If you're ever in my hometown...
 

... you should ______________.

Name and describe things in your hometown (or somewhere else you've lived, or traveled to) that you think everyone should experience if they have the chance to visit.

It could be an eatery, a park, a mall, a show/exhibit, an annual celebration, a monument... whatever you think should be experienced by all!

I'll start.

If you're ever in Nashua, NH, you should stop at Christopher's Subs and Pizza. They have the most amazing food! Their subs are LOADED and their pizza is thin, but not crispy, very greasy and the crust rises like nothing else. Amazing.

....go to the Big Chicken. (Marietta, GA)

okay, so I dont live in Marietta anymore, but I've only been in Columbus for a year and am still learning my way around.

The Big Chicken is just a KFC...but it's fun to give directions to someone from out of town and use The Big Chicken as a landmark and they think you're insane.

If you're ever in my hometown you should visit Busch Gardens, an African themed park home to amazing zoo animals, rides and roller coasters. Also pick up a cigar in Ybor City, and try to catch a Tampa Bay Lightning game, after all were the lightning capitol of the USA!!

If you're ever in Ladysmith, BC you should attend our annual Festival of Lights, it's held on the last Thursday of every November. All the Christmas Lights downtown are lit up at the same time and there's live, local music and a big parade followed by an awesome fireworks show. It's a great night of small town fun.

Remember to say where these things are!

Maybe I should have titled it "If you're ever in _________ you should ________. :p

If you're ever in Dearborn, Michigan, you should go to Greenfield Village, an outdoor museum of historical buildings that Henry Ford has had moved there, including the Wright Brother's Bicycle Shop where they made their first airplane, a courthouse where Lincoln once practiced as an attorney, slave quarters, homes of Noah Webster, Stephen Foster, old school houses.. very neat, unique experience!

ETA: I have seen The Big Chicken.. hilarious!

I love Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village!!! I haven't been in like 8 years! I need to go back.. I'm only in Southfield.

If you're ever in Plano, TX on a Friday night, you should stop by Clark Stadium! It got a multimillion dollar face lift a few years ago and the football games that take place there are nothing like they are at any other stadium I've been to. Although you may not be familiar with either team playing, the atmosphere is hard to beat.

Otherwise, take a stroll around downtown Plano. It's really nice and has a small suburb/historic feel. Also, there are a bunch of tasty places to eat. :)

Well I'm from one side of Atlanta and I now live on the other side...

If you're ever in Lilburn/Gwinnett County GA you should go to Lake Lanier and the Buford Dam. They're so much fun and you can walk on the riverbed in the dam and camp there in the summer/fall. There's also the Mall of Georgia, which is just awesome!! On Main Street in Old Town Lilburn there is a little restaurant called the Blue Rooster Cafe, and they have the best food and the most amazing desserts there.

If you're ever in Marietta, GA you should go to Marietta Square. It's an outdoor shopping/eating place and all the building are really old and historical. It's like a mini Atlantic Station, just older. You should also check out the Marietta Diner, a lot of celebrities come by and while I personally don't like their food it's pretty well known and is a good hangout spot. And if you're an Alpha Xi you should swing by Southern Poly which is around the corner and say hi to your sisters :)

If you're ever in Rockland County, NY (Southern Hudson Valley), don't miss out on a visit to the Palisades Center Mall. It is among the top ten largest malls in the United States. The mall features an indoor ferris wheel, carousel and ice rink. It looks like a prison and smells like a city dump some days, but it's not to be missed.

If you're ever in Rabun County, GA (North Georgia), don't miss out on a visit to The Dillard House. It's a really neat experience. You get seated at a table and they start bringing out the foods of the day. It's all-you-can-eat for one (pretty hefty) price. The food is really delicious and is a great example of the regional cuisine. But, don't expect to do much else but sit somewhere quietly after you leave. You get so full!

If you're ever in Columbus, GA... you should go to... Country's for barbecue, and make sure to see the azaleas at Callaway Gardens! (I lived in Columbus for about 4 years.)

Um, where is it? I have lived here for 8 years and I have never heard of it.

http://www.swensonsdriveins.com/locations.asp

Akron, Canton, Stow-ish, and Seven Hills.

^^^Mmmmmm, yum.

Also in NE Ohio, any of Iron Chef Michael Symon's restaurants. All are ahhhmazing.

Dee you stole mine! I guess I'll go with Detroit...

If you're ever in Detroit, first of all don't be scared. If it's Christmas time, visit Campus Martius and go ice skating. If it's not, visit Greektown. There are a few really good authentic Greek restaurants and a pretty nice casino.

If you're ever in Providence, RI, be sure to check out WaterFire (http://www.waterfire.org/). On nights throughout the summer (mostly Saturdays), gondolas make their way around the rivers throughout the city and light these huge torches. It's gorgeous, and downtown Providence comes to life. It's a must if you're ever in the state!

Country's was actually one of the first restaurants we ate at, and it's one of my favorites. A few weeks ago, we participated in the March of Dimes walk through the Fantasy of Lights at Callaway...

Gripes me that Carmike is the only theater company around here though... I seriously miss AMC and Regal, and avoid the movie theaters because they are always packed here....

I know you're heading home soon, but this weekend is a great time to go to the Village. They have the homes all decorated for Christmas, as they would be in the era of each home, with special demonstrations, etc.

Oklahoma City has a surprising amount of stuff to do and it's about to get a whole lot better. Right now, the general tourist plan will include a visit to the bombing memorial, probably a trip to the stockyards where they can dine on steak (and Rocky Mountain oysters for the brave). We have a decent art museum with the world's largest collection of Chihuly (sp?) sculpture, the American Banjo Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (which is actually very much worth the trip). Also, some pretty stunning art deco buildings downtown. If you like sailing, we have one of the world's best sailing lakes around, Lake Hefner (because it's always windy) and I live right next to that lake, so you could visit my house.

As for the nightlife, we have some pretty great western-type bars, or if that's not your scene, you can hit up Bricktown where we have every sort of restaurant and club imaginable along the canal. It ain't 6th Street of Austin fame, but it's not horrible.

I'd recommend staying at the Hilton Skirvin. A 1930's hotel which has just been renovated. Lots of history. Beautiful place.

Currently being built, however, are quite a few other things for OKC. We're building a new convention center, we're doing some improvements to the Oklahoma River (aka the North Canadian) which flows through our downtown area. It is already recognized as one of the country's premiere rowing venues, and the planned improvements should put it over the top. We're also building a 70-acre highly programmed park (like Houston's Discovery) adjacent to that. Down the river a ways, the Native American Cultural Center (which is just damn huge) is being built as well. Also being built is an artificial whitewater rafting course (like in Charlotte, N.C.) and a downtown modern trolley circulator.

So there's quite a bit going on down here and it's about to get a whole lot better.

/OKC tourism guide

If you're ever in Milwaukee, make sure to visit the art museum. It's a famous Santiago Calatrava building with an outstanding collection.

I'd recommend a tour of Lakefront Brewery, my favorite local brewery. It's a fun tour, amazing beer, and you have to do at least one brewery tour when you're in this city.

You should also check out the Harley Davidson Museum; beautiful building, beautiful bikes, and lots to learn about Milwaukee's history.

And 2 fun restaurants to try: Roots, and Crazy Water

If you're ever in Valley City, OH, you should go to the frog jump contest http://www.valleycity.org/frogs/fjhistory.htm

If you're ever in Wakefield, RI..... you should go to Phils on Main St. for breakfast then get a dels. And of course visit the worlds biggest CVS ;)

:D:D:D

Not much in my hometown, so I'll just do Newark which I actually know better.

If you are ever in Newark, There is so much to do. There is NJPAC which has some pretty good performances. But my personal favorite is the Ironbound which has some amazing Portuguese restaurants, including at least half a dozen rodizio places.

If you're ever in Lehigh Acres, FL, try the First Wok restaurant next to Publix. Best Chinese in town. If you're in nearby Ft. Myers go check out the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the Borroughs Home (on one of the few days they actually open it) and if you catch yourself in town at the right time of year the Festival of Light parade is not to be missed.

If you're ever in Teague, TX, know how to get to Wal-Mart in Mexia, what time Dollar General and Brookshires (grocery store) closes, and know what time the Cefco or Daniels in town closes (the gas stations).
Also you need to know which bank closes early and you need to know which teller will get you in and out quick. You also need to know that not every ATM card will work in either of the two ATM machines at the banks.
Also if you need your car fixed, be prepared to hear varying directions of how to get to the four licensed auto mechanics in town and several of the "shade tree" variety.
And if you're in this town, be prepared to have people ask you "who are you related to" come out as "whose you're kinfolk."
If you're here on a Friday night, be prepared to know that the Subway on the highway closes at 8p and so does the Pizza Inn and Pizza Hut in Fairfield and Mexia don't deliver outside of the city. Only Dairy Queen is open late--till 11p, if you're lucky and are catching the last shift.
If it's during football season, this is the only time that you will notice the high school or the stadium--both which are located outside of the city limits actually. And always on Friday nights, be prepared for the "drag" with the high school kids.

As far as things to see, unless you're interested in the railroad, you're better off staying where you are because unless you're willing to go 36 miles into Corsicana, cable and the DVD player becomes you're best friend.

If you're ever in Cotuit, MA you should check out the Cotuit Fresh Market (Which I work at) and Loop beach.

i'm going to a wedding in the borroughs home in february. Its going to be beautiful!

Well, there's a ton of stuff to do in Seattle, but if you're ever in the Emerald City, you MUST go to Pike Place Market. Everyone will tell you that, but it's true...it's the best place to experience Seattle's soul. This city has changed a lot in the past 10-20 years, but Pike Place Market stays the same. Buy teas and spices, fresh produce you've never heard of, the biggest salmon you've ever seen, incredible hot mini donuts, gorgeous wild flower bouquets, handmade soap and jewelry, just-roasted nuts, piroshkys, cheese curds, fresh bread and more. Stop by the first Starbucks, which looks nothing like the others, and have lunch at Lowell's or the Crumpet Shop.

When you're done at the market, stroll a couple blocks away to the Flagship Nordstrom. Then walk down to the waterfront and go on a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, just 25 minutes away.

Before you leave, you must have dinner at a fab seafood restaurant. Waterfront Seafood Grill is my favorite, but Elliot's, Etta's, Anthony's/Chinook's are good stand-bys. And Ivar's is the place to go for clam chowder.

If you're here in December, you should Google the Christmas Ship festival and seek out one of the beaches with a bonfire. Sing Christmas caroles and drink hot chocolate by candle/firelight as you watch the lit-up Christmas Ship and trailing boats pull up to the beach and serenade you.

Can you tell I love my city?

I didn't get to enjoy Seattle as much as I should have. I was too busy hating the military and sulking at the crappy weather to enjoy it. :( I would ride the ferry over from Seattle and stop in at Ivars to get a basket of fried shrimp, and would walk along the waterfront just because. I did Pike Place and the Space Needle a couple of times when my family came out to visit...

I miss the sight of Mount Rainier though...and the clean air.