I'm traveling the country... what should I do?!

ASTalumna06 · #1 06-02-2010, 12:00 PM

Starting in July, I'll be traveling for 6-8 months for work. I'll be spending at least 2 weeks in each place that I visit, and there's a good chance I'll be staying the weekend in most of them.

I'm looking for fun things to do, and I'm especially looking for great restaurants where I should eat, as I'll probably be eating out 90% of the time. That's where you all come in... I need suggestions!

Places I'll be visiting:

New York City
Chicago
Philadelphia
Boston
Atlanta
Orlando
Houston
Dallas
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Honolulu

I've been to NYC twice, but there's still so much there that I haven't seen or experienced. I've been to Orlando before, but I've only really visited Disney parks. And I basically grew up in Boston, but I'm curious to see if anyone suggests places that I haven't been to/heard of before.

Help!

knight_shadow · #2 06-02-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Dallas

Are you visiting Dallas proper, or somewhere else in the Metroplex? And will you have access to a vehicle while you're here (the area is very spread out)?

ETA: Adding this so I can fill it in tomorrow:

Dallas
- Downtown/West End
- Uptown/Knox-Henderson/Oaklawn
- Addison
- Greenville (Above and Below Mockingbird)

Fort Worth
- West of DT
- Stockyards

Arlington
- Arlington Highlands
- Entertainment District

ComradesTrue · #3 06-02-2010, 12:12 PM

Instead of looking for something to do in Dallas, just head 30 minutes west to Fort Worth. It is a much better city, especially for tourists. The Stockyards just north of downtown has the old west feel, but there are also many great museums in the art district which is just west of downtown.

As far as where to eat while in Dallas, well obviously Mexican. In order of my preference:

Gloria's- a locally owned place with restaurants all over Dallas. The one in Oak Cliff is the original, but any of them are good. One margarita will do ya. Great place for dinner during the week while you are working in Dallas.

Uncle Julio's- yes these have sprung up in various parts of the country, but the food is really good in the DFW locations.

Joe T Garcia's- probably the most famous of all restaurants in Fort Worth. It is near the Stockyards, so could make a nice lunch or dinner while you are out sightseeing. No reservations- you just show up and stand in line, which depending on time of year and day of week could be for up to 2 hours. Dinner choices are fajitas or enchiladas. That's it! But atmosphere, drinks and food are all good. Hopefully you will hit DFW in the fall and not the summer. You most likely will be eating outdoors on the patio- it comprises probably 90% of the seating and is huge, huge, huge. Some sections are covered and have a ceiling fan.

If you are in Dallas over a weekend, then seriously plan for the weekend to be in Fort Worth. I promise there is much more to do, it is much more scenic, and the people are much more friendly. I have lived at least 7 years in each city. I know them well.

ETA: okay, while in Dallas do go to the JFK museum. Just because. I would also suggest a tour of the new Cowboys stadium (aka JerryWorld or the DeathStar) because it is just insane. The stadium is located in Arlington, mid-way between Dallas and Fort Worth.

knight_shadow · #4 06-02-2010, 12:15 PM

^^^ Tarrant County pusher

To ASTalumna06 - listen to Blondie93. I'll fill in some more Dallas stuff eventually.

amanda6035 · #5 06-02-2010, 12:17 PM

When you are in Atlanta, go to Stone Mountain. Stay for the evening lazer show on the lawn. Cafe Intermezzo for coffee and desserts.

ComradesTrue · #6 06-02-2010, 12:22 PM

By the way... what a great list of cities to visit! What a great experience. Lucky you.

agzg · #7 06-02-2010, 12:32 PM

In Chicago:

- Go to Navy Pier. While there, eat a hot dog and have a beer at the beer garden.
- Eat one slice of deep dish pizza at Giordano's. Try one slice - if you don't like it, their NY Style isn't too bad either.
- Stand on the SkyLedge at the Sears Tower and try not to fudge your undies.
- For a nicer meal, try Frontera Grill in the restaurant district. Nice jeans/nice shirt attire can pass but best to be business casual.
- Eat another hot dog at Portillo's.
- Do one of the river cruises. The best is the Wendella. When going past my office building, wave. There will probably be a guy in a brightly colored polo shirt freaking out waving with both arms outside my building, but only if there are kids on your boat.
- Go to the American Girl Store at the Water Tower Place. If you're with a guy, drop him off at the Apple Store down the street.
- Go to North Avenue Beach. You can get hot dogs and italian beef sandwiches there, too.

SydneyK · #8 06-02-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Joe T Garcia's- probably the most famous of all restaurants in Fort Worth. It is near the Stockyards, so could make a nice lunch or dinner while you are out sightseeing. No reservations- you just show up and stand in line, which depending on time of year and day of week could be for up to 2 hours. Dinner choices are fajitas or enchiladas. That's it! But atmosphere, drinks and food are all good. Hopefully you will hit DFW in the fall and not the summer. You most likely will be eating outdoors on the patio- it comprises probably 90% of the seating and is huge, huge, huge. Some sections are covered and have a ceiling fan.

I second this. It sounds like it's changed since I was there last (I'm sure I had a chimichanga - I wasn't limited to only fajitas or enchiladas). I still have an "Eat at Joe's" T-shirt.

In Atlanta, eat at Canoe (on the Chattahoochee).

lovespink88 · #9 06-02-2010, 12:45 PM

^^
Ditto agzg's advice about the SkyLedge, Giordanos and Portillos!!

Also visit Millenium Park (check to see if there's going to be something going on when you're here at this website: http://www.millenniumpark.org/)

P.S. I'm so jealous of your trip. I was just realizing that there's a bunch of major U.S. cities that I want to visit. I totally want to visit your list (minus either Dallas or Houston and plus St. Louis!)

carynie13 · #10 06-02-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespink88

^^
I totally want to visit your list (minus either Dallas or Houston and plus St. Louis!)

Oh St. Louis is such a great, historic city! I'm about an hour and a half from it, but it's great for weekend trips! The St. Louis Zoo, which is free other than parking, is a great place for all ages. Also, Cardinals games are such a huge tradition, and you can find cheap tickets. There's also a really great science center and several great malls. Also, if you do make a trip to STL, I would recommend crossing the river and visiting the Cahokia Indian Mounds in Belleville, Illinois. It's a really amazing place and only about 15 minutes.

MaggieXi · #11 06-02-2010, 01:40 PM

Here's some things to do while in Philly:

- If you like History: check out the Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Center.

- If your big on food: check out the Reading Terminal Market. Tons of different cuisine and eat a real cheesesteak. Pat's & Gino's are legendary. Be sure to heed the rules when ordering. Its either "wit" or "wit out". Also, if you've never had one "Eat a Ritas". It will change your thoughts on water ice completely. Also, you could go eat at a Steven Starr restaurant - fun places with good/interesting food: http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

- If your an animal lover: try the Philadelphia Zoo, one of the best in the country. If you still are interested in animals, you can take a quick ride across the bridge into Camden, NJ to check out the Aquarium.

-If you are into art:check out the world famous Philadelphia Art Museum, you can even run up the stairs like Rocky! Other museums, like the Franklin Institute (very cool, but can be over run with kids) or the Mutter Mueseum, owned by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and has very weird medical artifacts (not for the squimish!)

- For sports, you can try to go see a Phillies game or catch a regatta.

There are also cute towns within the city to walk through such as Manayunk (said "Manny-unk"), Old City, and Chestnut Hill.

ISUKappa · #12 06-02-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blondie93

By the way... what a great list of cities to visit! What a great experience. Lucky you.

No kidding!

honeychile · #13 06-02-2010, 01:57 PM

A lot depends on whether or not you'll have a car at your disposal, and whether or not you want to go tourist or native.

If you have 5 hours in New York, take the Circle Line cruise with a friend. A lot of landmarks are pointed out, plus if it's a sunny day, it's totally relaxing. I always suggest the Forbes Magazine Gallery, especially if you're into bling. It's free, and there's a lot of bling from royal families, antique toys, and more Imperial Fabrege Eggs than anyone but Queen Elizabeth.

At 72nd Street W, but in Central Park is Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon. The Lower East Side is full of history, and many times, you'll see a movie being filmed here or there. And of course, there's shopping!

In Chicago, Super Dawgs is my choice for Hot Dogs.

It's at 6363 Milwaukee Avenue; Chicago, IL 60646-3726
(773) 763-0660, and is well worth the drive. I don't know when you're going, but Chicago hosts "The Taste of Chicago", where you can try a little bit of many restaurants' offerings. Be sure to try an Italian Beef, and of course, The Billy Goat (from SNL fame) at Billy Goat Tavern Original, Near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building; 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level: Phone: 312-222-1525. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free, except for parking.

I agree about seeing the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas. Just off of SMU's campus is an interesting plaza that has some great restaurants and shops - but we got stalled at the Irish Pub (Tipperary?).

As for the rest, I've either never been or it's been too long to comment. Have a great time!

chickenoodle · #14 06-02-2010, 02:25 PM

Since you are going to be in Florida, I recommend you visit Siesta Beach (2nd best beach in America) in Sarasota, and Cocoa Beach. Siesta Bch is 2 hours away from Orlando via the Interstate, and Cocoa is about an hour away.

Cross check the dates you are going to be in Orlando with NASA. If you have the chance to see a shuttle launch, definitely take the opportunity!

As for things to do in Orlando, City Walk is nice as is International Drive. Downtown has a decent nightlife and good food.

If you decide to spend some time in Sarasota, let me know. I'm pretty familiar with the town and I can recommend lots of things to do, great places to eat and drink.

groovypq · #15 06-02-2010, 02:38 PM

If you're on Twitter, follow PulseJFK (http://twitter.com/pulsejfk) - I think they're on Facebook too. They list crazy free/cheap stuff in NYC.

I'm sure other cities have something like this, but this is one I've stumbled across.

This is an awesome thread! Can we sticky it? It's almost like a mini-guide to the U.S.!