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Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






How do!

Did New York. It was pretty rad! Had a great time, dropped a bunch of money, totally smashed it at the arcade and now have nearly more cuddly toys than I know kids to give them to.

Now…overtime has reared its gorgeous, potentially profitable head at work once more. If I max it, and hit my usual target (both achievable if I put the effort in) that November pay packet will fund yet another venture to the US of A.

But I don’t know where I want to go. New York was ace, if bloody expensive. And I don’t feel a burning need to revisit just yet, as I did more or less everything I wanted to.

And this, Dear Dakka, is where I seek to impale my ignorance on the spike of your wisdom. Recommend some cities in the USA. Tell me what there is to do (I like visiting filming locations, walks in the park, beaches, food, beer and history).

   
Made in us
Daemonic Dreadnought





Eye of Terror

If you had a good time in NYC, consider San Francisco, Austin, Portland, Atlanta or DC for your next stop.

   
Made in us
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Which one or ones doesn’t change $8 for a beer?

   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




DC or Boston (though... not for cheap beer, obviously).

DCs still one of my favorites for museums (and older monuments, the newer ones are designed to be just 'generally symbolic'). Lots of forgotten places as well as public ones.

DC has a lot of good steak places for some reason. The Capitol Grille is great if you like dry-aged steak with the occasional floorshow of congressional aides (or congress members themselves) doing something they shouldn't.

Lots of places to walk (especially if you head north from the zoo) and a wide metropolitan area to explore. Baltimore is worth it for a short day visit to the aquarium and Inner Harbor.
---

Boston is great for a historical small city, with most of it foot-accessible. Outlying stuff like Salem as well, if you like cheap novelty settings. It does tend toward bloody expensive, however.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/08 20:04:19


Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






I have been to Boston, but so long ago. Like, 28 years ago!

I’m not adverse to revisiting as an adult, but, and you know I mentioned my ignorance? Is it not just a Wee New York, given its geographical location? I mean, that’s what Mr Brain is saying, and we all know he’s an idiot.

   
Made in us
Daemonic Dreadnought





Eye of Terror

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Which one or ones doesn’t change $8 for a beer?

They all do. Paid $14 for a Bud last time I was in Portland.

If you want more bang for your buck, there are more interesting places to consider. Miami, San Antonio, Las Vegas, San Diego, etc.

Las Vegas is great, everything's relatively cheap and it has the highest concentration of hobby shops I've ever seen. Pennsylvania is good if you stay out of the cities.

Depends on what you are looking for. What would you like to do for your next visit?

   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Honestly? Be kept busy.

I enjoyed New York because in Manhattan, everything is easy to get to. And because it’s all somewhat spread out, once I’ve done X, I could have a jolly wander and indeed bimble, seeing New Things.

Most days I had one thing in my diary I was doing. That might take three to four hours getting there, doing it, and getting back to my hotel room. New experience experienced, I was then free to explore whatever other delights presented without planning.

   
Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

If you like filming locations, you really can’t beat LA. You can visit Universal Stidios, all kinds of locations in La, Burbank, watch some show tapings, visit Vazquez Rocks (from every Sci Fi series ever), and an hour or two north of there is Alabama Hills, where practically every western ever was filmed. (Alabama Hills is nearish to Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley, if you want some desert majesty.). There are National parks, mountains, beaches, Disneyland, Medieval Times, Knott’s Berry Farm, Sci Fi conventions if you time it right, museums, and sightseeing tours.


San Francisco/Bay Area is a bit more appealing if you’re a foodie and want to spend less time driving. Parks, famous landmarks, crazy, crazy parades and street performers, the most famous street for car chases, a world-class Nuclear Accelerator, amazing architecture, a strong art and stand up scene, less driving, etc.

If you have the time and inclination, a drive from one to the other along the 101 will pass by the Winchester Mansion, Hearst Castle, Monterey Bay, Carmel By The Sea, and some amazing beachside landscapes.

   
Made in us
Daemonic Dreadnought





Eye of Terror

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Honestly? Be kept busy.

I enjoyed New York because in Manhattan, everything is easy to get to. And because it’s all somewhat spread out, once I’ve done X, I could have a jolly wander and indeed bimble, seeing New Things.

Most days I had one thing in my diary I was doing. That might take three to four hours getting there, doing it, and getting back to my hotel room. New experience experienced, I was then free to explore whatever other delights presented without planning.

Understood.

I enjoy Las Vegas because of the painted deserts, the mountains, the good dining options and the culture. There is never a lack of things to do, safe to say I've never been bored there. As mentioned before, there are a lot of hobby shops. If you time it right, you could be there for the LVO. Airfare tends to be cheaper than other places, they have an international airport and receive visitors on direct flights from all over the world.

I enjoy Austin because of the live music, the food options (Lockhart is the home of East TX BBQ and about a 30 minute ride outside of the city), the historical buildings and bars. It's a different pace, I tend to be full up on BBQ and want to relax in pools. San Antonio is even better, they have gondolas and the Alamo (along with other bits of Texas history.) Airfare is a little sillier, it's common for a flight to be cancelled.

I enjoy Miami for the beaches, the water sports, the Cuban culture and the art. I've stayed at condos on the beach and spent time in spas, which are outrageously awesome. The town is spread out, you would want to take an Uber between places, but you will not have a bad time doing so because there is so much to see. Miami has an international airport as well, I've received guests there from all over the world.

I enjoy San Diego for the convention center area and the waterfront. They have one of the best food selections on the West Coast, you can take a tour on battleships, and everything is relatively cheap. They have a lot of hobby shops as well, but not as many as Las Vegas. San Diego has an airport, but I'm not sure if you can get an international flight from the UK.

Personally, I'd look at these places before anywhere else in the US. When it comes to travel, I'm usually on business and want a place I can explore while I'm there. If business is not involved, I'm heading for the outdoors. Let me know if you want to talk national parks, which is a whole other ballgame.

   
Made in us
Ollanius Pius - Savior of the Emperor






Gathering the Informations.

Y'know...I'd suggest going somewhere "off the beaten path" and avoiding one of the bigger touristy trap spots.

Could go to the Outer Banks and have some fun with it?
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






What are outer paths? And what daily fresh distraction might they offer an idiot with a shockingly responsible job looking to just escape it all via novel distractions?

   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
What are outer paths? And what daily fresh distraction might they offer an idiot with a shockingly responsible job looking to just escape it all via novel distractions?


Outer Banks, NC. Beach islands, tourist central. I've no idea why Kan thinks its 'off the beaten path,' as a huge chunk of the rural MidAtlantic states decamp there and occupy it from memorial day to labor day (end of May to beginning of September), or until hurricane season and the school year chases them off. Almost everyone I know in rural PA that works in libraries, public education or national parks and is 45 years or older takes their entire fething extended families down there for a chunk of Every. Single. Summer. (Seriously, I have co-workers (and their daughters and their daughters' kids) there right now, and another that has rental property down there that he complains about never getting to use himself.)

When yokels who've never left the country tell you that at least they've been out of their home state for something other than various high school sports play-offs, the Outer Banks is the one other place they've been. Avoid.
If you've spent even one single day on a crowded American beach, you know enough.

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2022/07/08 23:44:07


Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in us
Ollanius Pius - Savior of the Emperor






Gathering the Informations.

Voss wrote:
 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
What are outer paths? And what daily fresh distraction might they offer an idiot with a shockingly responsible job looking to just escape it all via novel distractions?


Outer Banks, NC. Beach islands, tourist central. I've no idea why Kan thinks its 'off the beaten path,'

I suggested something off the beaten path and then suggested the Outer Banks. The two were not one single thought.
as a huge chunk of the rural MidAtlantic states decamp there and occupy it from memorial day to labor day (end of May to beginning of September), or until hurricane season and the school year chases them off. Almost everyone I know in rural PA that works in libraries, public education or national parks and is 45 years or older takes their entire fething extended families down there for a chunk of Every. Single. Summer. (Seriously, I have co-workers (and their daughters and their daughters' kids) there right now, and another that has rental property down there that he complains about never getting to use himself.)

When yokels who've never left the country tell you that at least they've been out of their home state for something other than various high school sports play-offs, the Outer Banks is the one other place they've been. Avoid.
If you've spent even one single day on a crowded American beach, you know enough.

It's worth mentioning that simply saying "the Outer Banks" is a huge thing. It's also a spot that is possibly going to be gone within our lifetimes because of environmental changes.

What you're referring to is the Crystal Coast aka the more "touristy" bits. You can still visit the Outer Banks and not be really doing the whole tourist trap nonsense.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/09 01:43:12


 
   
Made in ca
Gargantuan Gargant






Alaska, I'm pretty sure if you want to go for places people usually don't to go as often, I doubt that's often raised as a common state to go to during the summer.
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

Up until recently I would have recommended New Orleans or Seattle, but both cities have growing crime and homeless problems.

A coworker and a friend both took trips within the past couple months to NOLA and both had encounters with gun crime on/near Bourbon Street (which is very touristy but also has some very good restaurants). Neither were hurt, in one case hot-headed gang kids got into a tussle after they bumped eachother on Bourbon Stand ended up pulling guns but cooler heads prevailed and they walked off instead of pulling triggers, in the other case they basically turned the corner walking back to their hotel as someone was shot dead on the opposite corner.

Seattle doesn't quite have the issue with gun crime, but friends in the area have been complaining about growing petty theft/muggings in the cool parts of downtown Seattle that everyone goes to visit, so I'm not sure how safe it is.

San Francisco likewise has a monstrous homelessness problem with a lot of drug issues, but less crime trouble.

San Antonio and Austin Texas are supposed to be a great time, never been myself but many of my friends have and say only good things, though politically the state is becoming a bit of a hot-button problem.

Boston is a great time, its been a few years since I was last up there, but if nothing has changed theres about two females for every male that lives in the city limits, many of whom are young and attractive, so if you're into that you might have a good time. Its always been a really interesting city to me, very modern vibes but also very old architecturally in terms of urban planning, I like the energy.

If you time it right, I also really recommend Columbus, Ohio - come during Origins for some gaming and nerdiness during convention season - enjoy the food, fun, theater, etc. Note - Columbus is a somewhat stereotypical mid-western city, almost nobody actually lives in Columbus, everyone lives in the suburbs and surrounding rural areas and commutes in and out, so it can feel somewhat dead and deserted in the evenings in large parts of the city which can make for an eerie experience. Theres definitely an active nightlife, but its dominated by the college aged crowd going to bars, clubs, and concerts located in certain areas of the city, other areas will be stunningly quiet. If you go during Origins theres a lot of activity around the hotels and convention center though. The city itself though, outside of some spectacular restaurants and local events, doesn't necessarily have a lot going on, theres not a ton of interesting or exciting history thats happened in Columbus unlike places like NYC, Seattle, NOLA, Boston, LA, etc.

Phoenix is also a fun city, fairly cosmopolitan as almost nobody actually seems to be native to Phoenix, everyone is a transplant from somewhere else - but the city is absolutely sprawling, they build out rather than up. The most interesting things about Phoenix is the landscape around it, the mountains and desert, grand canyon not too too far north (day trip/overnight trip it). The city itself is very new for the most part, events/clubs/bars/restaurants a plenty but not a ton of historical landmarks and the like to spend your time on.

Most people will disagree with me, but Chicago is the worst, nothing good comes from Chicago. (In reality its okayish, lots of crime and gang violence issues in some areas of the city, good food but feels like the city is a never-ending traffic jam sometimes and a lot of the city and surrounding areas are very run down and its frighteningly easy to find yourself on the wrong side of the tracks if you don't pay attention).

If you're into sun, surf, and wild nightlife Miami is a great time (though personally for me the best part of Miami is all the Art Deco architecture, it looks like nowhere else I've ever seen). Its a bit too crazy and fast-paced for my liking personally but I know others who really dig it. Still, Little Havana has some incredible Cuban food and you can get high-end hand-rolled cigars for a really good price, walk a few blocks and have a smoke on a lovely (albeit likely crowded) beach.

Nashville, Memphis, and Louisville also have some interesting stuff going on but I don't know a ton about them - I'm sure someone else can fill in details better than I can.

And yeah, I'll echo what Voss said. Everyone and their cousin goes to the Outer Banks, its basically become the new Jersey Shore with lots of people owning summer and/or retirement homes down there. Lots of people in the northeast (or at least in the NY/NJ/PA area) have basically been priced out of owning summer homes along the Jersey shore and the beaches themselves have become almost miserably crowded in a lot of areas. The blue-collar american dream is still attainable for those folks in the Outer Banks though so its become a destination for people up here. Same with South Carolina, it feels like every 3rd car in New Jersey has a palmetto and crescent bumper sticker.

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in us
Fiery Bright Wizard





California

San Francisco and Portland are sliding into/or are in an increasing state of decay, I would avoid. And definitely don't come to LA, god forbid.

 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

Really, thinking about US cities... most of them are kinda shitholes.

Maybe just avoid the US.

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do!

Did New York. It was pretty rad! Had a great time, dropped a bunch of money, totally smashed it at the arcade and now have nearly more cuddly toys than I know kids to give them to.

Now…overtime has reared its gorgeous, potentially profitable head at work once more. If I max it, and hit my usual target (both achievable if I put the effort in) that November pay packet will fund yet another venture to the US of A.

But I don’t know where I want to go. New York was ace, if bloody expensive. And I don’t feel a burning need to revisit just yet, as I did more or less everything I wanted to.

And this, Dear Dakka, is where I seek to impale my ignorance on the spike of your wisdom. Recommend some cities in the USA. Tell me what there is to do (I like visiting filming locations, walks in the park, beaches, food, beer and history).


not America but proably close eneugh for you, but I'd suggest Vancouver BC Canada. wonderful city




Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







Go lick some tanks!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Heritage_Museum

https://www.aaftankmuseum.com/plan-your-visit/area-info



Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in us
Daemonic Dreadnought





Eye of Terror

chaos0xomega wrote:Really, thinking about US cities... most of them are kinda shitholes.

Maybe just avoid the US.

Some people are quite happy visiting a war zone / revolutionary camp. See my post at the top of the thread.

But not every US city is a shithole. It's a matter of how you want to occupy your time. I'm on a nature kick right now and mostly focus trips to places with a nearby national park.


Pshaw.

The ordinance museum at Aberdeen Proving Grounds is overloaded with tanks. Takes more than a day just to see them all.

https://wikiless.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Ordnance_Training_and_Heritage_Center?lang=en

   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

chaos0xomega wrote:

Nashville, Memphis, and Louisville also have some interesting stuff going on but I don't know a ton about them - I'm sure someone else can fill in details better than I can.


While it’s been a while since I lived there full time, I’ve still got family in Louisville and visit a few times a year.

It’s a nice mix. It’s got some of the perks of a big city (zoo, orchestra, theater, some museums, sports) but it’s not huge. Tons of good restaurants and a lot of foodie stuff. If you are into horse racing there is Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby (they do not run all year, museum is nice if you care) If you are into baseball they built a very nice stadium where you can catch a minor league game, and there is the Louisville Slugger museum. The city has a bit of history scattered around, both human and natural. The Falls of the Ohio are where rapids forced people on the river to portage around and is why the city is where it is. They built a lock/dam now, and one of the perks is that often you can go and walk out on the old riverbed and walk back in geological time looking at fossils. Lot of greenspace and parks around. Small amusement park at the old fairgrounds. Fort Knox is not far away; I understand the armor museum is no longer there, but still might be worth a day trip. Mammoth Cave is also within striking distance.

My understanding is that they are trying to get more stuff going on downtown, but it does have the issue of historic white flight where all the money went to the suburbs. While not NYC, there is a bus system to help get around. But cars are the amaricain way, and it’s a pretty sprawling city. Traffic is not horrible, as it’s laid out pretty well.

   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Phoenix does sound interesting. Seems I get a non-stop flight from Heathrow, flying Business Class, for around £2,400. Given its a near 11 hour flight, I wouldn’t fly anything less than Business Class!


   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





chaos0xomega wrote:


Seattle doesn't quite have the issue with gun crime, but friends in the area have been complaining about growing petty theft/muggings in the cool parts of downtown Seattle that everyone goes to visit, so I'm not sure how safe it is.



#1 piece of advice for anyone concerned with personal safety and not being a victim of crime: you gotta look like you know what you're on about. . . Basically, don't be staring at your phone. Keep your head up and looking around. If you LOOK like someone who's paying attention, would-be criminals do not see an easy target, and will often steer clear.



Last time I was up in the Seattle area, well, both times, things were perfectly fine. Most recently, we went to MOPOP for the Mrs. birthday (which is near enough to a bunch of touristy stuff that you could easily make a day of the whole area)

But the cool thing with Seattle is that if museums and whatnot aren't your thing, and if downtown urban stuff isn't your thing, its such a good sized metro area that there's plenty around as you get out toward Federal Way, or even all the way down to Tacoma (but I generally dislike Tacoma. . . Far far too easy to go from a decent part of town, to a gak part of town in a blink)
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






I’d back up the “don’t look like an easy mark”. I’m nor sure I can really describe how. I’m lucky enough to be tall and heavy set, and in terms of the West, ethnically ambiguous.

Don’t get me wrong here. I am a self avowed wuss. But. Crucially? I don’t look it, and whilst I never act “The Big I Am”, I don’t look as meek and mild and wussy as I truly am.

Always be aware of your surroundings, and the folk within. That is not to say be paranoid. Just aware. Awareness will carry you quite far in life.

I’ve been watching Ghostbusters (nice to be able to mentally map the locations), and Gremlins, now onto to Gremlins 2.

The opening of Gremlins 2 in particular makes me want to revisit New York already, as I managed to entirely miss Chinatown and Little Italy!

   
Made in us
Veteran Knight Baron in a Crusader





2nd vote for Miami, love it here
   
Made in gb
Mad Gyrocopter Pilot





Northumberland

My ex was American and about 10 years ago we went for a road trip through parts of the South. We went from Washington DC through Tennessee to Memphis and then went back through Georgia to Savannah, up through the Carolinas and back up to DC.

Washington DC is pretty cool, lots of museums. I particularly liked the Spy Museum and the Newseum. Both really interesting, something a little more unusual. The Smithsonian is real cool. There was also the Museum of the American Indian that was really worth going to see.

I really liked Nashville, lots of nice bars and nice to float about. I like folk music and very specific non-bollocks country music. There's cool stuff around there, plenty of bars with talented musicians hoping to make it. I'm a big fan of blues music so I thought Memphis would be great but I didn't really like it. The studio tours were pretty cool but the main drag was a bit naff.

Savannah was great to visit but I don't think it would be worth doing a full trip there.

My wife went to New Orleans a while ago, she really enjoyed it, I've not been but always wanted to go. Austin, Texas would also be a place to recommend. She also went to places in New Mexico which were fantastic. I don't know if you can go direct though.




One and a half feet in the hobby


My Painting Log of various minis:
# Olthannon's Oscillating Orchard of Opportunity #

 
   
Made in us
Rogue Daemonhunter fueled by Chaos






Toledo, OH

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Tell me what there is to do (I like visiting filming locations, walks in the park, beaches, food, beer and history).


Some of this depends on time. You can make a case for any city in the US (really, you can!) but I'd at keep weather in mind. Winter can be pretty miserable in the northern half, while summer can be oppressive in the south. Fall is often really nice in both though.

I'd also ask if you were willing to either rent a car, or look into train/bus to visit a string of cities. There are certainly plenty of cities that will give you a weeks worth of stuff to do, but there are also some neat pockets where smaller cities are spread out a couple hundred miles that can be rewarding.

Assuming you're going in or after November, I would recommend Miami. It's crazy diverse, has amazing food, cool art, wonderful beaches, and it hits the sweet spot of being a common enough tourist destination to have all the infrastructure while not being too expensive.

If you're willing to be mobile, I'd consider flying into Atlanta, spending a few days there, then hitting Savannah, Asheville, and Charleston each for a day or two. Atlanta has a great walkable downtown, Asheville is a beer drinkers paradise, Savannah and charleston both have history and fine dining.
   
Made in us
Powerful Ushbati





United States

You'll have an amazing time in Kansas City. BBQ to die for, Kemper and Nelson Atkins Museums of Art, The Riverfront, Steamboat Arabia, lots of beautiful fountains, the Plaza and Power and Light districts. One hasn't lived until they've had In-A-Tub tacos, a KC experience.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/15 06:29:39


 
   
Made in us
Powerful Pegasus Knight






Richmond, VA. If you want to die, go to Baltimore, Maryland. I'm sure you will fit in.
   
Made in au
Grizzled Space Wolves Great Wolf





The US has a decent interstate system, maybe just rent a car and go from place to place. That's what I did with a friend, we had a few "missions" of things we wanted to see but otherwise just spent a few days in each city, stopped by a few smaller towns to see some local attractions or just stop by the local pub for a meal and have chat to the locals.

We started in NYC, to Niagra Falls, a couple of small towns on the way to Indianapolis to watch a NASCAR race, a mission out to the midwest, back down to St Louis for a night, a few days wandering around Kentucky seeing some small towns and local attractions, down to Nashville for a few nights (mostly staying off the main drag and enjoying some smaller and friendlier joints), over to South Carolina for another mission, down to Georgia, up through the mountains to see some nice scenery for a couple of days north of Atlanta, took the long way up the Appalachians heading towards DC stopping only briefly but enjoying the scenery, didn't end up spending any time in DC itself but checked out Baltimore for some crab (don't stray too far from the port area, things get pretty rough pretty quick outside of it), stopped by Philadelphia for some cheesesteaks, saw some sights around PA and then back to NYC to fly out.

Stopped at a lot of smaller towns and attractions on the way.

It probably says something about me and the places I'm likely to frequent, but the only place I remember paying a lot for booze was Nashville, lol. The general plan was to get somewhere in the afternoon, park the car, get a few beverages, then drive out after a day or two.

I would have like to have gotten down to Louisiana, but I had a limited vacation window and it was the middle of the hot and humid season, so we decided to skip. If I ever get a chance to go back then I might do a similar thing but on the west coast.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/15 14:17:51


 
   
 
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