you have NOT been to the states until you've....

[kappaloo]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
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!

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.

Originally posted by Tom Earp
OMG, hope There is a lOT of $$$$$$$$$ and TIME TO do this!

What an adventure to doooooo!

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!!

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by valkyrie
LOL, according to many of these, I've never been to the states.

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

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

[queequek]

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

[Sister Havana]

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.

[queequek]

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

[kappaloo]

Originally posted by queequek
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.

[queequek]

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

[sigma3]

. . . 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

[polarpi]

Originally posted by queequek
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

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

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

[lonestaradpi]

You should visit the Riverwalk in San Antonio and have a margarita. As stated earlier, the Alamo too. It is such a humble experience to walk where so many gave their lives for their cause. If you feel like splurging on dinner, Boudros on the Riverwalk is a very neat place. Warning, it is a bit expensive.

If you are going to Santa Fe, you must go to Loretto Chapel. I was in Santa Fe about a month ago and Loretto is so spiritual and amazing! A miracle indeed!! The Shed is a good place to eat. I can still smell the pinon wood!!

[bluefish81]

If you're going through Omaha stop at the Henry Doorley Zoo. It's fantastic! They have an indoor jungle with replicated South American and African rain forests along with a Desert Dome. Truly an awesome place, but comfy shoes are a must.

I definetely agree about magaritas on the Riverwalk in San Antonio!

[MaMaBuddha]

stopped at white castles on 125th street, grab like 5 chess burgers then walked down the street passing at least 7 pan handlers, each asking from anything and everything from spare changes to some food. then to pay $2.00 to on the A,B,C or D train going to china town to buy whatever hand bag or wallet ever made by louie, gucci, d&G, CD, or coach that is in style to then walk in the pissed smelly streets to pay another $2.00 to take the bus cross town stuck in traffic to go to the other trains on the east side each are the 4, 5, or the 6 to get pay $11.00 for a movie theater were popcorn is $5.00, a drink is $4.50 and some damn goobers are 4.25 and on top of that every freaking high schooler is talking and cursing doing the whole movie of johnson's family vacation.

i love new york!!!!


all this just on a sunday after noon....wait until the evening

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by MaMaBuddha
stopped at white castles on 125th street, grab like 5 chess burgers then walked down the street passing at least 7 pan handlers, each asking from anything and everything from spare changes to some food. then to pay $2.00 to on the A,B,C or D train going to china town to buy whatever hand bag or wallet ever made by louie, gucci, d&G, CD, or coach that is in style to then walk in the pissed smelly streets to pay another $2.00 to take the bus cross town stuck in traffic to go to the other trains on the east side each are the 4, 5, or the 6 to get pay $11.00 for a movie theater were popcorn is $5.00, a drink is $4.50 and some damn goobers are 4.25 and on top of that every freaking high schooler is talking and cursing doing the whole movie of johnson's family vacation.

i love new york!!!!


all this just on a sunday after noon....what until the evening

Pick different neighborhoods.

[sigtau305]

you come to Cleveland and:

Take a tour around the city

attend our Rib Cook-Off

party at the Various Clubs/Bars in the Warehouse District/Flats

eat at the Best Steak and Gyro after 2:00a.m.

[ISUKappa]

Go to Kappa Headquarters in Columbus.
Visit me!

The suggestions you have already are pretty good, you could spend seven weeks in some cities and not do everything there is to do!

One additional comment--make sure you have plenty of coinage available for tollways.

Take lots of pictures and have fun!