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The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021
When the time comes to travel again, these destinations — all right in your own backyard — are the ones to visit next.
Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.
Even for the compulsive jetsetters among us, it's a simple truth that most travel stories are aspirational in the best of times. There are too many incredible places to see, not enough vacation days, and sometimes we all have to content ourselves with scrawling another spot on the bucket list and hoping the stars align.
But this year, as we all sat at home and watched the world come to a halt, "aspirational" took on new meaning. When restrictions relaxed this summer , the familiar wanderlust crept back in. With even the most straightforward international getaways ruled out, and many travelers still hesitant to hop on a plane, even simple trips — scenic drives , camping weekends , staycations across town — suddenly felt novel and luxurious.
Related : Guide to more travel ideas
With the first vaccines now rolling out, it seems the end of our long international nightmare is finally (finally!) in sight. In anticipation of that moment, we've once again compiled our annual list of the best places to travel in the coming year — with one twist. In honor of our revived appreciation for the discoveries to be made in our own backyards, this year's list features 50 dynamic, of-the-moment destinations — all right here in the United States.
Related : The Top 15 Cities in the United States
Some spots on the list ahead are newly blossoming thanks to hotel or infrastructure developments or revamped cultural attractions. Others caught on this summer, as social distancing made empty expanses of wilderness more compelling than ever and we all looked for new wells of charm in our own home states. What they all have in common is that singularity that makes a destination memorable — the sense that this place has something to offer that you won't find anywhere else in the world.
One day soon, we'll all get back to traveling the way we did before. We'll gripe about security lines and airplane meals , delight at hearing an unfamiliar language or staying in a new hotel , develop passionate loyalties for a particular food truck or coffee kiosk. Until then, we hope this list will serve as something to hold onto — to stoke your wanderlust and keep the tiny flame of optimism burning. Sure, it's a little bit aspirational. But that just means we're still willing to dream.
Related : The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020
Ahead, Travel + Leisure 's 50 best places to travel in 2021, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Alaska's Coast
In the midst of the pandemic, Alaska's entire May to September cruise season was cancelled in 2020. That left some 1.3 million travelers unable to board ships to experience thunderously calving glaciers, frolicking humpback whales, lively gold rush towns, and fascinating Alaska Native arts scenes. Tourism providers missed serious income. Cruise lines and local officials express muted optimism about 2021, which may be the best year to see Alaska given that cruise ships are unlikely to sail full and coastal towns won't have their typical crowds even post-vaccine rollout. Or skip the civilization part: Vast national parks such as Glacier Bay, Misty Fjords, and Kenai Fjords are best reached by boat. Small ship soft-adventure lines such as UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions — and ultra-luxurious Seabourn with its zodiac and kayak exploration program on the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey — have one-week itineraries that spend most of their time in the wild. For more privacy, rent the six-passenger, 78-foot Sea Mist for a luxury yachting experience in Prince William Sound, home to more active tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. — Fran Golden
Listen to Travel + Leisure's "Let's Go Together" podcast for more inspiring stories and adventures celebrating inclusivity in travel!
2. Astoria, Oregon
Goonies never say die, and neither does the nostalgia of visiting Astoria, the northwestern Oregon town at the mouth of the Columbia River where the '80s cult classic film was shot. The oldest American settlement in the West, this charming seaside town evokes a simpler time with its colorful Victorian houses and treasure-filled antique shops. Around these parts, freshness matters only for fish and beer. A new mobile passport program by the North Coast Craft Beer Trail ensures drinkers find their way to both big names like Fort George Brewery — famous for its IPAs — and smaller spots like the 20-barrel Buoy Beer , built in a former fish cannery right on the river. It's one of many old cannery sites that have found new lives here, most notably the boutique Cannery Pier Hotel , where new ownership plans a February unveiling of renovations to its spa — famed for the Finnish sauna and water-view hot tub. Though the town made its name on tinned fish, Astoria now thrives on the direct connection to fresh seafood at places like South Bay Wild Fish House, from the family behind a fishing vessel of the same name. At their restaurant, sustainably caught Dungeness crab, Oregon pink shrimp, black cod, and more goes direct from boat to bánh mì. — Naomi Tomky
3. The Berkshires
City-dwellers have been visiting this region of gently rolling hills and charmingly sedate towns in Western Massachusetts since the 19th century, but a welcome boost of youthful energy arrived with the 2018 opening of the design-forward hotel Tourists in North Adams and, last year, the launch of Miraval Berkshires , the third location of the luxe wellness resort. While summer is still the most popular season, thanks in part to the beloved classical music venue Tanglewood and dance center Jacob's Pillow, there are still plenty of opportunities for social distancing, from the enormous exhibition spaces at the contemporary art museum Mass Moca , to the pastoral acres surrounding the Clark Art Institute (home to the Institute's first-ever outdoor exhibition, Ground/work, through October 2021), to a hike up Mount Greylock or Monument Mountain, to a meal at Cantina 229 , a restaurant set on a farm that offers outdoor seating in warmer months. Mooncloud, a new bar in Great Barrington, is riding out the pandemic with a slate of to-go meals and cocktail kits. Tuck in for the night at the peaceful but chic Inn at Kenmore Hall , a bed and breakfast in a classical Georgian estate. — Peter Terzian
4. Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky 's 5,800 acres of skiable terrain makes it a fan favorite for crowd-free skiing in the Rocky Mountains. But a multi-year, $150 million investment into Big Sky Resort aims to transform this region of Southwest Montana into America's Alps, meaning skiers may soon have to share their powder-perfect runs. Last year, The Wilson Hotel , a Residence Inn by Marriott, made headlines when it became the first and only major brand hotel to open in Big Sky's town center (don't miss the soon-to-open Tips Up, a vintage-inspired tavern across the street). Now, all eyes are on the $400 million ultra-luxury Montage Big Sky , which will open its doors for the 2021-22 ski season within Spanish Peaks Mountain Club , a 3,500-acre private golf and ski community. The 150-key resort features ski-in, ski-out access, an 11,000-square-foot spa, and a four-lane bowling alley. In warmer climes, guests can enjoy the development's 18-hole golf course, nearby fly-fishing rivers, and an extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails. Two slope-side hotels, the Summit and the Huntley Lodge , have renovations in the works, and Moonlight Basin , another private development adjacent to the ski resort, has plans to build a luxury hotel (a One&Only if the rumors are true) on its 8,000-acre-property, which is also home to a thousand-acre high-elevation Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. New airlift is ushering travelers from Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, and Charlotte, N.C. to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (less than an hour's drive from downtown Big Sky), while a new six-person high-speed chairlift will begin whizzing people up Lone Peak in record time starting next November. When the snow melts, Big Sky's 18-mile proximity to Yellowstone National Park adds even more appeal for nature lovers in search of epic adventures in the great outdoors. Just be sure to get there before everyone else does. — Nora Walsh
5. Birmingham, Alabama
The modern scene in The Magic City is a great example of what can happen when Alabama kids head off to the big city to hone their skills, then return home to do their thing — in a really high-quality way. Take Chef Adam Evans: the Muscle Shoals native worked in New Orleans and New York and opened The Optimist with Ford Fry in Atlanta before heading back to B-Ham to launch Automatic Seafood & Oysters . Moves like this — along with quirky java shops ( Red Cat Coffee House ), upscale cocktail bars ( Paper Doll ), a women-owned vegan food truck , and the Pizitz global food hall — have brought a vibrancy to the city, where contemporary charm and old Southern hospitality mingle on a big scale. The destination is catching up to demand for luxury lifestyle hotels with the Valley Hotel , opening in the historic, cool-again suburb Homewood in January with a new outpost of Edgar's Bakery and more restaurants to come. Railroad Park , a 19-acre green space, has transformed downtown over the last decade, with walking trails, food truck festivals, and an outdoor symphony. And look for Protective Stadium , a 47,000-seat facility and entertainment district, to open in 2021. —Kelsey Ogletree
6. The Black Hills of South Dakota
The great American road trip is the best example of the journey as the destination. As Americans took to the road in search of wide-open spaces this year , places that may have been overlooked for lack of airlift found a new audience. South Dakota's Black Hills have long been a mandatory road trip stop — its mountains are home to Mount Rushmore, the historic town of Deadwood, and several national monuments and parks — and now it's back on the map as a destination in its own right. The region first got a little more glamour two years ago, when glamping outfitter Under Canvas raised its tent poles among the pine and juniper trees just four miles from the presidential monument. And this year, intrepid travelers can see the area in a fresh way with the debut of Adventure Cycling's new Parks, Peaks, and Prairies cycling route, which pieces together trails winding from Yellowstone to Minneapolis. Over in historic Deadwood, a new year-round public space in the heart of town, Outlaw Square, is home to a slew of activities that sound luxurious after nearly a year in lockdown — movie nights, concerts — while in Rapid City, work is underway on the Monument, a massive civic center expansion that will bring bigger crowds to landmark events like the Black Hills Powwow , which marks its 35th anniversary next fall. — Scott Bay
7. Buffalo, New York
Sure, you've heard rumblings about Buffalo's restaurants, or maybe its brewery boom. But lately, the city is getting attention for its visual arts scene — and most notably, a game-changing new gallery that's Native American-owned and dedicated entirely to Indigenous art. Dave Kimelberg, a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, founded K. Art — the only gallery of its kind in the U.S. — this year in an effort to showcase the diversity of Native nations and carve out a bigger space in the market for contemporary Native works. Elsewhere in the city, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is undergoing a massive expansion, currently slated for completion in 2022; until then, visit the institution's Northland campus, or explore projects across the city from the AK Public Art Initiative . Still more developments are in the works: the $65 million Silo City restoration and reuse will bring arts, commercial, and exhibition space to a string of abandoned grain silos, and golf brand OnCore is launching a massive golf complex and hotel on the Buffalo River. — Scott Bay
8. Burlington, Vermont
Escaping to Vermont sounds like a way to get in touch with nature and spend some time on a farm, but Burlington has all the offerings of a much larger city — plus opportunities to get some much-needed fresh air. The city is home to an array of bars and restaurants slinging creative drinks: Deli 126 , The Archives , Misery Loves Co. , Peg & Ter's , and a collaboration between Orlando's Bar & Lounge and Grandma's Spanish Kitchen with Cuban and Peruvian influences. CO Cellars — located in the Soda Plant , a small business base camp with everything from custom lighting to pickles — sells local naturally fermented fruit wines from ZAFA Wines and Shacksbury Cider. And if that's not enough, Dedalus Wine Shop and Market will help you taste through an array of natural wines from around the world, paired with housemade charcuterie, cheeses, and Spanish-inspired bites from the kitchen. Enjoy a slice of private beach with stand-up paddleboarding, yoga, and windsurfing at Burlington Surf Club when the weather is warmer. When there's at least a few inches of snow on the ground, the adventurous can try winter sports: Hotel Vermont will equip you with gear to get you going, whether you want to go snowshoeing or Nordic skiing through the snowy streets or down Vermont hillsides, dare to try snowkiting, or prefer to ice skate on the frozen parts of Lake Champlain. To fuel up for — or warm up after — some time in the snow, try an array of pakoras at the newly-opened Elaichi , tacos and margs at Taco Gordo , dynamic Chinese fare at A Single Pebble 's brick-and-mortar restaurant or roving food truck, or the combo of Café Mamajuana 's Dominican fusion and Poppy Café & Market 's creative sandwiches in one shared space. Wherever you go, you'll get a combination of small-town hospitality and big-city amenities. — Alyse Whitney
9. Cape May, New Jersey
During the summer of 1852, Harriet Tubman worked as a cook and housekeeper in Cape May, the seaside resort town where the Delaware Bay rushes into the Atlantic Ocean at the knifepoint of New Jersey. That was her day job, anyway. Given that Cape May was a hive of abolitionist activity at the time, it's long been accepted that Tubman's real work was guiding enslaved men and women through this critically situated junction between the South and freedom in Philadelphia and points north. Opening on Juneteenth, the years-in-the-works Harriet Tubman Museum chronicles her time in Cape May while contextualizing the city's status as a critical (and critically overlooked) place in Black history. The museum occupies the former parson's house of the historic Macedonian Baptist Church, and the late Reverend Robert Davis's collection of artifacts (Bantu and Bakota masks, iron shackles used on enslaved peoples) ties the experience back to Africa and the transatlantic slave trade. A few blocks away, the Underground Railroad trolley tour departs to landmarks like abolitionist Stephen Smith's house and the Franklin Street School, the city's first segregated school (slated to become a cultural arts and community center). Renewed interest in Cape May has energized the staid hotel stock, with Philly's Lokal brand opening a crisp beach house with a saltwater pool and the famed Peter Shields Inn debuting Inn Town Suites , a pair of palm-patterned quarters above Willow & Stone , a handsome boutique stocked with waterproof ORI knapsacks and knit cashmere for the modern seafaring rake. For more privacy, the meticulously furnished, ag-fantasy Cottages at Bach Plum Farm are situated on the less developed north side of town betwixt blackberry brambles and heritage hog paddocks — and a leisurely walk to the Cape May Lighthouse , a beacon for safety seekers fleeing slavery and stormy seas since 1859. — Adam Erace
10. The Catskills
From the 1920s to the 60s the scenic mountain region about two hours north of Manhattan boomed as the Borscht Belt, full of sprawling resorts catering chiefly to summering Jewish families. Today, young urbanites are snapping up weekend houses in the area at an ever-increasing rate, and entrepreneurs are following their lead by opening small, design-y hotels all over the region. The 15-room Shandaken Inn , in the village of Shandaken, puts outdoor enthusiasts within 25 minutes of the popular zipline canopy tours on Hunter Mountain and 35 minutes of the hiking trail to Kaaterskill Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in the state. Seven miles down the road is the third outpost from Urban Cowboy . This 28-room fully embraces its rural setting near the Big Indian Wilderness forest preserve with on-site pursuits that include swimming and fishing for trout in the Esopus Creek. About an hour and a half southwest of Big Indian, Kenoza Hall began as a boarding house in the early 1900s. Sims Foster and his wife, Kirsten Harlow Foster, who own the nearby DeBruce inn , have overhauled the building, marrying historic touches like the original hardwood floors with custom elements, including sleigh beds. The boomlet shows no signs of slowing in 2021. Homeware design duo Nolan McHugh and Trevor Briggs are set to enter the hospitality scene in March with Piaule Catskill , a 24-cabin landscape hotel located just outside the region's namesake town. (Expect minimalist structures with lots of glass accented by steel and cedar.) Then in April, Sant Singh Chatwal of the Dream Hotel Group will open Chatwal Lodge in Bethel. Making the most of its position on 60 forested acres of the Chapin Estate, the refuge looks out onto the Toronto Reservoir and takes inspiration from its natural surroundings for decor elements like hand-carved wood accents and massive stone fireplaces. Accommodations will consist of 10 suites, a treehouse, and a glamping tent, and the food and beverage options will include a farm-to-table restaurant that will source fish from the onsite trout stream and produce from its own kitchen garden. — Sarah Bruning
11. Cincinnati, Ohio
The first clues that the Queen City — a Rust Belt capital that was hard hit by the decline of American manufacturing — was poised for a comeback started a few years ago, when tech startups and small businesses moved into disused Over-the-Rhine warehouses, filmmakers flocked in to take advantage of tax breaks and early-20th-century architecture, and historic spaces like the city's Music Hall got a much-needed polish. Now, the urban revival is official — but sneak in a 2021 visit and you can still claim to be a trendsetter. Check into the Kinley , which opened its doors in downtown Cincy in October with a much-buzzed-about restaurant from chefs Kevin Ashworth and Edward Lee. While you're in town, dine at restaurant standouts Please and Goose & Elder , explore new outdoor installations at the Cincinnati Art Museum , and pay a visit the lauded Cincinnati Zoo , whose animal dispatches on social media are the only reasonable justification for keeping your Twitter account. —Lila Battis
12. Delaware
Over the past year, Delaware has been making headlines as the de facto HQ for No. 46 and his transition team, but there's plenty of reason for buzz beyond politics. Many of the recent developments that have drawn young professionals to the capital of Wilmington from nearby hubs like Philadelpha — creative businesses, a high-caliber culinary scene, fewer crowds — also appeal to travelers. Wilmington's marquee hotel, Hotel DuPont , recently underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment that breathed new life into its iconic Green Room, which now houses the refined French restaurant Le Cavalier, and added De.CO , a casual food hall with six stalls and a bar. Sartorially inclined visitors would do well to check out wares from Town and Store Studio. (For the time being, designer Liv McClintock is selling her handmade leather goods and jewelry via pop-ups and trunk shows.) And though Torbert Street Social is temporarily closed to adhere to COVID restrictions, the recent addition to Wilmington's cocktail scene is worth a stop for such well-crafted originals as the LL Mule J, which pairs vodka with blood orange and kombucha. Come summer, it'll be hard to stay away from the revitalized Riverfront area, which encompasses a number of seafood joints and provides access to watersports and local walking trails. — Sarah Bruning
13. Denver's Lower Highlands
When you visit a city, you want to be based where the cool crowd is. In Denver, that means the hip, arty Lower Highlands neighborhood. LoHi, as it's known by locals, has long been the city's hub for creative cocktails, craft breweries, and cult restaurants, like Pan-Latin small plates spot Señor Bear and Israeli hit Ash'Kara . In the face of a pandemic, the hood has loyally supported exciting newcomers including Fifth String , a restaurant focused on family-style dishes and natural wines, and Room for Milly , a cocktail bar inspired by the roaring 20s. The recent addition of 17-room Life House Lower Highlands finally gives visitors an option beyond Airbnb if they want to be immersed in the LoFi action. Located in the heart of the Navajo Street Art District, the intimate stay transports guests to a Victorian-era pioneer homestead — but, y'know, cool — with furnishings upholstered in dusty florals, Wild West nods like cowhide detailing and vintage cowboy photos, and a sexy, saloon-inspired restaurant and bar. Through an exclusive partnership with conservation-minded land management group Ranchlands, guests can escape the city for a day and experience the frontier spirit firsthand at Chico Basin Ranch . For a jolt of 21st-century culture, downtown Denver is just a short walk away and will unveil a massive art installation from New Mexico-backed artist collective Meow Wolf later this year. — Jen Murphy
14. Florida's Middle Keys
The closest you can get to a Caribbean vacation without leaving the continental U.S., the laid-back islands between Key Largo and Key West took the brunt of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and are where you want to visit in 2021 to connect with one of the country's most fragile ecosystems, both above and below sea level: astronomer-led stargazing walks at the family-friendly Hawk's Cay on Duck Key; Grimal Grove , where community organizer-turned-tropical fruit farmer Patrick Garvey is raising five varieties of nutritious breadfruit to fight hunger insecurity; the Turtle Hospital on Marathon, whose recent 911s include caring for babies beached by Hurricane Eta and endangered Kemps-Ridleys cold-stunned (like hypothermia for turtles) in Cape Cod. While unseasonably chilly water spells trouble up north, warming seas and a still-unidentified infection has bleached up to 98 percent of the Keys' local reef — the largest in North America — but the young scientists at the MOTE Elizabeth Moore marine lab on Summerland Key are in the midst of a promising project to rejuvenate the crippled reef through lab reproduction (like IVF for coral). You can even participate in a hands-on underwater coral transplant through a new partnership with Captain Hook 's dive center on Big Pine. To balance good work with sybaritic indulgence, there's no beating the scalloped pool and impeccable residences at Marathon's recently reopened Marlin Bay Resort & Marina . The resort is walking distance to Keys Fisheries , the best place in the islands for stone crab, a sustainable specialty that goes for $3 a claw in season at the pleasingly disheveled upstairs bar. — Adam Erace
15. Fort Worth, Texas
A walloping dose of Texas heritage — with some luxe, modern updates — is drawing visitors to hit the city where the West begins. The historic Fort Worth Stockyards , once a resupply stop for cattle drovers, captures the celebrated legacy of Texas' bustling livestock industry with rodeos, a history museum, and the world's only twice-daily cattle drive. It's also home to an array of boutiques rich with Lone Star style: In Mule Alley, visit Lucchese for a pair of hand-stitched boots, and stop at Stetson for the obligatory cowboy hat. The forthcoming Hotel Drover , too, will pay homage to the cowboys of old. Set to open in early 2021, the property has a design sensibility that's Old West-meets-Spanish Colonial, with a sprinkling of Victorian smoking lounge moodiness. Embark on a tour of the city's booming creative scene with stops at Art Tooth and the recently renovated Amon Carter Museum of American Art , then cap off your evening with some of Texas's best grain-to-glass bourbon at Blackland Distilling . Stay overnight at the soon-to-open Hotel Dryce , a posh, locally owned boutique hotel and bar situated in Fort Worth's Cultural District. — Gabrielle Nicole Pharms
16. Galena, Illinois
Hidden from the highway just a 30-minute drive from Dubuque, the town of Galena was once the largest riverboat port north of St. Louis. That may have made it one of the state's most influential cities in its 19th-century heyday, but today, history buffs are more likely to recognize it by name as home to nine former Civil War generals, most famously Ulysses S. Grant. And in an era when all of us are rediscovering regional treasures instead of heading further afield, the town has all the makings of the perfect afternoon: A main street just blocks from the Galena River that can be fully explored in a few hours, regional history museums , quirky boutiques, art galleries showcasing local talents , a bar on every corner, and a handful of restaurants. The magic begins not at the P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre , but on the journey into the downtown district: the quick and distinct shift from convenient fast food stops and gas stations to Late Victorian facades and cobblestones sets an oddly comforting tone, whether you're a repeat visitor or not. Galena's easygoing charm is enough to draw both domestic and international tourists, but taking a walk along what's locally known as the "Helluva Half Mile" will plant itself in your memory. If you're looking to extend your stay, book a room at the DeSoto House , the state's oldest operating hotel. —Erika Owen
17. Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah
Glamping retreats gained new appeal in 2020 as travelers scrambled to safely scratch the vacation itch. And though the vaccine promises a slow return to normal in the months ahead, the taste for luxury in the wild is here to stay. That's good news for luxury glamping operator Under Canvas, which will round out its western offerings with the new Under Canvas Lake Powell-Grand Staircase next year. The property sits on a 220-acre expanse right on the edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument , and guests staying in one of its 50 tents can enjoy all the standard Under Canvas amenities — chic, modern furnishings, s'mores by the fire — along with the option to tack on visits to the brand's other area properties for a full Southwestern road trip experience. Just a few miles down the road in Canyon Point, Aman, too, is jumping on the tented-camp trend with Camp Sarika , a ten-suite Amangiri offshoot that has an away-from-it-all feel — along with heated plunge pools, fire pits, soaking tubs, and views of the sunset over the surrounding mesas. —Lila Battis
18. The Gulf Coast
Picture a white-sand beach, clear aquamarine water, gently swaying palms — the almost-too-perfect scene that looks for all the world like a Caribbean paradise or a remote cove in the Seychelles. Along the Gulf Coast, beauty like this is a given, and a road-trip is the best way to get your fill. Tampa is a great kickoff point; stay at the newly opened Hotel Haya , which nods to the city's Cuban roots. On the Florida Panhandle, the cluster of towns that make up the Emerald Coast offer charms to spare. Grab a vacation rental for a few days to explore tony Alys Beach, which feels for all the world like it was plucked from a Grecian isle — its private shoreline, miles of meandering bike paths, and see-and-be-seen pool-restaurant complex have made it a favorite among the ultrawealthy. Over in Sandestin, Hotel Effie opens this February, with 250 rooms and a restaurant from chef Hugh Acheson. Time your trip right and you can make it to the Emerald Coast Open , a tournament focused on spearing invasive lionfish. At the corresponding Restaurant Week, local chefs work delicious magic with a fish long written off as bad eating. End your trip in Alabama's twin Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, where repair efforts are underway after Hurricane Sally swept through this fall. Family-friendly Perdido's Beach Resort will reopen in March after a full renovation, and closed areas of Gulf State Park are expected to reopen next year. Luckily, some of the area's biggest highlights — its 32 miles of pristine powder beaches, the carnival of seafood delights at Fisher's — remain unchanged. —Lila Battis
19. Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis may be famous for its annual Indy 500 motorsports race, but it's the state capital's arts and culture scene that's revving on all cylinders. Next year, the eight-mile Cultural Trail will undergo a two-mile extension, making it even easier to explore Circle City's attractions on two wheels, including the revamped Madam Walker Legacy Center and the new 12-acre Bottleworks District along Carrollton Ave. Here, a $300 million investment is giving new life to an Art Deco gem—a 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant whose restored terracotta facade, original terrazzo floors and tilework, and vintage brass doors will be on full display at the 139-room Bottleworks Hotel debuting this month. An Asian-fusion restaurant, coffee bar, nail salon, and speakeasy are coming soon to the property, while old maintenance garages across the street are being converted into a 20-vendor food hall , a duckpin bowling bar and an independent movie theater. This spring, James Beard-nominated chef Abbi Merriss will open Kan-Kan , an arthouse cinema and brasserie in Windsor Park, while chef Craig Baker is using colorful shipping containers to repurpose a 40,000 square foot building in the 16 Tech neighborhood into a food lover's paradise with a European-style marketplace and dining venues. In June, THE LUME will permanently transform The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields ' 30,000-square-foot fourth floor into a digital art space with an inaugural exhibit featuring 3,000 moving images of Vincent Van Gogh paintings set to a classical music score. — Nora Walsh
20. Kansas City, Missouri
The City of Fountains has so much more to offer than its (rightly praised) barbecue. The Crossroads Arts District, in particular, has seen notable growth since the Crossroads Hotel reopened inside the former Pabst bottling plant in 2018. Last February saw the arrival of Mean Mule Distilling Co.'s Agave Lounge, a tasting room dedicated to blue-agave–based spirits. James Beard finalist Michael Corvino's late-night burger (served at his fine-dining supper club) became so popular that, in September, he decided to launch a dedicated venture, Ravenous, inside food hall Parlor KC . Several new breweries have also established roots in the neighborhood, with Casual Animal , Border Brewing Co. , Double Shift , and Torn Label . Elsewhere in the city, female entrepreneurs have proven particularly resilient in the face of the pandemic. When actor Jackie Nguyen's touring production had to close, the first-gen Vietnamese-American started Cafe Cà Phê , a mobile coffee shop serving both the classic beverage and Nguyen's creative riffs. Yoli Tortilleria brought Sonoran-style tortillas to the city — first with its own retail shop, then through several local markets and restaurants. There's also cultural news of note for 2021: after almost three years, the long-awaited renovation of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum is finally complete, and the facility — with its new multimedia and interactive exhibits — will be ready to go once cultural institutions are allowed to reopen. And don't miss the chance to check into KC's latest arrival, the new Hotel Kansas City , which opened this fall in the 1920s building that once housed the Kansas City Club. — Sarah Bruning
21. Las Vegas
You don't go to Las Vegas seeking solitude — you go to indulge, to splash out, to revel in the nonstop energy of this shimmering, seductive oasis in the desert. A city defined by its hypnotic pool parties, around-the-clock gambling, epic nightlife scene, glitzy, over-the-top hotels, and next-level restaurants — each one trying to one up the other — just dreaming about a visit is enough to push your endorphins into overdrive. And after a year of staying still within our own four walls — the extreme antithesis of Sin City — getting back to Vegas and its many venues designed to bring crowds together will feel like the ultimate luxury. Throw in exciting new properties, like the Resorts World Las Vegas, a 3,500-room mega-resort and casino combining Hilton Hotels & Resorts , LXR , and the Conrad across 88 acres; the recently completed Circa Resort & Casino , the first adults-only casino resort with a pool amphitheater; and Virgin Hotels , set to replace the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and well, you've hit the jackpot. — Alisha Prakash
22. Lexington, Kentucky
A handful of pilgrimage-worthy culinary and cultural developments will draw travelers to the Bluegrass State's second-largest city in 2021. It's not just The Queen's Gambit that has drummed up excitement around Lexington. After sitting empty for 20 years, Greyline Station has been newly reimagined as a 70-stall open market populated by dozens of local small businesses like North Lime Coffee and Donuts and Old North Bar, which will have a "sip and stroll'' license so visitors can enjoy a beverage while they browse. The anchor tenant — taking up just over a third of the 65,000 square feet — is Julietta Market , an open-air grocery in the vein of Seattle's Pike Place and Barcelona's La Boqueria. Elsewhere in the city will be the new Fresh Bourbon distillery from entrepreneur Sean Edwards, who grew up in Lexington and learned the craft from his grandfather and uncles. The 34,000-square-foot facility is set to be the largest Black-owned distillery in the state when it opens and will offer tours and guided tastings. Cultural sites are also furthering initiatives to tell a richer, more diverse history of Kentucky: Don't miss new walking tours of Lexington from the Faulkner Morgan Archive , an organization dedicated to preserving and chronicling the state's LGBTQ+ legacy. — Sarah Bruning
23. Lopez Island, Washington
Only the chilly saltwater splashing onto the rocky shores — and the occasional moo of the local farm animals — seem to disrupt the peaceful calm of Lopez Island. Idyllic nearly to the point of absurdity, the pace of life on these 30 acres in Puget Sound appeals to those who find serenity in the scenic route. For bicyclists, that comes in the form of the gentle, rolling roads that double as bike paths as they wind around the island. For food lovers, it means a feast of artisanal baked goods, heritage meats, and foraged foods from farm stands, markets, and restaurants. Midnight's Farm encapsulates the Lopez ethos, selling rotationally grazed grass-fed beef from little more than a cash box nailed to the side of a lean-to, hosting yoga classes in an on-site studio, and renting out the homey field house for farm stays. North Star Farms uses their own wheat to bake bagels and doughnuts from the kitchen at the Edenwild, a cozy boutique inn. And Barn Owl Bakery sells its wild sourdough alongside spreads from Ursa Minor , where chef Nick Coffey distilled the flavors of Lopez Island into world-class multi-course menus before swiftly transitioning to community-centric takeout during the pandemic. — Naomi Tomky
24. Los Angeles
Visit Los Angeles for the stress-relieving powers of sunshine and surf, stay to see two long-awaited museums finally open their doors. Renzo Piano has reimagined the 1930s May Company department store in Mid-Wilshire, where the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will unveil its centerpiece, the last-surviving full-scale shark model from Steven Spielberg's "Jaws," when it opens in April. Other collection highlights include Judy Garland's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz," items from the late Debbie Reynolds' personal collection, and memorabilia from the Star Wars and Matrix films. If all that entertainment leaves you thirsty, 2021 will be the year a craft beer scene flourishes in South L.A.'s Florence neighborhood, thanks to the soon-to-open 13,000-square-foot South Los Angeles Beverage Company, a Black-owned brewery, tasting room, cidery, and coffee roastery. Meanwhile, a spate of new hotel openings is led by the Pendry West Hollywood , the brand's first L.A. property, opening in January at the former House of Blues on the iconic Sunset Strip. In Century City, the expansive Fairmont Century Plaza will have 400 rooms and 63 luxury residences, and in Downtown L.A., the latest Proper location will feature Kelly Wearstler's eclectic design combining work from California-based artists, plus restaurants, bars, and a rooftop pool sure to be a hit with the Staples Center crowd. — Nina Ruggiero
Miami continues to prove it's much more than its blockbuster beaches and hedonist party scene. Early next year, the initial phase of the Underline , a planned 10-mile linear park below Miami's Metrorail (from the same design studio as New York's High Line ), will debut as the "Brickell Backyard" on a half-mile stretch from the Miami River to Coral Way. Expect public art, free concerts, outdoor gathering spaces, fitness activities, and lush landscapes with butterfly gardens. Cap off a visit with a bite at one of Brickell City Centre 's various new dining concepts, like the Cuban-inflected Marabu . Meanwhile, the neighborhood of Allapattah has become a fledgling arts district home to billionaire Jorge Perez' year-old museum El Espacio 23 , the Rubell Museum , and the highly-anticipated 50,000-square-foot experiential art space, Superblue , launching with three large-scale installations this spring. Throughout 2021, an overhauled CocoWalk will bring retailers, eateries, and slick architecture to quaint Coconut Grove. And when it comes time to bed down, travelers have their pick of glossy new Miami Beach hotels flaunting Art Deco design, swoon-worthy pools and exceptional food and drink. Check out souped-up iterations of the W Hotel , Mondrian , the Ritz-Carlton ; recently opened Palihouse and Kimpton's Palomar; and upcoming sure-to-be-hot spots Moxy Miami , Citizen M Citizen MCitizen M and Goodtime Hotel , the brainchild of hospitality mogul David Grutman and singer Pharrell Williams. —Nora Walsh
26. Nantucket
The charm of Nantucket is that not much changes. Luckily, the historic cobblestone downtown, the tiny rose-covered S'conset cottages, the timeless beaches — they're all still here. But as locals mark the 200th anniversary of the sinking of the Nantucket whaling ship Essex and cannibalism on the high seas, it's a perfect time to remember that even on Nantucket, some changes can be okay. This year, the iconic Century House on Cliff Road left the ranks of Nantucket's bed and breakfast lodgings to join the new Life House Nantucket . It's just the latest of the new boutique hoteliers marrying tradition with luxury in the historic downtown — check out the Greydon House and their new Venetian-inspired small plates at Via Mare. From there, grab locally sourced provisions from Proprietors Bar and Table , Company of The Caldron , or Black-Eyed Susan's , or wander to Tap Room , recently restored to the cellar of the Jared Coffin House. Out of town, Cisco Brewers is upping its game, partnering with the Levitate Music and Arts Festival to bring a schedule of big-name bands to play their festive outdoor island flagship location. After 2020, couldn't we all use some outdoor tunes, craft beer, and a few cocktails? — Charles Graeber
27. Nashville
Nashville has been an "it" city for a while, we know. But if you look past Lower Broadway — and the hoards of bachelor and bachelorette parties that roam the stretch — there's a lot more to the city than honky-tonks and country. In January, the long-awaited National Museum of African American Music will open its doors, adding a permanent home to celebrate the work of Black musicians and the evolution of gospel, blues, jazz, and hip-hop, among others. The 346-room W hotel will bring new flavor to the upscale Gulch, while legacy brands like Conrad and Four Seasons continue building out a true luxury market in Music City. Assembly Food Hall , at nearly 100,000 square feet, will bring over 24 restaurant stalls and a new music venue space overlooking the historic Ryman Auditorium downtown. And we'll all be celebrating the Dolly Parton-funded vaccine at Graduate Hotel's Dolly Parton-themed rooftop bar, White Limozeen . —Tanner Saunders
28. New Orleans
New Orleans never goes out of style , though for a moment, with 2021's Mardi Gras parade season called off due to crowd concerns, it looked as if next year would be a low point for the city. But the top krewes rallied — drumming up virtual parades and scavenger hunts, making plans to deck out houses in lieu of floats , and charging forward with fundraising efforts to support their communities — reminding us all that this beloved city's spirit is irrepressible. And while Mardi Gras may not look the same in 2021, that doesn't mean there's nothing to look forward to. This fall saw the opening of The Chloe , a 14-room hotel on St. Charles with an interior that marries old-fashioned drama and playful, pastel-colored sweetness. Still to come: Four Seasons New Orleans , a $530 million conversion of the landmarked World Trade Center building, right on the banks of the Mississippi. — Lila Battis
29. New York City
It's often said that change is the only constant in New York — the very name serves as a reminder that new is indeed its hallmark. When the pandemic hit hard this spring, the city — resilient at its core — slowly reinvented itself: Restaurants eventually set up shop curbside, performances and museums went virtual, bars began peddling to-go cocktails from modest, makeshift windows, and hotels transformed rooms into remote offices. When the city cracks its door open to travel again, it will undoubtedly be another new New York. Its fresh look will include a slew of new hotels, like the Aman New York , with a three-story spa and sweeping Central Park views; the sophisticated yet laid-back Pendry , perched in Manhattan's Hudson Yards district; and the Ritz-Carlton NoMad , a 38-floor tower touting a public garden, rooftop bar, and striking city vistas. Meanwhile, luxury hospitality group Six Senses , known for its wellness resorts in places like Bali and the Maldives, will soon bring a dose of its signature tranquility to the high-octane urban landscape, with a standout spa and calming views of the High Line and Hudson River. Restaurants, shops, and museums are poised to make a comeback, too. The only missing ingredient? You. — Alisha Prakash
30. North Carolina's Triangle
For starters, let's get one thing straight: Raleigh-Durham is an airport, not a city. But, okay, it's handy to have a catchall term for this buzzy part of the Southeast, so go with local parlance: The Triangle, shorthand for the Research Triangle, a cluster in the North Carolina Piedmont anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Even as the area saw through-the-roof growth in recent decades, leisure travelers have overlooked the Triangle in favor of N.C. getaway spots like Asheville or the Outer Banks. That's finally changing as new hotel stock has made it more inviting to linger. Boutique properties like the 53-room Durham Hotel and the tiny, stylish Guest House Raleigh have opened in the past few years, raising the bar for local accommodations and kicking off a wave of new spots with a design-forward sensibility. January 2020 saw the opening of the Longleaf Hotel , a downtown Raleigh motor lodge revamped with a fittingly midcentury-inspired aesthetic, and the sleek Origin Hotel — the upstart brand's fourth location — made its debut this summer. While you're in town, make time to explore the trails of Duke Forest or Umstead Park , wander down Durham's Main Street or Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, and hit up the many incredible restaurants in the area. Much talked-about spots like Saltbox Seafood Joint , Brewery Bhavana , and Garland — not to mention chef Ashley Christensen's stable of restaurants — live up to the hype. But don't overlook the Triangle's longstanding gems: You can't go wrong with La Farm Bakery in Cary for artisan bread and a signature white chocolate baguette, Char-Grill for unfussy burgers, or Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill for the platonic ideal of shrimp and grits. Cap it off with a visit to the downtown Raleigh Krispy Kreme right when the HOT light goes on and you're practically a native. —Lila Battis
31. Northern Minnesota
The promise of starry skies awaits in Minnesota's northern reaches, where Voyageurs National Park recently joined Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a certified Dark Sky destination. Clear views of the cosmos — and even the Northern Lights, if you're lucky — are only part of the fun in this water-rich region. Adventurers flock to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness' 1.1 million rugged acres to paddle 1,200 miles of canoe-portage routes and camp under the constellations. Meanwhile, more than a third of the neighboring 218,000-acre Voyageurs National Park is a watery wonderland, making motorized houseboats a novel way to stargaze and explore the park's five main lakes and boreal and deciduous forests. Both parks offer an abundance of wildlife from aquatic birds and beavers to timber wolves and black bear; miles of scenic nature trails; and opportunities to angle walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. In winter, the firmament glitters even brighter, plus there's dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling (the latter is only offered in Voyageurs National Park). Call on local outfitters to help organize year-round itineraries and stock up on necessary gear.— Nora Walsh
32. Northwest Arkansas
With the opening early last year of the Momentary , a center for arts and culture housed in a former cheese factory, the formerly sleepy town of Bentonville in northwest Arkansas continued its transformation into a hub for creativity and outdoor experiences. Last October, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art , founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton, announced that it will augment its collection with an outdoor play space that promises to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. The 21c Museum Hotel offers further art adventures, as well as the Hive , one of the region's best restaurants. Venture beyond the town to Bella Vista, where you can hit the 39 miles of mountain biking paths at the recently expanded Little Sugar Trail System, or to Springdale, home of the new J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center , where families can explore exhibitions, nature trails, and an archery range. — Peter Terzian
33. Oahu, Hawaii
In October, America's 50th state once again welcomed visitors from the mainland after six months of pandemic lockdown. And while many travelers opt to use the capital and most populous city, Honolulu, as a stopover to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island, there's good reason to stay put on Oahu this year. The hotel scene continues to expand — most recently with a complete overhaul of a Waikiki classic, Queen Kapi'olani , which debuted its new look in December. Inspired by vintage Hawaiiana and local art, the 315-room resort sits across the street from legendary Waikiki Beach, and is (fittingly) home to a new surf school and shop. Over is Kaimuki — a neighborhood that's become the center of Oahu's increasingly dynamic food world — chef Chris Kajioka followed up his wildly popular (and perennially packed) Arts District restaurant, Senia, with Miro , featuring a French-inspired menu using Japanese techniques and ingredients. And for a look at the island's contemporary art, fashion, and design, head to Kaka'ako, a warehouse-filled industrial area near downtown with an ever-expanding open-air commercial compound, SALT at Our Kaka'ako to check out local creations and a weekly Saturday morning farmers market. — John Wogan
34. Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska's largest city is hitting its stride. Omaha 's patchwork of eclectic neighborhoods (one of which is home to billionaire Warren Buffett) blends old with new in exciting ways. A shining example: The just-opened Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel , a $75 million reinvention of the iconic Blackstone Hotel, which has played host to notable dignitaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, John and Jackie Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. Special attention was paid to preserving the 105-year-old grand dame's hand-carved terra cotta columns, marble staircase, hardwood floors, and grand ballroom's vaulted ceilings. The property's 21st-century updates include five contemporary dining venues, including a modernized Orleans Room (which, in its heyday, consistently ranked as one of the nation's best restaurants), a steakhouse, and reimagined speakeasy. A host of top-notch culinary purveyors and a 70-work art collection curated by artist Watie White highlights the best of Omaha's local talent. To experience the revival playing out in the surrounding Blackstone District (birthplace of the Reuben sandwich), guests can hop in the hotel's electric tuk-tuk to cruise streets chock full of ultra-hip eateries, craft-beer bars, and trendy boutiques. Be sure to grab front-row seats to Omaha's hot-ticket events in 2021 including the buzzy Omaha Fashion Week in March, where attendees can buy looks right off the runway; the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in June to see the nation's top athletes compete; and the annual Maha Festival , a high-caliber music and food festival happening late July. — Nora Walsh
35. Orlando
Remember roller coasters? Dole Whips? Carefree days when the most important thing was not getting vertigo on the Tower of Terror? Next year, there's no better place to live out your pent-up theme park fantasies than Walt Disney World Resort, which turns 50 in 2021. No details yet on the actual celebration, but we do know there's a huge transformation of Epcot underway, including new experiences like Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and a space-themed restaurant. Seeking an adrenaline rush (and who isn't, these days)? Hit the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal come summer, where you'll catapult upward at 70 miles per hour. Feel safe knowing Orlando was one of the first cities to develop a citywide health and safety program , with major parks going above CDC requirements. (Expect virtual kiosks and check-in at each.) And though its new south terminal won't be open until 2022, Orlando International Airport just introduced on-site COVID testing, one of the first airports in the country to do so. Helping to welcome visitors back, newcomers to Orlando's hotel scene include internationally inspired TRYP by Wyndham opened in November, Dockside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort in December, AC Hotel Orlando Downtown expected in January 2021, and the upscale Reserve tower at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (with free shuttle service to Disney) in mid-2021. Fancy downtime away from the city? The tranquil Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes completes a $120 million transformation in February. —Kelsey Ogletree
36. Palm Springs, California
From the cocktails and pools to the starry night skies, the swath of desert east of L.A. never gets old. And now, a new crop of hotels, restaurants, bars, art and even sound bathing experiences are lending fresh energy to Palm Springs and its neighboring desert cities. Soak in mineral-rich waters at the just-opened Azure Palm Hot Springs , a 40-room resort and spa, in Desert Hot Springs. At the reimagined Casa Cody , rooms — 30 in total — feature fireplaces and patios, as well as colorful details such as Moroccan zellige tiles and otomi-embroidered pillows. And at year-old, 27-room Les Cactus , guests wake up to breakfast baskets with freshly baked croissants. Debuting its third installment this year, biennial art exhibition Desert X , which has quietly become a major art attraction, returns with new site-specific installations. Also opening in 2021, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is part 48,000-square foot museum and gardens, part bathhouse-cum-spa celebrating the history and culture of the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians. Come dinner, sample inventive rolls paired with scotch at Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey , helmed by chef Engin Onural. His latest venture is Tailor Shop, a cocktail bar drawing inspiration from faraway places including London, Norway and Hong Kong. For adventure of another kind, head to otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park nearby. The hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing do not disappoint. — Tanvi Chheda
37. Park City, Utah
With Sundance events going mostly virtual and many still wary of travel, Utah's greatest ski town is likely to take a tourism hit this winter. But once it's safe to do so, make a beeline for this outdoor paradise — before everyone else does. A series of big-deal developments in the works have Park City poised for major growth in the coming years. Mayflower Mountain Resort — a massive 6,800-acre, multi-hotel complex which creators claim would be the first new ski resort in the U.S. in 40 years — is in the works for a 2023 opening. If and when it finally debuts, it's expected to bring serious crowds, and a potential agreement with Deer Valley might mean some of the most exclusive slopes in the States (and famously, some of the last to ban snowboarding) get a little more traffic. Elsewhere in town, development for a new arts district is underway, and the forthcoming Pendry Park City is setting up shop in Canyons Village, with 152 guestrooms, a luxe spa, and the area's first rooftop pool. Until that all arrives, soak in the highlights that have made Park City so beloved: the small businesses on historic Main Street , the crowd-free powder at tony Deer Valley , and the year-round outdoor adventures to be found in the surrounding mountains. —Lila Battis
38. Rhode Island
Known for its Colonial seaside towns and Gilded Age mansions, Rhode Island is a destination steeped in history. But it's become a modern hot spot recently with the openings of several new properties. The Wayfinder Hotel in Newport, created by a group of locals, touts its anti-nautical design vibe — visit the on-site restaurant, Nomi Park, for traditional New England fare with a twist. And the past blends with the present at Providence's new hotel, the Beatrice , once the 1887 Exchange Building. Now, it's a 47-room boutique property within walking distance of the university city's buzzing downtown. And there are even options for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the opening of the 3,500-acre Preserve Sporting Club & Residences in Richmond, from the team behind Ocean House . The one-of-a-kind wilderness retreat features an 18-hole golf course, zip line, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, archery, and more. The pint-size state is having such a moment, luxury travel company Black Tomato even included a stop at the Vanderbilt in Newport on a New England road trip itinerary launched as part of its curated Take the Open Road with Auberge and Black Tomato collection. Of course, the classic experiences are just as appealing: You can't leave the Ocean State without making a pilgrimage to try the epic Sunday brunch at Castle Hill Inn , overlooking Narragansett Bay. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw
39. Richmond, Virginia
One of 2020's most indelible images, and the one that best captured the changing identity of Richmond, was that of Marcus-David Peters Circle on Monument Avenue: A statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee astride a horse, its stone plinth a kaleidoscope of tags in support of Black Lives Matter. Now, with the statue's removal in the works, Richmond is looking toward a new, more inclusive future. Virginia's governor announced a proposal to allot $10 million in state funding to redesign the site, along with the stretches of Monument Avenue that once held similar tributes to Confederate figures. Another $9 million is proposed to help improve Richmond's existing Slave Trail and establish a Slavery Heritage Site. Elsewhere in the city, look for public art created this year as part of Mending Walls RVA , a project spearheaded by muralist Hamilton Glass that brings together artists from disparate backgrounds to create murals around Richmond. Newly launched nonstop flights from Florida, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles will make visiting in 2021 a breeze, and Richmond's location — within easy reach of Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, and wine country — makes it an ideal home base for a lengthier exploration of the state. —Lila Battis
40. The Rockies
Colorado's peaks have been all the more alluring in 2020 as outdoor activities became the default and the Great American Road Trip made its long-awaited comeback. But next year holds even more in store for visitors: Rocky Mountaineer , known for its impossibly scenic, glass-domed train rides through western Canada, will launch its first U.S. route in August, from the Rockies via Denver along the Colorado River to the Red Rocks in Moab, Utah. The two-day journey includes sparkling wine toasts and three-course meals served with views of canyons and cliffs, deserts and mountains. Before hopping on board, take time to visit Colorado's newest state park, Fishers Peak , opening its 30 square miles of land in phases. Marked by a 9,633-foot mountain, it's home to black bears, elk, mountain lions, and more wildlife to spot. For skiers, Aspen Snowmass will debut a high-speed chairlift, additional snowmaking for seamless shredding, and a new dining concept at High Alpine Marketplace , an offshoot of local favorite Gwyn's, serving warming dishes with fresh ingredients sourced sustainably from local farmers. At the Viceroy Snowmass , a COVID-era uptick in interest in backcountry skiing has prompted a new Uphill Thrills experience, where guests can book an excursion to Aspen's most isolated slopes and forego the lifts all together. —Nina Ruggiero
41. Santa Fe, New Mexico
A UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art as well as City of Design, Santa Fe is widely known as an arts mecca. Stalwart stays like the Inn at Five Graces and the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi , celebrate that status with their adobe architecture and distinctive art. But sometimes it takes a new hotel to help us see a destination with fresh eyes. The reimagined Bishop's Lodge , Santa Fe's newest luxury hotel in nearly a decade, aims to showcase far more than the city's artistic side when it opens this spring. Set on 317 acres bordering Santa Fe National Forest, the 100-room Auberge Resorts Collection property will offer fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and wrangler-led trail rides from its on-site stables. A restaurant helmed by Dean Fearing, the godfather of Southwestern cuisine, and a healing arts studio with therapies such as turquoise gem therapy are respites from wilderness adventures. The lodge will serve as a base for new four- and six-day cycling trips from Trek Travel, as well a new road trip itinerary from Black Tomato. Meanwhile, Marcia Gordon, the New Mexico-born co-owner of African safari specialist Extraordinary Journeys, has cast her attention back home, with custom itineraries that might include hikes in Georgia O' Keeffe's beloved Ghost Ranch or Navajo-led walks through the ruins of Chaco Canyon. — Jen Murphy
42. The Sea Islands
Running along the southeastern coast of the U.S. are the Sea Islands, a chain of over 100 tidal and barrier islands spanning from Florida to North Carolina. The marshy region is also home to the Gullah Geechee Corridor , a 12,000-square-mile National Heritage Area — the cultural homeland of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved Africans who have preserved their traditions and language for centuries. The Sea Islands have emerged as a compelling travel destination in recent years, beginning with President Obama's 2017 move to establish a Reconstruction Era National Monument in South Carolina's Beaufort County. In 2019, a redesignation expanded the corridor, and this year brought still more attention to the region, with the new Reconstruction Era National Historic Network incorporating several sites in the area. You'd need a lifetime to fully explore the islands, but start your trip in South Carolina: Johns Island is home to Moving Star Hall, the last remaining praise house in the region, along with the Angel Oak Tree, rumored to be one of the oldest of its kind east of the Mississippi River. Visit St. Helena to see the Penn Center , one of the first schools for free Black children in America and the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. composed his "I Have A Dream" speech. On Georgia's largely undeveloped Cumberland Island, undisturbed views more than make up for the bare-bones facilities, while further south in St. Augustine, Florida, Fort Mose Historic State Park offers opportunities to learn about the first legally recognized free Black settlement in America. Don't leave without a stop at Gullah Grub Restaurant on St. Helena for a taste of true Gullah Geechee cuisine, a seafood- and grain-rich culinary tradition similar to the soul food developed by enslaved Africans across the American South. —Danielle Dorsey
43. Sonoma, California
In the face of back-to-back years of wildfires, Sonoma County is forging ahead to achieve a more sustainable future. As of 2019, 99 percent of the region's vineyards were certified sustainable, earning Sonoma the accolade of world's most sustainable winegrowing region. And last year, area vineyards launched a pilot program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With that earth-conscious ethos, it's only fitting that nature is the star of Sonoma's newest experiences. Guests at the new Montage Healdsburg, which debuted this December, will literally feel like they're living amidst the vines. Nestled among 258 acres of rolling vineyards, the resort's 130 rooms each have spacious outdoor living areas, and guests can book experiences such as yoga classes and wine tastings amid rows of Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. While Montage begs indulgence at its terroir-to-table restaurant, Hazel Hill, nearby New Tree Ranch , a 120-acre biodynamic farmstead that opened last November, caters to guests in need of a reboot with plant-based menus, sound journeys, and cold water therapies. Boutique operator Bohemian Highway has launched chef-led tours of Healdsburg farms and vineyards leading the way in organic and biodynamic practices. Any DIY wine tasting tour of Healdsburg should include stops at winemaker wunderkind Jess Katz's new sustainably-minded tasting room, Aperture Cellars, and the hip new al fresco venue from winemaker Noah Dorrance's new project, Blood Root Wines . Sonoma's restaurant scene is also heating up. Star chef Michael Mina debuted his first wine country project, Wit & Wisdom , in the town of Sonoma last fall, and later this year, acclaimed chef Douglas Keane will put sleepy Geyserville on the map when he unveils Cyrus 2.0, a reinvention of his two-Michelin-star restaurant previously in Healdsburg. —Jen Murphy
44. Texas Hill Country
Just outside the capital city of Austin is the idyllic region known as the Hill Country . Comprising over 20 towns — along with plenty of lush, loping countryside — the Hill Country has an inimitable charm that those outside of the state just seem to be catching onto. Experience the best in Texas terroir by visiting Driftwood-based wineries like the renowned Fall Creek Vineyards , run one of the founding families of the Texas wine industry, and acclaimed Duchman Family Winery , which makes exceptional wines (try their award-winning Aglianico) from Italian grape varieties. Stay the weekend in one of the rustic-chic Getaway cabins, which opened in early 2020 in the quaint town of Wimberley, and stop for a dram in Dripping Springs' Distillery District, which is home to more than 25 distilleries, such as Treaty Oak Distilling and Deep Eddy Vodka . Complete your weekend road trip with a stay at the luxurious Camp Lucy , situated on 289 acres on a bluff above the famous Onion Creek. — Gabrielle Nicole Pharms
45. Tucson, Arizona
Tucson has long lived in the shadow of its higher-profile Southwestern siblings like Phoenix, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. But this undercover desert rose has come into its own recently, as more visitors discover the saguaro-dotted city that's been a magnet for wellness enthusiasts long before the term went mainstream. Lately, new, boutique hotels have popped up, joining established spa resorts like Miraval and Canyon Ranch. These include The Tuxon — a 112-room property that takes its whimsical design cues from the region's Mexican and Native American roots — and JTH Tucson , a five-suite earth-toned escape on the edge of Saguaro National Park. And architecture buffs will appreciate projects saved by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, like the Ball-Paylore House, an important mid-century modern residence designed by Arthur T. Brown which became available for overnight stays last year. Meanwhile, Tucson continues to cater to outdoorsy types, and anticipation is high for the forthcoming Bike Ranch, a sustainable, 20-acre resort adjacent to Saguaro National Park that's dedicated to all aspects of cycling and mountain biking. — John Wogan
46. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Big, open green spaces like the 100-acre Gathering Place and a high quality of life — especially as measured in microbreweries and trendy restaurants — brought new crowds to the Art Deco darling of Tulsa in recent years. But Tulsa's renaissance remained incomplete without a reconciliation and recognition of the city's dark past. As much of the U.S. learned only last year, through television depictions on Lovecraft Country and Watchmen , the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 wiped out the thriving and successful neighborhood of Greenwood, known as Black Wall Street. Approaching the 100th anniversary of the horrific attack, a new class of Black artists and entrepreneurs honors and explores that history, bringing residents and visitors to face the dark past through creative means. The Black Moon collective, Black Wall Street Gallery , and Fulton Street Books and Coffee each aim to heal and unify by centering the work and narratives of the Black community. Those narratives come in physical form in the sculptures at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park , near the coming Greenwood Rising center dedicated to the legacy of Black Wall Street, and site of commemoration events planned leading up to a candlelight vigil marking the anniversary. —Naomi Tomky
47. The U.S. National Parks
The National Park Service saw another banner year in 2020 — even if it was for all the wrong reasons. As the pandemic spurred interest in outdoor pursuits, Yellowstone National Park recorded the busiest September in history . Other biggies, like Joshua Tree, were bracing for huge holiday-season crowds . It should come as no surprise: Travelers also swarmed parks and nature preserves during the 1918 pandemic, according to Quartz . But record visitation and crowding at iconic spots kind of defeats the point of exploring wide-open spaces, doesn't it? Enter TCS World Travel, a luxury outfitter that coordinates private jet trips. They've just launched a private itinerary — designed for quarantine pods of four to 12 guests — that hits many of the most in-demand national parks, including Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and Zion, by private Citation CJ3 or Hawker 800XP jet. These fully customizable trips will have adventurers tracking wolves in Yellowstone, hiking past hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, standup paddleboarding on Lake Powell, or whatever else your crew wants to do. And while TCS can't promise you won't see another soul along the way, they can get you into some of the most exclusive hotels in the American West, including Amangani, Amangiri, and Sage Lodge. —Paul Brady
48. Washington, D.C.
The push and pull between past and present is the great drama of Washington, D.C. Once you know to look, you'll see it everywhere. The newly renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza — its great yellow block letters both immediately recognizable and extremely photogenic — abuts Lafayette Square, in front of the White House, which once was an open-air slave market. The Smithsonian Institution marks its 175th anniversary with its first national Latino gallery on the National Mall : a new exhibition space to open inside the National Museum of American History. The new Kimpton Banneker Hotel , just north of Scott Circle, is named after the city's great polymath, Benjamin, the 18th-century free black writer and astronomer who surveyed the District's boundaries. And making his debut at the National Zoo is Xiao Qi Ji ("Little Miracle"), a panda cub whose presence can be traced back to Nixon's 1972 trip to China. But the pandemic-age inauguration of a new president in January will doubtless be the city's biggest milestone — unless this is the year D.C. finally becomes a state. —Molly McArdle
49. White Sands, New Mexico
Nothing is as it seems in White Sands , the 176,000-acre swath of New Mexico desert that was first established as a national monument in 1933. From afar, the gypsum dunes —the world's largest such expanse — look as sterile and sun-scorched as the surface of a distant planet. Up close, the luxuriously cool sand teems with life. Bleached earless lizards, Apache pocket mice, and sand wolf spiders — all mostly white, to blend in with their surroundings — skitter across the dunes. At first, there's no evidence of humankind, but investigate the right spot and you'll find fossilized footprints overlaid by mammoth and giant-sloth tracks. Last year's redesignation as a national park expanded the protected region's scope by 2,030 acres, and, more importantly, increased its visibility to travelers. Researchers estimate that the change in status could contribute $7 million in spending, and 100 jobs, to the local economy. — Kieran Dahl
50. Wyoming
No one could have dreamed up a better marketing plan for Wyoming than social distancing. The country's least-populated state has only six people per square mile, meaning it's not only easy, but natural to stay safely apart. Yellowstone and Grand Teton have both seen huge spikes in visitation (credit "Yellowstone" binges), but don't overlook Wyoming's 12 state parks . A new 4-mile section was recently added to the famous Continental Divide Trail, too. Not so good with a compass? Go deeper into the park (without getting lost) with new itineraries from ToursByLocals, including a full-day adventure in Grand Teton National park, or book the new winter experience with wolves from Scott Dunn. In Casper, College National Finals Rodeo (the Rose Bowl of the sport) resumes in June after a year off, and the world's largest outdoor rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days , celebrates its 125th anniversary in July 2021. Hit the pancake breakfast to feel like you really belong. In south central Wyoming, the Relais & Chateaux Magee Homestead reopens to leisure travelers and relaunches its popular culinary events. And in Jackson, the first hotel on the historic town square, the 100-room Cloudveil , opens in spring with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking Snow King Mountain. —Kelsey Ogletree
The top 12 places to visit in the USA in 2024
Feb 23, 2024 • 6 min read
New York City never gets old, not with so many exciting and dynamic neighborhoods to explore © LeoPatrizi / Getty
The best thing about visiting the USA can be summed up in one word: variety. This expansive country contains an incredible number of travel experiences that would take a lifetime to complete – try wandering through the redwoods, breathing in deep gulps of sea air on glimmering beaches, or immersing yourself in the underground art scenes in some of the world's most famous cities.
Whether you're a nature lover looking for wide open spaces and snow-covered peaks or a culture fiend who can't get enough of museums and galleries, the USA has something for you. To help stem the overwhelm of options, these are our 12 favorite places to visit in the USA in 2024.
1. New York, New York
Best place for art and architecture
A city that looms large in American lore, New York continues to live up to its hype. A global center for art, fashion, finance, music and food, the Big Apple will never leave you feeling bored. Sip sunset cocktails on luxurious rooftops, mosh at local punk shows, marvel at world-class art in famous museums, or indulge in the best food you've ever had at a hole-in-the-wall favorite.
Planning tip: New York has so much to offer, but resist the urge to see it all on your first trip. Break things down by neighborhood or borough , or perhaps even by interest.
2. San Francisco, CA
Best for counter-culture
San Francisco contains multitudes, offering an urban travel experience with a distinctly West Coast flavor: take in breathtaking bay views at Golden Gate Park , wander the alleyways of the country's largest and oldest Chinese neighborhood , pay homage to LGBTIQ+ heroes in the Castro, or dive into cutting-edge art at SFMOMA and a plethora of local galleries.
3. National Mall in Washington, DC
Best for national history
Washington DC's National Mall represents the center of American political life and distills its cultural history into a two-mile strip of iconic monuments and the country's most famous museums. The mall contains ten Smithsonian museums – the National Museum of Natural History , the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History, among others – plus landmarks including the National Gallery of Art, the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building.
4. New England
Best for forest drives
Want to meander on mountain roads beneath brilliant forest canopies and savor tasty lobster and coastal views all in the same trip? New England is the place to be. Explore the quaint villages and cranberry bogs of Cape Cod , snuggle into a cabin in the mountains of Vermont , or dive into all the seafood you can eat in Portland, Maine . And if you visit in autumn, prepare yourself for some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the country.
5. Pacific Coast Highway
Best for West Coast exploration
The Pacific Coast Highway – technically three highways linked together – connects sunny San Diego with moody Seattle , delivering epic West Coast experiences along the 1600-mile journey. Stay at kitschy motels in coastal towns, admire the cliffs of Big Sur , marvel at the tidepools in Oregon , and explore Washington's Olympic National Park .
Planning tip: Sections of the Pacific Coast Highway run along sea cliffs prone to rockslides. Always check road conditions before setting out in case of any unexpected closures.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
Best for foodies and art lovers
There's no place in the world like New Orleans – we promise. A vibrant cocktail of Indigenous, Caribbean, African, French and Spanish influences, this city possesses a unique magic that keeps people coming back for more. Dive into its legendary Creole cuisine, revel in its lively festivals, and immerse yourself in a world-class music scene – this is the birthplace of jazz, after all.
Planning tip: New Orleans's coastal location makes it susceptible to hurricanes from June through October, with the most active months being August and September.
7. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Best for Indigenous history and culture
Nicknamed the "City Different," Santa Fe is rooted in American history while still keeping up with the times. A cultural melange of Indigenous, Spanish and Mexican influences, this city is home to numerous historical sites – like the 400-year-old Plaza – and a cutting-edge art culture that features a strong contingent of independent artists and the original Meow Wolf , a game-changing immersive art installation.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Best metropolis for midwestern charm
Chicago contains all the hallmarks of a great American city – excellent food, multicultural neighborhoods , top-tier museums – with a distinctly midwestern twist. Spend your days lounging next to the ocean-like Lake Michigan, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field , or have an evening of laughs at Second City , the launchpad for greats like Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.
9. Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Best for big peaks and winter sports
If you want to see the quintessential mountains of the American West, the Rockies in Colorado should be your first stop. Rocky Mountains National Park is a logical starting point, but in truth, there are so many different ways to access this dynamic mountain range – hit the slopes in ski hubs like Vail , Aspen and Telluride, drive the scenic byways of the San Juan range, or pitch camp in one of the state's numerous national forests.
Planning tip: Unless you're from somewhere with similar elevation, you might feel the effects of altitude throughout the Rockies; stay extremely hydrated, take your time on hikes, and skip the alcohol.
10. Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina and Virginia
Best for east coast mountains
While the Rockies tend to get a lot of press – for good reason – the USA's oldest mountain range is a must-see. The Blue Ridge Mountains make up the southern third of the Appalachian mountain chain, and the lush forests wrapped around these rolling hills make for incredible blue-green vistas from the region's many ridges and balds. Dive into the numerous day hikes, cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway , or hike a section of the storied Appalachian Trail .
11. The Everglades, Florida
Best for wildlife watchers
The importance of the Everglades can't be overstated – this sprawling wetland is an International Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a national park, thanks to the diverse profusion of flora and fauna that live here. Paddle through the coastal estuaries and camp among mangroves, or whiz through the numerous waterways via airboat. All the while, keep your eyes peeled for wading birds, manatees, and of course, alligators and crocodiles.
Planning tip: For the best experience, come prepared for the elements: sunscreen and bug spray are essentials.
12. Southwestern Utah
Best for geology lovers
If you want to visit one place in the US that sums up the grandiosity of its natural history, southwestern Utah is the place to go. Home to five of the country's most spectacular national parks, Red Rock Country puts the region's geological past on display with a dazzling amount of artistic flair. Hike the peaks and valleys of Zion and Bryce Canyon , or marvel at the crimson, ochre and amber palette in the cliffs and canyons of Capitol Reef and Canyonlands . And if you want a special treat, watch the sun rise over the sandstone masterpieces at Arches .
Planning tip: Large swaths of this region are extremely remote and sometimes lack cell service, both on the road and on the trail. Always share your plans with others and bring plenty of water in case of emergencies.
This article was first published May 2021 and updated February 2024
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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer
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UNWTO Announces List of ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021
- All Regions
The best examples of villages embracing tourism to provide opportunity and drive sustainable development have been celebrated at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Madrid.
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.
A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing
The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration
- Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety and Security
All of the 44 chosen villages scored a total of 80 or more points or more out of a possible 100.
Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion
“Tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting a fairer distribution of benefits throughout the territory and empowering local communities,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing”.
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative includes three pillars:
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ : Recognizes villages which are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme : The Upgrade programme will benefit a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive the recognition. These villages will receive support from UNWTO and its Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network: The Network will provide a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It will include representatives of the villages recognized as the ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ , the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, as well as experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development.
A total 174 villages were proposed by 75 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could present a maximum of three villages) for the 2021 pilot initiative. Among which 44 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO. Another 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme of the Initiative. All 64 villages enter to make part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network.
The next edition will open in February 2022.
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021:
- Bekhovo, Russian Federation
- Bkassine, Lebanon
- Bojo, Philippineshe
- Caspalá, Argentina
- Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
- Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico
- Cumeada, Portugal
- Gruyères, Switzerland
- Batu Puteh , Malaysia
- Kaunertal, Austria
- Le Morne, Mauritius
- Lekunberri, Spain
- Maní, Mexico
- Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
- Miyama, Japan
- Mokra Gora, Serbia
- Morella, Spain
- Mustafapaşa, Turkey
- Nglanggeran, Indonesia
- Niseko, Japan
- Nkotsi Village, Rwanda
- Old Grand Port, Mauritius
- Olergesailie, Kenya
- Ollantaytambo, Peru
- Pano Lefkara, Cyprus
- Pica, Chile
- Pochampally, India
- Puerto Williams, Chile
- Radovljica, Slovenia
- Rijal Alma'a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Testo Alto, Brazil
- Saas Fee, Switzerland
- San Cosme y Damián, Paraguay
- San Ginesio, Italy
- Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
- Solčava, Slovenia
- Soufli, Greece
- Taraklı, Turkey
- The Purple Island, Republic of Korea
- Ungok Village, Republic of Korea
- Valposchiavo, Switzerland
- Wonchi, Ethiopia
- Xidi, China
- Yucun, China
Additionally, UNWTO will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme:
- Ordino, Andorra
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Agros, Cyprus
- Fuwah, Egypt
- Western Samos, Greece
- Hollókő, Hungary
- Biei, Japan
- Capulálpam de Méndez, Mexico
- Godinje, Montenegro
- Gornja Lastva, Montenegro
- Oukaimeden, Morocco
- Barangay Tenani, Philippines
- Gasura, Rwanda
- Gostilje, Serbia
- Gorenja Vas, Slovenia
- Cantavieja, Spain
- Bo Suak, Thailand
- Ruboni, Uganda
Related links:
- Download the news release in PDF
- Best Tourism Villages
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52 Places to Love in 2021
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We asked readers to tell us about the spots that have delighted, inspired and comforted them in a dark year. Here, 52 of the more than 2,000 suggestions we received, to remind us that the world still awaits.
South wales, wales.
Over the last 20 years I’ve traveled to South Wales about seven or eight times with my wife, and later our children, to visit family in a town near Swansea called Mumbles. (The name is a corruption of the French word for “breasts.”) It sits at the edge of the Gower Peninsula — a beautiful wild place that offers expansive beaches, medieval castles, hilltop trails, horses that graze near Stone Age ruins and picture-book villages with friendly pubs serving Sunday roasts and local ales in dark-wood booths.
Punctuated by weddings, births, graduations, anniversaries and deaths, our trips represented different stages in our lives. But each trip also seemed less like a visit to relatives in the old country than an escape to a secret, beautiful place that only we knew.
About the author
Owen Martikan is a lawyer who lives in San Anselmo, Calif., with his wife, Catherine, and their two teenage children.
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan is only five miles wide and 12 miles long, but runners showed me parts of the island I never would have found myself. We saw a beautiful B-29 engine from a plane crash in the mountains. Also a staircase cut into a cliff, from the last Japanese command post .
Runners took me boating, diving, hiking, camping, spelunking and golfing. Swimming in a lagoon that dropped toward the Mariana Trench, we marked how far we’d swum with the top halves of three submerged Sherman tanks — a door open, guns sticking out. I was never the hare, but I’m coming back to set a trail.
Meghan West of Denver, a geophysicist working with the Army Corps of Engineers, traveled to Saipan looking for unexploded ordnance from World War II.
Kaliya Dhrow, India
I pinned it down to several villages. Riding along a dirt road, we passed a hill split by nature. On both sides you have water, craggy peaks. This one huge mountain has six peaks, which I named Mahabharata, after the ancient poem in which five brothers share one wife. It was around noon, the sun was beating down and we had been riding for two hours when the road ended. We parked our bikes.
From the rim of a crater, I looked inside this marvelous, endless landscape of red: streaks of crimson, saffron — orange, also. I started climbing down, through the different shades of the setting sun, and I came to a waterfall with fish flying upstream.
Varun Suchday, of Bhuj, India, rode a motorcycle to tour the remote landscape near the village of Bhadli with his father and uncles in 2020.
Photo credits
Two bottom photographs taken by Kaushik Gor.
Isfahan, Iran
There’s a difference between the people and the government. I wish Americans could see the vibrant curiosity of the people who live here. I used to visit Isfahan every year. I spent long mornings lifting weights in the women-only gyms, and afternoons with my grandfather, watching him lovingly watering the plants in his garden and shooing away stray cats. But divisive politics, and now Covid-19, have made it harder. My grandfather died two years ago. I wasn’t there. I feel my Farsi growing rusty on my tongue.
Neeknaz Abari was raised in Washington, D.C., and works at a consulting firm in Dallas.
The Llanos, Colombia
Tropical rhythms are replaced by the twangy harp of joropo, and the smell of the sea gives way to that of tallgrass, cattle and smoky barbecue.
As Colombia has attracted more international visitors in recent years, the Llanos have remained relatively untraversed. The Llanos host an alluring combination of pristine biodiversity and traditional ranching culture seemingly lost in time. Anacondas, howler monkeys, capybaras and crocodiles live alongside ranchers, farmers and thousands of cattle. The grasslands once featured some of the wildest battles of the Independence era , and have witnessed the 20th-century horrors of guerrilla violence and drug trafficking. Today, though, like the rest of Colombia, the Llanos are emerging, if unsteadily, as a place of tranquillity.
Samuel Dulik, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, is a management consultant in Bogotá.
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Inhabited since Paleolithic times, Siwa is where the past, present and future seem to exist at once. There you’ll find a mountain filled with Ptolemaic tombs and the Temple of the Oracle , both thousands of years old.
When I say it haunts my dreams, I mean it. I frequently find myself in my dreams walking through date orchards at night past the lakes, into the desert, nearly feeling the cool sand in my tired feet as I wonder at the stars. I always awake with a sense of calm and clarity.
Catherine Litten of Hyattsville, Md., works as a director of scholarships for an education nonprofit.
- Montana’s ‘Golden Triangle’
The plowed land closest to our farm held an old buffalo wallow, and there used to be tepee rings in the front pasture. This part of Montana, Lewis and Clark country, is flat and implacable with swells, coulees and hills. Ancient volcanic ranges — the Bears Paw Mountains, the Highwoods, the Little Rockies — sprawl in the middle of enormous wheat fields and acres of rangeland. Every morning when I was a kid, I saw the land first and the world second. It’s astonishingly severe and beautiful.
Light lasts a very long time there, in the summer evenings. There is sort of a constant background of big winds. And so we had a shelter belt, which was rows of trees that are around one corner of the main farm stand. And I would go down there as a kid and make my little world out of the clods of earth that were, and are, part of my soul.
You’re small in that part of the country.
Doreen Stevens is retired from nonprofit work and lives with her husband in Arlington, Mass.
The Camino de Santiago, Spain
Our first walk was in 2007 after two of his brothers died. I was not expecting to enjoy it; the idea was that we were offering up our sufferings for our ancestors. Instead, I found myself appreciating both the forced meditation and the fellow travelers we met on the way. We’ve gone back multiple times and brought different members of our family with us. I’ve rethought jobs, relationships and life direction over hundreds of kilometers. When you walk into a town, you really smell, hear and see the gradual changes from rural to urban and back again. My father died recently. My grandfather and I are hoping to go back to the Camino next year, and walk the last 100 kilometers on the French route on his behalf. For my grandfather, completing the Camino would release my father’s soul from purgatory. For me, it would be a chance to reflect, in gratitude, with and for the family I have left.
Sam Michaux is from Minnesota and moved to Los Angeles to write novels.
Malpaís, Costa Rica
It was so beautiful. At night, everything closed, and it was really dark. I remember being on the beach, looking up, and really seeing the stars. I saw a satellite for the first time. I felt small and big at the same time, like I was connected to everything. When you travel, you’re able to become a different version of yourself. In Malpaís, we slept on hammocks on the beach for a dollar. I felt so free. I’m from New Jersey, where there were always lights and people around. This time in Costa Rica felt like an introduction to me stepping into myself and finding my independence.
Kara Hoholik is the chief executive of Social for Good Co., a content marketing agency. She lives on a farm in Western Michigan.
Dakar, Senegal
I landed in Dakar to the bluest sky I’ve seen, hundreds of sprawling baobab trees, sandy dust and angelic light.
Dakar is a city whose stability has centered me during my shakiest times. It is a place where tradition runs through every corner: the Wolof language, the sharing of meals — especially thieboudienne, or red rice with fish.
I turned 25 in Dakar, a city with such a clear sense of self, ideals and history, a city that refuses to be like anywhere else, a city that taught me the importance of being my own person, a city that made me question what I want to bring to the world, and what I stand for. I felt empowered by Dakar. It stood up for me. I’ve never felt unsafe there — and, as a Black woman anywhere, that’s an amazing thing.
Faridah Folawiyo is an art historian and independent curator from Lagos, Nigeria. She spent two months in Dakar for an artist residency in 2018.
London’s St. James the Less Church, England
It’s been so important to find those things that feel warm and cozy; to have a place to go in our minds that’s inviting, even if our reality is not. St. James the Less is in that space in my mind, along with endless cups of tea, candles and good books.
Sarah Best is a small-business owner and a poet. She lives in Madison, Wis., with her husband.
Photograph of the church taken by Rii Schroer/eyevine/Redux.
The Marrakesh Medina, Morocco
Inside the medina, there’s always this background noise — drumming and dancing and the sound of thousands of people passing through. There were, I think, seven mosques within sight of my terrace, and five times a day the call to prayer would start from each of them a few seconds apart, like a battle of the voices. I learned about the cold of the desert — my house was open, so when it would go down to 40 degrees, I’d basically be camping in my bedroom with sleeping bags. I have a ticket to Morocco in February — I’m not sure I’ll be able to use it yet, but I’m holding onto that ticket with all of my heart.
Jennifer Borch lives in Jericho, Vt., where she is the education program coordinator at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
Nanda Devi Mountain, India
In front of us is a wide panorama of 23,000-foot peaks, with Nanda Devi dominating the landscape. It was a doomed romance. A few months after we were married, Shoma was diagnosed with cancer. We’d have three years together. I had this fear after my wife passed away: Will I remember Shoma going forward? How she spoke, how she felt, what she said, how she looked? The next time I saw the mountain, I was alone. The first memory that came to my head was of that earlier evening: a golden glow on her face. She looked at peace.
Prayash Giria and his wife, Shoma, visited Nanda Devi, India’s second-tallest mountain, in 2016. Mr. Giria, of New Delhi, returned in 2019.
Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
We climbed a glacier using crampons, spikes attached to shoes for traction, and hiked through six miles of volcanic ash. On the last day, we climbed over this bridge by a huge waterfall. The mountains were covered in moss and there was a perfect, bluebird sky. I felt privileged that I got to see something so special and beautiful. I’m a plus-sized Chinese woman, and I’ve been told I can’t do things like this. But guess what: I did it, and I did it really well! I’ve climbed an ice wall. I’ve done double-digit river crossings with my pack over my head. This trail taught me how strong and powerful I can be.
Stacey Mei Yan Fong is a part-time baker in Brooklyn.
Photographs by Meredith Passaro, a friend of the contributor.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
It’s a place untouched for centuries. Your schedule is dictated by sunset and sunrise. In the vastness, you feel close to the center of the universe.
I came back to Wadi Rum as an adult after many hiking trips there as a schoolchild. I had been living in New York and had grown used to so much noise. I realized I had been to these sands so many times before, but had never appreciated their majesty. It needs to be the right moment — both in the sunset, and in your life. But if you arrive on time, Wadi Rum will change you forever.
Hashem Sabbagh, a lawyer turned filmmaker, was born and raised in Amman, Jordan.
My mom is from Aruba, and two of my aunts are still there. One aunt bought my grandparents’ house, so we drink wine on the same back porch where I used to play.
I did 23andMe, the DNA test, and my roots run really deep there. My great-grandmother is descended from the Arawak tribe. Now, so much of the island is built for tourists, but there’s even more to explore on the other side.
Elise Thompson is a marketing manager who has lived in New York City for 16 years.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
My boyfriend came to Taiwan with me, and we weren’t really sure how to navigate queerness in Asia. My only frame of reference was mainland China, which is not exactly welcoming. This was before gay marriage was legalized in Taiwan — but I think that, generally, Taiwanese culture is super accommodating and welcoming. Now, we’ll come across something, usually food, that makes us miss Kaohsiung almost daily.
Andrew Liu was born in China and raised in the Hudson Valley. He works in immigration law and is currently based in Berlin.
The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
During that trip, we were driving on the NC500 and came upon this vista of snow-capped mountains perfectly reflected in the loch. There are those moments when you’re traveling — I call them 100-percent moments — and this was one of them. As soon as we’re able to safely travel again, the Highlands will be one of the first places I’ll go. I’ll catch the Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness, visit Cairngorms National Park and stay at The Fife Arms . I’ll go to the Isle of Jura ’s whisky distilleries, and go on long, blustery walks in the rain. This has been a distressing time, but I hope that we can all learn to really love and appreciate where we’re from.
Morgan Charles lives in Somerset, England, and works in the corporate security department of United Airlines.
- Lake Michigan
During my first fall break, my husband and I drove out to see it. The wild dunes, roaring waves and endless horizon stunned me. The next summer, I swam lap after lap in it. Visits to Lake Michigan have gradually taken on increasing seasonal regularity: marveling at ice waves in winter, enjoying April wildflowers, swimming late into autumn. We spent the summer quarantining with family in the Poconos in Pennsylvania so we could have help caring for our son, Jem. Our first week back, I took him up to the lake. He was around three months old at the time. I walked down to the water with him in my arms. I wanted him to experience this thing that has been so profound in my own life.
Jillian Snyder is a humanities and English lecturer in Valparaiso, Ind.
Niansogoni, Burkina Faso
I had heard rumors of an abandoned cliff village, like Mesa Verde in the United States, not far from my host community. When a friend came to visit, we set off on a three-day bike tour to visit and view the Niansogoni Cliffs and the Sindou Peaks. While Niansogoni was only around 20 miles away, the road was rough, and, in the middle of the hot season, we arrived dusty and dehydrated. After a change of clothes and a surprisingly cold Brakina beer, our guide led us on a hike up the cliffs. We viewed this abandoned troglodyte village of the Wara people, who in the 14th century fled into the hills to escape the neighboring Senufo tribes. Up top, in the quiet among the baobab trees, at the ends of the earth.
Teresa Gotlin-Sheehan is a high school social studies teacher in Denver. She joined the Peace Corps and lived in Burkina Faso from 2012 to 2014.
Asunción, Paraguay
Stepping off the plane in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital, is like opening an oven: The heat fogs up your glasses and the air smells of diesel smoke and grilled meats.
The colorful buses racing through the city, where I lived for two years, inevitably have to slow down for the mango and lapacho trees in the roads — the custom is to pave around them, rather than cut them down.
Paraguay is sometimes seen as a transitional place between the rain forests of Brazil and the Bolivian salt flats. Backpackers tend to skip it for its flashier neighbors. But for me, travel is not about taking pictures of famous things: It’s about the people. And Paraguay is the sort of place where multiple people will offer — if not beg — to drop you off or pick you up from the airport. That embrace can be felt even among visitors.
Abigail Williamson is an English language teacher on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
South London Parks, England
Early on in the first lockdown, my boyfriend and I went to Battersea Park , which is also where we went on one of our first dates (and where we had one of our first fights). The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming and it almost felt like it was going to be OK. When restrictions started easing, the first thing we did was call some friends and meet in Myatt’s Field Park . We sat six feet apart, and it felt momentous.
Sage Erskine has lived in London for five years and is originally from Maine. She is a project manager at a creative agency.
Beirut, Lebanon
When I was six months old, my father, who was born in the village of Sahel Alma, took me to his homeland to be baptized. A generation later, I returned with my own six-month-old daughter in my arms. In the same little church in the coastal town of Jounieh , she received the same sacrament; I wrote her name in the same baptismal book. In the Lebanon I know, my aunts prepare mezze plates that stretch the length of the dining room table while we snack on green almonds. The air is scented with orange blossoms and gardenias from my Teta’s garden. The sun dips into the Mediterranean, and I am offered the ultimate luxury: the embrace of family.
Carolinne Griffin, a writer and editor, lives in Vermont with her husband, two children and dogs.
Photographs by Dylan Griffin, the contributor's husband.
Siberia, Russia
Our trip unfolded in spontaneous vignettes: A group of off-duty soldiers beckoned us into their compartment, sharing horseradish-infused vodka and communicating via mime and Google Translate. Assigned to the bunk next to me for an overnight leg, a chattering 6-year-old excitedly taught me the Russian words for colors. On the banks of the Kama River , we stumbled upon an outdoor disco party, and at a synagogue in Novosibirsk , a rabbi shared a conversation in bits of broken Hebrew. Siberia is not cold and barren. I found warmth, shared meals and endless points of connection.
Betsy Feuerstein, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., has lived on four continents.
Andros, Greece
I went back in 1996, and Yanni had cancer. And while I remember 1992 like it was yesterday — what I wore, where we went — I can’t really remember that second trip. Yanni was in and out of the hospital, getting chemo. He died a year later.
In 2017, I went back with my children and was relieved to see it mostly unchanged, though there were things I hadn’t noticed before, like a modern art museum and a cinema showing vintage films. It’s this warm, welcoming place, and the air smells like flowers. Now, my kids can’t wait to go back.
Maria Dal Pan is a writer and a founder of Erwin Park Communications. She lives in Montclair, N.J.
Growing up in a Bessarabian Jewish family, I had heard of the Old Country. What we discussed was never anything good. I never heard one thing about the sheer magnificence of the landscape or the bounties it serves up.
Driving just outside the city of Piatra Neamt , a wrought-iron fence with a Magen David (Star of David) caught my eye. I jammed on the brakes. We walked uphill to a cemetery — no sign. The caretaker, 80 if he was a day, showed us around. Maybe 10, 15 people in town are still Jewish. It was heartwarming to see someone caring for the place. I knew I was going to ask my wife to marry me. Driving from Bukovina — known for its beech trees and painted monasteries — to Maramures, we followed a zigzag mountain path: a place of transition. We reached a lookout. I said, “This is the place.”
Ivan Stoler lives in New York with his wife and works at a manufacturing company. (His family is from Moldova, which once belonged to Greater Romania.)
East Haddam, Conn.
I never liked being from a small town. Even when I was a kid, I wanted to get away as quickly as I could. As soon as I got a driver’s license, I was zooming to other places.
Although I’ve known East Haddam all my life, I finally fell in love with it last summer, when I visited with my boyfriend. We jumped into the waterfall at Devil’s Hopyard State Park ; I found myself marveling at the quaint farm stands and picturesque New England churches. It may be small, but it’s home.
Caley Millen-Pigliucci is a graduate student in journalism in New York.
Yarra Ranges National Park, Australia
There are few places that I love as deeply as the Yarra Ranges, particularly the old-growth mountain ash. It’s popular in the summer, but it comes into its own in the winter, when it’s covered in snow.
The first time I went, I couldn’t believe a place like this existed so close to where I live. I’ve gone back almost every winter since.
Eden Alley-Porter is a mariner, archaeologist and adventurer who lives in Melbourne.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
But it was during my two long hikes the next day that I fell in love. The afternoon sun warm, the air clean. I heard only my feet walking through sand, along with an occasional bird, horsefly, or scurrying chipmunk. This year has been wildly lonely and isolating. But at the canyon’s base , the path aggressively inclines, and I stopped. My brain got quiet. For the first time in months, my thoughts weren’t racing. Hiking, I realized, turned forced isolation into chosen solitude. Bryce is the perfect place to be with yourself.
Nora Lewis, an assistant public defender, left Miami where she was quarantined alone for a trip through Utah.
Huanchaco, Peru
Huanchaco was a place that was never on the map for me as I made my way traveling down South America.
I decided to stay for two weeks, three weeks, then that became four months.
As you walk down the main road, you have miles of beach on one side and a small, yet still bustling town on the other. You always hear people: vendors selling jewelry, or people selling different types of food. There’s a meaty, smoky smell in the air. I still smell the picarones (fried doughnuts) and papas rellenas (fried stuffed potatoes). And every single day has an amazing sunset.
Locals and tourists alike have a look at the waves to decide if a sunset surf is in the cards. (It’s good surf every day.) They believe Huanchaco was where surfing was born.
They have these reed canoes they use for fishing called “caballitos de totora.” It’s a symbol of Huanchaco. They say it was the original surfboard.
Will Lopez Flores is an educational-technology professional and photographer in San Francisco.
Jimmy’s Beach, New South Wales, Australia
There is a section of Jimmy’s Beach north of Barnes Rocks where the bay loops gently around to a point where the river and sand flow into Port Stephens.
This is my favorite place for walking my dog: We stop to examine the sea grass and shells (some like long fingernails), while a flock of small terns delight me with their fluttering nose-dives into the water. When I started visiting, submerged trees, now gone, stuck up from the sand — a strange sculpture forest that grew from the evolving landscape of the beach. I also found middens , the piles of shells from ancient Aboriginal feasts. This summer, walking with Diesel, I saw a dingo trotting behind us. With a frisson of anxiety, we hastened our pace until he padded into the bush, and we plunged into the icy water.
Suzie Shaw is a retired high school teacher in Sydney, Australia, where she spent a pandemic lockdown last year.
The University of Cambridge, England
It was very grand and Gothic, but beyond that, I was struck by the sheer, ritualized extravagance that goes into the substance of life in Cambridge; we had formals every Friday with a three-course dinner and wine pairings, and wine tastings tucked behind massive clocks reminiscent of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret .” I was also lucky to find a community of close friends from around the world. Both made my year at the university’s Trinity College feel like an almost surreal, pristine experience. I’ve found that during times of stress or grief, Cambridge will come to mind as a kind of counterpoint. I feel transported back to that safe, cocooned existence. I have a profound sense of gratitude for my year there; what a privileged time to have had.
Peggy Xu is from Johns Creek, Ga., and is studying law.
Lahore, Pakistan
Pakistan has a bad reputation, and is often overlooked by travelers who come to South Asia. But Lahoris are some of the kindest, most hospitable people. They love to take care of you and feed you. Lahore’s hot summers can feel oppressive, but in winter, in the cool dusk, lights twinkle in the fog. Androon Lahore , the city’s historic core, is studded with monuments from the Mughal era. I love to watch the Punjab locals feasting on terraces of restaurants overlooking the grand Badshahi Mosque — they are just regular people living their regular lives, and they are so alive in the present, while always connected to their past.
Haneen Iqbal is a 29-year-old freelance writer in Toronto, Canada.
Svalbard, Norway
The Arctic Circle is a world above our world: wrinkles of rock and ice, rare wildlife and vast white swaths stretching out forever into an ice-dotted sea.
When I went to Svalbard , I felt as if I’d been told an intimate secret by the Earth in a language that only I and the others on the ship could understand: hearing the loud crack of a glacier calving, ice dust flying, ice chunks splashing into the ocean, ripples getting larger and larger, turning into waves breaking along the shores of the fjord. When we were there, it became a part of us and we became a part of it. And as it shrinks , that part of me also shrinks.
Krysten Koehn, an art teacher who lives in Hamburg, Germany, spent an artist residency in Svalbard in 2014.
Alberta, Canada
When we first landed in the city of Calgary as a family of six, we weren’t used to the cold, dry climate. Growing up in Iraq, I had only seen snow on TV. But after moving to Canada, I learned what it looked and felt like; I watched the landscape change with the seasons. I could hardly believe that these beautiful mountains and lakes existed in my backyard. I didn’t have any formal schooling back home, but my parents always instilled in me and my siblings the value of education. Alberta is where I earned my bachelor’s degree, which ultimately allowed me to pursue a master’s degree. Alberta is where I learned how hard my parents worked to provide for us, and where I learned how free I could be as a woman.
Marokh Yousifshahi is a policy analyst in Calgary, Canada.
Santa Rosa, Calif.
One of my favorite places in Santa Rosa is Trione-Annadel State Park , which , along with other parts of the region, has suffered from wildfires in the last couple of years. People in this agricultural community see the seasons of destruction and renewal up close. They see how the fires hurt the economy and the land. I think of myself as a resilient person; I’ve gone through failures, traumas and upheaval. And I think that’s the ethos for Santa Rosa, too: resilience.
Ria D’Aversa lives in Santa Rosa, Calif., and is the co-founder of a small natural wine company.
Artwork is the pulse of Haiti: Caribbean Craft ’s extraordinary papier-mâché, Pascale Théard ’s beaded veve work, the beat of RAM’ s Haitian drums, the adored songs of BélO , the PAPJAZZ festival every January. I go to Hôtel Montana Haiti from time to time for a drink at the end of the day. It has a beautiful sprawling terrace that overlooks Port-au-Prince . There’s something about the view: the palm trees as the light goes down, the airport’s small landing strip, and, behind that, the mountains.
The mountains are Haiti for me. When the sun starts to set, a slight breeze picks up and the leaves of the palm trees blow, and I just exhale. Everything goes quiet there. I close my eyes — a moment to be grateful: I’m here.
Nadia Todres, a New York photographer, runs Center for the Arts, a nonprofit organization in Port-au-Prince that brings art and education to adolescent girls.
Ladakh, India
There’s intimacy at the top of the world. That at-homeness is peculiar for a nonbinary American to feel, but something about me is recognizable to people here. Once, we sat on the cold floor in a shaft of sunlight inside the Mangyu temple complex and felt the continuity of practice held every day for 1,000 years.
Ladakh is my understanding of what heaven would be — grounded in this earth. Every year, I visit Tso Moriri Lake , climbing to 15,000 feet in the dark morning to watch the sunrise. I hear army trucks beginning to move and old prayer flags flapping.
Before Ladakh, I thought being a traveler meant going to new places every year. This region has taught me what can deepen and mature when you return and return, and let a place remake you.
Jody Greene is a Zen Buddhist and literature professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Hokkaido, Japan
Japan is awash with these geothermal bath houses that many people use in their daily routine. They act as part bath and part social club, where the elderly crowds gather to gossip about local life. Our wooden guesthouse was built into a rocky outcrop, underneath a looming volcano in Hokkaido ’s Daisetsuzan National Park. The lodge was cozy: a warm wooden smell, handmade carvings, rugs everywhere, low tables, skiing paraphernalia, books and handmade furniture. In Japan you go in completely naked . (Brits feel horrendously awkward at the thought.) We weren’t ready to get naked in front of each other’s wives — here it’s mixed-sex — we messaged the group to warn of our onsen visit. I will forever think of sliding into the bubbling hot water with cold cans of Sapporo beer, engulfed in steam.
Michael Sheridan, an engineering consultant from London, traveled with university friends to Hokkaido in October 2019.
The Hudson River’s Tappan Zee, New York
As a kid, the bridge over the Hudson River was always a point of travel. It is a connection point in New York. On a Sunday night in September, I found myself sitting at Pierson Park in Tarrytown, watching the sunset over the Tappan Zee. I thought, “This is a nice moment in time when I get to be here and be peaceful and not worry about what’s next.” I was able to look at things with a new adult eye. The bridge, now called the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, is brand-new. It’s not the same bridge that was crumbling and falling over from when I was growing up.
I was preparing to move to California after finishing Zoom graduate school, and I became overwhelmed with a feeling that no matter where my life takes me, this three-mile river crossing will always bear a sense of home.
Alexis Sabol, a nurse, was born and raised in White Plains, N.Y.
- Northern Arkansas
The Buffalo River is less than two hours from Bentonville, and I can’t believe I didn’t know about it until recently. I’m sad that I missed out on the opportunity to share it with my father, who died two years ago. He loved the outdoors, and I feel like I’m in the right place — and at the right time — when I’m there. It’s a place that has allowed me to strengthen my connection to him.
Shaye Anderson is the director of content strategy at a creative agency. She lives in Bentonville, Ark.
Tagaytay, Philippines
We started in the morning, taking a bamboo boat across a tumultuous lake. Our guide, who lived on the island, was hiking in flip-flops. When we reached the top, I felt like I was on Mars — there was this beautiful red rock, and, suddenly, a crater with a lake in it. You could smell the sulfur. I remember feeling so thankful. Taal erupted in January 2020. My memories of this place are peaceful and full of color. Afterward, everything was covered in gray ash, including my family’s home. I want people to know what it looks like underneath the ash. Someday, I’d love to do that hike again.
Selena Ponio is a legal analyst who lives in New York City.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
One afternoon, I boarded a 12-seater plane and sailed over three snow-capped mountain ranges. When our group descended toward the tiny airport, we couldn’t see the landing strip — all we saw was the water. As we cruised around the fjord on the boat, the crew lined up a rack of water glasses and drove under an enormous waterfall. The glasses filled; the water tasted cold and refreshing. Milford Sound is so far from civilization — from cities, from the built environment — that nothing about it is polluted. It was so soothing to be on the water and watch the world go by.
Laura Lynn Walsh is a retired teacher who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Top photograph by Kathryn Eidson, the contributor's sister.
Córdoba, Spain
I was born in Córdoba but was eating hummus in Jerusalem, another city where Jews, Muslims and Christians are bound together, when I finally understood its uniqueness. Tasting a chickpea purée, I recognized the techniques of salmorejo, the garlicky Cordoban purée of tomato and bread.
Travelers to Spain often forget to pause here. Tourists go to Barcelona, or Seville to see flamenco. People don’t know the history of Córdoba. For me, the city is a dream come true.
Fernando Moreno Reyes is a marketing manager who lives in Madrid.
Photographs by Irene Sanchez, a friend of the contributor.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Traversing the tundra, you feel like you’re going to fall into quicksand. And the palette of the landscape in summer — all blues and greens mixed with wildflowers — is also blinding, because it’s the same colors that you see everywhere. Each summer around the solstice , when there is 24 hours of daylight, my family spends time in Anaktuvuk Pass , the Native Alaskan village located entirely in the park. We look forward to the slow pace of life. My son will play with the kids there. It’s really important for me that my son understands what it means to grow up in an Indigenous culture. I want him to understand this place where we are just visitors.
Bree Kessler is a public-space researcher, designer and activist who lives in Alaska with her husband, a law enforcement park ranger, and 4-year-old son.
Con Dao, Vietnam
My father never went back to Vietnam. He died in 2006, and now, when I travel there, I bring his journalist card with me to return his spirit, in some way. Having a refugee background means I have an urgent need to love this place because Dad could not.
I spent three days on Con Dao. I visited a cemetery, where relatives of people who died or suffered in the prison can bring offerings. There’s a marine conservatory, where baby turtles are being raised. On the last day, I was on the beach. As I swam out in the warm, turquoise water, I burst into tears. It’s important that we have these places where we can remember the people we’ve lost. Someday, I’d like to take my children there so they can learn more about their grandfather.
Thang Dac Luong is a lawyer and a writer in Sydney.
- Northern Kyrgyzstan
Within a few hours in the mountains, the weather turned bad and it started sleeting. I’m 48 years old, and it was the first time in my life I’d seen something like snow. We would drive three, four hours and not come across another person. We spent four nights in a yurt camp, and the hospitality was mind-boggling. And this was just the northern part of the country! I’d like to go back to explore the rest of it, hopefully soon.
Yogesh Mokashi is the founder of The Egg Factory, a chain of restaurants in Bangalore, India.
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
It was a whirlwind: a 14-hour layover in Paris, three days in Cape Town . We did not have a chance to plan anything, and everything we did was right at the moment, adding to the adventure. We took the last cable car to the top of Table Mountain at sunset — the whole mountain glowing with soft light. White Arum lilies were everywhere. It felt like the perfect way to introduce ourselves to South Africa . Enveloped in clouds, we could see just a hint of the city, its lights twinkling in the distance. I love the mountain for how it made me feel: the rush of emotion, the gratitude to share that experience with my siblings. A picture of them looking over the horizon brings me back to how much joy I felt.
Daniela Radpay, a high school Spanish teacher and university lecturer from Austin, Texas, traveled to Cape Town with two of her siblings.
Turku, Finland
Nature is so accessible here; there are these tall trees everywhere. It seems like the earth and the sky can almost touch. The river is really my thing. When I’m biking, I’ll go out of my way to ride on the river path. I moved back to Turku this August to be with my now-husband. We haven’t really been going out into the city because of the pandemic, and I almost feel like I’m not really back because I haven’t seen the river yet.
Avanti Chajed is from Illinois and lives in Turku. She is a doctoral student doing work on immigrant family experiences.
The Rawah Wilderness, Colorado
We marveled together along the creek bed and absorbed the lushness of early summer. And it was all hidden, off the main trail. If we hadn’t stopped, we wouldn’t have noticed it. Unfortunately, the largest forest fire in Colorado’s recorded history, Cameron Peak Fire , which was finally contained in early December, has consumed the Rawah Wilderness . Downed trees from beetle kill fueled the fire, and the smoke clouds exist as harbingers for the West’s desolate future.
The area is still closed and no one’s been up there besides the forest service. But I think we’ll be able to return. The Rawah Wilderness captures the fragility of nature. It’s taught me to say goodbye to the Colorado of my childhood and prepare for an uncertain future.
Michala Whitmore, an amateur historian living in Boulder, Colo., loves to hike.
The Methow Valley, Washington
I closed on my home a few months later, thinking I was a trailblazer with a remote job who was leaving the city behind. That was September 2019. Now I’ve come to know the Methow Valley in all four seasons, and she’s become my refuge in the pandemic. Others have followed, and now this secret spot is something of a Zoom Town. But there is space for all of us: It’s conducive to social distancing here.
The Valley is three towns woven together: Mazama, Winthrop and Twisp, where I head in summer to buy 25 pounds of Roma tomatoes and Dapple Dandy pluots. In fall I hike to the Goat Peak lookout and admire the golden larches.
Methow Valley is small — it’s not like Sun Valley or Park City. But I know it intimately now, and the rhythm of her landscape is a salve. It’s a precious place.
Rose Thompson, 32, lives in Mazama, Wash., with her partner and two dogs.
I was only a few years old in 1965 when my father’s partners at his Brooklyn gas station decided to sell. His next job would change my life.
I took my first around-the-world flight alone at 18. All of a sudden this new world just opened up to me. Am I inquisitive by nature or by temperament? Or was it the traveling that really completed that mix? Where everyone else is sitting in a plane, watching a movie, I’m at my window, looking at geologic glacial features that are just so unbelievably beautiful to me. I remember flying over the States and it was just a beautiful day. There was a light layer of snow over a lot of the country as I flew. And I just remember looking down at these open spaces, in these little towns, just thinking to myself about how we’re such little ants on this planet. There are many times when I have even spoken to the person sitting in back of me, saying, “Oh, look at that!”
Carrie Dovzak is a retired geologist living in Berkeley, Calif. She dreams of traveling post-Covid.
- South Wales
- Kaliya Dhrow
- The Camino de Santiago
- London’s St. James the Less Church
- The Marrakesh Medina
- Nanda Devi Mountain
- Laugavegur Trail
- The Scottish Highlands
- South London Parks
- East Haddam
- Yarra Ranges National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Jimmy’s Beach
- The University of Cambridge
- The Hudson River’s Tappan Zee
- Milford Sound
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
- Table Mountain, Cape Town
- The Rawah Wilderness
- The Methow Valley
Open Up Your World
Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..
Italy : Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.
Southern California : Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.
Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .
Romania : Timisoara may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.
India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.
52 Places: Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .
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Ranked: the 32 best villages of the world to visit according to the un.
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Zell am See with the mountain range Hohe Tauern, in Austria, one of the UN's awarded World Tourism ... [+] Villages.
From Austria to Vietnam, 32 destinations from around the world, including 14 in Europe, have been named as the ‘ Best Tourism Villages 2022 ’ by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) .
The award recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products.
It also acknowledges villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all their aspects – economic, social and environmental – and focus on developing tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The tiny seaside village of "Giglio Porto" with multi colored houses, an ancient defensive tower and ... [+] a rocky coastline against a deep blue Mediterranean sea in Giglio Island, Tuscany, Italy
Rural advancement through tourism
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all the United Nations member states. includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals that serve as an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - to end poverty and other deprivations through strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
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Best covid-19 travel insurance plans.
The Best Tourism Villages chosen from 18 countries across the five world regions were evaluated by an independent advisory board based on nine areas: Cultural and Natural Resources, Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration, Governance and Prioritization of Tourism, Infrastructure and Connectivity and Health, Safety, and Security.
A view of boats in Lake Bohinj, with the church of St John in the background in Bohinj, Slovenia
“For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true game-changer in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili explained.
A further 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme and all 52 villages will become part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Global Network created in 2021 and which gathers 115 villages from the five continents.
The village of Rupit in Catalonia, Spain, one of Europe's best tourism villages of the world
Tourism and rural inclusion
The Best Tourism Villages initiative is the flagship project of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development aiming to reduce regional inequalities, fight depopulation, progress gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment by developing tourism initiatives.
It also includes efforts toward advancing innovation and digitalization, improving connectivity, infrastructure, opening access to finance and investment, promoting sustainable practices for more efficient use of resources, reducing emissions and waste and enhancing education and skills.
The next edition of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO will open in February, 2023.
These are the European villages included in the list and the reasons to visit them according to Schengenvisa info:
A ciew from the fortress at Switzerland's Murten Village
- Zell am See, Austria
The small Austrian village of Zell am See, which has a population of only 9,852, is an important tourist destination in the state of Salzburg due to its ski resorts and 408 kilometres of slopes.
It is also in a summer destination as it is located on the shores of Lake Zell, in which tourists can not only swim but also sail and surf.
- Wagrain, Austria
Wagrain, Austria - Alps view from the ski resort above the Grafenberg Cable Car lift
Wagrain, also in Austria is one of those little towns seen in Christmas cards offering tourists the best winter experiences.
In mid-2022, Wagrain was also the first and only destination in Austria to be awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council accredited Green Destinations certification.
- Mestia, Georgia
Medieval Svan Tower in the Town of Mestia, Georgia, with snowcapped Caucasus Mountain in the ... [+] Backdrop.
At an elevation of 1,500 metres, the village of Mestia is listed tenth amongst the Best Tourism Villages selected by the UNWTO.
It has a population of only 1,973 residents, and it is known as a centre of mountaineering tourism. In this village, you can visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which is home to some of the most important historical artefacts both from the region and the rest of the country.
From there, you can hike the glaciers or the nearby lakes.
- Sauris-Zahre, Italy
Crocus meadow at Sauris, in the Carnic Alps, Italy in spring
The Italian village of Sauris, immersed in the nature of the Carnic Alps is located at a height ranging between 1,000 and 1,400 metres above sea level.
The village has been semi-isolated for centuries, preserving its culture and architecture. Maybe the most unique thing about this village is that the ancient language spoken in the Friuli area is still spoken in Sauris.
- Isola del Giglio, Italy
Spread over two small islands, that of Giglio and Giannutri, the Italian village of Isola del Giglio is home to the remains of the Roman villa of Domitius Ahenobarbus and the church of San Pietro Apostolo.
The village is committed to maintaining its identity and avoiding depopulation, which currently stands at 1,436 residents.
- Castelo Novo, Portugal
Main square with former city hall and bell tower in Castelo Novo, a historic village around the ... [+] Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Built 800 years ago, Portugal’s Castelo Novo is home to one of the most important archaeological sites in this region – the Roman baths of Quinta do Ervedal and a remarkable fortified settlement from the Bronze Age.
It is also the first location in Portugal with 100 per cent sustainable mobility, free of carbon dioxide and noise emissions, which offers five electric vehicles available for free use in addition to serving as a transfer service to the train stations.
- Rasinari, Romania
Rasinari Village in Sibiu, Transylvania Romania.
Rasinari, a picturesque village in Romaniamhas many tourist sites as the Andrei Șaguna monument, “St. Parascheva” Church, Octavian Goga memorial house, and the ruins of the medieval fortress of Cetățuia Citadel.
- Bohinj, Slovenia
A picturesque view on Lake Bohinj and the church in Ribčev Laz, Slovenia
The village of Bohinj in Slovenia has 65% of it within Slovenia’s only national park – the Triglav National Park.
The village stands on Lake Bohinj, Triglav, the Savica waterfall, and the Church of St. John the Baptist and is also home to protected architectural sites.
Rupit, Alquézar and Guadalupe in Spain
Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, province of Caceres, Spain
Three Spanish villages have been selected among the best world tourism villages by UNWTO: Rupit, Alquézar and Guadalupe.
The village of Rupit is of medieval origin and is considered to be one of the jewels of Catalonia in Spain. It preserves baroque buildings from the 17ᵗʰ century and is surrounded by the Rupit stream, lush forests, caves, prehistoric tombs, waterfalls, and miles of cliffs.
Alquézar in Spain, built on ridge, with deep canyons as natural barrier is a World Heritage site by ... [+] UNESCO
Alquézar, on the other hand, is a historic-artistic site since 1980 and has the status of a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Its name originates from the Arabic words al qaçr, meaning “for fort”.
And last, but no less, is the village of Guadalupe, which can be accessed only through mountainous roads. It has several recognised cultural sites as the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe, Villuercas Ibores Geopark Jara or The Pilgrimage Paths to Guadeloupe, The Well of the Snow of Guadalupe, Los Molinos, Aceñas, etc.
In 2017, Guadalupe received the award the “Most Beautiful Christmas Town in Spain” from Ferrero Rocher.
Murten and Andermatt, Switzerland
Andermatt village in swiss Alps mountains, snow covered in winter in blue evening light, Uri, ... [+] Switzerland.
While Andermatt is home to a great variety of wildlife, mountain lakes, brooks, springs, and untouched mountainous area, Murten is a lakeside medieval town consisting of various objects from the New Stone Age, Bronze age, Roman and Medieval age.
Architecture stone buildings, traditional Turkish village houses in touristic place Birgi, Izmir.
Birgi, Türkiye (Turkey)
The village of Birgi in Türkiye has a history of over 5,000 years from the ancient Lydian Empire up until the Ottoman Civilization.
The town is often considered the heart of silk production and weaving in Turkey.
This is the complete list of the Best Tourism Villages in the world:
- Puqueldón, Chile
- Dazhai, China
- Jingzhu, China
- Choachí, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Creel, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
- Lamas, Peru
- Raqchi, Peru
- Pyeongsa-ri, Republic of Korea
- AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquézar, Spain
- Guadalupe, Spain
- Murten, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Türkiye
- Thái Hải, Vietnam
Andean view of the environmentally-friendly village of Choachi in Colombia, one of the Best Tourism ... [+] Villages in the world.
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Emblematic Alaska: Sitka to Vancouver
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Welcome to TN
No matter what you like, you can find something to love in Tennessee. Check out our latest highlights to discover inspiration for your next trip.
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Discover the authentic experiences and places that can only be found in Tennessee.
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Invigorating outdoor adventures await.
A land of beauty, magic and discovery.
If you're not a die-hard fan yet, you will be.
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Winter Getaways in Tennessee
Cozy up in Tennessee in the winter at these getaways near you for the best winter vacation.
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Spring & Summer Festivals in Tennessee
It's time to start planning for a spring and summer vacation.
Get in Touch (Literally) With Nature at the Tennessee Aquarium
Chattanooga is filled with Tennessee experiences. Just ask lifestyle blogger, Anna Liesemeyer of In Honor of Design, who recently took her family to experience them.
Where to eat when you're in Knoxville
Get a Made in Tennessee taste in Knoxville.
A Made in Tennessee Journey to Knoxville
Culture, creativity, and a wealth of music options, Knoxville beckons with its laid back sophistication.
Tennessee Appalachian History Comes to Life at Museum of Appalachia
A visual feast of the treasures that wait at Museum of Appalachia.
Tennessee's Rural Roads: Home to the Appalachian Quilt Trail
The stories of Tennessee's rural communities can be found along The Appalachian Quilt Trail.
Secret Waterfalls in Tennessee
Little to no crowds. Places of instant respite. Explore these off-the-beaten-path Tennessee waterfalls.
6 Tennessee hikes you have to experience to believe
Check out these six trails to experience the beauty of Tennessee.
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Build your family’s
Medina County Visitor's Bureau
Year-round family fun and a picturesque, old-town atmosphere await visitors in Medina County. A variety of museums and festivals celebrate the county's rich history in agriculture and industry.
Where to Shop
Troyer country market.
Troyer’s Country Market is known as an Amish Country destination for tourists who have come to expect quality produce, excellent customer service and the ability to take a bit of Holmes County home with them. The market is a cross section of all the fantastic foods Amish Country has to offer— all under one roof.
Where to Eat
Amish door restaurant.
The Amish Door Village is a triple threat in Amish Country—eat, sleep and shop. Guests of all ages can eat, shop and relax at the complex. Specializing in authentic Amish Country home-style food for breakfast,lunch and dinner, satisfied diners continue to dish up accolades.
Where to Stay
Berlin grande hotel.
In a charming village overlooking Ohio's beautiful Amish country, the recently expanded in 2017, Berlin Grande Hotel invites guests to indulge in the luxury of an upscale boutique hotel while experiencing the serenity and simplicity of an earlier era. Spacious guest rooms with tasteful decor invite you to relax and unwind in style.
Recent Stories from Amish Country
A time of restoration.
Amish Country ready to make a coronavirus recovery
Not every buggy is created equal
Buggy shopping and buying is more than meets the eye.
Sweet beginnings
It's decades of deliciousness at at Coblentz Chocolate Company.
Upcoming Events in Amish Country
Locally handcrafted furniture in amish country, miller's rustic furniture.
Bedroom sets, rockers, tables and chairs fill in the showroom among the owner’s trophy mounts from hunting trips, and original metal art mixes wood with wrought iron to create an original piece of...
Alpine Cabinets
Custom cabinetry for every room in your home is offered in a variety of styles, species and finishes that add value to your home at this family-owned shop that has served the region since 1987 with...
Erb's Stove Center
Step into the Erb’s Stove Center showroom and you’ll see a large variety of fireplaces, stoves, handcrafted mantles and any fireplace accessory you need! Not to mention their outdoor living products...
Kauffman Lawn Furniture
Kauffman Lawn Furniture is located in the center of Amish Country and offers a large variety of outdoor furniture and structures. They have one of the biggest outdoor displays in the area, which...
Places to Eat in Amish Country
Guggisberg cheese.
In 1947, Alfred Guggisberg ventured to the U.S. from Switzerland to pursue his cheesemaking dream, arriving in Holmes County, Ohio. He created Baby Swiss cheese, known for its smaller holes and...
Broad Run Cheesehouse
More than 70 years of cheesemaking and Grand Champion Cheesemaker awards equals perfection for this family-owned business that’s married cheese and wine. With tours and tastings available, as well as...
Village of Sugarcreek
Explore our Swiss Village, take in a live show, shop, wine or dine at our unique local establishments, go on a horse-drawn trolley ride or simply stay in your room at one of our cozy inns and enjoy...
Berlin Main Street Merchants
Berlin is voted as Ohio's #1 tourist attraction and it's easy to see why when you visit this family-friendly destination. Shopping, dining, lodging and everything in between is waiting for you to...
Where to Stay in Amish Country
Charm countryview inn.
Experience the serenity of the countryside at this B&B. Each room has a private bath and is furnished in different styles of locally made, solid oak furniture with handmade quilts on the beds. Guests...
Sojourner's Lodge & Log Cabin Suites
Luxurious retreat tucked away on 20 acres, Sojourner’s features gorgeous lodge and cabin suites with fireplaces, jacuzzis, kitchens, living rooms, and more! Spectacular views, hiking trails, our own...
Berlin Main Street Lodging
Location, location, location! Just footsteps away from all the food, fun and shopping that await you in the heart of downtown Berlin, Berlin Main Street Lodging features two new luxury suites and the...
Historic Downtown Millersburg
Historic Downtown Millersburg may reside in the heart of Amish Country, and while there is the Amish and Mennonite flavor, Historic Downtown Millersburg is so much more.
Where to Shop in Amish Country
Breitenbach wine cellars.
The name Breitenbach reflects the scenic grounds where the winery is located. Famous for award-winning sweet and fresh blends that satisfy any palate, the winery includes a gift shop and eatery, in...
Walnut Creek Cheese
For a taste of Holmes County, look no farther. With an on-site meat market, deli, bakery and shelves packed with home-style goodness, fresh food awaits to fill your grocery cart. Known for its...
Main Street Fudge & Popcorn Co.
At Main Street Fudge & Popcorn Co. the Miller Family will bring a smile to your face with their fun atmosphere and unique high quality treats! Find out why we are known as "The Sweetest Place In...
Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market
On average, more than 2,000 cars packed with enthusiastic shoppers pull into the market’s parking lot each weekend to visit approximately 60 vendors who peddle an ever-changing inventory of unique...
Things to Do in Amish Country
Valley ATV LLC specializes in utility vehicles and carries top ATV and SXS popular brands like Polaris and Can-Am at competitive prices. Proudly serving the Danville areas, they stock thousands of...
Oak Shadows Golf Club
Just as an artist creates a masterpiece on canvas, Oak Shadows Golf Club was designed to capture the natural beauty of Tuscarawas County. Designed by John F. Robinson & Associates, Oak Shadows Golf...
Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ready to share Wayne County's biggest and smallest gems? From downtown dazzle to country calm, guests enjoy the best of the area, including the famous J.M. Smucker Company Store & Cafe, The Ohio...
Authentic Recipes from Ohio's Amish Country
Peanut butter and jelly cookies.
Indulge your peanut cravings.
Baked Potato Soup
A hearty soup for those cool days ahead.
Old Fashioned American Goulash
Comfort food at its best.
Amish Style Fried Apples
A quick side to go with any meal.
Amish technology
The Amish are averse to any technology which they feel weakens the family structure. The conveniences that the rest of us take for granted such as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and...
Amish financial matters
Owning an insurance policy for any reason is out of the question for an Amish family. They depend on their church and community to stand with them in difficult circumstances.
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- 1 Grafton, Vermont
- 2 Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
- 3 Stockbridge, Massachusetts
- 4 Montpelier, Vermont
- 5 Hudson, New York
- 6 Frenchtown, New Jersey
- 7 Bristol, Rhode Island
- 8 Mystic, Connecticut
- 9 Castine, Maine
Northeast Vacations: The 9 Cutest Towns For Your Trip
With lighthouse-scattered coasts, bucolic countryside, rich historical ties, and too many quaint villages to count, the Northeast radiates a relaxed energy no other region could hope to replicate. Here, 9 of the cutest towns to check out next time you’re in the neighborhood.
A Brooklyn-based writer and editor, Chelsea's work has appeared in Matador Network, The Huffington Post, the TripAdvisor blog, and more. When not planning her next trip, you'll usually find her drinking way too much iced coffee (always iced—she’s from New England) or bingeing a Netflix original series.
See recent posts by Chelsea Stuart
Grafton, Vermont
One look at Grafton’s historic covered bridges, romantic country inns, family-run farmsteads, and sheep-dotted pastures, and you’ll realize that the village is a representation of small town New England at its finest. Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, the charming town is home to less than 600 year-round residents who regularly convene for Town Meetings (see Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow, for reference). Tuck your things away at Main Street’s circa-1801 Grafton Inn —right next door to the village’s iconic white steepled church—and make a beeline for Grafton Village Cheese Co. We'd argue that there's no better way to spend an afternoon than nibbling on naturally-aged, handmade variations (there’s more than 80) like truffle cheddar, 18-month emmentaler, and sheep gouda while you watch the company’s cheesemakers in action.
Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
Tucked away in New Hampshire’s rugged White Mountains, with stunning scenic views (especially come fall), hole-in-the-wall antique shops, and a population that hovers around just 560, Sugar Hill has all the trappings of a quintessential New England town. Swing by in June to catch the annual Celebration of Lupines , when the reborn blooms blanket Sugar Hill’s countryside in a brilliant display of blues, purples, pinks, and whites. From there, extend your outdoor time with an excursion in neighboring Franconia Notch State Park. Take a dip in Echo Lake , listen to the roaring waters of the Flume Gorge , or take a ride on an 80-person cable car at the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. On a clear day, you can see straight across NH to Maine, Vermont, New York, and even Canada.
RELATED : Countdown to Summer: 8 Incredible Trips to Take This Summer
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
In recent years, the Massachusetts Berkshires have been luring more city slickers out of NYC and Boston than ever. Those in search of a picturesque bucolic escape look no further than Stockbridge, a resort town with relative name recognition thanks to famous resident Norman Rockwell. In fact, many visitors make the hike out to the western MA town just to glimpse the largest collection of the prolific artist's work and personal items at the Norman Rockwell Museum . Priceless art aside, it’s also worth spending some downtime at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and window-shopping the bric-a-brac-filled country stores on Historic Main Street. Once you work up an appetite, head 5 minutes down the road to No. Six Depot in West Stockbridge. The rustic small-batch coffee roaster/café/art gallery serves a mean panini (go for the porchetta with truffle aioli, hazelnut gremolata, and lemon-caper aioli) and—of course—the best caffeine fix in town.
Montpelier, Vermont
If you make the trip to Vermont—the maple syrup capital of the United States— and you don’t leave with a stash of the homemade treat, you’re doing something seriously wrong. To remedy this, start your Montpelier stay with a stop by Bragg Farm Sugar House , a family-run business that’s taught eight generations the secret to crafting perfect maple kettle corn, cookies, and candies. From there, it’s over to stylish creperie, The Skinny Pancake , to further indulge with sweet and savory options like the Pure and Simple, with Cabot butter, granulated sugar, local syrup, and the Sass-Squash, with butternut squash, VT chevre and apples, and organic spinach. Before you’re forced to leave the foothills of the Green Mountains, fit in one last food-fueled event. Swing by the Capital City Farmer’s Market so you can pick up farm-fresh produce that supports local growers.
Hudson, New York
Despite being just over two hours outside Manhattan, Hudson feels worlds away. As “Upstate’s Downtown,” the once sleepy, now trendy city is an amalgam of old-world architecture (Federal, Victorian, and Queen Anne), verdant countryside, and lively art and music scenes. If you’re visiting from the city, you have to make good on outdoor options with hikes through the hemlock-forested wilderness of Taconic State Park and Bash Bish Falls (just over the border in MA). When you need to refuel, mosey back into town for a meal in Wm Farmer & Sons ’ handsome, modern-meets-vintage dining room (akin to those you’d find in Brooklyn). Once you’ve stuffed your face with cast-iron burgers and smoked brisket on brioche, retire to Rivertown Lodge . Once a two-story movie theater, you’ll easily spot the stylish stay thanks to its enduring marquee. Inside, the aesthetic is just as pleasing as guest rooms are kitted out with custom-built furniture, white oak floors, brass bathroom faucets, and Americana-style accents.
RELATED : America’s 8 Cutest Airbnbs to Check Into This Spring
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Just a 1.5-hour drive from both NYC and Philly, Frenchtown presents an easy weekend getaway that rivals trips to the Poconos and Hudson Valley. Given its size (tiny), the Delaware River gem is shockingly rife with worthwhile restaurants and boutique shops that run the gamut from home decor to fine jewelry. Since you can’t shop on an empty stomach, make a pit stop at the Lovin’ Oven , a farm-to-table eatery that calls a converted manufacturing warehouse home. On Wednesday’s, they serve a three-course “Welcome Home” dinner full of comfort foods (both traditional and modified) like fish and chips, Nashville fried chicken, and vegan sloppy joes. Post-meal, it's time to peruse eclectic titles at The Book Garden . The indie shop sets up its shelves inside a 19th-century Victorian home on Bridge Street. Pro-tip: if you're looking for a cookbook, head straight for the kitchen.
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bestowed with the nickname “America’s Most Patriotic Town,” colonial-era Bristol has been proudly hosting the oldest, continuous Fourth of July celebration in the US since they threw their first shindig in 1777. Today, the annual affair includes outdoor concerts, soapbox races, an elaborate parade down Hope Street , and more, but you’ll still find plenty to see and do should your visit fall outside of July. Historical sites are a dime a dozen in this neck of the woods. Spend an afternoon at the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum a 45-room, heirloom-filled estate that sits on 33 garden-framed acres overlooking Narragansett Bay, and plan time for a visit to Linden Place , as well. If the historic house museum has you feeling some sort of déjà vu, it’s likely you saw its on-screen debut in Robert Redford and Mia Farrow’s The Great Gatsby .
RELATED : 7 U.S. Cities That Are Hipper Than You Think
Mystic, Connecticut
This destination may no longer be under wraps, but the maritime village of Mystic is still a top-notch option for those looking to relax in the Northeast. Nearly equidistance between NYC and Boston, the quaint community is brimming with B&Bs, seaside restaurants, and a world-class aquarium. Drop your bags at Spicer Mansion , a romantic, clapboard inn with only eight lavish guest rooms (think: high ceilings, four-poster beds, and antique-inspired furnishings). From there, it’s time to explore the historic downtown for small mom-and-pop shops and a slice of surprisingly good pizza from the one and only Mystic Pizza (be prepared for lots of Julia Roberts kitsch).
Explore More: See hotel details | See all Mystic, CT hotels
Castine, Maine
In midcoast Maine, on a peninsula in Penobscot Bay, you’ll find one of the state’s oldest communities: Castine. Rich in seafaring tradition, the harbor town is home to the Maine Maritime Academy, and, perhaps, it’s most easily recognizable feature, the stone Dice Head Light. For classic Maine accommodations, the seaside Pentagoet Inn has you covered. The three-story, turreted Queen Anne Victorian is all about old-fashioned details: vintage lithographs, period antiques, clawfoot tubs, and intricately carved headboards—and its location is ideal, putting you within reach of countless art galleries, flea markets, seasonal fairs, and more. Just a minute down the block, MarKel’s Bakehouse is a must when it comes time to snack. Cinnamon buns, sweet breads, scones, and to-go sandwiches all vie for attention, but once you’ve picked something sweet, retreat back to the inn to relax on the wraparound porch where wicker rockers afford guests stunning views of the bay.
What to Wear in the Northeast
Women’s outfit to wear in the hamptons, shop the look.
Longwear Foundation
Canvas Wedge Espadrilles
Men’s picnic date outfit.
Denim Shorts
Polarized Aviators
Espadrilles
Large Waterproof Picnic Blanket
Women’s classic shorts outfit to wear to florida.
Air Ruched Blouse
Belted City Shorts
Iridescent Headband
3 Chain Earrings
Cozy Adventure in the US Outfit for Men
Fleece Pullover
Slim Fit Shorts
Baseball Cap
Skateboarding Shoes
Women’s swimsuit for international beaches in the fall.
One-piece Swimsuit
Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Lotion
Baltic Bracelet
Heart Sarong
Men’s stylish swimming outfit to wear in florida.
Swim Trunks
Striped Shirt
Leather Fanny Pack
Women’s Chill Romper Outfit for a Getaway from DC
Cutout Hoops
Long Sleeve Romper
Bandana Headband
Chuck Taylor®
Men’s day outfit for the east coast.
Elastic Shorts
Swingarm Sunglasses
Q Explorist Smartwatch
- 18 Stylish Women’s Sneakers for Travel
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15 Best Day Trips from The Villages (Fl)
The Villages in central Florida is the fastest growing community in the United States.
Every year the population expands exponentially.
Why? Because The Villages is situated in one of the best locations in Florida – within easy reach of Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville, and not so far from the southeastern cities of Fort Myers and Venice.
The subtropical Florida weather makes this a favorite destination to visit and retire to, and despite being a new community, people just keep moving here.
While there’s not a whole lot to do in The Villages Fl themselves – except relax and watch the world go by – that’s exactly how the people living here want it to be.
But in the surrounding area and within a few hours’ drive in every direction, there’s always something exciting or interesting to visit and discover.
Here are the best day trips from The Villages:
1. The Lakes
The Villages is almost completely surrounded by lush, freshwater lakes.
Whichever road you take out of town, you’ll find yourself cruising past a lake or river.
Within this central area of Florida, there are literally hundreds of different lakes to explore – many of them are recreational zones and protected areas, where you can walk, hike, fish, or take to the water on canoes or kayaks.
The closest is Lake Sumter – just a few miles outside of town and surrounded on one side by Lake Sumter Landing, where you can eat, shop and enjoy the still waters that lie ahead of you.
Lake Miona Park is another beautiful spot nearby, where it’s easy to spend the day strolling around the edge or fishing in the reeds.
2. Cape Canaveral
On the east coast of Florida, about 100 miles away, is the iconic Cape Canaveral.
This is the famous home of NASA, where many rockets and satellites have been launched into space over the years.
If you are lucky or plan well ahead of time, you can arrange to see a launch, although these are, of course, quite rare.
It’s possible to visit the Kennedy Space Centre though, where in past years, space shuttles were launched into space – and other craft carrying human astronauts too.
The Kennedy Space Center has a visitor’s center which can be visited throughout the year.
It’s an interesting look at the history of NASA and the technology which allowed them to launch satellites and people into orbit and space.
3. Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is one of the best outdoor areas in the region.
It’s found just northeast of The Villages and is an incredibly diverse forest to explore.
There are huge tracts of pine trees, while within the protected area are enormous lakes, freshwater springs and a vast array of wildlife.
The National Forest covers over 600-square-miles of pristine nature, and it will take much more than a day to explore everything within the boundaries.
You can hike, swim, fish and enjoy the great Floridian outdoors at Ocala National Forest.
4. St Augustine
On the northeast coastline of Florida, you can visit the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the United States of America.
St Augustine traces its history far back to 1565 when the Spanish first began charting the Florida Peninsula.
The city today still has a distinctly Spanish look to it, with well-preserved colonial buildings and the sprawling Castillo de San Marco a major attraction.
St Augustine eventually passed into British hands, then became part of the US. Today, it is a flourishing coastal city with a rich and diverse history that’s just a day trip away from The Villages.
5. Daytona Beach
Daytona is more famous for its International Speedway Arena than for its beach, but you can visit the city and see both.
Daytona is found northeast of The Villages and if you are a fan of fast cars, be sure to check out the schedule at the arena to see this iconic sport in action.
You can also call into the Motorsports Hall of Fame to learn more about the history of motorsports in the US. If you love beaches, Daytona has one of the best on the east coast of Florida – there is a lot of competition to that title too.
Head to the coast to enjoy unparalleled stretches of long, white sand that never seems to end.
6. Crystal River
Just an hour away on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, one of the most unique wildlife interactions is awaiting you.
This small town gets its unusual name from the fact that the river and bay here are comprised of absolutely clear water that’s fed from natural springs in the area.
The river and bay are beautiful, and it really is some of the clearest water you might ever see anywhere in the world, but the real stars of the show are the protected manatee that live year-round in the bay.
They are the permanent residents of a wildlife refuge and are looked after and studied in a natural but safe environment.
There are boardwalks around the bay which allow you to get as close as possible to these beautiful creatures without disturbing them.
7. Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is a unique area of natural beauty to the south of The Villages.
The lake itself is the largest freshwater lake in Florida – it’s so large that it wouldn’t be possible to circumnavigate the whole lake on a day trip without spending the whole day driving.
But head to the lake’s gateway town of Okeechobee and explore the vast wetlands; walk to the edge of the lake to see this huge area of stunning scenery up close.
8. Palm Bay
Palm Bay on the east coast is the site of the spectacular Indian River.
This vibrantly blue river is really just a huge lagoon; it’s separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a series of equally beautiful but developed barrier islands that run along the coast and form a major part of the city.
You may be lucky enough to spot some interesting sea life in the lagoon, including manatees.
Beautiful Venice overlooks the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is home to one of the most famous long piers in Florida.
Visit this small coastal community and walk out along their extensive pier for exceptional views along the shoreline, before strolling along to the equally spectacular Venice Beach to relax on the crisp, white sands.
10. Fort Myers
Fort Myers is just south of Venice and is the gateway to southwestern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
Compared to much of the east coast of the state, this is very much an under-visited and underrated part of Florida.
The city itself is a great place for enjoying a drink and dinner at one of the many restaurants, while north and south along the coast are some the state’s best and quietest beaches.
If you have time, there’s plenty of coral off the coast and many protected marine reserves to explore and snorkel – including the colorful 10,000 Islands.
There are enough islands there to keep you returning day after day.
11. Jacksonville
Despite being the largest city in Florida, Jacksonville never quite seems to be as well-known as the rest of the state’s many destinations.
It’s found north of The Villages and covers a huge area of land, meaning there is plenty to see and to do.
There’s an excellent coastline, a long riverside, and plenty of museums and galleries to explore.
It might not have the glitz or glamour of Florida’s more southern cities, but it is very much a true look at your average Floridian’s culture and lifestyle.
12. Gainesville
60 miles north of The Villages, Gainesville is the state’s college city, home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
That makes it a busy and lively place, but more than this, it’s also a very green and outdoorsy city to visit.
Make sure to explore the unusual Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, where a strange depression in the ground is home to a unique, self-contained rainforest ecosystem.
Tampa might be a big city, but it’s a diverse place that never stops surprising visitors.
Found in the beautiful Tampa Bay on the western side of the Florida Peninsula, Tampa is a city that over the years has been developed by a multitude of different cultures from across the world.
Here you can find influences from everywhere – in the architecture, food, and languages spoken, from Cuban and Spanish to Italian and Seminole.
It’s always a delight to walk the streets and take in the atmosphere in Tampa.
14. Kissimmee
Kissimmee is found just outside of Orlando, and really, this city is known for its location amongst the best of the world-famous theme parks found here.
There’s Universal Studios, Disney World is nearby, and many others too.
Don’t just head to the amusement rides though, because the overlooked city of Kissimmee itself is actually an intriguing place, found on the beautiful banks of the expansive Lake Tohopekaliga.
15. Orlando City
While most people associate Orlando with the nearby theme parks, why not head into the city itself to find out what there is to see? There are many museums, green and open parks, and much more in the way of culture than you might expect waiting for you in Orlando.
15 Best Day Trips from The Villages (Fl):
- Cape Canaveral
- Ocala National Forest
- St Augustine
- Daytona Beach
- Crystal River
- Lake Okeechobee
- Jacksonville
- Gainesville
- Orlando City
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Best Ohio Tourist Towns to Visit
The Best Ohio tourist towns, villages, cities, and neighborhoods to visit. It’s a growing list so check back to see more of Ohio’s great small towns.
Waynesville – a walkabout shopping town, sugarcreek, ohio, hamilton – the city of sculpture, ohio’s lazy river town, yellow springs is ohio’s happy place, ohio’s lake erie islands, german village in columbus, aqua life at grand lake st. marys, vermilion, ohio, port clinton, ohio, sandusky, ohio, tuscarawas small towns big stories, around the world in ohio – milan, atwood lake vacations, things to do in grove city, bucyrus is a little town of tours, cambridge ohio glass, dennison, ohio – dreamsville, memories of geneva on the lake, greenville – chock full of history, hinckley – home of the buzzard, popcorn in marion, moonville – it’s an ohio ghost town, north coast harbor in cleveland, piqua is a place to relax, day tipping in tipp city, wilmington – a great place to meet, wooster – a great american main street, athens, ohio, berlin, ohio, dublin, ohio, geneva, ohio, lebanon, ohio, lima – real american strength, marietta, ohio, moscow, ohio, toledo, ohio, more things to do this month in ohio.
- Appalachian Ohio
- Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB
- Discover Mohican
- Explore Hocking Hills
- Explore Scioto
- Greater Grand Lake Region
- Historic Roscoe Village
- Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
- Lehman’s
- Marietta/Washington County CVB
- Miami County VCB
- Millers Furniture & Bakery
- Niederman Family Farm
- Ohio Amish Country
- Ohio Caverns
- Ohio Festivals & Events Assoc.
- Sandusky County Visitors Bureau
- Travel Tuscarawas County
- Visit Belmont County
- Visit Chillicothe
- Visit Coshocton
- Visit Greater Lima
- Visit Grove City
- Visit Marion Ohio
- Visit Medina County
- Visit Sidney Ohio
- Visit Steubenville
- Yoder’s Bakery & Furniture
Waynesville, Ohio has been dubbed one of the most walkable communities in America and the Antique Capitol of the Midwest. This historic village awaits your footsteps no matter if it’s summer, fall, winter, or spring.
The quaint small town is like none other. It’s like an endless outdoor shopping mall set in the 1800s with character galore. Each little building or shop has a history, rich in Quaker heritage and Victorian architecture. The five-block “Old Main Street” is lined with more than 70 Mom & Pop shops featuring a wide array of antiques, crafts, custom woodworking, collectibles, eateries, coffee houses, and specialty shops. Whether it’s the middle of winter or a hot summer day, it’s always buzzing with pedestrians on a shopping binge.
Waynesville offers visitors a nostalgic experience. Many storefronts have had folks peaking through the looking glass since the 1800s. Copper street lamps on brick sidewalks frame the many restored Victorian homes turned into shops with colorful window boxes and street-side benches.
Merchants are often seen unloading their trucks with their newest (or oldest) additions to their inventory coming from estate sales nation and even worldwide. Whether a customer falls in love with a piece from a far-off or nearby place, you may hear comments said aloud like, “This completes…” Whether shopping with purpose, merely browsing or just looking for a nice place to take a stroll, Waynesville is the place to slow roll a day away.
The cute town is littered with special events across the calendar: There’s the Old Main Street Antique Show in May and September, The Ohio Renaissance Festival from August to October, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival in October, and Christmas in the Village in December to name some.
Visitors may pick up a self-guided walking tour brochure or make an appointment with a local historian and official Towne Crier to undertake an in-depth historical tour featuring tales of its famous haunts during the strolls on Main Street and the Quaker Historic District.
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun.
Welcome to Sugarcreek, Ohio’s “Little Switzerland,” gateway to Amish Country, and home to the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock.
CLICK HERE for the full multimedia story,
“i’m sweet on sugarcreek”.
The full story features plenty of photos, a video of the legendary clock, and a fun tour of this picturesque Northeast Ohio town.
Walk “The City of Sculpture” – Hamilton, Ohio!
There are over 40 sculptures, many in candid settings such as a couple reading under a tree, a father teaching his daughter to ride a bike, and a boy walking down a sidewalk playing the harmonica with his loyal dog in tow. Along the way, enjoy a few tasty cafes and novelty shops.
Click here for a map for the sculptures walking tour. There’s also a nearby sculpture park with 60 more sculptures nestled in nature and gardens at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park .
Explore the wonderful shopping opportunities downtown and across the river in a revitalized boutique shopping district. Throughout, there are great eateries dotting the sidewalks. Some favorites are True West Coffee (great sandwiches) in a two-story coffee shop on the west side of the river at 313 Main Street. Look for the sculpture of a man and umbrella being rained on. Across the street is delicious ice cream at The Village Parlor. In the heart of downtown are two popular eateries. Alexander’s Market & Deli is where the locals flock for lunch. And just down the sidewalk, you can eat and shop for interesting items at High Street Café.
To learn a fascinating story, venture to the southeast quadrant of 3rd Street and Sycamore. For geo-explorers, coordinates are N: 39° 23.711 and W: 084° 33.699. There lies the Father of Hollow Earth Theory on a most peculiar gravesite.
Hamilton, the City of Sculptures (and murals, too), is a great place to walk, shop, and eat a day away.
In the old days, moms and dads would gather up the kids and things into the station wagon and go on a Sunday drive to get out of the city, into open spaces, and spend a lazy day together to shed the stress of the rat race in the rearview mirror.
Driving, it’s interesting to note where urban architecture ends, streetlights disappear, and a state route winds between barns that look like they should be in a painting. In this trip, that state route is 52, and it hugs the Ohio River heading east of Cincinnati, offering some beautiful views.
Entering Ohio’s lazy river town… click here for the rest of the story .
CLICK HERE for the rest of the story
OHIO’S HAPPY PLACE: YELLOW SPRINGS
Rejuvenate in a small town with a big smile – Yellow Springs, Ohio. It’s where folks go to be happy. Cheerful shop keepers chat up good times for their customers whom they just befriended. Pedestrians take notice of the blend of inviting aromas in the air trying to plan their lunch. And the facades around town highlight a creative flair.
It is no wonder the town originally lured nineteenth-century travelers with the Yellow Spring and its curative waters. Today, much of the menus around town are filled with farm-to-table foods. A diversity permeates the culture here that mixes rural countryside with a touch of urban excitement to mingle into a peaceful coexistence.
Chock-full of pure authenticity, Yellow Springs is a destination for the artist, foodie, hiker, performer, or plain curious.
Plan your escape to “Ohio’s Happy Place” at https://www.greenecountyohio.org/ .
Welcome to “Vacationland” on Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands
Take an island getaway right here in Ohio. The Lake Erie Islands feature Put-In-Bay , Kelleys Island , Bass Islands, Marblehead, and more along the North Coast.
Enjoy the history of The Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial . Oh, and remember, Don’t give up the ship!”
The Ohio islands’ fun must include at least one watery thrill such as parasailing, jet ski rentals, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and charter boats. Aerial views of the islands are available from helicopter and bi-plane rides.
And you must also take time to do nothing. Whether you curl up in an Adirondack chair to read a novel, stroll the shoreline looking for sea glass, hike the nature preserves, visit a butterfly house, or whatever. Just be sure to “summer chill.”
In addition, there are cave-dwelling and golfing options and, of course, plenty of bike-riding routes. And when it’s time to reconvene with family or friends, the trifecta of island shopping, winery, and restaurant opportunities await. Heck, there’s even a Chocolate Museum!
Be sure to plan your getaway stay with not only a variety of lodging options but also a passage via the Miller Ferry or The Jet Express.
Ahh, island life … In Ohio! It’s all that and a forkful of perch.
A Culture Preserved in Brick
Don’t all urban brick roads echo the clippety-clop of horse and cart merchants? When we come across one today, it’s like glimpsing a rip in time. In Columbus, Ohio’s German Village , an old world collides with the new. It’s where the Letgo or Nextdoor App meets the rag-and-bone man who called out, “rag n’ bone!” And people would run outside to throw second-hand goods into his cart.
There’s something poetic about a stroll in German Village of Columbus. From one block to the next, the environment can go from bustling to a standstill, chitter-chatter to silence, car tires to bicycle pedals. In the shadows of downtown Columbus’ skyscrapers, buildings in the village are roofed at three stories, tops. The brick roads blend as easily with the brick walls as the storefronts do with the residential porches. And the old-world density of it forces parallel parking to get out and do what modern man has primarily forgotten to do – walk. Do it for a few blocks and try not to smile along the breezy sidewalks comingling with oak roots. And for those who are up for a type of scavenger hunt, follow The Brickline. It’s a trail from plaque to plaque throughout the village, each with its own story to tell.
German Village offers various staples for any interest, from coffee houses to neighborhood pubs, bakeries to restaurants, and mom-and-pop shops that have operated under the same family shingle for generations. But there’s an old stable, independent bookstore, sausage haus, and ice cream stand that need to be a part of any itinerary.
There’s a term, discovery shopping experience. The place for it is The Red Stable . Here, over one hundred artists’ creations are waiting to be a one-of-a-kind purchase.
Before it was a gift shop, this little red building (made of wood, not brick) was a horse livery. Then it became a wagon repair shop (not the Radio Flyer type). It even spent time as an ice house. Then came the dark ages when a combination of anti-German sentiment after the world wars and the highway system all but killed the pulse of the village. Fortunately, the German Village Society was formed to help revitalize the historic neighborhood. During this phase, The Red Stable seeded what is flourishing today. Local artist Phil Keintz opened an art studio and gift shop there and featured Ohio artists.
Today, The Red Stable, German Village Souvenirs & Gifts, features Cuckoo Clocks, candles, cards, stationery, bath and body products, plants, jewelry, clothing, gifts, and pieces of art.
A brick skips away in a former brick livery stable is five generations of German hospitality served at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant .
The Schmidt family name is well-known in the food industry. Their label is in the aisles of many grocery stores. Although their meatpacking house had been open for decades, their first nibble into the concession and restaurant business began with a stand at the 1914 Ohio State Fair. And it is now the second-oldest food booth at the state fair. It wasn’t until 1967 that Schmidt’s Sausage Haus opened its restaurant doors in the heart of German Village. It has been the talk of the Central Ohio food scene ever since. Be sure to try their Jumbo Cream Puffs, Alpine Chicken Spatzel, or Weiner Schnitzel und Gravy. The atmosphere, hospitality, and menu hit the trifecta in German authenticity.
To walk off a hearty meal, head over to one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores, The Book Loft .
Inside this place alone, the walk spans a city block after eight different expansions. Even for the non-reader—Willkommen! Enjoy the adventure of wandering a labyrinth of books through 32 connected rooms, each with its theme, spanning two stories. That’s after navigating the flowers, fountains, and park bench scene outside. The place is so big and windy; there are maps at the counters. Large as it is, its red awnings, red brick walls, and red brick sidewalks and patios create an ambiance of coziness. Curl up in the courtyard or a nook or cranny inside and open the pages to another world. The central courtyard displays “hurt” books at steep discounts for a bargain among the bargains.
Next door, fittingly, is Stauf’s Coffee Roasters . Take a seat and begin reading over a cup of Columbus Underground Roast.
Perhaps it’s the simple side of German Village that walks off the stress of the outside world. Walk long enough, and fantasies of moving to the neighborhood fill the mind. After all of the walking, a sweet tooth will lead to an ice cream stand along the sidewalk. It’s not just any ice cream; it’s Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream .
This seasonal walk-up “Mini Jeni’s” is inside an old neighborhood barbershop near the historic Schiller Park. For those who have trouble deciding what to get, you may be pleased to find just four choices on the menu. Place an order at the window in the brick wall and have a seat at a patio table and chair lining the wall along the sidewalk under the giant shade trees, and people watch as pedestrians gather or walk by.
Look around at the brick and ironwork forged to stand the test of time. Its architecture is out of this world, and its culture is from a bygone era.
But you can visit it anytime.
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun
at Grand Lake St. Marys By Frank Rocco Satullo, your Tour Guide to Fun!
Nothing embodies the epic fun and historic oddities at Ohio’s largest inland lake than the record-setting number of Amphicars – known as the cars that swim – dotting the roads and waves between Celina and St. Marys, Ohio.
Grand Lake St. Marys is a place nobody forgets, past or present. From today’s largest gathering of Amphicars to its former, largest roller-coaster in the world, this vacationland has been amazing its visitors for more than a century. …READ MORE…
Click here for the rest of the story.
Vermilion, Ohio, is known for its quaint downtown and lakeside charm. Now it is also known for its public art! Vermilion’s first public art installation, The Postcard Project , debuted in segments throughout 2019 and 2020 and is now available in its completion for public viewing. Featuring 15 mural-sized paintings of vintage postcards spread around the waterfront town, this trail is an ode to Vermilion’s heritage as a vacation destination.
Each of the 15 5×8-foot murals was hand-painted in oil by Amherst, Ohio, artists Mike Sekletar and Brian Goodwin. Some of the images feature scenes from vintage postcards that are as old as 100 years! Nearly 10,000 postcards were submitted by Vermilion residents for consideration. Some of the murals depict classic sites of places that no longer exist, such as the “Crystal Beach Ballroom,” which was known in its heyday for hosting the likes of Guy Lombardo, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Lawrence Welk, and other Big-Band-Era performers. Crystal Beach closed in 1962 and the ballroom was subsequently demolished. Other murals are nostalgic depictions of sites still in existence today, such as “Night View of Liberty Street Looking East” which depicts downtown storefronts.
Viewing the postcard murals is a great activity any time of year, with ten of them located in the historic downtown district making for a great walkable tour. The other five can be found within a short drive.
A keepsake tour guide is available from Mainstreet Vermilion’s downtown office, which features a trail map and a short history of each postcard. A $5 donation is suggested for the official Postcard Project Tour Guide. Souvenir postcards are also for sale to benefit future public art projects and would make a great holiday gift for anyone who loves Vermilion’s heritage and history or simply loves to vacation here.
The project was spearheaded by Public Art Vermilion, a non-profit Main Street Vermilion program dedicated to revitalizing, beautifying, and preserving historic downtown Vermilion. Congratulations are also in order, as The Postcard Project was recently recognized by Heritage Ohio with the Best Main Street Committee Project Award for combining history, art, and community engagement.
Visit the coastal community of Vermilion, Ohio, today and enjoy this beautiful public art project! For more information, log on to www.mainstreetvermilion.org .
Visit Port Clinton
Downtown Port Clinton is becoming established as an entertainment district, with a variety of restaurants and bars, as well as eclectic and unique shops, and a variety of special events.
Eat & Drink
The city recently adopted a “designated outdoor refreshment area,” pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code. Known locally as the Main Street Port Clinton Outdoor Refreshment Area , or MORA, it means that visitors to participating downtown establishments who are age 21 and older are now allowed to drink alcoholic beverages outdoors within specifically designated boundaries around downtown Port Clinton from noon to midnight, seven days a week, year-round. Main Street Port Clinton sponsors the program, which provides specifically designated cups for the purpose of taking your drink with you when you leave. Signs indicate boundaries and the program rules are listed on the cup. After a drink is purchased, the cups cannot be carried into a different participating establishment (there are currently 13 businesses), but can be taken into other “MORA-friendly” locations, such as retailers where food and drink are not sold. The MORA is designed to make the downtown district more guest-friendly and encourage customers to patronize multiple businesses.
The welcome addition of the MORA, has created a new downtown eating area known as “Meals on Madison,” or M.O.M. When downtown eateries were limited to offering carry-out, due to state-wide COVID-19 restaurant restrictions, the idea for a special area downtown area where guests could sit down and enjoy food from local restaurants, such as Rosie’s Bar & Grill , was born. The 100 Block of Madison Street is now closed to auto traffic and filled with picnic tables, umbrella tables, Adirondack chairs, and other seating so that downtown visitors can shop, grab a bite to eat, enjoy a MORA carry-out beverage, and sit a spell. The M.O.M. district is open daily and offers live entertainment on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, as well as on Sunday afternoons.
Downtown Port Clinton offers unique shopping from specialty stores, flower shops, clothing boutiques, souvenirs, and more. Be sure to visit the Put-in-Bay T-Shirt Company , sister-store to the island boutique, for all things Port Clinton, Lake Erie, and Put-in-Bay. Northern Exposure Gallery & Candle Co. offers nautical jewelry, gifts, and décor, as well as house-made soy candles. Guests can also create their own soy candles, choosing custom colors and scents. Craving something salty or sweet? Don’t miss Great Lakes Popcorn with more than 30 delicious flavors as well as candy and gift baskets.
Port Clinton’s downtown is also home to several special events, such as the monthly Art Walk, sponsored by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, which will resume in July. The popular Riverfront Live music series, sponsored by the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce , now takes place at the Meals on Madison area on Friday evenings to kick off each summer weekend.
Small-Town Charm
If you enjoy small-town atmospheres, check out the other north and west Lake Erie Shores & Islands downtown districts in Oak Harbor, Elmore, Genoa, Lakeside, and Marblehead. Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island also boasts a thriving downtown district surrounding a park and filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment. Learn more about Put-in-Bay here .
Visit Downtown Sandusky
The waterfront town of Sandusky continues its amazing revival. Recently named “Best Coastal Small Town in America” by readers of USA Today, the downtown region draws visitors to its walkable city streets and parks, and to experience a variety of businesses from shopping to dining, to live entertainment and events. Visitors are experiencing the benefits of the business district, both as a destination and as a departure point for a Lake Erie ferry or cruise. So much so that Lake Erie Shores & Islands will soon open a new downtown welcome center just to be in the heart of it.
You’ll find a variety of shops and unique merchandise in and around the district, with everything from high-end men’s and ladies’ fashions to vintage and antique finds. You’ll also find snacks, market goods, wine, and craft brews. Shop clothing, jewelry, housewares, home décor, furniture, books, and much more at the upscale resale The Encore Shop, whose proceeds benefit Stein Hospice. Grab a crunchy snack or gift at Bay Popcorn Company , where free samples of over 30 flavors are offered. Or, get fresh produce and other market items, along with a coffee bar, craft cocktail, or gourmet meal at Vita Sandusky – located in a beautifully-restored 1920s bank building. Don’t miss the Marketplace at the Cooke, an indoor mall with a fun mix of dining, retail, and attractions.
Downtown Sandusky is booming when it comes to locally-sourced dining and drinking options. The downtown is indeed on the comeback trail, with a number of entrepreneurs repurposing and remodeling historic buildings and creating dining experiences the likes of which one doesn’t expect to find in a small Midwest town. The variety of cuisine offered is astounding. There is everything from quick-service fish shacks to fine French dining within a short distance. Wine bars, tap houses, breweries, and craft cocktails round out the options for spirits. Enjoy upscale dining at Crush Wine Bar and J Bistro . Nosh on the more casual fare at Sandusky Bell and Deli, OH Taco , or the outdoor Dockside Café . Looking for a distinctive sweet treat? Try edible cookie dough creations and popular Toft Dairy ice cream at Doughin’ Crazy – located inside the Marketplace at the Cooke. Or head to the edge of downtown to the Bait House Brewery for a taste of Sandusky-exclusive brews such as Sandusky Bay IPA or Sandusky Bicenetenni-Ale.
While eating your way through Sandusky can be fun, guests appreciate island and Lake Erie cruises on the Goodtime I and island ferries departing from the newly-renovated Jackson Street Pier, a destination in itself. Relax on the bench swings or marvel at the view from the sunset stairs. Downtown visitors can also enjoy guided Segway tours with Sandusky Segwave and independent walking tours available from the Erie County Historical Society . Recreational activities include park playgrounds, fishing, boating, and paddleboard, kayak, and bicycle rentals, available at Paddle & Climb. You can also practice yoga in a beautiful studio with various styles offered at Open Way Yoga. Other entertainment options include an indoor rock-climbing wall, escape rooms, axe throwing, and an adult arcade at Noble Axes and Noble Pins , art galleries, and museums. While the revered Sandusky State Theatre usually hosts many live performances, it was recently damaged by severe weather. You can still view its lovely historical façade while we await the rebuilding and restoration of this icon.
Other Nearby Community Downtowns
The village of Milan boasts a remarkable town square surrounded by unique shops and restaurants. You can experience history at the Milan Museum and the Thomas Edison Birthplace just off the town square. Experience small-town charm during the annual Milan Melon Festival on Labor Day weekend.
Vermilion rolls out the red carpet to its coastal downtown, filled with unique businesses and special events. Come early for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and shop at fun stores like Brummer’s Chocolates , a family-owned candy shop since 1904. Stay for the sunset at Main Street Beach , just one block north.
When you visit downtown, not only can you expect to be entertained and fulfilled, but you will likely be supporting independent businesses and helping the local economy to continue to grow and prosper…providing for years of enjoyment to come!
Tuscarawas County is filled with small towns that tell big stories. A case in point is the beautiful village of Sugarcreek, where you can dance along with the Oompah-pah band of the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, which performs at the top and bottom of each hour. Afterward, you can discover the roots of the community at the Alpine Hills Museum and marvel at the artistry of the Brick Wall Sculpture, which illustrates the tales of life in this scenic Swiss heritage village.
Bolivar’s stories go back to the construction of Fort Laurens- Ohio’s only Revolutionary War Fort. Learn the drastic measures the brave soldiers took to serve on the Ohio frontier at this volatile time. After taking in the history, enjoy browsing the antique shops in downtown Bolivar and feed your appetite at one of the local restaurants. If you are ready for a cold brew, stop by Lockport Brewery and enjoy a handcrafted beer.
National Historic Landmark District, Historic Zoar Village, has a big story to share with you! Known as America’s most successful Communal Society, residents began to call Zoar home in 1817 as residents arrived seeking religious freedom. Enjoy the architecture of the original brick and timber structures, the museums, the bakery, and the large garden. With special events throughout the year, you may even want to visit during one of their special event ghost tours to hear from one of the original residents!
Dover has a downtown filled with friendly merchants and locally owned diners- not to mention a hand-crafted candy store, a cupcake shop, a floral shop, and several that provide offerings for your home! When you are ready to explore, stop by Riverfront Park to swing of the artistically created swing! The museum offerings include an original Victorian Home, J. E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum; a museum sharing the life story of a master carver, the Warther Museum and Gardens; a museum mentioned in Ripley’s Believe It or Not that tells of stories of those who have passed at the Famous Endings Museums. Dover has more than enough to do for a day or a few!
Travelers looking to add to their wardrobe will enjoy the shops in downtown New Philadelphia whose merchants offer styles for the whole family. With cafes, restaurants, bookstores, and art galleries, you will enjoy this city and its many murals. Historic Schoenbrunn Village is located on the east end of the city and tells the stories of David Zeisberger and his efforts to share Christianity with Delaware Indians. The village of Gnadenhutten has a tragic story tied to Schoenbrunn Village. After you visit the museum, walk on over to the local café and browse the home accessory shop just down the block, too.
Have you traveled to Dreamsville lately? Discover Dennison and take a tour of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum to learn about this famous song’s tie to this Tuscarawas County community and the importance of this iconic American railroad depot. While you are there, enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant.
Visit Uhrichsville and learn the tales preserved in the Uhrichsville Clay Museum, which shares pieces of folk art and stories from American industrialization. Does an afternoon at a water park sound like a cool idea? Don’t miss the Uhrichsville Water Park for a good time with the whole family!
Newcomerstown is proud to share the stories of former residents Cy Young and Woody Hayes! Visit the Olde Main Street Museum while taking a step back in time to see the collections these favorite sons have on display.
Interspersed with the small towns are grand arts adventures, farm markets, trails, rock climbing, dog parks, and ice cream. Tuscarawas County is located in the heart of Appalachian Ohio and is the gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country. You will be warmly welcomed on your next visit and exhausted from your adventures here; you will sleep comfortably in one of our many clean, comfortable lodging options!
Visit www.TravelTUSC.com , call 800-527-3387 or stop by the Welcome Center at 124 East High Ave, New Philadelphia, to learn more.
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Milan, Italy & Milan, Ohio
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio, we discovered Milan. That’s Milan, Ohio, not Milan, Italy. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
Milan is the unofficial fashion capital of the world and also has upscale shopping and restaurants that make your mouth water just walking by them. If you’re not sure which Milan we’re talking about, it’s the one in Italy. It’s also the location of the Italian stock exchange and one of the largest gothic cathedrals on the planet – the Piazza del Duomo. Construction of the Duomo spanned 500 years, beginning in 1386, and has been influenced by centuries of architects and artisans. Tourists can climb to the rooftop for a stunning panoramic view over Milan.
For one of the most elegant shopping experiences anywhere, stop by The Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele II, which was built in 1878. It’s considered one of the most elegant shopping malls anywhere. Nobody should leave Italy without seeing an opera. The opera house in Milan opened in 1778 and is called the Teatro alla Scala. Another must-see is the Pinacoteca di Brera on Via Brera. It houses paintings by Leonardo da Vinci (Last Supper), Raphael, Bellini, Goya, and Caravaggio, among others.
When you spend your time in Milan, Italy, you are assured to make memories for a lifetime. But if you can’t get across the Atlantic this year, then make a visit to Milan, Ohio, and experience history as well.
Milan, Ohio, is more a village with a mere 1,400 residents. It is located in Northwest Ohio. Milan is best known as the birthplace of one of the most famous inventors in world history – Thomas Edison. It will soon open again. When it does, you may tour the original Edison home, which now doubles as a museum .
You can’t help but slow down in Milan if you are fast-paced. It has reflections of its bygone era everywhere it seems. There’s a picturesque town square, restored century homes, several antique shops, a tranquil park, and down-home restaurants. Invention Restaurant may spark your curiosity.
Milan, Ohio, went from a canal town to a rail stop in the 1800s and was even a popular gathering place for wagon trains to form and head out west. It is said that Milan’s wheat export once ranked second only to Odessa, Russia, in 1847. Milan also had shipbuilding, producing about 100 schooners.
Today, this quiet little Ohio town burgeoning with a rich history has several major events and attractions that charm people from all around. These include The Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum , The Milan Museum , Mid Summer Antique Festival in July, Melon Festival held Labor Day weekend, and Settlers Day in October.
To plan your trip to Milan, Ohio, visit www.milanohio.gov/ . To plan your trip to Milan, Italy, click here .
Enjoy Outdoor Fun & Small Town Charm
Summertime and Atwood Lake have combined to bring families, friends, and blossoming romances an escape that will one day beckon a grin and the question: “Remember when…?”
Every visitor leaves as a storyteller, whether they are a kid, teen, young adult, parent, or grandparent. It doesn’t matter if they’ve been here once or dozens of times; the world just seems to brighten up. Along these shores, there doesn’t seem to be a worry in the world. The only pressure here is in a beach ball.
Activities on the water, in the water, or next to the water are just a few of the attractions. Whether it’s boating, fishing, swimming, dining, wine tasting, shopping, touring, or sleeping, the possibilities are as endless as the pebbles of sand at the beach. …Click here to read the full story.
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at the Crossroads of Heart-pounding & Heartwarming
Some of the best travel discoveries are found where big-city excitement meets idyllic solitude. It’s where tradition greets innovation; the rare one-stop, offering anyone an excursion of their calling, whether it’s for group adrenaline or solo repose.
Both pursuits often lead to the same destination—renewal. No matter if it’s team-building fun or a self-reflection, both are found in Grove City.
Sojourn to the outskirts of town to splash paddles into moving waters, pedal air deep into lungs, and meditate along a garden labyrinth. Go on a quest to dodge splattering paint, race drones, and kick a hole-in-one. Then, reunite in a charming small town center over a mouthwatering dish, on a patio over drinks, or at a festive gathering in the closed off streets.
Whether the idea is thrill or chill, and some places offer both, the first stop should be …READ MORE…
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Excerpt from a previous edition of OhioTraveler
Bucyrus, Ohio, known as the Bratwurst capitol of the world, is a sleepy little mid-Ohio town has carved a niche in tourism along the historic Lincoln Highway – the first paved road from Eastern to Western United States.
The town’s merchants offer free tours of their unique and charming businesses, where guests get a first-hand look at the only copper kettle manufacturers left in the country that does it all by hand and how berries and fruit are processed into jellies and apple butter. And that’s just for starters. The little town of tours comes complete with a rediscovered Speak Easy frequented by Al Capone and Carl’s Gas Station, where the 1950s come back to life.
Off the beaten path but conveniently located along State Route 30, Bucyrus, Ohio, awaits its Norman Rockwell charm and Mayberry friendliness and service.
Hop over to Cooper’s Cider Mill and see apples and berries go from the vine to spread.
Cooper’s apple butter and jellies are sold far and wide. But David Cooper isn’t lying when he says, “it’s just like grandma used to make,” because it is. David learned to make apple butter at his grandma’s farm. Later, he bought a stirring pot and began making his own. Demand grew, and a business was formed to handle the requests. For years the mixing was done by hand – David’s father-in-law’s hands – out in the yard. On a sad note, the day David went to buy an automatic mixer, his father-in-law died before he returned. Today, the Cooper’s offer a complete behind-the-scenes tour of the entire production process, and visitors get to witness the freshness, quality, and care that go into every jar. Afterward, David’s wife Miriam has plenty of tasting stations set up for sampling throughout the country store next to the production plant. Inside, a new generation of Cooper’s is introducing another treat – fudge. The Cooper’s son started experimenting with making fudge for the fair and now has his own fudge station inside the family store. Cooper’s Web site is www.coopers-mill.com/ .
One of the lasting impressions at Cooper’s Mill is the 50-gallon copper kettle, which allows slow cooking over a wood-burning hearth. This leads us to Picking Copper Kettles.
The D. Picking & Company is the last of the old copper shops in America that still makes its original products by hand. The tour of the craftsmen at work is fascinating, but the building is a visual treat from nook to cranny, as it is more than 130 years old and has a character unique unto itself. The walls, furniture, floors, furnaces, and workbenches all show more than a century of service. The place can easily double as a copper kettle museum of historic proportions. Many relics are on display, including an antique rocking horse Mr. Picking got before his son was born. Venture into this old-world of American manufacturing and hear the harmony of tapping, pounding, and other clamoring noises ringing from room to room. The tour begins in the same place as the copper – by the double doors. The copper is worked into kettles, ladles, skillets, and other custom forms as it progresses through the shop’s five rooms. Each craftsman takes his time to hammer out perfection, often striking up a conversation as they work. D. Picking & Company, to no surprise, gets orders from around the world, resulting, in some cases, up to 1,874 patterns. Tours and catalogs are available by calling 419-562-6891.
Picking is still a family-owned business but very unlike the kind of family Al Capone used to preside over as Godfather.
Back in the Roaring Twenties, Al Capone used to stop off in Bucyrus for a night of sin at an underground Speak Easy while traveling to the East Coast from Chicago. Capone was originally a New Yorker. For decades, the Speak Easy in Bucyrus was a forgotten part of a tangled underground network of tunnels. The only company it kept was storage containers, boxes, and the like. Recently, it was cleared out, revealing thick brick dining booths and walls – made so that the spray of Tommy Gun bullets couldn’t penetrate and hurt the Mob Boss. Today, upon request, a group of Bucyrus’s locals provides a show in the authentic Speak Easy, where Capone used to dine and drink away the night. The historical re-enactment showcases singing, dancing, and laughter. The show, Roaring Twenties Live, lasts about an hour.
Yes, Bucyrus is a jewel of a city. And many more unique and charming stops are there. These include Carl’s Garage, where Carl has reenacted a 1950s ambiance in his service station with such an impressive collection of memorabilia it’s hard to believe it isn’t a museum charging admission. His latest project is a room dedicated to the King of Rock-N-Roll, Elvis Presley. Other unique tours of Bucyrus are the Baja Marine Boat Manufacturing tour, where visitors are walked through the entire boat-making process; a tour demonstrating the process of recycling, dairy farm operation; and others. For complete tour information, coordination, and other attractions, visit the Bucyrus Tourism & Visitors Bureau online at www.bucyrus.org or call 1-866-562-0720.
Oh, and we didn’t even cover the town’s biggest attraction, its annual Bratwurst Festival, in August. After all, Bucyrus is known as the Bratwurst capital of the world. And maybe now as the little town of tours as well.
Cambridge, Ohio Li’l Glass Houses for All to See
Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
Over the years, sub-cultures and traditions have been built along with whatever the factories are spitting out. So it’s no wonder Cambridge has a heart of glass.
We’re not talking Wal-Mart glass. We’re talking three-inch collectibles that fetch up to a thousand dollars on eBay. But to revel in the craftsmanship of a wide variety of signature period pieces, you’d have to visit one of the Cambridge glass museums. Some may argue these glass museums are art museums or historical museums, but the truth is they’re all three.
Original glass is still produced in Cambridge. You can witness it up close and personal. And what a treat it is to see molten globs of liquid glass hammered and shaped into delightful pieces that will be displayed with pride by its eventual owner.
Cambridge glass has been the toast of the town for more than 100 years.
Glassmaking dates back thousands of years and is one of America’s earliest industries. Manufacturing glass in the tri-state region of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania became a hotbed for the industry about 100 years ago.
Cambridge Glass Company in Cambridge, Ohio, was chartered in 1873, and National Glass Company out of Pennsylvania organized it a few years later, providing land and a building. The Cambridge Glass Company grew and thrived, peaking around the 1930s. It had become one of the most revered glass companies in the world. After WWII, demand for fine handmade glassware waned, and foreign machine-made competition grabbed much of the market share. In 1954, the Cambridge plant closed, ending a very prosperous run. In an unsuccessful attempt to reopen and stay open, the company finally melted down in 1958, selling many of its molds and equipment to Imperial Glass Company in Bellaire, Ohio.
With the heart of the community shattered, National Cambridge Collectors was created in order to preserve the area’s glass heritage. They recovered many of the molds and equipment previously sold off.
No sooner did Cambridge Glass Company die than new life was breathed into four off-shoots that would continue the legacy of Cambridge glass. These four cornerstones of today’s Cambridge are Mosser Glass, Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass, Degenhart Glass Museum, and National Museum of Cambridge Glass. All are open for business and tours.
Mosser Glass started as soon as Cambridge Glass Company closed, and Thomas Mosser turned his job loss into a start-up business of his own. By 1959 he had scraped enough resources together to open shop …in an abandoned chicken coop! Within two years, he flew the coop and moved onward and upward, building a successful glass manufacturing business which was eventually named Mosser Glass in 1971, with his production of signature products blending new designs with classics.
When you visit Mosser Glass today, you enter through the front door of a little red farmhouse. But the modesty ends there, for as you continue deeper into the building, a major manufacturing plant is revealed with gifted and proud glassworkers pounding out a living. Visitors can take a glassmaking tour of the factory Mosser Glass is located at 9279 Cadiz Road in Cambridge, Ohio. Phone 866-439-1827 or visit www.mosserglass.com for more information.
Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass, Inc . opened in October 1978 by the father and son team of Bernard C. and Bernard F. Boyd. They represent the second and third generation of Boyd glassmakers. Bernard C. Boyd’s father, Zack Boyd, began working for Cambridge Glass in 1901 at the age of 13. He honed his skills and style working for 26 different factories. His knowledge has since passed to his son, his son’s son, and his son’s – son’s son. In their modest shop, you find a man and mold handcrafting collectible glass pieces. In another room, there’s a lady hand painting pieces; in the third room, there’s plenty of glass art to browse or buy.
Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass is located at 1203 Morton Avenue in Cambridge, Ohio. Phone 740-439-2077 or visit boydglass.com .
Degenhart Glass Museum unveils the history of the Crystal Art Glass Company, founded by John and Elizabeth Degenhart. John started in the business when he was just nine years old. He retired from Cambridge Glass Company in 1947 and started making his signature glass paperweights, window weights, rose weights, personalized plate weights, and other novelties like glass slippers. The husband and wife team often hawked their wares at fairs and festivals near and far before they were added to the dealers’ and collectors’ product lines. When John passed in 1964, Elizabeth continued manufacturing glass introducing her own molds and colors before her passing in 1978.
The National Museum of Cambridge Glass is a fairly new museum and probably the crowned jewel of offerings in Cambridge’s glass heritage. It is owned and operated by the National Cambridge Collectors, Inc. and seeks to encourage and support the collecting and study of Cambridge Glass. Its collection, displays, and programs are superior. It features thousands of stunning Cambridge Glass pieces radiantly displayed in towering crystal clear glass cases, showcasing the collection’s many colors and designs.
This museum offers much more than the opportunity to see a myriad of fascinating glass pieces produced for over a century. It has authentic-looking recreations of life-size glass workers exhibited. Some are blowing glass, stoking the furnace, or performing a number of important and interesting functions depicting the history of the glass industry in Cambridge. Hands-on learning opportunities are offered in workshops, presentations are delivered in the auditorium, and research is conducted in the library. This glass house encompasses it all. It even displays rotating exhibits from major private collections and a gift shop offering genuine Cambridge Glass and limited-edition reproductions.
The National Museum of Cambridge Glass is located at 136 South 9 th Street in Cambridge, Ohio. Call 740-432-4245 or visit www.cambridgeglass.org for more information.
If the four corners of Cambridge glass leave your heart yearning for more, there’s a Glass Pass that will continue your journey of elegant artistry and glass history to other places in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. To learn more about the Glass Pass, call 800-933-5480 or visit https://visitguernseycounty.com/ .
Welcome to “Dreamsville” – Dennison, Ohio Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler By Robert Carpenter
As a child, I never liked Dennison. It seemed a dull, grimy uninviting place. It reminded me of an unwanted cast-off relic left out in the weather to deteriorate of its own accord. My puerile perception that placed a shroud of gloom over the town was distorted by childish idealism but not totally imagined.
My home community, only a few miles away, was bright, cheery, and full of life, but Dennison, by contrast, seemed to linger somewhere in the past—unkempt and futureless. There was a lamination of coal dust and soot on the houses and the streets—even the trees and grass appeared tarnished by the ever-present veil.
Dennison was a railroad town and not by chance. It stood at the maximum traveling distance for a steam locomotive and centered on a major route between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Columbus, Ohio. After one hundred miles, it was necessary to refuel a steam engine with coal and water—both of which Dennison had in abundance.
At its peak in the early part of the 20th century, Dennison boasted a roundhouse and related railroad shops covering forty acres. Originally the Steubenville and Indiana Railroad, it became the Pennsylvania Railroad with Dennison as the terminal and headquarters for their Panhandle Division. There were three thousand men employed to handle more than forty freight and passenger trains, spewing smoke, cinders and spent steam, each day—swapping adulterated habitat for a better future.
However, by the end of the Depression, railroads were in serious decline. The Dennison yards presented a dismal landscape of rusted track appearing randomly laid this way and that with weeds flourishing between the rails. Dennison, no longer a boomtown, was on the edge of an economic bust.
It was paradoxical then that Dennison became one of the truly bright spots in the memories of countless servicemen. With the beginning of WWII, the fading yards were resurrected, providing a crucial link in the Strategic Corridor for National Defense. Troop trains carried men west for training and back east for deployment overseas. The Dennison Depot was a stop on every run. Beginning in March of 1942, it housed the Salvation Army Servicemen’s Canteen, which operated twenty-four hours, every day of the week, for more than four years.
Women from the surrounding eight counties in eastern Ohio volunteered their time and often provisions as well. I was seven years old when I accompanied my mother and a group of neighborhood women preparing for their contribution.
Afterward, they talked passionately about the appreciation shown by the uniformed men. “Soldier boys,” they called them. Some of the women were motherly, while others were reminiscent of girls left behind. They spoke of how the boy’s faces lit up with just a touch, a smile, or a kind word.
I observed soldiers debarking from the first train of the morning. In my eyes, they were men, but in fact, they were only boys. I didn’t have the words to describe what I saw in their faces, but doubtless, many were homesick, confused, and frightened of what lay ahead.
My mother only gave her time twice. She had gone when needed, but there were so many volunteers that it was unnecessary for anyone to often repeat. They didn’t consider serving the boys a duty or an obligation. It was a privilege—one held by nearly four thousand women who converged on the Dennison Depot over the war years.
During that time, a million and a half servicemen passed through those yards. Sometimes the stops were so brief that it was necessary for the women to board the trains and hand off the provisions for the boys to distribute, but they saw to it that every last one was served at least coffee and a sandwich.
It is not surprising that some anonymous conscript on his way to the unknown and uncertain of return named Dennison “Dreamsville.” It provided a memorable vision of comfort and optimism, with a futuristic picture of glorious homecomings. For many, it was the last pleasant experience to cling to before activation.
Today Dennison is a different place. Steam locomotives and coal furnaces are things of the past. The smudges of an earlier period have long since been washed away and painted over. The town never returned to its glory days, but the people of Dennison have gone to great effort to preserve its historical significance. Tourist trains still operate, and the Depot, now on the National Register of Historic Places, houses a museum, restaurant, and gift shop.
Some see it as a symbol of a bygone commercial era, but in the eyes of many remaining WWII veterans, it speaks of much more. This small town depot and its volunteers provided more than sustenance for the physical being. They stood as a beacon of hope: A place where people felt pride and offered encouragement at a time when it was direly needed. Some GIs can no longer remember the town’s official name, but the image is still clear. They recall it only as Dreamsville. A well-deserved and appropriate epithet: Dreamsville, Ohio.
Visit dennisondepot.org/ .
The Stories of Geneva On The Lake, Ohio Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler by Robert Carpenter
It’s not surprising that some people look upon their transgressions of youth as a badge of honor—but usually, the crowing starts only after reaching respectability, and the statutes of limitation are in place.
The closest I can come to errant war stories are summer escapades at Geneva-on-the-Lake—and the statutes would be irrelevant.
My adventures were perhaps a little over the top at times, but mainly just a search for those things central to an unseasoned age—a few drinks, a lot of laughs, and of course, girls.
Frankly, I had never heard of the resort on the lakeshore until I moved to Ashtabula County in 1959. Although youthful, a responsible job had brought me there—with a rather intolerant employer. Still, Geneva-on-the- Lake soon beckoned with the enticement of a fiery lover that fledglings always long for, rarely experience, and find impossible to resist.
In those days, most of the crowd came from the northeastern corner—Cleveland, Warren, Youngstown, and from across the state line. There was one particularly attractive young lady who showed up almost every weekend. Over drinks and very loud music, I understood her name to be Sewickley—uncommon, but a cute handle, I thought. Often, complete names in those surroundings were not surrendered, so that’s what I called her on following encounters, and she replied with giggles and good-natured grins. Imagine my embarrassment when I finally discovered that she had been trying to tell me she was from Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
Visitors in recent years have come from a much wider geographic area, supposedly due to Geneva-on-the-Lake becoming more family oriented. The resort took root about 140 years ago with parks and picnicking. One claim to fame is that in the early 1900’s it was a favorite camping area for Henry Ford and friends John D. Rockefeller and Harvey Firestone. So, from that vaunted beginning, the town has billed itself as “Ohio’s First Summer Resort.”
However, one thing should be clear. People coming to Geneva-on-the- Lake has never cared much about the history—the drawing card here is all-out fun.
And Geneva-on-the-Lake should not be confused with parks like Cedar Point or Six Flags. Geneva-on-the-Lake is a village with a mayor and council charged with all the normal duties and responsibilities of managing a small municipality—it’s just that they understand their purpose better than most.
There are few permanent residents, and Memorial Day and Labor Day are the on/off switches for three months of frenzied activity. Unlike decades ago, there are some nightspots open year-round, but still, during much of the winter, you can fire a cannon down the mile-long thoroughfare—the “strip” they call it—without doing much damage.
On an up-to-date visit, it was obvious that the natural lakeside ambiance of clean air and sunny beaches had not changed and will always be appealing. But, after several decades, one would expect the transformation of the synthetic elements.
On the strip, there were a couple of amusement rides I didn’t remember, and most of the business fronts were unrecognizable, but to my delight, some were not. There was Eddie’s Grill—appearing almost as it had fifty years ago—and the old-style arcades presented fresh faces, but they were still there, lining the street.
Reminiscence flooded in—the concessionaires with whom I’d made friends—the after-hours, behind-the-scenes parties that were dissolved only by sunrise that scattered players like vampires. Those people led a lifestyle that I was unacquainted with.
It also occurred to me that aside from the fun factor, the most alluring element of Geneva-on-the-Lake is the throwback to the lighthearted ‘40s and ‘50s. It’s different. There was a time when it was a Mecca of the Big Band era featuring the likes of Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington. Currently, for the more reserved, the equivalent is free concerts every Tuesday evening throughout the summer at Township Park.
Of course, when I first arrived, rock and roll were blasted out by local groups, and there is still that ingredient of loud music and drink at the epicenter.
That’s the night scene, but there’s an abundance of entertainment to occupy the daylight hours too. The eighteen-hole championship golf course south of the strip is where I first took up the game. The design and topography were more of a challenge than I wanted as a beginner. Today it’s rated in the top 100 courses in the state.
The big change came in the mid-80s when the State of Ohio got into the act, creating new camping, hiking, and bathing facilities west of the strip in the Geneva State Park, a 698-acre facility with a 300-foot sand beach, a marina, outdoor pool, and several picnic areas. Overnight guests can choose from cabins or campsites.
Currently, the marina has 385 slips and a small boat harbor with 6 public boat ramps open to the public. Now, as boaters and jet skiers make their way in and out of the harbor, serious sun worshipers converge on the wide beach while kids rocket down the waterslide, play miniature golf, or race go-carts.
It’s the state park that brings families to Geneva-on-the-Lake. Most of them have endured air travel to the ultra-expensive theme parks popular since the ‘70s and have opted instead for longer, more economical vacations on Ohio’s north shore.
Another major alteration has been in accommodations necessary for the family influx. Old cottages have been torn down and condos erected. Modern hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts that were at one time sparse are close by and plentiful.
And in addition to the casual hot dog and french-fry eateries of my day, there are fine restaurants such as the Crosswinds at Lakehouse Inn Winery that looks out over the water, and the Old Firehouse Winery with house-crafted wines, live music, and lakeside patio.
Yes, the village is a more sophisticated and hospitable place than it was in my youth, and the State Park is a big plus. Yet, regardless of the family lure, the strip reverberates as the only “real” Geneva-on-the-Lake. It still caters to, and probably always will, favor the young singles crowd. You see, to me, Geneva-on-the-Lake is a state of mind. That’s my frame of reference, and anyone from my era understands that.
The question now is; how long can a charming, venerable, but archaic community like this be preserved before some progressive decides it all has to be ripped out and replaced with modern chic?
If you haven’t yet been there, you must go and judge for yourself—and if, in your fun-seeking, you should happen to run into a senior sweetie from Sewickley…
For more information, go to www.VisitGenevaOnTheLake.com ; call 800-862-9948 or 440-466-8600 .
Greenville, Ohio is CHOCK FULL OF HISTORY
What has The Wonderful World of Disney and CBS Early Show discovered about Greenville, Ohio, that the rest of us should know?
From a dingy-looking eatery with the tastiest, and rather peculiar, loose-meat sandwich to the rich history of Annie Oakley, “Mad” Anthony Wayne, and Tecumseh, Greenville is a special diversion for those looking for places where good-old-fashioned apple pie Americana still lives and breathes the fresh air of yesteryear. Several years ago, Disney picked the town as one of the few places in the entire country to host the Disney Hometown Parade. More recently, Hanna Storm and the CBS Early Show’s Tour My Town series did a special segment highlighting the quaint little place Northwest of Dayton.
Greenville’s 21 st Century publicity as a discovered gem of a town is actually the second time this place on the map has been toasted for its significance. The first was back in the 19 th Century when it was renowned for the historical Treaty of Green Ville, which opened the Northwest Territory for settlement and birthing of one of the nation’s most celebrated female icons – Annie Oakley.
The downtown is a warm and friendly place with shopkeepers that are 5th-generation family merchants. It has lovely storefronts, picturesque architecture, and historic landmarks, including 80 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Garst Museum & The Annie Oakley Center Little Miss Sure Shot – Annie Oakley is the legendary sharpshooter that traveled the world in the Buffalo Bill Wild West show. Greenville was her home, the place of her birth and death. Many of her treasured belongings, letters, and guns make up the largest known collection of Annie Oakley memorabilia. Annie Oakley Days Festival is celebrated every July.
Although Annie Oakley is a significant person from Greenville and Darke County’s past, there are others. They include Lowell Thomas – the world-famous radio broadcaster and adventurer; Zachary Lansdowne – the infamous pilot of the tragic crash of the zeppelin USS Shenandoah; Fort Green Ville and the Treaty of Green Ville; Tecumseh and General “Mad” Anthony Wayne.
The museum, spanning six buildings, also includes a village of shops from merchants’ businesses of times long but forgotten, a genealogy room, and perhaps one of the most underrated exhibits in the museum – the Uniform floor. Here, visitors see an extensive collection of soldiers’ artifacts, weapons, and uniforms from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq.
Garst Museum hours, location, and further information are available at www.garstmuseum.org .
Historic Bear’s Mill More than 150 years old, this mill is living history of an era long past as it is one of the last operating water-powered mills around today.
Its storied past includes how the 800-foot millrace was dug by hand by school children for 50 cents/day and how it went idle for years for fear that Confederate soldiers may invade the state and burn it to the ground.
Today, the Mill store offers an eclectic shopping experience making it an attraction that has lured travelers from around the globe. It features fresh ground flours and meals using preservative-free grains on original Buhr stones. Handmade pottery lines the walls bringing collectors back regularly. Visitors are free to roam the many floors of the ancient mill and lovely trails along the creek and woods surrounding it.
Bear’s Mill calendar of events, hours, location, and further information is available at www.bearsmill.com .
In addition to Garst Museum and Bear’s Mill, Greenville and the surrounding Darke County highlights also feature Winery at Versailles, Ghyslain Chocolatier, Brumbaugh Fruit Farm, Tecumseh’s Point, prairies and preserves, wetlands, the arts at Memorial Hall, unique eateries, lodging, festivals, special events and more. To plan a trip to Greenville, Ohio, and Darke County, log onto www.visitdarkecounty.org .
Hinckley, Ohio WHERE BUZZARDS ROOST
Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler by Robert Carpenter
We have never associated buzzards with anything appealing. They eat dead stuff. Technically a buzzard is a vulture, and that word summons an even uglier image. On top of that, this particular vulture is really a turkey. The bird doesn’t even have a voice box. Instead of a serenade, it seems to bully its way through life with grunts and hisses.
So why is it, then, that the people of Hinckley, Ohio, celebrate being inundated each March with huge flocks of buzzards?
It could be that the return of the buzzards at the same place and time each year is observed as one of nature’s curious phenomenons, or it could be that they signal that spring is just around the corner, or it might be that the generally misunderstood turkey vulture is rightly a praiseworthy bird.
Buzzards are nature’s sanitizing agents. After winter’s decomposition period, they return to the Hinckley area and clean it up like nothing or no one else can do. Not that Hinckley needs cleansing more than other locales, and the buzzards do work other geographies, but you can be assured that, at least during the summer months, there is nothing rotten in Hinckley.
Contrary to popular belief, turkey vultures do not kill. Their beaks and talons are not designed to rip into a fresh carcass. While most birds have sharp vision, buzzards are one of the few with a sense of smell. They locate decomposing remains, even if hidden, and then strip them clean. Their most unique feature is a digestive system that kills all viruses and bacteria in the diet–and their droppings do not carry disease. So when you see a congregation of featherless red glob-heads bobbing on road kill, remember that as ugly as they may be, they do a handsome job of sterilizing the grounds.
Every March 15, like clockwork, the buzzards return to Hinckley after their winter vacations. It must be instinctive since it’s inconceivable that buzzards can think or make logical deductions—and it started so long ago that none of these birds can remember the initial invitation.
Nearly two centuries ago, a large northern Ohio landowner—a judge from Massachusetts named Hinckley, arranged a roundup of predators that were plundering domestic animals and crops. It’s known as “The Great Hinckley Hunt of 1818.” The judge and dozens of his friends (some say hundreds) encircled his acreage and converged toward the center firing their weapons as they went, driving all the wildlife into a confined space, then killing everything. They took what they wanted for food and left the remaining carcasses over winter. When the buzzards arrived in the spring, the feast apparently was so overwhelming that the event was imprinted on the inherent part of their brains because they’ve come back every year since.
Moreover, the Hinckley Reservation, which is part of Cleveland’s Metropark, is perfect for buzzards. The ninety-acre Hinckley Lake is accentuated with rocky bluffs rising at places hundreds of feet above the water. Buzzards don’t nest per se; they roost—like chickens or, well, turkeys—so the rocky ledges are an ideal habitat.
It’s odd, in a way, since this has been happening for so long, that the people of Hinckley have been commemorating the event only since 1957. It was brought to light by a reporter from the Cleveland Press, who announced the mostly unheard-of yearly occurrence a month ahead of time. When March 15 arrived, the people of Hinckley were surprised by the unexpected attention of naturalists, ornithologists, other reporters, and thousands of spectators who would have gleefully chided an inaccurate prediction. But again, the buzzards landed right on schedule. That’s when several prominent citizens, along with the Chamber of Commerce, decided that the Sunday on or immediately following March 15 would be designated Buzzard Sunday—a “blowout” to observe all the varied implications of their feathered guests. This year the 15 th falls on a Sunday, so that is the day of celebration for which thousands of people are expected.
From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a pancake and sausage breakfast at the Hinckley Elementary School, accompanied by arts and crafts shows. The chief naturalist Robert Hinkle will be the official “Buzzard Spotter” broadcasting the first coming. There is a driving tour of the roost area through the park for those wanting a closer look.
Once you’re assured they’re not looking for you, the buzzards are delightful to watch. Ungainly on the ground, they are beautiful flyers. With wingspans up to six feet, they soar on the thermals. The ratio of their wing area to body weight is so high they can glide for hours with little effort.
But it’s on the ground where they perform their greatest service. They’ve been around since day one—using their natural antiseptic ability to clean up putrid remains—preventing the spread of disease, possibly even plagues.
So, if you see a buzzard cluster at the roadside while driving to or from the Sunday celebration, give them a break/brake. They’re just doing their job.
Go to www.hinckleytwp.org for more information.
POPCORN ANYONE? VISIT MARION, OHIO
Marion has always had a rich history of industry and politics to claim its mark over the centuries. And history is created each day we wake up. Renowned mural artist Eric Grohe captured that history by putting a paintbrush on a wall to create Marion’s own fabulous mural. You can learn more about Eric Grohe and the other murals he has painted in Ohio and across the United States by visiting www.ericgrohemurals.com.
While you are in town to see Eric’s work, visit any number of our other attractions. A must-see would be to start with the Harding Home located at 380 Mt. Vernon Avenue. Visit the home of the 29 th President of the United States and his wife, Florence. This was the site of his famous campaign speeches that launched his quest for the presidency in 1920. The Hardings lived here until they moved to Washington, D.C., before his inauguration. The original press corps building behind the home is now a museum, housing more Harding memorabilia. The home was recently papered with period reproduction wallpaper in the library.
The Harding Memorial is open till dusk daily. It is located on the corner of Delaware Ave. & Vernon Heights Blvd., Marion. It is the final resting place of President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding and is the largest and most beautiful presidential memorial outside of Washington, D.C. Built in 1925, it contains 46 columns of timeless white Georgian marble and was paid for by the donation of pennies and dimes from the nation’s school children. To learn more about the Harding Home and the Memorial, go to http://www.hardinghome.org/.
Just a short distance up the street from the Memorial, in the Marion Cemetery, is the largest tribute to WWII veterans outside of Washington D.C. This is a must-see if you are visiting Marion on a beautiful summer day where you can sit and feel the depth of the tribute meant for the local fallen.
Just a short distance around the corner and down the street from the downtown mural, you can find three museums in one at Heritage Hall. You can find memorabilia from Marion’s productive history, Warren G. Harding’s history, and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. The trip is well worth the money since the museums hold many treasures. And if you are interested in one-room school house treasures — one’s that have been refurbished to their original look and feel, call Heritage Hall and ask for your family tour.
The Wyandot Popcorn Museum is located under a colorful circus tent in the back of Heritage Hall. It is the largest, most impressive collection of popcorn wagons in the United States. These priceless wagons date back as far as the turn of the century and have been restored to their original conditions. If you want to make an appointment for a group to see the three-in-one museum, call 740-387-HALL (4255).
The Marion Union Station sees more than 100 trains pass by every day. The museum showcases an impressive collection of memorabilia and the AC Tower, which was once the main switching facility for the Erie Railroad Marion Division. The unusual nature of the station is the fact that it is located between two diamond cross-overs.
The Edward Huber Machinery Museum is located at the Marion County Fairgrounds at 220 E. Fairground Street. The museum contains examples of machinery built by the Huber Manufacturing Company and the Marion Steam Shovel Company, including steam engines, farm and road equipment, and a steam shovel. An inventor, industrialist, and philanthropist, Huber was largely responsible for Marion’s industrialization and wealth in the mid-1800s.
The biggest event of the year is The Marion Popcorn Festival. It is always held the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after Labor Day. The festival has been on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. Three days of free nationally known entertainers, food, a grand parade, and fun. The family event in Downtown Marion is free and open to all who love and eat popcorn. Last year’s event was taped by the Food Network and the Travel Channel and highlighted popcorn favorites. To learn more about this year’s entertainment and up-to-the-minute details on the contest, visit www.popcornfestival.com.
Plan now to visit over the summer with your family. There are many other places to visit and see in Marion, so you can learn more by visiting the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website at VisitMarionOhio.com to get all the details of the many attractions and things of interest.
MOONVILLE, IT’S AN OHIO GHOST TOWN
Unless you’ve lived in the vicinity, you probably don’t know there’s a place in Ohio called Moonville. In all fairness, unless you have a very old map, you won’t find it—it’s a ghost town. Doubly apropos, because in addition to only skeletal remains of a once viable settlement, it is also occupied by “real ghosts”—which to some is an oxymoron—but you won’t dissuade many of the people in that area. Even the name of the place has a paranormal ring to it.
According to a recent survey, 27 percent of the U.S. population believes in ghosts. Their primary conviction is that they have seen one. The cause is unexplained by ghost hunters, but they claim that there are geographic determinations that allow mystical things to “breakthrough” more frequently in some locations than others. Notably, there is an area in southeast Ohio bordering Hocking and Vinton counties that seems to be such a place. Perhaps it should be taken into account that it is the state’s least populated and most heavily forested locale.
Zaleski in Vinton County is a good place to start—directions are easy from there. Located between the town of Mineral and Lake Hope State Park, no roads can be driven to Moonville—never were—although a present-day two-lane township gets you within walking distance. The only access residents had was the railroad that could be walked or a ride hitched on a passing freight. That alone explains the inordinate number of deaths that occurred, worsened by liberal indulgence in Moonville moonshine.
Built by the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad in the mid-nineteenth century to haul rich deposits of coal, clay, and iron ore from the region, the eight-mile stretch of tracks that detoured through Moonville was the most desolate, isolated area between Parkersburg and St. Louis, and hated by work crews for that reason. It was the heavy woods, they thought, that swallowed the sound, allowing trains to come out of nowhere, catching walkers on one of the several trestles or the now infamous Moonville Tunnel, preventing their escape. In addition, there were conductors and especially brakemen on those early trains who were vulnerable to accidental death.
Ghosts of both types of victims, it is said, have been appearing for well over a hundred years, usually taking up residence in the Moonville Tunnel. The tunnel, historically interesting due to being one of the last vestiges of a lost society, has been photographed many times, revealing images digitized or burned into film that was not visible to the photographer. Of those forms detectible to the naked eye, the most disturbing have been phantom trainmen waving lanterns used to signal an emergency stop. In 1981 the railroad finally saw fit to install a signal light at the old Moonville site with instructions that it alone was to be obeyed—the result of swinging lanterns in the middle of the track forcing many trains over the years to make emergency halts—only to see the light dissolve into the darkness.
The line was ultimately abandoned, and the rails pulled up in 1988, but the tunnel is accessible, and the old right of way easily followed, with plans for a “rail trail” in the works. However, there are several bridges and miles of roadbed to be refurbished—that is, if there continue to be enough hikers willing to whistle past the graveyard that was within spitting distance of the tracks.
But that’s not the end of the ghost story. Departing in the direction of Hocking County, SR 278 skirting Lake Hope State Park would appear on the map to be the best means back to civilization. However, this road’s desolate, isolated nature gives many people the willies. The heavy pine forests on both sides of the road, under different circumstances, might be considered quite beautiful, but here the woodlands seem to close in on you and take your breath away for a wholly different reason than the observation of southern Ohio splendor. If you have claustrophobic tendencies, keep the tranquilizers handy.
This stretch is so lonely it is hard to believe that it once encompassed a thriving community with a general store, post office, and school. If you dare to explore some of the semi-cleared areas, you might discover some of the old stone foundations by kicking the pine needles aside. But there is one thing along this otherwise abandoned artery for which you will not need an acute sense of observation. Without warning, the remains of a huge stone furnace come at you from the west berm like a sucker punch. It’s all that’s left of the primitive smelting operation that extracted iron ore and occupied almost everyone in Hope. It’s interesting in bright daylight, but few people have the courage to tread the grounds at night.
Frequently there is a bright light, said to be the lantern of the night watchman who, on one of his inebriated rounds, fell into the furnace and was incinerated. The light dances around the chimney and over thin air where buildings once existed and approach cars that stop to investigate. Most people sum up their inquiry rather quickly and vamoose.
Escaping west on Route 56 into Hocking Country may ease anxieties, but it takes you right into Ash Cave State Park. You may feel more comfortable there being accompanied by professional guides, but it is also known for its apparitions.
Ash Cave has long been known for the haunting echoes of waterfalls, winding trails, and the dark depression of its recess cave. Many are convinced that it is more beautiful in winter than in summer. Often the cascading waterfall transforms into a shimmering figurine of frozen elegance, and the leafless trees reveal formations not discernible in the thick foliage of summer.
Often hikers are mesmerized by the surroundings, and the goosebumps rising on the backs of their necks are attributed to the awesome beauty and coolness of the forest. But inevitably, when it happens, a shadowy figure of a woman in 1920s attire is seen following along on the trail. Unlike the poltergeists of Moonville tunnel, there is no history to indicate who she is. Night tours are not meant to be ghost-hunting expeditions, but ghosts have never been known to follow the rules. Lights described as greenish-yellow often dart around in the trees—up and down, back and forth they shimmy, sometimes putting on a show for several minutes before disappearing into the forest. Usually, park rangers make no attempt to explain them.
A little farther west, you can catch SR 664, which will take you north to Old Man’s Cave in Hocking State Park. The name is derived from the fact that a man in the early 1800’s lived in a cave with his hunting hounds. Described as a hermit—what else could he be? —Richard Roe lived most of his life in the cave located on the north wall of the main gorge. One cold morning he descended the wall to the stream below and found it frozen over. Foolishly—for a mountain man—he used the butt of his muzzleloader to break the ice, accidentally discharging the load into his face.
Mr. Roe is not known to make appearances. Perhaps his face would be too ghastly even for a doppelganger, but on many nights, especially under the full moon, his hunting companions can be heard baying endlessly for the return of their master. It is said the sound sends chills through the most fearless of overnight campers.
This is, without question, a strange region in our state and virtually unknown to a great many. Exploring the area will take a day, or maybe two, to see everything, and it’s guaranteed to be an unusual experience, whether or not you come across any spooky manifestations. Of course, the most important instruction is to bring your camera. You may be surprised at what develops.
For more information, visit vintoncountytravel.com .
Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
Before we dive into Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor attractions, let’s explore the Greater Cleveland area. Its neighboring communities are rich in entertainment. Much of Cleveland’s infrastructure was developed more than 100 years ago when its concentration of wealth on Euclid Avenue was unsurpassed even by New York’s 5 th Avenue.
The legacies of business tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil (think richer than Bill Gates), are seen in the arts, parks, museums, architecture, and business today. The region boasts the top amusement park in the world, the most loyal sports fans, the Rock –N– Roll Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and #1 heart program by one of the nation’s leading medical facilities – Cleveland Clinic. It also has the second-largest performing arts center in the country, the third-most visited national park in the U.S., and a top-5 orchestra in the world. Nearby is also the world’s largest concentration of Amish.
Since the 1980s, Cleveland has surged as America’s comeback city. The Flats and Warehouse District are kings of nighttime entertainment, Tower City is a shopping hub, and Gateway draws sports fanatics to see the Cavaliers and Guardians play ball. In fact, the Guardians (then Indians) have the all-time pro-baseball consecutive games’ sellout record – 455 – which may never be broken. Just a few miles away is University Circle featuring world-renowned cultural attractions visited by more than 2.5 million people annually. It is no surprise that Euclid Avenue runs through it. After all, this was America’s playground for the rich and famous.
What makes Cleveland, plus its neighboring communities and attractions, such a pleasant visit is not just the plethora of things to do for nearly every age and interest but the ease with which the urban landscape is navigated. The highway system is built to handle major traffic centers like Chicago rather than mid-size cities. It has six major highways crisscrossing it, plus plenty of buses, taxis, parking, and Ohio’s only light rail system, which is convenient to and from just about anywhere – including straight from the airport to the heart of downtown.
In the mid-1990s, the Rapid Transit light rail system added the Waterfront Line, delivering gobs of people effortlessly to the new heart for family entertainment – North Coast Harbor.
North Coast Harbor is a beautiful place mixing a panoramic urban skyline with trees, green space, and sunrise-to-sunset views of a Great Lake! Lake Erie has had a tremendous renewal of its own, again attracting fishermen, boaters, divers, and water enthusiasts by the millions. But the main attraction is the number of main attractions – all within walking distance from each other.
Once you board the Waterfront Line at Tower City and roll through The Flats and Warehouse District, you’ll arrive minutes later at the North Coast Station. The welcome is more than you’ll expect. The terminal is completely glass enclosed and has several expressions of art. Its style was intended to accent the Rock -N- Roll Hall of Fame. The welcome mat is a 49-foot porcelain tile rug.
Turn left and walk downhill toward the lake and Rock Hall, and you’ll come to a crossroads of fun known as the North Coast Harbor. Now you choose where to begin the day, understanding it may take more than one to see it all. There’s the Great Lakes Science Center, International Women’s Air & Space Museum, tours aboard a World-War II Submarine and massive old iron ore ship, Cleveland Browns Stadium, a skate park, trolley tours, day and evening cruise ship, bikeway, and that’s just for starters.
The Great Lakes Science Center is at the water’s edge next to the Rock Hall. The museum has more than 400 interactive exhibits, including computers that talk and a space shuttle landing simulator. There’s even a restaurant with outdoor dining overlooking the inner harbor. It also features an OmniMax Theater. Visit greatscience.com for more details.
The International Women’s Air & Space Museum is inside the Burke Lakefront Airport lobby just east of the Rock Hall. Admission is free. The exhibits illustrate the contributions women made to aerospace history and include Amelia Earhart’s flight suit and the tail of Ruth Nichol’s Lockheed Akita.
The U.S.S. COD (SS 224) is the last fully intact WWII fleet submarine. It is docked between the Rock Hall and Burke. Tours are offered to the public, inviting them to see what life inside a metal box deep under the sea must have been like. It is tight inside, so beware if you are claustrophobic. The 312-foot submarine was a key weapon against the Japanese, sinking many ships and itself depth-charged, surviving major torpedo fire. For visitor information, see usscod.org.
Cleveland’s great shipping heritage is seen aboard the Steamship William G. Mather. This 618-foot vessel was built in 1925. It now serves as a floating museum and educational facility near the Coast Guard Station between the Rock Hall and Cleveland Browns Stadium behind the Science Center. On and below deck, the public can tour one of the largest ships to sail the Great Lakes, much like the infamous Edmond Fitzgerald. See the captain’s quarters, engine room, and galley, and steer the captain’s wheel.
The Goodtime III is the largest quadruple-deck 1,000-passenger luxury ship on the Great Lakes. It is docked across the harbor from the Mather north of the Rock Hall. Daytime and evening cruises feature river and lake tours, live entertainment, dancing, a full bar, and meals. They sail rain or shine and allow people to enjoy the entire ship, whether you choose the spacious top sun decks, the large semi-opened second deck, or the main glass-enclosed lower deck, which is air-conditioned or heated. For types of cruises and schedules, sail over to goodtimeiii.com.
The Cleveland Browns Stadium offers fans an inside look at the press box, luxury suites, locker room, and other areas fans typically would not see when attending games. For tour information, call 440- 824-3361.
In addition, Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor has a skate park, bike trail, and Voinovich Park, where you may throw Frisbee, jog, fish, people-watch, feed birds, sunbathe, or attend the many festivals that become available.
Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor development is beginning to shine, but it is far from the grand vision that is coming into focus. In the coming years, aquaria, apartments, restaurants, shopping, and hotels are all expected to dot the landscape. If visiting Cleveland for pleasure or business, take a quick trip from the airport, suburbs or downtown on the Rapid Transit and explore North Coast Harbor, Cleveland’s newest family-funapolis. Stay and spread your fun across The Flats and Warehouse Entertainment District, Gateway sports complex, Tower City, or the cultural Mecca that is University Circle. Or take in Cleveland plus Cedar Point Amusement Park and Lake Erie Islands, Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame and Amish country, and other northern Ohio attractions.
Click to see what’s happening today at North Coast Harbor .
Piqua, Ohio Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
There’s a good reason why Piqua, Ohio, is as comfortable as a worn pair of pajamas – it was once known as the Underwear Capital of the World. Today, Piqua entertains its visitors with beautiful recreational trails, unique small-town shopping, living canal era history, and original events.
Piqua continues to blaze new trails, literally, adding to an already large network that connects park systems. Significant investments and resources have enabled extensive plans to take shape over recent years. New sections of trail have recently opened, and more are coming soon. Eventually, Piqua’s trails will link to a system that extends to Dayton and as far as Cincinnati.
“Word is traveling fast in Ohio’s recreational hiking circles,” said Diana Thompson, Director of the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau. “It definitely lends support to the cliché; build it, and they will come.”
Currently, the trail system ties into the Canal Run Trail, River’s Edge Trail, and Piqua Activities Trail For Health (P.A.T.H.) Rail to Trail, a former railroad, returned to Mother Nature. Together, the network of trails provides opportunities for walking, running, and bicycling. Each trail has its unique scenery.
Once in Piqua, visitors are drawn to its heart – the Fort Piqua Plaza – where a massive $20 million restoration has just brought the Romanesque structure of the former hotel and its surroundings back to life. Dating back to the 1890s, the hotel has hosted many famous guests, including Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, and the Cincinnati Red Legs. Today, the new Fort Piqua Plaza hosts a library, banquet & conference center, and Winans Coffee and Chocolates. More additions are being added, including a restaurant and other amenities.
“As far as architectural gems go, this is just for starters,” said Lorna Swisher, Director of Mainstreet Piqua. “The entire downtown area has a variety of canal-era to high Victorian style buildings that have been beautifully restored.”
Over several generations, once vibrant small-town downtowns have been choked off all over the country due to a global economy, manufacturing leaving, and the invasion of big-box stores. But when a success story like Piqua’s breathes new life into a charming town, authenticity blossoms again, and unique mom-and-pop shops start to dot the landscape, much like yesteryear.
Piqua’s resurgence has given a new lease on leisure shopping adventures. Quaint storefronts offering clothing, books, glassware, hardware, furniture, and jewelry abound. When a break is needed from shopping at the unique merchants, many find themselves at the original family-owned restaurants and cafes. Before the day is through, it’s difficult not to go home with homemade baked goods and fresh-cut flowers from the florist.
“Piqua is where the good life is,” said Rebecca Cox, enjoying an ice cream cone on the curb. “I love small towns with character.”
Of course, there’s also a reminder of bygone days in antique stores and specialty shops. But to get a true feel of the good ole days, one must not travel far from downtown. Just down the bicycle trail, or just north on State Route 66, is the Piqua Historical Area State Memorial. The 220-acre site is home to a Historic Indian Museum, Colonel John Johnston Farmhouse, and a restored section of the Miami-Erie Canal.
All aboard the General Harrison for a lazy afternoon ride on a replica 70-foot long 19 th Century canal boat. Costumed guides direct the mule-drawn boat in an experience of a lifetime.
Over at the Johnston Farm, visitors see the preserved and period-furnished two-story Dutch Colonial and Georgian-style farmhouse. In addition, there’s a cider house and a two-story spring house. Farm tours are led by costumed interpreters and crafters, revealing life in an era long past. There’s even a large double-penned log barn dating to 1808. It’s believed to be the oldest and largest of its kind in the state. Another pleasant surprise on the grounds is an Adena Indian mound dating back over 2,000 years.
A visit to the farm during Labor Day weekend coincides with one of the largest festivals in Ohio – the Piqua Heritage Festival. This event provides an interactive experience with a look at Ohio’s link to the early frontier. Artisans will share their techniques for woodcarving, basket weaving, quilting, rag-rug making, and pottery. The festival includes dozens of pre-1800s encampments and a large selection of homemade foods.
Throughout the year, Piqua has fun-filled activities and events ranging from festivities where there’s dancing in the streets to art walks. Seasonal fun features horse-drawn carriage rides, an old-fashioned holiday parade, and Victorian Christmas. Also famous in the spring is the ever-popular “Taste of the Arts,” which features great food and fun for all ages! For complete details to plan a visit to Piqua and the surrounding area any time of year, call the Miami County Visitors Bureau at 1-800-348-8993 or see their website at http://homegrowngreat.com/ .
Tipp City, Ohio Tippecanoe
Day- Tipp ing! That’s right, without the “R,” although you’ll find plenty of R&R in Tipp City.
Ohio is littered with old canal towns selling the past, but old Tippecanoe, now Tipp City, is as vibrant as ever. Whereas most canal towns were killed by the railroads, Tippecanoe City kept on rolling. And when railroads succumbed to superhighways, Tipp City found itself at America’s crossroads when concrete was poured a mere six miles away for I-75 and I-70.
Today, downtown Tipp City is bustling with foot traffic around shops of all sorts. A typical hotel sign may read “No Vacancies,” but that may well apply to the storefronts stretching from the railroad to the old canal lock. In between tells the story, past and present, from Tippecanoe to Tipp City.
The town’s original name, Tippecanoe, was to honor President William Henry Harrison by using part of his presidential slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” The word City was added a few years later, albeit unofficially. But in the 1930s, the post office often mixed mail delivery between Tippecanoe City and an unincorporated village in eastern Ohio named Tippecanoe, which had its own zip code and post office. Driven by businessmen at the time, the post office shortened Tippecanoe City’s name to simply Tipp City.
Under any name, the town’s founder, John Clark, laid construction plans to stand the test of time. He required its original buildings be erected in brick, not log, which was the trend for upstarts in 1840. Since its founding in 1841, there are 89 buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places today. An exception to the brick rule was the Tipp Roller Mill built in 1839 out of red-stained wood, but it survived and remained at the foot of the original Tipp Canal Lock. The architectural legacy is diligently preserved by restoration and regulation to maintain the integrity of the charming small town where visitors today outnumber its 6,500 residents.
As the community evolved, so too did its architectural styles. The old hotel has a Late Federal influence. The Opera House features Romanesque architecture. Other styles include Jacobean, High Victorian period, Second Empire and Beau Art. The back stories of all the restored facades are detailed at The Tippecanoe Monroe-Bethel Historical Museum. The attention to architectural details around town makes it no surprise that Free Masons had a prominent hand in this community rise.
Every restaurant and shop has a unique setting and artistry that compliments the town’s past but also transcends it.
As any traveler can attest, a town’s health is often determined by the quality and variety of its restaurants. Tipp City is a foodie haven! Whether you seek an old-fashioned mom-and-pop diner or uptown cuisine, Tipp City is home no matter what your taste buds are. You can dine on sidewalks or inside the gigantic vault of an old bank-turned-restaurant. If you want an after-dinner drink or cup of coffee, Tipp City has that covered too. The ambiance of old brick buildings, inside and out, and ornate woodwork offer that quaint nook with just the right lighting.
But eating is just what you do between strolling from one charming old building to another for eclectic shopping pursuits. Venture into the old hotel or former opera house buildings and places with names like “Buggy Whip” and find anything from the Tin Peddler to a wood carver or pottery shop. A two-story fabric store, toy store, bookstore, and cyclery illustrate the breadth of offerings. But the art and antique shops are top-notch. You walk their floors like you would a museum. And it’s not just what’s on display that captures attention and imagination; the interiors of these buildings are picturesque. Their design accentuates the historic character of worn and polished woodwork, masonry, and more.
When you have come to the end of the better part of a day, shopping and dining, you come to the edge of town where recreation begins.
Once you turn the corner of the weathered Tipp Roller Mill, last in the line of bygone buildings, you see the reason this town came to be – the historic Miami and Erie Canal Lock 15. It’s like peering into a lost era of wanderlust. It’s probably at that point you realize you’re either coming back to Tipp City or spending the night. There’s not enough time to absorb it all at a relaxed pace. Besides, an afternoon can be lost on walking, bicycling, or jogging along miles of the paved Great Miami River Recreational Trail. There are even seven golf courses within 10 minutes of downtown.
Dating back to the rough and tumble entertainment of its canal port town roots, Tipp City still knows how to throw a party and entertain with special events. Every summer, a free blues concert is hosted at Tipp City Canal Lock Park. But that’s just for starters. Music in the park, dinner theatre, and other productions are offered throughout the year by Tipp City Players Community Theatre. In September, the town puts on one of its biggest productions – The Mum Festival. Yes, “Mum” is the word for tens of thousands of visitors to kick off every autumn season. Still, that secret got out more than 30 years ago. The event features all your Americana fest favorites, from a parade often televised to bands, an antique car show, and a 10K Run for the Mums. There’s even a Mum Queen reigning over everything from the entertainment to the games, live entertainment, arts and crafts, refreshments, and more.
But the true go-between connecting the historic town’s heritage to its present entertainment comes from the Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers. This vintage baseball team hosts games in Tipp City and travels to play other teams reflecting everything 19 th Century down to the circa 1860 uniforms.
And that brings us home.
If you want to go “Day Tipping,” plan your trip at http://homegrowngreat.com/ or call 1-800-348-8993.
In a shrinking world filled with gadgets like GPS devices, destinations are found after satellites triangulate the position. So if you are looking for the ideal place to meet in Southwest Ohio, your position may triangulate from Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, resulting in Wilmington.
Not only is it a retreat from the big cities, but it is also close enough to take advantage of their hot spots. Conveniently intersected by I-71 and close to three International airports and its own county airport for small aircraft, Wilmington is a day’s drive from 60 percent of the U.S. population.
You need six things when selecting the perfect meeting site. Location, location, and location are the first three, followed by quality, variety, and quantity of meeting facilities, restaurants, and entertainment.
Business or pleasure, it doesn’t matter; Wilmington and the surrounding Clinton County can host your group or event. Conventions, roadshows, and executive retreats to weddings, reunions, and clubs frequent bookings. Special events feature scrapbooking, antiques, fashion, pottery, and dog shows.
The bottom line is that you still have access to the big cities, but your meetings are more affordable without sacrificing service or quality.
The Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau provides meeting planners with personalized and custom services to ensure every event succeeds. This includes site inspections of hotels and attractions, assistance securing accommodations, pre-event mailings, welcome packets for guests, and itineraries for group or spousal programs.
It’s no wonder the tagline for Clinton County is “An Open Invitation.”
The Roberts Conference Centre is the region’s largest and most diverse conference facility, with 80,000 square feet and 24-foot ceilings. It features a large, sweeping exhibition space, a grand ballroom, an executive boardroom, and numerous breakouts perfect for board retreats, strategy meetings, or workshop sessions.
Other choices for locating meetings that need high-tech assistance and modern ambiance are the state-of-the-art teleconferencing center at Wilmington College and The Hampton Inn. The teleconferencing center is ideal for smaller groups that require a high-tech advantage, while the Hampton offers a convenient and resourceful meeting room for up to 100 people, as well as a private board room. Laurel Oaks, another high-tech choice, is the perfect location for bringing people together regionally or nationally through video conferencing.
Aside from the traditional meeting facilities, Clinton County also offers various non-traditional meeting spaces.
The historic and ornate Murphy Theatre is a 750-seat venue available for meetings when not in use for theatrical productions. Another unique place is The Loft. It provides an intimate setting in a 9,000-square-foot ballroom with two access doors to an elevated outdoor terrace and private meeting rooms. It is a favorite in historic downtown Wilmington for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, private and corporate parties, fundraising events, and more. Across the street is The General Denver Hotel, known as the epitome of grace and service. Their private meeting space is perfect for groups who want to be treated extra special. And for history buffs, there’s no place to meet like the conference room at The Clinton County History Center.
Not only is Wilmington and surrounding Clinton County ideal for meeting accommodations, but it also offers “ An Open Invitation ” to those desiring a destination that includes fantastic shopping, a relaxing pace, natural beauty, roads less traveled, behind the scene tours, great towns at a great value and one-of-a-kind special events.
But what sets Clinton County apart is its world-class hospitality. You’ll arrive as a visitor but leave as a friend.
While the three nearby, large metro areas are often attractive destination points for travelers based on their ability to offer many attractions in a concentrated geographical area, an alternative destination is often overlooked. Clinton County is primarily a rural community slightly off the beaten path with treasures of its own. The ambiance of rural America is not a myth; it is as real as the people who reside there, who cherish old-fashioned values, who are neighborly, and who know what it is to be hospitable.
Those who travel to rural America are looking for something special. They want to “experience” something. The sight of a sign advertising merchandise that is homegrown and homemade excites them. They know that heritage shapes a community and that it has integrity if it preserves its heritage. They find worth in historic relics, architecture, and art. They prefer not to fight the masses when they tour museums, shop for antiques or decide to end their day with a quiet dinner.
Clinton County and Wilmington are rich in the history of bygone days with deep pride for their Quaker heritage. It’s where unique shopping opportunities prevail, and local artisans display their wares. In Clinton County, fresh produce can still be found at roadside stands. Nature is a strong force there, and two area state parks provide every opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. Clinton County is also home to the nation’s only Banana Split Festival. Another favorite event is the Wilmington Art & Pottery Festival. The Corn Festival pays tribute to the areas’ deep agricultural roots For the holiday season, enjoy the thrilling Holidazzle Illuminated Parade & Festival.
This video of downtown Wooster, Ohio showcases a wide variety of unique shopping experiences, plus delicious foods, and interesting eateries.
Athens, Ohio vs. Athens, Greece Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
The wealth of scenic splendor and abundant places to explore is just the beginning of all that this gem offers. Flourishing arts and music scenes, fantastic festivals, a rich history, and much more abound – in Athens – Ohio of course!
When settlers first discovered what was to become Athens County, native Adena Indians inhabited the Appalachian foothills. They had built an extensive network of burial and ceremonial mounds. As the population of settlers grew, canals, railroads, mines, and the first university in the Northwest Territory were founded. All since have contributed to the area’s rich history.
Athens, Ohio area is a destination for a broad range of interests. Its Southern Ohio hospitality and beautiful landscape throughout the Hocking Valley beckons visitors. Very few destinations offer such a diverse mix of leisure activities and entertainment. There’s rock climbing, kayaking, and skateboarding for the more adventurous. Then there’re historic sites, a scenic railway, 19 covered bridges, museums, cultural centers, more than 20 state parks, and fun-filled festivals.
Athens – it’s a magical place – whether it’s in Ohio or Greece!
The enchanting capital of Greece has always been the birthplace of civilization and is the city with the most glorious history in the world. It is where democracy and most wise men of ancient times were born.
The most important civilization of the ancient world flourished in Athens, Greece, and is relived today through superb architectural masterpieces such as the Acropolis of Athens.
Today it is Greece’s political, social, cultural, financial, and commercial center. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism.
Athens has always attracted people’s attention. During the 2004 Olympic Games, it proved that. The return of the Olympic Games to its motherland was a great success.
The capital is famous, more than any other European capital, for its nightlife. The options for entertainment satisfy all tastes. The famous bouzouki are leaders in Athenian entertainment. While theaters all around Athens offer a different type of entertainment. Athens is a divine city. Lend yourself to its magic.
To plan a trip to Athens, Greece, visit www.greece-athens.com . And if you aren’t quite ready for the overseas Athens, stick close to home and plan a visit to Athens, Ohio, by calling 1-800-878-9767 or 740-592-1819 or logging on here .
Berlin, Ohio vs. Berlin, Germany Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio, we discovered Berlin. That’s Berlin, Ohio not Berlin, Germany. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
Berliners welcome their guests with a Berlinizer button to show they really know all about the city and many can speak a multitude of languages. As you can tell, we’re talking about Berlin, Germany, not Berlin, Ohio.
This historic city is full of contrast. It features historic and modern attractions amidst Prussian monuments and new architecture. The city has attractions throughout but maybe less so in West Berlin. East of Brandenburg Gate, there’s probably the most to see and do. In October, there’s the Festival of Lights, when spectacular light installations at Berlin’s most famous landmarks will be presented. The Bode-Museum and WinterMagic Berlin are also traditional favorites. This period offers a wide range of top-class cultural events, attractions, more than 50 Christmas markets, festive illuminations, shopping opportunities, and more to lure and enchant you.
Much like the Amish who left Germany, let’s now explore Berlin, Ohio in Holmes County.
Berlin, Ohio, is a world apart from Berlin, Germany. The small town best known for its excellent shopping beckons anyone entering the township limits to slow down and stay awhile. And why not? It’s a great place to be, especially in autumn!
Whether it’s shopping at the Berlin Antique & Craft Mall, seeing how cheese is made, rubbing elbows with the Amish, eating the best home-made food, or spending a quiet night in a quaint bed and breakfast, this corner of the Earth is a hot spot for travelers just the same.
Gugisberg Cheese is the home of the Original Baby Swiss, and they have delighted visitors with tours and samples for years.
Schrock’s Amish Farm & Village provides a tour of Grandpa’s house, Amish buggy rides, and patronage at the state’s largest year-round Christmas shop.
Yoder’s Country Store features Amish-made baskets, pottery, dolls, wood crafts, jams, and baked goods just in time for the holidays around the corner.
The lodging options in Berlin, Ohio, are vast. It features anything from just down-home living to the elegant and romantic stay laden with modern amenities…and hot tubs.
Of course, the main course may be the wonderful delectable restaurants like Troyer’s Country Dining, family-operated by former Old-Order Amish and home of the famous “Bag Apple Pie.”
To plan a trip to Berlin, Ohio, visit http://www.berlinohioinfo.com/ . To plan a trip to Berlin, Germany, visit https://www.visitberlin.de/en .
Dublin, Ohio vs. Dublin, Ireland
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio, we discovered Dublin. That’s Dublin, Ohio, not Dublin, Ireland. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
Dublin was founded in the early ninth century when Vikings made their largest settlement outside of Scandinavia on the site of the present-day city. As you can tell, we’re talking about Ireland, not Ohio. Ever since then, Dublin has suffered many wars and conflicts. In the early 20th century, Dublin established its own identity and is today a modern, cosmopolitan city rich in history and proud of its past. While visiting Dublin, you will see that many monuments and museums chronicle Dublin’s rich heritage; take some time to enjoy the story of Dublin in some of its most magnificent buildings. Dublin is unique, a place where tradition and cultural heritage have merged seamlessly over the centuries to create an atmosphere simply unique to Dublin.
Dublin is renowned worldwide as a city of writers and literature, home to such literary pens as Joyce, Shaw, and many others, celebrated at the Dublin Writers Museum, James Joyce Museum, and the Shaw Birthplace. Malahide Castle is a beautifully restored residence with distinctive elegance and charm. The extensive grounds of the Malahide Castle Demense are also home to the delightful Fry Model Railway and the Talbot Botanic Gardens. Malahide Castle is also the home to Tara’s Palace, one of the world’s most significant Doll Houses. Inspired by Sir Neville Wilkinson’s celebrated Titania’s Palace of 1907, Ron and Doreen McDonnell sought to recapture the spirit and purpose of Sir Neville when they began the creation of their masterpiece – Tara’s Palace, in 1980.
When you spend time in Dublin, Ireland, you will be assured of a warm welcome and special memories. But if you can’t get across the Atlantic this year, visit Dublin, Ohio, and experience Irish culture at its Dublin Irish Festival in August.
Dublin, Ohio, is a beautiful, scenic city just 15 minutes northwest of downtown Columbus. Many recognize Dublin as home to Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Golf Tournament (held each spring) and the annual Dublin Irish Festival—one of the nation’s largest events of its kind. But it’s so much more!
Dublin has become an exciting “getaway” destination for travelers—offering a great Central Ohio location just off the I-270 Columbus outer belt, a quaint historic district, and over a dozen hotels, “Ohio’s most prestigious golf address,” exciting events, proximity to world-class attractions like the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (just five minutes north of Dublin) and economical vacation packages.
Named one of Money Magazine’s “Hottest Places to Live,” Dublin offers a strong community that draws families and businesses alike. Many major corporations (including Wendy’s International, Cardinal Health, and Ashland, Inc. have established their headquarters in Dublin, Ohio.
Dublin, Ohio, offers many similarities to Dublin, Ireland. Local legend has it that the original village was named by John Shields–an Irish surveyor who remarked that the “beaming of the sun on the hills and dales surrounding [the] beautiful valley” reminded him of his birthplace in Dublin, Ireland. Like its namesake city “across the pond,” Ohio’s emerald city offers plenty of green space (more than 1,000 acres of parkland); outstanding golf courses (Dublin CVB has long enjoyed a successful Golf/Hotel package program); and a richly historic area with several Irish pubs and businesses.
The city’s signature event embraces the Irish connection. The annual Dublin Irish Festival is expected to draw nearly 100,000 visitors from across the globe. It’s been named “….one of the biggest and best festivals in the country” by Chicago’s Irish American News and a “Top 100 Event in North America” by the American Bus Association. Set on 20 rolling acres, the event features more than 60 musical acts from the U.S. and Ireland performing music on eight stages (from Celtic rock to traditional ballads). Three cultural stages feature storytelling, folklore, music, and hands-on workshops. Visitors can discover Ireland’s traditional instruments while learning to play the fiddle or tin whistle …or… be transported back into Irish history when they visit a 10 th Century Irish village—a time when Irish hero Brian Boru chased the Danes out of the Emerald Isle. Irish dancers compete in the Columbus Feis—a competition that attracts 1,300 of the nation’s best Ceili dancers. Visitors can watch sheep herding demonstrations, explore their genealogy, shop the Emerald Isle for imported goods, attend a Gaelic mass, learn to make a proper scone or sample an endless variety of Irish food and drink.
For more information about Dublin, Ohio, contact the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-245-8387 or click here to visit their website.
Geneva, Ohio Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler by Robert Carpenter
It’s not surprising that some people look upon their transgressions of youth as a badge of honor—but usually, the crowing starts only after reaching respectability and the statutes of limitation are in place.
Frankly, I had never heard of the resort on the lakeshore until I moved to Ashtabula County in 1959. Although youthful, a responsible job had brought me there—with a rather intolerant employer. Still, Geneva-on-the-Lake soon beckoned with the enticement of a fiery lover that fledglings always long for, rarely experience, and find impossible to resist.
In those days most of the crowd came from the northeastern corner—Cleveland, Warren, Youngstown, and across the state line. There was one lovely young lady who showed up almost every weekend. Over drinks and loud music, I understood her name to be Sewickley—uncommon, but a cute handle, I thought. Often, complete names in those surroundings were not surrendered, so that’s what I called her on following encounters, and she replied with giggles and good-natured grins. Imagine my embarrassment when I finally discovered she had been trying to tell me she was from Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
Visitors in recent years have come from a much wider geographic area, supposedly due to Geneva-on-the-Lake becoming more family-oriented. The resort took root about 140 years ago with parks and picnicking. One claim to fame is that in the early 1900s, it was a favorite camping area for Henry Ford and friends John D. Rockefeller and Harvey Firestone. So, from that vaunted beginning, the town has billed itself as “Ohio’s First Summer Resort.”
However, one thing should be clear. People coming to Geneva-on-the-Lake have never cared much about the history—the drawing card here is all-out fun.
And Geneva-on-the-Lake should not be confused with parks like Cedar Point or Six Flags. Geneva-on-the-Lake is a village with a mayor and council charged with all the usual duties and responsibilities of managing a small municipality—it’s just that they understand their purpose better than most.
There are few permanent residents, and Memorial Day and Labor Day are the on/off switches for three months of frenzied activity. Unlike decades ago, some nightspots open year-round, but still, during much of the winter, you can fire a cannon down the mile-long thoroughfare—the “strip” they call it—without doing much damage.
On an up-to-date visit, it was evident that the natural lakeside ambiance of clean air and sunny beaches had not changed and will always be appealing. But, after several decades, one would expect a transformation of the synthetic elements.
Reminiscence flooded in—the concessionaires with whom I’d made friends—the after-hours, behind-the-scenes parties dissolved only by sunrise and scattered players like vampires. Those people led a lifestyle that I was unacquainted with.
Of course, when I first arrived, local groups blasted out rock and roll, and there was still that ingredient of loud music and drink at the epicenter.
That’s the night scene, but there’s an abundance of entertainment to occupy the daylight hours, too. The eighteen-hole championship golf course south of the strip is where I first took up the game. The design and topography were more of a challenge than I wanted as a beginner. Today, it’s rated as one of the top 100 courses in the state.
The marina has 385 slips and a small boat harbor with six public boat ramps open. As boaters and jet skiers make their way in and out of the harbor, serious sun worshipers converge on the vast beach while kids rocket down the waterslide, play miniature golf, or race go-carts.
Another significant alteration has been in accommodations necessary for the family influx. Old cottages have been torn down and condos erected. Modern hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts that were once sparse are nearby and plentiful.
In addition to the casual hot dog and french-fry eateries of my day, there are fine restaurants such as the Crosswinds at Lakehouse Inn Winery that looks out over the water, and the Old Firehouse Winery with house-crafted wines, live music, and lakeside patio.
Yes, the village is more sophisticated and hospitable than it was in my youth, and the State Park is a big plus. Yet, regardless of the family lure, the strip reverberates as the only “real” Geneva-on-the-Lake. It still caters to, and probably always will favor, the young singles crowd. You see, to me Geneva-on-the-Lake is a state of mind. That’s my frame of reference; anyone from my era understands that.
The question now is: how long can a charming and venerable but archaic community like this be preserved before some progressive decides it all has to be ripped out and replaced with modern chic?
For more information, go to www.VisitGenevaOnTheLake.com ; call 800-862-9948 or 440-466-8600.
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio, we discovered Lebanon. That’s Lebanon, Ohio not the Lebanon in the Middle East. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
This place draws 1,800 horse’s hooves this time of year and has the oldest inn in the land – The Golden Lamb. The streets are filled with pedestrians, crafters, magic acts and strolling musicians. Of course, we’re talking about Lebanon….Ohio!
Yes, this small Southwest Ohio town comes alive with the annual Historic Lebanon Christmas Parade in very early December. Thousands of visitors come every year to see majestic Clydesdales, adorable miniature horses, and decked-out equines of all sizes as they herald the beginning of the holiday season. Parade times are 1pm and then again for a lighted parade at 7pm. Even Martha Stewart took notice of this delightful event and featured the parade on her popular television program.
On December weekends, visitors may board Santa’s North Pole Express on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railway. The vintage train ride travels to Santa’s workshop, where each child will receive a special gift from Santa, plus hot chocolate for all passengers. Be sure to bundle up!
Christmas at Glendower provides an opportunity to experience a Victorian Christmas in all its brilliance at this grand historic residence. Lebanon merchants decorate each room with their own signature touch, providing a unique room-by-room tour of decorative holiday splendor. Live musicians and refreshments are served in classic style.
Christmas Village in Lebanon offers unique Christmas items, toys, and home décor plus a special treat for girls with a princess tea party in a Narnia-setting.
The Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant offers unique holiday dining opportunities: Frohe Weilhnachten (German meal of venison); Cratchit’s Christmas Dinner (English meal of goose); Christmas at Mt. Vernon (American meal of turkey & ham).
Lebanon, Ohio is also known for its quaint shops and antique stores, great dining and streetscapes, and many special events throughout the year.
Although Lebanon, Ohio is certainly the safer of the two Lebanons to visit this holiday season, many are considering a trip to the Lebanon overseas to reunite with family and friends, do business or help rebuild after war ravaged the land this past summer. It must be noted that the security situation in Lebanon remains hazardous despite the end of military action. Although the Beirut airport is open, damage through the region remains significant. Considering December is a holy time of year for the world’s three major religions, we often hear the phrase may there be peace on Earth.
That said, one day Lebanon will again attract tourists and for good reason.
After all, Beirut, Lebanon is often referred to as the Paris of the Middle East. Lebanon packs a lot into its modest borders: ancient cities, ski resorts, impressive architecture and striking landscapes are just the start. Then there’s the great food and nightlife that created the reputation for being the party capital of the Middle East.
If you are planning a visit to Lebanon, Ohio and want to learn more about it, click here . If you are planning a visit to Lebanon in the Middle East, click here.
Lima, Ohio Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
Whether it’s the gleeful home to America’s most popular high school or the can-do American industrial spirit symbolized by Rosie the Riveter, Lima blends flair with substance.
The hit TV show Glee put Lima, Ohio, on the map as the hometown of a fictional high school. But it’s not the first time Lima was in the national spotlight. The storied town in Northwest Ohio was a major stop on the Vaudeville circuit. One of the most renowned attractions of Lima’s past was The Faurot Opera House. It was regarded as the best theater between New York and Denver.
Lima still hosts many activities and attractions, remaining a notable stop on the entertainment circuit. Crouse Performance Hall is frequented by Broadway shows and is home of the Lima Symphony Orchestra. This venue has put famous talent on the stage, including Jerry Seinfeld and Larry the Cable Guy. Other performers hosted by Lima and the surrounding Allen County include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Uncle Kracker, and Brett Michaels. There is also Jazz at the Greenhouse and the Pickles Blues Extravaganza.
But one of the biggest national headlines involving Lima was when the infamous gangster John Dillinger broke from the Lima jail when six men raided the place in October 1933. It led to one of the FBI’s biggest manhunts in history. Lima’s Allen County Museum has a great John Dillinger collection detailing this fascinating story.
Another piece of Lima’s past rests outside the entrance of this nationally acclaimed museum. It’s a bell from the second courthouse built in 1842. It used to toll for every birth in the town. The enormous glass wall uniquely designed at the front of the building serves as a literal window to the past, for on the other side is a full-size, historic steam engine signaling the town’s rich railway heritage.
Today, Lima is bustling with entertainment and activities that satisfy various interests. It’s become a prominent Ohio retail center since the 1970’s. According to The Lima News, Lima and Allen County was number one in Ohio for retail sales and purchases in the fall of 1992.
Combining Lima’s present-day entertainment draws with its robust shopping options, downtown is often abuzz with foot traffic. Visitors fill the park-like downtown setting when ArtSpace/Lima’s Rallies in the Square occur. Art shows and competitions bring smiles to the sidewalks, around the fountain and gazebo, and relaxing on benches or outside the coffee shop. Grab a bite at the many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.
Much of Lima’s growth and diversity enjoyed today was built on the back of its booming industrial heritage.
In 1885, oil was discovered in Lima. This helped spark the “Oil Boom of Northwest Ohio.” A year earlier, a nearby town was discovered to have what seemed an endless supply of natural gas. So, Benjamin C. Faurot of Lima, owner of the Lima Paper Mill, decided to drill in Lima, but instead of striking gas, he struck black gold . He quickly formed the Trenton Rock Oil Company. This attracted John D. Rockefeller’s attention, so Standard Oil of Cleveland built a refinery in Lima. From 1887 to 1905, the Lima Oil Field was a world-class producer, yielding 300 million barrels of crude.
Lima’s industrial expansion roared through the 1920’s. Lima Locomotive Works built the Lima A-1, becoming the prototype for the modern steam locomotive. By the end of the decade, eight railroad companies operated in Lima. In addition, Superior Coach Company began in Lima, becoming the world’s top producer of school buses and funeral coaches. Lima’s industrial production grew again in the 1950s during the Korean War. This was when the Lima Tank Depot was called to resume its manufacturing. Today, Ford Motor Company has a Lima plant employing 1,600 people, and the state-of-the-art convention center and theatre play host to numerous business functions and conferences throughout the year.
But if the past doesn’t fuel your tank, there’s plenty to rev your engine in the present. Lima regularly features stock, midget, and sprint car races at the local speedway and motorsports park. Sporting events are a big part of Lima. ESPN and other television coverage have featured motorsports racing, with NASCAR drivers participating in some events. The town even has the facilities to host championships, including monster trucks, motorcycle races, equestrian and similar events such as barrel racing and classic car shows.
Other activities feature Dances in the Park, Movies in the Park, the Lima Symphony Orchestra, Mozart by Candlelight programs, and Extraordinary Music in Unexpected Spaces . Old Victorian homes, a children’s garden, golf courses, and museums abound. Don’t miss the haunted historical tours given every autumn.
From past to present, Lima sends its visitors home feeling one word – Glee!
To map your visit to the crossroads of pop culture and real American strength, call 419-222-6075 or 888-222-6075 or click here .
Marietta, Ohio: Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler by Jackie Sheckler Finch
River Town Preserves Past
The folks at Marietta had a great idea for preserving the historic home of Gen. Rufus Putnam. They built a museum around it.
“If Rufus Putnam came up out of Mound Cemetery today, he would recognize a lot in this house,” said Andy Verhoff, museum manager.
Among the belongings once used by Putnam are a dining room chair, a settee, and an oversized parlor chair. “General Putnam was very important in the history of our area,” Verhoff said. “He and George Washington were friends. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington told General Putnam about the beauty he had seen in his travels through the Ohio Valley.”
In case people cruising down the river don’t know where they are, Marietta has its name spelled out in large letters on the riverbank. A gazebo, fountain, benches, and old-fashioned streetlights make it a pleasant place to sit and watch the water.
“Back in the day of the steamboats, every boat’s whistle had a unique tone,” Verhoff said. “You knew which boat was landing in Marietta just by its whistle.”
Founded in 1788, Marietta is alive with history and culture. Along with Putnam, the area was settled by a group of Revolutionary War veterans.
“It was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory,” Verhoff said. “It was named for Marie Antoinette of France, who helped so much in the struggle for American independence.”
In April 1788, Rufus Putnam, who served as a general under George Washington during the Revolution, led 48 men into today’s location of Marietta. They built a walled fortification with four blockhouses to discourage Indian attacks. Putnam coined the name Campus Martius, which means “field of wars.” The Treaty of Greene Ville in 1795, however, virtually ended hostilities in the region.
Along with Putnam family memorabilia, the museum exhibits hundreds of items from Marietta’s early days, including antique musical instruments and surgical equipment from Dr. John Cotton. The doc practiced medicine in Marietta from 1815 to 1847.
Lavish gowns and dresses from the 19th century and weapons are also highlighted at the Campus Martius Museum. The sword used by General Putnam during the Revolutionary War is displayed along with old rifles, muskets, uniforms, and dress swords. Putnam later gave his sword to George Washington. A Civil War exhibit includes a Confederate flag captured at the Battle of Chancellorsville, along with uniforms, saddlebags, and a drum and fife.
Once a thriving port, Marietta honors its river history at the Ohio River Museum. Just down the street from the Campus Martius, the museum is located on the banks of the Muskingum River. The museum is actually four separate buildings connected with covered outdoor walkways. The origins of the Ohio River, the role of glaciers in its development, and the natural history of the region are presented at the museum.
One museum building features dozens of detailed models of stern-wheeled paddleboats and other riverboat memorabilia. One of the last steam-powered stern-wheeled towboats to operate in America is outside the museum. The 175-foot, 342-ton W.P. Snyder Jr. is now permanently docked on the Muskingum River behind the museum. Walk the gangplank to explore the vessel that once plied the rivers from 1918 to 1955.
If all this river memorabilia has you yearning for a cruise, the Valley Gem is happy to oblige. Docked adjacent to the Ohio River Museum, the 300-passenger excursion vessel travels down the Muskingum and Ohio rivers on 50-minute cruises, fall foliage tours, and dinner cruises. Every year on the weekend after Labor Day, the landing is the site of the Ohio River Stern Wheel Festival. Stern-wheelers from all parts of the inland waterway system compete in races and show visitors what made them famous.
Downtown Marietta is filled with great shops and boutiques, including Mad Hen, Needful Things, Two Peas in a Pod, Turquoise Spirit, and Twisted Sisters, with its unusual women’s clothing and gifts. A striking sight from the river, the Lafayette Hotel is one of the last riverboat-era hotels. Opened in 1918, the hotel was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited the city in 1825. With its distinctive triangular shape, the hotel offers guest rooms with views of the Ohio or Muskingum rivers.
The hotel is said to be haunted, manager Jennifer Auville said. “There is supposed to be a ghost, and we’ve heard stories from guests about it,” she said. “One husband and wife who stayed here said that the water would go cold whenever the husband got in the Jacuzzi tub. He would get out, and the water would warm up again.”
The hotel dining room has a nice collection of long rifles, including one made by J.J. Henry that accompanied the Benedict Arnold expedition to Quebec in 1775. An 11-foot pilot wheel from the steamboat A.D. Ayres is suspended from the lobby ceiling. The hotel has a Marengo Institute Spa and some interesting guest rooms, including one that resembles a riverboat stateroom.
In the lobby beside the elevator are two benchmarks showing the river’s raging power. The 1936 flood put 4 1/2 feet of water in the dining room. The 1937 flood brought 10 1/2 feet into the lobby of the hotel. A plaque located just below the balcony of the second floor on the outside corner of the Lafayette shows the watermark of the 1913 flood.
Marietta is an excellent town for walking and offers a walking guide for visitors. You’ll really get your exercise trying to enjoy it all – museums, the Ohio Company Land Office (the oldest existing building in the five states of the original Northwest Territory), and historic homes and churches galore.
Along with all this, Marietta’s hallmark attraction is the prehistoric Hopewell and Adena Indian mounds. Covering 95 acres, the carefully preserved mounds have been studied since the 1780s. The mounds were the first in Ohio to be accurately surveyed, mapped, and described. The Conus Mound was built by the Adena Indians (800 B.C. to 100 A.D.). The square enclosure and other structures were built by the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C. to 500 A.D.)
The mounds have long been considered to be among the most perfect works of the early mound builders, says Marietta Mayor Michael Mullen.
“Thousands of these mounds once covered the Midwest, but many of them were destroyed,” he said. “These were protected and preserved, which is why we have them today.”
The mounds are among the many reasons to visit Marietta, Mullen said. “We’re one of the friendliest places you’d ever want to see,” he said. “Once people come here, they have such a good time that they want to visit again.”
If you go, more information is available at mariettaohio.org or by calling the Marietta/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-288-2577.
Moscow, Ohio vs. Moscow, Russia Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio, we discovered Moscow. That’s Moscow, Ohio not Moscow, Russia. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
The infamous French dictator Napoleon lost the siege on Moscow, Russia, and retreated. After he was exiled, his officers fled and hid around the globe. Some turned up in places like Gallipolis and Moscow…Ohio, that is. In fact, that’s how the Ohio town got its name, from the officers that served Napoleon, in honor of the place of their last battle together.
Moscow, Ohio, used to be a very active route in the Underground Railroad. There are many houses with tunnel systems underneath. The community thrived as a steamboat-building hub and was also home to one of the biggest gambling houses in the region. Steamboat robbers (river pirates) considered Moscow their headquarters. Many think there’s gold under the cemetery. Oh, and the Dillinger Gang even robbed a bank there.
Today, historical tours of Moscow, Ohio, are given by Richard Crawford, Clermont County Historian. He can be reached at 513-732-2511.
Moscow, Ohio, is in Clermont County and part of the Clermont County Underground Railroad Freedom Trail, a self-driving tour. Also in town is The Artisan Center at Maple Creek. Near Point, Pleasant is the birthplace of former President U.S. Grant. Clermont County features many more attractions, too, such as Loveland Castle.
Moscow was supposed to build a nuclear power plant, but it was converted to coal after the tragedy in Chornobyl, Russia.
This leads us back to Russia’s capital – Moscow, one of the world’s most historic and recognizable cities, mainly due to the Kremlin and Red Square.
For centuries of its existence, the Kremlin has been a witness to many famous and tragic events in Moscow. Today, it is one of the biggest museums in the world.
Red Square appeared at the end of the 15th century when Ivan III ordered the elimination of all wooden buildings surrounding the Kremlin to avoid the threat of fire. The empty land was turned into a market. That’s how the first name of the square – Trade Square (“Torgovaya”) – appeared.
Moscow, Russia (and Ohio) certainly have interesting stories to tell and sites to see.
If you are planning a visit to Moscow, Ohio, see https://discoverclermont.com/ . If you are headed to Moscow, Russia, you may start planning your trip at www.moscowcity.com .
Mash Up Toledo, Ohio vs. Toledo, Spain Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
This month, while traveling around the world in Ohio , we discovered Toledo. That’s Toledo, Ohio, not Toledo, Spain. But we’ll tell you about both anyway.
“Holy Toledo!” is an exclamation of surprise. Its origin dates back nearly 1,000 years. As you can tell, we’re talking about Toledo, Spain, not Ohio. The saying is due to the significant impact of three religions on Toledo, Spain. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam were all integrated into the culture and eclectic architecture.
This diverse city was once best known for the Swords of Toledo. The hardness of steel and the quality of craftsmanship combined to produce the most sought-after weapons in the world. Two world-class swordsmith firms are dueling for business today. If you find yourself visiting, stop to see them.
Other attractions are the Alcazar of Toledo, an astonishing castle rebuilt after much destruction in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. For the authentic heritage of Toledo, shop Zocodover – the central marketplace, and see the cathedral.
Spanish architecture also appears at the Toledo Zoo. Believe it or not, we’re now talking about Toledo, Ohio. The two Toledos have developed sister-city relations, and the zoo decided to honor that tie. Child Magazine recently voted The Toledo Zoo as one of the top 10 family-friendly zoos in the U.S.
Whereas Toledo, Spain, was known for steel, Ohio’s Toledo is known for glass .
Toledo, Ohio’s glass heritage dates back to 1887 when a glass plant began production there. A glass inventor from Toledo, Michael Owens, created the first automated bottle-blowing machine, forever changing the industry. In 1936, Toledo again posted a breakthrough in glass. An architectural milestone and new style were achieved with the world’s first building wholly encased in glass.
In tribute to the Glass City heritage , the Toledo Museum of Art opened the Glass Pavilion in 2006. It houses the museum’s treasured and internationally acclaimed glass collection and features glass-blowing demonstrations.
Sticking with the theme of innovation and invention, stop at Imagination Station. Its a hands-on science center featuring unique exploration into the world of science and fun. Visitors can turn themselves into human yo-yos, ride a high-wire bicycle, and partake in many more hands-on experiments.
When it’s time to grab a bite, head over to Tony Packo’s Café, where famous people left their signatures…on buns! This eatery earned fame from M.A.S.H TV Show actor Jamie Farr, who played the role of Corporal Klinger. Tony Packo’s other claim to fame is that its hot dog sauce was a delicacy on the space shuttle Columbia in 1997.
There you have it, the tale of two cities, Toledo.
If you are planning a visit to Toledo, Ohio, and want to learn more about the Glass City, visit Destination Toledo . If you are headed to Toledo, Spain, start planning your trip by clicking here .
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Nashville Travel Guide
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28 Best Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
There’s more to Nashville than the live entertainment and bars on Broadway (though those are very much worth experiencing – especially on a guided tour ). In recent years, Nashville has propelled its "It City" status by becoming a beacon for
- All Things To Do
- 1-Day Itinerary
- 2-Day Itinerary
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Grand Ole Opry Grand Ole Opry
U.S. News Insider Tip: Take the “Women of Country” tour to learn about the women who shaped country music, from Dolly Parton to Carrie Underwood, complete with mimosas and petit fours. – Kellie Walton
The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show in 1925, and it put Nashville on the map as the "Country Music Capital of the World." Throughout its history, the Grand Ole Opry has called several different places home (including the Ryman Auditorium ), but has always hosted country performers from legends like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton to favorites like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
Ryman Auditorium Ryman Auditorium
IU.S. News Insider Tip: Take the tour to learn of this building's fascinating history, and check the calendar to see if you can experience a live performance. The intimacy of the space and amazing acoustics are one-of-a-kind. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
There's no better place to start absorbing Nashville's musical heritage than the Ryman Auditorium. It's no longer home to the Grand Ole Opry , but the venue continues to host contemporary acts like Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton and Luke Combs. The Ryman is not only for country stars however; it has hosted musicians like Paul Simon and comedians such as John Mulaney. Recent visitors suggest opting for a tour to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the legendary music venue. Sit in on the "Soul of Nashville" screening for a multidimensional experience that uses archival images and footage of performers from the Ryman's past to illustrate its role in music history. Plus, you can learn about the building's backstory with its "Workin' on a Building" exhibit, which displays artifacts from the Ryman's construction. What's more, you can test out your own pipes at the recording studio (subject to availability). The Ryman is also a featured stop on many of the city's top guided tours .
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
U.S. News Insider Tip: Check the calendar for Songwriter Sessions (typically on Saturdays) in the Ford Theater, for a glimpse into the songwriting process. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
Music and history lovers can mix and mingle over the exhibits found at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Peruse the plaques dedicated to country music's finest – from Patsy Cline to Reba McEntire to Alan Jackson – and walk among artifacts like Johnny Cash's guitar and Elvis Presley's "solid gold" Cadillac limo. For an interactive history lesson on the roots and evolution of country music, take a self-guided walk through the "Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music" exhibit. In addition to its permanent exhibit, the museum hosts various revolving temporary exhibits, which often focus on particular artists. Stop to browse the two-story wall plastered gold and platinum country records, and then head to Historic RCA Studio B . One of the world's most influential recording studios and a Music Row landmark, Studio B produced more than 35,000 songs by legends like Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison. (Note: Studio B is about 1.5 miles southwest of the museum.)
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Broadway Broadway free
U.S. News Insider Tip: Bar hop among the different Broadway bars to hear some of the most talented singers in the city. Bring some cash to tip the musicians and request your favorite country songs. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor
While many people visit Nashville to soak up the history of country music at the city's museums (like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum ), others prefer enjoying the tunes in person. The best way to do that is to visit Broadway, downtown Nashville's main thoroughfare. Lower Broadway is nicknamed the "Honky Tonk Highway" because of the numerous spots that host live acts daily. What's more, there's no cover charge to the establishments, so you can bar hop as you please.
National Museum of African American Music National Museum of African American Music
The city of Nashville embodies more than just country music, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the National Museum of African American Music. Opened in 2021, the museum aims to educate visitors on the influence of African American people on more than 50 genres of popular music, including jazz, gospel and hip-hop.
Each of the museum's galleries focuses on how African American music changed through specific time periods. The "Wade in the Water" gallery highlights the call-and-response spirituals of the 1600s, while the "Crossroads" gallery showcases the emergence of blues music. The "A Love Supreme" gallery teaches museumgoers about the musical traditions of New Orleans and the emergence of the music now known as jazz, and the "One Nation Under a Groove" gallery details the emergence of R&B starting in the 1940s and chronicles music popularized by the civil rights era. Finally, "The Message" gallery offers a detailed look into hip-hop, rap and youth culture up until the present day. Interactive elements and musical artifacts like sheet music and costumes add to the informative displays. Recent visitors came away deeply impressed with everything from the comprehensive history presented to entertaining interactive exhibits.
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
After a day exploring the roots of the "Country Music Capital of the World," why not experience the sounds of Music City first-hand? If you're looking for a fun atmosphere with top-notch performances, Tootsie's "World Famous" Orchid Lounge on Broadway is the place to go. Since the days when the Grand Ole Opry called the Ryman Auditorium home, this downtown bar has been featuring performances by both world-renowned and up-and-coming artists. Indeed, the place abounds in country music history: part of the Loretta Lynn biopic "A Coal Miner’s Daughter" was filmed here, and legend has it that Willie Nelson got his first songwriting job after performing at Tootsie's.
Patrons have mixed opinions about Tootsie's with some complaining about average food, expensive drinks, and musicians assertively soliciting tips, while others say the multiple floors of first-rate music make up for the woes. Though some travelers bemoan the bar's cramped atmosphere, many believe it's part of the Tootsie's experience.
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Bluebird Cafe Bluebird Cafe
U.S. News Insider Tip: This intimate venue is where stars like Garth Brooks were discovered. Check the calendar at least a month prior to your visit to get tickets in advance. There's a very limited amount of tickets that might be released the day of, but it's a must-experience spot in Music City. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
The Bluebird Cafe is an intimate, 90-seat music venue that presents two shows per night every night of the week. Despites its unimpressive appearance, location in a strip mall outside of downtown and small size, the Bluebird achieved a reputation as a songwriter's space, and many significant performers have graced its stage over the years. Garth Brooks, for instance, performed at its open mic night before hitting the big time. Be aware that the cafe has a "Shhh policy" which encourages folks to stay quiet during all performances. (As souvenir you can buy a T-shirt with "Shhhh!" printed on the back.)
Centennial Park Centennial Park free
Encompassing the site of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, 132-acre Centennial Park boasts an art center, a lake, a walking trail, a band shell, volleyball courts, a dog park and various historical monuments. It's also home to the Parthenon as well as the Centennial Sportsplex, a facility for swimming, tennis and year-round ice skating. The park hosts numerous festivals as well as free concerts on Saturdays in spring and fall.
Reviewers frequently say that this peaceful, well-maintained greenspace is a lovely place to take a walk. Many say the Parthenon is the must-see attraction here.
Nashville to Jack Daniel's Distillery Bus Tour & Whiskey Tastings
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Historic RCA Studio B Historic RCA Studio B
In its heyday, this recording studio welcomed greats like Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, and the Everly Brothers through its doors. It is now part of the nonprofit Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , and has been restored and renovated to reflect its historic roots. Built in 1957, the studio became famous for promoting the "Nashville sound" and put the city on the map as an international recording center. Today, visitors can take a tour of the studio to see where the stars recorded their music. Visitors give high marks to informative and engaging guides, with many saying the tour was a highlight of their visit to Nashville.
The studio is about 1.5 miles away from the Country Music Hall of Fame, where the tours depart (transportation is included). One-hour tours of Studio B are offered between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $51.95 and include admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Youth tickets are $41.95. More information can be found on the website .
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
Fans of Tennessee whiskey and bourbon should make time for a stop at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery during their visit to Nashville. The distillery's roots reach back to the late 1800s, when Charles Nelson, a German immigrant, started producing whiskey in Greenbrier, Tennessee. It became so popular he ended up selling about 2 million bottles of whiskey in 1885 alone. Nelson was one of the first distillery owners to sell whiskey in bottles rather than more cumbersome jugs or barrels, which allowed him to achieve wide-spread distribution. He died in 1891 and his wife Louisa took over, though in 1909, Tennessee’s statewide Prohibition forced her to shutter the operation. Nearly 100 years later, the couple's great-great-great-grandsons, brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson, restored the business and brought the operation to Nashville. Today, the venue features the distillery, a tasting room, an event space and a gift and bottle shop. Tours of the distillery run on weekends.
Past travelers called the tasting fun and informational. Others said to sign up for a tour. Visitors said the friendly staff members were particularly knowledgeable and all the whiskey samples were excellent.
The Hermitage The Hermitage
U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're a history buff, be sure to visit this historic site for a glimpse into the life of Andrew Jackson, as well as the realities of the lives of the enslaved people of the estate. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
Constructed between 1819 and 1821 for President Andrew Jackson, this Federal-style mansion stands as a National Historic Landmark and a preserved window into the home life of Jackson. Many may be familiar with Jackson from his role in the War of 1812, his stint as president and his appearance on the $20 bill, but a tour of the massive estate provides a more up-close-and-personal look. Along the guided tour you'll see the main house, plus have (unguided) access to the garden, the quarters where enslaved people lived, Jackson's tomb and the Old Hermitage Church.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
U.S. News Insider Tip: While the blooms may fade in colder weather, the grounds are just as stunning when covered in mums and pumpkins each fall and draped in one million dazzling lights each holiday season. – Kellie Walton
Art aficionados and nature lovers alike should plan on making a stop at the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. With its greenhouses, sculpture trail and chromatic flower display, the 55-acre Botanical Garden offers sanctuary from downtown's bustle. In fact, the garden comprises multiple distinct gardens, including one dedicated to boxwoods, another focused on dogwoods, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, an herb garden and one intended to inspire writing that features a small amphitheater for literary events. The on-site art museum is just as striking. Housed in the original Georgian-style Cheek family mansion, the museum boasts an impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings as well as antique furniture, photographs, prints, sculpture and artifacts from around the world.
Fifth + Broadway Fifth + Broadway free
U.S. News Insider Tip: Prolific restaurateur Sam Fox debuted a multistory restaurant concept that connects to Fifth + Broadway. Keep your eyes peeled for a hidden door on the street level that leads to an underground margarita bar, Pushing Daisies. – Kellie Walton
Broadway is one of Nashville’s top destinations, made even more desirable through the addition of the city’s largest mixed-use development, Fifth + Broadway. From retail shops to restaurants and residential space, Fifth and Broadway offers a plethora of options adjacent to Music City’s famed honky-tonk bars. Stroll the outdoor plaza to shop at retailers like Apple, Tecovas, Free People, and locally-loved boutiques like REVV and The Nash Collection, then stop for a pick-me-up at Elixr Coffee Roasters or Jeni’s for a sweet treat.
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Radnor Lake State Park Radnor Lake State Park free
Though Nashville is a bustling metropolis, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors right on the outskirts of town. Located less than 15 miles south of downtown, Radnor Lake State Park is a calm and serene getaway for those looking to go for a walk and observe nature. The 1,368-acre park features a variety of plants and animals, including owls, waterfowl and herons. Plus, there are numerous jogging, hiking and biking trails in the park, many of which provide impressive lake views. If you're looking to learn more about local birds in the area, check out the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center for interactive displays, ranger-led programs and panoramic views of the surrounding hillside.
Parkgoers say they loved going on peaceful walks in this park and were astonished at the amount of wildlife they saw. Some people advise getting there early to get parking if you drive.
The Johnny Cash Museum The Johnny Cash Museum
Uncover the enigma behind "The Man in Black" with a visit to The Johnny Cash Museum. The museum boasts the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia, including items from the film "Walk the Line" (which is about Cash's life), handwritten notes and letters penned by Cash and costumes worn during his career. Exhibits spotlight different periods in Cash's life, including his years in the Air Force, his marriage to June Carter and his famous prison concert tour. And because the museum is officially endorsed by the Cash family, you can bet you'll stumble across other personal mementos not available to the public anywhere else, like a stone wall excavated from Johnny and June's Hendersonville house.
Fans love the wealth of information on display at this museum. Not much of a Cash devotee? Museumgoers say you should still make time to visit. Some warn, however, that it can get crowded. Others complain that admission fees were too high for the small museum.
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
U.S. News Insider Tip: The historic home tour is worth the trip, and be sure to allow time to visit the winery for a tasting. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
Belle Meade, which sits 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville, offers a look into the lives of Tennesseans throughout the 1800s. The Greek revival-style mansion was built in 1853 and 1854 and is centrally located on the historic site's 32 acres of manicured grounds. Guides offer tours of the mansion's interior.
Nashville Bus Tours Nashville Bus Tours
Bus tours offer almost effortless means of taking in what Nashville has to offer, whether you simply want to see the city's top attractions or have specific interests, such as music, comedy, celebrities or a certain adult beverage. Here are some to consider:
Old Town Trolley Tours – Nashville Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour: Explore the sights and sounds of Nashville at your own pace on this hop-on hop-off excursion. Vehicles stop at 13 prime attractions, including the Country Music Hall of Fame , Ryman Auditorium , Belmont Mansion and Centennial Park . Tours feature live commentary. They occur daily between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets cost about $55 for single-day tours. You may be able to score discounted tickets if you book online in advance. Riders say this tour offers a great way to learn about the city and praise its knowledgeable, entertaining guides.
Arrington Vineyards Arrington Vineyards
U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re a fan of Arrington Vineyards, join Kix’s Wine Club to receive select bottles quarterly (with shipping available), and unlock discounts and special pricing for your next visit to the grounds. – Kellie Walton
Nestled in a south Nashville small town, Arrington Vineyards is a stunning winery co-owned by Kip Summers and country music star Kix Brooks (formerly of Brooks and Dunn). The rustic retreat boasts a primary farmhouse for wine tastings and multiple retail areas to grab a bottle or a flight of the brand’s signature wines, which range from red blends to white varietals and sparkling wine. Arrington Vineyards also offers a rotating seasonal frosé, which is especially refreshing during scorching Tennessee summers.
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Belmont Mansion Belmont Mansion
If you love history or art, make time for a tour of Belmont Mansion – the largest house museum in Nashville. This Italian-style villa was constructed in the 1850s for Adelicia Acklen, one of the wealthiest women in the country at the time and, according to some, Nashville's own Scarlett O'Hara. Although it was originally built to be a summer home, the mansion was quite stately and featured an art gallery, a bowling alley, a zoo and gardens. A tour of the approximately 20,000-square-foot mansion leads visitors through rooms ornately decorated with 19th-century antiques and lavish art.
Visitors praise the nicely preserved interior and knowledgeable docents stationed throughout the mansion. However, some visitors felt their guides did not spend enough time acknowledging the backbreaking work of the property's enslaved workers, who, along with European immigrant servants, built and maintained this opulent mansion. Unfortunately, many physical remnants of the enslaved people at Belmont Mansion were destroyed over the course of history, but you can still learn some information about some of the property's enslaved families on the Belmont Mansion website .
The Parthenon The Parthenon
Nashville is a city of many nicknames and most of them have to do with music. Still, the city is also known as the "Athens of the South" thanks to the numerous higher education institutions established there. This identity is reinforced with the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the one found in Athens . Although Nashville's Parthenon was only meant to be temporary – it was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 – it has since become a beloved attraction, housing models of the statues found in the original structure as well as an impressive art collection. Travelers praise the well-kept grounds, peaceful atmosphere and magnificent building, recommending an evening visit to see it illuminated. Others rave about the fascinating exhibits and love the giant statue of Athena.
Located in Centennial Park about 2 miles west of Music Row , the Parthenon is open every day, though hours can vary by the week and the season. Check its website before you visit for current hours. Admission costs $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (older than 62) and children ages 4 to 17. However, you can tour the exterior of the building and its grounds for free.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge free
U.S. News Insider Tip: Grab your camera (or phone) and walk this picturesque bridge, stopping midway for a fantastic selfie with the Nashville skyline. If it looks familiar, it's likely because many music videos have utilized the vantage point from this spot. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor
Formerly called the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge (and before that, the Sparkman Street Bridge), the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places – was built from 1907 through 1909. It was constructed to connect downtown Nashville to the suburbs of East Nashville. Designed by Howard M. Jones, the chief office engineer of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway, the bridge contains 48 spans, including four steel trusses and two reinforced concrete trusses. They're the only concrete trusses to be known of in Tennessee. In 1998, the city stopped allowing vehicles on the bridge due to its poor condition, and in 2003 it was restored and became a pedestrian-only walkway. There is also 15-foot-wide central bike lane in the middle of the bridge. Pedestrians can stop and relax at one of four overlooks along the bridge, which offer panoramic views of Nashville to the north and south.
Music Row Music Row free
With record companies, recording studios, music publishers and related organizations as well as the Historic RCA Studio B , Music Row stands as the center of Nashville's storied music industry. In addition to the sites where musical history was made, this area southwest of downtown also has plenty of eateries and shops.
Music Row may not be as flashy or brassy as Broadway , but the area is a must-see destination for music lovers. Because the neighborhood is comparatively nondescript, many travelers recommend taking a guided tour to learn the history of the area. Several of the best tours in Nashville visit Music Row.
Tennessee State Museum Tennessee State Museum free
Located in downtown Nashville next to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and the Nashville Farmers' Market, the Tennessee State Museum preserves the unique and storied history of the Volunteer State. The large museum showcases permanent exhibits that display the heritage of Tennessee's natural history; Native American history; military and sporting history; and Civil War history. Plus, there are rotating temporary cultural and art exhibits on display as well. Several attractions at this museum specifically cater to children. The museum's Children's Gallery is specifically geared toward kids aged 3 to 8. In addition, the museum hosts many events and educational programs on-site throughout the year.
Museumgoers say the exhibits are well organized and highly informative. Many also appreciate the free admission.
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Nashville Zoo at Grassmere Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
If you're an animal lover or in the mood for a family outing, then the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is an excellent spot to visit. The zoo boasts more than 325 different animal species and more than 3,000 animals, including clouded leopards, monkeys, meerkats, red pandas, white rhinoceroses, alligators and anacondas. Plus, there are fish and bird exhibits showcasing both local wildlife and exotic creatures. There are a number of hands-on exhibits that are popular among kids, including the Critter Encounters (where you can get up close with various animals), Kangaroo Kickabout (where you can pet kangaroos) and Lorikeet Landing (where you can see Australian parrots and feed them for a small fee). What's more, the zoo also features a historic home and garden, a zip line, a 4D theater, an animal-themed carousel and a Wilderness Express Train.
Recent visitors were impressed with this zoo, with many reviewers complimenting the well-designed and well-kept facilities. Several families recommend this attraction when visiting Nashville with kids because of its various on-site activities.
Adventure Science Center Adventure Science Center
Take a break from history and country music and treat your kids to some hands-on educational entertainment. Interactive displays at the Adventure Science Center allow little ones to learn about science, from how beekeepers do their jobs to what goes on thousands of light-years above our heads. Kids can learn what it takes to become an astronaut and use an augmented reality mirror to get a peek at what their muscles and bones look like. Regular demonstrations and crafts further keep children engaged and shows in the planetarium are entertaining for the whole family. The facility also features a flight simulator. Museumgoers say this is a must for kids, as the facility has plenty of activities to keep children interested. They also laud the friendly staff. However, some say the exhibits could be better maintained.
Located almost 3 miles south of downtown Nashville, the Adventure Science Center is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended hours to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Adults pay $22; youths ages 2 to 12 enter for $18 and children younger than 2 get in for free. Admission to the planetarium and certain simulation activities costs extra. Free parking is available. For more information about the exhibits and upcoming events, visit the Adventure Science Center website .
Frist Art Museum Frist Art Museum
Located in a gorgeous 1930s art deco building that was once the city's main post office, the Frist Art Museum offers an ever-changing set of exhibitions, covering everything from paintings to sculptures to photography. Past exhibits have featured European armor, works of Albrecht Dürer and Picasso's renderings of the human form. Artwork by local artists and students are regularly in rotation as well. The museum runs programs, talks and activities to complement the exhibits. Families will want to make sure to visit the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, which offers interactive stations and creative hands-on learning. Recent visitors say even if you are not a big art lover, seeing the building alone is worth a visit. Multiple travelers were disappointed by how small the traveling exhibitions are. Many observe that staff members are friendly and knowledgeable.
Located downtown, the museum is just a few blocks from the Country Music Hall of Fame . The museum opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday except for Sunday, when it opens at 1 p.m., and Thursday, when it closes at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and college students. Those 18 and younger can enter for free. Parking in the museum's lot costs $2 per hour. For more information, visit the museum's website .
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway free
Located on an expansive stretch of the Cumberland River about 5 miles east of downtown Nashville, the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway is a sprawling green space where visitors can learn about the local landscape and take advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities. When you visit, start at the nature center, where you can view cultural history exhibits and artwork. You can also rent a bicycle from the on-site BCycle station to explore or participate in an environmental education program and learn about things to do on the greenway. The 950-acre Shelby Bottoms Greenway has about 17 miles of unpaved and paved pathways (perfect for strolling and biking) that pass through wetlands, streams, forests and fields.
Parkgoers say the atmosphere is relaxing and quiet; the trail system is easy to follow and clean. Many say cycling is quite fun here. Indeed, Shelby forms part of the 26-mile Music City Bikeway that connects Percy Priest Dam and the Warner Parks. Visitors also report glimpsing deer and other wildlife here.
Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland
The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center stresses that its SoundWaves is an "upscale" water park. The indoor/outdoor facility features a variety of water rides, including a total of 11 slides, and wave pools complemented by music. It also boasts waterfalls, lazy rivers, play structures and a surfing simulator, among other heart-pumping attractions. There is also a splash pad and activity pool for small children. Adults can enjoy two pools all to themselves (one indoor and one outdoor) plus a bar. Cabanas and private party rooms are available for rental. Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland is also featured in a list of best bachelorette party destinations .
Parkgoers deem this water park exceptionally fun with a great deal to do for people of all ages. It's frequently described as clean and well attended by lifeguards. While the park is open exclusively to those staying in the resort, some say this helps keep it from becoming overcrowded.
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