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From beaches to bike trails to breweries, the United States has something for everyone to explore. Hear from the locals themselves and discover the best attractions, places to eat, shopping and much more.
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Ask a Local: Pennsylvania - Transcript
Philadelphia Speaker:
OK, we have the cheesesteaks, we have the soft pretzels. I mean, you already know that we have the Liberty Bell, but Mural Arts Philadelphia is so unique. It has made this city the Mural Capital of the World. That is amazing. In a city of neighborhoods, each mural tells a story of the people that live there and the history that surrounds them. And of course, murals like this is something you want to see.
My favorite thing about this city is that I can park one place and then walk to my destination. It is insanely cool how I can find my favorite coffee shops, little gems that I’ve never even seen before. And of course, you can see all these different places that are quite “Instagrammable.”
If you go a little bit, not too far, from Center City, you can see Wissahickon Valley Park. Stone brick bridges, magical forests, the creek, barn – there’s so many different things you can do there. Take a walk, take a hike, bring your dog, bring a friend. It is the most beautiful place in Philadelphia.
Welcome to my Philadelphia.
Brian Bossuyt:
Growing up here I always felt like I was in a playground. There was always something to do outside. You know, you could go play at one of the ski resorts, skiing or snowboarding; go outside and ride your bike somewhere; enjoy one of the lakes; go rafting on the river.
Going out on Lake Wallenpaupack, water skiing or Jet-Skiing – just getting out really and enjoying all the things that nature has to offer. But it’s really something when you’re walking on some of our hiking trails or in our state parks and you come across a waterfall that you weren’t expecting.
One of the craziest things you can do in the Pocono Mountains is drive a racecar, and from experience, I can tell you it’s an awesome experience. Here, you get to drive it on a three-turn track called the Tricky Triangle. It’s something you’re never gonna forget. It’s awesome. You’re behind a racecar, you’re doing top speeds, and when you’re done, you’re just like, “Holy Cow, I just drove a racecar.”
Zip lining in the Pocono Mountains is a breathtaking experience, and I really recommend it, zipping down the line from the top of Camelback Mountain all the way to the bottom. And it’s something that you’re going to enjoy and remember for the rest of your life.
One of the great things that’s new to the Pocono Mountains the last few years is indoor water parks, so you can come to the Poconos and never worry about the weather because you have those great amenities as well.
Jim Thorpe is known as Little Switzerland. It’s crafted after that era of time when the town was pristine, and you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
Another great place is Honesdale. When you walk down the Main Street of that town and you can see that it’s still the same picturesque town that it was way back then and it’s just this great small-town feel, that you really get a piece of Americana.
And we are only a few hours from New York City and Philadelphia, so we recommend renting a car and coming here and really enjoying the outdoors. We have some great roadways and you’re going to see breathtaking scenery throughout the year, as well as just getting out and seeing the different things we have to offer.
OK, we have the cheesesteaks, we have the soft pretzels. I mean, you already know that we have the Liberty Bell, but Mural Arts Philadelphia is so unique. It has made this city the Mural Capital of the World. That is amazing. In a city of neighborhoods, each mural tells a story of the people that live there and the history that surrounds them. And of course, murals like this is something you want to see.
My favorite thing about this city is that I can park one place and then walk to my destination. It is insanely cool how I can find my favorite coffee shops, little gems that I’ve never even seen before. And of course, you can see all these different places that are quite “Instagrammable.”
If you go a little bit, not too far, from Center City, you can see Wissahickon Valley Park. Stone brick bridges, magical forests, the creek, barn – there’s so many different things you can do there. Take a walk, take a hike, bring your dog, bring a friend. It is the most beautiful place in Philadelphia.
Welcome to my Philadelphia.
Brian Bossuyt:
Growing up here I always felt like I was in a playground. There was always something to do outside. You know, you could go play at one of the ski resorts, skiing or snowboarding; go outside and ride your bike somewhere; enjoy one of the lakes; go rafting on the river.
Going out on Lake Wallenpaupack, water skiing or Jet-Skiing – just getting out really and enjoying all the things that nature has to offer. But it’s really something when you’re walking on some of our hiking trails or in our state parks and you come across a waterfall that you weren’t expecting.
One of the craziest things you can do in the Pocono Mountains is drive a racecar, and from experience, I can tell you it’s an awesome experience. Here, you get to drive it on a three-turn track called the Tricky Triangle. It’s something you’re never gonna forget. It’s awesome. You’re behind a racecar, you’re doing top speeds, and when you’re done, you’re just like, “Holy Cow, I just drove a racecar.”
Zip lining in the Pocono Mountains is a breathtaking experience, and I really recommend it, zipping down the line from the top of Camelback Mountain all the way to the bottom. And it’s something that you’re going to enjoy and remember for the rest of your life.
One of the great things that’s new to the Pocono Mountains the last few years is indoor water parks, so you can come to the Poconos and never worry about the weather because you have those great amenities as well.
Jim Thorpe is known as Little Switzerland. It’s crafted after that era of time when the town was pristine, and you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
Another great place is Honesdale. When you walk down the Main Street of that town and you can see that it’s still the same picturesque town that it was way back then and it’s just this great small-town feel, that you really get a piece of Americana.
And we are only a few hours from New York City and Philadelphia, so we recommend renting a car and coming here and really enjoying the outdoors. We have some great roadways and you’re going to see breathtaking scenery throughout the year, as well as just getting out and seeing the different things we have to offer.
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Ask a Local: New Jersey - Transcript
Elizabeth Bakley:
Cape May is an architect’s dream and a vacationer’s paradise. The first thing you should do when you get here: Go down to the beach, put your feet in the water, feel that soft sand and just enjoy the peace and quiet of being in Cape May.
To take a walk down the streets of Cape May is like walking into a Charles Dickens novel. It’s a really romantic, historic experience.
In 1878, there was a great fire. When they rebuilt, it was during the Victorian era, so that’s why you see a lot of the Victorian-style homes throughout the city. Places like the Physick Estate or the Southern Mansion provide guided tours for anyone who’s interested in seeing what the inside of these beautiful homes look like.
If you’re only here for a day or two, I definitely recommend getting on a boat, get out in that back bay, get out in the ocean and see the Cape May area from a different perspective.
The fishing industry in Cape May has sustained this area for a very long period of time and still does. What we catch in those back bays and in the ocean, you can find right in those local restaurants fresh and served daily.
The Washington Street Mall is the heart of Cape May. What I like to do is get a coffee, walk down that brick walkway of the mall, window shop, just take a deep breath, take it all in and really just enjoy that downtown area.
Because Cape May is a peninsula you have various opportunities to get out and see the wildlife. During your stay in Cape May, you can also pop up to Stone Harbor. Stone Harbor Point gives you an opportunity to see Stone Harbor the way that it used to be from a beach perspective. It’s a conservation area that helps preserve the land for the animals. You can go right up to the Wetlands Institute and have an opportunity to feel some of these animals to learn more about them. They have a great educational program there at the Wetlands.
If you’re into architecture, if you’re into great food, if you’re in for fun and a good time, come see us in Cape May.
Alessia Aron:
Jersey City is definitely urban with a small-town feel. We have some of the best views of the New York City skyline, so the best way to experience them is to take a stroll along the waterfront.
There’s always something happening downtown. Coming out of the Grove Street PATH Station, you walk out into this pedestrian plaza and you’re gonna hear live music, a farmer’s market going on.
If you’re hungry, we have amazing food. One of my favorites downtown is Razza. You’re gonna get incredible pizza, but get there early because a line forms when they open.
In the heart of Journal Square, you’re gonna find a little pocket we call “Little India.” You’ll find a ton of Indian grocery stores, Indian places to eat; you can just kinda feel like you’re in India when you’re there.
One of the highlights of Jersey City has got be the Liberty Science Center. It’s an interactive science museum. It’s great for kids and adults. It’s a ton of fun to spend half a day there with the whole family.
Corgi Spirits is Jersey City’s only distillery and the first one to open since prohibition. It kinda has this library feel inside where you can taste their gin, their vodka, their whiskey – and they make some really fantastic cocktails as well.
Our neighbor to the north is Hoboken, where Frank Sinatra is from. It’s definitely gonna have a more of a cute, quaint feel. You’re gonna walk down Washington and just see a ton of bars, restaurants, cafes. One of the places people really like to stop in is Carlo’s Bakery, which is featured on Cake Boss.
Jersey City has one of the best mural programs in the country. We have local and international artists who are showcasing their gorgeous artwork. When you’re seeing this art, you’re getting a sense of the community, and that is something that makes Jersey City really special.
We really embrace diversity here. I like making other people feel welcome and I hope that people get the same experience when they come and visit Jersey City.
Cape May is an architect’s dream and a vacationer’s paradise. The first thing you should do when you get here: Go down to the beach, put your feet in the water, feel that soft sand and just enjoy the peace and quiet of being in Cape May.
To take a walk down the streets of Cape May is like walking into a Charles Dickens novel. It’s a really romantic, historic experience.
In 1878, there was a great fire. When they rebuilt, it was during the Victorian era, so that’s why you see a lot of the Victorian-style homes throughout the city. Places like the Physick Estate or the Southern Mansion provide guided tours for anyone who’s interested in seeing what the inside of these beautiful homes look like.
If you’re only here for a day or two, I definitely recommend getting on a boat, get out in that back bay, get out in the ocean and see the Cape May area from a different perspective.
The fishing industry in Cape May has sustained this area for a very long period of time and still does. What we catch in those back bays and in the ocean, you can find right in those local restaurants fresh and served daily.
The Washington Street Mall is the heart of Cape May. What I like to do is get a coffee, walk down that brick walkway of the mall, window shop, just take a deep breath, take it all in and really just enjoy that downtown area.
Because Cape May is a peninsula you have various opportunities to get out and see the wildlife. During your stay in Cape May, you can also pop up to Stone Harbor. Stone Harbor Point gives you an opportunity to see Stone Harbor the way that it used to be from a beach perspective. It’s a conservation area that helps preserve the land for the animals. You can go right up to the Wetlands Institute and have an opportunity to feel some of these animals to learn more about them. They have a great educational program there at the Wetlands.
If you’re into architecture, if you’re into great food, if you’re in for fun and a good time, come see us in Cape May.
Alessia Aron:
Jersey City is definitely urban with a small-town feel. We have some of the best views of the New York City skyline, so the best way to experience them is to take a stroll along the waterfront.
There’s always something happening downtown. Coming out of the Grove Street PATH Station, you walk out into this pedestrian plaza and you’re gonna hear live music, a farmer’s market going on.
If you’re hungry, we have amazing food. One of my favorites downtown is Razza. You’re gonna get incredible pizza, but get there early because a line forms when they open.
In the heart of Journal Square, you’re gonna find a little pocket we call “Little India.” You’ll find a ton of Indian grocery stores, Indian places to eat; you can just kinda feel like you’re in India when you’re there.
One of the highlights of Jersey City has got be the Liberty Science Center. It’s an interactive science museum. It’s great for kids and adults. It’s a ton of fun to spend half a day there with the whole family.
Corgi Spirits is Jersey City’s only distillery and the first one to open since prohibition. It kinda has this library feel inside where you can taste their gin, their vodka, their whiskey – and they make some really fantastic cocktails as well.
Our neighbor to the north is Hoboken, where Frank Sinatra is from. It’s definitely gonna have a more of a cute, quaint feel. You’re gonna walk down Washington and just see a ton of bars, restaurants, cafes. One of the places people really like to stop in is Carlo’s Bakery, which is featured on Cake Boss.
Jersey City has one of the best mural programs in the country. We have local and international artists who are showcasing their gorgeous artwork. When you’re seeing this art, you’re getting a sense of the community, and that is something that makes Jersey City really special.
We really embrace diversity here. I like making other people feel welcome and I hope that people get the same experience when they come and visit Jersey City.
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Ask a Local: Delaware - Transcript
Captain Steve Savidge:
Rehoboth Beach is great for families. The boardwalk in Rehoboth is a mile long. It’s a great place to take a walk. You can shop; there’s plenty of things for the kids to do.
A perfect day on the beach for me would be to get there early before the crowds arrive, get a little swimming in, get a little sun, and then go to one of the amazing restaurants there for lunch.
Dogfish Head brewery got started here in Rehoboth in the early ’90s. They have a restaurant, store and a small brewery there still.
Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach are all very close in proximity. Rehoboth is more of a family-oriented restaurant scene. Dewey is more of the party, the bar scene. And Lewes is more of a historical town. Lewes has a lot of historical sights. There is a museum from the origination of Lewes called the Zwaanendael Museum. There’s a historic lightship that’s docked in the canal.
Cape Henlopen State Park is almost a 1-mile-square area between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. It is one of three kind of rare dune habitats that are in the United States. The trails at Cape Henlopen are the best way to really experience the park. We have elevated platforms so that you can actually walk through the dunes and the wetlands. My favorite activity at Cape Henlopen is to fish. We have a surf-fishing beach so you can get a permit to drive out on the beach and actively engage in fishing.
The Fort Miles Museum & Historical Area is what is left of the original Fort Miles that was built during World War II. We have fire control towers at Fort Miles and Cape Henlopen. One of the fire control towers is open and you can actually climb up it and get an amazing view of the park and the town of Lewes.
If you’re here just for a day or two, I would recommend walking on the boardwalk, walking on the beach, watching the sunrise first thing in the morning and eating out.
Lauren Weaver:
Well, the unique thing about Bethany Beach is that it’s family. My grandfather vacationed here; my father vacationed here as a boy. And there’s just such a timeless tradition that you have in Bethany Beach.
One of the coolest things that you can do here is take a wildlife paddle. We have a really unique ecosystem that is host to birds from all over the world. The inland bays ecological system is unreal. So, we have the horseshoe crab, which is the symbol of Delaware. We have the largest population outside of Japan of horseshoe crabs.
The beach culture here is a fun mix of vacationers and year-round people that love the beach. When you love a sunrise or the smell of the ocean and the breeze and the sand, it’s just something that everyone gets excited for.
The boardwalk in Bethany Beach is really unique. There’s no real loud neon signs coming at you. It’s just a real fun family feel. I think nobody leaves without a box of fudge or a box of taffies to take home and show off that you were down at the shore.
Fenwick Island State Park is on the narrows in between Bethany and the town of Fenwick Island, and you have oceanfront and bayside, so you can go and have a beautiful day on the beach, or you can cross the street and have a day in a stand-up paddle or a kayak, and get the best of both worlds: the ocean and the bay.
The Shipwreck Museum, which is in Fenwick Island, has been there since Dale Clifton found his first coin. He decided that he wanted to create a museum to tell a little bit of the story about the unique history and shipwrecks all up and down the coast of the Atlantic and some of the treasures heading up into the Delaware Bay.
The Assawoman preservation area used to be farmland that has been given over for a wildlife refuge. It’s a really beautiful area. They have observation towers, so you can get a view of the marshes and the birding nurseries.
Bethany Beach is beautiful. It is quaint, it is small, it is friendly – all the things that people come to the beach for in the summer.
Rehoboth Beach is great for families. The boardwalk in Rehoboth is a mile long. It’s a great place to take a walk. You can shop; there’s plenty of things for the kids to do.
A perfect day on the beach for me would be to get there early before the crowds arrive, get a little swimming in, get a little sun, and then go to one of the amazing restaurants there for lunch.
Dogfish Head brewery got started here in Rehoboth in the early ’90s. They have a restaurant, store and a small brewery there still.
Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach are all very close in proximity. Rehoboth is more of a family-oriented restaurant scene. Dewey is more of the party, the bar scene. And Lewes is more of a historical town. Lewes has a lot of historical sights. There is a museum from the origination of Lewes called the Zwaanendael Museum. There’s a historic lightship that’s docked in the canal.
Cape Henlopen State Park is almost a 1-mile-square area between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. It is one of three kind of rare dune habitats that are in the United States. The trails at Cape Henlopen are the best way to really experience the park. We have elevated platforms so that you can actually walk through the dunes and the wetlands. My favorite activity at Cape Henlopen is to fish. We have a surf-fishing beach so you can get a permit to drive out on the beach and actively engage in fishing.
The Fort Miles Museum & Historical Area is what is left of the original Fort Miles that was built during World War II. We have fire control towers at Fort Miles and Cape Henlopen. One of the fire control towers is open and you can actually climb up it and get an amazing view of the park and the town of Lewes.
If you’re here just for a day or two, I would recommend walking on the boardwalk, walking on the beach, watching the sunrise first thing in the morning and eating out.
Lauren Weaver:
Well, the unique thing about Bethany Beach is that it’s family. My grandfather vacationed here; my father vacationed here as a boy. And there’s just such a timeless tradition that you have in Bethany Beach.
One of the coolest things that you can do here is take a wildlife paddle. We have a really unique ecosystem that is host to birds from all over the world. The inland bays ecological system is unreal. So, we have the horseshoe crab, which is the symbol of Delaware. We have the largest population outside of Japan of horseshoe crabs.
The beach culture here is a fun mix of vacationers and year-round people that love the beach. When you love a sunrise or the smell of the ocean and the breeze and the sand, it’s just something that everyone gets excited for.
The boardwalk in Bethany Beach is really unique. There’s no real loud neon signs coming at you. It’s just a real fun family feel. I think nobody leaves without a box of fudge or a box of taffies to take home and show off that you were down at the shore.
Fenwick Island State Park is on the narrows in between Bethany and the town of Fenwick Island, and you have oceanfront and bayside, so you can go and have a beautiful day on the beach, or you can cross the street and have a day in a stand-up paddle or a kayak, and get the best of both worlds: the ocean and the bay.
The Shipwreck Museum, which is in Fenwick Island, has been there since Dale Clifton found his first coin. He decided that he wanted to create a museum to tell a little bit of the story about the unique history and shipwrecks all up and down the coast of the Atlantic and some of the treasures heading up into the Delaware Bay.
The Assawoman preservation area used to be farmland that has been given over for a wildlife refuge. It’s a really beautiful area. They have observation towers, so you can get a view of the marshes and the birding nurseries.
Bethany Beach is beautiful. It is quaint, it is small, it is friendly – all the things that people come to the beach for in the summer.
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Ask a Local: Kentucky - Transcript
Ryan Rogers:
There’s a lot of different ways to say Louisville. You could say Lou-ee-ville, you could say Louis-ville, Lou-i-ville. It’s Lou-uh-vul, Louisville.
Only in a city like Louisville, Kentucky, can you turn a two-minute horse race into a two-week party – and that is the Kentucky Derby. Mint Julep is like the classic Derby cocktail. We’re really gonna bring out our bowties; our big, giant hats; and then, ultimately, the Run for the Roses, the fastest two minutes in sports.
You want to check out Churchill Downs, and if they don’t have a race going on, you always have an opportunity to tour the track or check out the Kentucky Derby Museum, a testament to all the great horses that won the Derby previously.
I really recommend you that you visit one of our Kentucky bourbon distilleries. We have an entire Main Street here in Louisville that we call Whiskey Row. One of my favorite distilleries to check out is the Evan Williams distillery. They do a really cool tour and tasting, and they talk about their history. The Old Forester Distillery, they’re really dedicated to making all their Old Forester product and distilling it here on Whiskey Row.
Louisville has a really exciting culinary scene. One of my favorite restaurants is Proof on Main at the 21c Hotel. Chef Jonathan Searle gets ingredients coming in fresh from farmers and puts them on a menu in a very seasonal way. Red Hog’s a really cool restaurant. They’ve combined kind of the best things of a local artisanal butcher shop with a restaurant and bar. Royals Hot Chicken focuses on great fried chicken paired with classic southern sides as well.
Over the past 30 years, Louisville has done a really exciting job of turning our riverfront into a really great, usable space. It also connects Louisville to our Louisville Wharf, where you can find the Belle of Louisville, as well as the Mary M. Miller steamboat. You can take out on a dinner cruise or just a daytime cruise.
The Louisville Mega Cavern is actually not a cave; it’s a former limestone mine, and it’s a really cool place to go and explore and visit. They’ve got an underground zip line; it might be the only underground zipline in the world.
Louisville, let it roll through your mouth – Louisville.
Anne Hardy:
I love Lexington because it is absolutely gorgeous. We are surrounded by the most amazing natural beauty, and it has a lot of the amenities still with the kind of southern small-town charm.
The sights and sounds of horse country are gorgeous rolling hills, green grass; the smells are heavenly. A typical horse country tour is never really typical because every day on a farm is a little bit different. So, you get to choose what kind of experience you want.
Lexington is unique because it is the epicenter of thoroughbred world. Keeneland is the premier thoroughbred racecourse in the United States, maybe the world. It really is one of the most amazing locations for anyone who is interested in thoroughbred racing, or even if you’re not, because you just hear the pounding of the hooves and the screaming of the crowd – and it is so exciting.
The neighborhoods of Lexington are so fun to walk around. Thursday Night Live is the party where everyone goes after work. Grab a cocktail, listen to music, experience downtown and also be on our historic Courthouse Square.
Smithtown Seafood is your quintessential pub, fish and chips, location, and you can walk right into the West Sixth Brewery, put an order in for your beer, get your fish and chips, and then you’ve got a West Sixth pint waiting on you. I love it.
Windy Corner Market is an absolute gem, right out in the middle of horse country, and you get to experience true Kentucky southern cooking.
Whether you were born here or you’re a transplant, you learn to love the bourbon and appreciate it. There are lots of great bars around and different ways to introduce you to it if you’ve never had it before.
At the Pepper Campus, you will find a hodgepodge of really fun and unique things to do. It is actually an old bourbon distilling operation that for many years sat vacant and has been completely revitalized, and it is now a center for fun attractions. So, if you want ice cream, you’ve got it; local pizza, same thing. If you want to elevate your experience a little bit, Middle Fork is a great spot. So, it’s just a really fun thing to see it come back together because it once was a really vibrant part of Lexington, and now it is again and still incorporating that bourbon heritage that we have.
Welcome to Lexington!
There’s a lot of different ways to say Louisville. You could say Lou-ee-ville, you could say Louis-ville, Lou-i-ville. It’s Lou-uh-vul, Louisville.
Only in a city like Louisville, Kentucky, can you turn a two-minute horse race into a two-week party – and that is the Kentucky Derby. Mint Julep is like the classic Derby cocktail. We’re really gonna bring out our bowties; our big, giant hats; and then, ultimately, the Run for the Roses, the fastest two minutes in sports.
You want to check out Churchill Downs, and if they don’t have a race going on, you always have an opportunity to tour the track or check out the Kentucky Derby Museum, a testament to all the great horses that won the Derby previously.
I really recommend you that you visit one of our Kentucky bourbon distilleries. We have an entire Main Street here in Louisville that we call Whiskey Row. One of my favorite distilleries to check out is the Evan Williams distillery. They do a really cool tour and tasting, and they talk about their history. The Old Forester Distillery, they’re really dedicated to making all their Old Forester product and distilling it here on Whiskey Row.
Louisville has a really exciting culinary scene. One of my favorite restaurants is Proof on Main at the 21c Hotel. Chef Jonathan Searle gets ingredients coming in fresh from farmers and puts them on a menu in a very seasonal way. Red Hog’s a really cool restaurant. They’ve combined kind of the best things of a local artisanal butcher shop with a restaurant and bar. Royals Hot Chicken focuses on great fried chicken paired with classic southern sides as well.
Over the past 30 years, Louisville has done a really exciting job of turning our riverfront into a really great, usable space. It also connects Louisville to our Louisville Wharf, where you can find the Belle of Louisville, as well as the Mary M. Miller steamboat. You can take out on a dinner cruise or just a daytime cruise.
The Louisville Mega Cavern is actually not a cave; it’s a former limestone mine, and it’s a really cool place to go and explore and visit. They’ve got an underground zip line; it might be the only underground zipline in the world.
Louisville, let it roll through your mouth – Louisville.
Anne Hardy:
I love Lexington because it is absolutely gorgeous. We are surrounded by the most amazing natural beauty, and it has a lot of the amenities still with the kind of southern small-town charm.
The sights and sounds of horse country are gorgeous rolling hills, green grass; the smells are heavenly. A typical horse country tour is never really typical because every day on a farm is a little bit different. So, you get to choose what kind of experience you want.
Lexington is unique because it is the epicenter of thoroughbred world. Keeneland is the premier thoroughbred racecourse in the United States, maybe the world. It really is one of the most amazing locations for anyone who is interested in thoroughbred racing, or even if you’re not, because you just hear the pounding of the hooves and the screaming of the crowd – and it is so exciting.
The neighborhoods of Lexington are so fun to walk around. Thursday Night Live is the party where everyone goes after work. Grab a cocktail, listen to music, experience downtown and also be on our historic Courthouse Square.
Smithtown Seafood is your quintessential pub, fish and chips, location, and you can walk right into the West Sixth Brewery, put an order in for your beer, get your fish and chips, and then you’ve got a West Sixth pint waiting on you. I love it.
Windy Corner Market is an absolute gem, right out in the middle of horse country, and you get to experience true Kentucky southern cooking.
Whether you were born here or you’re a transplant, you learn to love the bourbon and appreciate it. There are lots of great bars around and different ways to introduce you to it if you’ve never had it before.
At the Pepper Campus, you will find a hodgepodge of really fun and unique things to do. It is actually an old bourbon distilling operation that for many years sat vacant and has been completely revitalized, and it is now a center for fun attractions. So, if you want ice cream, you’ve got it; local pizza, same thing. If you want to elevate your experience a little bit, Middle Fork is a great spot. So, it’s just a really fun thing to see it come back together because it once was a really vibrant part of Lexington, and now it is again and still incorporating that bourbon heritage that we have.
Welcome to Lexington!
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Ask a Local: Utah - Transcript
Alexander Ortega:
I think that the first thing that people notice about Salt Lake City is how wide the streets are. It’s funny because that actually comes from the urban planning from the first pioneers. It has a nice kind of refreshing quality.
Downtown Salt Lake City is always buzzing. And so, whether it’s people bar hopping or going to great restaurants, it’s always fun to just kind of walk around.
At the center of Salt Lake City is the LDS temple and around that is Temple Square. Temple Square is actually the most visited attraction in Utah. It’s the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it’s where you can see the iconic Salt Lake Temple. It covers 35 acres with museums, attractions and beautiful gardens. For a really special treat though, go during Christmas time. You can see their gardens are strung up with Christmas lights. It really is an amazing site to behold.
9th and 9th is a hip neighborhood with all kinds of unique shops, restaurants and cafes. Catch a show at the Tower Theater. It’s a historic theater that is also a Sundance Film Festival venue every winter. If you’re looking for high-quality, fashion-forward clothing, I would definitely recommend going to the Stockist at 9th and 9th.
UMOCA is the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. And so, you can find local and national and international artists whose work pushes the boundaries of what art can be and offers a lot of conceptual underpinning for visual artwork, performance art and more.
You’ve got to visit the Utah Museum of Natural History. Utah is one of the world’s richest areas for dinosaur fossils and the museum has tons of amazing dinosaur skeletal displays. They’re really cool, interactive exhibits, and they show everything from like minerals and metals to flora and fauna. It’s really just a great place to explore.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It’s an amazing place for nature and wildlife viewing. And if you really want to see some stunning sights, head to Antelope Island. It’s a wildlife preserve on the Great Salt Lake where you can see bison, raptors, coyotes and antelope.
To me what’s unique about Salt Lake City is its offering of art and culture with a community that really cares about each other.
Victor Cooper:
Kanab is a small Southern Utah town surrounded by gigantic landscapes. The town is only about 4,500 people. It’s much more laid-back, and a lot of people like that when they come to visit – that it is such a chill, chill area. And then they get out in nature and they’re just overwhelmed.
My favorite thing to do in Kanab is just to get out and hike and explore, whether it’s a national park or just gorgeous natural features. You have Zion National Park to our west, Bryce Canyon National Park to our north.
Zion National Park truly is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is breathtaking. Some of the highest sandstone cliffs in the world, and when you’re in it, you really kind of feel small in the universe.
The word that best describes Bryce Canyon National Park would be “hoodoos.” And hoodoos are pillars of rock that stick up from the canyon floor and it is so spectacular and so unique.
Hog Canyon is one of my most fun places to go. Riding ATVs is just exciting. You have just trails that are flat and are more scenic. You have trails that are very rocky and really challenge your skills as a driver. And you have everything in between.
The Mansard Petroglyph site is really a wonderful feature located just basically here in Kanab. And riding your ATV to it enables you to see thousand-year-old petroglyphs.
It’s really an incredible sight to see Coral Pink Sand Dunes when the sun’s out. You have the blue sky and that pinkish-red sand. It’s almost like the camera can’t process the color. But it’s a sweeping and endless landscape of just gorgeous, smooth lines. And then when the wind blows, it creates these little funnels. It’s truly, truly amazing.
Moqui Cave is a fun and different place for all visitors to go. It’s a real cave, and in the back, they have various gems and things like that that are lit under black light and it really is fun. You don’t want to miss the dinosaur tracks when you go to Moqui Cave. These are from three-toed dinosaurs that lived millions and millions of years ago.
After a long day of hiking or riding ATVs, it’s nice to come into Kanab and have a great meal at one of our great restaurants. The Rocking V is the perfect place to have a meal. Fabulous food, casual atmosphere, great service.
One thing I think a lot of our guests really like about coming to Kanab is kind of a slower pace. Nature kind of imposes its will on you and everything. People who are used to running around at a fast pace tend to, I think, slow down and want to look at things and take the time to see things more carefully when you’re here.
I think that the first thing that people notice about Salt Lake City is how wide the streets are. It’s funny because that actually comes from the urban planning from the first pioneers. It has a nice kind of refreshing quality.
Downtown Salt Lake City is always buzzing. And so, whether it’s people bar hopping or going to great restaurants, it’s always fun to just kind of walk around.
At the center of Salt Lake City is the LDS temple and around that is Temple Square. Temple Square is actually the most visited attraction in Utah. It’s the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it’s where you can see the iconic Salt Lake Temple. It covers 35 acres with museums, attractions and beautiful gardens. For a really special treat though, go during Christmas time. You can see their gardens are strung up with Christmas lights. It really is an amazing site to behold.
9th and 9th is a hip neighborhood with all kinds of unique shops, restaurants and cafes. Catch a show at the Tower Theater. It’s a historic theater that is also a Sundance Film Festival venue every winter. If you’re looking for high-quality, fashion-forward clothing, I would definitely recommend going to the Stockist at 9th and 9th.
UMOCA is the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. And so, you can find local and national and international artists whose work pushes the boundaries of what art can be and offers a lot of conceptual underpinning for visual artwork, performance art and more.
You’ve got to visit the Utah Museum of Natural History. Utah is one of the world’s richest areas for dinosaur fossils and the museum has tons of amazing dinosaur skeletal displays. They’re really cool, interactive exhibits, and they show everything from like minerals and metals to flora and fauna. It’s really just a great place to explore.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It’s an amazing place for nature and wildlife viewing. And if you really want to see some stunning sights, head to Antelope Island. It’s a wildlife preserve on the Great Salt Lake where you can see bison, raptors, coyotes and antelope.
To me what’s unique about Salt Lake City is its offering of art and culture with a community that really cares about each other.
Victor Cooper:
Kanab is a small Southern Utah town surrounded by gigantic landscapes. The town is only about 4,500 people. It’s much more laid-back, and a lot of people like that when they come to visit – that it is such a chill, chill area. And then they get out in nature and they’re just overwhelmed.
My favorite thing to do in Kanab is just to get out and hike and explore, whether it’s a national park or just gorgeous natural features. You have Zion National Park to our west, Bryce Canyon National Park to our north.
Zion National Park truly is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is breathtaking. Some of the highest sandstone cliffs in the world, and when you’re in it, you really kind of feel small in the universe.
The word that best describes Bryce Canyon National Park would be “hoodoos.” And hoodoos are pillars of rock that stick up from the canyon floor and it is so spectacular and so unique.
Hog Canyon is one of my most fun places to go. Riding ATVs is just exciting. You have just trails that are flat and are more scenic. You have trails that are very rocky and really challenge your skills as a driver. And you have everything in between.
The Mansard Petroglyph site is really a wonderful feature located just basically here in Kanab. And riding your ATV to it enables you to see thousand-year-old petroglyphs.
It’s really an incredible sight to see Coral Pink Sand Dunes when the sun’s out. You have the blue sky and that pinkish-red sand. It’s almost like the camera can’t process the color. But it’s a sweeping and endless landscape of just gorgeous, smooth lines. And then when the wind blows, it creates these little funnels. It’s truly, truly amazing.
Moqui Cave is a fun and different place for all visitors to go. It’s a real cave, and in the back, they have various gems and things like that that are lit under black light and it really is fun. You don’t want to miss the dinosaur tracks when you go to Moqui Cave. These are from three-toed dinosaurs that lived millions and millions of years ago.
After a long day of hiking or riding ATVs, it’s nice to come into Kanab and have a great meal at one of our great restaurants. The Rocking V is the perfect place to have a meal. Fabulous food, casual atmosphere, great service.
One thing I think a lot of our guests really like about coming to Kanab is kind of a slower pace. Nature kind of imposes its will on you and everything. People who are used to running around at a fast pace tend to, I think, slow down and want to look at things and take the time to see things more carefully when you’re here.
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Ask a Local: Hawaii - Transcript
Emma Wo:
Honolulu is so unique because it’s a cosmopolitan city; you have the beautiful buildings and city skyline. But you also have some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, parks, hikes. It kind of has a combination of everything. It’s green and lush. It’s just a bustling city with so much great energy.
If you only had a couple of days here, I would definitely say, “Head straight to Waikiki.” Waikiki Beach is an iconic surfing spot. The waves are amazing, especially for beginners. You can actually rent a surfboard, you can rent a paddleboard, or you can even canoe-surf, which is a really cool experience.
One of the most amazing places to visit is the Iolani Palace. One of my favorite rooms to visit is the Throne Room, which has two thrones that were made for King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani.
Foster Botanical Garden is located right near downtown Honolulu, and it’s a really nice escape. The garden itself is 14 acres, and you can see an amazing collection of mature trees and tropical plants.
Right next to Foster Botanical Garden is the Kuan Yin Temple, which is actually Honolulu’s oldest temple. It’s a really ornate Chinese Buddhist temple.
I love to go and stroll down Nuuanu Avenue, see a lot of the different art galleries, eat lunch and maybe shop some of the boutiques as well.
I love Honolulu because it is a melting pot of so many different cultures. The food is unreal, the art is incredible, and I just think you’re never going to find another place quite like it.
Andrew Hara:
My very favorite thing about Hilo is the accessibility to nature. You can step out of your door, and in five minutes, you’re in the middle of a remote rainforest.
I love Rainbow Falls because it’s the icon of Hilo. During a certain time of the year, a rainbow appears. When you’re at ‘Akaka Falls, you’re under this beautiful forest and in front of you, these falls that pretty much fall almost forever, and at the end, you just see this mixture of mist and water and air. It’s just a really timeless moment.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about 45 minutes away from Hilo. What you can expect to see there is a very large caldera, which was formed thousands of years before us. You have different areas of volcanic landscape that go down to the ocean. It’s just amazing.
Lili’uokalani Gardens is one of the largest Japanese gardens in the nation. It’s got these beautiful archways. The front lawn is Hilo Bay and exquisite.
When you go into downtown Hilo, you’ll notice all these multi-colored buildings. A lot of these buildings have been around for about 100 years or so. I think downtown Hilo feels untouched.
Café 100 is a cool spot. My grandfather founded it 73 years ago. One of the best things you can get at Café 100 is the Loco Moco: a bed of rice, a hamburger patty, a little bit of gravy, and you got an egg any way that you want it.
Two Ladies Kitchen is a mochi confectionary shop. It’s one of the most popular mochi places in the nation. People come here from all around the world to try this delicious, chewy, beautiful, handmade mochi. It’s just so good.
There is a feeling of authenticity that Hilo is not trying to be anything it’s not supposed to be. It is just Hilo, and there’s a pride in that. It’s beautiful.
Honolulu is so unique because it’s a cosmopolitan city; you have the beautiful buildings and city skyline. But you also have some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, parks, hikes. It kind of has a combination of everything. It’s green and lush. It’s just a bustling city with so much great energy.
If you only had a couple of days here, I would definitely say, “Head straight to Waikiki.” Waikiki Beach is an iconic surfing spot. The waves are amazing, especially for beginners. You can actually rent a surfboard, you can rent a paddleboard, or you can even canoe-surf, which is a really cool experience.
One of the most amazing places to visit is the Iolani Palace. One of my favorite rooms to visit is the Throne Room, which has two thrones that were made for King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani.
Foster Botanical Garden is located right near downtown Honolulu, and it’s a really nice escape. The garden itself is 14 acres, and you can see an amazing collection of mature trees and tropical plants.
Right next to Foster Botanical Garden is the Kuan Yin Temple, which is actually Honolulu’s oldest temple. It’s a really ornate Chinese Buddhist temple.
I love to go and stroll down Nuuanu Avenue, see a lot of the different art galleries, eat lunch and maybe shop some of the boutiques as well.
I love Honolulu because it is a melting pot of so many different cultures. The food is unreal, the art is incredible, and I just think you’re never going to find another place quite like it.
Andrew Hara:
My very favorite thing about Hilo is the accessibility to nature. You can step out of your door, and in five minutes, you’re in the middle of a remote rainforest.
I love Rainbow Falls because it’s the icon of Hilo. During a certain time of the year, a rainbow appears. When you’re at ‘Akaka Falls, you’re under this beautiful forest and in front of you, these falls that pretty much fall almost forever, and at the end, you just see this mixture of mist and water and air. It’s just a really timeless moment.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about 45 minutes away from Hilo. What you can expect to see there is a very large caldera, which was formed thousands of years before us. You have different areas of volcanic landscape that go down to the ocean. It’s just amazing.
Lili’uokalani Gardens is one of the largest Japanese gardens in the nation. It’s got these beautiful archways. The front lawn is Hilo Bay and exquisite.
When you go into downtown Hilo, you’ll notice all these multi-colored buildings. A lot of these buildings have been around for about 100 years or so. I think downtown Hilo feels untouched.
Café 100 is a cool spot. My grandfather founded it 73 years ago. One of the best things you can get at Café 100 is the Loco Moco: a bed of rice, a hamburger patty, a little bit of gravy, and you got an egg any way that you want it.
Two Ladies Kitchen is a mochi confectionary shop. It’s one of the most popular mochi places in the nation. People come here from all around the world to try this delicious, chewy, beautiful, handmade mochi. It’s just so good.
There is a feeling of authenticity that Hilo is not trying to be anything it’s not supposed to be. It is just Hilo, and there’s a pride in that. It’s beautiful.
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Ask a Local: New Mexico - Transcript
Jesse Herron:
Oh yeah, it’s a quirky little city.
Mike Silva:
Albu-quirky.
Jesse Herron:
Albu-quirky.
So, Albuquerque, if you’ve never seen it, it’s a great southwest city. In downtown Albuquerque, you have the only intersection of Route 66 and Route 66. It’s right at 4th Street and Central Avenue. So, on every traffic light, you have the Route 66 road sign in all four directions, the only one of its kind in the country.
Mike Silva:
Old Town Plaza, it’s the heartbeat of the city. It’s where our city began back 1706. In order to get the true Old Town Albuquerque experience, you need to get out and wherever you see a sidewalk or an alley that looks like it leads to nowhere, you need to go down that sidewalk or alley because it’s back there where you will find some of the great patios in Old Town, or you will find hidden chapels in Old Town or you will find great little restaurants or cafes.
Nob Hill was our first suburb. Today, Nob Hill is where the locals hang out. There’s great restaurants, tremendous nightlife in the area, there’s breweries in the area, it’s open later and it’s nestled right along the mother road of Route 66.
Jesse Herron:
What is New Mexican food? It is a combination of Native American, Spanish food, Mexican food, but the one thing that separates New Mexican food from anything else is red and green chile. And we put that chile on just about everything.
To our east, we have the amazing Sandia Mountains. At the base of the mountains at the Sandias, you have the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. It goes from roughly 6,500 feet above sea level all the way to the very top, and you have these amazing views. You see the city, you see the Bosque and the forest and the river. To the west, you’ll find the Petroglyph National Monument, and out there, you will see pictographs that were carved into the volcanic rock by some of the earliest people in Albuquerque.
Mike Silva:
The Native American history and culture in New Mexico is amazing. There are 19 pueblos in our state, and the Indian Public Cultural Center will give you the breakdown on all 19 pueblos. And on the weekends, they have live Native American dances, something that you may have seen on TV, but to see in person is a whole ’nother thing.
Jesse Herron:
So, Albuquerque is home to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. So, imagine as the sun comes up with the Sandia Mountains to the east, you’re at the Balloon Fiesta Park on the launch field, with a couple hundred thousand people, and then these amazing hot air balloons are all lifting off in waves – 500, 600 at a time. And then in the evenings, we have something called the balloon glow.
Mike Silva:
Yeah, the balloon glows are fantastic, and they’ll do a countdown and then shout out “all burn” or “all glow,” and all the balloons light up, and it’s just, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, honestly.
George Rivera:
Be-pu-wa-ve. Welcome from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The most unique thing about Santa Fe is its Native American population. The culture is such a big part of what Santa Fe is today.
There’s quite a few museums that focus in on Native American culture and art. The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum is downtown off the plaza. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is on Museum Hill. Both of those focus on the local Native American culture, as well as the nationwide Native American culture.
Canyon Road is one of the unique art districts in town. From the moment you get on it surrounded by galleries all the way up the street, I recommend walking it. On Canyon Road, you’ll find a lot of modern art. You’ll also find some very traditional Native American art.
The Santa Fe Plaza goes back to the early 1600s. Today, it’s an international attraction for bands, arts and crafts events, plays, lots of shopping.
Turquoise has been mined here for hundreds of years by the Pueblo Indians. The best jewelers in the world are gathered around here.
My favorite thing to do in Santa Fe is either ride my bike in the hills and in the city or go for a run in the trails that are surrounding Santa Fe. You smell this very unique smell of the pinyon trees and the pines, and you’re brushing up against the yuccas on the trail.
Santa Fe also has the Nambe Falls really close, where’s there’s great fishing in the lake and hiking up to the waterfalls, just a very nice spot to be.
The Dale Ball Trails are on the east side of Santa Fe, and you’re in the foothill of the Rocky Mountains. So, it’s a really gorgeous place and it’s not too difficult.
Santa Fe is one of the best-known restaurant cities. Coyote Café is one of the iconic restaurants in Santa Fe.
Pueblo architecture is fascinating. Many of the early architectural houses that are still found in the surrounding mesas around the pueblos are caves that were carved out the soft volcanic stone that’s there.
So, the region adapted that look and made a very conscious effort in keeping it and many people that do landscape paintings come, and they can read the landscape with their eyes with such clarity and so that’s what ends up showing up in their paintings.
I’ve been an artist most of my life and traveled around the world, and this is where I like to live and where I like to be. This is one of the great art cities in the country.
Oh yeah, it’s a quirky little city.
Mike Silva:
Albu-quirky.
Jesse Herron:
Albu-quirky.
So, Albuquerque, if you’ve never seen it, it’s a great southwest city. In downtown Albuquerque, you have the only intersection of Route 66 and Route 66. It’s right at 4th Street and Central Avenue. So, on every traffic light, you have the Route 66 road sign in all four directions, the only one of its kind in the country.
Mike Silva:
Old Town Plaza, it’s the heartbeat of the city. It’s where our city began back 1706. In order to get the true Old Town Albuquerque experience, you need to get out and wherever you see a sidewalk or an alley that looks like it leads to nowhere, you need to go down that sidewalk or alley because it’s back there where you will find some of the great patios in Old Town, or you will find hidden chapels in Old Town or you will find great little restaurants or cafes.
Nob Hill was our first suburb. Today, Nob Hill is where the locals hang out. There’s great restaurants, tremendous nightlife in the area, there’s breweries in the area, it’s open later and it’s nestled right along the mother road of Route 66.
Jesse Herron:
What is New Mexican food? It is a combination of Native American, Spanish food, Mexican food, but the one thing that separates New Mexican food from anything else is red and green chile. And we put that chile on just about everything.
To our east, we have the amazing Sandia Mountains. At the base of the mountains at the Sandias, you have the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. It goes from roughly 6,500 feet above sea level all the way to the very top, and you have these amazing views. You see the city, you see the Bosque and the forest and the river. To the west, you’ll find the Petroglyph National Monument, and out there, you will see pictographs that were carved into the volcanic rock by some of the earliest people in Albuquerque.
Mike Silva:
The Native American history and culture in New Mexico is amazing. There are 19 pueblos in our state, and the Indian Public Cultural Center will give you the breakdown on all 19 pueblos. And on the weekends, they have live Native American dances, something that you may have seen on TV, but to see in person is a whole ’nother thing.
Jesse Herron:
So, Albuquerque is home to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. So, imagine as the sun comes up with the Sandia Mountains to the east, you’re at the Balloon Fiesta Park on the launch field, with a couple hundred thousand people, and then these amazing hot air balloons are all lifting off in waves – 500, 600 at a time. And then in the evenings, we have something called the balloon glow.
Mike Silva:
Yeah, the balloon glows are fantastic, and they’ll do a countdown and then shout out “all burn” or “all glow,” and all the balloons light up, and it’s just, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, honestly.
George Rivera:
Be-pu-wa-ve. Welcome from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The most unique thing about Santa Fe is its Native American population. The culture is such a big part of what Santa Fe is today.
There’s quite a few museums that focus in on Native American culture and art. The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum is downtown off the plaza. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is on Museum Hill. Both of those focus on the local Native American culture, as well as the nationwide Native American culture.
Canyon Road is one of the unique art districts in town. From the moment you get on it surrounded by galleries all the way up the street, I recommend walking it. On Canyon Road, you’ll find a lot of modern art. You’ll also find some very traditional Native American art.
The Santa Fe Plaza goes back to the early 1600s. Today, it’s an international attraction for bands, arts and crafts events, plays, lots of shopping.
Turquoise has been mined here for hundreds of years by the Pueblo Indians. The best jewelers in the world are gathered around here.
My favorite thing to do in Santa Fe is either ride my bike in the hills and in the city or go for a run in the trails that are surrounding Santa Fe. You smell this very unique smell of the pinyon trees and the pines, and you’re brushing up against the yuccas on the trail.
Santa Fe also has the Nambe Falls really close, where’s there’s great fishing in the lake and hiking up to the waterfalls, just a very nice spot to be.
The Dale Ball Trails are on the east side of Santa Fe, and you’re in the foothill of the Rocky Mountains. So, it’s a really gorgeous place and it’s not too difficult.
Santa Fe is one of the best-known restaurant cities. Coyote Café is one of the iconic restaurants in Santa Fe.
Pueblo architecture is fascinating. Many of the early architectural houses that are still found in the surrounding mesas around the pueblos are caves that were carved out the soft volcanic stone that’s there.
So, the region adapted that look and made a very conscious effort in keeping it and many people that do landscape paintings come, and they can read the landscape with their eyes with such clarity and so that’s what ends up showing up in their paintings.
I’ve been an artist most of my life and traveled around the world, and this is where I like to live and where I like to be. This is one of the great art cities in the country.
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Ask a Local: Iowa - Transcript
Kevin Scharpf:
We are located right on the river, and so when you’re coming in, you’re surrounded by a lot of prairie land and it’s super flat, so as you approach Dubuque, you’re not sure what you’re gonna get. And when you enter and see the beautiful river and the bluffs and all the different hills that we have, it’s very breathtaking. The Mississippi Riverwalk offers the perfect daytime setting to take your family and see all the sites and views that we have to offer while you’re walking along the Mississippi.
We have a lot of amazing things that we’ve preserved. You can check out the Shot Tower. There’s the Julien Dubuque Monument. One of the first things that you’re definitely gonna want to check out when you get in to Dubuque is the Fourth Street Elevator. It is steepest and shortest elevator in the world. It’s gonna give you your first real overlook of how special Dubuque is and how special the Mississippi is to us.
The Millwork District is very, very old, and it was the producer of windows and different wood working. To know 10 years ago, the Millwork District was just this abandoned area is crazy. To know where we are today is something really special and something that I think Dubuque should be very proud of.
My restaurant is located right in the heart of the Millwork District. Brazen is a modern American restaurant that doesn’t focus on cuisine, more so technique. It’s kinda fun because it’s almost theatrical. You don’t expect what you’re going to get on your plate.
7 Hills is definitely another must-try when you’re in the Millwork District. It’s a local brewery that offers incredible food, great beer and a food hall setting. And what’s better than just being able to go enjoy yourself with good friends?
If you come in the summer, you’re gonna catch us right in the heart of our Farmers Market. There’s nothing better than taking a stroll down Iowa Street and seeing so many unique booths, but what’s more rad is how many farmers we actually have in this community that come together to show their product and how proud they are.
Dubuque is just incredible with its sightseeing, with everything it has to offer. I couldn’t be happier anywhere else.
Quinton McClain:
I think the hike to the top of Mount Trashmore is very unique. From 150 years ago, it’s this old dump that’s been turned into kind of like a hiking and trail destination. You know, It’s kind of a silly thing to some people, but I think it’s a great asset to the city. You wouldn’t even know – it’s just a big grassy, green hill at this point.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It kind of holds a special place of heart of Cedar Rapidians.
Quinton McClain:
But it’s beautiful. The view from the top is pretty, pretty amazing. You see the river going past. You see all the bridges. You get a really a beautiful scope of the areas that we’re talking about.
It’s kind of fun just to walk up and down especially when there’s festivals; the street is closed. It’s really fun to cross from Czech Village over the bridge and go to the Newbo neighborhood – sitting on the bridge for a minute just kind of like looking around at the beautiful scenery
I would say the most unique thing would be our connection to the Czech and Slovak heritage here. You should visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library because the immigrant home they have there that they preserved is a really wonderful glimpse into the past of what the people immigrating here would have lived in, the housewares they would have had, how a family would have lived in, you know like, a 400- or 500-square-foot house.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It really celebrates a culture of immigration that we’ve had here in this area.
Quinton McClain:
That history has kind of developed the way the neighborhoods look, the way the housing looks, to some extent the food.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think it’s a beacon of something that Cedar Rapids should feel very proud that we’re the host of a National Museum.
Quinton McClain:
So, the Indian Creek Nature Center is a place that is near and dear to our hearts. To get a little glimpse of what Iowa looked like a few hundred years ago is pretty fascinating. It’s a wonderful space. You kinda commune with nature but also like enjoy nature with other people.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think the pace of life is a little bit slower than in big cities, which is nice. Like you get to have a little bit of a breather, but you can also enjoy the things a big city has to offer. The energy that you feel in this community, it’s something that I haven’t felt elsewhere.
We are located right on the river, and so when you’re coming in, you’re surrounded by a lot of prairie land and it’s super flat, so as you approach Dubuque, you’re not sure what you’re gonna get. And when you enter and see the beautiful river and the bluffs and all the different hills that we have, it’s very breathtaking. The Mississippi Riverwalk offers the perfect daytime setting to take your family and see all the sites and views that we have to offer while you’re walking along the Mississippi.
We have a lot of amazing things that we’ve preserved. You can check out the Shot Tower. There’s the Julien Dubuque Monument. One of the first things that you’re definitely gonna want to check out when you get in to Dubuque is the Fourth Street Elevator. It is steepest and shortest elevator in the world. It’s gonna give you your first real overlook of how special Dubuque is and how special the Mississippi is to us.
The Millwork District is very, very old, and it was the producer of windows and different wood working. To know 10 years ago, the Millwork District was just this abandoned area is crazy. To know where we are today is something really special and something that I think Dubuque should be very proud of.
My restaurant is located right in the heart of the Millwork District. Brazen is a modern American restaurant that doesn’t focus on cuisine, more so technique. It’s kinda fun because it’s almost theatrical. You don’t expect what you’re going to get on your plate.
7 Hills is definitely another must-try when you’re in the Millwork District. It’s a local brewery that offers incredible food, great beer and a food hall setting. And what’s better than just being able to go enjoy yourself with good friends?
If you come in the summer, you’re gonna catch us right in the heart of our Farmers Market. There’s nothing better than taking a stroll down Iowa Street and seeing so many unique booths, but what’s more rad is how many farmers we actually have in this community that come together to show their product and how proud they are.
Dubuque is just incredible with its sightseeing, with everything it has to offer. I couldn’t be happier anywhere else.
Quinton McClain:
I think the hike to the top of Mount Trashmore is very unique. From 150 years ago, it’s this old dump that’s been turned into kind of like a hiking and trail destination. You know, It’s kind of a silly thing to some people, but I think it’s a great asset to the city. You wouldn’t even know – it’s just a big grassy, green hill at this point.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It kind of holds a special place of heart of Cedar Rapidians.
Quinton McClain:
But it’s beautiful. The view from the top is pretty, pretty amazing. You see the river going past. You see all the bridges. You get a really a beautiful scope of the areas that we’re talking about.
It’s kind of fun just to walk up and down especially when there’s festivals; the street is closed. It’s really fun to cross from Czech Village over the bridge and go to the Newbo neighborhood – sitting on the bridge for a minute just kind of like looking around at the beautiful scenery
I would say the most unique thing would be our connection to the Czech and Slovak heritage here. You should visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library because the immigrant home they have there that they preserved is a really wonderful glimpse into the past of what the people immigrating here would have lived in, the housewares they would have had, how a family would have lived in, you know like, a 400- or 500-square-foot house.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It really celebrates a culture of immigration that we’ve had here in this area.
Quinton McClain:
That history has kind of developed the way the neighborhoods look, the way the housing looks, to some extent the food.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think it’s a beacon of something that Cedar Rapids should feel very proud that we’re the host of a National Museum.
Quinton McClain:
So, the Indian Creek Nature Center is a place that is near and dear to our hearts. To get a little glimpse of what Iowa looked like a few hundred years ago is pretty fascinating. It’s a wonderful space. You kinda commune with nature but also like enjoy nature with other people.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think the pace of life is a little bit slower than in big cities, which is nice. Like you get to have a little bit of a breather, but you can also enjoy the things a big city has to offer. The energy that you feel in this community, it’s something that I haven’t felt elsewhere.
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Ask a Local: Connecticut - Transcript
Colin Caplan:
Well, my favorite thing to do in town is to basically go out and to explore a lot of the beautiful scenes such as the parks, Yale University and just kind of take it all in.
Yale University takes over the downtown. It’s like an entire medieval city here. A city within a city.
New Haven has some of the best modern architecture within walking distance. So, the Beinecke
Rare Book Library is one of the largest rare book libraries in the world. It is a cube. It is sitting on four piers. It is literally held up by the walls, which are a truss. Beinecke’s windows are actually one-inch thick marble slabs that allow just enough opaque light so that they don’t damage the books inside and they end up creating this amazing effect of very dim light.
The Yale University Art Gallery is one of the world’s best art galleries with a mixture of so many different styles. They have sculpture galleries, they have ancient, they have modern. And all the while, you’re walking through masterpieces itself.
There’s a phenomenon in New Haven: People come from around the country and around the world to eat pizza. People will have pizza in the morning at Frank Pepe’s and then wait for the afternoon to have dinner at Sally’s Apizza.
People sometimes ask me: “How do you pronounce this New Haven style pizza (Apizza) spelled with an ‘A’ in the beginning.” It’s an old word and we say: “A-beats”.
One of my favorite things to do in New Haven is to also get out of the center city and see some of the amazing outdoor spots that are here.
I would recommend going to Lighthouse Point Park with an amazing connection to the water and a view of New Haven from that vantage point.
East Rock Park has some of the best views of New Haven. You get on top of the city and you’re able to see over and across the skyline.
I love New Haven because it’s full of passionate people, great places to see, amazing food and probably some of the best outdoor excursions that you can get in a small city like this.
Peggy Roberts:
If you’ve never come to Mystic before, what you’ll see when you get here is kind of a romantic-looking 1800s town, a seafaring town where there would have been whaling ships back in the day.
There’s also a very quaint downtown and a very iconic bascule bridge. It connects the Stonington part of Mystic with the Groton part of Mystic. You see big boats and little boats and people wave as they’re going by. And it’s just a really great experience to sit in the park and watch all this happen.
Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest nautical museum in the country. It has all kinds of historic boats. You can experience what it was like to be in a whaling town back in the 1800s. There is the last wooden whaling ship in existence; it’s the Charles W. Morgan. You can board it; you can experience what it was like to be in one of those little bunks and how it must have been to be on those ships for years at a time.
At the aquarium, you can see all kinds of animals. The beluga whales are really the favorite, biggest draw for the aquarium. They’re right inside the front door and there are three of them right now, and the one that seems to get the most attention is Juno. He’s a young adult male who comes right up to the window. One thing you don’t want to miss if you go to the aquarium is having an encounter with some of the animals there. It’s well worth the time.
One of the few things that would not be in a guide is the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. It’s got hiking trails that connect some of the bigger attractions like the aquarium and the seaport. And you can walk around back there and see all of the nature that we have here in Mystic. There’s even owls. It’s all really cool.
One of my favorite places to have dinner or a drink is Red 36, which is located right on the river in Mystic. And it’s kind of a hidden gem because it’s behind a marina but it is phenomenal. The food is great there and the location can’t be beat.
If you take a walk down the main street of Mystic on any given day, you’re going to step back in time. It’s kind of a little romantic feeling because the buildings are older; they’re very well restored.
On the must-see list is Olde Mistick Village. It’s a small town that’s made in the image of the 1700s. It has all kinds of shops, gift shops, places to eat. I love grabbing a drink on Sunday Funday at the Jealous Monk in their beer garden.
We also have some craft food artisans. One of them is Sticky Situations, where you can get local honey, bee pollen and you can taste it.
Mystic Knotwork is a retail store where you can go and buy different crafts made with nautical knots.
Mystic has long been – in addition to being a nautical community – it was also an artist’s colony. So that’s why the craftsmen like Mystic Knotwork are so important to this community.
You don’t want to miss the really quaint charm of a New England village. It’s a great place.
Well, my favorite thing to do in town is to basically go out and to explore a lot of the beautiful scenes such as the parks, Yale University and just kind of take it all in.
Yale University takes over the downtown. It’s like an entire medieval city here. A city within a city.
New Haven has some of the best modern architecture within walking distance. So, the Beinecke
Rare Book Library is one of the largest rare book libraries in the world. It is a cube. It is sitting on four piers. It is literally held up by the walls, which are a truss. Beinecke’s windows are actually one-inch thick marble slabs that allow just enough opaque light so that they don’t damage the books inside and they end up creating this amazing effect of very dim light.
The Yale University Art Gallery is one of the world’s best art galleries with a mixture of so many different styles. They have sculpture galleries, they have ancient, they have modern. And all the while, you’re walking through masterpieces itself.
There’s a phenomenon in New Haven: People come from around the country and around the world to eat pizza. People will have pizza in the morning at Frank Pepe’s and then wait for the afternoon to have dinner at Sally’s Apizza.
People sometimes ask me: “How do you pronounce this New Haven style pizza (Apizza) spelled with an ‘A’ in the beginning.” It’s an old word and we say: “A-beats”.
One of my favorite things to do in New Haven is to also get out of the center city and see some of the amazing outdoor spots that are here.
I would recommend going to Lighthouse Point Park with an amazing connection to the water and a view of New Haven from that vantage point.
East Rock Park has some of the best views of New Haven. You get on top of the city and you’re able to see over and across the skyline.
I love New Haven because it’s full of passionate people, great places to see, amazing food and probably some of the best outdoor excursions that you can get in a small city like this.
Peggy Roberts:
If you’ve never come to Mystic before, what you’ll see when you get here is kind of a romantic-looking 1800s town, a seafaring town where there would have been whaling ships back in the day.
There’s also a very quaint downtown and a very iconic bascule bridge. It connects the Stonington part of Mystic with the Groton part of Mystic. You see big boats and little boats and people wave as they’re going by. And it’s just a really great experience to sit in the park and watch all this happen.
Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest nautical museum in the country. It has all kinds of historic boats. You can experience what it was like to be in a whaling town back in the 1800s. There is the last wooden whaling ship in existence; it’s the Charles W. Morgan. You can board it; you can experience what it was like to be in one of those little bunks and how it must have been to be on those ships for years at a time.
At the aquarium, you can see all kinds of animals. The beluga whales are really the favorite, biggest draw for the aquarium. They’re right inside the front door and there are three of them right now, and the one that seems to get the most attention is Juno. He’s a young adult male who comes right up to the window. One thing you don’t want to miss if you go to the aquarium is having an encounter with some of the animals there. It’s well worth the time.
One of the few things that would not be in a guide is the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. It’s got hiking trails that connect some of the bigger attractions like the aquarium and the seaport. And you can walk around back there and see all of the nature that we have here in Mystic. There’s even owls. It’s all really cool.
One of my favorite places to have dinner or a drink is Red 36, which is located right on the river in Mystic. And it’s kind of a hidden gem because it’s behind a marina but it is phenomenal. The food is great there and the location can’t be beat.
If you take a walk down the main street of Mystic on any given day, you’re going to step back in time. It’s kind of a little romantic feeling because the buildings are older; they’re very well restored.
On the must-see list is Olde Mistick Village. It’s a small town that’s made in the image of the 1700s. It has all kinds of shops, gift shops, places to eat. I love grabbing a drink on Sunday Funday at the Jealous Monk in their beer garden.
We also have some craft food artisans. One of them is Sticky Situations, where you can get local honey, bee pollen and you can taste it.
Mystic Knotwork is a retail store where you can go and buy different crafts made with nautical knots.
Mystic has long been – in addition to being a nautical community – it was also an artist’s colony. So that’s why the craftsmen like Mystic Knotwork are so important to this community.
You don’t want to miss the really quaint charm of a New England village. It’s a great place.
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Ask a Local: Rhode Island - Transcript
Nora Eschenheimer:
Newport, Rhode Island, is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world. Not only because I’m born and raised here, but Newport is this gorgeous walking town. It’s right on the water. You can’t go anywhere without having a spectacular view of something.
Cliff Walk is one of the most popular destinations in Newport. It’s a gorgeous walk that takes you along the water with all the gorgeous mansions on one side and a dramatic view of the ocean on the other.
The beautiful mansions that you’re going to see here in Newport originally weren’t considered mansions. These were the summer cottages of the Gilded Age if you can imagine. Back then, these were really only meant to be lived in for a couple months out of the year. They were all modeled after European architecture. Rosecliff mansion is one of the most beautiful. The inside of the mansion is equally as breathtaking. It really gives you a glimpse into how people lived back at the turn of the century.
When you visit this place, you have to get out on the water, and the best way to do that is to jump on one of the many tour boats here in Newport. The best boat you can go out on is this really neat classic motor yacht called the Rum Runner II. This boat was built in 1929 specifically for the purpose of running alcohol during Prohibition. Now you can go out on this boat and enjoy a cocktail and look at all of these gorgeous mansions from the waterfront.
Easton’s Beach is a really great place to check out because it’s actually walking distance from sort of the heart of Newport. You can really just walk from Bannister’s and Bowen’s Wharf up and down Memorial Boulevard and you’re there. So, whenever I got to Easton’s Beach, the reason for it is because, not only do I want to go put my toes in the water, but also because they have twin lobster rolls. So, it’s two lobster rolls for a very economic price. This is definitely the place to grab them.
Newport does seafood in every way you can imagine, but we’re best known for our lobster rolls, for clam chowder and for stuffies, but what’s also really neat and sort of surprising is that we have a vineyard here in Newport. It’s called Newport Vineyards. The restaurant is gorgeous. Everything over there is incredible.
Newport, Rhode Island – definitely a place to check out if you want to go to the beaches, if you want to relax, if you want to go grab a cocktail on the water. The reason Newport was so popular is because of its location. So, it’s smack dab in between New York and Boston, so it’s always been a popular destination for that reason.
Rosanna Ortiz:
I love Providence because Providence provides that big city feel with a small, intimate camaraderie.
So, RISD, which is the Rhode Island School of Design, is located here right in Providence, and they have a RISD Museum, which is open to the public. And anyone can come and view wonderful, curated masterpieces from students to alumni to some pretty historical artists. I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in the New England area, specifically Rhode Island.
One of my favorite places in this city is Benefit Street. Now I have a little bit of a love with supernatural tales and Benefit Street is known to be one of the most haunted streets in America. Outside of the whole ghost culture of Benefit Street, it is a beautiful street to take a very long walk. There are a ton of historic houses, beautiful colonial houses on Benefit Street.
I have to say one of the cooler things to do here in this city is definitely WaterFire. There’s not very many places that you can visit where you can go and walk around with a ton of people viewing a huge basin and river that is lit on fire. And you can walk through all of these wonderful vignettes and installations.
Even when WaterFire is not happening in the city, you can take a gondola ride during the spring and summer months and early fall through Waterplace Park, which is gorgeous during the day because you go through our big Waterplace towers and you can look up and you get all the scenery, and you see a lot of the city of Providence when you take a gondola ride.
My most favorite thing to do in this city is really taking advantage of our amazing restaurant scene. We have a great Italian community here in Providence, Rhode Island. I’m sure you’ve heard of Federal Hill – huge Italian community with amazing Italian restaurants.
Sarto has great Italian fusion food and their menu changes with every season. Sarto is located in the G building, which is right downtown in Providence, and after you eat at Sarto, you can actually go up to the G rooftop and enjoy a beautiful view of the iconic Superman building and have an after-dinner cocktail.
Knead Doughnuts is probably the best donut shop in Providence and Rhode Island. They definitely have a donut for everyone’s palate.
I love the different communities that we have here, and especially for a visitor who’s visiting our town, I can guarantee you that if you come and sit at a bar, you will meet a local who is full of knowledge about this great city.
Newport, Rhode Island, is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world. Not only because I’m born and raised here, but Newport is this gorgeous walking town. It’s right on the water. You can’t go anywhere without having a spectacular view of something.
Cliff Walk is one of the most popular destinations in Newport. It’s a gorgeous walk that takes you along the water with all the gorgeous mansions on one side and a dramatic view of the ocean on the other.
The beautiful mansions that you’re going to see here in Newport originally weren’t considered mansions. These were the summer cottages of the Gilded Age if you can imagine. Back then, these were really only meant to be lived in for a couple months out of the year. They were all modeled after European architecture. Rosecliff mansion is one of the most beautiful. The inside of the mansion is equally as breathtaking. It really gives you a glimpse into how people lived back at the turn of the century.
When you visit this place, you have to get out on the water, and the best way to do that is to jump on one of the many tour boats here in Newport. The best boat you can go out on is this really neat classic motor yacht called the Rum Runner II. This boat was built in 1929 specifically for the purpose of running alcohol during Prohibition. Now you can go out on this boat and enjoy a cocktail and look at all of these gorgeous mansions from the waterfront.
Easton’s Beach is a really great place to check out because it’s actually walking distance from sort of the heart of Newport. You can really just walk from Bannister’s and Bowen’s Wharf up and down Memorial Boulevard and you’re there. So, whenever I got to Easton’s Beach, the reason for it is because, not only do I want to go put my toes in the water, but also because they have twin lobster rolls. So, it’s two lobster rolls for a very economic price. This is definitely the place to grab them.
Newport does seafood in every way you can imagine, but we’re best known for our lobster rolls, for clam chowder and for stuffies, but what’s also really neat and sort of surprising is that we have a vineyard here in Newport. It’s called Newport Vineyards. The restaurant is gorgeous. Everything over there is incredible.
Newport, Rhode Island – definitely a place to check out if you want to go to the beaches, if you want to relax, if you want to go grab a cocktail on the water. The reason Newport was so popular is because of its location. So, it’s smack dab in between New York and Boston, so it’s always been a popular destination for that reason.
Rosanna Ortiz:
I love Providence because Providence provides that big city feel with a small, intimate camaraderie.
So, RISD, which is the Rhode Island School of Design, is located here right in Providence, and they have a RISD Museum, which is open to the public. And anyone can come and view wonderful, curated masterpieces from students to alumni to some pretty historical artists. I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in the New England area, specifically Rhode Island.
One of my favorite places in this city is Benefit Street. Now I have a little bit of a love with supernatural tales and Benefit Street is known to be one of the most haunted streets in America. Outside of the whole ghost culture of Benefit Street, it is a beautiful street to take a very long walk. There are a ton of historic houses, beautiful colonial houses on Benefit Street.
I have to say one of the cooler things to do here in this city is definitely WaterFire. There’s not very many places that you can visit where you can go and walk around with a ton of people viewing a huge basin and river that is lit on fire. And you can walk through all of these wonderful vignettes and installations.
Even when WaterFire is not happening in the city, you can take a gondola ride during the spring and summer months and early fall through Waterplace Park, which is gorgeous during the day because you go through our big Waterplace towers and you can look up and you get all the scenery, and you see a lot of the city of Providence when you take a gondola ride.
My most favorite thing to do in this city is really taking advantage of our amazing restaurant scene. We have a great Italian community here in Providence, Rhode Island. I’m sure you’ve heard of Federal Hill – huge Italian community with amazing Italian restaurants.
Sarto has great Italian fusion food and their menu changes with every season. Sarto is located in the G building, which is right downtown in Providence, and after you eat at Sarto, you can actually go up to the G rooftop and enjoy a beautiful view of the iconic Superman building and have an after-dinner cocktail.
Knead Doughnuts is probably the best donut shop in Providence and Rhode Island. They definitely have a donut for everyone’s palate.
I love the different communities that we have here, and especially for a visitor who’s visiting our town, I can guarantee you that if you come and sit at a bar, you will meet a local who is full of knowledge about this great city.
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Ask a Local: North Dakota - Transcript
Matt Schanandore:
The most unique thing about Bismarck-Mandan is the river. The Missouri River has been part of the communities for centuries, and it’s such a diverse community built around the river.
Both Bismarck and Mandan on either side of the river, we’ve got our flat farmlands on the east part of the city to our luscious hills overlooking the Missouri Valley area.
My favorite thing to do is get out on our trails. I do a lot of trail running here in the park, and it’s great to get out there and enjoy a great morning on the trails – biking, running, hiking.
If you’re looking for a unique place to sample one of North Dakota’s best brews, you can check out downtown Mandan’s Dialectic Brewing. It’s a great hole-in-the-wall place where you can meet friends, have a great evening and really taste some of the down-to-earth, home brews that are coming about.
The Bismarck Art Alley is something new that has come to downtown Bismarck. You’re gonna find art that’s featured from some of the local Native American artists as well as some of our more modern artists found right here in Bismarck.
One of the great things about Bismarck and Mandan is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. You can learn about the history and culture from the Mandan Indians that lived at the On-A-Slant Village to Custer and his men that lived at Fort Abraham Lincoln. But most importantly, you can get out on out our trails and really see the landscape that North Dakota has to offer. Climb the infantry post blockhouses and look out over the Missouri River from north to south and see one of the last free-flowing stretches of the Missouri River that splits the wonderful communities of Bismarck and Mandan.
If you’re visiting in September, check out the United Tribes International Powwow. It’s a great showcase of the diverse Native American culture that we have right here in North Dakota and throughout the region – some of the best dancers, drum groups and local Native American crafts that you can find.
Visit Downtown Bismarck. We have wonderful eateries, shops to check out. You can spend a whole day down there for excellent cuisine, as well as a really good cup of coffee.
If you want a place to relax and enjoy some of the great cultural aspects of a community, Bismarck-Mandan is where you want to do that.
The most unique thing about Bismarck-Mandan is the river. The Missouri River has been part of the communities for centuries, and it’s such a diverse community built around the river.
Both Bismarck and Mandan on either side of the river, we’ve got our flat farmlands on the east part of the city to our luscious hills overlooking the Missouri Valley area.
My favorite thing to do is get out on our trails. I do a lot of trail running here in the park, and it’s great to get out there and enjoy a great morning on the trails – biking, running, hiking.
If you’re looking for a unique place to sample one of North Dakota’s best brews, you can check out downtown Mandan’s Dialectic Brewing. It’s a great hole-in-the-wall place where you can meet friends, have a great evening and really taste some of the down-to-earth, home brews that are coming about.
The Bismarck Art Alley is something new that has come to downtown Bismarck. You’re gonna find art that’s featured from some of the local Native American artists as well as some of our more modern artists found right here in Bismarck.
One of the great things about Bismarck and Mandan is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. You can learn about the history and culture from the Mandan Indians that lived at the On-A-Slant Village to Custer and his men that lived at Fort Abraham Lincoln. But most importantly, you can get out on out our trails and really see the landscape that North Dakota has to offer. Climb the infantry post blockhouses and look out over the Missouri River from north to south and see one of the last free-flowing stretches of the Missouri River that splits the wonderful communities of Bismarck and Mandan.
If you’re visiting in September, check out the United Tribes International Powwow. It’s a great showcase of the diverse Native American culture that we have right here in North Dakota and throughout the region – some of the best dancers, drum groups and local Native American crafts that you can find.
Visit Downtown Bismarck. We have wonderful eateries, shops to check out. You can spend a whole day down there for excellent cuisine, as well as a really good cup of coffee.
If you want a place to relax and enjoy some of the great cultural aspects of a community, Bismarck-Mandan is where you want to do that.
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Ask a Local: Maryland - Transcript
Alisa Brock:
Baltimore is an incredibly creative town. It’s unafraid to, like, reinvent itself over and over and over again.
The most unique thing about Baltimore is the art. It’s just everywhere. The Walters Art Museum is a staple. It is a phenomenal space with a consistent showing of art. The American Visionary Art Museum is one of those places where you can find some of the most creative, unique and different art pieces you’ve ever seen.
So, the Peabody Library is filled with books. It’s just intoxicating to be around that many. It’s a really great place to go and kind of check some stuff out.
The National Aquarium is a really great place to come and check out. It is filled with over 20,000 animals. It is consistently labeled as one of the top three aquariums in the country.
What makes Baltimore’s waterfront so special is that it’s filled with life. You can stroll along the harbor and check out all the different shops, check out all the huge ships.
Taking a water taxi is another great way to see the city. Fell’s Point is like walking through time. It’s really quite beautiful and you’re right along the water. You can take the water taxi right over. You can kinda sit along the water there too. That’s a really nice place to come and just mellow out.
Now if you want to eat in Baltimore, you gotta get crab cakes. Captain James is one of those places that is extremely unique and people always want to go to it when they come. It’s actually shaped like a ship.
The city is filled with all different types of breweries and just outside of the city, we have the Guinness Brewery. It’s the first Guinness Brewery in the US since the 1950s.
I love Baltimore because of its resilience, its artistry, its originality, and it’s so funky.
Mayor William (Bill) Martin:
Havre de Grace is a quintessential, all-American city located right on the Chesapeake Bay. We’re a historic town with lots to offer.
One great, cool fact about the city is that we missed being the nation’s capital by one vote. It ended up being Washington, D.C.
One of the most unique influences in our city is the French influence. Legend has it that Marquis de Lafayette visited our city in the 1780s and was so impressed by its beauty that it reminded him of his home in Le Havre, France.
Now, the most iconic symbol in the city of Havre de Grace is what’s right behind me, Concord Point Lighthouse. Built in 1827, it’s the oldest continuous lighthouse used in the state of Maryland. Any visitors can come up and walk up to the top and actually witness a Fresnel lens that was replaced in 1983, one of the few that are still operating in the state of Maryand.
If you’re interested in sailing, there’s no shortage here in Havre de Grace. If you want to learn how to sail, many of our marinas offer classes and lessons to learn how to be a sailor. If you just want to hop on board a sailboat, there’s plenty of charters, endless amount of times on the water.
The best thing to do here is to take a walk on the promenade. The promenade is a beautiful boardwalk that goes along the shoreline. It captures the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. The best part about walking the promenade is to walk it early in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise, the bald eagles; it’s nature at its best.
The Maritime Museum is home to a lot of old-style Chesapeake Bay skiffs and boats that used to work these waters for many, many years a long time ago.
Living on the Chesapeake Bay is an amazing experience. There’s never a day where you don’t have a cool breeze coming off the water and the beauty of the wildlife and the scenery in the city of Havre de Grace.
Baltimore is an incredibly creative town. It’s unafraid to, like, reinvent itself over and over and over again.
The most unique thing about Baltimore is the art. It’s just everywhere. The Walters Art Museum is a staple. It is a phenomenal space with a consistent showing of art. The American Visionary Art Museum is one of those places where you can find some of the most creative, unique and different art pieces you’ve ever seen.
So, the Peabody Library is filled with books. It’s just intoxicating to be around that many. It’s a really great place to go and kind of check some stuff out.
The National Aquarium is a really great place to come and check out. It is filled with over 20,000 animals. It is consistently labeled as one of the top three aquariums in the country.
What makes Baltimore’s waterfront so special is that it’s filled with life. You can stroll along the harbor and check out all the different shops, check out all the huge ships.
Taking a water taxi is another great way to see the city. Fell’s Point is like walking through time. It’s really quite beautiful and you’re right along the water. You can take the water taxi right over. You can kinda sit along the water there too. That’s a really nice place to come and just mellow out.
Now if you want to eat in Baltimore, you gotta get crab cakes. Captain James is one of those places that is extremely unique and people always want to go to it when they come. It’s actually shaped like a ship.
The city is filled with all different types of breweries and just outside of the city, we have the Guinness Brewery. It’s the first Guinness Brewery in the US since the 1950s.
I love Baltimore because of its resilience, its artistry, its originality, and it’s so funky.
Mayor William (Bill) Martin:
Havre de Grace is a quintessential, all-American city located right on the Chesapeake Bay. We’re a historic town with lots to offer.
One great, cool fact about the city is that we missed being the nation’s capital by one vote. It ended up being Washington, D.C.
One of the most unique influences in our city is the French influence. Legend has it that Marquis de Lafayette visited our city in the 1780s and was so impressed by its beauty that it reminded him of his home in Le Havre, France.
Now, the most iconic symbol in the city of Havre de Grace is what’s right behind me, Concord Point Lighthouse. Built in 1827, it’s the oldest continuous lighthouse used in the state of Maryland. Any visitors can come up and walk up to the top and actually witness a Fresnel lens that was replaced in 1983, one of the few that are still operating in the state of Maryand.
If you’re interested in sailing, there’s no shortage here in Havre de Grace. If you want to learn how to sail, many of our marinas offer classes and lessons to learn how to be a sailor. If you just want to hop on board a sailboat, there’s plenty of charters, endless amount of times on the water.
The best thing to do here is to take a walk on the promenade. The promenade is a beautiful boardwalk that goes along the shoreline. It captures the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. The best part about walking the promenade is to walk it early in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise, the bald eagles; it’s nature at its best.
The Maritime Museum is home to a lot of old-style Chesapeake Bay skiffs and boats that used to work these waters for many, many years a long time ago.
Living on the Chesapeake Bay is an amazing experience. There’s never a day where you don’t have a cool breeze coming off the water and the beauty of the wildlife and the scenery in the city of Havre de Grace.
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Ask a Local: Arkansas - Transcript
Donnie Ferneau:
Little Rock, Arkansas, is just big enough to where you have a really cool food scene and enough to do on the weekends or during the weekday, but it’s small town enough to where you actually get to really know the people in your community.
One of the most unique things that I like about Little Rock is the outdoors. We’ve got the bridges, we’ve got the cool Riverwalk area, the River Market area. But then just within a few-minute drive, you’re in the middle of the woods. You can climb Pinnacle Mountain, you can ride the River Trails, you can go kayaking, whatever you want.
If someone was traveling in from out of the country and landed right in Little Rock, Arkansas, there’s a couple things you have to do. You have to definitely go down to the River Market area, see the street vendors, some really great outdoor art exhibits and of course all the pedestrian bridges here.
You have to realize you’re in an old Southern city and there’s a lot of history here. There’s a lot of museums, there’s a lot of art galleries. But then you know, you’ve got the Clinton Library, which is wonderful to walk through.
Everything is within walking distance. If you spent two hours just walking around, you could almost see all of downtown. It’s small but it’s just big enough to where it makes you feel like you can have a whole day of exploring.
Here at Cathead’s Diner, home cooking and Delta comfort food is our specialty. I love just paying homage to old Arkansas Delta cuisine and doing some of the originals back like grandma used to. Since I’ve lived here, I’ve seen the food scape change completely. All the chefs in general have really stepped up their game.
I love Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Strap on a backpack and climb Pinnacle Mountain. One of the most beautiful views you’ll ever see in this city is from the top of Pinnacle Mountain right at sunset. You can see the lakes around; you can see the city. It’s a very tranquil view.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is my new home. I love it here. Every time I travel, I always can’t wait to come back to Arkansas.
Rose Schweikhart:
Hot Springs is a quintessential Southern town, nestled in valley surrounded by lakes and national forests. It’s just the most beautiful place in Arkansas.
Hot Springs National Park is so unique because it’s one of our country’s only urban national parks. It features 9 former bathhouses that were built in the early 1900s, which are just a spectacular example of architecture. Bathhouse Row is perfect for families. It’s a great place to walk, take a nice stroll.
When I first learned about Hot Springs, I was amazed that there was hot spring water you could drink and also that there were these historic bathhouses that were available for use. The Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery in a U.S. national park, and we’re the only brewery in the world that makes our product with thermal spring water.
The Hot Springs area is becoming one the premier destinations in Arkansas for hiking and mountain biking. We have 27 miles of hiking trails right here in the national park. The Northwoods Trail has trails that are appropriate from the very beginner to a professional mountain biker.
Arkansas, and especially Hot Springs, is one of the hidden gems in America, full of beautiful outdoor spaces, national parks, hiking, mountain biking. We have a lot of culture, a little bit of everything.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is just big enough to where you have a really cool food scene and enough to do on the weekends or during the weekday, but it’s small town enough to where you actually get to really know the people in your community.
One of the most unique things that I like about Little Rock is the outdoors. We’ve got the bridges, we’ve got the cool Riverwalk area, the River Market area. But then just within a few-minute drive, you’re in the middle of the woods. You can climb Pinnacle Mountain, you can ride the River Trails, you can go kayaking, whatever you want.
If someone was traveling in from out of the country and landed right in Little Rock, Arkansas, there’s a couple things you have to do. You have to definitely go down to the River Market area, see the street vendors, some really great outdoor art exhibits and of course all the pedestrian bridges here.
You have to realize you’re in an old Southern city and there’s a lot of history here. There’s a lot of museums, there’s a lot of art galleries. But then you know, you’ve got the Clinton Library, which is wonderful to walk through.
Everything is within walking distance. If you spent two hours just walking around, you could almost see all of downtown. It’s small but it’s just big enough to where it makes you feel like you can have a whole day of exploring.
Here at Cathead’s Diner, home cooking and Delta comfort food is our specialty. I love just paying homage to old Arkansas Delta cuisine and doing some of the originals back like grandma used to. Since I’ve lived here, I’ve seen the food scape change completely. All the chefs in general have really stepped up their game.
I love Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Strap on a backpack and climb Pinnacle Mountain. One of the most beautiful views you’ll ever see in this city is from the top of Pinnacle Mountain right at sunset. You can see the lakes around; you can see the city. It’s a very tranquil view.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is my new home. I love it here. Every time I travel, I always can’t wait to come back to Arkansas.
Rose Schweikhart:
Hot Springs is a quintessential Southern town, nestled in valley surrounded by lakes and national forests. It’s just the most beautiful place in Arkansas.
Hot Springs National Park is so unique because it’s one of our country’s only urban national parks. It features 9 former bathhouses that were built in the early 1900s, which are just a spectacular example of architecture. Bathhouse Row is perfect for families. It’s a great place to walk, take a nice stroll.
When I first learned about Hot Springs, I was amazed that there was hot spring water you could drink and also that there were these historic bathhouses that were available for use. The Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery in a U.S. national park, and we’re the only brewery in the world that makes our product with thermal spring water.
The Hot Springs area is becoming one the premier destinations in Arkansas for hiking and mountain biking. We have 27 miles of hiking trails right here in the national park. The Northwoods Trail has trails that are appropriate from the very beginner to a professional mountain biker.
Arkansas, and especially Hot Springs, is one of the hidden gems in America, full of beautiful outdoor spaces, national parks, hiking, mountain biking. We have a lot of culture, a little bit of everything.
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Ask a Local: Alaska - Transcript
Jack Bonney:
The first thing that really strikes you about Anchorage – it’s the mountains, it’s the greenery. You realize that you’re in Alaska, that you’re in a very wild place. I’ve never lived in a place that was so perfectly balanced between the natural world and the built human environment.
My favorite introduction to Anchorage is a walk down the Coastal Trail from downtown Anchorage along the coast of Cook Inlet down to a place called Kincaid Park.
You have to get out into the Chugach Mountains – if you hike, if you bike, if you kayak, if you just want to get out and see something from a high elevation. You have to go down to Turnagain Arm and see the bore tide. We actually get a wave that runs on the tides that’s so big you can surf it.
Well, I think Alaska always inspires tall tales, and there’s some reason to it. You can run with the reindeer during Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, Jet Ski to a glacier in Prince William Sound.
If you’re here in the summer, you’ve got to come during Summer Solstice. From sunrise to sunset, it’s about 22 hours of daylight. If summer shines, then winter sparkles. We have the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.
Trips by car or by rail are a really great way to get around. The Denali Star Train runs almost every day of the summer, going north from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops at Denali National Park and Talkeetna on the way.
For places that are beyond the reach of road and rail, we have more pilots and more planes per capita than any place else in the country. So, getting around using small aircraft, float planes and helicopters is a very special way to see how amazing the landscapes can be.
Alaska Native Culture isn’t a single culture. There are many different traditions. It’s worth stopping at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. These two institutions do an exceptional job explaining the history and the cultures that make Alaska special.
There are black and brown bears and eagles and moose and beluga whales. They all live in Anchorage, where our residents aren’t just people.
Kory Eberhardt:
Sometimes you can step outside and just see a little white wisp. Other times, the whole sky just lights up. The great thing about Fairbanks is you can see the northern lights as soon as mid-August all the way until mid- to late April.
Fairbanks is a wonderful town that has large town amenities but also a small-town feel. And just minutes away, you can drive out and explore Alaska’s wilderness.
One of my favorite things to do is float down the Chena River on a canoe, and if you don’t feel very comfortable in a canoe, you can always take one of our sternwheelers up the river on either a dinner cruise or a summer cruise.
Angel Rocks is a really special place. It’s a short drive away from downtown Fairbanks. It’s a beautiful hiking trail that’s about a 3-mile loop, but you get some great elevations and good scenery.
Just outside of Fairbanks, there’s a place called Chena Hot Springs. There’s an outdoor hot spring; it can be 0 degrees outside, and you can be in 100-degree water.
In the interior of Alaska, we have a lot of wildlife. We have moose, caribou, bears. Denali National Park is a great place to go and see all of them.
In Fairbanks, there’s a lot of good places to try out gold panning. You’re going to try to pan for gold where gold was first found in the interior.
In our community, we have a lot of different influences from around the world. I really like and enjoy the Alaskan Native culture that we have. On the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, they have the Museum of the North. It touches on Native culture, art, climate, animals.
Dog-mushing is where you take a sled, and you harness up a few dogs. It’s amazing to see or try in person, and it’s really impressive how much the dogs love to run.
Seeing ice art in Fairbanks is a really easy thing to do. You can go right downtown to the Ice Museum. Even if it’s 75, 80 degrees out, they have ice carvings inside.
Just a short, 20-minute drive out of the city center and it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. No mailboxes. No electrical lines. “Off-the-grid” really means something in Fairbanks.
The first thing that really strikes you about Anchorage – it’s the mountains, it’s the greenery. You realize that you’re in Alaska, that you’re in a very wild place. I’ve never lived in a place that was so perfectly balanced between the natural world and the built human environment.
My favorite introduction to Anchorage is a walk down the Coastal Trail from downtown Anchorage along the coast of Cook Inlet down to a place called Kincaid Park.
You have to get out into the Chugach Mountains – if you hike, if you bike, if you kayak, if you just want to get out and see something from a high elevation. You have to go down to Turnagain Arm and see the bore tide. We actually get a wave that runs on the tides that’s so big you can surf it.
Well, I think Alaska always inspires tall tales, and there’s some reason to it. You can run with the reindeer during Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, Jet Ski to a glacier in Prince William Sound.
If you’re here in the summer, you’ve got to come during Summer Solstice. From sunrise to sunset, it’s about 22 hours of daylight. If summer shines, then winter sparkles. We have the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.
Trips by car or by rail are a really great way to get around. The Denali Star Train runs almost every day of the summer, going north from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops at Denali National Park and Talkeetna on the way.
For places that are beyond the reach of road and rail, we have more pilots and more planes per capita than any place else in the country. So, getting around using small aircraft, float planes and helicopters is a very special way to see how amazing the landscapes can be.
Alaska Native Culture isn’t a single culture. There are many different traditions. It’s worth stopping at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. These two institutions do an exceptional job explaining the history and the cultures that make Alaska special.
There are black and brown bears and eagles and moose and beluga whales. They all live in Anchorage, where our residents aren’t just people.
Kory Eberhardt:
Sometimes you can step outside and just see a little white wisp. Other times, the whole sky just lights up. The great thing about Fairbanks is you can see the northern lights as soon as mid-August all the way until mid- to late April.
Fairbanks is a wonderful town that has large town amenities but also a small-town feel. And just minutes away, you can drive out and explore Alaska’s wilderness.
One of my favorite things to do is float down the Chena River on a canoe, and if you don’t feel very comfortable in a canoe, you can always take one of our sternwheelers up the river on either a dinner cruise or a summer cruise.
Angel Rocks is a really special place. It’s a short drive away from downtown Fairbanks. It’s a beautiful hiking trail that’s about a 3-mile loop, but you get some great elevations and good scenery.
Just outside of Fairbanks, there’s a place called Chena Hot Springs. There’s an outdoor hot spring; it can be 0 degrees outside, and you can be in 100-degree water.
In the interior of Alaska, we have a lot of wildlife. We have moose, caribou, bears. Denali National Park is a great place to go and see all of them.
In Fairbanks, there’s a lot of good places to try out gold panning. You’re going to try to pan for gold where gold was first found in the interior.
In our community, we have a lot of different influences from around the world. I really like and enjoy the Alaskan Native culture that we have. On the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, they have the Museum of the North. It touches on Native culture, art, climate, animals.
Dog-mushing is where you take a sled, and you harness up a few dogs. It’s amazing to see or try in person, and it’s really impressive how much the dogs love to run.
Seeing ice art in Fairbanks is a really easy thing to do. You can go right downtown to the Ice Museum. Even if it’s 75, 80 degrees out, they have ice carvings inside.
Just a short, 20-minute drive out of the city center and it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. No mailboxes. No electrical lines. “Off-the-grid” really means something in Fairbanks.
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Ask a Local: Alabama - Transcript
Valerie Thomas:
Birmingham has this really cool name called “The Magic City,” and there’s a very interesting story about that: It was discovered that all the ingredients to make pig iron could be dug out of the dirt. And, all of a sudden, everyone was here, working, building and trading steel. And they call it “The Magic City” because it really appeared in the middle of nowhere overnight.
The Vulcan Park & Museum is a really cool place to check out the statue of our Vulcan built in 1904. They carted this huge statue to the St. Louis World’s Fair so they could show off and let everyone know what they were capable of. It was quite an awesome feat at the time. We have this amazing view of the city from that point.
Another gem would have to be Gip’s. It’s the oldest roadhouse in the country, and it’s one of those spots where you can hear blues all night long. You have to hit it on a Saturday night, and it’s a really fine night.
The Alabama Peanut Company is quite the cool place on Morris Avenue. You can get a pound – or 5 pounds if you like – of peanuts. Every day, they change the flavors. They take great pride in putting together a concoction for these boiled peanuts, and they’re very popular.
The craziest thing you can do in this city – I haven’t done it because I’m chicken – but we have the Barber Motorsports here. They have a little over 2-mile track with all kinds of elevations, lots of intricate curves, where you can take a Porsche and you can put that Porsche on a track and ride up to 200-plus miles per hour.
My very favorite thing to do in Birmingham is eat. All caps. Bottega is one of the best restaurants. They have great food, the menu changes seasonally, and they’re always coming up with something new.
We have Avondale Brewery. Not only do they have some of the best beers in town, they have great events like their crawfish boil. You don’t want to miss it.
Welcome to Birmingham, Alabama! Come and see us!
Judy Hood:
Muscle Shoals means everything. The music here is part of what makes us magical, and it’s definitely what makes us a global entity. A friend of mine says, “If Nashville and Memphis had a baby, it would be Muscle Shoals,” because our music – it’s a soulful sound, it’s a funky sound.
There were hundreds of hit records that just came out of this studio. There’s Aretha Franklin, there’s Rod Stewart, there’s the Rolling Stones, there’s Paul Simon – and the list just goes on and on and on. FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound – they’re just two iconic studios. One of the craziest things you can do is come stand in the room where Mick Jagger recorded “Brown Sugar.”
Our rivers and lakes here are just beautiful. On any given day, you’re going to see people out bass fishing, you’re going to see pleasure boats out, you’re going to see some families out enjoying some time on a pontoon boat. It’s a magnificent place for people to get to experience the joy of being on the water. It defines who we are in so many ways.
Exploring the Frank Lloyd Wright home in Florence is just a pleasure. It’s the only one in the state of Alabama. And I think what strikes me the most is how simplistic yet sophisticated his architecture was.
Odette is one of the best restaurants I’ve even eaten in. Everything has such an amazing twist. The things they can do, the flavors they can produce, are just mouthwatering. Their hospitality is as delicious as their cuisine, really.
People are always very surprised and thrilled about the diversity of our music in Alabama. Well, let’s face it: Music is the universal language. That’s one thing that can bring us together all over the world, and it’s something that we all agree on.
Birmingham has this really cool name called “The Magic City,” and there’s a very interesting story about that: It was discovered that all the ingredients to make pig iron could be dug out of the dirt. And, all of a sudden, everyone was here, working, building and trading steel. And they call it “The Magic City” because it really appeared in the middle of nowhere overnight.
The Vulcan Park & Museum is a really cool place to check out the statue of our Vulcan built in 1904. They carted this huge statue to the St. Louis World’s Fair so they could show off and let everyone know what they were capable of. It was quite an awesome feat at the time. We have this amazing view of the city from that point.
Another gem would have to be Gip’s. It’s the oldest roadhouse in the country, and it’s one of those spots where you can hear blues all night long. You have to hit it on a Saturday night, and it’s a really fine night.
The Alabama Peanut Company is quite the cool place on Morris Avenue. You can get a pound – or 5 pounds if you like – of peanuts. Every day, they change the flavors. They take great pride in putting together a concoction for these boiled peanuts, and they’re very popular.
The craziest thing you can do in this city – I haven’t done it because I’m chicken – but we have the Barber Motorsports here. They have a little over 2-mile track with all kinds of elevations, lots of intricate curves, where you can take a Porsche and you can put that Porsche on a track and ride up to 200-plus miles per hour.
My very favorite thing to do in Birmingham is eat. All caps. Bottega is one of the best restaurants. They have great food, the menu changes seasonally, and they’re always coming up with something new.
We have Avondale Brewery. Not only do they have some of the best beers in town, they have great events like their crawfish boil. You don’t want to miss it.
Welcome to Birmingham, Alabama! Come and see us!
Judy Hood:
Muscle Shoals means everything. The music here is part of what makes us magical, and it’s definitely what makes us a global entity. A friend of mine says, “If Nashville and Memphis had a baby, it would be Muscle Shoals,” because our music – it’s a soulful sound, it’s a funky sound.
There were hundreds of hit records that just came out of this studio. There’s Aretha Franklin, there’s Rod Stewart, there’s the Rolling Stones, there’s Paul Simon – and the list just goes on and on and on. FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound – they’re just two iconic studios. One of the craziest things you can do is come stand in the room where Mick Jagger recorded “Brown Sugar.”
Our rivers and lakes here are just beautiful. On any given day, you’re going to see people out bass fishing, you’re going to see pleasure boats out, you’re going to see some families out enjoying some time on a pontoon boat. It’s a magnificent place for people to get to experience the joy of being on the water. It defines who we are in so many ways.
Exploring the Frank Lloyd Wright home in Florence is just a pleasure. It’s the only one in the state of Alabama. And I think what strikes me the most is how simplistic yet sophisticated his architecture was.
Odette is one of the best restaurants I’ve even eaten in. Everything has such an amazing twist. The things they can do, the flavors they can produce, are just mouthwatering. Their hospitality is as delicious as their cuisine, really.
People are always very surprised and thrilled about the diversity of our music in Alabama. Well, let’s face it: Music is the universal language. That’s one thing that can bring us together all over the world, and it’s something that we all agree on.
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Ask a Local: Vermont - Transcript
Sam von Trapp:
We’ve got the tallest mountain in the state of Vermont, a state that’s known for its mountains, the “Green Mountain State.” It was a farming town going back over 250 years. But it also had the first ski chair lift in the East Coast of the United States.
Stowe has always been known for its skiing. Because of the history of skiing in Stowe, it’s drawn a lot of Europeans here. Swiss and Austrian, German, Norwegian and Swedish – and they really have added to the overall international flair of Stowe.
I’m Sam von Trapp. I was born here in Stowe, Vermont. My family came over from Austria in 1938, and when they found Stowe in 1942, it reminded them of Austria. After the musical “The Sound of Music” was made, our family story has become a big part of the Vermont culture and the draw to this area. We do have history tours here at Trapp Family Lodge that help to bridge the gap for people between the story of “The Sound of Music” and the real story. And my family, we actually finish the tours ourselves. So, it’s a chance for people to ask questions directly of a von Trapp.
Vermont is absolutely known for its fall foliage. From the last week of September through the middle of October, you look out across the valley, it’s just absolutely magnificent.
Moss Glen Falls is a very easy hike. Nice narrow falls cascading down through moss along the sides, many different overlooks that you can stop at and you can wade into the water at the bottom and cool off on a nice hot day.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park – you can imagine from the name – is where the smugglers used to come in from Canada bringing the booze down during prohibition. It’s a road that is gorgeous to drive through in the spring, summer and fall. You’ve got huge cliffs on either side, gorgeous views over to the other side. And it’s a nice spot to go on a hot day, getting into the shade of the mountains and getting up a little bit in elevation.
Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont, 4,390 feet. The top of it is open so you’ve got a full view in every direction.
One of the great things about having big mountains is the ziplining. You’ve got a lot of vertical drop. You’re descending about 2,000 vertical feet through three different pitches. And if you choose to, you can go about as fast as a car going down the freeway.
Vermont has the most breweries per capita of any state in the United States. And Stowe happens to be one of the concentration areas. We’ve got Von Trapp Brewing with our focus on traditional Austrian, Bavarian-style lagers. Idletyme is a real institution here in Stowe. It’s also located right on the recreation path, so people can pop in in the summer off of their bikes and have a nice meal right there on the patio listening to music outdoors.
The reason I love Stowe so much is the combination of nature and the culture and culinary options that come with being in a top-level resort town.
Chelsea Harris:
The most unique part about Burlington is its setting. We have the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain, so many wonderful mountains in our backyard, there’s a ton of outdoor activities for every season. In the summer, tons of biking. In the winter, there’s local ski mountains. Sugarbush, Stowe and Jay Peak are among my favorites.
Lake Champlain expands from Southern Vermont all the way to Canada. It’s known for its fantastic bass fishing. I personally love the bike path, which runs along the coast of the lake all the way to the Colchester Causeway, which is this shoot of land totally surrounded by lake. I love to go out on the boat, what the sunset right over the lake.
Vermont, and Burlington in particular, has become known as an artisan location. And the craft producers dedicate themselves to putting out wonderful, unique products. Mad River Distillers makes a ton of different spirits. I think they make one of everything. Smugglers’ Notch is another wonderful distillery. Their vodka is among one of my favorite Vermont-made vodkas.
Vermont is very well-known for its handmade cheeses. There are so many dairy farms and they’re making beautiful, unique cheeses. At Shelburne Farms, you can walk right up to the cheese making window, watch them in all stages of the cheddar process. You can also sample all of the cheddars they make, as many samples as you can eat.
Pizzeria Verità is a Neapolitan restaurant in downtown Burlington. They make woodfired pizzas. They use a blend of Italian products as well as Vermont-made products.
One of my number one recommendations is to hop on a bike and do a little brew tour. In Burlington, we’re fortunate to have all the breweries in a relatively close proximity. And they’re so fun to bike to, grab a quick beer on a sunny day and tour around.
On Church Street, you’ll find a plethora of eclectic coffee shops, great restaurants, fun bars. Common Deer is a cute gift shop right downtown in Burlington. They have a bunch of Vermont-made products. Beautiful jewelry from Vermont artists, as well as artists from around the county.
The people of Vermont are wonderful. We see all walks of life. The general vibe I find is very laid-back, yet everyone in Vermont is motivated, everyone is very active. The people of Vermont just really make the most of the great setting we have. It’s a fantastic place.
We’ve got the tallest mountain in the state of Vermont, a state that’s known for its mountains, the “Green Mountain State.” It was a farming town going back over 250 years. But it also had the first ski chair lift in the East Coast of the United States.
Stowe has always been known for its skiing. Because of the history of skiing in Stowe, it’s drawn a lot of Europeans here. Swiss and Austrian, German, Norwegian and Swedish – and they really have added to the overall international flair of Stowe.
I’m Sam von Trapp. I was born here in Stowe, Vermont. My family came over from Austria in 1938, and when they found Stowe in 1942, it reminded them of Austria. After the musical “The Sound of Music” was made, our family story has become a big part of the Vermont culture and the draw to this area. We do have history tours here at Trapp Family Lodge that help to bridge the gap for people between the story of “The Sound of Music” and the real story. And my family, we actually finish the tours ourselves. So, it’s a chance for people to ask questions directly of a von Trapp.
Vermont is absolutely known for its fall foliage. From the last week of September through the middle of October, you look out across the valley, it’s just absolutely magnificent.
Moss Glen Falls is a very easy hike. Nice narrow falls cascading down through moss along the sides, many different overlooks that you can stop at and you can wade into the water at the bottom and cool off on a nice hot day.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park – you can imagine from the name – is where the smugglers used to come in from Canada bringing the booze down during prohibition. It’s a road that is gorgeous to drive through in the spring, summer and fall. You’ve got huge cliffs on either side, gorgeous views over to the other side. And it’s a nice spot to go on a hot day, getting into the shade of the mountains and getting up a little bit in elevation.
Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont, 4,390 feet. The top of it is open so you’ve got a full view in every direction.
One of the great things about having big mountains is the ziplining. You’ve got a lot of vertical drop. You’re descending about 2,000 vertical feet through three different pitches. And if you choose to, you can go about as fast as a car going down the freeway.
Vermont has the most breweries per capita of any state in the United States. And Stowe happens to be one of the concentration areas. We’ve got Von Trapp Brewing with our focus on traditional Austrian, Bavarian-style lagers. Idletyme is a real institution here in Stowe. It’s also located right on the recreation path, so people can pop in in the summer off of their bikes and have a nice meal right there on the patio listening to music outdoors.
The reason I love Stowe so much is the combination of nature and the culture and culinary options that come with being in a top-level resort town.
Chelsea Harris:
The most unique part about Burlington is its setting. We have the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain, so many wonderful mountains in our backyard, there’s a ton of outdoor activities for every season. In the summer, tons of biking. In the winter, there’s local ski mountains. Sugarbush, Stowe and Jay Peak are among my favorites.
Lake Champlain expands from Southern Vermont all the way to Canada. It’s known for its fantastic bass fishing. I personally love the bike path, which runs along the coast of the lake all the way to the Colchester Causeway, which is this shoot of land totally surrounded by lake. I love to go out on the boat, what the sunset right over the lake.
Vermont, and Burlington in particular, has become known as an artisan location. And the craft producers dedicate themselves to putting out wonderful, unique products. Mad River Distillers makes a ton of different spirits. I think they make one of everything. Smugglers’ Notch is another wonderful distillery. Their vodka is among one of my favorite Vermont-made vodkas.
Vermont is very well-known for its handmade cheeses. There are so many dairy farms and they’re making beautiful, unique cheeses. At Shelburne Farms, you can walk right up to the cheese making window, watch them in all stages of the cheddar process. You can also sample all of the cheddars they make, as many samples as you can eat.
Pizzeria Verità is a Neapolitan restaurant in downtown Burlington. They make woodfired pizzas. They use a blend of Italian products as well as Vermont-made products.
One of my number one recommendations is to hop on a bike and do a little brew tour. In Burlington, we’re fortunate to have all the breweries in a relatively close proximity. And they’re so fun to bike to, grab a quick beer on a sunny day and tour around.
On Church Street, you’ll find a plethora of eclectic coffee shops, great restaurants, fun bars. Common Deer is a cute gift shop right downtown in Burlington. They have a bunch of Vermont-made products. Beautiful jewelry from Vermont artists, as well as artists from around the county.
The people of Vermont are wonderful. We see all walks of life. The general vibe I find is very laid-back, yet everyone in Vermont is motivated, everyone is very active. The people of Vermont just really make the most of the great setting we have. It’s a fantastic place.
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Ask a Local: Massachusetts - Transcript
Katie McAleer:
Boston is like a small town tucked inside a big city. It’s got cute little streets but its huge skyscrapers too. I love living here from the amazing history, the beautiful waterfront and the great food.
If you’re only coming to Boston for day, you have to visit Quincy Market. From all the amazing food to the gorgeous old buildings, you have to check it out. Don’t wear heels, though, because the cobblestones are brutal.
You have the oldest public park in America right here. You can follow the Freedom Trail throughout Boston and see all the amazing historical landmarks from the abolition movement to the American Revolution. Walking through the public gardens, you can see the influence the American Revolution had on this city.
Beacon Hill is my home, and it’s one of the most charming neighborhoods here in Boston. From the Acorn Street to the gorgeous, breathtaking Louisburg Square, you have to check out Beacon Hill.
You should definitely check out the State House and take a tour. You have the gorgeous gold dome and the beautiful architecture.
Fenway Park is one of the oldest ballparks in America. Go take in a game from the Green Monster. It’s home to the World Series-winning Red Sox, our home team.
Relive the Boston Tea Party at the Boston Tea Party Museum. Tour a replica of one of the British tea ships, and you can even pretend to throw some tea into the harbor.
I love going to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and checking out the beautiful courtyard. You’ll think you were transported to an exotic jungle when you’re right in downtown Boston.
The Museum of Fine Arts is a great place to visit in Boston. You have changing exhibits constantly and you get to see some amazing works of art.
Legal Harborside is one of my favorite places to go in the summer. They have award-winning clam chowder, served with potatoes in a cream broth. It is my favorite thing to get here New England.
I was born and raised right here in Boston. I love this city. From its amazing history, winning sports teams and the beautiful waterfront, you have to come and visit.
Doug Shube:
When you’re walking around the streets of Marblehead, it almost kind of feels like you’re in an open-air museum that you’re seeing all these beautiful homes, all this beautiful architecture surrounded by the water. You just kind of feel like you’re stepping back in time and visiting a totally different place.
Marblehead is this beautiful, quaint, cozy, charming little New England town. It’s filled with history, dates all the way back to the Revolutionary-era colonial times. There’s just so much beauty in Marblehead.
The houses here are pre-Revolutionary. So, when you’re walking downtown, there are actually plaques on the front of a lot of the houses, and it tells you the date when the house was built, who lived there and what their profession was, and it really gives you a sense of what the history was like back then.
Washington Street is the main street in Old Town, which is the historic part of Marblehead, and it’s filled with charming little shops, places to eat – and you definitely have to check it out when you come visit.
Jeremiah Lee was one of the wealthiest merchants in colonial Massachusetts. Marblehead has done a great job of preserving the mansion. The 18th century wallpaper is actually still the original wallpaper. There’s a beautiful garden out back. You get a tour of the mansion and really get a sense of all the beautiful furniture inside.
When you’re walking around, you’re gonna see a lot of golden cods on the homes. The golden cod is really an ode to our history as a great fishing port of the area.
One thing you’ll notice is that you’re surrounded by the ocean and by the sea. That’s one of my favorite parts about this town.
You could go to any of our beaches and really just take in the beauty of the water. I love kayaking around the Marblehead Harbor. You get to check out all the boats, see all the different names on the boats. You get to see the beautiful homes on the water, the beautiful views, and then I love paddling out to Brown’s Island, picnic and really just docking there for the day and just enjoying.
Fort Sewall is one my favorite spots in town. It’s tucked way at the end of Old Town. It has beautiful views of the harbor, of the ocean and just is Marblehead at its finest.
The lighthouse at Chandler Hovey Park is actually the only cast iron lighthouse in all of New England. The park at the lighthouse has picturesque views, is a great spot to bring your family and just really enjoy.
And when you come here, you’ve got to check out Maddie’s. It was actually named one of the top 10 sailing bars to go to. Make sure to order their signature drink, a Thunderdome. You can thank me later.
Shubie’s is my family’s specialty food and marketplace. We’ve been around since 1948. Come see me at Shubie’s, grab a seat at the food bar, grab a sandwich and hang out with the locals.
I love Marblehead for the beauty, the history and just the overall sense of magic of Marblehead, and once you get here, I really think you’ll feel it right away.
Boston is like a small town tucked inside a big city. It’s got cute little streets but its huge skyscrapers too. I love living here from the amazing history, the beautiful waterfront and the great food.
If you’re only coming to Boston for day, you have to visit Quincy Market. From all the amazing food to the gorgeous old buildings, you have to check it out. Don’t wear heels, though, because the cobblestones are brutal.
You have the oldest public park in America right here. You can follow the Freedom Trail throughout Boston and see all the amazing historical landmarks from the abolition movement to the American Revolution. Walking through the public gardens, you can see the influence the American Revolution had on this city.
Beacon Hill is my home, and it’s one of the most charming neighborhoods here in Boston. From the Acorn Street to the gorgeous, breathtaking Louisburg Square, you have to check out Beacon Hill.
You should definitely check out the State House and take a tour. You have the gorgeous gold dome and the beautiful architecture.
Fenway Park is one of the oldest ballparks in America. Go take in a game from the Green Monster. It’s home to the World Series-winning Red Sox, our home team.
Relive the Boston Tea Party at the Boston Tea Party Museum. Tour a replica of one of the British tea ships, and you can even pretend to throw some tea into the harbor.
I love going to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and checking out the beautiful courtyard. You’ll think you were transported to an exotic jungle when you’re right in downtown Boston.
The Museum of Fine Arts is a great place to visit in Boston. You have changing exhibits constantly and you get to see some amazing works of art.
Legal Harborside is one of my favorite places to go in the summer. They have award-winning clam chowder, served with potatoes in a cream broth. It is my favorite thing to get here New England.
I was born and raised right here in Boston. I love this city. From its amazing history, winning sports teams and the beautiful waterfront, you have to come and visit.
Doug Shube:
When you’re walking around the streets of Marblehead, it almost kind of feels like you’re in an open-air museum that you’re seeing all these beautiful homes, all this beautiful architecture surrounded by the water. You just kind of feel like you’re stepping back in time and visiting a totally different place.
Marblehead is this beautiful, quaint, cozy, charming little New England town. It’s filled with history, dates all the way back to the Revolutionary-era colonial times. There’s just so much beauty in Marblehead.
The houses here are pre-Revolutionary. So, when you’re walking downtown, there are actually plaques on the front of a lot of the houses, and it tells you the date when the house was built, who lived there and what their profession was, and it really gives you a sense of what the history was like back then.
Washington Street is the main street in Old Town, which is the historic part of Marblehead, and it’s filled with charming little shops, places to eat – and you definitely have to check it out when you come visit.
Jeremiah Lee was one of the wealthiest merchants in colonial Massachusetts. Marblehead has done a great job of preserving the mansion. The 18th century wallpaper is actually still the original wallpaper. There’s a beautiful garden out back. You get a tour of the mansion and really get a sense of all the beautiful furniture inside.
When you’re walking around, you’re gonna see a lot of golden cods on the homes. The golden cod is really an ode to our history as a great fishing port of the area.
One thing you’ll notice is that you’re surrounded by the ocean and by the sea. That’s one of my favorite parts about this town.
You could go to any of our beaches and really just take in the beauty of the water. I love kayaking around the Marblehead Harbor. You get to check out all the boats, see all the different names on the boats. You get to see the beautiful homes on the water, the beautiful views, and then I love paddling out to Brown’s Island, picnic and really just docking there for the day and just enjoying.
Fort Sewall is one my favorite spots in town. It’s tucked way at the end of Old Town. It has beautiful views of the harbor, of the ocean and just is Marblehead at its finest.
The lighthouse at Chandler Hovey Park is actually the only cast iron lighthouse in all of New England. The park at the lighthouse has picturesque views, is a great spot to bring your family and just really enjoy.
And when you come here, you’ve got to check out Maddie’s. It was actually named one of the top 10 sailing bars to go to. Make sure to order their signature drink, a Thunderdome. You can thank me later.
Shubie’s is my family’s specialty food and marketplace. We’ve been around since 1948. Come see me at Shubie’s, grab a seat at the food bar, grab a sandwich and hang out with the locals.
I love Marblehead for the beauty, the history and just the overall sense of magic of Marblehead, and once you get here, I really think you’ll feel it right away.
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Ask a Local: Maine - Transcript
Martha Searchfield:
I think the best way to describe Bar Harbor would be to call it thin space where heaven and earth almost meet. It’s so beautiful here, and we are so lucky to live where the mountains meet the sea.
One of the most beautiful spots on the island that a lot of people haven’t heard of is called Hunters Beach. It’s not a traditional beach with sand that you would go and lay on to get a tan. You hike through this beautiful trail through the woods and then you come out at the most beautiful stone beach you’ve ever seen.
One of the craziest things you that can do in Bar Harbor is that you could literally eat lobster breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could even have it for dessert in the form of lobster ice cream.
Acadia National Park is so unique because it’s here on an island off the coast of Maine. Taking a ride on Oli’s Trolley is great fun because you’ll get to experience some the best places in the park. You’ll go to the top of Cadillac Mountain, you’ll get to see Sand Beach and Thunder Hole and the entire Park Loop Road. Plus, you get all the history about how this park was formed.
In the summertime, the top of Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see the sunrise in the United States and it is an unbelievable experience. It happens very early in the morning, so you have to be ready, but it is worth is.
One of my favorite places is Thunder Hole. If you plan it right, you will capture the crashing waves as they come crashing into a cave in the rock and it is just spectacular to see especially after a big storm.
The best activities in Bar Harbor are the outdoor activities. In the spring, watching everything bloom. In the summer, my favorite thing is to swim in the beautiful lakes on this island. And then, of course, in the fall, the leaves turning, the colors on the trees; it’s all just beautiful. In the winter, I love walking in Acadia National Park after a fresh snowstorm. It is so perfect and so quiet and so beautiful. And it’s such a rare landscape here, you just can’t get enough of it.
Trevor Geiger:
Portland is a walkable, compact, historic city with beautiful architecture. And yet it has an unbuttoned vibe, partially to do with our historic working waterfront, where you get shipping and the arts all coming together. It’s a really beautiful part of the city. But there’s also historic architecture, great museums and piers to explore. The working waterfront is just so much fun to check out. You can see fishermen pulling in their daily catch and bringing them right up to the restaurants.
Portland truly has an outsized amount of talent for the size of the city. We have incredible people working in this scene. The museums, the galleries, the college here – they all feed together to create a real community.
My wife and I live on the East End of Portland, and we just love it there. Between the local beaches, quick walk to the Old Port and the amazing restaurants opening up on our block every day, there’s just so much to do.
One of our favorite things to do in Portland is to take a walk on the East End Trail. You can start in the Old Port and walk around the peninsula to the park and East End Beach. Then head up the hill and get some coffee or food at local shops and restaurants.
We love beer here. Portland, Maine, has more breweries per capita than any city in America.
Here in Maine, the outdoors is in our DNA and there are lots of ways to get around outside in Portland, Maine. We love going to beaches, lighthouses and parks all around the state, sometimes heading right outside the city to Cape Elizabeth. Or we’ll go to Two Lights State Park, where we can spend the day at the beach and then grab a lobster roll at my favorite spot.
One of the great things about Portland is the access to nature just outside the city. One of our favorite things is to take the ferry to Peaks Island and rent a bike and ride around all day. People in Maine love sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding.
Welcome to Portland, Maine.
I think the best way to describe Bar Harbor would be to call it thin space where heaven and earth almost meet. It’s so beautiful here, and we are so lucky to live where the mountains meet the sea.
One of the most beautiful spots on the island that a lot of people haven’t heard of is called Hunters Beach. It’s not a traditional beach with sand that you would go and lay on to get a tan. You hike through this beautiful trail through the woods and then you come out at the most beautiful stone beach you’ve ever seen.
One of the craziest things you that can do in Bar Harbor is that you could literally eat lobster breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could even have it for dessert in the form of lobster ice cream.
Acadia National Park is so unique because it’s here on an island off the coast of Maine. Taking a ride on Oli’s Trolley is great fun because you’ll get to experience some the best places in the park. You’ll go to the top of Cadillac Mountain, you’ll get to see Sand Beach and Thunder Hole and the entire Park Loop Road. Plus, you get all the history about how this park was formed.
In the summertime, the top of Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see the sunrise in the United States and it is an unbelievable experience. It happens very early in the morning, so you have to be ready, but it is worth is.
One of my favorite places is Thunder Hole. If you plan it right, you will capture the crashing waves as they come crashing into a cave in the rock and it is just spectacular to see especially after a big storm.
The best activities in Bar Harbor are the outdoor activities. In the spring, watching everything bloom. In the summer, my favorite thing is to swim in the beautiful lakes on this island. And then, of course, in the fall, the leaves turning, the colors on the trees; it’s all just beautiful. In the winter, I love walking in Acadia National Park after a fresh snowstorm. It is so perfect and so quiet and so beautiful. And it’s such a rare landscape here, you just can’t get enough of it.
Trevor Geiger:
Portland is a walkable, compact, historic city with beautiful architecture. And yet it has an unbuttoned vibe, partially to do with our historic working waterfront, where you get shipping and the arts all coming together. It’s a really beautiful part of the city. But there’s also historic architecture, great museums and piers to explore. The working waterfront is just so much fun to check out. You can see fishermen pulling in their daily catch and bringing them right up to the restaurants.
Portland truly has an outsized amount of talent for the size of the city. We have incredible people working in this scene. The museums, the galleries, the college here – they all feed together to create a real community.
My wife and I live on the East End of Portland, and we just love it there. Between the local beaches, quick walk to the Old Port and the amazing restaurants opening up on our block every day, there’s just so much to do.
One of our favorite things to do in Portland is to take a walk on the East End Trail. You can start in the Old Port and walk around the peninsula to the park and East End Beach. Then head up the hill and get some coffee or food at local shops and restaurants.
We love beer here. Portland, Maine, has more breweries per capita than any city in America.
Here in Maine, the outdoors is in our DNA and there are lots of ways to get around outside in Portland, Maine. We love going to beaches, lighthouses and parks all around the state, sometimes heading right outside the city to Cape Elizabeth. Or we’ll go to Two Lights State Park, where we can spend the day at the beach and then grab a lobster roll at my favorite spot.
One of the great things about Portland is the access to nature just outside the city. One of our favorite things is to take the ferry to Peaks Island and rent a bike and ride around all day. People in Maine love sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding.
Welcome to Portland, Maine.
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Ask a Local: Idaho - Transcript
McCall Speaker:
For someone who has never seen McCall, it’s a picturesque location with several large lakes dotted around the city itself. You know, I really like the lakefront area in McCall. There’s several beaches that you can go to. Some are well known and easy to find like Legacy Beach or North Beach. You can hop on the water whether it’s on a paddleboard, or a canoe, or a powerboat that you can rent at one of the local outfitters in town. You can take a lake cruise on McCall Lake Cruises. The operators will take you around and give you some history about houses on the lake and some of the people that live there. And there’s also a really popular ice cream store called Ice Cream Alley, and it’s right across from Legacy Park. It’s not uncommon for people to stand in line, ohh, maybe 20 or 30 minutes to get their two scoops of ice cream and then walk across the street to the park, sit on the bench and watch the clouds blow across the lake or just talk with one another.
So one of the unique features of our area is access to Hells Canyon, which is on the border of Oregon and Idaho. A unique fact about Hells Canyon is it’s the deepest gorge in the United States, in fact, deeper than the Grand Canyon.
The only way to explore Hells Canyon is either by jet boat or by whitewater rafting. You can arrange with an outfitter to get on either of those trips. They have wonderful guides who know a lot about the local area. They’re usually pretty keen to point out wildlife that is unique to the area. So, Hells Canyon really is the hallmark of our area in terms of seeing something that not a lot of people have seen.
One of the unique opportunities in McCall is to take a guided horseback ride with Ya-Hoo Corrals. They have professional guides that will show you some pretty unique places.
I’ve lived here a long time, but there’s still so many unique things to discover and find that every time I go out, whether it’s on a mountain bike or just walking around one of the local trail systems, I see something that I haven’t noticed before.
Boise Speaker:
Boise is the city of trees. That might nod to how beautiful it is here, but what that does not say is what a welcoming place we are, what award-winning chefs and restaurants we have, and what a vibrant live music and culture scene we have.
The craziest thing you can do here in Boise, I would say, is whitewater rafting. We’ve got all kinds of world-class, 4 and 5 whitewater rapids in a park just outside of downtown.
Downtown Boise is extremely vibrant. We’ve got live music, great patios, a couple different Saturday markets that even happen during the week. The Capital City Public Market and Boise Farmers Market, both in downtown Boise, have so much going on. On a Saturday, you’ll find people bustling around, buying plants, buying vegetables, sampling wine, craft beer and all kinds of local arts and crafts.
Boise has a very dynamic restaurant scene. Funky Taco is a local restaurant in downtown with an awesome patio and an even better live music scene. But the best thing you’ll find there is their funky tacos. Juniper restaurant in downtown is known for their great cocktails and their awesome seasonal changing menu featuring local products from all over the state.
Our Sunnyslope wine region is close and a short drive to experience wine country in the fall. The most unique thing about Boise is the short access to anything outdoors you might be looking for. From the center of the city and about a 30-minute drive, you can get to just about anything. We’ve got skiing and snowboarding. During the summer months, make sure you check out the new mountain coaster at Bogus Basin.
The scenery at Camel’s Back Park can’t be beat. It’s right outside the downtown and one of our most famous parks. You can actually take a little trail to the top of the mountain and get a great view of the city.
My favorite trail in Boise is actually our Boise River Greenbelt. It’s 30 miles of riverside pathways that you can take with several access points from every neighborhood and all throughout downtown. You can really see quite a bit of Boise by taking that.
For someone who has never seen McCall, it’s a picturesque location with several large lakes dotted around the city itself. You know, I really like the lakefront area in McCall. There’s several beaches that you can go to. Some are well known and easy to find like Legacy Beach or North Beach. You can hop on the water whether it’s on a paddleboard, or a canoe, or a powerboat that you can rent at one of the local outfitters in town. You can take a lake cruise on McCall Lake Cruises. The operators will take you around and give you some history about houses on the lake and some of the people that live there. And there’s also a really popular ice cream store called Ice Cream Alley, and it’s right across from Legacy Park. It’s not uncommon for people to stand in line, ohh, maybe 20 or 30 minutes to get their two scoops of ice cream and then walk across the street to the park, sit on the bench and watch the clouds blow across the lake or just talk with one another.
So one of the unique features of our area is access to Hells Canyon, which is on the border of Oregon and Idaho. A unique fact about Hells Canyon is it’s the deepest gorge in the United States, in fact, deeper than the Grand Canyon.
The only way to explore Hells Canyon is either by jet boat or by whitewater rafting. You can arrange with an outfitter to get on either of those trips. They have wonderful guides who know a lot about the local area. They’re usually pretty keen to point out wildlife that is unique to the area. So, Hells Canyon really is the hallmark of our area in terms of seeing something that not a lot of people have seen.
One of the unique opportunities in McCall is to take a guided horseback ride with Ya-Hoo Corrals. They have professional guides that will show you some pretty unique places.
I’ve lived here a long time, but there’s still so many unique things to discover and find that every time I go out, whether it’s on a mountain bike or just walking around one of the local trail systems, I see something that I haven’t noticed before.
Boise Speaker:
Boise is the city of trees. That might nod to how beautiful it is here, but what that does not say is what a welcoming place we are, what award-winning chefs and restaurants we have, and what a vibrant live music and culture scene we have.
The craziest thing you can do here in Boise, I would say, is whitewater rafting. We’ve got all kinds of world-class, 4 and 5 whitewater rapids in a park just outside of downtown.
Downtown Boise is extremely vibrant. We’ve got live music, great patios, a couple different Saturday markets that even happen during the week. The Capital City Public Market and Boise Farmers Market, both in downtown Boise, have so much going on. On a Saturday, you’ll find people bustling around, buying plants, buying vegetables, sampling wine, craft beer and all kinds of local arts and crafts.
Boise has a very dynamic restaurant scene. Funky Taco is a local restaurant in downtown with an awesome patio and an even better live music scene. But the best thing you’ll find there is their funky tacos. Juniper restaurant in downtown is known for their great cocktails and their awesome seasonal changing menu featuring local products from all over the state.
Our Sunnyslope wine region is close and a short drive to experience wine country in the fall. The most unique thing about Boise is the short access to anything outdoors you might be looking for. From the center of the city and about a 30-minute drive, you can get to just about anything. We’ve got skiing and snowboarding. During the summer months, make sure you check out the new mountain coaster at Bogus Basin.
The scenery at Camel’s Back Park can’t be beat. It’s right outside the downtown and one of our most famous parks. You can actually take a little trail to the top of the mountain and get a great view of the city.
My favorite trail in Boise is actually our Boise River Greenbelt. It’s 30 miles of riverside pathways that you can take with several access points from every neighborhood and all throughout downtown. You can really see quite a bit of Boise by taking that.
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Ask a Local: New York - Transcript
Erica Eichelkraut Zilbauer:
I would describe Buffalo to someone that’s never seen it as a surprising city with beautiful architecture, art, excitement, amazing food at every turn.
The old Buffalo can be found in our historic architecture, especially our iconic City Hall, which is an art deco building set right downtown. You can also experience one of the first skyscrapers here in America, The Guaranty Building, and tour the Hotel Lafayette, designed by one of the first female architects. Now, they have renovated it and brought it back to its glory with a modern twist.
Frank Lloyd Wright built his Darwin Martin House here, which is one of his crown jewels, over 30,000 square feet combined with all five buildings. You can tour it and really see what a full complex designed by Frank Lloyd Wright would look like.
If you’re only here for a day in Buffalo, you absolutely have to go to Canalside. It is our waterfront jewel. We have a boardwalk full of food and things to explore. The waterfront is my absolute favorite part about Buffalo, especially catching a beautiful summer sunset right over Lake Erie.
Buffalo is only a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls, which everyone should see once in their lifetime. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. If you want to have an insider peek, be sure to hop on the Maid of the Mist. You can actually ride a boat right near the falls and get a super up close and personal view of it.
Buffalo is so vibrant and creative. The art and music scene is electric here. Wherever you go, you’ll find live music. We love music in this city. You can catch shows all over Buffalo, and it’s huge part of our culture.
A really fun way to spend a day here is to hang out in the Elmwood Village and go shopping. There’s a lot of beautiful shops, especially Everything Elmwood. It’s a great place to just walk around and enjoy what Buffalo is really like and to feel like a local.
One of the most unique things happening in Buffalo right now is Silo City. There’s a bar right on site, there’s a cantina there, you can tour it via the Buffalo River or go right inside and get to walk into these historic beautiful grain elevators.
And while we have an explosive food scene, we are definitely known and very proud of our chicken wings here. Every local has their favorite spot. Mine personally is Gene McCarthy's in the Old First Ward, where you can have beer made right on site and their special McCarthy wings.
Buffalonians love to talk, they love to share beers, they love to connect with people and they really love when people visit.
Brandon Walker:
Poughkeepsie is one of the focal points on the Hudson River Valley. The first things you’ll want to do when you arrive in Poughkeepsie is to go to the Walkway Over the Hudson. The Walkway Over the Hudson used to be a railroad bridge where now visitors, the community, we run across, exercise, come and visit. It has incredible views, it’s very serene, it’s very calm, it’s very quiet. That’s really one of the highlights of this city.
If you really love history and you love architecture and interiors, you should really visit the Vanderbilt Mansion. The Vanderbilts were a prominent family in the Gilded Age. The mansion, the way it is, is how they left it – a really, really great site for you to see.
The FDR property is the home of Franklin Roosevelt’s Museum. You can go and check out a lot of history about him and his family. It’s located in Hyde Park, New York, which is literally 10 minutes from Poughkeepsie.
The culinary scene in Poughkeepsie is very lively. We work with local farmers and use the ingredients to create menus. We cook and we brew and we distill with the seasons.
Rossi’s Deli is one of my favorite places to go to in the community because it’s an old-school, classic Italian deli, family-run. They make the bread there fresh. My favorite thing to get there is the chicken cutlet panini. You can eat half of it today and have the other half tomorrow.
There’s so much variety in food that if you’re really a foodie, you can come to our city and enjoy many different layers of flavor.
Poughkeepsie is, literally, one and half hours from New York City along the Hudson River. Poughkeepsie is also known as the Queen City, so if you ever want to visit the Queen City, all you have to do is take a one-and-a-half-hour train ride on the Metro North at Grand Central in New York City and you’ll be here in Poughkeepsie.
I would describe Buffalo to someone that’s never seen it as a surprising city with beautiful architecture, art, excitement, amazing food at every turn.
The old Buffalo can be found in our historic architecture, especially our iconic City Hall, which is an art deco building set right downtown. You can also experience one of the first skyscrapers here in America, The Guaranty Building, and tour the Hotel Lafayette, designed by one of the first female architects. Now, they have renovated it and brought it back to its glory with a modern twist.
Frank Lloyd Wright built his Darwin Martin House here, which is one of his crown jewels, over 30,000 square feet combined with all five buildings. You can tour it and really see what a full complex designed by Frank Lloyd Wright would look like.
If you’re only here for a day in Buffalo, you absolutely have to go to Canalside. It is our waterfront jewel. We have a boardwalk full of food and things to explore. The waterfront is my absolute favorite part about Buffalo, especially catching a beautiful summer sunset right over Lake Erie.
Buffalo is only a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls, which everyone should see once in their lifetime. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. If you want to have an insider peek, be sure to hop on the Maid of the Mist. You can actually ride a boat right near the falls and get a super up close and personal view of it.
Buffalo is so vibrant and creative. The art and music scene is electric here. Wherever you go, you’ll find live music. We love music in this city. You can catch shows all over Buffalo, and it’s huge part of our culture.
A really fun way to spend a day here is to hang out in the Elmwood Village and go shopping. There’s a lot of beautiful shops, especially Everything Elmwood. It’s a great place to just walk around and enjoy what Buffalo is really like and to feel like a local.
One of the most unique things happening in Buffalo right now is Silo City. There’s a bar right on site, there’s a cantina there, you can tour it via the Buffalo River or go right inside and get to walk into these historic beautiful grain elevators.
And while we have an explosive food scene, we are definitely known and very proud of our chicken wings here. Every local has their favorite spot. Mine personally is Gene McCarthy's in the Old First Ward, where you can have beer made right on site and their special McCarthy wings.
Buffalonians love to talk, they love to share beers, they love to connect with people and they really love when people visit.
Brandon Walker:
Poughkeepsie is one of the focal points on the Hudson River Valley. The first things you’ll want to do when you arrive in Poughkeepsie is to go to the Walkway Over the Hudson. The Walkway Over the Hudson used to be a railroad bridge where now visitors, the community, we run across, exercise, come and visit. It has incredible views, it’s very serene, it’s very calm, it’s very quiet. That’s really one of the highlights of this city.
If you really love history and you love architecture and interiors, you should really visit the Vanderbilt Mansion. The Vanderbilts were a prominent family in the Gilded Age. The mansion, the way it is, is how they left it – a really, really great site for you to see.
The FDR property is the home of Franklin Roosevelt’s Museum. You can go and check out a lot of history about him and his family. It’s located in Hyde Park, New York, which is literally 10 minutes from Poughkeepsie.
The culinary scene in Poughkeepsie is very lively. We work with local farmers and use the ingredients to create menus. We cook and we brew and we distill with the seasons.
Rossi’s Deli is one of my favorite places to go to in the community because it’s an old-school, classic Italian deli, family-run. They make the bread there fresh. My favorite thing to get there is the chicken cutlet panini. You can eat half of it today and have the other half tomorrow.
There’s so much variety in food that if you’re really a foodie, you can come to our city and enjoy many different layers of flavor.
Poughkeepsie is, literally, one and half hours from New York City along the Hudson River. Poughkeepsie is also known as the Queen City, so if you ever want to visit the Queen City, all you have to do is take a one-and-a-half-hour train ride on the Metro North at Grand Central in New York City and you’ll be here in Poughkeepsie.
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South Carolina
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0:05 Hilton Head Island
2:38 Greenville
5:37 Myrtle Beach
8:16 Charleston
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Ask a Local: South Carolina - Transcript
Hannah Horne:
I’m the island’s number one fan. Hilton Head Island is so incredibly unique because it is, of course, an island: 12 miles long, 55 square miles. We have so much natural foliage, so many trees, so much natural beauty that is here. So, if you come here and you expect to just see a long road down a couple palm trees, you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised.
There are lots of ways to enjoy a day on the water here. You can rent a paddleboard or a kayak out of any one of our marinas. You can parasail. You can rent a boat and just hang out on the Calibogue Sound for the day.
Hilton Head Island has more than 50 miles of bike paths that traverse the island, and you can get pretty much so anywhere: restaurants, the beach, to your condo.
There are so many things to do. As an adult, you maybe wanna have great dinners, go out dancing, relax on the beach. But even for children, there’s a pirate’s island cruise that you can take, where you actually out in the middle of the Calibogue Sound, searching for treasure. That’s mostly for the kids and those of us who are kids at heart.
Maybe you like kind of a more fun beach scene? I would recommend going to Coligny, grabbing a cocktail at the tiki hut, live music all day long, meet some new friends.
You want a quiet, relaxing day, and there’s a lot of that to be had. Just sit under an umbrella, pull out a great book and enjoy.
We have 24 golf courses here on little Hilton Head Island. We have it for you to be able to grab the clubs and come play.
You’re gonna want to bring your appetite because we have a big plate of anything fried or grilled that comes from the water. Or maybe you want a plate of barbecue.
At Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum, it’s just a beautiful place to take in Hilton Head history. It has tours and nature walks. It just makes for a great day.
Harbour Town is a must-visit. It has shops and restaurants. It’s just a unique place to take great photos with your family, sit in a rocking chair, have a scoop of ice cream – all in the shadow of multimillion dollar yachts. The lighthouse here at Harbour Town is iconic. It is not a functioning lighthouse; although, it does have a walking museum as you go up the steps. You can go to the very top and take lots of great pictures of the surrounding areas.
One thing every visitor does when they come here is come to the 18th green, find the lighthouse behind you, and then take the iconic picture of you holding up the lighthouse with your hands.
Dennis Chastain:
Greenville, South Carolina, has a natural feature that’s a very rare thing among American cities. What city has a splendid waterfall 10 or 12 yards from Main Street in downtown? Without a doubt, they need to visit Falls Park. The Liberty Bridge that’s suspended over the waterfall – it is beautiful and memorable experience to stand out on that swinging bridge, which is arched away from the waterfall, and get that grand view.
And there is no better example of Southern hospitality than Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville greets its visitors with open arms and goes out of its way to try to make sure that your visit to Greenville is a memorable experience.
It is very laid-back, particularly in the evenings. There are sidewalk cafes with folks out having dinner right adjacent to the street on the sidewalk. You’ll see other folks just strolling along the sidewalk. And by the way, here in the South, we don’t walk down the sidewalk, we stroll down the avenue.
One of my favorite retail stores in downtown Greenville is Mast General Store. It’s a nostalgic trip back in time to when every town in North America had a general merchandise store.
If you could stay here for a week, you could go to a different restaurant every night and never go to the same place. My recommendation would be Soby’s. It was one of the first restaurants to introduce Greenville to this New Southern Cuisine, and it’s one of the community’s favorite restaurants. To make a menu recommendation, I really like the crab cakes. They’re made with Atlantic, hand-picked blue crab lump meat, seared in a pan just to the point where they are golden-crust on both sides.
We have quite a number of state parks that are within a 30- or 40-minute drive of downtown Greenville. Table Rock State Park, for example, where we are today, has cabins that are available for rental, a swimming lake and an entire network of hiking trails.
Sassafras Mountain is the highest peak in South Carolina. Our new observation tower gets you up to an elevation where you get these really sweeping, 360-degree, panoramic views. You can see four states from there.
At Caesars Head State Park, one of our higher elevations up above 3,000 feet, their hiking trail up there goes to Raven Cliff Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls along the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you’re going to be visiting anywhere in the South, there’s one word you need to learn: y’all. It’s the mark of a true Southerner. If you need directions or you need help with something, you listen for somebody saying, “Y’all come on over here.” That’s a local, and they’d be glad to help you.
Nora Hembree Battle:
The Myrtle Beach area is often called the Grand Strand by locals, and that’s because it makes up 60 miles of picture-perfect coastline right here along the South Carolina coast. So, in theory, you could get out on the beach and walk for 60 miles without having to get off.
But we also have lakes, we have rivers, we have saltwater estuaries and marshes that are really interesting and fun to explore. We have kid-friendly attractions and events throughout the year. The feeling that we want you to be with family and creating those memories here on the beach is something that’s really special.
I would absolutely recommend they spend time along the downtown Myrtle Beach Boardwalk area. It is over 1.2 miles long now and there are a ton of attractions to see, restaurants to eat in, shops to buy a souvenir in. It offers a glimpse of sort of your classic American family beach vacation.
So, another hub of busy activity is Broadway at the Beach. They have mini golf courses, a WonderWorks, another Ferris wheel, amusement parks rides. There’s a lot do to there and explore. It’s fun to do with kids. It’s wide, it’s open. It’s very family-friendly.
Check out Brookgreen Gardens. It has the largest collection of outdoor American figurative sculpture in the world, and beyond that, has a low country zoo, a ton of flora and fauna to see, and it’s set on the grounds of nine former rice plantations.
Something you definitely won’t find in a travel guide is a recommendation to wake up early before sunrise at least one day on your stay. Our sunrises are beautiful here in the Myrtle Beach area, and that time of day also offers you the chance to find the seashells you might not otherwise find and see some dolphins swimming in the ocean.
There are lots of crazy things to do here: Myrtle Beach Speedway, where you can ride in a NASCAR, or the SkyWheel, where you can take a ride on a glass-enclosed gondola over the ocean. The SkyWheel here is very iconic to our shoreline. You can see it right back there, and it is an exhilarating ride. To see that from above with a bird’s-eye view is very memorable.
So, Murrells Inlet is definitely one of our area’s hidden gems. It’s often called the seafood capital of South Carolina. There are great restaurants and bars. It’s nice to be able to have the scenic view of the marsh while you’re dancing to live music or having some oysters with friends.
Welcome to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You’re going to love it here.
Tommy Hall:
It’s always perfect; it’s always sunny in Charleston. If not, just wait 10 minutes.
It’s so easy to get around Charleston. I prefer the best way, to walk or rent a bicycle. I love the cobblestone roads of Charleston. I love the old churches. I love walking through the small streets.
The ultimate selfie in Charleston has got to be on Lower King Street in the shopping district. How the streets are a little smaller, a little tighter, and you can see everything.
King Street is the spine of Charleston. It’s so vibrant, from our great shopping to our restaurant and bar scene. From the great quality of chefs to the great hospitality, to actually walk around the city to the great bars and restaurants and try an appetizer here, an appetizer there. You just meet the people and experience it all that our food and beverage industry provides here.
Palmetto Brewing Company is Charleston. You know, it’s one of the original microbreweries here in Charleston, and it’s got all the great flavors that we all love.
You have to go see Charleston on a carriage tour. Everything slows down, and the tour guides show a different side of Charleston in each tour they give you.
Charleston is called the “Holy City” because of over 100 church steeples lining the skyline. Did you know that a building can’t be as tall as the largest church steeple in town? So, it makes it a small village.
The Charleston City Market is the quintessential tourist destination in town. And when guests come to town, it’s a first stop. When visiting the market, you have to go down and see our sweetgrass baskets that they handmake right in front of you. It’s a great souvenir to take back with you.
Battery Park is just historic to me. It’s one of the most breathtaking spots in Charleston, right on where the Ashley and Cooper River meet.
Shem Creek is a dining restaurant destination, but it’s also a great place to grab a kayak, grab a paddleboard, and explore Charleston.
Charleston is so unique because the history and the culture, and it all comes together in this beautiful setting.
I’m the island’s number one fan. Hilton Head Island is so incredibly unique because it is, of course, an island: 12 miles long, 55 square miles. We have so much natural foliage, so many trees, so much natural beauty that is here. So, if you come here and you expect to just see a long road down a couple palm trees, you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised.
There are lots of ways to enjoy a day on the water here. You can rent a paddleboard or a kayak out of any one of our marinas. You can parasail. You can rent a boat and just hang out on the Calibogue Sound for the day.
Hilton Head Island has more than 50 miles of bike paths that traverse the island, and you can get pretty much so anywhere: restaurants, the beach, to your condo.
There are so many things to do. As an adult, you maybe wanna have great dinners, go out dancing, relax on the beach. But even for children, there’s a pirate’s island cruise that you can take, where you actually out in the middle of the Calibogue Sound, searching for treasure. That’s mostly for the kids and those of us who are kids at heart.
Maybe you like kind of a more fun beach scene? I would recommend going to Coligny, grabbing a cocktail at the tiki hut, live music all day long, meet some new friends.
You want a quiet, relaxing day, and there’s a lot of that to be had. Just sit under an umbrella, pull out a great book and enjoy.
We have 24 golf courses here on little Hilton Head Island. We have it for you to be able to grab the clubs and come play.
You’re gonna want to bring your appetite because we have a big plate of anything fried or grilled that comes from the water. Or maybe you want a plate of barbecue.
At Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum, it’s just a beautiful place to take in Hilton Head history. It has tours and nature walks. It just makes for a great day.
Harbour Town is a must-visit. It has shops and restaurants. It’s just a unique place to take great photos with your family, sit in a rocking chair, have a scoop of ice cream – all in the shadow of multimillion dollar yachts. The lighthouse here at Harbour Town is iconic. It is not a functioning lighthouse; although, it does have a walking museum as you go up the steps. You can go to the very top and take lots of great pictures of the surrounding areas.
One thing every visitor does when they come here is come to the 18th green, find the lighthouse behind you, and then take the iconic picture of you holding up the lighthouse with your hands.
Dennis Chastain:
Greenville, South Carolina, has a natural feature that’s a very rare thing among American cities. What city has a splendid waterfall 10 or 12 yards from Main Street in downtown? Without a doubt, they need to visit Falls Park. The Liberty Bridge that’s suspended over the waterfall – it is beautiful and memorable experience to stand out on that swinging bridge, which is arched away from the waterfall, and get that grand view.
And there is no better example of Southern hospitality than Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville greets its visitors with open arms and goes out of its way to try to make sure that your visit to Greenville is a memorable experience.
It is very laid-back, particularly in the evenings. There are sidewalk cafes with folks out having dinner right adjacent to the street on the sidewalk. You’ll see other folks just strolling along the sidewalk. And by the way, here in the South, we don’t walk down the sidewalk, we stroll down the avenue.
One of my favorite retail stores in downtown Greenville is Mast General Store. It’s a nostalgic trip back in time to when every town in North America had a general merchandise store.
If you could stay here for a week, you could go to a different restaurant every night and never go to the same place. My recommendation would be Soby’s. It was one of the first restaurants to introduce Greenville to this New Southern Cuisine, and it’s one of the community’s favorite restaurants. To make a menu recommendation, I really like the crab cakes. They’re made with Atlantic, hand-picked blue crab lump meat, seared in a pan just to the point where they are golden-crust on both sides.
We have quite a number of state parks that are within a 30- or 40-minute drive of downtown Greenville. Table Rock State Park, for example, where we are today, has cabins that are available for rental, a swimming lake and an entire network of hiking trails.
Sassafras Mountain is the highest peak in South Carolina. Our new observation tower gets you up to an elevation where you get these really sweeping, 360-degree, panoramic views. You can see four states from there.
At Caesars Head State Park, one of our higher elevations up above 3,000 feet, their hiking trail up there goes to Raven Cliff Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls along the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you’re going to be visiting anywhere in the South, there’s one word you need to learn: y’all. It’s the mark of a true Southerner. If you need directions or you need help with something, you listen for somebody saying, “Y’all come on over here.” That’s a local, and they’d be glad to help you.
Nora Hembree Battle:
The Myrtle Beach area is often called the Grand Strand by locals, and that’s because it makes up 60 miles of picture-perfect coastline right here along the South Carolina coast. So, in theory, you could get out on the beach and walk for 60 miles without having to get off.
But we also have lakes, we have rivers, we have saltwater estuaries and marshes that are really interesting and fun to explore. We have kid-friendly attractions and events throughout the year. The feeling that we want you to be with family and creating those memories here on the beach is something that’s really special.
I would absolutely recommend they spend time along the downtown Myrtle Beach Boardwalk area. It is over 1.2 miles long now and there are a ton of attractions to see, restaurants to eat in, shops to buy a souvenir in. It offers a glimpse of sort of your classic American family beach vacation.
So, another hub of busy activity is Broadway at the Beach. They have mini golf courses, a WonderWorks, another Ferris wheel, amusement parks rides. There’s a lot do to there and explore. It’s fun to do with kids. It’s wide, it’s open. It’s very family-friendly.
Check out Brookgreen Gardens. It has the largest collection of outdoor American figurative sculpture in the world, and beyond that, has a low country zoo, a ton of flora and fauna to see, and it’s set on the grounds of nine former rice plantations.
Something you definitely won’t find in a travel guide is a recommendation to wake up early before sunrise at least one day on your stay. Our sunrises are beautiful here in the Myrtle Beach area, and that time of day also offers you the chance to find the seashells you might not otherwise find and see some dolphins swimming in the ocean.
There are lots of crazy things to do here: Myrtle Beach Speedway, where you can ride in a NASCAR, or the SkyWheel, where you can take a ride on a glass-enclosed gondola over the ocean. The SkyWheel here is very iconic to our shoreline. You can see it right back there, and it is an exhilarating ride. To see that from above with a bird’s-eye view is very memorable.
So, Murrells Inlet is definitely one of our area’s hidden gems. It’s often called the seafood capital of South Carolina. There are great restaurants and bars. It’s nice to be able to have the scenic view of the marsh while you’re dancing to live music or having some oysters with friends.
Welcome to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You’re going to love it here.
Tommy Hall:
It’s always perfect; it’s always sunny in Charleston. If not, just wait 10 minutes.
It’s so easy to get around Charleston. I prefer the best way, to walk or rent a bicycle. I love the cobblestone roads of Charleston. I love the old churches. I love walking through the small streets.
The ultimate selfie in Charleston has got to be on Lower King Street in the shopping district. How the streets are a little smaller, a little tighter, and you can see everything.
King Street is the spine of Charleston. It’s so vibrant, from our great shopping to our restaurant and bar scene. From the great quality of chefs to the great hospitality, to actually walk around the city to the great bars and restaurants and try an appetizer here, an appetizer there. You just meet the people and experience it all that our food and beverage industry provides here.
Palmetto Brewing Company is Charleston. You know, it’s one of the original microbreweries here in Charleston, and it’s got all the great flavors that we all love.
You have to go see Charleston on a carriage tour. Everything slows down, and the tour guides show a different side of Charleston in each tour they give you.
Charleston is called the “Holy City” because of over 100 church steeples lining the skyline. Did you know that a building can’t be as tall as the largest church steeple in town? So, it makes it a small village.
The Charleston City Market is the quintessential tourist destination in town. And when guests come to town, it’s a first stop. When visiting the market, you have to go down and see our sweetgrass baskets that they handmake right in front of you. It’s a great souvenir to take back with you.
Battery Park is just historic to me. It’s one of the most breathtaking spots in Charleston, right on where the Ashley and Cooper River meet.
Shem Creek is a dining restaurant destination, but it’s also a great place to grab a kayak, grab a paddleboard, and explore Charleston.
Charleston is so unique because the history and the culture, and it all comes together in this beautiful setting.
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Ask a Local: Georgia - Transcript
Speaker 1:
This is Atlanta.
One of the places that I love to hang out is the BeltLine. It is actually now a walkable path connecting Old Fourth Ward all the way to Midtown, which has Piedmont Park, and it’s about a 2.2-mile stretch, which is perfect for a jog, a walk. Connecting from one neighborhood to another, there’s so much visual beauty along this path.
The Old Fourth Ward is one of our historic districts in Atlanta. It was established in the 1800s. It is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King. The vibe there is historic, vibrant, colorful; it is culturally beautiful.
In one full day, you can start your morning at Piedmont Park. You can walk from there to Ponce City Market, and you can play a round of miniature golf. From there, you can hop on a bicycle, ride the BeltLine all the way down to Krog Street Market.
If you come to Atlanta, you must eat; you must come with an appetite, an empty belly, because we are going to feed you – because that’s what we do. We’re a big city, a lovely community, and we love to feed.
Welcome to Atlanta.
Speaker 2:
The first time you explore Savannah, it feels like you’ve stepped into a storybook. It is overwhelmingly beautiful.
Speaker 3:
To describe Savannah is really to be rooted in the beautiful squares that make up the city because it’s so unique to the United States. We have 22 majestic, beautiful squares with the gardens and homes.
River Street is walking back in time. Walking down the ramps with the cobblestone and coming around Factors Walk, you are in a time capsule mixed in with today’s Savannah. And it is a place to stroll, to take your time, notice the iron, notice the details of River Street.
Speaker 3:
One of the most beautiful places to walk around in Savannah is the quintessential Jones Street, lined on both sides by big, beautiful, huge Savannah mansions.
Speaker 3:
I highly recommend if y’all are going to be visiting our City Market is to dine at Belford’s because they have beautiful outdoor seeing. You can do some wonderful people watching, and at the same time, enjoy delicious seafood as well at Belford’s.
Speaker 2:
Broughton Street is the oldest running shopping district in the United States, and it has lots of locally owned boutiques lining both sides of the street. Paris Market is one of our favorite stores in Savannah to visit. You can find something there that you will treasure for the rest of your life and want to take home with you. And they carry a lot of local artisans there.
Speaker 3:
Another place is the Savannah Bee Company. I will say one thing that we always do have in our house is Savannah Bee honey.
Speaker 2:
And they have honey mead! So you can do mead tastings there and then take some home with you.
Speaker 3:
We take pride is being hospitable and welcoming to those who visit our city. When you visit this city, you’re going to connect with it immediately. The city really is: Come as you are, and we’re going to welcome you with full arms and we will embrace you for who you are. And that’s really what the city is.
This is Atlanta.
One of the places that I love to hang out is the BeltLine. It is actually now a walkable path connecting Old Fourth Ward all the way to Midtown, which has Piedmont Park, and it’s about a 2.2-mile stretch, which is perfect for a jog, a walk. Connecting from one neighborhood to another, there’s so much visual beauty along this path.
The Old Fourth Ward is one of our historic districts in Atlanta. It was established in the 1800s. It is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King. The vibe there is historic, vibrant, colorful; it is culturally beautiful.
In one full day, you can start your morning at Piedmont Park. You can walk from there to Ponce City Market, and you can play a round of miniature golf. From there, you can hop on a bicycle, ride the BeltLine all the way down to Krog Street Market.
If you come to Atlanta, you must eat; you must come with an appetite, an empty belly, because we are going to feed you – because that’s what we do. We’re a big city, a lovely community, and we love to feed.
Welcome to Atlanta.
Speaker 2:
The first time you explore Savannah, it feels like you’ve stepped into a storybook. It is overwhelmingly beautiful.
Speaker 3:
To describe Savannah is really to be rooted in the beautiful squares that make up the city because it’s so unique to the United States. We have 22 majestic, beautiful squares with the gardens and homes.
River Street is walking back in time. Walking down the ramps with the cobblestone and coming around Factors Walk, you are in a time capsule mixed in with today’s Savannah. And it is a place to stroll, to take your time, notice the iron, notice the details of River Street.
Speaker 3:
One of the most beautiful places to walk around in Savannah is the quintessential Jones Street, lined on both sides by big, beautiful, huge Savannah mansions.
Speaker 3:
I highly recommend if y’all are going to be visiting our City Market is to dine at Belford’s because they have beautiful outdoor seeing. You can do some wonderful people watching, and at the same time, enjoy delicious seafood as well at Belford’s.
Speaker 2:
Broughton Street is the oldest running shopping district in the United States, and it has lots of locally owned boutiques lining both sides of the street. Paris Market is one of our favorite stores in Savannah to visit. You can find something there that you will treasure for the rest of your life and want to take home with you. And they carry a lot of local artisans there.
Speaker 3:
Another place is the Savannah Bee Company. I will say one thing that we always do have in our house is Savannah Bee honey.
Speaker 2:
And they have honey mead! So you can do mead tastings there and then take some home with you.
Speaker 3:
We take pride is being hospitable and welcoming to those who visit our city. When you visit this city, you’re going to connect with it immediately. The city really is: Come as you are, and we’re going to welcome you with full arms and we will embrace you for who you are. And that’s really what the city is.
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Arizona
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Ask a Local: Arizona - Transcript
Brian Jump:
My name is Brian Jump. I’m a guide for Arizona Outback Adventures, and the Sonoran Desert is my playground.
I went to college in Colorado and moved down to Arizona to guide tours, and when I got here, I really felt like I was home. Anywhere you live in the city of Phoenix, there’s a mountain park with thousands of acres within 10 minutes. And I can get up in the morning before sunrise on my mountain bike and be surrounded by desert without a view of the city.
When you meet a group that is from all different places around the country or around the world and they don’t know each other, it doesn’t take long on the trail to create a group of friends. I love sharing my favorite places with people and getting to see to see it for the first time through their eyes.
We had a group out on the Salt River. We were floating in kayaks. We came around a bend in the river, and there was 10 wild horses watering in the river. And just as we saw them, we also saw a bald eagle come out of a cottonwood tree and fly by. And to see those two things together is pretty special.
It’s not what’s changed; it’s what stays the same that really is special to me. We’ve preserved the desert, and we’ve not only preserved it, but we made it better with great trails, great access, so that you can get out there and enjoy it.
The soul of Phoenix is the dirt under the tires of my mountain bike. It’s a place that you can be yourself and find yourself at the same time.
Speaker:
Welcome to Tucson!
In just an hour drive, there’s this amazing mountain called Mount Lemmon, and sometimes in December or January, you’ll see it sprinkled with snow. You can actually even snowboard or ski up there – in the desert! How crazy is that!
But another really cool place if you just have one day is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is where we are right now. The desert museum is an immersive experience if you’ve never explored the desert before. There’s more than 200 species of animal out here.
One of the craziest things about Tucson is the amount of the environment that you can actually eat. No one goes hungry in this town.
Bottom line: When you come to Tucson, you’re gonna see cool stuff, eat cool stuff; you’re gonna love it.
Speaker:
Welcome to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. No photo or video can capture how breathtaking it is. Watching the sunset from the canyon rim is the most amazing sight you’ll ever see. I love bringing people here and showing it off.
Skydiving for me has brought some really awesome experiences. When you’re in free fall, that is the best view possible. People are just blown away by the feeling of ultimate freedom, the views, the experience.
My name is Brian Jump. I’m a guide for Arizona Outback Adventures, and the Sonoran Desert is my playground.
I went to college in Colorado and moved down to Arizona to guide tours, and when I got here, I really felt like I was home. Anywhere you live in the city of Phoenix, there’s a mountain park with thousands of acres within 10 minutes. And I can get up in the morning before sunrise on my mountain bike and be surrounded by desert without a view of the city.
When you meet a group that is from all different places around the country or around the world and they don’t know each other, it doesn’t take long on the trail to create a group of friends. I love sharing my favorite places with people and getting to see to see it for the first time through their eyes.
We had a group out on the Salt River. We were floating in kayaks. We came around a bend in the river, and there was 10 wild horses watering in the river. And just as we saw them, we also saw a bald eagle come out of a cottonwood tree and fly by. And to see those two things together is pretty special.
It’s not what’s changed; it’s what stays the same that really is special to me. We’ve preserved the desert, and we’ve not only preserved it, but we made it better with great trails, great access, so that you can get out there and enjoy it.
The soul of Phoenix is the dirt under the tires of my mountain bike. It’s a place that you can be yourself and find yourself at the same time.
Speaker:
Welcome to Tucson!
In just an hour drive, there’s this amazing mountain called Mount Lemmon, and sometimes in December or January, you’ll see it sprinkled with snow. You can actually even snowboard or ski up there – in the desert! How crazy is that!
But another really cool place if you just have one day is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is where we are right now. The desert museum is an immersive experience if you’ve never explored the desert before. There’s more than 200 species of animal out here.
One of the craziest things about Tucson is the amount of the environment that you can actually eat. No one goes hungry in this town.
Bottom line: When you come to Tucson, you’re gonna see cool stuff, eat cool stuff; you’re gonna love it.
Speaker:
Welcome to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. No photo or video can capture how breathtaking it is. Watching the sunset from the canyon rim is the most amazing sight you’ll ever see. I love bringing people here and showing it off.
Skydiving for me has brought some really awesome experiences. When you’re in free fall, that is the best view possible. People are just blown away by the feeling of ultimate freedom, the views, the experience.
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Ask a Local: Louisiana - Transcript
Shreveport Speaker:
What makes us so unique is that we have a wonderful blend of the culture, of our cuisine and our outstanding community festivities. I’m from the Shreveport-Bossier area.
There’s always something to do. Sometimes, it’s a big giant festival or a parade, or you’re taking these intimate moments to go to one of my favorite places to eat downtown, which is Abby Singer’s Bistro. And you get a slice of the delicious taste and sights and sounds all in one place.
There’s some things that you can do at the boardwalk and enjoy all of the different shops and stores and restaurants.
You know one of the craziest experiences that we can have: zip lining, right there at Gators and Friends. That’s one of the craziest and the coolest things to do.
What makes us so very special is our culture, our diversity, the people and the various ethnicities that we celebrate often here in our area. And one of the places I enjoy going is right here at the Southern University Museum of Art here in Shreveport, where we celebrate the African and African American experiences through art and artifacts.
One last thing I want you to remember: No matter who you are, no matter where you’re from, no matter what you look like, no matter what you sound like, we here in Shreveport-Bossier, we want to give you one big welcome.
New Orleans Speaker:
What makes New Orleans so special to me is the fact that we have the greatest people here. You will meet people on the street that will change your life. We’re friendly, we’re fun and we have great food, we have great music.
There’s a few places you can go to hear local music, and one the places is Royal Street. During the daytime, there’s a lot of street musicians that play, little 3-, 4-piece bands and it’s just really beautiful. Royal Street has antique shops and little restaurants and it’s adorable.
And then another place that I love is Frenchmen Street, and that’s more of a nighttime scene. You’ve got the Spotted Cat, you’ve got d.b.a., you’ve got Snug Harbor. There’s no shortage of hearing great music in New Orleans. Just pick your night, pick your location and you will find it.
One of the best things you can eat in New Orleans is a po-boy, and the best place to get one, in my opinion, is Parkway Tavern, which is located right here on Bayou St. John. Parkway has been around since 1911, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to po-boys.
You should definitely ride the streetcar. One of the best places you can stop along the route is at Washington Avenue, and that’s where Commander’s Palace is, which is a 100-year-old restaurant in the middle of the Garden District. It’s beautiful and it’s actually where Emeril Lagasse started his whole culinary career under the matron Ella Brennan. And if you continue to ride the streetcar toward the downtown area and you get off at Girod Street, you can visit Meril, which is actually named after his daughter, and it’s his first restaurant that he’s opened in 20 years.
Another great way to meet people and make friends in New Orleans is to sit at the oyster bar. There’s tons of great oyster bars with awesome shuckers that have been doing it for decades.
Another thing that’s really fun about New Orleans is crawfish boils. It’s just a great way to make friends and experience a true New Orleans piece of tradition and culture.
It’s just such a fun city with such an amazing group of people. It will inspire you and change your life forever.
What makes us so unique is that we have a wonderful blend of the culture, of our cuisine and our outstanding community festivities. I’m from the Shreveport-Bossier area.
There’s always something to do. Sometimes, it’s a big giant festival or a parade, or you’re taking these intimate moments to go to one of my favorite places to eat downtown, which is Abby Singer’s Bistro. And you get a slice of the delicious taste and sights and sounds all in one place.
There’s some things that you can do at the boardwalk and enjoy all of the different shops and stores and restaurants.
You know one of the craziest experiences that we can have: zip lining, right there at Gators and Friends. That’s one of the craziest and the coolest things to do.
What makes us so very special is our culture, our diversity, the people and the various ethnicities that we celebrate often here in our area. And one of the places I enjoy going is right here at the Southern University Museum of Art here in Shreveport, where we celebrate the African and African American experiences through art and artifacts.
One last thing I want you to remember: No matter who you are, no matter where you’re from, no matter what you look like, no matter what you sound like, we here in Shreveport-Bossier, we want to give you one big welcome.
New Orleans Speaker:
What makes New Orleans so special to me is the fact that we have the greatest people here. You will meet people on the street that will change your life. We’re friendly, we’re fun and we have great food, we have great music.
There’s a few places you can go to hear local music, and one the places is Royal Street. During the daytime, there’s a lot of street musicians that play, little 3-, 4-piece bands and it’s just really beautiful. Royal Street has antique shops and little restaurants and it’s adorable.
And then another place that I love is Frenchmen Street, and that’s more of a nighttime scene. You’ve got the Spotted Cat, you’ve got d.b.a., you’ve got Snug Harbor. There’s no shortage of hearing great music in New Orleans. Just pick your night, pick your location and you will find it.
One of the best things you can eat in New Orleans is a po-boy, and the best place to get one, in my opinion, is Parkway Tavern, which is located right here on Bayou St. John. Parkway has been around since 1911, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to po-boys.
You should definitely ride the streetcar. One of the best places you can stop along the route is at Washington Avenue, and that’s where Commander’s Palace is, which is a 100-year-old restaurant in the middle of the Garden District. It’s beautiful and it’s actually where Emeril Lagasse started his whole culinary career under the matron Ella Brennan. And if you continue to ride the streetcar toward the downtown area and you get off at Girod Street, you can visit Meril, which is actually named after his daughter, and it’s his first restaurant that he’s opened in 20 years.
Another great way to meet people and make friends in New Orleans is to sit at the oyster bar. There’s tons of great oyster bars with awesome shuckers that have been doing it for decades.
Another thing that’s really fun about New Orleans is crawfish boils. It’s just a great way to make friends and experience a true New Orleans piece of tradition and culture.
It’s just such a fun city with such an amazing group of people. It will inspire you and change your life forever.
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Ask a Local: California - Transcript
San Luis Obispo Speaker:
I think the most unique thing, and the thing that I love the most, is the real strong sense of community here.
Well, San Luis Obispo is pretty much smack dab between Los Angeles and San Francisco, right on the Central Coast. One of my favorite things to do, especially in the summertime, is Friday music in the Mission Plaza, where you can come out and join with your community and listen to a great band and have a glass of wine and just have the best time ever.
So, one of the highlights of the town that everyone goes to visit is Bubblegum Alley. It’s an alley just full of bubblegum. It sounds disgusting, and it is, but it’s also pretty fun.
San Luis Obispo is a very welcoming city, and we have lots of events to celebrate all the different aspects of our community. Also, just really being yourself here – I think it’s a place that you can come and not just relax, but really relax into yourself. And so, we invite you to come to San Luis Obispo and do just that.
Ventura Speaker:
I love Ventura because we just have such a beautiful coastline. It’s so different than anywhere here in California, and here in Ventura, we have a gorgeous beach for everybody. You can go down and take a walk by yourself on this beautiful beach were no one’s at, or you can go surf with some of your best friends out on a perfect point break.
I think we have something really unique here. There’s just a beautiful stretch of coastline, and it’s pristine, it’s quiet. And then there’s areas where it’s busy and it’s fun, and it’s just a really great community.
I love being able to walk into a restaurant and say hi to the owner, seeing families that are here in town, and really having that supportive community where I have people from all over flying in and wanting to come to Ventura and wanting to see what it is about our community that’s so unique and what it is about this coastline that I always tell people how fun it is. It’s really exciting to bring people here and share these beautiful waves with them and teach them about this ocean lifestyle that we live here in Ventura.
We have clean water, gorgeous community, a beautiful coastline and a wave pretty much for everybody, which is why I love it here so much.
Anaheim Speaker 1:
I think Anaheim is a really unique community because it’s so diverse and so energetic. It’s in our DNA to be creative and enthusiastic about new things.
My favorite thing to do on my day off is to go to Disneyland. When you go to Disneyland, you can tell with 100% certainty who’s there for their first time, and that energy and excitement and happiness is just so contagious.
Anaheim Speaker 2:
On West Street, just north of Lincoln, is the original Morton Bay fig tree that Walt Disney used when he was creating the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. You can just drive up, stand underneath it and be in awe.
One of the great things Anaheim has a lot of is breweries. Of course, we’re very partial to our own, Anaheim Brewery. So, if you love beer, come to Anaheim.
I love going to the Packing House. It’s such an exciting place to go out to eat, to go out for a beer. There is so much wonderful food and drink, just waiting for you to taste it.
Anaheim Speaker 1:
There are so many things to do that are unique to southern California. Gosh, within a couple of hours of Anaheim, we’ve got mountains, we’ve got beaches, we’ve got amusement parks, we’ve got other attractions, we’ve got an amazing collection of food – and beer.
Anaheim Speaker 2:
And it’s just always exciting; there’s always something fun happening.
San Diego Speaker:
The best thing about landing at the San Diego airport is you see the palm trees and you get the amazing weather, and you know you’ve landed in California.
San Diegans are a really casual, relaxed, fun-loving crowd. Our city really comes alive during the day, and that’s because we take advantage of our beaches and hiking trails; we’re out at happy hour.
One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is head down to Imperial Beach on Friday nights to watch the sunset. That’s also when they have a super-fun farmers market that feels like a block party.
The top 3 must-see experiences are: definitely hiking Torrey Pines; you get amazing ocean views. You can also get views at Cabrillo National Monument; there’s a hiking trail around the bay. And, definitely go to Balboa Park; there’s gardens, hiking trails, museums, gastropubs. There’s so much you can do there.
The best way to really get a feel for San Diego is to not just stick to downtown. Go to the cool indie shops in North Park, stroll the streets of South Park, try the super-cool restaurants in Little Italy, and definitely make time to head up north to Encinitas to check out a cool beach town.
One of my favorite can’t-miss experiences in San Diego is heading down to Barrio Logan near downtown. It’s marked by Chicano Park, which is a nationally designated historic site. It’s a beautiful park with great outdoor murals under the Coronado Bridge. And there’s amazing galleries, there’s a strong arts and culture community, and there’s great authentic Mexican food, which is a must.
I wanted nice weather; I wanted sunshine, a relaxed city – and San Diego is all of those things. San Diego feels like a perpetual vacation.
Palm Springs Speaker:
We are a beautiful resort destination where you can come and unwind and get away from it all. You can relax, rejuvenate, hang poolside, take in the breathtaking scenery and look at those incredible San Jacinto Mountains.
Once you’re completely relaxed and rejuvenated, there are so many amazing events in Greater Palm Springs year-round that truly offer unique experiences for everyone. Of course, we have the world-renowned music festivals, Coachella and Stagecoach, but my favorite, of course, is Modernism Week.
I think you can’t come to Greater Palm Springs without going on a modernism tour and seeing these spectacular and historic homes and buildings. The clean lines, the walls of glass, the brightly colored doors – they are just plain fun.
Welcome to Greater Palm Springs!
San Jose Speaker:
Well, for people who are coming to San Jose for the first time, get out. Don’t sit in your hotel. There’s amazing food, wine, culture everywhere you look. We have these beautiful mountains behind us, the Santa Cruz Mountains. We’re just minutes from Monterey Bay. All you have to do is open your eyes and look.
So many people just think that we’re just technology and that’s all we are, but San Jose has a very, very rich history and culture and agriculture and wine. The winery that we’re in here dates back to 1888 and has this really true natural history – right here, just minutes from downtown San Jose.
People ask what’s special and unique about your area. You know, I say: Talk to the people. Get to know the various cultures that we have here in Silicon Valley. It is a very amazing mix of all the world’s best people, all right here.
I think the most unique thing, and the thing that I love the most, is the real strong sense of community here.
Well, San Luis Obispo is pretty much smack dab between Los Angeles and San Francisco, right on the Central Coast. One of my favorite things to do, especially in the summertime, is Friday music in the Mission Plaza, where you can come out and join with your community and listen to a great band and have a glass of wine and just have the best time ever.
So, one of the highlights of the town that everyone goes to visit is Bubblegum Alley. It’s an alley just full of bubblegum. It sounds disgusting, and it is, but it’s also pretty fun.
San Luis Obispo is a very welcoming city, and we have lots of events to celebrate all the different aspects of our community. Also, just really being yourself here – I think it’s a place that you can come and not just relax, but really relax into yourself. And so, we invite you to come to San Luis Obispo and do just that.
Ventura Speaker:
I love Ventura because we just have such a beautiful coastline. It’s so different than anywhere here in California, and here in Ventura, we have a gorgeous beach for everybody. You can go down and take a walk by yourself on this beautiful beach were no one’s at, or you can go surf with some of your best friends out on a perfect point break.
I think we have something really unique here. There’s just a beautiful stretch of coastline, and it’s pristine, it’s quiet. And then there’s areas where it’s busy and it’s fun, and it’s just a really great community.
I love being able to walk into a restaurant and say hi to the owner, seeing families that are here in town, and really having that supportive community where I have people from all over flying in and wanting to come to Ventura and wanting to see what it is about our community that’s so unique and what it is about this coastline that I always tell people how fun it is. It’s really exciting to bring people here and share these beautiful waves with them and teach them about this ocean lifestyle that we live here in Ventura.
We have clean water, gorgeous community, a beautiful coastline and a wave pretty much for everybody, which is why I love it here so much.
Anaheim Speaker 1:
I think Anaheim is a really unique community because it’s so diverse and so energetic. It’s in our DNA to be creative and enthusiastic about new things.
My favorite thing to do on my day off is to go to Disneyland. When you go to Disneyland, you can tell with 100% certainty who’s there for their first time, and that energy and excitement and happiness is just so contagious.
Anaheim Speaker 2:
On West Street, just north of Lincoln, is the original Morton Bay fig tree that Walt Disney used when he was creating the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. You can just drive up, stand underneath it and be in awe.
One of the great things Anaheim has a lot of is breweries. Of course, we’re very partial to our own, Anaheim Brewery. So, if you love beer, come to Anaheim.
I love going to the Packing House. It’s such an exciting place to go out to eat, to go out for a beer. There is so much wonderful food and drink, just waiting for you to taste it.
Anaheim Speaker 1:
There are so many things to do that are unique to southern California. Gosh, within a couple of hours of Anaheim, we’ve got mountains, we’ve got beaches, we’ve got amusement parks, we’ve got other attractions, we’ve got an amazing collection of food – and beer.
Anaheim Speaker 2:
And it’s just always exciting; there’s always something fun happening.
San Diego Speaker:
The best thing about landing at the San Diego airport is you see the palm trees and you get the amazing weather, and you know you’ve landed in California.
San Diegans are a really casual, relaxed, fun-loving crowd. Our city really comes alive during the day, and that’s because we take advantage of our beaches and hiking trails; we’re out at happy hour.
One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is head down to Imperial Beach on Friday nights to watch the sunset. That’s also when they have a super-fun farmers market that feels like a block party.
The top 3 must-see experiences are: definitely hiking Torrey Pines; you get amazing ocean views. You can also get views at Cabrillo National Monument; there’s a hiking trail around the bay. And, definitely go to Balboa Park; there’s gardens, hiking trails, museums, gastropubs. There’s so much you can do there.
The best way to really get a feel for San Diego is to not just stick to downtown. Go to the cool indie shops in North Park, stroll the streets of South Park, try the super-cool restaurants in Little Italy, and definitely make time to head up north to Encinitas to check out a cool beach town.
One of my favorite can’t-miss experiences in San Diego is heading down to Barrio Logan near downtown. It’s marked by Chicano Park, which is a nationally designated historic site. It’s a beautiful park with great outdoor murals under the Coronado Bridge. And there’s amazing galleries, there’s a strong arts and culture community, and there’s great authentic Mexican food, which is a must.
I wanted nice weather; I wanted sunshine, a relaxed city – and San Diego is all of those things. San Diego feels like a perpetual vacation.
Palm Springs Speaker:
We are a beautiful resort destination where you can come and unwind and get away from it all. You can relax, rejuvenate, hang poolside, take in the breathtaking scenery and look at those incredible San Jacinto Mountains.
Once you’re completely relaxed and rejuvenated, there are so many amazing events in Greater Palm Springs year-round that truly offer unique experiences for everyone. Of course, we have the world-renowned music festivals, Coachella and Stagecoach, but my favorite, of course, is Modernism Week.
I think you can’t come to Greater Palm Springs without going on a modernism tour and seeing these spectacular and historic homes and buildings. The clean lines, the walls of glass, the brightly colored doors – they are just plain fun.
Welcome to Greater Palm Springs!
San Jose Speaker:
Well, for people who are coming to San Jose for the first time, get out. Don’t sit in your hotel. There’s amazing food, wine, culture everywhere you look. We have these beautiful mountains behind us, the Santa Cruz Mountains. We’re just minutes from Monterey Bay. All you have to do is open your eyes and look.
So many people just think that we’re just technology and that’s all we are, but San Jose has a very, very rich history and culture and agriculture and wine. The winery that we’re in here dates back to 1888 and has this really true natural history – right here, just minutes from downtown San Jose.
People ask what’s special and unique about your area. You know, I say: Talk to the people. Get to know the various cultures that we have here in Silicon Valley. It is a very amazing mix of all the world’s best people, all right here.
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Ask a Local: Kansas - Transcript
Doc Trotter:
If you’ve never been to Dodge City, this is the iconic western town. “Wickedest City in the West” is one of our nicknames. You know, there’s Wyatt Earp; he was a marshal here for many, many years. There’s Doc Holiday, who was a great gambler. These are people who were a big part of the lore of the West, but in Dodge City, they were king.
When you’re here at Boot Hill, you’re gonna get a tremendous flavor of what it was like to be in the West in the 1800s. Everything you need to know about Dodge City is right here, and it’s right in the middle of town. They have real saloons. They have a doctor’s office and what that looked like. They have a jail. You feel like you’re in the old town.
The biggest event for Dodge City is what we call Dodge City Days. There’s kid things, there’s concerts and, of course, the big Dodge City Round Up Rodeo. You need to be here during Dodge City Days to really experience Dodge City.
You know, we’ve had a couple of additions to our area and one of them is the Boot Hill Distillery. I really like their gin. And they create signature drinks frequently, and so it’s kind of fun to go in because you’ll get something different many times that you’re there. They’ll also give you a tour of the distillery so you can see how it’s done.
In terms of what kind of cuisine you’re gonna get in Dodge – of course, you’re gonna get steak. We’ve got the iconic Casey’s Cowtown. It’s been there since the ’70s. Great food, great atmosphere, great people – and you’ll see the salt of the earth there.
My favorite thing to do is to go out to Santa Fe Trail Tracks out on the west side of town. So many wagons came through here going to Santa Fe that there are ruts in the prairie out there that are still there today. It’s being outside of town and enjoying the beauty of the West the way it was in the beginning. So, if you want to experience the West and all that it was and all that it still is, you need to come to Dodge City.
Wichita Speaker:
Wichita is located in the heart of the country right along the Arkansas River, and we have so much to do here. I want to welcome you to Wichita, Kansas.
One of the most unique places Wichita has to offer is Old Cowtown Museum. You can travel back in time to see what Wichita looked like in the 1800s.
Another must-see is the Keeper of the Plains. It’s the most iconic landmark in Wichita. Every night at 9 p.m., they light the firepots, and it is one of the most remarkable experiences.
Our restaurant scene is pretty great too. I bet we have more hummus per capita than any other city in the Midwest. If you wanted to try every hummus dish in town, you’d have to stay for at least a month.
I’m proud to be from Wichita because of all the incredible things happening in our city. I can’t wait to see you in Wichita.
If you’ve never been to Dodge City, this is the iconic western town. “Wickedest City in the West” is one of our nicknames. You know, there’s Wyatt Earp; he was a marshal here for many, many years. There’s Doc Holiday, who was a great gambler. These are people who were a big part of the lore of the West, but in Dodge City, they were king.
When you’re here at Boot Hill, you’re gonna get a tremendous flavor of what it was like to be in the West in the 1800s. Everything you need to know about Dodge City is right here, and it’s right in the middle of town. They have real saloons. They have a doctor’s office and what that looked like. They have a jail. You feel like you’re in the old town.
The biggest event for Dodge City is what we call Dodge City Days. There’s kid things, there’s concerts and, of course, the big Dodge City Round Up Rodeo. You need to be here during Dodge City Days to really experience Dodge City.
You know, we’ve had a couple of additions to our area and one of them is the Boot Hill Distillery. I really like their gin. And they create signature drinks frequently, and so it’s kind of fun to go in because you’ll get something different many times that you’re there. They’ll also give you a tour of the distillery so you can see how it’s done.
In terms of what kind of cuisine you’re gonna get in Dodge – of course, you’re gonna get steak. We’ve got the iconic Casey’s Cowtown. It’s been there since the ’70s. Great food, great atmosphere, great people – and you’ll see the salt of the earth there.
My favorite thing to do is to go out to Santa Fe Trail Tracks out on the west side of town. So many wagons came through here going to Santa Fe that there are ruts in the prairie out there that are still there today. It’s being outside of town and enjoying the beauty of the West the way it was in the beginning. So, if you want to experience the West and all that it was and all that it still is, you need to come to Dodge City.
Wichita Speaker:
Wichita is located in the heart of the country right along the Arkansas River, and we have so much to do here. I want to welcome you to Wichita, Kansas.
One of the most unique places Wichita has to offer is Old Cowtown Museum. You can travel back in time to see what Wichita looked like in the 1800s.
Another must-see is the Keeper of the Plains. It’s the most iconic landmark in Wichita. Every night at 9 p.m., they light the firepots, and it is one of the most remarkable experiences.
Our restaurant scene is pretty great too. I bet we have more hummus per capita than any other city in the Midwest. If you wanted to try every hummus dish in town, you’d have to stay for at least a month.
I’m proud to be from Wichita because of all the incredible things happening in our city. I can’t wait to see you in Wichita.
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Ask a Local: Nevada - Transcript
Reno Speaker:
There’s a lot to see about Reno. We’re part desert, part Truckee Meadows, and we’re right on the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevada.
My favorite thing to do here is to go up to Lake Tahoe. It’s this beautiful, pristine, clear body of water in the middle of the forest. So, it’s a great place to go hiking and rock climbing. One of the most beautiful things is being out on the lake, whether you take out a paddleboard or kayak, and getting that vantage point of looking back at the beach, looking back up to see how massive those mountains are. It’s something that makes Lake Tahoe truly special.
Reno’s got to be the best place in the world for skiers. There’s about nine major downhill ski resorts within an hour of downtown Reno. To have the city life right here, so close to so many great ski resorts, it’s just something that you’re not gonna find someplace else.
People don’t expect to see this great canopy of trees in the Reno area and in the actual city of Reno. It’s very easy to get on a kayak and go through downtown. It’s purpose built for kayaking right through downtown. BaseCamp is pretty cool, you know; it’s right by the Reno Arch. Great climbing wall, it brings the outdoors right into downtown.
The scenery here is crazy. Facing west, it’s all mountains and you can see the trees on the top of the mountains heading up into Lake Tahoe. Facing east, you can see the rolling hills heading into the desert.
Virginia City is western heritage. The whole town is built upon the American dream: heading out west to find your fortune. It’s an old-time, old west town. You can do mine tours, take an old train ride, and they also keep the city up like it was in the 1800s.
Carson City is cool, kind of a smaller city to be a state capital. We have a Basque population here. The Basque came over here because they like the geography. It’s really great for sheep herding, which is what they did. We have two Basque food restaurants.
The events in Reno are insane. There’s a great big balloon festival, which is free to go to, motorcycles, classic cars. The Nugget Rib Cook Off is huge. They go through like a hundred tons of ribs.
I think the way I would really describe Reno is it’s easy. No matter what time of year you’re here, you’re gonna have something nearby that you can do. I really love this area because it’s different every single day.
Las Vegas Speaker 1:
My favorite thing about Las Vegas is that you can be yourself. You’re free to do whatever you want, anytime you want.
Las Vegas Speaker 2:
All the best foods and all the best shows and all the best entertainment options, and they put it all in one, like, four-mile strip.
Las Vegas Speaker 3:
The best thing about Las Vegas is that it’s the entertainment capital of the world. Here’s it’s a one-stop-shop.
Las Vegas Speaker 4:
A lot of these casinos down Fremont Street have outdoor bars. You can bar hop going from bar to bar without really even travelling 50 feet. It’s hard to beat going down a quarter mile of zip line over people’s heads. Here you actually get a little more of the old Las Vegas feel.
Las Vegas Speaker 5:
It has nostalgia; it has all the old-time casinos that you can actually go in and explore. Vegas just has everything for everyone.
Las Vegas Speaker 6:
Shopping is one of my favorite things to do. There is great shopping here. You can do whatever it is you want to do. You can stay up from sundown to sunup.
Las Vegas Speaker 2:
Vegas is everything. Vegas is this like perfect, weird construction of humanity. I mean, it’s a little bit of everything anybody would ever want.
There’s a lot to see about Reno. We’re part desert, part Truckee Meadows, and we’re right on the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevada.
My favorite thing to do here is to go up to Lake Tahoe. It’s this beautiful, pristine, clear body of water in the middle of the forest. So, it’s a great place to go hiking and rock climbing. One of the most beautiful things is being out on the lake, whether you take out a paddleboard or kayak, and getting that vantage point of looking back at the beach, looking back up to see how massive those mountains are. It’s something that makes Lake Tahoe truly special.
Reno’s got to be the best place in the world for skiers. There’s about nine major downhill ski resorts within an hour of downtown Reno. To have the city life right here, so close to so many great ski resorts, it’s just something that you’re not gonna find someplace else.
People don’t expect to see this great canopy of trees in the Reno area and in the actual city of Reno. It’s very easy to get on a kayak and go through downtown. It’s purpose built for kayaking right through downtown. BaseCamp is pretty cool, you know; it’s right by the Reno Arch. Great climbing wall, it brings the outdoors right into downtown.
The scenery here is crazy. Facing west, it’s all mountains and you can see the trees on the top of the mountains heading up into Lake Tahoe. Facing east, you can see the rolling hills heading into the desert.
Virginia City is western heritage. The whole town is built upon the American dream: heading out west to find your fortune. It’s an old-time, old west town. You can do mine tours, take an old train ride, and they also keep the city up like it was in the 1800s.
Carson City is cool, kind of a smaller city to be a state capital. We have a Basque population here. The Basque came over here because they like the geography. It’s really great for sheep herding, which is what they did. We have two Basque food restaurants.
The events in Reno are insane. There’s a great big balloon festival, which is free to go to, motorcycles, classic cars. The Nugget Rib Cook Off is huge. They go through like a hundred tons of ribs.
I think the way I would really describe Reno is it’s easy. No matter what time of year you’re here, you’re gonna have something nearby that you can do. I really love this area because it’s different every single day.
Las Vegas Speaker 1:
My favorite thing about Las Vegas is that you can be yourself. You’re free to do whatever you want, anytime you want.
Las Vegas Speaker 2:
All the best foods and all the best shows and all the best entertainment options, and they put it all in one, like, four-mile strip.
Las Vegas Speaker 3:
The best thing about Las Vegas is that it’s the entertainment capital of the world. Here’s it’s a one-stop-shop.
Las Vegas Speaker 4:
A lot of these casinos down Fremont Street have outdoor bars. You can bar hop going from bar to bar without really even travelling 50 feet. It’s hard to beat going down a quarter mile of zip line over people’s heads. Here you actually get a little more of the old Las Vegas feel.
Las Vegas Speaker 5:
It has nostalgia; it has all the old-time casinos that you can actually go in and explore. Vegas just has everything for everyone.
Las Vegas Speaker 6:
Shopping is one of my favorite things to do. There is great shopping here. You can do whatever it is you want to do. You can stay up from sundown to sunup.
Las Vegas Speaker 2:
Vegas is everything. Vegas is this like perfect, weird construction of humanity. I mean, it’s a little bit of everything anybody would ever want.
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Ask a Local: Montana - Transcript
Speaker:
I’ve lived in Montana for 58 years. We have the cleanest, sweetest-smelling air, crystal-clear water, beautiful skies during the day and massive stars at night.
We have adventure for everyone from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park and everything in between.
We’ve got a wonderful winter season with powdery white snow for those who want to downhill ski, cross-country ski, snowshoe, snow mobile.
We have beautiful springs where fishing is abundant in our wonderful rivers with crystal-clear water in our lakes.
What makes Montana’s craft beers the best is the best wheat, the best water, the best malt and the best entrepreneurs you’ll find anywhere making the best craft brews.
Montana’s small towns are authentic. They each have their own historic nature. They’ve done wonderful jobs in preserving their culture. There’s no crowds, it’s safe. Great lodging facilities and lots of fun things to do.
My family loves the authentic Montana experience from the mountains in the west to the rivers and lakes that you see in the southwest. It’s different everywhere you go, but the people are all the same – friendly, warm and welcoming. For me, that’s what we are. Welcome to Montana.
I’ve lived in Montana for 58 years. We have the cleanest, sweetest-smelling air, crystal-clear water, beautiful skies during the day and massive stars at night.
We have adventure for everyone from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park and everything in between.
We’ve got a wonderful winter season with powdery white snow for those who want to downhill ski, cross-country ski, snowshoe, snow mobile.
We have beautiful springs where fishing is abundant in our wonderful rivers with crystal-clear water in our lakes.
What makes Montana’s craft beers the best is the best wheat, the best water, the best malt and the best entrepreneurs you’ll find anywhere making the best craft brews.
Montana’s small towns are authentic. They each have their own historic nature. They’ve done wonderful jobs in preserving their culture. There’s no crowds, it’s safe. Great lodging facilities and lots of fun things to do.
My family loves the authentic Montana experience from the mountains in the west to the rivers and lakes that you see in the southwest. It’s different everywhere you go, but the people are all the same – friendly, warm and welcoming. For me, that’s what we are. Welcome to Montana.
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Ask a Local: Oregon - Transcript
Portland Speaker:
I came to Portland from Thailand, and I was drawn to the friendly people and mega culture. You can do anything in Portland.
Portland is known for its food culture. We have every type of food, from high-end dining to street food. While you are here in Portland, you have to try the food from the food carts. There are 600 to choose from. This one is actually mine, and I make Thai chicken and rice.
If you are downtown, make sure to stop by the Forest Park for a hike and a great view of the city. Forest Park is a hidden oasis right in the heart of downtown.
It’s so much fun to explore the shops here, and there’s no sales tax. Any style is in style in Portland, as long as you make it your own.
Welcome to Portland! You’re gonna love it here.
Bend Speaker:
When you’re walking along the banks of the Deschutes River in the middle of town, you’ll often smell the wafting aroma of our breweries: the hops and the malt and barley, things like that in the air. When it does rain, you’ll smell fresh juniper. There’s a lot of senses going on when you’re outside here. It’s truly a magical place.
I live in Beer Town USA, otherwise known as Bend, Oregon. Because we have the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, we’re on the dry side of the state, so we have 300 days of sun. It’s always beautiful here.
One of the craziest things that you can do in Central Oregon in the early spring is go skiing or snowboarding up on Mount Bachelor in the morning, drive down the mountain and be able to play golf, go mountain biking or fishing in the afternoon, and still have plenty of time to go grab a beer and watch the sunset. To be able to do all those things in one day, every year I’m still marveled that that’s an opportunity that we have.
If I was visiting Central Oregon for the first time from outside the country, one of the first things I would do is visit Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne. It’s hard to explain just how beautiful this rock formation is, and once you’re there, you can hike along the river, you can hike up to the top of it for incredible views of the whole Central Oregon region. You can ride your bike there, and there’s also horseback riding nearby. It’s just one of the must-see, iconic features in Central Oregon.
It’s a real active community filled with people who have come from all over and have embraced this lifestyle that caters to folks who love being outside, love being with other people, love beer and just enjoy an active lifestyle.
I came to Portland from Thailand, and I was drawn to the friendly people and mega culture. You can do anything in Portland.
Portland is known for its food culture. We have every type of food, from high-end dining to street food. While you are here in Portland, you have to try the food from the food carts. There are 600 to choose from. This one is actually mine, and I make Thai chicken and rice.
If you are downtown, make sure to stop by the Forest Park for a hike and a great view of the city. Forest Park is a hidden oasis right in the heart of downtown.
It’s so much fun to explore the shops here, and there’s no sales tax. Any style is in style in Portland, as long as you make it your own.
Welcome to Portland! You’re gonna love it here.
Bend Speaker:
When you’re walking along the banks of the Deschutes River in the middle of town, you’ll often smell the wafting aroma of our breweries: the hops and the malt and barley, things like that in the air. When it does rain, you’ll smell fresh juniper. There’s a lot of senses going on when you’re outside here. It’s truly a magical place.
I live in Beer Town USA, otherwise known as Bend, Oregon. Because we have the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, we’re on the dry side of the state, so we have 300 days of sun. It’s always beautiful here.
One of the craziest things that you can do in Central Oregon in the early spring is go skiing or snowboarding up on Mount Bachelor in the morning, drive down the mountain and be able to play golf, go mountain biking or fishing in the afternoon, and still have plenty of time to go grab a beer and watch the sunset. To be able to do all those things in one day, every year I’m still marveled that that’s an opportunity that we have.
If I was visiting Central Oregon for the first time from outside the country, one of the first things I would do is visit Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne. It’s hard to explain just how beautiful this rock formation is, and once you’re there, you can hike along the river, you can hike up to the top of it for incredible views of the whole Central Oregon region. You can ride your bike there, and there’s also horseback riding nearby. It’s just one of the must-see, iconic features in Central Oregon.
It’s a real active community filled with people who have come from all over and have embraced this lifestyle that caters to folks who love being outside, love being with other people, love beer and just enjoy an active lifestyle.
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Ask a Local: South Dakota - Transcript
Sioux Falls Speaker:
You know, drive 15, 20 minutes in any direction and you can seemingly be in the middle of nowhere. It’s absolutely beautiful – from the sunsets to the clear night skies. It’s one of my favorite things about living here.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – it’s such a growing and vibrant and friendly community. You have great food, drink, breweries, coffee, restaurants, entertainment, arts, culture, history. We have a waterfall running through our downtown.
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to go out into the country on a summer night and just let my eyes adjust and soak in the sky and the stars and you can literally see the Milky Way overhead. It’s absolutely unique to this area and it’s amazing every time I do it.
Absolutely check out Badlands National Park on the west side of the state. It is like another planet out there. The landscape is like no other place in the country. The views, the wildlife – you know you can pull up next to a buffalo, and you quickly realize that you’re standing next to an animal that’s the size of your car. It’s mind-blowing every time.
Black Hills Speaker:
It’s such a great area just full of outdoor opportunities and a really great outdoor culture that I just love. I’m in the beautiful Black Hills.
The Black Hills are home to Black Elk Peak, which is the tallest point in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. So, it’s an awesome opportunity to get in a hike and see for miles.
Little Devil’s Tower is such a fun hike in Custer State Park. And it starts out easy but then there’s a climb and at the end, there’s a little scramble over rocks to get to the peak. And from there, I think it’s the most incredible views of the Black Hills. You can see Black Elk Peak in the distance and then the needles of Custer State Park and the Cathedral Spires right behind you. And then in front of you, a lot of people don’t notice it, but it’s the back of Mount Rushmore.
Get in your car and drive through the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park to see the 1,300 bison just roaming around and doing their thing. Sometimes they cause some pretty bad traffic jams.
There’s so much to see, so much to do. So, I love coming out here to visit as much as possible.
You know, drive 15, 20 minutes in any direction and you can seemingly be in the middle of nowhere. It’s absolutely beautiful – from the sunsets to the clear night skies. It’s one of my favorite things about living here.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – it’s such a growing and vibrant and friendly community. You have great food, drink, breweries, coffee, restaurants, entertainment, arts, culture, history. We have a waterfall running through our downtown.
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to go out into the country on a summer night and just let my eyes adjust and soak in the sky and the stars and you can literally see the Milky Way overhead. It’s absolutely unique to this area and it’s amazing every time I do it.
Absolutely check out Badlands National Park on the west side of the state. It is like another planet out there. The landscape is like no other place in the country. The views, the wildlife – you know you can pull up next to a buffalo, and you quickly realize that you’re standing next to an animal that’s the size of your car. It’s mind-blowing every time.
Black Hills Speaker:
It’s such a great area just full of outdoor opportunities and a really great outdoor culture that I just love. I’m in the beautiful Black Hills.
The Black Hills are home to Black Elk Peak, which is the tallest point in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. So, it’s an awesome opportunity to get in a hike and see for miles.
Little Devil’s Tower is such a fun hike in Custer State Park. And it starts out easy but then there’s a climb and at the end, there’s a little scramble over rocks to get to the peak. And from there, I think it’s the most incredible views of the Black Hills. You can see Black Elk Peak in the distance and then the needles of Custer State Park and the Cathedral Spires right behind you. And then in front of you, a lot of people don’t notice it, but it’s the back of Mount Rushmore.
Get in your car and drive through the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park to see the 1,300 bison just roaming around and doing their thing. Sometimes they cause some pretty bad traffic jams.
There’s so much to see, so much to do. So, I love coming out here to visit as much as possible.
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