Heritage Q&A with Patricia Schultz, Author of "1,000 Places To See Before You Die"

Next in our series of interviews with taste-makers in the world of travel, we connect with Patricia Schultz, author of the international bestsellers, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die (now with nearly three million copies in print and translated into 25 languages) and 1,000 Places To See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. A veteran travel journalist with 25 years of experience, she has written for Frommer’s, Berlitz and Access travel guides, as well as BusinessWeek, Oprah and Real Simple. She also executive-produced a Travel Channel television show based on her book, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.

Where is your hometown?
Beacon, New York — a small, pretty town of 12,000 or so in the mid-Hudson Valley that is 90 miles north of New York City. I still return regularly.

Where do you live now?
New York City. I love this town! For me to get from Beacon to New York City, I first had to travel the world.

Is there one place in the world you would recommend that people visit?
I think that since travel is so precious — we are all time-poor! — one should follow one’s interests. If you are passionate about nature, then visit the Amazon of Peru, Ecuador or Brazil, or definitely make an African safari happen to any of the east and southern countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. If art is your thing, all of Italy will keep you enthralled. Food buffs will be in heaven in Thailand, Italy, Morocco, and for the more adventurous, China and Japan. The list goes on!

What was your favorite vacation as a child? Is there anything that truly stands out about it in your memories?  Our annual vacations were modest and predictable, a five-hour drive to Atlantic City, New Jersey. I was packed and in the back seat of the family station wagon ready to go a week in advance. It was nothing exotic or grand, but explain that to a six-year-old. I remember that everything was new, novel and exciting — and the beach was open and endless. The boardwalk, with its penny arcades and salt-water taffy stores! I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

Who/what from a different heritage or culture inspires you the most? What about them/it inspires you?  Whenever I travel with small groups, I usually gravitate to someone whose spirit and interests are similar to my own. I will always ask them what their favorite trips have been and why. I just met the loveliest, and extremely well-traveled, 70-year-old woman who convinced me I had to see Papua, New Guinea and went on to explain why. One person’s first-hand descriptions far transcend all the guide books and glossy websites out there.

Tell us about your most recent trip.
I recently returned from a six-country expedition throughout southern Africa. I was excited (and not disappointed) about the game-life viewing. It is completely unscripted and unpredictable. You can drive for hours and see nothing or see a remarkable amount in just five minutes. But the beauty of those game drives is also in the anticipation, the early morning light, the sounds of birds and monkeys, the wealth of knowledge the trackers and guides share with you about the area and the behavior of its inhabitants, and ultimately, returning to camp with dinner under the stars. Africa is magical. Everyone should try to make an African safari happen at least once in a lifetime.

Readers: What’s on your list of places to see before you die? Tell us in the comments section below!

This is an ongoing series of interviews with prominent figures in the world of travel, history and culture. Previously featured: Veronica Stoddard from USA Today.

Photo Credit: Diana Allford

A Brief History of Thanksgiving Day Parades

One of our country's time-honored Thanksgiving traditions is the parade, which is typically the official welcoming of the holiday season in America. But do you know the origins of the Thanksgiving Day parade? This video gives a brief overview of how this tradition came to be:



Probably the best-known Thanksgiving Day parade is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, but cities across the country have their own parades as well. Here are just a few, courtesy of Journeys Into Hidden America Circle Leader Eric Model.

From the entire Gozaic team, here's wishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Five Things to Do In: Los Alamos, New Mexico

This edition of "Five Things to Do In" comes from Los Alamos, New Mexico.  Los Alamos is a center of science and technology.  It is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, founded to undertake the Manhattan Project.  However, this scenic city nestled in the mountains of northern New Mexico has more secrets than that of the scientific kind.

Are you planning a visit to Los Alamos?  These five things to do will show you the many sides of this extraordinary city:

Shop for a Conversation Piece at The Black Hole - An Unusual Place -- Arguably the most unusual retail establishment in Los Alamos, if not in the entire Southwestern United States, occupies what was once the town's Piggly Wiggly supermarket.  The Black Hole was a labor of love and compulsive salvage-sale shopping by local institution and peace activist Ed Grothus.  Ed, who passed away earlier this year, spent decades patrolling the sales of salvaged scientific wares from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he used to stock The Black Hole.  Visitors will find an amazing array of scientific devices, instrumentation and supplies.  Called the Black Hole because "everything goes in and nothing comes out," the founder's goal was to put scientific items into reuse for peaceful purposes.  Ed's family continues to operate the business.  The Black Hole has provided materials to more than 500 universities and research institutions around the world, as well as technical props for four major motion pictures.

Soak and Soothe at McCauley Warm Springs -- For those willing to tackle a high-altitude hike or backpacking trip, this natural geothermal pool offers perfect 90-degree waters to soothe sore and tired muscles. You can start the hike to McCauley from either of two directions, from spectacular Jemez Falls to the east (3 miles) or from landmark Battleship Rock to the west (2 miles).  McCauley is one of several hot springs accessible to hikers in the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos.  Backpackers can camp in the Ponderosa pine forest near the hot springs (not too near though) to take advantage of an evening and morning soak.  As night falls, and the stars come out in clusters, the warm water of the springs becomes an even more soothing pocket of warmth at a cool 7,350 feet.

Tranquility and Spectacular Panoramas Await You at Tsankawi -- A little-known, remote section of Bandelier National Monument offers a terrific 1.5-mile loop hike that snakes through pathways worn deeply into the volcanic tuff, climbs and descends wooden ladders and leads through an ancestral village site and past cave dwellings.  Abundant petroglyphs and spectacular mesa-top views in all directions provide ample opportunities for photographers.  In the Tewa language of the nearby Pueblo people, the name for Tsankawi means "village between two canyons at the clump of sharp round cacti."  Archaeologists believe the village of more than 350 rooms was built and occupied in the 1400s and 1500s.


Climbing Through Ancestral Pueblo Dwellings -- Forget about looking at archaeological ruins from afar. At Bandelier National Monument, about a 20-minute drive from Los Alamos, visitors can climb up recreated wooden ladders and actually walk in and touch the homes that ancestral Pueblo people built into the canyon walls centuries ago.  Stroll along the easy Main Loop Trail to see the fascinating main archaeological sites, or venture farther afield, away from the crowds, on more than 70 miles of trails through Bandelier's backcountry, with its waterfalls, wildflowers and Painted Cave filled with crudely drawn pictographs. The climb to Alcove House ascends 140 feet of wooden ladders and stone steps to reach a natural amphitheater overlooking Frijoles Canyon.  Within the alcove there is a reconstructed kiva that you can descend into by yet another ladder.  Don't just look. Climb and experience! 

An "electric" good holiday time at Winterfest -- Celebrate the arrival of Ol' Man Winter with a festival suited to young and old alike! With holiday crafts, local food and toe-tapping music, topped off by an amazing electric light parade and community tree lighting, the Winterfest is enough to get even the most humbug of Scrooges in the holiday spirit. Friends meet, neighbors catch up with each other, families hang out together and the community welcomes travelers and visitors to join in the holiday fun in a spectacular winter setting.

Upcoming Heritage Events for Your Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving is one week away – have you made your plans yet? If you’re hosting a big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner at your home, no doubt you have already been planning for weeks. But perhaps you would like to skip the kitchen and partake in the Thanksgiving feasts taking place at a variety of heritage-rich places. Or maybe you’re interested in pre- and post-Thanksgiving Day events that celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. If so, feast your eyes on the events we’ve rounded up for you here!

Food & Feasts of Colonial Virginia, Nov. 26 – 28, Yorktown, Virginia: Virginia foodways are featured during this three-day event beginning on Thanksgiving Day and taking place at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

Switch on the Holidays, Nov. 26, Red River, New Mexico: Tree lighting and caroling in Brandenburg Park, followed by Santa, hot cocoa and cider in the Conference Center.  A great family tradition!

Blessing of the Fleet, Nov. 26, Trinidad, California:  Join the crews of the local fishing fleet, as they give thanks for the bountiful harvest of the season and receive a blessing for the upcoming season.

Craftsman’s Days, Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, Eureka, California: Living history and artisan fair at the Blue Ox Millworks Historic Park in Eureka.

Breakfast with Citizens of the Revolution, Nov. 27, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia: Share a delicious breakfast and thoughtful conversation about the excitement, uncertainty and tension of the period with Williamsburg’s 18th-century residents at the King’s Arms Tavern.

Lexington Christmas Parade, Winter Festival & Holiday Market, Nov. 27, Lexington, Kentucky: The largest Christmas parade in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the day’s festivities include arts and crafts vendors, live music and seasonal food.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides with Santa, Nov. 27, Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, Connecticut: Climb aboard Foxglove Farm’s charming wagonette for a horse-drawn ride on the museum’s grounds with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Festival, Nov. 28, Natchitoches, Louisiana: Enjoy holiday crafts, jewelry, decorations and gifts to help you start your holiday shopping.

Winterfest, Nov. 28, Cleveland, Ohio: Kick off the holiday season at this day-long family event, complete with horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, live holiday performances and, of course, the lighting of Cleveland's Public Square and Christmas tree.

"A Gullah Christmas," Nov. 28 & 29, Beaufort, South Carolina: Performed by Marlena Smalls and the Hallelujah Singers, this old-fashioned Gullah celebration of the yuletide season is a heartwarming presentation of Christmas stories, plantation carols and spirituals.

Heritage Q&A with Veronica Stoddart of USA Today

Today, we continue our series on the Go With a Purpose blog where we interview movers and shakers from the world of travel, heritage and culture.

Veronica Stoddart is USA Today’s deputy managing editor for travel, where she sets policy and oversees a staff of reporters and editors and freelance columnists who produce travel content for print and online.  Previously, she was the founding editor of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine, which she edited for 10 years. She has worked as a contract editor for the National Geographic Society, as travel editor of Americas magazine and contributed to National Geographic Traveler, Islands and numerous other publications during more than 25 years in travel journalism.  A travel addict, she has visited some 90 countries, reporting from many of them.  Stoddart is a graduate of Wellesley College.

Where is your hometown?
Bogotá, Colombia

Where do you live now? 
Washington, D.C.

Is there one place in the world you would recommend that people visit for life-enriching experiences?
As the intersection of cultures and religions, history and modernity, politics and passion, Jerusalem has no peer.  After several visits there over the years, I've found it never fails to fascinate, provoke, inspire, challenge and profoundly move me -- all at the same time. This cradle of the three great monotheistic religions has been fought over and prayed over for 4,000 years -- and is still inflamed by obsessions that make it one of the most intense places on earth.  History and faith are magnified here, converging and clashing on a global scale.  Consider that the city has been captured and recaptured more than two dozen times: by Egyptians, ancient Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Syrians, Armenians, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Turks, British, Jordanians and modern Israelis.  Yet in a kind of cosmic joke, Jerusalem means "city of peace."  The startling contradictions play out on a daily basis.  I still remember being transported by the sweet strains of "Amazing Grace" sung by Protestant worshipers at the crusader-built St. Anne's Church while haggling with a Palestinian street vendor as fatigue-clad Israeli soldiers strutted by, automatic weapons slung casually over their shoulders.  In Jerusalem, such encounters are simply commonplace.

Where was your last work project? 
A cruise on the Danube River, through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.

Do you have a most awe-inspiring vacation experience?
That would have to be climbing 19,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro (but close behind: visiting the Grand Canyon and Iguazu Falls).  I made the climb in the ’70s, before it became a right of passage for adventuresome travelers.  It was a five-day trek of bunking in crude huts and caves along the way and watching five distinct climatic zones meld one into one another -- from the hot equatorial savannah through forest, heather and desert to the frigid glacier at Uhuru Peak.   We were instructed to walk as slowly as possible -- and then even slower -- to acclimate gradually to the high altitude, about as high as you can go without oxygen.  But the crowning glory was waking at 2 a.m. for the final grueling push to the summit, timed to coincide with the rising sun.  After scrambling up the frozen scree and ascending above the clouds to Africa's highest point, it felt as if the world stretched out forever, glowing in the early morning light.

When you travel somewhere unusual, what do you do to feel that you have truly experienced a culture? 
My strongest entrees into a culture are through its food and its folk art, which I've collected since running a handicraft export business in Niger years ago.  I love seeking out village artisans and market craftspeople for how their charming handmade wares reveal a glimpse into their folk culture. I love probing for the provenance and back story about each one. No matter the destination, I always manage to find some object that calls to me in a visceral and sometimes surprising way -- be it a 100-year-old religious glass painting in Romania, or an enormous hammered-metal "tree of life" in Haiti, or a riotously painted and carved wooden retablo in Peru, or beaded and mirrored elephant figurines in Thailand.  The bonus, of course, is that each whimsical piece carries with it a special memory back home. 

But just as important for me is the local cuisine, which uniquely synthesizes a locale's geography, history, creativity, tradition and aesthetic sense.  It says it all -- in one delectable mouthful. And there’s nothing more evocative of a place than eating its food at home, long after the trip is over.  Besides, what’s more fun than trying new culinary delights?

In your travels, have you found any heritage or cultural place that made you say “This is where I belong,” “This place defines me” or “I am home,” “I must spend more time here?”
Italy, Italy, Italy.  I've been many times -- Milan, Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome, Naples, Amalfi and points in between -- and never tire of it.  Italy has it all: art and architecture, cuisine and culture, scenery and history and the most enviable lifestyle.  It's where I learned to cook (from a Tuscan chef), conceived a daughter, first heard open-air opera (in Cortona) and got hooked on gorgeous hand-painted pottery.

Is there one heritage site or destination that you always wanted to visit, but never had the time?
Too many to count, but high on the list are Tibet (Potala Palace), South Africa (Cape Town), Jordan (Petra) and Prague (hard to believe I haven't been yet).

Thanksgiving Travel Alternatives: Road or Rail?

According to a recent survey conducted by American Express, almost 20 percent of those who traveled for Thanksgiving last year are staying home this year. Meanwhile, the Air Transport Association of America says airlines are expecting a 4 percent drop in air travel over the Thanksgiving holiday. The down economy may be forcing Americans to make drastic changes to their Thanksgiving travel plans, but air doesn’t have to be the only way to go. Traveling by road or by rail are two alternatives that may be more feasible in terms of cost.

Holiday Road

For shorter trips of 5 to 6 hours or less, traveling by car may not be as quick as flying, but it could be less costly and more rewarding.  Here are a few tips for getting there by car:

• Plan your route ahead of time.  A more direct route along major interstates may be quicker, but it could also be more expensive.  Larger towns and cities, or more affluent areas, are likely to have higher gas prices. Not only that, but the interstates will also have heavier holiday traffic, which will affect  your gas mileage, not to mention your patience.

• Consider taking a road less traveled. You can make your journey a lot less expensive and a lot more interesting by taking a scenic route through smaller towns.  Map your route along state or county roads, or if possible, try taking a scenic byway or driving through a heritage area. You’ll give thanks for all the lovely scenery, interesting historic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path roadside stops you find along the way. You can plan and share your Thanksgiving trip itinerary here, or you can get suggestions for scenic roads in the Journeys Into Hidden America circle.

• Calculate your costs. Using a website such as GasBuddy.com, you can find out the prices of gas for the zip codes where you’ll be driving, and you can also calculate approximate costs for your entire trip using the Trip Cost Calculator. This way, you can estimate your fuel costs ahead of time and compare them to the cost of  other modes of travel or other possible routes.

The Romance of Rail

For longer distances, you may want to consider rail travel. Traveling by train can be less expensive and more relaxing, giving you the opportunity to take in some stunning scenery just outside of your large picture window.  Compared to air travel, train travel has its advantages:  fares are much more stable, most trips don’t require prior reservations (you can book your trip on your travel day at the station) and you are allowed more baggage without having to pay baggage fees. Plus, carbon emissions from trains are a lot lower, so less damaging to the environment than emissions from plane travel – making rail a greener way to travel. Trains also have a certain historic charm and romanticism associated with them, especially on routes that take you through rugged mountains and rolling hills, over awe-inspiring rivers or along dramatic coastlines.

Yes, there are viable alternatives to air travel this Thanksgiving – and they won’t be too burdensome on your pocketbook, either. Both road and rail are often less expensive and more rewarding modes of travel, allowing you the opportunity to take in sights you may not have seen otherwise.  No matter which way you choose, travel safely this Thanksgiving!

A Grand Tour of New York City's Theater World: Going Home

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City’s theater world - complete with special backstage tours of New York’s most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel. This is Heather’s final report on her experiences for the Go With a Purpose blog. You can read previous posts from Heather here.

On day six of our New York theater trip, we got ourselves together and crammed all of our souvenirs into our suitcases. We then set out to make our way back to the airport. We decided to take a different subway line into Harlem this time, so we walked to Grand Central Station. I confess that I felt a little important rolling my suitcase amid the crowd at that station. Everyone else was dressed for work and on their way to conduct business, and I felt like I was a part of their world. We navigated our way to the correct train and eventually got off at 125th Street. From there we found the stop for our bus, but ended up having about ten minutes to wait.

So in that time, I ended up not being able to help myself, and I took a few more snapshots of the sights around us. Just as with the rest of the city, Harlem is undergoing a renaissance and a shift in demographics. What was once a largely Jewish neighborhood became the center of African- American culture, and now another layer of history has come to the area. We saw several signs of that shift, but the best one just screamed for me to take a picture of it. It showed that in Harlem, Malcolm X and El Barrio mean history.

Our bus arrived, and we were able to see the city pass by as we made our way to LaGuardia. Airport processing is always a bit of a circus, but eventually we made it to our gate and had a chance to talk to several of the people heading out on the same flight. One was a marathon runner, sporting her medal with pride, who agreed to take a final picture of my mother and me before we boarded the plane. In honor of Gozaic, which made this entire trip possible, we were sporting our Gozaic T-shirts. We were actually asked what Gozaic was by one of the airport customer service staff people, so the word is spreading.

While we were both a little sad that the trip was coming to a close, since there was still so much to see, it was exciting to see Nashville through the windows and hear the country music performers welcome you to the airport through a series of public service announcements. I am going to spend some time going back through my pictures and rehashing the lessons about cultural conservation and historic preservation that I learned on this trip. It was truly inspiring.

A Grand Tour of New York City’s Theater World: Day 5

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City’s theater world - complete with special backstage tours of New York’s most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel. Heather will be reporting back on her experiences and posting them right here on the Go With a Purpose blog.

Our final full day in New York was spent on an extended tour with our guides, Dr. Joseph Rosenberg and Rey Calderon. Our first visit was to the Hearst Tower, which is an interesting blend of the historic and the contemporary. When Hearst constructed the base of the building, he never completed the tower that was supposed to stand atop it due to the financial stresses of the Great Depression. When the company finally went ahead with plans to create a tower, it opted to keep the exterior of the historic base, create a contemporary tower, and gut the historic interior to support the tower and implement some wide-reaching green measures, including water recycling and putting in earthquake supports. The mix of the two styles is actually refreshing, rather than a pseudo-historic building placed atop a truly historic one.

From there we made our way to the renovated Columbus Circle. Again, this site is a blend of the historic with the contemporary. The historic statue of Christopher Columbus is still central, but it is now surrounded by benches and fountains and a mix of new and old buildings. The circle blends principles of what I think makes the new generation of historic preservationists successful. The site has character and a true sense of place, and allows for the integration of new development while utilizing the historic spaces. All of those combine for a better quality of life and a vibrant cityscape.

Next we hopped on the bus and made our way up Central Park West, again spotting the Dakota and Museum of Natural History. We stopped and strolled into Central Park, where we learned about the construction of the park, its decay and rebirth. That rebirth is a theme for the entire city, but it was inspiring to see a case where the natural and historic environments were both valued assets.

We drove back to the theater district to visit the Nederlander Theatre, where we were greeted by Jim Boese, vice president of Nederlander Theatres and president of the League of Historic American Theatres. Although the theatre is not designated a historic landmark, Boese oversaw the renovations of the Nederlander Theatre and walked us through all of the details that he thought were important. This theatre served as the location for the show "Rent" for thirteen years, and its decay had been a perfect setting for that show. But afterward, Disney expressed interest in using the theatre, but would only use the Nederlander Theatres (both the ones in Manhattan and across the country) if the company restored them and their historic elements.

Not only are the Disney shows a success for what they put on the stage, but they see the setting as equally important to the success of their theatrical enterprises. Nederlander Theatres have also seen the financial benefits of restoring their historic theatres and of their partnership with Disney. The wall behind the Nederlander Theatre still has all of the graffiti left behind from cast members of "Rent" and some of the theatregoers who saw the show.

We then made our way back past many of the Manhattan monuments that are now very familiar to us, until we arrived at Gramercy Park. We walked around the square and peeked into the private park, before we made our way into the National Arts Club. The building is beautiful, and the food was amazing. Gramercy Park rang a bell for me, and then Dr. Rosenberg pointed out that Edwin Booth's home (now the Player's Club, which Booth founded) had been right next door to the National Arts Club. I remembered Sarah Vowell talking about this site in her book "Assassination Vacation." Dr. Rosenberg secured a key to the park, and I was able to take a picture of the statue of Edwin Booth that Sarah Vowell had mentioned. Edwin Booth was the brother of John Wilkes Booth, but famous in his own right as the most talented actor of his day.

To end the extended tour day, we made our way into the Financial District and the World Financial Center. Dr. Rosenberg talked through how he personally, and the city as a whole, recovered from the terrorist attacks of nearly a decade ago. We then looked out over Ground Zero from the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center. When I visited Ground Zero a year ago, I felt so overwhelmed that I had to leave quickly. This time, it was not so difficult to be there. I don't know if it was because we were looking at it from behind glass or if hearing about the recovery and the sense of hope from Dr. Rosenberg helped me come to terms with the site. Regardless, what I thought would be a real downer ended up being the ultimate high of the week.

With only a little bit of evening left to ourselves, my mother and I grabbed a light dinner (and I made sure to have a cosmopolitan, because no trip to New York City is complete without one), snagged a few last-minute souvenirs and then went to see "Wicked." It was just as wonderful as I had heard it would be.

A Grand Tour of New York City's Theater World: Day 4

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City’s theater world - complete with special backstage tours of New York’s most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel. Heather will be reporting back on her experiences and posting them right here on the Go With a Purpose blog.

Day four in New York kept us close to the hotel. We met in the lobby and then walked through the theater district, making our way to 42nd Street. We learned about the height of the glory years of the theater district a century ago, with the burlesque theaters and then the movie palaces. Then we learned about the decay, about both of the buildings and the reputation of the area. Now there is a revival, and those theaters that were not restored along that once famous strip have scaffolding in place to help resurrect them.

We went to one theater that truly could be described as a resurrection. The New Amsterdam Theater was literally full of water and was a home to trees and animals when Disney bought the building. The renovation and preservation work Disney completed on this structure is beyond belief. This theater has so many subtle touches and intricate motifs, that it seems like the perfect setting for the Disney productions that come to Broadway.

For preservationists, this was a perfect case study. It is always thrilling to experience the rebirth of an institution and to see that historic elements are what give it a sense of place. Along with the story of the death and rebirth of the theater, we also learned about the theater's ghost from Dana Amendola, vice president of operations for Disney Theatricals. Ziegfeld Girl Olive Thomas, who performed in the infamous "Midnight Frolic," had a tumultuous life, and apparently her presence is still felt at the New Amsterdam. To honor her ghost, the theatre has pictures of her at each of the entrances.

From the New Amsterdam, we strolled further down 42nd Street to take in the revitalization, and then we popped into the Manhattan Theatre Club for a roundtable discussion with singer and actor Kyle Dean Massey, keyboardist and composer Paul Loesel and flamenco dancer Rey Calderon. It was fascinating to hear about the behind-the-scenes life of creating the plays and musicals that we see and to learn about their different creative processes. Then we walked to a performance room to hear a few numbers from Loesel and Massey. On the way, I literally almost bumped into Catherine Zeta Jones, who was ducking into her own practice room. So much talent, and what an honor to have been there to see their creativity in action.

After the morning's programs, we were turned loose on the city. This afternoon, I wanted to get in a shot of some buildings along Madison Avenue as a tribute to "Mad Men." I could not find one that looked exactly like the exterior of the fictional Sterling Cooper, but I got close. We then hopped on the subway to find our final "Ghostbusters" landmark. We found the theater that hosts the Tribeca Film Festival and the Hook & Ladder 8 building that served as "Ghostbusters" headquarters in the movie. Dr. Egon Spengler, the character played by Harold Ramis, called the neighborhood a "demilitarized zone" in the movie. I wouldn't go that far, but even with a sizable police precinct right next door, this area has not had the renaissance that we've seen in other parts of the city.

We then completed the day with a trip to the New York Museum of Natural History. The building is hugely impressive, and the collections are diverse, but I was a little stunned at how outdated the museum was. Updating interpretation and exhibits is very expensive, but the museum seemed to be a relic of the past. With the economy the way it is, perhaps the decades old exhibits, several of which I think are older than I am, will stay in place a bit longer. On the up side, it was not until we walked into the building that I remembered that "Night at the Museum" was set in a fictional version of the museum, so I made sure to catch a few of the main characters from that film.

I love that films and television, which were initially responsible for the death of many cultural institutions in New York, are now what bring life back to the city. Without the Disney movies, the New Amsterdam would not have its successful string of plays or the money to renovate. Many of the plays that enjoy huge success on Broadway are those that have films made of them. Rather than detracting from the theater experience, those films seem to serve as a teaser to get people to go and see the live performances.

A Grand Tour of New York City's Theater World: Day 3

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City’s theater world -- complete with special backstage tours of New York’s most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel. Heather will be reporting back on her experiences and posting them right here on the Go With a Purpose blog.

Day three of our New York City theater trip began with a quick cup of coffee and a scone at a little coffee shop across the street, and then we were off for a combo driving and walking tour of Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side. We drove down Fifth Avenue and learned a great deal of the architectural history of Manhattan from Dr. Rosenberg. Unfortunately, I was not at a good angle on the bus to snap a shot of the Flatiron Building, but it was a thrill to see it. Then we drove into the heart of Greenwich Village and stepped out onto Washington Square.

While I am still leaning towards the professional sector for a career, I find myself considering the benefits of academia after seeing a bit of the New York University (NYU) campus and walking down Washington Mews, where some lucky NYU faculty get to live. What a great setting for a campus environment.

From there it was off to the enclaves in the Lower East Side. While there is still one street in Little Italy that is almost entirely Italian, much of the rest of the area has changed over to Chinese shops. This is a very recent change in demographics. We learned about how different ethnic groups, such as the Germans, had moved into neighborhoods in the Lower East Side and then were replaced by the Irish, or Eastern European Jews or Italians. That dynamic is continuing today, and as the demographics of the neighborhoods change, each generation has a different cultural gift to share. For me, one of the greatest gifts is great food. So I was excited when we stopped in at Ferrara's, and I bought a mini cannoli and a coffee. There are simply no words to describe how tasty it was.

Then we strolled into what has traditionally been the heart of Chinatown. There were great shops, interesting architecture and, of course, great stories. We went down one odd street that meandered a bit and learned that this was where Chinese gangs used to stage hits back in the day. So, as a good tourist, I took a picture of it. Aside from an exciting bit of the macabre, it got me to thinking about the struggle of people from a different culture trying to carve out a place for themselves in a country where they are initially met with much hostility.

That is probably exactly what Dr. Rosenberg wanted us to be thinking about, because the next stop was the much heralded Lower East Side Tenement Museum. My summer course with Dr. Spencer Crew on sites of conscience involved a good deal of discussion on the programming of this particular museum. It is a founding member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and continues to engage the public on difficult and controversial topics.

We did the Moore family tour, which mostly focused on the Irish Moore family, but also included the Jewish Katz family, and there was a brief interaction that I had read about in articles about the Tenement Museum. One of our guides, Rey Calderon, spoke up about his immigrant experience because he is Latino and from Costa Rica. One of the women on the tour spoke about her Irish ancestors and wanted to compare their experiences to Rey's experience. It was a great discussion, and it got everyone thinking about how some things change, some dynamics stay the same and what exactly does that mean? What should we do about it?

After that tour, we came back to the hotel (my mother and I picked up a hot dog from a street vendor along the way), and then we mapped out a few more must see spots for us to see on our own. We visited the New York Public Library for a couple of reasons. One, it was a necessary landmark on our "Ghostbusters" scavenger hunt, but it is also undergoing extensive renovations. The exterior is currently in progress, but the interiors are back to their full glory. We visited the map exhibit and the gift shop, after wandering through the main reading room. Sadly, we did not see any ghostly librarians stacking books. Maybe we needed ghost-busting equipment for that?

We also took in the landmarks of Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building and made a visit to the United Nations (U.N.) Since it was Sunday evening, all of the flags were down at the U.N., so we'll make a return trip to see the site in all its glory. As we began to make our way back to the Algonquin, we had two fortuitous types of run-ins. We began to see runners from the marathon making their way back to hotels. Some were wrapped in their shiny blankets they were given at the finish line, but all were wearing medals. By the time I got the gumption to ask if everyone got the same medal, I asked someone who didn't speak English.

The second event we came across was the window display at Brooks Brothers. The store is doing a tribute to "Mad Men" because it provides many of the costumes for the Emmy-winning show. I love "Mad Men" and had forgotten to include some of the show's landmarks in our discovery of the city, so that is on the list for tomorrow.

After a considerable amount of walking, we were exhausted and had planned a brief outing for the evening. We walked to Sardi's for an amazing meal, and then, on the way back to the hotel, we decided to just pop into the Toys "R" Us store on Times Square. I do not know how much time we spent in there, but we came out much later. The store has a Ferris wheel inside the building and three floors of merchandise with truly stunning exhibits. I took pictures of the Lego cityscape, and we gawked for a while at the animatronic Jurassic Park exhibit. Finally, we went in search of souvenirs for my niece and nephew.

By the time we got back in, my intentions of doing some early blogging had become less of a priority. I quickly fell asleep, but I am filled with thoughts about the tension of wealth and poverty, and how labels of ethnicity can benefit or hurt a community. Rather than just giving us a feel good tour, our guides are raising questions and making us think, which is exactly what I wanted.

A Grand Tour of New York City's Theater World: Day 2

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City’s theater world -- complete with special backstage tours of New York’s most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel. Heather will be reporting back on her experiences and posting them right here on the Go With a Purpose blog.

Saturday's adventures began with breakfast at a New York-style diner. Our tour guide, Rey, recommended that we try a diner while in town, and the Red Flame just happened to be next to our hotel. There was a good mix of tourists and locals inside, and we had some great diner fare to start our day. I was particularly taken with the clock on the back wall of the diner. I love those kinds of details.

Our tour group gathered in the lobby of the Algonquin, and we were greeted by Matilda, the cat. She was feeling a bit more sociable today and kept prowling around as if to make sure that everyone was accounted for. Because it was Halloween, I thought that the accidental exposure of the picture I took of her that made her look like some type of ghost cat was very fitting.

Our main focus for the day was on the historical, architectural and theatrical heritage of Harlem. Due to a street festival on Madison Avenue and preparations for the New York Marathon, our bus got tangled in traffic, and our guides quickly retooled and led us out onto the subway system. That ended up being lucky for us because we got to see and learn about things that we wouldn't have otherwise, such as the evolution of the subway system in the city. We arrived at 125th Street and met Billy Mitchell at the Apollo Theater. Billy is known as the Soul of the Apollo, and you really could not ask for a better person to unravel the stories that this building holds.

Knowing that we were preservation-minded, he discussed the upcoming renovation plans, which will be phenomenal, and the changes to the building over time. And no trip to the Apollo is complete without rubbing the lucky stump. Fortunately for them, I was not going to perform after rubbing it, so we were all lucky in that regard. After being provided with some very detailed contextual information on Harlem and how the segregation in early New York shaped the theater industry, among other things, we headed out for a driving and walking tour of Harlem and its different neighborhoods.

We got to see some row houses that infamous architect Stanford White designed for African-American professionals, although there was no sign of a red velvet swing. We also visited the new location of Alexander Hamilton's farmhouse and its previous location, also not the first location of that building, and we learned about his influence on the shaping of New York and our country. While perusing the row houses that now sit on top of what was once his family farmstead, we unknowingly began our tour of movie-related sites. Dr. Rosenberg pointed out the building that was used in the movie "The Royal Tenenbaums."

On our way back to the hotel, my mother and I asked to be dropped off early, and we trekked out to tally up a few more movie sites. Growing up, I loved the movie "Ghostbusters," and it seemed imperative to visit those iconic sites. I excitedly proclaimed that we had found the Temple of Zuul when we came across the apartment building used in the movie. I imagined what the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man would have looked like climbing up it, and then took a picture of the church next to it while quoting Bill Murray, "Nobody steps on a church in my town!"

After that adventure, we went to explore Greenwich Village and got to see the preparations for the famous Halloween parade. We were able to continue our movie and television theme at dinner, when we were seated right by television actor John Stamos. I did not take a picture of him, since I thought the man deserved to eat his dinner in peace before he left to perform in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." According to the waitress, he comes to eat at Bond 45 quite frequently, so Stamos fans are now in the know.

For the evening, we stepped back into my mother's teen years by going to see the musical "Hair." On our way to do our "Ghostbusters" tribute, we made a point to visit the Dakota. This apartment building was home to John Lennon and the site where he was assassinated. Imagining his message, we went into "Hair" with thoughts of war protest and free love.


The show won a Tony for the best revival of a musical, and it was well deserved. The actors were excellent, lively and very interactive with the crowd. My mother and I both came away with flowers. I tucked mine behind my ear and wore it as a sort of costume for our return trip to our room. Walking through Times Square on Halloween night was amazing, although I couldn't always tell who was wearing a costume and who just dressed that way. And I think that is spectacular.

A Grand Tour of New York City's Theater World: Day 1

Heather Bailey is the winner of the Heritage Travel Reviews Contest, which we held back in the spring on our pre-launch website, GoWithaPurpose.com. She won a grand tour of New York City's theater world -- complete with special backstage tours of New York's most famous venues, tickets to Broadway shows and a stay at New York’s oldest hotel.

For a big trip, I like to try and mix in being a quintessential tourist, along with attempting to blend in with the locals. That gives me a sense of how an area balances the services for the out-of-towners with those for the local residents. So when we arrived at LaGuardia, we opted to try our hand at public transportation rather than snagging a cab. We took the M60 from Queens into Harlem and then hopped on the subway to take us south into Manhattan. The bus ride was exciting and a great way to see that bit of the city. I sat back and avidly listened to conversations to see what the pressing issues were on the minds of residents. Healthcare was the big topic for adults, but the conversations of teenagers were focused on the same interpersonal topics that I had heard back in Nashville, on the bus in Queens and Harlem and even on the subway in Manhattan.

We walked to our hotel and were very excited when we saw the awning that said "Algonquin." At that point, even though I was still impersonating a packhorse with my luggage, I rummaged around and found my camera. We were informed by our porter that the Algonquin is the oldest hotel in New York, and that it was the first hotel in the city to utilize electronic passkeys. There is charm wherever you look, but also a lot of quirkiness (a plus in my book). The lobby has a Japanese-themed mural on the walls, ornate wood paneling and columns, and a cushy little bed right by the front door for the hotel cat, Matilda, who is even on Twitter as Algonqueen. The walls in the hallways leading to the hotel rooms have wallpaper featuring cartoons from The New Yorker, several of which take jabs at the Algonquin. I love that this luxury hotel has a sense of humor about itself; it adds to the sense of welcome and relaxation.

After getting settled, we set out to do some obligatory tourist things. We walked up Fifth Avenue, stopped in a diner for lunch, then a Barnes & Noble for coffee and scoping out three floors of books! Very exciting. And finally, we made our way to Central Park. We just skirted the edge of the park, taking in the beautiful fall colors and the crush of tourists. The line of horse-drawn carriages offering rides into the park put up quite the odor, and it got me to thinking about what this city must have looked and smelled like a century ago. A history professor at Middle Tennessee State University enjoys shocking his students with the idea of scratch-and-sniff history because his conclusion is that history is smelly.

Then we decided to head back to the hotel and traveled the 15 blocks back to the Algonquin along the Avenue of the Americas (aka Sixth Avenue). We took shots of Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, where there was a solid group of children ice skating, even one dressed as Red Riding Hood in anticipation of Halloween. After resting, we met up with the cozy group joining us on the theater tour of New York City, and we were led through the theater district by our fabulous guide, Reynaldo Calderon. He was lively and full of great stories.

After a great dinner at Mont Blanc (the waiter said that we'd made a good choice in selecting the no-flour chocolate cake and after finishing it, we heartily agreed), we stumbled back to the Algonquin, exhausted. Along the way we strolled through Broadway, which has been temporarily turned into a pedestrian area. Rey had pointed this out to us on our way through the theater district, and we took the opportunity to snap a few shots of locals and tourists hanging out in Times Square, making full use of the pedestrian area. A great first day, with much more to come.

Experience History at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Manhattan's Lower East Side breathes with the stories of thousands of immigrants seeking a better life, and you won't find a more fascinating depiction of tenement life than at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, just one of the hundreds of heritage sites to be found on Gozaic.



Upcoming "Tenement Talks" include a night with New York Times reporter William Grimes on November 4. Grimes will explore the culinary heritage of the Lower East Side's eateries, from humble dives to world-class fine dining. On November 10, author Edward Rutherford will give a book reading, and on November 12, the Tenement Museum gives visitors like you the opportunity to share 3-minute stories about New York tenement life. November 17 brings Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger to the Tenement Museum to discuss "Why Architecture Matters."

With the aid of over 2,000 artifacts, archival documents and oral histories, and of course the well-preserved buildings themselves, get a feel for life on Orchard Street, and catch a glimpse of the American Dream.

Learn more at Gozaic or tenement.org.