Louisiana Voodoo or New Orleans Voodoo is not to be confused with Haitian Voodou or Hoodoo, though elements of the latter are sometimes involved. Voodoo did, however, originate in Africa, brought over via the slave trade. Voodoo is considered an ecstatic religion with an oral tradition. That is, it has no sacred canon or religious texts. But, just as in many other religions, personal beliefs vary. The word Voodoo comes from the word Vodoun from the Fon language, which means god. Although Voodoo is commonly associated with black magic, that is actually a confusion with Hoodoo. In reality, Voodoo has more similarity to earth religions such as Wicca. Superstitions and spells do play a large part in traditional Voodoo however. Most well-known of these is probably the Voodoo Doll, or gris-gris. It is essentially a form of talisman, which can bring bad luck or good luck, depending on how it’s used. Voodoo Queens are also popular figures in Louisiana Voodoo. They are essentially priestesses or shamans, though they frequently act as oracles as well. Marie Laveau is a famous Voodoo Queen who lived in New Orleans in the 1830s. She is still a popular figure today.

You may be the nicest person who made a simple mistake, but that is not the case for all the other individuals walking through America’s Gray Bar Hotels. Some people there have committed serious crimes, and as luck sometimes has it, they could end up sharing the same room with you, due to limited space that often causes the hotel to be overcrowded. The cleanliness of these hotels is not the best, but it’s livable.Take a look here to learn more: Inflatable Hotel Rooms (UPDATE) – The Bubble Hotel Lets Guests Cleanly Enjoy the Great Outdoors (TrendHunter.com)

Some of the towns still have business operating out of the crumbling buildings. Boutiques, candy stores and gift shops line the streets of the downtown area. Sometimes tours are offer in some of the old mining areas or caves which may be in the area. They are usually hot and dusty in the summer and cold in the winter, although the weather can vary by state.

Most of the towns still have a few people living in them although they are called ghost towns. Historians classify a ghost town as one that was once was a boom town and now most of the inhabitants are gone. They can be found all over the west and usually offer a full day of fun and activity for the whole family. Plan you next vacation around visiting ghost towns in the western United States. Your family will have a history

Exploring caverns can also provide much needed exercise for families who are embarking on long road trips. Guided tours and other amenities are available for nominal cost at many locations throughout the US. Often museums and gift shops are an added attraction.

Kazumura Cave in Hawaii is a volcanic lava tube and the deepest cavern in the US at 3,614 feet. Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico can claim the deepest cave in the continental US. Calrsbad’s Lechuguilla cave is 1,604 feet deep. These large cave systems have lots to offer but caverns need not be big to be fascinating and spectacular.

The Carolinas, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia and other southern states provide beautiful caving expeditions in their legendary forested hills. The northern forests of the US and Canada also have some of the most spectacular caverns in North America. Western desert caverns can provide a history lesson about the various people who inhabited them. Cavern exploration has something to offer every family member.

There are several year round Christmas attractions available from coast to coast. Deerfield, MA is but one location that offers a Bavarian Village where Christmas is celebrated year round. If you are heading towards San Antonio, TX there is Ed Clark’s Year Round Christmas House Or if you are going north towards Frankenmuth, MI there is Bonner’s Christmas Wonderland. Even further north is North Pole, AL that offers year round Christmas decorations and a wonderful lively atmosphere.

No matter where you are going be sure to bring your friends and family for a day trip or even an extended road trip to several Christmas towns in America.