0111, 2012

Baltimore, Maryland

American Cities
529

Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city, blends a beautiful Atlantic harbor, a modern cityscape, and quaint neighborhoods. It is also a great historical destination: the city had a role in the onset of the American Revolution, and its harbor was significant in the War of 1812, through the Civil War, and in World Wars I and II, when it was used as a shipping and shipbuilding center. Baltimore is known as the “city of neighborhoods.” The city’s towering Washington Monument is appropriately a highlight of the Mt. Vernon neighborhood, and this eScapes scene features a few more, including Federal Hill and Fell’s Point. Finally, a statue at Federal Hill honors Major General Samuel Smith, commander of the Battle

2910, 2012

Portland, Oregon at Night

American Cities
485

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Although it is the largest city in Oregon, Portland feels surprisingly intimate, thanks to its land-use planning, natural spaces, and implementation of light rail and bicycle routes. Though its economy centers on its port and its many technology companies, Portland might be better known as a cultural capital. The area is known nationally for its relaxed attitudes and focus on the creative and culinary arts. This eScapes scene presents a nighttime view of the city, including its many waterfronts. The distinctive clock tower building is the Jackson Tower, a

0110, 2012

Mackinac Island, Michigan

American Cities
479

Watch full HD version of this single song sample episode on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel #452 While summer resorts are common, none have the quaint historic charm of Michigan’s Mackinaw Island. Situated between the state’s two peninsulas, this relaxing island has been drawing tourists since Victorian times with its beautiful scenery and leisurely culture. The well-preserved historic buildings of the island, and its complete lack of motor vehicles, give Mackinac a “stuck in time” atmosphere that was famously captured in the 1980 film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Away from the antique buildings of downtown, most of the island is undeveloped, with 80% preserved as Mackinac Island State Park. Mackinac Island’s

2708, 2012

Dallas, Texas

American Cities
385

Founded in 1841, Dallas, Texas has a tradition of entrepreneurs and big business. The first western settler, John Neely Bryan, chose the Dallas area as a spot for a trading post, selling to American Indians and other settlers. Later, farming, ranching, and oil industries swelled the town’s population through the early part of the 20th century. Today, Dallas is a business capital with an emphasis on banking, communications, technology, health care, and logistics. Two of the world’s most profitable companies, AT&T and Exxon Mobil, are headquartered in the city. This eScapes scene features a look at the Dallas skyline and views from downtown’s Dealey Plaza. Though best known for its notorious connection to the 1963 assassination

1608, 2012

Miami, Florida

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 A tropical metropolis set beside the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a destination for anyone looking for sunshine, entertainment, and culture. A quickly growing city with one of the most impressive skylines in the United States, Miami’s location has been instrumental to its success. With an ocean on one side of the city, and rich natural spaces on the other, Florida offers residents and visitors the best of urban and natural wonder. Miami is also home to great cultural diversity, particularly from Latin American immigrants. The mix of cultures in

1406, 2012

Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory

The sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a sharp contrast to the vertical skyline of New York City, the country’s most populous city. Here, a small cluster of downtown skyscrapers is surrounded by miles of relatively low buildings. This is partially due to earthquake-related restrictions on building heights that lasted much of the 20th century. This eScapes scene features a sunset view of the city from Griffith Park atop Mount Hollywood. The famous Griffith Observatory, seen in the foreground, is a public center dedicated to sharing knowledge of astronomy. Both the park and observatory were gifted to the city by mining entrepreneur Griffith J. Griffith at the turn of

2203, 2012

Dixboro, Michigan

American Cities
379

While Dixboro, Michigan might not be a city on the list of great American tourist destinations, its small town charm, scenic beauty, and nostalgic atmosphere make it enchanting to any visitor who happens to pass through. Sprouting from the lone vision and finances of Boston ship captain John Dix, the proper Village of Dixboro consists of only a handful of acres on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. In the 1820s, Dix built the area’s first barn and established a saw and grist mill in his new settlement. When the incoming railroad bypassed Dixboro in favor of nearby Ypsilanti, however, the growth of Dixboro slowed and John Dix left for Texas. Now a quaint community known for

1203, 2012

San Antonio, Texas

American Cities
452

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 San Antonio is the most-visited city in Texas, and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only does the city boast a wide variety of restaurants and shops, award-winning golf courses, spas, theme parks, and museums, but it has the most famous tourist attraction in the state: The Alamo. A key location in the Texas Revolution, the Alamo now stands as a historical monument and museum. Nearby, the San Antonio River Walk, the city’s second-most-popular attraction, offers natural and architectural beauty. Visitors can walk beside the river for miles,

0703, 2012

Los Angeles, California

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Underneath the bustle of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a strong creative pulse. Los Angeles has been the worldwide capital of film production since the early 1900s, and about one-sixth of the city’s 3.8 million people work in the arts. On any drive through the city, you are never too far from a concert hall, movie theater, or sound stage. Viewing the sprawling city and its impressive downtown skyline from afar, it’s hard to imagine the city’s humble beginnings as a missionary settlement in

0203, 2012

Washington, D.C. Landmarks

American Cities
369

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Though only 68 square miles, Washington, D.C. contains enough recognizable buildings and landmarks to fill an entire country. The capital city of the United States, the District of Columbia is not only a place of business for the federal government but a shrine to the country’s history and accomplishments. Two of the most famous buildings in Washington, featured in the beginning of this eScapes video, are the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House. These structures are symbols of the city, current politics, and the entire United States. The