Your favourite things in the US

[mike_]

I'm heading off to Anaheim, Vegas, Orlando and New York in a couple of weeks. I've lined up a few sports events: hockey, basketball, college football and a couple of shows in Vegas/NY, but I'm keen on checking out the local music talent whilst I'm there.

Can anybody recommend some good bars, music halls where I can check out some stuff, preferably in NY and Orlando? Keen on some jazz/blues, or more alternative stuff like Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes.

Thanks!

 

[Childish Gambino]

The cheapest flights generally arrive and depart from the same hub. In fact at around $1100, you will find you are pretty much getting the return leg for free. To do a multi-city, the return ticket will pretty much double.

Without searching I would fly into LA, then take a domestic airline to NY. I did not go there directly but went from LA to Memphis and Memphis to NY over a couple of days and probably paid $300 in total doing it that way. Connections were in Phoenix and Atlanta. Going back we did NY to Buffalo, then Buffalo to Las Vegas (connecting Boston), then Las Vegas to LA again. Again collectively it was probably about $300 each. So unless you can get a return ticket arriving LA, departing NY for less than $1700, you are better off using their cheap domestic flights. If you get the chance go Jet Blue, easily the best US domestic airline.

Since you are doing Vegas and Memphis, if you can't get a cheap return flight departing from NY, just work your way from coast to coast as we did. We left Anaheim for last so we didn't have to get off a domestic flight and get on an international flight in the same day.

Thanks for the response.

I will do a bit of research on domestic prices and see how they compare.

 

[de_LICA_ish18]

I went to Cedar Point years ago when I was 15. I would love to go back oneday but there's nothing else in Ohio so not sure if it's worth the trip....plus I'm not a huge rollercoaster person. I have fond memories but not sure if it would live up to how I remember it.

 

[de_LICA_ish18]

Heading over to San Fran in Jan. With all the people talking about it, obviously going to do the Alcatraz tour, should I book in advance or can I just do it on the day? If I need to book, what is the best company to do it through? Had a look at a few websites, but they look pretty dodgy.

I assume doing the Golden Gate bridge (planning to hire a bike and ride across it) you can just do whenever you want.

Also, is the Yosemite tour worth doing?

Any recommendation for accommodation? (23 year old male)

I was there last month. Alcatraz night tour is good. We went across the bay when the sun was going down which was awesome. My sister booked online but I'm not sure what the site was. I assume there's an official site.

I did the bike ride over the bridge. Yeah you can do that whenever and there are plenty of places to hire bikes, you can't miss them. It's definitly worth doing although I found the map a bit dodgy. Luckily there are plenty of other riders to follow. It's quite a long ride to get to the bridge, I just assumed I'd get on at one side of the bridge and off at the other LOL.

I stayed at the Sheraton Fishermans Wharf. Loved it, very close to pier 39 but a bit pricey. I would definetly stay there again.

 

[kirky]

Hey guys, I’ve read through both threads and it was a really enjoyable read.

Looking at planning a trip to the US some time next year. At this stage it is looking between May and June for around a month. At this stage there seems to be a group of 6.

I have a few questions that you might be able to help me out with.

First off regarding flights, would it be cheaper to purchase a return ticket to LA/SF which are around $1100 at the moment flying out from Melbourne or am I better off flying to LA/SF and then flying back to Melb from NY?

My rough draft of our current itinerary is:
LA – disney, universal, hollywood etc
San Fran – alcatraz, golden gate bridge
Vegas – casino, shows, Grand Canyon, Hoover dam
Memphis – graceland
New York
Niagara Falls

We are also pretty keen on going to Cedar Point but that is in Ohio, would it be worth the effort?

Also my partner is very keen on going to both Disneyland and Disneyworld. Once again would it be worth the effort to go all the way to Florida?

I’m looking at hiring a car in LA/SF and driving to San Fran and Vegas, flying to Memphis, then flying to New York and then hiring a car to get to Niagara Falls. Drive back to New York and fly back to Melbourne from there.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

As stated previously better to get a return flight from Oz to LA and then buy domestic flights within USA.

Don't see much point in doing both Disneyland and Disneyworld - much the same.

Great to do the Pacific road from LA to San Fran - Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Pebble Beach/Monterey are all good.

Las Vegas - people either love it or loath - personally I love the place and I don't bet (been there 7 times over the past 16 years). Your accomodation can be cheaper if you avoid Friday/Saturday nights - Las Vegas is the same every night. Great deals on accommodation at the moment. Hoover Dam only an hour away by car and I assume you will be doing a day trip to Grand Canyon via plane and you can do some good shopping at the Discount Outlet Stores.

 

[Cuddly Carlotta]

New York. Full stop!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

New York. Full stop!

Not a full stop for me, but easily number 1 on a long list of cool things.

 

[jefffff34]

While your in Vancouver the Canucks NHL team play on the 24th. Tickets are always sold out but you can always get them on sites like ticketstub, ticketzoom etc. If you've never been before it's an amazing experience and atmosphere.

Yep, got tickets a month or so ago on Ticketmaster...Canucks vs Dallas...possibly a top of the table clash too.

 

[Fire Storm]

Spent a week in San Fransisco and loved it. Plenty to see and do. Can't go wrong stopping there.

 

[Lets Roar like '44]

Yep, got tickets a month or so ago on Ticketmaster...Canucks vs Dallas...possibly a top of the table clash too.

They play Dallas in Dallas on the 31st December, Canucks play Colorado on the 24th November

 

[kirky]

Have just booked flights for June am doing the following over 3 weeks :-

Adelaide - Sydney - LA (Qantas) then on to Vancouver (via Alaskan Airlines) then drive to Calgary via Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff via Icefields Parkway - then fly from Calgary to Las Vegas (Air Canada) for 5 nights before flying from Las Vegas to LA (American Airlines) then back to Sydney. Arrive back in Sydney and take a flight down to Melbourne to see the Crows play the Bullies before flying next day up to Cairns/Port Douglas for 5 days and then finally back to Adelaide via Sydney. Total airfare cost $3,955- (it includes Premium Economy return for the Sydney - LA leg). Qantas have a 90 hour sale on at the moment and purchased via each airlines website.

Can never get enough of the Canadian Rockies and Las Vegas.

Great value for money.

 

[VicO]

If you have a lot of carry-on try be early on the Alaskan flight or you'll end up with everything on your lap!

 

[Changamagic]

I am looking to plan a trip to the US in 2011. Is there any period of the year when all 3 sporting codes (NFL/NBA/MLB) are still in regular season competition??? Wanted to try and get a look at at least one of each.

Having a quick look it appeared that mid-September to mid-October would capture all 3 codes... any advice or confirmation would be greatly appreciated

 

[two blue tiger]

I am looking to plan a trip to the US in 2011. Is there any period of the year when all 3 sporting codes (NFL/NBA/MLB) are still in regular season competition??? Wanted to try and get a look at at least one of each.

Having a quick look it appeared that mid-September to mid-October would capture all 3 codes... any advice or confirmation would be greatly appreciated

Forgotten the NHL, have you? Easily the best of the FOUR major US sports - fast and exciting, unbelievable skill level, toughness personified. Sounds a bit like AFL, eh? Season runs early Oct > Jun.

 

[kirky]

I am looking to plan a trip to the US in 2011. Is there any period of the year when all 3 sporting codes (NFL/NBA/MLB) are still in regular season competition??? Wanted to try and get a look at at least one of each.

Having a quick look it appeared that mid-September to mid-October would capture all 3 codes... any advice or confirmation would be greatly appreciated

NBA (normal season not including their pre-season) starts last week of October thru mid-June
NFL starts the first week of September thru to first weekend in February
MLB starts late March thru to end of late October

So you could capture all codes but you would be seeing the pre-season for the NBA.

 

[Childish Gambino]

Would you guys have any recommendations for car rental websites in the US. I want one where I can compare prices. Looking at hiring a car in San Francisco and driving to LA then dropping it off in Vegas. Any suggestions?

 

[Ghostwriter]

Would you guys have any recommendations for car rental websites in the US. I want one where I can compare prices. Looking at hiring a car in San Francisco and driving to LA then dropping it off in Vegas. Any suggestions?

I used National/Alamo don't know about comparison websites, but be prepared to pay $300 extra for dropping it at a different city from where you rent it.

 

[VicO]

Yeah, the one way fees are huge. You'd save a lot of money by doing a round trip. Not sure of any comparison websites, but check national, avis, budget, thrifty, dollar etc.

Like jozeph, I went with National and I thought they were excellent, we exchanged the car two times no questions asked. Convo basically went like this:

"We're here to exchange the car"
"Go pick one from over there..."

Nice cars as well. I went with Avis for the second part of the trip and they were ok, nothing special.

 

[kirky]

Agree with one way fees but it does depend where car is picked up and dropped off (if its between LA and Las Vegas no drop off fees). I have just locked in a car in June between Vancouver and Calgary (no drop off fees) with Hertz and only costing CAD $535- for 9 days.

I have always used Hertz and have been lucky to get an upgrade at no cost most times. Not sure why but it happens and more regularly than I realised.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe]

This thread makes me want to go back. Can't believe it's been a year already! I plan on going back, following the New England Patriots for around 6-8 weeks then a couple of weeks back in Vegas, maybe San Fran or something.

 

[Citizen Erazed]

Spent a week in San Fransisco and loved it. Plenty to see and do. Can't go wrong stopping there.

Can i ask where you stayed?

Trying to find a place to stay in the city centre, but i hear there are dodgy areas in and around downtown San Fran.

 

[Bucks Boy Jett]

Can i ask where you stayed?

Trying to find a place to stay in the city centre, but i hear there are dodgy areas in and around downtown San Fran.

We stayed at Fisherman's Wharf last week which was really good, lots of touristy stuff to do and just a short bus trip into the city centre.

 

[Ghostwriter]

Can i ask where you stayed?

Trying to find a place to stay in the city centre, but i hear there are dodgy areas in and around downtown San Fran.

I stayed at USA hostel in post st, lots of other accomodation houses in that street as well, didn't see too much that i'd call dodgy in San Fran, one of the nicest cities i've ever visited.

 

[jefffff34]

They play Dallas in Dallas on the 31st December, Canucks play Colorado on the 24th November

January.

 

[VicO]

I stayed at USA hostel in post st, lots of other accomodation houses in that street as well, didn't see too much that i'd call dodgy in San Fran, one of the nicest cities i've ever visited.

Nah mate, there is a lot of dodgy in San Fran, I found that out while waiting for my car in the parking lot in the middle of downtown at 10am. Some crummy hotels you should stay away from there. You'll be fine if you book through a site like priceline though. Stayed at the Parc 55 right in the middle of everything for something like $80-90 a night.