Ever visit a town that you were surprised how nice it was?
Oct 28th, 2004, 01:32 PM
#61
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Norwood, CO.
We were just driving through, it was time to stop, and we found this cute mom and pop motel (actually it was only mom - I think pop had died) with handsewn curtains, a cat in the yard etc. We strolled down the street to a yard sale, chatted with some local residents and had dinner at a restaurant across the street where we enjoyed eavesdropping on somebody's birthday party. DH was delighted with the slews of metal sculptures made out of old parts that were in numerous front yards.
Actually, we had no expectations, so it was all in all just a pleasant surprise. We still talk about this impromptu stop.
We were just driving through, it was time to stop, and we found this cute mom and pop motel (actually it was only mom - I think pop had died) with handsewn curtains, a cat in the yard etc. We strolled down the street to a yard sale, chatted with some local residents and had dinner at a restaurant across the street where we enjoyed eavesdropping on somebody's birthday party. DH was delighted with the slews of metal sculptures made out of old parts that were in numerous front yards.
Actually, we had no expectations, so it was all in all just a pleasant surprise. We still talk about this impromptu stop.
Oct 28th, 2004, 02:07 PM
#63
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Philadelphia! I went for work and before my trip my brother kept telling me how dangerous and unsafe it was. I did notice a lot of those locking devices on cars to keep them from getting stolen, but that was it. I thought the city was FABULOUS!! So much art, culture, history and FOOD!! I can't wait to go back so I have more time to explore!!
Oct 31st, 2004, 05:29 AM
#65
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Indianapolis.
I'm a Chicagoan, and have to admit I've never cared much for the state of Indiana in general, though there are a few sections I like. Indianapolis really suprised me. The downtown is extremely vibrant and filled activity, sights, shopping, etc. Beautiful parks and trails. Outstanding museums. Be sure to visit the Eiteljorg Museum of Western and Indian Art. Great Ethnic restaurants and upscale shopping. Wow. Great place for a weekend, or longer, trip. The city away from downtown is a bit curious though. Almost as soon as you leave downtown, it's practically rural. Attractive though, especially up north. Broad Ripple is one of the only urban type neighborhoods not downtown. The southeast part of the city is all cornfields, with a quaint little farm "town" in the middle of it, which is technically part of the city. That was an interesting discovery. I look forward to going back.
I'm a Chicagoan, and have to admit I've never cared much for the state of Indiana in general, though there are a few sections I like. Indianapolis really suprised me. The downtown is extremely vibrant and filled activity, sights, shopping, etc. Beautiful parks and trails. Outstanding museums. Be sure to visit the Eiteljorg Museum of Western and Indian Art. Great Ethnic restaurants and upscale shopping. Wow. Great place for a weekend, or longer, trip. The city away from downtown is a bit curious though. Almost as soon as you leave downtown, it's practically rural. Attractive though, especially up north. Broad Ripple is one of the only urban type neighborhoods not downtown. The southeast part of the city is all cornfields, with a quaint little farm "town" in the middle of it, which is technically part of the city. That was an interesting discovery. I look forward to going back.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 01:52 PM
#66
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Birmingham, Alabama, gets my vote. My husband and I have gone there a few times to get away for a weekend. Great shopping, great food, almost all of the people we came in contact with were truly nice and seemed to really want to help us.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 03:11 PM
#68
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So happy to see a few people vote for NJ! It's not all turnpike over here! Have lived here my whole life, and I can honestly say parts of the state during the different seasons can be breathtaking! I guess that's part of the reason I never follow through with my plan to pack up and leave to warmer climates,despite all of the taxes and insurances and negative stuff!
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with Honolulu.I was told it would be the "worst" part of my Hawaiian adventure, and I actually liked it alot.There was a ton of things to see and do. It was the cleanest"city with a beach" that I ever experienced!
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with Honolulu.I was told it would be the "worst" part of my Hawaiian adventure, and I actually liked it alot.There was a ton of things to see and do. It was the cleanest"city with a beach" that I ever experienced!
Nov 3rd, 2004, 04:04 PM
#69
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kristeng- So sorry you didn't like Aspen. Aspen is my favorite place in the whole world. I spend two weeks skiing there at Christmas most years and try to get to the area in the summer as well when it is even more beautiful. I love the small town feel but with great food and great people watching. I can't help loving running into the likes of Antonio Banderas, Will Smith, Jack Nicholson, and Mariah Carey on the slopes. Very interesting to see them without any entourage or red carpet looks.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 06:56 PM
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I'm glad to see someone FINALLY came up with an Alabama city for you...sheesh, Fodorites, don't y'all travel much?
Seriously, Birmingham is a fun city to visit. Lots of history, plenty of excellent restaurants, a fun night life, plenty of upscale shopping, both boutique and mall stores. If you decide to come to the deep South, do drop by Birmingham.
On another note, I am surprised at the Memphis votes. Though I personally like Memphis fine, by popular Alabama opinion (stop laughing, y'all) it's not very safe and kind of dirty.
Either way, I hope you do choose a Southern city for some added charm and character for your trip.
Seriously, Birmingham is a fun city to visit. Lots of history, plenty of excellent restaurants, a fun night life, plenty of upscale shopping, both boutique and mall stores. If you decide to come to the deep South, do drop by Birmingham.
On another note, I am surprised at the Memphis votes. Though I personally like Memphis fine, by popular Alabama opinion (stop laughing, y'all) it's not very safe and kind of dirty.
Either way, I hope you do choose a Southern city for some added charm and character for your trip.
Nov 4th, 2004, 01:20 AM
#72
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Took a gamble in November 2000 and instead of going to a big beach town, decided to go 5 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Didn't know what to expect and now brag about it endlessly on these threads when people are thinking of staying in the Ft. L area. Like the little beachtown atmosphere and lack of crowds on the beaches. Another area/town, which is in my home state of PA, is the greater Lancaster area. Thought the place would be too built up, and it was in Lancaster but as soon as we headed a little east ran into little towns of Bird-in-Hand and Stratsburg were so overwhelmed with pleasure with the beautiful farmland, petting zoos, train museum, Red Caboose Motel and the Amish stores. Would like to go here again soon especially in the off season like February or March.
Nov 4th, 2004, 07:48 AM
#73
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Kansas City and Indianapolis both come to mind. I live in St. Louis and was pleasently surprised by how nice both cities are. Also Denver. My dad was there in the 70's and always told me how dirty he thought it was, so I was expecting it to be somewhat bad. My husband and I were there in the summer of '03 and I was surprised by how nice and clean the city was. He was shocked too, once he saw my pictures!
Not in the US, but the first place that came to mind when reading this post was Rome. We were there in March at the end of our Austria/Germany/Italy trip. My husband insisted on including Rome in the trip and, while not looking forward to it, agreed. Imagine my surprise when Rome became not only my favorite part of the trip, but probably one of my favorite places. We're already going back (in less than 4 weeks!) and I can't wait!
Not in the US, but the first place that came to mind when reading this post was Rome. We were there in March at the end of our Austria/Germany/Italy trip. My husband insisted on including Rome in the trip and, while not looking forward to it, agreed. Imagine my surprise when Rome became not only my favorite part of the trip, but probably one of my favorite places. We're already going back (in less than 4 weeks!) and I can't wait!
May 4th, 2005, 09:29 AM
#74
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I wasn't exactly expecting the worst before visiting these towns, but I wasn't expecting to like them as much as I did, though:
Dubois, Wyoming -- great little town (pop +/- 1000) about 1 or 2 hrs north and then east of Jackson, near the Wind River. Funky old western downtown, gorgeous scenery, nice people, interesting mixture of cowboys, indians and new-age California transplants. Great area for outdoors activities.
Independence, California -- funky little town (pop =/- 800) not too far from Lone Pine (mentioned earlier in thread). Many people just drive through on the way to Bishop or Death Valley, but we stopped for a few nights around July 4th one year and loved it. It has some interesting little museums, gorgeous scenery and nice people. And if you can get there for 4th of July you'll have lots of fun. They start with 6 am 4K run, then pancake breakfast, parade, craft faire, beef sandwich sale, pie & ice cream sale, deep pit bbq, live music, and an incredible fireworks show at the airport just outside city limits.
Boise, Idaho -- mentioned before but wanted to add my vote. I agree that it just has a good feel to it.
McMinnville, Oregon -- quiet, pretty little town in Oregon's wine country. Great old-fashioned feel, attractive private college in town, another place with a nice feel to it.
Bishop, California -- it's your basic small town (pop +/- 2,500), although it's the largest town in its county. The impression I got when we visited for the day was that it was a nice, comfortable, casual, "real people"-type town, with friendly folks and beautiful scenery, sorta out in the middle of nowhere. Plus, I had slipped while hiking that day, injured my tailbone, and badly needed a chiropractic tailbone adjustment; I found a very nice chiropractor who took me right away (even though it was just past his closing hours) and he did a great job.
Dubois, Wyoming -- great little town (pop +/- 1000) about 1 or 2 hrs north and then east of Jackson, near the Wind River. Funky old western downtown, gorgeous scenery, nice people, interesting mixture of cowboys, indians and new-age California transplants. Great area for outdoors activities.
Independence, California -- funky little town (pop =/- 800) not too far from Lone Pine (mentioned earlier in thread). Many people just drive through on the way to Bishop or Death Valley, but we stopped for a few nights around July 4th one year and loved it. It has some interesting little museums, gorgeous scenery and nice people. And if you can get there for 4th of July you'll have lots of fun. They start with 6 am 4K run, then pancake breakfast, parade, craft faire, beef sandwich sale, pie & ice cream sale, deep pit bbq, live music, and an incredible fireworks show at the airport just outside city limits.
Boise, Idaho -- mentioned before but wanted to add my vote. I agree that it just has a good feel to it.
McMinnville, Oregon -- quiet, pretty little town in Oregon's wine country. Great old-fashioned feel, attractive private college in town, another place with a nice feel to it.
Bishop, California -- it's your basic small town (pop +/- 2,500), although it's the largest town in its county. The impression I got when we visited for the day was that it was a nice, comfortable, casual, "real people"-type town, with friendly folks and beautiful scenery, sorta out in the middle of nowhere. Plus, I had slipped while hiking that day, injured my tailbone, and badly needed a chiropractic tailbone adjustment; I found a very nice chiropractor who took me right away (even though it was just past his closing hours) and he did a great job.
May 4th, 2005, 12:11 PM
#76
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Nice to see this thread revived.
I'd like to add my vote for St. Louis. We visited friends there for a weekend two years ago. We were so impressed we went back the next summer to see more. We were not disappointed!
I'd like to add my vote for St. Louis. We visited friends there for a weekend two years ago. We were so impressed we went back the next summer to see more. We were not disappointed!
May 17th, 2005, 12:27 PM
#77
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thanks to whoever mentioned columbus, ohio. it's my hometown and the best of the three c's - cleveland, columbus, and cincinnati. we have awesome metro parks, cultural diversity, great shopping and good nightlife, nice communities, a good job market, the zoo (home to famous zooologist jack hanna), a zillion summer festivals, gallery hops, one of the country's largest universities...
for the midwest it's not a bad place to live...i've been to pittsburgh a lot (half my family lives there) and find columbus a much nicer place.
for the midwest it's not a bad place to live...i've been to pittsburgh a lot (half my family lives there) and find columbus a much nicer place.
May 25th, 2005, 05:03 PM
#79
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Not sure if it large enough to be considered a twon but Index, Washington. Gorgeous, great people, best blueberry pancakes ever.... tavern in business since 1898... and the Bush House with great accomodations. That is the extent of the 'town' ! Great river rafting too.
Leadville, Colorado
Marlinton, WV
Leadville, Colorado
Marlinton, WV
