Originally Posted By trekkeruss ^^I can't believe I forgot to mention Mt. Rushmore when I posted about my trip across the U.S. That was truly phenomenal! <<plus lots of touristy things>> OMG, the town at the foot of the monument was super tacky!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<OMG, the town at the foot of the monument was super tacky!>> You must be talking about good old Wall, South Dakota. The place REVELS in tacky... that is its charm. Such as it is. Although I enjoy Mt. Rushmore, my favorite attraction in the area is the Badlands National Monument. That place has landscape that I don't think you will find anywhere else in the U.S. It is almost what you would imagine being on the moon is like.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <You must be talking about good old Wall, South Dakota.> Actually, he was probably talking about Keystone, which is pretty tacky as well.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m <<How lucky are you to only live a bus ride away? im jealous!!! hopefully ill be going back this year so if i do we will have to arrange to meet up. wot do you think?>> Sounds like a plan!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Hands down it was a week I spent home basing in Pleasanton, CA. Spent one day in each of the following; San Fran, Yosemite, Napa Valley ( I met Mrs Mondavi ), Sonama Valley, Half Moon Bay and Monterey.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m <<Cleveland, Ohio. Ok...I'll give you a minute.>> We actually went to Cleveland for a long weekend back when Tyler was probably 2 or so. We went to Sea World (not there anymore) and the Cleveland Zoo, and just saw the sites. It was great. I took my mother and Tyler to Cedar Point in August 2001 and we loved it. The follwing few years we got season passes to Dorney Park, which is owned by Cedar Fair so Dave Tyler and I went to Cedar Point during the great blackout (I think of 2004?). We had wanted to go last year, but never made it there. We plan on going this October.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Ok, it probably isn't the best, non-Disney vacation in America but it is a great vacation for teenagers. Sea World isn't there anymore but that property was purchased by Geauga Lake (now owned by Cedar Fair...of Cedar Point fame) and the park has seen some significant improvements.
Originally Posted By trailsend wahooskipper brought up Cleveland sort of reluctantly. But, some of the best times we've had have been in areas not normally considered "vacation spots". There are truly beautiful and intereting places all over this country!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Hmm, Atlanta, Georgia also comes to mind. They have that brand new aquarium, Coca Coal Bottling Plant, the CNN tour, a Six Flags park and Stone Mountain, which is a complete destination unto itself. In fact, if you are in Atlanta during the winter check out Stone Mountain's Christmas event. It rival's Disney...and I'm not kidding. Of course, as a good citizen of Florida I should also mention we have some of the best beaches in the World. We aren't only about the Mouse. Also, don't miss the Kennedy Space Center.
Originally Posted By bloona We had a fantastic holiday in 1993 where we started at Monterey, which I adored, the aquarium there was outstanding. I just think of the colour blue when I think of Monterey! Beautiful. We stayed here 2 nights, which wasnt long enough.Then we drove through Yosemite, to Mammoth Lakes. It was June and the snow was clear enough for us to go on the Tioga pass (sp) but was still making the place look stunning.My favourite place was Bodie ghost town, wow. Then after 5 nights there we drove ( I say "WE" it was Mr Bloona!) to San Francisco. Again an amazing place I will NEVER forget. It was like nowhere Id ever been before ( can I come in your suitcase Claire? I'll be good!) They had unbelievably high temperatures one day when we were there, we had gone to a theme park that I just cant remember the name of...Grrrrr...zoo areas, fake (obviously) dinosaur area. Really good. and i have NEVER ( even in Orlando) felt as hot and drained. I honestly felt I might not survive the day!!! I have an awful photo of me slumped out on the floor, so so hot I had poured water over my head ( not a good look) and taken my t shirt off!!! I was there in my short trousers and bra!! and I couldnt have cared less at the time, I was more bothered about trying to breath! Anyone who knows what I am normally like will know this was totally out of character, I dont even use communal changing rooms!!! ok, Im rambling again arent I?
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh "we had gone to a theme park that I just cant remember the name of...Grrrrr...zoo areas, fake (obviously) dinosaur area." Sounds like Marine World/Africa USA, now Six Flags Marine World, in Vallejo.
Originally Posted By trailsend >>>>Hmm, Atlanta, Georgia also comes to mind. They have that brand new aquarium, Coca Coal Bottling Plant, the CNN tour, a Six Flags park and Stone Mountain, which is a complete destination unto itself. In fact, if you are in Atlanta during the winter check out Stone Mountain's Christmas event. It rival's Disney...and I'm not kidding.<<<<< Thank you, wahooskipper! My hometown! and you are correct. Another place would be Lookout Mountain, Tennessee at Chattanooga. At Rock City, you can see 7 states. There is also Lover's Leap and Fat Man's Squeeze. A fun place.
Originally Posted By cinders_24 >>Sounds like a plan!<< as soon as i get my backside into gear to arrange my trip ill have to let you know. you will have to give me your email address so we can discuss it further
Originally Posted By Labuda "San Antonio, Texas is utterly charming with its Riverwalk and has the added feature of truly excellent Tex-Mex food and a really good amusement park. And the Alamo, of course." And let's not forget I grew up there! hehe Seriously, I love to visit San Antonio & Houston. Heck, just about anywhere you put me, I have a blast, or can.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, Pixie - you talking about Six Flags or Sea World in SA? I like 'em both. Also, I'd LOVE to visit Washington, DC. I think it'd be neat to take a couple of weeks and just go through all the Smithsonian museums I could get through.
Originally Posted By Ursula Catalina Island, CA. So many people overlook this vacation spot, but I don't know why. Golf carts are the transportation of choice and the town of Avalon is full of charm and small shops. Living in L.A. is like being on a rollercoaster and Catalina is like having a full stop. The town is slow, closes early, has great tours of the the island, and is very full of friendly people. The restaurants are inexpensive and delicious. You can also camp at Catalina if that is your thing. They have glass-bottom boat tours, a Casino (not gambling), diving, fishing, submarines and a lovely, if too small, beach.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m <<as soon as i get my backside into gear to arrange my trip ill have to let you know. you will have to give me your email address so we can discuss it further>> t1lersm0m@gmail.com
Originally Posted By bloona <<Sounds like Marine World/Africa USA, now Six Flags Marine World, in Vallejo. that's it! I tried to spell Vallejo and thought I was prob wrong, so left that bit out...lol....great detective work!
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m So my best non-Disney vacation inside the U.S. would probably be the many times I went to Ocean City Maryland with my parents growing up. Swimming in the ocean all day, going to the boardwalk at night, and eating out all of the time was great. (can you tell I haven't been anywhere really spectacular inside the U.S. aside from WDW or DL?)
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m Oh wait, going to Virginia Beach and Busch Gardens Williamsburg for a week was better than Ocean City Maryland.
