Peter Greenberg: Guys’ Trip Ideas

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-02-05

Given that I come from a large Italian family, my cousins and I have taken to traveling around the country one time a year to do a "guys' family trip." We usually travel to see a city where we can see a college football game (one year we went to West Point and another year to San Diego to USD). The game isn't important; just the city. We usually go in the fall. Any suggestions, given the price of air tickets? We've already gone to Tampa, Fla., Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
–Vito, Indiana, Pa.

An annual "guys' family trip" sounds like a great idea.

One option to consider is Austin, Texas, home of the University of Texas. In the fall, it's not nearly as hot as it is during the summer, but it will certainly be warmer than Pennsylvania. Besides, Austin is home to a huge variety of bars, clubs, and attractions of all kinds.

Another option to consider is Los Angeles, home to the legendary Trojans of the University of Southern California. In addition to LA's generally lovely weather, you'll find a wealth of activities and attractions for the whole family, from theme parks to great restaurants. And a game at the LA Coliseum, where the Trojans play, is quite an experience.

And finally, consider a visit to Chapel Hill, N.C., where the University of North Carolina is located. This fast-growing area has plenty of great bars and clubs, as you'd expect from a college town, but the local food scene is also surprisingly good, ranging from barbecue to vegan to classic Southern cuisine. And if you're going to be there in October, check out the Festifall, an annual street fair in the city.