When people visit Seattle and ask me for recommendations about what to see, the Pacific Science Center is always on my list.  In addition to its location on the grounds of the Seattle Center, home of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the graceful arches and fountains, make it an architecturally pleasant and appealing place to visit.  Everyone seems to enjoy the Science Center.
During the World’s Fair, this was home to the US Science Pavilion.  Today it is an independent, not for profit science museum, with eight buildings housing hundreds of science exhibits, two IMAX theaters, a large Laser Dome …read more

Terra Cotta Warriors:  Guardians of China’s First Emperor is currently on exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and represent one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.  Since it’s discovery, many have called this terra cotta army the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World.
I’ve been interested in this exhibit for some time, and not that’ we’ll be starting non-stop service to Houston, it’s moving up to the top of my must-see list.
The exhibit features thousands of terra cotta warriors that were found buried in the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Shi Huangdi.  The warriors were entombed …read more

When I visit Hawaii, I love the sunny beaches (of course), but Hawaii is also rich in history and culture, and I always work a couple of these destination into my vacation plans.
Honolulu is rich in military sites and history, and although at time it can be painful to think about, these sites should be on every visitors list of things to see and do.  The islands and the country were shaped by the events of Pearl Harbor, and whether you choose to go on your own or as part of a tour, I think any trip to the islands …read more

There are so many great places to see public art, that it’s sometimes easy to pass right by without paying any attention to it.  What a mistake!
I’ve always enjoyed the Mustangs at Las Colinas, a bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs that are in the Williams Square in Irving, Texas.  Created by wildlife artist Robert Glen, the mustangs are the largest equestrian sculpture in the world, and commemorate the wild mustangs that inhabited Texas.

The mustangs are portrayed bigger than life, roughly one and a half times their true size, and are shown crossing a stream of water.  Fountains on the …read more

One of my favorite places in Paris was the Pantheon, a neo-Classical church in the Latin Quarter.  It was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, and topped with a dome similar to Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London.  Although it was originally an abbey, it now primarily serves as a burial place for many famous French heroes, leaders, artists, and writers.
This beautiful building was constructed as a result of a promise made by King Louis XV in 1744.  He was suffering from a serious and mysterious illness (later believed to be gout), and vowed that if he recovered he would …read more

Where else but New Orleans do history and cocktail mix?!
The Museum of the American Cocktail features 200 years of cocktail history.  From vintage cocktail accoutrements, to Prohibition-era literature, to vast varieties of other cocktail memorabilia, it’s a little American history told in cocktail form.  The museum claims to be “part museum, part bar, and part Victorian bordello.”
While the museum serves as a tourist attraction depicting a fun bit of Americana, it’s also an educational institution that serves professionals in the beverage industry.  It is a nonprofit organization that provides exhibits and education that advance the profession of mixology, while …read more

Japanese artist Itchiku Kubota’s colorful exhibit of painted kimonos is on the last leg of its US tour, opening today in Canton, Ohio. 
Each of these beautiful over-sized kimonos took nearly a year to create, and the 40 in the exhibit make up a life’s work.  Kubota died in 2003, and his family now carries on the kimono artistry.
Kimono: The 20th Century Masterworks of Itchiku Kubota is on display at the Canton Museum of Art (located in the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Avenue North), and will run February 8th – April 26th.  This is the last …read more

One of my favorite museums in Paris was the Musee Rodin in the First Arrondissement.
Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this collection of sculptures and other artwork was wonderful.
I took the photo of these hands, and don’t even recall what the sculpture was called.  For some reason, I found them compelling.
Join a group of other travel bloggers who are sharing photos today as part of Photo Friday.  I loved the travel photos, and think you will, too!
 
Photo credit:  personal collection

They’re huge, they’re creepy, and they’ve invaded the Delaware Museum of Natural History.  What are they?
They’re Backyard Monsters:  The World of Insects, on exhibit now through May 3rd. 
You’ll find giant robotic bugs, up to 96 times they’re normal size, including carpenter ants, emperor scorpion, and a praying mantis.  The creatures are around six to eight feet in length, and are displayed in what attempts to portray their natural setting.  The robotics allow these bugs to simulate the actions of their real-life counterparts, so you can see moving legs, curling tails, and other normal functions. 
Although these bugs are …read more

Oh to be a Mummer, now that New Year’s is almost here!
This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun.  I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds.  (Kelly?  Caroline?  Anyone?)
The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia.  Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts.  There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes …read more