Places in the states to visit other than NY or SFO


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My partner and i have done NY and SFO a few times, but both of those cities are "over" for us (short attention span, and all that)

we were discussing our trips for this year, and were wondering where else in the states was worth visiting

we like quirky museums, modern art. small independant shops, and general wierdness!

oh, and the massive difference between east-coast and west-coats flight times is amways worth taking into account (SFO was 5 hours longer to get to than NY)

all suggestions to be gleafully considered


Dog River, Saskatchewan.
There's Crowley Lake and dog river and of course the largest wood pile in all of Canada and that's about it.


Try Memphis, Tennessee.

It is the home of The King (Elvis) despite him being dead for a while. So, there is probably a lot interesting related to him there, especially at Graceland.

There will be countless restaurants to partake of the renowned Memphis berbecue.

Need I say Memphis Riverboats? Also, there are some gambling boats.

Depending upon when you go, there may be a festival or two going on. Here is a page with some festivals.

Just a thought.


Seattle Washington would be a good one. The Experience Music Project seems really cool. Plus they've got the space needle, Reaper Miniatures, Wizards of the Coast and maybe you could even play crazy stalker to some of your favorite Paizo employees.

Liberty's Edge

Loztastic wrote:


we like quirky museums, modern art. small independant shops, and general wierdness!

Albuquerque, NM.


I'm guessing that when you say you've visited SFO, you saw more than just the airport.

I would say visit the Grand Canyon. When they say it's one of the few things in life that doesn't disappoint, they aren't kidding.

Paizo Employee Director of Narrative

Loztastic wrote:

My partner and i have done NY and SFO a few times, but both of those cities are "over" for us (short attention span, and all that)

we were discussing our trips for this year, and were wondering where else in the states was worth visiting

we like quirky museums, modern art. small independant shops, and general wierdness!

May I suggest Austin, Texas?

Liberty's Edge

Savannah, Georgia? Ha! No, just kidding.

Ticonderoga, New York? AH HA HA! Still kidding...

Liberty's Edge

Seattle. Not kidding this time.


DoveArrow wrote:
I would say visit the Grand Canyon. When they say it's one of the few things in life that doesn't disappoint, they aren't kidding.

I was going to suggest his. I grew up in the area and have visited the canyon many times. It still amazes me.

While you're in Northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a great base to explore other places. Meteor Crater is 30 minutes east and 30 minutes past that, you can Stand on a Corner in Winslow Arizona (Not real impressive, I grew up there and trust me it ain't much but if your an Eagles fan, well it's there anyway). You also have the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest nearby. A bit south there are several ancient ruins. Montezuma's Castle is a nice one.

Anyway... turning off tourist guide mode. But I really do think a week or even more exploring Northern Arizona is time well spent. ;-)

Sovereign Court

Wolfthulhu wrote:
DoveArrow wrote:
I would say visit the Grand Canyon. When they say it's one of the few things in life that doesn't disappoint, they aren't kidding.

I was going to suggest his. I grew up in the area and have visited the canyon many times. It still amazes me.

While you're in Northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a great base to explore other places. Meteor Crater is 30 minutes east and 30 minutes past that, you can Stand on a Corner in Winslow Arizona (Not real impressive, I grew up there and trust me it ain't much but if your an Eagles fan, well it's there anyway). You also have the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest nearby. A bit south there are several ancient ruins. Montezuma's Castle is a nice one.

Anyway... turning off tourist guide mode. But I really do think a week or even more exploring Northern Arizona is time well spent. ;-)

Thirded - Flagstaff was neat. Also don't just drive up to the edge of the canyon - go down into it, either by hiking (to say bright angel creek) or by boat.


Chicago has everything you're looking for and more. Absolutely a terrific city for tourists - at least my cousins say so.


I can't really recommend a city in SD but a tour of the state is highly recommended, Sioux Falls has the corn palace in the summer, Rapid City is a stopping off point for Mount Rushmore and Sturgis, Walldrug and the Badlands. The black Hills have lots of old mining towns, ghost towns and mine tours. And of course there are the Cherokee and Sioux gift shops and casinos at every reservation.

Scarab Sages

I live in Philadelphia, and even though I dig on the city a lot, it is still an interesting place to visit. There's lots of historical stuff, some decent places to eat, and some great places to get a beer.

Mmmm....beer


My suggestion would be my town of Norfolk,VA.

The Chrysler Meuseum of art is always fun. The dineing around the area is great if your into sea food. Theres also diveing,seeing the historic wiliamsburg,vicksburg,richmond areas if your a history buff. If you like rides and games I recommend bush gardens or any of the other amusement parks here.
See why I like this place so much.

Heres the downside, beware the tunnel and bridge traffic. always leave 30 minutes earlier than you planned to. Virgina Beach is great if your a tourist but they turn the hoses on you and start blairing loud music at 2am to clear the board walk, norfolk and the other towns arnt like that but va beach is.

If you want some club recommendations for you and your partner I can recommend everything from 5 star dineing to a local meat market where the levi and leather crowd hang out and everything in between.

Wherre ever you go have fun.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Key West, Florida - especially during Fantasy Fest. Weirdness is part of it's general charm, but during that time it just goes into over-drive. Plus, warm waters for swiming, boating, etc.

Liberty's Edge

I'll put in my 2cp for North Carolina.

Several things to see and do. Along the coast, you have the Outer Banks (also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, for the centuries of sunken ships) which are long, sandy barrier islands. They are quiet, remote, and populated with wild horses.

In the center of the state, you have the Research Triangle, (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) with 3 prestigous university (NC State - Duke - and UNC, respectively). UNC and Duke have some amazing architecture, with UNC's pre-civil war buildings and Duke's faux-gothic.

You also have Charlotte (my hometown) which has a few cool attractions, including the US Olympic Whitewater Training Center (an artificial river that you can raft/kayak), the Carolina Raptor Center, Latta Plantation, the Reid Gold Mine, the Museum of the New South, the Mint Museums of Art and History, Discovery Place (a children's science museum), the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Carowinds (a Cedar Fair-owned theme park).

Up in the mountains of North Carolina, you have the Blue Ridge Parkway (a beautiful scenic drive across the mountains), a segment of the Appalachian Trail, Chimney Rock State Park, Pisgah National Forest, and the Biltmore Estate.

For what it's worth.


Cuchulainn wrote:

I'll put in my 2cp for North Carolina.

Several things to see and do. Along the coast, you have the Outer Banks (also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, for the centuries of sunken ships) which are long, sandy barrier islands. They are quiet, remote, and populated with wild horses.

In the center of the state, you have the Research Triangle, (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) with 3 prestigous university (NC State - Duke - and UNC, respectively). UNC and Duke have some amazing architecture, with UNC's pre-civil war buildings and Duke's faux-gothic.

You also have Charlotte (my hometown) which has a few cool attractions, including the US Olympic Whitewater Training Center (an artificial river that you can raft/kayak), the Carolina Raptor Center, Latta Plantation, the Reid Gold Mine, the Museum of the New South, the Mint Museums of Art and History, Discovery Place (a children's science museum), the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Carowinds (a Cedar Fair-owned theme park).

Up in the mountains of North Carolina, you have the Blue Ridge Parkway (a beautiful scenic drive across the mountains), a segment of the Appalachian Trail, Chimney Rock State Park, Pisgah National Forest, and the Biltmore Estate.

For what it's worth.

Don't forget Fayettville/Ft. Bragg. Fayettville has the market house as a historical site and Ft. Bragg is home of the 82nd airborne.

N.C. has some amazingly charming places and festivals such as the national hollering contest in spiveys corner. If you go down to the beaches you'll learn to shag( it's a type of dance, not an austin powers refrence) to beach music.
I know I posted for VA but NC is where I was born and raised.


I'd like to second the recommendations for Seattle and Chicago, both have exactly what you're looking for, and also add in Portland, Oregon (which has Powell's bookstore, one of the COOLEST and BIGGEST independent bookstores ever!)

Dark Archive

I'd recommend Boston, MA - it's a very cool, young city, the weather is great in the summer, there's tons of history there, and because there are so many universities there's always something fun and quirky to do.


Boston, seconded. Good stuff in Boston. (I grew up there.)

Washington DC is full of neat stuff actually. The Nation's Capitol has more museums per capita than many others, and has a remarkably diverse and wonderful set of restaurants and entertainments for nightlife. For dining while at the Mall, you can't miss the cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian. It has excellent food. There's lots in the immediate area outside DC as well.


I’d second Washington DC – you have the Smithsonian and an array of monuments and federal buildings and a bunch of side things to do and see. Plus the weirdness that is our government in (in)action.

I agree with the grand canyon (and again stress that you do NOT just drive up and look at it – that is a waste of a trip – you need to hike / ride down into it or raft down it), but I’d actually rank Yellowstone ahead of it. Yellowstone can be tackled a number of different ways and at different times of the year, and is a completely different experience each time.

Denver, CO might also suit you, with museums (Denver Museum of Art, the Contemporary Art Museum, and several other historical / natural history museums), skiing, a lot of boutiques, hot springs, hiking, etc. , and if that doesn’t meet the weirdness quota you could hit Boulder (the Berkley of CO) which I’m sure would do it.

Silver Crusade

I really enjoyed Boston, myself, and I think it would be a pretty easy place for you to travel. There's lots to see in that area.

Scarab Sages

Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as Padre Island. Great little beach town with miles and miles of incredible beaches.

Thoth


Steven Tindall wrote:

My suggestion would be my town of Norfolk,VA.

Are you crazy? ;)

P'Town is where it's at.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Want to travel a little?

  • 1. Fly into Las Vegas (Spend the night and gamble, see a show
  • 2. Rent a helicopter: Fly to grand canyon and tour (ie this is a package deal).
  • 3. Rent Car, head West to/through Death Valley and goto Los Angeles (good sight seeing tour.
  • 4. Now in Los Angeles goto

  • a. Hollywood boulevard - Mann's Chinese theatre
  • b. Venice Beach (includes muscle beach)
  • c. West Hollywood (if you are gay or like good dance clubs - skip if either freak you out)
  • d. Disneyland (the original)
  • e. Laguna Beach (Artist haven set south of LA) If its summer time goto Sawdust festival
  • f. Attend a few TV show tapings while in town

  • 5. Now head to San Diego
    • a. Sea World
    • b. Tour old war ships
    • c. Go into mexico for x-border shopping

    This is a great time. Expect from one to two weeks to complete entire package.

    Depending on when you go, there are SEVERAL conventions and such that you could tie the trip into:
    http://www.strategicon.net
    Kingdomcon
    comiccon
    more

  • Scarab Sages

    You can also come to Pennsylvania and visit Hershey. Do it in the spring/summer when it's warm. Candy, an amusement park, candy, a museum, candy, nice hotels and some great places to eat.

    Mmmmm.....candy.


    The Thing from Beyond the Edge wrote:
    Steven Tindall wrote:

    My suggestion would be my town of Norfolk,VA.

    Are you crazy? ;)

    P'Town is where it's at.

    The best thing about P'Town(Portsmouth,VA) is Bruti's. I love to dine there. Portsmouth does have some nice places but if your anywhere near Norfolk,Porthsmouth,VA Beach,Hampton your in all of them.


    Bookmark for later note taking.

    The Exchange

    How about TheKeeper of the plains?

    Scarab Sages

    I say skip Virginia. I live in the Norfolk/VB area. Not all that.

    Go to San Diego. Much better all around. I just don't know where to begin.

    Liberty's Edge

    Howabout a romantic getaway for two in beautiful Kearny, New Jersey!

    After you've spent some time fending off the crazed swarms of radioactive seagulls, you can head west to the lovely little town of Centralia, Pa., for a barbecue courtesy of the mine fire that has been burning under the town for 48 years!

    Finally, you can end your vacation in historic downtown Detroit (you'll likely have to end your trip here because it is almost assured you will be robbed and hospitalized during your visit.)

    Scarab Sages

    Go to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It's got a nice boardwalk area, and is the home of the Dogfish Head Brew Pub. Also, the Dogfish Head Brewery isn't too far away.

    The Exchange

    Heathansson wrote:
    Loztastic wrote:


    we like quirky museums, modern art. small independant shops, and general wierdness!

    Albuquerque, NM.

    Just make sure to take that left....

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