Travel / Vacation thread

[IrishinTN]

Is that the Wyndham Resort? We stayed there with one of our kids and his family about 5 years ago. Very nice accommodations.

No, this is the one with the huge indoor water park and two or three outdoor water parks.

 

[Irish#1]

We have been to Gatlinburg at least 20 times and Cade's Cove 10 and have not once seen a bear in the wild. My wife gets angrier and angrier every time we go. lol.

I'll hit you up the next time we go. You can tag along! lol

Back in the 60's when I was a pup, we'd vacation and camp at Cades Cove. Pretty much every night you could count on a bear or two to be sniffing around your tent at night.

 

[irishnd31]

Is that the Wyndham Resort? We stayed there with one of our kids and his family about 5 years ago. Very nice accommodations.

Yes. We are really looking forward to it.

 

[irishnd31]

We go there 1-2 times a year. absolutely love it. Stayed at the Great Smoky lodge before. It is a ways from Gatlinburg so if you take a trip or two there, use the bypass if you leave from the hotel after 4:00 at night. Traffic is always a nightmare, but stay calm. Thats just how it is until you find a place to park.

For Pigeon Forge, Quaker Steak and Lube is a great restaurant. The Seafood Buffet at the end of Pigeon Forge is actually pretty nice too. If you like mini-Golf, Lost Treasure Golf is one of our favorites. For your age kids, you also might like the Magicquest and The Island. Lots to do there.

Go tubing with Smoky Mountain River Rat. Its a nice long float and not expensive. We usually go down the river twice (you can go all day) and pack our own lunch.

In Gatlinburg, get there on teh early side and walk the strip. There are so many things to see and do there it will take at least one night like the Sky Lift is fun if they can get it repaired in time. Od Town Square is one of our favorite mini-golfs here. Ober Gatlinburg is another place with a lot to see and do. At least a few hours to do this. The biggest Must Do in Gatlinburg is the Ripleys Aquarium. If you do nothing else, go there.

Also, there are fantastic hiking trails all over the Smoky Mountain State Park. If you want one that is a nice, short hike (but a hard climb and easy descent) try Clingman's dome. It has a pretty neat tower at teh top that lets you see for miles.

And since you have time, take a day to check out Cades Cove. Its a nice mountain drive and if you are lucky you will see a bunch of deer. Rarely any bear but you could get really lucky there. Plus they also have some cool side trails to get out and take a hike on if you want.

Any way, that is more than you wanted no doubt, but pm me if you have questions. I'll be happy to help.

Really appreciate the info pal. I will be sure to shoot you a message when the time gets closer. Would love to hear more about good times to travel and get from place to place and I hear traffic is bad but manageable if you are smart about what times to go to your desired spot. Looking forward to Dollywood and seeing her huge jugs all over the place. Since you're in TN, Ill meet you out there for beer and dear. LOL. Thanks again.

 

[Cackalacky]

IDK if already posted but Gatlinburg got hit hard with wildfires a few months back. Not sure what is available or open. I would definitely check or call beforehand.

 

[texbender]

Very nice. Going with the wife/girlfriend? When I was stationed at NAS Barber's Point (Oahu), my girlfriend and I went to Kauai for a long weekend. It's fantastic if you are with a significant other, but there isn't much nightlife for singles.

Going with wife, be there on Valentine's Day.

Looking forward to a helicopter tour and North Shore boat tour with snorkeling. We're pretty easy going, happy to just drive around, a little hiking, enjoying sunrises and sunsets.

 

[irishnd31]

IDK if already posted but Gatlinburg got hit hard with wildfires a few months back. Not sure what is available or open. I would definitely check or call beforehand.

Yeah, I saw that. When I looked at a site to see what was affected, it seems that a few resorts, chapels, and Hillbilly golf were damaged/ destroyed. Sounds like everything else is a go. My heart went out to those who lost their homes/ businesses/ livelihood. That was such a shame but seems like a pretty strong community.

 

[kmoose]

Going with wife, be there on Valentine's Day.

Looking forward to a helicopter tour and North Shore boat tour with snorkeling. We're pretty easy going, happy to just drive around, a little hiking, enjoying sunrises and sunsets.

I think you'll love it, then. It's not like there is nothing, but I was a mid-20s year old sailor at the time, so I wasn't happy unless I was upholding the highest traditions of Naval Service (drinking, fighting, fvcking) every night!

 

[IrishinTN]

IDK if already posted but Gatlinburg got hit hard with wildfires a few months back. Not sure what is available or open. I would definitely check or call beforehand.

Things are actually not bad for the vacation spots. My friend went two weeks after the fires and he said everything was getting back to normal. There are a lot of comminities that will need to rebuild and some great places like Hillbilly Golf that are gone, but most of it remains in tact.

 

[texbender]

I think you'll love it, then. It's not like there is nothing, but I was a mid-20s year old sailor at the time, so I wasn't happy unless I was upholding the highest traditions of Naval Service (drinking, fighting, fvcking) every night!

Definitely looking forward to it. And 4 days upon return to Dallas, heading south to South Padre Island for 4 more days at the beach. Probably take in some bay fishing. Not a bad place if the weather is right, pretty quiet and laid back, but not the place to be once college Spring Break arrives.

 

[Cackalacky]

Things are actually not bad for the vacation spots. My friend went two weeks after the fires and he said everything was getting back to normal. There are a lot of comminities that will need to rebuild and some great places like Hillbilly Golf that are gone, but most of it remains in tact.

That good. My sister lives in Knoxville and said it was kind of bad in that area.

 

[Blazers46]

I will driving I10 from Las Cruces, NM to Florida. Any good spots to stop? Ill be with my wife and 3 kids under 7.

 

[865IrishFan]

That good. My sister lives in Knoxville and said it was kind of bad in that area.

I'm in Knoxville now, The people that work and live in the Gatlinburg/Sevier County area and wanting to see more and more tourist to help keep the businesses alive and running well. The best thing going is the tourism for that area.

 

[NDohio]

Heading to Boston in the AM for a couple of days. Not looking forward to being in that town after the Pats win another Super Bowl. They are going to be unbearable.

Go Falcons - please!

 

[koonja]

So none of you MF's have been to Riviera Maya area in Mexico?

 

[calvegas04]

So none of you MF's have been to Riviera Maya area in Mexico?

TripAdvisor.com. will give you everything you need to know about it

 

[Ndaccountant]

Heading to Boston in the AM for a couple of days. Not looking forward to being in that town after the Pats win another Super Bowl. They are going to be unbearable.

Go Falcons - please!

I was in Boston for a wedding when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011. It was a game 7 and the place was nuts for the whole weekend. I loved it and I really cannot stand Boston fans.

 

[NDohio]

I was in Boston for a wedding when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011. It was a game 7 and the place was nuts for the whole weekend. I loved it and I really cannot stand Boston fans.

Yeah, it will be a cool experience and I will enjoy the spectacle. But it's the Pats...

 

[Irish#1]

So none of you MF's have been to Riviera Maya area in Mexico?

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[865IrishFan]

Ill be heading out to Vegas March 12th-17th for March Madness for the 4th year in a row, the group I go with has continued to get bigger and bigger. Is anyone else going to be out there?

 

[NorthDakota]

Going to NYC over Presidents Day. Last year we hit the typical places, World Trade Center, Trump Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, central park, Bankee Stadium.

This year plan on hitting the Met, Empire State building, any suggestions??

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm about 70% sure I'm going to Rome in September now. Damn it.

 

[dshans]

Going to NYC over Presidents Day. Last year we hit the typical places, World Trade Center, Trump Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, central park, Bankee Stadium.

This year plan on hitting the Met, Empire State building, any suggestions??

Consider the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

Check to see if they're open, though.

The Donald may have issued an executive order to have them closed.


While in the neighborhood a stop at John's Pizza on Bleeker Street would be worthwhile.

 

[phork]

Just got back from Barbados. Would definitely go back. Fantastic island and the locals were very friendly. Best part is I didn't feel like a tourist getting jacked for cash around every corner. Local bars had 4 bottles of beer for $10 barbados dollars ($5US).

 

[BGIF]

Going to NYC over Presidents Day. Last year we hit the typical places, World Trade Center, Trump Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, central park, Bankee Stadium.

This year plan on hitting the Met, Empire State building, any suggestions??

I used to recommend people go to the Twin Towers, Windows on the World shortly before sunset. Great view of sunset looking west, then quickly slide over to east side of building to watch the lights turn on out in Long Island from east to west, then Queens, Brooklyn light up, then Manhattan. Broadway is fantastic when it explodes in lights vertically, north and south, then slide back to the west side and catch NJ across the Hudson lighting up.

Cost was regular admission charge. If you bought a drink and hung on to the glass you could linger for a long time up there on the cheap.

You can do the same thing from any of the buildings, like the Empire State, with an observation deck. "30 Rock", 30 Rockefeller Plaza, formerly the RCA Building has a great art deco decor worth seeing. Outstanding. They also have a observation deck, "Top of the Rock".

Museum wise, I like the Frick, it a smaller museum, in the former home of Henry Frick, steel magnate who was Carnegie's CEO and strongman. You can get a glimpse how the wealthy and powerful lived in the "old days" of the 19th century. It houses his personal art collection. I'ts on East 70th St, a short walk from The Plaza. On a side note Frick is the guy responsible for the Johnstown Flood. Frick and "friends" bought a former reservoir with dam as a private hunting and fishing club. Frick's carriage was too wide to drive on the tapered top of the dam, so he had the manager lower the crest (height) of the dam to make the road atop the dam wider. Heavy rains overtopped the lowered dam causing the dam to fail and 2,200 hundreds of people to die.

Dinner wise my wife and I like to eat at the River Cafe, under the Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn. The restaurant is on a barge in the East River with a spectacular view of Manhattan. If you get there early you can get a drink and watch the Manhattan sunset. Dinner is fixed price. $100 for 3 course meal, $135 for 6 course. Good food and atmosphere. If you like chocolate, have the Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge for dessert. Booze is extra. If you get to River Cafe early there's a park next to it with a horse carousel. Don't know the hours of operation.

If you had ancestors come through Ellis Island, it's a special trip. You tour the old buildings where the newcomers queued, got examined, and processed. They also have computers to research your family. Bringing names, DOB, etc speeds your process. For Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island you can get reserve tickets to avoid the long waiting lines.

Another activity when it's warm, is a late in the day/evening ride on the Staten Island ferry. Great view of the harbor, battery, Statue of Liberty, and NY skyline. Busy during rush hour. Mostly empty during the evening. We've done it after dinner. Also did it in winter ... it's cold.

If you looking for a hotel, take a look at the Salisbury on West 57th, nice rooms at reasonable rates. Not fancy and NOT $$$$. We stayed there for a wedding. Convenient location to see NYC. Had breakfast there, all over meals were out on the town.

If you're Irish (or not) get a beer at McSorley's Old Ale House on East 7th St. Oldest pub in NYC. Still has sawdust on the floor.

 

[dublinirish]

Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park is worth a visit too IMO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Hunger_Memorial

 

[BGIF]

Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park is worth a visit too IMO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Hunger_Memorial

Was not aware of this. Thanks.

 

[dublinirish]

Was not aware of this. Thanks.

no worries, it's always on my list when i visit NYC, a little piece of home
I just read that it's been closed for refurb this winter but will reopen in the spring.

 

[koonja]

I've never held a professional camera that wasn't attached by a cord to the store selling it, but am looking to rent one for the week I'll be on vacation. Any one ever rent a camera? If you had a good experience, who did you go through?

No video capabilities needed, just want to take pictures of better quality than my cell phone.

 

[calvegas04]

I've never held a professional camera that wasn't attached by a cord to the store selling it, but am looking to rent one for the week I'll be on vacation. Any one ever rent a camera? If you had a good experience, who did you go through?

No video capabilities needed, just want to take pictures of better quality than my cell phone.

buy one, it is worth it