1,000 Places To See Before You Die: What We’ve Seen

A while ago Sherree and I found the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. The book lists popular and not-so-popular destinations around the world, a quick description of why you'd want to go there, and why it's on the list. Of the few places we've visited, we've been happy with the locations the author chose.

What follows are brief reviews of the places in the book that we've visited, broken up the same as the book.

Connecticut

Essex

We've been to Essex a few times for the Connecticut River Eagle Festival, and I've been a few other times for Bald Eagle viewing in the winter. The book talks about Colonial architecture--which there's plenty of. There's also quite a bit about the Griswold Inn, but we've not been there. Though not mentioned in the book, the steam train and boat ride are fun.

The Mark Twain House

I went to the Mark Twain House back in like 4th grade or something. I don't remember it. Sometimes I think it would be fun to go again.

Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is a cool place to visit for a view of 17th and 18th century shipbuilding in New England. Also mentioned is Mystic Aquarium, which is definitely my favorite aquarium of the ones I've visited.

Litchfield Hills and The Mayflower Inn

We've visited the Litchfield area a few times, primarily for White Memorial Conservation Center. I'd like to go do some of the vineyard tours sometime. We've never been to the Mayflower Inn, but it sounds a bit too ritzy for me.

Florida

Kennedy Space Center

We got to visit Kennedy Space Center during our October 2004 Florida vacation. A very cool place. I think Sherree even liked it, who doesn't really have much interest in space or stuff like that.

Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World was the primary destination of our October 2004 Florida vacation. This was a much more fun place than I expected. Food at Epcot was amazing.

Maine

Acadia National Park

I went to Acadia with my parents and brothers when I was younger, and again in 2001 with Sherree. A beautiful location, but for some reason I didn't take many good photos there. Cadillac Mountain views let you see the entire island-park, and the carriage roads are nice.

I can't believe Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin aren't on the list!

Massachussetts

The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail hits lots of revolutionary-era landmarks. I went on a field trip with school once, but don't remember much of it.

New Hampshire

Mount Washington

Mount Washington offers some amazing hikes, and a great opportunity to see just how radically weather can change. I've climbed it five or six times--several different routes. One time I got to see the multi-state view, and another cloud cover was so thick I could barely see my boots. The rest of the White Mountains get brief mention, as does the Kancamangus Highway--both memorable any time of the year, but particularly in the fall.

New York

The Adirondacks

Sherree and I explored the northeast corner of the Adirondacks; story and pictures are in the Adirondack Mountains Trip travelogue. It's a very lush, green place and it's cool to visit Lake Placid, where the 1932 and 1980 winter olympics were held.

Finger Lakes

We touched the Finger Lakes region on our Western New York trip by visiting Watkins Glen state park. Like the Adirondacks, a very lush, green place.

New York City

I hate to say it, but I don't remember much of anything from my 8th grade NYC trip. Aside from going up one of the twin towers, I don't really remember what we saw. We should go back. The book has many "must-do" items, and I don't know that I've done any of them.

Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park and Cemetary

We visited Gettysburg for a couple days a few years ago. Lots of great information about the Civil War as well as the history of the US, plus some great area to walk.

Rhode Island

Block Island

Definitely little more than a tourist center, but it was still a fun place to visit. There was some nice areas for hiking, but so many people go there that being solitary isn't an option.

Vermont

Shelburne Farms

We visited Shelburne Farms during our Vermont vacation. The farm is quite large, and we didn't get to explore it much, but it was definitely a highlight of the trip. Plus, I think they make the best cheese I've ever had!

Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park

We visited during our recent Wyoming trip. The way the mountains just shoot up out of the ground is amazing. Compared to Yellowstone National Park, though, Grand Teton NP is disappointing.

Jackson Hole

The whole Jackson Hole area offers some great stuff, including the town of Jackson, the Gros Ventre, the National Elk Refuge, and more memorable and varied wildlife and scenery than I think we've ever seen in New England.

Yellowstone National Park

We barely got to touch what Yellowstone has to offer, but I was left feeling more than inspired. I could spend months there photographing the few things we saw, let alone the other 99% of the park we didn't get to see.