State Profiles IOWA The Hawkeye State


State Information: Iowa Tourism Office • 001 515 725 3084 • www.traveliowa.com • Population: 3,046,355 • State Capital/Largest City: Des Moines • Local Time: CST – 6 hrs behind the UK • Weather: Four distinct seasons – ranging from an average high of 74 degrees F (23C) in August to an average low of 17 degrees F (-8C) in January • State Parks: 55 • Gateways: Chicago and Minneapolis


I


owa is a land overflowing with genuine hospitality, historic sites,


sophisticated cities, beautiful rolling countryside, and four seasons of nature at its very best. New in Iowa is the Union Pacific


Railroad Museum’s “Building America’ exhibit in Council Bluffs that incorporates video game technology to put visitors to work at the scene of the transcontinental railroad. From entering a tunnel at Donner Summit to trying their hand at driving a spike, visitors will see the 19th century feat of technology and engineering come to life like never before. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, heavily damaged during flooding in 2008, has reopened in a new and expanded location. The building now includes an enlarged library; a large permanent and two temporary exhibition spaces and an auditorium.


The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library KANSAS The Sunflower State


State Information: Kansas Travel & Tourism • 08450 533 280 (Media/Travel Trade) - 08450 533 290 (Consumer) • www.TravelKs. com • Population: 2,724 million • State Capital: Topeka • Largest city: Wichita • Local time: CST/MST – 6/7 hrs behind UK • Weather: Four distinct seasons, av temp of 56F (13C) • National/State Parks: 6 • Int'l Regional Gateway(s): Kansas City (MCI), Wichita (ICT)


V


isiting Kansas can be as exciting, exhilarating, electric, eclectic, and


energizing … or as relaxing, rejuvenating, and refreshing as you want….or all of the above! Discover the rich history of Kansas


from westward expansion along the Oregon, California and storied Santa Fe Trails, to the cattle trails that moved cattle up from Texas along the Chisholm and Great Western Trails that created the Wild West towns of Wichita, Abilene, and Dodge City. Eleven Byways traverse memorable


STATE SECRET: Tourist Park in Cedar Falls, built in 1976, is the oldest disc golf course in the state.


DON'T MISS: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Council Bluffs. It was named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world’s most spectacular pedestrian bridges.


scenery through welcoming communities that offer one-of-a-kind art and delicious regional food. Stop and talk to the people. They are sure to tell you about the best cheeseburger and pie in the county, or where to hike, fish, swim, camp, bike, hunt or sail. Music and celebrations, rodeos and festivals take place every weekend.


Today's menu


STATE SECRET: Always a crossroads for explorers, Kansas is a distinctive place where land and cultures meet. Many important trails of Americans' westward expansion passed through the state of Kansas.


DON'T MISS: Drive the 77-mile Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway which connects two of the world's most significant natural wetlands.


KENTUCKY The Bluegrass State


State Information: Kentucky Dept. of Travel & Tourism • 001 502 564 4930 • www.kentuckytourism.com • Population: 4,269,245 • State Capital: Frankfort • Largest city: Louisville • Local time: EST – 5 hrs behind UK • Weather: Summers can be very warm, but sometimes with cool evenings. Take a light jacket for spring/autumn as there can be a breeze • National/State Parks: 52 • International Gateways: Cincinnati, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit,Washington Reagan, New York LaGuardia


F


rom the rolling bluegrass-covered hills of legendary horse country


and the grandstands of America’s most storied thoroughbred race tracks, to Kentucky's Bourbon Country and world-renowned outdoor adventure. Visit Kentucky and experience the unbridled wild spirit of the Bluegrass State. Kentucky is situated in the east


central states of the US with the main cities Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati (in Ohio) forming the 'Golden Triangle'. It’s famously known as the ‘Horse Capital of the World’ and hosts the annual Kentucky Rolex, one of the most prestigious competitions in the eventing calendar and part of the Rolex Grand Slam. Aside from horses, Kentucky has


bred some of the most famous faces of today including George Clooney, Johnny Depp and heavyweight Muhammad Ali.


Kentucky, the home of Bourbon 38


LOUISIANA The Bayou State


State Information: Louisiana Office of Tourism • 01689 825 207, 0800 652 8251 (brochure line) • www.louisianatravel.com • Population : 4,574,836 • State Capital: Baton Rouge • Largest city: New Orleans • Local time: CST – 6 hrs behind UK • Weather: Summer warm and long, mild winters • National/State Parks: 20 • International Gateways: Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New York


W


hen in Louisiana it soon becomes apparent that you are


STATE SECRET: Kentucky is home to America’s only native spirit, Bourbon, and the state produces 95% of the world's supply!


DON'T MISS: The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious, legendary and celebrity-packed race meeting in the world held on the first Saturday of May each year.


visiting a state where enjoyment’s a full time occupation. Live music, hospitable fun-loving locals with an appetite for good food, an ear for iconic music, creating an atmosphere that lightens the soul! This is a state that lives the legendary 'Southern hospitality' from street artists to the local diner waitress, musicians to hoteliers, Cajuns to New Orleanians. Louisiana offers original experiences, natural beauty, air boats through stunning bayous, quaint historic cities like Natchitoches, opulent plantation homes, tales of Elvis in the Shreveport Louisiana Hay Ride, cobbled sunlit courtyards in New Orleans and cruises on Tom Sawyer's Mississippi. There is a reason why Louisiana is where the cocktail was invented, the birthplace of Jazz, with locals that truly live in their cities and towns.


Musician Rosie Ledet in Louisiana www.visitusa.org.uk


STATE SECRET: Mardi Gras is celebrated across Louisiana. Driving from north to south, you can enjoy the different parades and customs of each region


DON'T MISS: The Creole Nature Trail All- American Road is an outdoor 'exhibit' of living nature from alligators, birds, wildlife refuges, marshland, Gulf beaches and Cajun culture along the more than 180-miles of a unique wild and rugged terrain.


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