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Wilderness backpacking

Wilderness backpacking is a form of self-reliant travel that affords opportunities to see sights available no other way.

Understand
"Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar Wanderer, there is no path, the path is made by walking"

- Antonio Machado

Carrying everything you'll need to get along for several days in the wilderness isn't everyone's idea of a "vacation", but if you don't mind including some physical effort and additional inconvenience in your travel time, it's an ideal way to truly "get away from it all", and hopefully see some truly majestic scenery.

For some treks, you need not carry everything yourself but can hire porters. In a poor country where people desperately need work, this is the socially responsible thing to do.

Landscape
Before taking off on a backpacking trip, assess what kind of territory you'll be traveling through. Distances on a map never look that hard to cover, but once you find yourself staring up at a 400-foot ridge standing between you and tonight's camp, it's a different story. Topographic maps will give you a better idea of what you're getting yourself into, as well as being essential for navigation if you're going off-trail. Unless you have an uncanny sense of direction, you'll probably need a compass, or at least know how to discern north from the time. GPS can be nifty, but many feel it takes the adventure out of hiking, and it may not always work as well as the sales pitch suggests.

Climate
Find out what kind of weather you can expect at the time of year you're planning to go. When's the rainy season? What's the temperature range? Keep in mind that going up in altitude is like going up in latitude. Daytime temperatures may be pleasant, but how cold does it get at night?

Culture
Even when wilderness backpacking, you will meet local people: those in the village where you do the final preparations, people living in the wilderness (there are few truly uninhabited places on earth), park guards and other authorities. While preparing, get some feeling for what the wilderness means or has meant for people living there or nearby. You should also do the normal checks on diseases, transport in and out, obstacles to access, local customs you should be aware about etcetera.

Fees and permits
Check with the local authorities if you'll be using a state/provincial/national park to see what fees there are for use of the park, and for the trails and campsites, if any. In some parts of the world, right to access may give you permission to hike on privately-owned undeveloped land, but elsewhere – especially the United States – be sure to get permission (unless you want to risk prosecution – or gunshot – for trespassing).

Prepare
It is very important to be well prepared for your wilderness travels and hikes. You should pack the correct clothes, sleeping gear, food and drinks, safety equipment and first aid kit in case something happens in the wild. Do all you can to avoid going "freestyle" and heading into the wild without letting others know your plans, your destination, your expected return time, and a "hot" deadline at which your absence should be considered an emergency by a trusted friend. If parking at a trailhead, you can also place a folded note above the car's sun visor indicating your identity and expected return day & time. To avoid trouble if you should lose the car key during the hike, you can hide a spare key nearby just in case.

Physical fitness is decisive for a good experience. If you are not used to physical exercise, you should begin at least a few weeks before the trip. Avoid high-risk exercise which might inflict injuries, though.

You also need to be mentally prepared for wilderness travels. You are going to be challenged physically and mentally and if you aren't prepared for the rigors along the way, you may give up.

Check the local declination and know how to compensate. You will probably carry a magnetic compass, and if it shows 15° wrong without your knowing, you will easily get lost.

Get around

In most countries "get around" means "walk", though some long-distance wilderness expedition could be undertaken by cross country skiing, canoeing or horse riding.

In any case, footwear is one of the most important aspects of backpacking. Traditional hiking boots could kill a small animal just by being dropped on them (empty) from a few feet up, but modern boots can be much lighter, reducing the drag on every step you take. You don't necessarily need to spend hundreds of dollars on state of the art boots, but odds are that your favorite athletic shoes or street shoes will leave you very uncomfortable and hold up just as poorly. Stiff soles and plenty of ankle support are a good idea if you're going over any rocks. Some prefer light footwear that give more control, but this requires good ankles and good balance, and can be risky even then if tired. Don't rely on your abilities without sufficient experience.

Buying a new pair of boots just before your trip is a very bad idea. Break the boots in, first with short walks, then longer ones. Wear them around for a week, and you'll know where they rub, if you want to put soft insoles in them, etc. They should conform to the shape of your foot, so by the time you're ready to hike, your boots are too. The break-in period also helps your feet get used to the boots, building up thin callouses in the spots where they rub a little.

Like with sturdiness, there are two strategies for wetness: either have water resistant footwear – that will get moist by sweat even if claimed to be breathable, and at some point might get drenched by a badly timed misstep – or footwear that can be dried overnight (just keep walking to keep your feet warm, and have adequate socks).

In winter your footwear is even more critical. Your boots need to be warm enough, and any wet footwear – be it by wet snow, a creek hidden under snow or just sweat – can cause hypothermia and frostbite in cold temperatures, and will at least be very uncomfortable. If skiing, your choice of footwear is limited to what fits your bindings. Greasing is the traditional way to make boots water resistant, and wool stays warm even when quite moist. If your boots get drenched, get rid of most of the water, put on dry warm socks and a plastic bag, and then the boots (you have suitable plastic bags, don't you?). Leather boots should be dried at moderate temperature, don't put them close to a fire. If you have a warm shelter, try to get rid of as much snow as possible before it melts on the boots.

You may want to look into socks that are specifically for hiking. These socks will be of a sturdier fabric that will provide more resistance to the wear and tear you're putting them through. Poor quality socks can result in toes rubbing against the inside of the shoes, or that your socks creep down towards your toes.

If the terrain is especially challenging, or if your knees aren't what they used to be, you might benefit from using a hiking stick or a pair of trekking poles (like cross-country ski poles, but without the baskets – and the skis). They aren't just for the feeble; they can improve your balance and increase your pace by adding some power from your arms to your propulsion. A hiking stick is also often needed when fording. A sturdy chest-high branch (not pulled from a standing tree) will do, or you can buy a telescoping staff or set of poles. Some of them can double as a camera monopod. And while this usage isn't recommended, you'd probably rather face an angry cougar with a pole in your hand than without one.

Wear
The type and quantity of clothing to wear depends heavily on the location and season. The key strategy in all but the hottest climates is to layer your clothing. If the temperature is going to vary between night and day (and it probably will, even – especially – in hot deserts), carrying a set of clothing for the warm times and another set for the cool times will take up extra space and add extra weight. Instead bring clothes cool enough for daytime hiking, and bring extra layers to put on over them when it cools off after dark. "Convertible" slacks are handy in warmer weather, allowing you to zip off the legs and turn them into shorts when the day gets warm, or back into long pants for wading through prickly plants.

Packing at least one complete change of clothes ensures that if any item you're wearing gets soaked (by rain, a misstep crossing a stream, sweat, whatever) you'll have another to wear instead. This is especially important for socks, which are both the most likely item of clothing to get wet and the most important to keep dry. Spare boots aren't practical, but a pair of cheap flip-flops or loose-fitting light-weight shoes will give your feet a chance to breathe when you're not on the trail, and give you something to wear after you accidentally dunk your foot in a pond while collecting water. This strategy also works for some other heavy items of clothing. You may not need a complete change for everyone in the company, coordinate items important enough but unlikely to need a change.

Although cotton is normally comfy, park rangers call it "death cloth". It soaks up water many times its weight and hence its drying time is very slow, making it a less-than-ideal choice for undershirts and underwear you'll be wearing next to your sweaty skin; synthetic fabrics such as capilene will "wick" moisture away from your skin, and can better keep you both cool and dry. Many discount stores will also sell suitable shirts in their sports department if you don't want to drop the money on the specialty brands. Cotton also doesn't keep you warm when it gets wet; wool is a better material for your socks and outerwear. Cotton t-shirts as a middle layer or for sleeping in are fine.

If you're expecting rain, your best solution will naturally be waterproof overcoat, boots and trousers or gaiters. However, you can often cope with rain even if you don't have those. You should dress in 2–3 layers (even more if it's really cold) which would prevent most of the rain from getting in. Since it's likely that some water will penetrate through the outer layers, you should take them off (despite the cold) whenever there's a break in the rain or if you find good cover, to allow the water to dissipate from the inner layers. On these occasions it's best to also hang the outer layers to dry; if you're on the walk, spread them across the back of your backpack. Also, if you don't have waterproof shoes and trousers, you may find it best to wear three-quarter pants that don't get all the way to your ankles. If the pants are too long, they'd get soaked with water and mud that will hinder your walk and will even wet your socks inside your shoes. Additionally, you should take advantage of every opportunity to dry your cloths, such as at campfires. Just be careful not to put your shoes too close to any source of heat, as rubber melts at surprisingly low temperatures, even if it doesn't seem to be all that close to the fire, and leather likewise doesn't like high temperatures.

Do with this information what you wish: Humans in many cultures across countless centuries have lived without freshly laundered underwear every morning. Also, keep in mind that the kind of underwear you normally wear may not be ideal for backpacking; women will probably prefer a "sport" bra that provides more support and no hooks in the back, and men may find that briefs provide less opportunity for skin-to-skin chafing and bunched up fabric than boxers.

Carry
There are two basic kinds of backpacks used in wilderness travel: internal frame and external frame.

The external frame is the more traditional variety, consisting of a metal frame that's strapped to your hips and shoulders, and which your sleeping bag, tent, and the fabric pack itself are strapped to. They're better for keeping your gear organized and accessible, and a bit cooler to wear, because they leave small gaps for air to move between you and the pack. They're the best option for the heaviest loads.

Internal frame packs have become very popular in the last couple decades. They use a more flexible frame built into the fabric of the pack itself, which allows you to carry the weight closer to your body, improving your balance. One trade-off is the lack of back ventilation, another that fastening any additional load (such as packing of your fellow who hurt his leg) comfortably is nearly impossible.

With either kind of pack, be sure to adjust the straps to put as much weight as possible on your hips, rather than your shoulders. The shoulder straps should mostly be keeping the pack from falling backward, not actually supporting its weight. This will save lots of wear and tear on your back and shoulders, making for a much less painful trip.

Some people prefer to bring along at least one of anything they might need, and others opt to travel more lightly, giving up convenience and comfort for mobility. But if your pack weighs more than a quarter of your body weight, it is probably too heavy.

Often you will have to climb up a mountain to see a glacier or a lake, just to return later—in that case consider leaving your (heavy) luggage and enjoy the trail without the burden. Depending on where you are you might either want to hide your luggage where it cannot be found by thieves or in a place where it is easily seen, preferably by a landmark on the trail, so that you cannot miss it. Finding the exact same place again is sometimes surprisingly difficult. Having GPS does help, if you save the coordinates and the device works as it should.

Eat
You'll want "light" meals, not in the sense of fat or calorie content, but in terms of how much the food weighs in your pack. In fact, you may want to lay off a lot of your "healthy diet" habits for the duration of your trip, because you'll want those extra calories, and fats are a good compact source of all-day energy. Wilderness camping is the very kind of lifestyle that led homo sapiens to develop a fondness for that kind of food. Depending on the length of your trip, food could make up a substantial fraction of your pack weight (figure at least a pound or half a kilogram per day). Since water makes up a large percentage of the weight of most foods we eat, and presumably can be found along the way, the obvious solution is to pack foods you can "just add water" to.

 * Breakfast – Oatmeal is a good option: inexpensive, lightweight to carry, and easy to prepare. Measure portions ahead of time into zip-lock bags for convenience. Add a spoonful or two of brown sugar to make it more tasty. Berries found on the trail or brought as dried (possibly as a commercial powder) add even more taste. Peanut butter can likewise be bought as a lightweight powder.
 * Lunch – You might welcome lunch as an excuse to stop to eat during the day, but preparing food on the trail can be a nuisance, so on-the-go foods like trail mix, granola or energy bars, or peanut butter are handy. For short trips, or for the first day or two of longer trips, you can bring semi-perishable foods such as fresh fruit or bagels. If you want a warm meal, you can heat water in the morning, carry it in a thermos bottle and add it to the dried components at lunch.
 * Dinner – To restore your energy at the end of the day, freeze-dried foods are your most practical option. All sorts of pre-prepared dishes are available, mostly combinations of noodles, rice, chunks of veggies and meat, and sauce. Many can be prepared in the packaging they come in, making clean-up easier: just add boiling water, mix, and wait a few minutes. Especially with the sauce of hunger added, they can be quite tasty.

Consider bringing a camping stove. It's not as folksy as preparing food on a campfire, but it's more considerate of the environment, safer and more efficient. For most hikes a gas-powered camp stove is a good choice, but on long hikes, where one gas canister would not suffice, "multifuel" stoves may be more weight efficient, and finding fuel near your destination may be easier. There are also stoves using e.g. ethanol. See outdoor cooking for some more things to take into account.

Usually you don't want to scavenge firewood from the wilderness you're there to admire, but in a forested backcountry area that is not heavily visited, there is plenty of wood, and you may satisfy your needs without significantly affecting the environment. If it is allowed to make backcountry fires in your area, this may be an option. Try to limit the wood you gather to small branches taken from the ground, not anything broken from trees (living or dead) – and keep your fire small. You will want to be able to make a fire in emergencies, so research what tinder and firewood is available locally, and pack some tinder.

Some campsites have fire pits or grills available for cooking. If you use these, make sure your taking firewood won't degrade the experience for others; small branches taken from the ground is usually the best option. If you cannot find enough of these, or you wouldn't leave enough for those coming after you, don't make that fire. Some sites may even provide firewood, ready-made or for you to chop, or some ready-made to be replaced by that chopped by you.

A lot of food can be eaten without cooking also (like oatmeal and freezedrieds), if need be, or to minimise the need for firewood and carried fuel.

Keep pots and pans to a minimum, both for weight and clean-up reasons. If camping with someone you're in the habit of kissing, sharing a pot of food instead of dishing it out onto plates isn't a hygiene issue (but may become a relationship issue if you don't share equitably). In fact, if you mix and eat your freeze-dried meals in the packages they came in, and your oatmeal in the baggies you packed it in, you can get away with just a single pan for heating water, which won't even have to be washed. Stick to stewy and spoon-able food, and you may not even need to bring a fork or dinner knife.

By all means, reduce the risk of starting a wildfire.

Drink
Be prepared to drink more fluids than you're used to.

You might be able to take all the water you'll need for short trips of a couple days, but not for anything longer. Some areas will have clean water available on the hiking trail. In more remote areas, you'll have to collect water from lakes and streams. Check with the local authorities to find out which water supplies they recommend, and what precautions to use with them. Depending on which micro-organisms are common in the area's water supply, they may recommend using water purification tablets (usually iodine-based), micropore water filters (various brands are available), or boiling the water for several minutes. If boiling, remember that at higher elevations, water boils at less than 100°C, so you will need to boil longer. Filtration or purification tablets are less hassle for water you'll want cool enough for refreshing drinks as you hike. Filtered water tastes best. Purification tablets impart a taste and should only be used for a few weeks at a time, due to their iodine content.

Sweat depletes your body of sodium as well as water. This is especially true in the hotter climates and the sodium loss can be just as serious as dehydration, but cannot be as easily noticed (some symptoms are having a loss of appetite and headaches). Drinking water does not restore sodium into your system; in fact it lowers sodium levels in your blood even further. In some countries, sports drinks with dissolved salts including sodium (on the label, dissolved salts are called electrolytes) are available. Powdered sports drink mix is a convenient option. Another way to replenish your body's sodium level is to have a soup that is a little bit saltier than you are used to at the end of each day.

Sleep
Lightweight synthetic insulating materials have been developed for sleeping bags in the last few decades, but old-fashioned down remains a good option. Down still offers the most warmth for the least weight and it packs up more tightly than synthetic fill. However it loses its warmth-keeping ability when it gets wet and takes longer to dry (modern down products are water resistant to some degree). Down-filled bags last longer but are also more expensive. Mummy-style bags will keep you warmer than rectangular ones (less space for your body to heat up) and take up less room in a tent, but don't plan on moving around much if your sleep in one.

Sleeping bags are typically rated for the coldest temperature in which they'll keep you warm enough. If there are separate extreme and comfort ratings, the former is a guess about what an adult healthy man would survive, not necessarily unharmed. There are standards for these ratings, but the scale itself is something of a guess, since they don't know what your metabolism is like, how sensitive to cold you are, or for that matter what you'll be wearing to sleep in. Select your bag based on the coldest temperature you can anticipate experiencing (remember that night temperatures are what count). If you can see yourself ever hiking in high altitudes, in high latitudes, or in spring or autumn, get a 3-season bag with a lower temperature rating than those for summer. And if there's ever a chance you'll see snow when you camp, get something in the 0°F (−20°C) range for "extreme". Additionally inserting a simple liner – made of a single layer of silk (preferable) or other lightweight fabric – can really raise the temperature in your sleeping bag. Two lesser sleeping bags one inside the other (only one used in warm nights), is a heavier budget option, but those aren't rated, so try them out before trusting them.

The fluff in a sleeping bag is only to keep the air inside warm, not for softness. Cold ground can suck the heat out through the flattened underside of a bag as quickly as exposure to cold air would. For these reasons, a thin insulating foam pad (inflatable pads compress smaller, but are susceptible to leaks) is more or less necessary. They won't come close to the softness of a mattress, however. If you will be using it in winter, a thin one will not suffice: make it two, or invest some money – or use a thick layer of twigs, where available. Instead of a pillow, try wrapping the clothes you aren't wearing in a towel, or your sleeping bag's stuff sack, and rest your head on that. Or buy a travel pillow, which collapses into a tiny pouch.

Lodging
Some backpacking areas have shelters along the trails, spaced at intervals a typical hiker can cover in a day. If these are available, and the park authority lets you reserve them, you may be able to dispense with carrying a tent. This doesn't mean you can use a lightweight indoor "slumber party" sleeping bag, though; even when these shelters are fully enclosed, they probably won't offer much protection from cooler night-time temperatures.

In areas with extreme temperatures there may be huts or shelters with stoves or fireplaces, enabling you to have a more comfortable temperature at night – but heating the hut takes time, and in these areas there is often a risk of snow storms or other circumstances that may hinder you from reaching the shelter as planned. At least you will be able to dry your equipment there afterwards. Some know-how about handling a wood fired stove (or whatever is used in the area) may be needed. Check the condition of the stove before using it.

Camping

Tents are available in many shapes, sizes, and levels of protection. Some models (especially domes) can be free-standing, requiring no stakes to hold them in shape. But they tend to be heavier, and trickier to set up. Unless you're sure you're never going to get rained on, a tent with a "rain fly" – a water resistant raincoat for your tent – is essential (this is integrated in some tents). Check how to set up the tent in a heavy rain without the inside getting wet. This is easier with some tents than with others. Also, some tents are more dependable in high winds than others.

At the small end of the scale is the "bivy sack", which is little more than a raincoat for your sleeping bag; the most spacious ones are just big enough inside to carefully roll over. Important: a bivy bag is usually almost airtight and can cause suffocation if closed completely. Additionally, a bivy bag does not allow for drying anything, like a regular tent. Since it is so small condensation from your breath will build up. If you cannot get it dry in the day, your next night will not be too nice. Bivy bags are therefore great for shorter trips or if you are comfortable that the weather or area will provide some opportunities for drying, and are significantly lighter than even the smallest tent.

A typical "1-person" tent might give you enough room inside to actually hunch over and maybe even scrunch up and turn around, but no more. A "2-person" tent is going to be big enough for just that: two people, lying right side-by-side. Depending on just how close you and your camping partner want to be, you might prefer a "2-to-3-person" tent (otherwise big enough for two adults and a child). If you're thinking of a larger tent so you can keep your gear with you (whether for easier access or to keep it out of the weather), a tent with a vestibule or an extended rain fly might be all you really need. By the time you get to a "4-person" tent, you're generally talking about something spacious enough that one or two people can sit upright in it, but heavy enough that you'll want to distribute the components among the people in your hiking party.

Although tents will keep most of the wind out, and usually trap air well enough to keep it warmer than outside, don't count on them to keep you warm; that's your sleeping bag's job. The difference between a 3-season tent and a 4-season tent isn't their warmth, but the latter's ability to stand up to stronger winds and snow. Using a gas powered lamp can also help to warm up your tent, but beware of setting fire to your tent or melting something as the lantern casings get extremely hot.

Backcountry
If you're travelling in an area without established campsites, you should always follow leave-no-trace camping principles for making and breaking camp, as well as your other activities in the wilderness.

Things to consider when choosing site for the night vary from place to place, but may include having shelter from strong winds, keeping an eye out for dead branches hanging above your tent (widow makers), having potable water in reach and being away from irritating (mosquitoes) or dangerous (hippos) wildlife. See wild camping for some more considerations.

Blisters
Take care of your feet: they're what's getting you home. If you start feeling "hot spots" on them, take care of them quickly before they develop into blisters. Moleskin offers the best protection, but if you don't have that, adhesive bandages or even tape will help protect these spots from friction.

Sunburn
Be aware of Sunburn and sun protection. You don't need to be sunbathing to need sunscreen. You'll be sweating, so apply water-resistant "sport" sun lotion to anything that the sun can reach, and be prepared to re-apply it every 40 to 80 minutes all day long. A hat with a brim reduces the UV exposure further, and is essential if you have thin hair. Thin, light-colored clothing often seems comfortable on a hot day, but it provides very little protection against the sun. Your favorite old T-shirt has approximately the protection value of SPF4 sunscreen, which is next to nothing. If you don't want to buy and wear tightly woven clothes with a high UPF rating on a hot, sunny day, then smear sunscreen under your clothes, too. Give your skin a break during the peak hours of sun by seeking shade. If you move over snow or ice, you should beware of snow blindness. You can avoid staring at the sun, but you can hardly avoid watching the snow-covered ground in front of you. Snow, ice, water, white sand, and any other shiny surface can reflect the sunlight up onto your skin to give you sunburn, and into your eyes to give you snow blindness, which is essentially a sunburn on your eyeball, and which can cause temporary blindness as well as pain. To reduce your risk of snow blindness, when you are around snow or other risky conditions, always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays and have a wrap-around shape to keep light from entering through the sides. (You could also try the Inuit solution of a screens with very narrow slits to look through, or, in an emergency, cut a single slit, just as narrow as a knife blade, in a stiff piece of cardboard, and hold that up to your face to block nearly all of the light.) If your eyes start hurting or feeling like they have sand in them, then you should take action without delay, even to the point of covering one or both eyes entirely while you move into a safe, shaded area. The onset of pain generally indicates that your eye has already been sunburned for the last several hours, and even a small amount of further damage may result in an intolerable situation.

Pests
Mosquitoes, flies, and other pests can carry various unpleasant diseases; they can also be detrimental to your mental health. Mosquitoes in particular are most common around water (where they breed), in the evening twilight, and in heavy woods that resemble twilight. Most backpacks and some clothing should be treated with insecticide. Liberal application of DEET-based insect repellent is another good defense against mosquitoes, ticks, and some other insects. But even this won't stop them from swarming around you and in your face; a head net (best worn over a hat with a brim) provides a small DMZ that may help with your peace of mind, and is small and light enough to be packed "just in case".

If your personal vision of hell is mosquito bites on sunburned skin, then consider using a combination mosquito repellant and sunscreen lotion only if you will be outside for two hours or less at a time. Many sunscreens actually make DEET more rapidly effective, but the re-application times for sunscreen and all but the weakest insect repellants differ, you may not need insect repellant all day long, and you should avoid putting DEET-based products on sunburned skin – which means no more sunscreen, either, if you only have the combination product with you. In the end, packing separate bottles for bug repellant and sunscreen will give you the most flexibility. When it's time, just layer one on top of the other, and re-apply each as directed.

Killing pests, especially with non-degradable pesticides, isn't really compatible with leave-no-trace hiking. Unless you need to protect yourself from real danger, such as malaria, you should try to get by with appropriate clothing (suitable footwear, long sleeves and a mosquito hat), and save the chemicals for the times you really cannot stay sane without them.

Poisonous plants
Know and be able to identify the poisonous plants that may be in the area you will be exploring and understand basic treatment and symptoms.

Medical supplies
You don't want to go overboard with medical supplies, but a basic first aid kit is a worthwhile precaution. If you're lucky, it'll be the one thing you brought that you didn't "need", but if you're not so lucky, then you'll definitely regret leaving the essentials behind. Adhesive bandages, disinfectant, and a general-purpose headache or inflammation remedy – aspirin or ibuprofen are okay in most areas, but if dengue fever is a risk, carry paracetamol (acetominophen) instead – are the bare essentials. As makeshift bandages (and dozens of other uses), cotton handkerchiefs are worth carrying.

Many travellers carry hand sanitizer and a remedy for diarrhea as well. See altitude sickness and sunburn and sun protection for additional things needed in some areas.

Facilities
Even if there are maintained outhouses along the trail (again: don't assume there will be), you shouldn't count on them having toilet paper; bring a partial roll from home. If you're unsure about the availability of facilities, bring a garden trowel so you can dig and then cover your own single-dump latrine (well off the trail and far away from any water supplies).

Take care of your hygiene. Although you shouldn't worry too much about your natural scent, you don't want your private parts or feet to get sore, and you definitely don't want infections or an upset bowel. This applies double in cold weather, when washing is more difficult. In summer, fine sand in your socks may be an issue. Warm water is needed mostly for comfort, but you probably want a small piece of soap for your hands, and you might want a setup that allows your doing some washing a distance from your water source, and without risking the cleanliness of your cooking utensils.

If you pass by campsites or lodges with electricity, you might be able to get a shower, which can do wonders after hard days – but don't expect showers at campsites on backcountry trails, and don't expect such lodgings there. However, in some parts of the world, there may be a sauna even at some very remote and primitive huts. The sauna bath does even more wonders than a shower. Make sure you know how to handle the stove and how to dry the sauna afterwards; never use sea water on the stove. Washing in rivers and lakes, try not to get dirt or soap into the water, do that kind of washing at a distance from the shore.

Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can be a life threatening issue when camping a high altitudes. Be aware of symptoms and treatment.

Dangerous animals
See the dangerous animals article for information on avoiding and dealing with a variety of animals that might be encountered in the wilderness. In many places these pose little real threat to backpackers, but some – a human-fed bear in a national park, a cow moose protecting her calf, a hungry panther, or a venomous snake – may be quite dangerous. Check with local wildlife experts about what to be wary of, and how to protect yourself.

Phones and beacons
If there's mobile-phone service in the area you're hiking (and don't assume there will be), bringing the phone along (turned off, to preserve both the battery and the atmosphere, and in a watertight package) is a reasonable precaution in case of emergency. If you get a signal in a remote area, the dispatcher that happens to pick up your emergency call may have no idea where you are, so explain clearly. Check in advance what directions would be easiest for them to recognise. WGS84 coordinates (used by GPS) are recognised in many areas, learn how to get those from your map. In some regions, the coordinates on the map may differ significantly from what your GPS tells.

There are also 406 MHz GPS Personal Locator Beacons, which when activated send an emergency signal via satellites to the rescue authorities. These are reasonably lightweight, waterproof, strobe-equipped units, a little larger than a cell phone. They cost around USD 300–400, with no subscription fees.

Weather
Weather conditions can change very quickly at high altitude. Consult a weather forecast before departing, but be ready for anything, including fog, storms and cold weather. Also in low terrain, being prepared for adverse weather is important. Heavy rain, here or upstream, can make fording problematic. Rain and wind can cause hypothermia even in quite warm conditions.

Rain and cool weather often have severe effects on the morale of the party. Remembering warm drinks, activities and keeping a cheerful spirit can make the difference between a miserable hike and a tough one to be gilt in your memories – in extreme conditions even between life and death.

Thunderstorms cause significant hazards for hikers, including lightning strikes and wind downbursts which can topple trees. Get familiar with signs of a developing storm, such as large build-ups of Cumulonimbus clouds (“cotton ball” clouds, especially those with and flattened or “anvil” shaped tops), a sudden reversal in wind direction, a noticeable rise in wind speed, and a sharp drop in temperature. Heavy rain, hail and lightnings can occur in the mature stage of a thunderstorm. Get out of high and open areas if a thunderstorm is approaching. Do not take cover under high trees, which may get hit. Also avoid narrow river valleys, dangerous in case of flash floods.

During an intense thunderstorm, or if you cannot avoid open landscape, use the following guidelines:
 * Do not lie down, the best position is sitting on a day-pack (only those without metal frames or components) or crouching with feet close together
 * Avoid sitting directly on the ground, if possible; but, if necessary, keep feet and buttocks close together
 * Avoid grouping together — keep a minimum of 15 feet (5 metres) between people when possible. Wide, open spaces are better places to shelter than trees or near clumps of trees. A forest may be a better place than open terrain where you are the highest object, though. Ridge tops or other high places should be avoided.

If you feel the hair on your arms or head “stand up,” there is a high probability of a lightning strike in the vicinity. Crouch or sit on a day-pack (without metal frame)

Snow storms reduce visibility to near nil. When there seems to be a snow storm approaching, head for shelter or prepare a shelter where you are. If the storm hits you, wait it out. Advancement will be very slow and the risks of frostbite, hypothermia, getting lost, losing things and getting hurt in rough terrain are big.

Even light fog or snowfall obscures distant landmarks. Check your exact position in time and use landmarks you are sure to recognize and not to miss (did you check the declination? did you check there are no magnets in your gear?). If you are not sure to find your way, wait it out.

General

 * Foraging
 * Hiking
 * Knife
 * Packing for a week of hiking
 * Straight line missions

Hiking

 * East Sussex Footpaths (England)
 * Grande Randonnée (western Europe)
 * Hiking and backpacking in Israel
 * Hiking in South Africa
 * Hiking in the Nordic countries
 * Hiking and bushwalking in Australia
 * Hiking in the United States
 * United States National Trails System
 * Long distance walking in Europe
 * Tramping in New Zealand

Mountain treks

 * Everest Base Camp Trek, in Nepal
 * K2 base camp trek, in Pakistan
 * Various treks in the Annapurna region, Nepal
 * Trekking in Nepal
 * Inca Trail

title: Wilderness backpacking


text:
Wilderness National Park

Wilderness National Park is in the village of Wilderness in the Garden Route of South Africa.

Fees and permits
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID) pay R18 per person, per day. SADC Nationals (with passport) pay R36 per adult, per day (children R18). The Standard Conservation Fee for Foreign Visitors: R170 per adult and R60 per child, per day.

Sleep

 * Camping with power point: R195 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48)
 * Camping with power point and view: R220 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48)
 * Forest Cabin1 with communal kitchen: R460 (2 persons)
 * Forest Cabin2 with communal kitchen: R460 (2 persons, maximum 4 persons, additional rate per person R144)
 * Family Cottage: R905 (4 persons)
 * Log Cottage: R860-R905 (4 persons)
 * Camping without power point: R140 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48)
 * Camping with power point: R195 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48)
 * Camping with power point and view: R220 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48)
 * Rondavel with communal kitchen: R240 (2 persons)
 * Rondavel self catering: R280 (2 persons)
 * Rondavel with communal kitchen: R240 (2 persons)
 * Rondavel self catering: R280 (2 persons)

Go next

 * Visit the rest of the Garden Route

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

title: Wilderness National Park


text:
Wildwood

There is more than one place called Wildwood:

United States of America

 * Wildwood (Georgia) - A town in Georgia (state).
 * Wildwood (New Jersey) - A town in the state of New Jersey.
 * Wildwood (Florida) - A town in the state of Florida.
 * Wildwood (Missouri) - A town in the state of Missouri.

title: Wildwood


text:
Wildwood (Florida)

Wildwood is a city of 7,300 people (2019) in Sumter County, Florida.

By car
Wildwood is at the juncture of Interstate 75, Florida's Turnpike, State Road 44, and U.S. Highway 301.

By bus

 * Greyhound Bus Lines, Days Inn, 551 East SR44/175. . Station open daily 7AM-9:30PM.

title: Wildwood (Florida)


text:
Wildwood (New Jersey)

Wildwood is on the Southern Shore of New Jersey. It is primarily a resort town whose population swells in the summer months (June - August) with vacationers coming mainly from New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and Quebec. There are also a significant number of seasonal workers from Pennsylvania, Ireland and Eastern Europe. Together with the small bordering towns of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, Wildwood is often called "the Wildwoods."

By car
The Wildwoods are easily accessible by car, just minutes off of the Garden State Parkway, the route that the majority of vacationers from the tri-state area take. Many locals use New Jersey Route 55 south to New Jersey Route 47, but this route can have serious jams that are more than 10 miles. As the Garden State Parkway traffic has toned down, but it gets bad on holiday weekends.

Many counties in New Jersey also offer Park-n-Ride, a ride-sharing and van-pooling system.

From the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, follow Interstate 76 east, which turns into New Jersey Route 42 south. Continue onto the Altantic City Expressway east and take Exit 7 to the Garden State Parkway south. Follow the Garden State Parkway south and take Exit 4A to New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood. Another option is to take Interstate 76 east into New Jersey Route 42 south and take Exit 13 to New Jersey Route 55 south. Follow New Jersey Route 55 south to Millville, where the road leads into New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south to New Jersey Route 347 south. New Jersey Route 347 south leads back into New Jersey Route 47 south. Continue along New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood.

From the New York City/North Jersey area, follow the New Jersey Turnpike south and take Exit 11 to the Garden State Parkway south. Follow the Garden State Parkway south and take Exit 4A to New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood.

From the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, take Interstate 95 north into Delaware and take the exit to Interstate 295 north. Follow Interstate 295 north across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey. Take the exit to U.S. Route 40 east. Follow U.S. Route 40 east and take the ramp to New Jersey Route 55 south. Follow New Jersey Route 55 south to Millville, where the road leads into New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south to New Jersey Route 347 south. New Jersey Route 347 south leads back into New Jersey Route 47 south. Continue along New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood. If you want to save a bit of driving, you can also take the Cape May-Lewes ferry from Lewes, Delaware, then drive the short distance from the Cape May Terminal to Wildwood. Take US 50 East, to Maryland Route 404, then take Maryland Route 404, Maryland Route 16 (which becomes Delaware Route 16 once it crosses the state line) and Delaware Route 1 to get to the terminal on the Lewes side. This takes significantly more time overall, but you save about a half hour of actual drive time and the ferry has a lot of amenities you can enjoy during your trip. Cars are allowed on the ferry for an additional fee, but make sure to book in advance, especially in the summer months.

From points south on the Delmarva Peninsula and the Norfolk area, follow U.S. Route 13 north to U.S. Route 9 east. Take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across the Delaware Bay from Lewes, Delaware to Cape May, New Jersey. From the ferry terminal, follow U.S. Route 9 north to New Jersey Route 109 south. Take the ramp to the Garden State Parkway north. Follow the Garden State Parkway north and take Exit 4 to New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood.

From the Montreal area, follow Quebec Autoroute 15 south to the United States border. Cross the border and follow Interstate 87 south through New York. Take Exit 15 to Interstate 287 south and follow Interstate 287 south into New Jersey. Take Exit 66 to New Jersey Route 17 south. Follow New Jersey Route 17 south and take the exit to the Garden State Parkway south. Follow the Garden State Parkway south and take Exit 4A to New Jersey Route 47 south. Follow New Jersey Route 47 south into Wildwood.

By bus
There are also many buses that run into the bus terminal in Wildwood, which is in the center of town on Davis St. Many Greyhound buses from Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware offer services to this location, and New Jersey Transit buses for residents of the state of New Jersey.

By plane
Nearby Atlantic City is home to an international airport, which has several car rental distributors on site, as well as limousine companies to take tourists from the airport to Wildwood. Atlantic City International Airport is 45 minutes north of the Wildwoods. Philadelphia International Airport is about 2 hours away, as well.

Get around
Once in Wildwood, it is incredibly easy to navigate your way around. If needed, the entire island is walkable. However, many people choose to drive for time and convenience purposes. Be careful though, parking can be expensive! Many residents and tourists choose to ride their own bikes, or rent them from one of the several rental facilities in the town. You can rent singles, doubles, or even family sized bikes. It is also very common to see people on skates and skateboards.

To get from place to place on the boardwalk, which spans numerous miles, many choose to hop aboard the tram car, which is a small, trolley-like vehicle that drives solely from one end of the boardwalk to the other, and is relatively inexpensive, one way only costing approximately $3.00.

Taxi cabs and NJ Transit buses also operate through Wildwood, both which are cost effective, and are available constantly.

There are three taxi services in the Wildwoods, Caribbean, Checkers, and Pink. They can pick you up anywhere in Wildwood within about 5 minutes. This is the safest way to get around at night, especially if you are drinking, for the cops in Wildwood are diligent.

See
Although Wildwood is primarily known for being a shore town, there are several historic and recreational sites.
 * Historic town hall is in the center of Wildwood, as well as several small local museums. Many of the town's motels were built in the 'Doo-Wop" era of 1950s and 1960s, which may remind you of "The Jetsons." The interesting architecture and brightly lit signs sure makes Wildwood one of a kind to visit during your stay there.
 * Wildwood boasts beautiful landscapes, which can be seen by taking a helicopter ride, or a boat tour, both of which are available daily.
 * There is a miniature aquarium on the boardwalk that often hosts interactive exhibits.
 * Wildwood is also home to one of the country's oldest wooden roller coasters and the tallest ferris wheel on the east coast, which can be seen from miles, especially at night when it is lit up with an array of LED lights.
 * The convention center, which is at the end of the boardwalk, often has various activities, demonstrations, and shows.
 * The historic Cape May Zoo is also a short drive away, which is home to more than 200 species of animals in a quaint park setting, and is visited by more than 3 quarters of a million people annually. The Zoo features a playground, nature trails, and a pond for fishing.

Movies on the beach are shown between the second and third piers: they set up a large screen on the beach, only at nights. This is a very unusual experience because it's like an old-fashioned drive-in movie but only with sand, and no cars. They have the latest movies showing every night at 8PM, and the tickets aren't that expensive either.

Do
If you aren't a resident of the tri-state area, it's more than likely that you haven't heard of Wildwood, New Jersey. However, it is a spot worth noting as both an eclectic town, and an enjoyable family vacation spot. Located in Cape May County, on the southern tip of New Jersey, Wildwood has long been known as one of the hot spots along the Jersey coast. What has always made Wildwood stand out amongst a sea of shore towns is its attention to family-oriented fun and a giant mix of activities for people of all ages.

 * The most obvious, and most frequently utilized attraction in the Wildwoods are the miles of beautiful sandy beaches which are free. Although tourists and year-round residents flock to all of the beaches, two of the most popular beaches on the island are the Inlet at the entrance to North Wildwood, and Diamond Beach in the Crest.  Both of these spots are known for their seclusion.  Besides from the obvious sunbathing and swimming, there are many activities to participate in at the beach, such as boating, parasailing, hand-gliding, jet-skiing, surfing kite surfing.
 * People who want to escape the crowds of the beach often head to the bay area to indulge in an afternoon of fishing or crabbing.
 * Free events include Friday night fireworks on the beach in the center of Wildwood and concerts featuring tribute bands and local talent that are held at Fox Park on Sunday evening and at the band shell in Wildwood Crest.
 * For rainy days when the beach is not an option, there are several movie theaters and rental places and a huge library for a quiet day inside. Wildwood is also a short drive away from the Atlantic City casinos.
 * If you do not like the sand but love the water, you can find 3 great waterparks in this town. Ocean Oasis Waterpark & Beach Club is on Beach & 25th Ave, Raging Water's is at the back of Surfside Pier, and Splash Zone is rather close too.
 * Or spend some time parasailing with the islands only parasail company, Hang Loose Parasail, +1 609-522-wild. The cost is reasonable at between $50 and $65 per person.

During the summer months, the Wildwoods also host many festivals and special weekends. During Memorial Day weekend, there are parades and many street vendors and special activities to celebrate the beginning of the summer season. The same types of events are held at the end of the summer over Labor Day weekend. There is also Irish Weekend and Firefighters weekends in early September and fourth of July fireworks on the beach, along with countless food tasting festivals. From June until August, there are fireworks on the beach every Friday night.

Many cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, wrestling, and basketball tournaments are held in Wildwood.

There many places to rent boats and jetskis, or you can hop aboard the Thunder Cat, a huge speedboat, that takes you right along the coastline at top speed then out off the coast a couple miles to Whale watch.

Most mornings the boardwalk is full of people riding bikes, skating or walking. This has been a ritual in wildwood for many years, not only because of the view of the ocean, but because everyone needs the exercise after a good dinner the night before. There are bike rentals on almost every block in all three of the wildwoods, a regular bike will cost around eight dollars for the hour.

The beaches for the most part are clean and inviting, but the only problem with the beaches are that the ocean begins about 3 blocks after you enter the sand. This makes it extremely tough for senior citizens to walk down to the beach in some places. The best bet if you don't want to walk too much through the sand, then go to 1st street in North Wildwood. Not only does the water start about 100 feet from the street but it has a unique experience because there is not to many waves, it acts like a pool, with a depths of about 30 feet at some points.

Buy
What can't you buy in Wildwood? Numerous tourist nick-nacks, food products such as world famous fudge, fried Oreos, and chocolate dipped bananas. Many vendors sell novelty clothing items and hermit crabs for the kids. Henna tattoos are a big hit. There are several old time photo centers throughout Wildwood where families and friends can dress up in fancy old time costumes and pick a background of their choice, and have a professional photograph taken. It is also easy to go through a pocket of money playing all the games on the boardwalk and forking out cash for the rides. There are also tons and tons of arcades. The Boardwalk Mall has several shops to buy food, jewelry, and other gifts/souvenirs.

You can take go-cart rides and helicopter rides too.

Even if you need some toiletries or groceries, you could find that in the supermarkets on the island.

You can buy almost any sports team equipment from the teams from the tri-state area (i.e. the Eagles, Giants, Phillies, Mets and Yankees.) There are also places where you can get a custom made shirt by a gentleman who spraypaints images on regular articles of clothing giving it a really unique look, that's hard to find anywhere else.

Eat
Wildwood features numerous places to sample a taste of the Jersey shore in all types of settings. If you are looking for a quick bite to eat, there is no better place to sample a tasty treat than the boardwalk. From the famous pizza shop rivals, Sam's and Mack's (everyone has a preference), to Curly's french fries, Laura's and Douglas's Fudge shops, to countless ice cream, Kohr Bros' frozen custard, and funnel cake stands, the smell of the boardwalk is just as prominent as the sounds of shrieking children and laughs from families enjoying each other's company. You can find popcorn, gourmet pizza, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, waffles and ice cream, Polish water ice, chocolate covered bananas, deep fried Oreos, milkshakes, and every kind of candy on the boardwalk. For incredibly fresh-baked doughnuts and pastries, Britton's bakery is a must stop.
 * Russo's in North Wildwood has great sandwiches on the go or for sitting on the beach.
 * Bill's in Wildwood, right on Park Boulevard and Glenwood, has great wings and family packages for the whole family. Sal's is the best if you want some Philly cheesesteaks in Wildwood Crest.

If you are looking for more of a sit down meal, the island features numerous diners and family-style restaurants, such The Vegas Diner in North Wildwood. The Wildwoods also feature world class seafood and Italian style cuisine in such fine establishments as Alfe's (in Wildwood), Uries and The Boat House (on Rio Grande Boulevard), and Little Italy. For casual seafood dining, the Fish Factory has great food. It's a small restaurant and takeout orders are more popular than sit-down dining.

There are several world renowned restaurants in Atlantic City, such as Morton's Steakhouse, which is at Caesar's Pier.

The The Star Beach Bar offers oceanside dining in front of the ICONA Diamond Beach Resort.

Drink
Wildwood is certainly not a dry town. There are numerous places for adults to indulge in a night out on the town in Wildwood. Some of the town's most popular bars are Keenan's Irish Pub, the Anglesey Pub, Westy's Irish Pub, Echoes, Owen's Pub, and Flip Flopz which are mostly found at the entrance of North Wildwood. Juan Pablo's is a great upscale Mexican restaurant in the heart of Wildwood with awesome drinks. Both locals and tourists alike mingle in this hip setting where drinks and light appetizers are served. At local bar Shamrocks, Wednesdays are Quizzo night, where anyone can compete in a series of Jeopardy-like questions for prizes, also very popular are: Sunset Bay, La Piazza, A and L P,(A great sandwich shop), Angry Jack's in North Wildwood and Boardwalk Bar and Grill on Atlantic Ave.

Wildwood's nightlife is incredibly diverse. The main attraction for families is the boardwalk, which features miles of novelty shops, eateries, and the three famous amusement piers, Surfside Pier, formerly Morey's Pier, Mariners Landing Pier, and Adventure Pier, formerly Wild Wheels Pier a few blocks apart from each other. Both of these amusement parks can be enjoyed by either buying tickets or purchasing an all day pass for a discounted price. Tickets can be loaded onto a scannable card, making it easy to have the exact amount ready for your next ride. The rides range from kiddie go-carts and merry-go-rounds, to log flumes to sky-high roller coasters and bungee jumping. There are a couple of walk-through amusements such as a funhouse and maze. The boardwalk is lined with games of all kinds and prizes galore. If you are a gambler and do not want to drive all the way to Atlantic City, there are tons of casino arcades on the boardwalk. There are also dozens of miniature golf centers, many with ice cream parlors attached. If you are up for it, it is also possible to get your palms and tarot cards read or even get a tattoo and something pierced.

The town of Wildwood Crest, often considered part of Wildwood, is dry.

Sleep
The Wildwoods are broken down into four main towns: North Wildwood, Wildwood, West Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. The Wildwoods are world renowned for having the largest concentration of Mid-Century Modern or "Doo-Wop" motels and other commercial buildings anywhere in the world. The vast majority of vacationers choose to stay in these "Doo-Wop" motels during the summer months. Prime examples of "Doo-Wop" motels can be found throughout the Wildwoods, including the Daytona Motor Inn on Atlantic and Youngs Avenue, The Starlux Motel on Rio Grande and Atlantic, and The Caribbean Motel on Ocean Ave. and Buttercup. Often times families vacation at the same motels and hotels for multiple generations. Still other vacationers like to rent houses by either the week, the month, or the season. The most popular month to rent is July, which is consequently the month when housing is most expensive. Many residents of the surrounding states have second homes in Wildwood, and utilize their vacation homes for all or most of the summer.

Go next

 * Allentown, 153.9 mi northwest
 * Cape May, 10.2 mi south
 * New York City, 158.1 mi
 * Ocean City, NJ, 29.7 mi south
 * Philadelphia, 91 mi northwest

title: Wildwood (New Jersey)


text:
Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes-Barre (the last part is variously pronounced "Berry", "Bury", "Bare", or "Berrah" by locals, and "Barry" or "Barr" by others) is a city of 41,000 people (2018) in Northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles southwest of Scranton. The city is named for John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, both of whom were members of the British Parliament who opposed royal rule of the colonies. Although the city is named after them, neither one ever stepped foot in North America.

By car
The easiest way to arrive in Wilkes-Barre is via the highway. The following highways connect Wilkes-Barre to other regional cities:
 * I-476 south to (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension) Allentown & Philadelphia.
 * I-81 north to Scranton & Binghamton and I-81 south to Harrisburg.

I-476 is tolled from mile 20 to 115.

By plane
The city is also about 15 minutes south of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca. The airport operates daily flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Detroit, Newark, and Philadelphia. Rental cars are available from Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, and Alamo at the terminal. Take I-81 south to Exit 170B.

Wilkes-Barre is also within three hours driving distance from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, JFK International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport in New York City, Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Harrisburg Int'l Airport in Harrisburg, and Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.

By bus
Martz offers long distance services to and from Philadelphia and New York City. is located downtown on 47 S Washington St. Greyhound and other bus services operate from the same terminal, serving upstate New York, Toronto, Baltimore, Washington DC, the Midwest and West, and many other cities.

Get around
Public transportation is available through busses run by Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA), which also travel to other points throughout Luzerne County, and several local taxi services.

See
If you drive outside the city, you may see steam rising from the ventilation shafts of the old coal mines.

Do

You can catch an ice hockey game or concert at the Wachovia Arena. Kings College and Wilkes University often feature art exhibits in their libraries. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders AAA baseball team plays 15 minutes north near Montage Mountain, which also features a major concert venue and skiing in the winter.

Buy

 * The Wyoming Valley Mall is north of the city,, it features JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's, among other stores. Check website for directions and full store directory.
 * The Arena Hub Plaza is located across the street from the Wyoming Valley Mall. It features a sporting goods store, clothing stores, some restaurants, and a Barnes & Noble book store.

Nearly all of the shops are chain stores in the mall area outside of downtown. Boscov's is on Main Street.

Eat
This area is known for its many authentic diner car restaurants; Eddie's Diner, off Route 315, has fries with gravy and is open 24 hours. La Tolteca, near the mall, is popular for Mexican. Garlic Garden and Pete's Place downtown have very reasonably priced Lebanese food, with fish on Fridays for the local Catholic population.

Wilkes-Barre is at the northeast frontier of the Pierogi Belt. Mom & Pops Pierogi on 131 Casey Ave, Wilkes Barre Township  sells fresh and frozen ravioli (and pasties) to go; the adjacent Abe's Hot Dogs serves the same pierogi prepared with butter and onion. Jagodzianka Polish Deli at 527½ Scott St has fresh kielbasa and other Eastern European delicacies.

Drink
There are quite a few choices for night life. Main Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre features a few college bars. Uptown, features Arena Bar and Grill for a more mature atmosphere. Furthermore, there are corner bars all throughout the city, and a few alternative bars. There is karaoke almost every night of the week, often hosted by DJ Scott Stephens.

title: Wilkes-Barre


text:
Willamette National Forest

Willamette National Forest is located in the Cascade Mountains region of Oregon.

By foot
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a trail that extends along the west coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State.

See

 * Waldo Lake

Do

 * Duffy Lake is fairly easy to hike with a dramatic turquoise lake surrounded by craggy mountain peaks at the top. Nice campgrounds at the trailhead with small campground at summit for packers. For those with horses, riding is allowed here. At times the trail can get congested it's best to stop and let the hikers walk by. Also you will find trekkers with Llama's packing in camping gear, if your horse is the nervous sort the trails can get narrow at times. Hopefully it won't be in those areas if you run into them.

Camping

 * Marion Lakes is one of the more beautiful campgrounds with views from the lake of Three Fingered Jack a unique rock formation.

title: Willamette National Forest


text:
Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. Centered around the Willamette River, and home to the state's three largest cities and much of the state's agriculture industry and the Oregon Wine Country. This area of the Pacific Northwest was one of the first Western areas to be settled, thanks to the Oregon Trail that ended in Oregon City near Portland.

Cities

 * - Home of World Timber Carnival.
 * - In the Willamette Valley, the home of Oregon State University.
 * - Home to Foster Farms and Luke Jackson of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 * - At the southern end of the valley, the home of the University of Oregon.
 * - This is another city that has a high concentration of wineries in the area.
 * - Located in the Willamette Valley in between Corvallis and Salem. Home of Western Oregon University.
 * - State Capital of Oregon, located south of Portland.
 * - Cozy community of murals and creekside dining; gateway to Silver Falls
 * - This is another city that has a high concentration of wineries in the area.
 * - Located in the Willamette Valley in between Corvallis and Salem. Home of Western Oregon University.
 * - State Capital of Oregon, located south of Portland.
 * - Cozy community of murals and creekside dining; gateway to Silver Falls
 * - State Capital of Oregon, located south of Portland.
 * - Cozy community of murals and creekside dining; gateway to Silver Falls

Talk
Standard American English is the predominant language, but Spanish is not uncommon throughout the Valley due to a growing Hispanic population. Outside of the urban immigrant communities, there is a colony of Russian speakers in the Woodburn-Gervais area in northern Marion County, the Old Believers, who continue a unique religious culture.

Understand
The Willamette Valley is a broad, flat alluvial plain nestled between two mountain ranges, the Coast Range to the west and the Cascades to the east. Its highly fertile soil drew the first American settlers to Oregon in the 1840s and it remains the center of population in the state. The valley is said to begin in the south at Eugene, where the McKenzie meets the Willamette River, which then meanders through the farmland past Albany, Independence, and Salem, reaching the head of navigation at the Falls in Oregon City, and thence through Portland to the Columbia River.

It has a Mediterranean climate, quite moderate in temperature. Although the Pacific Northwest is known for its rain, it has a reliably dry season from approximately June through September. July and August are especially dry and pleasant.

Portland is the state's only large metropolitan area and the center of much of its culture and economics. It is known for its progressive attitudes and quirky enthusiasms-- "Keep Portland Weird" is a popular slogan. Yet it is a cosmopolitan city as well, as befits its size and sophistication.

To the south of Portland, the vineyards and farmlands dominate, as well as many small- and moderately-sized towns which retain unique histories that invite the visitor to explore. See Aurora, the former utopian commune, now a center of antique shopping. Or stop by Mt. Angel, famous for its German Catholic heritage and Abbey, and the celebration each September at its Oktoberfest, when the local charities come together to raise money for the year from thousands of people from all over the world. Or look out over the fields and see the onion domes of an Old Believer Church near Gervais.

The second and third largest population areas in the state, Eugene/Springfield and Salem/Keizer, are in the valley as well. Eugene is home of the University of Oregon and has a young, vibrant arts scene and a liberal attitude. Salem, the state capital, has suffered from its proximity to Portland's cultural reach, but has its own hidden gems, as well as an architectural treasure in the Art Deco Oregon Capitol Building. Other cities of size include Corvallis (home of Oregon State University), Albany, Dallas (not the one in Texas), Woodburn (a mix of Hispanic, Anglo, and Russian Old Believer populations), and McMinnville.

By plane
Airports with commercial flights to the Willamette Valley are Portland International Airport and Eugene Airport (Mahlon Sweet Field). Additional general aviation airports for travelers flying their own private planes or traveling with a private charter company are in Corvallis ; Hillsboro ; McMinnville ; Salem ; and Troutdale. Some of which may be large enough to handle a larger Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 aircraft and/or host car rental companies onsite or nearby.

By car

 * Interstate 5 runs the length of the Willamette Valley from south of Eugene to Portland. The valley is also located along US Hwy 99, including both US 99W and US 99E parallel to I-5 at each side. Eugene is a two-hour drive south from Portland, and approximately a 5-hour drive south from Seattle. The Bay Area is another nine-hour drive south.
 * Interstate 84 connects Portland to points east through the Columbia River Gorge, while US 30 follows the river northwest to Astoria along the Pacific. U.S. 20, U.S. 26, and state routes 58 and 126 go over the Cascades through high mountain passes. These may be restricted or closed during the snowy winter months. U.S. 20, U.S. 26 and State routes 18 and 126 go over the slightly lower Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean. These mountains also contain forest and logging roads; during the winter months, motorists are often lost and sometimes die when trying to take these routes, so stick to the main highways during these times.

On foot
Part of the Oregon Trail runs through this area.

Get around

 * Bike paths along the Willamette River.

See

 * The McKenzie River corridor (fly fishing, rafting)

Buy
is a large and modern outlet mall just off Interstate 5 in Woodburn, about 15 minutes by car north of Salem. It is especially popular with those who come to enjoy Oregon's lack of sales taxes.

Drink
The Willamette Valley has two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 500 wineries as of 2019. It is known for its Pinot Noirs. The climate, latitude, and geology is particularly suited to the production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.

A favorite local activity is wine tasting. Most wineries have a public tasting room you can visit during the day to sample their lineup of wines for a modest tasting fee. The tasting fee is often waived if you purchase a bottle or two. The highest concentration of wineries is centered on the town of Dundee, but there are other pockets of wineries near Newberg, Carlton, McMinnville, Salem and Eugene.

Wineries are open year-round but the high season is typically from June through October when the chance for rain is low and daytime temperatures are pleasant.

Go next

 * Bend in Central Oregon. Mt. Bachelor is located near here. Good location for hiking, biking and fishing.
 * Southwest Washington, to the north
 * Cascade Mountains to the east
 * Southern Oregon, to the south
 * Oregon Coast, to the west

title: Willamette Valley


text:
Willcox

Willcox is a small town in Cochise County, Southeast Arizona, and a convenient gateway to Chiricahua National Monument and other scenic sights in the region.

Get in

 * By car. Willcox is approximately half way between Tucson and the New Mexico state line, on I-10 (Interstate 10). If you're driving to town on I-10, be aware that the road is one of the United States' major east-west commercial arteries, and is full of truck traffic, much of it traveling at speeds well beyond the posted 75 mph.

Get around
The historic core of Willcox is easily explored on foot. To see things further afield, a car is necessary.

See

Restaurants
There aren't many restaurants in Willcox besides fast food chains. The best are listed below.

Go next

 * Chiricahua National Monument
 * Fort Bowie National Historic Site is an oddity in the United States National Park System, in that you must hike cross-country to get to it rather than just driving. The parking area is reachable via the Apache Pass road southeast of Willcox. The ruins of an old fort are about a three-mile (round trip) hike from the parking area (bring plenty of water).

title: Willcox


text:
William Creek

William Creek is a very small town in South Australia.

Get in
If you are in William Creek chances are you are driving the Oodnadatta Track. It passes straight through the town. You can also fly in to the town airstrip on an air tour. There is also a more direct access way to the sealed road through Coober Pedy. There is no sealed road access into William Creek.

See

See the planes taxi down the main street of the town from the airstrip (and the sign which says to watch out for them). See the old railway sidings, and walk along the old railway alignment into the outback.

Look at the William Creek pub and town. It has its own radio station (audible for about 1km from the town) its own generator (turned off at night). It is a very remote and tiny settlement, and its features are quite remarkable.

Do
Take a scenic flight over Lake Eyre from the William Creek airstrip.

Buy
Well, actually try to avoid buying anything here, especially make sure you don't have to fuel up here. Prices are steep and in no way comparable to Oodnadatta or Marree.

Eat
There is the, and a take away food outlet across the road. A selection of vegetarian food is on offer.

Drink
Well, there is the William Creek pub.

Go next
Lake Eyre is a side trip off the track. You will need a 4WD, and to take care. Tourists have died on this trip after becoming stuck. Otherwise continue on north to Oodnadatta south to Marree.

title: William Creek


text:
Williams

There is more than one place called Williams:

United States of America

 * Williams (Arizona) - A town in Arizona.
 * Williams (California) - A town in California.

title: Williams


text:
Williams (Arizona)

Williams is a town in Northern Arizona, 35 miles west of Flagstaff. In 1984, it was the last Route 66 town to be bypassed by freeway.

Understand
The city's location is on Interstate 40, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations. The city is also a major gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Get in
Located 35 miles west of Flagstaff on I-40 and 1 hour south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Get around
There is no public transportation, but the historic core of Williams is easily explored on foot.

See
The Mother Road (Route 66) runs through the downtown area of Williams.

Go next

 * Grand Canyon

title: Williams (Arizona)


text:
Williams (California)

Williams is in Colusa County in California.

Get in
Interstate 5 is the main route through town.

Stay safe
Although it doesn't have a Police Department it is served by the Colusa County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol.

title: Williams (California)


text:
Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a city in southeast Virginia. Settled in 1632, it was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1779 and in 1926, John D. Rockefeller Jr commissioned a restoration project to bring Williamsburg back to its former colonial glory. During this period, 700 modern homes were demolished, colonial buildings were renovated, and more than 400 buildings were reconstructed on their original foundations. Today, the Colonial Williamsburg district in the center of town is a popular tourist center and people visit in droves to immerse themselves in the nation's colonial history.

By plane
The main airport servicing Williamsburg is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, in Newport News. This airport is serviced by Delta and American Eagle.

Williamsburg is also within one hour's drive (via I-64) of both Richmond International Airport, in Richmond, and Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk. Both airports offer a wider range of airlines and more competition, which may result in lower ticket prices.

By train
Williamsburg Amtrak Station is just north of the central district at 468 North Boundary Street. Amtrak trains run to Richmond, Washington DC, New York City and Boston via the Northeast Regional line.

By car
Williamsburg is easily accessed by car with Interstate-64 running northeast to Richmond and southwest to Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

For a more scenic view, VA State Route 5 from Richmond runs along the James River past many of the fabled James River Plantations. US Route 60 and VA State Route 143 parallel I-64 for much of its length east and west of Williamsburg and are alternative routes into the city.

Get around
Public transportation is limited to Oleta Coach Lines and the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) buses. They stop at the transportation center (the Amtrak station), the visitors center, and various spots throughout the town. They are mostly designed to serve the community, but the Yellow line goes to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Most people get around by car.

The intersection of Richmond Road, Boundary Street, Jamestown Road, and Duke of Gloucester Street (non-vehicular, but with many pedestrians) near Colonial Williamsburg and the historic district is the most notorious (and confusing) feature of Williamsburg driving. Dubbed by locals as Confusion Corner, right-of-way confusion can result in accidents or close calls. For tourists in this area, traffic heading west on Jamestown Road and east on Richmond Road toward Boundary Street has the right of way; all other traffic must stop or yield. This intersection is at the corner of the College of William and Mary's campus, so be alert for pedestrians in this area.

Free parking in the restored area is difficult to find and is generally limited to two hours. Colonial Williamsburg offers hourly and daily parking in numerous short-term lots near the restored district. Parking at other shopping areas is generally free, though it can get crowded at peak seasons.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and Department of Motor Vehicles has certified local bus company Oleta Coach Lines, Inc for a bus route from the Williamsburg Transportation Center to shopping malls around the Hampton Roads area. The Williamsburg bus route runs from Williamsburg to Hampton, to Newport News then back to Williamsburg. It runs twice on Tuesdays.

Nearby
The Colonial Parkway runs between Jamestown and Yorktown, passing through Williamsburg. Jamestown and Yorktown each feature a National Park Service site containing the actual historical site, and a privately-run living history museum nearby designed to amplify understanding. Visitors should be wary of signs designed to draw attention to the more expensive living history museums, rather than the true historic sites.

National Park admission of $15 (adults) will cover the original sites of Jamestown and Yorktown. Free guided tours directed by park rangers run at posted intervals, typically last about 45 minutes, and are the best way to understand the history of the sites.

Near each National Park site is a large, privately run living history museum featuring actors in period dress illustrating life in Colonial times. They also offer a single entry fee providing admission to both locations. ($20 adults).

Do

 * - located in Williamsburg
 * - located in Williamsburg

Buy
Williamsburg offers a good mix of shops and malls, selling arts and crafts, fashion boutiques, as well as upscale outlet malls.

Eat
There are many places to eat in Williamsburg. They are mostly located in two areas: Merchants Square and a small stretch of Richmond Road. Richmond Road contains many of the chain restaurants found all over the East Coast. In Merchants Square you will find The Trellis, The Blue Talon, The Cheese Shop, The Fat Canary, Lenny's, and Aromas, among others. The Trellis and Blue Talon are popular places for more expensive gourmet cuisine. The Cheese Shop, Lenny's and Aromas are best for lunch and they are also well worth visiting. The Gazebo, on Bypass Road, is a great place for breakfast. Colonial Williamsburg has a few taverns where historically costumed staff serve colonial fare. They are good places to eat and a must-visit for any Williamsburg tourist. Just be warned that most restaurants and shops close at 8PM. Additional options can be found within the historic district in Colonial Williamsburg.

Drink
There are three bars, called the delis, which are conveniently all located at the intersection of Richmond Road and Scotland Street.

Sleep
Additional lodging options can be found in Colonial Williamsburg that offer benefits for guests visiting the historic district.

Go next

 * Busch Gardens Williamsburg - a few miles southeast of Williamsburg, this amusement park features roller coasters and other thrill rides and was voted the world's "Most Beautiful Park" for 20 consecutive years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.
 * Newport News - about southeast of Williamsburg on I-64, Newport News is home to the massive Newport News Shipbuilding, a shipyard that was founded in 1866. It is where many American aircraft carriers, submarines and other military ships are built.
 * Richmond - about west of Williamsburg on I-64, Virginia's current capital city was settled in 1607, served as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and today offers a wealth of Civil War history.

title: Williamsburg


text:
Williamsburg (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Williamsburg:

United States of America

 * Williamsburg in Virginia home to Colonial Williamsburg

 * Williamsburg (Colorado)
 * Williamsburg (Florida)
 * Williamsburg (Iowa)
 * Williamsburg (Kansas)
 * Williamsburg (Kentucky)
 * Williamsburg (Maryland)
 * Williamsburg (Massachusetts)
 * Williamsburg (Michigan)
 * Williamsburg (New Mexico)
 * Williamsburg neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn in the city of New York.
 * Williamsburg, (Ohio)
 * Williamsburg, (Pennsylvania)

 * Williamsburg County, South Carolina

title: Williamsburg (disambiguation)


text:
Williams Lake

Williams Lake is a town of about 11,000 people in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. With many lakes and ranches in the surrounding areas, it offers many possibilities to visitors. It is also the gateway to the Central Coast of British Columbia.

Understand
The primary industries in Williams Lake are forestry, logging, sawmilling, mining and ranching.

History
Williams Lake is named in honour of Secwepemc (Shuswap) First Nation chief William, whose counsel prevented the Shuswap from joining the Tsilhqot'in in their uprising against the settler population in 1864.

Indigenous activity in Williams Lake (called T'exelc by local First Nations communities) began as much as 4000 years ago. Europeans came into the region in 1860 during the Cariboo Gold Rush when Gold Commissioner Philip Henry Nind and William Pinchbeck, a constable with the British Columbia Provincial Police, arrived from Victoria to organize a local government and maintain law and order.

At the time, two pack trails led to the goldfields, one from the Douglas Road and the other through the Fraser Canyon. They met at Williams Lake, which made it a good choice for settlers and merchants. By 1861, Commissioner Nind had built a government house and had requested the funds to build a jail. With the centre of local government being at Williams Lake, the miners and businessmen all had to travel there to conduct their business and soon the town had a post office, a courthouse, a roadhouse and the jail that Nind had requested. Meanwhile, William Pinchbeck had not been idle and had built his own roadhouse, saloon and store. Eventually he would own most of the valley.

In 1863, the construction of Cariboo Road was rerouted the original trail so that it bypassed Williams Lake and went through 150 Mile House instead. The by-pass doomed the city: Williams Lake was forgotten and wouldn't be reborn until 1919 with the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, now part of the Canadian National Railway. In July 2017, the province of British Columbia declared a state of emergency with more than 200 fires burning, mostly in the central region of the province. Residents from Williams Lake and other communities in central British Columbia such as Ashcroft and 100 Mile House were given evacuation orders.

Williams Lake is the hometown of Rick Hansen, a Canadian paraplegic athlete and activist for people with spinal cord injuries, who became well known during his fundraising Man in Motion world tour.

Climate
Williams Lake has a humid continental climate with warm summers. Spring is the driest time of year, and summer and winter are the wettest seasons respectively. Williams Lake receives about 2,000 hours of bright sunshine per year, which is more than most of the province. It is also in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains.

By car
Highway 97 passes through Williams Lake from Quesnel to Cache Creek. Williams Lake is at the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 20.

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Williams Lake:

Drink
Williams Lake being a small town doesn't have a great nightlife but on the weekend the drinking establishments do pick up. Best plan is to start at Oliver Street Bar and Grill and then move on to the Overlander pub for dancing after 9PM. Looking for a more laid back environment? Oliver Street has more of a sports bar atmosphere. While those looking for a casual evening out could try The Point located above Chances Casino or The Laughing Loon which was featured on HGTV's Timber Kings.

Go next

 * Go camping at Horsefly Lake Provincial Park.

title: Williams Lake


text:
Williamson

There is more than one place called Williamson:

United States of America

 * Williamson (Arizona) - A town in Arizona.
 * Williamson (Georgia) - A town in Georgia.
 * Williamson (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Williamson (Iowa) - A town in Iowa.
 * Williamson (New York) - A town in New York.
 * Williamson (West Virginia) - A town in West Virginia.

title: Williamson


text:
Williamson (West Virginia)

Williamson is a city in West Virginia, and the county seat of Mingo County The population at the 2010 census was 3,191. If you like to hear the loud banging of rail cars you'll likely be in for a treat here with the large rail yard that serves the coal mining industry. The city has been fleecing inhabitants ever since its heyday in the 1940s, as times change.

Williamson is situated on the Tug Fork River which serves as the border with Kentucky. Some of Williamson's neighborhoods and services are thus located in South Williamson, Kentucky.

The Williamson area is a regional center for the coal industry, big-box shopping, and tourism. Williamson and Logan are the two largest towns along US-119 between Charleston and Pikeville.

Get in
Williamson is at the junction of US-52 and US-119. The two highways continue as a single highway north before US-119 splits to go northeast towards Logan and eventually Charleston, while US-52 continues north to Huntington. US-119 continues southwest through Kentucky to Pikeville, half an hour away. US-52 continues 1.5 hours southeast to Welch.

See

 * The Coal House, corner of 2nd Ave and Court St, is a structure solely built of bricks made of bituminous coal from the Winifrede Seam nearby, very ostentatious. The Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce occupies it.
 * The historic small town of Matewan is just over 20 minutes southeast along the Tug Fork River
 * The small town of Delbarton is less than 15 minutes east on US-52

Do
The steep topography of the Williamson area lends itself to several excellent hiking trails to rock formations less than 5 miles from the city center; including the famous overlook at Death Rock (and the adjacent Shoe Rock/North Wall Rock/Eagle Rock), Picnic Rock, Castle Rock, and the natural bridge at Bottle Rock.

The Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail System offers the Buffalo Mountain section in the Williamson area.

Go next

 * Pikeville, Ky is 30 minutes southwest on US-119
 * Logan is just over 30 minutes north on US-119
 * Gilbert is just over 45 minutes east on US-52
 * Welch is 1.5 hours east on US-52
 * Charleston is 1 hour 20 minutes north on US-119
 * Huntington is 1.5 hours north on US-52

title: Williamson (West Virginia)


text:
Williamsport

Williamsport is a city in the Pennsylvania Wilds of Pennsylvania.

Understand
Some major area attractions are in communities that are separate from the city of Williamsport. Most notably, the Little League Baseball complex—including the headquarters, the museum, and the Little League World Series stadiums—is located in the borough of South Williamsport, on the other side of the Susquehanna River from Williamsport proper.

Get in
Greyhound has a daily service from Harrisburg to Williamsport.

By car
Williamsport is connected to two Interstates: I-180 and I-99. I-80, which terminates at Interstate 80 south of Williamsport, is the road you'll use if you're coming from New York or Philadelphia. From Pittsburgh, you'll use I-99, which is not entirely completed and still has some non-expressway gaps, so expect construction and some confusion. (You might spot signs saying "Future I-99 corridor" on the drive in). Points north should use US-15, which will one day be I-99. The area north of Williamsport is sparsely populated though, so there will probably be little in the way of delays, just a rather scenic mountain drive.

Get around
River Valley Transit is the local transit agency.

title: Williamsport


text:
Williamstown

There is more than one place called Williamstown:

Australia

 * Williamtown (New South Wales) -- A town in New South Wales, Australia.
 * Williamstown (South Australia) -- A town in South Australia.
 * Williamstown (Victoria) -- A suburb of Melbourne in Australia.

Canada

 * Williamstown (Ontario) -- A town in Ontario province.

Ireland

 * Williamstown (Galway) -- A town in Galway in Ireland.

United States of America

 * Williamstown (Kentucky) -- A town which is the county seat of Grant County, Kentucky.
 * Williamstown (Massachusetts) -- A town in Berkshires of Massachusetts.
 * Williamstown (New Jersey) -- A place in Monroe Township in New Jersey.
 * Williamstown (New York) -- A town in Oswego County, New York (state).
 * Williamstown (Pennsylvania) -- A borough in Dauphin County in Pennsylvania.
 * Williamstown (Vermont) -- A town in Orange County, Vermont.
 * Williamstown (West Virginia) -- A town in Wood County, West Virginia on the Ohio River.
 * Williamstown (Wisconsin) -- A town in Dodge County, Wisconsin.
 * Williamstown Township (Michigan) -- A township in Ingham County, Michigan.

title: Williamstown


text:
Williamstown (Massachusetts)

Williamstown is a town in the Berkshires at the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with New York and Vermont. It is a true college town, having hosted Williams College since 1793.

Understand
Williamstown is a lovely historic town that's well worth a visit. There are quite a few tasteful 18th-, 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, on and off campus.

Get in

 * From the South or West: From I-87, take Exit 6; drive 45 minutes east on NY/MA Rt. 2 into Williamstown.
 * From Taconic Parkway: Take NY Rt. 295 East to NY Rt. 22 North to NY Rt. 43 East (which becomes MA Rt. 43 North) to US Rt. 7 North into Williamstown.
 * From the North (Vermont): Follow US Rt. 7 South to Williamstown.
 * From the East (Boston): Take Mass. Pike (I-90) to Exit 2 (Lee); US Rt. 20 West. This will merge with US Rt. 7 North, which you follow into Williamstown.

There is a bus direct from Port Authority (New York City) that takes about 5 hours. Check Peter Pan Bus lines.

Get around
Williamstown is a small town, and most locations are reachable on foot. For further trips to Vermont or neighboring North Adams, you're best off with a car, although local public transportation can get you around too. Buses run infrequently, so plan well. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority webpage, with schedules, is at this link.

See
Aside from the following museums, you can enjoy walking around downtown Williamstown, looking at the outsides of buildings and walking into some of them, such as churches, if you visit when they are open.

Do

 * Hiking: Pine Cobble There are countless hikes in the Williamstown area, but one of the most popular is certainly Pine Cobble. The Williams Outing Club publishes the North Berkshire Trails guide, available at Water Street Books (26 Water Street, ), the local bookstore, for $12.  A trail description of Pine Cobble is available here.  The trail (estimated time: 1 hour) climbs a hill north of Williamstown overlooking the Purple Valley and arrives at an expanse of quartzite rock exposed by glaciers long ago.

Eat

 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
 * Happy Star Chinese Restaurant, 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.

Go next
There is a Peter Pan bus to New York City on Sundays that costs $45. Buy tickets at the Williams Inn. Leaves at 4PM.

You can take the Berkshire Transport to Pittsfield (about 20 minutes south) for many more transportation options, including a train. The bus to New York City also stops in Pittsfield.

If you are a student at Williams then log onto WSO and check out the rideboard.

title: Williamstown (Massachusetts)


text:
Williamstown (New Jersey)

Williamstown is a city in the Delaware River region of New Jersey.

Understand
Williamstown is a large town that is officially called Monroe Township. The community is at the southwestern end of a large urban area that extends to Philadelphia and Trenton in the north. The southern side of Williamstown is the less populated of the two sides and is mostly forested. Areas to the west are more farming country than areas to the east.

By car
The main road through town is the U.S. Route 322, which enters the town from the southeast and west. Route 42 also enters the town from the northwest. There are several other roads that enter Williamstown, including Blue Bell Road, Clayton Avenue, North Main Street, County Route 536, Radix Road, New Brooklyn Road, and Winslow Road.

Atlantic City Expressway passes north of the town, and roads connect it with Williamstown (for example, Winslow Road).

By bus
There are several bus stations along U.S. Route 322, especially southwest of the town and in the town itself.

By car
Although streets tend to be at odd angles, the town shouldn't be hard to get around. The Black Horse Pike goes through the town, and Main Street runs fairly parallel with the Pike.

Getting across the town from east to west or west to east requires a little more effort. For example, New Brooklyn Road leads into the town from the east, but doesn't go all the way through the town. You can cross the town in a somewhat east-west direction by following the U.S. Route; however, this is also a south-north route. The main roads to get around town are definitely New Brooklyn Road (Poplar Street), Main Street, and any highway routes.

By bus
There are several bus stops along the Main Street.

Buy
There are two Heritage's stores in town, one being in the west, and the other being in the south. The shopping malls are along the sides of the Black Horse Pike.

However, most of the important stores are chain stores, not small businesses.

Eat
Besides chain restaurants, there are a few diners in Williamstown.

Drink
There are not many bars in Williamstown; however, there are a couple wineries near the town of Hammonton, which is only a few miles away.

Sleep
Although there are some places to stay in Williamstown, most of these are not chain motels, but instead motels that are independently owned and operated. Most of the motels are, of course, scattered along the U.S. Route 322 or Route 42.

Go next

 * Hammonton, 14.5 mi southeast
 * Philadelphia 24.4 mi northeast
 * Woodbury, 13.8 mi northwest

title: Williamstown (New Jersey)


text:
Williamsville (Illinois)

Williamsville  is a city in Central Illinois.

title: Williamsville (Illinois)


text:
Williston

There is more than one place called Williston:

South Africa

 * Williston (Northern Cape) — a town in Northern Cape

United States of America

 * Williston (Florida) — a town in Florida
 * Williston (Maryland) — a town in Maryland
 * Williston (North Carolina) — a village in North Carolina
 * Williston (North Dakota) — a town in North Dakota
 * Williston (Ohio) — a town in Ohio
 * Williston (South Carolina) — a town in South Carolina
 * Williston (Tennessee) — a town in Tennessee
 * Williston (Vermont) — a town in Vermont

title: Williston