Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania State Flag

 

"Keystone State"

"The Chocolate State", "The Coal State", "The Oil State", "The Steel State" and "Quaker State"

Why visit Pennsylvania?

Offers something for everyone whether biking, birdwatching, boating, camping, cultural events, fishing, history, hunting, mountains, museums, shopping, skiing and valleys.

Pittsburgh, PA. Photo Credit: Bruce Emmerling/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Capital: Harrisburg
• State Bird: Ruffed Grouse
• State Dessert: None
• State Flower: Mountain Laurel
• State Gemstone: None
• State Mammal: White Tailed Deer
• State Rock: None

Philadelphia City, PA. Photo Credit: Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Many Revolutionary War battles were fought in Brandywine, Fort Mifflin, Germantown and Valley Forge.
  
• Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was inspired by the Battle of Gettysburg (Civil War).
  
• Founded in 1781, Bank of North America (Philadelphia) was our nation's first nationally chartered bank. Eventually, merging with Wells Fargo.
  
• Our nation mourned tragic events September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks with United Airlines Flight 93 crash killing 44 (Shanksville).
• From the Ice Ages has the world's largest glacial pothole (Archbald).
• Our nation's birthplace to the firsts: broadcasts, capitol, cable TV, educational public TV station, high speed multilane highway, hospital, library, magazine, newspaper, paper mill, pharmacist and zoo.
• Roots of Quakers (Friends), a historically Christian denomination (Religious Society of Friends/Friends Church).
• Has the oldest (1902) roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips (Altoona).
• Production ranks first for mushrooms, second for apples, third for Christmas trees and layer chickens, fourth for corn (silage), grapes, horses, milk, nurseries and sod. Eighth in our country for winemaking.
• Pennsylvania Dutch are of German distinct and fluently speak German/Swiss. Upon their arrival locals misunderstood the "Deutsch" (meaning German) for "Dutch", instead.
  
• Home to one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, The Hershey Company (Hershey).
  
• Where several inventions such as Banana Split, Big Mac, Cracker Jacks, Ferris Wheel, Slinky and Tastycakes were created.
• Largest producer of train locomotives, GE Transportation (Erie) in our country.
  
• Betsy Ross, Seamstress sewed the first American Flag (Philadelphia).
  
• The College of Osteopathic Medicine (Philadelphia) the largest medical school in the United States.
• Founded in 1861, Sturgis Pretzel House is the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in our nation. Auntie Anne's Pretzels began as a market-stand in Downingtown.
  
• Red sauce condiment ketchup was founded by H. J. Heinz (Pittsburg).
• Since 1829, America's oldest brewery, D.G. Yuengling & Son (Pottsville) has been making beer.
  
• On New Year's Day the popular televised Mummers Parade (Philadelphia) draws crowds to enjoy elaborate costumes, movable scenery and talented performance routines.
• The popular reusable metal lighter, Zippo is manufactured in the state (Bedford).
• Features 1 National Forest, 20 State Forests, 294 State Game Land and 116 State Parks.
  

New Hope & Ivyland Locomotive Train, New Hope, PA. Photo Credit: Chris Engel from Pixabay 

Thank You!

• Spotlight Celebrities: Alecia Beth Moore "Pink" (Musician), Bradley Cooper (Actor), Kevin Hart (Actor), late Kobe Bryant (Athlete), Taylor Swift (Musician) and Will Smith (Actor), just to name a few.
• Movies to Inspire You: Hoffa (1992), Night of The Living Dead (1967), Rocky (1976), Silver Linings Playbook (2102), Slap Shot (1977), Split (2015), The Blob (1958), The Fault in Our Stars (2013), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2102), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2007) and Witness (1985), just to name a few.
• Reads Set in Pennsylvania: American Rust (written by Philipp Meyer), Duffy's Rocks (written by Edward Fenton), Fever 1793 (written by Laurie Halse Anderson), Greenhorn on the Frontier (written by Ann Finlayson), Snow Angels (written by Stewart O'Nan), Straight Man (written by Richard Russo), The Awakening of Helena Richie (written by Margaret Deland), The Gown of Glory (written by Agnes Sligh Turnbull),The Killer Angels (written by Michael Shaara), The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (written by Michael Chabon), The Piano Lesson (written by August Wilson), The Rolling Years (written by Agnes Sligh Turnbull) and When We Get There (written by Shauna Seliy), just to name a few.

Pennsylvania Autumn Season. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Has a large Amish & Mennonite population.
  
• Amish refer to us as "English".
  
• Hex Signs commonly found on barns is a Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art with ancient beliefs to their meaning in colors and points.
  
• King of Prussia Mall (KOP) is the largest on the East Coast.
  
• The Smethport to Eldred Driving Tour exploring Military History is most scenic between mid October - early May.
  
• Copperhead, Eastern Massasauga and Timber Rattlesnake are poisonous.
  
• In wooded areas, be mindful of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and West Nile Virus carried by mosquitoes.
• Never photograph Amish given their religious beliefs.
  
• There's a 5% tax on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
  
• All 121 State Parks are Free Admission.
  
• Foliage Season is in October, best mid to late month.
• Splash Lagoon, is the largest waterpark on the East Coast.
  

Cliveden of the National Trust (Chew House) - Battle Reenactment, Philadelphia, PA. Photo Credit:  David Mark/Pixabay 

Subject to humidity, floods, landslides, nor'easter, power outages, snowstorms, tornadoes and wildfires. 

• Coldest Month: January
• Hottest Month: July
• Peak Season: June - August

Can you hear Philadelphia's chant, "Fly, Eagles Fly! On the road to victory! (Fight! Fight! Fight!) Fight, Eagles fight! Score a touchdown 1, 2, 3! (1! 2! 3!) Hit 'em low! Hit 'em high! And watch our Eagles fly! Fly, Eagles Fly! On the road to victory! E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!" 

("The Eagles' Victory Song" was created by Charles Borrelli & Roger Courtland)

Falling Water (Frank Lloyd Wright Design), Mill Run, PA. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Settle the debate, who offers the best Philly Cheesesteak, Gino's Steaks or Pat's King of Steaks?

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: 1762 Waterworks, Albert Gallatin House, Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail, Allegheny Portage Railroad of the Pennsylvania Canal, Andalusia, Andrew Wyeth Studio & Kuerner Farm, Asa Packer Mansion, Augustus Lutheran Church, Bedford Springs Hotel Historic District, Beginning Point of the U.S. Public Land Survey, Benjamin West Birthplace, Beth Sholom Synagogue, Bomberger's Distillery, Bost Building, Braddock Carnegie Library, Brandywine Battlefield, Bryn Athyn Historic District,  Buckingham Friends Meeting House, Bushy Run Battlefield, Cambria Iron Company, Carlisle Indian School, Carrie Blast Furnaces 6 & 7, Cedarcroft, Chatham Village, Conrad Weiser House, Cornwall Iron Furnace, David Bradford House, David Bradford House, Delaware & Hudson Canal, Delaware Canal, Drake Oil Well, Dwight D Eisenhower Farmstead, East Broad Top Railroad, Edward G Acheson House, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Ephrata Cloister, F Julius Lemoyne House, Fallingwater, Fonthill Mercer Museum & Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, Forks of the Ohio, Fulton Opera House, Gemeinhaus-Lewis David de Schweinitz Residence, Gen Friedrich Von Steuben Headquarters, George Nakashima Woodworker Complex, George Taylor House, Gifford Pinchot House, Graeme Park, Grey Towers, Gruber Wagon Works, Harmony Historic District, Harrisburg Station & Trainshed, Henry Antes House, Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District, Honey Hollow Watershed, Horseshoe Curve, Humphry Marshall House, I. N. & Bernardine Hagan House, Isaac Meason House, James Buchanan House, Joseph Priestley House, Keim Homestead, Kennywood Park, Leap-The-Dips, Lightfoot Mill, Lukens Historic District, M Carey Thomas Library, Matthew S Quay House, Meadowcroft Rockshelter, Merion Cricket Club, Merion Friends Meeting House, Merion Golf Club, Mill Grove, Milton S Hershey Mansion, Minisink Archeological Site, N. C. Wyeth House & Studio, Oakmont Country Club, Old Economy, Old West Dickinson College, Pearl S Buck House, Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, Pulpit Rocks, Robert Fulton Birthplace, Schaeffer House, Searights Tollhouse, Simon Cameron House, Smithfield Street Bridge, St Mark's Episcopal Church, Staple Bend Tunnel, Stiegel-Coleman House, Summerseat, Terence V Powderly House, The Printzhof, Union Canal Tunnel, Valley Forge, W. A. Young & Sons Foundry & Machine Shop, Washington's Crossing, Washington's Headquarters, Waynesborough, Wharton Esherick House & Studio, William Brinton 1704 House, Woodmont and Woodville.
• Museums: AACA Museum, Allentown Art Museum, America On Wheels Museum, American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, American Swedish Historical Museum, Anthracite Heritage Museum, Appalachian Trail Museum, Asa Packer Mansion Museum, Barnes Foundation, Bicycle Heaven, Bloomsburg Children's Museum, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, Brandywine River Museum of Art, Carnegie Museums, Carnegie Museum of Art, Children's Museum of Lancaster, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, Drake Well Museum & Park, Eastern State Penitentiary, Electric City Trolley Museum, Ephrata Cloister, Erie Art Museum, Erie Maritime Museum, Everhart Museum, expERIEnce Childrens Museum, Fireman's Hall Museum, Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, Glencairn Museum, Harmony Museum, Heinz History Center, Houdini Museum, Independence Seaport Museum, Indian Steps Museum, Jennie Wade House, Johnstown Flood Museum, Liberty Bell Museum, Mack Trucks Historical Museum, Mattress Factory Museum, Mercer Museum, Michener Art Museum, Mid Atlantic Air Museum, Mister Ed's Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, Mummers Museum, Museum of the American Revolution, National Canal Museum, National Museum of American Jewish History, National Toy Train Museum, National Watch & Clock Museum, No 9 Coal Mine & Museum, North Museum of Nature & Science, Old Economy Village, Palmer Museum of Art, Penn Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Please Touch Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Reading Public Museum, Renfrew Museum & Park, Rodin Museum, Sanderson Museum, Schisler Museum & McMunn Planetarium, Science History Institute, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Southern Alleghenies Museum, Steamtown National Historic Site, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, The Andy Warhol Museum, The Demuth Museum, The Fabric Workshop & Museum, The Franklin Institute, The Frick Pittsburgh, The Hershey Story Museum, The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, The National Civil War Museum, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, Wagner Free Institute of Science, Woodmere Art Museum and York County History Center.
• Popular Attractions: Allegheny National Forest, Bartram's Garden, Beltzville State Park, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Betsy Ross House, Big Pocono State Park, Blue Cross RiverRink, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, Brandywine Valley, Bucks County, Bucks County Wine Trail, Bushkill Falls, Caledonia State Park, Camelback Mountain, Camel Beach, Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, Carousel Water & Fun Park, Carpenters' Hall, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, Chanticleer, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Choo Choo Barn, Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, Codorus State Park, Colonies of Amish & Mennonites, Comcast Experience, Conneaut Lake Park, Crayola Experience, Crystal Cave, Delaware Canal State Park, DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Dilworth Park, Dingmans Falls, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Dutch Springs, Dutch Wonderland, East Coast Waterworks, Elfreth's Alley, Erie Zoo, Flight 93 National Memorial, Fonthill Castle, Fort Ligonier, Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck Knob, Franklin Square, Frick Park, Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg National Military Park, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Great Wolf Lodge, Harrah's Heinz Memorial Chapel, Hershey Gardens, Hersheypark, Hickory Run State Park, Hollywood Casino, Idlewild Park, Idlewild & SoakZone, Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park, Indian Echo Caverns, Jennerstown Speedway, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Co, Kalahari, Kennywood, King of Prussia Mall, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Kitchen Kettle Village, Knoebels, Lake Erie Speedway, Lakemont Park, Lancaster Central Market, Land of Little Horses Performing Animal Theme Park, Laurel Caverns, Laurel Highlands, Lehighton, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Lehigh Valley Zoo, Lernerville Speedway, Liberty Bell, Living Treasures "Wild" Animal Park, Longwood Gardens, Love Park, Mahoning Valley Speedway, Maple Grove Raceway, Market Square, Marsh Creek State Park, McConnells Mill State Park, Mohegan Sun, Montage Mountain, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Mountain Speedway, Mount Hope Winery, National Aviary, Nay Aug Park, Nazareth Speedway, Nissley Vineyard, Nockamixon State Park, North Park, Ohiopyle State Park, One Liberty Observation Deck, Parx Casino, Penn's Cave & Wildlife Park, Pennsylvania Dutch, Perelman Building, Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, Philadelphia Park, Philadelphia Zoo, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, PNC Park, Pocono Downs, Pocono Raceway, Point State Park, Presque Isle, Presque Isle State Park, Presque Isle Downs, Promised Land State Park, Pymatuning State Park,Raccoon Creek State Park, Raystown Lake, Reading Terminal Market, Renningers Antique & Farmers Market, Ricketts Glen State Park, Rittenhouse Square, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Rocky Steps, Sandcastle Waterpark, Schenley Park, Sesame Place, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, Shofuso Japanese House & Garden, Skyrush, South Street, Splash Lagoon, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Sri Venkateswara Temple, Strasburg Rail Road, SugarHouse Casino, The Amish Farm & House, The Amish Village, The Count's Splash Castle, The Meadows, The Oval, The Rivers, The Rosenbach, The Sherman Theater, Turkey Hill Experience, United States Mint, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Waldameer Park, Waldameer & Water World, Walnut Street, Washington Square, Weaver's Lebanon Bologna, WildRiver Water Park, Wissahickon Valley Park and  ZOOAMERICA.
• Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Adamstown, Allentown, Achbald, Bethlehem, Bradford, Brandywine Valley, Erie, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Intercouse, Johnstown, King of Prussia, Kutztown, Lancaster, Manayunk, New Hope, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Poconos, Reading, Scranton, Valley Forge, Wilkes-Barre and York.
• Special Events: (January) Mummers Parade, Orchid Extravaganza, Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry & Applied Spectroscopy, Setsucon, (February) African American Children’s Book Fair, Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, Lunar New Year, Philadelphia Auto Show, Philly Theatre Week, Wing Bowl, (March) Patrick’s Day Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, Philly Craft Beer Festival, qFLIX Philadelphia, Spring Blooms, Zenkaikon, (April) African American History & Cultural Showcase, Cherry Blossom Festival, Easter Promenade, El Carnaval de Puebla, Fairmount Avenue Arts Crawl, Parks on Tap, Penn Relays, Penn Relays Carnival, Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show, Philadelphia Black Pride, Philadelphia Science Festival, Philly Wine Week, Rites of Spring Festival, Tekko, Tiny Room for Elephants, (May) Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Brandywine River Museum of Art Antiques Show, Broad Street Run, Celebration of Black Arts, Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, Festival of Fountains, Italian Market Festival, Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival, Latino Film Festival, Mexican Week, Philadelphia International Children’s Festival, Philly Beer Week, Philly Tech Week, Pride Fest, Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, South Street Spring Festival, Strawberry Festival, Student Exhibition, (June) Creation Festival, Fete Day, Juneteenth, Manayunk Arts Festival, Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen, ODUNDE Festival, PrideDay LGBT Parade & Festival, Roots Picnic, Sci-Fi Valley Con, SouthSide Film Festival, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Wawa Welcome America!, West Chester University Poetry Conference, Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show, (July) Blobfest, PlayPenn, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, The Peach Music Festival, (August) BlackStar Film Festival, Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, Musikfest, Northeastern Pennsylvania Air Show, NuevoFest, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Philly Naked Bike Ride, Purple Door, Street Festival, XPoNential Music Festival, (September) Bloktoberfest, Downingtown Fall Fest, Fringe Festival, Great Allentown Fair, Milford Writer's Workshop, Mushroom Festival, Oil Valley Film Festival, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Pittsburgh Fashion Week, Scarecrow Festival, Terror Behind the Walls, Wildcat Comic Con, (October) Confluence, DesignPhiladelphia, HarvestFest, Midtown Village Fall Festival, Mural Arts Month, NEARfest, Old City Fest, OutFest, Philadelphia Film Festival, Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, Philadelphia Open Championship, Revolutionary Germantown Festival, (November) Apple Festival, Christmas Village, Franklin Square Holiday Festival, Hartwood Celebration of Lights, Philadelphia Marathon, Pittsburgh Light Up Night, Thy Geekdom Con and (December) PSAC Football Championship Game.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Independence Hall

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA. Photo Credit: Bruce Emmerling/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Oregon (OR)

Oregon State Flag

"The Beaver State"

Koosah Falls (Middle Falls), OR. Photo Credit:  Davgood Kirshot/Pixabay 

Why visit Oregon?

Ideal for the outdoor travelers seeking a coastal scenery to enjoy arts, backpacking, beaches, bicycling, camping, clamming, canoeing, covered bridges, crabbing, culture, deserts, fishing, forests, geology, golf, hiking, historic lighthouses, history, kiteboarding, lakes, microbreweries, mountains, rivers, skiing, volcanos, water falls, water sports, white water rafting, wildlife, wilderness, wineries and windsurfing.

Mount Hood, OR. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Capital: Salem
• State Bird: Western Meadowlark
• State Dessert: None
• State Flower: Oregon Grape
• State Gemstone: Oregon Sunstone Labradorite
• State Mammal: Beaver
• State Rock: Thunderegg Agate 

Portland, OR. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During World War II, six civilians were killed by a Japanese balloon bomb which exploded on Gearhart Mountain (Summer Lake).
  
• First state to institute vote by mail elections.
• The first state to implement, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act (legalized physician assist suicide). The second state in our country to legalize same sex marriages and recreational marijuana.
  
• Crater Lake (Southern Oregon), is the deepest lake in our country.
  
• A leading exporter of Christmas trees.
  
• Home to the single largest organism in the world, Armillaria Ostoyae (fungus/mushroom).
  
• Along the state's south coast farms is where majority of our nation's Easter lily bulbs are grown.
• Headquarters (Beaverton) to a billion dollar large public sportswear corporation, Nike, Inc.
  
• Our country's leading producer of hazelnut.
• Gresham (suburb of Portland) was the first to enact a law for tailgating.
  
• Claims to have shortest river D River (440 ft) and smallest park, Mill Ends Park (Portland) in the world.
  
• Given the climate, grapes planted and soil their wines are often compared (Alsace & Burgundy) to that of France.
• Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport) is ranks as the Top Ten Aquariums in North America. Also, was home to late Keiko (male Orca Whale) filmed in Free Willy.
  
• One of six states with a revenue limit, the "Kicker Law", pertains to the income tax collection exceeding state economists' estimates by 2% or more than excess must be returned to taxpayer(s).
  
• Features 1 National Park, 13 National Forests and 231 State Parks.

Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks, OR. Photo Credit: ArtTower/Pixabay 

Thank You!

• Spotlight Celebrities: Grayson Boucher (Athlete), Kim Rhoades (Actress), Lisa Rinna (Actress), River Phoenix (Actor), Ryan Potter (Actor), Soni Nicole Bringas (Actress), Tonya Harding (Athlete) and Ty Burrell (Actor), just to name a few.
• Movies to Inspire You: Animal House (1978), Free Willy (1993), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), The Goonies (1985), The Shining (1980), Twilight (2008) and Wild (2014), just to name a few.
• Reads Set in Oregon: The Jump Off Creek (written by Molly Gloss) and The Silent Sea (written by Clive Cussler & Jack Du Brul), just to name a few.

Painted Hills, Wheeler County, OR. Photo Credit: ArielJ/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Has two time zones, Mountain Time Zone or Pacific Time Zone.
  
• Portland has ranked one of the best bicycling cities in our country.
• Has no sales tax! So, shop, S-H-O-P, shop...
  
• State Law requires attendants pump your gas for you.
  
• Many hot springs, are known to be clothing optional.
  

• On Collins Beach (Sauvie Island) clothing is optional.

  
  
• State Law enforces "driving recklessly to vent anger at other drivers".
• Portland hosts the World Naked Bike Ride in June.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, OR. Photo Credit: tdfugere/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: June - October
• Coldest Months: November - February
• Hottest Months: July - August
• Peak Season: June - August  

Cannon Beach, OR. Photo Credit: Sam Jotham Sutharson/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: Aubrey Watzek House, Bonneville Dam Historic District, Columbia River Highway, Crater Lake Superintendent's Residence, Deady & Villard Halls (University of Oregon), Fort Astoria Site, Fort Rock Cave, Jacksonville Historic District, Kam Wah Chung Company Building, Lightship WAL-604 (Columbia), Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Caves Chateau, Pioneer Courthouse, Skidmore/Old Town Historic District, Sunken Village Archeological Site, Timberline Lodge and Wallowa Lake Site.
• Museums: Adventure! Children's Museum, Albany Regional Museum,
  Baker Heritage Museum, Bandon Historical Society Museum, Benton County Historical Museum, Bohemia Gold Mining Museum, Bowman Museum, Burrows House, Canby Depot Museum, Chetco Valley Historical Society Museum, Children’s Museum of Klamath Falls, Collier Logging Museum, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Coos Art Museum, Coos History Museum & Maritime Collection, Crater Rock Museum, Creswell Historical Museum, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Douglas County Museum, East Linn Museum, Enchanted Forest, End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Eugene Science Center, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, Flavel House Museum, Fort Klamath Museum, Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum, Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum, Frazier Farmstead Museum, Garibaldi Museum, Gilbert House Children's Museum, Grants Pass Museum of Art, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Heritage Museum, Heritage Station Museum, High Desert Museum, Historic Carousel & Museum, Hutson Museum, International Police Museum, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, Kidd Toy Museum, Lane County History Museum, Leo Adler House Museum, Linn County Historical Museum, Maritime Museum, Marshfield Sun Printing Museum, Milwaukie Museum, Museum At Warm Springs, Museum of Natural & Cultural History, Museum of the Oregon Territory, Museum of Whimsy, National Hat Museum, National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, North Lincoln County Historical Museum, OMSI, Oregon Air & Space Museum, Oregon Coast Military Museum, Oregon Electric Railway Museum, Oregon Film Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education, Oregon Maritime Museum, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Oregon Rail Heritage Center, OSH Musuem of Mental Health, Pacific Northwest Truck Museum, Petersen Rock Garden & Museum, Polk County Museum, Portland Art Museum, Portland Children's Museum, Portland Police Museum & Historical Society, Portland Puppet Museum, Port Orford Lifeboat Station, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Schmidt House Museum & Library, ScienceWorks Hands On Museum, Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (Castle on the Hill), Sherman County Historical Museum, Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, Springfield Museum, Stark's Vacuum Museum, The Faux Museum, The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium & Museum, The Lincoln Street Kayak & Canoe Museum, The Zymoglyphic Museum,Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, Union County Museum, Vernonia Pioneer Museum, Vista House, Wallowa County Museum, Washington County Museum, Willamette Heritage Center and World of Speed Motorsports Museum.
• Popular Attractions: Alton Baker Park, Bagby Hot Springs, Bastendorff Beach, Beverly Beach State Park, Bridal Veil Falls, Bridge of the Gods, Bullwinkle's Wilsonville, Bush's Pasture Park, Cape Arago State Park, Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, Cape Lookout State Park, Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor, Carl G Washburne Memorial State Park, Cascade Mountains, Cascade Range, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Chinook Winds Casino, Columbia Hills Historical State Park, Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Coquille River Lighthouse, Crater Lake National Park, Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes River, Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Drake Park, Eagle Creek, Elowah Falls, Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Fort George Brewery, Fort Stevens State Park, Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House, Fremont–Winema National Forest, Full House Poker, Ground Kontrol, Harris Beach State Park, Haystack Rock, Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Historic Columbia River Highway, Horsetail Falls, Horsfall Beach, Hoyt Arboretum, Hug Point State Recreation Site, Indian Head Casino, International Rose Test Garden, Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Klamath National Forest, Kla-Mo-Ya Casino, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Latourell Falls, Laurelhurst Park, Lava River Cave, Leach Botanical Garden, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, Lithia Park, Lone Fir Cemetery, Lost Lake, Malheur National Forest, Memaloose State Park, Mount Bachelor, Mount Hood, Mount Tabor Park, Multnomah Falls,  Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site, Muriel O Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint, Nehalem Bay State Park, Newberry Volcano, Newport Historic Bayfront, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Oaks Amusement Park, Ona State Park, Oneonta Gorge, Oregon Caves, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Oregon Vortex, Oregon Zoo, Oswald West State Park, Painted Hills, Paisley Caves, Pearl District, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Pioneer Square, Pittock Mansion, Powerland Heritage Park, Portlandia, Portland Oregon White Stag Sign, Portland Saturday Market, Poulsen House, Powell's Bookstore, Proposal Rock, Proxy Falls, Punch Bowl Falls, Ripley's Believe It or Not! World of Adventure, Rooster Rock State Park, Sara Hite Rose Garden, Sea Lion Caves, Seaside Aquarium, Seaside Beach Oregon, Seven Feathers Casino, Shanghai Tunnels, Silver Falls State Park, Samuel H  Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Shore Acres State Park, Smith Rock State Park, South Beach State Park, Spirit Mountain Casino, St Johns Bridge, Sunset Bay State Park, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Terwilliger Hot Springs, The Astoria Column, The Cove Palisades State Park, The Grotto, Thor's Well, The Oregon Garden, The Potter's Vineyard & Clay Art Gallery, Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, Tillamook Creamery, Toketee Falls, Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Trillium Lake, Tumalo Falls, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, Umpqua National Forest, USS Blueback Submarine, Valley of the Rogue State Park, Wahclella Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Wallowa Lake, Washington Park, West Coast Game Park Safari, Wildlife Safari, Willamette National Forest, Willamette Valley, Wings & Waves Waterpark, Witch's Castle, Wizard Island, World Forestry Center, Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
• Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Ashland, Astoria, Bend, Beaverton, Corvallis, Eugene, Florence, Gresham, Hillsboro, Hood River, Lincoln City, Medford, Myrtlewood, Newport, Pendleton, Portland, Salem, Springfield, Tillamook and Warrenton.
• Special Events: (January) Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival, Fertile Ground Festival, Florence Winter Music Festival, Old Time Music Gathering, Portland Seafood & Wine Festival, Reel Music Film Festival, Rose City Classic, (February) Festival of Dark Arts, Figure Skating Spectacular, FisherPoets Gathering, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Winterfest, PDX Jazz Festival, Portland Winter Light Festival, Valen Tango, Zwickelmania (March) Big LEGO Convention, Celtic Pride, Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, (April) PIR Auto Swap Meet, Portland Swap Meet, Tulip Fest, (May) Florence Rhododendron Festival, McMenamins UFO Festival, Rose Festival, St Johns Bizarre, Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival, (June) 4 Peaks Music Festival, Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, Chainsaw Carving Championship, Lincoln City Kite Festival, Pride Festival, Rockaway Beach Pirate Festival, Tigard Festival of Balloons, World Beat Festival, World Naked Bike Ride, (July) DuneFest, Estacada Timber Festival, Northwest World Reggae Festival (NWWRF), Shift Festival, Harefest, Klamath Basin Brew & Q Food & Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Oregon Brewers Festival, Oregon Country Fair, Oregon Jamboree, Pendleton Whisky Music Fest, Pickathon, St Paul Rodeo, The Big Float, Waterfront Blues Festival, Wildwood Music Fest, (August) Airshow of the Cascades, Beloved Festival, Durkee Steak Feed, Faerieworlds, Hood to Coast, Oregon State Fair, PDX Adult Soap Box Derby, Pickathon, Pig-n-Ford Races, Providence Bridge Pedal, SLUG Queen Pageant, (September) Cycle Oregon, Feast Portland, Mount Angel Oktoberfest, Oregon's Alpenfest, Oregon International Airshow, Pendleton Round-Up, Rose City Comic Con, Sisters Folk Festival, Sublimity Harvest Festival, (October) Giant Pumpkin Regatta, Harvest Party, H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival, McMinnville Short Film Festival,l (MSFF), Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival, Portland Greek Festival, Retro Gaming Expo, The Wedge, (November) Holiday Ale Festival, Holiday Lights at Shore Acres, Wordstock, (December) Lighted Christmas Parade, New Year's Eve Sobriety Powwow, SantaCons, St Charles Christmas Tree Auction and Tuba Christmas.

Crater Lake, Klamath County, OR. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma State Flag

"Land of the Red Man", "Native America" and "Sooner State"

Why visit Oklahoma?

Travelers interested in rich Native American Heritage & Old West in relaxed environment to enjoy boating, camping, culture, equestrian farms, fishing, golf, history, horse racing, hunting, museums, prairie land and wildlife.  

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma City, OK. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Capital: Oklahoma City
• State Bird: Scissor Tailed Flycatcher
• State Dessert: None
• State Flower: Oklahoma Rose
• State Gemstone: None
• State Mammal: Buffalo
• State Rock: Rose Rock (Barite)

Fun Facts

• There are Viking carvings (Heavener) to mark their arrival even before Columbus.
  
• During 1930, after suffering from high temperatures, long periods of little rainfall and strong winds farming practices hendored earning them the "Dust Bowl".
• In 1933, Carl Magee (Oklahoma City) invented the parking meter installed during 1935.
  
• On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt established Oklahoma as the 46th state.
  
• Ranked among the best in pre-kindergarten education for access, standards and quality.
• Under the direction of George Armstrong Custer a massacre of 200 Cheyenne children, men and women died.
  
• Top manufacturer of tires in North America.
  
• A major producer of agricultural products, natural gas and oil.
• Geographically is a part of the "Bible Belt" for Evangelical Christianity. 
• Tulsa is known as "Buckle of the Bible Belt".
• Has the highest incarceration rate of any state earning its nickname, "the world's prison capital".
• Aerospace generates the state $11 billion annually.
  
• The Cherokee Preservation Foundation has invested millions into community gatherings, opening schools and training teachers in efforts to keep the native language widely spoken for generations to come.
  
• There are 67 Native American tribes represented amongst the state.
• Features 2 National Forests, 6 National Parks and 50 State Parks. 

Fort Reno, El Reno, OK. Photo Credit: 15299/Pixabay 

Thank You!

• Spotlight Celebrities: Bill Goldberg (Athlete), Blake Griffin (Athlete), Blake Shelton (Musician), Brad Pitt (Actor), Carrie Underwood (Musician), Chuck Norris (Actor), Garth Brooks (Musician), Hoda Kotb (TV Host), James Marsden (Actor), Kristin Chenoweth (Actress), Reba McEntire (Musician), Tisha Campbell-Martin (Actress) and Woody Guthrie (Musician), just to name a few.
• Movies to Inspire You: Bringing Up Bobby (2011), Oklahoma! (1955), Rain Man (1988), Rumble Fish (1983), The Killer Inside of Me (2010), The Outsiders (1983), To the Wonder (2012) and Twister (1996), just to name a few.
• Reads Set in Oklahoma: Cimarron (written by Edna Ferber), Harpsong (written by Rilla Askew),  Route 66—The Mother Road (written by Michael Wallace), Shoot the Moon (written by Billie Letts), The Grapes of Wrath (written by John Steinbeck),The Real Wild West (written by Michael Wallis) and Where the Heart Is (written by Billie Letts), just to name a few.

Antelope Hills (oger Mills County), OK. Photo Credit: Raychel Sanner/Unsplash 

Good to Know

• Avoid contact with bisons as they're known to charge at people.
• Without permission do not photograph Native American Ceremonies or Dances due to religious beliefs and sacredness.
• Over 300 museums throughout the state.
• There are 25 Native American Languages spoken throughout the state, the most being Cherokee and Choctaw. Spanish is also widely spoken.
  

Subject to damaging winds, humidity, large hail, severe thunderstorms, snow storms and tornadoes.

• Best Time to Visit: September - November
• Coldest Month: January
• Hottest Months: July - August
• Peak Season: June - August

Arcadia Round Barn, Arcadia, OK. Photo Credit: RevDP/Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: 101 Ranch Historic District, Bizzell Library, Boley Historic District, Boston Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South, Camp Nichols, Cherokee National Capitol, Creek National Capitol, Deer Creek Site, Ernest Whitworth Marland Mansion, Fort Gibson, Fort Sill, Fort Washita, Guthrie Historic District, Honey Springs Battlefield, McLemore Site, Murrell Home, Platt National Park Historic District, Price Tower, Sequoyah's Cabin, Stamper Site, Washita Battlefield and Wheelock Academy.
• Museums: 45th Infantry Division Museum, 99's Museum of Women Pilots, American Banjo Museum, Charles B Hall Airpark at Tinker Air Force Base, Edmond Historical Society & Museum, First Americans Museum, Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, Gilcrease Museum, Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Harn Homestead, Henry Overholser Mansion, Moore-Lindsay Historic House Museum, Museum of Horseshoeing, Museum of Osteology, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, National Weather Museum and Science Center, OKCMOA Museum, OKC Rattlesnake Museum, Oklahoma Black Museum & Performing Arts Center, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma Firefighters Museum, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Museum of Flying, Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History, Oklahoma Railway Museum, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, National Weather Museum & Science Center, Science Museum Oklahoma, Spencer Historical Society, The American Pigeon Museum & Library and Yukon's Best Railroad Museum.
• Popular Attractions: Alabaster Caverns State Park, Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, Andy Alligator's Fun Park & Water Park, Arbuckle Mountains, Arcadia Round Barn, Beavers Bend State Park, Braums Family Farm, Bricktown, Centennial Land Run Monument, Childrens Garden, Crystal Bridge, Devon Tower, Eagle Roost Nature Trail, Factory Obscura Mix Tape, Frontier City Theme Park, Great Salt Plains State Park, Har-Ber Village, Heavener Runestone State Park, Henry Overholser Mansion, Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, Lake Hefner, Lake Texoma State Park, Lake Thunderbird State Park, Martin Park Nature Center, Medicine Park, Mount Scott, Myriad Botanical Gardens, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Newcastle Casino, Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma State Capitol, Old North Tower, Ouachita Mountains,  Ozark Mountains, Paseo Arts District, Pelican Bay Aquatic Center, Plaza Walls, Red Earth, Riversport Adventures, Riversport Drive, Robbers Cave State Park, Route U.S. 66, Route 66 Park Ampitheater, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Scissortail Park, Saint Joseph's Old Cathedral, Talimena Scenic Drive, Talimena Skyline Drive, Talimena State Park, The Gold Dome, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Will Rogers Gardens.
• Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Broken Arrow, Broken Bow, Cherokee, Edmond, Enid, Freedom, Grove, Kingston, Lawton, Midwest City, Moore, Norman, Oklahoma City, Prague, Stillwater, Tishomingo, Tulsa and Wilburton.
• Special Events: (March) Park Stomp Music Festival, (April) KM Music Festival, Medieval Fair, Metro Music Fest, Oklahoma Renaissance Festival,(May) Chuck Wagon Festival,Czech Heritage, Italian Festival, Mayfest Festival, Mayor’s Red Dirt Ball, Rocklahoma, Rooster Days Festival, Stone River Music Festival, Tulsa International Mayfest, (June) American Heritage Music Festival, Charlie Christian International Music Festival, deadCENTER Film Festival, Jazz in June, Juneteenth, Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen, Oklahoma City Pride Parade, Totem Pole BBQ & Music Fest, (July) Rockin’ the Park, Tokyo in Tulsa, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, (August) Norman Music Festival, Prix de West, Norman Music Festival, (September) Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, Kolachee Festival, Oktoberfest, Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts, Oklahoma Mozart Festival, Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, State Fair of Oklahoma, Tulsa State Fair, (October) An Affair of the Heart, Chuck Wagon Gathering, Hallowfest, OKC Memorial Marathon, Oklahoma Regatta Festival, Plaza District Festival and Tallgrass Music Festival.

Photo Credit: Natalie B/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.