Tag Archives: history

To The Brink: JFK And The Cuban Missile Crisis At The JFK Presidential Library And Museum

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It was a close call—maybe the closest call in human history. For two weeks in October 1962, the world teetered on the edge of thermonuclear war and the end of civilization as we know it. Earlier that fall, the Soviet Union, under orders from Premier Nikita Khrushchev, began to secretly deploy a nuclear strike force in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States, with missiles that could reach most major U.S. cities in less than five minutes. President John F. Kennedy said the missiles would not be tolerated, and insisted on their removal. Khrushchev refused. The stand-off nearly caused a nuclear exchange and is remembered in this country as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“To the Brink” is a look back at the crisis from the 50-year mark, which is drawn mainly from U.S. sources and presents a U.S. viewpoint. Pieces of the story that appear hazy now may come into sharper focus over time; others that are now clear will blur as the episode recedes further into history. Unbeknownst to almost all the participants, JFK recorded those White House meetings. Excerpts from the 43 hours of secret recordings relating to the Cuban Missile Crisis are presented in the gallery and form the centerpiece of this exhibit. Original documents, artifacts, and photographs from the National Archives and the Kennedy Library complement the tapes in a dramatic presentation that draws the visitor into this milestone 20th-century event.

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum is located at UMass-Boston. “To The Brink” will be on display at the Library until December 1, 2013. Click here for more information.

The America’s Cup Comes To San Francisco This Summer

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The 34th AMERICA’S CUP will be contested in San Francisco Bay this summer!

The America’s Cup is oldest trophy in international sport, first contested in 1851.
The 34th America’s Cup is an umbrella term that covers several events: the 2013 America’s Cup Finals, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, the America’s Cup World Series and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

The 2013 America’s Cup Final is scheduled Sept. 7-21, 2013, in San Francisco. The final, also known as the Match, will feature the defender, ORACLE TEAM USA, against a challenger that will have won the Louis Vuitton Cup which goes to the winner of the America’s Cup Challenger Series. The Louis Vuitton Cup series to determint the challenger, begins on July 4, 2013 and runs until August 30.

The America’s Cup is the most difficult trophy in sport to win. In the more than 150 years since that first race off England, only four nations have won the coveted trophy.

Throughout its history the America’s Cup has attracted the tycoons of business and industry, flamboyant, outspoken and demanding characters who are often successful in their career, but rarely successful in the America’s Cup. They’re attracted to the Cup because of the demands required to win the trophy, but only four nations have hosted the trophy: the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Come see sports history in San Francisco this summer! Visit americascup.com for more information.

Visit The Past At The American Museum Of Natural History

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The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.

The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world’s cultures.

Current exhibits include Whales: Giants of the Deep which transports visitors to the vibrant underwater world of the mightiest animals on Earth. Also visit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors where you can explore the rich diversity of frogs and learn about their evolution, biology, and the threats they face in the world’s changing environments. Also Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture where you can take a journey around the world and through time. Stroll through an ancient market, cook a virtual meal, peek inside the dining rooms of illustrious individuals—and consider some of the most challenging issues of our time.

Visit amnh.org for more information.

Exciting Exhibits Now At The Field Museum!

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Remember capturing fireflies on a warm summer evening? Its light seemed rare and magical, and yet there are thousands of other living things that blink, glow, flash, and flicker. Creatures of Light delves into the mysterious world of bioluminescence – from the glowworms dangling from the ceiling of New Zealand’s famous Waitomo Caves, to the deep-sea fishes that illuminate the perpetually dark depths of the oceans. Discover the variety of ways in which light is used to attract a mate, lure unsuspecting prey, or defend against a predator, and see how scientists study this amazing ability to glow. Immerse yourself in these magical environments and revel in the beauty of this remarkable natural phenomenon, only at The Field Museum.

Discovered by chance in 1940 by four teenagers, the Lascaux caves in southern France have inspired and awed anthropologists, pre-historians, scientists, and artists ever since. Beautifully subtle paintings and engravings of animals line the deep cave walls – sophisticated artwork created at the hands of our early ancestors nearly 20,000 years ago. In an effort to preserve their fragile existence, the caves have remained closed indefinitely, denying us even a glimpse of their shadowed majesty.

But now, during its North American debut, you can experience your own thrill of discovery in the new exhibition, Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux. Walk through exact cave replicas by flickering light, marveling at full-size copies of the paintings—including some never before seen by the public—and see them through the eyes of ancient artists. Deconstruct the paintings’ many layers of complexities, meet a lifelike Stone Age family, and discover why the true meaning and purpose of the caves remain a mystery even today. For a limited time, uncover the birthplace of artistic creativity, only at The Field Museum.

Check out fieldmuseum.org for more information.

Major League Baseball at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field

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It’s spring time again, which means the Chicago’s two baseball teams are suiting up for an exciting new season. Get into the baseball spirit by visiting either of Chicago’s two Major League Baseball teams. The Chicago Cubs play at the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field on the north side. The White Sox play at U.S. Cellular Field on the south side. Both teams have excellent players and are looking to have great seasons. No matter what team you root for, it’ll be a great time.

Click here for information about the Cubs. Click here for information about the White Sox.

Party with the Past – Presented by the Atlanta History Center

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This monthly event introduces you to the story of Atlanta with free history and cold beer. This series takes place at a different historic spot in the city each month. Each event focuses on one aspect of Atlanta’s history.

History is the passion of the Atlanta History Center and this event series will be a great way to introduce people to Atlanta, the museum staff, and famous Atlantans (alive and dead). Please visit atlantahistorycenter.com for more information or to make a reservation or call 404.814.4000.

Explore The Past at The National Museum of American History!

In 2013 the country will commemorate two events that changed the course of the nation – the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington. Standing as milestone moments in the grand sweep of American history, these achievements were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals – both famous and unknown – who believed in the American promise that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal.” Separated by 100 years, they are linked together in a larger story of freedom and the American experience.

To commemorate these two pivotal achievements, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture will present an exhibition that explores the historical context of these two crucial events, their accomplishments and limitations, and their impact on the generations that followed. The exhibition will be on view from Dec. 14, 2012 through Sept. 15, 2013. Click here for more information.

The diverse collections of the National Museum of American History reflect a wide variety of subjects relating to the history of the United States as well as the history of science, medicine, and technology.

Visit the JFK Presidential Library and Museum

Visit us in our striking I.M Pei building on Boston’s waterfront. Located on Columbia Point, the Library and Museum is set on a ten acre park landscaped with pine trees, shrubs and wild roses reminiscent of the landscape of Cape Cod familiar to President Kennedy.

Experience our Museum through our three theaters, period settings, and 25 dramatic multimedia exhibits, and enter the recreated world of the Kennedy Presidency for a “first-hand” experience of John F. Kennedy’s life, legacy, and leadership. Click here for more information.

Discover Titans of the Ice Age in 3-D

In this exciting 3-D adventure, discover an icy world on the brink of extinction, where humans share the frozen tundra with majestic beasts. Encounter some of the Earth’s most awe-inspiring mammals, from saber-toothed cats and dire wolves to giant sloths and the iconic mammoths that lived 10,000-years before modern civilization. Click here for more information.

Dr. Paul George walking tours offer a Miami history lesson

Miami-Dade professor Dr. Paul George is an iconic figure in the Miami community thanks to his popular walking tours of the city’s historic neighborhoods.

For more than two decades, Dr. George has shown tourists and locals alike what makes the Magic City tick when it comes to places like Little Havana the home of famed Calle Ocho, the Miami Cemetery where legendary Miami figures like Julia Tuttle are buried and the Miami River cruise along the historic body of water that meanders through the now skyscraper-like landscape of Downtown Miami.

His tours touch on the architecture of the area as well as the historic figures responsible for developing it; local black history; the influence of Al Capone and other mafia figures and historic events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The tours usually depart from History Miami located at 101 W Flagler St. 305-375-1492, www.historymiami.org

American History – One Portrait At A Time

The National Portrait Gallery archives portraits of people who made significant contribution to American history and culture from the era of our Founding Fathers to the current political arena. Each photograph and each portrait tells an expansive story which weaves into the tides of our cultural past.

Sauntering through the exhibits and taking a glimpse into the establishment of our great nation with portraits of proud Native American chiefs and those of revolutionary generals and explorers. From studying each expression of every portrait, you get a better glimpse of those who shaped out nation.

For more inspirations, take a trip up to the second floor to see the America’s Presidents collection.

Black America West Museum

While famous for telling the story of Black cowboys, they are broader than this with interests in the stories of all those early Blacks who came west and performed as miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, blacksmiths, schoolteachers, lawmen, and every other profession needed to build up the West. In fact, the Museum itself is in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Colorado’s first Black woman doctor!

The Museum is broken into many diverse exhibits such as our homestead exhibit. There is an exhibit primarily dedicated to the town of Dearfield, Colorado. Dearfield was a Black pioneer town founded by O.T. Jackson in 1910 just east of Greeley, Colorado. It was a bustling town of approximately 500 residents founded on the principles of Booker T. Washington. It was successful until the 1930s when depression, drought and dust storms forced most of the residents back to the cities. In the early 1940s, the town dwindled to about a dozen full time residents and finally ended shortly thereafter. The town is now a ghost town and the Museum owns many of the city lots. Click here for more information.

National Museum of Mexican History

For more than two decades, the Museum has presented a vast range of educational exhibitions that have continued to offer a vibrant and comprehensive picture of Mexico’s art and history, and of Mexican communities in the U.S. Our understanding that Mexican culture is “sin fronteras” (without borders) guides our exhibition schedule and permits us to display artistic expressions from both sides of the border. From ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to contemporary artistic movements, the Visual Arts Department has a longstanding history of producing original exhibitions with first-voice scholarship. Fifteen of the exhibitions organized by the Museum have traveled across the U.S. and Mexico to other museums. All of the exhibitions we have presented over the years have interpreted our history and culture in order to preserve the knowledge and stimulate appreciation of the Mexican culture.

Ride the rails during Chicago ‘L’ Tours

Flickr/Nick KinkaidThe Chicago ‘L’ system has long been the way tourists and locals alike have travelled miles across the city, whether it be to Wrigley Field or downtown for work. Since 1999, there’s also been another use for the elevated tracks: as a way to learn about Chicago’s rich history. Chicago-L.org hosts tours via the ‘L’ tracks through various institutions, including the Chicago History Museum and the Chicago Architecture Foundation. No matter what the tour or what ‘L’ line your guide will take you on, each tour offers tidbits of history and architecture lessons as you ride the city’s public transportation system. While tour fares typically aren’t expensive (usually around $11-$16, and that includes the ‘L’ pass), be prepared to walk.

Newseum

Newseum Blends High-Tech With Historical.

The Newseum — a 250,000-square-foot museum of news — offers visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits.

The Newseum is located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on America’s Main Street between the White House and the U.S. Capitol and adjacent to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

The exterior’s unique architectural features include a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment and an immense front wall of glass through which passers-by can watch the museum fulfill its mission of educating the public about the value of a free press in a free society and telling the stories of the world’s important events in unique and engaging ways.

The Newseum features seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. It offers a unique environment that takes museumgoers behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made. Click here for more information.

Haunting Dallas Holocaust Museum

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The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center For Education & Tolerance is a up close and personal tribute to the memory of the millions who died during the Holocaust with survivors as tour guides and authentic artifacts the moment you walk in.  One part authentic museum, one part memorial, this center, in the heart of free America, capturePicture 10s the horrors of the Holocaust.

A Holocaust museum may seem a bit odd in the middle of Texas, thousands of miles away from the concentration camps in Europe, but this museum is the result of the hard work and dedication by a group of survivors. In 1977 a group of 125 Holocaust survivors from North Texas created the Holocaust Survivors in Dallas and in 1984 the Dallas Holocaust Museum came into fruition.

The museum entrance contains a railway car–an actual boxcar donated by the National Belgian Railways – used to transport Jews and other “undesirables” to concentration camps.  The tours, sometimes led by Holocaust survivors, take you through the museum and an entire room dedicated to the memorial of the millions who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

Queen Mary: Board a Ship like Royalty

You may know her from your history textbooks or your grandfather telling you about WWII, but today the Queen Mary is referred to as a hotel and attraction rather than a ship for soldiers.

Most Southern Californians will tell you to experience one of the Queen’s many tours on the history of the boat and submarine excursions. When visiting this Queen MaryLong Beach destination, it’s crucial to visit restaurants such as Observation Bar and Chelsea Restaurant for perfect seafood and even more perfect ocean views. If you are looking to remain at sea as long as possible, the boat offers some surprising amenities, such as a fitness room and a spa.

Though the boat itself is quite spectacular, the Queen Mary also doubles as a great hotel. People will argue that staying on the boat and just visiting are completely different experiences. With such great amenities and a concierge experience that makes you feel as though you are sailing your own yacht, you may never want board on land again.

The next time you want to hit the high seas, you might as well do it like royalty.

The Story of US! At the National Constitution Center

No trip to Philadelphia is complete without experiencing a bit of US history. Sure, maybe the last time a museum trip was on the agenda was back in fifth grade, but The National Constitution Center, newly minted in 2000, will not bring back bad memories of elementary school trips with your smelly teacher Mrs. Fernberger. Quite to the contrary, the National Constitution Center will remind you why its so great to live in the United States.Picture 9

The National Constitution Center tells the story of us – as in you, me, and the United States, and the importance of the Constitution in our every day lives. One of the most intriguing exhibits is Signer’s Hall, a room featuring life-sized, cast bronze sculptures of the 39 signers of the Constitution and the three dissenters. Wandering among the statues and taking pictures with famous signers like George Washington and Ben Franklin gives visitors that eerie experience of being a part of history.

The Center is always hosting national exhibits, guest speakers and national events, so be sure to check their website before visiting. The lobby is spectacular and often hosts special events, like when Bono was awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal. The expansive space features 85,000 square feet of beautiful limestone from Indiana.

WWII Memorial is DC’s Newest for the World’s Greatest War

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When you think of the word “memorial” in Washington D.C., the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorial. Well, it’s time to add the brand new World War II Memorial to the must-see list. With 56 granite columns split between two half-circles framing the Rainbow Pool and its fountains, this beautiful memorial honors the service of 16 million members of the Armed Forces and the 405,399 American casualties during WWII.

Picture 12As the only 20th century war honored on the National Mall, it has plenty of interesting things to see, many of which are full of symbolism and beauty. The granite columns symbolize the unity of the 48 states (at the time of the war), seven federal territories and Washington D.C. during WWII. Two 43-foot tall pavilions honor American victory on the Atlantic and Pacific fronts.

Away from the bright and bustling area and around the Rainbow Pool is a solemn wall of 4,048 Gold Stars, where each star pays tribute to 100 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. There are also areas where dozens of battle names and military campaign designations are carved into stone. The memorial also offers several hidden treasures, such as the famous “Kilroy was here” graffiti.

Visitors can search the WWII Registry, a computerized database that honors Americans from the war. There are also daily tours, as well as more in-depth walking and bicycle tours that visit other areas as well.

Honor and Remember at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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As a tribute to the men and women who died in the controversial Vietnam War, Maya Linn designed this memorial with a simplicity that she hoped would “allow everyone to respond and remember.”  Divided into three memorials, each one is special and evokes a powerful message.

The memorial consists of the Three Soldiers Statue, VietnamPicture 5 Women’s Memorial, and the most well known of them all, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which lists the names of those who died as a result of the war. The latter is made of two long, black granite walls that reflect the surrounding trees, grass, and other Vietnam monuments to create a peaceful and serene atmosphere. There are 58,261 names currently inscribed in the Memorial Wall, with one wall pointing towards the Washington Memorial and the other at the Lincoln Memorial.

The Three Soldiers Statue is a bronze sculpture and was built to complement the Memorial Wall, with the three soldiers looking towards the wall in tribute. Also visit the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which depicts three uniformed women with a wounded soldier. Visiting this site is a moving and powerful experience, regardless of one’s personal experience to the war.

Black History Always Shines at The Apex Museum

Picture 16Black History doesn’t begin or end in February at The APEX Museum. Open year-round, APEX, which stands for African American Panoramic Experience, is Atlanta’s only museum dedicated to African American heritage and culture. Located in the historic Auburn Avenue district, a one-time hub for African American-owned businesses as well as many churches and civic organizations, APEX presents history from the unique African American perspective.

Established in 1978 by filmmaker Dan Moore who was spurred to action after attending a moving banquet honoring legendary Morehouse president Benjamin E. Mays (who mentored Dr. King), APEX packs a lot in a small space. Visually intriguing, APEX features several exhibits on a regular basis that date back to Africa and come full circle to today. As a result, ancient Africa, African American inventors and business owners all co-exist under one roof.

Celebrity visitors include Halle Berry and Gladys Knight, but stars aren’t the only ones amazed by the APEX’s awesome line-up of historical contributions.

Investigate DC’s Hot, New Museum: The Newseum

So you think you follow the news?  Think again. Inside a modern glass exterior, accented with a marble wall inscribed with the First Amendment, the impressive, newly renovated Newseum houses seven levels (and five centuries) of raw, groundbreaking, life-changing, history-making news – a little more than your typical history class or nightly news channel could ever offer!

The information “mecca” not only houses some of the most interesting news-related artifacts, images and technologies of our time, but it’s also extremely interactive making it the hottest new museum.  Try your hand at rnewseum2eporting and sit in the hot seat in the NBC News Interactive Newsroom.  For even more excitement, grab a seat (and some 3-D glasses!) at the I-Witness, a 4-D Time Travel Adventure, where visitors literally travel back in time with note-worthy journalists as they report on the most influential events in the history of news.

Other must-see exhibits include the Berlin Wall Gallery, the Pulitzer Prize Photograph Gallery (one of the most comprehensive collections of Pulitzer Prize-winning photos ever assembled), the emotional 9/11 Gallery and the G-Men & Journalists Gallery (an exhibit of the FBI’s relationship with the media, complete with the Unabomber’s actual cabin).

The most significant aspect of the museum, however, may be the museum’s objective of effectively bridging the gap between the media and the public – lending a sense of mutual understanding and purpose through visual, oral and written stories of time.

Insider Tip: Reflect on a moving experience by taking a trip up to the Hank Greenspun Terrace rooftop for arguably the best view of Pennsylvania Avenue (Washington’s “Main Street”) and the U.S. Capitol in the city.

Channel Mobster Untouchables Johnny Depp-err Dillinger in Chi-Town

Long before Johnny Depp portrayed bad-boy gangster, John Dillinger in Public Enemies, Picture 17visitors to Chicago have always been enthralled with the gangster and mob history of the Windy City. After all, here’s a place where you can take in jazz music sitting in Capone‘s favorite old booth or where restaurant genius Jerry Kleiner’s attempt to open a new restaurant on the south side had him discovering hidden passageways and making speakeasys. Outside the movie theater where Dillinger, so perfectly played by Depp, was taken down, there are still plenty of bullet holes over which to ponder.

Alas, The Untouchables Tour is the tour for you if mob and gangster history is your fancy. Promising  motto, “it was a blast” is supposed to evoke a double entendre.

With insight into the Windy City’s politicians, the secrets of the mob masters and secrets of life during prohibition, this tour is a fun favorite for both Chi-town locals and tourists alike. Bullet proof vests, not included.

Literally Unearth The Ice Age at The Page Museum & La Brea Tar Pits

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Ever secretly fantasized about being an archeologist? Well, The Page Museum may be the closest thing to living out your dreams.  The museum is at the Rancho LPicture 10a Brea Tar Pits, which is world famous for having the largest and most diverse collection of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world. Think 40,000 year old mammoths, saber-tooth tigers and pre-historic sloths, just to name a few.

For those who don’t want to get down and dirty, the museum has dramatic exhibits of prehistoric animals. At the Page Museum Laboratory, you can see (real) archaeologists unearthing, cleaning and repairing fossils. Outside in Hancock Park, amazing life-size replicas of several extinct mammals whose fossils are in the ground below will bring the whole experience into perspective.

The Academy of Natural Sciences: T. Rex to Asian Butterflies

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The Academy of Natural Sciences, established in 1812, is the oldest natural science museum in North and South America, chock-full of permanent and touring exhibits, family programs and activities. All 4 stories of the Academy are wonderful for all ages and feature a variety of permanent exhibits that would delight any child. If they like a little adventure, more than 30 dinosaurs and other Mesozoic reptiles reside in Dinosaur Hall, including a 42-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex! For the daintier types, the Butterflies! exhibit showcases live butterflies from Central and South America, East Africa and Southeast Asia in its tropical garden. And everyone can enjoy The Live Animal Center, which holds over 100 live birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Ceiling-to-floor observation windows let you look behind the scenes, where staff and volunteers feed, groom and upkeep all of the animals.

Check out the website before heading over, because the visiting exhibits are ever-changing and always exciting.

History Lessons at Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Who says you can’t have a history lesson while vacationing in another city? Well that’s exactly what the Historical Museum of Southern Florida in Downtown Miami provides as one of the largest private, regional historical museums in the countryPicture 11. Housed in a fortress-like structure, the museum is home to an impressive collection of objects, prints and photographs that depict the influence that Native Americans as well as Caribbean residents had in forming and shaping South Florida.

The history of the founding individuals as well as the history of the aviation, maritime and tourism industries in South Florida will leave you with a sense of knowledge of how the southernmost area of the Sunshine State came to fruition.

Who’s Who of Aircraft at the Smithsonian Nat’l Air & Space Museum

As with anything beginning in Smithsonian, The National Air & Space Museum has an impressive showing of all things airborne.  Beginning with the Wright Brothers and constantly updating with new space artifacts and Hubble telescope pictures, this museum boasts a who’s who of aircrafts. The Spirit of St. Louis, 1903 Wright Flyer, and Apollo 11 Columbia are just a few of the big names on display.

More than simply displaying aircraft, the museum also houses the aptly named Lockheed Martin IMAX theater, Albert Einstein Planetarium, and flight simulators if you want to get involved in the action. This is the mother of air and space collections and it’s located in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate

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George Washington’s plantation on the banks of the beautiful Potomac River offers visitors a chance to understand America’s first hero and the fascinating world in which he lived. Since the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association bought the nearly empty Mansion in 1858, it has gathered Washington objects and used archaeology and research to piece together clues about the buildings and gardens of a bygone era. Over 1 million visitors come to walk in Washington’s footsteps each year, making Mount Vernon the most popular historic estate in America.

The Chateau Tivoli, A Star-Studded B&B

SFchateauJust two blocks north of Alamo Square’s famous “Painted Ladies” lies an equal beauty: The Chateau Tivoli. It charmed the likes of Mark Twain and Luisa Tetrazzini back in the day and continues to be a favorite among the elite. As elegant on the outside as it is on the inside, this landmark bed and breakfast will make you re-think this genre of accommodation.

For the modern guest, you’ll find a gracious wine and cheese reception in an old-fashioned music parlor. They even serve a classy champagne brunch on weekends. Antique furniture lavishes each suite from the likes of the Vanderbilt, Charles DeGaulle, and J. Paul Getty estates, that are named after famous opera singers and dancers who frequented the mansion.

If you’re looking to grab one of the nine room suites, you may be sharing the roof with some famous mansion-mates. Many a famous band member, talk show host, and actor have stayed at the Chateau Tivoli, keeping a low profile away from bustling downtown, while maintaining their sophisticated lifestyle.

Insider Tip: For quality reservations, forgo the online route and call Manager Nico Lizarraga.

Experience History at Jimmy Carter Library and Museum

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Embrace American history at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center. Take your time looking around at original documents from the Carter administration and photographs of the 39th president throughout the years. Brush up on his foreign and domestic policies, his views on environmental and social issues, and his daily life in the White House. You’ll be a Carter connoisseur by the end of the day!

Visit jimmycarterlibrary.gov for more information.

Skyscraper Museum

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The Big Apple is known for rich culture, plays and its high-rise buildings. The Skyscraper Museum explores the ever changing skyline’s history, investment in real estate and design. The museum has many different exhibits including a commemoration of the original World Trade Center. The museum has also created the panels that are shown at Ground Zero. Showing the past, present, and future of New York is the museum’s goal, and they have succeeded.

Georgias Great Tour by Bus from Atlanta

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Picture 119Enjoy a four hour trip as you learn about Atlanta’s contribution to American culture. Home to influential leaders such as Jimmy Carter and Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta has helped shape history. One can gain a better understanding of the 39th president by visiting his Museum and Library, and visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and memorial site and learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. Amidst the cultural aspects of the tour are stops at the Coca-Cola Museum, the Woodruff Arts Center, and the Swan House. Admission to all of these events is included in tour price. For a great way to appreciate all aspects of Atlanta and see the city for all that it is, one should take this tour.

This four hour trip will take you through historical sites as well as the newest attractions in Atlanta. During this tour, one will step into Gone with the Wind author, Margaret Mitchell’s house, view the Governor’s house along with other historical landmarks and churches, see where the 1996 Olympics made history, the Atlanta skyline, and make a stop for Georgia’s Aquarium. All admission to these events is included in the tour price. This tour is perfect for someone new to the city, showing both Atlanta’s past and present.

Alcatraz

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Take a boat ride to and a tour through the small island full of rich history. Alcatraz was one of the first US forts on the west coast, an infamous federal penitentiary, and occupied by Native Americans for eighteen months. Alcatraz also has gardens, tide pools, and a view of the city like none other. For a highly entertaining and educational excursion, visit Alcatraz Island.

New York City Fire Museum

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This museum is dedicated to the history of the men and women in the New York City Fire Department. This museum is a great way to teach your “junior” firefighter about how the fires were fought from colonial times to today. Besides just showing tools and apparatus, the museum also contains actual carriages used to carry water. This museum contains a large collection of fire memorabilia with many rare artifacts.

Museum of the American Railroad

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What’s big, long, and weighs a ton? One of the many massive trains on display at the Museum of the American Railroad. Explore Dallas’s intricate railroad history at this museum for locomotive lovers. Stand-out features include a complete pre-World War II passenger train as well as steam, diesel, and electric cabooses. The regarded relics of the railroad also include postwar lightweight passenger trains to compliment the impressive prewar collection.