Travel Discussions

I'm going to Cedar Island next week. It's a remote island off the coast of North Carolina. The ferry crosses over to Okracoke.

Anyone from the coastal area of NC or know the area well?

I have two teen boys - so high adventure is always a plus.

I have a cousin who recently visted that area and they took a sailboat ride in the sound (bay).  The water is not too deep and is smoother than the ocean side, and they had a great time. I don't know any details though...

The house where we'll be saying is right on that sound or bay on Cedar Island. We've stayed before. The boys had a great time clamming out there in the shallow water. Didn't see any boat rentals but will check on that. Tks!

We're headed out to Hunting Island State Park, SC. We're going to camp with a 6-year-old, 4-year-old and 9-month-old and I'll be making our food due to food allergies. Also, I've been known to haggle a deal at the Salvation Army, so I'm not exactly well off financially!

i am heading to ojai california in a few weeks for a friends wedding. she is the last of my college buddies to get married. thank goodness for miles! the tickets were outrageous!!!

We're going to Orlando next month.  We aren't doing the typical Disney thing.  My son wants to go to Universal and then to the beach. I figure we will go to Siesta Key Beach; it looks beautiful.  Now, don't laugh, but my son came home from camp and he told me his friend went to Gatorland and loved it; now he wants to go!  I looked it up online and it doens't look like the kind of place I would like.  Has anyone been there or know anything about it? I would hate to waste a day on something that's not worth it. I don't really want to go to Gatorland...please help!

I haven't been to Gatorland but was in south Florida a year ago. There are alligators everywhere... you don't have to go to Gatorland to see them! I highly recommend an airboat ride in the Everglades, which will go past more 'gators than you can count. The airboat ride I took was fun, interesting and affordable... highly recommended.

--Bob

Thanks...that sounds like more fun than Gatorland!

mystic, checkout freebiefinds.blogspot.com .. there are coupons there for a trip to kennedy space center maybe rocket ships can take his mind of gators.  I also wrote an article on saving money while in orlando ... including some tips on visiting universal which was our teens (party of 8) favorite part of the trip.  I would list them all here but too much to write, so while it appears to be selfish link pimping ... it's just easier! have a great trip

Try Silver Springs if you get the chance. Just north of Orlando.  You get to ride in glass bottom boats so you can see all the fish and the monkeys will come oboard with you.  it's pretty cool.

Dear MysticStarfish     RE:  ORLANDO

A super-fun but little-known attraction in Orlando is the simulated sky-diving apparatus at the north end of Universal Drive: SKY VENTURE.   There is a minimum age limit, but ANYONE can watch - FOR FREE - while folks inside the vertical glass "wind tunnel" will "fly" with an instructor........it's so real, that skydivers from all over Florida buy blocks of time to go there and train.   Much cheaper than paying for airplanes, and quicker, too!   We LOVED it.   Fun to fly or watch!

Check with AAA and online for deals to Universal;  it's great, my favorite theme park.   I like to arrive early and go to the back of the park first, where there are no lines... 

Siesta Key is a beautiful beach and not too far from Orlando.  St. Pete Beach would be even closer and is very pretty and family-oriented.   For calm water, seashells galore and wildlife to the max (including gators) head to Sanibel Island, 3.5 hours southwest of Orlando.   (see www.bestofsanibel.com)

Another hot tip for families visiting ORLANDO:  

The PEABODY hotel has ducks that parade through the hotel twice a day.   It's a fun thing to go see, and all you have to do is park the car and go in to see it!  Call for times......probably something like 9 and 4.  

Ok well we've been here so many times I don't need help but this is a good time to say we're be in CA for 10 days or so - leaving tomorrow. We're meeting or soon to be dauther in laws family; hubby has a conference to go to in Anaheim and we'll see our daughter in LA. I WILL have my computer with me.

This is going to be a long shot as most of you seem to be on the coasts.

 But for our anniversary, we're contemplating going to the Ozarks. However, we don't even know where to start. We don't really like Branson or the country bumpkin scene, so we don't even know where to start!

AngiBowman said…

This is going to be a long shot as most of you seem to be on the coasts.

 But for our anniversary, we're contemplating going to the Ozarks. However, we don't even know where to start. We don't really like Branson or the country bumpkin scene, so we don't even know where to start!

---

Start with Eureka Springs, AR. I've never been there but I've heard nothing but great things about the place. It's supposed to be a beautiful village with a unique and laid-back feel, kind of like a Taos (NM) of the Ozarks.

Good luck!

--Bob

I'm leaving for Orlando on Saturday and I want to thank you for your wonderful tips.  Our itinerary has, thankfully, changed.  We WILL NOT be going to Gatorland. We are going to Kennedy Space Center, Universal, taking a ride on one of the airboats (that's my favorite) and we will be going to the beach.  We have decided on St. Pete Beach.  I will be sure to take plenty of pics and post them on my page.  I guess if we have a bad time I can blame you guys!!!  LOL!!!

bkovacs said…

AngiBowman said…

This is going to be a long shot as most of you seem to be on the coasts.

 But for our anniversary, we're contemplating going to the Ozarks. However, we don't even know where to start. We don't really like Branson or the country bumpkin scene, so we don't even know where to start!

---

Start with Eureka Springs, AR. I've never been there but I've heard nothing but great things about the place. It's supposed to be a beautiful village with a unique and laid-back feel, kind of like a Taos (NM) of the Ozarks.

Good luck!

--Bob

---

I have to say a big thanks! We've booked our B&B and are happily planning the rest of your 2-night/3-day excursion! I don't think we ever would have gone there had you not suggested it. Everyone is REALLY excited - we're excited to spend some time in a cute Ozark town and the kids are excited to spend time with their grandparents!

AngiBowman said…

I have to say a big thanks! We've booked our B&B and are happily planning the rest of your 2-night/3-day excursion! I don't think we ever would have gone there had you not suggested it. Everyone is REALLY excited - we're excited to spend some time in a cute Ozark town and the kids are excited to spend time with their grandparents!

---

Wow... cool! Be sure to let us know how it goes when you get back. I'm quite curious about the place, as I almost attended a car-related event there. It was just too far away (1,150 miles) and I didn't want to drive that far. I heard a lot of good stuff abut Eureka Springs, though.

--Bob

Does anyone know of some noteworthy things to do and/or see in Washington DC beyond the obvious stuff?

JazzSinger said…
Does anyone know of some noteworthy things to do and/or see in Washington DC beyond the obvious stuff?

---

Yes. Go to Alexandria and go to the George Washington Masonic Memorial. It is a tall obelisk like thing on King Street you can see for miles.  It has the entire regalia that GW was sworn in president as well as his personal effects, silverware, china, crystal, etc. Much better than any presidential museum and you can learn something about the Masons, too. GW was one and Tom Jefferson, Andy Jackson and about 80% of our presidents were, too.

We were last in Eureka Springs in 2007. We have been there many times in the past. Some ideas:

 In Eureka Springs see the church where you enter through the bell tower and go down to the nave. The Passion Play is one of the best in the world. Go to one of the restored bath houses that made the city famous. Try a couple of the local tea houses for a treat.

 Around the area. Roaring River State Park is a short drive and the water is wonderful there. Hot Springs is not too far if you like the racing life. About an hour North is Talking Rocks Cave, a wonderful cave tour with the creation story told in total darkness.

Just got back from Orlando.  We didn't get to the beach...it rained....we didn't get to take an airboat ride....it rained....we did get to Universal and the Space Center.  I also found a really cool interactive attraction called Wonderworks.  We all loved it.  Watch for my review! LOL. 

Summer is not the season to go to Florida.  Due to scheduling it was the only time we could get there.  You can manage in the parks in the rain, but we experienced some really fierce storms, not the kind you want to be out in.  The rain gave me a great excuse to run to the Outlets for some shopping.  Who am I kidding, I did A LOT OF SHOPPING!!!! 

The Orlando Premium Outlets is a shoppers paradise.  You must know prices before you go.  Some of the stores were not discounted at all.  The Coach Store was deeply discounted (WOOHOO) as well as Dooney & Bourke (DOUBLE WOOHOO!). 

JazzSinger said…
Does anyone know of some noteworthy things to do and/or see in Washington DC beyond the obvious stuff?

---

Not sure what you lump into the category of "obvious stuff," but the Smithsonian Museums are all fabulous, as are the National Gallery of Art, the Portrait Gallery, the Botanical Gardens and the the National Arboretum. All are world class and free. An afternoon walking through Georgetown is fun, and there are some beautiful restaurants there for dinner. At 6PM every day, there is a free performance on the Millennium Stage at Kennedy Center. I've seen everything from a brass quartet to a Czech girls choir there.

When you're in DC, pick up the Friday Washington Post. It has the weekend section and there is always LOTS to do.

--Bob

DC: The Jefferson Memorial at night is a thing of beauty. Also, few people bother going to Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is actually a national park. It's gorgeous.

By obvious stuff, I mean the typical things that tourists see when they go to DC (Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian, Washington Monument, etc).

The suggestions so far have been really great.  I'm a little concerned about getting to some of these places since I don't plan to rent a car.  I'll figure it out.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

The good thing about Washington, DC, is that so many of the interesting things are walkable and a car is not necessary. For example, as you stand on the steps of the Capitol and look toward the Washington Monument, the Botanical Garden is on the left and the National Gallery of Art is on the right. Both are free and definitely things to see. You can get nose-to-nose with a Van Gogh or Monet in the art gallery, and with banana trees and orchids in the Botanical Gardens. Starting around Thanksgiving, there is a fun garden railway setup in the Botanical Gardens... we go every year.

Just the other side of the Washington Monument is the World War II Memorial. It's definitely worth seeing, as is the nearby Korean War Memorial. If you walk past the Korean War Memorial and continue walking around the Tidal Basin, you'll come to the FDR Memorial, which is one of my favorites. Really beautiful and contemplative, the FDR Memorial is a little hard for tourists to find but very much worth seeing.

Topping the list of typical things that are none-the-less required is the Lincoln Memorial. I'm something of a student of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, and find it moving every time I climb the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial. As you stand on the steps and look toward the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Memorial and Constitution Avenue are to the left. At the end of the Civil War, the victorious Union Army (which came to be known as the Grand Army of the Republic) marched up Constitution Avenue in a parade that lasted three days. Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated a month before and the country was still in shock and mourning, but those soldiers must have felt a joy that was tangible -- the country's long nightmare was over.

As you stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, try to hear the footsteps and cheers of those soldiers. Think about how difficult it was for Lincoln to save the United States in the face of battles that could kill 5,000 Union soldiers (and an equal number of Confederates) in a day. Look at Lincoln's words with your modern perspective and reflect on how timeless they are. Just about every day, an American soldier gives "the last full measure of devotion," and there is no better place to reflect on this than the Lincoln Memorial.

--Bob

I've always been very interested in American history.  When I was in high school, I got to go to DC as part of a school trip for a convention.  We didn't spend nearly enough time seeing the sights as I wanted.  For example, we spent exactly one afternoon in the entire Smithsonian (I'll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor).  I vowed that one day I would return to DC on my terms and see the things I really want to see.

There are three things I will absolutely go see: Mount Vernon (which was suggested to me), the National Archives (It killed me that I didn't get to see the constitution and the declaration of independence on my first trip), and a game at the Washington Nationals new stadium (I have to feed my love of sports).  Beyond that, I will make an effort to see as much as possible.

This is a trip that I'm really looking forward to.  I'm not going before late May or early June of next year, but my preparations are well underway.

It's hard to know what somebody will enjoy doing in a town like DC, as there are so many things. Your choices are all fine but no visit to DC would be complete for me without spending at least an afternoon at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. (There's actually two Smithsonian Air & Space Museums -- one on the Mall in DC and the other at Dulles Airport. Although both are excellent, I'm talking about the one on the Mall, near the Capitol.)

And most out-of-towners don't understand the nature of "the Smithsonian." It is not one museum... it is a dozen museums in a dozen different buildings. In fact, the National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian has specific museums for American history, the American Indian, air & space, arts & industries, natural history, art and several others. The National Postal Museum (near Union Station) is part of the Smithsonian. Although "art" sounds like a bunch of dreary paintings on the wall, some of the Smithsonian art museums/galleries display furniture and other useful items, done with amazing skill and design. A couple of the better places to get lunch are in the various Smithsonian and art museums. In fact, I recommend the cafeteria in the National Gallery of Art, which is hardly a stone's throw from the Capitol. Just a few steps from the National Gallery of Art's cafeteria is its fine gift shop. It's a great place to browse for off-the-beaten path gifts.

Something brand-spanking new this fall is the Capitol Visitor Center. Built with a huge amount of taxpayer money, the Capitol Visitor Center will have more than 500,000 square feet of floor space and include displays about everything to do with the Capitol. It is supposed to be spectacular... but it won't open for another couple of months. I'm looking forward to going.

--Bob

Yeah, I forgot to mention the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  That's on the definite list too, so make it 4 things on the definite list.  I knew that the Smithsonian is made up of multiple buildings, but I didn't realize that it was 12 buildings.  I thought it was more like 4 or 5.

We actually got a good tour of the capitol building on my previous trip, but I may very well go to the visitors' center if I have the time.  I haven't decided how long I'm staying.  It depends on the cost of the hotel.  I would say somewhere between 4 days and a week.

Thank you very much for all of your help and suggestions.

Any comments or thoughts on Miami?  Just a weekend there?  Right now it's an idea, but places to stay in the south beach area would help, also does anyone know anyway to get a babysitter for a few hours while traveling?