friedclam
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Reviews
Campus Center Dr
"A beautiful street in lovely surroundings..."
Campus Center Drive has the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. The more I travel, the more I see just how much wonderful art and exhibits are out there. The building itself looks like any high school from the outside, but the surrounding mountains make a gorgeous setting. Once inside, you can enjoy wonderful art, sculpture, photography. They have collections on loan. While we were there, we saw “Monet to Picasso” on loan from the Cleveland Museum. One huge advantage is you aren’t fighting the crowds, trying to get a good appreciation for the various pieces.
West 200 South
"Good location, nothing special"
W 200 S is another nice, wide, street. We stayed at the Monaco, and it turned out to be a good choice. The street is very centrally located, and we could walk to a lot of things. The hotel was very clean, with good-sized rooms and a friendly staff. In our case, proximity to the convention center was key. We were actually able to find parking on this street – a big plus.
South 2100 East
"If you go, go hungry!!"
S 2100 E is worth going to if only for the Blue Plate Diner. We love diners, and this place rocks. We ate several meals here during the few days we spent in SLC. The street itself is another nice, long, wide street in SLC, but the Blue Plate is all we were interested in. The food, whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner is just awesome. All the Tex-Mex dishes were delicious, and we had the most amazing chicken-fried steak with ham gravy ever. We still mention it.
Main St
"Plan to spend the day!"
Main Street is just plain awesome. We spent from early morning until late at night here. With the trolley (TRAX) running the length of it, there is no need to drive. There is an artist show every weekend, tons of unusual shops, great restaurants, and an amazing farmer’s market. The Art and Craft Market is great, too. It really has some beautiful things, not just junk.
Park Ave
"Beautiful ride, both in and out of the city"
Park Avenue is a wide highway, leading into Main Street. As you travel Park, you will see it has a lot going for it; namely the Olympic complex, some beautiful ski resort, and the Park City Mountain Resort. This street will take you into the city, but even if you have approached from another direction, it would be worth your time to take a drive.
South 400 West
"You'll come for the stars, you'll stay for the soup!"
S 400 W is another long street, but the fabulous thing here is the Clark Plantetarium. We spent a good part of the day here, as there are incredible IMAX films, as well as light and star shows and a lot of exhibits. The Hansen Dome is breathtaking. Try Big City Soup for lunch – excellent!
South 300 West
"Not totally clogged with traffic, but not especially attractive"
S 300 W is, for the most part, a run-down and long stretch of a street lined with old, one-story buildings that house auto parts, HVAC, and used car places. There is a brief stretch of a nicer area with some hotel chains, restaurant chains, and the biggest Costco I have ever seen.
Van Buren Ave
"There is nothing here of interest"
Van Buren Ave is a rather short street. It is not very attractive, but does not look unsafe. It has some loading docks, some dumps, and electric fences. We pulled down it to turn around and found it is a dead end street. Chances are you won’t find your self here as there are no attractions, hotels, or restaurants that we could see.
McClelland St
"Looks like a nice place to live, and Tracy Aviary is something to see."
E 1300 South is a fairly long street. Much of it is on a hill. The part we were on looks like a nice, residential area, but the houses are very close together. Our reason for being on it was the Tracy Aviary. What a great place! If you didn’t love birds when you get there, you will be at least interested when you leave. Traffic was light.
Yosemite Blvd
"Has a winery, but no tours"
Yosemite Blvd. is yet another street in Modesto that is rather run down, with lots of one story residenses, gas stations, and carpet stores along the way. However, if you are willing to hang in there and drive a few miles, you will come upon a nicer, tree-lined section. We were desparate for something to do in Modesto, and thought we would check out the Missasou Winery. Unfortunately, the winery is not open to the public and we felt pretty stupid for just assuming they offered tours. It taught us to call ahead from now on.
Pelandale Ave
"Lots of shopping, turns into a nice residential area"
Pelandale Avenue is a long, wide though fare that runs through the city. It is pretty soulless, with not much to distinguish it. It has some strip malls with stores like Pier One and Trader Joe’s. However, it does have Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse. We had dinner there one night, and although it is nothing fancy (sort of kitschy) it’s pretty good. The menu is varied, and the prices are very reasonable. Pelandale runs into a fairly nice residential area.
Needham St
"From run down to upscale - Needham has both"
Needham Street is a long street that runs the economic gamut. It isn’t the nicest place in the western end. It doesn’t look unsafe, just run down, with old liquor stores, auto repair places, and small apartment houses that have peeling paint and no landscaping. As you travel east, though, you run into more well-tended homes with a nice, residential feel. Continuing on, you get into a more upscale area.
J St
"Antiques are the main attraction"
J Street has a lot of antique shops, galleries, and some nice little restaurants. It is a fairly nice, busy street with office buildings and stores. We felt safe there. It can get congested with working people, but it is manageable. If you can get a place to park, it is nice to stroll along and maybe have some lunch. Poking around in the shops is a nice way to spend the afternoon.
Stoddard Ave
"Nice street, nice museum"
Stoddard Avenue is a nice, tree-lined street. It is very nice, residential place. Also, it is not very congested. Anytime we drove down, we had no problem. It is also home to Modesto Junior College, which looks pretty nice, with a lot of buildings and that are well-kept up. The reason we were there was to see the Great Valley Museum of Natural History. It’s not the biggest or most impressive museum, but it really has a lot to offer, and has exhibits on many different subjects, art, science, animals, UFOs – something to appeal to everyone.
15th St
"Historic area, looks like a nice place to live"
15th Street looks like a lovely place to live. It is a very historic street. The jewel of the street, and our reason for being there was the McHenry Mansion. It is a huge, renovated Victorian which has been totally renovated to the period of the mid to late 1800’s. The admission is free and seeing the antiques are just beautiful. You can also see McClatchy Square across the street. It’s a nice place to rest a bit and enjoy the famous bronze statue of the newsboy.
16th St
"Nothing special, but the farmers' market is nice"
This street is nothing special but it is where you can find the farmers’ market. It isn’t a big fancy one, but it does have some great organic produce and some fun stalls. Modesto is the center of a big agricultural area, so besides fruits and veggies, there are wonderful olive oils, wine grapes, and nuts. I was happy as I stayed with a relative and could cook with these great ingredients, but if you are in a hotel, it will be frustrating to anyone who likes to cook.
Radford Blvd
"Some really awesone attractions on this street"
This is not so much a street you would care to walk along, but it worth going to for two reasons; The National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The museum has awesome flight simulators and an IMAX theater. Not only is the museum amazing (for kids and adults alike), it is free. If you check the website, you can watch the Blue Angels practice for free at the Naval Air Station. Even if you are not into aviation, you can’t help but be impressed. Check out the lighthouse on this street, too.
South Palafox St
"Historic area, nice galleries and shops"
Nice street with lots to see and do. There is a nice assortment of shops and restaurants. We liked the name of the Blue Morning Gallery, so went in to browse. You can recharge at the Victorian Tea Shop on South Palafox. Some of it is kitsch, but fun and the scones are good with clotted cream and preserves. There are tons of restaurants on this street, so it can be congested. Also, it’s a very historic section of town, so it is a nice vibe.
Fort Pickens Rd
"This street is very upscale, lined with expensive homes"
This street is lined with very upscale homes, costing well over a $1,000,000. Like many streets full of wealthy residents, you don’t see a lot of people or kids out playing. It is very quiet, with not much traffic. It is very pretty and it is nice to see how the other half lives. On the other side of these homes, there is yet another beautiful beach. We were told that the homes come with deeded beach lots.
West Government St
"Nothing special about So. C, but a good seafood place"
The street itself has nothing to distinguish itself, but for great seafood at a really reasonable price, you can’t beat Joey Patti’s Seafood. The restaurant is small and casual, service is good and personable. Try the crab claws, or really anything from the sea. We split a seafood platter, and every item on it was delicious. It gets crowded and you may have to wait, but it’s worth it. You won’t want to linger after dinner to stroll around. It would be better to go to one of the awesome beaches to walk off dinner.
Gulf Beach Hwy
"Nothing special about the street, but the park is awesome"
You could spend the whole day here. Actually, we did. This is where you will find Big Lagoon State Park. The street is just a wide highway that leads to a wondrous place. You can boat, fish, picnic, swim, and bird watch here. Beach sand like sugar, and people were camping as well. We even saw a wedding here. Bring your binoculars and watch for some of the most beautiful birds you will ever see. You can totally relax, or be as active as you want to be.
North T St
"Lots of shopping, but expensive"
One of the members of our group talked us into checking out the antiques and flea markets here. It was just ok. There were certainly a lot of shops and some different items, but it is very expensive and we are just not into shopping recreationally. That’s just us, though. If you like that sort of thing, you could spend the whole day here. It is very congested, too. Again, if you are a shopper, you will be in heaven.
East Government St
"Noisy, honky tonky place"
If you are looking for a place where it is a never-ending spring break, then this is for you. It is the location of the Seville Quarter. We went to check out the Oyster Bar (for the oysters) and to have a drink at the End O’ The Alley. Well, there are about eight bars here, all totally touristy and full of drunk, loud, obnoxious kids. After enjoying the oysters, we couldn’t get out fast enough. It is an old renovated cigar factory, but the ambiance isn’t enough to make you want to stay. There are a lot of galleries and shops here, and it is an historic district, but the traffic just wasn’t worth it.
Coo Rd 399
"Nice place to stay, right on the beach"
We stayed here at the Beachside Resort and Conference Center as this is where my conference was being held. The street has a lot of hotels, motels, and condos, as well as restaurants. Of course, it is also on a spectacular beach. Even if that isn't your thing, it is nice to take a nightime drive down Via de Luna. The hotel was fine and we loved the location, although we heard that others were not happy. We felt very welcomed, and the people there were very accommodating.
West York St
"A nice street to explore"
There is a very young, hip vibe here. There are lots of cool bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries. Shop during the day and call an early happy hour at Todd Jurich Bistro. Limit yourself to drinks if you like Tex-Mex, because on W. York is Machismo Burrito Bar. Make your own burritos. Need I say more? There are some nice renovated buildings and condos on the street. It looks like a nice place to live.
Monticello Ave
"Go hungry and leave room for dessert"
If you like thrift and consignment shops, this is the place for you. We found some great stuff at Savvy Seconds and Map of Hope Thrift Shop. We really had some fun poking around and then found Doumar’s Diner and Drive-In. They have amazing BBQ and still make ice cream cones on an original cone baker. We have since seen Doumar’s on the Food Network. The street can get really congested though, so don't go during rush hours.
East Main St
"A central location, but nothing special"
As a rule, we don’t like to stay in chains, but stayed at the Waterside Marriott. It was ok, nothing especially charming or unique. However, E. Main Street is a great place to stay because although not on the water (despite the name), it is a good, central location and you can walk to a lot of attractions and shopping.
Bank St
"An interesting place"
What a beautiful street, and what great things to see! First, check out the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk’s beautiful city hall. The general is buried here, and there is a fascinating museum as well. There is also a really nice park here, with gorgeous plants and flowers. After that, go further down the street to see the Moses Myers House, which has most of its original furnishings and artwork.
West Olney Rd
"Artsy, funky fun"
So much to do on West Olney Road! When you are here, if nothing else, see the Chrysler Art Museum. We tend to think of the bigger cities having worthwhile museums, but this is so worth the trip. They have a great collection of American Colonial and folk art, European masters like Matisse, and some contemporary things, too. We loved the photography and decorative (especially glass) exhibits. What a wonderful place! I only wish we had known so we could have planned more time here. There are some nice shops along this street as you are in the heart of the downtown area.
West Freemason St
"Lots to do and see on Freemason"
If you like things Victorian, you will love this street, the highlight of which is the Hunter House. The guided tour is only $5 and it is really fascinating. Make a point of having your tour end around dinnertime and eat at the Freemason Abbey. It is an old converted church with a gorgeous atmosphere and the best She Crab Soup anywhere. You can get a bit of history along with a good meal. Both the west and east sides of Freemason have a lot to see and do.
Azalea Garden Rd
"Stop and smell the roses!"
The Norfolk Botanical Garden is the only reason to come here. No matter when you come, something is going on. The tour is only $7 and there are a lot of “theme gardens” like the fragrance garden, Japanese garden, and the sensory garden. There are also “signature gardens like the butterfly garden and rose garden. This is so, so beautiful that you won’t mind there is really nothing else interesting in the street.
Waterside Dr
"Plan to spend the day on Waterside"
This is where you find the Nauticus Tour. It is awesome and one of the highlights of our trip. You can board the USS Wisconsin, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, a cruise, and a shark petting lagoon. When you are done here (and it could take most of your day), you can stroll along and see the fantastic boats of all kinds that dock here. When you get hungry, three words - Joe's Crab Shack.
Odonnell St
"Fun street, nightlife is great"
This used to be a run-down section of canneries, but it is getting yuppified. There are a lot of renovated buildings and fun places to go at night. We went to the Claddagh Pub, not expecting great food, but they have it. They do great things with the local crab. We were happy with dinner, especially the crab cakes and rack of lamb. If you’re not driving, have a nightcap at Looney’s.
East Mount Vernon Pl
"A beautiful street..."
Our friends live here, and it is just one of the most perfect streets we have seen. You can really get the sense of old money and society back in the day. It is still very tony, but it has the feeling of our Beacon Hill in Boston. There are such beautiful old homes here, you will want to stroll along and enjoy the architecture. You can walk over to N. Charles and check out the Washington Monument. It’s over 200 steps to the top, but what a view! Go into the cute little museum at the base, for $1.
Thames St
"Fun, interesting street"
We only went here as we were in town for a wedding and the rehearsal dinner and party was here at the Cat’s Eye Pub. What fun! This street is right on the waterfront and has lots of really nice old-time feel with brick front buildings, art galleries, and shops. We wished we had more time to explore, but felt safe strolling along at night.
West Camden St
"Sports history you can really feel"
While we were there, our beloved Red Sox were playing. We took the opportunity to go see them at Camden Yards. We loved this old ball park that even though updated, still maintains old world charm and has awesome ball park food. The fans were really nice, and after the game, you are still within easy walking distance to Inner Harbor.
Fell St
"Old world charm"
We are not big fans of chains and stayed at Henderson’s Wharf Inn. This is a wonderful, charming and welcoming place. I cannot speak more highly of staff, service, the room (comfy bed, view of harbor), and the food is awesome. It is in a really pretty neighborhood and you can just spend a day walking around, looking at the brownstones.
Saint Paul St
"A beautiful street...."
This is one of our favorite streets in Baltimore. We went to see the Maryland Science Center and were able to walk there from Inner Harbor. It is in the Federal Hill section of the city, with lots of really pretty old homes. We had lunch at J. Paul’s (try the crab soup) and were pretty lucky. We were told that a lot of the places here are just tourist places with lousy food.
East Pratt St
"Check it out if you are in Baltimore..."
This street is in the middle of the Inner Harbor and is really fun. There are tons of shops, restaurants and attractions, the best (to us, anyway) is the National Aquarium. There is something called the 4D Immersion Theater that is amazing. The experience includes breezes, smell, and mist. You can also go to the Star Spangled Banner Museum and 1812 House on this street – fascinating.
Albemarle St
"Little Italy, lots of good places to eat"
A Little Italy in Baltimore? Who knew? There are some great restaurants on this street, as well as some really charming shops. We tried Mo’s, where we could get the best of both worlds, pasta and Maryland crab. After that, we strolled over to Vaccaro’s for a fabulous pastry to go. You will have a hard time choosing, but we got several and they were all delicious. There is also a water taxi that has a stop in Little Italy.
Hudson Pl
"If you long for the glory days of train travel, look here"
If you are a train freak like my husband is, you will want to take a gander at the Lackawanna Terminal on Hudson Place. It really is beautiful, and for some reason, the outside gave me a feel for the city where “On The Waterfront” was filmed. The whole building has touches that workmen don’t do anymore, like the stained glass skylight, and the ferry waiting room is massive.
River St
"I want to move here"
This is not only a beautiful street for residences, it has great shopping, dining, and views. If I were going to move here, this is where I would do it. I would choose a place within walking distance to the River Street Saloon, a place where you could see yourself as a regular. The prices are not as high here as Manhattan, but they are high enough and only going up.
Court St
"Gives a nice feeling for the past"
This is a cute, narrow little street, paved with cobblestones. It used to be where they boarded the horses and it gives you a nice sense of the history of Hoboken. We took a walking tour and we found it to be one of the most charming parts of the walk.
Clinton St
"Yuppie scene, fun places"
Fun street with lots of bars, restaurants, and shops. The highlight here is Cucharamama. We have never had South American food and this was an amazing introduction. Our friends who live there couldn’t wait to take us. Even the drink list is amazing. Try a Pisco Sour or any of the other cocktails – awesome, as is the anticucho and empanadas. Service is not the best, but the food is.
Grand St
"Great street to party"
Lots of really cute, interesting bars and restaurants on Grand. We felt safe strolling along at night and had dinner at Willie McBride’s. Fun place, food is fine. When you book your party there, they will pick you up in a stretch limo – for free! We didn’t do that, but did see a party that did. You have a choice of places like this on Grand.
Hudson St
"Really fun place, great shops and restaurants"
Hudson runs parallel to the waterfront and if it is a nice day, it is fun to stroll around all the nice shops here. You can also go to the Hoboken Historical Museum on Hudson. Check out Lady Jane’s for a drink at the bar. There is a cool atmosphere here, and you can eat in the back.
Jefferson St
"Nothing special, but can still get a decent apartment"
Close to the PATH train, making it a very convenient place to get into NY, and it’s getting nicer below 5th Street. Being near the subway is really essential because parking is almost impossible. This area is more residential and if you are looking to move, this is a good place to look for a decent apartment.
Bloomfield St
"Beautiful brownstones, most of street is nice, residential"
Actually convinced us that we could happily live there. It has blocks of beautiful old brownstones that could rival Manhattan. Yuppies have discovered this gem of a street and it has been in the gentrification process. Our friends live here and it is really nice. The only thing is we were told to stay below 10th Street.
Sinatra Dr
"Beautiful view, nice park"
An absolutely stellar view of Manhattan, which is worth the trip alone, but while we were there in May, there was actually an International Film Festival – in Hoboken! This was really big fun and there is a nice park as well. If you have a nice day, plan to spend most of it here. You can pick up lunch at one of the good delis and picnic as we did.
Washington St
"Always something going on"
Awesome nightlife in Hoboken? Who knew? There a lot of great bars, restaurants and excellent pizza joints on Washington. We liked East LA, where the Mararitas are the best as is the food. Try the steak tostadas – delicious. There is always some sort of festival going on here, no matter what the season – whether it is crafts or entertainment. It’s worth checking out.
Walnut St
"It's ok, but nothing special... A nice stroll in good weather, though."
While Walnut Street has some of the nice mall-type stores like J. Crew and Sephora, you can find a lot of charming, “boutiquey-type” shops here. It is outdoors, so if the weather is nice, it really adds to the enjoyment of poking around the stores. We were not there for the Shadyside Arts Festival, but if you are there in the summertime, we hear it is really nice. We ate at the Union Grill. It was Ok, but nothing special. I wish we had tried some of the other interesting places. Lots to choose from.
West Carson St
"Start here for a good overall idea of the city...."
This is the place to get the Ducky Tours. When my hubbie and I go to a new place, we like to take a city tour first to see where we want to go back and spend some time. This is on a tank-like amphibious vehicle that also goes in the water. Our tour guide was awesome and we learned a lot. It lasted an hour and a half. We hated to see it end. Station Square is a renovated train station and has some nice shopping and places to grab a bite.
Allegheny Ave
"Worth the trip, just for the museum..."
The only reason to go here is a big one – The Carnegie Science Center. Now wait, before you say, boooooring. This museum rocks. It is huge and has so much to offer that I wish we had allowed more time for it. We couldn’t decide which IMAX show to see, so we saw two of them. There are live demos and you can get a decent lunch right there at the River View Cafe.
Liberty Ave
"Both culture vultures and beer fans will find something on Liberty"
Liberty Avenue is in the heart of Pittsburgh’s thriving cultural and business scene. If you can, try and get tickets to either The Pittsburgh Ballet, or The Pittsburgh Opera (if that’s your thing). Both are on Liberty. Even if you don’t attend a performance, try and see if you can take a look inside. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t forget to tour the Iron City Brewery. It is an awesome tour, and you can’t beat the product sampling.
Schenley Dr
"Schenley Drive, Schenley Park - gorgeous and worth the trip..."
Schenley Park is like a jewel in the middle of Pittsburgh due to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The Victorian glasshouses are huge, and have displays of various ecosystems; desert, tropical, flowers, fruits. They also change displays with the seasons. Schenley Park is definitely worth your while. The park also offers a golf course, swimming, and has a lot of university students and business people, so there is an interesting mix of people.
Park Ave
"A beautiful street, but not much to see...."
The name brings up visions of upscale apartments and bejeweled women walking little dogs. Well, that is fairly accurate. This is a beautiful street with lots of flowers in the median strip. For the tourist, however, it really doesn’t offer much. It is nice to walk there, taking in how the other half lives, but there are hundreds of more interesting things to do. However, if you find yourself on Park, take a stroll through Grand Central Terminal. It is a stunningly beautiful space with tiled vaulted ceilings and Art Deco touches. Splurge for lunch at the Oyster Bar. It’s an institution and the oyster stew is the best you will ever have.
West 44th St
"A wonderful street with a lot to offer....."
This is one of my favorite streets in Midtown. Not only are there some wonderful little jewels of hotels on 44th, like the Algonquin and the Iroquois, there is the wonderful old Belasco theater, still one of the premier theater experience hotels in the Theater District. A great thing to do on a Saturday, is to stroll down 44th (or any of the 40’s off Fifth Avenue) and look up at all the businesses in the upper floors. Unless you make an effort to look up, you don’t realize how many little specialty places there are left, like button companies, or print shops.
Fulton St
"Fun, but can also be relaxing....."
While the famous fish market is no longer there, at the end of Fulton Street, you will find the South Street Seaport, which is full of shops and restaurants. When you get tire of shopping, you can just relax and watch the many types of ships and tugs doing business on the East River. Before you get to the Seaport, you can see some gorgeous examples of Beaux Arts architecture. Also, you can see some buildings with the lofts of the young affluent of the area.
5th Ave
"Something for everyone......"
Even if you are not into the fabulous shopping at Lord and Taylor, Tiffany, Saks, Bergdorf’s, there are plenty of things to see. I love spending an entire Saturday just starting way downtown in Greenwich Village and seeing how far I can get. By the time you get to midtown, you start coming across NY landmarks like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Further uptown, you can enjoy some of the finest museums in the world; The Metropolitan Museum and the Guggenheim are two of them.
West 4 St
"A wonderful and charming street...."
I have been coming here since the mid-70’s every time I am in NY. There are a lot of charming little places to eat and shop in the West Village, but the Corner Bistro on the corner of Jane Street brings me back to this area every time. The Bistro burgers are not to be believed. You can play chess and I once overheard two men talking about signing Lee Remick and Steve McQueen to a movie deal. Ok, it was over 30 years ago, but it is still full of artsy and entertainment types. This street is a wonderful place for a romantic stroll on a Sunday afternoon.
Union St
"You an imagine the Gold Rush days here......"
This is the main drag of the neighborhood known as Cow Hollow, a holdover from the days when there were dairy farms in this area. Now you can see the gorgeous mansions built with Gold Rush money. There are also a lot of upscale antique shops and art galleries. If you are lucky enough to be in SF during late May, early June, check out the Union Street Festival. The Edwardian and Victorian architecture is reason enough for coming to this part of town, though.
Lombard St
"World's Crookedest Street, pretty, ritzy street...."
OK, it is the most touristy part of Russian Hill, but it is fun to drive down it and also worth it for the view at the top. You can see the bay and Alcatraz, and the flowers and shrubs are beautiful. Also, if you walk around the area, you can see some pretty little lanes that have staircases to the street as it so hilly here. This is a very ritzy residential area, and although there are not a lot of stores and restaurants here, it is fun to see where some of the city’s well-heeled live.
Haight St
"Be aware and stay on the better half...."
There are two distinct parts of Haight Street, divided by Divisadero Street. The Upper Haight is more touristy and we could still see some evidence of the hippy revolution of the 60’s. There are still some cute shops and head shops. The Lower Haight is not the best area. We were told to avoid it and I can see why. It didn’t look safe, especially at night when we drove through.
Fisherman's Wharf
"Something for everyone, if you don't mind the crowds..."
Ok, it’s a tourist trap but you have to go. It will probably take the whole day. For fish, I am not crazy about the famous places here. You are better off getting some of the sublime Dungeness crab from a street vendor and a sundae at Ghirardelli’s. Save the big meal for the Tadich Grill. Check out the loads of sea lions that sun themselves on the floating wooden pallets. Also, this is where you get a boat for the many tours of the bay. The best is the tour to Alcatraz; fascinating and worth every cent.
California St
"Long street, something for everyone...."
Start on the top of Nob Hill at the Mark Hopkins. From our hotel on Pine, we felt like part mountain goat getting up to it. Check out the Grace Cathedral, with its bronze Ghiberti doors in front and the gorgeous stain glass windows. Walk the labyrinth inside. Outside, hop on the trolley and go down the hill to the Tadich Grill, an institution in San Francisco. If you like fish, you will be in heaven. If you don’t, the atmosphere is worth the trip. California Street is long and you will get a great feeling for the city, just by staying on the trolley.
Geary St
"Excellent shopping and dining..."
Geary runs through the heart of Union Square. There are a lot of wonderful restaurants and stores, including upscale places like Tiffany and Saks. If you are on Geary during dinnertime, we recommend the Daily Grill. If you have room, try the Fruit Cobbler of the day. Unbelievable! Anyway, this street is also in the hub of the theater district and steps from the Powell Street trolley line.
Pine St
"Nice residential neighborhood, great place to stay!"
We stayed on Pine Street at the Grosvenor Suites, and although there are a lot of hotels (The Mark Hopkins is across the street), we actually had a sense of community because we got to know some of the neighbors walking their dogs. It is very residential as well as business-oriented. From Pine, it is a short walk to several trolley lines and a great location to a lot of the SF attractions, like Chinatown.
Riverwalk Cir
"History and beauty, too"
This is right on the banks of the New River and has a lot of shops and restaurants. There is a lot of historical significance, too, as this spot is where Native Americans and early settlers traded fish and produce, sort of a farmers’ market. You can also find the Museum of Science and Discovery here. Great exhibits and Imax theater, too – Sea Monsters 3D is awesome.
East Broward Blvd
"Yet more stores...."
There are a lot of shops here, but really, not worth the time to come here. There are a lot of students milling around during the day, but at night, it is very sparsely populated and we did not feel all that safe. I was glad to leave. Yes, there is a nice mall, but we have all seen malls before and I don’t think it is worth the time.
West Broward Blvd
"For the younger crowd...."
This street has a lot of clubs and attracts the party crowd. Maybe it was just the night we were there, but it seemed sort of unsafe, with a lot of young kids who were power-drinking and out of control. I was glad to get out of there. It’s not that it is slummy, by any means, it just seems to be the younger, partying crowd at night.
Southwest 5th Ave
"Center for the Performing Arts..."
This street is part of the Arts and Entertainment District and is really nice. We were there for a show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to see CeCe Winans in concert. The center itself is beautiful and the street looks very rich. There are lots of restaurants and hotels here. If you are in the Fort Lauderdale area, check out who is playing.
North Ocean Dr
"Perfect for a romantic drive at night..."
North Ocean Blvd. – This is a beautiful drive, day or night. During the day, the ocean is the star and at night, the fabulous resorts are very glitzy. Until the last trip, I thought it was worth going to for the orange roughy at Sea Watch. No more. This place has a nice romantic atmosphere in the lounge at night and that’s it. The food has gone downhill. Have a drink there and move on.
East Las Olas Blvd
"where the action is....."
There are so many shops, restaurants and places to see on Las Olas that we spent the entire day wandering. This street goes all the way to the beach, where you can see the famed Elbo (no “w”) Room Bar, where they filmed the movie “Where The Boys Are”. It’s an awesome place to have a few. Just do not go during Spring Break. For lunch, we went to Big City Tavern. Try the thin crust pizzas – delicious!
Seabreeze Blvd
"Nice walk at night...."
This is where the Aquatic Complex is and it makes a nice walk after you have eaten too many stone crabs. The Swimming Hall of Fame is here, and it is here that some Olympians have trained. There are some beautiful yachts docked here and a great place to stroll with an ice cream at night. Some nice hotels are along Seabreeze as well.
Southwest 2nd Ave
"Some beautiful old homes and jazz...."
The thing that makes this street worth going to is The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the amazingly beautiful old buildings – gorgeous, worth the time. You can see some of these places being in Key West. There is a walking tour, which was interesting. While we were there, we went back for a jazz concert, which they have quite often.
Beale St
"A really fun street, can rival Bourbon Street but different...."
I think it's the law here. You have to go to Beale Street. It's hard to avoid. If music, jazz in particular is your reason for being in Memphis, Beale Street has to be your first stop. W.C. Handy first wrote and performed what was known to be jazz. Beale Street is home to tons of clubs and jazz joints, including B.B. King’s, the 3rd Floor, and Club 152 on Beale. Just watch your purse or wallet. Where there are tons of tourists having a good time and drinking, there are sure to be creeps looking to take advantage.
Union Ave
"Nice street, makes a lot accessible on foot..."
Union Avenue – Not only is the venerable Peabody Hotel (admit it, you want to see the ducks) on Union Avenue. The hotel was worth the extra money. Great atmosphere here. If we hadn't been staying, I would have just gone in to have a drink in the bar off the lobby. Union also offers great shops, restaurants, and very importantly to the music lover, Sun Studio (now a museum), original recording home of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Union runs from the mighty Missipp all the way to the medical district.
Elvis Presley Blvd
"You MUST visit the King's palace..."
Elvis Presley Boulevard – Can any trip to Memphis be complete without coming to the street that boasts Graceland, an Elvis RV park and Heartbreak Hotel? While you are here, check out Marlowe’s. Yes, it’s kitsch, but when in Rome…. That’s the thing about Elvis’ own street. He is still The King! He is the reason that you or anyone else is here. ‘Nuff said.
East McLemore Ave
"If you love soul music, you have to go..."
If you want to get a feel for old Memphis when it was a mecca for soul artists, check out McLemore. There is an awesome picture of Booker T and the MGs crossing ala Beatles on the Abbey Road. It was the cover on one of my old albums. This street is worth going to if only for the Stax Museum of Soul Music. Awesome. It’s run down, but a thrill for anyone who loves soul.
Main St
"You've got to ride the trolley, arts district, worth the time"
Main Street – If it isn’t too hot, you can walk down Main, but we recommend the trolley. No cars are allowed and you can really enjoy getting off and browsing the cafes and museums the area. On Main, you will find yourself in the Historic Arts District. Check out the Orpheum Theater, statue of Elvis, Majestic Grill for a meal. It used to be the Majestic Theatre, built in 1913 – worth the trip alone. I recommend their “Famous Grilled Cheese” or the Tenderloin Panini.
North Front St
"Court Square - pretty oasis on No. Front"
One of my favorite places in Memphis is Court Square. It is a great place to rest awhile, shady and cool. You can listen to the water in the bronze fountain. I was trying to figure out what angle Gene Hackman and Tom Cruise must have been in when they shot their scene in front of it, but I couldn’t. The only reason I deducted a star is the number of homeless. We were approached several times, but overall, it was a nice place to take a breather.
Lamar Ave
"Lamar Avenue - Stay away!"
We took a wrong turn one night and ended up on Lamar Avenue. Whatever you do, avoid this area, even in daylight. It looks like a bombed out Beirut. Scary. We were told at the hotel that this area was unsafe, and I believe it. It is really run down with a lot of unsavory types hanging around. I am from a city and am not easily intimidated, but I was really glad to get out of there.
South 2nd St
"Unless you love ribs, don't bother"
South 2nd Street – There is nothing special about this street, except for Rendezvous. I was skeptical when our tour guide recommended it, but someone else in my group said they heard it was good, too. So, we tried it. Best. Ribs. Ever. Really. If you don’t like sopping wet ribs, try these dry ribs. They are SO good. This place was down an alley complete with dumpsters. Once you get in, it's kind of charming, though. Skip 2nd Street unless you like ribs – a lot! The street has a lot of shops and restaurants. I just got the feeling it was a poor man's Beale Street.
Madison Ave
"Eh, you can find better places to go"
Madison Avenue – This is the Overton Square area and we ate there one night. It is essentially a 3-block shopping area that you can find in any city. The desk clerk recommended Garcia Wells and it was ok. If you have eaten in the Southwest, it’s nothing special. There are a lot of eclectic restaurants and upscale boutiques. It’s a nice place for a stroll after lunch. I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to try Grill 83.
Poplar Ave
"Ok, but there are much better things to do"
Poplar Avenue – There are lots of hotels and restaurants, nothing special unless you count the antique mall and Corky’s BBQ. We really didn’t think it was worth the time, but ended up poking around the mall, and then had the ribs at Corky’s. Some like it much better than Rendezvous. We liked them both.
Now, I wish we had spent the time doing a river cruise instead.
Now, I wish we had spent the time doing a river cruise instead.
