The College Park Aviation Museum is located right next door to the College Park Airport. Staff members are more than happy to help teach customers about the history of aviation. Guided tours and $2 tickets for students and children help keep this museum an affordable option for customers. The gift shop serves all kinds of memorabilia for patrons.
Founded in 1963, the National Maritime Historical Society has been educating the public about our nation's vast maritime heritage for more than 50 years. Its national headquarters can be found at 5 John Walsh Boulevard on the bottom floor of the same building that houses Crystal Bay Seafood & Company. Membership with this highly esteemed group includes a subscription to its quarterly journal Sea History, 10 percent discounts on all NMHS merchandise, an official NMHS membership card and opportunites to participate in cruises and other special programs. Members also receive invitations to the annual meeting and other symposiums and conferences as well as opportunities to partake in special events and fundraisers. Visit its Web site for more details.
Recognized as America's most photographed plantation, Boone Hall is still an active plantation producing strawberries, pumpkins and tomatoes. It is currently owned and operated by members of the McRae family, who are committed to providing a 1800s plantation atmosphere for visitors. Admission includes the "Exploring Gullah Culture" performance, butterfly pavilion and plantation house tour.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) does an extraordinary job in giving visitors of all ages a "big picture" of our planet. The museum houses one of the world's top collections of natural and cultural history. NHM protects more than 35 million objects, some dating back 4.5 billion years. Many are displayed within the Dinosaur, Mammal, Bird, and Insect Halls, as well as in the Discovery Center, interactive Nature Lab, Gem and Mineral Rooms, and Nature Gardens.
Best and worst time to go to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Not surprisingly, the museum is crowded on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. Weekdays can be crowded, too, with school field trips. The best times to visit NHM are weekday afternoons, after 1:30 p.m., and weekend mornings at 9:30 a.m.
Must See/Do at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
The Natural History Museum has a wealth of "must-sees" starting with the Halls of North American and African Mammals, with dioramas of animals in their "realistic" settings. The 14,000 square foot Dinosaur Hall is stunning. Be sure not to miss the Nature Lab on Level G with live animals, including frogs, turtles, snakes and rats.
Admission to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Admission ranges from $5 to mid-teens; children 2 and under are free. Specialty combo tickets, which include the seasonal Butterfly and Spider Pavilions, are higher.
How to get to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
The Natural History Museum is located in Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Boulevard between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street. Paid parking is available (cash only) at the Museum's Car Park (Exposition Blvd. and Bill Robertson Lane). The Expo Rail Line stops right at the museum (exit at the Expo/Vermont stop).
Food at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
The NHM Grill on Level G of the museum serves burgers and grilled sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and pre-packaged snacks and drinks. You can dine inside or on the outside patio.
Insider tips for visitors to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Free admission is offered on the first Tuesday of each month, except in July and August. If you take Metro to the Natural History Museum, show your ticket or pass and receive $1.25 off an adult admission. The daily "Hidden in Plain Sight" tours offer fun hidden factoids that you might miss-like the predatory wolves hidden in the plains bison diorama.
Author's bio: Lori Huck works in television development as well as writes on entertainment and the arts. She's a fan of the vibrant arts scene in Los Angeles and is a member of many museums and arts organizations.
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland, a stately mansion in Memphis, and made it his home for the rest of his life. After Elvis' death on August 16, 1977, Graceland was opened to the public in 1982, and has since drawn visitors from around the world, who want to see what it was like to live like a King. But it's not simply for Elvis fans; anyone with an interest in rock 'n' roll and popular culture will enjoy visiting Graceland. The mansion tour has several impressive displays; the Trophy Room features the many awards Elvis received, and the Racquetball Building is host to his jumpsuits and a stunning display of gold and platinum awards. And there's more than just the mansion -- across the street, in Graceland Plaza, you'll find a variety of museums spotlighting different aspects of Elvis' life and career (there's one museum just dedicated to his cars and motorcycles), along with his two planes, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II. Graceland's grounds also have Elvis' final resting place; he's buried in the Meditation Garden, along with his parents.
Parking and public transportation at Graceland
Parking is available at Graceland's parking lot for a fee; there's also an RV park and campground right behind the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel. If you're visiting Sun Studio, there's a free shuttle to and from Graceland. If coming by bus, the #42, #43, and #46 all go by Graceland.
Best and worst times to go to Graceland
The weather is most pleasant in Memphis in fall and spring, and the crowds are lighter as well. The heat and humidity are especially punishing in the summer, and crowds are heaviest during "Elvis Week" in August, commemorating the anniversary of Elvis' death on August 16, 1977. There's a smaller scale celebration in January, celebrating the anniversary of Presley's birth on January 8, 1935.
Admission to Graceland
There are five ticket packages. The best value is the Platinum Tour and Airplanes Tour package, which gives you access to the mansion, nearly all of the museums, and the airplanes: prices are $45 for adults, $40.50 for adults over 62, youth 13 to 18, and students with ID, $21.50 children 7 to 12; children six and under are free. The Elvis Entourage VIP Tour package throws in a few perks; front of line mansion access, exclusive entry to a museum not available on the other tours, and all day entry to all attractions. Prices (including the Airplane Tour) are $77 for adults, $76.50 for seniors/youth/students, $74.50 for children.
Must see/do at Graceland
Be sure to check out any special exhibits currently running during your visit, which change over time to highlight different milestones in Elvis' career. Write your name on the front wall surrounding the mansion, where fans scrawl special messages to Elvis. If you're an Elvis collector, the shops at Graceland Plaza have a variety of exclusive items.
Other places to visit near Graceland
There are not many attractions around Graceland. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music (where Elvis recorded when it was Stax Studio) is about a 15-minute drive away. Downtown Memphis isn't much further; on the edge of downtown you'll find Sun Studio, where Elvis made his first recordings. The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and National Civil Rights Museum are also worth visiting.
Insider tip for visitors to Graceland
Every day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., guests are allowed to walk up to the Meditation Garden for free.
Author's bio: Gillian G. Gaar is a Seattle-based freelancer who writes about music, entertainment, and travel. Her favorite Elvis song is "Hound Dog."
