Page 8 - AAA Now! – AAA Shelby County – September/October 2020

TRAVE
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DRIVE DESTINATION: SUNNY KEY WEST, FLORIDA
The expansive, but undeniably picturesque drive from Miami to Key West is one of America’s
most iconic drives. The 113-mile stretch of coastline along the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) passes through more than 40 islands – an approximate 4-hour drive – before reaching famous Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States.
Key West is known for its beaches, water sports, historic sites, nightlife, conch-style architecture and off- beat lifestyle; its coral reefs attract divers and snorkelers.
To get acquainted with Key West, head for Duval Street, a lively strip of shops, bars and cafes. Sloppy Joes bar, once a famous hangout of novelist Ernest Hemingway, is a particularly popular spot for visitors. Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffet have also been among the island city’s illustrious residents.
In the heart of Old Town Key West sits the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, once the home of the famous author. The museum welcomes visitors with narrated tours that tell the whimsical tales of the more than 40 cats that lived here.
Walking tours and bicycle tours, as well as the Conch Tour Train and Old Town Trolley, are great ways to get an overview of the area sights and learn
about the architecture and history of this Cuban- influenced island. To enjoy the tropical coastline, take a sunset sailing or dinner cruise. Snorkeling excursions, kayaking, parasailing, jet ski tours and day boat fishing are other water activities to enjoy.
Beyond the coastline, explore the region’s historic significance at several historic sites. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a National Historic Landmark centered on a Civil war-era fort located near the southern tip of Key West. The Harry S Truman Little White House was the winter White House for the former U.S. President. The
house, now located in Old Town Key West, was originally waterfront when it was built in 1890 as the first officer’s quarters on the submarine base naval station. The historical Key West Lighthouse, Shipwreck Museum, Key West Cemetery, Fort East Martello Civil War-era fort, and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum are other interesting attractions for visitors.
You can easily spend several days exploring the many sights and activities in Key West, but before you leave don’t forget to get a snapshot of yourself at the iconic anchored buoy marking the island’s southernmost point in the continental U.S.A.
Niagara Falls has long been a sought-after vacation spot for its spectacular waterfalls, which visitors
can see up-close and personal – on the ground, from the water, from high above and behind the rushing waters.
Straddling the border between Ontario, Canada and New York, Niagara Falls is made up of three sets of falls – the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls on the United States side, and the most expansive falls – the Horseshoe Falls – on the Canadian side. Linked by the Rainbow Bridge, it is easy to traverse the Falls from both countries. There are several choices for viewing the different angles of the falling waters.
Journey Behind the Falls
Grab a yellow poncho and venture
through tunnels carved out of
bedrock to get so close it’s like you are under the Falls. Hear the rushing water and feel its mist from an observation platform near the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Don’t be surprised if you get a little wet (okay, a lot wet). An elevator through the Table Rock Welcome Center transports visitors 150 feet down to the tunnel
system during the Journeys Behind the Falls tour.
Aerial Views
Niagara Helicopters allows you to the see the Falls and the region from the ultimate vantage point – a helicopter ride. Niagara Helicopters takes passengers above the Falls for spectacular views. Toronto to the
north and the shores of Lake Erie to the south can be seen. Take a balloon ride over the Falls for another awe-inspiring view.
On the Water
Don a blue slicker and take a boat ride smack up to the Horseshoe Falls aboard the Maid of the Mist cruise boats. Be prepared for the unexpected – feel the power of the falls and the splash it sends back. A second option is to get on the water and feel the power and mist of the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and into the heart of the Horseshoe Falls aboard Hornblower Niagara Cruises.
By Land
On the American side, Goat Island’s Cave of the Winds leads hikers to a point beneath Bridal Veil Falls. The American Falls can be viewed from walkways along Prospect Point Park. Learn fun facts
and Niagara Falls history aboard the vintage-style Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley. In Canada, platforms in Queen Victoria Park offer views of the American and Horseshoe Falls. The park also boasts underground walkways leading to observation rooms that give visitors the illusion of being within the Falls.
Experience the Sights and Sounds of
NIAGARA FALLS
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
Now!