OT: Travel & Food ideas and advice

[El-Jefe]

Heading to Sedona for the first time and staying in an uptown AirBnB. Any suggestions besides the trails and sitting in the hot tub enjoying the views in the evening while imbibing?

Grand Canyon too obvious?

Seriously though, I've been to Northern Arizona a few times, and could provide a lot more ideas about the state than you're probably looking for.

As far as Sedona goes:

If coming from PHX, first stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument, about 30 min south of town, just barely off I-17. It's an ancient cliff dwellings site. Need about 45-60 min on-site.

Then stop at the Red Rock Visitor Center about 10 min from the I-17 Sedona exit, for the views from the parking lot. Great preview of what's to come. (Can skip the building itself except for bio breaks.)

Then the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Cute church but you go for the environs. Can see in 30 min or less if desired, or can hike around while there. It's on the south edge of town, just a few blocks off the main road into town.

Look into a Jeep or (preferably) Hummer tour thru the desert.

Also look into the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff (about 50 min away). If they have evening events, then don't consider it, just go -- it's one of the few places in the developed world where you can get dark sky views. The drive on Rt 89A is pretty too (during daylight!).

I'll stop now, but if you need more ideas or have more questions, fire away.

 

[86PSUPaul]

Heading to MA this summer for a week and planning to visit all 4 Treehouse Brewing locations (Charlton ("the motherland"), Cape Cod/Sandwich, Tewksbury & Deerfield). Going to spend a day or so in Boston to see some historic sights and likely visit Trillium and Sam Adams while there. Thought about spending a night in Salem as I have a great, great, great.......grandmother that was burned back in the witch trials. Besides all that and possibly a stop at Fiden's on the way there, any other tips or suggestions? Can't just go to breweries as we are driving.

Eventide Oyster Company is right by Fenway Park and their brown butter lobster roll is one of the best things I have ever eaten! It is served on a steamed Bao bun so it is not traditional, but it is awesome. Their original location is in Portland ME. And cannoli’s from Mike’s Pastry are really good.

 

[pawrestlersintn]

Heading to Cleveland for the weekend to see how The Rolling Stones octagenarians still get around the stage.

Need recommendations 42 dinners 2 breakfasts in one lunch. Staying near case Western and the Cleveland clinic, if that makes a difference, but will have our car.

 

[El-Jefe]

Heading to Cleveland for the weekend to see how The Rolling Stones octagenarians still get around the stage.

Need recommendations 42 dinners 2 breakfasts in one lunch. Staying near case Western and the Cleveland clinic, if that makes a difference, but will have our car.

 

[pawrestlersintn]

Dear Lord, voice to text didn't work so good.

 

[Sleepylion]

Dear Lord, voice to text didn't work so good.

I've got no real recommendations. But since you are planning on eating 42 dinners just go to Trip Advisor filter by best restaurants and work your way down the list.

I remember when I was there in 2018 there were a bunch of little restaurants/bars near the arena that were nice. I couldn't name anyone them though.

 

[amattaro]

Great day in Medicine Bow, WY. I reckon about 40 degrees and 40MPH winds at the summit (12k).

Dropped by campus to pick up a wrestling shirt. Failed

 

[86PSUPaul]

I just booked a trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Any suggestions? I did a quick search and didn’t find any past discussions but the search function seems different so not entirely sure if this location was discussed before.

Finally found a post from @Agoodnap from 2022. Anyone else?

 

[d-1980]

I just booked a trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Any suggestions? I did a quick search and didn’t find any past discussions but the search function seems different so not entirely sure if this location was discussed before.

Finally found a post from @Agoodnap from 2022. Anyone else?

Never been, but discovered St John (USVI) during covid and have visited 3 times. Heading to St Croix this winter for our second visit. Best suggestion I could offer is if you booked for a stay between now and November, make sure you have flight/trip insurance as this is hurricane season and it's shaping up to be a bad one.
Best other advice is to check the TripAdvisor forum for there:

Puerto Rico Forum, Travel Discussion for Puerto Rico - Tripadvisor

Travel forums for Puerto Rico. Discuss Puerto Rico travel with Tripadvisor travelers

www.tripadvisor.com

 

[Used2BEerie]

Never been, but discovered St John (USVI) during covid and have visited 3 times. Heading to St Croix this winter for our second visit. Best suggestion I could offer is if you booked for a stay between now and November, make sure you have flight/trip insurance as this is hurricane season and it's shaping up to be a bad one.
Best other advice is to check the TripAdvisor forum for there:

Puerto Rico Forum, Travel Discussion for Puerto Rico - Tripadvisor

Travel forums for Puerto Rico. Discuss Puerto Rico travel with Tripadvisor travelers

www.tripadvisor.com

When on St. Croix, did you have a beer with the pigs?

 

[Agoodnap]

I just booked a trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Any suggestions? I did a quick search and didn’t find any past discussions but the search function seems different so not entirely sure if this location was discussed before.

Finally found a post from @Agoodnap from 2022. Anyone else?

One thing I like to do is partake at the original or otherwise famous establishment for a particular dish, item, or drink. For example if you're going to have your first cheese-steak in Philadelphia I say go to Pat's or your first wings in Buffalo go to the Anchor Bar. In Puerto Rico you should go to Barrachina in Old Town San Juan for your first Pina-Colada on the island.

Barrachina also has very good food, for Puerto Rican food that is. For some reason I found that they don't use many spices in preparation so things can be bland. Maybe a spice shop on the island would do well? Another thing to know is that I couldn't get lemons at restaurants for seafood but instead they'd give me a bowl of lime slices. Also, I hope you enjoy green (not ripe) plantains as Mofongo is at virtually every meal.

When ever I'm near a coast line I use google maps and look for harbors in order to find bars and restaurants on the docks. I found several very good ones on the southeast and southern coasts. One that I remember is El Dorado in Salinas

Old San Juan Restaurant | Barrachina Restaurant Old San Juan

If you are looking for the best restaurants in Old San Juan you can find Barrachina Restaurant Old San Juan. Try our puertorrican food in the best Old San Juan restaurant

www.barrachina.com

Menu – Restaurante El Dorado

eldoradopr.com

 

[d-1980]

When on St. Croix, did you have a beer with the pigs?

haha, I know where you mean. We didn't make it up there (Mt. Pellier Domino Club) first trip, but plan to this time around. We're staying near Frederiksted and will have a Jeep, so it's not too far from us.

 

[Cstroke]

You don't have to travel all the way to St. Croix to have beer with a few pigs.

 

[Damocles]

I just booked a trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Any suggestions? I did a quick search and didn’t find any past discussions but the search function seems different so not entirely sure if this location was discussed before.

Finally found a post from @Agoodnap from 2022. Anyone else?

It depends on what you’re looking for. There are some very nice multi story chain hotels on Condado beach but the neighborhood deteriorates within a block of them. I prefer Old San Juan, it has nice amenities and old world charm. Hotel El Convento is a favorite for its ambiance and location. There is a cosmopolitan feel with shops, cafes, restaurants and parks. Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a large, well preserved colonial era fort on the north coast that should not be missed. The proximity of the cruise ship terminal is the only downside.

 

[El-Jefe]

I just booked a trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Any suggestions? I did a quick search and didn’t find any past discussions but the search function seems different so not entirely sure if this location was discussed before.

Finally found a post from @Agoodnap from 2022. Anyone else?

@Agoodnap's earlier post was really good, can't add much in terms of things to do/see/eat.

Agreed with @d-1980's caution about hurricane season and will go further: if you booked for Sept/Oct, then I'd cancel and re-book for Nov/Dec (or Jan-Mar, though that's considerably more expensive). If a hurricane hits, significant risk of outages and flight cancellations for days or even weeks. (And then there's the obnoxious humidity during hurricane season.)

Puerto Rico's infrastructure aspired to reach third world levels before the 2017 hurricane hit. The needed upgrades are still mired in bureaucracy 7 years later. As a result, PR has suffered from recurring blackouts this year, including a 9-day blackout in San Juan last month -- no major storms, just demand exceeding substandard capacity.

Not to be doom-and-gloom -- I'd definitely still go, but not during high-demand summer, and absolutely not during hurricane season.

If you're primarily going to be in San Juan, I wouldn't bother getting a car except for a day at El Yunque and island exploration. Don't really need one for Old San Juan or the beaches, and it's far too much hassle in the old town. Can Uber between the old town and the beaches.

 

[nittinsc]

Years ago I worked with a guy who had a long-term project in PR. He liked it so much he brought back a wife and set of twins.

 

[BRETTPSU]

Anyone travel to the Aosta Valley in Italy? Any recommendations for best towns to stay? Lodging and dinning? Wife and I like to hike, drink, eat and drink some more. Just did a couple weeks between Eze, France and Stresa, Italy. Absolutely loved the Alps and can't wait to get back.

 

[13th Grade]

You don't have to travel all the way to St. Croix to have beer with a few pigs.

Iowa?

 

[86PSUPaul]

@Agoodnap's earlier post was really good, can't add much in terms of things to do/see/eat.

Agreed with @d-1980's caution about hurricane season and will go further: if you booked for Sept/Oct, then I'd cancel and re-book for Nov/Dec (or Jan-Mar, though that's considerably more expensive). If a hurricane hits, significant risk of outages and flight cancellations for days or even weeks. (And then there's the obnoxious humidity during hurricane season.)

Puerto Rico's infrastructure aspired to reach third world levels before the 2017 hurricane hit. The needed upgrades are still mired in bureaucracy 7 years later. As a result, PR has suffered from recurring blackouts this year, including a 9-day blackout in San Juan last month -- no major storms, just demand exceeding substandard capacity.

Not to be doom-and-gloom -- I'd definitely still go, but not during high-demand summer, and absolutely not during hurricane season.

If you're primarily going to be in San Juan, I wouldn't bother getting a car except for a day at El Yunque and island exploration. Don't really need one for Old San Juan or the beaches, and it's far too much hassle in the old town. Can Uber between the old town and the beaches.

All, thanks for the tips, we are going Aug 11-16. We were supposed to go there for our honeymoon in 1989 but Hurricane Hugo hit and blew out all the glass in our hotel so we pivoted to St Martin. So now, coming up on our 35th anniversary, we are trying again.

 

[El-Jefe]

All, thanks for the tips, we are going Aug 11-16. We were supposed to go there for our honeymoon in 1989 but Hurricane Hugo hit and blew out all the glass in our hotel so we pivoted to St Martin. So now, coming up on our 35th anniversary, we are trying again.

Good luck, and happy anniversary in advance!

I'd check if the hotel has a backup power generator. It will still be hurricane season, maybe not the most/worst of the storms? But I'd have little faith in Puerto Rico's power grid withstanding August A/C demand.

 

[Used2BEerie]

haha, I know where you mean. We didn't make it up there (Mt. Pellier Domino Club) first trip, but plan to this time around. We're staying near Frederiksted and will have a Jeep, so it's not too far from us.

That’s the place. I stayed in Christiansted, but we explored most of the island. We really enjoyed snorkeling the pier in Fredricksted.

 

[dicemen99]

Grand Canyon too obvious?

Seriously though, I've been to Northern Arizona a few times, and could provide a lot more ideas about the state than you're probably looking for.

As far as Sedona goes:

If coming from PHX, first stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument, about 30 min south of town, just barely off I-17. It's an ancient cliff dwellings site. Need about 45-60 min on-site.

Then stop at the Red Rock Visitor Center about 10 min from the I-17 Sedona exit, for the views from the parking lot. Great preview of what's to come. (Can skip the building itself except for bio breaks.)

Then the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Cute church but you go for the environs. Can see in 30 min or less if desired, or can hike around while there. It's on the south edge of town, just a few blocks off the main road into town.

Look into a Jeep or (preferably) Hummer tour thru the desert.

Also look into the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff (about 50 min away). If they have evening events, then don't consider it, just go -- it's one of the few places in the developed world where you can get dark sky views. The drive on Rt 89A is pretty too (during daylight!).

I'll stop now, but if you need more ideas or have more questions, fire away.

Thanks.

Best thing we did on the trip was to take an ATV up Schnelby Road and then climb the last couple hundred feet to the top of the Mongollon Rim. Pictures do not do it justice, just unbelievable.

My only issue was that my daughter was with me and I don't care if she's 4 feet from the ledge, when there's a 1000 foot drop involved, I get freaked out if she turns her back. She's 25 and it still makes me nervous, I could sit with my legs dangling over, but when my kids are involved I get scared.

89A was awesome as well and, yes, I drove it twice in the daylight, on the way in and out. I can't imagine driving it at night.

Stayed at an AirBnB uptown and was very happy. Unbelievable views, great star gazing at night.

Went to dinner at Mariposa one night. High end, high end prices. Food was good, not Michelin quality, but the setting is a can't miss. They could serve you dog food and it still might be worth it.

Went to another place for lunch one day and I'm pretty sure they did serve me dog food but the setting was so cool it's hard to complain. Hideaway House - I would go back but I'd only get drinks.

Had one of the best burgers ever in a Mexican joint, Don Diego's. Not sure how that happened but glad it did.

Very nice vacation. Highly recommend.

 

[El-Jefe]

Anybody been to Japan?

Wife and I are going for 14-ish days in early November.

Basic plan is to start in Kyoto, with side trips to Nara and Arashiyama. Fly home from Tokyo Haneda (we do know to avoid Narita). Something in between -- definitely an onsen, possibly Hiroshima.

We figure we'll get enough modernity in Tokyo, so otherwise looking for more traditional culture in the rest of the trip. For this reason, we'll probably skip Osaka (or at most a day trip from Kyoto), and other cities that were largely rebuilt after WW2.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

Caught matches on the phone on the road. Lopez is a legend. Butte is a pretty area.

Are you hanging out in Butte, MT or Butte, ID? There is one of each. Enjoy your trip west. Hopefully you can spend some time fishing. Fly fishing in Southwest Montana is good this time of year.

 

[CropDuster507]

Are you hanging out in Butte, MT or Butte, ID? There is one of each. Enjoy your trip west. Hopefully you can spend some time fishing. Fly fishing in Southwest Montana is good this time of year.

Butte, MT en route to Copper Basin in ID. We did fly fishing in MT and WY last year. I’m an absolute idiot at fishing, but I’m coming back to improve lol. Beautiful country out this way.

 

[Petch]

Are you hanging out in Butte, MT or Butte, ID? There is one of each. Enjoy your trip west. Hopefully you can spend some time fishing. Fly fishing in Southwest Montana is good this time of year.

I like big Buttes, I cannot lie.

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

Butte, MT en route to Copper Basin in ID. We did fly fishing in MT and WY last year. I’m an absolute idiot at fishing, but I’m coming back to improve lol. Beautiful country out this way.

Problem with Copper Basin is you "just can't get there from here." Beautiful and remote. You will see a lot of remote Idaho getting there. A couple crossings of the continental divide. Some really rugged country. A friend that grew up over that way says, "It isn't the end of the earth but you can see it from there." Have a fun trip and please give us a report.

 

[1AA]

Problem with Copper Basin is you "just can't get there from here." Beautiful and remote. You will see a lot of remote Idaho getting there. A couple crossings of the continental divide. Some really rugged country. A friend that grew up over that way says, "It isn't the end of the earth but you can see it from there." Have a fun trip and please give us a report.

I'm working just south of Lone Tree peak on a wildfire just south of McCall ID right now. It's gorgeous up here.

Gonna catch as much olympic wrestling as possible this week. I appreciate all the updates.

 

[Split shot]

Problem with Copper Basin is you "just can't get there from here." Beautiful and remote. You will see a lot of remote Idaho getting there. A couple crossings of the continental divide. Some really rugged country. A friend that grew up over that way says, "It isn't the end of the earth but you can see it from there." Have a fun trip and please give us a report.

I was looking around that area on some maps for a future trip. Can this trip be made with a passenger vehicle/mini van, or do you need something w/clearance or 4X4 such as a SUV? Thank you,

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

I was looking around that area on some maps for a future trip. Can this trip be made with a passenger vehicle/mini van, or do you need something w/clearance or 4X4 such as a SUV? Thank you,

I suppose it could be made with a mini van but I wouldn't want to drive the mini van anywhere afterwards. An f150 with some clearance would be fine. But I would steer clear of a car or van. Keep in mind the last time I was through that area was 20 years ago. They may have done some road work since then. It is beautiful and remote. No AAA service out there.

 

[Split shot]

I suppose it could be made with a mini van but I wouldn't want to drive the mini van anywhere afterwards. An f150 with some clearance would be fine. But I would steer clear of a car or van. Keep in mind the last time I was through that area was 20 years ago. They may have done some road work since then. It is beautiful and remote. No AAA service out there.

Thank you!! That was the exact type of Intel I was looking for.

 

[CropDuster507]

On our way back east through Helena en route to Sheridan, WY through the Big Horns.

Idaho is sick.

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

On our way back east through Helena en route to Sheridan, WY through the Big Horns.

Idaho is sick.

There are some hidden gems in the central mountains of Idaho. Rugged and untamed.

 

[CropDuster507]

On our trek back…

Sunday, we left for Idaho. Stopped in Butte, MT on way for a quick walk. Monday, we arrived in the Copper Basin to camp in the rain. The following day, we drove to Yellow Pine in the Boise national forest for two days. We drove up through McCall and over to the North Fork/Ovando/Blackfoot area of Montana. From there, we drove through Helena and hit Sheridan, WY on our way back through to stay last night.

Fishing wasn’t great for us in Idaho. I don’t know that I’d be able to judge “good fishing”, but the brains behind our trip had the morning of a lifetime Saturday morning in Montana. Last year, we were the only campers. This year, the place was damn near full. We heard about the spot from a guy ironically also from SE MN at a tiny cafe last year.

Overall, it’s nice to see shit other than the boring topography in SE MN. I caught a couple small rainbows in Idaho on a spinning rod.

We’re already planning next year “out west”. This was year 2.

 

[7brwnpsu]

So I'm not the only one that didn't watch Greco!

Safe trip home!

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

On our trek back…

Sunday, we left for Idaho. Stopped in Butte, MT on way for a quick walk. Monday, we arrived in the Copper Basin to camp in the rain. The following day, we drove to Yellow Pine in the Boise national forest for two days. We drove up through McCall and over to the North Fork/Ovando/Blackfoot area of Montana. From there, we drove through Helena and hit Sheridan, WY on our way back through to stay last night.

Fishing wasn’t great for us in Idaho. I don’t know that I’d be able to judge “good fishing”, but the brains behind our trip had the morning of a lifetime Saturday morning in Montana. Last year, we were the only campers. This year, the place was damn near full. We heard about the spot from a guy ironically also from SE MN at a tiny cafe last year.

Overall, it’s nice to see shit other than the boring topography in SE MN. I caught a couple small rainbows in Idaho on a spinning rod.

We’re already planning next year “out west”. This was year 2.

McCall this time of year can be packed with Boise folks escaping north. I am assuming you took Lolo pass to Missoula to get in the direction of Helena. If so you all saw some country! Lolo pass and I don't have a good track record. It is a winding road following the Lochsa River. First memory of going over it was as a 3rd grader. Seeing the sign 77 miles of winding road. But wait that is just to the first wide spot then there is another 100 miles of winding twisting and turning. It was early October 1979 4 kids piled in the Olds Delta 88. I puked my guts out every few miles. I would say, "Dad pull over." Dad would hit the brakes and I stuck my head out the door heaving. We would go another few miles. I was so car sick I remember the details 45 years later. It is a beautiful area to see but now I do the driving and leave the puking to others.