Trip to the USA

The cities you mention are not the top tourist destinations in the USA. Is there some reason you are visiting these places rather than National Parks, such as the Grand Canyon, and cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco?

On the culinary scene, you will find great diversity in these cities with some of the best of regional American specialties.

Houston: Gulf Coast Seafood, with reliable cajun style: Pappadeaux, Jimmy G's. Mexican/Central American: Red Onion, Chuys. Texas BBQ: Goode's, Rudy's. Steaks: Pappas, Perry's.

Dallas: Steaks: Bob's, Del Friscos. Mexican: Uncle Julios, Cantina Laredo. Babe's Chicken. At the FW Stockyards: H3 Steakhouse. Risky's BBQ

KC: Arthur Bryant's or Gate's Barbeque.

Minneapolis: Search out north coast and Mississippi River fish: walleye, catfish. Sea Change, Kincaids.

A few destinations:

Houston: NASA
Dallas: Cowboys game, Aquarium, Fort Worth Stockyards

Agree that none of your choices are top tourist destinations. You can find something to do in all of them, but unless you've seen the major sights not sure why you would bother.

Also, March in Minneapolis is likely to still be winter (average temp is below freezing) - and it will be only the very beginning of spring except in Houston/Dallas (as in no leaves on trees etc.)

I live in Oklahoma, which is right in the middle of where you suggest. Yes, there are things to do. No, I wouldn't come to any of them unless I just happened to be in the area in the first place. I agree with others, unless you have been to the US on many many occasions already, this will not be that impressive. Frankly, it is boring compared to a lot of other great places. Furthermore, March is not a great time to come other than snow ski, or perhaps do a major City like San Francisco, La, New York, Washington, Disneyworld. 90% of the National Parks(which is what I love to do), the weather would be a factor in March.

> something else we must see on our trip.

Unless we have SOME idea of your interests, budget, and mode of transportation; nobody (including myself) can give you any meaningful advice on this question. We can (and some will) give a lot of meaningless advice on what WE would like, bugt only by ignoring the fact that something we would enjoy might leave you completely disinterested. A Dallas Cowboys game in March may not be very exciting, for example.

If you could specify what you hope to experience on your trip, we can give you advice that will be useful to you, instead of just a list of things we've enjoyed at these places.

As others have noted, a good place to begin is to explain why you choose these cities to visit.

I agree with PaulRabe. It's hard to help without knowing your interests and why you picked those cities. While they aren't on most people's tourist destination lists, we've been to all those cities many, many times and they all can offer a lot to see and do - but it will depend on what your likes/dislikes are.

I'm speechless...

me to.........

March in those cities can be really iffy weather. Why choose those? As others have said, they are not the top attractions for tourists to the USA. Nice cities, if you are doing business there, though.

Peth8,

People DO want to help, but need more info about what you are looking for. Obviously, you are interested in cities as opposed to parks and smaller towns. But, specifically, posters have to be wondering why you choose the places you did. It's the same reaction one would get if they said they wanted to see Europe and were looking into Helsinki, Genoa, Rotterdam, Bucharest and Minsk.

I must be missing something. Where in Peth's post did she ask for opinions on her chosen destinations?

Peth- I hope you find the info you need. Enjoy your trip.

<<Dallas: Cowboys game>>

The Cowboys do not play in March. The last game of this NFL season is the Super Bowl, which is on 7 February 2010 in Miami.

Peth8, can you tell us your interests? Do you plan to rent a car? Fly? It's a long way from Houston to Minneapolis and the weather will be very different in those two locations in March. You might have very warm weather in Houston and Dallas and major snowstorms in Minneapolis.

If you give us a little more information we'll try to answer your questions and give you some good tips.

Peth,

If this is still your destination of choice, I would be more than happy to offer several suggestions for Dallas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Your post appears that this maybe be one of your first visits to the US and as bardo1 mentions these places aren't high on peoples list of places to visit and I did want you to be informed about the weather in March.

Rereading your post, perhaps you are coming here on business. If that is the case, then you can definately find things to do in the places you mention.

Why should Peth have to justify her trip destinations to anyone? There may be a dozen reasons she and her husband agreed on that itinerary. Perhaps there are relatives to visit on the way, or a certain art exhibit in one of the cities. Maybe they've already visited the more popular destinations and want to see something different.

boots, the reason people are asking for more specifics is so that they can be more specific on recommendations. IE: if the OP is not a museum fan, how beneficial would it be for someone to list museums that they need to see in these cities. Or hiking if they are indoors-types. This was too broad of a question that needs to be narrowed down.

If you reread my posts, you'll see that I wasn't contesting the request for more specifics.

I always wanted to go to the Southfork ranch of Dallas' TV show fame in Texas.

Yeah that is one of the things whe want to see.
This is not the first time whe visit USA, we now the weather can't be warm al the time.
I only ask for things that are to see on the way from Houston to Minneapolis and that will not say that i only stop in that places bud i think their is enough to see on the way up.
And the suggestions that you give i can choose what we like.
In september we have a trip from Atlanta to Chigaco and back. We went to Chattanooga and see the ruby falls, rock city, we see Nashville nice to walk and see the clubs, in St Louis whe went to the Gate way arch and went in, in Chigaco the make a city trip. These are a couple of things that we made on the trip so you see not special one thing bud we like to see different things. I hope i have explane it know better. We looked for the weather and what we have found whas that it was between 14 and 24 degrees so whe tought i wash a good thing bud now i read that it;s much colder.

The weather will be very different in Texas (likely spring) than Minneapolis (winter - snow very possible and temps under freezing). Kansas City can also have heavy cold then - or early spring -you won;t know until a week or so before you leave.

Perhaps you were looking at farenheit temps and thought they meant centigrade?

Boots,
The op sounded as if this might be a first or second trip to the US. Coming to the USA and not really seeing "the sights" would be like taking my child to Orlanda and not going to any of the theme parks. People are certainly going to ask and be curious as to why the OP wants to visit the areas mentioned. Peth gave us the answer in her last post, so now I would think people will supply with suggestions.

Peth,
Weather will probably be fine in Oklahoma and Texas, but the ruther north you go you might encounter some situations.

Texas suggestions-
Big Bend National Park
New Bransfel- German area to visit
Dallas-Great Food Town, The Galleria and North Park Mall for shopping. Texas School Depository(where Kennedy was shot), stockyards, might check on concert and events in Dallas

Oklahoma suggestions-
Oklahoma City Memorial (sight where Federal Building was blown up), shopping and dining in Bricktown.

Then drive I-40 over to Fort Smith Arkansas. See Judge Parker Courthouse. See Buffalo River and Ozark Mountains. Arkansas has 5 or 6 very nice State Parks with some Great Hikes. If you are interested in those areas and hiking, I can go into great detail as I hike these areas at least once a month. After Arkansas, continue on to Kansas City.

>>People are certainly going to ask and be curious as to why the OP wants to visit the areas mentioned.

I guess I'm just not that curious.

>>Peth gave us the answer in her last post

My beef was with those who questioned her choice of itinerary, rather than provide the answers to the post at hand.

And I don't see the explanation for what I was referring to in her last post.

But, carry on.

With only two weeks, I would likely just plan my trip for Texas. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, etc. Mnpls. to Houston is probably about 2000km apart. Not sure how you are getting from point A to point B.

By car.................

Then you will find plenty to do in Texas & save yourself spending 1/3 of your trip driving. Something to consider.

Here's a sense of the driving distances. Houston to Dallas, 4 hours. Dallas to Ok City, 3.5 hours, Ok City to K City, 5.5 hours, K City to Minneapolis 7 hours. In two weeks that would give you 2 or 3 nights in each city, a half a day of driving between each one (or a little more on that last leg of driving). Doable certainly. And you would see quite a range of USA.

My beef was with those who questioned her choice of itinerary, rather than provide the answers to the post at hand.boots08

But, as we see here, OP did not have a good handle on what to expect when visiting these places in March: "We looked for the weather and what we have found whas that it was between 14 and 24 degrees so whe tought i wash a good thing bud now i read that it;s much colder."

And, boots08 provides no answers to the OP's question.

>>But, as we see here, OP did not have a good handle on what to expect when visiting these places in March

That has no relevance to my original point- that the OP never asked for opinions on her choice of cities, but rather, sought tips for the cities she chose.

>>And, boots08 provides no answers to the OP's question.

I've only visited one of the above mentioned cities, and the weather tip I was going to provide was already given.

And while we're having fun copying and pasting quotes...

>>The cities you mention are not the top tourist destinations in the USA.

So people shouldn't travel anywhere but 'top tourist destinations'? You might want to widen your horizons.

Happy Trails to you.

Am thinking you could easily spend your two weeks time just in Texas seeing Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. There are several attractions in each city, enough to occupy 2-3 days each.

And am guessing that in March, it could still be chilly even this far south. Not to mention that football season will be over in March, as Sharona rightly pointed out above.

And I'll echo most everyone else here in asking what your interests are. Do you like museums? Historic architecture? Sports? Historic sites? Hiking and parks? Specialty tours? Children-oriented attractions? Are you keen to sample local food specialties? It's tough to give good advice otherwise -- there's a reason people are asking.

Peth8, if you haven't discovered this web site to get weather information you should take a look:

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/state.php3?c=US&refer=

It shows the average monthly temperatures of the last 20 years plus gives average rainfall and snow and other information. It will give you the temps in either F or C.

Another weather site with historical weather info is www.wunderground.com. You can look up actual days to find out what the weather was.

Weather in many parts of the U.S. in March can be very iffy. I don't know where your home is and how comfortable you are with driving in the snow but springtime snowstorms can be fierce. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a back-up plan for the areas outside of Texas and possibly Oklahoma. Just in case. (Boston had 2 FEET of snow one April 1 not long ago. I know you aren't traveling to Boston but that's just an example of how fickle the weather can be in late winter/early spring.)

Its always best to find your own 'special' things as other peoples idea of 'things to do' are so different. We have had some great experiences in the most boring of US cities without anyones help.

Since Peth8 asked for comments about "something else we must see on our trip," the carping about those of us who have done so is inexplicable.

I like Topeka, Cle Elum, and Buffalo, but I'm not going to suggest them as holiday destinations for foreign tourists. I would suggest the Grand Canyon, the National Parks of Utah, San Francisco, Highway 1 up the California coast, the Columbia River Gorge, New York City, Washington D.C., and places such as these. But that's just me. I have no argument with those who prefer to drive across North Dakota or holiday in Houston.

HTTY

thank you all for your answers bud the question that i made in the beginning isn't answered.......... de route i take is what my husband and i like to do not the populair city's that everyone have seen and that i can read in the guide.
my question wasn't "give a lot of criticism to each other"

In Kansas City, go to the Country Club Plaza area. It is a classic, with great restaurants and shops and lodging. I don't know the other cities as well, but Rice University in Houston is a gorgeous campus to visit, if you like seeing schools like we do (I know, we're weird that way!)

What are you most interested in seeing and doing? Museums and art, music, architecture, parks, nightlife and dining, etc?

Sounds like your driving trip is planned out, for point A to point B, so we can help you fill in the blanks when we know what you like to do.

Peth8--

You said: "my question wasn't "give a lot of criticism to each other".

That's true -- you asked "What sort of attractions - highlights - sightseeing - ore something else we must see on our trip." But several of us here have asked you in return "What are your interests?" in an attempt to answer your question better. Sorry to say, you still haven't answered *our* question to help us help you out in any way here. I for one don't even know what to suggest to you as a result.

Perhaps you'll get good ideas from us if you put up a possible itinerary based on research you've done. We really can't do the homework for you, after all.

Peth 8 -

You should be aware that if you head north you're likely to run into bad weather. If so, driving times can easily be doubled and if you're not used to driving in ice and snow (perhaps your are) it's a skill very different than driving under normal road conditions. It's even possible you will run into road closures near Minneapolis if you get there the same time as a major storm. (For perspective, in New York some years ago there was a blizzard with 26" of snow at the end of March, with roads closed and trains stopped for more than 24 hours. Not very likely, but certainly possible.)

I too would focus on places farther south where the weather and travel conditions are likely to be better that time of years. Or, you could plan 2 itineraries and decide which to follow once you get here and see what the weather looks like. There is certainly enough in Texas to keep you occupied, esp if you include San Antonio, Austin and Galveston as well as Houston.

Boots,
she answered my question that I had in my mind about this being an odd visit to the US. Peth stated that they had been to Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Chattanoga, and Nashville. I find those cities not to be as odd, but still not the "cream of the crop". If I am going to France or Italy, I want to see the best first, not the "off the beaten path" stuff. And in my opinion, this is really "off the beaten path" unless you have seen a lot of the US already. You may have "beef", with someone questioning an iten. But, I think most of the people on here have a sincere interest in helping people get the most out of their time and money while traveling.

So you know what. Go ahead drive an entire day across Kansas to Minneapolis in a snow storm and not really see anything of much interest along the way. Make that 2 or 3 days, I forgot about it being a snow storm. With some luck, maybe you can spot a tornado or two in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

When someone says I want to go to Vegas or any Major Tourist City, we have a general idea in mind of what they might want to see. But none of the cities mentioned in the original post are tourist cities. So that leaves most of us a little unknowing on what the poster might want to do or see along the way. But not you Boots, because your not curious.

Peth8--

I agree with Stumpworks73 that you should visit NASA's Space Center Houston at the Johnson Space Center while you are in Houston. Although I have not been there personally, friends who have visited have enjoyed it very much.

I HAVE been to the Menil Collection, an art museum with a very eclectic set of holdings, including the only Byzantine frescoes on display in the western hemisphere (in a building specially constructed for them - the fresco chapel is only open Wednesday through Sunday, though). I found the entire complex to be very interesting.

Houston has quite a number of museums and attractions. I know little to nothing about most of them. Information on many of them can be found by clicking on the "Attractions" icon at the website http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/ (The website lists many sites of the "standard" tourist types - art museums, performing arts venues, shopping centers, professional sports teams, recreation facilities).

BUT - here are some of the more unusual or different ones (that you would not find everywhere, and in some cases nowhere else but Houston). It's a long list, but I'm putting here for two reasons. First, it shows you the variety of unique things you could visit if you are interested (again, I have no idea how worthwhile you might find any of them, but I would like to visit some of them myself).

Second, if you are at all curious about the the story behind America, you will find it in places like these. Many times you can find people working at sites such as these who are passionate about the history and culture that the site represents. Maybe you will find a retired soldier at one of the military sites, or an old ranch hand at one of the cowboy sites. Ask questions, have real conversations, and be prepared to get a perspective on the US that you would never get from just reading signs on displays in more "sterile" museums.


The American Cowboy Museum ("This ranch preserves the western heritage of Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and women")

The Armand Bayou Nature Center and The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (two different places, highlighting the natural environment of the Houston area)

The Battleship "Texas" (The last of the battleships to participate in World War I and II, Battleship Texas became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. in 1948.)

Nearby the Battleship Texas is the San Jacinto Monument ("he San Jacinto Museum of History, within the base of the San Jacinto Monument, holds one of the largest collections of Texas art, artifacts and history." The monument commemorates the battle that gained Texas its independence from Mexico in 1836. Texans are quite proud that their state was an independent republic before voluntarily becoming part of the USA.)

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum ("The only museum in the U.S. dedicated primarily to preserving the legacy and honor of the African-American soldier.")

George Ranch Historical Park ("This 480-acre living history site, with more than 100 years of Texas history, offers hands-on experiences and costumed historical interpreters.")

The National Funeral History Museum ("The museum features our nation's largest display of historic funeral service memorabilia and artifacts")

The Orange Show Monument ("a Houston postman's creation that extols the virtues of his favorite fruit. The outdoor 3,000-square-foot monument is maze-like in design and includes an oasis, a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop and several upper decks.")


Galveston, located on an island near Houston, also might interest you. Its attractions include

Moody Gardens ("Moody Gardens, consisting of Aquarium, Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids, is an educational attraction focusing on nature." It also has several theaters showing IMAX-type films.)

The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum ("a museum, educational attraction and working drilling rig")

Peth, if tickets aren't already purchased (or you are not otherwise restricted in your travel dates) I would suggest you make this trip in April and most weather problems would be averted. April is known as a great month to get married in the Midwest as the weather is "just right."

I did greatly enjoy the Harry Truman Presidential Museum in Independence, Missouri. (This is just outside Kansas City.) It really gives you a picture of life in America during and after WWII as well as insights into the man who authorized the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I am not sure if the following are "must-sees" for me compared to the other places on my wish list (National parks, American Southwest, more of the East Coast)....But if I were taking your trip, here's what I'd want to see in my order of importance:

1. Space Center in Houston
2. Historical sites in Austin and San Antonio
3. Art Museum in Kansas City (well regarded)
4. Harry Truman Museum near KC

5. A bit of the Ozarks if a better season
6. Galveston Texas
7. Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota
8. Mall of America in Minnesota (I'm not a big shopper but would be curious to see this once!)

I have printed the tips and their are a few that we liked so thank you Cranachin and Salive.

If you are in Dallas in March, a must-see is the Dallas Arboretum's "Spring Blooms" displays. With the right weather, it is gorgeous. Also in Dallas is the JFK museum which highlights that time in our nation's history.

Between Dallas and Oklahoma City, there is an Oklahoma State Park in Ardmore called Lake Murray State Park. It is definitely worth a stop. It's a beautiful lake with a number of activities, although not sure about some of them in March (e.g. canoeing in March?). They have Tucker Tower which was built by the CCC and is worth visiting while there. You could eat lunch in their quaint cafe while there or take a lunch and eat by the lake on a picnic table and feed the many ducks, etc.

Hope you have a great trip!

I am also curious as to the places selected. I live in the US & have been to all but one of the cities mentioned, but all were for work. I would not choose to visit any of those places, except for maybe Mnpls. Granted, when I travel for work I take advantage of those trips but still, if she has not been to NY or San Francisco, etc. why choose these ? We are also still seeking info from her as to WHAT exactly she is seeking on this trip. So, unfortunately, we still have more questions than answers. I'd just stay in Texas.

All the listed cities are fine places to work and live but none are filled with scenic beauty or historic significance. The Grand Canyon, the Pacific Coast of Washington and Oregon, Jefferson's Monticello, North Carolina's Outer Banks, Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania and the rugged coast of Maine are the sort of places I would recommend to a European traveler. I would not recommend Dallas, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City or Houston.

SAnParis2 and GeorgeW,

Thanks for living dangerously--risking chastisement by boots08 who is monitoring this thread to berate anybody who dares to talk sense to Peth 8 by deviating from addressing directly the questions in her post.

HTTY

Skip Houston and go to San Antonio instead. Houston is just a big ugly city with nothing much of interest. San Antonio has charm. The Riverwalk and Alamo are really interesting to explore. Dallas is a good choice for a visit to Texas. If you were a fan of the show, you could visit Southfork Ranch in Plano. You can also check out the fun rodeo in Mesquite. If you really want to see Oklahoma, go to Tahlequah instead for a taste of Native American culture.

Minneapolis/St. Paul:

The Guthrie Theater
The Walker Art Center
Uptown for restaurants and nightlife
"Eat Street" (Nicollet Ave) for a wide range of restaurants
Mall of America
Wild game at the Xcel Center
Ice Skating at the depot
Acme comedy club
NE Minneapolis for restaurants and bars
Punch Neopolitan Pizza (a few locations)

Based on prior posts based on the initial request it would appear the OP would spend @ least 1/3 of their trip driving (possibly more) w/the inclusion of inclimate weather. The poster (as stated prior) was not aware of the likely weather issues that may confront them. I won't even get into the cost of picking up a car in Tx. & dropping it in Mn. So, is she looking for vibrant cities ? Art/history ? Parks & outdoor stuff ? We really don't know. We would appreciate it, if the OP would provide a little more (specific) info re: said trip.

Maybe it's just because I live not far from Tahlequah Oklahoma, but I don't really see that much real native American culture. I think of the Navajo area being much more like it would have been 150 years ago. Yes, there is some(museums, etc), but it just isn't the real deal or that impressive to me. And yes, I am a registered Cherokee Indian(CDIB card=1/128).

There are a few places that people have mentioned on here that I haven't visited, but will now. But, I want make a special trip to see any of them, but will certainly stop when I am in the area.

To each their own Spirobulldog, but I was very moved by the Trail of Tears and really learned a lot during my visit.

Just a guess...but my thought from the beginning was that the poster is from out of the USA and the exchange rate is good, so she wants to go to the Mall of America and is trying to see some of the country along with it. Or perhaps part of the trip is work related.

"my question wasn't "give a lot of criticism to each other".

lol..... this is the best line I've read in a long time.

From Des Moines to Minneapolis-

The Great Ape Trust in Des Moines has limited visiting hours.

The Reiman Gardens in Ames- granted, March is not the best times to visit but the butterfly wing is awesome year round.

The Spam museum in Austin MN. Corny, but why not?

Stop to shop and eat at Cabellas in Owatonna. Sporting goods of all sorts.

Just south of Des Moines is Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne, and a handful of scenic covered bridges made famous by the movie/book The Bridges of Madison County