Feb 02 2009
If I Was To Visit New York City
Since I have never actually been to New York City, I thought using the Internet would be a good way to research this concept. As points of reference, most of us are familiar with the Ed Sullivan Theater (site of the David Letterman Show), the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Apollo Theater and Radio City Music Hall.
To start the research process, I used Google maps to first give an idea of where these entertainment venues are located and also to create a directional map, if I decide to drive instead of fly. Just click on Get Directions. The next thing to do is click on the “more info” link next to the Radio City listing (#1) in the left column. Now you will have several more links to help you find more pertinent information about entertainment in the city of New York.
There are several other great features in Google maps. Here are a couple of useful ones that make the research project even more rewarding. If you click on the Satellite button in the upper right hand corner, you will now see the map as it is seen from outer space and you are able to zoom in even closer.
Now go to the final destination listing in the left column and click on it. You will now be given two new views. The upper one is images of the entire trip. You can go backwards through the entire trip and view some points of interest that you may decide that are of interest to you.
So now you may create a completely different trip. It is quite remarkable.
You could use this technique to take a virtual vacation just about anywhere in the world. So if it’s winter, and you would like to go to Hawaii and you can’t get the vacation time or the mortgage payments don’t make that possible, try Google maps.
Just type in Hawaii or Kapalua or or Maui or Pearl Harbor as your destination and start your “voyage”. The wonders of the Internet never cease to amaze me.
It isn’t perfect because I thought I would have some fun with the program. I asked it to give me driving directions between Toronto and Tokyo avoiding highways and tolls.
It seems that Google Maps has a pretty good sense of humour.
Driving directions to Tokyo, Japan
9,504 mi – about 36 days 14 hours
