Century Centre Cinema is a Chicago-based theater playing newly released movies and art films. The theater offers a gourmet concessions stand with pastries, coffee and cookies, features a stadium seating arrangement, offers at-home ticket purchasing and plays movies on seven screens. Visit its website or call the number provided for show times.
The Bethesda Row Cinema is located in the heart of Bethesda's business district. The new cinema features independent and foreign language films in its new, 140,000 square-foot building. Each auditorium in the theatre features stadium seating and wall-to-wall screens, augmented with sound systems incorporating the latest digital sound technology. Other amenities include a theatre espresso bar offering locally produced baked goods as well as a traditional concession stand. The theatre is minutes by foot from the Bethesda Metro station (on the Woodmont side), off the Red line. The Bethesda 8 trolley can be boarded at the Metro station; it takes riders on a scenic tour of downtown Bethesda before dropping them off directly across the street from the theatre. The trolley is free of charge.
A crowning achievement in urban redevelopment, Millennium Park is a must-visit 25-acre green oasis in the heart of Chicago's bustling downtown. Once a dirty railroad yard, it now features numerous sculptures, gardens, fountains and a spectacular Frank Gehry-designed amphitheater. It's a perfect place for a picnic, people watching or catching a free concert.
How to get to Millennium Park
The park is downtown, bounded north and south by Randolph and Monroe Streets, east and west by Michigan Ave. and Columbus Drive. Public transit is super simple: take the Blue Line to Washington, the Brown Line to Madison/Wabash or the Red Line to Lake. The platoon of buses serving Michigan Avenue all have designated Millennium Park stops.
Admission to Millennium Park
The park is free and open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Must see and must do at Millennium Park
The park's most famous attraction is a reflective sculpture entitled 'Cloud Gate' but widely known as "the Bean," whose shiny kidney shape has been a gathering place and a photo-op since it was completed in 2006.
Nearby, mirthful and shoeless kids and adults can be seen (and heard!) frolicking around a large reflecting fountain that digitally displays a thousand portraits of park visitors daily, water seeming to spurt from their mouths.
At the northeast end of the park, Architect Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzer Pavilion imposes its will on its surroundings like a large sculptural ship of some modern metallic fleet. Grand in both size and design it hosts music, theatre and dance, including the Grant Park Music Festival, an internationally renowned free summer concert series. Lurie Garden, the greenest spot in the oasis, offers tours and lectures in the summer.
Food carts are easy to come by and there is a sit-down terrace restaurant, Park Grill.
Places to visit nearby Millennium Park
The BP Pedestrian Bridge, also designed by Gehry, winds and meanders, connecting Millennium Park to Daley Bicentennial Plaza. The neighboring Art Institute also synchs up with Millennium Park via its own 625-foot futuristic walkway, offering some of the best panoramic photo-ops in the city. A few blocks north is the southern tip of Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile of shops.
Author's bio: Carrie Miller is an award-winning investigative reporter and Chicago transplant. When she's not writing about her adopted city, she writes about how climate change is affecting food, wine and travel.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the U.S. military bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, thus instigating America's entry into World War II. The USS Arizona was sunk with 1177 lives lost, and the battleship has remained in Pearl Harbor's waters ever since. In 1962, a memorial commemorating the tragedy was opened to the public, and it's since become one of Honolulu's top visitor attractions. What's now called the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center was last remodeled and modernized in 2010, but the heart of the experience remains the boat ride that takes you to the memorial; a long white structure that's moored above the sunken ship, and features an entry room, assembly room, and shrine, with the names of everyone who lost their lives on the ship. The grounds of the Visitor Center also have other exhibits and plenty of places from which to survey "Battleship Row."
How to get to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Numerous tour companies and shuttles offer trips to Pearl Harbor. For public transportation via TheBus, take route 20 or 42. From Waikiki by car, go west on H1 to exit 15A, the Arizona Memorial/Stadium exit, and follow the signs.
Best and worst times to go to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Crowds are lighter earlier in the day. Much of the Center is outdoors, so this isn't a good "rainy day" option. If it's a special occasion — the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 for example — it will be a lot more crowded.
Admission to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The main attraction is the boat launch to the sunken Arizona, and tickets are free. Walk up tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can also be reserved up to two months in advance, either online or by calling (877) 444-6777. The Visitor Center is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Must see/do at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Don't miss the two exhibit galleries, which feature a lot of interesting information. Be sure to take at a look at the Arizona's bell and anchor, which are mounted on the grounds. Audio tours are also available, and you can find one of a kind souvenirs at the book store.
Other places to visit near Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
You can delve even deeper into World War II's history at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, which is part of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. You can also buy tickets for the USS Missouri Memorial tour and the Pacific Aviation Museum at the Visitor Center; shuttle buses then take you to each attraction.
Insider tip for visitors to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Bags of any size are not allowed on site. So make sure you're wearing something with pockets, where you can keep your wallet and camera. Bag storage is available, for a fee.
Author's bio: Gillian G. Gaar is a Seattle-based freelancer who writes about music, entertainment, and travel. Hawaii is one of her favorite destinations.
Located in the heart of Austin, the Texas Capitol Building houses all state legislative proceedings and provides a central focal point for tourists and locals alike. In addition to being the center of political activity, the capitol building is the largest state capital in the country — second in size only to the National Capital in Washington, D.C. according to the State Preservation Board — making it an ideal destination for lovers of architecture and political junkies alike.
How to get to the Texas Capitol Building
The convenient location of the Texas Capitol Building makes it easily accessible by highway, street or public transportation. If traveling by car, the building is located about three blocks West on 11th street from Interstate-35 or visible from South Congress Avenue as far South as the Congress bridge. If traveling by bus, there are several Capital Metro routes that stop at 11th and Congress directly in front of the capitol: routes 10, 111, 127, 142, 20, 37, 7, 935 and 171 all going North-South and routes 2 and 6 going East-West. The most important thing to remember is getting off at the 11th and Congress bus stop.
Best and worst time to go to the Texas Capitol Building
Generally speaking, traffic around the capitol follows the same rules as traffic throughout Austin: awful during rush hour, easy in the middle of the day and unpredictable on I-35. For ease of access, it's recommended to visit sometime between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week or anytime on Saturday.
Admission to the Texas Capitol Building
Admission is free to the Texas Capitol Building, with self-guided tour brochures available in multiple languages on site and guided and special group tours available by phone or at the Capitol Visitors Center. In addition, there are specialty tours every weekday on Women in Texas History and Heroes of the Texas Revolution for visitors wishing for more specific information about the history of Texas.
Must see/do at the Texas Capitol Building
In addition to any and all of the tours provided through the enormous building itself, visitors would be well-advised to take advantage of the capitol grounds on a sunny afternoon. These large expanses of lawn provide gorgeous picnic space within walking distance of downtown as well as a number of impressive statues and monuments.
Other places to visit near the Texas Capitol Building
After visiting the Texas Capitol Building, there are plenty of nearby options for a next stop for any traveler. For the hungry, there's the famous Franklin's BBQ just a few blocks East on 11th Street or a number of local food trucks a few blocks South on 7th and 6th street. For the thirsty, there's always the Iron Bear on 8th Street or the downtown music and bar scene on 6th Street where you can always find live music and a dance floor. And for those looking for a little more culture, the Contemporary Austin Art Museum on 9th and Congress offers a lively rotation of exhibits that are sure to engage the intellect.
Insider tips for visitors to the Texas Capitol Building
Parking downtown is always a hassle-however, parking on many of the side streets just East of I-35 is often free. It may be advisable for those traveling by car to park a little further away and cross the highway by bus or on foot. If you plan on exploring downtown after seeing the capitol, it could save you a few dollars.
Rob C. is a freelance writer, filmmaker, and breakfast taco enthusiast in Austin, Texas.
While the Space Needle no longer has its 1962 title of tallest building west of the Mississippi, its retro-futuristic "flying saucer" façade still holds court over Seattle. A 41-second elevator ride takes you 520 feet up to the indoor/outdoor observation deck, which offers 360-degree views of the downtown skyline, Elliott Bay, the Olympic and Cascade ranges, and Mount Rainier. There's also the revolving SkyCity Restaurant, and at ground level, the SpaceBase gift shop.
How to get to the Space Needle
From I-5, take the Mercer St./Seattle Center exit and turn left onto 5th Ave N, then right onto Broad Street. There's self-parking in nearby garages, and valet parking is offered for a fee. A monorail from downtown (5th Ave. & Pine St.) travels direct to the Space Needle.
Best and worst time to go to the Space Needle
While a sunny, clear day offers you a better view of the mammoth Mount Rainier, the Seattle skyline after dark can be just as captivating. Be sure to book your tickets and select a Launch Time in advance online to avoid the general admission line. Otherwise, a weekday morning is the best time to go to avoid long waits and crowded elevators.
Admission to the Space Needle
Tickets are approximately $20, but there's a discount for buying online in advance. Dining at the upscale SkyCity Restaurant includes free admission to the observation deck.
Must see/do at the Space Needle
The interactive kiosks on the observation deck are as good as a guided tour. Don't forget to take a photo in front of the green screen on the ground level before boarding the elevator — you'll be able to access that image on the kiosk and have it emailed to you for free.
Other places to visit near the Space Needle
The Needle is adjacent to a day's worth of activities in the Seattle Center, including the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, the Experience Music Project, and the Pacific Science Center.
Insider tip for visitors to the Space Needle
Seattle's climate can be tricky, and any weather condition on the ground is amplified at 500 feet in the sky. If it's a slightly breezy day, bring a jacket, because it'll be much windier on the observation deck. The same goes for fog — try to wait until it clears for better visibility.
Author's bio: Amy Cassell is a Seattle-based writer and editor. She loves words, travel, music, and naps.
The Albany Twin has been owned by Landmark Theaters since 1994. Prior to then it was the Albany Theater, which had been in operation at this location since 1935. It is located at the bottom of Solano Avenue and San Pablo and is within walking distance of numerous restaurants. A free parking lot is located behind the theater on Kains Street. The Albany Twin is known for showing independent and international films rather than standard Hollywood fare.
As of August 2010, the theater hosts a local acting troupe performing the Rocky Horror Picture Show on the second saturday of each month at midnight.
Edina Cinema is a four-screen movie theatre that can seat up to 1,300 people. The theatre specializes in smaller movies, showing many documentaries, independent, and foreign films. Call for movie information.
California Theatre is a Landmark movie theater within walking distance of the BART train and is the largest screen in the area, with 70mm capability. Movies range from popular mainstream films along with independent selections and dramas. Sound equipment includes Dolby digital and stereo sound.
Martial arts fans from around the world make the trek to see the graves of martial arts legend Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee, who are buried side-by-side at Seattle's Lake View Cemetery. Flowers, coins, and other gifts continually cover their graves.
Parking and public transportation at Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, a short distance east of Interstate 5. You can drive into the cemetery and park on narrow lanes near the grave sites. King County Metro buses also serve the area around the cemetery, but be prepared for a bit of a hike, as the cemetery is 285 acres and the grave is near the back of the cemetery.
Best and worst time go to Bruce Lee's Grave
More people gather when it's a nice, sunny day in Seattle. If you want to brave a little rain, you'll probably encounter fewer people.
Admission to Bruce Lee's Grave
The cemetery is open daily 9am to dusk.
Must see/do at Bruce Lee's Grave
Many people leave flowers or other gifts at the grave site. Visitors report the place has a serene feeling and stays amazingly clean. So, pay your respects and be respectful of the location.
Other places to visit near Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is also the final resting place of other famous people, including some of the early pioneers who settled Seattle and Princess Angeline, daughter of Chief Sealth, who Seattle was named after. When you leave the cemetery, Volunteer Park is just south. You can enjoy the natural setting of the park or visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory or the Seattle Asian Art Museum, both located in the park.
Insider tip for visitors to Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is a large place and doesn't have signs pointing to Bruce Lee's grave. As you enter the cemetery, you'll see a hill with a flagpole. Go toward the flagpole, and look for the grave on the lower east side of the hill, near a tree and some bushes. Visitors often report finding the grave by looking for a gathering of people.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a freelance writer in Seattle, WA. She writes about health, business, and travel, among other topics. She also writes case studies and web content for businesses.