USA travel tips

[southee]

Hey Guys,

Looking to plan a trip to the US later in the year. Just wondered if anyone had any tips of the best places to go and see. Not just looking for the typical places like Disneyland etc...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[devilsadvocate]

Don't go!!!! HAHAHA.

I've been to Cali twice and Hawaii 3 times. Definitely go to Hawaii mate - paradise and sooooo much to do.

Others I've been recommended are Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York. I'm going to NY for New years this year, but spending most of my travelling time in North America in Canada and Mexico, but will also be going to Hawaii on my way home.

How long have you got and what time of the year are you going?

[southee]

Don't go!!!! HAHAHA.

I've been to Cali twice and Hawaii 3 times. Definitely go to Hawaii mate - paradise and sooooo much to do.

Others I've been recommended are Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York. I'm going to NY for New years this year, but spending most of my travelling time in North America in Canada and Mexico, but will also be going to Hawaii on my way home.

How long have you got and what time of the year are you going?

Thank for your advice...looking about 5 to 6 weeks around end of Oct/Nov/Early Dec...

[Mic]

Spent about 6 weeks there a few months ago, so I might be able to help with any questions/suggestions.

I loved Hawaii (beautiful 'place'), Las Vegas (the casinos are amazing), and New York. The Grand Canyon was also very good. Also enjoyed San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco and the 'country' areas of Arizona.

I didn't like LA very much, or Orlando.

http://www.tripadvisor.com can also be a big help.

[cennals05]

Definitely recommend Las Vegas. I'm not a gambler at all but the casino's are amazing. It's like being in another world.

Also recommend New York, just for the big city experience.

Have also been to Miami but didn't really rate it much. All the people I know that have been to LA haven't liked it.

I would still like to visit San Francisco and San Diego, but have many other places in the world that I want to see first.

[devilsadvocate]

Yeah, I've been to LA twice and it doesn;t rate at all. It's just a dangerous, dirty, overrated boring big city.

My old boy is a travel agent and his recommendations for the US are as people have said above. Given you're going in Oct/Nov/Dec, I'd start with San Fran if you're going to go there as it will get cold and wet later in Nov/Dec. Then head down to Vegas and Grand Canyon. Personally, I'd chuck a few days in a Mexican coastal town too before heading to NY (which will also be cold in Nov/Dec) then to Canada (or Colorado if you want to stay in the states) into the Rockies which are beautiful.

Finally I'd head over to Hawaii and spent at least a week, maybe two just lapping it up before heading back to God's country in Aus. Get around to the north shore as late as possible in Nov/early Dec. I was there in 2002 for the rip curl pro (I think) and they had to call it off the day I was there due to the size of the waves. Not even the locals would go out in it. These waves were 12m+ out the back of the reef and about 4-5m right on the shore. It was insanity. The snorkelling in Hanauma Bay is outstanding, as is the Pearl Harbour memorial.

Good time to go with the AUD so strong against the greenback!

[Dutchy]

I went in 2001 (4 months before 9/11) when the exchange rate was 0.52c

Agree with above I didnt like LA, although Santa Monica and venice beach are worth checking out breifly

San Fran was my favourite, loved that city, so much to do with Alcatraz, Cable Cars, Seafood markets, Golden State Bridge etc..it actually has a european feel to it IMO

Id recommend hiring a car and driving from San Fran along the coast to LA, beautiful drive, better than the great ocean road, the Monterey Penisula is spectacular (Has golf course Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay)

Vegas was great as well, doesnt seem overly impressive by day but once the sun sets look out!!!

Another tip is to always carry a wad of $1- notes for tips...

Also did Hawaii on the way back and a good way to wind down and break up the trip home...that time of year is when the big swells hit the North shore

[MightyEagles]

Make sure yu don't do what that woman did, pass through on her way to Canada and then went back to America.

[redandblack]

It's a great destination. I've been there six or seven times, (the latest 2 months ago), often driving from the coast to New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, etc.

If you're looking for different things to do, don't waste much time in the cities (although Las Vegas and New Orleans are worth seeing) and drive out into the country. It's safe, excellent roads, friendly and you'll see some of the greatest sights in the world.

Must see things to do:

Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park (not that far from the Grand Canyon).

Yellowstone NP (nearby are the Grand Teton mountains and Jackson Hole.

Yosemite NP - wonderful (also near the 49'ers gold days road)

Mesa Verde NP, Canyonlands. Capitol Reef NP.

There's the Rockies in Colorado or drive the Big Sur road between LA and SF.

You could go across by train.

Hawaii is a great stopover. There's a hotel overlooking the beach at Waikiki at a cost way under the ones usually advertised.

That's just a start.

If you have more time, the bayous of Louisiana or the Everglades and Florida Keys are great. Georgia and South Carolina are well worth seeing.

Accommodation prices are similar to here, with plenty of good motel chains -Super 8 - and food is cheap with plenty of diners and fast food places.

[southee]

Cheers Guys,
Thanks for your help. It's all good advice for me.

I have heard negative reports about LA too.(I went in 1988 as a 14 yo and remember not liking it) Not too sure whether to cut that out the trip or not. Just the Disneyland experience might lure us there. We dont have kids but still I think I would kick myself if we did not at least have a look.

San Fran sounds great. A must for us. I was looking at Vancouver, Quebec, Vegas, New York.

I love my music so would be great to tie in a concert or 2 over there.

I also have been told not to leave out the middle of the USA. New Orleans, Dallas......

Man, too many options, so little time!!!!!

[Dutchy]

that sounds great R & B...one of my dreams is to one day got to the US with 3-4 months up my sleeve but have no plans other than to buy a vehicle and drive and see where I end up!

[rsemmler]

Southee, a few of my favourites from the US and Canada over the last few years.

- New York. This place is just 'alive'. So much to see and do, Central Park, cruise around the Harbour, Madison Square Garden events etc. I went in fairly apprehensive about NY but absolutely loved it.
- Minneapolis, Denver, Wyoming. I loved getting out in the country, gives you a feel for the 'real' US. Interesting to see the smirks on everyone's faces from your accent!
- Florida. A bit different but I quite enjoyed it.
- Vancouver, Calgary, Banff - AMAZING scenery, great people, I loved this part of the world.

Where I wouldn't go again

- Vegas. Interesting to see but it's basically the place every redneck American saves their yearly wage to go. Didn't do much for me.
- LA. Unless you have to fly in there from Oz, I wouldn't bother. Dirty, over-crowded and dangerous. Not my scene!

Hope this helps.

[redandblack]

Southee, I've just been by train from Vancouver to Toronto. The Rockies are wonderful, but Montreal and Quebec are also well worth seeing and don't miss Niagara.

The Maritime Provinces (Novia Scotia and Prince Edward Island) are also very good.

Dutchy, if you get a car at LA Airport, drive to Palm Springs to stay the first night, then some of the greatest sights you'll ever see are before you.

On the other hand, I've hitch-hiked and trained extensively throughout Europe and that's preetty good too.

If I had 1 holiday left, it would be driving in the deserts and mountains of America, though.

[gadj1976]

new orleans - best spot by far. Coolest place for a quiet beer.

mt rushmore - go and see "the presidents". Not much else to do nightwise but a great place to visit.

anywhere in florida - nice weather, cool place to visit.

las vegas - HOT!

PS. we missed a ferry to the statue of liberty. on it, a passenger (tourist) got stabbed to death. Single incident, I was more indicating this as a "phew, lucky we missed it'. Just to add - I would visit NY in a flash, just be careful to not look like a tourist.

[Mic]

new orleans - best spot by far. Coolest place for a quiet beer.

mt rushmore - go and see "the presidents". Not much else to do nightwise but a great place to visit.

anywhere in florida - nice weather, cool place to visit.

las vegas - HOT!

PS. we missed a ferry to the statue of liberty. on it, a passenger (tourist) got stabbed to death. Single incident, I was more indicating this as a "phew, lucky we missed it'. Just to add - I would visit NY in a flash, just be careful to not look like a tourist.

Half the people in New York are tourists! Wouldn't worry about safety in NYC, there's cops everywhere.

Canada is also fantastic, especially the West. That time of year would be too cold though I reckon.

Orlando is a great place for kids. Has lots of theme parks, lots of cheap family restaurants, cheap and decent accommodation, plus other stuff for kids like themed mini-golf, go-karting, rides, etc. A kids paradise.

[MagicKiwi]

New York has so much to do you probably need a full holiday there to take it all in southee. However, whatever time you have you MUST include it.

Tipping = 15% is what I use as rule of thumb. Most bars will buy you back your fifth drink (or whatever their house rules are or how interesting you are etc).

As a sport nut, I usually plan any trip around something I can get along to. The time of year you're going, I'd recommend an NFL game!
Check this wonderful site out southee and let us know where you end up.
stubhub.com

[Squawk]

My tips:

Alcatraz - a fascinating place
Cape Canaveral - awesome place to visit. Do it from Orlando.
Any of the Smithsonian Museums - Natural History, Air and Space, there are a dozen or so I think.
Arlington National Cemetery - has JFK's eternal flame grave and it is mind blowing to see the respect the Yanks show for their fallen defenders.
Civil War battlefields - around Williamsburg/Gettysburg.
New Orleans - enjoyed it
Pearl Harbor Memorial - another incredible day.
San Diego Zoo. San Diego is very similar in many ways to Adelaide - eucalypts everywhere!

I haven't been there, but I'd love to see the Texas Schoolbook Depository and the Grassy Knoll.

[schimma]

I just got back 2 weeks ago.

New York is great. saw pearl jam at madison square garden and yankees and the mets play. New york is easy to get around via the sub way and to get to the city from the airport it is $45 via taxi. I never felt unsafe as there are a heap of cops around. if you want to get on Letterman. you need to go and line up on a monday through to thurs at 9:30 no earlier or they will tell ya to piss Off. Other attractions are ground zero, rockefeller building, the statue of liberty and battery park. But there is always things to do. If ya there on a weekend take a footy and have a kick at central park that place is great. We stayed in the Soho district and there is a bar on every corner and most of the irish pubs have Sentanta so you can also see the AFL games.

Niagara falls. is a great place you need to go on the Canada side. the town there is awsome and the night life is great. it is not a expensive place to stay. only about a 30min taxi ride from buffalo airport.

The new england states are all nice country side sort of places. New Hampshire does not have Tax so it is a good place to use the discount out lets.

South Carolina I went to Myrtle beach. it is a mini Gold Coast. i loved this place i was there in Nov when the rest of the usa was freezing this place was about 25 and nice.

Las Vegas: so true with what everybody else has said. it is a different world. Casinos are great and if ya smart it is not an expensive place. most places give free drinks to people playing slots and on the tables. Night clubs are great. just need to make friends with ladies, because with the line ups they have a separate line for group of blokes. if ya have chicks they let ya in quicker. While here u can do the Hoover dam and The grand Canyon which are both great.

LA : agree it is cement city dirty and it does smell. But we stayed at santa monica and that was nice. universal studios was good.


Usa is great just stay away as much as u can rom the fast food joints, maccas, burger king, white castle, wendys, archies, subway(bad over there).

[Freo HeaveHo]

Me and my partner are looking at doing a 6 month stint in the states end next year . she is going to do a uni transfer and complete her degree there while i try to work as much as i can then travel afterwards till the money runs out

There are heaps of buddy uni's that hers is linked with . we are going to a seminar in few weeks to get more info on it . was just wondering if anyone has done this before. Got no clue as to suitable place to base ourselves for that time having never been to america before.

Are jobs easy to obtain there ??? Im a tradesman but got no clue how ill go saving with earnings compared to cost of living.

Very surprised at all the negative feedback on LA too .... was def on our to do list. for no other reason than its LA i guess and seeing the Lakers play

would appreciate any help !!!

[redandblack]

The best advice?

Get out of the cities as much as you can and see the country. It's sensationally good.