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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Doggone fun.

It’s true, Walt Disney World has gone to the dogs, but in a good way! Also, cats. LOL.

The good people at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida want your travels with Charlie to be as worry-free as possible. Enter, the pet resort (for the record, Disneyland does something different) where your furry friend can get pampered and attended to like royalty — something Disney knows a lot about.

The new 50.000 square foot Best Friends Pet Resort opens August 27, 2010, and they are already taking reservations for their air-conditioned rooms, “VIP” suites and private outdoor yards.  See? Pampered.

What, not enough? How about playgroups and ice cream socials. Yes, for the dogs.  And of course bedtime stories are available. Read More »

Did somebody say car ride?

If I learned anything from John Steinbeck it’s that there may be no better travel companion than a dog — and I don’t mean putting your dog in your purse and going to the supermarket. That’s not travel, that’s a cry for help. I’m talking a good ol’ road trip with a pooch that sits in the backseat with their tongue flapping out the window and their eyes on the prize (the prize in this scenario being adventure). A good dog is a trusted friend, a faithful guardian and the perfect road trip pillow. Dogs are family.

Which makes it hard to leave them behind on family vacations… but what if you didn’t have to? Read More »

The Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona.

On the last weekend getaway that my husband and I took to Flagstaff, Arizona, we decided to stay at the Hotel Monte Vista. This historic hotel opened on January 1, 1927. It is located in the heart of downtown Flagstaff, within walking distance to much of the dining, bars, shopping, and entertainment that the mountain town has to offer. And, if you don’t feel like walking anywhere, Rendezvous and the MVLounge offer snacks, drinks, and live entertainment right on the property.

There are some things to consider about staying at the Hotel Monte Vista. It is a VERY period-centric hotel, so don’t expect top-of-the-line luxury. Our room, the very mauve Gene Tierney room on the 4th floor, had a very comfortable king bed, a table with chairs, and a dresser. There was a house phone and an alarm clock, and a flat screen television on one wall. The room’s two windows looked over the roofs of the buildings behind the hotel, but the San Francisco Peaks could be seen beyond them. The sink was located on one wall of the room, with the bathroom door right next to it. The bathroom was MAYBE six feet square, and the shower (no tub, natch) was just about the smallest one I’ve ever been in. The room was clean enough, though not what I would call pristine. The blinds on the windows definitely needed either a deep cleaning, or replacement. Still, we were comfortable enough, and amused more than inconvenienced by the hotel’s idiosyncrasies.

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