The latest travel information plus insider event and sightseeing tips for New York City, Boston, Hawaii, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bermuda.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Countdown to July 4th Continues
The first Independence Day in Philadelphia in 1776 featured a reading of the newly signed Declaration of Independence at what is now called Independence Square. You can attend a recreation of this event (including appearances by Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin) at Washington D.C.'s National Archives next Wednesday. While you're there, you can step inside and view the original document. Don't feel like waiting in line in the heat? Explore the Declaration and (as well as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights online).
There will be fireworks displays all over the country next Wednesday as the U.S. celebrates Independence Day, but some of the best 4th of July celebrations can be found in the cities that gave birth to the nation: Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Boston was home to the incendiary Sons of Liberty, who with events like the famed Boston Tea Party, helped ignite the American Revolution in the first place. So it is hardly surprising that pyrotechnics continue here. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will feature the "1812 Overture" performed (as usual) with real canons and church bells, capped off by what organizers promise will be "the largest and most complex Boston Fourth of July pyrotechnic display to date" with more than 20 thousand pounds of explosives and "ten-inch diameter shells that will climb to 1500 feet - nearly one and a half times the height of the Hancock Tower."
In New York, where major Revolutionary War battles like those in Brooklyn Heights and Fort Washington took place, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks is the place to be for the year's best show of spectacular explosions. The 2007 edition of this annual extravaganza will feature more than 120,000 bursts of pyrotechnic color. The show will get underway on July 4th at 9 pm and is visible for free from almost any unobstructed view of the East River in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and first read, is celebrating the 4th with a week-long festival dubbed "Welcome America" which will wrap up with a Hall & Oates concert and a firework display on the steps of the Art Museum.
There are plenty of movies about the Bermuda Triangle -- even the Scooby Doo series features that canny canine and the Mystery, Inc. gang investigating strange disappearances within the Bermuda Triangle -- but to find a movie that shows the glorious nature of the ocean that surrounds Bermuda, you have to reach all the way back to 1977's The Deep, starring Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset. Although not all of the filming was done on location, the movie had its genesis in Bermudian waters -- to learn more, check out the write-up on the Bermuda Hotel Association's official web site.
Last weekend we had the good fortune to return to the island paradise called Nebo Lodge, located on North Haven, an island reachable only by boat or the ferry from Rockland, Maine. This was a repeat visit, following the success of our first trip to Nebo in November, and we were delighted to be back.
On our way back to Boston, after two days of writing, relaxing, and enjoying the company of fellow writers, we decided to stop for a lobster roll lunch in the sea-side city of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Our first thought was to go to Michael's Harborside, an old favorite from the days (years ago) when we lived in the area. But the newly renovated Michael's was crammed with Sunday brunchers, and not willing to wait for a table (or a place to park), we headed instead to Bob Lobster on nearby Plum Island. It turned out to an excellent choice. We had our lunch delivered to us at one of the outdoor picnic tables so we could enjoy the sunny weather and the ocean air. The lobster rolls were overflowing with claw and tail meat, and the onion rings were crispy and delicious. If you live in the area, you can pick up some fresh-caught lobsters (and, perhaps, a few steamers) to take home with you for dinner, or if like us, you'll be travelling far enough that having live seafood along for the ride is inconvenient, take a couple of strawberry-flavored lobster lollies home as mementos (albeit short-lived ones!) of a great meal.
The New York Times had a useful article in today's paper about the difficulty in determining the true size of a seat and the corresponding amount of (or -- mostly -- lack of) legroom on a commercial airline. The Times piece focused on the sleeper seats found in the first and business class cabins of long-haul flights, but even for us regular joes who frequent the back of the plane, there are significant differences between airlines. Our recommendation? Completely ignore the hype and marketing from the airlines themselves and check out what real travelers say on sites like SeatGuru.com, airlinequality.com and seatexpert.com.
Don't miss BayFest Hawaii, held from June 29 to July 1 this year. It is one of Hawaii's largest annual concert events, attracting an audience of almost 40,000 visitors. The festival also includes premium carnival rides, national caliber fireworks performances, and other attractions. Want to know more about what's happening in Hawaii? Check out The Aloha Insider's calendar of annual events.
Why not spend quality time with dad at the Bronx Zoo this weekend? There will be games, storytelling, and live music. While you're there, visit some of the dedicated "Zoo Dads" -- like Fubu the silverback gorilla. You can also catch up with the Zoo's California sea lions, who have returned to their rocky habitat on the newly renovated, historic Astor Court.
Every summer, Lincoln Center, in NYC, hosts a program called "Midsummer Night Swing" - a dance party that runs for 25 nights on the plaza at Lincoln Center. Each night features a different style of music and dance (a salsa night, a big band swing night, a tango night, etc.) with special guest dance instructors and musical performers. As a part of this year's events, the program will include "Kid's Days" on June 30 and July 14. These days feature dance instruction specifically for kids, teaching them the basic moves of different styles such as swing, tango, ballroom, salsa, merengue, etc.
Hollywood doesn't feature Boston as much as New York City or LA, but there are still plenty of films that take place in -- and are shot in and about -- Boston. If you are planning a trip to Beantown this summer and want to get a feel for the city, or if you just love Boston and want to indulge in a few "Hey, I recognize that place!" moments, here are our top ten favorite movies that take place in Boston:
Good Will Hunting - About a janitor at MIT with a gift for mathematics. Many of the scenes were filmed in South Boston; other Boston locations include Harvard Square, the Public Garden, MIT and Charlestown. (1997)
Love Story - Ryan O'Neal plays a Harvard law student; Ali MacGraw plays a Radcliffe co-ed resulting in numerous scenes in the Harvard area. (1970)
Mystic River - A bleak view of 3 men who grew up together in East Boston and find that an incident from their past still haunts them. Includes lots of shots in East Boston, of course, but there are several scenes in South Boston and Jamaica Plain. (2003)
The Witches of Eastwick - This story of bewitching fun in an uptight New England town features the lobby of the Wang Center as the interior of the house of Jack Nicholson's character; most of the rest of the movie was filmed in Ipswich, Marblehead and Cohasset. (1987)
The Bostonians - The movie version of Henry James' witty and satirical novel about the earliest days of the feminist movement. Filmed all over Beacon Hill and the Back Bay. (1984)
The Perfect Storm - Before "Deadliest Catch" there was "The Perfect Storm" about fishermen battling the elements in the North Atlantic fishing grounds. Lots of filming took place in Gloucester, a Cape Ann town north of Boston. (2000)
The Thomas Crown Affair - Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway star in this Oscar-winning drama about solving "the perfect crime." Filmed primarily on Beacon Hill. (1968)
A Civil Action - Drama about a legal case against companies accused of dumping toxic waste. Boston filming locations include Beacon Hill, Fenway Park, and the Public Garden(1998)
Still, We Believe:The Boston Red Sox Movie - a documentary whose title says it all. (2004)
Celtic Pride - Two Boston Celtic fans kidnap the opposing team's star to assure a Celtic victory. This was the last film shot in the old Boston Garden; also features scenes in Charlestown, East Boston and Jamaica Plain. (1996)
If you've got a real interest in Boston movies, consider taking a Boston Movie Tour on your next trip into town.
All About Eve - One of our all-time favorites, featuring Bette Davis as a Broadway veteran who is out-smarted by an ambitious ingenue played by Anne Baxter. Won three Oscars, including Best Picture. (1950)
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard star in this ode to the sophistication and glamour of New York City. Directed by Blake Edwards and based on the novella by Truman Capote. (1961)
The French Connection - Tough cop movie that contains the best car chase scene ever. Won Gene Hackman an Oscar for Best Actor. (1971)
Ghostbusters - "Who ya gonna call?" We guarantee you won't get the catchy tune for this zany 1984 film out of your head for days. Features performances by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis (who also wrote the screenplay), as well as Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis. Nominated for 2 Oscars.
The Godfather - Marlon Brandon, who won an Oscar for his role, plays a mobster; Al Pacino is his son. Based on the novel by Mario Puzzo. (1972)
Manhattan - It takes place in New York and features Woody Allen. Need we say more? (1979)
On the Town - Three sailors (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin) are determined to experience as much New York as they can in 24 hours of shore leave. A wonderful musical with plenty of dancing; includes that incomparable number, New York, New York.
Scent of a Woman - Al Pacino plays a feisty blind Army officer who leads an honorable but poor prep-school boy through sophisticated New York City. Pacino received an Oscar for Best Actor for his role. (1992)
West Side Story - "Romeo and Juliet" in what once was Hell's Kitchen. Swept the Oscars, taking Best Picture, Best Director (Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise), Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno) and Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris). (1961)
When Harry Met Sally - One of the ultimate "feel good about New York" movies where romance is in the air (finally) and the city is a place you'd want to be. Stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. (1989)
If you are gearing up for a trip to Philadelphia this summer to take in the sights of America's beginnings -- including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Ben Franklin's house -- don't forget to include famous Philly foods as part of your indulgence in local offerings. Our favorites include cheesesteaks, Tastykakes and soft pretzels.
There are lots of reasons to visit Governors Island, located just south of the tip of Lower Manhattan. The place is loaded with history, starting with the original settlement of New York City (then New Amsterdam) by the Dutch, and stretching through the island's 200 years as a military (during which it played an especially critical role in the War of 1812). Now owned by New York City and the State of New York, it is a pleasant day-trip via ferry (just a free, 5-minute ride).
This weekend is an especially good time to drop by. Saturday, June 2nd is the opening day of the summer season on the Island, and will be celebrated with a harbor-themed family festival featuring children's theater, sea chanteys, making puppets, yo-yo artists, musicians, storytellers, face painting and more!
There will also be folk music concerts in July, world music in August, and places to picnic and bicycle every summer weekend. Check out the concert line-upor see the complete summer schedule.
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