Washington, D.C.
Gemini, we all know that you love to learn and discover new things! Washington, D.C., prides itself on the numerous attractions and activities available — museums, tours, monuments, and events. The capital of the United States is steeped in history just waiting for you to discover!
Obviously, you can’t visit this city without checking out The National Mall. It hosts the Washington Monument, Smithsonian Castle and Museums, National Gallery of Art, U.S. Capital Building and Holocaust Museum. On top of that, almost every week the Mall hosts some sort of new event (and it’s usually free!).
When you start to feel peckish from all that walking, head over to the The Watergate Hotel’s restaurant, Top of the Gate. Featuring an award-winning open-air rooftop with 360-degree views of the Potomac River, Washington Monument, and that beautiful DC skyline. The food may be a bit on the pricey side, but it’s so worth it!
For more entertainment, over on F Street lies the Shakespeare Theatre Company for award-winning plays in any genre you may desire. And over on U Street is the Lincoln Theatre, which dates back to 1922! Sitting down and experiencing a play in person, especially if you’ve never been before, is a must — but you, Gemini, will also likely love to learn the historical background of these famous theatres.
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park is located in western South Dakota. The park is open all day, every day, and it’s completely free to hike or drive in! The weather here varies to keep things interesting for you, Gemini, so you’re going to want to come prepared for anything.
For a small fee, you can take a guided tour through the giant Wind Cave, itself. The tour options include a tranquil Garden of Eden tour, that gives you the opportunity to admire all of the cave’s beautiful natural formations, or the Natural Entrance tour, that shares the history of the cave’s discovery and name. There’s also the Fairgrounds tour — which includes 450 stairs! — or the Candlelight tour that allows you to explore the cave the way the first explorers did.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the Wild Cave tour that takes you along developed spelunking trails. Be aware, only fit, healthy adults are allowed on the Wild Cave tour!
The main attraction of the park is (of course) the cave, but there are plenty of other things to do if you aren’t comfortable going inside. You can hike through the plains along one of the thirty hiking trails available (some of which are pet-friendly!), or watch American bison and prairie dogs roaming in their natural habitat! Always remember, you are there as an observer. Do not feed or approach the animals — it’s against park rules!
Keep in mind, the Wind Cave is the birthplace of the Lakota and a very spiritual and sacred place to over twenty tribes. Many still perform traditional ceremonies in the park today, and you may see prayer clothes or bundles hanging from trees as you explore. Please respect their privacy by not disturbing or photographing these bundles, and by respecting their sacred land.
Melbourne, Australia
We all know, you, Gemini, would be lost without your fresh cup of coffee, so you’ll be happy to know that Melbourne is home to the best coffee in the world! You could take a “Cafe and Coffee Culture Walk” tour through the city, but rumor has it the absolute best cup comes from a hole-in-the-wall cafe called Patricia Coffee Brewers on the corner of Little Bourke Street and Little William Street. It’s so small that they don’t have any seating, and there’s always a line, but it’ll be worth the wait once you taste that perfect coffee yourself!
Melbourne also offers you a chance to embrace your artsy side, as it is the street art capital of Australia. They have designated streets, like Hosier Lane, ACDC Lane, and Flinders Way, reserved for these underground artists — and some of them even run street art tours so you can gain a better understanding of their colorful art.
In Melbourne, you can also take a river cruise, ride the world’s oldest working roller coaster at Luna Park, or go penguin spotting at St Kilda! Get your food fix by exploring Queen Victoria Market. There are so many choices to accommodate and entertain your ever-changing interests.
And we all know you love a good laugh, Gemini, so you’ll be happy to know this city also hosts the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! The festival features a range of comics from veterans to newbies and an array of different events to suit anyone’s tastes! This year, it ran a whopping twenty-six days from March 30th-April 24th. If you aren’t able to make the journey during the spring, The Comic’s Lounge is one of the best places to catch a great show all year round!
