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ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO One of TripAdvisor's Top Museums in the World—Four Years in a Row - 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 SHEDD AQUARIUM EXHIBITS UNDERWATER BEAUTY – A SPECIAL EXHIBIT, included with admission. Our living world is full of wonder. Celebrate with us the unbelievable beauty living in our oceans, lakes and rivers in a new special exhibit at Shedd Aquarium: Underwater Beauty. Get a glimpse of the grandeur beneath the waves as 100 species from around the world come together in an evocative new space. What is beauty? Spark your curiosity as you see all the ways beauty moves and coexists. Watch sea jellies pulse, eels ribbon and a rainbow come alive with reef fishes. Feel the rhythms, embrace the colors and savor the patterns found only underwater. Experience a world worth celebrating – and saving. Waters of the World Travel the world in 80 habitats. Dive into Oceans, from coastal kelp forests to the seafloor. Explore the self-contained ecosystems of Islands and Lakes. Visit Rivers—big and small—and learn more about our local waters in the new At Home on the Great Lakes exhibit. Meet hundreds of amazing animals, from tiny mantella frogsto a a giant octopus, from a Grand Cayman blue iguana to Nile knifefish, and from moon jellies to sea stars. We even have map turtles, in case you get lost. Caribbean Reef Take a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community. Follow a green sea turtle. Peek at a moray eel in a rocky crevice. Watch regal rays glide by. Get eye-to-eye with parrot fish and sharks. Visit Caribbean Reef, Shedd’s award-winning 90,000-gallon circular habitat in the grand rotunda. Amazon Rising Take an exotic journey in the Amazon, home to one-third of all living things. Watch out for anacondas and piranhas, spiders, rays and a camouflaged caiman. In churning river channels, still lakes and even flooded treetops look for tetras, turtles and fruit-eating fish called tambaqui. See how the region’s animals, plants and people adapt to the water’s dramatic annual rise and fall. Abbott Oceanarium The Abbott Oceanarium immerses you in the vibrant coastal ecosystem of beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters and sea lions. You’ll also find a host of fishes and invertebrates that make their homes where freshwater flows into the ocean or where tides turn seascapes to landscapes and back again each day. Use our self-guided map to discover how animals are linked to each other, their homes and you. Polar Play Zone Kids have a place at Shedd that they can call their own—Polar Play Zone. It’s cool as ice and twice as nice! The penguins think so, too. Play! Splash! Pretend! What would you like to be? A sleek sliding penguin? A deep-sea explorer? How about both? In Polar Play Zone, you can slip into a penguin suit and try being a bird in the Icy South play area. From there, head to the Icy North to explore the belugas’ Arctic waters in a kid-sized submarine. Don’t forget to shake hands—or is it arms?—with colorful sea stars in the touch pools. In Polar Play Zone, you’ll learn about polar opposites—big and small, fast and slow, shallow and deep, even north and south—while you play. The Oceanarium Aquatic Presentation is included however based on available seating and remaining show times at the time of guest arrival. (2018 Aquatic Presentation Schedule) Stingray Touch (seasonal experience) is included. Open late May through October. 4D Experience is not included however the 4D experience tickets may be purchased at the theatre for $3.00 per -person Pets are not allowed in the aquarium
Madame Tussauds There’s so much to see and do at Madame Tussauds New York! Get up close and personal with over 200 life-like wax figures of the biggest stars and icons in entertainment, sports, history and more. Mingle with movie stars in your own A-list party before getting on stage with your favorite pop star. Address the world alongside famous leaders and then challenge legendary athletes on the court. Don’t miss the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience, a short film with thrilling special effects that make you ‘feel” like part of the action. Located in the heart of Times Square, no visit to NYC is complete until you’ve experienced the world famous Madame Tussauds. From Marilyn to Madonna to Gaga, there is a star for every generation. VIP Dine 4 Less Card - New York One card is valid for up to 4 persons making this perfect for the entire family or a group of friends, plus there are no limitations on how many times you can use the card within a 30 day period. All you need to do is show your New York VIP Dine 4 Less Card at participating restaurants to receive your exclusive discount on your meal. Please visit http://www.dine4lesscard.com/restaurant_compact_view_new_york for participating restaurants.
What to look out for at Windsor Castle There’s so much to see at Windsor Castle, it’s hard to know where to begin! Here are some of our favourite attractions from the tour: The State Apartments: Windsor Castle’s lavishly decorated State Apartments hold a large collection of fine art and paintings that are stunning to behold. If you visit between September and March, you’ll be able to explore the Semi-State Rooms, which were created for George VI and are now used by The Queen for official entertaining. St George’s Chapel: In the grounds of Windsor Castle, you’ll find St. George’s Chapel, an active centre of worship, where Prince Edward was married and Henry VIII was laid to rest. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House: Another must-see attraction at Windsor Castle is Queen Mary’s world-famous Dolls’ House, complete with working lifts, water and electricity supply! It has its own library, full of original works by the top literary names of the day, as well as a beautiful garden and a wine cellar. Changing the Guard: This spectacular ceremony begins as the Windsor Castle Guard line up outside the Guard Room, until a regimental band, corps of drums or pipe band heralds the entrance of the new Guard. This 45-minute ceremony is part of London’s patriotic culture and is the ultimate spectacle to witness when you visit Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle facts Windsor Castle was Queen Victoria’s main place of residence. After Prince Albert passed away, she was often referred to as ‘the Widow of Windsor’. During World War II, the Royal Family secretly slept in Windsor Castle. The public believed they were sleeping in Buckingham Palace during this time. There was a huge fire at Windsor Castle in November 1992, damaging more than 100 rooms. The restoration cost almost million. The castle’s Great Kitchen is home to a whisk that can hold up to 250 eggs at a time, and the cellar holds around 18,000 bottles of wine. The clocks in the Great Kitchen are always 5 minutes fast, so that the Queen’s food is never served late. Tickets purchased through 365 Tickets cannot be converted to a 1-year pass Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. What there is to see: The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and the famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck. In 1992 fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 rooms at the Castle. By good fortune the rooms worst affected were empty at the time, and as a result, few of the Castle's artistic treasures were destroyed. The highly acclaimed restoration work, completed in 1997, is a testament to the extraordinary skills of some of the finest craftsmen in Europe. From October to March visitors can also enjoy George IV's private apartments (the Semi-State Rooms), among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the most famous dolls' house in the world. Photographer Credits: Image 1: Photographer: Mark Fiennes, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018 Image 2: Photographer: Dennis Gilbert, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018 Image 3: Photographer: John Freeman, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018
Travel back in time with a 1-3 day ticket to the Parc du Puy theme park in Les Epesses in the heart of the Vendée. Named the Best Theme Park in the World, the shows take you on an historical journey through the Middle Ages, Gauls, Victorians, and more. Highlights: This unique theme park won the ‘World’s Best Park’ award in Los Angeles An amazing journey through time A wide choice of shows which will delights visitors of all ages A fabulous range of 25 dining options to satisfy every visitor's taste, hunger and budget With 1.6 million visitors in 2012, this is the 4th most visited French theme park Whether you’re looking for spectacular shows, lush greenery, or great dining, Puy du Fou transports you through the centuries. With your 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day ticket, you will have plenty of opportunities to experience new attractions, such as “The Knights of the Round Table,” where Merlin will put Arthur’s bravery to the test at the foot of the ramparts, and then discover the wonders of the enchanted lake. Shiver as birds of prey pass above your heads during “The Phantom Birds Dance,” and watch as falcons, owls, and vultures appear, brushing against you, while kites, pelicans, storks ,and marabous put on a dance. Experience a medieval adventure during “The Secret of the Lance,” and marvel at the circus games of "Triumph’s Sign," set in a replica amphitheater that tells the story of the Gauls in Roman times. In between shows, relive the atmosphere of the Belle Epoque in the Market Town, flanked by a covered market and lined with shops selling toys, sweets, and more. Wander the Medieval City and discover the heritage of the Middle Ages and lost expertise of master craftsmen. Fast forward to the 18th-Century Village, strolling narrow streets, and paying a visit to the vegetable garden, wash house and barn. And choose from 25 dining options to suit every taste and budget, such as the "Bourg 1900," a 19th-century brasserie, serving traditional French cuisine.
Journey with our member of the ICA (Irish Citizen Army) as he tells you about the devastating effects of the 1913 Lockout such as seeing children dying of starvation in the tenements. Learn how he and countless others were left jobless, oppressed and craving social change, especially after Ireland suffered the violence of its first Bloody Sunday. Listen, as he does, to James Connolly and the social leaders who promised change and a brighter future if they followed them into battle for it. Meet our member of the Cumann na mBan (the women’s faction of the Irish Volunteers) who was so moved by Padraig Pearse’s graveside speech at the funeral of the famous Fenian Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa in 1915 she signed up the following day. Discover the key and dangerous roles these women, numbering nearly a quarter of those who rose that week, played in the battles that Easter. In the reading of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence and in their own words hear how they were fighting not only for the emancipation of Ireland but for a better future for Irish women. On the 1916 Rise of the Rebels Tour you will travel with our two rebels as they take you through the action all over the city during Easter week. See and hear about the sites where it all happened, some you may know and some whose histories have been less explored until now. From one of The Abbey Theatre’s leading actors, Sean Connolly, leading the first charge and firing the first shots of the Rising; resulting in the first casualty at City Hall as the rebels tried to take Dublin Castle. To Richmond Barracks where all the captured rebels plus many who were falsely accused of being so were imprisoned before the executions in Kilmainham. In-between discover where the fiercest battles were fought including The Four Courts and South Dublin Union. Hear the testimonies of the brave and brazen, such as the handful of men who took on the might of a battalion around Mount Street, and the women who dodged bullets to deliver messages all over the city. Then there are the stories of the trenches and strange amnesties in the gunfire torn St. Stephens Green and the dangerous women who patrolled its gates. Come with us to the GPO, The General Post Office, which acted as the headquarters for the rebels during the week of The 1916 Easter Rising. It was outside here that Padraig Pearse read out The Proclamation of Independence and decreed a free and equal Ireland for all. Inside Pearse along with 4 of the other signatories of the Proclamation, James Connolly, Tom Clarke, Sean MacDiarmada and Joseph Plunkett orchestrated the insurrection as bullets rained down upon the building. See the bullet holes that are still visible scars on the GPO today. At the end of the week they tunnelled their way through the homes on neighbouring Moore Street to escape the burning GPO as shells from the gunship Helga blasted them and the flames around them raged so hot the glass inside was melting. Follow the path of the doomed revolutionaries as they ran the gauntlet under heavy machine gun fire to Moore Street and visit the site of one of The Rising’s most tragic deaths, that of The O’Rahilly. It was here around Moore Street where The O’Rahilly penned his last goodbyes to his wife and hiding inside its beleaguered walls the remaining rebels decided to surrender. The 1916 Rise of Rebels Bus Tour will show you the heart of the rebellion using the actual words and testimonies of the men and women who fought for Irish Independence in the 1916 Easter Rising.
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.
