The Bushwhacker Salon, Boise, ID

Has it been awhile since your last ‘do? Need to get rid of those split ends? Well, just a 15-20 minute walk from the Boise Spectrum is a quaint little barber shop/salon combo.

The Bushwhacker Salon is a traditional hometown salon with an unassuming “Barber Shop” next door.

When I went walkabout, the barbershop was busy, so they sent me next door for a great $15 men’s haircut. My stylist, Teresa Landis, did a great job even with picky instructions from me and is an avid outdoorswoman who has trekked and climbed mountains all over the world and is teaching her kids to do the same.

If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the hotel, a little local flavor, and, of course, a haircut, why not take a stroll down to The Bushwhacker?

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Re-visit those good ol’ college days in TX

www.StudyBreaks.com

You’re in one of our many Texas seminar locations and are feeling a little nostalgic for those old drink-till-the-bars-close nights. Look no further than Study Breaks. I found this while looking for things to do in Lubbock (home of Texas Tech.) and it seems to be a pretty comprehensive guide to drink specials, concerts, and other such nightlife happenings in Austin, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio.

This site definitely caters to the college crowd, so get ready to partay!

San Antonio–River Walk & The Alamo

Staying at the La Quinta in downtown San Antonio, TX will give you the chance to see a national monument, have a great time out to diner or lunch, and get a little exercise, all within a few blocks.

The San Antonio River Walk is a public park surrounding both banks of the San Antonio River, passing through downtown. Both sides are lined with restaurants, bars, gardens, hotels, the city’s convention center, and more.

You can dine, drink, hop on a river taxi, or go on a jog. Head to the official website (link above) to find information on the park and for discounts to the River Walk’s attractions.

Also within a few blocks of the hotel and the River Walk is The Alamo, originally a Spanish mission where the famous “Battle of The Alamo” took place. Head over there on your lunch break to see a bit of American/Mexican history.

Jogging in Madison, WI

Looking to get outside in Madison, WI? Staying at the Sheraton near downtown? Even if you’re not, there’s a good chance you’re not too far from a dedicated pedestrian trail because the city’s full of them.

The Capital City State Trail is a paved multi-use trail going through downtown Madison, along the shores of Lake Monona, and connects to two larger state trail systems on either end. At one point, it crosses in front of Olin Park and the adjacent Turville Point Conservation Park, which both have wonderful views of the lake and of the downtown cityscape. Turville Point Park even has over three miles of nature trails that provide that some off-road jogging opportunities.

Oh, Oh, Oklahoma

Check out some Oklahoma City sights and activities while you’re in town with nothing else good to do.

• Rock Town indoor climbing gym near downtown OKC
  
  
• Rates look reasonable and, from the looks of it, this place is probably awesome inside.
• Oklahoma River Trails near the Clarion Meridian (airport area)
• 13 miles of level, paved multi-use pedestrian paths
• Runs along the OK River and through various city parks
• Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
  
• A beautifully-designed and well-maintained memorial to the victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995

Views and Hikes in Phoenix

   If you’re in the Phoenix area, Mesa in particular, with some time to spare and a rental car at your disposal, try driving down to South Mountain Park and Preserve.

 

The drive through the park gives you some fantastic views of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding area, especially around sunset. There are lots of lookouts, pullover spots, and hiking trails to keep you busy, especially if you’re in town for a stayover.

[ official website ]

 

   Again, if you’ve got some extra time (stayover?) to spend a few hours on a hiking trail, I highly recommend checking out Camelback Mountain north of the city. Give yourself a few hours to get up and back. Take plenty of water, too, because this is a fairly intensive hike, but also one that is PACKED with people of all shapes and sizes. Don’t try to park in the parking lot, though, just find a neighborhood down the way that allows street parking and just take the extra 10 minute walk to the park entrance. Whatever you do, don’t wait until a few hours before your flight out to go here because, inevitably, you will almost miss your flight! (It happened to me twice in two months!)

[ official link ]