Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with recreation

Looking for some fun things to do in Kansas City tomorrow evening (Wednesday Nov 25th).

ISeemToBeAVerb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:02:52 -0800

I'm from out of town (Chicago), but I met a girl here in KC the other day and we've decided to go out tomorrow evening. We're both artsy types with a fondness for adventure and off-the-beaten-path entertainment. I know I could easily defer to her for suggestions, but I'd like to have a few ideas to throw out. I'm up for anything really. It doesn't have to be a proper event or anything- someplace cool to wander around or explore is fine too. Just toss it all out there!! Food suggestions are good too (she's vegetarian). Thanks!!

Immersive Xbox environments

Hugobaron — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:59:36 -0800

Gamers: I am an Xbox newbie. Please recommend first-person games with excellently-achieved immersive environments. I'm new to first-person gaming (recreational, playing on Normal, enjoying exploration of well-realized scenarios rather than merely cut-throat battling and dying constantly - but some fighting is OK). I have just acquired an Xbox 360, and already I am loving GTA4, Arkham Asylum, Halo 3. When these are exhausted, what else will I enjoy? Which older releases should I now get on the cheap?

Ballin’ on a budget:

Hydrofiend — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:17:52 -0800

Taking care of some things so money’s tight. What are some kickass, cool, mellow things I can do for free or dirt cheap! Preferably in Brooklyn, NY? I find that I spend more than I would like when I’m out being social and hanging with friends. I’m not talking $100’s but $30 a night for drinks. Not that bad but that can get pricey at 2 to 3 nights per week. Right now, money needs to stretch but I like my little flow of being out and about. What are some cool, fun, mellow things I can do or experience on a strict budget which includes anything from $0-$30 a week. Tight! Insight on any places and things would be very much appreciated.

Bikeriding Baby!

lester's sock puppet — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:23:58 -0800

Help me teach a 1 year old how to ride a bike! Well, maybe just ride on a bike. I am planning on taking my 1 year old daughter on bike rides. I currently have a bike equipped with an appropriate seat and a helmet for her. What other things would I need? And what other advice can experienced biking parents offer?

Cheap fun things for the weekend

lilyflower — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:01:34 -0800

What cheap/free things can a couple do for fun during afternoons/evenings/weekends? My husband and I are currently saving and have a small budget left over for fun (£100p/m or $150p/m). We are struggling for ideas on what we can do together that doesn't involve spending much if any money. We would like ideas on what we can do as a couple that is cheap or free in our spare time, which can be afternoons, evenings and weekends. For info we live in a flat (no garden) in a town (Hampshire, UK) and have a car to get around in. I would like us to have a balance of going out and staying in, always been in makes me restless!

So far I can think of picnics, going to the beach, walking in the woods, mini golf, flying a kite, body boarding when the waves are right (very infrequently), board games, cards, computer games, cycling, reading, listening to music, ... and then I get stuck for ideas! May seem like a lot, but it is starting to get a bit repetitive.

We aren't too fond of team sports, avoid crowded places, and prefer to be in places where children typically aren't!

Please help us so that we can save but still have a nice time together.

What kind of recreational sports can I play in LA?

YoungAmerican — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:27:12 -0800

What kind of recreational sports can I play in LA? I'm a dude in my late 20s. I'd like to be active to promote, you know, healthiness, but I generally don't care for the gym (snooze), and I'm not nuts about running or cycling or anything with a lot of "personal bests." I do really enjoy playing sports.

What kind of recreational sports can I participate in LA?

Here are the catches:
* I like sports, but I'm not especially good at any of them. I mean, I'm better than the kind of people who always hated sports, but I'm worse than... well... basically anyone else. I'd love to be somewhere where I can learn to be better at something and people won't mock me or resent that I'm not particularly good.
* I don't really want to play anything, uhm, bone-crunching (like rugby, for example).
* All my friends are nerds who hate sports, so it has to be something I can sign up for solo.
* I live in Koreatown, and would love something nearby (though I'm open to other possibilities).
* I could spend some money on it (like buying a tennis racket or whatever), but I can't spend a bunch of money on it (hundreds and hundreds of dollars).
* No frisbees.

I guess my concern is that most adult rec sport is played by people who have been jocks all their lives. What's the sport for public radio host types like me?

Stiff not a good thing in this case

terrier319 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:30:25 -0800

Breaking in a stiff, new baseball glove. Recommendations? I could pay my electricity bill with what I shelled out for this glove for my teenaged son. So it's leather, stiff and without much flex at all. When I was a kid, we rubbed in Neatsfoot oil and played with it forever until it flapped and felt like a second skin. Any way to accelerate this? Yeah, I'll tie it up with string with a baseball inside to form the pocket just right, but I need suggestions on loosening up the leather fast. He won't let me step on it with boots, which was my first instint :-). Thanks

Need play area for child but too windy!!! What items can we put in back yard!!

lynnie-the-pooh — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:14:51 -0800

Need ideas for outside play area that is super windy! Hi, my daughter will be five soon and our back yard has nothing in it because it is super windy. We bought a trampoline last year and had it for two weeks, then it became a pancake due to the wind. My husband is reluctant to get a swing set, sand box or another trampoline. What ideas do you have that will secure these items to the ground? The swing set could be cemented into the ground. But if the swing is bent or broken over during the storm, we will have pieces of swing stuck to the ground by cement. And with the sand box, we are afraid the top will fly off and we will have sand all over our back yard. If my husband puts a cement block on the top of the cover, I will not be able to get it off every day, as I have a bad back. The trampoline we had was secured to the ground with anchors, but the netting around the trampoline acted like a sail in the wind and it just went up and then down like a pancake. Surely there is some way my child can have items in her back yard to play with?? We live in Iowa in a neighborhood, but behind us is a farm, so the wind is hard and very open by us. I'm looking for ideas, my daughter would be so happy if we could figure it out.
Thanks,
LYNN

Help me find something to DO before I drive myself crazy.

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:52:22 -0800

Help me find something to DO before I drive myself crazy. I'm bored all the time and nothing seems to appeal to me anymore. I think it may be because for the last few months I've not done much of anything besides sit around at my computer, sleep, repeat. Please, help me find things to do that will get me out of the house. "Take a walk" won't do, I don't know this neighbourhood well at all but from what I've seen it's just rows of depressingly identical suburban houses. I'm so tired of wandering around aimlessly bored out of my skull, both IRL and on the Internet.

I'm in Vancouver, CA if it matters, moved here late last year. Entertainment budget: low to non-existent. That's not to say I'm blaming a lack of money for a lack of recreation, I know there is plenty of fun to be had for cheap or free, it's just that I can't seem to think of anything right now. I have time on my hands, obviously, just not a lot of money to spare. I need to do things that will make me feel alive again. I feel so inert that it's surreal. I find myself crying sometimes thinking about what to do next. Normal everyday things look impossibly huge in the light of not having any other hobbies. Some days I literally can't do anything at all because I can't seem to stop fretting about being bored and concentrate on anything else. Schoolwork is taking a hit.

I have a boyfriend and ideas for couple-y activities are welcome.

QuizzoFilter

LilBucner — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:42:14 -0800

I am auditioning to host a quizzo (pub trivia) night at a new bar in Philly ... help me with research! Does anyone have any good recommendations for websites with good trivia questions/answers? I have played many a night of quizzo in the past - my strengths are baseball, movies, and geography. But I need to do one list (10 questions) of a well-rounded quizzo for the audition. Suggestions?

Time + Money = ?

Third — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:34:39 -0800

I have two weeks and some cash. What do I do? Where do I go? I graduated in December, and I just landed an awesome job. Because of some stuff that needs to happen (on their end) before I begin working, I won't start until Februrary 9. I already have a place to live, and there's nothing else that I really need to do before I start working.

I have some money saved up, and I want to do something besides bum around at my parents' house for two weeks.

What can I do with my time? Where should I go? I'm looking for any and all ideas. I have family in England, and a few friends throughout the country. All of my friends at home are either working or still in school, so whatever I do, I'd be doing it alone.

Obviously, the less expensive the better. I know Southwest has some good deals sometimes, and I live close enough to an airport that they fly from (Raleigh, NC). I'm not averse to flying or driving anywhere.

punch, kick, hi-ya! pow! oof!

pointystick — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:16:35 -0800

I want to explore adding some punching or kicking to my workout. How should I do this with activities, classes, or games? Recently I took a self-defense seminar and I found I really enjoyed the punching/kicking motions. It was the movement I liked, not so interested in the part of another person being involved. I also realy like Wii boxing and I have always been curious about that kind of workout - people punching bags, doing kicking exercises, etc. What types of classes, activities, or games might I try?

Possibly relevant info: About 8 months ago, I exchanged my couch potato lifestyle for a more active one and I regularly do strength training & cardio/aerobics. I am steadily moving toward my goal. I am not totally buff by any means, but I can get through an hour of cardio or a few weight circuits just fine. I am female in my mid 30s. I work out at the Y and have access to Wii too. I don't think I'd enjoy hitting people or being hit, Million Dollar baby style. The only thing I know about kick boxing is what I know from watching Say Anything.

I Want Quality to Kick Quantity's Ass

antisocialstudies — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:26:01 -0800

Help me extract more quality from the quantity of the Information Age, especially as regards my leisure time. I recently received a promotion that seemed initially fortuitous but is now eating up more and more hours in my day with every passing week. In that context, I find myself newly wondering: how do I, amidst the overwhelming mass of life and leisure options already offered up by the Information Age, best separate the wheat from the chaff, the cream from the crop, and the ones from the zeros? In other (less cheeky) words: how can I distill the most quality out of the ginormous quantity of shite that bombards us every day, when I - like you, no doubt - have less and less leisure time as it is?

Here are some examples of strategies I'm already implementing (or contemplating) toward this end: 1) I generally won't see a movie anymore unless it has a 60+ rating on metacritic.com (after all, two lost hours is too much to risk on a crap film in today's time-starved world). 2) Rather than watching a news program, I'm starting to think, "If any part of this show is REALLY good or noteworthy, I'll read about it later on a message board or see it on youtube." 3) Yes, I already own a Tivo, and it is a must for time-crunched leisure obsessives like myself (by fast-fwding between plays, I can watch an entire football game in under 45 minutes!). 4) When I'm reading a really old ask.mefi question, sometimes I only read the answers that were favorited (scandalous, I know).

Stuff like that. My interests are wide-ranging, so any tip that the hive mind has to offer about maximizing QPM (quality per minute) is likely to help, regardless of the subject matter or medium.

(p.s. I've read a ton of threads here about GTD and maximizing efficiency, so I'm not looking for that kind of info per se.)

Chainless bicycle experiences

portabella — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:19:47 -0800

Does anyone have personal experience with using a chainless bicycle? I've looked on Google.. PLEASE do not reply unless you have actually ridden one; the bicycle forums I've found are full of people who, while never having tried one, are nonetheless happy to share their non-experiences!

This CoolTools post says that they are quite usable:

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000049.php

________ing in a winter wonderland

aleahey — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:49:54 -0800

My fiancee and I are very outdoorsy. This summer we enjoyed hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. We're looking for some low-cost winter sports and outdoor activities so that we can continue to enjoy the great outdoors through the late fall, winter and early spring. So, outside of cross country skiing and snowshoeing, what do MeFites enjoy doing outside in the wintertime?

Do I have a shot at the Olympics?

melodykramer — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:50:02 -0800

I'm 24. Let's say I wanted to have a shot at the Olympics, in any sport, at some point in the future. Are my chances over? Is there a sport I could start now, dedicate the next few years to, and become good enough to be a contender? What sport should that be? (I'm not picky.) I was thinking about this. I don't have a sports preference. I like to rollerblade and hula-hoop. I can train a decent amount. I'd put in a heck of a lot of time. But are my Olympic dreams dashed, because I'm too late?

If I had to pick a sport -- now -- with the hopes of making the team, what should it be? (My first thought was fencing because I'm left-handed.)

It's urban scavenger hunt time!!

wile e — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:41:26 -0800

Bored on a lazy Sunday afternoon? How about helping me come up with ideas/suggestions on how I should plan an urban scavenger hunt? We're planning an urban scavenger hunt for a major city and was looking for some ideas/tips on what we should do. I've searched a bit online looking for help with planning, but have been coming up a bit short. It'll be for teams of 2-4ppl, and 10-20 teams.

The group will be mostly in the 20s and 30s age groups so it doesn't need to be aimed at younger crowds. I have found a lot of family/children ones though.

There will be the standard clues of finding historical places and taking photos of this or that, but I want this to be fun, crazy and maybe a little over the top! Ideas can include things that need to be accomplished. Or done with proof. We're open to all ideas, as this is not for an organized group. We're just looking for a fun adventure.

So has anybody done a really fun one? Have any crazy ideas? Are there any guidelines? Some book of rules that is published somewhere?

Not looking for city specific ideas, we have that covered. But for those curious, it will be held in Helsinki, Finland. A smaller city, that has great public transportation.

Any and all ideas/thoughts welcome!

Thanks!

What should I do in Amsterdam?

CElijah — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:24:45 -0800

What should I do in Amsterdam? I'm going to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks and it will be my first trip there. I'll be there for just short of two weeks and really want to take advantage of the time I have. I'm interested in unique, offbeat and even weird things to do. Money isn't really a limitation, I just don't want to spend my entire trip in the same places every tourist in the city will inevitably gravitate toward. Any lodging suggestions, especially near the University, would greatly be appreciated as well.

Tell me about your cooler

MrMoonPie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:55:10 -0800

I need a new cooler. I need a cooler for a 4-day car-camping trip. Sure, I could go to Target and see what's available, but I thought I'd see if anyone had any specific recommendations. Features? Insulating ability?

We'll be living mostly off the grid for a few days in May, and our little Igloo won't cut it. I need to keep things cold for a couple of days, and I'd like to be able to store hot dogs, butter, etc., without nastifying the melted ice-water. Are there any fancy new options out there? Any features I should look for/avoid? Size isn't really an issue, and I'm prepared to spend whatever I need to. As much as I'd like to use one of those fancy electric ones, that won't be an option, unless I can run it off batteries.

Neat instruments for guitarists

fire&wings — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:44:17 -0800

Guitarist looking for other string instruments to play around on... I recently sold my guitars since I was bored playing them and fed up with the space they were taking up. I'm happy to report that despite having spent 15 years on and off in bands and playing alongside friends I don't really miss them that much.

That said, I do miss having something to hold and idly pick out a melody on while watching tv or relaxing. So I'm looking for suggestions. Small-ish, easy to learn for an experienced guitarist, not extravagantly expensive, different or interesting sound, good for playing around with and playing riffs or little melodies on. I am tempted by the appalachian dulcimer but am open to any suggestions...

Where do you go to escape?

JimmyJames — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:15:21 -0800

Where can I go to escape for a few hours in the Bay Area? I'm searching for Secret spots in the Bay Area. (If you're willing to share) I'm finishing my Senior year and the mental/spiritual exhaustion is setting in. Recently a friend of mine sympathized and took me up a road in the middle of a residential neighborhood, past the duplexes and model homes. We parked the car, and walked up a service road to a secluded overlook of the entire Monterey bay. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.
I'm sure that more of these spots exist. For some reason, checking out of society for half an hour really helped me de-stress. I've found a few kinda similar gems through geo-caching, but I feel that geo caching can be hit or miss.
I would love to know about similar spots in the bay area/ santa cruz area that you have found that help vanquish the doldrums, or ideas on how to find such spots. Not necessarily out looks, but rather places of tranquility close to civilization .
GPS coordinates are welcome, as well as indoor spots that fit the bill. (Flexible is good ie cafe's , tea houses, green houses)
Thanks so much.
(throw me a mefi mail/e mail if your gem is too good to lend to the unwashed masses)

Is it still worth going to the Red Light District in Amsterdam?

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:27:57 -0800

Is it still worth going to the Red Light District in Amsterdam now that it's in the process of being shut down? I've been meaning for years to visit the Red Light District in Amsterdam to patronize the legal prostitution, but never got around to it. I've never actually done it before. Now apparently, half the place is shut down and the other half is going to be shut down "soon." It's going to take a lot of money and planning for me to get there, so I'm reconsidering if I'm going to go at all if it's effectively destroyed or will be by the time I can go.

I've already heard that the atmosphere has changed. What is it really like right now? Have the prices raised because of uncertainty? Is it still worth going? How much longer do I have until it's "gone?" If it's not worth going, where else is worth going?

More info: Adult male, over 30. Location: USA. Likely going alone or with another friend, staying 1-2 weeks.

What's your go-to site for events happening locally in the weeks and months ahead?

mrkinla — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:47:22 -0800

What's the best web site out there for local events going on in your area? New examples of these types of sites pop up every day, so it's hard to keep track of the best of the best, but what are some of MeFi users' favorite sites to take a look at upcoming events of all kinds, including concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, arthouse/revival film showings, etc? I live in Los Angeles, and a cousin of mine recently called me to say, instead of their usual family vacation spot, they would be visiting Southern California for the first time. She was wondering if I could suggest some "things to do" in So Cal during a specific time period (mid-to-late March). Of course, I know the usual things -- Disneyland, places to go shopping, the right beaches -- but I was curiously dumbfounded that, given all I use the web for, I had no "go to" site when it came to what was going on in the coming months in my neck of the woods. LAWeekly.com's calendar seems intent on making you come back again and again, parsing out info on a weekly basis -- I'm thinking of something like yelp.com that may be a combo of professional information as well as user-submitted "things to do/reviews of whether they're worth doing." And searching Google for "things to do in [your area]" seems to only give you paid-linked pages of little worth.

What kind of fun can two people have at the park?

iamisaid — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:29:56 -0800

Other than the usual throwing around the frisbee (or football or baseball), what are some fun recreational activities for two people to amuse themselves with at the local city park? Preferably those that require only a moderate investment in equipment and time. Thanks for encouraging me to get out of the house!

Websites and companies that offer cheap weekly vacation rentals in LA area

dannon205 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:51:10 -0800

What are some good sites or companies to find cheap LA weekly vacation rentals? I'm looking to vacation in the LA area in April for 9 days and 8 nights. I'd be much more comfortable in an apt or small house than I would be in a hotel room. I first started looking at hotels, but even the cheapest hotels in decent neighborhoods come out to about $750. I'd like to pay about $500 (w/ all cleaning fees etc included) for a rental. I don't mind paying a refundable deposit.

I've been looking at craigslist, but about 95% of the rentals are for mansions, mini-mansions, and penthouses in the swankiest parts of town. Are there any good websites or companies that anyone knows of that might have some rentals in my price range that are in decent neighborhoods, but not a bel air mansion? Also, do you guys know of any companies that are willing to negotiate the price?