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Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is in West Michigan, in the United States of America.

Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of just under 200,000 in the city limits (2018), and nearly 570,000 in the surrounding county (2010). The federal West Michigan metropolitan area, which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland (and some intervening farmland), has 1.4 million people (2010).

By plane
. The airport for Grand Rapids and Kent County with daily flights (sometimes several) from most of the country's major hubs. Although it has customs facilities for direct international flights, in practice it has very few. Most flights are on Delta Air Lines, connecting through the Delta hub in nearby Detroit. There are non-stop flights to Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Orlando, Toronto, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Newark, Fort Lauderdale and Washington.

By car
Major highways to Grand Rapids include I-196 (from the Chicago area), I-96 (from Muskegon, or from Lansing/Detroit), and US-131 (from Kalamazoo, or from northern Michigan).

By train

 * Route stopping in Grand Rapids:
 * Pere Marquette operates daily between Grand Rapids and Chicago with stops in Holland, Bangor, and Saint Joseph. Travel time to Grand Rapids from Holland is 1 hour, from Benton Harbour is 2.25 hours, and from Chicago is 4 hours.
 * Pere Marquette operates daily between Grand Rapids and Chicago with stops in Holland, Bangor, and Saint Joseph. Travel time to Grand Rapids from Holland is 1 hour, from Benton Harbour is 2.25 hours, and from Chicago is 4 hours.

By bus

 * Greyhound and Indian Trails offer bus service to Grand Rapids from various Michigan cities.

Get around
Like most mid-sized U.S. cities, an automobile is the most convenient means of getting around, with convenient free parking available most places outside of downtown. Parking downtown can be inconvenient and somewhat costly on weekdays and during major events (e.g. arena concerts). Parking is not enforced after 6PM on weekdays and on the weekends (besides Monroe Center NW on Saturday). Walking within the immediate downtown area is pleasant enough in good weather, and generally safe.

Several taxi companies operate in the city, and cabs can be picked up at designated locations such as the airport, or by calling their dispatcher; cabs are usually not hailed on the street, except around the time bars close on weekends. Pedicabs are also becoming popular within the downtown area, and operate during special events and weekend evenings.

"The Rapid" bus service has a terminal downtown, and routes throughout the city and its suburbs, running early mornings through late evenings on weekdays. Several routes run with less frequent service on Saturdays and Sundays. The buses are clean, safe, and generally on-time.

Street addresses identify the quadrant of the city by adding NW, NE, SW, or SE after the full street name. There are a few numbered streets just northwest of downtown, but most of the numbered streets are from 28th Street and out on the south side; the far north side instead has Three Mile Road, Four Mile Road, etc. Generally speaking, east-west roads are called "Street" and north-south roads are called "Avenue",

Interwoven bicycle paths and trails make getting around by bike within the city simple. The city website has bike route maps to make finding your way around easy.

Events
There are a lot of ethnic festivals during warmer months and are most often held at the downtown Calder Plaza.

Buy

 * Schuler Books and Music- on 28th Street SE, this large independent bookstore is a great place to relax, read and even get some coffee.

There are several enclosed shopping malls and retail centers in the city and its suburbs - most notably Woodland Mall in the southeast, Rivertown Crossing in the southwest, and Knapp's Corner in the northeast - but they feature much the same stores as similar malls in other cities, so they are mostly of interest to local shoppers and those from less urban areas without such resources.

Eat

 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
 * El Burrito Loco/Cinco de Mayo (locations downtown, on East Beltline, Alpine Avenue, and Rockford). Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.

Stay safe
Grand Rapids' crime rate is one of the most uneven in the USA. On the one hand, the city has dealt with rampant property crimes and pick-pocketing in the past. On the other hand, its murder rate is nowhere nearly as bad as Detroit and other Midwestern cities, being usually slightly above the national average.

The downtown area is safe if you use basic precautions. Several areas across the river and to the southwest of downtown are best to be avoided. The rest of the city is safe.

Consulates

 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands

Go next
The lakeside communities of Holland and Grand Haven lie half an hour to the west, with the arty/restaurant/shopping mecca of Saugatuck slightly further, but worth the drive.

title: Grand Rapids


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Grand Rapids (Minnesota)

Grand Rapids is a small city in northern Minnesota and county seat of Itasca County. With more than 1,000 lakes inside the county, Grand Rapids serves as a popular destination for anglers looking for a good spot to cast a line. There are several smaller lakes in and around the downtown area, but the big kahuna is Pokegama Lake.

Understand
Generations of American kids probably think Judy Garland grew up in Kansas with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry. Nope! She grew up in Grand Rapids as one of the Gumm kids. Ahhh! So that's why there's a yellow brick road outside the Central School.

Get in
U.S. Highways 2 and 169.

Get around
The Rapid provides mass transit throughout the area.

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

title: Grand Rapids (Minnesota)


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Grand Rivers

Grand Rivers is a city in Kentucky's Western Waterlands.

Get in
Grand Rivers is located in the heart of Kentucky's Western Waterlands, between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Grand Rivers borders the northern entrance to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

By car
Grand Rivers is three miles off of I-24/I-69, KY exit 31 (exit numbers in this area use I-24 mileage); two hours Northwest of Nashville, TN, and three and a half hours Southeast of St. Louis, MO. Major roads include Interstate 24/69 and US Highway 453 (The Trace).

By boat
Grand Rivers is located on Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River, mile marker 24) and Lake Barkley (Cumberland River, mile marker 31), and offer navigable deep water access from the Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tennesee-Tombigbee Waterway, and to Chicago and the Great Lakes by way of the Ohio-Mississippi River system.

See

 * Kentucky Lake
 * Lake Barkley
 * Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Grand Rivers Jetty on Kentucky Lake

Eat

 * Miss Scarlett's, Exit 31, off I-24, Grand Rivers, +1 270 928-3126. Miss Scarlett's offers a complete menu of fine southern cooking, including steaks, pork chops, seafood, walleye, bison burgers and more. Daily 6AM-9PM.
 * Miss Scarlett's, Exit 31, off I-24, Grand Rivers, +1 270 928-3126. Miss Scarlett's offers a complete menu of fine southern cooking, including steaks, pork chops, seafood, walleye, bison burgers and more. Daily 6AM-9PM.

Drink
Alcoholic beverage sales are prohibited in Grand Rivers. Lyon County, on the other side of the Cumberland River, and Marshall County, on the other side of the Tennessee River, are both wet.

By phone
Most telephone numbers in Grand Rivers consist of +1 270 plus a seven-digit number, but the region is now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with +1 364 as the second. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 270 before these if no area code is indicated.

title: Grand Rivers


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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a United States national monument that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the state of Utah. If you like slickrock and slot canyons, this is the place to go. At 1 million acres, the monument encompasses a seemingly limitless number of destinations, although there are only a few roads that will take you to any of them. The Monument lies between Bryce Canyon in the west, and Capital Reef and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east.

History
First explored by Spanish priests seeking a route from Santa Fe to the California missions, this area of southern Utah remains one of the most sparsely populated regions in the West. For many years it received only token protection and was not part of the national park system, but threats to develop it for mining and commercial use led the Clinton administration to place it in National Monument status in 1996. This was done without consulting area residents and was not seen favorably in Republican-dominated Utah. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, rather than by the National Park Service.

Landscape
Deep sandstone canyons, surprisingly impressive waterfalls and acres of road-less wilderness. This is a desert lover's paradise.

Flora and fauna
Pinyon Juniper woodlands, desert grasslands and lush riparian areas.

Climate
Summers are hot, highs often reach well over 100 °F. Summer nights are cool and pleasant. Expect afternoon thunderstorms from mid-June to late August. Winters can be cold and windy, with ample amounts of snow. The snow often melts within a few days, turning the dirt roads into mud pits.

Visitor information

 * Park website (BLM)

Get in
Fly into Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Phoenix and rent a car. From Las Vegas take Interstate 15 North or from Salt Lake City take Interstate 15 South. In either case take State Route 14 east from Cedar City to State Route 12 or US 89, which will take you through the Monument. From Phoenix take Interstate 17 North to Flagstaff and then continue north on US 89, which take you into the Monument. Four wheel drive is highly recommended on any but the primary roads, although not strictly necessary.

Fees and permits
Camping is free in unimproved areas.

Get around
There are only two paved roads that travel the width of the monument, Highway 89 to the south and Highway 12 to the north. There are several dirt roads that bisect the monument from north to south, such as Cottonwood Canyon Road and Skumtumpah Road, both which offer and treasure of slot canyons and hiking. Hole in the Rock Road offers access to the heart of Escalante and numerous trailheads, however it comes to a dead end at the north rim of the Colorado River. The dirt roads in the area can become impassable when wet due to the clay.

See

 * Cedar Mesa
 * Cottonwood Road
 * Escalante Canyons
 * Hells Backbone Road
 * Hole in the Rock Road
 * Johnson Canyon Road
 * Skutumpah Road
 * Staircase
 * Staircase

Do
There are slot canyons for every level of canyoneering, from beginners to the very advanced. Don't get yourself into any situations you cannot get yourself out of. Know your own limitations. Do not hike in slot canyons if there is ANY chance that it could rain.

Wahweap - Big Water Area

There are plenty of other opportunities for hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, photography, and just general sightseeing.

Buy
Johnson Canyon Road is 11 miles east of Kanab. It meets up with Skutumpah Road and continues to either Glendale or Cannonville depending on the direction you choose. Kanab has a couple of grocery stores, motels, and restaurants.

Escalante and Boulder also have a couple of motels, outfitters, and small restaurants. Don't expect a gourmet meal, but don't think your options are limited to gorp and granola bars.

At the Glendale (East Zion) entrance to the Grand Staircase there is a Bed & Breakfast and one of the most unique bistros anywhere. Nearby is the small town of Orderville which has a grocery store and a motel. A couple more miles is Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Junction. Glendale, Orderville, Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Junction have several lodging and dining options between them.

Cottonwood Canyon Road is near Big Water, 32 miles east of Kanab. The dirt road is 46 miles long and ends at Cannonville. There are a few lodging and dining options at Cannonville and more if you head toward Bryce Canyon.

Eat

 * Mount Carmel Junction and Glendale. Glendale entrance to Skutumpah Road.
 * Kanab Near Cottonwood Road.
 * Big Water Wahweap Hoodoo area
 * Cannonville Skutumpah Road - Opposite end from Glendale.
 * Escalante Escalante Canyon area.

Drink

 * Mount Carmel Junction and Glendale. Glendale entrance to Skutumpah Road.
 * Kanab Near Cottonwood Road.
 * Big Water Wahweap Hoodoo area
 * Cannonville Skutumpah Road - Opposite end from Glendale.
 * Escalante Escalante Canyon area.

Lodging

 * Mount Carmel Junction and Glendale. Glendale entrance to Skutumpah Road.
 * Kanab Near Cottonwood Road.
 * Big Water Wahweap Hoodoo area
 * Cannonville Skutumpah Road - Opposite end from Glendale.
 * Escalante Escalante Canyon area.

Stay safe
Do not hike in slot canyons when there is any threat of rain. Flash floods are common during the summer and are extremely dangerous.

Go next

 * You can get to the adjacent Glen Canyon National Recreation Area practically without noticing it, although this does require some seriously difficult driving (and possibly some overland desert hiking)
 * Zion National Park the most visited of all Utah's National Parks
 * Bryce Canyon National Park at the edge of the Grand Staircase but not within the boundaries of the monument. Bryce Canyon is one of those places that has jaw dropping beauty
 * The Grand Canyon (North Rim) - although part of the geological make-up (the bottom layer) of the Grand Staircase, is not within the boundaries of the monument. One of the seven wonders of the world. This rim is the more spectacular of the rims, but its rustic setting keeps visitors to a minimum when compared to the commercial and populated South Rim.
 * Cedar Breaks National Monument - often considered to be a top riser in the geography of the Grand Staircase, although the boundaries are not within the monument. This is a spectacular monument that rivals Bryce Canyon National Park. It gets less visitors, but its beauty certainly does not pale with the other parks.
 * Red Canyon Dixie National Forest
 * Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
 * Paria Canyon The Wave! A hot spot for photographers and hikers alike. Although Paria Canyon special permit area is on the edge of the monument it is not part of it.


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Grand Strand

Grand Stand is a region of South Carolina consisting of a 12-mile stretch of subtropical beaches and coastal towns.

History
Originally part of a colony in Craven County, it was subjugated to Prince George Winyah Parish, Prince Frederick Parish, and All Saints Parish for religious and administrative purposes, respectively. With the organization of the Georgetown District in 1769, the current boundaries were established, and in 1785 it was named Kingston County. In 1801, the designation was changed from Kingston County to Horry District, and in 1868, it was renamed Oery County, the current county name. The designation was derived from the name of General Peter Horry, a war hero during the American Revolution.

Get around
From St. Augustine to Hampton Roads is a tour to colonial and antebellum sites along the coast.

title: Grand Strand


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Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is a national park that is located in the Rocky Mountains, in Northwest Wyoming. The park is south of Yellowstone National Park and just north of the town of Jackson. Grand Teton National Park is noted for its stunning mountain vistas, its shimmering alpine lakes and its abundant wildlife.

History
In the late 1800s, Colonel S.B.M. Young, the acting Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, suggested the expansion of Yellowstone's park boundaries towards the south. During the following years, various officials introduced a series of proposals to include the Teton mountain range and Jackson Lake in an enlarged Yellowstone. These proposals were met with fierce opposition by local ranchers, who feared that an expanded park would lead to cuts in their grazing areas. Around this same time, farmers in the region suggested the damming of Two Ocean, Emma Matilda and Jenny Lakes for irrigation purposes. Ranchers became concerned that if the lakes were dammed, it could lead to the destruction of natural resources by way of increased commercial development. This concern led to a key meeting in 1923, when Yellowstone Superintendent Horace Albright and some local residents decided that they could pool private funds to buy up land. This way, they could lock the land away from developers and preserve the natural character of the Jackson Hole region.

Albright was the only person at the meeting who openly supported a national park. The other attendees wanted to make sure that they could continue to use the land for hunting and ranching. As time went by, public support for a national park grew. This support wasn't unanimous, and there were still many holdouts who would not sell their land to the government. Nonetheless, on February 26, 1929, Grand Teton National Park was signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. became enamored of the Jackson Hole area and decided to help with Superintendent Albright's plan. Rockefeller created a private company as a front to buy land, using the company to hide both his personal involvement and any links to the federal government. That way, local residents would sell their land to the company, not knowing that it was in fact going to be donated to the National Park Service.

When the true nature of Rockefeller's front company became publicly known, it caused outrage in the area. After many legal battles, this controversy was put to rest with a compromise that allowed limited hunting and grazing within the park, as well as the existence of some privately run guest ranches.

Landscape
The Wyoming landscape in Grand Teton National Park is stunningly beautiful. This range often represents the entire Rocky Mountain range in countless photographs, postcards, and imaginations. This section of the Rockies is a wondrous playground for climbers, hikers, skiers, and nearly all other outdoor enthusiasts.

Flora and fauna
Grand Teton National Park has abundant wildlife, but it is most famous for its populations of elk, bison (buffalo), moose and bald eagles.

Climate
Jackson Hole hardly seems the same place when one contrasts the winter and summer seasons. The southern end of the valley averages 15 feet of snow in the winter and often reaches balmy 80 °F temperatures in the summer. Temperatures in higher elevations average four degrees Fahrenheit cooler every 1,000 feet in rise. Raingear is recommended during spring, summer and fall. Sub-zero temperatures are common throughout winter and demand multi-layered clothing, hats, mittens and cold weather boots. Vehicles with four-wheel drive or all-weather tires are recommended for winter travel, roads may be closed during blizzards. Drive at or below posted speed limits at all times; moose and other wildlife are often seen crossing roads during the winter.

The first heavy snows may fall by November 1. Between winter storms the days are sunny and the nights are frigid. Average temperatures range from a daily maximum of 29°F to a minimum of 6°F. Ask at the Moose Visitor Center for road closures during blizzards.

During spring mild days and cool nights frequently come with rain or snow. The spring months average 11 days with measurable precipitation. Temperatures typically range from 22°F to 49°F. Valley trails remain snow-covered until late May.

Between the months of June through August the average daily temperature is 76°F, but high-elevation hiking trails don’t melt out until mid-July. Nighttime temperatures can reach the lower 40s. Most of the year’s precipitation falls during the summer months; afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Sun and occasional rain and snow fill the short fall days. The average daily maximum is 54°F while the minimum average is a cool 25°F. The fall months average 23 days that drop below freezing. For a comfortable trip, bring plenty of layered clothing.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By plane
Jackson Hole Airport lies within the park boundaries, on the west side of the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway, which carries three US Route designations: 26, 89, and 191. American, Delta, Frontier, and United serve the airport. Some service is seasonal.

The nearest major airport to the park is Salt Lake City International Airport (~6h drive away).

By car
From the north, U.S. Highways 89, 191 and 287 share the same road into the park via Yellowstone National Park. This route is closed from November to April due to snow.

From the south, U.S. Highways 26, 89 and 191 share a road from Jackson.

From the east, U.S. 26 connects to Dubois.

From the west, Grassy Lake Road, a gravel road, connects Ashton, Idaho, to U.S. 89 near the north end of the park. This route is closed during the winter.

Driving Teton Pass, going from Sheridan over to Idaho, is treacherous. It has a steep grade up and down, wide curves, and you can easily miss a turn and drive off if you take your eyes off the road or the sun gets in your eyes.

By foot
There are an extensive number of trails entering the park on all sides including the 3100 mile long Continental Divide Trail.

Fees and permits
All vehicles and individuals entering the park must pay an entrance fee that is valid for seven days and allows unlimited re-entry for the week. Entrance fees as of 2020 are:
 * $20 - Hiker/Biker
 * $30 - Motorcycle
 * $35 - Private Vehicle
 * $70 - Grand Teton Annual Pass

While in the past a single entry fee allowed entry to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, separate entry fees are now charged for each park.

Grand Teton National Park is a bit curious in that the ranger stations where you pay the entry fees lie fairly deep within the park. This essentially means that sections of the park can be accessed for free, including Jackson Hole Airport.

Get around
Most visitors to the park drive around, because of the distances involved. Some hardy souls bike or hike.

Overlooks
There are turnouts and scenic overlooks throughout the park which offer a good view of Grand Teton's many mountains. Here are just a few highlights:

Other sights
Besides the mountains, there are other attractions worth seeing:

Do

Eat
Colter Bay Village

Jackson Lake Lodge

Sleep
Due to the political deals which made Grand Teton National Park a reality, a mix of concessionaire lodging, private guest ranches and camping is available within the park. Apart from the in-park accommodations, Jackson is the closest town with many lodging options.

Camping

Backcountry
All backcountry camping requires a permit. These permits are free when applied for in person, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Permits can be obtained at the Moose and Colter Bay visitor centers, and at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. People who wish to climb mountains must apply at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.

Requests for advance reservations are accepted from January 1st to May 15th. Send the request by regular mail, fax, or in person. Include your name, address, phone number, number of people, and preferred campsites and dates. Be sure to include alternatives. Requests are processed in the order received. Requests may be faxed to +1 307 739-3438 or mailed to:

 * Grand Teton National Park
 * Backcountry Permits
 * PO Box 170
 * Moose, Wyoming 83012

A non-refundable service fee of $15 will be charged for each reservation (fee is per trip, not per person). Put credit card information directly on the fax, or mail a check made payable to the National Park Service. If no payment is received with your request, you will be billed. Only one-third of the sites are reserved in advance, leaving two-thirds available for walk-in reservations.

Stay safe
The weather can change rapidly in this mountainous region. Temperatures can plummet with little advance warning. Lightning is a real danger. Watch the skies, and if you hear thunder, take shelter within a structure or lower your profile to the sky.

Go next

 * Yellowstone National Park — The world's largest concentration of geysers, hot springs and other geothermal features is a short drive to the north from Grand Teton National Park on U.S. 89/191/287. Yellowstone also has bison, elk, antelope and bears. Admission to Grand Teton also allows entry into Yellowstone, but be prepared to show your pass at the entrance gate.

title: Grand Teton National Park


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Grand Traverse Bay Area

The Grand Traverse Bay Area is a region in Northern Michigan, known for its lakes and lakeshores, for its cherries and grapes and mushrooms, and for its boating and downhill skiing. The name refers to the shoreline bordering the West Arm and East Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay, but more generally the name is used to refer to all of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties and at least the northern part of Benzie County; western Antrim County, which also borders the bay, may be included as well. Traverse City makes an excellent base for exploring the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas to the north, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to the west.

Cities

 * — A bustling city, TC is known for its Cherry Festival, scenery, vineyards, shopping, and sailing.

Other destinations

 * — a village on the Boyne River.
 * — There are several trail-ways in the Pere Marquette, the longest of which are the Muncie Lake Pathway, at 11.5 miles (18.5 km) in length; the VASA Pathway, at 16.7 miles (26.9 km); and the Cadillac Pathway, at 11.3 miles (18.2 km). The trails are well suited to biking, hiking and cross country skiing.
 * — A popular destination for canoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Among the many areas to hike is a 23-mile loop trail, which is formed with the Manistee River Trail and the North Country Scenic Trail. This loop can be accessed from the Red Bridge and Seaton Creek accesses (Manistee River Trail) and the Marilla and Upper River Road Trailheads (North Country Scenic Trail). Many backpackers plan 2–3 days to hike the complete loop, setting up backcountry campsites overnight.
 * — A popular destination for canoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking. Among the many areas to hike is a 23-mile loop trail, which is formed with the Manistee River Trail and the North Country Scenic Trail. This loop can be accessed from the Red Bridge and Seaton Creek accesses (Manistee River Trail) and the Marilla and Upper River Road Trailheads (North Country Scenic Trail). Many backpackers plan 2–3 days to hike the complete loop, setting up backcountry campsites overnight.

Get in

 * The main highway through the area is US-31, which follows the Lake Michigan shore south from Charlevoix, through Traverse City, and then along the southern edge of the Grand Traverse Bay area.
 * Cherry Capital Airport . Northwest, American, United and Delta offer daily flights to Marquette, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Atlanta and New York.
 * Pellston Regional Airport

See

 * Its location on Lake Michigan means that several of Michigan's 115 lighthouses are within easy access of the Grand Traverse Bay Area. Five, in particular, are nearby:

 * Old Mission Point Lighthouse near Traverse City.

 * Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum in the Leelanau Peninsula.

 * South Fox Island Lighthouse, near the Leelanau Peninsula.

 * South Manitou Island Lighthouse on South Manitou Island.

 * Point Betsie Lighthouse near Frankfort.

Do

 * During the summer, fresh cherries are abundant and can be found at U-Pick orchards around Traverse City.
 * With the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, and numerous lakes and rivers in the region, water sports are highly popular during the summer.

 * Riverside Canoe Trips, 5042 Scenic Highway in Honor, +1 231-325-5622 (summer) or +1 231-882-4072 (winter). Family river trips down the calm Lower Platte (2 hours) and fast Upper Platte River (4 hours) in canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes, motorboats or rowboats. You'll need to leave your car in a parking lot by the Platte River Point on Lake Michigan, where the trips end, so bring money for parking ($3 for the parking lot alone, or $10 for a permit to all of Sleeping Bear Dunes). Lower Platte $10 - $48 (rafts $95-150), Upper Platte $14-45.

 * - in Thompsonville
 * The Grand Traverse Bay Area has ten golf courses; there are others in Traverse City and the Leelanau Peninsula.

 * A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort, 627 A-Ga-Ming Drive in Kewadin, +1 231-264-5081 or +1-800-678-0122, . 36 holes. Golf school and lodging packages available. $20-74.

 * Champion Hill Golf Course, 510 N Marshall Road in Beaulah, +1 231-882-9200. 18 holes, par 72. Cross-country skiing available. $9-45.

 * Interlochen Golf Club, 10586 US-31 S in Interlochen, +1 231-275-7311 or +1-877-480-7311. 18 holes, par 71. Rated one of the top 100 best value courses in America, with one of the most scenic and lush courses in the region. Complete dining room service, driving range, practice green, complete pro shop. $12-39.

 * [http://www.mistwoodgolf.com/ Mistwood Golf Course, 7568 Ole White Drive in Lake Ann, +1 231-275-5500. 27 holes of championship golf and 9 holes of par 3. Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest readers in 2004 "Places To Play" and voted "Best Pro Am" by Northern Michigan PGA. Driving range, practice sand trap, and two spacious practice greens. Fully-stocked pro shop, on-site Sunset Bar & Grill and Bogey's Snack Bar. Adjacent rental units. $15-95.

 * Pinecroft Golf, 8260 Henry Road in Beaulah, +1 231-882-9100. 18 holes, par 72. Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest readers in "Places To Play". $9-45.

 * Skiing is a popular wintertime activity; there are three main ski areas in the region, one of which is in Traverse City.

 * Crystal Mountain Ski and Golf, 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive in Thompsonville, +1-800-968-7686. Voted #1 Resort in the Midwest by Ski magazine. Downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating and ice hockey, sleigh rides, snowshoe and moonlight hikes. Two golf courses with 36 holes, and over 90 golf schools, lessons and clinics. Equipment rental and tuning, snowsports school, kids' programs and lessons available. Therapeutic massage, fitness center, indoor pool, hot tub, arcade room. Lift tickets $15-79, golf rates $30-85.

 * Shanty Creek Resort & Club, 1 Shanty Creek Road in Bellaire, +1 231-533-8621 or +1-800-678-4111. 43 ski runs, sleigh rides, tubing. Four championship golf courses. Fitness center, spa, four on-site restaurants. Skiing and golf clinics and lessons available. Ski lift tickets $12-46, golf rates $12-99.

 * Swimming is common year-round, with the many pools and water parks in the area.

 * The Great Wolf Lodge, 3575 U.S. 31 South, +1 866-478-9653. Huge indoor waterpark with 6 water slides and 5 pools and a lazy river, along with 3 restaurants and luxury hotel.

 * Avalanche Bay, 1 Boyne Mountain Road, +1 855-441-2086. Largest indoor waterpark in Michigan, many water slides and pools, including Big Couloir. Nearby hotels and ski resorts.

 * There are two casinos in the area, one in Williamsburg just outside Traverse City, and the other in Peshawbestown in the Leelanau Peninsula.

Eat

Cherries are, of course, the predominant local specialty; when they're in season, you can find them fresh in the stores, at roadside stands, and at U-Pick farms throughout the area, particularly along the Old Mission Peninsula. If you want to try them, be sure to visit the area during the last two weeks in July or the first two weeks in August. In May, the wild morel mushroom season commences. Locals flock to the woods in search of "the truffles of the North", while restaurants celebrate the harvest with a variety of morel dishes.

Drink
The Grand Traverse Bay Area — specifically, the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas — is Michigan's premiere winemaking region, located as it is along the 45th parallel, which is home to other world-famous wine regions like Bordeaux in France, Tuscany in Italy, and Oregon (not to mention New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere). Over 50 varieties of wine grapes are grown in Michigan, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Gewurtztraminer, Vignoles, Chambourcin, and Seyval Blanc. Local specialties include cherry wine (of course) and the rare ice wine, in which the grapes are allowed to freeze on the vine and then pressed while still frozen, giving the wine a delicate and very sweet flavor.

Stay safe
This is a generally safe area. While some crime occurs from time to time, tourists are unlikely to become victims.

Go next

 * Mesick is about 30 minutes south on MI-37, in northwestern Wexford County. It's known as the morel mushroom capital of the United States, and hosts the Mesick Mushroom Festival in early May.
 * Charlevoix is about 1 hour north on US-31.
 * Petoskey is about 1½ hours north on US-31.

title: Grand Traverse Bay Area


text:
Grand Turk

Grand Turk is one of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the site of the capital, Cockburn Town.

Get in
Grand Turk is one of several islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands. To travel to Grand Turk you would need to fly into the island of Providenciales Providenciales Airport. From Providenciales you would take a local flight to Grand Turk International Airport on Air Turks and Caicos or Caicos Express Airways.

Many cruise ships (not more than two at a time) stop at the Carnival Cruise Terminal, toward the south end of the island, to provide guests a "sun and sand" day while transiting between Florida and the Caribbean.

See
The Lighthouse - At this site, you will find the lighthouse keeper's residence, as well as the kerosene storage building, built of local limestone blocks. At night, the lighthouse was often the only guidepost mariners had to steer them away from the treacherous Northeast reef, which extends eastward far out to sea and was responsible for an untold number of shipwrecks.

Watch the sunset - There is nothing like a Grand Turk sunset. Watch for the green flash while sipping a cold drink. Locals will tell you it's not so elusive at all.

Spaceship landing - one of the American space capsules came back to Earth near Grand Turk. At the cruise line terminal, there is a small celebration of that feat, with models of the ship and an astronaut.

Do
Scuba Diving - Grand Turk has one of the most lush wall systems in the entire world. Healthy corals, diverse marine life and visibility that exceeds 100 feet often calls divers from around the world. The wall is a 10 minute ride from the beach, where your dive shop will conveniently pick you up. You can also take a day trip to dive or snorkel at Salt Cay.

Visit the Carnival Cruise Terminal - Includes a tourism village packed with shops and restaurants, one of the largest pools in the Caribbean, and an 800-ft. stretch of beach. Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is a great place to stop in for a cocktail.

Party with the High Tide Band! Grand Turk's most famous party band, the High Tide, featuring long time Musician and Dive Master, Mitch Rolling. Dance the night away to classic party hits, Soca, and Island music. Did you know the band has a Saw Player? This is a must-see when on the island. Catch them Wednesday & Sunday at the Osprey Beach Hotel!

Spa Anani - Whether you’re here for an exceptional diving experience or you are a resident of the island, you are now able to relax, rejuvenate and pamper yourself with world class spa treatments. Facials, Massages, Body Treatments, Waxing, and Ear Candling are all available - Spa Ani (649)-232-1503

Horseback Ride on the Beach - Go for a leisurely horseback ride along the beach while enjoying the view of the crystal clear Atlantic Ocean. The guides will then unsaddle your mounts and prepare them for a swim. Remount your horse, and enjoy the fun of riding a horse in the ocean.

4x4 Offroad Safari - Experience the natural history and cultural heritage of Grand Turk in "safari themed 4x4 F250's". Your tour will come to a stop near the town centre where your guide will escort you on a 15-minute leisurely walk down the quaint “Front Street” lined with turn of the century Bermudian style architecture.

Dune Buggy Adventures - Feeling adventurous? Climb behind the wheel of a tubular frame sand dune buggy. Head off down the narrow marl tracks that skirt the beach and rock coastline around the island to the south-east side of the island. Take a trek to the bluff were you can capture the beautiful view of Gibb’s Cay and a few other little uninhabited islands that are visible in the Atlantic Ocean.

Snorkel at Governor's Beach or Gibbs Cay - One of Grand Turk's nicest beaches is Governor's Beach. Experience white sand and crystal clear water nipping at your feet as you stroll along the mostly secluded beach. This is also one of the better snorkel spots on the island.

Gibbs Cay - Explore an uninhabited island and have a close encounter with stingrays on this exciting combination excursion.

Bicycle Tour - Cruise around Grand Turk by bicycle! Ride up and down Front Street, glide into town by the shore to explore the many facets of Cockburn Town. See the many different styles of island homes, some more than a century old.

Rent a Car or Scooter - See the Island! Taking your own unguided tour can be quite adventurous! Head over to the North for some breathtaking views of the entire island, visit the North Creek, and stop by the Crabtree Corner Community Park.

Turks & Caicos National Museum - Learn about the cultural history of the islands, the discovery and the impact of early European settlement, natural and political history, and the role played in 20th century space exploration.

Stroll through Cockburn Town - A leisurely stroll through Cockburn town will reveal the history of the island. Find the cannons and you will discover the first landfall of Christopher Columbus, dated October 12, 1492.

Buy
At the Carnival Cruise Terminal, you'll find decent prices on a modest selection of duty-free goods by Dufry (e.g., liquors, candies, luxury leather goods), plus stores and kiosks offering items ranging from jewelry and original art to souvenirs. Duty-free purchases may require photo identification as a citizen of other than the Turks and Caicos.

Eat
Birdcage Bar and Restaurant at Osprey Beach Hotel Lunch and dinner poolside dining. BBQ served twice weekly. Live entertainment by Mitch and The High Tide Band. Phone: 649-946-2260

At the Carnival Cruise Terminal, you'll find what is reported to be the largest Margaritaville, with a bar and extensive midday menu. It can be very crowded with two ships docked.

title: Grand Turk


text:
Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands is also called the "Lakeland Riviera", since the influence of the Gulf Stream gives it an exceptionally mild climate. It was historically in Lancashire, but re-assigned to Cumbria in 1974.

This guide also covers the nearby villages of Cartmel, famous for its Sticky toffee pudding and Flookburgh.

Understand
There is a mile-long seaside promenade walk. The prom was built in 1904 and is especially lovely in spring with its colourful borders full of flowers and spring bulbs. There some great shops and lovely ornamental gardens with a collection rare ducks. There are plenty of cafés and tearooms to enjoy a cream tea or tasty lunch.

Until the Furness railway was built across the bay in 1857, the town was reached by crossing the dangerous sands of Morecambe Bay at low tide. Stage coaches towards Scotland crossed the sands rather than struggle over the Lakeland hills, so Grange became part of Lancashire. The railway further tied it to Lancashire because of local iron ore and metal-bashing industry. In 1974 there were major changes to the county boundary and Grange-over-Sands was re-assigned to Cumbria along with Barrow-in-Furness.

Guided walks across the sands are available today to make the 8-mile crossing, which takes around 3 hours.

By train
Grange-over-Sands has trains from Lancaster, which is on the main line between London Euston and Glasgow. You normally change there, but direct trains run from Manchester Airport and Piccadilly via Preston. From Lancaster the trains call at Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, then cross the bay to Grange-over-Sands and continue to Cark, Ulverston, Dalton and Barrow-in-Furness. They're hourly M-Sa and every couple of hours on Sunday.

See

 * Hampsfield Fell
 * Cartmel Fell

title: Grange-over-Sands


text:
Granger

Granger is a town in the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington State with a dinosaur themed neighborhood.

title: Granger


text:
Granite City (Illinois)

Granite City is a town in the St. Louis Metro East area of Illinois.

Understand
Granite City is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States, part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. At the 2010 census, the population was 29,849, with a total of about 67,000 in the immediate area. Officially founded in 1896, Granite City was named by the Niedringhaus brothers who established it as a steel making company town for the manufacture of kitchen utensils made to resemble granite.

Do

 * Granite City Cinema, 1243 Niedringhaus Ave, a 3 screen movie theater located downtown. +1 618-512-9000
 * Granite City Cinema, 1243 Niedringhaus Ave, a 3 screen movie theater located downtown. +1 618-512-9000

title: Granite City (Illinois)


text:
Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes

Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes is in Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, and Sancti Spiritus provinces of Cuba.

History
Anti-Batista rebels hid in the Escambray mountains during the revolution. After the revolution (1961-1969) CIA-sponsored anti-Castro rebels (bandidos) hid in the same mountains. The Museo de la Lucha Contra Los Bandidos, a museum in Trinidad, documents the latter fight.

Landscape
The national park has jungle-covered limestone mountains (mogotes) with waterfalls and caves.

The highest mountain is Pico de San Juan, at 1,150 m. You can not hike to the summit, as the mountain is in a military zone.

Get around
The main road starts at a junction 4 km west of Trinidad. The road to Topos de Collantes is about 15 km and is amazingly steep. It is paved well (by Cuban standards).

The road from Cienfuegos through La Sierrita to San Blas is good, and quite scenic. Near San Blas is a cliff with stalactites. Somewhere between San Blas and Buenos Aires, near the village of Matagua, the pavement ends. Locals say the road is impassable after this, unless you have a Jeep. This road goes to Topos de Collantes, and has a turnoff that goes to El Nicho. This road goes through the highest mountains and might be a good mountain bike ride. Much of the area is military zone, so do not go hiking off the road, or take too many pictures.

See
The national park has several tourist areas.

 * Villa Guajimico – Though not in the national park, this resort for Cubans is close by. The resort is on the coast, at the mouth of the Río La Jutía. 51 nice cabins are available, a good restaurant, and a salt-water swimming pool. There's a hiking trail to a nearby cave, and the trail continues through a forest with crabs under every rock. Villa Guajimico is about halfway between Cienfuegos and Trinidad.

 * Playa Ingles – Closer to Trinidad, the English Beach is a simple campismo for Cubans, with a decent beach but no food or showers. Even closer to Trinidad is Río Yaguuanabo, a more developed resort for Cubans with a large beach below an impressive bridge.

 * Embalse Hanabanilla – This large reservoir is on the north side of the national park. The nearest town is Manicaragua. The Hotel Hanabanilla offers hiking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing. The hotel is popular with Cubans; few Europeans or North Americans stay there.

 * Parque El Cubano – This site is the closest to Trinidad. According to the map, this site has a waterfall, swimming, camping, birdwatching, horseback riding, and a restaurant. A trail goes to the Mirador de Caribe, which is on the road to Topos de Collantes.

 * Parque El Nicho – El Nicho is a beautiful series of waterfalls and clear blue pools. The drive from Cienfuegos is one to two hours each way. The road is good to Crucecitas, and after that it's OK if you drive slowly. There's a bus from Cienfuegos. El Nicho can be popular, especially in the summer. Do not expect solitude. The entrance fee is 5 CUC. You can hike along the creek above the waterfalls. Horseback riding is also offered. A restaurant serves meals.

 * Parque Guanayara – According to the map, this site includes "canyoning cascades," as well as the Cascada El Rocío waterfall, swimming, hiking trails, camping, and a restaurant.

 * Parque Codina – This is near the Parque Altiplano. A restaurant serves tour groups. There are hiking trails to waterfalls, caves, and viewpoints. Birdwatching and camping are also listed on the map.

Parque Altiplano
This is the most developed tourist site. The only hotels are here (including the huge Kurhotel Escambray). There's the Museo de Arte Cubano Contemparano ("Museum of Contemporary Cuban Art"); the Casa de Café, featuring locally grown coffees; and the "Mi Retiro" restaurant.

 * The 7-km (roundtrip) hike to the 75-m Salto de Caburní ("Caburní Falls") is well worth the effort (6.50 CUC fee at the gate). You can swim in the large pool below the falls. The trail starts east of the Kurhotel.

 * Another good hike is the Sendero La Batata, which is about 6 km (roundtrip) to a cave with an underground creek. You can swim in the cave. Bring sandals for climbing around in the cave, unless the soles of your feet are tough! The trail starts at the Casa de Café. The fee is CUC3.50.

 * Other features include the Jardin de Gigantes ("Giants Garden") and a short hike to Salto Vega Grande ("Vega Grande Falls').

Do

 * Cave exploring – The Cueva Martin Infierno is one of Cuba's most important caves. It is closed to the public but speleologists can contact the Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba in Havana to request a visit. The cave is on the western (Cienfuegos) side of the national park, west of Parque Codina. A second cave, Cueva El Maiz, is nearby.

 * Hiking and running – Topes de Collantes has excellent hiking. However, you are required to hire a guide for some hikes. Other hikes you are required to go as part of a group, as part of a group tour, and not just show up asking to join a group. The Cuban government does not want tourists wandering around the countryside alone. Also, hiking is not a part of Cuban culture. Cubans like waterfalls and viewpoints, but expect to drive to the scenic spot and then sit around drinking beer while their kids play in the water. The idea of walking for enjoyment is incomprehensible to them. Running long distances in the mountains is unimaginable. Do not expect to go hiking the way you would in a Canadian national park. If you want go trail running, bring a pair of running shoes to give to your guide.

 * Fishing and boating – Boats can be rented at the Hotel Hanabanilla to go fishing on the Embalse Hanabanilla reservoir.

Buy
The Museo de Arte Cubano Contemparano ("Museum of Contemporary Cuban Art") is near the Kurhotel Escambray.

Drink
The Casa de Café, south of the Kurhotel Escambray, serves a variety of locally grown coffees.

Lodging
Before the revolution massive construction was going on to build a huge resort complex at Topes de Collantes. The massive Kurhotel was finished in 1954, and has 210 rooms, 16 suites, a spa, a restaurant, five gyms, a cabaret, and a thermal swimming pool, and a television station. After the revolution the Kurhotel was used for tuberculosis patients. It is used for other medical patients and is not open to tourists although an information board lists prices from CUC45-77 for rooms at the hotel.

Many other hotels were built, and concrete shells of even more hotels can be seen around the area. Hotel Los Helechos ("the ferns") is where the tourists stay, and many tour buses arrive each day. The hotel is rated 3 stars. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant (substandard and overpriced), a small shop, a swimming pool (big, cold, and be thankful that it's cold because it does not look like it has much chlorine), and a discotheque. The disco is where the local Cubans hang out, and the music is awful Cuban techno-rap. Bring a CD with dance music you like. Prices are CUC50 for a double room during high season, CUC40 for a single during high season, CUC45 for a double during low season, and CUC35 for a single during low season.

Hotel Los Pinos ("the pines") may also be open to tourists, just down the hill from Los Helechos.

The other place to stay is the Villa Caburní. These are twelve nice houses. The price is the same as the hotels, but you get the entire house -- two bedrooms, kitchen, etc. If you have a family and bring your own food this is the best deal.

There are no casas particulares.

Camping
Campismos are indicated on the map, at Parque Guanayara, Parque Altiplano, Parque Codina, Parque El Cubano, and Parque El Nicho.

title: Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes


text:
Grant County

There is more than one place called Grant County:

United States of America

 * Grant County (Arkansas) - A county in Arkansas
 * Grant County (Indiana) - A county in Indiana
 * Grant County (Kansas) - A county in Kansas
 * Grant County (Kentucky) - A county in Kentucky
 * Grant County (Minnesota) - A county in Minnesota
 * Grant County (Nebraska) - A county in Nebraska
 * Grant County (New Mexico) - A county in New Mexico
 * Grant County (North Dakota) - A county in North Dakota
 * Grant County (Oklahoma) - A county in Oklahoma
 * Grant County (Oregon) - A county in Oregon
 * Grant County (South Dakota) - A county in South Dakota
 * Grant County (Washington) - A county in Washington
 * Grant County (West Virginia) - A county in West Virginia
 * Grant County (Wisconsin) - A county in Wisconsin

title: Grant County


text:
Grantham

Grantham is a market town in the county of Lincolnshire, in England.

By car

 * The A1, a major north-south intercity road, bypasses the town to the west, the road is dual carriageway and is grade separated until St Neots to the south, and as far away as Newcastle in the North. London is 100 miles (160 km) to the south. To the north is Newark, Doncaster, which take up to half an hour to reach with clear traffic. The road goes as far as Edinburgh in Scotland, passing by Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, and Darlington.
 * The A52 is a major east-west route going through the centre of the town, Nottingham, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent are reached westwards; while Boston, and Skegness are reached going eastwards.
 * The A607 is a secondary route linking Lincolnshire's county town of Lincoln in the north, with Leicester to the south, going through Melton Mowbray as it does so.

By train
A second line also runs east-west and connects Grantham to Nottingham.

Connect
Grantham and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Nov 2022, there's 5G in town centre from EE and O2.

title: Grantham


text:
Grantown-on-Spey

Grantown-on-Spey is a town in the Spey Valley in the central Scottish Highlands, 20 miles southeast of Inverness. To the west is the "strath" or broad valley of the River Spey, which here narrows to descend east through the Cairngorms towards the coast in Moray. Dulnain Bridge, Nethy Bridge and Cromdale are nearby small villages also described on this page.

Understand
Grantown was a planned settlement built on a grid pattern from 1765, and has long been a Highland holiday resort. Brief visitors include Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, while future Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi lived here with her young family for most of 1975. Its Gaelic name is Baile nan Granndach; in 2020 the population was 2510.

Visitor information

 * Grantown Online visitor information

Get in
The nearest mainline railway stations are Aviemore and Carrbridge, which have trains every hour or two from Edinburgh and Glasgow via Perth, heading for Inverness. See below for Broomhill, north terminus of the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway.

Stagecoach Highlands Bus X37 runs from Inverness to Tomatin, Carrbridge, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown, Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten; five buses M-F and three on Saturday.

Bus 37 runs from Aviemore via Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge to Grantown, every two hours M-Sa with four on Sunday.

Driving from the south follow A9 to Aviemore then A95 into town.

Get around
You need a car unless you enjoy cycling in the rain.

Johnny's Taxis (+44 1479 851375) based in Dulnain Bridge are friendly and reliable.

See

 * The Square is the pleasant broad boulevard at the centre of Grantown, narrowing into High St west.
 * Cairngorms National Park closest section to Grantown is Abernethy Forest, accessed above Nethy Bridge. It's a remnant of the original Caledonian Forest and much is a nature reserve.
 * Dulnain Bridge is a small village 3 miles from Grantown along A95. At its east entrance are several roche moutonnées. The Ice Age in the Cairngorms was a static affair: ice sat atop the mountains and polished them into rounded bare rock, and seldom moved as glaciers to create distinctive U-shaped valleys. But in this area the ice left behind "erratics" - great boulders that look like sheep from a distance.
 * is displayed at the roadside near the rocks - ploughs and similar implements mostly from the Muckrach estate. There's a picnic table next to the display.
 * is a village five miles south of Grantown. It worked at forestry and sawmills, and was called Abernethy until the railway arrived in the 1860s. There was already an Abernethy on that line so the company simply renamed the village, and it became a tourist resort. The line closed in 1968 thanks to Beeching. The bridge over the River Nethy is by Telford, and there's a scenic dell.
 * is a village five miles south of Grantown. It worked at forestry and sawmills, and was called Abernethy until the railway arrived in the 1860s. There was already an Abernethy on that line so the company simply renamed the village, and it became a tourist resort. The line closed in 1968 thanks to Beeching. The bridge over the River Nethy is by Telford, and there's a scenic dell.
 * is the north terminus of the Strathspey Railway, a heritage line. The original line ran through the valley from Aviemore to Forres until the Beeching cuts of 1965, when the station was demolished. It was rebuilt in 2002 in period style, serving as "Glenbogle" in the TV drama Monarch of the Glen to 2005. Most visitors start their ride at Aviemore, and the train makes an extended stop at Boat of Garten for the main collection of locomotives and rolling stock, but you can start your trip at Broomhill. Further restoration of the line towards Grantown is blocked by the A95. As if in denial, the train chuffs on for a short distance beyond Broomhill then comes to a dead-end in the fields; the locomotive changes ends via the passing loop and the train returns south.
 * a mile north of Nethy Bridge is the stump of Clan Comyn's 12th century fortress. It's on a drumlin, a mound of glacial rubble, so it has a good view and is a popular picnic spot where Highland cattle roam. Donations welcome.
 * is a tiny village further down the Spey valley on A95. It was on the same railway line as Nethy Bridge: the old station has been privately preserved. Note the old stone cheese-press built into the wall of the lane. The ballad Haughs of Cromdale portrays the two-part battle here as a bold Jacobite victory, but it was an abject defeat. King James II of England / VII of Scotland had been ousted in 1688 but his forces continued to resist. In 1690 they marched into the Spey valley hoping to gather support, but instead were weakened by desertion. They got as far as Cromdale and on 30 April were met by government forces, who began to scatter and slay them, but a thick fog came down. Next day the Jacobites regrouped and skirmished again but were routed. Fleeing, they tried to seize the castle of Loch an Eilein near Aviemore, but were repulsed by the stout widow who held it. And so ended James' last stand in Scotland, though his son the "Old Pretender" and grandson the "Young Pretender" (Bonnie Prince Charlie) resumed the cause, until it was crushed at Culloden in 1745.

Do

 * Abernethy GC near Nethy Bridge is nine holes.
 * Anagach Woods start at the east edge of town, with several marked trails through the pine forest taking 1-3 hours. Look out for red squirrels, capercaillie and deer. There are also trails west side of town.
 * Skiing and snowboarding: see Aviemore for Cairngorm Mountain Resort, where the funicular railway re-opened in 2023.
 * You can also ski at The Lecht, see Ballater. But it's a very small, low altitude resort, really just for wobbly beginners.
 * Skiing and snowboarding: see Aviemore for Cairngorm Mountain Resort, where the funicular railway re-opened in 2023.
 * You can also ski at The Lecht, see Ballater. But it's a very small, low altitude resort, really just for wobbly beginners.

 * Speyside Way is a hiking and cycling trail alongside the heritage railway from Aviemore to Broomhill, then along the old trackbed northeast via Nethy Bridge to Grantown. From here it goes northeast along the valley to Ballindalloch, Craigellachie, Fochabers and the Spey estuary.
 * Dava Way is a path along the other branch of the former railway, between Grantown and Forres. The full route is about 23 miles (38 km), suitable for cycling, through woodland, farms and heath.
 * Truck In2 Grantown is a lorry rally and parade held in May, with the next on Sa 11 May 2024.
 * Tomintoul Highland Games are next held on Sa 20 July 2024.
 * Grantown Agricultural Show is held in August on Heathfield Park, with the next probably on Th 8 Aug 2024, tbc.
 * Abernethy Highland Games are on the second Saturday in August at Nethy Bridge, with the next on Sa 10 Aug 2024. Don't let Satnav hear of your plans, else it will try to take you to Abernethy the far side of Perth.

Buy

 * Co-op Food on The Square is open daily 7AM-10PM.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.
 * Cairngorms Farmers Market is held in The Square roughly once a month.

Eat

 * Grantown Diner at 24 High St serves pizza, kebabs, burgers and the like, open M-Th noon-9PM,, F-Su 10AM-9PM.
 * High Street Merchants at 74 High St started out as an art gallery that served coffee, but has now turned into a cafe that also sells artwork. It's open W-Su 10AM-4:30PM.
 * Grantown Diner at 24 High St serves pizza, kebabs, burgers and the like, open M-Th noon-9PM,, F-Su 10AM-9PM.
 * High Street Merchants at 74 High St started out as an art gallery that served coffee, but has now turned into a cafe that also sells artwork. It's open W-Su 10AM-4:30PM.
 * High Street Merchants at 74 High St started out as an art gallery that served coffee, but has now turned into a cafe that also sells artwork. It's open W-Su 10AM-4:30PM.
 * High Street Merchants at 74 High St started out as an art gallery that served coffee, but has now turned into a cafe that also sells artwork. It's open W-Su 10AM-4:30PM.

Drink

 * Claymore Bar at 12 High St is open Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-1AM.
 * Whisky distilleries are mostly further east. Those within a short drive and open for tours are Tomintoul, Cragganmore, and Ballindalloch.
 * Balmenach two miles east of town produces Caorunn Gin and offers tours.

Sleep

 * up Seafield Ave west side of town has tourer pitches and wigwams. They don't have camping pitches.

Connect
Grantown and the main roads and communities around it have 4G from all UK carriers. As of July 2023, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * West going upriver, the valley broadens around Aviemore, then climbs towards Kingussie and Drumochter Pass.
 * East the valley descends into Moray, and a string of little coastal towns from Elgin to Fraserburgh.
 * Northwest is Inverness, an agreeable Victorian town, and a few miles east is the battlesite of Culloden.

title: Grantown-on-Spey


text:
Grants

Grants is a small town in western New Mexico, United States. It is one of the stops along the historic Route 66 highway west of Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city.

Understand
It was established by three Canadian brothers who had the contract to build a section of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad through the area in the 1880s. After the construction of the railroad, Grants survived as a rail and lumber town, serving as a section point on the Santa Fe Railroad and terminus for short line logging railroads that operated in the Zuni Mountains.

The Mormon farmers up the road at Bluewater helped it gain prominence as the "carrot capital" of the US.

Grants expanded dramatically during the 1950s as a result of the discovery of rich uranium ore in the area. A crash in the uranium market around 1980 seriously damaged the town's economy, but it has recovered somewhat.

Get in
Grants is about west of Albuquerque and  east of Gallup, along Interstate 40, which at this point follows the historic Route 66. Albuquerque International Sunport is the nearest major airport. Grants is not served by any commuter airlines, but it's so close to Albuquerque that you might as well drive anyway.

Get around
Grants sprawls more than its current population would suggest. It's not large, but many of the motels are near the Interstate and fairly far out of downtown, such as it is. As such, driving or cycling are the preferred modes of transport. A bike is handy for around town, but a car is a must for getting to the various nearby attractions.

Public transport in the form of a local bus line is available; call the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at +1 505-287-4608 for more information. Schedules tend to be irregular. There are no taxi services in the city.

See

 * It's rare for a scenic turnout/rest area along an Interstate to be worth mentioning in a "See" entry, but two exceptions are nearby. A viewpoint between Albuquerque and Grants gives a striking view of the "Sky City" at Acoma Pueblo.  Further west, another scenic turnout offers views into one of the continental United States' most recent volcanic basalt flows, erupted from a vent a few miles south of the highway some time in the last 2000 years (estimates for the age vary).
 * Grants is a good base for visiting the western pueblos of New Mexico. Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni are all nearby, and offer much to the visitor interested in the Pueblo Nations. Acoma's Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum at the base of the mesa, seek to sustain and preserve Acoma culture. Films about Acoma history are shown and a café serves traditional foods. Visitors seeking to tour the pueblo must check in here for their tour. Feast days, pow-wows, and various events throughout the year keep things interesting at all three pueblos.
 * Grants is a good base for visiting the western pueblos of New Mexico. Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni are all nearby, and offer much to the visitor interested in the Pueblo Nations. Acoma's Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum at the base of the mesa, seek to sustain and preserve Acoma culture. Films about Acoma history are shown and a café serves traditional foods. Visitors seeking to tour the pueblo must check in here for their tour. Feast days, pow-wows, and various events throughout the year keep things interesting at all three pueblos.

Do
Like most small communities, Grants has its share of local events and festivals. Call the Chamber of Commerce at +1 505-287-4802 or the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center at +1 505-876-2783 for more information.

The El Malpais Visitor Center, on the east side of the city at Exit 85 off I-40, is a good place to get oriented with the area. Exhibits in the center highlight the many outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. The center's theater shows the award-winning short documentary "Remembered Earth," a wonderful film that reveals the story of the regions landscapes. The USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management all cooperate to run the center.

The primary draw of the region is the enticing mix of outdoor recreation and cultural sites. With two national parks, a national forest district, a Bureau of Land Management conservation area, designated wilderness, and a nearby state park, there's plenty for the outdoor recreation seeker to do out here. Cycling, cross country skiing, hiking, birdwatching, astronomy, photography, jeeping, ATV riding, horseback riding; it's all possible in the area.

For those interested in the cultures of New Mexico, the three nearby pueblos and the Navajo Nation offer many opportunities to get acquainted with the Native Americans of the region. Feast days, fairs, and other events are usually open to the public, and tours of the pueblos are usually available. Acoma has a very well organized tour enterprise that makes it easy to visit the pueblo. Zuni has a visitor center and museum, and Laguna allows visits to the San Jose mission church.

Buy
Grants is not a particularly notable source of art or memorabilia, but its proximity to Navajo Nation as well as Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni means that American Indian arts and crafts are widely available. Several trading posts operate in the Grants/Milan area; the most comprehensive selection is at Elkins Chaco Canyon Trading Company, just east of Exit 79 in Milan. See under Get out below for information on an interesting series of Navajo rug auctions; finding lodging in Grants is a good idea if you're attending this auction, there being no lodging near the auction site.

Eat

 * The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In.
 * The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In.
 * The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In.
 * The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In.
 * The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In.

Drink
A few watering holes exist here. Some can be a bit on the rough side; tippler beware. All are located along Santa Fe Avenue, which is also Route 66 through Grants and Milan.

Sleep
Most of the usual motel/motor-lodge chains can be found near I-40 exits. Best Western, Days Inn, Holiday Inn (Express), Super 8, Travelodge and the Choice Hotels collection (specifically, a Quality Inn) all have franchises. Most are not fully booked during most of the year, but reservations are a good idea at peak travel times, and also during the first or second week in October, when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills hotels and motels up to a hundred miles away.

For the more adventurous, some old Route 66 classics are still hanging on along the Mother Road on the east side of town. Check out the Southwest Motel $34.95+ for more budget oriented accommodations.

Go next

 * El Malpais National Monument (south on NM-117) is a rugged national park that offers hiking and a chance to explore lava flows, lava-tube caves, volcanoes, the famous La Ventana Arch, and many cliffs and canyons. The famous Bandera Volcano and Ice Cave attraction is also within the park, offering two trails that lead into the Ice Cave and into the crater of Bandera Volcano.
 * Just beyond El Malpais is the El Morro National Monument (south then west on NM-53), which features historic inscriptions and petroglyphs along with a nice hike over the mesa past ancient ruins.
 * The area is surrounded by the Cibola National Forest, Mount Taylor Ranger District. This district includes the Zuni Mountains to the southwest of Grants, and Mount Taylor and the San Mateo Mountains to the northeast of Grants. Gooseberry Springs Trail provides hikers with access to the summit of Mount Taylor, the region's highest peak at . Many forest roads allow mountain bikers, jeepers, and hikers to easily access the forest lands.
 * The Navajo Nation covers much of northwestern New Mexico and offers various points of interest. If interested in Navajo rugs, be sure to check out a rug auction at the tiny town of Crownpoint, an hour north of Grants.  Auctions are held on Friday nights every month or two, "usually... but not always" on the third Friday of the month (see site below for schedule), and are both an opportunity to acquire some quality folk art at excellent prices and a fascinating cultural study.
 * Chaco Culture National Historical Park is north of town (north on NM-509 then NM-57; or west on I-40, north on NM-371, then east on NM-57). Grants is a good place to find lodging if you're bound for Chaco, there being no lodging in the park other than a very basic campground.

title: Grants


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Grants Pass

Grants Pass is a city in Southern Oregon.

The slogan for the city is “It’s the Climate,” and nothing could fit the town better. Grants Pass has been known in the winter to receive sun, rain, and snow all on the same day! Its climate is very similar to that of nearby Medford in Jackson County.

One of Grants Pass’ greatest achievements is being one of the most caffeinated cities in Southern Oregon. It is home to the originators of Dutch Bros. and stickers adorn almost every car’s bumper or window.

By car

 * I-5.svg Interstate 5: Grants Pass is accessed from I-5 through Exits 55 & 58. Fun fact: this is the westernmost stretch of Interstate highway in the continental United States.

 * US 199.svg connects the I-5 corridor (Exit #55) to Crescent City in the northern California coast. From Crescent City one can go north on US Hwy 101 to reach the Southern Oregon Coast. Locally US Hwy 199 accesses the local neighborhoods in south Grants Pass as Grants Pass Pkwy and Redwood Hwy.

 * OR 99.svg goes through downtown Grants Pass from I-5 (Exit #58) via NE Scoville which becomes NE 6th St. From downtown go north on NE 7th St to return to the freeway. SR-99 passes through downtown Grants Pass as NE 6/7th St and east towards Medford as Rogue River Hwy. Hwy 99 runs parallel to I-5.

By bus

Get around
On rainy days you may find yourself wanting to drive around town, but on warm sunny days it is nice to walk through historic down town.

See
Grants Pass is known for its. In early 2005 it was vandalized, but now once again stands tall on its pedestal near the intersection of NW Sixth St. and Morgan St.

Parks
Spend the day by the river at beautiful parks. Feed the birds on the Rogue River at Riverside Park near the center of town, or take a walk through the All Sports Park, stopping on its bridges to catch a glance at the fish and frogs.

Do

Historic Downtown
Shop in historic downtown. Enjoy a walk down ‘G’ street, shopping in all the boutiques. You’ll find many apparel shops, craft stores, and furniture shops.

Eat
One of the first things you may notice when you visit Grants Pass is the numerous pizza and fast food restaurants that appear on almost every corner, but upon a closer look you will see more.

Drink
When you feel like you need an alcoholic beverage, Grants Pass has that covered, with multiple bars to choose from.

Sleep
Grants Pass has a variety of hotels, motels, sand motorhome and RV parks.

Go next
When it's time to leave, aim for the I-5. Go north for the Portland Airport, or south for the Medford airport. If you want to make plans to go somewhere new or need advice, there are many travel agencies available for you to visit.

Nearby attractions

 * Great Cats World Park, 27919 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction (~31 mi away)
 * Oregon Caves National Monument (~48 mi away)
 * The Oregon Vortex, 4303 Sardine Creek Rd., Gold Hill, (~12 mi away)
 * Big Goofy Black Bird , 1810 W. Main St., Medford, (~24 mi away)
 * Eagle Nabs Fish , 146 Chief Miwaleta Lane, Canyonville, (~33 mi away)
 * Ship Ashore - Little Museum , 12370 Highway 101 North, Smith River, California (~57 mi away)

title: Grants Pass


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Grantsville

Grantsville is a small town in Garrett County, Western Maryland.

Climate
Grantsville has a humid continental climate under the Köppen climate classification

By road
Interstate 68, U.S. Route 40 and U.S. Route 219 all traverse Grantsville via the National Freeway, an east-west freeway traversing western Maryland and northern West Virginia. Direct access to Grantsville is provided by an interchange with Maryland Route 495. U.S. Route 40 Alternate and Maryland Route 669 also serve Grantsville.

By bus
Grantsville was served by Greyhound bus until 2005. Since January 2011, it has been served by a Bayrunner Shuttle that originates in Grantsville and serves Frostburg, Cumberland, Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland Campus, Hancock, Hagerstown, Frederick Transit Center, Frederick Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall's Airport and Amtrak Station, and Baltimore Greyhound Station.

Go next
Frostburg is just off I-68 a little more than ten miles east of Grantsville.

title: Grantsville


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Grantville

Grantville is a city in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

title: Grantville


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Granville (Massachusetts)

Granville is a town in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts.

By car
State Route 57 runs through Granville. Access Route 57 from U.S. Route 5 in Agawam or U.S. Route 202 in Southwick.

Get around
Granville is very rural and you will need a car to get around.

Buses are available during the Granville Harvest Fair (Columbus Day Weekend) to get to primary areas of the Fair. The bus stops are at the Granville Village School, the Old Meeting House, and the third stop that used to be at the Granville Green is now at the old Drum Shop. Signs are used to indicate where these stops are, but if you are not sure, ask and someone will happily point you in the right direction! As the buses used are school buses and not larger common carrier buses, space is limited, so if you plan to go on one, get to the stop early. Timing between bus arrivals varies but should not take more than five to fifteen minutes. Services ends at the end of each fair day (around 5PM).

Events

 * Granville Harvest Fair, October (Columbus Day Weekend)

Eat

 * Granville Village Store, Granby Road Cutoff, +1 413 357-8555, Cellar-aged cheese in great variations, pizza and subs, groceries.
 * Granville Village Store, Granby Road Cutoff, +1 413 357-8555, Cellar-aged cheese in great variations, pizza and subs, groceries.
 * Granville Village Store, Granby Road Cutoff, +1 413 357-8555, Cellar-aged cheese in great variations, pizza and subs, groceries.

title: Granville (Massachusetts)


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Granville (Ohio)

Granville is a city in the Greater Columbus area of Ohio.

Get in
Granville is east of Columbus, the capital of Ohio.

By car
From Columbus, take either State Route 161 or State Route 16 east.

By Bike
The Thomas Evans Bike Trail connects from Newark

title: Granville (Ohio)


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Grape grazing in Australia

Understand
For the oenophiliac (wine buff) Australia offers a rich variety of wine styles to tantalize your palate. Grapes grow extremely well in the moister areas of the country, and there are world-renowned wine growing districts in most states (as well as many lesser-known but almost equally-as-good areas.) To add to your enjoyment, many of these areas are in easy reach of the capital cities. Some can even be visited in a few hours, although you'll want longer to enjoy the many wineries on offer.

There is only one thing to be wary of - Australia has a strict blood alcohol limit of 0.05% for the driver of a motor vehicle (zero percent for a P-plater or inexperienced driver.) Limit your tasting or appoint a designated driver... or if you prefer, take one of the many professional winery tours on offer and let someone else do the driving for you.

New South Wales

 * The Hunter Valley. Hunter wineries can be loosely divided into two main regions: the Lower Hunter Valley (which includes the Pokolbin district), and Upper Hunter Valley wineries.
 * The Orange area of the Central West specializes in cold climate wines, especially chardonnay and cabernet.
 * The Canberra region (including Lake George, Murrumbateman) of higher-altitude cool-climate wines, including those of Clonakilla and Lark Hill.
 * The Riverina area (Towns include Leeton and Griffith)

Victoria

 * Beechworth
 * King Valley
 * Mornington Peninsula
 * Rutherglen
 * Yarra Valley

South Australia

 * Adelaide Hills
 * Barossa Valley
 * Clare Valley
 * the Coonawarra
 * Kangaroo Island
 * McLaren Vale

Western Australia

 * Margaret River
 * Swan Valley

Queensland
Queensland is emerging as a wine-producing region with dozens of high quality reds and whites being grown in the south east corner and around the Wide Bay (Bundaberg) area. Grapes do not grow well in northern Queensland, however there are a number of interesting tropical fruit wineries in Queensland. For those who enjoy spirits, Bundaberg is famous as the home of Australian rum and for a small fee you can take a guided tour of the production plant (with tasting).

 * The Granite Belt, near Stanthorpe

title: Grape grazing in Australia


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Grapevine (Texas)

Grapevine is in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in the state of Texas. It is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas.

By plane
Just north of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport - therefore easy access by air. Most larger hotels have their own shuttles to/from the airport.

By car
Grapevine is more or less equidistant from both downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. SH 121, 114, 360 and IH 635 all converge in Grapevine (the "funnel").

By train
There are frequent TEXRail trains between Fort Worth and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, operated by Trinity Metro. For a more touristic experience, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs historic trains between Grapevine and nearby destinations.

Get around
The Gaylord Texan has two nifty shuttles. One loop runs from Gaylord to the Grapevine Mills shopping areas, the other loop runs from Gaylord to the historic part of Main St.

Do

 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad
 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad
 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad
 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad
 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad
 * Grapevine Vintage Railroad

Drink
See the entry for wineries above.

Go next
Either Dallas or Fort Worth. Camping in a number of state parks within a two-hour drive.

title: Grapevine (Texas)


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Graskop

Graskop is in the Mpumalanga Province of north-west South Africa. It was set up in the 1880s as a gold mining camp but it now serves as a tourist destination and the timber industry. “God’s Window”, a scenic view from the escarpment of the Lowveld below, is near the town.

Understand
In 2011, it was home to 4,000 people. The name is Afrikaans for grassy hillock.

The town is part of the Panorama Route. Thanks to its location of about 1,400 m above sea level, Graskop has a temperate climate with a lot of rainfall, while during the summer months there is also frequent fog.

Get in
By car from Pilgrim's Rest, Hazyview or Sabie

See
The Pinnacle, God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondawels, Pinnacle Rock, Berlin and Lisbon Falls, the Echo Caves and other places on the Panorama Route.

Additionally, there are the following sites around Graskop:

Buy
Stores along Louis Trichardt Ave such as:
 * Africa Silks
 * Delagoa Arts & Crafts
 * Curio D'Afrique
 * Shautany Chocolatiers

title: Graskop


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Grasmere

Grasmere is a lakeside village in the Lake District National Park, best known as the home to poet William Wordsworth

Get in
Buses run regularly from Keswick, Windermere and Ambleside.

Get around
Grasmere is a very small village and very easy to get around on foot. However, during the summer months it can be very crowded with coach-tour parties. This can make it difficult to find a parking space for those on driving holidays around the Lake District.

Do

 * Walk around the small, pretty lake.

Sleep

 * Oak Bank Hotel (next to Grasmere Hotel) had a great reputation but in 2020 was closed and for sale.
 * Splurge at
 * Oak Bank Hotel (next to Grasmere Hotel) had a great reputation but in 2020 was closed and for sale.
 * Splurge at
 * Oak Bank Hotel (next to Grasmere Hotel) had a great reputation but in 2020 was closed and for sale.
 * Splurge at
 * Splurge at

Go next

 * Northwest to Keswick
 * South to Ambleside and Windermere
 * Northeast to Penrith

title: Grasmere


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Grasse

Grasse is a commune in Provence, France. It is known worldwide for its traditional perfume industry.

Understand
Grasse sits on a hill, halfway from the coast of the French Riviera (Cannes and Antibes) and the Alps. The surrounding villages are generally charming and not as crowded as their more famous neighbours on the coast.

Get in
The 4 lane N2285 'penetrante' from the A8 exit 42 (Grasse/Cannes) is the recommended access route. It terminates rather abruptly just before the steep ascent into Grasse on the old N85 (route Napoleon). Fortunately you do not need to go much further to get to the couple of perfumeries which is probably the main reason to visit.

It is also quite possible to take the meandering inland roads from Vence via the Loup Valley and/or Fayence.

You can also get by train from Nice or Cannes to.

From Nice there are frequent buses run every 30 to 40 minutes to Grasse. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hour and costs €1.50. Tickets are for sale on the bus.

From Cannes there are buses to Grasse as well, but less frequent.

See

 * Route Napoleon
 * Views back towards coast
 * Auribeau perched village

Do
The Grasse area is good for outdoor activities, as well as hiking in the hills it is possible to ride horses, go mountain biking and play golf and tennis.

There are golf courses such as the Golf Country Club de Saint Donat (270 rte Cannes Grasse ), or the Golf du Grande Bastide (761 chem Picholines Châteauneuf, fax: +33 4 93 77 72 36).

Although most towns have a municipal tennis club these tend to be rather cliquey and not very welcoming to foreigners. The Tennis Club Plaine Le Vignal (268 chem Picholines Châteauneuf, fax: +33 4 93 60 14 35) is more accommodating to foreigners and also has a pleasant restaurant with a very cheap and basic menu and a swimming pool.

Horse riding - try the Club Hippique de La Brague (chem Ranch 06740 Châteauneuf, fax: +33 4 97 01 06 44) near the Vignal, the Club Hippique Grasse (168 rte Cannes 06130 Grasse ) between Grasse and Mouans Sartoux, or the Poney Club École Equitation (42 chem Mosquée Grasse ) on the way to Magagnosc

Buy

 * Perfume: There's a perfume factory there, where you can find your favorite scent.
 * Soap
 * Olive oil

Go next

 * French Riviera

title: Grasse


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Grassington

Grassington is a Wharfedale market town (though often referred to as a 'village') in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales in the English county of North Yorkshire (historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire). As the main residential and commercial centre in Upper Wharfedale, Grassington serves as an ideal base from which to explore the Dales. The cobbled main square and market place, together with the stone built houses of the town, make it a 'picture postcard' Dales destination. In 2021, it was home to 1,100 people.

Get in
Grassington is 8 miles north of Skipton on the B6265. There are hourly buses from Skipton seven days a week (services 72 and 872), plus less frequent services from Buckden and Ilkley (daily), and York (Summer Sundays only). See for bus service information.

By foot
The Dales Way From Ilkley to Windermere passes through Grassington.

Get around
As Grassington is a small town, you can walk everywhere.

Do

 * Take a hike in the Dales around the town - Buckden Pike is a good destination with great views.

Sleep
There is a good selection of hotels, inns and B&B in the area.

Connect
As of March 2024, Grassington and its approach roads have 4G from EE and O2 but no signal from Three or Vodafone. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Go north to Buckden, on the B6160.
 * Go east to Ripon,, on the B6265
 * Go west to Malham with Malham Cove, on the B6265.

title: Grassington


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Grasslands National Park

Grasslands National Park is in southwestern region of Saskatchewan. The park consists of two widely separated regions, the West Block and the East Block. The park is 477 km².

Understand
Grasslands National Park covers an area of 907 km² (350 sq mi) near the village of Val Marie, Saskatchewan. This national park is north from the American state of Montana and lies adjacent to the international boundary.

History
In 1874, Sir George Mercer Dawson discovered western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands during the International Boundary Survey. Later, in 1877, Sitting Bull took refuge in the area with around 5000 Sioux after the defeat of General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

The park was established in 1981. In 2006 71 bison were introduced to the park. Following the herd reduction in the fall of 2015, there are approximately 310 adult bison in the park.

Landscape
Grasslands National Park is situated on the northern tip of North America's mixed grass prairie.

Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/shortgrass prairie grassland. The park is in the World Wildlife Fund-defined Northern short grasslands ecoregion, which spans much of southern Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, and the northern Great Plains states in the USA.

Erosion by glacial meltwater formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the Frenchman River Valley, the Seventy Mile Butte, and the badlands of Rock Creek.

Flora and fauna

The unique landscape and harsh, semi-arid climate provide niches for several adapted plants and animals.

The park and surrounding area house the country's only black-tailed prairie dog colonies. Rare and endangered fauna found in the park include bison, pronghorns, greater sage-grouses, burrowing owls, brown bears, coyotes, ferruginous hawks, swift foxes, elk, wolverines, prairie rattlesnakes, black-footed ferrets and greater short-horned lizards.

In 2006, Plains bison from Elk Island National Park in Alberta were reintroduced to Grasslands. By 2015 the herd had grown from the original 71 animals to over 300. The herd is maintained on a 181-km² section in the park's West Block.

In 2009, a small population of black-footed ferrets was reintroduced into the prairie dog towns after a 70-year absence. Improved night-lighting practices under the dark-sky agreement ensure that the park remains dark at night, preserving a natural environment for all nocturnal wildlife.

Flora includes blue grama grass, needlegrass, plains cottonwood and silver sagebrush.

Climate
It has a semi-arid climate. It can be a harsh climate, cold and windswept in the winter and often very dry for prolonged periods, broken sometimes by extremely intense rainfalls during the summer. Nearby Val Marie is sometimes the national hotspot in Canada on a given summer day. Val Marie gets more days of sunlight per year than anywhere else in Canada.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
The West Block is about 350 km from Regina, and has access points off Highways #4 and #18 near Val Marie. The West Block of the park is located one hour south of Swift Current, and the main visitor reception centre is in the town of Val Marie. It is less than 30 km from the Morgan-Monchy Border Crossing from Montana, USA, itself about 90 km north of Malta, which has a train station on the Empire Builder Amtrak train.

The East Block is about 280 km from Regina, and has access points off Highway #18 – one south of Wood Mountain and the other east of Glentworth. Watch for signage. The East Block of the park is about an hour's drive south of Assiniboia near Wood Mountain Regional Park. The interpretive centre is in the McGowan House at the new Rock Creek Campground. The East Block is less than 20 km from the Opheim–West Poplar River Border Crossing from Montana, USA, itself about 100 km north of Glasgow, which has a train station on the Empire Builder Amtrak train.

The East Block is more of a wilderness area but has views of the badlands of Rock Creek, the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary and prairie skies.

Fees and permits
Fees to enter the park (2024): Seasonal passes are available for less than the cost of 5-day passes.
 * Adult $6.50
 * Senior $5.50
 * Youth free
 * Family/group $13.50

See
Highlights of the West Block include the Frenchman River Valley, a herd of over 300 Plains bison as well as prairie dog colonies.

Lodging
Lodging is located outside the park in Val Marie.

Camping
There are campsites, Tipis and furnished tents on platforms available in the park.

In the West Block, the Frenchman Valley Campground offers visitors serviced camping sites, teepee camping and a cook shelter. Camping fees for overnight and can be paid at the Visitors Centre in Val Marie. Per night fees for 2024 are:
 * Front country, serviced with electricity: $33
 * Equestrian camping: $24.50
 * Overflow camping: $17.50

Other accommodation fees (2024):
 * oTENTik glamping, per night: $111.00 (a spacious blend of a tent and an A-frame cabin equipped with beds and furniture on a raised floor)

Backcountry
Backcountry camping is permitted. Enquire at the Visitors' Centre.
 * Backcountry use and camping, per person: $7.50 (2024)

Stay safe
In July 2017, tests revealed that prairie dogs in the area have the sylvatic plague. Please exercise caution when near prairie dog colonies, there are potential health risks. Since 2010, all prairie dog colonies in the park have been closed to domestic animals to prevent the possibility of pets carrying infected fleas back to their owners.

title: Grasslands National Park


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Grass Valley

There is more than one place called Grass Valley:

United States of America

 * Grass Valley (California) - A town in California.
 * Grass Valley (Oregon) - A town in Oregon.

title: Grass Valley


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Grass Valley (California)

Grass Valley is a city in Nevada County in California's Gold Country.

Understand
Nestled in the heart of the Sierras, Grass Valley boomed during the California gold rush, with gold being discovered in nearby Gold Hill in 1850.

By car
From Sacramento take I-80 East to Auburn and then take 49 from Auburn to Grass Valley.

From Truckee take I-80 west and take the highway 20 exit towards Nevada City and Grass Valley.

By foot
Most of Grass Valley is accessible and best enjoyed by walking. While the town is full of hills, the sidewalks are generally well maintained and easy to navigate.

Go next

 * Nevada City
 * Marysville
 * Auburn

title: Grass Valley (California)