Summer Travel Destinations

Nevada Lake Mead

2009-08-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Nevada Lake Mead
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) offers a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round. With 1.5 million acres, it is twice the size of Rhode Island. Its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Three of America's four desert ecosystems--the Mojave, the Great Basin and the Sonoran Deserts--meet in Lake Mead NRA. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world.Seasons & Hours

This huge man-made lake south of Las Vegas is scenic and jammed with water recreation to cool you off

Where to Stay

Hotels/Motels

There are hotels and motels in Boulder City, Henderson, Laughlin, Bullhead City and Las Vegas See map above for locations of cities. Click on the city above for. (Rates, availability and reservation online)

Boulder City, Nevada: the administrative offices for Lake Mead Recreation Area and NPS Headquarters for Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are located here at the gateway to Lake Mead. The only community in Nevada that restricts gambling, Boulder City has all services, frequent art shows and other activities in its many parks. Many of our user have stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Boulder City.

Bullhead City, Arizona: this growing, sprawling city follows the Arizona shoreline of the Colorado River, part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Bullhead City offers the closest, most complete services available for those enjoying Katherine Landing and the developed coves in the area. Click here for hotel information.

Henderson, Nevada: one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Henderson was once a factory town. Now sporting casinos, clean industry and a growing population in planned neighborhoods, Henderson offers all amenities to visitors. Click here for hotel information.

Laughlin, Nevada: with modern casinos towering along the western banks of the Colorado River, Laughlin is complimented by its sister city, Bullhead, Arizona on the eastern bank.

Las Vegas, Nevada: a city of nearly half a million people known for its reputation as an entertainment capital. Legal gambling, world-class plays, musicals and other productions as well as family theme parks
abound in this modern mecca of indoor fun.

Camping

For camping, lodging and other information on Lake Mead National Recreation Area, call 702 293-8990 between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, seven days a week.

Map - Lake Mead National Recreation Area with Campgrounds
(Black and White; pdf; 424 kb)

Map - Lake Mead National Recreation Area with Campgrounds
(Color; pdf; 790 kb)

Lake Mead Visitor Center is located on Nevada 166 (Lakeshore Road) just off U.S.Route 93.

Katherine Ranger Station on Lake Mohave is located on the Katherine Access Road off Arizona Route 68 by Davis Dam.

Camping is a year-round activity at Lake Mead NRA. A variety of camping experiences awaits visitors to Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA). Whether you seek the comforts of home in a recreational vehicle (RV) or the solitude of a primitive camp in the desert, you can find it here.

Reservations are accepted only for group campsites. Individual sites are all on a first-come, first-served basis. No backcountry permits are needed.
Lake Mead Campgrounds

National Park Service campgrounds are located at a number of locations. All campgrounds offer restrooms, running wafer, dump stations, grills, tables, and some shade. RVs, trailers and tents are welcome.

Boulder Beach
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 154 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach (702) 293-2540

Callville Bay
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 80 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners. Callville Bay Resort (702) 565-8958

Echo Bay
Open All Year
Overton Arm area. 166 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Echo Bay Resort (702) 394-4000

Las Vegas Bay
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 89 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground

Temple Bar
Open All Year
East Lake Mead area. 153 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Temple Bar (928) 767-3211

Lake Mohave Campgrounds

Cottonwood Cove
Click here for PDF Map.
Open All Year
Lake Mohave area. 145 sites, 30 day limit
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners. Cottonwood Cove Resort (702) 297-1464

Katherine's Landing
Click here for PDF Map.
Open All Year
Lake Mohave area. 173 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground

Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.

Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing (928) 754-3245

General Camping Information

Fees - Campground fees are $10 per site ($5.00 with Golden Age and Golden Access passes) and are payable immediately upon occupying a campsite. Fees are posted at the entrance to the campground. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations. Check-out time is noon.

Group Camping - Group campsites (30 person maximum per site) are located at the Boulder Campground. Camping fees are posted at the campground kiosk. Reservations are required. Please call (702) 293-8906, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The group campground is for tent camping only with limited vehicle parking. Group campground accommodations include: a common area restroom, picnic tables, fire pit and limited shaded areas.

Single site Camping - Site capacity maximum is eight persons, four tents and two motorized vehicles (e.g., one camping unit and a towed vehicle) per site. Four motorcycles may occupy a site. Motor vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas only and may not be driven onto the dirt, or across irrigation ditches.

Maximum Stay - Maximum stay within the recreation area is limited to 90 days within any consecutive 12-month period.

Quiet Hours - Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please do not create or sustain unreasonable noise, including generators, during those hours.
RV Sites with Full Hookups

Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage) at Lake Mead RV Village (Boulder Beach), Callville Bay, Echo Bay, Overton Beach, Cottonwood Cove, Temple Bar, and Katherine Landing. Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.

Concession RV Sites with Hookups

Boulder Basin
Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach
(702) 293-2540
Callville Bay Resort
(702) 565-8958

Overton Arm
Echo Bay Resort
(702) 394-4000

East Lake Mead
Temple Bar
(928) 767-3211

Lake Mohave
Cottonwood Cove Resort
(702) 297-1464
Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing
(928) 754-3245

Property Leaving - Property unattended for longer than 24 hours is prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Superintendent.

Backcountry Camping - Numerous areas can be reached by boat, car, backpacking, or horseback. Primitive camping, accessible by boat along the shoreline is permitted anywhere outside of developed areas or areas marked NO CAMPING. Camping is limited to a total of 90 days within any consecutive 12 month period. Unless otherwise specified, camping is limited to 15 days per visit at a specific backcountry area. After 15 days, campers must either move to another backcountry area or developed campground, or leave the park. When camping in the backcountry, always tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you plan to return. Include a description of your group and your vehicle. Backcountry maps are available on the Map Page.

Fires - The latest fire restrictions are available on the Press Releases page.

Vehicle Camping - Vehicle camping is permitted only in designated areas in the backcountry. Vehicles of all kinds, including four-wheel drives, motorcycles, and bicycles, must stay on designated roads. Off-road tire tracks last for years in this fragile desert. There is no off-road travel in the park. All motorized vehicles and their drivers must be properly licensed for highway travel. Obtain copies of the park's approved road maps at any ranger station or visitor center.

Water Use - Please wash dishes at your campsite and not at the water faucets. Do not drain contaminated water on the ground, use the service sink at the comfort station. Dump holding tanks at sanitary stations located at each campground. Except for filling storage tanks do not connect hoses to water faucets.

Pets - Pets must be kept at all times on a leash not to exceed 6-feet in length and should not be left unattended. There are many coyotes in the park. Barking dogs are considered a nuisance. Owners must remove them from the campground. Never leave your pet in a closed vehicle. Temperatures can soar to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) in minutes. Your pet can quickly die of heat stroke in those conditions.

Wildlife - Please do not feed the wildlife! Wild Animals can become dependent on handouts of food and lose their fear of humans. This is dangerous for the wildlife and you. All plants, animals and natural features are protected in national parks.

Backpack/Horseback - Backpack or horseback camping is allowed throughout the park and along the lake shoreline except in developed areas, restricted or ecologically-sensitive areas, within 500 feet of any paved road or within 100 feet of any spring or watering device.
General Rules

• Do not attach wires, ropes, or nails to trees or shrubs.
• Digging, leveling, or other alterations of the ground is not permitted.
• Be aware of extreme summer heat when leaving children or pets in vehicles or trailers. Never leave them in a closed vehicle.
• Secure all valuables. Do not leave them in your campsite when you are not there, even for a short time.

Things To Do
Water Sports and Boating

With Lakes Mead and Mohave as the central focus, visitors to Lake Mead NRA can enjoy a variety of water recreation activities in a setting of rugged mountains, desert washes, sheer cliffs, colorful soils and rock formations, in addition to the ever-changing blues of the lakes.

Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country's best sport fishing. Largemouth bass, striped bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill are found in both lakes.

Boating of all kinds is popular within Lake Mead NRA. Water-skiing is a favorite activity on the broad expanses of open water, along with kayaking and canoeing. Increasing numbers of sailboats and sailboards are seen because of the dependable desert winds, and personal watercraft use is gaining popularity.

Of course, swimming is a major form of water recreation during summer months when lake temperatures warm into the 80-degree range. Both lakes are clear, clean and also ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. No lifeguards are present. Never swim alone. For more on boating and rental information click here

Swimming - Please be aware that there are no life guards or designated swim beaches at Lakes Mead or Mohave. Always wear a life jacket. Most fatalities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area could have been avoided if the person in the water was wearing a life jacket. Keep a very close eye on children and choose areas to wade where there isn’t any boat traffic. Distances are deceiving at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and most coves are too big to swim across. Know your limits. Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas.
Swim at your own risk.

Scenic Drives/Auto Tours - Several paved roads wind through the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead country. Towering stark mountains, plateaus, desert basins of cactuses and creosote bush, and vertical-walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover.

One popular tour follows the Lakeshore and Northshore Scenic Drives along the edge of Lake Mead. From these roads there are panoramic views of the blue lake set against a backdrop of the browns, blacks, red and grays of the desert mountains.

Northshore Scenic Drive also leads through areas of brilliant red boulders and rock formations. Driving off designated roads is not permitted.

heck on road conditions before traveling these routes. Take water for yourself and your vehicle and tools for emergency repairs. Drive only on paved roads or unpaved roads signed with yellow arrows.

Wildflowers in the spring - check out our wildflower update.

Photography - The spectacular rugged scenery at Lake Mead NRA is perfect for scenic photography. The best time to shoot is in early morning or early evening when the shadows and contrasts are more pronounced. The winter skies, spring flowers, summer recreation and fall clarity make for year-round photographic opportunities. Remember to always lock up you equipment out of sight in your vehicle. In the summertime, cars and trunks can get too hot for equipment to be stored for very long.

Picnicking - There are shaded picnic areas located throughout the park. Please be sure to clean up all of your litter and keep our park clean. Picnicking is also welcome on all the beaches but you may want to bring your own shade. Shaded picnic areas with tables, water, fire grills, and restrooms are located at . . .

* Callville Bay
* Las Vegas Bay
* Boulder Beach
* Cottonwood Cove (Lake Mohave)
* Katherine (Lake Mohave)

There are also picnic areas along Northshore Road, including one at Rogers Spring; these do not have drinking water.

Photography

The spectacular rugged scenery at Lake Mead NRA is perfect for scenic photography. The best time to shoot is in early morning or early evening when the shadows and contrasts are more pronounced. The winter skies, spring flowers, summer recreation and fall clarity make for year-round photographic opportunities. Remember to always lock up you equipment out of sight in your vehicle. In the summertime, cars and trunks can get too hot for equipment to be stored for very long.

Montana Yellowstone National Park

2009-07-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

Montana Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park is spread over 3 states, and Old Faithful is only one of hundreds of things to see and do here

Top 10 Things to See in YNP
We are sometimes asked, "What are the things I must see when I visit Yellowstone?" In truth, Yellowstone is vast and varied, and visitors have different interests and abilities, so there is no one easy answer. However, we have compiled a general list of the top attractions in Yellowstone that we feel will be helpful. It designed to serve as a starting point for planning your visit. We suggest allowing at least 3 days to visit the Park.
1. Old Faithful Geyser and Upper Geyser Basin
2. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
3. Hayden Valley
4. Mammoth Hot Springs
5. Yellowstone Lake
6. Norris Geyser Basin
7. Lamar Valley
8. Tower Fall
9. Lower Geyser Basin / Fountain Paint Pots
10. West Thumb Geyser Basin

HOTELINFORMATION
We will gladly help you plan your Yellowstone vacation. We offer very competitive lodging rates (often the lowest rates available) and the very best services. Our offices are located just outside the West entrance to Yellowstone, and our reservation agents include former Yellowstone National Park rangers. What more could you ask for?

We also realize that many people who are planning to vacation in Yellowstone want to personally research available lodging options. We've compiled some information below that will be of help to you in your research.

Read Consumer Reviews of Hotels - Over 40 hotel properties included

Explore Popular Lodging Options - Descriptions and photographs

Compare Amenities and Prices of Select Hotels - A helpful chart

Check out our Exclusive Hebgen Lake Cabin Near West Yellowstone - Only available through Yellowstone Net

Compare Our Services and Prices with Those of Our Competitors

View a Yellowstone Area Map - Learn your way around Yellowstone

West Yellowstone Visitor Guide - The most popular lodging option.

Jackson Hole Visitor Guide - Grand Teton and Jackson, Wyoming

Idaho City of Rocks National Reserve

2009-07-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Idaho City of Rocks National Reserve
Climbers and hikers flock to this scenic collection of granite columns that reach up to 600 feet high
Information
On his way to California in 1849, emigrant James F. Wilkens described the dramatic geological area he encountered as "City of Rocks." The name remains, as well as hundreds of pioneer inscriptions, wagon ruts, and journal accounts, testifying to the nearly quarter-million people who traveled through here between 1843 and 1869. Visitors today will see nearly the same scene - granite spires and monoliths reaching 60 stories tall. Geologists estimate the oldest granite to exceed 2.5 billion years old. Climbers find the younger granite of the Almo Pluton to be some of the best rock they've ever ascended. Established by Congress in 1988 as a National Reserve, City of Rocks encompasses 14,407 acres of federal, state, and private lands containing grand scenery, rich cultural history, and places of relative solitude and silence. The Reserve's visitor center in Almo provides interpretive exhibits and detailed information about camping, hiking, and other recreational opportunities.

Attractions
Idaho’s top attractions tend to be stunning vistas or immense canyons but we also have interesting museums, mining era towns and the Northwest’s largest theme park!

Arts & Culture
Enrich your Idaho vacation by exploring any of these culture spots. Or, try a self-guided tour of a pioneer landmark or check out a Broadway musical under a blanket of stars. Take a look at Idaho's unique history while reveling in its rich culture.

Amusement Parks
Idaho's amusement parks are full of fun for the whole family. Play in a moonlight golf tournament, see a magic show, cruise a lagoon in a paddleboat. Idaho's amusement parks are game for anyone who wants to have some fun.

Casinos
Try your luck at gaming, relax by a hotel pool, have dessert at a buffet. Idaho’s Native American casinos can offer big payouts. Come and visit our Idaho. You just might go home a winner.

Hotels and Motels
The welcome mat is always out in Idaho, where we have a wide variety of lodging properties from which to choose. You'll find four-star luxury resorts, familiar hotel chains and small independent motels for those on a budget.

100 Acre Wood Resort
Nearest Community: Salmon Region: Central Type:Bed & Breakfast
A River Runs By It Lodge
Nearest Community: Island Park Region: Eastern Type:Hotels & Motels
A Wood River Inn
Nearest Community: Hailey Region: Central Type:Hotels & Motels
Abracadabra Lava Guest Home
Nearest Community: Lava Hot Springs Region: Southeastern Type:Vacation Rentals
Airport Inn
Nearest Community: Hailey Region: Central Type:Hotels & Motels
Almo Inn
Nearest Community: Almo Region: South Central Type:Hotels & Motels
Alpaca Inn
Nearest Community: Lava Hot Springs Region: Southeastern Type:Hotels & Motels
Alpine Cottage Motel
Nearest Community: Cascade Region: Southwestern Type:Vacation Rentals
Alpine Garden Inn
Nearest Community: Burley Region: South Central Type:Hotels & Motels
Amber Inn - Bliss
Nearest Community: Bliss Region: South Central Type:Hotels & Motels

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2009-07-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Welcome to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Page. This site is dedicated to providing useful information on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the park's history and wildlife, discover scenic hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds. Plan a trip or vacation using detailed downloadable maps and referencing our sights guide, check the weather of the area, get the park address and driving directions, and find national park hotels and lodging.

In addition to the volcano there is also rare and exotic flora and fauna and many other things to see and do

Kilauea Volcano in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Who could have known that the fountains of fire that first lit up the night sky on January 3, 1983 would continue to burn with such intensity seventeen years later? The eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park continues today as the longest-lived rift activity in Hawai'ian volcano history. For island dwellers, a seventeen-year retrospective on the volcano as both creator and destroyer elicits a mixed emotional response.

Unstoppable in its march seaward, lava leaves few reminders of what was. The park has bid a fond aloha to its Waha`ula Visitor Center, as well as tens of thousands of archeological features, including temple sites, petroglyph fields, and village complexes. Kamoamoa Campground and stretches of Chain of Craters Road lie entombed beneath 80 feet of basalt. Every minute, another 130,000 gallons of molten rock gush from earthcracks on the volcano's flank, enough to pour a lava veneer over Washington, D.C.'s 63 square miles in just five days.

Hawai'i County civil defense administrators estimate the economic loss due to ongoing lava inundation tops $100 million. Unpredictable in their meandering, rivers of lava have consumed 181 homes, a Congregational Church, a community center, and a grid of power and phone lines. Lava has torched more than 16,000 acres of lowland and rain forest, home to rare hawks and honeycreepers, happyface spiders and hoary bats. Today, a visitor anticipating a dip at Kaimu blacksand beach must instead find satisfaction in a postcard view--lava has transformed the palm-fringed crescent bay into a pahoehoe plain.

Every day, the volcano spews more than 2,500 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, enough noxious gas to fill 100 Goodyear blimps. USGS scientists at the Hawai'ian Volcano Observatory figure Kilauea's emissions are twice as bad as EPA's worst stationary point source polluter. Respirators with canisters designed to filter out hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and airborne glass particles are standard park ranger issue.

But wherever lava meets the sea, the island grows. In a creative process spanning 80 million years, this land born of the sea and forged by fire inspired Mark Twain to proclaim the Hawai'ian archipelago, "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean." Since 1983, more than 550 acres of new land have been added to the "Big Island". Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park grows without political fanfare and without congressional authorization.

Getting There
The nearest major airport is Honolulu International Airport and there are airports at Hilo and Kona on Hawai'i.

From Hilo

Take Highway 11 Southwest 30 miles to the park.

From Kailua-Kona

1. Take Highway 11 Southeast for 96 miles to the park.

2. Take Highway 19 to Highway 11 through Waimea and Hilo for a 125 mile drive to the park.

Transportation
Hilo and Kona Airports are served by inter-island carriers. Some major airlines have direct flights to Kona from the continental U.S. Rental cars may be reserved at both airports.

At various locations you can catch the public bus (Hele-on, phone 935-8241or web page: www.co.hawaii.hi.us go to: What's New. select: Bus schedules ), commercial tour buses, taxis, motorcycles and bicycles are available. No rental vehicles or bicycles may be obtained in the park.

Volcanoes
Volcanos are monuments to earth's origin, evidence that its primordial forces are still at work. During a volcanic eruption, we are reminded that our planet is an ever changing environment whose basic processes are beyond human control. As much as we have altered the face of the earth to suite our needs, we can only stand in awe before the power of an eruption.

Volcanoes are also prodigious land builders - they have created the Hawai'ian Island chain. Kilauea and mauna Loa, two of the world's most active volcanoes, are still adding land to the island of Hawai'i. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on the earth, occupying an area of 10,000 cubic miles. Measured from its base on the seafloor, it rises 30,000 feet, approximately 1,000 feet higher than Mount Everest. In contrast to the explosive continental volcanoes, the more fluid and less gaseous eruptions of Kilauea and Mauna Loa produce fiery fountains and rivers of molten lava. These flows, added layer upon layer, produced a barren volcanic landscape that served as a foundation for life. Hundreds of species of plant and animals found their way across the vast Pacific on wind, water, and the wings of birds. A few survived, adapted, and prospered during this time of isolation. The arrival of humans, first Polynesians, then Europeans, and the plants and animals that they brought with them drastically altered this evolutionary showcase, this grand experiment.

Today Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution - processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. Created to preserve the natural setting of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, the park is also a refuge for the island's native plants and animals and a link to its human past. Park managers work to protect the resources and promote understanding and appreciation of the park by visitors. Research by scientists at the Hawai'ian Volcano Observatory has made Kilauea one of the best understood volcanoes in the world, shedding light on the birth of the Hawai'ian Islands and the beginning of planet Earth.

Volcanoes attest to the dynamic nature of the earth. Divided into rigid plates, the outermost layer of the earth drifts slowly over the more plastic mantle beneath. Most volcanic activity occurs along the edge of these plates, forming a "ring of fire." The series of volcanoes that include Washington's Mount Saint Helens, Alaska's Katmai, Japan's Mount Fuji, and the Philippines' Mount Pinatubo define the margins of the Pacific plate.

Why are there volcanoes in Hawai'i, which is located in the middle of the Pacific plate? Plumes of magma rise from a "hot spot" deep within the mantle. This fluid charged with gas, melts and pushes its way to the surface, erupting on the ocean floor to create a seamount. After several hundred thousand years and countless eruptions, the volcano rises above sea level to form an island. The volcano continues to grow until movement of the Pacific plate carries the island off the hot spot.

During the last 70 million years the Pacific plate has acted as a conveyor belt, moving the islands northwest off the hot spot at the rate of about four inches a year. The park's active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, continue the island building process that formed the 3,500 mile Emperor Seamount-Hawai'ian Island chain. But they are not the last; to the southeast, Lo'ihi seamount is rising from the ocean floor.

Mesa Verde National Park

2009-07-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Mesa Verde National Park
The first word that comes to your mind is “stunning.” And that’s just the moment you enter Mesa Verde National Park. As you wind your way up to 8500 feet, stopping to contemplate views that span over a hundred miles, you’ll begin to realize this isn’t a place you can do in a day.

And to think, you haven’t even reached the
Far View Lodge.

We want to welcome you as our guest to the nation’s richest archeological preserve, where amazing cliff dwellings and more than 4,000 ancient sites bring you into the heart of the fascinating culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. But, more importantly, we want to make sure you truly experience the park—not just visit.

Take a moment to explore this site, and learn how to make your Mesa Verde trip one you’ll never forget.

The famous and well-preserved cliff dwellings here make this one of the most important archaeological sites in the country

LODGING & DINING
Get more from your visit to Mesa Verde National Park by staying at the Far View Lodge a peaceful, comfortable retreat free of any distractions from the park's natural beauty and the only lodging that's actually inside the park.

Get more from your visit to Mesa Verde National Park by staying at the Far View Lodge a peaceful, comfortable retreat free of any distractions from the park's natural beauty and the only lodging that's actually inside the park.

And with convenient access to Ranger Guided Tours, Stage Coach Tours and gift shops that feature unique Native American crafts, staying at the Far View Lodge gives you the best experience and adventure.

RV & CAMPGROUNDS
To fully experience Mesa Verde's unspoiled beauty, spend a few nights at Morefield Campground. This is comfortable camping in a glorious canyon setting, just 4 miles from the park entrance. Start your day with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast during the summer season at Knife's Edge Café in Morefield's full-service village. Get information regarding half-day NPS-ranger guided bus tours or the park’s scenic hiking trails departing from the campground.

Browse the gift shop, or get last-minute supplies at the well-stocked grocery and camp store. Prepare an outdoor feast using your site's barbecue grill. And as you turn in for the night, with dazzling stars overhead, you'll get a true sense of Mesa Verde's wonder and peacefulness.

The 435 sites are located amid native oaks and wild flowers in a spectacular wooded canyon that is popular with deer and wild turkeys. This beautiful setting is close to everything you’ll need for an enjoyable camping experience.

Single and Group Camping Sites

* 15 full hook-up RV sites with water, electric and sewer (reservations required)
* 17 group sites each accommodating up to 25 guests in tents only (reservations appreciated)
* Nearly 400 dry tent/RV sites (reservations accepted, not required)
* Barbecue grill, picnic table and benches at each site
* Many sites offer shade
* Convenient access to firewood, food and camp supplies
* Potable water near campsites
* Modern comfort stations near campsites
* Hot showers, coin-op laundry
* FREE RV dumping station
* Open early May through early October
* Rates from $20 per campsite, per night plus tax and NPS-approved energy surcharge
* National Park Service Golden Age and Golden Access passes accepted, discounts apply to dry campsites

Base Camping at Mesa Verde

If you like to camp, but prefer not to tote all your equipment as in backpacking, then base camping is for you! Enjoy evenings around the campfire at night, swapping stories, roasting marshmallows or just relaxing with nature. Your base camping at Mesa Verde includes:

* 10x12 canvas tent
* Two cots and a lantern
* Your own picnic site, picnic table and fire ring
* Housekeeping service not provided
* Summer rate includes pancake breakfast for two, Memorial Day to Labor Day
* Seasonal Rates: $39.00 - $49.00 per site, per night plus tax and NPS-approved energy surcharge, based on double occupancy, with additional individuals only $10.00 extra

California Yosemite National Park

2009-07-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

California Yosemite National Park
Escape the heat and the crowds in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite's High Country. With towering granite domes and beautiful alpine lakes, this is the perfect place to relax. One of the most famous and scenic of the national parks is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with excellent facilities throughout and plenty of places to hide from the crowds

Yosemite Accommodations
Experience the beauty of Yosemite on your own terms with the Park's wide range of lodging options. You can enjoy upscale accommodations with spectacular views at The Ahwahnee®, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and Wawona ® Hotel. Enjoy camping? Yosemite accommodations range from unheated canvas tents to heated cabins. There's a unique option for every style of vacation.

The Ahwahnee in spring
Offering AAA® Four-Diamond hotel accommodations and fine dining, The Ahwahnee provides a touch of elegance right in the heart of the Park, combining world-class amenities with outstanding views of Yosemite’s iconic features.

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls
Ideally located at the base of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is a great place to both relax and explore. Enjoy well-appointed rooms with access to the Tour & Activity Desk, bicycle rentals, The Mountain Room Restaurant & Lounge and more.

Wawona Hotel
Step back to a bygone era at Wawona Hotel, located four miles from the Park’s south entrance. Wawona Hotel’s whitewashed buildings feature rooms without telephones and televisions, so nothing will distract you from the natural surroundings

Curry Village
Curry Village offers standard motel rooms, cabins and canvas tents for a unique lodging experience right in the middle of the great outdoors. A grocery store and outdoor shop are conveniently located onsite.

Housekeeping Camp
For guests who want a simpler way to camp outdoors, Yosemite offers six-person units in Housekeeping Camp, nestled along the Merced River. Housekeeping Camp is our only lodging option that includes a campfire ring, perfect for outdoor cooking.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Start your Yosemite explorations from the comfort of the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. Our canvas tent cabins make an excellent base camp for almost any High Sierra excursion.

White Wolf Lodge
The perfect base camp for your back country adventures
The White Wolf Lodge offers canvas tent cabins and hard-sided cabins about 30 miles from Yosemite Valley. Nestled in a beautiful meadow, the lodge is just a short hike from Lukens and Harden Lakes.

High Sierra Camps
May Lake High Sierra Camp
Designed for adventure, Yosemite’s five High Sierra camps are spaced along a loop trail offering a nice day's journey from camp to camp. With hearty meals and comfy tent cabins awaiting your arrival, you can pack light and enjoy your hike in. Stay awhile and explore at one camp or hike on to the next one, design your perfect back-country experience.

ACTIVITY
Yosemite Guided Hikes
It goes without saying that Yosemite National Park provides one of the world's most phenomenal backdrops for hiking and exploration. You can journey with our guides on a variety of day hikes ranging from a few hours in length to full day trips to the top of Half Dome. Interested in overnight backpacking? Sign up for our group backpacking trips, or have our staff work with you to design a custom backpacking trip just for your group. High Sierra Camps provide tremendous access to the Yosemite backcountry without the need to carry a big pack, just carry your essentials and then enjoy a hot meal prepared by our staff and take advantage of our tent cabins.

* Group Hikes – a wide variety of hiking trips to accommodate everyone. Includes a Bike to Hike.
* Custom Day Hikes – allows us more freedom to plan a trip just for you or your group. We guide Half Dome.
* Overnight Backpacking Trips – A range of group and custom trips available
* Learn to Backpack Trips – an overnight trip focusing on learning the skills you will need to backpack on your own.
* Camping – General information about camping opportunities in the Park

Yosemite Rock Climbing
The Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service has been a tradition in Yosemite rock climbing since 1969. Our guides can take you where you want to go, from learning your first knots, in our beginner Go Climb A Rock classes, to multi-day ascents of El Capitan for the more experienced. As the only guide service permitted to operate within Yosemite National Park, we know Yosemite better than anyone, and would love sharing our knowledge and skills with you.
Many of our climbing guides are also AMGA certified, and have decades of climbing experience in the park. All of our guides also hold Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT certifications.
* Climbing lessons – offered daily at 8:30am
* Girls on Granite - women's climbing program
* Guided Climbs
* Meet our Guides page
* We practice Leave No Trace
* Rent climbing and camping equipment

Yosemite Biking
Explore Yosemite at your own pace as you enjoy the flat terrain and spectacular views of Yosemite Valley. Over 12 miles of paved bike trails in Yosemite National Park take you to some of the most picturesque spots in the park. The floor of Yosemite Valley is predominantly flat, with an occasional mild incline, making for easy cruising. Review the bike rules and trail map.
Don't forget to pick up a water bottle or other hydration system to take along for the ride! Available in most shops throughout Yosemite.

Yosemite Mule & Horseback Rides
Experience the breath-taking views and majestic scenery of Yosemite National Park by mule or horseback. When you are ready to saddle up, there are plenty of options. We have three stables within the park boundaries, each offering unique scenery and a memorable experience. Visit one, or all three, to see more of the park. Two-hour, four-hour and all day rides are available. Saddle up.
Tuolumne Stable – Yosemite’s high country
Yosemite Valley Stable – the only stables leading guided trips in the heart of Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Tours & Guided Activities
What better way to discover the Park's incredible scenery and hidden secrets than by letting our professional guides proudly introduce you to the wonders of the land they call home? You’ll definitely want to allow time for a couple of Yosemite tours if your schedule permits. Your Yosemite Experience will be enhanced by a deeper knowledge and understanding of this most wonderful and enriching destination.

Yosemite Kids Attractions
Yosemite National Park is a wonderful family-friendly destination, offering educational and enriching experiences for all ages. Many of our Yosemite kids programs are designed to bring your family closer to nature and closer together.

* Wee Wild Ones – stories, songs, crafts, games and other activities for kids 6 and under
* Junior Rangers Programs – Little Cubs (ages 3-6) and Junior Ranger (ages 7-13) programs
* Story Time – storytelling programs targeted for kids age 12 and under
* Ranger Ned's Big Adventure! - theatrical fun for the whole family.
* Winter Family Celebrations - join Yosemite Interpreters for crafts, nature walks, stories, and general winter fun.

Yosemite Golf
Yosemite's Wawona Golf Course was the first regulation course in the Sierra Nevada when it opened in 1918, and has provided golfers challenging but rewarding rounds ever since. Designed by Walter G. Favarque to blend seamlessly into its spectacular surroundings, this nine-hole, par-35 national park golf course measures 3,050 yards and includes two par-five holes and three par-three holes. Different tee positions per side provide a par-70, 18-hole format. Golfers of every level enjoy the rolling terrain, variety of challenging holes and tranquil setting of this historic course.

It's open daily Spring to Fall, conditions permitting.

Wawona Golf Course is scheduled to re-open for the season on Friday, May 1, 2009.
# The greens fee for nine holes is $18.50, for 18 holes $29.50.
# Cart rentals for nine holes is $15, for 18 holes is $24.50.

Additional amenities include:
# Electric and caddie cart rentalsSnack and beverage service daily
# Pro shop
# Putting Green.

Yosemite Rafting & Water Sports
Stay cool on a warm day by spending some time down by the water. Whether you're serious about fishing, or just serious about fun, the many rivers and lakes in Yosemite can provide just the right source of recreation.

Rafting
Rent a raft and float leisurely down the Merced River. It’s fun, relaxing, and the views from the river are unbeatable.

Swimming
Whether you are interested in lounging by the river, or at one of our swimming pools, this is a restful and refreshing way to spend an afternoon.

Fishing
Yosemite has spectacular fishing in both the front and backcountry. Fishing licenses are available at select locations within the park.

Nature & History Programs at Yosemite
We want you to connect with Yosemite.
Form a lasting impression of Yosemite by learning more about our park’s history and natural features. There are a wide variety of programs, offered in different locations throughout Yosemite, to help you fully appreciate the richness and value of this unique place.

Programs from DNCs Interpretive Services Department
A Park Partner with the National Park Service, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts at Yosemite offers many programs to enrich your Yosemite experience. Find out more about our Interpretive Services Department, and their programs.

Tour The Ahwahnee
A walking tour of The Ahwahnee, and its grounds. Learn more about the special history of the hotel, and the people that designed it.

Snap the perfect Yosemite photograph
Visit scenic locations with a local Yosemite photographer, who can introduce you to Yosemite and give you tips on capturing that unforgettable Yosemite image.

Learn about Bracebridge
Bracebridge has been a holiday tradition in Yosemite since 1927. Learn more about this celebrated event on one of our special programs.

Design Your Own Program
The Interpretive Services Department of DNC can customize a program specifically for your group.

Ranger Walks and Talks
National Park Service also provides many interesting walks and talks each day.

Free Art Classes
The Yosemite Association offers free art classes through our Art Activities Center. Learn to paint or draw and take home a special and unique memento of your visit to Yosemite.

Alaska - Glacier Bay National Park

2009-07-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Alaska - Glacier Bay National Park
Welcome to the Glacier Bay National Park Page. This site is dedicated to providing useful information on Glacier Bay National Park. Learn about the park's history and wildlife, discover scenic hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds. Plan a trip or vacation using detailed downloadable maps and referencing our sights guide, check the weather of the area, get the park address and driving directions, and find national park hotels and lodging. The massive glaciers are only one part of the charm of this park filled with wildlife and recreational opportunities

ACTIVITY
Morning Hike
Meet at Glacier Bay Lodge for a 3 hour hike, destination varies. Each morning at 9:00 am.

Films
Visitor Center auditorium upstairs on the second level of Glacier Bay Lodge (01 Jun through 31 Aug only) Educational films shown twice daily. Check at information desk for times.

Forest Loop Walk
A guided walk along the 1 mile Forest Loop Trail begins daily at 2:30 pm at the lodge, and lasts for approximately 1.5 hours. Meet in the lobby of Glacier Bay Lodge.From June through August an extra walk is scheduled at 2:00 p.m.

Ranger Demonstrations
A park ranger will use hands-on tools to demonstrate a natural history concept or activity (June 1 and August 31)

Evening Program
Each evening Park Naturalists / Rangers present a 30 minute program, which begin at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm in the auditorium of Glacier Bay Lodge on the second level; for times check ask at the Visitor Center information desk. During May and September only one presentation is offered at 9:00 p.m.

Junior Ranger Program
Ask a park ranger about participating in Glacier Bay's Junior Ranger Program. It's a fun way for young visitors to get the most out of their visit

LODGING
Juneau Lodging
Historic Downtown Juneau B&B European Charm meets Alaskan Hospitality.
www.silverbowinn.com

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Texas South Padre Island

2009-07-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Texas South Padre Island
More famous for Spring Break, this place is an ideal spot for a Texas summer beach trip
Located on the tropical tip of Texas, South Padre Island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. Beautiful beaches, warm Gulf waters, fishing, boating, bird watching, shopping, and a diversity of year-round activities await every visitor. As the days wind down with breathtaking sunsets over the bay, night clubs and restaurants come alive with conversation, dining, music and dancing. Many restaurants will even cook your catch! No matter what your interests, South Padre Island offers one of the most fantastic beach vacation destinations in the world. Be yourself... in a place you really want to be. South Padre Island.
An abundance of activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, dolphin watching, parasailing, jet skiing, horseback riding on the beach, shopping, tennis, golf and lounging by the pool await every visitor. As the days wind down with breathtaking sunsets over the bay, night clubs and restaurants come alive with conversation, dining, music and dancing. No matter what your interests, South Padre Island awaits you.

Hotels
Beachside Inn
Units: 65 | Inner Island
Rooms: Sgl, Dbl, Ste , Minimum Stay: 1 night, Spring Breakers Allowed: Yes, Beachside Inn accepts the following credit card(s)

Beachview 114
Units: 1 |
Beachview Unit #114
There are 1 King size bed, 2 twin beds, & 1 sofa bed. 6 people maximum.
Located in the heart of South Padre Island Beach access across the street. One block from...

Best Western La Copa Inn and Suites
Units: 146 | Beach Front
Welcome to the new Best Western La Copa Inn & Suites where guests will receive spectacular beachfront accommodations and top-notch amenities for an affordable price. Located in beautiful...

Condos
Affordable Beach House Vacation Rentals SPI, Inc.
Beach Front
Spring Breakers Allowed: Yes
Affordable Beach House Vacation Rentals SPI, Inc. accepts the following credit card(s)

Aquarius
Units: 70 | Beach Front
Rooms: 1, 2
Minimum Stay: 2 nights
Spring Breakers Allowed: Yes
Aquarius accepts the following credit card(s)

Bahia Mar Resort & Conference Center Condos
Units: 35 | Beach Front
Rooms: 2,3
Minimum Stay: 2 nights
Pet-Friendly Accommodations: Yes
Spring Breakers Allowed: Yes
Bahia Mar Resort &Conference Center Condos accepts the following...

Bed & Breakfast
Casa de Siesta
The rooms are configured around a courtyard, which historically provided protected open space & was the location of the community well.

Redfish Inn On The Bay
Offers 6 uniquely designed, So Texas coastal style, rooms upstairs. Each with their own private bath and access to 2nd floor?s wrap around balcony. We also have the Angler?s Suite.

Rental Agencies
AACE Rental
Summer of 1991 Sharon Partain and Janice Thorp started AACE Enterprises, Inc., dba AACE Condo Rentals. Late 1991 started construction at 4901 Padre Blvd.

Affordable Beach House Vacation Rentals SPI, Inc.
Looking for a place to call home for your next stay on South Padre Island? Enjoy the simplicity and charm of a South Padre Island beach house vacation rental.

All On Beach Rentals
Please call for faster response.
Stay on beach and watch the beautiful gulf of Mexico waves roll in. This affordable 3 bedroom 2 bath house can accomodate 16+ and is walking distance to

Rental By Owner
Bahama Beach Lodge
The main area of the house is comprised of the kitchen, living room, and back porch. This greatroom has a peaked ceiling over 13 feet high, ceiling fans & lights and a custom, handcrafted wood...

Beach Cottage - The Tarpon House
The home is a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath. Spacious!
Sleeps 8, 1 King bed, 4 twin beds and 1 sofa bed.

Blue Beach House
Cozy secluded Beach House, great views, Private trail directly to the beach
Rooms: 4 bedrooms, 3 Baths
Also available as a 2 Rooms 2 Bath configuration
Sleeps 10 can accommodate...

Campgrounds
Andy Bowie Park
Is at the northern end of the South Padre Island town limits. Travel north on Park Road 100 to the South Padre Island Convention Center. Next to the convention center is the popular Laguna Madre

Isla Blanca Park
On the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, is the crown jewel of the system. Over one mile of clean, white beach along the Gulf of Mexico offers abundant waterfront recreational facilities,...

KOA Kampground
Max Length Pull Through: 80 feet
50 Amp Service Available
Cable TV (with charge), Kampstore, Free Wireless Internet, Meeting Room Available, LP gas (with charge), Fitness Center,...

THINGS TO DO
The Beach
The widest and cleanest in Texas, the beaches of South Padre Island have gotten very high ratings from a variety of sources, including Men's Fitness, Conde Nast Traveler, msn.com city search, the Travel Channel and others!
Amazin Walter's Sandcastle Lessons
Build a better sand castle!... take a lesson from Amazin' Walter, Grand Pooh-bah of the Sons of the Beach and president of The UNLITTER Campaign..

Beach Service of South Padre Island
The Beach Service of South Padre Island is a full service beach rental company.Our services include waverunner/jetski, jet boat rides, kayaks and banana boat rides, wedding and special event.

Christy the Clown
Looking for fun quality entertainment for your family reunion, company meeting, birthday celebration or other fun event? Christy the clown, formerly with Ringling Brothers, can entertain with...

Dining
Start with the fresh, delicious seafood and move on to almost any mouth-watering delight you can imagine!

Amberjack's Bayside Bar & Grill
Seafood, steaks, pasta, hamburgers and sandwiches. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Best view on the bay

BadaBing Bagels
Bagels from New York!! Bagel sandwiches.

Benny's By The Bay Cafe
Breakfast tacos and coffee, pancakes, lunch specials, Burgers and fries. Located in the Sea Ranch Marina

Night Life
The temperature may fall, but the nightlife heats up when the sun goes down! If you want to dance, sing, listen or just relax, we've got the spots for you!

Boomerang Billy's at The Surf Motel
Open-air beach bar. Water sport rentals. Swimming pool, beach volleyball and sundeck. At the Surf Motel

Club Pelican West
Two levels, two bars, two dance floors Live music

Coconuts
On the bay. Thatched roof and tropical island atmosphere.

Sports
An abundance of activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, dolphin watching, parasailing, jet skiing, horseback riding on the beach, shopping, tennis, golf and lounging by the pool await every visitor.

Golf
The Rio Grande Valley offers great golfing for handicappers of all levels. Keep in mind that our temperate climate allows golfers to tee off 12 months a year. The closest championship course is the South Padre Island Golf Club, located 15 minutes away in Laguna Vista.

Tennis
South Padre Island's sunny days make for perfect play - regardless of your skill level. All of the major hotels and condominiums feature tennis courts which are available to their guests. The staff at the South Padre Island Visitors Center (800-767-2373) can also offer suggestions on private and group lessons.

Windsurfing
The Laguna Madre bay separates South Padre Island from the Texas mainland and is recognized as one of the world's top windsurfing destinations. The sailing season off South Padre runs from September through May. Water depth varies from three to five feet, daytime winds average 18 mph, and the average yearly temperature is in the 70s. Novices and pros come to sail the bay, the Jetties, Boca Chica, and the Ditch, site of some of the fastest windsurfing speeds in North America.

Fishing
Bay or offshore, from a boat, flyfishing, surffishing, guided or by yourself, you will be surprised by the variety of exciting options laying just below the surface!

Eco Tourism & Birding
Join the thousands who flock to South Padre Island to observe over 300 species of birds annually, along with just absorbing the natural beauty of this Island paradise.

Oklahoma - National Cowboy Hall of Fame

2009-07-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma - National Cowboy Hall of Fame
This Oklahoma City attraction is the biggest of its kind and holds a big sale and exhibition each June

About the Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the museum in Oklahoma City collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs and ground-breaking scholarly research to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of our American West. More than 10 million visitors from around the world have sought out this unique museum to gain better understanding of the West: a region and a history that permeates our national culture.

Facility Rentals
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is the perfect site for any special event. You and your guests can enjoy a day or evening in one of the Nation's premier museums. Whether in the Sam Noble Special Events Center, the S.B. "Burk" Burnett Board Room, or on the Western States Plaza, a beautiful outdoor setting, the Museum provides an atmosphere that is second to none.

Special Events Center
This magnificent 16,500 square foot facility offers the most unique and breathtaking decor in the West. Five monumental 18' x 46' triptychs depicting Western landscapes by renowned artist Wilson Hurley, adorn the walls of this one-of-a-kind banquet area.
These five western landscapes are the largest set of triptych paintings in the nation. They were completed between 1992 and 1996 by Wilson Hurley, and reside in the Sam Noble Special Event Center. Each of the 18' x 46' triptychs, dubbed "Windows to the West," depict a particular western location caught at sunset, and all, except one, have the same horizon line with the light streaming in from the west. The first, New Mexico Suite, was completed in 1992, and shows an apocalyptic sky over the Sandia Mountains as viewed from the west side of the Rio Grande near Albuquerque. In 1993 came Arizona Suite, a view of the Grand Canyon from an unusual lower level looking upward. Then in 1994 California Suite, depicting Point Lobos on the Pacific Coast near Carmel, with the sun setting over the ocean, appeared. Utah Suite, completed in 1995, contains a magnificent view of Monument Valley under a cloudless sky. Finally, in 1996, Wyoming Suite, with its spectacular view of the lower falls of the Yellowstone River, complete the assemblage.
The room has a banquet seating capacity of 1,100 and is equipped with the latest technology for all of your audiovisual needs. Prep-kitchen facilities are available for on-site catering. (1800 theater seating capacity)

S.B. "Burk" Burnett Board Room
Whether you want to impress your top clients or conduct a breakaway session with your staff, our Board Room is the perfect conference, or small dining area. The room seats up to 110 banquet style with a variety of options in seating and table arrangements. Audio visual equipment is available for your use. The room is also available for more intimate evening gatherings and receptions. (180 - theater seating capacity)

Plaza & Gardens
If you love the great outdoors, you'll enjoy this spacious plaza and garden area nestled among glistening pools and native plants and flowers. Western States Plaza reservations are limited to wedding ceremonies only and for no more than 350 guests and may only be reserved in conjunction with rental of Special Event Center for the reception. Western States Plaza wedding ceremony set-up for up to 350 guests - $700.

Weddings & Wedding Receptions
Policies specific to wedding and wedding reception rentals:

* Weddings and wedding receptions may not begin before 5:30 p.m.
* Western States Plaza reservations are limited to ceremonies only and for no more than 350 guests and may only be reserved in conjunction with rental of Special Event Center for the reception.
* Non-refundable deposits and a signed contract are necessary to guarantee the rental space. Initial deposit totaling 50% of the space rental is due at time of contracting, remaining 50% of the space rental is due 60 days before the event. Both payments are non-refundable. Variables will be billed following the event; i.e., audio visual fees, dance floor, security, etc.

Dining on Persimmon Hill
Open Daily
Serving Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Snacks and Desserts Available Until 3:30 p.m.

* The Museum's restaurant, Dining on Persimmon Hill, is decorated in an early prairie motif of blue cornflowers and yellow sunflowers and is rich with Western tradition.
* Located in the Museum’s east wing near the Sam Noble Special Events Center, this full-service restaurant overlooks the Western States Plaza, pool and fountains.
* Menu items range in price from $3.99 for a delicious soup to a full, plated meal for $7.99. The generous buffet is $9.50 per person. A children’s menu is available.
* Monday through Saturday, the restaurant offers a bountiful buffet that includes 2 soups; 8 fresh garden salads; 3 entrees; 3 sides; and 4 desserts.
* Specials are featured each week highlighting new and tasty plated meals.
* High Tea Trays are available daily. The restaurant’s old-fashioned desserts are chocolate Italian cream cake, apple dumplings, strawberry torte, blackberry cobbler, bread pudding, carrot cake, hot fudge brownies and more.
* On Sunday, one main delectable brunch buffet is available with menu service limited to desserts and beverages. The cost for the buffet is $9.50 per person seven days a week.

Mother’s Day Brunch
May 10 2009 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy this special buffet hosted by the Museum's Dining on Persimmon Hill restaurant in the grand Sam Noble Special Events Center. Museum admission included. Reservations required (405) 478-2250, Ext. 281.

New Mexico Santa Fe

2009-07-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

New Mexico Santa Fe
To help you plan your visit to Santa Fe, also known as the City Different, here are a few basic facts about our city.

With a population of 70,000 primarily Hispanic, Anglo and Native American people, Santa Fe, which means Holy Faith in Spanish, is New Mexico's fourth largest city behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho. Situated at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, it was founded between 1607 and 1610, making it the second oldest city as well as the highest and oldest capital in the U.S. In 1912, it officially achieved statehood and today its unique offerings of art, culture and ancient traditions make it a world-class tourist destination, drawing more than 1 million visitors each year. In 2005, Santa Fe became the first U.S. city to be chosen by UNESCO as a Creative City, one of only nine cities in the world to hold this designation.

Accommodations
The City Different lives up to its name when it comes to accommodating visitors. Relax, rest up and rejuvenate yourself in Santa Fe style, whether you stay in grand or boutique hotels steeped in history, luxurious resorts with full-service spas, convenient motels with Southwestern flair, bed and breakfasts full of Santa Fe charm, numerous campgrounds and RV parks with views of dazzling sunsets.

Hotels and Motels
Santa Fe's hotels can make your stay a remarkable experience, whether you're seeking world-class luxury, historic elegance or rustic charm. Your options are as wide as our turquoise sky. Stay in the heart of bustling downtown Santa Fe and walk to the city's famous sites, shops and restaurants. Or choose a hotel nearby, surrounded by acres of mountain oasis with hiking trails to explore.

Holiday Inn Express
3450 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-474-7570

Holiday Inn Santa Fe
4048 Cerrillos Road
505-473-4646 800-HOLIDAY

Hotel Plaza Real
125 Washington Ave
Santa Fe, Nm 87501
505-988-4900 877-901-7666

Hotel Santa Fe
1501 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-1200 800-825-9876

Resorts
When you stay in any of Santa Fe's resorts, you'll experience the ultimate vacation from everyday life. Enjoy the pleasures offered by world-class resorts located downtown or nearby in nature's sanctuary, surrounded by ponds, cottonwood and willow trees and glorious gardens.

Sunrise Springs Resort Spa
242 Los Pinos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-471-3600; 800-955-0028

Terra Restuarant
198 State Road 592
Santa Fe, NM 87506
505-946-5700

Villas de Santa Fe
400 Griffin Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-3000 or 800-869-6790

Accommodations at Quail Run Resort
3101 Old Pecos Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-795-7211

Motels
Santa Fe motels offer a range of amenities and services as well as Southwestern charm and hospitality. They also offer convenience, located either in downtown Santa Fe, on or near a major highway or close to the Santa Fe airport. Many motels provide free shuttle access to downtown Santa Fe and the casinos.

Econolodge
3470 Cerillos Road
Santa Fe, NM, US, 87507
505-577-5318

King's Rest Court
1452 Cerrillos
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-983-8879

Stage Coach Motor Inn
3360 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-471-0707

Best Western Inn of Santa Fe
3650 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-438-3822

Bed and Breakfasts
Once you've stayed in a Santa Fe bed and breakfast, you'll want to extend your vacation for days, even weeks. Your hosts can provide helpful information about where to shop, what to see and how best to get around town, but friendly, old-fashioned Southwestern hospitality is only part of the fun.

Four Kachinas Bed & Breakfast Inn
512 Webber Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(888)634 8782

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and in Santa Fe
401 Old Taos Highway
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.982.8539

Hacienda Doña Andrea
78 Vista del Oro
Cerrillos, NM 87010
505-424-8995

Hacienda Las Barrancas
27 County Road 84D
Santa Fe, NM 87506
505-455-2197 / 1-866-455-2197

Campgrounds and RV Parks
If you love the great outdoors, then you'll love staying in a Santa Fe campground and RV park. Bring your own tents, vans, trailers and RVs or rent a rustic cabin among the trees. You can set up in the heart of the city, within walking distance of restaurants, shops and historic sites. For a more secluded spot, choose a park that's tucked away on a ridgetop or surrounded by shady native trees but still near the city.

Los Campos De Santa Fe RV Resort
3574 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe NM 87507
505-473-1949

Rancheros de Santa Fe
Camping Park
I-25 at Exit 290
(505) 466-3482

Santa Fe KOA
934 Old Las Vegas Highway,
I-25 north of Santa Fe
(505) 466-1419

Santa Fe Skies RV Park
14 Browncastle Ranch,
I-25 Exit at NM 599 to Highway 14,
east on Vista del Monte
(505) 473-5946

Vacation Rentals
The Hacienda at Garcia Street
221 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-955-0550

The Management Group
444 Galisteo Street, Suite E
Santa Fe, N.M. 87501
505-982-2823

Vacation Rental Santa Fe
P. O. Box 33411
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87594
505-699-2289

Adobe Casita
125 Ridgecrest Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 982-8754

Reservation Services
To make planning your Santa Fe stay easier, reservation services are ready to assist. They can save you time and, in some cases, money with lodging discounts and package deals.

Accommodations Hotline
54 1/2 E. San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
1 800 338-6877

CasaBella Management Services
105 Pine Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505 231-4920

HotelBuddies/Santa Fe
101 W. Marcy Street Suite 202
Santa Fe, NM 87501
1-877-255-3762

Native Destinations
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 466-9996

Arizona - Sedona

2009-06-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

Arizona Sedona Whether you believe in energy vortexes or not, this city is stunning to see and pleasant to visit

Often called “Red Rock Country” Sedona is a four seasons playground for everyone – whether you’re into history and archaeology; arts and culture; power shopping; outdoor sports; or the spiritual and metaphysical, imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Indeed, this picturesque city is surrounded by red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and Thunder Mountain. At the north end of the city is the stunning Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that even today, is wildly wonderful.

Natural endowments aside, you’ll also find world-class hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and a very good variety of dining to keep you satisfied.
Escape the chaos of life, kick back, relax……and just be….in Sedona.

WHERE TO STAY
Comfort Inn - A Sedona Hotel
Comfort Inn, A Sedona Hotel is a small, intimate hotel, centrally located in the heart of Red Rock Country. We offer great lodging value: wonderful views, free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast, family & pet friendly, sparkling heated pool. Walk to trails, restaurants and shops.

Radisson Poco Diablo Resort
137 newly refurbished rooms nestled in 22 beautifully landscaped acres with ponds, fountains and a 9 hole executive golf course. A complete resort with conference facilities for 250, tennis courts, pool, whirlpool spas and massage therapy.

Orchards Inn of Sedona
The Orchards Inn has been welcoming Sedona visitors for more than 15 years. Our spacious accommodations, affordable rates, friendly service and our one-of-a-kind Red Rock views from every room make the Orchards Inn one of Sedona's best hotel values.

WHERE TO SHOP
Richard David For Men - Sinagua
Richard David for Men has been selling fine men’s clothing for 20 years. We offer moderate prices, outstanding service, excellent quality and good value. We carry Hook & Tackle, Luau, Scully Leather, Tori Richard, Tundra, Woolrich, and much more. We are open daily from 10-5:30, 24/7 on-line.

Sedona Photo Express
This full service lab employs a staff with over 70 years of experience. We offer downloading services to CD or DVD, plus professional quality printing from film, negatives, or digital media cards up to 44 inches. Giclee prints are also offered. Need batteries, film, media cards? . . . we have it.

Zonies Galleria
“Zonies” are Arizonans. That’s just what you’ll find at Zonies Galleria…arts and crafts of Zonies and Southwest talents. Functional and decorative pottery, kaleidoscopes, home décor, and photography make for good browsing and great gift-giving. It’s an Uptown must-stop shop.

WHAT TO DO
Jam-N-Sounds
Jam-N-Sounds Mobile Disc Jockey Entertainment Specialists are the premier wedding reception DJ service in Sedona & Northern Arizona. We also specialize in corporate events, public entertainment & private parties. Jam-N-Sounds is fully insured & preferred at major resorts.

Cliff Castle Casino
Dragonfly Lounge / Stargazer Pavilion. Casino, restaurant, convention facilities.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Tiger Splash is open! Watch Bengal tigers in natural play as they frolic with their caretakers. It is not to be missed, and it is included in the regular price of admission. Take the authentic Serengeti Safari and feed a giraffe. Tour the Wildlife Preserve and meet the lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my! Check the park calendar for other new shows and a revised schedule.

WHERE TO EAT
Oak Creek Brewery & Grill
Enjoy our exhibition kitchen that serves up wood-fired pizza, cedar plank salmon, baby back ribs, rotisserie chicken, Certified Angus burgers and steaks. Compliment all of this with a frosty glass of our Award-winning Micro Beers. Full bar, great views and conveniently located in Tlaquepaque. Open daily at 11:30am.

Cucina Rustica
An ultimate dining experience featuring fantastic rustic Italian & Mediterranean cuisine in an old world setting. Spectacular dining rooms & romantic al fresco patios, fountains & antique doors from around the world await you. Private parties & groups of all sizes. Best Fine Dining experience – 4 years running.

Troia's Pizza Pasta Amore'
Your favorite traditional dishes & real Italian pizza, perfectly prepared in our beautiful exhibition kitchen. Casual upscale atmosphere. Fabulous homemade desserts & Italian ice creams. Great wine list, premium spirits. Local favorite, available for private parties. Dinner Tuesday thru Sunday, 5:00 pm. Family owned since 1997

Wisconsin - Door County

2009-06-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin Door County This lovely area between Lake Michigan and Sturgeon Bay booms with recreational opportunities every summer

Discover the exquisite beauty of the Door County Peninsula and Washington Island. With over 300 miles of scenic shoreline dotted with bustling harbors and quiet coves, Door County offers a wealth of water-based recreation. Sandy beaches, sailing, cruising, boating, fishing, boat rentals, charters or a unique car ferry ride to Washington Island are just a few ways to enjoy the sparkling waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Five state parks, ten lighthouses and more than a dozen county parks offer fantastic hiking, biking and sightseeing opportunities. Eleven golf courses combined with the breath taking landscape of rural vistas and bluffs further enhance your experience of the county.

Pristine scenery combined with hundreds of renowned artists and galleries, acclaimed music and performing arts, and unique educational courses for the visual arts, theatre, and humanities truly make Door County a distinctive arts community.

Dine at one of our unique and award-winning restaurants (perhaps taking in a traditional Door County fish boil), and hunt for treasures in our one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, and museums, before being pampered in one of our charming accommodations and enjoying a picturesque Door County sunset.

Small wonder Door County was named one of the top ten vacation destinations in North America by Money Magazine, and that each year more than two million visitors like to visit and claim this jewel as their own.

And be sure to check out the Door County video and audio podcast page for a list of local podcasts that will help give you ideas on what to see and do while you're here.

If you need personal assistance please call 800-52-RELAX (73529) to speak with one of our friendly staff members. Our Visitor Center is located on Highway 42 & 57 as you enter Sturgeon Bay from the south and the lobby is open 24/7. Whether or not you’ve ever been to Door County, we hope to make your trip easy and enjoyable.

LODGING
HOTEL/MOTEL/INN

Hotel/Motel/Inn

622 S. Ashland Ave.
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone:(920) 743-5898
Fax: (920) 743-6899
Located right across the street from the Door County Visitor Bureau on Hwy 42/57 at Ashland Avenue -- the AmericInn offers modern accommodations, warm indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool spa. Spacious lobby area with fireplace to greet you -- and a hot, delicious enhanced breakfast is provided to guests each morning. A complimentary guest computer and High-Speed Wireless internet are at your disposal as well. A friendly knowledgeable staff here welcomes you.
2009 Rates: Peak season $99-$189; Off season $59-$119

Hwy 42 & F Box 157
Fish Creek, WI 54212-0157
(800) 569-0059 / (920) 868-3525
The AppleCreek Resort with an indoor pool & whirlpool is conveniently located and across the street from shops,restaurant,1 block to ’Panoramic’ Peninsula State Park;bike,hike,golf,swim,sightseeing. We offer 6 different room types from our small single queen rooms to our 2 room suites with private 2 person whirlpool,fireplace,and private balcony. We also have a guest house that can accomodate 6 people with king beds,sofa sleeper, fireplace,full kitchen,2 baths,2 person whirlpool and pool access.
2009 Rates: off season $52-$119; peak season $89-$259

7942 Egg Harbor Road
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
(920) 868-3113 / (877) 868-3113
Fax: (920) 868-9684
The Ashbrooke features a distinctive variety of beautifully appointed one and two room suites for your luxury, privacy and enjoyment. Catering to adults, The Ashbrooke creates an elegant retreat for couples looking for a uniquely charming and relaxing Door County experience. Pleased to be a completely smoke-free environment, The Ashbrooke offers attentive service and thoughtful amenities for the discriminating visitor to the Door peninsula.
2009 Rates: $114-$219 off season; $139-$239 peak season.

WHERE TO DINE
Breakfast
Casual Dining
Waterfront/Waterview
10040 Water St, Hwy 42
(located At Edgewater Resort)
Ephraim, WI 54211
Phone:(920) 854-4034
Experience waterfront dining with historical flavor! Enjoy delicious home-cooked breakfasts and traditional Door County fish boils in our newly restored building that housed Ephraim's post office in the early 1900s. Fish boils feature fresh whitefish caught daily - served nightly Monday-Saturday and holiday Sundays (reservations requested, groups welcome). Home-cooked breakfasts feature local favorites like cherry pancakes and belgian waffles. Open May-October. Overlooking Eagle Harbor in the village of Ephraim.

Breakfast
Lunch
Casual Dining
Pubs
8125 Elm Rd.
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Phone:(920) 868-2483
Full-service bar and grill offering cocktails, import beers, wines, soft drinks, and specialty beverages. Panoramic golf course view with indoor and outdoor seating can accommodate large outings. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday - 8:00AM-11:00AM Memorial Day-Labor Day Weekend. Lunch Daily 11:00AM- 7:00PM May 15th-October 15th. Friday Night Fish Fry 5:00PM-9:00PM Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend.

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Casual Dining
Outdoor Dining
Fast Food
Kids Menu
10440 Orchard Dr.
Sister Bay, WI 54234
Phone:(920) 854-1978
The Patio Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from late May until late October. Breakfast is served in our cozy dining room from 8-11 a.m. Lunch and dinner items can be ordered from 11 a.m. until closing. We specialize in burgers and the beef for those burgers comes from Door County steers. The meat is fresh. We also feature homemade soups, homemade chili (made the Wisconsin way with macaroni) and chicken and fish entrees. Try our daily specials or picnic plate.

WHAT TO DO
Boat Tour
Sailboat Rides
Adventure
Fish Creek, WI 54212
Phone:(920) 256-9042
Sign aboard the classic 42’ Schooner “FRIENDLY”, Door County�s largest and most comfortable sailing vessel. Enjoy a peaceful cruise along the unspoiled shoreline and offshore islands. “FRIENDLY” meets all US Coast Guard safety requirements and is safe for sailors of all ages. Sailing twice daily from Fish Creek, Noon & Sunset. Call 920-256-9042, or meet at Malibu Moo’s in Fish Creek. USCG Captain Bruce Bishop looks forward to sailing with YOU. Full day Island trips are our specialty.HAPPY SAIL’S

Adventure
Airplane Rides
Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport
Ephraim, Wi 54211
(920) 493-7315 / (920) 493-2729
Look at what you have been missing! Fly over beautiful Door County with Grizzly Scenic Air Tours. We start the flights at the Ehpraim-Gilbraltar airport in northern Door, and offer 15 to 45 minute tours of the county. Our 70-minute Deluxe Tour flies over the lighthouses and shipwrecks in the area. If there is a specific area you want to see, just let us know and we will accommodate. The plane seats 3 and kids are welcome. Hours are Mon - Fri 12-5, Sat and Sun 10-7.

Fishing Guide
Adventure
Charter Fishing
Activities-Group
Leathem Smith Marina Slip 14
1640 Memorial Dr.
Sturgeon Bay, Wi 54235
Phone: (612) 799-1453
Join in on the fun and action beginning at $395 plus tax for a 6 hour charter! We guarantee fish or your money back. With Capt. Don Oberg’s 20 plus years experience in catching King Salmon and Steelhead/Rainbow trout you will certainly be making a memory of a lifetime. You will be fishing aboard the Leprechaun which is a 28 foot 2004 Wellcraft Coastal which has the latest in electronics for fishing Door County�s Bank Reef and surrounding waters. www.leprechaunfishing.com

South Dakota Mount Rushmore

2009-06-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

South Dakota Mount Rushmore
The sculpture is as breathtaking as you’d expect, but the surrounding park is worthwhile as well

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located 23 miles southwest of Rapid City, is something you don't want to miss. It's the greatest FREE Attraction in the US!
"Until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away." Those are the famous words Sculptor Gutzon Borglum used to describe the length of time his most famous work, Mt. Rushmore, will endure.
The mountain itself was originally named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer investigating mining claims in the Black Hills in 1885. Gutzon Borglum chose this mountain due to its height (5700' above sea level), the soft grainy consistency of the granite, and the fact that it catches the sun for the greatest part of the day. The presidents were selected on the basis of what each symbolized. George Washington represents the struggle for independence, Thomas Jefferson the idea of government by the people. Abraham Lincoln for his ideas on equality and the permanent union of the states, and Theodore Roosevelt for the 20th century role of the United States in world affairs. The carving of Mt. Rushmore actually began on August 10, 1927, and spanned a length of 14 years. Only about six and a half years were spent actually carving the mountain, with the rest of the time being spent on weather delays and Borglum's greatest enemy - the lack of funding. The total cost of the project was $900,000. Work continued on the project until the death of Gutzon Borglum in 1941. No carving has been done on the mountain since that time and none is planned in the future.
The granite faces of four American presidents' is scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall! President Calvin Coolidge believed Mount Rushmore was "decidedly American in its conception, magnitude and meaning. It is altogether worthy of our country," Coolidge proclaimed at the dedication of the project in 1927.

The most spectacular program at Mount Rushmore is the evening lighting ceremony held in the new amphitheater, 9:00 PM sharp. A must see when you are touring the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

A $56 million redevelopment was completed in 1998 with the addition of a new parking structure, amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities. To complete your Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony. The National Park Service sponsors a special program Memorial Day through Labor Day. It consists of a 10-minute talk followed by a 20-minute film. The highlight of the evening is the slow exposure of light to the monument until it is fully illuminated. It's a good idea to go early and bring a jacket. Program times are as follows: 9:00-9:30 P.M. lighting ceremony, 9:30-10:30 P.M. illumination. For these traveling in the off season, the faces are illuminated nightly. There are few people who are not subdued by the moments as they gaze upon the beauty of Mt. Rushmore. Just as the monument challenged its creator, so should its splendor challenge its viewer.

Black Hills Lodging & Camping
After a day of activity, you can rest assured you’ll find comfortable and affordable lodging through BlackHillsVacations.com. Choose your level of comfort, ranging from campgrounds to cozy B&Bs, and we’ll reserve your stay. We have rooms listed in most area communities, so your experience has all the charm of the Black Hills of South Dakota with all the comforts of home.

Bed & Breakfasts
Find a homey feel – and home-cooked meal - at a Black Hills B&B. From restored Victorians to beautiful new log homes, the Black Hills area Bed & Breakfasts offer a wide range of amenities and plenty of character.

Emerald Pines B&B
A beautiful new log home with jacuzzi tub in the rooms. A place where you can truly relax, enjoy the fresh air and wildlife. We offer a very secluded atmosphere.

Black Hills Hideaway B&B
Located on 67 acres in the heart of the Black Hills, just off hwy 385 seven miles south of Deadwood, 1 mile off Hwy 385. The Black Hill Hideaway is a traditional B&B in a peaceful setting,

Strawberry B&B
A unique deck connects four spacious cabins nestled in the pines and eight beautiful acres on top of Strawberry Hill 3 Miles South of Deadwood on Highway 385.

Cabins
Black Hills cabins are a great option for visitors seeking relaxation and seclusion. Cabin options range from one-room rustic to larger and lakefront (great for family stays!).

Crooked Creek Resort
This quiet clean Resort is the perfect location for your family vacation. Affordable, fun and only minutes to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the 1880 Train.

Berry Patch Cabin
A rustic two bedroom cabin with queen beds, private bath and deck, living area with a single sleeper sofa, and kitchen.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Spearfish Canyon Lodge is a luxury lodge that reflects the beauty and serenity of its surroundings. Located in Spearfish Canyon, this lodge offers year- round sport and nature activities or an escape

Hotels / Motels
From economical family lodging to luxurious lodges, the Black Hills of South Dakota has the hotels and motels to fit any traveler’s amenities checklist.
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Spearfish Canyon Lodge is a luxury lodge that reflects the beauty and serenity of its surroundings. Located in Spearfish Canyon, this lodge offers year- round sport and nature activities or an escape

Best Western Golden Spike Inn
The Best Western Golden Spike Inn, Hill City, is located in the "Heart" of the Black Hills National Forest and is only minutes to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park

Rodeway Inn and Suites-Spearfish
The Rodeway Inn and Suites, located at exit 14 on I-90, is your headquarters for every season and reason. Offering a continental breakfast, indoor pool and indoor hot tub.

Camping & Campgrounds /RV Parks
Rated as some of the cleanest, best-developed camping territory in the country, the Black Hills of South Dakota offers hundreds of campsites in a variety of settings. State-of-the-art RV campgrounds are perfect for a luxury stay, while basic and beautiful streamside spots are perfect for tent campers wanting to experience the Black Hills of South Dakota outdoor living at its best.

Crooked Creek Resort
This quiet clean Resort is the perfect location for your family vacation. Affordable, fun and only minutes to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the 1880 Train.

Flintstones Bedrock Campground
30 Acre campground with 125 sites, 52 pull through hookups, 23 electric, 50 tent sites and camping cabins. Outdoor heated pool, free mini golf, basketball, volleyball, playground

Hill City Mount Rushmore KOA
Every amenity in the heart of the Black Hills Forest between Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Horses, two pools and spas, movies, hay rides, nightly entertainment, children's activities

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is America’s premier motorcycle event. Hundreds of thousands of classic and modern bike owners cruise into Sturgis every August for a ride they’ll never forget.
Hotels and housing rentals are available for lodging, but many attendees also camp.

The Trails Side
Centrally located in Hill City (Heart of the Hills) on the Mickelson Trail and Newton Creek. Walking distance to galleries, restaurants, pubs, unique shopping and so much more that Hill City

Baxter/Pratt Home
Three Bedroom, 2 bathroom home with 3 car garage, deck, patio, grill, view of the Black Hills. Only about 15 minutes from Sturgis, 20 minutes from Deadwood, and 5 minutes to Spearfish Canyon.

Tribby Home
Lovely brick and steel siding home on a hill on the North end junction in Sturgis. Only two blocks from Lazelle Street and three blocks from Main Street.

Vacation Homes
Black Hills Vacations can help you book the perfect vacation home, even for larger groups and longer stays. Choose from a collection of some of the most beautiful and luxurious vacation homes in the Black Hills of South Dakota for your home away from home.

Sunny Knoll Cabin
Two (2) bedroom log cabin has an all new living room with stone fireplace and fully furnished kitchen. Bathroom has a claw foot tub/shower combination

Deadwood Main Street Inn
Deadwood Main Street Inn is located in the Historical Main Street district of beautiful Deadwood, SD just a quiet 5 minute walk from its famous gaming complexes, museums, and shopping.

Madsen Log Vacation Home Rental
A minimum 3 Night Stay is required. Fully furnished, three level log home with fully equipped kitchen. Easy access to the Mickelson Trail for snowmobiling, x-country skiing and bike riding;

Ohio - Lake Erie Islands

2009-06-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Ohio - Lake Erie Islands
Take a car ferry out to one of these resort islands in the lake and leave your cares behind

Current Land Conditions
All the fun of a genuine shore vacation is closer than you think. Nearly seven million people visit the Lake Erie Shores & Islands each year, solidifyng its position as one of the most appealing vacation destinations in the Midwest. From Top-Thrill coasters to unspoiled natural coastlines, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers year-round fun and relaxation for the whole family.

With a mainland area that spans from Vermilion, Ohio to Genoa, Ohio and inland, plus Kelleys, Middle Bass and South Bass islands, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands boasts more than 150 miles of freshwater coastline and some of the greatest attractions around: Cedar Point amusement park offers more rides and roller coasters than any other park on the planet, and has been voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" for ten years in a row by Amusement Today readers. Besides exhilarating rides, Cedar Point provides quality family entertainment including live shows, PEANUTSTM characters on ice, an Extreme Biking show and numerous games of skill. Often overlooked though, is Cedar Point's differentiating feature of being located on a peninsula surrounded by beautiful Lake Erie. From the incredible coastal scenery at 420 feet in the sky to the pristine sandy beach, Lake Erie truly does offer MORE to Cedar Point's guests. Read more about Cedar Point.

Islands have always been an appealing escape, and Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands are no exception. Middle Bass Island has a tranquil atmosphere and refreshing natural landscape that lures visitors to its shore for carefree, relaxing getaways; conversely, South Bass Island, often referred to by its village name Put-in-Bay, offers unparalleled adventure around every corner. Kelleys Island, the largest of the three, offers a combination of the exquisite natural beauty with a milder blend of adventure and attractions. Explore more about the Lake Erie Islands.

Waterpark Capital of Ohio? Absolutely! Not counting Lake Erie - the area’s largest natural water park - the Lake Erie Shores & Islands boasts four indoor and two outdoor water play lands. Great Wolf Lodge, Castaway Bay, Kalahari and Rain all combine lodging, entertainment and aquatic fun under one roof and attract visitors year-round with 80º temperatures. The indoor waterparks offer more detail.

Known as “the Walleye Capital of the World” this region also brings in anglers seeking yellow perch, smallmouth bass, steelhead trout and many other species. Fishing is productive year-round and can be enjoyed from a variety of shoreline locations or through charter captains or walk-on head boats that make the experience easily available for all ages and levels of experience.

Tens of thousands of anglers head here each year to take home impressive catches. In fact, more fishing licenses are sold here than any other place in Ohio! Create your own fish story in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands.

History and educational opportunities for enrichment are plentiful, and the variety of experiences is dizzying! Only a few miles separate a 135 year-old Chautauqua community, the birthplace of Thomas Edison, a former U.S. President’s home and various museums, animal adventures, historic sites, cultural entertainment and underground caves. The list of things to see and do goes on and on.

Plan your getaway to the beautiful Lake Erie Shores & Islands today!

WHERE TO STAY LODGING
The Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers numerous lodging options with various levels of amenities. A complete and comprehensive list can be viewed in entirety on the lodging chart pages under Where to Stay; however, by using this convenient Lodging Search option, you can narrow your options based on your preferred amenities. If you find that your search has not yielded enough options for you, please return to the search fields and re-define your search by minimizing your amenity choices or go directly to the lodging charts under Where to Stay. We look forward to your visit.

Niagara Guest House
681 Langram Rd.
419.285.7447
King or queen beds, porch, patio, couples only, close to area attractions and free pools, 18 yr. minimum, wireless internet

Maple Cottage Inn
571 Catawba Ave.
419.285.4144
Close to downtown, quiet, clean, cozy, cable TV, Victorian décor

Harbour Town Guesthouse B&B
5725 Liberty Ave. (US 6)
440.935.2113
Casually luxurious, West Indies inspired decor, exotic furnishing, beach nearby, pets permitted

Longhouse B&B
1589 Put-in-Bay Rd.
419.285.5664
Quiet, wooded setting, queen beds, TV

Jeanne’s B&B
745 Langram Rd.
419.285.8353
Located within walking distance to town, cable TV, “home-town friendly,” queen beds, golf cart rental on-site

WHERE TO STAY HOTELS & MOTELS
Comfort Inn
1723 E. Perry St. (SR 163)
419.732.2929
800.228.5150
Shuttle to Jet Express dock, in-room microwave and refrigerator available

Bayshore Resort
328 Toledo Ave.
419.285.3931
866.422.9746
2 minute walk to downtown, balconies, heated pools, spa, tiki bar, golf cart rentals, in-room microwave and refrigerator, wireless internet

Motel Plaza
4645 Liberty Ave. (US 6)
440.967.3191
800.676.3191
Microwave and refrigerator available

River's Edge Inn
132 N. Main St.
419.433.8000
In-room microwave and refrigerator available

Best Western
351 Milan Ave. (US 250)
419.663.3501
866.274.7786
Meeting room, minutes to Summit Racing Equipment and Motorsports Park, in-room microwave and refrigerator*, wireless internet

WHERE TO STAY VACATION RENTALS
Aunt Jane's II
426 Loraine Avenue
216.898.1105
Large five bedroom home, two full baths, complete kitchen, gas grill, access to pools.

Little Teds Cottages
8390 North Shore Blvd., PO Box 163
419.520.5266
Our cottages are on the shore of Lake Erie in the heart of Vacationland, close to everything including the Islands and Cedar Point. Fully furnished with A/C. Just steps away from our pool and marina.

South Beach Resort Cottages
8620 E. Bayshore Rd.
419.798.5503
18—2, 3 and 4-bedroom cottages, 3 pools, tennis, arcade, sand volleyball, restaurant, marina, whirlpool, Wi-Fi, spa, ADA handicap accessible

Middle Bass Rentals
1810 Fox Rd.
440.823.2990
20 units, daily rentals, open year-round

Blue Sky Rentals
P.O. Box 251
440.552.7112
Lakefront, luxury and island club resort homes on Put-in-Bay; lakefront condos on Middle Bass Island, internet access

WHAT TO DO ACTIVITIES ATTRACTIONS
African Safari Wildlife Park
267 Lightner Rd. (SR 163), Port Clinton
419.732.3606 or 800.521.2660
africansafariwildlifepark.com
This drive-thru safari has exotic animals, camel and pony rides, entertaining and educational animal shows, pig races, a gift shop, picnic facilities, a snack bar and café and grill. Mar 20-May 22, daily 10am-5pm; May 23-Sept 7, daily 9am-7pm; Sept 8-Nov 1, daily 10am-5pm.

Bay Area Bike Rentals
Shoreline Park, Sandusky
419.504.2797 or 419.626.1048
doublesind.org
Tour downtown Sandusky’s waterfront and historic sites via bicycle. Take a suggested scenic tour, grab a picnic lunch and eat in a beautiful park. This is a great family activity and an excellent addition to your vacation. Stay an extra day and tour the beautiful bay waterfront. Affordable, safe, fun. Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily; weekends only in Sept.

The Berlin Fruit Box Company
Samuel Patterson® Baskets
51 Mechanic St. (off SR 61) Berlin Heights
419.588.2081 or 888.905.1858
samuelpattersonbaskets.com
Join us during our 151st Anniversary! Sixth generation family company makes home baskets from Maple, Cherry, Walnut and (new in 2009) Buckeye, plus farm baskets. Production on site includes log veneering. Open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm; gift shop Sat 9am-1pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day.

Castaway Bay
2001 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky
419.627.2500
castawaybay.com
With its tropical theme, guests feel like they have landed on an island paradise. Castaway Bay features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units, an indoor waterpark loaded with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fitness center, state-of-the-art arcade, restaurants, retail shops, adjacent marina and space for meetings, group events and birthday parties. The 38,000-sqaure-foot indoor waterpark features Rendezvous Run water coaster; a 100,000-gallon wave pool; three 35-foot-tall body slides, Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse, Toddler’s Tide Pool and an 80,000-gallon activity pool.

Cedar Downs/Cedar Lanes
at Quality Inn & Suites
1935 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky
419.626.6761 or 800.654.3364
qualityinn.com
Ohio’s first and only off-track gaming and entertainment establishment where you can bet on live horse races from tracks around the country. A state-of-the-art, 32-lane bowling center features automatic scoring, glitter glow bowling and bumper bowling. Food, cocktails, billiards, golf simulator and arcade games available. Off-track gaming daily, 12pm-12am; bowling daily, 4pm-12am.

Dakota - Devil's Lake

2009-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Dakota - Devil's Lake
The state's largest natural lake has unlimited summer recreation possibilities, and there's even a casino nearby for fun after dark.

Devils Lake, ND has some of the absolute greatest duck and goose hunting in the world. This area in North Dakota is also well known for its white-tail deer hunting in the fall. But most of all, Devils Lake is known for its fantastic fishing. Try out Devils Lake in the summer for some great walleye and pike fishing. Or better yet, brave the cold and have the time of your life catching those famous Devils Lake Jumbo Perch and whopping walleye while out ice fishing. If you haven't tried Devils Lake yet, you are missing out on some awesome fishing and hunting fun! Try Devils Lake North Dakota for your next sportsman's trip.

Outdoor Activities

Lake Region Birding Trail
Wetlands, Woodlands, and Prairies
Welcome to the Devils Lake Basin with its wealth of wildlife species and public lands. This area is part of the Prairie Pothole Region madeBirding at Sullys Hill up of valuable complexes of wetlands interspersed with important grassland habitats. Adding to the uniqueness of the basin are tracts of hardwood deciduous forests that are an anomaly on the prairie. This mixture of wetlands and lakes along with grasslands and woodlands contribute to the species richness of birds in the region. These habitat resources are not only valuable to wildlife but also perform important functions for the human environment in terms of water quality improvements, minimizing erosion, flood water management, carbon sequestrations, ground water recharge, recreation, tourism, and education. Many of the wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and associated wildlife are harbored in the area's public lands. The Basin's public lands are comprised of the National Wildlife Refuge System, ND State Parks, ND Game and Fish lands, and County Recreation areas. This panel will provide you an introduction to public areas which await you with their wide array of bird life.Fawns west of Devils LakeImportant public lands to visit in the Devils Lake Basin consist of Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge, and the Nikolaisen, Wengeler, Martinson, and Hofstrand Waterfowl Production areas. These are all part of the Sully's Hill National Wildlife Game Preserve. ND State Parks in the area include Graham's Island State Park. And if you travel to Stump Lake you can enjoy the Old Settlers Park, Black Swan Game Management Area, and Stump Lake National Wildlife Refuge.We hope you enjoy the diversity of habitats in the Region, the richness of our area's bird life, and the hospitality of the Devils Lake Region. Send us an email at chamber@gondtc.com and we will send you a map with more detailed information on each of the areas.
Also, visit the Sullys Hill Birding and Nature Festival website to learn more about the annual regional event.

Wildlife Viewing

Sully's Hill National Game Preserve
(701) 766-4272
Sullys Hill National Game PreserveWildlife Viewing has an auto tour and nature trail. The 4 mile interpreted auto tour is usually open from May through October. Gates are open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM throughout the summer. There is a 1 mile self-guided nature trail that takes visitors along a wooded stream and through the wooded terrain of the preserve where you might see white tailed deer, wood ducks and warblers.

Sullys Hill is located south of Devils Lake, ND. Named after General Alfred Sully who led an expedition to the south shore of Devils Lake in 1865. It is one of the nation's 500 National Wildlife Refuges. It was originally set aside in 1904 by President Theodore Roosevelt, as a big game preserve, to help save two of North America's most majestic species: bison and elk.

By the time Sullys Hill became a big game preserve in 1914, American bison were considered an endangered species. They had disappeared from North Dakota by 1884. BuffaloIn 1895, only 20 wild bison remained in the United States and 250 were left in Canada. By 1900, Elk were gone from much of their native range, including North Dakota. Protective laws, the establishment of refuges, and propagation of private herds helped save the species. Bison are now numbering approximately 75,000 in North America. The Bison is now out of danger.

For the Elk, habitat protection and regulated hunting have helped elk numbers recover. Currently, Sullys Hill is managed as a refuge and breeding ground for birds and other wildlife as well as a big game preserve. Sullys Hill has also been developed into a Regional Conservation Learning Center and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Some of the wildlife that can be seen at Sullys Hill includes: Bison, Elk, White-tailed deer, prairie dogs, waterfowl, foxes, raccoons, skunks, weasels, mink, gray and fox squirrels, muskrats, rabbits, woodchucks, many species of songbirds, shorebirds, bald and golden eagles.

Recreation in the Devils Lake North Dakota Area
evils Lake, North Dakota City Parks
Ruger Park - 5th Avenue and 12th Street North, Devils Lake. This park provides playground equipment, four softball fields, swimming pool with slide, restroom facilities, concession stand, flower beds, wildlife habitat, sand volley courts, activities building, two outdoor shelters, picnic tables, skating rink with boards, two outdoor basketball courts and a walking path.
Mike Dosch Memorial Swimming Pool--Ruger Park--The pool complex includes a heated main pool, water slide and intermediate pool for young children. The bathhouse is completely enclosed and heated. The pool is located next to the playground at Ruger Park and close to the softball/baseball complex. They will be providing a full range of swimming lessons and other activities throughout the summer. There is also time set aside for family swimming, lap swimming, aerobic/adult swimming and other activities. The pool is available for rental and special activities. Please listen to the radio or call the pool to verify daily scheduling. Please contact the Recreation Office for further information at 701-662-8243 or 701-662-8976.

Roosevelt Park - 4th Street SW, Devils Lake. This park provides an indoor shelter and two outdoor shelters, picnic tables, grills, five softball diamonds (one lighted), concession stand, new restroom facilities, playground equipment, three horseshoe courts, baseball field (lighted), two sand volleyball courts, flower beds, miniature golf course, and the Bill Jerome indoor sports arena.

A miniature golf course is operated on the park's edge. Roughrider Mini Golf is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours are Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and weekends from 12:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The enclosed picnic shelters at Roosevelt and Ruger Parks may be reserved through the Recreation Office in the Burdick Arena.

Picnic kit rentals includes: horseshoes, softball bat, ball, volleyball and net.

**Picnic Shelters and Picnic Kits are reserved on a first-come first served basis.

For more information contact the Devils Lake Park Board (701) 662-8243

Odd Fellows Park - 14th Avenue & 6th Street, Devils Lake. This park provides wildlife habitat, open space, and a sledding hill during the winter months.
Lakewood Park - Located in the Lakewood Subdivision Area. This park provides playground, restroom facilities, one ball field, picnic tables, picnic shelters and grills. A boat ramp and dock are also located close by. A bike path connects Lakewood Park to the city of Devils Lake.
Rotary Club Tennis Complex - 14th Avenue and 3rd Street, Devils Lake. This complex includes three lighted tennis courts with a windscreen around the complex and a backboard for practice.
RacingDevils Lake Racing
Devils Lake Speedway - Located 15 miles East of Devils Lake on US Highway 2.

Nebraska - Scotts Bluff National Monument

2009-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Nebraska - Scotts Bluff National Monument
Stunning scenery and plenty of interesting exhibits about the history of the settlers and the Oregon Trail that passed right by

Scotts Bluff National Monument - In 1828, a fur trapper by the name of Hiram Scott was wounded and deserted by his companions. He gained a certain immortality by making his way to a magnificent formation of bluffs along the North Platte River before succumbing to his wounds. It was for Hiram Scott that Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scotts Bluff County, and the city of Scottsbluff have been named. This landmark on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails is now home to an excellent museum of the trails along with an impressive collection of art from William Henry Jackson.

Did You Know...
- The Summit Road in Scotts Bluff National Monument is believed to be the oldest existing concrete road in the State of Nebraska. The road allows visitors to drive to the top of the Bluff through 3 tunnels for a spectacular view of the valley.
- William Henry Jackson was an early photographer of the American West, as well as an accomplished artist. He traveled the Oregon-California Trail in 1866 and 1867, and later in life painted a series of watercolors based on his experiences. Scotts Bluff National Monument houses 63 of Jackson's historic paintings and many are on display in the monument's museum.
- Scotts Bluff National Monument was designated on December 12, 1919
- The 1.6 mile Saddle Rock Trail leads hikers from the visitor center to the summit, and the .5 mile Oregon Trail Pathway leads from the visitor center to the remnants of the Oregon Trail.

Lodging Hotels
Cavalier Motel
3655 N 10th Street Gering, NE 69341
39Units, Airport Shuttle, Cable TV, Lounge nearby, Non-smoking rooms, Outdoor Pool, Restaurant nearby, Truck Parking, Credit Cards Accepted, Internet.
Phone: (308) 635-3176
Fax: (308) 635-2349

Circle S Lodge
400 "M" St. Gering 69341
28 Units Cable TV, Lounge (nearby), Pets Allowed, Truck Parking, Credit Cards, Laundry Facilities (Near).
Phone: (308) 436-2157

Monument Inn and Suites
1130 "M" St .Gering, NE 69341
61 Units: Airport Shuttle, Continental Breakfast, Cable TV, Fitness Center, Handicapped accessible, Lounge nearby, Non-smoking rooms, Restaurant nearby, Credit cards accepted, Laundry facilities nearby, Internet.
Res.: 1-866-436-1950
Phone: (308) 436-1950
Fax: (308) 436-1951

Minatare Motel
300294 Hwy 26 E
16 Unites Cable TV, Lounge nearby, Non-smoking rooms, Outdoor Pool, Restaurant nearby, Truck Parking, Credit Cards Accepted.
Phone: (308) 783-1222

Oak Tree Inn
80700 Highway 26 Morrill, NE 69358
97 Units: Cable TV, Handicapped accessible, Pets allowed, Restaurant nearby, Truck parking, Whirlpool, Credit cards accepted, Laundry facilities.
Internet Res.: 1-888-897-9647
Phone: (308) 247-2111
Fax: (308) 247-2777

Candlelight Inn
1822 East 20th Scottsbluff, NE 69361
56 Units: Airport Shuttle, Cable TV, Continental Breakfast, Fitness Center, Handicap Accessible, Lounge, Meeting Rooms, Non-smoking rooms, Outdoor Pool, Restaurant next door, Truck Parking, Credit Cards Accepted, Internet.
Res.:1-800-424-2305
Phone: (308) 635-3751
Fax: (308) 635-1105

Capri Motel
2424 Ave. I Scottsbluff, NE 69361
30 Units: Airport Shuttle, Cable TV, Continental Breakfast, Handicap Accessible, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed, Restaurant nearby, Truck Parking, Credit Cards Accepted, Laundry facilities, Internet.
Res.: 1-800-642-2774
Phone: (308) 635-2057
Fax: (308) 635-1990

Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff Conference Center
301 West Highway 26 Scottsbluff, NE 69361
81 Units: Airport shuttle, Cable TV, Continental Breakfast, Convenience store, Handicapped Accessible, Indoor pool, Laundry facilities, Meeting rooms, pay per view movies, Whirlpool, Credit cards accepte, Internet.
Phone: (308) 635-5200
fax: (308) 635-5110
E-mail: BFFNE_Hampton_Suites@hilton.com

Holiday Inn Express
1821 Frontage Road Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1203
70 Units: Completely renovated Hotel in 2008; complimentary hot breakfast; free Wifi; indoor pool and fitness facility; Monday through Thursday Manager's Reception; airport shuttle; guest laundry; executive and family suites; warm and welcoming staff; completely non-smoking facility; 37"flat panel TV's; Lobby shop
Res.: 1-800-465-4329
Phone: (308) 632-1000
Fax: (308) 632-8777
E-mail: hiexpressscottsbluff@yahoo.com

Lamplighter Motel
606 East 27th Street Scottsbluff, NE 69361
39 Units: Continental Breakfast, Cable TV, Indoor Pool, Lounge nearby, Pets allowed, Restaurant nearby, Credit cards accepted, Internet.
Res.: 1-800-341-8000
Phone: (308) 632-7108
Fax: (308) 632-7848

Scottsbluff Comfort Inn
2018 Delta Drive Scottsbluff, NE 69341
46 Units: Cable TV, Continental Breakfast, Handicap Accessible, Indoor pool, Lounge nearby, Meeting Rooms, Non-smoking rooms, Restaurant nearby, Truck Parking, Whirlpool, Credit Cards Accepted, Laundry facilities, Internet.
Phone: (308) 632-7510
Fax: (308) 632-8495

Scottsbluff Days Inn
1901 21st Ave. Scottsbluff, NE 69361
138 Units: Airport Shuttle, Cable TV, Handicapped accessible, Indoor Pool, Lounge, Meeting rooms, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed, Restaurant on premises, Truck parking, Whirlpool, Credit cards accepted, Laundry facilities, Internet
Res. 1-800-597-3111
Phone: (308) 635-3111
Fax: (308) 635-7646
E-mail: lanelon@wyngh.com

Super 8 Motel
2202 Delta Drive Scottsbluff, NE 69361
55 Units: Continental Breakfast, Cable TV, Handicapped accessible, Indoor Pool, Lounge nearby, Non-smoking rooms, Restaurant nearby, Truck parking, Whirlpool, Credit cards accepted, Laundry facilities, Internet
Res.: 1-800-800-8000
Phone: (308) 635-1600
Fax: (308) 635-2483

Sportsman Inn
80349 County Road 19
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
29 Units: Cable TV, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed, Truck parking, Cold weather hookups, Credit cards, Laundry facilities, Internet
Phone: (308)632-6012
Fax: (308)632-3641
E-mail: sportsmaninn@charterinternet.com

Trails West YMCA Camp
1918 South Beltline Hwy. West
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Will seat up to 130 people.
Full kitchen with range. microwave, refrigerator and ice maker.
Heated and air conditioned.
Lodging available for your conference, meeting, or retreat
Phone: (308) 632-5705
E-mail: TrailsWestCamp@hotmail.com

Lodging Camping
Harry's Campground
300208 Hwy 26 Minatare, NE 69356
Phone: (308) 783-2222

Highway 26 Campgrounds
180037 KOA Drive Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone: (308) 635-3760

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
Minatare, NE 69356
Phone: (308) 783-2911

Riverside Park and Zoo
1600 S. Beltline W. Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone Summer: (308) 632-6342,
Phone Winter: (308) 630-6238

Robidoux R.V. Park
Five Rocks Road, South Gering, NE 69341
Phone: (308) 436-2046

Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds
Mitchell, NE 69357
Phone: (308) 623-1828

Sportsman Inn
3 miles west of Scottsbluff on Highway 26
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone: (308)632-6012

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area
10 miles south of Gering on NE 71
Phone: (308) 436-3777

Lodging Bed & Breakfast
Barn Anew
170549 CR L, Mitchell, Nebraska 69357
4 Units - Renovated 90 year old barn - Private Baths - Gracious country formal setting - Located in the shadow of Scotts Bluff National Monument
Phone: 308-632-8647

Hanlon House
The Hanlon House Bed & Breakfast 1920 1st Avenue in Scottsbluff. Breakfast cuisine from all over the world, Fine Arts Showcase, a Monthly Soiree showcasing local talent, a Monthly English Tea Party, a Monthly Readers' Theater, and a Monthly Healing Circle.
Please call Suella at 308.220.4161 for more information.

North Platte Outpost, Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters
320075 Ankony Parkway Hwy. 26, PO Box 367, Minatare, NE 69356
2 ½ miles east of Minatare, NE, on the south side of Hwy 26—Hunting lodge atmosphere—Four rooms can sleep twelve people—North Platte Suite with private bath also available—Hot breakfast included, lunch and dinner available at additional charge—River Room, Great Room, sauna, massage services, big screen TVs, pool table, poker tables, darts, ping-pong table, free wireless internet, stage, horse boarding—Also open for dining, reservations only, the second and fourth Tuesdays and Fridays of the month from May-September, with Tuesdays featuring a themed dinner and Friday’s featuring Nebraska’s finest prime rib and seafood dinners—Banquet facility can hold up to 250 people with outstanding culinary opportunities.
Phone: (308) 783-5739 or E-mail: outpost@cheyenneridge.com

Restaurant
Gering

China House Restaurant - 1516 10th Street - 436.5669
Country Kitchen - 3485 N. 10th Street - 635.3800
Daily Grind Coffee House 1945 10th St. 436-9191
Feed Bunk, The - 815 Morrison Road - 436.9342
Finish Line Cafe - 2925 N. 10th Street - 635.3384
Gabe's Barbque - 1830 10th Street - 436.7400
Gaslight Restaurant and Lounge - 3315 N. 10th Street - 632.7315
Gering Bakery - 1446 10th Street - 436.5500
Gilli's Fill'n Station - 2800 N. 10th Street - 632.2100
Log Cabin Restaurant & Lounge - 1205 "M" Street - 436.4786
McDonald's - 1855 10th Street - 436.7407
Mulligan's - 2550 Club House Dr. (Gering Golf Course) - 635.6868
Other Place Bagel Shop - 1440 10th Street - 436.5087
Pizza Hut - 1675 10th Street - 436.2151
Pond Bar & Grill, The - 3745 N. 10th Street - 635.6848
Runza Restaurant - 1250 13th Street - 436.7869
Sandy's Burritos - 2925 N. 10th Street - 635.2750
Subway - 1635 10th Street - 436.2221
Taco John's - 3650 N. 10th Street - 632.3100
Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers - 3580 10th Street - 632.4118

Lyman

Bootlegger's Lounge 203 Jeffers Ave 787-1743
Five Star Ranch (Country Event Center) 40552 CR 4 787-9979

McGrew

Melbeta Ruth's Cafe 2nd and Main 783-1133
Pink Palace Bar & Grill, The - 314 Main 783-1055

Minatare

Harry's Chef At Minatare Restaurant - 300264 E. Hwy 26 - 783.1611
Fairview Cafe & Store - 280700 Highland Road - 783.5000
Platte Canyon Bar & Grill - 280908 Lake Minatare Rd. - 783.1600

Mitchell

2B's Drive In - 2168 Broadway - 623.2500
Ayala's Coffee Shop 1239 Center Ave 623-1181
Dad's Bar and Lounge - 1220 16th Ave. - 623.1254
Company Bar and Grill 1232 Center Ave 623-1209
Country Green Bar and Grill 20548 Hwy 29 623-1231
Feed Barn Restaurant - 1362 Center Avenue - 623.2300
La Joya Mexican Restaurant - 1239 Center Ave - 623.2007
Stop and Go Pizza 1333 Center Ave 623-1411
Subway - 1300 Broadway - 623.3068

Morrill

Morrill Café - Hwy 26 247.2626
Highway 26 Diner - 80700 Hwy 26 - 247.2111
La Pazadita - 113 Webster - 247.3473
Stockfeeder's Club Steak & Seafood - 204 Center Ave - 247.2205
Subway - 80860 Hwy 26 - 247.2775
Rustic Bar and Grill 122 Center Ave 247-2584

Scottsbluff

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill - 2621 5th Avenue - 635.7750
Arby's Roast Beef/ Pasta Connection - 601 W. 27th Street - 632.3300
Bluffs Bakery - 1520 Broadway - 633.6730
Carmen's Burritos - 224 SW Beltline Highway - 635.7197
China Buffet - 1508 E. 20th Street - 635.8534
Culvers Restaurant - 2915 Avenue B - 220.0045
Dairy King - 910 W. Overland
Dairy Queen - 714 W. 27th Street - 632.3663
Domino's Pizza - 706 W. 27th Street - 635.0330
El Charrito - 802 21st Ave - 632.3534
El Mexicano - 510 E. Ninth Street - 635.0228
El Molcajete - 1013 E. Overland - 632.7301
Emporium Coffeehouse & Restaurant, The - 1818 1st Ave. - 632.6222
Godfather's Pizza - 2207 Broadway - 632.3644
Hacienda Los Garcia's - 511 W. 27th Street - 635.0400
Hight's Tavern - 20 W. 18th - 632.6555
Imperial Garden Express - 2302 Frontage Road (Monument Mall) - 635.8088
Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Long John Silvers - 828 W. 27th St. - 632.3221
La Plaza - 822 SW Beltline Hwy - 630.0150
McDonald's - 511 W. 27th Street - 632.6511
McDonald's - 3322 Avenue I (inside Wal-Mart) - 630.7904
Mi Paisano Mexican Italian Grill - 608 E. 27th Street - 632.7400
Ole's Mexican Restaurant - 1901 E. 20th Street - 632.1766
Oriental House - 1502 E. 20th Street - 632.3922
Papa John's Pizza - 806 ½ E. 27th Street - 635.7474
Papa Murphy's Pizza - 2801 Avenue B, Suite 5 - 635.7755
Perkins Restaurant - 303 W. Hwy 26 - 635.2035
Pizza Hut - 726 W. 27th Street - 632.3700
Platte Valley Creamery - 1005 E. Overland - 632.4225
Prime Cut Meat Market and Restaurant - 305 W. 27th Street - 632.5353
Pretzel Baker - 2302 Frontage Rd. (Monument Mall) - 632.2253
Quizno's Classic Subs - 2801 Avenue B - 635.0300
Rosita's Mexican Restaurant - 1205 E. Overland - 632.2429
Rosita's Mexican Restaurant - 710 W. 27th Street - 632.5522
Runza Restaurant - 1823 Broadway - 632.6771
Scotty's Drive-In - 618 E. 27th Street - 635.3314
Shari's Restaurant - 1408 Circle Drive - 635.3464
Skyport Restaurant and Lounge - 250023 Airport Terminal - 632.3673
Sonic America's Drive-In - 3106 Avenue I - 635.7541
Submarine Sandwich Shop, The Original - 1722 E 20th - 635.2621
Subway - 814 W. 27th 632-3005
Sugar Club Steak House and Lounge - 705 East Overland - 632.7383
Taco Bell - 502 W. 27th Street - 632.8220
Taco De Oro - 2601 Avenue I - 632.8322
Taco Town - 1007 W. 27th Street - 635.3776
Taqueria el Cometa - 1815 Avenue A - 635.1155
Whiskey Creek Steakhouse - 1802 E. 20th Place - 632.4900
Whistle Stop Cafe - 1900 S. Beltline Hwy West - 220.3556
Wonderful House Restaurant - Ave I and Hwy 26 - 632.1668
Woodshed Restaurant - 18 E. 16th Street - 635.3684

Missouri - Branson

2009-05-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

Missouri Branson
Entertainment galore for most people, but also with loads of irony for hipsters

We're going on a tour of our unique area, so come on, let's get started.

Would you like to take in a show while you're in our area? Branson has something for everyone. Magicians for the family, rock 'n' roll, country, family harmonies, comedy, variety, dinner shows, gospel, and well-known performers that play limited engagements. You may not have known that Branson has more theater seats than Broadway.

We have some wonderful museums and attractions. You can take your family to play miniature golf, enjoy go-carts, water parks, and history museums. You can see the Titanic and even stop at the famous College of the Ozarks.

And of course you need a place to stay, whether it be camping or in one of our wonderful lodging facilities. We have cabins, bed and breakfasts, motels, 5-star hotels, lodging with a convention center, condos, and camping. You can relax on a piece of property snuggled in our beautiful Ozarks, and you can choose the price that will fit your family budget.

One of the many reasons to come to Branson is our shopping. It is so much fun! We have those unique areas that have all the Ozark-flavor shops, and of course we have outlets for those that are always looking for bargains. Our historic downtown shopping is delightful, and we have even added a new shopping area, Branson Landing, on the water front. There are many nooks and crannies around town where you'll find an unexpected treasure, so keep your eyes open for that one unique item you want to take home.

We cannot fail to mention our golfing. Many do not know of the quality of golf courses that are here in Branson. There are golf pros to help perfect your swing, par-3 courses to 18-hole championship courses, and some of the best pro shops in the Midwest.

Our three lakes are breath-taking and the fishing is for the whole family. We have bass, trout, catfish, walleye, and places to rent a fishing boat, ski boat, or a house boat on which you can watch the sunset at the end of the day.

One thing is for certain, we have FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!! Buffets, fast food, slow food, family restaurants, steaks, fish, food with music, outside restaurants, waterfront restaurants, gourmet restaurants with linen napkins with delicate wines and beautifully arranged food. It's a lot of fun to eat in Branson, even if you just want coffee or an ice cream cone for the kids.

When you think the night is over and you'd still like to do just one more thing... we have a nightlife that will please all. You can sit quietly while overlooking the water, or go dancing and see the celebrities, a comedy club, or a local pub.

Now why wouldn't you come to Branson? It's a family destination with something for everyone. There is not one area in the United States that can beat the hospitality and friendliness that is shown throughout the beautiful Ozarks.

Branson Hotels & Motels

* 1st Inn Branson
* All American Inn
* AmazInn & Suites
* Angel Inn
* Atrium Inn
* Barrington Inn
* Best Western Center Pointe
* Best Western Landing View
* Best Western Music Capital
* Box Car Willie II
* Branson Inn & Conference Center
* Branson Vacation Inn
* Branson's Best
* Carriage House Inn
* Cascades Inn
* Castle Rock Resort & Water Park
* Chateau on the Lake
* Clarion Inn
* Classic Motor Inn
* Cobble Stone Inn
* Comfort Inn Suites
* Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills
* Comfort Inn West
* Days Inn
* Dutton Inn
* Eagle's Lodge
* Econo Lodge
* Fairfield Inn
* Fall Creek Inn
* Foxborough Inn
* Gazebo Inn
* Grand Country Inn
* Grand Oaks Hotel
* Grand Plaza Hotel
* Green Gables Inn
* Green Mountain Inn
* Hall Of Fame Hotel
* Hampton Inn Branson Hills
* Hampton Inn West
* Hilton Convention Center
* Hilton Promenade
* Honeysuckle Inn
* Hotel Grand Victorian
* Howard Johnson
* JR's Motor Inn
* King's Quarters
* Landing View Inn
* LaQuinta Inn
* Landing View Inn
* LaQuinta Inn
* Lodge at the Falls
* Lynina Inn
* Melody Lane Inn
* Outback Roadhouse
* Ozark Mountain Inn
* Ozark Valley Inn
* Quality Inn 76
* Radisson Hotel
* Ramada Limited
* Red Bud Cove
* Red Roof Inn
* Residence Inn
* Rodeway Inn
* Rosebud Inn
* Savannah House
* Scenic Hills Inn
* Settle Inn
* Super 8 Green Mountain
* Victorian Palace
* Welcome Inn
* Welk Resort
* Whispering Hills

Attractions
John Daly's Murder Rock Golf & Country Club
Golf Club Drive Hollister, MO 65672
Murder Rock is an 18 hole semi-private golf course built in one of the most spectacular golf settings anywhere. Murder Rock is part of Branson Creek on the eastern edge of the property and will soon have a golf course bearing its name.

Branson Ball Knocker
3330 W Harvey Lane Branson, MO 65616
What is it? The Branson Ballknocker is a 12 Foot tall round clear ball with a 6 foot inner chamber where either one, two or three people may ride. There is a 3 Foot cushion of air in between the outer and inner chamber.

Silver Dollar City
399 Indian Point Road Branson, MO 65616
Silver Dollar City opens March 19 with Family Spring Break Days. From now through December, the Silver Dollar City website offers packages with and without lodging and other exclusive ticket options to assist you with planning and ticket purchasing.

Chopper Charter Branson
469 Blue Sky Lane Branson, MO 65672
Helicopter travel is possibly the worldâ€™s most versatile and enjoyable form of travel. With its panoramic views, helicopter travel offers a level of freedom, flexibility and excitement like no other!

Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex
3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway Branson, MO 65616
BIG SCREENS, BIG SHOPPING, BIG FOOD and BIG LIVE SHOWS! You can find it all at Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex. Open Year Around! Buy Tickets ONLINE! At our brand new website! www.bransonimax.com

The Track Family Fun Parks
5 Locations in Branson Branson, MO 65616
Total family entertainment in Branson with no gate admission charge. Enjoy go-karts, bumper boats/cars, mini golf, kidsâ€™ rides, arcades, and Missouriâ€™s only two multi-story wooden go-kart tracks, The LumberJack and Wild Woody!

Branson Titanic
3235 West 76 Country Boulevard Branson, MO 65616
Expect to see Titanic in a whole new light. Unlike traveling exhibits, Titanic Branson is a permanent two-story museum attraction shaped like Titanic herself. This astounding, signature building was built half-scale to the original.

Dino's 24 Karrot Cake Company & Cafe
12 Downing Street Hollister, MO 65672
Stop at our celebrated bakery (you might even see Dino!). Mouthwatering, beautifully decorated cakes (have a slice, buy a whole cake, or let us ship it home for you).
A must visit for your trip to Branson!

Minnesota - Itasca State Park

2009-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Minnesota Itasca State Park
No end of things to do in this scenic area, including seeing where the Mississippi River begins as just a stream

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park. Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Stand under towering pines at Preacher's Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota's seven National Natural Landmarks.

Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
Stand under towering pines at Preacher's Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota's seven National Natural Landmarks. Bring or rent bicycles and tour up to 17 miles of paved trail which including a mile long wooden bridge over a lowland and opportunities to visit the famous headwaters of the Mississippi and other park landmark. Refreshment breaks or meals at the Douglas lodge or new Mary Gibb Headwaters Restaurant and gift shop add to the enjoyment of the park.
Itasca Sport Rental facility offers bicycles, boat/motor, pontoons, canoes/kayaks for in park recreational enjoyment.

Naturalist programs are available at Itasca State Park year-round.

Wildlife
The diversity of vegetation in Itasca State Park supports many wildlife species. Birding is excellent and visitors are encouraged to help spot and record the bird life they see in the park. Some birds you can expect to see include loons, grebes, cormorants, herons, ducks, owls, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, kinglets, vireos, tanagers, finches, and warblers. Trails in the park are shared with deer, chipmunks, and squirrels. Beaver, porcupine, black bears, and wolves also reside in the park.

History
Some 8,000 years ago, Indian hunters pursued wild animals for food in the Itasca State Park region. These early people ambushed bison, deer, and moose at watering sites and killed them with stone-tipped spears. The Bison Kill site along Wilderness Drive in the park gives visitors more history about this period. A few thousand years later, a group of people of the Woodland Period arrived at Lake Itasca. They lived in larger, more permanent settlements and made a variety of stone, wood, and bone tools. Burial mounds from this era can be seen today at the Itasca Indian Cemetery. In 1832, Anishinabe guide Ozawindib, led explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to the source of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca. It was on this journey that Schoolcraft, with the help of an educated missionary companion, created the name Itasca from the Latin words for "truth" and "head" by linking adjoining syllables: verITAS CAput, meaning "true head." In the late 1800s, Jacob V. Brower, historian, anthropologist and land surveyor, came to the park region to settle the dispute of the actual location of the Mississippi Headwaters. Brower saw this region being quickly transformed by logging, and was determined to protect some of the pine forests for future generations. It was Brower's tireless efforts to save the remaining pine forest surrounding Lake Itasca that led the state legislature to establish Itasca as a Minnesota State Park on April 20, 1891, by a margin of only one vote. Through his conservation work and the continuing efforts of others throughout the decades, the splendor of Itasca had been maintained.

Geology
The landscape region in which the park is located was formed at the leading edge of repeating glacial advances. This northern pine moraine forms ranges of hills containing coarse, gravelly materials and boulders pock-marked with countless lakes, ponds and bogs. This terrain is sometimes referred to as "knob and kettle." The knobs are mounds of debris deposited directly by the ice near the glacier's edge or by melt-water streams flowing on or under the glacier surface. The kettles are depressions, usually filled with water, formed by stagnant ice masses buried or partially buried under glacial debris. The retreat of the ice left many lakes of varying size.

Landscape
At Itasca State Park, the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1891 to preserve remnant stands of virgin pine and to protect the basin around the Mississippi's source, this park has become a famous natural and cultural landmark in North America.

Recreation
Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox
Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe stand along the shore of Lake Bemidji near the Tourist Information Center. Built in 1937, Eastman Kodak recognized Paul & Babe as
the second most photographed icon in the nation.

Paul Bunyan Animal Land
Lions, tigers, bears, camels, leopards, kangaroos, cougars, bobcats, three species of deer, elk, llamas, donkeys,lemurs, monkeys, raccoons, fox, reptiles, exoctic birds, amazing bugs and various small mammals are just a few of the animals who make their home at Animal Land.
See them all at Paul Bunyan's Animal Land, Minnesota's largest wildlife park/petting zoo. Animal Land is home to nearly 100 animals representing every continent on earth
Indoor learning center, gift shop, picnic areas, playground and RV parking.
Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Birthday parties, group rates, traveling educational programs and more.
Located on Hwy 2 East between Bemidji and Cass Lake
Open: Memorial Day through Labor Day
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily
Contact: 218-759-1533

Putt-N-Go Amusement Park
3115 Hwy 71 N
It’s a bonanza of fun in one place with a giant waterslide (smooth riding fiberglass flume, heated pool water, curves, drops & tunnel), go-carts, miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, showers, changing rooms and special attractions for children. Open 7 days a week Mid-May to September. 11 AM - 10 PM
Contact: 218-751-7333 lmills@paulbunyan.net

Bemidji Bowl
16 lanes of air-conditioned bowling, videos, pool. Indoor Golf Simulator, Large Screen TV, Cocktail Lounge. Open 7 days a week, call for times.
2317 Bemidji Avenue N
Contact: 218-751-2153

Miniature Golf
Adventure Miniature Golf 218-751-2153
2317 Bemidji Avenue N
Putt -n- Go Amusement Park 218-751-7333
1915 Hannah Ave NW
Paul Bunyan Amusement Park
300 Bemidji Ave

Paintball
Smokin Gun - 218-759-7011
50936 279th Ave
Bemidji MN 56601
Devotion Paintball - 218-333-3630
M-F 12:00 - 6:00 pm SAT 10:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1706 Paul Bunyan Dr SW
Bemidji MN 56601
natechop@paulbunyan.net

HORSEBACK RIDING
Stein's Winding River Farm
14185 Teddy Rd NW
Shevlin MN 56676
218-732-2629

Victory Riding School
Solway MN 56678
218-759-9139

Rising Star Ranch
Hwy 71 E of Itasca State Park
218-732-1749 or 888-900-1749

Eagle Forest Acres
Trails & camping cabins - bring your own horse.
Blackduck MN
218-647-8978

Accommodations
AmericInn Motel & Suites
59 Air-conditioned motel rooms with queen or king-sized beds, some handicap accessible.
All non-smoking
Motel features 26 suites with microwave and refrigerator. 9 motel suites include in-room whirlpool. Facilities offer spacious lobby with fireplace. Near Paul Bunyan Mall.

Best Western Bemidji Inn
60 Air-conditioned hotel/motel rooms, two handicap accessible. All Non-Smoking. Hotel rooms with 2 double beds, hotel rooms with 1 double bed, rooms with 1 king bed and lounge chair w/ottoman.
Motel features 2 executive suites, one with microwave and refrigerator, the other a suite with a kitchenette.
Near Airport

Birchmont House
6 Bedrooms - up to 16 people.
Open year around.
West Shore Of Lake Bemidji.

Comfort Inn
61 Air-conditioned motel/hotel rooms with queen or king-sized beds, some handicap accessible rooms. All non-smoking.
Motel features 18 suites with microwave and refrigerator. Some motel suites include whirlpool spa. Hair dryers and PC hook-ups in all rooms. Outdoor sundeck patio.
Near Bemidji Airport.

Hampton Inn & Suites 2004 Property of Year Minnesota
100 Rooms
5 Whirlpool Suites
All Non-Smoking
South Shore of Lake Bemidji.
TOP

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Conference Center
70 Air-conditioned newly remodeled hotel rooms with king and queen-sized beds. 6 Jacuzzi Rooms feature a king-sized bed and in-room whirlpool. Handicap accessible rooms available.
All non-smoking.
The hotel facility has a spacious, yet cozy, lobby featuring a beautiful fireplace. It offers an
indoor pool area with hot tub, sauna and
fitness center.
Next to Paul Bunyan Mall.

Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge
28 Lakefront Cottages with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms. Lakefront motel rooms, suites, whirlpool suite.

Super 8
100 Air-conditioned motel rooms. All non-smoking rooms, water beds and handicap accessible motel rooms available.
Motel features two suites with microwave and refrigerator, one with a Fireplace and Jacuzzi.
Near Paul Bunyan Mall.

Taber's Historic Log Cabins
21 1, 2 & 3 bedroom Cabins Open May-October

Villa Calma Bed & Breakfast
Enjoy quiet ambiance of Old World Tuscany in one of 4 suites.
Built in 1910, located 200 feet from West Shore of Lake Bemidji on historic Lake Boulevard. Minutes from downtown or Bemidji State University

Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

2009-05-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
This park is a combination of stunning sand dunes, beaches, forests, and ancient glacial phenomena

A good five hours drive and a million miles or so from the Motor City lies another Michigan, one that time happily forgot - a peninsula of small hamlets (and one bona fide town) that ends in the hushed splendor of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Leelanau Peninsula, which juts out into the hypnotic inland seas known as Lake Michigan is a paradise of outdoor activities - swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing - give it a 9 on our Activities scale. But it is the dunes at Sleeping Bear, which range in color from pale champagne to burnt sienna and which roll and spike to 400 feet in height that earned a perfect 10 in our Splendor category. Here, you can picnic as if you were the last family on earth - and actually feel that way even at the most crowded time of year.

WHERE TO STAY
The Homestead - A Resort on Lake Michigan
The Homestead is a luxurious, four season resort located on a mile of Lake Michigan's sandy shore. On-site facilities include pools, spa pools, tennis, golf and watercraft for summer, skiing, snowboarding and skating for winter with shops, restaurants, children's center, fitness center, meeting centers, wedding venues and the accommodations described below year-round.

Fiddler's Pond - A Small Hotel at The Homestead
From charming interiors accented with washed pine and cottage-like colors you look over creeks, ponds and pools from this resort hotel. Choices include rooms with fireplace and small whirlpool tub and connecting rooms. Shopping, dining, entertainment and some recreation are adjacent, ½ mile walk, drive or shuttle ride to beach. Rates from $92 to $220.

Little Belle- Luxurious Suites for Couples at The Homestead
Antiques and original art add to the romance of these completely renovated honeymoon suites. While the décor in each suite is unique, all have a sitting area with a fireplace and flat panel televisions, two person Maax Calla combined Hydromax and AeroFeel tub adjacent to another flat panel television, spa style showers and king size beds. Shopping, dining, entertainment and some recreation adjacent, ½ walk, drive or shuttle ride to beach. Rates from $180 to $470.

Lodging & Boat Rentals on Glen Lake
This property offers a hand-crafted log exterior lodge overlooking Glen Lake with one to three bedroom condominiums and a few rustic cottages. All share the private, sandy beach. Boat rentals and a full service marina are available. Within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Short drive to the beaches on Lake Michigan.

Comfortable Lodging at Historic Sylvan Inn
Established in 1885 to accommodate the lumbering and seafaring trades, this historic inn rests in an idyllic setting. It has been authentically restored to retain its historic ambience and casual comfort. Offering 14 beautifully decorated rooms, some with private baths. Adjacent to shops and restaurants, it's a short walk to the beaches on Lake Michigan. Open May through October.

WHERE TO DINE
Casual Dining in Leelanau County
Beppi's
The Homestead
Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor MI, 49636
231-334-5151
An Italian American athlete themed sports bar which serves up food the whole family can enjoy.

Art's Tavern
6487 Western Ave
Glen Arbor MI 49636
231-334-3754

Fine Dining in Leelanau County
Nonna's Ristorante
The Homestead
Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor MI, 49636
231-334-5150
Newly redesigned Italian restaurant features stylish new menus featuring local wines, cheeses, fruit and vegetables.

The Riverside Inn
302 River Street
Leland, MI 49654
231-256-9971

Outdoor Dining in Leelanau County
Cafe Manitou
The Homestead
Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor MI, 49636
231-334-5195
Sit back and relax as you watch the sun sizzle into the Lake Michigan horizon. Casual dining and drinks available.

Riverfront Pizza & Specialties
6281 W Western Ave
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
231-334-3876

Waterfront Dining in Leelanau County
Cafe Manitou
The Homestead
Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor MI, 49636
231-334-5195
Just sit back and relax as we work to serve you, as you witness the sun sizzle into the Lake Michigan horizon.

Riverfront Pizza & Specialties
6281 W Western Ave
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
231-334-3876

The Riverside Inn
302 River Street
Leland, MI 49654
231-256-9971

Kansas - Dodge City

2009-05-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Kansas - Dodge City
The Boot Hill Museum is one of dozens of attractions dedicated to the Old West history of this legendary town

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to Dodge City and Relive a Legend! When you make your "get away" to Dodge City, you'll find everything you need to ensure a memorable time. Dodge City offers the perfect retreat, plenty of peace and quiet for a productive meeting, and when your business is done, the charm and excitement of the old west are close at hand! You'll feel at home in Dodge City, just as the cowboys did in the 1870s.

History
Dodge City is a pure definition of the West... a gateway to history that began with the opening of the Santa Fe Train by William Becknell in 1821 and became a great commercial route between Franklin, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1880. Thousands of wagons traveled the Mountain Branch of the trail which went west from Dodge City along the north bank of the Arkansas River into Colorado. For those willing to risk the dangers of waterless sand hills, a shorter route called the Cimarron Cutoff crossed the river near Dodge City and went southwest to the Cimarron River.

The Beginning
In those days, safety from marauding Indians was essential. Fort Dodge was established in 1865 on the Santa Fe Trail near the present site of the city, offering protection to wagon trains, the U.S. mail service and serving as a supply base for troops engaged in the Indian wars. Kiowa, Cheyenee and other plains tribes inhabited the area and wild game was abundant including vast herds of Buffalo.

Just six years later in 1871, five miles west of the Fort at the foot of a hill along the Trail, a ranger by the name of Henry L. Sitler constructed a three-room sod house. Built to oversee his cattle ranch, Sitler's home became a frequent stopping place for buffalo hunters and traders. Dodge City was founded the next year, 1872, just five miles west of Fort Dodge on the edge of the military reservation, with the Sitler's home as the first building. It quickly became a trade center for travelers and Buffalo hunters.

The Railroad
By September of 1872, the shiny steel rails of the brand new Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad stretched into view. And a town was waiting. The railroad initiated a tremendous growth for many years. Already, south of the tracks, hastily built frame buildings and tents were housing two grocery and general merchandise stores, a dance hall, a restaurant, a barber shop, a blacksmith shop -- even a saloon next to Sitler's original sod house. The famous Front Street legend had begun. Dodge City was already setting a record for growth.

Stacks of Buffalo hides towered along Front Street - filthy Buffalo hunters and traders filled the town's establishments - and the term "stinker" was coined. Train- masters would take their red caboose lanterns along when visiting the town's "soiled doves" - and the term "red light district" came to life.
The wBoot Hill Markerickedest little city in the west
But during those early years, Dodge City also acquired it infamous stamp of lawlessness and gun-slinging. There was no local law enforcement and the military had no jurisdiction over the town. Buffalo hunters, railroad workers, drifters and soldiers scrapped and fought, leading to the shootings where men died with their boots on. And that created a hasty need for a local burial place - Boot Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is now a part of downtown Dodge City. It was used until 1878. For six years before Boot Hill, Dodge City had no official cemetery. Persons dying who had friends, enough money or sufficient standing in the community were buried in the post cemetery at Fort Dodge. Others, penniless or unknown, were buried where it was convenient to dig a hole.

The importance of the buffaloBuffalo Hites
Dodge City was the Buffalo capital for three years until mass slaughter destroyed the huge herds and left the Prairie littered with decaying carcasses. An estimated 850,000 Buffalo hides were shipped from Dodge City in the years 1872-1874. Farmers, during hard times, gathered the Buffalo bones and sold them for six to eight dollars a ton. The bones were used in the manufacture of china and fertilizer. By 1875 the Buffalo were gone as a source of revenue, but the Longhorn cattle of Texas drove the dollars into town. For ten more years, over five million head were driven up the western branch of the Chisholm and Western Trails to Dodge City. Law and order came riding in to town with such respectable officers as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Bill Tilghman and Charlie Bassett. Out of these personalities evolved the famous fictional character of Marshal Matt Dillon. The town these early men knew was laid out with two Front Streets, one on either side of the railroad tracks. The city passed an ordinance that guns could not be worn or carried north of the "deadline" which was the railroad tracks. The south side where "anything went" was wide open. In 1876 the population was 1,200 and nineteen businesses were licensed to sell liquor.

Night Life
During those five years the population varied according to the season, swelling during the summer with the influx of Cowboys, Buyers, Gamblers and Prostitutes. Business houses, dance halls and saloons catered to the Texas trade. Saloon keepers renamed their places, Alamo and Lone Star and served brandies, liqueurs and the latest mixed drinks. Ice usually was available so evCowboy Banden beer could be served cold. Some saloons advertised anchovies and Russian caviar on their cold menus. Gambling ranged from a game of five cent "Chuck-aluck" to thousand dollar poker pots. Many saloons offered some type of musical entertainment - a piano player, a singer, or as in Chalk Beeson's Long Branch, a five piece orchestra. Beeson also organized and led the famous Cowboy Band which entertained all over the west at cattlemen's conventions, concerts, dances and in Washington, D.C. at the inauguration of President Harrison.

Remembering the past
Fort Dodge was closed in 1882 and by 1886, the cattle drives had ended. An illustrious period of history was over but the legend lives on in Dodge City's history preservation of its romantic and internationally famous past.

As the nineteenth century ended, the bragging of the western pioneer furnished an abundance of materials for dime novels, nickelodeons, Hollywood films, radio and television. Even today, over 100,000 tourists relive the legend each year by visiting the Boot Hill museum and historic Front Street reconstruction. "If the history of the West has been a mother lode of entertainment riches, Dodge City has been its touchstone."

Iowa - Amana Colonies

2009-05-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Iowa - Amana Colonies
These 7 mysterious villages keep up their European traditions, but they also have endless summer festivals and events to enjoy.

The Amana Colonies have been a landmark on the Iowa prairie for over 150 years - reminding us of a simpler time. A time we often yearn for in today's rush of corporate ladder climbing and the endless pursuit of discount shopping.

The name Amana means to "remain faithful". We have, in many ways, remained faithful to our communal culture; historical buildings have been preserved; the Amana Church remains active; the traditions of quality products are alive in the Colonies. You will not see discount stores or chain restaurants; you will not see large retailers. Even our convenience store was built to respect the architectural traditions of the Colonies.

What will you see in the Amana Colonies? Historical buildings dating to the mid-1850's, made of local materials...wood, sandstone, locally fired brick and limestone. You will discover an amalgamation of architectural styles, coupling traditional German craftsmanship and the straight lines and details of Colonial America. You will see three board wooden fences, fruit trees and gardens. The smokestack of the woolen mill stands stark against the rising sun; the blossoms of the Lily Lake sway gently in the summer breeze.

Certainly there have been changes in the Colonies, fewer gardens, less trees, a new business here and there. But the spirit of communal Amana remains...it is reflected in the grape trellis standing sentinel against the side of a home or in the faded, wooden weather vane atop a centuries old barn. The spirit of communal Amana is alive in the hint of German accent you might catch on the street. The Amana Colonies are a place where you can handcraft your experience ... a place as unique as you ... a place where the best treasures are searched for. The Amana Colonies are not just another cookie-cutter getaway; stop-in, stay for awhile, escape the ordinary.

Antiques
Erenberger Antiques
319-622-3230

Primitive original surface furniture and small antique items displayed in a home that was built in 1856. A must see shop if you like country, primitives and Americana.
Evans & Le Clere
319-622-3088

Country primitives and American folk art artfully blended with mid-century modern furniture and design.
Opa's Tractor Barn Museum
31-622-3529

Walk through an 1883 barn with hand-pegged chestnut beams. Agricultural history memorabilia, Minneapolis-Moline, barnyard in miniature and more. America's agricultural past preserved for the future. Seasonal 10am-4pm.

Arts & Craftsmanship
AJ's in Homestead
319-622-6840
tpatti@msn.com
www.AJsCopperGarden.com

Brand new metal sculpture studio. Award-winning sculptors create unique metal artwork everyday. Artists' studios and metal sculpture gallery onsite. Come see it yourself! Buy direct from the artists.
AJ's Metal Art Gallery
319-622-3207
tpatti@msn.com
www.AJsCopperGarden.com

Amazing metal sculptures will bring out the smiles, as you stroll through a beautiful water garden and gallery filled with "one-of-a-kind" garden frogs, dragonflies and more.
Amana Arts Guild
319-622-3678
amanarts@juno.com
www.amanaartsguild.com

This quaint gallery and sales shop is a wonderful place to find historic folk arts and crafts from all seven villages. The guild hosts workshops, classes and the Amana Festival of the Arts.
Amana Furniture & Clock Shop
319-622-3291 or 800-247-5088
furniture@amanafurniture.com
www.amanafurniture.com

Amana Colonies' original furniture shop. Handcrafters of solid walnut, oak and cherry furniture and clocks in traditional, original and custom designs. Iowa's largest clock shop! Showroom and workshop gallery open year-round.
Broom & Basket Shop
319-622-3311
www.broomandbasket.com

Brooms and baskets locally made in West Amana. Unique solid wood gift products made by Schanz Furniture in South Amana. Basket making demonstrated occasionally.
Catiri's Art Oasis
319-622-3969
catiri@southslope.net
www.catiriartoasis.com

A true fine art oasis. Enjoy the Catiri's incredible glass works along with over 100 of the most talented Iowa and regional artists working in various mediums. NICHE Award recipient!
Creative Colony
319-622-3753

Handcrafted gifts and home decor made exclusively by Iowa artisans. "From our home to yours." Open daily March through December; open Friday, Saturday and Sunday during January and February.
Custom Cutlery & Ironworks
319-622-3482
sales@customcutlery.com
www.customcutlery.com

Quality ironwork hand forged on site. Home accessories. Handcrafted knives for kitchen and sport. Industrial Machine Shop Museum. Open year round.
Fischer Fine Art Gallery & Studio
319-622-7017
greg@southamanagranary.com
www.southamanagranary.com

South Amana Granary - Home of Fischer Fine Art Gallery and Studio - Featuring art work created by Fine Art Graduate Students from local Universities in addition to the oil paintings and photographs of Artist and Owner Gregory Fischer.
Giant Rocker & West Amana Wood Shop
319-622-3315

Solid walnut rocker, 11 feet tall, 670 pounds. Unique wood products. Between Broom and Basket Shop and Philip Dickel Basket Museum Gallery. Closed Sundays and holidays.
Heritage Designs Quilting & Needlework
319-622-3887
info@heritagedesignsquiltshop.com
www.heritagedesignsquiltshop.com

A 2009 Top 10 Quilt Shop! Over 3500 fabrics from contemporary to traditional. Featured designs by local artists. Dovo scissors and unique accessories. Quilting, cross-stitch, embroidery, tatting, punch needle. Open daily.
Iowa Theatre Artists Company
319-622-3222
info@iowatheatreartists.org
www.iowatheatreartists.org

A non-profit professional theatre organization with the mission of mounting high-quality public performances; touring; the development of new theatre artists; and targeting underserved audiences.
Michele Maring Miller Studio/Gallery
319-622-6330
www.maringmillergallery.com

Award-winning artist at work in her spacious and peaceful studio and gallery. Located in an 1871 sandstone church in the center of the village of West Amana. Small room of antiques.
Mini-Americana Barn Museum
319-622-3058
barnmus@netins.net
www.barnmuseum.com

Two hundred miniature replicas, in the scale one inch to one foot, built by woodworker Henry Moore telling early rural history from 1880 to 1930.
Old Creamery Theatre Co.
319-622-6194 or 800-352-6262
info@oldcreamery.com
www.oldcreamery.com

Live professional theatre company celebrating 20 years in the Amana Colonies. Catch a performance April - December on one of two stages in Amana.
Personalized Wood Products
319-622-3100 / 319-622-3097
pwp@southslope.net
personalizedwoodproducts.googlepages.com

Schanz Furniture & Refinishing Shop
319-622-3529
www.schanzfurniture.com

Custom built furniture in your choice of woods: walnut, cherry and oak. Furniture on floor for sale. Furniture repaired and refinished plus chair caning and seat weaving. Closed Sundays and holidays.
Troy Richard Thomas Art Gallery & Studio
319-622-3078

West Broom & Basket Shop
319-622-3315
www.broomandbasket.com

Watch broom making and basket making when artisans are working. Closed Sundays and holidays. Next door to Philip Dickel Basket Museum Gallery - exhibit open May to October.

Leisure
Amana Colonies Golf Club
319-622-6222 or 800-383-3636
amanagolf@southslope.net
www.amanagolfcourse.com

The course features shining ponds, a variety of wildlife, and striking scenery that add to the aesthetic beauty and enjoyment of the game. Consistently ranked highly, the course has won many national honors.
Amana Colonies RV Park & Event Center
319-622-7616 or 800-471-7616
rvamana@amanas.net
www.amanarvpark.com

60-acre RV park and event center near Amana. Full and water/electric hook-ups, showers, dump station, propane, laundry. Store, free Wi-Fi. Buildings ideal for group rallies or special events. RV Park open April 15 - October 31.
Colony Visits...Heritage Destinations
319-622-6178
info@colonyvisits.com
www.colonyvisits.com

Receptive group services. We're your doorway to hospitality in the historical Amana Colonies and the interesting Eastern Iowa area. All-inclusive tour packages with step-on guides, meals, sightseeing, etc.
Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development
319-622-3264
info@ivrcd.org
www.ivrcd.org

The Iowa Valley RC&D is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve and develop our resources in the Iowa and Cedar Valleys through education, demonstration and partnerships.

Restaurants
Colony Inn Restaurant
319-622-3030

The restaurant where family-style dining began in 1935. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. Specials, sandwiches and house made desserts. Locally made beer and wine available.
Nordy's Subs & Salads
319-622-3028

Ox Yoke Inn
319-622-3441 or 800-233-3441
info@oxyokeinn.com
www.oxyokeinn.com

"An Amana Colonies tradition since 1940." Daily lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. Child's menu. Sandwiches, daily specials and home baked desserts. Wine, beer and cocktails. Gifts. Free wireless Internet.

Shopping
Amana General Store
319-622-7650 or 800-418-8318
www.amanageneralstore.com

Amana's original store since 1858 features a wide variety of gifts, specialty foods, locally made wine, Amana food products, cookbooks, cards, and more.
Amana Woolen Mill
319-622-3432 or 800-222-6430
www.amanawoolenmill.com

Visit Iowa's only operating woolen mill and see how famous Amana® wool and cotton blankets are made. Sweaters, apparel and personalized embroidery are also available. Bus/RV parking. Open daily.
Ash Lynn Glitz
319-622-5115
ashlynnglitz@southslope.net
www.ashlynnglitz.com

Quaint shop on main street Amana offering an extensive collection of sterling silver chains and Native American Turquoise. Experience our unique hunting memorabilia featuring Winchester, Colt, etc. Gifts and antiques.
Azul World Treasures
319-622-3018
ithielcatiri@yahoo.com
www.azulworldtreasure.com

Come see our exiting collection of jewelry and mineral specimens from around the world. Kids of all ages enjoy hunting in our "Treasure Mine". Come find your hidden treasure today!
Christmas Room
319-622-3692 or 888-516-7769
www.christmasroom.com

Located in the Amana General Store; featuring Pipka, Dept 56, Byers Choice, Fontanini and a wide variety of holiday ornaments and trims.
Clothes Encounter
319-622-3648

Look and feel great wearing something special! A quaint boutique featuring women's collections of casual and contemporary clothing. Accessorize with our unique pieces of jewelry. Located inside the Ronneburg Restaurant.
Fern Hill Gifts & Quilts
319-622-3627
fernhill@southslope.net
www.fernhill.net

Handmade Iowa quilts, antique quilts, fabric and Fern Hill original fabric, architectural antiques, antique furniture, artist bears, gifts, cards, home decorating, garden, florals, sweets and beverages. Three brimming floors! Open all year.
GermanSense LLC
319-622-3112 or 800-523-8077
lothar@germansense.com
www.germansense.com

Books, music, movies, about German culture, language and history. By appointment only.
High Amana General Store
319-622-3232
www.amanaheritage.org/museums.html#high

This original 1858 village store looks much as it did 100 years ago and offers a variety of merchandise. Operated by the Amana Heritage Society. Open daily April through October.

Area Attractions
Cedar Rapids
319-398-5009 or 800-735-5557
www.cedar-rapids.com

Just 17 miles north on highway 151, Cedar Rapids offers a variety of cultural, historic and ethnic attractions, including the National Czech and Slovak Museum, Brucemore Mansion, the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, an IMAX Theatre, Cedar Rapids Museum of Arts and Usher's Ferry Historic Village. Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball and Rough Riders Hockey offer semi-professional sports.
Historic Iowa County
www.co.iowa.ia.us

Just minutes to the west in Williamsburg, brick paved streets surround a picturesque town square. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 319-668-1500 for more information about their unique shops, large outdoor aquatic center and recreational facilities. Step back in time at the Pioneer Heritage Museum in nearby Marengo, also home to a Carnegie Library. Enjoy the Iowa County Fair July 12-15, 2007. Throw in a line at Lake Iowa, near Millersburg or hike around this scenic 600-acre park, 319-655-8465.
Iowa City and Coralville
319-337-6592 or 800-283-6592
www.iowacitycoralville.org

Home of the University of Iowa and internationally recognized University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City and Coralville are located 18 miles to the east. The University of Iowa offers several museums, including Iowa's first capital building. Downtown Iowa City provides shopping, art, entertainment and dining experiences. The Iowa Children's Museum is located in the Coral Ridge Mall.

Indiana - Wyandotte Caves

2009-05-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Indiana Wyandotte Caves
This is the most popular of 4 completely unique cave systems in this part of the state

Wyandotte Caves, a pair of limestone caves located on the Ohio River in Harrison-Crawford State Forest in Crawford County, five miles (8 km) north-east of Leavenworth and 12 miles (19 km) from Corydon in southern Indiana, is a popular tourist attraction. Wyandotte Caves were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. It is now part of O'Bannon Woods State Park. The cave system is the largest in the state of Indiana.[1]

The term "Wyandotte Caves" is used to refer to Wyandotte Cave (sometimes called the "Historic Cave") and Little Wyandotte Cave, also called Siberts Cave and sometimes called the "New Cave", but the two caves are completely different. They are located very close to each other, and are owned and managed by the same entity. There the resemblance ends.

Cave life

Bats
Indiana is home to 12 native species of bats. Wyandotte Cave is occupied by members of nine of those 12 species; the total bat population is over 30,000. The most common bat in the cave is the endangered Myotis sodalis, (commonly known as the Indiana Bat), followed by the Myotis lucifugus (commonly known as the little brown bat).[7]

Little Wyandotte cave rarely gets bats, as the only entrance to that cave is less than 200 years old, and humans have been present in that cave on a regular basis since it first opened. However, the occasional adventurous bat will venture in.

The presence of hibernating bats in the winter is the main reason that the caves are closed to the public from the first of November until February 28. Bats can occasionally be seen by the lucky visitor during the rest of the year, but they are far less numerous and less likely to be disturbed in the warmer months.

Salamanders
Cave salamanders can often be seen in the entrance area of Wyandotte cave.

Fish
Blind cavefish are rarely seen in the larger of Wyandotte Caves, as it is very dry in modern times. Little Wyandotte Cave, however, is much wetter than the historic cave, but still contains no fish. The only living aquatic life found is bacteria.

Crickets
Cave crickets abound in the smaller cave, and some occasionally enter into the larger cave. They are often eaten by snakes, however.

Illinois Galena

2009-05-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Illinois Galena
This small town is packed with history and classic architecture, but also golf courses and resorts

Leave winter behind and head for the great outdoors of northwest Illinois! Drive lush fairways, pedal a bike, ride a horse, paddle a kayak, soar in a balloon or stroll a budding garden. Discover the timeless beauty of historic sites and 19th-century architecture. Visit a relaxing spa, a local winery, colorful art galleries and a wealth of eclectic shops. Sample sweet confections and regional cuisine. Book a cozy B&B, a family-style motel, a spacious vacation rental home or a full-service resort now to start your perfect getaway!

Go Green
Galena is known for its picturesque views, intriguing architecture and historical sites, but golfers are discovering Galena as one of the Midwest's premiere golf destinations. Galena & Jo Daviess County offers golf enthusiasts all of the amenities of a complete destination. The area's 10 courses are upstaged only by the unparalleled vistas seen from the rolling hills that are exclusive to northwest Illinois. Here lies the perfect setting for a memorable golf experience.

Hidden Gems
Shop Galena and Jo Daviess County to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Antiques and collectibles stores line Galena’s historic district and are scattered throughout the county’s countryside in quaint, off-the-beaten-path shops and barns.

True Originals
Explore Galena and Jo Daviess County art galleries and discover one-of-a-kind pieces created by a diverse collection of artists and craftspeople. Sculptors, potters, painters, photographers, illustrators and glassmakers find inspiration in the area’s tranquil river valleys and spectacular scenic views. Check the Calendar of Events, for a listing of art classes, demonstrations and workshops.

History Abounds
Step back in time and visit a bygone era when steamboating and lead mining once ruled the day. Marvel in 19th century architecture, or take a guided tour of the sites. Learn how faded memories of the past come to life while exploring the historic sites and museums of Galena and Jo Daviess County.

West Virginia Blackwater Falls State Park

2009-05-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

West Virginia Blackwater Falls State Park
The water in this gorgeous park isn't exactly black, but it is an interesting shade and only one of the many attractions

Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile long gorge. The "black" water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls are one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia.

Make Blackwater Falls a Mother’s Day Tradition
Sunday, May 10 is Mother’s Day and beginning at 1 p.m. a wonderful Dinner Buffet begins. The cost is $15.95 per person with children ages 10 and under dining free. Buffet entrees include: roasted turkey, spiral ham, baked Tilapia, pot roast, assorted desserts and more. Reservations are recommended.

Blackwater Falls offers a seasonal variety of overnight packages. Take advantage of a Cross-Country Ski, Stay & Play Package or a Cozy Cabin Getaway.

Accommodations
Lodge Rooms:
Blackwater Lodge sits on the canyon's south rim, providing a sweeping view of the densely forested gorge. Each of the 54 air-conditioned guest rooms has a private bath, phone and color television. The lodge also features a game room and a sitting room with a cozy fireplace. The new 200-seat Harr Conference Center and indoor pool make Blackwater Lodge a comfortable retreat in a mountain setting.

Cabins:
Situated in a lovely wooded area about one mile from the lodge are 26 deluxe year-round vacation cabins. They are all made with handsome wood-paneled walls, stone fireplaces and forced air furnaces for year-round comfort. Each cabin has a bath with shower and is completely furnished.

Blackwater Falls State Park offers three (3) pet friendly cabins available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call for details.

Campground:
Blackwater Campsite The 65-unit tent and trailer campground has individual sites with centrally located hot showers, Laundromat and dumping station. A total of 30 sites have electric hookups. The campground is open from the last weekend in April through October 31annually with a maximum camping period of two weeks. Reservations are accepted for 20 of Blackwater Falls' campsites from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In addition to the usual fee, a $5 handling fee will be charged. Your advanced reservations will be secured with VISA, Maser Card, American Express or Diners Club. Reservations are recommended during summer months. Please call 1-800-CALL-WVA, M-F/ 8am-4pm,and we'll be glad to help you with your plans.

Amenities
Restaurant
Fine Dining The lodge restaurant is open daily year round and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving the best regional fare, where "the dining rivals the view." A well-rounded menu is available and buffets are offered during peak seasons and holiday weekends. The restaurant can cater banquets, receptions and barbecues for special groups such as business meetings, family reunions and weddings.

Indoor Pool
A great place to relax for a swim, unwind in the hot tub or work out in the fitness room, equipped with treadmills, bikes and additional exercise equipment. Open 10 AM to 10 PM daily, this is a welcome addition to the comfortable accommodations at Blackwater Falls State Park. This facility is for registered Lodge & Cabin guests

Picnic Shelters
Are ideal for reunions, family outings, catered functions, parties, cookouts and are available for reservation during the summer season. Reservations are recommended for summer weekends and holidays.

Gift Shops
Two gift shops are located on Blackwater Falls State Park. The Lodge Gift Shop is open daily, year round. The Trading Post is located at the Falls parking area and is also open daily year round. Both gift shops offer a variety of souvenirs, T-shirts, toys, jewelry, West Virginia Glass and other items.

Special Features
Elakala Falls - The waters of Shay Run reach the Blackwater Canyon's edge and cascade down the canyon's wall as Elakala Falls. A short walk along the Elakala Trail from the Lodge will take hikers over the upper section of Elakala Falls.

Recreation
Cross Country Skiing - Over ten miles of park trails can be enjoyed bySki the Trail beginning as well as more experienced cross country skiers. Many of these are groomed and maintained specifically for cross country skiing. A full service cross country ski center offers ski lessons and equipment rental. The Sled Run & Cross Country Ski Center are open from mid-December through March 15th.
Sledding - The sledding hill is one-quarter mile long and sledders get to the top by a rope tow, available on weekends when snows are sufficient. The hill and tow area are groomed and maintained for sledding. Sleds are available for rent at the cross country ski center. The Sled Run & Cross Country Ski Center are open from mid-December through March 15th.
Hiking - The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails.Hike a Trail Map and trail guides are available which will assist guests in planning a hike of the right length and duration.
Nature and Recreation Programs - The park naturalist offers a variety of programs on the park's natural and cultural history. Also, programs and tours can be arranged for groups. These are available year round. Call ahead to 1-800-CALL-WVA and ask to speak to Blackwater Falls Naturalists.
Nature Center - The Nature Center is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. The Nature Center offers displays, programs and information on the park's natural resources.
Boating and Games - Boating is offered at Pendleton Lake from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. Game courts aPeddle Boat Funnd equipment such as tennis, volleyball and basketball are also available during the summer months. Come enjoy the waters of Pendleton Lake, beginning Memorial Day Weekend. Daily 10AM - 6PM.
Swimming - Blackwater Lodge has a small indoor pool for registered Lodge and Cabin Guests. Registered Campground guests may use the pool for a nominal fee. At nearby Canaan Valley Resort, a large outdoor heated pool is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Pendleton Lake no longer offers outdoor swimming.
Fishing - The Blackwater River is stocked weekly with trout from early spring through early summer. The section of the Blackwater River that runs through the park is a catch and release area. It is stocked regularly with trout. Fishing is also allowed at Pendleton Lake. Proper license and stamps are required.

Virginia Colonial Williamsburg

2009-05-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

Virginia Colonial Williamsburg
There’s the living history, but also golf courses and spas to balance things out nicely

Experience life as it was in our nation's yesterdays. Explore the homes and buildings where men like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry inspired the fight for independence.

What to See & Do
Historic trades and sites, interpretations, animals, and entertainment will engage your days and nights. Don't miss a thing.

Historic Area
Scores of original buildings, hundreds of homes, shops, and public buildings are reconstructed over 301 acres - most on their original foundations. Rare animal breeds, trades, and gardens add layers of authenticity to the recreated town.

Activities & Programs
Colonial Williamsburg features scores of events and activities that change weekly. On any given day or evening, you'll find a variety of walking tours, arts performances, political speeches, trades demonstrations, military exercises, fife and drum parades, and more.

Revolutionary City
Colonial Williamsburg’s “Revolutionary City” is a family-friendly, live, dramatic program that breaks the boundaries of traditional living history experiences. It covers the period of 1774 to 1781 through a combination of large-scale streetscape events and multiple simultaneous vignettes. The street theater program creates a spontaneous real-time feel of Williamsburg during the years of the American Revolution. Guests take part in the everyday life of the city against the backdrop of momentous world-changing events.

Daily and Evening Programs
Step over the threshold of a shop or home in the Historic Area and you'll find someone ready to tell you the story of life in the 18th century. Costumed historical interpreters share their perspectives on work, family, politics, religion, and culture. Encounter Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and many lesser-known historical figures. View our calendar.
Colonial Williamsburg's evening programs take your visit well past sunset with concerts, the latest movies, witch trials, ghost walks, and 18th-century farce comedies.

Special Events
Reenactments, music programs, special lectures, and focused activities allow a closer look at 18th century society and culture. Learn more about our upcoming

Kids Programs
Each day there is a host of activities designed just for kids. They can join the colonial militia and prepare to defend the rights of free citizens, act in an 18th-century play, march with the Fifes and Drums, talk to founding fathers, and tend a colonial garden. Costume rentals are available to complete your child's colonial transformation. In the museums, children can learn about and create works of art based on folk art or decorative arts on exhibit.
Read about the Colonial Kids Club or view family programming in our events calendar.

Fifes & Drums
The music of the Revolution is rendered in the present by this musical regiment. Hear the sounds that carry across hills, valleys, and centuries.
Celebrating five decades of performing military music that captures the American spirit, Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums are tuning up for a 50th anniversary year that will include special performances here as well as guest appearances in events near and far.

African American Programs
African Americans were entwined in every aspect of colonial farming, skilled trade, and politics. Learn how this society within a society lived, learned, and strove. or view African American programming in our events calendar.

Historic Trades
Practicing tradesmen make Colonial Williamsburg a living town, ringing with clanging hammers and tinged with the smoke of industry. Visit the blacksmith, see what the saddler is working on, smell what's cooking in the kitchens, and more. Twenty trades are practiced with 18th-century methods and tools, learn more about them all.

Walking Tours
You'll find plenty of opportunities to indulge your passion for topics like gardening, archaeology, and Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds program. Or, go behind the scenes with a member of our staff. Among the guided activities offered: Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Bruton Heights. Bits and Bridles, Garden History Walk, Gardens of Gentility, Rubbish, Treasures, and Colonial Life: The Archaeology Labs. Learn more.

Rare Breeds
Hoofs and horns have as large a role in making the Historic Area authentic as human hands. The rare breeds program populates Williamsburg's pastures and pens with animals that would have been here 200 years ago: the sheep, cows, horses, oxen, chickens and fowls that scratched the dirt and loped the lanes.

Museums
Tours of current exhibitions and museum highlights are offered throughout the year. Special lectures and musical performances are held in the Hennage Auditorium. Programs for families and children are offered regularly.

South Carolina Myrtle Beach

2009-05-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

South Carolina Myrtle Beach
Golf heaven and great for beachgoers along the regions famous Grand Strand

One of the top domestic tourist destinations in the continental United States. With nearly 14 million visitors a year, it is no surprise that Myrtle Beach, with over 60 miles of warm, sandy beaches, is such a popular vacation choice for millions of Americans. If limitless vacation options are what you are looking for, then Myrtle Beach has them and Myrtle Beach.com has the information about them, giving you finger-tip access to information on Myrtle Beach hotels, golf courses, restaurants, shopping and everything there is to know about the "Grand Strand".

In Myrtle Beach our focus is fun, fun and more fun for people of all ages. You can practice your golf swing in a family friendly environment or head to some of the most beautiful challenging courses in the world. Who can resist the twists and turns of a water slide or the fun of racing a car, well that is only the beginning?

Visit www.captdicks.com
Barefoot Landing
800-272-2320
www.barefootlanding.com
rookgreen Gardens
800-849-1931
www.brookgreen.org

Captain Dick's Marina
866-557-3474
www.captdicks.com

Cherry Grove Pier
843-249-1625
www.cherrygrovepier.com

Coastal Grand Mall
866-561-SHOP
www.coastalgrand.com

Freestyle Music Park
843-236-7625
www.freestylemusicpark.com

Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
www.marshwalk.com

Myrtle Beach Diving and Fishing
843.907.1075
www.divemyrtlebeach.com

Myrtle Beach Grand Prix
843-272-6010
www.mbgrandprix.com

Myrtle Beach Pelicans
843-918-6000
myrtlebeachpelicans.com

Patriot Paintball
843-369-4FUN
www.patriot-paintball.com

Springmaid Beach Pier
866-764-8501
www.springmaidbeach.com

Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises
910-575-5978
www.supervoyagerdeepseafishing.com

Wild Water & Race Theme Park
843-238-9453
www.wild-water.com

North Carolina - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2009-05-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

North Carolina - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most visited national park in the country is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Learn about the park's history and wildlife, discover scenic hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North Carolina runs northeast to southwest through the centerline of the park. It is the most visited national park in the United States.[2] On its route from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail also passes through the center of the park. The park was chartered by the United States Congress in 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940.[3] It encompasses 814 square miles (2,108 km²), making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. The main park entrances are located along U.S. Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) at the towns of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina.

Places To Go
places to go includes:
Visitor Centers
Cades Cove
Cataloochee
Deep Creek
Clingmans Dome
Fontana Dam
Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill
Newfound Gap
Roaring Fork
Off the Beaten Path

The park offers a wide array of destinations to explore both the natural and the cultural history of the park.

Want to learn about the people who once called these mountains home? Then you may enjoy visiting the Mountain Farm Museum, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, or the Roaring Fork area to tour homes, farms, churches, and other structures built by early settlers.

For a chance to view wildlife including black bear, white-tailed deer, and turkeys, head to open areas such as Cades Cove or Cataloochee.

For sweeping vistas head to the top of the mountains at Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap.

If you wish to beat a retreat to a cool and shady spot in the forest, then a visit to Deep Creek or Roaring Fork may be what you're looking for.

Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.

Mississippi Vicksburg

2009-04-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mississippi Vicksburg
A historic downtown, civil war sites, and a whole bunch of casinos will keep you busy.

Situated high on the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi River, Vicksburg is a diverse business and tourism destination with a prosperous economy. Vicksburg boasts rich southern history, breathtaking architecture, terrific arts and culture, legendary shopping and dining. Where else can you cruise the mighty Mississippi River, enjoy riverboat gaming, tour some of the state's grandest historic homes, museums and explore a National Military Park.

ARTS & CULTURE
Vicksburg boasts many renowned local and regional artists, whose works are featured in numerous galleries and shops all around the city as well as galleries throughout the country. The Vicksburg Art Association makes its home in the Old Constitution Firehouse. Founded to promote the fine arts in the community, it has grown to be a major cultural organization in the region. Be sure to check our Calendar of Events for openings and exhibits.

Southern culture artist H.C. Porter whose is known for her visual story telling technique also calls Vicksburg home. She captured the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in over 9,000 photographs that document the hope, faith and love that remained after the storm’s waters receded. Porter narrowed her selection down to 81 mixed media paintings that now make up the nationally traveling exhibition and companion book, “Backyards & Beyond: Mississippians and Their Stories.”

The Attic Gallery is Mississippi’s oldest independent art gallery. Two floors of exhibit space are packed with Southern folk art, Outsider art, Southern contemporary art and much, much more.

Now in its eighth decade, “Gold in the Hills”, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest running melodrama. The audience is invited to cheer the heroine, boo the villain and sing along with the cast.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center features a diverse and innovative variety of nationally touring performances and exhibits throughout the year.

ATTRACTIONS
There is so much to see and do in Vicksburg. For the history buff, there is the 1,800-acre Vicksburg National Military Park, America’s most monumented national military park, where the fate of our nation was decided in 1863. Within the Park you’ll also find a Union ironclad gunboat with over 6,300 artifacts that had been submerged on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. The largest National Military Cemetery of Union dead in the United States is located in the park, and a few miles away 5,000 Confederates repose at Soldiers Rest in City Cemetery. The Vicksburg Battlefield Museum, just east of the military park, features models of gunboats, the film “Vanishing Glory” which tells about civilian life during the siege as well as a diorama depicting the Siege of Vicksburg.

For over five decades of the 1800s, Vicksburg was the center for the aristocracy whose wealth was based on cotton and lumber. A glimpse of its former glory is evidenced by the preservation of many historic churches (two containing Tiffany stained glass windows), government buildings and homes, dating to the 19th Century. Our most historic building, the Old Court House Museum, was constructed in 1858 and survived the Civil War with minimal damage. It is now the home to over 15,000 artifacts dating from pre-Columbian times to present day.

Historic Downtown Vicksburg offers a variety of restaurants specialty shops and art galleries. You’ll also find The Corner Drug Store with an engaging collection of Civil War artifacts; the Biedenharn Coca-Cola® Museum where Coca-Cola® was first bottled in 1894; and the Antique Doll and Toy Museum. On the floodwall along Levee Street over thirty-two murals by artist Robert Dafford depict the history of Vicksburg and just across the street is the whimsical Children’s Art Park at Catfish Row and splash fountain.

If it’s gaming you want, dockside casinos abound, offering games, food and entertainment 24-hours a day, year round.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Feel like you are part of the family in Vicksburg by spending a quality night or weekend at one of Vicksburg's hotels or bed and breakfast inns. Meticulously restored, a number of historic homes operate as inns and provide a variety of amenities to their guests.

Experience Southern hospitality at one of Vicksburg's many accommodations with hotels that feature services tailored to the family visit, business traveler, international guest, gambler or the RV motorist.

Louisiana - New Orleans

2009-04-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Louisiana New Orleans
The city is open for business and crowds and prices are down in this post-Katrina era

The Culture of New Orleans People
Normally when tourists or first-time residents come to New Orleans, they have a difficult time understanding the city. It looks like no other place in the United States. The first puzzling impression usually comes from the appearance of the French Quarter near many of the city's hotels. It is more than just a few blocks of townhouses and cottages standing side-by-side, up against the sidewalk. The size of the district startles even those well traveled in the rest of the nation. Few visitors, moreover, are accustomed to such a melange of people moving at all hours of the day and night in the very center of the city. They quickly learn that bars have no closing hour, that the food is spicy, and that the music is pulsating almost everywhere. And they may also take note that the locals talk funny but seldom have southern accents.

Food and Restaurants
Bacco
310 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-2426
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Italian
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Chef Chris Montero serves up fresh local seafood and housemade pastas with Creole Italian flair at this chic eatery owned and operated by Ralph Brennan. Bon Appetit calls BACCO “a gem” and Where New Orleans readers voted BACCO “Best Italian Restaurant” four years in a row.

Bambu
4 Canal St., Harrah's Casino, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 525-3689
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Japanese/Sushi
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)

Besh Steakhouse
512 S. Peters St., Harah's Casino, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 533-6111
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Steakhouses
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: With 150 seats set amidst blue water-like crystal puddles and a dazzling amber bar, The Besh Steakhouse at Harrah's is not your traditional steakhouse. The restaurant is a combination of Chef Besh's own ideas with traditional steakhouse menu items along with New Orleans influences mixed together. All wine in the cellar is hand-selected. Reservations are recommended.

Brennan's
417 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 525-9711
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): French, Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Dressy (Jacket May Be Required)
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Located in the heart of the historic French Quarter within walking distance of most major hotels and attractions, Brennan's sets itself apart from an array of fine restaurants in New Orleans. "Breakfast at Brennan's" is a tradition for local New Orleanians and visitors from around the world, while dinner recenly received the highest rating from the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper, 5 beans out of 5. Since 1983, Brennan's Restaurant's 35,000 bottle wine cellar has received the Wine Spectator Grand Award for one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
429 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-5800
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: This fun restaurant combines quality seafood in a casual family atmosphere, just the way Forrests' best good friend, Bubba, would have done it. Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp & Pasta, Fried Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp plus Etouffee, Gumbo, Ribs, Steaks and a whole lot more! Fabulous children's menus.

Buffet at Harrah's (The)
8 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 533-6000
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): American, Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)

Crescent City Brewhouse
527 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-0571
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Microbrewery, Sandwiches/Po-Boys
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: New Orleans' favorite restaurant and microbrewery! Our Bavarian Brewmaster prepares four fresh-brewed beers in state-of-the-art brewing equipment you can see behind our bar. A golden Pilsener, a rich Red Stallion and a deep Black Forest are always on tap, along with a monthly specialty brew. We feature traditional and innovative cuisine designed to be served with our hand-crafted lagers. When you're in The Big Easy come see us at the Crescent City Brewhouse! Join us for food so good... you'll forget you came for the beer!

Desire Oyster Bar and Bistro
300 Bourbon St., Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 586-0300
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: This casual street front restaurant on Bourbon offers New Orleans' favorites like oysters on the half shell, seafood platters, roast beef po-boys, and unique Creole dishes, served in a traditional French Quarter atmosphere. From your table, enjoy the tastes, sights and sounds of the French Quarter.

Dominique's
1001 Toulouse St., Maison DuPuy, New Orleans, LA 70112 [Map It]
(504) 522-8800
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Continental, Seafood
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: This award-winning New Orleans restaurant offers the French Quarter's superlative dining experience. Treat yourself to the region's richest blend of fine cuisine and romantic atmosphere.

Drago's Seafood Restaurant
2 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70140 [Map It]
(504) 584-3911
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Seafood, Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: “Home of the Original Charbroiled Oyster”. A New Orleans dining institution offering an extensive seafood menu, including signature dishes such as Drago's Original Charbroiled Oysters and Mama Ruth's Gumbo. Reservations aren't needed.

Gordon Biersch Brewery
200 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-2739
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Microbrewery, American
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: The Gordon Biersch menu consists of appetizers and entrees influenced by a variety of cuisines, all designed to complement Dan's signature lager beer.

Grand Isle Restaurant
575 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 520-8530
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Seafood
Attire: Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Inspired by the fishing village of the same name, Grand Isle Restaurant features po-boys, fresh seafood, delicious South Louisiana recipes and indisputably the coldest beer in town. It captures the deep flavor and culinary traditions of South Louisiana, harkening back to a 1920s and 30s way of life.

Grill Room (The)
300 Gravier St., Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-1994
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): American, Eclectic
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Designed to excite your senses, the top-rated Grill Room is the place to be with a talented new chef and revamped menu featuring a unique concept of culinary categories sure to tease the palate –Unadulterated, Steakhouse, Indulge and Southern. New Chef, New Tunes, New Attitude.

La Cote Brasserie
700 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 613-2350
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Award winning, regional creole seafood with oyster bar located on street level in the Renaissance Arts Hotel. Serves Sunday Brunch weekly. Alfresco dining with large picture windows.

La Petite Grocery
4238 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115 [Map It]
(504) 891-3377
View Website
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, French
Attire: Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: A charming eatery in the heart of Uptown, La Petite Grocery caters to the palates of New Orleanians and leisure travelers with its delicious French cuisine. Daily happy hours with an intimate dining experience.

MiLa Restaurant
817 Common St., New Orleans, LA 70112 [Map It]
(504) 412-2580
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Continental, Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: MiLa is the culmination of both the marriage of chefs Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing and their respective home state cuisines – Mississippi and Louisiana. With a heavy emphasis on provisions sourced from regional farmers, MiLa fuses traditional Southern classics with fresh and surprising ingredients. Dine in an elegant yet relaxed dining room in downtown New Orleans.

Mr. B's Bistro
201 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 523-2078
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Contemporary
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: This clubby, relaxed and comfortable French Quarter bistro specializes in Contemporary Creole Cooking. Hickory Grilled meats, seafood and vegetables dominate a menu lush with local and regional ingredients. Dine on our world famous Pasta Jambalaya and Barbeque Shrimp while listening to live piano music played nightly. Carmelized Tuna and Pepper Crusted Duck are two spectacular dinner entrees not to be missed! Locals know that Mr. B's is the place to B and B Seen!

Mulate's
201 Julia St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-1492, (800) 854-9149
View Website
Neighborhood: Arts/Warehouse District
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Seafood
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Mulate's, the Original Cajun Restaurant, features authentic Cajun cuisine and live Cajun music and dancing nightly. Mulate's is conveniently located across the street from the Convention Center and the Riverwalk. Don't miss the Zydeco Gumbo and leave room for the Homemade Bread Pudding!

Olivier's Restaurant
204 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 525-7734
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Seafood
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Oliviers Restaurant has tempted the taste buds of New Orleans residents and visitors for over 15 years with recipes passed down four generations. Experience traditional and innovative Creole Cuisine at its best, while relaxing in an atmosphere surrounded by the sweet sounds of jazz and light classical music.

Ralph's on the Park
900 City Park Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119 [Map It]
(504) 488-1000
View Website
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Contemporary
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Recognized by Bon Appetit, Wine Spectator, New York Times and The Washington Post for fine cuisine and an innovative menu. Ralph’s on the Park, owned and operated by Ralph Brennan, offers food fresh from the farms and waters of Louisiana and majestic views of City Park.

Red Fish Grill
115 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 598-1200
View Website
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Seafood
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Fishing for New Orleans’ deFINitive seafood dining? Fish no further than Red Fish Grill, a triumph of cuisine, style and design. Casual New Orleans seafood dominates the menu with Big Easy favorites like Hickory Grilled Redfish, BBQ Oysters, Double Chocolate Bread Pudding, and a variety of Gulf fish nightly!

Ruth's Chris Steak House
525 Fulton Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 587-7099
View Website
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Steakhouses, American
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)

Sucre
3025 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115 [Map It]
(504) 520-8311
View Website
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Desserts/Snowballs, Coffeehouse/Cafe
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Late Night (Call ahead for hours)
Description: New Orleans gets a little sweeter with Sucré, the Uptown sweet boutique. Sucré, the French word for sugar, features an assortment of handcrafted chocolates, fresh gelatos, one-of-a-kind pastry masterpieces and super-premium coffees.

5 Fifty 5
555 Canal St., Marriott Hotel, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 553-5638
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Casual
Price Range: Over $24
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)

Arabesque
127 N Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119 [Map It]
(504) 486-7233
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Middle Eastern
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Come join us at Arabesque for great food and hospitality! We have created a beautiful atmosphere to compliment our delicious Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Latin cuisine.

Attractions
Harrah's New Orleans Casino
8 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 533-6000, (800) 427-7247
View Website
Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown

American Italian Renaissance Foundation's Museum and Research Library
537 S. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-7294
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm
Cost: free (donations are accepted)
Neighborhood: Arts/Warehouse District

Amistad Research Center
6823 St. Charles Ave., Tilton Memorial Hall,Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 865-5535
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Guided Tours Available By Appointment With Two Weeks Notice
Cost: Free
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Anthony Bean Community Theater
1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 4527 Tchoupitoulas St. 70115, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 862-7529
Hours: Friday & Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3pm
Cost: Varies by show
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Armstrong Park/Congo Square
835 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 286-2100
Cost: FREE
Neighborhood: Treme

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 581-4629, (800) 774-7394
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing times vary by season. Open special Mondays.
Cost: $18.00 for adults: $14.00, seniors (65 & older); $11.00 for children 2-12 Special packages are available for Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX ® visitors
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown

Audubon Insectarium (The)
423 Canal St., Custom House, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 581-4629, (800) 774-7394
Hours: 10:00 a.m. until closing. Closing times vary by season. Open special Mondays.
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Description: If it walks, crawls or flies, there’s a good chances you will see it on display at the Audubon Insectarium in the Old New Orleans Customs House.

Audubon Park
6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 861-2537
Cost: FREE
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Audubon Park Golf Course
6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 212-5290, (866) 248-4652
Hours: 7 a.m. - dusk, Tuesday - Sunday; 11 a.m. - dusk, Monday
Cost: $30 Weekday; $40 Weekend Including Cart & Tax
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Audubon Zoo (The)
6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 581-4629, (800) 774-7394
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing times vary by season. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mardi Gras and the first Friday in May.
Cost: Adult admission is $13.00, children ages 2-12 are $8.00, seniors 65+ are $10.00. Audubon Zoo members admitted free.
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Backstreet Cultural Museum (The)
1116 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 522-4806
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person
Neighborhood: Treme

Beauregard-Keyes House
1113 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 523-7257
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens. Children 6-12, $2. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free.
Neighborhood: French Quarter

Besthoff Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll Cir., City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124 [Map It]
(504) 488-2631
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10a.m-4:30p.m.
Cost: Free-Donations appreciated
Neighborhood: Mid-City

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place , New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 361-7821, (800) 362-8213
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m daily
Cost: Adults $18.00/ Seniors $14.00/Children $11.00/ Groups of 10+: Adults $16.25/ Kids $10.00/Seniors $12.50
Neighborhood: Algiers/Westbank
Description: Take a guided tour of our World. Mardi Gras World. Where you might be surprised by almost anything you can imagine. View our exclusive, historic Mardi Gras video. Marvel at the artistry and technology of our signature mega-floats. Enjoy King Cake and refreshments with our compliments. Come peek behind the curtain and see magic come alive. You'll leave with an insider's appreciation of Mardi Gras. This is the one New Orleans experience you'll never forget, no matter how many parades you've seen. Mardi Gras World. Magical memories. A priceless gift for the whole family.

Botanical Gardens (The)
1 Palm Dr., City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124 [Map It]
(504) 483-9386
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays Noon-5 p.m. Guided tours of the Botanical Garden and garden lectures are available Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kindergarten through 8th grade field trips are offered Wednesday throug
Cost: Adults and children over 12 are admitted for $5, children 5-12 are $2, and children under 5 years visit free. The Botanical Garden is also free for Friends of City Park members.Group rates and tours are available
Neighborhood: Mid-City

Brechtel Memorial Park Municipal Golf Course
3700 Behrman Pl., New Orleans, LA 70114 [Map It]
(504) 362-4761
Hours: Sunrise-Sunset
Cost: $8 weekdays, $12 weekends & holidays, add $10 for cart use
Neighborhood: Algiers/Westbank

Cabildo (The)
701 Chartres St., Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 568-6968, (800) 568-6968
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Cost: $6 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, students, and active military. Children under 12 are admitted free. School groups are free with reservations. Combination tickets for two or more sites in the Louisiana State Museum receive a 20% discount, and gro
Neighborhood: French Quarter

Cascade Stables
535 Calhoun St., New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 891-2246
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00 PM Tuesday - Sunday
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

City Park
1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124 [Map It]
(504) 482·4888
Cost: FREE
Neighborhood: Mid-City

City Park Driving Range
1040 Filmore Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124 [Map It]
(504) 482-4888
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 3pm-8pm, Weekends 9am-5pm. Closed Mondays.
Cost: $10/bucket of balls
Neighborhood: Mid-City

Confederate Museum
929 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 523-4522
Hours: Call for hours
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, students, and active military, $2 children under 12 years.
Neighborhood: Arts/Warehouse District

Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 528-3805
Hours: Gallery Hours are Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours for performances, special events and evening programs vary.
Cost: Gallery admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and free for CAC members and children 15 and under. Group rates available.
Neighborhood: Arts/Warehouse District

Delgado Community College
615 City Park Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119 [Map It]
(504) 361-6429
Neighborhood: Mid-City

Delgado's Drama Hall
615 City Park Ave., Building 1, 300 West, New Orleans, LA 70119 [Map It]
(504) 483-4512
Hours: Varies by events. One play in Fall and one in Spring. Sunday Matinee.
Cost: Usually $10. Senior discount available.
Neighborhood: Mid-City

Diboll Gallery at Loyola University
6363 St. Charles Ave., 4th floor of the Monroe Library-Loyola University, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 861-5456
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m to 4 p.m.
Cost: free
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District

Kentucky - Mammoth Cave National Park

2009-04-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Kentucky - Mammoth Cave National Park
The world's longest cave system is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Learn about the park's history and wildlife, discover scenic hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds. Plan a trip or vacation using detailed downloadable maps and referencing our sights guide, check the weather of the area, get the park address and driving directions, and find national park hotels and lodging.

Kentucky Lodging
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Earn Double Wyndham Rewards Points when you stay at a Wingate Hotel.

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La Quinta Inn Kentucky
Spacious rooms and great extras. Official Site for La Quinta Inn.

Corbin Kentucky Lodging
Lodging in and around Corbin, Kentucky. Whitley/Laurel County - travel / vacation needs in Corbin Kentucky.

Lodging Kentucky
Compare hotel prices from over 120 top websites and save now.
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Beautiful Dreamer Bed and Breakfast
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Georgia - Stone Mountain

2009-04-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Georgia - Stone Mountain
Huge park in the Atlanta suburbs has tons of interesting things to do

Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of fun family activities and things to do in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Amazing adventures await as you discover interactive children's attractions. Plus you'll not want to miss dozens of fun annual events such as the Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Christmas, or the Indian Festival & Pow Wow. Stone Mountain activities are suitable for all ages:

- Trek through the treetops on Sky Hike, the nation's largest adventure course.
- Take a skyride to the top of Stone Mountain and get an up-close look at the Stone Mountain Carving.
- Ride a scenic train around the mountain.
- Stay at the Marriott Stone Mountain Inn or Evergreen Marriott resort, or spend the night in a tent or your RV at the largest Georgia campground.
- Let Stone Mountain plan and host your company picnic or family reunion at a covered outdoor pavilion.
- End your day at the world's largest laser light show featuring a fantastic fireworks finale!

Stone Mountain is open year-round, but attraction hours vary by season. Check our hours of operations and events calendar for schedules on the date(s) of your visit. Buy annual attraction passes online and be sure to check out our special offers and vacation packages.

Things to Do
Sky Hike
Climb to New Heights on Sky Hike Visit Sky Hike to trek through the treetops on the nation’s largest family adventure course. No two hikes

Crossroads®
There's a lot that will be happening in Crossroads in 2009 that will include new shopping experiences, improved dining venues and more family activities

Summit Skyride
The rock’s top attraction is The Summit Skyride. This high-speed Swiss cable car provides a stunning view of the Confederate Memorial Carving as

Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard
The Antebellum Plantation at Stone Mountain Park is a collection of original buildings from around the State of Georgia, built between 1783 and 1875

Scenic Railroad
Climb aboard our train with a full size locomotive from the 1940s with open-air cars that will take you on a lively five-mile excursion

Journey to the Center of the Earth™ 4D Movie
ALL NEW IN 2009! Your senses will be engaged through a 3D film and spectacular 4th dimension special effects in Journey to

Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf
Putter around on a miniature golf course based on the real-life adventures of the Great Locomotive Chase. Taking on the perspective of the train’s

The Great Barn®
It's harvest time in the barn! Atlanta's most exciting adventure for families and children (primarily ages 5-12), featuring super slides, trampoline floors,

Camp Highland Outpost
Exciting outdoor challenges for the entire family including rock walls to climb, plus a low ropes course with three line bridges and zip lines.

Ride The Ducks™
Learn about Stone Mountain Park ’s history in a splashy way with Ride The Ducks™. Check out the only tour where you go

Paddlewheel Riverboat
Cruise the tranquil waters of Stone Mountain Lake on the Scarlett O'Hara, an authentic side-wheeler that carries 150 passengers. The boat was built right

Lasershow Spectacular
Come see for yourself why more than 20 million people have marveled at the world’s longest running lasershow. Schedule available here. Heroes

Lasershow Spectacular
Come see for yourself why more than 20 million people have marveled at the world’s longest running lasershow. Schedule available here. Heroes

Lasershow Spectacular
Come see for yourself why more than 20 million people have marveled at the world’s longest running lasershow. Schedule available here. Heroes

Discovering Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall
Sacred ground, landmark, refuge, meeting place, home: Stone Mountain has been many things to many people. Discovering Stone Mountain Museum

Pedal Boats
Set sail on a voyage into Stone Mountain Lake in your own Pedal Boat for a 30 minute excursion. Click here to view the park's operating calendar

A Crossroads Christmas Carol
A comic retelling of the Dickens’ classic- only presented during Stone Mountain Christmas.

A Hometown Holiday
A Hometown Holiday Magnolia Theater Celebrate everything that makes the holidays special at this live musical review, featuring holiday classics

Backyard Circus
This is the only circus where your children join the acts! Presented during Spring FUN Break (April 4-12). Show Times (Sat.-Sun.): 2:00pm, 3:00pm,

Christmas Lasershow
Experience several classic and contemporary Christmas songs in lasers with a fireworks finale. It's fun for everyone! Presented exclusively during

Crossroads Christmas Parade
Join Santa and his friends such as the Snow Angel and VeggieTales as they make their Grand Entrance each night of the event. For even more Christmas

Kickin' Up Christmas
Kickin' Up Christmas Dogwood Theater Don't miss this all-new Country Christmas musical review. C’mon in, kick your shoes off and

Leaping Livestock
Come learn to be an animal trainer as our Farmyard animals strut their stuff. Who knew livestock could be so talented? *Entertainment

MistleTales
Enjoy wonderful Christmas stories, perfect for all ages, told by Mrs. Claus. Presented exclusively during Stone Mountain Christmas- select nights. *Show

Nightly Snowfall & Fireworks Celebration
Your family's eyes will fill with amazement as the Snow Angel wraps up the evening by lighting up the night sky with fireworks and bringing a white

Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest
A Pumpkin Festival Favorite - don't miss watching these delicious pumpkin pies get consumed in record time. Adult and child contestants are chosen

Sci Guys Science Show
An all-new show that demonstrates a fresh and fun way of approaching science learning. The Sci Guys are always excited about science and enjoy

VeggieTales® Meet-and-Greet
Come meet your favorite veggies, Bob & Larry! They'll be happy to pose for photos and give hugs. Presented during

Florida - Key West

2009-04-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Florida - Key West
The long drive starting at Key Largo feels like half the fun, but there’s plenty to see once you actually arrive

If you have never been here before, you are in for a real treat. There is a Key West attraction for every person. We have some of the finest saltwater fishing here. Whether you are an avid fly fisherman looking for the thrill of sight casting to tarpon as they cross a beautiful sandy flat in the Key West backcountry, or offshore doing some deep sea fishing and thinking about your fresh seafood dinner at one of our fine Key West restaurants. Enjoy a relaxing trip on a smaller charter to view dolphins in the wild or to kayak in the backcountry off Key West.

SCUBA diving and snorkeling in Key West
Diving and snorkeling the coral reefs and wrecks around Key West are spectaular. Tropical fish are abundant on the reefs and there is snorkeling available on a sailing catamaran or schooner out to the reef for a day of fun. Some of the dive boats here in Key West also offer night dives so the nightlife on the reef may be observed.

Key West accommodations - where to stay
Key West is a very fun place and can be as relaxing, romantic, or wild as you want it to be. There are accommodations in Key West for every type of traveler. We have some of the most extravogant guesthouses and inns with beautiful tropical landsaping and free form pools. Some of the places make you think you are in an oasis in a tropical rainforest. You may find it hard to believe you are really in Old Town Key West.

Key West Boating and Marinas
It is difficult to think that someone could watch the sun set on the beautiful, serene waters surrounding Key West without wanting to get closer. Whether for a ride to the tropical reefs offshore, a sports fishing charter into the Straits of Florida or the Gulf of Mexico, a daytime or sunset cruise aboard a catamaran or tall ship, a nature tour of the backcountry flats, or an excursion to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, this is the place to be. You can privately charter your craft, join a small group, or sign on with a large group ... whatever you choose. The waters around Key West are beautiful. The romance and adventure of the seas are here for the taking and sunsets are free for the viewing.

Places to Eat & Drink in Key West
No doubt about it, for a 2 by 4 mile island, Key West sure has a lot going on with food and drinks. Last count was over 240 eating and drinking establishments and that was a few years ago. One thing you can bank on while here in Key West, fresh local seafood. Outside dining seems to be the favorite because those restaurants come with a view. Some have a beautiful view of the sunet, others have a view of Duval Street and downtown Key West, which can get interesting the further into the eveing you stay. There are many restaurants off the beaten path. Ask a local where to eat, everyone has a favorite place here or a place they would love you to go try. Plenty of bars and drinking go on in Key West. Find one that suits you and enjoy the surroundings. Some bars have local bands and music almost all day and night, others have a calm and quiet atmosphere with a tranquil view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Arkansas - Hot Springs National Park

2009-04-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

Arkansas Hot Springs National Park - Historic district of Bathhouse Row is an interesting look at the spa scene from 100 years ago

Hot Springs National Park we're used to people falling in love with us. As America's First Resort and one of the South's most popular family vacation and convention destination spots, Hot Springs carries on some very important hospitality traditions. Maybe that's why everyone keeps coming back to see us.

Natural Thermal Hot Springs
Hot Springs National Park Arkansas features amazing 147° thermal water, rich history and beautiful architecture. Enjoy gorgeous Arkansas hiking trails in the Ouachita Mountains, tour the historic Fordyce Bathhouse and Visitor's Center, or enjoy a relaxing Hot Springs spa - all in the historic downtown area.

Action & Adventure
You'll find the perfect combination of relaxing activities and kick-out-all-the-stops attractions in the Spa City. Our new state-of-the art concert and sports arena, Hot Springs Convention Center and meeting facilities, interesting interactive museums, 210-acre botanical gardens, Oaklawn Park for thoroughbred horse racing, and fun family attractions make Hot Springs, AR a popular group travel destination.

Historic Hot Springs
Arkansas historic sites of downtown Hot Springs National Park include classic hotels, Victorian architecture, world-class art studios, Hot Springs restaurants, nightclubs and famed Bathhouse Row. Hot Springs, AR is also the proud hometown of our nation's 42nd president, former President Bill Clinton. Are you shopping for unique antiques and collectibles, fine art or souvenir gifts? We've got Arkansas antique shops to rock shops, boutiques to malls - yet another reason why Hot Springs is such a popular vacation destination.

Alabama - Gulf Shores

2009-04-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Alabama Gulf Shores - This pretty beach town hosts the National Shrimp Festival in October

Alabama Gulf Coast Vacations
The moment you arrive, the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping the shore or the smell of coconut oil. Perhaps it's our white sand Gulf Coast beaches and sparkling emerald water. Suddenly building sandcastles moves to the top of your "to-do" list. You remember just how much fun your spouse is. You find yourself laughing at your son's "Knock, knock" joke, even though you've heard it a zillion times. You linger over a succulent, fresh seafood dinner at one of the seaside restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, where nobody rushes to get away from the table.

A great getaway is closer than you think. A visit to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of our championship golf courses. Cast your line for deep-sea adventure on one of the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fishing charters. Travel back in history with a visit to Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Commune with Mother Nature as you hike wildlife trails gazing at shorebirds.

Whether vacationing with family, escaping with the one you love, attending an annual Alabama convention or corporate retreat, you can choose from locally-owned or national hotel and motel chains, top-notch rentals in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach condos or a variety of beach houses.

Gulf Shores / Orange Beach is a place where you can slow down, let loose, rediscover yourself and savor your loved ones. It's the Alabama Gulf Coast, and it will cast its spell over you.

Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Dutch Country

2009-04-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Dutch Country - The fascinating Amish locals don't actually like outsiders so try your best to blend in

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster has long been a popular vacation destination where visitors can enjoy a slower pace. Vacation where you can relax & unwind to the clip-clop of horses' hooves echoing down quiet country roads. Drive through one of our 28 covered bridges. Enjoy our beautiful scenery dotted with one-room schools, 4- and 6-mule teams working in the fields, and handmade clothes and quilts gently blowing in the breeze. Learn more about things to see & do throughout

The Fun
Get aboard or get lost! Whether it's a ride in an Amish buggy, a authentic steam locomotive, or a speeding roller coaster, we can take you for a ride you'll long remember. Or, if you'd rather, go lose yourself in a challenging corn maze or a colorful outlet mall or our peaceful, scenic countryside. Lancaster County has just the right prescription for all ages and interests. See our Lancaster Attractions Directory.

The Food
Lancaster County has a reputation for food. Delicious Family Style Dining , All-You-Can-Eat Smorgasbords, as well as Fine Dining and Family Restaurants. You'll find all that and more. But be sure to save room for our many distinctive foods made here in Lancaster County. Learn more about Dining in Lancaster County.

New Jersey - Cape May

2009-04-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

New Jersey Cape May — This historic Victorian town on the state’s southern tip was the country’s first seaside resort and maintains much charm today

A canal, dug from a natural shallow creek, runs from Cape May's harbor to the Delaware Bay making Cape May an island. This simple fact is fundamental to understanding Cape May. But first here are some fairly well-known facts about Cape May, New Jersey:

Though it is an island, Cape May is a part of a "cape," a strip of land projecting into a body of water. Settled by whalers and fishermen in colonial times, Cape May has been the destination of vacationers since "resorting" to a different location began, making Cape May America's oldest seaside resort.

In 1878, Cape May City nearly burned to the ground; the reconstruction that followed has left a plethora of Victorian era buildings like no other in America.

With roots as a U.S. Navy base prior to World War II, Cape May's Coast Guard Training Station continues to be an integral part of Cape May.

In 1976, Cape May was declared a National Historic Landmark City.

Cape May ("Cape Island") is made up of Cape May City, the boroughs of West Cape May and Cape May Point and a township ("Lower" which is not to be confused with Middle and Upper - all of which comprise Cape May County).

The year-round population of Cape May is about 4,700, a number that has varied little for over a hundred years. That number can swell to more than 40,000 on some summer weekends.

Getting to Cape May
Directions to Cape May, New Jersey by car, airplane, boat, and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

Flying to Cape May
The closest airport to Cape May is the Cape May County Airport. You can fly into the Cape May County Airport if you have your own small plane or access to a corporate jet.

The next closest airport is the Atlantic City International Airport. The airport is located about 45 minutes north of Cape May. There are three types of transportation out of the terminal. Rental cars, taxis, and Yellow Van Shuttle. If you need an alternate form of transportation into Cape May you can take a taxi or a shuttle to the NJ Transit Bus Station in Atlantic City. Buses run from this station directly into Cape May. Taxis are always at the airport and Yellow Van Shuttle can be contacted direct for rates and reservations.

PRIVATE BOATS
Cape May is a popular vacation spot for boaters and numerous marinas here make your visit enjoyable whether you're just passing through or planning an extended visit.

Cape-May Lewes Ferry
Another by boat option is one you don't have to pilot yourself! The Cape May Lewes Ferry is a great option for drivers coming from the South.

By Car
If you are traveling from Philadelphia, there are two ways you can drive to reach Cape May.The first option is the Atlantic City Express Route. Take either the Walt Whitman or the Ben Franklin Bridge to I-676 S. Follow the signs to RT-42 S and Atlantic City Expressway. Once on the Expressway, get off at Exit 7S to the Garden State Parkway. Follow the parkway until it ends and you're in Cape May!

Maryland - Assateague Island National Seashore

2009-04-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

Maryland
Assateague Island National Seashore - Take a wildlife tour of this unique island and see the wild ponies

Assateague Island wild ponies travel the beach near Chincoteague & Ocean City. Assateague's south entrance is a 1/4 mile east of Chincoteague, its north entrance is eight miles from Ocean City. Chincoteague and Ocean City are gateways to Assateague Island and provide vacation lodging for outdoor recreation, nature tours to see wild ponies and more...

The Park WildLife Assateague Island National Seashore is located close to Chincoteague Island, Virginia and Ocean City, Maryland and contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes. Assateague became a National Park in 1965 and together with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge and State Park, the land and water boundaries of Assateague Island total over 48,000 acres in Maryland and Virginia.

Delaware - Dewey Beach

2009-04-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Delaware
Dewey Beach — This sandbar island is one huge beach party all summer long

Dewey Beach has developed a reputation as a wild summer "party town", and is particularly popular in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Wilmington areas.
As is the case with most beach areas, Dewey Beach quiets down in the fall and winter.

The town hosts the Dewey Beach Music Conference during the last weekend of September. This event began in 2002 and has been a huge draw for unsigned bands from all over the country.

Another popular Dewey Beach event, which occurs every October, is Greyhounds Reach The Beach, where thousands of rescued greyhounds and their owners congregate.

Also, the town is the location of the annual East Coast Skimboarding Championships, in mid-August.

Dewey Beach, together with the towns of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island, comprises Delaware's beach-resort area and is Sussex County's most densely-populated and fastest-growing area.

Where To Stay
Best Western Gold Leaf:
The only nationwide hotel in Dewey Beach. Located right in the heart of town. Rooftop pool with ocean view and sundeck. Spacious and luxurious guest rooms offer private balconies - some with ocean or bay views. Free continental breakfast. Also features three rooftop conference rooms and indoor multi-level parking.
Places to stay in and around Dewey
Adams Ocean Front 4 Read Street
Atlantic Oceanside 1700 Highway 1
Atlantic View 2 Clayton Street
Barry's Gull Cottage 116 Chesapeake
Bay Resort Bellevue on the Bay
Bellbuoy Inn 21 Van Dyke
Best Western Highway 1 at Dickenson
Sand Palace Highway 1 at Dagsworthy
Sea-Esta 2306 Highway 1
Surf Club 1 Read Street

Vermont - Long Trail

2009-04-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Vermont
Long Trail - The oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country runs the length of the state

Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club and its 9500 plus members from across the country share a love for hiking and a commitment to preserving and protecting the Long Trail System for future generations. There are many ways to help the GMC in its mission to maintain, manage, and protect the Long Trail. The most basic way to help is to become a GMC member. Another important way to help is to volunteer.

The Long Trail
Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont's highest peaks.

Rhode Island - Narragansett

2009-04-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Rhode Island
Narragansett — Possibly the best beaches in New England are surrounded by plenty of summer recreation opportunities

Enjoy Narragansett Rhode Island Narragansett has four of the best beaches in Rhode Island. Tourism is an important facet of life in Narragansett, with attractive beaches, sport fishing, a relaxed atmosphere, comfortable cottages and motels, and camping areas all contributing to the tourist’s enjoyment. Narragansett strives to preserve the pleasure of a resort community with the amenities of year-round living Take a look at things to do. in Narragansett and South County.

South County Golf
Golf Ball Inc. Golf Ball Inc’s MINT quality golf balls Serving Narragansett South county Rhode Island

Rose Hill RI Golf A professionally designed golf course, Located in South County Rhode Island

Pinecrest Golf Course "One Of Our Best Kept Secrets" Located in South County Rhode Island our full length championship 9 hole golf course is set among the beautiful South County Pines.

Excellent Dining
Basils of Narragansett Described as a restaurant of “elegant food and atmosphere". The menu offers classic French Continental cuisine and has been described as “perfect” The wine list is award winning

PJ's Pub Enjoy exceptional quality reasonably priced Seafood, Veal, Chicken, Steak, Pizza and Pasta

Amalfi A gourmet restaurant and cocktail lounge In Narragansett RI
Aunt Carrie's Restaurant has been specializing in seafood for over 70 years.

Markos Kabob and More "Authentic tastes of the Near East and Beyond. Narragansett's Best

George's Of Galilee A Narragansett Rhode Island Institution Since 1948

O'Brien's Pub Located on the corner of Waites Wharf and Lower Thames St. in the heart

Narragansett South County Attractions and Things To Do
Roger Wheeler State Beach Ocean Road. Clean, sandy, safe family beach. (401) 789-3563.

Salty Brine State Beach Sand Hill Cove Road. Clean, gentle surf. Great fishing off the rocks in the port of Galilee.

Scarborough State Beach Route 108. Clean, clear, moderate to heavy surf. Excellent for body surfing. (401) 789-2324.

Southland River Boat Cruises. The Southland Riverboat has been providing harbor tours, sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, fall foliage cruises, boat charters and private charters for over 30 years

South County Museum Canonchet Farm, Narragansett, RI 02882 401-783-5400

Canonchet Memorial Corner of Beach Street and Ocean Road. A 6,000-pound limestone statue of heroic Narragansett tribal Chief Canonchet. Sculptured in 1977 by Robert K. Carsten.

Fishermen’s Memorial State Park Route 108. Coastal Park with tennis courts, playground and 182 tent and trailer sites. (401) 789-8374

Galilee Fishing Village Sand Hill Cove Road. Quaint fishing village with a working fishing fleet.

Narragansett Indian Monument Kingstown Road and Strathmore Street. Carved from a single Douglas fir by Peter Toth, this 23-foot sculpture is one of 41 throughout the country honoring the American Indian.

Narragansett Pier Beach Ocean Road. Long, southeast facing beach with long, smooth-breaking waves. Offers some of the best East Coast surfing.

Old Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station Ocean Road. Historic stone structure is now the famed Coast Guard House Restaurant.

The Historic Narragansett Towers is also located at this location

The Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge provides grounds for shore birds, terns and a variety of fish.

Point Judith Lighthouse 1460 Ocean Road. An octagonal brick building erected in 1816. (401) 789-0444.

New Hampshire - White Mountains

2009-04-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire White Mountains — Excellent hiking, gorgeous scenery, and plenty of family activities to keep everyone busy

There are seasons in the White Mountains that are more quiet and contemplative than others, and early spring is one of those times. After the winter's bustle, the landscape begins its wonderful transformation into the warmer months, offering up longer days that are warm and sun-filled, with the bluest skies you have ever seen.
The strong rays of sunshine help our mountains shirk their white mantle of snow, and water tumbles down their slopes impressively. It's the time of year when our sweetest tradition takes place over a few short weeks as maple orchards are tapped and the sap runs down to sugarhouses to make maple syrup.
While we await summer, come up for day's ride around our pretty towns. Watch our friends boil some maple syrup and be sure to stop for a pancake or waffle to enjoy a taste. Sit by a waterfall in Crawford Notch and be mesmerized by the roar of nature. All the while, our 16 summer attractions are getting ready to welcome visitors from around the world and we'd be pleased to help you in your summer plans.
Getting There
Ground Transportation
Concord Coach Lines
Provides daily service to Boston's South Station and Logan Airport from 18 communities in New Hampshire. Stops are primarily in the Merrimack Valley, Lakes Region and White Mountains.

Amtrak/USA Rail
Serves Northern New England with a stop in Claremont, NH. Amtrak Downeaster makes 4 round trips daily between Portland, ME and Boston, MA with stops in Dover, Durham and Exeter. Amtrak has a terminal in Boston's North and South Stations.

Air Transportation
Boston Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport is New England's largest airport, located in Boston, Massachusetts and only 2 hours from the White Mountains.

Burlington International Airport
Burlington International Airport is located in Burlington Vermont and only 2 hours from the White Mountains.

Itinerary
White Mountains Trail
The tour begins at the White Mountains Visitors' Center in North Woodstock, NH. The tour travels along the White Mountains Tour, National Scenic Byway, through Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch, North Conway Village and the Kancamagus Highway. There are many attractions, waterfalls, covered bridges and scenic vistas along this route to enjoy.

White Mountains Rail Tour
A Two Day Railroad tour in the White Mountains that visits the Mt. Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway and passes through scenic Crawford Notch. The second day takes you across the Kancamagus Highway, a National Scenic Byway, to Lincoln to board the Hobo Railroad, White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Trading Post and dinner aboard the Cafe Lafayette.

White Mountains Tour The Notches and North
The tour travels across the Kancamagus Highway, a National Scenic Byway, over Bear Notch road to the village of Bartlett, through Crawford Notch and then visits the towns of Bethlehem, Littleton, Sugar Hill and Franconia Notch.

White Mountains Scenic Tours
Whether your travels take you along the White Mountains Trail National Scenic Byway, the Northern Loop, or the Southern Loop, you’re in for a treat. Along the way, you’ll discover spectacular scenery, covered bridges, historic sites, picturesque towns and villages, and friendly people.

GROUP ACCOMODATIONS
The Glynn House Inn
59 Highland St, Ashland 03217

Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Conference Ctr.
Route 302, Bartlett 03812

Attitash Mountain Village
Route 302, Bartlett 03812
603-374-6500 ~ www.attitashmtvillage.com

Villager Motel
Route 302, Bartlett 03812
603-374-2742 ~ www.villagermotel.com

Massachusetts - Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield

2009-04-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Massachusetts
Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield — Come see this perfectly restored 200-year-old historic village and look at Shaker life, but don’t stir your drinks!

Hancock Shaker Village, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit educational organization. Our mission is to bring the Shaker story to life and preserve it for future generations. The Shaker Central Ministry closed the Hancock community in 1960 and sold the buildings and surrounding acreage to a group of Shaker enthusiasts, collectors and scholars who formed the not-for-profit corporation that eventually became Hancock Shaker Village. The museum opened to the public on July 1, 1961.

Over its history, the Village has restored the site and buildings, assembled and cared for the premier Shaker collection, and added innovative educational programs for the public. The Village was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968 and is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

April 11-May 3, 2009 - Expanded from '08!
7th Annual Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm
Welcome spring with the newest barnyard babies! Greet the lambs, piglets, calves and chicks filling our Round Stone Barn. Visitors can pet the new arrivals and explore the surrounding farmyard, historic buildings, and blossoming gardens. Open 10am - 4pm daily.
Click here to read more or Schedule a class field trip!

Saturday, May 9, 2009
Organic Gardening and Sustainable Farming Workshop
What's old is new again! Dig in with this hands-on day of composting, weed eradication and bug control. Whether you're starting fresh on a small Berkshire farm or maintaining an urban window box garden, you can reap the rewards of this workshop. Tools and materials provided, students may bring their own.

Memorial Day - Labor Day
Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection
Pioneers in the field of Shaker studies, Faith and Edward Deming Andrews collected directly from the Shakers themselves from the 1920s through the 1960s. The Andrews show features many never before exhibited pieces and a fascinating tale of intrigue, ethics, passion and art scholarship. Gather Up the Fragments will be traveling nationally in 2010, don't miss it at Hancock Shaker Village!

Sunday, June 28 ♦ Shaker Shalom
A gala event celebrating similarities between Shaker and Jewish cultures, featuring a music program, dinner, live and silent auctions. Proceeds to benefit both Hancock Shaker Village and Knesset Israel. Purchase tickets online or call 413.443.0188 x115.

Sunday, May 31 ♦ free lecture at Knesset Israel
"Common Ground Between Shakers and Jews" with scholars Stephen Paterwic, Dr. M. Stephen Miller, and Rabbi Steve Fuchs. Free & open to the public, RSVP required.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 ♦ 2pm in the Visitors Center
Mr. Lincoln's Chair--The Shakers and Their Quest for Peace
Lecture and book signing with author Anita Sanchez

Mr. Lincoln's Chair presents the Shakers against the backdrop of the Civil War, contrasting their peaceful lives with the carnage of America's bloodiest battles. The Shakers' struggle to obtain conscientious objector status led them all the way to the White House for an audience with President Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Lincoln's Chair is for anyone interested in the Shakers and their unique way of life or for anyone fascinated by the life of Lincoln. It takes a look at Lincoln from a different point of view: the Commander-in-Chief of America's bloodiest war as seen through the eyes of America's early conscientious objectors.

Program offered as part of The Lincoln Trail in the Berkshires

July 22-26, 2009
35th Annual Shaker Seminar
This summer, Shaker Seminar will travel to Enfield and Canterbury, New Hampshire, for five days of tours, lectures and camraderie. Novices and Shaker enthusiasts alike will enjoy this excellent opportunity to be immersed in Shaker history as well as Shaker landscapes. Click here to read more!

August 8 & 9, 2009
Oval Box Workshop
Students will make a nest of 4 boxes and learn to carve swallow tails, bend the box and install tops and bottoms. Students will also examine samples of fine Shaker craftsmanship from the HSV collection. This is a chance for woodworking beginnings to get a great start, and for more experienced woodworkers to develop a new skill. No previous experience required.
Tuition: HSV Members $190 ♦ Non-members $210

August 15 & 16, 2009
16th Annual Age of Iron Weekend
Come see the iron men and women demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and metal work. Forges and workshops are set up around the historic Village grounds for family activities and demonstrations. Try your hand at being the Village 'Smithy!
Co-sponsored with the Berkshire Blacksmiths' Association

September 23-27, 2009
Timber Framing Workshop
Learn the craft of timber frame construction using 18th and 19th century tools and techniques. The class will complete the parts and assemble the frame of a small building. Instructional demonstrations and discussions supplement the hands-on learning activities. Tools and materials are provided, and students can bring their own as well.

Participants must register directly with instructors Jack Sobon & Dave Carlon. Please call 413.684.3223 or 413.684.3612
Tuition: HSV Members $430, Non-Members $475

September 26&27, 2009
12th Annual Country Fair
Celebrate the bounty of the Harvest at the Country Fair! A Kid's Tent,a Pie Contest, samples of heirloom vegetables to taste, vendors of old-time farm-related crafts and trades, local purveyors of the region's best food. Wagon rides and demonstrations of traditional games and trades offer hands-on fun for the whole family!There's something for everyone at the Country Fair. Click here to read more!

October 10 and 11, November 7 and 28, 2009
Shaker Supper
Be a part of the fall family tradition by coming to the Village for a Shaker-inspired candlelight dinner in the historic Brick Dwelling. Traditional seasonal fare followed by a Shaker music program makes this a perfect evening for family and friends to share. Contact HSV to reserve your place at the table: 413.443.0188 x213. Learn More!

October 4-10, 2009
Spinning & Weaving Week
As part of National Spinning and Weaving Week, Hancock Shaker Village highlights Shaker textiles. See and participate in activities related to making cloth - flax processing, spinning, dying and weaving. See Shaker textiles from our collection that will change your notion of what the Shakers wore and made.

XC Skiing and Snowshoeing at the Village!
Enjoy the peace and beauty of the Village in a whole new way. Tour the Farm & Forest 1-mile trail and the inspiring grounds of the Shaker Village. Purchase Ski passes at the Village Store for $7.50. (Skiers and Snowshoers also get discounts on Guided Tours). HSV Members ski the Village for free! Questions? Call 800.817.1137 x213

Maine - Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

2009-04-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park - The postcard-perfect village is a summer playground and home to the gorgeous Acadia National Park
Welcome to Bar Harbor The magic of Bar Harbor...romance, adventure, the rock-bound coast and soaring granite cliffs. From the stonewall-lined and tree-covered road leading you into our village, to the sweeping vistas from atop Cadillac Mountain, there is a special mystique to Bar Harbor. Nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island, surrounded by Acadia National Park, we have welcomed visitors for over a hundred years. And now we welcome you, too! Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park have a wide variety of offerings for visitors. There truly is something for everyone.
Getting Here
By Boat: Since Bar Harbor is an island and a popular place for both sailing and powerboating, there are many suitable moorings.
By Ferry You can also take the "The CAT Ferry" (Bay Ferries Limited) from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor.
By Air: Bar Harbor is serviced by a local airport, the Hancock County Airport, located just 12 miles from the village, and by Bangor International Airport only 50 miles away.
Bus Service: During the summer months, Bar Harbor is serviced by Greyhound/Vermont Transit from Boston. Since schedules vary, it is best to check with the bus line.
By Cruise Ship: A wonderful way to visit Bar Harbor is on one of the over 70 beautiful cruise ships that arrive in Bar Harbor each year.

Of course, when you go on vacation, you could just kick off your shoes and snooze your break away, but more people are finding that one of the best ways to shed the cares of the workaday world is to turn their energy in a different direction. To that end, Bar Harbor offers all manner of activities for all manner of people; truly something for everyone.
Activities
ACADIA BIKE Acadia Bike features the largest bicycle rental fleet in New England, so you're sure to get the bike you want.
ACADIA MOUNTAIN GUIDES CLIMBING SCHOOL Maine's most respected climbing school! Enjoy personalized rock or ice climbing instruction on the scenic seacliffs of Acadia or join us on a regional or international destination trip.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOURS Bar Harbor and Acadia's premier sightseer: 2 1/2 hours of the best sights, sounds & stories available with 3 - 15 minute stops in Acadia National Park.
ALL FIRED UP All Fired Up provides a comfortable setting for you, your family and friends to create your own art.
ATLANTIC BREWING COMPANY
Located 10 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor, off Route 3. Come see how Bar Harbor's #1 local beers, wines and sodas are produced.
ATLANTIC CLIMBING SCHOOL Rock climbing courses in Acadia National Park for all ages, abilities and fitness levels.
THE SPA AT THE BAR HARBOR CLUB Enjoy a luxurious, state-of-the-art Spa ready to cater to your every whim. The Spa at the Bar Harbor Club offers each guest an experience born of the privileged elite.
CRITERION THEATRE AND ARTS CENTER
The newly restored historic Criterion Theatre now offers an expanded schedule of movies, live music, dramatic performances, and other special events.
DOWN EAST NATURE TOURS
Personalized bird watching and nature tours for individuals, couples, families and small groups. Bicycle, hiking and cross-country ski tours; 1/2 day & full day, camping and more.
KEBO VALLEY GOLF CLUB
Surrounded by the mountains of Acadia National Park, Kebo Valley has been enticing golfers from all over the world for more than 100 years to the challenges of the finest 18 holes of championship golf in Maine.
OCEANARIUM & LOBSTER HATCHERY
Enjoy an up-close experience with marine life. At the oceanarium on Rt. 3 take a guided tour of a salt marsh and the Maine Lobster Museum.
TREE OF LIFE DAY SPA
Lounge in a soft robe and sip tea while you bathe in the afterglow of one of the best spa treatments you have ever received.
YOGA AT CATTITUDE
Our studio is a haven for peaceful relaxation-right in the center of downtown Bar Harbor.
Activities Sea
COASTAL KAYAKING TOURS
We specialize in small groups (12 people per tour) and personalized service, featuring the island's most experienced guide staff.
DIVER ED'S DIVE-IN THEATER
Come aboard The Seal and watch live underwater footage as Diver Ed searches the bottom of Frenchman Bay for fascinating critters.
DOWNEAST FRIENDSHIP SLOOP CHARTERS
Escape the crowds! Enjoy a private sailing charter on our traditional Friendship Sloop, originally designed in the late 1800's by Maine fishermen hauling lobster traps.
DOWNEAST WINDJAMMER CRUISES
Come enjoy a 1 1/2 to 2 hour windjammer cruise aboard the majestic 151' 4-masted schooner, Margaret Todd.
LIGHTHOUSE AND NATIONAL PARK TOUR
Considered Bar Harbor’s best tour! Let the fast 90 ft. jet powered catamaran Bay King III whisk you away.
LOBSTER FISHING AND SEAL WATCHING
Fish with local Captain Jeff Black aboard the Downeast lobster boat the M/V Miss Samantha.
LULU LOBSTER BOAT RIDE
(toll free in Maine only) Discover Bar Harbor's most exclusive, personal and unique sightseeing cruise. Join Captain John on Lulu, a traditional Downeast lobster boat, for a 2 hour tour of Frenchman Bay.
NATIONAL PARK SEA KAYAK TOURS
Paddle to remote "Western Side" of MDI with Professional Maine Guides. Personalized (12 people max) Ecological Tours, 1/2 day morning, afternoon & sunset tours.
SEA VENTURE CUSTOM BOAT TOURS
Treat yourself! Captain Winston Shaw, an expert naturalist with 30 years local experience, offers totally unique private boat tours for individuals and parties of up to 6.
AQUATERRA ADVENTURES
Sea kayaking at its finest with some of the most experienced guides & instructors in the area.
BAKER ISLAND ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOUR
Discover…Explore…Learn…. Join an Acadia National Park ranger on this amazing island adventure.
BAR HARBOR FERRY
Enjoy spectacular views as you travel between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor. With 5 trips daily, you'll pass by lighthouses, mountains, mansions and lobstermen hauling their traps.
BAR HARBOR FISHING TRIPS
Come aboard the 50' Tiger Shark for an enjoyable 4 hour fishing trip around the Islands of Frenchman's Bay.
BAR HARBOR WHALE WATCH CO.
Come with us and see the largest animals on earth - Humpbacks, Finbacks, Right; also porpoise, dolphins, sharks, and tuna.
THE CAT (BAY FERRIES LIMITED)
Ferry service to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Casino, dining, duty free shopping, movies, bar, day trips and exciting overnight packages to Canada.

Connecticut Mystic Seaport

2009-04-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Mystic Seaport - This historic fishing village has an aquarium, a lovely downtown, and yes, Mystic Pizza

The Museum of America and the Sea, is a living history maritime museum situated along the banks of the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, USA. It is notable both for its collection of sailing ships and boats, and for the re-creation of crafts and fabric of an entire 19th century seafaring village. It consists of more than 60 original historic buildings, most of them rare commercial structures moved to the 37-acre (15 ha) site and meticulously restored.

There is so much to see and do at Mystic Seaport, you may need more than one day to explore it all!

Mystic Seaport is primarily divided into four sections:

* A re-created 19th-Century Village, complete with Museum educators who teach you about each building's role in a coastal community;
* The Waterfront, featuring tall ships and other historic vessels that you can climb aboard and explore;
* Our Preservation Shipyard, where you can watch us restore antique vessels using traditional methods and tools; and
* A diverse selection of formal Exhibits and Galleries, including Frozen In: Captain Comer and the Hudson Bay Inuit, Sentinels of the Sea and a special exhibition highlighting the life and work of famed yacht designer Olin Stephens. And don't forget Voyages, our signature exhibition.
* NEW Stroll through the gardens at Mystic Seaport.

The Museum also invites visitors to get on the water with a boat rental from our Boathouse, or learn about the stars in our Planetarium. And for our younger visitors we offer a wide variety of opportunities for learning and fun, including our Children's Museum, Discovery Barn and Playscape Area.

Climb aboard today and explore all that Mystic Seaport has to offer!

Where to Dine
SEAMEN'S INNE RESTAURANT & PUB
Seamen's Inne offers distinctive 21st-century cuisine with 19th-century charm in our candlelit dining room or informal pub setting

THE GALLEY
Whether you're looking for a cup of hot chowder or chicken fingers for the kids, our informal Galley Restaurant is the spot - located on the Mystic Seaport Village Green.

SCHAEFER'S SPOUTER TAVERN
If you work up a thirst or an appetite strolling the streets of our authentic New England village, this 19th-century waterfront tavern, open during the warmer months, offers simple fare served by costumed staff.

WEDDINGS AND CORPORATE EVENTS
With 19 magnificent riverfront acres and catering that's picture-perfect as well, Mystic Seaport makes the ideal location for weddings and corporate get-togethers, with a number of remarkable locations.