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Kinzua Bridge- Mt Jewett, PA
Kinzua Bridge is an excellent example of both an early civil engineering marvel, and the awesome power of nature. Visually stunning, it's definitely worth the detour to see in person.
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Union Station Hotel- Nashville, TN
Opened in 1900 as an elegant urban railroad station, Nashville’s Union Station has found lasting success as an elegant luxury hotel. Far removed from the chaos of Lower Broadway, it’s a quiet oasis, filled with reminders of its past life. Designed by Richard Montfort for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the massive Richardsonian Romanesque structure was a symbol of Nashville’s strategic importance to the company. Built of Bowling Green gray aslar limestone, with large semicircular arches and a clock tower capped by Mercury, the station instantly became a Nashville icon. Inside, passengers were greeted by a 65 foot, barrel vaulted, luminous prism stained glass ceiling, highlighting the prestige associated with…
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Fort Worth Stockyards- FW, TX
Located just a few miles north of downtown Fort Worth, the Stockyards National Historic District is a living reminder of the American West. Granted, a sanitized, tourist friendly version, but one with enough authenticity to be interesting. Although Fort Worth was long a stop along the fabled Chisolm Trail, which moved Texas cattle up to Kansas for distribution, the Stockyards District was a product of the westward expansion of railroads in the late 1800s. With the arrival of service to Fort Worth in 1876, the city became a major shipping point for livestock. By the end of the century, several meat packing plants, including Armour and Swift, were established near…
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La Fonda on The Plaza- Santa Fe, NM
The best historic hotels are those that effectively reflect a sense of both time and place. Hotels that capture the essence of the surrounding community, as well as the era when they were constructed. In this regard, as well as all others, La Fonda on The Plaza nails it. While an inn has been located in La Fonda’s present location on the Santa Fe Plaza for hundreds of years, the current hotel most recently replaced the 1851 Exchange Hotel, a one story flat roofed adobe structure, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. By the early 1900s, this building was considered dated, and didn’t fit the new architectural ideal of…
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Bow Valley Parkway & Johnston Canyon- Banff NP, AB
Although there are faster ways to get from Banff to Lake Louise than the Bow Valley Parkway, its not always about the destination. This short scenic drive offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, views of the surrounding mountains, and access to the Johnston Canyon trailhead, one of the most popular hikes in the park. In fact, you may never even make it to Lake Louise. Although there are several stops along the parkway, the 8000 year old Johnston Canyon is perhaps the most popular. Here, a cantilevered trail winds through a lush limestone canyon, past several stunning waterfalls. An extension of the trail ascends to a serene alpine meadow studded with…
