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HELICOPTER DAYTIME TOUR Your total helicopter experience with the pre-flight briefing and customer experience center will be about 1hr. Photography is allowed throughout the flight experience. Guest pick-up is available from Chicago downtown hotels for additional charge. All tours depart from and return to Chicago Helicopter Experience 2420 South Halsted Street SKYDECK CHICAGO At 1,353 feet and 110 stories above the streets of downtown Chicago, The Ledge at the Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower) Skydeck will transform any visitor's--or local's for that matter--experience with the Windy City. In January 2009, Willis Tower owners began a major renovation of the beloved Skydeck, which originally opened in 1974, and served as a premier tourist attraction throughout the skyscraper's tenure as the Sears Tower. When ownership changed hands, the fresh blood added a fresh look--and adrenaline rush--to the 103rd floor in the form of retractable glass balconies extending about 4 feet over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River below. Still the 8th tallest building in the world, and the absolute tallest in the Western Hemisphere, Willis Tower's Skydeck draws 1.5 million people a year who are eager to ascend the 110-story, 1,454 foot (443 meter) building for awesome panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. Your journey to the top of the Willis Tower starts with a walk through an airport-style metal detector, followed by a slow elevator ride down to the waiting area where visitors queue for tickets. A sign will tell you how long you'll have to wait to get up high; this is a good time to confirm the visibility. Even days that seem sunny can have upper-level haze that limits the view. On good days, however, you can see for 40 to 50 miles (64 to 80 kilometers), as far as the states of Indiana, Michigan. Iowa, and Wisconsin. While you wait, you can watch a film about Willis Tower factoids. Then you'll wait a little longer before the ear-popping, 70 second elevator ride up to the 103rd floor deck. From here, the entire city stretches below, and you can see exactly how Chicago is laid out. Willis Tower, Skydeck, and The Ledge Fast Facts The hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind each week on Skydeck windows served as this inspiration for The Ledge. The Ledge boxes can each bear about 4-1/2 metric tons of weight, and adventurers who trust that statistic enough to prove it can often be found jumping and bounding around the entirely translucent enclosures as Chicago's heavy traffic and infrastructure bustle below. The Ledge’s glass panels weight 1,500 pounds apiece, and each box is comprised of three layers of half-inch thick glass laminated into one seamless unit. In addition to serving 1.3 million tourists per year in its 4.5+ million square feet of space, Willis Tower is home to more than 100 companies, including prominent law, insurance, transportation, and financial services. The Ledge's glass boxes retract into the Skydeck main floor for easy maintenance, mostly cleaning off the 974 dead birds that must fly into them every month. The Moonwalk is the most popular dance performed on The Ledge, followed closely by the Running Man. Riverdance clocks in at a distant third. Bringing people who are afraid of heights to The Ledge is not recommended, unless you are mean-spirited or really don't like them. In which case, you should probably just take them here. Willis Tower was known as Sears Tower for decades, until the 30th anniversary of Diff'rent Strokes, at which point it was rightfully renamed.
Athens half day tour begins with a panoramic drive around Syntagma square, passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral,and Schliemann’s House. You will then drive past the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Your licensed guide will explain more of Athens’s history old and new as you look at these stately buildings. Continue for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Make your way to the archaeological site of Acropolis an UNESCO’S world heritage monument and visit Propylae the monumental entrance to the Acropolis which blends Doric and Ionic building principles, and the small temple Athena Nike, which stands on a protruding mass of rock, protecting the gate to the citade and of course the Parthenon, and Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens. With this half day tour you will enjoy one of the top UNESCO'S world heritage monuments, Acropolis.
The Clipper City Twilight Sail from Manhattan by Sail is a two-hour sail that offers a unique setting aboard a 158-foot-long tall ship and dazzling views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and other New York City landmarks against the constantly shifting backdrop of a beautiful evening sky. The slow glide of the Clipper City around New York Harbor coincides with the setting of the sun, allowing camera-toting passengers to snap picturesque scenes as the sky turns from light blue to pink-tinged orange to inky indigo during the course of this leisurely cruise. The trip is made even more pleasant by the presence of a friendly crew, who are happy to chat with passengers about their beloved Clipper City or answer questions about the art of sailing in general. Shortly after the Clipper City departs from South Street Seaport, the crew invites all aboard to help hoist the massive sails. This makes for a particularly memorable moment, as the masts and rigging stretch to a dizzying height of 120 feet above the deck. Passengers may enjoy celebrating such a spectacular occasion with a drink that can be purchased at the bar, where a couple of amiable bartenders stand ready to mix up nautically-inspired cocktails or, for those who prefer, they’ll happily pour a glass of wine, beer, soda or juice. Those in the mood for music may want to linger on the adjacent benches and listen to the steady stream of tunes being piped in from speakers above the bar. A quieter ambiance can be found on the raised quarter deck at the rear of the Clipper City, which offers additional seating, equally beautiful views and an up close look at the captain in action. Given the ample size of its decks, the Clipper City provides plenty of room for passengers to sprawl out and enjoy the views. With freedom to move about Clipper City throughout the duration of the cruise, passengers can enjoy the scenery of the New York Harbor from various vantage points. The setting sun makes for dramatic shifts in the views around you, providing a fantastic opportunity to witness the iconic Manhattan skyline and other familiar sights start to sparkle as darkness falls.
Explore the magic, beauty and wonder of San Francisco Bay at Aquarium of the Bay. Your visit will take you through three main exhibit areas that display the amazing riches that lie beneath the surface of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters. Aquarium of the Bay partners with The Bay Institute to protect, restore and inspire the conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed, from the Sierra to the sea. Their passion and their work are locally-focused, but have a broad impact that touches upon every major challenge facing our global environment. They focus on water, beginning at the heart—the very depths—of San Francisco Bay. The facility boasts 300 feet of crystal clear acrylic tunnels holding 700,000 gallons of carefully maintained bay water that sustains approximately 20,000 animals, from octopuses to eight-foot native, sevengill sharks. Visitors are also treated to mesmerising walls of jellies and a chance to touch bat rays, skates and “splash zone" animals. Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise Departing in the heart of Historic Fisherman’s Wharf, at Pier 43 ½, sail past the San Francisco skyline and view the lively neighborhood of North Beach, the famous swimming clubs of Aquatic Park, the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier, the San Francisco Maritime National Park, and numerous other exciting sights. As you head west towards the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise along Fort Mason and the Marina District which was devastated in the 1989 earthquake. Next, enjoy views of Crissy Field and the lush hillsides of the Presidio—both former army installations—that are now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Don’t miss incredible photo opportunities when sailing directly under the massive 4,200-foot span of the 746-foot tall San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. As you steam back into the Bay, travel past the wildlife reserves of the Marin Headlands and the legendary town of Sausalito, once home to the 1960s’ flower generation. With Angel Island State Park to your left, slowly cruise around the infamous Island of Alcatraz. On your way back to Fisherman’s Wharf, see the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, and Coit Tower in the distance. After a full hour of exciting sights on Red and White Fleet’s Golden Gate Bridge boat tours, the barking sea lions at Pier 39 welcome you back to Pier 43 ½. Here, you can visit two National Historic Landmarks, the WWII submarine USS Pampanito and merchant vessel USS Jeremiah O'Brien.
MARDI GRAS WORLD: WHERE MARDI GRAS IS MADE! There are plenty of tours in New Orleans, but only one offers a real, behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras, and that’s the Mardi Gras World tour. Mardi Gras World gives you an authentic Mardi Gras experience all year round, whether you visit while sightseeing in New Orleans, enjoying a New Orleans family vacation or taking a break from your business trip. Take our day tour to see what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. Our tour allows you to see firsthand the hard work and extensive planning that goes into this grand event. Since 1947, Blaine Kern Studios has built the breathtaking parade floats for major parades not only for Mardi Gras, but for parades all over the world. Mardi Gras parades would be nothing without the fantastical floats that line the parade route year after year. The hard work that goes into making these spectacles is what makes Mardi Gras in New Orleans the greatest show on Earth! Our knowledgeable guides take the mask off Mardi Gras with an all-access Mardi Gras tour, winding through the massive studio where these magnificent floats are built from the ground up. You’ll learn about the history of this unique and festive tradition and go beyond its reputation to get a deeper understanding of the real Mardi Gras. The whole family will love the experience of touring the space where our artisans create spectacular floats for over 40 parades each year. There are plenty of opportunities for photos in front of floats, with props, or wearing a traditional Mardi Gras costume on this New Orleans tour. This is an experience you will want to document, so don’t forget to bring your camera! A FREE shuttle is provided with ticket purchase, and has pick-ups at 20 convenient downtown locations. Just call 504-361-7821 to see where our designated pick up locations are. Call when you are at one of our many locations and we will quickly pick you and your party up. If you do not wish to use our complimentary shuttle, the closest parking is available in Lot J across from the Mardi Gras World entrance. ($15.00/vehicle, owned by the New Orleans Convention Center, subject to change) Wandering through the magical float den is an exciting experience for kids and adults alike, so come join us for the best Mardi Gras tour around.
Disneyland Park A magical kingdom is yours to discover Explore lush jungles Greet Princesses straight from a fairy-tale Navigate the seas with Pirates Rocket into a star-spangled sky Disneyland Park is the original Theme Park opened by Walt Disney himself in 1955 to much fanfare. Broadcast on live television in the United States, it was watched by over half that country's population. Since then successive generations from all over the world have visited "the Happiest Place on Earth" to make their dreams come true. With 8 richly themed lands there is much to see and do. Explore - Main Street U.S.A. Fantasyland Tomorrowland Frontierland Mickey's Toontown Adventureland Critter Country New Orleans Square Disney California Adventure Park Here in 7 imaginative lands Disney and Pixar Characters await your discovery. Fantastic tales become reality via spectacular entertainment, attractions and even themed dining. Visit - Buena Vista Street Cars Land Paradise Pier Grizzly Peak Pacific Wharf "a bug's land" Hollywood Land. Dazzling days are followed by enchanting evenings at Disney California Adventure Park - a fun-filled destination for children of all ages.
