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Top Haunted Spots in the US to Scare Your Pants Off
October 31, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Fall’s weather and atmosphere offer a chance for people to enjoy the thrill of going home and enjoying time with family or enjoying traditional excursions to local areas of interest. For some, fall is also the perfect time to discover some amazingly spooky and haunted spots throughout the United States. These are not just Halloween spots; they are really haunted and can give you the creeps any time of the year.
Here are a few of our frightening finds.
- The Whaley House – San Diego, California
This old home is believed to have been built on an old cemetery, and it has been called the “most haunted house in the US” by many. Tourists and individuals working in Old Town San Diego, where the home is located, have had ghostly encounters during tours of the home. The home was built in 1857, and it served as the county court house, the area’s first commercial theater, a general store, school and ballroom. With the violent suicide of Violet Whaley in 1885 and other deaths that occurred on the premises during the house’s time as a courthouse, a dark reputation has developed.
- The White House – Washington, D.C.
If you’re visiting the District of Columbia, you might actually have a chance to see Andrew Jackson in his bedroom or Abraham Lincoln pensively standing in the Oval Office. These are just a few of the White House ghosts that occasionally make their presence known in their former home. Many, including First Lady Michelle Obama, have reported strange things occurring around the Presidential Estate. When you schedule a tour, be sure to keep an eye out for presidents of eras past.
- Moon River Brewing Company – Savannah, Georgia
This former hotel was known for being the ultimate in high-class living. However, the hotel also had a violent past as well; it was near the epicenter of the Civil War, and had its fair share of violent skirmishes. Confederate loyalists beat a Unionist to death in the bar, and today, some patrons see bottles fly through the air on their own during particularly rowdy nights. Funnily enough, banquets and meals can still be enjoyed at the brewery. If you choose to dine within, just be aware that you might not be eating alone.
4. The Copper Queen Hotel – Bisbee, Arizona
Having run since opening in 1902, the Copper Queen Hotel is Arizona’s oldest continually running hotel. Located in a quaint town just outside of Tucson, this old hotel tries to transport its guests and visitors back to the early 1900s. However, there are at least three resident ghosts that make sure patrons know there is more than just meets the eye:
· Julia Lowell, a woman who committed suicide in the hotel;
· A gentleman in a top hat that is surrounded with the wafting smell of cigar smoke; and
· A naughty young boy whose giggle is occasionally heard by guests.
These places may be historical, or perhaps they have tragic stories that tie them to the ominous. Though some of the most haunted spots in the US are hotels, you more than likely won’t want to stay in them, so make sure you find a reservation at one of the nearby Extended Stay Hotels for a good night’s sleep, without the ghosts.
Rates from $30.99 /night - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
October 26, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/28 through 10/30) and next weekend (stays 11/04 through 11/06) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like San Diego, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis and many others.
For Arrival Dates 10/28/2011 and 10/29/2011
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Miami, FL - Rates from $51.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $63.99/night
* Minneapolis, MN - Rates from $39.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 11/04/2011 and 11/05/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $55.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >
Save 20% - Select Weekends at Extended Stay Hotels
October 20, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/21 through 10/23) and next weekend (stays 10/28 through 10/30) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Seattle and many others.
For Arrival Dates 10/21/2011 and 10/22/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 10/28/2011 and 10/29/2011
* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Miami, FL - Rates from $47.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Memphis, TN - Rates from $31.99/night
* Austin, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* See all locations >
Kindle’s New Fire—Perfect for Long Trips
October 18, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Some people like road trips; some can only withstand them if they’re unconscious the entire drive. Some prefer enjoying the vast scenery of the landscape from their car’s window, while others prefer a book, movie or any alternative to the world outside of their car. For people who are the latter, having an e-reader, music player and/or tablet is not just an alternative; it’s essential for staying sane on the road.
Kindle’s newest e-reader, the Fire, is a perfect companion piece for anyone on a road trip. It’s light, durable and made for long-time use between charges. Recently unveiled by Amazon, the Fire is a strong rival to Apple’s iPad and the other tablets on the market. So what’s the big buzz on this new product?
Finally, It’s Here
The Internet has been abuzz with rumors that Amazon was going to launch a tablet for months, and the hope was that it would offer solid competition against Android and Apple products.
This tablet has a seven-inch multi-touch display with in-plane switching (IPS) and anti-reflective treatment. Unlike some of the first e-readers launched by Amazon, the Fire has high resolution and brilliant colors.
Documents can be read from Word or PDF, and e-books and magazines are displayed with a startling clarity. These vivid images jump out at the user—something that isn’t expected from a “simple” Amazon toy.
Fire vs. iPad
The question begs to be asked: which tablet is right for you? There are some obvious differences between the products, such as screen size (the iPad has a 9.7-inch screen, as opposed to the 7-inch screen on the Fire). The Fire is a fraction of the cost of even the least expensive iPad, which makes it a better purchase for a child who wants to play online but cannot handle expensive products.
Experts enjoy the fact that iPads can be either 3G or Wi-Fi, whereas the Fire is only Wi-Fi, leaving users only able to go online when they have a connection. There is also no speaker or camera on the Fire, meaning that it is not meant for face-to-face communication, either.
However, what the Fire does, it does well. There are several thousands of apps available on the Fire, and the tablet is optimized to stream content. Plus, users can try out Amazon Prime, which allows free streaming of over 11,000 movies and television shows. Movies or shows can be watched on the Fire, or it can be watched on TV, right from where it left off.
The Fire is made for one thing: for users to download content from Amazon’s website. It’s easy, accessible and uncomplicated.
Runs on Silk
For those who absolutely need online access, the new Silk browser allows them access to the Amazon Web Services cloud (AWS). Silk can work more and faster through what Amazon calls the split browser architecture.
Plus, Silk computes power in the cloud, something not traditional with tablets. The server fleet is used to retrieve website components simultaneously in an efficient stream. This also helps extend the battery life of the Fire, since the intense tasks are done in cloud.
More to Come?
There are already rumors that this version of the Fire is merely a teaser to something bigger and better, but this multipurpose tablet is already blowing its competition out of the market. With the release of the Fire, other Kindles are a greater bargain, so parents looking for a way to entertain their children on long road trips may have a practical and affordable solution in the Kindle products.
The 7-inch Fire will be released on Nov. 15, and pre-orders are available on Amazon now.
Weekend Nights from $30.99 - Extended Stay Hotels
October 14, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/15 through 10/17) and next weekend (stays 10/21 through 10/23) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Seattle and many others.
For Arrival Dates 10/15/2011 and 10/16/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 10/21/2011 and 10/22/2011
* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Miami, FL - Rates from $47.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Memphis, TN - Rates from $31.99/night
* Austin, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* See all locations >
20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
October 5, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/07 through 10/09) and next weekend (stays 10/14 through 10/16) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like San Diego, Denver, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Austin and many others.
For Arrival Dates 10/07/2011 and 10/08/2011
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Jacksonville, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Austin, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 10/14/2011 and 10/15/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $31.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
Seeing More than Potter and Mickey Around Orlando
October 3, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Odds are, either for business or vacation (especially if you have kids), Orlando, Florida may be on your travel list. Not only is it home to Disney, Epcot, Potter World and much more, but it’s become a top business convention and trade show destination. However, whether you’ll be in the area for business or pleasure (or both), with kids or without, there are a number of lesser-known attractions in the area that are well worth your time—and that can get you away from the big crowds. Plus, with daytime temperatures back down in the comfortable range (upper 70s-low 80s), late fall is an especially great time to visit.
Strolling Downtown
When most folks think of Orlando, old-time charm, gracious homes and cobblestone streets don’t come to mind, but that’s exactly what you’ll find through the Thornton Park neighborhood. Several outdoor cafes and restaurants dot the area, as well as specialty shops for great window-shopping.
Only about a mile in circumference, Lake Eola in downtown Orlando is a great site for a relaxing walk through the encircling park or a paddleboat ride on the lake itself. The lake is home to swans and dozens of other colorful birds, and the huge lighted fountain in the center is magical at night. You can also often catch free concerts at the park band shell.
Florida’s Nature Scene
Want something a bit more stimulating? Well, how about ‘gators? Okay, maybe you don’t want to run into one on the sidewalk (though that’s been known to happen…), but from a safe distance, those prehistoric-looking creatures are pretty fascinating. Gatorland offers you literally thousands of the scaly guys (and gals), as well as other reptiles and even some touchable critters in the petting zoo. Add in the breeding marsh, nature walk and rookery, plus the splash park and zipline for those wanting more adventure, and you’ve got a day’s outing to please all ages.
For even more variety in animals, you can head just a half hour north to Sandord to visit the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Here, too, you can cool off in a water park area and get your thrill on zip lines and treetop rope bridges at the ZOOm Air Adventure Park.
Late Fall Specials
Floridians may be acclimated to the summer heat, but they also seem ready to break out and celebrate as things begin to cool down a bit by late fall. You’ll have your choice of any number of arts, sports and other events during this time. At the end of October (23rd), downtown Orlando holds a ten-block wide Hispanic festival, Calle Orange, with traditional foods, music and entertainment from Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more music and a chance to do some ice skating at an outdoor rink, you can take in the University of Central Florida’s Light Up UCF: 50 Nights of Music, Lights and Ice, from November 12 through January 2.
Want something more competitive? The annual Pop Warner Youth Football Super Bowl will be held in Orlando December 10th-12th, along with concurrent national cheer and dance championships.
A Side Trip Worth the Drive
Orlando’s nearest beaches are less than an hour southeast, along the famed Space Coast, which is home to Kennedy Space Center. This stretch of Florida coast features what many consider the finest surfing spots in the East, not to mention the world famous Ron and Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. Near the Kennedy Space Center is the Merritt National Wildlife Refuge, where kayaking and nature trails hikes may let you catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, bobcat, manatee or armadillo.
