Road Trip

[iAmBaronVonTito]

i need some suggestions:

cancer mom is almost out of cancer, which means i can move back to memphis (happily).  however, with the economy the way it is and the cost of living/wages in memphis being MUCH lower than phoenix, i am going to have one chance (before a long dry spell) to travel to the cities i havent been to or only visited once, years ago.

the trip from phoenix, az to memphis, tn will take a month to complete; i am leaving in the spring (april/may).  i am budgeting everything now and need ideas for attractions to see while i am in town (usually 1-2 nights).  i will be in the following cities in this order:

LOS ANGELES, CA
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
PORTLAND, OR
SEATTLE, WA
VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA
WINNIPEG, MB, CANADA
OMAHA, NE
CHICAGO, IL
DETROIT, MI
AKRON, OH
TORONTO, ON, CANADA
NJ/NY
PHILADELPHIA, PA
BALTIMORE, MD
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NORFOLK, VA
KNOXVILLE, TN
NASHVILLE, TN

...i need the insider's guide.  also, if you have suggestions for other cities along the way, drop it.  im looking to check out local eateries (i'm vegetarian), museums, parks, gardens, zoos, aquariums, or further suggestions.  


alright, let me have it.  

[Bryan]

In Toronto, if you happen to be there on a Saturday, check out the Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation. It's a small gallery that always has amazing shows, but is only open Sat., 12-5. There are lots of cool small galleries along Queen St. W. (particularly between Ossington and Dufferin). The Katharine Mulherin galleries are especially good.

I think Queen St. W. is probably where you'll want to hang out. Cosmos Records and Rotate This are both good for vinyl and in that neighbourhood. There's lots of veg-friendly places along that strip. Terroni's Pizza is fantastic, Squirly's is a good bar, and Irie Foods has good Caribbean food - there are also a bunch of cheaper roti joints that are terrific.

Be sure to take a wander through Kensington Market. Good food, record stores, vintage clothes, and a generally cool atmosphere. It's right next to Spadina, which is the main downtown chinatown, which is also worth a look.

[cutout]

I'm biased, but I would say make it to Charlottesville instead of Norfolk. It's got UVa, Monticello and other historical sites, really excellent restaurants and parks. Norfolk has a naval base and a lot of busted neighborhoods.

[Julie]

Don't forget Cincinnati. You could see the zoo and also the giant touchdown jesus.

[jbissell]

Don't forget Cincinnati. You could see the zoo and also the giant touchdown jesus.

And hit the Creation Museum on your way out of town!

[iAmBaronVonTito]

alright, JC, i'll seriously consider stopping in OH between chicago and detroit.


or should i even go to detroit?  i hear lots of things, but never good things.  the music history has me hooked and ive never been there- worth it?

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Don't forget Cincinnati. You could see the zoo and also the giant touchdown jesus.

And hit the Creation Museum on your way out of town!

ew buoy, ive read about that monstrocity.  is it worth the $60 ticket?  i dont know.

[Julie]

I went to the creation museum and it caused a panic attack, which I never suffer from. I couldn't get out of that place and the security people were following me around. It was horrible! But I did like the models of adam and eve getting to know each other, although I found eve's lack of nipples kind of bizarre.

Detroit is alright. Go to Zug Island. There are a lot of smokestacks and vacant houses around there. I like the way it looks. I usually end up stuck out in the world's nicest suburbs surrounded by the world's nicest people and I don't fit in.

[Beth]

My experience in all those cities has been quick (through touring and road trips) but there are a couple of extra fun memories of a couple places for me.

In Baltimore, there's a great place to get breakfast called the Paper Moon Diner. I don't know if it's "cool" to eat there or not, but the food was great and it's so visually stimulating it's almost an overload. I recommend.

I had lots of luck at the thrift stores in Portland, if you're into that. There are quite a few, and most had a great selection and were really cheap. And if you're into fun kitschy (if a bit over-hip) hotels, the Jupiter Hotel http://www.jupiterhotel.com/ in Portland is where it's at. The rooms all have this crazy mod theme, and they give you free condoms in your room and stuff. The doors are also chalkboards, which is really fun. It's above a trendy nightclub, but the noise barely comes through, and they provide earplugs.  It's a nice break from the standard chain hotels.
 I don't know what their rates are (it was comped when I stayed there) but I can't imagine it being too insane. There's a really good breakfast place right downstairs, and a good thrift shop right around the corner.

[Nicksy]

In San Francisco, make sure not to miss Paxton gate:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/paxton-gate-san-francisco

[Bryan]

One other suggestion - from your itinerary, it looks as though you may be traveling from Vancouver BC to Winnipeg MB on the Canada side of the border. I've never done the coast-to-coast drive, but I don't think there's much there. It'll be a long, flat and empty drive. Maybe appealing in a Two-Lane Blacktop kind of way, but otherwise probably a bit dull. Also (without having been there) my impression is that Winnipeg is kind of a dump - Canada's murder and arson capital!

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Beth, thanks for the jupiter hotel link.  ive heard of this hotel from friends who tour frequently (who i think have heard it from other touring friends).  it looks fun.  

Nicksy, i was being a creep on your website and secretly hoped you would feed me suggestions on SF.  thanks.  

[iAmBaronVonTito]

One other suggestion - from your itinerary, it looks as though you may be traveling from Vancouver BC to Winnipeg MB on the Canada side of the border. I've never done the coast-to-coast drive, but I don't think there's much there. It'll be a long, flat and empty drive. Maybe appealing in a Two-Lane Blacktop kind of way, but otherwise probably a bit dull. Also (without having been there) my impression is that Winnipeg is kind of a dump - Canada's murder and arson capital!

ive gathered this as well, unfortunately.  not to mention, i should have gathered this from The Weakerthans line, "...I hate Winnipeg."  as im getting more of an idea of what each city is about, im thinking of ditching winnipeg and just going straight to omaha.


P.S. i'm taking this entire trip alone.  its going to get rough.

[Nicksy]

Oh my. In that case, I'll compile a fuller list.

Presidio Pet Cemetary:
http://www.nps.gov/prsf/historyculture/pet-cemetery.htm

Musee Mechanique: (Fisherman's Wharf is a scary place, but this is worth it)
http://www.museemechanique.org/

Adobe Books:
http://www.sfstation.com/adobe-books-b4974

Needles and Pens:
http://www.needles-pens.com/

Taqueria Cancun: (Best Burritos)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-cancun-san-francisco-2

Alemany Flea Market:
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/891387/san_francisco_ca/alemany_flea_market.html

49 Geary:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/49-geary-art-galleries-san-francisco

[Denim Gremlin]

um, LA has some cool stuff, I'll make a better list later

but food wise check out Pure Luck. It's one of my favorite places to eat in the city. also if you like Indian food check out Paru's