19 May 2009

Ten on Tuesday



I've seen this on Carole's blog, and being that I love lists, thought I would sign up for the reminders each week. So welcome to my very first Ten on Tuesday!

Today's topic: Ten Favorite Cities

(In no particular order, just places I've actually visited/lived, as they entered my brain ...)

1. Philadelphia - well, duh, I live here. But I've lived here now longer than I have most places in my life, and it really is a great place. Very approachable, extremely walkable, and has something for everyone. Plus, the people are *always* interesting, for better or for worse. :-)

2. District of Columbia - DC is a great place, if you don't let the people who are way too impressed with themselves to get to you. Though it is expensive to live there, there's plenty of great stuff to do that doesn't cost a penny, so you never get bored.

3. Chicago - Oh, Chicago, how I love thee! A place with actual winters, lots to do and see, and so much good food. I miss the Art Institute lions, who I used to say hello to every single day. The only down side of Chicago is that it is very flat. Not a mountain in sight. Good thing Lake Michigan is there!

4. Pittsburgh - a lot of people give Pittsburgh a bad rap, but it is a great place. Hard to get around if you are not paying attention (especially if you end up on the wrong bridge!), but once you figure it out, it's not really any more difficult than anyplace else. If you go, be sure to ride the Incline. It will be an experience you won't forget, I guarantee ...

5. New York - sorry, those of you who are Big Apple haters, but I really do *heart* New York. It's the first city I remember from childhood, as for a while when I was little we lived in Teaneck, New Jersey, and my dad worked in NYC. We spent a lot of time in the city, and I count it as the beginning of my love affair with the Rockettes.

6. Boston - I will always love Boston. We used to visit my mother's rich [well, at least to us] cousin who lived there almost every summer, and it was so much fun. All of the historical stuff, and so close to so many other great places to go and see.

7. San Francisco - the only place in California I would consider living. They have actual seasons, and it's so much fun to walk around there. I have never visited without having an absolutely wonderful time.

8. Dublin - first of all, it's in Ireland, which is one of my favorite places on the earth. There are also such great things to see there, and the bridges over the River Liffey are so pretty at twilight. Also, one of the few places where, when someone would ask my name, they wouldn't immediately say, "I'm sorry - what was that?"

9. Montreal - Zut alors! I love Montreal, it is so pretty and probably as close to visiting France as I'm likely to get anytime soon. I have only ever visited in spring, but the flowers would make it an amazing place all on their own.

10. Toronto - it's in Canada, there are so many great neighborhoods to walk around in, and it has the same energetic vibe to me as NYC, but is not nearly as exhausting. (Plus - Tim Horton's!!!!)

11 comments:

yoko said...

Besides Dublin and Toronto (I haven't had the chance to visit), I have to agree with your choices! Pittsburgh is a best-kept secret.

Where did you live in DC, by the way? I meant to ask you....

Teena in Toronto said...

Toronto rocks ... I live here! Ha!

I played too :)

Lorraine said...

Bridget- You are a Timmy Ho's fan? People here are addicted.

Jenn said...

Wooo, Pittsburgh! My relatives are appalled that I've never taken Tom on the incline. Maybe I'll have to change that this summer.

(My verification word is "gracie," kind of weird, no?)

The Social Frog said...

I don't know how I left out Boston, I also love Boston!

Marie said...

I have blatantly grabbed this Ten on Tuesday thing for myself. I like lists, and I always like seeing other people's lists. They're like tiny gems of someone's history. Thanks!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Just when I think I've been almost everywhere I realize how few places I've been :)

I would agree with Chicago being a terrific food town!

Carol said...

Toronto? Montreal? Dublin?
Oh, Bridget, why do you hate America??

Brigitte said...

Oh wow! I didn't know you were a Timmy's fan! Just say the word, and a tin of coffee is on the way! I'll be thinking of you in 20 minutes when I head down for a cup.

Montreal...where I was born. And I didn't know you'd visited Toronto?! I love that your list has so many interesting places!

knitseashore said...

Toronto is such a beautiful city. I was in awe of people's gardens when I visited a few years ago. I haven't been to Montreal, but I hope to go someday. Our U.S. cities are all so different and I haven't been to one that I really disliked. I used to travel for work and the only city that was difficult was Birmingham. No cabs to get around.

Carrie K said...

I love DC just for the museums. And living near SF, there are no people on earth more impressed with themselves. (Because we have good reason, so there. ;)

Montreal was gorgeous! All those cathedrals! OTOH, their Mount Real is not.