I was discussing this with friend earlier. I'm torn between Austin and Charleston, two cities I'd move to tomorrow. What say you? What's your favorite city/place to go to?
Monterey CA lived there for 4 years and loved every minute of it. However, I really like Canandaigua NY during the summer especially this time of year. finally Savannah just a cool place to hangout.
so much history on the mall and surrounding areas so much for a family to do.
Lived there (NOVA) for 5+ years rarely went into the city, been back 4 times with my kids and loved it - every time was different.
but also love
Newport, RI (got married there)
NYC around Christmas time
Vegas any time
New Orleans for a guy's weekend
SF is always fun
loved Seattle
Boston is my hometown now, but I still love visiting the city since I live in the suburbs
Nashville
Austin
Denver (more so in winter - and really the mountains outside Denver)
Miami is nuts, expensive, but just people watch in Miami is worth the price of getting there
San Diego, only been once, but it was great
New Haven, if I want a pizza
a lot of great places to visit in the US, but DC is my favorite.
Hawaii is pretty great for obvious reasons. Charleston for the history and charm, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago...all have their great aspects.
Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Redwood Highway, and Blue Ridge Parkway for scenery. Alaska is in its own class for a totally different experience. One thing is for sure: Americans need to discover America. It's an amazing country.
Also enjoy:
San Diego - Zoo, Seaworld, right on the water and with access to aircraft carriers - can literally walk to airport.
St. Louis - Arch, Grant Farm - Baseball downtown, Miss. River
San Antonio - Alamo, Riverwalk
NYC - tourist haven
Chicago - Miracle Mile, Lake M, don't go in the winter!
Seattle - Space Needle, downtown, wharf
Orlando - Disney and much more
Minneapolis - Mall of America, skywalks throughout the city
Least Favorite:
Vegas - too much smut on the strip (great for 20 yr olds)
NOLA - city smells like puke and shit/good and bad parts - again, great for younger adults.
Detroit - love it by the river but that place is so depressed - airport 40 miles from downtown
Dallas - very spread out - love the airport
KC - not much to do in the city but eat BBQ -freakin airport 50 miles away!
Atlanta - homeless all over downtown, a lot of crime. too bad because they built the downtown real nice for the Olympics - lived there for 20 years and watched it go to hell
Buffalo - does it ever get above 60 degrees? Snow measured in feet, not inches - should be named the windy city, not Chicago!
Albany - lived there for 5 years and hated it, cold and snowy
Central California Coast
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Northern California Forests & Streams
San Diego
Yellowstone
Rocky Mountains
Oregon Coast
Montana Trout Streams
New Mexico High Desert
Cascade Mountains / Crater Lake
Colorado Front Range
Coeur d'Alane Idaho
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Hard to pick one city in Hawaii, but I thought the big island was the best for overall scenery and things to do.
Williamsburg, VA: I lived there for three years, but its a great city to visit and live. A place I'd love to go back to when I retire. It has a ton of American History, its a college town, a small town surrounded by larger ones.
The Nation's Oldest City. Savannah, Charleston, Boston have nothing when it comes to history. Heck, Jamestown was just being founded when St. Augustine was undergoing urban renewal.
and moved out West, I cannot stand the humidity in the Summer (both North and South) and the cold in the Winter.
I could never see myself ever living anywhere East of the Rockies (I don't count the Front Range area of Denver, Colorado Springs, Santa Fe etc.)
Hawaii is great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (too small, too humid). Alaska is also great to visit in the Summer, but too cold and too dark / gloomy in the Winter.
If the political climate and economics / taxes in California continue to worsen, I'd guess Arizona would be my next choice.
Columbia River Gorge. If you've been there, you know...
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
I prefer visiting vastly different from home (upstate NY).
doesn't get more different or prettier than Utah/Arizona.
If it's got to be a city, make it one of the old eastern seaboard cities that still has the old prominently displayed: Newport, RI, Charleston and Savannah are nice examples.
Columbia River Gorge. If you've been there, you know...
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Awesome post.
I agree, awesome post. A little bit of the poet John? You have enticed me to try this. I did plan on going up to Saratoga/Lake George in August but I didn't know about the breakfast. There's no way I cannot try this now.
If it's got to be a city, make it one of the old eastern seaboard cities that still has the old prominently displayed: Newport, RI, Charleston and Savannah are nice examples.
Still no mention of St. Augustine. Of the three examples that are cited above, the oldest is Newport (1639). St. Augustine still has them beat with it's founding in 1565. Nearly 85 years of existence before Newport's founding.
Columbia River Gorge. If you've been there, you know...
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Awesome post.
I agree, awesome post. A little bit of the poet John? You have enticed me to try this. I did plan on going up to Saratoga/Lake George in August but I didn't know about the breakfast. There's no way I cannot try this now.
Re-wrote a trip itinerary today to include Saratoga Springs, for my wife and kids. I hope they get it.
Was stationed at 29 palms, use to go climbing, camping, hiking there al the time
. Very cool place but difficult trails. Got lost there once, during an early evening hike, and had to continue hiking for hours hopping over those huge boulders till we found a road again. Then along the road until we stumbled on another campground, 45 minutes' drive away. Someone took pity on us and drove us back to our campground, almost midnight. It was in an area called "Rattlesnake Canyon", I shit you not. Luckily did not stumble on any snakes, though I got a pretty nasty deep piercing cut from falling partly onto a cactus. It was cool to see the blood spurting out of my thigh like a mini geyser, in time with my heart's contractions. I used my T shirt to tie up the cut with almost tourniquet like pressure to stop the bleeding.
Luckily the night was a full moon, and any anxiety we had among our quartet was simply overwhelmed by the fookin' beauty of the place under the bright moon.
We were all hungry like bears when we finally arrived back to our campsite, and we prolly appreciated our camping dinner of pasta with walnuts, olives and pimentoes (a Julia Child recipe) with lots fresh grated parmesan as much as any meal we'd ever eaten in our lives to that point. With 2 bottles of Bordeaux, IIRC.
There's something magical about the old places, like the Saratoga Race Track (1864). We lost a lot after 9/11; for example, the horses used to be walked right through the crowds and under the trees before races, with only rope lines between you and them. There's still magic around though, if you're lucky and things fall into place.
Don't forget the backstretch tour...it's amazing. They show you the practice tracks, you may see horses up close (sometimes being washed down), and trainers walking their horses right by you (close enough to say hello and ask a question or two!)
The mist thing is rare (you can see more photo shots if you google Saratoga Track Mists, and select images)...you need to get there early, it has to be a clear sky, and you need the right temperatures/fog. Don't forget to get there early, you can still get a great view if you get a table trackside; sometimes the riders do buzz right by you, just a few feet away!
Just a few miles more up the Northway (I87) sits Lake George..great village to walk, with many amusements. Don't miss visiting Fort William Henry (a surviving pre-revolutionary fort), and make sure to take one of the SteamBoat tours of Lake George!
Lots of hidden secrets (like the Columbia River Gorge link) in the US. There's a wonderful [ur=http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/capecodsights/l/aa082301a.htm]Sand Dunes tour, Provincetown Cape Cod[/url] that shouldn't be missed. Provincetown is a jewel itself, especially in the summer...walk down the streets, and you'll pass by theatre, and tiny fudge shops that have the most amazing confectionaries!
If you're in Orlando, FL...you think Disney, right? But if you walk off the beaten path...you might run into a calm, peaceful oasis in Leu Gardens, see the wonders of Tiffany in the Morse Museum, or take a scenic canal boat tour.
All hidden gems, but those are the ones that stay with you. The US is full of these, you just need to look a bit harder, but they're there...a little extra work researching pays off! The big attractions are nice, but the small ones can leave an impression that last a lifetime.
JohnF, my older brother, unencumbered with a wife or children,
has been an ardent traveler most his life. About 30 years ago he gave me an Insight Guides book for Hawaii, which was great for getting off the beaten path to hikes, waterfalls, and beaches less prominent. They cover the obvious, like Hanama Bay, well too.
Their books for Greece and Italy, Tuscany specifically, have been excellent too.
in Charlestown RI for a week every summer for a few years.
that was pretty incredible.
Ocean was our front yard (literally with our own private beach)
the backyard was a salt march we'd go clamming in and pull out bushels of clams and grill them, steam them, eat them raw, and we'd surf cast at night occasionally snagging a striper or two following in the snapper.
day was spent on our private beach, playing golf, or headed to Block Island or Newport.
those years were great. Can't imagine anywhere similar, but then the kids were born and the stilt house was just not kid friendly.
I'd add this place to my list though it's kind of obscure.
Lake Placid, NY
San Fran
San Diego is the best place to be in Southern California.
Also, San Diego.
nobody retires and moves up north.
Lived there (NOVA) for 5+ years rarely went into the city, been back 4 times with my kids and loved it - every time was different.
but also love
Newport, RI (got married there)
NYC around Christmas time
Vegas any time
New Orleans for a guy's weekend
SF is always fun
loved Seattle
Boston is my hometown now, but I still love visiting the city since I live in the suburbs
Nashville
Austin
Denver (more so in winter - and really the mountains outside Denver)
Miami is nuts, expensive, but just people watch in Miami is worth the price of getting there
San Diego, only been once, but it was great
New Haven, if I want a pizza
a lot of great places to visit in the US, but DC is my favorite.
Quote:
The south is GOAT, tbh.
nobody retires and moves up north.
May have something to do with being old and winters not really being a match?
Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Redwood Highway, and Blue Ridge Parkway for scenery. Alaska is in its own class for a totally different experience. One thing is for sure: Americans need to discover America. It's an amazing country.
Quote:
The south is GOAT, tbh.
nobody retires and moves up north.
And for good reason! Not just the weather, though, that is one factor. :)
Also, San Diego.
Been to Kauai, I'll take Maui.
San Diego - Zoo, Seaworld, right on the water and with access to aircraft carriers - can literally walk to airport.
St. Louis - Arch, Grant Farm - Baseball downtown, Miss. River
San Antonio - Alamo, Riverwalk
NYC - tourist haven
Chicago - Miracle Mile, Lake M, don't go in the winter!
Seattle - Space Needle, downtown, wharf
Orlando - Disney and much more
Minneapolis - Mall of America, skywalks throughout the city
Least Favorite:
Vegas - too much smut on the strip (great for 20 yr olds)
NOLA - city smells like puke and shit/good and bad parts - again, great for younger adults.
Detroit - love it by the river but that place is so depressed - airport 40 miles from downtown
Dallas - very spread out - love the airport
KC - not much to do in the city but eat BBQ -freakin airport 50 miles away!
Atlanta - homeless all over downtown, a lot of crime. too bad because they built the downtown real nice for the Olympics - lived there for 20 years and watched it go to hell
Buffalo - does it ever get above 60 degrees? Snow measured in feet, not inches - should be named the windy city, not Chicago!
Albany - lived there for 5 years and hated it, cold and snowy
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Northern California Forests & Streams
San Diego
Yellowstone
Rocky Mountains
Oregon Coast
Montana Trout Streams
New Mexico High Desert
Cascade Mountains / Crater Lake
Colorado Front Range
Coeur d'Alane Idaho
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Williamsburg, VA: I lived there for three years, but its a great city to visit and live. A place I'd love to go back to when I retire. It has a ton of American History, its a college town, a small town surrounded by larger ones.
Quiet, peaceful. No street lights or traffic lights.
And of course sun and beach.
Have also enjoyed hiking out West.......Lake Tahoe, Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, and Zion in Utah.
I could never see myself ever living anywhere East of the Rockies (I don't count the Front Range area of Denver, Colorado Springs, Santa Fe etc.)
Hawaii is great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (too small, too humid). Alaska is also great to visit in the Summer, but too cold and too dark / gloomy in the Winter.
If the political climate and economics / taxes in California continue to worsen, I'd guess Arizona would be my next choice.
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
doesn't get more different or prettier than Utah/Arizona.
If it's got to be a city, make it one of the old eastern seaboard cities that still has the old prominently displayed: Newport, RI, Charleston and Savannah are nice examples.
Quote:
Columbia River Gorge. If you've been there, you know...
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Awesome post.
I agree, awesome post. A little bit of the poet John? You have enticed me to try this. I did plan on going up to Saratoga/Lake George in August but I didn't know about the breakfast. There's no way I cannot try this now.
City wise... NYC and Seattle are my favorite cities in the USA.
If it's got to be a city, make it one of the old eastern seaboard cities that still has the old prominently displayed: Newport, RI, Charleston and Savannah are nice examples.
Still no mention of St. Augustine. Of the three examples that are cited above, the oldest is Newport (1639). St. Augustine still has them beat with it's founding in 1565. Nearly 85 years of existence before Newport's founding.
You want old prominently displayed? How's this:
Quote:
In comment 12355608 JohnF said:
Quote:
Columbia River Gorge. If you've been there, you know...
Second; I mentioned before how amazing Breakfast at Saratoga Race Track is,even if it's a bright sunny day.
But sometimes the fog and mists linger from the night before. And if you come early...right when it opens at 7:00am, you might see the sunbeams light up the mist, as if it was another place, another time. Then, as if out of legend, you see those amazing animals and their riders spring out the mists.
As if the legends of old and ghosts of champions past can't resist one more lap around a legendary track. You're in another time, another place, for just a moment, something you'll never forget:
Awesome post.
I agree, awesome post. A little bit of the poet John? You have enticed me to try this. I did plan on going up to Saratoga/Lake George in August but I didn't know about the breakfast. There's no way I cannot try this now.
Re-wrote a trip itinerary today to include Saratoga Springs, for my wife and kids. I hope they get it.
Luckily the night was a full moon, and any anxiety we had among our quartet was simply overwhelmed by the fookin' beauty of the place under the bright moon.
We were all hungry like bears when we finally arrived back to our campsite, and we prolly appreciated our camping dinner of pasta with walnuts, olives and pimentoes (a Julia Child recipe) with lots fresh grated parmesan as much as any meal we'd ever eaten in our lives to that point. With 2 bottles of Bordeaux, IIRC.
Don't forget the backstretch tour...it's amazing. They show you the practice tracks, you may see horses up close (sometimes being washed down), and trainers walking their horses right by you (close enough to say hello and ask a question or two!)
The mist thing is rare (you can see more photo shots if you google Saratoga Track Mists, and select images)...you need to get there early, it has to be a clear sky, and you need the right temperatures/fog. Don't forget to get there early, you can still get a great view if you get a table trackside; sometimes the riders do buzz right by you, just a few feet away!
Just a few miles more up the Northway (I87) sits Lake George..great village to walk, with many amusements. Don't miss visiting Fort William Henry (a surviving pre-revolutionary fort), and make sure to take one of the SteamBoat tours of Lake George!
Lots of hidden secrets (like the Columbia River Gorge link) in the US. There's a wonderful [ur=http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/capecodsights/l/aa082301a.htm]Sand Dunes tour, Provincetown Cape Cod[/url] that shouldn't be missed. Provincetown is a jewel itself, especially in the summer...walk down the streets, and you'll pass by theatre, and tiny fudge shops that have the most amazing confectionaries!
If you're in Orlando, FL...you think Disney, right? But if you walk off the beaten path...you might run into a calm, peaceful oasis in Leu Gardens, see the wonders of Tiffany in the Morse Museum, or take a scenic canal boat tour.
All hidden gems, but those are the ones that stay with you. The US is full of these, you just need to look a bit harder, but they're there...a little extra work researching pays off! The big attractions are nice, but the small ones can leave an impression that last a lifetime.
Their books for Greece and Italy, Tuscany specifically, have been excellent too.
that was pretty incredible.
Ocean was our front yard (literally with our own private beach)
the backyard was a salt march we'd go clamming in and pull out bushels of clams and grill them, steam them, eat them raw, and we'd surf cast at night occasionally snagging a striper or two following in the snapper.
day was spent on our private beach, playing golf, or headed to Block Island or Newport.
those years were great. Can't imagine anywhere similar, but then the kids were born and the stilt house was just not kid friendly.
I'd add this place to my list though it's kind of obscure.