Myrtle Beach

America’s wavering economy along with swelling gas prices have tampered with vacationers’ travel plans throughout the summer, leaving many travelers in the lurch. As wallets continue to tighten and stress levels rise, Americans are realizing just how much they need and deserve a vacation getaway that for now seems to be tossed on the backburner.

But despite fuel costs and financial worries, there is good news on the horizon for determined vacationers! As the seasons transition, Americans don’t have to throw in the towel on travel for the rest of the year. Simply learn to travel smarter by taking extended weekend getaways during the autumn shoulder season.

There are many ways to cut costs and allow for a fabulous fall trip. Here are some insider tips that will help you de-stress and recharge, while getting the most for your travel dollar:

Structure a Budget

First and foremost, figure out what you can realistically afford for your next trip, and stick to your guns. Create budget estimates for each vacation day, from meals to attractions, and even highway tolls. By understanding how much you have available before leaving home, you’ll save yourself the headache of ATM overdraws and never-ending credit card bills once you return from your trip.

Make a Smart Destination Choice and Create a Realistic Timeframe

Choose a destination that is close enough to reach quickly and cost-efficiently, but is a world away in ambiance. Do your homework and peruse through guidebooks, travel blogs, Web sites and newspaper and magazine reviews for destinations that provide climate-friendly options in which to spend a relaxing long weekend.

Choose the Right Accommodations

Select a hotel with an in-room kitchen efficiency so you don’t have to eat every meal in restaurants (that gets expensive!), and find a nearby grocery store so you can stock up with a few provisions. You’ll be amazed at how much money eating cereal for breakfast and packing cold cuts for lunch can save you each day. If you’re traveling with a larger group or family, check out beach homes, condos, timeshares and villa rentals, which can turn out to be a much less expensive option, per person.

Now is the time to also look for deals and offerings such as free nights, complimentary parking, or special incentives (like gas cards). With fewer people traveling these days, many hotels are offering attractive deals to get visitors in the door.

Research Affordable Activities

Seek out a destination with lots of activities that are free or highly affordable. When researching things to do or see in a destination, find attractions that will stretch your dollar the farthest. Savvy travelers will also plan in advance to save money through online coupons and deals. As a bonus, you’ll reduce stress while on vacation because your itinerary is already set.

By following the above tips, you’ll surely find and enjoy a long weekend break that fits within your budget. One terrific place you might wish to consider when putting these tips to the test is the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. Known best as an affordable, budget-friendly vacation destination with a vast variety of accommodations, meals and attractions to suit every visitor, this is a great option for the smart traveler. Here’s why:

Location and Weather
Boasting a mild climate and perpetually temperate weather, Myrtle Beach is a great destination choice year round, especially in the autumn. Its pristine coastline, affectionately called the Grand Strand, is the star attraction here. Stretching for 60 miles, travelers have access to all kinds of public beaches and oceanfront access, from state parks to picturesque waterways — the perfect oasis away from the stress of everyday life.

Quality Accommodations with Perks
With a variety of accommodations from which to choose, including many updated and spacious beachfront condos with kitchens and additional seasonal promotions, Myrtle Beach offers great deals for saving money on food and lodging costs.

A Variety of Affordable Activities
Whether it’s hitting Myrtle Beach State Park to enjoy the pristine beach for pennies or even popping a quick game of miniature golf — Myrtle Beach is the Miniature Golf Capital of the World — there are plenty of options to have fun on a budget in Myrtle Beach.

For further incentives, vacationers can get a great bang for their buck at Myrtle Beach’s acclaimed attractions. At Brookgreen Gardens, a beautiful nature oasis on the site of four former rice plantations, your entry ticket is good for an entire week. And if you visit Hard Rock Park — the world’s first 140-acre, music-themed amusement park — on the day of a big-name concert, you’ll be admitted free to that evening’s concert.

The moral of the story? If you’re itching to use some of those precious vacation days for an extended weekend this fall, choose a destination that has it all within reach. With the right combination of budget-friendly activities, great weather, and a mix of fun and relaxation, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable and much-deserved getaway.

For more information visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle1 (888-697-8531).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hotel Blue Fabulous Fall Super Saver

Fabulous Fall Super Saver includes oceanfront accommodations and discounted prices for bowling at Hotel Blue’s sister resort. (Bowling and entertainment center located one block away.) $38-53 per night. Sunday to Thursday. Excludes Nov. 26-29, 2008. For more information, visit www.hotelBluemb.com or call (800) 843-3466.

Springmaid Resort

Buy three nights of the Bed & Breakfast package at Springmaid Beach Resort and get the fourth night and breakfast free. Enjoy this great deal, plus Springmaid’s all ocean view rooms, six pools (two heated) , two lazy rivers, fitness center, onsite restaurants, full sized in-room refrigerators and microwaves, plus the famous Springmaid Pier.

Bed & Breakfast package includes:
- Nightly lodging (Sunday through Thursday)
- Daily hot buffet breakfast
- Free admission to Springmaid Pier
- Resort miniature golf course discounts

Rates from:
$44/person 8/31-10/2/08
$39/person 10/5-10/24/08
$34/person 10/26-11/26/08

Rates based on standard resort room, double occupancy. Limited availability. Restrictions apply. Friday/Saturday and holiday rates available — additional charges apply. For more information call (866) 764-8501 or visit http://www.springmaidbeach.com/specials.html.

Marina Inn Fall Family Fun

Five Nights of Fall Family Fun for $999. Includes accommodations in a Grande Guest room for five nights, 1/2-day boat rental on a 22-foot FunDeck Boat, four general admission tickets to Hard Rock Park or four “Ticket to Play” passes that include top rated attractions at Broadway at the Beach and full breakfast each morning in Waterscapes, the Marina Inn’s signature restaurant. No blackout dates! Valid through December 31, 2008. For more information call (877) 913-1333 or visit www.marinainnatgrandedunes.com/familyfun.

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National Parks Volcanoes

Fourth of July fireworks are already fading, but you can still enjoy a different kind of light show this summer. Throughout America’s National Park System, volcanoes are putting on a natural fireworks display, according to the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

Nearly 40 national parks throughout the National Park System boast a volcanic history or theme. Parks protect a wide variety of volcanic landscapes, ranging from the largest volcano in the world at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, to the smaller but equally beautiful Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Arizona.

“The National Park System preserves many of our country’s magnificent volcanoes, both active and dormant,” says Ron Tipton, NPCA senior vice president of programs. “The protection of these inspirational national parks enables our children and grandchildren to witness them in the same condition we were able to.”

National parks offer a safe and educational environment for viewing some of the most awe-inspiring natural features our country has to offer, including active volcanoes. For instance:

* California’s Lassen Peak first erupted in 1914, and continued sporadically for the next seven years. The peak is the southernmost volcano in the Cascade chain, which stretches into Canada. In 1916 the federal government officially established Lassen Volcanic National Park. Today, visitors can find numerous bubbling hydrothermal areas throughout the park, along with a rich diversity of plant and animal life. For more information go to www.npca.org/parks/lassen-volcanic-national-park.html.

*Mount Rainier in Washington is the highest peak in the Cascade Range at 14,410 feet. An active volcano, Rainier could one day threaten the surrounding Seattle region. Rainier is considered a stratovolcano, composed of many layers of hardened lava, ash and debris from explosive eruptions. Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899. Today, the park is known for its bicycling, hiking, and climbing opportunities. For more information, go to www.npca.org/parks/mount-rainier-national-park.html.

* In Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve features two active stratovolcanoes – Iliamna and Redoubt. The last eruption of Mount Redoubt, between 1989 and 1990, was extremely devastating and costly. It significantly affected both the aviation and oil industries, as well as some individuals’ health, demonstrating just how hazardous these majestic mountains can be. Both volcanoes are thought to be close to 1 million years old. Today, the best way to view the volcanoes is by airplane. In addition, Lake Clark offers numerous hiking and boating opportunities for visitors. For more information on the park, go to www.npca.org/parks/lake-clark-national-park.html.

* Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916 to study and protect the impressive volcanic features of Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world, and Kilauea is one of the most active. Kilauea has been erupting since 1983, except for several short pauses. Hundreds of lava tubes, steam vents, sea arches, cracks and caves exist throughout the park, as well as active craters and calderas. Most are accessible by trails, which offer stunning views for park visitors. For more information on visiting the park, go to www.npca.org/parks/hawaii-volcanoes-national-park.html.

In a new assessment of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks noted damage to historic park structures as a result of seismic activity. In addition, the park periodically experiences closures due to high levels of sulfur dioxide, which can be dangerous to visitors. This spring, the park was closed for a period of time. Although the park has reopened to visitors, NPCA recommends travelers first check the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/havo or contact the National Park Service for information regarding closures.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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A Once in a Lifetime Visit with Monet, Picasso and More

This summer, there is only one place to be to see works from the likes of Renoir, Degas, Monet, van Gogh, Dali, Picasso and Matisse. Don’t book an airline ticket to Europe, this acclaimed exhibition will take place at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.

“Monet to Picasso from the Cleveland Museum of Art” features works by the leading artists of the European modernist movements dating from 1864 to 1964. More than 70 paintings, drawings and sculptures by the luminaries of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Dadaism, Cubism and Surrealism are gathered together in a single place.

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is one of only four North American venues chosen to host the marquee international touring exhibition. Art enthusiasts should plan now to attend between June 23 and September 21, 2008.

The exhibition was most recently featured in Vancouver, where over 200,000 patrons viewed these master works. Prior to that, more than a half million visitors attended shows in Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul.

“The works of art that comprise the exhibition are by some of the world’s most loved artists and together, they tell the fascinating story of the development of European modernism from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century,” says Gretchen Dietrich, director of public programs and curatorial affairs for the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. “We are proud to be hosting an exhibition of this caliber and confident that all those to come to see the exhibition and participate in the public programming we’ve organized to compliment it, will have a memorable and thrilling experience.”

The show features a total of 74 masterful works of art including seven works by Pablo Picasso, seven sculptures by Auguste Rodin, five works by Claude Monet and two Vincent van Gogh masterpieces.

Visitors will enjoy such recognizable pieces as Monet’s soft and expansive “Wheat Field”, Gauguin’s seductive “In the Waves” and Picasso’s dark and complex “Harlequin with Violin”.

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, engages visitors in discovering meaningful connections with the artistic expressions of the world’s cultures. The museum also serves as a teaching, learning and research resource for the University.

While the museum expects hundreds of visitors from across the United States to see the likes of Gauguin and Miro, Dietrich also recommends those unfamiliar with the area take in the sights around Salt Lake City. Any time a traveler chooses to visit during the run of the exhibition is the perfect time to take advantage of Utah’s summer and fall weather for hiking, golfing and exploring the area’s national parks.

For more information on the “Monet to Picasso from the Cleveland Museum of Art” exhibition at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, please visit www.umfa.utah.edu.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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”Vacations continue to be very important to Americans, and even a sluggish economy won’t stop people from enjoying their much-deserved time off,” says Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandising for Orbitz.com. “Hotels have been offering up great deals this summer, so there has never been a better time to plan a road trip.”

To encourage travelers to hit the road for their summer trip, the Orbitz Insiders have found fun-filled destinations within 300 miles of ten major U.S. cities. From the East Coast to the West Coast, and the South to the Midwest, the ten often-overlooked destinations featured are easily accessible by car and a good bet for the whole family.

Local Destinations within 300 Miles of American Cities

* If you live near New York City try Lake George, N.Y.
* If you live near Los Angeles try Palm Springs, Calif.
* If you live near Chicago try Milwaukee, Wis.
* If you live near Philadelphia try The Poconos, Pa.
* If you live near Boston try Newport, R.I.
* If you live near San Francisco try Monterey/Carmel, Calif.
* If you live near Dallas/Ft. Worth try Houston, Texas.
* If you live near Washington, D.C. try Williamsburg, Va.
* If you live near Atlanta try Savannah, Ga.
* If you live near Houston try Corpus Christi, Texas.

Lake George, N.Y.

Just three hours from Manhattan and located in Adirondack Park, scenic Lake George provides a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Although Lake George offers outdoor activities year-round, summer is the perfect time to bike scenic roads or remote trails, take a leisurely canoe ride, thrash through rapids or horseback ride across the picturesque fields and mountains.

Palm Springs, Calif.

West Coasters seeking a desert oasis with a modern twist know that Palm Springs is the go-to spot for world-class dining and the quiet beauty of the desert. Rich in history and blessed with glorious weather, Palm Springs boasts a vibrant downtown area featuring quaint shops, galleries, eateries and coffeehouses. For those simply looking for an indulgent escape, visit one of Palm Springs’ famous spas and prepare to be awed by the variety of services offered.

Newport, R.I.

An hour and a half from Boston, Newport is fitting for both the young and the old as it combines a lively waterfront downtown with the history and grace of the Gilded Age mansions. The local yacht club hosts free waterfront festivals and outdoor concerts throughout the summer, leaving you with plenty of funds to enjoy the great restaurants and local shops.

Williamsburg, Va.

Colonial Williamsburg is a throwback to the “days of yore” and home to the largest living history museum in the United States. Historic trade demonstrations, dramatic vignettes and interactive programs happen daily, and four historical taverns offer unique 18th century menus. Children and adults alike will be swept up by the historical surroundings, as even homes, public buildings, and shops are furnished with objects from Colonial Williamsburg’s extensive collection of English and American antiques and reproductions made by local trade people.

Savannah, Ga.

Home to charming cobblestone streets and just a few hours from Atlanta, Savannah combines Southern hospitality with modern-day luxury. A favorite way to see the city is by taking a tour to experience the rich culture and history of Savannah and its breathtaking coastline. More than 20 tour companies are available, specializing in a particular aspect of the city from its homes and gardens to its role in the Civil War to its famous ghost stories.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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They’re finding it in Ohio’s Amish country, home to the largest population of Amish in the United States (not Lancaster, PA, as many assume). Convenient to both the Akron and Cleveland airports, the area draws tourists from all over the country as well as from neighboring states within driving distance. Visitors can enjoy the area’s scenic farmland, old-fashioned dining, and of course the sights and handicrafts of Amish life.

And families don’t have to break the bank to find fun in the region. Here are six ideas for things to see and do in Ohio’s Amish country – many of them free:

1. The Midwest has the legendary Wall Drug Store and Ohio has Lehman’s, an old-fashioned hardware store founded in 1955 by Jay Lehman. Established in Kidron, the central marketplace for the Amish country area, the store started out by serving the needs of the Amish community. While it’s evolved considerably since then, the store and its online outlet still emphasize old-fashioned items like non-electric appliances, hand tools, hand-cranked housewares, oil lamps and museum quality antiques.

Recently, the family-owned business purchased an historic barn built in the 1840s, moved it to the store site and rebuilt it (with the help of an old-fashioned Amish barn-raising) in preparation for expanding its operation. When completed, the new store will be more than 30,000 square feet – over twice the size of the original store – and will offer interactive displays, historical information, product demonstrations, café and coffee shop, indoor and outdoor seating and a high-tech theater. The hand-hewn barn will also serve as an historic landmark for Wayne County. You can visit the store’s Web site, www.lehmans.com, to learn more.

2. Your family may not be in the market to buy a prize-winning heifer, or even a few chickens, but the kids will still enjoy a turn through the Kidron Auction Livestock Sale and Flea Market. Held every Thursday (except on Amish holidays), the auction is Ohio’s oldest consignment livestock market. Admission is free and food vendors are on hand with traditional Amish country fare as well as kid-friendly cuisine.

On special days in spring and summer, large machinery sales also take place. For sale dates and more information, call (800) 589-9749 or (330) 857-2641.

3. Shrock’s Amish Farm in Berlin, Ohio offers a unique window into the Amish lifestyle with guided home tours, a farm animal petting area, Amish buggy rides and shopping. To learn more, call (330) 893-3232.

4. For a real taste of Amish tastes, dine at the Amish Door Village restaurant. The 30-year-old establishment serves hearty Amish-style meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed on Sundays, the restaurant serves delicious fare that’s great for kids – who often crave familiar and simple foods while on vacation. Two locations serve travelers and locals alike in Wooster and Wilmot, Ohio. Carriage rides are available and the restaurant also offers a bed and breakfast.

5. Public gardens or plant nurseries are great places for kids to either blow off some steam with free run of the grounds or quiet down and learn something about botanical life. Quailcrest Farm, located in Wooster, Ohio, offers both gardens and greenhouse. Visitors can stroll (or frolic) through the gardens then stop by the 12,000-square-foot greenhouse for some gardening advice from the farm’s professional growers. Special events and programs take place throughout the year. Call (330) 345-6722 for more information.

6. Vacationers know shopping is not a spectator sport and Ohio’s Amish country offers diverse wares in rustic as well as modern environments. At P. Graham Dunn Woodworking and Laser Art Gallery in Dalton, visitors can watch craftsmen engrave inspirational messages on wood items, tour the laser room and browse a beautiful gallery filled with great gift ideas. In Mt. Hope, Homestead Furniture showcases high quality hand-tooled hardwood furniture in a 27,000-square-foot showroom. Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek provides tours and samples of hand-dipped confections, from chocolates, homemade caramels and truffles to nuts and a great selection of sugar-free items. Finally, drop in to Walnut Creek Cheese for a variety of locally made cheeses, meats, jams, jellies, kitchen supplies and homemade ice cream.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Of course, there are other top places to see when on the Las Vegas Strip. For the sake of its being a piece of Las Vegas’ history, the Flamingo should be on anyone’s tour agenda. Its disastrous beginnings led to the untimely death of mobster Bugsy Siegel, but the unlike the person who championed the building of the hotel and casino, the Flamingo survived and is now home to Jimmy Buffett’s famous restaurant Margaritaville. Another casino with a lot of history is Caesar’s Palace. Home of the Mesa Grill and show great Celine Dion, this resort is built to resemble the opulence of a Roman court. Over the decades, Caesar’s Palace was home to such show greats as Liberace, George Burns, and Frank Sinatra. Later on boxing became a magnet for this establishment, and aficionados of the sport will forever connect Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns with this casino.

While Caesar’s Palace should be on everyone’s to do list simply for its historic value to The Strip, the Bellagio hotel and casino should be included simply because of its present day allure. The brainchild of Steve Wynn, this monument features the famous fountain show outside, as well as the much talked about Cirque du Soleil production entitled “O” inside. Catering to the sophisticated clientele, the Bellagio is also home of the Gallery of Fine Art. Another reason to visit this new resort is the fact that it stands on the parcel of land previously home to The Dunes Hotel, which was imploded in 1993.

Another must see that is located on the site of an old casino from yesteryear is the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino. Once the parcel of land taken up by the Sands Hotel, this piece of property is now once again inhabited by an alluring establishment. The Sands was the playground of the Rat Pack as well as of the political who’s who of the day. Today’s Venetian is a study in culture, awe inspiring architecture, and the adherence to a theme that all but seems impossible. When you visit the Venetian, be sure to stay for a performance of the Blue Man Group and also take a peek at the art displayed in the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum. More than anything, the perfection with which this resort has been designed and the amazing attention to detail that goes into the day to day operations of every aspect of the casino is well worth the trip.

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Home to some of the most expensive real estate on earth (over $600 per square foot in some cases), the street featured in dozens of films deserves its acclaim. Whether south to the Flatiron Building at 23rd Street (the first cast iron ’skyscraper’) or up to midtown to north of 88th, there’s more to see and do here alone than in all of most cities.

Take a tour of the New York Public Library at 42nd street and say ‘Hello’ to the stone lions outside, Patience and Fortitude. Enjoy the park in the rear, where outdoor markets are held. Walk through the hallowed halls inside and take in one of the world’s great libraries.

Wander up to midtown to the ‘city within the city’: Rockefeller Center. A dozen high rise buildings, a skating rink and dozens of shops and restaurants compete for attention.

Only a few blocks up from this 52nd Street marvel is 57th where the visitor can take in Tiffany’s. Upstairs is where they keep the really good stuff. Bergdorf Goodman’s is right next door if you simply must have one of the world’s most expensive raincoats. Cartier’s is not far away.

And don’t forget to take a photo by the huge red ‘9′ at 9 West 57th, in front of the spectacular curved glass building there. Former headquarters of Avon, from the cafeteria on the 33rd floor you can see all the way up Central Park and downtown to the former World Trade Center site.

Nearby, at 59th Street, is the world renowned Plaza Hotel across the street from the bottom of Central Park. Have a drink in the bar and imagine Cary Grant – who used to have a suite at the hotel – walking through and sitting down.

Sit on the steps and look at the fountain and the white stone tower of GM Plaza. Stop in at FAO Schwarz, the world’s most interesting toy store.

Board one of the horse-drawn carts and take a trip up 5th Avenue alongside or through the park. Or, if you’re in a hurry, hail a cab and zoom up to 82nd Street and the Metropolitan Museum. Here’s a treasure trove of 6,000 years of art in a 19th century setting inside and out.

After your tour, sit outside on the steps and have a hot dog while you people watch. Through these Greek columned doors pass thousands from all over the world, often in fascinating native dress.

And for poetry lovers, just up and across the street is the Goethe Institute, dedicated to the 19th century dramatist and poet. Here you can rest and see films, hear small concerts and lectures, and enjoy the ambiance.

Just up the street is the famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim. A work of modern art itself, the spiral layer-cake building houses late 20th century works along the walls of a spectacular atrium.

On your way back down, catch The Frick Collection at 70th Street. One of the world’s great small museums. A medium-sized mansion, but every room is itself a work of art and the collection rivals that of any in New York or Paris.

Enjoy the street that was famous long before Fred Astaire sang and danced on it. When you’re done, you’ll be dancing too.

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With two skating rinks, horseback riding, and skating and bicycle trails, the athletic won’t want for anything that suits their taste. For those who enjoy a more leisurely pace, the many sculptures, lakes and bird species provide ample opportunities for just gazing.

Largely grass dotted with trees and shrubs, there are nonetheless sidewalks all around and through the park for strolls and people watching. Plenty of that can be had, since the park is visited by some 25 million annually. Even so, the once fearsome crime rate has dropped to at or below every other urban park in the world.

Winding through the park is a 6mi (10km) road along which travel cars as well as the occasional horse-drawn cart. The romantic ride is still a favorite activity more than a hundred years after the service began. It makes for an especially relaxing treat during the Fall when the leaves turn to red and gold.

Several other roads cut through the middle of the park, though with restricted hours, to make cross-town car travel more convenient. Beware the zooming taxis!

The Central Park Zoo is modest cost and houses Tamarin monkeys, large cats and a wide variety of other animals, not the least of which is Gus the Polar Bear. Long one of the lesser zoos in the US, it enjoyed a renaissance in the 1990s and now joins Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn and Queens Zoo in Queens as one of the city’s major attractions.

Along the edges of the park there are several museums, including one of the world’s great storehouses of art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street. Low-cost and varied, art lovers should be prepared to spend a day or two if they wish to see the entire 6,000 year collection.

The Natural History Museum is sited on the west side of the park at 79th Street and Central Park West. Here the collection is, ahem, somewhat older than 6,000 years with artifacts dating back, in some cases, millions.

In between these two jewels are several other sites and activities to interest the culture-lover. During the summer, Shakespeare in the Park attracts thousands of devotees of the bard, and the Metropolitan Opera puts on two concerts per year, as well. The New York Philharmonic often gets into the act, traveling a block from Lincoln Center to put on an open-air concert.

Before the concert, a glass of wine or a fine meal can be had at the renowned Tavern on the Green restaurant. Be sure to make reservations several months in advance, though.

While you’re at the park, looking at things new and old, don’t miss seeing the ancient Egyptian Obelisk. It isn’t often you see centuries old sculptures in the middle of the world’s most modern cities.

Enjoy!

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But those mundane facts give no hint of the excitement to be found within those boundaries. Built atop a set of underground corridors, known as ‘the catacombs’, the area is home to restaurants, shops, NBC Studios, a skating rink and much more.

Take a stroll around the plaza and watch the ice skaters, or join in! From the plaza level (the rink is sunken), above the skaters you can see the giant, prone Prometheus sculpture.

Above the gilded Prometheus, bringing fire to mankind, is the massive 70-story RCA (now General Electric) tower, housing the Rainbow Room and the observation deck. The Rainbow Room is on the 65th floor and makes for a memorable meal to accompany unforgettable Art Deco décor.

The observation deck, Top of the Rock, has re-opened after a 20-year closure and the view is spectacular. The spires of the steel-gargoyled Chrysler Tower and the Art Deco Empire State Building are clearly visible, as is much of the rest of Manhattan.

The deck sits atop the famous Raymond Hood designed RCA Building. Home to the well-known, and still going strong, Radio Corporation of America, the tower is an architectural landmark.

And, if you visit during the Christmas holiday period, you can watch the lighting of the 50 foot (or more) Christmas tree here. Don’t forget to walk around and spend some time taking in the sights, including the huge Atlas statue, bearing a ringed world on his shoulders.

The Channel Gardens make for a peaceful retreat from the beehive below. Sited between La Maison Francaise and the British Empire Building, they’re an oasis on a concrete island.

Several days could be spent taking tours alone. NBC offers a tour of the studio, and the glass-walled area outside makes for interesting viewing. Radio City Music Hall, the famous theater that still “lines ‘em up around the block” has one as well. Home to The Rockettes, the theater offers musical performances in the evenings.

Shops line several of the ground level buildings, including the popular Nikon House which attracts photographers from all over the world. All around are ample opportunities to find things and people worth snapping, as well. This part of the complex is heavily traveled.

But the shops and restaurants don’t stop at ground level. In the Underground Concourse fast food and other dining, clothing boutiques, card stores and a blizzard of other stores can be found. For those who missed it uptown, the Metropolitan Museum has a store in the complex as well.

The ‘catacombs’ connect 14 of the complex’s main buildings, so take a little walking tour under Sixth Avenue. With nearby subway entrances running through the concourse, travel to and from the Center is easy from any part of the city.

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The Eero Saarinen designed edifice is at the apogee of the International Style. Saarinen, a Finnish born architect of world-renown, also designed the elegant Washington DC airport terminal. The CBS building is his only skyscraper.

The building’s dark gray exterior is formed by straight-to-the-sky concrete pillars clad in Canadian black granite alternating with darkened glass. It appears almost as a modern version of a medieval castle, with an inviting plaza substituted for a drawbridge.

Completed in 1965, the building still houses the CBS corporate headquarters where decisions affecting billions are made and the structure is as serious as its purpose. Yet its stark beauty is undeniable.

It was the first skyscraper to use a reinforced concrete support frame rather than steel. Departing aesthetically as well as technologically it deviates boldly from the strict International Style. It is not just another flat glass and metal box. It has panache.

CBS in New York has a lighter side, though.

Down the block at 524 West 57th St are the headquarters of CBS News and the main broadcast facility for both radio and TV. Here the outrageous and the serious share office and broadcasting space.

Inside the building the glitzy gossip show ‘Inside Edition’ is taped. Just around the corner, CBS News intones its views to the world. Popular soap operas weep daily from the studios here.

CBS owns two other major studio centers in Manhattan: Studio 58 inside the General Motors building at 58th St and Fifth Avenue, and the Ed Sullivan Theater (Studio 50) at 1697 Broadway.

The Early Show is taped daily at the Studio 58 facility and David Letterman airs nightly from Studio 50. Outside the Ed Sullivan theater the David Letterman Show sign is prominent.

Whether world-class architecture is to your taste, or you just want to sit in on one of the tapings for The Early Show or David Letterman, CBS has something to offer every tourist.

Tours and tickets are available for those who plan in advance. But, if your visit is spur-of-the-moment, you might still be able to pick up tickets at the Times Square discount booth TKTS.

Selling tickets primarily for Broadway shows, the booth sometimes has spare tickets for TV shows. Also ticket scalpers tend to hang around the area, so keep your ears open and you just might be able to get something on the sly.

And, if you just want to enjoy a stellar meal at the base of one of the world’s finest examples of architecture, the restaurant inside the CBS building plaza is first rate.

Related posts:

1. Travel: New York – The Empire State Building
2. New York: The Chrysler Building
3. New York – Fifth Avenue