great takes on family travel in the U.S.

This weeks ”local perspective” is about the charming coastal town of Halmstad in southern Sweden.  Erica Johansson is a freelance writer and photographer from Sweden who shares these passions on her popular blog, Blissfull Travel. I enjoyed reading Erica’s answers about Halmstad….a city that is totally foreign to me (and probably most Americans) and which sounds quite delightful! I love the idea of spending a day by the coast during the summer, eating fresh seafood and experiencing the laid-back friendly culture.

1. Give 5 adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of your town and its residents.

Fun, friendly, sporty, laid back, and down-to-earth.

2. What is your favorite neighborhood in your town?

I love Frösakull, located about 10km from the center of Halmstad, because that’s where I grew up. The neighborhood has a mix of modern design houses and cozy small summer cottages. During the summers, we lived only 200m from Frösakull Beach. A great beach for families, snorkelers, windsurfers, and those who like beach volleyball. It’s not as crowded as Tylösand Beach to the west and not as quiet as Ringenäs Beach to the east. 

3. Which cuisine do you think your town does best? What is the runner-up?

I think the gourmet cuisine is terrific. Taste the sea food at Restaurant SALT  on Tylösand Beach (only a couple of meters from the sea!), book a table at Restaurant Akvarell in Tylösand, where you have sea view as well, or drive to Heagårds Skafferi located near Steninge 2km after Halmstad Airport. They didn’t have any vegetarian dishes on the menu, but were happy to prepare something special when I asked.

Runner-up is a tough choice between sushi (at Takenaka Sushi Bar ) or pizza (in particular Stanton’s Pizza ).

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Spending time at the beach and in the water (especially when the waves are high). Although if you’re visiting at the end of July, or in August, watch out for jellyfish!

I would also recommend cycling along the river Nissan, a picnic in Norre Katts park or, during rainy days, go to Halmstad Library to catch up on some reading. And I’m sure hikers will love “Prins Bertils stig”, an 18km long
hiking path along the coast.  

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

I enjoy Hotel Tylösand’s Solgården, where they have concerts with famous artists and free After Beach each day in July. Since I’m a real film buff, I’ll have to say the cinema as well.

Outdoor activities are never wrong either. If I could do anything I would love to learn kitesurfing with Kiteskolan.

6. List the best family friendly activity.

Tropikcenter, where you can see more than 140 species of tropical animals in natural environments. It almost feels like you’re in the Amazon. 

I’m also sure most kids would enjoy go-carting at Gokarthallen Halmstad. They have go-carts for everyone above 7 years of age.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

I would send them to a luxurious suite with sea view at Hotel Tylösand. Then, they can choose if they want to relax with couple treatments in the Spa, eat gourmet dinners in one of the hotel’s restaurants, spend the days on the beach, make fun excursions in the area, or - if the weather is bad - just stay inside and order room service.

8. Describe a perfect day.one that captures what your area/city is all about.In 3 sentences or less. 

Wake up early and take a jog along the beach, make a fun excursion somewhere (depending on your interests), and spend the evening with your closest friends at one of the open-air restaurants on Little Square.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go, whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

There’s this quiet spot on a cliff overlooking the sea, along the cycle path towards Grötvik, where we used to go and eat take-away pizza when I was a kid. I haven’t actually been there in years now, but that’s a place I will always love and never forget.

10. What should we have asked, but didn’t?

You could have asked “When is the best time to visit Halmstad?” and I would have said “The summer, without a doubt”. Halmstad truly is a summer city and attracts people from all over Sweden, as well as other European countries.

Have a city that you would like to share with everyone? Then e-mail us or comment on this post…maybe you can be our next local expert!

This “local expert” post on Tucson is written by Kay Wehunt. Kay and her husband, Bill, lived in Tucson from 1999-2005 and according to her, would still be there if they hadn’t gotten homesick for Texas. I loved reading her wonderful recommendations that capture Tucson’s “old-world charm” and my mouth is now watering for fry-bread tacos and delicious Sonoran food. Kay and her husband are also avid world travelers and you can see photos of many of their adventures at this website. Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of the Tucson metro area and its residents?

Historic, Hispanic-influenced, artistic, casual, fitness-conscious

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Tucson?

The foothills area just below the Santa Catalina mountains is home to some of the city’s wealthiest citizens. The homes are architectural jewels and the views are magnificent. Any part of the northeast section of the city north of River Road. Some prefer the older homes just west of the downtown area near the University. Most of the old barrio was mostly torn down in an urban renewal project.

3. Which cuisine do you think Tucson does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant(s))

Tucson is Sonoran Mexican-food heaven. From the original El Charro on Court St. on the north side of the downtown area (be sure to see the carne seca beef drying in strips in cages on the roof) to elegant four-star dining at the Loew’s Ventana Canyon hotel’s premier restaurant, you can’t find a bad meal if you try. My favorite casual restaurant is Guillermo’s Double L at 1830 South 4th St. A Tucson institution. And be sure to ask for a fried egg on top of your meal–then they’ll know you are serious about your food.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Just 26 miles north and 45 minutes away is Mount Lemmon. At over 9,000 feet above the desert plain, it provides a cool contrast to the Tucson landscape. If you are a little more pressed for time, visit Sabino Canyon. There is a museum and there are short hiking trails with gorgeous views and unusual topography. For $4 one can ride the tram up and down the entire canyon.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Whatever you like, you can find it in Tucson. From concerts and Broadway plays at the University of Arizona, to casinos and pop concerts, to rodeos, to local theater, to marvelous galleries of Southwestern art known world-wide–there is no shortage of entertainment and lots of diversity for all tastes.

6. List the best family friendly activity.

The Arizona Desert Museum on the west side of town is fascinating for all ages. See desert animals in environmentally correct enclosures. All displays are kid-friendly while being informative and interesting to adults, too.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

No question that Hacienda del Sol would be the perfect small hotel for a quiet, romantic getaway. Lots of Southwest flavor in the 1930’s buildings with modern amenities. The restaurant is outstanding.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about– In three sentences or less.

Start off with an early morning visit to Saguaro National Park to see the distinctive giant cactus only found in Arizona. Have a late breakfast at the Arizona Inn founded in the 1930’s. Great food and service with loads of charm. Head for the Desert Museum to see anything you missed in your long visit. Go south of Tucson to San Xavier del Bac, the oldest mission in the United States. Nicknamed the White Dove of the Desert, it sits in regal splendor on the Tohono O’otham Indian reservation just off the southwest side of town. A lunch of Indian fry-bread tacos and a coke at the mission (remember that big breakfast?) and head for the Tucson Zoo, small enough to be a pleasant walk but large enough to have really great animals. Finish the day at Guillermo’s Double L for a casual day or at any of the more elegant restaurants whose chefs are revered like rock stars in this cuisine-savvy city. Finish the day at Gates Pass, watching some of the best sunsets to be seen anywhere.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

On the Saturday before Easter at the church on the Pascua Yaqui reservation, the tribe performs religious dances celebrating the resurrection of Christ. No cameras, recorders, or sketchbooks allowed. Bring your own chairs and stay for the hours of ritual or as much as you can absorb. It is a unique, artistic, compelling spectacle.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“When is the best time to visit Tucson?”

Most tourists like Tucson best in March and April. Moderate temperatures are appealing. Also, three major-league baseball teams do their spring training in Tucson at that time.
For less expensive accomodations and smaller crowds, brave the heat and visit in August. The monsoon rains cool off the temperatures and provide spectacular lightning shows.

Whenever you visit, the old-world charm of Tucson will be waiting to greet you.

Do you have a town that you would like to write about? E-mail us or comment on this post and you could be our next “local expert”!

Thanks to Eflon for the wonderful Saguaro cactus picture!

This Local’s Perspective on Carmel comes from Nancy Brown. Nancy, a new contributor to the UpTake blog, enjoyed our “Revealed” series and wanted to ring in on a town she knows and loves. Nancy considers herself a “wannabe local” of Carmel and has indeed spent a lot of time there. She has shared some valuable inside information with us on this beautiful area. I can’t wait to head down and try out the many sensational restaurants mentioned or to just sit and “listen to the lull of the crashing surf”. You can also check out Nancy’s great writing on her blog, What a Trip, or read her contributions to the Contra Costa Times Lamorinda Sun. Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Carmel and its residents?

Artistic, creative, educated, worldly and wealthy

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Carmel?

Anyone who has visited the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea remembers the Hansel and Gretel thatched roof cottages with names such as Sea Change and the lack of street numbers on the houses. I’d like to share another part of Carmel that Uptake readers might not be familiar with. When Carmel beach is socked in with fog as thick as a cotton ball, visitors should take a tip from the locals and drive inland to Carmel Valley. The valley offers nearly year-round sunshine, less traffic and wonderful hiking, biking, dining and wine tasting opportunities.

3. Which cuisine do you think Carmel does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

True foodies have died and gone to heaven when they arrive in Carmel. My mother lives in Carmel, so I visit quite often and we have never run out of excellent restaurants. Here in California and specifically Monterey County its all about local ingredients from Earthbound Farms, to Sea Harvest Fish Market, be it land or sea, it must be fresh. For high-end dining, Marinus at Bernardus Lodge is excellent, while Grasing’s on Mission Street in downtown Carmel offers close by dining. For casual dining with a Hawaiian flair try Billy Quon’s new Volcano in Carmel Valley.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Point Lobos State Reserve, with its headlands, coves and meadows, offers visitors views of migrating gray whales (from December to May), seals, otters and shorebirds. The $10 per vehicle entrance fee is waived if you walk in.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

If you are looking for action and night life you’ll need to visit nearby Monterey. Carmel restricts amplified outdoor music. My favorite entertainment in Carmel is sitting on the deck with a Carmel Valley glass of wine and listening to the lull of the crashing surf.

6. List the best family friendly activity?

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is excellent for multiple generations. The newly renovated Splash Zone will appeal to the younger set, while the Outer Bay Exhibit offers benches to sit and be entertained as you watch sharks, tuna and turtles swim by. Carmel River State Beach offers a less crowded alternative to the scenic Ocean Avenue beach.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

I’d recommend a day driving to Big Sur, returning in time for sunset cocktails at the Highlands Inn, dinner at Casa Nova or Anton and Michel and an ocean view room at the Tickle Pink Inn.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.

Begin with breakfast at Katy’s Place on Mission, then drive to Julia Pfeiffer State Park and hike in the redwoods. On your way back to Carmel, stop at the Big Sur River Inn to dangle your toes in the water and listen to the band play before you head back to your hotel room overlooking the ocean.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

The Forge in the Forest is sure to be in every guidebook because it’s been around forever. I’ve been coming here for the salad and quiche since my college days in the 80’s. Carmel is a dog friendly town and the Forge is no exception. The restaurant includes a dog pound patio with outdoor heat lamps and fire pits.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“What is the best time of year to visit Carmel?”

Like San Francisco, Carmel is often blanketed with a thick layer of fog in the summer time. It always amuses me to see visitors freezing in their shorts and sun dresses wearing their newly purchased “I Heart Carmel” sweatshirts. When you visit Carmel, wear layers of clothing. The best time to visit Carmel is in the spring and fall; preferably during a non-holiday weekend.

Want to be our next “local expert”? Send us an e-mail or comment on this post!

Thanks to Kobuta for the stunning Carmel beach photo.

This week’s local interview comes from an UpTake mom–as in, the mom of an UpTake employee! That’s right- we will scour far and wide to find a local expert for these posts, but, we aren’t above looking in our own backyard either. Katherine Daniels has never lived on San Juan Island, but her husband Jim has and he was called in as an advisor for the post. They have also spent many a vacation exploring this beautiful island and all it has to offer. Katherine does a great job of describing this scenic island and all that there is to do. I especially liked her description of the great Pig War and would love to be on a boat tour that got up close and personal to Orcas and seals! Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of San Juan Island and its residents?

Opulent, beautiful, laid-back, nature-loving, off-the-grid

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of San Juan Island?

Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are the two largest areas with accommodations. Though Roche Harbor is more picturesque, in my opinion, I really like Friday Harbor as a base camp. It’s got much more to do and many more places to stay. It’s a real, little island town.

3. Which cuisine do you think San Juan Island does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

Fresh Northwest inspired cuisine. There were surprising, high-star restaurant meals to be found for discerning tastes. We had a dinner at Friday Harbor House (the Inn’s restaurant is Harbor View) that could rival a four to five star restaurant in Seattle. Also, Duck Soup Inn was picturesque and served delicious food (the Thai, Thom Ka seasoned steamed mussels were outstanding). It’s about 15 minutes outside Friday Harbor and involves a charming short drive (past the camel - see below).

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Drive around and explore the island on your own. I guess “driving” isn’t free, but the island is really worth exploring and you’ll need a car to do it. We saw incredibly different landscapes for such a small island. I photographed a variety of wild foxes (they were all over the south side of the island), Eagles and eagle nests, seals and otters (mostly on the west side of the island). I also saw a camel in someone’s backyard pen on the short drive to a great restaurant - Duck Soup Inn. Krystal Acres is an alpaca farm with dozens of alpaca to photograph, there’s no fee to enter the farm and they have a great country store of products made from their wool (they feel like cashmere).

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Whale and Nature tours, via boat. This was a great experience. You don’t get the true feel for the San Juan Islands until you’re weaving in and out of them on the water. It’s one of the leading Orca (Killer Whale) sites in the world and several pods of Orca hang out around the island. The boat captains on the whale tours share the current locations of the whales and you speed off to see the pods. There are also other whales to see, as well as Stellar sea lions, eagles, seals, colorful starfish and more. Personally, I’d try the kayak tours next time, in addition to one of these whale-watching tours.

6. List the best family friendly activity.

A whale-watching trip after visiting the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. The boats are large, safe and have bathrooms. Just make sure to bring a light jacket - this is a marine climate and can vary.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

Friday Harbor House - get a room with a view overlooking the harbor. There are some remote B&Bs that could be fun, too. If you’ve got a car, nothing is too far to drive to on the island.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about– In three sentences or less.

Havea great breakfast at your B&B or Inn and then head out to a kayak or whale watching tour for the day. Or, if you’ve done that already, pack a picnic from one of the many Friday Harbor restaurants, get a simple map and drive the island, eating at Lime Kiln Point State Park (near the lighthouse). End with drinks next to a fire pit overlooking the harbor (or just drink somewhere overlooking the water) before you eat your fabulous dinner at Friday Harbor House’s restaurant.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

There’s this whole sordid history of the island that occurred back in the mid-1800s. The great Pig War. The short story is that the ownership of the island was in dispute, so the Americans set up a camp on the south end of the island, the British set up English Camp on the northwest side. There were never any war-related deaths, but a pig was killed when it got into the wrong garden and started a ruckus between the two. A German King settled the issue and America got possession of the island.

But, here’s the good part - The American Camp is a National Park and it has (by natural fate) a huge, bald eagle’s nest within viewing distance of the parking lot. Both eagles were in the nest when I was there, with eggs. The parent eagles have successfully raised eaglets for over 15 years in this location. The park ranger will tell you all about them.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“How do you get to and from Friday Harbor (unless you have a private boat)?”

Why, you take the Washington State Ferry. It’s really fun for those of us who don’t ride ferries too often. You can walk on or drive on with your car at Anacortes, WA. There’s a ferry schedule online. You can get on a direct ferry route to Friday Harbor, or take an island hopper and see a few other islands in the San Juans. It’s almost as good as being on a whale watching boat trip (not really, but ALMOST), so make sure you’re by a big window or out on the ferry deck to see the sights.

Want to share, brag, or tell about your town? If so, send an e-mail or comment on this post- then you can be our next local expert!

Thanks to SoggyDan for the beautiful Friday Harbor picture.

This local’s perspective is by Miles Traer. Miles grew up in Chicago’s backyard and so knows the city through and through. He speaks knowledgably- and so passionately about his hometown that he has convinced me to put Chicago at the top of my ’short list’ of places to visit. Whether you prefer beer and baseball or fine cuisine and architecture, Miles has covered this city as only a local expert can. Enjoy!

1. Give 5 adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Chicago and its residents.

Proud, enthusiastic, sarcastic, jovial, gregarious

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Chicago?

There are so many niche neighborhoods in and around Chicago, but my personal favorite is Wrigleyville. It has everything you want in a Chicago neighborhood: great people, that 1920’s style architecture, great bars, and a ton of places to pick up a polish sausage and watch the baseball game. For something a little more unique to Chicago, check out Greek town. Some of the best hidden restaurants in the city are here.

3. Which cuisine do you think Chicago does best? What is the runner-up?

Chicago is home to some of the best food in the country. But if you had to pick a single style, it would have to be the steak house. Going all the way back to the time of the Union Stock Yards, Chicago has steak down to a true art form. There’s Morton’s Steak House for a fabulous atmosphere and a fantastic meal, or Gene and Georgetti’s for a classic Chicago meal – get the garbage salad! There are too many runner-ups, but I’d be remiss not mentioning Frontera Grill (best Mexican in the country), Pizzaria Uno (birthplace of deep-dish), and the Billy Goat Tavern (home of the cheezborger).

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Provided you can keep your wallet safely locked in your pocket, a walk down Michigan Avenue is the way to go. Otherwise, a walk along Lake Michigan during the summer with a stop by Buckingham Fountain is a beautiful way to spend a day.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

There is nothing that compares to a baseball game during the day at Wrigley Field. After the game, run over to Second City and catch the late-night improv set.

6. List the best family friendly activity in Chicago.

A trip to any of the amazing museums in Chicago. For the kids, the Museum of Science and Industry is amazing – hands on, entertaining, and the coal mine exhibit still gets me.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

A stay at the Drake Hotel in a room overlooking Lake Shore Drive is about as perfect a stay that I can imagine.

8. Describe a perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about. In 3 sentences or less.

The perfect day starts with a game at Wrigley Field. After that, take a cab over to the Chicago River and take the architecture cruise while catching some sun. Finish the day with dinner at any of the fantastic restaurants and a spin on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go, whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an absolute must for anyone visiting for the time, and anyone living there for that matter. It houses the most impressive collection of art outside of the Met in the country.
A personal favorite that you won’t find in any guidebook is the midnight show of “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” at the Neo-Futurarium (5153 N. Ashland). This is an improv comedy club that won’t kill the wallet the way the top shows at Second City might (just $7 plus $1 times the roll of a die). Hilarious.

Want to share, brag, or tell about your town? If so, send an e-mail or comment on this post–then you can be our next local expert!

Thanks to Laffy4K for the Chicago picture!

This local’s perspective was written by Betty Osborne. Betty spends half the year living in Santa Fe and has done this for the last 10 years. She was a devoted vacationer there even before that. In my opinion, there is no better expert on the restaurants and culture of Santa Fe. Read below for her expert guide on one of our country’s oldest and most beautiful cities.

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Santa Fe and its residents?

Diverse, Eccentric, Different, Historical, Beautiful

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area in Santa Fe?

The central Plaza (and I include up Canyon Road in a sweeping sense) is a great mix of old and new and in spite of a growing generic feel to the shopping, still retains a specific character. There are so many surrounding scenic spots that it is hard to target any one, but they are mostly at a driving distance. Because so much is “behind adobe walls” neighborhoods here are hard to “see.”

3. Which cuisine do you think Santa Fe does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurants)

Northern New Mexican cuisine is very fine here from the freshest at La Casa Sena, Café San Estevan, Mucho Gusto & Santa Fe Grill to the more predictable at La Choza, and Maria’s. Then there are the multicultural, French, Fusion, Mixed Southwest, American restaurants– with Geronimo, The Compound, Santacafé, Ristra, and the O’Keeffe Café-at the top end and Celebrations, Tulips, Café Paris and Agua Santa- in the middle. For Italian fare, go to Il Piatto, Il Vicino and Osteria. Try Harry’s Roadhouse and Bob Cat Bite for the low end. All mentioned have superb freshness as part of their offering. There is a broad offering of many kinds of food at varying price levels. Santa Fe is justly proud of it’s breadth of restaurants, especially for a town of it’s size.

4.What is your favorite type of evening entertainment in Santa Fe?

Hands down, Eating Out is best. The nightlife is fairly limited, though a few bars are open after 10:00pm. It is really not a “late night” town. Certainly, in the summer, the music is splendid. The Opera runs mid-July to three quarters into August and there is nothing more glorious than sitting in this partially outdoor theater, looking through to the mountains. A Chamber Music festival runs simultaneously and music of excellent high quality (big name performers love to come) can be found day and night.

I must mention here the sheer number of Fiestas/Festivals in Santa Fe. Though they are primarily daytime, they often have night functions. There is the famous Indian Market (which has been around for decades), Spanish Market, Folk Art market, Wine & Chile Festival, Jazz Festival, the Lavender Festival and even the very old and more local “Fiesta” in September- where Old Man Zozobra is symbolically burned away, as one lets go of all the bad feelings of the year. It is combined with a historical pageant too.

5. List the best family friendly activity?

Well, I will be honest here—while there are many fun things for kids to do in Santa Fe (and even a BOOK about them! Santa Fe with Kids From A to Z) I feel it is more a city for adults. Having said that, if I had to pick one spot for families, it would be Museum Hill where there is a fantastic Folk Art Museum with a kids area, an Indian Museum with a kids area, and the tiny Spanish Colonial Arts Museum with a tiny kids area. There is a ‘magic labyrinth’ in the middle and a very good restaurant for when you are exhausted from touring. There is enough space for small children to run around too!

6. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

If expense were no object, either the Inn of the Anasazi or the Inn of the Five Graces are very fine. There a many excellent B&Bs too. I am partial to the old St. Francis Hotel, but only certain rooms. La Posada keeps having management problems and La Fonda, while the oldest and most charming, is loud. Start with breakfast at Pasquals, then wander up Canyon Road and look at the art galleries. Santacafé is good for a long lunch with good wine and visit Ten Thousand Waves for a dual massage and a dip in their private hot baths. For dinner, Geronimo would be my choice of a top table in the evening. A more casual evening would find you at El Farol where they often have live music-but it is not so intimate. This is not a cheap day!

7. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.

A beautiful, perfect cerulean blue Santa Fe sky, three fine meals at excellent restaurants, a walk through galleries and museums, a short hike to a hill-just high enough to see the magnificent Northern New Mexican mountains, and if the weather permits- sitting outside somewhere with a glass of wine or a margarita or two. There is a sense of timelessness in Santa Fe that seems to slow you down and make you take time to savor small things.

8. Tell us about a place that you love to go (that might not be in any guidebook)

There is something heart-stopping about the overlook at White Rock in Bandelier National Monument that puts you in your place in the world. Take a picnic as there are many tables. But, just driving around Santa Fe’s tiny old neighborhoods with their eccentric folk art, native plants and charming adobe wall is sight-seeing enough for me.

9. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

Somehow there was not a place to mention the splendid Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and it’s two properties at Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. This museum has brought the quality and level of seriousness in art and public offerings up a big notch in the last ten years. It should be on anyone’s list of things to see in Santa Fe. For a little town this is a very culturally interesting place.

Want to share, brag or tell all about your town? If so, send an email or comment and you can be our next local expert!Thanks to Puroticorico for the nice Santa Fe picture.

If you have been feeling the urge to get out with your girlfriends and leave the husband/boyfriend/cat at home…then I have a great suggestion for you!

Never has there been a better “ladies’ night” excuse than the release of Sex and the City–The Movie. Women across the world are giddy with delight that it is finally here–four years after the last episode aired!

If you live in the Bay Area, then I have the perfect location for this most exciting girls getaway. Gather your gaggle of gals and buy tickets to see the movie in San Francisco at Sundance Kabuki Theater on Fillmore. This is an excellent movie theater in a beautiful building. But, more importantly, there is one theater with balcony seating next to a full service bar. So, you can sit back in their large comfy seats and drink a Cosmo while you watch Carrie and the girls in New York City.

I went this week and it was a blast! Go out to dinner first and dress up….channel your inner Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda fashion sense. Get to the movie early though! On a Tuesday night the line at the bar was out the door, filled with enthusiastic women–no men to be seen.

I won’t spoil the movie for anyone–but, it is definitely worth seeing. So, organize your group of friends and go see it in style!

Thanks to Shereen for the great pic!

Who was your favorite character on SATC?

Know the best dive bar in New Orleans, the most romantic spot to watch the sunset in San Diego, a place to buy a cowboy hat in Dallas, or what to pack when visiting Boston in spring?

The beauty about travel is that anyone can be an expert or a valuable and trusted source.

Most people have a place they know inside and out –a place that they can speak of with both authority and enthusiasm–whether it be their hometown or favorite vacation destination, frequented year after year. We here at the UpTake blog embrace the collective wisdom of the traveling community and recognize that this is made up of the unique and personal experiences of individuals like you!

So, we have invited friends and bloggers from across the country to share their expertise…give us the “inside scoop” on different travel destinations. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Austin, Texas. It is the first installment of many!

Interview with UpTake Employee and native Austinite: Alison Osborne

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Austin and its residents?

natural, funky, creative, liberal, and vibrant

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Austin?

There are a lot of great neighborhoods in Austin—Hyde Park with its pecan tree-lined streets, old porched houses and small neighborhood restaurants, is terrific. There is also the funky South Congress area with hip restaurants, great antique and clothes shopping. But, I would have to say, my top choice is Clarksville. It is a small pocket of residential on the edge of downtown Austin….you can ride your bike downtown or to Zilker Park and the lake. The houses are small, full of character, and surrounded by old gnarled oak trees. There are small neighborhood shops like Fresh Plus grocery and Nau’s pharmacy, where you can sit at the soda fountain in the back and eat a greasy cheeseburger after you buy your Advil and Band-Aids. Or you can walk to one of Austin’s finest restaurants, Jeffrey’s, and sit next to Mac Brown (coach for Texas football), local politicians, or whichever celebrity happens to be in town. Best of all, you are a five minute walk to the flagship Whole Foods (it started in Austin) and this location is the largest (and best) one in the country.

3. Which cuisine do you think Austin does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

Austin has excellent food, across the board. There is a big focus here to support small local businesses, so you don’t get many chain restaurants and you do get a lot of unique and creative food establishments. Hence the city motto- “Keep Austin Weird”. That being said, Tex-Mex and BBQ are most prevalent. My favorite thing to do when I come back home is get a big Mexican breakfast at either Cisco’s or Las Manitas, downtown. Freshly made tortillas are my bench mark for a good Mexican restaurant and there are plenty of establishments that make their own here. As for BBQ, everyone has their favorite joint. I would pick House Park or Green Mesquite in town and Salt Lick if you are willing to drive a bit further out.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

During the day—Zilker Park and the hike and bike trail that circles Town Lake (10 miles of trails). You can people watch, feed the ducks, visit the Botanical Gardens, swim in Barton Creek, or go for a hike. In the evening, make your way over to Congress Bridge where over 1,000,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats have their home and depart every evening at sunset. It is a sight to see! Sit on the grassy lawn of the Four Seasons and bring a picnic. The bats stream out for quite some time and their swarming masses resemble a Chinese dragon, undulating across the evening sky.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

I often take it for granted…but, Austin truly has an amazing ‘live music’ scene. On any one night you can find live shows all across the city. There are some great venues downtown along Red River, 6th Street, and the Wharehouse District. (Stubbs, Antone’s, La Zona Rosa) But, there are also some great dives along South 1st , Lamar, and Congress. (Saxon Pub, Continental Club, etc.)

6. List the best family friendly activity?

Most of the year, Austin is either warm or hot. So, swimming is a great family activity. The two best places for this are Barton Springs Pool, in the middle of Zilker Park. (probably better for older kids). This natural spring gushes out of the ground at 68degrees year round and has been made into a giant pool with grassy hillsides and towering pecan trees for shade. It has a very natural feel, resembling a river or creek rather than a pool. Deep Eddy Pool is off of the Town Lake hike and bike trail. It is also a natural spring, but looks more like a traditional swimming pool and has a large shallow end for kiddos. During the summer, they have movie nights where kid’s movies play on a giant projector and you can sit in the cold water to watch the film. (Austin nights are HOT in summer, so this feels great!).

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

Dinner at Jeffrey’s or Fino. Stay at the Driskill, downtown or Hotel San Jose on South Congress and then see a comedy show at Esther’s Follies, or have a glass of wine by the pool in the dreamily lit courtyard at Hotel San Jose.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.

Migas breakfast at Cisco’s. Lay-out and swim at Barton Springs. Dinner outside on a restaurant deck with a margarita, served ‘on the rocks’.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

Ok, I have to pick two(of the dozens I want to mention). One is Shoal Creek Saloon—great neighborhood restaurant and bar on a creek and greenbelt. You can sit on their back patio and drink $2 Pearl Light beer, eat a fried crawfish po-boy or chicken fried steak and watch a Longhorn football game. The other is the Lauterstein-Conway Massage Clinic…..graduating massage students give these surprisingly good massages for $30/hour (no tip allowed as they aren’t yet certified). I don’t know where else you can get a massage this cheap, outside of Southeast Asia! My back and neck miss it immensely!

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

I would ask, “What did you not get to mention in this interview that you wanted to talk about?

The East Austin art movement. East Austin is an old and beautiful part of the city that has been a bit run down and dangerous for the last several decades. In the past, you only ventured there for some of the best Mexican restaurants in town. But, there is a big movement to refurbish this area. This movement has been brought about by Austin’s vibrant local art scene. Many galleries and studios are popping up everywhere (and housing prices are going up). The East Austin Studio tour is something not to be missed. Organized by the artists themselves, over 200 artists from 100+ studios from East Austin participate. It is free and occurs every November. It’s a wonderful way to keep up with the creative side of Austin.

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