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Things to do in the US on my own
AnteCantelope
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm thinking of going to PAX this year, but I don't know anyone else who likes PA or wants to go to America. Since the plane tickets there and back will cost around $1.5-2K, I'm thinking I shouldn't just go for a weekend, I should make it into a one or two week holiday, but if nobody else is interested I'm not sure what I'd do over there. I'd just sort of wander around aimlessly and maybe look at a few landmarks, get bored and wish I were home already. I'm not worried about going to PAX on my own, there'll be plenty of people around and stuff to do so I know I'd have fun there, but after that...
So, if I can't find any friends or family who want to go to the US, can anyone think of fun stuff to do on my own? Anywhere in the country; once I go to the effort of getting to Seattle, a plane ticket from there to NY or LA or anywhere else isn't such a big deal.
So, if I can't find any friends or family who want to go to the US, can anyone think of fun stuff to do on my own? Anywhere in the country; once I go to the effort of getting to Seattle, a plane ticket from there to NY or LA or anywhere else isn't such a big deal.
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I went to NYC for about 5 days I think, and really enjoyed it. If there were a bunch of stuff to do there on my own, I'd be happy to hear it.
And I grew up in a town in Australia that was an hour from the nearest town, 3 hours from the nearest city. I went to school about a 10 hour drive from where my parents lived, and that was within the same state, so I understand the scale of the US and don't want to, say, spend a week driving down the west coast. When I went to the US we spent two weeks in three cities, and I was thinking something like that, but probably only two (Seattle and X).
Traveling by train is quite boring after sometime and take many hours to move from one place to another.
Yeah, I'd avoid LA. Seattle is cool, New York is big and awesome (and dirty), Austin, TX is cool, Memphis or Nashville, TN both have a lot going for them if you like the southern thing. Boston is one of our oldest cities - though not much compared to UK.
Yeah, I'd avoid LA. Seattle is cool, New York is big and awesome (and dirty), Austin, TX is cool, Memphis or Nashville, TN both have a lot going for them if you like the southern thing. Boston is one of our oldest cities - though not much compared to elsewhere.
Tickets to New York from Seattle are coming up about 300 bucks round trip when I search for them, that could add some substantial cost, especially once you add in the cost of room and board. Worth it, I'm sure, maybe you could hook up with some NY based PA'ers to show you around.
You might also consider hitting up Vegas. Assuming you're 21 or older you can get a plane ticket cheap, see some shows, throw some dice, eat at some world class restaurants, have a good time. Probably be able to hook up with some PA'ers there as well who can show you some of the less touristy points of interest. It's also considerably closer to Seattle then New York (only have to cross 4 states, instead of to the other side of the country).
I would also go with this. Not to downplay other areas, but there's loads to do in Seattle already. And Portland's just a short train ride away.
So is Vancouver, BC.
I should get my pass port already.
Seattle and Portland seem pretty cool. Vancouver I thought was in Canada, so that shows you how much I know about that. Any specific places or things there that you'd recommend?
Also, I just found out that I can fly direct from Sydney to Seattle, which is handy. When I flew to NY we stopped in New Zealand and LA, so a flight to Seattle is around 8 hours shorter.
EDIT: Oh wait, they were lying to me, there's a stop in LA. Still a lot shorter though.
... Huh, it is in Canada. You guys made me doubt my geography knowledge, you monsters!
But seriously, I don't think I want to go to Canada, just because of the extra hassles crossing a border might bring about.
If you're the kind of person who likes a slower pace and enjoys nature, Seattle and Portland are better bets. A day going up the Columbia River Gorge from Portland is always an excellent idea, and the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle is amazing.
If you do want to go down to SF from Seattle, I'd recommend against the train since it often gets horribly delayed. A plane would honestly be worth the extra cost.
I'd vehemently disagree on the food and drink bit. Having lived in all three and having been in the industry for quite a while, Portland is hands down the best food and drink town of the three.
I agree with Esh here. I've had fun in all three areas but there's a reason our next vacation is going to be in the northwest again and not SF. And we didn't spend time enjoying the outdoors at all.
But like others have said, without knowing your interests it's hard to recommend what to go see and do. These are major cities. There's lots to do with everyone having their favorite attractions.
To be honest, there isn't that much of a hassle. I mean, you could possibly be stopped and searched, but chances are fairly low. More than likely, you'll pull up to the window and tell the officer you're traveling from abroad, show your passport, and go right through. 45 seconds.
I mean, assuming you have a passport and don't appear to be smuggling contraband, narcotics or tactical missiles.
I think Seattle/Vancouver/Portland would keep you occupied quite well, especially with PAX thrown in the mix. If you want to see some nature drastically different from your country there's a lot of national forests and lakes to enjoy. This would be a whirlwind tour if you're only going for two weeks, anyway. Seattle with PAX would give you enough to do for a week. Keep in mind a big event like PAX can be quite draining, dunno about sightseeing after days of marching up and down a big expo.
BattleTech campaign at: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/169696/battletechmegamek-fight-for-gan-singh#latest
Unless you cross the "Wait here until the car in front of you is clear" line. Then you will be stopped and searched 100% of the time.
I'm thinking, because people keep saying that the area's good for outdoorsey stuff, that I might spend some time doing that before PAX, and then come home immediately after (since I'll probably want to stay very still for a while).
Portland is meant to be good for beer, right? I'm a bit of a beer snob, but haven't tried much American beer (mostly because they get taxed to hell on import, Sierra Nevada for instance is $70-80).
I've got to say that Vegas is probably the least appealing part of the US to me. Touristy, in a desert, gambling (I'm not morally opposed, just uninterested). No thanks.
Nobody disagrees on the museums? I had a great time going to the Smithsonian in DC, and since my flight out will be from LA, I could spend a little time in San Francisco without adding much to the budget. Science and not-modern art museums especially.
Sydney.
Portland is very well known for beer, but we also have quite a few distilleries and our craft cocktail scene has to be seen to be believed. I'd say it's only rivaled by NYC and not by much. The food is incredible as well. Beyond the normal restaurants, the food carts here are ridiculous. Every cuisine you could ever imagine. There are pods of them all over the city. In fact, Portland was recently voted best street food in the world.
I still like Seattle more for food with Pike's Place being my favorite area. But if you're not going to be cooking for yourself it's a less appealing draw.
Both are excellent places to find amazing food and drink.
I've never really gotten into spirits or cocktails, maybe Portland can remedy that. The fact that booze is so much cheaper over there than here would help (when I was working in a bottleshop, the manager said that just over half of the shelf price was tax).
SF is a very nice city. My wife and I always enjoyed our time there. But given the OP's limited time, the unique sights of the that particular city wouldn't really be worth it when he's already by/in three other major cities.
If you're looking for exploring and seeing the outdoors, I recommend renting a car and traveling around the Seattle area. Catch a ferry to any of the San Juan islands - vashon is a 30 minute ferry from Seattle and has a coffee roaster that makes my absolute favorite blends on site. Whales and other sea life are common in the north sound region.
There are tons of interesting small towns and beautiful locations in the region if you're willing to explore. Going across the pass to Leavenworth for the day or going north to explore the upper cascade pass, for example, is absolutely gorgeous and full of neat little stops to get food or look around.
Steam
There's a bit more than gambling, as there are often some great shows and events, lots of places to eat and drink, and the prices are usually pretty good(especially if you're not gambling). Plus there's a reasonable gaming presence in Vegas.
In Seattle (Seattle Area): Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic Rainforest National Park, the San Juan Islands, canoe Lake Washington, walk around Seattle, enjoy the Pike Place Market, the Science Fiction Museum, the Experience Music Project, the downtown Seattle Library, enjoy the great food and beer.
Between Seattle and Portland: Mt. St. Helens National Monument, Ape Cave.
Portland (Portland Area): Better food and beer than Seattle's, the food carts, the beer (worth mentioning twice), Powell's city-block sized bookstore, the Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast (either Cannon Beach, Manzanita, or Astoria).
Rent a car, and you will be set. You can even save money by camping. Heck, put up a note and a lot of people might house/cook for you (I may be in Portland myself this summer).
And it reopened.
http://www.24hourchurchofelvis.com/
I do live here ya know. ; )
If you go to Portland then I'm seconding Ground Kontrol, Voodoo Donuts and Powell's (all that we really had time for).
well, i'll be damned. better head down for some absolution. explains why it wasn't downtown last time I checked.