Las
Vegas
Overview
Las Vegas is famous for its lavish shows, the opulent hotels, huge swimming
pools, and the new generation of theme resorts with motifs such as Medieval
Europe, Caribbean Pirates, Ancient Egypt, and the Wizard of Oz. On Fremont Street
neon lights flash, the bank of gambling machines jingle, and the games go on
without ceasing.
This glittering town had its origins in a camping ground on the Old Spanish
Trail. You can get a glimpse of yesterday at old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, a
refurbished 1850s fort containing antiques and displays on local history.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has a Museum of Natural History, an art
gallery, and a mineral collection in the Geoscience Building. The Red Rock
Canyon National Conservation Area is a spectacular region of steep canyons
and sandstone formations with a 13-mile scenic drive.
Children enjoy Wet ‘n’ Wild water-theme parks, Discovery Children’s
Museum, Southern Nevada Zoological Park, Bonnie Springs Old Nevada, and
Guinness World of Records.
Revel in the exotic memorabilia at the Liberace Museum. View the Imperial
Palace auto collection of 200 classic autos. The famous Las Vegas Strip is
lined with opulent hotels and casinos where you can catch a lavish show or
try your luck at craps, blackjack, or slot machines. This is a city of
excess - the new MGM Grand, with its 5,000 rooms, is the largest hotel in
the world. Apart from the games that never cease, championship golf courses
abound.
Nearby Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are two sights that shouldn't be missed
during your trip to Vegas.
Dallas
Overview
Dallas is known to Texans as "Big D" because of its financial,
cultural, and commercial prestige. It is also the home of the Texas State
Fair, largest of all state fairs, held on a novel version of the Traditional
Country Fairground. Fair Park is a year-round attraction. Here is the Texas
Hall of State, with exhibits on state history. Adjoining the hall are the
major Dallas museum buildings: The Museum of Natural History, The Age of
Steam Railroad Museum, The Aquarium, The Civil Garden Center, Science Place,
The Cotton Bowl, and The African-American Museum.
Noted for its fashion industry and smart shops, Dallas is famous for the
Museum of Fashion at the International Apparel Mart. Old City Park has
historical buildings, authentically restored. See the view from Reunion
Tower. The Dallas Symphony performs in Meyerson Center. A Granite Market
shows the spot at Houston and main streets where President Kennedy was
assassinated; nearby is John F. Kennedy Plaza, with a memorial monument set
in the landscaped clearing. The "Sixth Floor Exhibit" in the
former school book depository building examines the life, death, and legacy
of John F. Kennedy.
Visitors enjoy the Zoo and the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Just east
of Dallas, the Mesquite Championship Rodeo is held every weekend, April
through September. Also in the area, along the Terrell Airport, is the
Silent Wings Museum, dedicated to gliders and glider pilots of World War II.
Chicago
Overview
The
first skyscrapers were built in Chicago, and many of the most striking
examples are found here. Sears Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the
world, and the John Hancock Center and the Amoco Building rival it in
height. Chicago is also distinguished by its symphony, its lyric opera, and
outstanding museums. Both the Chicago Campus of Northwestern University and
the University of Chicago, with its Oriental Institute and Rockefeller
Chapel and Carillon, are memorable to visitors. The University of Illinois
at Chicago is notable as well and contains the original hull house of
humanitarian Jane Adams. Garfield Park Conservatory, The Lincoln Park Zoo
and Conservatory, Buckingham Fountain, and a remarkable assortment of
theatres, ethnic restaurants, and blues and jazz clubs are other good
reasons for Chicago’s popularity with visitors. There is a visitor
center at the historic water tower on North Michigan Avenue, a wide
boulevard called the Magnificent Mile known for its elegant shops and
galleries. Sight-seeing boats depart from various locations offering superb
views of the city along the Lake Michigan shoreline and the river. Take an
architectural tour to view the creations of Chicago’s many famous
architects.
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Boston
Overview
New England’s major port, Boston began with John Winthrop and his
colonists in 1630, and it has been the capital of Massachusetts since 1632.
Follow the freedom trail through Boston’s historic streets. Near the
Old State House, British soldiers fired into a mob, resulting in the Boston
massacre. A memorial circle of cobblestones marks the spot. Some tea was
saved from the "Boston Tea Party", and is on exhibit in the Old
State House. Visitors to Boston find reminders of the revolution at every
hand. The U.S.A. Constitution is docked at the U.S. Naval shipyard in
Charleston. At Quincy Market, adjacent to Faneuil Hall, are three buildings
housing a festive shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.
Boston
is renowned for its schools, libraries, and museums. The Museum of Fine Arts
is world-renowned for its Asiatic, Egyptian, Classical, European, and
American paintings and sculptures.
The Museum of Science has exhibits and offers daily omni theatre and
planetarium shows. The New England Aquarium offers various marine-life
exhibits and a giant ocean tank. The Franklin Park Zoo has natural habitats,
and the Arnold Arboretum has 7,000 varieties of trees and shrubs.
Bostonians enjoy watching the "Red Sox" play at Fenway Park and
the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics in the Fleet Center. For a fine
panorama of the whole area, visit the Prudential Tower Skywalk or the John
Hancock Observatory.
Quebec
Overview
Walled French City and capital of the Quebec Province, Quebec City is
divided into the upper and lower towns. Visitors tour this colorful city on
foot, by bus, or in sight-seeing carriages. As cities go, Old Quebec is not
large, and a walker can easily see such famed places as the Chateau
Frontecnac, The Duffercin Terrace, The Ursuline Convent on Rue Du Parloir,
The Cathedral on the Rue Des Jardins, The Basilica on the Buade, and the
Quebec Seminary on Te Cote De La Fabrique. High on a promontory is the
citadel, built in the early 19
th century, and the place where
Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt conferred during world war II.
French and English speaking guides show tourists through the massive
fortification. The "Changing of the Guard" ceremony takes place
each morning during the summer.
A replica of Cartier's Flagship, La Grande Hermine, is anchored here and
open to visitors. The Quebee area is as noted for winter sports as it is for
summer vacations, and the city's winter carnival, held each year during two
weeks in February, is perhaps the foremost winter sports and entertainment
festival on the North American continent.
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Orlando
Overview
Enjoy tours of Florida's Lake and Citrus Land, view the stars at Orlando's
Planetarium, and admire the gardens of Lake Eola Park. Church Street Station
is Orlando's historic downtown, which has been developed as a shopping and
entertainment complex. Sea World of Florida features killer whale and dolphin
shows, a sea lion and otter show, a penguin habitat, a shark aquarium with
a walk-through tunnel, and a water-ski show. Universal Studios, Florida has
sound stages where movies and TV shows are produced. View movie sets, special
effects, live shows, films, rides, themed restaurants. Also see Leu Botanical
Gardens, the museums in Lock Haven Park, and Mystery Fun House.
