Tag Archives: Madame Tussaud’s

Jun5

Top 5 Kid Friendly US Destinations

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Top 5 Kid Friendly US Destinations

Although there are a multitude of destinations considered kid-friendly, here are the top 5 you may want to consider on your next family vacation.

EPCOT

EPCOT

  1. Disney World. This  family vacation has been the source of great joy for adults and kids alike.  Whether you stay several miles from the theme park or enjoy the on site amenities, this vacation affords you an endless array of activities designed for the entire family.  From Epcot Center to Sea World; from Disney Village to Universal Studios; Water parks to Wildlife parks; there is always something to do at this world-famous resort.

Moreover, many online travel sites are offering special packages to Disney World as well as Southwest Airlines and others.  In addition, you can save  money by selecting hotels that offer free stays for children, as well as free meals for the little ones. This is one destination where you can easily book a trip based on your budget and stick to it.

RANCH

RANCH

  1. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. From Alaska to Wyoming, there are a multitude of dude ranches perfect for a family vacation.  But, one of the most notable is the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Colorado, about 20 miles from Rock Mountain National Park.  Here, your family can engage in an array of activities including: horseback riding, hay rides, nature walks, and a host of amenities provided by the ranch.

This dude ranch is perfect for families who love the outdoors as well as enjoy visiting such historic sites as Fort Collins, Old West Museums, and Cheyenne (where you can buy tickets to the world’s largest rodeo held from July 17 to the 26th).

SEA SHELLS

SEA SHELLS

  1. Hawaii. While Oahu has always been a popular destination, it is Maui that attracts family vacationers more than any of its islands.  The reason is that it offers a variety of activities such as whale watching (seasonal); Lahaina, a famous whaling village; and Maui Ocean Center, home to the largest aquarium in Hawaii.

Your family can also take a ride on the Sugar Cane Train, circa 1890; visit Oheo Gulch to marvel at the spectacular waterfalls; spend a day at Iao Valley and view the Iao Needle; or visit the black-sand beaches at Waianapanapa in East Maui.

For fabulous weather, magnificent sunsets, and beautiful beaches; Maui is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy spending quality family time.

NEW YORK SKYLINE

NEW YORK SKYLINE

  1. New York. Probably the most exciting vacation spot for families is New York.  The “Big Apple” has something for everyone; from Broadway to Rockefeller Center, you will never run out of things to do here.  Among the many sites to visit is Radio City Music Hall where you can take in a show; Madison Square Garden; the Empire State Building; the Village; 42nd Street, the Theater District; museums; shopping, fabulous cuisine; the list is endless.

Spend a day walking along Fifth Avenue and stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; take a tour of NBC Studios; spend an afternoon in Central Park and visit the zoo there; go to the South Street Seaport or take in a matinée performance on a Wednesday afternoon.

Whether you stay uptown or downtown, you will always be near to the many historic sites and sounds that form Manhattan.  Moreover, your kids will enjoy all this city has to offer.

M & M WORLD LAS VEGAS

M & M WORLD LAS VEGAS

  1. Las Vegas. The city that never sleeps offers a range of attractions for kids.  This is why it is among the top family destinations in the US today.  Moreover, it is an affordable vacation because the hotel packages and meals will fit any budget.

Among the many attractions offered for families include: M&M’s World, the Lion Habitat at MGM, Adventure Canyon, Game Works (a video game-playing wonderland), Sports Park, Circus Circus rides; Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage hotel; Shark Reef; New York, New York’s roller coaster; Madame Tussaud’s; Lake Mead; Children’s Museum (the largest of its kind); and Adventuresdome, the largest theme park in the U.S.

Many of these attractions are free and are well worth visiting.  Don’t forget the Flamingo Habitat at the Flamingo hotel or the spectacular water fountain show across the way at Caesars Palace.

For great fun and awesome rides and venues, Las Vegas is a wonderful choice for your next family vacation.

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Sep6

England 1976 Part IV

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England 1976 Part IV

My favorite places were the streets of London – the streets of any city are my favorite places –  photographing the people and buildings that didn’t necessarily have any historical significance like the gypsy selling flowers at Portobello Road or eating lunch at Woolworth’s.

One day, Portobello Road will deserve a blog all its own from me. The crowds – filled with the kind of people you would find on Broadway and Times Square –  the smells, the sounds, the colors, and the over abundance of stuff for sale  would set me off writing for days and days.

We went to Marks and Spencer and I bought a dress that I thought would be considered “mod” since it was from England. I bought a shirtwaist-type dress was in black and tan with stripes and short sleeves. Styles were changing by the middle 1970s. Women’s clothes were more tailored especially dresses and this dress had tailoring down to its buttons

I also bought Mary Quant make-up in cute pots. The label on the pot of blush called it “cheeky.”  How “mod” was that?

http://www.fashion-era.com/2970s.htm

The City of Westminster is home to Baker Street among other famous addresses and took its name from the builder William Baker who laid the street out in the 1700s. The detective Sherlock Holmes lived at the fictional address 221 B Baker Street.

http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/baker_street

Portobello Road is the world’s largest antiques market with over 1000 dealers. www.portobelloroad.co.uk

Located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge,Harrods is the biggest department store in Europe.

www.harrods.com

Piccadilly Circus is a round open public space in London’s West End in the City of Westminster. Piccadilly Circus connect  Regent Street with Piccadilly Street. Piccadilly Circus is close to entertainment areas in the West End and links to the theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue. www.piccadillycircus.com

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum: Founded by Marie Tussaud, a wax sculptor, the wax museum houses the likenesses of many famous people.  www.madametussauds.com

No. 10 Downing Street houses the headquarters of the Executive Arm of the British government and is the official residence of the Prime Minister and the office of the First Lord of the Treasury. The building is over 300 years old and has about 100 rooms. No. 10 is  close to St. James Park, the Palace of Westminster and Buckingham Palace. www.gov.uk//history/10-downing-street

The Tower of London and “London Bridge” are two of the most famous symbols of London. The Tower of London houses the ghosts of past prisoners  – Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes and Sir Walter Raleigh among others – and the crown jewels. The jewels, of course, were beautiful and included the Imperial State Crown which the Queen uses at the State Opening of Parliament and St. Edward’s Crown which the King or Queen wears during the coronation (when there is one).

www.hrp.org.uk/CrownJewels/abriefhistory

www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-famous-prisoners-of-the-tower-of-london

What every tourist thinks of as the London Bridge is really the Tower Bridge. This is the bridge that tourists photograph and mistakenly call the London Bridge. Built in 1894 to look like a medieval bridge the Tower Bridge is on the way to the Tower of London.

The London Bridge was built in 1973 and spans the Thames River like the Tower Bridge.

www.freetoursby foot.com/London-bridge-tower-bridge

When I took my photos of London Tower and Tower Bridge, I had no way of know that the film would be over-exposed when I developed the film back home. I was upset when I first saw them but now I’ m glad they are the way they are. When I look at them now, I think how the photos set a mood for the places I photographed.

 

 

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