Tag Archives: Washington

New Addition to One of D.C.’s Most Popular Attractions

More than 4 million visit Washington, D.C.’s Vietnam War Memorial each year. Over the years the black granite wall, which features the names of nearly 60,000 soldiers who died or remain missing has welcomed some notable additions, including statues of soldiers on patrol, a tribute to female veterans, and a plaque honoring those who died after the war as a result of injuries suffered in it. However, none of those additions compare to a new proposed visitors center. The 35,000-square-foot space could cost up to $100 million. Compare that with the memorial, which cost $8.4 million, or just under $18 … Continue reading →

More Can’t Miss D.C. Attractions

Happy Veteran’s Day! To all the men and women who defend our freedoms on a daily basis know how much you are appreciated. And to all of the family members of our service men and women, my sincere thanks for the sacrifice you make each time your loved one is sent far away from home to protect our country. In honor of Veteran’s Day I am devoting a series of blogs to Washington, D.C.’s most popular attractions. We’ve already discussed the some of the foremost symbols of American democracy, now we’re moving on to some other can’t miss attractions. The … Continue reading →

Washington in November

Did you know that it takes roughly 65 hours to recite aloud the 58,000-plus names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington? Don’t believe me? Then head out to Washington this week and time it yourself. You’ll get the chance as 2,000 volunteers take turns reading the names of the fallen military heroes in a Veterans Day tribute. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the black-granite wall men and women from across the United States will gather in front of the memorial and take turns reading aloud the names etched in stone at one of the nation’s most visited … Continue reading →

Pre Winter Travel Deals

Travel experts call this time of year “off-peak.” It’s the period of time between the busy summer travel season and the start of the even busier holiday season. Typically, the weeks leading up to the late November crush is when airlines and hotels pull out all the stops to lure travelers to certain destinations. One of those places is the Pacific Northwest where there are deals galore for those of you who don’t mind dodging raindrops from time to time. SAN JUAN ISLANDS The picturesque San Juan Islands are located about 80 miles northwest of Seattle, Washington. If you have … Continue reading →

Seattle Airport Going Secular

If you happen to be flying in or out of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this holiday season don’t expect to see the same festive decorations as last year. After last year’s brouhaha over Christmas trees placed in its main terminal–—an incident that set off a debate between religious leaders–—airport administrators are going secular. Forget about Santa Claus, sparkly trees and menorahs, the new decorations that travelers will pass by this holiday season include a set of 18 concrete-and-cardboard birch trees sitting on a bed of synthetic snow. Ho, ho, ho. But, wait there’s more. According to airport officials, the display … Continue reading →

Sightseeing In Seattle

I don’t know about you, but when I travel to a new city I tend to prioritize my sightseeing according to interest. On day one I visit the attractions that I have the most interest in and have done the most research on. Then, on subsequent days, I fan out across the rest of the city visiting sites that I am not as familiar with. Interestingly, there have been cases where the lesser known attractions turn out to be real gems and I end up wondering why I hadn’t put them on the top of my list. This happened to … Continue reading →

Seattle For Science Lovers

You’ve already seen the fish fly at the Pike Place Market and you have enough pictures of the Space Needle to last you a lifetime. So what does Seattle have to offer the parent looking to entertain their science-loving child? Here are some ideas: Pacific Science Center Nothing will delight your budding scientist more than a visit to the Pacific Science Center. The facility is home to not one, but two, IMAX theaters. There’s also a planetarium, robotic dinosaurs, a butterfly house and an insect village. For the budding broadcast journalist the Pacific Science Center has an in-house kid-friendly TV … Continue reading →

Hotel Bargain Like No Other

Remember the Watergate Hotel? It became a Washington landmark during the infamous Nixon scandal. The hotel is about to undergo a major facelift, but before it does you have the chance to get in on some incredible savings. No, the hotel is not offering $2 room rates; rather, the hotel is having a massive blow-out sale as it tries to get rid of existing beds, sofas, silver teapots… even toilets to prepare for the renovation. Don’t worry bargain hunters; you still have plenty of time to get in on the action. The sale began earlier today and will last until … Continue reading →

Fall Festivals From Coast to Coast

There’s more to Labor Day than just the MDA Telethon (as noble a cause as it is). The long holiday weekend gives you one more chance to get out and enjoy the last remaining days of late sunsets and warm temperatures. Around the country major cities are gearing up for fall with noteworthy family-friendly festivals. Here are just a few: PORTLAND, OREGON The city’s 11th annual Art in the Pearl is a three-day extravaganza, which fills Portland’s streets with art, theater, music and hands-on activities for adults and children. More than 100 vendors pack the area with paintings, photography, glass, … Continue reading →

Marriage Laws – Oregon & Washington

I can believe we’re nearly done with our marriage laws journey that began way back in May (yes, I can say way back in May with a straight face). We’re nearing July (wrapping up our last week in June here) and we’re taking a break in the Pacific Northwest to look at the marriage laws in Oregon and Washington. Oregon There is no residency requirement related to applying for a marriage license in Oregon. You will need to bring a photo ID with you and likely your social security number. As with most states, each county may have its own … Continue reading →