TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Stay tuned for a full length article on this fabulous attraction coming later, but for now, know that Columbia State Historic Park is not to be missed any time of year.

"State Historic Park" gives the wrong impression of this fascinating destination that will delight children and adults alike. My earlier impressions of state parks were nothing like this historically accurate cross between amusement park and museum.

Live costumed docents wander authentic old west streets and buildings. Unlike some "see it behind the glass" museum, this is a real working town, with shops, restaurants, theatres and even a fantastic old hotel where you and your family can spend the night.

More than a "park" this is an old west town just like it was back in the days of the California gold rush. You not only get to read what it was like, you get to wander the same historic streets and interact with trained guides who really know what life was like back then and who closely resemble the old time characters they are portraying.

Staying in Columbia

What better way to really immerse yourself in the old west than with a stay at the historic City Hotel in Columbia? Each room is decorated with authentic period antiques, and if you're lucky enough to stay in room 31, a ghost from the past just might pay you a visit, the chamber's ornately hand-carved wooden bed is reportedly haunted (click for more details).

Downstairs you'll find a gourmet restaurant, stocked with one of the Mother Lode Country's finest wine cellars.

Depending on the time of year, you can also attend live theatre performances in Columbia, interact with costumed docents telling stories or giving gambling demonstrations and take specialized walking tours of the town.

Whether you opt for a day trip to Columbia State Historic Park or a whether you make it your Tuolumne County/Yosemite base of activities, you and your family will come away with a deeper, more profound understanding of what life was like for the plucky pioneers and prospectors who settled the American west. Not to mention, you'll have a darn good time attaining this knowledge.

Practicalities

Columbia State Historic Park is located at 22708 Broadway Street in Columbia. Call 209-536-1672 or visit www.columbiacalifornia.com.

Find the City Hotel at 22768 Main St., Columbia, CA; call 800-532-1479 or 209-532-1479 or visit www.cityhotel.com.

You can learn more about visiting all the attractions in Tuolumne County by calling the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-446-1333 or 209-533-4420 or visit their website: www.tcvb.com.

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day and The Low Carb Restaurant Guide, and the co-author of US Citizenship for Dummies. To learn more about Cheri, click here.