• Garden District Ghosts and Legends of New Orleans
• New Orleans Cemetery Tour
• New Orleans Ghost Tour
• New Orleans Original Garden District Walking Tour
• New Orleans Vampire Tour
• New Orleans Voodoo Tour

• 2 Day Naples Trolley Tour
• Naples Segway Tour
• Naples Trolley Tours
• Sanibel/Captiva Island Tour

• Old South Charleston Carriage Tour

• Do-It-All Party Boat Tour of Key West
• Key West Snorkel Safari Tour
• Smathers Beach Snorkel Tours (Key West)
• Sunset Watersports Sunset Cruise (Key West)

• Chicago Legoland Discovery Center

• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library (Boston)

• San Francisco Local Tastes of Chinatown
• San Francisco Local Tastes of Fisherman’s Wharf
• San Francisco Local Tastes of North Beach
• Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf (San Francisco)

• Full Island Cruise of Manhattan
• Semi Circle Cruise of Manhattan

• Savannah Historic Homes Walk
• Savannah Civil War Walk
• Savannah Ghosts Tour
• A Walk Through Midnight Tour of Savannah
• Savannah Gates and Gardens Walk
• The Savannah Stroll

Trusted Tours and Attractions

 Planning your next vacation to Phoenix? Find some great ticketing deals on Phoenix tours and attractions.>>> www.TrustedTours.com/store/Phoenix-C615.aspx

Congratulations Chicago Sightseeing Company!

The sleek, luxuriously appointed buses, trolleys and upper-deckers that introduce visiting sightseers to Chicago’s remarkable attractions today are a far cry from the vintage touring coaches boarded by eager tourists back in the summer of 1907. Over the last century, trends in passenger transport have changed as dramatically as the city’s magnificent skyline while the chameleon-like Chicago Sightseeing Company has remained at the industry’s forefront. This year, the Company celebrates a significant milestone: its 100th anniversary. While time has changed many aspects of the business, it has not changed the company’s dedication to service and to the city of Chicago.

As the originator of sightseeing and shuttle bus systems in Chicago, Chicago Sightseeing Company is tantamount with Chicago travel and tourism. This distinction, in addition to an impressive family history, is a matter of pride for Donald and Francis Ferrone, who currently own and operate the company. Their late father, Henry Ferrone, was not only the founder of the American Sightseeing Association, he also played a pioneering role in Chicago’s sightseeing industry and was a driving force in establishing quality bus tours for the traveling public.

Born in 1889, Henry Ferrone grew up on the near west side of Chicago. One of six children, Henry dropped out of school in the sixth grade to sell newspapers in Chicago’s Loop on the southwest corner of State and Quincy. The first owners of Chicago/Sightseeing were regulars at Henry’s newsstand, which was located in front of the Great Northern Hotel and whose lobby served as the starting point for the company’s sightseeing tours. Fascinated by the heated conversations he overheard regarding Chicago’s sightseeing industry and by the business practices he witnessed the businessmen employ near his sandwich included every high-pressure hawking tactic short of tugging at the shirt sleeves of passerbys-the street smart entrepreneur became determined that he could run things with more class and garner more profit given the right opportunity.

That opportunity came along in 1919 when Henry, who had recently returned from service in World War I, purchased the majority stock of Chicago Sightseeing, eventually incorporating it as Chicago Sightseeing Company. With Henry wearing the captain’s hat, the small business offered three essential tours via touring cars and omnibuses: the north side tour, the south side tour and the grand tour which included sights from both sides of Chicago.

Like most businessmen in the United States during the 1920s, Henry struggled to expand his new company, acquiring all the stock in 1928. His difficulties continued until 1933 when the famous Century of Progress Exposition World’s Fair came to town, bringing with it millions of tourists from throughout the world. Offering many diversified tours, including an admission to see Sally Rand and her “famous fan”-one of the most popular attractions at the fair, Chicago Sightseeing Company appealed to the crowds flocking to the city. Not only did it shuttle visitors back and forth to the fairgrounds, its tours introduced them to Chicago’s natural and architectural wonders, thriving commercial district, colorful ethnic neighborhoods and even the city’s notorious “Skid Row.” The boom in business allowed Henry to purchase additional equipment and to enhance his operation.

Business rolled along nicely until the outbreak of World War II, when it was declared that fuel would no longer be available for luxury-type bus services. Undeterred by these restrictions, Henry, who was now the operator of one of the nation’s leading tour services, obtained government contracts that would allow him to transport employees of local defense plants to and from work using thirty school-type buses operating around the clock. This was not Henry’s first experience with supporting the war effort. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in World War I where he served in the famous 42nd Rainbow Division and the Fighting 69th lnfantry Regiment. Hollywood produced a film starring James Cagney and Pat O’Brien, noting the famous poet Joyce Kilmer. He called “the Fighting 69th’, a factual adaptation of the 165th lnfantry Division (New York’s original 69th) participation in World War I in France , assisting the French Army in overcoming the German Army for a final victory ending the War. Now Henry proudly served his country again, fulfilling the contracts until the war ended in 1945.

After the war, Americans began traveling again in greater numbers. In order to better compete with Gray Line Worldwide Association’s many franchises, Henry formed the American Sightseeing Association in 1947. He solicited three independent and professionally licensed sightseeing operators from New York, Boston and Salt Lake City. Banded together, the non-profit organization allowed each business to market their individual companies under one banner. The association continued to grow to include a total of 50 operators that performed daily sightseeing bus and cruise tours throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean Islands. This allowed the company to compete for the tourism market on an international level as well as a domestic one.

A year after founding the association, American Sightseeing-Chicago, as it was now called, was selected as the official Sightseeing Tour Operator and the Shuttle Bus Operator for the 1948 International Lions Annual Convention in Chicago. The convention brought 25,000 Lion members and their families to the city, and American Sightseeing transported nearly 10,000 of those members and guests on its two-hour narrated tour of Chicago in three days, making it the largest sightseeing bus tour contract in the country.

The company continued to score big contracts. In 1950, it was awarded the shuttle bus contract for the largest trade show held in the U.S. at the time-Print 50. Printers from around the globe attended the show held in the International Amphitheatre, and American Sightseeing was responsible for transporting them to and from the big show.

With the outbreak of the Korean War that same year, the tourism industry was cut in half. In order to pick up the slack for the lack of sightseers, Henry purchased a fleet of Packard limousines in 1950 to service local clientele.

On July 7, 1955, American Sightseeing was dealt a heavy blow when Henry Ferrone passed away. He left more than his company to his loving wife, Fannie, and sons Donald and Francis; he left a legacy of entrepreneurial spirit, top-notch service and a love of Chicago.

Despite having assisted their father from the time they were young and having been thoroughly briefed in every detail of the sightseeing industry, the next five years were a struggle for Don and Fran, who were competing against older men for Chicago’s sightseeing dollars. In order to contend with the likes of Gray Line World Wide Company, which had four times the equipment and controlled a majority of the bus tour market, Don and Fran started The Nightclub Tour. This new twist on the standard city tour was incredibly popular, and it included stops at famous nightclubs of the time like the Chez Paree, The Empire Room, The Villa Venice and Mangam’s Chateau. These clubs featured some of the nation’s top entertainers, from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin to Liberace and Red Skelton. The tour also included visits to unique local entertainment hot spots such as Ivanhoe, Tip Top Tap (which was nested on top of the Allerton Hotel), Boulevard Room, Club Waikiki and the Blue Angel. Once the bright lights of television and Las Vegas began drawing these top entertainers away from Chicago in the early ’60s, The Nightclub Tour was retired.

But Don and Fran had plenty to keep them busy. In 1961, they opened Modern Travel Service Inc. to provide individuals with domestic and international airfare in addition to rail, steamship and other common carrier services. The most popular program was the international seminars for medical, construction and other types of organizations in which Don and Fran provided Air Tour Packages to exciting locales in Europe, South America, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii and more. Some of these tours Don and Fran took a hands-on approach to, escorting their customers themselves. Today, the company still provides group travel to affinity organizations, but stopped offering individual ticketing after September 11, 2001.

The growth of the trade show industry in Chicago opened up another travel market, and the Ferrone brothers were quick to jump on the new opportunity. From 1963 through the 1980s, American Sightseeing controlled the majority of Chicago’s trade show shuttle bus contracts to carry the show’s attendees between their hotel and the show’s venue. Some of these shows included the largest and most prestigious shows held in Chicago such as the Chicago Dental Expo, The Auto Show, the International Plastics Expo, the National Restaurant show, the International Machine Tool Show, the Packaging Machinery Show, Consumer Electronics Show and the largest of them all, the 1975 CONEXPO Show, which drew 140,000 registered attendees using 22,000 hotel rooms over a five day period.

During this time, the Ferrones also started a common carrier shuttle service between O’Hare Airport and resorts in Wisconsin, with interim stops in between. Although the service ended in 2001, the name O’Hare Express still operates in other markets of the company’s total services.

In June 1982, American Sightseeing provided service of another kind when it was called upon to serve royalty visiting Chicago. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, her husband the Crown Prince Claus and their royal entourage were given a two-hour tour of Chicago’s attractions in American Sightseeing’s new glass-top sightseeing coach, leading the Ferrones to declare their deluxe coaches as truly “fit for a queen.” Donald Ferrone mused that while this was definitely a first for Chicago, it was also probably the first time a royal family elected to view any American city by bus.

That same decade brought more firsts for Chicago and for the company. As one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare began construction on an international terminal in 1985. American Sightseeing’s sister-firm, the O’Hare Wisconsin Limousine Service Inc., was awarded a five year contract with the city to carry international airline passengers between the temporary terminal and the airport tarmac. By the time the contract ended, international travel had grown exponentially and O’Hare Wisconsin Limousine’s contract required three times the equipment that had been originally contracted-a tribute to Chicago’s aggressive marketing for tourism and trade shows.

On July 1 , 1991, the Ferrones acquired the Gray Line Tour franchise, which was founded in 191 0, and combined their equipment to provide the ultimate in local sightseeing, tour and shuttle bus service for tourists, convention and trade shows in Chicago. It took four decades to attain the company, but the Ferrone perseverance prevailed once again.

Throughout the years, American Sightseeing-Chicago has continued to serve the city. In 1994, when Governor Edgar and Mayor Daley broke the ribbon at the Navy Pier renovation ceremony, the Ferrones donated three new trolleys for local government and civic guests to tour the newly revamped Pier. Today, Navy Pier draws more tourists and local residents annually than any other attraction in the Chicagoland area.

Don and Fran are constantly seeking new markets and ways to serve the public. In April 1996, their O’Hare Wisconsin Limousine Service company was selected to join the Trailways National Bus System organization, having a local banner ‘Prairie Trailways’ providing deluxe coaches for charter. Since the death of their father, Don and Fran have continued to provide the traveling public innovative ideas for tours and transportation, always offering something new and different to their customers.

They present sightseers with unique opportunities such as Behind the Scene’s Tours of Blues Musicians Art Works, Jazz and Blues Programs. All a part of Gray Line’s Blue Diamond Collection of Tours. In addition American Sightseeing offers Grand Classic Tours of Chicago’s famous architectural, cultural and historic landmarks and sights. Combined Chicago Sightseeing and Gray Line are truly, the local expert on sightseeing in Chicago.

The company’s current fleet of deluxe buses, trolleys and bright yellow upper-deckers-which have the words “Top Banana” printed on them because, as Don and Fran have declared, Chicago is the top city in America-provide unobstructed views of the city’s sights over traffic and the finest service to Chicago’s sightseers.

It is this rich history that has given American Sightseeing tours the distinct air of an “authentic” Chicago experience. Because regardless of how far the historic brand has come, (American Sightseeing, Gray Line, Trailways) whether by bus, trolley or upper-decker, the ultimate goal remains the same -to show the world all of the great reasons why the company has been proud to call Chicago its home for the past century.

Reproduced from Chicago Sightseeing Company’s “Pioneers of Sightseeing Coach Tours & Shuttle Bus Services – Proudly Serving Chicago for 100 Years”

Planning your next vacation to Chicago or other top American destinations? Look no further than Trusted Tours and Attractions… a proud partner of Chicago Sightseeing Company and other great American tours and attractions.

Free Everyday!

1. Castle Clinton
   The jumping off point for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Castle Island explores early New York City military defense. As it is part of the National Park System, it is always free (well sort of… you still have to pay your taxes)www.nps.gov/cacl/
   Battery Park
   Phone: 212-344-7220
   
2. Federal Hall
   Museum and memorial on the site where George Washingto took his Oath of Office, dedicated to our first president and to the beginnings of the United States. (another IRS pre-paid admission… you might as well enjoy it, you paid for it!)
   www.nps.gov/feha/index.htm
   Wall Street
   Phone: 212-825-6888
3. The Forbes Galleries
   Permanent exhibits include toy boats, Monopoly, toys soldiers and trophies. There are a number of rotating exhibits throughout the year.
   www.forbesgalleries.com/
   62 Fifth Avenue (at 12th Street)
   Phone: 212-206-5548
4. Grant’s Tomb
   Tomb and memorial of General and President Ulysses S. Grant. This guy’s tomb-stone is HUGE!
   www.nps.gov/gegr
   Phone: 212-666-1640
5. Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology
   Explores textile history and the art of fashion. A sort of memorial to shopping.
   www.fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=FutureGlobal:Museum
   Seventh Avenue at 27 Street
   Phone: 212-217-5970
6. National Museum of the American Indian
   Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of the American Indian is dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans.
   http://www.nmai.si.edu/
   1 Bowling Green, George Gustave Heye Center
   Phone: 212-668-6624
7. Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts
   Focuses on Spanish and American cultural arts and activities.
   www.gabarronfoundation.org/
   149 East 38th Street
   Phone: 212-573-6968
8. Goethe Institut
   Weekdays you can experience German language and culture exhibits for free at the Goethe Institut, which is located across from the Met. Don’t forget to bring your German to English dictionary.
   www.goethe.de/ins/us/ney/enindex.htm
   1014 Fifth Ave
   Phone: 212-439-8700
9. Harbor Defense Museum
   New York’s only US Army museum located at Fort Hamilton.
   www.harbordefensemuseum.com/
   230 Sheridan Loop, Fort Hamilton Military Community
   Brooklyn, NY
   Phone: 718-630-4349
10. Sony Wonder Technology Lab
    Entertainment and technology museum. Learn the history of the Walkman… for free!
    wondertechlab.sony.com
    Sony Plaza Public Arcade at 56th Street and Madison Avenue
    Phone:212-833-5414
11. Statue of Liberty and Museum
    See Lady Liberty up close and personal. Free but there is a fee for the ferry service to and from.
    www.nps.gov/stli
    Liberty Island
    Phone: 212-363-3200
12. Ellis Island Immigration Musem
    Free however, there is a fee for the ferry to and from the museum. Explores immigration to the United States and more specifically through Ellis Island and New York City.
    www.ellisisland.org/
    Ellis Island
    Phone: 212-561-4588Free on Tuesdays
    
13. Brooklyn Botanical Garden
    Free admission on Tuesdays and every weekday from mid-November through February (not really sure what’s blooming in January but hey, it’s still free).
    www.bbg.org/
    1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
    Phone: 718-623-7200Free on Wednesdays
    
14. Bronx Zoo
    Admission by donation all day on Wednesday
    www.bronxzoo.org/
    1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
    Phone: 718-367-1010
15. Bronx Museum of the Arts
    Open late on Wednesdays (from 12 – 9 p.m.). Visitors can explore the exhibits of this contemporary art museum for free on Wednesdays.
    www.bxma.org/
    Fordham Road and the Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, NY
    Phone: 718-681-6000
16. New York Botanical Garden
    Free admission (covers grounds only) on Wednesdays
    www.nybg.org/
    Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road, Bronx, NY
    Phone: 718-817-8700
17. New York Transit Museum
    Free on Wednesdays for Seniors. Explore the wonders of how 8 million people get around the Big Apple.
    www.mta.info/mta/museum/index.html
    Located at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights
    Phone: (718) 694-1600Free on Thursdays
    
18. Dahesh Museum of Art
    Admission is free on First Thursdays of each month from 6-9 p.m. Explore 18th and 19th century European artists.
    www.daheshmuseum.org/
    601 Fifth Avenue, 2nd floor
    Phone: 212-759-0606
19. American Craft Museum
    Pay What You Wish from 6 – 8 p.m.. Dedicated to the art of decorative and functional pieces and items.
    www.americancraftmuseum.org/
    40 W 53rd St
    Phone: 212-956-3535
20. Children’s Museum of the Arts
    Free for children from 4 – 6 p.m.; Adults pay donation if they wish… come on, it’s for the kids.
    www.cmany.org/
    182 Lafayette Street
    Phone: 212-274-0986
21. El Museo del Barrio
    Free all day on Thursday and Saturday. Represents the culture and art of the Caribbean and Latin America.
    www.elmuseo.org/
    1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)
    Phone: 212.831.7272Free on Fridays
    
22. American Folk Art Museum
    Free Admission from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Explore the art that makes our country such a wonderful place.
    www.folkartmuseum.org/
    45 West 53rd Street
    Phone: 212-265-1040
23. Asia Society and Museum
    Free Admission from 6-9 p.m. Explore the history and culture of Asian societies.
    www.asiasociety.org/
    725 Park Ave. at 70th St.
    Phone: 212-288-6400
24. Brooklyn Botanical Garden
    Free admission for Seniors
    www.bbg.org/
    1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
    Phone: 718-623-7200
25. Guggenheim Museum
    Pay or donate what you can on Fridays from 5:45 – 8 p.m. (last ticket issued at 7:15 so don’t be late!)
    www.guggenheim.com/
    1071 5th Avenue at 89th Street
    Phone: 212-423-3500
26. International Center for Photography
    Admission is free but they ask for donations. A fine collection of continuously changing exhibits dedicated to the photographic arts.
    www.icp.org/
    1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd St.
    Phone: 212-857-0000
27. The Morgan Library
    Admission is free on from 7-9 p.m. Exhibits include collection of 12,000 travel, art, archaeology and human interest photographs.
    http://www.morganlibrary.com/
    225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street
    Phone: 212-685-0008
28. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
    Free Admission on ‘Target Fridays’ from 4 – 8 p.m.
    www.moma.org/
    11 West 53 Street
    Phone: 212-708-9400
29. Museum of the Moving Image
    Free to the public from 4 – 8 p.m. (does not include film screenings). Explore the history of the motion pictures.
    www.movingimage.us/
    35 Avenue at 36 Street in Astoria, NY
    Phone: 718-784-0077
30. New York Historical Society
    Free admission from 6-8 p.m. Exhibits include artifacts, pictures, and art from New York City’s rich history.
    www.nyhistory.org/
    170 Central Park West between 76th & 77th Street
    Phone: 212-873-3400
31. Whitney Museum of American Art
    ‘Pay what you wish’ from 6 – 9 p.m.
    www.whitney.org/
    945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street
    Phone: 212-570-3676
32. Noguchi Museum
    Free on the first Friday of each month. Features the stone, metal, wood, and clay works by Isamu Noguchi
    www.noguchi.org/
    9-01 33rd Road (at Vernon Boulevard)
    Long Island City, NY
    Phone: 718-204-7088
33. Museum of Chinese in the Americas
    Free all day on Fridays
    www.mocanyc.org/
    70 Mulberry Street, 2nd Floor
    Phone: 212-619-4785Free on Saturday
    
34. Brooklyn Botanical Garden
    Free admission from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturdays
    www.bbg.org/
    1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
    Phone: 718-623-7200
35. Brooklyn Museum of Art
    Evening admission (5-11 p.m.) on the first Saturday of every month is free.
    www.brooklynart.org/
    200 Eastern Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11238-6052
    Phone: 718-638-5000
36. The Jewish Museum
    Free admission on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5:45. Explore the history of the Jewish culture with a focus on the Holocaust.
    www.thejewishmuseum.org/
    1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street (between Fifth and Madison)
    Phone: 212-423-3200
37. New York Botanical Garden
    Free admission to the grounds from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturdays
    www.nybg.org/
    Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road, Bronx, NY
    Phone: 718-817-8700
38. Studio Museum in Harlem
    Free on the first Saturday of the month. Dedicated to exploring art by black artists nationally and internationally.
    www.studiomuseum.org/
    144 West 125th Street
    Phone: 212-864-4500Free on Sunday
    
39. The Frick Collection
    ‘Pay what you wish’ from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A large collection of a variety of art forms from throughout the ages with a focus on paintings, sculpture, furniture, oriental rugs, porcelains, and Limoges enamels.
    www.frick.org/
    1 East 70th Street
    Phone: 212-288-0700
40. Museum of the City of New York
    Free admission between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
    www.mcny.org/
    1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St
    Phone: 212-534-1672

Just a little note and disclaimer… please check before going to any of these places. Some free days might have changed or there might be a special event going on. Save yourself a lot of time and hassle and check before you go!

1. Museum of Bad Art (MoBA) – Not sure how else to describe this museum… the title sums it up pretty well. The Museum of Bad Art describes its mission perfectly – “dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms.” Artists that are featured at the MoBA are talented, esteemed artists that have created works that cause fans to say “what was he thinking?”. Founded by Scott Wilson who began the museum with its first masterpiece in 1993, “Lucy in the Field of Flowers”, apparently discovered in a trash pile in Boston. Museum Of Bad Art, Basement of Dedham Communitiy Theatre, 580 High Street, Dedham MA, Telephone: 1-781-444-6757 www.museumofbadart.org
    
    

 

2. Glore Psychiatric Museum – Housed in the building that was originally called the “State Lunatic Asylum No. 2”, the Glore Psychiatric Museum takes a look at the history of psychiatric institutions and techniques for administering “care” for the mentally disabled. Earliest diagnoses for treatment of the mentally ill started with a sharp stick or perhaps a club. Human progress and compassion through history introduced humiliation, dunking, burnings at the stake and bleeding as “treatment”. Fortunately, modern 20th century medicine has made significant breakthroughs in psychiatric care including icy baths, shock therapy, tranquilizers, and vibrating chairs (just a hint of sarcasm here). The museum has an exhibit entitled “1,446 Objects Swallowed by a Patient” (see picture… includes 453 nails, 409 pins, 63 buttons, 42 screws, 5 thimbles, and 3 salt shaker tops). Other artifacts and exhibits include a tranquilizer chair, a giant “hamster wheel” for energetic patients, electroshock devices, and hydrotherapy devices (ice bath) www.stjosephmuseum.org/glore.php Glore Psychiatric Museum, 3408 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO, Telephone: 1- 816-364-1209
   

3. Fall River Historical Society – If you ever find your way up through the New England countryside and the quaint town of Fall River, be sure to stop in to visit this little museum of history. Amongst its collection of 19^th century decorative arts, costumes, steamship history and other mild-mannered-exhibits will you find an exhibit of one of the most horrific murder s of the late 19^th century. Lizzie Borden (as in “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks….”) was charged in 1892 of murdering her mother and father with an axe (and giving them both 40 whacks). Later acquitted, this was considered to be the trial of the century. The Fall River Historical Society boasts the largest collection of memorabilia from the crime and trial including the hatchet used, photographs of the crime scene, pillow cases with blood on them, pictures of Lizzie’s mom and dad skull’s, and other REALLY macomb artifacts. If you haven’t had enough of Lizzie Borden, you can visit the crime scene. In fact you can even stay at the place. The home where the crime was committed is now open as a bed and breakfast. www.lizzieborden.org, Fall River Historical Society, 451 Rock St, Fall River, MA Telephone 1-508-679-1071
    

4. Liberace Museum – While in Las Vegas be sure to pay your respects to a very famous Vegas showman – Wladziu Valentino Liberace (you may call him Liberace). Famous for his outrageous costumes, incredible piano skills and performances, and a Baldwin piano encrusted in with thousands of rhinestones, Liberace deserves his museum in Sin City. The Liberace Museum has on display (including the Baldwin piano) Liberace’s legendary wardrobes, elaborately ornate cars (check out the Rolls Royce), and his jewelry. www.liberace.org/liberace_museum/ Liberace Museum, 1775 East Tropicana Avenue (at Spencer) Las Vegas, NV Telephone: 1-702-798-5595
    
    

5. National Museum of Funeral History – dedicated to the history of the coffin building industry and the funeral business, the National Museum of Funeral History is located in the reproduction of an early 1900’s coffin factory. Visitors will experience and learn how coffins were constructed over the years and how coffins are made today. Other exhibits include Civil War embalming, fantasy coffins (how about a coffin made in the shape of a fish, or an airplane, or how about a chicken?), and the funeral industry Hall of Fame. www.nmfh.org The National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive , Houston, TX Telephone: 1-281-876-3063
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

6. The Mütter Museum – M, m, m, m…. museum of horrors! The Mutter Museum is a medical museum located at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia. It was originally created in 1858 from the collection that was donated by Thomas Dent Mutter. The museum displays medical oddities, instruments, and preserved human specimens. Highlights of the Mutter Museum include the skeleton of the tallest human being in North America, a preserved 5’ long colon, preserved human organs and body parts, President Grover Cleveland’s tumor, the conjoined liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, a growth removed from Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth, and mummified corpse of the Soap Lady… all here and preserved for your viewing pleasure. www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp The Mutter Museum , 19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, Telephone: 1-215-563-3737
    

7. Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum - Coined as the only museum dedicated to the art ventriloquism, the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum will delight visitors of all ages. The museum showcases over 700 figures and thousands of books, playbills and photographs that are related to ventriloquism. www.venthavenmuseum.net Vent Haven Museum, 33 West Maple Avenue, Fort Mitchell, KY, 1-859-341-0461
    
    
   

   
    
   

8. National Museum of Health and Medicine – Haven’t had enough of seeing preserved body parts? Well, you’re in luck! Skip on over to Washington DC for fun filled day of people watching (dead people watching that is). John Wilkes Booth sure does get around! At the National Museum of Health and Medicine you can find even more preserved parts of the assassin. Other exhibits include Civil War skeletons and pictures and illustrations of wounds, Korean War artifacts, live leeche display, and largest collection of microscopes dating to the 1600’s. The National Museum of Health and Medicine claims to have more than 10,000 preserved organs and 5,000 skeletal specimens that explore medical cases of disease and injury. Be sure to visit the “Anatifacts” exhibit featuring the preserved giant tumor, a human hair ball, and body parts of famous Americans – vetebraes of John Wilkes Booth and James Garfield. The National Museum of Health and Medicine also has on display the bullet that killed Lincoln. www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/medtour/nmhm.html National Museum of Health and Medicine, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC
    

9. American Sanitary Plumbing Museum - Located just outside of Boston in Worcester, MA, you will find the official museum dedicated to the history of the commode. Why shouldn’t there be a museum dedicated to such an important household fixture? The museum tells the history of the toilet and other sanitary fixtures as well provides visitors with a number of “artifacts”. Visitors will learn interesting facts such as how we went from corncobs to toilet paper (ouch!)… now that is something to be grateful for! 39 Piedmont Street, Worcester, MA Telephone: 1-508-754-9453
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

10. BODIES…The Exhibition - I guess Americans have a fascination (obsession) with seeing dead people preserved. Now if you’ve visited the Muller in Philadelphia and the National museum of Health and Medicine in Washington D.C. and you want more… Bodies… The Exhibition is your next stop. You can find Bodies in a city nearest you as they have exhibitions in New York City, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Framingham, Columbus, Las Vegas (now that’s a big surprise) and Pittsburgh. Utilizing a patented preservation process, curators of Bodies display real human cadavers in everyday positions (minus skin tissue of course) www.bodiestheexhibition.com
     

11. New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum – Believed to be the only museum dedicated to the practice of Voodoo, the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum tells visitors about the traditional practices of the Voodoo religion in New Orleans. The Voodoo Museum houses artifacts of the Great Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. Walking tours are provided daily and during the evening. www.voodoomuseum.com New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, 724 Dumaine Street, New Orleans, LA, Telephone: 1-504-680-0128

1. Purchasing Power – Purchase office supplies that are recycled and/or compostable but also items that come from renewable resources. There are many web sites and even “brick and mortar” stores that carry a huge line and selection of these products. Not only that, but eco-friendly products cost just about the same as regular products. An easy way to make a huge difference without really do much… you’re just buying differently. Check out www.thegreenoffice.comfor a great selection of eco-friendly products.
   
2. Vampire Electronics- No, we are not talking about something that stalks the night in search of blood. This is much worse. Vampire electronics (aka Vampire Power) is a term given to all of those electronics that you have running in your house and office at night – digital clocks, computers, cell phone being charged (that is fully charged within an hour), calculator… items that draw power even though they aren’t being used. Fact: Did you know that in the US alone, 5% of our energy usage comes from vampire power? This is about $1.72 billion in wasted energy costs and contributes 14.4 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution to the atmosphere. Turn off or unplug all unneeded electronic items at night and you will cut down on your energy usage with very little effort. Turn off your computer, calculators, and all unnecessary lights. Unplug your cell phone once it is charged (cell phones still suck energy even when they are fully charged). Do you really need that coffee pot plugged in with the time blinking 12:00 all day and night? Little things add up!
3. Air Conditioning for Ghosts – You might like your office at 65 degrees during the day, but is it necessary to have it that cold for 15 hours at night? Turn off the office air conditioner or set it to 78 degrees at night. Another money and energy saver that just takes a little remembering. We have a small sign on the office door that reads “The last one to leave the office tonight, please set the thermostat to 78 degrees (and turn out the lights)”. It is a quick and easy reminder.
4. Styrofoam Coffee Cups – 1000’s of years of waste for 15 minutes of enjoyment – Wow, we have become a wasteful society. It seems like you can get everything in “Disposable” nowadays. Most offices have a break room that offer their employees’ coffee, snacks, etc. Get rid of the Styrofoam and try using compostable/recyclable cups, plates, straws, forks, and napkins. Eco-friendly products have come a long way in price and quality. Just about all eco-friendly products cost about the same and are just as sturdy. We (Trusted Tours and Attractions) use an Oregon outfit called Trellis Earth products in our office. They offer a great line of these products – www.trellisearth.com (tjm@trellisearth.com). Or better yet, have everyone in your office bring a coffee mug (or plate, utensils, etc.) from home and reuse it! Does it really take that long to wash your cup out?
5. The Blue Can- Speaking of disposable, have separate garbage cans for recyclable items directly beside the main garbage can. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy… just a separate can with “Recycled Cans and Bottles Only” sign on it or a can in a different color. Blue seems to be the flying color of recycling so that’s not a bad choice either. If you take the extra effort, have everyone put two waste paper baskets by their desks; one for garbage the other for recyclables (the easier you make it the better!) You will be amazed at how much stuff thrown out can be recycled. It’s mind boggling!
6. Don’t Forget the Paper! - I can remember when everyone said that the computer is going to replace paper. Hmmm, I think that, unfortunately, the opposite has happened. For some reason, it seems that more “stuff” is being printed and a lot of paper is wasted. In addition to the recycling cans in the break room, set aside a Paper Bin for recycling paper. Also, on your emails, encourage others to “consider the earth when printing this email”
7. Print Cartridges – Recycle them! Many office supply stores offer the ability to recycle used print cartridges for free. Set aside a box for print cartridges to be thrown into and have someone take it with them to the office supply store the next time they need to go get paper.
8. Computers and Other Toxic Junk  – Make sure that when you discard your old computer, printer, monitor, telephone, calculators, batteries, and any other electronics that you take the very small effort and make sure that it disposed of properly. Most communities have places that you can take used computers and electronics for disposal. There is a lot of toxic materials used in electronics, such as mercury and lead, that can leech into the soil if not properly disposed of. Better yet, consider donating your old electronics and let someone else reuse it! Check out this link for more information on what to do with your old electronics in your area http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm#local
9. That’s a Bright Idea- OK, excuse the lame title but it is an easy way to help the environment and save money at the same time. When your office bulbs go out, change them with fluorescent bulbs. You can get these bulbs just about anywhere (Home Depot, Ace, Lowes, etc) and they last a heck of a lot longer. They cost just a few dollars more but your savings in energy use and replacements will pay for itself in a matter of months. If you have the long tube fluorescent bulbs, purchase the ones that do not have mercury in them (An average fluorescent tube contains as much as 40mg of mercury). These bulbs can be quickly found as they have green, metallic ends.
10. Tell Everyone!- A little self promoting is probably one of the best things you can do. Not only is it good business to tell everyone that you are an eco-friendly company but setting an example will encourage other businesses to take the same simple measures. If everyone did what you have decided to do… something amazing is sure to happen.

See, now isn’t that really simple? We are living in an age where action is no longer a suggestion. It is required! But, it takes EVERYONE’S participation!

Trusted Tours and Attractions has formalized an office policy of conducting our habits and purchasing that is environmentally sensitive and friendly. Though we are small in size, we believe that in order to “act globally”, everyone must make an effort to “act locally”… no matter how small. We have adopted a number of environmental “best practice” procedures and policies that are based upon our core environmental philosophy - Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse. We are committed to purchasing recycled and/or compostable items that come from renewable resources (e.g. printer paper, coffee cups, etc.). We are continuing to recycle paper and cans and have committed ourselves to recycling other items like print cartridges and plastic items. We will properly recycle and dispose of all computer hardware with certified programs. We are committed to lessen our energy consumption by adjusting thermostats and turning electronic items and hardware off when not needed. These are just a few of the examples that we will be practicing now and into the future. We are proud to be part of the solution and hope that other businesses and offices will take it upon themselves to do the same.

The United States has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day well before it’s independence from Great Britain. The first St. Patrick’s Day and parade in North America was held in Boston in 1737 followed by New York City in 1756. While St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in Chicago with over 2 million spectators and participants. The US, with it’s large Irish ancestory, has parties, parades and events throughout the country. Are you planning to “Go Green” in March? The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades are:

1. Chicago, Illinois, since 1843 – Over 2 Million Spectators
2. New York City, Since 1756 – Tied with Chicago
3. Savannah, Georgia – Over 400,000
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Another pre-Declaration of Independence aged St. Patrick’s Day
5. Kansas City, Missouri – 200,00 spectators
6. Boston, Massachusetts
7. San Francisco, California – Oldest and biggest west of the Mississippi
8. Houston, Texas
9. Cleveland, Ohio
10. New London, Wisconsin