Swamp Travel Guide

[Rush2112]

Hitting Berlin for 5ish days next week with the fam (wife is running the Marathon) any museums, eats, etc. that we can't miss?

I found the Topography of Terror Museum quite interesting.

We also did an e-bike tour that we really loved. The outfit was based in the Alexanderplatz.

Right on.

Had a great time. The wife hit her qualifying time so she's 4/6 of the way toward getting the World Marathon Masters to brag about. Did a tour of Berlin in a 68 split window VW and some more on Lime scooters. Hit the museum square and the engineering/transportation museums hard. had more than a few lagers in maß, lots of curywurst. They guy that owned the apt we rented was (I'm guessing) and older gay guy that was disappointed that we were a family rather than a bunch of hot young marathoners ready to hit der klub. Had a great time and looking forward to going back and exploring more of the city. What a great place.

[sancarlos]

From the pix looked like awesome fun.

[Rush2112]

From the pix looked like awesome fun.

My 8 year-old has decided she wants to move there and is bugging me to start learning German.

[garyclark]

If you're ever in Half Moon Bay and need a place to eat, that place should be La Costanera.

[sancarlos]

If you're ever in Half Moon Bay and need a place to eat, that place should be La Costanera.

Good Peruvian food! Been there.

[GoodKarma]

Heading to Sherbrooke QC, Quebec City then onto Fredricton, NB for a handful of days. Anybody been in these parts and have any suggestions for stuff to see or do?

[sancarlos]

Enjoy some poutine! The old town of Quebec is lovely and the Frontenac is impressive (btw, the locals just say Quebec, not Quebec City.)

We also stayed in a great little town further north up the St. Lawrence called Bae St. Paul. If you are in the area.

[MaxWebster]

while in Fredericton any chance you can spend a day and get down to Hopewell Rocks? it's not that close (2+ hrs) but if you had the day it's worth it - largest tides in the world which as I'm typing that makes it sound like "and you don't want to see the world's biggest ball of twine" but definitely look it up.

Poutine obviously - I know I've been to Sherbrooke but I'm old and can't remember last week...Drummondville tho I remember which is somewhat between there and QC and is the *original home of poutine* so if you're driving btwn the 2, that is your stop.

QC is beautiful and probably any site will steer you to the nice places, but just let yourself walk around. Plains of Abraham, old/walled city. i'd insist that skating/shinny outdoors is peak QC but you may need to wait a month or 2 for that.

echoing sancarlos - that drive up the St Lawrence is beautiful - Bae St Paul for sure.

Heading to Sherbrooke QC, Quebec City then onto Fredricton, NB for a handful of days. Anybody been in these parts and have any suggestions for stuff to see or do?

[Rush2112]

I was Quebec City last Christmas. Lots of very cool Colonial History of a different sort than we're used to. Awesome food and a weird infatuation with churros (they sell them everywhere!)

I haven't been in Sherbrooke since college (we used to go to a bar to beat the clock! (quarter a drink and it went up every 30 minutes.) And if you hit Drummondville for some poutine see if the Voltigeurs are in town and catch some QMJHL action. (There's a franchise in QC called Poutineville, not bad, but there's better local places I am sure.)

[GoodKarma]

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas. Made it to Sherbrooke tonight and going to be around for a few days so I'll see what I can fit in.

[MaxWebster]

it took me 2 reads to realize that you weren't talking about a new Q franchise called Poutineville and I was ready to go online and buy a sweater.

/mildlydisappointed

(but yeah the Voltigeurs' arena is a great old barn ... and the Gilbert Perreault rink in Victoriaville is just minutes away as well...)

... if you hit Drummondville for some poutine see if the Voltigeurs are in town and catch some QMJHL action. (There's a franchise in QC called Poutineville, not bad, but there's better local places I am sure.)

[Giff]

Really looking forward to my first visit to Seattle in a couple weeks and then a couple days in Bellingham/Vancouver. DiS, let me know if you want to grab a beer!

[mister d]

Just make sure you're safely inland.

[Giff]

Just make sure you're safely inland.

Or remember to keep my video running at all times.

[garyclark]

Really looking forward to my first visit to Seattle in a couple weeks and then a couple days in Bellingham/Vancouver. DiS, let me know if you want to grab a beer!

Hope you get a chance to ride a ferry. Even if it's just 20 minutes out to an island and back. Love that.

[Giff]

Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s on the list. Kelli went a few years ago and that was her favorite part.

[A_B]

Ferries are cool. /mcdreamy

I enjoyed it when I was there earlier this year. I got a neat Kraken beanie!

[Nonlinear FC]

We discovered the ferry system down in the New Bern area a couple weeks back. The wild thing (to us) is that it's free. We saved over 45 minutes and as others have alluded to... taking a ferry is delightful!

[Giff]

Ferries are cool. /mcdreamy

I enjoyed it when I was there earlier this year. I got a neat Kraken beanie!

NHL headgear one of my go-to souvenir purchases when I visit a city with an NHL team. I think Nashville and Chicago are the only two cities I've visited with an NHL team where I didn't buy one.

[mister d]

Is there anything different about these ferries than the ones that go around NYC (aside from the nicer scenery)? I want to chime in that I too enjoy ferries (despite kinda disliking boats) but don't want to be a poseur if the Seattle experience is totally unique.

[A_B]

We did two foot ferries. One from port Orchard across the water for a ten minute ride then about a half hour on another one into the city.

[L-Jam3]

Ferries are cool. /mcdreamy

I enjoyed it when I was there earlier this year. I got a neat Kraken beanie!

NHL headgear one of my go-to souvenir purchases when I visit a city with an NHL team. I think Nashville and Chicago are the only two cities I've visited with an NHL team where I didn't buy one.

I always get a cap when I visit a new ballpark. My go-to for trips or other experiences is an ornament for the tree, and a pair of dress socks. My favorite pair is a wildlife scene from Bozeman with a bear on it and the words “why yes. I do shit in the woods.”

[garyclark]

Ferries are cool. /mcdreamy

I enjoyed it when I was there earlier this year. I got a neat Kraken beanie!

NHL headgear one of my go-to souvenir purchases when I visit a city with an NHL team. I think Nashville and Chicago are the only two cities I've visited with an NHL team where I didn't buy one.

I always get a cap when I visit a new ballpark. My go-to for trips or other experiences is an ornament for the tree, and a pair of dress socks. My favorite pair is a wildlife scene from Bozeman with a bear on it and the words “why yes. I do shit in the woods.”

Magnets and Christmas ornaments for me. I have too many caps I don't wear.

[mister d]

We did two foot ferries. One from port Orchard across the water for a ten minute ride then about a half hour on another one into the city.

How did you even fit?



Fucked up the joke!

[garyclark]

Is there anything different about these ferries than the ones that go around NYC (aside from the nicer scenery)? I want to chime in that I too enjoy ferries (despite kinda disliking boats) but don't want to be a poseur if the Seattle experience is totally unique.

The difference is that I think Seattle has the largest ferry system in the US.

And dozens of islands to visit.

[mister d]

Yeah but are any as nice as Long or Staten?

[sancarlos]

NHL headgear one of my go-to souvenir purchases when I visit a city with an NHL team. I think Nashville and Chicago are the only two cities I've visited with an NHL team where I didn't buy one.

Those helmets work for bicycle riding, too!

[DaveInSeattle]

Really looking forward to my first visit to Seattle in a couple weeks and then a couple days in Bellingham/Vancouver. DiS, let me know if you want to grab a beer!

Let me know the dates when you'll be in town!

[Giff]

Really looking forward to my first visit to Seattle in a couple weeks and then a couple days in Bellingham/Vancouver. DiS, let me know if you want to grab a beer!

Let me know the dates when you'll be in town!

We get there late on the 4th and will have that Thursday and Friday to check out Seattle. My niece works at Distant West brewery, but obviously have no idea where that is in relation to you.

[DaveInSeattle]

Really looking forward to my first visit to Seattle in a couple weeks and then a couple days in Bellingham/Vancouver. DiS, let me know if you want to grab a beer!

Let me know the dates when you'll be in town!

We get there late on the 4th and will have that Thursday and Friday to check out Seattle. My niece works at Distant West brewery, but obviously have no idea where that is in relation to you.

Not familiar with that Brewery, but know the area where it is.

I will likely be able to meet on that Thursday evening. I'll shoot you a PM with my #.

[govmentchedda]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

[DaveInSeattle]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

Not on the same level of Alinea, but my buddy owns Piece (https://www.piecechicago.com/) in Wicker Park. They do New Haven style pizza, and brew their own beer. Its a very cool spot.

And his co-owner/partner is Rick Neilson, the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

[govmentchedda]

Not on the same level as Alinea is exactly what I'm looking for. That's definitely going on the list. Piece is alright, it just seems a little weird...

[duff]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

Not on the same level of Alinea, but my buddy owns Piece (https://www.piecechicago.com/) in Wicker Park. They do New Haven style pizza, and brew their own beer. Its a very cool spot.

And his co-owner/partner is Rick Neilson, the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

Think I can get a free drink or pie if I tell them I know Dave in Seattle with the bolo tie?

Even if I don't, I will have to try it out when I drop off the kid for her second quarter.

[wlu_lax6]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

Not on the same level of Alinea, but my buddy owns Piece (https://www.piecechicago.com/) in Wicker Park. They do New Haven style pizza, and brew their own beer. Its a very cool spot.

And his co-owner/partner is Rick Neilson, the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

Think I can get a free drink or pie if I tell them I know Dave in Seattle with the bolo tie?

Even if I don't, I will have to try it out when I drop off the kid for her second quarter.

My buddy and his brother own Guthrie's in Wriglyville. Fun neighborhood bar.

[GoodKarma]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

From a brewery standpoint Maplewood is my favorite and a few blocks east of it is a cocktail/whiskey bar called Delilah's that usually has DJ (some nights are punk rock if I remember correctly). They are a bit north-northwest of downtown.

For stuff to do I enjoy staying in the River North neighborhood...not the coolest place to stay but it's a mix of residential and commercial so it's relatively quiet and still easy to get anywhere you could want. The Field Museum is one of my favorites places...natural history stuff. House of Blues gets good acts and I've always enjoyed Second City comedy. It's a little touristy/cliche but if it's nice enough I like walking Michigan Ave. from Millennium Park up to Water Tower Place/Lake Shore Park as well as the river walk...gives you good views of the city buildings.

[DaveInSeattle]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

Not on the same level of Alinea, but my buddy owns Piece (https://www.piecechicago.com/) in Wicker Park. They do New Haven style pizza, and brew their own beer. Its a very cool spot.

And his co-owner/partner is Rick Neilson, the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

Think I can get a free drink or pie if I tell them I know Dave in Seattle with the bolo tie?

Even if I don't, I will have to try it out when I drop off the kid for her second quarter.

My buddy and his brother own Guthrie's in Wriglyville. Fun neighborhood bar.

I know Guthries...used to go there a lot way back (mid 90's) when I lived in Lakeview.

[wlu_lax6]

Just booked a 20th anniversary trip for Chicago in January (yes, we might be insane), and booked dinners at Ever and Alinea. What else is on the can't miss list for Chicago? We'll have nothing to do but eat and sleep. We probably don't need more fine dining recs.

Not on the same level of Alinea, but my buddy owns Piece (https://www.piecechicago.com/) in Wicker Park. They do New Haven style pizza, and brew their own beer. Its a very cool spot.

And his co-owner/partner is Rick Neilson, the guitarist from Cheap Trick.

Think I can get a free drink or pie if I tell them I know Dave in Seattle with the bolo tie?

Even if I don't, I will have to try it out when I drop off the kid for her second quarter.

My buddy and his brother own Guthrie's in Wriglyville. Fun neighborhood bar.

I know Guthries...used to go there a lot way back (mid 90's) when I lived in Lakeview.

My buddy bought it during COVID. Did not really change it much. Old owner apparently still hangs out a bunch.

[mister d]

Super jealous of Alinea; I only know one real life person who has been and she said its just as amazing as you expect. We were there summer 2022 and eating with kids, but our best meal there was brunch at Little Goat Diner (Stephanie Izard).

Pack your heaviest coat. If you don't have a coat that comes to mind as your heaviest, go get a new coat. First time there in the winter was a full body reset for "coldest I've ever been in my life".

[DaveInSeattle]

Pack your heaviest coat. If you don't have a coat that comes to mind as your heaviest, go get a new coat. First time there in the winter was a full body reset for "coldest I've ever been in my life".

I moved to Chicago in February of '93, and I was not at all prepared for how cold it was.

When my daughter moved to Boston last year, her company, in their welcome stuff, had a list of things from new employees to pass along, and the one that stood out was: "Your warmest coat? Its not warm enough".