Dallas, TX

Dallas, Texas

Information:
Population: 1.241 million
Area: 385.8 sq miles
Airport: Dallas/Forth Worth International
Weather: Coldest monthJan at 57 F , hottest month Jul at 96 F
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Cheerleaders, six flags.

Popular Things To Do:

Sixth Floor Museum, 4.3 Stars
Created in 1989, this museum is located on the sixth and seventh floors of this 20th century warehouse. It includes films, artifacts, and photographs about the life and death of President John F Kennedy. It also includes a reading room where guests can read books and listen to audio recordings. This is a must see for anyone who likes history or presidents.


Reunion Tower, 3.3 Stars
The Reunion Tower is the large ball shaped tower in the picture. The observation deck inside the ball was closed for 6 years, but reopened last year. It offers great views of Dallas on one side. There is also a restaurant/bar inside the tower, but some reviews say the food is just OK. This is a must see for anyone who enjoys city views.


AT&T Performing Arts Center, 4.7 Stars
This performing arts center opened in 2009, but was planned 30 years before that. It now occupies 10 acres of the Dallas Arts District. The center also includes the Margot, Annette Staurss Square, and Bill Winspear Opera House (pictured). This is a must see for anyone who enjoys music, education, or culture.


Hotels
Dallas hotels range from $45 a night to over $550 a night. The pictured hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, a 5 star hotel starting at $540 a night.



Restaurants
Some popular restaurants in Dallas are Five Sixty Wolfgang Puck and Abacus. The pictured restaurant is The French Room, a French restaurant with 4.7 stars.

My Review (7)
I give Dallas a 7 out of 10. There are a lot of interesting museums there. It's one of the cities in the US with the most restaurants per capita. I would like to visit The Reunion Tower, I like how it stands out from the rest of the city. I don't like how hot it can be, though. I'm not really sure on my review, because I haven't visited yet.

Austin, TX

Austin, Texas

Information:
Population: 842,592
Area: 271.8 sq miles
Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International
Weather: Coldest month Jan at 48 F, hottest month July at 85 F
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Being the "Weird City", being the "Greenest City In US"

Popular Things To Do:

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, 4.1 Stars
Created in 1991, but restored in the 1950s, this garden is home to 168 bronze and stone sculptures. They are waxed to protect them, and so visually impaired people can enjoy them. The waterfall and streams hide the sounds of traffic, while visitors walk through paths in the woods. There is even occasional music playing in the trees. This is a must see for anyone who enjoys art or nature.


Lundberg Bakery 3.9 Stars
This is a historical building that was a bakery in 1876 owned by a Swedish immigrant. It was used for a variety of purposes starting in 1936, until Austin took ownership of the building in 1980. The downstairs area is a kitchen, and the upstairs area is an art exhibit. Some couples even get married on the balcony of this building. But, people have given bad reviews of the merchandise here. Some even say it looks like it was made by their grandparents. This is a must see for anyone who enjoys arts and crafts or history.


Lady Bird Lake, 4.5 Stars
This lake is one of the most popular attractions in Austin. There are paths with lots of exits, so nobody will have to walk too far if they are tired. There are rowing programs for all ages. People can rent canoes and kayaks. This is a must see for anyone who loves boating, lakes, or walking.


Hotels
Austin hotels range from $55 to $340+ a night. The pictured hotel is the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin. It starts at $330 a night and has four stars.


Restaurants
Some great restaurants in Austin are Franklin Barbecue and Wink. The pictured restaurant is Uchicko, a Japanese restaurant with a 4.7 star rating.

My Review (6)
I give Austin a 6 out of 10. I think the lake is nice, and the sculpture garden looks interesting. It seems like there aren't that many things to do, though. But I'm not sure, though, because I haven't visited.

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

Information:
Population: 1.338 million
Area: 372 sq miles
Airport: San Diego International
Weather: Coldest months Dec/Jan at 65 F, hottest month Aug at 77
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Zoo, great weather, sea world

Popular Things To Do:

San Diego Zoo, 4.5 Stars
San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world. They are a conservation zoo, so they release animals into the wild instead of keeping them there forever. This zoo has over 4,000 animals and 700,000 plants on 100 acres. Recently, a dog and cheetah became best friends here. This is a must see for animal lovers.


SeaWorld San Diego, 4.1 Stars
Another place San Diego is famous for is Seaworld. Visitors can enjoy ocean-themed rides, swim with animals, and visit an outdoor aquarium. Customers can also enjoy a show (pictured), like the fireworks show and pet show. This is great for ocean-lovers or people who like rides & shows.


La Jolla Cove, 4.5 Stars
La Jolla Cove is a small beach with cliffs. It has very clear water and is popular for snorkeling. Visitors can go inside caves and enjoy the nearby restaurants. This is great for anyone who loves snorkeling, the beach, or exploring..


Hotels
Hotels in San Diego can range from $70 a night to $400+ a night. The pictured hotel is the Pacific Terrace Hotel, which starts at $319 a night. It has four and a half stars and beautiful beaches.


Restaurants
Some great restaurants in San Diego are Island Prime and The Godfather. The pictured restaurant is Baci, an Italian restaurant with 4.7 stars.

My Review (8)
I give San Diego an 8 out of 10. I love the beautiful beaches and ocean. I like visiting both indoor and outdoor attractions, but most of the things in San Diego seem to be outdoors. I don't mind, though, because the weather sounds great. I haven't been there, yet, so I'm not really sure on my rating.

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Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Information:
Population: 1.548 million
Area: 142.6 sq miles
Airport: Philadelphia International
Weather: Coldest month is Dec at 41 F, hottest month is Jul at 87 F
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Cheesesteak, football, Liberty Bell

Popular Things To Do:

The Franklin Institute, 4.2 Stars
This is a science museum for all ages. Some of the attractions include 101 Inventions That Changed The World, The Giant Heart, and Sir Isaac's Loft. This is a very interactive museum, with lots of science exhibits. There are also temporary exhibits that change often. This is a must see for science lovers or kids.

Fort Mifflin, 4.5 Stars
This is the first place that I can actually give my personal experience about (besides NYC)! These are the remains of Civil War/WWI bunks.  I visited here almost a year ago, and it was scary. I got yelled "Go Away"! at by a ghost with another girl. I don't know if it was real, but it definitely scared us! This was voted one of the Top 10 Haunted Places in the US. Fort Mifflin also has a nice river view. This is great for people who enjoy history and being spooked!



Rosenbach Museum & Library, 4 Stars
This library is home to 400,000 rare books. It's set in a historic townhouse, and visitors can get tours of the museum. This is a must see for anyone who loves books or history.



Hotels
Hotels in Philadelphia can range from $58 a night to over $350 a night. The pictured hotel is Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, which starts at $305 a night. It's a four star hotel, with a beautiful interior.



Restaurants
Some popular restaurants in Philadelphia are Zahav and Amada. The pictured restaurant is Vetri, an Italian restaurant with a rating of 4.7 stars.

My Review (8)
I give Philadelphia an 8 out of 10. I have been there, but haven't really explored the city. I'm from Northern New Jersey, so I'm supposed to hate Philly & love NYC. I do love NYC, but Philadelphia sounds fun, too (not as fun as NYC, though)! They have a lot of museums that I didn't know about, and I had a great time at Fort Mifflin.

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Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas, Nevada


Information:
Population: 596,424
Area: 135 sq miles
Airport: McCarran International
Weather: Coldest month is Dec at 58 F, hottest month is July at 105 F
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Gambling, legal prostitution, shows

Popular Things To Do:


Bodies The Exhibition, 4 Stars
This is one of few places in the world where visitors can see the inside of real human bodies. This museum has other locations in Atlanta and Buena Park. Some rumors say these are prisoners from China, but the museum says that they were donated. This is a must see for anyone who loves science.


CSI: The Experience, 3 stars
This museum is located in many big cities. Located inside the MGM Grand Hotel, this museum is an interactive museum where visitors work to solve a crime. Many reviews say it was a fun experience, but it was easy to know who the criminal was. This is a must see for anyone who loves crime shows!


Titanic Artifact Exhibition, 4 1/2 Stars
This place has great reviews. It's a little expensive, but past visitors all say it's worth the price. This museum features several artifacts from the Titanic, and the grand staircase is beautiful. Visitors can get their picture taken there. This is a must see for anyone who loves history or the Titanic.


Hotels
Hotels in Las Vegas range from $60 to $608+ a night. The pictured hotel is Bellagio, once of the most famous hotels in Las Vegas. It has 4.4 stars and starts at $300 a night. Reviews say the Cirque Du Soleil show was amazing, and they have lots of amenities.

Restaurants
Some popular restaurants in Las Vegas include Raku and Hugo's Cellar. The pictured restaurant is Picasso, a French restaurant with a 4.6 star rating.

My Review (9)
I give Las Vegas a 9 out of 10. Before I researched it, I thought all people did there was gamble & drink. I learned there are a lot of cool museums and things to see. The only thing I don't really like is how hot it can be. I'm not really sure on my review yet, because I haven't visited.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on improving my blog, please comment below!

Houston, TX

Houston, TX

Information:
Population: 2.161 million
Area: 627 sq miles
Airport: George Bush Intercontinental
Weather: Coldest month Jan at 63 F, Warmest month Aug at 93 F
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Being a green city, heat, astrodome, "Houston" was the first word spoken from moon

Popular Things To Do:


NRG Astrodome
This dome is used for concerts, baseball games, and football games. This is a must see for anyone who loves music or sports.


Houston Science Museum, 4.5 Stars
This science museum has lots of things to do. Some of these things include a butterfly center, planetarium, and a gem hall. They also do special exhibitions which are always changing. Pictured is The Dinosaur Prophecy exhibit. This is a must see for animal and science lovers.


Museum Of Fine Arts Houston, 4.5 Stars
This museum has tons of art exhibits. The Main Campus is where many of the exhibits are. The Cullen Sculpture Garden is outside of the museum, and features urban/contemporary sculptures. The Rienzi is the section of European art. The museum also features the Glassell School of Art, which teaches art to children ages 3-18, and has a post-graduate program.


Hotels
Houston hotels range from $71 a night to $300+ a night. The pictured hotel is The Houstonian. It's a four and a half star hotel, starting at $297 a night. Reviews say this hotel keeps getting better!


Restaurants
Some popular restaurants in Houston are Masraff's  and Hugo's. The pictured restaurant is Oxheart, an American restaurant with a rating of 4.7.

My Review (8)
I give Houston an 8 out of 10. There's so many museums there. They also have a huge waterwall, and a boardwalk with rides. I live in New Jersey, so I love those! The only thing I don't like is the humid weather. I haven't visited yet, so I'm not really sure on my rating.

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Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois

Information:
Population: 2.715 million
Area: 234 sq miles
Airport: O'Hare International
Weather: Coldest month Jan at 32 F, warmest month Jul at 84.
Currency: US Dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Wind, aquarium, lakes, jazz

Popular Things To Do:


Millennium Park, 4.6 Stars
Millennium Park is sort of Chicago's version of Central Park. There are lots of concerts and exhibits here. The Great Lawn is where most of them are located. Dogs are not permitted here, though, unless they are service animals. This is a must see for music and park lovers.


Art Institute Of Chicago, 4.6 Stars
The Art Institute has several art exhibitions and they are always changing them. Some of the current ones are about Saul Steinberg, Chicagoisms, and Around The World In Travel Sketches. This is a must see for art lovers.

Shedd Aquarium, 4.1 Stars
Shedd Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world. It's home to 32,000 animals, including turtles, otters, penguins, and dolphins. They have a teen learning lab, where teens can come to make new friends and do science experiments for free. This is a must see for ocean lovers.


Hotels
Chicago hotels range from $75 a night to $800+ a night. The pictured hotel is The Langham, which starts at over $800 a night. It is a five star hotel with great city views and beautiful rooms.


Restaurants
Some great restaurants in Chicago are Alinea and Girl & The Goat. The pictured restaurant is Takashi. It's a Japanese restaraunt with a 4.7 star rating. Many Takashi restaurants are located in big cities like NYC and Miami.

My Review (8)
I give Chicago an 8 out of 10. I love all of the tall buildings and the aquariam. So many of the restaurants sound great, too. The only thing I don't like is how cold it can be. I haven't been there yet, so I'm not sure on my rating.

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Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon

Information:
Population: 603,106
Area: 145 sq miles
Airport: Portland International Airport
Weather: Coldest month Dec at 45 F, warmest months Jul/Aug at 80 F
Currency: US dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Roses, hipsters, being "The Greenest City in America"

Popular Things To Do:


Forest Park, 4.7 Stars
With more than 80 miles of forest, this is the largest urban forest in America. It's on the eastern slope of the Tualtin Mountains for over seven miles, and still in the Portland city limits. This is a must see for hikers and nature lovers.


Powell's City Of Books, 4.8 Stars
With 68,000 sq feet of books, this is the largest used and new bookstore in the world. It occupies an entire city block, and houses over a million books. This book store is so large, it provides customers with a map! It has 3,000 shoppers a day, and another 3,000 browsing visitors a day. Another 80,000 customers browse the store online. This is a must see for book lovers.


International Rose Test Garden, 4.3 Stars
Portland is famous for it's roses, and this garden definitely shows why! This is the oldest public garden in the US, founded in 1917. It includes over 10,000 plants of over 500 types. It also includes Ladd's Addition and Peninsula Park, one of Portland's best kept secrets. Both of these areas include even more plants. This is a must see for nature lovers.

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Hotels
Portland hotel prices range from $72 a night to $523+ a night. The pictured hotel is named Sentinel, which starts at $370 a night. It has four stars and is the #5 hotel in Portland. The inside is beautiful with many historic features.


Restaurants
 Some  popular restaurants in Portland are Paley's Place Bistro & Bar, and Screen Door. Another popular restaurant is Andina, which is pictured above. It has 4.5 stars and is a Peruvian restaurant. It is located in the Pearl District of Portland.

My Review (6)
I give Portland a 6 out of 10. I think the rose gardens are beautiful, and there are lots of great restaurants. I love the historic hotels and buildings. It seems like most of the things to do are more outdoors, than average city things. I also don't really like the rainy weather. But, I haven't been there yet, so I'm not really sure.

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Kansas City, KS/MO

Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri

Information:
Population: 464,310
Area: 319 sq miles
Airport: Kansas City International
Weather: Coldest month Jan at 39F, warmest month July at 89.
Currency: US dollar
Telecommunications: Modern
Known for: Barbecue, jazz

Popular Things To Do:

 
Country Club Plaza, 4 Stars
The Kansas City Country Club area is 15 blocks of an upscale residential area with stores. It's located in the Missouri side of Kansas City. It was the first outdoor shopping area in the US. Visitors can take an outdoor carriage ride, enjoy jazz music, or enjoy the beautiful lights during the holidays (see picture). This is a must see for shopping lovers.


Kansas City Zoo, 4 Stars
The Kansas City zoo occupies 202 acres of land and was founded in 1909. It is located on the Missouri side of Kansas City. It houses over 900 animals and an IMAX theater. It has trams, shuttles, and a train, but visitors will still do a lot of walking! This is a must see for animal lovers.


Science City, 4.3 Stars
Science City is a science museum located on the Missouri side of Kansas City. It is home to the Arvin Gottleib Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the Midwest. It's attractions include the Mr. E Hotel, where visitors can be confused, and the nature center, where you can see many animals. It has a dig site in the Dino Land area. There is a sky bike, test kitchen, and many more things to see. This is a must see for science and animal lovers.


Hotels
Hotels in Kansas City range from $49 a night to $280+ a night. Most hotels are in the Missouri area of Kansas City. The pictured hotel is The Raphael Hotel, starting at $262 a night. It is a four star hotel and was rated the #1 hotel in Kansas City. The hotel views include the Country Club Plaza area.



Restaurants
Kansas City has a variety of restaurants, by ethnicity and price. Many of them have very good reviews, a few even have all 5 star reviews. But, Kansas City is most famous for it's barbecue. The pictured restaurant is Danny Edward's Boulevard Barbecue. Located in the Missouri area of Kansas City, it has 4.4 stars and has averages prices.

My Review (6)
I give Kansas City a 6 out of 10. I like the Missouri area of Kansas City. I didn't really know much about it before. I always knew the Kansas area wasn't well-liked, and I still am not a big fan of it. I don't like the suburbs or country, but I know a lot of people do, and that's fine. I like that Kansas City has so many barbecue restaurants. It also has a lot of great reviews, most restaurants seem to have at least 3 1/2 stars. The science museum looks fun, there is a similar one near me in Jersey City. I haven't visited yet, so I'm not sure on my opinion yet!

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