Archive for the ‘U.S. Mid-Atlantic’ Category

Show Me the Money! (And the Washington, D.C. Monuments on the Green Back Backs)

May 31st
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic destinations

This Memorial Day weekend, there will be many people booking Washington, D.C. hotels to visit federal monuments and pay their respects at national events honoring the many U.S. soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom and democracy.

If you’re not on a Washington vacation, no worries—it’s also a time many people celebrate by spending money at the countless Memorial Day sales at retailers across the country (I for one plan on cooking out—the other great tradition—with some friends and family).

In honor of the day, vacations, D.C., and spending money, we’re flipping the dollar bills over to take a look at the different monuments represented on the reverse sides. Many don’t even know firsthand what’s on the back of each bill, so take a guess before reading. If you get them all right, reward yourself with one of each bill.
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West Virginia: Almost Heaven for Skiers

March 18th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic activities destinations

Much like our West Side counterparts, spring break along the East Coast is full of surf and snow. While North Carolina is a well known ski destination among the southeastern states, one rather mountainous area of the region is becoming quite the popular ski vacation spot.

The place? Almost heaven—according to John Denver that is. West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains. Life might be old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, and so on and so on, but the ski season is in its prime, and there are several different ski resorts where you can shred up the mountain on skis and boards, or slide down out of control on tubes. Along with some great lift tickets and other ski vacation packages, you can also find some cheap airline tickets into several big cities, as most of the Mountain State’s resorts are a three-hour drive or less from major airports in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Columbus, and Richmond.

Here are four spots in West Virginia where you can go all Bode Miller (or at least try to) this spring break:
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Ditch your Office for a Trip to Scranton’s

March 8th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic destinations

So Jim and Pam had their special delivery last Thursday night on The Office– congrats to the Halperts with the arrival of their new little girl. Let’s just hope the appearance of a baby doesn’t make The Office jump the shark as is often the case with many TV shows. But even if it does (and I don’t think it’s quite there yet), the Scranton, Penn.-based comedy still has legions of fans, many of whom have taken a break from their real office for a vacation package involving their favorite fictional one.

Most people knew very little about the city of Scranton, except maybe that it was the childhood home of Vice President Joe Biden, before The Office put the Electric City on the pop culture map. And while there is no actual Dunder Mifflin office you can visit, that hasn’t prevented thousands of fans from booking cheap flights into town to experience the workplace mockumetary in real life. There’s even an Office Fan Tour to enjoy, giving you in-depth looks at the town and the roles numerous landmarks have played on the show.
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Out-of-the-Doghouse Destinations: Post-Valentine Romantic Getaways from Movies She Loves

February 15th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic U.S. Southeast destinations romance

So did you find yourself in the doghouse this Valentine’s Day weekend? Perhaps you gave your significant other something that was a little unbecoming or thoughtless? Or maybe you didn’t do anything at all, choosing instead to watch the Winter Olympics or the NBA All-Star game (though seeing pairs performing together, such as couples figure skating, is kind of romantic, and, I suppose in a man-crushy kind of way, D-Wade dishing the ball to Lebron)?

If you find yourself needing to make up for missing the Valentine’s boat, there is hope yet. Dig yourself out of your hole by booking a romantic getaway filled with reliving the scenery of that Valentine’s Day staple: romantic comedies and dramas. We’ve put together four destinations that have been featured in romcoms and tear-jerkers, so book a cheap flight and get ready to travel to your happily ever after—even if you dug a really, really, really deep hole for yourself.
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Exploring Virginia Wine Country

February 8th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic destinations food romance

Whether you’re a hopeless romantic who believes in the XOXO, heart-filled history of the Valentine’s Day holiday, or more of the cynical type who believes it’s nothing more than a profit-producing vehicle fueled by greeting card companies, there’s no doubting that this upcoming weekend will feature more romantic getaways than any other time of the year.

Given the tagline that “Virginia is for lovers,” it’s a Valentine’s destination you might want to consider. Especially since it’s one of the nation’s fastest growing, widely esteemed wine regions, and no romantic getaway is complete without a select bottle of red or white. Add the beauty of Appalachia, and more than 15 distinguished wine trails to discover the 150 wineries spread out across the Commonwealth, you’re sure to have one close to that Richmond hotel room you booked for the occasion, or wherever you’re staying.
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Go (Ground)hog Wild in Pennsylvania and Atlanta

February 1st
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic U.S. Southeast destinations events and festivals

I believe I speak for us all (except those of you lucky enough to be enjoying a Caribbean vacation) when I say, “enough already!” to Old Man Winter. It’s been quite a stretch of cold since we first turned the calendar to December—one of the worst in recent memory, including here in Southeast, which is typically warmer than the rest of the country this time of year. Perhaps we can all pin our hopes on a certain furry creature not seeing his shadow on February 2, the traditional beckoning of spring we know as Groundhog Day.

There are two well-known places where you can enjoy big festivities surrounding the shadow-based prognostication—Punxsutawney, Penn. and Atlanta, Ga.—and two popular burrowing critters (well, that is at least until PETA gets their way and changes the event into an animatronics show with robot groundhogs determining if spring will arrive) that have made names for themselves predicting if we’re going to see six more weeks of winter if they see their silhouette on the ground.
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Live the “Dream”: MLK, Jr. Weekend Events in D.C.

January 4th
2010
by Jessica Mordo
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic activities events and festivals family music

ihaveadreamFor people who are fortunate to get a three-day weekend in January, or for others who simply want to take a long weekend to escape the winter doldrums, Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend is a great time for a little getaway. And for those who want to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King himself, Washington, D.C. is the place to be this January 15-18. Not only will you enjoy considerable off-season deals on Washington, D.C. hotels, but you’ll also be able to take part in a number of special events throughout the weekend honoring the civil rights movement hero.

Kicking off the weekend-long celebration is the 2009 Annual Civil Rights Film Festival, to be held on January 15 through 19 at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. The festival will showcase the PBS “Eyes on the Prize” documentary film series, which focuses on the trials and tribulations of the civil rights movement. In addition, the A&E biographical film “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Man, the Dream,” which honors Dr. King’s contributions to the civil rights movement, will be shown. All film screenings are free and will take place between 11am and 3pm each day of the festival’s run.

The National Museum of American History will hold a special Martin Luther King holiday family festival on January 16 through 18, from 10am to 5:30pm. Visitors can participate in an interactive, historical theater presentation of “Join the Student Sit-Ins,” which showcases the sit-ins of the civil rights movement, as well as “Sing for Freedom,” a sing-along of civil rights songs such as “This Little Light of Mine” and more. Furthermore, a dramatic presentation of MLK, Jr.’s words, an a cappella performance, and (on January 16 only) a live interview with one of the members of the Little Rock Nine (the students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, AR in 1959) are in store. (more…)

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New Year’s Resolutions: Ten Travel To-Do’s for 2010

December 29th
2009
by Jessica Mordo
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic U.S. Northeast activities beaches food outdoor adventure tips

Everyone’s been making Top Ten lists for 2009, or for the decade. I’m jumping on the list-making bandwagon, but with a twist: I thought I’d look forward instead of backward and muse on my top Northeast travel recommendations for the new year. While the economic outlook still seems uncertain, I’m also pondering recession-friendly ways to get the most out of your travel dollars, whether it’s visiting a dreamy National Park instead of a fancy resort, touring by bicycle rather than renting a car, or visiting regional destinations vs. foreign ones. So here they are, my ten picks for Northeast travel in ‘10, state by state.

acadia1) Explore Acadia National Park
The crown jewel of the wild Maine coast should really be on everyone’s list of dream destinations. Situated on offshore islands in the Atlantic, Acadia has it all: mountains, sea, lush woodlands, and lakes, not to mention abundant wildlife, including moose and black bear. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s fantasy, with ample terrain for hiking, cycling, kayaking, and other water-bound activities, and while camping is a popular option, cabins and other rentals are available for those who prefer to balance active days with cozier nights.

VTmaple2) Savor Vermont’s culinary offerings
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is known the world over as Vermont’s finest, but the Green Mountain State is famous for other delicious products that are best straight from the source. You can learn about the magical processes of tapping maple syrup and crafting sharp Cabot Cheddar cheese–and, of course, do some taste-testing. Good thing there are abundant places to experience maple and Cheddar yumminess throughout Vermont, so you’ll have a workable sample size. Pfew! (more…)

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Mummers Parade: Fabulous in Philly on New Year’s Day

December 26th
2009
by Jessica Mordo
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic events and festivals music

stringbandPeople tend to save up their energy reserves for New Year’s Eve festivities, but in Philadelphia, the real fun begins on New Year’s Day. That’s when the Mummers Parade a procession of over 10,000 wildly costumed marchers accompanied by floats, elaborate choreography, and live music take to Broad Street, from South Philly all the way to City Hall. Move over, Rose Parade–this centuries-old community tradition, located within easy reach of Philadelphia hotels, makes the City of Brotherly Love the most festive place to be come January 1.

Wait…mummer? In case you’re wondering just what in the world that is, a mummer is quite literally a costumed entertainer who welcomes in the new year. The custom of a Mummers Parade dates back to ancient European civilizations that ushered in a new year with festivals and elaborate costumes. The tradition was sparked in the Philadelphia area in the late 17th century by immigrants who wished to perpetuate Old World practices. While each ethnic community had their own spin on the custom, the separate celebrations joined forces in the late 19th century, and the city of Philadelphia sponsored the first official Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day of 1901. The city has brought this unique event to the masses ever since, making it one of Philly’s most classic and cherished annual events.

floatThe Mummers are comprised of five divisions of performers from the wider Philadelphia area. The Comic division, made up of clowns, floats, and traditional pageantry, lampoons modern-day political and social issues (who’s betting on Tiger Woods and Sarah Palin getting roasted this year?). An offshoot of the Comics, the Wench Brigades distinguish themselves with their scores of dudes wittily adorned in dresses. The String Band Brigades are all about music, and a lot of music it is, as a string band can average 64 pieces! Their original compositions are brought to life by string and percussive instruments, as well as accordions and glockenspiels; no brass instruments are permitted, ensuring a sound distinct from conventional parade marching bands. Ornate costumes and performances involving floats are the hallmarks of the Fancies, while the Fancy Brigade (in an ironic twist, not to be confused with the Fancies) put on mini-musicals incorporating elaborate props, precision drilling, and Broadway-style choreography. I told you the Rose Parade has nothing on the Mummers. (more…)

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A Very Sweet Christmas in Hershey

December 18th
2009
by Jessica Mordo
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic activities events and festivals family food music

xmaschocolatesCandy canes, peppermint bark, plum pudding, egg nog–all delicious holiday treats in their own right, but missing a certain something to titillate your taste buds? If that elusive ingredient is chocolate, then the cure for your holiday sweet tooth is just a short drive from Philadelphia hotels. Hershey, PA is the place to be through the rest of the month for Christmas in Hershey’s holiday attractions, culinary experiences, gift shopping, special overnight packages, and (drum roll, please) lots and lots of chocolate–not to mention  year-round theme parks and museums.

rideYou’ve visited furry friends at Zoo America, journeyed through the history of chocolate at The Hershey Story Museum, tasted confections at Hershey’s Chocolate World, and of course experienced the thrills of Hersheypark. This month, you can relive all that former glory and enjoy plenty of holiday cheer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. In addition to the 30-plus year-round rides (many of them now adorned in yuletide decor), the park has unveiled a new-for-this-season dancing light show set to classic Christmas songs, a.k.a. N.O.E.L. (Night of Extraordinary Lights).

Other Hersheypark holiday entertainment includes the Music Box Christmas sing-along show, dramatizations of holiday stories via Home Sweet Home for Christmas (with performances through the 31st), and the wandering Mistle-Tones brass band playing holiday tunes throughout the park on weekends. What’s more, you can drop by Santa’s Candy Cottage for photo opps with the big guy and a chance to visit his reindeer, and exchange holiday greetings with a host of costumed characters dressed in their Christmas best. Those looking to score last-minute gifts will find unique ornaments, Hershey souvenirs, and chocolate items galore in the park’s shops. (more…)

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