Summer Travel Guide: Hot travel spots not too far from home
04.08.2009, 11:24
You want a fun, family summer vacation, but you don't want to spend a bundle.
That seems pretty reasonable, but you have to give up on the notion on going somewhere far away, like Disneyland, New York or some other really cool destination city.
Wellness hétvége
There are plenty of places surrounding this area where a family can drive and spend a few days or weeks and come away with an experience they will remember for a lifetime.
States like Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Louisiana may not seem very exotic and adventurous, but they are.
In fact, tourism is big business in these southern states, possibly because of that famous southern hospitality.
The Gazette has looked far and wide and has a few ideas to share, and we'll give you the resources to plan your own trip by looking on the Internet.
Today we explore Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Tomorrow we'll explore Missouri, Louisiana and Tennessee.
ARKANSAS
Arkansas is the Natural State, and a lot of its attractions are, in fact, very natural. Like the Crater of Diamonds state park in Murfreesboro.
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism touts the fact they have something for everyone in the entire family.
"We've got something here for every interest you might have," said Jana Greenbaum, communications manager for the department.
Greenbaum said as the mother of two young boys with very different likes, Arkansas traveling is a godsend, because finding things that interest the whole family can be very challenging.
Living in Arkansas, you might not be that fascinated, but chances are there are some great destinations you haven't heard of or been to yet.
If you're looking for a mountain adventure, Greers Ferry Lake in the Ozarks might be just for you.
It boasts 40,000 acres of lake surface to play to both boaters and fisherman.
Fishing is known to be superb throughout the year there. In fact, every game fish native to Arkansas has been stocked in the clear waters by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Some of the more abundant fish include the walleye, bream, crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout and largemouth and white bass.
You can also boat, swim, camp, picnic, scuba dive, water ski and hike a nature trail.
If you're looking for a scenic drive, you may want to travel Crowley's Ridge Parkway, which stretches 200 miles from the north to south, in the middle of the flat Mississippi River alluvial plain, more commonly known as the Delta.
Hills in the Delta is a geological oddity, and it provides some breathtaking scenery as it winds through Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Cross, St. Francis, Lee and Phillips counties.
Along the byway, there is some kind of experience for everyone, including the home where Ernest Hemingway worked and lived during his visits to Piggott in the 1920s and '30s, Crowley's Ridge State Park, Lake Frierson State Park, shopping districts in Jonesboro, Lake Poinsett State Park and Village Creek State Park.
For political buffs, there is the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, "which is our newest and most popular destination," said Greenbaum.
Right across the river, she said, is the most decorated submarine to have ever served, the USS Razorback. Next door to that is the Alltel Arena, where you can catch everything from boxing to concerts.
There's also that infamous Crater of Diamonds.
"It's the only place you can keep a diamond if you find it," said Greenbaum.
Greenbaum also touted the states' historic Old Washington State Park near Hope, where they just opened a schoolhouse people can actually sleep in.
There's much to see and do in Arkansas. Check out www.arkansas.com to plan trips, explore everything there is to do and much more. There are even sample itineraries on the Website.
Greenbaum said Arkansas is a bargain for a traveling family, according to a group from Cape Cod who recently visited.
"Their big take on the whole thing is this place is a good value," she said.
TEXAS and NEW MEXICO
For travelers who want to journey west but can't go to far from home, West Texas can seem exotic compared to the familiar piney woods of East Texas and Southwest Ark.
The city of El Paso seems to be almost as much a part of Mexico as it does the United States. Visitors can simply walk across the border and be in downtown Juarez, Mexico.
Besides soaking up the Mexican culture and scenery, there are plenty of things to see and do there.
Wyler Aerial Tramway, which is the only public accessible tram in Texas, offers a view of 7,000 square miles, two countries and three states from the 5,632-foot elevation at the southern edge of the Franklin Mountains.
The ride takes only four and a half minutes and climbs 940 feet. The summit includes an observation deck, gift shop and exhibit panels.
After enjoying the view, a tourist up for a combination of adventure and history can drive 32 miles northeast to visit Hueco (pronounced Waco) Tanks State Historic Site.
This 860-acre park is named for the large natural rock basins, or "huecos," that have furnished a supply of trapped rain water to dwellers and travelers in this arid region of West Texas for thousands of years.
Native Americans have drawn mythological designs along wtih human and animal figures on the area's rocks for thousands of years.
"The main thing we want people to know about Hueco Tanks is the history of it. It is really famous for the Indian pictographs and there are not a lot of public access to those overall," said Park Manager John Moses.
Guided tours are available and give the visitor a chance to hike and enjoy beautiful scenery while also admiring the pictographs.
Some of the tours do involve some rock climbing and may not be for everyone.
"You can always do something self-guided and go at your own pace," Moses said. "Tour One is somewhat strenous. It involves some climbing and we don't recomend it for people who have had knee surgery," he said.
For more information on the El Paso area visit the city of El Paso's visitor information Website at www.visitelpasotexas.com.
New Mexico is a short drive from El Paso, and visitors to the area can easily take in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, one of the state's most popular tourist attractions.
Carlsbad Caverns contains more than 100 limestone caves, all full of unique and beautiful formations.
The basic tour through the cavern is the Big Room Route, a one-mile, self-guiding, underground stroll around the perimeter of the largest room in the cave.
Portions of the Big Room are accessible to vistors in wheelchairs, and a map is available at the visitor center information desk.
For operating hours and more information, contact the park at www.nps.gov/cave.
Also not to be missed, The Guadalupe Mountains are located 110 miles east of El paso and 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad.
Guadalupe Peak is the highest peak in Texas; a spectacular view awaits those who reach its 8,749-foot summit.
Remember, these attractions are only in West Texas.
Central Texas also offers days of entertainment. Austin and the Hill Country are just hours away from Texarkana. San Antonio provides hours of diverse entertainment, including the Riverwalk and the Alamo.
For more information on things to see and do in Texas, visit TravelTex.com, the official site of Texas Tourism.
OKLAHOMA
While most Texarkana residents are familiar with Southeast Oklahoma and its natural beauty, western and central Oklahoma also offer plenty to see and do.
Krista Townsend, public relations specialist for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, suggests several different destinations for summer travelers.
One of them, The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge northwest of Lawton, offers visitors the chance to observe buffalo and other wildlife up close.
The 59,000-plus-acre national refuge is also home to longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, elk and deer.
The Quanah Parker Nature and Visitor Center is on site and features exhibits on wildlife and habitats of the Witchita Mountains, interactive and changing displays, artwork, videos, films and a bookstore.
Hiking and biking trails are available along with campsites and rock climbing.
For a spectacular view of the area, drive to the top of Mount Scott, a peak located on the eastern edge of the refuge.
Red Rock Canyon State Park, located near Hinton in west central Oklahoma, is also a perfect spot for avid fans of the outdoors. In fact, the steep canyon walls are a favorite for rappeling and exploration.
The park sits on 310 acres and includes plenty of room for camping and picknicking.
There are also three national parks in the state of Oklahoma-Chicksaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Washita Battlefield National Monument in Cheyenne and the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
For those interested in a more urban experience, Oklahoma City might be the perfect place to spend a day or two. Besides a zoo and several art museums, Oklahoma's capital city also offers a moving memorial to the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building.
This national memorial includes the Field of Empty Chairs with each chair honoring one of the 168 victims, a reflecting pool, a children's area and a museum with film clips and other memorabilia.
The city also has a minor league basball park and a canal that flows beside choice restaurants, shops and quaint cafes in the historic Bricktown entertainment district.
In the northeast portion of the state, Tulsa is a cosmopolitan city that appeals to young and old. National touring exhibits of art can be seen at the Philbrook Museum of Art and for western art, check out the Gilcrease Museum.
Music legends are commemorated at Oklahoma's Jazz Hall of Fame.
For more information about travel in Oklahoma visit travelOK.com.
Remember to plan your vacations carefully to allot plenty of time for family fun and happy trails.
And above all, don't forget your camera.