State Profiles WASHINGTON Washington, The State
State Information: Seattle and Washington State Tourism • 020 8877 4514 •
www.experienceWa.com and
www.visitseattle. org • Population: 6,724,540 • State Capital: Olympia • Largest City: Seattle • Local time: PST – 8 hrs behind UK • Weather: Temperate with pleasant springs and autumns, sunny summers and mild, damp winters • National/State Parks: 5 • International Gateway: Seattle Sea-Tac
S
eattle is a vibrant sophisticated city with a real laid-back attitude,
located on America’s north-west coast. This city is encircled by water as well as two mountain ranges and three national parks. Washington State offers pristine
natural beauty with the only temperate rain forest in North America, rolling hills with acres of vines producing award-winning wines, dramatic landscapes of mountains, volcanoes and high desert offering diverse scenery and activities. As a walking city Seattle offers
visitors many options to enjoy perfect days exploring its neighbourhoods, outdoor activities, arts and culture from traditional to contemporary and great shopping. Along with its great wines Washington State has great regional cuisine and where better to go than Pike Place Market for a food lovers walking tour.
Chihuly Glass and Garden and the Space Needle
STATE SECRET: Head to the San Juan Islands, north of Seattle reached by car, ferry or float plane. Go kayaking alongside Orca whales.
DON'T MISS: Unique attractions in Seattle include the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project and the newest attraction, the Chihuly Glass and Garden.
WEST VIRGINIA The Mountain State
State Information: West Virginia Div. of Tourism • 020 8948 2388 •
www.wvtourism.com • Population: 1.8 million • State Capital/Largest city: Charleston • Local time: EST – 5 hrs behind the UK • Weather: Hot summers (mild in the mountains); cool winters • National/State Parks: 43 • International Gateways: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, Atlanta, La Guardia and Charlotte
T
he scenic rural state of West Virginia with its abundance of
natural resources provides a perfect backdrop for a true American adventure holiday. Driving tours lead to quaint B&Bs and renowned warm hospitality, breathtaking landscapes carve routes for mountain biking, motorbike journeys and RVs exploring state parks. The camouflaged tracks of the many hiking trails and fishing areas display the natural beauty while championship golf courses, ski runs and white water rafting offer seasonal sporting activities. Offering unique Appalachian culture,
John Denver’s ballad adequately describes its state’s country roads, dramatic scenery at every turn and the spectacular kaleidoscope of colour in the Autumn. It is a state which is 80% forested, with 7 state forests, 36 state parks and 200,000 acres of protected woodland parks.
Stunning autumn colours in Glade Creek
STATE SECRET: 2013 celebrates the statehood of West Virginia. Back in 1863, West Virginia became the 35th State in the Union, the only state born out of the Civil War.
DON'T MISS: Elevate your holiday by taking a walk on the 876-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge catwalk for stunning views of the gorge from one of the world's top ten steel structures.
WISCONSIN The Badger State
State Information: Wisconsin Department of Tourism • 001 608 266 2161 •
www.travelwisconsin.com • Population: 5,453,450. Home to 11 Native American Tribes • State Capital: Madison • Largest city: Milwaukee • Local time: CST – 6 hours behind UK • Weather: Av. temp summer 67F (19C), winter 16F (-9C) • State Parks: 50 • International Gateways: Minneapolis and Chicago
T
he Badger State revels in its abundance of seasonal delights,
taking full advantage of nature’s year- round bounty. Fringed by lake coastline on two sides, the Mississippi River on another and with more than 50 State Parks and forests, outdoor enjoyment is at the heart of any Wisconsin stay. Wisconsin is not only a prairie land
but also an agricultural powerhouse and a cultural gem, capturing the rugged American spirit in grand style. You know you're in Wisconsin when you find award-winning cheese and brews or homes of famous folks like Frank Lloyd Wright or Harry Houdini. The largest city, Milwaukee, prides itself on its cosmopolitan flair, its rich brewing history and its title as the City of Festivals. The Mississippi River provides the
perfect backdrop for La Crosse and other river cities.
Beaver Lake in the autumn
WYOMING The Cowboy State
State Information: Wyoming Office of Tourism 01825 76 36 36 •
www.rmi-RealAmerica.com • Population: 532,668 • State Capital/Largest City: Cheyenne • Local Time: MST - 7 hrs behind UK • Climate: Hot summers, cold winters with snow November to April • National/State Parks: 47 • Int'l Gateways: Denver, Minneapolis/St Paul/Bloomington, Seattle, Chicago, Washington
T
he heart of the Old West still beats in Wyoming, where Butch Cassidy
and the Sundance Kid escaped from pursuing lawmen; wild horses run free and real cowboys compete in exciting rodeo events throughout the summer. You can even sample the cowboy lifestyle yourself on a ranch holiday or visit the Cheyenne Frontier Days (last week of July) the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Explore forts built to protect early
STATE SECRET: The Wisconsin Dells are a treasure trove of indoor and outdoor water parks, which makes the area one of the most popular summertime destinations in the country.
DON'T MISS: Summerfest in Milwaukee. This 11-day music festival is billed as the largest in the world with live bands from rock to bluegrass. Take in a lumberjack show and try cheese curds.
settlers. Visit the historic trails of the wagon trains and the Pony Express. See the wide open spaces and sense the presence of ancient tribal cultures at Devils Tower National Monument. Watch the wildlife and see Old Faithful geyser erupt in Yellowstone then on to the stunning jagged peaks of the Teton Mountains. Walk the wooden sidewalks of historic Jackson Hole and visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, the town that he founded.
Wyoming's Old Faithful geyser
www.visitusa.org.uk 47
STATE SECRET: Wyoming is one of the biggest states but has the smallest population. It is home to world famous Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
DON'T MISS: Yellowstone National Park for its geysers and waterfalls; Grand Teton’s Snake River and peaks; Jackson Hole for its antler arches and wooden sidewalks and Cody’s western heritage.
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