Quirky Attractions

Dulles Flyer: See Air China’s Inaugural Flight into IAD

Inaugural Air China Flight to Dulles June 10, 2014
Inaugural Air China Flight to Dulles June 10, 2014

Dulles International Airport (IAD) in will welcome Air China’s inaugural arrival from Beijing to Washington, DC on Tuesday June 10, 2014 with a special ceremony.

Twenty-five lucky members of the public will be invited to view the aircraft landing and the ceremonial water arch of Air China’s first flight into IAD. 

In addition to viewing the landing of Air China’s first flight, guests will attend a VIP Ceremony and ribbon cutting at the Main Terminal.

Would you like to be a part of this exciting event?

Click here to enter for a chance at an invitation.  Entries must be received by 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2014.

Participants will be transported via mobile lounge to the airfield.  Upon conclusion of the landing and aircraft parking, the mobile lounge will return to the Main Terminal where participants are invited to attend the Air China Inaugural Ceremony.

Air China will offer four nonstop flights per week to Beijing beginning June 10, 2014.

Portraits Alive! Smithsonian Teen Program

Portraits Alive!
Portraits Alive!

Summer vacation is almost upon us, but it’s not too late to think about fun activities for that awkward age:  teenagers 14 to 16 years old.  They are too old to go to summer camp, and too young to get a job.  Or something like that.

Here’s a novel idea for a practically free three-week summer program offered by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Portraits Alive! is a museum theater program based on people in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

Students create a collaborative museum-theater piece after choosing a portrait from the museum’s collection.  Each program participant writes and performs an original vignette to accompany the portrait.

Okay, so my kid wouldn’t be interested in this program in a million years, but maybe you know someone who would!  Some of the students are actors, others are writers or have an interest in history.  Check out this short video of last year’s performers on You Tube.

The fee for the three-week program is just $100, which defrays the costs for costuming, dry-cleaning, workshops, and supplies.  Teens can earn community service hours for their participation.  

There are two sessions this year:

  • Session 1: June 30 through July 18, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Session 2: July 22 through August 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The National Portrait Gallery has just extended the application deadline for the program until June 6, 2014.  E-mail ProvostG@si.edu to request an application.  Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by Monday, June 9 2014.

The National Portrait Gallery is not the stuffy museum you might imagine.

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The Most Family Fun You Can Have in Vegas for Under Ten Bucks

Pinball Hall of Fame in Las VegasI
Wall to Wall Pinball Machines at the
Pinball Hall of Fame, Las Vegas

The Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas houses the world’s largest pinball collection, with over 200 vintage games available for play.  

The games are from the 1950s to the 1990s, and have been meticously restored and maintained by pinball maven Tim Arnold.  

We met with Arnold when we were in Vegas in 2012, and he graciously  explained everything that goes into running such an enormous operation.

The Pinball Hall of Fame

There’s no admission charge, and all the older pinballs are set to 25 cents per play, with newer 1990s models set to 50 cents per play.

You and your family can have a lot of fun here for a roll of quarters!

The museum is a nonprofit, and all proceeds go to local charities, such as the Salvation Army.

Arnold says:

I like the Salvation Army a lot because they’re kinda like us. They’re downtown on the cheap side, and they put all their emphasis on the areas that need emphasis, and not a lot on hierarchy and organization.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is located about 2.4 miles east of the strip at:  1610 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV.  The museum is open every day from 11 am to 11 pm, except Friday and Saturday, when it stays open until midnight.

Fantasia at the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas
Fantasia at the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas
Photo by Joel Shprentz

The Neon Museum Family Activities

Another Las Vegas Institution well worth a visit is the Neon Museum and its boneyard of discarded signs from casinos from days gone by.

Our family greatly enjoyed our visit to the boneyard.

If you are looking for some family friendly activities in Las Vegas, the Neon Museum has expanded its educational programming to include a series of events for kids and families. 

Here are a couple of noteworthy events for kids coming up:

  • Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to noon – Orienteering in the Boneyard.  Families will use compasses to participate in a maze-version scavenger hunt in the famous Neon Boneyard.  Appropriate for people of all ages
  • Saturday, May 24, 2 to 4 p.m. – Drawing History in 3D.  Children will learn how to draw their own 3D/anaglyph sign based on historic signs in the Neon Museum’s collection and make their own 3D-viewing glasses.  Recommended for kindergartners through sixth graders.

Family drop-in events are free and open to the public.  All children must be accompanied by an adult. Register by sending an email to education@neonmuseum.org.

Sign Design: Past, Present and Future

On Tuesday, April 22, the Neon Museum will host its next PRISM Times of the Signs event, a panel discussion:  “Sign Design: Past, Present and Future.”

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Around The World in Eighty Minutes

2014 Around the World Embassy Tour
Embassy of Spain Open House

More than 50 embassies representing six continents open their doors to visitors on Saturday May 3, 2014 from 10 am to 4 pm for the annual Around the World Embassy Tour in Washington, DC.  

Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, and music of different countries.

Last year, offerings included karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, and henna demonstrations.

These events are a not just an exhibit of diplomacy.  According to the Washington Post:

…the real reason everyone loves them so much is because if you play it right, the day is an all-you-can-eat buffet. With booze!

2014 Around the World Embassy Tour
Embassy of Malaysia Open House

This year, 54 embassies are participating:

Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea,  Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine,  Venezuela,  Zambia, and League of Arab States.

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Europe on Less Than $5 a Day

European Embassies Open House 2014
Embassy of Finland Open House

One of the fun things about living in Washington, DC is access to the cultural offerings of the embassies:  concerts, art exhibits, films, and receptions.

On Saturday May 10, 2014, 28 embassies from European countries will open their doors to the public for the annual European Union (EU) Embassies’ Open House.

The free event, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm, is a day of family fun, food, and culture.  The open houses offer visitors a look inside the embassies and provide a unique opportunity to experience the cultural heritage and national traditions of the 28 member countries of the European Union.

2014 EU Embassy Open House
Embassy of the Netherlands Open House

A free shuttle bus runs between the embassies, allowing you to maximize your experience of traditional music, dance, food, film, and art.  

I’ve heard that you can tell which embassies are offering free food by how long the lines are!

This year, participating embassies include:  Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, France and the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Delegation of the European Union, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Republic of Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden.

Here are a few of the highlights that caught my eye:

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Darn Tough Socks Make My Day

Darn Tough Vermont Socks
Darn Tough Vermont Socks

Experienced travelers know that the key to a pleasant journey is comfortable footwear.

When we were in Vermont last fall, I discovered some great Merino wool socks at a local outfitter — Sam’s in Brattleboro.

Sam’s occupies at least three buildings in downtown Brattleboro, across the street from the Latchis Hotel where we stayed.

It is one of those stores with an endless selection of hats, gloves, coats, boots, sweaters, and of course socks.

The socks — Darn Tough Vermont — are manufactured in the Green Mountain State.

I bought a couple of pairs, and now I am a convert.

There are a variety of styles for men, women, and children:  socks for hiking; socks for skiing; socks for running; and socks for everyday wear.

The socks come in different weights, sizes, lengths, and colors, and they all have an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

If our socks are not the most comfortable, durable and best fitting socks you have ever owned, return them for another pair, or your money back.

Vermont Country Store
Vermont Country Store

These socks are expensive, but sometimes you can find bargains on last year’s styles.  I wear mine around the house, for walking the dog, and when I know I’ll have to take my shoes off  at airport security.

You can purchase the Darn Tough socks directly from the manufacturer.

They are also available from outfitters like REI or on Amazon.com.

We found a huge display of Darn Tough Vermont socks at the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham.  This is a really fun store that sells all kinds of old fashioned candies, toiletries, toys, and everything else made in Vermont, from cheese to maple sugar candies, to rugged clothing.  Be sure to check out the upstairs loft for discounted merchandise!

This post contains affiliate links.  Thanks if you choose to use them.

Silent Clowns Film Series: Free at Lincoln Center; Discount Tickets in DC

Charlie Chaplin's Silent Films at the Alden Theater
Charlie Chaplin’s Silent Films at
The Alden Theater, McLean, VA

The Silent Clowns Film Series, is New York City’s free showcase for classic silent film comedy.

The series presents monthly showings of the silent movies of Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Lloyd, and many others, with live musical accompaniment by renowned silent film accompanist Ben Model.

Every program features a spoken introduction and Q&A by film historians Bruce Lawton and Steve Massa.  The programs are presented on weekend afternoons, and are geared to classic film fans and families.

The Silent Clowns Film Series is held in the Bruno Walter Auditorium, located in the NY Library for the Performing Arts, at the back of Lincoln Center.

The next show is Saturday, April 12 at 2:30pm, and it features several Charlie Chaplin Films produced by the Mutual Film Corporation.  The show features these iconic Chaplin’s films:  The Count (1916), The Pawnshop (1916), The Immigrant (1917), and The Adventurer (1917).

Silent Clown Film Series Comes to Washington, DC

April 16, 2014 marks Charlie Chaplin’s 125th birthday.

Charlie Chaplin, aka The Little Tramp, is the most iconic and influential comedy star of the silent film era.  He starred in classic films including The Kid, The Gold Rush, City Lights and Modern Times.  

To celebrate Chaplin’s birthday, the Alden Theatre, outside Washington DC, is hosting a screening of Chaplin’s best movies, with commentary by film historian Bruce Lawton and live music by accompanist Ben Model.

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Half Price Tickets to the National Building Museum

National Building Museum Great Hall
The Great Hall
National Building Museum

My favorite museum gift shop in all of Washington, DC is the bookstore and gift shop at the National Building Museum.

The shop features books on architecture, design and city planning, but you can also find a large selection of fun and funky stationary items, jewelry, accessories, kitchenware, and more.  The selection of children’s toys is especially terrific!

When my daughter was an active toddler, the National Building Museum was one of my favorite places to visit on a rainy day.  There are lots of stairs to climb, and long corridors to explore, and even an indoor fountain.

These days, there is an ongoing Play, Work, Build exhibit for kids aged 2 to 6 years old.

Half Price Tickets to the National Building Museum

You don’t have to pay admission to visit the museum gift shop, cafe, or the colossal Great Hall, but if you want to see the exhibits, you must buy a ticket.

National Building Museum
National Building Museum
The Pension Building

Admission is normally $8 per adult, $5 for youth, students and seniors, or $3 per person if you only want to visit the kids’ Building Zone.

TravelZoo is offering half priced tickets to visit the exhibitions at National Building Museum.

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Japan Dreaming? Stop By New York’s Grand Central Terminal March 6-8

Japan Week 2014 Grand Central Terminal

If you are dreaming of a trip to Japan, like I am, you may want to stop by Grand Central Terminal in New York City for the annual Japan Week events March 6th through 8th, 2014.

The theme this year is “Discover the Past and Future in the Present,” a celebration of Old and New Japan.  

Japan Week is a public-private partnership organized by the Japan Tourism Agency and Japan National Tourism Organization, supported by the General Consulate of Japan in New York.

The festival will take place at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall from March 6 – 8, 2014.  Half of Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal will transform into early 20th century Japan, and the other half will represent Japan’s present and future.

The event aims to introduce people to the unique features of Japan via cultural events, technology, art and music exhibits, food and beverages.

There will be a virtual reality theatre to guide visitors through Japan’s culture heritage, and a special appearance by a master of amezaiku, who transforms candy into marvelous sugar sculptures, and who is one of only a few people left in Japan who still perform this art.

There is also sweepstakes for free roundtrip tickets to Japan from JFK to Narita, sponsored by Delta Airlines, that you can enter online.

The only aspect of the festival that requires tickets is the Pop Up Bar, a replica of a 100-year café with servers dressed in Taisho era costumes, featuring exclusive sake from regions throughout Japan.

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