1301, 2012

Las Vegas (Cityscape with Mountains)

American Cities
500

It may be Friday the 13th, but eScapes invites you to feel lucky anyway, with a virtual trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas originated as little more than a spot to switch trains on the journey west. Today, tourists from all over the world are drawn to the city for its bright lights, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This eScapes video offers a distant view of the city, including the Spring Mountains just beyond the city limits. While the modern cityscape, completely divorced from its past, is the reason why Las Vegas is popular today, the rugged mountains and surrounding desert are reminders of why the city became popular in the first place. Nick Colionne

0211, 2011

San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf at Night)

Between the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, the famous neighborhood of Fisherman’s Wharf attracts locals and tourists with its nightlife. This eScapes scene presents the relaxing skyline of San Francisco at night, with the Bay Bridge in the foreground, and a view of the restaurants and storefronts on the Wharf. Joe McBride is a smooth jazz pianist and singer. A Missouri native, McBride released his debut album in 1992 and has also toured and opened for popular R&B/jazz acts including Whitney Houston and Larry Carlton. Links San Francisco Official Travel Site San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Bay Bridge Public Information Office Joe McBride Official MySpace

1910, 2011

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

American Cities
552

The Great Plains might not be known for large cities, but Oklahoma City is an exception. The 31st largest city in the country, Oklahoma City stands out in the center of the United States, equidistant from New York and Los Angeles. One third of Oklahoma’s entire population resides in the Oklahoma City metro area. This eScapes video tour of Oklahoma City includes relaxing views of downtown’s impressive architecture, including the striking glass facade of Leadership Square and the state capitol. One of the most famous sights in the city is the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The site of 1995’s tragic federal building bombing has been transformed into a beautiful landscaped park. A reflecting pool, less than

1310, 2011

Isaac Ludwig Mill, Ohio

American Cities, Scenic Earth
565

From 1868 to 1970, the historic Isaac Ludwig Mill at the Maumee River and Erie Canal near Toledo, Ohio, was an operational saw and grist mill, powered exclusively by water turbines (although a backup steam engine added in 1900 provided power during flood conditions). Today, the mill has been restored to its original condition and is a prominent attraction inside the Providence Metropark. Visitors can see demonstrations of the mill’s equipment, buy mill-ground flour and cornmeal, and see the mill’s powerful saw. Doc Powell is a Grammy-nominated guitarist who has built a legacy as a musical chameleon. His signature guitar sound has been featured in over 140 recordings by some of the premier stars in pop,

1210, 2011

St. Louis, Missouri Gardens

American Cities
516

Dozens of parks are hidden in the cityscape of St. Louis, Missouri. The most famous might be the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the home of the Gateway Arch that also includes acres of landscaped grounds and two large ponds. However, the city also holds the Missouri Botanical Garden, the nation’s oldest continuously-operated botanical garden. Some views of the Missouri Botanical Garden featured in this video include the the park’s Victorian District and the domed Climatron, a tropical greenhouse that spans 24,000 square feet with no interior structural support. Earl Klugh is contemporary jazz guitarist originally from Detroit, Michigan. Since his first album in 1976, Klugh has received twelve career Grammy nominations and produced more than twenty

1010, 2011

Kansas City Fountains

American Cities
431

Kansas City, Missouri is known for barbecue, jazz, blues, and its fountains. Sometimes called “The City of Fountains,” Kansas City has hundreds of fountains. In fact, only Rome has more. Most of Kansas City’s fountains have unique sculptures in or around them. Some of them are over 300 years old! The variety and frequency of these landmarks offer ample opportunities to take a mental break from the stresses of metropolitan life. Today, the fountains are appreciated for their beauty, but when they first were built, they served a practical purpose. The Humane Society created them to supply clean water to animals, including the 70,000 horses that lived in the city during the early 1900s. Ken Navarro

0510, 2011

Indianapolis at Night

American Cities
541

After the sun sets, downtown Indianapolis has an exciting nightlife before a backdrop of beautifully-lit buildings and monuments. This eScapes video begins at the city’s Artsgarden, a free venue for art exhibits and performances. Other sights in this video include the Indiana Statehouse, just a few blocks away, and the Indiana War Memorial Plaza, including the Indiana World War Memorial, a prominent building that contains tributes to fallen soldiers and a collection of military artifacts. Larry Carlton is an award-winning guitarist and singer. A longtime studio musician, Carlton recorded on more than 100 gold albums from some of the biggest artists in pop and rock. His distinctive ascent on Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemange” has been recognized

2909, 2011

Long Beach, California (Rainbow Harbor)

Long Beach, California, just south of Los Angeles, is named for the five miles of beaches that run along its coast. Very much a marine city, Long Beach is the second-busiest seaport in the United States, a popular cruise ship port (and home port to Carnival Cruise Lines) and offers thousands of marina slips, a strong fishing culture, and was the site of a naval shipyard for 55 years. Visitors can even spend on the night on a historic ocean liner: the RMS Queen Mary, now converted to a hotel. This eScapes video features a nighttime panorama of the Long Beach waterfront, starting at the colorfully-lit Queensway Bridge and spanning the entire skyline, including the Pike

2409, 2011

Detroit, Michigan (Skyline at Dusk)

Detroit, Michigan is known as the “Motor City” so it may be appropriate that the standout on its skyline is the Renaissance Center housing the headquarters of General Motors. In this relaxing view from across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, the glossy dark facade of the Renaissance Center is a sharp contrast to the older buildings that make up the rest of downtown. Other landmarks visible in this video include Cobo Center on the far left, and the Detroit Princess, a riverboat offering dinner and entertainment cruises on the Detroit River since 2005. Marion Meadows is a smooth jazz saxophonist and composer. Skilled with both the tenor and soprano saxophones, Meadows has collaborated with jazz

2209, 2011

Put-In-Bay, Ohio at Night

American Cities
644

Put-In-Bay, Ohio, on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island, is a tourist hotspot during the boating season. Put-In-Bay attracts millions of visitors each year, although its permanent population is only about 130. Once a pivotal port during the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, this “Key West of the North” is also known for its nightlife and the many bars and pubs that light up the night with neon signs. Chris Botti is a contemporary jazz trumpeter who has become one of the top-selling instrumental artists of the 21st century. His performances blend pop, jazz, and classical music– resulting in a style that reaches beyond only jazz audiences. Links Put-In-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau