Places that were BETTER than you expected?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michigan! Went there two summers ago for a wedding in Ann Arbor, which is a quintessential college town. Lovely. Then we headed west to Saugatuck - so artsy and beautiful. Then we went to Traverse City which has tons to do, so pretty, reminds me kinda of Cape Cod. Went to a great winery there. Sleeping Bear Dunes is hard to explain how cool it is- feels like you’re on a whole different planet. Then up to the UP with a stop in Mackinac- super charming. The UP is just so...pristine and untouched. Just heavenly. Pictured Rocks is striking. And the people in MI are so nice.

I feel like that state gets such a bad rap for being flyover, crappy economy, ugly...and I know it’s not without its problems but omg no one mentions the absolutely GORGEOUS (and quaint and charming) parts. Loved it.

DS and I were blown away by this, too. He went to boarding school in NE and grew up here. Ended up going to college in MI because A) it's really pretty and B) couldn't get over how friendly everyone is.

One of his good friends is from Traverse City, and he goes up there with him. It really is a pretty place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my .02 but a place can be both dirtier than you expected and better than you expected as far as the experience itself.

India says hi.

[Anonymous]

St. Louis Arch. The arch itself is impressive in its own right, but the underground history museum that is part of the arch complex is amazing. Of course, you have to get Ted Drewes Frozen Custard afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richmond, VA

+1 unexpectedly “cool” city. Same with Roanoke (although smaller), felt like Asheville before Asheville became a bachelorette party Mecca.

Where do you all stay/what did you do in Richmond? I've been wanting to visit but not sure what areas are good to get a sense of the city, not just the suburbs/malls etc.

Stay at The Jefferson
Go to Cary Town and Church Hill as well as Shockoe
Go to the Poe Museum and the Fine Art Museum
Sub Rosa bakery is ranked nationwide

https://venturerichmond.com/explore-downtown/

[Anonymous]

I know it’s universally hated here, but I loved India and am looking forward to going there again one day.

My favorite places there:
The mountains of Himachal Pradesh
The lakes of Udaipur
The backwaters of Kerala
The ruins at Hampi

Other places:
The Monterey Bay Area - I knew it was supposed to be pretty but it was more than I expected.
Dominica. I went 20 years ago so don’t know if it’s the same but it was raw, undeveloped beauty.
Las Vegas. I’m not a gambler or into partying so I didn’t think it was going to interest me but I really enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Marseille. In some ways, I prefer it to Paris.

Another vote for Las Vegas. Was not expecting to like it as much as I did. It was worth it to get off the Strip, but even that was fun. Red Rock felt magical.

[Anonymous]

Belfast, Northern Ireland. Was expecting a bombed out shell of a city, but it's very beautiful and charming. They've updated the shipyard area where Titanic was built, nice big museum on the ship. Lots of parks and green space surrounding old buildings that were untouched by the Troubles. Clean city with easy mass transit. Very modern. Ate lunch at a lovely Irish pub.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Venice. Not as crowded or dirty as everyone says. Maybe I went with really low expectations but it really is a beautiful place.

Venice blew my mind away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Belfast, Northern Ireland. Was expecting a bombed out shell of a city, but it's very beautiful and charming. They've updated the shipyard area where Titanic was built, nice big museum on the ship. Lots of parks and green space surrounding old buildings that were untouched by the Troubles. Clean city with easy mass transit. Very modern. Ate lunch at a lovely Irish pub.

In Ireland (Northern, or the Republic) it is just a pub

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Belfast, Northern Ireland. Was expecting a bombed out shell of a city, but it's very beautiful and charming. They've updated the shipyard area where Titanic was built, nice big museum on the ship. Lots of parks and green space surrounding old buildings that were untouched by the Troubles. Clean city with easy mass transit. Very modern. Ate lunch at a lovely Irish pub.

In Ireland (Northern, or the Republic) it is just a pub

thinking of Tobias Funke, dressed as Mrs. Featherbottom..."Who wants a banger in the mouth....oh, i'm sorry you call it a sausage in the mouth"

[Anonymous]

Milwaukee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Black Hills of South Dakota
Cleveland
Los Angeles

Both Black Hills and Cleveland far exceeded my expectations.