With no offense intended toward Frost or his famous poem, one could argue there’s something much more important in life than choosing which road to take. Sometimes, most important is choosing to take any road at all. To go somewhere. To travel. To get out of your house, out of your routine, away from your job, and away to a place that’s different and wonderful. And maybe even do so with someone—or ones—you love.
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Glacier National Park |
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There are, of course, myriad benefits of traveling: You can discover new, beautiful vistas, envelop yourself in historical scenes, introduce your palate to new flavors, meet new people and new cultures, generally broaden your experiences and interests, and grow as a person. Plus, it’s good for you: Whether planning a weeklong trip to a national park or a weekend trip to visit family in another state or province, getting out and seeing the world can do wonders for your mind, body, and soul.
“Travel broadens, stretches, and enriches people,” says Don George, Global Travel editor with Lonely Planet Publications. “It introduces them to new sights and smells and sounds, new cuisines and creations, new political systems and religious ideas, and perhaps most important of all, new friends who come to personify a magically multicolored mosaic of backgrounds and beliefs. It teaches tolerance, enflames passionsand engenders appreciation of the diverse beauties and fragilities on this home we all share.And in this way, it paves the way to peace.”
But where to go? A quiet hideaway? Perhaps, a natural wonder? A big city? An amusement resort?
For some, that’s an easy answer—hop on a plane and head off to a favorite sunny destination. In fact, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, the majority of trips each year are taken during the summer months for “leisure” travel—which includes travel for visiting friends and relatives, entertainment and/or sightseeing, or other pleasure reasons. But where you travel should be a personal choice.
“Read up on your destination options before you plan your trip, then choose the place that best suits your goals for the trip, as well as your temperament, passion, time frame,and budget,” George says. “Look for connections, passion points—history, literature, rock-climbing, local markets—and plan your travels around them. If you love baseball,concoct a pilgrimage to the nation’s best baseball stadiums. If you love dance and you discover this South Pacific island that has a once-a-year dance festival the week you’ll be traveling, go for it!”
And then think of Frost’s The Road Not Taken, as some experts suggest, and stay away from the “hot spots” where everyone else goes.
“Traveling off the beaten path maximizes your opportunities for fulfillinginteractions with local people and illuminating insights into local places and cultures,” George says. “Of course, you can travel off the beaten path in a city as well as in a remote rural area; the idea is to get away from the tourist crowds, whether that’s to a little-touristedneighborhood or remote village. Ask locals. Post questions on Internet travel forums. Leave your guidebook in the hotel and wander on your own, unguided, for a morning or a day; let serendipity lead you to secret treasures!”
Wish you were here!
Your suitcases are packed, and you’re ready to travel. To help you with your resolution to travel more this year, Kiwanis magazine asked Kiwanians to share what makes their areas especially good travel destinations—and their “secrets” as locals: where to take the best photos, find the best breakfast, sample the best specialties, and more.
Thanks, Grant Walker |
Everglades National Park |
Everglades and Biscayne national parks
Homestead/ South Dade, Florida, Kiwanis clubThere is no denying the beauty of the area nestled between these two amazing national parks. But in addition to Mother Nature’s natural beauty, there are other hot spots not to be missed. Here are some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path places.
Best place to get your juices flowing: Robert Is Here Fruit Stand
This fruit stand highlights the area’s tropical fruit with fresh fruit milkshakes and other produce.
Best place to avoid a bite: Everglades Alligator Farm
Home to more than 2,000 alligators—and offers daily shows. Also the best place to take an airboat ride in all of South Florida!
Best place to take a deep breath: R.F. Orchids
This is Florida’s premier orchid grower since 1970, with many award-winning exotic species.
Best place to swirl and spit: Schnebly Redland’s Winery
Schnebly is the southernmost winery in the United States, and makes wine from local tropical fruit. What more is there to say?
For anyone still wanting more fruit: Fruit & Spice Park
Find everything you want on this unique 35-acre tropical botanical garden. The Fruit & Spice Park offers more than 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and nuts from around the world!
Glacier National Park, Montana
Kiwanis Club of Kalispell
Glacier National Park is a wonder in itself with wide-open blue skies, pristine lakes, colorful wildflowers, towering mountains, icy glaciers, and abundant wildlife—a place worth the visit and sights.
Favorite places to bite into a burger: Norm’s News in downtown Kalispell
What to buy while in town: Any huckleberry product.
Where to find great souvenirs—including popular huckleberry lotions and lip balms: Western Outdoor in downtown Kalispell; the West Coast Center Mall; and local shops in Kalispell, Bigfork, Whitefish, and Glacier National Park.
Best place to breakfast before a long hike: We love this nice little place in Kila, west of Kalispell, on Highway 2 West, called the Cottage Inn.
Where to take a great photo: Out here, there isn’t a bad place to take a photo! Glacier National Park is spectacular. The famous Going-to-the-Sun road winds through the park, offering breathtaking views, historic landmarks, and wonderful food and lodging.
Best places to put on list of must-sees: Flathead Lake (the largest freshwater lake West of the Mississippi), Big Mountain ski resort, Conrad Mansion, the Museum at Central School, and Hockaday Museum of Art.
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown
“PEI” is the smallest province in Canada and the only one that is an island. It’s located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada’s east coast, separated from the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the Northumberland Strait. There is no place in PEI that is more than 16 km (10 miles) from the ocean!
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Confederation Bridge |
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Kildare Cape |
Best way to make your entrance to PEI: Confederation Bridge. Since 1997, the bridge has been the main link to the mainland. It’s a magnificent structure that spans 12.9 km over the Northumberland Strait and boasts the reputation of being the longest free-standing bridge over tidal waters in the world.
What you might not know about us: Charlottetown is the provincial capital and is the largest of our only two cities. It is known as the “Birthplace of Confederation” as this was where our founding fathers first met in 1864 to discuss the union that would become Canada.
Best souvenir to grab in town: The best place to shop in Charlottetown is … everywhere! There are more than 300 shops throughout the city, with tons of made-on-the-island wares found nowhere else—including the PEI Dirt Shirt, dyed its unique color using PEI’s unique rich, red soil.
One thing not to miss: If you’re in Charlottetown, the one thing you must do is see the Anne of Green Gables musical at Confederation Centre of the Arts. It’s a musical based on the well-known and heartwarming character in the world-renowned books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and it has been playing on the main stage every summer since 1965. It still draws sellout crowds!
Best place to have your quiche and eat it too: The best has to be the Dundee Arms Inn, with its combination of formal dining on one side and pub dining on the other—and a beautiful deck area for al fresco dining. Food is good quality, reasonably priced, and the staff is very friendly. The bread is fresh-baked, the desserts are to die for, and they make the best quiche ever.
Dessert spot we love to share: If it’s just a nice light refreshment or creamy ice cream you want, the Kiwanis Dairy Bar in Victoria Park on the historic waterfront is “the place to be” on warm summer evenings—and has been since 1955.
Saguaro National Park
Kiwanis Club of Tucson-Sunshine and Kiwanis Club of the Desert, Tucson
Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona, is home to thousands of the most recognizable cacti in the world—the Saguaro cactus. The typical Saguaro cactus has a life span twice that of humans, can grow upwards of 50 feet, and can weigh more than 10 tons!
Thanks, Walter Grace |
Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. |
Where to find some quiet time: In the heart of Tucson is a private preserved desert area called Tohono Chul Park. It is a sanctuary of quiet in the midst of Tucson’s business and noise. In the park is a rustic, Spanish-style tearoom and café with a wonderful gift shop. Docents are on hand to guide you on a tour of desert flora and fauna.
What you need to know before heading to the trails: The National Park is actually two separate parks. The East park is located approximately 15 miles east of downtown Tucson, while the West park is approximately 15 miles west of Tucson. Walking and driving trails are available at both to discover the wonderful Sonoran Desert landscape and its majestic Saguaro cacti.
Best place to eat after a long hike: Whether at the East or West park, El Charro Café is the place to dine after a long day of walking through the cactus forest. The original El Charro is located downtown and has been serving casual Mexican food since 1922. Closer to the East park is the El Charro on Broadway.
Best photo-op: There are many great spots to take photos because of the mountains that surround Tucson, but a favorite place is at an old restored Spanish mission church in San Xavier.
If you have an extra day during your summer visit, a drive up Mount Lemmon will relieve you of the desert heat and provide for more than enough photo opportunities! It’s only a 45-minute drive from the desert floor to the 9,100-foot summit. And if you are in town during the winter months, Mount Lemmon is home to the US’ southernmost snow ski slopes.
What we love about Tucson: Tucson was first settled by early native Americans, and later by the Spanish, so Tucson and Southwest Arizona have many stores specializing in Mexican and Native American collectibles. Living in Tucson is like being on a yearlong vacation because of the rich cultural traditions that are so much a part of our daily life. |
