USATourist News Magazine

June 2005

In this issue:

New York Airports

Many travelers start or finish their trips with a stop in New York City. New York City has several airports to choose from. Here is a list of the New York's accessible airports and their city codes:
New York City LaGuardia, New York (LGA)
Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
J F Kennedy, New York (JFK)

To book your flights just click here: www.usatourist.com/english/reservations/Reservations-Flights.html

Have you seen our 18 New York virtual tours? Our New York City page can help you plan your next trip to the Big Apple. www.usatourist.com/english/places/newyork

Northeastern Driving Tour

If New York is on your agenda and a driving tour of the northeast interests you I urge you to visit our Northeastern Driving Tour page. There are several suggestions of places to visit and links to our city pages. www.usatourist.com/english/places/nedrivingtour.html

To reserve your rental car for the drive click on this link: www.usatourist.com/english/reservations/Reservations-Cars.html

Crazy Horse Memorial

The world's largest sculpture is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Its name is the Crazy Horse Memorial and is still a work-in-progress. It is located on US Highway 16/385 (17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore). The creation of the memorial began in 1948 by self taught sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. Sadly, Ziolkowski's death in 1982 prevented him from seeing his completed work. Today Ziolkowski's children are involved in the progress of the Crazy Horse Memorial, determined to see their father's dream come true.

There is no expectation of when the carving will be complete, but when it is it will be 641 feet long by 563 feet high. Crazy Horse's completed head is 87 feet 6 inches high. The horse's head is 219 feet or 22 stories high. To see this work in progress click here: www.crazyhorse.org

Another stop worth making in South Dakota is the American icon, Mount Rushmore. The faces of four US presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln are carved into the mountain side and offer an astounding view. If you're interested in the history of Mount Rushmore here is a link that gives wonderful details from birth to completion: www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/ru/history/carve.html

Sioux Pottery factory

In Rapid City, South Dakota visitors can stop by the Sioux Pottery factory and watch how Sioux Pottery is made. This special pottery is made from the red clay from the Black Hills. Sioux Indian Artists design and hand craft each piece and each pottery piece is adorned with distinctive culturally related designs and symbols. During your visit you will learn about the legends of this sacred Native American land. www.siouxpottery.com

We have a page on South Dakota: www.usatourist.com/english/places/southdakota

Lollapalooza 2005

July 23 & 24 is the weekend Lollapalooza 2005 rocks Grant Park in Chicago with over 60 bands and performers across 5 stages. Lollapalooza has always been referred to as an "alternative music" event. Some of the acts scheduled to perform for this year's concerts are Billy Idol, Cake, and Liz Phair. The 2-day tickets cost $100. Lollapalooza previously made its way across the country over the summer months and was cancelled last year. This year the show is on but will be held only the one weekend in Chicago. www.lollapalooza.com

For more on the Windy City visit our Chicago page: www.usatourist.com/english/places/illinois/chicago.html

Burning Man Festival

The unusual event, the Burning Man Festival, is being held August 29 – September 5 in the Black Rock Desert which is located 120 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The Burning Man Festival is difficult to describe. It is an untraditional art festival and those who have attended agree the only way to understand is to attend. The designated website even has a "survival guide" with a check list of items you will want to bring and a list of things not to bring. www.burningman.com

Fruit Festivals

One of the best ways to celebrate America and its people is enjoying the local food and drink. Summertime in the United States brings some wonderful foods and festivals full of tasty treats while letting you experience the traditions of America. Here are some upcoming peach and watermelon festivals across the US from coast to coast:

Seafood Celebrations

Fruit isn't the only food given special attention. The east, west, and south all have their own reasons to celebrate, the fresh seafood.

  • Throughout the summer in Louisiana, Gulf shrimp and Louisiana's shrimping heritage are celebrated during Bonne Crevette (Good Shrimp). Diners will find specials on shrimp dishes at various restaurants across the state. If you are a shrimp lover, trust me, you will love Louisiana's Gulf shrimp. www.bonnecrevette.com
  • The Maine Lobster Festival is scheduled for August 3 – 7. The festival is held in Rockland which is about four hours northeast of Boston and two hours from Portland. The event is loaded with fun for all ages and includes a parade, 10k road race, and lots and lots of lobster and other local seafood. Next year's Festival is already scheduled for August 2 – 6. www.mainelobsterfestival.com
  • October 1 – 2 is Issaquah Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah, Washington. The weekend is packed with salmon, Foods of the World, a parade, 5k and 10k runs, artists, live entertainment, and a tour of Issaquah's hatchery. www.salmondays.org/home
  • The Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival in Port Angeles City Pier, Washington is October 8-9 this year. All types of seafood will be available: oysters, mussels, clams, crab and salmon. Wine tasting, a beer garden, and cooking demonstrations are other reasons to attend this party. www.crabfestival.org

State Tourism Offices

Each state in the United States has its own tourism office and website. Below is a list of each state's tourist office. Many of the states offer free vacation guides, maps, and e-newsletters to help you plan your trip. www.usatourist.com/english/tips/touristoffices.html

Free Wallpaper and Screen Saver

Have you visited our free wallpaper and screen saver page? We have some impressive images from areas all over the US. These photos will stun you. There are two pages of amazing photos that will make you want to visit each location. www.usatourist.com/english/wallpaper.html

Plan ahead for Labor Day Weekend

September may be a few month months away but it's never too early to plan your trip if you're visiting the first weekend in September -- Labor Day weekend. All across America events and festivals and tourist locations are packed with vacationers and workers just enjoying a long weekend. Hotels and airports are packed, so don’t hesitate and make your reservations now. Prices also tend to get higher the closer we get to the date. For hotel reservations click here: www.usatourist.com/english/reservations/Reservations-Hotels.html

Have you traveled anywhere in the United States that you recommend other people visit? If so, please let me know. You can email me at Elizabeth@usatourist.com

See you next month!

Written by: Elizabeth L. Blair

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