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My exciting American jaunts!

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Barmymoo:
I mentioned in a blog thread a while back that my college choir would be making a tour of the USA (or at least bits of it) during the summer of 2012, and now I have received dates and places! It would be wonderful if some people could come and see some of the concerts/services if you're in the area. Full admission: it is a church choir, we will be singing church music and probably most of the time it will be church services. So if you are vehemently anti-religion then it might not be the thing for you.

Anyway, here are the dates!

12 July -  Boston
13-15 July - New York City
17 July - Garden City, Long Island
19 July - Philadelphia
20-22 July - Washington DC

I'm hoping we will have some free time in each city, so hangouts might be feasible too. I'm super excited about this! Please tell me exciting things that must be visited in those places, assuming I am free to do so.

bainidhe_dub:
DC: the Smithsonian museums, until your feet fall off or you've seen them all, whichever happens first (hint: it will be your feet). I imagine you'll probably sing at the National Cathedral, which is a pretty cool place on its own too. (Hopefully they will have the damage repaired by then.) It also puts you not too far from the National Zoo (though it'll be hot and humid and full of tourists in July), Georgetown (expensive bars and shops), and the Metro, which opens up access to a lot of other areas in the city like Chinatown and H Street (somewhat less expensive bars and a ton of theatres). If you get to go out of the city, there's stuff within an hour's drive or so, like National Harbor, Annapolis, the National Arboretum, and the Baltimore Aquarium.

jwhouk:
Part of me is sad when I see that list, as I realize you are only going to be seeing about 1/7th of the country.

There is a lot more to the USA than just the BosNYPhilaWash corridor. Too bad you guys will probably be heading home after the 22nd, as a few side flights to Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago, Minneapolis, Saint Louis, Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles would give you a more accurate "flavor" of the country. (And, if you were in Minneapolis, I'd actually have half a shot at seeing your choir sing.)

I guess it'd be just as bad as me only going to Sydney or Brisbane and assuming that all of Australia is like that.

Anyways: it does sound like you're going to have a pretty packed schedule, so I'd suggest doing some of the touristy things: go on a bus tour of New York City and the area when you're there July 13-17; make sure you see the WTC memorial and visit the Statue of Liberty (though it will be closed for repairs to the base). Times Square is now a pedestrian mall, so check that out, along with the Empire State Building.

Not sure if you're a footy fan, but you might see if the New York Red Bulls of MLS are playing that weekend (or maybe DC United, when you're in the capital).

If you guys are in Philly the 18th, try to see some of the major historical sites before your concert; at the very least try to get to Independence Hall, where the Constitution was signed. And make sure you try a Philly Cheesesteak or two.

DC has a LOT of things to do; I'd like to echo Baindhe_dub that you shouldn't try to see all of the Smithsonian museums. Pick some of the ones you'd really like to see - maybe the Air & Space Museum, or the American History Museum, or the main building (the "Smithsonian Castle"). Try to get in to see the Capitol Building and the White House, and visit at least one of the memorials/monuments (Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington).

Your group might be already slated for some group tours; they're easier for those from out of the country to use so that you can hit the "major" sites in your limited time here.

Just keep in mind what I said at the start: you're only seeing a sliver of the country. 

Barmymoo:
I realise that it's only a little bit - I have seen some more places, although mostly the mid-west, already, when we had ChicagoCon the first and Camp Eed (I think we saw bits of Ohio, Chicago, Indiana, other places I can't remember, my geography is terrible). One day I'll get to visit more western/southern places!

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Are there any places that tourists usually go to that you wouldn't recommend, as in places that cost more than they're worth or have huge queues or something?

Doctor Online:
Ugh, if you could head a little more south into Virginia (by a little more, I mean 20 minutes south of Richmond) I'd tell you the best place to eat for some damn good BBQ.

Nanny's BBQ. Anyone in Virginia that reads this, go there. It's in the Petersburg/Prince George area. Their hours are kinda odd, they're open till 10 pm on fridays and saturdays closed sundays and mondays, and tues-thurs they're open from 11 am to 2 pm for lunch. But it's sooooo good. Buffet, home cooked nom noms, they sell the BBQ sauce by the bottle. I'm running low on mine so it's about time for me to make a trip up there to see my family and get some more sauce. Maybe some hushpuppy mix. Mmmmm.

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