Jones Beach on Long Island, NY
One of the suggestions given for a topic was by John W. Howell, author of My GRL. He wanted to know about my summers on the east coast. I did summer camp, a few vacations that took me away from the coast, and other things that don’t really strike me as interesting. The reason is because I live here. That makes it hard for me to go on about Long Island and the fun I personally had. Sure, I loved the Bronx Zoo and the Aquarium and tolerated the beaches where crabs were always out to get me. Sand gets everywhere and it’s uncomfortable after a while.
I remember this happening in Florida too. Being from New York, the tourist areas still held an appeal. Disney World, Sea World, Animal Kingdom, and all the other places that drive people to fly down to the heat. Yet whenever I talked to a local about it, there was no sense of wonder. Disney World to them was what so many things in New York were to me. Simply there and an option for fun if you felt like paying for it. This is why you might feel like a tourist for a few years after moving.
Now, here is what I would recommend to people visiting the Long Island/NYC area:
- Bronx Zoo is a must for animal lovers.
- Coney Island Aquarium for the same reason and find the original Nathan’s nearby. There’s also the amusement park.
- Beaches. Take your pick.
- Fishing if you’re into it and can afford it.
- Wineries are out in the east, but I haven’t been there yet. I tended to go north to the Finger Lakes for that.
- New York City has a ton of museums, but my favorite is the Museum of Natural History because it has dinosaurs.
- Take in a Broadway show if you want. I went to say Le Miserables when I was younger . . . I should say I was dragged to see it because I’m not a fan of musicals.
- Try the pizza. Try the bagels.
- Go to a park on Long Island and relax. We’re the suburbs, so there’s a lot of places to bum around.
- Sure there are some historical sites if you’re into that stuff.
That’s all I can think of. So, what would you suggest in your area?
Legends of Windemere 
I have always loved the East. I’ve done all these and they are good suggestions. My area? Beach, fish, margarita. Thanks for the pingback
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You’re welcome. I like the simplicity of your area. Though I think you’re missing a margarita between beach and fish. 😉
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to go Charles. You get one to go
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I’ll take two. I have two hands and it isn’t like I’ll be driving.
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Thanks for the suggestions. They sound like a lot of fun. (-:
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I’m sure I missed things too. Always depends on a person’s interests.
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Thanks for the suggestions. If I went to NY, I would favor going out to the suburbs and visit some historical sites.
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There isn’t much to do around the suburbs. You’d probably be better off going to the forks where there are more activities and sites. At least I can’t think of much you could do around here.
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These are all great suggestions, but you don’t really have me convienced to check out all the historical spots. Haha.
In Houston:
Johnson Space Center
Beach
…that can’t possibly be it.
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I think most areas try to sell themselves on the food. Seems to be the safest bet.
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Yes, I agree. The food here in Houston is fantastic.
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What’s the local specialty?
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I would say it has to be the fresh tex-mex. Original flavors of fresh produce surrounding chicken or steak. Some of the best food I’ve ever had. The best barbecue is also a favorite debate among the locals.
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I’ve heard a lot of places claim the best BBQ. Though I’m sure you guys have the north beat on Tex-Mex.
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I spent too much time in the midwest this summer looking for good mexican food. Doesn’t exsist there, this I know for sure.
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Sounds like me hunting for New York style pizza in Florida.
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Yes, exactly! 🙂
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I used to live in San Francisco, a city that everyone wants to visit. Then moved to Tallahassee, a city nobody wants to visit. At least none of my West Coast friends. Can’t imagine why. I mean, we have Barnes & Noble, Chipotle, lots of Subways, and a state capital building that looks like an erect penis and two testicles (http://eggplantfsu.com/post/75098347730/gov-rick-scott-admits-florida-capitol-building-meant). What’s not to like? For my family, it’s a little less country than our origins, but not citified enough to be entertaining. While my husband and I might be happy hiking in in the various parks, canoeing on the many rivers, and looking out for the booming population of alligators, our visitors inevitably head toward Orlando. Sometimes they bypass us altogether 😉
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I lived near Orlando for 4 years and I never thought about going to Tallahassee. Funny how most capital cities get ignored. I’d be scared to go near those gators.
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Every so often there’s talk about moving the state capital to Orlando. I wish they would.
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Sometimes it’s better for the capital to be smaller and not a tourist mecca. Means the politicians can focus more on important stuff than the amusement parks.
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I can’t say that being in Tallahassee makes the pols focus on more important stuff. There’s still plenty of “amusement” they find here 😉
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I’m guessing either drag racing or hookers from the quotes.
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They amuse themselves by taking from the poor and giving to themselves. It’s like the demons really did take over 😉
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Some days I think I’d prefer demons. You kind of expect this stuff from them, not humans.
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I agree. I might even prefer having Crowley as governor 😉
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All I’m thinking of is a character from the series ‘Supernatural’. Crossroads Demon that has taken over Hell and is more shrewd businessman than monster. Hard to explain really, but he’s one of my favorite characters.
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That’s Crowley. One of those characters you love to hate. Last season they brought up his human side for awhile, complicating the character in the best way.
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I’ve been rather lax in my TV watching, so I haven’t seen it yet. I heard he was getting a lot of development though.
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He was. And his role in the series seems to be on a par with Castiel now. The tenth season starts in October. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been watching Supernatural for 10 years. Usually the TV shows we really like get canceled within the first season.
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Same here. Ten seasons seems to be more for crime dramas than paranormal series.
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Wish I’d had this list last year. Will try to remember for next time.
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Did you find anything fun last year? Hard to be too bored on a NYC vacation.
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Lyndhurst Castle was really scenic, and quite a contrast to the other biggie—experiencing Manhattan.
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Yeah. Sightseeing in Manhattan can be rough.
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I recently visited LA, where I grew up, and had a similar culture clash. Of course I wanted to go to Disneyland, mostly out of nostalgia. We always went there for birthdays, back when it only cost a finger to get in, not the whole arm and leg… It was great to take my daughter there for her birthday, with some help from my Dad.
We also visited LA’s Museum of Natural History and had an even better time there. We walked right up to everything we wanted to see, no lines and no reservations except the butterfly pavilion. There were dinosaurs, and fossil mammals, and those dioramas with taxidermied animals. It was all indoors and air conditioned!
But the most memorable thing about my visit was a mockingbird that sang non-stop outside our house. Something very simple, in other words. And you mention people fishing “if they can afford it,” so I’d recommend looking for state and national parks where activities like that may be more affordable.
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Museums always seem to be a safe bet for short lines. Glad you had fun. Not always easy going home.
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