"Real USA" this expression made me sad :(

I think concerns about Trenton are a little overblown: I was definitely being a little sarcastic in line with whole idea of Real America, but I do stand by the idea that contrasting Trenton and the Mercer County/Bucks County area would give someone a very good feel for the real America in two very different, divergent ways.

I went to high school in Mercer County, and had activities/dinners/events/transport in Trenton, and didn't have any issues, exercising the same caution I now utilize in Harlem (above 135th street).

At any rate, if the OP didn't want exposure to Trenton, there are enough laidback experiences in Mercer County/Bucks County to eat up 4-8 days, between Lambertville, New Hope, Doylestown (Michener Museum), Erwinna... He/she can choose whether to visit Trenton in addition or not.

Choices, choices, choices.

Good new ideas from EYW&BTV.

Its a pity about the Little League, Grandma. I think I was in Philadelphia last year when it was on and the hoopla about the local girl who was starring at LL was unreal.

Gretchen's Ohio description is really evocative and would be attractive if it could pass the "movies in the middle of the day" test!

I'm nudging towards "make my mind up" time; although I'm enjoying the discussion - even the epistemological aspects.

Thanks again

Tim

I know it's my suggestion, but I keep coming back to the idea of the train to the the fair in Indianapolis, followed by a short spell in Charlottesville. The train I suggested, the Cardinal, really delivers the goods - Philly, Washington DC, over the Blue Ridge and through the Alleghenys including the New River Gorge, and into the Ohio Valley. It's like a rolling history lesson - Civil War sites like Manassas, Daniel Boone country in Kentucky, Cincinnati... The OP may not be able to spend time in these VERY "real" American places, but they're right outside the train windows for the viewing, and for the talking about with fellow passengers, or for reading about.

Then on the way back, Charlottesville is a gem. As historic a small town as America possesses, beautiful, compact, full of interesting things to see and do and interesting people to meet. It's the South, it's cosmopolitan, it's sophisticated... maybe a little twee in parts, but there are plenty of pickup trucks around, too.

Re Charlottesville: not to mention the homes of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe within striking distance (that is, within tour bus distance if OP is not renting a car).

Gardyloo, you are working hard and probably winning.

I checked out the Cardinal and almost booked it. Checked out tickets to the Fair too. The only complication is the 23 hour duration that pitches me out in Indianapolis at 06.00 a.m.

Probably still the leading option at present but competing with Burlington and Gretchen's unnamed Ohio town.

Thanks for the continued good ideas.

Tim

<i>The only complication is the 23 hour duration that pitches me out in Indianapolis at 06.00 a.m.</i>

Not a problem. Get a sleeper ("roomette") on the train. You'll then have plenty of time to get to Shapiro's Deli in time for breakfast. Arguably worth the trip on its own (well, I'd argue it anyway.) Opens at 6:30.

http://www.shapiros.com/
http://gardyloo.us/xcountry%20138sm.JPG

I would think Indianapolis would be a bit hot and humid in August?

What about Duluth, MN or Fort Collins, CO?

I must confess I had never heard of Fort Collins and my research assistant Mr.Wikipedia shows it be a substantial city with several attractions.

On balance though, the prospect of the State Fair in Indianapolis as a "go to" activity trumps the terra incognita of Fort Collins. One for the slightly-longer list.

Decisions tomorrow and action over the weekend!

Tim

and the winner is......no surprise. I've just booked a return train to Indianapolis for August. A long way to go to the State Fair. It had better be good!

Next step, finding accommodation. Are there any top tips? Or any review sites that are better than Tripadvisor?

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations, ideas, views and debating points.

Tim

State fairs look like recruiting booths for Weight Watchers.

Well, that is interesting, and I wish you well. I sort of wish you had searched for other state fairs--OR even county fairs, if that was the route you were taking. My unnamed little Ohio town (Troy, just north of Dayton) is the county seat (hence a very impressive turn of the century courthouse with a copper dome) and its fair starts the 14th(I think). You could choose any state and search their calendars.
Maybe since you are going to Indianapolis you can find some tours to their covered bridges (since you won't have a car). They are true Americana, and Indiana is a treasure trove. Look for Brown County.

I do think you are going to have a problem with not having a car almost anywhere.

Indianapolis? Be sure to have a plate sized fried pork tenderloin.

Gretchen,

Troy looks interesting alright with public buildings that look very impressive for a town of 25,000. And if Pat Benatar is playing a local venue, there must be something going on.

There is also an image of a statue of a cowboy-type on a bench in Duke Park and for a minute I got John Wayne overtones but it doesn't seem to be him. Pity.

One for the short list.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks also to everyone for the State Fair dietary advice. Hopefully after 24 hours in a train, I'll have worked up an adequate appetite (at least for Day 1).

You definitely won't go hungry at any state or county fair. :)

+1 on Gretchen's gentle nudge toward the latter of those, they're smaller, less harried and usually more friendly.

I think you'll have a great time. The Indiana state fair is an experience to behold. Don't miss the giant cheese sculpture.

Looks like A Prairie Home Companion will be doing a show there - that would be a great show to see, if you'll be there that night. Though the Jake Owen concert is probably more typical for state fairs.

http://in.gov/statefair/fair/concerts/2462.html

Make sure and get a funnel cake, fried cheese, and that lemon shake-up. There's some less artery-clogging food too. :)

To set the mood you could watch Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair on
Netflix. (A little bit long in the tooth but great music -:)

Lots of Americans in downtown Ottawa (Canada) this time of year. Hamburger joints. US made cars. Budweiser. NBC, CBS, ABC etc. With the exchange rate in the US's favour right now why not come to Ottawa to see the US? You could afford an extra day.

Thanks Granny. I'll check it out and while not being a foodie, I'll try and sample as much as I can (I'm a big fan of dinners that can be eaten one-handed!).

Cold (or cool) up here sounds attractive. Irony noted. Is it much of a journey from Indianapolis to Ottawa?

Tim

Rigarama-- Hope the trip works out for you to Indianapolis, a city I've never been to. One thing to keep in mind when travelling throughout the USA if you want to visit places without a car is that older places tend to have central cores having pre-dated the automobile (have to be careful though, some towns had fires or were badly damaged due to war). It seems you're already decided but in your desired size range, Saratoga Springs NY came to mind, although you wouldn't be getting off the coasts.

Ackislander-- Thanks for the kind comments... based on my Fodor's interactions, you seem pretty swell too :). Getting in and out of St. Augustine indeed required reading up on bus schedules, but once in the old city of the Oldest City in America, I found it quite pedestrian friendly with its trolleys and compactness.