The pick of sights, museums, dining, hotels when
traveling in and out of a city, either on a flight or cruise or for a special day trip.
Here are some ideas for a 'different' day in seven great American cities. For more
information, contact our Vacation & Cruise Specialists!
Boston Chicago Los Angeles
New York
San Francisco Seattle
Washington
 BOOKSTORE  CAFE
 HOTEL  MUSEUM/GALLERY
 NIGHTLIFE  RESTAURANT
 SHOPPING  THEATER
BOSTON
While following
in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers, here's how to opt for a bit of boutique shopping
in Back Bay, a stroll on the Commons and a very big martini.
8 a.m.
The restaurant at the Beacon
Hill Hotel on Charles Street offers breakfast and the perfect location to begin your day.
9 a.m.
 The nineteenth-century
townhouses that overlook Louisburg Square were once the homes of Boston Brahmins and
Acorn Street, paved with cobblestones, is one of the most picturesque in a neighborhood
full of charm.
10 a.m.
 The
streets north of Pinckney were long the home of a community of free blacks - Frederick
Douglass and Sojourner Truth both argued for abolition at the African Meeting House,
unofficial headquarters of the Underground Railroad.
11:30 a.m.
Since its construction in 1798, the gold-domed State House has been one of the city's most
prominent landmarks.
Noon
Many of the sights associated
with the Revolutionary War lie to the east of Boston Common - the Granary Burying Ground
is the final resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock and the victims of the Boston
Massacre, which took place in front of the Old State House.
1 p.m.
Stop for lunch at Lock-Ober,
an 1875 landmark. The service is white glove and the menu unapologetically old-fashioned,
with steak tartare and baked Alaska among the specialties!
2:30 p.m.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Common, America's oldest public park.
3:30 p.m.
Back Bay is a
nineteenth-century development modeled on the grand boulevards of Paris - Commonwealth
Avenue, with its leafy meridian dotted with statues, is the city's stately homage to the
Champs-Elysees.
4 p.m.
Newberry Street and its side
streets are lined with boutiques, including a "must-browse" for shoppers - the
upscale clothier Louis Boston.
5 p.m.
 
The work of two of America's
architectural giants graces Copley Square: the Romanesque Trinity Church, by Henry Hobson
Richardson and the Renaissance Revival Boston Public Library, by McKim, Mead and White.
6 p.m.
The Oak Bar at the Fairmont
Copley Plaza, a popular meeting place since the 1930s, serves generous martinis in a grand
hotel setting.
7:30 p.m.
Bostonian cuisine is not just
about chowda anymore, as you'll discover if you order the polenta with salt cod
or the pappardelle with boar at the new and popular Via Matta (reserve in advance;
617-422-008).
10 p.m.
 No
day in Boston would be complete without a visit to an Irish bar. End your evening with the
young Irish crowd at J.J. Foley's, where the friendly bartenders pour a proper pint of
Guinness.
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CHICAGO
Make the
"Second City", "first" - it's where you can explore soaring
architecture and world-class art museums, as well as stop for a pie that's one of
Chicago's most famous culinary inventions.
9 a.m.
Begin your day
at Museum Campus, home of the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium,
whose neoclassical grandeur reflects the cultural ambitions and commercial might of the
city's early civic leaders.
9:45 a.m.
![[Buckingham Fountain Photo]](images/buckinghamnight.gif)
 Stroll along the lakeshore to
Buckingham Fountain. The world's largest - it pumps 14,000 gallons per minute.
10 a.m.
 The Art Institute houses
many masterpieces, including Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande
Jatte and dreamlike stained glass windows by Chagall.
11:45
a.m.
 
The cool modernism of the
curvy, bronze-mirrored Lake Point Tower, based on a 1920 design by Mies van der Rohe (and
finally built in 1968); contrasts sharply with the theme-park diversions of Navy Pier.
Noon
  
The Chicago River threads its
way through a veritable canyon of showplace architecture. Highlights include the brilliant
white Wrigley Building, the Gothic Revival Tribune Tower and The Jetsons-like pinnacles of
Marina City.
1 p.m.
Pizzeria Due is the larger
offshoot of Pizzeria Uno, where Chicago's signature deep-dish pie was invented in 1943.
Avoid a wait by ordering yours in advance - the thick crust has to bake for 45 minutes.
(312)-943-2400).
2 p.m.
 The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts innovative exhibitions by
rising stars. The cafe - a perfect spot for a quick break - overlooks a serene sculpture
garden.
3:45 p.m.
The John Hancock Center's
observation platform has great views of Lake Michigan and the skyline.
4:30 p.m.
Just beyond the Jazz Age
landmark Drake Hotel, Oak Street Beach is prime summer real estate for the toned and
tanned.
5 p.m.
 All the trappings for
Chicago's Gold Coast lifestyle can be acquired in the boutiques around Oak and Rush
streets. One of the best is Ikram, for designer wear by As Four and McQueen.
6:30 p.m.
Chicago is a city not only of
"big shoulders", in the words of Carl Sandburg, but also of big buildings and
big public art. A 50-foot-tall Picasso sculpture occupies Daley Plaza (pictured above) and
monumental works by Calder and Dubeffet are within a few blocks.
7:30
p.m.
  
The once-industrial West Loop neighborhood, near the expressway, is now home to a booming
restaurant scene. Eat dinner in the sleek, minimalist Blackbird, which serves contemporary
French-American cuisine.
9:30 p.m.
Save room for Sugar, a new dessert bar specializing in decadent after-dinner treats such
as 'Remains of the Parfait' and 'Banana Karenina'.
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LOS
ANGELES
9 a.m.
 At the popular West Hollywood
eatery Hugo's, the breakfast crowd arrives fresh from appointments with their personal
trainers. Order a tofu scramble for a healthy start to your day.
10 a.m.
  
  Look like a
starlet by shopping with the A-list at Fred Segal. Other must-stops for clothes
hounds include Naked, for the fearlessly fashion-forward and Kbond, for stylish casual
menswear (think Fred Perry and Paul Smith).
11:30 a.m.
  Temporary exhibitions at
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art provide insights into the Golden State's history,
while the permanent collection is especially strong on Latin American and Asian works. The
plaster mammoths trapped in the La Brea Tar Pits provide the perfect California-kitsch
photo op.
1:30 a.m.
Before lunching at the celebrity-studded Ivy, swing by Beverly Hills' famed center of
conspicuous consumption, Rodeo Drive.
3 p.m.
 Drop by Book Soup to
pick up some poolside reading. In addition to its hardcover selection, L.A.'s best
independent bookstore has racks of periodicals ranging from literary journals to Dutch
fashion magazines.
4 p.m.
 
 If you
want to soak up some California sun before your night out, grab a chaise longue by your
hotel's pool (or arrive, towel in hand, at a Sunset Strip favorite and act like you own
the place).
5 p.m.
 In the
last few years, several of Tinseltown's older sights have gotten a good scrubbing (check
out the renovated Egyptian Theater) and a few new attractions have opened, including the
Kodak Theater, home to the Oscars ceremony. That said, some things never change: You can
still search for your idol's star while dodging costumed Supermen and Marilyn Monroes
posing for the tourists.
6 p.m.
From the
Griffith Park Observatory, made universally familiar in Rebel Without a Cause,
take in the view of the west side of the City of Angels.
7:30
p.m.
The neighborhood of Los Feliz
is trendy but not glitzy, with low-key eateries and plenty of nightlife options that don't
require talking your way past a velvet rope. Start your evening with an early dinner of
spicy curry at the popular Electric Lotus, a popular Indian restaurant.
9:30 p.m.
Young
hipsters and longtime regulars rub elbows at the venerable Dresden Room, which has managed
to maintain its unique charm despite its big-screen appearance in Swingers.
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NEW
YORK
8:30
a.m.
Wake up with a walk through
Central Park, designed by the legendary Frederic Law Olmsted 150 years ago and wind up at
the Delacorte Clock. At the top of the hour, a bear with a tambourine leads an animal
parade in a dance around the base, marking the start of your day.
9:15 a.m.
The quintessential diner,
Viand is the size of a boxcar and the service can be brusque. Make like a local and grab a
seat at the counter for a mouthwatering breakfast.
10 a.m.
 With more designers under one roof than any other store in town,
Barneys New York is a shopping mecca and the starting line for your fashion crawl up
Madison Avenue.
11 a.m.
A little museum with a big
collection, the Frick has outstanding works by the great masters, from El Greco to Titian.
1 p.m.
Lunch at "21," a New
York institution since its days as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Come dressed for the
occasion: Jacket and tie - like reservations - are required (212) 582-7200).
3 p.m.
After lunch, gaze up at the
original modernist glass box (the Crysler Building) - Ludwig Miles van der Rohe and Philip
Johnson's exquisite 1958 skyscraper.
3:30
p.m.
  
Anchor for the thriving contemporary arts scene that drifted to
Chelsea from SoHo over the last decade, the Dia Center is worth a stop for its permanent
collection as well as its excellent bookshop. While you're in the neighborhood, pop into
top galleries Gagosian and Matthew Marks.
5 p.m.
Take
a break from your cultural pursuits with coffee or an aperitif at Pastis, a popular bistro
in the seedy-chic Meatpacking District.
6:30
p.m.
The
imposing walls around Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, a reminder of the city's Gangs of
New York past, once protected the Catholic parishioners. Note the juxtaposition of
one-of-a-kind boutiques and old Italian delis, which provide a glimpse of the
gentrification under way in this former immigrant neighborhood.
7:30
p.m.
 
The pork soup dumplings at
Joe's Shanghai, one of the most delicious meals in Chinatown, are well worth the wait for
a table.
9 p.m.
Bring your New York City marathon to a Happy Ending in this former
massage parlor. Drink a toast to the town in one of the hippest lounges on the Lower East
Side.
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SAN FRANCISCO
Tackle the
famous hilly city, popping into Italian delis, unique boutiques and Bohemian bookstores.
8 a.m.
Don't arrive late at Mama's:
by 8:30, the wait to get into this breakfast institution can be over an hour.
10 a.m.
The trek up Telegraph Hill to
Coit Tower is as breathtaking as the 360-degree views from the tower's base. Contrary to
popular belief, the 1933 building was designed, not to resemble a fire hose, but simply to
enhance the skyline. Don't miss the gorgeous murals in the lobby.
11 a.m.
 Take all 378 Filbert Steps -
the most beautiful of the city's nearly 350 outdoor staircases- down to Levi's Plaza. The
worn steps wend past picturesque cottages under a canopy of leaves.
12:45 p.m.
 Order a cappuccino at Cafe Trieste, where Francis Ford
Coppois penned his screenplay for The Godfather under the fading fresco of a
Sicilian fishing village.
1 p.m.
The caffeine kick will do you
good at the century-old Molineri Delicatessen, Grab a number and relish the aroma of
home-cured meats and freshly shaved Parmesan before heading to Washington Square with a
classic Italian sub.
1:30
p.m.
Washington Square, with its
tree-shaded benches around a crowded expanse of lawn, is the perfect picnic spot.
2:45
p.m.
Neighborhood hero Joe Di
Maggio married his first wife at the frilly Sts. Peter and Paul Church, and it was these
vows that caused jolting Joe and Marilyn Monroe to be relegated to City Hall for their
nuptials - although the couple posed for photographers here.
3:30
p.m.
On the second floor of the Bay
View Bank, the North Beach Museum offers an overview of the area's ethnic and literary
history, including a draft of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "The Old Italians
Dying."
4 p.m.
The two blocks of Grant Avenue
between Filbert and Green, once the stomping ground of the Bears, are now a gold mine of
upscale clothing boutiques.
7 p.m.
Local swillers gather at Sodini's bar, while you should join the
epicureans crowding the tables for pesto lamb with linguine that would make Nonna proud.
9 p.m.
Cab it to Bimbo's 365 Club (Columbus and Chestnut), a perfectly
preserved Rat Pack-era nightclub. Grammy winner Norah Jones and bossa nova singer Bebel
Gilberto are two famous headliners who have appeared here.
11 p.m.
 "Have a seat and find a
book" command hand-painted signs at City Lights Booksellers, founded in 1953 by
Ferlinghetti. The beloved landmark is still a mecca for readers and poets alike.
Midnight
Just across Jack Kerouac Alley, the Bohemian atmosphere at the
Vesuvio bar makes it the perfect place to end the day.
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SEATTLE
Braving the
infamous climate and running on double doses of caffeine, you can happen upon anarchist
cabals and fish in flight, upscale jewelers and rockabilly barbers, as you explore the
city on Puget Sound.
9:15
a.m.
Make like a
Seattleite and order a double-whatever latte at Grand Central Bakery. If the weather's
warm, head for the outdoor tables; if not, cozy up to the fireplace.
10 a.m.
 Wander the blocks around Pioneer Square for the galleries (Flurry
& Company specializes in Native American art) and funky antiques shops (Laguna is
packed with vintage pottery).
11 a.m.
Despite its comprehensive collection, there's no denying the Seattle Art Musum's local
bias. Where else would you see a found-object artwork that spells out Kurt Cobain just
feet from a flawless John Singer Sargeant portrait!
Noon
Tourists and locals alike swarm thes warren of shops, restaurants
and food stands of Pike Place Market. At the famous seafood malls, fish-tossing mongers
send the catch of the day flying.
1 p.m.
 A self-described anarchist collective, Left Bank Books is
a nexus of radical political energy. The shelves are crowded with activist tomes - and
popular fiction (presumably to pay the rent) - and the walls are plastered with protest
rally posters.
1:30 p.m.
Who cares if Elliott's Oysters
feels a bit touristy when it has the best raw bar in town! Sidle up and watch as more than
a dozen varieties of fresh Pacific bivalves are relieved of their lids.
3 p.m.
Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Center includes the still-impressive Space
Needle, whose observation deck perches at 520 feet, and the new Frank Gehry-designed
Experience Music Project, an interactive museum.
4 p.m.
 Take the monorail downtown to the high-end shopping district,
where stores such as Nordstrom and Cartier are elbow to gilded elbow.
5 p.m.
 At the heart of Belltown is First Avenue, a street full
of stylish furniture stores and other boutiques and the smart shoppers who frequent them.
The window seats at Macrina Bakery are perfect for people-watching.
6 p.m.
   
The ground floor of the cheap-chic Ace Hotel houses a clothing
boutique, a day spa, a rockabilly barbershop and Cyclops, a hip diner/bar that's ideal for
an aperitif.
7:30
p.m.
End the day at Le Pichet, a
lively French restaurant that serves hearty country fare - think cured ham and cheese
boards - and 50 varieties of wine in little ceramic pitchers.
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WASHINGTON
Showing a soft
spot for civic pomp, you can stroll among the capital's monuments and still find time for
its galleries and jazz clubs.
8 a.m.
Begin your day with coffee and
pastries under the soaring ceiling of Union Station. A grand example of Beaux Arts
architecture, the 1907 train terminal had fallen into disrepair. Now, after a $160 million
renovation, it's the city's most visited site.
9:30 a.m.
The politico-heavy Capitol Hill neighborhood is home to the
Eastern Market, a daily (except Monday) flea and farmers' market that on weekends adds
antiques, original art and eclectic jewelry.
10:30
a.m.
  
The walk on the Mall, a two-and-a-half-mile green dotted with museums and monuments, takes
you past the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol. The Mall itself
is ideal for a meander and at its far end (but worth a detour) is Maya Lin's austere
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
12:15
p.m.
A hit since it opened last July, the International Spy Museum exposes the history of the
world's most notorious secret agents and the crafty tools of their trade. Be prepared for
long lines on weekends.
2:15 p.m.
No need to wait until happy
hour: Jaleo serves tasty Spanish tapas and sangria all afternoon. On your way there, walk
past Ford's Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. (It's still a working
theater.)
3:30
p.m.
Catch a cab to Dupont Circle, a
prime area for people-watching. Kramerbooks & Afterwords is popular with locals
looking for a good read and a jolt of caffeine.
4:15
p.m.
Housed in an 1890s Georgian
Revival mansion, the Phillips Collection showcases the modernist masterpieces acquired by
Duncan and Marjorie Phillips. You can also check out more than 20 galleries on nearby R
Street and Connecticut Avenue.
6 p.m.
Nora, America's first
certified organic restaurant, emphasizes seasonal produce and diverse tasting menus while
never sacrificing flavor for health.
8 p.m.
 In D.C., the drama is not
limited to congressional investigations. Call in advance to find out what's on at the
Studio Theatre (202) 332-3300, noted for innovative stagings of contemporary works.
10:30 p.m.
Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday were among the legends who
played the clubs on U Street. Head to Bohemian Caverns for some live jazz from the next
generation of musical greats.
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