One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city is walk along the streets with my camera pointed at the sky.  My traveling companions will often admonish that I “look like a tourist!”, to which I reply, “I am a tourist!”

Miami Beach‘s South Beach offers a unique and distinct skyline rich with history and pop culture folk lore.

The Carlyle in South Beach

Any self guided walking tour through the Art Deco Historic District should include a look at (and several pictures of) these buildings:

The Carlyle Hotel – this art deco building has been featured in many films, including The Birdcage and Scarface and is still a sought after location for photo and movie shoots.  In fact, it’s not uncommon to see fashion shoots taking place on the sidewalk in front of the building as you walk by.  The Carlyle is now home to private, luxury condos – so you’ll have to take your pictures from the sidewalk.

The National Hotel – located on Collins Avenue, this hotel has hosted glamorous events by MTV and fashion magazines.  The palm tree lined infinity pool at the back of the lobby provides a postcard perfect photo opportunity.

The National Hotel in Miami Beach

The Infinity Pool at The National

The Ritz Carlton – right next door to The National, this unique Ritz property blends in perfectly with the art deco towers on either side of it.

Casa Casuarina – the infamous former mansion of Gianni Versace, this luxurious building was all the site of Versace’s highly publicized murder in 1997.  Despite it’s gruesome past and break from the classic art deco, it still serves as an excellent testament to the rich architectural history and a must see spot in Miami Beach.

Colony Hotel – a shining example of the impact of neon lights on the South Beach skyline, the Colony Hotel is frequently featured in photographs.  The building’s tacky blue glow at night could only appear at home on Ocean Drive.

Room with an Art Deco View

While these are just a few of the highlights and notorious spots to enjoy in South Beach, nearly every building you come across has an architectural story to tell.  I’m using that as my excuse for taking about  200 pictures in roughly 2 hours.

For those visitors looking for more than a pretty picture, The Miami Design Preservation League offers a variety of tours and historical information about the buildings you’re gawking at.

All photos by Britt Reints.

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.