The city of Portland has as sordid an underground history as my home city of Seattle does, and, like Seattle, it makes for a fun walking tour.

There were plenty of nefarious deeds going on above ground, but the underground was where the really fun stuff was happening.  In the subterranean world of Chinatown, you can still see impressive architecture from years gone by, looking nothing like the modern city in the photo. 

Below ground you’ll find the “Shanghai Tunnels.”  The tunnels originally connected the basements of most of the downtown hotels and bars to the Willamette waterfront, and were used to expeditiously move goods.  They later became the site of many kidnappings called “crimpings” and known to us today as shangaiing. 

During the years of Prohibition, a different kind ”goods” were moved through the tunnels, and many bars were set up underground.

The tour guides swear that this is all real stuff, with no urban legends or folklore.  The guides don’t use canned scripts, and since each bring their own favorite stories to the tour, each time it’s a little different.  You’ll have to be the judge if the stories are fact or fiction.

Tours start at 2 pm daily, and depart from the Portland’s Visitor Information Center, on the lower level of Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW Broadway & Morrison).  They last about two and a half hours and cover about a mile and a half.  Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (65+), and $13 youth (ages 12-17.  You can purchase tickets online.

NOTE:  The tour is rated PG-13, and adults may find some of the stories a little too racy for younger children.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Wandering is a great way to get to know a city, not so much for a tourist point of view, but getting to know it as a resident.  Besides that, you get to discover some great little places.

A few months back, I was in the Upper Noe area and came across a fun little shop ““ Church Street Apothecary.  Not surprisingly, it’s located on Church Street:  1767 Church Street (Church & 30th), and you’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the neon green cross above the door.

Inside Church Street Apothecary you’ll find a brightly lit, well-organized space, stocked with lots of high quality products.  There are some old-fashioned homeopathic remedies, great bath and beauty products, and lots of fun gift ideas.  You’ll find the usual and unusual alike, and if you’re at all like me, you’ll find yourself browsing each and every one of the old apothecary styled wooded shelves.  It can easily take an hour or two.

Some things that caught my eye:  Old fashioned candy (remember Beeman’s and Black Jack gum?), Claus Porto Ilyria Bar Soap (I love good smelling soaps), and the Jill Bliss stationery products.

If you can’t get to the store in person, Church Street Apothecary also has an online store.  It’s not as much fun as going there in person, though.

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I noticed that Sound About Philly has added a new walking and podcast tour, this one called Philly Noir.  It’s a walking tour that covers African American culture, history, and experiences (past and present), and includes food, the arts, history and sports.  There are 11 tour segments, and you can download, and then mix and match them based on your interests and time. 

Here’s a sampling of some of the segments:

• Delilah’s/Geechee Girl Rice Café at 12th Street & Filbert.  Oprah named it the very best spot for macaroni and cheese (in photo).  I LOVE mac ‘n cheese!
• Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame at Spruce Street & Broad.  Hip Hop to Jazz and everything in between, a treasure trove of musicians that put Philadelphia on the music map.
• African American Museum at 701 Arch Street.  Making sure that the African American heritage is not lost ““ to this generation, or to the ones to follow.

Lots of GREAT suggestions that are worthwhile in putting together my own personal tour of Philadelphia.

There are other podcast walking tour options available from Sound About Philly, including some user created tours.  There seems to be something that will appeal to a wide variety of interests.

 If you have any suggestions about what to see and do in Philadelphia, please leave them in the comments.  (For those of you who read my post on Travel Resources for Planning Your Next Trip, this is part of the email phase of the research.)

Photo credit:  flickr

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If you’ll be in the Scottsdale (Arizona) area, check out the Convention and Visitors Bureau website, and download a few travel podcasts before you go.  You can play the podcast on your computer or mp3 player.

There is a downloadable map of downtown Scottsdale, and one for the greater Scottsdale area.  The podcasts corresponds with various stops on the map.  Follow the driving tour and discover the history and culture of Scottsdale, along with discovering its architecture, art, sports, and the drama of the Sonoran Desert.

Here a sample of what’s available:

• Saddle Up in the West’s Most Western Town
• A Cactus League Blooms in the Desert
• Fabulous Fairways and Bountiful Trails
• The McDowell Sonoran Preserve
• The Panoramas of Pinnacle Peak Park

Arizona is on my list of places to get back to this winter, and I’m already checking out places that I want to visit.  I think I’m moving the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to the top of the list.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Some people enjoy a city tour, allowing them to get a quick layout of the city, making notes of places they wish to explore in more detail.  Some people do all their research online, printing out maps and suggestion lists.  Some people download audio tours and wander the city with their iPods. 

I enjoy wandering around a city, sometimes purposefully, sometimes aimlessly, stopping if and when I want. 

I came across a couple of unique approaches to learning about a city recently.

In Seattle, the Clock Walk takes you on a walking tour of Seattle, going from one public clock location to another (there are 27 stops in all).  The information is available online, you can proceed at your own pace (approximately 90 minutes), and it’s free.  (Via The Seattle Traveler)

The Great Ohana Hunt is a scavenger hunt that takes you around various places around Waikiki.  Teams scramble around the city, collecting clues and answering questions, while learning about the city.  Cost:  $15-22, depending on group size.  (Via The Lobby)

If you know an interesting way to explore your city, leave the info in the comments.

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There are lots of tours that guide you through “haunted” Savannah.  The city has a long history of bloodshed and violence going back to the Revolutionary and Civil War days.  Many of the historic sections of Savannah were built over old cemeteries, some dating back even further in history.

So, it’s believed that those buried in the cemetery now inhabit those beautiful southern homes instead of the crypts. 

The nighttime Ghosts & Legends tour is a walking tour through the shadowy streets of haunted Savannah.  The tour is fully narrated, filling you in on Savannah’s history, interesting anecdote about its famed citizens, and lots of ghost stories.  You’ll see the places where pirates once roamed, and where it is claimed that their apparitions still do.

The tour last approximately 90 minutes, and is an easy walk of about a mile.  There are frequent stops along the way.

While the tour is offered year round, it seems a little spookier to do it during the Halloween season.

Tours are offered nightly, at 6 pm, 8 pm, and 10 pm.  Reservations are required.  Call (866) 264-8160, open 9 am-10 pm Eastern Time.

Prices are:  $18 for adults, $10 for children 8-14, Free for children under 8.  A discount coupon is available on the website.

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WestinWORKOUT.  In conjunction with Runner’s World magazine, Westin properties offer pocket-sized maps outlining 3-mile and 5-mile running/walking routes.  The routes are rated based upon their level of difficulty, and have points of scenic interest along the way.  According to Westin, the maps are available at all of its properties.

RunWESTIN.  Just when your fitness commitment is wavering, RunWESTIN comes to the rescue with a Running Concierge who leads a 3-mile run through the city.  This guided run includes the necessary warm up stretching and cool down with water and towels.  These personalized runs are available three days per week, just check with the hotel concierge for details.  If you’re traveling with small fry, the hotel has jogging strollers available, upon request.  Unfortunately, this program is not available at all properties.

There now!  That should take care of a lot of the reasons why you can’t work out on the road.  So what are you waiting for now?

Photo credit:  flickr

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If Philadelphia is your plans, you may be interested in the SoundAboutPhilly downloadable audio tours and maps, which focus on “lesser-known city experiences and combine interesting tales, fun facts and lively music to tell the area’s story.” 

Even better ““ they’re FREE!

Here’s the info on the tours now available:

• “History Unplugged” covers 300 years of history, focusing on what you didn’t learn in your American History class.
• “Flavorhoods” covers dining in Philadelphia’s ethnic neighborhoods.
• “My Philly” features recommendations from local Philadelphians.

Additional tours will be rolled out one per month.  Future topics include:  the African American experience in Philadelphia, the Historic District, the inside story of classic Philadelphia spots, and the city’s religious history.

You can listen to the tours online, or download them in their entirety, or in customized segments to match your interests. 

Whether you’re at home planning a trip, or already in Philadelphia looking for information, the audio tours are a good way to get a feel for the city. 

Photo credit:  flickr

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Located on 14 acres along the east bank of the Anacostia River, you will find the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.  It is the only National Park that is devoted to the propagation and display of aquatic plants, and its history is one of great significance to the botanical study and development of water plants.

Originally the gardens were a hobby for Civil War veteran W.B. Shaw.  With a few water lilies from his home state of Maine, and a single pond, he started his venture.  As the the plants thrived, he dug more ponds and experimented more in developing hybrid lilies.

In 1921, Helen Shaw Folwer (W.B.’s daughter) agreed to allow public viewing of the lilies one day a week during the blooming season.  It’s estimated that up to 6,000 people per day lined up to see lilies growing in their natural state.  Frequent visitors to the gardens included Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, and President and Mrs. Wilson.

The gardens ceased commercial operation in 1938, although they remain essentially unchanged.  The site is now part of the National Park system, is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and is part of the landmarks of the National Capital. 

Today, the Aquatic Gardens, Kenilworth Marsh, and Kenilworth Park take up 700 acres.  The larger park site also includes ball fields and recreational facilities. 

On a recent summer visit, the water lilies and lotus were in bloom and were stunningly beautiful!  Visit early in the day to get the best view of the blooms, because when the temperature nears 90, they close up.  You can also see birds, frogs, turtles, butterflies and dragonflies. 

The gardens cover approximately 12 acres of open ponds, so if you’re bringing children, be sure to keep a close eye on them so they don’t fall into the ponds.  It’s an easy walk around the grounds, but if the temperatures are soaring, you may want to bring a water bottle with you.  Also, if there’s been a recent rainstorm, the ground will be muddy, and the edges of the pond, soft.

Late May through September is the best time for viewing the flowering aquatic plants, so it’s still not to late too see these beauties.

There’s a lot to see at the Aquatic Gardens, and no matter the time of year be sure to bring your camera.  In the Spring, wildflowers bloom in the surrounding Kenilworth Marsh, Fall brings in spectacular foliage, and Winter is the best time for watching wildlife and birding. 

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are located at 1550 Anacostia Avenue N.E., and are open from 7 am-4 pm daily, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.  The Gardens are not near a Metro station, and driving there can be a little tricky, so I’d recommend mapping it out before leaving home.

The time needed to see the Gardens will depend on the season, time of day, and temperature.  I spent a couple of hours there, not only looking at the flowers, but also trying to learn how to take better photos.  The water lily photos represent my best efforts for the day.  I’ll keep working on it.

Photo credit:  Lotus photos, Jon Rochetti, c. 2006.

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No one can argue with how the Pioneer Square area of Seattle has changed over the last couple of decades.  Before it was what you see now, there was a whole other neighborhood of streets and storefronts, all of which were destroyed in the Seattle fire of 1889.

The fire turned out to be a good thing for the city.  Although it totally devastated 29 square blocks of the city, including nearly all of the business district, most of the wharves, and the railroad terminals, the rebuildding of the city post-fire was a turning point in Seattle’s history.  At that point, Seattle began the proess of becoming a real city.

The day after the fire, a town meeting was held, and it was agreed that the city would be rebuilt with wider streets, and a requirement for brick buildings.  The rebuilding began immediately, and within one year Seattle had nearly doubled in population.

If you stroll through Pioneer Square today, you’ll find many of those very buildings, required to be built of brick or stone, still standing.  The storefronts may be different, the businesses of a type not ever imagined in 1889, but the people and vitality of the neighborhood are not all that much different.

But beneath the heavily traveled streets of Pioneer Square still lies that other city. 

The Seattle Underground Tour lets you tour the city beneath the city.  It’s a three block tour, giving you a chance to discover the underground streets and storefronts, a chance to get a feel for what it must have been like to live in Seattle at the end of the 19th century.  You’ll also hear stories about Seattle’s rather colorful, and at a times rather messy, past.  This isn’t the stuff we learned about in our history class!

The tour leaves from Pioneer Square, 608 First Avenue.  Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for seniors (60+) and students, and $5 for children.  Children under the age of seven are not encouraged on the tour for physical reasons.

Wear good walkng shoes, prepare for a little exertion, and allow yourself an hour and a half for the tour. 

Photo credit:  Seattle Conventions & Visitors Bureau (Tim Thompson)

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