Trip to the US

[Falkirion]

I'm heading to the US in July with a mate of mine for a break from my workload. And to help me get over my breakup but that's a secondary reason. What sights do you guys recommend I take in?

Current plan is for the trip to go from Chicago for 5 days, then down to New Orleans for another 5, 3 days in Orlando, New York City for a 2 on a weekend, down to DC for 3 or 4 days, up to Boston for 5 days, then over the border into Canada to see Niagra falls and Toronto for 5 days, back to NYC for 6 days, then over to Chicago for a night before flying home. I'm probably going to leave my friend in NYC the second time we're there and head back into central to see the USS Cod in Cleveland, then over to Hawaii to see Pearl before I fly home.

Any sights you guys recommend in any of the cities I'm visiting?

[soopaman2]

I suggest north of 120th street in New York City.

Very diverse.

Just kidding.

As for NYC I will suggest dining at one of the many authentic Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street in little Italy. A few blocks away (literally) is China town for good culture, and food (no dogmeat).

(it is funny watching the faces change from whites to chinese in a space of 100 steps)

Try to get as far away from midtown as you can for lodging (expensive in midtown, tourist area), find a place in one of the outer boroughs and take a train to Manhattan, the MTA is one of the best in the world.

NYC is about food. You can go look at the WTC site I am sure, but i am a local and am beyond that.

Even better, hit NYC on Sept 19 and experience the San Gennaro feast.
11 days of food and culture. (and wannabe guidos)

[Rockstar]

As for being a tourist on Oahu I suggest a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Another place to stop is Keneke's in Waimanalo IMHO they serve up the best shave ice and plate lunch, go when you're hungry. It's on the right hand side of the road heading out to the Center along the Kalanianaole Highway.

If you have the time, the mule rides on Molokai.




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[JSLTIGER]

I suppose it goes without saying Disneyworld and Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure/Harry Potter world) while in Orlando...

[Rockstar]

Bah, everyone has seen the six foot rat Mickey. My whole family went there one year, except me. I went to the Flying Tigers Warbird Air Museum in Orlando (Kissimmee) when I was there they gave rides in a T-6. They were also working on restoring a FW-190 A-8, an F4U Corsair, and a B-17 for private owners. Parked out back was a working B-24. Never realized how small those bombers really are until I saw them up close and personal, they always looked so much bigger in the movies.



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[Gargamel]

While here in Cleveland, the science center and the Rock and roll hall of
Fame are 2 blocks from the cod. Take in an Indians game too while your here for a taste of our national pastime.

[August]

Just 30 minutes out of Boston you have the worlds largest historic naval ship exhibit.

http://www.battleshipcove.org/

In Boston itself you have the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy, the USS Constitution.

http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/

If you like corrosion there is also the heavy cruiser USS Salem in Quincy which is just south of town.
http://www.uss-salem.org/

About an hour and a half south on the highway between NYC and Boston there is the sub base and museum at Groton Connecticut.

http://www.ussnautilus.org/

I would link you the pictures from the 2010 subsim meet which visited all those places in a 4 day weekend but I can't find the thread. Lots of fun though.

[Falkirion]

Originally Posted by JSLTIGER

I suppose it goes without saying Disneyworld and Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure/Harry Potter world) while in Orlando...

Haha goes without saying yeah. I'm actually staying at Disneyworld while in Orlando so no problems in terms of catching the parks.

[Takeda Shingen]

Go south from NYC for about 2 hours and you can see where the United States of America was born.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Well, if you are in D.C./Baltimore, check out the following:

Baltimore:

USS Torsk - Tench class sub in Baltimore harbor. Contact AVGWarhawk about that!!

Edgar Allan Poe gravesite

National Aquarium

D.C.:

All the various museums down on the Mall

Udvar Hazey Center in Chantilly, VA (outside D.C.)

Washington Navy Yard Museum

Arlington National Cemetery


There are also a LOT of American Civil War sites not too far from Balt-D.C.: Antietam, Gettysburg, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, etc.


Really, you are only going to have time to get to the most obvious parts, though.

While down near New Orleans?
Head up to Baton Rouge to visit USS Kidd.
Very worth the time!


When you hit Cleveland?
Give me a heads up. I live just an hour or so south and would galdly drive up to tour USS Cod with you.

[nikimcbee]

Any West Coast sites you're going to?

[Falkirion]

My trip is mainly east coast. I pass through the west on my way in. Thinking of flying Melbourne-Auckland-San Fran-Chicago. On my way out I'm thinking of going to Hawaii after Cleveland so I might pass by a west coast airport again.

[nikimcbee]

In the off chance you stop on the West Coast (San Fran) There is the USS Pampanito [note; resuced Aussie POWs], Jerimiah O'Brien, and fisherman's Wharf. If you go up to Portland, there's the Spruce Goose, USS Blueback, and the PT-658

http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/

[Sailor Steve]

And if you come to Salt Lake City you can see ME!



















What?




I'm just sayin'...