Ridgeland, Mississippi: New Bikeshare Program, Brand AND Visitors Center

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Ridgeland, Mississippi: New Bikeshare Program, Brand AND Visitors Center

In an exciting development for locals and visitors alike, the Ridgeland Tourism Commission (RTC) proudly shared its latest venture: the grand opening of Ridgeland’s new visitors center,  Bikeshare Program and […]

Tishomingo State Park Featured on 2023 Mississippi Tour Guide

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Tishomingo State Park Featured on 2023 Mississippi Tour Guide

Tishomingo State Park, located along the Natchez Trace Parkway, is the featured cover image for Mississippi’s 2023 Tour Guide!   Tishomingo County is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains […]

The Natchez Trace Parkway: Shadows of Southern History

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The Natchez Trace Parkway: Shadows of Southern History

The Natchez Trace Parkway was featured in RoadRUNNER magazine, a national travel publication for motorcyclists.

Goodyear Prepares Motorists for the Most Scenic, Comfortable Drives This Fall on America’s Byways

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Goodyear Prepares Motorists for the Most Scenic, Comfortable Drives This Fall on America’s Byways

Home → About → News → Goodyear Prepares Motorists for the Most Scenic, Comfortable Drives This Fall on America’s Byways

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2010

September 30, 2010 –
Goodyear Prepares Motorists for the Most Scenic, Comfortable Drives This Fall on America’s Byways

In news just released by Goodyear, their national survey reveals 70% of Americans are planning at least one fall road trip. Goodyear has issued a list of 50 Comfortable Touring Drives, and they’re on America’s Byways!

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2010 – According to a new national survey from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and America’s Byways®, 70 percent of Americans are planning on taking at least one road trip this autumn, and a combination of stable gas prices and abundant scenic routes should contribute to opportunities for weekend road trips or getaways.

The survey, completed by Kelton Research, also finds that most travelers want their journey to be something that is beautiful and unique, not just another trip on a superhighway. In fact, the overwhelming majority of people (80 percent) would opt for a scenic, touring drive rather than driving directly to their destination. Unlike summer road trips, which focus on the destinations, fall getaway trips are built upon the overall experience of the journey.

“Our survey showed that 97 percent of Americans planning a fall road trip agree that their overall comfort is the key to enjoying it, so we joined together with America’s Byways to unveil a list of the 50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives,” said Gary Medalis, general manager for Goodyear consumer tires. “These top 50 touring drives encompass comfort and scenery to enhance the trip and are all within reasonable distance of major metropolitan areas.”

“This fall, for not a lot of money, travelers can skip the superhighways and exit to the smaller roadways to experience some of the best roads America has to offer,” said Derrick Crandall, spokesperson for America’s Byways and president, American Recreation Coalition. “While there are hundreds of fantastic drives along America’s Byways, we worked with Goodyear to create a list of some of the best, providing Americans with what they told us they are looking for – comfortable, nearby drives that provide scenic and unique landscapes.

50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives

* Delaware River Scenic Byway – New Jersey
* Merritt Parkway – Connecticut
* Great Lakes Seaway Trail – New York, Pennsylvania
* Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway – California
* Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway – California
* San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – California
* Historic Route 66 – Illinois, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma
* Lincoln Highway – Illinois
* Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway – Delaware
* Historic National Road – Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia
* Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina, Virginia
* Journey Through Hallowed Ground – Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia
* George Washington Memorial Parkway – Virginia
* Millstone Valley Scenic Byway (New Jersey)
* Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street – Maryland
* Woodward Avenue Automotive Heritage Trail – Michigan
* Red Rock Scenic Byway – Arizona
* Stevens Pass Greenway – Washington
* Chinook Scenic Byway – Washington
* Mountains to Sound Greenway – Washington
* Grand Rounds Scenic Byway – Minnesota
* Florida Keys Scenic Highway – Florida
* Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway – Florida
* A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway – Florida
* Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail – Florida
* Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway – Colorado
* Gold Belt Tour Scenic & Historic Byway – Colorado
* Ohio River Scenic Byway – Ohio, Illinois, Indiana
* Amish Country Byway – Ohio
* Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail – Ohio
* Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route – Illinois
* Mt. Hood Scenic Byway – Oregon
* West Cascades Scenic Byway – Oregon
* Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway – South Carolina
* Natchez Trace Parkway – Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi
* Connecticut State Route 169 – Connecticut
* Nebo Loop Scenic Byway – Utah
* Loess Hills Scenic Byway – Iowa
* Woodlands Trace – Tennessee, Kentucky
* Selma to Montgomery March Byway – Alabama
* Flint Hills Scenic Byway – Kansas
* Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway – Kansas
* Talladega Scenic Drive – Alabama
* Alabama’s Coastal Connection – Alabama
* Las Vegas Strip – Nevada
* Death Valley Scenic Byway – California
* Route 1 – San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – California
* Santa Fe Trail – New Mexico, Colorado
* Turquoise Trail – New Mexico
* Lincoln Heritage Scenic Byway

Additional results from the survey revealed 49 percent of Americans would sacrifice their GPS units, while others (32 percent) would sacrifice music and good gas mileage (29 percent) to experience a comfortable drive. Americans would even go to extremes to guarantee a satisfying, comfortable drive on a road trip – with 30 percent responding that they would endure the pain of stubbing their toe, or enduring a bee sting (18 percent), or even a root canal (6 percent).

“Despite what some Americans may think, major sacrifices are not necessary to make their driving more comfortable,” said Medalis. “For those in need of new tires, drivers should consider Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring tires, which are built for a smooth, comfortable ride. These tires help give drivers a refined handling and performance driving experience, and deliver, on average, 20 percent more cushion than standard tires.”

For more information about America’s Byways, visit www.byways.org. For more information on Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring tires or any tire in Goodyear’s lineup, visit www.goodyeartires.com.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

America’s Byways is a collection of 150 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

Jeff Busby Campground Temporarily Closed on Natchez Trace Parkway

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Jeff Busby Campground Temporarily Closed on Natchez Trace Parkway

MS, AL, TN: Due to last week’s storms, the Natchez Trace Parkway is temporarily closing the Jeff Busby Campground, located at milepost 193.1, in Mississippi. The campground will reopen once damage assessments have been completed and mitigated.

For additional information and/or updates regarding the Jeff Busby Campground closure, visit www.nps.gov/natr or call (662) 680-4027.

Franklin Theatre Launches New Website

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Franklin Theatre Launches New Website

The legendary Franklin Theatre today launched its new web site at www.franklintheatre.com with a message urging moviegoers and music fans: “Don’t stand in line. Buy online.”

In unveiling the new site, the 290-seat theater made tickets available for its first month of current-run movies. All movie showings will be $5 for the first 90 days.

Storms Cause Severe Damage on Natchez Trace Parkway

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Storms Cause Severe Damage on Natchez Trace Parkway

MS, Al, TN: The Natchez Trace Parkway was significantly impacted by severe weather between Nashville, TN, and Jackson, MS. Parkway crews are in the process of assessing damage and clearing the roadway. Many sections of the Parkway are closed or inaccessible due to hundreds of fallen trees. Traveling public should be careful as conditions remain dangerous.

Franklin Theatre Unveils Grand Re-Opening Plans

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Franklin Theatre Unveils Grand Re-Opening Plans

The Franklin Theatre today unveiled plans for its grand re-opening on the weekend of June 3-5, including a 1930s-themed street party in downtown Franklin and a late-night screening of the Oscar-winning film classic “Gone With the Wind.”

The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, which owns the newly restored Franklin Theatre, announced plans to close Main Street on the evening of Friday, June 3, pending approval from the city of Franklin, to celebrate the historic movie house’s re-opening with a swinging ’30s-themed party. The Franklin Theatre originally opened in 1937.

Living History Encampment at Mount Locust

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Living History Encampment at Mount Locust

The Natchez Trace Parkway will host period re-enactors who will erect lodges (tents) on the grounds of Mount Locust similar to those used by frontiersmen for shelter during the years 1790-1810. Visitors are invited to view the encampment on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m. The public is invited to watch frontier lifestyle demonstrations that include cooking and tomahawk throwing. Period toys will be on display.

The Natchez Trace Parkway Presents Traditional Music by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association

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The Natchez Trace Parkway Presents Traditional Music by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association

A special program of dulcimer music will be provided by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the Parkway Visitor Center located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi.

The North Mississippi Dulcimer Association teaches dulcimer history, tradition, craftsmanship, and music by sharing its knowledge and talents. The Appalachian mountain dulcimer is the first instrument developed in the United States.

Cancellation of Program by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association

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Cancellation of Program by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the scheduled program by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Parkway Visitor Center has been canceled.

Pioneer Day at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, February 26, 2011

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Pioneer Day at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, February 26, 2011

The Tombigbee Pioneer Group will perform living history demonstrations that show the challenges faced and creative solutions developed by those Americans who lived in the area from the 1700s to 1840. The demonstrations will take place at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center (located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi) from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

Franklin Theatre Marquee Lighting Ceremony

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Franklin Theatre Marquee Lighting Ceremony

It has been more than 40 years since the Franklin Theatre’s marquee has lit up 419 Main Street in Historic Downtown Franklin, and on Jan. 29, 2011, at 5 p.m., the marquee will once again shine. The Next Generation of the Heritage Foundation, comprised of 21-40 year old Heritage Foundation members, has made a $100,000 pledge to fund the replica of the original 1937 Franklin Theatre Marquee.

In honor of this special occasion, the Next Generation Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a “Champagne and Shopping Hour” beginning at 4 p.m. in many of the shops on Main Street.

The Natchez Trace Parkway Welcomes Firehouse Community Arts Center for Black History Month

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The Natchez Trace Parkway Welcomes Firehouse Community Arts Center for Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month, the Natchez Trace Parkway will host the Firehouse Community Arts Center of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance (MBAA) on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Using the performing arts of drama and music (song and instrumental) and visual media projections, the Firehouse Community Arts Center will offer education and entertainment for this year’s Black History Program. The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, located at milepost 266, near Tupelo, Mississippi.