Philly weekend: Aging rockers & founding fathers

Have you ever traveled to a nearby city for a quick getaway, without really putting much thought or planning into it? With a little cursory knowledge of a city, I tend to treat these types of escapes more like “stay-cations”, sometimes overlooking key sites or activities that deserve consideration. Spontaneity is important to me, but having an overall “plan” of attack can result in a perfectly “improvised” escape. That’s how I would summarize our recent…

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9 ways to score free or discounted tickets in NYC

I love the theater and live music events. There are so many options here in the Big Apple, and finding free or discounted tickets in NYC has become a full-time hobby. Live TV audience opportunities, Broadway lotteries and rush seat alerts have become my pastime, and, despite recent disappointments, my hopes remain high that I will continue to finesse live performances at bargain prices. This week alone, I failed miserably with getting free or discounted…

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Cleveland do’s and don’ts

The only reason I ever considered visiting Cleveland was to see the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Period. It turns out there was a lot more going on the weekend we visited this down-but-not-out city. Still struggling economically after the Great Recession, Cleveland ranks as the number two economically distressed city in the US (after Camden, NJ). Empty downtown office buildings. Abandoned housing projects. Unfinished retail landscapes. Polluted rivers and lake. Old city charm vs. reality.…

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How to do San Francisco if you’re over 40

Exploring the popular sights of #San Francisco can still be exciting but more challenging for #travelersover40, given the city’s topography and diverse #popculture. Here are some tips to make it easier to get around the city and find the right mix of fun and #adventure for your particular interests and fitness level. I first visited San Francisco when I was in my early 20’s, and it has since been one of my favorite cities.  I…

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