Oklahoma

Oklahoma's history is certainly a tumultuous one. It includes boom towns, oil rushes, Wild West culture and conflict with Native Americans. It also includes times of desperate hardship, as portrayed in John Steinbeck's famous novel "The Grapes of Wrath." Today, much of the state is still rural, while cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the centers of politics and culture, offering more attractions for visitors.

Today, the state capital of Oklahoma City -- a city created in one day during a tremendous oil boom -- mixes modern business with the Wild West spirit. The West is well represented by the world's largest cattle trading site, the Oklahoma Stockyards, where cattle auctions run from sunup until sundown, and the amazing National Cowboy Hall of Fame. The city's residents have a friendly, welcoming spirit that is remarkably genuine. Urban revitalization has helped give the city a more modern atmosphere, with sleek gardens and skywalks around town, and the renovated warehouse district of Bricktown has become a bustling destination.

Tulsa has a remarkable Art Deco urban skyline, built with the tremendous wealth generated by the 1920s oil boom. This wealth can still be seen throughout the city's architecture, from its French villas to the many Georgian mansions. This sudden explosion of wealth also financed two fine art museums in the city, the Thomas Gilcrease Museum, dedicated to American Western art and artifacts, and the Philbrook Museum of Art, whose collection includes works from a global variety of artists. The city is also notable for its strong religious influence -- you'll find an enormous collection of churches and evangelists around the city.

Tahlequah is home of the Cherokee Nation. This Native American tribe settled in this area after being forced to abandon their homes and march west along along the "Trail of Tears" in the 1830s. Today, the tribe's culture is preserved in the the Cherokee Heritage Center, whose outstanding exhibits celebrate this group.