Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with visit

How to Spend a Weekend in Charlotte?

chatongriffes — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:20:08 -0800

I'm going to be in Charlotte, NC for the weekend of April 21-22 in preparation for a conference. What fun things can I do there? Are there any local MeFites for a meetup? I'll be staying in the Marriott, so things that are walkable or public transitable from there would be best.

I'd love to explore some of the local hidden gems, as well as any other must sees (or must eats!) I'm already going to a Nascar event as part of the conference, but other than that I have no plans. Any recommendations for restaurants or activities would be more than welcome.

Thanks!

How do I make this odd romantic getaway a success?

airguitar2 — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:06:16 -0800

We met when I was there. We dated when I was there. Now he's coming here. And I'm freaking out (a shmear). I started dating a gentleman who lives across the country (I was in his hometown for three weeks for work earlier this year). We dated while I was there. Since I've come home, we've talked and skyped almost every day, and he wants to come visit. I think this is a great idea, as I miss him and want to get to spend more time together. Here's the thing: we've only dated, in the same city, for a couple of weeks. Dinner, movies, etc. Some making out, but no sleepovers. Now we're planning to meet in a large city near where I live and spend 4-5 days together-- and share a hotel room. If it's relevant, we're in our early 30s.

I'm a bit nervous-- what can I do to help make this a success? Sharing a hotel room is fairly intimate for two people who have never even had a sleepover... and 4 days is a lot of togetherness for two people who don't know each other THAT well yet. He doesn't know anyone else in the city, but he's fine with entertaining himself while I go off and see other friends.

I want this to be fun and stress-free. Is possible?

Recommendation for a guided tour in Beijing?

handful of rain — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:59:52 -0800

I have a free day in Beijing in March and am looking for recommendations for a guided tour. Can you help? In March I'll be on a long work trip through India and China, and will find myself with a weekend in Beijing free. For one of the days, a Sunday, I'd really like to see some of the highlights of the city. I've traveled/lived internationally before and usually love to spend a free day in a new city with extensive walking and exploring on my own, but the language factor for me (I speak no Mandarin and have never been to China) is very intimidating. Since this trip is very much a business trip, and I have a one-day respite from work, I'm just hoping to get a glimpse of the surface of Beijing (eg Forbidden City, The Great Wall, maybe a meal someplace) without being overwhelmed by the details and logistics of getting around. My ideal scenario would be find someone who speaks English well enough and can take me around the city in a private car.

A cursory Google search returns some promising hits, but I'd really love personal recommendations (or to tell me why this is a terrible idea, etc). The fact I'm a solo traveler makes my search a little odd, too - although I wouldn't be averse to joining a group tour, I suppose, I'd also be open to paying more for a private one. Thanks in advance for your help!

PS - just to head off the question, I'm trying to avoid asking advice from my Beijing colleagues because I don't want it to be interpreted as "please spend your Sunday away from your family and take me to the Great Wall." Even if they truly would be thrilled to do this, as I'm in the middle of a long work trip I would dearly love to not make work-related small talk for the whole day.

What do I eat, read, see in Vancouver BC?

Dauus — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:01:37 -0800

Traveling to Vancouver BC Jan 3rd to the 7th 2013 - What do I do? What do I eat? Where do I get books? Would love to get personal recommendations from those that have traveled to the city before or who live there now! I will be visiting the great country of Canada and the excellent city of Vancouver on the above mentioned dates. Now I have a couple of questions that I am hoping you can give me some guidance on.

First, I have no clue what do in Vancouver. I love food (and saying that, I love high end dining...money is no object when it comes to what is tasty and good), I love books (more than food!) - I read contemporary philosophy, poetry and want to get into contemporary fiction. I hear that Canada has a GREAT poetry scene but I know nothing about it!
....and I would love to see really interesting and quirky things in your fair city. Finally, any good concerts occurring during my stay that I may not be aware of? I am not that picky - I run the gamut from jazz, hip-hop, house music and rock (just to name some broad categorizations) So, Vancouverites, what do I eat, read and see?

Second, are there any Vancouver MeFites that would like to imbibe a drink or two with me during my stay? Maybe share an afternoon looking at stuff? Maybe come by and browse books with me? If this sounds good, please feel free to pm me!

Also, I will be staying in the downtown Vancouver area so I believe that transportation won't be a problem.

Thanks again for your help!

Help me find an ENT

likeapen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 09:10:41 -0800

I need help finding an ENT physician in the NYC area. I continue getting ear infections and it's about time I see a specialist instead of my primary care physician. I don't have insurance and currently working a part-time, so if you can recommend me one that won't charge me over $200 for a first time visit I would greatly appreciate it.

Birmingham on Christmas Day: options?

Wordshore — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:07:48 -0800

Birmingham, England. Christmas Day. Is *anything* open at all? Looking for places to eat (if possible), and anything to do in terms of entertainment and culture. Ideally near or in the city centre, as public transport will be off and taxi fares exhorbitant. So far, have just got a few chains of Wetherspoon pub, and the occasional corner shop.

Tips for a Winter Trip to LA

foxy_hedgehog — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:01:50 -0800

We're spending the 20th-27th in LA, where I haven't been for almost a decade. Please give us your recommendations for wondrous and strange and delicious things to do, see, and eat! Specs: we are former New Yorkers who would like to do some big city stuff (seeing museums, going to galleries, eating out) with an LA twist, like having fantastic ethnic food in a strip mall and seeing art in some guy's garage in Venice. But we'd also love to go hiking in Topanga or Malibu, so would also appreciate trail recommendations, for example. Plus any good shows and venues, like stand up and music and performance and movies. A lot of the special things I used to know about are gone (the Amok Bookstore, the old Barbarella Bar, Machine Project) and we're eager to learn about new things and places. I've seen the other questions on What to Do In LA but thought there might be some particular new twists to be uncovered.

We are staying in Silverlake so would especially appreciate stuff to do and eat in the 'hood, though since it's LA we are naturally open to driving anywhere!

I wanna go to New York City Cuz they tell me it's the place to be

ricochet biscuit — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:22:51 -0800

Something New-York-esque to do in early March? I will be in NYC for a weekend in early March 2013 (the 1st through the 3rd, if it matters) with a companion and looking for what local mefites might recommend we do. Some Broadway show? Some restaurant we shouldn't miss?

Background: we are a couple of Gen-X Canadian city dwellers. She has been to New York only once, for several days earlier this year; I have been a half-dozen times when I was younger -- most recently about nine or ten years back, but usually lacking either time or money. The obvious touristy things (Empire State Building etc) have been dealt with, and now we are looking for something else. We are not really looking for $300 dinners or noisy live music, but are open to any suggestions. I have seen this previously, but some of it is very summer-specific.

We will be staying on the Upper West Side and are flying home early Sunday afternoon, so it is really Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday we have at our disposal. She is mostly a lurker on MeFi, so a meetup is not something I am trying to engineer but if on happens to be going on that weekend HINT HINT, I am sure we could swing by for a bit.

Perhaps a bit too late to ask...

Trexsock — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:39:46 -0800

Spending tomorrow in Amsterdam with my family. Ideas? We're four adults, ages in between 20 and 49. I've been living in the Netherlands for almost two years but have never visited Amsterdam before nor do I know what to expect. There's one Dutch citizen (born here) with us but he has never visited the city, either. What should we not miss? So far all we've planned is possibly taking a look at the Van Gogh museum... and well, things aren't very defined, thus far.

Help! Less than twelve hours until we leave.

I think your town, despite the smog, is less boring than my town

polymodus — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:25:22 -0800

NYC activities for a (gasp) bridge & tunnel visitor? Would like ideas for activities, sightseeing that might be especially worthwhile or edifying. I have been living within commute distance of NYC, so while I'm familiar with the standard tourist activities, I would like to get to know the city a little better. What are some things I could try that might leave a lasting impression of the city?—actually, this is likely my last summer living in the area, so I'd like to make the best of it. I once bought a Fodor's guidebook, but I figured I would just ask here.

My favorite activities so far have been:
- Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center (but now is off-season for classical music).
- Restaurants. NYC has truly great food, it is foodie heaven. I have been eating all over town, there is just too much! It can get spendy, so I stay on the lookout for cheap/specialty eats as well.
- The Union Square Greenmarket. This fills my inner chef green with envy.
- All the big museums. Favorites are still the MoMa and the Met.
- Shopping, e.g. lots of SoHo. I've also tried Chelsea and East Village for shops, but no success yet.
- Saw a documentary at the International Film Center.
- Running along 11th/12th Ave, The Highline (I was staying at a hotel that time).
- Haircuts. More expensive that in my town, but worth it. I'm due for another haircut this week.
- Strand bookstore. It is like a time vortex in there.

Possibilities:
- Nightlife (bars, clubs). I'm not much of a drinker nor dancer, but the few times I've been have been fun/exciting—for a shy person.
- Shows, performances. This is something I might look into further.
- Walking around neighborhoods (usually dovetail this with my fooding activities)
- Williamsburg, I have never been there. Cloisters. New York Botanical Garden.
- New York Public Library, never been.

I would love more ideas and I'm willing to have my horizons broadened as well. Demographic info: I'm a single, late 20's gay male.

Babe: Nephew in the city

mippy — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:53:11 -0800

My 17yr old nephew is staying with me in London for a few days next month, as I'm taking him to his first gig. He likes graphic design, Jack white and playing guitar. What cool things should he go, see and do? I had my first visit to London in 1998 when I was 16, and grew up in the same small, dull, townie-centric place he's in. Back then, I wanted to go to Tower Records, look at comics in Forbidden Planet, eat at somewhere that wasn't McDonalds and buy some of the hippie crap that appeals to teenagers in Camden.(We also - oh callow youth - thought the Trocadero was AMAZING, if only because I could buy a McDonalds at 9am.) Given the internet and such, I'm not sure record stores are as big a draw and I am not a practicioner of his main interests of drawing or playing guitar. I was thinking about taking him to the Design Museum when we have a day together, and maybe somethign to eat at Taro or Wagamama (no Japanese places where he lives so it would be a nice experience) but I was more thinking of shops or places I could give him a list of along with an A-Z.

So far I was thinking of sendign him to Cass Art or the London Graphic Centre (there is no art shop in his town, despite there being 100k people there) and the record/book exchanges in Notting Hill, and maybe Portobello or Camden, as even though I've become jaded and cynical it will seem impossibly cool to a first-time teenage visitor. Or will it? He's a huge indie fan so I wonder where the rock tourist hangout is these days.

My other thought was somewhere like Brick Lane or Covent Garden, just because it's busy and there are vintage clothes stores about (his town has no vintage scene - my college friend dressed entirely in 1960s clothing and got constantly verbally abused on the street for it - but he's whippet thin and would probably dig it) and lots of interesting stores and atmosphere - and the National Gallery is nearby as well. Or maybe the South Bank? He's a bright kid and interested in politics and books and news, but I don't think the historical side of London appeals much.

Where would you want to go if you were in his shoes? Bonus points if it's cheap or free, as well. He's pretty independent, but from my memories of coming to the big city on my own, he might not feel totally comfortable going to eat in cafes on his own or anywhere that feels fancy or out of place, so nowhere that feels particularly elitist or inaccessible either.

One week, one small home, two families. Help an irritable introvert cope?

Eolienne — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:58:07 -0800

Husband's family is coming to town, yay! They're asking if we can put them up for a week, eek! Small home, two bedrooms, four adults, three children. I'm an introvert and homebody in the extreme; have anxiety and, lately, irritability issues; and I don't know if or how I can cope with this. Help me make this possible. I adore these people. As two couples, we lived together with them pre-children for a year or so, and while I did feel the need for more personal space, we were very comfortable overall.

The problem mainly lies with the kids, I guess. We have a 6-year-old, and it's a daily stretch to cope with the constant demand on my time and attention, particularly during the summer break. While I love my girl to pieces, I don't enjoy being around other people's kids. I am especially uncomfortable being responsible for anybody else's child in any way. They have two children: one preschooler, and one about our little girl's age.

I've been struggling with anxiety and irritability. I've only recently gotten to the point where I feel like I'm acting like a decent human. I still have to walk away on a regular basis to give myself some breathing room to calm down. I take an hour each afternoon for "alone time." It feels like a midday lifeline.

Having so many people, and particularly young children, in such a cramped space would wear on me far more than everyday mothering. I don't feel like I'll have the option to take my hour of alone time (which honestly, I doubt would make a dent in this circumstance), because it will mean leaving my girl in their supervision (she normally is by herself doing her own thing), and I'm not okay placing that burden on them, as I would not like to feel obliged to reciprocate with child care. I feel like this is unreasonable on my part.

They're very active, and I'll feel obligated to hitch my wagon to that. I expect they'll be out doing things and visiting the beach daily, and it would be absolutely unfair to say to my daughter, "No, you have to stay home/go grocery shopping/read with me today instead of going out and doing great things at the beach/funplace with your new friends." We have regular activities scheduled throughout our days, but for me that's very different from direct socializing.

I feel like an utter princess about this whole thing, and it's compounded by the fact that I'm not going with my husband and our daughter to his family's reunion just before this. (It's over 700 miles away, I'd be in pain and minimally functional the entire time, and far more a burden than a help. Husband and I both felt like it would be the easiest option for both of us, but I feel tremendous shame over it.)

They don't have much money, and we live in a location where hotels are expensive. I don't feel like I can say no. Please help. What are my options? What can I do to cope?

(Please don't get me wrong. I'm very excited to have them here, and I look forward to spending time with them. I'm just worried I'm going to have a meltdown when faced with the scale of it over several days.)

Hidden Gems in Sprawl City

sandmanwv — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:56:29 -0800

You live or have visited a stereotypical, non-walkable, sprawling American city (or region). What are the urban streets (or neighborhoods) that are particularly beautiful, have mixed uses, sidewalks, and buildings close to the street (any combination of the above)? What's a good way to figure out where these places are? (Without going here or searching city-data?) Something that wouldn't be out of place in Chicago, Boston or DC. A hidden (or not hidden) gem. If it has row-houses, even better!

I'm talking about large cities in the Sunbelt that have mostly grown in the post WWII era, or suburbs of older cities. I love spending time on Google Street View.

New art in Helsinki

kalapierson — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:27:37 -0800

In Helsinki: your favorite contemporary art galleries? This winter, I'll have two daytime layovers in Helsinki (each with about 5 real hours in the city, after transit margins).

I'm looking for any personal recommendations of contemporary art galleries. All forms of art are great for me, and especially interesting would be galleries with any focus on video/media/sound art. Clearly I should visit Kiasma, but beyond that...?

(Also very welcome: ideas about any interesting vegetarian-friendly food in Helsinki [no meat or fish, yes dairy and eggs].)

Goodbye and goodnight

momus_window — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:15:16 -0800

How to have a good last visit with a sick relative. She will recognize me, but her memory is pretty shot beyond that. I'll be spending a few days visiting family to have a last visit with a relative on hospice. I've been finding it increasingly hard to carry on phone conversations with her, because she's tired and very confused/forgetful (doesn't know what day of the week it is, remembering a major life event differently from how it happened, losing her politeness filter, cognitive damage generally). I last saw her at Christmas, and she moved into a retirement home shortly after that. How can I make this a comforting and pleasant visit for her? I'm thinking I'll talk about fun things we did together when I was a child, for starters. Pictures of us? Just sitting?

I would also like to make something to leave with her, I'm thinking perhaps a soft toy or little sewn/knitted something. We used to sew and knit together, but she is too ill to do so now.

Bonus: How to help the other relatives during this time beyond cleaning/cooking/errands and being a willing ear?

Cheap Dermatologist Visit

likeapen — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:35:41 -0800

I am unemployed, living in New York City, with no health insurance and need to see a dermatologist. I can't afford a $250 visit. Does anyone know of a (cheap) dermatologist I could see?

I can't bring sunshine - what else?

ablazingsaddle — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:28:16 -0800

I'm visiting an old friend in Seattle this weekend, and I would like to bring her a little something. What would be a good gift to bring from Los Angeles? My friend is not very girly, so soap/other girly things won't really work. She's a bit of a hippie and not very materialistic, and really hard to shop for.

Oh, and another caveat: I'm leaving tomorrow morning, and I'm working today. What can buy tonight? Good LA specific baked goods? Some kind of booze?

Help two seniors enjoy the pleasures of Paris

foxy_hedgehog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:19:28 -0800

Seniors in Paris! My super thrifty seventy-something parents are going to Paris for a week. Help them figure out what and where to see, do, eat, and stroll during their visit. The last time they were there was in 1997, when we went as a family. This time they'll be on their own. They rarely travel so it will be a special occasion.

They'll no doubt make the Paris Greatest Hits museum visits, but I'm wondering if you can give some ProTips on other gems, neighborhoods to walk in, affordable places to eat good food. I'm thinking special streets or mercantile districts with shops and little places to explore that won't be too much of a trek for them (they will be staying in an apartment in the Marais).

Bonus points for suggestions that appeal to their inner cheapskate. They move a little slowly and tend to tire easily (so long journeys on the Metro are probably not a great idea) but otherwise their mobility is not especially limited.

Thanks! I will monitor the thread if you have any questions.

Hospital Visits Can Be Fun, Right?

Philby — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:28:13 -0800

My girlfriend is going to be spending the next week in hospital- nothing too serious, but definitely a little frightening!- and I want to spend a lot of time hanging out with her, looking after her and making a boring time a little bit fun. What are some things we can do to pass the long hours? Mostly she'll just be sitting in bed on a drip in between doctors coming by humming and hawing. She'll be there for a week, and I'll be able to spend the afternoons and evenings with her.. what simple things can we do together to help the time pass?

What to do in Baltimore (Inner Harbor) in late September?

jacindahb — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:05:07 -0800

I am looking for things to do that are unique to Baltimore, preferably walking distance (or public transportation accessible) from the Inner Harbor area. I like weird, kitschy, gothic, silly stuff. I enjoy the works of Edgar Allan Poe and John Waters. I have no dietary restrictions so bring on the food recommendations. I already plan to visit the American Visionary Art Museum and grab food at Cafe Hon and Helmands. Anything else off-the beaten path? I will be staying in the Inner Harbor for a week at the end of September (9/16-9/21) for work. I will have some down time Friday night - Saturday evening and mid-day Sunday.

Visiting during Ramadan...good idea?

xm — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:43:29 -0800

I am thinking of visiting a friend for 2-3 days during the month of Ramadan. My friend may or may not fast this time. Is it bad manners to visit during this time? What are the things that I should and shouldn't do while I am there, if I decide to go? (And no, visiting any other time of the year or the next year may be out of the question. We are meeting after 17 years) Should I bring something over with me? (I will be flying there) Thanks all!

The dork tour of Manchester?

The Whelk — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:42:57 -0800

I haven't been to Manchester, UK in like ten years, what's changed and what should I do? Revisiting Manchester after a long time away, have the big tourist spots been upgraded, changed, demolished in any significant way to warrant another look? Best new performance venues or exciting restraunts or uttery strange, wonderful stuff you have to see?

We're two guys who like walking, quietish pubs, novel food, Hewlett and science ( massive engineering works are a plus ) and homosexual bonhomie.

California Gurls.

brynna — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:46:48 -0800

San Francisco to San Francisco in 7 days. 'm a California native - lived in the Bay, the Inland Empire, Orange County, Sacramento and San Diego during my 22 years here.

HOWEVER, I'm stumped: a good friend is visiting from DC and has never visited the state before. She's flying into San Francisco on June 22 and flying out of San Francisco on June 29th. We have no other restrictions/places to be.

How can I give her the grand tour? What are the most important, quintessential California things to see? I'm considering driving down the coast to show her the diversity.

Right now, I'm thinking places like Chinatown in San Francisco, driving along PCH, Venice Beach and fish tacos in San Diego are all essential Calfornia viewing for a first-timer, but I'm overwhelmed in planning this. Suggestions?

Bonus points: Should we take the train or drive down the coast?

I want to be a part of it... Grenoble!

ddaavviidd — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:19:54 -0800

Sell me Grenoble! I will be in Grenoble for five days, and if I like it enough, I might return for a year or two... Later this month I will visit Grenoble for holidays but also to see if I like the city, since I may have an opportunity to come back for some paid research work. Basically if you live(d) there, what are the places I should visit? They don't have to be touristy, I'd just like to get a feel for places I might live in, shop at or visit if I came back for a longer time. For this trip I'll have a car for 3 days. And I speak French.
I love the outdoors (hiking mostly, snowboarding too), have 2 young kids, I love coffee, markets, libraries, used books stores, that kind of thing. Tell me your secret treasures, neighborhoods, or parks, which can be in or around Grenoble. If I live there, I'll definitely commute by public transportation.

I can already smell the bay air...

supercres — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:26:24 -0800

The wife and I are heading to San Francisco for a conference this weekend taking place at the Embarcadero Hyatt. My question is a two-parter: (a) Where in the vicinity should we go for breakfast, lunch etc. on our relatively-short breaks? and (b) After things wind down for the day, where should we explore? More criteria to follow. I've seen a lot of the previous visiting-SF questions, as well as the wiki section, but I figured it was worth the additional insight to ask another, given the semi-structuredness of our trip. I'd appreciate any "Previous" links I might have missed though, especially those applicable to our schedule or area.

Our hotel (also the site of the conference) is here, very close to the Embarcadero BART station. We arrive Friday night and leave Tuesday night. Things we'd like to eat/see/do:

1) Breakfast and/or lunch spots in the area that we could likely get in and out of within an hour. Willing to walk, especially to escape fellow conference-goers. Is there a lot of street food in the area?

2) Possibly overlapping with (1)-- burritos. I hear great things. From previous questions, it sounds like we'd have to hoof it down to the Mission, and everyone has his own favorite.

3) Again, possibly overlapping-- seafood. Here, we'd prefer a restaurant featuring fresh and local in a more casual atmosphere. I know Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, but I went there a long time ago and I seem to remember small seafood storefronts. Are they up to par in terms of quality, or are we better off elsewhere? Swan Oyster Depot sounds like a winner, if a bit hectic/expensive; anywhere else?

4) Beer. There's a Rogue-branded pub on Washington Square, which sounds intriguing. We'd also be down for brewery tours, or just beer bars with great pub-food menus.

5) Outdoorsy stuff. What's the best balance of natural wonder and proximity to the city? I've been to Muir Woods, but it was like ten years ago.

Again, everything but (1) can be anywhere in the city, as long as it's walkable inside an hour, or accessible via BART. Our plan was to walk whenever possible; are there good places to walk around? Places that we should avoid walking around? This mostly applies to evenings (after 5-6), since we'll be doing conference stuff during the day.

Thanks!