text:
Alishan

Alishan National Scenic Area (阿里山國家風景區 Ālǐshān guójiā fēngjǐng qū) is a national park in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan.

Understand
Alishan — "Mount Ali" — is Taiwan's most-visited national park. Located high up in Taiwan's mountainous spine, it's particularly popular in spring during the cherry blossom season (March-April), as well as in summer as a cool escape from the steamy coastal cities.

History
The area has been settled by Taiwanese Aboriginal people since time immemorial, but ethnic Chinese began settling only in the 19th century. Development really took off only when the Japanese completed the Alishan Forest Railway (1912), a remarkable narrow-gauge train that was built for logging the area's giant cedars. The area's beauty was so convincing that the Japanese government designated it as a National Park in 1937. By the 1970s, logging had pretty much ended and tourism had become the area's primary earner, and the entire area was declared a "national scenic area" in 2001.

Landscape
Alishan is not a single mountain, but a range on Taiwan's spine, averaging 2,500 m in high and with the highest peak Datashan (大塔山) reaching 2,663 m. Taiwan's highest mountain, Yushan (3,952 m) is easily visible from Alishan.

Flora and fauna
Due to its elevation, Alishan's flora are more temperate/alpine than tropical, and the slow transition from bananas and palms to evergreens on the way up is interesting to watch. The dominant feature are giant Taiwanese red cypresses (Chamaecyparis formosensis), some of which have been growing in the area for well over 2,000 years, although most are now managed forests for logging. In spring, crowds flock to view cherry blossoms, while in summer the mountainsides are blanketed with orange montbretia blossoms.

Climate
Due to its elevation, Alishan is considerably cooler than the coast, with daytime highs averaging 14-24°C in summer and 5-16°C in winter. Even for a mountain, Alishan's weather is extraordinarily rapidly changing: an average day starts with a cloudless morning, theatrically dense clouds of rolling mist by noon and ends with a lightning storm and torrents of rain before repeating all over the next day. Humidity is always very high, and indeed most surfaces in the park seem to be covered with a layer of luxuriant green moss.

By train

Take the famous Alishan Forest Railway (阿里山森林鐵路) narrow-gauge train from Chiayi station (the old one, not the new HSR station at Taibao). A one-way costs NT$399 and takes around 3½ hr. The train passes through the scenic village of (奮起湖) halfway up and the village of Ruili (瑞里) is also accessible (several km away) from Jiaoliping (交力坪) station. Don't miss this trip, especially if you're a train or architecture buff, as the line is largely the same as it was before World War II — but you might want to consider a bus for the way back (it takes about 4½ hours for the return trip).

As of 2015, there are trains from Chiayi at 09:00 (daily) and 10:00 (Sa Su holidays), returning from Fencihu at 14:00 and 15:00. The railway will sell standing room tickets and during peak periods like summer and the cherry blossom season trains can get very crowded, so book ahead by calling operator TRA at (05)225-6918, preferably in Chinese, and show up at least 30 min before departure to collect your tickets. Alternatively, there are usually "scalpers" standing outside the ticket window selling tickets at-cost, in the hope that you will also book a room in the hotel they work for. In Chiayi station, the Alishan ticket counter is on the outside of the building, separate from the ordinary TRA counters.

By bus
Tickets from Alishan out are bought inside 7-Eleven convenience stores — they cannot be purchased far in advance. You can also purchase tickets directly on the bus if there are free seats.

From Chiayi
Buses (some large and luxurious, some more cramped minibus styles) from Chiayi to Alishan leave regularly and take between two and three hours. The route isn't quite as scenic, with more tea plantations and small villages than cliffs and mountains. The combination of a somewhat bumpy and very winding road with some very aggressive driving standards can make this trip literally vomit inducing if you are prone to motion sickness. The ride back is not as bad. Buses stop at Ruili on the way. They also stop at the park entrance to allow you to buy your entrance ticket.

There are two primary options:

 * Route B: Chiayi rail station to Alishan. Ignore the touting old ladies greeting you as you exit the train station and head straight for the bus station, just outside and to the right of the TRA station. The ticket counter is inside the bus station. Buses leave from Chiayi at 06:10, 07:40, 08:10, 08:40, 09:10, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 12:10 and 14:10. The return buses leave from Alishan in front of the 7-Eleven store at 09:10, 11:10, 12:10, 12:40, 13:10, 14:10, 15:10, 15:40, 16:10 and 17:10.
 * As of October 2018, the fare is NT$300 each way. Please keep your ticket tab carefully. The Alishan park has an entry fee of NT$300, but you get a discount of NT$150, if you show your ticket of this bus. The discount is valid for the day of entry!
 * Route A: THSR Chiayi station to Alishan. As of January 2015, this costs NT$290 with buses leaving to Alishan at 10:10, 11:40, and 13:10, and back at 12:40, 14:10 and 15:40. A "combo ticket" that gets you 25% off a THSR return to Chiayi plus a return bus ticket is also available.

From Sun Moon Lake
Buses depart daily at 08:00 and 09:00 from Shuishe Visitors Center (Yunglin Bus 6739, NT$336). Reservations are required up to a maximum of 2 weeks in advance by submitting a Word form or in person at the Shuishe visitors center. Ticket can be purchased the day before or driver will accept exact change. The up-to-5-hr journey along winding mountain roads includes brief stops at a sour plum speciality store and the romantic Tataka Couple Tree.

By taxi
Outside the bus hours, the only way to get to Alishan is by taxi which will cost NT$1,600.

Fees and permits
Entry to Alishan costs NT$200 per person if arriving on public transport, NT$250 if arriving by car, charged on arrival. The ticket comes with a map and a form that you can fill in and hand in to have free insurance while in the park.

If you show a student ID the cost is NT$150.

By train
The Alishan Forest Railway has three very popular local services within the park.

 * Jhushan Line (祝山線), from Alishan to Jhushan (祝山) in 25 mins, 6.2 km. Serves Jhushan Station which is the highest elevation railway station in all of Taiwan. Has two daily departures very early in the morning (the exact time varies by season) so you can catch the sunrise over Jade Mountain (玉山). Departure times are announced at 4:30PM the day before. You can reserve tickets two weeks in advance (reservation closes at noon one day before departure). Same-day tickets are only sold 30 mins before departure at Alishan Station. One-way NT$150. Pay attention to the time for 2 return trips back to Alishan Station. Otherwise you will have to walk 3km downhill (roughly 45 mins).
 * Sacred Tree Line, from Alishan to Shermuh (神木). Around 1.2 km long, running along the same mainline as the trains from Chiayi. Departures half-hourly, one-way/return NT$50/80. The last train leaves at 16:00 back to the main station.
 * Zhaoping Line (沼平), from Alishan to Zhaoping (沼平). A short hop of only about 700 m. Departures half-hourly, one-way/return NT$50/80.

The Mianyue Line (眠月線) closed in 1999 due to earthquake damage and is unlikely to reopen.

On foot
Trails around Alishan are ridiculously well signposted: every intersection of two paths not only has signs in Chinese and English, but a map pinpointing your exact location and all possible routes. You can also pick up an English map from the tourist office. All the main routes are very well maintained, with stairs for steeper sections, guard rails, etc. It's easy to walk the entire Alishan village and trails area within one to one and a half day.

A trail, about 4 hours one way, connects Fengcihu and Ruili through a scenic bamboo forest straight out of a kung-fu movie.

By mini-bus
There are minibuses operating on the roads within Alishan. These are especially important if you want to avoid having to hike back after 16:00, when the last trains run. Prices are the same as trains, but the tickets don't seem to be interchangeable with the trains. These are also a bit faster than the trains. Stations are at major sites.

See

Sights around Alishan are signposted in Chinese, English and Japanese, and as you walk around the trails you'll find that nearly every tree of size, age or unusual shape has been dubbed with a fanciful moniker like "Elephant Trunk" or "Three Generation Tree".

Do
The hardcore hiker or sports enthusiast will likely find Alishan's offerings rather too tame, and might do better to go conquer Yushan next door instead.

If you stay overnight in Alishan, you can avoid crowds of tourists who do day trips. You should pretty much have the place to yourself by late afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes with good traction as the steps can be wet and mossy.

Buy
Alishan is famous for all sorts of mountain produce, notably tea (see Drink) and wasabi, as well as carvings and handicrafts made from red cypress. Souvenir shops also sell tasty cookies and pastries flavored with ashitaba (明日葉), a medicinal herb reputed to give long life. The name is Japanese for "tomorrow leaf", as (according to legend) if you pluck a leaf early in the morning, a new one will replace it by the next day.

Budget
For a meal on the train, don't miss the Fencihu lunch box (奮起湖便當 fencihu biendang), which has a deep-fried cutlet, Taiwanese sausage and a selection of mountain veggies on rice. Vendors come onto the train to sell them at Fencihu station (NT$100 each).

Stalls selling noodles, rice dishes and basic street food can be found at the Alishan main square, at Jhushan and the Jhoushen Temple.

While you are waiting for the sun to rise, a hot drink from the vendor will warm your hands. Also try the egg crepe, scallion pancakes and French toast. Hot Clear soup with blood rice cake is also available. Hot Sakura flavoured honey in the early morning is great too.

Mid-range
Alishan's main square has half a dozen largely identical restaurants specializing in hotpot (火鍋), using mountain vegetables and mountain game like deer and wild boar. Most cater mostly to groups and thus offer vast spreads (e.g. 10 dishes for NT$1,000), but if you stick to the menu, a "small" pot for two-three goes for around NT$300.

Drink
Alishan is famous for High Mountain Oolong (高山烏龍 Gau-shan wulong) tea and you'll see plenty of plantations on the way up. There are a number of tea shops in the main village that will serve up a pot the traditional way for NT$200 or so. They will also let you try a number of teas for sale, and this is a good way to pass the evening. But this is with the expectation that you will buy something. Teas are mostly sold in vacuum sealed bags of 150 g, and usually will cost NT$400–800, although some can be as high as NT$3,000 for this amount.

Nightlife in any sense is virtually nonexistent, but all restaurants are happy to sell you a beer and you can pick your own poison at the convenience stores.

Lodging
Most of Alishan's accommodation is clustered around the main Alishan railway station, which is very convenient for eating and shopping, but means a 1- to 2-km hike (or short train ride) for visiting the park. They can be found in the hotel area, which is behind the visitor center, the stairs down can be found just to the left of the building. While touts meet incoming trains, it is best to reserve the hotels ahead of time, since on weekends (Friday, Saturday) and holidays most rooms will be booked almost every day of the summer. Weekday rates are much lower, but still rather expensive for what you get.

A few hotels can be found elsewhere in the park.

Camping
Camping is not permitted anywhere within the Alishan Scenic Area. If you have your own car, there are a few campgrounds within striking distance outside the park, notably at Dinghu (頂湖).

Stay safe
There are no dangerous animals or unusual health risks around Alishan. Be prepared for rain at any time and bear in mind that, especially outside summer, it can be quite cold. It is about 10°C colder in Alishan than Chiayi, and the difference only increases at night.

At the risk of stating the obvious, while the trails are exceptionally well guided during the daytime, there is next to no lighting — so head back when the night starts to fall.

Go next
Getting out pretty much requires going back to Chiayi, but you could do worse than continue onto the hot springs of Guanzihling from there.

As of 10 October 2011, there is a direct bus service from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake and vice-versa. 2 buses a day, leaves Alishan at around 14:00 and 15:00. Cost is less than NT$300 one way. Check with Alishan Visitors Centre for more info. You can also choose to arrange for a cab there. A cab from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake is NT$3,000 one way.

title: Alishan


text:
Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California.

Get in
The city is accessible by car via Interstate 5 fwy (exit El Toro Rd) or via the 73 Toll Road (exit Aliso Creek Rd).

Go next

 * Laguna Beach
 * Laguna Hills

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

title: Aliso Viejo


text:
Aliwal North

Aliwal North is a town of 4,000 people in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, close to the border of the Free State. The principal attractions of Aliwal North are two hot mineral springs, both of which have extremely high concentrations of minerals and gases.

The thermal springs resort, named Aliwal Spa, is located within the municipal area.

By car
Drive south from Bloemfontein, north-west over the beautiful Barkley Pass, from Barkley-East, or north from Queenstown.

Eat & drink

 * The Orange Gecko, part of Riverside Lodge

Sleep
Accommodation is plentiful in the town.

title: Aliwal North


text:
Alix

Alix is a village of about 700 people (2016) in the Central Corridor east of Red Deer.

Understand
Alix's village mascot is the Alix-Gator, who is featured prominently on many signs and businesses.

Alix was founded as Toddsville. The settlement was incorporated on June 3, 1907, and was named after Alexia Westhead, the first white woman settler of the community (Alix was her nickname).

Alix became the home to Dr. Irene Parlby, minister without portfolio in Alberta's 1921 provincial government and one of the "Famous Five" Alberta women who argued in the Supreme Court against government officials who argued that women cannot be senators because there was no intent to include them in the definition of the term "persons" under the Canadian constitution. The Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council ultimately granted their appeal and found in their favour.

By car
Alix is located at the intersection of Highways 12 & 611, about 30 minutes east of Lacombe and 40 minutes east of Red Deer. Highway 11 (from Red Deer) passes just of town while Highway 21 passes just east of town.

 * From Red Deer: travel east on Highway 11, turn north on Highway 601 to Alix.
 * From Edmonton: travel south on QEII to Highway 12 east (exit 422) through Lacombe, continue east on Highway 12 to Alix. Alternatively follow the slower paced Highway 21 south from Sherwood Park to either Highway 611 or 12 and turn west.
 * From Calgary: travel north on QEII to Highway 11 east (exit 401) through Red Deer, continue east on Highways 11 and 611 to Alix.

Do

 * 6-km walking trail along the lake shore starting at Lake Street for waterfowl- and wildlife-watching
 * Winter sports include hockey, figure skating, and public skating at the indoor arena and three sheets of ice at the curling rink.
 * Winter sports include hockey, figure skating, and public skating at the indoor arena and three sheets of ice at the curling rink.

Camping

 * Alix Lake Recreation Area Campground: 11 campsites with power, on the shores of Alix Lake, playground, bathroom and shower facilities and a well stocked concession. Call +1 403-318-0174, mid-May to early September.
 * Content Bridge Campground: on the Red Deer River south of Alix on Highway 21. Call +1 403-742-0777 or 403-886-0777.
 * Haunted Lakes Golf Course Campground: easy walking distance to the nine-hole golf course. Call +1 403-747-2330.
 * Ol' MacDonalds Campground: on the shore of Buffalo Lake which is north east of Alix. Call +1 403-742-6603.

title: Alix


text:
Northwestern Iraq

Northwestern Iraq (also known as Al-Jazira, Upper Mesopotamia, Assyria, Nineveh, or Ninawa) is a region largely between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the northwestern part of Iraq.

Cities

 * - A city located on the step of the Zagros Mountains in Iraq, its the 2nd oldest continously inhabited city in Iraq After Erbil, It's also home to the Famous Kirkuk Castle which is often considered the oldest part of the city. It's nicknamed "small iraq" due to its ethnic diversity of Kurds,Turkmens,Arabs and Assyrians.
 * - The site of Nineveh, the Al-Nuri Mosque, and other sites, nearly all of which were destroyed during the conflict with ISIS.
 * - Largest Assysrian town in northern Iraq
 * - A historic Christian town
 * - Majority Kurdish city near the Syrian border.
 * - a largely Iraqi Turkmen town, home to a large Ottoman-era fortress.
 * - The birthplace of Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq. It's also home to many historical sites.
 * - The birthplace of Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq. It's also home to many historical sites.

Other destinations

 * - . Ruins of the former capital of the Assyrian Empire, the city was founded around 2500 BC and inhabited until the 14th century AD
 * - archaeological, partially destroyed by ISIS in 2015.
 * - Ruins of the former capital of the Assyrian Empire, located in present day Khorsabad.

Get in
As of 2024, Northwestern Iraq is Moderately safe for travelers. Most of the urban areas have been rebuilt and terrorism is low but avoid rural areas as there is still small isis presence in those regions.

When traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan, you can visit via the Kirkuk-slemani road.

Border crossings
You can realize that you're entering Northwestern Iraq by the flags at the checkpoints. Know the difference between Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan flags.

Get around
You can fly using the Kirkuk international Airport. Fees from Kirkuk to Mosul usually are 46,000 IQD.

See
Although alot of Sites have been destroyed due to the war with ISIS, tons of Others still remain.

Drink
The drinking age of Iraq is 21.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Iraq article for information on the security situation.

Northwestern Iraq is moderately safe for any travel or sightseeing. The threat of terrorism is low, Most cities have been rebuilt, and landmines are non-existent.

title: Northwestern Iraq


text:
Al Khor

Perched on the eastern coast of the Qatari peninsula, Al-Khor (alternatively, Al Khawr; Arabic: الخور) is a major settlement just north of Doha. The city is far older than Doha, but much smaller (the population is roughly 31,000). It used to be the center of the now non-existent pearl trading industry, so now the city is undergoing renovation.

Get in
The Route 102 and 102x buses (timetable) towards Al Thakhira and Al Khor Community respectively service the town. Both depart from Al Ghanim Bus Station in Doha, with a bus every half an hour or so. The 102 has an hour and a half journey time, while the 102x will save you about 15 minutes. There are different timetables for Saturday-Thursday and Fridays. Be aware that buses can be affected by service changes and disruptions, so it is recommended you call Mowasalat to confirm first on +974 4458 8888.

Al-Khor is about 50 kilometres north of Doha, reached by either Al Shamal Road (Q1) to Al Ruwais, or by the Al Khor Coastal Road (Q1A), passing by the Doha Moto GP racetrack, Lusail City and the Pearl Qatar. The trip should take 45 minutes.

Do

Al-Khor is a pleasant and quiet town, and though its Corniche cannot match Doha's in beauty, it does offer a nice enough place to relax and sunbathe, or play beach volleyball or cricket if you feel like being a little more active. There are plenty of shady places to sit near the sand, but you can't swim in the bay here as, like much of Qatar, the water is too shallow.

Stay healthy
Hamad Medical Corporation has a medical emergency department at its local clinic here.

Connect
Free Wi-Fi is available outside along the Corniche.

title: Al Khor


text:
Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a historic city in the Province of North Holland in the Netherlands, about 10 km inland from the coast, and 40 km north-west of Amsterdam. The city's population is about 95 000, the whole urban area has about twice that number. Alkmaar is the regional center for the northern part of the province, serving about 600 000 people. The city center preserves the 17th-century pattern of canals and narrow streets, and has many historic buildings (and some ugly new ones). The nearby beaches and dune reserves are easily accessible from Alkmaar. Inland is a historic agricultural landscape, with 17th century polders: one (De Beemster) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand
Alkmaar is on the 'peninsula' of Holland, north of Amsterdam and Haarlem. In the Middle Ages, this was a region of lakes and marshes, lying behind the coastal dunes. (The medieval coastline was different: the sea began north of the line Medemblik - Schagen - Petten). In the last 800 years, the region behind the dunes was reclaimed from lakes and the sea - often several times, as land was flooded again and again. The polders around Alkmaar are among the oldest in the Netherlands. The small Achtermeer, south of Alkmaar, was the first recorded drainage of a lake by windmills, in 1532.

Alkmaar began as a small settlement on higher ground, a natural sand ridge (old beach line). The oldest towns and villages in the County of Holland were built on these ridges, or at the edge of the dunes: Alkmaar is the most northern of the towns. The settlement was first recorded in the 9th century. As it grew, Alkmaar was granted city rights in 1254. It had a strategic importance as a defensive position for the County of Holland: the hostile West Frisian lands began on the other side of the moat, on the Oudorp side.

By the late Middle Ages, Alkmaar was the largest town north of Amsterdam and Haarlem, and it still is. It was a market town for the agricultural products of the region, and the Alkmaar cheese market is a reminder of that function. In 1573, during the Dutch Revolt, Alkmaar was besieged by the Spanish forces. The siege failed, and since then the 'victory at Alkmaar' is regarded as a turning point in the Netherlands' independence from Spain.

In the 17th century Alkmaar was an important provincial city, and the layout of the old city is mainly from this period. Some of the older buildings, including all the city gates, were demolished in the 19th century, but most of the damage to the historic character was done by urban renewal, from the 1960s onward.

Although it is near the sea, Alkmaar has no coastal harbor. The coastal dunes have no natural inlet, and shipping formerly sailed eastwards to the sea, via lakes and channels. Between Alkmaar and the coast are the forested dunes of the Schoorlse Duinen, most of it a nature reserve. At the edge of the dunes are the villages of Egmond-Binnen, Egmond aan den Hoef, Bergen, Schoorl and Groet. In late-medieval times the coast stopped just north of Groet, but the present coastline extends to Den Helder, a naval port at the northern tip of the province.

Alkmaar today is a medium-size Dutch city, and it has outgrown its municipal boundaries. Much of the newest housing is in suburbanised villages such as Heerhugowaard, 10 km to the north-east of the old city. Together with the city, they house about 200 000 people. However Alkmaar is not an administrative capital, it has no university but it has a university for professional education ('hogeschool' in Dutch), which offers bachelor's degrees in several programmes. Its proximity to Amsterdam prevents Alkmaar from being an independent regional urban center, like Zwolle or Maastricht.

Get in
Alkmaar is served by Intercity trains from Amsterdam, 4 trains per hour, journey time 35–40 minutes. These Intercity trains start in Nijmegen or Maastricht, stop at Utrecht and end in Den Helder. At Amsterdam-Sloterdijk station, on the western edge of Amsterdam, they connect with trains to Schiphol Airport, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Breda.

Alkmaar is also on a train route from The Hague via Haarlem and Alkmaar, to Hoorn, every 30 minutes. At weekends, you must change trains in Haarlem.

By public transit
Alkmaar is served by train through, which is serviced with Sprinter (stopping train) and Intercity (fast train) services to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Haarlem, Hoorn and Maastricht. The station's bus station is served mostly by Connexxion, for which it is a local hub, with buses to Egmond aan Zee, Heerhugowaard , Bergen aan Zee and Broek op Langedijk. There are also two services to the province of Friesland via the Afsluitdijk, serviced by Arriva. These are to Leeuwarden and  to Harlingen. The latter, however, is only active during summers. These two routes, however, are significantly faster than taking a train via Amsterdam and Zwolle to get to the same destinations.

Local bus services connect Alkmaar to surrounding villages and towns, up to about 30 km away. They all stop at Alkmaar bus station, beside the railway station. Some routes also stop at the northern edge of the old city centre (on Kanaalkade), or at the southern edge (at the Metiusgracht stop, across the bridge from the windmill 'Molen van Piet').

By ferry
You can get to visit Alkmaar from the UK by using a ferry to Holland. There are a number of ferry companies based in the North East of England whose ports in Holland are a short drive away from Alkmaar, which also offer a range of mini-cruises.

By bicycle
The signposted long-distance cycle route LF7 includes a section from Amsterdam to Alkmaar. This section begins by crossing on the ferry (Buiksloterwegveer), behind Amsterdam Centraal Station. About half the route is through rural areas, including the shore of the Alkmaarder Meer, 'Lake Alkmaar'- although in fact it is beside Uitgeest. It is the only large lake left in the region - all the others were drained over the last 450 years. In Alkmaar, the LF7 passes through the old city, near the station. The route is 57 km long, takes about 4 hours, and you must pay careful attention to the signs, or you will take a wrong turn. There is also a direct cycle route, along the N203 road via Zaandam. It has a cycle lane, but you would cycle for 2–3 hours alongside a busy road.

You can also rent a bike as you arrive in Alkmaar at Fietspoint Stoop beside the train station, immediately to the right as you exit. For more on bike rental (and other cycle routes) see below, Cycle routes and rental.

See
The old city of Alkmaar is approximately an oval, south-east of the station. It is about 1 km from east to west, so everything is within walking distance. Shops and public buildings are concentrated in the western part, nearest the station, the east and south are residential. There is one shopping centre just outside the old city, Noorderarcade, accessible by footbridge across the North Holland Canal. The old city contains most of the historic buildings.

From the station: turn right as you leave the station, along Stationsweg. Turn right along Scharlo, cross the bridge over the Singelgracht (the old moat), and you are in the old city. The bridge is 5–10 minutes walk from the station.

The west side
The bridge into the old city is called the, the old route to Bergen. The city gate here (Bergerpoort) was demolished in the 19th century. On the corner just after the bridge, at Zevenhuizen 13-23, is the. A hofje is an almshouse, especially from before 1850, often built around an enclosed courtyard. They were funded by legacies of wealthy citizens and usually bore their names. This one was funded by a legacy of Pieter Claez Paling and Josina van Foreest, around 1540: their family coats of arms are above the door. Only Catholic women could live here until 1670, when Protestants were admitted but lived separately. With 19th-century additions, the hofje now forms a block around an enclosed garden.

Most of the moat around the old city has survived, its present extent dates from about 1590. On the north side it is now the Noordhollands kanaal, a shipping route, and the quayside is a busy road. On the west and south, the old bastions are planted with trees, and there is a footpath along the waters edge. A small section of the old city (around Heiligland) was cut off when the Noordhollands kanaal was built (in 1824).

The is the best preserved section along the old moat. The footpath passes an arched door leading to a vault: this is the former gunpowder magazine, converted to an icehouse around 1850. (The ice was cut from the moat in winter, and used to cool the vault until the summer). The vault is now home to Alkmaar's bats. The footpath also passes a small water gate, Lamoraalsluis: boats entered the small harbour here, Scheteldoekshaven, which connects to the Lindegracht and the Oude Gracht. The curving street Geest was also a canal, until 1899. The many breweries in Alkmaar were concentrated on the Lindegracht, when the harbour was still in use. Small canals linked Alkmaar to Egmond and to Bergen.

 * Across the Singelgracht, at the end of the footbridge, is the
 * The only windmill of the city centre, De Groot, known better as
 * The only windmill of the city centre, De Groot, known better as

Laurenskerk and Langestraat
The old city has two main squares: the one nearest the station is the Canadaplein, on the north side of Alkmaar's main church, the. Also known as the Grote Kerk, it was built between 1470 and 1520, at the highest point on the sand ridge. The late-gothic church is built in Brabant Gothic style: it contains the early-Renaissance tomb of Floris V, Count of Holland (1254 -1296). The church is open daily in summer, but it is now mainly used for conferences, receptions, and concerts. The Canadaplein is enclosed by the new city library and museum, and the theater and cultural centre De Vest.

The main street is the Langestraat, which starts at the Sint Laurenskerk, and ends just south of the Waagplein. Halfway along the street is the late-gothic or Town Hall, built in 1509 - 1520. The building and the tower were restored in 1911-1913, and the present façade is in fact a copy of the original. The extension on the corner with Schoutenstraat, was rebuilt in 1694 in classicist style. The door displays the coats of arms of former mayors, and allegorical figures of Prudence and Justice. The hall contains two monochrome allegorical paintings (ca. 1694) by Romeyn de Hooghe.

At Langestraat 93 is a patrician house from the same period as Huize Egmont (below), the. Built in 1748, it is now used as part of the Town Hall. The name is from an earlier tavern on the site and means "The Moor's Head". Above the entrance is a bay window, topped by a polychrome sculpture. The interior has a hall in Italian marble, and stucco walls and ceilings.

At Langestraat 114 is, a house with decorated sandstone façade, built in 1742 in Louis XIV style for Carel de Dieu, mayor of Alkmaar. Impress your friends by pointing out the alternation of grooved triglyphs and plain metopes on the cornice. Refer them to Vitruvius Book IV, Chapter 2 for the origin of triglyphs and metopes. The architect of Huize Egmont was Jean Coulon from Amsterdam, the son of a Huguenot refugee, and the pioneer of the Louis XIV style in the Netherlands. The sculptors Asmus Frauen (Amsterdam) and Willem Straetmans (Alkmaar) worked on the interior, and collaborated again in the reconstruction of the Kapelkerk. Coulon was the architect of Herengracht 539 in Amsterdam, which has many examples of this style.

North of the Langestraat, and parallel to it, is the Gedempte Nieuwesloot, meaning the 'filled-in new ditch'. Halfway along the street is the Hof van Sonoy, which is also a street name.

Beside the Hof van Sonoy is the, at Lombardsteeg 23. This is another almshouse, for eight elderly men - hence the name (House of Eight). Its official name is the Provenhuis van Johan van Nordingen, founded with Nordingen's legacy in 1657. The figures on the Renaissance façade, and the wood carvings in the hall, indicate its function as a hospice for men. The windows of the eight rooms are visible on the Veerstraat and Lombardsteeg side. On the Nieuwesloot side is the regents chamber, and the house of the supervisor. Inside, a covered passage encloses a garden.

Further north, parallel to Gedempte Nieuwesloot, is the Koningsweg. The first stone for the was laid in August 1598. The side walls and the ceilings are original, the wooden frame of the house (Scandinavian oak) has been reconstructed. The present bell gable façade dates from 1787, enlarged 1925. The house had a sunken bed alcove, and its own well and cistern at the rear.

Around the Waag
The main market square is the Waagplein, with the most photogenic building of Alkmaar, the Waag or weighing-house. It forms the backdrop for most postcards of the Alkmaar cheese market. The Waag now houses the Kaasmuseum (Cheese Museum). The building was built as a chapel around 1390, and converted to a municipal weigh-house in 1582.

Just north of the Waagplein is the, housed in a 17th-century brewery at Houttil 2. This was one of the largest breweries in Alkmaar. Beer was drunk in huge quantities in medieval towns, which rarely had a safe supply of drinking water. Alkmaar brewers brought clean water in barrels, from streams or ponds in the dunes: at the quayside they were lifted by a special crane. Open M-Sa 13:00-16:00, during the cheese market 11:00-16:00. Closed on Sundays, public holidays and the 8th of October. The bar serves 86 kinds of beer. Entrance €5.00, children aged 7-12 €2.50.

South of the Waagplein is the or fish market, at the corner of Mient and Verdronkenoord. Until the 19th century, most food and agricultural products were traded on street markets. The larger the town, the more specialized street markets it had. The names of these markets survive as street names in old European cities: for instance, Haymarket, Heumarkt, and Hooimarkt. The Hague has a Kalvermarkt, Varkenmarkt, and a Dagelijkse Groenmarkt - calves market, pigs market, and daily vegetable market. Alkmaar also has a Paardenmarkt (horse market) and a Turfmarkt: turf was the main domestic fuel until about 1870.

 * The simple covered fish stalls were first built in the 16th century, and renovated around 1755. In the 19th century. Fish were sold here until 1998. The columns (first wood, later stone) were replaced with cast-iron pillars. The fish were sold on the stone tables, usually after being kept in baskets in the canal behind the stall. The door gave access to the canal, which was also to transport the fish: similar fish stalls in other old towns also back onto a canal. The pomp dates from 1785, and was renewed in 1882. Another typical feature of these fish stalls are the copper grilles on the drains: the salt (used to preserve fish) would corrode iron grilles.

The Waagplein and the squares and streets surrounding it are lined with bars, and is the focal point of Alkmaars nightlife.

Oude Gracht
The longest canal in the old city is the Oude Gracht, with its continuation the Lindegracht. On this relatively wide canal, parallel to the Langestraat, are several historic houses.

At Ritsevoort 2, on the corner with Oude Gracht, is the. This hofje was founded in 1646, with a legacy from Margaretha Splinter. It was rebuilt after her death as a hofje for eight unmarried ladies, in needy circumstances but of good family. The Splinter coat of arms is on the façade. The unmarked door beside the lawyers office leads to a small covered passage, along the eight tiny houses. The hofje is private, but the door is often open for visitors, on the expectation they will visit quietly.

At Oudegracht 247 is, an a 17th-century house that was renovated in the 18th century. The façade is in neo-classical style: the transom window (above the door) depicts a double coat of arms. The marble-floored hall leads to the main garden room, with stucco ceiling and mantelpiece.

At are two photogenic 17th-century houses: the house with the corbel gable has a stone indicating the date, 1623. The frieze includes two lion masks, the other house has two canons and two ships on the façade. The stone (now polychrome) possibly refers to the Alkmaar sea-captain who had the house built.

 * Just off the canal, in the Hofstraat (nr 15), is the . Jews were admitted to Alkmaar in 1604, the building was bought in 1802, expanded, and converted to a synagogue. Behind it was a school, and there was a house for the rabbi and a 'mikwe' (ritual bath). The dates on the façade are the Jewish-calendar dates of renovation, 1826 en 1844. The Alkmaar Jews were arrested in March 1942, and almost all of them were murdered. The building stood derelict until the Baptists bought it in 1952, the building retook its original function as a synagogue in December of 2011 after the Baptists had already moved out three years earlier.

At Oudegracht 187 is the, built in 1692. The exterior is simple: the interior has a wooden barrel vault with raised centre section, and a decorated porch. The 1754 organ has rococo carvings: the swan on the organ is a symbol of Luther, and of the Lutheran church.

At Oudegracht 45-91 is a large hofje, the. This one was founded by Gerrit Florisz. Wildeman - built in 1717, rebuilt in 1849. To honour the founder, there is a statue of a Wild Man with club, in the decorated porch. The Wild Man - a figure from mediaeval and early-modern European mythology - was also included in the Wildeman coat of arms, a tradition also in Germany. The other allegorical figures represent Age and Poverty, the statue is by the Alkmaar sculptor Jacob van der Beek: there is a second statue in the symmetrical enclosed garden. The hofje housed 24 elderly women.

At the corner with Keetgracht is the, or former municipal workshop (literally 'city carpenters wharf'). Most Dutch cities had similar workshops and yards: this one started as a shed around 1600, and was considerably expanded in 1726. The corbel in the façade indicates that a second story has been added.

Verdronkenoord
Verdronkenoord ('drowned place') is the second main canal of Alkmaar. In the Kapelsteeg, just off the canal, is the second church of late mediaeval Alkmaar, the. It was first built between 1500 and 1540, in the Brabant gothic style. The church was reconstructed in Dutch classicist style in 1707: a transept and domed spire were added. It was rebuilt again (after a fire) in 1762. When the church was built, the Laat was a canal, so the entrance is in an alley.

The exterior has 'speklagen', alternating layers of stone and brick, a feature of late Gothic architecture. In the interior is a closed bench for the magistrates (council) of the city, in Louis XIV style (1707). A second pair of benches was added in 1762, for army officers, regents of almshouses, and similar notables. The 1762 rebuilding included a rococo chancel with screen and an organ-case, by the sculptors Asmus Frauen and Willem Straetmans, who also worked on Huize Egmont (Langestraat 114). The organ itself is by Christian Müller. The present stained-glass windows date from much later, 1920-1940. There is detailed description (in Dutch, with images of the interior) at the church website.

At Verdronkenoord 78 is the Catholic : like the Laurenskerk it is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, an early Christian martyr who was roasted to death. Duplicate churches are common in the Netherlands: the older Laurenskerk is of course Protestant since the Reformation. This Catholic version was built in neo-gothic style in 1859-1861, and was an early work by the most prominent Dutch neo-gothic architect, Pierre Cuypers. The interior is also neo-gothic, with marlstone reliefs, and a fresco depicting the Blood Miracle of Alkmaar (1429). This was one of the many mediaeval miracle stories associated with the Catholic belief in the transformation of bread and wine into the Body of Christ, transubstantiation. The piece of cloth with three drops of 'blood' is still kept in this church, and still revered by traditionalist Catholics.

At Verdronkenoord 45 is a substantial 17th century warehouse with a decorated gable, named (Vigilance). The gable has a split arch with vase, two oval cartouches and other floral decorations. The façade is in the style of the Amsterdam architect Philip Vingboons, compare the house at Rokin 145 or the Cromhout houses in Amsterdam.

Luttik Oudorp
The third main canal in the old city is Luttik Oudorp. On the corner with Appelsteeg is the only surviving wooden-fronted house in Alkmaar,. The 'house with the cannonball' gets its name from the fact that it was struck by a Spanish cannonball, during the Siege of Alkmaar in 1573. There is still a cannonball on the façade as a reminder. The occupants, the Calvinist preacher Jan Arendsz and his family, were unharmed.

Across the bridge from the cannonball house is a shorter canal, the photogenic, with a quay on one side only (the other houses back onto the water). The parallel narrow street, Achterdam, (at the front of these houses) forms the entire red light district of Alkmaar. Achterdam is one of four streets around a rectangular block. Their names indicate it is a unit, in fact a late 15th-century land reclamation: Dijk, Voordam, Achterdam, Zijdam - dike, front dam, rear dam and side dam.

The canals in the old cities of Holland had an economic function: they were a vital means of transport. Warehouses and the few industries were on the quayside. Goods were unloaded from barges, and often hoisted into the upper stories. At Luttik Oudorp 81 is a typical large warehouse with a projecting beam for the hoist, ('The Wheatsheaf'). The warehouse has double access doors on four stories, and next to them arched windows (originally with shutters in place of glass). The sandstone blocks alongside the door carried the original heavy hinges. The upper storey (with the three arched windows) is the hoist floor, the hoist wheel survives. The hoist could be worked from any of the floors below.

In the long narrow street Fnidsen, parallel to Luttik Oudorp, is a simple (Fnidsen 35-39). This is a schuilkerk, or 'hidden church'. After the Reformation, the Dutch Reformed Church was the only legal religion. As time went on, Catholics and non-conformist Protestant sects, were allowed to practice their religion, but only out of public view. Chapels inside private houses were tolerated, and later small churches, so long as they did not look like churches. This one was built in 1658, to replace a secret meeting place in a mill. The gate with the two flanking houses was built later, in 1728. The wrought iron above the door incorporates the letters RK (Remonstrantse Kerk), the interior has a 17th-century chancel with 18th-century baptistery screen, and copper chandeliers from the same periods, and a deal floor (traditionally covered with sand).

The northern side
On the northern side of the old city, almost all traces of the city wall have gone. The moat was enlarged in 1824 to become the Noordhollands kanaal, and the canal quayside was later used as a harbour. The quayside road (Kanaalkade) is now the main road around the city centre, so it is unpleasantly busy.

At the beginning of Kanaalkade there is a 'peninsula' in the canal,, with the new municipal offices (Stadskantoor, 2001) and the 1980s Alkmaar police station.

Opposite the police station is a, built for the North Holland Cooperative Dairy Export Association in 1919, and later used by the Eyssen company. The style is a simplified late Jugendstil, by the Frisian architect Zytse Feddema, who designed several other cheese warehouses. The offices were on the ground floor, the cheeses were stored above. The small windows are typical of cheese warehouses: they are intended for ventilation, not for light. The building is now in temporary use as artists studios.

Further along Kanaalkade is a footbridge, the, linking the old city to the redeveloped northern bank, with apartments and a shopping centre on a former industrial area. (Alkmaars factories are concentrated along the shipping canal). After the next bridge (Friesebrug), there is a small 19th-century park,, with a statue of Alcmaria Victrix by F. Stracké (1873), nicknamed Victorientje. The winged figure commemorates the victory in the Siege of Alkmaar, and is an informal symbol of Alkmaar - several local sports teams are named 'Alcmaria Victrix'. The barely noticeable brick wall along Wageweg, at the edge of the park, is part of the original city wall.

The Bierkade, or 'beer quay', forms the eastern edge of the centre. At Bierkade 23 is the or Excise Tower, built 1622. This quayside was the enclosed harbour of Alkmaar, and as in much of Europe, the city had its own import duties. (The abolition of internal tolls and excise duties was a prominent demand of 19th-century liberalism). The Excise Tower was, despite its form, essentially an office building. The square brick tower has stone bands, and is capped by a balconied wooden bell tower (for a tocsin, or alarm bell). The tower is not on its original site: it was built closer to the houses, Because the narrow quay was an obstacle for the increasing motor traffic, the entire tower was moved outwards in 1924, by sliding it on rails.

Outside the centre
A small ferry for pedestrians and cyclists crosses the Noordhollands kanaal from the Bierkade. On the other side is part of the old city which was reclaimed in 1607, and later cut off by the canal in 1824. The name of the area, 't Veneetse, like the street name Fnidsen in the centre, is a corruption of Venezia (Venice). At is a former butchers shop, a 19th-century shop-front complete with wooden awning.

From here you can walk north to - once a separate village, now surrounded by modern housing (it was annexed to Alkmaar in 1972). It is on the old road north (Herenweg): on the way to the next village (Sint Pancras), the old road crosses the Hoornsevaart, the old canal to Hoorn. Along the banks of the Hoornsevaart are four of the six surviving. Six windmills were built on the dike here from 1627 to 1630 to drain the adjoining polder. One burnt down in 1688, and one was dismantled, to be rebuilt at the Netherlands Open-Air Museum in Arnhem. While it was there in storage, during the Second World War, it was destroyed by a British bomb.

From Oudorp you can walk back along the Munnikenweg (monks' way). This is one of the oldest roads in the region, which was built under Count Floris V, around 1270.

 * Along the road there were two castles, (or Middelburcht), and  (or Nieuwburcht). The ground plan of Nijenburg castle is now indicated by brick paths (in the park between the road and the Hoornsevaart canal, see the roadside map). All that is left of the other castle is a slight rise in a field (beside the road, with sign). The castles were built for defence against the Frisians: in the early Middle Ages Holland and Friesland were still joined by land. They were separated as the Zuider Zee  grew in the 12th and 13th centuries. The area east of Alkmaar, towards Hoorn and Enkhuizen, is still known as West Friesland.

At the end of the Munnikenweg is another windmill, a functioning grain windmill called - moved here from its original location in Zaandam. The Friese weg (Frisian way, the old road to Friesland) takes you back to the city centre, across the Friese brug (Frisia bridge).
 * 't Roode Hert has a shop, where you can buy the milled eco-flour, pasta, and nuts. Open Monday afternoon, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:30, 16:00 on Saturday. The mill is a work project for the mentally handicapped.

Until 1870 Alkmaar remained within the old walls, apart from a few houses along the road to the station: see the 1865 map at the city website. The small 19th-century additions to the city are along the moat itself, (Geestersingel and Kennemersingel), or just beyond it, such as the small Emmakwartier, a few 19th-century streets along the Emmastraat, and the Spoorbuurt (railway quarter), between the station and the moat. Early 20th-century development was just beyond those areas, such as the Nassaukwartier around the Nassauplein, and the Bloemwijk, on the other side of Westerweg. The main growth of Alkmaar came after the Second World War, and especially after 1972, when it was officially designated for expansion. The architectural history of all city neighbourhoods is documented by the Alkmaar planning department (Dutch text, with images of typical building style per neighbourhood).

South of the Nassaukwartier is the, a city park since 1607, redesigned by L. A. Springer, from 1902 onwards. The neighbourhood is now dominated by the regional hospital, Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, which originated in the former Cadet School (1893, converted 1929).

The old main road south, passing the Alkmaarderhout, is the Kennemerstraatweg. It used to run through the villages (Heiloo, Limmen, Castricum) towards Haarlem, but the present provincial highway N203 turns toward Zaandam and bypasses the old village streets.

 * At nr. 11 is, named after Maria Tesselschade Roemer Visscher (1594-1649) who married a sea-captain from Alkmaar (it is not entirely certain that she lived in this house). Maria Tesselschade was the most prominent female poet of the Netherlands Golden Age, but is now remembered mainly for her name. Her merchant father had been ruined shortly before her birth, when his ships were sunk in a storm off Texel (Tessel), so he named the baby 'Texel-losses'. The present front of the house dates from around 1800, the wooden carvings depict fishing gear.

West of the old city, Alkmaar station is just north of the Bergerweg, the relocated road to Bergen. The station dates from 1864, but there is very little left of its original glory. Near the station is a 28 meter built in 1900, architect A. Holmberg de Beckfelt. Like other Dutch towns near the coast, Alkmaar began to pipe drinking water from the dunes in the late 19th century. In 1886 about 600 houses were connected, the poor were still dependent on water sold from municipal taps on the streets. In 1889, the schools were connected so that the children could drink clean water. Water remained scarce, and the city sold additional water from municipal rainwater cisterns, fed from the roof of larger buildings.

 * The purpose of a water tower is to maintain the pressure in the network of pipes: the pressure reservoir must be higher than the highest tap in the system. This one has a steel tank for 800 000 litres. In many other countries the reservoir was located on a hill, but in the flat regions a tower is necessary. Water towers became a characteristic feature of Dutch towns and cities, and there are also isolated towers in rural areas. Technological change made them redundant, pumps are now used to maintain pressure.

North of the city centre, the Noordhollands kanaal continues north, to the port of Den Helder. It was built in 1824, for sailing ships with tall masts, and it had no fixed bridges. In rural areas, it was crossed only by ferries and floating bridges. One of these has survived just north of Alkmaar, the, Koedijker Vlotbrug. The wooden bridge has sections that slide under each other, to clear the channel. The best way to reach it is along the canal: the west bank is the main road (Helderseweg), cyclists should use the cycle paths and minor roads on the east bank. From the floating bridge, you can cycle on to Bergen, along the Kogendijk. Beside the floating bridge is a reconstructed windmill, the : it was destroyed by arson in 2001, but has since been reconstructured.

Inland from Alkmaar
To the east of Alkmaar is a landscape of old polders and reclaimed lakes, with about 15 surviving windmills. The best way to see it is on a bike, but several windmills are clustered around the small village of Schermerhorn, which is served by the Alkmaar - Purmerend bus lines 121 and 127, every 30 minutes. Schermerhorn is located between two former lakes, De Schermer (reclaimed in 1635) and De Beemster (reclaimed in 1612).

Do
The things to do in Alkmaar are primarily to see the old city, to play a wonderful collection of pinball machines (Friday nights only!), to walk or cycle in the surrounding countryside, or to go to the beach (see Get out, below). Although the canals in Alkmaar are sometimes narrow, and the bridges low, there is also a canal boat ride. The boats themselves are low, and have no roof: they depart from a jetty in the canal at Mient, almost opposite the Waag.

You can also hire a canoe, and paddle for yourself. This firm rents bicycles and canoes:

In fact you can go further than the old city, on the small canals around Alkmaar. The ring canal of the Bergermeer Polder (Berger Ringvaart) is accessible from the city, part of it runs about 300 m behind the station, alongside a windmill (Eendrachtsmolen). The Hoevervaart, the small canal to Egmond aan den Hoef, is also suitable for canoes. It is connected to the Berger Ringvaart, and to the moat around Alkmaar (Singelgracht).

Football: AZ Alkmaar play soccer in Eredivisie, the Dutch top tier. Their home ground is AFAS Stadion (capacity 17,000) just beyond the ring road 1 km south of the centre.

De Koog pinball gameroom
If you long for the days when you could play a dozen or more different pinball machines at any amusement arcade, Alkmaar has a fabulous and ever-changing private collection in the De Koog gameroom. The owners welcome visitors, and the gameroom is open every Friday. For a few euros, you can play all the machines (which are on Free Play) for the whole evening, from about 20:30 until maybe 01:00; you will also meet some very skilled players, including tournament winners!

If you plan to visit, e-mail them first: you will find contact and other details here ; remember this is a private collection and so the gameroom is occasionally closed. The gameroom is on the top floor of a unit on an industrial estate which is about a 15 to 20 minute drive out of town, so you'll need to organise yourself a taxi to get to Beverkoog and to get home later. However, the owners are very friendly and helpful and will call a cab for you at closing time, if necessary.

If you're truly a pinball fan, De Koog should be on your 'must see' list when you visit the Netherlands! (Unfortunately, the pinball room in Partycenter Silverstone at Zwanenburg is now an 'arcade hall' and now has only three or four pinball machines left: very sad!).

Cycle routes and rental
Besides the Amsterdam-Alkmaar section of the LF7 cycle route, two other national cycle routes pass Alkmaar. The LF15 begins in Egmond aan den Hoef, 6 km south-west of Alkmaar, goes east to Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and ends at Enschede, near the German border. In Alkmaar, both routes (LF7 and LF15) cross the bridge between the station and the old city (at Zevenhuizen). The LF1, along the Belgian and Dutch coast to Den Helder, passes through Egmond aan den Hoef and Schoorl, where it links with the LF7.

There are several signposted cycle routes near Alkmaar - the Droogmakerij route, the Duinstreekroute, the Brede Duinen route, and the Dijkroute. They are circular routes, about 40 to 50 km long, which take you back to their starting point. Routes are usually indicated by hexagonal signs: some are on signposts, but others are on low posts and may be obscured by grass, so look carefully. You can also print a 41-km online cycle tour of Alkmaar and surroundings.
 * The Brede Duinen route was voted the most scenic cycle route in the country, in 2005. You can join it as it crosses the cycle bridge over the Noordhollands kanaal in Alkmaar, 1 km north of the railway bridge. The route passes dune forest, open dunes, the modern sea dike at the Hondsbossche Zeewering, the older mediaeval dike behind it, and old polder landscape with windmills. You can also see how the Dutch upper-middle-class lives, in the dune-edge villages. The route passes through the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, and you need a day ticket (€1.20). You pass a ticket machine at the entrance to the reserve, just north of Bergen.
 * The Droogmakerij route goes around and through the reclaimed Schermer lake, passing almost 20 windmills. You can join it at the 4 windmills in Oudorp, along the Hoornsevaart canal.
 * The Dijkroute is longer (56 km), and further north: much of it runs along the mediaeval ring dike of West Friesland. You can join it at Petten, at the north end of the Hondsbossche Zeewering, or alternatively at Schagen station.

You can rent bikes at the station in Alkmaar, and in Bergen and Schoorl. You need to show a passport, and pay a refundable deposit.
 * Tweewielercentrum Busker, Kerkstraat 1, Bergen
 * Rijwielhandel De Paardenmarkt, Paardenmarkt 45, Schoorl
 * Bikecenter, Paardenmarkt 23, Schoorl.
 * Raat Fietsverhuur, Duinweg 41, Schoorl
 * Raat Fietsverhuur, Duinweg 41, Schoorl

Eat
Almost all bars serve food and the town offers a wide range of restaurants, almost all of which in walking distance from the city center. varying from Dutch to Thai, from Chinese to Russian and Eastern European, from Spanish to Indonesian and from Greek to Scotch. Restaurants are typically open from around 17:00 to 23:30.

 * Abby's Restaurant, Ritsevoort 60. +31 72-511 1111. It's on the edge of the city center, at the foot of the Molen van Piet. Serves lunch and dinner, mains around €20 plus €3.50 for side dishes.
 * De Koperen Pot - Bistro, Luttik Oudorp 59. +31 72-5114742. Serves Dutch/French food and grills.
 * Broodje Ben, Magdalenenstraat 10. Fresh sandwiches filled with cold meats, fish or vegetarian.
 * Grand Café 't Gulden Vlies, Koorstraat 30. Tel. +31 72-5122442. Fax +31 72-5159020. Serves Dutch food.
 * Mexicaans Restaurant Rose's Cantina, Fnidsen 107. Tel. +31 72-5152606. Fax +31 72-5111634. Serves large portions of reasonable Mexican food for €15 to 20.
 * Schots Restaurant Hielander, Ridderstraat 15, +31 72-5120015. Small restaurant for Scottish dining - yes, they do also serve haggis - run by a rotund kilted Scotchman. Main courses are €20 to 25. The restaurant has a vast selection of malt whiskies, and plenty of knowledge to provide you with advice on which ones to choose. During the weekends it's not a bad idea to book ahead, as they regularly book out.
 * Sonneveld Eten & Drinken, Canadaplein 2. +31 72-5489898. It's in Theater De Vest, a good spot if you'd like to combine a play with a meal.
 * Tapas. Alkmaar has a surprisingly large amount of tapas restaurants.
 * La Cubanita, Mient 22. +31 72-5200019. Unlimited tapas for €17.50. Populated with groups of people in their early 20s loudly having a great time. The tapas themselves are rather salty and greasy, which may be just what you want if you plan to have a great time talking, drinking and laughing with friends.
 * Tapas & Co, Fnidsen 101. +31 72-5200562. Unlimited tapas for €19.50 on weekdays and €21.50 on weekends. Very similar to La Cubanita in every way, just add a few euros to the bill, subtract a few decibels (but not too many) from the sound level the crowd produces, and add a couple of years to the median age of the guests.
 * Don Quijote Gedempte Nieuwesloot 11. +31 72-5158847. While the former two aim for a more Latin-American vibe, this place goes for a more Spanish atmosphere - and better food. Tapas are between €4 and €5.
 * Granada, Kerkplein 5. +31 72-5128115. It's near the Canadaplein opposite, while the others centered around the Waagplein. Its pleasant terrace catches some late afternoon sun. It serves not-quite-authentic individual tapas in fairly large portions for around €7, has a 3-course tapas dinner for €29.50 and a set tapas platter main course for €23.50. There is also a-la-carte dining. Between all this your pleasant spot on the terrace is their best asset.
 * Finally, Rose's Cantina mentioned earlier also serves tapas, though this is not their main forte.

Smaller shoarma and kebab places have longer hours, operating from mid-afternoon to as late as 03:00. Alkmaar also has two McDonald's, a Subway, and a Burger King.

Drink
Alkmaar has many bars, which are mostly centred around the Waagplein and Platte Stenen Brug (Mient). Bars are open until 02:00 on weekdays and until 02:30 or 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

 * Café de Lindeboom, Verdronkenoord 114. +31 72-5121743.
 * Café De Tramps, Verdronkenoord 108. +31 72-5156216.
 * Café Joey's, Houttil 26. +31 72-5208878.

Clubs
The main music venue of Alkmaar is Podium Victorie, Pettemerstraat 5. +31 72 - 303 37 00, which is slightly outside the center. Find out what's playing on their website.

You can also often find music at the nearby Hal25.

Occasionally there will be some music at Koel310.

Sleep
Most accommodation in the region is on the coast, especially in the seaside villages, and in the dunes. In Alkmaar, there is one small hotel opposite the station, a larger hotel in the city center, two larger chain hotels, and several bed and breakfasts.

Hotels:

 * Hotel Stad en Land, Stationsweg 92-94. Tel. +31 72 - 5123911, fax +31 72 - 5118440, e-mail info@stadenland.com. opposite the station
 * Golden Tulip Alkmaar, Arcadialaan 6, (near the ring road, at the end of the A9 motorway). Tel. +31 72 - 5401414, fax 072 - 5470141 e-mail info@hotelalkmaar.nl.
 * Amrâth Hotel Alkmaar, Geestersingel 15. Tel. +31 72 - 5186186, fax +31 72 - 5186100, e-mail info@amrathhotelalkmaar.nl.
 * Grand Hotel Alkmaar, Gedempte Nieuwesloot 36. Tel. +31 72 - 5760970, fax 072 - 5625397, e-mail info@grandhotelalkmaar.nl.

Hostel
There is a StayOkay hostel (affiliated to Hostelling International) just south of Egmond aan den Hoef. Open all year, low season weekday bed rate €21. Herenweg 118, 1935 AJ Egmond. Tel +31 72 506 22 69, fax +31 72 506 70 34, e-mail egmond@stayokay.com.

Campsites
Many of the coastal campsites are intended for families with young children. Category, address, and some details of campsites are available at the recreation association website.

 * De Bregman, Schoorl, 3 star.
 * Buitenduin, Schoorl, 2 star. Small forested site.
 * Koningshof, Schoorl, 3 star.
 * Het Lange Veld, Schoorl, 2 star. "The facilities are very basic". No disco, no restaurant, no shop, no activities for children. Dogs and large groups of people are not allowed.
 * Groede, Schoorl, 2 star. "for the over-40s and families with young children up to 10 years old".
 * De Woudhoeve, Egmond aan den Hoef, 4 star. "Hotel is aimed especially at families with young children".

Connect
As of July 2022, Alkmaar has 5G from all Dutch carriers.

Go next
Most non-local visitors to Alkmaar go back the way they came - Amsterdam. Otherwise, t onward destinations:

 * Bergen - luxury seaside destination with the Schoorlse Duinen (protected dunes)
 * Enkhuizen - picturesque village with the Southern Sea Museum
 * Hoorn - a historic port town of the Dutch East India Company
 * Texel - popular seaside island, part of the West Frisian Islands

title: Alkmaar


text:
Prayagraj

Prayagraj (Hindi: प्रयागराज Prayāgrāj), formerly Allahabad, is one of the holiest cities in India, is in Uttar Pradesh. About 80 million people are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage in Prayagraj.

Understand
Prayagraj (pruh-yahg-rahj) is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. Hindu mythology has it that for the Prakrishta Yajna, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Hindu Trinity, chose a land on earth, on which the three rivers would flow in to a quiet confluence. Brahma also referred to it as Tirth Raj or the "king of all pilgrimage sites". Recorded evidence also exists in the Hindu scriptures (the Vedas and the grand epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as also in the Puranas) of this holy place formerly called Prayag. Prayagraj stands at the confluence of two of India's holiest rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna. Sangam, as the confluence is called, is the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals, and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during the Kumbh Mela. An annual Magh Mela is also held in Prayagraj around the Sangam areas in the month of January (Magh is the name of month in Hindu calendar). A third mythical Saraswati river, believed to flow underground towards the Sangam, gives the confluence its other name, Triveni.

Emperor Akbar renamed this city in 1575 and called it Illahabas, which turned into Allahabad. The monarch realised its strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India and also built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy Sangam.

Over the centuries that followed, the then-Allahabad remained on the forefront of national importance, especially during the days of the Indian independence struggle. The chequered history of Prayagraj with its religious, cultural and historical ethos also gave rise to several renowned scholars (M. N. Saha, Harishchandra, Ravindra Khattree, Amar Nath Jha), poets (Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Mahadevi Verma, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitra Nandan Panth), writers (Mahadevi Verma, Ramkumar Verma, Jagdish Gupta), thinkers (Purusottam Das Tandon), statesmen and leaders (Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Murli Manohar Joshi) and the actor Amitabh Bachchan.

The city, an important cantonment during the British Raj, has some beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. In the early 20th century, University of Allahabad was the foremost centre of learning in the country. Prayagraj today is an important city where history, culture and religion create a confluence, much like the sacred rivers that caress it.

Prayagraj used to have a thriving industrial suburb (Naini) till the 1980s, but then those public sector units started closing down one by one, forcing entire generations of young educated Prayagrajis to migrate out of the city in search of work. Today, Prayagraj is slowly inching along in its dream to be an IT hub. And the government administrative offices remain alive and kicking.

In Prayagraj, you can enjoy:
 * The politeness of "ahp" (आप, literally "us") and "hum" (हम, literally "we"), used as a form of respect instead of the singular.
 * The subtle sense of humour of the person on the street.
 * The fun of walking and travelling on rickshaws.

Get in
The best way to reach Prayagraj, if you are coming from outside India, is to take a direct flight to Delhi and then take one of the numerous connecting trains from Delhi to Prayagraj.

By train
Prayagraj is on the trunk train route from Delhi to Kolkata and from Mumbai to Kolkata, so it is well-connected by trains. Innumerable trains stop at Prayagraj.

There are several railway stations in the city, including, , and.

Most of long distance trains call at Prayagraj Junction. Rambag station is generally used by trains that terminate in the city. Prayagraj Sangam Terminal is used mainly during the important religious festivals for the better management and control of extra pilgrim traffic on those occasions.

The Howrah Rajdhani Express, though a better train, lands at a very odd hour in Prayagraj (11:43PM) from Delhi which can be inconvenient for Prayagraj being a really quiet place at night. The best train from Delhi to Prayagraj is the Prayag Raj Express which leaves from New Delhi at 9:30PM and arrives in Prayagraj at 6AM next day. The train runs every day.

The New Delhi–Prayagraj Duronto Express leaving Prayagraj for New Delhi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:40PM and reaches New Delhi at 06:05AM the next day with number 2275. This is a non-stop service with AC1, AC2, AC3 and non-AC 3 Tier composition. Down service from New Delhi leaves on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11:00PM and reaches Prayagraj at 06:20AM the next day with number 2276. Fares are marginally higher than other superfast and express trains.

Other express trains include:
 * From New Delhi:
 * Rajdhani: Bhubaneswar Tejas Rajdhani Express, Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, Rajendra Nagar Terminal Tejas Rajdhani Express, Ranchi Rajdhani Express, Sealdah Rajdhani Express
 * Non-Rajdhani: Poorva Express, Prayagraj Humsafar Express, Varanasi Vande Bharat Express
 * From Old Delhi: Brahmaputra Mail, Netaji Express
 * From Howrah: Netaji Express, Poorva Express, Vibhuti Express

By car or bus
NH 19 connecting to Delhi and Kolkata, NH 35 connecting to Mirzapur, Jhansi and Udaipur, NH 30 connecting to Lucknow, Rewa and Southern India and NH 130 connecting to Sultanpur-Faizabad runs through the city. Several buses ply to and from nearby cities and towns.

Get around
Hire a cyclerickshaw. It is the cheapest, best and most widely available means of transport. You will have to haggle for the prices, though.

Auto rickshaws (3-wheelers) are also cheap modes of travel inside the city.

City buses are available on certain routes but their arrivals and departures are unpredictable.

Museums
Visit to a historical city like Prayagraj can not be complete without understanding and feeling its vibrant and varied history. The city is rich in museums and offers attractive spots for people of every discourse.

Dussehra
Dussehra is an auspicious time to visit the colorful city. In every corner of the city famous 'Ramleela' is organized with zeal and enthusiasm. Every class of society participates in the festival. Ramleela of Pattharchatti and Pajawa are worthy of seeing. Famous 'Kali dance' is organized in Daraganj in late nights of 4th, 5th and 6th days of Navratri. People horde in large numbers in narrow streets of Daraganj to see the dance.

During these days, Durga Puja is also celebrated by Bengali community which makes a major section of Prayagraj society. Puja pandals of Darbhanga colony and Jagat Taran College are the best places to enjoy the marvelous works of craftsmen of the city.

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is the best time to immerse yourself in Hindu rituals and culture, organized once in every 12 years. 2001 Kumbh Mela became the largest ever human gathering in history when 80-90 million pilgrims converged.

Kumbh Mela is the biggest festival for Hindus, the date are written in the ancient holy Vedas. The festivals of Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami are the most auspicious days when 'Shahi Snaana' are held. The dates are set according to the complex Hindu calendar and change every year.

Every year, a smaller version of Kumbh called Magh Mela is organised which falls during the Hindu month of Magha (Usually January or February). Magh Mela is an auspicious time to get married and Prayagraj will be bustling with marriage processions long into the night during this period.

The Kumbh area is a massive temporary settlement of tents at up on the flood plains of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. It is better to book the camps or hotels in advance as the number of visitors are unbelievably high and most regular accommodation sells out. Many Hindu families spend an entire month in rented tents, or in government tent camps where bunks can be booked for as little as 200IRP per night.

Getting around the camp: The camp area was 40km long in 2019 and vehicles are generally banned (gurus and tourists on motorcycles are sometimes permitted). Ensure you know which sector your camp is in and arrive on the right edge or you could be forced to walk more than 10km. There is generally no English signage, so asking police for directions may be your best option. Temporary bridges across the river are generally one way, and the direction changes seemingly at random as police try to control the crowds.

For safety advice, see below.

Bhagwan Shri Dwadsh Madhav Yearly Parikrama
The parikrama of Bhagwam Shri Dwadash Madhav is the holiest and oldest parikrama on earth. Bhagwan Shri Madhav ji is the chief deity of Prayagraj, known as Tirthraj (king of holy places). In parikrama, the devotee walks around the deity. As per Bhardwaj muni, sins of this birth and previous births are dissolved by performing this holy parikrama. The punya (good karma) rises by this. This parikrama is able to fulfill all desires of devotee. This parikrama was restarted in 2014, after a long gap of 600 years. This parikrama is of about 100 km. A yearly parikrama is usually organised in November.

Buy

 * Guavas are best bought in winter. The red-spotted guavas available in plenty (and at unbelievably cheap prices) are a major attraction.
 * Mangoes in summer
 * Namkeens at LokNath, Chowk

Eat
Prayagraj can be a delight for those who are made for flavour. If you are in Prayagraj, then do not forget to enjoy the Mughalai cuisine of North India.Out of innumerable spots for having delicacies of the North Indian cuisine, a mere glimpse is here. Loknath area of the city may be your favorite spot if you are foody and comfortable with hustle and bustle of 'ilahabadi raunak'. Try chaat from the street side stalls.

Budget
Cheap eats can be found at Chowk bazaar, the historic city centre. So take a bus and get off at Jawahar Square Chowk, then amble down the Loknath Line and tackle the stalls on both sides. This street is the heart of the historic city centre as well as its stomach. The smells are unbelievable. Great eateries are reported below:

In every area of the city there are options and variety for cheap foods. Below some tips:

 * The best crepes from rice batter and black lentils (Masala Dosa) are sold in the stalls around Motilal Nehru Medical College
 * Cheap 'Dhaba style' restaurants are located near the railway station. They are a good option for having a heavy Mughalai nosh-up. Try at Leader & Station Rd (+91 80049 22576).
 * Baati Chokha Near
 * Chaat at Bahrana Triangle
 * Kachauri (spicy snacks with normal thali) at (University gate)
 * Enjoy 'Paan' - Indian mouth freshener, kiosks at every step in the city

Drink
Pubs are very few. Glassy Junction at hotel Milan Palace, Civil Lines, is a good one to hang around on weekends. Another place that comes closest to being a pub is on the top floor of the Kanha Shyam hotel in Civil Lines. Some restaurants, like Hasty Tasty restaurant, Hotel Regency, and the Tourist Bungalow, all situated in Civil Lines, offer chilled beer and liquor. However, most other restaurants do not have liquor on their menu. Drinking in public is frowned upon, drinking in family restaurants is not allowed at all.

Sleep
Prayagraj is the host of the largest gathering in the world and rich in hotels in almost every part of the city.Details of a few of them are here.

Budget
Various dharmshalas are available at negligible charges in old city. Daraganj and Kydganj have plenty of Dharmshalas which are freely available.

Stay safe

 * Power outages are frequent so be prepared and carry a flashlight. Alleys are hard to navigate during the day, and even harder at night, so always be prepared. Sometimes you might run into a cow in an alley.
 * Women should dress conservatively and be very careful as sexual assaults, such as random gropings, can be common. Don't travel alone, especially in less populated areas.

Safety at Kumbh
Deadly stampedes during Kumbh are commonplace: the enormous crowds frequently panic and defy police. Be aware of your surroundings, especially around the train station, bridges and rivers' edge.

Basic sanitation is lacking in many areas. Pilgrims not using toilets, flooding, and lack of drainage make diarrhea outbreaks common. Drink and use only bottled water and bring anti-diarrhea medication.

Alcohol is strictly forbidden, as are glass bottles and glasses.

Cope

 * Knowing some basic Hindi and/or Urdu will help, although you can manage with English.
 * Be prepared to haggle with cyclerickshaw pullers (the best means of transport), for a short trip the price should be about ₹50, autorickshaws slightly less.

Go next

 * Agra there is an overnight sleeper from Prayagraj but it leaves at 11:15 at night and takes approx. 7 hours.
 * Chandauli - Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (Chandraprabha)
 * Chitrakoot
 * Lucknow
 * Mirzapur - Vindham Falls
 * Nandan Kanan amusement park - Water park with pools and slides
 * Pratapgarh - Belha Devi Temple and multiple temples located in city of Pratapgarh
 * Rishabdev Tapasthali - Beautiful Jain Temples in Jusi, about 15 km from Prayagraj on the road toward Varanasi. The place has arrangements for stay and food. (Call +91-532-2567067, +91-9956260218)
 * Satna by train - and bus to Khajuraho
 * Tones river
 * Varanasi
 * Jaunpur (100 km): Meideval town with a fort along with several mosques and tombs

title: Prayagraj


text:
Allamuchy

Allamuchy is a township in the Skylands region of New Jersey.

Get in
Route 80, exits 19 and 25

Several buses going between New York City and Scranton in Pennsylvania, stop at Panther Valley throughout the day.

title: Allamuchy


text:
Allegan

Allegan is a city in West Michigan.

History
The men after whom Allegan's downtown streets were named – Elisha Ely, Samuel Hubbard, Charles Christopher Trowbridge, Pliny Cutler, and Edmund Monroe – patented land in the area in 1833. They considered the site a prime location for industry, due to its potential for water power (since it straddled the Kalamazoo River) and water bound transportation. By 1835, a dam and sawmill had been established.

In 1886, a one-lane bridge was built over the Kalamazoo River to connect limited highway M-89 to the downtown area. The bridge fell into disrepair and was going to be removed until a group of activists raised the money to restore the bridge in 1983. Now a highlight of Allegan, the one-lane bridge is used in the city logo and is considered an important part of the city.

In 1914, Allegan entered the automobile (race car) industry as the manufacturing site of Howard E. Blood and Louis Chevrolet's unique chain-drive Cornelian automobile. The venture was short-lived, however, with fewer than 100 Cornelians actually produced.

Easter/Passover Weekend 1967, some scenes from the movie ''Ciao! Manhattan were filmed at the old Allegan County Jail, now the Allegan County Jail Museum''.

By car
From the larger town of Holland, drive southeast on State Route 40 and you will eventually reach a highway junction, which is in Allegan. Another option is to drive south from Grand Rapids on U.S. Route 131 until you reach State Route 222 (116th Avenue), and take the westbound exit. Drive a few miles west on Route 222 and you should cross a river and you should be in Allegan.

title: Allegan


text:
Allegany County

There is more than one place called Allegany County or Allegheny County:

United States of America

 * Allegany County (Maryland) — A county in Western Maryland.
 * Allegany County (New York) — A county in the Southern Tier.
 * Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) — A county in the Pittsburgh Region.

title: Allegany County


text:
Allegany County (Maryland)

Allegany County is in Western Maryland.

Cities

 * - home of Frostburg State University
 * - main commercial area, where the county mall is located
 * - county seat

Other destinations

 * — a state park with a popular lake for boating and fishing, a large lodge-style resort, and golf course.
 * — a state park with a popular lake for boating and fishing, a large lodge-style resort, and golf course.

Get around
Allegany County Transit (ACT) offers some public transportation options, particularly for the Frostburg State University students between Frostburg & La Vale, but a car is still your best option. Most towns are small enough they can be walked in typically less than an hour to anywhere, at least Frostburg and Cumberland (Maryland).

Go next
AMTRAK has a station in Cumberland (Maryland).

title: Allegany County (Maryland)


text:
Allegany County (New York)

Allegany County is in the Southern Tier of New York state.

Cities

 * — the county seat
 * — home of Alfred State College, one of the state university system's highest-regarded technical schools, as well as the smaller, private Alfred University
 * — antique shopping galore in the "Town Where History Lives"
 * — 19th-century oil boomtown that was briefly the wealthiest municipality in the U.S. per capita, now home to the Pioneer Oil Museum
 * — no longer the "Cheese Capital of the World", but still famous for locally produced cheeses and other dairy products
 * — another college town, this charming village is the home of Houghton College
 * — vacation cottages aplenty on the shore of Rushford Lake
 * — the largest village in Allegany County (population about 4,500), named not for the oil wells that flourished here in the 19th century but for a prominent local citizen

title: Allegany County (New York)


text:
Alleghenies and Susquehanna Valley

The Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania lies in the south-central portion of the state and is near to the Pennsylvania state capital, Harrisburg. Additionally, the Susquehanna Valley is home to a few pockets of Amish and Mennonite culture. The area is rich in revolutionary and industrial heritage and traces its roots as far back as the mid-1600s. The Susquehanna River is believed to be one of the oldest systems in the world and is the largest non-navigable river in the United States.

Other destinations
Rockhill Trolley Museum

Understand
While much of the area is made up of farmland, sizable towns and small to midsized cities line the shores on each side of the Susquehanna. Sunbury-Lewisburg-Selinsgrove are a largely exurban and rural triad of towns all located on the shores of the Susquehanna. This area is known for its outstanding collegiate academics and sports as well as the Amish landscape and products produced there.

Talk
The Susquehanna Valley region of Pennsylvania draws its dialect both from the local Amish "Pennsylvania Dutch" dialect and the Eastern Pennsylvania / Philadelphia dialect. While terms like "water ice" and "youse" are not uncommon here, the Pennsylvania Dutch "yuns" is also north of Harrisburg.

Get in
The valley is connected by Pennsylvania state routes 11 & 15 from north to south.

Selinsgrove has its own regional airport.

John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport

Get around
In the areas of Sunbury, Lewisburg and Selinsgrove, cars are preferred. Though these areas have buses and taxis, they are difficult to find and schedule and can be costly when compared to the options in bigger cities.

See
The area sports include, The Altoona Curve at Peoples Natural Gas (Minor League Baseball) and The Johnstown Tomahawks (Hockey) at the Johnstown War Memorial.

Eat
Texas Hot Dogs in Downtown Altoona is a great place to stop and have a hot dog and fries.

title: Alleghenies and Susquehanna Valley


text:
Allegheny County

Allegheny County is the center of the Pittsburgh Region of Pennsylvania. It contains the city of Pittsburgh and most of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

Buy

 * The Waterfront - a large outdoor mall in Homestead, just north of West Mifflin.
 * Century III Mall - in the Monongahela River Valley suburb of West Mifflin, southeast of Pittsburgh.
 * South Hills Village mall - in the South Hills of Pittsburgh near Mt. Lebanon.
 * Ross Park Mall - in the North Hills of Pittsburgh in Ross Township.
 * Monroeville Mall - in the eastern suburb of Monroeville.
 * Robinson Town Center & The Mall at Robinson - in the western suburb of Robinson Township - if you need IKEA, come here.
 * Pittsburgh Mills Mall - in the Allegheny River Valley suburb of Tarentum northeast of Pittsburgh at PA Route 28 and Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard.

title: Allegheny County


text:
Allendale

Allendale is a city in West Michigan.

Get in
Take Lake Michigan Drive west from Grand Rapids.

Get around
Route 50 of The Rapid (the Grand Rapids public bus system) runs between the GVSU Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids and the GVSU Allendale Campus. Other than that, you'll need a car.

See
Grand Valley State University, the largest University on this side of the State.

Do
Watch a football game at the GVSU Laker Stadium or pick fresh fruit at the orchards, but other than that or hanging at The Main Street Pub, there's not much to do.
 * Meadows Golf Course

Events

 * Grand Valley Renaissance Festival
 * JAFAX

Buy
Pick your own fruit.

Eat
The restaurants are better in Grand Rapids

Drink
Local cider is good, and bought by the gallon by the University Students.

title: Allendale


text:
Allen Park

Allen Park is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.

title: Allen Park