Okay, after looking at your itinerary (and not mentioning the things you've already mentioned/have been suggested), I would suggest:

Chicago: Super Dawgs, the best hot dogs you'll ever eat! If you're not in the mood for hot dogs, an Italian Beef Sandwich is a must. You can't leave without trying one or both of them!

Salt Lake City: The Beehive House, where polygamy reigned supreme!

LA: Do the whole tourist thing! Mann's Chinese Theatre, etc. Marilyn Monroe's star is in front of the McDonald's.

Texas: Try chili made with armadillo. It's kinda skunky, but you'll be able to say you tried it!

MidWest: Whataburger is another great chain not mentioned. So is International House of Pancakes (IHOP).

Columbus: Home of the first American Soccer-Specific Crew Stadium. A fellow Canadian works in the front office and may get you a discount! ;)

I won't add more - you've gotten plenty of ideas! Oh, there's a book that has goofy sites, like where the largest ball of string is - I'm sure someone knows the name. Have a safe & wonderful time!!

I agree...the food wasn't good but it was something you have to see once.

You have not seen the states until you've....had North Carolina BBQ (Western is better than Eastern and I think they are both better than Texas BBQ) :p. Although I know you're not coming to the South so this doesn't apply to you. :(

Also, if you're going to be in San Antonio you've got to go to the Riverwalk and all the fun bars and restaurants there.

LOL, according to many of these, I've never been to the states. ;)

Oh my goodness roscoes chicken and waffles......YUM! my borther took me there once....

pinks hot dogs....oh yeah !:D

Agreed! North Carolina BBQ is my comfort food, my dad used to do barbeques all over the south on the weekends when I was little, cooking NC style BBQ for at least 600 people a weekend. He had his own grill and everything. And his "secret" vinegar sauce is to die for. He only does one a year now for the police department in town but I beg him to make it everytime I am home. Ohhhh it is so good!

Not sure if She will be coming now!:(

Dont think she knows just How Big OUR Country is and so many things to see and Foodieries to eat at!:D

OMG, hope There is a lOT of $$$$$$$$$ and TIME TO do this!:D

What an adventure to doooooo!:cool: :D :)

Oh.... a stampede of bison couldn't keep me away! I'm aware there is a _lot_ to see and do... and of course we won't see everything. It's a buffet style vacation - a little of this a little of that.


Time: we're going for 7 weeks.... soo long!
Money: I'll just say I'm very thankful to my parents for their large investment in a trip they aren't actually going on. They rock.


Oh and XOMichelle - that you for tipping us off on the whole reservation - I don't know where our heads were. We definately needed to make reservations for Friday and Saturday nights!!

I realized how many of these are related to eating meat. :(

You would probably like the milkshakes at In-N-Out, though. :)

Iowa
 

Hey! Glad to have you in Iowa. Lots to see in Iowa, and you will see most of it by the highway, since cornfields are the highlights. Talking about breadbasket region,

But some suggestions what to see/do while you are in Iowa:

- visit the Madison County Bridge, about half an hour south of Des Moines in Winterset, Iowa.
- nothing more to describe midwest scene than Grant Wood's works and his views to see Iowan landscape. While you're in Chicago, visit the Chicago Art Museum to see the American Gothic (see some of his works here), and while you're in Iowa, I suggest you to take the Grant Wood scenic byway and see the house background used in American Gothic in Eldon, Iowa.
If you like Grant Wood, see his collections in Ames (home of Iowa State University) - it is all over our Library. Ames is about 40 minutes north of Des Moines.
- Ames, home of one of the finest Greek System in the nation. Visit some Greek houses up here :D

HOW COULD I FORGET THIS? In Chicago, you absolutely have to see Wrigley Field! Even if you can't get to a Cubs game, just going to the area and soaking up the atmosphere is amazing. :)

Oh, by the way, since you might speak French - we pronounce Des Moines as "di-moin", not with any funky true French accent. And not many people outside midwest know this, either ;)

My boyfriend and I have be wondering about this. (we had been saying it Deh-Moh-en (en francais si vous plait!)). Thanks so much for clarifying and not making us look like idiots in Iowa!

Oh, and it looks like we're visiting Ames... probably staying over night at ISU at the guest housing.

If you are staying in Ames, I would recommend our Memorial Union. Well, they don't have the modern style accomodation, but it is cheap and good deal; I think it is $50/night for students and $70/night for non-student. Not sure how picky you are with housing, but I would stay there if I had to stay in Ames. Everything from MU is within walking distance, including all campus and all Greek housings. It is by our beloved Lake LaVerne, Campanile, Central Campus (which was designed by the same firm who designed Central Park in NYC) --> voted to be one of the best Campus in the nation, our Parks library with Grant Wood murals, etc.
Including: Campus Town (where the bars are located) and food, book stores.

Iowa State Memorial Union

Let me know if you have any questions :D

. . . Been to a horse farm in Kentucky or a horse race in Kentucky. You look to be in Kentucky during Churchill Downs' spring meet in Louisville, you should go and bet on some horses.

Courtney

I know this...I promise (it might help that both my parents and their families both grew up in the midwest, however ;) :D)

Things to see around San Diego:
*Drive across the Coronado Bay Bridge
*Walk the grounds of the Hotel Del Coronado...and you can go to the beach from there
*Visit Balboa Park
*Drive through/walk around Hillcrest
*Visit Julian (old small mining town)
*Go take in a ball game at the new Petco Park (for as little as $5 you can sit in the Park at the Park area and basically see everything the ballpark has to offer)
*Ride the roller coaster at Belmont Park

These are the quick things that came to my mind that aren't always the *touristy* things to do :)