Shearwater Tours - City Lights Sail

Shearwater is a classic Newport-style schooner yacht, only recently recognized as a national landmark in 2009.  The vessel was built by Rice Brother Corporation in East Boothbay, Maine, back in a time when yachting was a rare combination of elegance and adventure; Rice Bros. were well known for building luxury pleasure yachts and produced some 4,000 hulls over a period of 64 years. The keel was laid down on January 4, 1929 and a news clip from the Boothbay Register reflects alongside a photograph "Tyler Hodgon at the old Tide Mill is getting out timbers for the schooner to be built at Rice’s. Vessel to be built of native white oak." Traditionally built from hand-hewn native white oak, she was the last boat to be constructed at that yard - likely due to the ensuing Great Depression brought on by the Stock Market Crash that occurred later that autumn.  East Boothbay was a small coastal town with shipbuilding being its only industry. About 40 workmen were employed for the construction of SHEARWATER. Her designer Theodore Donald Wells was born in Hudson Falls, N Y on October 22, 1875. He was a naval architect and marine engineer, a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and also the Institute of Naval Architects London. His education included post-graduate work at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He began his career as a member of the firm Herreshoff and Wells, N. Y. City in 1902. Working with Herreshoff no doubt had an influence on his designs, which bear similarities to many of the famous Herreshoff designed yachts of that time. From 1903 to 1907 he worked for Wintringham and Wells and then began practicing his profession under his own name. Mr. Wells joined the Navy Department in March 1917 and became Superintending Constructor of the Baltimore District U. S. N. Notable yachts designed and constructed under his supervision are "Viking" a 272 foot steel motor yacht built for George F. Baker in 1929 by Newport News and "Karina" a three masted schooner built for Robert E. Tod in 1932 by Staten Island Shipbuilding. Mr. Tod was a well-known offshore yachtsman as was his former yacht ‘Thistle", which competed in the Emperors Cup ocean race. SHEARWATER was launched on May 4, 1929 and photographs in the Boothbay Register reflect her graceful and elegant lines. Her first Captain, Leon Esterbrook of Edgarton, MA, arrived to take charge of the fitting out. Her owner Charles E Dunlap was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY and this became SHEARWATER’s first homeport after her completion in late September 1929. It was there in Oyster Bay that she first started to thrill those who sailed in luxury aboard her and those who were privileged to crew her on race day. Since her launching and documentation in Lloyd’s Register of American Yachts in 1929, she has had a colorful history and has been carefully maintained and restored to standards that few contemporary vessels are able to match and is truly a piece of American Maritime History. On November 7, 1942 SHEARWATER was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and became a member of The United States Coast Guard’s Coastal Picket Patrol during World War Two. She was painted gray and bore the numbers CG67004. Based at Little Creek, Virginia she patrolled the waters east of the Chesapeake Bay entrance and south towards Cape Hatteras. Her skipper during that period reflected on how they used their free time while out on submarine patrol to race against other yachts and in his own words "sailed in tandem with the schooner Lord Jim, racing in and out of port, up and down the east coast and winning." She was designed and built as a gaff rigged schooner but during this period was changed to a Marconi rig. She carries over 2,550 square feet while under full sail. A true veteran world cruiser, she first transited the Panama Canal in July 1946 and in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s completed a two and a half-year global circumnavigation. In December 1971 Mrs. John B. Thayer of Rosemont, wife of a former trustee and treasurer, donated SHEARWATER to the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Environmental Medicine. She was used by the university as a laboratory for research on physiological responses to the stresses of living and working underwater. Captained by James Shearson, she was fitted with compressors, generators, monitoring instruments and a small decompression chamber. She has participated in many Ancient Mariner and Classic yacht races in U S waters as well as racing in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand while on her circumnavigation in the early 1980’s. It is rumored she was once dismasted in the famous Newport to Bermuda race. She was last raced by the current owners in San Diego in May 1995 in the American Schooner Cup and finished second overall. She entered the yacht charter industry in 1966 whilst on the West Coast sailing to the Channel Islands and was again used to generate income to keep her shipshape while owned by the University of Pennsylvania. During the chartering industry’s infancy in the Caribbean, SHEARWATER was known as the " Queen of the Fleet". Today she continues this tradition offering the most unique sailing experience and has passed rigid Coast Guard inspections and can carry up to 49 passengers. We welcome you to join us for an excellent opportunity to experience the ambiance of a vintage sailing vessel while delighting in the splendors of The Manhattan sky-line, the Statue of Liberty or the beauty of the oceans beyond.

Click here for a complete list of current attractions included with the Boston Explorer Pass Frequently Asked Questions Is this just a discount card? Will I still need to buy tickets? No. Passes include admission to each attraction; no need to pay anything at the gate. Some attractions may offer upgrades or special exhibits for an additional fee. Do I need to choose my attractions in advance? Nope, choose as you go. The pass is good for any combination of the number of attractions you purchased. My child is under 3 years old. Can I get them a Boston Explorer Pass? Child Passes are recommended for children ages 3-12. Many attractions offer free admission for younger children. Please consult the attraction websites for more details. How will I get my pass? When your order is complete you will receive an email with printable and Smartphone version of your pass. There is nothing to Redeem, you can go right to first attraction you want to visit and start using your card immediately. How do I activate my pass? Easy: simply visit your first attraction! Is the pass valid all day? You bet! Feel free to visit the attractions any time of the day as long as they are open or operating. What is your refund policy? Our Risk Free Guarantee gives you one year from your purchase date to return any non-activated passes for a full refund. How much will I save? Compare the price of the pass to the gate prices of the attractions you want to visit to see how much you can save. Many customers save 35%. We give you the flexibility to create your own itinerary and choose the attractions you want to visit depending on your interests. Can I visit an attraction more than once? No. Your pass includes only one visit per attraction. Does a Boston Explorer Pass expire? Yes. You have one year from the date of purchase to begin using your pass. After one year, it will expire. Do I need to make reservations to visit the attractions? Attractions that require a reservation will display a symbol on the guidebook page.  Some attractions require a credit card to hold a reservation. In these cases, your credit card will not be charged unless you do not show up for your reservation. What’s the catch? There’s no catch. Boston Explorer Pass has a partnership with all of the participating attractions to make your visit to Boston as memorable as possible and to help you save time and money. Can I share my pass with a friend or sell it? No. The Boston Explorer Pass is non-transferrable and may not be re-sold. What happens if an attraction is closed or a tour is cancelled due to weather or other problem? While we do our best to ensure that all attractions are available, events happen that are out of our control. The great thing about a Boston Explorer Pass is that there are so many attractions to choose from. If an attraction is closed, or cannot be visited for some reason, we know you'll find a fun alternative in your guidebook!  

Admission to KSCVC includes all of the exhibits, attractions, the IMAX theatre tickets and a very comprehensive bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.  It is easy to spend a full day at KSCVC, particularly if you would like to add on 'Lunch With an Astronaut*' or one of the special interest guided tours. Hotels are plentiful in nearby Titusville or the Cocoa Beach area, just south of Cape Canaveral. *Additional fee, to be paid direct at KSCVC. Gatorland Fun Zone Gator Gully Splash Park: For over half a century, Gatorland has been creating fond vacation memories for millions of visitors who have entered through its gaping gator mouth entrance. Families, friends and employees alike have ventured through the glass double doors on their way to a journey through this natural, low-tech adventure. Allie's Barnyard: Drop by Allie's Barnyard and say hello to some of the cute and cuddly barnyard critters that call Gatorland home. Say hello to Gracie, a friendly goat who just loves to eat from your hand, and Harley the Macaw who just might say hello back! Express Railroad: Making its debut in 1965, the original Gatorland Iron Horse gave visitors a glimpse of the south end of the park as it carried passengers over alligators and by the animal displays on its journey back to the station. After 35 years of loyal service carrying millions of passengers, the old Iron Horse was finally retired in 2000 and a new station was built. Very Merry Aviary: Gatorland's Very Merry Aviary, home to the colorful and friendly Lorikeets, is a great place to get upclose to nature. These brightly colored parrots, native to the Western Pacific and East Indies area, are specially adapted to a diet of pollen, nectar, and fruit. Great Shows Gatorland has been entertaining people with fun, exciting and educational shows about dangerous and unusual animals for years! Where else can you help a gator wrestler pick out the gator they are about to wrestle or have an up-close experience with really cool reptiles or see crocs and gators jump high in the air for food? No where! So come and share the adventure at all of our fun shows. The Gator Jumparoo Show: Thrills and chills abound as some of the largest alligators in the world actually jump four to five feet out of the water to retrieve food in this famous one-of-a-kind show. Learn more about alligators and crocodiles and their awesome powers. Watch as giant alligators jump high enough out of the water to actually snatch food from the trainer's hand. A must see for the entire family! The Gator Wrestlin' Show: Gatorland® offers a unique alligator wrestling show done "Florida Cracker" style in a shaded 800 seat stadium. Gator wranglers catch a 6 to 8 foot alligator by hand and climb onto the snapping animal's back to point out survival features to the audience. After doing stunts that only a few are brave (or foolish) enough to try, the alligator is rolled over and put to sleep...only to be awakened by a tickle! Upclose Encounters Show: You never know what kind of animal you might be introduced to next at the Upclose Encounters Show! You'll get to meet fascinating creatures from around the globe as well as Florida's native wildlife - including some of the most dangerous snakes alive. Critters On The Go Show: The newest entertainment experience at Gatorland features the softer side of the animal world and is hosted by either Miss Vera, trail boss Gabe or one of the Gatorland Entertainers. Check out these interactive animal encounters where you and the little ones can oohh and aahh at some of the park’s cute and cuddly critters! Currently these encounters are done on the move so keep your eyes peeled for Vera, Gabe, and the gang, as you stroll through the park.

Fun Spot USA Kissimmee Features Fun for All Ages Whether you’re 7 or 70, Fun Spot USA Kissimmee has the perfect level of fun you need. It includes a HUGE array of thrill rides, go-kart tracks and arcade games: The World’s Tallest SkyCoaster at 300 Feet High 4 Go-Kart Tracks—2 multi-level, 2 speed tracks 10 Family/Thrill Rides – Including Rockstar Coaster and Screamin’ Eagles 8  Kid Spot Rides for Fun for the Younger Set Over 60 of the Hottest New and Classic Arcade Games Free Parking - Free Wifi  Before you even pull into the FREE parking area, you’ll see park visitors swinging from the 300-foot SkyCoaster—the part skydiving, part hang gliding thrill ride that’s for the adventurous!  For thrills that keep you on the ground, don’t miss the extreme go-kart racing. Put your driving skills to the test with patented track designs and the steepest banking you’ll find anywhere at 32°! From there, you can enjoy a huge variety of classic thrill rides kids and adults of all ages will love, including Bumper Cars, the Tilt-a-Whirl and our 40-foot Fun Slide! 

MENU   SANDWICHES (served with French fries & coleslaw)-Hot & Cold varieties   SALADS Greek-Caesar-Chef-Chicken or Tuna  PASTAS-Choice of Spaghetti-Ziti (Variety of sauces)   PIZZAS-Various toppings  GREEK SPECIALS-Chicken Souvlaki-Gyros   SEAFOOD (served with French fries & coleslaw)-Fish & Chips-Grilled Grouper Sandwich   KIDS-Burgers-Hot Dog-Chicken-Fingers-Fish & Chips   Sea Screamer What a scream, what a blast! Start the day with a thrilling ride in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico as you scream past Florida’s famous West Coast beaches on one of the world’s largest speedboats. Get those cameras ready for the close encounter with the dolphins!   Your comfort and safety are #1. The Sea Screamer is equipped with comfortable bucket seats, two restrooms, refreshments, and is Coast Guard licensed and equipped for your safety.

Rockefeller Center was envisioned by John D. Rockefeller to be the grandest plaza in all New York - a place where business was transacted and communities congregated. Conceived on the verge of the Great Depression, Rockefeller financed the Center personally Upon its completion, it was the largest private building project in modern history and a collection of buildings unrivaled in their artistry and Art Deco nobility. Today, Rockefeller Center is one of the world’s great crossroads, filled with boutiques, fine dining, and home to the most famous ice rink and Christmas tree on earth. Architecturally profound, culturally diverse, and commercially vital, Rockefeller Center is the true plaza of the people. AT THE TOP OF THE ROCK Take your time and take it all in. It's a dramatic view of New York City you just can't get anywhere else. Day or night, three floors of indoor and outdoor decks offer stunning panoramas of the city's energy, wonder, and beauty. RADIANCE WALL Created by Swarovski, "Radiance" is the first of its kind, a breathtaking wall of glass panels, mouth-blown glass, crystal clusters, and fiber-optic lighting. Look closely - is something looking back at you? BREEZEWAY Step into a room with a mind of its own. You'll be assigned a color and lights of that color will follow your every move. It's great fun for young and old alike. INDOOR SPACE On the 67th floor, relax in comfortable seating and enjoy views in any weather through the floor-to-ceiling windows. You'll find a Gift Shop here as well as on the 69th floor. OUTDOOR VIEWING Use the binoculars to explore the unobstructed views through glass panels on the 67th and 69th floors, and in the open air on the 70th floor. On all three levels, you can have your picture taken by a Kodak pro. Retrieve it as you exit and share it on topoftherocknyc.com ​ SHOP & SHARE Pick up a souvenir of your time at the Top, or a gift for those back home. Mementos of this extraordinary destination are available to fit any budget and elight any age. Gift shops are found on the 67th and 69th floors, in addition to the main Gift Shop in the Concourse as you exit. GIFT SHOPS Pick up a souvenir of your time at the Top, or a gift for those back home. Mementos of this extraordinary destination are available to fit any budget and delight any age. Gift shoppes are found on the 67th and 69th floors, in addition to the main Gift Shop in the Concourse as you exit. FAQ How long can visitors stay on the observation deck? There is no time limit as to how long guests can stay on the observation decks during operating hours. The average length of stay is about 45 minutes to an hour. Top of the Rock is a three level observation deck that consists of the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Total surface area of all the decks together is approximately 55,000 square-feet (5,110 m2). The upper deck is 850 feet (260 m) above street level. Are there restrooms located at Top of the Rock? Yes, restrooms can be accessed once inside the attraction. Can I visit the mezzanine level exhibit after I visit the observation decks? Due to crowd flow purposes, the pre-show exhibit can only be viewed before visiting the observation decks. Is there an outdoor viewing area? The 67th and 69th floors include outdoor terraces which feature fully transparent, safety glass. The 70th floor, the uppermost level, provides a completely open air, unobstructed 360-degree view of New York City and beyond. Is Top of the Rock weather dependent? Top of the Rock is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, despite weather conditions. In the case of inclement weather, portions of the deck may be closed for safety reasons. Guests will be advised about weather conditions and visibility prior to entry. Top of the Rock will not refund tickets in the case of inclement weather, however we will reissue your ticket for a future time and date. Is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and/or Skating Rink visible from the Top of the Rock? Unfortunately, no. However, both are easily accessible from the Concourse retail shop where guests exit the elevators after their visit. Is Top of the Rock wheelchair accessible? Top of the Rock is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes full wheelchair accessibility. Are strollers allowed? Strollers are permitted, however they must be collapsible. Can I bring tripods? What about professional video cameras? We do not allow tripods or professional video cameras on the observation deck. Are specific items prohibited from entering the building and/or observation deck? Items that present a danger to the safety of visitors and employees will not be permitted in the building or on the observation decks. These items include, but are not limited to, weapons, lighters, glass bottles and flammable substances. For more information, please contact 212-698-2000. Can I bring food and beverage to Top of the Rock? We do not allow food or beverages on the observation decks. Do you offer any special treatment for marriage proposals? Thank you for considering Top of the Rock as the location for your proposal. While we wish you the best of luck, we do not make special arrangements for proposals.