Minnesota is called the land of ten thousand lakes. And although Minneapolis and its twin city St Paul have plenty of urban entertainment, the main attraction of Minneapolis is as a gateway to the natural beauty of the state.
Although San Jose, CA, has plenty of tourist traps, the real appeal of the city lies in the huge amount of free entertainment that it offers. The freebies begin at the airport, with the San Jose Airport Shuttle running every fifteen minutes from 5am to 11.30pm to drop visitors at either the Santa Clara train station or the Metro station.
Ft. Myers, located on the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico along the banks of the Caloosahatche River on the western side of Florida, has been dubbed the City of Palms thanks to its sub-tropical climate and generally relaxed air. The origins of Ft. Myers are in cattle, and in the 19th century the town was little more than a handful of stores and cattle ranches.
Cultural Melting Pot, Southern Style, in Baton Rouge, LA
Monday, 05 July 2010 02:36
Long before it was a petrochemical stronghold, Baton Rouge was the dividing strip between the hunting lands of the Bayougoula and Houma native tribes. The ghoulish marker was a tree stained red with blood and it was this that inspired the name given to the area by the 17th century French conquerors (Baton Rouge translates as Red Stick).
As well as the famous highway that is so much a part of the American consciousness, Springfield Illinois is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. A weekend in this town is a journey back in time, to the beginnings of the United States as well as a short step back into the days of Kerouac, journeying down the road of 60s America.
Salt Lake City, Utah, is best known as the home of Mormonism. Although around 40 per cent of the population of Salt Lake City are Mormon (not all of them practicing), there is more to this town than it's conservative roots. Salt Lake City is brimming with a surprising number of quirky bars, festivals and off-beat venues that give a nice balance.
Helena, Montana, is not on the usual tourist itineraries. Like most Montana towns, it is small, and lacks the obvious attractions of the Glacier National Park. Nonetheless, it's off-the-beaten-path appeal can be a pleasant diversion and pit-stop for those passing through to other parts of the state.
RVs, Antiquing and Bygone Gentility in Augusta, Maine
Friday, 16 July 2010 07:20
Augusta, Maine, is the epitome of gentle meandering through the heartland of America. Although Augusta is the capital city of Maine, it is really little more than a lulling and tranquil by-way on the road to elsewhere. Popular with RV-owners and families looking for a gentler vacation destination, even the Augusta events err on the side of genteel fun.
Providence is the capital city of the US state of Rhode Island. Despite the name, Rhode Island is not an island at all, however the pleasures of Providence are often focused around the river networks and sea.
