Traveling to USA (Southern States) - Booze, food and entertainment advice

[Feral Camel]

Hello all,

I'm heading over to the States next month for my 30th Birthday and thought it may be worth while getting some local advice. I've decided to jump on a tour and see the Southern States but the extra information can be really handy. I'm starting in LA, heading through Texas and Louisiana then heading up to NY.

These are the cities I'll be spending a little bit of time in;

Hollywood
Las Vegas
Santa Fe
Amarillo
San Antonio
Austin
Lafayette
New Orleans
Memphis
Nashville
Washington
New York

First of all I love food. So any unique, local cuisines (or restaurants) you'd recommend would be fantastic.

Second, I fucking love beer and you Americans are always bragging about your craft brews. Can you recommend any breweries in these cities that are worth the visit or any local beers that are worth trying out?

What about spirits? I'm hoping to try Moonshine while I'm there. Can you think of any other spirits that would be worth while checking out?

Third, Can you think of anything worth while seeing in these cites that aren't the standard tourist spots?

Random question: Do guys wear thongs (flip flops) in American?

[Klapaucius5691]

Yes plenty of guys here wear flips flops. You can even wear flip flops with socks if you want.

[Auxora]

I'm sure you'll have a blast. The best part of visiting other parts of the world is helping to remove misconceptions and stereotypes. The more I travel the more I realize we're all really the same, wanting the same things, and most of the differences are untrue and fed by media or people that haven't traveled at all.

That said, way to many great places to visit in all those cities. Texas de Brazil is a franchise but has a restaurant in Vegas and would be a good stop. Fond memories of Dixie Beer in New Orleans too.

[Feral Camel]

Yes plenty of guys here wear flips flops. You can even wear flip flops with socks if you want.

That must look really odd.. and not that easy to wear.

[Crissi]

San Antonio: Alamo, Riverwalk

Austin: 6th Street, Zilker Park, barton Springs, University of Texas campus, the Capital

[plantation]

Lots of hot girls in socal.

[GennGreymane]

once u hit the south hit up every single bbq place u see

[Duronos]

Stay in the big cities, the South is a complete shithole outside of it if you're talking entertainment. I'd recommend if you go to Alabama, go to somewhere like Huntsville where the intelligent people actually are. I've heard parts of New Orleans is alright but there are many bad areas there, Nashville and Memphis are two very good cities to go and see (if you can stand country music). If you're willing to blow a few extra then go to Las Vegas too.

Finally go to Florida, you'll understand why once you go there. I know you didn't post that you're going to Florida but you're missing out if you don't.

[Tastyfish]

Watch out in New Orleans, they like fining tourists, but it's an amazing city.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/02/w...mufuletta.html
Check this out^

Edit: I find they have good food suggestions for everywhere.

[Spectral]

That's an impressive variety of places! When you're here in DC, there's a couple decent breweries that have just recently popped up, but I'd say the highlight of the beer scene is the beer bars moreso than the breweries. Among the breweries, the most worth a visit would be Bluejacket, which has a whole bunch of wild experimental stuff (here's their current menu). Churchkey consistently rates as one of the ten best beer bars in the country and everything there is offered in full size or 4 ounce pours, so you can try a wide variety of things. The downstairs of Churchkey has the same tap list and fantastic food (strongly recommend whatever the night tasting menu is), but it's a little pricey. Depending what district you're in, RFD, Meridian Pint, Black Squirrel, and Smoke and Barrel are excellent beer bar options as well. Feel free to PM me when you're going to be here, I'm happy to help with whatever I can as far as picking places.

New Orleans is my favorite city I've ever been to. It's just... special. Truly great experience. Not so much on the higher end stuff, but if you're just going out and drinking hard, finishing the night off with some good food, you can't beat it. The cajun food in the city is, obviously, incredible. The seafood is spectacular. The one must visit is heading to Cafe Du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait in the morning to beat a hangover. It's famous for good reason.

[Orlong]

In Memphis youll want to go to Alcenias http://alcenias.com/ They have the best home cooked soul food Ive ever had. The restaurant isnt much to look at as you can see on their site, but the food is amazing and thats what matters. I recommend going on a tuesday if you can for the macaroni and cheese and fried catfish

[PACOX]

BBQ and seafood shacks.

Also try to find a soul food spot as well.

[Bonchez]

I would recommend visiting San Diego before you head east. San Diego has a big craft beer scene.

[Spectral]

I would recommend visiting San Diego before you head east. San Diego has a big craft beer scene.

Legit. Stone (a bit outside SD) and Alesmith are excellent. I hear Societe is going to be a big effin' deal too.

[Spectral]

Death to everyone who wears flip flops.

Flip flops all day. My feets gots to breathe, ya dig?

[Dispraise]

Random question: Do guys wear thongs (flip flops) in American?

Yes. But if you call them thongs, they'll get extremely confused.

[Spectral]

Yes. But if you call them thongs, they'll get extremely confused.

This is also accurate. Thongs go between ass cheeks here, not toes.

[Spectral]

They make noise.

[clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop]

What noise? I don't hear anything?

I wear opposites in footwear. Flip-flops or running shoes. I'm either as noisy as humanly possible while moving or as stealthy as humanly possible.

[Proser]

nashville go to printers alley

[Tierbook]

If you come through Charleston I would recommend Sweatman's BBQ in Holly Hill and as far as breweries there are a few http://www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/57/