The Laguna Art Museum is a museum of American art with a focus on the art of California. The museum carries a permanent collection and houses temporary exhibitions. The library, which is open to the public, offers art lectures and art books. It is always looking for volunteers and, of course, museum members. There is also a museum store that sells prints and original works of art.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre historic estate and botanical garden in downtown Orlando, is a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the year. Stroll the walkways that wind through butterfly, herb and rose gardens, past dozens of species of azalea, bamboo and banana plants, showcasing a prized Camellia collection that has more than 2,000 plants and is considered one of the best in the U.S. The gardens also include a number of whimsical sculptures, a native wetlands garden and nearly 400 species of palms.
Parking at Leu Gardens
Ample free parking is available.
Best and worst time to go to Leu Gardens
Although the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit in early morning to avoid Florida's afternoon heat and thunderstorms, especially from spring to early fall. The gardens have free admission on the first Monday of each month, with added bonuses on those days including a sidewalk cafe on the patio and a popsicle stand in the gardens. The gardens are closed only on Christmas Day, although the Leu House Museum is typically closed each July for restorations.
Admission to Leu Gardens
Park admission is $10-$12, with students in grades K-12 admitted for a nominal fee and children 4 and under free. Discounted rates are available for larger groups.
Must see/do at Leu Gardens
Don't miss the guided tours of the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th-century home overlooking Lake Rowena that shows what life was like in Central Florida at the turn of the century. The tours, which start on the hour and half hour beginning at 10 a.m., last about 25 minutes and are complimentary with admission. The last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. On your walk through the gardens, make sure to visit the Citrus Grove, which showcases Central Florida's roots with more than 50 types of citrus trees. Numerous other varieties of tropical and subtropical fruit trees dot the gardens, including avocado, guava, mango, papaya, pear, pineapple and star fruit.
Other places to visit near Leu Gardens
For a romantic dining experience after your visit to the gardens, try Santiago's Bodega, a laid-back tapas-style restaurant and bar with soups, salads, desserts and more than 30 small plates, or the Funky Monkey Wine Company on North Mills Avenue, where you can enjoy an extensive wine list, sushi and American cuisine with an Asian flair. Both are within 1.5 miles of Leu Gardens.
Insider tip for visitors to Leu Gardens
For a romantic night out, surprise your significant other with Date Night at Leu Gardens. Held on the first Friday of each month from February to December, the event includes discounted admission to the garden at 6 p.m., followed by a free movie for which you can bring a lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and other food items are available for purchase, or pack your own picnic basket with wine, cheese and fruit.
Author's bio: Kevin Adams is a freelance writer who has lived in Orlando for more than a decade and has had travel articles appear on USAToday.com and in Golfweek magazine.
As the center of Silicon Valley geographically, it makes sense that San Jose would host a museum entirely devoted to technology and innovation. The Tech Museum of Innovation, lovingly referred to by locals as "The Tech," lives up to it's name with a frequently rotating roster of technology themed installations that always offers something new and interesting for tech savvy locals and tech curious out-of town visitors alike.
Best and worst time to go to the Tech
Locals crowd to the Tech on the first full weekend of every month, when Bank of America sponsors free admission to all card holders, and the venue gets packed. If you are looking for a quieter museum experience, go during summer, between June and August, when local schools aren't in session and you won't run into the otherwise frequent field trip groups.
Must see/do at the Tech
The Tech's IMAX theater is a must visit, as the IMAX experience translates brilliantly to the science and nature films often shown here. The "Earthquake Simulator" found on the first floor is a perennial favorite for Californians especially. And don't miss the "Social Robots" installation, where you can build a real robot for free.
Admission to the Tech
Admission for the museum runs in the $20 range, with an extra fee for IMAX entry. Small discounts are offered for youth and seniors, as well as AAA members and military affiliates. The Tech is a supporter of the "Open Access" policy, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds if entry fees are prohibitive. Check-in at the front desk for discount details.
Parking and public transportation to the Tech
Parking at the Tech usually isn't too hard, with the nearby San Jose Convention Center offering all day parking for $5 with validation. Another lot, located at the corner of Second and San Carlos, has the same rates. VTA lightrail also provides easy access, with the 900 and 902 trains stopping at the McEnery Convention Center less than two blocks away.
Food at the Tech
The Tech Cafe presented by Lunch with Tony, located on the ground floor level of the Tech, has a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast themed a la carte items. Expect to pay around 10 dollars for an entree, with some discounted kids options. And don't miss the "made from scratch" soups if you are looking for a very impressive bowl of local goodness.
Insider tips for visitors to the Tech
The second Thursday of every month offers a 21+ "After Hours at the Tech Event" where the museum tweaks exhibits to cater to an older audience and serves cocktails. And you get into this event for free if it's the month of your birthday.
Author's bio: Cassidy Kakin is a local cyclist, writer, and entrepreneur. He is passionate about two things: exploring his city and sharing his findings with the world.
This non-profit arts center was founded more than 50 years ago, as an outlet for North Shore artists. Just north of downtown Highland Park, the experience begins before one even walks inside. The grounds of the center are alive with sculptures of various types. Inside, information about classes, exhibitions and workshops are offered. The center is supported by donations, and those who donate receive special privileges as members.
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is one of Metro Detroit's premier cultural community centers that offers an eclectic array of art from some of the area's finest artists. The BBAC also offers an amazing art classes beginning with those for pre-school students to advanced seniors. Whether you are interested in joining the community center for a class, or featuring your work in one of the studios or selling in the gallery, the BBAC is one resource that every artist will enjoy. The BBAC is a tax-exempt regional art center, focused on connecting people of all ages and abilities with visual arts education, exhibitions, and other creative experiences. Please visit the BBAC for a current fall schedule, or contact the BBAC via website to for more information on registration and exhibitions.
The current Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church was built in 1764 to replace an earlier meetinghouse built on the same site on Route 206 (alternately known as Main Street or Lawrence Road) by a congregation that arrived in Lawrence Township (then called Maidenhead Township) in 1698.
John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was baptized in that old meetinghouse on December 31, 1713. Over the years the 1764 church was renovated, with significant expansions in 1833 and 1853. The cemetery that sits next to the church dates back to 1713 and contains the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and colonial settlers.
The church offers Sunday School and other religious education for children and adults, with Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. (9:30 a.m. during the summer months). Sunday sermons are recorded and can be downloaded from the church's wesbite or from iTunes as a podcast.
Founded in 1979, the Coastal Arts League Gallery & Museum is a nonprofit collective run by local artists for art lovers. The gallery is filled with a wide variety of art from different media, including sculpture, painting, photography and jewelry. In addition to the open gallery and monthly receptions, the organization teams with other groups to host art competitions for both local and international artists. Throughout the year there are shows featuring young local artists and area schools.
