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Billings

Billings is the largest city in Montana in Yellowstone County, with an estimated 110,000 people (2019). As a destination, Billings does a significant amount of convention business and is also the host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities. Billings hosts the largest hospitals in a 500-mile radius, as such the medical profession is a major source of employment in the area. Billings also is a frequent overnight or meal stop for westbound visitors to Yellowstone National Park, as it is the last major city for visitors going to the park via the Beartooth Highway.

Understand
Billings visitors will find residents referring to different sections of town. The most common ones are:
 * Lockwood (east of I-90 and north of Yellowstone River) — most businesses around Johnson Lane exit on the old highway
 * The Heights (northern part of town, past MetraPark) — most businesses on Main St
 * Downtown (roughly 26th St. to 30th St. and 1st Ave to 6th Ave) — typical downtown area
 * The Rims (sandstone cliffs north of town) — airport, walking/biking trails, a few neighborhoods
 * Southside (south of the railroad tracks) - businesses scattered throughout
 * Westend (large stretch of town, 1st St N to 32nd St N) — major streets are Grand, Broadwater, Central, and King
 * Shiloh Crossing ''(Zoo Drive Exit to King Ave, along Shiloh Rd) — newest commercial area of town

There are also a few outlying towns with a variety of businesses, though no hotels. These are Acton, Ballantine, Broadview, Huntley, Pompey's Pillar, Shepherd, and Worden. Though some people may refer to Laurel, about 10 miles west, as a suburb, it is its own separate town with a vibe of its own.

Billings has the nickname "Magic City" because the city seemed to appear overnight with rapid growth from the newly built railroad route in the late 1800s.

 * Visit Billings tourist information.

Get in
There are no passenger rail services to Billings, and despite its location along the river, there are no ferry services to other cities.

By car

 * From the west - I-90 connects Billings with Bozeman, Butte, Missoula and Idaho. The freeway ends near downtown Seattle.
 * From the south - I-90 from Wyoming. U.S. 310 also comes north from Lovell, Wyoming.
 * From the east - 10 miles east of Billings, I-94 joins I-90 from Miles City, Glendive and North Dakota.
 * From the north - U.S. 87 connects Billings with Roundup.

Get around

 * Yellow Cab - +1 406-245-3033
 * City Cab - +1 406-252-8700
 * Red Lodge Shuttle - +1 406-446-2257 or toll free +1-888-446-2191.
 * Red Lodge Shuttle - +1 406-446-2257 or toll free +1-888-446-2191.

Taxis in Billings charge fares based on a pre-set zone arrangement. Uber and Lyft ridesharing services also operate in the city.

Bike trails can be found throughout the city. A map can be found at Billings Trailnet.

See

Do

 * Billings, MT Events Calendar - Events calendar for Billings

The Rims

 * Local Horse rides

Sleep
Early reservations are advised during the peak summer months and during weekends when a major event is scheduled. At most hotels, rates are significantly higher during the summer.

Stay safe
Billings is generally a safe city, but crimes do occur. Stay away from portions of the city south of Montana Ave., otherwise known as South Side, at night.

Portions of the city east of N. 27th St., north of Montana Ave. and west of Main St., otherwise known as the North Park area, may not be safe at night. However, the area is mainly residential and offers little for tourists in any case.

Rock slides, sometimes involving big boulders, have happened along the Rims, therefore, it is advisable to keep a reasonable distance between yourself and the edge of the Rims.

Due to swift currents, do not get into the city's canals. People have had to be rescued from the canals.

Roads conditions can be treacherous during and after winter snowstorms. The city has a so-called "Slick Streets" policy, meaning if the city's emergency dispatch center receives too many calls on accidents due to snowy or icy road conditions, emergency crews will only respond to accidents involving injuries. The city's media outlets may make an announcement when the Slick Streets policy is in effect.

Go next
If Billings is too crowded for you, try its "suburbs" of Huntley and Shepherd, roughly 10 miles east.

Two National Monuments are within a reasonable distance: Pompey's Pillar, 32 miles east on I-94, and Little Bighorn Battlefield, 67 miles southeast on I-90. Other than those, you're at the last city of any significant size before rolling out into the vast Eastern Montana prairie. The greatest attraction may be the scenery of the drive to your next destination.

title: Billings


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Billund

Billund is a city in Jutland, western Denmark. It has some 8700 inhabitants and is known as the home of LEGO.

Get in
There is no railway line to Billund, so all transportation is by road or air.

By car
Billund is situated in the middle of Jutland, this means that there are roads in every direction. Usually tourists coming from other countries will drive along the E45 motorway. If you are coming from the south, drive to Kolding and continue towards Billund. If you are coming from the north or east, turn at Vejle for Billund.

By bus
The airport runs two express shuttle buses to Vejle (30 minutes, 80 DKK) and Aarhus (1½ hours, 180 DKK via Horsens & Skanderborg) several times per day. There are also direct public buses from Billund to Vejle and Grindsted (lines 244 & 907X), Kolding (406, 1 hour) and Horsens (117, 2 hours). All of these buses stop at the airport.

By train
As the train station closed in the 1950s, your only option is the train to Vejle and the bus from there (see above).

See
Randbøl Hede og Frederikshåb Plantage

Do

Look at Oplev Billund to see what other activities there are.

Eat
Inside Legoland, Lego House and Lalandia there are also restaurants.

More options than in Billund are in Vejle 30 km away, where there are a lot of fine restaurants. They are a little expensive but worth the trip.

Budget

A budget alternative is to get some food from the supermarkets (see the Buy section above).

Sleep
The biggest provider is Lalandia (see 'Do') which has hundreds of vacation rentals available, centered around families.

Go next

 * Vejle, The regional capital of south Jutland.

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

title: Billund


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Biloxi

Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It's well known for its beaches and casinos. It is also home to Keesler Air Force Base, most of which is not open to the public.

Understand
An area across Biloxi Bay from the city, called Old Biloxi, was first visited by French explorer Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville in 1699. The explorer, who was looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, was instructed by the King of France to claim the coastal region. D'Iberville sailed into Biloxi Bay with a small group of men and established Fort Maurepas and a similar colony on the east shore, now the site of Ocean Springs. The word Biloxi means "First People" and was the name of a local Native American tribe met by d'Iberville and his men when they explored the land. Since its discovery, eight flags have flown over the city including the French, English, Spanish, West Florida Republic, Mississippi Magnolia, Confederate State, Mississippi State, and that of the United States.

In 1719 Fort Louis was founded on the site of the present-day city, which served as the capital of French colonial Louisiana from 1720 to 1722. In 1783 Biloxi was taken over by the Spanish, who merely collected tariffs, while the area retained its strong French influence. The Spanish maintained their rule until 1810, when a rebellion occurred and the area was seized by American insurgents. At that time, Biloxi became part of the Republic of West Florida. Although petitions for statehood were denied, the Biloxi region became part of the Territory of Orleans (which had been part of the Louisiana Purchase). Two years later, in 1812, Biloxi became part of the Mississippi Territory. In 1814 a British attempt to capture New Orleans failed, but the British remained on nearby Ship Island until 1815. Finally, on December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state of the United States.

During the 1820s Biloxi became a popular summer resort for New Orleanians wishing to escape their city's heat and yellow fever epidemics. Biloxi was incorporated officially in 1838. The city grew as families and their servants flocked to the area, which by 1847 had become the most important of the Gulf Coast's resort towns. By the middle of the nineteenth century even more people came for the ostensible healing powers of the waters, and for the balls, outings, and hunting events that enlivened the social scene.

At the time of the Civil War, Union troops took over nearby Ship Island and carried out a blockade of the gulf. Citizens protected the city from invasion by the Yankees through the threatening appearance of fake cannons, which were really only logs planted in the sand. Mullet fish, called "Biloxi bacon," saved the local populace from starvation in the war years. The first fish cannery opened in 1881, and the city's seafood industry quickly developed. By 1900 Biloxi was termed the "seafood capital of the world." Polish, Austrian, and Acadian French soon came to the city to work in the industry, adding their own cultural influences. Tourism flourished and more hotels were built to accommodate the visitors, many of them from the Midwest, who came to escape the harsh northern winters.

During the early 20th century, the city grew and new developments included electricity, a street railway system, and telephone service. During the 1920s a paved highway was built along the beach, and more hotels were constructed as tourism increased. In 1928 the world's longest seawall, which spanned 25 miles (40 km) of Biloxi's coastline, was dedicated. The 1930s saw the decline of the area's seafood industry, but a new boom took place during World War II when Biloxi was chosen to be the site of a new air force base.

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Biloxi rebuilt its original image. Hurricane Katrina left a devastated image in the tourist industry in Biloxi. Right after Hurricane Katrina, the casinos were the first to approach in rebuilding to create jobs and entertainment. You can still see ruins from the aftermath of Katrina. The houses that are rebuilt after the hurricane are now around ten feet above ground to avoid flooding. However, the question of stability of those houses are still being concerned.

In 2010, there was also an oil spill on the Gulf Coast of Mexico by British Petroleum company which destroyed the livelihoods of many people in Biloxi.

By plane
The closest major airport is Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Further access must be by car.

The next closest airport is the Mobile Regional Airport which is in Mobile, Alabama. It is about 45 minutes away from Biloxi. Visitors can rent cars from car renter services and drive to Biloxi.

By car
Access to Biloxi is primarily by Interstate 10. It is between New Orleans and Mobile.

By car
Like most American cities, personal vehicle provides the best travel options. Main roads are Interstate 10 across the north, US-90 along the beach, and I-110 connecting them and crossing the sound. Taxis and local bus service are available, but still somewhat unreliable.

By bus
Moreover, Biloxi lacks a mass transit transportation system. A very low percentage take the bus system in Biloxi. The Coast Transit Authority operates several bus routes that travel around Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, and D'lberville.

For tourist visiting Biloxi, there are Hopper cars that are provided by the casinos that could take the visitors from one casino to the next free of charge. The CTA Casino Hopper circles around the Biloxi casinos.

Everything is very easy to get to in Biloxi.

Do
Biloxi has long been known for its casino based tourism industry. Each year, about 16 million people visit these casinos. Biloxi has nine casinos.

Buy
Biloxi is still in need of a good shopping mall. Most shopping usually are done in Mobile or New Orleans.

Eat
There are cafes, seafood, and fine dining offering a wide variety of food in downtown Biloxi. For Vietnamese food, there's Kim Long Restaurant, Henry's Bakery, Le Bakery (Huong Que). The casinos also offer all you can eat buffets, with prices varying.

Go next

 * Destin is a couple of hours east on I-10
 * Pensacola is about two hours east on I-10
 * New Orleans is about an hour west on I-10
 * Mobile is about an hour east along I-10
 * Hattiesburg is about an hour north on U.S. Highway 49
 * Abita Springs, LA, home to the Abita Springs Brewery, just under two hours to the west, along I-10
 * McHenry, is about 30 min north in the heart of De Soto National Forest on U.S. Highway 49

title: Biloxi


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Bimini

Bimini is a district of the Bahamas and consists of two main islands located 50 miles east of Florida.

Understand
Bimini is surrounded by shallow reefs near shore - but the depth then increases to 80 to 100 feet before dropping into the abyss of the Gulf Stream. To the west, the Gulf Stream current flows north through the deep water between Miami and Bimini, where the ocean is over 6,000 feet deep. The Gulf Stream brings hundreds of marine animals near to the shores of Bimini.

Bimini is only 50 miles east of Miami Beach, Florida.

Bimini has three main islands: North Bimini, East Bimini and South Bimini. These coral islands are small, only 7 miles long and only 200 yards wide at their narrowest. Perched at the west end of the Bahamas Bank, Bimini is surrounded by shallow water (only 20 to 30 feet deep) to the north, south, and east.

Regions
Bimini district of the Bahamas is a chain of three major islands: North, South and East Bimini.
 * North Bimini is an island of only 1600 residents. North Bimini is long, flat, and narrow.
 * South Bimini houses an airstrip, and offers a quiet alternative to the slow bustle of North Bimini. There is a small community of homes on South Bimini known as Port Royale. For many years, South Bimini tourists were limited to boaters because there was little accommodation other than private homes.

Cities

 * Alice Town, on North Bimini, is the main commercial center for the islands - the equivalent to a "downtown" district.

History
Bimini is home to several landmarks said to contain mystical properties of obscure origins. Much of the historical data about these places is speculative in nature, and experts in various fields have opined across the full spectrum of explanation. Also, during the period of Prohibition in the United States, Bimini was a favourite haven and supply point for the rum-running trade. Some claim that the term "the real McCoy" was applied to the rum provided by William S. McCoy, who used Bimini to transport whiskey to America during the Prohibition.

Another interesting fact is that Bimini was a common travel destination for Hemingway. In fact, it is said that his love of Bimini inspired him to write The Old Man and The Sea, as well as Islands in The Stream.

In the 1920s Bimini shipped tons of liquor to a "dry" America during the prohibition against strong drink.

Bimini has remained relatively unchanged over the years and is a very quiet and peaceful place to live or stay. Its population is a bit over 1,600 and Biminites are friendly and welcome you to join them for conversation.

Legends
It is rumoured that the Fountain of Youth, which was searched for by Juan Ponce de León, exists within the shallow pools of South Bimini, and that the Lost City of Atlantis is in the shallow waters off of Bimini where divers can observe the Bimini Stones. In keeping with this legend, the Bimini Stones are claimed to have been a road into Atlantis.

Climate
Bimini is a tropical destination with pleasant temperatures around the year. The summer months are warmer with calm seas, while winters on Bimini are a bit cooler with some ocean breeze. Mid-winter temperatures on Bimini can be cool at times. There is a rainy season on Bimini with occasional rainfall and rare hurricanes from July to October.

Get in
Located only 40 miles from Florida, the closest to the United States, it is an easy tropical destination for Americans and Canadians.

If you land at the airport you take a "taxi" to the ferry which take five minutes to North Bimini and costs $5 total for both. United Airlines serve Bimini, flying in to the airport on South Bimini.

Bimini is served by a ferry from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the United States, and by mail boats from Nassau. See "Get in" and "Get around" sections in the Bahamas article for more details.

As of January 2020, the mail boat running between Nassau and Bimini is the M/V Captain Emmett, operated by Munson Shipping. They are accepting passengers, and the fare from Bimini to Nassau is $96 one-way. For more information, contact them through the "Send Message" button on their Facebook page.

Get around
North Bimini is crossed by two small paved roads which run the length of the 7-mile long island. A bicycle or golf cart is all you need to get around if you really need to go anywhere. The main road is the Kings Highway where most shops, hotels and restaurants are located. The smaller Queen's Highway follows the east coast and is where the beaches are located.

The North and South islands are connected by a small ferry that runs frequently, takes about 5 minutes to cross, and costs $2 each way.

See
Bimini's fame comes from Hemingway and fishing. Hemingway spent a few seasons in Bimini, fishing and writing To Have and To Have Not, and later based his novel Islands in the Stream here. A small Hemingway museum and sign marking his time on the island were destroyed by fire in 2006, along with the Compleat Angler Hotel, where he once stayed.

 * The Bimini Museum has a very interesting collection of artifacts and exhibits on the island's history. The museum is in Alice Town on the southern end of main road (the Kings Highway).

Do
The economic fuel of Bimini comes from deep sea fishing and the island is known as the "Deep Sea Fishing Capital of the World." The storied past can be seen in the many black and white photos of record catches around the island, but commercial overfishing has greatly reduced the big game. The seasons in Bimini are opposite the normal Bahamas with tourists flocking from April - July to take advantage of the calm seas for fishing and diving. Wealthy Floridians make the short trip to the island in their yachts creating a fairly lively party scene.

Since Bimini is close to Miami, many American travellers go to the island by boat to fish or to enjoy the local nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkelling are also popular activities, as there are many shipwrecks in the area, such as the wreck of the SS Sapona, which ran aground in 1926 during a hurricane.

Bars outnumber restaurants in Bimini two to one and a large liquor store occupies a choice location in the harbour. The weather is hot in the summer with afternoon thunder showers and warm and windy in the winter months. If you are not there to fish other activities include bone fishing, scuba diving, boating and relaxing. Bimini has several small beaches, but it is not a 'beach island'

Shark Diving
Neil Watson's Bimini Scuba Center, located at Big Game Marina, offers highly-recommended shark encounters and other diving tours. This is one of the only places in the world where you can be virtually guaranteed to see hammerhead sharks (the season runs approximately from December to March; tour $300). If you're not scuba-certified, you can still descend into the shark cage, located right at the marina, to get up close and personal with the resident bull sharks ($60 for 20 minutes).

Nature Trail
There is a nice interpretive trail through a protected dry forest on South Bimini, known as the Bimini Nature Trail. Signs provide information about the local plants and animals. The birding here is a bit challenging, but rewarding. Other wildlife include giant hermit crabs and, if you're very lucky, the endemic Bimini boa, a large but harmless snake that lives nowhere else in the world. The trail also connects to Shell Beach, one of the prettier and more secluded beaches in Bimini.

Eat

 * Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina, Kings Highway. Claimed to be the best on the island
 * CJ's Deli, Alice Town. Inexpensive and quick.
 * Stuart's Conch Stand, Bailey Town. Recommended spot for conch dishes (a Bahamian specialty). Eat on the deck overlooking the Bimini lagoon, with close-up views of stingrays and water birds.
 * Bimini Beach Club Restaurant, South Bimini. Great view and good sushi
 * Captain Bob's Restaurant, King's Highway (next to Royal Bank). Breakfast and lunch only and accepts VISA & MasterCard.
 * Edith's Pizza Bailey Town serves pizza and regular dinner meals cash only
 * Bimini Beach Club and Bimini Sands Marina on South Bimini.
 * Smalls Takeout, South Bimini. Simple and affordable burger shack a short walk from the Sands marina.

Drink

 * Sheries on the Beach Alicetown. Simple bar/shack on the beach
 * Big Johns Alicetown. Has taken over as the crowded spot now that the Compleat Angler is gone.
 * End of the World Bar. Long time favourite spot - panties, bras, business cards and such line every square inch of the walls and ceiling! Make sure to try the goobay smasher! The most amazing bar ever!

Sleep

 * Bimini Blue Water Resort, +1 242 347-3166.
 * Bimini Blue Water Resort, +1 242 347-3166.

Safety
Bimini is much safer than Nassau as far as crime, but still be a little careful.

Bimini is a shark hotspot: NEVER swim at Big Game Marina, which is home to a large group of hungry bull sharks which are known to take bites out of people who get in the way of their search for fish scraps. Swimming at other marinas is also probably a bad idea, unless you have local advice otherwise. Swimming with sharks that are being fed also risky, unless you're on a tour with the dive shop, whose staff are very experienced at safe shark encounters. Shark attacks outside of marinas and feeding situations are very rare, but it's still worth being aware of your surroundings. Consider using a snorkel mask or goggles whenever you swim in the ocean, so you'll at least know if there are sharks in the water with you.

title: Bimini


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Bina

Bina is an emerging city in Bina-etawa District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Understand
The city was established as a railway junction during British rule. This is a major station on the Delhi Mumbai Route and Hawrah Jaipur Route. Bina is 139 km northeast of Bhopal.

Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd. has established a refinery project in Agasode Village.

Get in
Bina is 135 km away from Bhopal Airport.

title: Bina


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Binche

Binche is a small town in the Belgian province of Hainaut about 34 miles south of Brussels.

The Carnival de Binche Belgium's most famous carnival, attracts thousands of visitors annually. For three days in February the town of Binche is transported back to the 16th century for one of the most fantastic festivals of the year. Highlighted by music parades and fireworks, the climax of this event is when the Gilles appear on the Grand Place and throw oranges to the spectators. This infamous festivity has been classified as part of the world's cultural heritage by UNESCO along with its renowned Gilles.

By bus
The Walloon regional bus line operator TEC connects Binche with several nearby towns. Buses 132 and 136 connect Binche with La Louviere in approximately 40 minutes. Bus 22 goes to Binche from Mons in 40 minutes too.

By train
There is a train line connecting Binche with Brussels. The journey from the main station (Central/Centrale) of Brussels takes 1h20m. The is located to the east of the town centre.

By car
Binche is quite near to the R3 beltway of Charleroi. You need to get off at the exit called Fontaine-l'Évêque. When coming from the west, it is best to get off the E42 highway at exit 21 called Binche and subsequently follow the N55 road.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Charleroi which is majorly served by low cost airlines with various European destinations. The main Belgian airports of Brussels is a bit further away but is a lot bigger and serve a lot more flights than Charleroi, including many non-European destinations.

Go next

 * Mons — the regional capital of Hainaut was European capital of culture in 2015.

title: Binche


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Binford

Binford is a small town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 200 people. Elevation is 1,520 feet.

By car
From exit 283 on I-94, take ND-1 north for about 50 miles to ND-65.

Do

 * Fishing see below.

title: Binford


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Bingen

Bingen am Rhein (pop 26,000 in 2020) is a town in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany at the junction of the Rhine and the Nahe, across the river from Rüdesheim. It came into being as a strategically important location for the Romans.

Understand
Bingen was the home of one of the most incredible women in history, Hildegard von Bingen. It was here on the northern banks of the Nahe, that the Benedictine Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) founded her cloister upon the grave of the holy Rupertus. It is remarkable to note that in her "Physica", Hildegard von Bingen includes more than 250 plants and many folk remedies and "natural" medicinal methods of treatment. A scholar, artist, poet, preacher and composer (you can get CDs of her music at most major music stores), she was one of the most dominant and influential women of the Middle Ages (if she had been a man, she would have rivaled the Pope in influence). The Historisches Museum am Strom has an impressive display on her or you can also visit the Hildegard Forum, which has additional displays on Hildegard, including a restaurant that serves foods reflecting her nutritional teachings.

By train
There are two stations in Bingen on the West Rhine railway (Linke Rheinstrecke:) Mainz – Bingen Stadt – Bingen Hauptbahnhof – Koblenz – Köln (Cologne)
 * RE 2 Koblenz – Boppard – Bingen (Rhein) – Mainz – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Regionalbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
 * MRB 32 Koblenz – Boppard – Oberwesel – Bingen (Rhein) – Ingelheim – Mainz
 * RB 65 Kaiserslautern – Enkenbach – Winnweiler – Alsenz – Rockenhausen – Bad Münster am Stein – Bad Kreuznach – Langenlonsheim – Bingen (Rhein)
 * RB 35 Worms – Monsheim – Alzey – Armsheim – Gau-Bickelheim – Gensingen-Horrweiler – Bingen (Rhein) Stadt
 * RB 80 Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Stadt – Ingelheim – Mainz – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Regionalbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
 * RB 35 Worms – Monsheim – Alzey – Armsheim – Gau-Bickelheim – Gensingen-Horrweiler – Bingen (Rhein) Stadt
 * RB 80 Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Stadt – Ingelheim – Mainz – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Regionalbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

By car
The town is north of the Nahetal Dreieck, the A61-A63 interchange. The A61 provides a good connection from northern and southern Germany.

For a more scenic and slower drive, the B9 from Bonn provides a good way to see the Middle Rhine Valley.

From Hesse the car ferry from Rüdesheim is a recommended journey. Take the opportunity to get out of the car during the crossing for great views of the river and valley.

By bus
see Intercity buses in Germany

By boat

 * Bingen-Rüdesheimer cruise boat to/from Sankt Goar and Rüdesheim. They also operate a foot passenger ferry  from Rüdesheim.
 * The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt, better known as KD, runs cruises and scheduled services up and down the river between Cologne and Mainz, stopping in Bingen.

Parks

 * Hafenpark
 * Hindenburgpark
 * Rhein-Nahe-Eck − Museum am Strom, Hildegarten
 * Park am Mäuseturm in Bingerbrück. This park close to the railway station and the Mäuseturm is also a really nice place to hang out along the Rhine river if you find yourself having some time left and/or waiting for the train. You also get a nice view to the Niederwalddenkmal.
 * Park am Mäuseturm in Bingerbrück. This park close to the railway station and the Mäuseturm is also a really nice place to hang out along the Rhine river if you find yourself having some time left and/or waiting for the train. You also get a nice view to the Niederwalddenkmal.

Do

 * Cycling
 * Part of the Rhein-Radweg
 * Hiking
 * Rheinburgenweg
 * Hiking
 * Rheinburgenweg

Go next

 * Trechtingshausen
 * Bacharach
 * Bad Kreuznach
 * Ingelheim
 * Mainz
 * Rüdesheim

title: Bingen


text:
Binghamton

Binghamton is a city of 48,000 people (2020) in upstate New York, at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. It is the cultural and financial center of the Greater Binghamton Metropolitan Area and is the Broome County seat. Binghamton is part of the "Triple Cities" with Endicott and Johnson City.

Binghamton has many fantastic examples of Romanesque Revival Architecture in the city's center; for this, and for its collection of ornate mansions and nice homes, it's known as the Parlor City. The Binghamton area is also known as the Carousel Capital of America, home to 6 of the remaining 150 antique carousels in the nation. Other historic attractions are the Roberson Museum, Kopernik Space Center, and the Ross Park Zoo.

Rod Serling, the screenwriter and television producer, was born here, and the regional sandwich known as the "spiedie" was created here. They are celebrated at the annual Rod Serling Video Fest and the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, respectively. Despite Binghamton's location as the urban core of the region, it has been named a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation for many years, and has been ranked as the 9th best Green City by Better Homes and Gardens. The city has also achieved international recognition as a finalist for Philips Livable Cities Award for its Design Your Own Park program.

Neighboring Vestal is home to the State University of New York at Binghamton (Binghamton University), which acts as an athletic, academic, and cultural center for the city.

Neighborhoods

The City of Binghamton is divided into seven neighborhoods.

City Center: This is the region's administrative, business, entertainment and transportation center. It is located at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers south of the Norfolk Southern rail tracks and west of the Brandywine Highway. Generally, the city is characterized by commercial properties and several high-rise apartments towards the rivers with lower class single- and multifamily dwellings towards the highway. There are several areas of urban blight, most notably along the Brandywine industrial spine.

Downtown Binghamton is notable for its architecture and is the site of the Court Street Historic District. This district has 89 historic buildings from the turn of the previous century, of which the Press Building and the Security Mutual Building are the most notable. A number of buildings on the National Register by famed architect Isaac G Perry are located here as well, including the Perry Block, the Broome County Courthouse, and the Phelps Mansion.

Westside: Located across the Chenango River from Downtown. This area is largely residential and its character ranges from urban to suburban. In general, the area between Seminary Avenue and the Susquehanna River is inhabited by middle to upper-class residents, while the area north of Seminary Avenue to the First Ward is inhabited by working-class residents and students from the neighboring colleges. There is a commercial corridor along Main St with mostly light commercial facilities and a couple of large plazas. Binghamton High School, location of the Helen Foley Theater, is located here, just across the Court St bridge from Downtown. Lourdes Hospital can also be found here.

Despite its residential character a number of historic and architecturally significant buildings can be found on the Westside. The Roberson Museum, the Gen. Edward F. Jones House, and the Abel Bennett Tract can be found here.

Southside: The Southside refers to the area of the city south of the Susquehanna River. It varies from upper-class homes in the western and southern portion to mostly middle class everywhere else. There is a small commercial center at the southern end of the S Washington St bridge including a variety of light commercial and restaurants and is also the site of Binghamton General Hospital. More light commercial and some light industrial can be found along parts of Conklin Ave, with more industry the further east one travels.

The Southside is also home to the Ross Park Zoo and the Discovery Center.

Eastside: The Eastside lies east of the downtown area along the north bank of the Susquehanna River. It is mostly characterized by the Brandywine Industrial Spine, a region of heavy industry and urban blight that separates it from the rest of the city. Beyond this the neighborhood is largely working class, with various shops and restaurants concentrated on Robinson St. Rt 11, or Upper Court St as it is known once it passes under the Brandywine, is more commercial in nature, with several strip malls and home to most of the region's adult entertainment outlets.

The original Dick's Sporting Goods store is still in operation here, it can be found on Upper Court St a little past the Salvation Army. The area is also home to the New York State Inebriate Asylum, the first mental health facility to treat alcoholism as a disease. It too was designed by Isaac Perry and is listed on the State and National historic registers.

Northside: The Northside is located just north of downtown across the Norfolk Southern rail tracks. It is characterized by large sections of commercial activity just north of downtown and along Chenango St. The rest of the area is residential, mostly working class single family homes.

First Ward: The First Ward is largely a residential neighborhood. It occupies the area west of the Chenango River between the Norfolk Southern tracks I86/Rt 17. There are several notable Victorian style mansions along front street that have been transformed into multi-family dwellings, but beyond that the First Ward is mostly known for Antique Row, located along Clinton St. Many portions of this street are blight, particularly toward Front St, but what is left has been turned into numerous antique shops. The Tri-Cities Opera can also be found on Clinton St.

Ely Park: Ely Park is the area west of the Chenango River and north of I86/Rt 17. It is generally residential and is primarily known for the municipal golf course and the government subsidized housing project of the same name located here.

Greater Binghamton
While the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical area includes all Broome and Tioga Counties, the area referred to as Greater Binghamton is much less defined. Generally, it refers to the larger region of conurbation surrounding the city of Binghamton, from Kirkwood in the east to Endicott in the west and includes the following list of towns and villages. Most of these communities are considered to be small suburbs or bedroom communities with a couple of thousand residents, however, there is an exceptionally high level of integration between them, so much so that most outsiders will not realize they have crossed a municipal line. Many natives, even, will have trouble distinguishing where one community ends and another begins. These communities are only meaningful within the region, as the entire area is known as 'Binghamton' to the outside world.

Chenango Bridge: A small suburb of Binghamton, it is located the furthest north along the Chenango River. It is notable for the Rt 12A bridge across the river.

Conklin: Located just east of Binghamton along the Susquehanna River. Its industrial park is home to several major employers in the area including L-3 Communications, Universal Instruments, and Frito Lay. There is a small castle built as a residence by Alpheus Corby in 1900. It houses several of the town offices.

Endwell: A generally upscale residential suburb sandwiched between Endicott and Johnson City and across the Susquehanna from Vestal. It is home to Highland Park and its well known Fourth of July fireworks display, and to several golf courses and the IBM Glen. Traditions at the Glen Spa and Resort can be found here.

Endicott: The third and smallest member of the 'Triple Cities', although like Johnson City it is classified as a village. Now a working-class suburb, it was once an industrial powerhouse thanks to the plants of the Endicott-Johnson Corporation. It is also recognized as the birthplace of IBM. Recruiting for these factory jobs left a lasting imprint in the form of Little Italy, a still largely Italian neighborhood on the North Side.

Hillcrest: Located north of Binghamton on the east bank of the Chenango river; it is between Port Dickinson and Chenango Bridge. This is a small residential suburb.

Johnson City: Part of the 'Triple Cities' (although, again just a village), Johnson City is one of the major communities in the region. The village immediately borders and is indistinguishable from Binghamton's west side. One of the region's main shopping centers, the Oakdale Mall can be found here, as can the Endicott-Johnson Industrial Spine, a 230-acre (92 ha) area of industrial ruins that is slowly being revitalized. There are many small shops along Main St in Johnson City's center.

Port Dickinson: Located north of Binghamton on the opposite side of the river from Hillcrest. Broome Community College can be found here, as can Otseningo Park: home of the Spedie Fest and Balloon Rally. Port Dickinson (Port Dick) is largely residential in the immediate vicinity of BCC, however, further north is the Upper Front Street commercial district. This is a smaller version of the 'Parkway' in Vestal and contains many shops, restaurants, plazas, and strip malls. A few of the bigger chain stores can be found here such as Lowes and Regal Cinemas, one of the regions two multi-screen movie theaters. Port Dick is also home to Sam the Beer Man.

Vestal: Vestal occupies all of the southern bank of the Susquehanna River west of Binghamton. This is the regions commercial center, with many large plazas, strip malls, shopping centers, and most of the regions big box stores built along the Vestal Parkway. There is also a lot of heavier industry and a sewage treatment plant located along Old Vestal Rd. Upper-class residential areas are built along the hillsides and hilltops to the south. The western part of Vestal, known as 'Four Corners' is home to the Vestal schools (ranked among the highest in the nation) and has more of a small town character, with small shops along Front St and middle-class neighborhoods. The Parkway is the area's busiest roadway and is best avoided unless you have a reason to be there.

West Corners: Located just north of Endicott along Rt 26, this is generally considered the furthest westward extent of the Greater Binghamton region. There is a small shopping plaza surrounded by residential areas. West Corners is only notable for being home to the nationally recognized Phil's Chicken House.

Climate
Binghamton has a humid continental climate with 4 distinct seasons and is well known for its gloomy weather. On sunny days, it is common to hear locals remark on the absurdity of sunlight in Binghamton: "What is this crazy yellow orb and why does it hurt my eyes so?" This doesn't happen often though considering Binghamton averages only 52 sunny days a year. Binghamton also has a reputation as one of the rainiest cities in America. Its not, it only gets about 36 inches of rain (90 cm) a year, but it does average 161 days of precipitation so it can certainly seem like it.

Spring weather in Binghamton is often very unsettled, especially early on. Snowstorms in late April, although uncommon, are not unheard of. Oftentimes, snow is preceded or followed by warm weather... sometimes in the same day! Spring flooding is common and the rivers are often elevated through the entire season as first snow melts and then heavy rains come. Rainy days are no more common than the rest of the year but are often heavier. However, once the unsettled weather of March and April is over, the weather is often fantastic with warm, pleasant days and the scent of myriad spring blooms filling the air.

Summer is generally not too hot, with temperatures often in the low to mid 80s°F (27-30°C). However they tend to be very humid, often oppressively so, and are best described as 'swampy'. Humidity tends to be worse in August and in the afternoon when temperatures are highest. Frequently the humidity will stay elevated for days at a time with no break, and often gets worse at night, making sleep uncomfortable without air conditioning. Swarms of enormous mosquitoes patrol the city on these days and have been known to carry off cats and small dogs.

Fall can be one of the most beautiful seasons in Binghamton and not just for the scenery. The humidity generally breaks in mid September and temperatures will usually remain pleasantly warm right up until it snows... usually on Halloween.

Winter tends to be cold, snowy, and unpredictable. Some years are subject to repeated freeze/thaw cycles that leave the city covered in a thick layer of hard packed snow and ice. Other years, it starts snowing and never stops, with each new storm packing the snow underneath into a thick layer of hard packed snow and ice. See the trend here? The city is perfectly situated to take advantage of both lake-effect snows off the Great Lakes and Nor'Easters coming in off the Atlantic (a Nor'Easter is like a hurricane, only with snow instead of rain). However, the city's distance from the Lakes and the barrier formed by the Appalachian Mountains tends to limit these to only a foot or two at a time. The Public Works Department does a passable job of keeping the highways clear, but has done a terrible job on city streets, with some streets not getting plowed at all until days after the storm has passed.

By plane

BGM Airport is not served by mass transit. Ground transportation options include:
 * On-site car rental from Avis, Budget, and Hertz.
 * Off-site car rental is available from Enterprise. They offer complementary pick-up and drop-off service if your flight arrives or departs during normal business hours.
 * Licensed taxis are available outside the terminal and will take you anywhere in Broome County for $25. It's a good idea to call as soon as your flight lands, although at peak arrival times cabs may already be lined up outside.

The closest larger airports are Syracuse-Hancock International Airport, roughly north of Binghamton, and Albany International Airport,  northeast. If you're originating from outside the East Coast, you may find these airports to have a better range of flight options, along with more competitive fares due to the presence of low cost carriers. Besides a wider range of mainline and regional service on American, Delta and United, Syracuse is also served by Allegiant and JetBlue, while Albany is served by Southwest Airlines. Another alternative is to fly into one of the three New York City airports (Newark, JFK, or LaGuardia) and reach Binghamton via frequent bus service from Port Authority (see below) - this may be more convenient if you're arriving from the West Coast or abroad.

Another option is to fly into Elmira or Ithaca, both of which are about an hours drive. Tickets tend to be a little cheaper and have more options available than direct flights in and out of BGM.

By bus
Intercity bus service is available from the Binghamton Bus Terminal in center city adjacent to BC Junction (the hub for local bus service.)

New York City

 * Greyhound/ Trailways: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, New York City (Port Authority)
 * Coach USA : Monticello, Newark NJ, New York City (Port Authority)
 * Megabus sells tickets on its website between Manhattan and Binghamton. Megabus does not run its double decker buses to Binghamton; these tickets are discounted advance purchase fares for existing service to/from Port Authority on Coach USA (which owns Megabus). Tickets purchased through Megabus are only valid on a specific date and time. Unless you're booking the overnight departure or several weeks in advance, the Megabus fare may not be that much less (and occasionally are actually higher!) If you're not certain about your travel dates and times, consider purchasing a standard ticket directly from Coach USA - they are valid on any bus within 30 days (one-way) or 90 days (round trip) of purchase. You can only buy tickets to or from Manhattan through Megabus, tickets for Coach USA's other destinations (Ithaca, Monticello, etc.) must be purchased at the bus station.

Further Upstate and Canada

 * Greyhound/Trailways : Cortland, Syracuse, Ithaca, Geneva, Rochester, Buffalo, Toronto
 * Coach USA: Owego, Ithaca, Deposit, Norwich

Eastern New York State and New England

 * Coach USA : Oneonta, Colbleskill, Albany
 * Greyhound/Trailways : Oneonta, Cobleskill, Albany, Worcester, Boston (South Station)

Southern Tier

 * Coach USA : Corning, Elmira, Big Flats, Olean, and Jamestown; and continuing service to Mayville-Chautauqua Institution (seasonal), Westfield, Dunkirk/Fredonia, and Buffalo on a Coach USA ErieLine connecting bus.

By train
The nearest Amtrak station is away in Syracuse, served by Empire Service/Maple Leaf trains and the Lakeshore Limited. While it is possible to take a train to Syracuse and a bus to Binghamton, unless you're arriving from west of Buffalo it's usually cheaper and faster to take a bus directly. New York City is well served by Greyhound/Trailways and CoachUSA (see above).

By car
Three highways service the Binghamton area.
 * I-81 runs north to Syracuse, Watertown and the Thousand Islands. Along the way it passes by the Finger Lakes region, Lake Ontario, and the Adirondack Mountains. To the south it passes through the Endless Mountains on the way to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
 * I-88 begins in Binghamton and runs northeast to Albany. It passes through Oneonta and Cobleskill, and is the nearest highway to Cooperstown.
 * I-86/NY17 passes through the entire Southern Tier on its way downstate. To the west it passes through Elmira and Corning and eventually ends at I-90 in Pennsylvania. To the east, it skirts the Catskill Mountains and I-86 ends at I-87 in the Hudson Valley region, but NY17 turns south and eventually ends in New Jersey.

Public transit
Public transportation in Greater Binghamton and outlying areas is served by BC Transit, a service of the Broome County Department of Transportation. Buses run weekdays approximately 6AM-9PM, Saturdays 7AM-6PM, and Sundays 9:30AM-5PM. Some routes do not operate on weekends, service may be limited or suspended on public holidays. Cash fares are $2 per ride (includes one transfer ticket, if requested). If you'll be riding the bus more than twice in one day, an unlimited day pass can be purchased for $5 from the driver. Weekly ($25) and monthly ($70) passes are also available from the BC Transit office (at the junction) or Weis Market locations in Broome County.

Transit options are not limited to the local fixed-routes buses. BC Country provides transportation in outlying areas but must be arranged in advance.

Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in the city, during non-peak times plan on calling 20 minutes before you're ready to leave. Reserving a cab in advance is generally unnecessary and many operators in Binghamton discourage this practice unless you have a flight or bus to catch.
 * University Taxi Cab +1 607-759-6273
 * Yellow Cab +1 607-348-6115
 * All Star Cab +1 607-348-6115
 * AAA Taxi +1 607-221-5894

There are also several smaller operators with fleets of less than five vehicles. BC Junction, the airport, the Binghamton University student union, and some downtown hotels have taxi stands but this is the exception rather than the rule. You may find yourself sharing your cab with other passengers when demand is high (although drivers will only pick up additional passengers who are going in the same general direction, and you'll generally be dropped off in the order you're picked up.) Fares are regulated by the county (although can vary by a dollar or two depending on the operator) and use a zone system, rather than a taximeter.
 * The base fare varies by operator, but is usually $6-8.
 * Fares increase by $1 per zone as you travel through each of the six city zones:
 * Central City
 * Westside and First Ward
 * Upper Front Street
 * Northside and Eastside
 * Southside
 * East Vestal (up to and including the Binghamton University campus)
 * As a rule of thumb, you're crossing into a new zone each time you cross a river, train tracks, or a town line.

 * Outside the zone system described above, the fare increases $2 by town:
 * West Vestal (beyond the BU campus)
 * Johnson City
 * Village of Endwell
 * Village of Endicott

 * Rural communities (e.g. Port Dickinson, Windsor, Kirkwood) are charged based on total mileage. The dispatch center will give you a fare before the driver picks you up.
 * Trips to the Binghamton Airport, regardless of origin are $25.

Ride-hailing
App based ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft are available in and around Binghamton. Rates and availability depend on time of day and demand.

Bicycle
Bicycle routes exist but are limited. There are several streets with designated bike lanes, and several more with markings to warn drivers of possible bicycle traffic. However, bicycle transportation is not common, and many drivers, while not hostile, seem unsure of how to handle bike traffic.

Highways and roads

 * Interstate 81 is a major north-south federal highway that passes through the central and southeastern part of Greater Binghamton. It connects Binghamton with Syracuse to the north and Scranton to the south.  While traffic can be heavy during rush hour, it generally moves along at speed.
 * Interstate 86/New York State Route 17 is an important route in the area, serving as the main east-west travel axis in the Greater Binghamton region. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours but generally moves along at speed without problems. The route connects Interstate 90 in Erie with Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) in Harriman as a divided highway, and is known as the Southern Tier Expressway west of Binghamton.
 * Interstate 88: the Senator Warren M. Anderson Expressway/Susquehanna Expressway. It is a direct link from Binghamton to Schenectady, with links to the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-90) providing access to Albany.
 * U.S. Route 11 parallels I-81 for most of its north-south route, but goes through the city rather than going around it. US 11 follows Court St through downtown, then turns north onto Front St after crossing the Court St bridge.
 * New York State Route 7 parallels US 11 on the south bank of the Susquehanna River from the Pennsylvania border until it turns north at the Tompkins St bridge. It is known as the Brandywine Highway from the Tompkins St bridge until it intersects I-88 (which it parallels to Schenectady).
 * New York State Route 12 begins in the Greater Binghamton region, diverging from US 11 just north of Port Dickinson. NY 12 connects Binghamton with Utica. Upper Front St continues along NY 12 for a mile or two north. NY 12A diverges from here to the community of Chenango Bridge.
 * New York State Route 17C travels west to east into Greater Binghamton from Owego, and is known as Main St in most of the communities it passes through. It terminates at Front St in Binghamton, but the road continues as Court St (US 11) into downtown.
 * New York State Route 26 is the major north-south route on the western end of the Greater Binghamton region. It starts at the Pennsylvania border in the south of Vestal, and travels north to Endicott, West Corners, Whitney Point, and beyond.
 * New York State Route 201 is a short, north-south highway between the two major shopping districts, connecting Harry L Drive in Johnson City (including the Oakdale Mall) and the Vestal Parkway with I-86/NY 17 and NY 17C. This is one of the most heavily traveled bridges across the Susquehanna River, and traffic can occasionally grind to a halt on the southbound lanes during rush hours.
 * New York State Route 363 is known locally as North Shore Drive. It is a short, north-south limited-access highway that bypasses downtown Binghamton and links NY 434 to NY 7, and to I-81/NY 17 (Exit 4 S).
 * New York State Route 434 is generally called the Vestal Parkway between the Binghamton city line and Tioga County border. This road is heavily traveled and best avoided when possible. The section between Bunn Hill Rd and African Rd is home to numerous plazas and strip malls, and is very congested throughout the day.

Important local roads

 * Chenango Street Main thoroughfare through Binghamton/Port Dickinson/Hillcrest on the east bank of the Chenango River.
 * Clinton Street Main thoroughfare through the First Ward in Binghamton. Home to Antique Row.
 * Conklin Ave Main thoroughfare through Binghamton/Conklin on the south bank of the Susquehanna River.
 * Court Street Main thoroughfare through Binghamton east of the Chenango River.
 * Floral Ave Largely residential. It connects Main Street in Binghamton to the Traffic Circle.
 * Front Street Main thoroughfare through Binghamton/Port Dickinson on the west bank of the Chenango River.
 * Hooper Road Main thoroughfare through Endwell.
 * Main Street Once was the major connecting road of the Triple Cities (Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City) and served as the commercial heart of each. Many unique small shops can still be found in each of their respective shopping districts.
 * Old Vestal Road Once was the main east/west thoroughfare through Vestal. It now serves as an alternative to the Vestal Parkway, but can become congested with other people seeking to do the same.
 * Riverside Drive Main thoroughfare through Binghamton/Johnson City along the north bank of the Susquehanna River. Notable for the number of large, historic residences along its length.

Parking

 * Metered parking is available on most city streets around the city center, and a few blocks either side of Main Street on the West Side - a quarter gets you 15 minutes of parking, and the maximum a meter can hold at any one time is two hours. Street parking is free after 6PM Monday through Friday and all day on weekends. Take note that some of the spaces on Court Street are angled relative to the curb and as the signs clearly state, you must back your vehicle in. Park incorrectly and you will get a ticket.
 * Alternatively garages are also available on State Street near City Hall and the Courthouse, Exchange Street across from BC Junction and Water Street behind Boscovs Department Store. Paid lots exist on Stuart Street near the Holiday Inn and behind the Metrocenter. Garages charge by the hour and the paid lots charge a flat fee for the entire day, and fees are collected around the clock, every day.
 * Parking is free on other city streets in residential areas, be aware that from December through April the city requires alternate side parking to assist with snow removal. After 5PM, remember to park for tomorrow, meaning if the next day is an even day (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc. of the month) park on the even side of the street, likewise if tomorrow will be an odd day (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. of the month), park on the odd side of the street after 5PM. Park on the wrong side overnight and you'll wind up with a ticket. Bear in mind that the alternate side rule still applies even if one side of the street is marked "no parking" (unless the block has a sign noting an exemption.) Prior to 5PM, vehicles are supposed to be parked on the side of the street that corresponds with that day's date, although in practice this is not enforced unless it's snowing and the plows are out. From May through November, you may park on either side of the street provided it isn't marked "no parking".
 * Binghamton University operates on a campus wide permit system. You may purchase a visitors parking pass for $6 from the information booth, park in a metered space (one set is near the library, the other next to the administration building), or the garage near fine arts for $1/hour. Parking can be difficult to find during the week while classes are in session, and the university encourages off campus students to use transit or walk.
 * New York State Law allows police to issue a parking ticket if the inspection sticker on your vehicle is out of date. In Binghamton, there is a higher than usual chance you'll be cited for this reason, even if no other parking violations have occurred. You should always drive with a current inspection sticker, but avoid street parking and stick to garages, private lots and driveways if yours happens to be expired.
 * Parking fines in Binghamton are expensive even by New York State standards. Most minor violations (e.g. overstayed meter, parked on the wrong side during winter) run $70, however if you pay the ticket within two business days, either in person at city hall, online, or through mail (the city uses the postmark determine the date of payment), the fine is reduced by 50%. Tis doesn't apply to more serious violations such as blocking a fire hydrant or using a disabled space without the appropriate permit.

See

Big box stores

 * Oakdale Mall - anchored by JCPenney and Burlington Coat Factory, it is the only indoor super-regional mall in the Greater Binghamton area and within a 50-mile radius. Located in suburban Johnson City.
 * Vestal Parkway in suburban Vestal has most of the area's big box retail strip centers.
 * Downtown Binghamton has several shopping options including a Boscov's department store on Court Street.

Eat
Binghamton has always been (and still is) a melting pot of ethnic flavors. The city's history has been strongly influenced by German, Italian, and Polish immigrants; with many today coming from Eastern Europe, Latin America, and India. The eateries in the city reflect this and provide that big city cultural and culinary experience largely missing in many small cities. Many of the national chains are present in the city as well, and are easily located.

Japanese
The Binghamton area has a relatively high number of traditional and not so traditional Japanese restaurants, possibly owing to the significant international student population from Asia (which may also explain why the majority of these restaurants are located within a mile or two of the Binghamton University campus on the Vestal Parkway.)

Italian
Binghamton has some of the most authentic southern Italian and Sicilian food this side of Italy. Each of these restaurants also serves pizza but the focus is on fine Italian dinning.

Pizzerias
Pizza in Binghamton is predominantly New York style. However, Binghamton is well known (and sometimes reviled) for its 'sheet' or square pizza. Those who enjoy New England (Greek) Style pizza, may want to check out Amici's (see above)

Spiedies
The Spiedie is a regional dish born in Binghamton to Italian immigrants. It consists of marinated chunks of meat grilled over charcoal on metal skewers. It is served still on the skewer with a slice of Italian bread (almost always Felix Roma's) used to pull the meat off, usually with a little marinade drizzled on top. The original meat was lamb, but has come to include chicken, pork, and venison.

Drink

State Street
One of the most popular areas in Binghamton for the drinking crowd, particularly among BU students. The pub area of the street is generally closed town to vehicular traffic in the evenings on weekends. This is the epicenter of the weekly 'Pub Crawl' among graduating BU seniors and 19 year olds with class C licenses from Connecticut who coincidentally share the same birthday with all of their friends.

LGBT
Although not quite to the extent of rainbow filled Ithaca, Binghamton is a diverse and accepting city with a "live and let live" attitude. Nearly all the major bars and nightlife spots see both locals and college students who are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender on a regular basis, odds are nobody even gives it a second thought. (Bars where being openly LGBT could be problematic are well off the beaten path in the rural outskirts of the city and likely would not be of any interest to tourists. Even if you did happen to stumble into one by mistake, odds you would face outright hostility or violence are fairly low).

Sleep
Binghamton has many places to stay, but if you will be visiting around Binghamton University's Commencement (late May, early June), be sure to book VERY early. Hotels have been known to fill up a year in advance.

Hotels and motels

Learn

 * Binghamton University is one of the four flagship "University Centers" of the SUNY system and is generally regarded as a "Public Ivy" due to its high level of research activity. The university is well known for its programs in engineering, computer science, biotech, nursing, K-12 education, music (particularly opera performance and musicology) and theatre, however a wide variety of undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and pre-professional programs are offered.
 * SUNY Broome  (formerly Broome County Community College) is a two-year community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs. Broome also has an attrition agreement with Binghamton University: students who complete an associate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA are guaranteed transfer admission to a BU bachelor's program with all credits eligible for transfer.
 * Davis College is a Pentecostal Bible college and seminary.
 * Additionally, for-profit career colleges Ridley Lowell  and Elmira Business Institute both have satellite campuses in Binghamton.

Work
Binghamton (along with Upstate New York in general) struggled economically over the second half of the 20th century. New York State has been trying to develop Binghamton as the state's "tech hub", encouraging startups and small businesses to relocate to the area with substantial tax and other incentives. While there has been some growth in the technology sector the past few years, so far this has been largely restricted to engineering, robotics, and aerospace and hasn't yet extended to software or web development. Companies such as IBM, Sanmina, BAE Systems, Universal Instruments, and Lockheed Martin all have a substantial presence in the Triple Cities and are among the largest employers in Broome County.

The other two major skilled fields are medicine and education. Both hospital systems in the area, United Health Service and Our Lady of Lourdes (Catholic Health) always have a demand for medical staff (especially nurses), along with IT, administrative, and support professionals. Binghamton University, being one of the flagship campuses of the SUNY system, employs a significant number of faculty members, researchers and support staff members. Although not to the same extent, Broome County Community College also employs a similar range of people.

High paying positions that do not require either professional licenses and/or a graduate degree are still relatively hard to come by. There are still a small number of manufacturing jobs available through Raymond Corporation, Felchar, and Frito-Lay. Several larger companies operate call centers in and around Binghamton, including Time Warner Cable and New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). Contract call centers (hired by a company to replace or augment their in-house customer service department) also exist. The largest of these is Nationwide Credit (NCI), a former collection agency in Endicott.

Being a college town, there are also a multitude of jobs available each year in restaurants, bars, and retail, although many of these positions are part-time without benefits. That said, these positions may help you get your foot in the door into the area if you're looking to relocate, and Binghamton is not a bad small city to relocate to or settle down in. Many believe that Binghamton is on the verge of its second renaissance with a multitude of natural and cultural resources, a relatively low cost of living, and extremely friendly and hard working people who would be more than happy to welcome you into the community.

Connect
The area code for the Greater Binghamton Area is 607. Dialing the area code is not necessary if you're placing a local call. All major cell networks cover the town.

Internet access is nearly universal in private homes in Endicott and is usually usable, if not lightning-fast. The most reliable source for public internet access is likely the George F. Johnson Memorial Library.

Two post offices are available:

New York State

 * Ithaca
 * Cortland
 * Syracuse

Pennsylvania

 * Scranton
 * Allentown

title: Binghamton


text:
Bingley

Bingley is a town in the English county of West Yorkshire, located approximately 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Bradford. it is now part of the Bradford Metropolitan District.

Get in
From Bradford Bingley can be accessed by bus, train (from Forster Square station) or, very pleasantly in summer, by canal boat.

Buy
The main Damart mill has a factory shop and once a month there is a Damart sale at a different venue nearby.

title: Bingley


text:
Bingzhongluo

Bingzhongluo is a city/small town in Western Yunnan.

Understand
The town consists of a single street of hotels and restaurants. Internet is available via slow DSL. Very few people speak English.

Get in
Bus from Liuku or Gongshan. Police checkpoints will arrest illegal taxis/private drivers between Liuku and Gongshan and specifically target foreigners for questioning when entering or leaving Liuku.

The provincial government has imposed a ¥100 entry fee for any "tourists" going into Bing Zhongluo Xiang. It is hard to avoid the fee unless you look like local Chinese. The gate inspectors are not allowed to ask for ID cards, so they impose the fee on anyone they think is a tourist or from a different part of China.

Get around
Use your feet, or hire private drivers. If you get nervous with normal Chinese taxi drivers, you will have a heart attack going down partially collapsed one-lane roads on the edge cliffs with raging white water rapids below trying to pass tractor-trailers on blind corners. Do not go past Liuku if you can't accept this.

See
The whole place is a huge vista of mountains bathed in clouds with streams and a very natural environment for China.

Do
Go hiking, bring a stick to beat off poorly trained dogs. Consider getting rabies vaccine before travelling. The single hospital there was empty with a few mobile phone numbers to call on a blackboard.

Buy
Nothing to buy beyond food.

Eat
Only a few restaurants that serve nothing more than basic food. Can arrange to BBQ a piglet among other animals, and/or buy food at the market.

Drink
Rice wine.

Sleep
Sleep in the modest hotels.

Go next
Take the bus back to Gongshan or Liuku.

title: Bingzhongluo


text:
Binsar

Binsar is a wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand state of India, 33 km north of Almora town.

Flora and fauna
Binsar is predominantly an oak and rhododendron forest, with pine trees in the lower reaches.

Get in
Kathgodam is the nearest rail head that is well connected to Delhi (overnight journey) and other major cities.

The fastest, easiest albeit a bit more expensive way to go to Binsar is to take a cab from Kathgodam. Alternatively, you could take a local bus or shared cab to Almora and then hire a cab from there to take you to the wildlife sanctuary.

Do

 * Hire a guide to take you deep into the jungle.

Buy

 * Rhododendron squash.

Lodging

 * Khali estate is an interesting prospect which allows one to walk to the villages in Binsar and stay with the villagers in their homes.
 * The Tourist Rest House run by KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam). ₹2400 per night for simple but quiet rooms.
 * Village Ways run by the Mountain resort

title: Binsar


text:
Bintan

Bintan is one of the Riau Islands of Indonesia.

Understand
Bintan: the northern tip of the island, Bintan Resorts (Lagoi), 45 minutes from Singapore by ferry, full of expensive resorts and manicured lawns. As it has very little in common with the rest of the island, the resorts are covered in the Bintan Resorts article.

Separated from the resorts by checkpoints and armed guards, the rest of the island is "real" border town Indonesia, home to electronics factories, fishing villages and local-style resorts (beach and adventure type) along the East Coast Bintan.

The colourful town of Bintan, Tanjung Pinang, 1.5 hours away from Singapore by ferry, used to be a local destination for prostitution and gambling (just like neighbouring Batam), but after a clamp-down by the local authorities it is regaining its rightful reputation as one of Indonesia's most historical cities, with its ancient vibrant market partly located on stilts in the sea.

Cities

 * - largest town on Bintan, and capital of Riau Islands province
 * - long-distance ferry port (another bigger town of Bintan)
 * - second largest town on Bintan

Other destinations

 * - a chunk of Singapore in Indonesia
 * and the rest of Bintan's East coast

Talk
Bahasa Indonesia, which is spoken throughout Indonesia, is modelled on the version of Malay which originates from Riau on the Sumatra mainland and the Riau Islands. In fact, Riau Malay is regarded as the purest form of the Malay language and visitors from Malaysia will find the Malay spoken here very similar to Bahasa Malaysia, which is the version of Malay spoken back home.

English is spoken at Bintan Resorts and, to a lesser extent, the resorts of Trikora, but not much elsewhere.

Get in
For detailed information on visas, please see Indonesia page. All Bintan ports, namely Sri Bintan Pura (Tanjung Pinang), Lobam and Bandar Bentan Telani/Lagoi (Bintan Resorts) are visa-free and visa-on-arrival points of entry.

A 7-day visa on arrival at US$10 per person is available for individuals. This visa is valid for visits to the special economic zone of Bintan, Batam and Karimum only.

By plane
Tanjung Pinang's Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport caters to a few domestic flights. The main Indonesian airlines Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Sriwijaya Air all offer daily flights from the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Local airlines offer connections to the remote Natuna Islands.

A viable alternative is to fly into neighbouring Batam, which has a larger airport, and taking a ferry across. However, for most foreigners, unless you are coming from Malaysia or elsewhere in Indonesia, the most convenient way to reach Bintan would be to fly into Singapore and take a ferry to Tanjung Pinang. There is a shuttle service connecting Changi Airport with Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, taking about 20 minutes. If you are flying out of Singapore, make sure your ferry departs Bintan at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight. See the "By boat" section below for more details. Bintan is one hour behind Singapore, so be sure to factor in the time difference when checking schedules.

By boat

You are most likely to arrive by boat. Most international travelers arrive from Singapore and Johor Bahru. Bintan is also the major domestic seaport for the Riau Islands and is a port of call for Indonesia's major passenger shipping company Pelni. The ride across itself (return ticket around S$50) is worth the trip. Make sure you get on the open deck (most locals stay in the air-conditioned cabin). Close to Singapore, hundreds and hundreds of oil tankers, freighters and huge container ships from all over the world literally fill up the horizon in any direction. Later on the ride, there will be small islands dotted across South China Sea, most seem uninhabited, with mysterious jungle coastlines, and dark volcanoes in the background. Just use your imagination and think about the pirates that have been hiding on those islands for centuries (and are still now), or how participants of the Survivor TV series would cope on such an island, with huge pythons all over the jungle.

There are several passenger ports in Bintan. The most common one is at Tanjung Pinang where most short-distance inter-island ferries and those from Singapore and Johor Bahru dock. The other ferry terminals are at Tanjung Uban, Kijang (where Pelni boats dock), and Teluk Sebung which serves the Bintan Resorts area on the northern part of the island. Please see Bintan Resorts for details to get to that part of Bintan.

 * From Singapore - There now appear to be only two companies with ferries between Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Tanjung Pinang, but they each have four or five departures per day.
 * The ferries from Singapore take around 2 hours to get to Tanjung Pinang. Bintan's time zone is one hour behind Singapore's; take note of that when you look at schedules, particularly if you are connecting to a flight out of Singapore. When you arrive in Bintan you should confirm your return at the ferry company offices ASAP as the ferries can get full. It is impossible to get out of the terminal without a guide latching on to you, so take advantage and get them to show you where the office is, they may offer to do this anyway. It is roughly - left out of the terminal, then take the first left and the office is at the end of the street and should only take a couple of minutes to reach.
 * The ferries from Singapore take around 2 hours to get to Tanjung Pinang. Bintan's time zone is one hour behind Singapore's; take note of that when you look at schedules, particularly if you are connecting to a flight out of Singapore. When you arrive in Bintan you should confirm your return at the ferry company offices ASAP as the ferries can get full. It is impossible to get out of the terminal without a guide latching on to you, so take advantage and get them to show you where the office is, they may offer to do this anyway. It is roughly - left out of the terminal, then take the first left and the office is at the end of the street and should only take a couple of minutes to reach.
 * The ferries from Singapore take around 2 hours to get to Tanjung Pinang. Bintan's time zone is one hour behind Singapore's; take note of that when you look at schedules, particularly if you are connecting to a flight out of Singapore. When you arrive in Bintan you should confirm your return at the ferry company offices ASAP as the ferries can get full. It is impossible to get out of the terminal without a guide latching on to you, so take advantage and get them to show you where the office is, they may offer to do this anyway. It is roughly - left out of the terminal, then take the first left and the office is at the end of the street and should only take a couple of minutes to reach.

 * From Malaysia - around five ferries daily from the Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal at Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru, to Tanjung Pinang. Tickets cost RM75/125 one-way/return excluding taxes. Journey takes 90 min.
 * From Batam
 * Baruna (Tel: +62-771-28578 in Tanjung Pinang, +62-778-479162 in Telaga Punggur) and Sentosa speedboats run virtually every 15 minutes between Telaga Punggur on the southeastern end of Batam and Tanjung Pinang, the main town on Bintan. The fare is Rp40,000 before port taxes of Rp3,500 (1 hour). Slightly less frequent speedboats run between Telaga Punggur and Tanjung Uban on the western end of Bintan.
 * Several ferries which originate from cities in the Sumatra mainland also call at Sekupang, the main domestic ferry port on Batam, before continuing to Tanjung Pinang. One such operator is Dumai Express.
 * From Dumai, Sumatra - several ferries daily by Dumai Express run to Tanjung Pinang via Sekupang, Batam. Some ferries also stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island.
 * From Pekanbaru - SB Kurnia Usaha Baru runs daily ferry to Pekanbaru, departing at 06:30. The fare is Rp220,000 before port tax of Rp3,500.
 * From Tanjung Balai, Karimun Island - daily ferries by Arena from Tanjung Pinang.
 * From Tanjung Batu, Kundur Island - one daily speedboat operated by SB Giam Mas (Tanjung Batu agent at port, Tel: +62-779-431589) departs daily from Tanjung Batu, the main town on Kundur Island, at 0745 for Tanjung Pinang. The boat returns to Tanjung Batu on the same day, departing Tanjung Pinang at 12:00. The boat has scheduled stops at Galang Island and Moro on Sugibawah Island, while unscheduled stops may be made at various little settlements along the way. Journey time is about two and a half hours each way. The fare from Tanjung Batu to Tanjung Pinang one way is Rp130,000 before port taxes.
 * From Singkep Island - ferries Batavia and Superjet run daily between Tanjung Pinang and Dabo on Singkep Island, departing at 11:00. The fare is Rp105,000 before port tax of Rp3,500. You can catch boat connections to the Lingga Islands from Singkep.
 * From Natuna Islands
 * Fortnightly ferry from Tanjung Pinang to the isolated Anambas and Natuna Islands.
 * Pelni's KM Bukit Raya sails from Kijang port in Bintan to Letung, Tarempa. Natuna and Midai on the way out to Pontianak, West Kalimantan. It however returns to Tanjung Pinang via a different route.
 * From other parts of Indonesia - PELNI ships link various Indonesian islands with Kijang port on Bintan. These ships provide direct links with Jakarta (KM Ciremiu), Pontianak and other more distant ports. Getting there: From outside Kijang harbour there are bemos (public minibuses) going the 26 km to Tanjung Pinang.

Get around
Public transportation on Bintan is very limited, and is probably not worth the effort unless you have a passable command of Indonesian and a lot of time on your hands. Virtually all visitors use taxis or rent cars. However, as there are only a few main routes, Mikrolets are worthwhile investigating and whilst the locals don't speak much English, they will go out of their way to help you if you look lost.

By taxi
Taxis compete furiously for your custom and cutthroat bargaining is a necessity. The safety of these is dubious though, and it is generally advisable to avoid the taxi touts at Tanjung Pinang's ferry terminal entirely and arrange transportation with your lodgings.

By car
Car rental could cost between S$50–100/day for a sedan, depending on how far you go: all the way around the island, visiting Tanjung Pinang, the east coast, and the resort belt in the north would be a 4 hour, 200 km venture, while a short day visit to Trikora coast might be had for $50.

By scooter
Prices about Rp100,000 IDR to Rp170,000/day (or $20/half a day), fun and convenient way to hop from beach to beach or even travel quite a long distances over the island. They will provide you with a helmet and price of the gasoline is cca Rp17,000/1l bottle (every shop near the road sells that)(Updated April 2024). There is a rental store Rent Car Rindu(car&bike) by the port that is one option.

By minivan
Bintan's embryonic public transport system consists of white minivans known as mikrolet or angkutan kota (angkut). One set of vans runs around Tanjung Pinang, while another set covers the rest of the island. The only way to tell where they're going is to yell out your destination as they pass, and to get off, just yell kiri. You can transfer between the two near Bintan Centre, also known as Batu Sepuluh (Marker 10). Fares within the city are a fixed Rp5,000, fares outside it are negotiable; going to Trikora might cost around Rp40,000.

See

Go to Trikora Beach. It is beautiful and there are many watersports readily available.

More untouched beaches can be found in the area around Sumpat.

Also, the primary rainforests, although reduced in size due to commercialism, they are still majestic and magnificent.

The blue lagoon at Gurun Pasir Bintan is worth a visit and you can ride there on a scooter or rent a taxi.

500 Lohan Temple is an interesting Buddhist Temple where you can see 500 statues all emoting differently and carbed uniquely.

Do
Bintan has excellent beaches, although the water tends to be murky due to its proximity to Singapore, shipping lanes, and Batam's industries. Bintan Resorts is best known for golf, while Trikora is a cheaper option for sea sports. By some accounts, the expensive private island resorts of Nikoi and Pangkil (see "Splurge" accommodations in the Trikora article) are the only good places to go snorkeling in Bintan, though tour operators may have other sites they can take you to by boat.

You can also go island-hopping from the main ports. From Tanjung Pinang, going to a nearby island would only be about S$5–10.

Buy
The local wooden handicrafts are worth buying, if you're on the lookout for a souvenir or two. The prices are generally cheap if you can find the right places to buy from.

The resorts use Singapore dollars as their de facto currency, but while they're accepted elsewhere on the island as well, exchange rates may not be in your favour and you'll usually be better off using rupiah. Prices on the "Indonesian" part of the island are on par with or slightly higher than other islands in Indonesia, while prices in Bintan Resorts are expensive even by Singapore standards.

The major shopping centres in town, like Ramayana Mall or Bintan Mall, hardly compare to those in Singapore, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur, but the items sold are generally cheap, varied, and acceptable quality.

Eat
Seafood in Bintan is fresh and affordable (about S$3–7/person) and Tanjung Pinang has many restaurants, although they usually have sub-standard fans and minimal or gaudy decoration. However, service is good and waiters are friendly. There isn't always an English menu, so take a look at the Indonesian phrasebook and learn the basics. Also remember that 'vegetarian' is defined differently here than other parts of the world, so if you are a strict vegetarian, make sure you mention no meat is to be included.

Hygiene may be a problem, but restaurants here depend on repeat customers, so generally they will do their best to make sure you have an enjoyable experience.

Drink
Drink bottled water. Except for a few 4/5-star hotels, tap water is generally not potable.

Fresh tender coconut water may be available at a few places, if not at your own resort.

As the locals are generally Muslims and thus do not usually drink alcoholic beverages, beer and wines are not available in every shop, but major shopping centres/hotel concierges can tell you where to buy them.

Stay safe
While better than it used to be, Tanjung Pinang has a partly deserved bad reputation. Do not carry large quantities of cash or flash it about, and do not take unfamiliar taxis (particularly the touts at the jetty).

Locals will readily befriend you, but they will inflate your bills and take a cut. However, the cut they take isn't very large unless they are really unscrupulous, so they still make good, friendly, and knowledgeable guides.

Go next

 * Batam - Like Bintan, only fewer resorts, more factories and more nightlife
 * Singapore - less than an hour by ferry to the north

title: Bintan


text:
Bintang

Bintang is a small village in Gambia.

Get in
There are direct buses from Brikama, the journey takes about 1 hour and costs approx. 40 Dalasis.

Buy
A few shops offer basic goods, vegetables and fruits are sold on the street.

title: Bintang


text:
Bintangor

Bintangor is the capital of the Meradong District in Sarikei Division, of Sarawak, in eastern Malaysia.

Understand
Bintangor sits between the mouths of Bintangor river and Meradong river, with an area of 1.63 km².

The northern part of the Meradong district is swampy with many small tributaries into the Rajang river. The majority of people in this area are Malays and Iban. Boats are their main form of transportation. Their major economic activities are agriculture and fishing.

The southern part of the Meradong district is mostly hilly. Most of the people here are Chinese, who cultivate black pepper and cocoa.

Get in
Bintangor is in central region of Sarawak between Sibu and Sarikei. Access through Pan Borneo Highway, 5 to 10 minutes away from junction.

See

 * Local market

Do

 * Talk to the locals

Eat
The town is widely known for its gastronomy, including the "Limau Bintangor" or Bintangor lime, "Bintangor Kampua", Tumpik Bintangor, and Rojak Bintangor. Tumpik Bintangor is a type of pizza made by sago. Rojak Bintangor is made of cucumber, soya, waterchestnuts mixed with prawn paste.

title: Bintangor


text:
Bintan Resorts

Bintan Resorts, also known as Lagoi, is a gated tourist colony at the northern end of the Indonesian island of Bintan.

Very much a family-oriented destination, there are ten or so independently owned and operated beach resorts, four designer golf courses and a range of recreational facilities and attractions. Most tourists come for its serenity: you can laze by the beach, enjoy a spa, play golf and dabble in water sports. The area is separated from the rest of Bintan by thick forests and checkpoints.

Understand
Bintan Resorts is similar to Denarau in Fiji. Nearly all visitors come from nearby Singapore, most of the resorts are owned by Singaporean companies, and the area is largely built and maintained to Singaporean standards. Alas, the pricing is also Singaporean, making it far higher than the rest of the island.

Orientation
Bintan Resorts sprawls across some of Bintan's northern coastline. Near the ferry terminal to the west is, centred around a large artificial lagoon. In the middle is, which faces Lagoi Beach and hosts a large cluster of hotels.

Access from the rest of the island is gated by checkpoints, the main one at on the road south towards Tanjung Pinang. The only bit of "real" Indonesia within resort boundaries is the town of, which has a cheap food court (Pujasera), dormitories and other facilities for resort workers.

Talk
Indonesian and English are widely understood. However, if you plan to rent a car to visit towns outside the resort area, bring along your Indonesian phrasebook because the drivers' command of English can be limited.

Get in
Most visitors to Lagoi will arrive at its dedicated ferry terminal:

Visitors from other parts of Indonesia may either fly to Hang Nadim airport in Batam and take 25-minute boat ride to BBT or fly direct to Raja Haji Fisabillilah in Kijang and drive for 1½ hours. The travel time will be shortened when the new Bintan International Airport, a 30-minute drive from Bintan Resorts, opens in the future.

For details of Bintan's small domestic airport and other seaports, see the main Bintan article. See Indonesia for information in entry into Indonesia.

Get around
Most hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to the ferry terminal and back, and it's wise to make use of them.

Free buses normally shuttle from the hotels to the Plaza Lagoi shopping mall and back, but as of August 2022, they remain suspended. Bintan Resorts are within Grab's coverage area, but availability is very spotty. If you can swing one, though, this is the cheapest way to get around.

See
As a destination, Bintan Resorts is rather artificial with its manicured landscape. Still, the beaches are beautiful with white sands and most of the resorts are built to a high standard. Hotels and various travel agencies offer packaged tours of the nearby mangroves, including firefly tours at night, and half or full day tours to points of interest elsewhere on the island.

Watersports

Watersports of all sorts are popular, although the scuba diving here is lacklustre due to the poor visibility. During the northeast monsoon (November until March), there is usually quite a bit of wave action on the beach. This is good for surfing and bodyboarding, but not good for most anything else. The north facing beach break at the resort Mayang Sari, even with fresh onshore winds in April, does not generate more than 30- to 45-cm (1- to 1½-foot) waves. The waves tend to close out, however it is a good beach for children on boogie boards or surfmats. Small jellyfish may be found.

The Marine Discovery Park at Treasure Bay, which let you snorkel about in a controlled environment, closed down during COVID.

Golf
Golf is popular, with several excellent golf courses charging much lower prices than in neighboring Singapore.

Spas
Most hotels have spas offering various treatments at or slightly below Singapore prices. Head to the Plaza Lagoi mall for cheaper options.

Buy

In Bintan Resorts, Singapore dollars (S$) and Indonesian rupiah (Rp) are accepted, though prices are usually quoted in rupiah. At most F&B establishments, you'll need to tack on 10% tax and 10% service charge to the listed prices.

Prices in Bintan Resorts are generally expensive compared to Singapore, and very expensive compared to almost anywhere else in Indonesia. If staying for a significant amount of time, it is advisable to rent a car and head out to Tanjung Pinang to do your shopping, where the prices are a lot lower.

Eat
Most hotels offer near-identical menus of mediocre Western food and bland Indonesian favorites at prices that would be high even in Singapore: don't expect to get much change from Rp. 200,000 for a simple nasi goreng (fried rice). Particularly if you're in a larger group, it may well be worth paying the taxi cartel to explore other options.

Drink
Bintan Resorts' nightlife is limited to hotel bars.

Sleep
True to the name, Bintan Resorts is all resorts: there are no budget options to be found, only more expensive and less expensive options, and even the less expensive ones are pricey by Indonesian standards. Prices go up on weekends and during Singaporean school holidays. A buffet breakfast and transfers to/from the ferry terminal are almost always included in the price.

Stay safe
Bintan Resorts' serious violent crime rate is zero, though petty crime is still somewhat common. The Tourism Police and Navy of Indonesia have an office at Kota Sebung. Tap water is drinkable — with source from its huge reservoir processed by water treatment plant to achieve WHO standards.

Go next
The capital of Riau Islands Province, Tanjung Pinang, is about 1½ hours away by road. Cheapest way there is to rent a car and driver (a good price would be in the range of S$80–100 for six hours of his time).

title: Bintan Resorts