Vacation- New York, Washington D.C, New Jersey... Ect

[Woodduck Commander]

Next week I'm leaving for Washington d.c for a week... We are planning to see alot of the smithsonion museum... And travel into New York and the surrounding areas. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions of were to eat, what to go see, stuff like that. Thanks for the input

[FF_T_Warren]

well there are some good places to eat, but being from louisiana, your going to be disappointed. I would suggest places that serve like crab legs and stuff like that. ordinary seafood dishes won't chalk up to what we are used to. not to mention they are expensive. I was in NYC for 5 days and the best food we found was on our second to last day at rays pizza. Freakin $2.00 per slice cheese pizza. everything else I ate didn't compare to LA food

[Woodduck Commander]

I figured it was gonna be rough... I have seasoning in my carry on to survive the worst of it

[FF_T_Warren]

the thing is, the food isnt horrible but it cost alot and its not going to impress you. thats why I said go with a place serving snow crabs or whatever cuz thats just steamed and good. But in NYC I wanted a good meal. I paid $52 for 5 stuffed shrimp(not huge), a lil pat of spinach(big as your fist), and sweet tea. needless to say I wasn't very happy.

[PathfinderNI]

You won't have a problem spending a week at the Smithsonian! Guess the big 3 are the Natural History Museum(lots of gemstones, etc.), Air & Space Museum(lots of original aircraft hanging from the ceiling), and American History Museum with old cars, inventions, etc. Be ready to do LOTS OF WALKING in the mall area. You can see the White House from the lawn of the Washington Monument. For some reason I don't have much desire to tour the White House these days. Besides the museums, other nearby attractions are the Library of Congress(beautiful ceiling and ar****ecture just on the other side of the Capitol building), Capitol Building(where all the bad laws are passed), multiple memorials and monuments(Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, etc.) which stay open after hours and can be seen in the evening, Vietnam memorial, etc. There's also the Federal Reserve building where the currency is printed and the FBI building both of which offer tours, as well as the National Archives building which houses the Declaration of Independence, etc. Not much parking in this area....much better to park at an outlying subway station and use the nice subway system to get you everywhere. Outside this area across the Potomac(yup, the subway goes under the river too!) is the Arlington Cemetery with Robert E. Lee's home up on the hill. Can't miss the changing of the guard ceremony which happens every hour or so. Pentagon and Iwo Jima memorial also in this area. Further out of town there is George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and home.

As for New York, don't miss the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square(watch for any odd-looking packages or vehicles sitting around), twin towers were nice, Wall Street, etc. If at all possible, drive up to Buffalo area(easily done in a day) to see Niagara Falls. Food doesn't stick out in my mind since we didn't spend enough to eat at the fancy restaurants. Now the lobster and scallops in Maine.......wow!

[Asterisk-Rich]

wood duck im in NYC...hit me up when you get here and ill take you around if i have some free time. im super busy at work right now. but even if i cant take you around ill give you a list of ish to do. and let you know where all the hoes hang out!

[tumbleweed]

the thing is, the food isnt horrible but it cost alot and its not going to impress you. thats why I said go with a place serving snow crabs or whatever cuz thats just steamed and good. But in NYC I wanted a good meal. I paid $52 for 5 stuffed shrimp(not huge), a lil pat of spinach(big as your fist), and sweet tea. needless to say I wasn't very happy.

You are correct. I lived in Stamford CT, a thirty minute train ride from Grand Central. The food is different and expensive. For instance, Stage Deli, on 7th and 53 Ave, you will not find better corn beef or pastrami on the planet. It is expensive but the sandwich is huge.
One of our favorite places to eat was Wakkaki Wally's. It was founded by a New York Sailor who was stationed in Hawaii. They have pig roasts, hula dancers, tiki huts. The place is awesome. It is in Greenwich Village. Here one of the murals on the wall


Eat a hot dog from a street vendor, Go to Gray's Papaya, hot dog restaurant. There is plenty of great food, but if you are looking for food like you have here you will be disapointed.

As far as things to do, the observation deck on the Empire State building, Times Square has plenty of interesting things, Central park is really nice, the Bronx Zoo, Rockerfeller Square, St Patricks Cathedral. Catch a Yankees Game.

Also, don't expect too many people to speak english in the city. Good luck.

[gasdad]

When in D.C. try to eat @ a place that overlooks to Potomic River. Very scenic in the late pm right before dusk. We ate at a great steak place near the river but sorry too many years have gone by and don't remember the name. Ask the Concierge at the hotel for recommedations and I'm sure he'll steer you right.

[Ray]

Bring a small thing of Tony's seasoning with you.
I learned that years ago. We don't leave home without it.

[adamsfence]

Originally Posted by Ray

Bring a small thing of Tony's seasoning with you.
I learned that years ago. We don't leave home without it.

when i lived on long island we actaully found several grocery stores that carried it........restarants don't believe in it though everything is bland...

[flyphisher]

Bring you some nut crackers for the crabs up there. Those goombas use little hammers to break the shells. It's a hoot!!!

[fishinpox]

go get a tattoo from my buddy http://www.tattoobern.com/ he did most of my work