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come sea u.s. this is the time to discover us. For Cruising, Service & Repair and Fun!
There has never been a better time to experience all the United States has to offer for yacht cruising and service! With more than 13,000 miles of grand coastline, cruising the United States offers breathtaking vistas and scenery in abundance, opportunities for fun and adventure at every turn and safe, yet affordable, harbors to greet you. With all this, America is the ultimate yachting destination. Following is a taste of what our various regions have to offer once you arrive—complete with sample itineraries to get you started! Come SEA U.S. and let us show you what you’ve been missing! Getting into the United States has never been easier. The U.S. Superyacht Association, along with our regional marine trade association partners, has been working closely with the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection
and the State Department to streamline the entry and visa process. Programs such as the Trusted Traveler and Small Vessel Reporting Programs that are being implemented nationwide and others are designed to continue to protect us all, yet help the entry process become more defined and convenient. Once here, you will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands dedicated artisans, craftsmen, designers, engineers and talented workers of every conceivable job to create incredible yachts and products to which many in the world aspire. If it is refit and/or repair that you require there are facilities in every region that can accommodate yachts of all sizes. For a complete list of facilities, visit our website at www.ussuperyacht.com
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come SEA U.S. The following pages feature our event highlights for the major regions of the United States as well as our top recommendations for cities and special places to visit. These are only a few, for a list of even more events and itineraries visit the US Superyacht Association’s website and stay up-todate www.ussuperyacht.com
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northEAst Picturesque towns with scenic views, phenomenally fresh and abundant seafood and a great sense of American history complete with cobblestone streets and colonial-era architecture reflect the region’s celebrated past and gilded age of grandeur. Summers are spectacular in this region. Don’t miss a taste of the region’s spectacular lobster – you won’t find it any fresher than here!
Cities not to miss:
Maine: Camden, Boothbay, Portland Massachusetts: Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Fairhaven/ New Bedford Rhode Island: Newport Connecticut: Mystic
Events:
• Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular July 4, 2014 • Newport Jazz Festival August 1-3, 2014 • Newport Bucket Regatta August 22-24, 2014 • Newport International Boat Show September 11-14, 2014
Top 10 Lighthouses in New England
American lighthouses are a national treasure. They represent America’s castles, harboring stories of sunken ships, Revolutionary battles and daring rescues. The climb up their spiraling stairs and steep ladders pays off with breathtaking views. Though most have been rendered obsolete thanks to advances in navigation, they still stand as a welcoming beacon to many of our most picturesque ports throughout the region.
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Portland Head Light • Cape Elizabeth, Maine • Established: 1791
• Height: 80 feet • Light: rotating white every four seconds • Of Note: On a clear day, from the base of the rubble-stone-and-brick Portland Head, you can see four more lighthouses: Spring Point Ledge, Ram Island Ledge, Cape Elizabeth, and Halfway Rock. There’s a museum in the keeper’s quarters.
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Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse • New Castle, New Hampshire • Established: 1771, replaced 1878 • Height: 48 feet • Light: fixed green •O f Note: Every December, a “Flying Santa” arrives by helicopter bearing gifts for Coast Guard families at this cast-iron tower (as well as some others on our list). Captain William Wincapaw, a Maine floatplane pilot, began the Christmas tradition in 1929 at lighthouses in Maine, and it later spread throughout New England.
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Block Island Southeast Light • Block Island, Rhode Island • Established: 1875 • Height: 52 feet • Light: flashing green every five seconds •O f Note: Sitting on the Mohegan Bluffs, this red-brick lighthouse and its attached keeper’s quarters, built in High Victorian Gothic style, were an architectural showcase for the US Lighthouse Bureau.
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Nauset Light • Eastham, Massachusetts • Established: 1838, replaced 1877 • Height: 48 feet • Light: alternating red and white flashes every five seconds • Of Note: In 1996, when coastal erosion threatened the red-and-white-painted cast-iron lighthouse, it was moved
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300 feet from a 60-foot-high cliff to its current location. Nauset Light’s image is part of the Cape Cod Potato Chips logo.
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Colchester Reef Lighthouse • Shelburne, Vermont • Established: 1871 • Height: 35 feet • Light: none now • Of Note: Originally located on a rock foundation in Lake Champlain, this wooden lighthouse, designed in the popular French Second Empire style, was reconstructed on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum in 1952.
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Race Point Light Station • Provincetown, Massachusetts • Established: 1816, replaced 1876 • Height: 45 feet • Light: flashing white every 10 seconds • Of Note: The cast-iron beacon is solarpowered, while the keeper’s house and neighboring whistle house operate off solar, thermal, and windmill power. You can rent a room overnight in the keeper’s house and by the week in the whistle house.
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Scituate Lighthouse • Scituate, Massachusetts • Established: 1811 • Height: 50 feet • Light: flashing white every 15 seconds •O f Note: During the War of 1812, “the army of two” — the keeper’s young daughters, Abigail and Rebecca Bates — scared off the British, impersonating a band of armed men by noisily playing fife and drum. The tower is made of granite and brick. The tower and keeper’s house are the oldest complete lighthouse in the United States.
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Stonington Harbor Light • Stonington, Connecticut • Established: 1823, replaced 1840 • Height: 35 feet • Light: none now •O f Note: Only a five-minute drive
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from Mystic Seaport, this octagonal granite light, designed to look like a castle, offers a panoramic view of Little Narragansett Bay. Deactivated in 1889, it boasts the country’s oldest lighthouse museum, opened in 1925.
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White Island Lighthouse • Off Rye, New Hampshire • Established: 1821, replaced 1859 • Height: 58 feet • Light: flashing white every 15 seconds • Of Note: In 2000, adults and schoolchildren from seacoast New Hampshire banded together as The Lighthouse Kids to save this white beacon from deterioration. You can view the light up close if you have your own boat transportation; there are also cruises that go past, but don’t stop at, this spartan island.
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Wood Island Lighthouse • Biddeford, Maine • Established: 1808, replaced 1858 • Height: 47 feet • Light: white and green flashes every 10 seconds • Of Note: Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, this stone beacon (now with an LED light) is accessible only by boat. The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse group offers trips to Wood Island, where guests can explore the grounds and climb the tower.
FRom THE GALLEY “GREAT, DARK & STORMY” To help keep them warm on those blustery days, New Englanders love a great Dark & Stormy. They definitely help chase the clouds away! Ingredients • 1 cup sugar • 1 cup water • 1 (4-inch) piece ginger, sliced, reserve 4 slices for garnish • Ice • 1 liter seltzer water • 4 shots dark rum • 4 lime wedges, for garnish • 4 small skewers Directions 1. In a small pot over medium heat, combine the sugar, water and the ginger. Bring to a boil then shut off the heat and let cool to room temperature. (Can substitute Ginger Beer if it is available) 2. Fill 4 glasses with ice. Pour seltzer water into the bottom third of each glass. Add 1/4 cup of the ginger simple syrup to each glass and gently stir. Put a teaspoon upside down over the glass and pour 1 shot of rum over the spoon, so that the rum stays separated from the seltzer. 3. Put slice of ginger and lime wedge onto each skewer. Garnish each drink with the skewer and enjoy.
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GREAT LAKES The five Great Lakes, and their connecting waterways, form the largest fresh water system on earth. Covering more than 94,000 square miles, the Great Lakes, known as an “inland sea,” offers some of the world’s most pristine waterways! With spectacular scenery, great history and unique destinations, yachting enthusiasts from around the world have always found the Great Lakes an extraordinary destination.
Top destinations:
Illinois: Chicago. Michigan: Grand Rapids, Mackinac Island Wisconsin: Fond du lac and Green Bay Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Events:
• Taste of Chicago July 2014 • 106th Race to Mackinac July 19, 2014 • Tall Ships of Chicago August 7 – 11, 2014 Lake Superior Lake Superior is an exceptional destination of boundless scenic beauty, wild natural landscapes and rich cultural features. It is also the largest fresh water lake in the world. Lake Michigan Only on the beaches of Lake Michigan will you experience singing sand, this phenomenon is unique to West Michigan. When walking along the beach, the sand below your feet will squeak. Lake Huron Lake Huron shoreline offers many
activities, events and attractions. The shipwrecks that are scattered throughout the lake are popular dive sites and are protected by five bottomland preserves in Michigan and a national park in Ontario. Lake Erie Lake Erie is a sportsman’s paradise with exceptional fishing and water sports opportunities. One can also enjoy camping, golf, shopping, dining and nightlife in one of the several towns along its shore. Lake Ontario Lake Ontario is about water adventures. With rivers, lakes and thousands of kilometers of coastline that hugs the shores of four of the five Great Lakes, Ontario fits the meaning of shimmering water.
City of Chicago Fun Facts The Windy City is best known for great music and art, fantastic food, elegant shopping venues, and dedicated sports fans has an interesting and storied past.
Al Capone is America's best known gangster and the single greatest symbol of the collapse of law and order in the United States during the 1920s Prohibition era. Capone had a leading role in the illegal activities that lent Chicago its reputation as a lawless city. The Black Sox Scandal took place during the play of Major League Baseball’s 1919 World Series. The Chicago White Sox lost the series to the Cincinnati Reds, and eight White Sox players were later accused of intentionally losing games in exchange for money from gamblers. The players were acquitted in court, but nevertheless, they were all banned for life from organized baseball. On May 1, 1893, the gates opened at the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. Over the next six months, more than 26 million
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visitors would flock to the 600-acre fairgrounds and 200-plus buildings full of art, food, entertainment and technological gadgets. The fair, ostensibly meant to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the New World, served as a showcase for a fully rebuilt and vibrant Chicago, just two decades after its devastating fire. The city of Chicago was raised several feet to fix a drainage problem in the 1800’s! Having been built at below “sea level,” the city had virtually no drainage. Dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera were rampant. Many buildings were raised more than six feet! The first automobile race was in Chicago in 1895 and was sponsored by the newspaper. Six cars took part in the more than seven hour race with an average speed of 7 mph! The first automobiles were only introduced two years prior to the race. The winner, Charles Duryea won $5000—worth roughly $139,000 today!
Must Do’s in Chicago:
• Shopping on the Magnificent Mile • Deep Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Uno • Baseball Game at Wrigley Field – Home of the Chicago Cubs • Cocktail at the top of the John Hancock Building • Architecture River Tour • Have a Chicago Dog and Italian Beef Sandwich • Stroll along Navy Pier For a list of even more events and itineraries visit the US Superyacht Association’s website at www.ussuperyacht.com.
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Top Things To See & Do In San Diego 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
The Beaches Sea World San Diego Zoo USS Midway Wild Animal Park Hotel Del Coronado Balboa Park and Museums 8. Gaslamp Quarter 9. Legoland 10. Seaport Village
southwest As the gateway to the western United States, San Diego stands as a beacon for an amazing journey! There are incredible marinas, deep water repair facilities and lots to see and do in surrounding California, Mexico and the American Southwest. San Diego’s top 10 things to see and do include something for everyone, from beaches, night life attractions, amusement parks and historic sites. San Diego County hosts more than 30 million visitors a year and it is no wonder why. So check out our list of San Diego’s Top 10 attractions you are sure to find irresistible.
Fun Facts about the Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel del Coronado, commonly referred to locals as The Del, has been on the Southern California coast since the late 1800s. The hotel features Victorian architecture along with modern high-end decor. Guests are, of course, free to roam the grounds and visitors are also welcome to walk through the common areas of the hotel.
History The Hotel del Coronado has graced the coastline just south of San Diego since 1888. The hotel was borne of a vision by Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story who wanted to build a hotel so grand that it would impress not only local residents, but also the Western world. Many famous people of historical significance have visited The Del over the years, including Marilyn Monroe and 10 United States presidents. In 1977, the hotel became a National Historic Landmark. Location Coronado is just south of the San Diego city limits. The peninsula can be reached by land, but is more commonly accessed via the Coronado Bay Bridge
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Among the more interesting elements of the Hotel del Coronado's past is the well-known rumors of its haunting.
in downtown San Diego. The Hotel del Coronado sits on the beach, consuming 28 acres that overlook the Pacific Ocean. A few miles away from the hotel, on the other side of the peninsula, is the San Diego Bay. Haunting Among the more interesting elements of the Hotel del Coronado's past is the well-known rumors of its haunting. The most prevalent story is that of a young woman by the name of Kate Morgan who checked in to the hotel in 1892 and was soon found dead on the premises. Room 3327, where Morgan was staying while she waited for her husband to return from a cross-country trip, has the most reports of ghostly encounters. Phenomena said to occur
in the room includes odd noises, temperature change and even sightings of the woman herself.
Cities to visit:
San Diego, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Carlsbad, Laguna and Huntington Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, Catalina Island, Marina Del Rey
Events:
• The Rose Bowl | January 1, 2014 • The Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 • Comic Con | July 24 – 27, 2014 To Find out more about the San Diego area visit the USSA website at www.ussuperyacht.com
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coming up in the southeast
SOUTHEAST The southeast region offers an intriguing blend of southern charm in the Carolinas and Georgia to the international cosmopolitan cities in South Florida. Unforgettable experiences abound from the wild ponies on the Outer Banks off North Carolina to the quintessential history and cuisine of Charleston, the storied antebellum homes of Savannah, the splendor of the coral reefs, the fun of Walt Disney World and the exciting nightlife of South Beach. The yachting capital of the world in Fort Lauderdale (and vicinity) invites yachtsmen to experience worldclass service and repair and is home to the world’s largest in-water boat show.
Cities to visit:
North Carolina: Wilmington, Cape Hatteras South Carolina: Beaufort, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island Georgia: Savannah, St. Mary’s & Cumberland Island Florida: Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West.
Events | Southeast:
North Carolina, Hilton Head: • Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, October 25 – November 2, 2013 • Outer Banks Adventure Quest Wednesday, May 29 - September 11, 2013 • Holden Beach Concerts
Florida • Fort Lauderdale Int’l Boat Show, October 31 – November 4, 2013 • Art Basel Miami Beach, December 5-8, 2013 • Winterfest Boat Parade, December 14, 2013 • Miami International Boat Show, February 13-17, 2014 • Miami International Brokerage Show, February 13 – 17, 2014 • South Beach Food & Wine Festival, February 20-23, 2014 • Daytona 500, February 23, 2014 • Fort Lauderdale Air Show, TBD
South Carolina: • Charleston Boat Show, January 24-26, 2014 When visiting the Southeast, no visit would be complete without a trip to Joe’s Stone Crabs for a taste of a uniquely Florida delicacies—Stone Crabs and Key Lime Pie! Available October 15, 2013 – June 15, 2014, the sweet and succulent meat is most popularly served with mustard sauce. Delicioso!
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FRom THE GALLEY Joe’s Stone Crab – Famous Mustard Sauce
Ingredients • 1 tablespoon Colman's dry mustard, or more to taste, • 1 cup mayonnaise • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire • 1 teaspoon A-1 sauce • 2 tablespoons light cream • salt Preparation 1. Place the mustard in a mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the mayonnaise and beat for 1 minute. 2. Add the Worcestershire, A-1, cream, and a pinch of salt and beat until the mixture is well blended and creamy. If you'd like a little more mustardy bite, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon more dry mustard until well blended. Chill the sauce, covered, until serving. Reprinted with permission from Eat at Joe's: The Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant Cookbook, Copyright ©November 1993, Jo Ann Bass and Richard Sax, Clarkson Potter
Joe’s Stone Crabs Famous Key Lime Pie
Total Time: 1 hr 3 min Prep: 25 min | Inactive: 20 min Cook: 18 min | Yield: 1 (9-inch) pie Ingredients • Graham Cracker Crust: • 1/3 of a 1-pound box graham crackers • 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter • 1/3 cup sugar
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Filling • 3 egg yolks • 2 teaspoons lime zest • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk • 2/3 cup freshly squeezed Key lime juice, or store bought
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Topping • 1 cup heavy or whipping cream chilled • 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar For the graham cracker crust: Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. 2. Break up the graham crackers; place in a food processor and process to crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, place the crackers in a large plastic bag; seal and then crush the crackers with a rolling pin. 3. Add the melted butter and sugar and pulse or stir until combined. 4. Press the mixture into the bottom and side of a pie pan, forming a neat border around the edge. 5. Bake the crust until set and golden, 8 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack; leave the oven on. For the filling: 1. Meanwhile, in an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks and lime zest at high speed until very fluffy, about 5 minutes. 2. Gradually add the condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer. 3. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer. 4. Pour the mixture into the crust 5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. For the topping: 1. Whip the cream and confectioners’ sugar until nearly stiff. 2. Cut the pie into wedges and serve very cold, topping each wedge with a large dollop of whipped cream.
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mid-atlantic
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. This region offers a wide variety of attractions and things to do with its landscape extending from the seashore to the mountains (the Appalachians) and historical and exciting urban areas. In one day you can enjoy wonderful scenery and outdoor activities as well as visit museums, historic sites and cultural events. Our nation’s Capital in Washington D.C. stands along the beautiful Potomac River that flows into the great Chesapeake.
The Beautiful Focal point of this region is the Chesapeake Bay
While there are virtually endless fresh and fabulous seafood options—the most famous from this region is the crab cake. Enjoy!
FRom THE GALLEY Crab Cakes
Ingredients • 1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells • 1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz) The waters of the Chesapeake Bay are the nation's largest and most biologically • 3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped diverse estuary, yielding more seafood • 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper than any of the 840 other estuaries in • 1/4 cup mayonnaise the U.S. Add to that some 562 million • 1 egg pounds of finfish and shellfish caught • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce from their rivers, coastal and Atlantic • 1 teaspoon dry mustard waters, and that's enough seafood to • 1/2 lemon, juiced prepare 123 million meals annually. • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Don’t miss the scallops, clams, blue • 1 teaspoon salt crabs, soft-shell crabs and oysters! • Dash cayenne pepper • Flour, for dusting Chesapeake Bay: Fun Facts • 1/2 cup peanut oil • The Bay is 30 miles wide at is widest • Favorite dipping sauce, for serving point and 2.8 miles at its narrowest point. The average depth of the Directions Chesapeake Bay is 46 feet and the 1. In a large bowl, mix together all maximum depth is 208 feet. ingredients, except for the flour and • There are more than 100,000 streams, peanut oil. Shape into patties and creeks, or rivers in the Chesapeake dust with flour. watershed, including 150 major rivers. 2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium • The Bay watershed provides food, heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab water, and nesting areas to more than cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until 3,600 species of plant and animal life, browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully including about 350 species of fish. flip crab cakes and fry on other side until • More than 500 million pounds of seafood golden brown, about 4 minutes. is harvested from the Bay every year. 3. Serve warm with preferred sauce. • The Bay’s skipjack fleet was the last commercial fishing fleet to use sail power in North America.
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Events in the Region:
New York: • NFL Superbowl–February 2, 2014 The New Meadowlands Stadium Washington, D.C. • National Cherry Blossom Festival March 20–April 13, 2014 • 4th of July Fireworks July 4, 2014 Baltimore, MD Star-Spangled Spectacular 2014 September 6–16, 2014 A star-spangled commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and “The Star-Spangled Banner” will take place in Baltimore. Festivities kick off on September 6, 2014, with the annual Defenders’ Day event at North Point. A 10-day long celebration featuring re-enactments, fireworks, parades, maritime festival, the Blue Angels’ airshow, will conclude with a televised event at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Norfolk, VA 38th Annual Norfolk Harborfest September 2014
New York City Top 10 Things to Do New York City is a tourist’s dream destination. With a veritable limitless number of sightseeing tours, photographic opportunities and historical landmarks, you can spend a week in the Big Apple and not get past the first block. First-time visitors will always choose the most common sights to see in New York City, and perhaps that’s best, but returning visitors might be more inclined to look for things that show the uniqueness of the city. Here are the top ten things to do in New York, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned professional.
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Things You Simply Must Do on Your Visit to New York
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museum is so expansive and visual; you should plan on spending an entire day here. If you've never been, get on a flight to New York City and go see some fine art. New York City tip: Wear comfortable shoes!
Take in the Customary Historical Landmarks. While every proud American should visit the the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, The Radio City Music Hall. Is World Trade Center Memorial and the there a more American theater other national landmarks in New York, than Radio City Music Hall? This there are simply too many to detail on a timeless testament to entertainment has list of ten. For that reason, the historical captivated visitors since the 1930s and landmarks are combined into one section. no other dance troupe will ever hold the esteem in the hearts of Americans like Join the Argument for the Rockettes. Best Pizza. One of the longest running debates is not only New Madame Tussauds Wax York vs. Chicago pizza, but who actually Museum. Where else in the has the best pizza in New York. Tons of world can you have a picture taken New York restaurants serving homemade with Britney Spears, President Bush and pizza offer up a voice in the debate. You Jack Sparrow? This world-famous wax simply can’t take a trip to NYC without museum is one of the most visited spots adding your input on the matter, and in New York and you shouldn’t miss the fortunately, there’s no tastier debate! Try opportunity to visit these stunningly the classic pies at Lombardi’s Pizzeria on accurate figures. Spring Street for a taste of old NY and don’t let the line at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Broadway. If you can make it Brooklyn scare you, it moves quickly! here, you can make it anywhere. And without a doubt, you should Take it to the Top of the try to make it to a Broadway show! This is Rock. The newly opened Top of the most famous theater district in the the Rock Observation Deck on the world, and you can choose from timeless 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 classic productions like “Chicago” at the Rockefeller Plaza offers one of the most Ambassador or a newer stage rendition of impressive views of one of the most “Mary Poppins” at the New Amsterdam impressive cities in the world. It’s open Theater. No trip to New York is complete until midnight for a romantic visage of the without some singing and dancing. twinkling stars above mirroring the glittering lights from the city below. Times Square. It doesn't have to be New Year’s Eve to enjoy The Metropolitan Times Square in New York City. Museum of Art. From the As the heartbeat of NYC, Times Square early 20th century portraits and signifies everything that the city sculptures to the steel mastery of Frank represents. The excitement, the glamour, Stella, the Met is one of the foremost the independent free-spiritedness and collections of fine art in the world. The artistic qualities of New York are all on
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display in this timeless spot. One of the best places to begin sampling true New York night life.
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Carnegie Hall. An entire trip can be dedicated to Carnegie Hall and its collection of delicious restaurants, its enticing gift shop and educational museum. As one of the premiere concert halls in the nation, Carnegie Hall is a national institution.
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Stroll through Central Park. Leave your New York hotel and enjoy a stroll or ride a bike through one of America's most famous parks. There are plenty of recreational activities and there's always something special going on in the park, like the Central Park Film Festival. Besides the natural splendor of the surroundings, the best part about Central Park is that it’s free!
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The U.S. Capitol Building, features 540 rooms and almost as many lawmakers, all connected by winding halls, tunnels and an underground train.
Washington D.C. The United States Capital One fixture you can still access in post-9/11 Washington is the U.S. Capitol Building, and it is a weird and beautiful place. There are 540 rooms and almost as many lawmakers, all connected by winding halls, tunnels and an underground train. To get inside, you have two choices: You can go on an official tour after getting tickets from a kiosk just outside the building or you can contact your state Senator or Representative to get a pass to the gallery and watch the place in action—or inaction, which is equally interesting. For lunch and politico-spotting, crash one of the surprisingly decent, low-priced cafeterias in the Rayburn House Office Building or the Longworth House Office Building on Independence Avenue, or get a glass of wine and pasta at the upscale Sonoma on Pennsylvania Avenue, right behind the Library of Congress.
Interesting Facts about the U.S. Capitol Building
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The Capitol was built after Thomas Jefferson held a design competition to elicit entries from some of the finest
architects in America. The prize was $500, but the only one of the submissions that even came close to earning it was one by a French architect. His design would have been too expensive, though, and so the search continued. Finally, a late entry by William Thornton did the trick. Washington and Jefferson both raved over it and the design was chosen.
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The Capitol has its own subway. It’s been there in some variation since 1909 and carries politicians from House and Senate office buildings to the Capitol.
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George Washington laid the cornerstone for the Capitol on September 18, 1793. It was a Masonic ceremony.
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At one point, there were plans for the first president to be buried under the Capitol building in an area called the Crypt. Designers even received permission from Martha Washington to do so. When the time came to move the body from Mt. Vernon to D.C., plans fell through because Washington's will specified that his final resting place should be Mt. Vernon. The Crypt is now used to keep some of the National Statuary Hall Collection and to house a gift shop.
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There used to be a law in place that restricted any building in D.C. from being built taller than the Capitol. It could be equal to the Capitol in height, but no higher than. Passed in 1899, this law didn't last long. It was amended in 1910 and now the Capitol is only the fifth-tallest building in the District of Columbia. It's shorter than the Washington Monument, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Old Post Office and the Washington National Cathedral.
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The statue that sits atop the dome is called the Statue of Freedom. If she ever fell off, someone below would be in trouble at 15,000 pounds. She's 19-and-ahalf feet tall and stepped down from her pedestal for the first time in 1993 for a much-needed restoration.
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Why does the Capitol Face Away from the Mall? Many people have wondered why the building faces away from the Mall instead of toward it, like most other important buildings and monuments. The reason, is that the east side of the Capitol is the only one with level ground for a proper entrance, so the Capitol and the statue on top face east toward the people who are entering it.
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The Architects of the Capitol oversee the maintenance, operation and preservation of all of the Capitol buildings and grounds. Only 11 men have ever served in this position, starting with William Thornton in 1793. The current Architect is Stephen T. Ayers.
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The Capitol didn't fare too well during the War of 1812 and nearly burned to the ground. It would have been just ashes if a well-timed storm hadn't put the fire out. The building was pretty well gutted, as was the Library of Congress.
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The famous dome we know today wasn't added to the building until the 1850s under the watch of Architect Thomas U. Walter, the fourth Architect. The construction of the new dome took 11 years (Lincoln was sworn in under a half-finished dome) and nearly nine million pounds of iron.
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northwest Cities to Visit:
Alaska: Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Juneau, Homer California: Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco, Sausalito, Napa & Sonoma Washington: Seattle, San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula Boating in the Pacific Northwest has no equal. Beginning with Puget Sound as the gateway to Southeast Alaska, more and more visitors are discovering what locals have known for years. Specifically, the serenity and expansiveness that we offer bring with it a feeling of exploration and discovery. Coupled with high-end refit, repair and provisioning possibilities, and an ample number of amenities and activities in the Northwest, you will discover what we are tempted to keep secret. Boating up here changes lives; stirs emotions and adds a dimension of boating unmatched in the world. Our waters, except for two 40-mile areas, are inland, which provide for calm, peaceful cruising. Many of the pristine spots are accessible only by boat, ensuring that you will find the solitude that may be exactly what you have been longing for. If the glitz and glamour of a big city are your thing, you have two of the most cosmopolitan cities on earth in our backyard. Seattle, home of many of the world’s largest companies and our Canadian crown jewel, Vancouver. The temperate climate and bug-free environment are the perfect backdrop to breeching whales, soaring eagles and breathtaking gardens. Maybe salmon fishing is on your bucket list? Or how about anchoring near a glacier?
For some, it’s getting up close and personal with a salmon-bearing stream or reclining in natural hot springs, cracking open a locally handcrafted beer and recounting the memories that you have just added to your book of life.
This is no dream. This is the Northwest. Pike Place Market Opened on August 17, 1907, eight farmers sold their wares to more than 10,000 people who came out on a crazy first day. It hasn’t slowed since. The market is now home to more than 200 businesses, 190 crafts people and about 100 farmers. Now more than 10 million visitors come to it annually. It’s easy to love the market for its fabulous selection of gourmet ingredients and staples, but it’s also a great place to enjoy many fantastic eateries serving prepared dishes. It’s the kind of place that caters to any hunger pang. And yes, they do throw fish here. So you can see that, too. The original Starbucks is located right on the cobblestone Pike Place. Sure, there are endless Starbucks in the city, but this is the first and just feels different. Java addicts crowd it daily. If you want quintessential Pike Place, check out the guys at Pike Place Fish. Throughout the day, they lob massive fish over the counter to the joy of spectators. The fish is pretty darn tasty too, and like all the fishmongers in the market, Pike Place Fish will wrap purchases in airplane-safe containers.
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Space Needle Built in 1962, the Space Needle served as the symbol of that year's World's Fair. It has since become the symbol of Seattle, and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The privately owned Space Needle is managed by Space Needle LLC. We're always working on improving the Space Needle to make it even more fun and exciting for our visitors. We invite your comments and feedback on your experiences at the Needle. Seattle Waterfront A unique area located on Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle, the Waterfront is an active area pretty much yearround. With dozens of paths, piers and public spaces, it’s always a great place to relax and enjoy a little people watching as you absorb the local scene. Enjoy excellent views of the city skyline, the West Seattle Bridge and the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. Relax here before getting on a sunset sail with Emerald City Sailing. The Seattle Aquarium is at Pier 59, and Piers 55 and 56 offer embarkation points for cruises to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, where visitors can experience Native American culture. The popular Water Taxi to West Seattle leaves from Pier 50, Washington State Ferries from Pier 52, and Metro's free Route 99 connects Elliott Bay's waterfront attractions such as the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Aquarium and ferry services with the International District, Pioneer Square and First Avenue destinations including the Seattle Art Museum and Pike Place Market. If you’re in the area and looking for shopping and dining, you’re in luck as well. Check out the antique stores or Simply Seattle for gifts and souvenirs and grab a table at one of the well-known seafood joints for a Seattle-style dinner.
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Mount Rainier In the winter, the 14,411-foot peak is a winter wonderland with deep, fluffy snow perfect for cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and snowball fights. MidDecember through March, park rangers offer guided 1.2-mile snowshoe walks through the Paradise area. During the trek, the rangers share information on the area’s plants and animals and how they adapt to the park’s world-record snowfall. Plus Crystal Mountain ski resort —Washington’s largest— is only a short drive away on the northeast side of the mountain. In the summer, adventure seekers climb technical glacier routes to summit the massive mountain. San Juan Islands These islands are full of opportunity for all types of visitors. Touring the numerous art galleries in Friday Harbor is one option. So is exploring the shops and restaurants on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan islands. Naturalist-guided tours, wildlife spotting, whale watching and world-class sea kayaking are all possibilities, too. Book an evening or two at one of the many warm-and-cozy bed and breakfasts that are widely available throughout the islands.
or camp in the surrounding Cascade Mountains and foothills or take a guided white water rafting trip on the Wenatchee River. Winter is filled with activities such as dogsledding and sleigh rides. Festivals such as the Bavarian Ice Festival in January, Christmas lighting in December and Oktoberfest in the fall. Victoria, B.C. Check out a lush wonderland of plant life year-round at the 55-acre Butchart Gardens before heading into the boutiques filled with local designers’ wares on Johnson Street and Trounce Alley. The architecturally magnificent parliament building is worth a photo op, as is a stroll through the James Bay neighborhood, the city’s oldest, to see stunning historic homes. No trip to Victoria would be complete without high tea at the Empress Hotel.
Olympic Peninsula A few years ago, Forks was just a small town on the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula. Then the Twilight craze took foot. Stephenie Meyer’s vampire books based in this town have transformed Forks into a bonafide tourist destination with Twilight tours leading fans in every direction. There is also so much Snoqualmie Falls more to the Olympic Peninsula, including The views from the top and bottom of national and state parks, rainforests, the 270-foot falls are equally striking. The lakes, mountains, lavender farms and the famed country breakfast at the upscale Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Salish Lodge & Spa, which overlooks the falls, is a perfect spot to get pampered Mount St. Helens National or grab a gourmet bite. The Northwest Volcanic Monument Railway Museum gives visitors a peek at In 1980, this formidable mountain’s a Victorian-era depot and a short train devastating 1980 eruption left the region excursion through the Snoqualmie Valley. covered in ash and destruction. Visitors can learn about it at the park’s visitor Leavenworth center or just ponder the view at the This charming replica of a Bavarian Johnston Ridge Observatory. It’s also a village is a fantastic place to search great place to snowshoe, hike and enjoy for unique gifts and eat schnitzel. the beauty. Plus there’s tons of family fun Leavenworth is also home to more than at the Great Wolf Lodge in nearby Grand 5,000 nutcrackers in the Nutcracker Mound. There’s a water park for kids and Museum. Summer is a great time to hike a spa for mom and dad.
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favorite Attractions:
• Golden Gate Bridge/Park (Zoo) • Alcatraz • Napa/Sonoma Valley • Fisherman’s Wharf • Muir Woods – Redwoods • China Town • Ghiradelli Square
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