Date of trip: June 2011

When Will was a little kid growing up in Westchester County, he often saw commercials with smiling families and couples enjoying their vacations in the Pocono Mountain region in Pennsylvania. He always wanted to go and, finally, we did!

Highlights:

-Our trip was especially inspired by a commercial for Mount Airy, the largest and most popular resort in the Poconos when it was built. Sadly, it fell into disrepair and went into foreclosure in 1999. Thanks to a new owner, it was completely remodelled as a casino hotel and reopened in 2007. We had to stay there! The rooms are standard for a mid-range hotel, but comfortable. The casino is small and smoky, but much nicer than I expected and it seemed like a lot of people were winning there. It tends to get crowded on the weekends. There are also several restaurants on the property and they are all pretty good. It seemed like one of the nicer places to stay in the Poconos.

-Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains forming an area called the Delaware Water Gap. The Gap is important because it not only provides refuge to a variety of animals but it also accounts for 10% of the nation’s fresh water. Although there is a road that runs along the river, the thick tree coverage makes it difficult to see anything from the street so the best way to explore the area is by foot or boat. There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Gap, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. One of the best sights is Dingmans Falls which is fairly easy to reach by a short trail and a wooden staircase with 240 steps. With a 130 foot drop, the waterfalls are beautiful, especially when a snowy winter has left them flowing full and strong!

-Dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania”, Bushkill Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the Poconos for over 100 years. It was discovered by Charles E. Peters in 1904 and is still privately owned and operated by his family. It consists of eight waterfalls and although the admission price is steep at $11/person, it grants you access to a large variety of extremely well maintained hiking trails. There is also a small but interesting museum on the property and several stores, food stands and additional attractions including mini golf and paddle boats. Whether you take the 15 minute or two hour hike around the falls, you won’t be disappointed.

-I’ve always wondered what it would be like in a coal mine, especially after the dramatic rescue of 33 miners in Chile last year. We decided to travel 40 minutes north of the Poconos to Scranton to find out at the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Tours are offered from April through November and last about an hour. It was really cool riding 300 feet underground in the little mine car. Once we got to the bottom, it was dark and cool. The temperature of the mine stays at 53 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so you need a warm sweater even in the summer. We learned all about the different mining methods through the years and the safety precautions followed to prevent injuries and death. The guide also told us about the different positions and responsibilities mine workers have. We even got a chance to see how dark the mine is without any lighting. It was a fascinating experience and I felt very fortunate that it was so easy for us to get back to the surface when it was over!

The Poconos may not be the premier destination it once was, but it is still very popular due to its close proximity to NYC and its beautiful scenery. It’s a bit kitschy, but that’s part of its charm and it is perfect for a peaceful few days away from the city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Poconos Links:
Poconos Official Site
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Delaware Water Gap
Bushkill Falls
Lackawanna Coal Mine

Date of trip: 2004, November 2010

There are few things more American than a Hershey’s chocolate bar and when I learned there was a town built around Hershey’s chocolate, I had to visit. I expected it to be a fun trip to a kitschy, dated, amusement park but Hershey is so much more than that.

Highlights:

-The Hotel Hershey was built in the 1930s and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It’s expensive but it shouldn’t be missed even if you don’t spend the night. There’s a huge full service spa offering chocolate treatments, several excellent restaurants including the stunning Circular Dining Room, and some great gift shops. Outside, the grounds include beautiful gardens and a skating rink!

-Hersheypark was originally created for the employees of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory but these days it’s a well loved family destination open to the public. It may not be as exciting as some of the bigger theme parks in the country, but it has its fair share of excellent roller coasters, including a wooden one from the 1940s. Other favorites are the old fashioned Carousel and the Kissing Tower, a rotating observation deck with Hershey Kiss windows. The park is most visited in the summer but it’s open for special events throughout the year.

-My favorite place in Hershey is Hershey’s Chocolate World because there are so many fun attractions there. The 3-D show is as cool as anything you’ll see in Disney, a ride shows you how Hershey candies are made and a chocolate tasting teaches you about the different varieties of chocolate that the company produces. There’s a huge store where you can buy clothes, souvenirs and plenty of candy and a food court offers many dining options including delicious Hershey’s baked goods and ice cream specialities.

-The newest attraction in Hershey is The Hershey Story a museum all about Milton Hershey, how he started the company and the legacy he left. Despite his success, it’s amazing to learn how many times Hershey failed during his life. His is truly a story of perseverance. I also loved discovering all the philanthropy efforts supported by the company, especially the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged kids. It made me want to go out and buy a candy bar to support the cause.

When I travel, I love relating places I visit to life today. Whether or not you like Hershey’s chocolate, there’s no arguing it’s place in American and world culture. The great thing about Hershey is that it’s not only historically significant but it’s also fun, luxurious and delicious! It’s perfect for families and couples of all ages and it can be as low key or as decadent as you like. There aren’t too many places that can please everyone, but Hershey is definitely one of them.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Hershey Links:
Hershey Official Site
Hotel Hershey
Hersheypark
Hershey’s Chocolate World
The Hershey Story

Date of trip: September 2008

Although Will and I went to Pittsburgh primarily to make the trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, we ended up loving the city itself and really enjoying our time there.

Highlights:

-Pittsburgh has one of the most beautiful city views I’ve seen and the best place to check it out is from the top of Mt. Washington, a 5 minute drive from downtown. In the late 1800s, there were 15 cable cars, or inclines, that would bring residents of the mountain down into the city to work. Today, the only two remaining are the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. We rode the Duquesne at night. Parking is extremely limited on the mountain so I recommend parking at the bottom of one of the inclines and riding up. If you visit during the day and have time, you can walk just over a mile between the two at the top. Both offer unique, stunning perspectives of the city.

-Andy Warhol is probably Pittsburgh’s most famous resident so it is fitting that the city has an Andy Warhol Museum. The building has seven floors and holds over 500 pieces by the artist including sketches, videos, installations and many of his signature portraits. There is also an area devoted to Warhol’s biography and life story. Not to be missed is the “Silver Clouds” exhibit which invites visitors into a small room to dodge and play with flying silver balloons.

-I’ve seen a lot of amazing artwork and I can be a tough critic but I was completely impressed with The Mattress Factory. The museum of contemporary art is unique in that you get into and become part of most of the pieces. I particularly liked the crazy mirrored rooms by Yayoi Kusama. I love art that engages and involves its audience and the collection at The Mattress Factory accomplishes this better than most.

-The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is one of the few zoo/aquarium combinations in the United States and it’s a great place to spend a few hours. The highlight is the elephant enclosure which is home to two endlessly entertaining babies born over the summer.

-For an afternoon or evening out in the city the Strip District is your best bet. The area is comprised of former factory and mill buildings converted to shops, restaurants and clubs. On Saturday the streets are full of locals and tourists strolling the sidewalks and browsing the outdoor markets.

As a cool U.S. city, Pittsburgh is highly underrated. It’s laid back, friendly, safe and full of top notch art, picturesque scenery and great restaurants. Although I didn’t mention sports, they are a big deal here and if you happen to visit during baseball or football season, the entire city seems to come out for the games!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Pittsburgh Links:
Pittsburgh Official Site
Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines
Andy Warhol Museum
The Mattress Factory
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
The Strip District

Date of trip: September 2008

Will and I are big fans of modern architecture so Fallingwater, a house designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been on our list of places to visit for many years. Located an hour and a half outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it is widely considered the most beautiful house in the world and is certainly one of the most famous. Why is Fallingwater so special? The house is literally built into a waterfall and enhances the surrounding natural landscape without intruding on it.

I booked us on the first tour of the day to avoid crowds. Although the house is in a remote location, it is very popular with tourists and reservations must be made in advance online or by phone. Tickets start at $16/adult for a regular tour with no pictures but there are many more expensive options that include more rooms, photography, sunset hours and brunch.

Fallingwater was built in the 1930s for the Kaufmann family, owners of a department store in Pittsburgh. They met Frank Lloyd Wright when their son studied under him. The Kaufmanns loved modern design and had a lot of money so it was a perfect match.

The Tour:

The tour of Fallingwater starts in the kitchen, small and somewhat standard except for its unusual windows. The glass panes come directly out of the stone walls with no frames separating the two. In the small reading room next to the kitchen there is another unique window with no frames on it’s corners. The frameless windows appear throughout the house and give the illusion that they are glass free and open to the elements. Wright wanted to minimize the separation between indoors and outdoors and the technique is very effective.

We visited three bedrooms all equipped with fireplaces, the only source of heat in the house, and private balconies. The balconies are cantilevered, or supported on just one end. They hang over the waterfall outside the house and your view over the edge is unobstructed. By giving each living space a private outdoor area Wright encouraged guests to form personal relationships with the natural setting outside.

The most famous room in the house is the Grand Room and it doesn’t disappoint. It combines a dining room, living room and small sitting area into one large space. Shelves line the walls of the eating area while a long couch and tall windows cover the opposite side. A staircase leading outside is positioned so it disappears into the river running below. A stone fireplace with the most beautiful hearth I’ve ever seen adds warmth to the room.

Above Fallingwater there is a second building which was used as a car garage and guest house. There is a sitting room and a bedroom here and offices for the foundation currently maintaining the property and running the tours. Directly outside, there is a pool with interesting stone slab steps that is fed by natural water. It may or may not be full during a visit as it is routinely emptied.

Fallingwater has been open to the public since 1964 and millions of people have visited. Although it has many admirers, with the building codes of today, it could never be duplicated making it truly one of a kind. There may no longer be residents living at Fallingwater but it continues to provide many people with a serene and peaceful escape from city life, if only for a few hours.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Permission for this non-commercial use of photography from Fallingwater was obtained from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Fallingwater Links:
Fallingwater Official Site

Date of trip: August 2008

Will and I had to cut our visit to Philadelphia short so we went straight to Independence National Historical Park to check out the attractions in the area. The park covers 20 city blocks and includes many important sites in American history.

Highlights:

-The most well known landmark in Independence Park is probably the Liberty Bell. In 1776 it rang out when the Declaration of Independence was read, cementing it’s place in history as a symbol of freedom. Although it’s been out of commission since 1846, due to it’s famous crack, it has remained popular with tourists from around the world. You must pass through security to visit the bell but, once you reach it, you can get surprisingly close.

-Nearby stands Independence Hall, arguably the most important building in U.S. history and the original location of the Liberty Bell. Here, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution was drafted and signed. Entry is only allowed by tour and tickets must be obtained at the visitors center a couple of blocks away. Unreserved tickets are free but limited. If you visit during a busy time, I recommend paying the $1.50 fee to buy them online in advance. Reserved tickets must be picked up at least one hour prior to tour time.

-We also stopped by the grave site of Benjamin Franklin at Christ Church and toured the National Constitution Center, a museum dedicated to the history of the Constitution and the people who have worked to uphold and protect it for over 200 years. On September 19th, a new exhibit will open there about our election process and current presidential candidates called “Headed to the White House”.

With election season in full swing, there’s no better time to visit Philadelphia. It is, in many ways, the birthplace of this country and will remind you of the ideals and principles the United States was built on. It is the perfect place to reflect on your own feelings about the country and remember the amazing individuals who made our lives today possible. Hopefully, it will also get you excited about paying homage to them this November when you cast your votes!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Independence Park Links:
Philadelphia Official Site
Independence National Historical Park
National Constitution Center