Shops and the atmosphere cater to students and their families.  There is also a community feel that the downtown has cultivated where individual shops, not usually part of national chains, create a fun shopping experience.  There are places to eat, like Rula Bula (a pub), Chompie’s Deli, and House of Tricks that offer unique dining experiences from easy on the budget to upscale (definitely House of Cards).

For an evening out, there is Gammage Auditorium, part of ASU’s campus.  National tours of shows like Wicked and Jersey Boys give the locals a chance to see great theater. Crowd pleasers like Phantom of the Opera and Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins and Annie join more serious fare like award-winning August: Osage County.  Prices are typically more reasonable than a Broadway show and the actors are equally talented.  (One note: sound quality may suffer in the upper regions of the theater in the last few rows.  We struggled to hear the fabulous solos of “Wicked.”)

http://www.asugammage.com/

Eating in Tempe

We wandered into the second day of a new chain restaurant in Tempe on Mill Avenue, Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  While it is a chain, it has a very homemade feel to the food.  They do not have freezers and everything is fresh. It also offers more menu choices than the popular In ‘n Out Burger chain.  Five Guys promotes their fries’ potato source as being from Shelley, Idaho, so we just had to try them.  (I am named Shelley, remember.)

A lot more than five guys were prepping burgers and fries in Tempe

They had quite a crowd on their second day due to the Festival of the Arts, but were moving things along very briskly. The place was mobbed, but the red-shirted staff handled it all with aplomb.

In addition to the aforementioned burgers and fries, their menu also includes grilled cheese, hot dogs and many toppings, like grilled mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, A-1 sauce, all free.  The 2-person fries order was GIGANTIC – and that was the small size.  My small bacon burger was a large serving.  Considering that all of the toppings are free and the food is freshly made (“never frozen”), the price tag is very reasonable when compared with other chains.  They also have peanuts available for free that you can scoop out and eat – as much as you like. We spent $16 for our burgers (One large and one small), small fries, one drink and water.

http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

Another chain, but a local one, is Chompie’s Deli, which will fulfill anyone’s craving for deli food.  The bagels are good –chewy and flavorful – and the enormous menu offers so many choices that your biggest issue will be making a decision on what to order.  Old family favorites like giant deli sandwiches and stuffed cabbage, plus new twists like a brisket served in tortillas make it possible for every family member to find something they’ll enjoy. The quality and quantity definitely go hand in hand at Chompie’s, which has been around for 30 years.  You won’t leave hungry!

http://www.chompies.com/

In the heart of downtown Tempe is House of Tricks, definitely an upscale menu with white tablecloth service.  The food service is excellent and the presentations very appealing.  Their restaurant has been around for over 20 years and it is apparent why: exotic and unusual twists on culinary efforts that incorporate the best of many cuisines. One entrée was: Lemon Honey Braised Grouper with Sautéed Watercress, Parsnip Pear Puree and Whole Grain Mustard Buerre Blanc.  An appetizer, “Miso Marinated Foie Gras with Ginger Snap and Warm Black Mission Fig Chutney,” put a homemade touch on what could be something served anywhere.   Their chef is obviously inventive and committed to using fresh, seasonal ingredients, a quality we very much encourage. 

http://www.houseoftricks.com/

So, now you won’t go hungry while in Tempe.  We’ve tried other restaurants as well, but these three are worth a trip.

Now that we’ve given you places to eat, sleep and entertain yourself, we’ll continue our “Wacky Wednesday” tomorrow with a visit to a casino.  You’ll need some luck to win and a means of transportation to get there.

Beyond the physical place, New York City, where theater is the center of the universe and 40 theaters are in a concentrated area, Broadway is a state of mind. Once you’ve been treated to a Broadway show, you’re hooked for life – at least I was.
My very first Broadway show, a special occasion with my grandmother, was The Sound of Music, starring Mary Martin. Dressed up, as people used to be to attend the performances, I settled into my plush seat. The house lights went down. Then, the enchantment began. Acting, sets, the orchestra, songs – they all combined magically. I left the theater singing one of the tunes and a confirmed theater-lover.
My husband prefers movies, because he says that movies can show many locations and real scenery. To me, the imagination is what it is all about, so I prefer to have the actors create the world. Theater sets work well to create a backdrop so the actors can make me laugh, cry, and identify–or not-with their world.

Modern Broadway

Tickets to theater productions have gotten expensive. A ticket can cost as much as $125. However, if you are visiting New York and don’t mind standing in line, you can snag as much as a 50% discount on a ticket for that day by heading to the TKTS booth. There is a booth in Times Square, plus two others (one in lower Manhattan and one in Brooklyn), where you can pick up whatever seats are not sold for that day and save money. Note: You must pay with cash or traveler’s checks – no credit cards or checks are accepted.
See hours and details of the three locations of TKTS –
http://www.nytix.com/Broadway/DiscountBroadwayTickets/TKTS/hoursofoperation.html

If you get in line at the TKTS booth hours before the performance, you can land seats for some good shows. My experience was that the “hot” tickets of the time were not on the list, but everything I saw was still a great performance.
If you have a connection to a theater class, you might be able to get reduced price student tickets.
If you “know” someone in a production, you might get “comped” –offered free tickets.
There are also online locations, where you can reserve ahead of time. For instance, the following online source offers a discount code so you can buy your discounted tickets in advance, a nice timesaver.

http://www.nytix.com/Broadway/DiscountBroadwayTickets/TKTS/
And, last resort, if you can’t get to Broadway, see shows in your community. Local theater companies need support and touring companies often have Broadway actors out on tour. I have seen Rent, Spring Awakening, Wicked and other great plays or musicals where I live in Arizona.
So, even if you’re a movie fan, which I am, too, see a show. Watching the actors work up a sweat, sing, dance and perform their hearts out right in front of you is an experience you should have. If you have children, take them, too. (Make sure they can sit still for two hours before you attempt this!) Everyone should be part of the theater world. It has existed for most of the history of mankind. Shakespeare was the Broadway of his day in England. People thronged to be entertained. And, if you go to a play or musical, you will be entertained.
That’s worth a lot these days!
(Sorry not to have photos to share. Take a look at this link if you’ve never seen Broadway. They do not let people take photos in the theater. I wouldn’t think of trying to take photos during a performance – it could totally rattle an actor and ruin an actor’s hard work.)

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

In no particular order, I plan to review places I’ve been, things I’ve seen and restaurants where I’ve dined that have stuck with me – favorites.  Some of the places already reviewed are favorites, but I’ll be highlighting some new places, as well as adding new details about those we’ve already shared.

First up – Ogunquit, Maine

Although I have a great fondness for many places on the East Coast of the US, I returned to Ogunquit, Maine several times.  I loved the mix of sun, sand, waves, theater, seafood and a certain peaceful attitude you don’t find in every resort town.

Walking on the beach, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean was a restful, meditative experience.  Choosing lobsters, then sitting down in a very easy-going way to enjoy our food was another fun experience.  The arts community’s work in Ogunquit is a pleasure to see. 

Broadway at the Beach

In the summer, seeing a Broadway-quality show at the Ogunquit Playhouse was an especial pleasure. One of my fondest memories was when I saw John Raitt in Man of LaMancha.  Even though Mr. Raitt was in his 70s, he gave a stellar performance and hit the demanding notes the role required.  He also came out to talk with the audience after the performance and answered questions. By then, he had become known as Bonnie Raitt’s dad, but when I had first heard him sing years before, Bonnie Raitt was just becoming famous and she was known as John Raitt’s daughter.  In any case, a truly fantastic performance!  (And I had seen Man of LaMancha on Broadway when it was first-run!)

More Maine Observations

On one visit, I had a chance to chat with the highly over-qualified person who was cleaning my motel room.  She was a teacher in her summer months earning some extra income.  She confided that the resorts cleared out after the summer, as many New England coastal towns do.

People in Ogunquit are friendly and they work hard.

There are shops and stores to browse in.  If you want “major” shopping, you’ll have to drive to a bigger town, but for my shore experience, Ogunquit is a favorite.  Crafts, arts, beach, sun (except in this photo), sand, great food – perfect!

Ogunquit Beach on an overcast day

LINKS

Chamber of Commerce – including places to stay, shopping, entertainment, a video, and more

http://www.ogunquit.org/

Ogunquit Playhouse

http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/

NOTE:  If you have a favorite you’d like to share, send a comment about why that place is your favorite and I’ll consider featuring your favorite in a future week!

Don’t forget to visit our “Shop” for your Travel Tips and Adventures items.  Let us know if there is an item you’d like to see – with an image that has stuck with you from our blog.  Thanks for visiting!