Contest Time Again! It's a 10, 20, 30, 40 Contest!
Here's the deal. To enter, you must submit a list of the top 10 things you would take a visitor to do, that cost $20 or less, within 30 miles of your front door (driving, not as the crow flies). The winner will then get a $40 gift certificate to Amazon.com! Don't fret though, second and third prize will each receive a free one-year premium membership to our travel forums!
The moderators will whittle the entrants down to a "top 10 group" based upon items such as details (e.g., location, opening hours, ease for a visitor to use, cost - remember must be $20 or less per person), clarity and photos. From that group, the winner will be voted on by our forum members in a poll. Anyone can enter, but entry gives us permission to publish all lists and/or photos as well as subscribe the entrant to our monthly newsletter. All entries should be posted to this topic. All photos should be uploaded to this album, 10, 20, 30, 40 photos (and linked to from the corresponding entry in this topic).
The contest will end October 31 at 11:59pm EDT. Voting will commence November 5th - November 10th. We will announce a winner in the November newsletter.
So what are you proud of in your "hometowns?" What do you take out-of-town guests to see? What's the must experience restaurant/cafe/bar you visit? Share it with the rest of us and win prizes!
I look forward to seeing everyone's ideas - 30 miles for me covers the whole of London, so I think my challenge would be to find things a little out of the ordinary.
I found myself in a long, long queue to get into an art exhibition the other day in central London (good idea going on the last day ) but had a very diverting time exchanging 'fun on the cheap' tips, with a fellow queuer - she was a mine of info about inexpensive and interesting theatrical events, so I must search the memory banks for things I could pass on.
Posts: 1367 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
Can we enter more than once i.e. can we do interest themes? I can't possibly list only 10 things in my area. But I could do one for families with kids, one for foodies, one for history buffs, one for nature/animal lovers, etc.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Andrew and Deb - Just waiting for a few more mods to check in to confirm (but so far we're agreed that the Top 10 challenge entries aren't restricted to primary residences, and we'd definitely be more than happy to accept multiple submissions based on a theme)!
Posts: 16015 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Andrew, I'm especially looking forward to seeing what you have to say about *********.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Originally posted by Colleen: Andrew and Deb - Just waiting for a few more mods to check in to confirm (but so far we're agreed that the Top 10 challenge entries aren't restricted to primary residences, and we'd definitely be more than happy to accept multiple submissions based on a theme)!
OH POOP!!! I already did my best 10 for Rome!! It is my "lesser Rome" article. Can I tweak it and resubmit for the contest?
Originally posted by Kim: Karen, this is the first time we're doing this contest but Colleen and I will be posting some examples over the next few days.
RA, has the piece been previously published?
Just point me in the right direction. Am I setting up an essay with graphics embedded or submitting photos with captions?
Posts: 50 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
Post your piece right in this discussion. Upload your photos to this album. You can title, caption them there. Don't worry about the format (how it looks), the content is more important (directions, operating hours, costs, what makes it special, etc).
Martha, try Hollis, NH if you wanna be challenged to find 10 things to do, let alone recommend! Points on the compass: 20 miles brings me to: Rindge; Ayer, MA; Salem, NH; and Gofftown, NH - all of which have...a gas station and a market, (Salem has America's Stonehenge and a horse track, obviously a cut above)...this is gonna be difficult!
Posts: 717 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
1) Walking along the Willamette waterfront. You can cross over several of the bridges to the Eastbank Esplanade, and walk there as well. Bikes, strollers, wheelchairs, even rollerblades--they're all welcome. This is an especially nice spot on a sunny day when there's lots of traffic on the river.
2) International Rose Test Garden. This garden is free. Located on a hill, in Washington Park, it boasts a beautiful view of the city below.
3)Powell's Books. One of the nation's largest independent bookstores, this store offers four floors of used and new books. It's open every day (including holidays), usually till 11PM. There's a coffee bar here, too.
4) Portland's Fountains. Many of them are interactive. The water is treated, and they serve as an excellent place to keep cool on a hot day. I favor Jamison Square, in the Pearl District. The Keller Fountain (in front of Keller Auditorium), and Salmon Street Springs Fountain (in Tom McCall Waterfront Park) are also refreshing places to visit.
5) Tualatin Hills Nature Park. This 220-acre nature park is located in Beaverton, a southwest suburb of Portland. Free, the park offers a paved trail, some soft surface trails, and a visitors center. I live nearby, and sometimes I can hear the coyotes!
6) Aerial Tram. This tram serves as a commuter tram for our folks on the hill, the hospital employees and patients of OHSU, Oregon Health and Sciences University. For four dollars, the tram will take you up the hill to a plaza, which is a fine photo opportunity. You can see the city, the Willamette River, and our two magnificent mountains, Mt. Hood and Mt.St. Helens. There is also a glassed-in hallway, between OHSU and the Veterans Hospital, that gives you a fine view.
7)Portland Streetcar. For under $5, you can ride the entire loop of the Streetcar through the city of Portland, from the South Waterfront to the Northwest District. Established about ten years ago, the tram features cars made in the Czech Republic. In fact, for the price of a day pass ($4.75), you can ride anywhere in the Portland metro area. Our streetcar will get you around the downtown, and our MAX trains (the light rail system) will take you out to the suburbs. The Tri-Met pass is good for buses as well.
8) Burgerville. This locally-owned fast food chain is known for their high-quality burgers, and for using local produce in their meals. They now have a mobile unit that often stops downtown.
9) Lloyd Center. This suburban-style shopping mall is located close in to Portland's northeast side, and is easy to get to on the MAX. Their skating rink makes a nice scene to watch as you have a meal at the food court. The place is always dressed up at the holidays!
10) Nordstrom's Cafe, Broadway. This department store's cafe serves high quality sandwiches, and if you get a spot by the window, you can watch the action below. The store is located across the street from "Portland's living room", Pioneer Courthouse Square.
OK, one last question before I post my first entry... It's long...as in three word document pages in ten point type long. Should I perhaps post it as a complete blog entry on my SlowTrav blog and then try to create a Reader's Digest version for here in the contest thread?
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Top ten things I would take a visitor to, from Bayerisch Eisenstein, Germany:
1. Take the cable car to the top of the Arber mountain for panoramic views of the Bavarian and Bohemian Forests and even as far as the Alps on a clear day. Several opportunities for refreshments at the top, as well as a circular walk around the peak. The cable car runs 09.00 to 16.30 for 10 months of the year. A return trip costs $13.
2. Take off for the day on the local train, the Waldbahn. The modern green painted trains run hourly from the village to various villages and places of interest in the forest. $10 per adult for a day ticket valid on trains and buses, children go free. Trains run from 07.42 to 21.42.
3. Walk through the forest to the old woodcutter’s cottage, Schwellhaeusl, now a cosy country restaurant, with a large terrace in summer beside the small lake. Lunch will cost you less than $15 per adult for a substantial main course and half litre of beer. Takes about 1 hour on foot. Open all year, mid morning to early evening.
4. Visit the local train museum in the village. Some of the trains remain in the condition they were when they were taken out of service, giving a real feeling of local train travel in the 1920s-1950s. It is possible to climb into the cab of the engines and imagine being a steam train driver. Open 10.30 to 16.00, restricted opening days out of the main seasons. Entrance fee $6 per adult.
5. Visit the synagogue museum at Hartmanice in Czech Republic, 20 minutes drive from Bayerisch Eisenstein, for a fascinating picture of ancient and modern Jewish history of in the area. Entrance fee $4. Open all year.
6. Take the walk along the River Regen, including the early 20th century canal leading to a small hydro-electric power station and signs of beavers just outside the village. Two important examples of use of the natural environment here by man and animals. No cost.
7. Visit the Grenzglashuette in Bayerisch Eisenstein to watch a glass blower at work producing the village speciality: orchid holders. Lunch will cost you less than $15.
8. Visit the Bayerisch Eisenstein train station for a fascinating photographic history of the life of the railway from the late 19th century to the present day as well as an information centre with a relief map of the Bavarian Forest and changing exhibitions. No cost.
9. Visit the Wanderpark in the village with its small lake: a gift to the village from the National Park as a place to see rare plants and geological samples. No cost.
10. Take the circular walk from the village through the ancient Bavarian forests, across the border into the Czech Republic, into the Bohemian forest and back to the village, remembering that, just 20 years ago, this would not have been possible. No cost.
Originally posted by Kim: ...Colleen and I will be posting some examples over the next few days.
Here's my 10-20-30 challenge post! Remember that this is just a sample to give everyone a general idea of what we're looking for, and I'm not in the running for any prize. Later I'll upload associated pictures to SlowPhotos. ==== Do you know the way to San Jose?
Maybe you have to be a certain age to remember the catchy Burt Bachrach / Dionne Warwick song, but I’m asked that question - usually accompanied by a goofy grin - almost every time I tell someone where I live! San Jose is “the heart of Silicon Valley” and home to almost 1 million people, but like a big city anywhere, in reality it’s a collection of neighborhoods with their own unique characteristics.
The following aren’t in any particular order, just the first things that come to mind when I think of “Top 10 local favorites.”
1. Willow Glen is a quiet and leafy neighborhood where many baby-boomers were raised, who in turn raised their families there. It’s a favorite of anyone who has strolled along Lincoln Avenue and enjoyed the easy going atmosphere. Noteworthy downtown Willow Glen eateries: Plaza Inn (traditional Mexican), Aqui Cal-Mex, Yuki Sushi (ask for the sparkling sake!), Opa Greek, Grapevine wine bar. Many homes on Willow Glen's tree canopied side streets are charming stucco bungalows from the 1930’s, with turrets, pseudo thatched roofs, and wild English cottage-style gardens. (One house has a bocce court in its side yard!) Saturday is Farmer’s Market day in Willow Glen. Free. Downtown Willow Glen
2. Santana Row was developed less than ten years ago as a European style live-work district, but it feels like it’s been there much longer. Condos and apartments fill the upper floors of architecturally interesting buildings, and shops and restaurants are at street level. Santana Row immediately became a local favorite and is almost always busy, with weekends tipping it over to Very Busy. If you like "cafe culture," you'll like Santana Row! My favorite local French-style brasserie (The Left Bank) is here, along with many other small shops and cafes. Big players like Gucci, H&M, Borders Books, and Crate & Barrel have a presence there, too. On weekends you can usually see local musicians or dance groups performing at Park Valencia (behind the luxury Hotel Valencia). Year ‘round on Sundays, the south end of the street is closed to cars for the Farmer’s Market. Free. Santana Row
3. The city of Campbell’s distinctive water tower is one of the last (if not the only) remaining in the formerly agriculture-centric valley. Campbell's main street is home to mostly locally owned small businesses ... Recycle Book Store on the corner of Campbell Avenue and 1st Street has a cat named ISBN. On the first Friday of each month, many of the shops, restaurants and galleries are open late with special events for the “First Friday Art Walk.” You’ll find musicians playing on street corners, special sales, and a lively atmosphere. Favorite eateries on Campbell Avenue: Aqui Cal-Mex, La Pizzeria, Twist Bistro, Café Campbell, Olio Café. Sunday is its Farmer’s Market day. Free. Downtown Campbell My review for Aqui Cal-Mex
4. The east end of Campbell Avenue crosses the Los Gatos Creek Trail and park, which includes large lawns, a children’s playground, and basketball courts with embankment stadium seating. The trail is popular with families, as it’s paved and mostly flat with few inclines. Cyclists, skaters, runners, walkers and parents pushing strollers take advantage of the peaceful tree lined trail that follows the creek for over nine miles. Free. Los Gatos Creek Trail
5. Friends and I adore playing bocce ball at Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos! The first time we went we had a full dinner then played bocce, but quickly learned that it’s more fun to order appetizers and pizza and to nosh and drink wine while we play. Game quality doesn’t suffer ... much. There are indoor courts, but we prefer to play outside on the pergola covered patio courts. $10 per person for 1.5 hours play (plus food or drink) Campo di Bocce
6. Evening concerts at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga are wonderful, but they cost too much for this challenge! However, the former Paul Masson winery offers wine tasting at the same mountaintop location with the same breathtaking views. $12 or less per person Mountain Winery ... Saratoga is a cute village at the southern end of the valley. Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it’s a nice spot for an afternoon stroll. Free.
7. I heard about Hakone Japanese Gardens as soon as I moved to San Jose, and more frequently after 2005 – scenes for the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha” were filmed there. I finally visited on a recent Sunday, and fell under the spell of the gardens' beauty and tranquility. The koi pond was a favorite of families with children (the gift shop sells koi food), while several of us watched their delight from a small hut at one edge of the water. The bamboo garden was such a vibrant green! Young bamboo shoots danced in the breeze along with tall mature plantings. A large house with shoji doors and tatami mats at the top of the garden is used for tea ceremonies and classes (see “Events” page of website for list and dates). The small gift shop sells all sorts of teapots, sake accoutrements, books, artwork, and jewelry. I really loved the gardens, and plan to return often. $5.00 or less per person. Hakone Gardens
8. I remember visiting the Rosecrucian Egyptian Museum as a teenager with my family. It was fascinating then, and I still find the museum and its contents quirky and unique. There’s just something about seeing millennia old mummies and relics in the area currently known for leading edge technologies ... The building is interesting, too – the design is taken from Egyptian temples and tombs, and sphinx sculptures guard the entrance. $9 or less per person Egyptian Museum
9. As a long time volunteer at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, I have to share its wonderfulness with you! People expect the museum to be stuffy and old fashioned, but the president and curator are two of the most progressive and forward thinking people I know. The thought provoking exhibits mirror their ideals and showcase their mission to feature awesome international textile artistry. The creativity will amaze you! $6.50 or less per person San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
10. The towns of Silicon Valley are spread out in between three mountain ranges, with the University of California operated Lick Observatory at the peak of Mt. Hamilton in the east. Visitors are welcome, but note that it’s over 20 miles from San Jose up a steeply climbing windy road. (In other words, not for the easily car sick!) A late afternoon visit to Grandview Restaurant along the way is worth the drive, though. The entrees are just okay, but enjoying appetizers and champagne at a table on the quiet terrace as the sun sets over the valley and San Francisco Bay ... priceless. It’s a really pretty drive up the mountain, too. $20 or less per person Lick ObservatoryGrandview Restaurant
Posts: 16015 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
There are lots to do in Arizona and different times of year mean different activities will dominate. Since it’s now the end of September and cooler weather is finally here, my top ten would all be appropriate for the coming fall months. This is a tough one, because I live on the outskirts of Phoenix in a small farming community! Many great attractions fall outside the 30 mile limit from my front door, but from those that do, these are my picks:
1. Fireside Sundays at the Wrigley Mansion (www.wrigleymansionclub.com.) From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm each Sunday during fall, winter and spring the historic Wrigley Mansion hosts a party on their patio overlooking the valley with live music and spectacular views. ½ priced bottles of wine keeps the cost well below $20 even if you do partake in the lavish buffet for $5. Casual, trendy and fun. The mansion is open and you can see what it was like to become a millionaire by selling chewing gum at a penny per stick.
2. Enjoy nature with a hike up Piestewa Peak. (www.phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikephx.html) It’s strenuous but rewarding when you reach the top. Bring lots of water, wear appropriate footwear and don’t stray from the path. Go early in the morning and take your time. There are other trails throughout the mountain preserve that are less taxing but no less beautiful. It's free, too. This will show you why we live in Phoenix, folks.
3. Stroll along Mill Avenue (www.downtowntempe.com.) Start at University and walk north to the end (before the bridge.) Get a take-out sandwich to share from Bison Witches or any of the delis along the way. Cross the street and eat lunch around the Tempe Town Lake before walking south again. Stop in at Monti’s La Casa Vieja (www.montis.com.) Constructed in 1871, Monti’s is an authentic adobe hacienda. Continue walking south and enjoy some people watching with a coffee from the Coffee Plantation. Stick around for the booming nightlife or head across University Drive (best to drive over or use the bus) to Casey Moore’s Oyster House, 850 S. Ash, Tempe (caseymoores.com) for a beer in a venue that’s been there for years and said to be haunted. Bring your pup too – dogs are welcome along this casual, easygoing college thoroughfare.
4. Enjoy happy hour at the House of Tricks, 114 E. 7th St. in Tempe.(www.houseoftricks.com) Two early 1900’s houses are joined together by an open air bar that serves over 2500 varieties of carefully selected wines, with a good selection of wines by the glass for under $20. The combination of a relaxed outdoor setting and a really fine glass of wine is sublime. Walk around the neighborhood heading west to join up with the crowds forming on Mill Avenue for the evening street musicians.
5. Visit the Rosson House Museum (www.rossonhousemuseum.org.) Built in 1895, the Rosson House is a beautifully preserved Victorian home that anchors Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix. For $4.00 you get a docent to guide you through the home and learn what it was like to live in territorial Arizona in the 1800’s. Pop over to the Rose and Crown Pub (628 E. Adams St.), also located at Heritage Square and housed in a restored building. Play darts and shoot some pool while enjoying a $2 beer (happy hour from 4 to 7) and some fish and chips at this vaguely British restaurant.
6. Do the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Phoenix (www.artlinkphoenix.com.) It’s free. The website is not very helpful, so don’t expect to learn much there. The First Friday of each month the downtown area becomes a street fair of art and entertainment. There are hop on/hop off shuttles that go to all areas of the walk, are easy to use and free. You can catch a shuttle at the Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org), which is also open for the walk. For a quieter experience start at Heritage Square (7th Street and Monroe). For a more carnival-like evening begin on Roosevelt around 5th Avenue and walk east (www.rooseveltrow.org.) Stop, shop, look and linger at the art, crafts and musicians that line the streets. End the evening at The Roosevelt Tavern, a restored house on 3rd Street and Roosevelt (816 N. 3rd St., Phoenix.) This place is trendy and right-now, so it will be standing room only on a First Friday. Personally, it’s my kind of action but if your feet hurt you can try any of the restaurants that line the streets for wine, soda or coffee.
7. Walk the streets of Scottsdale every Thursday night at the Scottsdale Art Walk. (www.scottsdalegalleries.com) For a more sophisticated art experience the long running and celebrated Scottsdale Art Walk happens each Thursday year round. Many of the evenings are themed, such as the Western theme on the 15th of October. Walk up one side of Main Street, cross over to Marshall Way, walk toward 5th Avenue and back around. Wine lovers will know to stop at Kazimerez (www.kazbar.net) 7137 E. Stetson Drive. Get there before 8 pm to avoid a cover charge. Music starts at 9. Locals know that, like all good speakeasys, the door is unmarked but The Truth is Inside. With over 3200 wines and a 180 page wine list there’s plenty for under $20.
8. Go window shopping for antiques in Glendale (historic-glendale.net.) Time your visit so you end the day at the big Oktoberfest festival held annually at Haus Murphys (www.hausmurphys.com.) Recently featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives, Haus Murphys offers great German food. $7.00 per person gets you in for the festival with reasonably priced food and beer ($8.95 for a bratwurst and potato salad or fries.) This year the festival begins on the 16th of October and runs for two weekends. If you’re not an omph-pa-pa fan, walk a few doors down and stop in at the Glendale Gaslight Inn, a historic hotel turned B&B. They have a nice, quiet lobby with wine served by the glass and small plates.
9. Catch Big Pete Pearson at the Rhythm Room (www.rhythmroom.com) 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Pearson is a mainstay at the Rhythm Room, which is a valley institution in itself. It’s nothing to look at, and kinda in a grungy area of town too. But it’s the blues, man. The blues. And Big Pete is the king. Plus it’s only a $7 cover charge and you can get BBQ right outside the door from the Rack Shack. Eat at the picnic tables. Go back inside and dance off the calories.
10. Take the money we saved from the above fabulously free and almost free activities and dine at the Barrio Café. (www.barriocafe.com) Absolutely the best southern Mexican cuisine in the city. Not Mexican food, not southwest, not tex-mex. This is gourmet cuisine in a fun, loud, boisterous place where the bar is, literally, only three chairs long and two persons wide and the restaurant sits practically on the street at 16th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix. Most entrees will fall within the $20 and under per person budget but hey, who wants to limit themselves here? And what would life be without the top shelf margarita to go with it? I say blow the budget and go the whole enchilada. You won’t regret it and you won’t forget it.
Posts: 8 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: 24 September 2009
Originally posted by Kim: Post your piece right in this discussion. Upload your photos to this album. You can title, caption them there. Don't worry about the format (how it looks), the content is more important (directions, operating hours, costs, what makes it special, etc).
Does that make sense?
Is there a way to save it without posting? It might take me a while to complete.
Posts: 50 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
Yes, here on slow trav. Its a postcard in the Italy section.
Sorry, realized I hadn't replied. If it's already published on the site, then, no. We're seeking original content/ideas. Thanks.
Understand that, Kim. But what about if I want to post it in my ST blog? I have a category called "Visiting St. Louis Like a Local". I'd like to dual post. But, if I have to choose only one, it will probably be the blog. Your thoughts?
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Top 10 “Only in St. Louis” any-time-of-year Food Experiences
#10 Amighetti’s Bakery & Café (across from Milo’s, the epicenter of The Hill) 5141 Wilson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 776-2855 http://www.amighettis.com Every city has one. A sub, hogie, or po-boy of its own. For St. Louis it’s The Amighetti Special. This is the sandwich everyone else in town tries to copy. They can’t, of course. No matter where he gets his, a St. Louisan will just call his sub, an Amighetti. In frustration, Amighetti’s had to create a tag line to the sandwich — “Often Imitated! Never Duplicated!” I like to enjoy mine on Saturday, sitting in the ‘back room’ where the old geezer band plays Sinatra and Martin standards with a zeal only wanna-be musicians (no matter their age) can. Then for dessert, I treat myself to some homemade gelato made by a little Sicilian lady using her grandfather’s recipes. That gelato is as close to Italian as you can get without the fresh milk of Italian cows. Cost: Under $10.00 with a side and soft drink. ($5.00 for a double scoop cup of the gelato flavor of the day.) From my front door: 17.6 miles
#9 O’Connell’s Pub (at Kingshighway & 44 on the edge of The Hill) 4652 Shaw Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 773-6600 No web site (Like many truly special places. They know their fans know how to find them. They don’t need to use technology to get the word out.) Ah, the lowly hamburger. Every city claims to have the world’s best. St. Louis REALLY does. Wimpy would have wept in ecstasy if Popeye had ever taken him to O’Connell’s. One of our local food writers describes it best in this article. No need for me to embellish: http://aht.seriouseats.com/arc...ls-pub-st-louis.html Cost: Under $15.00 for a burger, fries & a good stout ale. From my front door: 17.8 miles
#8 City Diner (in the Grand South Grand neighborhood) 3139 South Grand, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 722-6100 No website, but you can see (and hear) a clip about them on Sauce Magazine’s web site. http://www.saucemagazine.com/citydiner/ I’m a child of the 50s and no place in St. Louis screams comfort food to me like City Diner. This is my go-to place for breakfast ANY time. It has a special place in my heart because it was where my brother and I frequently met for breakfast before a day of “antiquing”. Cost: $10.00 gets you a bottomless cup of coffee a breakfast so big you’ll need someone to trundle you out the door in a wheelbarrow. From my front door: 19.7 miles
#7 Gus’ Pretzels (in the Benton Park neighborhood) 1820 Arsenal, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 664-4010 http://www.guspretzels.com Why would a simple pretzel be elevated to iconic status is St. Louis. I really don’t know. All I know is it is, and it deserves its lofty perch. St. Louisans really do feel sorry for all the other people in the US who think a good soft pretzel comes from a storefront in a mall. Sad really. Be sure to visit the ‘twisted history’ section of the website. You’ll learn amazing things about the history of the pretzel. Cost: Under $15.00 gets you a jar of your choice of 8 mustard dip flavors and 24 long soft pretzel sticks. From my front door: 21.2 miles
#6 Old St. Louis Chop Suey (South City) 4600 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 481-2641 No web site. Are you kidding. The place is so tiny there’s no ROOM for a web site. So what’s so special about this or any other Chinese food joint in St. Louis? The St. Paul Sandwich. Ever heard of it? Think it must be from the Twin Cities? Guess again. It was created some time around 1940 in St. Louis by St. Paul, MN native Steven Yuen who named it after his hometown. He was trying to introduce the American palate to Chinese food– by wrapping egg foo young in white bread with iceberg lettuce, tomato and pickles. It worked. Cost: You couldn’t spend over $10.00 here if you wanted to. On the front door it says they accept cash. That’s what they mean. Leave you credit cards and travelers checks at home. From my front door: 19.1 miles
#5 Lubeley’s Bakery and Deli (on the edge of The Hill) 7815 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 (314) 961-7160 http://lubeleysbakery.com/ Everyone who has read my blog rant about Paula Deen, knows how I feel about Gooey Butter Cake and its St. Louis origins. So, I won’t repeat myself here. But, since you know that I KNOW Gooey Butter Cake, you should expect that I also know the best place to find the real thing. And I do. As is the case with most of the long-standing bakeries in St. Louis. Gooey Butter Cake doesn’t show up on their website. After all, it’s Gooey Butter Cake. It’s a given. Why waste website space on a given? Lubeley’s is my favorite because they use the original, not the cake mix version of the recipe. They have succumbed to the misguided trend to create ‘flavor varieties’. But I forgive them for that and just buy the original. Cost: $12.00 for a whole cake. (Serves 16 if you’re keeping track of calories, 8 if you don’t care.) From my door: 13.4 miles
#4 Bartolino’s Osteria (at Hampton & 44 on the edge of The Hill) 2103 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139 (314) 644-2266 http://www.bartolinosrestauran...om/bartolinososteria Nothing screams “St. Louis” like Toasted Ravioli. It’s such an ingrained tradition here you can buy it frozen in bulk at Costco and Sam’s. It’s pub food — served everywhere. You’ll find it in hole-in-the-wall bars and at the latest, trendiest see-and-be-seen-mind-your-manners-restaurants. But, in my humble opinion, the only place to have it made the RIGHT way is at Bartolino’s Osteria. Made from scratch, made in-house, served with the best marinara sauce in the city. And the owner, Bart Saracino, is one of my favorite food people in St. Louis. As an added bonus, Bartolino’s has a world class menu and their own private label wine, direct for the grapes of Bart’s uncle in the old country. Cost: Under $10.00 for a generous appetizer serving. From my door: 16.1 miles
#3 Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (Old Route 66) 6736 Chippewa St. Louis, MO 63109 (314) 481-2652 http://www.teddrewes.com If you visit St. Louis, you visit Ted Drewes. Period. Frozen custard wasn’t “technically” created by Ted Drewes, but the Concrete was. A frozen custard shake so thick you can stick in a spoon and turn it upside down without losing a drop. The original location sits right on the Mother Road, Route 66. On a warm summer night after a Cardinal’s home game, the police will have one or two lanes of Chippewa closed down and direct traffic around the lines. But, with 10 windows and a full work force of about 40 people on a busy night, you won’t have to wait long at all. But don’t worry about the season you’re visiting. Even with snow on the ground, you’ll find St. Louisans standing outside Ted’s walk-up windows in coats and mittens. If you’re a creature of habit like me, and can’t resist getting the largest possible serving. Their most expensive menu item, is of course my favorite—The Fox Treat. Cost: For under $7.00 you can be treated to The Fox Treat, too. From my door: 15.7 miles
#2 Soulard Farmer’s Market (on So. Broadway in the Soulard neighborhood) 730 Carroll Street, St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 622-4180 http://www.stlouis,missouri.org/citygov/soulardmarket The oldest continuously operating farmer’s market west of the Mississippi. Founded in 1835. Some stalls have been passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years. Website has a directory that helps the visitor distinguish between the true farmer/grower vendors and the more commercial vendors. (Those little numbered stickers on the produce are a give-away, too.) This place is my #2 “must see" for any foodie friends who visit. Cost: Free to look, smell, & touch. Cheap to buy. From my front door: 21.3 miles
#1 Global Foods (in the near south suburb of Kirkwood) 421 N. Kirkwood Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 835-1112 http://www.globalfoodsmarket.com Yes, I’m aware it seems unusual indeed that a grocery store is my #1 destination to take out of town friends. But trust me on this one. Global Foods isn’t your average huge supermarket. (Although huge it is.) How many grocery stores do you know of that actually have tour buses pull up on a regular basis? It’s aisles aren’t marked by product category. They’re marked by the names and flags of the countries whose favorite and familiar comfort foods can be found there. St. Louis is a city full of new immigrants. At last count there were over 60,000 first generation immigrants from more than 40 countries. That creates a sizable demand for a little taste from home. And they can buy those treats for fair and reasonable prices. Having themselves been refugees of the Vietnam war, the owners have no interest in taking advantage of their fellow immigrants’ homesickness. At Global Foods you can find more than 100 of brand names of teas sitting on shelves perched above open air freezer cases boasting whole & cut durian (Wrapped in 6 layers of plastic and it still has a faint odor.); tidy little plastic containers of bright green cow bile; and scores of varieties of frozen fish from every ocean on the planet. Need some fresh Lithuanian sausage? Here. Are you partial to a particular brand of fried worms from Indonesia ? Here. Have you always wanted to try to roast your own whole lamb? Or would you just like to make a stew out of a lamb’s head? You can get them fresh here. Global Foods is a great place to practice reading a new language, since much of the packaging is not in English. For the full experience the best time to go is Saturday, because it is the international community’s major shopping day. You can push your cart slowly from aisle to aisle and immerse yourself in the smells and sounds from every corner of the world. I like to joke (a bit wistfully) that India and Pakistan get along famously in St. Louis because they share an aisle at Global Foods. I love this place so much that I've started a special category to post about my weekly trip there and some of the interesting items I find. This week -- Green Walnut Marmalade from Moldova. Cost: You can window shop for hours and not spend a penny. But for $30.00 you can fill half a cart. From my front door: 9.8 miles
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
1. 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Grassy Knoll & JFK Memorial. Museum is at 4ll Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75202, the Grassy Knoll and the JFK Memorial are at Main and Houston Streets, about 1/2 block from the museum. The museum chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy and presents contemporary culture within the context of presidential history. Tours of the museum are $13.50 and the Grassy Knoll are and JFK Memorial are free. 7.58 miles from my house.
2. Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive at Young and Griffin Streets, Dallas 75201. Here is the largest bronze monument in the World, a bronze sculpture of a lifelike cattle drive on a 4.2 acre plaza in front of Dallas City Hall. This sculpture site was the original site of the beginning of the Shawnee Cattle Trail 1854. Access is free. Kids can actually climb on the sculptures of the cattle. 6.08 miles from my house.
3. Dallas City Hall of Fame at 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas 75202, was designed by I. M Pei, world-reknowned architect. Its plaza is also home to one of artist Henry Moore's largest bronze sculptures. Access is free and only 6.68 miles from my house.
4. Freedman's Cemetery at the 2700 block of Lemmon Avenue west of North Central Expressway. The area was settled by former African American slaves shortly after the American Civil War and the cemetery was established on four acres of land in 1869. Virtually all physical above-ground reminders of the cemetery were eliminated in the 1930's due to construction of the freeway. In 1989, working with the City of Dallas and the Texas Department of Transportation, members of the community begain work to preserve the historic Freedman's Cemetery site prior to highway expansion. It's free and only 4.79 miles from my house.
5. Dallas Museum of Art at 1717 N. Harwood, 75201 with collections which include the $38 million Reves Collection, a reproduction of the Reveses' home in France, Villa La Pausa, where paintings, sculptures and works on paper by Cezanne, Daumier, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and van Gogh. It also houses a collection of African Art, ancient Mediterranean art, ancient American art, and much more. Entry is $10 and it is only 6.02 miles from my house.
6. The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art at 2010 Flora Street, Dallas 75201. The collection is a permanent set of galleries dedicated to the arts and cultures of China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia. Entry is Free and it is 5.97 miles from my house.
7. Nasher Sculpture Center at 2001 Flora, Dallas 75201. This is an indoor gallery and outdoor "roof-less" museum which reflects Raymond D. and Patsy Nasher's extensive collection with an amazing depth of artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Smith, Duchamp-Villon, Moore, Miro and Giacometti. The building was designed by noted architect, Renzo Piano and the gardens were designed by noted landscape architect, Peter Walker. Entry is $10 It is 5.96 miles from my house.
8. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center at 2301 Flora, Dallas 75201 It is the permanent home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Chorus and is owned and managed by the City of Dallas Office of cultural Affairs. It was designed by I.M. Pei and acoustician Russell Johnson's Artec Consultants, Inc. and opened in 1989. It is designed in the shoebox style and seats 2,062 with acoustical canopies above the hall which can be raised or lowered to reshape the sound properties of hall. It is also the home to the C.B. Fisk Opus 100 organ, hailed near unanimously as a musical triumph. The acoustics of the hall are comparable to the Vienna Musikverein and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Tours are free. It is 5.96 miles from my house.
9. Thanks-Giving Square at 1627 Pacific, Dallas 75201 This is a public-private complex. It was designed by architect Philip Johnson and was dedicated in 1976 to promote the concept of giving thanks as a universal, human value. Be sure to see the Court of All Nations and the Wall of Praise as well as the 50-foot Bell Tower that features 3 bronze bells designed in the form of the Liberty Bell. The bells ring every hour. Also be sure to see the Ring of Thanks and Circle of Giving as well as the Chapel of Thanksgiving, a small, spiral tower that features an enclave for prayerful thanks. It is a private multi-faith organization that implements the Multifaith Exploration and Exchange Program dedicated to the pursuit of understanding between different faiths and religions. Entry is free but a suggested donation of $2 is appreciated. Only 6.31 miles from my house.
10. Dallas Cowboy Football Stadium, 900 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington 76011. No visit to Dallas would be complete without a tour of the newest stadium housing the Dallas Cowboy Football team. It has a domed, retractable roof and seats an amazing 80,000 but is expandable to 112,000! It's Texas so what can I say, it is the largest domed stadium in the world, has the world's largest column-free interior and the largest video screen hung from 20 yard line to 20 yard line. It opened in May 2009. Tours are $15 and it is 25.9 miles from my house.
11. Couldn't talk about the Cowboys without talking about the Texas Rangers Baseball stadium too, even though I am now at 11 items. But it's right next door to the Cowboy stadium so once you are there, you might as well.... Rangers Ball Park in Arlington at 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington 76011 is the home to the Texas Rangers Baseball team and the Legends of the Game Museum and Learning Center. The learning center provides an interactive and education glimpse in America's pastime. Tours of the Museum and Ballpark are $12. The ballpark is 24.21 miles from me.
Hey Guys!! Where's all the entries? We only have five ('cause Colleen's doesn't count).
Let's see some stuff about where you live.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5564 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
working on it. Some of it I have to re-drive because I'm not sure if it fits in the 30 mile radius. This is THE WEST and it is BIG!! We don't think twice about a 100 mile drive (one way) to dinner so I have got to make sure I'm not cheating.
As to the Rome place? Still digging through old photos, etc..
They'll be done in time for the contest. PLUS I have to stuff Sadie's trunk full for the show us your trunk contest. Somewhere in that busy social schedule my employer wants their 40 hours too!!
Do each of the ten have to be a specific place, or could some of them be, say, a small town which might have various attractions in it? For instance, what about a place which has a lovely main street with art galleries, etc., a park with concerts, and a scenic tourist attraction. (Kaydee may guess what example I'm using.)
Annie, As long as your list meets the challenge criteria, including a small town as an item in your Top 10 is just fine. I will add, though, that the more specific you are about *why* you'd take a visitor there, the better.
quote:
list of the top 10 things you would take a visitor to do, that cost $20 or less, within 30 miles of your front door
Posts: 16015 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Thanks, Colleen. What I had been thinking is that some of the towns around here have several points of interest and, rather than listing each of them separately, I could include them within a description of the locale.
For example (and not the one I referenced above), West Jefferson NC, which is 28 mi. from my "from my front door," has become, among other things, a notable art destination in the past 10-12 years. In addition to a monthly art crawl, it has many art galleries along its main street and, more remarkably, about 11 large outdoor murals on different subjects. See here. In addition, just outside town is the Mt. Jefferson State Park.
I thought I'd include these together, rather than separately (all free), since it enhances this specific locale as a destination of interest. I would, though, include the Ben Long frescoes in West Jefferson separately, along with others he has done within the 30-mile criterion. It would make more sense to me to have a separate "frescoe" listing.
Starting location: My home in Hollis, NH Mileage by Mapquest (short cuts allowed!)
1.For the kids: Friendly Farm Petting Zoo, Dublin, NH, Friendly Farm: This place is in the quiet village of Dublin (Home of Yankee Magazine) and if the kids like animals (or the adults, for that matter), then they'll enjoy farm animals of all types in a clean and natural environment. Stroll the five acres under a canopy of pine and mixed hardwoods and enjoy the animals that are as friendly as you'll ever meet. Petting, feeding and hugging permitted. Goats, pigs, turkeys, rabbits and more. Bring a picnic lunch and stay awhile…relax, meet every kid, piglet, bunny, calve. $6.75 adults, 29.4 miles.
2.For the hiker/nature lover: Monadnock State Park, Jaffrey, NH, Monadnock: Featuring the “2nd most often climbed mountain in the world” – Mount Monadnock (Mount Fuji’s first, but here in NH we think they’re counting folks who can drive the autoroad to the top – Monadnock has only hiking trails to the bare rock summit, you’ve gottta hike it). Campgrounds, picnic areas and miles of hiking trails (six of which are direct to the top) make this a first-rate outdoor weekend in the wild. Weather permitting you’ll see all six New England states from the top after a one or two hour climb. Most people bring a lunch and reward themselves with the view and then something to eat while resting on the bare granite with scores of others. $4.00 adults, 30.1 miles (I cheated…and there are no shortcuts!).
3.For the history buff: Lowell National Historic Park, Lowell, MA, Lowell National Park: The best way to see it all is over several days and several of the tours: Locks to Locks Tour , Water Power in Lowell Tour, Mill Girls and Immigrants Tour, Pawtucket to the River Boat Tour, Concord to the Merrimack Boat Tour. Visit the Bootes Cotton Mill Museum or the Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center for exhibits and a guided look into the history of the city and its mills. The Industrial Revolution started in many places and the mills in Lowell were part of the driving force. $6.00 adults, 27 miles.
4.For horse racing enthusiasts: Rockingham Park, Salem, NH, The Rock/: it’s a racetrack with all the extras that normally make use of such large facilities: motor racing, motorcycle racing, fairs, poker (extra charge), shows (most of which are free) and, of course, harness racing. Currently celebrating its 106th anniversary, this place has a rich and varied background, starting with being shut down three days after opening in 1906 because gambling was illegal in NH in those days. $3.50 adults, 24 miles.
5.For people of all ages: Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH, Canobie Lake: This is an amusement park with all the rides, shows, games and casual food you’d ever need or want – complete with seasonal specials (right now, it’s the Scre-e-e-mfest and the Pumpkin Palace). It’s one of the oldest amusement parks in the US, only 10 years younger than THE oldest (Lake Compounce Park, CT). The area around the lake used to be a gold mine and transformed into an amusement park in 1902. $20 adults, 20 miles.
6.Archaeology anyone? America’s Stonehenge, Salem, NH, Stonehenge: Built by unknown Native Americans or by a migrant European population…it’s origins are still a mystery. This place is a somewhat haphazard collection of man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places and claims to be the oldest man-made construction in the United States (over 4000 years old). Like Stonehenge in England, America's Stonehenge was built by ancient people who knew their astronomy and knew stone construction, too. A Harvard professor of archaeology determined that this site is an accurate astronomical calendar that can still can be used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year. There’s a small herd of Alpacas living on the grounds, they offer day or nightime snowshowing throughout the grounds in winter and special astronomical events throughout the year. $9.50 adults, 27.7 miles.
7.Hikers, bikers, nature walkers: Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH, Beaver Brook: The brainchild of two cousins back in 1964 and with the continued support of the surrounding community and the generosity of people over the years, Beaver Brook's original 18 acres has grown into over 2,000 acres of natural woods, gardens and fields and several barns and meeting lodges all interconnected by over 35 miles of trails for walking, biking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, bird watching and most anything having to do with an appreciation of nature and land conservation. Chartered by the state of NH as an educational non-profit organization it relies on a combination of program fees, revenue from land management practices (wood harvesting on a small scale), and donations to help educate young and old about land management and land appreciation. And it’s all staffed by volunteers: from board members, to gardeners, to program directors. This is NH at its best! Free, 5 miles.
8.For the curious: Anheuser Busch Brewery, Merrimack, NH, Bud Tour: take a tour and sample the product, then go see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales in a horsebarn that’s cleaner than any college dorm room and many living rooms. If you’re interested in what it takes to produce America’s best lager and you wanna wet your whistle, too, ‘this tour’s for you!” The grounds around the brewery are manicured and include athletic fields used extensively by local youth leagues: free adults, 8 miles.
9.For those looking for the quiet homespun feel of afternoons gone by: Pickety Place, Mason, NH, Pickety Place: a collection of herb gardens, vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, a cottage and an “herbal” restaurant high on a hill surrounded by meadows in a peaceful setting amid the flora of southern NH. Enjoy an organic five course gourmet lunch including edible flowers, too. Browse the gift shop for seeds or seedlings of your favorite herbs. Lunch is $16.95 adults, 18 miles.
10.For art enthusiasts: Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH,Currier: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Zimmerman House is included as part of this museum campus located in downtown Manchester. Offering ongoing exhibitions that change every 10-12 weeks, ongoing programs for kids, adults and the southern NH community, plus thousands of works of art in the permanent collection. This is an art museum you can get your arms around and features all types of art and all art mediums and can be done in a day – this isn’t the Louvre, but holds its own in terms of the breadth of it’s collection. $18 adult, includes a tour of the Zimmerman House, 21.4 miles.
Posts: 717 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
I didn't include the actual miles from my front door to my top 10 attractions. Can I add it using the edit function? Will you all take my word that they are under 30 miles from my house (I'm a slow traveler - our word is gold, right?)
Posts: 8 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: 24 September 2009
So many people have never been to Philadelphia, but there's a lot to see and do. I couldn't narrow it down to 10 if I included both "must see" tourist attractions and "hidden gems," so I'm doing 2 lists! This is the more typical list of must see tourist attractions. 1. Independence National Historic Park (and surrounding historic sites like the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, et al). It's humbling to walk around our nation's 1st capital & think about the bold, visionary people who created democracy as we know it. You can walk around here any time, day or night. Some of the buildings are only open at certain times, but I believe only the main hall charges admission / requires a ticket. The Visitor's Center is at 6th & Market & on any map. 2. Italian market - 9th St, roughly between Christian & Washington. You saw this area in the Rocky movies - it's his old South Philly neighborhood with sidewalk vendors, authentic butcher & cheese shops, etc. Fun to place to walk around on a Saturday morning, especially if the weather's nice. Claudio's is my favorite cheese shop. DiBruno's for delicious salumi and numerous Italian treats. 3. See Ben Franklin's poop chute - Franklin Court (Between Market & Chestnut, 3rd & 4th). Hidden behind Ben Franklin's old post office is a little park over the site where he used to live. It's a peaceful spot and a little more interesting than just looking at his gravestone a few blocks away. The small museum (which includes his print shop) charges a nominal admission, but you can wander around the site for nothing. 4. Reading Terminal Market - Hailed as America's 1st farmer's market, it's got more fast food than farm products, but the purveyors are all local. If you want to try a really good Philly cheesesteak, you can get it an DiNic's (right in the center of the market). But the roast pork is far tastier, especially if you get it loaded Italian (with greens, provolone, & roasted peppers). You have to like garlic, because you'll taste it for hours! Another institution in here is Bassett's Ice Cream. Oh and kitty korner from Bassett's are really amazing cookies. Face it, you CAN spend < $20 in here, but you might not want to The market is at 12th & Arch in part of the old train station. 5. See the world champion Philadelphia Phillies! As I type this, they're about to try to repeat their 2009 world series victory, probably against the Yankees (BOO!!). Surprisingly, you can usually get your hands on a ticket for just under $20. The tough part is that there's not much left for food - and Citizens Bank Park has won the Food Network award for Best Ballpark Eats 3 years running. It's one of the nicest stadiums in the U.S. Local classics available at the park include Tony Luke's cheesesteaks, the "Schmitter" (a bizarrely loaded burger made famous by a local bar) and Chickie & Pete's Crab Fries. But the hot dogs & grilled sausages are great here. The park is at roughly Broad & Pattison, & stands out on any city map. 6. Fairmount Park - Philadelphia doesn't have very many big parks, but this one is reputedly the biggest in-city park in the nation. The easiest access point from within Center City is right behind the Museum of Art along the Schuylkill River. Here you'll find a nice walking/biking path along the river. Further up there's an amazing playground and a legitimate forest great for hiking or mountain biking. It's all free. 7. The Museum of Art is one of the finest in the nation. I'm honestly not even that much into art, but joined because I love to visit here. In addition to a simply fabulous collection of paintings, they have a Japanese teahouse, a couple of stone temples from Turkey & India (these are really lovely peaceful places to sit and read or contemplate life on a rainy day). They also do some really excellent exhibits. Since I've been here they've had a great Frida Kahlo exhibit, one called "Cezanne & Beyond" that showed how Cezanne's work influenced so many other artists, & now there's one on Matisse. The musueum is the destination at the north end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (the huge angled avenue in center city). Just walking up to it is a beautiful walk. 8.Stroll South Street - This funky street runs east-west about 6 primary blocks south of Market St. Though it's (thankfully) cleaned up a bit in the past couple of years, it still retains it's funky, bohemian character. The closest thing I can think to compare it to would be the Haight in San Francisco. Most of the food is pretty inedible, but some good spots for reasonable eats are Lavosh (Indian, 300 block), 5th St Souvlaki (Greek, 500 block) and Caribbean Delight (Jamaican, 1100 block). Most of the shops are pretty schlocky, but Hats In the Belfry (@3rd St) is fun. There's a Whole Foods at 10th St. And at least wander by the Magic Kingdom to see the amazing mosaics made out of - well, junk (between 10th & 11th). 9. Find the Love - You may find that "brotherly love" is a little hard to come by, but don't miss the requisite photo with the LOVE Statue (JFK Plaza, 15th St and JFK Blvd just north of City Hall). 10. Elfreth's Alley - (between Front & 2nd Sts a couple blocks north of Market) This is the nation's oldest continuously inhabited street, and dates back to the 18th century. It was a typical working class street, so has little houses & shops (a couple of which are now a museum). There is a cell-phone based audio tour available.
Posts: 2 | Location: Denver, CO USA | Registered: 20 January 2003
Philadelphia - Hidden gems 1. Headhouse Square farmer's market - Philadelphia has several nice farmer's markets, but this is my favorite & it's happily 1/2 block from my house! Held in the historic "Shambles" of Headhouse Square at 2nd & Lombard, it's held Saturday & Sunday mornings May-November from 10-2. Saturdays were just added in 2009, so there are only a few farmers then. Sundays are huge. http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/ 2. Find a hidden "pocket park" - There aren't a lot of big parks in Philadelphia (really just Fairmount) - it's a densely populated city. But every once in awhile you find a small square of green that was apparently created when a house was demolished & someone donated the land. One of my favorites is Three Bears Park, on Delancey St between 3rd & 4th Streets. So named for the statue of the 3 Bears, it's really just a cute little kids' playground. But it has trees & flowers & is on one of the cutest blocks in the city, so it makes me smile every morning when I walk through on my way to work. 3.The Piazza at Schmidt's - This is getting a lot of publicity lately, both because the surrounding merchants are really trying to attract some attention & because there was a shooting shortly after it opened. I'm a little hesitant to include it, because the neighborhood's still a little edgy & there's still not THAT much to do. But it's pretty unique in that it is really like a big piazza, surrounded by shops & restaurants. There's a huge screen at 1 end so if you want a unique place to watch the game for free, come watch it here. The Swift Half has great burgers. 4. Brunch at Sabrina's - I think Philly really lacks great breakfast places. Sabrina's is an exception. There are now 2 locations, and the food's pretty much the same at both, so pick the one most convenient for you. The original is a cute little house at 9th & Christian (right on the edge of the Italian Market), and the new one's on Fairmount Ave. Stay away if you want to eat light. The french toast is downright amazing, but everything is good. 5.Irish Memorial (@Front & Chestnut) - The centerpiece of this memorial to the "Great Hunger" that took place in Ireland in the 1840s is Glenna Goodacre's soulful bronze sculpture. It takes you from the starving & tragedy in the old country to the ship & hopeful arrival in the new world. There are also little signs providing some of the history. The one that got me says that there was no reason for all these people to have starved - despite the potato bligh there was plenty of food in Ireland, but it was all being exported to England by the landowners. 6. Hike the Wissahickon Gorge - I mentioned in my "tourist's Philadelphia" that Fairmount Park included opportunities for hiking & mountain biking. The best hikes are in this area, accessible from several points in the Chestnut Hill area (I usually park at the lot on Walnut Lane just west of Wissahickon Ave in Mt Airy). 7. Stroll Chestnut Hill - After your excursion in the Wissahickon, head to downtown Chestnut Hill (Germantown Ave.) for lunch or a snack & some shopping. There's an amazing Cheese Shop, several cute restaurants (I like Solera), and it's just a very cute neighborhood. 8. Washington Square park - One of the original park's in William Penn's design for the city, it was used as a cemetery during the Revolutionary War (and now has a tomb for the unknown soldier). It's one of the few sizeable plots of green in center city (a whole city block) so a nice place to sit and read on a sunny afternoon. @6th & Walnut 9.Anthropologie - OK it's hard to recommend a chain store on a list of hidden local gems. But this is maybe the coolest store I've ever been in. This chain has cool stuff anyway, but this particular location is an amazing space that makes for a really unique experience. It has a grand old staircase - look up, there's a beautiful stained glass dome. And I guess you could call it their flagship store, because it's owned by Urban Outfitters, which is based here. 10.Gifts for your Pooch - I can't say they're my favorite thing (I don't have pets), but my friends who have dogs always find a little something special for their "best friend" when they're here. I've never been anywhere with so many dog stores. Doggie Style is the one I think has the most locations, but there are at least 10 different shops within Center City.
Posts: 2 | Location: Denver, CO USA | Registered: 20 January 2003
Having not long moved to this stunning area in Victoria - we're still something of 'visitors' ourselves. But here's my top 10 list for the historic and spectacular area of Port Fairy and Great Ocean Road:
1: Stroll the boardwalk on the Moyne River, with it's fishing fleet, restored sailing boats and historic fort. Walk out to the lighthouse through the Muttonbird reserve. If you go at dusk you're guaranteed to see a large number of wallabies. Cost -free!
2: Now stroll around the village - enjoy all the old shops, remarkably restored old buildings and houses and with their pretty gardens. Call into Slitti (open Tuesday through Sunday 9am-5pm) for a genuine Italian coffee (they import the beans) and chocolate (also imported from Italy). Cost about $A5- depending on how much chocolate you eat of course!
3. Into the car now and drive to Warrnambool (26 miles) for a visit to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village where there's a recreated village from the 1800's as well as some very interesting artifacts and historical information about the development of the towns and lots of displays and information about the many, many shipwrecks along the coast. It's called the Shipwreck Coast for a very good reason! Cost $A15.95 for adults - open every day.
4. While you're in Warnambool drive to Logans Beach to the whale viewing platform where between September and November the Southern Right Whales have their nursery. Most days you'll see at least 3 of these amazing creatures. Cost - free!
5. On your way back to Port Fairy stop off at Tower Hill - an extinct volcano that is now a lake with a very pretty walk through native forest. Cost-free.
6. Back to Port Fairy for a walk on the wild south coast - it's a pleasant 1 mile stroll along the sandy beach to Time and Tide Gallery and Cafe (open Wed through Sunday from 10am to 5pm) where the coffee is good and the cakes even better. The speciality of the house is a decadent meringue, cream and strawberry puree concoction ($A8.00). Personally I prefer the breakfast ciabatta of scrambled eggs,ham and tomato ($A10.00).
7. If you visit on the first weekend of March you'll be part of the legendary Port Fairy Folk Festival. Now in it's 34th year it's a massive weekend. Tickets are balloted, but there's a huge amount of free music to enjoy in the outdoor spaces. Cost - tickets range from $A5-$A10.00 but are hard to come by. Outdoor concerts are free. BUT - be warned that accommodation is booked out months in advance.
8. I can't get you to the well known sights of the Great Ocean Road with the 30 mile limit - but you can visit The Crags just 8 miles south of Port fairy,which provide panoramic views along the sweeping coastline and views to Julia Percy Island. Cost- free.
9. Something to eat. $A20.00 won't get you a main meal in a restaurant I'm afraid - but you can certainly enjoy the freshest fish and handcut chips at Wisharts on the wharf for about $A12.00 (open Tuesday through Sunday noon-8pm) - and their delicious homemade tartare sauce to go with it at just $A1.00 a tub is a real bargain. Or call into Saltra in Bank Street (Tuesday-Sunday noon-late) for a bar snack or drink and to see the inside of the old bank building.
10. - the lucky last. Buy a bottle of wine (Good Australian wine can be had for around $A18), wander down to the beach and watch the sun set over the Southern Ocean. The waves rolling in, the clean white sand and the sharp salt tang in the air. Truly magical.
Posts: 262 | Location: Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia | Registered: 08 May 2003
What a fun contest!! Question related to Andrew's - Can 'home town' be the place we know best(i.e have lived the longest in)- but haven't visited in two years (As long as we can verify the existence and the accuracy of the details we post)
A year and a half ago, when my husband was offered a job in Adelaide we had to pull out the map. We knew it was located in Australia, but had no idea where. I now know it is located on the southern coast of Australia, and I have been calling its suburb Glenelg home for over a year. Adelaide may not make it on the highlight tour of Australia, but I have come to view it as my own little oasis in a "big sunburned country". These are the special places that I have found and come to love, and that I would like to share not only with my personal friends and family, but also with those people I have yet to meet in the cyber world.
*AUD=Australian Dollar
1. Adelaide Botanical Gardens Description A visit to the Adelaide Botanical Gardens is more than a walk in the park. Founded in 1855, the gates were opened to the public in 1857. The gardens were designed with some of the great gardens of Europe, including Versailles, in mind. Many of the original trees remain in the park today. Visitors are treated to a variety of gardens that showcase native and exotic plants that thrive in a dry Mediterranean climate. There are also indoor buildings where the plants of the more temperate Australian forest can be appreciated. A free guided tour enables Visitors to distinguish the native flora of Australia, and to better understand the devastating effects that the current drought is causing on both native and introduced plant species. After a tour around the gardens and Pavilions, visitors should stop in at the National Wine Center of Australia, located at the south-east corner of the gardens. Here they can take the interactive Wine Discovery Journey. After browsing the exhibits, visitors can taste local Adelaide Hill's wines for $11 AUD.
Opening Times Monday thru Friday 7am to sunset Weekends 9am to sunset
Admission Gardens Free Free guided walks daily at 10:30am from the Schomburgk Pavilion National Wine Center of Australia Free Wine tasting $11 AUD
Location North Terrace Adelaide (9.8 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Anzac Highway east to West Terrace, turn left. Turn right on North Terrace. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Adelaide Rail Station. Walk east on North Terrace.
2. Adelaide Central Market Description The Adelaide Central Market first opened its doors on January 23rd, 1869 at 3:15 a.m. By 6:00 a.m. over 500 buyers had visited the vendors and all the stock was gone. The market did not have its official opening until January 22nd, of the following year. And it wasn't until nearly 30 years later that the first stone was laid to build a permanent home for this vegetable, fruit, fish and meat market. Today the original facade still stands. The Market boasts the title of Australia's largest of its kind. It contains over 80 stalls specializing in fresh meats, seafood, cheeses, olive oils, nuts, bread and produce, as well as small goods, ethnic supplies and café foods. The Adelaide Market is one of the few places in town where shoppers can find a wide variety of feral meats: kangaroo, wallaby, camel, emu, and crocodile. Visitors can stroll the many aisles imbibing the pulsating sounds, vibrant colors, and wonderful smells that make the market a must see for all tourists to Adelaide.
Opening Times Tuesdays 7am to 5:30pm Thursdays 9am to 5:30pm Fridays 7am to 9pm Saturdays 7am to 3pm
Admission Free
Location Gouger St. (9.5 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Anzac Highway east to South Terrace, turn right. Turn left on King Williams to Victoria Square. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Victoria Square.
3. Austral Hotel Description A trip to the Austral Hotel will allow the visitor to better understand Australian Beer drinking culture. Many tourists are surprised to find that a bar is often called a hotel, and that they probably do not have Fosters on tap. Historically, hotels were the first structures built in newly colonized areas and they served multiple functions while the towns around them were constructed. Today, Hotels continue to play the multi-purpose role serving alcoholic beverages and food and some provide accommodations, pokies (slot machines) and bottle shops. Housed in a 19th century colonial building with a bar, restaurant, and bottle shop, the Austral Hotel provides a better understanding of the central role of in Australia. The wedges, a scrumptious Australian staple, and a local beer are a must for all first time visitors.
Opening Times Monday to Wednesday 11:00am to 1:00am Thursday to Saturday 11:00am to 2:00am Sunday 11:00am to 11:00pm
Admission Free Wedges and a Beer $15 AUD
Location 205 Rundle Street (9.4 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Anzac Highway east to West Terrace, turn left. Turn right on North Terrace. Turn right on West Terrace. Turn right on Rundle St. By Public Transportation-Take tram to Rundle Mall. Walk east on Rundle St.
Contact Tel: 61 8 8223 4660
4. Belair National Park Description Belair National Park is the birthplace of the national park system in South Australia--it was the first national park in SA--and was dedicated in 1891. Located in the hills of Adelaide, the park is the perfect place for a city break, and it provides visitors with a chance to experience the Australian Bush. With several different trails to choose from visitors are able to take a bushwalk that ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Observant hikers may spot echidnas, skinks, kookaburras, koalas, kangaroos, and emus. There are numerous picnic areas throughout the park, and many offer a gas grill free of charge for those that would like to have an Australian Barbie.
Opening Times Daily 8:00am to sunset (except Christmas)
Admission $8.00 AUD per vehicle Free if you arrive by train
Location Adelaide Hills (15.3 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Diagonal Road east. Turn left at Sturt Road. Turn Right at Shepherds Hill road. Turn left at Main Road. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Goodwood Station. Transfer to Belair train. The park is located at the last stop.
5. Cleland Wildlife Park Description Cleland Wildlife Park is home to some of the city's more wild inhabitants. It is a great place for visitors to become familiar with the fauna of Australia. Located in the bushland setting of the Adelaide hills ,visitors are able to walk through large enclosures feeding Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus, Bandicoots, and Water Fowl. There is a special area where Koalas can be petted, and for an additional fee they can also be held. Other native Australian animals-- Tasmanian Devils, Dingoes, Wombats, Echidnas, and Reptiles--are housed at the wild life park and can be observed from a distance in their recreated natural habitats.
Opening Times Daily (except Christmas day and days of total fire ban) 9:30am to 5pm
Location Mount Lofty Summit Road (17.4 km from Glenelg) By car-Take the South Eastern Freeway east. Exit the freeway at Crafers, turn left at the roundabout and follow Summit Road to the Cleland Wildlife Park turnoff. The route is well marked. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Rundell Mall. Transfer to bus 864F (stop D1 Currie Street, north side). Transfer to bus 823 (stop 24 Crafers Ramp) and travel to last stop Cleland Wildlife Park.
6. Hahndorf Description Settled in 1839 by Lutherans who left Prusia to escape religious persecution, Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. Visitors can stroll down the charming tree-lined main street appreciating the original buildings and the everlasting German traditions that the town has maintained. Stop in at the Cafe Assiette for a traditional Brautwurst lunch. In addition to absorbing the rich cultural heritage of the town, visitors may also tour famed Australian landscape artist Hans Heysen's studio and house. A few of his captivating paintings of the Flinders Ranges are on display.
Opening Times Most shops Daily 9am to 5pm Cafe Assiette Daily 8:30am to 8pm The Cedars Tuesday thru Sunday 10am to 4:30pm
Admission Free Cafe Assiette Brautwurst lunch at $11.80 AUD Hans Heysen's House (the Cedars) $ 4 AUD (guided tours additional fees)
Location Mount Barker Road (36 km from Glenelg) By car-Take the South Eastern Freeway east to the Mount Barker Rd exit. Turn left and follow signs to Hahndorf. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Rundell Mall. Transfer to bus 864F (stop D1 Currie Street, north side). Travel to stop 55 .
7. Haigh's Chocolate Visitor Center Description Haigh's Chocolate Company was established in 1915 and is Australia's oldest chocolate manufacturer. It continues to be family owned, though it has outgrown the original Beehive Corner Shop, located in downtown Adelaide and is now located just on the outskirts of the Central Business District. Throughout the facility, original packaging, old machinery, and early photographs can be viewed as well as a display that shows the company's support and commitment to environmental causes. A guided tour provides the rich history of the company, information on how chocolate is made, and a tour of the facility where you can see skilled craftsmen and craftswomen engaging in the delightful task of making candy by hand. Of course, the tour ends with a sampling of Haigh's Chocolates and opportunity to buy some of the scrumptious chocolates to take home.
Opening Times Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location 154 Greenhill Road (9.3 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Anzac Highway east to Greenhill Road turn right. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Rundell Mall. Transfer to bus 191, 192, 195, or 196 (stop c3 King William Street, east side). Travel to stop 1 on Unley Road.
8. Port Adelaide Description What was once a main gateway to Southern Australia, continues to be a working seaport. In 1982, Port Adelaide was declared a State Heritage Area, and it is home to many impressive colonial buildings. A self-guided tour--be sure to pick up a brochure at the tourist office-- will take visitors through the historic streets of town, allowing them to view the fine collection of nineteenth century buildings; wharf sheds, hotels, warehouses, lofts, customs buildings, banks, churches,Town Hall, and the light house. Each of these buildings is unique in character and played an important role in the development of Southern Australia.
Opening Times Tourist Office Daily 9am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)
Admission Free
Location Commercial Road (15.4 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Tapley Hill Road north, turn left at Port Road. By Public Transportation-Take tram from Mosley Square to Train Station. Transfer to train Outer Harbour line to Port Adelaide.
9. South Australian Museum Description Visitors to the museum are offered the opportunity to walk through time browsing collections that cover both the cultural and natural heritage of Southern Australia. The museum boasts the largest Aboriginal cultural exhibition in the world. Through interactive displays, visitors are able to learn about how the many many facets of life of the different indigenous cultures of Australia--we often erre in thinking of the aboriginals as just one culture. The outstanding collection of artifacts, video clips, and photographs leave the visitor with a better understanding of the first inhabitants of this enthralling land.
Opening Times Daily 10am-5pm (except Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Location North Terrace Adelaide (9.6 km from Glenelg) By car-Take Anzac Highway east to West Terrace, turn left. Turn right on North Terrace. By Public Transportation-Take tram to Adelaide Rail Station. Walk east on North Terrace
10. Sunset @ Glenleg Jetty Description The end of the 215 meter (705 foot) long jetty at Glenelg is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Holdfast Bay. Visitors can stand on the end of the pier, enjoying a magical sunset while they contemplate the fact that the closest neighbor to the south is Antarctica, over 7,000 km away. On calm evenings, a dolphin or two may frolic in the water below the pier. For those who want a bit more of an adventure, head over to Temptation Sailing at the marina. For $24 AUD you can get a sunset cruise that is often accompanied by one or more of the many pods of dolphins that live in the bay.
Previously I was able to edit my entry, but now I do not have permission. Is it possible to get permission for this post? Also, I am not sure how to link my posted photos back to my entry, will it be clear once my photos are approved? Thanks. Maya
There's a 60 minute limit on editing posts. If you have changes you would like to make, send an alert on the post (click the triangle box in the bottom right corner), and send a note to the mods and one of us will fix it.
Topic Closed
) but had a very diverting time exchanging 'fun on the cheap' tips, with a fellow queuer - she was a mine of info about inexpensive and interesting theatrical events, so I must search the memory banks for things I could pass on.
Later I'll upload associated pictures to 
On the first Friday of each month, many of the shops, restaurants and galleries are open late with special events for the “First Friday Art Walk.” You’ll find musicians playing on street corners, special sales, and a lively atmosphere. Favorite eateries on Campbell Avenue: Aqui Cal-Mex, La Pizzeria, Twist Bistro, Café Campbell, Olio Café. Sunday is its Farmer’s Market day. Free. 
I am going to try doing one for Fremont.
