quote:

Originally posted by the not-quite-so-Intellectual Hooligan:

Best thing about taking the train is that it drops you off right in the middle of both cities - you don't have to worry about taking a taxi in from the airports...

Yes. This is a DEFINITE advantage. The Greyhound bus does the same a few blocks away. Straight into the belly of the Beast. Short cab ride to your quarters to dump your bags, and then face-first into a brace of Martinis.

The bus does generally offer the advantage of several more departures per day than the train. But it's really steerage travel. Not that I won't take it again, when time & fleixibility are issues.

Thanks everyone, this is very edifying!

Gia, we'll talk when it's closer, would be nice to meet you two.

quote:

then face-first into a brace of Martinis.

What exactly is so special about NY Martinis?

in DC:

the Smithsonian is always fun, but don't waste all your time in, say, the Air and Space Museum and skip out on the wee little culturally diverse museums scattered about. I especially like the Freer + Sackler Galleries. there's an events page you should check out when June begins to loom on the horizon (so far, their calendar goes only to April).

if you're into theatre, there's the Shakespeare Theatre Company, which put on the best production of anything I've seen a few years back; A Midsummer Night's Dream as a boy's dream, not a girl's. there's also the Arena Stage for more contemporary/avant guarde theatre, plus the theatre itself is unusual in that it's a theatre in the round (literally arena-style). I saw A Streecar Named Desire there.

go to the National Gallery of Art, even if you have to sell your soul to do it.

I would suggest that you take the metro while you're in the city (unless your relatives feel like trying to park in DC, which is something I wouldn't recommend from past experiences) to put you within walking distance of whatever it is you're interested in. I've only had to buy day passes (I live about 1.5/2 hrs outside the city, depending on traffic), but they also have a 7-Day Fast Pass for $39, which is unlimited and valid for seven consecutive days.

ETA: oh, and you should see if you can hop over to Baltimore for a day. not exactly the greatest place on planet earth in general, but they have a pretty sweet aquarium, and the Inner Harbor is a really nice place to spend an afternoon.

quote:

Originally posted by Babylon the Bride:

What exactly is so special about NY Martinis?

Just the fact that they take them seriously there, in every place with a liquor license and a cocktail shaker. (Like coffee in Vienna, maybe.) Can't say I've had a really bad or mis-made one in that city. Most have been excellent.

And there's a bit of the tea-ritual type of ceremony to ordering and receiving Martinis, and New York bar staff take that more or less seriously, as well. I find it fun, in a self-indulgent, "I'm at a Martini-drinking resort" way.

quote:

ETA: oh, and you should see if you can hop over to Baltimore for a day. not exactly the greatest place on planet earth in general, but they have a pretty sweet aquarium, and the Inner Harbor is a really nice place to spend an afternoon.

I concur those are the two places worth visiting in Baltimore, plus the Inner Harbor has the Cheesecake Factory, mmmm yummy

I should be in town at that time, and I'm right in Baltimore, so let me know if you want to meet up!

I just skimmed the thread to quick hurry up and post, but two things: One, take the train over the bus. Seriously. Two, let me know as soon as you know your dates for Chicago. I will do everything I can to get there.

Haha - that'll be quite a party. I like it.

Another stupid question.
JP just reminded me that you USAnians have a fourth of July.


That means that most of you guys will be busy on that weekend (4th-6th of July), right?

Ditto what Jeep said, any idea about dates in Chicago? I'd love to take a few days off and play tourist with you guys!

I probably won't. Unless it's a show weekend. In fact, I might just have that weekend off (again, unless I get stuck with that show.) Won't know until April-ish.
Where do you expect you'll be around the 4th? NY or DC?

Well, the way it was panning out so far I would have ended up in your neck of the woods (chicago) round the 4th of July (and the Monday to thursday before that in NYC). But I suspect you all have family engagements, so I would change my plans.



ETA: Thanks for the good advice, Apathy!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: His Noodle Girl,

Heh, Royko and I could take you to the Taste.

We took Hal there two years ago and I don't think it scarred her too badly!

IF I do any family things on the 4th Mrs. O, I know that you and hubby would be welcome to join me.

quote:

Getting its start as a modest food festival on the Fourth of July in 1980, the Taste of Chicago has grown to be the world's largest outdoor food fest

That does it. I'm on my way!

quote:

Originally posted by Mean Old Man:
The train between Washington DC and Manhattan is expensive, but I'd take Amtrak over a Greyhound bus any day, for comfort and restroom reasons.

Amen. Speaking from experience: spring for the train if you can. I've done NY-DC Greyhound and NY-Chicago Greyhound - it's just not worth the $ savings if you have a choice.

Dear Gott im Himmel, I've done NY-Seattle Greyhound - I can't even tell you how many of the buses broke down, I lost count.

If you do take the bus, bring a supply of duct tape and twisty ties for the driver and the mechanically-inclined passengers to use to fix the engine in the middle of nowhere.

That's a lot to bring, Weeble. All you need is McGuiver (sp?) a paperclip and scotch tape.

All I can say is Bozeman Montana is beautiful in the summer, especially when they let you out of the bus because the engine just burned through your last twisty-tie. It was very green with lots of buttercups along the road.

personally, I take MacGuyver everywhere. never know when he'll come in handy.

Please keep me updated on the Chicago plans as well -- a day up there is a possibility! (maybe, I hope I hope I hope)

*Plots*

*Plots something fierce*

I shouldn't be busy around the 4th of July, because I hate America.