Today is Admission Day for Florida, our 27th state, admitted to the Union on March 3rd, 1845.
Florida is located in the southeastern part of the country, with the Atlantic Ocean flanking one side, and the Gulf of Mexico the other.  Ponce de Leon named it, and many believe that it was in Florida that he claimed to have found his fountain of youth.
Before the formal declaration of Civil War, Florida seceded from the Union, and became a founding member of the Confederate States of America.  Full representation was restored in 1868.
For much of its existence, Florida was the least populated …read more

Orlando is a city of theme parks, tourists, and is frequently plastic and sterile.  It’s also the angriest city in America.  I guess that fake smile starts to grate after awhile.
Since I’ve been stuck at a hotel near the major theme parks, it’s been hard to find a restaurant that is enjoyable, has good food, is fairly priced, and is not too over the top touristy,
I may have found such a place in Tu Tu Tango.
Before I go any further, Tu Tu Tango is a concept chain restaurant.  There are locations in several states and in Canada.  The restaurants are …read more

If you want to splurge for Halloween, you could try Orlando’s SeaWorld Spooktacular, where kids get to combine artificial trick-or-treating events with artificial sea life.  It may seem plastic and artificial, but kids love it, and there’s no disputing it’s safe.
Included with the price of park admission, Spooktacular includes trick-or-treating at 15 different stations throughout the park.  Kids will get to see friendly sea witches, octopuses, and mermaids, as they collect their Halloween treats.  Other options, for an additional charge,  include a Spooky Sleepover and character breakfasts.
Taking a family to SeaWorld is an expensive proposition.  If you’ve promised the kids, …read more

A recent MSN article listed 15 tourist traps that the writer recommended avoiding, claiming they weren’t worth the time and/or money.
I disagree with most of them, believing that they are things you need to do at least once in your life.
Read my reasoning here, compare with MSN writer Jon Douglas here, and then weigh in with your own opinion.

San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf:  C’mon, it’s free.  And on a sunny day, it’s a nice walk with a view of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Chicago’s Sears Tower:  OK, sure, you could go to the Hancock Tower instead, but you’ve …read more

New pal, and AOL City Guide, Andie Taylor, tipped me off to a study of the 100 angriest cities in the United States.
It was a big surprise for me to learn that Orlando, Florida was found to be the angriest city.  Is it too much Disney-mania?  Too much fake touristy niceness?
The study, commissioned by Men’s Health magazine, didn’t rely just on anecdotal stories or a poll.  Instead, it was a complicated mix of factors such as:  the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, FBI reports of aggravated assaults, Bureau of Labor statistics on workplace violence, traffic congestion information, and traffic citations.
WHEW!  Who knew …read more