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Where to Find Real America

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2009 8:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Travel writer Gary McKechnie helps USA Today round up some of the best places to get a taste of old-fashioned Americana:

  • Little League World Series, Williamsport, Pa.: The end-of-August tradition is free.
  • Mark Twain America, Hannibal, Mo.: Be like Tom Sawyer and go on a guided cave tour.
  • All-American Soap Box Derby, Akron, Ohio: Jimmy Stewart put his honeymoon on hold to attend, and you can, too.

  • Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, Pa.: Cheesy but fun in the cold of February.
  • Rock City, Lookout Mountain, Ga.: No thrill rides, just a cityscape built of boulders.
  • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, NM: It's a spectacle every October.
For the full list, click on the link.


A soap box racer competes in the annual derby in Akron, Ohio.
A soap box racer competes in the annual derby in Akron, Ohio.   (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
The 2009 Miss America Pageant, in Las Vegas last January.
The 2009 Miss America Pageant, in Las Vegas last January.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is an American mainstay.
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is an American mainstay.   (AP Photo/Grand Ole Opry, Chris Hollo)
A groundhog fan waits for the big news in Punxsutawney, Pa.
A groundhog fan waits for the big news in Punxsutawney, Pa.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Little Leagues from Mercer Island, Wash.,  compete in the pint-size World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Little Leagues from Mercer Island, Wash., compete in the pint-size World Series in Williamsport, Pa.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Revisit Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Mo.
Revisit Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Mo.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
schmidtkoff
Aug 22, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
the real america is US. yeah, there are still racists - those who are too unlearned to get out of their comfort zone in order to get to know people who are other than white. you who are holding on to the old school misguided and twisted thought processes are really a sorry lot. too bad. you guys are missing a great bunch new best friends foreever; your losss, my gain.
cmenthead
Aug 22, 2009 4:52 AM CDT
don't be confused, reader is a flaming racist! being black is not good for reader. just click on the first pot
metalworldorder
Aug 22, 2009 4:49 AM CDT
I'm confused...is Reader arguing for or against racism? I never thought reading an article on attractions in small towns would lead to a discussion on race.

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