www.visittheusa.co.uk Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

The beginning of the US’s rail story

8th August 20268th August 2026 funtime65

And today’s question is where can you track the beginning of the US’s rail story?

Well, if you said Baltimore then first class, although to be fare (we can go like this all day) everyone travelled the same back in 1827.

Now our Baltimore buddies are preparing for next year’s bicentennial of American railroading in 2027.

With the B&O Railroad Museum, birthplace of American railroading, rebranding itself as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.

To tell the story of how a 13-mile line between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mill in Maryland kickstarted the networks we have today.

Of course, in the beginning they were horse-drawn cars which were then replaced by steam locos.

And then there’s its place in history as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

And for trainspotters

The announcement comes as the museum continues its transformative $38 million campus expansion.

The project includes new visitor experiences, expanded gathering spaces and an outdoor amphitheater.

And for trainspotters… 30 million archive documents, chronicling the history, development and impact of American railroading.

The expansion will culminate in the opening of Innovation Hall ahead of the nation’s commemoration of the 200th anniversary of American railroading next year.

But it’s not just about looking back, the Innovation Hall will showcase the future of railroading technologies.

Visitors will explore engineering, automation, sustainability, freight systems, passenger mobility.

And emerging innovations shaping the next generation of rail transportation.

The train reigns

All of which shines a light on this much-overlooked mode of American transport.

With the car the king and residents of the big cities warning any and every visitor of the dangers of rail travel.

While because of the size of the country Americans take planes like we take trains…

My train set: Miniature rail in Colorado

Amtrak on the east coast, Chicago monorails, the Boston T, miniature versions.

And those who want the authentic beatnik experience bus it or bike it.

We say, though, let the American train take the strain and wonder at the classical stations.

And, of course, start in Baltimore.

America, Countries

Okie Bronco saddle up for National Cowboy Day in Oklahoma

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Okie Cowboy saddle up for National Cowboy Day in Oklahoma… where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.

Now there are many states that claim to be the home of the Cowboy and we’re making it our mission to trail as many as we can.

Although by new-fangled transport because Izzy here has nowhere to go and is getting there slow.

But ahead of the Cowboys’ Big Day, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, we’re flagging up Oklahoma.

Whose charms Irish cousin Eddie O who has relocated to Edinburgh has been regaling us with these past months.

So let’s whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack away out to Oklahoma to see what’s been going on.

Well, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum are inviting Wild West fans to join them for a celebration of our Stetson-hatted heroes and heroines.

A ride good time

Of course, the Okies are encouraging us all to go native and dress up in our Western duds.

While we can also look forward to a presentation from Cowboy Cook Kent Rollins.

There will be family-friendly activities and crafts while exploring Prosperity Junction and Liichokoshkomo’ (no, us neither).

And we dare say a nod to famous Oklahomans Will Rogers and Gene ‘The Singing Cowboy’ Autrey.

The biggest boot

Now the Museum is certainly putting its foot down in stamping its claim on being the Home of the Cowboy for this year.

To correspond with the centenary of Route 66.

With the erection of a towerig 35ft-foot (sorry) sculpture, the biggest in the world, that celebrates the Great Highway’s history.

The newest attraction at the museum, it is designed by Okie artists Cameron Eagle and his son Daniel.

Beyond its artistic significance, it reflects the family’s deep roots in Oklahoma, as Cameron’s grandfather helped build Route 66.

The fun kicks off, as it always does, on the fourth Sunday of the year, this year Sunday, July 25… so get your boots on.

America, Countries, Sport

This is my first TexMex rodeo

9th December 20259th December 2025 funtime65

Arriba, arriba, this is my first TexMex rodeo, but how did I miss it around all the sombreros and mariachi bands in San Antonio?

Like all visitors to San Antonio I donned the cowboy hat up by the Alamo and rode a mechanical bull.

Which is the closest, of course, you can get to the Wild West adrenaline rush of actually clinging on to a bucking bully.

Only there is another rodeo introduced by the Texans’ Mexican neighbours.

The sport of Charreada, Mexico’s national sport.

And not lucha libre, the masked wrestling spectacle Jack Black and Nacho Libre popularised..

Horses for courses

Bending over backwards: San Antonio Show

Charreada dates back to the 16^th century, and shows can be booked at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

The sport is a mesmerising blend of dressage-style horsemanship and livestock herding skills.

Noche de Vaquero, or Cowboy Night, (Vaquero are Mexican stockmen) is held every year at San Antonio Rodeo.

Which is the only national rodeo in the US to include a Mexican ranching skills event.

All I wanna do

The show offers exquisite costumes and a vibrant celebration of tradition and culture.

The next rodeo runs from February 12-March 1.

And of course it’s not a rodeo without a cast of Country greats including Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crowe and Ludacris.

Make a deal

Now over to our friends from Visit San Antonio for an update on where we are in getting a direct flight.

From these islands to the fifth biggest city in the Oo Es of Eh.

With President and Chief Executive Marc Anderson revealing that their timeline of the next year has been extended because of the introduction of a Frankfurt service with Condor.

‘We’ll revisit the UK [flights] in 2026,” Anderson said.

My kinda stop-off

Telling us that we still have a “very convenient” journey to San Antonio via Houston or Dallas.

While our adventure took us through the hub that is Chicago which is our kinda town, people who.

But that’s another story and one we’re happy to share.

America, Countries, Sport

No Scotland, no Boston Footie Party

7th December 2025 funtime65

It’s just another staging post on the Tartan Army‘s world tour, and no doubt we’ll be coming down the road singing No Scotland, no Boston Footie Party.

We have, of course, been here before in Beantown, where Scotland’s first two games against Haiti and Morocco will be played.

With Scots early pioneers out to the American colonies.

And it’ll surprise nobody that when it came to a drunken fight and cocking a snook at the English that we were front and centre in Boston in 1773.

When liquored up we went down to the Bay and started turfing crates of heavily-taxed imported tea into the water.

Among them Fifer and 19-yer-old apprentice clerk James Swan.

Boston Scottie Party

That I know this isn’t down to isn’t down to my American history studies.

Although my old Aberdeen University tutor Ted Rantsen would surely be impressed.

But because the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum attraction gives every visitor a character to play.

And obviously being a Scot I got to walk this Son Of Liberty’s footsteps.

A Scot’s Swansong

James, I discovered, was quickly identified by Samuel Adams and the leaders as important to the cause.

Through his work at the mercantile house Thaxter & Son and their dealings with the sale of tea.

James, or Swannie as he was probably never known but would have been if he had been a footballer, brought his Scottish ways with him to New England.

I learned that he became a member of the St. Andrew’s Lodge of Freemasons, the Scots Charitable Society of Boston, and enlisted in the Revolutionary Army.

Where this Scottish soldier rose to the rank of colonel for the Battle of Bunker Hill.

And also held positions on the Massachusetts Board of War and Legislature.

My own time working as a busboy at Guadalaharry’s in Quincy Market and an ice cream shop in Faneuil Hall.

And the Black Rose pub in State Street pales into significance in comparison.

Flying the American flag

Stars in Stripes: Boston, cradle of the Revolution

Swannie, of course, would have been too busy fighting the English, and no doubt some Scots with the Brtitish Army, to have concerned himself with such pastimes as football.

Although it was a game, having been played back in the Old World since the 1500s with the oldest ball housed in Stirling Castle, not far from Swannie’s Fife fiefdom, from 1540.

Coming down the road: SuperMac Scott McTominay

Even if organised or Association football, from where we get the word soccer, had not taken hold in Scotland until 1873, 43 years after Swannie’s death in Paris.

Scotland’s famous Tartan Army will, of course, get a warm welcome from Bostonians.

And we will doubtless repay our hosts by supporting the Boys in Stars and Stripes when they play.

Just as Greenock native Ed McIlvenny did when he captained America to victory over England at the 1950 World Cup.

And there’s a trivia question for you and money you can take from your English friends in a bet.

America The Bountiful

All of which trips down memory lane lead us neatly to our modern-day American friends at Brand USA.

Who hae put together a handy guide for footie fans for next summer.

With the launch of America the Beautiful Game, which is now live at AmericaTheBeautiful.com/Football.

It’s a go-to resource for discovering things to do, must-try local cuisine, and a set of sample road trip itineraries.

All of which connect the 11 US host cities with nearby destinations and experiences.

We, of course, are concentrating here on Boston.

On Brand

Where Brand USA kindly point us in the direction of the Museum of Sports.

Which celebrates this sports-mad city’s rich legacy.

Inside TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics.

And would-be sportscasters can sit at a replica New England Sports Network (NESN) desk, where visitors can ‘Be the Broadcaster.’

So you can practise: ‘And Andy Robertson makes history as the first Scot to lift the World Cup.’

For those of who will go native, of course, there is the hub of American soccer fans, The Banshee.

A 14 television sports bar across two floors where the Tartan Army will converge.

Because No Scotland, no Boston Footie Party.

The wailing Banshee

This is where, The Banshee, the American Outlaws (supporters of the U.S. national football team) congregate as well as fans of other major sports leagues.

And on special celebrity bartending nights, local athletes pour drinks at this mainstay Dorchester-based Irish pub.

Now what Swannie and his pals would think of the America of today we can only imagine, but we’d say pride would be their foremost emotion.

Particularly as the tournament coincides with America 250, and Brand USA is spotlighting 250 things to do.

Across the US through a themed content series.

And as with all else with transatlantic travel from these islands to the Oo Es of Eh, we always advise travelling through Ireland.

And Aer Lingus with pre-clearance where you can get a sample return flight for a week, covering both matches from £963.58.

America, Countries

The Huck stops here 150 years on in Missouri

22nd November 202522nd November 2025 funtime65

They’re literature’s ragtag rascals who stole our hearts and The Huck stops here 150 years on in Missouri.

Big reveal, I was cynical about Tom Sawyer and his outlaw friend Huckleberry Finn.

When I was introduced him to as an English Lit student in Aberdeen where I was a bit of a rascal myself.

Thinking the raggedy-arsed boys from Ol’ Mississippi a childish yarn and the racial language provocative.

To the Britain of my time, the Eighties.

Hannibal lecture

Only to have my eyes opened to the nuance in Mark Twain’s writings.

And piquing an interest in the Deep South which I have been able to explore later in life in Mississippi.

All of which naturally draws me to Hannibal in Missouri in a landmark year in 2026, 150 years since Twain introduced the bad lads to the world.

As part of the new self-drive from The Internet Traveller following in the footsteps of iconoclastic Americans.

St Lou too

Tom and Huck, Jesse James and the picture-book town that became the model for Disney’s Main Street USA.

All on the new ‘Missouri’s Legendary Trail’ 11-night self-drive trip.

Flying into St Louis, travellers can experience the iconic Gateway Arch.

And the city’s rich Blues history, and remember St Lou is the birthplace of Chuck Berry.

Before heading to Hannibal, the boyhood home of author Mark Twain.

And which inspired the fictional Mississippi river town of St Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Then continue west on Highway 36 – known as the ‘Way of American Genius’.

The best thing since…

To Marceline, the cherished hometown of Walt Disney who based his theme-park vision of Main Street USA.

On the beautiful real-life Main Street he knew so well.

Other stops along the Way include Chillicothe, the birthplace of sliced bread in 1928, the best thing since…

And the town of St Joseph which is steeped in Wild West lore as the eastern terminus of the Pony Express mail service.

While visitors can also visit the Jesse James Home Museum.

In the building where the outlaw was killed in 1882.

Continue to Kansas City for a final night, taking in the city’s rich jazz and barbecue scenes, before flying home.

Deal us in

The itinerary is priced from £1,739pps, including return flights, 11 nights’ accommodation and nine days’ inclusive car hire.

America, Countries, Deals

Swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon

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It stands to reason that party people couple them which is why Trailfinders have organised for lovers to swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon.

Only you wouldn’t if you’re a Vegas newbie.

And you’re throwing shapes with Cami from Utah, who comes to Vegas at weekends, well because they party differently there.

And you draw the attention of the middle-aged couple at the bar.

He in his golfing gear and she on her twinset and pearls.

Who ask how we’ve been enjoying Vegas.

And I smilingly reply that I’m loving it as a scantily-clad barmaid pours a shot into the mouth of the dude next to me.

Swinging into action

All-American couple suggest I might then like Cancun where they go to party every year.

And with shots on board myself, and energised by the burlesque beats of 70s covers house band The Whip-Its, I prick up my ears.

Only for my drinking companion and Vegas regular Martin to poke me in the ribs.

And ask me that surely I must know that they’re swingers, which wide-eyed wanderer that I am, I didn’t.

Hit the trail

Miss America meets Mr Scotland: In Vegas

No such awkward surprises, you’ll be glad to know, from Trailfinders.

The holiday providers are luring lovers with 12 nights from February 19-March 3 at €2,9999.

With direct Aer Lingus flights to Neon City and the new direct route back from Cancun!

From €2,999pp including economy class flights or r €4,199pp with business class flights.

And because it’s Vegas and Cancun baby, you deserve to go in style.

Go in style

Now you’ll spend five nights at the 4★+ Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton

Then fly from Vegas to the Mexican hotspot.

For seven nights at 5★ Secrets The Vine, Cancun on an all inclusive basis with private return transfers.

So if you’re setting out on a new life together then leave yourself in the hands of the experts, say the Irish Travel Agents Association.

And swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon.

America, Countries

Get your kicks through Missouri

19th May 2025 funtime65

If you ever travel out west you’ll get your kicks through Missouri, which is worth spelling out in big neon letters and singing about.

And that is exactly what Missourians have been doing, lighting up the night sky in the heart of the Show-Me state.

Ahead of the 100^th anniversary of the historic Mother Road next year.

And it’ll be nearly 80 years too since one of the great standards of the American Song Book was penned.

When most of us who had never even heard of Saint Looey or Joplin first had our interests piqued.

To travel out west and find out for ourselves.

Sign of the times

Of course, the big draw of The Mother Road is the trip and meeting her offspring.

Such as the small city of Saint Robert, around 130 miles south-west of Saint Louis, in Pulaski County, Ozarks territory.

Where you’ll come across Route 66 Neon Park.

Which features nearly a dozen restored neon signs.

That once stood along the 300-plus-mile.

All of which pay tribute to the Missouri portion of Route 66 in its prime.

And the roadside stops that once lined America’s most famous highway.

The Route 66 story

All the signs have been collected and refurbished by private collectors.

Which we all know Americans do better than anyone as we discovered ourselves at Neon Vegas.

Under the guiding hand of one of Liberace’s Ladies.

Now where Vegas signs promoted the grandiose Missouri’s pointed us to homespun Middle America from St. Louis to Joplin.

Which you can learn for yourself from the storyboards which provide the signs’ backstories.

Since 1926, no other roadway in American history has evoked a sense of reverence, nostalgia, and wanderlust quite like Route 66.

Back to the start

Now as with much in my life’s travels my Route 66 journey is back to front.

Having set out from its terminus, Santa Monica pier a few years back.

And looking to complete the trip at its starting point some day in the Windy City.

That day is honing into view after a few false starts in the Windy City next month.

Where I’ll make for the starting point of the Great Road of America, Route 66.

That winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way.

America, Countries, Pilgrimage

Sweet Rome Chicago

9th May 20259th May 2025 funtime65

And as £1.4 billion Catholic eyes turn their gaze to the Windy City why all roads have led from sweet Rome Chicago.

Because Cardinal Robert Prevost, or Pope Leo XIV as we now know him, hails from what could now be tagged the Holy City too.

That Chicago of all the cities in the world should be chosen to produce the 267th Pontiff is, of course, God’s calling.

But he has long cast his blessings on the great city of the Mid West since its first French Catholic settlement in the 1690s.

And our new Papa has French blood running through him and Italian and Spanish.

The Holy Ground

We recommend the locally-released documentary Holy Ground for those who want to delve deeper into Chicago Catholicism.

And we are grateful too to Chicago Catholic for helping us see the light.

Better still find yourself in Chicago as we will, God willing, next month.

Bless you all: Chicago’s most famous son, Robert Prevost

And will now seek out the Queen of All Saints church in Sauganash.

Where the worshippers have dedicated a stained-glass window to favourite son, Billy Caldwell, the very same Chief Sauganash.

That he has had the thriving southern neighbourhood of Sauganash named for him is testament to his contribution.

Hail to the Chief Sauganash

Two tribes: Billy Caldwell/Chief Sauganash

The son of a Scots-Irishman (all the best people are) and a Mohawk or Shawnee woman Caldwell championed the indigenous tribes.

The Potawatomi people who would populate the Chicago area.

Chicago Catholic marks the year 1833 as pivotal in the church’s story.

When Robert Prevost would have been but a twinkle in his great-grandfather’s eye.

The annus mirabilis 1833 marks the incorporation of Chicago as a town and the creation of its first parish, Old St. Mary’s.

The explosion of Catholic Chicago when because of its positioning in the Mid West it became a transport hub.

And a destination of choice for immigrants from the Old World.

With more parishes built to serve immigrant communities and outlying or daughter parishes.

Sky’s the limit

Chicago has long prided itself as the home of the skyscraper.

And like every other visitor we stand out among the locals for looking up.

But look between the soaring temples to consumerism, hospitality and business.

And you will see another history of Chicago, its ornate steeples.

And perhaps too, St Mary of the Assumption Parish on 137th Street in Riverside in South Chicago.

It may be a shell now of what it was but a stained glass window remains which a young Robert Prevost would have lost himself in.

The boy who would become Pope Leo XIV, the first Pontiff from the USA, now has a rather grander Vatican church from which to worship.

But all roads have led from sweet Rome Chicago

Caribbean, Countries, Deals

Cuba for an all-American car ride

12th April 202512th April 2025 funtime65

Now if you want to take the chevy to the levy these days you’ll need to head for Cuba for an all-American car ride.

One of the biggest changes visitors will have seen travelling to the Ooh Es of Eh across the generations is in their cars.

So that where once our American cousins posed in Cadillacs they’ve downsized over the years to economy family cars.

Back to the future

Of course, President Trump is now going back to the future.

But it’ll take time for the reset to kick in so to enjoy the all-American experience again it has to be Cuba.

One of the few places on Earth that the Trump tariffs haven’t bitten is the Caribbean republic as they’re under an embargo anyway.

Che to go

TD Active Holidays will take you on a trip back in time.

On this adventure holiday to Cuba, you’ll see the sights of the colonial city of Havana by classic car or horse carriage.

Before heading out of town for the cobbled streets of Trinidad.

And marvel at the spectacular limestone formations of the Viñales Valley.

If it’s American-Cuban history that floats your boat then hop on one if the guided trips to the Bay of Pigs.

And the town of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara fought one of the most important battles of the Cuban Revolution.

Of course, this being the Caribbean, you’ll have all that blue sea and multicoloured marine life in which to snorkel.

Raid your Bay of Piggy bank

TD are leaving for the Republic on May 6 so empty your Bay of Piggy bank of €2,949pp.

And head for Cuba for an all-American car ride. And more!

Travelling on 6^th May 2025 from €2,949pp (£2,599pp) for an 11-night guided odyssey.

It includes ten nights on a B&B basis, five lunches & two evening meals.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Wham Bam Flora-Bama

11th February 202511th February 2025 funtime65

When one Southern State just ain’t enough then it’s time to Wham Bam Flora-Bama.

Who knew… about this Country beach bar institution in Perdido Bay, across two borders?

Well, not this Americanophile until we came together at the annual Meet The Media travel fair in Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin.

Perdido Bay may not have the international renown of South Beach in Miami.

But for Country fans and Good Ole Boys and Gals it is their go-to Southern Beach.

As it’s the closest sand if you’re a Southerner.

Bordering on the fun

A favourite spot for Country biggies like Kenny Chesney the Flora-Bama Lounge has been packing them in for well on 40 years.

Since the Tampary family seized on the new opportunity of the deal struck between Florida and Alabama in 1962.

When the Sunshine State gave the Yellowhammer State two miles of beach front land.

In return for the construction of the Perdido Pass Bridge.

Soon partygoers were flocking to the Tampary bar and package store they set up in 1964.

When Escambia County, Florida was ‘wet’ and across the line Baldwin County, Alabama, was ‘dry.’

Gone fishing

Times have moved on and the only bar across state lines is the one that serves liquor.

Flora-Bama, of course, revels in its USP of being one bar in two states.

And its Interstate Mullet Toss is legendary in these parts.

Or the Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party to give it its official name.

Life’s a beach: The Gulf of Mexico/America

So if you’re free the last full weekend in April, are in the Florida Panhandle and have a mullet to hand.

Then step up to throw it from the 10-foot circle in Florida 200ft across the state line into Alabama.

And if you don’t then fear not as the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America is bursting with them.

Best bang for your bucks

Now you’ll not get better bang for your 20 bucks than in this competition.

Which will also entitle you to a commemorative t-shirt.

And also give you the satisfaction of knowing you have helped out the local communities with drug and alcohol addictions.

Our fun Floridian and awesome Alabamans also encourage anyone favouring a mullet hairstyle.

To shake their locks with pride.

Aer of excitement

Now with Pensecola Airport well served domestically in the US then party travellers have little excuse.

Not to take in Wham Bam Flora-Bama.

And, of course, if you’re coming through Europe that should be with Aer Lingus in Ireland with pre-clearance.