Vacation places that inspired you!

[Rich Wong]

Ah, the 2006 FIRST season is over and the feel of summer is approaching fast.
It is time for me to plan a FIRSTer vacation!
Since I have three kids vacation always include an educational piece and sometimes homework too.
I call it “vacations for inspiration and recognition of Science and Technology (vfirst!).”
What do you expect from a FIRSTer.

All my kids know that if they don’t came home with a better understanding of the world, history, science, and technology the vacation was not success.
(Yes, I am evil! Ma ha ha )

Here is my list of my most memorable past vacation places for inspiration and recognition of science and technology: (not in any order)

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC
Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
Ontario Science Museum, Toronto Canada
The Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Virginia Air & Space Center, Hampton, Virginia
Nauticus, The National Maritime Center, USS Wisconsin, Norfolk, VA
Virginia Marine Science Museum, Virginia Beach, VA
Maryland Science Center, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
National Constitution Center Philadelphia, PA
The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island, NY
Museum of the Earth (Paleontological Research Institution), Ithaca, NY
Wright Brothers National Memorial and Visitor Center National Park, NC
Chesapeake Bay Bridge (engineering marvel) - Tunnel, Virginia

I hope some of you will share with us your vacation places and pictures that have inspirited you (it does not always have to be for science & tech! )

[Greg Perkins]

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn was probably one of the most enlightening vacations i've ever gone on. To see the history of autmobiles evolve was awesome. Until you've gone there and seen ALL of the exhibits, you wont be able to truely appreciate all of the technological advances we've overcome in the past 100+ years.

If any of you have not gone, I'll say go before you die....it's really awe-inspiring.

[Kim Masi]

I went to yellowstone national park in wyoming two summers ago. Being able to see all of the animals and the natural wonders of the world was absolutely incredible. The scenery was beautiful and the stars at night were absolutely gorgeous. The best part was it took me away from civilization for a few days.

Yellowstone made me look at nature and develop an appreciation for the natural world...

[Taylor]

To that incredible list I'd have to add the following (no particular order):

1. Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History - home of the best and most comprehensive paleontological mounts IMHO
2. Field Museum, Chicago - close second
3. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson - a spectacular zoo, great for all ages
4. Any national or state or provincial park - they've all got something unique and spectacular to offer
5. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland - the best history lesson in the world
6. Strawberry Field in Central Park, NYC - truly an oasis of peace and love in the Big City
7. Site of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City - to me, a more moving and emotional experience than Ground Zero in NYC. Definitely gives perspective.
8. Cedar Point, Sandusky Ohio - what better way to be inspired by engineering marvels than at the biggest collection of roller coasters?
9. Anything off the beaten path - spur-of-the-moment activities are the best
10. As you travel, visit area college campuses. See what's out there, what other places have to offer, realize what you have. We were particularly impressed with Pepperdine - how awesome it must be to wake up and see the Pacific Ocean out your dorm window every morning.

[coastertux]

Originally Posted by robochik52

I went to yellowstone national park in wyoming two summers ago. Being able to see all of the animals and the natural wonders of the world was absolutely incredible. The scenery was beautiful and the stars at night were absolutely gorgeous. The best part was it took me away from civilization for a few days.

Yellowstone made me look at nature and develop an appreciation for the natural world...

I totally agree, I love vacations out in nature. The past two summers I have been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks to go hiking. This summer I am going up to the Canadian Rockies in the Banf/Jasper area!

[Alan Anderson]

I've gone camping in the mountains of Wyoming every two years for the past quarter century. Getting up out of the soup that most people call air in Indiana is a wonderful way for me to recharge my spirit. You can get lost in the sky up there at night!

[Joe J.]

The Henry Ford as a whole is really amazing, the museum, village, IMAX, and the Rouge Tour. Though I don't consider it a vacation, its less than a half hour away.

Mackinac Island / Bridge
Philmont Scout Ranch, been backpacking there twice.

[lukevanoort]

It's a bit out of the way, but the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada has some absolutely amazing scenery. (Warning: not for those who fear mountain driving)

[EricH]

-the Air Force Museum (OH)
-Yosemite--backpack on one rim or the other. The valley is overrun in summer (but winter is nice and open)
-USS Midway-Permanently moored in San Diego. Maritime Musem is nearby and also good.
-Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

[RoboMadi]

Originally Posted by Rich Wong

I call it “vacations for inspiration and recognition of Science and Technology (vfirst!).”

Well, I've been to the mountains, beeches, plains, road trip etc etc. (actually i just got back from a 11 hour drive back home ).

But as far as 'vFIRST', i would recommend you to visit District of Columbia. I know it sounds kinda weird that how can you find science and technology in the district full of politics.
It took me almost 4 days to go around the whole National Mall area and visit all the great museums around it. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is the most awesome museum though. I prefer you to visit both, downtown and Udvar Hazy Center, because its simply amazing. Also while you are in the district, don't forget to stop by Spy Museum (ever heard of James bond,Ethan, etc and all the cool stuff they use... well you can experience all that technology at the Spy Museum).
Other than that a bit south lies the NASA headquarters and jet propulsion lab. And if you are fond of nature, do visit the National Zoo and the Museum of Natural History.... believe me, it will simply amaze you!

theres a lot to do in the district and if you need any kind of help do let me know. I'm actually an educator with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and would love to give you a brief tour of the museum.

~Imad

[Kim Masi]

Originally Posted by EricH

-USS Midway-Permanently moored in San Diego. Maritime Musem is nearby and also good.

I've been on there as well. One of the most awe-inspiring aircraft carriers. I learned so much about life at sea, and I'm a history buff so yeah I really enjoyed it.

[Rohith Surampudi]

-Yellowstone
-Himalayas
-everglades
-grand canyon
-Mouna loa volcano national park

[Tim Baird]

My two favorite "vacations" (if you can call them that) were my two major projects at WPI, where I spent the better part of two separate summers in Reykjavik, Iceland and London, England.

London is fantastic in all senses if you love old cities with sights to see on every corner. If you love Boston, you'll love London. And the Tube is the most efficient public transportation system that I've ever experienced. Here's some of the pics from my first trip and some from the second trip

Iceland was ridiculous if you love the outdoors like I do. I brought my bike with me and spent every possible moment (when I wasn't working on the project) riding, hiking, and touring the country. Click here for pics from Iceland

Please mind the dead links in those pages, it's a work in progress....

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Rich,
Flagstaf, AZ is a great place to use as a base of operations to see the wonders of the southwest. Indian ruins, extinct volcanoes, a meteor crater, petrified forest and the Grand Canyon are all with a few hours of this city. In town, on Friday nights, they had tours through the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered. A slightly longer drive north will take you to Monument Valley and Four Corners National Monument. If you wanted to continue into Colorado, you can't beat the Durango to Silverton Railroad for scenic beauty beyond belief.

[billbo911]

I know this is from the left coast, but I still think it is worth mentioning.

One word: Yosemite

As close to Heaven on earth as you will find anywhere.