Internet of Things: Six Key Characteristics 3 Comments

We found a trip for every type of winter wanderer.

Take a train through Alaska’s winter wonderland

The Alaska Railroad operates year-round, connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks. Watch landscapes drenched in ivory, sapphire blue skies, and wild moose glide past your large windows from the warmth of the Aurora Winter Train. Spend a night in Fairbanks under the emerald glow of the aurora borealis, or get your adrenaline going in Anchorage with endless options for ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding.

Must-See: Stop at the Aurora Ice Museum in Fairbanks, the world’s largest year-round ice environment, created from more than a thousand tons of snow. Don a complimentary parka and head to the bar for an appletini served in an ice glass.

Where to Stay: Get off the beaten path at the remote Winterlake Lodge on the Iditarod National Historic Trail, where visitors fly over ice-glazed peaks and glittering lakes to reach a 15-acre adventurer’s paradise.

Fun Fact: Auroras make weird noises—spectators often report the sounds of crackling and hissing during powerful displays.

Road-trip down Oregon’s scenic coast

One of Oregon’s Seven Wonders, this 363-mile stretch of coastline is punctuated by moody landscapes, towering waves, craggy headlands, and spectacular winter storms. There’s no shortage of stops on the scenic route from Astoria to Brookings—explore quirky coastal communities, spot sea lions at Shore Acres State Park, watch dancing jellyfish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and explore 79 state parks.

Witness history in the making in Washington, D.C.

On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will be sworn into office on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and there’s no better place to watch this historic event than Washington, D.C. Giant video screens and speakers will stream Inauguration Day proceedings to thousands of spectators against the monument-dotted National Mall. Afterward, line up on Pennsylvania Avenue to watch the inaugural procession march to the White House.

The hotel is also just steps from the Smithsonian, International Spy Museum, and Lincoln Memorial

Must-See: The Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases more than 400 years of artifacts that reveal the African-American experience.

Where to Stay: Stay in the middle of the action at the W Hotel Washington D.C. Grab a drink at the swanky POV rooftop lounge overlooking the Washington Monument, savor Mediterranean flavors in the artfully styled Pinea restaurant, or get a “skin-auguration” at Bliss Spa. The hotel is also just steps from the Smithsonian, International Spy Museum, and Lincoln Memorial.

Fun Fact: William McKinley’s 1897 inauguration was the first recorded by a motion picture camera, and in 1997, Bill Clinton’s was the first to be broadcast live on the Internet.