Travel USA travel tips and tricks

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Michaels said:
we are actually staying at the Bellagio so that is handy to know!

how far is fremont street from the main strip?
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10 to 15 minutes but I didn't rate Fremont Street.

I didn't think it was all that good and I'm not rushing back anytime soon. The strip is different, it's amazing and we will head back but can take or leave Fremont Street.
 
alex_is_on_fire said:
I didn't think it was all that good and I'm not rushing back anytime soon. The strip is different, it's amazing and we will head back but can take or leave Fremont Street.
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Each to their own of course, but I like the 'old school' Vegas feel, with venues like the Golden Nugget and Binion's, and the iconic Vegas Vic & Vegas Vicky neon signs. Also, if you're into gambling, the house-edge is less down there than on the Strip casinos.

By the way alex, you're avatar brings back fond memories of the Big Texan Steak Ranch. :)
 

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Goodo73 said:
Each to their own of course, but I like the 'old school' Vegas feel, with venues like the Golden Nugget and Binion's, and the iconic Vegas Vic & Vegas Vicky neon signs. Also, if you're into gambling, the house-edge is less down there than on the Strip casinos.

By the way alex, you're avatar brings back fond memories of the Big Texan Steak Ranch. :)
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Look, maybe I was just tried and over the rush and hustle bustle of vegas by the time we got to Fremont Street but we are going back to Vegas next year and I'm sure we will head over again.
 
This is a kind of indirect subjective tip on US travel.

The States has some beautiful scenery and charming small towns, and the regions, people-wise, are quite distinct. For example, as an Oz expat I have spent most of my US life in Texas and the South, and am driving back to my retirement home in Arizona (am currently in Asheville NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains area after having spent a month in New England). I don't think I will be back in New England any time soon. Generally I find them much less friendly than Southerners.

I have family in the Napa Valley, north of San Francisco, which is a politically an area on the left side of politics, and at a dinner party there earlier this year one of the guests, upon learning that I was originally from Houston (gasp - Texas) wrinkled up her dainty nose and said - but how can you put up with all of those rednecks? I said - Have you ever lived there? And she said - No, but I have seen movies about them. Hollywood movies? I enquired. Yes of course, she replied.

I am politically to the right of Genghis Khan, but because it was my very left California family's dinner party, I bit my tongue and said - Well, there you go. That is a Southern phrase similar to the Texan "God bless you" or the legal phrase - "with the greatest respect". In Australian it means - FU.

But, anyway, for Oz tourists I guess if you have kids you want to hit the US highlights of the theme parks and the cities, as your kids can become bored. But when you have done that my tip is -try the heartland/flyover country, reminiscent of Blue Highways (a travel book by William Least Heat-Moon - albeit he was a somewhat pretentious faux-hippy; and Jonathan Raban's Old Glory). Try to see the Upper Mississippi Valley area of south-east Minnesota/west Wisconsin, and the upper Michigan peninsula on the Lakes, and the Amish area of Ohio. And much more.

So, as a long-time Oz US resident my questions for those who post on this US sub-forum are - do you visit the USA mainly to experience some snapshots of the big cities and the US soft-cultural zeitgeist thru fashion, movies and TV shows? Or do you like to travel thru what I call the "real" USA - the smaller towns and the countryside? What draws you to the USA?
 
deltablues I wish I could like your post more than once. I tell anyone who'll listen that the best way to travel in the US is just to hire a car, avoid the Interstates and just go wherever takes your fancy. I used 'Road Trip USA' by Jamie Jensen as my inspiration for the 2 trips I've done. It's not as easy to do this with kids so I'll probably have to wait until mine are a bit older before doing it again.

As you say, the USA is a country of amazing geographical and demographical diversity and you miss so much if you just city-hop.
 
My first couple of trips to the US were with Contiki, and although you do hit a lot of big cities that way, they also stop overnight at some smaller spots. I had a few good conversations with locals in that time.
 
MrKK said:
deltablues I wish I could like your post more than once. I tell anyone who'll listen that the best way to travel in the US is just to hire a car, avoid the Interstates and just go wherever takes your fancy. I used 'Road Trip USA' by Jamie Jensen as my inspiration for the 2 trips I've done. It's not as easy to do this with kids so I'll probably have to wait until mine are a bit older before doing it again.

As you say, the USA is a country of amazing geographical and demographical diversity and you miss so much if you just city-hop.
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Which 2 trips did you do, MrKK?
 
deltablues said:
Which 2 trips did you do, MrKK?
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1st trip was Baton Rouge to DC - followed the Mississippi to Memphis, cut across Tennessee and northern Alabama then did Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah to get to Virginia. We booked the hire car and accommodation at each end in advance but all of the other overnight stops we just did as we went along. I loved how plentiful the accommodation options were that we were able to do that since it wasn't high season (Nov). We found many surprise hits (eg Florence, AL is a nice little college town that you wouldn't associate with Alabama and Chattanooga is a very picturesque city) and only the occasional miss (in Spruce Pine, NC we could only find a fleapit motel that the locals we met later said was a haven for drugs and hookers).

2nd trip was a loop from Las Vegas through Death Valley, Yosemite, the Loneliest Road across Nevada and Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion NPs in Utah. Again we did most accommodation on the hoof apart from Death Valley and Yosemite where we new options were very limited. Utah is hugely underrated as a destination if you're into outdoors stuff and easily reached e.g. Zion is only a 2-hour drive from Vegas.
 
MrKK said:
1st trip was Baton Rouge to DC - followed the Mississippi to Memphis, cut across Tennessee and northern Alabama then did Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah to get to Virginia. We booked the hire car and accommodation at each end in advance but all of the other overnight stops we just did as we went along. I loved how plentiful the accommodation options were that we were able to do that since it wasn't high season (Nov). We found many surprise hits (eg Florence, AL is a nice little college town that you wouldn't associate with Alabama and Chattanooga is a very picturesque city) and only the occasional miss (in Spruce Pine, NC we could only find a fleapit motel that the locals we met later said was a haven for drugs and hookers).

2nd trip was a loop from Las Vegas through Death Valley, Yosemite, the Loneliest Road across Nevada and Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion NPs in Utah. Again we did most accommodation on the hoof apart from Death Valley and Yosemite where we new options were very limited. Utah is hugely underrated as a destination if you're into outdoors stuff and easily reached e.g. Zion is only a 2-hour drive from Vegas.
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Trip 1 is very scenic. Am doing that (excluding Baton Rouge) at present, on my way back to AZ from DC. Leaving Asheville NC next week and following the country roads alongside the rivers and lakes in the Great Smoky Mountains area, then passing thru Chattanooga TN and then along the Tennessee River into Alabama thru Decatur and Florence. That route crosses the Natchez Traceway, which I like even better than the Blue Ridge Parkway, so may drive south along it for a while.

Trip 2 is totally different scenery, and Utah is very under rated, as you say, with some awesome skiing areas in winter.

If you ever "do" the Mississippi again, the river north of St Louis Missouri is far more interesting then the southern stretches (I have driven the whole length of the Miss from New Orleans to its source in northern Minnesota) because south of St Louis there are no locks, and the river becomes less interesting compared to north of St. Louis. For a river drive I suggest you start in the Upper Mississippi Valley at Hastings MN, just south of Minneapolis St. Paul and continue down the river, crossing over to the Wisconsin side and back to to the MN side, at various stages. Stopping at little burgs like Stockholm and Pepin Wisconsin. The river meanders across lush green country with smaller rivers entering it, high wooded bluffs, and is one of the great US scenic drives you never hear about. At Prairie du Chien (the locals say Prair de Sheen) you can then cut across Wisconsin to the Lake Michigan side, and start a whole new area of scenery.

In my experience, a road trip in the USA is at least 40% cheaper than the equivalent in Oz - motel costs are far cheaper unless you stay in upmarket chains; gasoline is far cheaper; and if you search out the mom and pop restaurants which most country towns have (search for them on your GPS) where the locals eat, you can have a made-to-order tasty meal for around $12.00 a head. Try finding that in a country town in Oz.
 
DrVanNostrand said:
Fantastic place to visit for an Aussie, sure, but I am genuinely curious why an Aussie would ever want to move to the States?
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There are some Oz expats living in the US who dip into this sub-forum who may respond to your query, but as to why: for me it was a professional decision, work-wise, and one I never regretted. Plus I have US extended family, more so than in Oz, so there was a link, albeit not a main driver.

If I did it again, at this time, as to why, I would also take into account USA:Oz disposable income/cost of living. Now that I am retired I visit Oz each year and wow, everything is so expensive. House prices are insanely high (noting also that primary residential mortgages are tax-deductible in the USA); cars, food, restaurants, booze, gasoline, clothes, travel, utilities, services costs are high. My US cost of living would be at least a third cheaper than in Oz (but admittedly I don't live in a high tax/cost area like California or New England).

Plus (and I am now straying into topics best discussed in a different forum/offline/whatever) I find the USA freer and more laissez-faire (or at least, it was) than Oz, which imo is now over-regulated, is losing its freedom of speech for PC political reasons, is now a nanny state where the philosophy seems to be - if it moves, legislate it- and has extremely high labor/wage/regulatory costs of doing business. The high costs, in the oil and gas and mining sectors (my area of work) are now impacting many major projects in Oz, where there is downturn and a re-focusing on cheaper TW sites such as Africa (despite the political risks). Anyway - not for this forum....
 
deltablues said:
There are some Oz expats living in the US who dip into this sub-forum who may respond to your query, but as to why: for me it was a professional decision, work-wise, and one I never regretted. Plus I have US extended family, more so than in Oz, so there was a link, albeit not a main driver.

If I did it again, at this time, as to why, I would also take into account USA:Oz disposable income/cost of living. Now that I am retired I visit Oz each year and wow, everything is so expensive. House prices are insanely high (noting also that primary residential mortgages are tax-deductible in the USA); cars, food, restaurants, booze, gasoline, clothes, travel, utilities, services costs are high. My US cost of living would be at least a third cheaper than in Oz (but admittedly I don't live in a high tax/cost area like California or New England).

Plus (and I am now straying into topics best discussed in a different forum/offline/whatever) I find the USA freer and more laissez-faire (or at least, it was) than Oz, which imo is now over-regulated, is losing its freedom of speech for PC political reasons, is now a nanny state where the philosophy seems to be - if it moves, legislate it- and has extremely high labor/wage/regulatory costs of doing business. The high costs, in the oil and gas and mining sectors (my area of work) are now impacting many major projects in Oz, where there is downturn and a re-focusing on cheaper TW sites such as Africa (despite the political risks). Anyway - not for this forum....
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Interesting insight, thanks. I was there recently on a 2.5 month solo trip, had an amazing time as any young, single Aussie bloke would have in the US. But I actually took home some quite different viewpoints to others I met, and found it the opposite of laissez-faire - in the sense there's cops and security f*cking everywhere, emergency sirens blasting 24/7, homeless and beggars on most street corners in the cities, and an overriding paranoia in the people you don't get at home. Was pleasantly surprised, though, how many locals I met who were fully aware how terrible their system is compared to other developed countries. The people in general impressed me more than anything.

Can't wait to get back some time next year for another jaunt, but wouldn't live there in a million years.
 

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Would recommend Atlanta on Labor Day weekend.

Go to the East Side and you've got DragonCon. Amazing costumes, and big celebrities over there to listen to. Spent Friday over that side of town.

Go to the West Side and you've got Football. It's college kickoff on Labor Day weekend, and there was 5 games in and around Atlanta this year (4 Atlanta, 1 Athens) I only went to the Thursday game, but the tailgating and atmosphere on both Thursday and Saturday was great.

Then there's the other sights, ie. Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium etc.

If you go any other time of year, I'd really only give up 2 days for it. But Labor Day weekend? 4-6 would be perfect.
 
DrVanNostrand said:
Interesting insight, thanks. I was there recently on a 2.5 month solo trip, had an amazing time as any young, single Aussie bloke would have in the US. But I actually took home some quite different viewpoints to others I met, and found it the opposite of laissez-faire - in the sense there's cops and security f*cking everywhere, emergency sirens blasting 24/7, homeless and beggars on most street corners in the cities, and an overriding paranoia in the people you don't get at home. Was pleasantly surprised, though, how many locals I met who were fully aware how terrible their system is compared to other developed countries. The people in general impressed me more than anything.
Can't wait to get back some time next year for another jaunt, but wouldn't live there in a million years.
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Your comments are based on what you have experienced, so fair enough, but as a long-time resident of the US I have to say I have never yet met any Americans who have stated how terrible their system is compared to other developed countries, including any of my work buddies who, like me, have been posted to countries outside the US on business assignments and can draw comparisons. However, it does have a seedy side, as you have noted, but this largely depends on where you visit/live. Anyway, safe travels back next year.
 
Michaels said:
Boston: 2 nights - literally just going for the basketball. will do some walking around during the day, open to suggestions.
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Went last year and loved Boston (we stayed 2 nights as well but wish i stayed a lot longer). St Paddys day was insane. Went to Heat v Celtics game at TD Gardens which was unreal.

Definitely hit up Fenway Park for the tour. If you want to earn brownie points with the Mrs and she is into this sort of thing check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home

Not personally my thing but it was small enough i didnt get too bored (* you Met) and she loved it.
 
Jade's_ said:
Went last year and loved Boston (we stayed 2 nights as well but wish i stayed a lot longer). St Paddys day was insane. Went to Heat v Celtics game at TD Gardens which was unreal.

Definitely hit up Fenway Park for the tour. If you want to earn brownie points with the Mrs and she is into this sort of thing check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home

Not personally my thing but it was small enough i didnt get too bored (**** you Met) and she loved it.
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Does the Fenway park tour run all year round? i was definitely going to do that but i heard it doesnt start running till April and we are there mid march?
 
So, the fiancee and I have nearly booked in our honeymoon, we leave on 15th Nov and are away for 3 months. Our itinerary is as follows:

Europe - 1 month (to be discussed in another thread)
Chicago - 3 nights (going here to see the Bears Vs Lions match in Week 17 at Soldier Field. Tickets were as expensive as *, but it will be awesome)
NYC - 6 nights (including Xmas)
Boston - 2 nights
Niagara - 1 night
Vegas - 8 nights (including NYE. We have been here before, twice, so know what to expect. We just love walking around, drinking, eating, gambling etc.....great place. Freemont St is awesome as well!!!!)
SF - 2 nights
LA - 2 nights (just to go to the theme parks really!!)
Austin TX - 4 nights (Will go to San Antonio for a night in there as well...) Looking forwrad to this part of it.

then......the Caribbean

Montego Bay, Jamaica - 7 nights
St Barths, 7 nights
St Maarten, 7 nights

CANNOT WAIT!!!

Anyone got any thoughts on that itinerary? Or any places we should substitute in/out?
 
Are you doing the US in that order?

It just seems back and forth. I'd fly into JFK from London Heathrow I assume and then work my way across the country instead of going back and fourth.

I'd do - NYC, Boston, Niagara, Chicago, Dallas, Vagas, SF, LA and then maybe Miami as they would be an easier flight to the Caribbean.

But very jealous about the Caribbean - maybe one day I'll get their.
 
alex_is_on_fire said:
Are you doing the US in that order?

It just seems back and forth. I'd fly into JFK from London Heathrow I assume and then work my way across the country instead of going back and fourth.

I'd do - NYC, Boston, Niagara, Chicago, Dallas, Vagas, SF, LA and then maybe Miami as they would be an easier flight to the Caribbean.

But very jealous about the Caribbean - maybe one day I'll get their.
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Yeah, it is back and forth, but mostly because of the schedule and our desire to go to the Bears game on Dec 20, NY for Xmas and LV for NYE.

Texas to Jamaica isnt too bad a flight, because there is a direct flight from Houston to Montego Bay.

Any other must see cities you think we should include?

We also know it will be bloody freezing until we arrive in the Caribbean!!
 
Skeppersap said:
Yeah, it is back and forth, but mostly because of the schedule and our desire to go to the Bears game on Dec 20, NY for Xmas and LV for NYE.

Texas to Jamaica isnt too bad a flight, because there is a direct flight from Houston to Montego Bay.

Any other must see cities you think we should include?

We also know it will be bloody freezing until we arrive in the Caribbean!!
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LOL - that's an understatement. Did NYC last christmas and NYE and it was minus 22. Freezing it certainly was.

However, I really loved Boston and Washington DC.
 
Skeppersap said:
So, the fiancee and I have nearly booked in our honeymoon, we leave on 15th Nov and are away for 3 months. Our itinerary is as follows:

Europe - 1 month (to be discussed in another thread)
Chicago - 3 nights (going here to see the Bears Vs Lions match in Week 17 at Soldier Field. Tickets were as expensive as ****, but it will be awesome)
NYC - 6 nights (including Xmas)
Boston - 2 nights
Niagara - 1 night
Vegas - 8 nights (including NYE. We have been here before, twice, so know what to expect. We just love walking around, drinking, eating, gambling etc.....great place. Freemont St is awesome as well!!!!)
SF - 2 nights
LA - 2 nights (just to go to the theme parks really!!)
Austin TX - 4 nights (Will go to San Antonio for a night in there as well...) Looking forwrad to this part of it.

then......the Caribbean

Montego Bay, Jamaica - 7 nights
St Barths, 7 nights
St Maarten, 7 nights

CANNOT WAIT!!!

Anyone got any thoughts on that itinerary? Or any places we should substitute in/out?
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My only comment is that you're just going to LA for the theme parks, try go to Orlando instead because the theme parks are better. In saying that none of your other cities are really near Orlando, so maybe thats why :p
 
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