Destinations • April 2014
Seven US cities with weird names (and why you should visit)
On 31 March, US Airways joins the oneworld alliance, opening up more transatlantic routes – and therefore more opportunities – for Executive Club Members to earn Avios. We tracked down seven of those cities, with intriguing names, and asked the locals why we should come over
Spokane, Washington
This former railroad city on the eastern edge of Washington State offers the same earthy style as its big brothers, Seattle and Portland, but with lower costs, less pretension and a delightfully diffused line between rural and urban. The city’s slogan, Near Nature, Near Perfect, may draw eye rolls from self-effacing locals, but the fact remains that in just 15 minutes, you can get from whitewater to wood-fired pizza, bike trails to cocktails and climbing rocks to concerts.
Joel Smith, freelance writer based in Spokane
Akron, Ohio
Locals will tell you that Akron is the birthplace of the hamburger, created by Frank and Charles Menches in 1885 after they ran out of pork when serving snacks at the Buffalo Fair and had to use ground beef instead. As a result, the city hosts the National Hamburger Festival every August. You’ll find plenty of great burgers here, as well as famous fried chicken dinners. Don’t leave without trying a fried sauerkraut ball – it’s the city’s official food.
Lisa Abraham, food editor, Akron Beacon Journal
Boise, Idaho
Yes, we’re perfectly situated between Idaho’s Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin deserts. We have a blue football field and crazy mountain-bike trails, but if there’s a reason you didn’t expect to visit Boise, it’s our clouds. They soar over the high desert in silver and blue towers. I’ve seen lightning illuminate clouds from Kilimanjaro and stood inside clouds on New Zealand’s South Island, and I feel safe in saying that few places produce more astonishing clouds than Boise.
Anthony Doerr, novelist and resident of Boise
San Luis Obispo, California
SLO – or Slo Town as we locals call it – retains a nostalgic charm in its beaches, hills, idyllic weather and vineyards, that’s long lost in much of coastal California. Oprah Winfrey crowned it America’s Happiest Town. Visit on a Thursday, when the famous farmers’ market turns Higuera Street near Mission Plaza, and its nearby tree-lined streets, into a giant street party (5-9pm), with barbecues, food stands and live music.
Patrick S. Pemberton, staff reporter for The Tribune
Hilo, Hawaii
The breezes of Hilo hold a delicate floral scent, and frequent light showers offer relief from the hot sun. This is the place for those who enjoy travelling off the beaten path, far from the resorts and designer shops of Kailua-Kona. Twin volcanoes blanketed in snow during the winter serve as a backdrop to the historic town, while waterfalls, tide pools and black-sand beaches are a refreshing contrast to the classic white-sand beaches Hawaii is known for.
Jade Eckardt, managing editor, Big Island Weekly
Durango, Colorado
The “Old West” mountain town of Durango is perfect for nature lovers. In winter, we head to Durango Mountain Resort to ski and snowboard, or to snowshoe with our dogs in the surrounding San Juan National Forest, before hitting the bars and restaurants on historic Main Avenue.
Jen Reeder, Durango-based journalist and founder of Rock 1 Kidney
Yuma, Arizona
There are some surprising art venues in the historic downtown region of Yuma. On Main Street, it’s not uncommon to find shop windows displaying paintings and sculptures made by local artists. The Yuma Art Center not only has impressive galleries, but offers art classes to both visitors and locals.
Carly Landry, artist and writer based in Yuma
This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips