OurTripVideos Blog

Blog

  • Birmingham, AL, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Birmingham is the largest city in the state of Alabama. With more than 1.1 million people in the metropolitan area, Birmingham is the cultural and economic heart of Alabama. Visitors find a pleasant green city of ridges and valleys, with many attractive views and friendly, hospitable people.

    The City of Birmingham is relatively young. Founded in 1871 at the crossing of two railroad lines, it soon became known for its iron and steel industries. Named for England’s giant industrial city, Birmingham became a commercial hub as well, and today it is one of the top five banking cities in the US.

    “The Magic City” became known as a thriving and quickly growing community in what had once been a “poor, insignificant Southern village.” Sloss Furnaces, a preserved iron mill with 1920s blast furnaces, commemorates this side of the city’s heritage.

    The Civil Rights era of the 1960s left lasting impressions of racial conflict, police dogs and fire hoses turned on nonviolent protesters, and the bombing of homes and churches. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” became one of the great statements of the nonviolent movement for racial justice in America. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and places of reflections such as Kelly Ingram Park symbolize the healing process from within and present a much different picture of a transformed city.

    * Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame, 800 Lakeshore Drive.
    * Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, 1631 Fourth Avenue North.
    * Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, 2150 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N.
    * Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens, 331 Cotton Ave SW.
    * Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Motorsports Park, 6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy.
    * Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd.
    * Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th Street North.
    * Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 8th Avenue North.
    * Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd Street North.
    * Southern Museum of Flight, 4343 73rd St N.
    * Vulcan Statue and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Birmingham, Pelham, AL, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    200 N Chandalar Dr, Pelham, AL 35124.

    Mandir or Temple is the abode of God. The temple is the focus for all aspects of everyday life in the Hindu community – religious, cultural, educational and social.

    The Hindu Temple of Birmingham will be an effective center to promote bhakti (devotion), rich culture and heritage of India, peace of mind, self-confidence, universal brotherhood, and religious harmony among all the people.

    Dieties Information : Shiva, Ganesha, Durga, Subrahmanya and Sri Venkateshwar.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Montgomery, AL, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Montgomery is the capital, second most populous city, and the fourth most populous metropolitan area in Alabama. It is located southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain.

    The city was incorporated in 1819, as a merger of two towns situated along the Alabama River. It became the state capital in 1846. In February 1861, Montgomery was selected as the first capital of the Confederate States of America, until the seat of government moved to Richmond, Virginia in May of that year.

    During the mid-20th century, Montgomery was a primary site in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

    Today, in addition to housing many Alabama government agencies, Montgomery has a large military presence due to Maxwell Air Force Base, public universities Alabama State University, Troy University (Montgomery campus), and Auburn University-Montgomery, private colleges/universities Faulkner University, Huntingdon College, and ABA-accredited law school Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, high-tech manufacturing including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, and cultural attractions like the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

    Montgomery was also the site of Jefferson Davis’ inauguration. It was also the site of seeing the arrest of Rosa Parks and the ensuing bus boycott, as well as numerous non violent protests led by Dr. Martin Luther King.

    # Alabama Shakspeare Festival, 1 Festival Dr.

    # Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, One Museum Drive.

    # Civil Rights Memorial, 400 Washington Avenue.

    # Blount Cultural Park, 6055 Vaughn Road.

    # Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce Street.

    # Alabama State Capitol, 600 Dexter Avenue.

    # Rosa Parks Library and Museum, 251 Montgomery Street.

    # Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, 454 Dexter Avenue. – Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at the church for six years.

    # Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway.

    # Old Alabama Town, 301 Columbus Street.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Orange Beach, AL, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Orange Beach is a city in Alabama located on the Gulf Coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches, but is quieter and cheaper than the Florida beaches nearby. The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach areas are easily reached from Interstates 65 and 10 as well as US Hwy 98.

    * Fort Morgan 51 Hwy 180 West. – A fort has been at this site on and off since the 1500s. The present fortification date from 1834 to WWII and played a vital part in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Historical tours are given daily in the summer.

    * Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway.

    * Gulf Shores Museum, 244 West 19th Avenue.

    * Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum, 25850 John M Snook Avenue.

    * Gulf Shores Public Beach.

    * Gulf State Park – 6 miles east of Hwy 59.

    * Waterville USA Hwy 59 North.

    * Adventure Island, 24559 Perdido Beach Blvd.

    * Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, 12295 Hwy 180.

    * Ferris Wheel at The Wharf, 4985 Wharf Parkway.

    * Pirates Island Adventure Golf, 3201 Gulf Shores Parkway.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Mobile, AL, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Mobile is a city in the state of Alabama in the South of the US with almost a half million people in the metro area.

    Mobile is a historic, diverse port city with a strong southern culture and heritage. The original capital of French Louisiana, Mobile is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the US.

    Located at the junction of the Mobile River and Mobile Bay on the northern Gulf of Mexico, the city is the only seaport in Alabama. The Port of Mobile is the 9th largest port in the US.

    As one of the Gulf Coast’s cultural centers, Mobile houses several art museums, a symphony orchestra, a professional opera, a professional ballet company, and a large concentration of historic architecture. Mobile is known for having the oldest organized Carnival celebrations in the United States, dating to the 1700s of its early colonial period. It was also host to the first formally organized Carnival mystic society or “krewe” in the United States, dating to 1830.

    * MODA Free electric trolley that serves downtown with 22 stops, available Monday through Friday from 7am – 6pm.

    * The Wave Transit System is Mobile’s public bus service.

    * Historic Fort Conde, 150 South Royal Street – Recreation of a fort built in 1723.

    * Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd. in Theodore, Alabama.

    * Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway.
    Battleship Memorial Park is a military park on the shore of Mobile Bay and features the World War II era battleship USS Alabama (BB-60), the World War II era submarine USS Drum (SS-228), Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, and a variety of historical military equipment.

    * Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Dauphin, 36602 Mobile.

    * Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, 1906 Spring Hill Avenuel.

    * Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 Government St.

    * Take a Cruise; Carnival Cruise Line operates their Fun Ship “Holiday” from the port of Mobile. Four and five day Western Caribbean cruises.

    * Dauphin Island, Hwy 193, 23 miles south of Mobile. Sandy beaches, Historic Fort Gaines, fishing pier, campground, bird-watching sites, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium, and the Isle Dauphine Golf Club are all on the island.

    Mobile is the third most populous city in Alabama. Mobile began as the first capital of colonial French Louisiana in 1702.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Vicksburg, MS, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Vicksburg is a city in west central Mississippi. The city is most famous as the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy,” as cannons on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River prevented the US from controlling this vital water route during much of the American Civil War.

    After lengthy maneuverings to get troops to the city, U.S. Major General Ulysses S. Grant, having failed in a major assualt on May 22, 1863, put the city under siege.

    The siege lasted until July 4 when C.S. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton surrendered. Along with the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania the previous day, this marked the turning point of the war.

    In addition to the battlefield, the major draw for today’s visitors is the collection of “river boat” casinos.

    It is the only city in Warren County. It is located 234 miles (377 km) northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and 40 miles (65 km) due west of Jackson, the state capital.

    Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street.
    Catfish Row Landin, Clay and Levee Street.
    Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola® Memorabilia, 1107 Washington Street.
    Old Court House Museum-Eva W. Davis Memorial, 1008 Cherry Street.
    Bottleneck Blues Bar, Ameristar Casino, 4116 Washington Street.

    Casinos – Ameristar, DiamondJacks, Horizon, Riverwalk, and Rainbow Casino.
    Gold In The Hills at the Parkside Playhouse.
    Riverfest held in downtown Vicksburg in mid-April.
    Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, 4116 Washington Street.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Biloxi, MS, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It’s well known for its beaches and casinos, though one casino and the beach are still in repair.

    The city is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area and the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. Pre-Katrina, Biloxi was the third largest city in Mississippi; but with its population losses following that storm, Hattiesburg now has that distinction.

    The beachfront of Biloxi lies directly on the Mississippi Sound, with barrier islands scattered off the coast and into the Gulf of Mexico.

    Keesler Air Force Base lies within the city and is home to the 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

    Many attractions are still closed due to severe damage in the 2005 hurricane season. Except for limited stretches, most beaches in the area are closed. Some small stretches near the intersection of I-110 and US-90 are open, but most access to water is limited or prohibited due to storm debris in the water.

    A list of casinos below are open full facility.

    * Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, 875 Beach Blvd.
    * Boomtown Biloxi.
    * Grand Casino Biloxi.
    * IP Hotel and Casino.
    * Isle of Capri Casino Resort, 151 Beach Blvd – Was the South’s first casino.
    * Palace Casino and Resort.
    * Treasure Bay Casino and Resort.
    * Hard Rock Casino Biloxi.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Gulfport, MS, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Gulfport is the 2nd largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area.

    Gulfport is co-county seat with Biloxi of Harrison County, Mississippi. Gulfport is also the East Coast home to the US Navy Seabees.

    On August 29, 2005, Gulfport was hit by the strong east side of Hurricane Katrina, and much of Gulfport was flooded or destroyed. Much of Gulfport was also severely damaged by Hurricane Camille on August 17, 1969.

    You can go and see the white sanded coastal beaches that look over the Gulf of Mexico. These beaches are viewable from Beach Boulevard (U.S. Highway 90) there are plenty of places along the highway where you can pull over for picture opportunities.

    * Lynn Meadows Discovery Center – 246 Dolan Avenue.
    * Island View Casino Resort – 3300 W Beach Blvd.
    * Gulf Islands Waterpark – 17200 16th Stree.
    * Ship Island Excursions – Highway 90 & Highway 49.
    * Southern Belle Fishing Tours.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Jackson, MS, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Jackson, or Jackson City, is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Mississippi. Jackson including its surrounding suburbs boast a strong economy as well as population. The Jackson-Yazoo City(metropolitan) combined statistical area, making it the 88th-largest metropolitan area in the US.

    The current slogan for the city is “City with Soul”. Jackson is ranked 3rd out of Americas 100 largest metro areas for the best “Bang For Your Buck” city according to Forbes magazine. The study measured overall affordability, housing rates, and more. The city is named for Andrew Jackson, who was still a general at the time of the naming but later became president. The city is the anchor of the Metro area.

    Jackson is a city famous for its music – including Gospel, Blues, and R & B. Jackson is also home to the world famous Malaco Records recording studio. Many notable musicians hail from Jackson.

    Rap rocker Kid Rock made a song about Jackson, aptly titled “Jackson, Mississippi”, in 2003.

    The Rolling Stones sat “in a bar tippling a jar in Jackson” in their song ‘Country Honk’ on the 1969 album ‘Let It Bleed’. “And on the street the summer sun it shines. There’s many a bar-room queen I’ve had in Jackson, but I just can’t seem to drink you off my mind.”

    * Dixie National Livestock Show, Parade and Rodeo, Mississippi Coliseum and Fairgrounds, High Street. The Wild West Rodeo comes to Jackson each year with this exciting event.
    * Jackson Zoological Park, 2918 W. Capitol Street.
    * Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Drive.
    * Mynelle Gardens.
    * Agriculture and Forestry Museum.
    * Museum of Art.
    * Davis Planetarium.
    * Telecom Center.
    * Jackson Convention Center.
    * Old State Capitol.
    * New State Capitol.
    * Supreme Court Building.
    * War Memorial Museum.
    * Children’s Museum (coming soon).
    * Take a tour of Jackson with the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation & Development. 1831 Robinson Street.
    * Battlefield Park, 953 Porter Street.

    Please click on the image for pictures.

  • Little Rock, AK, US – Pictures – Upcoming Video

    Little Rock became the capital of the Arkansas Territory in 1819 and of the state of Arkansas in 1836.

    Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The The Metropolitan Statistical Area(MSA) includeds the Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pine Bluff.

    Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called la Petite Roche (French: “the little rock”). The “little rock” was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

    East Little Rock
    —————-
    The eastern edge of Little Rock is sparsely populated but is a vital economic area, as Little Rock National Airport and Little Rock River Port are both located here.

    * Aerospace Education Center, 3301 E Roosevelt Rd.

    * Little Rock Audubon Center, 4500 Springer Blvd.

    Downtown
    ——–
    Many of Little Rock’s most interesting attractions are found in its downtown area.

    * Arkansas State Capitol, Woodlane St. and Capitol Ave.

    * Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.

    * Central Arkansas Library System Main Library, 100 Rock St.

    * Central High School National Historic Site and Museum, 2125 Daisy L. Gatson Bates Dr.

    * Daisy Bates House, 1207 W 28th St.

    * EMOBA (Ernie’s Museum on Black Arkansans)

    * Heifer International Center, 1 World Ave.. Located next to the Clinton Presidential Center, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for the earth and ending hunger and poverty. Visit their internationally recognized Green Headquarters building that has earned the highest LEED award. This is a great place to visit for everyone of all ages.

    Heifer Village, located behind the Heifer International Center, is an interactive museum and learning center designed to educate the public about a pristine, unspoiled world without poverty and hunger, the stated goal of Heifer International.

    * MacArthur Park – Which includes Arkansas Arts Center and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

    * The Old State House, 300 W Markham.

    * Peabody Hotel Ducks.

    * William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Park, 1200 President Clinton Ave. The 11th Presidential Library of the National Archives and Records Administration, and the largest in the system, is dedicated to the fellow Arkansan and the 42nd President. A huge collection of memorabilia from Clinton’s two terms as President, including a replica of the Oval Office. Look also for the Clinton School of Public Service – it is housed in an old Rock Island station built in 1899.

    Midtown
    ——-

    * War Memorial Park – Little Rock Zoo and War Memorial Stadium.

    North Little Rock
    —————–

    * Argenta Historic District.
    * Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.
    * Burns Park.
    * Little Rock Air Force Base.
    * The Old Mill.
    * Verizon Arena – Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum.

    Please click on the image for pictures.