The Gateway Arch is instantly recognizable, as is the St. Louis skyline that bears it. This 630-foot monument, standing inside the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, celebrates the United States’ westward expansion and the role St. Louis played in it. Nearby, on the Mississippi River, steamboats and ships pass by to their own relaxing beat, as they have since the first days of westward expansion. Grady Nichols is a smooth jazz saxophonist who is quickly rising in the genre. With four released albums and collaborations with legends including Jeff Lorber and Paul Brown, Nichols is becoming a presence on the smooth jazz charts and a popular opening act and sideman for legends including Bob James, David Benoit,

Lafayette Cemetery, New Orleans

History and beauty come together in this unique cemetery– Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District of New Orleans, Louisiana. Built in 1833, the cemetery has interred people of all cultures and classes, including notable city figures and Civil War soldiers. Today, the cemetery is important as an archaeological, historical, and cultural site, although it is in danger of deteriorating. The site has become a tourist attraction and has been featured in many films and literature, including the works of Mark Twain and Anne Rice. Ronny Jordan is a Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist, producer, and songwriter known as an originator of “acid jazz.” Inspired by artists such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Jimi Hendrix, Jordan

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, the capital and largest city of Ohio, is one of the healthiest economic and cultural centers in the United States. A scenic cityscape, service-based economy, and wide assortment of cultural attractions makes the city one of the nation’s best places to work, play, or visit. This eScapes video features a scenic view of the Columbus skyline from across the Scioto River, including the striking art deco LeVeque Tower. Legend has it that the tower was built to be exactly one foot taller than the Washington Monument– though promoted as such, modern measurements show the difference to be less than one inch. Other landmarks in this scene include the stainless steel gavel outside the Ohio Supreme

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio has made great strides in reinventing itself. Historically an industrial city known for its steel industry, Cleveland now boasts a vibrant cultural scene, service industries, and tourist attractions. Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor on Lake Erie unites the new and old city with the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum. This “ship that built Cleveland” was the flagship for the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company for sixty years. Today, the ship is a floating museum, open for tours, and a venue for various cultural events. Other sights in North Coast Harbor featured in this eScapes video are the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland Browns Stadium, and the Goodtime III, an

Wichita, Kansas

Though perhaps best known as the “Air Capital of the World,” producing nearly half of the world’s aircraft, Wichita embraces culture as well as industry. Just west of downtown, Keeper of the Plains Plaza, featured in this video, gives tribute to the Plains Indians and their traditional way of life. The site is known for its distinct pedestrian bridges and a large steel sculpture– the Keeper of the Plains— that is lit with a ring of fire for fifteen minutes each night. Another cultural landmark in Wichita is Exploration Place– a large science museum on the banks of the Arkansas River. The center features a variety of traveling and permanent exhibits, a movie theater, and more.

Port Townsend, Washington

Founded in the mid-1800s, Port Townsend, Washington was expected by many to become a dominant port city on the West Coast. Despite significant investment and early successes, Port Townsend was overshadowed by other northwestern cities. Lack of confidence by investors– including the Northern Pacific Railroad– caused the city to shrink into a quiet community now known for its abundance of Victorian architecture, artists, and retirees. The Port of Port Townshend Boat Haven, featured in this video, was built in the 1960s and favors smaller boats (the marina’s slips start at 20 feet). Wooden docks (instead of concrete) add to the city’s historic atmosphere, and even the boats are often wooden. In fact, Port Townshend is home

Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms

Just as cherry trees feature in the traditional stories of George Washington, they have become a tradition in the capital that bears his name. In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 flowering cherry trees to the city of Washington, D.C. Since then, periodic gifts of trees between Japan and the United States have been symbolic of goodwill between the two countries. Every spring, the blooming Yoshino cherry blossoms perfectly frame the monuments near Washington’s Tidal Basin with their distinctive white and pink petals. The occasion is complemented by celebrations, special events, and thousands of visitors looking to enjoy the ambience in their own way. In 2012, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will be observing the

Indianapolis, Indiana

The beautiful Indiana Statehouse commands attention in downtown Indianapolis, but there’s far more to this Midwestern city than its role as a state capital. The Indianapolis cityscape is notable for its emphasis on nature and outdoor activity. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a 20-mile-long biking and walking path, takes residents and visitors on a scenic walk throughout the city, connecting its major cultural centers. Also adjacent to the trail is White River State Park, a beautiful urban green space perfect for recreation or relaxation away from the activity of the city. Gota (full name Gota Yashiki) is a jazz and pop percussionist, vocalist, and producer. Before his solo debut, he worked with artists including Seal and Sinead

Chicago at Night

The skyline of Chicago is one of the most distinctive in the world and it’s especially beautiful when seen from the city’s Northerly Island peninsula. This vantage point provides an unbroken panorama of the cityscape. As always, the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower (best known by its former name, the Sears Tower) are standout landmarks. The round Shedd Aquarium can be also be seen in the foreground. The most-visited cultural attraction in Chicago, the Aquarium needed 160 rail car trips to carry a million gallons of salt water from Key West for its opening in 1930. Another brilliant vista of the city featured in this video is the cityscape from Navy Pier. The carnival-like atmosphere

Seattle (Elliott Bay Waterfront)

In this eScapes video– a sample of our 500th completed episode— we take you to the waterfront of Seattle, Washington. This harbor in Puget Sound’s Elliott Bay was a center of activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when these piers were used by foreign traders and gold-seekers heading to Alaska. As Seattle’s shipping industry modernized during and after World War II, many old piers were functionally replaced by larger ports with better machinery. Today, Pier 57, featured in this scene, is home to a number of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, including a hand-carved carousel that is one of the oldest in North America. Those seeking a more relaxing time can sit and watch