Cultural Tourism

Located in Western New York's scenic uplands, Cattaraugus County is a panorama of thriving communities, rolling farmlands, forests and picturesque waterways. Its wooded hilltops overlook valleys sculptured by glaciers of the Ice Age. The Allegheny River flows through the southern towns, two cities and the Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation. This river offers recreation to thousands of fishermen, campers, boaters, and others along its banks and tributaries. Cattaraugus Creek forms a major portion of the northern boundary of Cattaraugus County. This Creek runs through the spectacular "forever wild" Zoar Valley. The scenery of the valley's gorge creates a narrow steep-walled canyon, while the valley offers a preserve for picnicking, sightseeing, hiking, fishing, and "white water" rafting. Both Rock City Park in the Town of Olean, and Little Rock City within the Town of Little Valley, provide majestic geological formations offering a prehistoric experience which attracts geologists, naturalists, rock hounds, and the curious. Golden sunshine and sparkling waters offer endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping such as can be experienced at Onoville Marina, Rainbow Lake, Lime Lake, and Harwood Lake. During the winter, the hillsides are alive with skiers and snowmobilers at Holiday Valley ("The Aspen of the East"), Holimont, and Allegany State Park. Scattered throughout the County's 1,336 square miles of land, are thirteen villages, thirty-two townships, and two cities. Spring in our region is when rafting and kayaking in our many water bodies begins. The Great Valley Regatta sees thousands of people participate in this event. Spring Summer Fall Winter > Golfing > Daffodil Festival - Held every April in South Dayton > Fishing > Maplefest - Held every April in Franklinville > Rafting & Kayaking > Great Valley Regatta - Held in May > Visit Allegany State Park > Ellicottville Jazz Festival - Held in May Summers in the Enchanted Mountains Region are filled with activities that the whole family can enjoy. Swim, hike or bike in Allegany State Park, golf at one of our nine courses, or take a relaxing drive through our beautiful landscape. Spring Summer Fall Winter > Boating > Taste of Ellicottville - August 14 & 15, 2004 > Camping > Childrens First Festival - August 21 & 22, 2004 in Ellicottville > Golfing > Taste of Olean - September 12, 2004 > Hiking or Biking > Horseback Riding > Visit Allegany State Park Bright, beautiful, vivacious colors are the theme during the fall season in our region. The plush green mountains change to a rainbow of colors. Pumpkins by the thousands pop-up at Spring Summer Fall Winter local venues and fall festivals bring together people from all over the area. > Golfing > Ellicottville Fall Festival - October 9 & 10, 2004 > Hiking/Biking > Pumpkinville - September thru October > Fishing/Hunting > Nightmare Hayrides in Ellicottville > Visit Allegany State Park Winter in our region is the busiest time of year. Skiing at our two ski resorts (Holiday Valley & HoliMont), snowmobiling, and snow tubing provide an exciting outlet for everyone. Spring Summer Fall Winter > Skiing > Winter Fun Fest - Held in February in State Park > Snowmobiling > CanAm Dog Sled Races - Held in February at State Park > Snow tubing > Fest Uhler de Schnee - Held in February in Franklinville > Visit Allegany State Park > Penguin Paddle - Held in February in Ellicottville

Welcome to Madison County You have found a special place in the heart of Upstate New York. Located minutes from the city of Syracuse you will find quaint villages such as Cazenovia, Hamilton, Chittenango and Canastota. Classic Country Inns and Bed and Breakfasts dot our hillsides and hotels and campground offer wonderful amenities. Colgate University, Morrisville State and Cazenovia College add flavor to our communities. The city Oneida is just minutes from casino gaming at the Turning Stone. Stay and explore Madison County. We have so much to offer from boating on today's Erie Canal to learning about boats on the historic Erie Canal; spend time with the family on horseback or with the rich experience of corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Whether you are looking to spend the day hunting for that perfect antique in Madison and Bouckville or fishing for trophy fish, snowmobiling or snowshoeing, Madison County has something to offer everyone. Come and experience Madison County in your own way. Alone, with family or with friends we welcome you and hope your time here is the top experience it should be. You will find that your special place and time is reserved for you in Madison County

Arkansas annually attracts visitors from across the nation and abroad. Many are drawn to its abundant opportunities for outdoor adventures and to its natural beauty, as seen in the state's waterfalls, tour caverns and wild caving experiences, forested mountain trails and scenic drives. Some come to dig for keeper diamonds and quartz crystals. But there are numerous attractions that make The Natural State a Must See vacation destination. Amenities such as art galleries and live professional theater, professional sporting events, irresistible restaurants, microbreweries and a variety of lodging options can be found in the state's larger cities. Meanwhile, Arkansas boasts charming small towns that lure travelers seeking a restful reprieve from the hurried pace of modern life. Photo Facts Gallery hopping in Hot Springs Live entertainment can be found at numerous music festivals and in clubs, bistros and performance theaters. The state's spas include the thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park. Across the state, delightful boutiques, specialty shops, antique stores and artisans' studios offer opportunities for finding one-of-a-kind souvenirs and treasures. For those interested in a round of golf, the Natural State's offerings include world-class, scenic courses. And, in Arkansas, “an afternoon at the track” can have any of several meanings: thoroughbred horse racing, greyhound dog racing, or dirt track and drag racing. Photo Facts Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, Altus Arkansas's varied geography and its location in the U.S. heartland have contributed to make the state's history an intriguing slice of America's story. Museums, Civil War battlefields, National Park Service sites and special exhibits across the state relate the history of Arkansas's diverse cultures and history. In eastern Arkansas, the Mississippi River shaped a land where Delta blues music thrived. Traditional Ozark Mountain folk music, dance and crafts are kept alive in north central Arkansas. The state's wine country serves its best in the Arkansas River Valley, which is also home to Fort Smith, the “Wild West” town that bordered the Indian Territory until 1907. An oil boom that began in 1921 brought wealth and wild times to towns like El Dorado in southern Arkansas. Scheduled to open in Little Rock in November, 2004, the Clinton Presidential Library will honor the legacy of state native Bill Clinton, who served as U.S. President from 1993-2001. Clinton's boyhood home is open for tours in his birthplace town of Hope.

istoric Times & High Adventures abound in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier. This unique part of the Natural State rolls out an exciting welcome mat of Old West, Victorian era and Old Country legacies, mountain majesties, metropolitan pleasures and outdoor adventures. Welcome! Enjoy your visit: come back soon! ample the beauty of The Natural State from Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop Rich Mountain. Take a ride aboard a historic trolley in Fort Smith. Ride the rails across the mountains, departing from Van Buren. These adventures and much more await you in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier. The history of Fort Smith is depicted through exhibits in the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Located in downtown Fort Smith, the National Historic Site embraces the remains of two frontier forts and the courthouse and jails of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. The historic building and park grounds underwent a major $7.5 million rehabilitation project in 2000. An overlook and educational panels highlight the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail which passes through the site. The panels were written and designed with the assistance of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), Chickasaw and Seminole tribes. The exhibits were funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation. The National Historic Site commemorates a significant phase of America's westward expansion and stands as a reminder of 80 turbulent years in the history of federal Indian policy. "The Territory was set apart for the Indians in 1828. The government at that time promised them protection. That promise has always been ignored. The only protection that has ever been afforded them is through the courts. To us who have been located on this borderland has fallen the task of acting as protectors," said Federal Judge Isaac C. Parker in 1896. The renovated parks' building holds many stories from the past. It was first used in the early 1800s as an army barracks by the military sent to the post to keep peace and administer government policies over tribal peoples. Beginning in 1872, it was used as the federal courthouse and a jail. In 1887, a new jail was constructed adjacent to the courthouse. With the recent rehabilitation project the historic courthouse and jail building have been restored and now include a visitors center. Fort Smith's role in history continues into the mid-1800s. During the Civil War, the Confiscation Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1862, stated that Confederates who did not surrender within 60 days of the act's passage were to be punished by having their slaves freed. The act declared all slaves taking refuge behind Union lines captives of war who were to be set free. As troops advanced, these "freedmen" faced a new dilemma, where to turn for refuge. In turn, how to care for those former slaves became a plaguing problem for field commanders occupying Southern territory and for federal posts. In northwest Arkansas, many freedmen took up refuge at Fort Smith where aid and relief were provided to former slaves who sought refuge in the city and garrison from 1863-1865.

Bull Shoals Lake is a water sports paradise. Almost 1,000 miles of pristine shoreline is open to visitors from all over the nation who come to fish, scuba dive, houseboat, water ski, wake board, camp, and relax. Bull Shoals Lake water is very clean and clear. Swimming is enjoyable from mid May until late September. Fishing on Bull Shoals Lake is excellent all year with peak action in March, April, and May. Marinas on Bull Shoals Lake have boats and motors for rent, supplies for sale, and guides for hire. The Corps of Engineers provides launching areas and ramps for those who bring their own boats. Water sports such as swimming and skiing are popular on Bull Shoals Lake, as is cruising the hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves by motorboat or sailboat.Scuba divers come to Bull Shoals from many states to enjoy their sport in the clear, blue water. Spearfishing is enjoyed year-round.

Geotourism Program Geo•tour•ism n: Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Learn more » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Located in the Northeastern part of the state, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has long been cherished by visitors and natives alike for its unspoiled beauty and natural treasures. To preserve the natural environment and to promote sustainable destinations, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is working with National Geographic to develop a geotourism program for the region. As one of the first of its kind in the world, this program allows Vermont's Northeast Kingdom to join a select group of countries and regions working with National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations to promote tourism that enhances and sustains the environment, culture, and heritage of tourism destinations. “Vermont scored highly—best in the U.S.—in our survey of destination stewardship,” says Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the Center for Sustainable Destinations, “because Vermonters care a lot about character of place. And if the Northeast Kingdom is ‘the real Vermont,’ then no one will care more about protecting the Kingdom’s heritage, nature, and scenery than its residents. We chose the Kingdom for one of our first projects in order to work intimately with the communities of an alert, independent, and very self-aware destination. We hope that citizens will remain firmly engaged with tourism management here, benefit accordingly, and set a standard for the state, and the country.” Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is proud to offer breath-taking scenery, local agriculture and farming, Vermont made products, and recreational opportunities which have gained our region national and international recognition. Visitors can pursue a variety of adventures, including mountain biking, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, wildlife viewing and more.