If you're ever in my hometown...

[preciousjeni]

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!

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

If you're ever in Northeast Ohio, you need to eat at Swensons. I don't know what else to say.

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

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

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.

[Kappamd]

^^^Mmmmmm, yum.

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

[Kevin]

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

[ThetaDancer]

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

[sceniczip]

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

[jennyj87]

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

[Psi U MC Vito]

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.

[Preston327]

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.

[jennyj87]

Originally Posted by Preston327

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.

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

[PeppyGPhiB]

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?

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

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.

[libramunoz]

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.

[XAntoftheSkyX]

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