Tourism

New Year Presents New Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking in Washington

Posted 12/16/20 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Federal, Great American Rail-Trail, RTC in Action, Tourism and Economic Development, TrailsTransform

Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., and Maryland | Photo by India Kea

We have an unprecedented opportunity to work with federal policymakers to put Americans to work building the strategic connections that enable healthy and resource-saving habits, unlocking billions of dollars for the U.S. economy.

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Tweetsie Trail entrance in Johnson City | Courtesy Carter County Tourism

Tennessee’s Tweetsie Trail

Posted 10/13/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, Tennessee, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Nestled into the recreational playground of northeastern Tennessee, the Tweetsie Trail connects two charming towns in the Appalachian foothills, following a railroad corridor that once snaked through the mountains and crossed into North Carolina.

Caperton Trail bridge at the mouth of Deckers Creek in Morgantown | Courtesy RTC

Mon River Rail-Trail System (West Virginia)

Posted 09/09/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, West Virginia

Branching out from its nexus in Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, the Mon River Rail-Trail System comprises 48 miles of seamlessly connected pathway featuring an ensemble cast of environments.

Longeberger Basket Company former world headquarters along the T.J. Evans Panhandle Trail in Ohio | BY-NC-ND 2.0

America's Most Unique Trailside Attractions

Posted 07/27/20 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Wild and Wonderful

For years, we’ve been hearing about those strange and extraordinary attractions that have made for classic road trips across the country. But what about trailside? Connecting some of the most diverse communities, landmarks and geography in America, trails are the perfect places to find the inspiring, the unique and—in some cases—the truly bizarre. In that spirit, here’s our developing list of 28 strange and cool trailside attractions.

Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail | Photo by TrailLink user jsusany324

Ohio’s Little Beaver Creek Greenway

Posted 07/13/20 by Robert Annis in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, IHTC, Ohio, Tourism , Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

the Little Beaver Creek Greenway introduces visitors to the beauty and history of the Appalachian foothills. Located in a former railroad depot, the Lisbon trailhead is about a quarter mile from the actual start of the greenway. From there, the trail gradually rises about 450 feet over its 12.5-mile length, running north to Washingtonville.

Cyclist in Washington, D.C. | Photo by Anthony Le

The “INVEST in America” Act: A Strong, But Unfinished, Vision for America’s Transportation Future

Posted 06/11/20 by Patrick Wojahn in Policy | Tagged with Connected Systems, COVID-19, Federal, Funding, Tourism and Economic Development

June 3, 2020, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the INVEST in America Act. The bill tackles many of the most critical issues—including safety, climate and maintenance; however, there is room for more innovation, including a commitment to invest in connected active-transportation infrastructure, to make walking and bicycling safer, more equitable and more convenient for Americans.

Great Allegheny Passage just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo by Milo Bateman

How the Great Allegheny Passage Transformed a Region

Posted 05/12/20 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips

The story of the GAP is one of vision, tenacity and transformation. But at the heart of it all, it is the story of what’s possible when people come together with a great idea.

Recently completed Cohas section of the Londonderry Rail Trail | Courtesy Londonderry Trailways

New Hampshire’s Londonderry Rail Trail

Posted 04/06/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, New Hampshire, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

About a 45-mile drive northwest of Boston, the Londonderry Rail Trail in the quaint southern New Hampshire town of Londonderry offers locals a slice of tranquility in an otherwise upside-down world with a 4.5-mile jaunt through verdant forests and wildlife-rich wetlands and along scenic ponds.

Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge | Photo by John Carrel

Nebraska and Iowa’s Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Posted 03/10/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Federal, Great American Rail-Trail, Iowa, Nebraska, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

Floating sinuously over America’s longest waterway, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge straddles the Missouri River between bustling Omaha—Nebraska’s largest city—and the quieter-feeling hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The graceful structure, once hotly debated, played a transformational role in the riverfront’s redevelopment and continues to serve as a catalyst for upcoming projects.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail bridge over Highway 74 | Photo by Dana Bradley

North Carolina’s Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Posted 02/11/20 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Best Of, Funding, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Heritage and Restoration, History Happened Here, North Carolina, RTC in Action, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Today, the 13.58-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail lies where the old Southern Railroad, and later the Thermal Belt Railway, once ran. The trail has been a boon for Rutherford County on a number of levels.

View from the Ivanhoe Trestle along New River Trail State Park | Courtesy Virginia DCR

Nine Romantic Trail Destinations That Will Make You Swoon

Posted 02/10/20 by Amy Kapp, Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, California, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Hawaii, IHTC, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Virginia

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought it was a great time to bust out this list of top romantic rail-trails in the United States, chosen for their “swoon-worthy” romantic views, date-worthy amenities and just plain good old-fashioned charm. Here are nine, great, date-worthy trail destinations to try and catch cupid’s arrow!

MCT Goshen Trail | Photo courtesy Metro East Park & Recreation District

Illinois’ MCT Goshen Trail

Posted 01/13/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Corridors and Railbanking, Demand for Trails, Illinois, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Madison County Transit—the “MCT” part of the trail name—owns and manages nearly 140 miles of trails, which connect more than 20 communities and allow residents to get virtually anywhere within the county. With a newly opened extension of the MCT Goshen Trail, travelers can now also access neighboring St. Clair County by trail for the first time. Providing even more transit options for locals, many of St. Clair County’s trails are being developed to intertwine with MetroLink, the region’s light rail system.