text:
Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a state in the Great Plains region of the United States of America. Oklahoma has a rich Native American past. There are all kinds of activities available from hunting, fishing, hiking, to gambling in one of the hundred or so casinos and bingo parlors, and metro activities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Cities

 * – state capital
 * – town that is a regional center in Southern Oklahoma
 * – Tulsa's largest suburb.
 * – Oklahoma City's northern neighbor, the location of the University of Central Oklahoma
 * – adjacent to historic Fort Sill and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
 * – a rapidly growing suburb just south of Oklahoma City
 * – Home of the University of Oklahoma
 * – home of Oklahoma State University
 * – the second largest city in Oklahoma

Other destinations

 * – the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains
 * — northwest of Enid and near Jet. Dig for Selenite crystals.
 * (Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark) — at Burns Flat

Understand
In the 1830s, Oklahoma was the end of The Trail of Tears: over 16,000 Cherokee Indian people were forced to move from their eastern homes by the United States government and were relocated to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. In addition the Five Civilized Tribes were relocated from the southeastern United States. Oklahoma's name is taken from two Choctaw words. "okla" means people and "humma" meaning red, so Oklahoma literally means "red people". Thirty nine tribes and Indian nations have their headquarters in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma was settled by non-native people later than most other territories, and has a recent pioneer past. Oklahoma became a state on 16 November 1907. There are people alive today in Oklahoma that remember it as a frontier. The cost of living is among the lowest in the US and this is also reflected in the low cost of tourist-related activities. Lodging, rental cars, fuel, and restaurants are lower in cost than nearly anywhere else in the US.

Tourist information

 * Travel Oklahoma

Talk
The Coastal Southern drawl is rare. The South Midlands accent is more common. This accent ranges from Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and into Texas. Cherokee is common in Tahlequah but English is dominant even there. The Indian tribes are completely integrated in Oklahoma and Indian languages are seldom heard outside Indian events. It is also very common to hear a "twangy" accent in most parts of the state. It sounds very similar to a Texas accent, but with a flair. A trained ear can distinguish between the Texas and Oklahoma accents. There is also a difference in accent between inhabitants of the larger cities and those of the smaller towns and rural areas.

Get in
Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International Airport  in Tulsa are the two major state airports for domestic and international air travel. Minor airports with limited domestic transport are in Lawton and (sometimes) Ponca City.

By train

 * The Heartland Flyer is the only train through Oklahoma between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, passing through prairie country and along rivers, including the scenic "Big Canyon" area of the Washita River (where bald eagles can be seen during the winter). Service is daily and takes 4½ hours. It passes through Gainesville, Ardmore, Pauls Valley, Purcell and Norman in between.

Get around
The major interstates of Oklahoma include:
 * I-35.svg connects Wichita, Kansas and Dallas, Texas via Oklahoma City.
 * I-40.svg connects Fort Smith, Arkansas and Amarillo, Texas, also via Oklahoma City.
 * I-44.svg connects Joplin, Missouri and Wichita Falls, Texas via Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Most of I-44 through Oklahoma is a toll highway on the following:
 * H.E._Bailey_Turnpike.svg H.E. Bailey Turnpike (I-44) runs from Wichita Falls to south of Lawton and again from north of Lawton into Oklahoma City. The interstate through Lawton and Oklahoma City remain toll free.
 * Turner_Turnpike.svg Turner Turnpike The entire section of I-44 between Oklahoma City (Jct I-35, NE of OKC) and Tulsa (Jct W 61st St SW of Tulsa) is on the Turner Turnpike. The section of I-44 through Tulsa remain toll free.
 * Will_Rogers_Turnpike.svg Will Rogers Turnpike The entire segment of I-44 between Tulsa (Jct US Hwy 412) and the Missouri state line is on the Will Rogers Turnpike.

Also:
 * US_66_(historic).svg & Oklahoma_State_Highway_66.svg Historic US Route 66 closely parallel to I-44 between the Kansas state line to Oklahoma City and I-40 from Oklahoma City to the Texas state line. Oklahoma State Highway (SH) 66 replaces a section of the Old US Hwy 66 between El Reno ( west of Oklahoma City), through Tulsa, to its junction with US Hwy 60 near White Oak.

By bus
Information on transit can be found here.

By thumb
Along with Texas, Oregon, and Missouri, Oklahoma is one of the few U.S. states that allow foot traffic on all toll-free Interstate highways. This makes hitchhiking relatively easy.

See

 * Route 66 Oklahoma has more miles of original Route 66 road-bed left than any other state.
 * Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in Oklahoma City. The memorial is both one of the most visible attractions in the city as well as the saddest, which has posed some problems for the city's tourism department. The outdoor symbolic memorial commemorates the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, in which a domestic terrorist set off a car bomb in a federal government building and killed 168 people. It is free and open 24 hours a day, while the very well done Memorial Museum,  right next door, can be visited for a small fee.
 * Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Indiahoma. More than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.
 * The architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several ... interesting ... buildings in Oklahoma and elsewhere. His tallest skyscraper is the Price Tower in Bartlesville.
 * National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Here you can walk down the streets of Prosperity Junction, a turn-of-the-century Western town. Visit the American Cowboy Gallery, the American Rodeo Gallery, and the Western Performers Gallery.
 * Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa. The largest collection of Western art in the world.

 * Oral Roberts University in Tulsa is among the nation's largest collections of futuristic architecture.
 * Lake Eufaula The largest lake in Oklahoma 102,000 acres of water.
 * Oklahoma is home to dozens of sacred sites of the native Kiowa tribes.
 * Oklahoma is home to dozens of sacred sites of the native Kiowa tribes.

Do
Oklahoma is known as a great place to live and visit. There are a lot of things to do in Oklahoma and it has all kinds of terrain. You will find mountains, pine woods and lakes in the eastern third of the state, plains and grasslands with rolling hills in the center of the state and plains and semidesert in the west and panhandle.Oklahoma City is also home of the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Gambling
There are over eighty casinos in Oklahoma including the largest casino in North America, WinStar World Casino and Resort. In addition there are three para-mutual race tracks for the horse-racing fan. In addition to slot machines, most of the casinos have gaming tables. All the casinos are on Native American Indian lands, most are run by the tribes and have tobacco shops nearby where you can purchase cigarettes cheaper, and tax free. You will also find big name live entertainment at their on-site event centers, and card tournaments at most of the casinos. Some of the biggest names in casinos for the state include,
 * River Spirit Casino: Owned and operated by the Muscogee-Creek Nation
 * Hard Rock Hotel and Casino: Originally named the Cherokee Hotel and Casino, Hard Rock bought the name and theme rights to the location; however, under Oklahoma law the Cherokee Nation still owns the land. It is the only casino Hard Rock operates
 * Cherokee Casino and Resort: Owned and operated by the Cherokee Nation
 * Osage Casino: Owned and operated by the Osage Nation, they have seven locations throughout Osage County, with three featuring a hotel
 * Osage Casino: Owned and operated by the Osage Nation, they have seven locations throughout Osage County, with three featuring a hotel

Wichita Mountains of Southwest Oklahoma
These mountains are older than the Rockies, now ancient and worn down, but still beautiful and majestic. The Wichitas are the site of the oldest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It is the second most visited refuge in the national wildlife refuge system and attracts more than 2 million visitors annually. At the turn of the century, the American Buffalo was nearly extinct.

President Theodore Roosevelt became concerned. Through the efforts of the American Bison Society and the New York Zoological Society, an offer was made to donate 15 bison to the Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve. Congress set aside $15,000 for this purpose, and on October 11, 1907, 15 of the finest buffalo from the New York Zoological Park were shipped by rail to Oklahoma. Seven days later, these six bulls and nine cows had safely returned to the plains and mountains. The bison herd is now maintained at approximately 650 animals. Along with bison, there are many other species of wildlife: more than 50 mammal (including elk and deer), 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.

The Wichitas attract rock climbers from the entire region, particularly Texas because of its amazing granite peaks and faces. Mt. Scott has a paved road all the way to the top and provides a great view of southwest Oklahoma. Also in the area you can catch America's longest running passion play each Easter weekend at the Holy City of the Wichitas, hike the Charon's Garden Wilderness Area, camp alongside beautiful lakes, and be sure to try the famous Meersburger at the Meers Store north of the Refuge.

The small historic town of Medicine Park is found at the main entry to the wildlife refuge on State Highway 49. It is widely known as "America's Cobblestone Community" and was Oklahoma's first planned tourism resort, founded July 4th, 1908. Today, the community is experiencing a major revitalization and attracts thousands to visit its quaint shops, dine in restaurants, taverns, winery and stay in its bed and breakfast inns and numerous cottages. The area of the Wichita Mountains has been designated as the Wichita Mountains National Scenic Byway.

Eat
Oklahoma food has two main influences, both imported from neighboring regions:
 * Tex-Mex cuisine and slow-cooked barbecue come from south of the border. These are popular and available in a range of spiciness that ranges from painfully hot down to mild enough for children (but possibly not mild enough for people from the upper Midwest).  Fast food is especially popular in Oklahoma, and Tex-Mex favorites such as hard-shell tacos and burritos are well-suited to speedy service.  The most popular regional chain is Taco Bueno.  Barbecue joints, which are often locally owned and operated, can be found in most areas.
 * From the foods of the southern US and Native Americans, there is another influence that brings fried chicken, cornbread, beans, and other foods. These are common in diner-style restaurants and large chains of steakhouses.  Frybread, a high-fat Native American bread that resulted from the reservation system, can be bought at most large events.  The popular Indian taco is frybread with taco ingredients inside it.  Chicken-fried steak is a breaded beef steak, and it usually comes drowned in a thick, milk-based gravy, unless you ask for the gravy to be served in a bowl "on the side".

Oklahoma's agricultural strengths are in cattle ranching and wheat farming, and the popularity of beef and carbohydrate-rich foods reflects this. As a landlocked state, seafood is available only if it's flown or trucked in. Deep-fried catfish is the most popular fish, and some restaurants raise their own to be certain of freshness. Especially in the eastern half of the state, which gets more rain, you can get locally grown produce normally associated with southern states, such as peaches, watermelons, and pecans during the appropriate seasons. If you're looking for something that you won't find just anywhere, keep an eye out for fried okra. If you're looking for something truly unusual, then Rocky Mountain oysters are served at Stillwater's annual festival, The Calf Fry, as well as at some steakhouses. Rocky Mountain oysters are also called calf fries (if they're from cattle) or lamb fries (from sheep).

To finish off the meal, consider a piece of pecan pie or peach pie, or go out for ice cream. Braum's Ice Cream, a regional chain based in Tuttle and with more than a hundred stores throughout the state, is "the" place to get ice cream in Oklahoma. If your interests run towards the old-school style, then deep-fried hand pies and root beer floats are venerable Oklahoma traditions.

For breakfast, large plates of eggs, meat, and potatoes are available in every part of the state. The favored local doughnut chain is Daylight Doughnuts, which was founded in Tulsa and now has about 150 stores within the state.

Drink
Sweet drinks, including both sodas (also called "pop") and fruit juice, are popular. "Coke" is used as a generic term, rather than an indication of a Coca-cola brand soft drink. If someone offers you a coke, they may then ask you whether you would prefer a Dr. Pepper or a Pepsi. Some residents will insist that they can taste the difference between sugar and corn syrup in their carbonated beverages, and if you search a bit, you'll probably run across sugar-sweetened ones.

In October 2018, the previously restrictive liquor laws changed to permit beer and wine sales (but not hard liquor) in grocery stores and similar establishments. The change also allows beer (of up to 9% alcohol by volume) and wine to be sold under refrigeration. Before then, any alcoholic beverage of more than 3.2% alcohol by weight (4.0% by volume) sold for off-premises consumption had to be sold at room temperature. The best-selling beer in the state is Bud Light. Among relatively few Oklahoma breweries, the Tulsa-based Prairie Artisan Ale produces a highly rated, high-alcohol imperial stout, and Roughtail Brewing Company in Midwest City is known for its hop-centric IPAs.

Crime
Crime against travelers is not a big problem in Oklahoma. It is safe to walk in the evenings in almost all Oklahoma cities. Some care should be taken in the major cities of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, and Lawton due to a higher crime rate in some areas of these cities. There are many areas of Oklahoma City that are not well lit at night or which have no sidewalks. Travelers should exercise common sense in walking in well-lit areas, staying on busy streets, removing valuables from vehicles, and locking vehicles.

Most Oklahomans will readily help anyone in need, regardless of whether they are known to them or a stranger. There is very little "ice" among people in Oklahoma. A traveler in need of assistance should expect a helpful and friendly attitude.

Travelers in need of assistance on the highway may contact the Oklahoma Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on their cellphones.

Tornadoes
Oklahoma is in "tornado alley". During the spring and summer seasons, this region is often the hub of very violent thunderstorms which can quickly become life-threatening to anyone who is unprepared and in the path of a storm. If you are traveling through the state during the spring and summer months, it is crucial to be vigilant of the weather conditions because they can change rapidly. It is a good idea for the independent traveler to purchase a weather radio that receives the NOAA weather broadcasts to keep yourself regularly informed. The I-35 corridor, especially Moore, is known throughout Oklahoma for having many tornadoes.

If you are staying in Oklahoma for a period of time, take note that the state possesses state-of-the-art radar and warning systems for tracking severe weather. These systems are the best systems in the country. Meteorologists in Oklahoma are some of America’s finest and meteorologists you will see during severe weather have decades of experience with these storms. If you have access to a television or the internet then you will be able to readily obtain up-to-date weather information from these sources. As a general rule, anything less than a tornado warning is no cause for alarm and is just an average Tuesday in Oklahoma.

Refer to the Tornado safety page for more information regarding this matter.

Rain
"Just" rain can cause its own problems, especially if you're in a rural area or in the greater Tulsa area. You may notice tall, thin signs on the side of the road in some low-lying areas, with numbers that count up from the bottom. Those are flood gauges, and you should take note of two things: first, if there has been a lot of rain, then you probably will want to try an alternate route for your departure, because they put those flood gauges in places that tend to have problems. Ask around; anyone familiar with driving in that area will be able to suggest another path, and Oklahomans like to help each other. Second, those signs are called "idiot sticks" by the farmers, because only an idiot tries to drive through the "little puddle" that it's standing in, if he can't see the very bottom of the sign (where the zero would be). Flood waters can look deceptively flat and still after the storm is over, even if the road – or bridge – you were planning to drive on was washed away underneath that placid-looking puddle. Also, remember that all the car insurance companies know what those signs mean, and they don't usually cover claims caused by "idiots" driving into flood waters.

Respect
About one out of 16 Oklahomans self-identify as being descended from the original inhabitants of North America. There is no single name that is always acceptable for referring to these people collectively, although Native American, American Indian, or Indigenous are the most common options. Because of the ugly history of tribes being driven out of their homelands all over the continent and forced to settle in Oklahoma, the cultural diversity between the tribes in Oklahoma is significant. Many people identify primarily as being part of their own specific culture and history. You should follow the lead of the person you're talking to. For example, if you're talking to someone who says that they are Cherokee, then you should stick with that term, instead of trying to guess whether "Indian" will be tolerated or offensive.

Go next

 * Kansas - North of Oklahoma, Kansas is generally considered the center of the country, at least in geographical terms, and is nicknamed "the Heart of America."
 * Missouri - The state's northeastern neighbor also has much to see, from the natural beauty of the Ozarks to the major metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis. Everything's up to date in Kansas City.
 * Arkansas - Oklahoma's eastern neighbor is "the Natural State", home to the Ozark Mountains in the northwest while the south and east of the state has flatter land and shows more of its agricultural heritage.
 * Texas - America's second largest state borders Oklahoma to the south. With a rich history and culture, this fiercely independent state measures over 267,000 square miles in area, making it slightly larger than France.
 * New Mexico - Oklahoma's western neighbor was a Spanish and then Mexican colony until the Mexican War of the 1840s, and retains a culture that is heavily influenced by its native and colonial past.
 * Colorado - The Rocky Mountain state borders Oklahoma to the northwest and offers a mind-boggling array of outdoor activities.

title: Oklahoma


text:
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the central Frontier Country region of the state. The sprawling city and its suburbs offer multiple sports venues, museums, regional food, and a mix of Native American and cowboy culture.

Understand
Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state, as well as its political, cultural, and economic engine. The city is the nation's third largest city in land area (620 sq miles / 1,600 km2), just behind Jacksonville, Florida (759 sq miles / 1966 km2) and way behind Anchorage, Alaska (1698 sq miles / 4398 km2). It is about the same size as Greater London, an urban area with 13 times as many inhabitants.

The city is the 25th largest city in population in the nation (655,000 in 2019), and the largest city in the five states on the Great Plains (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota).

After decades of suburban sprawl and attempts at "urban renewal", a burst of investment during the 1990s gave it additional big city attractions and a pleasant quality of life that often surprises visitors from other cities, making Oklahoma City more of a tourist destination in itself.

Oklahoma's state capitol building is the only capitol in the world with an oil well under it. Although its legal description is Capitol Site #1, it is referred to as Petunia #1 because it was drilled in the middle of a flower bed.

Geography
Oklahoma City is in the Frontier Country region of central Oklahoma, in the Southern Plains of North America. Contrary to popular belief, the geography is not flat and treeless (like in the true high plains) but rather gently rolling hills covered in places by dense low trees, shrubs, and grasses. The weather ranges from cold and windy in the winter to hot and windy in the summer, with a chance of flash floods and tornadoes in between.

The city is roughly bisected by the North Canadian River, which has been partially renamed the Oklahoma River in a flight of civic exuberance. The North Canadian is not very impressive as rivers go. It was once substantial enough to flood every year, wreaking destruction on surrounding homes, until the 1940s when the Civilian Conservation Corps dammed the river and turned it into essentially a wide ditch for the next 50 years. In the 1990s, as part of the citywide revitalization project known as MAPS, the city built a series of low water dams, returning water to the portion of the river that flows near downtown. The city also has three large lakes. Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser are in the northwestern part of the city. The largest, Lake Stanley Draper, is in the far southeastern corner of the city.

Tourist information

 * Visit Oklahoma City website

By train
Amtrak offers daily service from Fort Worth, Texas via its Heartland Flyer train, which can be boarded at, along E.K. Gaylord Blvd between Sheridan Ave and Reno Ave in the Bricktown neighborhood of downtown. The Heartland Flyer has connections to other regional Amtrak lines in Fort Worth. Plans have been proposed to expand the line north to Wichita, KS, and eventually onward to Kansas City.

By car
Oklahoma City is at the intersection of two of the nation's longest continuous interstate highways, I-40 and I-35, as well as I-44. It is also on historic Route 66.

Get around
Getting around Oklahoma City is easy by car. If you're coming to OKC, you will likely want to either rent a car or plan on staying around downtown, because public transportation is rather limited. There is pretty good bus service around downtown, to the airport, and to the cluster of museums and attractions in the northeastern part of the city, but if you want to explore the rest of the city without renting a car, you'll either have to use the not-too-stellar parts of bus system or call a cab. A streetcar system operates in downtown.

If you happen to have or rent a car, then getting around OKC is very simple. The streets are laid out in a grid, with named streets running north and south and numbered streets running east and west. The main thing to remember when driving the city is that when you're on the north side, the numbered streets increase from south to north, while on the south side they increase from north to south. (NW 23rd street is a very different place from SW 23rd street, and you don't want to get them confused.) Aside from that minor issue, navigation is a breeze: there are very few one-way street mazes or "Texas Turnarounds" to worry about, and the interstates in town are usually not congested, except during rush hour and construction.

The city is reasonably bicycle-friendly in the Midtown areas of Oklahoma City due to the numerous through residential low-traffic streets. In other areas of the city, bicycle travel is more difficult due to the lack of low-traffic through streets.

By bus: Embarkok provides local bus service. The most helpful bus routes for tourists are:
 * Route 050 Downtown Discovery runs from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to Bricktown, with stops near the downtown transit center, Red Earth Museum, Myriad Gardens and Amtrak station.
 * Route 003 N Kelly goes to the zoo and science museum from the downtown transit center.

See

Many of the attractions are near downtown or on the north side of town. Highlights in downtown are Bricktown, the city's fast growing entertainment district and tourist showpiece, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, home to the largest collection of Chihuly glass in the world as well as an arthouse/revival theater and a restaurant, and The Myriad Gardens, an impressive urban park with a seven-storey botanical garden. North of the museum is the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the Oklahoma City bombing. The memorial is one of the most visible attractions in the city, and its saddest, which has posed some problems for the city's tourism department. The outdoor symbolic memorial is free and open 24 hours a day, while the very well done Memorial Museum (in the former Journal Record Building next door) can be visited for a small fee.

Many of the neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of Downtown are textbook examples of urban blight, but to the northwest of downtown is a cluster of interesting early 20th century neighborhoods near the campus of Oklahoma City University. In the Northwest, the most notable are The Paseo, a ramshackle artist colony in a 1930s-era urban neighborhood, and "Little Saigon" or as it's officially known, the Asian District, home to the city's large Vietnamese and East Asian community. The Paseo was built in conscious imitation of Kansas City's Country Club Plaza in the early 20th century, but has since developed a gritty bohemian character that can feel like a breath of fresh air. Dozens of art galleries, restaurants, clothing stores and other related businesses are clustered in the area. The Paseo is actually only a single street lined with Art Deco Spanish revival buildings, but theme had been applied to much of the surrounding neighborhood, including a stretch of storefronts on NW 23rd street, sort of the main street of the Northwest side.

West of the Paseo along Classen Boulevard is the Asian District, home to the city's majority Vietnamese Asian community. After the fall of Saigon in 1976, one of the cities picked by the US government for the relocation of refugees was Oklahoma City. Since then, these refugees have been joined by later immigrants from Vietnam and other southeast Asian nations, and by Vietnamese Americans from elsewhere in the country. The district is home to many great restaurants, and to Super Cao Nguyen Supermarket, the largest Asian market in the state.

Just west of the Asian District is Oklahoma City University which features a small art museum and a variety of cultural events and programming.

To the north of Oklahoma City University is the NW 39th Street Enclave, the largest LGBT neighborhood in the state, Crown Heights and the Western Avenue District, which are home to businesses and restaurants catering to young urbanites (Sushi Neko, a fine sushi bar and Will's, a coffee shop, both inside the restored art deco Will Rogers Theater complex, are worth a look).

On the northeast side of the city is the capitol complex, which is interesting in itself, and the Oklahoma History Center. There is a medical research cluster northeast of Downtown centered on the OU Health Science Center that is large and growing, but unless you're a patient, a doctor, or a scientist, you're unlikely to spend much time there. (However the historic Lincoln Terrace neighborhood that is between the OUHSC and the state capitol is worth looking at if you enjoy historic architecture.) The Harn Homestead is also nearby on NE 16th street.

North of the capitol is the Adventure District with the highly ranked Oklahoma City Zoo, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Kirkpatrick Center (which features a children's science museum, an air and space museum, a photography museum and more), Remington Park and Casino a thoroughbred and quarter horse racing track with a Casino and off-track betting.

The Southside is notable primarily for Capitol Hill, a large Hispanic district, and the Stockyards, a neighborhood built around one of the largest cattle markets in the world. Cattle are still bought and sold there every Monday morning, much to the dismay of PETA and other local activists who can sometimes be spotted protesting nearby. The Stockyards resembles in some ways a Wild West-themed amusement park, sans rides. There are stores selling just about anything western themed that you could imagine, from saddles to belt buckles to truly giant hats. One of the few places in the city where your newly purchased giant hat will go mostly unremarked upon is the venerable Cattleman's Steakhouse, which has been serving up hearty steaks and "lamb fries" (a polite term for fried bull testicles) for over a century.

Capitol Hill to the east is one of the city's great contradictions; rife with poverty and violence, it can also be one of the liveliest and most welcoming neighborhoods in the city. Capitol Hill's main street along SW. 29th Street is full of bustling Mexican owned shops and restaurants, as well as the somewhat out of place seeming Oklahoma Opry.

Eat
Oklahoma City can hold its own with any other cosmopolitan city with its availability of diverse and quality eateries, but what is true Oklahoma City fare is probably its bar-b-que and steakhouse options. Some, like Cattleman's, are iconic, and guaranteed to add that special touch to your Oklahoma City trip. For eating on the fly, there are several franchises like Rib Crib and Freddy's Frozen Custard around the city that will take care of bbq and dessert cravings in a pinch.

Drink
"Last call" is 2AM in Oklahoma City and its environs. Liquor stores are permitted to open six days a week from 6AM to 9PM (by state law) and on Sunday from noon to midnight (depending upon the county). Oklahoma's prices for spirits and wine tend to be lower than that of nearby states, including Texas. Beer and wine can be sold at grocery stores and other shops, but hard liquor is sold in bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.

That being said, Oklahoma City has a lively nightlife scene in places like Downtown and the 39th Street Enclave.

There are Henry Hudson's locations throughout OKC and surrounding suburbs which offer a casual bar atmosphere with occasional karaoke. Also, monthly drink and appetizer specials.

For a microbrewery tour, try Belle Isle Brewery in the Northwest district or Coop Ale Works, on the western side of town at 4745 Council Heights Rd.

Stay safe
A little bit of common sense goes a long way. On the whole, the city is quite safe, but you shouldn't take that as a cue to be careless. If you're downtown or in what looks like a sketchy neighborhood, nothing will probably happen to you, but you should still lock your car door, keep your valuables secure, and not put yourself in potentially dangerous situations. Some of the worst areas are in the inner-city districts just surrounding downtown, particularly parts of Mulligan Flats (SE-SW 15th Between I-35 and Western), NE 23rd St., NE 36th Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, NW 10th Street, South Central Avenue, South Shields Boulevard, and South Robinson Avenue; you might want to avoid being there after it gets dark. Also steer clear of particularly seedy-looking bars, although not all are created equal. Keep your wits about you and you'll be fine almost anywhere in Oklahoma City.

You might want to check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Oklahoma City, as it sits in the heart of "Tornado Alley", but the local media are always all over any developing severe weather. Peak tornado season is in the spring, with April and May being the months with the most severe storms.

Summertime heat is also a concern, as average high temperatures during July and August are typically in the mid 90s °F (mid 30s °C) though humidity levels are usually not as high as parts of the adjacent deep south. Temperatures over are also very common during the summer months, but all businesses are air conditioned, as well as hotel rooms and other public places. While snow is not uncommon in the winter, it typically falls only a few times and in small amounts, but just a few inches of snow can be enough to cause much more havoc than in more northern locations... drive safely!

Consulates

 * 🇩🇪 Germany

Go next

 * Norman, a short drive south of downtown Oklahoma City, is its largest suburb and the home of University of Oklahoma, which has beautifully landscaped Victorian campus and several fine museums.
 * Edmond Is a rather affluent suburb due North of Oklahoma City. It has some great qualities, including nice restaurants, the third largest university in the state University of Central Oklahoma and some quaint, quiet neighborhoods near its uniquely successful downtown business district.
 * Tulsa is a 100-mile (160-km) 1.5-hour drive east on Interstate 44, and is known as the Oil Capital of the World.
 * Dallas and Fort Worth are only 3-4 hours south on Interstate 35.
 * You can also follow Route 66 to Los Angeles and to Chicago.

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

title: Oklahoma City


text:
Oklahoma City/Northeast

The Northeast district of Oklahoma City includes the Paseo Arts District and the Adventure District. Located at the crossroads of Interstate 35 and Interstate 44, the Adventure District includes seven attractions and two restaurants within an area that is just slightly smaller than two square miles.

Get in
Most people drive cars in Oklahoma, and the Adventure District is located near two major highways.

The city's EMBARK bus route 022 stops at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Remington Park, and bus route 003 stops at the zoo. These run every 30 minutes on weekdays, and once an hour on Saturday. There is no bus service in this area on Sundays, holidays, or nights.

The Paseo Arts District is served by bus #4; however, be aware that the bus only runs until 7PM on weekdays and Saturdays; no buses run on Sundays.

See

Paseo Arts District
The Paseo is between NW 23rd Street & NW 30th Street, and between Walker Avenue and Shartel Avenue.

Eat
The zoo, the race track, and the larger museums in and around the Adventure district all sell food.

title: Oklahoma City/Northeast


text:
Oklahoma City/Downtown

Downtown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the central business district and has several areas, including the Plaza district, Midtown, Automobile Alley, Metro Park, Film Row, Riverside and Bricktown. It is an area of several square miles between Pennsylvania Avenue and I-235, bounded by NW 23rd on the north and the river on the south.

Get in
Interstate 40 (I-40), also called the Crosstown Expressway, runs along the southern side of the downtown area. Downtown is located just west of Interstate 235 (I-235). The city bus service downtown is better than in the rest of the city, but most people drive. The city's Amtrak train station is located in downtown Oklahoma City.

Get around
Most people drive cars in this city. As of 2018, parking in city-operated parking garages costs $2/hour, with a $10 maximum each day.

Neighborhoods of particular interest to visitors include:

 * Bricktown: a former warehouse district that has been converted into a restaurant and night club hot spot adjacent to downtown.  This area is home to the Bricktown Ballpark, several live music venues, the Harkins movie theatre, and Mickey Mantle's steakhouse.  On the east side of downtown, between E.K. Gaylord Ave. and Lincoln Blvd. and includes Reno Ave., Sheridan Ave. and Main street.
 * Plaza District: Offers art galleries, restaurants, and performance arts.  Named after the historic Plaza Theatre, where Lyric Theatre performs.  Block party on the second Friday evening of each month. Near the theatre on NW 16th Ave.
 * Midtown: Near NW 10th and Walker, Midtown boasts Brasilian, Latin, and American food restaurants, as well as OKC's oldest boutique ice creamery and a bakery.  On weekends, a rooftop bossa nova bar offers a beautiful view of this area's interesting architecture.

See

Do

This is the business district of Oklahoma City. Many people work in this area during the day and then head out for an evening drink or meal.

title: Oklahoma City/Downtown


text:
Oklahoma City/Northwest

Northwest district of Oklahoma City is along and on both sides of the Northwest Expressway and includes the Lake Hefner area.

Understand
The area includes the NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City, which is the largest LGBT community in the state. Most of the points of interest are along NW 39th Street between Pennsylvania and May Ave. or in the surrounding area. Once you are in the area it is a short walk (less than a block or two) to most establishments. Some areas might not be accessible to those in wheelchairs.

NW 39th Street Enclave
NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City has the largest LGBT community in the state, and attracts many visitors as they travel along I-35. The area is most popular on Friday nights.

Like most LGBT areas, drag shows are a common staple. See The Boom, Phoenix Rising, and sometimes the Copa.

Connect

 * Free Wi-Fi at the following locations.

title: Oklahoma City/Northwest


text:
Okmulgee

Okmulgee is in the Green Country region of Oklahoma.

Go next

 * Stone Bluff Cellars Located near Haskell, has some of the best vintages in Oklahoma.
 * Henryetta is a History-rich Town from Oklahoma's Territorial Days.
 * Muskogee is home to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum and the USS Batfish

title: Okmulgee


text:
Okoboji

Okoboji is located in Western Iowa. It is the most well known city in the Iowa Great Lakes area.

Beaches

 * Marble Beach
 * Gull Point
 * Orleans Beach

Go next

 * Spirit Lake is a neighboring city.

title: Okoboji


text:
Okotoks

Okotoks is a town of 29,000 people (2016) in Alberta.

Understand
Okotoks is a town on the banks on the Sheep River, approximately 18 km (11 mi) south of the City of Calgary. Okotoks has emerged as a bedroom community of Calgary.

History
The town's name is derived from "ohkotok", the Blackfoot First Nation word for "rock". The name may refer to Big Rock, the largest glacial erratic in the Foothills Erratics Train, about 7 km (4.3 mi) west of the town.

Before European settlement, journeying First Nations used the rock as a marker to find the river crossing situated at Okotoks. The tribes were nomadic and often followed large buffalo herds for their sustenance. David Thompson explored the area as early as 1800. Soon trading posts sprang up, including one established in 1874 at the Sheep River crossing on the current Okotoks townsite. This crossing was on a trade route called the Macleod Trail, which led from Fort Benton, Montana to Calgary.

In 1879, the area was the site of the killing of the last buffalo. Government leasing of land for one cent per acre ($2.47/km²) began in 1880. This created a major change in the region. The first settlers arrived in 1882.

A community grew up around a sawmill that was established in 1891, and it would grow in size. The last stagecoach stopped in Okotoks in 1891 when rail service between Calgary and Fort Macleod replaced horse-drawn travel. By 1897 the community name had changed three times: from Sheep Creek to Dewdney to Okotoks, assigned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The rail line is still a main line south to the U.S. border, but the last of the passenger service ended in 1971.

Okotoks has experienced three major flooding events, in 1995, 2005 and 2013. The 2005 event, which affected much of southern Alberta, flooded virtually all lands adjacent to the Sheep River, including the central business district, were at least briefly flooded, with the most serious damage being inflicted to riverside pathways, parks and campgrounds. Okotoks was also affected by the 2013 Alberta floods.

The sawmill that was established by John Lineham along the Sheep River in 1891 operated for 25 years and was a major part of the local economy. At one time it employed 135 people, producing an average of 30,000 feet (9,000 m) of lumber per day. The growth of the Canadian Pacific Railway created a demand for railway ties and the mill helped meet that demand. Logs were brought down from the west via the Sheep River. The mill has long since disappeared but one building (one of the oldest remaining in the township) still stands. It houses a law office and restaurant.

Oil was discovered west of Okotoks on October 7, 1913. Okotoks became the supply centre. In its heyday, from 1913 to the 1960s, Okotoks was busy with horses, wagons, and transports hauling all types of equipment to the oil fields, and crude oil back through town to refineries in Calgary.

Climate
Okotoks visitors can count on mild weather from Spring to late Fall, and 330 days of sunshine each year.

Get in

 * By car from 45 km south of Calgary.
 * Like other communities in the vicinity of Calgary, it is served by the Calgary International Airport. It has its own airport for private planes.

See
Since 1974, Okotoks has been hosting a collector car auction in late May. It is the longest running collector car auction in Canada.

Do
Okotoks had 99 parks and over 85 km in walking, hiking and biking trails,

Buy
Downtown Okotoks features some small boutiques and artisans.

Go next

 * The Bar U Ranch near Longview
 * Through Diamond Valley into Sheep River Valley Park in Kananaskis Country.

title: Okotoks


text:
Oku-Hida Onsen Villages

The Oku-Hida Onsen Villages (奥飛騨温泉郷 Oku-Hida Onsengō) are a group of 5 remote hot spring villages, nestled deep in the Japan Alps of Gifu Prefecture.

From north to south, the five villages are Shin-Hotaka (新穂高), Tochio (栃尾), Shin-Hirayu (新平湯), Fukuchi (福地) and Hirayu (平湯). They are administered as part of Takayama City.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Get in
The easiest option is a direct bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo (4½ hr, ¥5700). Alternatively, take a train to the nearest stations Matsumoto (if coming from the east) or Hida-Takayama (if coming from the west), then hop on a bus for the final leg (1½ hr and ¥2,300-2,800 from Matsumoto, 50 min from Takayama).

Get around
Infrequent bus services connect the villages, but to free yourself from limited bus schedules, this is one of those few places in Japan where renting a car may be a good option. Still, the scenic mountain roads are slow, twisty and tiring to drive, and are not a good place to learn to drive on the left.

See
Every village has an open-air bath (露天風呂 rotenburo) open to the public for free or a token fee. Note that these are communal and mixed, ladies wishing to retain their modesty may wish to bring a bathing suit.

Do

Being located in the heart of the northern Japan Alps, there are copious opportunities for hiking in the area, but do your research beforehand as many of the mountains are quite tough and the climbing season is very short — many peaks will still be covered in snow in June. A popular, if fairly challenging, three-day course is to scale all three peaks listed below in a row, crossing over from Oku-Hida to Kamikochi (or vice versa).

Eat
The Hida region is well known for its fatty, well marbled beef and you are practically guaranteed to get a taste of it at dinner. Prices tend to be fairly stratospheric though.

Sleep
There are plentiful accommodation options in the villages, but most of it is distinctly high-end. Pretty much the only budget option is camping... but, then again, if you're going to splurge one on your Japan trip this is quite possibly the best place to do it. Unless otherwise noted, all prices listed below are per person with two meals included.

Go next

 * Takayama
 * Kamikochi
 * Matsumoto
 * Hida
 * Gero
 * Shirakawa-go
 * Gujo
 * Toyama
 * Nakatsugawa

title: Oku-Hida Onsen Villages


text:
Okutama

Okutama (奥多摩) is a mountainous region along the Tama River, at the extreme western end of Tokyo.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

By train
(note the hyphen, or else you won't find it in route searches) is located at the end of the JR Ome Line. From Tokyo and Shinjuku, take a Chuo Line rapid service to Ome (which might require a transfer at Tachikawa, depending on which rapid train you catch), then change trains in Ome for Oku-Tama. The trip from central Tokyo takes around 1¾-2 hours and costs ¥1,080.

Get around
Several buses ply the main routes in Okutama, and taxis and rental cars are also available around Oku-Tama Station. The town itself and several mountain hiking areas are within walking distance of the station.

Hot springs
Okutama is home to several hot springs.

Outdoors
The areas around Okutama and Mitake stations receive the most visitors, but the smaller stations in between are also good for hiking in the hills or enjoying riverside scenery and camping.

Eat
Wasabi-zuke (わさび漬け) is Wasabi stem and leaf pickled in sake lees, which you can find for about ¥400-500. A good companion to a bowl of rice or sake itself.

Budget
Okutama is home to many campgrounds, quite a few of which will allow you to pitch a tent for free.

Mid-range
There are a number of minshuku in the area, charging around ¥6,000 per night.

Go next

 * Hinohara
 * Ome
 * Hinode
 * Akiruno
 * Hamura
 * Fussa
 * Hanno
 * Tabayama
 * Hachioji
 * Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

title: Okutama


text:
Ola

Ola (Russian:ола, O-la) is a city of 6,000 people (2021) in Magadan Oblast at the mouth of the Ola River, on the coast of the Tauiskaya Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Get in
By sealed road - approximately 30 km east of Magadan.

See
At the shore is a rock formation known as the three monks, together with a plaque commemorating the location of the first landing by geologists in 1928. Magadan was founded 3 years later.

Go next

 * Magadan

title: Ola


text:
Olalla (Washington)

Olalla is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.

Olalla means "place of many berries" from the native Chinook word "olallie." Olalla Valley strawberry farms were an important source of strawberries for the Seattle markets, shipped over via the Mosquito Fleet via Colvos Passage by boats such as the famous Virginia V. This historic area is a combination of thick forests, small farms, streams and scenic country roads surrounded by Puget Sound.

Understand
Olalla has some small claim to fame as the location of an early 20th century health retreat (Sanitarium) called Wilderness Heights a.k.a. "Starvation Heights", The sanitarium was owned and operated by Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard. Dr. Hazzard's practice of starvation to cure one's ills resulted in the death of a visiting English heiress in 1911, and the conviction of Dr. Hazzard for her murder. The original bathtub where Hazzard performed autopsies is still in the house, which has a family residing there. However, she also maintains a strong following, in the US, Europe and Australia, that testify to her fasting techniques as having cured them of many ills and believe she was ahead of her time, both then and now, in her methods.

By car
There are several main roads that lead through the area including the Olalla Valley Road and Banner Road, both of which have easy access from the ferry at Southworth and can be reached by driving scenic back roads from Gig Harbor.

By bike
Olalla has many hilly and twisty country roads which are popular with bikers coming over from Seattle or any of the other more populated areas. Many maps of suggested scenic bike rides can be found online but be forewarned that it may be awhile between pit stops so plan accordingly.

Get around
Olalla can be reached via the Fauntleroy, Vashon, Southworth ferry from the north and from the South via Gig Harbor and the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula with its nearly 371 miles of coastline Olalla is an excellent place to explore by boat.

See
Olalla Valley is home to many historical barns and structures including the Olalla Community Club and the Olalla Bible church. Drive down Olalla Valley Road on the way in or out for a nice view of the club, the church and about a half a dozen very old barns.

Do

 * Olalla hosts an annual Polar Bear Jump on January 1 and Olalla Americana Music Festival the 3rd Saturday in August. There are several nice parks in the area including Anderson Point Park and a public salt water boat launch near the intersection of Olalla Valley Road SE and Banner Rd SE.

Beachcombing
Unlike many beach areas in the Puget Sound Olalla does offer a long sandy beach at Anderson Point Park. Oysters, clams and moon snails are common sites and seals, otters and eagles are not uncommon.

Sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.

Horseback riding
It is common to see horses being ridden in the areas around Olalla and drivers should be vigilant watching for horseback riders traveling on the side of the road. Banner forest is common destination for riders that share the trails with mountain bikers and hikers.

Sea kayaking
The Olalla boat launch is on an estuary with a wide variety of birds and just across Colvos Passage from Vashon Island making it an excellent place to start a Sea kayaking adventure and a rewarding way to explore the Kitsap Peninsulas 371 miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Or just explore Kitsaps many harbor towns that cater to kayakers with shops and restaurants accessible from the water. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Kayak trails
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate and scenic travel destinations.

Buy
Although Olalla was once a thriving business center larger than Port Orchard, there are not many businesses left in the area except Al's, small farms, a few local craftspeople and a small farmers market in the summer.

Drink
The popular Olalla Valley winery is in the area and should be a stop for anyone exploring the area's wineries.

Grape Wines - Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Voignier, Gobulak (A Russianred fleshed grape that does well in the Olalla Valley).

Berry Wines - Blackberry Wine, Raspberry Wine

Other Wines - Lavendar, Marionberry, Loganberry, Boysenberry and Apple

Sleep
There are not many places to spend the night in the area, look towards Gig Harbor and Port Orchard for more options.

By car
There are no highways that run through Olalla, but Gig Harbor lies to the south and Port Orchard lies to the north via back roads.

By ferry
Vashon Island lies to the east via Southworth Ferry which also connects to the Faunteroy Terminal in West Seattle.

By boat
Olalla is an excellent launching area to explore the area by boat however there are a few things to know. The tidelands at the boat launch become challenging at extreme low tide as the whole area becomes a large mud flat. After the boat ramp boaters will need to pass under a bridge to gain access to Puget Sound which means no sailboats or any boats with a large mast. Olalla is about 6 nautical miles from Gig Harbor but the current in nearby Colvos Passage generally runs northward which would make a southbound journey difficult for paddlers. The next large port to the north is in Manchester with a smaller hand carried outtake closer to Southworth. Vashon Island is also nearby including Lisabeula Park which offers overnight access for non motorized boats.

title: Olalla (Washington)


text:
Olancha-Cartago

Olancha and Cartago are settlements in the Desert Region of Inyo County, California.

Understand
Olancha (originally Olanche) and Cartago (originally Carthage, Daniersburg, and Lakeville) are near the southern tip of Owens Lake, which is mostly a dry lake. The lake held a significant amount of water until the rivers and streams that flowed into it were diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct in the 1910s. Cartago is near an abandoned settlement known as Carthage, and its current name is taken from the Spanish name for the ancient Pheonician city of Carthage in modern day Tunisia.

title: Olancha-Cartago


text:
Olathe

There are several places called Olathe.

United States of America

 * Olathe (Colorado) - A town in Colorado.
 * Olathe (Kansas) - A town in Kansas.

title: Olathe


text:
Olathe (Kansas)

Olathe is a city in Kansas.

By car
Olathe is connected by I435, US 50, US 69, and US 169.

By plane

The nearest major airport is the Kansas City International Airport which is about 40 miles north of Olathe. All the major rental car companies are available at the Airport.

The airport taxi to Olathe costs between $82 and $90. There are (free)telephones near the baggage carousels which can be used to call a cab.

Do

 * - located in Olathe

Eat
For fine dining, it may be easier to go to Kansas City, though Joe's Kansas City BBQ is well renowned. Chains include Panda Express, McDonald's and Burger King. There are good restaurants in Overland Park as well.

Sleep
Olathe has a number of hotels, including all the major hotels. These include Hampton Inn, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn on South Strangline Road. These are all right next to each other. Rates vary between $ 90 and $ 169 per night. Wi-Fi is free in all these hotels. All of them have a good breakfast which opens at 6:30AM. There is a heated pool and a few treadmills for fitness. There are a number of chain restaurants within a half mile from any of these hotels.

title: Olathe (Kansas)


text:
Olbia

Olbia (Sardinian: Terranòa; Gallurese: Tarranòa) is the major city of the Gallura sub-region in northeastern Sardinia.

Understand
Olbia is the 4th largest settlement (by population) on the island. Since 2016 the whole Gallura sub-region including Olbia is a part of the province of Sassari. Visitors mostly use Olbia as a transit point where they arrive by plane or ferry and depart via public transport or car to see the rest of Sardinia, especially the renowned Costa Smeralda.

By plane

 * Services
 * Connections
 * Urban bus lines 2, 10 connect the airport with Olbia centre (from 06:00 approx. every hour). Tickets are sold at the airport's Information Desk.
 * A number of bus companies provide direct connections from the airport to various destinations in Sardinia: Sassari, Nuoro, Cagliari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Palau, Arzachena, Porto Rotondo, Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Budoni, Orosei, Cala Gonone, Alghero, Castelsardo. Tickets for ARST buses could also be bought at the ticket vending machine.
 * A number of bus companies provide direct connections from the airport to various destinations in Sardinia: Sassari, Nuoro, Cagliari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Palau, Arzachena, Porto Rotondo, Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Budoni, Orosei, Cala Gonone, Alghero, Castelsardo. Tickets for ARST buses could also be bought at the ticket vending machine.

By boat
There are two ports close to Olbia.

Land connections from the Golfo Aranci:
 * By train: The station is next to the Port of the Golfo Aranci. It is 23 km north-east from Olbia.
 * By bus: a seasonal service by ARST.

By car
Much of the city center is a contiguous limited traffic zone (ZTL) composed of zones A, B and C (map and hours). Most vehicles are prohibited from accessing the main part of zone C at any time. If you're driving, avoid entering the ZTL, otherwise you will receive a fine, even in a rental car.

Buy
Olbia has the only mall and the only McDonalds for hundreds of miles – for many people there that is a good thing.

Stay safe
You may encounter poor road conditions, with potholes and open drains. Also the skill of some drivers leaves something to be desired. For women, it's better not to walk alone late at night, just to avoid the possibility to meet drunk homeless people (who are usually harmless though).

Cope

 * Mater Olbia Hospital, Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda,, info@materolbia.com@undefined
 * Giovanni Paolo II Hospital, Via Bazzoni - Sircana (Località Tannaule),, , so.giovpaoloolbia@atssardegna.it@undefined
 * San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Viale Aldo Moro,, so.giovpaoloolbia@atssardegna.it@undefined
 * Police Station, Via del Castagno,, comm.olbia.ss@pecps.poliziadistato.it@undefined
 * Carabinieri Olbia Centro (National gendarmerie of Italy), Via Gabriele D'annunzio 78,
 * Carabinieri reparto territoriale (National gendarmerie of Italy), Via degli Astronauti,
 * Vigili del fuoco (Fire Department), Via Santa Lucia,
 * Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard), Viale Isola Bianca 8,, , , cpolbia@mit.gov.it@undefined

Go next

 * Tempio Pausania — a former mountainous co-capital of the Gallura subregion.

title: Olbia


text:
Old 96 District

Old 96 district is a region in South Carolina.

Understand
Towns include:

title: Old 96 District


text:
Oldcastle

Oldcastle is a town in County Meath in central Ireland, with a population in 2022 of 1400. The reason to visit is the collection of prehistoric tombs at Loughcrew Cairns, which are as fine as those at better-known Newgrange but even older, and without the tourist hordes.

Get in
From Dublin city centre or airport take the hourly Bus 109 to Kells, 80 min, and change to the 187.

Bus 187 runs from Kells via Carnaross, Virginia (for buses from Enniskillen and Cavan Town), Ballyjamesduff and Mount Nugent to Oldcastle. There are four M-Sa, taking just under an hour.

is the main bus stop; all the town's facilities are within 100 m or so of here. For more route info see the TFI route mapper.

By road from Dublin follow M3 / N3 to Kells then R163 west onto R154; maybe 90 min.

Get around
It's 3 km to Loughcrew Cairns: a bike would do.

See

 * Town centre is clustered around The Square. St Bride's is the Church of Ireland church west side of The Square; St Brigid's east on Church St is Roman Catholic, with a shrine to Saint Oliver Plunkett. There's nothing left of the Workhouse, which from 1916 to 1918 was a detention camp for German and Austrian POWs and interned civilians; the area is now a housing estate just south of town. Also there but not worth seeking out is the site of the castle, a Norman motte-and-bailey, now an overgrown mound.
 * Carnbane West (206 m) is 1 km away. Cairns D and L are both 60 m in diameter. They've been damaged so nowadays there's no public entry within.
 * Carrickbrack "the speckled hill" between Carnbane West and the lane has the grassy Cairn M, which hasn't been excavated.
 * Patrickstown Hill (276 m), the highest point in the county, is 3 km east of Carnbane East. The stones have been raided to use as masonry so the cairns are in poor condition and you mainly come for the view, along the path from R154.
 * Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Memorial Church is within Loughcrew Estate and open daily 10AM-5PM. Plunkett (1625-1681) was born at Loughcrew: there's an annual pilgrimage and mass here on 1 July, the date he was executed at Tyburn. See Drogheda for more of his life and works.
 * is the ruin of a medieval turret, with a few fragments of a church nearby.
 * was the mother-house of Moylagh church. It's across the boundary in County Westmeath, see Mullingar.
 * is the ruin of a medieval turret, with a few fragments of a church nearby.
 * was the mother-house of Moylagh church. It's across the boundary in County Westmeath, see Mullingar.

Do

 * For anglers, Lough Ramor 6 km north near Virginia has coarse fishing, and Lough Sheelin 10 km west has trout.
 * Oldcastle Pitch and Putt is open seven days a week. The nearest full golf course is in Virginia.
 * Oldcastle Agricultural Show is in July.

Buy

 * Cadden's SuperValu is the main store. It's on The Square and open M-Sa 8:45AM-7PM, Su 8:45AM-6PM.

Eat

 * Cheap and cheerful places include Little Panda and Thien Loc, plus take-aways.
 * The hotels have the best dining, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Clustered around the Square are Dublin Bar, Farrelly's, Crean Bar, Mountain Dew, Caffrey's, Ramble Inn and Smith's Railway Bar.

Sleep

 * Naper Arms Hotel is nowadays just an auction house.
 * Loughcrew Cairns has camping, caravan pitches and the inevitable glamping yurts. Tent €12 ppn.
 * Naper Arms Hotel is nowadays just an auction house.
 * Loughcrew Cairns has camping, caravan pitches and the inevitable glamping yurts. Tent €12 ppn.
 * Loughcrew Cairns has camping, caravan pitches and the inevitable glamping yurts. Tent €12 ppn.

Connect
As of April 2021, Oldcastle has a good 4G signal from Three and a patchy service from Eir, but no coverage by Vodafone. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park towards Drogheda is another collection of astronomically-aligned megaliths dating to 3200 BC.
 * Kells has the remains of the abbey that housed the Book of Kells.
 * Cavan Town is in the drumlin country, with islet-studded lakes.

title: Oldcastle


text:
Olde English District

Olde English district is a region in South Carolina south of Charlotte, a major southeastern United States city. The counties of Lancaster and York are also considered to be a part of the Charlotte Metro.

Principal cities

 * (town)
 * (town)

Other cities

 * (village)
 * (village)
 * (village)
 * (village)
 * (village)
 * (village)
 * (village)

Other destinations

 * | Andrew Jackson State Park
 * | Cowpens National Battlefield
 * | Historic Brattonsville
 * | Kings Mountain National Military Park
 * | Kings Mountain State Park
 * | Landsford Canal State Park

Understand
The district is not a historical one. Instead, it is one of eleven tourism districts of South Carolina, created in 1976 by the state legislature in order to create and improve tourism, recreation and development in the included counties. Its name came about due to the region being settled by the English in the 1770s. The area was the site of a number of Revolutionary War battles including the Battle of Kings Mountain.

By Plane

 * | Charlotte-Douglas International Airport—Although located in North Carolina, the Charlotte airport serves as a major airport for this region of South Carolina.

See
Below is a list of top sightseeing attractions in the region. Please go to individual cities for more listings.

Do

 * 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
 * 3111 Sand Island Road, Rock Hill, SC

title: Olde English District


text:
Olden and Loen

Olden and Loen are neighbouring villages in Sogn og Fjordane. They are surrounded by high mountains, and at the fjord Nordfjord. The glacier Jostedalsbreen is not far away. The villages are on the shore of Nordfjord, some 8 km apart.

Understand

Olden (population 480 in 2019) and Loen are small villages at the intersection of deep lush valleys and the grand Nordfjord. These valleys are well known for their fine glaciers, all branches of Jostedalsbreen, the main glacier and the largest glacier in mainland Europe. The Olden and Loen valleys are also home to lovely lakes, rivers and waterfalls.

By plane

 * Closest airport is at Sandane, small, short distance aircraft only.
 * Other airports
 * Oslo airport at Gardermoen, 450 km
 * Ørsta-Volda airport, 80 km
 * Førde airport, 110 km
 * Sogndal airport, 130 km

By car

 * North-south: Olden and Loen is on route 60, connected to E39 (Bergen-Ålesund connection) at Byrkjelo and at Grodås/Hornindal
 * East-west: Route 15 through next door Stryn, connected to E6 at Otta.

By bus
There are express buses from Bergen, Førde, Ålesund and Trondheim.

Stay safe
Glaciers are treacherous and should be observed from safe distance only. Your life is at risk if walk near or on the glacier on your own.

On longer hikes there may be unexpected changes in weather, carry the gear you might need to cope.

Go next
If you want to see more dramatic nature, Geiranger is a good choice.

title: Olden and Loen


text:
Oldenburg

Oldenburg is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is a pleasant town with an old center full of restaurants, cafes, and pedestrian streets, between Bremen and the Netherlands.

By plane
The closest airports are Bremen, Hamburg   and Amsterdam Schiphol.
 * Bremen Airport : Take tram 6 to Bremen Hauptbahnhof, then change to an Oldenburg Hauptbahnhof train. The trip will take around 1h and cost about €12.
 * Hamburg Airport : Take train S1 to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, then change to a Bremen Hauptbahnhof train, then change to an Oldenburg Hauptbahnhof train. The trip will take around 2 hr 10 min, and cost about €36. A direct bus to Oldenburg is available from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, see details below.
 * Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: The train trip has been complicated by the damaged Friesen bridge that will not be replaced until 2024. It is possible to use a train-bus-train option (around 4 hr 20 min), or to take a train to Sloterdijk (24 minutes) and then a FlixBus to Oldenburg Hauptbahnhof (4 hr 30 min). A direct bus to Oldenburg is available from Amsterdam Sloterdijk, see details below.

By train
Regional services connect to surrounding towns.
 * Bremen: Transport to other German cities will generally require a transfer in Bremen. There are two direct trains an hour between Bremen and Oldenburg, with travel times of 30-40 minutes.
 * Hamburg: There are three trains an hour from Hamburg to Bremen, with a transfer required to Oldenburg. Total travel times are 1 hr 40 min-2 hr 15 min.
 * Amsterdam: There are four trains an hour from Amsterdam, but the trip has been complicated by the damaged Friesen bridge that will not be replaced until 2024. The train and bus combinations will take 4 hr 16 min-5 hr 30 min, and can be booked through Deutsche Bahn.
 * Groningen: Travel to/from Groningen (generally requires a transfer in Leer (D) and from there on to Oldenburg. Be aware of the border crossing after Nieuweschans. You can't use a Dutch ticket to go to Germany.

By car
You can reach Oldenburg from the A1, A7, A27 and E22 highway.

By bus
FlixBus operate direct buses from the north side of the (ZOB) Advance booking through the FlixBus website is recommended, because it is cheaper and the buses do fill up.
 * Hamburg: 7 buses per day (2 hr 25 min-2 hr 35 min, €9-20)
 * Amsterdam Sloterdijk: 4 buses per day (4 hr 35 min-5 hr 10 min, €17-20).

Get around
By bicycle Oldenburg prides itself on cycling, and has extensive bicycle paths within the town and to adjacent towns. Bicycle rentals are available downtown from Vosgerau Am Damm (€6.50/day), Fahrradzentrum Oldenburg (€10/day), Swapfiets (€17.5/month). The Fahhradselbsthilfewerkstatt (bicycle repair shop) at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg also rents out bikes at around €20/month.

By bus

Frequent local buses are operated by VWG, with route and timetable information also available in Google Maps Navigation. You can buy tickets on the bus (2€45), but is slightly cheaper to buy a set of 4 rides (€20), a day pass (€7) or a multi-day pass.

Do

 * Bremen is very close, see the "by train" section.
 * Bremen is very close, see the "by train" section.
 * Bremen is very close, see the "by train" section.

Work
Carl von Ossietzky University (founded 1973) is an important regional university.

Budget

 * There are a host of eateries in the city center, including a variety of doener stands, Chinese Food, a McDonalds and a Burger King.
 * On weekdays the Pferdemarkt ("horse market") hosts a market at which you can buy fresh baked breads, vegetables, meats, but no horses.
 * The largest supermarkets are Real Stubbenweg, and the Famila XXL Wechloy. Smaller supermarkets include Lidl, Aldi, Penny, Rewe and Aktiv-Irma.

Go next

 * Bremen
 * Delmenhorst
 * Groningen — twin city of Oldenburg, across the border in the Netherlands

title: Oldenburg


text:
Old Forge

Old Forge is a village of about 750 people (2010) in the Adirondacks. As one of the western gateway communities of the Adirondack Park, Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism especially during the summer months.

Understand
Old Forge is a formerly-incorporated village in the southwestern corner of Adirondack Park, serving as point of entry to the park from a large area of Central New York. An Adirondack ski resort known for its lake-effect snow, the tiny village holds one of the records for the lowest winter temperatures in New York, at -52 °F (-46 °C) on February 17, 1979.

Get in

 * From Herkimer, take NY 28 northbound.
 * To pick up NY 28 from Utica-Rome use NY 12 northbound (from Utica and I-90) or NY 365 (Rome).

Get around
A car would be the best way to get around, but there are scenic railroad rides and cruises for seeing the area in depth.

Do

 * - located in Old Forge
 * The western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is found near Old Forge. The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine. The route runs through public and private lands. It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.
 * The western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is found near Old Forge. The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine. The route runs through public and private lands. It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.
 * The western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is found near Old Forge. The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine. The route runs through public and private lands. It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.

Eat
Old Forge is known for its unique style of rectangular Pizza.

Go next

 * Central New York. Utica is 50 miles (80 km) to the south.

title: Old Forge


text:
Old Goa

Old Goa is 9 km east of Panaji, in Goa, a state of India.

Understand
Old Goa is the former colonial capital. Full of history, it's home to some scenic churches and convents that are well maintained and worth a visit. Make sure you have at least half a day to adequately understand and appreciate the place. The site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, and is a UNESCO listed World Heritage site.

Get in
Panjim (Panaji), the state capital of Goa, is barely 9 km from here, so it is easy to take a bus from Panjim to Old Goa. Private vehicles too ply, but taxis tend to overcharge in Goa.

Get around
It is best to visit the place on foot, since there is so much of history to seep in. Local guides, some approved by the tourism department of Goa, are available.

Do
Spend time walking around the monuments and see how Old Goa fits into global history and the meeting points of cultures of another century.

Buy
Souvenir and trinklet stalls here, but Panjim has a better choice nearby. Visit the shop at the Museum of Christian Art, at the annexe to the Santa Monica Convent. Worthy of a visit, and reasonably priced.

Eat
Options for food and drink are limited in Old Goa. There are a few restaurants in the area, and along the highway that passes through the area.

Drink
See above comment.

Sleep
There are few places to cast anchor in Ola Goa. It might be better to stay at Panjim or elsewhere in Goa, as travel within the small region tends to be easy—even if traffic jams are a growing reality due, in part, to the spurt in tourism.

Go next
Usually by bus. The Konkan Railway has a nearby station, known by the village name of Karmali.

title: Old Goa


text:
Oldham

Oldham is a former textile town in Greater Manchester, 7 miles (10 km) northeast of city centre in the foothills of the Pennines. The main reason to visit is to explore the villages and valleys leading into the Pennines. In 2011 the population was over 96,000.

Understand
Historically Oldham was in Lancashire, while the area of Saddleworth just east was in Yorkshire, including the villages of Delph, Diggle, Greenfield and Uppermill. In 1974 the county border was moved east onto the crest of the Pennines, and Saddleworth became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham within Greater Manchester.

The area was little more than sheep farms until well into the 18th century. Oldham became a centre for manufacture of hats, but the early industrial revolution passed it by: the town is perched on a bleak ridge some 700 ft (200 m) above sea level, with no rivers to drive waterwheels or canal routes to transport materials. 19th-century steam power made all the difference, fired by coal from the town's own coalfield, and Oldham suddenly became the world's leading cotton-milling town, outstripping Manchester and Bolton. This textile industry crashed in the late 20th century and the town has yet to reinvent itself.

By plane
Manchester Airport to the south of the city has frequent trains to city centre. Pick a train that continues through Piccadilly to Victoria, where you change for the tram to Oldham as below. You can ride the tram all the way from the airport and change trams at Deansgate, but it's much slower for scant fare saving.

National Express Bus NX381 calls at the airport and Oldham on its route between Chester and Leeds, see below. So does the London Bus NX540 but you can't use it between airport and Oldham.

Oldham is something of a motorists' shortcut to the airport: A663 through Chadderton cuts off an angle between M62 and M60 for transpennine traffic.

By tram
Oldham has no mainline train service. It's served by the Metrolink trams (pink and grey lines), which take 30 min from Manchester Victoria via Newton Heath and South Chadderton to and other stops in town. Oldham is in Fare Zone 3 so a single journey from city centre is £3.80; trams run every 5-10 min 6AM-midnight. The pink line continues east to Shaw, Milnrow and Rochdale, all in Zone 4. Westbound, the lines run through Victoria to St Peters Square, Deansgate, Chorlton and East Didsbury. Change in city centre for the other lines to Bury, to Piccadilly station, Etihad stadium and Ashton-under-Lyne, to Wythenshawe and the airport, to Old Trafford, Stretford, Sale and Altrincham, to Imperial War Museum and Trafford Centre, and to Salford Quays and Eccles.

The only mainline railway station in the area is at Greenfield near the Pennine village of Uppermill. This has hourly trains from Piccadilly via Stalybridge and Mossley (both near Ashton-under-Lyne) and continuing from Greenfield via Marsden to Huddersfield.

By car
You'll probably approach either on M60 which circles Manchester, or on M62 from the Leeds / Bradford area then take the A627(M) spur into town.

A62 leads from central Manchester, 20-45 min depending on the traffic.

By bus
National Express Bus NX381 runs three times a day from Leeds via Bradford, Oldham, central Manchester, MAN airport and Ellesmere Port to Chester.

Bus NX 540 runs twice a day from Rochdale and Oldham to London Victoria, taking 7 hours. This also picks up in Manchester city centre and the airport but you can't use it for the short ride from Oldham.

Other long distance bus routes involve changing in Manchester city centre at Chorlton Street.

Get around
Transport in Greater Manchester is co-ordinated by GMPTE, see their website for fare deals and journey planner. A day ticket is often a good option.

See "Get in" above for tram routes: these may be the quickest method of transport even if you have to go into city centre then out again. It's worth riding one extra stop beyond town centre just to get off at a place called "Oldham Mumps" — a mumper was a beggar.

The main bus routes (all run by First Group) from central Manchester are:
 * Bus 83 / 84 is the quickest, from Piccadilly via Newton Heath and Hollinwood to Oldham in 40 min, 5AM-midnight every ten min. Bus 84 continues every 30 min to Uppermill and Saddleworth.
 * Bus 76 takes an hour from Piccadilly via Ancoats, Holt Town, Newton Heath, Failsworth, Hollinwood, Limeside and Coppice to Oldham, running every 15-30 min.

You might also use:
 * Bus 184 M-Sa hourly from Oldham via Uppermill, Diggle and Marsden to Huddersfield, 80 min.
 * Bus 409 every 15 min from Rochdale via Thornham and Royton to Oldham, continuing via Hathershaw to Ashton-under-Lyne. Bus 58 also plies between Oldham and Rochdale.

See

 * , half a mile south of town centre, is a pleasant green space with gardens and a boating lake.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.
 * is in Littleborough near Rochdale.

Do

 * Walk the Pennine Way which follows the crest of the ridge bordering Yorkshire, and there are other walking trails around Saddleworth Moor, Wessenden Moor and Standedge. It's not the most scenic part of the Pennines, being a plateau of impervious millstone grit topped by a peat bog, without the limestone that embellishes the Peak District to the south and the Yorkshire Dales further north. But the trails are well marked, with boardwalks over the boggier sections, and the landscape is haunting and spare. Saddleworth Moor has a dark history: it's where the "moors murderers" Ian Brady and Myra Hindley buried four of their young victims 1963-65. One of the bodies has never been found.
 * Football:
 * Rugby league: "The Roughyeds" play the 13-a-side game in League One, the third tier, at Whitebank (aka Vestacare) Stadium a mile south of the centre. The playing season is Feb-Sept.
 * Rugby league: "The Roughyeds" play the 13-a-side game in League One, the third tier, at Whitebank (aka Vestacare) Stadium a mile south of the centre. The playing season is Feb-Sept.

Buy

 * Oldham's two main shopping centres, Town Square and The Spindles, are effectively one. They've got the usual big-name retailers. Other stores are along High St and Union St.
 * Tommyfield Market, founded 1788, is on Henshaw St OL1 1LJ, within the hall and spilling out across the square. It's held M-Sa 9AM-5:15PM, and on Sunday (6:15AM-noon) there's a car boot sale.

Drink

 * Up Steps Inn is a JD Wetherspoons at 17 High St, open Su-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM. The Squire Knott nearby on Yorkshire St is no longer a Wetherspoons.
 * Most pubs and clubs are on Yorkshire Street, east side of Oldham town centre.

Sleep

 * Most of the accommodation is near a motorway, convenient for business travellers. 247 Hotel is the closest to Oldham centre on Manchester Street.
 * Premier Inn is on Broadway, quarter of a mile south of M60 jcn 21, and Travelodge Oldham is just north of that junction.
 * Another Premier Inn is on Westwood Leisure Park, 200 yards east of that Travelodge.
 * Another Premier Inn is on Westwood Leisure Park, 200 yards east of that Travelodge.
 * Another Premier Inn is on Westwood Leisure Park, 200 yards east of that Travelodge.

Stay safe
Oldham has its fair quota of aggressive drunks; in 2018/19 public disorder crimes were 150% the national average, but the incidence of violent crime was average. Be careful along Yorkshire Street late evening, and you have no reason to venture into the rough estates of Glodwick, Fitton Hill or Sholver.

Connect
As of June 2021, Oldham has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from Three.

Go next

 * You can hardly fail to take in Manchester, just half an hour away.
 * Chester is an attractive old city with much of its medieval walls intact.
 * Liverpool is a buzzing place with lots to see and do.
 * The Brontë Country stretches over the Pennines, centred on Haworth but stretching from Leeds to Burnley.
 * Other destinations within a couple of hours travel are Blackpool, the Lake District, the North Wales coast and the Peak District.

title: Oldham


text:
Old Harlow

Old Harlow is in Essex.

By bus
A low-cost minibus company, Stansted Transfer  operates between London and Stansted Airport. Their shared hotel transfers are available for less than £10.

There are regular buses to Old Harlow and Harlow New Town from Stansted Airport and Bishop's Stortford. There is also a network of bus route within the town.

By plane
is 20 minutes away by road or train. The Stansted Express train runs regularly to and from Harlow. There are also five alternative international airports within easy reach – Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton and Southend.

By train

Greater Anglia provides regular service to Harlow Town and Harlow Mill from London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale and Cambridge. The Stansted Express operates through Harlow. The rail network links with the Channel Tunnel’s Eurostar service to provide a route into mainland Europe via Tottenham Hale, London Underground Victoria line and London St Pancras.

Harlow Mill station primarily serves Old Harlow, while Harlow Town is best for the new town and town centre.

By road
Harlow is on the M11 (Junction 7) which runs north to Cambridge and south to London, linking up with the M25 at Junction 27. To the west of Harlow is the A10 which provides a route to Cambridge or London. The A414 runs through Harlow and provides an east-west route from Chelmsford to St Albans. Buses from Stansted Airport to Heathrow run via Harlow.

Get around
Most places in Old Harlow are within a 30-minute walking distance.

Do
Walks in fields around Churchgate Street

Walk along River Stortford, north to Sawbridgeworth, or south to join Lee Valley Walk

Buy
Supermarket in the High Street in Old Harlow. A large number of shops in the town centre.

Eat
Apart from the pubs below, several cafes and restaurants in the High Street and in the town centre.

Drink
The Green Man Hotel

The Marquis of Granby

Sleep

title: Old Harlow


text:
Hunstanton

Old Hunstanton and Hunstanton are an adjoining town and village on the Norfolk coast. Known for being one of the few (or only) places on the east coast in England where the sun can be seen to set over the sea, the two places combine ancient heritage with traditional English seaside resort thrills.

By road
The A149 is an 85-mile-long coastal road that stretches from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth. The road runs directly around the border of the town, with the B1161 (or "Oasis Way") leading off into the centre. A scenic and enjoyable route, though difficult for HGVs at places.

It is also possible to reach Hunstanton by North Beach Rd from the neighbouring village of Heacham. However, be aware that this is a narrow gravel road with no markings and is prone to flooding in poor weather conditions.

By train
Although without a station of its own since 1969, Hunstanton is connected directly to King's Lynn railway station by numerous bus services, including the Norfolk Green 10/11 and Coasthopper.

By bicycle
Two long distance cycle paths both passing 2 miles S of town:

Get around
The Hunstanton area is relatively small and therefore there is only really the need to walk. To get to other villages, the Coasthopper bus is recommended.

Do

 * Rainbow Park is a funfair on Seagate Road.
 * CHS Pier Amusements
 * CHS Pier Amusements

Buy

 * Lots of gift shops and novelty shops around the town.
 * Lots of gift shops and novelty shops around the town.
 * Lots of gift shops and novelty shops around the town.
 * Lots of gift shops and novelty shops around the town.

Eat

 * Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.
 * Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.
 * Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.
 * Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.
 * Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.

Connect
As of July 2022, Hunstanton has 4G from all UK carriers, though with dead spots on its approach roads. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Blakeney (Norfolk) to see seal colony and Cley Marshes nature reserve.
 * Wells-next-the-Sea

title: Hunstanton


text:
Old Lyme

Old Lyme is a coastal town in Mystic-Eastern region of Connecticut. Old Lyme is a quaint little town at the bottom of the Connecticut River on the East banks. It is generally regarded as a summering destination as it has many gorgeous beaches.

Understand
Off-season, Old Lyme has a small population, and the locals generally know each other. Although you may stick out, the locals are very friendly and willing to help direct you where you need to go.

Lyme Disease got its name from Old Lyme. A local doctor first discovered the disease here!

Get in
The best way to get into Old Lyme is by car. Although there is a public transit bus (Bus Number 9), it is very infrequent and hard to catch. As for other means of getting to Old Lyme, across the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook is a train station owned by Amtrak and also served by Shoreline East trains. Many people come from Boston and New York this way. This is the easiest way to get close to Old Lyme without a car; however, upon arriving in Old Saybrook you will need to rent a car unless you have brought a bicycle or are in no rush (there is a foot and bicycle path across the Connecticut River on the I-95 Baldwin Bridge).

Get around
A car is useful for getting around Old Lyme, though biking is also an option. The beaches are far from the quaint town center, and many of the parks or lakes (including in neighboring Lyme) are a 20 minute drive from the center of town, though some beautiful hiking trails on large town-owned and land conservation trust-owned properties are close to town.

See

The thing Old Lyme is most known for is its beaches. There are many to choose from, so it shouldn't be hard finding one.

Other things to see include:

Do
Swim, fish, hike, shop, kayaking.

Beaches

 * Griswold Point This beach makes for a long walk on a sandy beach where there is always sea glass and shells to find. Every so often an arrow heads gets found so keep your eye out, especially sticking out of the orange clay to your right in the beginning of your walk. When getting to the end of the beach stay to the sand and water because the grassy areas are private property. The end of the beach is also home of a nature/bird preserve.

 * White Sands Beach This is a town beach. A town resident sticker is needed to park as a parking attendant is on duty whenever the beach is open. Lifeguards are on duty at all times, unless there is rain or bad weather. There are cottage rentals available for summer and winter, all the cottages are a very short walk to the beach. This beach is connected to Griswold point. There are frequent visits from the Ice Cream Man here as well as indoor bathrooms and outdoor showers.

 * Old Lyme Beach Club This is a private beach club. Members only, unless the guest is with a member. There is a snack Bar with a deck. Tables with umbrellas are provided, as well as a deck with an awning. Restrooms, dressing rooms, foot showers and  stand up showers with hot and cold water are there for member's use. An attendant and life guard are always on duty unless it is raining or there is bad weather. A raft with a swim area around it is where swimming is guarded by the life guard and a pier extends into the water. A swimming test is required for children under 12. The test is done by lifeguards.

 * Mile Creek Beach Club The beach is members only. It has a covered deck with picnic tables. There are Men’s and Women’s Restrooms available. Open showers and foot showers are also on premise. A lifeguard and parking attendant are on duty 7 days a week. There is a raft and swim area provided that is watched by the lifeguards. A raft test is administered by the lifeguard here.

 * Hawks Nest Beach A portion of this beach is open to town residents. There are no lifeguards on duty. Almost all of the beach butts up to cottages built right on the sand. Some cottages are owned but most are rented out to visiting renters from out of town. A small convenience store is on premise with food, ice cream, toys and clothing bearing the Hawks Nest Beach name and logo. Tennis courts are available for renters. Hawks Nest is a very kid-friendly area.

 * Sound View Beach Sound View is a public beach. Though for parking there is a fee. This beach is not watched by lifeguards so it is swim at your own risk. It is often a very busy crowded beach. There are no bathrooms other than port potties in the parking lots and those are only accessible if you have parked in that lot. There are many places to eat within walking distance including an ice cream shop and an Italian ice shop. In addition this area is available for cottage rentals.

Kayaking

 * Rentals are available at the Black Hall Marina.
 * Launching is also available at Black Hall as well as at the End of Smiths Neck Road.

Hiking

 * Watch Rock has many trails that mostly end at the water. It is good for hiking, bike riding, fishing and blue crabbing.

Fishing

 * Watch Rock is a good fishing area for brackish water fish.
 * The D.E.P. Dock is also brackish water fish.
 * Griswold Point for salt water fish.
 * Rodger's Lake for fresh water fish.

Swimming

 * Rodger's Lake (fresh water)
 * White Sands Beach (Long Island Sound/salt water)
 * Sound View (Long Island Sound/salt water)
 * Griswold Point (Long Island Sound/salt water)

Buy

 * Bowerbird - Boutique of children's toys, jewelry, games, clothing, bath and beauty, Vera Bradley, Seasonal items.
 * Treasures - Antique Store
 * E.F. Watermelon - High-end jewelry
 * Cooley Gallery - Art
 * Carousel Shop - Beach toys, beach jewelry, candy
 * The Woman's Exchange - Hand-made objects made by the women in town.

Drink
There are not many places to drink in Old Lyme. Your best bet is to go to a restaurant. If you are looking for a bar, head to Cherrystone’s or The Hideaway. If you are looking for a more “high-class” experience, go to either the Bee and Thistle Inn or Old Lyme Inn.

Sleep
In addition to hotels, another lodging option is to rent a Summer Home. If you are visiting Old Lyme in the summer, you can rent a home for as little as a week or as long as 5 months. Contact a local realtor in order to find a suitable home.

Go next
Old Lyme is located right on Interstate 95. Follow the northern route to get to Providence and Boston, and the southern route to get to New Haven and New York City.

title: Old Lyme


text:
Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach is a city of 8,800 people (2014) in the Southern Coast region of Maine. Old Orchard Beach has a seven-mile stretch of wide-open beach. There are 25 rides and arcade games at Palace Playland, its seaside amusement park. Funtown/Splashtown USA is home to one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the country, and to a ride featuring a 200-foot free-fall descent.

Understand
Visit in June, Late August or Early September. Avoid the holiday weekends, You will not regret missing the crowds. The water is also warmer in the late season.

Old Orchard Beach has an incredible past, dating back to 1653. Its first settler, Thomas Rogers established "Garden by the Sea" in 1657. The "old" apple orchard from which the town got its name Old Orchard Beach, was a landmark to sailors for many years, it was on high land above the long sand beach. The owner of the orchard saw the potential for a summer resort and built the first Old Orchard Beach boarding house.

That was just the beginning. As more people found leisure time, and wanted to escape the rat race pace of big city life, they looked to Maine, and specifically to Old Orchard Beach. Accommodations and attractions of all sorts were built to bring in the tourists. Stores, amusement parks, a racetrack and various other attractions were built to attract the masses, which came to include entertainers like Duke Ellington, Guy Lombardo and public figures like Charles Lindbergh and wealthy families like the Fitzgerald's and the Kennedy's.

The town has preserved some of the town's history, a conscious effort to revitalize the downtown area and its immediate surrounding Historic District buildings such as the Thomas L. Cleaves Home (now the Atlantic Birches Inn Bed and Breakfast) was built in 1902 by renowned architect John Calvin Stevens. This re-vitalization effort has resulted in new Victorian lighting, wide, brick, tree-lined sidewalks and an outside dining courtyard complete with fountain in Town Square and a newly renovated Town Hall.

If you are looking for the "quieter side" of Old Orchard Beach, try camping, hiking or biking in the nearby Ferry Beach state park in Ocean park, canoeing and bird watching in the saltwater marsh nature center area of Scarborough/Pine Point. There are few experiences that can compare to the peacefulness and privacy of strolling the sands of Old Orchard Beach looking for seashells and then coming back to relax and revitalize yourself at the Atlantic Birches Inn bed and breakfast.

Historical events
1892 electric trolley cars replaced horse drawn trolley cars to Biddeford and Saco.

1898 proved to be an unfortuitous year to complete the first Pier. Built of steel and measuring 1,770 feet long and 20 feet above the tides, the Pier was severely damaged in November of that same year by an early winter storm.

1900 brought the first town hall and 1902 the first amusement area complete with roller skating, merry-go-round, rides, games, and refreshment stands. The Portland to Old Orchard Beach Electric Railway opened in 1903 where 14 miles of track were traveled in under one hour for $.20.

In 1907, the Great Fire destroyed the entire beachfront as firemen from Portland, Biddeford, and Saco rushed to the beach but struggled to contain the blaze, hampered by low water pressure. Rebuilding began at once, and one project "the standpipe" assured adequate water for all.

Get in

 * Route stopping at Old Orchard Beach:
 * Downeaster operating five or six trains in each direction daily between Brunswick and Boston with stops Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Saco, Wells, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Haverhill, and Woburn. Fare is $6 from Portland
 * Downeaster operating five or six trains in each direction daily between Brunswick and Boston with stops Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Saco, Wells, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Haverhill, and Woburn. Fare is $6 from Portland

Get around
Summer Trolley is $1. Buses to Saco and Biddeford all year $1.25. Motorcycles are popular, but walking is best in and around town.

Leave your car at home. The train stops right in OOB, its a little bit pricier than the cost of a gas ride up from lower New England but the money you save getting around on foot and on the bus will make up for it. not to mention you'll be doing the beach a favor by not adding to the pollution.

Do
Go to the beach. If it's crowded, head north. Early morning beach fishing is great. Between Old Orchard and Ocean Park there is a dog friendly beach. Pick up all of your trash, especially cigarette butts. Protect the beach! Do not go into the Dunes. They have a tough enough time with the construction. They are a last stand at a habitat for the local wildlife.

Go Surfing! Winter storms? Zero degree weather? Hit the surf, or go for the Lobster Dip for charity Jan 1.

Bring your bike and take a ride up Portland Ave, Ross Road, Rte 9. or head up Cascade Ave and check out the woods and the waterfall.

If you do bring a car take a through Cape Elizabeth. Check out the lighthouses and stop to pick strawberries on your way back.

Buy
Make sure that if you need cash, you get it in the town or elsewhere before going out for a night on the pier. The only ATM there has a surcharge of $4.50 and can have quite a line in the evening.

Eat
The Old Orchard Pier is famous for it's awesome beach but not so much for its cuisine. If you want a great sit down dinner head to Portland for the night. There are a few decent restaurants near the beach but they're generally overpriced and overrated.

The Fruit Stand across from Coastal Convenience offers lobster and clams at super reasonable prices (and they will steam them for you). They have the best produce in town and the friendliest help. So if you're looking for a lobster dinner, pick up a few, boil up some potatoes and corn cobs and head to the beach.

Cooking up your own clams is also a great way to have a reasonably priced dinner. Stop by town hall and ask about clamming in the area.

Drink
You will find no shortage of bars located out on the pier. Remember that you can't drink on the beach. The seasonal officers patrol the beach looking for open containers.

Sleep
Do not wait to book a room until you get here, unless it is the off season.

Connect
The Public Library has free wifi.

Go next
If you find the beach to be too crowded or dirty (the town has done a great job with trash pickup, but still has a way to go), try hunting for less-used beaches in Rye, NH or the Wells/Ogunquit area.

The northern part of the beach, also known as Pine Point is in Scarborough. It is more peaceful and usually less crowded. Coming from Route 9, when you get to the intersection with the Clam Bake restaurant, turn right onto East Grand Avenue. Try to park in a spot on the right hand side of the street, and almost all streets on the left hand side of the road are public access to the beach.

There's also Ocean Park, located south of Old Orchard Beach. It's a gorgeous, tiny little seaside town with an amazing ice cream parlor called The Soda Fountain! Don't miss Illumination Night in August either.

title: Old Orchard Beach