FACTS, FIGURES AND OTHER FUN STUFF
 Academy of Natural Sciences, The
The world-famous dioramas of animals from around the world displayed in their natural habitats give this natural history museum an old-fashioned charm; the latest discoveries give it drawing power. The most popular attraction is Discovering Dinosaurs, with reconstructed skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a dinosaur dig in which kids can search for fossils. Outside In is a minimuseum where children can handle fossils, dinosaur teeth, and live animals such as snakes, lizards, and a tarantula.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is located at 19th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. in downtown Philadelphia, Ph: 215.299.1020. 
Back in time on the Blue Ridge
As George Washington discovered at age 16, it's hard to venture into the Blue Ridge Mountains and exit unimpressed. Franklin Roosevelt had a quintessentially 20th-century vision of the mountains as a splendid place to vacation. For over a half century, multitudes of Americans have done exactly that, making the Blue Ridge Parkway, at 20 million visits per year, the National Park Service's most frequented park.
Many hike along any of over 100 trails. Others fish for trout, paddle canoes, cross-country ski, and shop for crafts. Some cycle the entire route. Nature's wonders are only part of the show. The parkway's spectacular stretch of high hardwoods and hemlock is also replete with uncommon tales of adversity and adventure.
The parkway climbs and descends across trails once trod by animals ordinarily identified with the Wild West. It once was Indian country - the heartland of the Cherokee, who had hunting grounds from Kentucky to Georgia. But roughly, 1,000 Cherokee stayed behind, hiding in the mountains. Today, their descendants live on a reservation which includes the parkway's 12 southernmost miles.
The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches from the western part of central Virginia to southwestern North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . For nature lovers, that's worth an additional week of vacation time.
Barnes Foundation in Merion, PA, The
Keeping a very low profile with no advertisements makes this private home one of the best kept open secrets on the Main Line.
Situated in Merion, a western suburb of Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation houses one of the finest private post-impressionist and early French modern art collections in the world. The Foundation's Gallery consists of a magnificent collection of over 1,100 works of art. The foundation was established in 1922 by Dr. Albert C. Barnes and promotes education and the appreciation of fine art and horticulture.
Making his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Barnes later turned his attention to art and often traveled to Paris. He became close friends with Henri Matisse, who often stayed at the Barnes' home in Merion. Needless to say, the Foundation's Matisse collection is amazing. Matisse himself has painted a spectacular ceiling mural in the main Gallery of the Foundation.
The Barnes Foundation is located at 300 North Latch's Lane in Merion. Gallery hours are Fridays 9:30am-5:pm (200 visitor limit/day) , Saturdays 9:30am-5:00pm (200 visitor limit/day) and Sundays 12:30pm-5:00pm (100 visitor limit/day).
You must telephone for a reservation in advance! No admittance without obtaining a ticket in advance!
Please call 610.667.0290 for more information.
Block Island, Rhode Island
"One of the 12 last great places in the Western Hemisphere" -- Nature Conservancy
"The most obvious attraction of our little island..... is it's sheer beauty. The stone walls and rambling roses, the vistas of land and sea, the sweep of Crescent Beach, the pocket beaches caught between pounding surf and steep bluff - all are unforgettable." ( Source: http://www.biri.com )
Brandywine River Museum, The
Chances are that travelers journeying to the Brandywine Valley will feel a strong sense of deja vu. Every hundred yards there seems to be a scene so hauntingly familiar that first-time visitors feel they've seen this area before, a vista so picturesque it virtually seems to spring from a canvas.
The Brandywine River Museum showcases the art of Chadds Ford native Andrew Wyeth, a major American realist painter. The collection also emphasizes still life, landscape paintings, and American illustration, with works by such artists as Howard Pyle and Maxfield Parrish. The museum uses a system of filters, baffles and blinds to direct natural light. Outside the museum, you can visit a garden with regional wildflowers and follow a 10-mile trail along the river.
The Museum is open daily from 9:30 - 4:30. Ph: 610.388.2700.
Take the scenic Route 100 from West Chester down to Chadds Ford where Wyeth and other artists have captured the countryside for their works.
Don't forget to taste the local wine at the Chaddsford Winery .
Elk Mountain, PA
The best downhill skiing in Pennsylvania is found at Elk Mountain, a 3-hour trip from Philadelphia, just north of Scranton. Only one hour by car from Philadelphia lies Blue Mountain, Jack Frost/Big Boulder in the Poconos . They offer possibly the best downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing in close proximity to the city. If you're an avid fan of cross-country skiing, the Crystal Lake Ski Center in central Pennsylvania is your best bet. It's 1500-foot elevation means peak snow conditions. The trip takes roughly 3,5 hours from Philadelphia. Overnight accommodations are available (phone: 717.584.2698). Before you go, don't forget to visit your local township. They offer discounted ski lift tickets to residents. These discounted tickets can be purchased at any time and are valid through the
season.
Fallingwater
Nestled into the dense oak and hemlock forests of southwestern Pennsylvania lies perhaps the most well known private residence in the whole country. Blending perfectly into the surrounding nature, Fallingwater is a magnificent piece of work by one of Americas most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Fallingwater is perhaps Frank Lloyd Wright's most widely acclaimed work. It has been called "the best American building of the last 125 years", and "unquestionably the most famous private residence ever built." At the very least, it is one of the finest examples of Wright's concept of organic architecture: a house shaped by and conforming to its site. Fallingwater was designed in 1936 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. The site of the house was the Kaufmann family's mountain property at Bear Run where they enjoyed week-end and summer vacations. Another beautiful piece of work by Wright is Kentuck Knob which lies only a few miles south of Fallingwater.
Adjoining Fallingwater is Bear Run Nature Reserve. Open everyday, year-round, this 4,200-acre expanse of wild mountain land includes dense oak and hemlock forests, as well as the sparkling-clear waters of Bear Run and Laurel Run. Over 20 miles of trails are available for hiking, nature study, photography, backpacking and cross-country skiing.
Also located nearby Fallingwater are the Youghiougeny River and the beautiful Ohiopyle State Park . Here you can indulge in a multitude of sporting and recreational activities such as canoeing, white-water rafting, fishing, boating, kayaking, bicycling and hiking.
Located southwest of Pittsburgh you will need at least two days for this exciting trip. Take the PA turnpike west towards Pittsburgh, get off at exit 9 (Donegal) and take Rt 381 south. You'll pass the town of Mill Run and Fallingwater will be on your right. Approximate driving time from Philadelphia: 5 hours. Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time. Phone: 412.329.8501.
Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, The
One of the most exciting places to visit (both for adults and kids) in downtown Philadelphia is the Franklin Institute located at 20th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, phone: 215.448.1200.
The Mandell Future Center offers a dynamic preview of future science and future life. The Center uses state-of-the-art computer capabilities to create exciting interactive exhibits where kids can "drive a car", rearrange their faces by computer, play computer music in a jamming room, check out clothes made of tomorrow's materials, and more. The Tuttleman Omniverse Theater (IMAX screen) shows a variety of documentary movies (the most recent was about a climbing expedition to Mt. Everest) on a giant 79-foot wide screen with 56 speakers and enough action to make you feel you're right there. Don't leave before taking a walk through the human heart!
The Institute is open daily at 9:30 AM. Closes Monday-Wednesday at 5:00PM. Future Center and theater open Thursday-Saturday until 9:00PM, Science Center open until 5:00PM. Future and Science Centers and theater open Sunday 9:30AM-6:00PM.
The Institute has it's own parking garage on 20th Street.
Right across the street from the Institute, you'll find the "Please Touch Museum". An exciting experience for the younger kids.
This activity takes at least 2 hours. Three cafeterias offer a variety of food for kids and adults.
Gettysburg National Military Park
The events that took place in Gettysburg during a few days in 1863 affected the course of American history. From July 1-3, 51,000 Americans were killed, wounded, or counted as missing in the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The battle was fought between the Confederate forces of General Robert E. Lee who encountered the Union forces of General George Meade. The Union soldiers held their ground, and some would say that this battle was the turning point of the war. At the battlefield park and 20 museums in Gettysburg, you can recapture the power of these momentous days.
The park honors the casualties of the battle with more than 1,000 markers and monuments spread over 5,700 acres. The Visitor Center offers a free map with an 18-mile driving tour through the battlefield, as well as orientation program on audiocassette. The park service also provides free walking tour maps, which have short 1-mile loops that include the sites of some of the battle's most pivotal engagements. To best understand the battle, begin by viewing the Electric Map, which uses colored lights to illustrate deployments and clashes during the three days of fighting. Sit on the south side for the best view.
The Cyclorama Center contains a 19 th century painting that puts you in the center of Pickett's Charge, the south's ill-fated frontal assault during the last day of the battle.
Source: Fodor's Guide to Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Address to the visitor center:
97 Taneytown Road.
Gettysburg, PA.
Phone: 717.334.1124
Directions:
Take the PA-turnpike towards Harrisburg, get off at exit 17 and take route 15 south towards Gettysburg. Bypass the city of Gettysburg and get off at the exit marked Taneytown road. Drive north a few miles and the visitor center will be clearly marked on your left. Distance from Philadelphia is 143 miles which takes about 2,5 hours by car.
This is definitely something for those of you who are interested in history.
Historic Mount Vernon
The home and final resting palace of George and Martha Washington has been one of America's most visited shrines since 1858. The house and grounds offer a unique glimpse into 18 th century plantation life. The house itself - an outstanding example of Georgian architecture - is constructed of beveled pine painted to look like stone. You'll enter by way of the "large dining room" which contains many of the original chairs.
After leaving the house, you can tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, smokehouse, overseer's and slave quarters, and the Washington's graves. A museum on the property has many interesting exhibits and memorabilia, and a 4-acre exhibition area focuses on Washington's accomplishments off the battlefield and outside the government.
Allow at least 2 hours to tour the entire house and grounds. A detailed map is supplied at the entrance. The best time to visit is off-season, when the crowds are sparser. If you visit during spring or summer, come early on weekends and holidays or you may encounter long lines.
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Today a National Historic Site, the estate was acquired by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's father in 1867; FDR was born here in 1882. The mansion, Springwood, dates back to the early 19C but has since been remodeled and enlarged. Following severe fire damage in the early 1980s, the house was extensively refurbished. Springwood is unique among historic homes for the exceedingly personal experience it offers. Memorabilia of the late President (1882-1945) and his family can be found in the house, library and museum. Exhibits trace the transformation of a charming New York socialite into one of America's greatest statesmen. One gallery is devoted entirely to FDR's wife Eleanor, a prominent international figure in her own right. In the rose garden, a simple monument of white Vermont marble marks the final resting-place of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Hyde Park, which is located 6 mi north of Poughkeepsie on Rte 9 in New York State and roughly a 3 hour drive from Philadelphia was once a resort for wealthy New York families. Hyde Park gained renown during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency as the location of his "summer White House". Guided tours are available.
Open mid May - October, daily 9am - 5pm.
Open the rest of the year, Thursday though Monday 9am - 5pm.
Ph: 914.229.2414
Jersey Shore and Cape May
For people in Philadelphia region, the Jersey shore in general and maybe Cape May in particular, conveniently only a 1-2 hour drive, offers some of the best recreational possibilities especially during the summer months. It is the Atlantic Ocean, the beautiful beaches and the lovely environment which attracts tens of thousands of people from all across the eastern seaboard each year. Relax on the beaches, stroll the promenade, or savor the flavors of the shore at the many local restaurants. Step back in time and take a tour of the hundreds of Victorian homes.
Deep sea fishing on the Jersey Cape is some of the best on the East coast. Cape May, home of the largest charter and party boat fleets in southern New Jersey, offers visitors the quickest runs to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Throughout the year Cape May hosts an array of events. From a variety of house tours to city-wide festivals, Cape May has evolved from a seasonal beach resort to a year-round resort offering entertainment for all ages.
Longwood Gardens
Route 1, Box 5010
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610.388.6741 or 800.737.5500
In 1906 Pierre Samuel du Pont bought a simple Quaker farm, famous for its trees, and turned it into the ultimate early 20th century estate-garden. Longwood Gardens fabulous seasonal attractions include magnolias and azaleas in spring, roses and water lilies in summer, fall foliage and chrysanthemums, and winter camellias, orchids, and palms. Bad weather is no problem as 3 1/2 acres of exotic foliage, cacti, ferns and bonsai are housed in heated conservatories. The Heritage exhibit in the 1730 Pierce du Pont House traces the last 300 years of evolution, historical and horticultural, of the Longwood area. Fodor's Philadelphia Guide.
Giant real banana trees, massive water lily pads capable of holding a person, and plants trained as topiary animals are just a few of the many horticultural wonders that appeal to children. Elaborate Christmas displays sparkle with imagination. Children's Garden introduces youngsters to the wonders of bright flowers and plants grown as mazes and tunnels - it also lets them play with small fountains with getting too wet. Philadelphia with Children.
During November through March the Gardens are open daily from 9-5 plus some evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mann Center for the Performing Arts, The
How would like to spend a few hours in the shade listening to world class music performed by world class artists? The Mann will be hosting such international artists as Whitney Houston and Riverdance. Don't miss the fun at the Mann!
Mystic Seaport - the Museum of America and the Sea
"The sea mysteriously calls out to small boys. Living inland is no protection, so you might as well bring your boy to Mystic Seaport."
When you enter Mystic, you may feel as though you're stepping into the 19 th Century of a bustling seaport, the masts of sailing ships towering over the buildings, and exciting happenings everywhere. One nice thing about Mystic Seaport is that you can visit any time during the year. The Seaport's collection consists of some 400 historic vessels and there are about 130 special activities each year. The roughly 60 historic buildings on the 17-acre site were brought here and restored to re-create the feel of a New England seaport. The Marine Historical Association Inc. was formed here in 1929 to establish a museum to preserve the remnants of America's maritime history. The name was changed in 1978 to Mystic Seaport Museum Inc.
Ah yes, the tall ships. The most famous is the bark Charles W. Morgan, the only wooden whaling ship still afloat, and the last surviving square-rigged American ship of the 19 th Century. It was restored in the shipyard and a proud beauty. Launched in 1841, the Morgan sailed out of New Bedford, Mass. making 37 voyages to the South Seas in search of whales. It was laid up in 1921, after petroleum and electricity made whale oil obsolete. The Morgan has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Other tall ships here include the 111-foot, full-rigged training ship Joseph Conrad and the 123-foot L.A. Dunton a veteran of the Grand Banks fishing fleet that Kipling immortalized in Captain Courageous.
We start off the spring season with a series of tips of the week featuring some well-known vacation spots for the family. Bring your children to the hands-on Children's Museum to see the collection of 19 th Century toys and games.
Directions from Philadelphia : To drive to Mystic Seaport, take the New Jersey Turnpike to the George Washington Bridge exit, cross the bridge, and pick up the Cross Bronx Expressway to the New England Thruway (I-95). Mystic Seaport is one mile south of Exit 90. Mystic Seaport is open every day of the year.
Nantucket Island
30 miles out to sea, Nantucket is a magical place. Built on the shifting sands left behind from the last great Ice Age, there are ponds, saltmarshes, and miles and miles of beach. If you're visiting, you'll need some basic information. Want to know the weather? Tide info? Nantucket's history? You'll find that here - and so much more!
National Aquarium in Baltimore, The
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced aquariums in the world. Its architecture, exhibits, programs and management structure are considered role models worldwide. The Aquarium is on a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. This is a walking-intensive activity, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
The aquarium is located on Pier 3 at 501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202.
Click here for directions . Driving time from Philadelphia is approximately 2 hours.
Devote about 2.5 hours to tour the facility.
Newport, R.I.
People have been drawn here for many reasons, for many centuries. The abundance of fish and shellfish in the surrounding waters, where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, brought American Indians long before the country's recorded history began. In the 19 th century, it was not freedom or wealth that drew the visitors, but the summer breezes. Southern planters early in the century, and New York's elite after 1880, made Newport the place to be in July and August.
The Astors and Vanderbilts led the parade of wealthy New Yorkers who built fabulous summer mansions and called them "cottages", and also made the town the yachting capital of America. Newport remained a summer spot for the affluent well into this century. By the 1960's, Newport was also bringing in the masses with events that remain inextricably linked with that decade: the annual Folk and Jazz Festivals. Now, in the 1990's it can be your turn. Newport still beckons the traveler with its water, boats, and breezes, its Gilded Age "cottages" and blocks of Colonial-era houses, its museums and music festivals.
The trip can be done in a weekend, but a weekend is hardly enough time to take it all in. You may want to add a day or two.
Directions from Philadelphia: Newport is about a six-hour drive from Philadelphia. Take the New Jersey Turnpike north to the George Washington Bridge, cross the bridge, and follow I-95 through the Bronx until it becomes the Connecticut Turnpike. It takes you through Connecticut and then crosses into Rhode Island. Follow 95 and 138 east to Route 1 north to 138 east again to Newport.
New York on The Web
If you're heading up to the Big Apple in the coming weeks it might be a good idea to check out this site.
Ogunquit, Maine
Escape from the heat and humidity of the Mid-Atlantic to a pearl of a resort on the southeastern shores of Maine. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the historic town with its natural charm. Ogunquit has everything you want from a great beach and vacation resort.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
The heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country is made up of the city of Lancaster (75 miles west of Philadelphia), and its surroundings. Lancaster is a small and colorful city that combines the Colonial past with the Pennsylvania Dutch present. During the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, its craftsmen turned out fine guns, building the city's reputation as the arsenal of the colonies. And on September 27, 1777, Lancaster became the national capital for a day, as Congress fled the British in Philadelphia.
The area east of Lancaster, centered around the small village of Intercourse (10 miles east of Lancaster), makes up the heart of Amish country. Here, between routes 340 and 23 in towns with names like Paradise and Bird-in-Hand (3 miles west of Intercourse), live most of Lancaster county's Amish community. Strasburg, to the southeast, has sights for train buffs. No more than 12 miles north of Lancaster lie the lovely historic towns of Ephrata and Lititz.
The Amish Farm and House offers 40-minute tours through a 10-room house furnished in the Old Order Amish style. 2395 Lincoln Hwy. East, 4,5 miles on U.S. 30 in Smoketown. When you're visiting among the Amish, an offshoot of the Mennonites, remember to respect their values. They believe that photographs and videos with recognizable reproductions of them violate the biblical commandment against making graven images. You will be asked to refrain from photographing or making videos of them.
Before you go, check out their monthly Calendar of Events and the local Welcome Center
You should plan to spend at least a full day or two. This is a great trip with fun and relaxation for the whole family. We highly recommend it!
Philadelphia.com
We recommend this excellent web page for information on just about everything concerning Philadelphia.
This site offers tips and advice on outdoor activities and entertainment. It also offers local and regional maps, airport information with real time flight information, area accommodation guide, local weather forecast, music, arts, shopping, dining, events, sports and more. It also has links to other cities from San Jose to Tokyo. Philadelphia.com may be one of the most extensive sites on the Philadelphia area.
Why do we celebrate Easter and what is the origin of the Easter Bunny ?
Philadelphia Museum of Art, The
The city's premier cultural attraction is one of the country's leading museums. Actually, one of the greatest treasures of the The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the building itself.
During the winter months you'll find art history courses, workshops and lectures, concerts and performances, symposia, gallery lectures, family and children's programs, family events and special exhibitions.
On Sundays, the programs are fee for parents and many are free for the children. Museum admission is free on Sundays from 10:00 to 1:00pm.
The family programs are $3.00 ($2.00 for Museum members) and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the program. Don't forget to look for upcoming events!
Are you looking for that perfect weekend retreat?
Check out Philadelphia Magazine's travel section on the web at www.phillymag.com
The web site also features upcoming events, restaurants and a few picturesque b-and b's in the Philadelphia-area.
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Our tip of the week is a recently visited vacation spot - the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and the Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia. Since the Shenandoah valley played a major role during the American Civil War, we've chosen to tell you about the following two highlights.
The picturesque, historical town of Lexington is home to the Washington & Lee University, the Robert E. Lee Chapel and Museum, the George C. Marshall Museum, the Stonewall Jackson House and the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). A beautifully restored downtown, situated on rolling hills, looks so much like it did in the 1800s that several movies (e.g. Somersby) have been shot on Main Street. We found an excellent little restaurant in the middle of town called the Southern Inn with address 37 Main St. It is a family restaurant and their prices were reasonable.
The 105-mile long Skyline Drive - runs the full length of Shenandoah National Park along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains - is considered one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. It offers spectacular vistas, and landscapes, especially during the autumn foliage.
Directions: Take the PA turnpike towards Harrisburg, just past Harrisburg get onto the I 81 going south. This highway will take you straight through the entire valley down to Lexington. Driving time Philadelphia-Lexington: about 5.5 hours.
We highly recommend this trip for the entire family. Suggested time for the trip is 3 days.
Walking Tours of Historic Philadelphia
We think we know Philadelphia -- Independence Hall, Ben Franklin, the Declaration of Independence, Betsy Ross, cheese steaks, and pretzels. But after walking with Marion, people, places and things start to have relevance again. The genesis of these virtual tours began with John Francis Marion's seminal walking guidebook to Philadelphia, "Walking Tours of Historic Philadelphia".
These tours were taken from Marion's book. Part of what makes the tours so fascinating is that Philadelphia -- birthplace of a nation -- remains largely forgotten, unappreciated, and in fact, belittled. In Marion's own words: "On our walk throughout the gardens and green walks, the streets and alleys, in and out of the buildings of today's city we can sense what Philadelphia was like long ago and ultimately what the roots of American History are."
www.NewYork.CitySearch.com
On-line since June, this site by the New York Times offers information on events, arts and entertainment, restaurants, shopping, sports and leisure.
www.NYToday.com
The New York Convention and Visitors Bureau's site includes information on hotels, conventions and more. Hyperlinks offer a range of New York City-related sites.
www.TimeOutNY.com
This site has listings for arts and entertainment, restaurants and hotels, shopping and services as well as several search options.
Time Out New York is the most comprehensive local guide - in fact, it's a good idea to pick it up on a newsstand after arriving in town - and the Web site complements the weekly's listings. International Herald Tribune, November 27, 1998
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