Tourism Thread. The best things to do in your city

[Flick]

I've lived in northern Indiana all my life and I can tell you without a doubt, just skip over this state. Lol all you'll find is bigotry, racism, and hate. I can't imagine southern Indiana would be much better but I suppose I wouldn't know. It's a great place to live if you're white, heterosexual, and middle class.

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2016 12:01:55 GMT -5 @bubbs119 said:

DH's company is world wide and the option to transfer is always available. We love where we are and our proximity to family but we both have said if an opportunity came up in the Denver office he would take it immediately. Apparently everyone else in the company feels the same way because that office is impossible to get into.

We are one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country for a reason. Come be our neighbor!

[Widget123]

erbear, your recommendations for Pittsburgh are spot on. I've used to live there many years ago but haven't heard of many of the restaurants you mentioned. Maybe when I make it back there some day!

RE DC My absolute favorite place is National Harbor. There is also a well known drag queen brunch that I've always wanted to go to but never made it there.

I haven't been to Philadelphia in a while, unless you count Sesame Place which is NE of there. Would absolutely recommend that theme park to people with small kids.

I want to go visit Baltimore again. I haven't been there in a few years and it is so fun to walk around.

[tjanca22]

Lived in the suburbs of Milwaukee, WI my entire life, and it's actually a really great city.

1. What are the major attractions? The "must-sees"?
Any of the local brewery tours (and there are plenty), Third Ward, the Art Museum, the Harley Davidson Museum, anything relating to water since we are right on Lake Michigan.


2. What are some fun, unique things to do with kids?
The Milwaukee County Zoo, Betty Brinn Childrens Museum, Discovery World are all good options. Wisconsin Dells is only about a two hour drive; it's the Waterpark Capital of the World and has tons of family-friendly activities year round.

3. Favorite restaurants?
Any of the Bartolotta restaurants. A local family of chefs have close to 15 AMAZING restaurants spread across the city. From burger/custard, pizza, gastropub, all the way up to fine dining. No matter which one you go to, you will get great food.

4. Things to do on a date night?
We will usually try out a new restaurant on date night, or head to some type weekend festival. Pedal taverns are fun group dates.

5. Best times of year to visit?
Summer has the most going on, but its usually hot and humid, Fall is beautiful, Winter is great for winter sports and that's about all, and Spring is usally non-existant.

6. Major events/festivals that would be worth attending?
Summerfest is a must, it's the "World's largest music festival". Any of the ethnic festivals, there's a new ethnic fest each weekend of summer. Every 5 years, Harley Davidson throws a huge anniversary party. The rumbling never stops for 4 days and it's pretty amazing to see people come to MKE from all over the world!

[alayne926]

@jemomma, I don't think I realized you were in MO too!! I'm outside of St. Louis.

1. What are the major attractions? The "must-sees"?
The Arch (of course), but it's going through some major renovations right now, so it's hard to get to., Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch brewery, Forest Park....the list goes on and on!

2. What are some fun, unique things to do with kids?
We have an AWESOME zoo that is free to get in, Grants Farm is another zoo type destination, but it's owned by the Busch family, so you get free beer!, City Museum (for older kids), Magic House.

3. Favorite restaurants?
Oh gosh, so many good ones! Pappy's Smokehouse, Anything on the Hill (old Italian neighborhood), The Fountain on Locust, Pi Pizza, Fitz's (fun for kids too).

4. Things to do on a date night?
The chocolate bar, hit up a Blues or Cardinals game, there's a great street of bars/restaurants Washington Avenue,

5. Best times of year to visit?
Really any time but winter...

6. Major events/festivals that would be worth attending?
Big Muddy Blues Festival, Shakespeare Festival, Art on the Square

[ashbash]

Jan 13, 2016 10:13:29 GMT -5 @kej0004 said:

Jan 13, 2016 9:36:28 GMT -5 ashbash said:

3. Favorite restaurants?
This has been hard coming from the DC area but we have some good local casual american downtown, a great taco truck, and of course BBQ, my favorite is Teds pulled pork with white sauce and cole slaw.

You better watch out, they'll kick you out for not picking Big Bob's. 

Technically Big Bobs is my favorite but the one in Decatur which isnt in Huntsville so I didnt pick it but it is the bomb

And now I might suck it up and drive out there this weekend for it

[billyhorrible]

erbear, Awwww I totally remember going on the clipper and then to the Point for class fieldtrips!

holliberry28, the library! I feel like it's an institution. I remember my parents used to take me there because their parents took them there as kids. Well, that and Kings Plaza - which isn't a tourist destination, but is pretty important in my family history. It makes me sad to go back, because all my favorite places are gone.

[erbear]

Widget123 so many of them are new! Pittsburgh has had a restaurant explosion in recent years!

billyhorrible I didn't know you were from the western PA area!

[tjanca22]

sammyca, did you see anyone good at summerfest? @jemomma I always get excited to hear that people come to MKE for vacations, we really are fun and we like to drink, so we're good folk to be around.

[belle0720]

I'm going to have to go back through here and read this! Such a great idea!

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area - 45 miles east of the city in a Suburb. Our city specifically is big on wine! So I would recommend either the Wine Trolley to hit up a few vineyards or to come when we have one of our Wine Festivals. There's several throughout the year...Harvest Festival, Barrel Tasting, Beer & Wine Festival Downtown, Taste of Downtown (samplings from our restaurants and downtown shops host wineries so you can wine taste and shop with discounts!) We also have a rodeo in June.

If we're talking San Francisco itself, Outside Lands is a cool music festival in Golden Gate Park. The Treasure Island Music Festival is also cool. There's a fancy flea market on Treasure Island once a month too. The Giants have a great stadium so hitting up a game is a great idea. I highly recommend taking a cruise on the bay.

San Francisco has moderate weather pretty much all year long. June-October would be a nice month to visit. Christmastime is also a good time, lots of decorations and fun events!

[billyhorrible]

Jan 13, 2016 15:34:21 GMT -5 erbear said:

b@billyhorrible I didn't know you were from the western PA area!

"from" is relative.  I actually never know where to say I'm "from" since I lived in so many states.  But I lived in Western PA for about 8 years.  Long enough that my kids will be watching Punx'y Phil in a few weeks, but not long enough that I would use "yinz" on a regular basis

[holliberry28]

Jan 13, 2016 14:48:56 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

erbear, Awwww I totally remember going on the clipper and then to the Point for class fieldtrips!

holliberry28, the library! I feel like it's an institution. I remember my parents used to take me there because their parents took them there as kids. Well, that and Kings Plaza - which isn't a tourist destination, but is pretty important in my family history. It makes me sad to go back, because all my favorite places are gone.

Do you mean a local library in Brooklyn? Or the big one on 42nd street in Manhattan? And Kings Plaza is still there, but not the best for shopping nowadays...

[billyhorrible]

holliberry28, I dunno, I feel like in our lifetime, King's Plaza was never really good for shopping. I remember it always seeming a bit outdated. Although, maybe it's worse now? I haven't been since my grandmother moved to NJ a couple years ago.


The Brooklyn library - central, the one off Flatbush.

[kemdupuis]

Jan 13, 2016 10:13:29 GMT -5 @kej0004 said:

Jan 13, 2016 9:36:28 GMT -5 ashbash said:

3. Favorite restaurants?
This has been hard coming from the DC area but we have some good local casual american downtown, a great taco truck, and of course BBQ, my favorite is Teds pulled pork with white sauce and cole slaw.

You better watch out, they'll kick you out for not picking Big Bob's. 

(I prefer Ted's too!)

[kemdupuis]

Jan 13, 2016 10:42:36 GMT -5 hannahl201477 said:

Jan 13, 2016 10:36:27 GMT -5 @kej0004 said:

Only from a Drive By Truckers song and Walking Tall. That's quite a claim to fame, you've got there. haha.

I have never heard that song! It is TOO funny!!! There are lots of different sides to all these stories about him.

I've been here for 5 years too ashbash!

Can't say that I've ever heard of a Buford pusser though! Guess I need to do some research!

[beersandweirs]

I feel like I should pimp Seattle because it is really great. However, I don't know about all the best spots. The mountains are gorgeous and ocean is like a 2.5 hour drive.

[kemdupuis]

stcyct OMG prohibition pig!!!!! So incredible!!

[gigi3126]

stcyct I'm originally from southeastern Connecticut. Usually when people visited we went to the casinos, Mystic, and out to Newport. I think the nice part about that area is that there are a bunch of random things relatively close by.

[ashbash]

stcyct I lived in Boston for a few years a looooved it but my southern bones were just not made for those winters

[billyhorrible]

Jan 13, 2016 21:12:44 GMT -5 ashbash said:

stcyct I lived in Boston for a few years a looooved it but my southern bones were just not made for those winters

Boston is still my favorite place I've ever lived.

[wegrowsheep]

1. What are the major attractions? The "must-sees"? Mt Rainier is popular. (see avatar)
2. What are some fun, unique things to do with kids? There's a wildlife park, see the moose, wolves, etc up close.
3. Favorite restaurants? LOL. No. Come here, I'll feed you. Unless you eat at Paradise Lodge (see q 1).
4. Things to do on a date night? Leave town.
5. Best times of year to visit? Summer, unless you want to see rain, or go snowshoeing.
6. Major events/festivals that would be worth attending? I hear there's a good wine festival, haven't been.

[wegrowsheep]

sammyca Australia is pretty much the only place on my bucket list. I went to NZ (south island), and would go back there as well.

[Widget123]

Jan 13, 2016 21:23:30 GMT -5 @wwprestige said:

I'm going to take the state as a whole because... Mississippi. I've heard my friends in other states affectionately refer to us as the armpit of the United States, so I'm sure you'll all be visiting. Also, I'm too scurred to say exactly where I live.


**STUCK IN QUOTE BOX**

Where I am from, we refer to New Jersey of the armpit of the US and it is located on the side of the US where an armpit would be, but I suppose it could be a regional thing.  I've been to Mississippi once but I don't remember it smelling too bad

[dogmama22]

We live near Cincinnati, OH, but I'm from Columbus. Much more familiar with Cinci, but if anyone is ever passing through, I could give a little info on Cbus.
1. What are the major attractions? The "must-sees"?

2. What are some fun, unique things to do with kids?
Cincinnati Museum Center is fantastic, the Newport Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, a Reds game for MLB, and Florence Freedom is a minor league team in NKY and has lots of fun kids activities. We have several great play cafes/ boutiques in the area that are great for little ones - Blue Cocoon, Red Balloon and Ozo. Kings Island has an amusement park and water park. Coney Island does as well and is better for little ones. Loveland Castle, Drake Planetarium, Lebanon Mason Train rides, BB Riverboat cruises, Crohn Conservatory, National Underground Railroad Museum.

3. Favorite restaurants?
Eli's BBQ is an awesome summer spot - lots of outdoor eating, the Dojo gelato truck comes a lot and there's usually live music.
National Examplar for a non-kid friendly place. I've heard great things and would love to try 20 Brix, but we haven't made it there yet. Dewey's Pizza is great for unique toppings and LaRosa's has a unique sauce with traditional toppings. Lola's is the most amazing authentic Italian food in Columbus. Echo diner is perfect hangover breakfast food. Arthur's has great burgers, the veggie burger is my fave.

4. Things to do on a date night?
Nothing too crazy - any of the restaurants above, parks, movies, Playhouse in the Park, MLB or NFL games
5. Best times of year to visit?
It's the Midwest, just pick your favorite weather. I would say summer has the most to do
6. Major events/festivals that would be worth attending?
Oktoberfest is big here, worlds longest yard sale goes through here

[Widget123]

I can talk about Memphis, TN because I used to travel for work there... all.the.time.

1. Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. There are other music related attractions if you are into that sort of thing like Sun Studio.

2. See above. There is also a zoo and a children's museum there, but I haven't been.

3. BBQ. Corky's is like fast food quality BBQ IMO, so don't get too excited by them. Rendezvous in downtown is pretty good. I also like Neely's.

4. Get BBQ. Walk around the bar scene on Beale Street, which is like a wannabe Bourbon Street. Go listen to some Blues or Soul music.

5. Definitely not July/August when it is really hot.

6. There are big festivals during "Memphis in May" such as the Beale street Music Festival.

[erbear]

dogmama22, but what chili would you recommend?

I've been to Cincy twice and Columbus once. I liked both, even if I hate Cincy sports teams.

[dogmama22]

Jan 14, 2016 9:02:02 GMT -5 erbear said:

dogmama22, but what chili would you recommend?

I've been to Cincy twice and Columbus once. I liked both, even if I hate Cincy sports teams.

As a Columbus native, I refuse to even try Cinci chili. Just the smell is eww. My husband likes Skyline and I like their cheese fries. I hear Price Hill chili is most authentic.

[sunflower77]

I opened this thread thinking this would be a good place for me to jump in because odds were good there wouldn't be anyone from my area and there it was the very first one! kemdupuis, it's cool seeing some with ties to this area and great list! I'd definitely agree that summer is the best time of the year in VT but each season has it's attractions for tourists. I could add to the restaurant list as there is a lot of good food to be had in the surrounding area also, Blue Paddle Bistro and Twiggs Gastropub to name a couple.

[purple]

There isn't anyone else from my country, let alone my town! I'll just do my locality, though.

1. The scenery! The Borders aren't as majestic as the Highlands, but they are still beautiful.

History. My town was named a Royal Burgh during the reign of King David, between 1124 and 1153. There are only a couple of buildings left from that time and they're ruined,but still worth seeing. We're a few miles from Scotland's oldest continually inhabited house, Traquair, which was built in 1107.

The Scottish Borders are full of history. Sir Walter Scott was from around here and his house is an hour's drive away. This was Border Riever country: from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century marauding gangs from both sides of the border would attack each others' properties and steal their crops and livestock (and sometimes take hostages). Conversely, there are several beautiful ruined abbeys in the Borders, which are well worth seeing.

Outdoors: there's plenty of walking and trail running around here, and fishing and canoeing on the river. But cycling is what this area is really famous for. We have world class cycle routes through the forests that are used for world championships. Has anyone heard of enduro cycling? If you know anything about it you may have heard of my town.

There are some beautiful gardens in the area. The arboretum of the National Botanic Gardens is just a few miles down the road and is worth visiting at any time if year, perhaps especially in the autumn and spring. There is also a lovely garden a bit closer to home that is famous for having hundreds of vatieties of snowdrops.

There is a fabulous spa (and hotel) about twenty minutes' drive away. Vouchers for spa sessions are one of the few things thatpermanently appear on my gift lists.

2. Well, all the above, except perhaps the spa! There's a wonderful adventure playground in the snowdrop garden (which is open all year) and another at Traquair. The forests are great to explore and most local kids are keen on mountain biking.

3. My very favourite restaurant has recently closed, but there are several exceptionally good ones,including two national award winning restaurants. There is also a café that sells award winning cakes and chocolates, where you can also learn to make youriwn patisserie and chocolates, and there's a very good ice cream parlour.

4. I haven't mentioned the local theatre yet. It's pretty small, and if there is something you want to see it will probably be on for one night, or at most two. But for the size of town it's exceptionally good. So H and I would probably choose togo out when there is something we wantto see, whether that's a film, a band, live theatre, or ballet or opera broadcast from Covent Garden. Or we'd go out for a meal. I've made H promise that when L is oldenough to leave overnight, we'll go to a hotel down the road that does an eight course tasting menu with wine pairings, and bed and breakfast.

5. There are wonderful things to do at any time of year. The weather is probably best from May to July.

6. There is a huge cycling festival in May every year. At the beginning of June you can see promenade performances of Shakespeare in the grounds of Traquair House. In the middle of June there is a week long party in town, including riding the boundaries, horse races on the golf course, dressing up and dances in the street, and lots more. At the end of August we have an arts festival, and in October there is a wood festival.

We're also only twenty-five miles south of Edinburgh, and only a few hours from Loch Lomond.There are many more lochs, but that one is famous!