Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/127433
DIVERSIONS By Elizabeth Manning Summer road-tripping For a splash of culture: Scottsdale, Ariz.: This city has been described as the "desert version of Miami's South Beach." Each year, festivals and museums draw tourists to sample the distinctive culture that surrounds the city. Scottsdale is home to the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show, the Scottsdale International Film Festival and the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada Del Sol, a monthlong "cowboy" festival originally called "The Sunshine Festival." New Orleans: Venture to the Deep South for a stay in the Big Easy, well-known for its culture and flavor. New Orleans – which offers a mash-up of historical landmarks, shopping, music and food – is home to the New Orleans Saints and Mardi Gras, hosted annually, as well as Bourbon Street, known for wild nights. Visit some of the city's eateries, including the Camellia Grill, and stop by Café Du Monde on your way out for some beignets. Charleston, S.C.: The coastal city and its surrounding area are heaven for history buffs. Visit Battery Park for monuments honoring the Civil War, ride on a carriage tour of the city and take Street musicians are a common sight in New Orleans' French Quarter. in some architecture, and eat locally-caught seafood from one of Charleston's many acclaimed restaurants. (Local favorites are she-crab soup and shrimp and grits.) On your way out, stop by one of the area's many plantation homes. Off the beaten path: To get outdoors: Yosemite National Park, Calif.: Outdoorsmen and nature lovers flock to this park every year for a taste of fresh air and the wild. Park admission is about $20 for a seven-day pass. Camping grounds are plentiful, as are several area hotels. Local tours run daily. Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.: Fishing enthusiasts will find this haven stocked with largemouth bass, walleye and bluegill. Year-round, the fish populate the lake, which boasts more than 1,150 miles of shoreline. Visitors also can take in the nearby gambling opportunities. Mayberry in Mount Airy, N.C.: "Andy Griffith Show" fans can visit the real town featured in the classic TV comedy and spend a day in the life of Andy, Opie, Barney and Aunt Bee. To explore on foot, grab a map at the visitors' center, but vintage squad cars similar to Andy's and Barney's also are available for sightseeing. Stop for a bite at Snappy Lunch, and get a haircut at Floyd's City Barber Shop. In addition to show-themed attractions open yearround, the city hosts an annual Mayberry Festival. Lucas, Kan.: Called the "Grassroots Art Capital," Lucas is a small town harboring some of the most interesting folk art attractions in the United States. A rock garden, the "Garden of Eden" and an art center all are available for tours in this eclectic town. Stop at Brant's Meat Market, in operation for more than 83 years. 46 | Overdrive | May 2013 Travel_0513.indd 46 4/30/13 9:55 PM