Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for tourism
Native American Scenic Byway
By Linda Tancs
Following a natural path cut by the Missouri River, the Native American Scenic Byway runs north and south through central South Dakota. The route takes travelers through the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes. Unlike many road trips, much of the rugged country on view remains undeveloped to this day, featuring landscapes along the way like mixed-grass prairie and rolling hills that end in limestone cliffs. Overlooking the Missouri River near Mobridge you’ll find a beloved local landmark, the monument marking the final resting place of Sitting Bull. It’s located in an isolated park that remains free to visitors.
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All Things Warhol
By Linda Tancs
A leading figure in the pop art movement, Andy Warhol was an American visual artist and cultural icon. At The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (the city of his birth), you’ll find the largest collection of Warhol art and archives in the world. Paintings, drawings, commercial illustrations, sculptures, prints, photographs, wallpapers, sketchbooks and books cover the entire range of his career, from his early student work to pop art paintings and collaborations. You’ll also find the entire output of his work in video, comprising more than 4,000 videotapes. Museum admission provides access to seven floors of art and archives.
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Blowing Off Steam in Hawaii
By Linda Tancs
Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Traditionally, Kīlauea is viewed by many native Hawaiians as the home of the volcanic deity Pelehonuamea. It has covered almost 90% of its surface in lava flows within the last 1,000 years. Mauna Loa has erupted 34 times since 1843, averaging once every five years. Its name means “long mountain” in Hawaiian, a quintessential shield volcano in its shape— signified by broad, rounded slopes. Hiking is a natural must-do there as is a trip along Crater Rim Drive, where steaming bluffs and scenic overlooks await you.
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Mississippi Writers Trail
By Linda Tancs
Mississippi gets bragging rights for its share of literary giants. So it should come as no surprise that the state has created a Mississippi Writers Trail to honor those with a strong connection to the state and stellar credentials. The trail comprises cast aluminum markers shaped like an open book that highlight information about authors including their birthplace, home, gravesite, museum or literary locale. Luminaries along the route include Tennessee Williams in Clarksdale, Ida B. Wells in Holly Springs and William Faulkner in Oxford.
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Venetian Flair in Texas
By Linda Tancs
Just minutes away from the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, offers Venetian-inspired flair. That’s where you’ll find Mandalay Canal, a waterway connecting with Lake Carolyn that winds through restaurants, shops, office buildings and residences. What would a canal be without a gondola? Take a ride along the waterfront, passing waterfalls and bridges, for a dose of Old World charm.
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A Sculpture Park in the Midwest
By Linda Tancs
Located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota, Franconia Sculpture Park is a 50-acre outdoor museum operating more than 50 public arts programs each year. It features a rotating collection of over 100 contemporary sculptures and an active artist residency. Open daily, admission is free.
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Basilica Hudson
By Linda Tancs
Originally a forge and foundry for steel railway wheels in the 1800s, the industrial building known today as Basilica Hudson in Hudson, New York, is a multidisciplinary arts center. Its offerings include music festivals, marketplace events, regular film screenings and an artist-in-residency program. The venue welcomes over 20,000 visitors each year, who no doubt appreciate its location on the Hudson River amidst the Catskill Mountains.
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The House of Tudor
By Linda Tancs
One of Britain’s best preserved medieval homes, Haddon Hall is a timeless treasure in the Peak District. Occupied today by Lord and Lady Edward Manners, its Tudor charm remains intact owing to the fact that the family chose instead to live at Belvoir Castle for over 200 years, saving the property from the modernizing effects of the Georgian and Victorian periods. As a result, the medieval banqueting hall remains furnished with its original Dais table, behind which hangs a tapestry gifted to the family when King Henry VIII visited. Another gem, the parlor, boasts its glorious Tudor painted ceiling of Tudor roses and heraldic paneling. On the first floor, the Elizabethan rooms culminate in the spectacular Long Gallery, considered to be one of the most beautiful rooms in England. Visitors can explore these rooms, and other treasures, like the walled gardens.
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The Oyster Trail
By Linda Tancs
Boasting some of the finest oysters on Earth, the Maine Oyster Trail features 75 one-of-a-kind oyster businesses to experience. There’s an option for everyone, including farm tours, raw bars, shuck trucks and boat/kayak tours. Your interactive experience comes with a Maine Oyster Passport; eligible visits earn points toward nautical swag.
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The Corn Palace
By Linda Tancs
There’s an “a-maize-ing” venue on Main Street in Mitchell, South Dakota. That’s where you’ll find The Corn Palace. The venue is adorned with intricate murals crafted from natural grasses and numerous shades of corn. During the summer months you can take a free, guided tour where you’ll learn how the murals are made. A popular tourist attraction, the facility also hosts industrial exhibits, dances, stage shows, banquets and other special events.
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