Travel advice: Don't go there

Branson is what happens to a world in which the nearest cruise ship is too far away.

 

My bad. Birmingham's just a T-town suburb, right?

 

The strip clubs in Branson must suck.

 

Are people going out of their way not to mention Baltimore given recent events?

 

I've been to Baltimore twice, and it seemed safe enough if you knew which places to avoid. The food there is incredible.

 

Nah. I think it's fine to get back into Baltimore by now. It's an easy trip for me, but I still don't get up there nearly enough. Pretty underrated city, IMO. Also, there's now a casino next to the Ravens stadium. That doesn't hurt.

 

My last trip there was several years ago for a Ravens game and we definitely did not know which areas to avoid.

 

I'm guessing you stayed near the stadiums and Inner Harbor area, though, right? Those places are fine. Where else did you go?

 

Yeah, I mean I'm sure it's probably unwise to go traipsing around the west side of Baltimore, but the harbor area and Fells Point seemed fine.

It's no different than New Orleans in that way. Venture too far east or north from the French Quarter and you can be in a rough situation before you know it.

 

I used to visit my great-aunt, great-uncle and their family in Philadelphia as a kid.

Four years ago, I went back for a Stevie Nicks-Rod Stewart concert.

Based on my interaction with the cops there, I never want to set foot in the "City of Brotherly Love" again.

 

Exactly. And if you're a visiting sports writer, I'd bet a lot of money you're likely not to venture out of those areas in Baltimore. Why would you? You're in town for a day, maybe two.

 

Two obvious picks are Gary, Ind., and East St. Louis, Ill.