american-english

What to do:
Sure, the beaches on Waikiki are beautiful but they can be full of tourists and there are better if you get your own transportation. Ask a local where their favorite spot is. Most people are extremely friendly and willing to point you in the right direction. If you ask someone with a surfboard, be sure to tell them you want a swimming beach. Surfing spots can be intense in Hawai'i and too dangerous to swim in.

What to do:
From October 8th-10th there's Austin City Limits in Zilker Park. Not only do they have world-famous bands but there's also activities and food. Really, really good food. Beware though, you must get your tickets in advance. They will sell out. This is an event.
March 11th-20th is the South by Southwest Festival

Best local sport:
American football is king in Texas. University of Texas at Austin is one of the best college teams in the nation. Because there is a large immigrant population here, soccer is also popular and you can get a deliciously rowdy atmosphere at a bar if two top Mexican teams are facing off.
My personal favorite, however, is roller derby. The Texas Rollergirls put on a great show, and the ladies in this rock-em-sock-em sport are amazingly athletic. With names like Bullet Tooth Tracy, Babe Ruthless, and Olivia Shootin' John you know it's going to be good.
 

And...
Austin is unique in Texas. Sure you'll find barbeque and cowboy boots but you're far more likely to see tattoos and street musicians. Austin's unofficial motto is "Keep Austin Weird" and everyone does a great job of that. If you love a relaxed, progressive atmosphere, Austin is a liberal oasis. If you're looking for the heart of Texas, you're probably in the wrong place.

When to go:
That depends on what you're looking for! The warmest months are June-August, but also most busy. There are a lot of families travelling during that season and can make for bike riding downtown a bit annoying. I have almost run over kids who weren't looking SO many times. A more pleasant time to visit is late in the season after Labor Day because the foliage on the island is remarkable, but bring warm clothes because it gets chilly! The winters are amazing, too, if you like drinking, snow mobiling, and flying in tiny planes to get to and from the island. Overall, the best time to visit is mid-summer, just avoid going downtown at all costs until all the kids are in bed!
Where to stay:
Of course coming from me, I will tell you the BEST place to stay on Mackinac Island is Grand Hotel hands down. But it tends to be a bit pricey. IF you are considering a trip, you are going to stay at the worlds largest summer hotel, built in 1887 in 93 days made from solid Michigan White Pine. Every single room is decorated differently by Carlton Varney of Dorothy Draper Company who has done work at the White House and other prominent properties. I'm getting carried away; so you get your room, which is normally priced lowest-rate at $300, included in this rate you get a five-course dinner at the hotel, your choice of evening entertainment like the Grand Hotel Orchestra fronted by Alex Graham in the Terrace Room, evening movies in Prosecuter's Heritage Hall, a pianist up in the Cupola Bar which is at the top of the hotel in the tourette of the building (you can catch the most beautiful sun sets under the Mackinac Bridge from up there!), and an evening harpist plays in the Parlor where complimentary demitasse is served after dinner. And, the next morning you get a full breakfast, either brought to your room, or served in the Main Dining Room, Le Salle Manger. It's by far the best place to stay on the island! Or of course you are welcome to couch surf or stay in a bed and breakfast. :)

And...
All three ferry companies that operate have the same prices, most offer free overnight parking as well. But I would suggest taking Arnold Transit Company just because the boats are bigger and are catamarans so they run more smoothly in case you have problems with motion sickness! And if you need a 'taxi', be sure to call for one, or have a dock porter call for you, because if you just walk up to a taxi and ask to get on, they will likely tell you to piss off. They are very busy and the most overworked people on the island, and have no competition for business so they can be a bit salty sometimes! One pointer: if you are planning on getting the most out of the island, bring your own bike. It only costs $7 to bring it on the ferry (don't lose the pass they put on your bike! It's round trip) so you can avoid having to rent a bike which is usually $7 an hour. Much more reasonable! And the one thing that I think tourists miss out on the most is the fact that they usually don't wander too far from the main attractions down town. The thing that makes the island so beautiful to me is the island as a whole. It was the first state park, second National Park, has miles and miles of scenic trails, and tons of fun things to find inside the island including three cemeteries, a battle field, the country's oldest Scottish style golf course, caves, arch rock, sunset rock, the crack in the island, etc. etc. So, don't be lazy if you want to see what Mackinac Island truly has to offer!! Get on that bike and go!

What to do:
There are a few amazing things you shouldn't pass up while visiting!
One: Cannonball Drive In. Drive in you ask? There aren't any cars! But that's beside the point. It's located on the 'other' side of the island, where British Landing is located (this is where back during the war of 1812 the British landed, snuck through the back of the island to build the less popular Fort Holmes at the highest point on the rock, and defeated the French who were occupying Fort Mackinac). So, it's mostly visited while doing a bike ride around the island on State Highway M-185. It's a quaint little stop close to bathrooms where you can get about anything you would expect from a snack stand and more! My favorite treat is their fried pickles with ranch dressing. Completely unhealthy but you've been riding your bike for four miles at this point and still have four to go, so indulge! The prices aren't bad after you've considered the fact that you're on a touristy island that is generally expensive anyway and the views from the picnic tables outside are amazing! (As are any of the views, since you are surrounded by the great 'inland seas' that shape our beautiful state!)
Two: Another treat I enjoy is the Guinness Cheese Crock at the Seabiscuit downtown. Basically it's a crock full of cheese, served with garlic bread... BUT ITS SO GOOD!!!!! Plus the Seabiscuit is so beautiful inside it makes it that much more enjoyable!
Three: On your way to Grand Hotel you will see the Gate House Restaurant, owned by the Musser family who own Grand Hotel. Inside you will find THE best boneless chicken wings I have EVER HAD! And they're named after a good friend of mine! So be sure to stop in and order Bob's Boneless Chicken Wings because they are to die for! Bob Tagatz who is the Grand Hotel Historian and Concierge hates the fact that they're boneless, because he's a chicken wing guru and thinks that boneless is shameful-but the sauce is what does it and he didn't miss a beat there!Four: This one is a bit random, but I can't get enough of these things-if you ever get the chance to come to Grand Hotel and eat at the Grand Luncheon Buffet (priced at $45 per person as of the time this was written) DO IT! It's 100 feet long full of seafood, salads, hot foods, etc. but most importantly, 20+ selections of desserts prepared by my beautiful friend Emily (and others of course, but she deserves credit!). Of those desserts my favorite is the blondie. It's a white chocolate brownie (I call them whities) and it's SO GOOD. Try one.
Five: Woods Restaurant. This is by far the most beautiful restaurant I have ever eaten in. Located towards the inside of the island by The Inn at Stonecliffe, and by the back nine of The Jewel Golf Course (Grand Hotel of course!) it's in a building that has an interesting history. Stonecliffe used to be a mansion - Woods is in what used to be the family's 'play house', and boasts the country's oldest duck-pin bowling alley! The decor is somewhat Bavarian hunting lodge, with a fireplace and a fine pianist, stain glass windows, amazing chandeliers, etc. Your jaw will surely drop as soon as you step inside. To top it off the menu is largely European, and totally authentic - all of our top chefs are from Austria. My favorite dish is the Surf and Turf, which is about $50 but is WELL WORTH IT. I have NEVER had a better cut of meat in my life, and to pair it with perfect lobster tail is just magnificent! Plus the place has a great wine list for all wallet sizes. The trip there and back on a horse-drawn carriage through the woods makes the overall experience heart warming. :)

photo by Jon Rehover

photo by post.ndakota

When to go:
Summer/early fall for sure -unless you LOVE snow and wind and extreme cold.

What to do:
Go to a North Dakota State football game in the Fargodome.
Bike along the Red River
Try curling
Check out the awesome sunsets and occasionally the northern lights
Enjoy the fact that there is no traffic
Go downtown and check out the fun little shops

Where to stay:
With me. It's free and I'll bake cookies.

Best bar/restaurant:
The Hub is cool, yet crowded (it's five different themed bars in one building).

Best local food:
Fried walleye (Everyone goes to the Minnesota lakes and catches walleye. It's delicious.)

And...
Fargo is pretty small, it takes about 15 minutes max to get anywhere in town. It's a pretty laid-back place, but everyone is really nice and willing to help you out if you need it (not just saying that, it's true - I know from personal experience). And yes, there is an accent, but it is not as pronounced as it is in the movie Fargo.