Aussie traveling through US - where to visit

[redneck2]

Cody Museum and Yellowstone Park.

I'd be tempted to drive north along the Pacific Coast Highway to maybe San Francisco. Ought to take a ride on the cable cars and maybe see Alcatraz. Cut across east and pick up the redwood forests, then go into the Yellowstone area, and catch the Cody Museum. Maybe Deadwood if that's your thing, then eat at The Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis. Then shoot east to to Chicago. On the way you could catch Rock Island. From Chicago go south toward Arkansas.

That's a big loop, maybe 4,000+ miles

 

[Bubbles]

If you find yourself in the DC metro area let us know, and we'll set you up behind a belt-fed machine gun.

 

[Clipper]

If you can make it to Mobile, You can check out 16" rifles on the U.S.S. Alabama...

 

[LY]

Close To Chicago in West Central Wisconsin...

http://www.thehouseontherock.com/

I have been there a few times... The website does not do it justice...

Literally unbelievable.... Life Changing experiance... HUGE collections of everything and anything in a museum like setting ... Huge collection of very antique firearms...

Let me know if you are thinking about checking it out, with a little advanced knowledge, i would be happy to show you the way.. I live in S.E. WI about 1 hr. from Chicago...

Outdoorsman1

I live a couple hours away from the House on the Rock, and I must say it is one of the most interesting places I have been through. But, It will take you a couple hours to see the entire thing!

 

[Panzercat]

If you swing down about Texas and don't plan on hitting africa anytime soon, how about a Texas Safari? Hundreds of acres devoted to African wildlife as if it were native to the state. Here's a short news piece on it. Tour or actually hunt everything from rare Addax to Wildebeast. The cool thing is that your dollars help support species that would otherwise be extinct in the wilds of Africa.

 

[navajo]

visit

Second the Texas Ranger museum.
If time allows, BIg Bend National Park. Beautiful.
Texas A&M University used to have a great gun collection, no idea if the place still does.
Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland has lots of military weapons on exibition.

Funny, both times I was in Austrailia I never thought about museums.

 

[jeepnik]

In LA, the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum is a must see. Located in Griffith Park just of Interstate 5. There's also the Petersen Automotive Museum. That's located near the Farmer's Market, which is a good place to eat.

 

[Jalexander]

I'll third the Texas Ranger Museum and second the Autry museum in LA. The Autry is one of my favorite museums of all time.

James

 

[twofifty]

get AAA maps

Join the American Automobile Association (maybe the Aussie equivalent is recognized by the AAA?) and have them mail you a full set of road maps.

The best one for general planning and to get a sense of the country's human and physical geography is the USA one, scale 1/5,702,000. It is lightly shaded for topography and shows major rivers. Includes all roads down to the main State and County level highways. At a glance you can find interesting blacktop alternatives to the 4-lane Interstate Hwy. system.

The AAA also has a four-map larger scale series, with 4x the detail. You will find these useful for general navigation once you're in-country. This is a good one to find decent backroads. Ask for the South-western US map and the North-western US one. Chicago is considered to be on the boundary between east and west, so if you want map coverage east of the Mississippi river, you'll need the North-eastern and South-eastern maps.

The AAA has highly detailed maps for each of the bigger states, or for clusters of smaller ones. They also have specialized maps such as Southern California, Indian Country (a.k.a. the Four Corners part of the Colorado river plateau).

My advice is to wander, follow your nose, stop in the small towns, at country fairs and rodeos, music festivals, demo derbies, museums, national parks. You will find Americans to generally be very welcoming and helpful, particularly so in the boonies.

 

[dagger dog]

The NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, has 1000 yd rifle ranges, plus just about any other type shooting you can name. They also have camp grounds.

Raton is on the Colorado, N.Mex. border and is in a very spectacular mountainous area.

If your Arkansas trip is anywhere near Hot Springs National Park, try to take a couple hours to look see or a nice thermal bath. it's about 30 miles north west of Little Rock, via I 30 and US Hgwy 270.

 

[Monster Zero]

The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City is worth the trip from anywhere. All kinds of artifacts and history from the American west, including many firearms. My favorite is the collection of authentic American Indian Kachina (sp?) dolls donated by John Wayne.

Try Leo's BarBQue in north Oklahoma City for the real stuff made by the real people.

The H&H indoor gun range in Oklahoma City is a good place to get some rental time in with a variety of handguns and some rifles. First rate operation run by nice folks, just don't forget your visa card.

The 45th Infantry Division (Oklahoma National Guard, the "Thunderbirds" - the legendary American Indian bird that brings the thunder and that no man who has ever laid eyes upon has lived to tell about it. The car came later.) Museum which is just a couple of miles away from the Cowboy Hall of Fame. The German General Kesselring once mentioned another American division as "The best American division, except for the 45th Division." One intriguing item on display there is the mirror taken from Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" crash pad. Say a prayer and cross yourself before taking your turn to look in it.

The University of Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, in Norman, about 30 miles south of Oklahoma City is worth seeing. As long as you're in town, have the best Mexican breakfast you'll ever have in your life at The Diner, in downtown Norman on Main Street. In Oklahoma, particularly in the city of Norman it's considered polite to say "Boomer Sooner" to people. Trust me.

Go northeast of Oklahoma City on the old route 66 highway, not the turnpike, to Tulsa to see the Gilcrease Museum. (Many visitors here travel the old route 66, which I assume you're doing if you're traveling from Chicago to LA. Don't miss the flying saucer on the north side of the road in Stroud, Oklahoma.) Not an extensive collection of firearms at Gilcrease, but another world-class collection of American western art and artifacts.

To see firearms, go to the J.M. Davis gun museum in Claremore, about 30 miles northeast of Tulsa.

Hmmm... what else...

If you like lap dances and that kind of stuff Dallas is the place to go. Just be careful, don't drink too much, take cash, but not too much, and don't say that I sent you. DON'T say Boomer Sooner to people in Texas.

 

[Magoo]

I'm in for another nod (if you're not already convinced) for Yellowstone and the Cody museum. If I were to recommend anything for someone to see in the U.S., it'd be Yellowstone everytime. The Cody Museum is great even without "the most comprehensive assemblage of American firearms in the world" (from their site).

Drive the Beartooth Highway while you're in the "neighborhood". It's a big and beautiful neighborhood.

The Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway is a nice drive if you make it to that area.

 

[ghostoftheprairie]

It would be worth venturing a li'l farther East to Dayton OH and Wright-Patterson AFB, The USAF Museum is impressive. The Armor Museum at Ft Knox is worth a stop too!!

 

[wannabeagunsmith]

Oh, and also remember to drive on the RIGHT side of the road....

 

[outboard]

There is a small car museum in Gateway Colorado. could rout from there through Canyonlands and Arches national parks to the Browning museum in Ogden (?) Utah.

Good travels,
chris

 

[cl4de6]

Well, you mentioned through the US, and most of the posters here suggest the West Coast. How about the East?

Come to Philadelphia and see Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitutional Convention was held. Then hop over the Ben Franklin Bridge and come see the USS New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in Naval history.

Swing up the New Jersey Turnpike, get off at Exit 14B and go to Liberty State Park, where you can see the the Statue of Liberty against the New York Skyline. Take the Lincoln tunnel into New York City. Stop at the Empire State Building and the Ground Zero Memorial.

And if you are here in the summer, PM me. I'll invite you down to the Jersey Shore where you can have Kohr Brother Ice Cream and Johnson's Popcorn on the boardwalk in Ocean City.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

And if you're in NYC, with enough notice you can shoot with me at my range - only a 30-something minute train or car trip from Grand Central.

 

[Hocka Louis]

Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming is great but unless you are in the area, forget it.

+1 on Springfield Armory Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts. It always looks like it is about to close down but it isn't and it is splendid. At least half a day -- they have closed the special tours of the collection behind closed doors.

In the same region is the reknowned Higgins Armor Museum. Worcester, Massachusetts.

The National Firearms Museum (NRA Headquarters, Virginia, across the river from Washington, D.C.). HELLO EVERYBODY!!! Gives the Armouries at Leeds a run for its money. Well, I spend a day per floor at Leeds but you'll probably want the better part of a day at NRA. Yes, in Leeds, the place to go, like you probably, I stay at the Holiday Inn across the mall and am at the museum when they open till they close for days. Taken a class there. I could live in the bookstore alone as long as I get to eat the prepacked sandwiches the two cafeterias sell. Ooo, and the bar/fancy cafeteria! Supposed to go to The Armouries at Portsmouth next tho.

United States Army Military Academy -- West Point Museum. Highland Falls, New York. Amazing gun museum.

Frazier History Museum (Louisville, Kentucky) -- it is the US branch of The Royal Armouries and USED to be called the Frazier Historical Arms Museum -- enough said!? between demos and performances of living history the rest of the museum is an all-day event. I spent days here too, like Leeds (almost a floor per day with regular breaks to see the presentations that are so diverse and compelling -- there are quite a few per day and it would take weeks to see them all as they do so many. A truly special place in Western Civilization my friend. I have been introduced to Mr. Frazier by new-found acquaintances who knew of our coming and study there. Am a member of the Museum, and we even sent the living historians there Christmas gifts. They are TRAINING LEEDS how to do what they do!!!

Rock Island (Illinois) Arsenal Museum, Armor Park, Confederate Cemetary -- if you're around there.

Fort Ligonier (Western Pennsylvania) Wait till you see the new historic artillery park outside the fortifications and the little modern museum on site too. Very nice.

Fuller Collection at National Park Service Chicamauga and Chatanooga (Tennessee) Battlefield Park -- a gem in the middle of nowhwere (well, sorta). If you are an historic arms guy (primarily US) this is something else. I was at the battlefield on group tour. A fellow tourist mentioned they had some guns there, my being the group gun "expert." I saw a sign about the Fuller Collection. "Claude Fuller, the famous historic arms author by any chance?" I asked a Ranger. Of course: this was his personal, donated, collection. OMG!!! This place brought a tear to my eye, made my heart race, and I was lightheaded all the while I was there. Probably just that I missed lunch, but then I almost missed the bus too... Need to get back there someday. It is not big, but it is dense and rich. I would need a full day there, and a stool to sit at this point. Who even knew this was hidden there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtlUDF8hzIk

FYI, most popular museum in US is the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian on The Mall in Washington, D.C., a majestic town (which might be even better in January 2013). The entire mall and surounding area itself, the architecture and monuments, are art. And some of those monuments should be shared by you too (incl. Vietnam)! Someone mentioned Wright-Pat(terson) AFB Museum -- guy stuff planes and such -- the real deals right there!

 

[flatlander937]

I'm in Dayton, OH, which is not far from Cincinnati... you can't go to Cincy without having a 3-way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili




FWIW I went to Australia for nearly 3 weeks back in 2003(?). Had a great time... I got to go to a performance at the Sydney Opera House, travelled to the outback and camped for a few days, went up to Cairns and stayed there for a little while and went to the beach and went snorkeling off of the Great Barrier Reef... and kangaroo tastes great.



If you time it right(a weekend, and nothing crazy comes up on my end), you're welcome to ride shotgun and do some off roading



edit: And of course you're welcome to shoot anything I own when you visit if everything pans out.

 

[wannabeagunsmith]

^^^^

THAT is a nice Jeep.

 

[MistWolf]

Take the NASA tour at Edwards AFB in California. It's about three hours north of Los Angeles. If you go to the Gene Autry Museum, head up the hill to see the Griffith Park Observatory. They have a good size tesla coil there and a theater with this machine that can show what the stars skies look like at night and they put on a terrific show.

The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona should be a great place to visit. The skies are very clear there and the view of the stars is breathtaking. Of course you'll need to see the Grand Canyon and Sedona while your there.

Halfway between Williams AZ and Grand Canyon is Valle and the Valle Airport has a cool aviation museum. Check to see when the Valle Airshow is on. Often, they have a fellow giving rides in a P51 Mustang at the airshow. Not cheap, but, oh that would something!

Grand Canyon Airlines and Papillion give air tours over the Canyon. It's awesome from the air.

North of the Canyon is Monument Valley. Yes, those rock formations through which Wile E. Coyote chased the Roadrunner through can be found there.

Further north, in southern Utah is Canyonlands. There is Zion National Park, Bridges National Park and up just outside of Moab is Arches National Park. You'll find plenty of petroglyphs left behind by the American Indians and more dinosaur tracks than you can shake a tour map at. Speaking of dinosaurs, you have to see the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding. Blanding also has a great museum about the American Indians and the ruins all about the area called "Edge of the Cedars". Just rent a Jeep, see the sights, then hit the trails. The stark beauty of the area is amazing

 

[CelticArmory]

I know these aren't exactly firearm related but I'm partial to a few neat places. In Colorado there's Garden of the Gods and Royal Gorge. Of course Yellowstone and Devils Tower in Wyoming. The Redwoods in California. Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The Hoh Rainforest and Mt Rainier in Washington. Crater Lake Oregon.

Now that the nature things are out of the way the only firearms related stuff I've actually been to was a weapons museum on base at Ft Carson in Colorado when I was living there as a kid and the Weatherby factory store in southern California. I would love to go to Knob Creek for a shoot, but that's just too far and out of my price range.

 

[MistWolf]

Oh, I nearly forgot! Cabella's in Boise Idaho. They have a small museum dedicated to Elmer Keith, one of my favorite gun authors. They have quite a few of Elmer's firearms on display there

 

[Ignition Override]

The WW2 Museum in New Orleans, though quite far from your planned route, is worthwhile.
When we visited about ten years ago, before the enhancements, a guy who steered Higgins landing craft in three invasions of WW2 was discussing it with visitors.
It is doubtful that the gent is still alive, or capable of providing the info, but is still an excellent museum. You might know that the founder wrote "Band of Brothers", among other books. Too bad it can't fit into the trip.

As for wars, I've recently read a bit more about your Aussie soldiers in both WW1 and WW2, and their fighting skill and courage.
US forces were very fortunate to have been in the same theaters with, or maybe near your soldiers, and hope that our guys/gals will be so fortunate in the future.

As for cars etc, there might be a very large private car museum in Las Vegas, but can't remember where I read about it.
Would a diversion to the Grand Canyon be possible? I've met several Aussies on their six-month 'walkabouts' in the 'Eurozone'. They say 'peckish' or 'butcher's hook/crook' (?).

 

[Tim the student]

I'd try to hit up the Rock Island museum, and if you are driving through town (which I would doubt, but maybe) the 5 Sullivan Brothers Veterans Museum in Waterloo Iowa. Not many weapons, but a high quality museum nonetheless. Nice place.

It sure doesn't sound like you will be near by, but there are some good military museums on/near Ft. Bragg North Carolina, should your route change.

http://www.thehouseontherock.com/

I have been there a few times... The website does not do it justice...

Literally unbelievable.... Life Changing experiance

Think pretty highly of it, huh?