For NYC, it depends on what "everything" means to you. For me, Comedy Cellar (you need to go here), Broadway play, a museum I haven't seen, cannoli somewhere I haven't tried, pizza somewhere I haven't tried, bagels and a Jewish deli are all things I would fit in every time no matter what. You should also hit a Yankees game if you can. And Central Park is worth checking out.
Hit Canal street in Chinatown and get your woman a fake designer purse. I don't know if my wife has ever used the ones we got her there, but I was in it moreso for the experience. The whole experience of watching all these women salivate over these black market fake purposes while these little Chinese women pull them out of the back of a tiny little "warehouse" is hysterical. Also check out Little Italy. Historic bus tour would be great for a first timer. Take her shopping near Rockefeller center or 5th.
For a first-timer, I'd say you should hit Times Square just to see it. But I personally avoid it since seeing it a couple times.
As far as places to stay, there's hundreds. I try to pick a place relatively close to Penn Station so we can leave bags at the hotel our last day, then pick them up on the way back to the train.
I've been shit on on RCF for my tightly planned and scheduled to the minute NYC trips, but I could fit everything I described in to two days with good planning and walk everywhere except the Bronx for the Yanks game. I strongly recommend walking on most if not all of your trip because you see so much more of the city and if you want to improv a stop into a place you pass by, it's easier to do it.
As for NYC, 2 days is a bit tight, especially if you have not been there before. What type tourist are you? Do you like to see everything and it doesn't matter if you only spend a few minutes at each spot, just as long as you get to say 'I saw it'? Or do you prefer to hit fewer places, but spend more time at each? There is a lot to do in NYC. Many of which you don't need to spend much time at, others you could spend hours. To some, visiting the Statue of Liberty is a big deal, to others, meh. (Just being able to see it from afar is enough for me, I don't need to get up in her.) I'd hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (but I like museums), but if you do so, expect to spend a good part of a day there. If taking in a museum or two, I definitely would add a 3rd day. Shit, you can easily spend a day shopping if that type of thing appeals to either you or your girlfriend.
As for Hawaii, go if you have a chance. Or book it as a separate trip and spend more time there. A week isn't nearly long enough. Been there twice. It is a special place.
This is freaking awesome. Thank you guys! I'd like to do as much as possible. I want to see a lot, but I'd like to be able to absorb the moment and take in the memories - last thing I want to do is visit all these places and blow right by them without really remembering anything.
We'll definitely be doing some of the "Italian" stuff as my mother's family and my girl's parents are all from Italy so would love to experience that culture in NY. I'm thinking maybe 4 days might do the trick then given all that?
Do you like rollercoasters? Because if you're hitting Cleveland, then you'd be an asshole to miss Cedar Point. It's incredible.
Problem is, if you wanna catch Cedar Point AND a Cavs game, you're walking a tight rope. NBA season usually starts last day or two of October, and Cedar Point shuts down after the first weekend in November.
But really as far as timing in Ohio goes, come as close to the beginning of the NBA season if you can. Autumn leaves are a pretty cool site. OR aim for a playoff game in the Spring. Should be a pretty good bet that they'll be playing then
I LOVE rollercoasters (massive Roller Coaster Tycoon gamer
) and am huge on the novelty of theme parks. To be honest, I don't know much about Cedar Point? I'll do some Googling. But is it possible to catch both a Cavs games and go here based on timing restrictions? The only reason I don't want to come during playoff time is that I'll actually miss the playoffs after my first stop in Cleveland. Obviously that's a big no-no!
Whenever you decide to come to the Atlanta area, let me know ahead of time and I'll make it a point to take a few days off work and be your tour guide if you like.
That's awsesome, thank you so much for that. That's extremely generous of you. I will certainly do so!
Why waste time in Minnesota or Houston? Have your Minnesota friends meet you in Chicago and your Houston friends meet you in Austin or Dallas.
Minnesota sucks and Houston is a weirdly zoned shit-hole.
Haha, thanks. I know a club owner in Houston who's relatively successful. I'd like to see what that's all about, but the Minnesota friend to Chicago definitely seems the better option.
You gotta hit Randal Park Mall. That was once the largest mall in the world.
In Ohio? Nice, I'll check it out.
From a person that has witnessed 20 playoff games the Cavs have played, the Pistons clincher, the NBA finals and have also been to Barcelona and Camp Nou.....Barcelona is by far the much better sporting experience. American sports in person blows to witnessing top flight soccer live in person.
But if the rest of your trip trumps Barcelona (which is the best city I have also been to in my life as well....) then by all means, visit Cleveland in with the others. I would definitely do the beginning of the season. March weather is awful.
That's a
BIG call! This was my reasoning: I missed out on my club's absolute golden era. I so badly wanted to see a game during the Guardiola-era of total football, but was studying at the time and couldn't get out the country. To be honest, I'm a little dismayed RE: some of the recent activities at the club as of late. I still want to try to get there before the stadium rebuild in 2017 though, as I couldn't live with myself if I never saw the Camp Nou in it's original form. I then compared it to Cleveland. What's currently happening in Cleveland basketball is unlike anything we've every seen (and probably will ever see).
The Nou Camp experience will still be what it is in a few years - the a few of the golden crux of players will still be around and I'll hopefully we able to have a similar experience as I will now. In comparison, what's happening in Cleveland is so unique and one of a kind. And overall, I'd love to do a bit of a US trip > than a European trip at this point.
Have heard that Barcelona is the best city in the world from a number of people. When would you recommend visiting Cleveland? My challenge is finding a time where I'm comfortable to miss 3 weeks of the season (at this point, the last 3 weeks before playoffs in mid March) while I holiday. But if I go in October/November, what's the weather like in the rest of the country? I've been to LA in March before and it was mid 20s? So I don't mind having the weather kind of miserable in Cleveland, as long as it's still nice in the more "touristy" destinations.
Someone mentioned Hilton head, but I would consider Charelston, SC area specifically Isle of palms, gotta watch the timing as it can be busy during spring break, if you get to late april or May check out the Spoleto Festival.
http://spoletousa.org/about/
Thanks for that! I'll check it out.
@ CavsSimmy, Melt serves some of the best sandwiches. They are freaking huge too.
Here's the menu:
http://meltbarandgrilled.com/menu/
If you go there, I'd suggest you get this....The Dude Abides: homemade meatballs, fried mozzarella wedges, basil marinara, provolone & romano
WOW. I'll definitely be going here day 1. Thank you for that! That sounds absolutely amazingly delicious.
