To the South of New Mexico is the country of Mexico. Originally, the whole area was populated by Native Americans. Today, the Native American population is primarily the Navajo and Pueblo tribes.

New Mexico is a great place to visit and explore. You’ll enjoy the colorful art, music, and native dance as you take in the culture and history of the state. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located about 25 miles from the city of Carlsbad, offers visitors guided tours of 116 underground caves as well as hiking opportunities. The Caverns are a must-see for New Mexico vacationers.

The landscape around Santa Fe, the capital city, is breathtaking. The sunsets are beautiful and the uncountable stars are crystal clear. There’s much to admire in this historic city, including centuries old adobe buildings, fine dining in restaurants featuring wonderful southwestern fare, and its well-known galleries and museums.

Accommodations in Santa Fe are a mix of the old and the new, from an adobe casita to a world class luxury resort. More than just a place to stay, the varied accommodations contribute to the atmosphere of a city that is world-renowned as top travel destination. Visit the century-old Santa Fe Plaza, one of the dozen museums, or plan your trip around one of the many annual festivals.

If you enjoy water sports a variety of river rafting trips are available, suitable for families and whitewater adventurers alike. Rentals can be arranged for half and full-day trips from a number of locations, including Taos, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe.

New Mexico weather can be quite sudden and spectacular, making for great photo opportunities. With three national parks and thirty plus state parks, there is plenty to explore. Monolithic blocks formed some 30 million years ago can be seen at the City of Rocks State park, something you can see nowhere else in the world. Dinosaur fossils found in New Mexico are also unique, and come from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

New Mexico will dazzle you with the architecture and culture of ancient times. Explore inactive volcanoes, miles and miles of caves, and wondrous white sands. The history and stories of Native American culture have been kept alive through their ancestors, and the early settlers traveling west, guided by natural landmarks, left behind their individual marks to tell their stories.

OneTouchWeather is the most complete travel and weather website on the planet– all in one place. Exclusive point & click ease of navigation anywhere in the world, with a live world timezone map, and links to travel information services. Try it for yourself!

Pennsylvania’s founder (1682), William Penn, was a Quaker and an immigrant from England. Penn is the most well known of the Friends in the foundation of the Quakers in America. Having spent most of his life in England, he still managed to play a significant role in Colonial history.

If you visit the Philadelphia area a one hour drive will land you in Lancaster County, better known as Amish Country. Many Quaker and Mennonite families settled there, and their families reach back for generations. The Amish are a gentle and private people, whose lives reflect the tranquility of the past rather than the hectic pace of the present. Sample the food, and enjoy the countryside.

Scattered amongst Pennsylvania’s natural environment are attractions related to the once-lucrative coal mining industry as well as a number of covered bridges, one of the state’s more revered attractions. Pittsburgh and its countryside is a great destination for a family getaway, a company convention, a reunion of old friends or any other group function.

One of America’s worst disasters occurred in Johnstown, a steel-making town about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. On May 31, 1889, an earth dam 14 miles above the town broke, sending a towering wave through the center of the town with almost no warning. Many people were washed away, and others drowned in fires that started.

Tourists can visit the South Fork Dam and its on-site museum, then travel to Johnstown itself. The trip is a fascinating step back into history. Don’t by-pass the Johnstown Flood Museum; its exhibits fully document the disaster’s effects on city and its people.

Philadelphia, of course, is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where you’ll be immersed in Colonial American History. The Franklin Institute is another attraction you won’t want to miss. A visit to Philadelphia will also reward you with an amazing array of dining experiences, from its famous cheesesteaks and hoagies to authentic ethnic restaurants – don’t neglect a visit to the Reading Terminal Market when you’re hungry.

The Lincoln Highway, US Route 30, runs the length of the state. It is a perfect excuse for visiting Gettysburg, where you will come to grips with the pivotal battle of the Civil War and the horrible devastation of that conflict. It is American History at its most dramatic. After your visit you can drive west on the Lincoln Highway toward Pittsburgh. Mile after mile you’ll be awash in the past, a trip you will never forget.

OneTouchWeather is the most complete travel and weather information center on the planet– all in one place. Enjoy point & click ease of navigation anywhere in the world, with a live world timezone map, and much more. Try it for yourself! You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.