Berlin, Germany

World Cities & Harbors
955

Berlin, Germany, damaged physically and culturally by war for most of the 20th century, has entered the 21st century a thriving capital and one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. The cultural transformation of Berlin is reflected in this scene’s view of the Bebelplatz, the plaza in front of the Humboldt University. Once used a stage for Nazi book burning, the plaza now hosts events such as the Mercedes-Benz-sponsored Berlin Fashion Week. Other Berlin landmarks visible in this sample video include the Reichstag and government buildings of the German legislature, the Bundestag; the statue of Frederick the Great, a former King of Prussia; and Jonathan Borofsky’s “Molecule Man” sculpture, which has twins in Los

Ambassador Bridge (Detroit, Michigan)

American truck drivers taking cargo “south of the border” would likely be on the way to Mexico. But from Detroit, Michigan, they could also head to Canada across the Ambassador Bridge, which carries more than 25 percent of all trade between the United States and its northern neighbor. Thanks to a dog leg in the Detroit River, this is the only border crossing at which Canada lies to the south of the U.S. In this sample video, a parade of trucks crosses the bridge in both directions as the sun sets in the west. Silhouetted in the foreground is the Detroit Princess riverboat, which offers dinner and pleasure cruises along the river for public and private

Lee A. Tregurtha on Detroit River

In addition to their loads, many Great Lakes freighters carry with them a small part of history, but few have as much history behind them as the ship now known as the Lee A. Tregurtha. Originally planned as the oil tanker Mobiloil, the onset on World War II prompted the U.S. Maritime Commission to take over the ship’s construction and it was soon commissioned into the U.S. Navy under the name USS Chiwawa. From 1942 through 1944, the Chiwawa served in the Atlantic Fleet, refueling vessels along the East Coast and sailing on convoys across the ocean. Eventually it joined the Pacific Fleet for the final months of the war and was decommissioned in May 1946.

Bangkok, Thailand (Chao Phraya River)

Like most great cities, Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is situated on a great river: the Chao Phraya, which runs 231 miles from the center of the country into the Gulf of Thailand. On a typical afternoon, the waters of the Chao Phraya are bustling with boat traffic. Ferries, river buses, and traditional longtail water taxis connect the two sides of Bangkok while freight barges move cargo up and down the river. The banks of the Chao Phraya are home to relatively sparse but impressive skyscrapers. Prominently featured in this eScapes video are the three towers of the Chatrium Riverside hotel and residence, where a 1248-square-foot condominium sells for about $300,000. The towers are part of a recent

San Antonio, Texas

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,

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Like many Eastern European countries, St. Petersburg struggled for much of the 20th century (mostly while known as Petrograd or Leningrad). It witnessed most of the Russian Revolution in the early part of the century and went on to be devastated by a lengthy Nazi siege during World War II. After the war, the city continued to struggle under the stress of political and economic forces. Still, St. Petersburg is a beautiful city with a unique skyline and many historical and architectural sights. One of the most distinctive, featured in this video, is the spire of the the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the oldest landmark in the city and the resting place of nearly all Russia’s

St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis

One of the only waterfalls on the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls offers more than a scenic outlook and relaxing ambience. The entire city of Minneapolis was built around the power of the falls, both literally and figuratively. Early entrepreneurs used the falls to power saw and flour mills, which attracted more settlers and led to the creation of the city. At the turn of the century, Minneapolis led the United States in flour production. By the mid-20th century, however, the flour boom was over and Minneapolis’ position had been lost as new power sources and transportation methods developed and Western crops suffered. Today, a hydroelectric plant still draws power from the falls, but the mills

James R. Barker

The Great Lakes freighter James R. Barker was built in 1976 for the Interlake Steampship Company. One of the first thousand-footers on the Lakes (the first being the Stewart J. Cort), the James R. Barker is named for the President and Chairman of the Board of Interlake Steamship Company. Another ship, the Kaye E. Barker, is named for his wife and is featured in the full version of this episode. The St. Marys River channel connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron and is the site of the Soo Locks in the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario. The locks carry ships past the natural rapids of the St. Marys and were constructed in

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

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.

Tag Archives: riverfront