23-05-2005 10:54									#31
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That's also my impression already, just by browsing around a little.

Restaurants... yes, another "attraction" you Americans have down. I remember the good food from my last trip. But for now, I'm concentrating on the sights, good to know though that there's an "insider" on hand.

	23-05-2005 22:14									#32
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I got my ticket now. Or, at least I booked it and paid for it - hopefully I'll get it in the mail one of these days.

I fly into Washington on 9 June and return from New York on 28 June. Airfare for the entire trip was 2,810 kr. = 475 USD. I think I can live with that! Then of course the taxes and insurance was another 2,124 kr. = 360 USD... but still very reasonable I think.

I also bought a travel guide from Lonely Planet for each city, which I'll dive into in the coming days.

Now who knows anything about cars? I got similar prices quoted (~65 USD/day) for each of the following cars:

Chevrolet Cavalier
Pontiac Grand Am
Buick Regal

Is there any one that is preferable over the others do you think? I know very little about American cars, but I had an excellent time with the Buick LeSabre I drove the last time, so I'll probably take the Buick. Unless someone objects wildly.

Phew, it's been a very long day, I also went and saw Star Wars Ep. III. I feel completely wasted.

	23-05-2005 22:18									#33
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I am in DC and openf or a meet like always...

Jon Miller

	23-05-2005 22:24									#34
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Not a DC resident, but you must

Experience M Street towards Georgetown. (I spent some time looking for the house used in The Exorcist.)

Go to the Library of Congress.

	23-05-2005 22:30									#35
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Go to http://www.biddingfortravel.com and use this info to make bids on http://www.priceline.com - I have been able to get 3 star hotels in downtown DC for $125 per night or less. Use the same for NYC (I would say in midtown).

	23-05-2005 22:30									#36
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quote: Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia Philadelphia is the birthplace of America, you should spend a few more days there (liberty bell, liberty hall etc)

There's not that much in Philly to see: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the statue of Rocky Balboa, and have a Philly steak & cheese and a stromboli. You can do that in a day.

	23-05-2005 22:32									#37
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There's a statue of rocky?!?!

	23-05-2005 22:36									#38
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Yep.

	23-05-2005 22:37									#39
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ADRIAAAAN!!!! cool

	23-05-2005 22:43									#40
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I say skip Philadelphia. Spend more time in DC and New York.

Or see something that isn't in a big city.

	23-05-2005 22:48									#41
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THings I like about the east coast:

DC great parks, cemetaries, museums, and legal type places... Georgetown for shopping... Mount Vernon

Civil War Battelfields, been to Gettysburgh and Antietam as well as some others I can't remember.

Ocean City, MD... the boardwalk rocks, funnel cakes

Boston, MA... lots to do

New York, big and dirty, but lots to do as well. Central PArk, Guggenheim, Natural History Museum, Tavern on the Green, Empire State, Rainbow Room, hitting up gang signs, Musicals

You'll have fun I'm sure

	23-05-2005 22:50									#42
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quote: Originally posted by Winston I've concentrated mostly on must-see's for Washington so far, and they include Capitol, the monuments and memorials, National Air & Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, Arlington cemetary, Natural History Museum, the National Cathedral, Georgetown quarter. I want to drive out and see the Pentagon building, maybe go as far as Fredericksburg. At least see some of the surrounding area on one or two day trips.

If you tell me when you'll be at the National Cathedral, I might be able to find you and say hi. That's where my school is.

edit: I'll be out of school before you arrive.

Don't go to Philadelphia. It is boring. Washington and New York are the best places on the East Coast, and if you have extra time, I say go to the Grand Canyon.

	23-05-2005 22:51									#43
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quote: Originally posted by DinoDoc Oxford, MS.

No one would want to visit here, he thought, as the wind carried the smell of the pines from behind the old plantation, the plantation where his great grandfather had committed the deed, the deed no one could talk about, not until the day his aunt had called him to her deathbed, the deathbed that smelled of tobacco and lemonade and old denim, in the room hed always hated, hated with a passion that still lived somewhere deep inside him, and told him the unspeakable things, the things that had lain in her heart for almost half a century, a half century of turmoil and trouble .....
No, there was nothing of interest here.

	23-05-2005 22:52									#44
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that was one long asss sentence... damn!

	23-05-2005 22:57									#45
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Jon Miller, sounds great! I'm noting all the posters who express interest in meeting, and I'll get back to you here or via PM a little later for details and available times. You're also welcome to PM me with other means of contact, e-mail, phone or whatever you prefer.

I will be visiting the Library of Congress. Must.. see.. constitution.. + extras.

pchang, I'll check into the links, thanks. I have something spotted already at ~80 USD out on New York Avenue in the North East, close to Brentwood Park/Gallaudet Univ. It's not close to any metro station though, but I think it's doable. We'll see what else turns up.

Thanks also for the advice on Philadelphia, I'm completely blank there. Maybe I should consider skipping it altogether.

	23-05-2005 22:58									#46
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quote: Originally posted by Japher that was one long asss sentence... damn!

in response to Oxford, MS. Think, Japher, think.

	23-05-2005 22:59									#47
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quote: Think, Japher, think.

Ouch! Now my head hurts!

	23-05-2005 23:02									#48
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Jaguar, it would be great to even meet just briefly. But when you say you're out of school by then, does that mean you're not in Washington at all?

Japher, suggestions and personal impressions appreciated as always. Keep'em coming!

I've been to Grand Canyon BTW, but it's true that maybe the days initially set aside for Philly could perhaps be better used by going on a 2 day trip to someplace a little more remote. I was thinking of Atlantic City earlier, Ocean City, MD is not in my atlas.

	23-05-2005 23:04									#49
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My school is in DC, my house is in Maryland.

	23-05-2005 23:07									#50
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if you want an American Civil War battefield, but dont want to go as far as Fredericksburg, theres Manassas, site of two battles. You'll need a car to get there though. If you want a cute little gentrified Virginia town, and are willing to put a day into it, Fredericksburg will do, though.

I dont think they give tours of the Pentagon anymore, which is too bad. Old town Alexandria has a nice mix of history and nightlife. Not as crowded as Georgetown.

Dont know about Udvar Hazy. I havent been there yet, but POTM was. Lots of planes, she reports.

Hirschhorn has modern art, but if youre going to be in NYC and have time for MOMA thats better. National Gallery is not bad for more traditional, mainly European art. A new museum thats very different and kewl is the American Indian museum. You can also consider the Holocaust Museum. All right there on the mall.
Best of the Memorials is the Jefferson, IMHO.

Baltimore is fun if you have time to spare - inner harbor, Fells Point, Little Italy (restaurants only, no street life like NY) Balt Museum of Art with its Matisses, etc. An alternative to extra time in Philly.


Too much in NYC to even get started.

	23-05-2005 23:09									#51
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quote: Originally posted by chegitz guevara There's not that much in Philly to see: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the statue of Rocky Balboa, and have a Philly steak & cheese and a stromboli. You can do that in a day.

City Hall and William Penn statue. Franklin Institute. The Mint. Rodin Museum. Funky nightlife on 6 st(?). U Penn.

	23-05-2005 23:14									#52
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quote: Originally posted by Winston Good suggestions and advice DanS, thanks! It is overwhelming to try and even get an overview of what is located along the National Mall. And it's enjoyable as well for me, the expectation is building by the hour! I'm "avoiding" the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in late June/early July on purpose. While it might be interesting to see, my main interest is in the sights of Washington, particularly the Mall, without any special events, so to speak. I had noticed the Spy Museum being mentioned favourably, that could well go into the itinerary. And the American History Museum I'll have to look into. I don't even know if that's the same as the newly opened Native American Indian Museum (unsure of the exact name). You make many good points, and it's really appreciated, I'll be sure to check into them.

the Spu museum is private, and charges a fee (unlike smithsonian) and IIUC has fairly long lines - you may need to do some planning for that.

American History Museum and American Indian Museum are NOT the same - not only are they several blocks apart on opposite sides of the mall, they are curated on different principles. AHM is conventional history museum, with everything judged scientifically by anthropologists, etc. American Indians are not too fond of anthropologists, for various reasons, and AIM Is THEIR museum - showing Native American culture from a Native American point of view. Its a very interesting experience, but NOT the same as what you will get elsewhere. Note also, now that I think of it - there isnt that much Indian stuff at AMH. Being anthropology, that stuff is actually at the Natural History Museum, next store.

	23-05-2005 23:14									#53
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Several people have expressed their doubts about visiting Philadelphia, a kind of consensus seems to be building. And honestly my heart lies with the two other cities, so it may end up being "just" the two. It is of course very nice that I have so much flexibility built in, also if I should change my mind about something along the way.

I will need to do a little investigating, it's really only the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall that carries any recognition for me at this point.

	23-05-2005 23:16									#54
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quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark No one would want to visit here

Save for the college students and the Faulkner Conference we don't get many international visitors, LotM. Hence the comment that Oxford isn't a major tourist trap.

	23-05-2005 23:18									#55
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quote: Originally posted by Winston Jon Miller, sounds great! I'm noting all the posters who express interest in meeting, and I'll get back to you here or via PM a little later for details and available times. You're also welcome to PM me with other means of contact, e-mail, phone or whatever you prefer. I will be visiting the Library of Congress. Must.. see.. constitution.. + extras. pchang, I'll check into the links, thanks. I have something spotted already at ~80 USD out on New York Avenue in the North East, close to Brentwood Park/Gallaudet Univ. It's not close to any metro station though, but I think it's doable. We'll see what else turns up. Thanks also for the advice on Philadelphia, I'm completely blank there. Maybe I should consider skipping it altogether.

Be warned - that stretch of NY avenue is NOT attractive, and Im not sure how safe it is. You will almost need a car if youre staying there, or will need to take cabs downtown. Im sure theres a bus, but waiting for a bus on NY Ave NE will be a bit of an "adventure"

	23-05-2005 23:19									#56
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quote: Originally posted by DinoDoc Save for the college students and the Faulkner Conference we don't get many international visitors, LotM. Hence the comment that Oxford isn't a major tourist trap.

Ive always had it on my list, for the trip down the Mississipi that Ive never taken.

	23-05-2005 23:20									#57
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Thanks for clearing up the American Indian mix up lotm. It does get a lot of positive mention, all the places I've seen.

So all the Smithsonians are free of charge? That's pretty extraordinary I think.

Do you live in or near Washington lotm?

	23-05-2005 23:22									#58
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Lotm: Come down for a football game. You'll enjoy it.

	23-05-2005 23:23									#59
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quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark Be warned - that stretch of NY avenue is NOT attractive, and Im not sure how safe it is. You will almost need a car if youre staying there, or will need to take cabs downtown. Im sure theres a bus, but waiting for a bus on NY Ave NE will be a bit of an "adventure"

OK! Now that's something that's curiously never mentioned on the hotel presentation site! Most valuable piece of info, I think I'll probably look for something else then.

	23-05-2005 23:27									#60
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quote: Originally posted by Winston pchang, I'll check into the links, thanks. I have something spotted already at ~80 USD out on New York Avenue in the North East, close to Brentwood Park/Gallaudet Univ. It's not close to any metro station though, but I think it's doable. We'll see what else turns up.

Do not stay there. That neighborhood is not safe at night. In DC, you really want to be within easy walking distance of a Metro. If you cannot afford downtown prices, then look across the river in VA along the metro lines (like Crystal City, Arlington, etc.)