Things to do/places to see in America

[Benji]

I need some ideas... I'm off to visit a girl next summer who lives in NYC and I'm hoping to make a "road trip"/tour out of it. The plan is to fly to new york and then spend about a month or 5 weeks driving around the different states and doing everything I've wanted to do there, one big blow out before law schoo.

I don't care if they're the obvious sites/attractions or something completely random, where would you say I have to visit?

I've done San Fransisco and Santa Cruz already (inc Alcatraz and related sites) but I still want to spend some time in California again. Obviously Orlando and all of the other corny places are a must and I'd like to fit plenty of beaches and a couple of theme parks in there, Busch Gardens and what not.

Ideas/experiences very much welcome, I need a plan!

[DB11]

I wanna go America

Well I'd prefer Brazil again but still.

What about where the Twin Towers used to be?

[General Smuts]

Things to do in America:

1. Megan Fox

2. Star in a porno with Ron Jeremy

3. Find the Coyote Ugly bar

4. Frat party

5. Megan Fox

Things to see in America.

1. The Grand Canyon

2. Megan Fox's Grand Canyon

3. Saturday Night Live, live.

4. Up Madame Liberty's skirt.

5. Abraham Lincoln's sideburns.

[Granno]

Silicone Valley.

[StanSP]

Things to do in America:

1. Megan Fox

2. Star in a porno with Ron Jeremy

3. Find the Coyote Ugly bar

4. Frat party

5. Megan Fox

Things to see in America.

1. The Grand Canyon

2. Megan Fox's Grand Canyon

3. Saturday Night Live, live.

4. Up Madame Liberty's skirt.

5. Abraham Lincoln's sideburns.

lol

[Guest]

Obviously Orlando and all of the other corny places are a must and I'd like to fit plenty of beaches and a couple of theme parks in there, Busch Gardens and what not.

Busch Gardens is brilliant, and much better than Universal Studios. If you're going to go to Florida, there are some fantastic beaches; we stayed at Cocoa Beach last year, and it's got a great laid back atmosphere. It's worth travelling further south and seeing some of the Everglades, and doing an airboat ride and all that jive, although take plenty of insect repellent as the mozzies are numerous and greedy.

If you are interested in city breaks, Boston is great. We took a walk along the Freedom Trail, which is about 2 and a half miles, but you get to see all the important historical sites. We went to Salem for the day; there's not a lot there, apart from new age stores, but we went to a museum/show about the witch trials. It was really cheesy, but at the same time was informative. Well, I thought it was.....

[MC Prussian]

So, that'd be summer 2010 then?

Hmmm, glad you've been San Francisco already. That place's always best in autumn, as the fog clears for weeks, if not months (as surprising as it may sound).

In any case, even if you should not be inclined to do so, go and see L.A. at least once in your lifetime and judge it afterwards. It's an experience/world in itself. Just don't do the regular touristy stuff, but take your time to explore the city yourself (and make sure you get stuck in a proper LA traffic jam! ). From there on, drive down to San Diego for its nightlife - and you can also cross the border to Mexico for some cheap beer and great local food. Well, there's already a lot of Mexicans in California, anyway, so you don't have to switch countries.

Other than that, Las Vegas might do the trick. Not sure about the Midwest as it tends to be a bit flat and there's not a lot to see, either. Maybe go Wyoming once and do horse riding on a farm? I've heard that New Orleans (or the State of Louisiana in general) are a cracker (both culturally and in terms of cuisine - BBQ!!). As for good food and a lot of fun, Texas is not to be underestimated, either - Austin's supposed to be a hotspot for all kinds of happenings (also a real liberal place, compared to the usual Redneck image of said State, pardon, Republic ).

Personally, I loved Portland and Seattle's a nice city, too. Chicago's worth seeing for its architecture.

Unfortunately, I haven't been to the East Coast yet but NY is a place I have to see myself at one point, for sure. That or Boston. Or Vermont (for its tranquility).

[Finnegan]

lol

Don't encourage him.

[hairy]

I need some ideas... I'm off to visit a girl next summer who lives in NYC and I'm hoping to make a "road trip"/tour out of it. The plan is to fly to new york and then spend about a month or 5 weeks driving around the different states and doing everything I've wanted to do there, one big blow out before law schoo.

I don't care if they're the obvious sites/attractions or something completely random, where would you say I have to visit?

I've done San Fransisco and Santa Cruz already (inc Alcatraz and related sites) but I still want to spend some time in California again. Obviously Orlando and all of the other corny places are a must and I'd like to fit plenty of beaches and a couple of theme parks in there, Busch Gardens and what not.

Ideas/experiences very much welcome, I need a plan!

Are you going to fly or drive around? If you are driving you will a lot more time than 5 weeks to get to see much. If you set yourself too much to do you will spend too much time travelling. If you are starting in NYC I suggest you stick to the east coast

[welck12]

Things to do in America:

1. Megan Fox

2. Star in a porno with Ron Jeremy

3. Find the Coyote Ugly bar

4. Frat party

5. Megan Fox

Things to see in America.

1. The Grand Canyon

2. Megan Fox's Grand Canyon

3. Saturday Night Live, live.

4. Up Madame Liberty's skirt.

5. Abraham Lincoln's sideburns.

Its just in/outside San Antonio, and sorry smuts but its nowhere near as good in real life. But the immitation version that they have in the MGM Grand casino in Vegas is were its at!!

Like Hairy, unless you plan on flying around everywhere 5 weeks wont get you to see much. I went across the south from New York to LA in 3 months and it werent nearly enough time to see everyone.

I'd suggest in the 5 weeks or so you do NYC (shit hole but you have to see it for yourself), Boston (amazing place), Chicago and if you get time pop up to Niagara Falls for a few days; one of the best sites you'll ever see. Be surprised if you can really fit more than that in properly. Maybe sacriface Chicago for Orlando if you really wanna do the beach touristy bit though

[Monk]

I spent 2 months traveling USA and Canada in September last year. Both really are fantastic countries and more diverse than you could imagine.

I saw the country by train, which was slow, but it was a real eye opener. I met many locals on the trains, plus you really appreciate the distance and the landscapes involved. Check out the rail passes on www.amtrak.com

Secondly, you should decide what elements of USA you want to see. 1 - plastic (Miami, LA, Orlando etc) or the real america. I have no doubt that the former are fun and enjoyable but as a traveller I avoided them this time around.

From New York I would suggest the following:

Train to Boston (fantastic city)

Hire a car and drive to Arcadia National Park in Maine, return the car to Boston.

Train to Chicago

Train to Denver through the prairies

a few days in Rocky Mountain National Park (AMAZING). Great for hiking, kayaking and rafting.

Train over the rockies to grand junction

Drive a circular route to the grand canyon via Mexican Hat, Goose Canyon and the something or other damn. (can provide route that I drove)

Fly to Seattle from Grand Junction

See Seattle then fly back to New York

That's my 2 cents

[Benji]

Thanks a lot everyone so far, keep them coming

Peuts you didn't disappoint.

Are you going to fly or drive around? If you are driving you will a lot more time than 5 weeks to get to see much. If you set yourself too much to do you will spend too much time travelling. If you are starting in NYC I suggest you stick to the east coast

Drive, yes that was the concern and so there is the possibility to extend it beyond 5 weeks depending on what we decide to do. I read somewhere it is about 45-50 hours of driving east coast to west, so we'd probably have some dedicated driving days or the odd one now and again but working across the states as we go.

I think we'd likely spend 60-70% of the time on the East coast, seems to be more to do there anyway.

[Guest]

Actually, this might be the place to ask, but what would people recommend for a few days/nights in San Francisco? I have booked a trip to Alcatraz, and obviously Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown are places to see, but are these just touristy and should be avoided, or are they worth it?

[Lillehamring]

i really liked laguna beach, anywhere south of LA is beach heaven, until you've heard the roar of the pacific you haven't heard surf!

as monk says, the train is a great way to travel if you want to meet normal americans, but it is cripplingly slow (tho pretty comfy)

also, if you do get to california, don't overlook the channel islands, i really regret not going there

[General Smuts]

Peuts you didn't disappoint.

Megan Fox had complaints.

[Benji]

Actually, this might be the place to ask, but what would people recommend for a few days/nights in San Francisco? I have booked a trip to Alcatraz, and obviously Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown are places to see, but are these just touristy and should be avoided, or are they worth it?

The have a filbert street

[Guest]

The have a filbert street

Yes, was thinking if it would be sad to go there in me City shirt!!

[Monk]

Fisherman's wharf is very very touristy but worth an hour or so of your time.

I recommend walking across the bridge - that way you really appreciate its size.

One of the best things I did whilst there was go to the new science museum in Golden Gate park - it's just superb. I was lucky enough to go on the day it opened, but it's a great place to go. It has a rainforest dome in the middle, pretty cool. The park itself is huge.

Definitely take a tram, it's fun, if insanely dangerous at times. And check out some of the authentic Japanese restaurants in the city - both cheap and tasty.

If you walk down the length of Filmore street there are loads of independent cafes and interesting shops. Allegedly it's a rough place at night but it seemed great to me during the day.

Across the bridge there is an state park called angel island. Good for hiking and biking I am told. Worth a google.

Oh, and finally, there is a road called Filbert Street. Nothing on it worth noting but it's worth a shout for a photo.

[Guest]

Cheers Monk!

[MC Prussian]

Actually, this might be the place to ask, but what would people recommend for a few days/nights in San Francisco? I have booked a trip to Alcatraz, and obviously Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown are places to see, but are these just touristy and should be avoided, or are they worth it?

You can do San Francisco by foot in a day or two. The whole Russian Beach/North Beach thing in the Northeast's a stunner, tons of wonderful Italian cafés, good food. The Crookedest Street in the World. The Lighthouse. The Pyramid. Coppola's American Zoetrope Café on Kearny. Or you simply walk along the Marina or up and down those wonderful streets. Getting around by car in San Francisco, however, is a real nuisance as good parking spots are hard to find (or they're expensive), traffic is immense at times, cable cars intervening and going up a hill and watching out for incoming traffic on crossroads with limited view ain't easy, either. I also enjoyed going down to Pacific Beach on the West Coast (Point Lobos Avenue/Geary Highway). Gorgeous sunsets there are.

San Francisco's Chinatown, in my humble opinion, is overrated. There's a Japantown (along Geary Boulevard) that is as worthwile seeing.

Some areas further down South should be avoided at night for safety reasons (the Castro/Mission neighborhoods, as far as I can recall). Same goes for Oakland - some call it SF's dump. Although Berkeley campus might do the trick.

The whole North Bay Area's beautiful, you might want to cross Golden Gate and see Sausalito and/or Muir Beach with its Ancient Forest. Or drive a bit further up to Bodega Bay, where Hitchcock filmed The Birds? Or check out wineries in Vallejo/Sonoma/Napa?

Keep in mind that you need $$ for the Golden Gate Bridge passing on the way back into San Francisco. No credit cards accepted. I found that out the hard way.

[AMYB101_LCFC]

Chicago - Sears Tower

Used to be the tallest building in the world, it's lush you can see the Chicago skyline The view is amazing but it will probably be a long wait to get in because you have to be security checked before you get to go up but I thought it was worth it

Or go to a baseball game, it's quite good Can be expensive though if you buy your tickets at the last minute! :laugh:

They two are both just what I took from looking out of Sears Tower

Go to Hawaii if you get chance!! Best three weeks of my life

There's loads of stuff to do in Hawaii! Like loads of tours and things to do like scuba diving and that!

It's bloody gorgeous (I stayed in Waikiki on the island of Oahu)

That's Hanauma Bay, where I went scuba diving The fish you get to see are amazing!

That's just a picture of some of the dancers, they like do a show on the beach front every single night which is nice to watch

hope that's helpful anyway!

[Jon the Hat]

There are some good books out there on classic road trip routes - so look into that would be my first advice.

Specifics which I found brilliant:

San Diego is a must if only becuase Pacific Beach is about the easiest place I have ever come across to look good on a surfboard.

Yosemite - climb half dome and try not to chase any bears. Even if they steal your bag. If you see my friend Steve tell him too as I don't want that to happen again.

Death Valley - hot hot hot.

Grand Canyon - walk to the bottom if you have the time and energy. Take more water than everyone tells you.

Vegas Baby - Take more money than everyone tells you.

Route 66 = you know you want to. Find a random motel like the Blue Swallow.

New Orleans (Norlins to the locals) was great but that was pre disaster.

Washington DC is full of chicks. I mean Full.

NYC of course.

Beware of DEEEP south. The still look at you funny in the sticks. And they have shotguns in the Petrol stations. People who are (or should be) called Bubba looking at you funny with a shotgun on your knees is somewhat scary.

If / when I go back will drive the West Coast top to bottom. While you are there I would recommend some time in Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies. Awesome.

[Guest]

Cheers Alexei; we're driving into SF, but getting rid of the car asap!! We like to see cities by foot.

[Lillehamring]

Actually, this might be the place to ask, but what would people recommend for a few days/nights in San Francisco? I have booked a trip to Alcatraz, and obviously Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown are places to see, but are these just touristy and should be avoided, or are they worth it?

just to add to monk and alexei's posts...

yes, SF is very walkable, but it's also pretty hilly, so get a travel pass and use the buses and cable cars (not trams - yes, the cable car museum is very interesting, actually)....

height-astbury is fun, a bit like camden in london, i guess... especially amoeba records (OMG!), and they often have big bands playing there....

fishermans wharf is very dull, i'm sure there are many better wharf's to visit....

china town, much like the one in london, is very hit and miss - for every great restaurant etc etc etc...

there used to be a very very very good pizza restaurant (on California street ), called The Living Room

[welck12]

Oh and any and every national park that you can go to, do. Only managed to get to about 10 of them so far, but everyone is more than worth it