Your Favorite City

With all of the great cities all around the country, how do people decide what city is their favorite? Does it depend on the people in the city? What about the architecture? Or the restaurants and cafes? There are many factors that go into being able to call a city a favorite.

Hometown Pride

Many people claim that their favorite city is the one that they consider to be their hometowns. People often consider cities their favorites because of the special memories that they had when they were growing up there. These cities hold a special place in their hearts because their experiences often depended on where they were and who they were with. For example, people who are from Miami, would have fond memories of hanging out at the beach with their friends. Someone from Denver, Colorado might have fond memories of skiing or hiking because those are popular activities for people who live there.

Spiritual Places

Other people consider towns to be their favorites because of the spirit of the city. For example, New York City is a favorite of so many people because there is always something happening. The streets are always buzzing with the people walking here and there. New restaurants pop up practically overnight and even though the buildings are old and worn, there is excitement happening inside of them. The people in the city seem to know how to survive, which makes the city feel like a proving ground of sorts. It is very obvious that people who are truly from New York City are proud of their origins. It is difficult to be bored when you are in a place like New York City.

Athletic Teams

Favorite cities are often selected because of athletic teams. Whether baseball, football, hockey, or basketball, people all over the United States pick their favorite cities based on who plays on the teams. Some people will pick their favorite teams based on what cities they play in, too. People may have never even visited Dallas, Texas, but because the Cowboys are “America’s Favorite Team” Dallas is a favorite city.

Popular Industries

There are also some people who designate a city as their favorite based on the industries that make that city their homes. For example, Atlanta is home to Coca-Cola, so that can make some people decide whether or not they love that city. For decades, Detroit was a favorite city because of the auto industry.

History and Culture

Other people are fascinated by the history behind American cities. This includes actual historical events that occurred in the cities as well as architecture, museums, government buildings, and famous people. Chicago is a city with a very interesting past, with gangsters, fires, and riots; and so many people consider Chicago to be their favorite city because there is so much to learn.

Wearing accessories and apparel with your favorite city’s name on it is one way to share your love of your favorite city. When you wear this kind of apparel, you will find that people will stop to talk to you to ask questions about the city and to show you what they know. Sharing amazing locations with other people develops a sense of community, even if it happens to be with complete strangers.

Bargain City: Washington D.C.

When you need a vacation and you want to keep your wallet full, Washington D.C. is the perfect choice. What is so amazing about the District of Columbia is that as a tourist, you really only need to pay for transportation, lodging, and food because once you arrive in the city, the majority of the attractions are completely free.

Low Cost Transportation

The capitol of the United States is a magical place that everyone who lives in the country should visit at some point in their lives. The city is home to a subway system that is well organized and easy to navigate. It also has a quality bus service for those who prefer to stay above ground or need to go somewhere the trains do not travel. The District offers low price passes for visitors, but even if you travel without a visitor pass, you will find that the transportation system is extremely affordable, even if you are travelling on a budget.

Advance Planning for Access to the Best Sites

As you are in the planning stages for your visit to Washington D.C., there are two things you should do before you leave. At least a few months in advance, you should register for a tour of the White House. There is no cost to tour the president’s home, but the Secret Service does do background checks on everyone who takes a tour. You simply need to visit the website www.whitehouse.gov to learn about the process of touring the remarkable home. The second thing to do in advance is contact your United States representative or senator to ask for passes to the House or Senate chamber. Again, there is no cost to visit, but you need a pass to see the lawmakers in action.

Must See the Mall

There are several sites that are must-see stops while you visit the capital. The first should be the National Mall, which is not a shopping mall, but a large expanse of grass. This is the land that is home to the Lincoln Memorial at one end and the Capital Building at the other. In the middle is the Washington Monument. These are all free to visit. There are other memorials tucked away in various places along the expanse of the Mall, like the Vietnam Wall, the World War II Memorial, the Roosevelt Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and more.

You will want to set aside at least two or three days to see everything along the Mall. While monuments and Capital are quite impressive, the Smithsonian Museums offer a different experience. These are some of the most popular places for tourists because they can learn about the growth of the American culture with the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the art galleries, and so much more. Visitors could easily spend a day in each museum and still not see everything.

Visit the Cemetery in Arlington

Another must-see spot is Arlington Cemetery, which technically lies in Virginia. There is a subway stop at the gates of the cemetery and again, it is free to enter. You can walk to all of the sites in the cemetery and the notable ones include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where you can watch the regular changing of the guard ceremony; President Kennedy’s eternal flame; and the memorial to the astronauts in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in the 1980s. It is a peaceful place that is a nice balance between the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. proper.

Hit the Road Jack: Cities to Visit along Route 66

Route 66 may not be an official highway anymore, but the legendary road still has many great offerings for those who wish to see where the highway system got its start. The “Mother Road” begins in the great city of Chicago, Illinois and travels south and west to its ending point in Santa Monica, California. Along the way, the road takes several twists and turns through big cities and one-stop-light towns. Trekking along Route 66 will give you an idea of what the country was like in the early 1900s and how much it has changed to become what it is today.

Start in Chicago

Since the country developed from east to west, the best starting point is in Chicago, Illinois. The technical beginning spot is on Lakeshore Drive at Buckingham Fountain. Before you begin your expedition down the Mother Road, it is a good idea to check out the sites around Chicago. To get into the time period, visit the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Chicago neighborhood known as Oak Park. If you tour some of the historic homes, you will see what life was like for those who drove the original Route 66.

Once you have gotten a feel for the era, you can begin your expedition. Due to the work of former President Bill Clinton, the historic Route 66 is marked quite well. This makes it easy to follow the signs and have fun along the way. Your drive from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois will include a drive by the first Steak and Shake restaurant. Once you reach Springfield, the capitol of Illinois, you can explore and learn about President Lincoln, the city’s most famous resident. Then, it is off to St. Louis, Missouri.

Missouri to Oklahoma, City

Route 66 through St. Louis promises some unique attractions, like the St. Louis Gateway Arch. But, there are some older attractions that have survived the decades since the road was decertified as an official highway. Check out Meramec Caverns, the Wagon Wheel Motel, Viva Cuba Mural, and the Largest Rocking Chair. The road then continues to Springfield, Missouri to Oklahoma City, OK, where you can enjoy the last arch bridge near Riverton, Kansas and the Blue Whale at Catoosa. Once you arrive in Oklahoma City, visitors enjoy seeing the capital building and the memorial to the victims in the Oklahoma City bombing in the 1990s.

Time in New Mexico

The drive from Oklahoma City to Albuquerque, New Mexico is also full of Route 66 memorabilia. The roads are long, but a good stopping point is at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK. Then, when you cross into Texas the roadside attractions include the U-Drop Inn, the Leaning Water Tower and World’s Largest Cross, and the Cadillac Ranch, with actual Cadillac cars decorating the ground. The town of Glenrio, which was a popular small town when the road was active, is now practically a ghost town, showing the signs of progress.

Longer Stay in Arizona

On your journey, the drive through Arizona is one worth taking slow. Route 66 takes drivers past the iconic Wigwam Village, Meteor Crater Park, Flagstaff, the Lowell Observatory, and of course, the Grand Canyon. The Mojave Desert comes up quickly, so it is best to be prepared for the infrequent rest stops and fuel stations along the way. Finally, your journey ends in California, where you should stop and enjoy a burger and fries at the first McDonald’s in the United States, which happens to lie on Route 66 in San Bernardino. Then, wrap up the journey in Santa Monica, California and check out the ocean views.

MyFavoriteCity.com: Orlando

Orlando is one of the most memorable cities in the United States and it is one of the most visited. Even though most people visit Orlando for the theme park attractions, there are so many other fun things to do in the town and most of them do not require standing in line or buying entry tickets. Never Leave the Resort.

Orlando is home to several top notch resorts and many of them provide so many activities and amenities that visitors do not have to leave the resort to enjoy themselves in Chicago. Most of the resorts are along the International Drive area or in the Kissimmee area off of Hwy 192. Several of these resorts offer huge pools often accompanied by waterslides and lazy rivers. They often pools designed just for kids and some that are just for adults. Many of the resorts also have activities designed for the entire family or for children in certain age groups. Most of them also have game rooms stocked with the latest video games, spas for total relaxation, and restaurants with delicious food and festive drinks. Some of these destination resorts include the Liki Tiki Resort, Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Seaworld and Parc Soliel, Orange Lake Resort, and so many more.

Downtown Disney: It’s Free!

If you want to visit Orlando, but stay away from the long lines and expensive prices at the theme parks, there are other fun activities. Downtown Disney is a popular destination for people of all ages. This is a planned area with restaurants, shops, and bars. The nightlife is fun for those over 21 years of age and children also enjoy playing in the Lego Store, eating at Rainforest Café, and checking out all of the Disney goodies at many themed shops. You can also see a movie, play in the arcade, or catch a Cirque de Soleil show.

So Much Shopping

Since there are so many tourists that arrive in the area on a daily basis, shopping is a big deal in Orlando. Many families visit the many indoor shopping malls, expansive outlet malls, flea markets, and antique stores that pepper the area. The Mall at Millenia is the newest indoor, luxury shopping mall and there are several other popular large stores in the area of the Mall at Millenia. For those who prefer outlet shopping, there are two Orlando Premium Outlets in the area filled with top names in fashion, accessories, electronics, and items for your home. There are also several flea markets including FleaWorld and 192 Flea Market and both of these are indoors so you can shop regardless of the weather. Shoppers who love antiques just need to travel a short distance to Mt. Dora (which isn’t a mountain at all). Mt. Dora has a quaint downtown area with antique shops and restaurants selling homemade cupcakes, serving local beers, and other delicious fare.

Get Your Golf On

Another favorite pastime of visitors traveling to Orlando is golfing. There are several golf courses all over the Orlando vicinity. Some are attached to resorts, like the Orange Lake Resort, and others have low prices for early morning or late afternoon rounds. There is an Arnold Palmer course and many locals love the Grande Lakes resort, too.

When you decide to visit Orlando, it is important to realize that there are so many more activities besides the expensive and busy theme parks.

Las Vegas: More Than Just Casinos

When people think of Las Vegas, the first thing that usually comes to mind is gambling. Most people travel to Las Vegas because of the gaming industry and some of the most memorable casinos in the world are on the Las Vegas Strip in the heart of the city. While there are amazing places to win and lose significant amounts of money, Las Vegas and the nearby areas are home to many other activities that are even more memorable than those inside of the casinos.

Hiking at Red Rocks

Interestingly, Las Vegas is home to some amazing hiking. While it may seem like Las Vegas is built on a flat desert terrain, there are outcroppings of rocks and land forms that offer scenic views and challenging hikes. One of those areas is the Red Rocks Canyon on the outskirts of Vegas. The canyon is about 20 miles away from The Strip and it is well worth the drive and any traffic you may encounter along the way. Red Rocks has a scenic loop drive that is a favorite for cyclists. The loop also has several parking areas where visitors can hike into the canyon; some of the hikes are quick and take hikers right to the scenic spot, while others are several hours long and require advance planning. There is a small fee to get into the park and there is a useful visitors’ center.

Floating Black Canyon

Another amazing place to spend a day is in Black Canyon on the Colorado River. With advance planning, you can arrange to spend a day on a kayak or on a tour boat on the Black Canyon section of the Colorado River. Each day, a small number of kayakers are allowed to put their kayaks into the water at the base of the Hoover Dam. They then float down the river for several miles until they reach what is called Willow Beach. Kayakers are encouraged to stop at a few locations along the way to explore and enjoy the hot springs that dot the area. This memorable trip includes historic locations, like an old cat walk and gauging station. It also provides the opportunity to see wildlife like birds, fish, and few other canyon dwelling creatures.

Extraterrestrials and Nuclear Bombs

There are few other kitschy tourist sites to visit while in Vegas. They include Highway Route 375, which is legendary as a road with frequent extra-terrestrial sightings. There have been so many along this little two-lane highway that locals dubbed it Extraterrestrial Highway. If you are really in the market for 1950’s, Cold War “kitsch” then it would be worth your time to see the Atomic Testing Museum.

Hoover Dam and Boulder City

If you are amazed by what man can do, visit Hoover Dam. The view from the top is much different than the view from the bottom. There is also a new bridge called the Hoover Dam Bypass that was built because of the high demands to protect the Hoover Dam. People no longer can drive their cars across the dam. The bridge is impressive due to the feats of engineering that went into designing and building this large bridge. The nearby Boulder City is an interesting place to stop and learn about the men who lived there while they helped build the dam in the 1930s.

What about Detroit?

There is a city in the Midwestern part of the United States that has become forgotten by so many. The City of Detroit in the southeastern part of Michigan is a wonderful city with so much to offer to the tourist, business owner, and family. As a city, Detroit has one of the worst reputations in the United States. Interestingly, the city has so much to offer and once people visit the city, they see the why the city is still a treasure along the Detroit River and Lake Huron.

Professional Athletics and Amazing Stadiums

One of the best things about Detroit is the amount of high quality athletic teams. Detroit has four major athletic teams with some of the most memorable stadiums in the professional leagues. The Detroit Tigers are frequent contenders for playoffs and the Detroit Red Wings have won several Stanley Cup Championships in the last decade. The Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park, which a beautiful new baseball stadium designed with the traditions of baseball in mind. The Red Wings play at the Joe Louis Arena, affectionately called “The Joe” by the locals. The Detroit Lions and Pistons play football and basketball, and while they have not been playoff contenders in recent years, the teams are still enjoyable to watch.

Top Notch Casinos

Downtown Detroit has been undergoing a revitalization process over the years. The city is home to three spectacular casinos in the downtown area. The Motor City Casino, MGM Grand, and Greektown Casino are favorite destination spots for those who visit and live in Detroit.

Visit Dearborn for Ford History

Detroit proper is a large city, but the suburbs around the city extend it even more. One of the most popular suburban towns is Dearborn, which is the home of Ford Motor Company. Being the home of the Ford, Dearborn is home to the historical programs that are related to Ford and the advent of the automobile. Anyone who visits Detroit should take the short drive to Dearborn to check out The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. The Henry Ford is a museum that shows how transportation has affected the modern world. Visitors see how automobiles, trains, and planes have changed over time. Greenfield Village is right next door, and visitors can see what the world was like when Henry Ford was alive.

Just a short walk away from these two attractions is the Ford proving ground where the manufacturer tests the performance capabilities of the latest Ford creations. It is exciting to see mysteriously undercover cars being driven through the curvy road. It is important to remember that Detroit was the place where the automobile began and Dearborn is the best place in the world to remember the past and hope for the future of the automobile.

Suburbs and the Joy of Woodward Avenue

There are many other exciting places to visit when visiting Detroit. The suburbs show their personalities with their unique downtowns, tasty restaurants, and special boutiques. Some of the most exciting suburbs include Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham, which are just a short drive away from each other with busy Woodward Avenue as their connecting street. The street is also host to the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise each summer where owners of vintage cars come together to cruise the streets like they did in the heyday of the automobile in Detroit.

Buying Guide: Corporate Gift Baskets

One of the nicest things that corporations can do for clients, other companies, and employees is to send gift baskets. Gift baskets with city or state themes can help clients and companies to think about your company and the area of the country that your company represents. By sending a corporate gift basket, your clients will think of your company when they hear your home state or city.

Discount Code

At MyFavoriteCity.com, we have a corporate gift basket program that provides a 10% discount for our corporate clients who are interested in sending personalized city gifts. The program is free for corporations to participate in, but the discount does come with a few different rules.

We ask a representative from you corporation to call us at 800-285-1880 to sign up for the program. When you call, we will ask a few questions so that we can see if you qualify. Once we approve you, you will receive a special, unique discount code that you can use when you order online. The code will arrive via email in three days. You will need to use the discount code each time that you order, so it is important to keep that code in a safe location and it only applies to gift baskets, not individual items.

Share with Your Employees

Once you have your corporate discount code, it is up to you how many people you want to share the code with so employees can enjoy the code. The code is useful for any gift basket purchases, whether the purchase is for business or personal gifts.

We do ask that a few rules are followed. The first rule is that only active employees may use the code; we ask that you do not share it with anyone outside of the company. The only purchases can be made online at MyFavoriteCity.com and buyers must use their credit card for the purchases. At the time of checkout, buyers need to use the discount code and the discount will be applied to the price listed on the website. We do not discount shipping and taxes, just the price of the gift basket itself. We do reserve the right to end the program at any time.

Assistance with Ideas

If you need assistance learning about how to use our gift baskets for marketing purposes, our customer service specialists can help you. Otherwise, when you explore our website, you will see that we have ideas already packaged so you do not have to think too much about the perfect gift basket for your needs.
Many of our corporate groups use certain gift baskets for special needs. They use our Thank You Gift Baskets when they want to thank customers for referrals or big purchases. They often will send Welcome

Gift Baskets when they welcome a new client, employee, or subsidiary to the fold. They will also send small Welcome Gift Baskets to hotel rooms when they are hosting special events. If your company hosts seminars and guest speaker events, small gift baskets are nice ways to make guests and speakers feel welcome.

Amusement Park Tours of Favorite Cities

One of the best places for families to spend time together is at an amusement park. It does not matter if you love rollercoasters or you dislike heights, there is really something for everyone at an amusement park. Interestingly, many amusement parks are very close to major cities all over the country.

Near Cleveland, Ohio

If you are a roller coaster fan, then you have probably heard of Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. This amazing amusement park is home to some of the highest rated roller coasters in the world, including the blockbuster giga-coaster Millennium Force. Sandusky, Ohio rests on the southern banks of Lake Erie and it is about an hour away from Cleveland, OH and two hours from Detroit, Michigan.

South to Cincinnati, Ohio

When you have had your fill of the fresh water, breezes, and award-winning roller coasters on the northern border of Ohio, you can then travel south to Cincinnati to visit King’s Island. The major city of Cincinnati is on the Ohio River border and there are plenty of other activities to do along with riding more roller coasters. This coaster park has the one of the largest wooden coaster, The Beast.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

After visiting Cincinnati, it is not a long drive to the mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near Gatlinburg. This area is an incredibly popular tourist area and one of the biggest draws is the Dollywood Theme Park, which is named after Dolly Parton. The park continues to grow each year and for the past few years, Dollywood has been adding roller coasters. The latest and greatest is the Wild Eagle which is a winged coaster. Pigeon Forge may not be the biggest city in Tennessee, but it certainly is a unique place.

Visit the Carolinas

A quick little drive to North and South Carolina promises fun at Carowinds Amusement Park. This park straddles the border so it is not in a major city, but it is a short drive to major cities in North Carolina, like Charlotte and Raleigh. The hit roller coaster at Carowinds is the Intimidator. There are many others, too, which makes it an incredibly fun park to visit.

Hotlanta, Georgia

If you want to continue your travels south, Six Flags Over Georgia makes its home in Atlanta. This major city is home to so many other activities, making it a place that you can spend a significant amount of time. Atlanta is a city full of big buildings, museums, and aquariums, and the Six Flags Park has several big coasters like the Superman ride and the Batman coaster.

Santa Claus in Indiana

Moving back up a bit north to Southern Indiana, Holiday World makes a unique stop, especially for families that love Christmas and everything related to it. The resort’s address is on Christmas Road in Santa Claus, Indiana. This park has a legendary water ride called Mammoth and it has been named the World’s Longest Water Ride. The Legend is the one of the top wooden roller coasters in the world, not just because of the coaster, but because of the landscape that it traverses. This park is close to Louisville, Kentucky and Evanston, Illinois.

There are several other unbelievable amusement parks all over the United States. The majority of the parks are located on the eastern side of the Mississippi River. To the west of the river, the majority of the parks are located in California, with a few in Texas.

Themed Goodie Bags and Gift Baskets for Your Big Event

Whether you’re throwing the party of the century, organizing a wedding, or fine tuning the details of a major corporate event, goodie bags can be a great final touch to make the occasion truly memorable. Everybody likes a little treat now and then, and goodie bags make everyone feel more welcome. When you have guests coming from out of town, out of state, or even from out of the country, a themed goodie bag based on the city that you’re in can be a fun way to introduce them to the locale.

They don’t have to be all that expensive either. Buying in bulk drives down the costs of the individual items in the goodie bags, and sellers from sites like Myfavoritecity.com can get you special deals on fun, quality items for your guests. And the best part is that the more you order, the lower the price of each individual goodie bag is!

However, you might also consider buying full themed gift baskets for groups attending your event. For example, you could buy one gift basket per family, or for corporate events you can purchase a gift basket per hotel suite.

Goodie bags and gift baskets for your big event can contain any number of items. How about an authentic
voodoo doll from New Orleans, or special coffee straight from Seattle? You could even get post cards, T-shirts, bottle openers, and mugs included in one of these unique gift sets. That way there is a little bit of something for everyone.

It doesn’t even have to showcase the city that you’re in—it could showcase the city that you want to be in. Themed weddings are increasingly popular, but just because you want a New York style bash or a glam Los Angeles affair doesn’t mean you can actually afford to have your wedding in the Big Apple or under the Hollywood spotlight. Or perhaps you’re having your wedding away from home, and you just want to have a little bit of a reminder for guests of where you came from.

For a little bit of extra flair, consider picking up a themed gift basket with items from the city of your choice. There are even Irish and European baskets and items available, so you can give your guests gifts straight from the Emerald Isle or make them feel a little extra “Ooh-la-la”, just  if they had accidentally stepped straight into Paris.  These fit in wonderfully with themes, and can be just the little detail needed to take your event from ordinary to absolutely extraordinary.

No matter what event you are planning, there is a themed gift basket or goodie bag out there that can enhance the experience of your guests and make them feel as if they’re right at home. Check out the many options that are available, and feel free to organize your own gift baskets and goodie bags—there are literally hundreds of options to choose from, for every event under the sun.

Great Themed Gifts for Grads

Millions of American high school and college seniors will be walking the stage in the coming month, and what better way to celebrate their achievement than with a themed gift basket? Many of these soon-to-be high school and college grads are wrapping up their last few months at home. Some will be moving away for the first time to head to schools in different towns and, in some cases, in different states.

A lot of college grads will be relocating for the first time since they started at their university four years ago. For those grads that are headed to a new place, give them something to celebrate with a gift basket containing local items to give them a “taste” of the place that they will soon be calling home.

The gift baskets at Myfavoritecity.com contain everything from photo books and memorabilia to local sweets and treats, many of which are difficult to get hold of in other parts of the country. Whether it’s Texas hot sauce, some Ghirardelli chocolate and a bottle of wine from California, or some tasty New York treats straight from the big apple, there is something to please everyone in this fun and unique gift baskets.

Grads will love getting a chance to sample some of the local flavor, especially as they gear up for their big moves at the end of the summer. But why let the fun stop there? While they’re working hard, or so we hope, why not send them a little treat from back home? Help stave off the homesickness with a variety of gifts showcasing their hometown that they can share with friends—although they may not want to!

If you’re a college grad about to part ways with your college friends, you may be looking for a way to keep up those connections you’ve built over the past several years. Sure, you always have Facebook to keep in touch, but sometimes a personalized gift can go a long way to reminding your friends how awesome they are. Even if you’re in different cities, you can send a gift basket from your new home base to share a bit of your life with them. With any luck, you’ll entice them to visit sooner rather than later.

You can even design your own gift box or basket. With a simple request form you can ask that other items be added to the basket, even if they aren’t usually kept in stock. That way you can personalize the gift, adding some of your grads favorite local items, whether it’s a type of local candy that’s hard to find elsewhere or a T-shirt showing your local pride.

It is both exciting and bittersweet when high school and college grads go off into the great, wide world. Parents of grads are likely to experience empty nest syndrome, while grads may feel a little bit intimidated and overwhelmed living on their own for the first time. Send a gift basket to help ease their transition and to put a smile on their face.

Send a Welcome Basket

People are proud of their cities. Whether people live in a small town or a major city, people understand the sense of identify that location brings to them. There are many ways to share your love of your city and one of the best ways is to give gifts that show all that your city has to offer. Fortunately, MyFavoriteCity.com is here to meet your gift giving needs.

Recruit Companies to Your City

City officials often recruit businesses to set up shop in their area with a big welcome basket full of goodies from their town.  They do this because many companies choose their location based on what the city has to offer. City officials often try to recruit companies to move into their cities and the gift baskets at MyFavoriteCity.com have the goods that will get business owners excited about the possibilities of locating in a new city. For example, if city officials are trying to lure business professionals, they can send baskets full of local spices, coffee, and candy. They can also send gift baskets full of books and other city-related gifts like coffee mugs, historical maps, and playing cards.

Businesses Recruit Clients and Employees

In the same vein, businesses can use city related gift baskets to recruit employees or clients. When businesses need to recruit employees from across the country, sending a friendly gift basket loaded with goodies that represent what the city has to offer is a great way to bring in new talent. The same can be done to recruit clients to come and use business services.

Surprise Your Spouse with a Gift Basket

Men and women who are looking for creative ways to send gifts can use the gifts and souvenirs available at MyFavoriteCity.com. Let’s say that a husband wants to surprise his wife with a long vacation in South Florida. Instead of just telling her that they are going on vacation in Florida, he could arrange for a gift basket with items from South Florida. When she opens the gift basket full of Florida gifts like sweet chocolates made in Florida, a plush gator, and a useful Florida coffee mug, she will wonder why she received such a gift. Then, the husband can surprise her with the tickets and hotel reservations to make the gift even sweeter.

Thank Your Favorite Teacher

At the end of the school year, a city gift basket from MyFavoriteCity.com makes a great gift to give to a

favorite teacher. Since teachers devote their career to teaching the children in the city, it is thoughtful to give a city gift to a teacher who is proud of where she teaches and where she lives. Teachers love gifts of coffee or tea, books and maps, and local delicacies. Instead of a gift card, a city gift will leave a lasting memory and will show the teacher that you appreciate the job that was done.

Cities all over the country have so many unique characteristics. Whether the city has a bustling downtown area full of shops and restaurants or the city is full of green urban parks, a gift basket from MyFavoriteCity.com is a great way to share the pride you have in your city.

Visit Chicago

The City of Chicago has something for everyone. Resting along the southern end of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a town full of truly American architecture, top-notch professional athletic teams, quality academic institution, and some of the best shopping west of New York City. Chicago is known as the “Second City” because of its proximity to the Big Apple, but for the people of the Midwest, nothing compares to the Windy City.

History Comes to Life

Chicago is full of many unique places that reflect on its history, while moving into the future. The historic Chicago Fire of the 1871 I still remembered by the historic water tower on Michigan Avenue and the popular shopping center, Water Tower Place, that houses some of the luxurious shops in the Magnificent Mile of downtown Chicago.

Architectural Wonders

Besides being an excellent place for shopping, Chicago is full of architecture that changed the way the world builds buildings. After the fire in 1871, Chicago began its rebuilding and the city became the home to the first skyscraper that was made out of a steel frame. This first skyscraper was 10 stories tall and was known as the Home Insurance Building. At the time of the fire, most of the buildings in Chicago were made of wood or stone and all of the wooden buildings were destroyed in the fire.  The Home Insurance Building was at least three-times lighter than any stone building in town and the early engineers in the city were very worried about the structural integrity of the building.

Chicago Schools of Architecture

Now, Chicago has two unique styles of architecture today, the Chicago School and the Prairie School. The “First” Chicago School is the style that dates to the early 1900s with steel-frame commercial buildings with grid-like windows. Today’s “Second” Chicago School has been updated to the modern, glass high rises that
set Chicago apart from the rest of the world. This second school includes buildings like the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the John Hancock Building, and the Trump International Tower and Hotel. The “first” school includes buildings like the Chicago Building and the old Marshall Field and Company building on State Street. The Prairie School was defined by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright who designed many homes in the Oak Park neighborhood of the city. This style is uniquely American as no other designer has come close to replicating the work of Wright.

Tasty Cuisine from Celebrity Chefs

Many people visit Chicago for more than the architecture and shopping. Chicago is home to some memorable cuisine. Whether you choose prefer simple foods like Chicago-style pizza or hotdogs, or you want to try something a bit more gourmet, Chicago chefs know how to prepare tasty food. The city is home to famous celebrity chefs who have appeared on television shows like Top Chef. Rick Bayless has several restaurants in the city, like Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Stephanie Izard, a Top Chef winner, has a restaurant in town, too. Graham Eliot and Art Smith also have restaurants in Chicago.

Whether you are traveling to Chicago for the history, food, architecture, or shopping, you are bound to find something that will make the city one of your favorites. As the home of the skyscraper and the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago really does have something for everyone

Buying Guide: City Inspired Gifts

Cities have unique identities that they developed over time. The several generations who have populated
cities around the United States have left their marks with their architecture, businesses, and cultural activities. When you are looking for a way to share your city with other people, the gifts at MyFavoriteCity.com is the best place to start. These are a few of the options that you will find at this website that is dedicated to providing excellent gifts of food, souvenirs, and memorabilia for over a decade.

Corporate Gift Baskets

Businesses like to share their cities with customers, clients, and new employees. When businesses executives are wooing new customers, the send gift baskets that show off what they and their city have to offer. One of the most popular gift baskets for corporations is the relocation gift basket that lets a new employee know what is available in the new city. Customers who have to fly into the city appreciate gift baskets in their hotel rooms. And, when businesses are trying to share their identity without being too obvious, a gift basket full of city items tones down the corporate identify gifts.

What Goes in a Gift Basket?

If you are giving a gift basket to show off everything that your city has to offer, there are several things that you can choose to include. Some of the most popular items for city baskets include mint tins that showcase photos of big cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Everyone loves a tasty chocolate bar and our bars are wrapped in city-themed wraps covered in photos of major landmarks, too. If the big city has a professional athletic team, you can add a bottle or can koozie to your basket. Some other popular additions to city baskets include seeds from flowers in the area, skyline puzzles, pop-out travel maps, along with plush animals designed for each city and embroidered with the city name. For example, the Washington DC plush animal is an eagle, the Florida plush animal is a flamingo, and the Colorado plush comes as a bison and a moose.

Gourmet Food Baskets

If you prefer to send food as a gift basket, MyFavoriteCity.com has plenty of options to make the recipient happy. Depending on the city you want to showcase, you can choose from a wide variety of foods that display what the city is known for in its restaurants. If you are sharing your love of the state of Georgia, you can design a basket full of foods that are grown in the great state. These include chocolate-peach truffles, Georgia peanuts or pecans, and peach butter. The recipient will appreciate the flavors that are unique to Georgia.

Souvenir Baskets

If you prefer to avoid sending food, you could choose to send a souvenir basket to share your appreciation your state or hometown. These gifts might include one or two food-related items, but most of the items are useful things that are labeled with a logo that features the city of your choice. One of the popular choices is the San Francisco basket that you can fill with items of your choice. Some of the most fun items include a small cable car magnet, Ghiradelli chocolate bars, Alcatraz Mint Tin, and the City Walks map of the town. To show off Pittsburgh, gift givers could create a basket that includes tasty treats like Clark Bars, Heinz Ketchup, Mallo Cups, and Isley’s Barbeque Sauce. The non-food items that are uniquely Pittsburgh include several postcards covered with Pittsburgh’s skyline, koozies that represent the Pirates and the Steelers, and a few different coffee mugs and shot glasses.

Customized Gift Choices

Whether you want to spend $20 or over more than $100, you should be able to find a gift basket and fill it with items that show how you feel about your state or city. Some of the popular gifts that can be customized to fit your city’s personality include items like postcards, coffee mugs, shot glasses, magnets, and pop up maps. Everything that you could include in a gift basket is useful.

Gift Baskets for Personal, Friendly Events

While many people think about using gifts for business purposes, they can also be given for more personal events. Gift baskets are great choices to give to guests who visit from out of town for a wedding. They can be left with the hoteliers, so that the guests receive them when they check in for the evening. If you give a gift basket for wedding guests, be sure to include some food gifts. A gift basket is a good choice to give to friend who needs to get well soon. They are also ideal gifts to give as a housewarming gift to your new neighbors who have moved from a far-away state.

How to Package a Gift Basket

There are several ways to package a gift basket full of city and state related gifts. When you order a gift basket, you can always have the gifts presented in an actual wicker basket. Gifts can also be given in colorful boxes. Smaller gifts can be presented in clear cellophane bags, too. When you package your city destination gifts in an attractive package, your recipient will be even more appreciative. You can also have your package wrapped in bows and other embellishments, too.

MyFavoriteCity.com has over 1,000 in-stock items to for the ultimate fan. City slickers can finally choose to give a gift that shows how much they love the city in which they live. It can be addicting to buy state-related events, especially if you are unable to travel for whatever reasons.

Baseball Park Tour of America

When something is as “American as baseball and apple pie,” you know it’s true to the red, white, and blue. While many towns claim to have delicious apple pie, there are only a few cities in the United States that can claim to be home to Major League baseball stadiums. For those who love the sound of a ball hitting a bat, the roar of the crowd when a home run reaches the stands, and the smells of the concession stands, a baseball park tour is the perfect way to see the United States.

Most of the major cities in the United States have at least one Major League baseball team. For baseball fans, the parks are just as important as the teams themselves. Baseball parks are at most, one day away from other parks, and most people who take baseball park tours travel by car. If you want to arrange a tour of the parks, you should start with the park that is closest to home.

Here are few sample itineraries:

1.    This trip would take about 10 days: Starting at Comerica Park in Detroit to see the Tigers. Then, head south to Great American Park in Cincinnati to see the Red, before traveling north to Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio to see the Indians. Continue east to PNC Park in Pittsburgh to catch the Pirates. Then, traveling along the east coast to Yankee Stadium, Citi Field to see the Mets, and then finish in Fenway Park to see the Red Sox.

2.    This is a shorter trip of about one week: Begin at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago to see the White Sox, then move a little north to historic Wrigley Field for the Cubs. The Brewers play in Miller Park in Milwaukee and then the final destination park is Target Field, which is home of the Twins in Minneapolis.

3.    To see the parks in the mid-south, plan on at least one week: Begin at Minute Maid Park in Houston to see the the Astros, then travel north to Ranger Field in Arlington, Texas. A good day’s drive to the north will bring you to Busch Stadium in St. Louis to see the Cardinals. Then, turn west and take a drive to Kauffman Field to see the Kansas City Royals. This trip ends in Denver at Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies.

4.    When you want to see the stadiums in the west: Begin in Phoenix, Arizona at Chase Field to see the

Diamondbacks. Continue going west to see the Padres at PETCO Park in San Diego. Then, staying in California and traveling north, check out Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to see the Athletics, and finally AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants. This trip is the best one to see the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, too.

5.    Finally, a trip along the eastern seaboard, traveling south: Begin at Camden Yard in Baltimore to see the Orioles, then move south to Nationals Park for the Washington Nationals. Then, take a one-day drive down to Atlanta to see the Braves at Turner Fields. Continue south to Florida to check out their teams, the Devil Rays in Tampa at Tropicana Field and the newest team, the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park.

Welcoming to an Area with Destination Specific Gifts

Choosing a gift can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what someone specifically likes and dislikes. Selecting one thing can be confusing because of all the choice available. This is where gift baskets come to the rescue! Gift baskets are basically compilations of several gifts packaged together as one gift.

As opposed to giving a single gift, gift baskets give you the opportunity to include several little things and create an assortment of presents. Gift baskets are very versatile, because they give you the freedom to make up an assortment of things, either completely at random or, if you like, based on a theme or concept.
You can create a themed gift basket based on a person likes and dislikes, or based on the occasion, or based on something completely different like a specific place or destination. For instance, there can be birthday gift baskets or wedding gift baskets for couples, themed around romantic destinations such as Paris. There are also welcome gift baskets to welcome someone home, or into a company or to an area.

Destination specific gift baskets can be particularly great for welcoming someone to an area or city. For instance, someone you know is moving to your city and you want to send them a token to make them feel welcome. What better way would there be to welcome them than with a custom made gift basket that puts together all sorts of local goodies. You can give them a taste of the place by including local gourmet food and wines, and also include knick-knacks and souvenirs that represent the city.

This type of welcome gift can not only give them a taste of the city, but also the motivation to explore and get to know the city better! You can include local information, which can prove to be very useful. City guides and local maps, as well as information about local attractions can be invaluable, and you can also include information about good local eateries and restaurants, and any other hotspots within the area!
Welcoming someone to your area with an assortment of things from the city, which represent the city and give a glimpse into its character, is one of the best ways to do it! As far as welcome gifts go, destination specific gift baskets are a great idea.

You can put together a welcome gift basket by visiting local attractions and shopping around for the best local goodies. Or you could leave it to the professionals and get a company that specializes in destination specific gift baskets to put together a lovely welcome gift basket for your chosen destination.

There are some things to look out for when selecting a gift basket provider. Make sure the provider includes a variety of gifts from high quality suppliers. A gift basket is essentially a gift, so it needs to be well packaged and presented. Make sure the presentation is nice and that the basket is well packaged and presented.

Buying Guide: Wedding Gift Baskets

 Choosing gifts can be confusing, and sometimes even stressful! But if you’re having trouble getting one particular gift for a wedding, a wedding gift basket can be the perfect option. In fact, gift baskets are more dynamic and versatile because you can include a number of assorted things based on what the person or couple likes, or make a gift basket around a certain theme, like food and drink, or design, or even a place!
If you like the idea of creating a place specific gift basket – there are a range of ways in which you can create one that makes for a great wedding gift. For one, you could create a gift basket around the place where the couple is going to honeymoon! You can include local maps and guides, so that it is useful as well as a lovely preamble to their holiday.

Myfavoritecity.com has numerous gift basket options that you can use to customize your basket – so you can

easily create a gift basket around a particular destination, as well as one that includes wonderful goodies that are appropriate for a wedding gift. They have themed gift baskets for different occasions too, like get well baskets and thank you baskets, and also have the option of putting together a custom made basket by choosing individual gifts to include in it.

Wedding gift baskets should be created around the likes and interests of the recipients. If the wedding couple enjoys gourmet food and drink, you can make city specific wedding gift baskets, but with a particular theme – such as food related gifts. You can include local delicacies and treats, to inlclude local wines, traditional cookies, chocolates and even gift cards to local restaurants or shops. This means that not only will they be able to enjoy the gift basket now, but can continue to enjoy it if they visit the city later on.

A gift basket must be created with care, and put together well. It must look beautiful, attractive and inviting. Presentation is an important part of giving and receiving gifts, so always make sure that the wedding gift basket looks the part. You can customize the packaging and presentation to suit the theme of your basket. For instance, a gourmet food basket might look nice presented in a lovely wicker basket.

A gift basket is one of the most versatile gift ideas out there – and if done correctly, a gift basket can make for one of the best wedding gifts. It is possible to create a gift basket yourself, but for a more professional job you can get it done through a company that specializes in gift baskets, and which can include fun souvenirs, delicious local foods and other wonderful gifts in your gift basket.

Destination Specific Welcome Gift Baskets

Gift baskets often make for the best gifts, when you’re not quite sure what to get but do want something substantial that makes a good impression. The great thing is that gift baskets are flexible; you can create a gift basket for anyone, and for any occasion. You can create a thank-you gift basket, a sorry gift basket, a birthday gift basket, and even a welcome gift basket, with equal ease! Another great thing about gift baskets is that you can be creative and make gift baskets around specific themes - like food and drink, or fashion and accessories, or beauty products, or anything else you like. You can also have baskets themed around a certain place, person or idea – like city or country specific baskets, or gift baskets themed around a music band!

There are so many occasions to which a welcome gift basket can add a nice touch and make for a lovely gift.

They are a great way to welcome someone and make them feel at home, whether it is for a houseguest who is visiting you for some time, for a new colleague who has joined your company, or simply because someone you care about is back from somewhere! They also make for wonderful housewarming gifts, as you can include several little things in them.

Like all gift baskets in general, welcome gift baskets can be customized depending on who they are for, your budget, the theme etc. Destination specific welcome gift baskets can include things from particular city. They can be a particularly great idea for welcoming someone into a new city, and can include local goodies of all kinds. Imagine checking into a hotel while on holiday to find a lovely gift basket containing tasty local treats, souvenirs and local guides and maps waiting for you.

Local maps and information can be particularly useful in destination specific welcome baskets. This is because welcome baskets are usually given to welcome someone, and therefore at the beginning of their stay. Local guides and maps, along with information about attractions etc. can prove to be quite useful.

Welcome gift baskets can also make for great gifts for a baby shower. Simply include things for baby and parents and make a wonderful little gift basket. Add a local touch to the gift compilation to make it a themed baby welcome basket!

There are countless ways in which you can create lovely welcome baskets that are city or country specific. The key is to keep an open and creative mind and include things that work well together and suit the occasion. There are also professional companies like myfavoritecity.com, which specialize in city specific gift baskets and can make welcome gift baskets for you no matter what the occasion.

Thank You Baskets Incorporating Your Favorite City

Choosing gifts can be difficult – especially if it’s for someone you don’t know very well, but want to show your appreciation to by giving them a token of your gratitude. It is precisely in such situations that gift baskets can come in handy. They make for excellent gifts because they can be assembled with a variety of different little gifts, and there is so much room to play around and make up the right combination of gifts.

There can be many reasons why you may want to send someone a thank you gift basket. For instance, you may wish to thank someone who has played a sort of local host or guide to you on a particular holiday, or to someone who has helped you with something you needed help with, or simply someone who has been there for you when you needed them. Gift baskets can look great, and you control the budget of your gift by way of what you include in the basket.

Themed gift baskets are a great way to build a gift basket around a particular concept. You can use your favorite city or a city you’ve recently been on holiday to as a theme around which to create your thank you gift basket. This can include memorabilia from the city, souvenirs from local hotspots and attractions, or things that the city is famous for – such as local foods, or crafts.

Every city has its own character and its own unique places and products. A themed gift basket must
represent the best of all the goodies that available in a particular place. You can also make specifically themed baskets from your favorite city. For example, you could make a food themed basket from the city of London. London can be said to represent the entire country – so you can include goodies like local jams or preserves, shortbread, cookies, and other local delicacies.


Thank you gift baskets that are built around the theme of a particular city can also include objects that the city is well-known for, including local crafts and arts, or objects that represent local activities, for instance mascots of local sports teams, or local wildlife! The point of a themed gift basket is for all the things in to come together and represent that theme! At the same time, each individual component of your thank you gift must also be useful and aim to delight the recipient!

Since it is a destination specific gift basket, your basket could also contain helpful information about the destination – such as travel guides or books, or local maps. You can include nearby attractions if possible, so that people could use the information if they’re in the city, or when they visit. You could also include gift vouchers or gift cards for local attractions or local shopping opportunities.

With a little inspiration and creativity you can put together a delightful gift basket filled with goodies from your favorite city. Depending on who the gift is for, you can customize the things you put into it. And if you prefer to have it done professionally, the good news is that there are professional companies that specialize in destination specific gift baskets.