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Westwood (New Jersey)

Westwood is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Understand
Westwood, New Jersey is a small borough contained in the gateway region of New Jersey. Nicknamed the “Hub of Pascack Valley,” Westwood is a borough in Bergen County. The borough itself is approximately 2.3 square miles in size making it a small yet still densely populated town. Westwood began as a farming community however the town began to truly develop when the Hackensack and New York Railroad was completed in 1870, this railway is still in existence and is now called the Pascack Valley Line. By 1872, European style homes and industry buildings were congregating along the town’s Centre Avenue. On May 8, 1894 the town of Westwood had become independent, it broke away from the borough of Washington Township, becoming its own borough. Westwood continued to flourish throughout the 20th century and today represents a mature railway suburb covered in homes, industry, and municipal buildings.

Get in
By train- Westwood is served by the New Jersey Transit, on the Pascack Valley Line, located at Broadway and Westwood Ave. The line runs north and south to and from Hoboken and also connects with the Secaucus junction, which connects to New York Penn Station. The Pascack Valley Line leaves Hoboken at regular times during the weekday mornings and evenings. The Journey takes about an hour and costs about $7.

By Car- 1. From exit 168 off Garden State Parkway going north... turn right onto Washington Ave. (Rt. 502E). Travel approximately 2 miles down Washington Ave. to downtown Westwood and Center Ave.

2. From George Washington Bridge (approx. 15 miles)- take Rt. 4 west to Route 17 north. After about ¾ miles take Garden State Parkway north to exit 168. Take exit make right then follow Washington Ave. for two miles into the center of town.

-Alternate Route- Take Rt. 4 west to Hackensack. Then ¼ mile after River SIDE Square Mal take Kinderkamack R. (Rt. 503N). Go through River Edge, Oradell, and Emerson. Entering Westwood, take a left at second stop light into Westwood Ave. (main shopping street)

3. From Tappan Zee Bridge (approx. 15 miles) – take exit 12 (Palisades Mall) from I-287 and follow Rt. 59 west for approximately 3 miles. In NJ, Rt. 304 becomes Rt. 503 south. You will go through Montvale, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, and Hillsdale into Westwood. Take first right at first light onto Westwood Ave. (main shopping street)

By Bus- Route 165 stops in downtown Westwood. Buses leave the Port Authority at regular intervals from gate 232 (gate 211 on Saturday). The Journey takes about an hour and costs about $5 dollars each way.

Get around
Westwood is small enough to get around entirely on foot. Most shops and restaurants are located in or on the perimeter of Westwood’s downtown. -If a car is necessary...

1. Enterprise Rent a Car- located at 255 Old Hook Rd. Westwood, NJ 07675

2. Town Hall and Police Station- can provide local maps and directions to all locations at- 101 Washington Ave. Westwood, NJ 07675

See

 * 18th Century Mill at Bogart’s Pond- located at the intersection of Mill St. and First Ave. The mill once operated for 2 centuries only to be destroyed by an arsons fire. The Mill has since been renovated into a beautiful scenic waterfall, with a transcending bridge with repaired remnants of the mill that once sat at the base of the waterfall.

 * Gazebo at Veteran’s Park- located adjacent to Westwood’s train station, it is a beautiful park that is used for community gatherings, flea markets, antique shows, and concerts routinely held in the park.

 * Westwood Heritage Society Museum- in the Westwood Train station, this small museum documents Westwood’s history and historic events and figures. The museum is a great place to get a feel for what the town is all about and to gauge the town’s culture.

 * Westwood’s scenic downtown filled with shops, restaurants, and stalls. Take in the Renaissance Architecture of the buildings in downtown Westwood.

Do

 * See a movie in Westwood’s theatre, the Pascack 6, at 182 Center St.

 * Home for the Holidays- a Christmas celebration held annually which encompasses the entire downtown and surrounding area

Buy
Downtown Westwood is comprised of family-owned and corporate-owned businesses. There isn’t much that you can’t find in the town. If your looking for a florist, head to Westwood’s Best Floral. Mount Everest, is a ski and snowboard distributor, one of the best in New Jersey and is located in Westwood. Another well-known Westwood business is Westwood Cycle, a distributor of all things cycling. Also, a rare find in downtown Westwood is The Gem Mine, which sells rare and hard to find minerals, rocks, and metals. Shopping in Westwood could certainly become a day long event, with such a variety of stores it’s sure to have everything your searching for.
 * Guess What's New Boutique — 32 Westwood Ace

Budget

 * Lisa’s Pizza: if you’re looking for a New York style slice of pizza, Lisa’s is the place for you. They serve subs, Italian dinners, and some of the best pizza pies in town. Great for a quick meal in Westwood and is a lunchtime favorite. 417 Broadway Ave.
 * Tony D’s Pizza- The rivalry between pizza shops in Westwood is intense, using different ingredients to create a different pizza pie is Tony D’s specialty, they strive to stray from the norm to bring their customers an exceptional pizza. Great for dinner as the restaurant contains an extended dining room. 271 Center Ave.
 * Goldberg’s Famous Bagels- this family owned Bagel Store is a must try if your in the Westwood area, they hand-make all their delicious bagels on location. They just opened up a new location as well in the heart of Westwood’s downtown. They serve the best bagels in town and as a result have very loyal customers, it’s easy to become one of these loyal customers if you give them a try.

Mid-range

 * Furama Chinese Restaurant- while Furama is a chain restaurant, the Westwood location is especially upscale, with very friendly service and great portions of food. If you’re into sushi, then this is the place for you.

40 Washington Ave.
 * It’s Greek to Me- with a Greek infused menu, the restaurant has a very open feel and serves great food. They serve some of the best lamb gyros in New Jersey. Just be sure to bring a bib, as Greek food tends to get a little messy. 487 Broadway Ave.

Splurge

 * PJ Finnegan’s- has a long history with the community both as a pub and restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Family owned, and as a result it’s possible to have the owner join you at the table for conversation and drink. 274 Fairview Ave.
 * The Melting Pot- allows you to create your own dishes you choose ingredients to include in the “melting pot”, which is then turned into a delicious meal. Great place for the winter time, very hearty food. 250 Center Ave.
 * The Iron Horse- has a long history within community, both as pub and restaurant, located very close to train station. This is the premier eating destination in Westwood’s downtown. 20 Washington Ave.

Drink

 * PJ Finnegan’s- finding an open seat at the bear is often a challenge, great atmosphere, filled with friendly locals and great bartenders. A drink at Finnegan’s is always a good time. 274 Fairview Ave.
 * The Iron Horse- again a local favorite with loyal and everyday customers, the pub looks and feels as if you are back in the early 1920s with its railway inspired décor. 20 Washington Ave.

title: Westwood (New Jersey)


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West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone, Montana, is a rustic mountain town nestled between National Forest lands and is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is only a mile from the park entrance, and the town's airport is the closest to the park, and to attractions like Old Faithful.

Understand
West Yellowstone is a tourist town with tourist prices. You will find many souvenir items in the stores and specialty Montana-made products. During summer be prepared to wait in any restaurant.

This is the only place to gather supplies for quite a while in any direction. Be sure you are stocked up for whatever season. Water! There will be little opportunity to fill your water bottles so take more than you think you will need.

 * Hebgen Lake District forest service office: West Yellowstone, +1 406 823-6961

By bus
Salt Lake Express provides intercity bus service from Idaho.

Get around
West Yellowstone town center, including the museum, shops and restaurants, is small enough to easily walk around.

Buy
There is a large variety of local souvenirs available from the many shops in West Yellowstone.

Sleep
West Yellowstone is very much a tourist gateway to Yellowstone National Park and a large variety of accommodation options are available.

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

title: West Yellowstone


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West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire is a county in Yorkshire in the north of England. It's largely urban, but with a surprising amount of countryside, especially in the Pennine hills to the west.

Cities, towns and villages
West Yorkshire is nowadays a county in name only, as it comprises five metropolitan districts with no county level of government. It's convenient here to describe it in terms of those five, since transport routes radiate and visitor amenities cluster in that way. The five districts are Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees.

 * is Yorkshire's biggest city and main transport hub. It makes its money from IT, finance and law, and has a large university quarter. It has the best shopping, dining and drinking, and a modern art gallery. Within the district are:
 * in the valley towards Skipton.
 * , a small market town with a racecourse.

 * , the second-largest city in West Yorkshire, hosts the National Media Museum and has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and pubs. Within the district are:
 * is industrial, but the canal is worth walking by the ladder of locks.
 * is a market town on the edge of the Dales.
 * is the start of the steam-hauled railway to Haworth.
 * is where the Brontë sisters did much of their writing. Other locations associated with them, the Brontë Country, stretch across the north of England.
 * is an outstanding "model village" and UNESCO World Heritage site, centred around Salts Mill.

 * is home to the Hepworth, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the National Mining Museum. Within it:
 * is a small market town with a racecourse and ruined castle.

 * , the chief town of Calderdale district, has "Piece Hall", a well-preserved 18th-century market place, and Eureka children's science museum.
 * Within the district are the scenic villages of, Heptonstall and

 * is the chief town of Kirklees district. Within the district are:
 * is a charming rural town.
 * in the Pennines, with good local walking.
 * Birstall has a huge retail park and cinema. Just north of it is Oakwell Hall, a fine Elizabethan manor.

By plane
is the major airport in the area. It's a base for budget airline Jet2, and also served by Ryanair, and has decent connections across western Europe. But it's not on the rail or motorway network, and from the point of view of Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees it's the wrong side of the Leeds-Bradford sprawling metropolis.

Manchester Airport has global connections, competitive fares, and is linked by frequent fast trains to all the main towns of West Yorkshire.

By train
Trains from London Kings Cross run direct every 30 min to Wakefield (2 hr) and Leeds (2 hr 20) min. Change at Leeds for Bradford (total 3 hrs, Huddersfield (3 hr) and Halifax (3 hr 20). Huddersfield and Halifax can also be reached in similar time from London Euston, changing at Manchester Piccadilly.

Transpennine services every 30 mins link Manchester Airport and Piccadilly to Huddersfield and Leeds, continuing to York and Middlesbrough.

Hourly cross-country trains run south from Leeds and Wakefield to Sheffield, Derby, Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth; and north to York, Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

By bus
All the main towns have a direct National Express coach daily to London Victoria, about 7 hours. Most other destinations involve changing at Leeds.

Fast buses ply between Leeds, York, Hull and Manchester. The slightly more leisurely Yorkshire Coastliner} runs from Leeds via Tadcaster, York and Malton to the seaside resorts of Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington and Whitby.

Get around
West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive provide rail and local bus information on their website, and offers the innovative "My Next Bus" service of real-time bus information online or by text message. This real-time information is also displayed in certain bus shelters.

There are a number of different day rovers available that give unlimited travel in the West Yorkshire region, including a Train Day Rover (£7.50), Family Day Rover (£12.20) and a Day Rover (valid on both buses and trains, £8.20) full details are available on the National Rail Enquires Website. Prices accurate from November 2018

West Yorkshire Metro also operate multi-operator MCards (similar to London's Oyster Card system), which can be used for bus travel and rail travel; find more information on the MCard website

Bus companies
In West Yorkshire, several bus companies cater to the local area, and many offer West Yorkshire tickets, such as Arriva Yorkshire, First Leeds, First Bradford, First Halifax, Calder Valley & Huddersfield (a West Yorkshire ticket is valid on all First West Yorkshire buses) and The Keighley Bus Company.

Check out the following network maps to see where your single operator tickets get you:

Arriva Yorkshire

Other bus companies include Yorkshire Tiger, Connexions Buses and Stagecoach, but most of these companies only operate in a single town or city and therefore do not offer pan-network tickets

Train companies
In West Yorkshire, many train companies operate the local network, most services are run by Northern. However, TransPennine Express operate regular services between Leeds and Manchester through Batley, Dewsbury and Huddersfield, and some services to Hull. Additionally, Cross Country operate services between Leeds and Wakefield. Services less run are Grand Central services between Bradford and London Kings Cross through West Yorkshire towns and cities Bradford, Low Moor, Halifax, Brighouse, Mirfield and Wakefield.

See

 * Leeds: the Civic Quarter, great Victorian market hall, and new Victoria Arcade.
 * Bradford: the National Science & Media Museum, and the nearby model mill town of Saltaire.
 * Wakefield has the Hepworth Gallery and Sculpture Park.
 * Pennine villages such as Haworth, Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall.

Do

 * Go down a coal mine at Wakefield's National Mining Museum.
 * Watch football: Leeds United play in the Premier League and Huddersfield Town in the Championship. Bradford City play in League Two.
 * Go to the races at Wetherby (mostly jumps, in winter) or at Pontefract (flat-racing in summer).
 * Walk the moors, but on Ilka Moor baht 'at at your peril. The Pennine Way runs along the western border of the county.

Eat

 * Leeds has just about every cuisine you could wish for, in all price ranges.
 * Bradford is famous for its curry houses - mostly little cafes, nothing grand.

Drink

 * Leeds has lots of pubs in city centre and in the university area of Headingley.
 * Wakefield "Westgate Run" isn't what it used to be, but there's lots to go at.

Sleep
Leeds has the main concentration. The other cities are geared for business rather than leisure travel, with mid-range chains near the motorway junctions.

Go next

 * Yorkshire Dales National Park starts a little way north beyond Skipton: attractive sculpted limestone scenery.
 * York is one of Britain's few walled cities, with excellent museums and a castle.
 * Manchester is just an hour away across the Pennines.

title: West Yorkshire


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West Zealand

West Zealand is in Denmark.

Cities

 * - small town between Kalundborg and Slagelse
 * - see the many remaining parts and ruins of the old fortified medieval town
 * - commercial centre smack on the middle of the islands, with the Danish Tramway Museum on its outskirts
 * - World heritage site of Roskilde cathedral, containing the Royal Tombs for the past 1000 years, and the excellent Viking ship museum
 * - coastal town in southwestern Zealand
 * - next to Sorø Lake and home to Denmark's second oldest school
 * - World heritage site of Roskilde cathedral, containing the Royal Tombs for the past 1000 years, and the excellent Viking ship museum
 * - coastal town in southwestern Zealand
 * - next to Sorø Lake and home to Denmark's second oldest school
 * - next to Sorø Lake and home to Denmark's second oldest school

title: West Zealand


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Wetherby

Wetherby is a market town in North East Leeds in West Yorkshire. One of the main attractions in the area is Wetherby Racecourse.

Get in

 * Take the X98 or X99 bus from the centre of Leeds.

Do

 * Go to the races at

title: Wetherby


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Wethersfield

Wethersfield is a city in Connecticut.

Understand
The motto in Wethersfield is called "Ye most Auncient Towne in Connecticut".

Get in

 * I-91

See
The state's largest historic district is in town and is known as Old Wethersfield. Old Wethersfield is not a recreated village: It is all original. There are more than 100 homes in Old Wethersfield that were erected before the Civil War, and at the end of Main Street is the Wethersfield Cove, which shoots off of the Connecticut River.

 * Historic Cove Warehouse - North end of Main Street. Historic
 * Historic Cove Warehouse - North end of Main Street. Historic
 * Historic Cove Warehouse - North end of Main Street. Historic
 * Historic Cove Warehouse - North end of Main Street. Historic
 * Historic Cove Warehouse - North end of Main Street. Historic

title: Wethersfield


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Wetzlar

Wetzlaris a city in Hesse.

By train
Regular services go to Frankfurt, Cologne, Fulda, Limburg. There extensive connections on the German high speed train network (ICE) from these cities.

By plane
Wetzlar has no airport so head for Frankfurt/Main, Germany's busiest airport.

By car
Wetzlar has a good connection to the German "Autobahn". Three junctions leads from the Autobahn 45 in the City. The federal route B49 begins in Luxembourg and leads through the city.

See

 * The historic old town, with its half-timbered houses and a number of museums.

Do
In Wetzlar you can do many things. You can go canoeing on the Lahn, the river, which flow through Wetzlar. You can also hike in the forests or on the bord of the Lahn, where are very good paths for hiking and biking.

Buy
You can go shopping in the oldtown, with its little shops and stores. There are bakeries, butcher, florists, shops with clothes but also shops odds and ends.

Eat
You can eat in the oldtown, where are many restaurants and cafés. There are pizzerias, with Italian food, but also real German restaurants with the traditional food. The cafés are often very small and the cakes were self-made. You needn't go in a restaurant, if you didn't like it, because in Wetzlar are fast-food-restaurants too, e.g. McDonald's or Burger King. In the district of Wetzlar are restaurants, too.

title: Wetzlar


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Wewak

Wewak is the capital of the East Sepik province in the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.

Understand
From a travel perspective Wewak is mainly important as an access point for visits to the Sepik River. During World War II, it was the site of a large Japanese airbase and the location of formal Japanese surrender to Allied forces on New Guinea.

By plane
Air Niugini has daily flights from PNG's capital Port Moresby, Nadzab (Lae) and Madang.

 * PNG Air connects Wewak with Mt. Hagen in the Highlands and with Madang.

By road
It should be possible to reach Wewak from Papua (Irian Jaya) in the Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea. From Jayapura by road to Vanimo in Sandaun province takes around 3 hours. Public transport services are available on both sides of the border. There are then road connections to Wewak. During flood season some of the river crossings may be impassable.

By Sea
Lutheran Shipping and Rabaul Shipping run passenger vessels from Madang to Wewak and Madang to Vanimo via Wewak a few times a week. Schedules can change so be prepared to wait a few days for a ship. Tickets can be purchased at the local Madang offices.

See

Wewak has a considerable number of relics from WW2 and, in particular, attracts many Japanese visitors.

Connect
The Telephone Prefix for all numbers in Wewak (and also other urban centres) has changed. In Wewak it is now 4 instead of 8.

Go next
Wewak is linked by road to three villages on the Sepik River, Angoram, Timbunke, and Pagui.

There are 4 islands near Wewak which can be reached in under one hour by boat; Mushu, Kairu, Yuo, and Karasaw.

title: Wewak


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Wewoka

Wewoka is a town in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma, founded by freedman John House and the Black Seminoles in 1849, that became the capital of the Seminole Nation eventually. It went through an oil boom phase to become the third largest city in Oklahoma for a time in the 1930s, but now it tries hard to retain its population and unique designation on the map and in the history books.

See
Also, check out the Historical Background of Wewoka mural in the US post office crafted by the Works Progress Administration back in 1941.

Do

Wewoka Lake and Sportsman Lake to the northwest of the town offer opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.

title: Wewoka


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Wexford

Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman) is the county town of County Wexford, on the southeast corner of Ireland. The bay that forms its harbour has for centuries drawn incomers, and it was at the centre of the rebellion of 1798. In 2016 it had a population of 20,188.

Understand
Wexford began in the 10th century as the Viking harbour of Veisafjörðr - "Bay of the Mud Flats". A long sand spit stretched north from Rosslare to enclose the bay of Wexford Harbour: it was shallow but afforded protection for small wooden vessels. The bay also attracted other visitors: the Normans established a walled town in the late 12th century, the crusading Knights Templar had a base here, and Wexford was a major port into early modern times. Indeed it was a nest of privateers until Oliver Cromwell's forces arrived in 1649, killing not just them but most of the inhabitants. In 1798 Wexford, and the entire county, was at the centre of the United Irishmen rebellion - see County Wexford for this event which convulsed the whole of Ireland. And then came the worst of a series of famines.

By the 20th century shipping had outgrown the harbour, the whole bay was silting up, and the sand spit was eroding and losing its protective value. A new port was therefore established at Rosslare to the south; Wexford became a backwater only used by small pleasure craft and fishing boats. Agriculture and fishing remain its main industries.

The Tourist Information Centre is on the Quay front, 200 m south of the river bridge.

Get in
Five trains a day run from Dublin Connolly, taking 2 hr 30 min to Wexford via Dún Laoghaire, Bray, Wicklow Town, Rathdrum, Arklow, Gorey and Enniscorthy. The trains continue to Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort (for ferries daily from Wales, and in summer from Cherbourg, Roscoff and Bilbao). A walk-up single from Dublin is €16, see Irish Rail for timetables and ticket deals. This is the only railway route to Wexford, the line to Waterford was axed in 2010.

is by the river bridge. It's named for Michael O'Hanrahan (1877-1916), executed for his part in the Easter Rising.

By bus there's competition on the route from Dublin. Expressway Bus 2 / X2 runs hourly from Dublin Airport and Busáras via Arklow, Gorey and Enniscorthy, taking 2 hr 45 min to Wexford, adult single €11. Wexford Bus 740 also runs hourly from the airport, with several stops in central Dublin (but it doesn't use Busáras), Arklow bypass, Gorey and Enniscorthy to Wexford; 2 hr 45 min but higher fares than Expressway. Change at Gorey for buses to Wicklow Town.

Expressway Bus 40 / 440 is the Marco Polo of Ireland, trekking the width of the country from Rosslare ferry port via Wexford to Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork, Macroom, Killarney and Tralee. The section between Wexford and Waterford runs every two hours and takes an hour.

The Expressway bus between Wexford and Rosslare Europort only runs four times a day, to meet the ferries, and bypasses Rosslare Strand - use Wexford Bus 878, which runs from Strand M-Sa thrice.

Wexford Bus 376 runs twice or thrice a day from Carlow and Enniscorthy to Wexford. Bus 390 runs thrice M-Sa from Kilmore Quay.

Wexford bus station is next to the railway station: it may be shown on timetables as Redmond Square.

By bus
In town: Wexford Bus has two loop routes:
 * WX1 "Drinagh Loop" is clockwise from Redmond Square to The Quays, Drinagh Retail Park, Whitemill, Clonard Village, the Hospital and back to Redmond Square. Buses run M-Sa every 30-40 min.
 * WX2 "Clonard Loop" is anticlockwise from Redmond Square to the Hospital, Clonard Village, Distillery Road, The Quays and back to Redmond Square. Buses run M-Sa every 45 min.

As of Jan 2021, the cash fare (exact money needed) is €2 adult, €1 child. By TFI Leap Card it's €1.80 adult, 90c child. A Leap day ticket is €4.50 adult, €2.25 child, and a one week ticket is €15 adult, €7.50 child.

Out of town: see "Get in" for the inter-city buses from Dublin, Gorey and Enniscorthy, and from Waterford and New Ross.
 * Wexford Bus 877 "Bridge Loop" is clockwise from Redmond Square to the racecourse, National Heritage Park, Kyle Cross, Castlebridge and back to Redmond Square. It runs M-Sa hourly and you can buy a combined bus and Heritage Park ticket from the driver.
 * Wexford Bus 390 / 383 runs south to Kilmore Quay, with four M-Sa.
 * Wexford Bus 878 runs southeast to Rosslare Strand, M-Sa thrice; it doesn't reach Europort.

Route maps with stop locations can be found on the TFI route mapper.

See

 * Town centre retains its Viking street pattern, with Main Street winding from the Abbey. Westgate, of 14th century, is the only surviving gate in the town wall, with other portions of the wall remaining at Abbey Street and Mallin Street. The quays are pleasant to stroll; "keysers" were the narrow alleys between quays and town in Viking times, with Keysers Lane the main thoroughfare.
 * Churches: the finest is the 18th century St Iberius (C of I) on North Main St, with Renaissance front and Georgian interior. See also Church of the Assumption on Bride St (RC, 19th C neo-gothic though much altered), Church of the Immaculate Conception on Rowe St (RC, likewise 19th C neo-gothic), the Presbyterian Church on Anne St, and the Franciscan Friary church. The friary was wrecked by Cromwell but remains active.
 * in its present form was founded in 1190, dissolved in 1542 and utterly wrecked by Cromwell in 1649. There's a legend that Henry II spent Lent of 1172 at its predecessor abbey, doing penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. The story is credible since Henry II was in Ireland at that time, and trying to repair the political damage caused by the murder. Another credible legend is that a Viking temple to Odin originally stood here. In 1826 the ruin was incorporated into a Protestant church, which in turn has closed. There are tours of the site M-Sa at 15:00.
 * is the stump of a tower house along a back lane 5 km west of town. It's on private land but you see enough from the lane; it could pass for an artfully camouflaged electricity substation.
 * is on North Slob, an artificial island of reclaimed farmland created in the 1840s and lying 2 m below sea level. It's open daily 09:30-16:30, free.
 * is a very long sandy beach northeast of town, 11 km away via R742. It's backed by sand dunes, and further south by the woods of Raven Nature Reserve. It was used as the location for Omaha Beach, the D-Day landing site in Normandy, in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. There are more sandy beaches south of town, see Rosslare.
 * is a very long sandy beach northeast of town, 11 km away via R742. It's backed by sand dunes, and further south by the woods of Raven Nature Reserve. It was used as the location for Omaha Beach, the D-Day landing site in Normandy, in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. There are more sandy beaches south of town, see Rosslare.

Do

 * Wexford Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre is across the bridge behind Riverbank House Hotel. It has a gym and fitness classes. Other centres in town (eg the Talbot, and Club Vitae in Clayton Whites Hotel) involve buying extended memberships.
 * National Opera House, opened in 2009, stages opera, music and dance in two auditoriums. It's the main venue for Wexford Festival Opera, held in late October - the next is 21 Oct - 6 Nov 2022.
 * Cinemas: Arc Cinema is on Redmond Square by the bus and railway station. The Omniplex is 2 km south of the centre on Rosslare Rd.
 * Gaelic games: County GAA teams play Gaelic football and hurling at Wexford Park (sponsored as "Chadwicks Wexford Park" since 2020), capacity 25,000. It's on Clonard Rd 500 m west of town centre.
 * Football: Wexford FC play soccer in the League of Ireland First Division, the Republic's second tier. Their stadium is Ferrycarrig Park (capacity 2500) on N11 five km north of city centre. The playing season is March-Nov with games usually on Friday evening.
 * Wexford Golf Course is 1 km south of town centre at Mulgannon. Blue tees 5981 m, par 71, visitor round €15. Other nearby courses are at Rathaspeck and Rosslare, and there's a driving range at Killiane Castle.
 * Wexford Racecourse (aka Bettyville) is 2 km west of the centre along R769 Newtown Road. It's a left-handed course of 1 mile 4 furlongs, which since 2016 only has National Hunt (jumps) races March-Oct.

Buy

 * Main Street (mostly pedestrianised) is the pleasant retail strip. Lots of craft jewellery places, eg Wexford Silver.
 * The most central big supermarket is Aldi, 500 m south of the bridge. It's open M-F 09:00-22:00, Sa Su 09:00-21:00. There is also a Tesco and a Supervalu in the town centre, and a Dunnes Stores opposite the train station.

Eat

 * Strawberries and cream is a County Wexford specialty. During the summer months you can get strawberries in punnets from roadside stalls.
 * Cappuccinos at 25 North Main St is open M-Sa 08:30-16:30 for breakfast and lunch.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.
 * Ramen Wexford on Common Quay St serves Asian street food Su-Th 13:00-20:00, F Sa 13:00-21:00.

Drink

 * Breweries: Drew Fox Brewery produces Clever Man ales, and Yellowbelly produces Yellowbelly Beers. Neither offers tours.
 * Plenty more: try Maggie May's on Monck St and Mackens (aka Cape Bar or The Undertaker) on the Bull Ring, and see Sleep for Bugler Doyles.
 * Plenty more: try Maggie May's on Monck St and Mackens (aka Cape Bar or The Undertaker) on the Bull Ring, and see Sleep for Bugler Doyles.
 * Plenty more: try Maggie May's on Monck St and Mackens (aka Cape Bar or The Undertaker) on the Bull Ring, and see Sleep for Bugler Doyles.
 * Plenty more: try Maggie May's on Monck St and Mackens (aka Cape Bar or The Undertaker) on the Bull Ring, and see Sleep for Bugler Doyles.

Sleep

 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.
 * Killiane Castle: see Rosslare for this plush place off N25 south of town.

Connect
As of Dec 2020, Wexford has 5G from Eir, and 4G from Three and Vodafone.

Go next

 * Enniscorthy was the stronghold of the 1798 rebellion, commemorated in the National 1798 Centre and on Vinegar Hill.
 * Rosslare harbour is industrial and restricted, but the Strand a few km north is an attractive beach.
 * Kilmore Quay has boat trips to Great Saltee Island, a nature reserve.
 * Fethard-on-Sea is the main village on the scenic Hook Peninsula.
 * New Ross has the Dunbrody replica emigrant sailing ship, the JFK Arboretum, and the Kennedy dynasty's ancestral homestead.

title: Wexford


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Weybridge

Weybridge is a town in Surrey. It is quite close to London and has good rail and road links to London and to the coast. The only place in the area of tourist interest is the former site of the Brooklands car racing track, which has several museums and attractions.

By plane
Weybridge is well served by two of London's airports. For travellers coming directly to Weybridge, the most convenient (in reducing order of convenience) are:
 * Heathrow Airport is about 15 minutes drive along the M25 motorway exiting at J11 Chertsey and follow the signs to Weybridge.
 * Gatwick Airport is about a 45-minute drive away via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and exiting from J11 (Chertsey).

By train
From London, you should travel from London Waterloo station. There is a fast train service to approx every 30 minutes and the journey time is about 30 minutes.

Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.

By car
Weybridge is accessible from the M25 which orbits around London. From the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, leave the M25 at junction 11 signposted Chertsey then follow the signs to Weybridge

See
Near the town is the site of Brooklands, which between the wars was one of Britain's most famous auto racing tracks and during World War II was the site of an airbase and aeroplane factory. The site is occupied by:

You can get to Brooklands on foot (15-20 minutes walk) or by taking buses 436 or 437 from Weybridge station.

Buy
Many charity shops offer low-cost items for the less well-off and bargin hunters.

Go next

 * Chertsey - the home of Thorpe Park, one of Europe's best theme parks for thrillseekers
 * Chessington World of Adventures - a family-friendly theme park, zoo and resort
 * Kingston-upon-Thames - Surrey's county town, home to the Coronation Stone
 * Thames Ditton - beautiful riverside scenery and Hampton Court Palace
 * Woking - Britain's oldest mosque and largest cemetery in an unassuming dormitory town

title: Weybridge


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Weymouth

Weymouth is a seaside resort town in Dorset, a county on the south coast of the West Country, in England. Visitors are attracted by its harbour and position, approximately halfway along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, important for its geology and landforms.

From the South and London
Follow the A35 towards Dorchester, but turn off on the junction for the A354 (that has signs for Weymouth). Then follow the signs into the town.

From the West Country
Follow signs for Bridport, then take the A35 towards Dorchester. At the roundabout junction with the A354 take the third exit towards Weymouth. At the next roundabout near Morrisons, take the coast road towards Weymouth.

By bus
National Express operates a coach service to and from Weymouth's seafront. Services run to London Victoria, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Blackpool and Helston with connections to other locations from those towns. First runs regular services (X53) along the Jurassic Coast to Axminster. The X54 operates from Weymouth to Poole.

By ferry
Despite its history as a cross-Channel ferry port, these days the furthest you can get on a passenger vessel from Weymouth is Portland; ships from the Channel Islands and France dock at Poole.

Services to Poole from the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey, as well as Cherbourg in Normandy and Saint-Malo in Brittany by fast or traditional ferry are provided by Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries.

There are good rail, bus and road links between Poole and Weymouth.

Get around
A regular bus service is provided by First within the area. Route 501 is operated by an open topped bus during the holiday season from Weymouth to Portland Bill.

There are many taxi companies in Weymouth that are fairly cheap. One is Weyline, tel: +44 1305 777777.

See

 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.
 * Isle of Portland is a short drive south, see separate page.

Do

 * Football:
 * Fantasy Island is a chain funfare, on the coast five miles northeast at Bowleaze Coveway.
 * Seafeast is a food festival held on the Weymouth peninsula, in mid-Sep.
 * Seafeast is a food festival held on the Weymouth peninsula, in mid-Sep.

Buy
The main shopping streets in the town are St Mary Street, St Thomas Street and New Bond Street. These are at the hub of local transport and within five minutes walk of the beach.

Surrounding the main streets are many bustling roads made up of independent retailers.

Drink
Weymouth has among the best nightlife available on the south coast and people come from all over the country to experience it. Most of this activity happens in the bars located within the town centre.

On New Year's Eve everyone goes out in fancy dress, leading to it being called the country's largest fancy dress party.

Common after drinking activities include a visit to the beach (less than 5 minutes away), or a trip to one of the many local fast food chains, where chips & cheese is a local favourite.

Some of the most popular include:

Bed and Breakfast
There are many bed and breakfast establishments to be found in Weymouth. Many of these are located near the seafront. Some examples of this are the mainly family run Georgian bed and breakfasts to be found on the Esplanade,

Away from the hustle and bustle is the more peaceful

Hotels
There is a lack of high quality hotels within Weymouth.

Camping and caravans
There are several camp sites around Weymouth. Haven holidays operates three such sites, including the Littlesea and Weymouth Bay holiday parks. Independently operated sites can also be found in the area.

 * Camping is great at Eweleaze farm located from the west (Weymouth): proceed through Preston and up the hill to Osmington. At the 30 mph Osmington Village sign turn right onto a track. Drive for 1 km over the hill and down to the farm. Solar showers, very cheap basic farmers fields, but gorgeous views over southwest coast path and sea.

Connect
As of March 2022, Weymouth has 4G from all UK carriers, and 5G from Three.

Go next

 * Abbotsbury
 * Lulworth
 * Poole
 * Bournemouth
 * Dorchester – take the A354 north to Dorchester, Dorset's county town with many museums to visit.
 * Isle of Portland – take the A354 south or a ferry to Portland, a tied island known for its stone.

title: Weymouth


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Weymouth (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Weymouth:

United Kingdom

 * Weymouth - a large coastal town in Dorset, England.

Australia

 * Weymouth (Australia) - a town in Tasmania.

Canada

 * Weymouth (Nova Scotia) - a village in Nova Scotia.
 * Weymouth (Quebec) - a village in Quebec on the Montréal / Senneterre rail line.

United States of America

 * Weymouth (Massachusetts) - a town in Massachusetts.

title: Weymouth (disambiguation)


text:
Weymouth (Massachusetts)

Weymouth is a city in Massachusetts of 57,000 (2020), approximately 11 miles south of Boston.

Get in

 * Logan International Airport in Boston serves the area.
 * Weymouth is reached by car from Route 3.
 * MBTA's Greenbush line serves Weymouth
 * Quincy Center is hub for MBTA bus routes that serve Weymouth

Get around

 * MBTA Buses 222, 225, 226, 221, and 220,, connect to the subway and commuter rail stop in Quincy Center.
 * Greenbush commuter rail line and Old Colony commuter rail line.
 * Routes 3A, 18, and 53 are thoroughfares in Weymouth.

Eat

 * All the national chains are available in Weymouth.

Go next
Boston, Plymouth or Cape Cod are likely next stops.

title: Weymouth (Massachusetts)


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Whakatane

Whakatane is a coastal town in the eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand.

By car
Whakatane is less than 100 kilometres from the cities of Rotorua and Tauranga. It is less than 4 hours drive from Auckland and Hawke's Bay and 2.5 hours from Gisborne, Hamilton and Taupo. Wellington is a 6.5+ hour drive through beautiful scenery.

Another scenic drive is the Pacific Coast Highway, "traversing the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is one of the great touring routes in the world. The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer". Whakatane is about half way along this scenic highway, which starts in Auckland and finishes in Hawkes Bay. The scenery is stunning, but note that Whakatane is probably the last big town before reaching Gisborne, so ensure you take some food along with you. There are no shopping malls between Opotiki (the next town) and Gisborne.

By bus
Intercity runs a daily service each way between Auckland and Gisborne, stopping at Whakatane. From Auckland it runs through Hamilton and Rotorua, and it carries on through Opotiki to Gisborne. The bus stop is next to the i-Site on Quay Street.

Baybus, a regular local bus service, operates between Whakatane, Ohope, Kawerau, Matata, Opotiki and Tauranga. The Ohope–Whakatane and Ohope–Tauranga lines run Monday to Saturday, while Whakatane–Opotiki and Whakatane–Kawerau run twice weekly. The Whakatane–Matata line runs once a week. The fares are cheap as they have been subsidised by the regional council.

Get around
Whakatane has limited public transport. The Baybus service runs to Ohope, Tauranga, Matata, Kawerau and Opotiki, but not every day.

Renting a car is the easiest way to get around Whakatane and see all the local sights. Parking is free generally (there is only one area where you have to pay, and not many locals will take this option), but has strict time limits.

Do

 * Golf.
 * Hiking.
 * Horse riding.
 * Jet boat.
 * Jet boat.

Buy
The two main shopping areas are along The Strand, and just before the bridge entering the town (The Hub). The Strand contains both national franchise stores as well as independent and local stores, while The Hub mainly contains national franchises.

Sleep
Accommodation includes motels, backpackers, bed and breakfasts, and holiday parks/campsites. Many of the motels are along Landing Road and The Strand.

Go next

 * Opotiki
 * Tarawera Falls
 * White Island is an island volcano 45 km from Whakatane, and one of the most active volcanoes in New Zealand. Tours have been suspended since 9 December 2019 due to an eruption.

title: Whakatane


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Whale Valley

Whale Valley (Wadi al-Hitan or Wadi El Hitan) is in Fayum Protectorate in Egypt.

Understand
The Valley contains an incredible amount of fossils, particularly those of the earliest whales (hence the name), and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

History
These whale fossils from 37 million years ago, showing an evolutionary transition from land-based to ocean-based mammals, were first discovered in 1902.

Get in
You must cross an unpaved desert track which required a vehicle able to be driven through rugged terrain. Camel treks have been opened.

See and do

 * Tour the track to see the skeletons of the animals. There are about 30 sites on both sides of the track, mostly of early whale species. Each one contain an animal skeleton either all of it or part of it.
 * There are some hills you can climb to see all the valley.

Buy
There is a gallery in which you can buy some things made by the Badu or other things made by normal vendors. There are clothes, books, maps, artistic things, and hats.

Eat
It is best to bring everything you want to eat with you. There is a cafe but it's very small and lacks a lot of things.

Drink
Bring drinks with you. You have to drink a lot of water during the summer season.

Camping
You can camp there in the tent they provide, or in your own.

Stay safe
Take care to avoid scorpions.

Go next

 * Cairo is the must-see capital.
 * You may need to return to Cairo to reach the oasis towns of the Western Desert.

title: Whale Valley


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Whale watching

Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, enjoyed by millions of people around the world every year. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation like bird watching but the activity can also serve scientific or educational purposes.

Understand
"There she blows! there! there! there! she blows! she blows!"

- Herman Melville

Conservation
The rapid growth of the number of whale-watching trips and the size of vessel used to watch whales may affect whale behaviour, migratory patterns and breeding cycles. There is now strong evidence that whale watching can significantly affect the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins.

Environmental campaigners, concerned by what they consider the "quick-buck" mentality of some boat owners, continue to strongly urge all whale watcher operators to contribute to local regulations governing whale watching (no international standard set of regulations exist because of the huge variety of species and populations). Common rules include:

 * Minimize speed/"No wake" speed
 * Avoid sudden turns
 * Minimize noise
 * Do not pursue, encircle or come in between whales
 * Approach animals from angles where they will not be taken by surprise
 * Consider cumulative impact - minimize number of boats at any one time/per day
 * Do not coerce dolphins into bow-riding.
 * Do not allow swimming with dolphins. (This last rule is more contentious and is often disregarded in, for example, the Caribbean.)

(Source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, WDCS)

Almost all popular whale-watching regions now have such regulations. Campaigners hope that a combination of political pressure, free advertising and promotion by ethical tourism operators and boat operators' personal passion for marine wildlife compel them to adhere to such regulations.

One example of such regulations is the Be Whale Wise campaign of the Northeast Pacific.

Get in
It is common to watch whales from tour boats.

Whales can also be seen from the shore, from you own watercraft, or from ships and ferries that happen to pass through areas in which whales may be spotted, but on few of those other ships the crew is likely to announce whale sightings or deviate from their course to give you a better look.

There are many regional whale watching groups, which can share knowledge and sighting info with you.

Iceland
Iceland is one of the best locations in Europe for whale watching (see this website). The most suitable time to see whales is from May to September.

Atlantic

 * The Gulf of St. Lawrence, starting at Tadoussac or Rivière-du-Loup and continuing eastward to Newfoundland (e.g. St. John's), is a common venue for short boat tours. Whales may also be spotted in the open Atlantic.

Pacific

 * British Columbia - This province has a natural abundance of wildlife and there are many tour operators offering opportunities for guided trips, most of whom operate with a common sense and respect for the environment. Whale watching is popular off of the coast of Tofino where you are likely to see grey whales, humpback whales and sea lions.  In addition to whales, grizzly bears and black bears may also be seen.

Pacific

 * Baja California - Gray whales that migrate along the coasts of Canada and the United States are headed towards their breeding areas in the warm, protected bays along the Baja peninsula. Breeding areas include:
 * Bahia Ojo de Liebre - the whale breeding areas are part of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, a protected area that is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, whale watching excursions can begin in the town of Guerrero Negro
 * Bahia Magdalena - a remote area where whale watching tours can begin in the towns of San Carlos or Adolfo Lopez Mateos

 * Coastal whale watching tours are common in coastal resort destinations:
 * Cabo San Lucas
 * Puerto Vallarta
 * Mazatlan

Sea of Cortez
A wide mix of whale species can be seen in the waters of the Sea of Cortez. Several of the breeding grounds are protected as national parks.

 * The best known whale watching destinations in the Sea of Cortez are:
 * Loreto - Whale species found in Loreto include blue, fin, bryde's, humpback, orca, and sperm as well as diverse dolphins. A large swath of sea surface is protected as the Bahia de Loreto National Park.
 * La Paz - Good size city with many whale watching tour boats. Species you're likely to see include humpbacks, fin whales, sperm whales, sei whales, and orcas as well as whale sharks (the largest fish species on the planet).

Atlantic

 * Cape Cod - Humpback whales are a common site in the Atlantic off of Massachusetts.
 * Gloucester (Massachusetts) - Gloucester, Massachusetts is the whale watching capital of New England. For hundreds of years people have traveled to Gloucester to see Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Blue Whales, Northern Right Whales, Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and several other whale species whom migrate every year on the abundant natural resources off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Pacific

 * Monterey Bay - Gray whales migrate from Alaska to Baja in the Spring and Fall. Blue whales, humpbacks, orcas and dolphins can be seen at other times of year.

 * Puget Sound offers exceptional viewing of not only migrating Gray and Orca whales but also several pods of Orcas are residence around the San Juan Islands.

Caribbean

 * Dominican Republic - 160 km (100 miles) north of this island nation is the Silver Bank where the largest concentration of humpback whales anywhere in the world gather each Spring. Pricey live-aboard charters can be arranged, allowing the amazing opportunity of snorkeling with the whales.  Elsewhere on the islands whales may be seen on more typical day trips.

Australia

 * Head of the Bight - near Great Australian Bight Marine Park in South Australia, a yearly destination for southern right whales.
 * Port Ann - in the South West (Western Australia), a yearly destination for southern right whales.
 * Anywhere by the coast in New South Wales and Southeast Queensland – whales migrate up north here from May-November. It can mostly be seen off the coast, although taking the boat out gives you better views

New Zealand

 * Kaikoura - Depending on the season you may see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales, as well as Orca and the Hector's Dolphin (the world's smallest and rarest Dolphin).

Polynesia

 * Vava'u - Whale-watching tours to observe humpback whales between June and November.

Stay safe
General boating safety can be found in cruising on small craft. Keep your speed down, not to collide with a sub-surface whale.

title: Whale watching


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Whaley Bridge

Whaley Bridge is a small town in Derbyshire, surrounded by the Peak District National Park, at the head of the Peak Forest Canal.

Understand
It is a popular place to start walking along the Goyt Valley.

Get in

 * By rail on the line between Buxton and Manchester (timetable)
 * By bus including the 199 Skyline bus running from Manchester Airport to Buxton see (High Peak Buses)
 * Car parking at Tom Brad's Croft near the Canal Basin.

Eat
Cafés and restaurants include:

Connect
As of March 2024, Whaley Bridge and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * New Mills
 * Chapel-en-le-Frith
 * Buxton

title: Whaley Bridge


text:
Whangamata

Whangamata is a beachside town on the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand.

See
Walk around the reserve at the end of Moana Anu Anu Ave (Whangamata Harbour) and another just off Pohutukawa Cres (Otahu River Estuary).

Do
Surf. Whangamata is one of the country's top surfing locations, with beach breaks and a bar break, all very good.

Go next

 * Pauanui – to the north
 * Tairua – to the north
 * Waihi Beach – to the south

title: Whangamata


text:
Whangarei

Whangarei is the main city of the Northland region, in the North Island of New Zealand. It has a warm semi-tropical climate, with summer daytime temperatures around 24-26°C, regular rainy days year round and mild winters that rarely have frosts and are mild enough for the region to be described as "the winterless north". The city's population is 57,000.

By bus
InterCity coaches stop in Whangarei on trips between Auckland and Kaitaia. Travel time from Auckland is just under three hours.

By car
Whangarei is around two hours drive north of Auckland, one hour south of the Bay of Islands and one hour east of Dargaville.

By plane
Whangarei Airport is in the suburb of Onerahi, ten minutes drive from the central city. Air New Zealand has several flights a day from Auckland; flight time is 30-40 min. Taxis and a shuttle service run from the airport to town, and rental cars are available at the airport.

By bus
The only public transport is Citylink, funded by the district and regional councils. It covers most of the suburbs and the inner city. Tickets are $2 for adults and can be purchased from the driver. Look for the Green Buses and timetables located at bus stops.

Do

 * Mount Parihaka.jpg
 * Ocean Beach (36 km from town centre), a lovely big white sand beach, normally with decent surf
 * Matapouri and Sandy Bay (36 km from town centre)
 * Ngunguru (25 km from town centre). On the edge of an estuary. Find the cafe and have a steak and cheese pie. One of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
 * Ocean Beach (36 km from town centre), a lovely big white sand beach, normally with decent surf
 * Matapouri and Sandy Bay (36 km from town centre)
 * Ngunguru (25 km from town centre). On the edge of an estuary. Find the cafe and have a steak and cheese pie. One of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.

Around the Town Basin
The locals refer to the area around the marina and Hundertwasser Art Centre as the "Town Basin". It is a pleasant place to stroll with nice restaurants, weekend craft markets, and yachts visiting from all over the world.

Drink
Most of the town's bars and clubs are located in the central city in or around Vine Street.
 * Bacio Bar & Cafe, 31 Bank St
 * The Butter Factory, 8 Butter Factory Lane
 * Grand Hotel, 2 Bank St
 * Pure Bar & Grill, 79 Cameron St
 * Split Bar & Restaurant, 16 Rathbone St

Go next

 * Poor Knights Islands – dive and snorkel by charter or by private boat. You must not land on the islands.
 * The Bay of Islands is 70 kilometres north.
 * Dargaville – to the west
 * Hokianga (90 minutes drive). You can go via the Bay of Islands, or go to Dargaville, then north through the kauri forests along the west coast.

title: Whangarei


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Whangaroa

Whangaroa is in the Far Far North of Northland in New Zealand.

Understand
Whangaroa's history goes back to Maori settlement, a mission station, kauri gum digging, and a prodigious boom time when kauri logs were brought from the surrounding hills in enormous quantities, settlements and mills flourished, and busy shipbuilding yards operated around the harbour. Between 1850 and 1909 these shipyards produced over 100 ships – schooners, brigantines and ketches – which sailed the high seas and ended up in all corners of the globe.

Those days are past, but unspoilt beauty remains to delight the traveller. The harbour itself is the jewel in a crown of beautiful bays that encircle Whangaroa's coastline. There are still substantial areas of native bush within the district. The small townships and settlements keep their sense of history, and some of their original buildings remain to carry whispers of the past into the 21st century. Whangaroa remains a magnet for the game fisherman. Pristine white sand beaches and clear water create an ideal getaway in summer time for holiday makers. Whangaroa community website

Get in
40 minutes drive north of the Bay of Islands and 20 minutes south of Doubtless Bay, its location on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway makes the Whangaroa district an ideal stopover for travellers searching for that something different, that speaks of authentic Northland, unspoilt and unique.

Do

 * Beach and surf. The Whangaroa district has some of New Zealand's most picturesque white sand beaches, which are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and surfing, along with just lazing around. Matauri Bay, Tauranga Bay and Taupo Bay have family campgrounds and are popular spots in summer.
 * Climb Taratara Rock. Drive a few minutes up State Highway 10 and you'll see Taratara Rock on your left. Can be accessed on Otangaroa Road and Taratara Road off SH 10.

Go next

 * The Hokianga (70 minutes drive from Kaeo)
 * Mangungu Mission House – site of the biggest signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
 * Wairere Boulders – an enormous basalt flow just south of Horeke
 * Omahuta Kauri Sanctuary – see 5 of the 12 biggest kauri trees in an undisturbed healthy forest
 * Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands to the south
 * Taipa-Mangonui to the north-west

title: Whangaroa


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Wheatbelt

The Wheatbelt is one of the nine administrative regions of Western Australia, with a population of about 75,000 in 2014, and with Northam as its largest town. It's bounded to the west by the Indian Ocean and the city of Perth, to the north by the Mid West, to the east by Goldfields–Esperance, and to the south by  South West region. It's the heartland of a larger wheat-growing area; tourist literature often describes it as two regions, the Sunset Coast and the Golden Outback.

Towns

 * has a sheltered bay lined with sand dunes, drawing windsurfers, divers and sand boarders.
 * Cervantes is a small beach resort and the service village for Pinnacles Desert / Nambung National Park.
 * is a relaxed coastal town with some good beach fishing. Inland is Lesueur National Park.
 * is Australia's only monastic town.
 * is the region's largest town, on the banks of the Avon River.
 * has a haunting derelict brickworks.
 * is filled with historical buildings and surrounded by forest and granite outcrops.
 * was the first established inland town, with many well-preserved buildings.
 * is a good midway break on the way to Kalgoorlie.
 * is the base for visiting Wave Rock.

Other destinations

 * contains Pinnacles Desert, with thousands of limestone formations.

Understand
The Wheatbelt is a large tract of Western Australia converted to wheat and sheep agriculture in the 19th century, which involved the British settlers ejecting and sometimes slaying the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area. This was done initially to feed the growing city of Perth, and export further afield was only feasible with mechanisation and better transport in the mid 20th century. Transport has long shaped this region: settlers of the Avon Valley from the 1830s had to slog up the slopes of the Darling Range, and the coastline north of Perth lacked harbours. The railways made all the difference later that century - the main motive was to reach the goldfields further east, but they created a transport corridor for agriculture. Small towns developed along the tracks and in many places are little changed.

Highways now sweep across the landscape and a modern automobile will hardly break sweat on the incline east of Perth. These are relatively recent: the Great Eastern Highway was completed in 1938 and only fully sealed in 1956, replacing the rough tracks that convicts had hewn with tree trunks for a base. Brand Highway north was likewise only built in the 1950s, and it follows an inland route as far as Dongara, so coastal communities remained isolated. Not until 2010 was the last section of the coastal highway sealed, putting this strip within an easy drive from Perth, a mixed blessing. When the disparate pre-existing sections of road were then re-designated as the continuous Indian Ocean Drive, the sturdy people of Wanneroo raged against a "futile and worthless exercise that was tantamount to heresy", and "offensive to the pioneers" of Wanneroo, no way could their main street be renamed. It got renamed anyhow once they'd had their strop.

Get in
is where most visitors arrive in Western Australia. Here (or in Perth city after a layover) is the best place to pick up car hire, which you'll need to cover any distance through the Wheatbelt.

Several towns have airstrips. There are no commercial flights but excursions sometimes use them, for instance to Hyden for Wave Rock.

By road
There is a good network of sealed roads and gravel tracks suitable for 2WD, and self-driving is the best way to get here and get around. Car rental desks in Perth city don't charge extra for a drop-off at the airport or vice versa; much of the Wheatbelt is within a couple of hours' drive from the city but overseas arrivals will do well to get a night's sleep before driving off down these long, lulling roads. Traffic laws are much the same as in western countries, but the legal alcohol limit is near zero. Principal routes are:

 * East: Hwy 94 Great Eastern Highway runs out from Perth to Northam, Cunderdin, Merredin and Coolgardie: a turn-off links to Kalgoorlie while the main highway turns south to Norseman.
 * North: Coastal Highway 60 runs via Lancelin, Cervantes and Jurien Bay towards Dongara.
 * Brand Highway runs inland, joined by Highway 60 some 30 km south of Dongara, then away north to Geraldton, Carnarvon, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome and Darwin, pretty much halfway to China.
 * Highway 95 runs further inland from Perth via New Norcia towards Mount Magnet, Newman and Port Hedland.

 * Southeast: Highway 40 leads via Brookton to Hyden, then trends south to Lake King and Ravensthorpe.

There are also ungraded roads and beaches only suitable for 4WD. Check ahead with the rental company which routes are okay by them, and don't try it in the wet season. Signs warning of soft sand must be heeded, as you won't get a mobile signal to call for help if you bog down.

By bus
Integrity buses run Tu Th Su evenings from Perth north up the coast to Lancelin (3 hr), Cervantes, Jurien Bay (4 hr) and Dongara (6 hr) then on to Geraldton, Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Exmouth, Port Hedland and Broome. Tu mornings they run north inland from Perth to New Norcia, Mount Magnet, Newman and Port Hedland.

TransWA buses run once M-Sa from Perth inland north on Highway 1 to Dongara, Geraldton and Kalbarri, and two days on the coast road to Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Dongara and Geraldton. They run four days from Perth to New Norcia, Dongara and Geraldton, and two days via Northam and Mullewa to Geraldton.

They run Tu Th Su mornings from Perth to York (90 min), Hyden (Tu only), Lake King and Esperance.

They run daily from Perth to Northam, York, Beverley, Narrogin, Tambellup, Tenterden and Albany.

By train
The Prospector runs daily from Perth to Toodyay (90 min), Northam (1 hr 50 min), Meckering, Cunderdin, Merredin and away out east to Kalgoorlie. Mereddinlink plies M W F over the Perth-Merredin section.

Avonlink is a commuter train M-F morning from Northam via Toodyay to Perth, returning early evening.

Get around
You need your own wheels. Public transport can get you to most towns, but your accommodation and the main sights may be at some distance from the bus / railway station, under a hot sun. A car also gives shade, and shelter from those damned flies.

Never let your tank drop below quarter-full.

See

 * Check Western Australia for admission fees and passes for the National Parks.

 * Lake Campion northeast of Nungarin is a great salt-encrusted lake.
 * New Norcia has a 19th century Benedictine abbey, still active. You can visit the abbey church.
 * The Pinnacles are eerie limestone pillars in the dunes of Nambung National Park near Cervantes.
 * York has the best-preserved Victorian town centre, as later travel routes passed it by.
 * Wave Rock is a remarkable 15 m smooth breaker wind-carved into the rock, and striped by mineral run off.
 * Wildflowers make the desert bloom August to September.

Do

 * Sandy beaches line the coast, suitable for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and wind-surfing. There are multiple points for vehicle access and barbecues. They can get busy at weekends as they're within a day trip from Perth.
 * Boat trips putter out to nearby islets, for instance from Cervantes to the haunts of sea lions.
 * Golf: you're a brave soul if you play on these arid courses. Poor Alfred Gibson, lost on a desert expedition of 1874, was probably looking for a shanked golf ball.
 * Skydive at Jurien Bay.

Eat
Cafes and restaurants in the Wheatbelt region serve trad meaty fare, but the outlook is getting better for vegetarians, vegans and GF. Larger towns might stretch to a pizzeria and a Chinese, otherwise it's burgers again tonight.

Drink
Drink water, and plenty of it - you don't realise how much you're sweating as it evaporates so fast.

Cafes and restaurants serve alcohol, but only the larger towns have stand-alone bars.

This region is too arid for wine production, so WA wine travels up from South West region.

Sleep
Most towns have a caravan park / campground and one or two motels. Prices are high by European and North American rural standards, as everything they need has to be trucked in, and labour is not cheap.

Especially attractive to overseas visitors are the 19th century traditional hotels, with their verandas, intricate ironwork and creaking floorboards. They often house the town's main restaurant and tavern.

Book ahead as much as possible. Places may fill up, and then it's a long way to the next town - where you might end up sleeping is while driving erratically along the median strip with an oncoming road train.

Go next

 * North the next region is Mid West. Highlights are the town of Geraldton and Kalbarri National Park.
 * East is Goldfields–Esperance. Inland are old mining towns, while the coast is lined with National Parks.
 * South is South West region, lusher country with vineyards.
 * West are unmissable Perth and Fremantle.

title: Wheatbelt


text:
Wheaton

Wheaton is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is a suburb of Washington D.C.

Understand
Wheaton, with a population of just under 50,000 people (2010), is known locally for its ethnic dining scene. Many ethnic restaurants in Wheaton have received awards for best-in-class food in the Washington D.C. area.

History
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area was settled by the Piscataway. Wheaton got its name from the Wheaton Post Office, which was named after Union General Frank Wheaton, who defended Washington, D.C., from invading forces during the Civil War in July 1864.

Wheaton developed from a business district called Mitchell's Crossroads, named after Mitchell's Tavern. The business district developed at the junction of three roads, which are now called Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road, and University Boulevard.

Before 1947, only 29,000 people were living in Wheaton, mostly on farms and large estates. By 1960, the population had grown tremendously, which led to the widening of Georgia Ave, also known as the "Avenue of Progress". Since then, many businesses have opened including the Wheaton Plaza Shopping Center (now Westfield Wheaton), built in 1959. Wheaton Regional Park was established in 1958.

By Metrorail

Coming out of the Wheaton Metrorail station on the Red Line, admire that escalator—it's the longest in the Western Hemisphere, and takes almost 3 minutes to ascend!

By car
The main streets running through the downtown are Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road, and University Boulevard. The area where they converge is the center of commercial activity and great inexpensive restaurants.

By foot
Downtown Wheaton is very compact and dense with shops and restaurants. It is easy to walk around from the Metrorail station.

By bus
Metrobus and Ride-on-Bus operate service around Wheaton and to other points in Montgomery County.

Parks and gardens

Drink
Most restaurants serve alcohol.

Try the various exotic drinks at international restaurants and markets. The Asian markets usually carry great loose-leaf teas at bargain prices; Thai restaurants serve Thai iced coffee and tea; the Latino places have tasty tamarindo juice, horchata, and even delicious atoles, the fabled warm, thick corn drink of the Mayas; the Ethiopian restaurants have honey wine and great coffee; Middle Eastern markets have great Turkish and Iraqi pomegranate juice; etc.

Sleep
Wheaton does not have any hotels. There are many hotels in downtown Silver Spring, just two stations away on Metrorail's Red Line.

Go next

 * Glenmont
 * Silver Spring
 * Washington D.C.

title: Wheaton


text:
Wheeler

Wheeler is a small town in the eastern Texas High Plains.

Get in

 * US 83 north of Shamrock at I-40 and south of Canadian.

title: Wheeler


text:
Wheeling

Wheeling, also known as the "Friendly City" or the "Nail City", is a city of 26,000 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. Wheeling is known for having more Victorian architecture than any other city in the United States.

Get in
Wheeling is located in the northern (or western) panhandle of West Virginia, between Ohio and Pennsylvania, approximately 45 miles southwest of Pittsburgh and 120 miles east of Columbus.

By plane
The closest commercial service is to Pittsburgh International Airport, which is approximately 40 miles northeast of Wheeling in Western Pennsylvania.

By car
Interstate 70 is the primary route for reaching Wheeling from the east or west. Travelers in Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania can reach Wheeling via OH Route 7 or WV Route 2. Wheeling can be reached from Southern Ohio and Southern West Virginia via WV Route 2, or Interstate 79 and Interstate 77 for points further south. U.S. Route 250, U.S. Route 40, and WV Route 88 are other major highways that pass through Wheeling.

By train
The nearest passenger rail service is in Pittsburgh, PA, and is provided by Amtrak's Pennsylvanian and Capitol Limited routes. Wheeling can then be reached by car or connecting bus service provided by Amtrak.

By bus

 * Greyhound Bus Lines. The city's bus station is located in the Intermodal Center Garage at 1405 Main Street in downtown Wheeling. Two daily services are available from Pittsburgh. Greyhound in Wheeling can be reached at.

Get around
Wheeling is a small city, so transportation options are limited.

By car
Car is by far the most efficient way to get around Wheeling. Traffic in Wheeling is non-existent, outside of congestion related to road construction or vehicle accidents, so driving through Wheeling can be accomplished with a great deal of ease.

Interstate 70 runs east to west through the city, and provides primary access to all of the area's major roadways. I-70 enters the city by crossing a back channel of the Ohio River at Wheeling Island (Exit 0), providing access to U.S. Route 40, and the Wheeling Island Racetrack & Casino. I-70 then crosses the main channel of the Ohio River, entering downtown Wheeling, and then continues east through Wheeling Tunnel.

U.S. Route 40 (Old National Road) is the main commercial thoroughfare in Wheeling, traveling east to west through the city, and has several interchanges with I-70. State road 2 is Wheeling's primary north to south road, running roughly parallel to the Ohio River the entire length of the city. Route 2 is a limited-access freeway south of downtown, and becomes a two-lane surface street north of downtown. Interstate 470 is a spur to I-70 that begins in the Elm Grove section of the city (Exit 5A), and spurs south, crossing the Ohio River in the South Wheeling section of the city, and merging with I-70 outside of St. Clairsville, Ohio (Exit 219).

By taxi
Wheeling's primary taxi company is Yellow Cab, and they can be reached at.

See

 * The Ohio River riverfront is flanked by the 11-mile lighted Wheeling Heritage Trail if you want to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike by the water's edge. At the boat landing is Wheeling Heritage Port, an award-winning riverfront amphitheater that hosts events between May and October, like band concerts, holiday celebrations, an Italian festival, a chili cook-off and movie nights.

Events

 * Celtic Celebration, Artisan Center. Held during a weekend in early March. Music, dancing, crafts and food.
 * African-American Jubilee, Wheeling waterfront. Held during the last weekend in June. African-American food, fashion show, live music, arts and crafts.
 * Oktoberfest, Artisan Center. Held in mid-September. German food, music, and lots of beer.
 * OglebayFest, Oglebay Park. Held the first weekend in October. An artist's market with over 100 artisans, a harvest market offering West Virginia food products, chrysanthemum display, parade, fireworks display, live entertainment, dancing, juried arts and crafts show, home-cooked and ethnic foods, German Rathskeller and the Ohio County Fair.
 * Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort & Conference Center. Held from early November through early January, from dusk to 11PM. One of America's largest light shows since 1985, with a three-mile drive covering around 125 acres. Trolley tours available.
 * OglebayFest, Oglebay Park. Held the first weekend in October. An artist's market with over 100 artisans, a harvest market offering West Virginia food products, chrysanthemum display, parade, fireworks display, live entertainment, dancing, juried arts and crafts show, home-cooked and ethnic foods, German Rathskeller and the Ohio County Fair.
 * Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort & Conference Center. Held from early November through early January, from dusk to 11PM. One of America's largest light shows since 1985, with a three-mile drive covering around 125 acres. Trolley tours available.

Learn

 * The local newspaper is The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, 1500 Main Street, +1 304-233-0100 or +1-800-852-5475 (both local).
 * Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Avenue, +1-800-624-6992. A Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts university offering over 30 majors.

Budget

 * Comfort Inn Wheeling East, I-70 (exit 11) and Dallas Pike in Triadelphia, +1 304-547-0610. 106 rooms. Outdoor pool. Complimentary continental breakfast. Average price $44-70.

Cities

 * Weirton is about 45 minutes north on OH-7.
 * Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is about 1 hour east on I-70 and I-79.
 * Fairmont is about 1½ hours southeast on I-70 and I-79, or almost 2 hours if you follow US-250.
 * Parkersburg is about 2 hours southwest on I-70 and I-77, or a little over 2 hours if you follow WV-2.
 * Columbus, Ohio is about 2 hours west on I-70.

title: Wheeling


text:
Whetstone

There's more than one place called Whetstone:

United Kingdom

 * Whetstone (Cumbria) - a town in the county of Cumbria
 * Whetstone (Leicestershire) - a town in the county of Leicestershire

United States of America

 * Whetstone (Arizona) - a town in the state of Arizona

title: Whetstone


text:
Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island is the largest island in Puget Sound, Washington state.

Understand
Whidbey Island was once inhabited by members of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish, Snohomish and other Native American tribes. The first known European sighting of Whidbey Island was during the 1790 Spanish expedition of Manuel Quimper and Gonzalo López de Haro on the Princesa Real. The island was fully explored in 1792 by Captain George Vancouver. In May of that year, Royal Navy officers and members of Vancouver's expedition, Joseph Whidbey and Peter Puget, began to map and explore the areas of what would later be named Puget Sound. After Whidbey circumnavigated the island in June 1792, Vancouver named the island in his honor. The first known overnight stay on Whidbey Island by a non-native American was made on May 26, 1840 by a Catholic missionary during travel across Puget Sound.

Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, commander of the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838–1842, sailed the USS Vincennes into Penn Cove in 1841. There he found the largest Native settlement on Puget Sound[citation needed] and noted that a Catholic mission had been started with a 2-acre (8,100 m2) fenced garden. Wilkes named the lower cove Holmes Harbor, after his assistant surgeon, Silas Holmes.

In 1850, Colonel Isaac N. Ebey became the first permanent white settler on Whidbey Island, claiming a square mile (2.6 km²) of prairie with a southern shoreline on Admiralty Inlet. Even though he was farming potatoes and wheat on his land, he was also the postmaster for Port Townsend, Washington and rowed a boat daily across the inlet in order to work at the post office there. On August 11, 1857, Colonel Ebey was murdered and beheaded by Haida who traveled from the Queen Charlotte Islands when he was 39 years old. Ebey was slain in proxy-retaliation for the killing of a Haida chief at Port Gamble. Fort Ebey, named for the Colonel, was established in 1942 on the west side of the central part of the island, just northwest of Coupeville.

About 80,000 people live on Whidbey Island.

Cities
Whidbey Island is mostly residential and farmlands with a few small towns nicely spaced apart for the visiting traveler.
 * - A small town on the southern tip of Whidbey Island and has a ferry terminal to Mukilteo.
 * - County seat of Island County and home to a Washington State Ferry terminal to Port Townsend.
 * - Named after the original socialist colony.
 * - Known for its community farm.
 * - Small city overlooking Saratoga Passage. Known as The Village by the Sea.
 * - Largest city in Island County and popular marina. Home to Naval Air Station - Whidbey.

By ferry

 * Ferries terminals on Whidbey Island:
 * - Ferries from Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. The small ferries required by Coupeville's narrow harbor mean that vehicle space is often limited, and drive-up motorists may have to wait several sailings for a space. Make guaranteed reservations in advance online or by calling 5-1-1, and are all but essential on Friday afternoons, weekends and holidays. Pedestrians and bicyclists will never have a problem boarding the ferry. 35 minutes one way; departures every 1½ hours.
 * - Ferries from Mukilteo on the mainland north of Seattle. This run is popular with commuters and should be avoided at peak commuting times if possible. 20 minutes one way; departures every 30 minutes.

By car
Whidbey Island is connected to the mainland on the northern end of the island via WA-20 and the Deception Pass Bridge to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal while WA-525 continues from its intersection with WA-20 in Keystone to the Clinton Ferry Terminal in the southern end of the island. WA-20 crosses over the Puget Sound towards Port Townsend on the Coupeville-Port Townsend Ferry while WA-525 continues from Clinton towards I-5 in Lynnwood via the Clinton-Mulkiteo Ferry. Both serve as a continuous north-south thoroughfare through Whidbey Island.

From the Interstate 5 corridor one can access Whidbey Island via WA-20 in Burlington (exit 230) or WA-525 north of Lynnwood (exit 182) via the Mulkiteo-Clinton ferry.

By boat

 * Coupeville Wharf, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Penn Cove in Island County.
 * Langley Marina, in Langley.
 * Langley Marina, in Langley.

By plane

Alternatively there are additional general aviation airports for private pilots to fly into Whidbey Island with their own aircraft with limited services:
 * Lynk Air 1140 Monroe Landing Road, Oak Harbor.
 * Lynk Air 1140 Monroe Landing Road, Oak Harbor.
 * Lynk Air 1140 Monroe Landing Road, Oak Harbor.

By bus
Community Transit, Everett Transit, Jefferson Transit and Skagit Transit have buses connecting Whidbey Island to Seattle, Everett, Port Townsend, Anacortes and other nearby places. Except Skagit Transit, their bus stops are at the ferry terminals where ferries from Whidbey Island arrive into their respective counties. Nearest transfer point to Skagit Transit is March's Point Park & Ride north of Deception Pass, near Anacortes:
 * 113 connects Mukilteo with Lynnwood. This route operates daily throughout the day and on weekends
 * 417 connects Mukilteo with downtown Seattle and bus route 880 connects with Northgate in north Seattle. These routes operate Monday to Friday, traveling only from Mukilteo Station during the morning rush hour and only to Mukilteo Station during the afternoon rush hour.
 * 417 connects Mukilteo with downtown Seattle and bus route 880 connects with Northgate in north Seattle. These routes operate Monday to Friday, traveling only from Mukilteo Station during the morning rush hour and only to Mukilteo Station during the afternoon rush hour.

 * 18 travels between Everett Station and Mukilteo Station.
 * 18 travels between Everett Station and Mukilteo Station.

 * 40X travels between March's Point P&R and Mt Vernon via WA-20 & WA-536.
 * 410 serves as a local connection from March's Point P&R to Anacortes, Guemes Ferry Terminal and the San Juan Ferry Terminal
 * 615 connects March's Point P&R with Mt Vernon through La Conner.
 * Island Transit 411W connects Whidbey Island to March's Point P&R via Deception Pass.
 * Island Transit 411W connects Whidbey Island to March's Point P&R via Deception Pass.

 * 11A/B loops around Uptown and Downtown from Haines Park & Ride. Actually two routes, in opposite directions: #11A is counter-clockwise, and #11B is clockwise. Take the 11A bus to go into town from the stop in front of Port Townsend Plaza or the 11B going the opposite direction, from across the street (Water Ave) to get to Haines Park & Ride and transfer to other Jefferson Transit buses.
 * 11A/B loops around Uptown and Downtown from Haines Park & Ride. Actually two routes, in opposite directions: #11A is counter-clockwise, and #11B is clockwise. Take the 11A bus to go into town from the stop in front of Port Townsend Plaza or the 11B going the opposite direction, from across the street (Water Ave) to get to Haines Park & Ride and transfer to other Jefferson Transit buses.

Nearest transfer points to Amtrak, Greyhound and Flixbus are in Mt Vernon and Everett. Connections to additional intercity bus companies and public transit buses are in Seattle.

Get around
Whidbey Island is very long and best navigated by car, but is well served by Highway-20 and Highway 525 which runs its entire length. It is a popular option to use the bridge on the northern end of the island and one of the ferry terminals as entrance and exit points when exploring the area. By boat it is a nice stopping point when traveling between Seattle and the San Juan Islands. The section of Puget Sound east of Whidbey is known as the Whidbey Basin and usually provides calmer water than traveling on the open sound. The following are options for travelers getting around without a car on Whidbey Island:

See

 * Deception Pass Bridge, a National Historic Monument since 1982, is actually two spans that link Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor to Fidalgo Island over Canoe Pass and Deception Pass. The bridge, one of the scenic wonders and destinations of the Pacific Northwest, was a Public Works Administration project built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deception Pass State Park, has over 4,100 acres (17 km2) of forest, campsites, trails, and scenic vistas of the San Juan Islands, Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), Mount Baker, and Fidalgo Island.
 * Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from the 19th century to the present. Historic farms, still under cultivation in the prairies of Whidbey Island, reveal land use patterns unchanged since settlers claimed the land in the 1850s.
 * Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from the 19th century to the present. Historic farms, still under cultivation in the prairies of Whidbey Island, reveal land use patterns unchanged since settlers claimed the land in the 1850s.

Beach combing
What Puget Sound beaches lack in white sand and warm water is more than made up for in the amazing scenery as the clear waters play against wild coastlines and snow peaked mountains scatter on the horizons. Whidbey Islands many state and regional parks are an excellent place to start a beach combing adventure offering miles of beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration.

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

Shellfishing
Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, geoduck, mussels and oysters) and with Whidbey Islands public beach access and miles of coastline it is a popular place for individuals to find these elusive and sought after shellfish. Maps of public shellfishing areas and health warnings and updates can be found online at the States Fish and Wildlife website, as with all fishing in Puget Sound permits are required and can be purchased online or in some sporting goods stores.

Eat
Like the rest of the Puget Sound area, seafood is a specialty, so look for seasonal specials and locally sourced ingredients. Dungeness crabs, clams, oysters, mussels and of course Salmon can all be found in abundance but look also for fresh produce from local farms. Blackberry season towards the end of summer usually means these tasty local berries will find their way into local dessert menus.

Although islands are notorious for both higher prices and limited options, Whidbey is large enough to support several grocery stores and a couple dozen restaurants. See city listings for particular food recommendations.

Drink
Like the rest of the Puget Sound region, people on Whidbey Island take their coffee seriously. There are also several wineries and distilleries on Whidbey. See city listings for particular coffee and bar recommendations.

Animal safety
Though many of the animals in the Whidbey Island area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 25 m from all wild animals! Check trail head postings at parks for recent activity and be aware of rules keeping a distance from orcas and other marine animals while boating. Regulations for killer whales require that boaters stay 200 yards away & keep path of the whales clear. These new U.S. regulations apply to all vessels (with some exceptions) in inland waters of Washington. Deer are very prevalent on Whidbey; be careful around blind corners. They travel in herds, and if you see one, there are probably one or two more.

Don't disturb resting seal pups, keep children and dogs away and report to the local stranding hotline. Report harassment or sightings of injured/stranded marine mammals by calling the NOAA Fisheries hotline at (800) 853-1964. Seal pups 'haul out' to get much needed rest when they are young and are often alone for many hours. They are extremely vulnerable at this time and should be left alone. Only about 50% of Puget Sound seal pups make it through their first year, so please help to protect their health. NOAA recommends at least a 100-yard buffer around seals.

Deception Pass

 * The aptly named Deception Pass is a dramatic seascape where the tidal flow and whirlpools beneath the twin bridges connecting Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island move quickly. During low tides, the swift current can lead to standing waves, large whirlpools, and roiling eddies. This swift current phenomenon can be viewed from the twin bridges' pedestrian walkways or from the trail leading below the larger south bridge from the parking lot on the Whidbey Island side. Boats can be seen waiting on either side of the pass for the current to stop or change direction before going through. Thrill-seeking kayakers go there during large tide changes to surf the standing waves and brave the class 2 and 3 rapid conditions. This area is for experienced boaters only.

Petty crime
With so many people visiting Whidbey Island each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when parking your car at a trail head or marina when you may be away from your car for a while. It would also be advisable to carry anything of value out of sight.

By ferry
The Victorian themed Port Townsend is a popular tourist destination and easily accessible by ferry from Whidbey Island. The Mukilteo to Clinton ferry run gives access on the south end of the island to the mainland and such destinations as Seattle.

By car
Whidbey Islands only connection by car is Fidalgo Island via the Deception Pass Bridge which also gives good access to Anacortes and the ferries to Guemes Island and the San Juan Islands.

title: Whidbey Island