Experts Choose 7 Wonders of America
Writers, historians, scientists and adventurers picked America's wonders.
April 22, 2008 — -- A panel of esteemed experts -- travel writers, a historian, an astrophysict and all of them adventurers -- helped "Good Morning America" choose the 7 Wonders of America.
The panelists had to agree on seven locations in the United States that were wondrous and amazing -- scenery where you could take "the picture of a lifetime," landmarks not to be missed, places that take your breath away.
The five panelists got together to discuss the merits of several places, and the debate often got heated. They finally arrived at 7 Wonders, which will be revealed on "GMA" beginning May 5.
Tune in to see if you agree with their choices, and cast your vote for the 8th Wonder of America.
Meet the five panelists below.
ANNIE GRIFFITH BELT
National Geographic Photographer
During her National Geographic Society career, Annie Griffiths Belt has traveled the world as a master photographer -- and a master of locomotion. To reach her destinations, she's ridden everything from planes, trains, and helicopters to camels, mules, mopeds, fishing boats, ferries, skis, snowmobiles and pickup trucks. And more often than not, she has taken her family along for the ride. In the process, she has produced numerous articles and books, and made friends on every continent except Antarctica.
PAULINE FROMMER
Travel guide author, daughter or Arthur Frommer
Pauline Frommer is the creator of the Pauline Frommer Guidebooks, an award-winning new series aimed at adult budget travelers. Pauline Frommer's New York City and Pauline Frommer's London were both named Best Guidebook of the Year (in 2006 and 2007, respectively) by the North American Travel Journalists Association. In addition, Pauline was awarded a Lowell Thomas Medal from the Society of American Travel Writers for her magazine work. She was the founding editor of Frommers.com, and won a People's Voice Webby Award for her work there.
Pauline's byline has appeared on hundreds of articles for such publications as Budget Travel Magazine, Marie Claire, Nick Jr., MSN.com, MSNBC.com and the Dallas Morning News. She spent two years as the editor of the travel section for MSNBC.com, one of the largest news sites on the web. She also contributed a chapter to the book "The Experts Guide to Babies" and currently writes a twice-monthly column for MSN.com called "The Vacation Doc."
Along with her writing work, Pauline co-hosts The Travel Show with her father, travel legend Arthur Frommer. The show is broadcast to over 100 radio stations nationwide. Every Wednesday, she appears on CNNOnline to talk about the latest travel trends. She's also made appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, The O'Reilly Factor, The Early Show, The CBS Evening News, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CNN Headline News, NPR's Talk of the Nation and just about every local news station you can name.
Director, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Brent D. Glass has been director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History since October 2002. Glass holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1980), a Master's degree from New York University (1971) and a Bachelor's degree from Lafayette College (1969).
MICHAEL ROBERTS
Executive Editor Outside Magazine
Michael Roberts has been with Outside since 1999. Before turning to journalism, he worked as a naturalist in California's Golden Gate National Recreation Area and as a field biologist in such far-flung spots as the Ecuadorian Amazon, Costa Rica, Alaska, and Baja Mexico.
About Outside Magazine
Outside is America's leading active-lifestyle and adventure travel magazine, with a monthly audience of over 2.3 million readers. We are dedicated to covering the people, activities, gear, literature, art and politics of the world outside. Along with many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine to receive three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence.
PATRICIA SCHULTZ
Author of "1000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada"
Patricia Schultz is the author of the international bestseller "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" (now with 2.3 million copies in print) and executive producer of the Travel Channel's television show based on the book. A veteran travel journalist with 25 years of experience, she has written for Frommer's, Berlitz, and Access travel guides, as well as Condé Nast Traveler, Islands and Harper's Bazaar. Her latest book is "1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die" (Workman, 2007). When she is not traveling, she lives in New York City.
NEIL deGRASSE TYSON
Astrophysicist
Director of Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist and, since 1996, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Since 2006, he has hosted PBS's educational TV show NOVA scienceNOW.
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