Photo Courtesy of the Shiner Chamber of Commerce

Just up the road from San Antonio, Texas is the little brewery in Shiner, Texas. Ok, maybe it is more than a little ways up the road, but the Spoetzel Brewery is not far from many towns in Central and South Texas. Spoetzel had been one brewery that I had wanted to visit for a while and just never got a chance. My chance came during San Antonio Beer Week last month.

San Antonio’s oldest brewpub, Blue Star Brewing Co, had arranged two tours from San Antonio to Shiner that week and I had to jump on one of them. We started out at around 9:30 in the morning after a quick breakfast courtesy of Blue Star. Around 30 of us boarded the bus and took the 90 minute bus ride Shiner, Texas located in Central Texas, we arrived around 11:15.  We were greeted in the lobby by Anne Raabe, who handles public relations at the brewery.

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House on the Rock in Wisconsin.

Sometimes vacationers want to visit an attraction just to be able to say that they’ve been there. Some destinations are whimsical, silly, or downright odd. Others are firmly tied to the nostalgia and history of the area in which they reside. Here’s a list of the top ten(*) “novelty” destinations to visit in the United States. Consider checking them out if you’re ever in the area!

10 -The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Unruly architecture that engages all of the senses, complete with exhibits, gardens, and displays that flow into one another with no rhyme or reason. Schedule at least three hours to do the self-tour, because the more you look the more you’ll see.

9 – The Mitchell Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. This is the Mecca for corn enthusiasts (if there is such a thing). There is an annual festival, murals made of corn that are eaten by the local birds and replaced annually, and decor consisting of over 275,000 ears of corn. The Mitchell Corn Palace is home to area stage shows and sporting events with a year-round calendar of events.

8 – The World’s Largest Yard Sale headquartered in Jamestown, Tennessee. Also known as the “127 Corridor Sale”, this yard sale extends 675 miles from Hudson, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama. The Sale always starts on the first Thursday in August and continues through the following Sunday.

7 – America’s Stonehenge in North Salem, New Hampshire. No one knows who built the ceremonial chambers, walls, and meeting places of this 4,000 year old complex. Oddly enough, the location also boasts a growing herd of privately owned Alpacas. Visit Stonehenge, buy an Alpaca. Makes perfect sense to me!

6 – Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho. The inn… is shaped like a dog. A beagle, to be exact. It’s a full-service bed-and-breakfast, and pets are welcome (of course). And if you’re a fan of chainsaw art, this place will supply you with more wooden dogs than you can shake a stick at (har).

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Bonfim Church

Filled with cobblestone streets, colonial architecture and landmarks on every block, Salvador reflects the true heart of Brazilian culture.  When I stepped onto the sunny streets of Salvador for the first time, the difference between urbane Southern cities like Rio was palpable.  The air is scented with the fragrance of guavas, mangoes and acaraje sold on the streets. Baianas navigate the winding avenues and squares with a more languorous pace.  The cobalt blue water of the Bay of All Saints wraps around the city and blows a feeling of tranquility over everything. The city also boasts 75 churches and one of the most significant is St. Bonfim Church. Read More »

Kuhio monument in Prince Kuhio Park

As the oldest Hawaiian island, Kaua’i  harbors the essence of traditional Hawaiian culture and history.  Under the surface of the stunning vistas and jaw-dropping natural wonders, Kaua’i offers glimpses of the rich heritage of  the Hawaiian people.  These sites are scattered all over the island so the best way to experience them is to hike or bike the 10-mile Koloa Heritage Trail.  If you’re like me and prefer leisurely hikes, I’d suggest viewing the trail over at least two days. Read More »