"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
Step Inside the Center of the World! πβ¨
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Have you ever wanted to stand at the literal center of the world? Well, in Boston, Massachusetts, you can do exactly that! Tucked away inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library is the Mapparium, a three-story, stained-glass globe that is easily one of the most mind-bending sights in New England. ποΈπ Completed in 1935, this incredible work of art and geography is nearly 100 years old! Because the 608 stained-glass panels haven't been touched since their installation, the Mapparium serves as a stunning time capsule. As you walk across the 30-foot glass bridge that bisects the globe, youβll see a world that no longer exists on modern maps. Keep an eye out for "Siam" instead of Thailand, "Transjordan," and the massive expanse of "French West Africa." πΊοΈπ But the Mapparium isn't just a feast for the eyes; itβs a trip for your ears, too. According to Atlas Obscura, the perfectly spherical glass room creates a "whispering gallery" effect. Because the glass doesn't absorb sound, your voice is reflected back with startling clarity. If you stand at one end of the bridge and whisper, someone at the very opposite end can hear you perfectly, while people standing right next to you might hear nothing at all! π€«π It is a whimsical, immersive experience that makes you feel like a giant looking out at the planet from the inside out. Itβs a rare chance to see the world exactly as it was a century ago, all while standing in the middle of a glowing, glass masterpiece. ππ½ Stay centered, The Driveby Tourist Team βοΈπ "In the chaos of life, find your center and stay grounded.β Classic Rock song: "Centerfield" by John Fogerty Please ask me about the quirky places I've visited! βHere is the Premium Subscription page: You will get early access to new blog posts, one extra weekly newsletter, and access to all past newsletters. And occasionally, I'll ask for votes on content! β Stan Featured Post: Speaking of "center," here's a post about another "center," this one in Kansas! |
Stan Wiebe
"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
First, thank you for being a subscriber. I truly appreciate you following along as I explore America's scenic highways, roadside attractions, small towns, and hidden treasures. If you've enjoyed my weekly newsletter, I'd like to invite you to take the next step by joining my Premium Newsletter community. As a Premium member, you'll receive: A second exclusive newsletter every week with even more travel inspiration, tips, and destinations. And while I'm traveling, I'm writing to you about my...
Want a new adventure? Check out Chicago Southland. The area offers much more than you would expect. In Chicago for one reason and want more adventures outside the city with less traffic and less urban crowding? Check out more about Southland here! Wind Creek Hotel and Casino You'll find much of what you see in the city, but spread out across the area, with less congestion. Give it a shot when you're there! Until next time... Stan
If you're looking for a road trip that packs jaw-dropping ocean views, massive history, and salty sea breezes into one scenic loop, put Newport, Rhode Islandβs Ten-Mile Drive right at the top of your bucket list! βοΈβ¨ (I know, I tell you to put a lot of things on your bucket list!) In the nation's smallest state, it only makes sense that one of its most iconic road trips is short, sweet, and totally doable in a single afternoon! ππ¨ Officially known as Ocean Drive, this 10-mile coastal route...