great takes on family travel in the U.S.

This is the third in a series about our president & vice presidential candidates’ hometowns.  Maybe by walking in their proverbial footsteps, you can decide who you will get your vote and have a good vacation. We, of course are completely non-partisan. The series will run each day this week. Today we are focusing on Senator Biden’s stomping grounds in Delaware, yesterday was Senator McCain’s town of Phoenix, on Tuesday we featured Senator Obama’s Chicago, tomorrow we will complete the series by showcasing Governor Palin’s home turf in lovely Wasilla.

Start with the train station. Senator Joe Biden has commuted between Washington DC and his home daily  since 1972, when he was first elected to the Senate.  This is his hometown station. Sweet little place, isn’t it?

Next, take in the entertainment, dining and tax free shopping at vibrant Wilmington Riverfront.

Grab some culture at  Nemours Mansion and Gardens.

or at the Winterthur Museum & Country Estate.

Have a little more time? Take a look at what Mr. Biden has been seeing in Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley for past 30 plus years including Hagley Museum, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Brandywine Zoo, and the Highland Orchards Farm Market..

Wilmington is still nursing a massive European cultural hangover from a cocktail of the first Swedish settlers, their subsequent Dutch conquerors and then the Colonial British era.  Be sure to see some of it, to understand the history of this town.

There’s the Old Swedes Church, a national landmark, and the Old Town Hall and Willingtown Square with 18^th century restored houses, and the fully restored 1,190 seat Victorian Grand Opera House.

There’s also Fort Christina, which commemorates the colony of New Sweden established in 1638 when Peter Minuit’s foray into the New World in the Swedish ships Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip landed up in the Delaware Valley. Speaking of which, you might also want to take a look at the new Tall Ship of Delaware if its docked at the Port of Wilmington on the Christina River. If you’re interested in smaller boats, you can also take a river taxi ride.

As for lodging, best place to stay would be somewhere near the Riverfront. Here’s a list of recommended hotels and Inns from the Riverfront Development Corp.

Enjoy your stay and remember to vote.

This is the first in a series on vacation’s in our president & vice presidential candidates’ hometowns.  Maybe by walking in their proverbial footsteps, you can finally decide who you will get your vote. We, of course are completely non-partisan.  The series will run each day this week.  Tomorrow will feature Senator McCain’s town of Phoenix, Thursday will feature Senator Biden’s stomping grounds in Delaware and we will complete the series by showcasing Governor Palin’s home turf in lovely Wasilla.

Yours in non-partisanship….

In spite of all the celebrity and rock star status, surprisingly few people outside Chicago know the real Barack Obama. My hope is to give you an inside look at his life in Chicago’s South Side. And of course, you can use this to plan a Obama-themed Chicago vacation.

Barack Obama’s Home

Let’s start with his house, which, because  McCain forgot how many homes he actually owned, became an issue. Obama’s house is located in the Kenwood neighborhood,  but it’s not exactly a mansion when compared to some other homes in the ‘hood. It is just big with four fireplaces. But the elitist label on Obama sticks when you consider the historic nature of the landmark district, where a lot of the houses are from the late 19^th century.  I love this neighborhood. Don’t you?  Here are some photos of his neighborhood:

Heck, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just take a CAF tour, whose meeting point used to be at the KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue near Obama’s residence. As of Sept 1, they changed the meeting point (probably security concerns), but you’ll still be able to see the house (and the synagogue - its magnificent from the inside) on the tour.

If you’re visiting his house, then you might also be interested in the Obama campaign headquarters at 233 N. Michigan Ave in the Loop. Or his former Church - the Trinity United Church of Christ.

Promontory Point, Burnham Park

Before he became Chicago’s favorite son, Obama and his family could often be found enjoying the breeze at Promontory Point in Burnham Park, referred to locally as ‘The Point’. It’s a beautiful place, good for picnics and romantic strolls and has a great view with summer fireworks and all. Also, as you can see in this video, the Obamas do enjoy a family bicycle ride along the shores of Lake Michigan.

If you’re fond of books and reading, head for 57^th Street Books in Hyde Park, where Obama used to buy his books. If you’re in need of a haircut, head straight for the Hyde Park Salon & Barber Shop at 5234 S. Blackstone Ave and ask for Zariff, who cuts Obama’s hair. For $21, in case you’re wondering… Looking for a workout? Go to the East Bank Club, which is Obama’s gym.

As for food, in his 2006 book ‘The Audacity of Hope’, Obama says one of his favorites was the turkey legs and dressing at MacArthur’s. Now it seems their favorite is the Sopa Azteca at Rick Bayless’ Mexican restaurant Topolobampo. Their other favorites (stated and/or spotted) include the Caribbean fare at Calypso Café, barbeque chicken pizza at Pizza Capri, Italian at Spiaggia, and RJ Grunts with the burgers and ribs.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama seems to have taken a liking to the cuisine at the upscale Sepia. That would probably be because her fashion designer Maria Pinto has a boutique nearby at 133 N. Jefferson St. Which would also be a good place to get an outfit which makes you look exactly like the prospective First Lady.

Design by Maria Pinto

(Personally, I don’t think this is a look for a first lady, but I sure would like to see a first lady in something other than an ugly suit, wouldn’t you?)

And if you want a special kiss at the exact same spot where Barack first kissed Michelle on their first date after an ice-cream, head for 1400 E. 53rd St., which was previously a Baskin Robbins.

And if you’re tired of politics as usual and want a change from an Obama overdose, then the main attractions on the South Shore other than the University of Chicago include the Hyde Park Art Center, Osaka Garden, golfing, beaches and other attractions at Jackson Park and South Shore Cultural Center. As far as shopping is concerned, you’re better off going down to the Magnificent Mile, since the presence of the University and the landmark district has largely prevented any commercial development.

And last, the only hotel I’d recommend for this Obamacation would be the Ramada Lake Shore where Obama first announced his entry into Chicago politics. Besides, there are no other major hotels in the vicinity. If you’re a young Obama supporter full of enthusiasm, and running on hope instead of cash, then the Hyde Park Arms (5316 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615), which is a transient hotel, might be a good choice. If you prefer Bed and Breakfasts, then the University Quarters B&B and Wooded Isle Suites are pretty well located close to the University of Chicago campus.

Bear in mind that this is not a Chicago vacation per se, but a snapshot of Obama’s world, and his life. There’s more to Chicago than just Obama, and you’ll find a pretty good list of all the things to do in Chicago here.

Barack Obama’s home courtesy of Obama Zone

Kenwood homes courtesy of  Chicago Architecture Foundation

Promontory Point photo by Kim Scarborough

Michelle Obama photo by Telegraph.Uk.co

Mario Pinto photo by Maria Pinto

National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, NY, NY

There are many touching memorials to honor those who died on this day besides the new memorial being built in New York at the World Trade Center. The attack on 9/11 did not tear us apart as intended, instead it brought diverse cultures together to honor those who died:

Russia donated a memorial to a small town in New Jersey, a town in Connecticut came together to build a glass tribute, Ducks Unlimited and a park commission collaborated to create a space for reflection, Staten Island created an uplifting sculpture for their hard hit community. An airport in Boston just dedicated it’s beautiful shrine and the U.S. Department of Defense dedicates their memorial on 9/11–those experts in sadness created an eloquent monument for  those we lost.  All  honor those who sacrificed for us. All are built from the ground up. All are beautiful.

National Memorial in Bayonne, New Jersey, courtesy of sister72.

“Standing more than 100 feet tall, “To the Struggle Against World Terrorism” honors victims of 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombings and serves a symbol of solidarity in the fight against world terrorism. Created by Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, the memorial was a gift from the Russian people.”–Bayonne Redevelopment Authority.

National Memorial in honor of September 11, 2001 in the Meadowlands, New Jersey, photo courtesy of tonythemisfit

“The memorial site is directly across the  Hudson River from where the World Trade Centers once stood. A permanent memorial consisting of a curved deck with two projecting piers that face the Manhattan skyline was constructed along a marsh cove in the park. The piers are patterned after the World  Trade   Center   Towers  and surfaced with 110 boards representing the 110 floors of the towers. Where the piers meet the main deck, a porcelain enamel plaque dedicates the site in memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11.”–New Jersey Meadowlands Commission in partnership with Ducks Unlimited.

The Danbury September 11 Memorial in Danbury, Connecticut courtesy of carbonnyc

“The Danbury Memorial was constructed by taking huge sheets of e glass and cutting out the center parts of 28 inch squares and using a hammer and chisel to chisel out the inner space, forming a 21 inch square by 144 inch interior space – representing the absence of the World Trade Towers to their proportional dimensions. The interior empty space is the same proportional dimensions as the physical presence of both Towers. The inner polished glass panel has engraved, on the backside, the names of all the Connecticut victims. Danbury residents’ names are highlighted at eye-level.”– City of Danbury, Connecticut

Pentagon Memorial, Dedication is on September 11, 2008

The Pentagon Memorial “honors 184 people whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and  American Airline Flight 77, their families and all those who sacrifice that we may live in freedom.”– U.S. Department of Defense

9/11 Memorial Monmouth Park, New Jersey

“Monmouth County’s 9/11 Memorial has three symbolic components: a timeline walkway to recollect the day’s events; a stone base carved with the names, ages and hometowns of the county residents who lost their lives; and an eagle sculpture with a beam from one of the fallen towers. There were 147 people from Monmouth County who perished in the terrorists attacks of September 11th, 2001… For days and weeks afterward, people visited Mount Mitchill to reflect and remember.” –Monmouth County Parks

Staten Island photo also by acnatta

“Staten Island was one of the hardest hit communities on 9/11, losing nearly 270 loved ones in the terrorist attacks on New York City that day. As a result, Staten Island needed its own memorial, a place for the loved ones of the victims to mourn and reflect, and a place for all visitors to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day.

A Memorial Advisory Committee was formed, which included members of victims’ families and community representatives. The committee selected Masayuki Sono’s postcards from nearly 200 submissions. The solemn, yet uplifting design features two thin structures resembling postcards, perhaps sent to lost loved ones. From afar,they appear to be outstretched wings or a flower about to blossom.In order to honor the individual lives lost, part of Mr. Sono’s design provides that each Staten Island victim be honored with a 9”x11” granite plaque that will bear their name, birth date and place of work on September 11, 2001 as well as their profile in silhouette.–Staten Island Memorial

The Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial

The Logan Airport Memorial shining cube in Boston “honors the passengers and crews of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, which departed Logan Airport that morning for Los Angeles. The Memorial also commemorates the dedication to duty of the Logan Airport community in restoring the aviation system to full operation and the contributions its members made toward comforting the families of the passengers and crew who were aboard those flights.”–Massport

 I realize there are many more types of memorials created by thousands of from quilts to tattoos. These spoke to me.

May you go in peace.

This Thursday is the 7th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11.  I still remember where I was and the slow unrolling of sad stories during the next few days.  My sister called and said, “We are under attack. Turn on the TV.”  The first statement I did not believe, the second made me think it was a joke.  Moments later, I was dismayed to see the truth of her words displayed before me on CNN and every other news station.

I went to New York a few weeks later for a business trip and saw the gaping hole and the sad work of the firefighters.  I followed the story  fairly closely for a while—the strength of the New Yorkers, the funeral processions, the ensuing discussion about what to do next.

Memorial march in honor of 9/11, Washington, D.C

The questions of how to rebuild and how to create something better than before were tough to answer.

But as time passed, like many Americans, I just watched the story unfold in the remote corners of my life until last week when I visited New York again and I saw the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and National Tribute to the victims. Surprisingly, during my visit, the attack on the city came up repeatedly in conversation. It still permeates New Yorkers’ lives. Everyone I met remembered the exact moment they heard the news and their reactions of horror, fear and an overwhelming desire to help.  I realized the rebuilding is needed in New York.  It is right and it helps heal and it is what we do as part of  living. Rebuild what has been attacked, rebuild what is falling apart and the healing begins.  Trite phrases that shouted a powerful truth to me as I saw it in action. The new design is a rising of hope and a testament to our country and our people.  We will not be beaten down. We rise up.

 My friend has just taken an apartment directly across the street from Ground Zero.  She will be living next to the construction for the next five years and doesn’t mind.

National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, NY, NY

To her, the rebuilding of Ground Zero, now called the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is a monument  to those who lost their lives and to the future of our country.  It represents the best part of America. The discourse of public opinion, public consideration by public and private officials, a long process to make sure all options are  considered and finally a decision to  build something that will live for centuries. The design was selected from 5,200 submissions from 63 nations. It will be built by people working together from all over the world, visited by people from every country, every religion and every culture.

Osama may send another plane or unleash another evil attack, but he can’t destroy that part of my country that accepts all people and all religions.  The pilgrims did a good thing, they came for freedom of religion and gave the next wave of immigrants the same freedom from the moment their feet hit American soil.  I wish Mr. Bin Laden did the same.

Statue of Liberty photo  by acnatta. 

America. Nothing says it more than a visit to a historical landmark. And what better way to ease the kids back into school than with a late-summer trip somewhere that is fun as well as educational!

In the midwest, there are several great options from which to choose. The first landmark that most people probably think of in the US’s midwest region is Mount Rushmore. From the Mt. Rushmore government site:

“This epic sculpture features the faces of four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. South Dakota’s Black Hills provide the backdrop for Mount Rushmore, the world’s greatest mountain carving. These 60-foot high faces, 500 feet up, look out over a setting of pine, spruce, birch, and aspen in the clear western air.”

Mt. Rushmore offers plenty of family fun, including sculpture workshops, guided tours, and opportunities for volunteering, youth programs, and internships. They also have great things for kids to do, so be sure to get them involved!

People probably also think of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. My family and I were there several months ago and it is truly something to behold. From the Gateway Arch’s web site, linked above:

“The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.”

Once there, one thing that everyone….except me….wants to do it take the tram to the top of the arch. While the more adventurous were doing that, I watched Monument to the Dream, the movie that uses live footage of the building of the arch to tell the story of how the idea became a reality. The monument also houses the Museum of Westward Expansion, and nearby you can take a ride down the Mississippi on a riverboat and visit the Historic Courthouse.

Whether you visit one of these landmarks or opt for another, be sure to enjoy what is left of summer here in the Midwest. It won’t be long before we’ll be picking apples and pumpkins and planning our Halloween parties, so take the family and get away for one last weekend. Be safe, have fun, and be sure to tell George Washington I said hello.

Millions of people visit San Francisco for the Victorian houses, cable car rides and fantastic food.  Millions of others come to see the engineering marvel that is the Golden Gate Bridge.  Here are a few tips from someone who has lived in the Bay Area for twenty years:

1. Best run to the bridge: Start at Crissey Field and run to the end of the path. It is flat, runs right along the bay and you end up directly underneath the bridge, right where the bay meets the ocean. Usually a few surfers and windsurfers are doing their thin, too–very California, I think.  It is only a few miles.  You can do it.  If not, walk it and stop at  for a cup of hot chocolate.

2.  Best walk:  Park near the bridge and walk to the middle of the bridge, look out, look up and look down for views. Dress warmly, there is always a brisk breeze.

3. Best bike:  Rent a bike anywhere in the city, ride across the bridge and then down a long hill into Sausalito, have lunch, see the shops and take the ferry back to the city  to the bike rental shop.  Be forewarned in the summer the ferry is swamped with bikes.  Be the last one on the ferry and be the first one off it or just go into traveler zen mode and zone out until everyone else has unloaded.

4.  Best drive:  Skip the vantage point just after the bridge ends.  It is crowded and hard to park. Instead, take the Alexander Avenue exit (that is the second left after the bridge) turn left at the stop, go under the freeway and take a right into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (aka the headlands.) Drive to the top and look back at the bridge. There will be parking, fewer people and spectacular views. You can continue on to see more of the area if you wish.  A great drive.

Don’t just take pictures, go out on the bridge to enjoy the beauty of its design and a great view of the bay are.

Rob Roberts works at UpTake and has lived in Boston all of his adult life. He helped start two companies focused on travel recommendations. I think these are the kind of credentials that make him the ideal local to give us a few insights into this renowned city. I like his suggestion of the perfect day starting at 11:00 a.m. with a big budget…

Give 5 adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Boston and its residents.
Historical, frigid, scholarly, tough, geeky…

What is your favorite neighborhood in Boston?
That would have to be Harvard Square…shoot, that’s Cambridge. You can walk around through Harvard Yard, go window shopping at lots of little shops, hang out at a café…

Which cuisine do you think Boston does best? What is the runner-up?
Italian. The North End is filled with tiny little places with amazing food. Ooooo…runner-up, not sure. Probably some kind of new food that I don’t eat. I’m sure about the Italian though.
What is the best free thing to do?
To make up for botching the last question, I’ll answer this one twice. Walking around Boston Common is really fun and free. There are gardens, ducks, statues, etc. Also it’s really great to tool around Harvard Square and Faneuil Hall during the summer…there are great sidewalk entertainers everywhere. (You should tip them, so that’s not technically free. But just between us, I’m really cheap and often just listen for free.)

What is your favorite type of entertainment?
That’s tough. Is eating entertainment? OK I’ll have to say the theater. The Theater District in Boston is great.

Describe the best family friendly activity.
Really depends on the time of year. The Museum of Science is a safe bet year-round…they have lots of cool interactive exhibits. But then there’s Fenway and the Red Sox during baseball season.

What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
I think a nice hotel on either the harbor or the Charles River. Maybe a romantic walk along the Charles when the flowers are out in the spring (we really flip out here when we see green in the spring…it’s easy to forget how nice it can be outside when you’re buried under a foot of snow). Oh, and a harbor cruise. Or ditch Boston and go to the Cape.

Describe a perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about. In 3 sentences or less.
Alright…the perfect day. Does a budget come with this? My perfect day would have a big budget. How about a nice walk around Harvard Square in the late morning (no perfect day starts before 11am), then lunch in a café in Harvard. A quick T ride over to Faneuil Hall for window-shopping (or buying depending on the aforementioned budget), then walk over to the Theater District to catch some great performance. And what would make it really perfect is if the parking was free instead of $40.

Tell us about a place that you love to go, whether it is in the guidebooks or not.
OK here’s a secret place. It’s about an hour outside the city. It’s a small, family run water/picnic park on a lake. They have a huge lawn, a lake beach, and 3 awesome water slides. You can bring your own grill, your own food, and your own booze. It costs about $15 to get in. That’s it. No I’m not telling you the name of it…then everyone would go and it would be jam-packed!

What should we have asked, but didn’t?
Tips for going to Fenway Park and Museum of Science: leave extra time, they’re hard to find.
I have lived in Boston over 20 years, and still get lost around Boston. There’s one point on the highway where you swear you’re going the right direction and the Museum of Science is right in front of you and then…swoosh…it’s gone and you have no idea which direction you’re going. Secret parking is REAL hard to find in Boston. There’s a short strip of West Newton street in the Back Bay where you can park for free on weeknights…but you have to get there between 5:50 and 6:00 to get a spot. Before 5:50 you can get a ticket because there’s no parking before 6…after 6 it’s all full.

From guest blogger, Marsha Takeda-Morrison, of Sweatpantsmom.

If you happen to stop by my house on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 8 and 9:30 and you’re not delivering a pizza, chances are you’ll be left standing at the door. Okay, maybe my husband will answer, but he’ll be under strict orders to get rid of whoever is there as soon as possible. This is because me and my two daughters cannot be disturbed while we’re engaged in that most noble of American pastimes: Heckling the performers on American Idol.

I admit to being completely disinterested at first in the blatherings of Ryan, Randy, Paula and Simon. I managed to avoid any Idol talk at parties and playgroups, proud to be the .0001% of the viewing public that wasn’t part of Idol hysteria. That is until my daughters watched it at their friends’ house, convinced me to tune in one fateful Tuesday night, and got me absolutely, hopelessly hooked.

You know the part where Randy shouts out, “Welcome to Hollywood, dawg”? Well they actually do come to Hollywood, believe it or not. The shows leading up to the finals are taped at CBS Television City, home of legendary shows like the Ed Sullivan Show, All in the Family and Hollywood Squares. More recently the studio has been the location for Dancing With the Stars and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. That’s a lot of TV dinners.

If you’re one of the gazillion viewers that would like to attend a taping of AI, you might want to check out OnCameraAudiences.com, a source for tickets to various show tapings. Once you’ve scored your ticket and flown, driven or hitchhiked your way to Hollywood, stop by Swingers Diner which is just down the street from CBS Television City. They have an awesome turkey meatloaf and a cool retro vibe. (Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the setting for the Vince Vaughn movie “Swingers.” That would be the Hollywood Hills Coffee Shop, located a few miles to the north.)

The finals of American Idol are filmed at the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars. I attended an industry awards show at the Kodak a few years back, and have to confess that one of the most thrilling things was going to the ladies restroom. I couldn’t help but think, “Angelina Jolie might have sat in this very spot!” But even if you don’t make it into the theater, the surrounding Hollywood and Highland Center is worthy of a day trip. It’s a massive complex with shops, restaurants and clubs, and great for people watching. We like to take the kids to the Lucky Strike Lanes bowling alley, which is bowling at its most high-tech and luxurious. (More useless trivia: Brandon Routh from “Superman Returns” was a bartender here.) The complex also has one of those dying relics: an actual brick and mortar record store. You’ll find the Virgin Records Megastore on the ground floor if you ever decide to take a break from downloading your favorite AI tunes and buy one of those round, shiny things. What were they called? Oh yeah, CDs.

Who do you think will be the next American Idol? (Sorry, I won’t be answering comments on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 8 and 9:30.)