Vacation and travel guide 2016

Supplement to Tulsa World | Sunday, March 13, 2016

2016

Vacation &Travel

Guide Fun ideas for where to go and what to do

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Tulsa World • March 13, 2016

VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

Remove the stress from your travel plans

DECIDE ON A

DESTINATION

W

here will you go on vacation this year?

Everything starts with that question, then you start considering what your budget will allow, how much time away you can take and a few other realities.

The main thing is this: Take a Vacation! Experts say it’s unhealthy to never plan a break — no matter how close or how far it might be from your everyday routine.

This section ofers ideas on simple half-day trips to Muskogee and Tahlequah, day trips to Oklahoma City and weekend getaways to Arkansas and Kansas. And, of course, if you have the time and money, we even ofer a few places to get w-a-y out of town.

No matter your ultimate destination, enjoy the journey and have a blast!

This 2016 Vacation & Travel Guide was produced by Tulsa World’s Advertising Department.

For more information, call 918-581-8519.

(MC) — A Google Consumer survey for the website Skift found that nearly 42 percent of Americans did not take any vacation in 2014.

Follow these steps to make planning your next vacation easier.

• Use a travel agent.

Travel agents know the ins and outs of various resorts, cruise lines, airports and hotels. They also may be privy to discount codes or other specials not open to the general public.

• Choose all-inclusive trips. All-inclusive vacations pack amenities, food, activities and sometimes transportation into one price. Once travelers arrive at the resort, they may not have to take their wallets out at all.

• Become an airline’s repeat customer.

Flying the same airline again and again can be advantageous. Travelers will be familiar with the policies of the airline, including fees and restrictions regarding baggage.

• Switch to a travelfriendly credit card.

Use a “smart chip” credit card, which has a chip embedded in it. It’s an added measure of security.

Make time to travel during 2016 (MC) — Travel is something many people love but few have the time to do. Here’s how can you make travel a bigger part of your life this year.

• Use your vacation days. Many people don’t travel because they simply aren’t using their paid time off. A Harris Interactive survey conducted for the career website Glassdoor found that only 51 percent of U.S. employees use all of their eligible paid time off.

• Hit the road and work at the same time. If things at work are simply too hectic, consider hitting the road and working at the same time. While unen-

cumbered travel tends to be the most relaxing, working vacations can allow you to let off some steam • Make better use of weekends. Travel need not be limited to vacations. If you truly love to get up and go, plan more weekend trips. Find places within a few hours of your home so you spend less time behind the wheel and more time enjoying your destination.

• Extend work trips. If you have a business trip coming up, add an extra day at the end of the trip to explore a new locale without the burden of having to work. This can be a cost-effective way to travel.

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VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

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Explore something close to home Muskogee’s Honor Heights Park’s120 acres features playDESTINATION grounds, a splash pad, trails, waterfalls, ponds and gardens.

Located in the center of the park is the Papilion (left), a seasonal Botanical Garden and Butterfly House. Not far away, in Tahlequah, you can explore Cherokee culture at the Cherokee Heritage Center as well as other museums, including the Cherokee National Prison Museum and Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. Many activities are available for children (below).

MUSKOGEE & TAHLEQUAH

Tulsa World • March 13, 2016

DESTINATION

MONTANA & YELLOWSTONE

VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

It’s called “glamping” A fabulous adventure awaits when you go Glamorous Camping (“Glamping!”) with Adventures by Disney®. Travel to the Old West in Montana and Yellowstone and spend a fantastic week “roughing” it in an idyllic setting. Stay at a rustic dude ranch and go glamping under a star-filled sky during this family-friendly adventure. Highlights include whitewater rafting, zip lining, visiting Yellowstone sites and other incredible experiences.

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Tulsa World • March 13, 2016

OK states its case

DESTINATION

OKLAHOMA TURNPIKES

You don’t have to leave Oklahoma to find some fun. Among the many choices to consider: tour the Oklahoma Governer’s Mansion in Oklahoma City (above left); look for a race in which to run such as the annual Redbud Classic, in April in Oklahoma City (above), and build a weekend around it; or experience a world-class concert at a venue such as the Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond (left).

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Waterfront sports Looking for fun things to do in Oklahoma DESTINATION City? The Boathouse District offers some of OKC’s top attractions. The new RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center opens May 7-8. Go whitewater rafting on this $45 million course, located next to RIVERSPORT Adventures.

The park features the 700-foot SandRidge Sky Zip across the river, the six-story SandRidge Sky Trail, the Rumble Drop free fall and four high-speed spiral slides.

OKLAHOMA CITY RIVERFRONT

VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

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DESTINATION

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUMS Capitalize on learning at any age Oklahoma City is home to several great museums, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (above right). Its Art Film Program includes an art house cinema, which screens independent, international and classic films Thursday through Sunday.

While in OKC, children will thoroughly enjoy exploring Science Museum Oklahoma.

It houses more than eight acres of hands-on science experiences for people of all ages, including the new 20,000-square-foot CurioCity exhibit (above left).

Tulsa World • March 13, 2016

VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

Downtown Americana Considered a little quirky, Lawrence, Kansas, boasts an authentic main street packed with boutiques, chefowned restaurants, live music and a vibrant art scene.

Lawrence has a fiery Civil War history DESTINATION and is home to not one but two universities: The University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. Plan your trip around Final Fridays, where each month artists, galleries, art collectives, museums, restaurants and businesses host free art festivals and events. See explorelawrence.com.

LAWRENCE, KANSAS

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DESTINATION

BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS

Art, architecture & more in Arkansas Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and has become a regional destination for American art, nature and architecture. The museum’s permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the colonial era to the current day. Crystal Bridges’ extensive grounds also are home to the Bachman-Wilson House, a classic Frank Lloyd Wright house built in 1956.

Gaming oasis in the desert Looking for a little gaming action on your vacation?

Consider the Rainbow and DESTINATION Peppermill hotels and casinos in Wendover, Nevada.

Located just west of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Interstate 80. These resort hotels offer great food, fun and exquisite accommodations.

WENDOVER, NEVADA

Tulsa World • March 13, 2016

DESTINATION

EUREKA SPRINGS

VACATION & TRAVEL GUIDE

Get away from the hustle and bustle Located on the Beaver Tailwaters of the White River in northwest Arkansas, Spider Creek Resort features 20 cabins and one large RV pad with full hookups on 50 rolling acres. All cabins are totally electric, carpeted, air-conditioned/heated with fully-equipped kitchens and include cable TV/DVD players, decks with charcoal grills and patio furniture. Linens and towels are also furnished. All Deluxe Cabins and a few River Cabins have fireplaces; many have river views.

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Tulsa World • March 13, 2016