Seeking advice for trip to Sea., Port., S.F., Den., Chi., Buff.

TooMuchBlood

Hello, fellow fans. I'm taking a cross-country trip by plane and bus from July 4 to 25. I'll have stops in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco (Berkeley and Oakland, too), Denver (Boulder, too), Chicago and Buffalo. I'd have loved to do the trip by car, but at $4-plus a gallon, it's impractical.

'm reaching out to you for recommendations on cool landmarks and bars and restaurants to see.

Having just gotten to be entirely debt free and not wanting to get back into much debt, I'm doing the trip on the cheap (hostels on the way). So, I guess, I'm looking for affordable options as much as possible. But, for example, if the Space Needle is really worth $14 for an elevator ride to get great photos and see the city, I'll do it.

I'd appreciate any pointers you have. I'm up for some must-see tourist traps, but I'd like to find out what the locals prefer also. You can post here and/or e-mail me at brossiter25@yahoo.com. My PM box is almost full, and, anyway, it's easier to keep the e-mails in one folder.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

anotherclone

In the Portland area, you should see McMenamins Edgefields. Especially if you like microbrews. They also make a nice whiskey that is real tasty.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3&category=Location+Homepage

And if you are a reader, see Powell's books. Its a huge-ass independent book store.

http://www.powells.com/

The Rose Garden is beautiful and has great views of the city. And its free!

http://www.rosegardenstore.org/thegardens.cfm

pjoasisrule

Eat at Giordanos in Chicago

South of Seattle

anotherclone wrote:

In the Portland area, you should see McMenamins Edgefields. Especially if you like microbrews. They also make a nice whiskey that is real tasty.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3&category=Location+Homepage

And if you are a reader, see Powell's books. Its a huge-ass independent book store.

http://www.powells.com/

The Rose Garden is beautiful and has great views of the city. And its free!

http://www.rosegardenstore.org/thegardens.cfm

This is good info. Saturday Market is cool to roam around as well(also on Sundays)

battan1120

Just over the Golden Gate head to Muir Woods & checkout the redwoods.I'm an east coast deadhead so the Haight would also be stop.Been to SF quite a few times.By far this is my favorite city.As for Buffalo,Niagara Falls of course.Have fun!!!!!!!

rockaholic

if u can time your trip around mid July u could catch the subpop 20 festival
at a local park: http://www.subpop.com/

Must go see The Gutter Twins (mark lanegan from screaming trees)s at the Showbox July 12.
Green River July 13…
I would go but will be in LA for the VH1 show!

Experience Music Project has a "northwest passage' exhibit that is pretty cool – history of NW music.
http://www.empsfm.org/index.asp. This is right next to the space needle (Seattle Center) so could be combined – I would only pay to go up needle if it was a perfect sunny day. U could also get some great views for free on local hills. There are many free festivals at Seattle Center during the summer too, and many bands play at a small park under the shadow of the needle called the Mural Amphitheater...

http://www.seattle.gov/music/map/ - This has some good landmarks listed.

oh ya, summer doesnt usually start here until July 5th...after the 4th of July BBQs get rained out. haha

TooMuchBlood

Thanks a lot for your responses! Anyone else have ideas?