Hello all,

We've booked our latest vacation and it's to the three cities above (we decided on US again, but three cities we've not visited before).

Last year, a number of you gave us great tips for Chicago and Seattle. So wondering if we could have some ideas of things to do and places to see on this year's trip. Usual touristy stuff is fine (as first time visitors) or if you've any tips of stuff that tourists often miss, those would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance ...

L

San Diego

Being a native sometimes mean not keeping up on all the touristy things, but this is a tourist town and there is so much to do it'll make your head spin. One of my personal favorite must see first-time visitor spots is Balboa Park. The museums, Old Globe theatre, Botanical Building, the gardens, the old historical buildings, the Zoo.

http://balboapark.org/

That's just the tip of the iceberg. You have the beaches, desert and mountains to choose from. The weather's usually warm this time of year. But there can be overcast days, so bring a sweater just in case. It's a casual city, with casual people.
[Edited 6/27/08 13:49pm]

One of my favorite things in San Diego is the incredible beauty of Cabrillo National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/cabr/). It's breathtaking and it doesn't get the attention that other touristy places in San Diego get. The lighthouse is great, and you can still see the pillboxes left over from World War II on the site. It's a gorgeous place.

Other touristy spots worth seeing in SD are La Jolla Cove, Old Town, and Seaport Village. And of course there's Seaworld and Petco Park.

A kind of fun community to see is Ocean Beach, which is a little bit ghetto but also cool, with a laidback hippy vibe. You can walk on the longest concrete pier on the west coast in OB and then go enjoy fish tacos at South Beach restaurant nearby.

My favorite restaurant in SD is Parallel 33 (http://www.parallel33sd.com/), which can be a little pricey but is excellent. The menu combines things from places around the world that are all on the 33rd parallel, which is an interesting idea.

Thanks morningsong and Efan. Really appreciate the tips. We're staying at the Kimpton Hotel (Solamar), very close to Petco Park, and we may well go and see the Padres while we're in town. The other tips are great, and be assured we'll definitely use these.

For Denver, we're staying at Hampton Inns and Suites. The only thing we've already booked is a game at Coors Field. I understand a trip to the mountains is a must, so any tips on this (organised tour / care rental etc) would be great.

And for Philadelphia, we're staying at Latham Hotel. We don't yet have anything organised for that stop.

Thanks again folks ...

L

Me again

Less than four weeks until our trip. Plenty of thoughts for San Diego from efan and morningsong.

Still looking for some tips for Denver and Philadelphia. Any natives, or frequent visitors, able to help?

Thanks a lot ...

L

Levi said:

Go to Pikes Peak

http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/

enjoy

Mach said:

Pikes Peak is very nice...it's in Colorado Springs, which isn't a very far drive from Denver. If you do decide to take a trip to the Springs...you could also visit the Air Force Academy, the Colorado Springs zoo, Cave of the Winds, and Royal Gorge! I go to the Springs almost every summer, my grandbaby's Great Grandmother lives there.

As for Denver, Downtown Aquarium, or the Natural History Museum (awesome place, loved going as a kid) Elitchs (which is an amusment park, another place I loved going as a child),the Molly Brown House Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art! (also loved as a child)

Not to mention all the hiking, zoos, and just finding those small shops in Denver. I hope you have a great time!

MoniGram said:

My brother(s) lives(ed) in the springs and both worked at The AFA

I love Colorado though not as much as Montana

I have been to all 3!! Denver is a nice city but I would also include a 45 minute north drive to Colorado Springs also!! San Diego was overrated in my opinion but be sure you do the zoo!! one good thing about philly is it is 25 minutes west of Atlantic City!!

Mach said:

I love going to the AFA!! The chapel there is so beautiful!!!

in SD i would say the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Cabrillo National Monuement, the historical trolly ride in downtown, Mission San Diego de Alcala the birthplace of California, balboa park, la jolla cove, scripps aquarium, SeaWorld, Mission Beach/Bay, and should be enough for the first trip.

Efan said:

old town makes me sick...

I'm going to SanDiego on the 18th!

Here is what we figure we will do:

Zoo, Museums, Golf, Beach...maybe Sea World

And hopefully Disney.

We bought this, hope it's worth it:
http://www.gosandiegocard.com/

Oh and if you go to Philly you HAVE to eat here:

http://travel.yahoo.com/p...ern_cafe-i


Omg....

Sweeny79 said:

the zoo and the museums are in my neck of the woods

MoniGram said:

Yes it is