Chandler is a city situated in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. This place is a prominent suburb of Phoenix Arizona. It has an estimated population of 240,595 residents.
Chandler’s central location makes it very accessible for East Valley exploration and to the neighboring city of Phoenix. A number of attractions are located in Chandler while others are a short distance away.
There are 300 sunny days in Chandler each year which means longer time for the outdoors. The days are warm and comfortable especially at nights.
A. Tourist Attractions
Grand Canyon – Chandler travel will not be complete if you do not visit the famed Grand Canyon. This is a landmark destination in the entire state of Arizona. Chandler is only a few miles from it.
Historic Downtown Chandler – this area is filled with various shops and recreational activities.
The Arizona Railway Museum – this museum exhibits restored train cars from various time periods in the country’s rail history. It displays original rail company china and glass, rail cars used in movie sets, rail cars and others.
Ostrich Festival – Chandler has an ongoing age-old tradition of farming, breeding and raising ostrich. This is a festival held at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler in keeping with the tradition. It features everything about Ostrich such as Ostrich races, interactive games, parade, entertainment, food, and arts and crafts. The festival is held every year during March.
Chandler Jazz Festival - This is a yearly Jazz festival in Downtown Chandler that features different famous jazz performers. There is no fee for admission.
The Chandler Center for the Arts – this is the main advocate of the arts in greater Chandler area. The facility is shared with the Chandler School District. The Chandler Center for the Arts offers local, national and international performances.
Chandler Fashion Center Mall – this mall is just a few feet from Historic Downtown Chandler. It has more than 180 shops and restaurants. It houses the Dancing Waters which is the biggest water fountain in a U.S. shopping center.
Firebird International Raceway - Firebird has an area of 440 acres. The place focuses totally on motor sports. The facility holds the NHRA Winston Drag Racing national event, IHBA Drag Boat Racing, and four test courses including a CART-certified East Course, home of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and ProFormance Driving Events.
The Vision Gallery - a nonprofit for fine arts located in Chandler’s Historic Downtown displaying artworks created by more than 300 local and national artists. It also offers Vision Kids, an arts educational program for children in the East Valley.
USA Skateland Chandler has solid wood skate floors, state of the art lighting and sound systems, areas for concession and birthday celebrations, rental skates and roller blades, huge game rooms and various novelty shops.
Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western and Native American Art – this gallery houses more than 1,500 pieces of art in different mediums such as watercolors, oil paintings, wood-turned bowls, basketry, pottery, Kachinas and jewelry.
B. Things to Do
Since Chandler is close to the mountains, you can camp, hike, rock climb, sail and even ski regularly.
Shopping is one activity that you can indulge in. You can also sample the local’s sumptuous cuisine.
Every first Wednesday of the month, local artists would have art exhibits for viewing and selling purposes. This weekly activity is called Chandler Art Walk and it features all kinds of arts and crafts from jewelries to paintings.
Golf is another activity you can do. The Bear Creek Course designed by Jack Nicklaus is a good place to unwind. Another one that has a good golf course is the Hotel San Marcos.
A skate park is also provided. Most teens hang out in this place. It has an area of 35,000 feet. You can do skateboarding or line skating here.
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving teaches student racers how to drive like a professional race car driver.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Atlanta Travel – Enjoying the Sights
Popular Destinations
Another popular tourist destination in Atlanta
Another popular tourist destination is the Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta
Atlantic Station is an urban renewal project located on Midtown Atlanta. It was opened to the public in October 2005.
George Dome offers a unique guided tour to various places in the complex. You can view exclusive places reserve to the elite. Tickets only cost $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for the kids.
Another interesting place to visit is the CNN Atlanta Tour. This is the main headquarter of the famous news site. The guided tour lasts for 50 minutes only. You will actually get to see a live news broadcast. This is a fun place for children to visit.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Boston Travel
A. Weather
The best time to visit Boston will be from late May to September each year when the weather is cool and sunny. If it becomes too hot, you can always head to the nearest beach.
B. Accommodations
There are a number of beautiful and affordable accommodations in Boston depending on your budgets.
If you like comfort and convenience you can go to the upper boutique hotels found in various spots. If you are on a tight budget, there are inexpensive hostels and bed and breakfasts all over the place.
C. Tourist Attractions
1. West of Boston Downtown – the Back Bay
The Back Bay is located in the West of downtown Boston. This place is famous for its boutique hotels. In Newbury Street which is south of tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue boulevard is where you can indulge in al fresco wining and dining. The galleries and shopping are very enticing to tourist. A walking distance from Newbury is the Copley Square where you will see the Trinity Church filled with fresco and Boston Public Library. You can see the entire Boston if you climb its highest structure – John Hancock Tower. On the southwest of Back Bay you can visit Fenway Park, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Museum of Fine Arts.
2. Boston Common and Downtown
Boston Common is located right in the middle of downtown Boston and Back Bay. It is 50-acre Park reputed to be the oldest park in the entire United States. , It serves as the entrance to the historic Boston’s
3. Freedom Trail.
The Frog Pond is where ice skaters troop to during winter. The Public Garden and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace are must-see places. You will find some of the freshest and most sumptuous clam chowder, lobster rolls and Boston cream pie in Boston. On the north part you can find the State House and the wealthy neighbourhood known as Beacon Hill. On the south part is located the Chinatown and Theater.
4. North End
Located in the North of downtown you will find the North End, the oldest neighborhoods of Boston. Situated in this historic site is the waterfront, café culture and preRevolutionary spots. Its numerous Italian residents, cafes and restaurants earned it the moniker ”Little Italy.” Hanover and Salem streets are particularly known for their homemade ravioli and sweet cannoli pastries. The Freedom Trail in the North End of the Freedom Trail is where you can find Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. In the Charles River is where you will see the oldest commissioned warship afloat, theUSS Constitution.
5. Financial District and Waterfront
On the Eastern part of downtown Boston is the Financial District. Boston hotels lined up in the Inner Harbor give you a great view of the Boston Harbor Walk. This is where you can find the famous New England Aquarium, known for its marine life, research and conservation, and the Boston Children’s Museum. Boston Harbour Islands National Park is also within walking distance where you will see the wildlife and a number of plant life. You can take a ride to Boston Logan International Airport through the airport water shuttle.
6. Cambridge
In Cambridge, across the Charles River, is where you will see the oldest university in the country- Harvard University. Another famous institution is the MIT or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Luxury boutique hotels lined the streets of Harvard Square. Street performers occupy the Harvard Square every night to offer you free entertainment.
D. Things to Do
1. Duck Tour
You tour the city by land and water. The guide will drive you through town and offer insightful information about the place.
2. Whale Watching
Most operators assure you that you will see whales in the waters of Boston. If not, you will get a free ticket so you can come back.
3. Stroll in the Faneuil Hall
The old, historic marketplace which was the place where politicians and colonists gathered back in the old days now serves as a great background for shopping and a taste of the local’s food and for buying souvenir items.
4. Ride the Swan Boats
You can ride the boats in the waters in Boston Public Garden considered as the first botanical garden in the US. The garden is located in Boston Common. These swan-shaped vessels take you to the Public Garden Lagoon where you can view flowering scenery and open-air sculptures.
5. Shopping in Newbury Street
This is the best shopping district in Boston. If you love shopping or just browsing through the latest in fashion, this is the place to be.
6. Ice-skating on the Frog Pond Skating Rink
During winter the Frog Pond is a popular destination for skaters. The venue is available every mid-November to mid-March.
7. Sea kayaking in the Harbor
Take ecofriendly kayaking tour from Grape Island around the Boston Harbor Islands with experienced park rangers.
8. City cycle tours
You can do an urban cycle tour. They have bikes@night tour with Boston sunset and harbor views from Black Falcon Pier, ending in the lively North End, just in time for a post-cycle cocktail.
9. Basketball at TD Garden
Watch Boston Celtics basketball team play against rivals at the TD Garden arena, in downtown Boston near the North End.
10. Freedom Trail Walk
Walk the two-and-a-half mile Freedom Trail of the historic Boston’s Revolutionary War. The tour starts at Boston Common then to the Bunker Hill Monument, then on to the U.S. Navy’s oldest warship, the USS Constitution, in Charlestown's Navy Yard.
E. Dining at the North End
If you want to experience sumptuous Italian cuisine then you should visit the north end of Boston where the biggest Italian neighbourhood is situated. This place boasts a number of restaurants that provide great dining experience.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Costa Rica Travel
Costa Rica literally means “Rich Coast”. With Costa Rica travel expect to see diverse topography, marine and animal life. The place is mostly sunny the year round so you have plenty of opportunities to visit and explore the country.
A. Weather
The best time to travel to Costa Rica is from December to April when the weather is perfect and sunny all day. Rainy days are from May to November. The downside with sunny days is most hotels are fully booked. It will be best to book ahead of time.
B. Tourist Attractions
Costa Rica has three natural divisions. These are the Pacific Coast, Central Valley and Caribbean Coast. Each of these places offers something unique and wonderful to the discerning traveller. No wonder Costa Rica is considered one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. It is best to start at the Caribbean side then proceed to see the volcano in the Central Valley and finally, tour the Pacific Coast.
In the Caribbean Coast you will see huge banana plantations. A short distance from the international harbour in Limon is the quaint little village in Caribbean called Puerto Viejo. This place is known for its Coral Reel where you can take snorkelling tours to see its abundant marine life. You will also get to visit the Indians Bri-Bri tribes and get a taste of their artisanal chocolate. You can then proceed to another village called Cahuita where the famous National Parks are situated.
Another place to visit is the beaches in Manzanillo. You can then proceed to Tortuguero, an island in the northern part of the coast where you can turtle watching is a famous activity.
After seeing the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, you travel to the middle part which is the Central Valley. This part is known for its active, picturesque volcanoes. Volcano Poas, Irazu and Arenal are just a few of the volcanoes in the area.
There are a number of hotels located in this area. If you go to the village of El Castillo in the National Park, you will have the perfect view of the volcanoes. You can hire agencies in the town of La Fortuna that can help you arrange tours near the volcano. You can trek on the side of National Park and see the diverse wildlife thriving in the place. If you want to rejuvenate, a dip in the hot springs or thermal waters would help. For the adventurous souls, river rafting is one activity you can indulge in the Central Valley.
Of course, your Costa Rica travel will not be complete if you do not visit the Pacific side of the country. From La Fortuna, you can proceed to the province of Guanacaste where the Peninsula of Nicoya is situated. This is the best place to indulge in various water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing or just simply watch the sunset by the beach.
You can visit another National Park in Marino Ballena which is known for its whale watching activity. The best place to visit in the Pacific Coast is the National Park of Corcovado which is at the south part of the country. This is a “must-see” place in Costa Rica. You will be able to do arranged tours to the park and see the numerous and various preserved wildlife there.
C. Things to Do
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica. These include the following:
Trekking: You can trek the side of volcanoes in National Parks to see its abundant wildlife.
Canopy Tours: Strap yourself on a zip line and go over tree tops in Monteverde.
Surfing: The most famous place to surf is in Salsa Brave near the Caribbean.
White water rafting: Another famous activity for the adventurous soul. You can do this at Turrialba. You can enter this spot through Ríos Reventazón and Pacuare.
River kayaking: This is another great activity for the thrill-seekers. The best place to do this is in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
Snorkelling: The Nicoya peninsula offers one of the best places to do this.
Scuba diving: Visit the popular dive spots in the northern part of Nicoya peninsula to get a great view of the rich marine life of the area.
A. Weather
The best time to travel to Costa Rica is from December to April when the weather is perfect and sunny all day. Rainy days are from May to November. The downside with sunny days is most hotels are fully booked. It will be best to book ahead of time.
B. Tourist Attractions
Costa Rica has three natural divisions. These are the Pacific Coast, Central Valley and Caribbean Coast. Each of these places offers something unique and wonderful to the discerning traveller. No wonder Costa Rica is considered one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. It is best to start at the Caribbean side then proceed to see the volcano in the Central Valley and finally, tour the Pacific Coast.
In the Caribbean Coast you will see huge banana plantations. A short distance from the international harbour in Limon is the quaint little village in Caribbean called Puerto Viejo. This place is known for its Coral Reel where you can take snorkelling tours to see its abundant marine life. You will also get to visit the Indians Bri-Bri tribes and get a taste of their artisanal chocolate. You can then proceed to another village called Cahuita where the famous National Parks are situated.
Another place to visit is the beaches in Manzanillo. You can then proceed to Tortuguero, an island in the northern part of the coast where you can turtle watching is a famous activity.
After seeing the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, you travel to the middle part which is the Central Valley. This part is known for its active, picturesque volcanoes. Volcano Poas, Irazu and Arenal are just a few of the volcanoes in the area.
There are a number of hotels located in this area. If you go to the village of El Castillo in the National Park, you will have the perfect view of the volcanoes. You can hire agencies in the town of La Fortuna that can help you arrange tours near the volcano. You can trek on the side of National Park and see the diverse wildlife thriving in the place. If you want to rejuvenate, a dip in the hot springs or thermal waters would help. For the adventurous souls, river rafting is one activity you can indulge in the Central Valley.
Of course, your Costa Rica travel will not be complete if you do not visit the Pacific side of the country. From La Fortuna, you can proceed to the province of Guanacaste where the Peninsula of Nicoya is situated. This is the best place to indulge in various water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing or just simply watch the sunset by the beach.
You can visit another National Park in Marino Ballena which is known for its whale watching activity. The best place to visit in the Pacific Coast is the National Park of Corcovado which is at the south part of the country. This is a “must-see” place in Costa Rica. You will be able to do arranged tours to the park and see the numerous and various preserved wildlife there.
C. Things to Do
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica. These include the following:
Trekking: You can trek the side of volcanoes in National Parks to see its abundant wildlife.
Canopy Tours: Strap yourself on a zip line and go over tree tops in Monteverde.
Surfing: The most famous place to surf is in Salsa Brave near the Caribbean.
White water rafting: Another famous activity for the adventurous soul. You can do this at Turrialba. You can enter this spot through Ríos Reventazón and Pacuare.
River kayaking: This is another great activity for the thrill-seekers. The best place to do this is in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
Snorkelling: The Nicoya peninsula offers one of the best places to do this.
Scuba diving: Visit the popular dive spots in the northern part of Nicoya peninsula to get a great view of the rich marine life of the area.
Anchorage Travel
Anchorage Alaska is one travel destination that you should see. Anchorage has four seasons. Summer months of June, July and August are the warm and best months for Anchorage travel.
A. Tourist Attractions
Alaska Native Heritage Center – the center provides five permanent outdoor village exhibit featuring Anchorage tradition. Inside the center, a short film about Native cultures is shown. Performances are also held daily such as singing, dancing and others.
Anchorage Museum of History and Art- this is located adjacent to the heritage center. It houses more than 20,000 pieces of artifacts during the Archaic period.
Alaska Zoo- this is another great and famous attraction in Anchorage. The zoo features a number of animals that inhabit Alaska such as the popular polar bear, Arctic fox, musk ox, bison, lynx and reindeer.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation – is another place that features wildlife.
Chugach National Park – this place is great for hiking. You may come across some unexpected visitors at times though such as the wolves and bears.
Prince William Sound - This place allows you ample view of Alaskan fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. You can kayak, sail, or cruise through the water so you can get a good view of various wildlife such as seals and whales.
Other places to see during your Anchorage travel include:
Elmendorf State Hatchery, Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, H20asis Water Park in the southeast of Anchorage
B. Things to Do
Anchorage travel offers a number of unique, enjoyable activities including Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, sled dog tours and snowmobile. Other outdoors activities that do not require snow include fishing, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sail boarding, sailing and other motorized water sports. You can also do camping. If sports is your thing, you can indulge in a play of baseball, basketball and hockey.
For the adventurous soul, you can glide up on the air with a float plane. You can see the entirety of Anchorage and the glaciers with a plane ride. Annual festivities and activities held in Anchorage include the following:
Annual Anchorage Folk Festival is held every January.
Ski for Women – is held every February.
The Great Alaska Shootout - an NCAA Division I tournament that features participants from various colleges and universities from all over US.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – this dog race begins at Anchorage. Guests can join the pre-race festivities and watch the dogs journey through across the frozen tundra.
Ice Carving competition – participants create the most original ice sculpture in front of a live audience.
Anchorage Fur Rendezvous festival is another activity that is unique to Alaska. It is held every February.
Sitka Summer Music Festival- is an annual music festival every September held at Alaska Pacific University campus.
Anchorage travel enables you to see the beautiful outdoors and enviable wildlife in their natural setting. You can travel even with a tight budget because Anchorage offers a number of accommodations that will surely suit your budget.
A. Tourist Attractions
Alaska Native Heritage Center – the center provides five permanent outdoor village exhibit featuring Anchorage tradition. Inside the center, a short film about Native cultures is shown. Performances are also held daily such as singing, dancing and others.
Anchorage Museum of History and Art- this is located adjacent to the heritage center. It houses more than 20,000 pieces of artifacts during the Archaic period.
Alaska Zoo- this is another great and famous attraction in Anchorage. The zoo features a number of animals that inhabit Alaska such as the popular polar bear, Arctic fox, musk ox, bison, lynx and reindeer.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation – is another place that features wildlife.
Chugach National Park – this place is great for hiking. You may come across some unexpected visitors at times though such as the wolves and bears.
Prince William Sound - This place allows you ample view of Alaskan fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. You can kayak, sail, or cruise through the water so you can get a good view of various wildlife such as seals and whales.
Other places to see during your Anchorage travel include:
Elmendorf State Hatchery, Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, H20asis Water Park in the southeast of Anchorage
B. Things to Do
Anchorage travel offers a number of unique, enjoyable activities including Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, sled dog tours and snowmobile. Other outdoors activities that do not require snow include fishing, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sail boarding, sailing and other motorized water sports. You can also do camping. If sports is your thing, you can indulge in a play of baseball, basketball and hockey.
For the adventurous soul, you can glide up on the air with a float plane. You can see the entirety of Anchorage and the glaciers with a plane ride. Annual festivities and activities held in Anchorage include the following:
Annual Anchorage Folk Festival is held every January.
Ski for Women – is held every February.
The Great Alaska Shootout - an NCAA Division I tournament that features participants from various colleges and universities from all over US.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – this dog race begins at Anchorage. Guests can join the pre-race festivities and watch the dogs journey through across the frozen tundra.
Ice Carving competition – participants create the most original ice sculpture in front of a live audience.
Anchorage Fur Rendezvous festival is another activity that is unique to Alaska. It is held every February.
Sitka Summer Music Festival- is an annual music festival every September held at Alaska Pacific University campus.
Anchorage travel enables you to see the beautiful outdoors and enviable wildlife in their natural setting. You can travel even with a tight budget because Anchorage offers a number of accommodations that will surely suit your budget.
Friday, June 1, 2012
State of Alabama Travel
The state of Alabama is also referred to as "The Heart of Dixie." This is because the state is an important part of southern heritage. Tradition co-exists seamlessly with the state-of-the-art technology in the place.
A. Tourist Attractions in Alabama
1. Ave Maria Grotto located in Cullman- this 4 acre park is also called "Jerusalem in Miniature." This was built by a Benedictine monk named Brother Joseph Zoetti. It houses 125 miniature reproductions of famous shrines and historical structures all over the world.
2. The “Peanut city” of Dothan. Most of the state’s peanuts are grown here. They have a yearly Peanut Festival in November.
3. Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile – this is where the battleship USS Alabama and USS Drum are displayed. It also exhibits various tanks and airplanes.
4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home – this is a 65-acre garden estate that provides tours and river cruises. They are famous for its rose garden.
5. Birmingham Museum of Art – the biggest museum in the entire state with an art collection of more than 21,000 pieces.
6. Old Alabama Town in Montgomery has 40 restored buildings including a tavern and a drug store. The structures are all from the 1800s. There are some restored residences also. Most of the restored homes have slave's quarters and kitchens outside the house.
7. DeSoto Caverns Park – the biggest cave found in the state of Alabama. It stands 12 stories high and as large as a football field. Several recreational facilities are provided outside the cave. Oprah included the cavern in her list of Wacky Family Attraction.
8. Russell Cave in Bridgeport is where a prehistoric man more than 10,000 years old was discovered.
9. Early Works Museum Complex - This is a complex of three history museums.
10. International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum – it contains various pieces pertaining to motorsports. One display is the Budweiser rocket car which was the first automobile to ever break the speed of sound. The Talladega Super Speedway, a venue for motorsport racing, is located here.
11. Noccalulua Falls Park – this is a 250-acre public park with various recreational facilities.
12. Dauphin Island – another must see place in Alabama. It has pristine beaches and a Dauphin Island Sea Lab that showcases marine life.
13. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – this is the biggest golf course ever made with 400 holes all over the state of Alabama.
14. US Space & Rocket Center – it has the biggest collection of pieces from space and various rockets.
The state of Alabama plays a key role in the South. Its amazing tourist attractions and the numerous recreational facilities along with its historical significance makes this state truly distinctive and unique.
A. Tourist Attractions in Alabama
1. Ave Maria Grotto located in Cullman- this 4 acre park is also called "Jerusalem in Miniature." This was built by a Benedictine monk named Brother Joseph Zoetti. It houses 125 miniature reproductions of famous shrines and historical structures all over the world.
2. The “Peanut city” of Dothan. Most of the state’s peanuts are grown here. They have a yearly Peanut Festival in November.
3. Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile – this is where the battleship USS Alabama and USS Drum are displayed. It also exhibits various tanks and airplanes.
4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home – this is a 65-acre garden estate that provides tours and river cruises. They are famous for its rose garden.
5. Birmingham Museum of Art – the biggest museum in the entire state with an art collection of more than 21,000 pieces.
6. Old Alabama Town in Montgomery has 40 restored buildings including a tavern and a drug store. The structures are all from the 1800s. There are some restored residences also. Most of the restored homes have slave's quarters and kitchens outside the house.
7. DeSoto Caverns Park – the biggest cave found in the state of Alabama. It stands 12 stories high and as large as a football field. Several recreational facilities are provided outside the cave. Oprah included the cavern in her list of Wacky Family Attraction.
8. Russell Cave in Bridgeport is where a prehistoric man more than 10,000 years old was discovered.
9. Early Works Museum Complex - This is a complex of three history museums.
10. International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum – it contains various pieces pertaining to motorsports. One display is the Budweiser rocket car which was the first automobile to ever break the speed of sound. The Talladega Super Speedway, a venue for motorsport racing, is located here.
11. Noccalulua Falls Park – this is a 250-acre public park with various recreational facilities.
12. Dauphin Island – another must see place in Alabama. It has pristine beaches and a Dauphin Island Sea Lab that showcases marine life.
13. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – this is the biggest golf course ever made with 400 holes all over the state of Alabama.
14. US Space & Rocket Center – it has the biggest collection of pieces from space and various rockets.
The state of Alabama plays a key role in the South. Its amazing tourist attractions and the numerous recreational facilities along with its historical significance makes this state truly distinctive and unique.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)