Travel Discussions

I live in New York state and I am sure you know all the places in the city to go but the Adirondacks is where I would direct people.They are so gorgeous with the mountains and water and streams and just everything! There are so many places to go too. You can rough it or go to Lake Placid and stay in luxury.

I never go to the city. I don't even like New York City. Too hustle bustle for me. But I LOVE the Adirondack mountains and go as often as possible. Of course, you could always go one of the 7000 malls we have here in my area. We have so many malls within 10 or 15 miles that it's crazy!

You gotta go to the Rock and Roll hall of fame in Cleveland! You'll love it!

Bring your walking shoes Mama! :)

Well a Tiger's game at Comerica park tops the list for Detroit.

But you know what's funny?  I stayed at the Embassy Suites in Livonia once and they had a magazine for Detroit.  On the list of top 5 things to do???  Go to Canada!  That's right!  They said one of the best things to do in Detroit was to LEAVE Detroit and go to Windsor :-D  I'd have to agree with that!

The beaches of South Jersey...Ocean City Boardwalk, Wildwood Boardwalk and Cape May....these beaches are beautiful and there's great fishing and fabulous food; take a cruise and see the dolphins....it's alot of fun!

Sorry Patty, but being born and raised in Brooklyn, I only moved away from there 4 years ago, I have to say, NYC is a definite must see in New York.  It's loaded with museums, shopping, architecture, restuarants, gardens, parks, zoos, did I mention shopping??  LOL  The nightlife is like no other....afterall, it's the City that never sleeps!  It's great to visit, but not to live.

vivasuzi said…

Well a Tiger's game at Comerica park tops the list for Detroit.

But you know what's funny?  I stayed at the Embassy Suites in Livonia once and they had a magazine for Detroit.  On the list of top 5 things to do???  Go to Canada!  That's right!  They said one of the best things to do in Detroit was to LEAVE Detroit and go to Windsor :-D  I'd have to agree with that!

---

Ha!  Now that's Michigan for ya!

Seriously though if you're wanting nature Michigan is definitely the place to be.  My favorite is the west coast where there are tons of beaches and it isn't too spoiled by city life yet.  There's tons of small towns up and down the coast filled with history. 

That's another thing too... history gallore.  The best place for that is Frankenmuth, which is north of Flint.  Love this place.

mysticstarfish said…
Sorry Patty, but being born and raised in Brooklyn, I only moved away from there 4 years ago, I have to say, NYC is a definite must see in New York.  It's loaded with museums, shopping, architecture, restuarants, gardens, parks, zoos, did I mention shopping??  LOL  The nightlife is like no other....afterall, it's the City that never sleeps!  It's great to visit, but not to live.

---

Oh, I think anyone who comes here should go to NYC at least once, of course. There is SO much going on constantly. But once they did that, they may get the impression that all there is to NY is hustle and bustle and that's not true. There are plenty of other things to do here as well.

And you mentioned Cape May, etc. I think Wildwood, NJ and Cape May are my favorite places to go. I went there for years every summer and just adored the area. I want to go back and planned to this year but gas is like $50.00 a gallon and we decided not to go after all. But I WILL go next year!

The best time to come down here is in the fall.  The crowds are gone, the hotel prices are slashed to half or less, and the ocean is at it's warmest.  We have been swimming in the ocean as late as November 1st! But ssshhhhh! it's supposed to be a secret!

If you come to the Buffalo area:
1-see the falls.. each season has its own beauty. If you're not afraid of the cold, come during the winter, it is absolutely breath taking!
2-see the Canadian side too
3-Get some good wings-Duff's and Anchor Bar
4-go to Elmwood downtown for some cool shops and yummy bites!
5-if here during the summer see Shakespeare in the Park-its been around each summer for over 50years!
6-walk around Delaware park
7-Go to Albright Knox art gallery on Friday evening..free music and food!
8-Go to the Chipewa Strip-enjoy Chocolate Bar, Papaya..stay away from bottom's up...
9-Go hiking in Allegheny State Park and Letchworth State park..both are superbly beautiful!
10-Go to Niawanda Park.. its beautiful by the river (its where my DH proposed..ofically)
11-go to Spot coffee.. its so much better than Starbucks
and there's so much more.. but so little time!
I'll think of more

Hmmm.  Of course you have to go to the beach if you're at the Jersey Shore, but they are so touristy and tacky these days... I'd say go to Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park, or Lavallette.  I'd also suggest going fishing or crabbing if you are into outdoors-type stuff. 

We typically also take our guests on day trips to Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and NYC so they can see some of those sights too. 

Ha ha!  Too funny.  That's what I tell people to do as well.  But there are a few other cool things.  Definitely spend some time near one of the Great Lakes.  They're HUGE!  And go to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum (the museum rocks).

Sorry, but I don't go north...too many BENNIES!!!!  LOL!

I live in Virginia, in the Washington, DC, suburbs. Basically, my feeling about sightseeing is that you have to walk it to do it. If you're going sightseeing with me, be prepared for walking.

Virginia has lots of pretty places near me, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, and several well-kept Civil War battlefields. All are worth seeing, and I particularly recommend a hike on the Appalachian Trail from Rt. 7 (near Berryville, VA) south to a beautiful rocky overlook. Another gorgeous (and vigorous) hike near me is called the Billy Goat Trail, and it's in Great Falls Park in Maryland.

Then there are the museums. Washington has many world-class museums and most of them are free. There are many Smithsonian museums and I like them all, but my fave is the Air & Space museum, where you can see the Wright Brothers' Flyer and touch a moon rock. The National Gallery of Art is superb, as is the Portrait Gallery, the Postal Museum, the Building Museum and the National Zoo. Of course, the Capitol, a walk past the White House and a visit to many of the monuments are also essential. All the places I mentioned are free.

One final must-see in DC for cheapskates like me is the free concert every day at the Millennium Stage at Kennedy Center. Every evening, there is a free concert or performance, everything from a capella groups to brass bands. I most recently saw a Czech girls choir on the Millennium Stage and it was surprisingly good, despite the fact that I speak not a word of Czech.

Enjoy the trip!

--Bob

I live in Michigan..

As far as my state goes: 

1. Mackinac Island
2. Tahquamenon Falls
3. Ludington, MI

As far as my area, I'm in the suburbs of Detroit:

1. Any sports game
2. Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum
3. Greektown

In Colorado, Pikes Peak is a must see.  You can drive to the top or take a train, but I wouldn't recommend driving if you are afraid of heights (there's some steep drop-offs!) Take a jacket - its over 14,000' in elevation and it rarely gets warm at the top.

Buggheart said…
Ha ha!  Too funny.  That's what I tell people to do as well.  But there are a few other cool things.  Definitely spend some time near one of the Great Lakes.  They're HUGE!  And go to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum (the museum rocks).

---

To the other poster (forgot who said it) about MI, I don't even think about the rest of MI when I posted!  I've really never been West or North, just in the Detroit area.  I gotta start exploring. 

Buggheart, funny thing is I've seen the Great lakes the most from OTHER states!  We are going to the Henry Ford in a few weeks for the Chocolate Exhibit :)  But I haven't been since grade school - except the Imax.  Good recommendation!

CrystaBush said…

I live in Michigan..

As far as my state goes: 

1. Mackinac Island
2. Tahquamenon Falls
3. Ludington, MI

As far as my area, I'm in the suburbs of Detroit:

1. Any sports game
2. Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum
3. Greektown

---

Did you forget Frankenmuth???

I live in southeastern Tennessee, you know, God's country!

What to see? 

1. Rock City
2. Lookout Mountain
3. TN Aquarium
4. Fall Creek Falls state park (about an hour north)
5. Hunter Art Museum
6. Racoon Mountain
7. Bell South Park -See the Lookouts play baseball
8. Helen, Ga.  -a Bavarian town in the NE Georgia Mountains, about an hour away
9. HUGE flea market in Blairsville, GA
10, Once a year, the worlds longest yard sale stretches up highway 27 from Alabama to middle TN.
11.  Jack Daniels Distillery- Lynchburg, TN, 60 miles.  In a dry county, how ironic!
12. Great Smokey Mts- NE TN, about 2 hours away.

I live near Cape Cod so you have to go to Provincetown (whale watching); the National Seashore on the Cape is just gorgeous also. While down there walk the strip of Hyannis.

In Boston you'll do the historical stuff - the Freedom Trail; go to Quincy Marketplace right in the city; see the Boston Gardens and the ducks; walk down Newburry Street (for window shopping only:).

If you want to go north go to beautiful Gloucester and Rockport where you can whale watch from (Gloucester) as well.

Head out west to the Berkshires. Go to Tanglewood and take in an outdoor concert. Seriously if you are my way let me know. Jo

We had such a good time in Cape May a couple of years ago. I wondered how come we never took the kids there. I think because my husband is a Brookyner he never thought of NJ as a tourist stop but Cape May is! Jo

Cape May is a great place to visit. The beaches are beautiful.  There are great hotels, but some of the best places to stay are the B&B's in the wonderful old Victorians.  The town itself is loaded with history and small shops. You can take a carriage ride, go whale watching and then jump the ferry to Delaware all in one day. 

I guess I should share too!

In North Carolina, you have three main regions.

Mountains - Check out the Blue Ridge Mtns, Cherokee, and Asheville. The Biltmore House in Asheville is the largest individual home in the nation - or it was (now for visitors).

Piedmont (middle - somewhat rolling land) - NASCAR in Charlotte. Largest madmade whitewater center in US in Charlotte. Carowinds - also in Charlotte.  Research Triangle Park (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) - big college areas. Winston Salem for Old Salem - colonial village. Also - Lazy Five Exotic Animal Ranch near Mooresville, NC.

Beach - Outer Banks. Okracoke has the most beautiful beaches I've seen on the east coast. Esp nice is you have a 4 wheel drive and can go down the beach to an isolated area. You'll take ferries on the outer banks - from island to island.

Visiting NC?

Be sure to:

Try some barbecue - thinner vinegar based sauce. Chopped pork served on a bun with hush puppies and slaw.

HIt a small local restaurant for Meat and Three. One meat and three veggies or sides of your choice.

Try some Cheerwine (soda) and stock up for friend's back home.

Buy some local honey. Good for you. Tasty too.

Look for local festivals, yard sales, flea markets and church dinners.

Say "Hi ya'll."

I'm in the mountains of NC, so must see's from my area would be:

 

Biltmore House in Asheville

Cherokee NC - the passion play Unto These Hills, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian

Newfound Gap Road between Cherokee and Gatlinburg, including Clingman's Dome

Say "you-uns"!

LOL - you'uns. That's so true.

We stopped at Hardees up there to get biscuits. Had drinks in the cooler.

The lady at the counter said, "You'uns wunt sumthin' to drink with them biscuits."

My child thought she was speaking a foreign language and asked me to translate.

Well lets see...If you come to NE Wisconsin you would have to come in the fall to see all the beautiful colors the trees show off.

When people come here they say it's a must to hit our cheese stores, see cows, visit Appleton's huge mall (I still haven't seen the whole mall and I have been up here 14 years, Get up here Patty lol). 

We have a great place for kids (FunSet BLVD) that my husband and I just love (always hoping people bring the kids lol). 

We have a super Octoberfest at the end of Sept with tons of different foods, crafts and music.

The Zoo in Green Bay is a wonderful zoo and my favorite over Milwaukee's zoo and when in Green Bay (half hour away) a must to check out is the nature preserve too and why not head over to the home of the Packer's and check out the stadium.

Visit a few Amish families and have fun learning about who they are.

If your here in the winter time check out the US's largest night time Holiday parade...Don't forget your long under-ware :)  

If you love fishing we have some of the best fishing holes around.

Love planes (old and new)?  We have it at the EAA museum.  Their fly in is coming up and it's a must see.

Many cultures and tons of nature to enjoy!

 

I love the outdoors and am from North Carolina. If you like to hike, I would suggest Hanging Rock State Park. They have a beautiful lake, hiking trails, camping, short trails to waterfalls, and people used to rappell there--not sure if they still allow that. The view is awesome from the top of the mountain.

If you have small kids and are in the Salisbury/Spencer area, I'd hit Dan Nicholas Park. They have camping, a great playground that is designed for kids with disabilities, a carousel, gem mine, putt-putt, paddle boats, easy hiking trails, horseshoes, and a live animal exhibit with bears and other animals. Admission to the park is free. Fees for the other stuff is comparable to other parks with similar attractions.

If you visit Memphis , TN. If you love music you have to visit the STAX museum and go down on Beale Street for great music and food. The National Civil Rights Museum is also a must see. Graceland attracts lots of visitors. You must eat Neely's BBQ. Its the best BBQ I have ever tasted. The Memphis in May Music Festival is amazing every single year.

MikeMaroon said…

CrystaBush said…

I live in Michigan..

As far as my state goes: 

1. Mackinac Island
2. Tahquamenon Falls
3. Ludington, MI

As far as my area, I'm in the suburbs of Detroit:

1. Any sports game
2. Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum
3. Greektown

---

Did you forget Frankenmuth???

---

I can cross Mackinac Island off.. I was a fudgie there once ;-) Its a neat place. We did the butterfly conservatory, my dad's big into forts so we did all the forts in that area. We went up to Menominee (where my dad was born)
And I can cross Frankenmuth off the list too. Its an interesting place. Fun to see though.

SOUTHERN MAINE:

1) Yarmouth Clam Festival, Yarmouth, ME: every year during the 3rd weekend in July, this small 8,000 person town grows to roughly 150,000 for a large community fair including a carnival, live music, a craft/art fair, and FOOD. Great for all ages, events for kids, adults, teenagers alike. Literally my entire town comes home for this -- I have yet to miss one.

2) Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, Freeport, ME: How much fresher can lobster get than when you can see it being loaded off the boats and carted up to the restaurant?

3) L.L.Bean, Freeport, ME: Open 24/7 (they don't even have locks on the doors!) this store takes up, quite literally, an entire block -- more if you count the factories!

4) Old Port, Portland, ME: The downtown district of Portland, cobblestone streets, waterfront, cute shops and bars

I could go on forever, but those are the highlights :)

 

I live in FLORIDA and there are so many beautiful parts, it's hard to choose which are most enticing.  But here's a list of where I'd send you first:

1. Sanibel Island beaches, for their world-renowned seashells and wildlife
2. St. Augustine, for strolling through a beautiful historic district
3. Amelia Island, for its wild dunes and charming downtown (Fernandina)
4. Hollywood, for cycling along the oceanfront Broadwalk
5. South Beach, for sexy nightlife (after 11!), shopping and great food
6. Suwannee River, for a boat ride through crystal-clear water under giant oaks
7. Naples, for its gulf-front pier at sunset, outdoor dining, and fine art galleries
8. Destin, for the prettiest water in the state, and gorgeous white-sand beaches
9. Micanopy, for historic "Olde Florida" charm, moss-draped oaks and antiquing
10. Driving south on A1A, through countless beach towns, in a convertible !

The east coast is cooler than the west coast in summertime.   Most major airports are within two hours of another major airport, so shop around for flights.  Low-cost carriers Jetblue, Southwest and USA3000 currently serve Florida and are not listed on major flight-booking sites.   Hurricane season peaks Aug-Oct so check cancellation policies during those months;  you may get to explore a new part of Florida!   Peak season in southern Florida is mid-December through just past Easter.   Northern Florida can be cold in winter.   Rent a convertible if you can;  you'll be glad you did.   Come and enjoy the Sunshine State!           -Libby