Search Results for: blog visiting pearl harbors newest attraction

Visiting a Dirty Museum

Bring along extra Wet-Ones if you are planning a trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. this summer. Forget about what your mom said about not playing in dirt, the Smithsonian Institution is taking soil to new depths. In its new exhibit–“Dig It”—-the museum is giving guests the chance to explore the mysterious and complex world of dirt. Curators say their goal with the new exhibit is to get people to see how soil is the foundation of all the Earth’s ecosystems, and that it is “as important as air and water.” Some of the exhibit’s … Continue reading →

Spending Memorial Day at Pearl Harbor

Memorial Day is a little more than a week away and while you might have your travel plans set to embark on a weekend adventure to the beach, the woods or the lake it would behoove you take some time between your barbeques and ball games to remember what this holiday is all about. Memorial Day was set aside to honor all the men and women who have given their lives in military service to this country. The holiday began as a tribute to Union soldiers during the American Civil War. Following World War I, the observance was expanded to … Continue reading →

New Addition to One of D.C.’s Most Popular Attractions

More than 4 million visit Washington, D.C.’s Vietnam War Memorial each year. Over the years the black granite wall, which features the names of nearly 60,000 soldiers who died or remain missing has welcomed some notable additions, including statues of soldiers on patrol, a tribute to female veterans, and a plaque honoring those who died after the war as a result of injuries suffered in it. However, none of those additions compare to a new proposed visitors center. The 35,000-square-foot space could cost up to $100 million. Compare that with the memorial, which cost $8.4 million, or just under $18 … Continue reading →

Visiting Washington, D.C.’s Most Popular Museums

In honor of Veteran’s Day I am spotlighting Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States and home to some of the most famous and historic sites in the world. In this blog I am featuring a list of must-see museums that call D.C. home. They are some of the most visited sites on the planet and for good reason. If you have school age children a trip to D.C.’s museums is one of the best hands-on learning opportunities you can give them. National Air and Space Museum Even if you are not a fan of aviation the exhibits housed … Continue reading →

More Can’t Miss D.C. Attractions

Happy Veteran’s Day! To all the men and women who defend our freedoms on a daily basis know how much you are appreciated. And to all of the family members of our service men and women, my sincere thanks for the sacrifice you make each time your loved one is sent far away from home to protect our country. In honor of Veteran’s Day I am devoting a series of blogs to Washington, D.C.’s most popular attractions. We’ve already discussed the some of the foremost symbols of American democracy, now we’re moving on to some other can’t miss attractions. The … Continue reading →

Family Travel—End of the Summer Deals on Educational Vacations

Score one for procrastinators! We are heading down the home stretch of summer vacation and for families who have yet to hit the road on an annual getaway your delaying a seasonal escape has finally paid off. Numerous hotels in the Washington, D.C. area are offering amazing end of the summer deals. The properties are located near some of the nation’s most historic attractions and can easily serve as the venue for a memory-filled educational vacation for the entire family. Take a look: GEORGETOWN EXPERIENCE For $150 per room per night you will receive accommodations at Georgetown Suites, where you’ll … Continue reading →

Educational Programs for Kids in Hawaii

In a previous blogs I mentioned that you would regret traveling all the way to Hawaii and not visiting the state’s most famous tourist attraction–Pearl Harbor Naval Base. The base is home to the USS Arizona, the USS Utah, the Battleship Missouri, the USS Missouri Memorial, and the newest addition to the area, the Pacific Aviation Museum on Pearl Harbor’s Ford Island. What I failed to mention in those blogs is that youngsters (age 5 and up) have the opportunity to get more out of their visits by enrolling in special summer programs. Pearl Harbor’s Educational Summer Programs are designed … Continue reading →

Summer Travel: Museum Mania

I think I might have found the silver lining in the gray cloud that is our current economic slump. Good news for summer travelers: One of Washington, D.C.’s most expensive museums is lowering its admission fee. Officials at Madame Tussauds wax museum recently announced it plans to cut admission prices from $21 to $18 for adults and from nearly $16 to $12 for children. Museum officials say the price change was prompted by the nation’s economic slowdown. If you are a D.C.-area resident you stand to save even more. People who live in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia … Continue reading →

Casa de Rodent

A few weeks ago I blogged about my daughter’s mouse sighting on our flight to Hawaii. The thought of a rodent rifling through the bag I placed under the seat in front of me still creeps me out, but it’s nothing compared to what some hotel guests in Washington, D.C. have been dealing with. The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just opened for business and it’s already been plagued with a nightmarish situation—a rodent invasion. UGH! According to news reports, numerous guests—all of which were the first to stay in the brand-new 2,000-room hotel—say they had run ins with … Continue reading →

Education Vacation: The National World War II Museum

It’s the one place I wished my grandfather could have visited before he died. My grandpa was a member of the U.S. Army’s highly decorated 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry. It is the only remaining Infantry unit in the Army Reserve force structure. Many books have chronicled the heroic actions of the members of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry. Many note that none have shed their blood more valiantly for America than the Japanese Americans who served in these units while fighting enemy forces in Europe during World War II. My grandfather was a proud member of this elite group … Continue reading →