People and Cultures on America's Byways

Published on Oct 6, 2006

The heart of any road is the people and communities that live alongside it. Take the pulse of America's Byways when you drive these roads, rich in cultural heritage.

The Amish Country Byway runs through Holmes County, Ohio, home to the largest concentration of Amish communities in the world. Learn more about this unique group of people at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center. Explore restored buildings, or visit actual Amish homesteads and farms. Enjoy a throwback to the simpler fun of times-gone-by and take a carriage, sleigh, or hay ride. While away an afternoon browsing the wares of the many Amish craftsmen and antique shops in the area. When you are finished, cap off your adventures by sampling the delicious Swiss and German cuisine available at the many local restaurants that honor the Amish heritage.

Learn the story of the Yankton and Teton Sioux, the Arikara, and other Plains Indian tribes when you journey along the Native American Scenic Byway in North and South Dakota. As you journey, keep an eye out for the elk and bison herds maintained by the tribes of the Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservations. At West Whitlock Recreation Area in South Dakota, step inside a full-size replica of an Arikara lodge, or explore the history of the Great Sioux Nation at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, SD where you can see full-size tipi, a rare horse effigy, and examples of colorful beadwork and quillwork!

The Las Vegas Strip is known world-wide for its gaming, but if you only think of gambling when you think of Las Vegas, you are missing out on half the fun! A glittery amalgam of many backgrounds and eclectic architecture, the "neon trail" is the perfect place to experience multiple cultures in one day. From a medieval castle to a Parisian sidewalk cafe, a lakeside Italian village, or a pyramid in ancient Egypt, this "Jewel of the Desert" has it all. Take in the visual delights as you walk past lavishly landscaped resorts, or catch one of the several top-caliber performances always available here. Don't forget that several resorts house galleries of fine art masterpieces!

From pirate plays to Amish antiques, there's no end to the variety of cultures you can enjoy as you travel America's Byways.

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