What is the Smithsonian Institute?

Although the Smithsonian is quintessentially American, the benefactor of this Institution never visited the States.  In his will, a British Scientist called James Smithson (1765 – 1829) left his estate to his nephew, Henry James Hungerford.

Smithson stipulated that if Hungerford died without heirs, the estate was to go to the Government of the USA for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men”.

Hungerford died in 1835, with no heirs and the Smithson bequest was announced in Congress by President Andrew Jackson.  It amounted to $500,000 which is around $10, 200,000 today.  Eight years later, Congress passed an act which established the Smithsonian Institute to realize Smithson’s dream.

What can I see there?

It depends what you want to see and where you would like to go.  The Smithsonian is not just one Museum.  The Institute has many museums and galleries with exhibits as diverse as the Hope Diamond, the Enola Gay plane which dropped the Hiroshima bomb, the original ‘Stars and Stripes’ flag, Dorothy’s red shoes from the Wizard of Oz and endangered species.  Let’s take a look at the Smithsonian Institute buildings and what they offer.  Each of the Museums are hyperlinked so that you can visit their websites.

All of the Smithsonian Museums are free to visitors.

Smithsonian Institution Building opened in 1855.

Where is it? On the National Mall, Washington D.C.

This beautiful building – nicknamed ‘The Castle’ – was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and houses an information center.  If you’re visiting Washington D.C. it’s a great starting point for visiting the other Smithsonian Museums.  The Castle was designd by James Renwick, who was also the architect for St Patrick’s Cathedral in Manahattan.

Anacostia Community Museum, opened in 1967.

Where is it? Anacostia, Washington D.C.

This facility was recently renovated to help with the collection, storage and study of artifacts of African American Culture.  There is also an online academy to help with the Museums aim of identifying, studying, preserving and collecting historical items particular to African Americans.

National Museum of Asian Art, opened in 1987.

Where is it? The Museum is comprised of two buildings, the Arthur M Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art.  Together, they make up the National Museum of Asian Art and they are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. right behind the Smithsonian Castle.  The main Arthur M Sackler galleries are underground, and this building connects to the Freer Gallery of Art and the National Museum of African Art. The Sackler’s main entrance is situated off of the gardens of the Smithsonian Castle which run along Independence Avenue.

Its’ collection includes 9,917 objects of Asian art which are visited annually by 900,000 visitors.  The Sackler Gallery often houses international exhibitions showcasing Asian art from all over the world, including Chinese, Japanese, Buddhist, Persian, Egyptian and American works, from the Neolithic era right up to today.

Arts and Industries Building, opened in 1881, but currently closed in preparation for renovation.

Where is it? The National Mall, Washington D.C.

This building was designed following the style of those erected for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876.  It was built to house exhibits from the Expostion and following the closure of the exhibition, all foreign exhibits were relocated to the District of Columbia Armory Building in Washington D.C.

The building has had a checkered past, including problems with damp and the resulting relocation of collections elsewhere.  However, in 2006, it was named one of America’s Most Endangered Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  As a result, it was placed on list of endangered historic sites and was scheduled to be given $25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, for renovation work.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, opened in 1897.

Where is it? In the Mansion formerly inhabited by Andrew Carnegie, Fifth Avenue and East 91^st Street, part of Museum Mile, New York City.

This is the National Museum of the history of design and it is the only museum in the whole of the United States with a collection focusing entirely on design – both historic and contemporary.  It is home to more than 250,000 objects, including a drawing by Michelangelo.  The Museum also presents the National Design Awards each year and offers a Master of Arts program in the History of Decorative Arts and Design.

Hirshhorn Museum (and Sculpture Garden), opened in 1974.

Where is it? Next to the National Mall in Washington D.C.

The Hirshhorn houses contemporary and modern art, focusing on the period after World War II.  The collection includes works by Alexander Calder, John Chamberlain, David Smith, Francis Bacon,Hiroshi Sugimoto, Willem de Kooning, Milton Avery, Ellsworth Kelly, Louise Nevelson, Arshile Gorky, Edward Hopper, Larry Rivers, and Raphael Soyer.

The outdoor Sculpture Garden includes pieces by Auguste Rodin, Jeff Koons and Alexander Calder.

National Air and Space Museum, (NASM) opened in 1976.

Where is it? The National Mall, Washington D.C.

NASM has the largest collection of original historic aircraft and spacecraft in the World and is, understandably, the most visited of the Smithsonian Museums.  It is also contains an IMAX theatre and is a research center for planetary science, geology and geophysics.

NASM also has an annex called the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia.  This was opened in 2003 to showcase items that were too large for NASM, such as:

• The Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
• The Space Shuttle, Enterprise
• The Gemini VII Capsule
• An SR-71 Blackbird that featured in the film ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’
• French Concorde airliner that broke the speed of sound
• The miniature of the ‘Mothership’ used for the film ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’
• A piece of fabric from the Hindenburg Airship

National Museum of African American History and Culture, (NMAAHC) established in 2003 and due for opening in 2015.

Where is it? It will be on the southwest corner of Constitution Avenue and 14^th Street NW, adjacent to the National Museum of American History and across 15^th Street from the Washington Monument, on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

In 2007 the National Museum of African American History and Culture became the first major museum to open on the Internet before its physical building was completed.  This was to facilitate communication between scholars and the public. The main feature of the website is a Memory Book, so that people can contribute to the pictures, stories or audio material to pass on unique experiences in African-American culture. While building continues, physical exhibits will be housed in other Smithsonian buildings in Washington and elsewhere.

National Museum of African Art, established as a private museum in 1964.  Became part of the Smithsonian in 1979.

Where is it? On the National Mall, Washington D.C.  The main entrance is off the gardens on Independence Avenue Southwest, in front of the Smithsonian Castle.

This museum specialises in African Art and Culture and is not to be confused with the Museum for African Art in New York.

National Museum of American History, opened in 1964.

Where is it? The National Mall, Washington D.C.

This museum of American History houses historical items of social, political, cultural, scientific and military interest, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and the original ‘Star Spangled Banner’ flag.

National Museum of the American Indian, opened in 2004.

Where is it? On Fourth Street and Independence Avenue Southwest, the National Mall, Washington D.C.

This museum was established in 1989 following an Act of Congress and has three buildings dedicated to the life, languages, history, arts and literature of Native Americans.

The other two are:

• The George Gustav Heye Center – in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House on Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan, New York.  The building is a National Historic Landmark.
• The Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, Maryland (a research and collections center)

The Museum’s collection has more than 800,000 objects and a collection of more than 125,000 photographs.  It was gathered by George Gustav Heye who started collecting in 1903 and continued for 54 years.

National Museum of Natural History, opened in 1858 and again in 1911.

Where is it? The National Mall, Washington D.C.

This is the second most popular of the Smithsonian Museums and the collection boasts over 126 million items of plant, animal, fossil, mineral, rock, meteorite and human cultural artefacts (including the famous Hope Diamond).

It is also where 185 Natural History Scientists study natural history, the largest group in the world.

National Portrait Gallery, opened in 1968.

Where is it? The Penn Quarter, Washington D.C. (just south of Chinatown).

The permanent collection includes the famous portrait of George Washington by Landsdowne as well as many other portraits of notable Americans.  It also runs a triennial competition for contemporary portraiture – the Outwin Boochever Competition.

National Postal Museum, opened in 1993.

Where is it? In the building that –from 1914 until 1986 -  was the Main Post Office for Washington D.C., across the street from Union Station.

The museum has a huge collection of stamps, as well as interactive displays about the U.S. postal service and the mail service worldwide.  The museum also awards the Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award every two years.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo) opened in 1889.

Where is it?

• Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C. (163 acres) – open to the public
• Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, Virginia – closed to the public, used for breeding and studying endangered species.

Together, the two sites have over 2,000 animals of 400 species.

• Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat
• Reptile Discovery Center
• Bird House
• Cheetah Conservation Station
• Amazonia
• Invertebrate House
• Marine Mammals
• Beaver Valley
• Elephant House
• Great Ape House
• Small Mammal House

The Smithsonian has a worldwide reputation for excellence so if you’re planning a visit to Washington, (or anywhere else that houses a Smithsonian Institution) make sure the Museums are on your list of places to visit.

Niagara Falls are enormously famous for many reasons but how much do you really know about them?

What is (or are) Niagara Falls?

They are huge waterfalls on the Niagara River.  They are situated between Ontario in Canada and New York and straddle the Canadian / U.S.A. international border.  The falls are made up of two major sections which are separated by Goat Island.  The two sections are:

• Horseshoe Falls: the larger part of the falls.  The main part of this is on the Canadian side.  The drop on these is around 173 feet.
• American Falls: on the American side.  Because there are giant boulders at the base of these falls, the drop varies from 70 – 100 feet.

Viewpoints on the American side are usually over or behind the falls but the falls themselves face directly toward the Canadian shore.

How were they formed?

At the end of the last ice age, glaciers receded and formed the Great Lakes.  On its’ way to the Atlantic Ocean, this new body of water cut its’ way through the Niagara Escarpment.

What’s so special about Niagara Falls?

The falls are not enormously high but they are exceptionally wide.  Horseshoe Falls are around 2,600 feet wide and the American Falls are around 1,060 feet wide.

How much water goes over the falls?

When the falls are in their highest flow in Spring or early Summer, over 6 million cubic feet of water falls over the crest every minute!  On an average day, it’s nearly 4 million cubic feet of water per minute.  That’s a huge amount of water.  No wonder Niagara Falls is the most powerful waterfall in America.

Doesn’t all that water erode the rock?

Yes!  At one time, Niagara Falls was between where Queenston, Ontario is now and Lewiston in New York.  However, the crest of the waterfall has been eroded so much over the years that the waterfalls have actually retreated around 6.8 miles south.

The Horseshoe Falls were originally a small arch shape.  Erosion changed them to a horseshoe and now they are like a huge upside down V.  Modern engineering has helped to slow down this erosion to preserve the Falls.

Why are they called Niagara Falls?

There are different theories but one of the most popular is that the name came from local people in the late 1600’s who were called the ‘Niagagarega’.

The force of the water must be incredibly powerful…

It is!  The first person known to try and harness that power was Daniel Joncaire in 1759.  He created a small river above the falls and used its’ power to run his sawmill.  Here are a few interesting facts about the power of Niagara Falls:

• Augustus and Peter Porter bought the American Falls in 1805 from the New York state government and made the original canal larger to provide power for their gristmill and tannery.
• The Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Mining Company was chartered In 1853.  They built the canals which would be used to generate electricity.
•  In 1881, the first hydroelectric generating station was built. The water fell 86 feet and generated direct current electricity to run machinery in local mills and provide light for some of the streets in the village.
•  Nikola Tesla invented the three-phase system of alternating current power transmission.  This was a huge breakthrough as it allowed electricity to be transferred distantly.  A memorial was built to Tesla at Niagara Falls.
• In 1883, the Niagara Falls Power Company, asked George Westinghouse to design a system to generate alternating current (AC). Thus, the first AC power generating and transmission plant in the world was built. by Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla and L.L. Nunn.  This was able to transmit AC for two miles with a tiny loss of less than 5%.
•  By 1896, they were given money by J.P. Morgan, John Jacob Astor IV and the Vanderbilts which allowed them to build huge conduits underground.  These led to turbines that were able to generate almost 100,000 horsepower.  This enables them to send hydro electric power from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, which was 20 miles away.
• A disastrous landslide in 1956 cut the production of power and put thousands of jobs at risk.  Therefore, in 1957, Congress passed the Niagara Redevelopment Act.  This gave the New York Power Authority the means to develop the huge potential of Niagara’s hydroelectric power.
•  In 1961, Niagara Falls was the largest hydropower facility in the Western world. It is still the biggest producer of electricity in New York State, generating 2.4 million kilowatts of power.

Are there any bridges over the Falls?

Surprisingly, yes!  Tourism became popular during the mid 1700’s and in 1848 a footbride was built over them.  This was replaced by two suspension bridges.  In 1886, one of the wooden and stone bridges was replaced with a steel one that takes trains across Niagara Falls today.

Has anyone ever really gone over Niagara Falls in a barrel?

Yes!  The first person to do this was a 63 year old schoolteacher from Michigan called Annie Edson Taylor.  She went over the falls in a barrel in 1901.  Since then, 14 other people have gone over the falls on purpose.  Some have been ok but others have drowned or suffered terrible injuries.  It is now illegal to attempt to go over the falls and anyone trying to do so faces criminal charges and a large fine.

What about tightrope walkers?

The famous tightrope walker, Blondin, crossed the falls in 1859 but the wire didn’t cross the waterfall.  It crossed the smaller gorge at Rainbow Bridge.

Death of Captain Webb

Captain Matthew Webb was the first man to ever swim the English Channel.  In 1883, he tried to swim the rapids down river from Niagara Falls but sadly drowned during the attempt.

Houdini at Niagara

In 1922, the famous escapologist Harry Houdini and his co-star, Jane Connelly were involved in a dangerous stunt for the film ‘The Man From Beyond’.  There were no camera tricks and they did not wear safety harnesses.  They were terrifyingly close to the edge and were almost swept over.  You can see a YouTube clip of this here.

Marilyn at Niagara

In 1953, the Marilyn Monroe film, Niagara, created a huge surge in tourists flocking to the falls, especially honeymooners!

David Copperfield

In 1990, the illusionist David Copperfield appeared to travel over Horseshoe Falls. You can watch it here.

If you’re ever in New York or Ontario, don’t forget to book a trip to one of the many viewing platforms or why not take a helicopter trip over Niagara Falls for an amazing experience! And if you are intend spending some time at the falls Click Here for the Best Niagara Falls Hotel Deals!

Alaska has many beautiful glaciers, mountains and bays teeming with wildlife.  It is one of the most popular places for cruising as there is so much to see.

Where is Alaska?

Imagine the continent of North America.  Alaska – the 49^th and largest state of the United States – is in the northwest corner of North America.  It has Canada to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north.  To the west and south of Alaska, lies the Pacific Ocean.  Russia is across the Bering Strait, further to the west.

Although Alaska is the largest of the States of America, it is the least populated.  In 2009 it had 698,473 residents and around half of those people live in Anchorage.  So Alaska really is a beautiful, natural wilderness.  There aren’t many places like that left in the World which is why it is such a popular destination for cruisers who want to ‘get away from it all’.

Why cruise Alaska…?

In Alaska, many places are not reachable by road, so a cruise whip allows passengers to see many natural features that they would never be able to see from the land – even if they could access it!

The cruise season is short, lasting only 5 months but Alaska is such a popular destination that during that time, more than 750,000 people will travel through the its’ waters.  By comparison, only around 40,000 people will cruise through areas of Antarctica during the same, short season.

When is Alaska cruise season?

It starts in May and runs through until September.

Why are Alaskan cruises so expensive?

Many people are shocked to find that an Alaska cruise can be more expensive than a Caribbean one.  This is because getting to the port where the cruise ships embark from can be a costly process and so some cruise ships now sail from California.  This can save you money in airfares but it does mean a longer cruise – which can be a good thing, or a bad thing if it means having to take more time off work.

Also, because the cruise season is relatively short, the companies have to charge more to tide them over the months when they are not able to cruise.  The short season also pushes up demand which helps to inflate the prices.

Although it is a pricey option, people who cruise Alaska say it is the vacation of a lifetime and an unforgettable experience – so it’s well worth the money.

And if you are looking for a great deal for your Alaskan Cruise why not head over to Priceline Cruises to  save  money.

What are the cruise ships like?

They can vary greatly so it pays to shop around to get what you want.  There are around 15 main Alaska Cruise companies, who, between them, have around 40 cruise ships so spend a lot of time comparing prices and what you get for your money.

The ships vary in size so if you prefer a quieter, more intimate experience, you may like the cruise ships that only carry 12 passengers.  If that’s too small for you, they can carry up to 2,600 people…and all sizes in between.  Obviously, the larger the ship, the more ameneties it will offer, so you need to balance that against the more personal touch that you would get on a smaller ship.  It really does depend what you would prefer.

On board comforts

The middle sized and larger cruise ships often have cabins with private verandas, so you can sit on your own private balcony to enjoy the stunning scenery.  The larger ships offer enormous observation lounges, so if you prefer company, they may suit you better.  These larger ships often have heated swimming pools too – both indoor and outdoor.  Just imagine floating in a heated pool while the glaciers glide past…what an experience!

What are ‘Cruisetours’?

These are add-on packages are offered by many of the cruise companies.  They include a cruise as well as a land visit.  These extended vacations are often longer than just a cruise but they can be good value for money and mean that you see a lot more of Alaska or Western Canada.  For example, you could add in a visit to Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley.  If you’ve spent a fair bit getting to the region, you may as well see as much of it as time and money allows – so check them out.

The Three Basic Alaska Itineraries

When you start researching your Alaska cruise, you will see that there are three main itineraries offered by the cruise companies.  Let’s take a look at them.

1.    Inside Passage.

Cruise ships leave from Vancouver or Seattle and sail to the southeast of Alaska.  These cruises usually take in the amazing Glacier Bay National Park, where you can see sixteen stunning glaciers as well as an abundance of wildlife.  This is a good option if money is tight because the cruise is a round trip which means that you begin (embark) and finish (disembark) at the same port.  This can make your airfare a lot less expensive.

The cruise ships on this route tend to be smaller because the waters are calmer in this area and the cruise distances are not so great.

2.    Gulf of Alaska.

Cruise ships sail one way between Vancouver and Seward, which is the nearest port to Anchorage. This is a more costly trip because the embarkation and disembarkation points are different.  However, it does give you the chance to see a lot more breathtaking scenenery.  This includes the Gulf of Alaska and the Hubbard Glacier – the longest river of ice in North America.

This itinerary usually features middle sized and larger ships, due to the more inclement weather and the greater distances involved.

3.    Bering Sea Cruises.

If you’d like the chance of seeing humpbacked whales and gray whales then this is the itinerary for you.  This sea lies between North America and Asia.  Many of the ‘mainstream’ cruise companies don’t sail this far north but if you’re interested, put ‘Bering Sea Cruises’ into Google and you’ll find ones that do.

Whichever Alaskan cruise you choose, you can be sure of the trip of a lifetime so make sure you have a digital camera for the many photographs that you will want to take.  And enjoy!

I don’t think that anything compares to taking the family to Disney World for a vacation. Its heaps of fun and there is so much to see and do for everyone from the very young to the young at heart.  And it doesn’t matter whether you are a daredevil looking for thrills and spills or you just want a leisurely experience, there are activities and entertainment to suit.

Every day is a happy day at Disney World, and if you are staying at the resort you can take advantage of the early hours.

So what does this mean to you.  Well every day one of the theme parks opens an hour early or stays open for anything up to three hours after the parks are closed to the public, for guest staying in the Disney resort.

This gives you and the family time to explore the parks at a leisurely pace.

To get this advantage make sure you purchase the Park Hopper so that you can go  from one park to the other on the same day.  With a basic ticket you can only visit one theme park so the Park Hopper certainly lets you get the best our of your visit to Disney World.

Just remember that you need to have a Resort I.D to  take advantage of Extra Magic Hours at the Water Parks.

To help you plan your trip to Disney World here are the early hours for
January 2010, February 2010 and March 2010

 Morning Extra Magic Hours January 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  –   1-2, 7, 14, 21, 28
• Epcot ® –  5, 12, 18, 26
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™ –  1,9, 16, 23, 30
• Animal Kingdom ®  –   1-2, 4, 11, 19, 25

Evening Extra Magic Hours January 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Epcot ® – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™ –  4, 11, 19, 25
• Animal Kingdom ®  –  6, 13, 20, 27  

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Morning Extra Magic Hours February 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  –  4, 11, 18, 25
• Epcot ®  –  2, 9, 16, 23
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™  –  6, 13, 20 27
• Animal Kingdom ®  – 1, 8, 15, 22

 Evening Extra Magic Hours February 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  – 7, 14, 21, 28
• Epcot ® – 5, 12, 19, 26
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™ –  1, 8, 15, 22
• Animal Kingdom ®  –  3, 10, 17, 24

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Morning Extra Magic Hours March 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  –  4, 11, 18, 25
• Epcot ®  –  2, 9, 16, 23, 28
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™  –  6, 13, 20, 27, 29
• Animal Kingdom ®  – 1, 8, 15, 22, 31

 Evening Extra Magic Hours March 2010

• Magic Kingdom ®  – 7, 14, 21, 28
• Epcot ® – 5, 12, 19, 26, 30
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™ –  1, 8, 15, 22, 31
• Animal Kingdom ®  –  3, 10, 17, 24, 29

*Please note that Extra Magic Hours are only available to Disney Resort guests.

So it makes sense to book your accommodation so that you are staying at the resort.  We did and thoroughly enjoyed taking advantage of the extra hours.