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ly limitlessmenu of livemusic. Austin’s George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center was the first Black neighborhoodmuseumin the state. There’smore culture on tap at theAustinMuseumofArt and Arthouse at the Jones Center, which recently underwent an expansion that tripled its size. To view some of Austin’s natural attractions, you can take a scenic hike along Barton Creek or Lady Bird Lake, or check out the nation’s largest urban colony beneath the Ann Richards CongressAvenue Bridge. FORT WORTH It’s not every day that you see a cattle drive on city streets — unless you’re in Fort Worth, Texas. The move- ment of cattle through the Stockyards National Historic District is indeed a daily event in this distinctly western- flavored city. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, which claims to have the world’s largest collection of African-American mili- tary history. UTAH If you travel to one of Utah’s top mountain retreats, you may get a chance to watch an Olympic medalist in the making. At Park City’s Utah Olympic Park, where admis- sion is free, you can see athletes in training and tour two museums. The area’s three resorts offer a wide choice of outdoor activities. Salt Lake City, Utah Skyline Visitors to Ogden can shop and dine on historic 25th African-American Cowboy Two other western heritage sites are the Cattle Raisers Museum and the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame, which houses exhibits depicting the role of African-American, Hispanic, Native American and European settlers of theWest. Other notable attractions include the Texas Motor Speedway, the Fort Worth Water Gardens and Sundance Square Sea Turtle Bay Sea Turtle Bay ¾ a popular spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. HOUSTON Getting around downtown in the nation’s fourth largest city has now become a tourist attraction in itself. Visitors to Houston can tour the seven-mile indoor, air- conditioned pedestrian tunnel system that is the largest in the world. Each year in April, the city celebrates its cultural diversity during the Houston International Festival. You can experience the local Black heritage at sites like the American Cowboy Museum on the Taylor Stevenson Ranch, the Project Row Houses art and cultural center, the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the 52 street and tour the Hill Aerospace Museum. For a good workout, you can go canoeing at Fort Buenaventura — site of the area’s first settlement — or try a host of other outdoor adventures. Afterward, you can unwind at a local spa. With four area ski resorts, Salt Lake City is another great option for the active travelers. History buffs might enjoy a visit to the Fort Douglas Military Museum, built near the site where Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th cavalry and 24th infantry served and many are buried. WASHINGTON This PacificNorthwest destination offers interesting things to do in every season. Travel to Seattle in summertime, and you can head toAlki Beach for some water sports or a quiet stroll. In the winter you can hit the slopes of Crystal Mountain.And of course, the famed Pike Place Market is a must-see. A meeting or leisure trip to Spokane is an opportunity to tour a local winery or brewery, visit the Northwest Museum ofArts&Culture and hit the links at the IndianCanyonGolf Course. One of the city’s best sightseeing attractions is Spokane Falls, the highlight the 100-acre Riverfront Park. In Tacoma, some of the most beautiful views are provided courtesy of the city’s numerous glass artists.The splendor of their colorful works is displayed at local sites like the Museum of Glass, the TacomaArtMuseum and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: FT. Worth CVB Photo Credit: Adam Barker