Tag Archives: landmark

Stand in the sky! Unforgettable Chicago views at The Willis Tower!

Where can you stand on top of $150 million dollars at 1,353 feet in the air, while overlooking four other states and swaying back and forth by six inches? Answer: The Willis Tower Skydeck .

The Willis Tower and its new and improved observatory atop it all has been taken in with loving arms. The Skydeck’s new addition is called The Ledge and that pretty much says it all. The Ledge consists of all glass and stands over the city of Chicago for those who dare step into its case. From there it extends 4.3 feet from the Skydeck leaving guests on top of the world. Click theskydeck.com/ for more information.

Insider Tip: The Willis Tower, as it has always been, is a major hotspot for visitors in Chicago- and the long line reflects that. Skip the hours wait by paying 30 bucks for the express ticket and go straight to the elevators and up, up, up. Trust us, it’s money well spent.

Party with the Past – Presented by the Atlanta History Center

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.

La Brea Tar Pits

The La Brea Tar Pits (or Rancho La Brea Tar Pits) are a cluster of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed, in the urban heart of Los Angeles. Asphaltum or tar (brea in Spanish) has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered with water. Over many centuries, animals that came to drink the water fell in, sank in the tar, and were preserved as bones. The George C. Page Museum is dedicated to researching the tar pits and displaying specimens from the animals that died there. The La Brea Tar Pits are now a registered National Natural Landmark.

Tar pits form when crude oil seeps to the surface through fissures in the Earth’s crust; the light fraction of the oil evaporates, leaving behind the heavy tar, or asphalt, in sticky pools. Tar from the La Brea tar pits was used for thousands of years by local native Americans, as a glue and as waterproof caulking for baskets and canoes. After the arrival of Westerners, the tar from these pits was mined and used for roofing by the inhabitants of the nearby town of Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles.

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.

Living a Green Life at the US Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. With clear glass domes, transparent greenhouse infrastructures, and beautiful, lively gardens, this Botanic Garden reminds visitors of the importance of plants to the human race and to the earth’s fragile ecosystem.

Not only presenting an eclectic array of plants from all corners of the world, the Garden highlights their aesthetical, cultural, economic, and ecological significance through exhibits and guides.

Maintaining over 26,000 types of plants, the USBG has committed itself to provide the public a place of scenic beauty and a chance to peruse an extensive collection of exotic flowers, herbs, cacti, and more.

Carnegie Hall: The World’s Premier Stage

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Practice, practice, practice – and a lot of talent – is the only way onto the world’s most prized stage, Carnegie Hall, but for those who enjoy listening to world class talent, buying a ticket to one of the amazing concerts is equally as impressive. Pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff made his debut on Carnegie Hall’s main stage, as well as hosting performances from cellist Yo-Yo Ma, opera legends Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti, conductor Leonard Bernstein to jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald. With its largest hall, the Isaac Stern Auditorium, open since 1891, Carnegie Hall is the premier classical music performance space for legends of yesterday and today.

The Isaac Stern Auditorium is what comes to mind when one thinks of what a classical concert auditorium should look like. Beautiful, with a striking curvilinear design and five levels of seating that holds up to 2,804 people, its renowned acoustics is one of the reasons why Carnegie Hall has been a favorite for audiences and performers for over a century. There are also smaller halls that are ideal for intimate performances, recitals, chamber music concerts, discussions, master classes and more.

With over 200 concerts a year, Carnegie Hall is the place to go for classical music as well as performances from popular artists, like country singer Reba McEntire and Broadway star Patti LuPone. There are also major international and national festivals, like JapanNYC led by Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa, that take place throughout the year, offering concerts as well as films, lectures, readings, museum exhibits, and more.

The Grub at Joe’s is ALWAYS in Season

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Even though Joe’s Stone Crab’s famous stone crab claws are only in season for part of the year, this landmark spot has a menu to rival any place in town… and then some. Greats like baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, aviator Amelia Earhart and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor have all dined at Joe’s and Miami’s social elite still flock to the spot to get their fix of the freshest stone crab claws and a veritable smorgasbord of delectable sides like coleslaw, creamed spinach and hash brown potatoes.

Although they’re known for their seafood, the roasted chicken at Joe’s is unbeatable. By all means save room for dessert, the key lime pie is beyond incredible and is a perfect ending to the meal. The wait at Joe’s is long since reservations aren’t taken, but you’re in luck, because there’s always Joe’s Take Away.

Silver Lake Sets a New Standard for LA Cool

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This is definitely not the Hollywood Hills that you’re used to seeing. Known as “The Williamsburg of the West,” Silver Lake has been home to many famous musicians, artists and hipster elite a la Katy Perry, Beck and Tom Waits, much like its Brooklyn counterpart. As upscale as it is quaint, Silver Lake is the place to go for off-the-beaten-path boutique vintage shops and amazing multi-ethnic cuisine. With a thriving indie music scene, and many up and coming artists, Silver Lake puts the hip into hipster.

Silver Lake is also home to some of California’s most impressive modern homes (like Kiefer Sutherland’s bachelor pad) and sprawling picturesque landscapes and city views that only the Hills and the Silver Lake Reservoir can provide. Silver Lake is an awesome locale for someone who is eager to experience the “real” LA, the LA most people didn’t even know existed. Hey, if it’s good enough for Agent Jack Bauer, then it’s good enough for everyone.

Tobacco Road’s Act is a Century Strong

Nearly a century Tobacco Road has been open, in the same location, making it a Miami institution for live music. It first opened its doors during the prohibition days and obviously things have changed a bit since then with the addition of legalized alcohol and some of the best live music in Miami.

They’ve been playin’ the blues at this place for years now, featuring an undisputed line-up of local musicians as well as established blues and rock acts that grace two tiny indoor stages (ground floor and second floor) and out on the patio. There’s always a reason for a party at Tobacco Road, whether it’s a blues festival or to celebrate yet another birthday- whether it be Gloria Estefan’s or another notch toward the century marker!

The Chateau Tivoli, A Star-Studded B&B

Just 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.

LA’s “Original” Farmers Market

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“Meet me at Third and Fairfax” is a phrase synonymous with the culinary elite and West Coast foodies. Since its conception 75 years ago, the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market is one of the most popular and highly trafficked markets of its kind. So popular, it is now considered a Los Angeles historic landmark.

Starting off with just a handful of vendors, the market has grown to mammoth proportions. It boasts 100 longstanding restaurants (even Starbucks has gotten in on the action) as well as eclectic and small farmers and grocers who sell everything from ingredients to homemade enchiladas. The Farmers Market has grown in size as well as diversity. There are many shops and specialty stores scattered throughout the ever-expanding corner.

Insider’s Tip: Make a day of it with a short trolley ride to The Grove or to CBS Television City.

Ellis Island

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When you are touring around Manhattan, there are a few things that have to be on your checklist of must-sees. Ellis Island is definitely one of them. This historic landmark will bring you right back to where it all started. Check out some of the recognizable names that have passed through this incredible port. You can even look up your own family’s genealogy. At Ellis Island, you’ll learn all about some of the unbelievable journeys people took to be a part of our country through film, photographs, and museum displays. The Wall of Honor is a sight to see as well. Overlooking the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline, The Wall of Honor contains over 700,000 names of immigrants. And it’s all free so how can you say no? Ferries leave from Battery Park and Liberty State Park daily.
For tickets and schedule information, call 1-877-LADY TIX or 1-877-523-9849 or visit www.statuecruises.com.

Swissotel Chicago

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Pamper yourself with the award-winning hospitality at Swissotel Chicago, which sets the standard for downtown Chicago hotel accommodations. Its world-class accommodations offer a virtual city tour including some of Chicago’s finest landmarks all from the comfort of our luxurious guestrooms. Precise Swiss service, combined with American energy and European elegance, make this distinctive four-diamond landmark the perfect place for distinguished tastes. Relieve the day’s tension with a rejuvenating massage.