The Church of England, hoping to get in on the staycation trend, has launched a new Church of England Staycation web service to encourage locals to put churches and cathedrals in their stay at home travel plans.  Churches and cathedrals can provide a bit of sacred space, but they are also wonderful sources as museums, art galleries, architectural sites, history, and frequent venues for special events.

St Peter's Chapel, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex

And, of course, you can always opt for a. . . wait for it. . . pray-cation!

Having been to a cathedral or two myself, I think this site offers a great opportunity for travelers to do a little research on what they may like to visit.  Sure, you’ll easily find the major cathedrals, but what about those quaint little village churches, so full of history and a sense of community.  Why should such a great resource be limited to those who want to stay at home?

Search the site by geography or take advantage of the many links to other resources provided.  The site is new, and hopefully we’ll see lots more sites being added as it evolves.  I’ll be heading to the U.K. this fall, and will be checking back to get ideas on places that I can visit.

And this is a good travel research tip in general – don’t overlook researching staycation promotions.  After all, if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for you and me!

Photo credit: chelmsfordblue @flickr

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Church of England Promotes Staycation Site

Chicago's Sears Tower has been renamed the Willis Tower

Regardless of what it’s called, you can still ride of to the Skydeck, the building’s observation deck.  Located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, is is one of two popular observation decks in Chicago.  (The other is the Hancock Building, as there is great debate over which one is the best to visit.)  On a clear day, you can see four states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.  A new feature of the observation deck, opened just a couple of weeks ago, are glass balconies, that allow visitors to look down onto Wacker Drive.

The Willis Tower is located at 233 South Wacker Drive in Chicago, although the visitors entrance is on the south side of the building along Jackson Boulevard.  It is open 365 days a year, closing only for high winds and for the occasional private event.  April – September hours are 9 am–10 pm, and October – March, 10 am-8 pm.

Tickets are $14.95 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $19.50 for youth (3-11).  A special Fast Pass (express line, no waiting) is available for $30, as well as a variety of package and combo tickets.  The Skydeck is also available with City Pass and Go Chicago Card.

Photo credit: SXC

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Chicago’s Sears Tower is now the Willis Tower

Whether he was a control freak, or just didn’t trust Martha’s judgment, I’m not sure, but the results are most impressive.  Today Mount Vernon is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is open to the public for guided Mansion tours, featuring 14 rooms that have been restored and furnished in period pieces, including some original items from the Washington family.  In additional to the Mansion, visitors can tour the grounds on their own.

The front yard of the Mansion is a bowling green, a large beautifully landscaped yard and drive.  This would have been the entrance that guests used when visiting the estate.

Mount Vernon was both a home and a working plantation, and the surrounding grounds reflect that.  The backyard is huge, and overlooks the Potomac.  One can imagine the Washington’s entertaining on the lawn and enjoying time there with family and friends.  The out building that you can walk through include the slave quarters, ice house, overseer’s quarters, kitchen, wash house, stable and paddock, and the coach house.

The gardens are one of the best parts of the estate.  There are four gardens, a Forest Trail, and a Pioneer Farmer site, the latter a working farm.  The flower beds in the gardens have been restored to their original size, and contain flowers, herbs, fruit trees and vegetables.  English Boxwoods, taken from cuttings from 1786, are still alive and thriving on the grounds.

George Washington died in the Mansion’s master bedroom on December 14th, 1700.  Pursuant to his will, he was laid to rest in a brick tomb located on his beloved Mount Vernon estate.  Martha’s body lies there as well.  Wreath laying ceremonies are held daily.  Near the tomb is a Slave Memorial and Burial Ground.

Also on the grounds is a museum, featuring some of Washington’s survey equipment, weapons and clothing, as well as his dentures.

A couple years ago, a Grist Mill and reconstruction of Washington’s distillery opened, a short ways away from the estate.  It is a fully functional replica, and, pursuant to special legislation, is authorized to produce up to 5,000 gallons of whiskey annually.  It is for sale only at the Mount Vernon gift estate.

Mount Vernon is open daily, with Mansion tours offered from 8 am to 5 pm during the summer.  The grounds close a half hour later.

Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (ages 62+), $7 for youth (ages 6-11), and children under 6 are FREE.  Admission to the distillery and grist mill are $4 for adults and $2 for youth.  Although not required, purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the busy summer months.

You can make a quick tour the Mansion and grounds, or spend the entire day at the estate, depending on your available time.  Young children will enjoy the outdoor areas, but may be a bit bored and the interior hands-off tour.  Older kids and teens can teens should enjoy Mount Vernon, and it’s a great opportunity to see history right up close.

Mount Vernon is most easily reached by car, but if you don’t have one available, a little effort will get you there via the Metro.  Take the Yellow Line to Huntington Station, and exit onto Huntington Avenue (lower level).  From there catch the #101 Fairfax Connector Bus to the Mount Vernon entrance gate, about a 20 minute trip.

Photo credit:  David Paul Ohmer @flickr (Mount Vernon); Prince Roy @flickr (Grist Mill)

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Visit History at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate

The building is located at Fifth Avenue at 34th, and is a popular spot for tremendous views of the city.  It’s been featured in numerous movies, including the classic An Affair to Remember and the more recent Sleepless in Seattle.

Beneath its art deco facade, the building houses floors and floors of offices, a 3-story lobby, shops, restaurants, a variety of services, and one of the most popular outdoor observation decks in the world.  Located on the 86th floor, the observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.  The observation deck is open 365 days a year, from 8 am – 2 pm.  The last elevator goes to the top at 1:15 am.  Scheduling a romantic rendezvous at midnight at the top of the Empire State Building is as much a reality as a theme from the movies, and the view at night is just as spectacular as during the day.

An additional observation deck is located on the 102nd floor as well, but it is enclosed and much smaller than the lower one.  It is open daily, 8 am – midnight, with the last elevator going up at 11:15 pm.

On the 2nd floor, you’ll find the NY Skyride, a simulated aerial tour over the city of New York, that has become nearly as popular as the observation deck.

Tickets for the observation deck are $18.45 for adults (ages 18-61), $12.92 for children (ages 6-12), and $16.51 for seniors (62+).  Prices do not include tax or a $2 surcharges.   An express pass, which allows you to go to the front of the line (and the lines can get lengthy), an observatory and skyride combo package, and a ticket to the 102nd floor observatory are also available.  Purchase Empire State Building tickets online to help cut down on line time.

Because lines and wait time can be lengthy, plan to visit on a day when you have time to get through the queue and enjoy the spectacular views.  After all, you haven’t really seen the city till you’ve seen it from the top of the Empire State Building.

Photo credit: wikimedia

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Happy Birthday to the Empire State Building

After the Exposition closed, the Palace of Fine Arts went through numerous “lives” before eventually becoming part of the San Francisco Park System.  It fell into disrepair in World War II (it served as an Army motor pool), and the area was eventually declared a public hazard.  Fortunately, it rose to grandeur again following aggressive fundraising efforts.

Today the stately landmark sits in the middle of Walter S. Johnson Park in the Marina District, and serves as a performing theater and special events venue.  It’s been home to many special events including concerts, movies (Time After Time, The Rock, Twisted, So I Married an Axe Murderer) and television shows (The Streets of San Francisco, Monk, Nash Bridges), and educational events.  It is also popular for weddings (GREAT photo opportunities) and other private events.

The Palace of Fine Arts is in need of a little tender loving care, and fundraising efforts are again underway to help return this beautiful site to its rightful grandeur.

The Exploratorium, an interactive museum dedicated to science, nature, art and technology, occupies the space that was once the exhibition hall.  Exploratorium was founded by Frank Oppenheimer, who earned his science chops working on the Manhattan Project.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco

Coit Tower in San Francisco; photo from wikimedia

The art deco tower was built in 1933, with funds donated by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, after whom the tower was named.  Folklore claims that the tower was designed to look like a fire hose nozzle, and was a tribute to the firefighters of the 1906 earthquake fire.  Although this may be more urban legend than fact, the story is consistent with the quirky personality of the donor, and many people choose to believe that it’s true.

A sunny San Francisco afternoon is the perfect time for a tour of Coit Tower and its surrounding grounds.

From the surrounding grounds you have expansive views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco Bay.  Just sit and enjoy the sun, practice a bit with your photography, or stroll around enjoying the flowers and the view.

Inside the first floor of the tower are murals of depression-era art.  Although done by 26 different artists, they are all in a Diego Riviera style.  These murals of working men and women during the depression are considered some of the best of its genre.

Depression Era Mural at Coit Tower; photo from wikimedia

Coit Tower can be a bit confusing to get to as it is only accessible by one road.  There is a small parking lot at the top of the hill.  You can also get there by walking two blocks (fairly steep) up Filbert or Greenwich Street from Grant Avenue.  Or, take the #39-Coit Muni bus.  This latter option is especially attractive during the summer months when traffic and parking is difficult.

Coit Tower is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm.  There is no charge for entrance into the ground or the lobby level.  There is a small charge for the elevator to the top.

And if you can’t visit during the nice weather, don’t let that put you off.  The views are fantastic all year round (I love looking at the city shrouded in fog), and it will be much less crowded.

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Art & a View: San Francisco’s Coit Tower

If you’re lost read this for a quick run down: Will $100,000 Build A Good Green Home?

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Have You Been Following the 100K House?

I don’t know why, but lately I’ve been stretching out from my usual feast of architect and green blogs, and while I was doing so, one blog I found happened to be Electro^Plankton. It was a good find though, because look at this stellar house they have posted:

It’s not so much a house as it is a chapel, but it’s weirding me out. Mainly because they note that it’s, “Off highway 1 in California” yet I never saw it. Was I in a complete fog in California or what? Maybe. See another picture of this hat-like abode.

They also have this item below, which I don’t like at all – but it is Offbeat material. I thought it might be fun to guess at this one. First take a look:

Can you tell what this item is? Before you look. I knew what it was, but for a few minor seconds, I had this feeling it was something else – what does it look like to you? Don’t cheat.

In any case, you can visit Electro^Plankton to see more of the strange and slick items they feature: I suggest you start with the following posts – perfect Offbeat Homes what not…

• If The Doorknob’s A-missin’, Don’t Come A-knockin’
• Artlebedev Defendius Door Chain – this post is too cool – go see.
• The Cell Toilet
• OMG Billboard Homes!

[All pics, links, etc, above via Electro^Plankton - the hopeless love is all me though]

Post from: Blisstree

Currently Hopelessly In Love With…. Electro^Plankton

In case you missed it; this week at Offbeat we had some delightful posts about…

• A brand new documentary about sustainable building. 

• The upcoming release of the Earthship Coffee Table Book.

• Earthship design.

• Mushroom Houses

• A hip zig-zag studio.

• Indoor stars! 

• Carmel’s Fairytale Style Cottages

• And boys who take nice architecture pictures while barhopping.

It was a great week. I highly suggest you visit all of the above posts (of course, I would suggest that.) Hope everyone’s had a wonderful weekend and it ready for the next.

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Offbeat Week in Review

You have to admit, this is a pretty slick house. Sure the colors are blah, but the shape is divine. On the downside, I can’t tell you anything other than it’s in Clear Lake, IA. Why? Well, because two fellows on a booze trip took the photo, and of course offered no explanation. On the upside, you have to give these guys props. They took this photo on a journey that took them to 76 bars in five days. 76 bars! And they still had time to take decent photos of architecture – not bad.

They even included a safety disclaimer:

“What you are about to read was accomplished by trained experts in boozology who took utmost care in terms of safe and legal behavior. Do not try this at home. We did extensive preparation to determine how to do this safely and at no time did we drive with BACs near or above the legal limit. We ended each of the heaviest drinking days on foot. So sit back, relax, and read on as we do the drinking for you…”

Doesn’t that make you feel better? I actually do suggest you check out their website – they took many photos and it’s an interesting read. You can’t beat offbeat random homes on a booze trip. At the very least it’s a good Friday diversion.

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Random Barhopping House