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West Sacramento

West Sacramento is a city of 54,000 people (2019) in Yolo County in the Sacramento Valley of California. West Sacramento is on the west bank of the Sacramento River, opposite the city of Sacramento.

The traditional industrial center of the region since the Gold Rush era, West Sacramento is home to a diverse economy.

Go next
Sacramento is just over the river!

Napa Valley- 80 West to 12 West to 29 North. 65-105 minutes away, depending on traffic.

San Francisco- 80 West. 1½-3 hours away, depending on traffic. Make sure to allow lots of time on Saturdays and on peak hours.

title: West Sacramento


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West Salem

West Salem is a village in Wayne County in Northeast Ohio.

By Car
West Salem lies just north of SR 539.

See

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: West Salem


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West São Paulo

West São Paulo is a region in the state of São Paulo. Differently from the east part of the state, West São Paulo did not have an "industry boom" after the decline of coffee farming. As result the region contains mostly small and calm cities, and like Northwest São Paulo, it also contains a strong Japanese heritage.

Understand
In the beginning of the XX century, the railway of the Sorocabana company advanced further into the west of the state, reaching Presidente Prudente in 1919 and bringing the region the prosperity of coffee farming. Even after the decline of coffee farming after the 1929, the region maintained its economical success thanks to cotton farming and livestock.

In the 1920s, a Japanese-Brazilian company named Bratac started promoting Japanese immigration in the West São Paulo. The Japanese immigrants settled in farms across the region and contributed to the formation of cities like Bastos and Álvares Machado. Since then, many Japanese and their descendants have moved towards the east of the state, but they left behind a strong cultural legacy.

title: West São Paulo


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Westside (Los Angeles County)

The Westside of Los Angeles in Southern California is much of what the rest of the world thinks of when they think "California". Beautiful beaches, fancy homes, movie stars: it's all there.

The Westside comprises the neighborhoods of Los Angeles City and other cities (municipalities) running west of La Cienega Boulevard to the Pacific Ocean. To the east is Hollywood and Mid-Wilshire. The northern boundary is the Santa Monica Mountains. The southern boundary is less obvious - often LAX or the 105 freeway serve as a good marker, separating the Westside from the South Bay.

Cities

 * - Home of the rich and famous, and renowned for the high-end shopping of Rodeo Drive.
 * - Best known for film and TV production, including the old MGM studios, which is now part of Sony Pictures. Also noted for its excellent dining scene, local shops, and a couple of intriguing museums, including the quirky Museum of Jurassic Technology.
 * - Wedged between the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, with gorgeous scenery and many beautiful mansions.
 * - A large yacht and sailboat marina and a popular dining and shopping destination.
 * - A residential neighborhood in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains with splendid views of the ocean and the Roman art and architecture of the Getty Villa.
 * - A pleasant and relatively quiet beach area.
 * - A popular seaside community famous for its beach and amusement park pier, with a bustling shopping promenade.
 * - A small community settled in the Santa Monica Mountains.
 * - Los Angeles' most famous beach, with its Boardwalk famed for its street performers, body builders, and funky shops and vendors.
 * - Home to the famous Sunset Strip and to the largest gay nightlife district in Los Angeles.
 * - A collection of neighborhoods of the city of Los Angeles; here you will find fashionable Bel-Air, the spectacular Getty Center art museum in Brentwood, the film studios of Century City, the UCLA campus and surrounding shopping and entertainment district in Westwood, and an amazing array of cuisines owing to the mix of ethnicities in the area.
 * - A mostly residential neighborhood home to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Other destinations

 * - A lovely recreation area with scenic views, excellent hiking, and various historic sites such as Malibu Creek State Park.

Understand
The Westside is among the most prosperous, trendy, glamorous, and interesting locations in the world. Derided by social critics as life within the "Pleasure-Dome" for the opportunities to "live large", the Westside boasts fabulous food, homes, scenery, shopping, and people.

By plane
The closest airport to this area of Los Angeles is through Los Angeles International Airport. From here you can either catch a cab, shuttle or bus. The LAX FlyAway shuttle offers service from the terminals to Westwood. You can also take the Big Blue Bus Roue #3 to Santa Monica or the Culver City Bus Route #6 to Culver City and West LA. The cabs and shuttles can be accessed immediately outside of the arrival terminals and the bus systems can be accessed from the LAX Transit Center, located adjacent to Parking Lot 'C' and accessed by taking the 'C' Shuttle from the terminals. Bus information is available in the baggage claim area of each terminal.

The Westside lies under the flight path of general aviation Santa Monica Airport, southwest of the 405/10 interchange; on clear days the view of the city on approach is amazing.

Get around
The Westside is fairly well covered by bus service, with three different providers in the area: LA Metro is the main bus system in the Los Angeles region, and runs several Metro Rapid routes through the area, as well as the Metro Rail Expo Line from Downtown L.A. to Culver City and Santa Monica. Additionally, the Big Blue Bus is a very reliable and well-maintained bus service, which operates primarily in Santa Monica and West L.A. Lastly, the Culver City Bus has a system of routes radiating out of Culver City.

During the summer months, there are various beach shuttle services available during the weekends.

For convenience purposes it may be best to rent a vehicle. Most of the major rental companies are available at LAX airport.

Do

 * The Strand. A bike and skate path on the beach stretches from Will Rogers State Beach in the north all the way to Redondo Beach in the South Bay and ends at Torrance Beach. With numerous outlets for renting bikes, rest stops and food concessions this gentle, fairly flat path is an easy ride for the entire family. It passes by many interesting places, such as the Marina del Rey waterfront area with its boats and numerous restaurants, the Venice Beach shops, and Santa Monica pier.
 * Fisherman's Village in Marina del Rey is a replica of a New England seaport and fishing town. There are several companies to rent boats—both sail and motor, kayaks, wind-surfboards and more. You can also charter a harbor cruise or reserve your place on one of the public dinner cruises. Stroll along the cobblestone paths to enjoy views of the Marina. On the weekends (weather permitting) there are free outdoor concerts in the Lighthouse Plaza area.
 * Go to the Beach, from Malibu beach in the north to Playa Del Rey in the south, these are some of the most filmed beaches in the world.
 * Visit Muscle Beach and the Venice part of the boardwalk to see the most eclectic and culturally diverse part of the Westside beaches.
 * Walk the Venice Canals (park on Dell near Washington Blvd.) and see some of the most interesting architecture and local gardens that the Westside has to offer.
 * Bird watch at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh at Playa Vista. This 51-arce marsh system is at the base of the Westchester Bluffs, just south of Marina del Rey.  Home to more than 73 native bird species it is an urban oasis for people and wildlife alike.  There are trails bordering the marsh, with a profusion of native trees and shrubs where you can see mallard ducks, snowy egret and great blue herons.  Located at the southwest corner of Lincoln and Jefferson Boulevards.

Eat
A wonderful by-product of all the ethnic diversity in this area is the multitude of authentic restaurants. There are also a number of Indian and Pakistani restaurants along Venice Boulevard in Palms and adjacent streets in Palms and Culver City. Most of these restaurants offer North Indian cuisine.

There is a small cluster of Japanese and Korean restaurants colloquially known as Little Osaka in West Los Angeles on Sawtelle Blvd (just west of 405), bounded by Santa Monica Blvd to the north and Olympic Blvd to the south. Culver City also has a collection of Korean restaurants. Thai and Chinese restaurants are ubiquitous throughout the area and vary greatly in price and quality.

Mexican food is common in this area as in the rest of Los Angeles County, albeit less so in some of the more affluent parts of the area. Lares in Santa Monica has its admirers. This area tends to have a greater proportion of Oaxacan restaurants than other parts of greater Los Angeles, such as Madre in Palms and El Texate in Santa Monica. Garden of Taxco in West Hollywood offers an unforgettable experience, with the "menu" recited by colorful waiters.

There is a large cluster of Jewish delicatessens and restaurants on Pico Boulevard in Beverlywood, just south of Beverly Hills. Both Ashkenazic and Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines are represented here. Haifa is great for lunchtime Mediterranean food.

A small "Little Ethiopia" has developed along Washington Boulevard between National and La Cienega in Culver City.

Santa Monica and Venice have a huge population of British expats, and fish and chips is common. Most of Los Angeles' pubs are located west of the 405 in this area.

Westwood Boulevard between Pico and Wilshire is filled with Persian restaurants, serving the largest Iranian population outside of Iran (which is concentrated in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica).

Stay safe
Much of Venice demands some caution. The long-troubled Oakwood neighborhood of Venice (south of Rose Avenue, west of Abbot Kinney Street, north of California Avenue, and west of Lincoln Boulevard) has a long history of gang and drug activity and racial tensions and is best avoided except for major streets. However, there is very little of interest for tourists in this area.

Venice Beach, at night, demands caution; do not go on the sand at night as when the sun goes down, the beach becomes a giant swapmeet for drugs: it is often nicknamed "the meth capital of Los Angeles," complete with the violence that often accompanies open drug dealing. Such violence occasionally spills onto Ocean Front Walk, along with some prostitution activity involving both sexes so avoid walking the boardwalk at night.

In Santa Monica, the section of Pico Boulevard immediately to the east of Santa Monica College and extending to Cloverfield Avenue demands caution; residential side streets in this area are best avoided. The South Robertson/Crestview neighborhood has a small gang-ridden pocket known alternately as Cadillac-Corning and La Cienega Heights but this tiny area is almost completely residential and tourists are unlikely to go there anyway.

As with Los Angeles in general and other California cities, the Westside has a large and very visible homeless problem (except for Beverly Hills and Culver City). This is most noticeable in Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, and Brentwood. Most of these individuals are harmless but some are dangerous. Exercise some caution in dealing with them.

Go next

 * South Bay. The Westside region's lively neighbor to the south, featuring a diverse set of communities, from boisterous Manhattan Beach, to placid Palos Verdes, to hard-working San Pedro.
 * Hollywood. Its name has become so synonymous with motion pictures that it is easy to forget it is an actual place. This is where their past is celebrated, their present is premiered, and their future is constantly being created.
 * Ventura County. Head west get away from the L.A. grind and to take things a little slower, and perhaps spend some time in Camarillo's oasis of factory outlets.

title: Westside (Los Angeles County)


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West Sikkim

West Sikkim is a district in Sikkim. The highlight of West Sikkim is the amazing Himalayan treks in the foothills of Mt Kanchenjunga (also spelt Kangchendzonga). The rolling mountains also offer some "low altitude" treks.

Cities

 * (Gyalshing) — the base for trekking in the Himalayas and professional expeditions to Mount Kanchenjunga

 * —

 * —

 * — a peaceful town perched on a hillside looking across at the Kanchenjunga range. Several historic sites within walking distance. Many guesthouses offer breathtaking views towards Kanchenjunga from their balconies. Within walking distance (4-5 km) of Pelling is the Pemayangtse Gompa (one of the holiest gompas in Sikkim), and Rabdentse (an old archeological site from when this was previously the capital).

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * — at the trailhead of the high-altitude treks is a beautiful town to spend a few days relaxing. It used to be the capital of Sikkim, and is considered a holy town.  The 300 year-old Dubdi Gompa (Buddhist temple), perched on a hill, is well worth visiting.

Other destinations

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

Understand
A special hiking permit is required for all high-altitude treks, and thus these treks must be organised through a tour guide. Travel to Yuksom and Pelling is allowed without a special permit (however the normal Sikkim permit is still required).

Get in
As for all destinations in Sikkim, the major mode of transport is "jeep", which refers to the ubiquitous 4x4 vehicles that plow around the hairpin bends. Times can be quite variable depending on road conditions, generally it takes 4-6 hours to travel from Gangtok to Yuksom or Pelling. Landslides and bridge repairs can make this trip take considerably longer. Locals catch the "share jeep", packing in 10 passengers, which is not recommended for those who highly value their personal space (however these are very cheap). Considerably more expensive is the "private jeep", but if travelling in a group this is often quite economical. From some destinations, if a direct jeep does not run, you may have to go via Geyzing, the major transport centre in West Sikkim (Geyzing is a short jeep ride down the hill from Pelling).

Get around
Jeeps can be hailed along main roads throughout the region, but if all 10 seats are full (which is common), you may have to ride on the back.

Itineraries
Many people spend 5-7 days on a trek, then a further 2-3 days exploring Yuksom and Pelling.

Do
The high altitude treks are highly recommended, and certainly compare favourably to those across the border in Nepal. Most of the high altitude treks start from Yuksom. All treks must be accompanied by a tour guide, who arrange a special trekking permit. The more popular treks either go to Zongri (4000m) or Gochela Pass (5000m). The Zongri trek usually takes 5-6 days, and the Gochela trek 7-8 days, though this varies depending on fitness and previous exposure to high altitudes. The region is extremely beautiful, with numerous photographic opportunities.

Altitude sickness is a common concern in this region due to the relatively short distances required to gain significant altitude. A "rest day" for acclimatisation is strongly advised at Tsokha (3000m).

Successful climbing to Gochela Pass usually involves leaving at 3AM on that morning to reach the pass for sunrise before the clouds sweep in. Porters, with the help of yaks and ponies carry most of your gear, but you should carry your own day-pack with water, snacks and warm weather gear. Temperatures can fall well below zero at any time of the year at high altitude, and you should either hire or take genuine cold-weather gear and sleeping bags(most tour companies will hire these). One of the more popular tour companies is Modern Tours (linked to Modern Central Lodge in Gangtok) -- they hire sleeping bags and jackets at no cost. Most tour agencies cost $30-35 USD per day (including transport, food, porters and an English-speaking guide).

Low altitude treks are also popular, and since an additional permit isn't necessary, these can be done at your own pace. The typical trek starts in Pelling, and finishes either at Yuksom (3 days 40 km), or Ravangla (4 days, 54 km). The route follows both roads and paths, and several guesthouses are available for accommodation along the way. The trek passes Khecheopalri Lake, 14 km from Pelling.

Eat
The delicious food combines Nepali, Tibetan and Indian styles. Highly recommended is the Tibetan momos (dumplings). Each town has several good restaurants.

Drink
Soft drink, beer and bottled water are cheap and widely available. The bold traveller can sample the dirt-cheap Sikkimese rum.

Stay safe
There are few safety concerns in the region -- people are generally quite trustworthy. There are considerably fewer touts and rip-off artists compared with lowland India.

Permits can be extended at the office of the Superintendent of Police at Tikjuk, halfway between Gyalshing and Pelling (M-Sa 10AM to 4PM).

Go next
Jeeps trips to Gangtok or Darjeeling in West Bengal are easily organised at the jeep stand, or pre-booked at several travel agents.

title: West Sikkim


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West Sister Island

West Sister Island is the only designated wilderness area in the state of Ohio, United States of America. An important waterbird nesting colony, it is closed to tourists to protect the wildlife. Entry is for research purposes only and requires a permit. But you can see the island's historic lighthouse from the south shore of Lake Erie or from a boat.

History
"We have met the enemy and they are ours."

- Commodore Perry

During the Battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Perry reported his victory near this island.

In 1937, West Sister Island was declared "a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife...," by President F.D. Roosevelt.

During World War II the island was used as target practice for dive bombers.

Modern Day
West Sister Island is a National Wildlife Refuge in Lake Erie, northeast of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. During Prohibition, the island was a hotspot for bootleggers bringing alcohol from Canada. West Sister Island is Lake Erie's largest sites protecting a rookery for Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night Herons. The birds must travel eighteen miles round trip to the mainland marshes, where waters are shallow enough to allow the birds to hunt for food for themselves and their young. Public access is not permitted, except for research purposes.

The geology of West Sister Island consists of glacial fill that lies over a limestone shelf. It is jointly owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard, with refuge management being done by the staff at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, under the Federal Wilderness Act.

Get in
The island is closed to the general public at all times, as the whole island is a National Wildlife Refuge. There are some birdwatching opportunities if you boat from a distance.

Fees and permits
A permit to access the island is only granted for research purposes. Permits are issued by the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

Get around
There is no real infrastructure here and the island is covered with trees, very tall populations of poison ivy, Solomon's Seal, and other unhospitable vegetation.

See

Stay safe
During World War II the island was used as a training site for US Artillery. Some remnants are said to remain to this day.

If you are caught trespassing on the island, you may be arrested and fined.

Precautions should be taken to protect your face from dropping bird waste. In particular, surprised birds may vomit at you.

Go next

 * Lake Erie Islands
 * Toledo
 * Sandusky
 * Port Clinton

title: West Sister Island


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West Springfield

There is more than one place called West Springfield:

United States of America

 * West Springfield (Massachusetts) — A town in Massachusetts
 * West Springfield (Virginia) — A town in Virginia

title: West Springfield


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West Springfield (Massachusetts)

West Springfield is a city (known as a town) in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. Often referred to as West Side, West Springfield is just west of Springfield (Massachusetts), divided by the Connecticut River. West Springfield gained its independence from Springfield in 1774, with residents becoming tiresome of crossing the Connecticut River to attend town meetings. Today the town has a population of about 28,000. West Springfield is a beautiful town, in a great location of Hampden County.

Get in
By car

West Springfield is accessible from the east and west via the Massachusetts Turnpike (U.S. I-90) and U.S. Route 20. It is accessible from the east and west by U.S. I-91 and U.S. Route 5.

By plane

Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor, Connecticut is the closest major airport. Take U.S. I-91 north from the airport.

By train

Amtrak service is available to adjacent Springfield.

Get around
A car is the best way to travel in West Springfield. Downtown West Springfield has ample free street parking, with the post office, library, and other city offices within walking distance.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) provides service sporadically throughout West Springfield. Rate: One-Way $1.25, Transfer $0.25, One Day Pass $3.00, Week Pass $12.50. +1 413 781-7882. http://www.pvta.com/

Yellow Cab service by phone call +1 413 739-9999.

Do

Storrowton Village, 305 Memorial Avenue, located on the Big E fairgrounds. Storrowton Village is a small collection of antique buildings. Schedule varies, open for group tours by appointment year round.

Go next
Hampden County has a lot to offer, and West Springfield is very close to all of the major attractions.

 * Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, +1 413 786-9300, . Located about 10 minutes south of West Springfield in Agawam, MA, Six Flags is the largest theme park in New England. General Admission tickets are $44.99. Save $10 by buying your tickets online. Season pass is $59.99, so if you live in the area and plan on going more than once, a season pass is the way to go.
 * The Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, +1 413 781-6500, . Located just over the Memorial Bridge in Springfield, MA, the Basketball Hall of Fame is a great museum for basketball fans of all ages. There are many fun things for children, including a sportscast desk in which you are filmed reading a breaking sports story and can watch after. It does a great job of bringing you through the history of basketball, with amazing artifacts. Adults $16.99, Seniors $13.99, Ages 5 - 15 $11.99, 4 and under Free. Show your AAA Card or your Big Y Express Savings Club Card and save on admission.

title: West Springfield (Massachusetts)


text:
West Sumatra

West Sumatra (Sumatra Barat) is in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Cities

 * — Indonesia's capital of spicy food
 * — A mild weather city, to run away from the heat
 * — A pleasant market down near Bukittinggi
 * — The Sunset Beach City
 * — Little Holland of Sumatra
 * — The Heart of Minangkabau culture and spirit
 * — Land of Rocky Mountains
 * — source of silver, and some national government leaders.
 * — Land of 1,000 lakes

Other destinations

 * — 75 minute boat ride from Padang
 * — Rice fields dwarfed by cliffs.
 * — surf's up
 * — 45 minute boat ride from Bungus Bay harbor
 * — surf's up
 * — 45 minute boat ride from Bungus Bay harbor

Understand
West Sumatra bounded in the north by the province of North Sumatra, in the west by the Indian ocean, in the south by the provinces of Bengkulu and Jambi, and in the east by Riau province. West Sumatra used to be a part of the province of Central Sumatra (1948–1957), alongside Riau and Jambi.

People
85% of the population are Minangkabau, notable in anthropology as the world's largest matriarchal society: children take their names from their mother's side and, on marriage, the husband moves into the wife's family. Culturally, the hallmarks of Minangkabau culture are their famously spicy food, served all around Indonesia in Padang restaurants (named after the capital), and the soaring-eaved rumah gadang house, shaped like a series of buffalo horns.

On the other hand, the tribal inhabitants of the Mentawai archipelago, a group of islands about 160 km off the coast of west Sumatra, cling to a traditional agrarian lifestyle that is different from that of Minangkabau.

Talk
Most people in West Sumatra use the Minang language in their daily conversation. It's somewhat similar to Malay.

By plane
Minangkabau International Airport (Bandara Internasional Minangkabau - BIM), located 23 km north-west of Padang, is the main gateway to West Sumatra, with frequent flights to destinations throughout Sumatra and Java, as well as Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia).

Get around
The best views in West Sumatra are north of Minangkabau International Airport such as Lake Maninjau and Bukittinggi. Use rental car without driver is maybe the best alternative. The rental car can be hired at the airport with price about Rp 50,000 more than if hired in Padang (about 45 minutes drive to the south), but maybe hired the car in the airport is more practical. Toyota Avanza is Rp 300,000 for 24 hours.

Other ways to reach Bukittinggi could be done with DAMRI buses for Rp25,000 from the Airport, Tranex minibuses, online ride-hailing apps such as Gojek or Grab, or use the official taxi ranks such as Bluebird for a much expensive price (about Rp250,000 - Rp300,000, depending on traffic as well) but can get you directly to the destination safely. Avoid illegal taxis/car rentals with a driver that can charge you more than a normal taxi.

Mining heritage
West Sumatra, more specifically the area between Bukittinggi and Sawahlunto, is home to a world heritage site named Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto. It's made up of train stations, a coal mine, a coal processing plant and such places related to the coal mining history in the area.

Itineraries
Padang is not a tourist city and so it is better to sleep in Bukittinggi, 90 km from Padang. Bukittinggi is a small city that covers 25 km2, about 900 m above mean sea level and with temperatures ranging from 16 to 25oC; it is suited for walking, although it is sometimes hilly. Public transport is available, as are Bendi horse-carts. The Sianok Canyon and Japanese Caves are the best for trekking.

Do
In West Sumatra its not easy to get off the tourist trail without language, the hotel performances are pretty contrived sometimes.

If you can, get down to Padang Panjang 10 km downhill from Bukittinggi en route to Padang, the capital (Padang is a bit boring but has a huge market complex for last minute purchases before flying out).

Traditional Performance

 * Randai (traditional drama) is a type of traditional drama, mixed with dance based on silek (Minangkabau martial art), story and music.
 * Saluang (traditional flute) is traditional music performance.
 * Silek (traditional martial art) is a Minangkabau martial art (in Malay/Bahasa Indonesia : silat).

Festivals
Tabuik is the local manifestation of the Remembrance of Muharram among the Minangkabau people in the coastal regions of West Sumatra, particularly in the city of Pariaman. The festival includes reenactments of the Battle of Karbala, and the playing of tassa and dhol drums. Tabuik is also the term used to refer to the high funeral biers carried around during remembrance procession. Originally this was a Shi'a festival, but nowadays, most Muslim and even non-Muslim inhabitants participate in Pariaman and other areas where similar Tabuik festivals are held. The tabuik itself is made from bamboo, rattan and paper. During the week of Tabuik many activities are held including kite races and traditional plays such as Tari Piring. The remembrance draws a large crowd including dignitaries such as the provincial governor, to see the tabuik in the morning before it is slowly taken to the beach. After the tabuik are thrown into the sea, many people go swimming looking for souvenirs of the tabuik to keep.

Eat
West Sumatra is a great place for lovely food, and its cuisine is one of Indonesia's best. Water buffaloes are a symbol of West Sumatra and are used in rendang, a rich and spicy buffalo meat or beef dish. Padang food comes from West Sumatra. The Padang food restaurant chains can be found throughout Indonesia and neighbouring countries. Dishes from the region include nasi kapau which is similar to Padang food but uses more vegetables. Ampiang dadiah (buffalo yogurt with palm sugar syrup, coconut flesh and rice) and bubur kampiun (Mung bean porridge with banana and rice yogurt) are other west Sumatran specialties. They have a lot of hot & spicy dishes, since chili is in the majority of their food. Curry is also a big part of their dishes, and quite a few use coconut milk. All of the traditional food is Halal, due to the Islamic faith of the community.

Although West Sumatra is not as devout as Aceh, Ramadan is strictly observed, such that all food stalls and restaurants including non-Muslim ones are closed from 04:00 to 16.00 every day from 2-3 days before the fasting month to 2-3 days afterwards. However, in big hotels, you can order food at normal hours as a guest of the hotel.

Drink

 * Teh Talua is a West Sumatra's provincial drink. If you've chosen a more set up cafe stall ask for a teh talua. Don't grimace - bitter black tea poured over whipped egg and sugar creates a custardy flavoured "cappuccino froth" on your tea. The best has a squeeze of lime.
 * Jus Pinang is made from betelnut or areca nut (Areca catechu) young fruit mixed with spices and whipped egg and tea. People in Minangkabau believe this beverage can make you fit.
 * Skotang or Sarobat is a beverage consisting of ginger mixed with other spices. Minangkabau people generally stopped drinking alcohol after they became Muslims hundreds years ago. This beverage is a substitution for alcohol, and is usually available at night.
 * Daun Kawa (Coffee leaves) is from Minangkabau. This drink is made from dried coffee leaves. Traditionally it was kept in bamboo and poured into tempurung kelapa (a coconut shell) as a cup.

Stay safe
Safer than most Sumatra areas because of a Muslim ethic and intact social fabric. Keep safe by making friends at there. The Minang community is having a great responsibility, talk to people and they will look out for you as one of their own. However, crime does exists and so the usual precautions should be taken. Most importantly, respect their values and ladies should not travel alone after dark, although getting accompanied by other women is OK. The thing is, the community can't look after you if you don't look after yourself or if you go places where the honest eyes can't see. So being alone or the only female in male group at night is basically asking for a trouble.

title: West Sumatra


text:
West Sussex

West Sussex is a county in the South East of England.

Hampshire is to the west, Surrey is to the north, East Sussex to the east and the English Channel with its beaches to the south.

Towns

 * – county town and only city in West Sussex.
 * - a town beneath a castle.
 * - take a ride on the Bluebell Railway
 * - in the middle of the South Downs National Park.
 * – a small town known for the stately home Petworth Park.
 * and Selsey Bill
 * - in the middle of the South Downs National Park.
 * – a small town known for the stately home Petworth Park.
 * and Selsey Bill
 * - in the middle of the South Downs National Park.
 * – a small town known for the stately home Petworth Park.
 * and Selsey Bill

Villages

 * – a village with an industrial heritage museum.
 * - A coastal village in Chichester Harbour.
 * - A large coastal village.

Understand
West Sussex and neighbouring East Sussex once made up the ancient Kingdom of Sussex.
 * Local council website

Talk
English - dialect is Home Counties.

Speakers of other languages may have trouble being understood, but locals are often willing to be patient and multilingual dictionaries are available at bookstores

Get in

 * is six miles north of Crawley. It has global connections and has direct road and rail links to the south coast, so you don't need travel via central London.

Drink
Local wine: Nyetimber and Wiston Estate vineyards are near Pulborough. Bolney Estate is near Haywards Heath.

Go next
East Sussex with the city of Brighton.

title: West Sussex


text:
West Timor

West Timor (Timor Barat) is the Indonesian western half of the island of Timor, adjacent to the independent country of East Timor. West Timor is one of the three main parts of the province of East Nusa Tenggara, along with the islands of Flores and Sumba.

Cities

 * – the capital of East Nusa Tenggara province and the island's transport hub.
 * – the capital of South Central Timor regency. Being in the mountains, it is significantly cooler than in the coastal regions.
 * – the capital of North Central Timor regency. The regency is in the middle of Timor island. There are many interesting places like the traditional village of Tamkesi, Taolin palace, and some natural caves. The culture is maintained well by the people and is also of interest to some visitors. As the capital city of the regency, Kefamenanu has hotels, travel services, hospitals and a university.
 * – a city near the border with East Timor (Timor Leste).

Understand
There are many languages spoken in West Timor, depending on the area. One of the major languages is Dawan.

By plane
The airport of the provincial capital Kupang, El Tari International Airport, is connected by regular flights to major Indonesian cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Denpasar (Bali), as well as a range of destinations in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, including Labuan Bajo, Ende and Maumere (on the island Flores) and Waingapu (on the island of Sumba). There are also international flights to Dili, the capital of East Timor, by Air Timor.

By bus
Since 2017 there are flights to Kupang from East Timor. However, many people still get from East to West Timor by taking the bus from Dili to Kupang, which takes about 12 hours. A short bus called Gemilang with about 30 passengers connects Dili, Timor Leste with Atambua. Passengers are picked up at home and disembark at the destination.

By boat
National long distance passenger ships operated by PT.PELNI call at the port of Tenau, west of Kupang, about once a week. PELNI ships connect Tenau with ports in Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua.

Eat
As most Timorese are Roman Catholic, pork is fairly common in the local cuisine, and most local food stalls are not halal.

 * Jagung bose: a porridge made from ground corn, mixed with red bean and peanuts. Usually eaten with pork or dried fish. The local substitute for rice.
 * Se'i babi: smoked pork. "Babi" means pork.

Go next

 * East Timor
 * Flores
 * Sumba

title: West Timor


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West Tisbury

West Tisbury is a town on the west coast of the island of Martha's Vineyard. It is the longstanding agricultural area of the island, and, of late, one of the fastest growing. In 2010, it was home to 2,700 people.

Get in

 * State Rd., leading "up-island" (which is actually south) from Vineyard Haven (leading thence further up-island to Chilmark and Aquinnah).
 * Edgartown-West Tisbury Rd., leading west from Edgartown.

Get around

 * Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority has a number of routes traversing West Tisbury. Several originate and can provide direct access from the Steamship Authority bus stop at Vineyard Haven.  In addition, in West Tisbury, the parking lot on State Rd. which contains Cronig's Up-Island Market, the West Tisbury Post Office, and Fella's Take-Out acts as a secondary hub for busses further up-island to Chilmark and Aquinnah, as well as for trips cross-island to Edgartown (going by the Martha's Vineyard Airport).
 * West Tisbury is an excellent spot for biking--many roads (including State Rd.) have bicycle paths.

Do

 * Lambert's Cove Beach, Lamberts Cove Road (can take either "up-island" or "down-island" intersections with State Rd. on Lambert's Cove to get there--roughly about halfway or 2 miles on either entrance, roughly across street and up a bit from Cottle's Lumber). Beautiful white-sand beach, about 1.2 miles long.  Fairly child-safe--as it faces Vineyard Sound, can be a bit on the brisk side. Will require a resident permit to park at site on-season, and may require a per-day walkon permit for non-residents, at peak hours.  No permits, or parking regulations, before June, after August, or after 5:30PM even on-season.  On-season permits available at West Tisbury High School on Old County Road.  Bus (Vineyard Transit Authority Lambert's Cove route from Vineyard Haven steamship terminal will stop right at beach parking lot.  Take 1/8 mile sand path from parking area.
 * Seth's Pond, Lamberts Cove Road, about 1 mile from "up-island" intersection with State Rd. Lovely fresh-water swimming, small boating, and fishing pond about 1/3 mile in diameter.  Side of road only has 4 legal parking spaces which get heavily contended for on-season. Bicycle or bus (Vineyard Transit Authority Lambert's Cove route from Vineyard Haven steamship terminal) provides unimpeded access.
 * Seth's Pond, Lamberts Cove Road, about 1 mile from "up-island" intersection with State Rd. Lovely fresh-water swimming, small boating, and fishing pond about 1/3 mile in diameter.  Side of road only has 4 legal parking spaces which get heavily contended for on-season. Bicycle or bus (Vineyard Transit Authority Lambert's Cove route from Vineyard Haven steamship terminal) provides unimpeded access.

Drink
As West Tisbury is a dry town, no alcohol is stored in any restaurant, nor is any sold in any stores. The only towns on Martha's Vineyard that do have beer, wine, and liquor sales are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. In West Tisbury, as in the other dry towns on island, virtually all eatieries will allow you to BYOB--some will even provide a service to have your beer or wine delivered at the establishment from one of the liquor stores in Oak Bluffs.

title: West Tisbury


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Wikivoyage:Joke articles/West Upper Caisse

West Upper Caisse is a region in Upper Caisse in San Serriffe.

Regions

 * West Upper Caisse County Called Wupka for short. There are a few places to sleep here.


text:
Wikivoyage:Joke articles/West Upper Caisse County

West Upper Caisse County is political area located in the eastern part of West Upper Caisse on Upper Caisse island in San Serriffe.

Regions

 * Northern West Upper Caisse County You can sleep here for sure.

Go next
Why would you ever want to leave? This is paradise.

 * Blueberry Acres. You can have foreign fruits, just not vegetables.


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West Valley City

West Valley City is a city of 113,000 near Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. Although it is Utah's second largest city, it is a suburb of the capital and has little to offer a traveler. On the other hand, West Valley City is home to the most diverse community in Utah, with approximately 45% of the residents being immigrants from Vietnam, Mexico, Pacific Islanders and others. Tourists may want to try to come to WVC to eat various ethic dishes in West Valley City.

Car
West Valley City lies on what is known as a grid system and is part of the greater Salt Lake City grid. For helpful information on the grid system used in Utah, please see the Salt Lake City page. The easiest way to get to West Valley City from the international airport is to take I-80 East until the first I-215 south exit and continue southwards until you reach exits for 3500 South.

Rail
TRAX is a light rail line administered by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) in the Salt Lake Valley. The new Green Line begins from the municipal center (West Valley Central Station, at 2750 West 3590 South) in West Valley City and continues northeast to Salt Lake City downtown, with stops at Decker Lane (3070 S. 2200 West), Redwood Junction (1740 W. Research Way) and River Trail (2340 S. 1070 West).

Fares begin at $2.35 and payable at electronic ticket kiosks at TRAX stations. Day pass can be purchased for $5.75, or a return (roundtrip) ticket for $4.70. The difference is that with a day pass, you may use TRAX or buses for an unlimited time for the day. The trip from West Valley Central Station to downtown (Temple Square) lasts about 28 minutes. The first northbound train departs M-F at 5:01AM, Sa at 5:21AM, and Su at 10:01AM. The last train southbound arriving at West Valley Central station M-F at 11:23PM, Sa at 11:58PM, and Su at 9:38PM. For more information on TRAX system and schedule, consult the UTA website at this link.

Bus
UTA also operates an extensive bus system which covers the entire Wasatch Range.

 * 35 and 35M - run along the east-west 3500 South between Millcreek TRAX Station and Magna, stopping at West Valley Central Station.
 * 41 - from 3900 South (Meadowbrook) TRAX Station to 4100 S 5600 West, stops at Salt Lake Community College. Every 30 min.
 * 227 - West Valley Central Station, travelling southwards along 2700 West towards Sugar Factory TRAX Stop on Red Line. Every 30 min.
 * 232 - West Valley Central Station, travelling southwards along 3200 West towards SLCC Jordan Campus (just south of 9000 South in South Jordan). Every 30 min.
 * 240 - West Valley Central Station, travels the vicinity of 4000 West, connecting to Pioneer Valley Hospital in WVC, Jordan Landing Mall (in West Jordan), and ending at Jordan Valley TRAX Station on Red Line. Every 30 min.
 * 248 - West Valley Central Station, travelling southwards along 4800 West, connecting to Old Bingham Highway TRAX stations on Red Line. Every 30 min.
 * 509 - West Valley Central Station, going towards Salt Lake City downtown. Seven Peaks Water Park can be accessed from this bus. Every 30 min.
 * 513 - Industrial Business Park line is essentially a commuters' bus, hence not much to interest of tourists, but eventually ends at SLC downtown. Frequency, 4 buses per day in each direction.
 * 523 - Business Park line, another commuters' bus. 4 buses in each direction per day.

Please consult the bus timetables here for more information. It is important to note that not all lines run every day, and that bus services can be reduced or nonexistent on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays unless otherwise announced.

Eat
Most of the restaurants are located on 3500 South, and there is a great diversity of food offered by these restaurants, ranging from Mexican to Asian cuisines. Listings start from just east of Redwood, going westwards.

East of Redwood Road

West of Redwood Road

Valley Fair Shopping Mall, west of I-215

title: West Valley City


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West Vancouver

West Vancouver is a suburban area of Vancouver's North Shore in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It has a few good parks, excellent hikes and some of the most expensive property in Canada.

Understand

West Vancouver is mainly a residential district as it has no manufacturing industry by law. Many of its residents commute to downtown Vancouver, work at home, or are retired. It is home to some very large expensive houses, most with views of Vancouver Island, English Bay, and/or Howe Sound. West Van (as the locals call it) is Canada's wealthiest municipality (followed by its neighbor, North Vancouver). Together with the District of North Vancouver and City of North Vancouver, it is part of a local regional grouping referred to as the North Shore municipalities, or simply "The North Shore".

Get in
See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.

By car
The main entry points to West Vancouver are Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) from North Vancouver or by Highway 99 across the Lion's Gate Bridge from Vancouver. Visitors travelling south on Highway 99 from Squamish or Whistler will arrive in the North Shore just above Horseshoe Bay.

By boat

 * Destinations served by this terminal, all using ferries that carry vehicles and foot passengers:
 * Bowen Island (Snug Cove) ferry terminal (20 minute crossing), operating every 1.25 to 2 hours. Daily first inbound departures are normally at 5:20 am and daily first outbound departures are at 5:50 am, except on Sundays, when inbound departures normally start at 6:20 am. Last departures vary seasonally, but generally depart sometime between 10 pm and 11 pm.
 * Nanaimo (Departure Bay) ferry terminal on Vancouver Island (1 hour 40 minute crossing), operating slightly less frequently than every 2 hours. First and last departure times vary seasonally with typical inbound and outbound daily first departures being around 6:15 am and last departures being around 10 pm or 11 pm.
 * Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal (40 minute crossing) near Gibsons, operating slightly less frequently than every 2 hours. Normally, the daily first inbound departure is at 6:20 am, the first outbound departure is at 7:30 am. Last departures vary seasonally from around 9 pm to nearly 11 pm.
 * Reservations
 * Reservations can be completed on BC Ferries' website or by phone.
 * Reservations are a generally good idea, as ferries can fill up. If you book far enough in advance and prepay with saver fare is available, you may even pay less than showing up at the terminal. Otherwise, reservations increase the cost of the trip, between increasing cost between $2.50 extra and $17, depending on which option you choose.
 * Drivers must redeem their reservation at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing or they lose their guarantee to be on the sailing and are given the same priority as anyone else showing up at the ferry terminal without a reservation.
 * Horshbay-ferrytermin-entrance.jpgc transit
 * Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal is served by several of TransLink's bus routes including:
 * Route 250, connecting to downtown Vancouver. Enables connections with Burrard station (SkyTrain Expo Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Burrard St, and with Granville station (SkyTrain Expo Line) and Vancouver City Centre station (SkyTrain Canada Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Granville St
 * Route 257, a limited stop service connecting to downtown Vancouver. Enables connections with Burrard station (SkyTrain Expo Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Burrard St, and with Granville station (SkyTrain Expo Line) and Vancouver City Centre station (SkyTrain Canada Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Granville St. This is faster than Route 250 if your destination is downtown.
 * Route 262, connecting to Lions Bay and parts of West Vancouver
 * Bowen Island (Snug Cove) ferry terminal has bus service operated by TransLink on routes 280, 281, and 282, which travel to different parts of the island
 * Nanaimo (Departure Bay) ferry terminal is served by bus routes operates by BC Transit on the following routes:
 * Routes 20 and 20A travel between downtown Nanaimo and Woodgrove Exchange (in north Nanaimo) via the ferry terminal
 * Route 25 travels a large single direction loop around Nanaimo, starting at Woodgrove Exchange, stopping at the ferry terminal, stopping in downtown, stopping at Vancouver Island University (VIU), and then ending at Woodgrove Exchange.
 * Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal is served by bus routes operated by BC Transit:
 * Route 1 connects with Sechelt via Gibsons
 * Route 90 connects with Sechelt via Gibsons, but includes less detours, resulting in faster travel time to and from Sechelt
 * Parking options
 * Short-term and long-term parking are available at the ferry terminal, but parking availability may be limited at peak times. BC Ferries' website identifies the current amount of long-term parking remaining.
 * Amenities
 * Wi-Fi: Free service at the ferry terminal. Not offered on the ferries.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: Vending machines sell snacks in the terminal. Restaurants and shops are located in a several block retail area immediately west of the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and a gift shop are on board the ferries, except on the ferry connecting to Bowen Island.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: Vending machines sell snacks in the terminal. Restaurants and shops are located in a several block retail area immediately west of the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and a gift shop are on board the ferries, except on the ferry connecting to Bowen Island.

By public transit
Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets. Passengers using Compass Cards and Compass Tickets pay discounted fares. Passengers can transfer for up to 90 minutes, except if taking West Coast Express, in which case they can transfer for up to 120 minutes. On bus and HandyDART, passengers can also pay in cash, but in that case will not receive change and are not eligible for transfers. Zone based fares apply between Monday and Friday for trips starting before 6:30 pm, if travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of those hours or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single zone rate applies. If traveling by West Coast Express, a higher cost zone based fare system applies regardless of time of travel. Children 12 and under can ride for free. People aged 13 to 18, and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares.

Travelling to/from North Vancouver costs for a standard adult fare (as of ). Crossing the harbour means crossing a fare zone boundary so a ticket to/from Vancouver, Burnaby or Richmond will cost  and a ticket to/from  Surrey will cost.

By bus
West Vancouver is served by the Blue Bus. It is one of two bus companies in the Greater Vancouver region operating under contract for TransLink, and transfer is free between the Blue Buses and other TransLink buses.

The following are routes connecting West Vancouver with other communities:

 * R2 - frequent limited stop rapid bus, which travels between Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver and Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver with a stop along the way at Londsdale Quay Exchange (adjacent to Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal) in North Vancouver
 * 250 - travels between downtown Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal with a stop along the way at Park Royal Mall. In Vancouver, stops within a block of SkyTrain's Burrard station (Expo Line), Granville station (Expo Line), Vancouver City Centre station (Canada Line).
 * 257 - limited stop route that travels between downtown Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal with a stop along the way at Park Royal Mall. In Vancouver, stops within a block of SkyTrain's Burrard station (Expo Line), Granville station (Expo Line), Vancouver City Centre station (Canada Line).
 * 262 - travels between Caufeild and Lions Bay with a stop at Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.

See

 * Lighthouse Lighthouse Park.JPG

Do

Festivals

 * Coho Festival (September)

Hospital
The nearest hospital is in North Vancouver.

Go next
Vancouver Island is a 1 hr 35 min ferry ride away via BC Ferries and the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. Arriving in Nanaimo, you can head down island to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, or across the island to Tofino, where you can go whale-watching, surf and storm-watch. Other ferry destinations from Horseshoe Bay are Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Northward on Hwy 99 takes you through the Sea to Sky region, which offers varied outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing and camping. It also takes you to the resort area of Whistler, with its nightlife, fine dining and a wide variety of activities that will keep you busy regardless of what season it is.

title: West Vancouver


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West Virginia

West Virginia is a state in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It's often called the "Mountain State", being the only state in the USA to lie completely within a mountain range (the Appalachians), and having the highest mean elevation of any state in the east. With its small cities and tiny towns tucked among endless forested mountains and hills, beautiful West Virginia is wonderful for outdoor lovers. The residents of the counties that became West Virginia split from the State of Virginia in part due to a disagreement over the issues of slavery and secession. These counties elected to remain with the Union during the American Civil War, and the new state was born on June 20, 1863. The population of the state today is around 1.8 million people. The capital city is Charleston, and the state motto is "Mountaineers are always free."

Cities

 * — the largest city, state capital and cultural center.
 * — home to Tamarack Marketplace ("the best of West Virginia") and an exhibition coal mine. The closest larger town to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
 * — West Virginia's highest elevation major city, nestled in the East River Mountains on the border with Virginia.
 * — a historic town founded by George Washington's youngest brother Charles.
 * — a major Civil War site and West Virginia's most popular tourist destination.
 * — 2nd largest city, stomping grounds of the Marshall University Thundering Herd.
 * — 3rd largest city, stomping grounds of the West Virginia University Mountaineers.
 * — location of Blennerhassett Island.
 * — Victorian architecture and a popular casino.

Other destinations

 * — the most photographed location in West Virginia, running through a gorge along the Blackwater River.
 * — over 919,000 acres (3,700 km2) of forest stretching across the eastern half of West Virginia from near Elkins to Richwood. Includes the highest point in West Virginia: Spruce Knob, and the famous Seneca Rocks and Dolly Sods to the north; and the Highland Scenic Highway and Cranberry Wilderness and Cranberry Glades to the south.
 * — the deepest canyon in eastern North America.
 * — A popular nature preserve outside Morgantown with rock outcroppings and overlooks.
 * – The largest lake in West Virginia, famous for its cliff-lined shores and clear water. Created by a dam on the Gauley River.
 * – A unique geological area with sandstone boulders, cliffs and crevices in a mountain forest.

Understand
"Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze"

- John Denver

Once considered the southernmost of the North, the northernmost of the South, the easternmost of the West, and the westernmost of the East, West Virginia is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Ohio River to the west. Rich in natural resources, physical beauty, and traditional culture, West Virginia's charm is that of being "off the beaten path". West Virginia is a destination for white water rafting, kayaking, skiing, climbing, golf, mountain biking, hiking, and off-roading. It is the only state that is entirely contained in Appalachia. Its location between the mid-west and eastern seaboard of the United States means that over 60% of the United States population lives less than 500 miles (800 km) from West Virginia. West Virginia is bordered by five states: Virginia to the south and east, Maryland to the north and east, the north by Pennsylvania, the north and west by Ohio and Kentucky to the west.

West Virginia is abundant in natural resources, being primarily known as a major producer of coal since the 1800s — in fact, it produces the second most coal of states in the U.S. However, it has never been a particularly wealthy state, particularly outside the larger towns; per capita income is quite low, and the poverty levels are some of the highest in the nation. From the point of view of the traveller, this isn't necessarily a negative. The people in rural areas may not have much material wealth, but they're down-to-earth, grateful for what they have, and very friendly and hospitable, and this attitude toward life generally applies to people in the larger cities as well. You'll receive a very warm welcome, as long as you respect their Southern politeness and try to return it in kind (which means: be patient, smile, and engage in small talk).

As a visitor, you'll find that West Virginia has a lot to offer. There's beautiful natural scenery, quaint mountain towns, delicious down-home country food, traditional handicrafts, lots of pioneer and Civil War history, outdoor activities of the rollicking and stately varieties, and great cultural opportunities. The pace of life is slow and relaxed, but with so many exciting things to do, West Virginia is a wonderful destination for a quiet getaway or a weekend adventure.

West Virginia lacks any truly large cities, the state contains two large urbanized clusters of population; the Charleston-Huntington area in the southwest, and the Morgantown-Fairmont-Clarksburg area in the north central region. Other larger cities are Parkersburg and Wheeling both on the Ohio River bordering Ohio; other large towns of regional importance are Martinsburg, Beckley, Bluefield, Princeton and Weirton. Despite their smaller size, West Virginia's cities are more walkable, dense and urban in scale than one may expect; the state's steep terrain makes building infrastructure difficult and costly, so urban development is clustered in the available flatter, buildable places. Main streets are lined with impressive historic brick buildings and neighborhoods are welcoming with small front gardens and big front porches.

The expansive Monongahela National Forest covers large areas of the more rural eastern part of the state, where the elevation of the land rises towards the border with Virginia in the high Alleghenies. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is home to the deepest canyon in eastern North America, in southeastern West Virginia. The elevation decreases as one travels west and the true, uplifted, folded mountains give way to a deeply dissected plateau region covering the majority of the state. To the northwest, the hills of the plateau can often have a more steeply-rolling nature, while to the southwest the sides of the hills become extremely steep, very cliff-like in places and higher. No part of West Virginia is truly flat; small areas of flatter land can only be found along the banks of major rivers, especially the Ohio; and the state's relatively small portion of the Shenandoah Valley in the eastern panhandle.

The overlapping manner in which West Virginia's attractions within its various regions are located relative to one another and its population centers makes the state especially conducive to several varieties of road trip; It is possible to see many sites while traveling straight across the state; as well as making a large swinging loop through several regions or using one city or town as a base from which to take day trips. For example; Charleston is within about an hour of both Huntington and Beckley, near western reaches of New River Gorge National Park; while Beckley, near New River Gorge National Park, is a logical base from which to further explore the entire park, surrounding smaller towns like Fayetteville, Hinton and Mullens and areas within an hour to the north and northeast including Summersville, Lewisburg, and the southern reaches of Monongahela National Forest. Elkins can be a logical base from which to travel to the northern reaches of Monongahela National Forest, Blackwater Falls State Park, Thomas and Davis, the Canaan Valley; and these attractions are easily reached by a day or extended trip to or from the North Central West Virginia area, anchored by Morgantown. Most of West Virginia is less than a day's drive from large cities like Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Columbus and Cincinnati. West Virginia's reputation as among the poorer states undeservedly all too often keeps tourist interest elsewhere; those who choose to visit will find this state one of America's best kept secrets.

History
West Virginia used to be part of Virginia until the American Civil War when the fact that slavery had taken less deep roots in the area and that Richmond often ignored demands from Western areas of the state led to a high number of unionists in the area who ultimately formed a rival state government and split away, gaining statehood in 1863.

Tourist information

 * West Virginia Tourism website

Talk
Given its position as a boundary state between the North and the South, your perception of the West Virginia dialect will probably depend on where you're from. People from the North think that West Virginians have a Southern accent, whereas people from the South perceive them as speaking a more Northern dialect. Nevertheless, most West Virginians do have at least a bit of a Southern twang, particularly if you venture into the more remote mountain communities.

There is no single West Virginia dialect. In areas of the state which border Ohio and Pennsylvania, the pronunciations tend to be more northern, with the primary marker being the long "I" sound. Some will voice the diphthong "aye" in the northern style, while others make the "ah" sound. Those in the interior of the state speak in a manner more like people from Kentucky or southern Virginia. In the southern counties particularly, you will find a very pronounced southern twang.

Variations in dialects can be traced to immigration patterns. The coal fields of the southeastern part of the state were the destination of miners immigrating from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the more industrialized areas along the Ohio River, the immigrant population was comprised of large numbers of Eastern European immigrants.

In the most southern part of the state, there are communities which are almost entirely African-American. During the mine wars of the late 1800s, mine owners hired former slaves from the Southern states to replace striking miners. Because these communities tend to be segregated (nowadays by choice), the dialects of the Southern slaves live on in their speech.

By car
There are three main interstates in West Virginia: I-64 crosses the lower third of the state from Kentucky into Huntington, through Charleston and Beckley, and then past Lewisburg into Virginia. I-77 moves up the western third of the state, from Virginia into Bluefield, through Charleston and then past Parkersburg into Ohio. I-79 begins in Charleston and continues through Morgantown into Pennsylvania.

 * Interstates that only cross a piece of West Virginia include I-70, which crosses from Ohio to Pennsylvania through the northern panhandle, past Wheeling; I-68, which branches off I-79 near Morgantown and passes through Preston County into Maryland; and I-81, which crosses from Virginia into Maryland and Pennsylvania through the eastern panhandle, past Martinsburg.

By bus

 * Greyhound stops in Beckley, Bluefield, Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg and Wheeling.

By train

 * Amtrak offers two routes that pass through West Virginia.

 * The Cardinal route — between New York and Chicago tri-weekly — stops in White Sulphur Springs (WSS), Alderson (ALD), Hinton (HIN), Prince (PRC), Thurmond (THN), Montgomery (MNG), Charleston (CHW) and Huntington (HUN).

 * The Capitol Limited route — between Washington, D.C. and Chicago daily — stops in Harpers Ferry (HFY) and Martinsburg (MRB).

 * The Maryland Rail Commuter ferries passengers between Martinsburg and Washington, D.C. on weekdays.

By plane

 * West Virginia is served by one major airport:

 * Yeager Airport in Charleston. American, Delta, and United offer many flights daily to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Spirit offers seasonal service to Myrtle Beach.

 * There are over 30 smaller airports in the state, six of which offer regular commercial flights to other cities:

 * North Central West Virginia Airport in Clarksburg. Allegiant Air offers regular service to Orlando/Sanford and seasonal service to Myrtle Beach. Silver Airways offers service to Washington-Dulles.

 * Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg. Silver Airways offers sservice to Shenandoah Valley and Washington-Dulles.

 * Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport in Parkersburg. Silver Airways offers service to Washington-Dulles.

 * Morgantown Municipal Airport in Morgantown. Silver Airways offers service to Washington-Dulles.

 * Raleigh County Memorial Airport in Beckley. ViaAir offers service to Charlotte.

 * Tri-State Airport in Huntington. Allegiant Air offers regular service to Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, plus seasonal service to Myrtle Beach. American Eagle offers service to Charlotte.

By car
The best way to see the state is definitely by driving, as West Virginia is generally lacking in reliable statewide public transportation. Many towns are basically inaccessible except by car, as is some of the best scenery. But be careful — off the main highways, the roads often loop around the mountaintops, which makes for some stunning views but also requires careful driving. Hairpin curves around mountain roads are not to be taken at high speeds, and the smaller country roads don't always have guard rails. Many such turns are also at steep inclines - make sure you engine brake and obey all speed limit signs. Do not follow too closely to coal trucks, lest your windshield be cracked by falling hunks of coal.

By motorcycle
Motorcyclists will tell you that the best way to see the state is definitely by motorcycle. The warnings about hairpin curves and smaller country roads do apply, but those roads are motorcycling nirvana - endless curves and elevation changes. The state even encourages motorcycle tourism, offering pamphlets with suggested tour routes.

By bus
Although there aren't any statewide bus lines, many of the metropolitan areas have their own inter-area bus systems. Information on transit can be found here.

Lakefront Lines also offers a daily service between Parkersburg and Charleston.

By train
There are several scenic train lines, if you want to view some of West Virginia's picturesque landscapes from the comfort of an excursion train:

 * The Cass Scenic Railroad offers trips on a restored locomotive near Marlinton in Cass.
 * The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad has several picturesque lines that travel through the eastern part of the state.
 * New River Excursions offers fall foliage trips through the New River Gorge Valley.
 * The New River Gorge Mystery Train boards passengers primarily in Huntington, Charleston, Beckley and White Sulphur Springs for scenic day, overnight or weekend trips to West Virginia beauty spots or historic destinations in the eastern US.
 * The Potomac Eagle in Romney follows the course of the Potomac River on weekends from May through September, and daily for three weeks in October.

By foot

 * The American Discovery Trail connects West Virginia with Ohio, Maryland and both coasts.

See

 * The beautiful natural scenery. Just driving around backwoods West Virginia, with its hills and creeks and rivers and forests and mountaintop vistas, is a wonderful experience in and of itself. There are lots of out-of-the-way wonders to be discovered, and quite a few scenic routes, including the Coal Heritage Trail from Bluefield to Beckley, the Midland Trail along route 60 from Huntington to White Sulphur Springs, and the Highland Scenic Highway from Richwood to north of Marlinton.
 * Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile (13-km) long gorge near Davis. The "black" water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls are one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia.
 * Charles Town in the eastern panhandle near Harpers Ferry was founded by George Washington's youngest brother Charles. Today, the quaint downtown is host to shops, restaurants and antiques.  Take a walking tour and see the Courthouse where John Brown was tried for treason or see the Civil War meeting site of Generals Sheridan and Grant where they planned the Shenandoah Valley Campaign.  The town is also host to several festivals including the Charles Town Heritage Festival.
 * The Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs near Lewisburg, is probably the best-known resort and spa in West Virginia. It's a beautiful white building on 6,500 acres (26 km2) of land with golf courses, shops, and even a once-secret underground bunker for the President to use in the event of an international crisis.
 * Harpers Ferry was the site of a raid on the US Arsenal by abolitionist John Brown in 1859, an event that was a precursor to the Civil War. Today there's a national historic park on the site.
 * West Virginia University in Morgantown has museums, an arboretum, and a loyal football following.
 * Visit the Victorian downtown, scenic Ohio River waterfront and Oglebay Park in Wheeling. In nearby Moundsville, you can see the country's largest Adena burial mound, with an adjacent museum explaining the culture and customs of this Native American tribe.
 * The Swiss village of Helvetia, founded in 1869, with Swiss-themed events and festivals during the year.
 * Paranormal buffs might enjoy visiting Point Pleasant, site of the famous Mothman sightings in the 1960s. There's a Mothman festival every September.
 * The state capitol, Charleston, boasts a gold-covered Capitol Dome and some of the best cultural activities in the state.
 * The Huntington Museum of Art in Huntington features the largest collection of art in the state and the state's only public tropical plant conservatory, exhibitions often focus on West Virginia artists. The home of Marshall University, Huntington is the filming location for many scenes in We Are Marshall.
 * The nation's oldest five-and-dime store, Berdine's Five and Dime, is located near Parkersburg in Harrisville.
 * Blennerhassett Island is a historical state park near Parkersburg with a mansion, hotel, wagon ride tours and nature walks.
 * History buffs will also enjoy touring Jackson's Mill Historic Area, which has links to the family of Stonewall Jackson, near Weston.
 * West Virginia is the site of the famous Hatfield and McCoy feud; the Hatfield family cemetery, with a marble statue of patriarch "Devil Anse", is near Logan.

Do

 * West Virginia's rugged nature lends itself well to outdoor sports like fishing, hunting, horseback riding, hiking, biking, camping, golfing, windsurfing, water skiing and scuba diving. However, much of West Virginia's outdoor tourism comes from two particular sources:

 * If you like to hit the slopes, there are several popular ski resorts in the state:

 * Alpine Lake, near Terra Alta
 * Canaan Valley, near Elkins
 * Elk River Touring Center, near Marlinton
 * Snowshoe Mountain, near Elkins
 * Timberline, near Elkins
 * Winterplace, near Beckley

 * White-water rafting is also extremely popular and can be done on several rivers in the state, although the most popular — and the most commercial — are the New River and the Gauley River near Fayetteville.

 * West Virginia also has an abundance of caverns and underground grottos to tour.

 * Lost World Caverns near Lewisburg
 * Organ Cave near Lewisburg
 * Seneca Caverns near Elkins
 * Smoke Hole Caverns near Elkins

 * There are 48 state parks and forests in West Virginia; some of the notable ones are:

 * Berkeley Springs State Park near Berkeley Springs, with its warm mineral-water spas.
 * Cathedral State Park near Aurora is a national historic landmark with old-growth forest.
 * Hawks Nest State Park near Fayetteville features a tram up to a lodge overlooking the New River Gorge.
 * Pipestem Resort State Park near Princeton has scenic overlooks of the Bluestone Gorge.
 * Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park near Weston is home to the Stonewall Resort, one of West Virginia's premier resorts and conference centers.

 * On Bridge Day, in October, experienced parachutists can go BASE jumping or rappelling from the scenic New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, the longest steel-arch bridge in the western hemisphere.
 * Explore West Virginia's coal heritage by driving the Coal Heritage Trail from Bluefield to Beckley, where you can visit the Exhibition Coal Mine.

Buy

 * Being a coal state, West Virginia gift shops routinely stock coal sculptures, which are surprisingly lightweight and make for a unique souvenir. However, they're frequently tacky (with googly eyes glued onto bears, turtles, what have you), so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for the really nice ones.
 * A major West Virginia industry is handblown glass, with several very nice factories whose wares can be found in gift shops statewide. Some of the major ones are below, although other prominent local glass factories and sales outlets can be found in Weston, Morgantown and Wheeling.

 * Blenko Glass near Huntington
 * Fenton Art Glass near Parkersburg
 * Hinkle's Dying Art Glass in Buckhannon

 * If you're looking for a one-stop-shop to peruse a variety of local specialties, there are a couple of really good markets in the state:

 * Tamarack is a statewide collection of handmade crafts, art and cuisine showcasing the best of West Virginia. It's located in a large complex near Beckley, and is well worth a stop if you're travelling up I-77 and want to purchase something really nice from the state.

 * Sutton is home to Poplar Forest, a cooperative representing over 200 juried West Virginia artists and craftsmen.

Eat
Traditional West Virginia cooking is broadly similar to Southern cuisine, but it's considered part of the Appalachian style of cooking, which was mostly subsistence-based, meaning that people ate what they could grow or catch themselves. This style of cooking emphasizes wild or cultivated plants, berries, nuts, wild game and corn. While this does mean that some West Virginians eat opossum, squirrel and raccoon, you won't find them on any restaurant menus (unless you visit the Roadkill Cook-off in Marlinton). Foods like fried chicken, sausage, cornbread, green and pinto beans, greens, squash casserole, mashed potatoes, fresh cucumbers and onions, ripe tomatoes, pickles and berry cobbler are commonly found throughout the state.

 * The pepperoni roll is an unexpected little West Virginia specialty that was reportedly invented in Fairmont in 1927, and was often used as a miner's lunch in early days. It's a soft bread roll with pepperoni baked inside, yielding a moist and spicy snack; variations include slices versus strips of pepperoni, the inclusion of cheese (pepper jack, mozzarella or provolone), tomato sauce and banana peppers. They're popular throughout the state, ubiquitous in convenience stores, and can be found from small family bakeries up through local eateries. Country Club bakery, the reported home of the original pepperoni roll, is still making them.
 * One of West Virginia's most famous foods is the ramp, or wild leek, a wild onion similar to a scallion that is much beloved in the area, even though the flavor is so potent it is said that the garlicky scent will linger on a person for days after consuming them. There are even ramp festivals throughout the state in spring, with the best-known being held in Elkins, Richwood and Helvetia. Usually served family style, typical offerings include ham, fried potatoes, stewed and raw ramps, and soup beans.
 * As with many country communities, home canning is a popular activity in West Virginia. You'll see lots of home-canned vegetables, pickles, jellies and jams for sale around the state, with apple butter being a particular favorite. In fact, West Virginia's state fruit is the apple — specifically, the yellow Golden Delicious, which was discovered in West Virginia and has been grown in the state since 1912. There are apple butter festivals every September near Logan and October in Berkeley Springs and Salem, as well as apple festivals in October in Martinsburg and Clay, the home of the Golden Delicious.
 * West Virginia has lots of mountain streams brimming with river fish, and the brook trout — the state fish — is commonly found on local menus.

Local specialties

 * Buckwheat from Preston County, used (along with local pork) to make their famous annual buckwheat cake and sausage dinners in September.
 * Swiss cheese from Helvetia, a local tradition since the 1800s.
 * Heirloom green beans or "half runners" are a heartier stringed bean with a deep, rich flavor; well suited to longer cooking times, traditionally braised with pork, onion, garlic and basic seasonings.
 * Creasy Greens aka Upland Cress is typically foraged, most common in home cooking, can be found in farmers markets and sometimes local grocery stores.
 * Morel mushrooms are a delicacy foraged during late spring. Caution: must be eaten cooked, toxic when raw.
 * Although not among the top producing states by volume, West Virginia produces very high-quality maple syrup.
 * Small local apiaries produce many varieties of excellent local honey.
 * Black Walnuts are celebrated at the annual Black Walnut Festival in Spencer.
 * Pawpaw is the largest native fruit; its rich taste can only be experienced during a couple months of late summer/early fall.
 * Strawberries are celebrated at the annual Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon.
 * While more widely cultivated commercially in places to the south like South Carolina and Georgia famous for their high yield, Peaches grown in West Virginia are sold at farmers markets and roadside stands in summer, and typically have a delicious, complex flavor.
 * The West Virginia style hot dog originates in Huntington, and has spread throughout the state and into the Carolinas by migrating West Virginians. Typically consisting of a hotdog with a thin chili sauce (simply called 'hot dog sauce' in Huntington), onions, mustard, and coleslaw (except in the north of the state, where the sauce is spicier and the coleslaw is omitted). Huntington hosts the annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.
 * Soup Beans are pinto beans slow-cooked with pork and onion, served traditionally with skillet cornbread and chow-chow.
 * Chow-Chow a pickled vegetable relish commonly eaten with soup beans; a wide variety of recipes exist, typically will contain cabbage, green tomatoes, peppers and onions.

Locally-made foods
In distribution throughout all or many areas of the state:

 * Mr. Bee Potato Chips, Parkersburg
 * West Virginia Fruit and Berry, Bridgeport
 * Blue Smoke Salsa, Charleston
 * Yoder's Country Kettle jams and honey, Charleston
 * J.Q. Dickinson Salt, Charleston
 * Appalachian Mountain Specialty Foods salad dressings, Charleston
 * Oliverio's Peppers, Clarksburg
 * Scragglepop Kettlecorn, Huntington
 * Teays Valley baking mixes, Teays Valley
 * In A Jam! Jellies and Jams, Parkersburg
 * Custard Stand Chili, Webster Springs

West Virginia has a small but burgeoning coffee roasting industry consisting of many small roasters throughout the state that have quickly gained local recognition for very high quality beans. Some of the best and most widely distributed include:

 * Mountaineer Roasting Company, Morgantown
 * Good Vibes Coffee, Huntington
 * Hill Tree Roastery, Huntington
 * Cherry River Roasting, Richwood
 * Coal River Coffee, Charleston

Dining
West Virginia as a whole has a wide variety of dining experiences from national chains and fast food to local hot dog drive-ins and small locally-owned restaurants, and in the larger towns and cities surprisingly diverse options for cuisine and the occasional fine dining experience. Dining in West Virginia is typically less expensive than more heavily populated parts of the country, through a wide range of price points can be encountered.

Many national and regional fast food chains have locations throughout the state, fast food chains mostly unique to West Virginia include:

 * Tudor's Biscuit World, locations throughout the state
 * Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti House, locations throughout the state
 * Sam's Hot Dogs, mostly in the Huntington-Charleston area

Drink
Although most people probably think of home-distilled whiskey and moonshine when they think of West Virginia, the state has burgeoning beer and wine industries these days. Wineries can be found all over the state; some also produce specialty products like mead and fruity melomel, and cooking wine made from ramps. A small selection of wineries is below:

 * Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown
 * Kirkwood Winery in Summersville
 * Lambert's Vintage Wines in Weston
 * Roane Vineyards in Spencer
 * Wolf Creek Winery near Lewisburg

However, if you really want to sample local moonshine, you can still get it at legal distilleries in the state:

 * West Virginia Distilling Company in Morgantown
 * Isaiah Morgan Distillery in Summersville
 * Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine Distillery in Gilbert

West Virginia also has a number of microbreweries, including:

 * Blackwater Brewing Company in Davis
 * Mountain State Brewing Company in Thomas
 * North End Tavern & Brewery in Parkersburg
 * West Virginia Brewing Company in Morgantown

Sleep
Accommodation for all types of travelers can be found, including luxury hotels and resorts, national hotel and motel chains at interstate exits and in larger towns and cities, small bed and breakfasts in small towns, state park lodges, cabins and short-term rentals, and campgrounds of all sorts. Prices tend to be lower than other parts of the eastern US, but can fluctuate greatly with season and proximity to popular attractions.

Connect
The southeastern part of West Virginia is inside the National Radio Quiet Zone, a huge area of land where radio transmissions are strongly restricted to protect the Green Bank Observatory. The result is that cell phone service is mostly nonexistent. Radio stations are limited, too, with just the Allegheny Mountain Radio network operating a handful of low-power FM rebroadcasting stations.

By phone
Most West Virginia telephone numbers consist of +1 304 plus a seven-digit number, but the state is now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with +1 681 as the second. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all ten digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 304 before these if no area code is indicated.

Stay safe
Be careful when driving on mountain roads, especially in the winter. The roads can be very steep, hairpin turns are common, most roads outside main traffic routes are unpaved, and if you're driving in the mountains, you may find yourself on the edge of a very steep drop with at most a guardrail to protect you. In the winter, West Virginia is susceptible to fairly large snowfalls, which can make the roads treacherous if not impassable, particularly if your car doesn't have good traction on the inclines.

As you're driving, you'll also notice road signs at certain locations advising you to be alert for rockfalls in the vicinity. Many of the roads in the state were cut right through the mountains, giving you interesting geological sights as you drive, but bad weather and erosion can lead to rocks coming loose and tumbling down onto traffic below. It's not at all common, but it does occur, so pay attention to the signs and keep alert.

If you're in the state to partake of its outdoor adventures, be sure you follow the usual precautions. During hunting season, wear hunter's blaze orange clothing if you go into the woods. If you're canoeing or whitewater rafting, be sure to keep a lifejacket on. And if you're into extreme sports, don't take unnecessary risks; experienced BASE jumpers have perished at the annual Bridge Day festivities in 1980, 1987, and 2006.

Unleashed dogs are abundant, especially on back roads. Carry a large walking stick and pepper spray when hiking and don't venture uninvited onto posted property.

In the woods, it's also wise to take precautions against insect-borne diseases. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are both spread by ticks, and West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, both of which are common in West Virginia forests. Fortunately, the diseases themselves are fairly uncommon in the state, but it never hurts to stay safe. Wear long clothes that cover your skin, use a good insect repellent, and check your body for ticks as soon as you return indoors. The Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnake and Copperhead Snake are both indigenous to all forests in the state.

Stay out of abandoned coal mines, which can be full of hazards such as rotten timber supports, unstable ground, rats, snakes, undetonated explosives, blasting caps, explosive methane gas, and pockets of "blackdamp" or air without enough oxygen to support life.

In terms of natural disasters, West Virginia is quite a safe place to be. Earthquakes are practically nonexistent, it's far enough inland that hurricanes are rarely a major problem, and tornadoes are rare, although the state does average about two per year. The most common type of natural disaster in the state is flooding, which can be a serious problem, so pay attention to news bulletins during periods of heavy rain, and stay away from affected areas.

Go next

 * Ohio - The Buckeye State is West Virginia's northwestern neighbor, offering miles of Lake Erie shoreline, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton; the historic river city of Cincinnati and natural wonders of the Hocking Hills.
 * Pennsylvania - West Virginia's northeastern neighbor is home to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Known for its revolutionary war era historical sites (mainly in Philadelphia), Gettysburg battlefield, fertile Amish Country farmland and its historic steel industry.
 * Maryland - West Virginia's eastern neighbor contains Baltimore where The Star Spangled Banner was written and is home to the US Naval Academy in the historic Chesapeake Bay city of Annapolis, and wild Assateague Island horses.
 * Virginia - The state's southeastern neighbor, of which West Virginia was originally a part, has Shenandoah National Park and Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson.
 * Kentucky - To the west, the rolling hills of Kentucky's Bluegrass and Pennyroyal regions are rich in bourbon distilleries and horse related attractions, including the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Derby, as well as the natural wonders of Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Red River Gorge region with its natural sandstone arches.

title: West Virginia


text:
Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! is a quaintly-named seaside town in Torridge, Devon, England, near Bideford! Beware however, that's where the quaintness ends. Westward Ho! is in some need of investment, although it retains a good variety of quality local businesses, and its beach is highly regarded and noted for the cleanliness of its water.

Understand!
Westward Ho!'s unusual name comes from the title of an 1855 novel by Charles Kingsley, Westward Ho! – the exclamation mark is an intentional part of the town's name, and the only such placename in the United Kingdom. The only other placename with exclamation marks is the village of Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! in Quebec, Canada!

This quaint holiday village is benefitting now from inward investment with a large part of the village being regenerated with restaurants, hotels and luxury apartments being built. The number of tourists to the area is increasing, the main lure being the fabulous beach and surfing!

By rail!
The nearest railway station is ten miles away in Barnstaple, on the Tarka branch line from Exeter.

By car!
The town can be found to the north of the A39 road, providing easy access from the towns of Barnstaple, Bideford and Bude! It lies at the south end of Northam Burrows, and faces westward into Bideford Bay, opposite Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows.

Get around!
The town is served by local buses linking it to the local population centres, including Barnstaple and Bideford, as well as some long-distance National Express services.

Do!
Westward Ho! is well known for its surfing seas and the long expanse of clean sand backed by a pebble ridge. Other attractions of the town include the arcades, go-karting track and the grasslands behind the pebble ridge. There are public footpaths leading into the hilly countryside to one side of the village, which have great views but are challenging to walk along. A steep hill near the village provides views over a great distance, but is very challenging to walk up! There is a surf centre for surfing lessons by the beach; as a gently sloping beach, it is ideal for families and groups to learn to surf!

Eat and drink!

Sleep!

There are holiday cottages and caravans located close to the beach and with amazing sea views!

There is more accommodation in neighbouring Bideford and Northam, a short drive or bus ride away.

Stay safe!
You can go on long walks in the countryside from here — the large hills begin out of the village — but this is a very challenging walk. Remember to plan when to come back to avoid becoming stranded in the dark, be very careful around cliff edges, many of which are crumbling in the area, and to take water and salty food with you on longer walks. Hiking boots are helpful!

Go next!

 * Bideford, which has the ruins of a Civil War fort, but will seem quite ordinary after the excitement of Westward Ho!

title: Westward Ho!


text:
West Warwick

West Warwick is a city in Kent County in Rhode Island.

By car
West Warwick is a short drive from any Rhode Island city or town. From the south, it is easiest to take I-95 N exit 11 (in Warwick, RI), to I-295 N exit 1, to RI-2 N into West Warwick. From the north, it is easiest to take I-95 S exit 12, to RI-1 S (Rhode Island Mall/CCRI), into West Warwick. For up to date traffic information, consult the RI Department of Transportation's website.

By plane
The closest airport to West Warwick is T.F. Green International Airport, 200 Post Road; Warwick, +1-888-268-7222, in Warwick, less than 5 minutes away. T.F. Green serves the Rhode Island area and provides non-stop transportation from Toronto, the Azores (seasonal), and many major U.S. airports including Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa, and Las Vegas. See the complete list of cities with nonstop flights for more information. Upon arrival, renting a car or taking a bus is a convenient way to enter the city.

By bus
A one day bus pass can be purchased on board any RIPTA, +1 401 781-9400, bus and may be used to travel to and around major West Warwick streets and into the city. Unlike larger city routes, bus routes serving West Warwick may not have many trips especially on weekends and nights. Bus fare: one-way: $1.75, transfer: $0.50, one-day pass: $5.00.

 * Route 13 Arctic/Washington - Serving Coventry, West Warwick, and Cranston.

By car
Destinations in West Warwick are most easily accessible by car. Renting a car or bringing your own is advisable. Many locations of interest are close to each other and can be walking distance apart, but locations may be car-centrically designed or areas of high traffic volume. Traveling from West Warwick to the capital city of Providence is easily accessible by car, but plan accordingly for traffic.

Go next
If you are going south, take Rt 95 South toward New Haven. To go north, take 95 North toward Providence.

title: West Warwick


text:
West Windsor

West Windsor is a township of 28,000 people (2019) in New Jersey. It is among the highest-income municipalities in New Jersey. It is largely made up of expensive houses in carefully groomed developments

Understand
In 1838, Mercer County was established and in 1855, the current borders for West Windsor were defined containing 26.84 miles. Today, West Windsor can still identify the six farming villages that were a part of the area:
 * Clarksville – at the intersection of Route One and Quakerbridge Roads
 * Dutch Neck – at the intersection of Village and South Mill Roads
 * Edinburg – at the intersection of Old Trenton and Edinburg Roads
 * Grovers Mill – at the intersection of Cranbury and Clarksville Roads
 * Penns Neck – on either side of Washington Road east of Route One
 * Port Windsor/Mercer – at the end of Quakerbridge Road at the Delaware Canal

By train
NJ Transit's Princeton Junction stop is in West Windsor. This line is often filled during the morning and evening rush hours with commuters traveling to New York or Philadelphia.

By bus
Coach USA (under the name Suburban) offers bus service from New York and New Brunswick to West Windsor stopping at the Princeton Junction train station.

By car

 * West Windsor can be accessed from routes 1,571, & 64.
 * Exit 8A can be taken from the NJ Turnpike.
 * Exit 67 towards New Brunswick can be taken from 95.

See
West Windsor is the home of many beautiful parks.

 * Ron Rogers Arboretum. This tree farm is composed of about 12 acres of open field and 13 acres of mature woodland.
 * Van Nest Park. Features of this park include a picnic pavilion with grills and picnic tables, playground equipment, dock and boat launch and open space for sports and games.
 * West Windsor Community Park. This 123-acre park includes a playground, walking-jogging paths, two tennis courts and is home to the West Windsor WaterWorks Family Aquatic Center. The park also has baseball, Babe Ruth and soccer fields utilized by the various Township sports organizations.  New additions to the park include basketball courts, skate park and dog park.

Learn

 * Mercer County Community College, West Windsor
 * Princeton University, Princeton
 * Rider University Lawrence Township
 * The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Trenton/Ewing Township
 * Thomas Edison State College, Trenton

Sleep
Most hotels pay the township for a Princeton zip code (simply because it sounds more enticing than 'West Windsor.' However, the following hotels are in West Windsor Township.

 * Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center. 347 rooms 4 floors. 50 miles from Philadelphia Int'l Airport in a semi-rural area, this atrium hotel is on a landscaped setting in Carnegie Center, 3 miles from Princeton University. Recreational facilities: indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool (seasonal), fitness center, saunas and showers, jogging paths, bicycling trails, tennis and basketball courts and six golf courses within a five-mile radius of the hotel. There are also restaurants and a comedy club on hotel premises. Guest room amenities include cable movie channels, in-room pay movies, voice mail, computer hookup, two telephones, video account review, video check-out, daily newspaper delivery, individual climate control, electronic door locks, full bath amenities, work desk with ergonomic chair/side chair and coffee maker. There is a charge of $15 per stay for refrigerators in the room.

Go next

 * Princeton
 * Hightstown
 * Freehold

title: West Windsor


text:
Westwood

There is more than one place called Westwood:

Australia

 * Westwood (Queensland) — A town in Queensland.

United States of America

 * Westwood (California) — A town in California.
 * Westwood (Indiana) — A town in Indiana.
 * Westwood (Iowa) — A town in Iowa.
 * Westwood (Kansas) — A town in Kansas.
 * Los Angeles/Westwood — A neighborhood in Los Angeles.
 * Westwood (Massachusetts) — A town in Massachusetts.
 * Westwood (Michigan) — A town in Michigan.
 * Westwood (Missouri) — A town in Missouri.
 * Westwood (New Jersey) — A town in New Jersey.
 * Westwood (Washington) — A town in Washington.

title: Westwood