What is the best place to travel to in America?|150480

I am 17 years old and traveling (hoping to) travel with a coworker my age. My mother has limited us to America and I was just wondering what would be the best city to go to.
We want to have an adventure! We want to change our lives for better

Consider visiting New Orleans. NOLA is one of the world_s special places with an ambience unique in North America, and remains so even after Katrina devastated it in 2005.

Katrina flooded about 80% of New Orleans with salt water, and the water stayed for almost a month. Much of the city is still struggling to recover and all you have to do to see devastation is drive around. It will take years for NOLA to fully recover from Katrina.

However, the parts of the city that tourists usually visit were not flooded. It_s not a coincidence - the French Quarter and other old parts of the city were built on relatively high ground and only suffered wind damage from Katrina. Almost all of the damage has been repaired and you have to look closely in the FQ and city center to see that Katrina happened at all. You should visit and see for yourself.

You can drink the water, the electricity _ phones work, and services like the post office, hospitals, schools, police/fire/EMS, and stores _ shopping centers are operating.

Municipal services like street cleaning _ trash collection collapsed after Katrina and that is why you may see answers warning about the ��smelly�� or _dirty_ French Quarter. Those services were fully restored in late 2006 and it is no longer an issue.

I recommend staying in the French Quarter (Vieux Carre_) if you can. There is a very wide range of selections available, from moderate guest houses to very exclusive _boutique_ hotels. Search Yahoo Travel and Travelocity for ideas + check the hotel websites.

You don_t need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you drive or rent a car, leave it in a lot or garage unless you are traveling away from downtown.

The regional transit authority (www.norta.com) sells 1 and 3 day passes that offer unlimited use of buses and streetcars for the day(s) you select. There are also lots of taxicabs.

Regarding crime, use the same common sense you need in every major city in the world and there is little chance you will be a victim of anything except a need to visit the gym: Pay attention to your surroundings. Stay away from anywhere dark _ deserted. Pay attention to your feelings - if anyone or anywhere gives you a bad feeling, leave the area. Don_t leave something like a camera-bag or backpack unattended on a park bench while you wander off to take photos. Etc.

New Orleans has mild weather from October to May and the city stays green all year most years (rarely freezes and almost never snows). Summers are hot _ humid, particularly in July and August - take it easy or stick to indoor activities during the middle of the day at that time of year. The good news for summer visitors is that hotel prices are usually lower.


Things to do:

There are many sightseeing opportunities in the greater New Orleans area, including carriage rides/tours, plantation tours, swamp tours, ghost tours, and even Katrina disaster tours. The steamboat Natchez also does a harbor tour. There are numerous tour companies and your hotel can help with the arrangements. Try to avoid scheduling an outdoor tour until you know the weather forecast for the day in question.

There is always music, but the bands change: Go to www.bestofneworleans.com and click on Music then Listings or to www.offbeat.com and click on Listings, then Music.

Wander around the French Quarter, enjoy the architecture, watch the street entertainers (do tip), and visit some of the historic buildings that have been turned into museums (go to www.frenchquarter.com and click on Historic Attractions).

Assuming the weather is good, you can collect a sandwich lunch and eat in the riverfront park (watch the shipping) or in Jackson Square (a very nice park).

The Riverwalk shopping center has an air-conditioned food court with dining overlooking the river (www.riverwalkmarketplace.com).

The lobby for the Wyndham Canal Place is on the 11th floor and overlooks the French Quarter. It is a great place for an afternoon drink/snack:
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MSYCP/main��


Cafe du Monde is in the French Quarter and you shouldn_t miss having cafe au lait _ beignets (www.cafedumonde.com). Another great coffee shop is the Croissant d_Or (at 615 Ursulines Street), which is open from 7:00am to 2:00pm and has food other than pastry.

The Palm Court restaurant is very nice, has moderate prices, and traditional live jazz starting at 8:00pm: 1204 Decatur Street, tel 504-525-0200 (reservations are important and they are not open every day).

All of the famous restaurants (Antoine_s, Arnaud_s, Commander_s Palace, etc.) have reopened. Reservations are a good idea, and probably essential on weekends.

Cafe Degas is a very French restaurant near City Park at 3127 Esplanade - which is not within walking distance of downtown (5 to 10 minutes by taxi). They are closed on Mondays _ Tuesdays (504-945-5635).

There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the _foot_ of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Stree��


The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. There is a shuttle boat (not free) between the Aquarium (which is next to the French Quarter) and the Zoo (which is several miles away). You can also drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.

The Louisiana State Museum (
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm)
is in the French Quarter. New Orleans is also home to a number of other museums, such as the National World War II Museum (www.ddaymuseum.org) and the New Orleans Museum of Art (www.noma.org). Both can be reached by public transit: The WWII museum is in the central business district but a long walk from the French Quarter. NOMA is not within walking distance of downtown but has free parking.

New Orleans City Park has an amusement park with rides and attractions for children + free parking:
http://www.neworleanscitypark.com


Check www.frenchquarter.com for ideas on other things to do.

I live and work in NOLA and you are welcome to write to me if you would like more information. I don_t work in the travel, tourism, or real estate fields so won_t try to sell anything to you.

Hope you have a good visit, wherever you go!

Dat is some essay!

America is really big its impossible to convey any particular place. you might just browse some online pics and make a choice and then come back again to see something else.

If you want to change your lives for the better, consider doing a volunteer vacation. Through various programs, you can help other people that are in need, learn something about yourself, and feel a sense of reward. You could help Habitat for Humanity, Katrina Victims Aid, etc. You might start by doing some research to see what is available in the US.

there is a place in North Caroline called Nags Head City they have beautiful beaches there and a great radio station called Dixie 105.7 a guy I know works there named Randy Gill he is great for helping people find things to do there in there city and they have lots of Radio contest

I loved Miami and The Keys, America is so diverse it just depends on what you are looking for. x

It depends on what you want to see or do. If you want mountains, Oregon or Colorado. If you want to go to the ocean, anywhere on the coast is good.

I recommend Minnesota, the nice view and big lakes are great for any vacation.

What is it like to live and work in the Portland Oregon area?|136044

I live in Austin Texas now, which is a place many people even wish to move to...however, as a native Texan, baby boomer, single, wanting to live somewhere else that is nice, I have been thinking maybe Portland. I wish for a place that is very liberal, diverse cultures, but with opportunity for stable employment as an electrical engineer in the architectural design industry. Any firsthand info would be appreciated.

I_m a native Texan and have lived in Portland for the past ~3 years. I lived ~5 years in Austin as well. From a culture standpoint, I think the cities are very similar. They are both liberal, although Portland is bit more extreme than Austin. You_ll see _Keep Portland Weird_ bumper stickers just like the _Keep Austin Weird_ ones (I_m not sure who ripped off who). They both have a lot of outdoor activities. It does rain a lot here, but it_s not the downpours you see in Austin, it_s more of a mist/sprinkle. Summers in Portland are unbeatable - perfect weather _ not much rain from July - Sept. I also like being able to drive an hour to the beach or an hour to the ski slopes. I do miss the food in TX though. There_s some great seafood, Thai, and sushi up here, but I haven_t found any Mexican (definitely no TexMex) that_s worth much. All in all, if you like Austin, you_ll like Portland.

Portland is a wonderful place to live. The city is liberal-minded, very open and hospitable. It is safe, and famous for microbrews.

The rain is a bit of a myth. While their are plenty of rainy days, especially fall-spring, it is mostly a high overcast with very little actual rain.

People here are getting excited about Greg Oden coming to play for the Trail Blazers and the city is very active during the summertime. The Rose Festival includes an airshow, a race, a parade, festival on the waterfront. Live concerts are held on the waterfront all summer long, including the Blues Festival.

Their are wonderful hang out spots within the city, mostly centering around the microbrews. McMenamin_s, McMenamin_s, McMenamin_s. They have it figured out. They own numerous pubs across the area including the Kennedy School, Mission Theater, the Edgefield. The Edgefield which is in Tualitin is a nine hole par 3 golf course, with a 19th century hotel renovated into an Irish style pub, a movie theater for a couple of bucks you can see some classics while you have a beer. Their is a great singles scene in the city as well.

Portland is a very active city. Hiking is popular with the convenience of the Columbia River Gorge thirty minutes away, and skiing on Mt. Hood during the winter is among the best in the country. Portland also has a lot of softball leagues as well as soccer and some world class golf courses.

Culturally, Portland is liberal, open-minded, and a very friendly environment. People here still say hello, hold doors, give directions and are generally pleasant. The city is very low on crime, which is remarkable considering how many different neighborhoods their are and the diverse group of people. The outdoorsman, the hippy, the athlete, the metrosexual, the cowboy, the professional all are at home in Portland. Within the city their is a large Asian community, as well as hispanic community that is growing all the time. In the end Portland is a lot more class oriented than race oriented.

Portland is one of the best places to live in the country!

How do I get an apartment in san fracnisco?|123524

There are so many people trying to land every listing on the market. How do I get them to pick me, even if I don_t have the others beat on income and/or credit score?

Be honest and up front. Let them know what you are about. Ask them what your chances are. When you call ask how many people are in front of you to see this place and go from there. If there is 20, then move on. Leave your # in case. Tell them you are interested and what can you do to be first on the list. Best of all be personable and friendly, tell them about yourself and ask ?_s about them to show you care. Have excellent references ready. Always smile and dress nice and be friendly.

improve your credit asap.
get a co-signer who has good credit.
have excellent references.
always leave your previous rentals in tip-top shape, so you get a good referral from previous landlords.
look good; be mature; show some responsibility and class.
use www.craigslist.com to find more available apartments.
try looking for someone who needs a roommate, and then work on your credit.

be personable to stand out

It seems to come down to the personal, all things being equal. Be polite, dress nicely, answer all questions honestly. In short, act like someone you would want to rent to if you were an owner.

Craigslist.org

Hunt , Search and be ready to pay BIG bucks!!!!

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/

What is the cheapest way from Pittsburgh PA to Denver CO?|134622

We are planning to visit family the weekend of April 24 through the 26th, but we are trying to do it on a budget. I_ve tried to figure it out on my own but having a hard time doing so, there are 2 adults and a 2 year old, we are not against flying, driving, train ride...

I would try Southwest Airlines.

I would definitely recommend flying. I work in the travel industry, and I always refer my clients and my friends to the website BookMe. You can compare prices on all the major travel websites and save lots of money. Good luck, and check out the link below.

The cheapest way for three people is to drive. However, if you cannot do that it is either Amtrak or flying.

IF YOU ONLY HAVE 24,25 _26, 3 days you will have to fly, no other option.

Where are the Best seats at the Ford Center for Performing Arts?|135582

Also, what hotels around the center do you recommend? And restaurants.

I_m assuming you mean Ford Oriental Theater--we have sat in the front row of the first balcony, in the center of the main floor, and off to the right, and they all worked out really really well. The one exception is if you_re going purely for music, most theaters have acoustics that carry the sound along the ceiling so if you_re there just to listen, sit in the back row of the top balcony! (My mother, a musician, taught me that, and it_s true--especially with opera!)

Assuming you have no budget constraints, here are some hotels that I_ve enjoyed in the area: The Renaissance Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel are nice, as is the W (there two in Chicago, you want the one in City Center not on the lake).

Restaurants that are well-loved in the area include: Burrito Beach (cheap fast food, but boy are those burritos good!), Heaven on 7 (Cajun food, casual), Rosebud (old-school Italian steakhouse), Morton_s (old Chicago Machine steakhouse), and Nick_s Fishmarket...or walk a little further to my favorite steakhouses Keefer_s and Ruth_s Chris (both extreme on the customer service scales) or take a cab to Navy Pier and go to Riva (not better food than the other places I_ve mentioned, but it_s good, and it_s on a beautiful Pier!).