I thought there was a strong case a while back for having the next F2F in Salem, MA.

I have mad theme park hate

Going to Disneyland with Nilly is a sure way to cure that.

At least temporarily.

I expect all of you people to feel differently when I become insanely famous and the JilliLand theme park becomes a reality.

I'm in! Actually, now that you say that, I've always kinda wanted to go to Dollywood. And I *do* like some parks, with neat rollercoasters and fun rides and fizzy food. I just don't care for Disney. And long lines.

I expect all of you people to feel differently when I become insanely famous and the JilliLand theme park becomes a reality.

I would buy a lifetime pass.

I thought there was a strong case a while back for having the next F2F in Salem, MA.

Sadly, if I recall correctly (and Nora will correct this once she's back online) there are no cheap rates of ANY kind in Salem.

Unless you wanted to come up in, say, March/April. And maybe not then. I left out Nov-Feb because this is New England, and Salem has endured 3 foot snow falls at random points in the winter on occasion.

Plus, Nov. would be a horrid tease to Jilly for missing the Halloween season.

Plus, Nov. would be a horrid tease to Jilly for missing the Halloween season.

Yes, yes it would. Halloween in Salem is one of the things I'd love to do. I WISH I could have arranged to do it this year, because it would tie into my favorite Ray Bradbury short story.

Yes, yes it would. Halloween in Salem is one of the things I'd love to do. I WISH I could have arranged to do it this year, because it would tie into my favorite Ray Bradbury short story.

Oh dear. I SERIOUSLY should have caveated that.

I wish the McWaringles were online at this point just to give an idea how disillusioning a Salem Halloween would be to you. Total tourist gawker and amateur drunken assholes. I make an effort to be elsewhere whenever Halloween is here - I always go an elsewhere, usually to Maine.

And it is possible for a non-local to plan the F2F, so long as there's a local willing to go and actually see the places in question.

Hell, Erin did Evansville/Chicago totally blind and we only had former localista P-Moon as her guide dog iirc.

I think its worth considering if there is a city we'd really dig. If the hotel isn't the best EVAR its just a weekend and will provide anecdote fodder for years to come.

[Jersey Shore] Transportation would be an issue (ditto for any non-city location), but if we book early enough I bet there are good deals out there.

(Hey Trudy! Help me out here before I have to start talking completely out of my ass!)

WOOF!

New Jersey Transit connects Newark Airport to a fair chunk of the Shore with no muss or fuss. And the train stations are walking distance from the beach and its various amusements.

I would love a shore F2F.

Asbury Park would be fantastic as even in the off-season its hoppin. There are quaint shops due to the much-beloved Gay renaissance, live music from the yet-again revived music scene (The Stone Pony is just the tip of the iceberg) anda couple of dance clubs as well. There are a couple of nicer restaurants. And there is a pinball museum.

Ocean Grove (which is likely one of the last dry towns in the north east) is across the canal and full of lovely houses and more shops and restaurants and an easy quiet place to stay for the more family- or tranquilit- oriented 'ffistas to stay.

And off-season hotels can be a steal. The Berkely-Carteret [link] in AP is beautiful and can be a hundred bucks a night in the off-season. The Empress [link] [link] is similar. Both are a five dollar cab from the train.

There are other shore spots as well, but AP (particularly in the off season) is the one I know best.

With cars Atlantic City is reachable. The train situation is not as great unless the extension will have gone through by then.

Here is the information on the Atlantic City Train. [link]

Or, you know, house or cottage rentals. [link]