Travel USA travel tips and tricks

[Ghostwriter]

+1 for Yosemite from me, probably the most beautiful, awe inspiring place i've seen, although I haven't been to NZ yet.

 

[Suspense]

I've got a list of about 30 Seinfeld landmarks and recreations I want to see/carry out. Don't worry, I know all about Tom's. Not doing the east coast until early 2015 (west coast Mar-Apr '14, Canada May-Dec '14, east coast Jan-Feb '15).

i had a papaya king hotdog for lunch today (didn't want a movie hotdog).

 

[Dirty Bird]

Just planning next trip now (Got Europe sorted)

This is what I'm looking at.

Aug 27 - Fly over
28 - 30 Atlanta
Then South East (Orlando, Miami, New Orleans) - What's the best form of transport between Miami-Orlando?
Then I'd fly to New Orleans before heading to wherever the Falcons are opening day (+ College on the Saturday before)
Then I'd do 1-1.5 weeks in the North East (New York, Boston, Washington) - Same question. Transport once there, what's best? Fly, train, bus, drive?

And hostel vs hotel - What would be best in each city? I'd be going solo if that makes any difference..

 

[Iason]

+1 for Yosemite from me, probably the most beautiful, awe inspiring place i've seen, although I haven't been to NZ yet.

Yosemite
Yellowstone
Arches

In that order.

 

[Tannehill17]

booked most of my flights and accommodation. Leaving Feb 4th

NYC - 7 nights (getting a NYC pass, also going to a Brooklyn and Knicks game)
14 day contiki tour going from NYC to New orleans (few nights in Washington, down the east coast to Miami and Orlando. shitload of sightseeing, Disneyworld, JFK Space Station)
New Orleans for 1 night to recover
North Carolina - 2 nights (visiting a friend and she lives in some college town so there isnt much to do but hopefully there will be a party)
Berkeley - 3 nights (staying with another mate on the Cal campus and during the day will do all my sightseeing in San Fran)
Los Angeles - 4 nights (Got tickets to a Lakers game, UCLA basketball and LA Kings. Keen to spend a day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Rest of the time chilling around Venice/Santa Monica and hopefully get some surfing done. Got a friend in Huntington beach but im not sure how close that is)

Just staying in hostels for the trip apart from when im staying with friends. Disappointed about not visiting Seattle or Indianapolis but i can always do that next time. Pacers tickets are so cheap compared to Lakers/Knicks/Nets. Also wish i was going to Austin, Chicago and Boston.

 

[blakey_10]

Has anyone travelled through the South? Places like Mississippi (Oxford), Alabama (Tuscaloosa), Texas (Austin), Lousiana (Baton Rouge)? What's it like and is it relatively safe?

Austin is amazing but so hot. My tip is stay away from 6th street. The locals call it dirty 6th. I bumped into the actor who plays Landry from Friday Night Lights at a bar.

Tuscaloosa is really good as well. Not much to do during the day except from the stadium and campus. Nightlife is crazy good! Nashville is a must! The people from the south are very friendly!

 

[blakey_10]

I spent 3 months in North America from May - August. It was amazing. I think I did around 16 states plus Cancun and Vancouver. Had a blast. Did most of it with a mate, did contiki solo for 2 weeks LA to NO, the east coast by myself. Enjoyed the south the most. Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, NO, Tuscaloosa, Savannah, Charleston & Nashville. Spent July 4th in Nashvegas.

Chicago was also great. Stayed in a hostel in "Wrigleyville" and happened to be there when lollapalooza and the cubs were playing a 4 game series against LA Dodgers. Met this aussie bartender in a sports bar and she looked after me every night with free drinks, shots and cutting my tab in half!

I never felt unsafe in any of the cities. People are very friendly. Also recommend getting an USA sim card. I went with AT & T. So handy with google maps and apps like 4 square and yelp. Tells you where to eat, what not to eat and tells you which bars are busy. Also some taxi drivers don't know where some places are. I had to use google maps a fair in Texas and show the drivers.

Some of my highlights:
Nashville (country music 24/7. Went shooting a couple of times
Austin (met Landry from Friday Night Lights)
Randomly catching a limo in New York from Times Square to Queens for $25 with unlimited beer (was trying to get a cab)
Man vs Food restaurants (there is an app)
Drinking with an off duty homicide detective in LA who was shouting us drinks

Planning to head back next year in Aug - Sept and see a few college games in Austin and Tuscaloosa. Also back to Nashville.

 

[MrKK]

Forgot all about Yosemite, will defs add, love the idea of just getting out away from anywhere, off the grid and just chilling.

Yosemite is amazing but you might be too early in the year, depending on what you want to do. The Tioga Pass, Glacier Point Road and many of the hiking trails from the Valley don't re-open winter until April/May or even later if there was heavy winter snowfall. If you just want to see Tunnel View and the Valley then you should be right any time.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Hi guys heading over to the world cup in Brazil next year and planning to go via the USA. Given I've been to LA, San Francisco, NYC, Orlando, Vegas and New Orleans which other cities would you recommend I go to? I'm thinking Chicago, DC, maybe Philly?, Austin and somewhere in Florida. What are your thoughts on these cities and any other recommendations?

 

[kaiserchief13]

I spent 3 months in North America from May - August. It was amazing. I think I did around 16 states plus Cancun and Vancouver. Had a blast. Did most of it with a mate, did contiki solo for 2 weeks LA to NO, the east coast by myself. Enjoyed the south the most. Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, NO, Tuscaloosa, Savannah, Charleston & Nashville. Spent July 4th in Nashvegas.

Chicago was also great. Stayed in a hostel in "Wrigleyville" and happened to be there when lollapalooza and the cubs were playing a 4 game series against LA Dodgers. Met this aussie bartender in a sports bar and she looked after me every night with free drinks, shots and cutting my tab in half!

I never felt unsafe in any of the cities. People are very friendly. Also recommend getting an USA sim card. I went with AT & T. So handy with google maps and apps like 4 square and yelp. Tells you where to eat, what not to eat and tells you which bars are busy. Also some taxi drivers don't know where some places are. I had to use google maps a fair in Texas and show the drivers.

Some of my highlights:
Nashville (country music 24/7. Went shooting a couple of times
Austin (met Landry from Friday Night Lights)
Randomly catching a limo in New York from Times Square to Queens for $25 with unlimited beer (was trying to get a cab)
Man vs Food restaurants (there is an app)
Drinking with an off duty homicide detective in LA who was shouting us drinks

Planning to head back next year in Aug - Sept and see a few college games in Austin and Tuscaloosa. Also back to Nashville.

Breaking Bad!

 

[Dirty Bird]

Went to a European travel show today in Adelaide.
They had amazing around the world airfares (from $2094)
I got in at $2182 (then a $50 off prize - So $2,132)

Got
Adelaide ---> Dubai ---> London ---> New York (land sector) Los Angeles ---> Adelaide

Time to start filling in that itinerary of America.
Arrive August 25, leave September 22.
So with a few days extra, I might do Miami straight off the bat and relax there for a few days.
Or are there any cities in the South-East one would recommend? (Beyond Nawleans, Hotlanta, Miami and Orlando)

 

[Tannehill17]

Is the place called Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina)? Going on exchange next year and that's one of my 3 preferred options so would love to hear about it if it is where you're going

Nah Greenville which is the home of Eastern Carolina. Was going to head to Chapel Hill for a night and watch the tar Heels play but it was an afternoon game so I wouldnt of been able to get there in time. Apparently Chapel Hill is a pretty epic college town and the campus is beautiful, you will have a blast.

Just changed my plans and Im spending one night less in San Fran and stopping over in Indianapolis for the night. Getting a ticket to watch us play the the Bucks, cant wait for that. Tickets are so much cheaper compared to the bigger cities.

 

[Tannehill17]

Went to a European travel show today in Adelaide.
They had amazing around the world airfares (from $2094)
I got in at $2182 (then a $50 off prize - So $2,132)

Got
Adelaide ---> Dubai ---> London ---> New York (land sector) Los Angeles ---> Adelaide

Time to start filling in that itinerary of America.
Arrive August 25, leave September 22.
So with a few days extra, I might do Miami straight off the bat and relax there for a few days.
Or are there any cities in the South-East one would recommend? (Beyond Nawleans, Hotlanta, Miami and Orlando)

A mate just got back from Tallahassee(home of Florida State) and loved it. Not sure if you would be interested in those college cities but something like Athens or Tuscaloosa could be worth checking out.

 

[Dirty Bird]

A mate just got back from Tallahassee(home of Florida State) and loved it. Not sure if you would be interested in those college cities but something like Athens or Tuscaloosa could be worth checking out.

I would for gameday. Not during the week.
When I'm there Alabama and Florida State are at the Falcons and Cowboys stadiums for kickoff weekend. No college experience Auburn has no game scheduled.

Does Athens qualify as a college town? If so, that was already in my plans (Georgia vs Clemson) but Gainseville for Florida-Idaho could get a look in... (But considering Florida will win by 50+ points, it's not really enticing)

 

[ohhhBigMalcho]

My 37 day trip with 2 of my best mates to America, Vancouver and Tokyo kicks off next saturday, first stop LA. cant wait

 

[Elvis]

My 37 day trip with 2 of my best mates to America, Vancouver and Tokyo kicks off next saturday, first stop LA. cant wait

Love your signature, if only you weren't a Tiger supporter we could have been great friends. Have a great one. I am jealous though - I have to wait til the following Saturday before I'm US bound. Leave 11am Oz arrive 20 odd hours later in NY, then time to get my drink on ... I can't see a problem here

 

[00Stinger]

Yosemite is amazing but you might be too early in the year, depending on what you want to do. The Tioga Pass, Glacier Point Road and many of the hiking trails from the Valley don't re-open winter until April/May or even later if there was heavy winter snowfall. If you just want to see Tunnel View and the Valley then you should be right any time.

Very true. I was up there in early December last year and Tioga Pass was closed.

Still awesome up there though

 

[Goodo73]

Leave 11am Oz arrive 20 odd hours later in NY, then time to get my drink on

Seems to me you're getting your drink on 20-odd hours late.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Seems to me you're getting your drink on 20-odd hours late.

Yep, international flight = free booze.

Well, until you get too cut and then get cut off and then potentially detailed by the FBI.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Ok, I need some advice.
DC for 1.5 days, New York, 3 days, Boston 3 days. (Might cut to 2, and move Vegas from 2 to 3)
Or
Boston 4 days (With 3 MLB games), New York 3 days.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Ok, I need some advice.
DC for 1.5 days, New York, 3 days, Boston 3 days. (Might cut to 2, and move Vegas from 2 to 3)
Or
Boston 4 days (With 3 MLB games), New York 3 days.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Ok, I need some advice.
DC for 1.5 days, New York, 3 days, Boston 3 days. (Might cut to 2, and move Vegas from 2 to 3)
Or
Boston 4 days (With 3 MLB games), New York 3 days.

Take a day from Boston and give it to DC or Vegas. Boston can be done in 2 days.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Take a day from Boston and give it to DC or Vegas. Boston can be done in 2 days.

I'm doing Hartford, Connecticut for college football (Boise State @ Connectcut), so I'll have 5 days before it in the N/E and 3 after.
And I don't really want to zigzag across the North East. So if I lose days from Boston, it'll result in zigzagging.

 

[Nelso]

Ok, I need some advice.
DC for 1.5 days, New York, 3 days, Boston 3 days. (Might cut to 2, and move Vegas from 2 to 3)
Or
Boston 4 days (With 3 MLB games), New York 3 days.

You need more than 2 days in Vegas.

 

[sabre_ac]

What are people's opinions on Vegas vs New Orleans? I had an epic guys trip planned for Vegas next but we are now seriously considering changing it to New Orleans