Stratosphere - Las Vegas

The Stratosphere is the hotel I stayed at on my first trip to Vegas. The Stratosphere is the northern-most hotel/casino on the strip. We stayed there mostly because it was inexpensive, and partly because of the views of the strip from the top (as I continue to write, you will see that I love going to the top of buildings to see the view). We checked in to our hotel and immediately took an elevator to the top! My first view of Las Vegas was unbelieveable! It was dark by the time we got up to the top, and the views were astonishing!! The lights were so bright, and each hotel/casino seemed like they were in competition with the other hotels to go bigger and better!!

When we checked into the hotel, we were told of the discounts we could get on several attractions. Being we stayed at that hotel, we received discounts on the rides at the top, and the show that is held at the Stratosphere.

There are 3 rides at the top of the hotel, the Big Shot, X-Scream, and Insanity. From experience, the Big Shot is a must-ride! The Big Shot shoots you 160 feet above the Vegas Strip when you are already over 1,000 feet off the ground. Reaching its max speed of 45mph, this ride will knock your socks off! X-Scream is the newest ride on the top of the Stratosphere. The ride is like a teeter tot, starting flat, then dropping you 30 degrees OVER the building to get the best vantage point of the strip. I didn't have the guts to try this ride, but if you are a thrill seeker I'm sure you would love it. Insanity also takes you over the strip. You board the ride on the Stratosphere, and an arm moves you over the strip, then starts spinning you around at 40mph. Not only does it spin you around, but it propells you at an angle of 70 degrees so you are looking down on the strip. This ride is approximately a minute and a half long, but I can imagine you feel like it's an hour-long ride! Too much for my stomach to handle!

The permanent show that is held at the Stratosphere is called "American Superstars." This is a celebrity impersonator show, hilighting Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, and Elvis Presley. This show is sure to please everyone from any age range.

Even though there is no discount for this, I will write about the Top of the World restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere. The Top of the World is a 4-Star rotating restuarant, one to give you the best views of the strip and downtown Vegas. The restaurant makes one complete rotation every hour and a half, so it goes slow enough to make it seem like you aren't really moving, but the sights will quickly tell you different! I will highly recommend eating here! Whether you are wanting a romantic night on the strip, or a nice family dinner, hit up the Top of the World!

Tips on the Stratosphere:
-If you are looking for hotels to go to strictly for casinos, I would recommend bypassing the Stratosphere.
-One negative aspect of the Top of the World is when X-Scream is in motion, it shakes the restaurant.
-If you stay here, check out the pool. It is on the roof of the hotel portion and it overlooks the Stratosphere.
-The Stratosphere is a ways away from the heart of the strip, so be prepared to walk a lot, or pay a few bucks for taxi fare.

Broadway at the Beach

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach was an experience on its own. Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle's downtown, has everything you can imagine. From clubs to bars to restaurants, everyone will be satisfied. Some restaurants to note are the following: Hard Rock Cafe which is shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, Planet Hollywood where the whole restaurant is circular depticing the planet, and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Jimmy Buffet's has a 10 foot blender with margaritas in it (I wish it was real), and you can pull up a chair and sit at a boat, not a table, for dinner. These restaurants were right up there with the coolest I have ever seen, and you won't be disappointed with the food! The bars and clubs are equally as fun, and there really is something for everyone.

Tips on Braodway at the Beach:
-There is a bus system to take passengers from the coastal beach to Broadway at the Beach, but sometimes it doesn't come when or where is expected, so just beware.
-March through May are peak seasons for spring breakers, so if you are looking for a quieter time, I would suggest planning your trip here on the non-peak months.

Destination: Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is great escape!

The Beach
Broadway at the Beach

Destination: Southern California

Soak up the rays in SoCal!

Overview
Blue Angels Air Show
San Diego Zoo
Disneyland
California Adventure
Los Angeles
Hollywood
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Pacific Coast Highway
Calexio
Sea World
Stadium Tours

Destination: Boston

The heart of New England, Bean Town.

Overview
Freedom Trail
Boston Commons
Cheers
Fenway Park
Sam Adams Brewery
Boston Harbor/Quincy Market
Prudential Building

Desination: Chicago

These are my favorite spots in the Windy City.

Overview
Sear Tower (Willis Tower)
Milennium Park
Navy Pier
Carriage Rides
John Hancock Building
Wrigley Field~~Coming Soon

Destination: Las Vegas

Here are the sites you need to see in Sin City!

Overview
Hoover Dam
Stratosphere
Bellagio
Paris
Mirage
Sirens of T.I.
Favorite Casinos
Other Hotels on the Strip
Catch a Show

Desination: Washington D.C

Here are some great things to see in our nation's capital.

Overview
Capitol Building
Washington Monument
Old Post Office Pavillion
Lincoln Memorial
White House
Lafayette Park
Arlington National Cemetery
Smithsonian
Holocaust Museum
Ford's Theater
Nationals Park
The Metro

Travel Locations

Thanks for reading my blog! Please let me know what you think, or if you have any questions. Here are blog entries from places I have been.

Washington D.C
Las Vegas
Chicago
Southern California
Myrtle Beach
Boston
New York City
Minneapolis
Paris~~Coming Soon
Gettysburg~~Coming Soon
Baltimore~~Coming Soon
Destin, Florida~~Coming Soon
Oregon Coast~~Coming Soon
Mount Rushmore~~Coming Soon
Green Bay~~Coming Soon
Madison~~Coming Soon
Aruba~~Coming Soon

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a destination you go to if you want to truly relax. If you want beautiful beaches, a great tan, and to get away from the winter blues (if applicable), Myrtle Beach is the place for you!

I had the opportunity to road trip to Myrtle Beach, my first road trip with my friends. Road tripping is a great, and a cheaper alternative to flying. Granted it takes a lot longer to get to where you are going, if you are with the right people, it can be a lot of fun! From our depature city to Myrtle Beach, it was about 22 hours, but we made it in about 20 due to fabulous travel conditions! Another great thing about road trips is if you have enough people, you can drive and sleep in shifts. It worked out perfectly for us, especially since we had a van!

We got into Myrtle Beach and we were ready to settle in. A former friend of mine had timeshares, so we got a prime condo, just a block from the beach! I'm not sure what everyone else did, but I quickly changed into my swim suit and headed outdoors. We didn't go right to the beach, so we chose one of 4 hot tubs to relax in. If you happen to have a timeshare, that is great! If not, there are plenty of reasonable hotels the same distance, if not closer, to the beach.

The rest of the week, all we did was relax on the beach! It was paradise! We played catch on the sand with a football, swan in the ocean, and soaked up as many rays as possible! I couldn't imagine a more perfect spot to be in in the month of March!

One particular day, we all went shopping at an outlet mall just up the road from the beach. I remember this outlet mall being consuming. If your niche is shopping, you'll love this mall. It is appealing to all the senses!

Eventually or time in paradise had to end, but with my following tips, hopefully yours can last just a little longer.

Tips on Myrtle Beach:
-If you are booking a hotel room, try to get one with a microwave and fridge. This way you can save money on food, and bring home your leftovers after a great night out!
-Make sure to inquire with your hotel if they have a swimming pool and hot tub (I can't imagine the majority not having them, though). Do this so you can still enjoy the water when it's too late for a swim in the ocean, or if the ocean gets too cold.
-Make sure to wear sun-screen. Even if you go there in the winter, the sun is still strong in Myrtle Beach. If you burn on the first day, it could ruin the rest of your trip. (Take this from experience)!

Stadium Tours - SoCal

By now, I don't think I need to remind you what a huge sports fan I am. My roommate who I was on the trip with happened to be equally enthused, so while we were seeing SoCal, we made time to see most of the sports stadiums around the L.A./San Diego area.

In San Diego, we saw Petco Park where the San Diego Padres play baseball and Qualcomm Stadium where the San Diego Chargers play football.

In L.A., we saw Dodger Stadium where the Los Angeles Dodgers play baseball, and we even got to take a peek inside! We also saw the Staples Center, where the L.A. Lakers and Clippers play basketball. Staples Center is also home to the L.A. Kings hockey franchise. And finally, in Anaheim we saw Angel Stadium where the Anaheim Angels play baseball, and we had the great honor to take in a Anaheim Ducks hockey game at the Honda Center (formally known as The Pond)!

In college, my roommate and I were avid hockey fans, and I don't think we missed 5 home games all throughout our 4 years in college. Matt and Linda caught wind of this and took the liberty of getting us tickets to our first ever Pro hockey game, and in Club Level seating even! We definitely got our money's worth as 3 fights broke out in the game, the game went into overtime, and we even saw a shootout, which is rare! They sure saw us coming!

Tips on SoCal Stadiums:
-If you are visiting the Southern California area at any time of the year, try and make it to a sporting event at one of these venues. Baseball is my passion, but choose yours and run with it. Being outside these stadiums was a rush for me, and I can't imagine what it would be like to have taken in a game at all of them!

Sea World - SoCal

Sea World was the last attraction we went to while visiting Southern California. There are a few Sea World locations throughout the country, but my first experience visitng one was this, in San Diego. Being it was our last day, we had the chance to relax, see a few shows at Seaworld, and take in the last few remaining hours that SoCal had to offer.

The first thing we did was get a seat at the Shamu Show, called "Believe." What an amazing show it was. I am jealous of the lucky few that get to play with dolphins all day long as a job! The trainers showed off their talents and let the dolphins take the spotlight! Fantastically done!

We then moved along to other exhibits in the park like the sea turtles, the penguins, and an underwater great white shark exhibit, just to name a few.

Anyone could spend a whole day here and never run out of things to do! There are many more shows and exhibits, and if you are interested, you'll just have to go and see for yourself!

Tips on Seaworld:
-Seaworld is amazing for any age. Children would love it as there are countless sea creatures, and many hands-on exhibits.

Calexico - SoCal

As we looked back on the glam of L.A., we made the journey back to Uncle Matt and Aunt Linda's in El Centro, CA, which is about 2 hours east of San Diego. El Centro is a city about 10 minutes from the border of Mexico, so one evening, we drove on down. We came to the city of Calexico, on the California side of the border. I soon found out that the city on the Mexico side is called Mexicali. Get it? Anyway, this was a real eye opener for me. As we were driving, I could sense that we were nearing the Mexico border. Everything turned dark, the roads were all dirt, and all the advertisements and store-fronts were written in Spanish. It was an eerie feeling. Being we were there at night, we had to be very cautious of the border patrol, so we barely had time to get out of the car for a picture. Matt and Linda then started telling us stories of the illegal immigrants who try to sneak over to the U.S. in search for jobs.

These illegal immigrants would travel by night to try and get into the country. On the border where we were, there was a huge mountain that the illegals would try to cross as to bypass the border patrol. Matt and Linda said the best way to spot if an illegal crossed the border is by their shoes. Most of their shoes would be worn from climbing over the mountain and walking through the rough terrain. Illegals who set out at the fall of darkness would barely make it into the U.S. by morning without being caught because the mountain is a lenghty one to get around. By morning, these people would be captured and then taken by bus to into Mexico again. We actually saw some illegals sitting beside a building, waiting to go back into Mexico, as they had just been captured. Matt and Linda also told stories of how some illegals had drown in the Rio Grande, trying to swim under water in attempts of not being seen by the border patrol, but they would be swept away by the strong current.

This experience was such a reality check for me. Here I am, sitting in the mid-west with seemingly nothing to worry about, and down around the U.S. border, people's lives are in danger. I guess it's just a way of life for them. Going to the border helped me understand Southern California's culture a lot better!

Tips on Calexico:
-I wouldn't suggest any tourist go all the way to the border, especially not at night. If you don't know where you are going, it can result in serious danger. There are too many illegal immigrants looking for any way to get in, and if you are in the wrong place, bad things can happen. Not to mention you can easily get in major trouble with border patrol.

Pacific Coast Highway - SoCal

Saying good-bye to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we were on our way to the Pacific Coast Highway. Along the chunk of highway we were on, we saw the beautiful houses of the rich and famous nestled back in the hills of Malibu, gorgeous CA coastline, surfers getting their wave on, and of course, the Santa Monica Pier.

Nobody goes to Southern California and doesn't see the ocean. Believe it or not, I had been there for 6 days without seeing water! Wow, I had been deprived! This wasn't my first time seeing the Pacific, but it was my first time seeing the Pacific in California. The weather was a little chilly, but I didn't care. I'm from Wisconsin, so anything above 60 degrees is considered hot for me. As we headed to the beach, I kicked off my sandals and ran in the water! What a great feeling the ocean was. A funny things I noticed was all the people who were on the beach. I went on a Thursday afternoon, and all those people made me wonder if anyone had jobs in SoCal???!!! Or are they just really rich and don't have to work???

On that same beach was the Santa Monica Pier, which was essentially Chicago's Navy Pier, but 3/4 its size. Santa Monica Pier is a big tourist attraction with souviner shops, restaurants, and it even has a ferris wheel. Is there a theme going on or what?!

The coast is a very nice repeive from the crazy life of Southern California!

Tips on the Pacific Coast Highway:
-None! I have no tips on the PCH. Look around and enjoy it, and take some time to enjoy the beach, whatever beach you decide to enjoy.

Hollywood Walk of Fame - SoCal

The lyrics of "Celluloid Heroes", a song by The Kinks, tell us: "You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Blvd..." This is 100% true if you look down at your feet. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. that serves as an entertainment museum. The stars go down several blocks, and come to their resting place at Grauman's Chinese Theater where they hold the Academy Awards!

Right next to the Chinese Theater is the Kodak Theater, famous for where they hold the American Idol finals, and also the ESPY Awards and the BET Awards, among others. Many headliners have performed here as well.

Directly across from the Kodak Theater is where they tape the late show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! There was actually a line for a viewing of the late show, slated to air that same night!

What is amazing about all these buildings is that they are all so close together. When we see Award shows on TV, they give the impression that these theaters are secluded more. When you see them up close, you are doubting the fact that these buildings are big enough to hold a huge crowd, like the finals of American Idol. Looks can really be deceiving!

Tips on the Walk of Fame:
-The Walk of Fame is a big tourist destination any time of the year, so be patient and allow time.

Hollywood - SoCal

Ohhh Hollywood! Many would call Hollywood a part of Los Angeles, and it is, but it's technically considered a neighborhood of L.A. I am putting it in a new category, however, because there is so much to do and see in Hollywood!

The Hollywood sign started out as an advertisement to build up what they thought would be "Hollywoodland." After the Gold Rush, people started migrating west, and when the city started booming, they refurbished the sign, and took down the "land" to make it say just "Hollywood." It was, back then as it is now, a status symbol, reminding you that you are in the land of opportunity.

In Hollywood I felt like a star. When we were driving down Sunset, I felt like Lauren Conrad from MTV's The Hills! Uncle Matt brought Angie and I up in the hills of Hollywood, and my eyes were on the Hollywood sign the whole time. You see it on TV all the time, but again, TV doesn't do it justice. And if you read the history about it, seeing it in person make it all the better.

There are several routes to get the most ample views of the Hollywood sign. We happened to wind along Beachwood Canyon until there was no better place to view the sign. It was crazy how big it was! Knowing the history of the sign, it made it that much cooler! Although you can see the sign from almost anywhere in L.A., it is much better of a sight up close!

Tips for the Hollywood Sign-
-If you do choose Beachwood Canyon or Lake Hollywood as your path to the sign, be respectful of the residential areas that you will be driving through. Try not to block driveways, and try to keep the noise level down. If you choose the Griffith Observatory route, you can find free parking.
-If you try to hike any closer to the sign, you will be highly disappointed. The sign is fenced off, and it secured with cameras that alert park rangers when someone tampers with anything close to the sign.

Los Angeles - SoCal

After exhausting ourselves in Anaheim, we headed further up the coast to Los Angeles. Being neither my roommate or I was driving, we could take in everything L.A. had to offer. I felt like a whole different person going through downtown L.A., like I was a big star heading into the big city with dreams and aspirations. L.A. will do that to ya! The skyline is absolutely gorgeous, and pictures/TV shows don't do it justice.

The first place Uncle Matt brought us was down skid row. As enticing as L.A. may sound, it definitely has its poor spots. More of the city than I could believe was homeless. It seems like an oximoron to say L.A. is the city where dreams come true when a third of the city streets are littered with homelessness.

After we left skid row, I really got to see the true glam of L.A. Uncle Matt took us down some posch streets like Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd., Roberston Blvd. and we even drove by the Beverly Wilshire, where parts of Pretty Woman was filmed. I felt like I was in a whole new world. Even though stopping at just one of these stores would leave me pennyless, it was fun to dream!

Tips on Los Angels:
-If you can (and/or want), avoid driving downtown. Traffic seems heavy at all times of the day.
-If you know where to go to see skid row, DON'T get out of the car!

California Adventure - SoCal

California Adventure is where buying the 2-day pass really comes into play. CA Adventure and Disneyland share the same land, and are divided literally with a sidewalk. If you go right, you are in Disneyland, and if you go left, you are in CA Adventure.

California Adventure has more of a theme park feel, and is geared more towards adults, but there are plenty of attractions for kids as well. CA Adventure has attractions like rollercoasters, a ferris wheel, and the swings. CA Adventure also has more theatricals, such as 3-D movies and an attraction called Soarin' Over California. I was ready to ride!

California Adventure has what is called a fast pass, which is available for an additional price. This fast pass allows you to bypass the line and head straight for the front! The pass comes in handy on such rides as California Screamin', a rollercoaster set to music!

Soarin' Over California was the hilight of my day at California Adventure. When you enter this ride, it seems like you are entering a movie theater, with a huge screen in front of you. You are guided to your seats, which are on different levels, and eventually elevate and pivot you off the ground so there is no one in front of you. Eventually the screen comes alives and you are watching a short movie on all California has to offer. Not only that, but the way you are seated has you feel like you are the pilot of a plane, flying low over the CA land. The cool thing about this is when there is movement on the screen, your seat moves as well. You are taken over the snow-capped mountains in Northern California to San Fransisco, to Napa Valley, to L.A. to San Diego, and many points in between.

The 3-D movies are cool as well. We went to several, but the "A Bug's Life" production was exceptional. The concept of a 3-D movie really isn't that difficult to grasp, so I'll leave this up to the imagination.

In a section of California Adventure, there is even a mini-Hollywood, including several mini movie sets. If you are lucky, you might even catch a production of a mini disaster.

Tips on California Adventure:
-Tips on CA Adventure are similar to that of Disneyland. One tip that is different, but applies to both parks is this: go on a week day to avoid long lines, families, and park enthusiasts.

Disneyland - SoCal

As we drove away from the San Diego Zoo, we headed north up the coast a ways until we took the exit for Anaheim. And that could only mean one thing....DISNEYLAND!! I couldn't believe my childhood dream was about to come true in just a matter of hours! I remember not getting a wink of sleep that night!

Disneyland was just a short walk away from our hotel, and I was ancy to get going. We got the 2-day pass into Disneyland and California Adventure, which I will tell you more about in another blog.

Disneyland is split up into 5 different mini-parks, including Main Street U.S.A. (an early 20th century Midwest town based on Walt Disney's childhood), Adventureland (featuring jungle-themed adventures), Frontierland (illustrating western frontier), Fantasyland (bringing fantasy into a reality), and Tomorrowland (looking into the future). We carefully mapped out our plan of attack, and we jumped right in! We started with some of the rides at Tomorrowland, and made our way from there throughout the park. Highlights for some of the rides while in Disneyland were: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, It's a Small World, Indiana Jones Adventure, Autopia, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. See a complete list of the attractions here.

Not only did we wear ourselves out with ride after ride, we made some time to meet the Disney characters in Toontown! By then, the child in me had really come out, and I was practically jumping up and down in excitement!

Disneyland left me speechless. I can't really describe to you the thrill of being there, and how I wanted to stay there for days to come! Everyone's inner child will come out, I can guarantee it!

Tips on Disneyland:
-Plan ahead! Map out your route before you get into the park. Do this for multiple reasons: 1) The park will consume you, 2) You will know exactly what attractions you want to see, and 3) When you get there, you won't waste any time.
-Limit purchases throughout the day or else you will be carrying bags with you. Try and keep your spendings (except for food) for the end of the day.
-I remember getting a little edgy trying to get around people with strollers. Don't get me wrong, Disneyland is the greatest place to bring a family, but personally, I would wait until children are old enough to walk, and also can remember their experience at the park.

San Diego Zoo - SoCal

After our amazing experience with the Blue Angels, we were in for yet another surprise. We woke up early on the 3rd day in CA, and were told to pack our bags for at least 3 days! I was all excited now, waiting for word on where we were going, but Aunt Linda and Uncle Matt wouldn't tell us until we could see it for ourselves! With a little driving ahead of us and much anticipation, our final destination was the San Diego Zoo!

The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. I was ready to run wild as we had the whole day ahead of us, dedicated to the Zoo!! Aunt Linda and Uncle Matt had suggested we take a bus tour through the park as to not miss any great attractions, so we did. Our double-decker, open-aired bus took us by all the hot attractions: koalas, pandas, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and elephants. The tour guide stopped at almost all attractions for photo opportunities, and also told us a little history on the animal. The guide was very informative, and I believe I got the most the zoo had to offer on this tour.

After the tour was over, we were set loose to see additional attractions. These included smaller animals like turkeys and reptiles. The prettiest animals I saw there were the koala bear and flamingos. We even took the San Diego Zoo Sky Ride to the other side of the zoo, and on it you will see a beatiful view of the San Diego skyline, and the animals from above!

I couldn't get enough of the zoo, and it is one of the best attractions SoCal has to offer.

Tips on the San Diego Zoo:
-I am not a strong advocate on seeing sights from a bus. I would much rather walk and take my time, but this is an exception. The bus tour took its time at each attraction allowing for ample time to ask questions and take pictures. I'm not exactly sure the cost of the tour, but it will save you bunches of time, and you get the highest level of information.

Blue Angels Air Show - SoCal

The United States Navy Blue Angels Air Show is a first class flight show, spotlighting 6 acrobatic aircrafts. The Blue Angels split into the Diamond (Blue Angels 1 through 4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (Blue Angels 5 and 6). Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond and those performed by the Solos.

We were lucky to have been with Uncle Matt because his company sponsored the Blue Angels, so we got to go behind the scenes and get some VIP treatment. Some of the behind the scenes stuff we did was: getting to go onto the Navy Base in El Centro, CA, having the honor to meet the Blue Angels at their "Food Festival" the night before the show, and get front row VIP tickets to the real thing!

The day before the show, the Blue Angels had a practice run on the navy base, and we watched the whole thing. Before then, I had never heard of the Blue Angles, and now I was getting the experience of a lifetime. How they do all their formations, I will never know. Click here to see a video. They are so precise on their maneuvers, and one wrong move could result in tragedy. The Navy will forever have my respect!

The Blue Angels Air Show is a show you won't want to miss, and it is a once in a lifetime experience. If you decide to go to a show (their shows run from March to November in various city's), be honored! You will be blown away by what they can do, and you will remember it forever!

Tips on the Blue Angels Air Show:
-No matter when or where you go, make sure to stay well hydrated. Bring lots of water!
-Be prepared to make the show an all day event. When the Blue Angels come to town, its a big event. Not only is the show a production, but the whole base is like a fair. There are a bunch of planes on the base that the Navy used to use in war, and you have the opportunity to go inside of them and see what a war plane is all about. Other fun things to do before the show might be taking part in a Navy simulation, eating really good food, and talking with vetrans!

Southern California

Southern California. This destination pretty much speaks for itself. In Southern CA, it's sunny over 300 days of the year, it's where you go to make dreams come true, and it's the land of opportunity. I had the honor of spending 8 whole days here, seeing the Blue Angels, San Diego, LA, Hollywood, Anaheim, Malibu, Santa Monica, and much more!

My roommate and I went to SoCal for spring break in college, and we were at an advantage. We stayed with her aunt and uncle, who have lived there for quite some time and knew all the in's and out's of the area, so we were at their mercy the whole week. We went into the vacation not knowing one single thing we would do, and not a minute was wasted. I'll encourage you now to soak up some sun and follow me along my journey! Enjoy!

Prudential Building - Boston

Some of you are probably wondering why I would write about a building in Boston. Well, the Prudential Building happened to have an observation deck at the top, and I was eager to go up to the top.

At the top, you have a choice of if you want a headset for a walking tour, but we decided against it because there are plaques telling you what you are looking at, and it cost extra from what you pay to get in. The view from the top is amazing, but you don't need me to tell you that twice!

From the north, your gaze will head straight to the Charles River. The Charles River runs through Boston and is an amazing sight to see! The day we went, there were sailboats on the river, and they looked like they just fit! To the east, the John Hancock Building rules the sky. I'll note that at the base of the John Hancock Building, there is a very cool photo opportunity with the reflection of church steeple shining off the surface of that building. Click here to see the picture. Back up on the Prudential Building, just beyond the J.H.B. is the beautiful Boston Harbor.

A southern view will mostly show you residential areas of Boston. The whole time we were there, I couldn't get over the fact that a bunch of residential areas were nestled right in the heart of the city. This made me feel like I wasn't in a big city, rather a quaint one. I really liked this aspect of Boston.

The western view was one of my favorites. This view looked onto the freeway, and more importantly, Fenway Park! Our particular view of Fenway included a game being played! The Red Sox were playing a day game, and with the binocular apparatus to use, we could actually see the players running around on the field. That was cool for me to see!

Going to Boston, we had no idea there was going to be a birds-eye-view opportunity, but much to my surprise, there was! I am glad we heard about the Prudential Building, and as a knowledgable source, I will highly recommend it!

Tips on the Prudential Building:
-Use the price discounts to your advantage. There is a student discount if you show your ID, and I remember sneaking in with the discount (without actually having one) by saying that I was in between college and grad school and my new ID was being made. It's worth a shot. :) I've done this in other places in the past as well, with child age limits when I was older than what the cut-off age was, and I got in as a child.

Boston Harbor/Quincy Market - Boston

Whenever my family and I go to a destination, we like to take a day or so and just walk the city. We do this because we get as much time as we want at a particular attraction, and we can stop along the way if we find a store, etc. that looks appealing. This is exactly what we did the day we visited Quincy Market and the Boston Harbor.

Quincy Market is like a farmer's market times 100. A popular tourist attraction, Quincy Market has everything from ice cream and sunglasses kiosks, to restaurants, to souviner shops. You want to be sure however, that you are getting the best bang for your buck. Try haggling. It may work. Quincy Market is also home to Faneuil Hall, and the other Cheers Bar. If you are just dying for a beer, go in and check it out, or even if you want to just peek in to see how different it really is. The further you walk along Quincy Market, the closer you come to the Boston Harbor.

The Boston Harbor is breathtaking! It is everything I thought it would be, and more! If you are lucky enough to go there on a clear day, you could spend all day there. The Harbor is a place for inspiration, a place for reflection, and a place for serenity. While my mom was watching planes take off on the other side of the water, my brother and I were goofing around with camera angles (we are photgraphy freaks). If you want to get away from it all in a bustling city, go to the Harbor.

Tips on the Market and Harbor:
-If you are looking for an original and authentic New England restaurant, head to the harbor. I never knew I could love crab as much as I did!
-Bostonites say Quincy Market is the biggest Boston rip-off. Don't believe everythng you see, or hear, price-wise.