If you’re going to visit Oklahoma, Trip Advisor recommends these destinations!

Bricktown

Bricktown, just east of Oklahoma City’s downtown business district, is the city’s original warehouse and distribution center turned entertainment district. You can go shopping, drink at a bar, dine at one of the many restaurants, and stroll along the Bricktown River Walk Park at your own pace. You can also catch a baseball game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or have fun on the sands of Bricktown Beach on summer days. The area is home to a plethora of public art, museums, and galleries, making it one of Oklahoma City’s most vibrant arts districts and a great attraction year-round.

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the Museum, located in Oklahoma City, collects, preserves, and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. More than 10 million visitors from around the world have sought out this unique museum to gain better understanding of the West: a region and a history that permeates our national culture.

Philbrook Museum of Art

This vast art museum, housed in an Italian style villa, has numerous exhibits from European, American, Asian, Native American and African artists and is surrounded by acres of lush gardens.

Beavers Bend State Park and Nature Center

The Cave House

The Cave House in a landmark in Tulsa. It was built in 1924, as a Chicken Restaurant. Built during prohibition, it was a place you could quench your thirst! It not only has quirky architecture, but it probably best known for its stories, full of interesting and sometimes amusing information. It is a great date, or family adventure, and as the owner I love to share it! It is best to call, or message ahead, as I do not have regular hours. Due to scheduling for private tours and groups, and because travelers request all days and times, I try to schedule according to requests as best as I can. The cost is $15.00 and kids under 13 years are $7.50.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces, offering its visitors a 15 acre natural escape in the heart of downtown. A half-acre children’s garden, an off-leash dog park, splash fountains, and paths for walking and jogging provide guests young and old with a place to seek solitude with nature, or seek community and the company of others. The Gardens offers a variety of horticultural education programs for adults and children. The centerpiece attraction of the Gardens is the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Its unique design has earned attention and praise in the architectural community. It is 224 feet long, 70 feet in diameter, and is covered by 3,028 sections of translucent, double-layered acrylic panels. After an 18-month, $11 million renovation, it reopened to the public on November 18, 2022.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

If you’re planning to take a hiking trip out west, Trip Advisor recommends these “must-see” parks!

Bryce Canyon National Park

The stargazing is world class, and the views from Inspiration Point are pure magic.

Arches National Park

The Narrows

True to its name, The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. This challenging hike is one of Zion’s most popular trails, taking you through towering walls of Navajo sandstone that rise up to 2,000 feet. Along the 16-mile hike, you’ll be rewarded with nature’s raw beauty, from the stunning zebra stripes adorning the cliffs to the spectacular slot canyon scenery. Be prepared with water shoes, walking sticks, and waterproof bags as the trail will take you through the Virgin River. Check for flash flood warnings before starting and consider a private tour to tackle the trail safely with a professional guide.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Zion National Park

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

Trip Advisor says these are the top 5 attractions in Wyoming!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Teton

Tallest mountain in the Grand Teton Range.

Devils Tower National Monument

This 870-foot stone monument, thought to have been created from the remains of a volcano, is the center of many Indian religious ceremonies.

Yellowstone National Park

Lamar Valley

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

Trip Advisor recommends the following sites if you’re visiting Idaho!

Shoshone Falls

Beautiful waterfalls.

Coeur d’Alene Lake

Fed by waters from three different rivers, this pristine, 30-mile lake offers just about every water sport imaginable.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

An ocean of blackened lava flows holds opportunities to relax, explore, and enjoy for all ages and abilities. The monument is an easy day trip from Boise, Sun Valley, and Idaho Falls. Click on the link below to learn more about this unearthly landscape and start planning your visit today.

Silverwood Theme Park

Located in beautiful North Idaho, Silverwood Theme Park has over 65 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including four roller coasters, Boulder Beach Water Park, a steam engine train, live entertainment, restaurants, and more.

SOURCE: TRIP ADVISOR.COM

If you’re heading to Montana, Trip Advisor recommends these sites!

Going-to-the-Sun Road

A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

Watch the bears forage for food, play in their ponds and with each other. Early morning and evening visitors may witness active wolf packs howling. Come nose to nose with otters while getting a complete understanding of the intricacies of the Yellowstone ecosystem in the River Otter Exhibit. Other activities include: Keeper Kid’s (hide food for the bears), Wolf Enrichment, Bird of Prey presentations, Safety in Bear Country Programs, Yellowstone Ranger talks, intriguing films and presentations.

Grinnell Glacier

A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty.

Museum of the Rockies

Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University is a Smithsonian Affiliate, recognized as one of the world’s finest research and history museums. It is renowned for displaying an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a T. rex skeleton! MOR delights visitors with changing exhibits from around the world, permanent indoor and outdoor regional history exhibits, planetarium shows, educational programs, insightful lectures, benefit events, cafe, and a museum store.

Flathead Lake Alpine Center

Experience Montana’s first and only Alpine Coaster, one of the best outdoor attractions in the state! Enjoy year-round fun activities in Flathead Valley, with windshields to block the elements. Just minutes from Somers and Lakeside beaches, across from Flathead Lake—perfect for a fun day in Whitefish or Lakeside.

SOURCE: TRIP ADVISOR.COM

Trip Advisor recommended these must-see sites in South Dakota!

Mount Rushmore

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created this famous mountainside carving of the visages of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

Custer State Park

One of South Dakota’s most iconic landmarks, this park stands out for its granite peaks, rolling grasslands, and clear mountain waters. Stretching over 71,000 acres, Custer is home to abundant wildlife like bison, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, and more. Drive down Wildlife Loop Road to spot the begging burros (they approach vehicles for food), hike the Little Devils Tower Trail for a bird’s eye view of the area, and go swimming or boating in one of its five lakes. With warm days and cool nights, summer is an ideal time to visit Custer. Don’t miss out on exploring the rest of the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore.

Falls Park

Park with waterfalls where the river flows over many tiers of Sioux quartzite.

Sylvan Lake

This lake, situated within the rolling green hills of Custer State Park, is a great spot for a fun day out. The cool waters of the lake are perfect for kayaking, paddle boating, and swimming, and if you’re looking for an adventure, you can go on a hike or climb the rocks surrounding the lake. The best time to visit is from late spring to early fall when the weather is warm, and the park is in full swing. The lake is typically a stop on a tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians. The Foundation demonstrates its commitment to this endeavor by continuing the progress on the world’s largest sculptural undertaking by carving a memorial of Lakota leader Crazy Horse; by providing educational and cultural programming; by acting as a repository for American Indian artifacts, arts and crafts through the INDIAN MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA(R) and the NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL CENTER(R); and by establishing and operating the INDIAN UNIVERSITY OF NORTH AMERICA(R) and, when practical, a medical training center for American Indians.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

If you’re planning on visiting North Dakota, please consider Trip Advisor’s recommendations!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Many bison, wild horses, mule deer, prairie dogs, etc. Very interesting as well to see the coal veins.

Painted Canyon Overlook

Begin your visit to the Teddy Roosevelt National Park with a spectacular view of the Badlands, a flat desert landscape broken by petrified wood and rock formations.

Enchanted Highway

Large, man-made sculptures line this scenic highway.

Scandinavian Heritage Park

Located within the beautiful Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, the Scandinavian Heritage Center serves as a visitor hub for exploring Nordic culture and history. Stop in to learn more about the park’s landmarks—like the iconic Gol Stave Church, Danish windmill, and 25-foot Swedish Dala horse—and pick up maps, souvenirs, or information about upcoming cultural events. Operated by the Scandinavian Heritage Association, the Center highlights the traditions of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, offering visitors a deeper appreciation of the region’s immigrant roots and Scandinavian legacy.

Red River Market

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

Trip Advisor recommends the following sites in Colorado if you’re traveling there!

Garden of the Gods

Jam-packed with dramatic rock formations, the Garden of the Gods is a prime spot for hiking amid beautiful scenery. Stop for a photo by the Steamboat Rock, then set out to trek the 21 miles of trails within the park. The 1.5-mile-long Perkins Central Garden Trail is wheelchair accessible and runs between all the major sights like the Kissing Camels. On your way back, grab a snack and shop for souvenirs at the gift shop. Located on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods can be visited for free—parking included.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum

Hop aboard a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive that travels along the same railroad tracks that miners, cowboys and the early settlers of the Old West used over a hundred years ago. The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. The price of a ticket also includes admission to the D&SNGRR Museum and the Silverton Freight Yard Museum.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Naturally formed, open air Amphitheatre consists of two, three-hundred-foot monoliths serving as a “stage” for musical performances.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Spanning more than 24 acres, Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street presents a wide range of gardens and collections that illustrate an ever-widening diversity of plants from all corners of the world. Distinctive gardens define and celebrate our Western identity and a unique high altitude climate and geography. We are passionate about connecting people to plants through botanical beauty, education, art, events, conservation and sustainable living.

Pikes Peak

Welcome to Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain! The Pikes Peak Highway entrance is conveniently located 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. The beauty of being so close to the city is that you can spend your time enjoying the mountain instead of getting to the mountains. Plan for your round trip journey to the summit to take 2-3 hours. The safe, scenic highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure. From the gateway at an elevation of 7,400 feet, you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland of scenic beauty, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds…All along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America’s most famous mountain. Along the way, you’ll discover the North Slope Recreation Area, Crystal Reservoir Gift Shop, Historic Glen Cove Inn, and the Summit House. There are three lakes for fishing, picnic areas, hiking trails, and breathtaking views. Stop and watch one of our “Meet the Ranger” Interpretive Programs and learn about the history, myths, flora and fauna on the mountain. All offer visitor services and basic necessities to make your day both enjoyable and memorable.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

This month’s weird house is Randyland, the happiest place in PA (Pittsburgh, specifically).

From: Uncoveringpa.com:

Stand outside of Randyland and you might think that it’s a quirky art project and a great way to fix up a once-dilapidated house. However, when I asked owner and creator Randy Gilson what Randyland was, he responded with a very simple answer: “Randyland is a giant heart of love.”

I pulled up to Randyland on a sunny September day. Even without my GPS telling me, I was able to instantly see Randyland from several blocks away.

Sitting on a street corner in a once-dilapidated area of Pittsburgh’s Northshore, Randyland looks like a cross between Sesame Street and the Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour.”

Gilson purchased the home now known as Randyland in 1995.

Dipping into his savings as a waiter, he purchased the home and began to clean it up. He had been working on cleaning up the neighborhood for almost 10 years at that point. Removing trash, setting up community gardens, and putting flowers in front of abandoned buildings got him in trouble with the police more than once, but his goal was always to make the neighborhood a better place to live.

Using his knack for recycling goods in unusual ways, Randy set to work creating the colorful Randyland.

Much of the decoration at Randyland is visible from the streets. The large three-story home at the corner of Arch and Jacksonia Streets is painted a bright yellow, with a variety of scenes painted around the home. 

Behind the home, another home is painted a pastel green with several window scenes painted on the outside.

The two entrances are covered with a variety of recycled items that have been repurposed to create a beautiful art piece. When the gates are opened, a slightly-less-than-lifesize cutout of Gilson greets visitors to Randyland.

Walking into the back gardens of Randyland feels like walking into someone’s home. Chairs and tables sit around the yard, and Gilson himself can often be found tending to his kingdom.

When I visited, Randy was high on a ladder painting the pergola in the center of Randyland.

Joining him was another painter who had the appearance of a serious French artist. I would only later find out that this assistant was a homeless man that Randy had hired even though he had never painted before. Despite this, Randy trained him and on several occasions called him, “The best painter I’ve ever had.”

Introducing myself, I made the pleasant mistake of asking Randy a simple question, “So, when did you start Randyland?” Forty-five minutes later, Randy finished answering my question, after telling me about Randyland, his life story, and his philosophy.

It took me just a few seconds, however, to realize that Randy was the embodiment of Randyland. Gilson had a tough life growing up but has turned his life into an expression of happiness and joy, just like the recycled items that he has made colorful.

Randy told me on several occasions that he isn’t a smart man, but the wisdom that he exudes makes it worth visiting. To separate Randyland from Randy really is quite impossible, and that’s what makes Randyland Pennsylvania’s happiest destination. There’s no doubt that after spending a few minutes talking to Randy and walking through his elaborately created domain, you too will experience the beauty and happiness that is Randyland.

SOURCE: UNCOVERINGPA.COM