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Stanley (Tasmania)

Stanley is located in the northwestern part of Tasmania. According to the 2016 census, Stanley had a population of 553. It's perhaps best known for The Nut, a 143-metre-high volcanic plug by the coast that's viewable from almost every part of town.

By car
The only way to get into Stanley is by car. The nearest major city is Burnie, and give yourself 3 hours to get to Stanley if you want to see the amazing beaches, capes and bluffs along Tasmania's north coast, also known as The Great Nature Trail. If you do not stop along the way, then the drive takes a little over an hour from Burnie via the Bass Highway (A2) and Stanley Highway (B21).

Do
Take a chairlift up to the Nut for stunning views of Stanley and its surroundings. Look out into the blue waters of the Bass Strait.

Once you're up the chairlife, The Nut Walk is a 4.6-kilometer circuit that takes about an hour to bushwalk. The walk includes various lookouts – each give different views at different points, whether it's the rocky cape of Rocky Cape NP, farmland, beaches, or woodland. If you want to bushwalk around The Nut without having to use the chairlift, access is via The Nut Zig Zag Track, which is steep to an extent, but not as steep as some of Tasmania's other popular bushwalks.
 * Good base from which to explore the Tarkine Forests, and the Edge of the World coast-line.

Buy
Souvenirs are available in the visitor centre of The Nut.

Eat
The Sailor's Cove is a good place to eat after 5pm.

Go next

 * Burnie

title: Stanley (Tasmania)


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Stann Creek

Stann Creek is a region on the Caribbean coastline of Belize.

Cities

 * - capital (formerly Stann Creek Town)
 * - major port
 * - ethnic Garifuna village
 * - twin villages
 * - twin villages

Get in
Dangriga Airport

Itineraries
Between Dangriga and Placencia on the coast is Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort. The Resort was finished in 2001 by a couple of Italian businessmen and won acclaim from Architectural Digest for its construction and architecture that included everything from interior designs styled in the Mayan tradition to hand-crafted furnishings made from Belizean hardwoods.

The finest materials were brought in from the surrounding areas to maintain Kanantik's harmony with the Belizean landscape.

Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort is an all-inclusive eco-sensitive resort of palm thatched luxury cabanas on the southern beaches of mainland Belize designed to showplace both the emerald waters of the Caribbean and the pristine exotic Belizean forest in one truly picturesque setting. Kanantik is one of the most unique of the contemporary Belize resorts and is constructed in a way that is ecologically sound and preserves the natural habitat around and within the resort.

Guests of Kanantik can witness traditional Garifuna songs and dance styles as a local Garifuna dance group performs at the resort weekly. The Garifuna people of Belize is a culture that is disappearing. The Garifuna are direct descendants of a group of African slaves who escaped two ship-wrecked Spanish slave ships near St. Vincent in 1635. They celebrate a diverse and rich culture that is a blend of African traditions of music, dance and religious ceremonies; Native American farming, hunting, and fishing techniques; and a French and Arawak influenced language.

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

title: Stann Creek


text:
Stansbury

Stansbury is on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.

Located on the Yorke Peninsula, Stansbury is on the eastern side and is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Adelaide which makes it an ideal base to explore the region. Stansbury is centrally located for access to Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park, 110 km to the south and the Copper Coast 110 km to the north.

Understand
The first settler in the district was Alfred Weaver, who brought 7,000 sheep with him. Weaver built a shearing shed in 1846 where Stansbury now stands. Due to the abundance of oysters found in the bay, Stansbury was originally known as Oyster Bay and had a reputation for the best oysters in South Australia. For a number of years, there were between 15 and 20 oyster dredges working the bay, until eventually it was fished out.

The name Stansbury came into being when Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave renamed it in 1873, after his friend Mr Stansbury.

Stansbury is also the location of Adelaide Brighton Cement's Klein Point quarry, shipping limestone to Adelaide regularly on the Accolade 2..

Do

 * You can go crabbing most year round. Talk to the locals to find the good spots.
 * You can go crabbing most year round. Talk to the locals to find the good spots.

Connect
Cellular (mobile) telephone network reception may not be available in many areas especially those distant from cellular network repeater towers normally located along the major highways and near larger townships. Hilly terrain will also effect reception. In an emergency seek higher ground. Some networks provide a poor coverage in regional and rural areas. It is generally considered that the best reception is available from either Telstra or Optus when in areas such as Yorke Peninsula.

For emergency services including police, fire services and ambulance call 000 from any telephone and ask the operator to connect you. Such calls are placed without charge to the calling party.

title: Stansbury


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Stanstead

 * For Stansted Airport, see London Stansted Airport.

Stanstead is an incorporated municipality that comprises the three villages of Beebe Plain, Rock Island and Stanstead in the Eastern Townships of Quebec in Canada. The villages are notable primarily for being divided by the international boundary with the U.S. (part of Beebe is in Derby Line, Vermont, and part in Stanstead, Québec). The border splits a street ( CanUsa Street), a former tool-and-die factory (Butterfield's, Rock Island), a famous library and opera house (Haskell's) and a number of old houses right down the centre or center.

Understand
While the Canadian portion of these villages is majority francophone, this was historically United Empire Loyalist country and many of the original settlers therefore were English-speaking. It is common to hear both languages in use on the Canadian side. The same is not true in the US, even while in the same town.

The proximity of this region to the border (which divides the villages) meant that, before the tightened restrictions imposed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US, it was not uncommon for Canadian residents to make many small grocery or department store purchases in Newport (Vermont) as the closest town. While in a foreign country, Newport is geographically closer than Magog or Sherbrooke.

It is possible to make a local international telephone call between Beebe Plain (Rock Island, +1-819-876-) in Canada and Beebe Plain (Derby Line, +1-802-873-) in the US. Anything further into foreign territory is long distance.

Get in
For Americans wanting to get into Canada quickly, the Derby Line/Stanstead crossing is ideal. The wait at the border is much less than that at the major border station down by the highway. But don't be fooled by the absence of physical barriers running through the border. In fact, one street has some houses on the American side (Derby Line, Vermont) and the rest on the Canadian side (Stanstead). Don't cross Canusa street to visit your friend who lives right across you; you need to report to border agents (with valid passports and visas) before having a meal with them. Crossing the street without proper inspection into either side can put you in serious trouble with the authorities of the country you are trying to enter.

The lone exception is visiting the bi-national Haskell Free Library and opera house (purposely built to straddle the border). You must enter through the door on the American side (the back door is locked anyway). Once you exit the building, you must immediately return to the country you entered from.

Get around
As these are small villages, there is no public transit on either side. A car (une auto) would therefore be the most obvious option; there is also a cycling trail on what had been an international rail line before the railway tracks were removed in the 1990s.

Go next

 * Sherbrooke is the largest city in the region
 * Magog is winery and downhill ski country. This is a good area for horseback riding or viewing the fall colours.
 * Derby Line and Newport are small-town but local. (They are, however, foreign. Bring your passport.)

title: Stanstead


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St. Anthony

Canada

 * In western Newfoundland, St. Anthony is a town at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula.

United States

 * In Minnesota, there is a St. Anthony named for St. Anthony Falls in the Twin Cities, area code +1-612.

title: St. Anthony


text:
Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe is a town in Queensland, Australia that is home to a Big Apple, part of the many big things in Australia. The apple is a testament to the apples grown around the Stanthorpe area.

Get in

 * Cunningham Highway. Drive 2.5 hours southwest from Brisbane.

Get around
A car is a must in this sparse but spread out town, the main town centre is where most of the action is from 9-5 and busses are available but scarce and can be expensive. Some backpackers provide transport to and from town and also some can provide transport to farms where most backpackers go for work.

See
The town has a scenic lookout, on which a lot of the town can be seen. The Big Apple isn't really much to look at as it is dilapidated, the paint on it is peeling and traces of rust can be found on this not so big apple.

Buy
If you're passing through, local produce is a must, as it is quite cheap and usually fresh.

Eat
Plenty of local fruit and vegetables depending on the season. Stanthorpe has exceptional stone fruit and apples.

Drink
The town has 3 main pubs, that are not all popular, but provide a good atmosphere and reasonable prices for beer and spirits. Some pubs will have a stereotypical redneck atmosphere. Although traces of racism can be found, most locals are quite friendly.

Sleep
There are several places to stay, but during picking seasons many places can get full. The Happy Apple provides a friendly and fun backpacker/camper atmosphere at a reasonable rate.

Go next
This city lacks a lot of action, but weekends at night are when the best entertainment is found in the town in one of the 3 main pubs. The happy apple has a camp fire and dance floor event every Saturday night.

title: Stanthorpe


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Stanton

Stanton is a city in Orange County in Southern California. While it is not at all a very important city, it is a terminus for visitors wanting to travel from Knott's Berry Farm to Disneyland or vice versa (see Get in below).

Get in
Stanton is located at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue. The intersection is south of Knott's Berry Farm on Beach Boulevard, and west of Disneyland on Katella Avenue.

Get around
Stanton is small and can easily be navigated by car or Orange County Transportation Authority buses. However, the only tourist attractions (see below) are on Beach Boulevard.

Sleep
Most of the best hotels in Orange County are in Buena Park and Anaheim, but some cheaper motel style accommodations can be found in Stanton. For better hotels without paying the prices near the amusement parks neighboring Cypress should be considered.

Go next

 * Long Beach Travel west on Katella Avenue until it crosses over into Los Angeles County and becomes Willow Street.
 * Disneyland Travel east on Katella Avenue - Disney's California Adventure will be visible to the left.
 * Buena Park E-Zone (home of Knott's Berry Farm) Travel north on Beach Boulevard.
 * Huntington Beach Travel south on Beach Boulevard and you will eventually see the ocean right in front of you.

title: Stanton


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St. Anton

St. Anton (Sankt Anton, St. Anton am Arlberg) is widely regarded as the leading ski resort destination in Austria. It has an outstanding provision of advanced skiing, a reliable snow record and an extensive ski area that caters for a mixed level of abilities.

By train
The famous Orient Express passes through the valley. Connections from Zurich Airport.

title: St. Anton


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Staples

Staples is in Northwestern Minnesota.

By car
US Highway 10, Minnesota Highway 210.

By train

 * Route stopping at Staples:
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

title: Staples


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Staraya Ladoga

Staraya Ladoga (Russian: Ста́рая Ла́дога, Finnish: Vanha Laatokka), or the Aldeigjuborg of Norse sagas, is a village (selo) in Leningrad Oblast, on the mighty Volkhov River 8 km north of the town of Volkhov. It was annexed by the Viking Rurik, from whom the Tsars traced their bloodline. Staraya Ladoga was the first capital of Russia. It is part of the Silver Ring of cultural and historical centers of Northwestern Russia.

Understand
It is believed that Staraya Ladoga dates back to 753, as a young port on the Volkhov River, but its rise to prominence began with the arrival of the Viking Rurik in 862, who would make it his capital. While he moved his residence to Novgorod in 864, the town quickly became one of the most important trading ports of Eastern Europe, along the Baltic–Ladoga–Novgorod–Constantinople trade route. While the capital of Rus was moved to Kyiv (Kiev) shortly thereafter, Ladoga remained the prominent northern trading post on the Varangian–Greek trading route until the mid-tenth century. The Rurikids' legacy today stands out in the huge kurgans, burial mounds on the town's outskirts, one of which is believed to be the burial place of Rurik himself.

Ladoga's second period of prominence came under the rule of the wealthy Novgorod Republic in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when, in addition to being an important trading outpost, it became a major fortress town. Its huge stone kremlin was built in 1114 under the oversight of Posadnik (Governor) Pavel, and would become the first line of defense against northern assaults on the Republic, withstanding a major Swedish assault in 1164. In honor of the victory, the Republic funded the construction of the magnificent Church of St George the Conqueror. As the town continued to grow around the kremlin, more magnificent 12th-century churches were constructed: the Church of the Assumption in the north of the town, the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle Worker, and the Church of St Clement—the city's main cathedral. While the Church of St Clement now lies in ruins, the churches of St George and the Assumption still stand tall and their interiors still bear exquisite, though faded, 12th-century frescoes, including several by the handiwork of the early Russian master, Andrei Rublev.

The town fell into a slow decline with the construction of new kremlins further west. The fortress was rebuilt in the mid-15th century to accommodate the advent of firearms, and saw further battles in the Russo-Swedish Wars. In 1703, however, Tsar Peter the Great founded the town of Novaya Ladoga (New Ladoga) at the mouth of the Volkhov River on Lake Ladoga and stripped the original town of city status, giving it its name Staraya Ladoga (Old Ladoga).

Today Staraya Ladoga remains a sleepy backwater far off the beaten tourist path. But as part of resurgent nationalist pride in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union, the village has seen major restorations of its important historical sights, especially of the kremlin, the reconstruction of which finished in 2010. The village is a natural stop for cruise lines along the Volkhov between Kizhi and Novgorod, and as such looks set to enjoy a new period of revival as a major Russian travel destination.

By train
The closest station is in Volkhov (Volkhovstroy-1). From Saint Petersburg, you can get there by train, express train or by elektrichka (suburban train) from Ladogsky Station. Some elektrichkas (not express ones) also start for Volkhovstroy from Moskovsky station.

Sitting or obshchiy seats in passazhirskiy train class will be best by price/comfort combination, however you may not have such luck, because there just may not be trains with such seats. As of 2011, there were no trains with sitting/obshchiy seats to Volkhov at all. Platzkart seats, while comfortable, are above ₽400 in passazhirskiy trains and above ₽600 in firmenniy trains while suburban train will cost you only ₽200. Be aware however of possible discounts for some trains when kupe may be cheaper than platzkart, even on firmenniy trains. Both Ladogsky station and Volkhovstroy-1 station have computer terminals with extensive information on timetables, available seats and prices, however probably in Russian only. Volkovstroy-1 station have two different terminals for long distance and suburban trains, each in the corresponding booking office hall. Consult timetable online as well. Trains reach Volkhovstroy-1 in 2 hours.

Timetable is also tricky: there's only 5 daily trains, the only morning train being firmenniy "Arktika" Moskva - Murmansk train (one of cosiest economy-class firmenniy trains in Russia), start 08:59, arrive 11:18. Other trains are either summer, or run on days only. In general, train is more convenient, if you plan to stay overnight in Volkhov or Staraya Ladoga.

Trip by elektrichka will take about 2.5 hours. Express trains are a bit confusing: they are simple elektrichkas, reaching Volkhovstroy-1 making no (Sankt-Peterburg - Babaevo, start 14:33, arrive 16:49, Fridays and Sundays only) or 1 stop (Sankt-Peterburg - Svir', start 18:42, arrive 20:42, daily, not marked as express). There's same somewhat unsightly plastic seats as in other suburban trains in Sankt-Peterburg region. However, express trains are good variant, if you want to take a look at the Volkhov GES - first GES of the GOELRO plan - from the train bridge across Volkhov river. Just took the trains off on Volkhovstroy-2 station (next after Volkhovstroy-1), and look right when crossing the river.

You can also reach Volkhovstroy-1 station directly from Moscow by either "Arktika" or "Kareliya" Moskva-Petrozavodsk (also cosy econom-class firmenniy train), and unlike Moscow - Sankt-Petersburg overnights, you may even get a nice sleep. "Kareliya", however, arrives to Volkhov early at 4:49AM, you may find #23 bus soon after and enjoy dawn over calmly moving Volkhov river in Staraya Ladoga before the services will start to work.

A couple of trains from Murmansk to Moscow or other destinations may also stop on Volhovstroy-2 station, though mainly summer (and rather than or) on days and usually at night.

By bus

From the Volkhovstroy-1 station in Volkhov, catch the bus #23, marshrutka (actually also bus, but with fixed price for the ride) #K-23, or bus #23A, which will get you there in about 50 minutes, costing about ₽25 (2009). The bus tends to be well synced with the arrival times of the elektrichka from Saint Petersburg (you can find synced buses in the timetable site, referenced below). It's not terribly easy to tell when you have arrived in Staraya Ladoga if you haven't been there before, so it's best to ask a local to tell you when you have arrived: скажите мне, пожалуйста, когда мы доедем до Старой Ладоги (SKAH-zhyh-tyeh mnyeh, puh-ZHAHL-uh-stuh, kahg-DAH myh do-ye-DEM dah STAH-ruy LAH-duh-gee). You can also look in window for Staraya Ladoga kremlin on the right side, on the way from Volkhov, it will be in the middle of the village, the right stop will be right after it.

From the Volkhovstroy-2 station you'll have to walk from the station and cross the Volkhov river to catch on the #23 bus, as it doesn't cross the river. You can catch it on either "Il'inskiy park" stop (right beside the park after the bridge, 20 min on foot, the stop is on the further side of road from side-shows), or "Raiispolkom" (if you go by local #2 bus, first stop after the bridge, the stop to Staraya Ladoga will be on the other side of the street). You'd better find the time-table for the bus before trying this route though, because the schedule is sparse with intervals up to 2 hours, especially late in the evening, and may be not available on the stops. You might also want to hitch ride on the bus with a hand, especially if you see the bus or even better marshrutka outside the stop. Alternatively just take #2 bus to Volkhovstroy-1 station where schedule is available (you may also take any seldom other is this direction, however be aware, that bus #3 from Volkhovstroy-2 takes a side route up the Volkhov river, passing the GES, which is sightly, and #5 takes side route to Murmanskie Vorota, which is not sightly and a bit long). Or ask locals when will be the bus: Когда пойдёт 23-й автобус в Старую Ладогу? (kagh-DAH poi-DYOT dvad-tsat-TRE-tiy av-TO-bus v STAH-ru-yu LAH-duh-gu?)

You may try to go by bus from Sankt-Peterburg, though it may not be as convenient. There are no direct buses to Staraya Ladoga; though some schemes may be confusing, #877 bus to Boksitogorsk does not pass the village, but go along right side of the Volkhov river via Babino. Some buses reach Volkhov, but even there are more of them to the stop "Yushkovo", which is on the cross of M18 and A115, which is passed by #23 bus as well. The trip is slightly more than 2 hours to Yushkovo, the bus may be crowdy and the road a bit bumpy after crossing Neva. It's tricky to find where the #23 bus stop in Yushkovo in the direction to Staraya Ladoga is, the stop is usually inside the ring around the "Turist" kafe, closer to river, and might be right the same, where you get out from the bus from Sankt-Peterburg, but it might change. Look for signs - they may be present, or ask locals Где останавливается 23й автобус в Старую Ладогу (Gdeh ohs-tah-NAV-lee-vah-yeh-tsya dvad-tsat-TRE-tiy af-TO-bus v STAH-ru-yu LAH-duh-goo?)

Semiupdated bus timetable can be found here. It contains local and even town Volkhov buses. However, it doesn't contain timetables for Staraya Ladoga and Yushkovo stops, so, for timetable of #23 buses traveling to Volhov, look in Novaya Ladoga (New Ladoga) section, add approximately 10-15 min for Yushkovo and about 25 min for Staraya Ladoga.

By car
Staraya Ladoga is on the A-115 between Volkhov and Novaya Ladoga, which intersects with the M-18 from Saint Petersburg (120 km), 7 km north of the village. Coming from Novgorod/Moscow, take the M-10 until turning right on the A-115. From Vologda, take the A-114 to the M-18 towards Saint Petersburg, eventually making a left on A-115.

By thumb
A115 is good for hitch-hiking, with transit traffic from M10 to M18 to the north, though relatively empty at night. Try hitching buses off duty - may be a good choice.

From Volkhov a good lighted position is right under the new automobile bridge. From Yushkovo a position is good in daylight, but somewhat limited in light at night.

Get around
Staraya Ladoga is a small village and is easily covered on foot via leisurely stroll. Locals often opt for bicycles, but there are no rentals available.

Bus #23 actually makes three stops in the village. First from Volkhov is not far from Nikolsky Monastery, second, after Kremlin, in the small central square, the third right near Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist (and greatest sight of Volkhov river).

See

Drink

The above mentioned Prince Rurik Cafe is a good bet for booze.

Sleep
While it is certainly possible to day trip from Saint Petersburg, there are a couple options for lodging in Rurik's capital. Volkhov to the south also has a good number of hotels.

title: Staraya Ladoga


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Staraya Russa

Staraya Russa (Russian: Ста́рая Ру́сса, STAH-rah-yuh ROOH-suh) is a small, historic town in the center of Novgorod Oblast, long famous domestically for its balneologic mineral waters resort, but much more famous among international travellers as Dostoyevsky's summer retreat, and the basis for the fictional town of Skotoprigonievsk in The Brothers Karamazov. It is part of the Silver Ring of cultural and historical centers of Northwestern Russia.

Understand
Staraya Russa is one of the oldest cities in Russia, founded in the tenth century as one of the principal cities of the then-powerful and wealthy trading nation of the Novgorod Republic. It gained greatly in prestige with the establishment of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in the twelfth century. Its salt works made it the regional leader in salt and brine production, driving its economy, and leading to the growth of the town to nearly 5,000 inhabitants by the fifteenth century, when it was incorporated along with Novgorod into the Princedom of Muscovy.

Owing to its northwestern location, Staraya Russa has seen many battles. Well after its wooden walls had been burnt down and later replaced by stone fortifications, the town fought bloody battles against Swedish invaders for centuries, but the most devastating years of its history would come after the reign of Ivan the Terrible, during the Russian "Time of Troubles" in the early 17th century. Until the establishment of the Romanov Dynasty, the surrounding area was under the control of armed gangs and brigands, and the once-important city dwindled to a mere 38 people. Over time Staraya Russa recovered, but its fate as a town on the invasion route would come back to haunt it one last time in the twentieth century, when Hitler's forces invaded during World War II and virtually levelled the historic town.

Despite the destruction throughout the years, though, many old wooden houses (including the Dostoevsky residence) and several important churches remain intact, and other institutions, like the balneologic resort, have been rebuilt. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the town's population is shrinking (along with the rest of rural Russia), and feels a sleepy backwater—actually, a great change of pace for travellers who have been spending most of their time in Saint Petersburg or Moscow. The residential areas near the rivers are quite peaceful, the locals are friendly and laid-back, and there is a lot to see with all the Dostoevsky sights. Better still, despite the Dostoevsky connection, the place is pretty much devoid of any international travellers outside of the high tourist season in summer, so you'll have the place to yourself.

Get in

Transport connections to Staraya Russa are somewhat limited. The city is best visited as a side trip from Novgorod, or as a detour/stopover on the way from Moscow (or Valday) to Pskov or Novgorod.

By train
From Moscow (9-10 hours) or Pskov (3½ hours) you can take the Moscow–Pskov route, although this service is generally limited to one train per day, with trains running overnight. A daily local train connects to nearest hubs: Bologoye (via Valday) on the Moscow–Saint Petersburg line and Dno on the Kyiv–Saint Petersburg line.

By bus
Buses run hourly from Novgorod, with the trip taking about two hours. Even if coming from Moscow, this is a good way to avoid the hassle of limited train service and to see another incredible historical destination on the same trip. From Saint Petersburg, you can take one of six direct buses reaching Staraya Russa in six hours. Note that many of the buses terminate in neighbouring towns, e.g., Kholm, Parfino, Volot, and will have their names specified as the main destination.

By car
From Novgorod, follow the A116 to Shimsk, then P51 to Staraya Russa (96km).

From Moscow, follow the M9 to Rzhev and take the turn for Selizharovo. Continue on the P87 to Ostashkov, then local roads to Demyansk, and then to Staraya Russa. Alternatively, follow the M10, pass Valday, and continue left along the P48 to Demyansk and Staraya Russa. Both routes are about 600 km and involve unpredictable road conditions in Novgorod Oblast, although the second track is believed to be more safe and reliable.

Get around
While it is not a tiny town, it's still possible to get around everywhere via walking. Hailing a "cab" is a good way to speed things up if, say, you want to get back quickly to the bus back to Novgorod. A taxi from Dostoevsky's House-Museum would run only about ₽50. From the train/bus station, you can take buses 1, 4, 6, or 11 to the centre, but given how slow the buses run, it's probably quicker to walk.

See and do

If you are spending just a half day in town, focus on the main Dostoevsky sights—above all the house museum, with a stop by St. George church and a stroll along the river—and pay the Monastery of the Transfiguration a visit. If you have a bit more time, perhaps take a tour through the Cultural Centre, and consider wandering over towards the Balneologic Resort to acquaint yourself with the very Russian/Soviet tradition of mineral water sanitoria. If the weather is OK, Staraya Russa is also just a really nice place to walk around. If you aim to simply walk by the various churches, you could spend several hours on a nice amble about the town.

Eat
There are several cheap cafés/cafeterias in the town, none of which are terribly tasty, but all of which will fill you up in a pinch. The best restaurant in town is inside Hotel Polist, and is actually quite a good option, with large portions of good Russian food at provincial prices (mains will run ₽250-400). Outside the hotel, Café Il'men' is the local favourite, and is not a bad choice of watering hole.

Budget

Drink

In general, the best bar in town is either a public park or a stroll along the river. But if you are cold or otherwise want to drink in greater luxury, head over to the lobby bar at the hotel or to Cafe Il'men'.

Sleep

Besides of these 2 options there are lots of offers from Staraya Russa's citizens who are willing to let their flats (₽500-1000). Look for such advertisements in Internet or ask for this once arrived.

Go next
Staraya Russa is the one real off-the-beaten-path gem anywhere nearby, so the next stop should likely be to a bigger destination like Pskov to the west, Novgorod to the north (Novgorod is a can't miss and should definitely be paired with any trip to Staraya Russa, if you haven't already been), or even Valday to the east. By way of contrast, going south brings you to an even more secluded, very hard-to-reach, but still tempting sight of Rdeisky Nature Reserve, a huge bog with a nice lake and a dilapidated monastery in the middle.

title: Staraya Russa


text:
Stara Zagora

Stara Zagora (Стара Загора) is a city in Northern Thrace, Bulgaria. It is the centre of booming industry, having a remarkable culture, and numerous tourist attractions. The beauty of the city of linden continues to be an appealing destination for travellers. Don't miss the Roman Villa Mosaics, the Neolithic Dwellings, the Regional Art Gallery, and the countless coffee-shops and art-galleries, which give the city the feeling of a small Paris.

Understand
Stara Zagora is the centre of the Stara Zagora province. With over 8000 years of history, it is one of the oldest continuously populated places in Europe.

Geography and climate
Situated almost in the geographical centre of Bulgaria, Stara Zagora is linked with major roads and railroads to the rest of the country and the neighboring Turkey, Greece and Romania. In less than 4 hours drive, you can be in all these three countries by very decent roads.

Sheltered from the north winds by the mountains of Sredna Gora and the Balkans, Stara Zagora enjoys very mild winters, long springs and falls. Thanks to the big amount of trees, the summers in the city are sufferable and not very hot, with specific micro-climate. The rich soils and its geographical situation were the main reason behind the 8000 years

History
In the city limits of today Stara Zagora, the place has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic era (over 8000 years ago) through the times of the Thracians, to achieve its glory in the past during the Roman times. Then the city was called Augusta Traiana and it was one of the most prominent cities in the Roman Province of Thrace. Huge avenues, covered with marble slabs, lined with statues, and a large amount of archaeological artifacts remain from this period, including the Roman Walls and Gate of the city, mosaics and the Roman Forum.

During the centuries to follow, the city was called Beroe, Irinopolis, Eski Zagra and finally – Stara Zagora (old city behind the mountain). Just before the liberation from the Ottoman Empire, the city was burned 3 times in the late 1800s and there is not too much left to see from the medieval or Bulgarian National Revival buildings. The exceptions are the few churches and monasteries within the city limits, as well as a 15th-century Ottoman mosque with amazing frescoes, declared now a National Monument of Culture.

Modern life
After its rebuilding in the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Stara Zagora became one of the few Bulgarian cities build on grid. This was also the time that the large boulevards and small streets were lined up with linden trees, giving the city the aroma of late spring perfume so enchanting in the beginning of June.

Stara Zagora was also called the city of “poets” since many Bulgarian poets were born, spend their lives and created amazing poetry here, in the inspiring surroundings of one of the most prominent cultural centers in Bulgaria. Stara Zagora also has the first Opera House built outside of Sofia, one of the oldest telephone communication systems and the first robotics plant in Bulgaria.

Now it continues to be the center for prosperous cultural life, and important industrial and agricultural center.

Get in
Situated almost in the geographical center of Bulgaria, Stara Zagora is linked with major roads and railroads to the rest of the country and the neighboring Turkey, Greece, and Romania. In less than 4 hours drive, you can be in all these three countries by very decent roads.

By plane
Local airport accessible for small private planes.

By train
Stara Zagora is a major railroad hub, linking all Danube countries and North Europe (Romania, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine) to the Mediterranean with the line Ruse - Svilengrad - Istanbul.

Additionally, the city is on the crossroads between east - west railroad line Burgas - Sofia.

By car

 * From Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, take the Trakia expressway.
 * From Burgas, on the Black Sea Coast, take the Trakia expressway.
 * From Istanbul, Turkey, take the highway via Edirne, and Svilengrad, which is a good highway.
 * From Ruse, in North Bulgaria, take the highways crossing Shipka or Haimboise Passes.

By bus
Buslines link Stara Zagora with all cities in Bulgaria and almost all towns and some of the villages. Regular lines every hour or half an hour from/to Sofia, Plovdiv, Haskovo, Bourgas, Sliven, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Varna, etc.

Do

 * Football: Beroe play soccer in First League, the top tier. Their Stadion Beroe (capacity 12,000) is 2 km northwest of town centre.

Buy
There are many shops in the central street of Stara Zagora. Buying rose water and rose oil would be a great idea. You can buy small handmade metal and wooden gifts and souvenirs.

Diary products like kashkaval cheese and the local white cheese (sirene). Also honey and forest products like walnuts and mushrooms, very cheap and delicious.

Eat
There are plenty of options, from local restaurants to luxury restaurants around Zagorka Lake. Generally, restaurants offer Bulgarian-style food and international food.

Stay safe
Stara Zagora is a very safe city, even for late night walks, or coming back from a bar or a dance club.

title: Stara Zagora


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Stark

Stark is a village in the Great North Region of New Hampshire.

Understand
If you were to imagine what a quintessential scene from a small New England Village would look like then Stark would fit that vision you have, with clapboard churches, and covered bridges over idyllic rivers. Like most of the communities in the North Woods of New Hampshire, Stark has a history that is mostly tied with timber harvesting. The Town of Stark today doesn't have a Walmart, a McDonald's, or even a gas station. the town of Stark doesn't have a lot to offer a traveler who isn't looking for outdoor activities or the quaint charm of a rural New England Village with that aforementioned clapboard church, and covered bridge. If you enjoy being outdoors or want to take a few pictures of a postcard New England village, the town of Stark would nicely into your itinerary.

Get in
There's only one major route that goes through Stark: New Hampshire Route 110. You can reach NH-110 from the east in Berlin at its intersection with New Hampshire Route 16. You could also reach NH-110 from the west at its intersection with US Route 3 in Northumberland.

Go next

 * White Mountain National Forest

title: Stark


text:
Stark County

There's more than one place called Stark County:

United States of America

 * Stark County (Illinois) - a county in Northern Illinois
 * Stark County (North Dakota) - a county in North Dakota
 * Stark County (Ohio) - a county in Northeast Ohio

title: Stark County


text:
Starkville

Starkville is a city in East Mississippi. Mississippi State University is located just to the east of the city limits, and is included in this article.

By car

 * From points north, take Interstate 55 down to Hwy 82 E.
 * From Jackson (Mississippi), take Hwy 25 N. or I-55 N to Hwy 82 E.
 * From Tuscaloosa, AL: take Hwy 82 W.

By plane

 * George M. Bryan Airport, 114 Airport Road,, . Starkville Airport is open to the public. The airport is capable of handling small aircraft.  No commercial flights are available from Starkville Airport.
 * Golden Triangle Regional Airport, 2080 Airport Rd., Columbus, . The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is centrally located between the Columbus, Starkville and West Point.  The airport is about 25 minutes from Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women and Old Waverly Golf Club.  Commercial flights are provided by Delta Connection.

By train
For passenger service, the nearest Amtrak stop is in Tuscaloosa, which is about a 90 minute drive to Starkville.

By bus
No commercial bus service is available to Starkville.

By boat
Might take a while.

Car Rental

 * Enterprise Rent A Car , 404 Highway 12 W, +1 662 323-3389.

See

 * Starkville City Jail, made most famous by a Johnny Cash song of the same name. City Hall,.
 * Starkville City Jail, made most famous by a Johnny Cash song of the same name. City Hall,.
 * Starkville City Jail, made most famous by a Johnny Cash song of the same name. City Hall,.
 * Starkville City Jail, made most famous by a Johnny Cash song of the same name. City Hall,.

Do

 * Bulldog Bash, in November; 5PM–1AM, University Dr. (between Col Muldrow Dr. and Maxwell St) The Cotton District. Since its inception by the Student Association in 1999, Bulldog Bash has strived to be the premier, student-run music event in the south. In seven years, this has grown to be the largest, free outdoor music festival in the state of Mississippi with crowds numbering over 30,000.  The headlining act for 2006 was Sister Hazel. Other performing artists included R&B artist Cheri Dennis, Contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, singer/songwriter Rob Blackledge, and the Vicksburg, MS native Patrick Smith. Free.
 * Bulldog Bash, in November; 5PM–1AM, University Dr. (between Col Muldrow Dr. and Maxwell St) The Cotton District. Since its inception by the Student Association in 1999, Bulldog Bash has strived to be the premier, student-run music event in the south. In seven years, this has grown to be the largest, free outdoor music festival in the state of Mississippi with crowds numbering over 30,000.  The headlining act for 2006 was Sister Hazel. Other performing artists included R&B artist Cheri Dennis, Contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, singer/songwriter Rob Blackledge, and the Vicksburg, MS native Patrick Smith. Free.
 * Bulldog Bash, in November; 5PM–1AM, University Dr. (between Col Muldrow Dr. and Maxwell St) The Cotton District. Since its inception by the Student Association in 1999, Bulldog Bash has strived to be the premier, student-run music event in the south. In seven years, this has grown to be the largest, free outdoor music festival in the state of Mississippi with crowds numbering over 30,000.  The headlining act for 2006 was Sister Hazel. Other performing artists included R&B artist Cheri Dennis, Contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, singer/songwriter Rob Blackledge, and the Vicksburg, MS native Patrick Smith. Free.

Eat

 * Oby's - Poboys, red beans & rice, and more.
 * Starkville Cafe - A downtown institution.
 * Little Dooey - ESPN's Lee Corso once said "The Little Dooey is the best BBQ and sauce in the nation"
 * Bin 612 - Located in the Cotton District, Bin 612 is known for it's artwork display, full bar, and well-prepared food.
 * Casa Bravo - Formerly known as Mexico Tipico.
 * Mugshots - Famous for the "Uneatable Hamburger." Consider by many to offer the best hamburgers in the state.
 * Stromboli's - Small pizza joint with deep respect for Jerry Garcia.
 * Anthony's Good Food Market - Located in neighboring West Point, about 20 minutes from Starkville. Casual atmosphere with excellent food. Reservations recommended on the weekend.
 * Stromboli's - Small pizza joint with deep respect for Jerry Garcia.
 * Anthony's Good Food Market - Located in neighboring West Point, about 20 minutes from Starkville. Casual atmosphere with excellent food. Reservations recommended on the weekend.
 * Anthony's Good Food Market - Located in neighboring West Point, about 20 minutes from Starkville. Casual atmosphere with excellent food. Reservations recommended on the weekend.

title: Starkville


text:
St Arnaud (New Zealand)

St Arnaud is a settlement in the Nelson Bays region in the north of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. The locality is also known as Lake Rotoiti, which better describes this lakeside community. However, the town's official name remains St Arnaud as Lake Rotoiti (meaning "small lake" in Maori) is the name of a locality in the North Island.

By car
State Highway 63 leads from Marlborough on the east coast to the West Coast. Traveling east, Picton (1 3/4 hours), Blenheim (1 hour 20 minutes), Renwick (70 minutes) and Wairau Valley township (35 minutes). Traveling west Kawatiri Junction (15 minutes), Murchison (40 minutes) and Westport (2 hours 10 minutes). There are two main ways to get to St Arnaud from Nelson. The quickest is traveling through Richmond and Wakefield on State Highway 6. The turnoff is 10 minutes past Wakefield and St Arnaud is signposted through to the village. The road intersects with State Highway 63 two minutes east of the village. Otherwise, State Highway 6 continues to Kawatiri Junction which is the end of State Highway 63.

By bus
Nelson Lakes Shuttles run both scheduled and unscheduled services to St Arnaud from Picton, Blenheim, Nelson and other destinations. Specialising in transport for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, they can pick you up from the end of walking tracks as well as offering a conventional bus service. During the ski season, daily shuttles run from Blenheim, Nelson and Motueka to the Rainbow Ski Field, the turn-off for which is 5 minutes drive from St Arnaud township.

Get around
St Arnaud is small enough to get around by foot. Lake Rotoiti is 5 minutes walk from the shops on the main road. The Department of Conservation visitor information centre is just off the main road west of the shop and is well signposted. There are bushwalks throughout the settlement which are alternatives to taking the road.

See

 * Lake Rotoiti, spectacular scenery

Do

 * Go walking in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Walks are available for a few minutes to a couple of weeks.
 * Trout fishing but clean your fishing gear first!
 * Ice Skating. Ask at the Visitor Centre for details.
 * Trout fishing but clean your fishing gear first!
 * Ice Skating. Ask at the Visitor Centre for details.
 * Ice Skating. Ask at the Visitor Centre for details.

Drink
The Alpine Lodge is probably your only option.

Go next

 * Murchison

For the adventurous the Rainbow Rd to Hanmer Springs poses a 4WD or mountain bike challenge. For permission (and the gate key) to travel through contact Rainbow Station: Star Holdings Limited +64 3 545 7600, fax +64 3 545 7601. Otherwise the choices are the wine and sun of Marlborough, the art and culture of Nelson or the wet and wild West Coast

title: St Arnaud (New Zealand)


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State College

State College is a home rule municipality (styled as a "borough") in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Along with the adjoining College Township, it is home to the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.

By bus
Megabus serves State College with numerous buses from New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toledo, and Chicago. Greyhound has more limited service to State College, with buses mostly from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Each company uses a different station, Greyhound buses use the on 152 N Atherton St, approximately a half mile (10 minutes' walk) from the center of town. More inconveniently, the is located at a Walmart parking lot, on 1665 N Atherton St. (Public transport to downtown is available nearby.)

Ourbus serves bus service from State College to New York City & vice versa. These buses operates from 152 N Atherton St, N. Atherton Street Bus Terminal, about 1/2 mile (10 minutes' walk) from the college.

By car
State College is connected to nearby cities by the following highways.
 * I-80, which traverses the state and goes towards Cleveland westbound and towards New York City eastbound, connects with I-99/US 220 north of State College.
 * I-99/US 220, which connects State College with I-80 to the north and Altoona to the south. US 22 meets I-99 in Altoona and continues on to Pittsburgh.
 * US 322 connects State College with Harrisburg to the east. The Pennsylvania Turnpike continues on from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Get around
Most of downtown State College can be seen by simply walking around the compact downtown and university campus. Although a car is convenient to get to the outskirts of town, a bike is sufficient.

If you prefer to take public transportation, CATA provides on-time bus service to most of the county. There are also free buses running through the downtown area, as well as through campus. Most State College routes run from 6AM until 2:30AM (shortly after last call) the following morning.

Do

 * Watch a Penn State football game.
 * Ride your bicycle: There are many dedicated paths and bike lanes around town. Nearby Rothrock State Forest, which has hosted world-class mountain bike races, has miles of trails for all levels of mountain biking. Many of the country roads surrounding State College are also ideal for road cycling. The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition has more information on cycling in the State College area.
 * 4th of July fireworks.
 * The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known colloquially as THON, is the largest student run philanthropy in the world raising money for pediatric cancer care and research at the Hershey Medical Center administered by the Four Diamonds fund. It is a 46-hour dance marathon held typically the penultimate weekend of February. Entry into the Bryce Jordan Center is free and open to the public during THON.
 * The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known colloquially as THON, is the largest student run philanthropy in the world raising money for pediatric cancer care and research at the Hershey Medical Center administered by the Four Diamonds fund. It is a 46-hour dance marathon held typically the penultimate weekend of February. Entry into the Bryce Jordan Center is free and open to the public during THON.

Buy
There are a number of small shops downtown along College and Beaver Ave. Nittany Mall is also only a few miles away.

Eat
There are the usual number of chain restaurants and various student eats spots, but a number of must-attend restaurants also exist.

Drink
Drinking is what State College is known for, second only to football. Whether you prefer sports bars, dance clubs, or Irish pubs, with over 20 bars in a mile radius, everyone is sure to find something to their liking.

Go next

 * Greenwood Furnance State Park is located approximately 30 minutes southwest of State College using PA-26 and PA-305. It offers camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities in season.

title: State College


text:
Stateline

Stateline is east of South Lake Tahoe, straddling the border of Nevada and California.

By car
U.S. Highway 50 passes through Stateline allowing access from Sacramento to the west and Carson City to the east. Nevada State Route 207 ends in Stateline allowing access Minden Valley to the east in Nevada.

By plane
The  is major airport for commercial flights serving Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe, located five miles southeast of downtown off of I-580/US Hwy 395 at Exit #65.

Go next

 * South Lake Tahoe – go over the border to California

title: Stateline


text:
Staten Island

Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.

Districts
Staten Island has numerous neighborhoods, each with a distinct feel and different attractions.

These neighborhoods can be grouped into three regions: North Shore, Mid-Island, and South Shore. The North Shore includes the area north of the Staten Island Expressway. The South Shore generally includes the area south of the Fresh Kills. The Mid-Island takes up the area in-between.

North Shore
The North Shore is full of older neighborhoods, which were fully developed long before the rest of Staten Island. Thanks to this, many examples of old architecture can be found here. Its neighborhoods include:
 * St. George – St. George is the political center of the Island, the location of its Borough Hall and County Courthouse. It is also a transportation hub, with the St. George Ferry Terminal, and a cultural center, with many attractions. These include the Staten Island Museum, the Postcards September 11 memorial, and the St. George Theater.
 * Tompkinsville – A number of ethnic restaurants can be found here in Staten Island's "Little Sri Lanka".
 * Stapleton – This small waterfront neighborhood is known for just that: its waterfront. Sometimes known as the Stapleton Homeport, this stretch of water almost became a United States Navy base, a plan that ended due to lack of funding. Today it is mostly residential housing; however, it is still used as part of the annual New York City Fleet Week.
 * Clifton – A section of this neighborhood is called Little Liberia. It is home to the largest Liberian population in the world outside of Liberia.
 * New Brighton – This small neighborhood just to the west of St. George can be characterized through its main attraction–the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Once a retirement home, Snug Harbor is now a collection of museums that showcase the best of Staten Island's culture.
 * West New Brighton – This neighborhood is a separate entity from New Brighton. It is home to the Staten Island Zoo.
 * Port Richmond – One of Staten Island's oldest neighborhoods, Port Richmond is home to many examples of beautiful architecture.
 * Mariners Harbor – This neighborhood began as a fishing village, and is now a minor center for shopping.
 * Silver Lake – This neighborhood is dominated by the lake and park of the same name. A popular place with the locals, Silver Lake is the largest body of water on Staten Island.
 * Grymes Hill – Grymes Hill is home to a number of colleges, including Wagner College and St. John's University Staten Island Campus.
 * Willowbrook – This large neighborhood has a peaceful vibe to it. It is home to Willowbrook Park and the College of Staten Island.

Mid-Island
The Mid-Island section was largely undeveloped until 1964, the opening of the Verrazano Bridge. The resulting economic boom means that most of the Mid-Island's architecture is from the late 1960s and 1970s. Some of its main neighborhoods are:
 * Old Town – True to its name, Old Town was the first European settlement on Staten Island. The Dutch called it Oude Dorpe.
 * Todt Hill – The peak that shares the same name as the neighborhood is considered the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard. Todt Hill has many rich residents, who love to overdecorate their lawns, much to the amusement of other Islanders. These two factors contribute to the area's majestic feel.
 * Dongan Hills – This large neighborhood is very peaceful. A section which borders Todt Hill is called the Dongan Hills Colony. It is home to large mansions, and offers a unique view of the Manhattan skyline.
 * South Beach – Formerly home to a bustling amusement park, South Beach has quieted down a lot from its glory days as a summer getaway. Now, the area is mostly residential, with large Polish and Russian populations. The popular beach of the same name is still open.
 * New Dorp – New Dorp has deep roots in history, spanning back to the American Revolution, when it was the base of the British army in New York. Now, the neighborhood is one of the area's major commercial centers. Its main thoroughfare, New Dorp Lane, is home to any type of store you could wish for–from a convenience store, to a fancy cake shop, to mom-and-pop shops, pizzerias, and a karate school.
 * Richmondtown – Richmondtown is home to Historic Richmond Town, a collection of buildings dating back as far as the 18th century.
 * New Dorp Beach/Oakwood Beach – These two waterfront neighborhoods were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.
 * Heartland Village – The commercial center of the entire island is home to the Staten Island Mall and a number of other large and small shopping centers.
 * Chelsea and Travis – Two tiny, mostly industrial neighborhoods on the western edge of the island.

South Shore
The South Shore experienced a similar economic boom to the Mid-Island when the Verrazano Bridge opened. However, there are still many parts of the South Shore that are undeveloped, at least compared to the rest of the borough. Some of its neighborhoods are:
 * Great Kills – The northernmost neighborhood on the South Shore is very residential and has a large park and marina.
 * Eltingville – This humongous neighborhood is also primarily residential, but is home to a major transit center.
 * Huguenot – Huguenot is named after the French Huguenots, its first European settlers. Nowadays, the very suburban neighborhood is home to many other ethnicities as well.
 * Rossville – Formerly farmland, Rossville has developed greatly.
 * Sandy Ground – Sandy Ground (no connection to Hurricane Sandy) has great historical importance. It was the first community for freed slaves established in North America. It dates back to 1827, when slavery was abolished in New York State.
 * Charleston – A very remote neighborhood, it is home to a sizable commercial sector.
 * Tottenville – Tottenville is the southernmost point in New York. It developed earlier than the rest of the South Shore, thanks to its prominence as a transportation hub before the invention of automobiles. Many examples of nineteenth-century architecture can be found here.

Understand
Staten Island is a borough of about 500,000 people. While that's not even half of the population of any of the other boroughs, it's still respectable for a U.S. city. Staten Island is in New York Harbor, and is the southernmost point in New York State.

Orientation
Staten Island is New York City's only borough that lacks a predominant numbered street grid -- you can not depend on the numbers of the streets to tell you where you are.

Staten Island has four main highways: the Staten Island Expressway (I-278), the West Shore Expressway (NY-440), the Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway (also NY-440), and the Korean War Veterans Parkway (unofficially known as the Richmond Parkway). The Staten Island Expressway runs east-west, from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the Goethals Bridge. The West Shore expressway runs south from the Staten Island Expressway in the northwest portion of the island to the Outerbridge Crossing in Tottenville. The Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway runs north from just east of the SIE's junction with the West Shore to the Bayonne Bridge. The Korean War Veterans Expressway branches off from the West Shore Expressway just north of the Outerbridge and runs northeast all the way to Eltingville.

Compared to the neatly-organized grid of Manhattan, the layout of Staten Island's streets may seem like a child's drawings. On the contrary, most streets run in a simple pattern. The biggest streets run east-west (parallel to the northern shore), north-south (parallel to the western shore), and northeast-southwest (parallel to the eastern and southern shores). This creates the effect of a triangle. If you know the main roads that form each side of the triangle, you won't get lost.

By ferry
Staten Island can be reached by passenger ferry from Manhattan. The ferry is the most visually pleasing option for arriving on the island, as it passes by Liberty Island and offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor. The ferry is free and operates 24 hours a day out of Battery Park in Manhattan and St. George Terminal in Staten Island; even during the early morning hours, it never runs less than once every half hour at the half hour. You can see a current schedule on this page. The 25-minute ferry ride is also sometimes a faster trip from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island than a corresponding trip by car or bus. The ferry allows bicycles on the lower decks, where there are usually bike racks.

The St. George Ferry Terminal is also a terminal for the Staten Island Railway and many of Staten Island's local buses.

By car
Staten Island can be reached by bridge from Brooklyn and New Jersey. These last 3 bridges have a $15.00 ($10.50 on Off-Peak times and $12.50 on Peak-times for E-ZPass issued by New York or New Jersey) toll payable only when entering Staten Island, not leaving it. The carpool toll is $6.25 with 3 or more people in a car, payable only with E-Z Pass. The Bayonne Bridge and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge  use an All-Electronic Tolling System, meaning that no cash payments are allowed, and without E-Z Pass, your toll will be paid via Tolls-By-Mail.
 * Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island with Brooklyn, but you will incur a high toll of $11.52 with a New York E-Z Pass users or $17.00 for out-of-state E-Z Pass users and non-E-Z Pass users (westbound to Staten Island only; no toll eastbound).
 * Bayonne Bridge connects northern Staten Island with Bayonne, New Jersey.
 * Goethals Bridge connects Elizabeth, New Jersey to mid-western Staten Island.
 * Outerbridge Crossing connects Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Tottenville, Staten Island.

By bus
Express bus

A moderately priced option is to take an express bus from Manhattan to Staten Island. The express buses are especially handy when you are traveling to places on the South Shore, which is the furthest section of Staten Island from the ferry, and has fewer local routes running than the more densely populated North Shore. The $7.00 fare is payable with MetroCard (pay-per-ride only), OMNY, Express Bus Plus MetroCards or coin change. Dollar bills are not accepted.

Most express buses run solely on weekdays. The X1, X10, and X17 run 7 days a week. The X1 runs 24/7.

The wait times for an express bus are about 4–10 minutes during rush hours, 15–30 minutes other times. The Staten Island bus map (service descriptions) covers the routes on the island.

Local bus

 * There is also the option of taking the S53, S79, or S93 buses from the 86th Street subway station of the R train in Brooklyn. These bus routes cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into Staten Island.  Since these are considered local bus routes, you can pay for the ride by depositing $2.90 in coins in the farebox or swiping your MetroCard.
 * The S53 serves the North Shore and goes through Port Richmond and West New Brighton
 * The S79 serves the Mid-Island region and the South Shore. It goes along Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Avenue to get to the Staten Island Mall.
 * The S93 runs rush hours only and goes to the College of Staten Island, serving the neighborhoods near the Staten Island Expressway and Victory Boulevard.

 * From Bayonne, you can take the S89 Limited bus during rush hours from the 34th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station. This bus runs down Richmond Avenue and serves sections of the North Shore, Mid-Island, and South Shore.

By rail
The subway doesn't go to Staten Island. The Staten Island Railway is a hybrid of a railroad and a subway line. Fares are the same as a subway ride ($2.90), and it runs 24 hours, at intervals from 15 minutes during weekdays to hourly overnight, synchronized to the ferry schedule. Fares are collected only at St. George Ferry Terminal and Tompkinsville, and include a free transfer to or from the buses or subway in Manhattan. During rush hours, express service is provided and the locals terminate at Great Kills.

By bus
Bus routes cover the island pretty thoroughly. There are two types of buses:

 * The local buses run routes all over Staten Island and are distinguished by the S before the route number (ex. S55, S78). They have uncomfortable plastic seats and cost $2.50. During rush hours, some buses run Limited and stop at major cross streets and transfer points. For example, the S62 starts at Jewett Avenue, making all stops east, while the S92 makes all stops west of Jewett Avenue that the S62 normally makes, while stopping only at major streets like Clove Road east of Jewett Avenue. Limited route numbers are always in the 80s and 90s, and the numbers of the local and limited routes usually correspond (S62/S92, S46/S96).

 * Many local buses terminate at the St. George Ferry Terminal. These can be grouped according to their service area:
 * North Shore: S40 series (S40, S42, S44, S46, S48)
 * East Shore: S50s series (S51, S52)
 * Victory Boulevard: S60s series (S61, S62, S66)
 * South Shore: S70s series (S74, S76, S78)
 * Limited routes: S80s and S90s series (S81, S84, S86, S90, S91, S92, S94, S96, S98)

 * However, other routes on Staten Island that do not depart from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal do not necessarily follow the same rule. These are the S53, S54, S55, S56, S57, S59, S79, S89, and S93.

 * The express buses are distinguished by the X in the coded display on the front of the bus (ex. X1, X17). These buses run from Staten Island to Manhattan, have more comfortable cloth seats, and cost $6.

Most bus routes on the island meet up at the St. George Ferry Terminal. Other major transfer points include Port Richmond, with some buses terminating at Richmond Terrace at Port Richmond Avenue; the Staten Island Mall; and the Eltingville Transit Center on the South Shore.

Fares can be paid in quarters or dollar coins (if you can find them). You can also use a MetroCard (good for all public transportation in NYC), available at some delis or at the machines at the ferry terminal. Buses run close to schedule, but service on Staten Island is sparse outside of rush hours, and even during peak hours, the most frequent headway is 10 minutes. Because of this, it helps to be prepared: either pick up a schedule for routes that you'll plan to take, check the Guide-A-Ride boxes at bus stops for exact times or use the MTA's BusTime system to track buses.

A Staten Island bus map is available on this page.

A word of caution: Staten Island buses are usually reasonably reliable on weekdays, but do not count on the schedule or MTA route advice timings to be accurate on Sundays, and consider making alternate arrangements if your schedule is not completely open for the day.

Parks
As the official "Borough of Parks", Staten Island has a large collection of parks. They range from modest playgrounds to immense expanses of raw nature.

All parks operated by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation are open 6AM–1AM, but the Greenbelt is operated by the Greenbelt Conservancy and Gateway is operated by the National Park Service. Parks affiliated with schools are the only exception. These are open from dawn to dusk, and it is generally considered good etiquette to stay out of the park if schoolchildren are playing in it.

Some parks in Staten Island are:
 * A portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area, called the Staten Island Unit, is located here. It consists of three parks:
 * A portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area, called the Staten Island Unit, is located here. It consists of three parks:
 * A portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area, called the Staten Island Unit, is located here. It consists of three parks:
 * A portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area, called the Staten Island Unit, is located here. It consists of three parks:
 * A portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area, called the Staten Island Unit, is located here. It consists of three parks:

Buy
The shopping in Staten Island is weirdly unique, combining aspects of suburban shopping with things only found in New York City. A number of shopping malls are on Staten Island, including: A shopping area clearly influenced by Staten Island's location in New York City is New Dorp Lane, located in, you guessed it, New Dorp. New Dorp Lane has the feel of a commercial street in Brooklyn or parts of Manhattan; however, it is far less busy than either of the two. You can walk down one of the wide sidewalks and pass a variety of small businesses. The New Dorp Lane commercial district is best experienced by walking, as New Dorp Lane is notorious for frustratingly bad traffic.

A type of business that is becoming increasingly common on Staten Island is the farmers' market. A number of markets can be found on Staten Island, including the following:

Eat
While the vast majority of Staten Island eateries are Italian, there are some gems of ethnic cuisine in the St. George and Tompkinsville neighborhoods. Mostly within a mile of each other on Victory Blvd (and in walking distance from the ferry terminal), the authentic and inexpensive restaurants serve up flavorful South Asian cuisine well worth the trip.

Drink
St. George has a few bars located south of the ferry terminal. Make a left when you leave the boat. Look for live music at the Cargo Cafe or Karl's Klipper, both located on Bay Street with phenomenal views of the Verrazano Bridge.

 * There is beer on the Staten Island Ferry. It is cheap (by NYC standards). A 16-ounce can of Bud or Miller will cost $3.50.
 * There is beer on the Staten Island Ferry. It is cheap (by NYC standards). A 16-ounce can of Bud or Miller will cost $3.50.
 * There is beer on the Staten Island Ferry. It is cheap (by NYC standards). A 16-ounce can of Bud or Miller will cost $3.50.

Sleep
Staten Island is the closest borough to New Jersey's Newark International Airport. This results in lower taxi fares and shorter travel times as opposed to Manhattan (the taxi fare is $45 to any point in Staten Island plus up to $10 in tolls). You may want to consider sleeping in a hotel here for this reason.

Stay safe
When discussing crime in Staten Island, it first must be established that Staten Island is not a crime-ridden mob haven, as it is portrayed in movies and reality TV. Staten Island is no more dangerous than any of the other boroughs of New York City. However, it does have some crime.

The northern and southern portions of Staten Island are pretty different in the amount of crime and the type of crime found there.

The North Shore has a somewhat elevated crime rate compared to the rest of the Island. It is home to large low-income housing projects. This attracts a lot of both petty crime and more serious crimes. Be careful when walking alone at night.

Once you get below the Staten Island Expressway, however, the situation changes. The South Shore has a relatively low crime rate. Residents often joke about it, saying that the local burglars are nice enough to wait until your car is unlocked to rob it.

Travelers to the South Shore with seasonal allergies may be better-advised to worry about high pollen counts during the spring. There are dozens of trees on most South Shore streets (so many you may not believe you're still in New York City). If you have severe allergies, consider addressing the problem before coming to Staten Island in April or May.

In addition to pollen, trees also bring pesky critters. Please take necessary precautions if you have severe allergies or a strong aversion to any of the following:
 * Squirrels
 * Birds and (perhaps more importantly) their droppings
 * Ants
 * Bumblebees
 * Woodpeckers, owls, or other common large birds

Connect
The New York Public Library offers free wi-fi. In addition, it offers many free programs to help people learn English. This makes it the best place to go if you need a refresher or need to contact someone who speaks a language other than English. These are the Staten Island locations:

Go next
Let's be honest: the majority of travellers don't travel great distances to go to Staten Island (good for you if you do, but you're in the minority). While the island is a hidden gem, many of the main tourist attractions are around it, and you will want to check them out.

The first order of business is to make sure you've gone completely through New York City. Each of the four other boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx) have their own attractions and features you'll want to see.

If you're done in New York, Staten Island is a great launching pad for a trip in New Jersey. Some places to go are:
 * Nearby towns – If you just want to relax after the hustle and bustle of New York City, you can visit Bayonne to the north, Elizabeth to the northwest, Linden to the west, or Perth Amboy to the southwest.
 * Jackson – Further south than Perth Amboy, Jackson is home to one main attraction: Six Flags Great Adventure. This amusement park is the biggest theme park in the Northeastern United States. It is also home to a safari park and a water park (Hurricane Harbor). Its biggest attraction, however, is Kingda Ka, which is the world's tallest roller coaster at 456 feet above the earth.
 * Sandy Hook – This narrow strip of land of the coast of New Jersey is home to the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
 * The Jersey Shore – The ultimate destination for summer fun in the Mid-Atlantic is right near New York City.
 * Atlantic City – The gambling capital of the Eastern U.S. is also home to a popular beach & boardwalk.
 * Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – If need be, you can always skip New Jersey and go straight on to the City of Brotherly Love.

title: Staten Island


text:
Statesville

Statesville is a town in North Carolina.

Get in

 * I-40
 * I-77

title: Statesville


text:
St. Augustine

St. Augustine lays claim to being the oldest city in the United States. It is 30 minutes south of Jacksonville in the First Coast, and is full of romantic ambiance and old world charm. It is best known for its remarkable historic streets and attractions, Spanish-style architecture, and panoramic bayfront views.

The walkable downtown is made up of narrow colonial streets lined with interesting locally-owned shops and outstanding restaurants. A trio of grand hotel buildings built in the late 19th century by railroad magnate Henry Flagler tower over the smaller, reconstructed historic houses, but the tallest building in town is just seven stories. One of Flagler's former hotels is now home to a small, private liberal arts college whose students add a sense of pulsating life to the centuries-old town.

In St. Augustine you can dine on terraces overlooking narrow brick streets, view excellent art at unique galleries, and visit historic sites older than the United States itself. But the town is more than history and high culture. Feel like going parasailing over unspoiled beachfront or listening to famous bands play under the stars? St. Augustine has that too.

A Spanish, British and American colony
42 years before the English established a colony at Jamestown in Virginia, and a full 55 before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish colonial empire settled St. Augustine. Founded by Pedro Menéndez de Aviles in 1565 as the colony's capital and in an effort to protect Spain's claims in Florida from the French at Fort Caroline (present-day Jacksonville), the town had a rocky start. Pirates attacked, as did the local Native Americans, and British privateer Sir Francis Drake burned St. Augustine to the ground in 1586. In response, the Queen of Spain dispersed funds to construct a masonry fort to protect the town, and construction on the Castillo de San Marcos began in 1672. The fort was never captured, despite multiple attempts, including a 58-day siege by British forces in which the town was burned again.

With the end of the Seven Years' War and the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Florida moved from Spanish to British colonial rule. During the American Revolution, St. Augustine remained a haven for those loyal to the British Crown. A group of immigrants that fled from a colony in New Smyrna arrived in town in 1777 and made up much of the city's population at this time, they were and are still known today as "Menorcans". The second Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolution in 1783, freed the original 13 colonies but gave Florida back to Spain.

The second Spanish period was characterized by neglect from the crown, as Spain was engaged in a war with Napoleon and France and regarded the colony of Florida as an unprofitable backwater. The United States, however, viewed it as key to its interests and sought to annex Florida, and they succeeded in 1819. The colony became a territory of the U.S. and St. Augustine continued to serve as its capital until 1824.

The St. Augustine Movement
In the mid-1960s, the Civil Rights movement came to St. Augustine. Local college students held "sit-ins" at the town's Woolworth's lunch counter. In May and June 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders from his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) group, including future Senator Andrew Young, led a series of marches in the city. The Ku Klux Klan was active in the area, and responded violently to many of the marches and sit-ins. Hundreds of black and white protestors were arrested, filling county jails to capacity. King himself was arrested on the steps of the Monson Motor Lodge motel. The motel manager, James Brock, poured acid into the swimming pool after protestors had jumped into the segregated whites-only pool. Video of this was broadcasted around the world, and became one of the final factors in the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Today
Since the late 1960s, many historic buildings in the core downtown have been reconstructed and rebuilt, and most are now in the hands of the University of Florida. A range of unique restaurants have opened in the city, both those with quick, but quality, service and those serving up finer, and more pricey, cuisine. Luxury hotels have also opened up, sparked by the restoration and reopening of the Casa Monica Hotel in the 1990s. The infamous Monson Motor Lodge was demolished in 2003, and replaced by a bayside Hilton hotel, built to blend in with the historic surroundings.

St. Augustine celebrated its 450th Anniversary in 2015 with a three-day music festival throughout the downtown, capped by a visit from King Felipe and Queen Isabela of Spain. With some of the oldest historic buildings in town cleaned up and redone for that party, the town is looking better than it has in years.

Geography
The historic downtown of St. Augustine sits on a small peninsula, with the San Sebastian River to the west and the Matanzas River to the east. The larger of the two, the Matanzas is actually a tidal estuary that forms part of the Intracoastal Waterway, an inland water route that stretches from New Jersey to the Gulf Coast. The Matanzas Inlet lies almost directly across from the Castillo de San Marcos fort at the north end of downtown, and connects the river to the Atlantic Ocean.

Two barrier islands, separated by the inlet, shelter the river and the downtown from the ocean. To the north lies an unnamed island that stretches from Jacksonville Beach down to Vilano Beach, an oceanfront community connected to the city by the Vilano Causeway. To the south of the inlet lies Anastasia Island, home to part of the city of St. Augustine, as well as the beach communities of St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, and Crescent Beach. The historic Bridge of Lions connects downtown to Anastasia Island, and a more modern bridge south of the city connects the island directly to U.S. 1 on the mainland.

Climate
St. Augustine has a humid subtropical climate, with mild weather during winters and hot weather during summers. Average high temperatures vary from 64°F (18°C) in winter to 91°F (33°C) in summer. High heat indices ("feels like" temperatures that take humidity into account) are not uncommon during the summer months in the St. Augustine area, and can reach up to 105-115°F. Like much of Florida, it's common for daily thunderstorms to erupt during summer afternoons. These are caused by the daytime heating of the land and water combined with the high humidity.

During winter, the area can experience hard freezes during the night. Such cold weather is usually short lived, however, as the city averages only fifteen nights below freezing. Even rarer in St. Augustine is snow. When snow does fall, it usually melts before touching, or upon making contact with, the ground. Most longtime residents of St. Augustine can remember accumulated snow on only one occasion — a thin ground cover that occurred a few days before Christmas 1989.

St. Augustine has suffered less damage from hurricanes than most other Floridian cities. The city has only received one direct hit from a hurricane since 1871, although it has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions more than a dozen times due to storms traveling across the state or up the coast and brushing the area. The strongest effect on St. Augustine was from Hurricane Dora in 1964. That storm, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Hurricane Irma in 2017 all caused extensive flooding in the city.

Rainfall averages around 50 inches a year, with the wettest months being June through September.

Talk
Despite being a Spanish-founded city that still retains influences of the former colonial power in its cooking and architecture, English is the predominant language in St. Augustine today.

By plane
St. Augustine does have a small airport within the city limits:. It is mainly utilized by private aircraft and VIP flights. There are no regular commercial flights as of November 2018. Next nearest airports for scheduled commercial flights to St Augustine are: Jacksonville International Airport is the closest major commercial airport, 40 minutes to the north. It is served by nine airlines, including the three main American carriers: United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Daytona Beach International Airport is next to the Daytona International Speedway, about an hour south, and is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue.

Orlando International Airport is a major airport serving Central Florida, and is about two hours south of St Augustine. International flights are from Canada, Europe, Mexico, and South America. Connections are available from almost every major American city.

From any of the above airports, a rental car, taxi, or rideshare is necessary to continue onwards to St. Augustine.

By car
St. Augustine can easily be reached by car, as Interstate 95 passes just west of the city. From the north (Jacksonville), take exit 318 for S.R. 16, then travel east to U.S. 1 or Business U.S. 1, then turn right. From northbound I-95, take exit 298 for S.R. 207, then travel north to U.S. 1 and turn left to reach the downtown/attractions area.

By train
Jacksonville is the nearest large city with a full-service Amtrak station; it is served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes that connect Miami to New York City.

Palatka is closer and is served by the same two Amtrak lines. However, onward transportation to St. Augustine is difficult and limited to ridesharing apps (approx. $35) or local taxi service (approx. $50). Palatka's station does not have luggage service, so if you're carrying anything more than a backpack, you would need to disembark in Jacksonville.

By boat
Various private marinas, and the city's Municipal Marina, operate docks both near downtown and on nearby Anastasia Island. The largest private marina in the area is at the Conch House restaurant and motel complex.

By foot
St. Augustine is a very walkable and pedestrian friendly city. Walking will allow you to see most of the historical buildings and shops in the downtown with relative ease, and is most definitely the best way to get a true feel for the historic core of the city. Further destinations, such as those on Anastasia Island, are much less accessible by foot, and one of the other methods below are suggested.

By bike
St. Augustine offers an electric bike progam. Available to visitors and locals, the bike sharing is accessible by downloading the "Gotcha Powered by BOLT" app in the Apple Store or Android Play Store. The e-bike share service area is limited to most of the city limits and has 13 parking hubs around the city.

By trolley
There are two main tourist trolleys that provide guided tours of the historic downtown area.

Horse-drawn carriage rides also operate throughout the downtown, and can be accessed by going to the "station" on Avenida Menendez along the bay front.

By car
Downtown St. Augustine is rather inhospitable to cars, as the streets are narrow and often clogged with trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, and tourists on foot and bike all sharing the same roadway. However, to reach most of the hotels, chain stores and restaurants, and outlet malls around St. Augustine, as well as the beachfront areas across the bay on Anastasia Island, a car is all but necessary. Alternatively, both tram tours listed above offer hotel shuttles as well as shuttles to the beach attractions.

When visiting downtown with a car, it is recommended to park in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, an enormous, multi-level, state-of-the-art garage across from the Visitor Center and at the far end of St. George Street. Parking charge is $15/day and the garage is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Limited metered parking can also be found on the street, as well as in the Castillo De San Marcos parking lot ($2.50/hr, limited to 3 hours). An app, ParkStAug, allows visitors to pay for and reload parking meters via smartphone by entering a four digit code found on signage near parking spaces. A few private lots exist downtown, and charge around $10-$12/day. Free on-street free parking is rare but can be found further from the downtown core.

Museums

Attractions

 * Main building, World Golf Hall of Fame.jpg
 * Main building, World Golf Hall of Fame.jpg

Ghost tours
Both Old Town Trolley and Ripley's Red Trains offer nighttime ghost tour trams titled Ghost & Gravestones and Ripley's Ghost Trains, respectively. Both of these nightly versions of the tram tours include several segments where the tour guides park the tram, disembark, and lead the group into allegedly haunted structures. Keep in mind that different tours go to different sites, for example, Ripley's Ghost Trains go through the allegedly haunted Ripley's Believe It Or Not building, while Ghost & Gravestones tours enter the Old Jail, a historic site owned by Old Town Trolley.

In addition, numerous walking ghost tours operate out of the area around St. George Street, with small registration booths or storefronts manned throughout the day.

If ghosts are your fancy, it is worth doing some research into the various tram and walking tours and deciding on the one that piques your interest.

Concerts and live music
St. Augustine is a veritable hotbed for local musicians and bands. On weekend nights, nearly every restaurant and bar in the downtown historic district, as well as many on Anastasia Island, will be offering live music of some sort, with genres ranging from country to classic rock, to blues and jazz.

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre sits within Anastasia State Park, across the Bridge of Lions on the island. An intimate venue with just under 5,000 covered seats, this is a great place to see a show if one of your favorites is in town during your visit. Drawing big-name concert acts from all genres, past acts have included The Beach Boys, Toby Keith, Slayer, and Selena Gomez. Check the website for the upcoming lineup.

The city also hosts Concerts in the Plaza on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in the downtown's Plaza de la Constitución. Local and regional musicians perform in the park's gazebo and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the music. Picnics are allowed, but alcohol is not.

The aforementioned Colonial Quarter's Colonial Oak Music Park offers free live music from local musicians, with the occasional touring act, on Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Festivals
St. Augustine is known in the area for its various large-scale events and festivals held in the downtown area during the slower seasons of early spring, fall, and winter.

Year-round

 * At the First Friday Art Walk, held the first Friday of every month, over 30 of the city's downtown galleries stay open late, with most using the night to open new exhibits, offering food, wine, and entertainment.

Buy
St. George Street is the spine of the historic downtown. A five-block long pedestrian street, it offers various unique shops and countless restaurants, bars, and snack stands. Here you can find everything from authentic Cuban cuisine and New York-style pizza to upscale jazz bars and old-school bakeries. The small side streets just around St. George, specifically the cross-streets of Cuna and Hypolita, and the parallel Spanish Street, also contain numerous shops and restaurants that make them worth venturing down. South of the Plaza de la Constiución sits the decidedly less-touristy and more artsy area around Aviles Street, purportedly "the oldest street in the oldest city". Among these narrow streets you can find some great cafes and small galleries.

Outside of the downtown there are a few other shopping centers that may be of interest, including large strip mall centers on U.S. 1 south of downtown. These contain your typical chain stores and restaurants, with a few local places mixed in. Besides those, some other that may be worth a visit are listed below.

Drink

Go next

 * Jacksonville — Florida's largest city, about an hour's drive north of St. Augustine on the mouth of St. Johns River
 * Ponte Vedra Beach — beach town east of Jacksonville, and north of St. Augustine
 * Palatka — town on the St. Johns River to the west
 * From St. Augustine to Hampton Roads — a comprehensive list of places to go next, this itinerary lists colonial and other historic points of interest on the East Coast of the U.S.
 * Vilano Beach — northeast across the Intracoastal Waterway from St. Augustine

title: St. Augustine


text:
Staunton

There is more than one place called Staunton:

United States of America

 * Staunton (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Staunton (Indiana) - A town in Indiana.
 * Staunton (Virginia) - A town in Virginia.

title: Staunton


text:
Staunton (Illinois)

Staunton is a city in Southern Illinois.

title: Staunton (Illinois)


text:
Staunton (Virginia)

Staunton is a city in the Shenandoah Valley in the US state of Virginia. Although small, it is very distinct from neighboring cities such as Harrisonburg, Roanoke, and Waynesboro, in part due to the city government's emphasis on tourism and the very distinct downtown district.

By car
Staunton sits at the intersection of I-81 and I-64 in the Shenandoah Valley. The downtown section can be intimidating to tourist drivers, but is quite easy to walk. There are several public parking lots near the main attractions.

By train

 * Route stopping in Staunton:
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.

By plane
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave and the Charlottesville Airport  are both within an hour's drive.

Get around
The town is small enough that if you stay downtown, you can walk anywhere you would like to go. There is also a free trolley service provided by the city.

See

 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.
 * DeJarnette Sanitarium Formerly a sanitarium for the wealthy, then a center for mentally disturbed minors, this now-abandoned building is prominently visible from Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive.

Annual events

 * Victorian Festival, a celebration of Victorian history in the downtown. Takes place in the last full weekend of April.
 * Victorian Festival, a celebration of Victorian history in the downtown. Takes place in the last full weekend of April.

Go next

 * "Monticello", home of Thomas Jefferson, is in Charlottesville a 45-minute drive away.
 * "Grand Caverns" is a large show cave with spectacular shield formations and reflecting pools. 20-25 minutes to the northeast of downtown.

The Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Valley National Park's Skyline Drive are nearby. The park costs $30 per car in 2021. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free. Great scenic overlooks and stopping points for small historical recreations or hikes.

title: Staunton (Virginia)


text:
St Austell

St Austell is a town in South Cornwall. Its main attraction is the Eden Project, a huge outdoor and indoor collection of plants from around the world. The town is also a centre of the Cornish china-clay industry.

By train
St Austell station stands on the Great Western main line from London Paddington to Penzance. Direct trains from London Paddington run every couple of hours, taking 5 hours via Reading, Exeter and Plymouth; other connections are available via Exeter. Trains continue west to Penzance hourly, taking one hour. One Cross-Country train per day is a direct service from Penzance to Sheffield, York, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

An overnight sleeper train, The Night Riviera, runs between London Paddington and Penzance, stopping at St Austell. It runs Sunday to Friday from Paddington around 11:30PM, reaching St Austell before 7AM (on Sunday before 8AM Monday). The return train leaves Penzance Su-F around 9:30PM, picking up at St Austell an hour later, to reach Paddington at 5AM; you can stay aboard until 7AM. Book via Great Western, with airline seats, or single or double sleeper cabins available.

Other nearby destinations along the main line, served by hourly trains between Penzance and Plymouth, are St Erth (for St Ives), Truro, Par (for Newquay), and Bodmin. See National Rail for times and fares; advance booking is usually much cheaper. A Ride Cornwall Ranger is good value for local travel. It allows unlimited off-peak travel within Cornwall, and between Cornwall and Plymouth, by all trains and most buses. "Off-peak" means M-F after 9AM, and all day Sa Su & holidays. An adult day-ticket is £13, children and concessions around £10.

By coach
National Express coaches run from St Austell via Truro to Penzance (3 per day, two hours). NX404 runs overnight from London Victoria (8 hr) via Heathrow Airport, Bath, Bristol Airport, Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth. NX315 runs daily along the south coast from Eastbourne via Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, Eastbourne, Exeter and Plymouth.

For local buses to Penzance, change at Truro. The bus & coach station is right outside the railway station, postcode PL25 4LA.

By car
St Austell is a 5 hour drive from London via M4, M5, A30 and finally A391. It's a long way and at some point you'll need to refuel. Don't be paying motorway prices, there's supermarket petrol at (amongst others) M5 jcn 28 (Cullompton Tesco) and A30 Bodmin (Asda, Launceston Rd).

For Penzance, continue west on A390 through Truro. For Newquay, go west on A3058. For Liskeard and Plymouth, go east on A390 then A38.

Get around
The town itself is walkable, but all the main attractions are some miles out, too far to traipse with children. See Eden Project listing for buses there.

Eat
Eating places are mostly central, around the bus station, with Chinese, Indian and fish & chips. There's a few more down Charlestown Rd by the harbour.

Sleep
Lots of hotels and guest-houses in St Austell, mostly along A390 on the south side of town, with another cluster near the railway station, and a strip down Charlestown Rd by the harbour.

Go next

 * Explore the nearby coast at Charlestown, Mevagissey, Par and Fowey.
 * St Columb Major is a small town in the hills, and Bodmin has an interesting castle.
 * Plymouth is an unlovely place, but your nearest option for city amenities.
 * Escape to the Isles of Scilly, which can be seen on a day-trip from Penzance.

title: St Austell