Escape to the Southeast

Note: this is a repeat of last year's Mudbug Madness blog, but all the dates and details have been updated for 2013

Accordions and fiddles belt out a lively Zydeco rhythm and the smell of boiled crawfish fills the air.  It's the annual Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport, LA and you don't want to miss it!

On May 23-26, this northern Louisiana city takes on a south LA flavor and celebrates the crawfish or "mudbug" with Cajun food and music that define its southern traditions.

Beginning in the eighties as a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport, Mudbug Madness has become one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular festivals, featuring well-known Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists, fantastic authentic Cajun cuisine, crazy and quirky contests, and fun for all ages. Now a Shreveport institution, Mudbug Madness is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events. 

Hundreds of people will line up to buy their box o’ bugs, brimming with boiled crawfish, red potatoes and corn on the cob. The crawfish are cooked with a zesty blend of spices, a little bit hot and a little bit sweet. If you've never eaten a crawfish, friendly “natives” are quick to tell you how: twist, peel and bite! For those who don't desire a mess of mudbugs, the festival features some of the best jambalaya, crawfish étoufee, poboys, alligator, dirty rice and other dishes unique to the region.

After you’ve sampled all the food, the infectious beat of the music will likely draw you over to one of the three stages of live entertainment to clap, dance and sing along. This year’s event will feature performances by Louisiana favorites such as Grammy-winner Wayne Toups & ZyDeCajun, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.

While the crawfish is the star of this festival, the weekend is really about celebrating Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage and the people of Shreveport are proud to bring a little bit of south Louisiana up north.

>> Read more about visiting Louisiana!

There's a unique theater in McMinnville, TN that began construction 3.5 million years ago. That's when geologists estimate Cumberland Caverns started forming in the limestone hills of Middle Tennessee. For most of those millions of years, the caverns have been silent, but when nature designs an acoustically pure and perfect place, you have to find a way to honor it.

Once a month, 333 feet below the ground, the otherwise perpetual quiet of Cumberland Caverns gives way to an amazing aural experience in the "Bluegrass Underground", a live concert series featuring some of the country's biggest acts in bluegrass music. Fans of this style of music are sure to know the stellar names that appear on the stony stage but really, it's a must-see for any music lover, as the bluegrass blends with an eclectic mix of "Americana". There's truly something here for everyone and the quality of the sound will blow you away.

Your experience at Bluegrass Underground begins as a Cumberland Cavern tour guide leads your descent into the subterranean world, taking you past underground pools, waterfalls and stunning cave formations to the stage where you will enjoy music in a venue unlike any other you are likely to ever experience!

When you think "cave", you may think "dark and creepy", but The Volcano Room, where the concerts are given, are anything but.  The musical acts are well-lit and the natural stone walls create a shadowy and ethereal beauty.  In fact, the theater won a 2013 Emmy Award for lighting. 

To say that this is a very cool venue is true in more ways than one: the cavern temperature is always a temperate 56 degrees (so don't forget your sweater).  And don’t worry about silencing your cellphone…you won’t find any service here.

The Bluegrass Underground program is broadcast on AM radio station WSM in Nashville, also home to that other famous country music show, the Grand Ole Opry.  Performances are streamed world-wide on wsmonline.com.  But if you can make it in person, you will experience an event you will never forget.

Take a look at this clip of the PBS special on the Bluegrass Underground:

Elkins probably isn’t what you’d expect a little mountain town in West Virginia to be...

For a long time, it was a railroad town, but the railroad left in 1997, abandoning a 23-acre rail yard on Main Street.

What’s a town to do?

It has taken years, a lot of vision and tons of work, but Elkins is practically the complete package today that combines the natural beauty of West Virginia, art and all types of music – even some classical music at times.

Elkins is a certified West Virginia Arts Community and has been named one of the 100 Best Art Towns in America. Focal points include the Randolph County Community Arts Center – where you can enjoy everything from bluegrass icons "The Seldom Scene" to a Celtic concert to a cello and flute duo – and the Augusta Heritage Center, which is dedicated to traditional folk cultures and offers nationally respected week-long workshops focused on art, music, dance and crafts.

American popular music (country, gospel, bluegrass and more) is the draw at the 527-seat American Music Theater directly in the Elkins rail yard and at the Gandy Dancer Theatre.

And while the commercial train operation is gone, scenic train rides into the mountains are a major attraction here. Among them are the various excursions of West Virginia Mountain Rail Adventures restored World War 2 era trains such as the Cheat Mountain Salamander and the New Tygart Flyer.

If you're a nature buff, don't miss the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Located in the Monongahela National Forest, this 10,215-acre area is one of the few true wilderness areas on the East Coast. You'll find unsurpassed scenery along rugged trails as you view birds and animal-life, pick wild blueberries and climb upward to an altitude of 4,000 feet.  The reward is the view of Dolly Sod's wide and wild landscape.

Beautiful nature, a thriving arts and music scene and living history along the rails make Elkins a wonderful place for a relaxing getaway you won't soon forget.

If you're planning a vacation in West Virginia or any of the USA's Southeast states, please visit our website for lots of great travel information.  You can also request a free copy of our "Escape to the Southeast" Travel Guide, the official guide of the Southeast.  Order it today! 

Savannah, Georgia is one of the most beautiful cities in America, a wonderful place to visit or call home. The historic district is alive with creativity, art, culture, theatre and boasts examples of just about every architectural style of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The cobbled waterfront on the Savannah River is edged by towering old cotton warehouses. The fact is, a lot of Savannah’s visitors find the city so endearing (the city squares, monuments, parks, historic homes, churches and the largest Historic Landmark District in the USA) that they decide to make Savannah their home!

But it’s not just the locals and the tourists who have taken to this picturesque southern city; Hollywood, too, has fallen for her southern charms and Savannah has been the backdrop for over 85 films. Remember the bench Forrest Gump sat on while musing about how “life is like a box of chocolates”? How about the Mercer House from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”?  Scenes from both of these movies were filmed in Savannah. Other films shot here include: “Cape Fear”, “The Longest Yard”, “Glory” and the acclaimed mini-series, “Roots”.

Where will you be celebrating Mardi Gras this weekend?

The main event of any Mardi Gras celebration is a parade, featuring floats, musicians, and costumed marchers. You will want to arrive early on the day of the parade to secure a good spot along the route.  Oh, and bring a bag with you to hold all the "throws" you'll catch.  Throws are inexpensive souvenirs, such as beaded necklaces, plastic cups and coins or doubloons, tossed from parade floats.  You can encourage the paraders to toss you an item with the traditional call, "Throw me something, mister!"

Mobile, Alabama – Home to the first Mardi Gras in the New World in 1703, Mobile is rich with the celebration's history and traditions. Take a tour of the jeweled crowns, opulent gowns and lavish robes of Mobile’s Mardi Gras Kings and Queens located in a historic mansion on Government Street. Stay a few days after the festivities and see what else Mobile has to offer.  

Since 1976, every one of our U.S. presidents has officially designated February as Black History Month, an annual celebration of the incredible achievements African Americans have made in helping to shape this great country of ours. I really got a sense of the role these heroes played in the history of our country when I visited the African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The museum is located inside the East Sixth Street USO Club, which was built in 1942 to house African American soldiers stationed at Camp Shelby. This was a haven where the soldiers could take advantage of a library, a darkroom, counseling services, a lounge and much more. It’s the only remaining World War II-era USO Club built specifically for black soldiers that’s still in use today.

The museum tells the brave tales of some of the many African American men and women who honorably and courageously served their country in both war and peace. There are exhibits from almost every war in which our country fought. There are many fascinating exhibits and artifacts but what made this such a moving experience for me were the individual stories of those who beat the odds -- they rose out of poverty or overcame prejudice to accomplish incredible things through courage, wisdom and determination. For example, when I learned that Jesse LeRoy Brown, the first black aviator in the U.S. navy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his Korean War combat service, I was actually proud of him because I kind of felt that I knew him! Another story that moved me was the story of Ruth Bailey Earl. She was a nurse who cared for German POWs in England, but despite her much needed skills she was not allowed to care for white U.S. soldiers! It's a shameful moment in our history that we should never forget.

When I stumbled upon Pass-a-Grille, the southernmost, quaint resort town on the St. Pete Beach stretch of white sandy beaches, little did I know that TripAdvisor.com had voted it the #1 attraction in the St. Pete area. But after spending some time at Pass-a-Grille Beach, I’m not surprised. This little piece of paradise is the perfect spot to unwind, relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. And if you are more the “get-up-and-go” type, there are also plenty of things to do in this vibrant community. There are galleries and shops to explore, a variety of restaurants, fishing, beach combing, peaceful walks, and just about every other type of beach activity you can imagine. It’s also quite common to see dolphins frolicking about; I was told that the area has sightings on a nearly daily basis.

One of the most impressive things about Pass-a-Grille, and something definitely not to be missed, are the spectacular sunsets! One experience of the magnificent colors painting the sky as the sun descends and you’ll know why St. Pete Beach is known as the Sunset Capital of Florida! You can get nice views of the sunset on both the Gulf side and the Intercoastal waterway. If you are on the gulf side, the best vantage point is at Paradise Grill. And while you are there, you should stop in - the food and service are both quite good. Plus a lot of locals eat there, which is usually a good sign!

If you're planning a vacation in Florida or any of the USA's Southeast states, please visit our website for lots of great travel information.  You can also request a free copy of our "Escape to the Southeast" Travel Guide, the official guide of the Southeast.  Order it today! 

So, how are you all doing with your 2013 New Year’s resolutions so far? You know: getting in shape, quitting smoking, expanding your knowledge about Archibald Rutledge? Well, I can’t help you with the first two, but I can sure help you with number three! And even if learning about South Carolina's first poet laureate isn’t one of your resolutions, you should still make visiting the Hampton Plantation in eastern South Carolina (between Charleston and Georgetown) one of your things to do in 2013!

Adjacent to the Santee River, this 322-acre property is the site of a large antebellum rice plantation, and last served as the home of noted writer Archibald Rutledge. The centerpiece is the mansion house, one of the finest examples of 18th century Georgian architecture around.  Back in the 1700s, the Hampton Plantation welcomed politicians, patriots, soldiers, artists and today, it welcomes hundreds of visitors each year.  (It is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as being a National Historic Landmark.) The interior was purposely left unfurnished so as to highlight the structure's architectural and construction details.

January is a great time of the year to go, because in the summer (when I went) the mosquitoes were a bit of a nuisance. If you are able to go this month, and you’re into nature, try to visit on January 19 because from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, a ranger will be leading a fascinating 1.25 mile hike along the nature trail loop, taking you through several ecosystems and explaining many more interesting facts about the area. Of course, you can also do some hiking on your own; the Dogwood and Holly trails offer an easy 2 1/2 mile hiking loop. And besides that, you can also do some angling for catfish and largemouth bass in Wambaw Creek, explore the abundant wildlife ( deer, turkeys, birds, alligators, etc.), have a picnic or just chill out and enjoy the scenery and the grounds.

The traditional New Year’s song asks “should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?” (i.e.. the good old days).  Well, I’ll never forget a “good old day” that I experienced last year, on December 31 to be exact. Since I was fortunate enough to be in Arkansas for the holidays, I figured I’d check out the debut of “Last Night Fayetteville”, a new celebration of community arts taking place on the Fayetteville Square to honor the outgoing year and welcome the incoming one. Turns out, it was such a big success that it is returning again this year!

The events begin at 6:00 PM and end around 2:00 AM. Seven different indoor venues around Fayetteville Square will be presenting a wide variety of entertainment, including folk and jazz bands, comedians, dancers, shows and activities for the young ones, and improv (which is usually a lot of fun!). There promises to be something exciting and fun for revelers of all ages. (Well, except for the Blossom Burlesque Dance Troupe…I'd keep the kids away from that one!)

If you are a fan of theater like I am, you won’t want to miss Artist’s Laboratory Theatre’s production of “Found Fayetteville,” a show created with things like Craigslist ads, love letters, city meeting transcripts, etc.—all found in Fayetteville. The show sold out last year and is sure to be a hit again this year.  And if that wasn’t enough, a local beer garden will be on hand showcasing some of the area’s best brews, and a fashion gallery will be featuring the work of local designers.

You definitely do not want to miss the Giant Puppet Parade around the Square. It was a huge hit last year, and I’m sure it will be an even bigger event this year. And as the old year waned, we welcomed in the New Year with the Hog Drop Countdown to Midnight! That’s right, you’ll get the chance to count in the New Year to a falling pig…a lot more interesting than your typical sparkling ball dropping, wouldn’t you say?

And like last year, the celebration will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display presented by Cox Communications.

So, if you happen to be in the area and you’re looking for a great way to ring in the New Year, why not go all out and be a part of Arkansas’ largest New Year’s Eve celebration, “Last Night Fayetteville”! It’ll be one of the auld lang synes you’ll never forget!

You can find out more and buy tickets at www.LastNightFayetteville.com.
You can also follow Last Night Fayetteville on Facebook or Twitter @LastNightVille.

I guess at this time of the year, one can safely assume that Santa Claus is holed up at the North Pole and will be until all of his gifts have been delivered on Christmas day.  But if you're in the Louisville, Kentucky area you are in luck because once again, Santa is planning on taking a break from his work so that he can visit the locals (and the town’s many visitors) at the Louisville Zoo. And this year the Mrs. will be joining him so that she can meet the boys and girls and serve up some of her delicious refreshments.

And if that wasn’t enough, the world’s most famous snowman, Frosty himself, will be making the trip, too, to lead a carol sing-along. There will also be holiday crafts, but let’s face it-the star of the show is Santa! Besides getting to meet the Jolly Old Elf and having your picture taken with him, you also get to join him on the Santa Safari Passport, the highlight of the day! During this exciting event, explorers journey through the zoo’s buildings and get the chance to mingle with some of the animals up close and personal. I’d recommend bringing your camera -- there are sure to be some amazing photo opportunities!

This year, the zoo also invites you to a special showing of The Polar Express 4-D Experience, which is included in your admission. The thrilling 4-D Theater features 3-D projection, surround-sound audio and exciting special effects that fully immerse you in all the action. Running through Jan. 6th.

But because Santa is so busy, he won’t have time to stay long. He’ll only be able to visit on December 15 and 16, at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. So act quickly, because reservations are required, and they typically sell out.  You can get tickets online. Tickets include all day admission to the zoo, refreshments (cookies and drinks), the safari adventure, a keepsake photo with Santa, a craft for each child, and a ticket to the 4-D show.

As it turns out, this was exactly what I needed.

I'd spent the day squeezing through throngs of Christmas shoppers, watching people fight over parking spots and not accomplishing much other than getting trampled by "holiday spirit".

And so, as it turns out, what I really needed was a visit to The Living Nativity in Searcy, AK. It was just the remedy to pull me out of the holiday commercialization vortex and remind me what the season is supposed to be about.

Searcy's First Assembly of God recreates the very first Christmas night by bringing Bethlehem to life. As you drive through the city in your vehicle, it seems as though you've just driven onto a movie set. With over 40 buildings, more than 150 people in costume, sheep, donkeys, camels and torch-lit streets, no detail is overlooked in recreating the time and birthplace of Jesus. The streets are alive with merchants, tradesmen, Roman guards and townspeople. Open your windows and  you'll hear the tax collector or a census-taker going about their business, customers haggling with merchants.

When you drive through the entrance, you are greeted with hot chocolate and a CD with a recorded narration guiding you through the streets and explaining what is taking place as you navigate the city streets.  And, can you believe, admission is free! There is no charge for this wonderful experience. However, donations are gratefully accepted.  

This incredible, real-life look into the birth of Christ has become a Searcy tradition and a statewide attraction. Last year, over 11,000 people attended and more are expected this year. If you come, you should expect a long line of cars waiting their turn to drive through. The line can take up to two hours -- but PLEASE don't let that deter you. With a bit of planning, you can make the wait a part of your fun experience.  We packed some snacks and listened to our favorite Christmas CDs. The car in front of us had a portable DVD player and watched a movie while inching towards the entrance.

When we first entered, we joked about the cars driving through Bethlehem. It didn't take long though before the 21st century faded away as the sounds and smells and sights truly took us back 2000 years. As we approached the small stable with a mother, father and newborn baby in a manger, we all became quiet. A lump swelled in my throat.  The commercialism of my afternoon melted away and I remembered what the season was all really about.

The Living Nativity will be held for one more weekend, Dec. 14-16.

101 Benton St. 

Searcy, AR 72143

For more information, call 501-268-3289 or visit The Living Nativity website.

If you can't make it this year, start planning now for next year. This is an unforgettable experience for the entire family.   

Wheeling, West Virginia is a great destination any time of year, but especially around the Christmas season.  That's when the city becomes host to one of the most amazing Christmas light displays in the US. Every year, the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center presents their annual Winter Festival of Lights, one of the most popular holiday attractions in the country. Besides being listed as one of the "Top Ten Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S." by AOL Travel, it’s been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Extreme Christmas Celebrations” special, and is on the American Bus Association's list of Top 100 International Events. (Besides the more than a million visitors per year, it attracts 3,000 tour buses from more than 36 states!)

So, what's so amazing about it?  The Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights covers more than three hundred acres over a six mile drive throughout the Oglebay resort. There are over 70 larger-than-life displays, including such favorites as the immense “Polyhedron Star”, which stands on the tallest hill in Oglebay, the “Pointsettia Wreath and Candles”, which is the festival’s tallest display, and the extravagant “Cinderella Display”.

The Festival begins at dusk, and is open every day through January 6th.  A per-car donation of $15 is suggested and is valid for the entire festival season. As I’m sure you can imagine, it can get very crowded, especially on the weekends. I’d recommend taking a bus tour or parking your car and taking one of the trolley tours which are offered several times each night beginning at the Wilson Lodge.  For me, it’s a lot less stressful to just sit back and enjoy the displays without worrying about the traffic. Plus, you get a tour guide which adds even more to the experience.

And if your driving tour wasn’t enough, you can be dazzled by even more lights at the hilltop and gardens area of the park, where 150 hanging baskets of light, and thousands of lighted flowers, trees and shrubs are on display, accompanied by holiday music. 

There’s also an exciting light and music show at the Good Zoo, (along with some of Santa’s reindeer), a Holiday Laser Show, Model Train displays, the beautifully decorated Mansion Museum and Wilson Lodge, and some wonderful specialty gift shops.

For more information about Oglebay and the Winter Festival of Lights, call 800-624-6988 or 304-243-4000 or visit www.oglebay-resort.com/fol.htm

With Halloween just around the corner, you'll most likely be seeing lots of ghosts in the next few days. But there are places in the Southeast where you can see ghosts year round. If that’s your thing, then you absolutely must pay a visit to The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana. It has been hailed as "one of America's most haunted homes" by many magazines (including the NY Times, Forbes, and Travel and Leisure), and on TV (The Oprah Show, the History channel, the Travel channel, to name just a few.)  In fact, Oprah's producer came to research the place for a story and ran out in the middle of the night, refusing to return the plantation.  There is even a book about it.  

I haven't had the opportunity to visit The Myrtles Planation yet, but it's definitely on my list of things to do the next time I’m in Louisiana's Plantation Country. The Myrtles is a full service B&B, and I would like to spend a few nights there ...just to stack the odds at my actually seeing a ghost! And I shouldn’t have a problem with that because supposedly there are 12 spirits who call Myrtles Plantation their home!  According to what recent visitors have reported, here are a few of the otherworldly occurrences that may be in store for me:

• Feeling as if someone is tucking you in when you are in bed…I don’t think I’d like that, but then again, if it’s a chilly night…
• Hearing laughter late into the night, usually from the room that used to be the children’s nursery. 
• Seeing orbs -- bright ball shaped lights.
• Hearing a chord played on the grand piano when no one is in the room.

And of course, there are the usual things you’d expect to experience in a haunted house: hearing footsteps, doors opening and closing, seeing shadowy images and odd reflections in mirrors, etc.

To learn more about the things that go bump in the night, take the Mystery Tour, which details the legends and the spirits that seem to live on in the home. Of course,  the ghost stories cannot be proven, but have been passed down for generations to help explain the many apparitions seen and photographed in and around the house. The Mystery Tour is only on Friday and Saturday nights, so take that into consideration when planning your trip. (The cost is $10.00 per person, and they strongly advise that you make a reservation.)

For a more normal and less "paranormal" experience, you can just take the Historical tour of the plantation. There are many intriguing stories of this home's past, describing the lives of the people who have lived here. The real history of this Antebellum home is woven around two wars, romantic loves, untimely deaths and tragic murders.  ($8:00 per person / $4:00 children 12 and under. If you stay at the B&B, the tour is included).

Located in the heart of Louisiana's Plantation Country, St. Francisville is home to many beautiful and historic plantation era homes.  While they are not all haunted, they each have their own stories and history.  If you plan a visit, leave yourself plenty of time to tour a few of these gorgeous antebellum homes.

You can learn more by visiting The Myrtles Plantation website.

Visit Louisiana!

When I heard  that Neil Armstrong, the commander of the Apollo Space mission and the first man to walk on the moon, had passed away, it made me recall an incredible visit I took to The Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, FL recently. Armstrong was just one of the many brave men and women who journeyed into space from the Kennedy Space Center and you can get a wonderful taste of it all by visiting the exciting and educational KSC Visitors’ Complex. 

Let me just say up front that the admission price is not cheap, and then I'll tell you why it's so worth it. The entry fee is $50 and, yes, I know that can run into some real cash, especially for a family of 4 or more, but you get a lot for it .The KSC is not a replica of a space station but a  working space launch facility.  You will most likely see actual NASA astronauts walking around the facility. While they have many great visitor attractions, it also adds to the excitement to know that this is where the real action happens.  

These are just a few of the attractions included in the admission price:

• The IMAX® space films - featuring amazing footage shot by NASA astronauts during actual missions, this complete sensory experience will make you feel like you are floating along with them.
• Shuttle Launch Experience - Do NOT miss this one !  It is very cool!  Enter a six-story simulator that looks like the actual shuttle and strap into your seat for an incredible experience that  immerses you in the sights, sounds and sensations of launching into Earth’s orbit and will make you swear you really took off.
• Rocket Garden - walk through this outdoor display of 6 real rockets; go aboard the Titan and Apollo rockets that first put NASA astronauts into space
• Several tours are available - Walk along the Transfer Aisle, an area used to move parts of the rockets among the building's four High Bays, visit the NASA Causeway, the A/B Camera Stop and the amazing Apollo/Saturn V Center.  For me, the highlight of the trip was the Launch Control Center, where hundreds of NASA engineers and technicians, and directors monitored all of the 152 launches, including the space shuttle and Apollo programs. To be able to be right there, where it all happened, is truly awe-inspiring; an experience not to be missed!

The admission price also includes a second day free for use at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame if used within seven days to allow guests to get the full experience.

 If you find you still haven't had enough outer space immersion, there are additional add-ons for extra cost. For $25 more, you can get the KSC Up-Close Tour, and although it’s a bit pricey, I would highly recommend it. For the first time in 30 years, the Kennedy Space Center is allowing visitors to go inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where those amazing ships were assembled for launch. The VAB, which also happens to be the tallest one story building in the world, is a must see.

For more information, check out their website.  It is very informative and packed with all of the information you’ll need.

Images from Kennedy Space Center website

West Virginia has long been known for its many skilled artisans who create high-quality, handmade crafts and beautiful artwork.  But fewer people are aware that West Virginia is a mecca for glass production and that the state has been home to world-class "glass masters" for centuries.

West Virginia's rich heritage of glass production goes back to the early 1800s when it was discovered that the state had a wealth of silica sand, stone and other natural resources used in the glass making process. At the glass industry’s height, there were over 500 glass-making facilities in W. Virginia. Today there are 16. They range from small studios, where master glass blowers make one piece at a time, to large factories, like Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown, which was named by USA Today as one of the Top Ten factory tours in the U.S. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to purchase beautiful art glass items throughout the state.

To learn more about WV's history in glass, visit the Museum of American Glass in Weston. Displays and exhibits showcase the equipment and processes used over the years, different types of glass and information about key people in West Virginia's glass making heritage.

For your next visit to W. Virginia., add one or more of these glass makers to your travel itinerary:

Fenton Art Glass
www.fentonartglass.com  |  Williamstown

Watch the glass being made and learn about the process of glass blowing. Tours and demos are generally available. Save time to visit the gift shop.

Blenko Glass Company
www.blenko.com   |   Milton

In business for over a century,  Blenko continues  the tradition of hand-made glass, including functional glassware, art glass and more. Daily glass blowing demos.

Ron Hinkle Glass
http://www.ronhinkleglass.com  |  Buckhannon

With over 35 years’ experience, Ron is known for his beautiful decorative and functional glassware.  Visit the gallery and studio Monday - Saturday. Tours and demos are given Monday - Friday.

For a complete list of glass studios and factories, call the WV Division of tourism at (800) CALL WVA (800- 225-5982) and request their free "Glass Factories Guide."

Ready to plan your trip to West Virginia?  Visit Escape to the Southeast for more information and to request your free travel brochures.

Check here for great Driving and Train tours throughout the state.

Since I write about travel in the Southeast U.S., I naturally have visited many Civil War sites and parks. I never get tired of them because they offer an amazing connection to a major chapter in our nation's development. Quite often, a battle site is simply an open field of green grass, some grave markers, some statues.  The significance comes through knowing what happened there and invoking a bit of imagination.

Vicksburg, Mississippi is the site of a very pivotal battle. During the Civil War, capturing Vicksburg, was so crucial to the Union forces that President Lincoln stated:  

"See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key, the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."  

Securing Vicksburg and regaining control of the Mississippi River essentially split the Confederacy in two -- at that point, they knew they were beaten. The Confederate surrender following the siege at Vicksburg, along with Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg the previous day, is considered by many to be the turning point of the war.

You can get a much more thrilling account of this epic battle at the Vicksburg National Military Park, where battlegrounds, museums, monuments, the nation's largest Civil War cemetery, artillery and arms demonstrations, and driving and walking routes along Vicksburg’s Confederate defenses tell the complete story.

There's so much to see here, but make sure you start at the visitors’ center and watch the movie. It’s well worth the time to gain an idea of the significance of the things you are about to see. I highly suggest taking a guided tour. The guides are really knowledgeable and can really help add color and perspective to your visit. There’s a driving tour that’s quite good, but try to make some time to explore part of it on foot. A cell phone audio tour has recently been added, which allows you to dial a number at various sites and hear a recorded description. There are markers throughout the park showing battalion positions which made it easy for me to envision what these soldiers went through. I was surprised at how taken I was by the experience.  

Whether you are a Civil War buff or not, you really have to experience the Vicksburg National Military Park and the surrounding town of Vicksburg.