Category Archives: USA

Four Fabulous Tourist Hotspots in Manayunk, Philadelphia

Manayunk, the commercial district in the north western part of Philadelphia, is a hillside destination on the banks of the beautiful Schuylkill River.

Philadelphia

The city offers a plethora of exciting attractions that ensure fun-filled holidays. We have listed just four highly popular attractions in Manayunk.

The Schuylkill River Trail

The Schuylkill River Trail is a great place for athletes and nature lovers. You can walk, run or ride a cycle on the various different portions of the trail. The peaceful tree-lined trail runs along the Schuylkill River. It is very close to the area around Spring Mill and the Valley Forge. Besides, one can also access other trails such as the Wissahickon Trail, Cross County Trail and Perkiomen Trail.

Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center

The Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center is a state-of-the art, 250-seat theatre in Manayunk. It is an urbanized creative hub for locals as well as tourists. You can see professional and amateur performers here throughout the year. It features a children’s theatre and an open huge parking area which is also used to host outdoor events and activities. Basketball courts, recreation space and waterfront area make it a perfect place to visit with your family.

The Bazemore Gallery

Explore a plethora of creative works of art at the Bazemore Gallery. It’s also a great place to buy artworks for decorating your home or work place. The gallery displays a diverse collection of art work for people of almost all interests and it is also one of the best places for new as well as seasoned collectors and interior designers. One can even buy or rent art collections for corporate companies or for television and movie productions.

Main Street Manayunk

There is a lot happening here. You can rejoice in the Main Street amidst an array of shops, art galleries and restaurants. For shopping, there are many designer stores, from where you can get gorgeous high-end products. Not only this, the street is also popular among foodies and has a string of dining spots for almost every craving. There are many authentic mom-and-pop restaurants, ethnic eateries and local bakeries.

California’s Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival is here Again!

Yes, Apple Blossom Festival is turning 70 this year. There are many reasons why people from around the world come all the way to participate and enjoy the festivities. You can also be a part of the fun if you book your tickets now.

California

Here we have jotted down the festival’s main highlights for you.

Parade

The Parade highlights include amazing handmade floats, astonishing animals and colourful displays. Animals with or without drawn vehicle, antique & classic autos, elementary school band, middle and junior high drill team and a lot more will be there to entertain you.

Music

Listen to your favourites, “The Peterson Brothers Band” and “Patrick Sweany” on April, 16th. “Laura Price” show will be held on Sunday, April 17th, 2016. For more details you may check out the official website of the festival.

Exhibitors

The exhibitors span a variety of domains such as food, art and craft, fashion wears, jewellery and home decor furniture to name a few. Each year, The Apple Blossom Festival gets the best from all states. People take part with great zeal and positive approach. Check out the official website for information on exhibitors.

Food and Drink

Enjoy local wines and other drinks as well as a variety of food at the festival. Your favourite Bar B Que Smokehouse, Thai Essence, Top That Yogurt, CaCoCo and Hawaiian Shaved Ice and many more are lined up throughout the fest.

For Kids

Join the Rose Garden for children’s activities on the farm and enjoy a family weekend. There is an animal area along with a McDonald farm. Lots of free activities will be held for kids.

Festival Guide

Visit the Sebastopol Center for the Arts at the Veterans Memorial Building, 282 High Street. The timings for April 16th, Saturday are 10:00AM to 06:00PM, while the timings for April 16th, Sunday are 10:00AM to 05:00PM.

Tickets

Get discount on your advance booking at the Sebastopol Center. You can even book tickets online. The price is $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and school students. Two-day pass is available for $20. For children aged 10 and less, entry is free of cost.

Top 5 Places in Philadelphia for Art Connoisseurs

Philadelphia is the perfect place for all those looking forward to explore cultured and stunning works of art. From ancient art to contemporary masterpieces, this destination features art from all parts of the globe.

Philadelphia-Header

Art admirers book your tickets and explore the top museums and art galleries in Philadelphia.

The Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia is famed for renowned names such as Matisse, Renoir and many others. The foundation displays the largest collections of imitates and copied art. One can see beautiful African and German sculptures and furniture. It is an ideal platform for art connoisseurs. Make sure you book tickets before visiting the place. With the exception of Tuesdays, it remains open throughout the week.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia-Museum-of-Art

Built in the 1870s, the Philadelphia Museum of Art welcomes numerous travelling exhibits each year. The museum showcases more than fifty works of American art and several important collections. It also features the country’s leading private collections of contemporary art and photographs by the finest photographers of the twentieth century.

The Heart of Baltimore Avenue

The Heart of Baltimore Avenue has been redecorating over 3,000 murals of the city. David Guinn, a well-known artist painted many people within the mural to honour the residents he got to know during his stint here. His paintings and art works have been displayed in various galleries and museums, including the University of Arts in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) showcases some of the world’s creative art work from up-and-coming artists. The academy also displays books, jewellery, textiles and giftware. Explore America’s arty achievements free of cost. PAFA also provides tools and knowledge to budding artists as well as professionals.

Philadelphia Magic Gardens

The Magic Gardens is a great platform to learn about folk art, the history of South Street and the works of artist Isaiah Zagar. It displays both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The Magic Gardens is closed on Mondays. You can check out its official website for complete information.

Top 5 April Festivals in Atlanta, Georgia 2016

Atlanta, one of the friendliest and most happening cities in the US, entertains tourists and locals alike with a slew of live music events, plays and a lot more.

Georgia

Besides, the people here celebrate various events and festivals with great enthusiasm and energy. If you are planning to book your tickets to the destination, you would perhaps like to know about the upcoming festivals of Atlanta.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

From April 8th to 10th, The Atlanta Dogwood will celebrate the bloom of its native dogwood trees. One can enjoy live music, art and crafts, food and other activities. Another highlight of this festival is the ‘U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals’. It is a famous disc dog competition, where dogs and their owners play flying disc games. You can watch all this for free.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

The Georgia Renaissance Festival is considered as one of the top 20 events in the South-Eastern United States. You can attend this festival from April 16th to June 5th, 2016. It offers guests an array of activities, ranging from jousting tournaments to glass-blowing demonstrations and sword-swallowing shows. You can see numerous performers in action such as acrobats, jugglers, magicians, and dancers.

INMAN PARK FESTIVAL

The Inman Park Festival in Atlanta is one of the most colourful celebrations. The festival highlights include a popular street market featuring local art, children’s performances, live music and dance.  It is now celebrated at various places in Atlanta, and thousands gather each year to witness the beauty of the Inman Park Festival. You can witness the action at any of the venues from April, 30th to May 1st, 2016.

Taste & Sound of Woodstock

If you are in Atlanta, don’t miss the 6th Annual Taste & Sound of Woodstock presented by Main Street Woodstock on Saturday April 23rd, 2016 at the Historic Downtown Woodstock. You can taste delicious food from the best of restaurants in the area while students of Woodstock High School will entertain you with live band performances. Furthermore, interactive cooking demos will present valuable cooking tips to the guests.

Merry Times at the NYC Craft Distillers Festival

Get ready to witness the third official NYC Craft Distillers Festival in New York City. On April, 2nd renowned craft distillers as well as spirit lovers will crowd New York City to be a part of this amazing event.

new york city

NYC Craft Distillers Festival will leave everyone delighted. The event will remind you of the pre-prohibition era in New York. You will get the chance to experience the merriment of the jazz band of the 1920s and perhaps also enjoy the fabulous collection of more than 60 varieties of perfectly crafted spirits. Savour the smooth textures and flavours of liquors ranging from whiskey to vodka, beer and many other spirits.

Distillers Diversity

Organised by Craft Hospitality, this speakeasy event will showcase an array of spirits for guests. Meticulously picked brands will grace the event, including Harvest Spirits, Valentine Distilling, Astoria Distilling Co., Cooperstown Distillery, The Manhattan Moonshine Company and Jack from Brooklyn. A splendid range of wines and other spirits will be showcased for guests to taste and enjoy.

Elite Entertainment

Classy entertainment sessions will enthral guests with music and other live performances. Cherish exclusive performances by renowned artists, including Emily Asher, Lady Alchemy, Ida Blue, and Anna Zand. For the convenience of guests, the event is divided in two sessions of entertainment. Interested people can buy tickets to one or both the sessions as per their interests. The Emily Asher’s Garden Party will be held during Session One, whereas Ida Blue and Lady Alchemy will perform in Session Two of the NYC Craft Distillers Festival.

Ticket Tracker

Interested people can buy tickets from the official website of the festival quickly. The ticketing process is powered by Eventbrite and it accepts cards, including American Express, Visa and Mastercard. One can also easily purchase VIP and normal entry tickets.
So, get ready to experience the vibrant and celebratory ambiance of the festival to the core.

Top Events and Festivals that are Set to Rock New York

Well known as the city that never sleeps, New York is all set to welcome spring with an array of colourful events and festivals.

new-york

Join the upcoming spring festivities and enjoy the pleasant weather. So, if you’re planning to book tickets shortly, check out what we have got for you.

Easter Celebrations

Spring is in the air and it’s time to get excited as New York is all set to celebrate ‘Easter’ on 27th March. Enjoy Easter parade with a nice brunch and “egg hunt” events at various places. You can also join several proceedings for finding and painting Easter eggs organised by Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Children’s Museum of Manhattan every year.

Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival is celebrated annually in New York during April. Be a part of this ultimate street fair from April, 13th to 24th this year, and get a chance to enjoy free film screenings. There will be special performances, arts and crafts shops full of souvenirs, exciting kite flying events and a lot more.

Persian Parade

Celebrate the rich history of Persian culture in New York City on 17th April. It is the celebration of Persian New Year “Nowruz,” which means “new day,” with the arrival of spring. The NYPD Band is also joining the parade, and will play the Iranian and U.S. national anthems. You can see various traditional music and dance performances throughout the day as well as a fun fashion show and various other activities.

Orchid Show

The New York Botanical Garden is celebrating its 125th anniversary from February 27th to April 17th and NYBG invites you to share your favourite garden memories. Make sure, you attend World Beat- Music & Dance around the World of Orchids and Poetry for Every Season Reading by Ada Limón.

Pen World Voices, APRIL 25th

Witness the richness and diversity of world literature featuring acclaimed writers and artists from all around the globe. Pen World Voices inspires cross-cultural dialogue through joint group discussions, workshops and live performances in different venues throughout New York City. You can listen to your favourite author and even chat about work, life, culture and the art of writing.

Sightseeing and Other Things to Do in New York City

New York City, one of the world’s greatest cities, is full of exciting attractions and activities. True to its dynamic nature, the Big Apple seems to be getting all the more interesting overtime for both residents and visitors.

new-york-city

Apart from the usual attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, there are a number of other places to see and things to do in New York City.

Attend the Broadway Shows

Contrary to popular belief, Broadway shows are not just for adults, but for the kids as well. In fact, there are specific shows for the little ones. Classics such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Finding Neverland as well as popular new generation shows such as Spider-man and Newsies promise a whale of a time. All the shows are subject to change, hence we recommend, you visit the official website for details, show timings and the price of the tickets.

Explore Central Park

Central Park is one of the iconic landmarks of the city, frequented by residents and tourists alike. You can take a carriage ride, go cycling, picnic by the lake, or simply take a leisurely stroll. During summer, a number of events such as theatre performances, band concerts and other cultural shows are organised in the park and draw large crowds. The regular chess and book clubs meet regularly for book reading sessions or rounds of chess.

Get Amazed at the American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History is a popular place for families where you can witness some of the most breathtaking exhibits. From the gigantic dinosaur skeleton to the colossal replicas of various creatures such as whales, sharks, elephants, and polar bears – this place is stunning indeed. The museum is truly enormous with 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 exhibition halls.

Solve Nature’s Mysteries at the New York Hall of Science

Kids simply love this place as it is not one of those typical no touching the exhibit museum. On the contrary, kids are encouraged to touch the various interactive exhibits here. Not just kids, but even adults will be thrilled by the different hair rising exhibits.

Go Bananas at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo is the biggest urban zoo in the world and is home to over 600 different species of beasts from all across the globe. The exhibition includes 4 zones, including Tiger Mountain, the Wild Asia Monorail, Congo Gorilla Forest and the latest addition, Madagascar!

Mardi Gras Celebrations in USA

Mardi Gras also known as Fat Tuesday, marks a holiday in various regions of the USA and features a number of big and small celebrations.

orlando

It is often also called Shrove Tuesday which marks the last day of celebrations and festivals, before the fast for Lent starts. If you are planning to book tickets for a holiday in the US during February, the best time would be between 5th and 8th February.

History

Mardi Gras was held in the US for the first time in 1703 when it was still a French colony. The present custom of celebrating Mardi Gras by hosting an elaborate parade was started by the Cowbellion de Rakin Society in 1840, who assisted another group to set-up the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans in 1857. Mistick Kreweof Comus was the foremost carnival society, which participated in the coordination of the event, the same year.

Present Day Celebrations

Shrove Tuesday is celebrated on the final day before the fast for Lent across the country. Have a look at some major cities across USA where Mardi Gras is celebrated with great zeal and zest.

New Orleans

The famous parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is celebrated by masquerades and revellers dancing on the roads. The main highlights of the parade are the King of the Carnival, the Monarch of Merriment and Comus (known as the God of Revelry). On that day, the revellers can be seen in colourful and extravagant costumes. A magnificent ball is organised on the occasion.

Orlando

Orlando is said to host the best Mardi Gras celebrations in the country after New Orleans. Orlando’s Universal Studios Mardi Gras has something for people of all ages. Famous musical performances, Cajun food such as shrimp gumbo and jambalaya, and live concerts are all part and parcel of the celebrations.

Mobile

The Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile started in 1703 as the first and the oldest Mardi Gras carnival celebration in the US. With traditional parades, huge crowds and marching bands; the most unique aspect about the Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile, is the fact that people from different religions and cultures, including Swedes, Americans, Creoles, Africans, Britons and Spaniards celebrate it.

Public Life

Louisiana marks a state holiday on Mardi Gras. It is also a holiday in the Mobile and Baldwin counties exclusively in Alabama. The county of Mississippi or other governing authorities have the liberty to declare Mardi Gras as a public holiday, that can replace any legal holiday apart from the Birthday of Martin Luther King combined by the Birthday of Robert Lee.

March is the Month to Enjoy Flower Shows and Garden Events in USA

March marks the start of the pleasant spring season in the US. During this season, the country hosts several events and festivals to celebrate the colourful character of nature. Like every year, during 2016, the US is hosting an array of garden events and flower shows.

flower-fest

If you happen to visit this vast nation during March, you can easily find a show or two in almost every major city. We have compiled a list of three highly popular flower shows to be held in March 2016. Check them out!

San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

This is one of the most popular flower shows in the USA and like always, the San Mateo Event Center is all set to host San Francisco Flower and Garden Show from 16th to 20th March. In this Bay Area show, you would come across full-sized designer showcased gardens spread over an area of five acres. In these gardens, you get an opportunity to take a closer look at floral designs, flowers and learn how to prepare and preserve organic food. Besides, you can also participate in a range of free workshops and seminars that are available for all age groups.

Dallas Blossoms

Already voted as one of the Best Spring Floral Festivals in America by Fodor’s Travel, Dallas Blossom is the largest floral festival in the Southwest. In 2016, this floral festival will start on 27th February at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and you can enjoy the shows, seminars, and a variety of activities till 10th April. This year, the theme of the festival is The Artistry in Nature and its most prominent highlight will be the exhibits of well-known sculptor Gary Lee Price.

Philadelphia Flower Show

Organised by Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS), Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest indoor flower show in the US. When you visit the Pennsylvania Convention Center between 04th and 13th March, you will be delighted to see that the Philadelphia Flower Show is not just limited to flowers and horticulture. This grand event also features themes such as mountains, hiking trails, Train Garden, and the Butterfly Experience. Visit the Grand Hall at the Convention Centre to enjoy shopping, dining and live music besides participating in wine tasting sessions.

Five Challenging Suspension Bridges in the World

Do you have a fascination for heights? If yes, you would definitely like to check out our list of suspension bridges. Let us also tell you that these bridges are for the strong hearted and people suffering from heart problems or acrophobia should visit only after medical consultation. These dizzying bridges are located in high altitudes and may cause convulsions or seizures. Up for the challenge? So what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets for any of the 5 destinations we have mentioned below.

Titlis Cliff Walk Bridge, Switzerland

Known as Europe’s highest suspension bridge, the Titlis Cliff Walk Bridge is situated on Mount Titlis in the Alps and is 3,000 metres high. Although it looks scary, it has been especially designed to withstand extreme winds and snow storms. The views are simply spellbinding.

Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia

Situated in Kedah, Malaysia, this pedestrian bridge is around 700 metres high and was opened in 2004. The sad part is that it has been inaccessible since 2014.

Sky-Bridge-Malaysia

However, we could not help omitting it from the list as it is one of the most challenging suspension bridges in the world. We hope it opens once again.

Canopy Walk, Ghana

Canopy Walk is situated in Kakum National Park, Ghana and is the only canopy walkway in all of Africa’s national parks.

It was made by connecting several treetops and is used to watch the endangered animals such as Diana monkey and forest elephants without disturbing them.

Millau Viaduct, France

Millau Viaduct, which is said to be taller than the Eiffel tower is the world’s highest bridge to be used as a thoroughfare.

Millau-Viaduct

Millau Viaduct by David Jones / CC BY

It has the A7F motorway, which connects the two cities of Montpellier and Paris and is often admired as the world’s most impressive engineering wonders of all times.

Royal Gorge Bridge, USA

The Royal Gorge Bridge situated in Colorado, USA was known as the world’s highest bridge till 2001, until it was replaced by Millau Viaduct.

Royal-Gorge-Bridge

Royal Gorge Bridge by Wasif Malik/ CC BY

The bridge is a part of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, which is famed for its different rides and adventure sports. Zip-lining and Royal Rush Sky coaster are especially popular here. The park is also home to a zoo which is ideal for family outings.