Now that many places, especially outdoor locations such as amusement parks, are opening, this is the perfect time to plan a vacation, virtual or in real life. Let’s take a look at some amusement parks across the US that are not Disney!

Hersheypark

One of the happiest places in the world is not Disneyland, but Hershey, Pennsylvania. The town is named after a real-life Willie Wonka chocolate maker, and is home to the Hershey Company research facility and production facility, and literally smells like chocolate.

What makes it even better is Hersheypark, a theme park in the town that has roller coasters, kids rides and even a zoo, as well as chocolate themed activities and specialties throughout the park.

It has a dozen roller coasters, other amazing rides and even a fun water park. In 2009, it expanded the water park to include The Shore, a large wave pool.

Hersheypark’s Kissing Tower, the 330 foot observation tower, looms over the park, allowing for a great view of the park and the surrounding areas.

Cedar Point

Cedar Point takes its reputation as the roller coaster capital of the world very seriously. Located in Sandusky, Ohio, it is the second oldest amusement park in the United States, has the second most roller coasters in the world, and has the most rides of any amusement park in the United States. This amazing park holds too many US and world records to count!

The insane Millennium Force roller coaster opened in 2000, setting records as the fastest, tallest and steepest in the world.

The daring Corkscrew opened in 1976, and was at the time the first coaster to have three inversions. It spans the park’s midway, making it exciting for both passengers and spectators on the ground!

Knott’s Berry Farm

A smaller park in Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm is a great place to visit with a family. Started by the Knott family in the mid 1900s, the park has steadily grow over the years to include several rides and roller coasters, themed attractions including Knott’s Bear-y World and Soak City, and a reputation for delicious dining that dates back to the earliest days of the family’s business.

Now owned by the same company that owns Cedar Park and other parks, the Farm has an excellent variety of rides and entertainment for every type of visitor.

Kings Island

As far as outstanding amusement parks are concerned, Ohio is where it’s at. Also owned by Cedar Fair, the company that owns Cedar Point, Kings Island is an epic place to visit.  It has over 80 rides, 15 roller coasters and a huge water park.

Additionally, the park is known for it’s Eiffel Tower replica built at one third scale of the original version in Paris. This is just a fun and quirky feature of the park.

Son of Beast, named after the original Beast roller coaster at the park, opened in 2000 with several record-breaking features. However, after years of delay, redesign and two public incidents, the ride was closed in 2009 and never reopened. In 2012, it was officially closed and removed from the park.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens has two locations on the East Coast, but the Tampa Bay Florida site is the original. The park has an “African” theme, with rides designed and named after locations in Africa and African cultural themes.

Busch Gardens has several excellent roller coasters, including SheiKra, a steel dive roller coaster that is 200 feet high and reaches speeds of 70 mph.

Busch Gardens also has an expansive zoo, being regarded as one of the largest in the United States, with over 2,700 animals. Visitors can take safaris through the park to have up close and personal experiences with animals.

It also promotes a more humane habitat for the animals, more closely recreating native habitats for animals than most zoos are able to do. Because of it’s size, the park is also a major conservator of endangered and at risk species.

Busch Gardens was named after the original parent company, Anheuser-Busch, but it was sold in 2009. The sale ended the free beer samples given away in locations within the park and the tradition of giving employees two free cases of beer each month.

Coney Island

No list of amusement parks would be complete without Coney Island. Coney Island is not an amusement park like the others in this article, but has a reputation as a funky, unique and fun amusement and entertainment area. Coney Island is a neighborhood in New York that developed as an entertainment center and seaside resort community for the surrounding area. In the 1940s and 1950s, it became run down but has recently had a resurgence in popularity and has expanded and redeveloped to increase attendance at the various sites.

There are two small amusement parks in the neighborhood, but several additional rides, attractions and food and entertainment vendors operate independently.

The Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel is nearly 100 years old, and has both rocking and stationary cars. At night, it is illuminated with neon lights that glow for everyone to see.

The Parachute Jump was a famous ride in the 1900s, but has been defunct for several decades. In 2004 it was cleaned and painted, with the intent to light it up regularly, but that has not taken place since 2009. It is often referred to as Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower.

The most important contribution of the Island may in fact be the Nathan’s hot dog, which was originally sold at Nathan’s on Coney Island, and is still the site of the annual hot dot eating contest.

No matter what type of amusement you’re looking for, you can find it at these parks. From great food to fun rides to thrilling roller coasters, these parks have got you covered.

August is officially “Family Fun Month” which is perfect as families squeeze in one last vacation before the official end of summer and the start of school. Let’s take a look at some of the classic family vacation destinations across the US, reminisce about family road trips gone by, and maybe even make some plans for the future!

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach in southern Virginia is a great place to visit year-round, but especially fun for families in the summer. The area has many beaches with fun boardwalks and entertainment for families, and campgrounds for those really wanting to enjoy nature.  Along the beach are lighthouses and other cool attractions.

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First Landing State Park commemorates where the English landed before going on to settle Jamestown. It is a beautiful park full of walking trails, camp grounds and cabins, and public beaches.

Just across the bridge in Virginia Beach’s sister city, Norfolk, are the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, with beautiful landscapes, amazing blooming azaleas, and other natural wonders to enjoy.

Historic Southern Virginia

If you’re a history buff, you should vacation in southern Virginia. With many major historical sites within minutes of each other, you’ll find this an educational, and entertaining, vacation.

Yorktown, where the British surrendered to General George Washington, ending the Revolutionary War, is about 60 minutes north of Virginia Beach, and is a well preserved national park. Visitors can take a guided tour and get a a feel for the immense scale of the battle, which played such a pivotal role in American history.

Jamestown, the first English settlement in North America, is about twenty minutes from Yorktown, and is an active historical site. Archaeologists and other scientists are constantly working to excavate the original fort and understand more about what the first European settlers in the area experienced.

Just up the road is Colonial Williamsburg, which is a living history museum. The entire colonial town has been recreated and has knowledgeable staff playing roles of specific colonial individuals, right down to the attire, personality and back story.

Nearby is Thomas Jefferson’s plantation home Monticello. The Founding Father and third president spent much of his time developing his plantation, and lived out his days here after helping to organize and establish the United States.

San Diego

San Diego in southern California, is a great place for a family vacation. With lots of beaches, family activities, and cool entertainment, this city is the perfect west coast destination. The US Navy has left a big imprint in the area, and there are several historic ships that you can tour at the Maritime Museum, including HMS Surprise from the film “Master and Commander”.

The San Diego Zoo is a must-see, with more than 3,500 animals, and is a pioneer in the design of open-air exhibits with natural habitats for the animals. Its amazing landscape, wide animal diversity and great climate make it one of the best zoos in the world.

Don’t forget Sea World, which is an amazing place to learn all about marine life! It’s a great place to take kids to learn about what’s going on under the water, and it’s even fun for adults.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone is a large national park that covers land in three states. It is famous for its gorgeous mountain vistas, geysers and geothermal activity, and amazing wildlife including buffalo, moose, and bears. The park is so beautiful and easy to enjoy, even from a car. Breathtaking sites like Gibbon Falls are viewable from the road!

Old Faithful is possibly the most popular attraction. It’s a geyser that blows boiling hot water and steam about 145 feet into the air for more than two minutes on a predictable schedule. It’s truly a sight to behold, and especially enjoyable because an eruption usually happens every 90 minutes.

There’s even a hotel you can stay at right by Old Faithful, and you can see eruptions from the lobby!

Hiking in Yellowstone is a wonderful experience, and a great family bonding activity. There are hikes for all ages and abilities, and the views along the trip and at the destination are rewarding for everyone. There are several hikes that take you to mountain waterfalls, like Mystic Falls.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is the opposite of Yellowstone, with deep gorges and desert landscapes, but like Yellowstone, it’s at the top of the list of must-see sites for every family.

Visitors can hike down the basin of the Grand Canyon, and camp along the way. They need to be prepared for major temperature changes, with really hot days and very cold nights, common for the desert even in summer.

If you’d prefer to see it from a car, there are many special viewing places, including the $40 million dollar Skywalk.

If you want to stay in the Canyon, but don’t feel like camping, you can stay at one of a few hotels, like El Tovar Hotel. Staying there is pretty epic, as the hotel is just 26 feet from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Dollywood

American treasure Dolly Parton grew up in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. There was a small amusement park attraction for many years, but Dolly Parton became involved in the 1980s, and the amusement park has since grown to be the largest in the state and a wonderful family destination.

The amusement park complex is continually expanding, with roller coasters and other rides, theaters, museums, and a children’s interactive play area.

Pigeon Forge is a destination itself, with additional musical theaters, other entertainment, and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Truly, there is something for everyone.

Any of these destinations would make for a family vacation to never forget. And if you’re not taking a vacation this year, at least you can look through this list and make plans for next year, and every year until your bucket list is complete!

Now that Joe Biden has announced Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, the 2020 presidential election is officially in full swing.

Let’s take a look at the candidates we’ll be voting for on November 3, less than 100 days away, and where they’ll all be living come Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden has been serving in public office since he was 28 years old. He rocketed from a county council position to U.S. Senator from Delaware just two years later, as one of the country’s youngest senators ever! He served as a senator until he was elected to the office of Vice President when Barack Obama was elected President in 2008. He declined to run for office in 2016, but is now the presumptive Democratic nominee in 2020. He will formally accept the nomination at the end of the four-day Democratic National Convention on August 20.

Joe Biden has always maintained a residence in Delaware since he moved there after law school. Even when he was a senator, he never owned or rented a home in DC; always taking the train back home to be with his family.

He and his wife Jill have lived in a Wilmington suburb for decades. The 6,000 square foot home sits on more than four acres, has six bedrooms and seven bedrooms, has a pool, and backs up to a lake.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, like Joe Biden, has spent her career as a public servant. She was a district attorney in northern California before being elected the state’s Attorney General. She was elected to the US Senate in 2017, and ran for president in the Democratic primary in 2019. In December 2019, she bowed out of the race and endorsed Biden, the eventual nominee.

Harris lives with her husband Doug Emhoff, a high-powered attorney, in the LA suburb of Brentwood. The couple share a three bedroom, 3,500 square foot home in a tony neighborhood, perfect for a power couple. The home set Emhoff back at least $2.7 million when he bought it, and some estimate its current worth at more than $4 million.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has always been a fixture in the New York City scene, but since being elected he has been spending more and more time at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida. He has also officially indicated that he will make Florida his official residence after he leaves the White House, whether that’s in 2021 or 2025.

It’s not entirely clear that he’ll live at Mar-A-Lago due to some legal technicalities of it being a resort not a residence, but it’s certain that Trump will certainly have an extremely lavish home when he leaves office.

Mike Pence

Before Mike Pence was elected vice president, he was a member of the House of Representatives, and then governor of the state of Indiana. When he was elected governor, he sold his Columbia, Indiana home and moved into the governor’s mansion.

As far as we know, he doesn’t own another personal residence, although he may still own a home he bought in Arlington, Virginia, way back when he was a Congressman.

U.S. Capitol

The new president will be sworn into office on January 20, 2021, on the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building. The swearing in is usually officiated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and attended by many senators and congresspeople, as well as D.C. elites, political supporters, and thousands of members of the public.

The White House

Whoever wins the election on November 3 will reside in the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. for the next four years. The house has been the official residence for every president since John Adams in 1800, and is a symbol of the institution of the presidency and the relationship the president has with the people of the United States.

Naval Observatory

While the White House has been the official residence of the president for two hundred years, the vice president didn’t have an official residence until 1974, though it’s still officially “temporary”. The house is located about two miles away from the White House in Northwest Washington, D.C. Unlike the White House, the Naval Observatory is secluded and out of the public eye. The house is on the grounds of the still-active Naval Observatory, which provides information to the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense.

While it’s not the reason they run, the White House and Naval Observatory are some wonderful perks that come with being elected to the highest offices in the land. It’s going to be an intense campaign, and whoever wins on November 3 will certainly look forward to some time away at their private homes before picking up and settling into public life come Inauguration Day in January.

 

Since it burst onto the Broadway scene in 2015, Hamilton has been at the top of the musical world. It has become so popular that lyrics, references, and especially Alexander Hamilton himself, have become part of the cultural fabric.

With the release of the film edition of the production earlier this month, on Disney+, Hamilton has extended its reach even further.

Days later we’re still humming “The Room Where it Happened” and thinking about the adventurous life and tragic death of Hamilton.  Today is the 116th anniversary of Hamilton’s death, so in honor of the revolutionary founding father, let’s take a look back on his life.

Nevis

Alexander Hamilton was born in the Caribbean island of Nevis on January 11, in either 1755 or 1757, and his father abandoned his family in his early childhood. His mother died when he was a young teenager, and was taken in by a wealthy merchant, who furthered his education. Hamilton demonstrated a great interest and capacity for learning from a young age, despite his early setbacks.

King’s College

As a late teen, Hamilton made his way to Boston, then to New York City to attend college. He enrolled in King’s College, which has since been renamed Columbia University. Here, he quickly showed his revolutionary leanings, and began to participate in protests and rallies agitating for political independence.

His education was put on hold due to the outbreak of the Revolution, but he eventually returned to the books on his own and passed the bar after the war.

Nassau Hall, Princeton University

Hamilton joined the military to fight for independence, and was an influential leader from the start of his service. During the Battle of Princeton, Hamilton showed exemplary leadership when he helped to force British soldiers holed up in the Nassau Hall at Princeton University to surrender by blasting cannon at the building until they surrendered.

Yorktown

Hamilton became a trusted aide to General George Washington, and was involved in several important battles during the war. During the Battle of Yorktown, he led a battalion of light infantry which played a pivotal role in the British surrender. It helped to cement Hamilton’s reputation as a patriot and leader in the new country.

Constitutional Convention

After the Revolution, Hamilton returned to New York, studied for and passed the bar, and began to practice law. As it became obvious that the Articles of Confederation were failing to govern the new country, Hamilton was tapped to represent New York at the Congress of the Confederation, and later the Constitutional Convention, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Although he wasn’t a major contributor at the convention, he wrote a series of articles that became the Federalist Papers, an argument in favor of the Constitution and the radical form of government it entailed.

The Grange

After the establishment of a new, stronger central government, Hamilton served in various capacities for both George Washington and John Adams, as well as his involvement in politics. However, after the turn of the century, he returned to New York City and began practicing law again. Here, he also advocated against the international slave trade.

He lived with his wife Eliza and their children in a house he named “The Grange”, located on 32 acres in upper Manhattan, back when upper Manhattan was rural. The house has been moved twice within the neighborhood and turned into a National Memorial in 1962. It has been restored and renovated, and outfitted to represent what it would have been like when Hamilton lived there.

Site of the Duel

Despite having left the federal government, Hamilton remained very involved in politics. When his political rival Aaron Burr returned to New York to run for governor, Hamilton publicly backed Burr’s opponent. Burr, feeling slighted, challenged Hamilton to a duel.

As the sun rose over Weehawken, New Jersey, Hamilton and Burr met for the duel. Hamilton either fired and missed intentionally, or fired by reflex after he was shot by Burr. The site has largely been turned into a massive home, but there is a monument on the site where the duel took place.

Buried at Trinity Church

Hamilton was taken to a doctor, but he succumbed to his injuries on July 12, 1804. His funeral was held at Trinity Church in Manhattan, and he was interred in the Trinity Church Cemetery.

His grave includes a white stone pyramid and is prominent within the cemetery, and is befitting the man who fought for his country, served in the government, and worked tirelessly to influence and better the form of government for the United States. Visitors to the church are able to see the memorial from the street.

Hamilton was so often in “the room where it happened” that his legacy has been secured as one of the most important, if not most famous founding fathers of the United States.  So on this anniversary of his death, let us all remember Hamilton, and tell his story.

American independence is celebrated each year on July 4, and if you’re looking for some ideas of where to celebrate, either online or in person, this list will give you some great ideas!

Washington, DC

If you’re going to visit one place to celebrate American independence, you should definitely put Washington, DC at the top of your list. It’s our country’s capital, and has so many memorials, monuments, and locations important to America’s founding story. It’s a perfect spot for a family vacation, history bonanza, or politico fest, whatever your interests are!

US Capitol

The U. S. Capitol building is the seat of the legislative branch of government, and has played an important part in so much of America’s history. During the War of 1812, the building was burned by the British, and it served as a war hospital during the Civil War. Visitors can tour the building and learn about the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as American government, history, and culture.

Lincoln Memorial

While Lincoln wasn’t around at the founding of our country, he presided over the most fraught time in our country’s history and helped keep our Union strong. His memorial sits proudly at one end of the Mall, and is a must-see on the Fourth of July. If you’re lucky, you can score a seat on the steps and watch the amazing fireworks display, which are launched nearby at dusk.

National Archives

The National Archives building in downtown DC is home to America’s founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, so it’s a no-brainer to stop here on the Fourth of July. It’s a great place to learn about our history firsthand, see some of the most important documents of our country’s founding, and just maybe pretend you’re part of National Treasure.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia played an important part in our country’s founding, including hosting the First and Second Continental Congresses and serving as a capital during and after the Revolution. There are many places with patriotic history any visitor would love to see on the 4th.

Independence Hall

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated and agreed to in Independence Hall. Visiting the site in July is especially educational, as it gives you a sense of what the men experienced as they debated in rooms locked for privacy during the heat of the Philadelphia summer without air conditioning.

Betsy Ross, tradition says, influenced the design of the American flag by talking to then-general George Washington about the design, leading to the five point star we know and love today. While the story may not be true, Betsy Ross is part of the American fabric, and visitors can tour her house; an appropriate way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell was crafted in 1752, and was likely one of the many bells that rang to announce the country’s declaration of independence in 1776. It came back to fame in the 1830s, around the time it sustained its now-iconic crack, and has been known as a symbol of American freedom since. It is housed in its own pavilion, where visitors can get close to the bell–but they cannot touch it!

Myrtle Beach, SC

If you’d rather have a relaxing, family-friendly holiday, there are few places better than Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s got amazing beaches, fun piers, lots of family entertainment, great dining, and outstanding fireworks. It’s an all-American vacation spot for sure!

Alligator Adventure

Yes, you can actually get face to face with live alligators at Alligator Adventure! This park calls itself the reptile capital of the world, and has plenty of alligators, as well as hyenas, exotic birds, and other reptiles to experience up close and personal. There are fireworks displays across the street here on the Fourth of July, so it’s a great place to be!

Myrtle Beach Speedway

If you want to add a little speed to your vacation, Myrtle Beach is perfect. They have lots of NASCAR related venues, including Myrtle Beach Speedway. There are so many events from short track racing, trade shows, and even NASCAR experiences where you can go along for a ride on the track!

Family Kingdom Amusement Park

There are so many family friendly activities in Myrtle Beach, and the Family Kingdom Amusement Park is one of the best. It has a full-fledged amusement park, water park, arcades and more to stay entertained when you’re not at the miles of beach at Myrtle Beach.

Broadway at the Beach

This shopping center has fireworks displays twice a week all summer long, but their fireworks on Independence Day are out of this world! This is just one of many places you can catch an amazing fireworks display on the Fourth, because Myrtle Beach knows how to celebrate!

This is just a short list of places and things to do on the Fourth of July. No matter where you are, as long as you’re with family or loved ones, you can celebrate America’s birthday in style.