The famous painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware depicts an iconic moment in American history. But this monumental painting (both in size and scope) has a good story in itself, including its holiday connection. Check it out in this Nerd Trips post.

Baltimore’s Washington Monument has 227 steps winding up a tight spiral to the top. If you thought climbing up was scary, it’s even scarier going down. However, there is much to explore on the ground floor, including some incredible ironwork on the fences and gates. Check it out in this Nerd Trip.

George Washington was a surveyor and military man, known for his physical stature. You may need to summon some physical stamina to tackle the 227 spiral stairs to the top of Baltimore’s Washington Monument, but it’s worth the climb to survey the city from this rare vantage point. In honor of Washington’s birthday, come along for my spontaneous...

In summer 2013, a literary scavenger hunt had us scouring London’s Chelsea neighborhood, searching for blue plaques marking the homes of writers ranging from Mark Twain to Bran Stoker. You can read about that in the previous post. However, Chelsea also charmed us with its pretty streets, variety of lovely homes and beautiful gardens.

As we finish our trip to Grant’s tomb, it’s time to take you inside this massive mausoleum. Many disabled Civil War soldiers had to be carried up the stairs to the shrine, which became a popular pilgrimage for veterans on both sides of the conflict.

Many New York City tourists want to see the Empire State Building or Radio City, but history buffs may appreciate a trip to the Upper West Side to the final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant.
The memorial is massive, rising 150 feet on a hill overlooking the Hudson.

“Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” It’s a question that entered American pop culture thanks to Groucho Marx and the show “You Bet Your Life.” One contestant apparently shook things up with the reply that”no one” is buried in Grant’s tomb, which is technically correct and here’s why:

Even though you can visit Grant’s tomb in New York City and you can see the coffins (sarcophagi?) of President and Mrs. Grant, technically no one is buried there. And the whole argument hinges on the definition of the word “bury.”