Hostels in USA

Provincetown is a nightmare. Why is it that every hotel/motel/guesthouse/hostel makes you rent for minimum two nights? Want to pass through P-town for a nice overnight trip? Good luck.

Boston is one of my favorite cities in the world. The streets can get super confusing so make sure you know where you're going though! On the flip side, the subway system is great and pretty easy to figure out, so it might really reduce your stress during a trip if you're willing to pay the extra $2.50 or so (Note: if you are transferring between different color lines you do not pay any extra). The MFA is a personal favorite if you don't mind going a bit farther, and it's right next to a charm of a museum called the Isabella Stewart Gardner that is well worth it to visit, and cheaper. Beyond that the tours of historic Boston are great, there is so much history there that it's very helpful to have a guide. There is even a chocolate tour if you're interested. The south side is the most confusing and the best food. If you want to eat at Mike's Pastries expect a long wait. Boston might be small, but there is so much character and history it's worth it to stop by.

The harbor in Juneau has the feel of a movie set -- it has been ruined by the big cruise ships.

I lived in Austin for nine years. Austin is very cool, except that it's so darned hot in the summer. Check out Barton Springs pool in Zilker park, an enormous spring-fed pool, always seventy degrees, perfect for a scorching day. A music reviewer for the Austin paper once wrote "Who's playing this weekend? Ho, hum, the usual embarassment of riches." No kidding. You can find live music any night of the week. Halloween in Austin is a sight to behold, thousands of people partying downtown.

I love New Orleans. I plan to move to this beautiful city. Go down, you won't regret it at all. Party or relax, you'll love it.

Crescent City has three galleries that are worth visiting. One is the 2nd Street Gallery run by the California Redwood Arts Association. The other gallery is the Gallery of Arts and Culture across the street from the post office, and the 3rd is the Harbor Gallery. Aside from Galleries there is the Battery Point Lighthouse museum which is only accessible during low tide. The Battery Point Lighthouse is an active lighthouse that operates 24/7. And there is the historical society museum, and the Lighthouse Repertoire Theatre which has live theatre performances. As far as restaurants, I like Cochina Cochina if your into Mexican food. Their prices are good and the environment is pleasant. And there is Pebble Beach which is off of Pebble Beach Drive. There is a long stairway that you need to descend down. Up above is a popular place for those who watch whales.

Come visit for Christmas, if you can. On Christmas Eve, everyone's houses are lined with luminarias (paper bags with candles), and everyone walks through town and visits. It's a beautiful, non-commercial, community-oriented way to spend Christmas! Also, the best restaurant in town is Fuego, in La Posada de Santa Fe-- but it's VERY expensive. If you enjoy the arts or architecture, be sure to visit the Santa Fe Opera House. It's a gorgeous semi-outdoors building-- I saw Carmen there, and during her death scene, we were also watching a lightning storm. Cold, but fabulous! Santa Fe is a great place to visit. Be warned, however, that the shopping is expensive-- and if you don't like pretentious art galleries and boutiques, you probably won't enjoy shopping there at all.

Phoenix is great for those who like sunshine. People are friendly, and the food is great.

I spent two months traveling the U.S.A., and without a doubt the highlight was Chicago. A big city with friendly people, a stunning waterfront, and real vibrancy. The inner northern suburbs like Lakeview and Lincoln Park are full of great bars and restaurants and awesome nightlife. Check it out.

I wouldn't recommend hitchhiking. There are two prisons in the area, one being an honor camp, meaning there is not much preventing an inmate from breaking out, but his honor. There are escapees quite frequently. Some years ago, when the police were looking for an escapee, all the hitchhikers between Port Angeles and Aberdeen were stopped. Each and every one of them, about 15+ men, had a warrant out for his arrest. Scary. A young man hitchhiking from Port Angeles was picked up by a recently released prisoner on his way to Forks from Monroe. The young hitchhiker ended up stabbing the man who picked him up to death to save his own life when the man tried to rape him.

Pack a sweater! Because Santa Cruz is in California and a beach town, many people think it will be warm and sunny. Actually, it can get surprisingly cold. Also, don't count on swimming in the ocean, unless you wear a wetsuit. As with most of Northern California beaches, the water is freezing.

Denver is a growing city. Progression with almost everything can be seen. It's a safe place compared to other large U.S. cities. The vibe is right in the middle, nothing extreme on either side. Some really cool stuff to find here but you have to look.

Boulder is a beautiful place with friendly people, but be warned, it's easily as preppy as the Orange County, so if that isn't your scene you may not want to spend much time here.

Minneapolis is a great city with a lot of diversity and lots of Swedish Americans. The people are very nice and the city is beautiful. Set on 10 or so lakes, it is a perfect summertime get away.

Seward is a nice little town. The hike at Hardings ice field is a damn good day hike. Reasonably strenuous and we saw a bear and 2 cubs. We had a great lunch at Harbour Dinner Club. Surprisingly, sea food is expensive in Alaska. Expect to pay $20 per head. Another thing to do in Seward is the resurrection Bay Cruise. We went all the up to the Aialik Glacier. Lots of wildlife enroute... bald eagles, puffins, killer whales (we saw about 20!), humpback, lots of other birds, and also sea lions... many :).