If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much: New York City celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding this year with Dutch cultural exhibits under the NYC 400 banner and a special present from the folks who dubbed it New Amsterdam.

Henry Hudson first landed on the island that would later be known as Manhattan in 1609, and museums like the Met and the Frick are getting in on the act with exhibits of Rembrandts, Vermeers, van Goghs and others. At the Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue), Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson, opening April 4, will explore Hudson's trip with artifacts like the maps and sextants that steered him there. The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx will show off the tulips and other native plants of the Netherlands with "The Glory of Dutch Bulbs," opening April 1st.

In honor of New York's founding, Amsterdam is sending a stone plaza that will be installed in the Battery with a snack bar and LED-embedded sculpture. We'll withhold judgment on the New Amsterdam Plein & Pavilion until we see an actual photo -- it's not really the Dutch government's fault someone already sent Lower Manhattan something cool.

Related Stories:
· Official list of all NYC 400 events so far [NYC Go]
· Ben van Berkel's New Manhattan Project: Battery Goes Dutch [Curbed]
· Dutch to Help New York Celebrate Hudson’s Journey [New York Times]

[Artist's rendering of the Plein & Pavilion: dezeen.com]]]> egw 2009-01-30T13:10:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/28/1917/65455

We know, we know...you’re thinking, “Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden? Is there anything to see besides cactus…lots and lots of cactus?” Apparently there is now through May 31, 2009, since glass artist Dale Chihuly’s fanciful exhibit, “The Nature of Glass,” will be on display at the PBG, which is usually known for...well, just for its wide variety of agave and palo verde trees.

But for now, there are 17 separate sculptures and installations, including The Sun, which towers over the entrance at 16 feet tall and 14 feet wide, and chandeliers in the Cactus and Succulent Galleries—that just sounds naughty, doesn’t it?

After training at the Venini glass factory in Venice (where else?), Dale Chihuly has been creating these fantastical glass works since 1965 at his Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State.

What makes the monumental scale and vibrancy of his works even more impressive is the fact that Chihuly himself is blind in one eye—that’s right, the eye patch he wears isn’t just for dramatic effect.

Advanced reservations are required as the garden is doing timed admissions. Members get free admission while the rest of us have to pay $15. Seniors get in for $13.50 and students get in for $7.50. Children 3-12 still have to pay too at $5 a pop.

Related Stories:
· Chihuly Exhibit [Desert Botanical Garden]

[Photo: Adam Rodriguez/PBG]]]> EricRosen 2009-01-28T15:15:56-05:00 33.4637110 -111.94133 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/19/113056/34

One worker was killed and 17 more were injured this morning when scaffolding alongside the still-under-construction "Canopy Walk" attraction collapsed. Crews were pouring concrete for part of the 40-foot-high, 600-foot-long elevated walkway that's scheduled to open next spring.

Part of Atlanta's Piedmont Park, plans call for the botanical garden to double in size to 30 acres by next year, with a new LEED-certified visitor center in addition to the Canopy Walk, which, when finished, will wind through the Storza Woods on the northern end of the garden.

One of the most prominent attractions of its kind in the US, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has hosted a hugely popular Dale Chihuly exhibit and a Niki de Saint Phalle show in addition to other art events and is home to the country's largest collection of orchids.

Related Stories:
· Scaffolding Collapse at Garden [AJC]
· Canopy Walk [Official Site]]]> pbb 2008-12-19T11:34:11-05:00 33.7874580 -84.373927 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/26/6011/1140

One of the country’s oldest theme parks, Cypress Gardens, is closing yet again. Park owners say they want to refocus on the things that initially made the park popular, like water ski shows. As of now, it's scheduled to reopen in March.

The last time the park rebooted they added a zoo, roller coasters and other amusement rides. They’re now no more. The botanical gardens within the park will operate along side the water-skiers--the same entertainment that kept the park functional and successful for years.

Sitting between Orlando and Tampa the park was definitely hit hard by the economic slump, as well as high gas prices. More than 200 workers at the park will be let go until the reopening; no word if they’ll be guaranteed a new job when things get rolling again in 2009.

Related Stories:
· Cypress Gardens Closing Again [Orlando Sentinel]
· Cypress Gardens [Official Site]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of better times: Jim Moore]]]> kjb 2008-11-26T16:30:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/6/153631/5363

The Democratic National Convention won't happen till the last weekend in August, but campaign staffers were finally able to take a brief travel break with the media anointing of the Democratic nominee for president.

While political road warriors take a break, we're thinking ahead to the convention--and the delightful Dems coming to the Mile High City. Drinking liberally? Try dating liberally:

Hambrger Mary's :: Tasty burgers and stalk-y patrons tantalize at this LGBT-friendly restaurant with a full bar. 700 E. 17th Ave.]]> egw 2008-06-06T16:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/17/19570/3673

Money drives people to do crazy things--like rip off the Federal Reserve Bank. Wait, actually, that only happens in the movies, like in this week's pick Mad Money. When Bridget (Diane Keaton) finds out her cushy life will be a bit less cushy now that her husband can't find a job, she's forced to go to work at the bank as a janitor. There she meets Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah--both of whom are far too attractive to be working as janitors--and the three mastermind a plot to rip off the "old money" the bank supposedly shreds up at night.

Given that fact this was directed by the same woman who did Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, something tells us its a serious chick flick, replete with empowering music and all. Just a warning to leave your ultra-manly friends at home.

It was shot entirely in Shreveport, Louisiana, part of the Ark-La-Tex triangle bordering the Red River. Here are some cool things to do around town:

Where To Stay: Fairfield Place Bed and Breakfast Check into these elegant two adjoining mansions built around 1870 and steep in the southern charm. Rooms are cozy and have cutesy touches like claw foot tubs and towel warmers. We hear the baked apple french toast isn't too bad either.

Where To Snack: The Blind Tiger Right at the foot of the Texas Street bridge, you'll find The Blind Tiger which serves up traditional po' boys, fried catfish fillets and blackened Creole shrimp. Step up to the pool table for a round with the locals. Wondering about the name? "Blind Tiger" was what folks called illegal bars during Prohibition thanks to the tiger trinkets they placed on tables alerting customers that alcohol was in fact available on-site.

What to See: Azalea Gardens at R.W. Norton Art Museum Go see the 10,000 stunning azalea plants that bloom in the museum's gardens every spring. This has been voted one of the South's loveliest gardens by Southern Living for good reason, so spend an afternoon exploring its 40 acres.

Related Stories:
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Shreveport Hotels [HotelChatter]]]> sedona 2008-01-18T09:07:53-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/