One Fine Day

Travel planning has somewhat consumed me this weekend, and, I've inevitably run across the New York Times travel series, "36 Hours In [Insert Place Here]." Its a good concept, for those traveling throughout a region or country, who only have time to hit a particular area's high points. Those snooty-snoots' execution, however, leaves something to be desired. They tend to write about places that ordinary schmoes, like the guy in the photo, aren't likely to visit. You know, "36 Hours in St. Tropez." "36 Hours in Ibiza." "36 Hours in Cinque Terre." They give helpful hints on where to rent a Ferrari, what to do after leaving Van Cleef and Arpels, where to store your fur coat, and how to get a good butler for the day. They always throw in a whimsical nod to a quaint local establishment, like where to find a really good "patisserie" for afternoon tea. But there's never a "36 Hours in Houston." In other words, stuff that isn't really going to help THIS guy. Not that anything is really going to help this guy. But you know what I mean. Right?

So in reflecting on my various travels, I've come up with some things to do in various places that MY people might actually go (congratulations, I now own you). Naturally, its geared toward things I would do on a vacation day, which essentially consists of getting in a morning walk or run, seeing some sights, and going to a nice dinner. If you're hoping to find the best place to lay on the beach all day or attend an existential poetry reading, you may as well move on.

This doubles nicely as a "day off" strategy. Head into the city, find some six year olds to hold hands with as you tour the museum, wear your beret, and find a really cool parade.

Interested in your feedback. How would YOU spend the day?

Seattle

Run the Burke-Gilman Trail, which starts in Kirkland, runs through the UW area, passes I-5 over into Wallingford. Head on over to the Pike Place Public Market for breakfast/lunch. They throw fish over there you know, and you can see the original Starbucks. Yawn. Then walk around downtown towards Pioneer Square. Duck in to the really cool Elliot Bay Bookstore. Take the somewhat touristy Seattle Underground tour. Go back to your hotel and get cleaned up, then have dinner at Wild Ginger.

Chicago

Naturally, if you have the means, I highly recommend that you "borrow" Cameron's Dad's 1961 Ferrari GT250 California Spyder, and sing Twist and Shout at the German-American Parade. That's probably a little unrealistic though. Instead, I recommend that you get a run or walk on the trail running along Lakeshore Drive by Lake Michigan, on up to the fantastic Lincoln Park. Catch breakfast/lunch somewhere on Michigan Avenue (the "Magnificent Mile"). If the Cubs are playing, go to Wrigley Field. If not, take the Chicago River Architecture Tour. Afterwards, walk around the really awesome Wrigleyville neighborhood (if you went to the Cub game), or Grant Park and the adjacent Millennium Park and check out that weird bendy mirror sculpture (if not). Catch dinner somewhere near Rush Street (get some pizza if you can). Then cap off the day at the Navy Pier. Ride the ferris wheel and enjoy spectacular views of the skyline at night.

Miami

Depending on whether you're staying in Miami Beach or not, go for a morning walk/run either on the beach or in Kennedy Park (with a woodchip trail network and great views of Biscayne Bay). After lunch/breakfast, tour nearby Vizcaya Gardens, an early 1900s Italian villa turned into spectacular gardens. Head over to Coconut Grove to explore shops and restaurants and the interesting architecture, then have dinner at Versailles Restaurant, a great Cuban place in Little Havana. At night, explore the South Beach art deco hotels and clubs on Collins Avenue. Head over to the Fontainebleau for some real over the top Miami Beach largesse. Say hi to Puff Daddy for me.

San Francisco

Run or walk in Golden Gate Park, my favorite park of all time (well, maybe after the Grand Tetons). Enjoy the Conservatory of Flowers, the buffalo, the Dutch Windmill and tulips, and the Japanese Tea Garden. After breakfast/lunch, head to North Beach and start walking through the old Italian neighborhood. Check out City Lights Books, the kind of dingy place you might see Allen Ginsberg reading poetry. Then head to the nearby Palace of Fine Arts and enjoy sitting or walking along the pond. Or take a little picnic with you. Then drive on over to Twin Peaks to get a layout of the entire city. Have dinner at the outstanding Farallon Restaurant. Then have drinks at the Top of the Mark, and see the city lights. Of course, if the Giants are playing, you need to go to whatever its called now Park. Outstanding place to watch a baseball game.

New York

Run in Central Park, either along the gravel trail that circles the Reservoir, or on the main road that loops around the Park. After breakfast/lunch (I discovered a pretty cool place called Big Daddy's Diner last time up), pick a neighborhood and explore. You can hardly go wrong. I really like the Upper West Side. Its like being in Hannah and Her Sisters. Check out the Museum of Natural History. Have a late lunch at the Shake Shack. Walk across the street to the Park, and de-stress in Strawberry Fields. If you still have some time, head over to Rockefeller Center and go to the top for unrivalled views, particularly if you're close to sunset. Then get cleaned up and head over to Columbus Circle for the most expensive, and incredible, dinner of your life at Per Se. Prepare to take out a second mortgage, but if you love food. Its worth it. Afterward, walk over toward the Plaza and reenact that scene in The Way We Were where Robert Redford sees Barbara Streisand again, years later. Just for fun. One of these days I'm going to post about my view that the Hubbell Gardner character is a huge schmuck and I can't understand why he's regarded as anything but. Must have been a product of the whole '70s "finding yourself" ethic, but post-9/11, he just comes off like an ass. If fancy restaurants aren't your scene, check out a Broadway (or off-Broadway) show.

Boston

Haven't spent that much time there, but I would run or walk around the Charles River, crossing over into Cambridge to double back. After breakfast/lunch, would start out in Boston Common, and then walk along the Freedom Trail, seeing historic sights like Fanneuil Hall. That's a pretty good day right there. Naturally, if the Red Sox are playing, you want to go to Fenway Park. Nothing beats seeing a Red Sox game, surrounded by never happy Chowd fans. Have dinner in virtually any North End Italian restaurant. And bring the cannoli.

New Orleans

Last but not least, the Big Easy. Run along the St. Charles streetcar line, making sure to get out of their way. If you're walking, definitely go to Audubon Park for incredible views. A good place to run along the 1.8 mile trail as well. Breakfast either at Cafe duMonde in the French Quarter, or at Slim Goodies Diner. You're going to be eating a lot, so just get used to it. Walk around the Quarter in the day, focusing on the antique stores and art galleries on Royal Street. Have an awesome lunch at the Palace Cafe on Canal Street. Continue exploring by heading over to lower Magazine Street, with more accessible shops, coffee bars, and restaurants. Head back to the Quarter for a sazerac at Napoleon House, or anything at Pat O'Brien's. Either place, insist on sitting in the courtyard and enjoy the late afternoon stillness. Then get cleaned up and have an amazing dinner at Lilette Restaurant on lower Magazine. Finally, after you waddle back, its time to get on your dancing shoes. Go see anyone playing at Tipitina's or at the Maple Leaf.

Dallas

Head to the airport. Book the first flight out. Enjoy.

Next--my New York trip. Then its on to Ireland, where I hope that Bono fellow hasn't read what I think of him.