Although I have a vacation planned abroad for this year (Paul Doran, I’m going to be in the neighborhood), I’m also looking to go some where here in the good old U.S. of A. that I’ve never been.

Would like to hear from some board members about great domestic vacation destinations, and what makes it so special.

I know it depends on one’s interest as to what makes a place great, but I didn’t want to list my interests as it might limit responses and someone else may see something they like.

My latest recommendation:
Went to Charleston SC last year for the first time and fell in love with the place. History oozing from every street corner, the food was outstanding (my first bowl of she crap soup!), some of the most unique shops I’ve ever ventured into and an outstanding arts community. If you stay in the old part of the city you can walk to everything.

Was there over Memorial weekend which coincided with the Spoleta Festival. This is a huge arts festival encompassing both traditional artisan work as well as the performing arts. And I believe it now when they say it’s the friendliest place in the country. Would highly recommend this charming city especially if you want a romantic get away (guys in the dog house take note!).

Might I suggest Liberty State Park, located in scenic Jersey City, New Jersey. Around that area is the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Liberty Science Center. An overall educational adventure.

As for another, Boston, Mass, my favorite city in the world, very historic, very safe, good food, lots of stuff to do, Duck Tours, catch a BoSox game, follow the historic line, the North End [some of the best Italian food anywhere, and coming from me, that's saying something].

CP

I hope to go on a "power tour" with one of my hot rods and hot rod magazine with my entire family. My wife is from Russia, and she has only seen Washington (Seattle only) Hawaii and Alaska, I would really like to show her what I have seen across the "lower 48"- the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Mount Rushmore, a variety of theme parks and Disney lang/six flags type parks (she wants to ride on an "amercian roller coaster" and play in a water park outside!)

Fife-
New Orleans has a great Jazz Festival in April.
I enjoy Montauk, Long Island for the beach (after season though). I have been going there the week after labor day for 2 seasons now. It is very peaceful and relaxing. If you want more action than you should go during the summer season. While it is right next to the Hamptons, it is not nearly as pretentious. Here are some shots sunrise blur, angry ocean,
You can go up to the Adirondacks in New York State, the mountains are beautiful, there is lots to do all year round.

Places that I haven't been but want to go:
Alaska
Grand Canyons
anywhere in the South West...

I can't think of anything else, but I am sure there are more spots!



I think this is the first time I ever saw someone recommend Jersey City as a vacation spot! Aside from it being a hop skip and a jump from Manhattan, Liberty State Park is very scenic. Here is a picture of the historic train station where funny girl was filmed.

Dreampiper: I'm just trying to spread the word! Apparently most of America thinkst that the Statue of Liberty is in New York...You living in JC probably means that I'm preaching to the choir. In all seriousness, LSP is a great place, and nothing can beat Lady Liberty and Ellis Island, Jersey City is a hot tourist spot!

CP

Jersey City certainly has nice spots. It's not all the crime you see on cops!

Those who love Jersey City should see East St. Louis. I prefer the Badlands and Yellowstone or, much closer to me, the Texas Hill country.

The appalacians! Hike part of the trail, or get a guide to take you through on horseback. The mountains are beautiful. Of course, I'm partial to the end down through Tennessee. There are so many little exciting places to just sit and enjoy the beauty of the land. and if you go by horseback, its easy to get to another town for the next night, so you could do a little bed and breakfast tour and not have to camp outside (in case you don't like that sort of thing).

The red river in the Ozarks of Arkansas is also beautiful. Go fishing! There are some fantastic sized trout - they currently hold the record for the biggest brown trout (though the story of catching it is a little fishy! )

Of coures, if nature is not your thing, I recommend Savannah, Ga. Once again, dripping with history and its got that wonderful sea air. Stay in the old town part, so the boardwalk and everything is within walking distance. You can sit on the benches ala Forrest Gump too.

I also enjoy Nags Head, NC. Its a great beach - its not very crowded, and you can rent a house at a decent rate. Esp, if you share it with some friends. Its a great getaway for several couples. There is also great golfing in the area, plus you can rent sailboats or kayaks and explore the sound side and the ocean side. If anyone ever does go, ask me about the best seafood restaraunt in the area and I'll give you directions

Washington DC is also a fun trip. There are enough museums and shopping to choke one, and lots of history. There is also a fun night life - like the 930 club, etc. If you do go to DC, stay in the outer loop at a hotel near a subway stop. The subway does stop running at 2am , but if your getting old like me then 2 am is way past your bedtime anyway

If you liked Charleston, you'll also enjoy Savannah, especially if you stay in one of the B&B's in the main area of town where you can walk to everything fun.

If you like cruising through history, check out D.C.'s numerous museums or Boston. Both are good for kids as well... especially the graveyards in Boston

I'm more partial to the mountains, though, so a trip through Yellowstone to see the wildlife is great fun... although I think Banff may be better, but that's up in Canada.

And if you can get there before it gets too stifling hot, head for Napa Valley.

No kidding, thats where i live, its nice here all times of the year, but it can get hot from mid june to september. so i reccomend may or early june for best times to visit.

Northern Napa valley, and hop over the hill to northern Sonoma county. it doesnt get much better than that for scenic vineyards and a great view of teh wine country.


now that i am done selling the wine country:

I love north western Montana: it can get cold, but the mountains are incredible. Glacier National Park is a place well worth the visit.

yellowstone is good

if you have any kind of chance: go to Yosemite and climb half Dome, take 3 days or so round trip hiking. but looking over yosemite valley from the top of Halfdome is better than any words i have been gifted with sharing. see it.



Quane

I don't know if I would truly recommend JC to stay. But Manhattan can be fun and while there it is certainly worth the trip to Liberty State Park.

In all truthfulness, I don't prefer vacationing in big cities. But if it is your cup of tea then go for it.

I am adding Nappa to my list! I knew I was forgetting some hot spots. I haven't been there but have heard wonderful things. I've also wanted to go to Oregon and Washington State. I've also heard that Madison, Wisconsin is quite nice.

I went to Newport, RI this summer. They have alot of jaw dropping mansions that you can tour. It's quite expensive though. It also has a beautiful beaches and a very nice "cliff walk." The only problem is the beaches are far too over crowded and the water is 50 degrees at the warmest time of the year, but this problem is the plague of all NE beaches.
If you go to Texas I would suggest San Antonio, home of the world famous Alamo, the Riverwalk, Seaworld, Fiesta Texas, and the World Champion Spurs. Austin is a little over an hour away and is beautiful in its own right. Austin and South Padre might be more fun for the party crowd.
San Fran is a very beautiful with tons of things to do from Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz, Napa Valley ain't too far, Hade and Asbury (where the hippies used to hang out), Golden Gate Bridge Park, and Chinatown is pretty good to. One more thin about Napa is that it's seasonal but I forget which season it is, so call ahead or you'll just be looking at naked fields.
New Orleans is pretty good for the parties. Its like Las Vegas, but more culture, from the food to the festivals. Harrahs (in N.O.) casino and Lake Charles have some very good gambling for those you enjoy that. Burbon Street is quite fun even when it's not Mardi Gras. Try the graveyard tours though. Just stay out of the French Quarters and you will be all right.
Boston is not my favorite so please excuse me if I'm biased. There are alot of Revolutionary tours around the city, The New England Aquarium and IMAX are ok ( they have this unbelievably large turtle), a hour South you can find Plymouth rock and the MayFlower, there are designer cloth stores on Newbury and Fanquil Hall, parking is really expensive like in NY ($25/hour), well everything is pretty expensive, there is a restaurant called Bay Tower (I think) which has an unbeatable view of the city but service and food is sub par compared to the price.
Toronto is probably the only place I would live outside of Texas if I had a choice. It is very nice! Only a hour and half from Niagara Falls, which is a complete tourist trap, it has a Tower like the space needle the name of which I forget the name to, Carnival is very fun (Just like in Rio but colder), and the people are friendly like Texas.
Lake Tahoe/Reno is a MUST for every couple. Just the view of the snowcapped mountains surrounding an untouched lake is priceless. The are a few things you can do though which include getting married, gambling, winter sports, and bedroom activities. I also recommend the drive from Sacramento, over the mountain and trough the hills is also very nice.
Mexico, if you are looking for wild parties go to Cancun, everyone else Cozomel & Monterrey are very nice and kind of resorty. Laredo was an old stomping ground of mine and is only ok for cheap crafts, drinking and a whole lot worse. It like Tijuana Lite. Neither of which I recommend unless you are into drink yourself into a stupor.
Wahington DC, is also another must. The mall has the monuments, the Smithsonian is great, and there is the White house too. Definately a must see.
Feel free to PM me if you guys want any more info on these cities and I probably have a few more stuck in my head.

The Black Hills in South Dakota. It is where
Mt. Rushmore is located. It's a great place to visit
if you don't mind really polite, unpretentious people.

Or, you could come to L.A. and visit Hollyweird
and Disneyland, if you don't mind really impolite,
pretentious people.

My favorite vacation spots have been

San Francisco Bay Area (great city plus easy access to Santa Cruz, Napa Valley, Marin County, Berkeley and many other spots)
Lake Tahoe
Santa Barbara (my favorite place in the world)
Hilton Head, SC (found great prices accommodations and nice lazy quite beaches in the October off season)
Vermont

Edited to add,

And my favorite place to visit that I would never want to live is New Orleans.
It is fun and the food is great no matter what time of year you go. I recommend staying in the French Quarter anywhere to get the real gritty feel of tourists behaving badly.

The Marriott on Canal street did my right the one time I went first class.

I would suggest Cherrystone, VA - its a campsite on the eastern shore. (car camping). Great fishing, lots to see from a kayak.

I've also recently been to Mt. Ranier - take the Carbon Glacier hike to mystic lake (its a tough one)

We spent 5 days hiking the Lost Coast near Shelter Cove, CA, just north of the Mendocino county line. That was a GREAT trip. Surprisingly, we didn't have to worry about bearproof canisters. We went in June and there were no bugs, weather was great. Check your brakes before you head out of Redway and fill up your gas tank. (the decent to the trail head is steep and unpaved). If it rains, you won't get out of there without fourwheel drive, maybe not even if you do have 4wd. I give that trail a 4 out of 5 on difficulty, a 5 out of 5 on scenery, and a 5 out of 5 on water sources.

lol

The first time I went to America I visited LA........it gave me a very warped view of Americans, it took me quite a while before I accepted them as normal folk...

On the other hand, everyone thought I was cool because I was from Scotland. Which doesn't really happen in Britain, so being considered cool for being born in a particular geographic locale was fun......

Hey Eeyore,
What do you recommend to do in Vermont besides skiing?

Oh yeah I also forgot in San Fran there is a reastaurant on Fishermans Wharf called Bubba Gumps Seafood and outside there is a park bench with a Forrest Gump impersonator. He is really good to. Also on Fishermans Wharf are statue impersonators, a guy who impersonates a bush and then jumps out and scares you, seal and walruses, and a really nice Merry-go-Round.

That guy was a RIOT!!!

I didn't give him any money though.

You think the victims would notice all the people standing around looking at a bush, but no. He was pretty hilarious. BTW I gave him a buck, atleast he was doing something besides sitting there and asking for cash.

I don't vacation in snow. I go to Vermont some in the summer. It is wonderful. Small town and quaint atmosphere. I stay in Barnard at a relatives cabin on a lake. I recommend trying to stay at Woodstock (VT not NY)

I went to the state fair one year and enjoyed the 4H atmosphere and the ubiquitous (ever-present) white cheddar cheese

As far as non-American vacation activities, this is always a favorite:
hiking with your little buddy in England.

I'm not sure about hiking in the UK.

I have visited various bits of 17 of the 50 states (sometimes I cheated and just drove through them) and I can safely say that the only bits I didn't like were the non-themepark-cum-Hollywood bits of LA, and the Pentagon area of Arlington VA (although this was largely because I chose a motel that was next to a freeway and very little else, and I couldn't find anywhere to park in DC the next morning to have a look around).

Where are you planning to go on your England trip, F&D? If you come out towards Stonehenge lemme know - I live nearby I and can show you some sights if you like.

Didn't you know that we Americans love your accents (British,
Scottish, Australian, etc.). You could say you have to go to the potty
and it sounds so sophisticated!!

L.A. is not an accurate representation of America.
Visit the midwestern states and you will find true
American hospitality.

Well, there was your problem right there! You have to take the subway in DC or your just plain crazy... you would think a liberal from the UK would know to choose public transportation over driving in a car!

rebelkate...you obviously have never been on an English train. Especially if you are outside of London..most people in England if given the choice would pick their car.
But yes I live here and I am terrified to go into DC with my car..I did it once to go to the zoo and that was ok..but I did it a second time and sat in traffic for one hour and I did not move..no one moved..the only people moving were the men walking up and down the street selling us drinks like we were all sitting there for our own pleasure.

My favorite places in the Good 'ol USA..

Rock Creek Canyon AZ If you park on the road and shimmy your way down yourself you can find a big spot to hangout all alone and even go swimming naked

Jessica's house in Singer Island FL. I petted a manatee there. In fact I have petted several. If you put your hose out into the canal they will come and drink off it.

Redwood Forest CA Big Trees

Big Sur CA We live in such a big beautiful world.

The drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas AZ, NV joshua trees, the desert is beautiful and that dam is amazing.

Sedona AZ I love those red rocks

Oregon yeah the whole state..I miss it and apparently the economy has too.

Laurel Highlands PA Perty and it has all these hippie kids I loved and wild turkeys and deer and nothing...lots of nothing.

Cumberland MD It is one of the cutest and sweetest all American cities I have had the pleasure of living in..and it is tucked in amongst the wild. Nothing for at least 2 hrs all around it.

Shenandoah VA I dunno what it is about this area..but it is almost as if you feel the earth breathe. Very calming place.

I traveled a lot in my early 20s across america. I stay at home now. Arizona has so much to see. Maybe a little New Mexico. few trips into Mexico. Maybe someday I'll go to British Columbia or Vancouver.

It’s amazing at all the hiking/camping suggestions because I’ve gotten back into it again (had all my gear stolen a few years ago, even my canteen which to me is like stealing some one’s underwear). Long term goal is a trip out West and part of my ‘conditioning plan’ is to hike in the Appalachians. So as the time nears I may drop a PM to some of you for details/suggestions if you don’t mind.

Quane – I’ve heard similar comments about Half dome. Sold.



CruisingRam - You should try to make it to Louisville sometime, we host one of the nation’s premier muscle car shows. Not a serious motor head but I do enjoy attending. Last year I talked a guy who I’d seen at the show for several years into giving me ride in his 1972 Dodge Super B (knuckles are still white).



Julian – will be arriving into London from Amsterdam. Visit the museums, etc.. and catch a Chelsea game with some ‘mates’. Then onto Nottingham to visit friends and catch a Forest game (big fan but the way it’s currently looking they may get relegated to Div II). Those are the only current ‘obligations’.

We’ll be playing a lot of our trip by ear and from what I can tell we could easily take a side trip to Amesbury and yes I will take you up on your offer. The good thing is the friend I’m traveling with shares an interest in history and such so it should be an easy sell (I want to go!). Will also play some golf and then onto Ireland to visit friends in Belfast where we’re heading to some costal cities for seafood and pup crawls.

Between the naked hiker and An American Werewolf in London I think I’ll stick to more modern transportation while in England. But thanks perspective.

I love going to New York City. It is my favorite place in the world. I'm going to Columbia's film school after college.

I have been to a few placs in the US, and I can safely say that LA was one of the most boring, dirty, inpersonal, upperclass places I have ever been. What made it worse was that I was staying in Las Flores 60 miles south in orange County - and that, I can also safely say, is the most suicdally depressing places on earth. Just one house after another, mass surburban landscapes...and nothing else.....

On the same trip, I went to San Diego. Which is the best place ever!!!!!

I sat on the bay, having seafood crepes - which would have cost a bomb over here - lapping up 80 degrees of sun with a cool onshore breeze. It quite literally looks spotless, no dirt, friendly people.

I cant reccomend the place enough....